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At least 415 records · Page 23

Estimating Aeroheating of a 3D Body Using a 2D Flow Solver

A method for rapidly estimating the aeroheating, shear stress, and other properties of hypersonic flow about a three-dimensional (3D) blunt body has been devised. First, the geometry of the body is specified in Cartesian coordinates. The surface of the body is then described by its derivatives, coordinates, and principal curvatures. Next, previously relatively simple equations are used to find, for each desired combination of angle of attack and meridional angle, a scaling factor and the shape of an equivalent axisymmetric body. These factors and equivalent shapes are entered as inputs into a previously developed computer program that solves the two-dimensional (2D) equations of flow in a non-equilibrium viscous shock layer (VSL) about an axisymmetric body. The coordinates in the output of the VSL code are transformed back to the Cartesian coordinates of the 3D body, so that computed flow quantities can be registered with locations in the 3D flow field of interest. In tests in which the 3D bodies were elliptic paraboloids, the estimates obtained by use of this method were found to agree well with solutions of 3D, finite-rate-chemistry, thin-VSL equations for a catalytic body.

Scott, Carl D.↗

Documentation of program AFTBDY to generate coordinate system for 3D after body using body fitted curvilinear coordinates, part 1

The computer program AFTBDY generates a body fitted curvilinear coordinate system for a wedge curved after body. This wedge curved after body is being used in an experimental program. The coordinate system generated by AFTBDY is used to solve 3D compressible N.S. equations. The coordinate system in the physical plane is a cartesian x,y,z system, whereas, in the transformed plane a rectangular xi, eta, zeta system is used. The coordinate system generated is such that in the transformed plane coordinate spacing in the xi, eta, zeta direction is constant and equal to unity. The physical plane coordinate lines in the different regions are clustered heavily or sparsely depending on the regions where physical quantities to be solved for by the N.S. equations have high or low gradients. The coordinate distribution in the physical plane is such that x stays constant in eta and zeta direction, whereas, z stays constant in xi and eta direction. The desired distribution in x and z is input to the program. Consequently, only the y-coordinate is solved for by the program AFTBDY.

Kumar, D.↗

Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory Reference System Bulletin, no. 1

The reference system is described which involves timing, scale, coordinate systems and their transformations, and observations of the rotation of the earth. Timing (epochs) and STADAT timing corrections are discussed. The coordinates for locations, and MSL height are listed for each observing station.

Source record↗

NASA Enterprise Digital Transformation Initiative Strategic Framework & Implementation Approach

Since 1958, NASA has delivered its enduring bold purpose, characterized in the 2022 NASA Strategic Plan as a mission to discover, explore, innovate, and advance solutions to the problems of flight, within and outside the Earth’s atmosphere, for the benefit of humankind. The NASA Strategic Plan also recognizes that this mission will be delivered differently as it looks to a future marked by radical global change, which is in part being driven by digital advances. For this reason, in late 2020 NASA established an Enterprise Digital Transformation (DT) agency-level strategic initiative to accelerate and coordinate leveraging digital advances to transform the way the Agency works, the experience of its workforce and the agility of its workplace. This paper documents NASA’s DT strategic framework and associated implementation approach, with the DT strategic initiative serving to ignite, connect, integrate, and facilitate DT progress across a federated organizational operating model.

digital transformation↗

Transforming Vectors Measured By Noncoaligned Instruments

Method for computing relationships between coordinate axes of two vector-measuring instruments not aligned with each other, one need only measure two nonparallel vectors u and v simultaneously in both coordinate systems. These measurements provide all data needed to compute transformation of any vector from one coordinate system to other. Particularly useful in computing alignments and transformations between accelerometers, gyroscopes, and instruments mounted on platforms subjected to vibrations, thermal strains, and other distortions causing alignments to vary unpredictably with time.

