Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “high loading”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 235 records · Page 13

Neuromuscular Adaptations to Reduced Use

This viewgraph presentation reviews the studies done to reduce neuromuscular strength loss during unilateral lower limb suspension (ULLS). Since there are animals that undergo fairly long periods of muscular disuse without any or minimal muscular atrophy, there is an answer to that might be applicable to human in situations that require no muscular use to diminish the effects of muscular atrophy. Three sets of ULLS studies were reviewed indicated that muscle strength decreased more than the muscle mass. The study reviewed exercise countermeasures to combat the atrophy, including: ischemia maintained during Compound muscle action potential (CMAP), ischemia and low load exercise, Japanese kaatsu, and the potential for rehabilitation or situations where heavy loading is undesirable. Two forms of countermeasures to unloading have been successful, (1) high-load resistance training has maintained muscle mass and strength, and low load resistance training with blood flow restriction (LL(sub BFR)). The LL(sub BFR) has been shown to increase muscle mass and strength. There has been significant interest in Tourniquet training. An increase in Growth Hormone(GH) has been noted for LL(sub BFR) exercise. An experimental study with 16 subjects 8 of whom performed ULLS, and 8 of whom performed ULLS and LL(sub BFR) exercise three times per week during the ULLS. Charts show the results of the two groups, showing that performing LL(sub BFR) exercise during 30 days of ULLS can maintain muscle size and strength and even improve muscular endurance.

Ploutz-Snyder, Lori↗

Influence of load interactions on crack growth as related to state of stress and crack closure

Fatigue crack propagation (FCP) after an application of a low-high loading sequence was investigated as a function of specimen thickness and crack closure. No load interaction effects were detected for specimens in a predominant plane strain state. However, for the plane stress specimens, initially high FCP rates after transition to a higher stress intensity range were observed. The difference in observed behavior was explained by examining the effect of the resulting closure stress intensity values on the effective stress intensity range.

Telesman, J.↗

Vibration Testing of Electrical Cables to Quantify Loads at Tie-Down Locations

The standard method for defining static equivalent structural load factors for components is based on Mile s equation. Unless test data is available, 5% critical damping is assumed for all components when calculating loads. Application of this method to electrical cable tie-down hardware often results in high loads, which often exceed the capability of typical tie-down options such as cable ties and P-clamps. Random vibration testing of electrical cables was used to better understand the factors that influence component loads: natural frequency, damping, and mass participation. An initial round of vibration testing successfully identified variables of interest, checked out the test fixture and instrumentation, and provided justification for removing some conservatism in the standard method. Additional testing is planned that will include a larger range of cable sizes for the most significant contributors to load as variables to further refine loads at cable tie-down points. Completed testing has provided justification to reduce loads at cable tie-downs by 45% with additional refinement based on measured cable natural frequencies.

Dutson, Joseph D.↗

X-57 High-Lift Propeller Control Schedule Development

The NASA X-57 distributed electric propulsion flight demonstrator uses a high-lift propeller system to maintain low-speed capability with a highly loaded, cruise-efficient wing. Previous research showed that the control scheme for the high-lift propellers was a crucial factor to enable an adequate balance between stabilized glideslope control and appropriate lift margin during the approach-to-landing phase of flight. This paper expands the high-lift propeller control considerations to include all phases of low-speed flight, including preflight, taxi, takeoff, initial climb, approach, and landing. Two control modes, termed airspeed and fixed mode, are developed in this paper. The airspeed mode varies propeller torque based on equivalent airspeed to account for different phases of ground and flight operations. The fixed mode operates the high-lift propeller system at a fixed rotational speed to account for failures in the air data system, preflight checkout, and high-performance takeoff operations. Modeling of the high-lift propellers within the X-57 low-speed flight envelope shows that (1) the structural rotational speed limit of the propeller blades limits their effectiveness at higher altitudes and airspeeds, (2) the speed setting of the fixed mode is set by the maximum torque of the airspeed mode, and (3) minimizing the potential for windmilling in non-standard conditions sets the torque schedule at higher speeds. Additionally, the fixed mode is shown to provide an increased climb rate during normal takeoff operations.

