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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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NASA NTRS1987

Real-time operational planning for the U.S. air traffic system

This paper describes an integrated planning model for the U.S. air traffic system. The approach incorporates the dual objectives of monitoring collision risk while minimizing transportation costs. Specialized solution algorithms exploit the underlying structure of the model - especially for large-scale examples. The proposed formulation is tested with real-world data for the Indianapolis control sector. Additional experiments with a CRAY X-MP/24 supercomputer show that a full-scale model can be solved under real time conditions. Despite these advances, additional work is required in developing a practical system. Suggestions are made for combining advances in computer graphics and mathematical modeling.

Mulvey, John M.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Asset - An application in mission automation for science planning

Recent advances in computer technology were used to great advantage in planning science observation sequences for the Voyager 2 encounter with Uranus in 1986. Despite a loss of experienced personnel, a challenging schedule, workforce limitations, and the complex nature of the Uranus encounter itself, the resultant science observation timelines were the most highly optimized of the five Voyager encounters with the outer planets. In part, this was due to the development of a microcomputer-based system, called ASSET (Automated Science Sequence Encounter Timelines generator), which was used to design those science observation timelines. This paper details the development of that system. ASSET demonstrates several features essential to the design of the first expert systems for science planning which will be applied for future missions.

Finnerty, D. F.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Inversion Of Jacobian Matrix For Robot Manipulators

Report discusses inversion of Jacobian matrix for class of six-degree-of-freedom arms with spherical wrist, i.e., with last three joints intersecting. Shows by taking advantage of simple geometry of such arms, closed-form solution of Q=J-1X, which represents linear transformation from task space to joint space, obtained efficiently. Presents solutions for PUMA arm, JPL/Stanford arm, and six-revolute-joint coplanar arm along with all singular points. Main contribution of paper shows simple geometry of this type of arms exploited in performing inverse transformation without any need to compute Jacobian or its inverse explicitly. Implication of this computational efficiency advanced task-space control schemes for spherical-wrist arms implemented more efficiently.

Fijany, Amir↗

NASA NTRS1988

Numerical methods for turbulent flow

It has generally become accepted that the Navier-Strokes equations predict the dynamic behavior of turbulent as well as laminar flows of a fluid at a point in space away form a discontinuity such as a shock wave. Turbulence is also closely related to the phenomena of non-uniqueness of solutions of the Navier-Strokes equations. These second order, nonlinear partial differential equations can be solved analytically for only a few simple flows. Turbulent flow fields are much to complex to lend themselves to these few analytical methods. Numerical methods, therefore, offer the only possibility of achieving a solution of turbulent flow equations. In spite of recent advances in computer technology, the direct solution, by discrete methods, of the Navier-Strokes equations for turbulent flow fields is today, and in the foreseeable future, impossible. Thus the only economically feasible way to solve practical turbulent flow problems numerically is to use statistically averaged equations governing mean-flow quantities. The objective is to study some recent developments relating to the use of numerical methods to study turbulent flow.

Turner, James C., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Planetary cartography in the next decade: Digital cartography and emerging opportunities

Planetary maps being produced today will represent views of the solar system for many decades to come. The primary objective of the planetary cartography program is to produce the most complete and accurate maps from hundreds of thousands of planetary images in support of scientific studies and future missions. Here, the utilization of digital techniques and digital bases in response to recent advances in computer technology are emphasized.

Source record↗

NASA NTRS1989

Computational aspects of multibody dynamics

Computational aspects are addressed which impact the requirements for developing a next generation software system for flexible multibody dynamics simulation which include: criteria for selecting candidate formulation, pairing of formulations with appropriate solution procedures, need for concurrent algorithms to utilize computer hardware advances, and provisions for allowing open-ended yet modular analysis modules.

Park, K. C.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Demonstration of decomposition and optimization in the design of experimental space systems

Effective design strategies for a class of systems which may be termed Experimental Space Systems (ESS) are needed. These systems, which include large space antenna and observatories, space platforms, earth satellites and deep space explorers, have special characteristics which make them particularly difficult to design. It is argued here that these same characteristics encourage the use of advanced computer-aided optimization and planning techniques. The broad goal of this research is to develop optimization strategies for the design of ESS. These strategics would account for the possibly conflicting requirements of mission life, safety, scientific payoffs, initial system cost, launch limitations and maintenance costs. The strategies must also preserve the coupling between disciplines or between subsystems. Here, the specific purpose is to describe a computer-aided planning and scheduling technique. This technique provides the designer with a way to map the flow of data between multidisciplinary analyses. The technique is important because it enables the designer to decompose the system design problem into a number of smaller subproblems. The planning and scheduling technique is demonstrated by its application to a specific preliminary design problem.

