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At least 523 records · Page 29
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2015

Comparison of Computational and Experimental Microphone Array Results for an 18%-Scale Aircraft Model

An 18%-scale, semi-span model is used as a platform for examining the efficacy of microphone array processing using synthetic data from numerical simulations. Two hybrid RANS/LES codes coupled with Ffowcs Williams-Hawkings solvers are used to calculate 97 microphone signals at the locations of an array employed in the NASA LaRC 14x22 tunnel. Conventional, DAMAS, and CLEAN-SC array processing is applied in an identical fashion to the experimental and computational results for three different configurations involving deploying and retracting the main landing gear and a part span flap. Despite the short time records of the numerical signals, the beamform maps are able to isolate the noise sources, and the appearance of the DAMAS synthetic array maps is generally better than those from the experimental data. The experimental CLEAN-SC maps are similar in quality to those from the simulations indicating that CLEAN-SC may have less sensitivity to background noise. The spectrum obtained from DAMAS processing of synthetic array data is nearly identical to the spectrum of the center microphone of the array, indicating that for this problem array processing of synthetic data does not improve spectral comparisons with experiment. However, the beamform maps do provide an additional means of comparison that can reveal differences that cannot be ascertained from spectra alone.

Lockard, David P.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Further developments of electrographic image detectors

This paper reports the current status of a program to develop far- and middle-ultraviolet-sensitive electrographic detectors. These include large-format, semitransparent-photocathode detectors and opaque-photocathode electrographic Schmidt cameras. Modifications of a previously-demonstrated far-UV large-format detector to make it suitable for possible Shuttle/Spacelab space astronomy investigations have been implemented and tested. Middle-ultraviolet-sensitive large-format and Schmidt electrographic detectors are now in the laboratory development stage. Cesium telluride photocathodes are used to provide sensitivity in the 1700-3100 A spectral range, and techniques for processing these photocathodes are discussed. The preparation and use of polyimide barrier membranes, for protecting the photocathodes from deterioration by film outgassing, are described. A new opaque-photocathode vacuum-ultraviolet-sensitive electrographic detector has been demonstrated, which is based on an oblique-focusing electron optical system similar to that used by Princeton with electron-bombarded CCD arrays. Test results and potential applications of this detector are described.

Carruthers, G. R.↗
NASA NTRS1999

Swept-Wing Receptivity Studies Using Distributed Roughness

Transition to turbulence in swept-wing flows has resisted correlation with linear theory because of its sensitivity to freestream conditions and 3-D roughness and because one of the principal instability modes quickly 'becomes nonlinear. In the face of such a formidable problem, two rather long-term fundamental efforts have been underway at DLR Gottinberg and Arizona State University that address swept-wing transition. These efforts have been recently reviewed by Bippes (1997) and Reibert and Saric (1997). Thus, the present work is a continuation of a series of studies on swept-wing boundary layers which have led to a better understanding of the transition process. In particular, we have taken advantage of the sensitivity to 3-D roughness and the modal nature of the instability in order to propose a particular control strategy. Complementing the two aforementioned reviews, general reviews of the swept-wing transition problem are found in Arnal (1997) and Kachanov (1996). Other recent reviews include Reshotko (t997), Crouch (1997), and Herbert (1997a,b). The failure of linear theory is discussed in Reed et al. (1996). The historical work is found in Reed and Sar-ic (1989). The basic idea is that the combination of sweep and chordwise pressure gradient within the boundary layer creates a velocity component perpendicular to the inviscid streamline. This crossflow profile is inflectional and exhibits both traveling and stationary unstable waves called crossflow vortices that are (approximately) aligned along the inviscid streamlines. Under conditions of low freestream turbulence levels, the dominant crossflow wave is stationary (Reibert and Saric t997) while moderate to high turbulence levels initiate dominant traveling waves (Dehle and Bippes 1996; Bippes 1997). 'Me mechanism is relatively insensitive to sound and 2-D surface roughness (Radeztsky et al. 1993) but very sensitive to 3-D roughness near the attachment line. We concentrate our work on low-turbulence freestream flows and stationary crossflow waves. Although the v' and w' components of the disturbances are very small, by convecting streamwise momentum in the wall-normal direction, they produce 0(l) changes inu'.Thus the mean flow is highly distorted with localized inflection points. Transition is then triggered by a high-frequency secondary instability of the distorted mean profile.

