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At least 343 records · Page 19

Algorithms and Libraries

This exploratory study initiated our inquiry into algorithms and applications that would benefit by latency tolerant approach to algorithm building, including the construction of new algorithms where appropriate. In a multithreaded execution, when a processor reaches a point where remote memory access is necessary, the request is sent out on the network and a context--switch occurs to a new thread of computation. This effectively masks a long and unpredictable latency due to remote loads, thereby providing tolerance to remote access latency. We began to develop standards to profile various algorithm and application parameters, such as the degree of parallelism, granularity, precision, instruction set mix, interprocessor communication, latency etc. These tools will continue to develop and evolve as the Information Power Grid environment matures. To provide a richer context for this research, the project also focused on issues of fault-tolerance and computation migration of numerical algorithms and software. During the initial phase we tried to increase our understanding of the bottlenecks in single processor performance. Our work began by developing an approach for the automatic generation and optimization of numerical software for processors with deep memory hierarchies and pipelined functional units. Based on the results we achieved in this study we are planning to study other architectures of interest, including development of cost models, and developing code generators appropriate to these architectures.

Dongarra, Jack↗

Static Characteristics of the Ferroelectric Transistor Inverter

The inverter is one of the most fundamental building blocks of digital logic, and it can be used as the foundation for understanding more complex logic gates and circuits. This paper presents the characteristics of an inverter circuit using a ferroelectric field-effect transistor. The voltage transfer characteristics are analyzed with respect to varying parameters such as supply voltage, input voltage, and load resistance. The effects of the ferroelectric layer between the gate and semiconductor are examined, and comparisons are made between the inverters using ferroelectric transistors and those using traditional MOSFETs.

Mitchell, Cody↗

Overview of the Development and Testing of the Heatshield for Extreme Entry Environment Technology (HEEET) TPS

Over the last 5 years, the Heatshield for Extreme Entry Environment Technology (HEEET) project has been working to mature a 3-D Woven Thermal Protection System (TPS) to Technical Readiness Level (TRL) 6 to support future NASA missions to destinations such as Venus and Saturn. A key aspect of the project has been the development of the manufacturing and integration processes/procedures necessary to build a heat shield utilizing the HEEET 3D-woven material. This has culminated in the building of a 1-meter diameter Engineering Test Unit (ETU) representative of what would be used for a Saturn probe. The present talk provides an overview of recent testing of NASA's Heatshield for Extreme Entry Environment Technology (HEEET) 3D Woven TPS. Under the current program, the ETU has been subjected to Thermal and Mechanical loads typical of deep space mission to Saturn. Thermal testing of HEEET coupons has performance up to 4,500 watts per centimeter squared at 5 atmospheres stagnation pressure and successful shear performance up to 3000 pascals at 1,650 watts per centimeter squared at 2.6 atmospheres pressure.

HEEET↗

InSight Aerothermal Environment Assessment

The Mars Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport (InSight) spacecraft, which successfully touched down on the planet surface on November 26, 2018, was proposed as a near build-to-print copy of the Mars Phoenix vehicle to reduce the overall cost and risk of the mission. Since the lander payload and the atmospheric entry trajectory were similar enough to those of the Phoenix mission, it was expected that the Phoenix thermal protection material thickness would be sufficient to withstand the entry heat load. However, allowances were made for increasing the heatshield thickness because the planned spacecraft arrival date coincided with the Mars dust storm season. The aftbody Thermal Protection System (TPS) components were not expected to change. In a first for a US Mars mission, the aerothermal environments for InSight included estimates of radiative heat flux to the aftbody from the wake. The combined convective and radiative heat fluxes were used to determine if the as-flown Phoenix thermal protection system (TPS) design would be sufficient for InSight. Although the radiative heat fluxes on the aftbody were predicted to be comparable to, or even higher than the local convective heat fluxes, all analyses of the aftbody TPS showed that the design would still be adequate. Aerothermal environments were computed for the vehicle from post-flight reconstruction of the atmosphere and trajectory and compared.

