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At least 451 records · Page 25

Optimal design of a composite structure

This paper presents a design methodology for a laminated composite stiffened panel, subjected to multiple in-plane loads and bending moments. Design variables include the skin and stiffener ply orientation angles and stiffener geometry variables. Optimum designs are sought which minimize structural weight and satisfy mechanical performance requirements. Two types of mechanical performance requirements are placed on the panel, maximum strain and minimum strength. Minimum weight designs are presented which document that the choice of mechanical performance requirements cause changes in the optimum design. The effects of lay-up constraints which limit the ply angles to user specified values, such as symmetric or quasi-isotropic laminates, are also investigated.

Graesser, D. L.↗

Aerodynamic inverse design and analysis for a full engine

A numerical design methodology for multistage turbomachinery is being developed that minimizes the use of experimental data required in the design process. This approach is resulting in an efficient method of enlarging the design database for turbomachinery blading. This capability has been demonstrated for blade sections, and the goal is to extend it to fully three dimensional, multistage configurations.

Sanz, Jose M.↗

Flight Testing the Linear Aerospike SR-71 Experiment (LASRE)

The design of the next generation of space access vehicles has led to a unique flight test that blends the space and flight research worlds. The new space vehicle designs, such as the X-33 vehicle and Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV), are powered by linear aerospike rocket engines. Conceived of in the 1960's, these aerospike engines have yet to be flown, and many questions remain regarding aerospike engine performance and efficiency in flight. To provide some of these data before flying on the X-33 vehicle and the RLV, a spacecraft rocket engine has been flight-tested atop the NASA SR-71 aircraft as the Linear Aerospike SR-71 Experiment (LASRE). A 20 percent-scale, semispan model of the X-33 vehicle, the aerospike engine, and all the required fuel and oxidizer tanks and propellant feed systems have been mounted atop the SR-71 airplane for this experiment. A major technical objective of the LASRE flight test is to obtain installed-engine performance flight data for comparison to wind-tunnel results and for the development of computational fluid dynamics-based design methodologies. The ultimate goal of firing the aerospike rocket engine in flight is still forthcoming. An extensive design and development phase of the experiment hardware has been completed, including approximately 40 ground tests. Five flights of the LASRE and firing the rocket engine using inert liquid nitrogen and helium in place of liquid oxygen and hydrogen have been successfully completed.

Stephen Corda↗

Boundary Layer Transition on X-43A

The successful Mach 7 and 10 flights of the first fully integrated scramjet propulsion systems by the Hyper-X (X-43A) program have provided the means with which to verify the original design methodologies and assumptions. As part of Hyper-X s propulsion-airframe integration, the forebody was designed to include a spanwise array of vortex generators to promote boundary layer transition ahead of the engine. Turbulence at the inlet is thought to provide the most reliable engine design and allows direct scaling of flight results to groundbased data. Pre-flight estimations of boundary layer transition, for both Mach 7 and 10 flight conditions, suggested that forebody boundary layer trips were required to ensure fully turbulent conditions upstream of the inlet. This paper presents the results of an analysis of the thermocouple measurements used to infer the dynamics of the transition process during the trajectories for both flights, on both the lower surface (to assess trip performance) and the upper surface (to assess natural transition). The approach used in the analysis of the thermocouple data is outlined, along with a discussion of the calculated local flow properties that correspond to the transition events as identified in the flight data. The present analysis has confirmed that the boundary layer trips performed as expected for both flights, providing turbulent flow ahead of the inlet during critical portions of the trajectory, while the upper surface was laminar as predicted by the pre-flight analysis.

