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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 973 records · Page 54
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1975

Users manual for flight control design programs

Computer programs for the design of analog and digital flight control systems are documented. The program DIGADAPT uses linear-quadratic-gaussian synthesis algorithms in the design of command response controllers and state estimators, and it applies covariance propagation analysis to the selection of sampling intervals for digital systems. Program SCHED executes correlation and regression analyses for the development of gain and trim schedules to be used in open-loop explicit-adaptive control laws. A linear-time-varying simulation of aircraft motions is provided by the program TVHIS, which includes guidance and control logic, as well as models for control actuator dynamics. The programs are coded in FORTRAN and are compiled and executed on both IBM and CDC computers.

Nalbandian, J. Y.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Dynamic control of SRB thrust tailoff for separation

The use of the difference in chamber pressure between solid rocket booster engines as a controlling signal to the flight control system during booster thrust tailoff was examined. In addition, the control capability of the Generalized Attitude Control System (GACS) was compared to that of the baseline. Results indicate that the difference in chamber pressure signal provided essentially no improvement. However, the GACS is considerably better than the baseline in controlling during tailoff disturbances.

Webb, W. W.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Methodology for design of active controls for V/STOL aircraft

An effort to develop techniques for the design of integrated, fully automatic flight control systems for powered lift STOL and VTOL aircraft is described. The structure is discussed of the control system which has been developed to deal with the strong nonlinearities inherent in this class of aircraft, to admit automatic coupling with the advanced ATC requiring accurate execution of complex trajectories, and to admit a variety of active control tasks. The specific case considered is the Augmentor Wing Research Aircraft.

Meyer, G.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Space Shuttle Orbiter Approach and Landing Test Program

The approach and landing tests of the orbiter vehicle, planned for early 1977, will be the first actual flight activity in the NASA Space Shuttle Program. The tests are to include air-launched unpowered glide, approach, and landing tests. A review is presented of the basic Shuttle program and a description of the orbiter design is given, taking into account the flight control systems. Details of the actual test program will be partly based on the results to be obtained with an orbiter aeroflight simulator.

Fullerton, C. G.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Optimizing simulated trajectories

General-purpose rigid-body six-degrees-of-freedom program is used to solve wide variety of atmospheric flight mechanics and orbital transfer problems. Written for analysis of powered or unpowered vehicles operation near rotating oblate planet, typical applications include: guidance and flight-control system simulation and analysis, loads and dispersion-type analysis.

Brauer, G. L.↗
NASA NTRS1975

NASA Ames Active Control Aircraft flight experiments (ACA) program

The objectives of the Ames ACA program are to develop the active control technology (ACT) for short-haul aircraft, to evaluate existing methods, to develop new techniques, and to demonstrate the readiness of the technology in operational environment. Two concepts are basic to ACT: integrated aircraft design and integrated flight-control-system design.

Meyer, G.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Adaptive control laws for F-8 flight tests

An adaptive flight-control-system design for NASA's F-8 Digital Fly-by-Wire research aircraft is described. This design implements an explicit parallel maximum likelihood identification algorithm to estimate key aircraft parameters. The estimates are used to compute gains in simplified quadratic-optimal command augmentation control laws. Design details for the control laws and identifier are presented, and performance evaluation results from NASA Langley's F-8 simulator are summarized.

Stein, G.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Specific failure identification algorithms for the F-8

Analytical redundancy is applied to the pitch axis of an aircraft to enhance sensor fault detection. Three different designs based on monitoring Kalman filter residuals or likelihood functions were developed. Sensor failures were simulated to evaluate the performance of the algorithms on a nonlinear simulation of an F-8C aircraft. Based on requirements for sensor fault detection and preliminary simulator performance it is concluded that these algorithms have the potential for reducing the level of sensor redundancy in a digital flight control system without compromising performance.

Hartmann, G. L.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Digital flight control design for a tandem-rotor helicopter

Methods and results in the continuing development of a digital flight control system (DFCS) for the CH-47B helicopter are examined. The helicopter is the research vehicle for the NASA VTOL Approach and Landing Technology (VALT) Program. It is equipped with comprehensive equipment for the investigation of navigation, guidance, and control requirements for future VTOL aircraft. Two control modes (attitude-command and velocity-command) are implemented, and each mode provides 'Type 1' response to guidance commands. DFCS design is based upon optimal estimation and control methods, which are found to provide flexible and efficient means for defining practical digital control systems.

Stengel, R. F.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Electronics plus fluidics for V/STOL flight control

The redundant digital fly by wire flight control system coupled with a fluidic system, which uses hydraulic pressure as its signal transmission means to provide pilot and feedback sensor control of airframe forcing functions is considered for application to the V/STOL aircraft. A potential fluidics system is introduced, and anticipated performance, weight, and reliability is discussed. Integration with the redundant electronic channels is explored, with the safety and mission reliability of alternate configurations estimated.

