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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.

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At least 253 records · Page 14

Optimization Approach for Wind Tunnel Fan Blade Strain Gage Correlation with Test Fixture Unknowns

NASA has a significant maintenance challenge with the aging wind tunnel infrastructure across the Agency. Some wind tunnel fan blades, such as those in the National Transonic Facility at NASA Langley Research Center, have been in use for far longer than their planned 10-year lifetime. No detailed analytical models of the fan blades from their initial fabrication were created. To support the fabrication of either new, nominally identical fan blades or newly designed fan blades, accurate analytical models of the existing fan blades are necessary to demonstrate an understanding of the capabilities of the existing fan blades. Additionally, the existing documentation of the testing of the existing fan blades has gaps. In this report, a process for improving test-analysis correlation for these wind tunnel fan blades is discussed. This process involved a detailed study of unknown parameters in test fixture parameters from the old and incomplete test documentation. To improve correlation, these unknown parameters were used as design variables in an optimization study to minimize the error between test data and computed structural responses. Legacy strain gage data from tests conducted in 1981 were compared with results from a finite element model created in 2019. The use of test data from 1981 was necessary because none of the existing fan blades could be spared for use in destructive structural testing. While this process was demonstrated for wind tunnel fan blades, this process could be utilized for evaluating unknowns in test fixtures for other structural test configurations.

wind tunnel↗

Features for a Modern Strain-Gage Balance Data Analysis Software Tool

Required, recommended, and optional features are discussed that benefit preparation and evaluation of the load prediction equations in a strain-gage balance data analysis tool. First, milestones in the evolution of load prediction methods are reviewed so that suggested features can be put into a historical context. Afterwards, independent and dependent variable choices for the balance data analysis are discussed. Then, it is illustrated how three different metrics may be used for the identification of the root cause of an unwanted divergence of the load iterations that may be observed during an iterative load prediction. Finally, a list of features is provided to guide software development efforts.

wind tunnel test↗

New Approach for the Assessment of Interactions of a Strain-Gage Balance

A new approach was developed to assess interactions of a strain-gage balance. The approach compares interactions observed during a calibration of the balance with interactions observed during the application of check loads. The approach assumes that alignment errors of the calibration loads are negligible. In that case, interactions observed during the calibration can be used as a reference for the assessment of interactions of check loads. The new approach first fits interactions of a single-component load of the calibration data using simple regression models. Then, interactions of the check loads are predicted by using the check load values as inputs for the regression models of the interactions. In the next step, absolute values of differences between predicted and observed interactions of the check loads are computed. Afterwards, the largest differences are compared with empirical thresholds to assess how well the interactions of the check load data agree with the interactions of the calibration data. Recently obtained data sets of a six-component force balance are used to illustrate the application of the new approach. It is also demonstrated how knowledge of balance design characteristics can benefit the assessment of interactions.

wind tunnel test↗

Forming blocks speed production of strain gage grids

A tool is designed which facilitates the forming of wire grids used in manufacturing strain gage grids. Flattening the grid wire by a cold working process produces a stabilized grid which can be readily handled for storage or shipment.

Bonn, J. L.↗

Gage measures electrical connector pin retention force

The retention force of a female connector pin is measured by observing the action of a calibrated spring in a gage consisting of housing, a plunger terminating in a male subminiature connector pin, and the tension spring.

Source record↗

Polymer deformation gage measures thickness change in tensile tests

Lightweight deformation gage attached to a polymer specimen determines the thickness changes undergone by the specimen during the testing of its tensile and elongation properties. Mechanical noise from outside sources is dampened when the assembly is hung on a light rubber band.

Broyles, H. F.↗

Spiral spring/strain gage combination accurately measures shock induced deflection

Spiral springs equipped with strain gages which are hard-wired to readout instrumentation, measure deflection between two relatively inaccessible surfaces in a drop test that causes them to close to near flatness. This technique has been successfully used on Apollo drop tests to measure deflection between aft bulkhead and heatshield.

Berven, B. R.↗

Gage tests tube flares quickly and accurately

Flared tube gage with a test cone that is precisely made with a tapering surface to complement the tube flare is capable of determining the accuracy of a tube flare efficiently and economically. This device should improve the speed, efficiency, and accuracy of tube flare inspections.

Griffin, F. D.↗

Gage accurately controls force for placing chips on substrates

Device is developed to control the force used in manually placing chips on substrates. It controls the compression load between 2 small members at loads as low as 25 grams by means of a force control gage that is preset by varying the spring deflection.

Benzie, W. P.↗

Heavy-gage bonded honeycomb sandwich as primary load-bearing structure

Heavy-gage bonded honeycomb sandwich is used as a primary load-bearing structural material in large-diameter boosters. Theoretical investigations based on a small deflection theory for prediction of stress fields and buckling loads, and structural testing were made. This structure is a potential weight saver for compression load-critical components.

Source record↗

Temperature controlled strain gaged extensometer

Temperature controlled strain-gaged extensometer measures longitudinal and girth deflections of pressure vessels in excess of one percent strain during pressurization and depressurization with cryogenic fluids at cryogenic temperatures. The device is of beryllium-copper strips.

Ramos, G. L.↗