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At least 415 records · Page 23

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NASA NTRS1983

The NCOREL computer program for 3D nonlinear supersonic potential flow computations

An innovative computational technique (NCOREL) was established for the treatment of three dimensional supersonic flows. The method is nonlinear in that it solves the nonconservative finite difference analog of the full potential equation and can predict the formation of supercritical cross flow regions, embedded and bow shocks. The method implicitly computes a conical flow at the apex (R = 0) of a spherical coordinate system and uses a fully implicit marching technique to obtain three dimensional cross flow solutions. This implies that the radial Mach number must remain supersonic. The cross flow solutions are obtained by using type dependent transonic relaxation techniques with the type dependency linked to the character of the cross flow velocity (i.e., subsonic/supersonic). The spherical coordinate system and marching on spherical surfaces is ideally suited to the computation of wing flows at low supersonic Mach numbers due to the elimination of the subsonic axial Mach number problems that exist in other marching codes that utilize Cartesian transverse marching planes.

Siclari, M. J.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Surface grid generation for wing-fuselage bodies

In the application of finite-difference methods to obtain numerical solutions of viscous compressible fluid flow about wing-fuselage bodies, it is advantageous to transform the governing equations to an idealized boundary-fitted coordinate system. The advantages are reduced computational complexity and added accuracy in the application of boundary conditions. The solution process requires that a grid be superimposed on the physical solution domain which corresponds to a uniform grid on a rectangular computational domain (uniform rectangular parallel-epiped). Grid generation is the determination of a one to one relationship between grid points in the physical domain and grid points in the computational domain. A technique for computing wing-fuselage surface grids using the Harris geometry and software for smooth-surface representation is described. Grid spacing control concepts which govern the relationship between the wing-fuselage surface and the computational grid are also presented.

Smith, R. E.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Algebraic grid generation with corner singularities

A simple noniterative algebraic procedure is presented for generating smooth computational meshes on a quadrilateral topology. Coordinate distribution and normal derivative are provided on all boundaries, one of which may include a slope discontinuity. The boundary conditions are sufficient to guarantee continuity of global meshes formed of joined patches generated by the procedure. The method extends to 3-D. The procedure involves a synthesis of prior techniques stretching functions, cubic blending functions, and transfinite interpolation - to which is added the functional form of the corner solution. The procedure introduces the concept of generalized blending, which is implemented as an automatic scaling of the boundary derivatives for effective interpolation. Some implications of the treatment at boundaries for techniques solving elliptic PDE's are discussed in an Appendix.

Vinokur, M.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Observable in the reversible reaction gamma + d yields n + p

Calculations are presented on the effect of the two-body charge and current density effects on the observables in the photodisintegration of a deuteron. The computations are performed in a cartesian coordinate system, initially for gamma rays plane-polarized in the x-direction. Unpolarized photons are treated with an incoherent superposition of transition amplitudes for gamma rays polarized in the x- and y- directions. Account is taken of recoil and interaction energies after an initial state is defined. Consideration is focused on the cross section, polarization, and asymmetry of the reaction at low and medium energy incident gamma rays.

Rustgi, M. L.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Full two-dimensional transient solutions of electrothermal aircraft blade deicing

Two finite difference methods are presented for the analysis of transient, two-dimensional responses of an electrothermal de-icer pad of an aircraft wing or blade with attached variable ice layer thickness. Both models employ a Crank-Nicholson iterative scheme, and use an enthalpy formulation to handle the phase change in the ice layer. The first technique makes use of a 'staircase' approach, fitting the irregular ice boundary with square computational cells. The second technique uses a body fitted coordinate transform, and maps the exact shape of the irregular boundary into a rectangular body, with uniformally square computational cells. The numerical solution takes place in the transformed plane. Initial results accounting for variable ice layer thickness are presented. Details of planned de-icing tests at NASA-Lewis, which will provide empirical verification for the above two methods, are also presented.

Masiulaniec, K. C.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Reference pressure changes and available potential energy in isobaric coordinates

A formulation of the available potential energy (APE) equation in isobaric coordinates which alleviates the need for computing temporal derivatives of reference pressure and describes how work done relates to changes in the APE of a limited region is presented. The APE budget equation possesses terms analogous to those in Johnson's (1970) isentropic version. It is shown that APE changes result from either mechanical work inside the domain or an exchange of energy via boundary processes with the surrounding environment.

