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At least 199 records · Page 11

VAPEPS Management Center

A VibroAcoustic Payload Environment Prediction System (VAPEPS) Management Center is established and being maintained at JPL. VAPEPS is a computer program that utilizes statistical energy analysis (SEA) theory and SEA extrapolation methods to predict the vibroacoustic environments of complex systems. The program is commonly utilized to establish random vibration and acoustic test requirements for aerospace components exposed to launch environments. It can also be used in the payload or launch vehicle design process for control or mitigation of the launch or on-orbit vibration and acoustic environments, as well as to calculate acoustically induced stresses in structures such as solar panels and reflectors.

VAPEPS↗

Spatiotemporal Analysis of High-Resolution Pressure-Sensitive Paint Measurements on a Launch Vehicle Wind Tunnel Model

An accurate understanding of unsteady aerodynamic loads is critical for launch vehicle structural design and for development of the vibro-acoustic environment for payload components. Analysts commonly use point-wise surface pressure measurements from wind tunnel testing to build statistical models of the in-flight turbulent boundary layer flow structures, often extrapolating over large swaths of the surface due to measurement sparsity. We present novel results from a transonic wind tunnel test using fast-response pressure-sensitive paint (PSP) and show how it can be used to visualize and quantify localized turbulent boundary layer wall pressure statistics with unprecedented spatial resolution. The wind tunnel model is a scaled model of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket Block 1B Crew configuration and analysis focused on the compression corner between the Service Module fairing and the Universal Stage Adapter.

Corcos Model↗

Predictive Modeling for NASA Entry, Descent and Landing Missions

Entry, Descent and Landing (EDL) Modeling and Simulation (MS) is an enabling capability for complex NASA entry missions such as MSL and Orion. MS is used in every mission phase to define mission concepts, select appropriate architectures, design EDL systems, quantify margin and risk, ensure correct system operation, and analyze data returned from the entry. In an environment where it is impossible to fully test EDL concepts on the ground prior to use, accurate MS capability is required to extrapolate ground test results to expected flight performance.

Modeling & Simulation↗

Toward Complete Characterization: Prospects for Directly Imaging Transiting Exoplanets

High-contrast direct imaging of exoplanets can provide many important observables, including measurements of the orbit, spectra that probe the lower layers of the atmosphere, and phase variations of the planet, but cannot directly measure planet radius or mass. Our future understanding of directly imaged exoplanets will therefore rely on extrapolated models of planetary atmospheres and bulk composition, which need robust calibration. We estimate the population of extrasolar planets that could serve as calibrators for these models. Critically, this population of "standard planets" must be accessible to both direct imaging and the transit method, allowing for radius measurement. We show that the search volume of a direct imaging mission eventually overcomes the transit probability falloff with semimajor axis, so that as long as cold planets are not exceedingly rare, the population of transiting planets and directly imageable planets overlaps. Using current extrapolations of Kepler occurrence rates, we estimate that ~8 standard planets could be characterized shortward of 800 nm with an ambitious future direct imaging mission like LUVOIR-A and several dozen could be detected at the V band. We show the design space that would expand the sample size and discuss the extent to which ground- and space-based surveys could detect this small but crucial population of planets.

