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At least 361 records · Page 20

Tank Tests of Model 11-G Flying-boat Hull

The NACA model 11-G flying-boat hull, a modification of NACA model 11-A was tested over a range of loadings. The planing bottom of model 11-G has a variable-radius flare, or concavity, at the chines in contrast to the straight V planing bottom of model 11-A. The results are given as curves of resistance and trimming moment plotted against speed for various angles of trim. The characteristics of the form at the optimum angles of trim are given in non-dimensional form as curves of resistance coefficient, best trim angle, and trimming-moment coefficient plotted against speed coefficient. As compared with the original form, model 11-G is shown to have higher resistance at all loads and speeds and higher maximum trimming moments at heavy loads. The spray pattern, however, is generally more favorable, indicating that the service performance of model 11-A would be improved by some form of chime flare.

Parkinson, J B↗

Random Testing and Model Checking: Building a Common Framework for Nondeterministic Exploration

Two popular forms of dynamic analysis, random testing and explicit-state software model checking, are perhaps best viewed as search strategies for exploring the state spaces introduced by nondeterminism in program inputs. We present an approach that enables this nondeterminism to be expressed in the SPIN model checker's PROMELA language, and then lets users generate either model checkers or random testers from a single harness for a tested C program. Our approach makes it easy to compare model checking and random testing for models with precisely the same input ranges and probabilities and allows us to mix random testing with model checking's exhaustive exploration of non-determinism. The PROMELA language, as intended in its design, serves as a convenient notation for expressing nondeterminism and mixing random choices with nondeterministic choices. We present and discuss a comparison of random testing and model checking. The results derive from using our framework to test a C program with an effectively infinite state space, a module in JPL's next Mars rover mission. More generally, we show how the ability of the SPIN model checker to call C code can be used to extend SPIN's features, and hope to inspire others to use the same methods to implement dynamic analyses that can make use of efficient state storage, matching, and backtracking.

dynamic analysis↗

Thermal Modeling and Testing of the Edison Demonstration of Smallsat Networks Project

NASA's Edison program is intending to launch the Edison Demonstration of Smallsat Networks (EDSN) project, a swarm of 8 1.5U cubesats in the fall of 2014 to demonstrate intra-swarm communications and multi-point in situ space physics data acquisition. Due to late changes in the duty cycles of various components, potential overheating issues appeared. In addition, it was determined that capacity loss due to the coldness of the batteries was unacceptable, so mitigation was required. This paper will discuss the thermal modeling, testing, and results of the EDSN mission.

Coker, Robert↗

Input guide for computer programs to generate thermodynamic data for air and Freon CF4

FORTRAN computer programs were developed to calculate the thermodynamic properties of Freon 14 and air for isentropic expansion from given plenum conditions. Thermodynamic properties for air are calculated with equations derived from the Beattie-Bridgeman nonstandard equation of state and, for Freon 14, with equations derived from the Redlich-Quang nonstandard equation of state. These two gases are used in scale model testing of model rocket nozzle flow fields which requires simulation of the prototype plume shape with a cold flow test approach. Utility of the computer programs for use in analytical prediction of flow fields is enhanced by arranging card or tape output of the data in a format compatible with a method-of-characteristics computer program.

Tevepaugh, J. A.↗

Safe Affordable Fission Engine (SAFE 30) Module Conductivity Test Thermal Model Correlation

Two SAFE 30 modules were tested to determinate the thermal conductivity efficiency of the tri-cusps filled between the heat pipe and the heater cores. The modules consisted of four one-inch diameter tubes with heaters joined to an empty 1 inch diam. tube. The test was conducted on a vacuum chamber with 4 configurations: tri-cusps filled with and without radiation shielding and non-filled tri-cusps with and without radiation shielding. The tri-cusps material helps the bonding of the heat pipe to the four electric heater cores, filling the gap between the pipes. The baseline configuration is a brazed joint between the pipe. The test consisted of controlling the power applied to the heaters until a set surface temperature is reach. The temperatures varied between a max. of 800 C to 500 C. Test data, input energy and chamber surface temperature from each individual test, was used as boundary conditions for the model. Nodes located on the same location as the test thermocouples were plotted again test data to determinate the accuracy of the analysis. The unknown n variables on the analysis are the radiation emissivity of the pipe and chamber and the radiation view factor between the module and the chamber. A correlation was determined using a parametric analysis varying the surface emissivity and view factor until a good match was reach.

Roman, Jose↗

HARP model rotor test at the DNW

Data from a test of a dynamically scaled model of the Hughes Advanced Rotor Program (HARP) bearingless model main rotor and 369K tail rotor are reported. The history of the HARP program and its goals are reviewed, and the main and tail rotor models are described. The test facilities and instrumentation are described, and wind tunnel test data are presented on hover, forward flight performance, and blade-vortex interaction. Performance data, acoustic data, and dynamic data from near field/far field and shear layer studies are presented.

