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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.

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At least 361 records · Page 20

Analysis of Grid-Forming Inverter Controls for Grid-Connected and Islanded Microgrid Integration

Autonomous grid-forming (GFM) inverter testbeds with scalable platforms have attracted interest recently. In this study, a self-synchronized universal droop controller (SUDC) was adopted, tested, and scaled in a small network and a test feeder using a real-time simulation tool to operate microgrids without synchronous generators. We presented a novel GFM inverter control adoption to better understand the dynamic behavior of the inverters and their scalability, which can impact the distribution system (DS). This paper provides a steady-state and transient analysis of the GFM power inverter controller via simulation to better understand voltage and frequency stabilization and ensure that the critical electric loads are not affected during a prolonged power outage. The controllers of the GFM inverter are simulated in HYPERSIM to examine voltage and frequency fluctuations. This analysis includes assessing the black start capability for photovoltaic microgrids, both grid-connected and islanded, during transient fault conditions. The high photovoltaic PV penetration levels open exciting opportunities and challenges for the DS. The GFM inverter control demonstrated appropriate response times for synchronization, connection, and disconnection to the grid. The DS has become more resilient and independent of fossil fuels by increasing the penetration of inverter-based distributed energy resources (DERs).

Ward, Laura (ORCID:0000000345501581)↗

Analysis of stability-critical orthotropic cylinders subjected to axial compression

Analytical procedure for determining critical buckling loads of orthotropic cylinders subjected to axial compression loading has been defined. Three modes of instability have been considered - general instability, local instability caused by panel and interframe buckling, and local instability caused by yielding and crippling in areas of stress concentration.

Finley, R. L.↗

Buckling analysis of a missile interstage

The NASTRAN program was used to find the buckling location and the degradation factor due to a specified temperature field for an interstage of a typical three stage missile. The model was made up of 6332 independent degrees of freedom. This large size required the use of an IBM 370/195 for evaluation of the eigenvalues. The effect of elevated temperature was to lower the critical buckling load by 3%.

Dudley, D. P.↗

Design synthesis of a boron/epoxy reinforced metal shear web.

An advanced composite shear web design concept has been developed for the Space Shuttle Orbiter main engine thrust beam structure. Various web concepts were synthesized by a computer-aided adaptive random search procedure. A practical concept is identified having a titanium-clad, boron/epoxy plate with vertical boron/epoxy reinforced stiffeners. Baseline composite and titanium shear resistant designs are compared; the composite concept is 28% lighter than the titanium web. Element test results show the metal cladding effectively reinforces critical composite load transfer and fastener hole areas making the composite web concept practical for other shear structure applications.-

Laakso, J. H.↗

Evaluation of a metal shear web selectively reinforced with filamentary composites for space shuttle application. Phase 1 summary report: Shear web design development

An advanced composite shear web design concept was developed for the Space Shuttle orbiter main engine thrust beam structure. Various web concepts were synthesized by a computer-aided adaptive random search procedure. A practical concept is identified having a titanium-clad + or - 45 deg boron/epoxy web plate with vertical boron/epoxy reinforced aluminum stiffeners. The boron-epoxy laminate contributes to the strength and stiffness efficiency of the basic web section. The titanium-cladding functions to protect the polymeric laminate parts from damaging environments and is chem-milled to provide reinforcement in selected areas. Detailed design drawings are presented for both boron/epoxy reinforced and all-metal shear webs. The weight saving offered is 24% relative to all-metal construction at an attractive cost per pound of weight saved, based on the detailed designs. Small scale element tests substantiate the boron/epoxy reinforced design details in critical areas. The results show that the titanium-cladding reliably reinforces the web laminate in critical edge load transfer and stiffener fastener hole areas.

Laakso, J. H.↗

Analysis of beam columns

FORTRAN IV program determines displacements, bending moments, and critical column loads for straight elastic beams or column beams.

Guidry, L. I.↗

Recent theoretical developments and experimental studies pertinent to vortex flow aerodynamics - With a view towards design

A review is presented of recent progress in a research program directed towards the development of an improved vortex-flow technology base. It is pointed out that separation induced vortex-flows from the leading and side edges play an important role in the high angle-of-attack aerodynamic characteristics of a wide range of modern aircraft. In the analysis and design of high-speed aircraft, a detailed knowledge of this type of separation is required, particularly with regard to critical wind loads and the stability and performance at various off-design conditions. A description of analytical methods is presented. The theoretical methods employed are divided into two classes which are dependent upon the underlying aerodynamic assumptions. One conical flow method is considered along with three different nonconical flow methods. Comparisons are conducted between the described methods and available aerodynamic data. Attention is also given to a vortex flow drag study and a vortex flow wing design using suction analogy.

