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At least 1,045 records · Page 58

Frequency domain analysis of the random loading of cracked panels

The primary effort concerned the development of analytical methods for the accurate prediction of the effect of random loading on a panel with a crack. Of particular concern was the influence of frequency on the stress intensity factor behavior. Many modern structures, such as those found in advanced aircraft, are lightweight and susceptible to critical vibrations, and consequently dynamic response plays a very important role in their analysis. The presence of flaws and cracks can have catastrophic consequences. The stress intensity factor, K, emerges as a very significant parameter that characterizes the crack behavior. In analyzing the dynamic response of panels that contain cracks, the finite element method is used, but because this type of problem is inherently computationally intensive, a number of ways of calculating K more efficiently are explored.

Doyle, James F.↗

Attitude Sensor Pseudonoise

Even assuming perfect attitude sensors and gyros, sensor measurements on a vibrating spacecraft have apparent errors. These apparent sensor errors, referred to as pseudonoise, arise because gyro and sensor measurements are performed at discrete times. This paper explains the concept of pseudonoise, quantifies its behavior, and discusses the effect of vibrations that are nearly commensurate with measurement periods. Although pseudonoise does not usually affect attitude determination it does affect sensor performance evaluation. Attitude rates are usually computed from differences between pairs of accumulated angle measurements at different times and are considered constant in the periods between measurements. Propagation using these rates does not reproduce exact instantaneous spacecraft attitudes except at the gyro measurement times. Exact sensor measurements will therefore be inconsistent with estimates based on the propagated attitude. This inconsistency produces pseudonoise. The characteristics of pseudonoise were determined using a simple, one-dimensional model of spacecraft vibration. The statistical properties of the deviations of measurements from model truth were determined using this model and a range of different periods of sensor and rate measurements. This analysis indicates that the magnitude of pseudonoise depends on the ratio of the spacecraft vibration period to the time between gyro measurements and can be as much as twice the amplitude of the vibration. In cases where the vibration period and gyro or sensor measurement period are nearly commensurate, unexpected changes in pseudonoise occur.

Hashmall, Joseph A.↗

Structural tailoring of high-speed turbine blades (SSME/STAEBL)

Space shuttle main engine (SSME) blades are subject to severe thermal, pressure, and forced vibration environments. Structural optimization provides an automated alternative to time consuming iterations. Any number of analyses, design variables, and constraints can be incorporated in a structural optimization computer code. This idea was applied to develop the code SSME/STAEBL, which is a stand alone code suitable for automated design of SSME turbopump blades. Additions and modifications of STAEBL included in SSME/STAEBL include the following: (1) thermal stress analysis, (2) gas dynamic (pressure) loads, (3) temperature-dependent material and thermal properties, (4) forced vibrations, (5) tip displacement constraints, (6) single crystal material analysis, (7) blade cross-section stacking offsets, and (8) direct time integration algorithm for transient dynamic response.

Rubinstein, Robert↗

Multidisciplinary tailoring of hot composite structures

A computational simulation procedure is described for multidisciplinary analysis and tailoring of multilayered multimaterial hot composite engine structural components subjected to simultaneous multiple discipline-specific thermal, structural, vibration, and acoustic loadings including the effect of aggressive environments. The simulation is based on a 3D finite element analysis technique in conjunction with structural mechanics codes, thermal/acoustic analysis methods, and tailoring procedures. The integrated multidisciplinary simulation procedure is general-purpose including the coupled effects of nonlinearities in structure geometry, material, loading, and environmental complexities. The composite material behavior is assessed at all composite scales, i.e., the laminate/ply/constituents (fiber/matrix), via a nonlinear material characterization hygro-thermomechanical model. Sample tailoring cases exhibiting nonlinear material/loading/environmental behavior of aircraft engine fan blades, are presented. The various multidisciplinary loadings lead to different tailored designs, even those opposite of each other, as in the case of minimum material cost versus minimum structure weight and in the case of minimum vibration frequency versus minimum acoustic noise.

