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At least 325 records · Page 18

Zero-G life support for Space Station Freedom

Optimal design of spacecraft environmental control and life support systems (ECLSS) for long duration missions requires an understanding of microgravity and its long-term influence on ECLSS performance characteristics. This understanding will require examination of the fundamental processes associated with air revitalization and water recovery in a microgravity environment. Short term testing can be performed on NASA's reduced gravity aircraft (a KC-135), but longer tests will need to be conducted on the shuttle or Space Station Freedom. Conceptual designs have been prepared for ECLSS test beds that will allow extended testing of equipment under microgravity conditions. Separate designs have been formulated for air revitalization and water recovery test beds. In order to allow testing of a variety of hardware with minimal alteration of the beds themselves, the designs include storage tanks, plumbing, and limited instrumentation that would be expected to be common to all air (or water) treatment equipment of interest. In the interest of minimizing spacecraft/test bed interface requirements, the beds are designed to recycle process fluids to the greatest extent possible. In most cases, only cooling water and power interfaces are required. A volume equal to that of two SSF lockers was allowed for each design. These bed dimensions would limit testing to equipment with a 0.5- to 1.5-person-equivalent throughput. The mass, volume, and power requirements for the air revitalization test bed are estimated at 125-280 kg, 1.0- 1.4 cubic meters, and 170 min 1070 W. Corresponding ranges for the water recovery test bed are 325-375 kg, 1.0- 1.1 cubic meters, and 350-850 W. These figures include individual test articles and accompanying hardware as well as the tanks, plumbing, and instrumentation included in the bed designs. Process fluid weight (i.e., water weight) is also included.

Kolodney, Matthew↗

High Reynolds number tests of a NASA SC(3)-0712(B) airfoil in the Langley 0.3-meter transonic cryogenic tunnel

A wind tunnel investigation of a NASA 12-percent-thick, advanced-technology supercritical airfoil was conducted in the Langley 0.3-Meter Transonic Cryogenic Tunnel (TCT). This investigation represents another in the series of NASA/U.S. industry two-dimensional airfoil studies to be completed in the Advanced Technology Airfoil Tests program. Test temperature was varied from 220 K to 96 K at pressures ranging from 1.2 to 4.3 atm. Mach number was varied from 0.60 to 0.80. These variables provided a Reynolds number range from 4,400,000 to 40,000,000 based on a 15.24-cm (6.0-in.) airfoil chord. This investigation was designed to test a NASA advanced-technology airfoil from low to flight-equivalent Reynolds numbers, provide experience in cryogenic wind tunnel model design and testing techniques, and demonstrate the suitability of the 0.3-m TCT as an airfoil test facility. The aerodynamic results are presented as integrated force and moment coefficients and pressure distributions. Data are included which demonstrate the effects of fixed transition, Mach number, and Reynolds number on the aerodynamic characteristics. Also included are remarks on the model design, the model structural integrity, and the overall test experience.

Johnson, W. G., Jr.↗

Pressure distribution from high Reynolds number tests of a NASA SC(3)-0712(B) airfoil in the Langley 0.3-meter transonic cryogenic tunnel

A wind tunnel investigation of a NASA 12-percent-thick, advanced-technology supercritical airfoil was conducted in the Langley 0.3-Meter Transonic Cryogenic Tunnel (TCT). This investigation represents another in the series of NASA/U.S. industry two-dimensional airfoil studies to be completed in the Advanced Technology Airfoil Tests program. Test temperature was varied from 220 K to 96 K at pressures ranging from 1.2 to 4.3 atm. Mach number was varied from 0.50 to 0.80. This investigation was designed to: (1) test a NASA advanced-technology airfoil from low to flight equivalent Reynolds numbers, (2) provide experience in cryogenic wind-tunnel model design and testing techniques, and (3) demonstrate the suitability of the 0.3-m TCT as an airfoil test facility. All the test objectives were met. The pressure data are presented without analysis in tabulated format and as plots of pressure coefficient versus position on the airfoil. This report was prepared for use in conjunction with the aerodynamic coefficient data published in NASA-TM-86371. Data are included which demonstrate the effects of fixed transition. Also included are remarks on the model design and fabrication.

