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At least 667 records · Page 37
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1961

Some Recent Studies in Structural Dynamics of Rotor Aircraft

This paper presents a summary of four recent studies relating to the structural-dynamics problems of rotor-powered aircraft. The first study concerns the measurement by means of dynamic models of the forces and moments at the hubs of various rotor configurations. The results of this study show that the periodic components of the forces and moments are highly dependent on both the rotor configuration and the flight condition. The second study treats the problem of resonance amplifications of rotor-blade stress and shows that by using multiple flapping hinges or flex-joints it is possible to control the natural frequencies of the rotor blade so that conditions of resonance between the frequencies of the aerodynamic input forces and the natural frequencies of the lower blade modes are avoided for all rotor speeds. Two studies of the stability of rotor aircraft axe also discussed. One of these involves the mechanical instability or ground resonance of rotorcraft wherein the rotor support in each of two mutually perpendicular directions in the rotor plane is represented as a multiple-degree-of-freedom system in contrast to the system having a "single" degree of freedom normally used in helicopter analysis. The consideration of the rotor support system as a two-degree-of-freedom system predicts additional unstable ranges of rotor speed not predicted by former analyses. The other instability treated is propeller whirl for which the significant motions are the pitching and yawing motions of the propeller disk which are coupled together by gyroscopic forces. The effect of the significant variables on the instability is presented and shows that the speed at which the instability occurs can be increased by increasing the relative stiffness of the propeller in the pitch and yaw directions or by increasing the effective structural damping of the nacelle.

George W Brooks↗
NASA NTRS2004

Full Service

NASA is moving ahead with the sole-source procurement of a Canadian robot to service the Hubble Space Telescope, gaining confidence the International Space Station (ISS) technology can perform all of the tasks shuttle-launched astronauts were scheduled to do before the Columbia accident changed everything. The U.S. agency is negotiating with MD Robotics, a MacDonald Dettwiler unit located in Brampton, Ontario, for a version of the Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator (SPDM) the company developed for the ISS. The SPDM would be the business end of a throwaway module designed to replace batteries and gyroscopes, pull old instruments and install new ones before plunging to a targeted reentry over the Pacific.

Morring, Frank, Jr.↗
NASA NTRS2003

Parameter Estimation of Spacecraft Nutation Growth Model

Modeling fuel slosh effects accurately and completely on spinning spacecraft has been a long standing concern within the aerospace community. Gyroscopic stiffness is obtained by spinning spacecraft as it is launched from one of the upper stages before it is placed in orbit. Unbalances in the spacecraft causes it to precess (wobble). The oscillatory motions are caused in the fuel due to this precession. This phenomenon is called 'fuel slosh' and the dynamic forces induced could adversely affect the stability and control of a spacecraft that spins about one of its minor moments of inertia axes. An equivalent mechanical model of fuel slosh is developed using springs and dampers that are connected to the rigid fuel tank. The stiffness and damping coefficients are the parameters that need to be identified in the fuel slosh mechanical model. This in turn is used in the spacecraft model to estimate the Nutation Time Constant (NTC) for the spacecraft. The experimental values needed for the identification of the model parameters are obtained from experiments conducted at Southwest Research Institute using the Spinning Slosh Test Rig (SSTR). The research focus is on developing models of different complexity and estimating the model parameters that will ultimately provide a more realistic Nutation Time Constant obtained through simulation.

Gangadharan, Sathya N.↗
NASA NTRS2004

Automating the Transition Between Sensorless Motor Control Methods for the NASA Glenn Research Center Flywheel Energy Storage System

The NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) has been working to advance the technology necessary for a flywheel energy storage system for the past several years. Flywheels offer high efficiency, durability, and near-complete discharge capabilities not produced by typical chemical batteries. These characteristics show flywheels to be an attractive alternative to the more typical energy storage solutions. Flywheels also offer the possibility of combining what are now two separate systems in space applications into one: energy storage, which is currently provided by batteries, and attitude control, which is currently provided by control moment gyroscopes (CMGs) or reaction wheels. To date, NASA Glenn research effort has produced the control algorithms necessary to demonstrate flywheel operation up to a rated speed of 60,000 RPM and the combined operation of two flywheel machines to simultaneously provide energy storage and single axis attitude control. Two position-sensorless algorithms are used to control the motor/generator, one for low (0 to 1200 RPM) speeds and one for high speeds. The algorithm allows the transition from the low speed method to the high speed method, but the transition from the high to low speed method was not originally included. This leads to a limitation in the existing motor/generator control code that does not allow the flywheels to be commanded to zero speed (and back in the negative speed direction) after the initial startup. In a multi-flywheel system providing both energy storage and attitude control to a spacecraft, speed reversal may be necessary.

Fehrmann, Elizabeth A.↗
NASA NTRS1950

Theoretical Investigation of a Proportional-Plus-Flicker Automatic Pilot

The proportional-plus-flicker automatic pilot operates by a nonlinear principle whereby a fast-acting flicker servomotor response is combined with a low-speed proportional servomotor response for the purpose of obtaining supersonic stability and control. Essentially, the autopilot maintains a zero reference about which the output is proportional to the input. However, a flicker response overrides this proportional response at a fixed angle of gimbal displacement on either side of the zero gyroscope reference. Therefore, in contrast to other high speed control systems, the design requirements are simplified because the two components of the proportional-flicker control system are easy to build separately and they can be combined in a relatively simple manner. By application of the proportional-flicker principle, satisfactory stability can be obtained by the proper adjustment of the variable factors in the autopilot mechanism; namely, the proportional gain, the amplitude of flicker control deflection, the autopilot time-lag factor (the time-lag between flicker and proportional operation), and the point in the range that the autopilot switches from a flicker to a proportional system. There is a possibility that these factors can be adjusted so that a more rapid response time (the time to reach steady state) is obtained with the non-linear proportional-flicker autopilot than with a purely linear proportional autopilot. For the main part of this analysis, the proportional part of the system is approximated by a zero-phase-lag proportional autopilot with the assumption that the control surface moves instantaneously at the point where the system switches from flicker to proportional. Good correlation is shown between the results obtained by this method and results obtained by using a close approximation of an actual autopilot transfer function for proportional autopilot operation.

Seaberg, Ernest C.↗
NASA NTRS1956

Concluding Report on Free-Spinning and Recovery Characteristics of a 1/24-Scale Model of the Grumman F11F-1 Airplane, TED No. NACA AD 395

An investigation has been completed in the Langley 20-foot free-spinning tunnel on a l/24-scale model of the Grumman F11F-1 airplane to determine its spin and recovery characteristics. An interim report, Research Memorandum SL55G20, was published earlier and the present report concludes the presentation of results of the investigation. Primarily, the present report presents results obtained with engine gyroscopic moments simulated on the model. Also, the current results were obtained with a revised larger vertical tail recently incorporated on the airplane. It was difficult to obtain developed spins on the model when the spin direction was in the same sense as that of the engine rotation (right spin on the airplane). The developed spins obtained were very oscillatory and the recoveries were unsatisfactory. These results were similar to those previously reported for which engine rotation was not simulated. When the spin direction was in the opposite sense (left spin on the airplane), however, developed spins were readily obtainable. Recoveries from these spins also were unsatisfactory. Satisfactory recoveries were obtained on the model, however, when rudder reversal was accompanied by extension of small canards near the nose of the airplane or by deflection of the horizontal tail differentially with the spin.

