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At least 703 records · Page 39

Plumelets: Dynamic Filamentary Structures in Solar Coronal Plumes

Solar coronal plumes long seemed to possess a simple geometry supporting spatially coherent, stable outflow without significant fine structure. Recent high-resolution observations have challenged this picture by revealing numerous transient, small-scale, collimated out-flows (“jetlets”) at the base of plumes. The dynamic filamentary structure of solar plumes above these outflows, and its relationship with the overall plume structure, have remained largely unexplored. We analyzed the statistics of continuously observed fine structure in-side a single representative bright plume within a mid-latitude coronal hole during 2016 July2-3. By applying advanced edge-enhancement and spatiotemporal analysis techniques to ex-tended series of high-resolution images from the Solar Dynamics Observatory’s Atmospheric Imaging Assembly, we determined that the plume was composed of numerous time-evolving filamentary substructures, referred to as “plumelets” in this paper, that accounted for most of the plume emission. The number of simultaneously identifiable plumelets was positively correlated with plume brightness, peaked in the fully formed plume, and remained saturated thereafter. The plumelets had transverse widths of 10 Mm and intermittently supported upwardly propagating periodic disturbances with phase speeds of 190-260 km s−1and longitudinal wavelengths of 55-65 Mm. The characteristic frequency (3.5 mHz) is commensurate with that of solar p-modes. Oscillations in neighboring plumelets are uncorrelated, indicating that the waves could be driven by p-mode flows at spatial scales smaller than the plumelet separation. Multiple independent sources of outflow within a single coronal plume should impart significant fine structure to the solar wind that may be detectable by Parker Solar Probe and Solar Orbiter.

V M Uritsky↗

Remote Sensing of Coronal Forces During a Solar Prominence Eruption

We present a new methodology—the Keplerian Optical Dynamics Analysis (KODA)—for quantifying the dynamics of erupting magnetic structures in the solar corona. The technique involves adaptive spatiotemporal tracking of propagating intensity gradients and their characterization in terms of time-evolving Keplerian areas swept out by the position vectors of moving plasma blobs. Whereas gravity induces purely ballistic motions consistent with Kepler's second law, noncentral forces such as the Lorentz force introduce nonzero torques resulting in more complex motions. KODA algorithms enable direct evaluation of the line-of-sight component of the net torque density from the image-plane projection of the areal acceleration. The method is applied to the prominence eruption of 2011 June 7, observed by the Solar Dynamics Observatory's Atmospheric Imaging Assembly. Results obtained include quantitative estimates of the magnetic forces, field intensities, and blob masses and energies across a vast region impacted by the postreconnection redistribution of the prominence material. The magnetic pressure and energy are strongly dominant during the early, rising phase of the eruption, while the dynamic pressure and kinetic energy become significant contributors during the subsequent falling phases. Measured intensive properties of the prominence blobs are consistent with those of typical active-region prominences; measured extensive properties are compared with those of the whole pre-eruption prominence and the post-eruption coronal mass ejection of 2011 June 7, all derived by other investigators and techniques. We show that KODA provides valuable information on spatially and temporally dependent characteristics of coronal eruptions that is not readily available via alternative means, thereby shedding new light on the environment and evolution of these solar events.

V M Uritskiy↗

Characterizing the California Current System through Sea Surface Temperature and Salinity

Characterizing temperature and salinity (T-S) conditions is a standard framework in oceanography to identify and describe deep water masses and their dynamics. At the surface, this practice is hindered by multiple air–sea–land processes impacting T-S properties at shorter time scales than can easily be monitored. Now, however, the unsurpassed spatial and temporal coverage and resolution achieved with satellite sea surface temperature (SST) and salinity (SSS) allow us to use these variables to investigate the variability of surface processes at climate-relevant scales. In this work, we use SSS and SST data, aggregated into domains using a cluster algorithm over a T-S diagram, to describe the surface characteristics of the California Current System (CCS), validating them with in situ data from uncrewed Saildrone vessels. Despite biases and uncertainties in SSS and SST values in highly dynamic coastal areas, this T-S framework has proven useful in describing CCS regional surface properties and their variability in the past and in real time, at novel scales. This analysis also shows the capacity of remote sensing data for investigating variability in land–air–sea interactions not previously possible due to limited in situ data.

