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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.

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At least 937 records · Page 52
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1990

Machine learning of fault characteristics from rocket engine simulation data

Transformation of data into knowledge through conceptual induction has been the focus of our research described in this paper. We have developed a Machine Learning System (MLS) to analyze the rocket engine simulation data. MLS can provide to its users fault analysis, characteristics, and conceptual descriptions of faults, and the relationships of attributes and sensors. All the results are critically important in identifying faults.

Ke, Min↗
NASA NTRS1996

Electrical-Discharge Machining Of Perpendicular Passages

Perpendicular telescoping electrode used to perform electrical-discharge machining (EDM) of internal passage through previously inaccessible depth of metal workpiece. More specifically, used to make internal passage perpendicular to passage entering from outer surface.

Malinzak, R. Michael↗
NASA NTRS1996

Foam-Mixing-And-Dispensing Machine

Time-and-money-saving machine produces consistent, homogeneously mixed foam, enhancing production efficiency. Automatically mixes and dispenses polyurethane foam in quantities specified by weight. Consists of cart-mounted, air-driven proportioning unit; air-activated mechanical mixing gun; programmable timer/counter, and controller.

Chong, Keith Y.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Acquiring Software Design Schemas: A Machine Learning Perspective

In this paper, we describe an approach based on machine learning that acquires software design schemas from design cases of existing applications. An overview of the technique, design representation, and acquisition system are presented. the paper also addresses issues associated with generalizing common features such as biases. The generalization process is illustrated using an example.

Harandi, Mehdi T.↗
NASA NTRS1995

A Loader for Executing Multi-Binary Applications on the Thinking Machines CM-5: It's Not Just for SPMD Anymore

The Thinking Machines CM-5 platform was designed to run single program, multiple data (SPMD) applications, i.e., to run a single binary across all nodes of a partition, with each node possibly operating on different data. Certain classes of applications, such as multi-disciplinary computational fluid dynamics codes, are facilitated by the ability to have subsets of the partition nodes running different binaries. In order to extend the CM-5 system software to permit such applications, a multi-program loader was developed. This system is based on the dld loader which was originally developed for workstations. This paper provides a high level description of dld, and describes how it was ported to the CM-5 to provide support for multi-binary applications. Finally, it elaborates how the loader has been used to implement the CM-5 version of MPIRUN, a portable facility for running multi-disciplinary/multi-zonal MPI (Message-Passing Interface Standard) codes.

Becker, Jeffrey C.↗
NASA NTRS1998

Support Vector Machines for Hyperspectral Remote Sensing Classification

The Support Vector Machine provides a new way to design classification algorithms which learn from examples (supervised learning) and generalize when applied to new data. We demonstrate its success on a difficult classification problem from hyperspectral remote sensing, where we obtain performances of 96%, and 87% correct for a 4 class problem, and a 16 class problem respectively. These results are somewhat better than other recent results on the same data. A key feature of this classifier is its ability to use high-dimensional data without the usual recourse to a feature selection step to reduce the dimensionality of the data. For this application, this is important, as hyperspectral data consists of several hundred contiguous spectral channels for each exemplar. We provide an introduction to this new approach, and demonstrate its application to classification of an agriculture scene.

Gualtieri, J. Anthony↗
NASA NTRS2000

Structural and Machine Design Using Piezoceramic Materials: A Guide for Structural Design Engineers

Using piezoceramic materials is one way the design engineer can create structures which have an ability to both sense and respond to their environment. Piezoceramic materials can be used to create structural sensors and structural actuators. Because piezoceramic materials have transduction as a material property, their sensing or actuation functions are a result of what happens to the material. This is different than discrete devices we might attach to the structure. For example, attaching an accelerometer to a structure will yield an electrical signal proportional to the acceleration at the attachment point on the structure. Using a electromagnetic shaker as an actuator will create an applied force at the attachment point. Active material elements in a structural design are not easily modeled as providing transduction at a point, but rather they change the physics of the structure in the areas where they are used. Hence, a designer must not think of adding discrete devices to a structure to obtain an effect, but rather must design a structural system which accounts for the physical principles of all the elements in the structure. The purpose of this manual is to provide practicing engineers the information necessary to incorporate piezoelectric materials in structural design and machine design. First, we will review the solid-state physics of piezoelectric materials. Then we will discuss the physical characteristics of the electrical-active material-structural system. We will present the elements of this system which must be considered as part of the design task for a structural engineer. We will cover simple modeling techniques and review the features and capabilities of commercial design tools that are available. We will then cover practical how-to elements of working with piezoceramic materials. We will review sources of piezoceramic materials and built-up devices, and their characteristics. Finally, we will provide two design examples using piezoceramic materials, first as discrete actuators for vibration isolation, and second as structurally-distributed sensor/actuators for active acoustic control.

