Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “Vibration properties”

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 901 records · Page 50

Passive dynamic controllers for non-linear mechanical systems

A methodology for model-independent controller design for controlling large angular motion of multi-body dynamic systems is outlined.The controlled system may consist of rigid and flexible components that undergo large rigid body motion and small elastic deformations. Control forces/torques are applied to drive the system, and at the same time suppress the vibrations due to flexibility of the components. The proposed controller consists of passive second-order systems which may be designed with little knowledge of the system parameters, even if the controlled system is non-linear. Under rather general assumptions, the passive design assures that the closed loop system has guaranteed stability properties. Unlike positive real controller design, stabilization can be accomplished without direct velocity feedback. In addition, the second-order passive design allows dynamic feedback controllers with considerable freedom to tune for desired system response, and to avoid actuator saturation. After developing the basic mathematical formulation of the design methodology, simulation results are presented to illustrate the proposed approach applied to a flexible six-degree-of-freedom manipulator.

Juang, Jer-Nan↗

Vibration analysis of heated anisotropic plates with free edge conditions

Tabular and plotted results are presented (as a function of lamination angle and temperature) for the first two vibration frequencies and mode shapes of a heated, single-layer Boron/epoxy laminate. A Ritz formulation is used to determine the thermally induced in-plane forces and the out-of-plane vibration frequencies. This approach is formulated in terms of the out-of-plane displacement and the in-plane stress function; both the displacement and the stress function are expressed as simple algebraic polynomials modified to satisfy the essential boundary conditions. Heating is applied as a steady-state temperature distribution; material properties are considered to be temperature-dependent. To establish the correctness and effectiveness of the method, the in-plane forces are compared with Fourier series analytical results.

Locke, James E.↗

Analysis of aeroelastic and resonance responses of a wind tunnel model support system

Vibrations of the National Transonic Facility model support system were analyzed using CAP-TSD (Computational Aeroelasticity Program-Transonic Small Disturbance), a three-dimensional transonic small disturbance potential code designed for aeroelastic analysis of complex configurations. The model support system was represented as a tunnel-spanning flexible wing whose structural properties were obtained from measured responses. Aeroelastic transients were calculated, assuming no structural damping, and analyzed to obtain modal stability characteristics. The results showed that there is a tendency toward a hump mode instability in one of the modes and that there are other weakly damped or unstable modes. The close proximity of the solid wind-tunnel diffuser side walls to the model support system was shown to have adverse effects on its aeroelastic stability characteristics. When the effects of the wind-tunnel walls were modeled, the analyses indicated the presence of wind-tunnel resonance modes which were not present when free-air boundary conditions were used.

Whitlow, Woodrow, Jr.↗

Fabricating Composite-Material Structures Containing SMA Ribbons

An improved method of designing and fabricating laminated composite-material (matrix/fiber) structures containing embedded shape-memory-alloy (SMA) actuators has been devised. Structures made by this method have repeatable, predictable properties, and fabrication processes can readily be automated. Such structures, denoted as shape-memory-alloy hybrid composite (SMAHC) structures, have been investigated for their potential to satisfy requirements to control the shapes or thermoelastic responses of themselves or of other structures into which they might be incorporated, or to control noise and vibrations. Much of the prior work on SMAHC structures has involved the use SMA wires embedded within matrices or within sleeves through parent structures. The disadvantages of using SMA wires as the embedded actuators include (1) complexity of fabrication procedures because of the relatively large numbers of actuators usually needed; (2) sensitivity to actuator/ matrix interface flaws because voids can be of significant size, relative to wires; (3) relatively high rates of breakage of actuators during curing of matrix materials because of sensitivity to stress concentrations at mechanical restraints; and (4) difficulty of achieving desirable overall volume fractions of SMA wires when trying to optimize the integration of the wires by placing them in selected layers only.

