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All sources NASA NTRS DOE OSTI

DOE OSTI2024

Request for Exemption and Permit Modification for S-6008: Sewer Diversion Complex

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) operates its Sewer Diversion Complex (SDC) under two relevant permits: discharges to air are controlled by Condition 5533 of LLNL’s BAAQMD permit for Source 6008, and discharges to the municipal sewer system are controlled by LLNL’s Wastewater Discharge Permit (Permit #1250). LLNL intends to modify the SDC by changing the currently permitted tanks to new models. Generally, this change will increase the volume of the tanks, update the abatement carbon system to suit the larger volume, and switch to a set of taller but thinner tanks.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Modeling Distributed Situation Awareness in Resilience-Based Design of Complex Engineered Systems

Human operators play a major role in the resilience of complex systems–while human error is one of the biggest contributors to hazardous events, operators additionally play a critical role in mitigating hazardous events. A key factor underlying this operator resilience is situation awareness–the ability of operators to understand their environment and each other to achieve desired system functions. In contrast to situation awareness-related accident models in the literature, which are largely conceptual in nature, this work proposes the use of a dynamic simulation framework to concretely model both the effects of situation awareness-related human errors and situation awareness-related hazard-mitigating properties using the distributed situation awareness theory. This work then presents specialized model constructs to enable agents’ individual perceptions of the system state and transactions with other agents (and thus distributed situation awareness) to be represented in simulation. To demonstrate this framework, it is then adapted to an aircraft taxiway case study, where it is used to model aircraft conflicts due to lack of vision and poor communications from the air traffic controller. This demonstration shows the potential of using simulation models to rigorously understand situation awareness-related human errors and thus inform the design of resilience.

Resilience Modeling↗

NASA NTRS1981

Application of Nonlinear Systems Inverses to Automatic Flight Control Design: System Concepts and Flight Evaluations

A practical method for the design of automatic flight control systems for aircraft with complex characteristics and operational requirements, such as the powered lift STOL and V/STOL configurations, is presented. The method is effective for a large class of dynamic systems requiring multi-axis control which have highly coupled nonlinearities, redundant controls, and complex multidimensional operational envelopes. It exploits the concept of inverse dynamic systems, and an algorithm for the construction of inverse is given. A hierarchic structure for the total control logic with inverses is presented. The method is illustrated with an application to the Augmentor Wing Jet STOL Research Aircraft equipped with a digital flight control system. Results of flight evaluation of the control concept on this aircraft are presented.

Meyer, G.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Design of a helicopter autopilot by means of linearizing transformations

An automatic flight control systems design methods for aircraft that have complex characteristics and operational requirements, such as the powered lift STOL and V/STOL configurations are discussed. The method is effective for a large class of dynamic systems that require multiaxis control and that have highly coupled nonlinearities, redundant controls, and complex multidimensional operational envelopes. The method exploits the possibility of linearizing the system over its operational envelope by transforming the state and control. The linear canonical forms used in the design are described, and necessary and sufficient conditions for linearizability are stated. The control logic has the structure of an exact model follower with linear decoupled model dynamics and possibly nonlinear plant dynamics. The design method is illustrated with an application to a helicopter autopilot design.

Meyer, G.↗

DOE OSTI2024

A Dataset of CFD Simulated Industrial Furnace Images for Conditional Automatic Generation with GANs

The steel industry is constantly looking for ways to automate processes and improve efficiency. A standard practice in industry is to simulate how complex systems will operate before they are actually used. Some complex systems, including steel industry processes such as blast furnaces, require complex physics-based simulations utilizing computational fluid dynamics (CFD). These CFD physics-based simulations are very accurate but can take significant time and computational resources to process, resulting in challenges for the implementation of the models in real-world operational environments. In recent years, deep learning (DL) has been considered as a substitute for these CFD models. DL models can be trained on validated CFD simulation data and then used for industrial process inference. Previous DL-based solutions have made great contributions for industrial automation but are currently missing the additional visualization component that CFD simulations also provide. In this paper, we propose a dataset for simple DL generative approaches that can help to address this issue. The dataset and methodology under development to approach this prediction are discussed in this work.

