Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “Mesh”

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

Sequential Decision Making (SDM) for Mesh Refinement and Model Selection in Multiscale, Multi-Physics Applications

Intelligent automation and decision support are needed to enhance computational efficiency and robustness in multiscale and multi-physics problems, including materials science, manufacturing, and climate and weather modeling. Current scientific computing approaches for enabling decisions by scientists fail to explore the role of learning, reasoning, and probabilistic planning. Often these decisions are not performed in real-time during the computation but are made prior to the start of the computation, which must be interrupted in order to make changes to the prior choices. Such interruptions at different stages of the computation increase the total computing time and the need for a human expert to frequently monitor the results. State of art scientific computing methods consist of rule-based algorithms that cannot automatically adapt to a dynamically changing computing environment. The development of a Sequential Decision Making (SDM) framework will automate scientific computing by optimizing the policies for mesh refinement, time-stepping, model and algorithm selection, resource allocation, and pre and post-processing. Our agent SDM framework for scientific computing will consist of data-driven learning (Classifier), automated reasoning (contextual knowledge), and probabilistic planning (Reinforcement Learning). In this project, we focused on three problems to demonstrate our SDM framework on a set of ordinary and partial differential equations. Classification of Lorenz system regions using Feed-Forward Neural Networks examined learning in the SDM framework. On the other hand, reasoning and planning in the SDM framework were used in two problems: adaptive time-stepping for nonlinear ODEs using on-policy RL algorithms, and adaptive mesh refinement for 2-D PDEs using off-policy RL algorithms.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Advanced Protection for Microgrids and DER in Secondary Networks and Meshed Distribution Systems

Although there are increasing numbers of distributed energy resources (DERs) and microgrids being deployed, current IEEE and utility standards generally strictly limit their interconnection inside secondary networks. Secondary networks are low-voltage meshed (non-radial) distribution systems that create redundancy in the path from the main grid source to each load. This redundancy provides a high level of immunity to disruptions in the distribution system, and thus extremely high reliability of electric power service. There are two main types of secondary networks, called grid and spot secondary networks, both of which are used worldwide. In the future, primary networks in distribution systems that might include looped or meshed distribution systems at the primary-voltage (medium-voltage) level may also become common as a means for improving distribution reliability and resilience.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

TetCrust WILD: Weighted Delaunay meshing in the wild

We introduce the first conforming Voronoi mesher capable of handling unclean input geometries encountered 'in the wild'. Our algorithm handles non-watertight, non-manifold, and self-intersecting inputs without requiring any manual cleanup, providing a standalone, end-to-end meshing framework. The framework enables simultaneous Voronoi and weighted Delaunay meshing, allowing users to generate polyhedral or tetrahedral elements based on application requirements, and produces high-quality elements

Ebeida, Mohamed Salah [Sandia National Laboratorie↗

High Order Wall-Modeled Large-Eddy Simulation on Mixed Unstructured Meshes

In the present study, an algebraic equilibrium wall model previously developed for hexahedral elements is extended to handle mixed meshes including prismatic, tetrahedral, and pyramidal elements in the context of a discontinuous high-order method. This extension is needed for complex geometries, for which high-order mixed elements (e.g., tetrahedral and pyramidal elements) are often necessary near solid walls to avoid meshing challenges. Various design decisions are discussed to achieve the best performance on massively parallel CPU/GPU architectures for a production-level high-order large-eddy simulation solver based on the flux reconstruction/correction procedure via reconstruction method, hpMusic. The extension to other elements is first evaluated using a benchmark channel flow problem at various Reynolds numbers. After that, flow over the NASA high-lift Common Research Model (CRM-HL) from the 4th AIAA High-lift Prediction Workshop is computed to further test the new implementation. Computational results at the third- and fourth-order accuracies are compared with experimental data.

Engineering↗

Direct Write of 3D Nanoscale Mesh Objects with Platinum Precursor via Focused Helium Ion Beam Induced Deposition

The next generation optical, electronic, biological, and sensing devices as well as platforms will inevitably extend their architecture into the 3rd dimension to enhance functionality. In focused ion beam induced deposition (FIBID), a helium gas field ion source can be used with an organometallic precursor gas to fabricate nanoscale structures in 3D with high-precision and smaller critical dimensions than focused electron beam induced deposition (FEBID), traditional liquid metal source FIBID, or other additive manufacturing technology. In this work, we report the effect of beam current, dwell time, and pixel pitch on the resultant segment and angle growth for nanoscale 3D mesh objects. We note subtle beam heating effects, which impact the segment angle and the feature size. Additionally, we investigate the competition of material deposition and sputtering during the 3D FIBID process, with helium ion microscopy experiments and Monte Carlo simulations. Our results show complex 3D mesh structures measuring ~300 nm in the largest dimension, with individual features as small as 16 nm at full width half maximum (FWHM). These assemblies can be completed in minutes, with the underlying fabrication technology compatible with existing lithographic techniques, suggesting a higher-throughput pathway to integrating FIBID with established nanofabrication techniques.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Optimal Power Dispatch of DGs in Radial and Mesh AC Grids: A Hybrid Solution Methodology between the Salps Swarm Algorithm and Successive Approximation Power Flow Method

