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At least 469 records · Page 26

Simultaneous Q-switching and mode-locking in the CW Nd:YAG laser

The theory of transient mode-locking for an active modulator in a laser with a homogeneously broadened line is presented. The theory is applied to simultaneously Q-switched and mode-locked Nd:YAG lasers and good agreement between theory and experiment is obtained. The main conclusion is that under usual Q-switched operating conditions the mode-locking process does not have sufficient time to build up to steady-state conditions. We also present a method to overcome this problem by allowing the laser to prelase before the Q-switch is opened. Mode-locked pulses whose width approaches the steady-state value are obtained. The transient mode-locking theory presented here also applies to actively mode-locking TEA CO2 lasers and to other types of simultaneously pulsed and mode-locked lasers.

Kuizenga, D. J.↗

Utility of a finite element solution algorithm for initial-value problems

The Galerkin criterion within a finite element Weighted Residuals formulation is employed to establish an implicit solution algorithm for an initial-value partial differential equation. Numerical solutions of a transient parabolic and a hyperbolic equation, obtained using linear, quadratic and two cubic finite element basis functions, are employed to quantize accuracy and confirm and refine theoretical convergence rate estimates. The linear basis algorithm for the hyperbolic equation displays excellent accuracy on a coarse computational grid and a high-order convergence rate with discretization refinement. Good accuracy and a strong convergence rate in surface flux are determined for a nonhomogeneous Neumann boundary constraint applied to a parabolic equation. The results amply demonstrate the impact of the nondiagonal finite element initial-value matrix structure on solution accuracy and/or convergence rate.

Baker, A. J.↗

Determination of flow areas for series-parallel compartment venting to satisfy pressure differential requirements.

A unique method for solving the design problem of determining the areas required to meet an imposed pressure differential limit is presented. The associated analytical technique for determining the transient pressure differentials in a multicompartment series-parallel connected system is also presented. In an effort to verify the results obtained by using the analytical methods presented, a test was conducted using a seven compartment system. It was found in the investigations that a computer program based on the analytical model described can determine the pressure, temperature, pressure differentials, and mass flow rates into and out of each compartment at subsonic or sonic velocities.

Kirby, C. E.↗

Analysis of nonlinear structures via mode synthesis

An effective procedure for NASTRAN was developed that permits any number of substructures of any size to be synthesized for the purpose of developing normal modes of vibration of the complete structural system. The technique is extended to permit modal transient analysis of the subdivided system. This latter procedure permits the use of NASTRAN's ability to include nonlinear forces in the problem. The five-phase process is accomplished using standard NASTRAN rigid formats with problem-independent alter packages and DMAP sequences.

Gieseke, R. K.↗

Study of synthesis techniques for insensitive aircraft control systems

Insensitive flight control system design criteria was defined in terms of maximizing performance (handling qualities, RMS gust response, transient response, stability margins) over a defined parameter range. Wing load alleviation for the C-5A was chosen as a design problem. The C-5A model was a 79-state, two-control structure with uncertainties assumed to exist in dynamic pressure, structural damping and frequency, and the stability derivative, M sub w. Five new techniques (mismatch estimation, uncertainty weighting, finite dimensional inverse, maximum difficulty, dual Lyapunov) were developed. Six existing techniques (additive noise, minimax, multiplant, sensitivity vector augmentation, state dependent noise, residualization) and the mismatch estimation and uncertainty weighting techniques were synthesized and evaluated on the design example. Evaluation and comparison of these six techniques indicated that the minimax and the uncertainty weighting techniques were superior to the other six, and of these two, uncertainty weighting has lower computational requirements. Techniques based on the three remaining new concepts appear promising and are recommended for further research.

Harvey, C. A.↗

Computation of unsteady transonic flows through rotating and stationary cascades. 3: Acoustic far-field analysis

A small perturbation type analysis has been developed for the acoustic far field in an infinite duct extending upstream and downstream of an axial turbomachinery stage. The analysis is designed to interface with a numerical solution of the near field of the blade rows and, thereby, to provide the necessary closure condition to complete the statement of infinite duct boundary conditions for the subject problem. The present analysis differs from conventional inlet duct analyses in that a simple harmonic time dependence was not assumed, since a transient signal is generated by the numerical near-field solution and periodicity is attained only asymptotically. A description of the computer code developed to carry out the necessary convolutions numerically is included, as well as the results of a sample application using an impulsively initiated harmonic signal.

Slutsky, S.↗

Generalized modal shock spectra within indeterminate interface

It is noted that the generalized modal shock spectra method had limitations on the degree of structural static determinacy of the spacecraft-to-launch-vehicle interface. The 'interface modes' is used here to remove these practical limitations. The governing differential equations are derived and then shown to be valid either for integrating the modal models of two or more substructures that have been previously obtained separately or for removing a substructure from a previously available system modal model. Emphasis is placed on the integration problems in the context of the generalized modal shock spectra approach. A minimum of information the modal response of a previously obtained transient analysis of the unloaded launch vehicle is exploited in order to define an idealized modal impulse function and derive approximate explicit expressions for an estimate of the bounds of the spacecraft response. In addition, a numerical model is solved in order to compare the present results with the transient solution.

