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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 NTRS1994

Simulation of Unsteady Combustion in a Ramjet Engine Using a Highly Parallel Computer

Combustion instability in ramjets is a complex phenomenon that involve nonlinear interaction between acoustic waves, vortex motion and unsteady heat release in the combustor. To numerically simulate this 3-D, transient phenomenon, enormous computer resources (time, memory and disk storage) are required. Although current generation vector supercomputers are capable of providing adequate resources for simulations of this nature, their high cost and limited availability, makes such machines less than satisfactory for routine use. The primary focus of this study is to assess the feasibility of using highly parallel computer systems as a cost-effective alternative for conducting such unsteady flow simulations. Towards this end, a large-eddy simulation model for combustion instability was implemented on the Intel iPSC/860 and a careful study was conducted to determine the benefits and the problems associated with the use of such machines for transient simulations. Details of this study along with the results obtained from the unsteady combustion simulations carried out on the iPSC/860 are discussed in this paper.

Menon, Suresh↗
NASA NTRS1985

High-speed compressible flow and other advection-dominated problems of fluid dynamics

Finite element methods are described for modeling high speed compressible flows with strong advection, problems important to aerodynamics. The situations are characterized by high pressure and temperature gradients, transients and the appearance of discontinuities, factors which require mesh refinement during computations. Techniques are developed for temporal and spatial discretization of a model problem. Several observations are made regarding the explicit and implicit features of the calculations, the use of the Lax-Wendroff scheme to produce a mass-matrix for obtaining accurate results for transients, methods of performing stability analyses, and simplification techniques. Examples are provided of solving the nonlinear shallow-water equations and describing compressible flows, particularly transonic flows. Domain splitting is defined for improving the calculations at each time step and in different parts of the flow regime while simultaneously advancing the calculations towards a solution.

Zienkiewicz, O. C.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Parallel Methods on Large-Scale Structural Analysis and Physics Applications; Symposium, Hampton, VA, Feb. 5, 6, 1991, Selected Papers

Recent advances in parallel methods and algorithms integrated into large-scale codes are presented. Consideration is given to problem decomposition (substructuring), efficient matrix solution algorithms for shared memory architectures, dynamic and transient analysis algorithms for shared memory architectures, and algorithms for distributed and massively parallel architectures. Particular attention is given to partitioning of unstructured problems for parallel processing, parallel-vector computation for linear-structural analysis and nonlinear unconstraint optimization problems, a parallel-vector equation solver for unsymmetric matrices on supercomputers, parallel nonlinear finite element dynamic response, multigrid algorithms for solving structural mechanics problems on supercomputers, structural analysis on massively parallel computers, explicit finite element methods with contact-impact on SIMD computers, and the impact of mapping and sparsity on parallelized finite element method modules.

Storaasli, Olaf O.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Some aspects of algorithm performance and modeling in transient analysis of structures

The status of an effort to increase the efficiency of calculating transient temperature fields in complex aerospace vehicle structures is described. The advantages and disadvantages of explicit algorithms with variable time steps, known as the GEAR package, is described. Four test problems, used for evaluating and comparing various algorithms, were selected and finite-element models of the configurations are described. These problems include a space shuttle frame component, an insulated cylinder, a metallic panel for a thermal protection system, and a model of the wing of the space shuttle orbiter. Results generally indicate a preference for implicit over explicit algorithms for solution of transient structural heat transfer problems when the governing equations are stiff (typical of many practical problems such as insulated metal structures).

Adelman, H. M.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Study of switching transients in high frequency converters

As the semiconductor technologies progress rapidly, the power densities and switching frequencies of many power devices are improved. With the existing technology, high frequency power systems become possible. Use of such a system is advantageous in many aspects. A high frequency ac source is used as the direct input to an ac/ac pulse-density-modulation (PDM) converter. This converter is a new concept which employs zero voltage switching techniques. However, the development of this converter is still in its infancy stage. There are problems associated with this converter such as a high on-voltage drop, switching transients, and zero-crossing detecting. Considering these problems, the switching speed and power handling capabilities of the MOS-Controlled Thyristor (MCT) makes the device the most promising candidate for this application. A complete insight of component considerations for building an ac/ac PDM converter for a high frequency power system is addressed. A power device review is first presented. The ac/ac PDM converter requires switches that can conduct bi-directional current and block bi-directional voltage. These bi-directional switches can be constructed using existing power devices. Different bi-directional switches for the converter are investigated. Detailed experimental studies of the characteristics of the MCT under hard switching and zero-voltage switching are also presented. One disadvantage of an ac/ac converter is that turn-on and turn-off of the switches has to be completed instantaneously when the ac source is at zero voltage. Otherwise shoot-through current or voltage spikes can occur which can be hazardous to the devices. In order for the devices to switch softly in the safe operating area even under non-ideal cases, a unique snubber circuit is used in each bi-directional switch. Detailed theory and experimental results for circuits using these snubbers are presented. A current regulated ac/ac PDM converter built using MCT's and IGBT's is evaluated.

