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At least 739 records · Page 41

Finite-volume application of high order ENO schemes to multi-dimensional boundary-value problems

The finite volume approach in developing multi-dimensional, high-order accurate essentially non-oscillatory (ENO) schemes is considered. In particular, a two dimensional extension is proposed for the Euler equation of gas dynamics. This requires a spatial reconstruction operator that attains formal high order of accuracy in two dimensions by taking account of cross gradients. Given a set of cell averages in two spatial variables, polynomial interpolation of a two dimensional primitive function is employed in order to extract high-order pointwise values on cell interfaces. These points are appropriately chosen so that correspondingly high-order flux integrals are obtained through each interface by quadrature, at each point having calculated a flux contribution in an upwind fashion. The solution-in-the-small of Riemann's initial value problem (IVP) that is required for this pointwise flux computation is achieved using Roe's approximate Riemann solver. Issues to be considered in this two dimensional extension include the implementation of boundary conditions and application to general curvilinear coordinates. Results of numerical experiments are presented for qualitative and quantitative examination. These results contain the first successful application of ENO schemes to boundary value problems with solid walls.

Casper, Jay↗

Creep behavior of copper at intermediate temperatures. II - Surface microstructural observations. III - A comparison with theory

Three different types of microstructural slip features are noted to occur during the creep of Cu at 0.46-0.72 of absolute melting point. While single slip is associated with higher temperatures and lower stresses, complex wavy slip features are observed at higher temperatures and higher stresses as well as with increasing strains: suggesting the importance of cross-slip mechanisms. At lower temperatures and higher stresses the multiple-slip morphologies observed indicate that cross-slip mechanisms may control the creep of polycrystalline Cu only over a limited stress and temperature range. A phenomenological model is proposed which assumes that (1) cell boundaries within subgrains act as both sources of, and obstacles to, gliding dislocations, and (2) dislocation annihilation occurs at the cell boundaries by climb and cross-slip.

Raj, S. V.↗

Improved Dual-Polarized Microstrip Antenna

Dual-polarized microstrip antenna features microstrip transmission-line feeds arranged in such configuration that cross-polarized components of radiation relatively low and degree of isolation between feed ports relatively high. V and H feed ports offset from midpoints of feed lines to obtain required opposite phases at feed-point connections to microstrip patches. Two independent beams of same frequency with electric fields polarized orthogonally to each other transmitted or received via antenna. Improved design saves space.

Huang, John↗

Addressing Control Research Issues Leading to Piloted Simulations in Support of the IFCS F-15

This report summarizes the research effort by a team of researchers at West Virginia University in support of the NASA Intelligent Flight Control System (IFCS) F-15 program. In particular, WVU researchers assisted NASA Dryden researchers in the following technical tasks leading to piloted simulation of the 'Gen_2' IFCS control laws. Task #1- Performance comparison of different neural network (NN) augmentation for the Dynamic Inversion (DI) -based VCAS 'Gen_2' control laws. Task #2- Development of safety monitor criteria for transition to research control laws with and without failure during flight test. Task #3- Fine-tuning of the 'Gen_2' control laws for cross-coupling reduction at post-failure conditions. Matlab/Simulink-based simulation codes were provided to the technical monitor on a regular basis throughout the duration of the project. Additional deliverables for the project were Power Point-based slides prepared for different project meetings. This document provides a description of the methodology and discusses the general conclusions from the simulation results.

Napolitano, Marcello↗

Compact valve actuation mechanism

A valve actuation device. The device may include a free floating valve bridge movably supported within a cavity in the engine housing. The bridge may be provided with a cavity and an orifice arrangement for pumping gases entrained with lubricating fluid toward the piston stems as the bridge reciprocates back and forth. The device may also include a rocker arm that has a U-shaped cross-sectional shape for receiving at least a portion of the valve bridge, valve stem valve spring and spring retainer therein. The rocker arm may be provided with lubrication passages for directing lubrication to the point wherein it is pivotally affixed to the engine housing.