Marisol García-Reyes↗

Revolutionary Vertical Lift Technology (RVLT) Side-By-Side Hybrid Concept Vehicle Powertrain Dynamic Model

The Side-by-Side (SBS) Hybrid is one of several Revolutionary Vertical Lift Technology (RVLT) concept aircraft identified by NASA to investigate Urban Air Mobility (UAM) requirements. This paper presents a dynamic model of the SBS Hybrid powertrain built using the Toolbox for the Modeling and Analysis of Thermodynamic Systems (T-MATS) and the Electrical Modeling and Thermal Analysis Toolbox (EMTAT). The model consists of the rotors, electrical power system, and turboshaft engines connected through freewheeling clutches, gearboxes, and multiple shafts. This research effort models the complex behavior of the powertrain, including the operation of the freewheeling clutches and electrical power system at the simulation time scale of the shaft dynamics. Several simulations highlight the key features present in the model and demonstrate its operation.

Powertrain↗

Revolutionary Vertical Lift Technology (RVLT) Side-By-Side Hybrid Concept Vehicle Powertrain Dynamic Model

The Side-by-Side (SBS) Hybrid is one of several Revolutionary Vertical Lift Technology (RVLT) concept aircraft identified by NASA to investigate Urban Air Mobility (UAM) requirements. This paper presents a dynamic model of the SBS Hybrid powertrain built using the Toolbox for the Modeling and Analysis of Thermodynamic Systems (T-MATS) and the Electrical Modeling and Thermal Analysis Toolbox (EMTAT). The model consists of the rotors, electrical power system, and turboshaft engines connected through freewheeling clutches, gearboxes, and multiple shafts. This research effort models the complex behavior of the powertrain, including the operation of the freewheeling clutches and electrical power system at the simulation time scale of the shaft dynamics. Several simulations highlight the key features present in the model and demonstrate its operation.

powertrain↗

Combined design of structures and controllers for optimal maneuverability

Approaches to the combined design of structures and controllers for achieving optimal maneuverability are presented. A maneuverability index which directly reflects the minimum time required to perform a given set of maneuvers is introduced. By designing the flexible appendages, the maneuver time of the spacecraft is minimized under the constraints of structural properties, and post maneuver spillover is kept within a specified bound. The spillover reduction is achieved by making use of an appropriate reduced order model. The distributed parameter design problem is approached using assumed shape functions, and finite element analysis with dynamic reduction. Solution procedures have been investigated. Approximate design methods have been developed to overcome the computational difficulties. Some new constraints on the modal frequencies of the spacecraft are introduced in the original optimization problem to facilitate the solution process. It is shown that the global optimal design may be obtained by tuning the natural frequencies to satisfy specific constraints. Researchers quantify the difference between a lower bound to the solution for maneuver time associated with the original problem and the estimate obtained from the modified problem, for a specified application requirement. Numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the capability of this approach.

Ling, Jer↗

Test and validation for robot arm control dynamics simulation

The Flight Telerobotic Servicer (FTS) program will require an ability to develop, in a cost effective manner, many simulation models for design, analysis, performance evaluation, and crew training. Computational speed and the degree of modeling fidelity associated with each simulation must be commensurate with problem objectives. To demonstrate evolving state-of-the-art general purpose multibody modeling capabilities, to validate these by laboratory testing, and to expose their modeling shortcomings, two focus problems at the opposite ends of the simulation spectrum are defined: (1) Coarse Acquisition Control Dynamics. Create a real time man-in-the-control-loop simulator. Provide animated graphical display of robot arm dynamics and tactile feedback sufficient for cueing the operator. Interface simulator software with human operated tactile feedback controller; i.e., the Kraft mini-master. (2) Fine, Precision Mode Control Dynamics. Create a high speed, high fidelity simulation model for the design, analysis, and performance evaluation of autonomous 7 degree-of-freedom (DOF) trajectory control algorithms. This model must contain detail dynamic models for all significant dynamics elements within the robot arm, such as joint drive mechanisms.

