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At least 757 records · Page 42

Composite Overwrapped Pressure Vessel (COPV) Stress Rupture Testing

This paper reports stress rupture testing of Kevlar(TradeMark) composite overwrapped pressure vessels (COPVs) at NASA White Sands Test Facility. This 6-year test program was part of the larger effort to predict and extend the lifetime of flight vessels. Tests were performed to characterize control parameters for stress rupture testing, and vessel life was predicted by statistical modeling. One highly instrumented 102-cm (40-in.) diameter Kevlar(TradeMark) COPV was tested to failure (burst) as a single-point model verification. Significant data were generated that will enhance development of improved NDE methods and predictive modeling techniques, and thus better address stress rupture and other composite durability concerns that affect pressure vessel safety, reliability and mission assurance.

Greene, Nathanael J.↗

Parameter Uncertainty for Aircraft Aerodynamic Modeling using Recursive Least Squares

A real-time method was demonstrated for determining accurate uncertainty levels of stability and control derivatives estimated using recursive least squares and time-domain data. The method uses a recursive formulation of the residual autocorrelation to account for colored residuals, which are routinely encountered in aircraft parameter estimation and change the predicted uncertainties. Simulation data and flight test data for a subscale jet transport aircraft were used to demonstrate the approach. Results showed that the corrected uncertainties matched the observed scatter in the parameter estimates, and did so more accurately than conventional uncertainty estimates that assume white residuals. Only small differences were observed between batch estimates and recursive estimates at the end of the maneuver. It was also demonstrated that the autocorrelation could be reduced to a small number of lags to minimize computation and memory storage requirements without significantly degrading the accuracy of predicted uncertainty levels.

Grauer, Jared A.↗

Numerical Study of Solidification Crack Susceptibility in Novel Refractory Alloy Systems

Calculation of Phase Diagrams (CALPHAD) -based solidification computa­tions, such as Scheil or equilibrium computations, have been utilized to propose crack solidification susceptibility indices (CSSIs) of cracking. These CSSIs have been proposed in order to predict the cracking susceptibility of an alloy in the solidification range, as a function of its solidification frac­tion and as dependent upon its wt.% elemental composition through the CALPHAD computation & via comparative methods between one composition & the next. Recently Kou at al. have proposed a novel CSSI where the gradient of the e.x. Scheil solidification curve is obtained in the critical solidification cracking region of greater than 0.95 fraction of solid. Therefore, a direct Temperature dependent metric is now available for the prediction, and presumably the control, of solidification cracking. In this TM, the researchers apply this Kou gradient method to refractory alloys for the first time & discuss justification for the approach via Spearman rank correlation with Varestraint cracking test data as well as by comparisons with Thermocalc based vulnerability time CSSI calculations. A Python Pycalphad module example of the approach is provided & can be utilized as an open-source resource that utilizes also open-source available thermodynamical databases, making the CSSI quantitative aspect of ICME more available and freely available to practitioners.

ICME integrated computational materials engineerin↗

Flight Metal Plasma Thruster (MPT) Development, Qualification, and Thrust Measurement Campaign

A torsional thrust stand, calibrated for impulse bits in the range of 0.1mNs -0.5 mNs, was used to measure impulse bits during two campaigns at the NASA/GRC VF-3 Vacuum test Facility. Metal Plasma Thrusters (MPTs) with targets of Molybdenum, Copper and Stainless Steel (as used in upper stages of launch vehicles that are abandoned in LEO) were tested. This paper describes data from Mo targets (called pucks). The Cu and ss data will be presented elsewhere. Model predictions (based on a simple circuit model and published plasma parameters) were validated by data from the calibrated torsional thrust stand. The Metal Plasma Thruster uses solid metal propellant, hence requires no liquids, gases, flow valves or flow controls and has no moving parts. Total impulse ~5000Ns/U provides orbit raising and drag compensation capability.

Electric Propulsion↗

Flight MPT Development, Qualification and Thrust Measurement Campaign

A torsional thrust stand, calibrated for impulse bits in the range of 0.1mNs -0.5 mNs, was used to measure impulse bits during two campaigns at the NASA/GRC VF-3 Vacuum test Facility. Metal Plasma Thrusters (MPTs) with targets of Molybdenum, Copper and Stainless Steel (as used in upper stages of launch vehicles that are abandoned in LEO) were tested. This paper describes data from Mo targets (called pucks). The Cu and ss data will be presented elsewhere. Model predictions (based on a simple circuit model and published plasma parameters) were validated by data from the calibrated torsional thrust stand. The Metal Plasma Thruster uses solid metal propellant, hence requires no liquids, gases, flow valves or flow controls and has no moving parts. Total impulse ~5000Ns/U provides orbit raising and drag compensation capability.

