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At least 505 records · Page 28

Explicit modeling and computational load distribution for concurrent processing simulation of the space station

Two important aspects of concurrent processing under development at TRW are discussed. These are: (1) the derivation of explicit mathematical models of multibody dynamic systems, and (2) a balanced computational load distribution (BCLD) among loosely coupled computational units (processors) of a concurrent processing system. The developed methodologies are demonstrated by way of an application to the Phase 1 of the Space Station - a task being performed by TRW under NASA/JSC contract NAS9-17778. The mathematical model of the Space Station consists of three interconnected flexible bodies capable of undergoing large, rigid-body motion with respect to each other. Body 1 is the main central body and contains the pressurized modules inboard of the two Alpha gimbals. Bodies 2 and 3 are the starboard and port bodies connected to Body 1 at the Alpha gimbals and include all components on the transverse booms outboard of the Alpha gimbals (including the solar arrays). The control systems in the model maintain Body 1 in a prescribed 3-axis attitude control mode, while producing large-angle rotations of the flexible solar arrays to position them normal to the sun-line.

Gluck, R.↗

Activities of the Boom and Chassis Group

Group One of the NASA Lunar Enabler Project has designed the primary chassis and boom structures for the lunar vehicle. Both components also feature V-clamps that were adapted to interface connections within the structure. The chassis features a front end, rear end section, middle cross-section, and face plate. The rear section contains an extra compartment for the engine, hydraulic pump, fuel bottles, and oil reservoir necessary for the wheel drives. Each section consists of tubular aluminum 6061-T6. The boom features four degrees of freedom system, where the minimum factor of safety of any part is 1.5 (but, normally much higher). It consists of a tapered upper boom, lower boom, and three elbows that complement the articulation joints. Each section of the boom has been constructed from aluminum 6061-T6. There are four joints and eight V-clamps in the boom assembly. The V-clamps feature support rings that prevent axial rotation. They provide easy adaptability and assembly.

Dell, Jason Scott↗

Measurements of the Low Frequency Gain Fluctuations of a 30 GHz High-Electron-Mobility-Transistor Cryogenic Amplifier

Low frequency gain fluctuations of a 30 GHz cryogenic HEMT amplifier have been measured with the input of the amplifier connected to a 15 K load. Effects of fluctuations of other components of the test set-up were eliminated by use of a power-power correlation technique. Strong correlation between output power fluctuations of the amplifier and drain current fluctuations of the transistors comprising the amplifier are observed. The existence of these correlations introduces the possibility of regressing some of the excess noise from the HEMT amplifier's output using the measured drain currents.

Jarosik, Norman↗

Multi-Body Analysis of a Tiltrotor Configuration

The paper describes the aeroelastic analysis of a tiltrotor configuration. The 1/5 scale wind tunnel semispan model of the V-22 tiltrotor aircraft is considered. The analysis is performed by means of a multi-body code, based on an original formulation. The differential equilibrium problem is stated in terms of first order differential equations. The equilibrium equations of every rigid body are written, together with the definitions of the momenta. The bodies are connected by kinematic constraints, applied in form of Lagrangian multipliers. Deformable components are mainly modelled by means of beam elements, based on an original finite volume formulation. Multi-disciplinar problems can be solved by adding user-defined differential equations. In the presented analysis the equations related to the control of the swash-plate of the model are considered. Advantages of a multi-body aeroelastic code over existing comprehensive rotorcraft codes include the exact modelling of the kinematics of the hub, the detailed modelling of the flexibility of critical hub components, and the possibility to simulate steady flight conditions as well as wind-up and maneuvers. The simulations described in the paper include: 1) the analysis of the aeroelastic stability, with particular regard to the proprotor/pylon instability that is peculiar to tiltrotors, 2) the determination of the dynamic behavior of the system and of the loads due to typical maneuvers, with particular regard to the conversion from helicopter to airplane mode, and 3) the stress evaluation in critical components, such as the pitch links and the conversion downstop spring.

