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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 289 records · Page 16
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1984

An incompressible Navier-Stokes flow solver in three-dimensional curvilinear coordinate systems using primitive variables

An implicit, finite-difference computer code has been developed to solve the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations in a three-dimensional, curvilinear coordinate system. The pressure-field solution is based on the pseudo compressibility approach in which the time derivative pressure term is introduced into the mass conservation equation to form a set of hyperbolic equations. The solution procedure employs an implicit, approximate factorization scheme. The Reynolds stresses, that are uncoupled from the implicit scheme, are lagged by one time-step to facilitate implementing various levels of the turbulence model. Test problems for external and internal flows are computed, and the results are compared with existing experimental data. The application of this technique for general three-dimensional problems is then demonstrated.

Kwak, D.↗
NASA NTRS2016

Spline Trajectory Algorithm Development: Bezier Curve Control Point Generation for UAVs

A greater need for sophisticated autonomous piloting systems has risen in direct correlation with the ubiquity of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) technology. Whether surveying unknown or unexplored areas of the world, collecting scientific data from regions in which humans are typically incapable of entering, locating lost or wanted persons, or delivering emergency supplies, an unmanned vehicle moving in close proximity to people and other vehicles, should fly smoothly and predictably. The mathematical application of spline interpolation can play an important role in autopilots' on-board trajectory planning. Spline interpolation allows for the connection of Three-Dimensional Euclidean Space coordinates through a continuous set of smooth curves. This paper explores the motivation, application, and methodology used to compute the spline control points, which shape the curves in such a way that the autopilot trajectory is able to meet vehicle-dynamics limitations. The spline algorithms developed used to generate these curves supply autopilots with the information necessary to compute vehicle paths through a set of coordinate waypoints.

Howell, Lauren R.↗
NASA NTRS1987

A new method to real-normalize measured complex modes

A time domain subspace iteration technique is presented to compute a set of normal modes from the measured complex modes. By using the proposed method, a large number of physical coordinates are reduced to a smaller number of model or principal coordinates. Subspace free decay time responses are computed using properly scaled complex modal vectors. Companion matrix for the general case of nonproportional damping is then derived in the selected vector subspace. Subspace normal modes are obtained through eigenvalue solution of the (M sub N) sup -1 (K sub N) matrix and transformed back to the physical coordinates to get a set of normal modes. A numerical example is presented to demonstrate the outlined theory.

Wei, Max L.↗
NASA NTRS2006

Multiuser Collaboration with Networked Mobile Devices

In this paper we describe a multiuser collaboration infrastructure that enables multiple mission scientists to remotely and collaboratively interact with visualization and planning software, using wireless networked personal digital assistants(PDAs) and other mobile devices. During ground operations of planetary rover and lander missions, scientists need to meet daily to review downlinked data and plan science activities. For example, scientists use the Science Activity Planner (SAP) in the Mars Exploration Rover (MER) mission to visualize downlinked data and plan rover activities during the science meetings [1]. Computer displays are projected onto large screens in the meeting room to enable the scientists to view and discuss downlinked images and data displayed by SAP and other software applications. However, only one person can interact with the software applications because input to the computer is limited to a single mouse and keyboard. As a result, the scientists have to verbally express their intentions, such as selecting a target at a particular location on the Mars terrain image, to that person in order to interact with the applications. This constrains communication and limits the returns of science planning. Furthermore, ground operations for Mars missions are fundamentally constrained by the short turnaround time for science and engineering teams to process and analyze data, plan the next uplink, generate command sequences, and transmit the uplink to the vehicle [2]. Therefore, improving ground operations is crucial to the success of Mars missions. The multiuser collaboration infrastructure enables users to control software applications remotely and collaboratively using mobile devices. The infrastructure includes (1) human-computer interaction techniques to provide natural, fast, and accurate inputs, (2) a communications protocol to ensure reliable and efficient coordination of the input devices and host computers, (3) an application-independent middleware that maintains the states, sessions, and interactions of individual users of the software applications, (4) an application programming interface to enable tight integration of applications and the middleware. The infrastructure is able to support any software applications running under the Windows or Unix platforms. The resulting technologies not only are applicable to NASA mission operations, but also useful in other situations such as design reviews, brainstorming sessions, and business meetings, as they can benefit from having the participants concurrently interact with the software applications (e.g., presentation applications and CAD design tools) to illustrate their ideas and provide inputs.

ground operations↗
NASA NTRS1984

The computation of mesh configurations for three-dimensional flow analysis

A geometry modeling method was developed to define three-dimensional mesh configurations, which were expressed by the set of surface intersections with a coordinate mesh. These configurations define bodies for transonic potential-flow computation in simple physical coordinates. Various configurations were prepared for 3-D potential flow analysis, including many bare inlet models in cylindrical coordinates. Trimmed surface models were used to prepare nacelle installation configurations. A variety of ducts and mixers were represented. Analytically defined mesh/surface intersections were compared with similar data obtained from the corresponding surface model. Parameters for an analytic surface definition from mesh-surface intersections obtained from a model of the surface were produced. In both studies the modeling accuracy was shown to be compatible with the flow analysis requirements. This technique fulfills the requirements of the associated three-dimensional potential-flow analysis. It preserves the flow analysis method's superior flexibility for adapting to unusual geometries. The geometry modeling technique is supported by a sufficient set of tools for effective use by general users, and sufficient accuracy was demonstrated.