Brogdon, James William↗

Processing and Properties of a Phenolic Composite System

Phenolic resin systems generate water as a reaction by-product via condensation reactions during curing at elevated temperatures. In the fabrication of fiber reinforced phenolic resin matrix composites, volatile management is crucial in producing void-free quality laminates. A commercial vacuum-bag moldable phenolic prepreg system was selected for this study. The traditional single-vacuum-bag (SVB) process was unable to manage the volatiles effectively, resulting in inferior voidy laminates. However, a double vacuum bag (DVB) process was shown to afford superior volatile management and consistently yielded void-free quality parts. The DVB process cure cycle (temperature /pressure profiles) for the selected composite system was designed, with the vacuum pressure application point carefully selected, to avoid excessive resin squeeze-outs and achieve the net shape and target resin content in the final consolidated laminate parts. Laminate consolidation quality was characterized by optical photomicrography for the cross sections and measurements of mechanical properties. A 40% increase in short beam shear strength, 30% greater flexural strength, 10% higher tensile and 18% higher compression strengths were obtained in composite laminates fabricated by the DVB process.

Hou, Tan-Hung↗

Delay Line Detectors for the UVCS and Sumer Instruments on the SOHO Satellite

Microchannel plate based detectors with cross delay line image readout have been rapidly implemented for the SUMER and UVCS instruments aboard the Solar Orbiting Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) mission to be launched in July 1995. In October 1993 a fast track program to build and characterize detectors and detector control electronics was initiated. We present the detector system design for the SOHO UVCS and SUMER detector programs, and results from the detector test program. Two deliverable detectors have been built at this point, a demonstration model for UVCS, and the flight Ly alpha detector for UVCS, both of which are to be delivered in the next few weeks. Test results have also been obtained with one other demonstration detector system. The detector format is 26mm x 9mm, with 1024 x 360 digitized pixels, using a low resistance Z stack of microchannel plates (MCP's) and a multilayer cross delay line anode (XDL). This configuration provides gains of approximately 2 x 10(exp 7) with good pulse height distributions (less than 50% FWHM) under uniform flood illumination, and background levels typical for this configuration (approximately 0.6 event cm (exp -2)sec(exp -1)). Local counting rates up to about 400 events/pixel/sec have been achieved with no degradation of the MCP gain. The detector and event encoding electronics achieves about 25 millimeter FVHM with good linearity (plus or minus approximately 1 pixel) and is stable to high global counting rates (greater than 4 x 10(exp 5) events sec(exp -1)). Flat field images are dominated by MCP fixed pattern noise and are stable, but the MCP multifiber modulation usually expected is uncharacteristically absent. The detector and electronics have also successfully passed both thermal vacuum and vibration tests.

Seigmund, O. H. W.↗

Turbulence measurements in a three dimensional wall jet

The effects of both a straight and a curved wall on the two-point space-time velocity correlations of a turbulent jet are documented. From the correlations, iso-correlation contours are constructed which allow a picture of the various flow patterns to be determined. Auto and cross-correlations of the fluctuating concentration field are also obtained for the different flow configurations. The confining surfaces served to radically change the flow pattern of the freely expanding turbulent jet. The velocity measurements are made with a laser Doppler velocimeter in conjunction with a phase locked-loop processor, while the concentration field is monitored with a laser light scattering technique.

Catalano, G. D.↗

A heat exchanger computational procedure for temperature-dependent fouling

A novel heat exchanger computational procedure is described which provides a means of rapidly calculating the distributions of fluid and wall temperatures, deposit formation, and pressure loss at various points in a heat exchanger. The procedure is unique in that it is capable of treating wide variations in heat exchanger geometry without recourse to restrictive assumptions concerning heat exchanger type (e.g., co-flow, counterflow, cross flow devices, etc.). The analysis has been used extensively to predict the performance of cross-counterflow heat exchangers in which one fluid behaves as a perfect gas (e.g., air) while the other fluid is assumed to be a distillate fuel. The model has been extended to include the effects on heat exchanger performance of time varying inflow conditions. Heat exchanger performance degradation due to deposit formation with time can be simulated, making this procedure useful in predicting the effects of temperature-dependent fouling.