Ghiringhelli, G. L.↗

Smart Power Supply for Battery-Powered Systems

A power supply for battery-powered systems has been designed with an embedded controller that is capable of monitoring and maintaining batteries, charging hardware, while maintaining output power. The power supply is primarily designed for rovers and other remote science and engineering vehicles, but it can be used in any battery alone, or battery and charging source applications. The supply can function autonomously, or can be connected to a host processor through a serial communications link. It can be programmed a priori or on the fly to return current and voltage readings to a host. It has two output power busses: a constant 24-V direct current nominal bus, and a programmable bus for output from approximately 24 up to approximately 50 V. The programmable bus voltage level, and its output power limit, can be changed on the fly as well. The power supply also offers options to reduce the programmable bus to 24 V when the set power limit is reached, limiting output power in the case of a system fault detected in the system. The smart power supply is based on an embedded 8051-type single-chip microcontroller. This choice was made in that a credible progression to flight (radiation hard, high reliability) can be assumed as many 8051 processors or gate arrays capable of accepting 8051-type core presently exist and will continue to do so for some time. To solve the problem of centralized control, this innovation moves an embedded microcontroller to the power supply and assigns it the task of overseeing the operation and charging of the power supply assets. This embedded processor is connected to the application central processor via a serial data link such that the central processor can request updates of various parameters within the supply, such as battery current, bus voltage, remaining power in battery estimations, etc. This supply has a direct connection to the battery bus for common (quiescent) power application. Because components from multiple vendors may have differing power needs, this supply also has a secondary power bus, which can be programmed a priori or on-the-fly to boost the primary battery voltage level from 24 to 50 V to accommodate various loads as they are brought on line. Through voltage and current monitoring, the device can also shield the charging source from overloads, keep it within safe operating modes, and can meter available power to the application and maintain safe operations.

Krasowski, Michael J.↗

Stress Testing of Data-Communication Networks

NetStress is a computer program that stress-tests a data-communication network and components thereof. NetStress comprises two components running, respectively, in a transmitting system and a receiving system connected to a network under test

Leucht, Kurt↗

Distributed Quantum Processing via Integrated Regional Quantum Networks Using Free-Space Optical Links

The landscape for quantum computing is rapidly evolving with the development of quantum computers and the emergence of future science enabling applications being pursued in many areas, such as distributed quantum computing, hybrid computing scenarios that require cooperatively networked quantum and classical computing assets and more. Quantum networking is also advancing with multiple regional quantum networks and testbeds maturing across the nation. These quantum networking testbeds typically include multiple access points with a heterogeneous mixture of capabilities interconnected by fiber spanning anywhere from tens to hundreds of kilometers; many such networks incorporate a classical networking framework. Alongside these connectivity advancements in the infrastructure, there is quantum sensing device and component technology maturation that is serving to expand the body of quantum networking scenarios that are presently possible and redefining the quantum- enabled future. Bridging the present collective progress in quantum computing and quantum networking will enable the next era of purposeful advancements for national priority use-cases for the benefit of science. One such use-case is enabling future quantum computing applications via integrated regional quantum networking infrastructure in neighboring locations like New York and Maryland, both states are home to robust classical and quantum networking capabilities. To enable near-term distributed quantum computing applications via the practical integration of regional quantum networking infrastructure, free-space optical links via satellite communications will be essential to avoid the exponential loss commonly observed with fiber implementations. There is both an urgent need and a practical justification for pursuing such space-based integration scope now.

Harry Shaw↗

System and method for monitoring atomic absorption during a surface modification process

A processing system monitors and/or controls a surface modification process occurring on a substrate within a processing chamber. An optical processing module having a light emission submodule to output a generated light signal and an optical detection submodule to detect a resultant light signal, is connected via fiber optic cables to light illuminating and light receiving components located within the chamber. A processor determines an amount of atomic absorption by an atomic element encountered by a probing beam passing between the illuminating and receiving components, based on the intensity of the generated light signal, the intensity of the received light signal and optionally the spontaneous emission of the atomic element in the absence of illumination by a probing beam. Based on the determined amount, the system derives a plurality of parameters of the modified substrate, their spatial and temporal uniformity, and information about process conditions in the processing chamber.