Robertson, F. R.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Multi-grid calculation of transonic potential flows

The finite-volume method discussed by Jameson and Caughey (1977), and Caughey and Jameson (1979, 1980) has made it possible to calculate the transonic potential flow past any configuration for which a suitable boundary-conforming coordinate grid can be constructed. However, computations for practical three-dimensional problems have remained quite expensive in terms of the required computer time. The reason for this is primarily related to the large number of grid cells necessary for adequate resolution in these complex three-dimensional problems, taking into account the large number of iterations required to achieve even modest convergence on these fine grids. The present chapter provides a description of work directed at removing this latter difficulty by making use of the multigrid method. Attention is given to finite-volume formulation, multigrid iteration, geometrical aspects, and computed results.

Caughey, D. A.↗

NASA NTRS1986

A diagonal algorithm for the method of pseudocompressibility

The method of pseudocompressibility has been shown to be an efficient method for obtaining a steady-state solution to the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations. Recent improvements to this method include the use of a diagonal scheme for the inversion of the equations at each iteration. The necessary transformations have been derived for the pseudocompressibility equations in generalized coordinates. The diagonal algorithm reduces the computing time necessary to obtain a steady-state solution by a factor of nearly three. Implicit viscous terms are maintained in the equations, and it has become possible to use fourth-order implicit dissipation. The steady-state solution is unchanged by the approximations resulting from the diagonalization of the equations. Computed results for flow over a two-dimensional backward-facing step and a three-dimensional cylinder mounted normal to a flat plate are presented for both the old and new algorithms. The accuracy and computing efficiency of these algorithms are compared.

Rogers, S. E.↗

NASA NTRS1990

A generalized patched-grid algorithm with application to the F-18 forebody with actuated control strake

Analysis of complex configurations using structured grids virtually demands multiple blocks of grids. To facilitate calculations involving multiple blocks, a geneal grid-block patching algorithm based on generalized coordinate inerpolation has been developed. The computational grid may contain as many arbirarily shaped blocks as required to make the grid generation problem tractable and to accurately model the fow features. Results are presented for several test cases as well as for the F-18 forebody control strake. The methodology developed has application to overlapped or embedded grids.

Biedron, R. T.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Diagnostic evaluation of numerical model simulations using the tendency equation

A procedure is proposed to expand the diagnostic capabilities of the pressure tendency equation of a primitive equation NWP model by computing the pressure tendency in physical coordinates. The advantages of isolating the density advection as a diagnostic tool to understand pressure changes is shown. By simple thermodynamic arguments it is demonstrated that in areas of synoptic-scale cyclonic development, the vertically integrated density advection is more than sufficient to explain the depletion of mass over a growing depression. Consequently, the joint contribution of the net divergence and vertical motion opposes the pressure fall. This is illustrated for a case of rapid cyclogenesis in southern South America.

Jusem, Juan C.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Estimation of the absolute position of mobile systems by an optoelectronic processor

A method that determine the absolute position of a mobile system with a hybrid optoelectronic processor has been developed. Position estimates are based on an analysis of circular landmarks that are detected by a TV camera attached to the mobile system. The difference between the known shape of the landmark and its image provides the information needed to determine the absolute position of the mobile system. For robust operation, the parameters of the landmark image are extracted at high speeds using an optical processor that performs an optical Hough transform. The coordinates of the mobile system are computed from these parameters in a digital co-processor using fast algorithms. Different sources of position estimation errors have also been analyzed, and consequent algorithms to improve the navigation performance of the mobile system have been developed and evaluated by both computer simulation and experiments.

