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At least 559 records · Page 31

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NASA NTRS1975

Statistical analysis of trim maneuvers in low thrust interplanetary navigation

An analytical technique for the statistical analysis of a low thrust trim maneuver in interplanetary navigation has been developed. The maneuver is treated rigorously as a nonlinear function of the trajectory errors to be removed, and the corresponding nongaussian statistics are developed. The method determines the statistical properties of the maneuver direction and duration, as well as the final state dispersion covariance. The analytical technique is applied to the terminal maneuver in a 1980 Encke slow flyby mission and is found to yield accurate statistical results with much less effort than Monte Carlo simulation. The method permits consideration of a shorter terminal maneuver than does linear analysis, with a consequent improvement in delivery accuracy.

Rinker, G. C.↗

NASA NTRS1977

F-8 DFBW sensor failure identification using analytic redundancy

The structure of a sensor failure detection and identification system designed for the NASA F-8 DFBW aircraft is outlined. The system is for use in a dual-redundant environment, and it takes maximal advantage of all functional relationships among the sensed variables. The identification logic uses the quality sequential probability ratio, which provides a useful on-line measure of confidence in the various forms of analytic redundancy. Preliminary simulation results indicate good behavior of the analytic decision statistic, based on the sequential probability ratio test.

Deckert, J. C.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Handling qualities of aircraft in the presence of simulated turbulence

A previous paper (1977) has presented results from flight simulator experiments on instrument-flight-rule handling-quality studies of a STOL-type aircraft in the presence of various models of simulated turbulence (Gaussian, modified Gaussian, Rayleigh, and variable length and intensity, VLI). In this paper, additional results are presented for flight simulator experiments on visual-flight-rule approach landings of a STOL-type aircraft. Pilot opinion ratings of the landing approach with visual display are analyzed to determine the most realistic turbulence model and to identify the variables that critically affect the handling quality of aircraft in turbulence. It is shown that turbulence simulated by a VLI model adequately match the desired statistical properties of real atmospheric turbulence, and that aircraft handling quality and pilot task performance are critically affected by turbulence. Realistic turbulence models present greater difficulty in controlling the aircraft than a simple Gaussian model.

Jacobson, I. D.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Reproducibility of structural strength and stiffness for graphite-epoxy aircraft spoilers

Structural strength reproducibility of graphite epoxy composite spoilers for the Boeing 737 aircraft was evaluated by statically loading fifteen spoilers to failure at conditions simulating aerodynamic loads. Spoiler strength and stiffness data were statistically modeled using a two parameter Weibull distribution function. Shape parameter values calculated for the composite spoiler strength and stiffness were within the range of corresponding shape parameter values calculated for material property data of composite laminates. This agreement showed that reproducibility of full scale component structural properties was within the reproducibility range of data from material property tests.

Howell, W. E.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Solution influence on biomolecular equilibria - Nucleic acid base associations

Various attempts to construct an understanding of the influence of solution environment on biomolecular equilibria at the molecular level using computer simulation are discussed. First, the application of the formal statistical thermodynamic program for investigating biomolecular equilibria in solution is presented, addressing modeling and conceptual simplications such as perturbative methods, long-range interaction approximations, surface thermodynamics, and hydration shell. Then, Monte Carlo calculations on the associations of nucleic acid bases in both polar and nonpolar solvents such as water and carbon tetrachloride are carried out. The solvent contribution to the enthalpy of base association is positive (destabilizing) in both polar and nonpolar solvents while negative enthalpies for stacked complexes are obtained only when the solute-solute in vacuo energy is added to the total energy. The release upon association of solvent molecules from the first hydration layer around a solute to the bulk is accompanied by an increase in solute-solvent energy and decrease in solvent-solvent energy. The techniques presented are expectd to displace less molecular and more heuristic modeling of biomolecular equilibria in solution.

Pohorille, A.↗

NASA NTRS1985

System Analysis for the Huntsville Operation Support Center, Distributed Computer System

HOSC as a distributed computing system, is responsible for data acquisition and analysis during Space Shuttle operations. HOSC also provides computing services for Marshall Space Flight Center's nonmission activities. As mission and nonmission activities change, so do the support functions of HOSC change, demonstrating the need for some method of simulating activity at HOSC in various configurations. The simulation developed in this work primarily models the HYPERchannel network. The model simulates the activity of a steady state network, reporting statistics such as, transmitted bits, collision statistics, frame sequences transmitted, and average message delay. These statistics are used to evaluate such performance indicators as throughout, utilization, and delay. Thus the overall performance of the network is evaluated, as well as predicting possible overload conditions.