Inman, Daniel J.↗
NASA NTRS2000

Atomistic Design and Simulations of Nanoscale Machines and Assembly

Over the three years of this project, we made significant progress on critical theoretical and computational issues in nanoscale science and technology, particularly in:(1) Fullerenes and nanotubes, (2) Characterization of surfaces of diamond and silicon for NEMS applications, (3) Nanoscale machine and assemblies, (4) Organic nanostructures and dendrimers, (5) Nanoscale confinement and nanotribology, (6) Dynamic response of nanoscale structures nanowires (metals, tubes, fullerenes), (7) Thermal transport in nanostructures.

Goddard, William A., III↗
NASA NTRS2000

Computational Nanotechnology of Materials, Devices, and Machines: Carbon Nanotubes

The mechanics and chemistry of carbon nanotubes have relevance for their numerous electronic applications. Mechanical deformations such as bending and twisting affect the nanotube's conductive properties, and at the same time they possess high strength and elasticity. Two principal techniques were utilized including the analysis of large scale classical molecular dynamics on a shared memory architecture machine and a quantum molecular dynamics methodology. In carbon based electronics, nanotubes are used as molecular wires with topological defects which are mediated through various means. Nanotubes can be connected to form junctions.

Srivastava, Deepak↗
NASA NTRS2001

Study of Two-Dimensional Compressible Non-Acoustic Modeling of Stirling Machine Type Components

A two-dimensional (2-D) computer code was developed for modeling enclosed volumes of gas with oscillating boundaries. such as Stirling machine components. An existing 2-D incompressible flow computer code, CAST, was used as the starting point for the project. CAST was modified to use the compressible non-acoustic Navier-Stokes equations to model an enclosed volume including an oscillating piston. The devices modeled have low Mach numbers and are sufficiently small that the time required for acoustics to propagate across them is negligible. Therefore. acoustics were excluded to enable more time efficient computation. Background information about the project is presented. The compressible non-acoustic flow assumptions are discussed. The governing equations used in the model are presented in transport equation format. A brief description is given of the numerical methods used. Comparisons of code predictions with experimental data are then discussed.

Roy C. Tew, Jr↗
NASA NTRS2001

Computational Nanotechnology of Materials, Electronics and Machines: Carbon Nanotubes

This report presents the goals and research of the Integrated Product Team (IPT) on Devices and Nanotechnology. NASA's needs for this technology are discussed and then related to the research focus of the team. The two areas of focus for technique development are: 1) large scale classical molecular dynamics on a shared memory architecture machine; and 2) quantum molecular dynamics methodology. The areas of focus for research are: 1) nanomechanics/materials; 2) carbon based electronics; 3) BxCyNz composite nanotubes and junctions; 4) nano mechano-electronics; and 5) nano mechano-chemistry.

Srivastava, Deepak↗
NASA NTRS1996

Man-Machine Interaction Design and Analysis System (MIDAS): Memory Representation and Procedural Implications for Airborne Communication Modalities

The Man-Machine Interaction Design and Analysis System (MIDAS) has been under development for the past ten years through a joint US Army and NASA cooperative agreement. MIDAS represents multiple human operators and selected perceptual, cognitive, and physical functions of those operators as they interact with simulated systems. MIDAS has been used as an integrated predictive framework for the investigation of human/machine systems, particularly in situations with high demands on the operators. Specific examples include: nuclear power plant crew simulation, military helicopter flight crew response, and police force emergency dispatch. In recent applications to airborne systems development, MIDAS has demonstrated an ability to predict flight crew decision-making and procedural behavior when interacting with automated flight management systems and Air Traffic Control. In this paper we describe two enhancements to MIDAS. The first involves the addition of working memory in the form of an articulatory buffer for verbal communication protocols and a visuo-spatial buffer for communications via digital datalink. The second enhancement is a representation of multiple operators working as a team. This enhanced model was used to predict the performance of human flight crews and their level of compliance with commercial aviation communication procedures. We show how the data produced by MIDAS compares with flight crew performance data from full mission simulations. Finally, we discuss the use of these features to study communications issues connected with aircraft-based separation assurance.

