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At least 379 records · Page 21

The nonlinear dynamics of a spacecraft coupled to the vibration of a contained fluid

The dynamics of a linear spacecraft mode coupled to a nonlinear low gravity slosh of a fluid in a cylindrical tank is investigated. Coupled, nonlinear equations of motion for the fluid-spacecraft dynamics are derived through an assumed mode Lagrangian method. Unlike linear fluid slosh models, this nonlinear slosh model retains two fundamental slosh modes and three secondary modes. An approximate perturbation solution of the equations of motion indicates that the nonlinear coupled system response involves fluid-spacecraft modal resonances not predicted by either a linear, or a nonlinear, uncoupled slosh analysis. Experimental results substantiate the analytical predictions.

Peterson, Lee D.↗

Vacillations in a coupled ocean-atmosphere model

Results are presented from a 35-year integration of a coupled ocean-atmosphere model. Both ocean and atmosphere are two-level, nonlinear primitive equation models. The global atmospheric model is forced by a steady, zonally symmetric Newtonian heating. The ocean model is solved in a rectangular tropical basin. Heat fluxes between ocean and atmosphere are linear in air-sea temperature differences, and the interfacial stress is proportional to lower-level atmospheric winds. The coupled models produce ENSO-like variability on time scales of 3 to 5 years. Since there is no external time-dependent forcing, these are self-sustained vacillations of the nonlinear system. It is argued that the energetics of the vacillations is that of unstable coupled modes and that the time scale is crucially dependent on the effects of ocean waves propagating in a closed basin.

Schopf, Paul S.↗

Comparison of vibration dissociation coupling and radiative heat transfer models for AOTV/AFE flowfields

A series of detailed studies comparing various vibration dissociation coupling models, reaction systems and rates, and radiative heating models has been conducted for the nonequilibrium stagnation region of an AFE/AOTV vehicle. Atomic and molecular nonequilibrium radiation correction factors have been developed and applied to various absorption coefficient step models, and a modified vibration dissociation coupling model has been shown to yield good vibration/electronic temperature and concentration profiles. While results indicate sensitivity to the choice of vibration dissociation coupling model and to the nitrogen electron impact ionization rate, by proper combinations accurate flowfield and radiative heating results can be obtained. These results indicate that nonequilibrium effects significantly affect the flowfield and the radiative heat transfer. However, additional work is needed in ionization chemistry and absorption coefficient modeling.

Carlson, Leland A.↗

Magnetic Coupling Delivers Increased Torque

Fixed magnetic pins reduce reluctance of gap in magnetic coupling. Concentrate flux and increase torque transmitted. Coupling arranged as face or radial drive. Addition of flux pins to gap between magnetically coupled shafts in bioreactor experiment increases transferred torque by almost 50 percent.

Carter, Edward L.↗

On the coupling of hyperbolic and parabolic systems: Analytical and numerical approach

The coupling of hyperbolic and parabolic systems is discussed in a domain Omega divided into two distinct subdomains omega(+) and omega(-). The main concern is to find the proper interface conditions to be fulfilled at the surface separating the two domains. Next, they are used in the numerical approximation of the problem. The justification of the interface conditions is based on a singular perturbation analysis, i.e., the hyperbolic system is rendered parabolic by adding a small artifical viscosity. As this goes to zero, the coupled parabolic-parabolic problem degenerates into the original one, yielding some conditions at the interface. These are taken as interface conditions for the hyperbolic-parabolic problem. Actually, two alternative sets of interface conditions are discussed according to whether the regularization procedure is variational or nonvariational. It is shown how these conditions can be used in the frame of a numerical approximation to the given problem. Furthermore, a method of resolution is discussed which alternates the resolution of the hyperbolic problem within omega(-) and of the parabolic one within omega(+). The spectral collocation method is proposed, as an example of space discretization (different methods could be used as well); both explicit and implicit time-advancing schemes are considered. The present study is a preliminary step toward the analysis of the coupling between Euler and Navier-Stokes equations for compressible flows.

Gastaldi, Fabio↗

Coupled rotor/fuselage dynamic analysis of the AH-1G helicopter and correlation with flight vibrations data

Under a research program designated Design Analysis Methods for VIBrationS (DAMVIBS), existing analytical methods are used for calculating coupled rotor-fuselage vibrations of the AH-1G helicopter for correlation with flight test data from an AH-1G Operational Load Survey (OLS) test program. The analytical representation of the fuselage structure is based on a NASTRAN finite element model (FEM), which has been developed, extensively documented, and correlated with ground vibration test. One procedure that was used for predicting coupled rotor-fuselage vibrations using the advanced Rotorcraft Flight Simulation Program C81 and NASTRAN is summarized. Detailed descriptions of the analytical formulation of rotor dynamics equations, fuselage dynamic equations, coupling between the rotor and fuselage, and solutions to the total system of equations in C81 are included. Analytical predictions of hub shears for main rotor harmonics 2p, 4p, and 6p generated by C81 are used in conjunction with 2p OLS measured control loads and a 2p lateral tail rotor gearbox force, representing downwash impingement on the vertical fin, to excite the NASTRAN model. NASTRAN is then used to correlate with measured OLS flight test vibrations. Blade load comparisons predicted by C81 showed good agreement. In general, the fuselage vibration correlations show good agreement between anslysis and test in vibration response through 15 to 20 Hz.