Christopher C. Stark↗

Automatic Conversion of Conceptual Geometry to CFD Geometry for Aircraft Design

Conceptual aircraft design is usually based on simple analysis codes. Its objective is to provide an overall system performance of the developed concept, while preliminary aircraft design uses high-fidelity analysis tools such as computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis codes or finite element structural analysis codes. In some applications, such as low-boom supersonic concept development, it is important to be able to explore a variety of drastically different configurations while using CFD analysis to check whether a given configuration can be tailored to have a low-boom ground signature. It poses an extremely challenging problem of integrating CFD analysis in conceptual design. This presentation will discuss a computer code, called iPatch, for automatic conversion of conceptual geometry to CFD geometry. In general, conceptual aircraft geometry is not as well-defined as a CAD geometry model. In particular, a conceptual aircraft geometry model usually does not define the intersection curves for the connecting surfaces. The computer code iPatch eliminates the gap between conceptual geometry and CFD geometry by accomplishing the following three tasks automatically: (1) use bicubic B-splines to extrapolate (if necessary) each surface in a conceptual geometry so that all the independently defined geometry components (such as wing and fuselage) can be intersected to form a watertight CFD geometry, (2) compute the intersection curves of surface patches at any resolution (up to 10-7 accuracy) specified by users, and (3) write the B-spline surface patches and the corresponding boundary points for the watertight CFD geometry in the format that can be directly exported to the meshing tool VGRID in the CFD software TetrUSS. As a result, conceptual designers can get quick feedback on the aerodynamic characteristics of their concepts, which will allow them to understand some subtlety in their concepts and to be able to assess their concepts with a higher degree of confidence. This integration of CFD analysis in conceptual aircraft design will greatly eliminate some uncertainty due to simple analysis codes used to develop the concepts and improve the feasibility/credibility of the final concept. The presentation will highlight the mathematical challenges of accomplishing the aforementioned three tasks and the computational algorithms used by iPatch.

Li, Wu↗

Three-Dimensional, Transgenic Cell Models to Quantify Space Genotoxic Effects

The space environment contains radiation and chemical agents known to be mutagenic and carcinogenic to humans. Additionally, microgravity is a complicating factor that may modify or synergize induced genotoxic effects. Most in vitro models fail to use human cells (making risk extrapolation to humans more difficult), overlook the dynamic effect of tissue intercellular interactions on genotoxic damage, and lack the sensitivity required to measure low-dose effects. Currently a need exists for a model test system that simulates cellular interactions present in tissue, and can be used to quantify genotoxic damage induced by low levels of radiation and chemicals, and extrapolate assessed risk to humans. A state-of-the-art, three-dimensional, multicellular tissue equivalent cell culture model will be presented. It consists of mammalian cells genetically engineered to contain multiple copies of defined target genes for genotoxic assessment,. NASA-designed bioreactors were used to coculture mammalian cells into spheroids, The cells used were human mammary epithelial cells (H184135) and Stratagene's (Austin, Texas) Big Blue(TM) Rat 2 lambda fibroblasts. The fibroblasts were genetically engineered to contain -a high-density target gene for mutagenesis (60 copies of lacl/LacZ per cell). Tissue equivalent spheroids were routinely produced by inoculation of 2 to 7 X 10(exp 5) fibroblasts with Cytodex 3 beads (150 micrometers in diameter). at a 20:1 cell:bead ratio, into 50-ml HARV bioreactors (Synthecon, Inc.). Fibroblasts were cultured for 5 days, an equivalent number of epithelial cells added, and the fibroblast/epithelial cell coculture continued for 21 days. Three-dimensional spheroids with diameters ranging from 400 to 600 micrometers were obtained. Histological and immunohistochemical Characterization revealed i) both cell types present in the spheroids, with fibroblasts located primarily in the center, surrounded by epithelial cells; ii) synthesis of extracellular matrix; and iii,, mitotic cells located throughout the spheroids. Spheroidal integrity and cell viability were retained for the 30-day test period after removal of spheroids from the bioreactor. Potential utility of this three-dimensional, transgenic model for genotoxicity was initially assessed by exposure of spheroids to 0-2 Gy neon at dose rates of 0.3 to 1.5 Gy/min (National Institute of Radiological Sciences, Chiba, Japan). Quantification of mutation at the lacl gene revealed a linear dose response for mutation induction. Limited sequencing analysis of mutant clones revealed higher frequencies of deletions and multiple base sequence changes with increasing dose. These results suggest that our three-dimensional, transgenic model is applicable to a wide variety of studies involving the quantification, identification, and characterization of genotoxicity incurred in space and on Earth. This model uniquely allows investigation of the interaction of relevant factors, namely cell-to-cell interactions and the mechanistic interaction of microgravity with radiation insults and DNA repair. Using this three-dimensional model will allow us to obtain dual genotoxic information (i.e., mutation rate plus chromosome aberration data) from the same system so that one endpoint can be used to reference the other, thereby increasing the fidelity of the data set. Moreover, the tissue-equivalent nature of the three-dimensional model provides high confidence for relevance of risk assessment, i.e., the establishment of quality factors directly applicable to the microgravity environment.