Electric Propulsion↗

A Final Approach Trajectory Model for Current Operations

Predicting accurate trajectories with limited intent information is a challenge faced by air traffic management decision support tools in operation today. One such tool is the FAA's Terminal Proximity Alert system which is intended to assist controllers in maintaining safe separation of arrival aircraft during final approach. In an effort to improve the performance of such tools, two final approach trajectory models are proposed; one based on polynomial interpolation, the other on the Fourier transform. These models were tested against actual traffic data and used to study effects of the key final approach trajectory modeling parameters of wind, aircraft type, and weight class, on trajectory prediction accuracy. Using only the limited intent data available to today's ATM system, both the polynomial interpolation and Fourier transform models showed improved trajectory prediction accuracy over a baseline dead reckoning model. Analysis of actual arrival traffic showed that this improved trajectory prediction accuracy leads to improved inter-arrival separation prediction accuracy for longer look ahead times. The difference in mean inter-arrival separation prediction error between the Fourier transform and dead reckoning models was 0.2 nmi for a look ahead time of 120 sec, a 33 percent improvement, with a corresponding 32 percent improvement in standard deviation.

Gong, Chester↗

Lunar laser ranging data processing in a Unix/X windows environment

In cooperation with the NASA Crustal Dynamics Project initiative placing workstation computers at each of its laser ranging stations to handle data filtering and normalpointing, MLRS personnel have developed a new generation of software to provide the same services for the lunar laser ranging data type. The Unix operating system and X windows/Motif provides an environment for both batch and interactive filtering and normalpointing as well as prediction calculations. The goal is to provide a transportable and maintainable data reduction environment. This software and some sample displays are presented. that the lunar (or satellite) datacould be processed on one computer while data was taken on the other. The reduction of the data was totally interactive and in no way automated. In addition, lunar predictions were produced on-site, another first in the effort to down-size historically mainframe-based applications. Extraction of earth rotation parameters was at one time attempted on site in near-realtime. In 1988, the Crustal Dynamics Project SLR Computer Panel mandated the installation of Hewlett-Packard 9000/360 Unix workstations at each NASA-operated laser ranging station to relieve the aging controller computers of much of their data and communications handling responsibility and to provide on-site data filtering and normal pointing for a growing list of artificial satellite targets. This was seen by MLRS staff as an opportunity to provide a better lunar data processing environment as well.

Ricklefs, Randall L.↗

Predicting the Operational Acceptability of Route Advisories

NASA envisions a future Air Traffic Management system that allows safe, efficient growth in global operations, enabled by increasing levels of automation and autonomy. In a safety-critical system, the introduction of increasing automation and autonomy has to be done in stages, making human-system integrated concepts critical in the foreseeable future. One example where this is relevant is for tools that generate more efficient flight routings or reroute advisories. If these routes are not operationally acceptable, they will be rejected by human operators, and the associated benefits will not be realized. Operational acceptance is therefore required to enable the increased efficiency and reduced workload benefits associated with these tools. In this paper, the authors develop a predictor of operational acceptability for reroute advisories. Such a capability has applications in tools that identify more efficient routings around weather and congestion and that better meet airline preferences. The capability is based on applying data mining techniques to flight plan amendment data reported by the Federal Aviation Administration and data on requested reroutes collected from a field trial of the NASA developed Dynamic Weather Routes tool, which advised efficient route changes to American Airlines dispatchers in 2014. 10-Fold cross validation was used for feature, model and parameter selection, while nested cross validation was used to validate the model. The model performed well in predicting controller acceptance or rejection of a route change as indicated by chosen performance metrics. Features identified as relevant to controller acceptance included the historical usage of the advised route, the location of the maneuver start point relative to the boundaries of the airspace sector containing the maneuver start (the maneuver start sector), the reroute deviation from the original flight plan, and the demand level in the maneuver start sector. A random forest with forty trees was the best performing of the five models evaluated in this paper.