Johnson, W. G., Jr.↗

Photogrammetric Measurements of CEV Airbag Landing Attenuation Systems

High-speed photogrammetric measurements are being used to assess the impact dynamics of the Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV) for ground landing contingency upon return to earth. Test articles representative of the Orion capsule are dropped at the NASA Langley Landing and Impact Research (LandIR) Facility onto a sand/clay mixture representative of a dry lakebed from elevations as high as 62 feet (18.9 meters). Two different types of test articles have been evaluated: (1) half-scale metal shell models utilized to establish baseline impact dynamics and soil characterization, and (2) geometric full-scale drop models with shock-absorbing airbags which are being evaluated for their ability to cushion the impact of the Orion CEV with the earth s surface. This paper describes the application of the photogrammetric measurement technique and provides drop model trajectory and impact data that indicate the performance of the photogrammetric measurement system.

Barrows, Danny A.↗

An ICA-Based HVAC Load Disaggregation Method Using Smart Meter Data

This paper presents an independent component analysis (ICA) based unsupervised-learning method for heat, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) load disaggregation using row-resolution (i.e., 15 minutes) smart meter data. We first demonstrate that the electricity consumption profiles on mild-temperature days can be used to approximate the base load on hot days. A residual load profile can then be calculated by subtracting the mild-day load profile from the hot-day load profile. The residual load profiles are processed using ICA for HVAC load extraction. An optimization-based algorithm is proposed for post-adjustment of the ICA results, considering two bounding factors for enhancing the robustness of the ICA algorithm. First, we use the hourly HVAC energy bounds computed from the relationship between HVAC load and temperature to remove unrealistic HVAC load spikes. Second, we exploit the dependency between the daily nocturnal and diurnal loads extracted from historical meter data to smooth the base load profile. Pecan Street data with sub-metered HVAC data were used to test and verify the proposed methods. Simulation results demonstrated that the proposed method is computationally efficient and robust across multiple customers.

Kim, Hyeonjin↗

Vertical Drop Test and Simulation of a Fokker F-28 Fuselage Section

In March 2017, a vertical drop test of a 3.048-m(10-ft) section of a Fokker F-28 aircraft was conducted as a part of a joint NASA/FAA effort to investigate the performance of transport aircraft under realistic crash conditions. The section was configured with two rows of aircraft seats, in a triple-double configuration. A total of ten Anthropomorphic Test Devices (ATDs) were secured in the seats using standard seat belt restraints. The section was also configured with luggage in the cargo hold. Two hat racks were added, each with mass loading of 37.2-kg per linear meter (25-lb/ft). The drop test was performed at the Landing and Impact Research facility located at NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia. The planned impact velocity was 9.144-m/s (360-in/s) onto soil. A second objective was to assess the capabilities of finite element simulations to predict the test response. A finite element model was developed for execution in LS-DYNA, a commercial explicit nonlinear transient dynamic code. The model contained accurate representations of the airframe structure, the hat racks and hat rack masses, the floor and seat tracks, and the luggage in the cargo hold. Concentrated masses were used to represent the inertial properties of the seats, restraints, and ATD occupants. The model was executed to generate analytical predictions of airframe responses, which were compared with test data to validate the model.

Jackson, K. E.↗

Preliminary test results of a flight management algorithm for fuel conservative descents in a time based metered traffic environment

A flight management algorithm designed to improve the accuracy of delivering the airplane fuel efficiently to a metering fix at a time designated by air traffic control is discussed. The algorithm provides a 3-D path with time control (4-D) for a test B 737 airplane to make an idle thrust, clean configured descent to arrive at the metering fix at a predetermined time, altitude, and airspeed. The descent path is calculated for a constant Mach/airspeed schedule from linear approximations of airplane performance with considerations given for gross weight, wind, and nonstandard pressure and temperature effects. The flight management descent algorithms and the results of the flight tests are discussed.