Gonda, S. R.↗

Hydrocode predictions of collisional outcomes: Effects of target size

Traditionally, laboratory impact experiments, designed to simulate asteroid collisions, attempted to establish a predictive capability for collisional outcomes given a particular set of initial conditions. Unfortunately, laboratory experiments are restricted to using targets considerably smaller than the modelled objects. It is therefore necessary to develop some methodology for extrapolating the extensive experimental results to the size regime of interest. Results are reported obtained through the use of two dimensional hydrocode based on 2-D SALE and modified to include strength effects and the fragmentation equations. The hydrocode was tested by comparing its predictions for post-impact fragment size distributions to those observed in laboratory impact experiments.

Ryan, Eileen V.↗

Simulation of Spiral Slot Antennas on Composite Platforms

The project goals, plan and accomplishments up to this point are summarized in the viewgraphs. Among the various accomplishments, the most important have been: the development of the prismatic finite element code for doubly curved platforms and its validation with many different antenna configurations; the design and fabrication of a new slot spiral antennas suitable for automobile cellular, GPS and PCs communications; the investigation and development of various mesh truncation schemes, including the perfectly matched absorber and various fast integral equation methods; and the introduction of a frequency domain extrapolation technique (AWE) for predicting broadband responses using only a few samples of the response. This report contains several individual reports most of which have been submitted for publication to referred journals. For a report on the frequency extrapolation technique, the reader is referred to the UM Radiation Laboratory report A total of 14 papers have been published or accepted for publication with the full or partial support of this grant. Several more papers are in preparation.

Volakis, John L.↗

Motion Sickness and Concerns for Urban Air Mobility Vehicles: A Literature Review

Motion sickness is a general term for a constellation of signs and symptoms, generally due to exposure to abrupt, periodic, or unnatural accelerations, especially when traveling in a vehicle. Motion sickness results from a mismatch of the visual and nonvisual (vestibular and kinesthetic) information, the observed scene and the motion felt or lack of it. Motion sickness onset is associated with a pattern of physiological changes in heart rate, peripheral blood flow, respiration, and skin conductance and the pattern is repeatable for a particular subject but variable between subjects. Demographic factors such as gender and age that affect motion sickness are well known with children, women, and older adults more likely to be susceptible. Often motion sickness is assessed and quantified using variations of the motion sickness susceptibility questionnaires including the Pensacola Diagnostic Rating Scale and the Simulator Sickness Questionnaire. Even though symptoms are easily identified by such questionnaires, they commonly are subjective. Tools such as these questionnaires for screening individuals susceptible to motion sickness are useful, however, they are only mildly predictive. Moreover, models for predicting motion sickness, which have largely been developed for sea sickness, do not consider task characteristics. Predictions of motion sickness rates and prevalence for Urban Air Mobility (UAM) vehicles are not possible at present because data from actual flight or full-fidelity simulation are simply not yet available. Extrapolation from other modes of transportation (i.e., automobiles, buses, trains, boats, other types of aircraft) is difficult because of differences in the motion stimulus experienced, trip duration, and other factors. How UAM vehicles will change the social dynamics of passenger interaction and vehicle interior design changes (e.g., seat orientations) is unknown. Should motion sickness prove to be an issue, vehicle design modifications such as having passengers face forward, providing additional seat recline, giving each person their own climate control for airflow, perhaps ensuring the horizon is visible to all passengers (reducing visual occlusion by the headrest) and visually stabilizing displays on carry-on devices (smart phones, tablets, etc.) may benefit passengers. Several commercial companies provide wearable devices for physiological monitoring that have been validated and are suitable for use with passengers in UAM vehicles or high-fidelity simulators. Potential countermeasures for motion sickness include user-worn devices, anti-motion sickness medications, and non-pharmacological approaches such as biofeedback and Autogenic Feedback Training Exercise. Both simulator and in-vehicle UAM research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of any potential countermeasure.