Atanasoff, George↗

SPC-70791 Rev 0 MARVEL Inert Gas Subsystem, Secondary Coolant Management Subsystem, and Secondary Coolant Cover Gas Subsystem Tubing and Valve Specification

This specification covers the requirements and details for the selection, testing, cleaning, marking, shipping, inspection and installation (including welding) of the Inert Gas Subsystem, Secondary Coolant Management Subsystem, and Secondary Cover Gas Management Subsystem from the Valve Panel up to the classification division, the patch panel of the upper confinement. Including NaK, argon, eutectic gallium indium tin (eGaInSn), and helium fill tubing, valves, and hangers. These systems consist of the necessary straight lengths, elbows, reducers, fittings, tube connections, instrument taps, and valves called for by applicable drawings. All components shall be procured as ASME Section III Class 2 unless otherwise modified hereinafter. Pressure relief valves have been sized to prevent overpressure in the event there is full regulator flow. This is documented in ECAR-7365.

21 - SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLAN↗

SPC-70792 Rev 0 MARVEL Primary Coolant Management Subsystem Tubing Specification

This specification covers the requirements and details for the selection, fabrication, testing, cleaning, marking, shipping, inspection and installation of the Inert Gas System, and Primary Coolant Management System. This applies to tubing from the upper confinement patch panel to the upper plenum, including NaK and argon fill tubing, valves, and hangers. These systems consist of the necessary straight lengths, elbows, reducers, fittings, tube connections, instrument taps, and valves called for by applicable drawings. All components shall be procured as ASME Section III Class 1.

21 - SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLAN↗

Solar radio continuum storms and a breathing magnetic field model

Radio noise continuum emissions observed in metric and decametric wave frequencies are, in general, associated with actively varying sunspot groups accompanied by the S-component of microwave radio emissions. These continuum emission sources, often called type I storm sources, are often associated with type III burst storm activity from metric to hectometric wave frequencies. This storm activity is, therefore, closely connected with the development of these continuum emission sources. It is shown that the S-component emission in microwave frequencies generally precedes, by several days, the emission of these noise continuum storms of lower frequencies. In order for these storms to develop, the growth of sunspot groups into complex types is very important in addition to the increase of the average magnetic field intensity and area of these groups. After giving a review on the theory of these noise continuum storm emissions, a model is briefly considered to explain the relation of the emissions to the storms.

Source record↗

New Runtime Record Set for Free-Piston Stirling Machine

This article describes the recent progress GRC has made in the arena of long-life heat engines for power conversion. NASA has been interested in Stirling-cycle machines for power conversion since the 1970s. At that time, it was recognized that such a device could be designed to achieve long-life continuous operation with high reliability, by leveraging the free-piston configuration in favor of a kinematic engine. The free-piston variant eliminates the wear mechanisms associated with rolling-element bearings, piston rings, and connecting rods, typically found in kinematic Stirling engine designs. By restricting the moving components to linear motion only, there is no need to convert linear piston movement to rotating motion. With this, the moving components can be suspended within their cylinders by non-contacting bearings and seals can be effected with close clearances, also non-contacting. The use of a linear alternator attached directly to the piston enables direct conversion of heat, to mechanical, then to electrical energy, all in one hermetically sealed vessel, The electrical output only requires simple feedthroughs, and the complexity of sealed a rotating crankshaft is eliminated. In the free-piston variant, the displacer-to-piston phase is not implemented by a connection to a common rotating shaft. Instead, the pressure wave itself is used to drive the displacer. The displacer is designed to have a higher natural frequency of motion than the piston, which achieves a leading phase angle required for power production. The free-piston Stirling behaves like a spring-mass-damper system, with a forcing function created by the alternate heater and cooling of the working gas, and damping provided by the current flowing through the linear alternator. Two types of non-contacting bearings are available to designers: flexure and gas bearings. Flexure bearings consist of a spiral-cut disc of metal that has high radial stiffness but a deliberately engineering stiffness in the axial direction, to permit piston and displacer resonant motion. Gas bearings utilize a pressure source and precisely machined flow channels to provide a radial stiffness around the moving component. The pressure source can be supplied by the engine's pressure wave itself.

Oriti, Salvatore M.↗

Fatigue life extension

Potential fatigue rejuvenation processes were carried out on fatigue-damaged material both with and without observable surface-connected fatigue cracks. The fatigue life of fatigue-damaged MAR-M246(Hf)(DS), a directionally solidified nickel-base superalloy used in turbine airfoils, was extended by reheat treatment. The fatigue life of fatigue-cracked Inconel 718, a wrought nickel-base superalloy used in a wide variety of advanced rocket engine components, was extended by electron-beam welding to close off the surface-connected crack, followed by hot isostatic pressing and reheat treatment.

