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At least 811 records · Page 45
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1976

A single axis study of flight simulator kinematics by difference techniques

The kinematic parameters of position, velocity, and acceleration of a flight simulator may be calculated by knowing the distance between two or more points on an axis and the time the simulator takes to traverse the space between each set of points. These parameters are calculated through the use of difference techniques. Given the true kinematic response of the simulator to computer generated commands, the entire motion system loop may be calibrated, and system operability verified.

Webster, L. D.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Accuracy of Center of Pressure Determination via Motion Capture

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to support the stability assessment for tasks in lunar gravity and exercises on a Vibration Isolation and Stabilization (VIS) system in microgravity based on the dynamic feasibility criterion of whether the calculated position of the center of pressure (COP) falls within the base of support (BOS) which outlines the subject’s feet. Motion capture data combined with biomechanical modeling and simulation allows the forces and moments between the human and the VIS platform to be computed and the position of the COP as well as the location and shape of the BOS to be determined. The goal of this study was to assess the accuracy of the COP trajectory calculated using motion capture-based data. METHODS AND RESULTS: To obtain the dynamic quantities from which COP is calculated, motion capture data is first collected in the 1g lab environment by recording the trajectories of passive retroreflective markers placed on a subject during exercise or performance of a given task. The OpenSim [1] inverse kinematics (IK) tool is used to fit a scaled subject model to recorded marker trajectories while minimizing marker error to obtain joint angles. Then, a custom OpenSim plugin [2] is used to determine the subject’s time-varying moment of inertia and its time derivative, center of mass (CM) position, velocity, and acceleration, as well as the angular momentum and its time derivative relative to the subject’s CM. Some of these quantities are not needed for modeling tasks performed on a stationary lunar surface but, due to the moving exercise platform, are needed to model VIS response to the subject’s motion. Hand positions, used in calculating a cable force if present, are recorded as well. These quantities are used to calculate the total force (F ⃗^((plate) )) and moment (M ⃗^((plate) )) exerted by the lunar surface or the VIS plate on the subject’s shoe soles. COP is then calculated from the following equations: r_x^((cop) )= M_z^((plate) )/F_y^((plate) ) and r_z^((cop) )= 〖-M〗_x^((plate) )/F_y^((plate) ), where the y axis is normal to the surface. COP accuracy for feasibility assessments is then determined by whether it falls within the BOS, which is also computed by the plugin. To study the accuracy of COP calculated from motion capture, we first investigated whether COP remained within the BOS, as it must, for exercises performed in the 1g lab environment. Standard exercises such as back squat and deadlift were analyzed, as well as more explosive exercises including hang clean and press. Cases in which the COP exited the BOS indicated that COP accuracy required further investigation. In this study, an exercise device with cables was used, so cable force modeling accuracy should also be considered. In a separate study, we collected motion capture and force plate data for twenty-seven motions not involving an exercise device. About a third were genuine countermeasures exercises (e.g., hang clean and press), some were relevant for lunar tasks (e.g., object pick up), and the rest were of a “unit test” nature (e.g., swaying back and forth or side to side). Motion capture-based COP positions were compared with force plate measured COP. We found that while force plate measured COP remained within the BOS, motion capture-based COP was observed to briefly exit the BOS on occasion. Techniques to mitigate IK artifacts and filtering of calculated data could be used to improve the agreement of calculated and measured results, resolving excursions from the BOS within this dataset. The mean error between calculated and measured COP was found to be less than 6 mm. Additionally, we derived and investigated equations for the COP in terms of the cable force, cable location, as well as the human CM position, acceleration, and angular momentum with respect to the CM, and analyzed them for sensitivity to errors in individual quantities. Several were found, but the most significant one was that when the vertical force on the feet approaches zero, indicating a near-detachment or ‘jump off’ condition, errors are amplified. This is consistent with the observation that in the absence of pressure, the concept of the center of pressure would become meaningless.

C A Bell↗
NASA NTRS1976

White light and radio studies of the coronal transient of 14-15 September 1973. I - Material motions and magnetic field

Observations of a coronal transient event were obtained in white light by the Skylab coronagraph and at metric wavelengths by the radioheliograph and spectrograph at Culgoora, Australia, and the spectrograph-interferometer at Boulder, Colo. The continuum radio burst was found to originate above the outward-moving white-light loop, a region of compressed material headed by a bow wave. The computed density in the region of radio emission, based on either gyrosynchrotron or harmonic plasma radiation mechanisms, was approximately 10 times the ambient coronal density; this is compatible with the density deduced from the white-light observations. The magnetic-energy density derived from the radio observations was greater than 10 times the thermal energy density, marginally larger than the kinetic energy density in the fastest-moving portion of the transient, and considerably larger in most other regions. The ambient medium, the white-light front, the compression region, the loop, and the slower massive flow of material behind are each examined. It is found that the plasma was magnetically controlled throughout and that magnetic forces provided the principal mechanism for acceleration of the transient material from the sun.

