Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “model types”

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 361 records · Page 20

Modeling the thermal structure and magnetic properties of the crust of active regions with application to the Rio Grande rift

Experiments in Curie depth estimation from long wavelength magnetic anomalies are summarized. The heart of the work is equivalent-layer-type magnetization models derived by inversion of high-elevation, long wavelength magnetic anomaly data. The methodology is described in detail in the above references. A magnetization distribution in a thin equivalent layer at the Earth's surface having maximum detail while retaining physical significance, and giving rise to a synthetic anomaly field which makes a best fit to the observed field in a least squares sense is discussed. The apparent magnetization contrast in the equivalent layer is approximated using an array of dipoles distributed in equal area at the Earth's surface. The dipoles are pointed in the direction of the main magnetic field, which carries the implicit assumption that crustal magnetization is dominantly induced or viscous. The determination of the closest possible dipole spacing giving a stable inversion to a solution having physical significance is accomplished by plotting the standard deviation of the solution parameters against their spatial separation for a series of solutions.

Source record↗

Mass modeling for bars

Methods of modeling mass for bars are surveyed. A method for extending John Archer's concept of consistent mass beyond just translational inertia effects is included. Recommendations are given for various types of modeling situations.

Butler, Thomas G.↗

Computer simulation of water reclamation processors

The development of detailed simulation models of water reclamation processors based on the ASPEN PLUS simulation program is discussed. Individual models have been developed for vapor compression distillation, vapor phase catalytic ammonia removal, and supercritical water oxidation. These models are used for predicting the process behavior. Particular attention is given to methodology which is used to complete this work, and the insights which are gained by this type of model development.

Fisher, John W.↗

Prospects for observations of nucleosynthetic gamma-ray lines and continuum from SN 1987A

Expected flux levels for nucleosynthetic gamma-ray line and continuum emissions from SN 1987A are calculated for several models. The dominant line emission is from freshly synthesized Ni-56 and its decay daughters, and the continuum is from Compton scattering of line photons. For a 15 solar mass Type II model, the light curve for the 0.847 MeV gamma-ray line peaks in September 1988 at 3 x 10 to the -4th photons/sq cm/s. This is detectable only by new, ultrasensitive balloon-borne spectrometers. For models with substantial mass loss from their envelopes, the peak is in early 1988 at about 0.01 photons/sq cm/s, which is detectable at high significance levels by all current instruments. The continuum emission in the 0.05-0.5 MeV band peaks about 100 days before the 0.847 MeV line peak. This Compton precursor is observable at about the same significance level as the lines.

Gehrels, Neil↗

Simulation of Range Safety for the NASA Space Shuttle

This paper describes a simulation environment that seamlessly combines a number of safety and environmental models for the launch phase of a NASA Space Shuttle mission. The components of this simulation environment represent the different systems that must interact in order to determine the Expectation of casualties (E(sub c)) resulting from the toxic effects of the gas dispersion that occurs after a disaster affecting a Space Shuttle within 120 seconds of lift-off. The utilization of the Space Shuttle reliability models, trajectory models, weather dissemination systems, population models, amount and type of toxicants, gas dispersion models, human response functions to toxicants, and a geographical information system are all integrated to create this environment. This simulation environment can help safety managers estimate the population at risk in order to plan evacuation, make sheltering decisions, determine the resources required to provide aid and comfort, and mitigate damages in case of a disaster. This simulation environment may also be modified and used for the landing phase of a space vehicle but will not be discussed in this paper.

Rabelo, Luis↗

Range Systems Simulation for the NASA Shuttle: Emphasis on Disaster and Prevention Management During Lift-Off

This article describes a decision-making system composed of a number of safety and environmental models for the launch phase of a NASA Space Shuttle mission. The components of this distributed simulation environment represent the different systems that must collaborate to establish the Expectation of Casualties (E(sub c)) caused by a failed Space Shuttle launch and subsequent explosion (accidental or instructed) of the spacecraft shortly after liftoff. This decision-making tool employs Space Shuttle reliability models, trajectory models, a blast model, weather dissemination systems, population models, amount and type of toxicants, gas dispersion models, human response functions to toxicants, and a geographical information system. Since one of the important features of this proposed simulation environment is to measure blast, toxic, and debris effects, the clear benefits is that it can help safety managers not only estimate the population at risk, but also to help plan evacuations, make sheltering decisions, establish the resources required to provide aid and comfort, and mitigate damages in case of a disaster.