Saric, William S.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Fluid-Structure Interaction Simulations Of Supersonic Parachute Inflation: Model Sensitivities

Fluid-structure interaction simulations have the potential to accelerate the certification process of parachute systems for interplanetary robotic exploration missions while helping to mitigate risks by covering a wider range of scenarios than can be flight tested. The Launch, Ascent, and Vehicle Aerodynamics team is working toward actualizing this potential by further developing the capability to perform such fluid-structure interaction simulations and validating it with the best supersonic parachute flight test data available. We perform several simulations of the Advanced Supersonic Parachute Inflation Research Experiments’ third flight test (SR03) where we independently vary several parameters to determine their sensitivity on the predicted drag. We investigate sensitivity of the drag to the added mass of the confluence fitting, to the effective porosity, to how the gore seams are modeled, to viscous effects, and to deceleration. Modeling the added mass of the confluence fitting has virtually no impact on the drag, but is worthwhile to include to better match the overall system’s mass, which is important for the simulations with deceleration. Parachute drag is only marginally sensitive to porosity and viscous effects. Maximum parachute drag is most sensitive to how the gore seams are modeled, causing a nearly 20% drop when they are modeled as stiffer radials, and to deceleration, causing an additional 10% reduction. Results show improved agreement with flight test measurements when the FSI model is closest to the as-built configuration and physics experienced in flight: with the confluence fitting, viscous effects, the gore seams modeled as stiff radials, and including deceleration.

ESM↗
NASA NTRS2000

Physical Evaluation of Cleaning Performance: We Are Only Fooling Ourselves

Surface cleaning processes are normally evaluated using visual physical properties such as discolorations, streaking, staining and water-break-free conditions. There is an assumption that these physical methods will evaluate all surfaces all the time for all subsequent operations. We have found that these physical methods are lacking in sensitivity and selectivity with regard to surface residues and subsequent process performance. We will report several conditions where evaluations using visual physical properties are lacking. We will identify possible alternative methods and future needs for surface evaluations.

Pratz, Earl↗
NASA NTRS1988

Primary task event-related potentials related to different aspects of information processing

The results of two studies which investigated the relationships between cognitive processing and components of transient event-related potentials (ERPs) are presented in a task in which mental workload was manipulated. The task involved the monitoring of an array of discrete readouts for values that went out of bounds, and was somewhat analogous to tasks performed in cockpits. The ERPs elicited by the changing readouts varied with the number of readouts being monitored, the number of monitored readouts that were close to going out of bounds, and whether or not the change took a monitored readout out of bounds. Moreover, different regions of the waveform differentially reflected these effects. The results confirm the sensitivity of scalp-recorded ERPs to the cognitive processes affected by mental workload and suggest the possibility of extracting useful ERP indices of primary task performance in a wide range of man-machine settings.

Munson, Robert C.↗
NASA NTRS1996

GLSENS: A Generalized Extension of LSENS Including Global Reactions and Added Sensitivity Analysis for the Perfectly Stirred Reactor

A generalized version of the NASA Lewis general kinetics code, LSENS, is described. The new code allows the use of global reactions as well as molecular processes in a chemical mechanism. The code also incorporates the capability of performing sensitivity analysis calculations for a perfectly stirred reactor rapidly and conveniently at the same time that the main kinetics calculations are being done. The GLSENS code has been extensively tested and has been found to be accurate and efficient. Nine example problems are presented and complete user instructions are given for the new capabilities. This report is to be used in conjunction with the documentation for the original LSENS code.

Bittker, David A.↗
NASA NTRS2012

Understanding Differences in Upper Stratospheric Ozone Response to Changes in Chlorine and Temperature as Computed Using CCMVal Models

Projections of future ozone levels are made using models that couple a general circulation model with a representation of atmospheric photochemical processes, allowing interactions among photochemical processes, radiation, and dynamics. Such models are known as chemistry and climate models (CCMs). Although developed from common principles and subject to the same boundary conditions, simulated ozone time series vary for projections of changes in ozone depleting substances (ODSs) and greenhouse gases. In the upper stratosphere photochemical processes control ozone level, and ozone increases as ODSs decrease and temperature decreases due to greenhouse gas increase. Simulations agree broadly but there are quantitative differences in the sensitivity of ozone to chlorine and to temperature. We obtain insight into these differences in sensitivity by examining the relationship between the upper stratosphere annual cycle of ozone and temperature as produced by a suite of models. All simulations conform to expectation in that ozone is less sensitive to temperature when chlorine levels are highest because chlorine catalyzed loss is nearly independent of temperature. Differences in sensitivity are traced to differences in simulated temperature, ozone and reactive nitrogen when chlorine levels are close to background. This work shows that differences in the importance of specific processes underlie differences in simulated sensitivity of ozone to composition change. This suggests a) the multi-model mean is not a best estimate of the sensitivity of upper ozone to changes in ODSs and temperature; b) the spread of values is not an appropriate measure of uncertainty.