Corker, Kevin M.↗
NASA NTRS1998

Context in Models of Human-Machine Systems

All human-machine systems models represent context. This paper proposes a theory of context through which models may be usefully related and integrated for design. The paper presents examples of context representation in various models, describes an application to developing models for the Crew Activity Tracking System (CATS), and advances context as a foundation for integrated design of complex dynamic systems.

Callantine, Todd J.↗
NASA NTRS2002

Design, Fabrication, Optical Testing, and Performance of Diamond Machined Aspheric Mirrors for Ground-Based Near-IR Astronomy

Challenges in fabrication and testing have historically limited the choice of surfaces available for the design of reflective optical instruments. Spherical and conic mirrors are common, but, for future science instruments, more degrees of freedom are necessary to meet challenging performance and packaging requirements. These instruments will be composed of unusual aspheres located far off-axis with large spherical departure, and some designs will require asymmetric surface profiles. In particular, single-surface astigmatism correction in spectrographs necessitates a toroidal surface, which lacks an axis of rotational symmetry. We describe the design, fabrication, optical testing, and performance of three rotationally symmetric, off-axis, aspheric mirrors and one toroidal, off-axis, biconic camera mirror on aluminum substrates for the Infrared Multi-Object Spectrograph (IRMOS) instrument. IRMOS is a facility instrument for the Kitt Peak National Observatory's Mayall Telescope (3.8 m) and an engineering prototype for a possible design of the Next Generation Space Telescope/Multi-Object Spectrograph. The symmetric mirrors range in aperture from 94x86 mm to 286x269 mm and in f-number from 0.9 to 2.4. They are various off-axis, convex and concave, prolate and oblate ellipsoids. The concave biconic mirror has a 94x76 mm aperture, Rx=377 mm, kx=0.0778, Ry=407 mm, and ky=0.1265 and is decentered. by -2 mm in x and 227 mm in y. The mirrors have an aspect ratio of approximately 4:1. The surface error fabrication tolerances are less than 63.3 nm RMS figure error and less than 10 nm RMS microroughness. The mirrors are attached to the instrument bench via a semi-kinematic, integral flexure mount. We describe mirror design, diamond machining, the results of figure testing using computer-generated holograms, and imaging and scattered light modeling and performance.

Ohl, Raymond G.↗
NASA NTRS1999

Giving Machines the Vision

Amherst Systems manufactures foveal machine vision technology and systems commercially available to end-users and system integrators. This technology was initially developed under NASA contracts NAS9-19335 (Johnson Space Center) and NAS1-20841 (Langley Research Center). This technology is currently being delivered to university research facilities and military sites. More information may be found in www.amherst.com.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1998

The Utilization of a Space Flight Plant Growth Chamber in the Cultivation of Salad Crop Species: A Prelude to a Salad Machine

The application of bioregenerative life support systems provides an attractive approach to minimize resupply requirement and ultimate self-sufficiency on long duration manned missions in space. The on-board cultivation of salad-type vegetables for crew consumption has been proposed as a first step approach towards reducing a total reliance on the resupply of food. The recent advances in the development of space flight plant growth facilities such as the Plant Generic Bioprocessing Apparatus (PGBA) have established a firm technical basis upon which the implementation of a 'salad machine' concept may be achieved. A presentation on ground based studies will be made evaluating (a) the operational performance of the PGBA facility in a crop production mode and (b) the qualitative and quantitative value of salad plant material produced within the chamber.

Heyenga, A. G.↗
NASA NTRS2002

Sensorless Control of Permanent Magnet Machine for NASA Flywheel Technology Development

This paper describes the position sensorless algorithms presently used in the motor control for the NASA "in-house" development work of the flywheel energy storage system. At zero and low speeds a signal injection technique, the self-sensing method, is used to determine rotor position. At higher speeds, an open loop estimate of the back EMF of the machine is made to determine the rotor position. At start up, the rotor is set to a known position by commanding dc into one of the phase windings. Experimental results up to 52,000 rpm are presented.

Kenny, Barbara H.↗