Dulk, G. A.↗
NASA NTRS1981

The development of convective instability, wind shear, and vertical motion in relation to convection activity and synoptic systems in AVE 4

Data from the Fourth Atmospheric Variability Experiment were used to investigate conditions/factors responsible for the development (local time rate-of-change) of convective instability, wind shear, and vertical motion in areas with varying degrees of convective activity. AVE IV sounding data were taken at 3 or 6 h intervals during a 36 h period on 24-25 April 1975 over approximately the eastern half of the United States. An error analysis was performed for each variable studied.

Davis, J. G.↗
NASA NTRS2002

A Nonlinear, Human-Centered Approach to Motion Cueing with a Neurocomputing Solver

This paper discusses the continuation of research into the development of new motion cueing algorithms first reported in 1999. In this earlier work, two viable approaches to motion cueing were identified: the coordinated adaptive washout algorithm or 'adaptive algorithm', and the 'optimal algorithm'. In this study, a novel approach to motion cueing is discussed that would combine features of both algorithms. The new algorithm is formulated as a linear optimal control problem, incorporating improved vestibular models and an integrated visual-vestibular motion perception model previously reported. A control law is generated from the motion platform states, resulting in a set of nonlinear cueing filters. The time-varying control law requires the matrix Riccati equation to be solved in real time. Therefore, in order to meet the real time requirement, a neurocomputing approach is used to solve this computationally challenging problem. Single degree-of-freedom responses for the nonlinear algorithm were generated and compared to the adaptive and optimal algorithms. Results for the heave mode show the nonlinear algorithm producing a motion cue with a time-varying washout, sustaining small cues for a longer duration and washing out larger cues more quickly. The addition of the optokinetic influence from the integrated perception model was shown to improve the response to a surge input, producing a specific force response with no steady-state washout. Improved cues are also observed for responses to a sway input. Yaw mode responses reveal that the nonlinear algorithm improves the motion cues by reducing the magnitude of negative cues. The effectiveness of the nonlinear algorithm as compared to the adaptive and linear optimal algorithms will be evaluated on a motion platform, the NASA Langley Research Center Visual Motion Simulator (VMS), and ultimately the Cockpit Motion Facility (CMF) with a series of pilot controlled maneuvers. A proposed experimental procedure is discussed. The results of this evaluation will be used to assess motion cueing performance.

Telban, Robert J.↗
NASA NTRS2003

Thermal Properties of Prominence Motions as Observed in the UV

The mechanisms by which solar prominences are filled with plasma are still undetermined. In this study we perform a quantitative analysis of the thermal properties of moving features in prominences in order to put constraints on models of prominence formation and dynamics. In order to make such measurements of quickly moving features seen in prominences in the UV we use the SOHO instruments SUMER and CDS to take a time series of exposures at a single pointing position, providing a measurement of spectral line properties as a function of time and position along the slit. The resulting observations in spectral lines in a range of 'transition region' temperatures allow us to analyze the thermal properties of the moving prominence sources as a function of time.

Kucera, T.↗
NASA NTRS1987

A computational code for two-dimensional unsteady magnetohydrodynamics by the method of characteristics

A computational code for solving two-dimensional, time-dependent MHD equations by the method of characteristics is presented. Its capabilities are demonstrated by solving two very different problems for which analytical solutions exist: linearized, standing MHD wave motions in a magnetized cylindrical plasma, and nonlinear self-similar expansion of a magnetized plasma ball. The nonlinear development of standing MHD wave solutions in a cylindrical plasma is also studied. The method can be naturally embedded in the computational architecture of massively parallel processors.