Calix, Ricardo↗

NASA NTRS2005

Visualization Methods for Viability Studies of Inspection Modules for the Space Shuttle

An effective simulation of an object, process, or task must be similar to that object, process, or task. A simulation could consist of a physical device, a set of mathematical equations, a computer program, a person, or some combination of these. There are many reasons for the use of simulators. Although some of the reasons are unique to a specific situation, there are many general reasons and purposes for using simulators. Some are listed but not limited to (1) Safety, (2) Scarce resources, (3) Teaching/education, (4) Additional capabilities, (5) Flexibility and (6) Cost. Robot simulators are in use for all of these reasons. Virtual environments such as simulators will eliminate physical contact with humans and hence will increase the safety of work environment. Corporations with limited funding and resources may utilize simulators to accomplish their goals while saving manpower and money. A computer simulation is safer than working with a real robot. Robots are typically a scarce resource. Schools typically don t have a large number of robots, if any. Factories don t want the robots not performing useful work unless absolutely necessary. Robot simulators are useful in teaching robotics. A simulator gives a student hands-on experience, if only with a simulator. The simulator is more flexible. A user can quickly change the robot configuration, workcell, or even replace the robot with a different one altogether. In order to be useful, a robot simulator must create a model that accurately performs like the real robot. A powerful simulator is usually thought of as a combination of a CAD package with simulation capabilities. Computer Aided Design (CAD) techniques are used extensively by engineers in virtually all areas of engineering. Parts are designed interactively aided by the graphical display of both wireframe and more realistic shaded renderings. Once a part s dimensions have been specified to the CAD package, designers can view the part from any direction to examine how it will look and perform in relation to other parts. If changes are deemed necessary, the designer can easily make the changes and view the results graphically. However, a complex process of moving parts intended for operation in a complex environment can only be fully understood through the process of animated graphical simulation. A CAD package with simulation capabilities allows the designer to develop geometrical models of the process being designed, as well as the environment in which the process will be used, and then test the process in graphical animation much as the actual physical system would be run . By being able to operate the system of moving and stationary parts, the designer is able to see in simulation how the system will perform under a wide variety of conditions. If, for example, undesired collisions occur between parts of the system, design changes can be easily made without the expense or potential danger of testing the physical system.

Mobasher, Amir A.↗

DOE OSTI2024

Modernizing Fermilab's Accelerator Control Hardware

Modernizing the Fermilab accelerator control system is essential to future operations of the laboratory's accelerator complex. The existing control system has evolved over four decades and uses hardware that is no longer available.The Accelerator Controls Operations Research Network (ACORN) Project will modernize the control system and replace end-of-life power supplies to enable future accelerator complex operations with megawatt particle beams. The ACORN project is planning to replace Fermilab s obsolete CAMAC crate-and-card controls hardware with modern MicroTCA hardware. There are over 2,000 CAMAC cards and over 250 CAMAC crates serving various functions in Fermilab s control system. We will review the existing CAMAC hardware and provide updates on the status of the ACORN project, which includes the conceptual design of the MicroTCA replacement hardware and software tools for supporting the installation of hundreds of MicroTCA crates.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

NASA NTRS2019

Health Management and Prognostics for Electric Aircraft Powertrain

W and c Any air borne vehicle needs incorporating safety as key parameter of measure, and inclusion of autonomy raises the critical need for safety under autonomous operations. Management of faults and component degradation is key as complexity in autonomous operations grow over the period of time. Therefore, in addition to basic operational requirements, an autonomous electric vehicle should be able to make accurate estimates of its current system health and take the correct decisions to complete its mission successfully. Real-time safety and state-awareness tools are therefore essential for the vehicle to be able to reach its destination in a safe and successful manner. The need for safety assurance and health management capabilities is particularly relevant for aircraft electric propulsion systems, which are relatively new and with limited historical to learn. They are critical systems requiring high power density along with reliability, resilience, efficient management of weight, and operational costs. A model- based fault diagnosis and prognostics approach of complex critical systems can successfully accomplish the safety and state awareness goal for such electric propulsion systems, enabling autonomous decision making capability for safe and efficient operation. To identify critical components in the system a Qualitative Bayesian approach using FMECA is implemented. This requires the assessment of some quantities representing the state of the electric unmanned aerial systems (e-UAS), as well as look-ahead forecasts of such states during the entire flight, presented in form of safety metrics (SM). In-service data and performance data gathered from degraded components sup- ports diagnostic and prognostic methods for these systems, but this data can be difficult to obtain as weight and packaging restrictions reduce redundancy and instrumentation on-board the vehicle. Therefore, an model-based framework should be capable or operating with limited data. In addition to data scarcity, the variability of such complex critical systems re- quires the model-based framework to reason in the presence of uncertainty, such as sensor noise, and modeling imperfections. Quantification of errors and uncertainties in the measured states and quantities is therefore a fundamental step for a precise estimation of such SMs; un-modeled uncertainty may result in erroneous state assessment and un- reliable predictions of future states of e-UAVs. Typical, centralized model-based schemes suffer from inherent disadvantages such as computational complexity, single point of failure, and scalability issues, and therefore may fail in such a complex scenario. This paper presents a methodology for developing a system level diagnostics and prognostics approach using a Qualitative Bayesian FMECA approach along with a formal uncertainty management framework for an e-UAS. In this work we demonstrate the efficacy of the framework to predict effects of sub-system level degradation on vehicle operation incorporating uncertainty management to predict future behavior under different operating conditions.