Gibson, S. G.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Magnetic and gravity anomalies in the Americas

The cleaning and magnetic tape storage of spherical Earth processing programs are reported. These programs include: NVERTSM which inverts total or vector magnetic anomaly data on a distribution of point dipoles in spherical coordinates; SMFLD which utilizes output from NVERTSM to compute total or vector magnetic anomaly fields for a distribution of point dipoles in spherical coordinates; NVERTG; and GFLD. Abstracts are presented for papers dealing with the mapping and modeling of magnetic and gravity anomalies, and with the verification of crustal components in satellite data.

Braile, L. W.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Investigations of an urban area and its locale using ERTS-1 data supported by U-photography

An urban area in central Pennsylvania and the surrounding locality were investigated separately at first by photointerpretation of ERTS-1 imagery and by computer processing of MSS tapes. Next the photointerpretation and processing were coordinated. The results of the cooperative effort of photointerpreters and computer processing analysts were much improved over independent efforts. It was found that single frames of U-2 photography could be projected onto printer output maps with little recognizable distortion in areas 10 to 25 cm square. In this way targets could be identified for use as training areas for computer processed signature identification. In addition, at any stage of category mapping, the level of success in correct classification could be assessed by this method. The results of the classification of the study area are discussed.

Weeden, H. A.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Further development of XTRAN3S computer program

This report describes modifications and enhancements to XTRAN3S, a computer program for aerodynamic, static aeroelastic, and dynamic aeroelastic analysis of three-dimensional wings in the transonic speed regime. Modifications to the program include incorporation of a viscous boundary layer, modified coefficient and generalized force integration, direct input of airfoil surface coordinates and slopes, variable dimensions of computational arrays and a modified grid mapping transformation to improve computational stability for highly swept and tapered planforms. Results obtained with the modified program are included. Modifications discussed but not incorporated include a state matrix integration method, enhanced vectorization, and use of a cartesian physical mesh.

Borland, C. J.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Basic research and data analysis for the National Geodetic Satellite program and for the Earth Surveys program

Current research is reported on precise and accurate descriptions of the earth's surface and gravitational field and on time variations of geophysical parameters. A new computer program was written in connection with the adjustment of the BC-4 worldwide geometric satellite triangulation net. The possibility that an increment to accuracy could be transferred from a super-control net to the basic geodetic (first-order triangulation) was investigated. Coordinates of the NA9 solution were computed and were transformed to the NAD datum, based on GEOS 1 observations. Normal equations from observational data of several different systems and constraint equations were added and a single solution was obtained for the combined systems. Transformation parameters with constraints were determined, and the impact of computers on surveying and mapping is discussed.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1991

Mutual exclusion

Almost all computers today operate as part of a network, where they assist people in coordinating actions. Sometimes what appears to be a single computer is actually a network of cooperating computers; e.g., some supercomputers consist of many processors operating in parallel and exchanging synchronization signals. One of the most fundamental requirements in all these systems is that certain operations be indivisible: the steps of one must not be interleaved with the steps of another. Two approaches were designed to implement this requirement, one based on central locks and the other on distributed order tickets. Practicing scientists and engineers need to come to be familiar with these methods.

Denning, Peter J.↗
NASA NTRS1996

Evaluation of IGS Orbits with Satellite Laser Ranging

The accuracy with which orbits for the Global Positioning System (GPS) spacecraft, can be computed directly affects the accuracy of the resulting site coordinates and polar motion. Several groups routinely analyze GPS ground tracking data to compute precise orbits and terrestrial reference frame solutions. In this paper, we infer the accuracy of the orbits of two of the GPS satellites by comparing to independent laser ranges of subcentimeter accuracy obtained by a small but reasonably well distributed network of tracking sites. We find that all seven International GPS Service for Geodynamics (IGS) analysis centers achieve range residual root mean square (rms) errors at or below the 100 mm level. The best orbit solutions, from JPL, CODE, and the IGS combined product, yield a residual rms of about 50 mm. These residuals are consistent with three dimensional orbit errors of less than 150 mm. Estimating yaw rates for the spacecraft during shadow events, and using these estimates to compute the laser residual, significantly improves the fit. A small mean residual value of -15 to -30 mm seems to exist for most centers and laser sites which is not fully explained at present, but may be due to uncertainties in the corrections to the laser data, such as the reflector to spacecraft center of mass vector or small reference frame differences between the SLR sites and the GPS orbits.

