Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “CALCULATION METHODS”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 667 records · Page 37

A Concise Theoretical Method for Profile-Drag Calculation; Advance Report

In this report a method is presented for the calculation of the profile drag of airfoil sections. The method requlres only a knowledge of the theoretical velocity distribution and can be applied readily once this dlstribution is ascertained. Comparison of calculated and experimental drag characteristics for several airfoils shows a satisfactory agreement. Sample calculatlons are included.

Nitzberg, Gerald E.↗

A New Method for the Accurate Calculation of Derivatives at Structured Multiblock Grid Singularities

The new Structured Mapping At Reduced dimension Topology elements (SMART) method for the accurate calculation of derivatives at multiblock structured grid block interfaces is presented. In the SMART method, a ’local’ curvilinear mapping is defined at each interface point, giving a consistent multidimensional definition of the derivatives. The resulting system of equations is overdetermined, and a least squares method is used to determine the value of the derivatives in the local coordinate system. In the special case of a nonsingular interface point, the SMART method automatically recovers the spatial differencing stencils used at the interior points in the neighboring grid blocks.

Computational Aeroacoustics↗

Mapping transformations for broadband atmospheric radiation calculations

Two methods of mapping the line-by-line absorption coefficient (k) spectrum onto a new variable to produce a set of k coefficients which can be used for accurate and efficient broadband radiative transfer calculations in vertically inhomogeneous, nongray scattering atmospheres are described. These methods are intended for applications for which the less accurate correlated-k method is inadequate. These methods are tested for model atmospheres containing CO2 and H2O, with pressure in the range 0.05-0.9 bar. The results obtained differed by no more than 1 or 2 percent from the line-by-line results if the number of k coefficients was about 100 times less than the number required for the line-by-line calculation. These algorithms can be used for gas mixtures and for a variety of pressure-temperature profiles.

West, Robert↗

Real-Time Stability Margin Measurements for X-38 Robustness Analysis

A method has been developed for real-time stability margin measurement calculations. The method relies on a tailored-forced excitation targeted to a specific frequency range. Computation of the frequency response is matched to the specific frequencies contained in the excitation. A recursive Fourier transformation is used to make the method compatible with real-time calculation. The method was incorporated into the X-38 nonlinear simulation and applied to an X-38 robustness test. X-38 stability margins were calculated for different variations in aerodynamic and mass properties over the vehicle flight trajectory. The new method showed results comparable to more traditional stability analysis techniques, and at the same time, this new method provided coverage that is more complete and increased efficiency.

Bosworth, John T.↗

Quantum Chemical Calculations

The current methods of quantum chemical calculations will be reviewed. The accent will be on the accuracy that can be achieved with these methods. The basis set requirements and computer resources for the various methods will be discussed. The utility of the methods will be illustrated with some examples, which include the calculation of accurate bond energies for SiF$_n$ and SiF$_n^+$ and the modeling of chemical data storage.

Bauschlicher, Charles W.↗

Swept wing ice accretion modeling

An effort to develop a three-dimensional ice accretion modeling method is initiated. This first step toward creation of a complete aircraft icing simulation code builds on previously developed methods for calculating three-dimensional flowfields and particle trajectories combined with a two-dimensional ice accretion calculation along coordinate locations corresponding to streamlines. This work is intended as a demonstration of the types of calculations necessary to predict a three-dimensional ice accretion. Results of calculations using the 3D method for a MS-317 swept wing geometry are projected onto a 2D plane normal to the wing leading edge and compared to 2D results for the same geometry. These results indicate that the flowfield over the surface and the particle trajectories differed for the two calculations. This led to lower collection efficiencies, convective heat transfer coefficients, freezing fractions, and ultimately ice accumulation for the 3D calculation.

