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At least 325 records · Page 18

All sources NASA NTRS DOE OSTI

NASA NTRS2013

Torque Control of Underactuated Tendon-driven Robotic Fingers

A robotic system includes a robot having a total number of degrees of freedom (DOF) equal to at least n, an underactuated tendon-driven finger driven by n tendons and n DOF, the finger having at least two joints, being characterized by an asymmetrical joint radius in one embodiment. A controller is in communication with the robot, and controls actuation of the tendon-driven finger using force control. Operating the finger with force control on the tendons, rather than position control, eliminates the unconstrained slack-space that would have otherwise existed. The controller may utilize the asymmetrical joint radii to independently command joint torques. A method of controlling the finger includes commanding either independent or parameterized joint torques to the controller to actuate the fingers via force control on the tendons.

Abdallah, Muhammad E.↗

NASA NTRS2014

Fast Response Shape Memory Effect Titanium Nickel (TiNi) Foam Torque Tubes

Shape Change Technologies has developed a process to manufacture net-shaped TiNi foam torque tubes that demonstrate the shape memory effect. The torque tubes dramatically reduce response time by a factor of 10. This Phase II project matured the actuator technology by rigorously characterizing the process to optimize the quality of the TiNi and developing a set of metrics to provide ISO 9002 quality assurance. A laboratory virtual instrument engineering workbench (LabVIEW'TM')-based, real-time control of the torsional actuators was developed. These actuators were developed with The Boeing Company for aerospace applications.

Jardine, Peter↗

NASA NTRS2010

Results and Analysis from Space Suit Joint Torque Testing

This joint mobility KC lecture included information from two papers, "A Method for and Issues Associated with the Determination of Space Suit Joint Requirements" and "Results and Analysis from Space Suit Joint Torque Testing," as presented for the International Conference on Environmental Systems in 2009 and 2010, respectively. The first paper discusses historical joint torque testing methodologies and approaches that were tested in 2008 and 2009. The second paper discusses the testing that was completed in 2009 and 2010.

Matty, Jennifer↗

NASA NTRS2017

Near Earth Asteroid Scout Thrust and Torque Model

The Near Earth Asteroid (NEA) Scout is a solar sail mission whose objective is to scout at least one Near Earth Asteroid in preparation for manned missions to asteroids. NEA Scout will use a solar sail as the primary means of propulsion. Thus it is important for mission planning to accurately characterize the thrust of the sail. Additionally, the solar sail creates a relatively large solar disturbance torque that must be mitigated. For early mission design studies a flat plate model of the solar sail with a fixed center of pressure was adequate, but as mission concepts and the sail design matured, greater fidelity was required. Here we discuss the progress to a three-dimensional sail model that includes the effects of tension and thermal deformation that has been derived from a large structural Finite Element Model (FEM) developed by the Langley Research Center. We have found that the deformed sail membrane affects torque relatively much more than thrust. We have also found that other than uncertainty over the precise shape, the effect of small (approximately millimeter scale) wrinkles on the diffusivity of the sail is the leading remaining source of uncertainty. We demonstrate that millimeter-scale wrinkles can be modeled analytically as a change in the fraction of specular reflection. Finally we discuss the implications of these results for the NEA Scout mission.

Heaton, Andrew↗

NASA NTRS2021

Preventing Anomalous Torques in Circumbinary Accretion Simulations

Numerical experiments are the primary method of studying the evolution of circumbinary disks due to the strong nonlinearities involved. Many circumbinary simulations also require the use of numerical mass sinks: source terms that prevent gas from unphysically accumulating around the simulated point masses by removing gas at a given rate. However, special care must be taken when drawing physical conclusions from such simulations to ensure that results are not biased by numerical artifacts. We demonstrate how improved sink methods reduce some of these biases, using simulations of aspect ratio 0.1 accretion disks around binaries with mass ratios between 0.1 and 1. We show that sink terms that do not reduce the angular momentum of gas relative to the accreting object (1) reduce the dependence on the sink rate of quantities such as the torque on the binary, distribution of accretion between binary components, and evolution of the binary semimajor axis; (2) reduce the degree to which the sink rate affects the structure of the accretion disks around each binary component; (3) alter the variability of accretion onto the binary, regularizing it in time. We also investigate other potential sources of systematic error, such as gravitational softening and simplifications to the viscous stress tensor. Because of the strong dependence of binary orbital evolution on both the torque and the distribution of mass between binary components, the sink method influences the orbital evolution of the binary at all mass ratios, with mass ratios below ∼0.3 most affected.