Zinger, Donald S.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Controls for space structures

Assembly and operation of large space structures (LSS) in orbit will require robot-assisted docking and berthing of partially-assembled structures. These operations require new solutions to the problems of controls. This is true because of large transient and persistent disturbances, controller-structure interaction with unmodeled modes, poorly known structure parameters, slow actuator/sensor dynamical behavior, and excitation of nonlinear structure vibrations during control and assembly. For on-orbit assembly, controllers must start with finite element models of LSS and adapt on line to the best operating points, without compromising stability. This is not easy to do, since there are often unmodeled dynamic interactions between the controller and the structure. The indirect adaptive controllers are based on parameter estimation. Due to the large number of modes in LSS, this approach leads to very high-order control schemes with consequent poor stability and performance. In contrast, direct model reference adaptive controllers operate to force the LSS to track the desirable behavior of a chosen model. These schemes produce simple control algorithms which are easy to implement on line. One problem with their use for LSS has been that the model must be the same dimension as the LSS - i.e., quite large. A control theory based on the command generator tracker (CGT) ideas of Sobel, Mabins, Kaufman and Wen, Balas to obtain very low-order models based on adaptive algorithms was developed. Closed-loop stability for both finite element models and distributed parameter models of LSS was proved. In addition, successful numerical simulations on several LSS databases were obtained. An adaptive controller based on our theory was also implemented on a flexible robotic manipulator at Martin Marietta Astronautics. Computation schemes for controller-structure interaction with unmodeled modes, the residual mode filters or RMF, were developed. The RMF theory was modified to compensate slow actuator/sensor dynamics. These new ideas are being applied to LSS simulations to demonstrate the ease with which one can incorporate slow actuator/sensor effects into our design. It was also shown that residual mode filter compensation can be modified for small nonlinearities to produce exponentially stable closed-loop control. A theory for disturbance accommodating controllers based on reduced order models of structures was developed, and stability results for these controllers in closed-loop with large-scale finite element models of structures were obtained.

Balas, Mark↗
NASA NTRS1986

Investigation and modeling of space shuttle main engine shutdown transient chugging

The space shuttle main engines experience a low frequency pressure pulsation in both the fuel and oxidizer preburners during the shutdown transient. This pressure pulsation, called chugging, has been linked to undesirable bearing loads and possible damage to the spark ignitor supply piping for the fuel preburner. The problem is briefly described and a model is proposed that includes: (1) a transient stirred tank reactor model for the combustion chamber, (2) a resistance capacitance model for the supply piping and (3) purge gas/liquid oxygen interface tracking.

George, P. E., II↗
NASA NTRS1988

Universal limiter for transient interpolation modeling of the advective transport equations: The ULTIMATE conservative difference scheme

A fresh approach is taken to the embarrassingly difficult problem of adequately modeling simple pure advection. An explicit conservative control-volume formation makes use of a universal limiter for transient interpolation modeling of the advective transport equations. This ULTIMATE conservative difference scheme is applied to unsteady, one-dimensional scalar pure advection at constant velocity, using three critical test profiles: an isolated sine-squared wave, a discontinuous step, and a semi-ellipse. The goal, of course, is to devise a single robust scheme which achieves sharp monotonic resolution of the step without corrupting the other profiles. The semi-ellipse is particularly challenging because of its combination of sudden and gradual changes in gradient. The ULTIMATE strategy can be applied to explicit conservation schemes of any order of accuracy. Second-order schemes are unsatisfactory, showing steepening and clipping typical of currently popular so-called high resolution shock-capturing of TVD schemes. The ULTIMATE third-order upwind scheme is highly satisfactory for most flows of practical importance. Higher order methods give predictably better step resolution, although even-order schemes generate a (monotonic) waviness in the difficult semi-ellipse simulation. Little is to be gained above ULTIMATE fifth-order upwinding which gives results close to the ultimate for which one might hope.