Feng, Liqiang↗

NASA NTRS1991

Micro- and meso-scale simulations of magnetospheric processes related to the aurora and substorm morphology

The primary methodology during the grant period has been the use of micro or meso-scale simulations to address specific questions concerning magnetospheric processes related to the aurora and substorm morphology. This approach, while useful in providing some answers, has its limitations. Many of the problems relating to the magnetosphere are inherently global and kinetic. Effort during the last year of the grant period has increasingly focused on development of a global-scale hybrid code to model the entire, coupled magnetosheath - magnetosphere - ionosphere system. In particular, numerical procedures for curvilinear coordinate generation and exactly conservative differencing schemes for hybrid codes in curvilinear coordinates have been developed. The new computer algorithms and the massively parallel computer architectures now make this global code a feasible proposition. Support provided by this project has played an important role in laying the groundwork for the eventual development or a global-scale code to model and forecast magnetospheric weather.

Swift, Daniel W.↗

NASA NTRS1994

Quantitative 3-D imaging topogrammetry for telemedicine applications

The technology to reliably transmit high-resolution visual imagery over short to medium distances in real time has led to the serious considerations of the use of telemedicine, telepresence, and telerobotics in the delivery of health care. These concepts may involve, and evolve toward: consultation from remote expert teaching centers; diagnosis; triage; real-time remote advice to the surgeon; and real-time remote surgical instrument manipulation (telerobotics with virtual reality). Further extrapolation leads to teledesign and telereplication of spare surgical parts through quantitative teleimaging of 3-D surfaces tied to CAD/CAM devices and an artificially intelligent archival data base of 'normal' shapes. The ability to generate 'topogrames' or 3-D surface numerical tables of coordinate values capable of creating computer-generated virtual holographic-like displays, machine part replication, and statistical diagnostic shape assessment is critical to the progression of telemedicine. Any virtual reality simulation will remain in 'video-game' realm until realistic dimensional and spatial relational inputs from real measurements in vivo during surgeries are added to an ever-growing statistical data archive. The challenges of managing and interpreting this 3-D data base, which would include radiographic and surface quantitative data, are considerable. As technology drives toward dynamic and continuous 3-D surface measurements, presenting millions of X, Y, Z data points per second of flexing, stretching, moving human organs, the knowledge base and interpretive capabilities of 'brilliant robots' to work as a surgeon's tireless assistants becomes imaginable. The brilliant robot would 'see' what the surgeon sees--and more, for the robot could quantify its 3-D sensing and would 'see' in a wider spectral range than humans, and could zoom its 'eyes' from the macro world to long-distance microscopy. Unerring robot hands could rapidly perform machine-aided suturing with precision micro-sewing machines, splice neural connections with laser welds, micro-bore through constricted vessels, and computer combine ultrasound, microradiography, and 3-D mini-borescopes to quickly assess and trace vascular problems in situ. The spatial relationships between organs, robotic arms, and end-effector diagnostic, manipulative, and surgical instruments would be constantly monitored by the robot 'brain' using inputs from its multiple 3-D quantitative 'eyes' remote sensing, as well as by contact and proximity force measuring devices. Methods to create accurate and quantitative 3-D topograms at continuous video data rates are described.

Altschuler, Bruce R.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Use of Fourier transforms for asynoptic mapping: Applications to the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite microwave limb sounder

Fourier analysis has been applied to data obtained from limb viewing instruments on the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite. A coordinate system rotation facilitates the efficient computation of Fourier transforms in the temporal and longitudinal domains. Fields such as ozone (O3), chlorine monoxide (ClO), temperature, and water vapor have been transformed by this process. The transforms have been inverted to provide maps of these quantities at selected times, providing a method of accurate time interpolation. Maps obtained by this process show evidence of both horizontal and vertical transport of important trace species such as O3 and ClO. An examination of the polar regions indicates that large-scale planetary variations are likely to play a significant role in transporting midstratospheric O3 into the polar regions. There is also evidence that downward transport occurs, providing a means of moving O3 into the polar vortex at lower altitudes. The transforms themselves show the structure and propagation characteristics of wave variations.

Elson, Lee S.↗

NASA NTRS1996

A global spacecraft control network for spacecraft autonomy research

The development and implementation of the Automated Space System Experimental Testbed (ASSET) space operations and control network, is reported on. This network will serve as a command and control architecture for spacecraft operations and will offer a real testbed for the application and validation of advanced autonomous spacecraft operations strategies. The proposed network will initially consist of globally distributed amateur radio ground stations at locations throughout North America and Europe. These stations will be linked via Internet to various control centers. The Stanford (CA) control center will be capable of human and computer based decision making for the coordination of user experiments, resource scheduling and fault management. The project's system architecture is described together with its proposed use as a command and control system, its value as a testbed for spacecraft autonomy research, and its current implementation.