Potapczuk, M. G.↗

Numerical simulation of ice growth on a MS-317 swept wing geometry

An effort to develop a 3-D ice accretion modeling method was initiated. This first step towards creation of a complete aircraft icing simulation code builds on previously developed methods for calculating 3-D flow fields and particle trajectories combined with a 2-D ice accretion calculation along coordinate locations corresponding to streamlines. The types of calculations necessary to predict 3-D ice accretion is demonstrated. Results of calculations using 3-D method for a MS-317 swept wing geometry are projected onto a 2-D plane parallel to the free stream direction and compared to experimental results for the same geometry. It is anticipated that many modifications will be made to this approach, however this effort will lay the groundwork for future modeling efforts. Results indicate that rime ice shapes indicate a difficulty in accurately calculating the ice shape in the runback region.

Potapczuk, M. G.↗

Numerical simulation of ice growth on a MS-317 swept wing geometry

An effort to develop a 3-D ice accretion modeling method was initiated. This first step towards creation of a complete aircraft icing simulation code builds on previously developed methods for calculating 3-D flow fields and particle trajectories combined with a 2-D ice accretion calculation along coordinate locations corresponding to streamlines. The types of calculations necessary to predict three-dimensional ice accretion is demonstrated. Results of calculations using 3-D method for a MS-317 swept wing geometry are projected onto a 2-D plane parallel to the free stream direction and compared to experimental results for the same geometry. It is anticipated that many modifications will be made to this approach, however, this effort will lay the groundwork for future modeling efforts. Results indicate that rime ice shapes indicate a difficulty in accurately calculating the ice shape in the runback region.

Potapczuk, M. G.↗

Implicit calculations of transonic flows using monotone methods

Implicit approximate-factorization algorithms have been developed that use monotone methods for the calculation of steady and unsteady transonic flows governed by the small-disturbance-potential equation. These algorithms use the new Engquist-Osher switch in the type-dependent differencing in place of the standard Murman-Cole switch. The resulting algorithms are more stable; hence, calculations can be done more efficiently. For steady flows, the convergence rate is about 35% faster, and for unsteady flows the allowable time step is about 10 times larger. These improvements are achieved with no increase in computer storage and with only minor modifications in codes that use the Murman-Cole switch. Also an implicit algorithm has been developed for the steady full-potential equation in one-dimension, which uses monotone methods.

Goorjian, P. M.↗

Multiple scattering of polarized light in planetary atmospheres. II - Sunlight reflected by terrestrial water clouds.

The intensity and polarization of sunlight reflected by terrestrial water clouds are computed with the doubling method. The calculations illustrate that this method can be effectively used in problems involving strongly anisotropic phase matrices. The method can, therefore, be used to derive information about planetary clouds, including those of the earth, from polarimetric observations. The results of the computations indicate that the polarization is more sensitive than the intensity to cloud microstructure, such as particle size and shape.

Hansen, J. E.↗

Annular truncated plug nozzle flowfield and base pressure characteristics.

The flowfield and base pressure characteristics of an internal-external expansion, truncated plug nozzle are described over the pressure ratio range from 'open' wake to 'closed' wake conditions. The effect of plug length on these characteristics, including the process of wake 'closure' is also presented. An existing method for calculating the flowfield and base pressure, for 'closed' wake operation, is modified to include the internal shock wave generated near the shroud exit. The supersonic portion of the flow is calculated using rotational axisymmetric method of characteristics. The technique of Hartree is employed so that the downstream characteristic point locations can be chosen to fit the developing flowfield. An overexpansion technique is used to detect the internal shock wave in the vicinity of the shroud exit so that its effect on the plug base pressure could be determined. Good agreement between the analytical results and experimental data is obtained for 'closed' wake operations.

Sule, W. P.↗

Thermodynamics. II - The extended thermodynamic system

The algebraic theory of thermodynamics developed in a previous paper is extended to include the algebraic structure that arises from the introduction of a physical body into the theory. The extension is based on very general definitions of both the thermodynamic states of a body and subsystems of that body. The algebraic analysis, which includes bodies in nonuniform states, shows that the set of all thermodynamic states of a body has the same algebraic structure as the set of thermodynamic states and that composite systems are induced by the algebraic structure of thermodynamic states. The analysis also justifies a variational treatment of thermodynamic bodies in uniform as well as nonuniform states. The variational calculation includes all conventional methods of calculation as special cases and helps to illuminate the origin and interpretation of the electrochemical potential.