Nicholas K. Borer↗

Axial compressor middle stage secondary flow study

This report describes an experimental investigation of the secondary flow within and aft of an axial compressor model with thick endwall boundary layers. The objective of the study was to obtain detailed aerodynamic and trace gas concentration traverse data aft of a well documented isolated rotor for the ultimate purpose of improving the design phases of compressor development based on an improved physical understanding of secondary flow. It was determined from the flow visualization, aerodynamic, and trace gas concentration results that the relative unloading of the midspan region of the airfoil inhibitied a fullspan separation at high loading preventing the massive radial displacement of the hub corner stall to the tip. Radial distribution of high and low total pressure fluid influenced the magnitude of the spanwise distribution of loss, such that, there was a general decreases in loss near the hub to the extent that for the least loaded case a negative loss (increase in total pressure) was observed. The ability to determine the spanwise distribution of blockage was demonstrated. Large blockage was present in the endwall regions due to the corner stall and tip leakage with little blockage in the core flow region. Hub blockage was found to increase rapidly with loading.

Wagner, J. H.↗

The Substorm Cycle as Reproduced by Global MHD Models

Recently, Gordeev et al. (2015) suggested a method to test global MHD models against statistical empirical data. They showed that four community-available global MHD models supported by the Community Coordinated Modeling Center (CCMC) produce a reasonable agreement with reality for those key parameters (the magnetospheric size, magnetic field, and pressure) that are directly related to the large-scale equilibria in the outer magnetosphere. Based on the same set of simulation runs, here we investigate how the models reproduce the global loading-unloading cycle. We found that in terms of global magnetic flux transport, three examined CCMC models display systematically different response to idealized2 h north then 2 h south interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) Bz variation. The LFM model shows a depressed return convection and high loading rate during the growth phase as well as enhanced return convection and high unloading rate during the expansion phase, with the amount of loaded unloaded magnetotail flux and the growth phase duration being the closest to their observed empirical values during isolated substorms. Two other models exhibit drastically different behavior. In the BATS-R-US model the plasma sheet convection shows a smooth transition to the steady convection regime after the IMF southward turning. In the Open GGCM a weak plasma sheet convection has comparable intensities during both the growth phase and the following slow unloading phase. We also demonstrate potential technical problem in the publicly available simulations which is related to post processing interpolation and could affect the accuracy of magnetic field tracing and of other related procedures.

Gordeev, E.↗

Viscoplastic lubrication of asperities

Theoretical analyses for the lubrication of rigid wedge-shaped asperities by a viscoplastic fluid are developed for geometries in which either wedge or squeeze action are dominant. The load support in the wedge action geometry is severly limited by lubricant shear, although the squeeze geometry maintains high load support at small film thicknesses. Results suggest that in cases where macroscopic hydrodynamic lubrication is inadequate, lubricant film breakdown will be promoted by low lubricant shear strength, high sliding speed, low surface roughness, and high surface slope. In addition, results are compared with previous investigations of the factors influencing susceptibility to lubrication failure.