Hendrick, R. C.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Optimum horizontal guidance techniques for aircraft

Some problems of automatic guidance of an aircraft in the horizontal plane are described. The horizontal guidance tasks, which such a flight control system should be capable of performing, were identified as being of three types: guiding the aircraft from any initial location and initial heading to (1) any final location and heading; (2) intercept and fly along a line of specified direction; and (3) a final location with arbitrary final heading. Guidance problems such as capturing an ILS beam at a specified point on the beam, intercepting a VOR radial, and point-to-point navigation can be formulated in terms of these problems. The guidance laws minimize the arc distance to fly between initial and final conditions subject to constraints on the minimum turning radius.

Erzberger, H.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Adaptive control laws for F-8 flight test

This paper describes an adaptive flight control system design for NASA's F-8 digital fly-by-wire research aircraft. This design implements an explicit parallel maximum likelihood identification algorithm to estimate key aircraft parameters. The estimates are used to compute gains in simplified quadratic-optimal command augmentation control laws. Design details for the control laws and identifier are presented, and performance evaluation results from NASA Langley's F-8 Simulator are summarized.

Stein, G.↗
NASA NTRS1978

A technique for the assessment of fighter aircraft precision controllability

Today's emerging fighter aircraft are maneuvering as well at normal accelerations of 7 to 8 g's as their predecessors did at 4 to 5 g's. This improved maneuvering capability has significantly expanded their operating envelope and made the task of evaluating handling qualities more difficult. This paper describes a technique for assessing the precision controllability of highly maneuverable aircraft, a technique that was developed to evaluate the effects of buffet intensity on gunsight tracking capability and found to be a useful tool for the general assessment of fighter aircraft handling qualities. It has also demonstrated its usefulness for evaluating configuration and advanced flight control system refinements. This technique is believed to have application to future aircraft dynamics and pilot-vehicle interface studies.

Sisk, T. R.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Analyses of shuttle orbiter approach and landing conditions

A study of one shuttle orbiter approach and landing conditions are summarized. Causes of observed PIO like flight deficiencies are identified and potential cures are examined. Closed loop pilot/vehicle analyses are described and path/attitude stability boundaries defined. The latter novel technique proved of great value in delineating and illustrating the basic causes of this multiloop pilot control problem. The analytical results are shown to be consistent with flight test and fixed base simulation. Conclusions are drawn relating to possible improvements of the shuttle orbiter/digital flight control system.

Teper, G. L.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Flying qualities criteria and flight control design

Despite the application of sophisticated design methodology, newly introduced aircraft continue to suffer from basic flying qualities deficiencies. Two recent meetings, the DOD/NASA Workshop on Highly Augmented Aircraft Criteria and the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center/Air Force Flight Test Center/AIAA Pilot Induced Oscillation Workshop, addressed this problem. An overview of these meetings is provided from the point of view of the relationship between flying qualities criteria and flight control system design. Among the items discussed are flying qualities criteria development, the role of simulation, and communication between flying qualities specialists and control system designers.

Berry, D. T.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Performance and human factors results from thrust vectoring investigations in simulated air combat

In support of research related to advanced fighter technology, the Langley Differential Maneuvering Simulator (DMS) has been used to investigate the effects of advanced aerodynamic concepts, parametric changes in performance parameters, and advanced flight control systems on the combat capability of fighter airplanes. At least five studies were related to thrust vectoring and/or inflight thrust reversing. The aircraft simulated ranged from F-4 class to F-15 class, and included the AV-8 Harrier. This paper presents an overview of these studies including the assumptions involved, trends of results, and human factors considerations that were found.

Pennington, J. E.↗
NASA NTRS1981

MLS vertical guidance and navigation for a STOL airplane landing on an elevated STOLport

In contrast to CTOL landing operations, STOL airplanes landing on short STOLport runways typically begin the flare maneuver before reaching the runway surface. Vertical guidance procedures were developed to allow an autoland flight control system for a STOL airplane to use Microwave Landing System (MLS) signals as altitude and sink rate references for flare initiation, with a transition to radar altimeter after the airplane is over the runway. The implementation has minimum impact on the control system and landing performance. Data are presented which show validation of the concepts in a simulator.

Warner, D. N., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Selected advanced aerodynamic and active control concepts development

A summary is presented of results obtained during analysis, design and test activities on six selected technical tasks directed at exploratory improvement of fuel efficiency for new and derivative transports. The work included investigations into the potential offered by natural laminar flow, improved surface coatings and advanced high lift concepts. Similar investigations covering optimum low-energy flight path control, integrated application of active controls and evaluation of primary flight control systems reliability and maintenance are also summarized. Recommendations are included for future work needed to exploit potential advancements.

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