Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “NEST”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 847 records · Page 47

Efficient algorithms for dilated mappings of binary trees

The problem is addressed to find a 1-1 mapping of the vertices of a binary tree onto those of a target binary tree such that the son of a node on the first binary tree is mapped onto a descendent of the image of that node in the second binary tree. There are two natural measures of the cost of this mapping, namely the dilation cost, i.e., the maximum distance in the target binary tree between the images of vertices that are adjacent in the original tree. The other measure, expansion cost, is defined as the number of extra nodes/edges to be added to the target binary tree in order to ensure a 1-1 mapping. An efficient algorithm to find a mapping of one binary tree onto another is described. It is shown that it is possible to minimize one cost of mapping at the expense of the other. This problem arises when designing pipelined arithmetic logic units (ALU) for special purpose computers. The pipeline is composed of ALU chips connected in the form of a binary tree. The operands to the pipeline can be supplied to the leaf nodes of the binary tree which then process and pass the results up to their parents. The final result is available at the root. As each new application may require a distinct nesting of operations, it is useful to be able to find a good mapping of a new binary tree over existing ALU tree. Another problem arises if every distinct required binary tree is known beforehand. Here it is useful to hardwire the pipeline in the form of a minimal supertree that contains all required binary trees.

Iqbal, M. Ashraf↗

Lessons learned in the transition to ADA from FORTRAN at NASA/Goddard

A case study was done at Goddard Space Flight Center, in which two dynamics satellite simulators are developed from the same requirements, one in Ada and the other in FORTRAN. The purpose of the research was to find out how well the prescriptive Ada development model worked to develop the Ada simulator. The FORTRAN simulator development, as well as past FORTRAN developments, provided a baseline for comparison. Since this was the first simulator developed here, the prescriptive Ada development model had many similarities to the usual FORTRAN development model. However, it was modified to include longer design and shorter testing phases, which is generally expected with Ada development. One surprising result was that the percentage of time the Ada project spent in the various development activities was very similar to the percentage of time spent in these activities when doing a FORTRAN project. Another surprising finding was the difficulty the Ada team had with unit testing as well as with integration. In retrospect it is realized that adding additional steps to the design phase, such as an abstract data type analysis, and certain guidelines to the implementation phase, such as to use primarily library units and nest sparingly, would have made development much easier.

Brophy, Carolyn Elizabeth↗

Lessons learned in the transition to Ada from FORTRAN at NASA/Goddard

Two dynamics satellite simulators are developed from the same requirements, one in Ada and the other in FORTRAN. The purpose of the research was to find out how well the prescriptive Ada development model worked to develop the Ada simulator. The FORTRAN simulator development, as well as past FORTRAN developments, provided a baseline for comparison. Since this was the first simulator developed, the prescriptive Ada development model had many similarities to the usual FORTRAN development model. However, it was modified to include longer design and shorter testing phases, which is generally expected with Ada developments. One result was that the percentage of time the Ada project spent in the various development activities was very similar to the percentage of time spent in these activities when doing a FORTRAN project. Another finding was the difficulty the Ada team had with unit testing as well as with integration. It was realized that adding additional steps to the design phase, such as an abstract data type analysis, and certain guidelines to the implementation phase, such as to use primarily library units and nest sparingly, would have made development easier. These are among the recommendations made to be incorporated in a new Ada development model next time.

Brophy, Carolyn Elizabeth↗

Design of a telescoping tube system for access and handling equipment

Spacecraft processing presents unique problems for the design of ground support equipment. A telescoping tube system consists of a number of nested structural tubes that can be extended and retracted (telescoped) while supporting a load. A typical telescoping tube system provides lateral, torsional, and vertical support for an access platform. Several concepts for improved telescoping tubes were developed with emphasis placed on reliability, ease of maintenance, and cost effectiveness. The most promising prototype design utilizes adjustable rollers running on tracks bolted to the tube sections. A wire rope deployment system ensures that all tube sections are controlled during extension and retraction. Track shimming and roller adjustment allow for fabrication of a high precision tube assembly that does not require extensive machining or unusually large shop equipment. The use of rolling contact eliminates the contamination problems encountered with sliding tubes in previous designs. The prototype design is suitable for indoor or outdoor use. A prototype tube assembly was fabricated and tested for strength, stiffness, maintainability, and endurance.

Littlefield, Alan C.↗

Derivation of sorting programs

Program synthesis for critical applications has become a viable alternative to program verification. Nested resolution and its extension are used to synthesize a set of sorting programs from their first order logic specifications. A set of sorting programs, such as, naive sort, merge sort, and insertion sort, were successfully synthesized starting from the same set of specifications.