Padula, Sharon↗

NASA NTRS1989

CSM parallel structural methods research

Parallel structural methods, research team activities, advanced architecture computers for parallel computational structural mechanics (CSM) research, the FLEX/32 multicomputer, a parallel structural analyses testbed, blade-stiffened aluminum panel with a circular cutout and the dynamic characteristics of a 60 meter, 54-bay, 3-longeron deployable truss beam are among the topics discussed.

Storaasli, Olaf O.↗

NASA NTRS1988

A high-performance FFT algorithm for vector supercomputers

Many traditional algorithms for computing the fast Fourier transform (FFT) on conventional computers are unacceptable for advanced vector and parallel computers because they involve nonunit, power-of-two memory strides. A practical technique for computing the FFT that avoids all such strides and appears to be near-optimal for a variety of current vector and parallel computers is presented. Performance results of a program based on this technique are given. Notable among these results is that a FORTRAN implementation of this algorithm on the CRAY-2 runs up to 77-percent faster than Cray's assembly-coded library routine.

Bailey, David H.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Assessment of numerical techniques for unsteady flow calculations

The characteristics of unsteady flow motions have long been a serious concern in the study of various fluid dynamic and combustion problems. With the advancement of computer resources, numerical approaches to these problems appear to be feasible. The objective of this paper is to assess the accuracy of several numerical schemes for unsteady flow calculations. In the present study, Fourier error analysis is performed for various numerical schemes based on a two-dimensional wave equation. Four methods sieved from the error analysis are then adopted for further assessment. Model problems include unsteady quasi-one-dimensional inviscid flows, two-dimensional wave propagations, and unsteady two-dimensional inviscid flows. According to the comparison between numerical and exact solutions, although second-order upwind scheme captures the unsteady flow and wave motions quite well, it is relatively more dissipative than sixth-order central difference scheme. Among various numerical approaches tested in this paper, the best performed one is Runge-Kutta method for time integration and six-order central difference for spatial discretization.

Hsieh, Kwang-Chung↗

NASA NTRS1989

International Conference on Numerical Methods in Fluid Dynamics, 11th, Williamsburg, VA, June 27-July 1, 1988, Proceedings

Recent advances in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) are discussed in reviews and reports. Topics addressed include CFD models in plasma dynamics, parallel computation for simulation studies, CFD for hypersonic airbreathing aircraft, multigrid methods for the steady incompressible Navier-Stokes equations, upwind differencing techniques, TV stable schemes for shock-interacting flows, Euler models of hypersonic vortex flows, parallel multilevel adaptive methods, and vortex methods for slightly viscous three-dimensional flows. Consideration is given to the accuracy of node-based solutions on irregular meshes, multigrid calculations for cascades, a finite-volume-element method for planar cavity flow, parallel heterogeneous mesh refinement for advection-diffusion equations, the convergence of the spectral-viscosity method for nonlinear conservation laws, and numerical simulations of Taylor vortices in a spherical gap.

Dwoyer, D. L.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Flight deck automation: Promises and realities

Issues of flight deck automation are multifaceted and complex. The rapid introduction of advanced computer-based technology onto the flight deck of transport category aircraft has had considerable impact both on aircraft operations and on the flight crew. As part of NASA's responsibility to facilitate an active exchange of ideas and information among members of the aviation community, a NASA/FAA/Industry workshop devoted to flight deck automation, organized by the Aerospace Human Factors Research Division of NASA Ames Research Center. Participants were invited from industry and from government organizations responsible for design, certification, operation, and accident investigation of transport category, automated aircraft. The goal of the workshop was to clarify the implications of automation, both positive and negative. Workshop panels and working groups identified issues regarding the design, training, and procedural aspects of flight deck automation, as well as the crew's ability to interact and perform effectively with the new technology. The proceedings include the invited papers and the panel and working group reports, as well as the summary and conclusions of the conference.