Kulkarni, Chetan↗

NASA NTRS1989

Optical processing for distributed sensors in control of flexible spacecraft

A recent potential of distributed image processing is discussed. Applications in the control of flexible spacecraft are emphasized. Devices are currently being developed at NASA and in universities and industries that allow the real-time processing of holographic images. Within 5 years, it is expected that, in real-time, one may add or subtract holographic images at optical accuracy. Images are stored and processed in crystal mediums. The accuracy of their storage and processing is dictated by the grating level of laser holograms. It is far greater than that achievable using current analog-to-digital, pixel oriented, image digitizing and computing techniques. Processors using image processing algebra can conceptually be designed to mechanize Fourier transforms, least square lattice filters, and other complex control system operations. Thus, actuator command inputs derived from complex control laws involving distributed holographic images can be generated by such an image processor. Plans are revealed for the development of a Conjugate Optics Processor for control of a flexible object.

Montgomery, Raymond C.↗

NASA NTRS1999

An Evolvable Multi-Agent Approach to Space Operations Engineering

A complex system of spacecraft and ground tracking stations, as well as a constellation of satellites or spacecraft, has to be able to reliably withstand sudden environment changes, resource fluctuations, dynamic resource configuration, limited communication bandwidth, etc., while maintaining the consistency of the system as a whole. It is not known in advance when a change in the environment might occur or when a particular exchange will happen. A higher degree of sophistication for the communication mechanisms between different parts of the system is required. The actual behavior has to be determined while the system is performing and the course of action can be decided at the individual level. Under such circumstances, the solution will highly benefit from increased on-board and on the ground adaptability and autonomy. An evolvable architecture based on intelligent agents that communicate and cooperate with each other can offer advantages in this direction. This paper presents an architecture of an evolvable agent-based system (software and software/hardware hybrids) as well as some plans for further implementation.

Mandutianu, Sanda↗

DOE OSTI2023

Modernizing Fermilab s Control Hardware

Modernizing the Fermilab accelerator control system is essential to future operations of the laboratory's accelerator complex. The existing control system has evolved over four decades and uses hardware that is no longer available. The Accelerator Controls Operations Research Network (ACORN) Project will modernize the control system and replace end-of-life power supplies to enable future accelerator complex operations with megawatt particle beams. The ACORN project is planning to replace Fermilab’s obsolete CAMAC crate-and-card controls hardware with modern MicroTCA hardware. There are over 2,000 CAMAC cards and over 250 CAMAC crates serving various functions in Fermilab’s control system. We will present an overview of the existing CAMAC hardware and the proposed MicroTCA replacement plan.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

NASA NTRS2001

The Acquisition Process as a Vehicle for Enabling Knowledge Management in the Lifecycle of Complex Federal Systems

This white paper explores how to increase the success and operation of critical, complex, national systems by effectively capturing knowledge management requirements within the federal acquisition process. Although we focus on aerospace flight systems, the principles outlined within may have a general applicability to other critical federal systems as well. Fundamental design deficiencies in federal, mission-critical systems have contributed to recent, highly visible system failures, such as the V-22 Osprey and the Delta rocket family. These failures indicate that the current mechanisms for knowledge management and risk management are inadequate to meet the challenges imposed by the rising complexity of critical systems. Failures of aerospace system operations and vehicles may have been prevented or lessened through utilization of better knowledge management and information management techniques.