Singhal, Surendra N.↗

Vibration and acoustic testing of TOPEX/Poseidon satellite

The satellite was subjected to a 1.5G swept sine vibration test and a 146 dB overall level acoustic test, in accordance with Ariane launch vehicle requirements, at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. Extensive pretest analysis of the sine test was conducted to plan the input notching and to justify vibration testing the satellite only in the longitudinal axis. A unique measurement system was utilized to determine the six components of interface force between the shaker and the satellite in the sine vibration test. The satellite was heavily instrumented in both the sine vibration and acoustic test in order to insure that the launch loads were enveloped with appropriate margin and that satellite responses did not exceed the compatibilities of the structure and equipment. The test specification, objectives, instrumentation, and test results are described herein.

Boatman, Dave↗

Use of the Matching Pursuit Algorithm for Flight Flutter Test Data Analysis

The goal of flight flutter testing is to detect possibly destructive modes of aircraft vibration which may arise during flight from interaction of aerodynamic forces with structural dynamic properties of the airframe. This is typically accomplished by exciting the airframe with a time varying force and monitoring the response of the aircraft throughout its flight envelope. The data generated must be analyzed and presented so that the frequency and time of occurrence of excited modes are clearly and unambiguously displayed. Processing and display in near real time is also desirable. Display of data in the time-frequency plane is a natural choice because it is a familiar and intuitive framework. The Matching Pursuit algorithm provides a time-frequency analysis with good adaptability to signal structure and good signal representation in the time-frequency plane. Improvements in efficiency are needed before the algorithm can be used in real time, however.

Nelson, Ronald E.↗

Efficient sensitivity analysis and optimization of a helicopter rotor

Aeroelastic optimization of a system essentially consists of the determination of the optimum values of design variables which minimize the objective function and satisfy certain aeroelastic and geometric constraints. The process of aeroelastic optimization analysis is illustrated. To carry out aeroelastic optimization effectively, one needs a reliable analysis procedure to determine steady response and stability of a rotor system in forward flight. The rotor dynamic analysis used in the present study developed inhouse at the University of Maryland is based on finite elements in space and time. The analysis consists of two major phases: vehicle trim and rotor steady response (coupled trim analysis), and aeroelastic stability of the blade. For a reduction of helicopter vibration, the optimization process requires the sensitivity derivatives of the objective function and aeroelastic stability constraints. For this, the derivatives of steady response, hub loads and blade stability roots are calculated using a direct analytical approach. An automated optimization procedure is developed by coupling the rotor dynamic analysis, design sensitivity analysis and constrained optimization code CONMIN.

Lim, Joon W.↗

Apparatus and method for determining the mass density of a filament

A method and apparatus for determining the mass density of a moving filament is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a filament across two supports, tensioning the filament, inducing a vibration into the filament segment between the supports, reinforcing the vibration using an amplified feedback signal, detecting the vibrational frequency data, processing the data using a fast-fourier transform analysis, and then displaying the frequency. The use of the feedback signal results in a self-tuning resonant loop. Open loop versions may also be used. The apparatus includes a base supporting a fixed support and a transducer which in turn supports a moveable support. The transducer vibrates the moveable support transversely to the direction of travel of the filament, thereby inducing a transverse vibrational mode. The output of the transducer is amplified and used to drive a second amplifier to produce a self-tuning resonant loop. In the open loop version a signal generator is used to drive the transducer through a frequency range, during which the amplitude peak is identified.

Hinkley, Jeffrey A.↗

Apparatus and Method for Determining the Mass Density of a Filament

A method and apparatus for determining the mass density of a moving filament is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a filament across two supports, tensioning the filament. inducing a vibration into the filament segment between the supports, reinforcing the vibration using an amplified feedback signal, detecting the vibrational frequency data. processing the data using a fast-fourier transform analysis. and then displaying the frequency. The use of the feedback signal results in a self-tuning resonant loop. Open loop versions may also be used. The apparatus includes a base supporting a fixed support and a transducer which in turn supports a moveable support. The transducer vibrates the moveable support transversely to the direction of travel of the filament, thereby inducing a transverse vibrational mode. The output of the transducer is amplified and used to drive a second amplifier to produce a self-tuning resonant loop. In the open loop version a signal generator is used to drive the transducer through a frequency range, during which the amplitude peak is identified.