Ingels, F. M.↗

NASA NTRS1985

The evolution of large-scale structure in a universe dominated by cold dark matter

The results of numerical simulations of nonlinear gravitational clustering in universes dominated by weakly interacting, 'cold' dark matter are presented. The numerical methods used and the way in which initial conditions were generated are described, and the simulations performed are catalogued. The evolution of the fundamental statistical properties of the models is described and their comparability with observation is discussed. Graphical comparisons of these open models with the observed galaxy distribution in a large redshift survey are made. It is concluded that a model with a cosmological density parameter omega equal to one is quite unacceptable if galaxies trace the mass distribution, and that models with omega of roughly two, while better, still do not provide a fully acceptable match with observation. Finally, a situation in which galaxy formation is suppressed except in sufficiently dense regions is modelled which leads to models which can agree with observation quite well even for omega equal to one.

Davis, M.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Synopsis of the Fifth Conference on the Meteorology of the Stratosphere and Mesosphere

The papers presented at the Fifth Conference on the Meteorology of the Stratosphere and Mesosphere held on April 23-26, 1985, are reviewed. The observational aspects of large-scale circulation, such as summer and winter circulation in the Southern Hemisphere, and analysis schemes, like the multivariate statistical analysis scheme, are discussed. The topics of numerical simulations of the general circulation and sudden-warming are examined. Papers concerning processes of O3, NO2, H2, and HNO3 are described. Research on large-scale mixing processes in the stratosphere is presented. The topic of equatorial dynamics and stability is analyzed. Papers focusing on the effect of gravity waves on the general circulation are studied.

Schoeberl, M. R.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Probabilistic structural analysis methods and applications

An advanced algorithm for simulating the probabilistic distribution of structural responses due to statistical uncertainties in loads, geometry, material properties, and boundary conditions is reported. The method effectively combines an advanced algorithm for calculating probability levels for multivariate problems (fast probability integration) together with a general-purpose finite-element code for stress, vibration, and buckling analysis. Application is made to a space propulsion system turbine blade for which the geometry and material properties are treated as random variables.

Cruse, T. A.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Dynamics of groups around interacting double ellipticals: Measuring dark matter haloes

Binary galaxies, as binary stars, are important to measure masses, as suggested by Page (1952). Because three orbit parameters are measurable for galaxies at one instant of time, severe uncertainties remain in the orbit and mass determinations. These uncertainties can partly be overcome by statistical studies of selected samples and/or n-body simulations. Close double galaxies (and isolated galaxies) could also be useful to estimate dynamical masses if we can find test particles around them. Interacting elliptical pairs or dumb-bell galaxies are found with a large range, between 0-1200 km s(exp -1), of relative radial velocities. Standard 2-body orbit calculations, highly uncertain due to projection factors, suggest for the largest velocity differences very large galaxy masses, if the systems are bound and stationary. However, recent n-body simulations model these binaries as galaxies captured from hyperbolic orbits, requiring masses of order a few times 10(exp 11) solar maximum (Borne et al. 1988), but producing systems that are short lived. A different picture appears when we study observationally the dynamical mass of interacting double ellipticals using faint satellite galaxies. These satellites contribute little luminosity and, presumably, little mass to the system. The authors present results of two such groups, basically forming systems of test particles, around the dumb-bells NGC 4782/3 and IC 5049. They also briefly discuss the satellite group around the central dumb-bell in the cluster Sersic 40/6. Apparently, they detect large quantities of dark matter in the vicinity of these dumb-bell galaxies, because the system masses of approx. 4.5 times 10(exp 13) solar mass and 8 times 10(exp 13) solar mass for NGC 4782/3 and IC 5049, respectively, are quite high. Likewise, the mass of the Sersic 40/6 inner core is 7 times 10(exp 13) solar mass. The possibility that a common massive dark matter halo increases the merging times of these types of galaxies is suggested. Here, the authors assume H sub o = 100 km s (exp -1) Mpc(exp -1).

Quintana, H.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Imaging the sun in hard x rays using Fourier telescopes

For several years, solar flares have been observed with a variety of instruments confirming that tremendous amounts of energy are locally stored in the solar magnetic field and then rapidly released during the life of the flare. In concert with observations, theorists have attempted to describe the means by which these energetic events occur and evolve. Two competing theories have emerged and have stood the test of time. One theory describes the flare in terms of nonthermal, electron beam injection into a thick target while the other uses a thermal approach. Both theories provide results which are reasonably consistent with current observations; but to date, none have been able to provide conclusive evidence as to the validity of either model. Imaging on short time scales (1 s) and/or small size scales (1 arc s) should give definitive answers to these questions. In order to test whether a realistic telescope can indeed discriminate between models, we construct model sources based upon the thermal and the nonthermal models and calculate the emission as a function of time and energy in the range from 10 to 100 keV. In addition, we construct model telescopes representing both the spatial modulation collimator (SMC) and the rotating modulation collimator (RMC) techniques of observation using random photon counting statistics. With these two types of telescopes we numerically simulate the instrument response to the above two model flares to see if there are distinct x-ray signatures which may be discernable. We find that theoretical descriptions of the primary models of solar flares do indeed predict different hard x-ray signatures for 1 sec time scales and at 1-5 arc sec spatial resolution. However, these distinguishing signatures can best be observed early in the impulsive phase and from a position perpendicular to the plane of the loop. Furthermore, we find that Fourier telescopes with reasonable and currently attainable design characteristics can image these signatures and that the same sensitive areas and short temporal integration times relative to source evolution (i.e., 1 s), the RMC and the SMC will both provide about the same performance.