Matejczyk, D. E.↗

Logic realization of simple majority voting connectives

Redundant circuitry is added to computer network to eliminate incorrect output obtained due to a component failure, noise, or some other disturbance. This circuitry provides majority operation. Only NAND gates are employed, and the modules used are among the most popular microelectronic or integrated circuits presently in use.

Anderson, T. O.↗

Electronic Packaging Techniques

A characteristic of aerospace system design is that equipment size and weight must always be kept to a minimum, even in small components such as electronic packages. The dictates of spacecraft design have spawned a number of high-density packaging techniques, among them methods of connecting circuits in printed wiring boards by processes called stitchbond welding and parallel gap welding. These processes help designers compress more components into less space; they also afford weight savings and lower production costs.

Source record↗

On the Finite Nuclear Effect and Gaussian Basis Sets for Four-Component Dirac Hartree-Fock Calculations

In this perspective we describe an overview of Dirac Hartree-Fock theory, which is the foundation of relativistic quantum chemistry methods vital in the molecular modeling of heavy element chemistry and physics. A special emphasis was placed upon the physical connection between the finite nuclear model and the kinetic-balance condition between the large and small components. Additionally, we review the consequences of basis set choices for Dirac Hartree-Fock calculations in the restricted kinetic balance formalism, and show that the basis set limit does not have a hard lower bound due to the nature of the Hamiltonian, referred to in the literature as prolapse. Standard Gaussian basis set contraction schemes can break down in Dirac Hartree-Fock calculations, and special care must be taken for the description of core orbitals near the nucleus. The phenomena described in this perspective are vital for theoreticians and practitioners to understand when selecting a basis set for heavy element quantum chemical calculations using Dirac Hartree-Fock theory.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Global Qualitative Flow-Path Modeling for Local State Determination in Simulation and Analysis

For qualitative modeling and analysis, a general qualitative abstraction of power transmission variables (flow and effort) for elements of flow paths includes information on resistance, net flow, permissible directions of flow, and qualitative potential is discussed. Each type of component model has flow-related variables and an associated internal flow map, connected into an overall flow network of the system. For storage devices, the implicit power transfer to the environment is represented by "virtual" circuits that include an environmental junction. A heterogeneous aggregation method simplifies the path structure. A method determines global flow-path changes during dynamic simulation and analysis, and identifies corresponding local flow state changes that are effects of global configuration changes. Flow-path determination is triggered by any change in a flow-related device variable in a simulation or analysis. Components (path elements) that may be affected are identified, and flow-related attributes favoring flow in the two possible directions are collected for each of them. Next, flow-related attributes are determined for each affected path element, based on possibly conflicting indications of flow direction. Spurious qualitative ambiguities are minimized by using relative magnitudes and permissible directions of flow, and by favoring flow sources over effort sources when comparing flow tendencies. The results are output to local flow states of affected components.

Malin, Jane T.↗

Evaluation of Contaminant-Promoted Ignition in Scuba Equipment and Breathing Gas Delivery Systems

As the underwater diving industry continues to use greater concentrations of oxygen in their scuba systems, ignition of contaminants in these systems becomes a greater concern. Breathing gas makeup and distribution systems typically combine pure oxygen with various diluents to supply high-pressure cylinders for scuba applications. The hazards associated with these applications of oxygen and NITROX (oxygen and nitrogen mixture) gases require an evaluation of inherent contaminant levels and their associated promoted-ignition thresholds in these environments. In this study, several scuba component assemblies were tested after one year of use at the NASA Johnson Space Center Neutral Buoyancy Lab. The components were rapidly impacted with 50% NITROX gas to demonstrate their ignition resistance, then disassembled to evaluate their cleanliness. A follow-up study was then performed on the ignition thresholds of hydrocarbon-bascd oil films in oxygen and NITROX environments in an attempt to define the cleaning requirements for these systems. Stainless steel tubes were contaminated and verified to known levels and placed in a pneumatic impact test system where they were rapidly pressurized with the test gas. Ignitions were determined using a photodiode connected to the end of the contaminated tube. The results of the scuba component tests, cleanliness evaluation, and contaminant ignition study are discussed and compared for 50% NITROX and 100% oxygen environments.

Forsyth, Elliott T.↗