Bowman, James S., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS2005

Hubble Space Telescope Star Tracker ad Two-Gyro Control Law Design, Implementation, and On-Orbit Performance

The Hubble Space Telescope (HST) normally requires three gyroscopes for three-axis rate control. The loss of the Space Shuttle Columbia on STS-107 resulted in the cancellation of a shuttle-based HST Servicing Mission 4. Therefore, HST must operate using the on-board hardware until an alternate means of servicing can be accomplished. The probability of gyro failure indicates that fewer than three gyros will be operable before any servicing mission can be performe& To mitigate this, and to extend the HST life expectancy, a rate estimation and control algorithm was developed that requires two gyros to measure rate about two axes, with the remaining axis rate estimated using one of three alternate sensors. Three-axis magnetometers (MSS) are used for coarse rate estimation during large maneuvers and during occultations of other sensors. Fixed-Head Star Trackers (FHSTs) are used for rate estimation during safe mode recovery and during transition to science operations. Fine rate estimation during science operations is performed using the Fine Guidance Sensors (FGSs). The FHST mode (T2G) relies on star vectors as measured by the FHSTs to estimate vehicle rate about the axis not measured by the gyros. Since the FHSTs were not designed to estimate body rate, this method involves a unique set of problems that had to be overcome in the final design, such as the effect of FHST break tracks and moving targets on rate estimation. The solutions to these problems, as well as a detailed description of the design and implementation of the rate estimation are presented Also included are the time domain and frequency domain analysis of the T2G control law. A high fidelity HST simulator (HSTSIM) was used to verify T2G performance prior to on-orbit use. Results of these simulations are also presented. Finally, analysis of actual T2G on-orbit test results is presented for design validation.

VanArsdall, John C.↗
NASA NTRS1998

Ion Implantation of Perfluoropolyether-Lubricated Surfaces for Improved Tribological Performance

For over 30 years, perfluoropolyethers (PFPE's) have been the liquid lubricants of choice for space applications because of their proven tribological performance and desirable properties, such as low vapor pressure and a wide liquid temperature range. These oils are used in such space mechanisms as gyroscopes, scanning mirrors, actuators, and filter wheels. In the past few years, there have been several incidents during which PFPE-lubricated space mechanisms have shown anomalous behavior. These anomalies are thought to be the result of PFPE degradation. Investigative research focused on understanding and modeling the degradation of PFPE lubricants has shown that PFPE's degrade and lose their desirable properties while under boundary-lubricated, sliding/rolling contacts and at elevated temperatures. These performance deficiencies are strongly dependent on the surface chemistry and reactivity of the lubricated contacts, which dictate the formation of harmful catalytic by-products. One way to inhibit tribo-induced degradation may be to use passivated surfaces that do not promote the formation of harmful by-products. Such a passivated surface would inhibit PFPE degradation and increase the lifetime of the lubricated mechanism. Ion implantation is one such passivation technique. This surface-treatment technique can modify the surface properties of materials without affecting either the properties or dimensions of the bulk material beneath the treated layer. By introducing a foreign species into a submicron surface layer, ion implantation can induce unique surface microstructures.

Shogrin, Brad↗
NASA NTRS1998

Liquid Motion Experiment Flown on STS-84

During some part or all of each mission, about half of all scientific and commercial spacecraft will spin. For example, commercial spacecraft are made to spin during the transfer maneuver from low Earth orbit to the mission orbit to obtain gyroscopic stiffness. Many spacecraft spin continuously in orbit for the same reason. Other reasons for spinning include controlling the location of liquid propellants within their tanks and distributing solar heat loads. Although spinning has many benefits, it also creates problems because of the unavoidable wobble motion that accompanies spinning. Wobbling makes the spacecraft's flexible components oscillate. The energy dissipated by the internal friction of these components causes the wobbling amplitude to increase continually until, at some point, the attitude control thrusters must be fired to bring the spacecraft's amplitude back to an acceptable level.