Turner, Travis L.↗

Experimental Validation of the Dynamic Inertia Measurement Method to Find the Mass Properties of an Iron Bird Test Article

The mass properties of an aerospace vehicle are required by multiple disciplines in the analysis and prediction of flight behavior. Pendulum oscillation methods have been developed and employed for almost a century as a means to measure mass properties. However, these oscillation methods are costly, time consuming, and risky. The NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center has been investigating the Dynamic Inertia Measurement, or DIM method as a possible alternative to oscillation methods. The DIM method uses ground test techniques that are already applied to aerospace vehicles when conducting modal surveys. Ground vibration tests would require minimal additional instrumentation and time to apply the DIM method. The DIM method has been validated on smaller test articles, but has not yet been fully proven on large aerospace vehicles.

moments of inertia↗

Strategies for the Design and Operation of Resilient Extraterrestrial Habitats

An Earth-independent permanent extraterrestrial habitat system must function as intended under continuous disruptive conditions, and with significantly limited Earth support and extended uncrewed periods. Designing for the demands that extreme environments such as wild temperature fluctuations, galactic cosmic rays, destructive dust, meteoroid impacts (direct or indirect), vibrations, and solar particle events, will place on long-term deep space habitats represents one of the greatest challenges in this endeavor. This context necessitates that we establish the know-how and technologies to build habitat systems that are resilient. Resilience is not simply robustness or redundancy: it is a system property that accounts for both anticipated and unanticipated disruptions via the design choices and maintenance processes, and adapts to them in operation. We currently lack the frameworks and technologies needed to achieve a high level of resilience in a habitat system. The Resilient Extra Terrestrial Habitats Institute (RETHi) has the mission of leveraging existing novel technologies to provide situational awareness and autonomy to enable the design of habitats that are able to adapt, absorb and rapidly recover from expected and unexpected disruptions. We are establishing both fully virtual and coupled physical-virtual simulation capabilities that will enable us to explore a wide range of potential deep space Smart Hab configurations and operating modes.

Space habitats↗

Strategies for the Design and Operation of Resilient Extraterrestrial Habitats

An Earth-independent permanent extraterrestrial habitat system must function as intended under continuous disruptive conditions, and with significantly limited Earth support and extended uncrewed periods. Designing for the demands that extreme environments such as wild temperature fluctuations, galactic cosmic rays, destructive dust, meteoroid impacts (direct or indirect), vibrations, and solar particle events, will place on long-term deep space habitats represents one of the greatest challenges in this endeavor. This context necessitates that we establish the know-how and technologies to build habitat systems that are resilient. Resilience is not simply robustness or redundancy: it is a system property that accounts for both anticipated and unanticipated disruptions via the design choices and maintenance processes and adapts to them in operation. We currently lack the frameworks and technologies needed to achieve a high level of resilience in a habitat system. The Resilient ExtraTerrestrial Habitats Institute (RETHi) has the mission of leveraging existing novel technologies to provide situational awareness and autonomy to enable the design of habitats that are able to adapt, absorb and rapidly recover from expected and unexpected disruptions. We are establishing both fully virtual and coupled physical-virtual simulation capabilities that will enable us to explore a wide range of potential deep space SmartHab configurations and operating modes.

Space habitats↗

Charge Delocalization and Vibronic Couplings in Quadrupolar Squaraine Dyes

Squaraines are prototypical quadrupolar charge-transfer chromophores that have recently attracted much attention as building blocks for solution-processed photovoltaics, fluorescent probes with large two-photon absorption cross sections, and aggregates with large circular dichroism. Their optical properties are often rationalized in terms of phenomenological essential state models, considering the coupling of two zwitterionic excited states to a neutral ground state. As a result, optical transitions to the lowest S 1 excited state are one-photon allowed, whereas the next higher S 2 state can only be accessed by two-photon transitions. A further implication of these models is a substantial reduction of vibronic coupling to the ubiquitous high-frequency vinyl-stretching modes of organic materials. Here, in this study, we combine time-resolved vibrational spectroscopy, two-dimensional electronic spectroscopy, and quantum-chemical simulations to test and rationalize these predictions for nonaggregated molecules. We find small Huang–Rhys factors below 0.01 for the high-frequency, 1500 cm –1 modes in particular, as well as a noticeable reduction for those of lower frequency modes in general for the electronic S 0 → S 1 transition. The two-photon allowed state S 2 is well separated energetically from S 1 and has weak vibronic signatures as well. Thus, the resulting pronounced concentration of the oscillator strength in a narrow region relevant to the lowest electronic transition makes squaraines and their aggregates exceptionally interesting for strong and ultrastrong coupling of excitons to localized light modes in external resonators with chiral properties that can largely be controlled by the molecular architecture.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Properties of nearly perfect crystals at very low temperatures

Data shows that the frequency stability of 5 MHz AT-cut quartz crystal oscillators is improved by lowering the temperature to 4.3 K. The resultant level of stability is apparently not, at this point, sufficient for a clock accurate to 1 part in 10(exp 17). However, many improvements are possible in the scheme presented here. These would involve better temperature regulation, better crystal mounting and vibration isolation, and lower temperatures. Below the lambda-transition at 2.17 K the residual bubbling of the bath would be eliminated. Thus, the prospect of a successful clock built on this scheme is not ruled out.