Douglass, A. R.↗
NASA NTRS2000

Polymer-Oxygen Compatibility Testing: Effect of Oxygen Aging on Ignition and Combustion Properties

The oxygen compatibility of six polymers used in oxygen service was evaluated after exposure for 48 hours to oxygen pressures ranging from 350 to 6200 kPa (50 to 900 psia), and temperatures ranging from 50 to 250 C (122 to 302 F). Three elastomers were tested: CR rubber (C873-70), FKM fluorocarbon rubber (Viton A), and MPQ silicone rubber (MIL-ZZ-765, Class 2); and three thermoplastics were tested: polyhexamethylene adipamide (Zytel 42), polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon TFE), and polychlorotrifluoroethylene (Neoflon CTFE M400H). Post-aging changes in mass, dimensions, tensile strength, elongation at break, and durometer hardness were determined. Also, the compression set was determined for the three elastomers. Results show that the properties under investigation were more sensitive to oxygen pressure at low to moderate temperatures, and more sensitive to temperature at low to moderate oxygen pressures. Inspection of the results also suggested that both chain scissioning and cross-linking processes were operative, consistent with heterogeneous oxidation. Attempts are underway to verify conclusively the occurrence of heterogeneous oxidation using a simple modulus profiling technique. Finally, the effect of aging at 620 kpa (90 psia) and 121 C (250 F) on ignition and combustion resistance was determined. As expected, aged polymers were less ignitable and combustible (had higher AlTs and lower heats of combustion). Special attention was given to Neoflon CTFE. More specifically, the effect of process history (compression versus extrusion molding) and percent crystallinity (quick- versus slow-quenched) on the AIT, heat of combustion, and impact sensitivity of Neoflon CTFE was investigated. Results show the AIT, heat of combustion, and impact sensitivity to be essentially independent of Neoflon CTFE process history and structure.

Waller, Jess M.↗
NASA NTRS1995

A Method Based on Radiative Cooling for Detecting Structural Changes in Undercooled Metallic Liquids

We introduce a structure-sensitive parameter for undercooled melts which can be measured in containerless processing experiments. We have established that the ratio, R(T), of hemispherical total emissivity epsilon(sub T)(T) to constant-pressure specific heat c(sub p)(T) can serve as an indicator which is sensitive to any changes in short range atomic order in undercooled metallic melts. R(T) (triple bonds) epsilon(sub T)(T)/c(sub p)(T) values for nickel, zirconium, and silicon have been obtained using the high temperature electrostatic levitator while the levitated melts were undergoing purely radiative cooling into the deeply undercooled region. R(T) plots for undercooled liquid nickel and zirconium indicate no significant change in short-range structure from their melting temperatures to 15% undercooling. In contrast, liquid silicon shows marked short-range structural changes beginning above its melting temperature and extending throughout the undercooled region. The short-range structure of liquid silicon is related to the highly-directional covalent bonding which characterizes its solid form. The nickel and zirconium data show that epsilon(sub T) varies linearly with T, in support of metal emissivity theories.

Rulison, Aaron J.↗
NASA NTRS1982

A sensitivity/intrusion comparison of mental workload estimation techniques using a flight task emphasizing perceptual piloting activities

In a literature review it was found that little research effort has been directly applied to the problem of specifying a viable workload estimation technique for a given pilot/aircrew problem. Furthermore, the relative sensitivity and intrusion of most techniques has not been studied. The present investigation is concerned with a comparative evaluation of eight workload estimation techniques under identical experimental conditions in a flight simulator. The objective of this comparison was to determine the relative sensitivity and intrusion of each estimation technique in applications to a piloting situation which emphasizes the use of perceptual processes. No differential intrusion could be observed, but six of the eight techniques did show sensitivity to changes in perceptual load. All significant techniques displayed monotonic increases in measured values across the three loading levels considered.