Watkins, M. M.↗
NASA NTRS1973

A semi-automated system for plotting and computer cataloging of remote sensing imagery

Description of a computer-assisted system for plotting and descriptor-cataloging of aerial imagery - an ingredient of the aerial image data handling system of the NASA Earth Resources Aircraft Project (ERAP). The system under consideration uses two graphic tablets linked interactively with a digital computer as input devices for deriving frame coordinates by correlating image points to map points. The various software programs and operating modes facilitate a semiautomatic plotting of an image by selecting two or more points within the image for matching with map details. The computer performs the scaling and orientation transformations for the calculation of the center and corner coordinates of the frame. Twenty five other descriptors for each frame are fed into a computerized data base requiring a minimum operator's time for verification and correction.

Gnauck, G. E.↗
NASA NTRS1986

An implicit flux-difference splitting scheme for three-dimensional, incompressible Navier-Stokes solutions to leading edge vortex flows

A new, implicit finite-difference scheme designed to solve the conservative, flux-difference split Navier-Stokes equations is used to compute incompressible vortex flows around delta wings. The completely vectorizable hybrid algorithm is constructed in delta form for steady state solutions independent of the time-step sizes. The scheme combines approximate factorization in crossflow planes with a symmetric planar Gauss-Seidel relaxation in the remaining spatial direction. The governing equations are solved in curvilinear, body-fitted coordinates for treating complex geometries. The computed flow field results are compared with other theoretical and experimental data.

Hartwich, P.-M.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Computations of transonic flow over an oscillating airfoil with shock-induced separation

A numerical study is presented on unsteady transonic flow over an airfoil in pitching oscillation at a moderately high incidence. The study was focused on the effects of unsteady shock-wave/boundary-layer interactions and subsequent flow separations. An implicit finite-difference scheme was used to solve the full time-dependent compressible Navier-Stokes equations in conservation-law form. The algorithm adopted for this study is the Beam-Warming spatially factored scheme. It is, however, constructed in a body-fitted curvilinear coordinate system for efficient unsteady flow computations. The computational results are compared with experimental data measured in the Ames 11- by 11-Foot Transonic Wind Tunnel.

Chyu, W. J.↗
NASA NTRS1998

Improved instrumental magnitude prediction expected from version 2 of the NASA SKY2000 master star catalog

The SKY2000 Master Star Catalog (MC), Version 2 and its predecessors have been designed to provide the basic astronomical input data needed for satellite acquisition and attitude determination on NASA spacecraft. Stellar positions and proper motions are the primary MC data required for operations support followed closely by the stellar brightness observed in various standard astronomical passbands. The instrumental red-magnitude prediction subsystem (REDMAG) in the MMSCAT software package computes the expected instrumental color index (CI) [sensor color correction] from an observed astronomical stellar magnitude in the MC and the characteristics of the stellar spectrum, astronomical passband, and sensor sensitivity curve. The computation is more error prone the greater the mismatch of the sensor sensitivity curve characteristics and those of the observed astronomical passbands. This paper presents the preliminary performance analysis of a typical red-sensitive CCDST during acquisition of sensor data from the two Ball CT-601 ST's onboard the Rossi X-Ray Timing Explorer (RXTE). A comparison is made of relative star positions measured in the ST FOV coordinate system with the expected results computed from the recently released Tycho Catalogue. The comparison is repeated for a group of observed stars with nearby, bright neighbors in order to determine the tracker behavior in the presence of an interfering, near neighbor (NN). The results of this analysis will be used to help define a new photoelectric photometric instrumental sensor magnitude system (S) that is based on several thousand bright star magnitudes observed with the PXTE ST's. This new system will be implemented in Version 2 of the SKY2000 MC to provide improved predicted magnitudes in the mission run catalogs.

Sande, C. B.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Adapting Inspection Data for Computer Numerical Control

Machining time for repetitive tasks reduced. Program converts measurements of stub post locations by coordinate-measuring machine into form used by numerical-control computer. Work time thus reduced by 10 to 15 minutes for each post. Since there are 600 such posts on each injector, time saved per injector is 100 to 150 hours. With modifications this approach applicable to machining of many precise holes on large machine frames and similar objects.

Hutchison, E. E.↗
NASA NTRS1979

An advanced cockpit instrumentation system: The coordinated cockpit display

Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) and computer technologies are described in one approach to the replacement of flight instruments using three separate color CRT's. Each CRT display information pertinent to one of the three orthogonal projections of the aircraft flight situation. Three airline pilot's assessment of the display set is presented. Comments, rankings, and ratings show that the pilots accepted the concept of pictorial flight displays.

Baty, D. L.↗
NASA NTRS1987

INS3D: An incompressible Navier-Stokes code in generalized three-dimensional coordinates

The operation of the INS3D code, which computes steady-state solutions to the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations, is described. The flow solver utilizes a pseudocompressibility approach combined with an approximate factorization scheme. This manual describes key operating features to orient new users. This includes the organization of the code, description of the input parameters, description of each subroutine, and sample problems. Details for more extended operations, including possible code modifications, are given in the appendix.

Rogers, S. E.↗