Lou, Y. Q.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Studying Turbulence Using Numerical Simulation Databases, 2. Proceedings of the 1988 Summer Program

The focus of the program was on the use of direct numerical simulations of turbulent flow for study of turbulence physics and modeling. A special interest was placed on turbulent mixing layers. The required data for these investigations were generated from four newly developed codes for simulation of time and spatially developing incompressible and compressible mixing layers. Also of interest were the structure of wall bounded turbulent and transitional flows, evaluation of diagnostic techniques for detection of organized motions, energy transfer in isotropic turbulence, optical propagation through turbulent media, and detailed analysis of the interaction of vortical structures.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1989

Flow visualization studies of the Mach number effects on the dynamic stall of an oscillating airfoil

Compressibility effects on the dynamic stall of a NACA 0012 airfoil undergoing sinusoidal oscillatory motion were studied using a stroboscopic schlieren system. Schlieren pictures and some quantitative data derived from them are presented and show the influence of free-stream Mach number and reduced frequency on the dynamic-stall vortex. This study shows that a dynamic stall vortex always forms near the leading edge and convects on the airfoil upper surface at approximately 0.3 times the free stream velocity for all cases studied. The results also demonstrate that initiation of the dynamic stall vortex is delayed to higher angles of attack with increased reduced frequency, but that dynamic stall occurs at lower angles of incidence with increasing Mach numbers.

Chandrasekhara, M. S.↗
NASA NTRS1988

ExpertVision - A video-based non-contact system for motion measurement

A system known as ExpertVision for obtaining noncontact kinematic measurements using standard video signals is described. In the system, a video processor extracts edge information from video images using a proprietary thresholding technique. Images can be examined in real time at up to 200 fields/s, and as many as four synchronized inputs can be treated simultaneously by buffering the edge coordinates for each view in dedicated RAM memory. Mechanical applications for ExpertVision include the study of simple impacts, ballistics, wing flutter, the kinematics of helicopter rotor blades, and fluid and gas flow problems.

Walton, James S.↗
NASA NTRS2004

Motion of Air Bubbles in Water Subjected to Microgravity Accelerations

The International Space Station (ISS) serves as a platform for microgravity research for the foreseeable future. A microgravity environment is one in which the effects of gravity are drastically reduced which then allows physical experiments to be conducted without the overpowering effects of gravity. During his six month stay on the ISS, astronaut Donald R Pettit performed many informal/impromptu science experiments with available equipment. One such experiment focused on the motion of air bubbles in a rectangular container nearly filled with de-ionized water. Bubbles were introduced by shaking and the container was secured in place for several hours while motion of the bubbles were recorded using time-lapse photography. This paper shows correlation between bubble motion and quasi-steady acceleration levels during one such experiment operation. The quasi-steady acceleration vectors were measured by the Microgravity Acceleration Measurement System. Essentially linear motion was observed in the condition considered here. Dr. Pettit also created other conditions which produced linear and circulating motion, which are the subjects of further study. Initial observations of this bubble motion agree with calculations from many microgravity physical science experiments conducted on Shuttle microgravity science missions. Many crystal-growth furnaces involve heavy metals and high temperatures in which undesired acceleration-driven convection during solidification can adversely affect the crystal. Presented in this paper will be results showing correlation between bubble motion and the quasi-steady acceleration vector.

DeLombard, Richard↗
NASA NTRS1948

Ditching Tests of a 1/10-Scale Model of the North American XFJ-1 Airplane Ted No. NACA 314

Tests were made of a 1/10-scale dynamically similar model of the North American XFJ-1 airplane to study its behavior when ditched. The model was landed in calm water at the Langley tank no. 2 monorail. Various landing attitudes, speeds, and conditions of damage were simulated. The behavior of the model was determined from visual observations, by recording the accelerations, and by taking motion pictures of the ditchings. Data are presented in tabular form, sequence photographs, and time-history acceleration curves. From the results of the tests it was concluded that the airplane should be ditched at the near-stall, tail-down landing attitude of 12 deg. The flaps should be fully extended to obtain the lowest possible landing speed. The wing-tip tanks should be jettisoned if any appreciable load of fuel remains; if empty, they should be retained for additional buoyancy. In a calm-water ditching the airplane will probably run about 600 feet Maximum longitudinal decelerations of about 2.5g and maximum vertical acceleration of about 2g will be encountered. The nose-intake duct will be clear of the water until practically all forward motion has stopped.