Casali, J. G.↗
NASA NTRS2012

Complex Decision-Making Applications for the NASA Space Launch System

The Space Shuttle program is ending and elements of the Constellation Program are either being cancelled or transitioned to new NASA exploration endeavors. NASA is working diligently to select an optimum configuration for the Space Launch System (SLS), a heavy lift vehicle that will provide the foundation for future beyond LEO large ]scale missions for the next several decades. Thus, multiple questions must be addressed: Which heavy lift vehicle will best allow the agency to achieve mission objectives in the most affordable and reliable manner? Which heavy lift vehicle will allow for a sufficiently flexible exploration campaign of the solar system? Which heavy lift vehicle configuration will allow for minimizing risk in design, test, build and operations? Which heavy lift vehicle configuration will be sustainable in changing political environments? Seeking to address these questions drove the development of an SLS decisionmaking framework. From Fall 2010 until Spring 2011, this framework was formulated, tested, fully documented, and applied to multiple SLS vehicle concepts at NASA from previous exploration architecture studies. This was a multistep process that involved performing FOM-based assessments, creating Pass/Fail gates based on draft threshold requirements, performing a margin-based assessment with supporting statistical analyses, and performing sensitivity analysis on each. This paper discusses the various methods of this process that allowed for competing concepts to be compared across a variety of launch vehicle metrics. The end result was the identification of SLS launch vehicle candidates that could successfully meet the threshold requirements in support of the SLS Mission Concept Review (MCR) milestone.

Lyles, Garry↗
NASA NTRS2018

Effect of Additives: Gamma-Ray Sensors Based on Ionizing Organic Nanocomposites

We have developed ionizing organic-based composites which have demonstrated great promise for radiation sensing. Nickel oxide has been proven as an active material for detecting high energy radiation. The oxidation state of unusual oxides such as nickel oxide in nanocomposites of ionizing organics changes much faster than thin film or bulk, and hence increases the sensitivity for radiation sensing. The resistivity of the oxide composite increases following sequential irradiation processes because of the decrease in holes' concentration. In this paper, we will present the effect of additional oxidizing agent on the morphology, processing and sensing of gamma-rays by oxides - urea based nanocomposites. It was observed that addition of MnO2 decreases the sensitivity. However, it recovers to original properties after irradiation much faster than undoped composites.

Vishall Dayal↗
NASA NTRS1995

Regional scale hydrology with a new land surface processes model

Through the CaPE Hydrometeorology Project, we have developed an understanding of some of the unique data quality issues involved in assimilating data of disparate types for regional-scale hydrologic modeling within a GIS framework. Among others, the issues addressed here include the development of adequate validation of the surface water budget, implementation of the STATSGO soil data set, and implementation of a remote sensing-derived landcover data set to account for surface heterogeneity. A model of land surface processes has been developed and used in studies of the sensitivity of surface fluxes and runoff to soil and landcover characterization. Results of these experiments have raised many questions about how to treat the scale-dependence of land surface-atmosphere interactions on spatial and temporal variability. In light of these questions, additional modifications are being considered for the Marshall Land Surface Processes Model. It is anticipated that these techniques can be tested and applied in conjunction with GCIP activities over regional scales.

Laymon, Charles↗
NASA NTRS2014

Inhomogeneous Forcing and Transient Climate Sensitivity

Understanding climate sensitivity is critical to projecting climate change in response to a given forcing scenario. Recent analyses have suggested that transient climate sensitivity is at the low end of the present model range taking into account the reduced warming rates during the past 10-15 years during which forcing has increased markedly. In contrast, comparisons of modelled feedback processes with observations indicate that the most realistic models have higher sensitivities. Here I analyse results from recent climate modelling intercomparison projects to demonstrate that transient climate sensitivity to historical aerosols and ozone is substantially greater than the transient climate sensitivity to CO2. This enhanced sensitivity is primarily caused by more of the forcing being located at Northern Hemisphere middle to high latitudes where it triggers more rapid land responses and stronger feedbacks. I find that accounting for this enhancement largely reconciles the two sets of results, and I conclude that the lowest end of the range of transient climate response to CO2 in present models and assessments (less than 1.3 C) is very unlikely.

sensitivity↗
NASA NTRS1988

Integrated structural-aerodynamic design optimization

This paper focuses on the processes of simultaneous aerodynamic and structural wing design as a prototype for design integration, with emphasis on the major difficulty associated with multidisciplinary design optimization processes, their enormous computational costs. Methods are presented for reducing this computational burden through the development of efficient methods for cross-sensitivity calculations and the implementation of approximate optimization procedures. Utilizing a modular sensitivity analysis approach, it is shown that the sensitivities can be computed without the expensive calculation of the derivatives of the aerodynamic influence coefficient matrix, and the derivatives of the structural flexibility matrix. The same process is used to efficiently evaluate the sensitivities of the wing divergence constraint, which should be particularly useful, not only in problems of complete integrated aircraft design, but also in aeroelastic tailoring applications.

