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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 523 records · Page 29
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1974

Research study on stabilization and control: Modern sampled-data control theory. Continuous and discrete describing function analysis of the LST system

The dynamics of the Large Space Telescope (LST) control system were studied in order to arrive at a simplified model for computer simulation without loss of accuracy. The frictional nonlinearity of the Control Moment Gyroscope (CMG) Control Loop was analyzed in a model to obtain data for the following: (1) a continuous describing function for the gimbal friction nonlinearity; (2) a describing function of the CMG nonlinearity using an analytical torque equation; and (3) the discrete describing function and function plots for CMG functional linearity. Preliminary computer simulations are shown for the simplified LST system, first without, and then with analytical torque expressions. Transfer functions of the sampled-data LST system are also described. A final computer simulation is presented which uses elements of the simplified sampled-data LST system with analytical CMG frictional torque expressions.

Kuo, B. C.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Energy: A Continuing Bibliography with Indexes, May 1974

A bibliography on energy is reported, the bibliography, Energy: A Continuing Bibliography With Indexes, contains 232 reports, journal articles, and other documents originally announced in STAR, and IAA between Jan. 1, and Mar. 31, 1974. The coverage includes regional, national and international energy systems; research and development of fuels and other sources of energy, and energy conversion, transport, transmission, distribution and storage, with special emphasis on use of hydrogen and of solar energy. Also included are methods of locating or using new energy resources. Of special interest is energy for heating, lighting, for powering aircraft, surface vehicles, or other machinery.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1973

A square-root data array solution of the continuous-discrete filtering problem

The Dyer-McReynolds (1969) discrete square-root filtering algorithm is extended to accommodate continuous dynamics. Differential equations are given to represent the time evolution of the filter data array. These equations are nonlinear, but it is shown that the nonlinearities act to enhance the stability of the solution.

Bierman, G. J.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Digital redesign of continuous systems by matching of states at multiple sampling periods

This paper presents a method of digital approximation of a continuous-data system by the matching of states at multiple sampling periods. Two alternate methods are presented; one method samples the states every sampling period, and alters the forward and feedback gains, so as to match the states of the two systems at the end of N sampling periods. The second method requires the sampling of the states every N sampling periods, with the change of gains at each sampling period. An illustrative example using the one-axis dynamics of the Skylab Satellite is presented.

Yackel, R. A.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Computer extension and analytic continuation of Stokes' expansion for gravity waves

Stokes' infinitesimal-wave expansion for steady progressive free-surface waves has been extended to high order using a computer to perform the coefficient arithmetic. Stokes' expansion has been found to be incapable of yielding the highest wave for any value of the water depth since convergence is limited by a square-root branch-point some distance short of the maximum. By reformulating the problem using a different independent parameter, the highest waves are obtained correctly. Series summation and analytic continuation are facilitated by the use of Pade approximants. The method is valid in principle for any finite value of the wavelength and solutions of high accuracy can be obtained for most values of the wave height and water depth.

Schwartz, L. W.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Digital approximation of continuous-data control systems by point-by-point state comparison

This paper presents a point-by-point state comparison method of approximating a continuous-data system by a sampled-data system. The problem is to attempt the matching of the states of the two systems at the sampling instants. A partial matching has to be conducted if the systems have more states than controls. A weighting matrix is used to regulate the partial matching and weights placed on each state. The digital approximation is affected by use of forward gain E(T) and feedback gain G(T) in the sampled-data system. It is shown that, in general, these gains can be approximated by truncated Taylor series expansions. An illustrative example is given using the one-axis dynamics of the Skylab satellite.

Kuo, B. C.↗
NASA NTRS1973

A guidance and navigation system for continuous low-thrust vehicles

A midcourse guidance and navigation system for continuous low thrust vehicles was developed. The equinoctial elements are the state variables. Uncertainties are modelled statistically by random vector and stochastic processes. The motion of the vehicle and the measurements are described by nonlinear stochastic differential and difference equations respectively. A minimum time trajectory is defined; equations of motion and measurements are linearized about this trajectory. An exponential cost criterion is constructed and a linear feedback quidance law is derived. An extended Kalman filter is used for state estimation. A short mission using this system is simulated. It is indicated that this system is efficient for short missions, but longer missions require accurate trajectory and ground based measurements.

Jack-Chingtse, C.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Continuous-output terminal-shock-position sensor for mixed-compression inlets evaluated in wind tunnel tests of YF-12 aircraft inlet

An electronic sensor was built to measure the position of the terminal shock in a supersonic inlet. The sensor uses several static-pressure taps in the inlet wall. The sensor output is continuously proportional to shock position. When the sensor was installed in a YF-12 aircraft flight inlet during wind tunnel tests, it indicated shock position within + or - 5 percent of the total distance covered by the static-pressure-tap region. The maximum error caused by an angle of attack change of 4 deg was less than 25 percent. In the region of normal inlet operation, the angle of attack error is negligible. Frequency-response tests show the amplitude ratio is constant out to 60 Hz, and decreases to about 50 percent at 100 Hz, with a phase lag of 50 deg.