Dawson, Seth↗

Use of system identification techniques for improving airframe finite element models using test data

A method for using system identification techniques to improve airframe finite element models using test data was developed and demonstrated. The method uses linear sensitivity matrices to relate changes in selected physical parameters to changes in the total system matrices. The values for these physical parameters were determined using constrained optimization with singular value decomposition. The method was confirmed using both simple and complex finite element models for which pseudo-experimental data was synthesized directly from the finite element model. The method was then applied to a real airframe model which incorporated all of the complexities and details of a large finite element model and for which extensive test data was available. The method was shown to work, and the differences between the identified model and the measured results were considered satisfactory.

Hanagud, Sathya V.↗

Use of system identification techniques for improving airframe finite element models using test data

A method for using system identification techniques to improve airframe finite element models using test data has been developed and demonstrated. The method uses linear sensitivity matrices to relate changes in selected physical parameters to changes in the total system matrices. The values for these physical parameters were determined using constrained optimization with singular value decomposition. The method was confirmed using both simple and complex finite element models for which pseudo-experimental data was synthesized directly from the finite element model. The method was then applied to a real airframe model which incorporated all of the complexities and details of a large finite element model and for which extensive test data was available. The method was shown to work, and the differences between the identified model and the measured results were considered satisfactory.

Hanagud, Sathya V.↗

Impact of Thermoplastic Composites: Testing and Modeling

Thermoplastic Composites (TPCs) are being increasingly considered for aerospace applications given their faster manufacturing cycles and lower cost. The NASA High-Rate Composite Aircraft Manufacturing (HiCAM) project aims to evaluate and mature thermoplastic manufacturing technologies to achieve a 4X – 6X increase in the production rate of Next Generation Single Aisle (NGSA) commercial aircraft. Within the purview of the NASA HiCAM project, this work investigates the response of thermoplastic composites under High Energy Dynamic Impact (HEDI) conditions. HEDI tests were conducted on panels fabricated with a carbon fiber reinforced low melt semi-crystalline resin TC1225 LMPAEK T700G (T700/LMPAEK) material system. A blunt metal projectile was chosen as the impactor which impacted the T700/LMPAEK panels over a range of impact velocities imparted by a gas gun test setup. As expected, lower velocity impacts caused the projectile to rebound, whereas higher velocity impacts resulted in the projectile penetrating the test panels. For the test cases in which the projectile rebounded, the predominant damage modes recorded with Ultrasonic (UT) scans included interlaminar delaminations which exhibited a “rotating fan” like structure when viewed in the through-thickness direction. Additionally, the dynamic deflection of the center point of the back face of the test panels and the velocity of the projectile was also measured during the test. Finite element models were developed to model a test case in which the projectile rebounded. These models were developed using LS-DYNA® wherein the primary objective was to evaluate the ability of the material model MAT299 to capture the dynamic response and damage modes in the T700/LMPAEK test panels. MAT299 is a Deformation Gradient Decomposition (DGD) based Continuum Damage Mechanics (CDM) material model. The interlaminar delaminations were modeled using the cohesive contact formulation available within LS-DYNA, wherein the mixed-mode fracture is captured via the Benzegaggh-Kenane (B-K) mode-dependent fracture energy interpolation law. The above-mentioned modeling methods have mostly been applied to thermoset composites and adapting them to TPCs involves addressing challenges associated with appropriately representing material behavior. Therefore, the proposed paper would discuss the systematic approach taken to adapt thermoset composites modeling practices for applications to TPCs, while appropriately addressing material behavior. The proposed paper would show that the predicted back face center point deflection correlated reasonably well with experimental data and the peak deflection was predicted to be within 5% of the experimental measurements. The projectile rebound velocity, while predicted to be higher than the experimental measurement, was within reasonable bounds. Additionally, it will be shown that the predicted delamination shapes were in reasonable agreement with experimental data.

Composite Materials↗

Scale model acoustic testing of counterrotating fans

The UDF contrarotating propfan has been subjected to scale model wind tunnel testing to ascertain both general performance and acoustic characteristics data bases. Model Propulsion Simulator test rigs able to mount contrarotating fan blades of up to 24.5-inch diameter were used, and one of these was installed in a large anechoic test chamber for acoustic measurement of conditions simulating representative takeoffs, power cutbacks, and landing approaches. Attention is presently given to the data acquisition/reduction systems, the scaling criteria used to obtain engine size acoustic data, and comparisons with demonstrator aircraft in-flight acoustic test results.