Sheu, S.↗

Shock- and Corrosion-Resistant Bearings for Space Mechanisms

Nickel-titanium (NiTi) alloys are an emerging class of materials for rolling element bearing applications that require superior corrosion resistance and/or high load capability. Certain space mechanisms fall into one or both of those categories. Often, due to size and mass considerations, space mechanism systems are limited in torque margin and necessarily require small, precision-instrument bearings with very little frictional drag (i.e., low torque). In addition, space mechanism bearings must survive launch conditions without suffering raceway dents known as brinnelling, which would increase operating torque and reduce overall smoothness. Consequently, a bearing material or design that reduces or eliminates brinnelling under high contact stress conditions would represent a beneficial technology advancement. One specific alloy, nickel-titanium-hafnium (NiTi-Hf), under development for several years at the NASA Glenn Research Center as a bearing material, has the potential to mitigate concerns about brinnelling under extreme load conditions due to its unusually high elastic strain capability. In the present work, a sample of small precision bearings produced with three different ball materials (steel, ceramic, and NiTi-Hf) is subjected to a range of load conditions sufficient to dent the races. The dent depth as a function of load is compared and demonstrates that NiTi-Hf has the potential to increase bearing load capacity from the perspective of brinnelling under severe load conditions; additional testing of full NiTi-Hf bearings demonstrates corrosion resistance superior to that of 440C bearings.

Bearings↗

Accelerated testing of composites

It is shown that the Zhurkov method for testing the strength of solids can be applied to dynamic tension and to cyclic loading and provides a viable approach to accelerated testing of composites. Data from the literature are used to demonstrate a straightforward application of the method to dynamic tension of glass fiber and cyclic loading for glass/polymer, metal matrix, and graphite/epoxy composites. Zhurkov's equation can be used at relatively high loads to obtain failure times at any temperature of interest. By taking a few data points at one or two other temperatures the spectrum of failure times can be expanded to temperatures not easily accessible.

Papazian, H. A.↗

Design and test of a magnetic thrust bearing

A magnetic thrust bearing can be employed to take thrust loads in rotating machinery. The design and construction of a prototype magnetic thrust bearing for a high load per weight application is described. The theory for the bearing is developed. Fixtures were designed and the bearing was tested for load capacity using a universal testing machine. Various shims were employed to have known gap thicknesses. A comparison of the theory and measured results is presented.

Allaire, P. E.↗

NASA Tech Briefs, February 2005

Topics discussed include: Instrumentation for Sensitive Gas Measurements; Apparatus for Testing Flat Specimens of Thermal Insulation; Quadrupole Ion Mass Spectrometer for Masses of 2 to 50 Da; Miniature Laser Doppler Velocimeter for Measuring Wall Shear; Coherent Laser Instrument Would Measure Range and Velocity; Printed Microinductors for Flexible Substrates; Digital Receiver for Microwave Radiometry; Printed Antennas Made Reconfigurable by Use of MEMS Switches; Traffic-Light-Preemption Vehicle-Transponder Software Module; Intersection-Controller Software Module; Central-Monitor Software Module; Estimating Effects of Multipath Propagation on GPS Signals; Parallel Adaptive Mesh Refinement Library; Predicting Noise From Aircraft Turbine-Engine Combustors; Generating Animated Displays of Spacecraft Orbits; Diagnosis and Prognosis of Weapon Systems; Training Software in Artificial-Intelligence Computing Techniques; APGEN Version 5.0; Single-Command Approach and Instrument Placement by a Robot on a Target; Three-Dimensional Audio Client Library; Isogrid Membranes for Precise, Singly Curved Reflectors; Nickel-Tin Electrode Materials for Nonaqueous Li-Ion Cells; Photocatalytic Coats in Glass Drinking-Water Bottles; Fast Laser Shutters With Low Vibratory Disturbances; Series-Connected Buck Boost Regulators; Space Physics Data Facility Web Services; Split-Resonator, Integrated-Post Vibratory Microgyroscope; Blended Buffet-Load-Alleviation System for Fighter Airplane; Gifford-McMahon/Joule-Thomson Refrigerator Cools to 2.5 K; High-Temperature, High-Load-Capacity Radial Magnetic Bearing; Fabrication of Spherical Reflectors in Outer Space; Automated Rapid Prototyping of 3D Ceramic Parts; Tissue Engineering Using Transfected Growth-Factor Genes; Automation of Vapor-Diffusion Growth of Protein Crystals; Atom Skimmers and Atom Lasers Utilizing Them; Gears Based on Carbon Nanotubes; Patched Off-Axis Bending/Twisting Actuators for Thin Mirrors; and Improving Control in a Joule-Thomson Refrigerator.

