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At least 613 records · Page 34
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1986

Experimental study of effects of forebody geometry on high angle of attack static and dynamic stability and control

A series of low-speed wind tunnel tests on a generic airplane model with a cylindrical fuselage were made to investigate the effects of forebody shape and fitness ratio, and fuselage/wing proximity on static and dynamic lateral/directional stability. In addition, some preliminary testing to determine the effectiveness of deflectable forebody strakes for high angle of attack yaw control was conducted. During the stability investigation, 11 forebodies were tested including three different cross-sectional shapes with fineness ratios of 2, 3, and 4. In addition, the wing was tested at two longitudinal positions to provide a substantial variation in forebody/wing proximity. Conventional force tests were conducted to determine static stability characteristics, and single-degree-of-freedom free-to-roll tests were conducted to study the wing rock characteristics of the model with the various forebodies. Flow visualization data were obtained to aid in the analysis of the complex flow phenomena involved. The results show that the forebody cross-sectional shape and fineness ratio and forebody/wing proximity can strongly affect both static and dynamic (roll) stability at high angles of attack. These characteristics result from the impact of these factors on forebody vortex development, the behavior of the vortices in sideslip, and their interaction with the wing flow field. Preliminary results from the deflectable strake investigation indicated that forebody flow control using this concept can provide very large yaw control moments at stall and post-stall angles of attack.

Brandon, J. M.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Research study on stabilization and control modern sampled-data control theory

The methods of continuous and discrete describing function analysis were applied to predicting the existence of self-sustained oscillations in the single-axis model of the large space telescope system with nonlinear control moment gyroscope friction characteristics. It is shown that the stability equations may be solved by a numerical-iterative technique using the describing function analysis, instead of the usual graphical methods. The numerical method is found to be effective in leading to a convergent solution rapidly, with an appropriate guess of the initial condition.

Kuo, B. C.↗
NASA NTRS1977

A theoretical analysis of airplane longitudinal stability and control as affected by wind shear

The longitudinal equations of motion with wind shear terms were used to analyze the stability and motions of a jet transport. A positive wind shear gives a decreasing head wind or changes a head wind into a tail wind. A negative wind shear gives a decreasing tail wind or changes a tail wind into a head wind. It was found that wind shear had very little effect on the short period mode and that negative wind shear, although it affected the phugoid, did not cause stability problems. On the other hand, it was found that positive wind shear can cause the phugoid to become aperiodic and unstable. In this case, a stability boundary for the phugoid was found that is valid for most aircraft at all flight speeds. Calculations of aircraft motions confirmed the results of the stability analysis. It was found that a flight path control automatic pilot and an airspeed control system provide good control in all types of wind shear. Appendixes give equations of motion that include the effects of downdrafts and updrafts and extend the longitudinal equations of motion for shear to six degrees of freedom.

Sherman, W. L.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Multi-disciplinary optimization of aeroservoelastic systems

Efficient analytical and computational tools for simultaneous optimal design of the structural and control components of aeroservoelastic systems are presented. The optimization objective is to achieve aircraft performance requirements and sufficient flutter and control stability margins with a minimal weight penalty and without violating the design constraints. Analytical sensitivity derivatives facilitate an efficient optimization process which allows a relatively large number of design variables. Standard finite element and unsteady aerodynamic routines are used to construct a modal data base. Minimum State aerodynamic approximations and dynamic residualization methods are used to construct a high accuracy, low order aeroservoelastic model. Sensitivity derivatives of flutter dynamic pressure, control stability margins and control effectiveness with respect to structural and control design variables are presented. The performance requirements are utilized by equality constraints which affect the sensitivity derivatives. A gradient-based optimization algorithm is used to minimize an overall cost function. A realistic numerical example of a composite wing with four controls is used to demonstrate the modeling technique, the optimization process, and their accuracy and efficiency.

Karpel, Mordechay↗
NASA NTRS1992

Multidisciplinary optimization of aeroservoelastic systems using reduced-size models

Efficient analytical and computational tools for simultaneous optimal design of the structural and control components of aeroservoelastic systems are presented. The optimization objective is to achieve aircraft performance requirements and sufficient flutter and control stability margins with a minimal weight penalty and without violating the design constraints. Analytical sensitivity derivatives facilitate an efficient optimization process which allows a relatively large number of design variables. Standard finite element and unsteady aerodynamic routines are used to construct a modal data base. Minimum State aerodynamic approximations and dynamic residualization methods are used to construct a high accuracy, low order aeroservoelastic model. Sensitivity derivatives of flutter dynamic pressure, control stability margins and control effectiveness with respect to structural and control design variables are presented. The performance requirements are utilized by equality constraints which affect the sensitivity derivatives. A gradient-based optimization algorithm is used to minimize an overall cost function. A realistic numerical example of a composite wing with four controls is used to demonstrate the modeling technique, the optimization process, and their accuracy and efficiency.

