Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “coordinate computing”

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

A new coordinate transformation for turbulent boundary layer flows

The transformation permits a uniform mesh to be used in the computational coordinate which extends across the layer. This coordinate transformation uses the local value of the skin friction coefficient to scale the thickness of the wall layer region, and the local maximum value of turbulent viscosity to scale the boundary-layer thickness. Results are presented for two dimensional boundary layers in both positive and negative pressure gradients and comparisons are made with experimental data and conventional variable-grid results for low speed turbulent boundary-layers. The cases chosen illustrate the capability of this new transformation to capture the boundary layer growth over the full extent of laminar, transitional, and turbulent flow with no grid adjustment as well as its ability to consistently enlarge the wall layer region for accurate shear stress representation. Results of mesh refinement studies using the new coordinate transformation are presented.

Carter, J. E.↗

Parallel Inferencing For Rule-Based Expert Systems

Improved approach to development of expert-system computer programs increases speed of execution on parallel processors; that is, on multiple coordinated computers operating simultaneously, each on different part of problem. Based on detection and analysis of hidden parallelism in knowledge bases (collections of "if...then..." rules) and exploitation of this parallelism to maximize speed of execution on parallel processors connected to each other in hypercube configuration.

Schwuttke, Ursula M.↗

The control networks of the satellites of Jupiter

Geodetic control networks are being computed photogrammetrically for the large satellites of Jupiter, using pictures from the Voyager 1 and 2 encounters. Control points have been identified on the satellites and their coordinates computed by single-block analytical triangulation. The data sets have been converted from the B1950 to the J2000 inertial coordinate system to be compatible with future flight missions.

Davies, Merton E.↗

A shock-fitting solution of the supersonic flowfield in a rounded internal corner

A comparison is presented of a computational investigation of the flowfield created by supersonic flow over an internal corner with rounding and experimental results at a freestream Mach number of 4.1. The computational study uses a shock-fitting finite difference scheme with explicit formulation of the transformation to computational coordinates. The solutions calculated agree with previous ones for the sharp corner case and with the experimental investigation results for the rounded corner case. Parametric effects were computed for variations in corner rounding, freestream Mach number, symmetric wedge angle and unsymmetric wedge angle. A region is described over which successful executions were obtained.

Martin, J. A.↗

The Control Networks of the Satellites of Jupiter and Saturn

Geodetic control networks are being computed photogrammetrically for the large satellites of Jupiter and many of the satellites of Saturn using pictures from the Voyager 1 and 2 encounters. Control points have been identified on the satellites and their coordinates computed by single-block analytical triangulations. Contents of data sets for Io, Europa, Ganymede, Callisto, and Rhea are summarized.

Davies, M. E.↗

Three-dimensional algebraic grid generation

One of the major approaches to numerical grid generation is the explicit algebraic expression of a physical grid as a function of a uniform grid in a rectangular computational coordinate system. The algebraic methods are based on mathematical interpolation, and the primary advantages are speed and directness. The relation between interpolation and grid generation is described. For three-dimensional grid generation, transfinite interpolation using the coordinate control processes developed in the multisurface method and two-boundary technique are advocated. Grid singularities encountered in three dimensions are discussed, and the exploration of multiple overlapping grids is proposed. Some aspects of interactive algebraic grid computation in three dimensions are discussed.

Smith, R. E.↗

Three-dimensional incompressible Navier-Stokes computations of internal flows

Several incompressible Navier-Stokes solution methods for obtaining steady and unsteady solutions are discussed. Special attention is given to internal flows which involve distinctly different features from external flows. The characterisitcs of the flow solvers employing the method of pseudocompressibility and a fractional step method are briefly described. This discussion is limited to a primitive variable formulation in generalized curvilinear coordinates. Computed results include simple test cases and internal flow in the Space Shuttle main engine hot-gas manifold.