Alexander Dittmann↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Control and Scaling Approach for the Emulation of Dynamic Subscale Torque Loads

Research and development of electrified aircraft propulsion powertrains is moving toward the use electro-mechanical systems to emulate the loads a system imparts on another. Replacing a prime mover with a model driving an electro-mechanical system capable of emulating loads that regulate the system to produce a desired response is a lower risk, lower cost alternative to using the traditional prime mover for control system verification. This paper outlines a control and scaling approach for emulating scaled dynamic torque loads using electric machine (EM) hardware for electrified aircraft propulsion research and development purposes. The approach, known as the Sliding Mode Impedance Controller with Scaling (SMICS), drives a mechanically coupled two-EM system that provides a scaled hardware representation of an electrified turbomachinery shaft. One EM reflects inertial dynamics and load of the shaft under steady-state and transient operation while the second EM represents a motor/generator connected to the shaft. This closed loop system applies impedance and sliding mode control schemes to match desired dynamics in real-time along with parameter scaling to effectively scale full scale torque inputs, a full-scale desired inertia, and sub-scale speed feedback. The result is a sub-scale hardware implementation of a coupled EM system that is command-able by a model and control system designed for a full-scale electrified aircraft propulsion powertrain. The paper elaborates on the need for closed loop control and scaling as well as impedance and sliding mode control theory, shows a derivation of the controller and scaling, its implementation, and presents a comparison of theoretical and actual simulation results acquired during hardware-in-the-loop testing of a partial turboelectric propulsion concept at the NASA Electric Aircraft Testbed (NEAT).

Santino J Bianco↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Design of a Propeller with Global Minimum Torque

Academia, industry, and Government are actively working towards a future where dozens of small to large Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) are present within urban environments. In this environment, high noise pollution and inefficiencies have the potential to render these new technologies impractical due to public annoyance and nonacceptance. This study aims to design and analyze a novel propeller design for minimum global torque using an optimization algorithm to find the full three dimensional solution of maximum efficiency. This resulted in a 𝐶 𝑙 distribution defining the global minimum torque solution for propeller design which corresponded with moving as much lift inboard as possible and reducing lift rapidly at the blade tip. The novel propeller (dubbed "Prandtl" propeller) was then compared with the current gold standard in propeller design, a minimum induced loss (MIL) propeller, which had all the same geometric properties except for blade twist and produced the same amount of thrust at the same advance ratio. The results of multiple iterations of Prandtl propellers showed an increase in efficiency of 2.0-3.3% for the Prandtl blade when compared to the equivalent MIL blade. A potential added benefit of this blade design is lower noise generation due to the lower lift loading at the tip reducing the large shear layer intensity which is the point source of noise in propellers. Two major breakthroughs for enabling widespread use of UAS in urban environments are noise reduction and vehicle efficiency, and this new propeller design has the potential to provide both.

Propeller↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Design of a Propeller with Global Minimum Torque

Propeller↗

DOE OSTI2021

Friction testing and torque sensing systems

The present invention relates, in part, to systems for characterizing force (e.g., friction, wear, and/or torque). In one embodiment, the system allows for wear testing of samples in a high throughput manner. In another embodiment, the system allows for torque sensing in a non-contact manner.