route advisories↗

Predicting the Operational Acceptability of Route Advisories

NASA envisions a future Air Traffic Management system that allows safe, efficient growth in global operations, enabled by increasing levels of automation and autonomy. In a safety-critical system, the introduction of increasing automation and autonomy has to be done in stages, making human-system integrated concepts critical in the foreseeable future. One example where this is relevant is for tools that generate more efficient flight routings or reroute advisories. If these routes are not operationally acceptable, they will be rejected by human operators, and the associated benefits will not be realized. Operational acceptance is therefore required to enable the increased efficiency and reduced workload benefits associated with these tools. In this paper, the authors develop a predictor of operational acceptability for reroute advisories. Such a capability has applications in tools that identify more efficient routings around weather and congestion and that better meet airline preferences. The capability is based on applying data mining techniques to flight plan amendment data reported by the Federal Aviation Administration and data on requested reroutes collected from a field trial of the NASA developed Dynamic Weather Routes tool, which advised efficient route changes to American Airlines dispatchers in 2014. 10-Fold cross validation was used for feature, model and parameter selection, while nested cross validation was used to validate the model. The model performed well in predicting controller acceptance or rejection of a route change as indicated by chosen performance metrics. Features identified as relevant to controller acceptance included the historical usage of the advised route, the location of the maneuver start point relative to the boundaries of the airspace sector containing the maneuver start (the maneuver start sector), the reroute deviation from the original flight plan, and the demand level in the maneuver start sector. A random forest with forty trees was the best performing of the five models evaluated in this paper.

operational acceptability↗

Transport Aircraft System Identification from Wind Tunnel Data

Recent studies have been undertaken to investigate and develop aerodynamic models that predict aircraft response in nonlinear unsteady flight regimes for transport configurations. The models retain conventional static and rotary dynamic terms but replace conventional acceleration terms with more general indicial functions. In the Integrated Resilient Aircraft Controls project of the NASA Aviation Safety Program one aspect of the research is to apply these current developments to transport configurations to facilitate development of advanced controls technology. This paper describes initial application of a more general modeling methodology to the NASA Langley Generic Transport Model, a sub-scale flight test vehicle.

Murphy, Patrick C.↗

CFD Modeling of the Multipurpose Hydrogen Test Bed (MHTB) Self-Pressurization and Spray Bar Mixing Experiments in Normal Gravity: Effect of the Accommodation Coefficient on the Tank Pressure

A CFD model for simulating the self-pressurization of a large scale liquid hydrogen storage tank is utilized in this paper to model the MHTB self-pressurization experiment. The kinetics-based Schrage equation is used to account for the evaporative and condensi ng interfacial mass flows in this model. The effect of the accommodation coefficient for calculating the interfacial mass transfer rate on the tank pressure during tank selfpressurization is studied. The values of the accommodation coefficient which were considered in this study vary from 1.0e-3 to 1.0e-1 for the explicit VOF model and from 1.0e-4 to 1.0e-3 for the implicit VOF model. The ullage pressure evolutions are compared against experimental data. A CFD model for controlling pressure in cryogenic storage tanks by spraying cold liquid into the ullage is also presented. The Euler-Lagrange approach is utilized for tracking the spray droplets and for modeling the interaction between the droplets and the continuous phase (ullage). The spray model is coupled with the VOF model by performing particle tracking in the ullage, removing particles from the ullage when they reach the interface, and then adding their contributions to the liquid. Droplet-ullage heat and mass transfer are modeled. The flow, temperature, and interfacial mass flux, as well as droplets trajectories, size distribution and temperatures predicted by the model are presented. The ul lage pressure and vapor temperature evolutions are compared with experimental data obtained from the MHTB spray bar mixing experiment. The effect of the accommodation coefficient for calculating the interfacial and droplet mass transfer rates on the tank pressure during mixing of the vapor using spray is studied. The values used for the accommodation coefficient at the interface vary from 1.0e-5 to 1.0e-2. The droplet accommodation coefficient values vary from 2.0e-6 to 1.0e-4.

cryogenic fluid storage↗

A New Method for Predicting Turbulent Flow Reattachment Location: Application of Stratford Criterion for Reattaching Flows

A new method for predicting turbulent flow reattachment location has been developed. The method predicts the reattachment location using the surface static pressure distribution and requires only a single empirical parameter. The method is based on the well-known Stratford’s flow separation criterion, which results from an approximate solution to the equations of motion within the boundary layer. Because of the large pressure rise, the original Stratford separation criterion is not valid for reattaching flows. In order to apply the Stratford criterion for reattaching flows, the reference location was moved to the pressure drop conditions instead of pressure rise conditions. In addition, the pressure distribution was scaled using a technique that was originally introduced for supersonic base flows. A new empirical parameter was also obtained for the modified Stratford criterion. The method has been tested for 30 different separated flow configurations from the literature. The variety of test cases include subsonic flows, transonic flows, 2D flows, and axisymmetric flows, with experimental as well as high resolution numerical simulation results. The flow reattachment predictions with the new method agree very well with the reported data. The error is less than 5% and typically about 2%. The new method is an extremely simple and a quick way of finding the reattachment location. Given the complexities of the existing experimental techniques for finding the reattachment location, the method easily and quickly provides the flow reattachment location, which could be used to estimate the physical extent of separation bubbles, as a performance index for flow control methods, or to assess the predictive capability of turbulence models.