Ritter, James R.↗

A feasibility study of hand kinematics for EVA analysis using magnetic resonance imaging

A new method of analyzing the kinematics of joint motion is developed. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) offers several distinct advantages. Past methods of studying anatomic joint motion have usually centered on four approaches. These methods are x-ray projection, goniometric linkage analysis, sonic digitization, and landmark measurement of photogrammetry. Of these four, only x-ray is applicable for in vivo studies. The remaining three methods utilize other types of projections of inter-joint measurements, which can cause various types of error. MRI offers accuracy in measurement due to its tomographic nature (as opposed to projection) without the problems associated with x-ray dosage. Once the data acquisition of MR images was complete, the images were processed using a 3D volume rendering workstation. The metacarpalphalangeal (MCP) joint of the left index finger was selected and reconstructed into a three-dimensional graphic display. From the reconstructed volumetric images, measurements of the angles of movement of the applicable bones were obtained and processed by analyzing the screw motion of the MCP joint. Landmark positions were chosen at distinctive locations of the joint at fixed image threshold intensity levels to ensure repeatability. The primarily two dimensional planar motion of this joint was then studied using a method of constructing coordinate systems using three (or more) points. A transformation matrix based on a world coordinate system described the location and orientation of a local target coordinate system. Future research involving volume rendering of MRI data focusing on the internal kinematics of the hand's individual ligaments, cartilage, tendons, etc. will follow. Its findings will show the applicability of MRI to joint kinematics for gaining further knowledge of the hand-glove (power assisted) design for extravehicular activity (EVA).

Dickenson, Rueben D.↗

A feasibility study of hand kinematics for EVA analysis using magnetic resonance imaging

A new method for analyzing the kinematics of joint motion using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is described. The reconstruction of the metacarpalphalangeal joint of the left index finger into a 3D graphic display is shown. From the reconstructed volumetric images, measurements of the angles of movement of the applicable bones are obtained and processed by analyzing the screw motion of the joint. Landmark positions are chosen at distinctive locations of the joint at fixed image threshold intensity levels to ensure repeatability. The primarily 2D planar motion of this joint is then studied using a method of constructing coordinate systems using three or more points. A transformation matrix based on a world coordinate system describes the location and orientation of the local target coordinate system. The findings show the applicability of MRI to joint kinematics for gaining further knowledge of the hand-glove design for EVA.

Dickenson, Reuben D.↗

Reference coordinate systems: An update. Supplement 11

A common requirement for all geodetic investigations is a well-defined coordinate system attached to the earth in some prescribed way, as well as a well-defined inertial coordinate system in which the motions of the terrestrial frame can be monitored. The paper deals with the problems encountered when establishing such coordinate systems and the transformations between them. In addition, problems related to the modeling of the deformable earth are discussed. This paper is an updated version of the earlier work, Reference Coordinate Systems for Earth Dynamics: A Preview, by the author.

Mueller, Ivan I.↗

Lunar targeting study: Lunar and planetary Ephemeris tapes

The Univac 1108 computer tape data formats are documented for the ephermeris tape generated by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the ephemeris tape used by the Quick Response Targeting Program (QRTP). Ephermeris tapes are used as the data source for the position and velocity components of those celestial bodies being considered in an integrated trajectory simulation program. The QRTP ephemeris tape has data only for lunar mission simulations. The JPL ephemeris tape has data for the moon and the nine planets. The ephemeris tapes, the data formats, the coordinate systems, and units are defined. The transformation from the mean-of-1950 coordinate system to the nearest mean Besselian year is given.

Green, W. G.↗

Progress in development of a Navier-Stokes solver for evaluation of iced airfoil performance

A method is being developed for evaluation of the flow field behavior about an airfoil with significant ice accretion on the leading edge. The computer code, being evaluated for this purpose, solves the Navier-Stokes equations in a body-fitted curvilinear coordinate system. This requires the use of a grid generation code to transform the x-y coordinates of the physical space into xi-eta coordinates of the computational space. Evaluation of the suitability of these two codes for predicting iced airfoil performance is presently being carried out in anticipation of use in an overall icing analysis effort. Results of this evaluation to date indicate good correlation with known information on clean airfoils. Preliminary results for rime and glaze, iced airfoil shapes are also presented.

Potapczuk, M. G.↗

Canonical transformations for space trajectory optimization

Canonical transformations are developed between the Cartesian coordinates, equinoctial elements, trajectory variables, and orbital elements for coplanar space trajectory optimization problems. The canonical transformations permit the state and adjoint or their solution, transversality conditions, the optimal control, and integrals of the motion, to be transformed between any of the common sets of coordinates for planar space trajectory optimization problems. Variations on the canonical transformations shown are straightforward to develop given the group properties of the canonical transformations.