motion sickness↗

Analysis of satellite servicing cost benefits

Under the auspices of NASA/JSC a methodology was developed to estimate the value of satellite servicing to the user community. Time and funding precluded the development of an exhaustive computer model; instead, the concept of Design Reference Missions was involved. In this approach, three space programs were analyzed for various levels of servicing. The programs selected fall into broad categories which include 80 to 90% of the missions planned between now and the end of the century. Of necessity, the extrapolation of the three program analyses to the user community as a whole depends on an average mission model and equivalency projections. The value of the estimated cost benefits based on this approach depends largely on how well the equivalency assumptions and the mission model match the real world. A careful definition of all assumptions permits the analysis to be extended to conditions beyond the scope of this study.

Builteman, H. O.↗

The CE/SE Method: a CFD Framework for the Challenges of the New Millennium

The space-time conservation element and solution element (CE/SE) method, which was originated and is continuously being developed at NASA Glenn Research Center, is a high-resolution, genuinely multidimensional and unstructured-mesh compatible numerical method for solving conservation laws. Since its inception in 1991, the CE/SE method has been used to obtain highly accurate numerical solutions for 1D, 2D and 3D flow problems involving shocks, contact discontinuities, acoustic waves, vortices, shock/acoustic waves/vortices interactions, shock/boundary layers interactions and chemical reactions. Without the aid of preconditioning or other special techniques, it has been applied to both steady and unsteady flows with speeds ranging from Mach number = 0.00288 to 10. In addition, the method has unique features that allow for (i) the use of very simple non-reflecting boundary conditions, and (ii) a unified wall boundary treatment for viscous and inviscid flows. The CE/SE method was developed with the conviction that, with a solid foundation in physics, a robust, coherent and accurate numerical framework can be built without involving overly complex mathematics. As a result, the method was constructed using a set of design principles that facilitate simplicity, robustness and accuracy. The most important among them are: (i) enforcing both local and global flux conservation in space and time, with flux evaluation at an interface being an integral part of the solution procedure and requiring no interpolation or extrapolation; (ii) unifying space and time and treating them as a single entity; and (iii) requiring that a numerical scheme be built from a nondissipative core scheme such that the numerical dissipation can be effectively controlled and, as a result, will not overwhelm the physical dissipation. Part I of the workshop will be devoted to a discussion of these principles along with a description of how the ID, 2D and 3D CE/SE schemes are constructed. In Part II, various applications of the CE/SE method, particularly those involving chemical reactions and acoustics, will be presented. The workshop will be concluded with a sketch of the future research directions.

Chang, Sin-Chung↗

Evaluation of Automotive Grade Resistors for Space Flight

Over the past decade, electronic, electrical, and electromechanical (EEE) parts for space applications have undergone significant changes, largely driven by CubeSat and commercial space developers pushing the boundaries on the utilization of commercial parts in space. Global product shortages and shipping delays are still impacting space flight project deadlines. Many projects have turned to automotive grade resistors as an alternate to their MILSPEC counterparts to fulfill requirements. In addition, automotive grade resistors may offer designers a wider range of parts to consider. A recent NASA study recommended the use of high-volume manufactured commercial components for space applications provided these components show evidence of stringent fabrication controls and thorough reliability monitoring practices. Automotive grade components have stringent qualification requirements per the Automotive Electronic Council (AEC). However, the end user usually does not have insight into the practices the manufacturer may use to reduce/eliminate infant mortality nor for compliance to all datasheet specifications. Screening, Life and Accelerated Life testing on a set of standard automotive-grade chip resistors is proposed to evaluate the reliability of these components. Requirements from both the AEC-Q (Automotive Electronic Council Qualification) and EEE-INST-002 (Instructions for EEE Parts Selection, Screening, Qualification, and Derating) for resistors is compared and discussed. The resistors have been tested by using a modified methodology from EEEINST-002 to evaluate their reliability for space flight projects. The findings of this study indicate that the underlying degradation mechanisms at rated temperature and power are best represented by power law models with a fitted exponent between 0 and 1. A linear model is more conservative which compensates for potential model uncertainty given the wide range of design and materials used in automotive resistors, while still providing useful long-term resistance drift estimates. No electrical anomalies or failures were observed throughout the 1000-hour Life Tests other than small in tolerance resistance drift aging. Degradation models were utilized to quantify and extrapolate the long-term resistance drift under operating conditions for the components. The models demonstrated that some automotive-grade resistors are likely to operate 10 years at nominal usage conditions while others might fail earlier.