Campbell, J. W.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Clustering, randomness and regularity in cloud fields. I - Theoretical considerations. II - Cumulus cloud fields

The current controversy existing in reference to the regularity vs. clustering in cloud fields is examined by means of analysis and simulation studies based upon nearest-neighbor cumulative distribution statistics. It is shown that the Poisson representation of random point processes is superior to pseudorandom-number-generated models and that pseudorandom-number-generated models bias the observed nearest-neighbor statistics towards regularity. Interpretation of this nearest-neighbor statistics is discussed for many cases of superpositions of clustering, randomness, and regularity. A detailed analysis is carried out of cumulus cloud field spatial distributions based upon Landsat, AVHRR, and Skylab data, showing that, when both large and small clouds are included in the cloud field distributions, the cloud field always has a strong clustering signal.

Weger, R. C.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Design optimization and probabilistic analysis of a hydrodynamic journal bearing

A nonlinear constrained optimization of a hydrodynamic bearing was performed yielding three main variables: radial clearance, bearing length to diameter ratio, and lubricating oil viscosity. As an objective function a combined model of temperature rise and oil supply has been adopted. The optimized model of the bearing has been simulated for population of 1000 cases using Monte Carlo statistical method. It appeared that the so called 'optimal solution' generated more than 50 percent of failed bearings, because their minimum oil film thickness violated stipulated minimum constraint value. As a remedy change of oil viscosity is suggested after several sensitivities of variables have been investigated.

Liniecki, Alexander G.↗

NASA NTRS1993

The three-dimensional evolution of a plane wake

In the past three decades, linear stability analysis has led to a comprehensive understanding of the linear stages of transition in plane wakes. Our understanding of the nonlinear and turbulent stages is less developed. Nonlinear theory developed by Papageorgiou and Smith was used to study the long-wavelength regime in wakes. The nonlinear and turbulent stages were investigated experimentally, and few numerical studies examined the early nonlinear stages of forced wakes. The evolution of three dimensional disturbances in an incompressible wake is investigated using direct numerical simulations. The instantaneous three-dimaensional structures and corresponding statistics are presented.

Maekawa, H.↗

NASA NTRS1999

Seasonal Variability of Middle Latitude Ozone in the Lowermost Stratosphere Derived from Probability Distribution Functions

We present a study of the distribution of ozone in the lowermost stratosphere with the goal of understanding the relative contribution to the observations of air of either distinctly tropospheric or stratospheric origin. The air in the lowermost stratosphere is divided into two population groups based on Ertel's potential vorticity at 300 hPa. High [low] potential vorticity at 300 hPa suggests that the tropopause is low [high], and the identification of the two groups helps to account for dynamic variability. Conditional probability distribution functions are used to define the statistics of the mix from both observations and model simulations. Two data sources are chosen. First, several years of ozonesonde observations are used to exploit the high vertical resolution. Second, observations made by the Halogen Occultation Experiment [HALOE] on the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite [UARS] are used to understand the impact on the results of the spatial limitations of the ozonesonde network. The conditional probability distribution functions are calculated at a series of potential temperature surfaces spanning the domain from the midlatitude tropopause to surfaces higher than the mean tropical tropopause [about 380K]. Despite the differences in spatial and temporal sampling, the probability distribution functions are similar for the two data sources. Comparisons with the model demonstrate that the model maintains a mix of air in the lowermost stratosphere similar to the observations. The model also simulates a realistic annual cycle. By using the model, possible mechanisms for the maintenance of mix of air in the lowermost stratosphere are revealed. The relevance of the results to the assessment of the environmental impact of aircraft effluence is discussed.