Kitts, Christopher A.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Hybrid Analytical Technique for Nonlinear Vibration Analysis of Thin-Walled Beams

A two-step hybrid analytical technique is presented for the nonlinear vibration analysis of thin-walled beams. The first step involves the generation of various-order perturbation functions using the Linstedt-Poincare perturbation technique. The second step consists of using the perturbation functions as coordinate (or approximation) functions and then computing both the amplitudes of these functions and the nonlinear frequency of vibration via a direct variational procedure. The analytical formulation is based on a form of the geometrically nonlinear beam theory with the effects of in-plane inertia, rotatory inertia, and transverse shear deformation included. The effectiveness of the proposed technique is demonstrated by means of a numerical example of thin-walled beam with a doubly symmetric I-section. The solutions obtained using a single-spatial mode were compared with those obtained using multiple-spatial modes. The standard of comparison was taken to be the frequencies obtained by the direct integration/fast Fourier transform (FFT) technique. The nonlinear frequencies obtained by the hybrid technique were shown to converge to the corresponding ones obtained by the direct integration/fast Fourier transform (FFT) technique well beyond the range of applicability of the perturbation technique. The frequencies and total strain energy of the beam were overestimated by using a single-spatial mode.

Noor, Ahmed K.↗

NASA NTRS1987

A Diagonal Algorithm for the Method of Pseudocompressibility

The method of pseudocompressibility has been found to be an efficient method for obtaining a steady-state solution to the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations. Recent improvements to this method include the use of a diagonal scheme for the inversion of the equations equations at each iteration. The necessary transformations have been derived for the pseudocompressibility equations in generalized coordinates. The diagonal algorithm reduces the computing time necessary to obtain a steady-state solution by a factor of nearly three. Implicit viscous terms are maintained in the equations, and it has become possible to use fourth-order implicit dissipation. The steady-state solution is unchanged by the approximations resulting from the diagonalization of the equations. Computed results for flow over a two-dimensional backward-facing step and a three-dimensional cylinder mounted normal to a flat plate are presented for both the old and new algorithms. The computing efficiency of these algorithms are compared. Identical solutions are obtained from both algorithms which compare well with experimental results.

Rogers, Stuart E.↗

NASA NTRS2005

Attitude-Independent Magnetometer Calibration for Spin-Stabilized Spacecraft

The paper describes a three-step estimator to calibrate a Three-Axis Magnetometer (TAM) using TAM and slit Sun or star sensor measurements. In the first step, the Calibration Utility forms a loss function from the residuals of the magnitude of the geomagnetic field. This loss function is minimized with respect to biases, scale factors, and nonorthogonality corrections. The second step minimizes residuals of the projection of the geomagnetic field onto the spin axis under the assumption that spacecraft nutation has been suppressed by a nutation damper. Minimization is done with respect to various directions of the body spin axis in the TAM frame. The direction of the spin axis in the inertial coordinate system required for the residual computation is assumed to be unchanged with time. It is either determined independently using other sensors or included in the estimation parameters. In both cases all estimation parameters can be found using simple analytical formulas derived in the paper. The last step is to minimize a third loss function formed by residuals of the dot product between the geomagnetic field and Sun or star vector with respect to the misalignment angle about the body spin axis. The method is illustrated by calibrating TAM for the Fast Auroral Snapshot Explorer (FAST) using in-flight TAM and Sun sensor data. The estimated parameters include magnetic biases, scale factors, and misalignment angles of the spin axis in the TAM frame. Estimation of the misalignment angle about the spin axis was inconclusive since (at least for the selected time interval) the Sun vector was about 15 degrees from the direction of the spin axis; as a result residuals of the dot product between the geomagnetic field and Sun vectors were to a large extent minimized as a by-product of the second step.

Natanson, Gregory↗