Lamar, J. E.↗

Elastic body dynamics

Most of the structural dynamics resources allocated to the Space Shuttle are concentrated on the flight events which result in critical structural loads and/or minimum control stability margins. Since these events are primarily sub-orbital, the data base of interest to those involved in orbital experimentation is somewhat limited. A brief discussion of available data is given. Although estimates of peak acceleration levels and the associated frequency spectrum in the payload bay due to thrusting of the various control system thrusters were made, the actual levels and time histories must be based on updated structural math models and a detailed knowledge of the input forcing functions.

Holder, B. W.↗

The compressive failure of graphite/epoxy plates with circular holes

The results of an experimental investigation of the compressive behavior of T300/5203 graphite/epoxy laminated plates measuring 127.0 by 254.0 mm and containing circular holes ranging to 38.1 mm are reported. Two thicknesses, 24-ply and 48-ply, were chosen to differentiate between stability failures resulting from buckling and strength failures caused by the hole. Both quasi-isotropic and orthotropic stacking arrangements were used. The critical buckling load of the 24-ply panels was independent of hole size. Bifurcation occurred in the two half-wave mode longitudinally and one half-wave mode laterally in the quasi-isotropic panels. For the orthotropic 24-ply panels, bifurcation began in the one half-wave mode shape in each direction, but changed to the two half-wave mode before failure. Consistent post-buckling strength was exhibited by both laminated configurations. Panels with hole diameters below 3.175 mm displayed buckling before failure; those with holes larger than 6.35 mm experienced material failure around the hole before panel collapse.

Knauss, J. F.↗

Techniques for assessment of ascent aerodynamic characteristics of the space shuttle launch system

In order to investigate the impact of ascent element aerodynamics on the flight constraints of the Space Shuttle, a system of programs was developed which allowed the assessment of wind-tunnel data, the extraction of aerodynamic coeffients, the identification of critical structural load indicators and their margins, the calculation of mission-unique shaping parameters and the evaluation of prelaunch wind measurements.

Leahy, K. S.↗

Repair techniques for celion/LARC-160 graphite/polyimide composite structures

The large stiffness-to-weight and strength-to-weight ratios of graphite composite in combination with the 600 F structural capability of the polyimide matrix can reduce the total structure/TPS weight of reusable space vehicles by 20-30 percent. It is inevitable that with planned usage of GR/PI structural components, damage will occur either in the form of intrinsic flaw growth or mechanical damage. Research and development programs were initiated to develop repair processes and techniques specific to Celion/LARC-160 GR/PI structure with emphasis on highly loaded and lightly loaded compression critical structures for factory type repair. Repair processes include cocure and secondary bonding techniques applied under vacuum plus positive autoclave pressure. Viable repair designs and processes are discussed for flat laminates, honeycomb sandwich panels, and hat-stiffened skin-stringer panels. The repair methodology was verified through structural element compression tests at room temperature and 315 C (600 F).

Jones, J. S.↗

STA-2A NDT testing

The nondestructive testing (NDT) on the Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster (SRB) filament wound case (FWC) short stact structural test articles 2 (STA-2A) during test of phases 1B-9C is described. The primary objective of this testing was to verify the structural integrity of the SRB-FWC for critical design loads. Another objective was to quantify the effect of load distributions in the aft skirt. The NDT objectives were to determine the acoustic emission characteristics of the FWC-SRB and to identify possible design deficiencies or defect growth. The results from the posttest inspection of the samples shows the depth measurements taken were accurate until exceeding .260 inches thickness. The data then show that pulse echo measurements exceeded actual part thickness by 10 to 14 percent. The mapping of forward boundaries of delaminations proved to be within the tolerance of the equipment. Using the ZIP probe, the maximum difference between the pulse echo boundary and the visual boundary was expected to be no greater than one half the diameter of the probe. The NDT performance on STA-2A shows how NDT can be used to assist design engineering in evaluating the structural integrity of composite test articles.

Lewis, T. J.↗

Accurate modeling of parallel scientific computations

Scientific codes are usually parallelized by partitioning a grid among processors. To achieve top performance it is necessary to partition the grid so as to balance workload and minimize communication/synchronization costs. This problem is particularly acute when the grid is irregular, changes over the course of the computation, and is not known until load time. Critical mapping and remapping decisions rest on the ability to accurately predict performance, given a description of a grid and its partition. This paper discusses one approach to this problem, and illustrates its use on a one-dimensional fluids code. The models constructed are shown to be accurate, and are used to find optimal remapping schedules.

Nicol, David M.↗