Stewart, Helen↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

What Can We Learn From Resilient Pilot Behaviors? The Case of Energy Management While Flying a Star

Recently, there has been increased interest in documenting flightcrew behaviors that contribute to safe operations. Instead of only capturing errors, new efforts are attempting to understand how pilots manage complexity and variability in the operational environment to ensure a safe mission. This approach highlights pilot responses to events and conditions that fall outside typical TEM threats; e.g., revised ATC clearances. This approach presents a two-sided coin: characterize flightcrew resilience /or/ generate insights regarding complexity in the operational environment that is not adequately managed by current flight deck interface designs, procedures, and training. To capture operational complexity, we have been analyzing flight path management tied to flying an RNAV STAR. Because ATC often requests revisions—e.g., descend late—and because RNAV STARs may not align with airplane performance limits, flightcrews need to monitor, anticipate threats to RNAV STAR compliance, and devise ways to accommodate unexpected challenges. In this paper, we identify general strategies that can support response adaptation and explore methods to facilitate training these strategies.

flight operations↗

DOE OSTI2022

Strategy for Modernizing a 40-Year-Old Accelerator Control System

Modernizing the Fermilab accelerator control system is essential to future operations of the laboratory's accelerator complex. The existing control system has evolved over four decades and uses hardware that is no longer available and software that uses obsolete frameworks. The Accelerator Controls Operations Research Network (ACORN) Project will modernize the control system and replace end-of-life power supplies to enable future accelerator complex operations with megawatt particle beams. The project team is evaluating three design concepts, and the future deployment of artificial intelligence capabilities for accelerator operations is an important consideration. An overview of the ACORN Project will be presented, including R&D used for evaluating the conceptual designs in the context of requirements for future accelerator operations.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

DOE OSTI2024

Introduction and Status of Fermilab's ACORN Project

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

NASA NTRS1990

A user's guide to the Langley 16-foot transonic tunnel complex. Revision 1

The operational characteristics and equipment associated with the Langley 16-foot transonic tunnel complex which is located in buildings 1146 and 1234 at the Langley Research Center are described in detail. This complex consists of the 16-foot transonic wind tunnel, the static test facility, and the 16- by 24-inch water tunnel research facilities. The 16-foot transonic tunnel is a single-return atmospheric wind tunnel with a 15.5 foot diameter test section and a Mach number capability from 0.20 to 1.30. The emphasis for research conducted in this research complex is on the integration of the propulsion system into advanced aircraft concepts. In the past, the primary focus has been on the integration of nozzles and empennage into the afterbody of fighter aircraft. During the last several years this experimental research has been expanded to include developing the fundamental data base necessary to verify new theoretical concepts, inlet integration into fighter aircraft, nozzle integration for supersonic and hypersonic transports, nacelle/pylon/wing integration for subsonic transport configurations, and the study of vortical flows (in the 16- by 24-inch water tunnel). The purpose here is to provide a comprehensive description of the operational characteristics of the research facilities of the 16-foot transonic tunnel complex and their associated systems and equipments.

Source record↗

NASA NTRS1988

The design and implementation of the Technical Facilities Controller (TFC) for the Goldstone deep space communications complex

The Technical Facilities Controller is a microprocessor-based energy management system that is to be implemented in the Deep Space Network facilities. This system is used in conjunction with facilities equipment at each of the complexes in the operation and maintenance of air-conditioning equipment, power generation equipment, power distribution equipment, and other primary facilities equipment. The implementation of the Technical Facilities Controller was completed at the Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex and is now operational. The installation completed at the Goldstone Complex is described and the utilization of the Technical Facilities Controller is evaluated. The findings will be used in the decision to implement a similar system at the overseas complexes at Canberra, Australia, and Madrid, Spain.

Killian, D. A.↗

NASA NTRS2006

Best Practices for Operations of Satellite Constellations

This paper presents the best practices used by several commercial and government operators of satellite constellations. These best practices were identified through a series of seminars and discussions held at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC). The best practices are arrived through many years of experience and improvements made in the operations procedures and the operational systems with the primary drivers as mission safety and cost effectiveness. This paper discusses the operational aspects associated with how different organizations manage complexities of constellation operations. For the purposes of this paper, satellite constellations are groups of similar spacecraft with more than one spacecraft needed to fully accomplish the constellation's mission

Howard, Joseph↗