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At least 1,045 records · Page 58

Dynamic characteristics of a two-stage variable-mass flexible missile with internal flow

A general formulation of the dynamical problems associated with powered flight of a two stage flexible, variable-mass missile with internal flow, discrete masses, and aerodynamic forces is presented. The formulation comprises six ordinary differential equations for the rigid body motion, 3n ordinary differential equations for the n discrete masses and three partial differential equations with the appropriate boundary conditions for the elastic motion. This set of equations is modified to represent a single stage flexible, variable-mass missile with internal flow and aerodynamic forces. The rigid-body motion consists then of three translations and three rotations, whereas the elastic motion is defined by one longitudinal and two flexural displacements, the latter about two orthogonal transverse axes. The differential equations are nonlinear and, in addition, they possess time-dependent coefficients due to the mass variation.

Meirovitch, L.↗

Singular perturbation of absolute stability.

The influence of a small parameter at the higher derivatives in the differential equations describing nonlinear systems of the Lur'e-Postnikov class on absolute stability in the parameter space is investigated. The conditions leading to singular perturbations of absolute stability are examined.

Siljak, D. D.↗

Solitary waves in concentrated vortices.

A nonlinear integrodifferential equation governing finite amplitude wave propagation on concentrated vortices is solved numerically. The solution to the Cauchy problem shows a solitary wave development qualitatively similar to solutions of the Korteweg-de Vries equation. A perturbation solution of the stationary form of the evolution equation confirms the unsteady calculation.

Leibovich, S.↗

Nonlinear actuator disk theory.

Results obtained from a recent investigation of the flowfield induced by a heavily loaded actuator disk. First, the governing nonlinear integral equations are formulated from two different points of view, and the iterative solution is briefly outlined. Calculated flow patterns are presented for representative advance ratios and blade circulation distributions. For the static condition, the experimentally observed lingering of the tip vortices in the propeller plane, and the insensitivity of the streamline pattern to thrust coefficient are both accounted for, and a 'dividing streamline' - apparently not previously discussed in the literature, is predicted for the nonstatic case. Finally, the relationship between the actuator disk flow and the zero harmonic of the flowfield induced by a finite-bladed propeller is considered.

Greenberg, M. D.↗

Damping characteristics of a liquid squeeze film.

Consideration of the damping characteristics of a liquid film located between two nearly parallel plane surfaces in relative normal motion which are always closely spaced compared to the dimensions describing the area of the two like surfaces. It was found that if the motion is slow enough (about 3 centipoise or less), the fluid inertia can be neglected and the resulting fluid flow conforms to Reynold's lubrication theory. Experiments were also carried out to determine how the damping factor of a liquid squeeze film varies with film viscosity, film thickness, amplitude, and frequency under free vibration of a single-degree-of-freedom system. The data are compared to computer solutions of the nonlinear differential equation of motion. With other variables held constant, the damping factor was found to decrease as the plate spacing is increased, decrease as the viscosity is decreased, and increase as the initial spacing is decreased.

Yabe, T.↗

Calculation of free fall trajectories based on numerical optimization techniques

The development of a means of computing free-fall (nonthrusting) trajectories from one specified point in the solar system to another specified point in the solar system in a given amount of time was studied. The problem is that of solving a two-point boundary value problem for which the initial slope is unknown. Two standard methods of attack exist for solving two-point boundary value problems. The first method is known as the initial value or shooting method. The second method of attack for two-point boundary value problems is to approximate the nonlinear differential equations by an appropriate linearized set. Parts of both boundary value problem solution techniques described above are used. A complete velocity history is guessed such that the corresponding position history satisfies the given boundary conditions at the appropriate times. An iterative procedure is then followed until the last guessed velocity history and the velocity history obtained from integrating the acceleration history agree to some specified tolerance everywhere along the trajectory.

Source record↗

Computation of optimal output-feedback compensators for linear time-invariant systems

The control of linear time-invariant systems with respect to a quadratic performance criterion was considered, subject to the constraint that the control vector be a constant linear transformation of the output vector. The optimal feedback matrix, f*, was selected to optimize the expected performance, given the covariance of the initial state. It is first shown that the expected performance criterion can be expressed as the ratio of two multinomials in the element of f. This expression provides the basis for a feasible method of determining f* in the case of single-input single-output systems. A number of iterative algorithms are then proposed for the calculation of f* for multiple input-output systems. For two of these, monotone convergence is proved, but they involve the solution of nonlinear matrix equations at each iteration. Another is proposed involving the solution of Lyapunov equations at each iteration, and the gradual increase of the magnitude of a penalty function. Experience with this algorithm will be needed to determine whether or not it does, indeed, possess desirable convergence properties, and whether it can be used to determine the globally optimal f*.

Platzman, L. K.↗

The finite element method in shell stability analysis.

A development of the finite element method for thin shell instability analysis is presented, covering three principal aspects: (1) representation of shell geometry, (2) representation of element behavior, and (3) algorithmic tools for solution of the large-order systems of nonlinear algebraic equations which characterize various phases of shell instability. Two shell elements are described, an arbitrary quadrilateral and a triangle, and numerical results are presented for two widely-employed comparison problems for linear (stable) analysis. Two shell problems which include instability effects are also solved.-

Gallagher, R. H.↗

Output feedback for linear multivariable systems with parameter uncertainty.

A minimax design method is applied to the problem of obtaining an acceptable output feedback matrix for linear multivariable systems with parameter uncertainty. The result is a set of nonlinear matrix equations (similar to those obtained by Levine and Athans (1970)), which must be solved for the feedback matrix. An example illustrates the technique and the fact that better results are achieved for large parameter variation than with a purely nominal design.