Chiappetta, L. M.↗

Use of Thematic Mapper for water quality assessment

The evaluation of simulated TM data obtained on an ER-2 aircraft at twenty-five predesignated sample sites for mapping water quality factors such as conductivity, pH, suspended solids, turbidity, temperature, and depth, is discussed. Using a multiple regression for the seven TM bands, an equation is developed for the suspended solids. TM bands 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 are used with logarithm conductivity in a multiple regression. The assessment of regression equations for a high coefficient of determination (R-squared) and statistical significance is considered. Confidence intervals about the mean regression point are calculated in order to assess the robustness of the regressions used for mapping conductivity, turbidity, and suspended solids, and by regressing random subsamples of sites and comparing the resultant range of R-squared, cross validation is conducted.

Horn, E. M.↗

The radial velocity search for extrasolar planets

Stars are observed with a ground-based instrument designed to measure small changes in the line-of-sight velocities. The purpose of the observations is to detect large planets by the oscillatory reflex motion they induce on the stars they are orbiting. The instrument is an optical spectrometer for which wavelengths are first calibrated by transmission through a tunable Fabry-Perot etalon interferometer. Changes in the line-of-sight velocities are revealed by changes in the Doppler shift of the absorption-line spectra of stars. The scrambling of incident light by an optical fiber and the stability of wavelength calibration by a tilt-tunable Fabry-Perot etalon provide immunity to systematic errors that historically have effected more conventional radial velocity spectrographs. A cross-dispersed echelle spectrograph spatially separates the orders of constructive interference transmitted through the etalon. Selecting several echelle diffraction orders in the vicinity of 4250 to 4750 A, which are imaged on a CCD, about 350 points on the profile of the stellar spectrum are sampled by successive orders of interferometric transmission through the etalon.

Mcmillen, R. S.↗

Parachute having improved vent line stacking

A parachute having an improved vent line stacking wherein the parachute is provided with a canopy having a central vent opening and a vent band secured to the canopy around the periphery of the vent opening, with a plurality of vent lines each lying on a diameter of the vent opening and having its ends secured to the vent band on opposite sides of the vent opening is described. The vent lines are sewed to the vent band in an order such that the end of a first vent line is sewed to the vent band at a starting point with the end of a second vent band then being sewed to the vent band adjacent to and counterclockwise from the first band. A third vent band is sewed to the vent band adjacent to and clockwise from the first band, with a fourth vent band being sewed to the vent band adjacent to and counterclockwise from the second vent band. It can be seen that, if the vent lines are numbered in the order of being sewed to the vent band, the odd numbered vent lines will run consecutively in a clockwise direction and the even numbered lines will run consecutively in a counterclockwise direction from the starting point. With this order of assembly, each and every vent line will be separated from adjacent vent lines by no more than one vent line in the center of the vent opening where the vent lines cross.

Hengel, John E.↗

Experience, lessons learned and methodology in the design of space systems to accommodate total dose and SEU effects

We now have considerable experience with successfully designing science systems to function properly, even during and after exposure to ionizing radiation approaching one Megarad, and during large solar particle events with substantial high Z fluxes such as the events that happened in August, 1972 and in the fall of 1989. Nevertheless, with changing device dimensions and properties, newer technologies and new applications, new problems arise. Some recent basic research has shed light on these problems and pointed the way to better diagnostic tests. In the case of single event upsets, clearly one cannot always accurately predict upset probabilities simply by knowing the quiescent Linear Energy Transfer (LET) threshold and the asymptotic cross-section of the device.

Trainor, James H.↗

2D Analysis of In-flight Light Particles

One of the primary uses of the in-flight icing research performed aboard NASA Glenn s DHC-6 Twin Otter is for Icing Research Tunnel (IRT) and icing prediction code (Lewice) validation. Using the in-flight data to establish the IRT and Lewice as accurate simulators of actual icing conditions is crucial for supporting the research done in the Icing Branch. During test flights during the 2003 and 2004 flight season, a Natural Ice Shape Database was collected. For flights where conditions were appropriate, the aircraft is flown in an icing cloud with all ice protection systems deactivated. The duration of this period is usually determined by the pilot s ability to safely control the aircraft. When safe flight is no longer possible, the aircraft is maneuvered into clear air above the cloud layer. At this point several photographs are taken of the ice shape that was accreted on the wing test section during this icing encounter using a stereo photograph system (Figure 1). The stereo photograph system utilizes two cameras located at different locations on the fuselage that are both pointed at the same location on the wing. When both cameras take photographs of the same location at the same time, the negatives can be combined digitally to generate a two dimensional plot describing the cross-section of the ice shape. After these photographs are taken, the wing de-icing boots are activated and the ice shape is removed.