Kwak, D.↗

Potential application of artificial concepts to aerodynamic simulation

The concept of artificial intelligence as it applies to computational fluid dynamics simulation is investigated. How expert systems can be adapted to speed the numerical aerodynamic simulation process is also examined. A proposed expert grid generation system is briefly described which, given flow parameters, configuration geometry, and simulation constraints, uses knowledge about the discretization process to determine grid point coordinates, computational surface information, and zonal interface parameters.

Kutler, P.↗

EAC: A program for the error analysis of STAGS results for plates

A computer code is now available for estimating the error in results from the STAGS finite element code for a shell unit consisting of a rectangular orthotropic plate. This memorandum contains basic information about the computer code EAC (Error Analysis and Correction) and describes the connection between the input data for the STAGS shell units and the input data necessary to run the error analysis code. The STAGS code returns a set of nodal displacements and a discrete set of stress resultants; the EAC code returns a continuous solution for displacements and stress resultants. The continuous solution is defined by a set of generalized coordinates computed in EAC. The theory and the assumptions that determine the continuous solution are also outlined in this memorandum. An example of application of the code is presented and instructions on its usage on the Cyber and the VAX machines have been provided.

Sistla, Rajaram↗

Flight Avionics Hardware Roadmap

The Avionics Technology Roadmap takes an 80% approach to technology investment in spacecraft avionics. It delineates a suite of technologies covering foundational, component, and subsystem-levels, which directly support 80% of future NASA space mission needs. The roadmap eschews high cost, limited utility technologies in favor of lower cost, and broadly applicable technologies with high return on investment. The roadmap is also phased to support future NASA mission needs and desires, with a view towards creating an optimized investment portfolio that matures specific, high impact technologies on a schedule that matches optimum insertion points of these technologies into NASA missions. The roadmap looks out over 15+ years and covers some 114 technologies, 58 of which are targeted for TRL6 within 5 years, with 23 additional technologies to be at TRL6 by 2020. Of that number, only a few are recommended for near term investment: 1. Rad Hard High Performance Computing 2. Extreme temperature capable electronics and packaging 3. RFID/SAW-based spacecraft sensors and instruments 4. Lightweight, low power 2D displays suitable for crewed missions 5. Radiation tolerant Graphics Processing Unit to drive crew displays 6. Distributed/reconfigurable, extreme temperature and radiation tolerant, spacecraft sensor controller and sensor modules 7. Spacecraft to spacecraft, long link data communication protocols 8. High performance and extreme temperature capable C&DH subsystem In addition, the roadmap team recommends several other activities that it believes are necessary to advance avionics technology across NASA: center dot Engage the OCT roadmap teams to coordinate avionics technology advances and infusion into these roadmaps and their mission set center dot Charter a team to develop a set of use cases for future avionics capabilities in order to decouple this roadmap from specific missions center dot Partner with the Software Steering Committee to coordinate computing hardware and software technology roadmaps and investment recommendations center dot Continue monitoring foundational technologies upon which future avionics technologies will be dependent, e.g., RHBD and COTS semiconductor technologies

Some, Raphael↗

High-precision laser distance measurement in support of lunar laser ranging at Haleakala, Maui, 1976-1977

The Hawaii Institute of Geophysics has implemented a comprehensive geodetic-geophysical support program to monitor local and regional crustal deformation on the island of Maui. Presented are the actual laser-measured line lengths and new coordinate computations of the line terminals, and the internal consistency of the measured line lengths is discussed. Several spacial chord lengths have been reduced to a Mercator plane, and conditioned adjustments on that plane have been made.

Berg, E.↗

Algebraic grid generation for wing-fuselage bodies

An algebraic procedure for the generation of boundary-fitted grids about wing-fuselage configurations is presented. A wing-fuselage configuration is specified by cross sections and mathematically represented by Coons' patches. A configuration is divided into sections so that several grid blocks that either adjoin each other or partially overlap each other can be generated, and each grid has six surfaces that map into a computational cube. Grids are first determined on the six boundary surfaces and then in the interior. Grid curves that are on the surface of the configuration are derived using plane-patch intersections, and single-valued functions relating approximate arc lengths along the curves to computational coordinates define the distribution of grid points. The two-boundary technique and transfinite interpolation are used to determine the boundary surface grids that are not on the configuration, and transfinite interpolation with linear blending functions is used to determine the interior grids.