Janardan, B. A.↗

Testing of SLA-561V in NASA-Ames' Turbulent Flow Duct with Augmented Radiative Heating

As part of Mars Science Laboratory s (MSL) heatshield development program, SLA-561 was tested in NASA Ames Turbulent Flow Duct (TFD) Facility. For these tests, the TFD facility was modified to include a ceramic plate located in the wall opposite to the test model. Normally the TFD wall opposite to the test model is water-cooled steel. Installing a noncooled ceramic plate allows the ceramic to absorb convective heating and radiate the energy back to the test model as the plate heats up. This work was an effort to increase the severity of TFD test conditions. Presented here are the results from these tests.

Sepka, Steven A.↗

An investigation of DTNS2D for use as an incompressible turbulence modelling test-bed

This paper documents an investigation of a two dimensional, incompressible Navier-Stokes solver for use as a test-bed for turbulence modelling. DTNS2D is the code under consideration for use at the Center for Modelling of Turbulence and Transition (CMOTT). This code was created by Gorski at the David Taylor Research Center and incorporates the pseudo compressibility method. Two laminar benchmark flows are used to measure the performance and implementation of the method. The classical solution of the Blasius boundary layer is used for validating the flat plate flow, while experimental data is incorporated in the validation of backward facing step flow. Velocity profiles, convergence histories, and reattachment lengths are used to quantify these calculations. The organization and adaptability of the code are also examined in light of the role as a numerical test-bed.

Steffen, Christopher J., Jr.↗

Flight test maneuver modeling and control

The use of automated flight test schemes decrease the aircraft flight testing time and pilot work load while enhancing the data quality. Two major elements involved in developing such an automated technique are maneuver modeling to generate command histories from the maneuver specifications and the synthesis of control systems to track these command histories. This paper describes the maneuver modeling for eight flight test trajectories. The control system synthesis with Kosut's suboptimal minimum error excitation linear quadratic regulator approach is presented. The closed-loop simulation results are given.

Menon, P. K. A.↗

Procedures for experimental measurement and theoretical analysis of large plastic deformations

Theoretical equations are derived and analytical procedures are presented for the interpretation of experimental measurements of large plastic strains in the surface of a plate. Orthogonal gage lengths established on the metal surface are measured before and after deformation. The change in orthogonality after deformation is also measured. Equations yield the principal strains, deviatoric stresses in the absence of surface friction forces, true stresses if the stress normal to the surface is known, and the orientation angle between the deformed gage line and the principal stress-strain axes. Errors in the measurement of nominal strains greater than 3 percent are within engineering accuracy. Applications suggested for this strain measurement system include the large-strain-stress analysis of impact test models, burst tests of spherical or cylindrical pressure vessels, and to augment small-strain instrumentation tests where large strains are anticipated.

Morris, R. E.↗

Jet noise characteristics of unsuppressed duct burning turbofan exhaust system

Recent aero-acoustic tests of model coannular nozzles have shown that less noise is generated if the higher-velocity jet is exhausted from the outer annular passage rather than from the primary nozzle. These findings are of particular significance to a duct-burning turbofan (DBTF) engine being studied for application to an advanced supersonic transport. Unlike conventional turbofan engines that have peak velocities from the primary nozzle, it is possible to design a DBTF engine to have a fan velocity higher than that of the primary flow. Results are presented for a NASA-sponsored model test program that covers a range of fan to primary-area ratios from 0.75 to 1.2, and a range of fan to primary-velocity ratios from 0.4 to 2.8. Correlations are given that relate radiated sound power to fan velocity, fan to primary-velocity ratio, and fan to primary-area ratio. Corresponding exhaust-plume velocity-traverse data are presented which suggest that the observed noise benefits may be due to the more rapid decay of the annular flow because of shear stresses on the inner surface that result from the lower-velocity primary flow.

Packman, A. B.↗

High angle-of-attack characteristics of three-surface fighter aircraft

As part of a research program aimed at providing information on the high angle-of-attack characteristics of three-surface fighter concepts incorporating a close-coupled canard, an investigation is being conducted on two specific configurations based on the F-18 and F-15 designs. The study configurations are being subjected to a wide range of tests including wind-tunnel tests, dynamic model tests, and piloted simulation. This paper summarizes the results obtained to date in this study. High-alpha results in the areas of static stability, damping, and control characteristics are reviewed and some of the more significant aerodynamic phenomena are identified.

Croom, M. A.↗

A simple model for testing the effects of gravity-wave-produced vertical oscillations of scattering irregularities on spaced-antenna, horizontal drift measurements

It has been suggested that the velocities produced by the spaced antenna partial-reflection drift experiment may constitute a measure of the vertical oscillations due to short-period gravity waves rather than the mean horizontal flow. The contention is that the interference between say two scatterers, one of which is traveling upward, and the other down, will create a pattern which sweeps across the ground in the direction (or anti-parallel) of the wave propagation. Since the expected result, viz., spurious drift directions, is seldom, if ever, seen in spaced antenna drift velocities, this speculation is tested in an atmospheric model.

Meek, C. E.↗