Beck, Robin↗

InSight Aerothermal Environment Assessment

The Mars Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport (InSight) spacecraft, which successfully touched down on the planet surface on November 26, 2018, was proposed as a near build-to-print copy of the Mars Phoenix vehicle to reduce the overall cost and risk of the mission. Since the lander payload and the atmospheric entry trajectory were similar enough to those of the Phoenix mission, it was expected that the Phoenix thermal protection material thickness would be sufficient to withstand the entry heat load. However, allowances were made for increasing the heatshield thickness because the planned spacecraft arrival date coincided with the Mars dust storm season. The aftbody Thermal Protection System (TPS) components were not expected to change. In a first for a US Mars mission, the aerothermal environments for InSight included estimates of radiative heat flux to the aftbody from the wake. The combined convective and radiative heat fluxes were used to determine if the as-flown Phoenix thermal protection system (TPS) design would be sufficient for InSight. Although the radiative heat fluxes on the aftbody were predicted to be comparable to, or even higher than the local convective heat fluxes, all analyses of the aftbody TPS showed that the design would still be adequate. Aerothermal environments were computed for the vehicle from post-flight reconstruction of the atmosphere and trajectory and compared with the design environments. These comparisons showed that the predicted as-flown conditions were less severe than the design conditions.

Beck, Robin A. S.↗

Space Launch System: SLS Real Time Rollout Monitoring for MPCV

The NASA Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, Orion spacecraft, and Mobile Launcher (ML) are transported to Pad 39B from the Vehicle Assembly Building on a large, tracked vehicle known as the Crawler Transporter (CT). The CT is a holdover from the Apollo and Space Shuttle programs but has been extensively upgraded to accommodate the SLS. The Dynamic Rollout Test (DRT) on March 17, 2022 marked the first full rollout of the SLS and ML. Analysis indicated that loads and vibrations would be well below design limits, but out of an abundance of caution it was decided to monitor the response in real time during the rollout to assure that loads remained within predicted limits. This first rollout was outfitted with extensive test instrumentation such as accelerometers, pressure sensors, and strain gauges. This instrumentation remained in place following the integrated vehicle modal test and was being used for additional Operational Modal Analysis (OMA) during the rollout in addition to the real-time monitoring. This presentation discusses the specific loads and accelerations monitored during the rollout, how and why those responses were chosen, and how the system was implemented. Finally, a post-rollout loads reconstruction is used to assess the process and the analysis tools used for the rollout analysis.

SLS↗

Bibliography of NASA-related publications on wind turbine technology 1973-1995

A major program of research and development projects on wind turbines for generating electricity was conducted at the NASA Lewis Research Center from 1973 to 1988. Most of these projects were sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), as a major element of its Federal Wind Energy Program. One other large-scale wind turbine project was sponsored by the Bureau of Reclamation of the Department of Interior (DOI). The peak years for wind energy work at Lewis were 1979-80, when almost 100 engineers, technicians, and administrative personnel were involved. From 1988 their conclusion in 1995, NASA wind energy activities have been directed toward the transfer of technology to commercial and academic organizations. Wind energy activities at NASA can be divided into two broad categories which are closely related and often overlapping: (1) Designing, building, and testing a series of 12 large-scale, experimental, horizontal-axis wind turbines (HAWT's); and (2) conducting supporting research and technology (SR&T) projects. The purpose of this bibliography is to assist those active in the field of wind energy in locating the technical information they need on wind power planning, wind loads, turbine design and analysis, fabrication and installation, laboratory and field testing, and operations and maintenance. This bibliography contains approximately 620 citations of publications by over 520 authors and co-authors. Sources are: (1) NASA reports authored by government grantee, and contractor personnel, (2) papers presented by attendees at NASA-sponsored workshops and conferences, (3) papers presented by NASA personnel at outside workshops and conferences, and (4) outside publications related to research performed at NASA/ DOE wind turbine sites.