In this paper, we address the problem of the optimal power dispatch of Distributed Generators (DGs) in Alternating Current (AC) networks, better known as the Optimal Power Flow (OPF) problem. We used, as the objective function, the minimization of power losses (P loss ) associated with energy transport, which are subject to the set of constraints that compose AC networks in an environment of distributed generation. To validate the effectiveness of the proposed methodology in solving the OPF problem in any network topology, we employed one 10-node mesh test system and three radial text systems: 10, 33, and 69 nodes. In each test system, DGs were allowed to inject 20%, 40%, and 60% of the power supplied by the slack generator in the base case. To solve the OPF problem, we used a master–slave methodology that integrates the optimization method Salps Swarm Algorithm (SSA) and the load flow technique based on the Successive Approximation (SA) method. Moreover, for comparison purposes, we employed some of the algorithms reported in the specialized literature to solve the OPF problem (the continuous genetic algorithm, the particle swarm optimization algorithm, the black hole algorithm, the antlion optimization algorithm, and the Multi-Verse Optimizer algorithm), which were selected because of their excellent results in solving such problems. The results obtained by the proposed solution methodology demonstrate its superiority and convergence capacity in terms of minimization of P loss in both radial and mesh systems. It provided the best reduction in minimum P loss in short processing times and showed excellent repeatability in each test system and scenario under analysis.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

GR-Athena++: Puncture Evolutions on Vertex-centered Oct-tree Adaptive Mesh Refinement

Numerical relativity is central to the investigation of astrophysical sources in the dynamical and strong-field gravity regime, such as binary black hole and neutron star coalescences. Current challenges set by gravitational-wave and multimessenger astronomy call for highly performant and scalable codes on modern massively parallel architectures. We present GR-Athena++, a general-relativistic, high-order, vertex-centered solver that extends the oct-tree, adaptive mesh refinement capabilities of the astrophysical (radiation) magnetohydrodynamics code Athena++. To simulate dynamical spacetimes, GR-Athena++ uses the Z4c evolution scheme of numerical relativity coupled to the moving puncture gauge. We demonstrate stable and accurate binary black hole merger evolutions via extensive convergence testing, cross-code validation, and verification against state-of-the-art effective-one-body waveforms. GR-Athena++ leverages the task-based parallelism paradigm of Athena++ to achieve excellent scalability. We measure strong-scaling efficiencies above 95% for up to ~1.2 × 10 4 CPUs and excellent weak scaling is shown up to ~10 5 CPUs in a production binary black hole setup with adaptive mesh refinement. GR-Athena++ thus allows for the robust simulation of compact binary coalescences and offers a viable path toward numerical relativity at exascale.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Investigating coastal backwater effects and flooding in the coastal zone using a global river transport model on an unstructured mesh

Abstract. Coastal backwater effects are caused by the downstream water level increase as a result of elevated sea level, high river discharge and their compounding influence. Such effects have crucial impacts on floods in densely populated regions but have not been well represented in large-scale river models used in Earth system models (ESMs), partly due to model mesh deficiency and oversimplifications of river hydrodynamics. Using two mid-Atlantic river basins as a testbed, we perform the first attempt to simulate the backwater effects comprehensively over a coastal region using the MOSART river transport model under an ESM framework, i.e., Energy Exascale Earth System Model (E3SM) configured on a regionally refined unstructured mesh, with a focus on understanding the backwater drivers and their long-term variations. By including sea level variations at the river downstream boundary, the model performance in capturing backwaters is greatly improved. We also propose a new flood event selection scheme to facilitate the decomposition of backwater drivers into different components. Our results show that while storm surge is a key driver, the influence of extreme discharge cannot be neglected, particularly when the river drains to a narrow river-like estuary. Compound flooding, while not necessarily increasing the flood peaks, exacerbates the flood risk by extending the duration of multiple coastal and fluvial processes. Furthermore, our simulations and analysis highlight the increasing strength of backwater effects due to sea level rise and more frequent storm surge during 1990–2019. Thus, backwaters need to be properly represented in ESMs to improve the predictive understanding of coastal flooding.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Plated nickel wire mesh makes superior catalyst bed

Porous nickel mesh screen catalyst bed produces gas evolution in hydrogen peroxide thrust chambers used for attitude control of space vehicles. The nickel wire mesh disks in the catalyst bed are plated in rugose form with a silver-gold coating.