Zainab Abdullahi↗

Toward Right-Fidelity Rotorcraft Conceptual Design

The aviation Advanced Design Office (ADO) of the US Army Aeroflightdynamics Directorate (AMRDEC) performs conceptual design of advanced Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) concepts in support of the Army's development and acquisition of new aviation systems. In particular, ADO engages in system synthesis to assess the impact of new technologies and their application to satisfy emerging warfighter needs and requirements. Fundamental to ADO being successful in accomplishing its role; is the ability to evaluate a wide array of proposed air vehicle concepts, and independently synthesize new concepts to inform Army and DoD decision makers about the tradespace in which decisions will be made (Figure 1). ADO utilizes a conceptual design (CD) process in the execution of its role. Benefiting from colocation with NASA rotorcraft researchers at the Ames Research Center, ADO and NASA have engaged in a survey of the current rotorcraft PD practices and begun the process of improving those capabilities to enable effective design and development of the next generation of VTOL systems. A unique aspect of CD in ADO is the fact that actual designs developed in-house are not intended to move forward in the development process. Rather, they are used as reference points in discussions about requirements development and technology impact. The ultimate products of ADO CD efforts are technology impact assessments and specifications which guide industry design activity. The fact that both the requirement and design are variables in the tradespace adds to the complexity of the CD process. A frequent need is ability to assess the relative "cost" of variations in requirement for a diverse set of VTOL configurations. Each of these configurations may have fundamentally different response characteristics to this requirement variation, and such insight into how different requirements drive different designs is a critical insight ADO attempts to provide decision makers. The processes and tools utilized are driven by the timeline in which questions must be answered. This can range from quick "back-of-the-envelope" assessments of a configuration made in an afternoon, to more detailed tradespace explorations that can take upwards of a year to complete. A variety of spreadsheet based tools and conceptual design codes are currently in use. The in-house developed conceptual sizing code RC (Rotorcraft) has been the preferred tool of choice for CD activity for a number of years. Figure 2 illustrates the long standing coupling between RC and solid modeling tools for layout, as well as a number of ad-hoc interfaces with external analyses. RC contains a sizing routine that is built around the use of momentum theory for rotors, classic finite wing theory, a referred parameter engine model, and semi-emperical weight estimation techniques. These methods lend themselves to rapid solutions, measured in seconds and minutes. The successful use of RC, however requires careful consideration of model input parameters and judicious comparison with existing aircraft to avoid unjustified extrapolation of results. RC is in fact a legacy of a series of codes whose development started in the early 1970s, and is best suited to the study of conventional helicopters and XV-15 style tiltrotors. Other concepts have been analyzed with RC, but typically it became necessary to modify the source code and methods for each unique configuration. Recent activity has lead to the development of a new code, NASA Design and Analysis of Rotorcraft (NDARC). NDARC uses a similar level of analytical fidelity as RC, but is built on a new framework intended to improve modularity and ability to rapidly model a wider array of concepts. Critical to achieving this capability is the decomposition of the aircraft system into a series of fundamental components which can then be assembled to form a wide-array of configurations. The paper will provide an overview of NDARC and its capabilities.