Haissig, Christine M.↗

Numerical solution of the Navier-Stokes equations for arbitrary blunt bodies in supersonic flows

A time-dependent, two-dimensional Navier-Stokes code employing the body-fitted coordinate technique has been developed for supersonic flows past blunt bodies of arbitrary shape. The computer program is based on the finite-difference approximation of the compressible Navier-Stokes equations transformed to nonorthogonal curvilinear coordinates with the contravariant components of the velocity vector as dependent variables. The bow shock ahead of the body is obtained as part of the solution, by 'shock capturing'. Numerical solutions of the complete equations are presented in detail for free-stream Mach number 4.6, Reynolds number 10,000, and an isothermal wall temperature of 556 K for a circular cylinder with the free-stream outer boundaries forming a hyperbola in the front and a circular arc in the back.

Warsi, Z. U. A.↗

Finite element appendage equations for hybrid coordinate dynamic analysis.

The increasingly common practice of idealizing a spacecraft as a collection of interconnected rigid bodies to some of which are attached linearly elastic flexible appendages leads to equations of motion expressed in terms of a combination of discrete coordinates describing the arbitrary rotational motions of the rigid bodies and distributed or modal coordinates describing the small, time-varying deformations of the appendages: such a formulation is said to employ a hybrid system of coordinates. In the present paper the existing literature is extended to provide hybrid coordinate equations of motion for a finite element model of a flexible appendage attached to a rigid base undergoing unrestricted motions and some of the advantages of the finite element approach are noted. Transformations to the modal coordinates appropriate for the general case are provided.

Likins, P. W.↗

Coordinate perturbation and multiple scale in gasdynamics.

A simple way of applying the coordinate perturbation technique is developed which bypasses the usual transformations of the equations to perturbed coordinates, and which provides the appropriate coordinate stretching by simple algebraic manipulations on the nonuniformly valid expansion obtained by a straightforward expansion from the original equations. Interesting results are obtained by applying the procedure to two gasdynamical problems. In the first, the flowfield around a supersonic two-dimensional wing is determined up to third order, including a uniformly valid representation of the front shock shape. The second concerns the oscillations in a closed tube following an arbitrary initial disturbance, both when the two ends are closed, and when one of the two ends contains an oscillating piston.

Crocco, L.↗

A dynamic transformation method for modal synthesis.

This paper presents a condensation method for large discrete parameter vibration analysis of complex structures that greatly reduces truncation errors and provides accurate definition of modes in a selected frequency range. A dynamic transformation is obtained from the partitioned equations of motion that relates modes not explicity in the condensed solution to the retained modes at a selected system frequency. The generalized mass and stiffness matrices, obtained with existing modal synthesis methods, are reduced using this transformation and solved. Revised solutions are then obtained using new transformations at the calculated eigenvalues and are also used to assess the accuracy of the results. If all the modes of interest have not been obtained, the results are used to select a new set of retained coordinates and a new transformation frequency, and the procedure is repeated for another group of modes.

Kuhar, E. J.↗

Minimization of deviations of gear real tooth surfaces determined by coordinate measurements

The deviations of a gear's real tooth surface from the theoretical surface are determined by coordinate measurements at the grid of the surface. A method was developed to transform the deviations from Cartesian coordinates to those along the normal at the measurement locations. Equations are derived that relate the first order deviations with the adjustment to the manufacturing machine-tool settings. The deviations of the entire surface are minimized. The minimization is achieved by application of the least-square method for an overdetermined system of linear equations. The proposed method is illustrated with a numerical example for hypoid gear and pinion.

Litvin, F. L.↗

Effects of joint rate and displacement constraints on stability regions

A block diagram showing plant dynamics in normal mode coordinates, a linear feedback controller with command limits, and actuator dynamics with rate and displacement limits is given. The objective is to examine the effects of joint rate and displacement saturation limits on the stability regions. An unstable short period dynamic model is transformed into normal mode coordinates and is augmented with actuator dynamics. A linear feedback controller is used to provide closed-loop stability. The stability with constrained actuator rate limits under varying bandwidth, displacement and command limits is examined.

Shrivastava, P. C.↗