Dalton, Penni J.↗
NASA NTRS2004

Motor/Generator and Inverter Characterization for Flywheel System Applications

The Advanced Electrical Systems Development Branch at NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) has been involved in the research and development of high speed flywheels systems for satellite energy storage and attitude applications. These flywheels will serve as replacement for chemical nickel hydrogen, nickel cadmium batteries and gyroscopic wheels. The advantages of using flywheel systems for energy storage on satellites are high energy density, high power density, long life, deep depth of discharge, and broad operating temperature ranges. A flywheel system for space applications consist of a number of flywheel modules, the motor/generator and magnetic bearing, and an electronics package. The motor/generator electronics package includes a pulse-width modulated inverter that drives the flywheel permanent magnet motor/generator located at one end of the shaft. This summer, I worked under the direct supervision of my mentor, Walter Santiago, and the goal for this summer was to characterize motor generator and inverter attributes in order to increase their viability as a more efficient energy storage source for space applications. To achieve this goal, magnetic field measurements around the motor/generator permanent magnet and the impedance of the motor/generator three phase windings were characterized, and a recreation of the inverter pulse width modulated control system was constructed. The Flywheel modules for space use are designed to maximize energy density and minimize loss, and attaining these values will aid in locating and reducing losses within the flywheel system as a whole, making flywheel technology more attractive for use as energy storage in future space applications.

Tamarcus, Jeffries L.↗
NASA NTRS1999

Space Acceleration Measurement System for Free Flyers

Experimenters from the fluids, combustion, materials, and life science disciplines all use the microgravity environment of space to enhance their understanding of fundamental physical phenomena caused by disturbances from events such as spacecraft maneuvers, equipment operations, atmospheric drag, and (for manned flights) crew movement. Space conditions reduce gravity but do not eliminate it. To quantify the level of these disturbances, NASA developed the Space Acceleration Measurement System (SAMS) series to collect data characterizing the acceleration environment on the space shuttles. This information is provided to investigators so that they can evaluate how the microgravity environment affects their experiments. Knowledge of the microgravity environment also helps investigators to plan future experiments. The original SAMS system flew 20 missions on the shuttle as well as on the Russian space station Mir. Presently, Lewis is developing SAMS-II for the International Space Station; it will be a distributed system using digital output sensor heads. The latest operational version of SAMS, SAMS-FF, was originally designed for free flyer spacecraft and unmanned areas. SAMS-FF is a flexible, modular system, housed in a lightweight package, and it uses advances in technology to improve performance. The hardware package consists of a control and data acquisition module, three different types of sensors, data storage devices, and ground support equipment interfaces. Three different types of sensors are incorporated to measure both high- and low-frequency accelerations and the roll rate velocity. Small, low-power triaxial sensor heads (TSH's) offer high resolution and selectable bandwidth, and a special low-frequency accelerometer is available for high-resolution, low-frequency applications. A state-of-the-art, triaxial fiberoptic gyroscope that measures extremely low roll rates is housed in a compact package. The versatility of the SAMS-FF system is shown in the three different types of missions SAMS-FF has supported.

Kacpura, Thomas J.↗
NASA NTRS2005

STS-114 Flight Day 5 Highlights

Highlights of Day 5 of the STS-114 Return to Flight mission (Commander Eileen Collins, Pilot James Kelly, Mission Specialists Soichi Noguchi, Stephen Robinson, Andrew Thomas, Wendy Lawrence, and Charles Camarda) include video coverage of an extravehiclular activity (EVA) by Noguchi and Robinson. The other crew members of Discovery are seen on the flight deck and mid-deck helping the astronauts to suit-up. The objectives of the EVA are to test repair techniques on sample tiles in the shuttle's payload bay, to repair electrical equipment for a gyroscope on the International Space Station (ISS), and to install a replacement GPS antenna on the ISS. Noguchi and Robinson use a caulk gun and a putty knife to repair the sample tiles. The video contains several Earth views, including one of Baja California.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS2005

STS-114: Discovery Post MMT Briefing

Wayne Hale, Space Shuttle Deputy Program Manager, discusses the topics covered at the Mission Management Team (MMT) meeting. The topics include: 1) Wing leading edge reinforced carbon-carbon clearance; 2) Protruding blanket on the side of the Space Shuttle Discovery Orbiter; 3) Control Moment Gyroscope (CMG) replacement; 4) Transfer items; and 5) EVA procedures. Questions from the news media about the possibility of a CMG failure, Space Shuttle re-entry, gap fillers, and dangers during the EVA to repair the Space Shuttle Discovery are answered.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS2005