Flow reattachment location↗

Estimating the urban bias of surface shelter temperatures using upper-air and satellite data. Part 1: Development of models predicting surface shelter temperatures

Multiple regression techniques were used to predict surface shelter temperatures based on the time period 1986-89 using upper-air data from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) to represent the background climate and site-specific data to represent the local landscape. Global monthly mean temperature models were developed using data from over 5000 stations available in the Global Historical Climate Network (GHCN). Monthly maximum, mean, and minimum temperature models for the United States were also developed using data from over 1000 stations available in the U.S. Cooperative (COOP) Network and comparative monthly mean temperature models were developed using over 1150 U.S. stations in the GHCN. Three-, six-, and full-variable models were developed for comparative purposes. Inferences about the variables selected for the various models were easier for the GHCN models, which displayed month-to-month consistency in which variables were selected, than for the COOP models, which were assigned a different list of variables for nearly every month. These and other results suggest that global calibration is preferred because data from the global spectrum of physical processes that control surface temperatures are incorporated in a global model. All of the models that were developed in this study validated relatively well, especially the global models. Recalibration of the models with validation data resulted in only slightly poorer regression statistics, indicating that the calibration list of variables was valid. Predictions using data from the validation dataset in the calibrated equation were better for the GHCN models, and the globally calibrated GHCN models generally provided better U.S. predictions than the U.S.-calibrated COOP models. Overall, the GHCN and COOP models explained approximately 64%-95% of the total variance of surface shelter temperatures, depending on the month and the number of model variables. In addition, root-mean-square errors (rmse's) were over 3 C for GHCN models and over 2 C for COOP models for winter months, and near 2 C for GHCN models and near 1.5 C for COOP models for summer months.

Epperson, David L.↗

Summary of longitudinal stability and control parameters as determined from space shuttle Columbia flight test data

Extensive wind tunnel tests were conducted to establish the preflight aerodynamics of the Shuttle vehicle. This paper presents the longitudinal, short-period aerodynamics of the space shuttle Columbia as determined from flight test data. These flight-determined results are compared with the preflight predictions, and areas of agreement or disagreement are noted. In addition to the short-period aerodynamics, the pitch RCS effectiveness was determined.

Suit, W. T.↗

A Validation Study of the Performance Prediction Methodology of the Early Warning Metrics

Complex projects frequently experience delays and develop backlogs of their project control milestones during the acquisition and development lifecycles. In response, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) formed an independent group of Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to monitor the execution performance of GSFC Flight projects and instruments that are under development. The SME team’s objective is to generate data driven performance-based indicators that quantify the degree to which projects are meeting their respective schedule and budget commitments. One of these performance-based indicators, the Early Warning Metrics, provides performance forecasts and insight to project performance relative to historical successful projects. Herein this paper describes the purpose and utility of the Early Warning Metrics. Additionally, the initial prediction method used in the creation of the metrics is described along with its validity and the validity of comparable prediction methods.

Holloman, Sherrica↗

Impurities in silicon solar cells

The paper investigates the effects of metallic impurities on the performance of silicon solar cells. Czochralski and polycrystalline ingots were employed with boron and phosphorus as primary dopants and with controlled additions of secondary impurities. The data obtained from over 200 crystals indicate that impurity-induced performance loss is primarily due to a reduction of the base diffusion length. Based on this observation, a model is developed which predicts cell performance as a function of secondary impurity concentrations. The model calculations are in good agreement with experimental values except for Cu, Ni, Fe, and to a lesser degree, carbon, which at higher concentrations degrade the cell by junction defect mechanisms.

Davis, J. R., Jr.↗

Shuttle Performance: Lessons Learned, part 1

Beginning with the first orbital flight of the Space Shuttle, a great wealth of flight data became available to the aerospace community. These data were immediately subjected to analyses by several different groups with different viewpoints and motivations. The results were collected and presented in several papers in the subject areas of ascent and entry aerodynaics; guidance, navigation, and control; aerothermal environment prediction; thermal protection systems; and measurement techniques.

James P Arrington↗

Unsteady-Pressure and Dynamic-Deflection Measurements on an Aeroelastic Supercritical Wing

Transonic steady and unsteady pressure tests were conducted on a large elastic wing. The wing has a supercritical airfoil, a full span aspect ratio of 10.3, a leading edge sweepback angle of 28.8 degrees, and two inboard and one outboard trailing edge control surfaces. Only the outboard control surface was deflected statically and dynamically to generate steady and unsteady flow over the wing. The unsteady surface pressure and dynamic deflection measurements of this elastic wing are presented to permit correlations of the experimental data with theoretical predictions.

Seidel, David A.↗