Karpel, Mordechay↗
NASA NTRS1979

Aerodynamic characteristics of the 140A/B space shuttle orbiter at Mach 10.3

A wind-tunnel investigation was conducted to determine the static longitudinal and lateral-directional characteristics of the 140/B space shuttle orbiter configurations. A 0.010-scale model was tested at angles of attack from 12 deg to 36.5 deg at Reynolds numbers ranging from 0.62 x to 1.33 x based on fuselage reference length. Stability, control, and performance characteristics were obtained for several deflections of the elevons and body flap. Effects of aileron deflection on roll control and longitudinal stability were also measured. The results indicate that the orbiter is neutrally stable at a 20 degs angle of attack with control deflections set at 0 degs and the center of gravity at 65 percent of fuselage length. For a typical entry attitude of 30 degs stable trim resulting in a lift-drag ratio of 1.40 is possible. Increasing the Reynolds number yielded higher values of lift-drag ratio, but only for angles of attack up to 24 degs. The orbiter is directionally unstable with positive dihedral effect. Aileron deflection resulted in adverse yaw to roll control and also caused negative increments in pitching moment over the test angle-of-attack range.

Bernot, P. T.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Control optimization, stabilization and computer algorithms for aircraft applications

The analysis and design of complex multivariable reliable control systems are considered. High performance and fault tolerant aircraft systems are the objectives. A preliminary feasibility study of the design of a lateral control system for a VTOL aircraft that is to land on a DD963 class destroyer under high sea state conditions is provided. Progress in the following areas is summarized: (1) VTOL control system design studies; (2) robust multivariable control system synthesis; (3) adaptive control systems; (4) failure detection algorithms; and (5) fault tolerant optimal control theory.

Athans, M.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Stability and control of a supersonic transport airplane during landing approach

Modal control theory was applied to determine feedback gains that provide desirable stability characteristics and satisfactory transient response to aileron deflection input. However, the peak value of lateral acceleration at the pilot's station does not satisfy a proposed criterion during a rolling maneuver. Optimal regulator theory does not provide a significant reduction of the peak lateral acceleration. The weighting matrices in the performance index were given an extreme variation, but the effect on lateral acceleration remained insignificant. Open loop control provided the desired bank angle (30 deg) with the desired roll rate (10 deg/sec), and provided a satisfactory level of lateral acceleration. However, a large adverse sideslip angle was required. In addition, the yawing velocity was negative for about two seconds and lateral acceleration changed sign during the maneuver. The problem persists and perhaps relaxed criteria must be proposed. The criteria could allow any combination of a lower average rolling velocity, a larger adverse sideslip angle excursion, and a higher peak lateral acceleration at the pilot's station.

Oehman, W. I.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Verification test results of Apollo stabilization and control systems during undocked operations

The results are presented of analysis and simulation testing of both the Skylark 1 reaction control system digital autopilot (RCS DAP) and the thrust vector control (TVC) autopilot for use during the undocked portions of the Apollo/Soyuz Test Project Mission. The RCS DAP testing was performed using the Skylab Functional Simulator (SLFS), a digital computer program capable of simulating the Apollo and Skylab autopilots along with vehicle dynamics including bending and sloshing. The model is used to simulate three-axis automatic maneuvers along with pilot controlled manual maneuvers using the RCS DAP. The TVC autopilot was tested in two parts. A classical stability analysis was performed on the vehicle considering the effects of structural bending and sloshing when under control of the TVC autopilot. The time response of the TVC autopilot was tested using the SLFS. Results indicate that adequate performance stability margins can be expected for the CSM/DM configuration when under the control of the Apollo control systems tested.

Copeland, E. L.↗
DOE OSTI2022

Artificial-intelligence-based prediction and control of combustion instabilities in spark-ignition engines

In recent years, as engine control strategies have grown increasingly sophisticated in a continued drive for increasing efficiency and reducing emissions, engine operation has been pushed into regimes that are limited by combustion instabilities. These instabilities produce undesirable abnormal combustion events, which pose barriers to further improvement in engine efficiency. Many of the phenomena involved are difficult to model or control using traditional, purely physics-based models and reactive control approaches. Artificial intelligence (AI) techniques offer some promise for achieving more effective combustion stability control, especially when appropriately applied within a physics-informed framework. This chapter illustrates the current state-of-the-art in applying AI to combustion stability control and examines three case studies with application to the dilute stability limit in spark-ignition engines to illustrate the utility and limitations of AI in these applications.