STS-114: Discovery Mission Status Briefing

Phil Engelauf, STS-114 Mission Operations Representative, Mark Ferring, STS-114 Lead ISS Flight Director and Cindy Begley, STS-114 Lead EVA Officer is presented in this STS-114 Discovery mission status briefing. Mark Ferring talks about Control Moment Gyroscopes (CMG), Phil Engelauf discusses repair techniques for the Space Shuttle Discovery and Cindy Begley talks about the EVA's that Steve Robinson and Soichi Noguchi are performing. She also answers questions from the media about the spacewalker's ability to perform these tasks.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS2005

STS-114: Discovery Flight Day 7 Post MMT Meeting

Wayne Hale Space Shuttle Deputy Program Manager, and Chuck Campbell Subsystem Engineer in Aerothermodynamics are seen in this post mission management teem briefing on this seventh day of space flight. Wayne Hale begins with talking about how the International Space Station has been resupplied with its necessities, and that the Control Moment Gyroscope (CSG) has been replaced. Hale expresses his concern about the health of the Space Shuttle Discovery with the two protruding gap fillers present, and the aerothermodynamics surrounding the gap fillers. These concerns led to the conclusion to have spacewalker Stephen Robinson remove the gap fillers during EVA-3. Campbell shows a video of the protruding gap filler aft of Nose Landing Gear Door (NLGD). Campbell and Hale answer questions from the news media about the risks of performing this spacewalk, boundary layer transitions, flight safety, inspections, and temperature concerns.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS2005

Attitude Control for an Aero-Vehicle Using Vector Thrusting and Variable Speed Control Moment Gyros

Stabilization of passively unstable thrust-levitated vehicles can require significant control inputs. Although thrust vectoring is a straightforward choice for realizing these inputs, this may lead to difficulties discussed in the paper. This paper examines supplementing thrust vectoring with Variable-Speed Control Moment Gyroscopes (VSCMGs). The paper describes how to allocate VSCMGs and the vectored thrust mechanism for attitude stabilization in frequency domain and also shows trade-off between vectored thrust and VSCMGs. Using an H2 control synthesis methodology in LMI optimization, a feedback control law is designed for a thrust-levitated research vehicle and is simulated with the full nonlinear model. It is demonstrated that VSCMGs can reduce the use of vectored thrust variation for stabilizing the hovering platform in the presence of strong wind gusts.

Shin, Jong-Yeob↗
NASA NTRS2005

The Use of a Gyroless Wheel-Tach Controller in SDO Safehold Mode

This paper describes the progression of the Safehold mode design on the Solar Dynamics Observatory satellite. Safehold uses coarse Sun sensors and reaction wheel tachometers to keep the spacecraft in a thermally safe and power-positive attitude. The control algorithm is described, and simulation results shown. Specific control issues arose when the spacecraft entered eclipse, and a description of the trade study which added gyroscopes to the mode is included. The paper concludes with the results from the linear and nonlinear stability analysis.

Bourkland, Kristin L.↗
NASA NTRS2005

SCRAMP: The Development of an Advanced Planetary Probe From CFD to Re-entry Test Flight

The development of a very stable and lightweight planetary entry probe termed SCRAMP (Slotted Compression RAM Probe) is described. The probe geometry is comprised of a sphere-cylinder forebody with a larger diameter flare-skirt aft-body which produces most of the drag (Figure 1). The geometry permits a large static margin due to the separation of the payload/forebody and relatively lightweight aft-body. The CFD and initial ballistic range tests are presented. In addition, several sub-orbital test flights were conducted using the sounding rocket-based SOAREX (Sub-orbital Aerodynamic Re-entry Experiments) test flight series. The dynamic stability was demonstrated from the very quick recovery of the design flight attitude from a tumble induced from the exo-atmospheric deployment (Figure 2). For certain future planetary missions such as network and companion missions, this new probe configuration may be particularly attractive. The latter is due to the overall reduction in mass, as well as the elimination of the gyroscopic stabilization systems required in the current generation of Newtonian sphere-cone derived configurations

Murbach, Marcus S.↗