Nation, Brendan L.↗

DOE OSTI2023

Friction testing and torque sensing systems

Nation, Brendan L.↗

DOE OSTI2022

Spin-Transfer-Torque Oscillator with an Antiferromagnetic Exchange-Coupled Composite Free Layer

We present an antiferromagnetically exchange-coupled composite (soft and hard layers) spin torque oscillator (AF-ECC STO) and demonstrate its operation via both analytical and micromagnetic modeling. The operation exploits the exchange field due to the antiferromagnetic coupling between soft and hard sublayers of the free layer as well as on the easy-plane anisotropy of the soft sublayer. Optimized AF-ECC STO structures can generate large-amplitude magnetization oscillations, which can be tuned over a broad frequency range with precessions mostly generated by the soft layer. We demonstrate that the AF-ECC STO structure offers flexibility in current control of the oscillation frequency and magnetization angle for realistic material parameters.

42 ENGINEERING↗

DOE OSTI2022

Quantum Sensing and Imaging of Spin–Orbit-Torque-Driven Spin Dynamics in the Non-Collinear Antiferromagnet Mn 3 Sn

Novel non-collinear antiferromagnets with spontaneous time-reversal symmetry breaking, non-trivial band topology, and unconventional transport properties have received immense research interest over the past decade due to their rich physics and enormous promise in technological applications. One of the central focuses in this emerging field is exploring the relationship between the microscopic magnetic structure and exotic material properties. Nanoscale imaging of both spin–orbit-torque-induced deterministic magnetic switching and chiral spin rotation in non-collinear antiferromagnet Mn 3 Sn films using nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers are reported. Direct evidence of the off-resonance dipole–dipole coupling between the spin dynamics in Mn 3 Sn and proximate NV centers is also demonstrated by NV relaxometry measurements. These results demonstrate the unique capabilities of NV centers in accessing the local information of the magnetic order and dynamics in these emergent quantum materials and suggest new opportunities for investigating the interplay between topology and magnetism in a broad range of topological magnets.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2023

Exchange Bias Between van der Waals Materials: Tilted Magnetic States and Field-Free Spin–Orbit-Torque Switching

Magnetic van der Waals heterostructures provide a unique platform to study magnetism and spintronics device concepts in the 2D limit. Here, studies of exchange bias from the van der Waals antiferromagnet CrSBr acting on the van der Waals ferromagnet Fe3GeTe2 (FGT) are reported. Additionally, the orientation of the exchange bias is along the in-plane easy axis of CrSBr, perpendicular to the out-of-plane anisotropy of the FGT, inducing a strongly tilted magnetic configuration in the FGT. Furthermore, the in-plane exchange bias provides sufficient symmetry breaking to allow deterministic spin–orbit torque switching of the FGT in CrSBr/FGT/Pt samples at zero applied magnetic field. A minimum thickness of the CrSBr of >10 nm is needed to provide a non-zero exchange bias at 30 K.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2024

Highly Efficient Room‐Temperature Spin‐Orbit‐Torque Switching in a Van der Waals Heterostructure of Topological Insulator and Ferromagnet

Abstract All‐Van der Waals (vdW)‐material‐based heterostructures with atomically sharp interfaces offer a versatile platform for high‐performing spintronic functionalities at room temperature. One of the key components is vdW topological insulators (TIs), which can produce a strong spin‐orbit‐torque (SOT) through the spin‐momentum locking of their topological surface state (TSS). However, the relatively low conductance of the TSS introduces a current leakage problem through the bulk states of the TI or the adjacent ferromagnetic metal layers, reducing the interfacial charge‐to‐spin conversion efficiency ( q ICS ). Here, a vdW heterostructure is used consisting of atomically‐thin layers of a bulk‐insulating TI Sn‐doped Bi 1.1 Sb 0.9 Te 2 S 1 and a room‐temperature ferromagnet Fe 3 GaTe 2, to enhance the relative current ratio on the TSS up to ≈20%. The resulting q ICS reaches ≈1.65 nm −1 and the critical current density J c ≈0.9 × 10 6 Acm −2 at 300 K, surpassing the performance of TI‐based and heavy‐metal‐based SOT devices. These findings demonstrate that an all‐vdW heterostructure with thickness optimization offers a promising platform for efficient current‐controlled magnetization switching at room temperature.