Berry, Scott↗

Aircraft Conceptual Design Using Vehicle Sketch Pad

Vehicle Sketch Pad (VSP) is a parametric geometry modeling tool that is intended for use in the conceptual design of aircraft. The intent of this software is to rapidly model aircraft configurations without expending the expertise and time that is typically required for modeling with traditional Computer Aided Design (CAD) packages. VSP accomplishes this by using parametrically defined components, such as a wing that is defined by span, area, sweep, taper ratio, thickness to cord, and so on. During this phase of frequent design builds, changes to the model can be rapidly visualized along with the internal volumetric layout. Using this geometry-based approach, parameters such as wetted areas and cord lengths can be easily extracted for rapid external performance analyses, such as a parasite drag buildup. At the completion of the conceptual design phase, VSP can export its geometry to higher fidelity tools. This geometry tool was developed by NASA and is freely available to U.S. companies and universities. It has become integral to conceptual design in the Aeronautics Systems Analysis Branch (ASAB) here at NASA Langley Research Center and is currently being used at over 100 universities, aerospace companies, and other government agencies. This paper focuses on the use of VSP in recent NASA conceptual design studies to facilitate geometry-centered design methodology. Such a process is shown to promote greater levels of creativity, more rapid assessment of critical design issues, and improved ability to quickly interact with higher order analyses. A number of VSP vehicle model examples are compared to CAD-based conceptual design, from a designer perspective; comparisons are also made of the time and expertise required to build the geometry representations as well.

Fredericks, William J.↗

Helicopter mathematical models and control law development for handling qualities research

Progress made in joint NASA/Army research concerning rotorcraft flight-dynamics modeling, design methodologies for rotorcraft flight-control laws, and rotorcraft parameter identification is reviewed. Research into these interactive disciplines is needed to develop the analytical tools necessary to conduct flying qualities investigations using both the ground-based and in-flight simulators, and to permit an efficient means of performing flight test evaluation of rotorcraft flying qualities for specification compliance. The need for the research is particularly acute for rotorcraft because of their mathematical complexity, high order dynamic characteristics, and demanding mission requirements. The research in rotorcraft flight-dynamics modeling is pursued along two general directions: generic nonlinear models and nonlinear models for specific rotorcraft. In addition, linear models are generated that extend their utilization from 1-g flight to high-g maneuvers and expand their frequency range of validity for the design analysis of high-gain flight control systems. A variety of methods ranging from classical frequency-domain approaches to modern time-domain control methodology that are used in the design of rotorcraft flight control laws is reviewed. Also reviewed is a study conducted to investigate the design details associated with high-gain, digital flight control systems for combat rotorcraft. Parameter identification techniques developed for rotorcraft applications are reviewed.

Chen, Robert T. N.↗

A fault tolerant approach to state estimation and failure detection in nonlinear systems

The design problem considered in the present investigation involves a nonlinear discrete time stochastic system where replicated sensors provide redundant observations of inputs and outputs of the system, compensate for sensor 'normal operating' bias levels, and generate reliable estimates for the plant states in the presence of possible sensor failures. The resulting fault tolerant design should utilize inherent analytical redundancy and be capable of detecting many different types and levels of sensor failures. In addition, it should have minimal complexity. In connection with these goals, a sensor fault tolerant system design methodology is developed. The performance of the considered approach to an application is discussed, taking into account the design of a sensor fault tolerant system using analytic redundancy for the Terminal Configured Vehicle research aircraft in a microwave landing system environment.

Lancraft, R. E.↗

Analysis and design of planar and non-planar wings for induced drag minimization

Improvements in the aerodynamic efficiency of commercial transport aircraft will reduce fuel usage with subsequent reduced cost, both monetary and environmental. To this end, the current research is aimed at reducing the overall drag of these aircraft with specific emphasis on reducing the drag generated by the lifting surfaces. The ultimate goal of this program is to create a wing design methodology which optimizes the geometry of the wing for lowest total drag within the constraints of a particular design specification. The components of drag which must be considered include profile drag, and wave drag. Profile drag is dependent upon, among other things, the airfoil section and the total wetted area. Induced drag, which is manifested as energy left in the wake by the trailing vortex system is mostly a function of wing span, but also depends on other geometric wing parameters. Wave drag of the wing, important in the transonic flight regime, is largely affected by the airfoil section, wing sweep, and so forth. The optimization problem is that of assessing the various parameters which contribute to the different components of wing drag, and determining the wing geometry which generates the best overall performance for a given aircraft mission. The primary thrust of the research effort to date was in the study of induced drag. Results from the study are presented.