Spera, David A.↗

OMC Compressor Case

This report summarizes efforts expended in the development of an all-composite compressor case. Two pre-production units have been built, one utilizing V-CAP and one utilizing AFR-700B resin systems. Both units have been rig tested at elevated temperatures well above design limit loads. This report discusses the manufacturing processes, test results, and Finite Element Analysis performed. The V-CAP unit was funded by NASA-Lewis Research Center in 1994 under contract number NAS3- 27442 for Development of an All-Composite OMC Compressor Case. This contract was followed by an Air Force study in 1996 to build and identical unit using the AFR-700B resin system in place of the V-CAP system. The second compressor case was funded under U.S. Air Force contract F33615-93-D-5326, Advanced Materials for Aerospace Structures Special Studies (AMAS3), Delivery Order 0021 entitled "Advanced Polymeric Composite Materials and Structures Technology for Advanced High Temperature Gas Turbine Engines.' Initial studies using the V-CAP resin system were undertaken in 1993 under a NASA Lewis contract (NAS3-26829). A first prototype unit was developed in a joint program between Textron-Lycoming (now Allied Signal) and Brunswick (now Lincoln Composites). This unit included composite end closures using low density, high temperature molded end closures. The units was similar in size and shape to a titanium case currently used on the PT-21 0 engine and was funded as part of the integrated High Performance Turbine Engine Technology (EHPTET) initiative of DOD and NASA.

Humphrey, W. Donald↗

Facesheet Delamination of Composite Sandwich Materials at Cryogenic Temperatures

The next generation of space transportation vehicles will require advances in lightweight structural materials and related design concepts to meet the increased demands on performance. One potential source for significant structural weight reduction is the replacement of traditional metallic cryogenic fuel tanks with new designs for polymeric matrix composite tanks. These new tank designs may take the form of thin-walled sandwich constructed with lightweight core and composite facesheets. Life-time durability requirements imply the materials must safely carry pressure loads, external structural loads, resist leakage and operate over an extremely wide temperature range. Aside from catastrophic events like tank wall penetration, one of the most likely scenarios for failure of a tank wall of sandwich construction is the permeation of cryogenic fluid into the sandwich core and the subsequent delamination of the sandwich facesheet due to the build-up of excessive internal pressure. The research presented in this paper was undertaken to help understand this specific problem of core to facesheet delamination in cryogenic environments and relate this data to basic mechanical properties. The experimental results presented herein provide data on the strain energy release rate (toughness) of the interface between the facesheet and the core of a composite sandwich subjected to simulated internal pressure. A unique test apparatus and associated test methods are described and the results are presented to highlight the effects of cryogenic temperature on the measured material properties.

Gates, Thomas S.↗

History of Structural Stitching Development for Aerospace Applications

Layered composite structures are a commonly used, lightweight option for aerospace vehicles today. However, these structures are prone to delamination between plies as well as separation between co-cured sections such as skins and flanges. In addition, delamination can easily be induced by impact damage from events such as tool drops and hailstones. Since such delaminations are often not visible from the external surface of the structure, additional material or fasteners must be included in the design to ensure the structure will maintain the required load-carrying ability through its lifetime. However, adding extra material increases weight and reduces structural efficiency and adding fasteners and their associated holes reduces manufacturing efficiency and adds the requirement to inspect the holes since they could become crack initiation points. Alternate means to reduce delaminations could be beneficial. An alternative to these options is to build the structure with through-thickness reinforcement, such as using stitching threads, to limit delamination, increase out-of-plane strength, and provide a method to join structural elements together without fasteners. The history of through-thickness stitching as it could be applied to aerospace vehicles is described in this paper.

carbon-epoxy↗

The role of rapid solidification processing in the fabrication of fiber reinforced metal matrix composites

Advanced composite processing techniques for fiber reinforced metal matrix composites require the flexibility to meet several widespread objectives. The development of uniquely desired matrix microstructures and uniformly arrayed fiber spacing with sufficient bonding between fiber and matrix to transmit load between them without degradation to the fiber or matrix are the minimum requirements necessary of any fabrication process. For most applications these criteria can be met by fabricating composite monotapes which are then consolidated into composite panels or more complicated components such as fiber reinforced turbine blades. Regardless of the end component, composite monotapes are the building blocks from which near net shape composite structures can be formed. The most common methods for forming composite monotapes are the powder cloth, foil/fiber, plasma spray, and arc spray processes. These practices, however, employ rapid solidification techniques in processing of the composite matrix phase. Consequently, rapid solidification processes play a vital and yet generally overlooked role in composite fabrication. The future potential of rapid solidification processing is discussed.