Leonard, B. P.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Some aspects of algorithm performance and modeling in transient thermal analysis of structures

The status of an effort to increase the efficiency of calculating transient temperature fields in complex aerospace vehicle structures is described. The advantages and disadvantages of explicit and implicit algorithms are discussed. A promising set of implicit algorithms with variable time steps, known as the GEAR package is described. Four test problems, used for evaluating and comparing various algorithms, were selected and finite element models of the configurations are described. These problems include a space shuttle frame component, an insulated cylinder, a metallic panel for a thermal protection system, and a model of the space shuttle orbiter wing. Results generally indicate a preference for implicit oer explicit algorithms for solution of transient structural heat transfer problems when the governing equations are stiff.

Adelman, H. M.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Some aspects of algorithm performance and modeling in transient thermal analysis of structures

The status of an effort to increase the efficiency of calculating transient temperature fields in complex aerospace vehicle structures is described. The advantages and disadvantages of explicit and implicit algorithms are discussed. A promising set of implicit algorithms with variable time steps, known as the GEAR package is described. Four test problems, used for evaluating and comparing various algorithms, have been selected and finite-element models of the configurations are described. These problems include a Space Shuttle frame component, an insulated cylinder, a metallic panel for a thermal protection system, and a model of the Space Shuttle Orbiter wing. Results generally indicate a preference for implicit over explicit algorithms for solution of transient structural heat transfer problems when the governing equations are 'stiff' (typical of many practical problems such as insulated metal structures).

Adelman, H. M.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Studies of implicit and explicit solution techniques in transient thermal analysis of structures

Studies aimed at an increase in the efficiency of calculating transient temperature fields in complex aerospace vehicle structures are reported. The advantages and disadvantages of explicit and implicit algorithms are discussed and a promising set of implicit algorithms with variable time steps, known as GEARIB, is described. Test problems, used for evaluating and comparing various algorithms, are discussed and finite element models of the configurations are described. These problems include a coarse model of the Space Shuttle wing, an insulated frame tst article, a metallic panel for a thermal protection system, and detailed models of sections of the Space Shuttle wing. Results generally indicate a preference for implicit over explicit algorithms for transient structural heat transfer problems when the governing equations are stiff (typical of many practical problems such as insulated metal structures). The effects on algorithm performance of different models of an insulated cylinder are demonstrated. The stiffness of the problem is highly sensitive to modeling details and careful modeling can reduce the stiffness of the equations to the extent that explicit methods may become the best choice. Preliminary applications of a mixed implicit-explicit algorithm and operator splitting techniques for speeding up the solution of the algebraic equations are also described.

Adelman, H. M.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Finite difference time domain calculation of transients in antennas with nonlinear loads

Determining transient electromagnetic fields in antennas with nonlinear loads is a challenging problem. Typical methods used involve calculating frequency domain parameters at a large number of different frequencies, then applying Fourier transform methods plus nonlinear equation solution techniques. If the antenna is simple enough so that the open circuit time domain voltage can be determined independently of the effects of the nonlinear load on the antennas current, time stepping methods can be applied in a straightforward way. Here, transient fields for antennas with more general geometries are calculated directly using Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) methods. In each FDTD cell which contains a nonlinear load, a nonlinear equation is solved at each time step. As a test case, the transient current in a long dipole antenna with a nonlinear load excited by a pulsed plane wave is computed using this approach. The results agree well with both calculated and measured results previously published. The approach given here extends the applicability of the FDTD method to problems involving scattering from targets, including nonlinear loads and materials, and to coupling between antennas containing nonlinear loads. It may also be extended to propagation through nonlinear materials.

Luebbers, Raymond J.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Modeling of multi-rotor torsional vibrations in rotating machinery using substructuring

The application of FEM modeling techniques to the analysis of torsional vibrations in complex rotating systems is described and demonstrated, summarizing results reported by Soares (1985). A substructuring approach is used for determination of torsional natural frequencies and resonant-mode shapes, steady-state frequency-sweep analysis, identification of dynamically unstable speed ranges, and characterization of transient linear and nonlinear systems. Results for several sample problems are presented in diagrams, graphs, and tables. STORV, a computer code based on this approach, is in use as a preliminary design tool for drive-train torsional analysis in the High Altitude Wind Tunnel at NASA Lewis.