Weber, J.↗

Clathrate BaNi 2 P 4 : An Interplay of Heat and Charge Transport Due to Strong Host–Guest Interactions

Heat and charge transport properties of the metallic unconventional clathrate BaNi 2 P 4 , hosting Ba cations in oversized Ni 8 P 16 cages, are investigated. A novel method of single-crystal growth was developed, yielding 2–3 mm sized crystals of BaNi 2 P 4 . We also developed a setup to accurately measure thermal conductivity and electrical resistivity of the synthesized single crystals in a wide temperature range avoiding crystal remounting. BaNi 2 P 4 has a metallic temperature dependence of its electrical resistivity (decreasing with decreasing temperature) and manifests an unconventional T 2 power law for 50 K < T < 300 K; below 50 K, the power-law exponent increases gradually such that below 10 K the power law is T 5 , a predicted but extremely rarely experimentally observed dependence for peculiar electron–phonon interactions. Furthermore, electronic band structure calculations, consistent with measurements of de Haas–van Alphen oscillations, show large band dispersions with significant contributions of Ba orbitals to states near the Fermi level, which is atypical for clathrates. The thermal properties of BaNi 2 P 4 were probed using a combination of variable-temperature single-crystal X-ray diffraction experiments, heat capacity measurements, first-principles phonon dispersion calculations, and inelastic neutron scattering measurements. BaNi 2 P 4 exhibits significant hybridization of the Ba-guest and Ni–P-framework vibrational modes, which may be enhanced via the detected split of the Ba position, which results in strong Ba-framework interactions.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Uncovering fast solid-acid proton conductors based on dynamics of polyanion groups and proton bonding strength

Achieving high proton conductivity in inorganic solids is key for advancing many electrochemical technologies, including low-energy nano-electronics and energy-efficient fuel cells and electrolyzers. A quantitative understanding of the physical traits of a material that regulate proton diffusion is necessary for accelerating the discovery of fast proton conductors. In this work, we have mapped the structural, chemical and dynamic properties of solid acids to the elementary steps of the Grotthuss mechanism of proton diffusion. Our approach combines ab initio molecular dynamics simulations, analysis of phonon spectra and atomic structure calculations. We have identified the donor–hydrogen bond lengths and the acidity of polyanion groups as key descriptors of local proton transfer and the vibrational frequencies of the cation framework as the key descriptor of lattice flexibility. The latter facilitates rotations of polyanion groups and long-range proton migration in solid acid proton conductors. The calculated lattice flexibility also correlates with the experimentally reported superprotonic transition temperatures. Using these descriptors, we have screened the Materials Project database and identified potential solid acid proton conductors with monovalent, divalent and trivalent cations, including Ag + , Sr 2+ , Ba 2+ and Er 3+ cations, which go beyond the traditionally considered monovalent alkali cations (Cs + , Rb + , K + , and NH 4 + ) in solid acids.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Single-shot ultrafast dynamics of nanosecond pulsed plasmas: Transition from ps–ns nonequilibrium to near-full ionization