Yae, K. Harold↗

High-Fidelity Computational Analysis Of Nasa’s Air Taxi Concepts

High-fidelity Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations have been carried out for NASA’s air taxi concepts. The high-fidelity approach uses high-order accurate schemes and dual-time stepping, which simulates the rotor with its individual rotating blade grids. The delayed detached-eddy simulation model has been employed. A loose-coupling approach between the flow solver and a rotorcraft comprehensive code is utilized to include vehicle trim and motion variables.NASA’s air taxi conceptual designs are intended to focus and guide NASA’s research activities in support of aircraft development for vertical take-off and landing air taxi operations

ARMD↗

Robotics On-Board Trainer (ROBoT)

ROBoT is an on-orbit version of the ground-based Dynamics Skills Trainer (DST) that astronauts use for training on a frequent basis. This software consists of two primary software groups. The first series of components is responsible for displaying the graphical scenes. The remaining components are responsible for simulating the Mobile Servicing System (MSS), the Japanese Experiment Module Remote Manipulator System (JEMRMS), and the H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV) Free Flyer Robotics Operations. The MSS simulation software includes: Robotic Workstation (RWS) simulation, a simulation of the Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS), a simulation of the ISS Command and Control System (CCS), and a portion of the Portable Computer System (PCS) software necessary for MSS operations. These components all run under the CentOS4.5 Linux operating system. The JEMRMS simulation software includes real-time, HIL, dynamics, manipulator multi-body dynamics, and a moving object contact model with Tricks discrete time scheduling. The JEMRMS DST will be used as a functional proficiency and skills trainer for flight crews. The HTV Free Flyer Robotics Operations simulation software adds a functional simulation of HTV vehicle controllers, sensors, and data to the MSS simulation software. These components are intended to support HTV ISS visiting vehicle analysis and training. The scene generation software will use DOUG (Dynamic On-orbit Ubiquitous Graphics) to render the graphical scenes. DOUG runs on a laptop running the CentOS4.5 Linux operating system. DOUG is an Open GL-based 3D computer graphics rendering package. It uses pre-built three-dimensional models of on-orbit ISS and space shuttle systems elements, and provides realtime views of various station and shuttle configurations.

Johnson, Genevieve↗

Nonlinear calculations of the time evolution of black hole accretion disks

Based on previous works on black hole accretion disks, I continue to explore the disk dynamics using the finite difference method to solve the highly nonlinear problem of time-dependent alpha disk equations. Here a radially zoned model is used to develop a computational scheme in order to accommodate functional dependence of the viscosity parameter alpha on the disk scale height and/or surface density. This work is based on the author's previous work on the steady disk structure and the linear analysis of disk dynamics to try to apply to x-ray emissions from black candidates (i.e., multiple-state spectra, instabilities, QPO's, etc.).

Luo, C.↗

Chaotic Time Series Analysis Method Developed for Stall Precursor Identification in High-Speed Compressors

A new technique for rotating stall precursor identification in high-speed compressors has been developed at the NASA Lewis Research Center. This pseudo correlation integral method uses a mathematical algorithm based on chaos theory to identify nonlinear dynamic changes in the compressor. Through a study of four various configurations of a high-speed compressor stage, a multistage compressor rig, and an axi-centrifugal engine test, this algorithm, using only a single pressure sensor, has consistently predicted the onset of rotating stall.

Source record↗

Quantification of scaling exponents and crossover phenomena in nonstationary heartbeat time series

The healthy heartbeat is traditionally thought to be regulated according to the classical principle of homeostasis whereby physiologic systems operate to reduce variability and achieve an equilibrium-like state [Physiol. Rev. 9, 399-431 (1929)]. However, recent studies [Phys. Rev. Lett. 70, 1343-1346 (1993); Fractals in Biology and Medicine (Birkhauser-Verlag, Basel, 1994), pp. 55-65] reveal that under normal conditions, beat-to-beat fluctuations in heart rate display the kind of long-range correlations typically exhibited by dynamical systems far from equilibrium [Phys. Rev. Lett. 59, 381-384 (1987)]. In contrast, heart rate time series from patients with severe congestive heart failure show a breakdown of this long-range correlation behavior. We describe a new method--detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA)--for quantifying this correlation property in non-stationary physiological time series. Application of this technique shows evidence for a crossover phenomenon associated with a change in short and long-range scaling exponents. This method may be of use in distinguishing healthy from pathologic data sets based on differences in these scaling properties.