Zeleznik, F. J.↗

Calculation of Gallium-metal-Arsenic phase diagrams

Electrical contacts and metallization to GaAs solar cells must survive at high temperatures for several minutes under specific mission scenarios. The determination of which metallizations or alloy systems that are able to withstand extreme thermal excursions with minimum degradation to solar cell performance can be predicted by properly calculated temperature constitution phase diagrams. A method for calculating a ternary diagram and its three constituent binary phase diagrams is briefly outlined and ternary phase diagrams for three Ga-As-X alloy systems are presented. Free energy functions of the liquid and solid phase are approximated by the regular solution theory. Phase diagrams calculated using this method are presented for the Ga-As-Ge and Ga-As-Ag systems.

Scofield, J. D.↗

Blocked Force and Loading Calculations for LaRC THUNDER Actuators

An analytic approach is developed to predict the performance of LaRC Thunder actuators under load and under blocked conditions. The problem is treated with the Von Karman non-linear analysis combined with a simple Raleigh-Ritz calculation. From this, shape and displacement under load combined with voltage are calculated. A method is found to calculate the blocked force vs voltage and spring force vs distance. It is found that under certain conditions, the blocked force and displacement is almost linear with voltage. It is also found that the spring force is multivalued and has at least one bifurcation point. This bifurcation point is where the device collapses under load and locks to a different bending solution. This occurs at a particular critical load. It is shown this other bending solution has a reduced amplitude and is proportional to the original amplitude times the square of the aspect ratio.

Campbell, Joel F.↗

Steady-State ALPS for Real-Valued Problems

The two objectives of this paper are to describe a steady-state version of the Age-Layered Population Structure (ALPS) Evolutionary Algorithm (EA) and to compare it against other GAs on real-valued problems. Motivation for this work comes from our previous success in demonstrating that a generational version of ALPS greatly improves search performance on a Genetic Programming problem. In making steady-state ALPS some modifications were made to the method for calculating age and the method for moving individuals up layers. To demonstrate that ALPS works well on real-valued problems we compare it against CMA-ES and Differential Evolution (DE) on five challenging, real-valued functions and on one real-world problem. While CMA-ES and DE outperform ALPS on the two unimodal test functions, ALPS is much better on the three multimodal test problems and on the real-world problem. Further examination shows that, unlike the other GAs, ALPS maintains a genotypically diverse population throughout the entire search process. These findings strongly suggest that the ALPS paradigm is better able to avoid premature convergence then the other GAs.

Hornby, Gregory S.↗

Diagnostic calculations of airframe-radiated noise

Methods of calculating airframe noise due to the following components are presented: wings and stabilizers, flaps, landing gear 'self-noise', landing gear bay (wheel well) oscillations, separated flow interaction with edges of cavities, and doors associated with gear deployment. The predominant source mechanisms were dipole-like in nature, being related to the local fluctuating aerodynamic forces on struts, airfoil edges, cavity edges, etc. Available data are converted into semiempirical prediction methods to enable a tentative rank ordering of noise sources. A sample application of these prediction procedures is carried out for a typical CTOL passenger jet using actual aircraft parameters, where available.

Hayden, R. E.↗

Transonic flow analysis for rotors. Part 2: Three-dimensional, unsteady, full-potential calculation

A numerical method is presented for calculating the three-dimensional unsteady, transonic flow past a helicopter rotor blade of arbitrary geometry. The method solves the full-potential equations in a blade-fixed frame of reference by a time-marching implicit scheme. At the far-field, a set of first-order radiation conditions is imposed, thus minimizing the reflection of outgoing wavelets from computational boundaries. Computed results are presented to highlight radial flow effects in three dimensions, to compare surface pressure distributions to quasi-steady predictions, and to predict the flow field on a swept-tip blade. The results agree well with experimental data for both straight- and swept-tip blade geometries.

Chang, I. C.↗