Fisher, Lloyd J.↗
NASA NTRS2012

EPE The Extreme Physics Explorer

The Extreme Physics Explorer (EPE) is a mission concept that will address fundamental and timely questions in astrophysics which are primary science objectives of IXO. The reach of EPE to the areas outlined in NASA RFI NNH11ZDA018L is shown as a table. The dark green indicates areas in which EPE can do the basic IXO science, and the light green areas where EPE can contribute but will not reach the full IXO capability. To address these science questions, EPE will trace orbits close to the event horizon of black holes, measure black hole spin in active galactic nuclei (AGN), use spectroscopy to characterize outflows and the environment of AGN, map bulk motions and turbulence in galaxy clusters, and observe the process of cosmic feedback where black holes inject energy on galactic and intergalactic scales. EPE gives up the high resolution imaging of IXO in return for lightweight, high TRL foil mirrors which will provide >20 times the effective area of ASTRO-H and similar spatial resolution, with a beam sufficient to study point sources and nearby galaxies and clusters. Advances in micro-calorimeters allow improved performance at high rates with twice the energy resolution of ASTRO-H. A lower TRL option would provide 200 times the area of ASTRO-H using a micro-channel plate optic (MCPO) and a deployable optical bench. Both options are in the middle range of RFI missions at between $600M and $1000M. The EPE foil optic has direct heritage to ASTRO-H, allowing robust cost estimates. The spacecraft is entirely off the shelf and introduces no difficult requirements. The mission could be started and launched in this decade to an L2 orbit, with a three-year lifetime and consumables for 5 years. While ASTRO-H will give us the first taste of high-resolution, non-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, it will be limited to small numbers of objects in many categories. EPE will give us the first statistically significant samples in each of these categories.

Garcia, Michael↗
NASA NTRS2005

Parameter Studies, time-dependent simulations and design with automated Cartesian methods

Over the past decade, NASA has made a substantial investment in developing adaptive Cartesian grid methods for aerodynamic simulation. Cartesian-based methods played a key role in both the Space Shuttle Accident Investigation and in NASA's return to flight activities. The talk will provide an overview of recent technological developments focusing on the generation of large-scale aerodynamic databases, automated CAD-based design, and time-dependent simulations with of bodies in relative motion. Automation, scalability and robustness underly all of these applications and research in each of these topics will be presented.

Aftosmis, Michael↗
NASA NTRS1962

Study of an Automatic System for Control of the Terminal Phase of Satellite Rendezvous

An analytical and simulation study has been conducted of an automatic system for control of the terminal phase of rendezvous between two space vehicles. The basic system employs switching and thrust orientation criteria based upon relative-motion parameters first to establish a collision course and then to reduce the range and range rate to zero, simultaneously. In addition, a technique has been devised by which the system effects control based upon the total amount of fuel available for this phase of the space mission. The onboard equipment assumed for the intercepting vehicle includes a special-purpose computer, an attitude-control system, a single main rocket engine with, multi-start capabilities, and sensors capable of measuring range, line-of sight angles, and the time derivatives of these quantities. Techniques are developed. for employing control with either modulated thrust or on-off thrust at a constant level. The results of an analog simulation study of the automatic control system in which a six-degree-of freedom vehicle is assumed are presented for various initial conditions at the beginning of the terminal phase. The results of the study indicate that the automatic system can effectively control the terminal phase of rendezvous over a wide range of initial conditions and control-system requirements and, in addition, can utilize the available fuel in a very efficient manner.

RENDEZVOUS↗
DOE OSTI2026

Comparison between explicit and implicit discretization strategies for a dissipative thermal environment

We investigate strategies for simulating open quantum systems coupled to dissipative baths by comparing explicit wave function-based discretization [via multi-layer multi-configuration time-dependent Hartree (ML-MCTDH)] and the implicit density matrix-based master equation method [via tree tensor network hierarchical equations of motion (TTN-HEOM)]. For dissipative baths characterized by exponentially decaying bath correlation functions, the implicit discretization approach of HEOM—rooted in bath correlation function decompositions—proves significantly more efficient than explicit discretization of the bath into discrete harmonic modes. Explicit methods, like ML-MCTDH, require extensive mode discretization to approximate continuum baths, leading to computational bottlenecks. Case studies for two-level systems and a Fenna–Matthews–Olson complex model highlight TTN-HEOM’s superiority in capturing dissipative dynamics with relaxations with a minimal number of auxiliary modes, while the explicit methods are as exact as the HEOM in pure dephasing regimes. This comparison is enabled by the TENSO package, which has both ML-MCTDH and TTN-HEOM implemented using the same computational structure and propagation strategy.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2025

Efficient up-conversion in CsPbBr 3 nanocrystals via phonon-driven exciton-polaron formation