Rabelo, Lisa↗

A limit on the production of Ni-56 in a type I supernova

The data from the Gamma-Ray Spectrometer on the Solar Maximum Mission satellite have been searched for evidence of gamma-ray line emission from the decay of Co-56 in the type Ia SN, 1986G. No significant flux at either 847 or 1238 keV, the energies of the two strongest decay lines is found. Based on the data, a 3-sigma upper limit of 0.4 solar masses (D/3 Mpc)-squared on the amount of Ni-56 produced in the explosion is set. This value is consistent with radioactive models of type I light curves. For distances less than 3 Mpc, the limit is inconsistent with most models of SN Ia as thermonuclear explosions of white dwarfs.

Matz, Steven M.↗

Experimental Validation of FE/BEM Dynamic Strain Model Under Diffuse Acoustic Field Loading

Structural finite element (FE) models naturally output displacement or acceleration response data. However, they can also be used to compute stress, internal forces, and strain response. When coupled with a boundary element model (BEM) of the fluid surrounding the structure, a fully coupled analysis can be performed. Modeling a diffuse acoustic field in the BEM fluid provides an excitation like that found when the structure is placed in a reverberation chamber. Fully coupling the structural FE model to the acoustic BEM model provides a means to predict not only the acceleration response of the panel to diffuse field loading, but also the ability to predict the dynamic stress and strain response. This type of model has been available with current predictive tools, but experimental validation of the prediction of dynamic stress or strain is difficult to find. An aluminum panel was instrumented with accelerometers and strain gages and hung in a reverberation room and subjected to a diffuse acoustic field. This paper presents the comparison of the experimental and predicted results.

Tsoi, W. Ben↗

The lunar conductivity profile and the nonuniqueness of electromagnetic data inversion.

A review of the theory for the electromagnetic functional used to date to determine the lunar conductivity profile from spectral analyses of lunar magnetometer data. The 'hard' boundary condition used by Sonett et al. (1971) and others appears to be a good approximation for the sunlit lunar hemisphere. The use of the spectral data in conjunction with the functional to find a least squares conductivity profile is examined from the point of view of the nonuniqueness of nonlinear estimation. An unsuccessful search was carried out to find models that were both geophysically reasonable and consistent with the data. It is asserted that the failure to find these models is due to the inadequacy of the functional. Of the models generated, those that best fit the data all have a conductivity peak at a depth of 240 km similar to that of the model discussed by Sonett et al. However, all of these models are quite distinct elsewhere in the profile. It is shown how such models are dependent on both the nature of the functional as well as the initial guess in the least squares procedure. A correlation analysis shows that the only resolvable features from this type of model are a low conductivity crust, a high conductivity peak of limited radial extent, and a low conductivity zone beneath the peak.

Phillips, R. J.↗

The structure of the atmosphere of Uranus

Models of the interior of Uranus suggest that the abundances of such substances as CH4 are greatly enhanced with respect to solar abundances of heavy elements. Such enhancement leads to a new type of model atmosphere for Uranus, which agrees with observation if the internal energy flux is small (no more than 10%) compared with the absorbed solar energy. An important feature of the models is the presence of a cloud of CH4 droplets whose top is at a temperature of approximately 90 K and a pressure of about 4 atm. Above the cloud, the atmosphere is stable because of the rapid decrease in the thermal flux with depth. Being saturated, most of the observable gaseous CH4 is near the cloud; the CH4 abundance above the cloud, of the order of 5 km-am, is a very sensitive function of the cloud-top temperature.

Danielson, R. E.↗

A new titanium-bearing calcium aluminosilicate phase. 1: Meteoritic occurrences and formation in synthetic systems

A new titanium-bearing calcium aluminosilicate mineral has been identified in coarse-grained calcium-aluminum-rich inclusions (CAIs) from carbonaceous chondrites. The formula for this phase, which we have temporarily termed 'UNK,' is Ca3Ti(Al,Ti)2(Si,Al)3O14, and it is present in at least 8 of the 20 coarse-grained CAIs from the Allende CV3 chondrite examined as part of this project. The phase occurs in Types A and B1 inclusions as small tabular crystal oriented along two mutually perpendicular planes in melilite. UNK crystallizes from melts in dynamic crystallization experiments conducted in air from four bulk compositions modeled after Types A, B1, B2 and C inclusions. Cooling rates resulting in crystallization of UNK ranged from 0.5 to 200 C/h from maximum (initial) temperatures of 1375 to 1580 C. Only below 1190 C does UNK itself begin to crystallize. To first order, the presence or absence of UNK from individual experiments can be understood in terms of the compositions of residual melts and nucleation probabilities. Compositions of synthetic and meteoritic UNK are very similar in terms of major oxides, differing only in the small amounts of trivalent Ti(7-13% of total Ti) in meteoritic samples. UNK crystallized from the Type A analog is similar texturally to that found in CAIs, although glass, which is typically associated with synthetic UNK, is not observed in the meteoritic occurrences. A low Ti end-member of UNK ('Si-UNK') with a composition near that of Ca3Al2Si4O14 was produced in a few samples from the Type B1 analog. This phase has not been found in the meteoritic inclusions.