Knox, C. E.↗

Support-sting interference on boattail pressure drag for Reynolds numbers up to 70 x 10 to the 6th

A model was tested in the Langley 0.3-Meter Transonic Cryogenic Tunnel to investigate the effects of Reynolds number on boattail pressure drag for a variety of sting shapes. The boattail pressure drag for constant Mach number increased linearly with Reynolds number over the Reynolds number range tested. The data indicated that, as the disturbance produced by the sting on the boattail increased, the boattail pressure drag became less sensitive to Reynolds number change. Also, it was found that the model base pressure versus Reynolds number curve reached a plateau within the Reynolds number range examined.

Gloss, B. B.↗

Wall interference tests of a CAST 10-2/DOA 2 airfoil in an adaptive-wall test section

A wind-tunnel investigation of a CAST 10-2/DOA 2 airfoil model has been conducted in the adaptive-wall test section of the Langley 0.3-Meter Transonic Cryogenic Tunnel (TCT) and in the National Aeronautical Establishment High Reynolds Number Two-Dimensional Test Facility. The primary goal of the tests was to assess two different wall-interference correction techniques: adaptive test-section walls and classical analytical corrections. Tests were conducted over a Mach number range from 0.3 to 0.8 and over a chord Reynolds number range from 6 million to 70 million. The airfoil aerodynamic characteristics from the tests in the 0.3-m TCT have been corrected for wall interference by the movement of the adaptive walls. No additional corrections for any residual interference have been applied to the data, to allow comparison with the classically corrected data from the same model in the conventional National Aeronautical Establishment facility. The data are presented graphically in this report as integrated force-and-moment coefficients and chordwise pressure distributions.

Mineck, Raymond E.↗

A 400 kilowatt argon arc lamp for solar simulation

A 400 kilowatt argon arc lamp for a solar simulator has been designed, operated, and evaluated. The lamp is designed to produce one solar constant on a test area 4.6 by 9.2 meters when used with a collimator. The divergence angle of the beam is about 1 deg. The lamp is designed to operate completely within a vacuum environment. Over 80 kilowatt of directed radiation was monitored and measured for a 25-hour period during a recent test. In another test, an arc was operated at 400 kilowatt for 110 hours without removal or refurbishing of the electrodes. These tests have proven the cleanliness and integrity of the radiation source.

Decker, A. J.↗

Tests of a NACA 65(sub 1)-213 airfoil in the NASA Langley 0.3-meter transonic cryogenic tunnel

A wind-tunnel investigation was conducted to study the two dimensional aerodynamic characteristics of the NACA 65 sub 1-213 airfoil over a wide range of Reynolds numbers. Test temperature ranged from ambient to about 100K at pressures ranging from about 1.2 to 6.0 atm. Mach number was varied from 0.22 to 0.80 and Reynolds number (based on airfoil chord) from 3 million to 40 million. Data are included which demonstrate the effects of fixed transition, Mach number, and Reynolds number on the aerodynamic characteristics of the airfoil. A sample of data showing the effects of angle of attack on the pressure distribution is also given. The data are presented in an uncorrected form with no analysis.

Plentovich, E. B.↗

Study of a heat rejection system for the Nuclear Electric Propulsion (NEP) spacecraft

Two different heat pipe radiator elements, one intended for use with the power conversion subsystem of the NASA funded nuclear electric propulsion (NEP) spacecraft, and one intended for use with the DOE funded space power advanced reactor (SPAR) system were tested and evaluated. The NEP stainless steel/sodium heat pipe was 4.42 meters long and had a 1 cm diameter. Thermal performance testing at 920 K showed a non-limited power level of 3560 watts, well in excess of the design power of 2600 watts. This test verified the applicability of screen arteries for use in long radiator heat pipes. The SPAR titanium/potassium heat pipe was 5.5 meters long and had a semicircular crossection with a 4 cm diameter. Thermal performance testing at 775 K showed a maximum power level of 1.86 kW, somewhat short of the desired 2.6 kW beginning of life design requirement. The reduced performance was shown to be the result of the inability of the evaporator wall wick (shot blasted evaporator wall) to handle the required liquid flow.