Soares, Fola R.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Thermally-induced structural dynamic response of flexural configurations influenced by linear/non-linear thermal effects

The thermally-induced strucural dynamic response of flexural configurations influenced by linear/nonlinear thermal effects is presented in conjunction with 'unified' transient approaches for effectively tackling this class of interdisciplinary problems. For illustrative purposes, the flexural structural models are assumed to be of the Euler-Bernoulli type. The purpose of the present paper is to not only provide an understanding of the influence of general linear/nonlinear thermal effects on flexural configurations, but also to provide to the analyst effective computational tools which help preserve a unified technology for the interdisciplinary areas encompassing structural mechanics/dynamics and thermal sciences. Several numerical test models illustrate the representative thermally-induced structural dynamic response of flexural configurations subjected to general linear/nonlinear temperature effects.

Namburu, Raju R.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Real Km-synthesis via generalized Popov multipliers

The authors refine their H-infinity control designs presented at the 1990 and 1991 American Control Conference by introducing a new real Km-synthesis technique involving the use of generalized Popov multipliers. This multiplier technique substantially reduces, and in some cases may even eliminate altogether, the conservativeness associated with traditional Km-synthesis solutions in which all uncertainties are treated as complex, even when they arise from real parameters such as the masses and spring constants in the benchmark problem. The design results demonstrate how this approach permits a very precise analysis of the intrinsic tradeoffs between robustness, performance, and control energy requirements. Also included is an open-loop H-infinity prefilter design that makes it possible to address the command response shaping issue. The design concept has been applied to the benchmark problem no. 4 and successfully removes the initial undesired transient and cuts down the percent overshoot.

Chiang, R. Y.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Recognition of error symptoms in large systems

A methodology for automatically detecting symptoms of frequently occurring errors in large computer systems is developed. The proposed symptom recognition methodology and its validation are based on probabilistic techniques. The technique is shown to work on real failure data from two CYBER systems at the University of Illinois. The methodology allows for the resolution between independent and dependent causes and, also quantifies a measure of the strength of relationship among errors. Comparison made with failure/repair information obtained from field maintenance engineers shows that in 85% of the cases, the error symptoms recognized by our approach correspond to real system problems. Further, the remaining 15% although not directly supported by field data, were confirmed as valid problems. Some of these were shown to be persistent problems which otherwise would have been considered as minor transients and hence ignored.

Iyer, Ravishankar K.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Fast structural design and analysis via hybrid domain decomposition on massively parallel processors

A hybrid domain decomposition framework for static, transient and eigen finite element analyses of structural mechanics problems is presented. Its basic ingredients include physical substructuring and /or automatic mesh partitioning, mapping algorithms, 'gluing' approximations for fast design modifications and evaluations, and fast direct and preconditioned iterative solvers for local and interface subproblems. The overall methodology is illustrated with the structural design of a solar viewing payload that is scheduled to fly in March 1993. This payload has been entirely designed and validated by a group of undergraduate students at the University of Colorado using the proposed hybrid domain decomposition approach on a massively parallel processor. Performance results are reported on the CRAY Y-MP/8 and the iPSC-860/64 Touchstone systems, which represent both extreme parallel architectures. The hybrid domain decomposition methodology is shown to outperform leading solution algorithms and to exhibit an excellent parallel scalability.

Farhat, Charbel↗
NASA NTRS2015

Advanced Computational Modeling Approaches for Shock Response Prediction

Motivation: (1) The activation of pyroshock devices such as explosives, separation nuts, pin-pullers, etc. produces high frequency transient structural response, typically from few tens of Hz to several hundreds of kHz. (2) Lack of reliable analytical tools makes the prediction of appropriate design and qualification test levels a challenge. (3) In the past few decades, several attempts have been made to develop methodologies that predict the structural responses to shock environments. (4) Currently, there is no validated approach that is viable to predict shock environments overt the full frequency range (i.e., ~100 Hz to 10 kHz). Scope: (1) Model, analyze, and interpret space structural systems with complex interfaces and discontinuities, subjected to shock loads. (2) Assess the viability of a suite of numerical tools to simulate transient, non-linear solid mechanics and structural dynamics problems, such as shock wave propagation.

Derkevorkian, Armen↗