Dustin, M. O.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Lymphoid cell kinetics under continuous low dose-rate gamma irradiation: A comparison study

The mechanism of cell proliferation is studied in the lymphoid tissue of the mouse spleen under the stress of continuous irradiation at a dose-rate of 10 roentgens per day for 105 days. Autoradiography and specific labeling with tritiated thymidine were utilized. It was found that at least four compensatory mechanisms maintained a near-steady state of cellular growth: (1) an increase in the proportion of PAS-positive cells which stimulate mitotic activity, (2) maturation arrest of proliferating and differentiating cells which tend to replenish the cells damaged or destroyed by irradiation, (3) an increase in the proportion of cells proliferating, and (4) an increase in the proportion of precursor cells. The results are compared to previous findings observed in the thymus.

Foster, B. R.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Renal effects of continuous negative pressure breathing

Continuous negative pressure breathing (CNPB) was utilized to simulate the thoracic vascular distension of zero g or space, in 11 anesthetized rats. The animals underwent renal clearance and micropuncture renal nephron studies before, during, and after CNPB. Rats were pretreated with a high salt diet and I-M desoxycorticosterone (DOCA) in excess. None of these rats diuresed with CNPB. In contrast 5 of the 7 remaining rats increased the fraction of the filtered sodium excreted (C sub Na/GFR, p .05) and their urinary flow rate (V, p .05). Potassium excretion increased (U sub k V, p .05). End proximal tubular fluid specimen's TF/P inulin ratios were unchanged. Whole kidney and single nephron glomerular filtration rates fell 10%. CNPB, a mechanism for atrial distension, appears to cause, in rats, a decrease in distal tubular sodium, water and potassium reabsorption. Exogenous mineral-corticoid prevents the diuresis, saluresis, and kaluresis.

Kinney, M. J.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Downward continuation of gravity information from satellite to satellite tracking or satellite gradiometry in local areas

Integral formulas in the parameter domain are used instead of a representation by spherical harmonics. The neglected regions will cause a truncation error. The application of the discrete form of the integral equations connecting the satellite observations with surface gravity anomalies is discussed in comparison with the least squares prediction method. One critical point of downward continuation is the proper choice of the boundary surface. Practical feasibilities are in conflict with theoretical considerations. The properties of different approaches for this question are analyzed.

Rummel, R.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Continuing professional education: Status, trends, and issues related to electronic delivery

Four professional groups, teachers, doctors, lawyers, and engineers were examined to determine if they constitute a potential market for continuing professional education via large scale electronic technology. Data were collected in view of social and economic forces, such as mandatory periodic relicensure, additional course requirements for certification, or the economic health of supporting industries.

Rothenberg, D.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Continuous performance measurement in flight systems

The desired response of many man machine control systems can be formulated as a solution to an optimal control synthesis problem where the cost index is given and the resulting optimal trajectories correspond to the desired trajectories of the man machine system. Optimal control synthesis provides the reference criteria and the significance of error information required for performance measurement. The synthesis procedure described provides a continuous performance measure (CPM) which is independent of the mechanism generating the control action. Therefore, the technique provides a meaningful method for online evaluation of man's control capability in terms of total man machine performance.

Connelly, E. M.↗
NASA NTRS1975

A non-Gaussian model of continuous atmospheric turbulence proposed for use in aircraft design

This paper describes a statistical model proposed for use in forecasting vehicle responses to stationary continuous atmospheric turbulence. The model is suggested by the observed patchy character of turbulence, and differs from models now in use in that it does not assume the gust velocity to be a Gaussian process. For simplicity only the vertical gust component is considered here. The validity of the proposed model is established through comparison with published data. This comparison shows that the model is in better agreement with observed gust velocity probability distributions and exceedance frequencies than is the widely used Gaussian model, especially insofar as high velocity gusts are concerned. A method of applying the proposed model to the determination of vehicle responses is developed. It is shown that response probability distributions as well as exceedance frequencies can be derived from the eigenvalues and eigenfunction of certain unsymmetric kernels.

Reeves, P. M.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Worst error performance of continuous Kalman filters

The worst error performance of estimation filters is investigated for continuous systems in this paper. The pathological performance study, without assuming any dynamical model such as Markov processes for perturbations, except for its bounded amplitude, will give practical and dependable criteria in establishing the navigation and maneuver strategy in deep space missions.

Nishimura, T.↗