Locci, Ivan E.↗

Advanced technology commercial fuselage structure

Boeing's program for Advanced Technology Composite Aircraft Structure (ATCAS) has focused on the manufacturing and performance issues associated with a wide body commercial transport fuselage. The primary goal of ATCAS is to demonstrate cost and weight savings over a 1995 aluminum benchmark. A 31 foot section of fuselage directly behind the wing to body intersection was selected for study purposes. This paper summarizes ATCAS contract plans and review progress to date. The six year ATCAS program will study technical issues for crown, side, and keel areas of the fuselage. All structural details in these areas will be included in design studies that incorporate a design build team (DBT) approach. Manufacturing technologies will be developed for concepts deemed by the DBT to have the greatest potential for cost and weight savings. Assembly issues for large, stiff, quadrant panels will receive special attention. Supporting technologies and mechanical tests will concentrate on the major issues identified for fuselage. These include damage tolerance, pressure containment, splices, load redistribution, post-buckled structure, and durability/life. Progress to date includes DBT selection of baseline fuselage concepts; cost and weight comparisons for crown panel designs; initial panel fabrication for manufacturing and structural mechanics research; and toughened material studies related to keel panels. Initial ATCAS studies have shown that NASA's Advanced Composite Technology program goals for cost and weight savings are attainable for composite fuselage.

Ilcewicz, L. B.↗

Approximate Solution for Choked Flow in Gas Seal Pads

Previous analyses of high pressure seals have considered adiabatic flow with friction but neglected effects of seal rotation. Most of this work analyzed a one-dimensional flow field. This works well to calculate stiffness and leakage of full circular seals, either face seals or annular ring seals. However, it cannot provide accurate results for a rectangular seal pad with its strongly two-dimensional flow field and its reliance on hydrodynamic forces to maintain a full fluid film. On the other hand, solutions of Reynolds lubrication equation have been obtained for the two-dimensional flow in a seal pad. But these solutions do not account for choking which occurs at high seal pressure ratios, nor do they consider the pressure loss that occurs in the entrance region of the flow field. The aim of the present work is to build on the Reynolds equation solution by use of an approximate choked flow analysis. This will account for the pressure losses in the flow entrance region, ensure that fluid velocities remain subsonic, and enable fluid inertial effects within the pad film to be accounted for. Results show that, in general, fluid inertia acts to decrease pad film load capacity and leakage, and increase film stiffness.

Fleming, David P.↗

A viscoplastic model for single crystals

A viscoplastic constitutive model is described in which deformation behavior is postulated on representative slip systems and the behavior of the entire crystal is determined by summing the slip on the active slip systems. By building in the slip geometry known from the metallurgical literature, it is possible to predict the anisotropic deformation behavior and to model in a straightforward manner other phenomena which have been described by metallurgists in crystallographic terms. Elevated temperature tension-torsion tests were run and used to verify the model's predictive abilities. Ratchetting behavior under thermomechanical loading conditions is specifically addressed.

Jordan, E. H.↗

Through Thickness Thermal Gradients in Thick Laminates During Cure, Influence on Tg and Modulus

Carbon fiber composites are materials of great interest to the aerospace industry because of their light weight and high strength properties. Composite use in high load bearing applications such as roto-craft gearing requires manufacturing parts that are 1.5 inches thick and beyond. Very thick composite parts (laminates) produce thermal gradients and temperature spikes due to the heat released by resin polymerization and cross-linking during composite cure. It is believed that these thermal gradients will cause internal stresses to build-up inside these ultra-thick laminates during the cure-cycle, yielding parts with non-uniform mechanical properties throughout the thickness of the laminate. The goal of this study is to identify these thermal gradients and determine the magnitude of difference in mechanical properties generated by them.