Paque, Julie M.↗

A New Titanium-Bearing Calcium Aluminosilicate Phase: Meteoritic Occurrences and Formation in Synthetic Systems - 1

A new titanium-bearing calcium aluminosilicate mineral has been identified in coarse-grained calcium-aluminum-rich inclusions (CAIs) from carbonaceous chondrites. The formula for this phase, which we have temporarily termed "UNK," is Ca3Ti(AlTi)2(Si,Al)3O14, and it is present in at least 8 of the 20 coarse-grained CAIs from the Allende CV3 chondrite examined as part of this project. The phase occurs in Types A and B1 inclusions as small tabular crystals oriented along two mutually perpendicular planes in melilite. UNK crystallizes from melts in dynamic crystallization experiments conducted in air from four bulk compositions modeled after Types A, B1, B2 and C inclusions. Cooling rates resulting in crystallization of UNK ranged from 0.5 to 200 C/h from maximum (initial) temperatures of 1375 to 1580 C. Only below 1190 C does UNK itself begin to crystallize. To first order, the presence or absence of UNK from individual experiments can be understood in terms of the compositions of residual melts and nucleation probabilities. Compositions of synthetic and meteoritic LINK are very similar in terms of major oxides, differing only in the small amounts of trivalent Ti (7-13% of total Ti) in meteoritic samples. UNK crystallized from the Type A analog is similar texturally to that found in CAls, although glass, which is typically associated with synthetic UN& is not observed in meteoritic occurrences. A low Ti end-member of UNK ("Si-UNK") with a composition new that of Ca3Al2Si4O14 was produced in a few samples from the Type B1 analog. This phase has not been found in the meteoritic inclusions.

Paque, Julie M.↗

Multi-Party Flight Trajectory Negotiation for Upper Class E Traffic Management

A new operational concept has been proposed in Upper Class E airspace at or above 60,000 feet (Flight Level / FL600), which will allow operators of diverse vehicle characteristics to cooperatively manage and share their operational intents with neighboring operators to avoid conflict. There is a consensus in the community that negotiation for strategic deconfliction is needed, but there are no specific guidelines for how the negotiation should be conducted. There is a need for a structured and cooperative way to resolve the conflict between a wide variety of aircraft projected to be operating in Upper Class E for the negotiation to be carried out routinely. The use of negotiation models are a promising solution that can resolve conflict risks during flight in real-time while taking into account the uncertainty of future vehicle positions and dynamic business considerations. A two-party negotiation model has been researched, but as the traffic demand grows, there is a higher likelihood of conflict involving multiple aircraft that would require a method to handle multi-party conflict. This paper proposes a cooperative multi-party negotiation model inspired by game theory concepts for application to flight trajectory negotiation in Upper Class E traffic management. This model can be applied in flight with operators communicating directly after a potential conflict is detected. Some of the model’s benefits include allowing business costs to be private to operators, allowing operators to collaborate together to find conflict-free flight trajectories, and being compatible with different aircraft and operation types. This model provides a structured procedure for conflict resolution that can handle conflict involving multiple parties, assuming each operator is willing to take on a small cost to themselves in order to reduce the total cost to the group.

Upper Class E Traffic Management (ETM)↗

FACET: Future ATM Concepts Evaluation Tool

FACET (Future ATM Concepts Evaluation Tool) is an Air Traffic Management research tool being developed at the NASA Ames Research Center. This paper describes the design, architecture and functionalities of FACET. The purpose of FACET is to provide E simulation environment for exploration, development and evaluation of advanced ATM concepts. Examples of these concepts include new ATM paradigms such as Distributed Air-Ground Traffic Management, airspace redesign and new Decision Support Tools (DSTs) for controllers working within the operational procedures of the existing air traffic control system. FACET is currently capable of modeling system-wide en route airspace operations over the contiguous United States. Airspace models (e.g., Center/sector boundaries, airways, locations of navigation aids and airports) are available from databases. A core capability of FACET is the modeling of aircraft trajectories. Using round-earth kinematic equations, aircraft can be flown along flight plan routes or great circle routes as they climb, cruise and descend according to their individual aircraft-type performance models. Performance parameters (e.g., climb/descent rates and speeds, cruise speeds) are obtained from data table lookups. Heading, airspeed and altitude-rate dynamics are also modeled. Additional functionalities will be added as necessary for specific applications. FACET software is written in Java and C programming languages. It is platform-independent, and can be run on a variety of computers. FACET has been designed with a modular software architecture to enable rapid integration of research prototype implementations of new ATM concepts. There are several advanced ATM concepts that are currently being implemented in FACET airborne separation assurance, dynamic density predictions, airspace redesign (re-sectorization), benefits of a controller DST for direct-routing, and the integration of commercial space transportation system operations into the U.S. National Airspace System (NAS).