Varghese, Joseph↗

Techniques and potential capabilities of multi-resolutional information (knowledge) processing

A concept of nested hierarchical (multi-resolutional, pyramidal) information (knowledge) processing is introduced for a variety of systems including data and/or knowledge bases, vision, control, and manufacturing systems, industrial automated robots, and (self-programmed) autonomous intelligent machines. A set of practical recommendations is presented using a case study of a multiresolutional object representation. It is demonstrated here that any intelligent module transforms (sometimes, irreversibly) the knowledge it deals with, and this tranformation affects the subsequent computation processes, e.g., those of decision and control. Several types of knowledge transformation are reviewed. Definite conditions are analyzed, satisfaction of which is required for organization and processing of redundant information (knowledge) in the multi-resolutional systems. Providing a definite degree of redundancy is one of these conditions.

Meystel, A.↗

Simple autonomous Mars walker

Under a contract with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Martin Marietta has developed several alternative rover concepts for unmanned exploration of the planet Mars. One of those concepts, the 'Walking Beam', is the subject of this paper. This concept was developed with the goal of achieving many of the capabilities of more sophisticated articulated-leg walkers with a much simpler, more robust, less computationally demanding and more power efficient design. It consists of two large-base tripods nested one within the other which alternately translate with respect to each other along a 5-meter beam to propel the vehicle. The semiautonomous navigation system relies on terrain geometry sensors and tacticle feedback from each foot to autonomously select a path which avoids hazards along a route designated from earth. Both mobility and navigation features of this concept are discussed including a top-level description of the vehicle's physical characteristics, deployment strategy, mobility elements, sensor suite, theory of operation, navigation and control processes, and estimated performance.

Larimer, Stanley J.↗

Dynamics of Pluto and Charon

The dynamics of the Pluto-Charon system are reviewed from a historical perspective. Although Pluto's orbit crosses Neptune's, an intricate system of nested resonances keeps these planets apart. Pluto's orbit is apparently chaotic as well. Pluto always keeps the same face turned toward Charon, and vice versa. Tides also damp Charon's orbital eccentricity and inclination. Precession of Pluto's orbital plane causes Pluto's obliquity to vary periodically from formally prograde to retrograde. Pluto is probably an original member of the Solar system, but not an escaped satellite of Neptune.

Dobrovolskis, Anthony R.↗

Mars Rover options

The paper will describe a nested set of Mars Rover options which are being considered. The option ranges include: low-to-high levels of technology, especially in autonomous activities; low (400 kg) to high (1500 kg) allowable mass; and coarse (100-meter) to fine (1-meter) knowledge of the terrain to be traversed. The options which will be selected for further study at the end of FY 1988 will be heavily dependent on such factors as the availability of precursor mission data (especially imaging) and the bounds on mass and volume imposed by the launch, Martian entry, and landing systems.

Pivirotto, Donna Shirley↗

Altiplano-Puna volcanic complex of the central Andes

A model is presented accounting for many features of the Altiplano-Puna volcanic complex situated in the Central Volcanic Zone of the Andes which contains 50 recently active volcanoes. The dominant elements of the complex are several large nested caldera complexes which are the source structures for the major regionally distributed ignimbrite sheets that characterize the complex. The study of the complex reveals the importance of the intersection of subsidiary axis-oblique tectonic trends related to regional stress fields peculiar to individual oceanic ridge sections with the axis-parallel trends predominant at all spreading centers in localizing hydrothermal discharge zones.

De Silva, S. L.↗

Telescope Would Image X And Gamma Rays

Proposed telescope forms images of sources of gamma rays, hard x rays, and soft x rays. Contains reflecting, grazing-incidence reflectors. Multiple coaxial nested pairs used to form images simultaneously at multiple gamma-ray or hard x-ray energies or enhance collection area at single photon energy. Conceived for use in astrophysical studies in outer space. With modifications, used in terrestrial laboratory vaccum systems to image x or gamma rays from pulsed plasmas.

Hoover, Richard B.↗

Microscope Would Image X and Gamma Rays

Microscope contains Bragg-reflecting, grazing-incidence reflectors, filter wheel, and detector. Multiple nested coaxial pairs of reflectors used to form images simultaneously at multiple wavelengths. Collects and focuses radiation to produce images with moderate spectral resolution and high spatial resolution. Enables use of smaller, cheaper, better-shielded detectors. Combination of features provides new information of unprecedented value in several fields of research; probing fine structures of pulsed plasmas, investigating minute variations in structures of material specimens penetrated only by hard-x or gamma rays, or in producing maps of distributions of radioisotopes in biological specimens.

Hoover, Richard B.↗

Conical Mirrors For Quasi-Retroreflection

Single and multiple-nested conical mirrors assembled and positioned to provide several distinct orders of retroreflection. Design and orientation of "cones" determines positions of, and solid angles subtended by discrete orders of retroreflection. Accommodates larger range of incident angles than corner-cube reflectors. Also provides greater spectral coverage than conventional lens-and mirror retroreflectors. Potential applications include interferometry, metrology, lasers, position and motion sensors, instrument test and calibration, and expanded capability of highway markers and signs.

