Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “NaN”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 37 records · Page 2

An eigensystem realization algorithm using data correlations (ERA/DC) for modal parameter identification

A modification to the Eigensystem Realization Algorithm (ERA) for modal parameter identification is presented in this paper. The ERA minimum order realization approach using singular value decomposition is combined with the philosophy of the Correlation Fit method in state space form such that response data correlations rather than actual response values are used for modal parameter identification. This new method, the ERA using data correlations (ERA/DC), reduces bias errors due to noise corruption significantly without the need for model overspecification. This method is tested using simulated five-degree-of-freedom system responses corrupted by measurement noise. It is found for this case that, when model overspecification is permitted and a minimum order solution obtained via singular value truncation, the results from the two methods are of similar quality.

Juang, Jer-Nan↗

Studies of modal identification performance using hybrid data

Modal identification accuracy can be affected significantly in practice by high modal density and nonlinearities. It may be difficult to determine the true number of modes, and many of the identified mode shapes may be questionable. Results can vary considerably using different analysis techniques. This paper introduces a new method for studying modal identification performance under such circumstances. A difficult set of test data from an erectable truss structure was modified numerically by adding two artificial modes with known parameters. These 'hybrid data' were then analyzed with the Polyreference technique and the Eigensystem Realization Algorithm (ERA). Identification performance is studied by comparing the identified modal parameters for the artificial modes with their known values.

Pappa, Richard S.↗

Robust eigensystem assignment for flexible structures

An improved method is developed for eigenvalues and eigenvectors placement of a closed-loop control system using either state or output feedback. The method basically consists of three steps. First, the singular value of QR decomposition is used to generate an orthonormal basis that spans admissible eigenvector space corresponding to each assigned eigenvalue. Secondly, given a unitary matrix, the eigenvector set which best approximates the given matrix in the least-square sense and still satisfy eigenvalue cosntraints is determined. Thirdly, a unitary matrix is sought to minimize the error between the unitary matrix and the assignable eigenvector matrix. For use as the desired eigenvector set, two matrices, namely, the open-loop eigenvector matrix and its closest unitary matrix are proposed. The latter matrix generally encourages both minimum conditioning and control gains. In addition, the algorithm is formulated in real arithmetic for efficient implementation. To illustrate the basic concepts, numerical examples are included.

Juang, Jer-Nan↗

Single-mode projection filters for identification and state estimation of flexible structures

Single-mode projection filters are developed for eigensystem parameter identification and state estimation from both analytical results and test data. Explicit formulations of these projection filters are derived using the pseudoinverse matrices of the controllabilty and observability matrices in the general sense. A global minimum optimization algorithm is developed to update the filter parameters by using the interval analysis method. Modal parameters can be identified and updated in the global sense within a specified region of parameters by passing the experimental data through the projection filters. For illustration of this new approach, a numerical example is shown by using a one-dimensional global optimization algorithm to estimate modal frequencies and damping.

Huang, Jen-Kuang↗

Fast Synchronization With Burst-Mode Digital Signals

Oscillator quickly synchronized with data clock. Sampling clock synchronized with sinusoid by feedback technique. Signal is measure of phase-error angle theta and generated digitally by technique related to calculation of theta from periodic samples of sinusoid.

Lee, Lin-Nan↗

Numerical simulation of axisymmetric turbulent flow in combustors and diffusors

A method for predicting turbulent flow in combustors and diffusers is developed. The Navier-Stokes equations, incorporating a turbulence kappa-epsilon model equation, were solved in a nonorthogonal curvilinear coordinate system. The solution applied the finite volume method to discretize the differential equations and utilized the SIMPLE algorithm iteratively to solve the differenced equations. A zonal grid method, wherein the flow field was divided into several subsections, was developed. This approach permitted different computational schemes to be used in the various zones. In addition, grid generation was made a more simple task. However, treatment of the zonal boundaries required special handling. Boundary overlap and interpolating techniques were used and an adjustment of the flow variables was required to assure conservation of mass, momentum and energy fluxes. The numerical accuracy was assessed using different finite differencing methods, i.e., hybrid, quadratic upwind and skew upwind, to represent the convection terms. Flows in different geometries of combustors and diffusers were simulated and results compared with experimental data and good agreement was obtained.

Yung, Chain Nan↗

Mass transport phenomena between bubbles and dissolved gases in liquids under reduced gravity conditions

The experimental and analytical work that was done to establish justification and feasibility for a shuttle middeck experiment involving mass transfer between a gas bubble and a liquid is described. The experiment involves the observation and measurement of the dissolution of an isolated immobile gas bubble of specified size and composition in a thermostatted solvent liquid of known concentration in the reduced gravity environment of earth orbit. Methods to generate and deploy the bubble were successful both in normal gravity using mutually buoyant fluids and under reduced gravity conditions in the NASA Lear Jet. Initialization of the experiment with a bubble of a prescribed size and composition in a liquid of known concentration was accomplished using the concept of unstable equilibrium. Subsequent bubble dissolution or growth is obtained by a step increase or decrease in the liquid pressure. A numerical model was developed which simulates the bubble dynamics and can be used to determine molecular parameters by comparison with the experimental data. The primary objective of the experiment is the elimination of convective effects that occur in normal gravity.

Dewitt, Kenneth J.↗

Airborne measurements of surface layer turbulence over the ocean during cold air outbreaks

The spectral characteristics of surface layer turbulence for the near-shore cloud street regions over the Atlantic Ocean were examined using 50-m level data of airborne measurements of atmospheric turbulence spectra above the western Atlantic Ocean during cold air outbreaks. The present study, performed for the Mesoscale Air-Sea Exchange (MASEX) experiment, extends and completes the preliminary analyses of Chou and Yeh (1987). In the inertial subrange, a near 4/3 ratio was observed between velocity spectra normal to and those along the aircraft heading. A comparison of the turbulent kinetic energy budgets with those of Wyngaard and Cote (1971) and Caughey and Wyngaard (1979) data indicates that the turbulent kinetic energy in the surface layer is dissipated less in the MASEX data than in data obtained by the previous groups.