Lead halide perovskite nanocrystals demonstrate efficient up-conversion, although the precise mechanism remains a subject of active research. This study utilizes steady-state and time-resolved spectroscopy methods to unravel the mechanism driving the up-conversion process in CsPbBr 3 nanocrystals. Employing above- and below-gap photoluminescence measurements, we extract a distinct phonon mode with an energy of ~7 meV and identify the Pb-Br-Pb bending mode as the phonon involved in the up-conversion process. This result was corroborated by Raman spectroscopy. We confirm an up-conversion efficiency reaching up to 75%. Transient absorption measurements under conditions of sub-gap excitation also unexpectedly reveal coherent phonons for the subset of nanocrystals undergoing up-conversion. This coherence implies that the up-conversion and subsequent relaxation is accompanied by a synchronized and phased lattice motion. This study reveals that efficient up-conversion in CsPbBr 3 nanocrystals is powered by a unique interplay between the soft lattice structure, phonons, and excited states dynamics.

Anti-Stokes Photoluminescence↗
NASA NTRS2005

DEVELOPMENT OF AN INFLIGHT COUNTERMEASURE TO MITIGATE POSTFLIGHT GAIT DYSFUNCTION

Following spaceflight crewmembers experience gait and postural instabilities due to inflight adaptive alterations in sensorimotor function. These changes can pose a risk to crew safety if nominal or emergency vehicle egress is required immediately following long-duration spaceflight. At present, no operational countermeasure is available to mitigate postflight locomotor disturbances. Therefore, the goal of this study is to develop an inflight training regimen that facilitates the recovery of locomotor function after long-duration spaceflight. The countermeasure we are developing is based on the concept of variable practice. During this type of training the subject gains experience producing the appropriate adaptive motor behavior under a variety of sensory conditions and response constraints. This countermeasure is built around current ISS treadmill exercise activities. Crewmembers will conduct their nominal inflight treadmill exercise while being exposed to variations in visual flow patterns. These variations will challenge the postural and locomotor systems repeatedly, thereby promoting adaptive reorganization in locomotor behavior. As a result of this training a subject learns to solve a class of motor problems, rather than a specific motor solution to one problem, Le., the subject learns response generalizability or the ability to "learn to learn" under a variety of environmental constraints. We anticipate that this training will accelerate recovery of postural and locomotor function during readaptation to gravitational environments following spaceflight facilitating neural adaptation to unit (Earth) and partial (Mars) gravity after long-duration spaceflight. The study calls for one group of subjects to perform the inflight treadmill training regimen while a control group of subjects performs only the nominal exercise procedures. Locomotor function in both groups is assessed before and after spaceflight using two tests of gait function: The Integrated Treadmill Locomotion Test (ITLT) and the Functional Mobility Test (FMT). The ITLT characterizes alterations in the integrated function of multiple sensorimotor subsystems responsible for the control of locomotion. This test calls for subjects to walk on a motorized treadmill while we assess changes in dynamic postural stability, head-trunk coordination, short-latency head stabilization responses, dynamic visual acuity, lower limb coordination strategies and gait cycle timing. To make these assessments we measure the following parameters while subjects walk on the treadmill: 1) full body 3-dimensional kinematics using a motion capture system (Motion Analysis Corp., Santa Rosa, CA); 2) the shock-wave transmitted from heel-strike to the head using triaxial accelerometers placed on the tibia and head (Entran, Fairfield, NJ); 3) vertical forces using an instrumented treadmill (Kistler Instrument Corp., Amherst, NY); 4) Dynamic visual acuity using Landolt Cs presented on a laptop computer located 4m from the eyes and 5) Gait cycle timing using foot-switches (Motion Lab Systems, Inc., Baton Rouge, LA) attached to the plantar surface of each shoe at the heel and toe. The FMT evaluates a subject's ability to perform challenging locomotor maneuvers similar to those encountered during an egress from a space vehicle. Subjects step over and duck under obstacles along with negotiating a series of pylons set up on a base of 10 cm thick medium density foam. The dependent measures for the FMT are time to complete the course and the number of obstacles touched. To date, we have collected pre and postflight locomotion data from Expeditions 5-9 who will serve as part of the control group for this study. Preliminary results comparing the recovery rates in gait control sub-systems obtained from the ITLT and FMT performance showed two recovery patterns: 1) a concordant recovery trend between gait control parameters and FMT performance indicating a restitution pattern of recovery and 2) gait controecovery that lagged recovery in FMT performance suggesting that improvement in locomotor function was attained through a pattern of substitution. These data suggest that recovery of postflight locomotor function may occur through adaptive mechanisms that lead to either restitution or substitution of function. Understanding the modes of postflight readaptation has implications for countermeasure development and testing and in astronaut postflight rehabilitation.

Bloomberg, J. J.↗