Dekany, Richard G.↗

An embedded grid formulation applied to delta wings

An embedded grid algorithm for the Euler and/or Navier-Stokes equations is developed and applied to delta wings at high angles of attack in low speed flow. The Navier-Stokes code is an implicit, finite volume algorithm, using flux difference splitting for the convective and pressure terms and central differencing for the viscous and heat transfer terms. Calculations are compared with detailed experimental results over an angle of attack range up to and beyond the maximum lift coefficient, corresponding to vortex breakdown at the trailing edge, for a delta wing nominally of unit aspect ratio. The results indicate that the overall flowfield, including surface pressures, surface streamlines, and vortex trajectories, can be simulated accurately with the global grid version of the present algorithm. However, comparison of computed velocities and vorticity with experimentally measured off-body values at an angle of attack of 20.5 deg indicates the core region is substantially more diffuse in the computations than that measured with either a five-hole probe or a laser velocimeter. Embedded grids, used to improve the numerical discretization in the core region, are formulated within the framework of the implicit, upwind-biased multi-grid algorithm. Structured levels of local nested refinements are made. Three-dimensional results for both Euler and Navier-Stokes calculations are shown, with up to 3 levels of embedded refinement. The embedding procedure was effective in eliminating a crossflow secondary separation produced in the Euler solutions on coarse grids.

Thomas, James L.↗

Evolution of the Olympus Mons Caldera, Mars

Extensive high-resolution (15 to 20 m/pixel) coverage of Olympus Mons volcano permits the investigation of the sequence of events associated with the evolution of the nested summit caldera. The sequence of the intra-caldera events is well illustrated by image data collected on orbits 473S and 474S of Viking Orbiter 1. These data cover both the oldest and youngest portions of the caldera floor. The chronology inferred from the observations is presented which in turn can be interpreted in terms of the internal structure of the volcano (i.e., magma chamber depth and the existence of dikes).

Mouginis-Mark, Peter J.↗

Lightweight, fire-retardant, crashworthy aircraft seat cushioning

A two page discussion of non-aerospace seating applications and the design of NASA's safety seat cushioning (SSC) is presented. The SSC was designed for both safety and comfort in order to replace polyurethane cushioning which is flammable and produces lethal fumes upon combustion. The SSC is composed of advanced fabric reinforced composites and is lightweight, fire-retardent, and crashworthy. The seat design consists of central elliptical tubular spring supports made of fire-resistant and fatigue-durable composites surrounded by a fire-blocking sheath. The cushioning is made crashworthy by incorporating energy-absorbing, viscoelastic layers between the nested, elliptical-hoop springs. The design is intended to provide comfortable seating that meets aircraft-loading requirements without using the conventional polyurethane materials. The designs of an aircraft seat and structural components of the SSC are also presented.

Haslim, Leonard A.↗

An improved compression molding technology for continuous fiber reinforced composite laminate. Part 1: AS-4/LaRC-TPI 1500 (HFG) Prepreg system

Poor processability of fiber reinforced high performance polyimide thermoplastic resin composites is a well recognized issue which, in many cases, prohibits the fabrication of composite parts with satisfactorily consolidated quality. Without modifying the resin matrix chemistry, improved compression modeling procedures were proposed and investigated with the AS-4/LaRC-TPI 1500 High Flow Grade (HFG) prepreg system. Composite panels with excellent C-scans can be consistently molded by this method under 700 F and a consolidation pressure as low as 100 psi. A mechanism for the consolidation of the composite under this improved molding technique is discussed. This mechanism reveals that a certain degree of matrix shear and tow filament slippage and nesting between plies occur during consolidation, which leads to a reduction of the consolidating pressure necessary to offset the otherwise intimate inter fiber-fiber contact and consequently achieves a better consolidation quality. Outstanding short beam shear strength and flexural strength were obtained from the molded panels. A prolonged consolidation step under low pressure, i.e., 100 psi at 700 F for 75 minutes, was found to significantly enhance the composite mechanical properties.

Hou, Tan-Hung↗

Jet streak circulations associated with a moderate snowfall event as diagnosed from NGM model output

The existence, evolution, and interaction of vertical circulations associated with upper-level jet streaks during a moderate snowfall event are diagnosed using a nested grid model (NGM). The event itself is overviewed, and the diagnosis of transverse circulations utilizing NGM output is discussed. Focus is placed on the identification of the horizontal and vertical components of the circulation, the temporal evolution of the circulation, and the comparison of the circulation from successive model forecasts. A preliminary analysis of the model data indicates that the horizontal and vertical branches of the circulations can be diagnosed from the model output, and the horizontal and vertical components of the circulations may be identified and followed during an individual forecast cycle.

Kocin, Paul J.↗