Mechanical Properties↗

Social and Economic Impact of Solar Electricity at Schuchuli Village

Schuchuli, a small remote village on the Papago Indian Reservation in southwest Arizona, is 27 kilometers (17 miles) from the nearest available utility power. Its lack of conventional power is due to the prohibitive cost of supplying a small electrical load with a long-distance distribution line. Furthermore, alternate energy sources are expensive and place a burden on the resources of the villagers. On December 16, 1978, as part of a federally funded project, a solar cell power system was put into operation at Schuchuli. The system powers the village water pump, lighting for homes and other village buildings, family refrigerators and a communal washing machine and sewing machine.

Bifano, W. J.↗

Flight Test Analysis of the Forces and Moments Imparted on a B737-100 Airplane During Wake Vortex Encounters

Aircraft travel has become a major form of transportation. Several of our major airports are operating near their capacity limit, increasing congestion and delays for travelers. As a result, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has been working in conjunction with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), airline operators, and the airline industry to increase airport capacity without sacrificing public safety. One solution to the problem is to increase the number of airports and build new. runways; yet, this solution is becoming increasingly difficult due to limited space. A better solution is to increase the production per runway. This solution increases the possibility that one aircraft will encounter the trailing wake of another aircraft. Hazardous wake vortex encounters occur when an aircraft encounters the wake produced by a heavier aircraft. This heavy-load aircraft produces high-intensity wake turbulence that redistributes the aerodynamic loads of trailing smaller aircraft. This situation is particularly hazardous for smaller aircraft during takeoffs and landings. In order to gain a better understanding of the wake-vortex/aircraft encounter phenomena, NASA Langley Research Center conducted a series of flight tests from 1995 through 1997. These tests were designed to gather data for the development a wake encounter and wake-measurement data set with the accompanying atmospheric state information. This data set is being compiled into a database that can be used by wake vortex researchers to compare with experimental and computational results. The purpose of this research is to derive and implement a procedure for calculating the wake-vortex/aircraft interaction portion of that database by using the data recorded during those flight tests. There were three objectives to this research. Initially, the wake-induced forces and moments from each flight were analyzed based on varying flap deflection angles. The flap setting alternated between 15 and 30 degrees while the separation distance remained constant. This examination was performed to determine if increases in flap deflection would increase or decrease the effects of the wake-induced forces and moments. Next, the wake-induced forces and moments from each flight were analyzed based on separation distances of 1-3 nautical miles. In this comparison, flap deflection was held constant at 30 degrees. The purpose of this study was to determine if increased separation distances reduced the effects of the wake vortex on the aircraft. The last objective compared the wake-induced forces and moments of each flight as it executed a series of maneuvers through the wake-vortex. This analysis was conducted to examine the impact of the wake on the B737 as it traversed the wake horizontally and vertically. Results from the first analysis indicated that there was no difference in wake effect at flap deflections of 15 and 30 degrees. This conclusion is evidenced in the cases of the wake-induced sideforce, rolling moment, and yawing moment. The wake-induced lift, drag, and pitching moment cases yielded less conclusive results. The second analysis compared the wake-induced forces and moments at separation distances of 1-3 nautical miles. Results indicated that there was no significant difference in the wake-induced lift, drag, sideforce, or yawing moment coefficients. The analysis compared the wake-induced forces and moments based on different flight maneuvers. It was found that the wake-induced forces and moments had the greatest impact on out-to-in and in-to-out maneuvers.

Roberts, Chistopher L.↗

Durability Characterization of Mechanical Interfaces in Solar Sail Membrane Structures

The construction of a solar sail from commercially available metallized film presents several challenges. The solar sail membrane is made by seaming together strips of metallized polymer film. This requires seaming together a preselected width and thickness of a base material into the required geometry, and folding the assembled sail membranes into a small stowage volume prior to launch. The sail membranes must have additional features for connecting to rigid structural elements (e.g., sail booms) and must be electrically grounded to the spacecraft bus to prevent charge build up. Space durability of the material and mechanical interfaces of the sail membrane assemblies will be critical for the success of any solar sail mission. In this study, interfaces of polymer/metal joints in a representative solar sail membrane assembly were tested to ensure that the adhesive interfaces and the fastening grommets could withstand the temperature range and expected loads required for mission success. Various adhesion methods, such as surface treatment, commercial adhesives, and fastening systems, were experimentally evaluated and will be discussed.

Interface↗