Bilmoria, Karl D.↗

An X-Ray Reprocessing Model of Disk Thermal Emission in Type 1 Seyfert Galaxies

Using a geometry consisting of a hot central Comptonizing plasma surrounded by a thin accretion disk, we model the optical through hard X-ray spectral energy distributions of the type 1 Seyfert. galaxies NGC 3516 and NGC 7469. As in the model proposed by Poutanen, Krolik, and Ryde for the X-ray binary Cygnus X-1 and later applied to Seyfert galaxies by Zdziarski, Lubifiski, and Smith, feedback between the radiation reprocessed by the disk and the thermal Comptonization emission from the hot central plasma plays a pivotal role in determining the X-ray spectrum, and as we show, the optical and ultraviolet spectra as well. Seemingly uncorrelated optical/UV and X-ray light curves, similar to those which have been observed from these objects can, in principle, be explained by variations in the size, shape, and temperature of the Comptonizing plasma. Furthermore, by positing a disk mass accretion rate which satisfies a condition for global energy balance between the thermal Comptonization luminosity and the power available from accretion, one can predict the spectral properties of the heretofore poorly measured hard X-ray continuum above approximately 50 keV in type 1 Seyfert galaxies. Conversely, forthcoming measurements of the hard X-ray continuum by more sensitive hard X-ray and soft gamma-ray telescopes, such as those aboard the International Gamma-Ray Astrophysics Laboratory (INTEGRAL) in conjunction with simultaneous optical, UV, and soft X-ray monitoring, will allow the mass accretion rates to be directly constrained for these sources in the context of this model.

Chiang, James↗

The reionization of unshocked ejecta in SN 1006

The validity of carbon-deflagration models white dwarf models for type Ia supernovae is investigated by examining whether most of the iron in the center of SN 1006 exists in forms other than Fe II, such as iron grains or other ionic stages of iron, as the models require. The possible ways in which iron can be hidden in SN 1006 are reviewed, and an argument on observational grounds is made against any appreciable fraction of iron in grains or Fe I. Various mechanisms for ionizing unshocked iron beyond Fe II are discussed; the most probable mechanism for ionizing the iron appears to be photoionization by UV and X-ray emission from reverse-shocked ejecta. A detailed model for this reverse-shcok photoionization mechanism is described.

Hamilton, Andrew J. S.↗

Alloy Design Workbench-Surface Modeling Package Developed

NASA Glenn Research Center's Computational Materials Group has integrated a graphical user interface with in-house-developed surface modeling capabilities, with the goal of using computationally efficient atomistic simulations to aid the development of advanced aerospace materials, through the modeling of alloy surfaces, surface alloys, and segregation. The software is also ideal for modeling nanomaterials, since surface and interfacial effects can dominate material behavior and properties at this level. Through the combination of an accurate atomistic surface modeling methodology and an efficient computational engine, it is now possible to directly model these types of surface phenomenon and metallic nanostructures without a supercomputer. Fulfilling a High Operating Temperature Propulsion Components (HOTPC) project level-I milestone, a graphical user interface was created for a suite of quantum approximate atomistic materials modeling Fortran programs developed at Glenn. The resulting "Alloy Design Workbench-Surface Modeling Package" (ADW-SMP) is the combination of proven quantum approximate Bozzolo-Ferrante-Smith (BFS) algorithms (refs. 1 and 2) with a productivity-enhancing graphical front end. Written in the portable, platform independent Java programming language, the graphical user interface calls on extensively tested Fortran programs running in the background for the detailed computational tasks. Designed to run on desktop computers, the package has been deployed on PC, Mac, and SGI computer systems. The graphical user interface integrates two modes of computational materials exploration. One mode uses Monte Carlo simulations to determine lowest energy equilibrium configurations. The second approach is an interactive "what if" comparison of atomic configuration energies, designed to provide real-time insight into the underlying drivers of alloying processes.

Abel, Phillip B.↗

Current band model studies of CH4 at wavelengths less than 2.5 microns

Band model theories are used to calculate the transmission of the methane spectrum. In a band model the monochromatic absorption coefficient over a small wavelength interval is replaced, and an average pressure coefficient is introduced. Two main types of band models were developed. The first is the 'regular' band model, in which the lines in a band are presumed evenly spaced; this is also called the Elsasser band model. In the second type of band model, the lines are randomly spaced; this is often referred to as the Mayor-Goody band model. The methane spectrum is sufficiently irregular that the second band model, the irregular band model, should apply.

Fink, U.↗