Source record↗

Elastohydrodynamic film thickness formula based on X-ray measurements with a synthetic paraffinic oil

An empirical elastohydrodynamic film thickness formula for heavily loaded contacts based upon X-ray film thickness measurements made with a synthetic paraffinic oil is presented. The deduced relation was found to adequately reflect the high load dependence exhibited by the measured minimum film thickness data at high Hertizian contact stresses, that is, above 1.04 x 10 to the ninth N/sq m (150,000 psi). Comparisons were made with the numerical results from a theoretical isothermal film thickness formula. The effects of changes in contact geometry, material, and lubricant properties on the form of the empirical model are also discussed.

Loewenthal, S. H.↗

Status of Understanding for Gear Materials

Today's gear designer has a large selection of possible gear materials to choose from. The choice of which material to use should be based on the requirements of the application and will include the operating conditions of load, speed, and temperature in addition to reliability, weight, noise limitation, accuracy, and cost. The plastic materials are generally low in cost with low strength capabilities and are suitable for many light-duty applications. Die-cast alloy and sintered powder-metal gears are also fairly inexpensive and will operate at higher loads and temperatures than plastic gears. The three types of cast iron offer a medium-strength gear at a cost that varies with the accuracy of machining requirements. Gears can be manufactured from several aluminum alloys for lightweight and medium cost and may be anodized for improved load capacity. The copper alloys, bronze and brass, are more costly but have good sliding and wear properties that are useful for worm gear applications. The hot-forged powder-metal gears have the advantage of medium cost with good accuracy and high strength. Several low- to medium alloy steels are available for gear design and most can be heat treated for added strength. The medium-alloy gear materials offer high strength when case hardened and will satisfy most high-load medium-temperature applications. For more severe load, speed, and temperature requirements the advanced high temperature alloys must be used. These include EX-53, CBS 600, Vasco X-2, Super Nitralloy (5Ni-2Al), and forged AISI M-50. As the requirements become more stringent, the cost will also increase. It is necessary that the gear designer have a working knowledge of the various gear materials in order to match the most economical material with the design requirements.

Dennis P Townsend↗

Experimental and analytical determination of gear tooth temperatures with oil jet lubrication

Gear tooth average and instantaneous surface temperatures were measured with a fast response infrared radiometric microscope, while operating at arious speeds, loads and oil jet pressures. Increased oil jet pressure had a significant effect on both average and peak surface temperatures at all test conditions, increasing the speed at constant load and increasing the load at constant speed causes a significant rise in average and peak surface temperatures of gear teeth. A gear tooth temperature analysis was conducted by a finite element method combined with a calculated heat input and oil jet impingment depth with estimated heat transfer coefficients based on the experimental data. It is concluded that oil jet pressures required for adequate cooling at high load and speed conditions must be high enough to get full penetration depth of the teeth.