Corrigan, J. C.↗

Computationally generated velocity taper for efficiency enhancement in a coupled-cavity traveling-wave tube

A computational routine has been created to generate velocity tapers for efficiency enhancement in coupled-cavity TWTs. Programmed into the NASA multidimensional large-signal coupled-cavity TWT computer code, the routine generates the gradually decreasing cavity periods required to maintain a prescribed relationship between the circuit phase velocity and the electron-bunch velocity. Computational results for several computer-generated tapers are compared to those for an existing coupled-cavity TWT with a three-step taper. Guidelines are developed for prescribing the bunch-phase profile to produce a taper for efficiency. The resulting taper provides a calculated RF efficiency 45 percent higher than the step taper at center frequency and at least 37 percent higher over the bandwidth.

Wilson, Jeffrey D.↗

Discharge transient coupling in large space power systems

Experiments have shown that plasma environments can induce discharges in solar arrays. These plasmas simulate the environments found in low earth orbits where current plans call for operation of very large power systems. The discharges could be large enough to couple into the power system and possibly disrupt operations. Here, the general concepts of the discharge mechanism and the techniques of coupling are discussed. Data from both ground and flight experiments are reviewed to obtain an expected basis for the interactions. These concepts were applied to the Space Station solar array and distribution system as an example of the large space power system. The effect of discharges was found to be a function of the discharge site. For most sites in the array discharges would not seriously impact performance. One location at the negative end of the array was identified as a position where discharges could couple to charge stored in system capacitors. This latter case could impact performance.

Stevens, N. John↗

Combustion instability coupling with feed system acoustics

High frequency combustion instability has recently been observed by Rocketdyne in a 40K thrust methane/LOX combustion chamber. The oscillations had frequencies as high as 14,000 Hz with pressure amplitudes in the LOX dome of 500 psi at a chamber pressures of 2,000 psi. At this frequency the wave length associated with a period of oscillation is 2.3 inches in LOX and 1.4 inches in methane. These distances are comparable to the lengths of the injector elements which requires that acoustic waves be considered in the feed systems rather than using lumped parameters as is normally considered for feed system coupled oscillations. To expand the capability of existing models, the Feiler and Heidmann feed system coupled instability model was modified to include acoustic oscillations in the feed system. Similarly the vaporization controlled instability model of Heidmann and Wieber was modified to include flow oscillations that would be produced by feed system coupling. The major elements that control oscillations in a rocket combustion chamber are shown and discussed.

Priem, Richard J.↗

Theoretical study of the nitrogen-atom hyperfine coupling constant. II

The N hyperfine coupling constant has been computed using multireference configuration interaction (MRCI) and averaged coupled pair functional (ACPF) treatments in very large one-particle basis sets. Unlike previous calculations, no selection of configurations has been performed. The calculations again illustrate the difficulty of computing the N hyperfine coupling constant accurately. The best MRCI result of 10.7 MHz is larger than the accurate experimental value of 10.4509 MHz, while the best ACPF result (10.3 MHz) is smaller than experiment. The difference between this work and previous calculations is discussed.

Bauschlicher, Charles W., Jr.↗

Thermosphere-ionosphere coupling - An experiment in interactive modeling

Using the NCAR thermosphere general circulation model, a series of controlled experiments is performed to investigate the interactive coupling between ionospheric plasma densities and thermospheric neutral winds. The interaction is accomplished by parameterizing the F layer peak height, h(m)F2, in an empirical ionospheric model in terms of the meridional wind, v(south), and by forcing the h(m)F2 and the v(south) parameters to remain mutually coupled in a dynamical calculation. It was found that mutual coupling between forcing and meridional wind is weak during the daytime when the F layer exhibits a broad vertical structure. At night, when the F2 layer is more localized, the neutral dynamical structure is dependent on whether forcing is significantly above or below the altitude (about 275-300 km) at which ion drag effectively competes with viscosity in the neutral momentum balance.

Forbes, Jeffrey M.↗

Equilibrium Statistical Thermodynamics of a Many-Particle System Coupled to an External Scalar Field

The equilibrium thermodynamics of a many-particle assembly in the presence of an external scalar field is examined. Two types of scalar coupling are considered: an external field coupled to the particle density and an external scalar field coupled to the energy density. It is shown that the broken translational and rotational invariance of the system due to the external field is reflected in the macroscopic physics by loss of the usual extensivity property of the system and by means of anisotropy in the response of the system to changes in the system lengths or to the system shape. In addition, the assumptions used in local equilibrium analyses are shown to be incorrect in principle. Nonlocal effects due to the external field must be included in the determination of the equation of state. Simple model calculations for a system in an external gravitational field and an externally imposed temperature field are presented as illustrations.