Maldonado Puente, Bryan↗
NASA NTRS1974

Hypersonic stability and control characteristics of the Rockwell International 139-B space shuttle orbiter

The purpose of this study was to determine the hypersonic aerodynamic performance, longitudinal trim, static stability, and the extent of the center-of-gravity boundaries within the design control limits as well as to examine the effect of Reynolds number on the longitudinal stability of the 139-B space shuttle orbiter. A 0.004 scale model (34-0)was tested in helium over an angle-of-attack range of 18 deg to 54 deg at 0 deg and -minus 5 deg sideslip angles. The total pressure was varied for selected configurations to obtain a Reynolds number range, based on model length, from 0.51 million to 3.6 million at Mach numbers between 17.6 and 21.6 Surface oil-flow studies and electron-beam illuminated-flow studies were also conducted at angles-of-attack of 30 deg, 40 deg, and 50 deg for selected Reynolds numbers.

Stone, D. R.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Control optimization, stabilization and computer algorithms for aircraft applications

Computationally useful algorithms are considered that can aid the control engineer in designing systems control in linear time invariant dynamics for aircraft applications. Structural aspects of system identification, matrix parameterization, and the effect of feedback on identifiability of systems. Adaptive and stochastic control model constructions are projected, and a method for approximate identification of aircraft characteristics and subsequent generation of control signals is outlined.

Mitter, S. K.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Space Shuttle flight control system

The Space Shuttle is a control stabilized vehicle with control provided by an all digital, fly-by-wire flight control system. This paper gives a description of the several modes of flight control which correspond to the Shuttle mission phases. These modes are ascent flight control (including open loop first stage steering, the use of four computers operating in parallel and inertial guidance sensors), on-orbit flight control (with a discussion of reaction control, phase plane switching logic, jet selection logic, state estimator logic and OMS thrust vector control), entry flight control and TAEM (terminal area energy management to landing). Also discussed are redundancy management and backup flight control.

Klinar, W. J.↗
NASA NTRS1980

ATM-CMG control system stability

Stability analyses and simulation data and results are presented for an initial Control Moment Gyroscope system proposed for the Apollo Telescope Mount cluster (later named Skylab) using momentum vector feedback. A compensation filtering technique is presented which significantly improved analytical and simulation performance of the system. This technique is quite similar to the complementary filtering technique and represents an early NASA application.

Anderson, W. W.↗
NASA NTRS1951

An analysis of the effects of aeroelasticity on static longitudinal stability and control of a swept-back-wing airplane

A theoretical analysis of the effects of aeroelasticity on the stick-fixed static longitudinal stability and elevator angle required for balance of an airplane is presented together with calculated effects for a swept-wing bomber of relatively high flexibility. Although large changes in stability due to certain parameters are indicated for the example airplane, the over-all stability change after considering all parameters was quite small, compared to the individual effects, due to the counterbalancing of wing and tail contributions. The effect of flexibility on longitudinal control for the example airplane was found to be of little real importance.

STABILITY, LONGITUDINAL - STATIC↗
NASA NTRS1950

Transonic Stability and Control Investigation of a 1/80-Scale Model of the Consolidated Vultee Skate 9 Seaplane, TED No. NACA DE 345: Transonic-Bump Method

An investigation of the longitudinal stability and of the all-movable horizontal tail and aileron control of a 1/80-scale reflection-plane model of the Consolidated Vultee Skate 9 seaplane has been made through a Mach number range of 0.6 to 1.16 on the transonic bump of the Langley high-speed 7- by 10-foot tunnel. At moderate lift coefficients (0.4 to 0.8) and below a Mach number of 1.0 the model was statically unstable longitudinally. The static longitudinal stability of the model at low lift coefficients increased with Mach number corresponding to a shift in aerodynamic center from 37 percent mean aerodynamic chord at a Mach number of 0.60 to 64 percent at a Mach number of 1.10. Estimates indicate that the tail deflection angle required for steady flight and for accelerated maneuvers of the Skate 9 airplane would probably not vary greatly with Mach number at sea level, but for accelerated maneuvers at altitude the tail deflection angle would probably vary erratically with Mach number. The variation of rolling-moment coefficient with aileron deflection angle was approximately linear, agreed well with theory, and held for the range of aileron deflections tested (-17.1 deg to 16.6 deg). At low lift coefficients the drag rise occurred at Mach numbers of 0.95 and 0.90 for the wing alone and the complete model, respectively. The effects of the canopy on the model were small. For the ranges investigated, angle-of-attack and Mach number changes caused no large pressure drops in the jet-engine duct.

Riebe, John M.↗