Salama, M.↗

Structural sensitivity analysis: Methods, applications and needs

Innovative techniques applicable to sensitivity analysis of discretized structural systems are reviewed. The techniques include a finite difference step size selection algorithm, a method for derivatives of iterative solutions, a Green's function technique for derivatives of transient response, simultaneous calculation of temperatures and their derivatives, derivatives with respect to shape, and derivatives of optimum designs with respect to problem parameters. Computerized implementations of sensitivity analysis and applications of sensitivity derivatives are also discussed. Some of the critical needs in the structural sensitivity area are indicated along with plans for dealing with some of those needs.

Adelman, H. M.↗

Numerical Simulation For Supersonic Inlets

Flows calculated for realistic engine-inlet conditions. Computer code LAPIN, large-perturbation inlet, developed to analyze large-perturbation, transient-flow fields in supersonic inlets. Robust, quick-running code capable of solving unsteady quasi-one-dimensional, inviscid-flow problems in mixed subsonic and supersonic regimes for inlets. Approach based upon quasi-one-dimensional, inviscid, unsteady formulation including engineering models of unstart/restart, bleed, bypass, and geometrical effects. Numerical solution of governing time-dependent equations of motion accomplished through shock-capturing, finite-difference algorithm. Program written in FORTRAN IV.

Varner, M. O.↗

Multibody instantly centered moving Lagrangian observer schemes. I - Formulation. II - Application to vehicular simulations

A finite element modeling method employing an instantly centered moving Lagrangian observer is proposed to solve multibody problems involving several rotating components, each with its own rotational history. The present technique allows the steady-state behavior of the problem simulation to be rendered stationary and time independent. In the second part, the method is extended to model the steady and transient response of ground-based automotive-type vehicular systems, including the modeling of vehicular obstruction rollover events.

Padovan, Joseph↗

Demonstrating the Likely Neutron Star Nature of Five M31 Globular Cluster Sources with Swift-NuSTAR Spectroscopy

We present the results of a joint Swift-NuSTAR spectroscopy campaign on M31. We focus on the five brightest globular cluster X-ray sources in our fields. Two of these had previously been argued to be black hole candidates on the basis of apparent hard-state spectra at luminosities above those for which neutron stars are in hard states. We show that these two sources are likely to be Z-sources (i.e. low magnetic field neutron stars accreting near their Eddington limits), or perhaps bright atoll sources (low magnetic field neutron stars which are just a bit fainter than this level) on the basis of simultaneous Swift and NuSTAR spectra which cover a broader range of energies. These new observations reveal spectral curvature above 6-8 keV that would be hard to detect without the broader energy coverage the NuSTAR data provide relative to Chandra and XMM-Newton. We show that the other three sources are also likely to be bright neutron star X-ray binaries, rather than black hole X-ray binaries. We discuss why it should already have been realized that it was unlikely that these objects were black holes on the basis of their being persistent sources, and we re-examine past work which suggested that tidal capture products would be persistently bright X-ray emitters. We discuss how this problem is likely due to neglecting disc winds in older work that predict which systems will be persistent and which will be transient.

globular clusters: general↗

Spray Combustion Modeling with VOF and Finite-Rate Chemistry

A spray atomization and combustion model is developed based on the volume-of-fluid (VOF) transport equation with finite-rate chemistry model. The gas-liquid interface mass, momentum and energy conservation laws are modeled by continuum surface force mechanisms. A new solution method is developed such that the present VOF model can be applied for all-speed range flows. The objectives of the present study are: (1) to develop and verify the fractional volume-of-fluid (VOF) cell partitioning approach into a predictor-corrector algorithm to deal with multiphase (gas-liquid) free surface flow problems; (2) to implement the developed unified algorithm in a general purpose computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code, Finite Difference Navier-Stokes (FDNS), with droplet dynamics and finite-rate chemistry models; and (3) to demonstrate the effectiveness of the present approach by simulating benchmark problems of jet breakup/spray atomization and combustion. Modeling multiphase fluid flows poses a significant challenge because a required boundary must be applied to a transient, irregular surface that is discontinuous, and the flow regimes considered can range from incompressible to highspeed compressible flows. The flow-process modeling is further complicated by surface tension, interfacial heat and mass transfer, spray formation and turbulence, and their interactions. The major contribution of the present method is to combine the novel feature of the Volume of Fluid (VOF) method and the Eulerian/Lagrangian method into a unified algorithm for efficient noniterative, time-accurate calculations of multiphase free surface flows valid at all speeds. The proposed method reformulated the VOF equation to strongly couple two distinct phases (liquid and gas), and tracks droplets on a Lagrangian frame when spray model is required, using a unified predictor-corrector technique to account for the non-linear linkages through the convective contributions of VOF. The discontinuities within the sharp interface will be modeled as a volume force to avoid stiffness. Formations of droplets, tracking of droplet dynamics and modeling of the droplet breakup/evaporation, are handled through the same unified predictor-corrector procedure. Thus the new algorithm is non-iterative and is flexible for general geometries with arbitrarily complex topology in free surfaces. The FDNS finite-difference Navier-Stokes code is employed as the baseline of the current development. Benchmark test cases of shear coaxial LOX/H2 liquid jet with atomization/combustion and impinging jet test cases are investigated in the present work. Preliminary data comparisons show good qualitative agreement between data and the present analysis. It is indicative from these results that the present method has great potential to become a general engineering design analysis and diagnostics tool for problems involving spray combustion.