Basuthakur, S.↗

Prior to failure extension of flaws in a rate sensitive Tresca solid.

Theoretical analysis shows that the amount of slow growth occurring prior to fracture in a plane stress tension specimen subjected to a subcritical stress intensity level is affected by the ductility and rheological sensitivity of the material, the rate of loading, the initial crack size, and the geometrical configuration of the test. These parameters enter the governing nonlinear differential equation which describes the quasi-static crack extension in a rate-sensitive Tresca solid. Examples of numerical integration are given and employed to predict the maximum fracture toughness attained in a plane stress tension test.

Wnuk, M. P.↗

The stability of motion satellites with long flexible appendages

The dynamics of a gravity-gradient stabilized flexible satellite in the neighborhood of a deformed equilibrium configuration are investigated. First the equilibrium configuration is determined by solving a set of nonlinear differential equations. Then stability of motion about the deformed equilibrium is tested by means of the Liapunov direct method and the natural frequencies of oscillation of the complete structure calculated. The analysis is applicable to the RAE/B satellite.

Meirovitch, L.↗

Study of stability of large maneuvers of airplanes

A predictive method of nonlinear system analysis is used to investigate airplane stability and dynamic response during rolling maneuvers. The maneuver roll-rate is not assumed to be constant, and the airplane motion is represented by a set of coupled nonlinear differential equations. The general rolling maneuver is kinematically specified by its roll-rate variation p(t). A method for relating the airplane dynamic response to p(t) is developed. The method provides analytical expressions for the motion variables in terms of the maneuver descriptor p(t). A parameterized family of rolling maneuvers is considered, for which the method is used to predict specific dynamic response information, such as the dependence of the peak angle-of-attack excursion on the maneuver parameters. The stability and motion of the airplane in response to an arbitrary actuation of aileron input is considered. Analytical expressions relating motion variables to aileron input are obtained. Explicit analytical bounds on the motion variables are derived. A stability criterion which guarantees nondivergence of motion in response to aileron actuation is presented.

Haddad, E. K.↗

Parachute dynamics and stability analysis

The nonlinear differential equations of motion for a general parachute-riser-payload system are developed. The resulting math model is then applied for analyzing the descent dynamics and stability characteristics of both the drogue stabilization phase and the main descent phase of the space shuttle solid rocket booster (SRB) recovery system. The formulation of the problem is characterized by a minimum number of simplifying assumptions and full application of state-of-the-art parachute technology. The parachute suspension lines and the parachute risers can be modeled as elastic elements, and the whole system may be subjected to specified wind and gust profiles in order to assess their effects on the stability of the recovery system.

Ibrahim, S. K.↗

Dynamics of a gravity-gradient stabilized flexible spacecraft

The dynamics of gravity-gradient stabilized flexible satellite in the neighborhood of a deformed equilibrium configuration are discussed. First the equilibrium configuration was determined by solving a set of nonlinear differential equations. Then stability of motion about the deformed equilibrium was tested by means of the Liapunov direct method. The natural frequencies of oscillation of the complete structure were calculated. The analysis is applicable to the RAE/B satellite.

Meirovitch, L.↗

A class of all digital phase locked loops - Modeling and analysis

An all digital phase locked loop which tracks the phase of the incoming signal once per carrier cycle is proposed. The different elements and their functions, and the phase lock operation are explained in detail. The general digital loop operation is governed by a nonlinear difference equation from which a suitable model is developed. The lock range for the general model is derived. The performance of the digital loop for phase step and frequency step inputs for different levels of quantization without loop filter are studied. The analytical results are checked by simulating the actual system on the digital computer.

Reddy, C. P.↗

A square-root data array solution of the continuous-discrete filtering problem

The Dyer-McReynolds (1969) discrete square-root filtering algorithm is extended to accommodate continuous dynamics. Differential equations are given to represent the time evolution of the filter data array. These equations are nonlinear, but it is shown that the nonlinearities act to enhance the stability of the solution.

Bierman, G. J.↗

Liapunov stability analysis of hybrid dynamical systems in the neighborhood of nontrivial equilibrium

This paper is concerned with the stability of a hybrid dynamical system in the neighborhood of a nontrivial equilibrium, where the system consists of one rigid part and n elastic members. The body moves in a central-force field with its mass center describing a circular orbit. The nontrivial equilibrium is defined by steady rotation of the system at an angular velocity equal to the orbital velocity, with the elastic members being in deformed state. A Liapunov stability analysis is performed by assuming small perturbations about the nontrivial equilibrium, where the latter is generally defined by nonlinear differential equations. The theory is applied to a gravity-gradient stabilized satellite with flexible appendages.

Meirovitch, L.↗

An all digital phase locked loop for synchronization of a sinusoidal signal embedded in white Gaussian noise

An all digital phase locked loop which tracks the phase of the incoming sinusoidal signal once per carrier cycle is proposed. The different elements and their functions and the phase lock operation are explained in detail. The nonlinear difference equations which govern the operation of the digital loop when the incoming signal is embedded in white Gaussian noise are derived, and a suitable model is specified. The performance of the digital loop is considered for the synchronization of a sinusoidal signal. For this, the noise term is suitably modelled which allows specification of the output probabilities for the two level quantizer in the loop at any given phase error. The loop filter considered increases the probability of proper phase correction. The phase error states in modulo two-pi forms a finite state Markov chain which enables the calculation of steady state probabilities, RMS phase error, transient response and mean time for cycle skipping.

Reddy, C. P.↗