Haftka, R. T.↗
NASA NTRS2010

Five-Year Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe Observations: Data Processing, Sky Maps, and Basic Results

We present new full-sky temperature and polarization maps in five frequency bands from 23 to 94 GHz, based on data from the first five years of the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) sky survey. The new maps are consistent with previous maps and are more sensitive. The five-year maps incorporate several improvements in data processing made possible by the additional years of data and by a more complete analysis of the instrument calibration and in-flight beam response. We present several new tests for systematic errors in the polarization data and conclude that W-band polarization data is not yet suitable for cosmological studies, but we suggest directions for further study. We do find that Ka-band data is suitable for use; in conjunction with the additional years of data, the addition of Ka band to the previously used Q- and V-band channels significantly reduces the uncertainty in the optical depth parameter, tau. Further scientific results from the five-year data analysis are presented in six companion papers and are summarized in Section 7 of this paper. With the five-year WMAP data, we detect no convincing deviations from the minimal six-parameter ACDM model: a flat universe dominated by a cosmological constant, with adiabatic and nearly scale-invariant Gaussian fluctuations. Using WMAP data combined with measurements of Type Ia supernovae and Baryon Acoustic Oscillations in the galaxy distribution, we find (68% CL uncertainties): OMEGA(sub b)h(sup 2) = 0.02267(sup +0.00058)(sub -0.00059), OMEGA(sub c)h(sup 2) = 0.1131 plus or minus 0.0034, OMEGA(sub logical and) = 0.726 plus or minus 0.015, ns = .960 plus or minus 0.013, tau = 0.84 plus or minus 0.016, and DELTA(sup 2)(sub R) = (22.445 plus or minus 0.096) x 10(exp -9) at k = 0.002 Mpc(exp -1). From these we derive sigma(sub 8) = 0.812 plus or minus 0.026, H(sub 0) = 70.5 plus or minus 1.3 kilometers per second Mpc(exp -1), OMEGA(sub b) = 0.0456 plus or minus 0.0015, OMEGA(sub c) = .228 plus or minus 0.013, OMEGA(sub m)h(sup 2) = 0.1358(sup +0.0037)(sub -0.0036), z reion = 10.9 plus or minus 1.4, and t(sub 0) = 13.72 plus or minus 0.12 Gyr. The new limit on the tensor-to-scalar ration is r less than 0.22 (95% CL), while the evidence for a running spectral index is insignificant, dn(sub s)/d ln k = -0.028 plus or minus 0.020 (68% CL). We obtain tight, simultaneous limits on the (constant) dark energy equation of state and the spatial curvature of the universe: -0.14 less than 1 + w less than 0.12 (95% CL) and -0.0179 less than OMEGA(sub k) less than 0.0081 (95% CL). The number of relativistic degrees of freedom, expressed in units of the effective number of neutrino species, is found to be N(sub eff) = 4.4 plus or minus 1.5 (69% CL), consistent with the standard value of 3.04. Models with N(sub eff) = 0 are disfavored at greater than 99% confidence. Finally, new limits on physically motivated primordial non-Gaussianity parameters are -9 less than f(sup local)(sub NL) less than 111 (95% CL) and -151 less than f(sup equal)(sub NL) less than 253 (95% CL) for the local and equilateral models, respectively.

Hinshaw, G.↗
NASA NTRS2008

SAGE II Measurements of Stratospheric Aerosol Properties at Non-Volcanic Levels

Since 2000, stratospheric aerosol levels have been relatively stable and at the lowest levels observed in the historical record. Given the challenges of making satellite measurements of aerosol properties at these levels, we have performed a study of the sensitivity of the product to the major components of the processing algorithm used in the production of SAGE II aerosol extinction measurements and the retrieval process that produces the operational surface area density (SAD) product. We find that the aerosol extinction measurements, particularly at 1020 nm, remain robust and reliable at the observed aerosol levels. On the other hand, during background periods, the SAD operational product has an uncertainty of at least a factor of 2 during due to the lack of sensitivity to particles with radii less than 100 nm.

Thomason, Larry W.↗