The ultrafast multi-stage evolution of state-defining properties in atmospheric-pressure nanosecond pulsed plasmas is quantified using single-discharge, jitter-free, continuous streak-sweep spectroscopy of N 2 (C → B) molecular and N + /O + ionic species with a single-shot time resolution as short as ∼160 ps. An early period of extreme nonequilibrium is observed with vibrational temperatures [T V (C)] dropping from ∼8000 K at <200 ps after plasma breakdown to <4000 K within ∼1 ns, with near-ambient rotational temperatures [T R (C)] ∼ 300 K due to limited collisional energy transfer. This early-time T V (C) trend is representative of a direct and unquenched look into the high-energy tail of the electron energy distribution function; thus, it tracks real-time changes in the mean electron energy via the N2(C) emission signatures. This is followed by the rapid onset of N + /O + ionic emission after a distinct time delay of ∼14.9 ns due to multistep chemical kinetics. The ionic emission enables determination of electron densities (n e ) >2 × 10 19 cm −3 and electron temperatures (T e ) >36 000 K, indicating the transition to a nearly fully ionized regime. The ps–ns temporal dynamics are also compared between air and N 2 plasmas to assess the influence of collisional partners, as well as across the anode, cathode, and central gap regions to identify spatial variations in plasma behavior. Finally, this work demonstrates versatile continuously probing approach capable of spectro-temporal and spatially resolved single-shot measurements of key state variables in the ps–ns evolution of atmospheric-pressure nanosecond pulsed plasmas.

Electric discharges↗

Probing the Structure and Dynamics of Fluid Mixtures in Porous Materials Through Ultrafast Vibrational Spectro-Microscopy and Many-Body Molecular Dynamics

This research program focused on the characterization of both molecular structure and dynamics of aqueous solutions in various metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and organic polymers that have recently been proposed for applications in water treatment technologies. This was accomplished by integrating ultrafast vibrational spectroscopy and microscopy, which are sensitive to local environments, molecular orientation, and dynamical couplings, with many-body molecular dynamics (MB-MD) simulations, which enable realistic modeling of aqueous systems and porous materials under different thermodynamic conditions. Our studies allowed for identifying the physical mechanisms and characterizing the underlying molecular interactions between water and host materials that determine the adsorption and transport processes of water in various MOFs and β-cyclodextrin polymers – prototypical examples of porous materials and polymers, that have recently been proposed for technological applications in water purification. By combining bulk- and surface-sensitive, spatially resolved ultrafast vibrational spectroscopy with MB-MD simulations, it was possible to gain broad insight into the structure and mobility of water under heterogeneous confinement at various length scales. In particular, measurements of surface- and bulk-sensitive vibrational spectra at single crystal level, integrated with MB-MD simulations were used to characterize domain-specific, structure–binding affinity relationships. Besides providing specific information about the behavior of aqueous solutions in prototypical MOFs and organic polymers for potential applications in water treatment technologies, our studies also provided fundamental insights into the properties of aqueous solutions in confined heterogeneous environments, which have broad implications in many areas, ranging from heterogeneous catalysis to oil recovery, ion transport processes, and reaction-diffusion processes in crowded systems.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Development of Spectroscopic Tools for Nuclear Forensics Signatures Development

Diversion of nuclear materialsfrom legitimate commercial processes for use by nefarious actors is a frightening and surreptitious problem. Smuggled nuclear material can be used to manufacture a simple radiological dispersion device (RDD) and potentially incorporated into the development of a nuclear weapon. With some frequency, smuggled nuclear material is interdicted in foreign countries as actors cross border checkpoints. Nuclear material interdicted in this way can be analyzed using a variety of tools. Plutonium-239 is commonly used as the fissile material in nuclear weapon production as an alternative to uranium-235. Plutonium in a production, refining, or finishing facility will exist in many forms including oxide precursors (PuF4, PuF3, Pu oxalate, etc.), oxide, and metal. The ability to identify plutonium in each of these forms and determine properties, characteristics, or history of these materials is crucial for determining if the processes occurring in a nuclear facility are legitimate or not. This presentation will focus on the development and application ofspectroscopic tools developed at SRNL using doubled-walled cells (DWC) to characterize Pu-bearing compounds. Advances in the use of vibrational spectroscopy techniques (Raman and IR), UV-VIS-SWIR diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, gamma emission spectroscopy, luminescence spectroscopy, laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy in conjunction with XRD and SEM in the characterization of Pu-bearing compounds will be presented with emphasis in material processing history.