Norman, Susan D.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Particle simulations in magnetospheric plasmas

In view of the recent remarkable advancement of computer technology and simulation software, simulation studies are one of the most powerful academic tools for establishment of quantitative space physics and modelling of our space environment. The complex nature encountered in space plasma physics has motivated considerable development in computer simulations, which have played an essential role in the development of space plasma theory. This report describes research undertaken to understand physical processes involved in plasma waves observed in the magnetospheric plasmas, and associated nonlinear phenomena such as heating, diffusion, and acceleration of particles due to excited waves. The research explains and clarifies the observational data both qualitatively and quantitatively.

Nishikawa, Ken-Ichi↗

NASA NTRS1989

The JAU-JPL anthropomorphic telerobot

Work in progress on the new anthropomorphic telerobot is described. The initial robot configuration consists of a seven DOF arm and a sixteen DOF hand, having three fingers and a thumb. The robot has active compliance, enabling subsequent dual arm manipulations. To control the rather complex configuration of this robot, an exoskeleton master arm harness and a glove controller were built. The controller will be used for teleoperational tasks and as a research tool to efficiently teach the computer controller advanced manipulation techniques.

Jau, Bruno M.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Finite element analysis in fluids; Proceedings of the Seventh International Conference on Finite Element Methods in Flow Problems, University of Alabama, Huntsville, Apr. 3-7, 1989

Recent advances in computational fluid dynamics are examined in reviews and reports, with an emphasis on finite-element methods. Sections are devoted to adaptive meshes, atmospheric dynamics, combustion, compressible flows, control-volume finite elements, crystal growth, domain decomposition, EM-field problems, FDM/FEM, and fluid-structure interactions. Consideration is given to free-boundary problems with heat transfer, free surface flow, geophysical flow problems, heat and mass transfer, high-speed flow, incompressible flow, inverse design methods, MHD problems, the mathematics of finite elements, and mesh generation. Also discussed are mixed finite elements, multigrid methods, non-Newtonian fluids, numerical dissipation, parallel vector processing, reservoir simulation, seepage, shallow-water problems, spectral methods, supercomputer architectures, three-dimensional problems, and turbulent flows.

Chung, T. J.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Application of the computational aeroacoustics method to an advanced counterrotating propfan configuration

The acoustical near field of a counterrotating propeller configuration of unducted fan (UDF) type is presently predicted by means of a numerical methodology employing the transonic flow field generated by the three-dimensional numerical flow solver designated SSTAGE. This numerical approach simulates the time-averaged, three-dimensional inviscid flow field of the UDF by means of a four-stage Runge-Kutta integration scheme which marches the equations forward in time toward an asymptotic limit. The near field pressure time history is obtained directly from the flow field solution; by converting these histories with a Fourier series representation, specific data on the acoustic signal frequency spectra can be obtained.

Kim, Jinhan↗

NASA NTRS1990

Report of the workshop on Aviation Safety/Automation Program

As part of NASA's responsibility to encourage and facilitate active exchange of information and ideas among members of the aviation community, an Aviation Safety/Automation workshop was organized and sponsored by the Flight Management Division of NASA Langley Research Center. The one-day workshop was held on October 10, 1989, at the Sheraton Beach Inn and Conference Center in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Participants were invited from industry, government, and universities to discuss critical questions and issues concerning the rapid introduction and utilization of advanced computer-based technology into the flight deck and air traffic controller workstation environments. The workshop was attended by approximately 30 discipline experts, automation and human factors researchers, and research and development managers. The goal of the workshop was to address major issues identified by the NASA Aviation Safety/Automation Program. Here, the results of the workshop are documented. The ideas, thoughts, and concepts were developed by the workshop participants. The findings, however, have been synthesized into a final report primarily by the NASA researchers.

Morello, Samuel A.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Precise synchronization of phasor measurements in electric power systems

Phasors representing positive sequence voltages and currents in a power network are in the most important parameters in several monitoring, control, and protection functions in interconnected electric power networks. Recent advances in computer relaying have led to very efficient and accurate phasor measurement systems. When the phasors to be measured are separated by hundreds of miles, it becomes necessary to synchronize the measurement processes, so that a consistent description of the state of the power system can be established. Global Positioning System (GPS) transmissions offer an ideal source for synchronization of phasor measurements. The concept and implementation of this technique are described. Several uses of synchronized phasor measurements are also described. Among these are improved state estimation algorithms, state estimator enhancements, dynamic state estimates, improved control techniques, and improved protection concepts.

Phadke, Arun G.↗