Cerniglia, M. C.↗

NASA NTRS1999

Seasonal Variability of Middle Latitude Ozone in the Lowermost Stratosphere Derived from Probability Distribution Functions

We present a study of the distribution of ozone in the lowermost stratosphere with the goal of understanding the relative contribution to the observations of air of either distinctly tropospheric or stratospheric origin. The air in the lowermost stratosphere is divided into two population groups based on Ertel's potential vorticity at 300 hPa. High [low] potential vorticity at 300 hPa suggests that the tropopause is low [high], and the identification of the two groups helps to account for dynamic variability. Conditional probability distribution functions are used to define the statistics of the mix from both observations and model simulations. Two data sources are chosen. First, several years of ozonesonde observations are used to exploit the high vertical resolution. Second, observations made by the Halogen Occultation Experiment [HALOE) on the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite [UARS] are used to understand the impact on the results of the spatial limitations of the ozonesonde network. The conditional probability distribution functions are calculated at a series of potential temperature surfaces spanning the domain from the midlatitude tropopause to surfaces higher than the mean tropical tropopause [approximately 380K]. Despite the differences in spatial and temporal sampling, the probability distribution functions are similar for the two data sources. Comparisons with the model demonstrate that the model maintains a mix of air in the lowermost stratosphere similar to the observations. The model also simulates a realistic annual cycle. By using the model, possible mechanisms for the maintenance of mix of air in the lowermost stratosphere are revealed. The relevance of the results to the assessment of the environmental impact of aircraft effluence is discussed.

Cerniglia, M. C.↗

NASA NTRS2001

The Impact on Simulated Storm Structure and Intensity of Variations in the Lifted Condensation Level and the Level of Free Convection

The sensitivities of convective storm structure and intensity to changes in the altitudes of the prestorm environmental lifted condensation level and level of free convection axe studied using a full-physics three-dimensional cloud model. Matrices of simulations are conducted for a range of LCL=LFC altitudes, using a single moderately-sheared curved hodograph trace in conjunction with 1 convective available potential energy values of either 800 or 2000 J/kg, with the matrices consisting of all four combinations of two distinct choices of buoyancy and shear profile shape. For each value of CAPE, the LCL=LFC altitudes are also allowed to vary in a series of simulations based on the most highly compressed buoyancy and shear profiles for that CAPE, with the environmental buoyancy profile shape, subcloud equivalent potential temperature, subcloud lapse rates of temperature and moisture, and wind profile held fixed. For each CAPE, one final simulation is conducted using a near optimal LFC, but a lowered LCL, with a neutrally buoyant environmental thermal profile specified in between. Results show that, for the buoyancy-starved small-CAPE environments, the simulated storms are supercells and are generally largest and most intense when LCL=LFC altitudes lie in the approximate range 1.5-2.5 km above the surface. The simulations show similar trends for the shear-starved large-CAPE environments, except that conversion from supercell to multicell morphology frequently occurs when the LCL is high. For choices of LCL=LFC height within the optimal 1.5-2.5 km range, peak storm updraft overturning efficiency may approaches unity relative to parcel theory, while for lower LCL=LFC heights, overturning efficiency is reduced significantly. The enhancements of overturning efficiency and updraft diameter with increasing LFC height are shown to be the result of systematic increases in the mean equivalent potential temperature of the updraft at cloud base. For the shear-starved environments, the tendency for outflow dominance is eliminated, but a large overturning efficiency maintained, when a low LCL is used in conjunction with a high LFC. The result regarding outflow dominance at high LCL is consistent with expectations, but the beneficial effect of a high LFC on convective overturning efficiency has not previously been widely recognized. The simulation findings here also appear to be consistent with statistics from previous severe storm environment climatologies, but provide a new framework for interpreting those statistics.

McCaul, Eugene W., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS2001

Large Eddy Simulation of a Near Sonic Turbulent Jet and Its Radiated Noise

In this paper numerical simulations are used to calculate the turbulence dynamics simultaneously with the sound field for a high-speed near-sonic (Ma=0.9) compressible jet at two Reynolds numbers of 3,600 and 72,000. LES (Large Eddy Simulation) in conjunction with accurate numerical schemes is used to calculate the unsteady flow and sound in the near field of the jet. It is shown that the jet mean parameters, mean velocity fields and turbulence statistics are in good agreement with experimental data and results from other simulations. The sound in the near-field is calculated directly from the simulations. The calculations are shown to capture the peak in the dilatation and pressure spectra around a Strouhal number St=0.25-0.3, in agreement with typical jet-noise spectra measured in experiments. Dilatation contours in the near-field show the formation of acoustic waves with a dominant wavelength of 3.2-4 jet diameters, corresponding to the peak in the dilatation spectra. As expected, the non-compact noise sources are found to be most dominant in the region corresponding to the end of the potential core. The contribution of the LES model to the radiated noise appears to be weak and does not contaminate the sound field with spurious high-frequency noise. However, the frequency spectra of the sound show a rapid falloff away from the peak frequency. This is attributed to the quasi-laminar state of the shear-layers in the region prior to potential core closure, and a possible effect of insufficient azimuthal resolution at the observed location. Further analysis of the effect of the LES model, especially at high frequencies, is needed.

Constantinescu, G. S.↗