Smith, R. E.↗

Algebraic grid generation about wing-fuselage bodies

An algebraic procedure for the generation of boundary-fitted grids about wing-fuselage configurations is presented. A wing-fuselage configuration is specified by cross sections and mathematically represented by Coons' patches. A configuration is divided into sections so that several grid blocks that either adjoin each other or partially overlap each other can be generated. Each grid has six exterior surfaces that map into a computational cube. Grids are first determined on the six boundary surfaces and then in the interior. Grid curves that are on the surface of the configuration are derived from the intersection of planes with the Coons' patch definition. Single-valued functions relating approximate arc lengths along the grid curves to a computational coordinate define the distribution of grid points. The two-boundary technique and transfinite interpolation are used to determine the boundary surface grids that are not on the configuration, and transfinite interpolation with linear blending functions is used to determine the interior grid.

Smith, R. E.↗

The Space Telescope SI C&DH system

The Hubble Space Telescope Scientific Instrument Control and Data Handling Subsystem (SI C&DH) is designed to interface with five scientific instruments of the Space Telescope to provide ground and autonomous control and collect health and status information using the Standard Telemetry and Command Components (STACC) multiplex data bus. It also formats high throughput science data into packets. The packetized data is interleaved and Reed-Solomon encoded for error correction and Pseudo Random encoded. An inner convolutional coding with the outer Reed-Solomon coding provides excellent error correction capability. The subsystem is designed with the capacity for orbital replacement in order to meet a mission life of fifteen years. The spacecraft computer and the SI C&DH computer coordinate the activities of the spacecraft and the scientific instruments to achieve the mission objectives.

Gadwal, Govind R.↗

An intrinsically n-dimensional generalized flux vector splitting implicit finite element Euler algorithm

A generalized flux-vector splitting implicit Galerkin finite-element algorithm for the Euler equations in curvilinear coordinates for ideal and reacting gases is derived. For an arbitrary equation of state, the curvilinear-coordinate flux vector is split in kinematic and kinetic components, and the associated jacobian matrix eigenvalues explicitly depend on the metric data. After directional semidiscretization, the terminal ordinary differential-equation system is solved via a nonlinearly stable implicit Runge-Kutta scheme in concert with an accurate tensor matrix product factorization. The results for selected two-dimensional supersonic and axisymmetric hypersonic flows validate the algorithm and verify its robustness for curvilinear-coordinate computations. The evolution towards a steady state is achieved for large Courant numbers without indication of numerical instabilities.

Iannelli, G. S.↗

Simulation of cryogenic liquid flows with vapor bubbles

Liquid flows in rocket engine components (such as bearings, seals, and pumps) often involve the formation of vapor bubbles due to local superheating of the fluid (either boiling or cavitation). Under the present effort, an analysis has been developed for liquid flows with vapor bubbles, based on a combined Eulerian-Lagrangian technique, in which the continuous (liquid) phase is treated by solving a system of Eulerian conservation equations, while the discrete (vapor bubble) phase is dealt with by integrating Lagrangian equations of motion in computational coordinates. Vapor bubbles of changing size can be accommodated easily by this analysis, and models for the simulation of bubble formation, growth, and motion have been included. The effect of bubble motion and other bubble processes on the continuous (liquid) phase has been accounted for by appropriate bubble mass, momentum, and energy interchange source terms in the Eulerian conservation equations. To demonstrate the viability of the resulting procedure, the cavitating flow of liquid oxygen through a simplified model of a labyrinth seal has been successfully calculated.

De Jong, Frederik J.↗