Straussfogel, Dennis M.↗

Integrating end-to-end threads of control into object-oriented analysis and design

Current object-oriented analysis and design methodologies fall short in their use of mechanisms for identifying threads of control for the system being developed. The scenarios which typically describe a system are more global than looking at the individual objects and representing their behavior. Unlike conventional methodologies that use data flow and process-dependency diagrams, object-oriented methodologies do not provide a model for representing these global threads end-to-end. Tracing through threads of control is key to ensuring that a system is complete and timing constraints are addressed. The existence of multiple threads of control in a system necessitates a partitioning of the system into processes. This paper describes the application and representation of end-to-end threads of control to the object-oriented analysis and design process using object-oriented constructs. The issue of representation is viewed as a grouping problem, that is, how to group classes/objects at a higher level of abstraction so that the system may be viewed as a whole with both classes/objects and their associated dynamic behavior. Existing object-oriented development methodology techniques are extended by adding design-level constructs termed logical composite classes and process composite classes. Logical composite classes are design-level classes which group classes/objects both logically and by thread of control information. Process composite classes further refine the logical composite class groupings by using process partitioning criteria to produce optimum concurrent execution results. The goal of these design-level constructs is to ultimately provide the basis for a mechanism that can support the creation of process composite classes in an automated way. Using an automated mechanism makes it easier to partition a system into concurrently executing elements that can be run in parallel on multiple processors.

Mccandlish, Janet E.↗

NASA/CARES dual-use ceramic technology spinoff applications

NASA has developed software that enables American industry to establish the reliability and life of ceramic structures in a wide variety of 21st Century applications. Designing ceramic components to survive at higher temperatures than the capability of most metals and in severe loading environments involves the disciplines of statistics and fracture mechanics. Successful application of advanced ceramics material properties and the use of a probabilistic brittle material design methodology. The NASA program, known as CARES (Ceramics Analysis and Reliability Evaluation of Structures), is a comprehensive general purpose design tool that predicts the probability of failure of a ceramic component as a function of its time in service. The latest version of this software, CARESALIFE, is coupled to several commercially available finite element analysis programs (ANSYS, MSC/NASTRAN, ABAQUS, COSMOS/N4, MARC), resulting in an advanced integrated design tool which is adapted to the computing environment of the user. The NASA-developed CARES software has been successfully used by industrial, government, and academic organizations to design and optimize ceramic components for many demanding applications. Industrial sectors impacted by this program include aerospace, automotive, electronic, medical, and energy applications. Dual-use applications include engine components, graphite and ceramic high temperature valves, TV picture tubes, ceramic bearings, electronic chips, glass building panels, infrared windows, radiant heater tubes, heat exchangers, and artificial hips, knee caps, and teeth.

Powers, Lynn M.↗

The Elevated-Temperature Cyclic Properties of Alloy 316L Manufactured Using Powder Metallurgy Hot Isostatic Pressing

According to developers at the GAIN 2019 microreactors workshop, advanced manufacturing (AM) is needed to fabricate microreactor components. A methodology has not been established to qualify AM for elevated-temperature nuclear construction. A potential approach is to use the wrought design methodology by establishing the AM properties as equivalent to or better than wrought. This investigation aims to understand the relationship between powder metallurgy hot isostatic pressing (PM HIP) and material characteristics for Alloy 316L as they relate to elevated-temperature component design and construction. The elevated-temperature cyclic behavior of Alloy 316L manufactured by PM HIP differs from wrought. Of particular significance is the reduced number of cycles to failure for the PM HIP Alloy 316L compared to wrought. Additional work to identify the microstructural feature that control the elevated-temperature cyclic behavior is needed.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Contamination Control for Thermal Engineers

The presentation will be given at the 26th Annual Thermal Fluids Analysis Workshop (TFAWS 2015) hosted by the Goddard Spaceflight Center (GSFC) Thermal Engineering Branch (Code 545). This course will cover the basics of Contamination Control, including contamination control related failures, the effects of contamination on Flight Hardware, what contamination requirements translate to, design methodology, and implementing contamination control into Integration, Testing and Launch.