Villa-Aleman, Eliel↗

Transient Response of Rotor on Rolling-Element Bearings with Clearance

Internal clearance in rolling element bearings is usually present to allow for radial and axial growth of the rotor-bearing system and to accommodate bearing fit-up. The presence of this clearance also introduces a "dead band" into the load-deflection behavior of the bearing. Previous studies demonstrated that the presence of dead band clearance might have a significant effect on synchronous rotor response. In this work, the authors investigate transient response of a rotor supported on rolling element bearings with internal clearance. In addition, the stiffness of the bearings varies nonlinearly with bearing deflection and with speed. Bearing properties were accurately calculated with a state of the art rolling bearing analysis code. The subsequent rotordynamics analysis shows that for rapid acceleration rates the maximum response amplitude may be less than predicted by steady-state analysis. The presence of clearance may shift the critical speed location to lower speed values. The rotor vibration response exhibits subharmonic components which are more prominent with bearing clearance.

Fleming, David P.↗

Variable Sampling Mapping

The performance of an optical system (for example, a telescope) is limited by the misalignments and manufacturing imperfections of the optical elements in the system. The impact of these misalignments and imperfections can be quantified by the phase variations imparted on light traveling through the system. Phase retrieval is a methodology for determining these variations. Phase retrieval uses images taken with the optical system and using a light source of known shape and characteristics. Unlike interferometric methods, which require an optical reference for comparison, and unlike Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensors that require special optical hardware at the optical system's exit pupil, phase retrieval is an in situ, image-based method for determining the phase variations of light at the system s exit pupil. Phase retrieval can be used both as an optical metrology tool (during fabrication of optical surfaces and assembly of optical systems) and as a sensor used in active, closed-loop control of an optical system, to optimize performance. One class of phase-retrieval algorithms is the iterative transform algorithm (ITA). ITAs estimate the phase variations by iteratively enforcing known constraints in the exit pupil and at the detector, determined from modeled or measured data. The Variable Sampling Mapping (VSM) technique is a new method for enforcing these constraints in ITAs. VSM is an open framework for addressing a wide range of issues that have previously been considered detrimental to high-accuracy phase retrieval, including undersampled images, broadband illumination, images taken at or near best focus, chromatic aberrations, jitter or vibration of the optical system or detector, and dead or noisy detector pixels. The VSM is a model-to-data mapping procedure. In VSM, fully sampled electric fields at multiple wavelengths are modeled inside the phase-retrieval algorithm, and then these fields are mapped to intensities on the light detector, using the properties of the detector and optical system, for comparison with measured data. Ultimately, this model-to-data mapping procedure enables a more robust and accurate way of incorporating the exit-pupil and image detector constraints, which are fundamental to the general class of ITA phase retrieval algorithms.

Smith, Jeffrey, S.↗

First-principles study on structural mechanical and thermodynamic properties of HfMoTaTiZr

This study calculates the phase diagram of HfMoTaTiZr using the TCHEA1 database in Thermo-Calc software. Furthermore, it also investigates the structural and mechanical properties of HfMoTaTiZr by applying first-principles calculations. The elastic and other mechanical properties such as Young’s modulus, pugh ratio, hardness, bulk modulus was derived and discussed. These parameters were found to be in good harmony with previously available experimental reports. Vickers hardness of HfMoTaTiZr predicted from the Tians model agrees with the available experimental result. This study also investigates the thermal coefficient of linear expansion and vibrational heat capacity of the HfMoTaTiZr using the Debye–Grüneisen theory.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Advanced high temperature materials for the energy efficient automotive Stirling engine

The Stirling Engine is under investigated jointly by the Department of Energy and NASA Lewis as an alternative to the internal combustion engine for automotive applications. The Stirling Engine is an external combustion engine that offers the advantage of high fuel economy, low emissions, low noise, and low vibrations compared to current internal combustion automotive engines. The most critical component from a materials viewpoint is the heater head consisting of the cylinders, heating tubes, and regenerator housing. Materials requirements for the heater head include compatibility with hydrogen, resistance to hydrogen permeation, high temperature oxidation/corrosion resistance and high temperature creep-rupture and fatigue properties. A continuing supporting materials research and technology program has identified the wrought alloys CG-27 and 12RN72 and the cast alloys XF-818 and NASAUT 4G-A1 as candidate replacements for the cobalt containing alloys used in current prototype engines. Based on the materials research program in support of the automotive Stirling engine it is concluded that manufacture of the engine is feasible from low cost iron-base alloys rather than the cobalt alloys rather than the cobalt alloys used in prototype engines. This paper will present results of research that led to this conclusion.

Titran, R. H.↗