Salvino, R. E.↗

Active control of structurally-coupled sound fields in elastic cylinders by vibrational force inputs

Active control of structurally-coupled sound fields in elastic cylinders is analytically and experimentally studied. The primary (noise) field in the cylinder model is generated by the coupled dynamic response of the shell under loading by a single exterior acoustic source. Control of the interior sound field is achieved by applying vibrational force inputs directly to the shell wall. Action of the point controllers serve to increase the input impedance of select structural modes of the shell which are well-coupled to the interior acoustic cavity, thus substantially reducing sound transmission into the cavity. Spatially-averaged noise reductions in excess of 30 dB are demonstrated for acoustic resonant conditions within the cavity. Twin controller configurations are presented which demonstrate the ability to independently control orthogonal modes of the interior acoustic space. Benefits and drawbacks of this new methodology for noise control are discussed and clearly demonstrated.

Jones, J. D.↗

The effect of inertial coupling in the dynamics and control of flexible robotic manipulators

A general model of the dynamics of flexible robotic manipulators is presented, including the gross motion of the links, the vibrations of the links and joints, and the dynamic coupling between the gross motions and vibrations. The vibrations in the links may be modeled using lumped parameters, truncated modal summation, a component mode synthesis method, or a mixture of these methods. The local link inertia matrix is derived to obtain the coupling terms between the gross motion of the link and the vibrations of the link. Coupling between the motions of the links results from the kinematic model, which utilizes the method of kinematic influence. The model is used to simulate the dynamics of a flexible space-based robotic manipulator which is attached to a spacecraft, and is free to move with respect to the inertial reference frame. This model may be used to study the dynamic response of the manipulator to the motions of its joints, or to externally applied disturbances.

Tesar, Delbert↗

System for connecting fluid couplings

A system for mating fluid transfer couplings is constructed having a male connector which is provided with a pair of opposed rollers mounted to an exterior region thereof. A male half of a fluid transfer coupling is rotatably supported in an opening in an end of the connector and is equipped with an outwardly extending forward portion. The forward portion locks into an engagement and locking region of a female half of the fluid transfer coupling, with female half being rotatably supported in a receptacle. The receptacle has an opening aligned with locking region, with this opening having a pair of concentric, annularly disposed ramps extending around an interior portion of opening. These ramps are inclined toward the interior of the receptacle and are provided with slots through which rollers of the connector pass. After the connector is inserted into the receptacle (engaging forward portion into engagement region), relative rotation between the connector and receptacle causes the rollers to traverse ramps until the rollers abut and are gripped by retainers. This axially forces the forward portion into locked, sealed engagement with the engagement region.

Cody, Joseph C.↗

A novel potential/viscous flow coupling technique for computing helicopter flow fields

Because of the complexity of helicopter flow field, a zonal method of analysis of computational aerodynamics is required. Here, a new procedure for coupling potential and viscous flow is proposed. An overlapping, velocity coupling technique is to be developed with the unique feature that the potential flow surface singularity strengths are obtained directly from the Navier-Stokes at a smoother inner fluid boundary. The closed-loop iteration method proceeds until the velocity field is converged. This coupling should provide the means of more accurate viscous computations of the near-body and rotor flow fields with resultant improved analysis of such important performance parameters as helicopter fuselage drag and rotor airloads.

Summa, J. Michael↗

Follow-on cable coupling lightning test. Volume 2: Appendixes A, B, C, and D

The following information from the follow-on cable coupling lightning test of the Space Shuttle Booster is presented: (1) resistance measurements (cover-to-cover and cover-to-floor plate); (2) resistance measurements (external bond strap-to-case); (3) resistance measurements (internal bond strap-to-case) and; (4) follow-on cable coupling lightning test data plots. The bulk of the document comprises the follow-on cable coupling lightning test data plots.

Source record↗

Extension-bend-twist coupling behavior of thin-walled advanced composite beams with initial twist

An analytical model is developed for assessing the extension-bend-twist coupling behavior of nonhomogeneous anisotropic beams with initial twist. The model is formulated as a coupled two-dimensional boundary value problem, where the displacement solutions are defined with pretwist-dependent functions that represent the extension, bending, and torsion, and unknown functions that represent local in-plane deformations and out-of-plane cross-section warping. The unknown deformation functions are determined by applying the principle of minimum potential energy to a discretized representation of the cross section. Numerical results are presented that fully verify this approach and illustrate the strong extension-twist coupling behavior present in pretwisted beams with thin-wall laminated composite cross sections as a function of ply angle, initial twist level, and initial twist axis location. Cross-sections analyzed include; thin laminated rectangles with either asymmetric or symmetric ply stacking sequences and a thin-wall single cell D-section composed of a graphite/epoxy woven cloth.

Kosmatka, J. B.↗