Shearer, Jonathan↗

Star Tracker Performance Estimate with IMU

A software tool for estimating cross-boresight error of a star tracker combined with an inertial measurement unit (IMU) was developed to support trade studies for the Integrated Radio and Optical Communication project (iROC) at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Glenn Research Center. Typical laser communication systems, such as the Lunar Laser Communication Demonstration (LLCD) and the Laser Communication Relay Demonstration (LCRD), use a beacon to locate ground stations. iROC is investigating the use of beaconless precision laser pointing to enable laser communication at Mars orbits and beyond. Precision attitude knowledge is essential to the iROC mission to enable high-speed steering of the optical link. The preliminary concept to achieve this precision attitude knowledge is to use star trackers combined with an IMU. The Star Tracker Accuracy (STAcc) software was developed to rapidly assess the capabilities of star tracker and IMU configurations. STAcc determines the overall cross-boresight error of a star tracker with an IMU given the characteristic parameters: quantum efficiency, aperture, apparent star magnitude, exposure time, field of view, photon spread, detector pixels, spacecraft slew rate, maximum stars used for quaternion estimation, and IMU angular random walk. This paper discusses the supporting theory used to construct STAcc, verification of the program and sample results.

Error Budget↗

Energy dependence of cross sections of cosmic ray nuclei in tungsten

An ionization spectrometer consisting of 12 layers of tungsten each 6.13 gm cm/2 thick and 7 iron modules each 70 gm cm/2 thick was flown in a balloon at an altitude of 6 gm cm/2 for 16 hours. The distributions of the first interaction points are used to determine the mean free path of the incident particles. At energies of 20 GeV the proton m.f.p. of 140 gm cm/2 is in agreement with that of other workers. The m.f.p.'s of heavy nuclei have been determined as a function of energy up to a total energy of 1000 GeV. These results are compared with the overlap model of nucleus-nucleus collisions. For C nuclei interacting with W the overlap parameter is -2.6 x 10/13 cm. The energy dependence of this parameter is discussed.

Balasubrahmanyan, V. K.↗

Compression strength of composite primary structural components

The linear elastic response is determined for an internally pressurized, long circular cylindrical shell stiffened on the inside by a regular arrangement of identical stringers and identical rings. Periodicity of this configuration permits the analysis of a portion of the shell wall centered over a generic stringer-ring joint; i.e., a unit cell model. The stiffeners are modeled as discrete beams, and the stringer is assumed to have a symmetrical cross section and the ring an asymmetrical section. Asymmetery causes out-of-plane bending and torsion of the ring. Displacements are assumed as truncated double Fourier series plus simple terms in the axial coordinate to account for the closed and pressure vessel effect (a non-periodic effect). The interacting line loads between the stiffeners and the inside shell wall are Lagrange multipliers in the formulation, and they are also assumed as truncated Fourier series. Displacement continuity constraints between the stiffeners and shell along the contact lines are satisfied point-wise. Equilibrium is imposed by the principle of virtual work. A composite material crown panel from the fuselage of a large transport aircraft is the numerical example. The distributions of the interacting line loads, and the out-of-plane bending moment and torque in the ring, are strongly dependent on modeling the deformations due to transverse shear and cross-sectional warping of the ring in torsion. This paper contains the results from the semiannual report on research on 'Pressure Pillowing of an Orthogonally Stiffened Cylindrical Shell'. The results of the new work are illustrated in the included appendix.

Johnson, Eric R.↗

Analysis of longitudinal thickness-shear stiffness of a monolayer filamentary composite

The longitudinal thickness-shear behavior of a rectangular cross-section prism containing circular cross-section fibers embedded in a matrix is analyzed. The problem is formulated as a Saint-Venant flexure problem modeled by a tip-loaded cantilever composite beam and solution is obtained by the boundary-point least-squares method. It is shown that the longitudinal thickness-shear modulus is much greater than the in-plane shear modulus for a monofilament composite and therefore an independent analysis is necessary to predict the longitudinal thickness-shear behavior of the composite. Numerical results are presented in graphical form for various values of fiber volume fraction and material parameters typical of modern advanced composites.

Chang, S.↗