Design↗

OPTICS FOR STRONG HADRON COOLING IN EIC HSR-I

Insertion Region 2 (IR2) of the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider will be modified to accommodate a Strong Hadron Cooling facility in the Hadron Storage Ring (HSR) of the Electron-Ion Collider (EIC). This paper describes the current proof-of-principle design of HSR-IR2 - layout, optical performance, design methodology, and engineering requirements. It also describes the challenges and opportunities in the future development of the HSR-IR2 design, in order to further optimize Strong Hadron Cooling performance.

Peggs, S.↗

Small Gas Turbine Combustor Primary Zone Study

The combustion research program, small gas turbine combustor primary zone study is summarized. The basic elements of a design methodology program to obtain the maximum performance potential of small reverse-flow annular combustors is described. Three preferred combustion design approaches for internal flame stabilization patterns were selected. Design features are incorporated in the combustors to address the performance limiting problem areas associated with smaller annular combustors. Performance is predicted by using a 3-D aerodynamic/chemical kinetic elliptic flow analysis, initially developed by Garrett Corporation for the USARTL. It is shown that the analytical flow field predictive models provide a useful design tool for understanding the combustion performance of a small reverse flow annular combustor.

Sullivan, R. E.↗

Application of FDI metrics to detection and isolation of sensor failures in turbine engines

This paper develops a framework for the design of failure detection and isolation (FDI) algorithms. Rather than trying to apply 'optimal' techniques in a top-down manner, the system redundancies are evaluated with respect to their ability to provide reliable FDI information. Previous work of Pattipati et al. (1984) and Weiss et al. (1984) defined a useful context and several useful analytical results, which provide a basis for the FDI design methodology developed here. A general decision structure which can take advantage of redundancy evaluation is presented, and examples of typical design considerations are discussed. The operation of the decision structure is then demonstrated for a sensor FDI application involving the F-100 jet engine.

Weiss, J. L.↗

Sensitivity method for integrated structure/active control law design

The development is described of an integrated structure/active control law design methodology for aeroelastic aircraft applications. A short motivating introduction to aeroservoelasticity is given along with the need for integrated structures/controls design algorithms. Three alternative approaches to development of an integrated design method are briefly discussed with regards to complexity, coordination and tradeoff strategies, and the nature of the resulting solutions. This leads to the formulation of the proposed approach which is based on the concepts of sensitivity of optimum solutions and multi-level decompositions. The concept of sensitivity of optimum is explained in more detail and compared with traditional sensitivity concepts of classical control theory. The analytical sensitivity expressions for the solution of the linear, quadratic cost, Gaussian (LQG) control problem are summarized in terms of the linear regulator solution and the Kalman Filter solution. Numerical results for a state space aeroelastic model of the DAST ARW-II vehicle are given, showing the changes in aircraft responses to variations of a structural parameter, in this case first wing bending natural frequency.

Gilbert, Michael G.↗

Measurements and Predictions for a Distributed Exhaust Nozzle

The acoustic and aerodynamic performance characteristics of a distributed exhaust nozzle (DEN) design concept were evaluated experimentally and analytically with the purpose of developing a design methodology for developing future DEN technology. Aerodynamic and acoustic measurements were made to evaluate the DEN performance and the CFD design tool. While the CFD approach did provide an excellent prediction of the flowfield and aerodynamic performance characteristics of the DEN and 2D reference nozzle, the measured acoustic suppression potential of this particular DEN was low. The measurements and predictions indicated that the mini-exhaust jets comprising the distributed exhaust coalesced back into a single stream jet very shortly after leaving the nozzles. Even so, the database provided here will be useful for future distributed exhaust designs with greater noise reduction and aerodynamic performance potential.

Kinzie, Kevin W.↗