Chen, Yen-Sen↗

Response of joint dominated space structures

An efficient linearization method is presented for calculating the transient response of nonlinear systems due to initial disturbances. The method is an extension of the describing function approach in which the steady state response of the system is calculated by representing the nonlinear element, typically joints in the case of space structures, by impedances which are functions of the amplitude of response. Thus, the problem of solving the differential equation for the steady state response becomes one of solving a set of nonlinear algebraic equations involving the steady state amplitudes and phases of the system. It is shown that for the transient case the steady state impedances can be averaged over the range of responses in order to provide equivalent values of stiffness and damping that, for a given set of initial displacements, may be treated as being constant for purposes of calculating system response. Single degree of freedom system are used to demonstrate the method and to develop an approach for optimizing the joint's characteristics so as to minimize transient response times. The use of this method for response estimation and optimization in multiple degree of freedom systems is investigated.

Source record↗

Finite element analysis of steady and transiently moving/rolling nonlinear viscoelastic structure. II - Shell and three-dimensional simulations

In a three-part series of papers, a generalized finite element solution strategy is developed to handle traveling load problems in rolling, moving and rotating structure. The main thrust of this section consists of the development of three-dimensional and shell type moving elements. In conjunction with this work, a compatible three-dimensional contact strategy is also developed. Based on these modeling capabilities, extensive analytical and experimental benchmarking is presented. Such testing includes traveling loads in rotating structure as well as low- and high-speed rolling contact involving standing wave-type response behavior. These point to the excellent modeling capabilities of moving element strategies.

Kennedy, Ronald↗

A comparison of a GCM simulation of the seasonal cycle of the atmosphere with observation. I - Mean fields and the annual harmonic. II - Stationary waves and transient fluctuations

The seasonal cycle of a GCM is analyzed in terms of the behavior of the monthly and seasonal mean fields and the structure of the annual harmonic. The GCM is found to be successful in simulating the Northern Hemisphere sea-level pressure and 200-mb heights over eastern continents and oceans and in the entire Southern Hemisphere. Problems in the simulation include an anomalously deep Aleutian low and low values of the height over Europe in winter. The GCM fails to show the observed amplitude of the annual harmonic in 200-mb temperature over Antarctica. In the second section, the seasonal dependence of the stationary and transient eddies of the GCM are presented for a two-year annual cycle. The accuracy of the wave and eddy simulations is analyzed.

Straus, David M.↗

Research on combustion instability and application to solid propellant rocket motors. II.

Review of the current state of analyses of combustion instability in solid-propellant rocket motors, citing appropriate measurements and observations. The work discussed has become increasingly important, both for the interpretation of laboratory data and for predicting the transient behavior of disturbances in full-scale motors. Two central questions are considered - namely, linear stability and nonlinear behavior. Several classes of problems are discussed as special cases of a general approach to the analysis of combustion instability. Application to motors, and particularly the limitations presently understood, are stressed.

Culick, F. E. C.↗

Constrained optimization of image restoration filters.

A preprocessing method to correct for image degradation is proposed which can be thought of as a generalization and extension of previous work by Smith (1966) and Stuller (1972). This method accomodates the problem of noncircularly symmetric imaging system point-spread functions, provides for controlled extent of the preprocessing filter to minimize distortion due to transients resulting from truncation errors and edge effects, can be used with various kinds of system noise, and can be readily extended to provide constraint of other system parameters. The analysis relates to a line-scanner system, although it is applicable in principle to many other system configurations.

Riemer, T. E.↗

Transient rotordynamic analysis for the space-shuttle main engine high-pressure oxygen turbopump

A simulation study was conducted to examine the transient rotordynamics of the space shuttle main engine (SSME) high pressure oxygen turbopump (HPOTP) with the objective of identifying, anticipating, and avoiding rotordynamic problem areas. Simulations were performed for steady state operations at emergency power levels and for critical speed transitions. No problems are indicated in steady state operation of the HPOTP emergency power levels, although the results indicated that a rubbing condition will be experienced during critical speed transition at shutdown, particularly involving rotor deceleration rate and imbalance distribution rubbing at the turbine floating-ring seals. The condition is correctable by either reducing the imbalance at the HPOTP hot gas turbine wheels, or by a more rapid deceleration of the rotor through it critical speed.

Childs, D. W.↗