Sinsay, Jeffrey D.↗

The NASA/GE quiet engine 'A.'

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the General Electric Company are jointly developing two low noise propulsion technology demonstrators (Engine 'A' and 'C' incorporating respectively a low tip speed and high tip speed fan) under the Experimental Quiet Engine Program. The acoustic and aerodynamic performance characteristics of Engine 'C' which is currently on test will be reported at a later date. The present paper describes the design, component development and engine evaluation of the 'A' demonstrator. The aerodynamic and acoustic performance obtained on the fan component are discussed. The demonstrator engine acoustic test program is outlined. The effect of inlet geometry and duct acoustic treatment are presented. The static acoustic data are extrapolated to flight and compared with the FAA noise regulations.

Benzakein, M. J.↗

Acoustic loads on upper-surface-blown powered-lift systems

Powered-lift concepts are utilized in aircraft currently under development for STOL application. One of the concepts, upper surface blowing, places the jet exit just above the upper surface of the wing to produce powered lift from the jet exhaust blowing over the deflected flap. New data are presented to show the effects of airspeed, angle of attack, and angle of jet impingement. Scaling relationships are investigated concerning their applicability for extrapolating data to a different model size. The effects of a number of test parameters are examined and full-scale spectra are predicted from model data. It is concluded that scale models are an effective means for obtaining fluctuating pressure spectra for use in aircraft design. The prediction of full-scale loads from model data will require geometrically accurate models and closely spaced measurement locations.

Willis, C. M.↗

Creep-rupture reliability analysis

A probabilistic approach to the correlation and extrapolation of creep-rupture data is presented. Time temperature parameters (TTP) are used to correlate the data, and an analytical expression for the master curve is developed. The expression provides a simple model for the statistical distribution of strength and fits neatly into a probabilistic design format. The analysis focuses on the Larson-Miller and on the Manson-Haferd parameters, but it can be applied to any of the TTP's. A method is developed for evaluating material dependent constants for TTP's. It is shown that optimized constants can provide a significant improvement in the correlation of the data, thereby reducing modelling error. Attempts were made to quantify the performance of the proposed method in predicting long term behavior. Uncertainty in predicting long term behavior from short term tests was derived for several sets of data. Examples are presented which illustrate the theory and demonstrate the application of state of the art reliability methods to the design of components under creep.

Peralta-Duran, A.↗

Creep-rupture reliability analysis

A probabilistic approach to the correlation and extrapolation of creep-rupture data is presented. Time temperature parameters (TTP) are used to correlate the data, and an analytical expression for the master curve is developed. The expression provides a simple model for the statistical distribution of strength and fits neatly into a probabilistic design format. The analysis focuses on the Larson-Miller and on the Manson-Haferd parameters, but it can be applied to any of the TTP's. A method is developed for evaluating material dependent constants for TTP's. It is shown that optimized constants can provide a significant improvement in the correlation of the data, thereby reducing modelling error. Attempts were made to quantify the performance of the proposed method in predicting long term behavior. Uncertainty in predicting long term behavior from short term tests was derived for several sets of data. Examples are presented which illustrate the theory and demonstrate the application of state of the art reliability methods to the design of components under creep.

Peralta-Duran, A.↗

Development of Management Metrics for Research and Technology

Professor Ted Sheskin from CSU will be tasked to research and investigate metrics that can be used to determine the technical progress for advanced development and research tasks. These metrics will be implemented in a software environment that hosts engineering design, analysis and management tools to be used to support power system and component research work at GRC. Professor Sheskin is an Industrial Engineer and has been involved in issues related to management of engineering tasks and will use his knowledge from this area to allow extrapolation into the research and technology management area. Over the course of the summer, Professor Sheskin will develop a bibliography of management papers covering current management methods that may be applicable to research management. At the completion of the summer work we expect to have him recommend a metric system to be reviewed prior to implementation in the software environment. This task has been discussed with Professor Sheskin and some review material has already been given to him.

Sheskin, Theodore J.↗