2D ferromagnet↗

DOE OSTI2022

Accurate hydrodynamic force and torque correlations for prolate spheroids from Stokes regime to high Reynolds numbers

Detailed simulations of flow around various prolate spheroids are performed using multi-relaxation time lattice Boltzmann method (LBM). The simulations are performed in the Reynolds numbers range 0.1 ≤ Re ≤ 2000 at different incident angles 0°≤ φ ≤ 90° for various prolate spheroids of aspect ratios 1 ≤ λ ≤ 8. The Re is based on the volume equivalent sphere diameter. From the simulations, accurate correlations for average drag, lift and torque coefficients (C D , C L , and C T respectively) are proposed. The mean deviations between the correlations and the simulation data for C D , C L , and C T are 2%, 6.5%, and 4.7% respectively. Furthermore, the correlations are fitted with the physics in mind such that they can be extrapolated beyond the regimes simulated. The fits are designed such that correlations reduce to analytical (C D and C L ) solutions available for prolate spheroids in the limit Re ≈ 0. At high Re, the correlations mimic the asymptotic flattening of C D as for spheres and therefore, we expect the correlations to be valid until the critical Re (≈ 10 5 ). Furthermore, extensive comparison of our correlations with other high-fidelity simulations from literature demonstrate the accuracy of our work compared to other correlations from literature. This work enables researchers to perform accurate unresolved Euler-Lagrangian simulations for a wide range of elongated particles.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2023

Control of magnon–photon coupling by spin torque

We demonstrate the influence of damping and field-like torques in the magnon–photon coupling process by classically integrating the generalized Landau–Lifshitz–Gilbert equation with RLC equation in which a phase correlation between dynamic magnetization and microwave current through combined Ampère and Faraday effects are considered. We show that the gap between two hybridized modes can be controlled in samples with damping parameter in the order of 10 –3 by changing the direction of the dc current density J if a certain threshold is reached. Furthermore, our results suggest that an experimental realization of the proposed magnon–photon coupling control mechanism is feasible in yttrium iron garnet/Pt hybrid structures.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

DOE OSTI2020

Spin orbit torque switching of synthetic Co/Ir/Co trilayers with perpendicular anisotropy and tunable interlayer coupling

Spin orbit torque (SOT) has attracted much attention as an energy efficient electrical method to switch the magnetization in single magnetic layer with both in-plane and perpendicular anisotropy. Here, we report SOT switching of synthetic antiferromagnetic and ferrimagnetic Co/Ir/Co trilayers, where the net magnetization and the interlayer coupling strength are highly controllable. Here, a weak external field dependence of the SOT switching was observed due to the robust domain wall structure in the trilayer. The switching current density was observed to scale inversely with the net magnetization. For trilayers with the same net magnetization, switching current is independent of the layer order because switching in the thicker Co layer dominates. In both ferromagnetic and antiferromagetic regimes, the switching current reflects the interlayer coupling strength.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

DOE OSTI2020

Spin–orbit torques in structures with asymmetric dusting layers

Current-induced spin–orbit torques (SOTs) in heavy metal/ferromagnet heterostructures have emerged as an efficient method for magnetization switching with applications in nonvolatile magnetic memory and logic devices. However, experimental realization of SOT switching of perpendicular magnetization requires an additional inversion symmetry breaking, calling for modifications of the conventional SOT heterostructures. In this work, we study SOTs and deterministic switching of perpendicular magnetization by inserting different asymmetric dusting layers at the heavy metal/ferromagnet interface. Similar to the previous works with lateral structural asymmetry, we study the emergence of current-induced perpendicular effective magnetic fields (H z eff ). By examining three different material combinations of heavy metal/dusting layers (W/IrMn, Pt/IrMn, and W/Ta), we shed light on the origins of H z eff ; we show that H z eff is generically created in all the studied asymmetric structures, has a close correlation with the interfacial magnetic anisotropy, and is independent of the signs of spin Hall angles of the materials. Furthermore, we show that the induction of H z eff enables field-free deterministic SOT switching of perpendicular magnetization. Our results can be used in designing SOT heterostructures for practical applications in nonvolatile technologies.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