Ernest, D. M.↗

Residual interference assessment in adaptive wall wind tunnels

A two-variable method is presented which is suitable for on-line calculation of residual interference in airfoil testing in the Langley 0.3-Meter Transonic Cryogenic Tunnel (0.3-M TCT). The method applies the Cauchy's integral formula to the closed contour formed by the contoured top and bottom walls, and the upstream and downstream ends. The measured top and bottom wall pressures and position are used to calculate the correction to the test Mach number and the airfoil angle of attack. Application to specific data obtained in the 0.3-M TCT adaptive wall test section demonstrates the need to assess residual interference to ensure that the desired level of wall streamlining is achieved. A FORTRAN computer program was developed for on-line calculation of the residual corrections during airfoil tests in the 0.3-M TCT.

Murthy, A. V.↗

Impact behavior of filament wound graphite/epoxy fan blades

The fabrication and impact tests of graphite/epoxy filament wound fan blades are discussed. Blades which were spin tested at tip speeds up to 305 meters per second retained their structural integrity. Two blades were each impacted with a 454 gram slice of a 908 gram simulated bird at a tip speed of 263 meters per second and impact angles of 22 and 32 deg. The impact tests were recorded with high-speed movie film. The blade which was impacted at 22 deg sustained some root delamination but remained intact. The 32 deg impact separated the blade from the root. No local damage other than leading edge debonding was observed for either blade. Results of a failure mode analysis are also discussed.

Bowles, K. J.↗

Dynamics of an experimental two bladed horizontal axis wind turbine with blade cyclic pitch variation

The turbine under study incorporates the combination of two features: the application of blade cyclic pitch variation; and the use of yaw angle control for rotor speed and torque regulation. Due to its emasculation by passive cyclic pitch variation the rotor can be rapidly yawed without encountering gyroscopic and aerodynamic hub moments and without noticeable out of plane excursions. The two bladed upwind rotor is vane stabilized and of very simple and rugged design. The principle was first checked out with a small scale wind tunnel model and then tested in the atmosphere with a 7.6 meter diameter experimental fully instrumented wind turbine driving a 3 phase alternator. The test results are summarized with respect to structural dynamics and yaw dynamics.

Hotenemser, K. H.↗

The Inception of OMA in the Development of Modal Testing Technology for Wind Turbines

Wind turbines are immense, flexible structures with aerodynamic forces acting on the rotating blades at harmonics of the turbine rotational frequency, which are comparable to the modal frequencies of the structure. Predicting and experimentally measuring the modal frequencies of wind turbines has been important to their successful design and operation. Performing modal tests on wind turbine structures over 100 meters tall is a substantial challenge, which has inspired innovative developments in modal test technology. For wind turbines, a further complication is that the modal frequencies are dependent on the turbine rotation speed. The history and development of a new technique for acquiring the modal parameters using output-only response data, called the Natural Excitation Technique (NExT), will be reviewed, showing historical tests and techniques. The initial attempts at output-only modal testing began in the late 1980's with the development of NExT in the 1990's. NExT was a predecessor to OMA, developed to overcome these challenges of testing immense structures excited with environmental inputs. We will trace the difficulties and successes of wind turbine modal testing from 1982 to the present. Keywords: OMA, Modal Analysis, NExT, Wind Turbines, Wind Excitation

James, George H., III↗

Testing the James Webb Space Telescope Primary Mirror

JWST in-process optical testing and cryogenic requirement compliance certification, verification andvalidation was probably the most difficult metrology job of our generation in astronomical optics. But, the challenge was met: by hard work of dozens of optical metrologists; development and qualification of multiple custom test setups; and several new inventions, including 4D PhaseCam and Leica Absolute Distance Meter. This paper summarizes the metrology tools, test setups and processes used to characterize the JWST primary mirror.

Stahl, H. Philip↗