Sill, M.↗

Study of Lubricant Jet Flow Phenomena in Spur Gears: Out of Mesh Condition

Oil jet lubrication on the disengaging side of a gear mesh was analyzed. Results of the analysis were computerized and used to determine the oil jet impingement depth for several gear ratios and oil jet to pitch line velocity ratios. A gear test rig using high speed photography was used to experimentally determine the oil jet impingement depth on the disengaging side of mesh. Impingement depth reached a maximum at gear ratio near 1.5 where chopping by the leading gear tooth limited impingement depth. The pinion impingement depth is zero above a gear ratio of 1.172 for a jet velocity to pitch time velocity ration of 1.0 and is similar for other velocity ratios. The impingement depth for gear and pinion are equal and approximately one half the maximum at a gear ration of 7.0.

Townsend, D. P.↗

Experiments in monthly mean simulation of the atmosphere with a coarse-mesh general circulation model

The Hansen atmospheric model was used to compute five monthly forecasts (October 1976 through February 1977). The comparison is based on an energetics analysis, meridional and vertical profiles, error statistics, and prognostic and observed mean maps. The monthly mean model simulations suffer from several defects. There is, in general, no skill in the simulation of the monthly mean sea-level pressure field, and only marginal skill is indicated for the 850 mb temperatures and 500 mb heights. The coarse-mesh model appears to generate a less satisfactory monthly mean simulation than the finer mesh GISS model.

Lutz, R. J.↗

Study of lubricant jet flow phenomena in spur gears - Out of mesh condition

An analysis was conducted for oil jet lubrication on the disengaging side of a gear mesh. Results of the analysis were computerized and used to determine the oil jet impingement depth for several gear ratios and oil jet to pitch line velocity ratios. An experimental program was conducted on the NASA gear test rig using high-speed photography to experimentally determine the oil jet impingement depth on the disengaging side of mesh. Impingement depth reaches a maximum at gear ratio near 1.5 where chopping by the leading gear tooth limits the impingement depth. The pinion impingement depth is zero above a gear ratio of 1.172 for a jet velocity to pitch time velocity ratio of 1.0 and is similar for other velocity ratios. The impingement depth for gear and pinion are equal and approximately one-half the maximum at a gear ratio of 1.0. Impingement depth on either the gear or pinion many be improved by relocation of the jet from the pitch line or by changing the jet angle. Results of the analysis were verified by experimental results using a high-speed camera and a well lighted oil jet.

Townsend, D. P.↗

An adaptive computation mesh for the solution of singular perturbation problems

In singular perturbation problems, control of zone size variation can affect the effort required to obtain accurate, numerical solutions of finite difference equations. The mesh is generated by the solution of potential equations. Numerical results for a singular perturbation problem in two dimensions are presented. The mesh was used in calculations of resistive magnetohydrodynamic flow in two dimensions.

Brackbill, J. U.↗

A two dimensional mesh verification algorithm

A two dimensional mesh verification algorithm is discussed which assumes that a finite element mesh is represented in a program by lists of data, i.e., vertex coordinates, element incidences, boundary data, which describe a collection of triangles. A set of conditions are placed on the triangles (i.e., on the list data) which ensure that the triangles tile a region and which also can be verified by the algorithm.

Simpson, R. B.↗

Surface contour of a biaxially strained, doubly curved antenna reflective mesh

The elastic membrane equations which describe the deflection of a biaxially tensioned reflective mesh from an idealized surface were developed and solved. The conditions of equilibrium of the forces acting on a membrane element furnish equations which may be used to solve a variety of problems. Configurations considered include continuous, as well as incremental mesh attachment to structural members to form shapes which are approximately parabolic or spherical.

Saylor, A. V.↗

Development of improved analytical models for mesh reflector surfaces

Several methods for computing the reflection coefficients from mesh surfaces are discussed. Some methods mentioned have severe limitations, and the spectral approach appears to be the most attractive alternative. In spite of some inherent problems, the solutions obtained with this method will offer not only the reflection coefficients but also the currents carried on the mesh. This would allow separation of the power lost to resistive terms from that due to transmission loss. Overall, good results and rapid convergence should be obtained from this method when proper care is applied.

Brand, J. C.↗

An experience in mesh generation for three-dimensional calculation of potential flow around a rotating propeller

An attempt is made to develop a three-dimensional, finite volume computational code for highly swept, twisted, small aspect ratio propeller blades with supersonic tip speeds, in a way that accounts for cascade effects, hub-induced flow, and nonlinear transonic effects. Attention is presently given to the generation of a computational mesh for such a complex propeller configuration, with the aim of sharing developmental process experience. The problem treated is unique, in that blade chord, blade length, hub length and blade-to-blade distance represent several characteristic length scales among which there is considerable disparity. An ad hoc mesh-generation scheme is accordingly developed.

Jou, W.-H.↗