Chou, Shu-Shien↗

Mass transport phenomena between bubbles and dissolved gases in liquids under reduced gravity conditions

This paper will describe the experimental and analytical work that has been done to establish justification and feasibility for a Shuttle mid-deck experiment involving mass transfer between a gas bubble and a liquid. The experiment involves the observation and measurement of the dissolution of an isolated, immobile gas bubble of specified size and composition in a thermostatted solvent liquid of known concentration in the reduced gravity environment of earth orbit. Methods to generate and deploy the bubble have been successful both in normal gravity using mutually buoyant fluids and under reduced gravity conditions in the NASA Lear Jet. Initialization of the experiment with a bubble of a prescribed size and composition in a liquid of known concentration has been accomplished using the concept of unstable equilibrium. Subsequent bubble dissolution or growth is obtained by a step increase or decrease in the liquid pressure. A numerical model has been developed which simulates the bubble dynamics and can be used to determine molecular parameters by comparison with the experimental data. The primary objective of the experiment is the elimination of convective effects that occur in normal gravity. The results will yield information on transport under conditions of pure diffusion.

Dewitt, Kenneth J.↗

Mathematical correlation of modal-parameter-identification methods via system-realization theory

A unified approach is introduced using system-realization theory to derive and correlate modal-parameter-identification methods for flexible structures. Several different time-domain methods are analyzed and treated. A basic mathematical foundation is presented which provides insight into the field of modal-parameter identification for comparison and evaluation. The relation among various existing methods is established and discussed. This report serves as a starting point to stimulate additional research toward the unification of the many possible approaches for modal-parameter identification.

Juang, Jer-Nan↗

Some experiences with the Eigensystem Realization Algorithm

The Eigensystem Realization Algorithm (ERA) is a multiinput/multioutput time-domain algorithm for minimum-order system realization and modal parameter identification. It has been used for structural dynamics data analysis at the Langley Research Center for several years. Some of the practical experiences encountered in these projects are discussed in this paper. Three examples are used: the Galileo spacecraft, the Solar Array Flight Experiment, and a laboratory space-truss model. Several techniques for assessing identification accuracy are illustrated.

Pappa, Richard S.↗

On the eigenvalue and eigenvector derivatives of a non-defective matrix

A novel approach is introduced to address the problem of existence of differentiable eigenvectors for a nondefective matrix which may have repeated eigenvalues. The existence of eigenvector derivatives for a unique set of continuous eigenvectors corresponding to a repeated eigenvalue is rigorously established for nondefective and analytic matrices. A numerically implementable method is then developed to compute the differentiable eigenvectors associated with repeated eigenvalues. The solutions of eigenvalue and eigenvector derivatives for repeated eigenvalues are then derived. An example is given to illustrate the validity of formulations developed in this paper.

Juang, Jer-Nan↗

A comparative overview of modal testing and system identification for control of structures

This paper presents a comparative overview of the disciplines of modal testing used in structural engineering and system identification used in control theory. A list of representative references from both areas is given and the basic methods are briefly described. Recent progress on the interaction of modal testing and control disciplines is discussed. It is concluded that combined efforts of researchers in both disciplines are required for unification of modal testing and system identification methods for control of flexible structures.

Juang, Jer-Nan↗

Heating rates in tropical anvils

The interaction of infrared and solar radiation with tropical cirrus anvils is addressed. Optical properties of the anvils are inferred from satellite observations and from high-altitude aircraft measurements. An infrared multiple-scattering model is used to compute heating rates in tropical anvils. Layer-average heating rates in 2 km thick anvils were found to be on the order of 20 to 30 K/day. The difference between heating rates at cloud bottom and cloud top ranges from 30 to 200 K/day, leading to convective instability in the anvil. The calculations are most sensitive to the assumed ice water content, but also are affected by the vertical distribution of ice water content and by the anvil thickness. Solar heating in anvils is shown to be less important than infrared heating but not negligible. The dynamical implications of the computed heating rates are also explored and it is concluded that the heating may have important consequences for upward mass transport in the tropics. The potential impact of tropical cirrus on the tropical energy balance and cloud forcing are discussed.

Ackerman, Thomas P.↗

Pole/zero cancellations in flexible space structures

A practical objective in the control of flexible space structures is to minimize the effects of vibrational dynamics at certain specified points on a structure. State feedback can be used to address this question by creating closed-loop modes which are unobservable at these points, and so do not contribute to the measured response. In the frequency domain, such modes correspond to pole/zero cancellations in the closed loop system. This paper analyzes the problem of pole/zero cancellation in flexible structures, making full use of the second-order form of such systems. An explicit expression is derived for the unique state feedback gain with minimum norm which cancels all open-loop zeros. Furthermore, the properties of the residual poles that remain observable in the closed-loop system are studied, and their stability proven for the case of colocated sensors and actuators.

Williams, Trevor↗

Grammians and model reduction in limited time and frequency intervals

In this paper the controllability and observability grammians in limited time and frequency intervals are studied, and used for model reduction. In balanced and modal coordinates a near-optimal reduction procedure is developed, yielding the reduction error (norm of the difference between the output of the original system and the reduced model) almost minimal. Several examples are given to illustrate the concept for model reduction of continuous- and discrete-time systems, stable and unstable systems, in limited tim or/and frequency interval. Finally, the model reduction of a flexible truss structure is presented.

Gawronski, Wodek↗