NASA Discipline Number 14-10↗

Adaptive Control for Linear Uncertain Systems with Unmodeled Dynamics Revisited via Optimal Control Modification

This paper presents the optimal control modification for linear uncertain plants. The Lyapunov analysis shows that the modification parameter has a limiting value depending on the nature of the uncertainty. The optimal control modification exhibits a linear asymptotic property that enables it to be analyzed in a linear time invariant framework for linear uncertain plants. The linear asymptotic property shows that the closed-loop plants in the limit possess a scaled input-output mapping. Using this property, we can derive an analytical closed-loop transfer function in the limit as the adaptive gain tends to infinity. The paper revisits the Rohrs counterexample problem that illustrates the nature of non-robustness of model-reference adaptive control in the presence of unmodeled dynamics. An analytical approach is developed to compute exactly the modification parameter for the optimal control modification that stabilizes the plant in the Rohrs counterexample. The linear asymptotic property is also used to address output feedback adaptive control for non-minimum phase plants with a relative degree 1.

Unmodeled Dynamics↗

Data Analysis and Theoretical Studies of the Upper Mesosphere and Lower Thermosphere

Three separate tasks were proposed under this award. The first involved extending our continuing study of electrodynamical feedback between the thermosphere/ionosphere and the magnetosphere. The second was a model-experiment comparison study of global dynamics and the third was a 'spectral energetics' analysis of tidal dissipation and energy exchange mechanisms. The Earth's mesosphere and lower-thermosphere/ionosphere (MLTI), between approximately 60 and 180 km altitude, is the most poorly understood region of the Earth's atmosphere, primarily because of its relative inaccessibility. This lack of knowledge has been widely recognized and has provided important scientific rationale for the upcoming NASA TIMED mission. While the data gathered during the TIMED era will revolutionize our understanding of the MLTI region, much work can be done prior to the mission, both to develop data-analysis and modeling techniques and to study the more limited relevant experimental data from previous missions. The grant reported on here continues and extends an existing successful program of scientific research into the energetics, dynamics and electrodynamics of the MLTI, using available theoretical and data analysis tools.

Burns, Alan↗

Optical and Probe Diagnostics Applied to Reacting Flows

We plan to explore three major threads during the fellowship period. The first interrogates the flame synthesis of carbon nanotubes using aerosol catalysts. Laser light scattering will reveal changes in particle size at various heights above the burner. Analysis of the flame gas by mass spectroscopy will reveal the chemical composition of the mixture. Finally, absorption measurements will map the nanotube concentration within the flow. The second thread explores soot oxidation kinetics. Cavity ring-down absorption measurements of the carbonaceous aerosol can provide a measure of the mass concentration with time and, hence, an oxidation rate. Spectroscopic and direct probe measurements will provide the temperature of the system needed for subsequent modeling. The third thread will explore the details of turbulent flame dynamics. Laser induced incandescence will be applied to measurements of soot volume fraction in a 2-d configuration. Analysis of seed tracer particles by planar laser light MIE scattering will reveal the elemental fuel mixture fraction in the flames. Cavity ring-down spectroscopy, a pulsed transient absorption method, will determine the instantaneous mass loading and its fluctuation. Finally, fluorescence measurements will investigate the formation of PAH's in these flames.

Ticich, Thomas M.↗

The use of computer graphic techniques for the determination of ventricular function.

Description of computer techniques employed to increase the speed, accuracy, reliability, and scope of angiocardiographic analyses determining human heart dimensions. Chamber margins are traced with a Calma 303 digitizer from projections of the angiographic films. The digitized margins of the ventricular images are filed in a computer for subsequent analysis. The margins can be displayed on the television screen of a graphics unit for individual study or they can be viewed in real time (or at any selected speed) to study dynamic changes in the chamber outline. The construction of three dimensional images of the ventricle is described.

Sandler, H.↗

Monitoring complex trace-gas mixtures by long-path laser absorption spectrometry

Laser-based spectrophotometric methods, which have been proposed for the detection of trace concentrations of gaseous contaminants, include Raman and passive radiometry. The paper discusses a simple long-path laser absorption method which is capable of resolving complex mixtures of closely related trace contaminants at ppm levels. A number of species were selected which are most likely to accumulate in closed environments, such as submarines or long-duration manned space flights. Absorption coefficients at CO2 laser wavelengths were measured, accurate to + 3 per cent or better, for each of these species. This data base was then used to determine the presence and concentration of the contaminants in prepared mixtures of 12 to 15 gases. Computer programs have been developed which will permit a real-time analysis of the monitored atmosphere. Minimum detectable concentrations for individual species are generally in the ppm range, and are not seriously degraded by interferences even in complex mixtures. Estimates of the dynamic range of this monitoring technique for various system configurations and comparison with other methods of analysis are discussed

Green, B. D.↗