Townsend, D. P.↗

A Better ARED Squat

The 0-G ARED squat under loads the legs relative to the 1g ARED squat. In 1g the knee extensor/flexor muscles are primarily engaged due to the body's center of gravity is behind the knees during the motion of the squat. As body weight does not play a sufficient role 0 G, a crewmember's load exposure is limited by the load delivered by ARED through the exercise bar. Prescription loads for lowerbody resistance exercise in microgravity aim to include 1-G exercise bar load in addition to the crewmember's Earth body weight (BW); however, pressure points from the bar and the 1BW increased load at the shoulders translating to higher loads on the back have been a historical limitation for shoulders, requiring a decrease in exercise load at the start of the mission. Analogous to crewmembers, bed rest subjects report limitations of exercising with high loads on the back while performing squats on the horizontal exercise fixture (HEF), a custom exercise device that serves as an analog to 0-G ARED. Improvements for increasing loads on the HEF squat were suggested by distributing total exercise load between the hips and the bar1. The same is recommended for the 0-G ARED squat, with using current equipment on the ISS, which include the T2 running harness and T2 bungees. Quantification of this improvement has been accessed through computational modeling. The purpose of this study is to characterize joint torque during a squat with a distribution in exercise load on the ARED in 0 G. The analysis used existing models from NASA's Digital Astronaut Project. The biomechanics squat model was integrated with the ARED model and T2 bungees. The spring constant for the bungees were derived from ground testing. Forward dynamic simulation was performed for various conditions including anchor point attachments on the footplate of the ARED, bar load, hip load, and gravitational environment. The model confirms joint torques at knees is lower relative to 1G conditions primarily because the load delivery system is just with the exercise bar in 0 G. By distributing partial loads through use of the bungees to the hips joint-torque profiles were altered during a squat and provided options to enhance targeting lower-body loading in aims as for an improved countermeasure.

Caldwell, E. E.↗

The application of structural reliability techniques to plume impingement loading of the Space Station Freedom Photovoltaic Array

A new aerospace application of structural reliability techniques is presented, where the applied forces depend on many probabilistic variables. This application is the plume impingement loading of the Space Station Freedom Photovoltaic Arrays. When the space shuttle berths with Space Station Freedom it must brake and maneuver towards the berthing point using its primary jets. The jet exhaust, or plume, may cause high loads on the photovoltaic arrays. The many parameters governing this problem are highly uncertain and random. An approach, using techniques from structural reliability, as opposed to the accepted deterministic methods, is presented which assesses the probability of failure of the array mast due to plume impingement loading. A Monte Carlo simulation of the berthing approach is used to determine the probability distribution of the loading. A probability distribution is also determined for the strength of the array. Structural reliability techniques are then used to assess the array mast design. These techniques are found to be superior to the standard deterministic dynamic transient analysis, for this class of problem. The results show that the probability of failure of the current array mast design, during its 15 year life, is minute.

Yunis, Isam S.↗

The Application of Structural Reliability Techniques to Plume Impingement Loading of the Space Station Freedom Photovoltaic Array

A new aerospace application of structural reliability techniques is presented, where the applied forces depend on many probabilistic variables. This application is the plume impingement loading of the Space Station Freedom Photovoltaic Arrays. When the space shuttle berths with Space Station Freedom it must brake and maneuver towards the berthing point using its primary jets. The jet exhaust, or plume, may cause high loads on the photovoltaic arrays. The many parameters governing this problem are highly uncertain and random. An approach, using techniques from structural reliability, as opposed to the accepted deterministic methods, is presented which assesses the probability of failure of the array mast due to plume impingement loading. A Monte Carlo simulation of the berthing approach is used to determine the probability distribution of the loading. A probability distribution is also determined for the strength of the array. Structural reliability techniques are then used to assess the array mast design. These techniques are found to be superior to the standard deterministic dynamic transient analysis, for this class of problem. The results show that the probability of failure of the current array mast design, during its 15 year life, is minute.

Yunis, Isam S.↗

Dynamic analysis of straight and involute tooth forms

The effect of load speed on straight and involute tooth forms is studied using several finite-element models. It is found that for rapidly rotating gears and sprockets, the load speed along the tooth surface can significantly affect the tooth vibration. Indeed, it is found that for sufficiently high load speeds and for sufficiently slender tooth forms, the tooth deflection can, at times, be directed opposite to the load direction. Comparisons are made of various dynamic models of gear and sprocket teeth. It is shown that for stubby tooth forms there is considerable difference between results obtained with finite element models and results obtained with Timoshenko beam models. Finally, it is shown that gear or sprocket vibrations can be induced by the shape of the tooth form itself. This effect becomes increasingly significant at higher speeds.

Lin, H. H.↗