Hinkley, Jeffrey A.↗

Measured Success: The Microgravity Measurement and Analysis Project

In microgravity, even minute forces can affect experiments: therefore, investigators need to know the precise strength of the gravitational levels and vibrations affecting their experiments to interpret results correctly and to develop an understanding of the effects caused by these forces. The Microgravity Measurement and Analysis Project (MMAP) at the NASA Lewis Research Center was established to provide a single source for measuring the microgravity environment on various orbiting spacecraft, providing support for scientists, and microgravity environment data. As part of this project, the Space Acceleration Measurement System (SAMS) and the Orbital Acceleration Research Experiment (OARE) have supported 15 shuttle missions. In addition, one SAMS unit has been operated on Russia's Mir Space Station since September 1994.

DeLombard, Richard↗

Strength Analysis Report Flight Readiness Review (FRR) for SXI Stepper Motor/Encoder

The strength analysis report for FRR shall include only revisions to update the strength analysis reports for the flight design configuration. Since there have been no revisions to the design configuration since the PDR and the CDR this report shall consist of re-submitting the analysis previously performed. In addition the motors have been subjected to Sine vibration, Random vibration, and shock per the SM specification. Both motor/encoders have passed all three tests. There was no evidence of damage to the motor/encoder and the motor/encoder performed as required by the Acceptance test procedure. No degradation was seen between the before and after performance tests. The testing verified the analysis that there were adequate safety margins with regard to structural integrity. Separate reports are available from the test facility and are apart of the FRR submittal.

Source record↗

Forced response analysis of an aerodynamically detuned supersonic turbomachine rotor

High performance aircraft-engine fan and compressor blades are vulnerable to aerodynamically forced vibrations generated by inlet flow distortions due to wakes from upstream blade and vane rows, atmospheric gusts, and maldistributions in inlet ducts. In this report, an analysis is developed to predict the flow-induced forced response of an aerodynamically detuned rotor operating in a supersonic flow with a subsonic axial component. The aerodynamic detuning is achieved by alternating the circumferential spacing of adjacent rotor blades. The total unsteady aerodynamic loading acting on the blading, as a result of the convection of the transverse gust past the airfoil cascade and the resulting motion of the cascade, is developed in terms of influence coefficients. This analysis is used to investigate the effect of aerodynamic detuning on the forced response of a 12-blade rotor, with Verdon's Cascade B flow geometry as a uniformly spaced baseline configuration. The results of this study indicate that, for forward traveling wave gust excitations, aerodynamic detuning is very beneficial, resulting in significantly decreased maximum-amplitude blade responses for many interblade phase angles.

Hoyniak, D.↗

Flexible space structure model reduction by modal cost analysis

It is noted that reduced models and reduced controllers for flexible space structures are obtained by retaining those modes which make the greatest contribution to quadratic control objectives. Attention is given to the relative importance of damping, frequency and mode shapes in the mode truncation decisions for the following control objectives: attitude control, vibration suppression and figure control. It is also shown that using Modal Cost Analysis (MCA) on the closed loop modes of the optimally controlled system allows the construction of reduced control policies which feedback only those closed loop coordinates which are most critical to the quadratic control performance criterion. In this manner, the modes which need to be controlled are deduced from truncations of the optimal controller.

Skelton, R. E.↗

Development of a comprehensive analysis for rotorcraft. I - Rotor model and wake analysis

The development of a comprehensive analytical model of rotorcraft aerodynamics and dynamics is described. Particular emphasis is given to describing the reasons behind the choices and decisions involved in constructing the model. The analysis is designed to calculate rotor performance, loads and noise; helicopter vibration and gust response; flight dynamics and handling qualities; and system aeroelastic stability. It is intended for use in the design, testing and evaluation of a wide class of rotors and rotorcraft, and to be the basis for further development of rotary wing theories. The general characteristics of the geometric, structural, inertial, and aerodynamic models used for the rotorcraft components are described, including the assumptions introduced by the chosen models and the resulting capabilities and limitations. Finally, some examples from recent applications of the analysis are given.

Johnson, W.↗

Development of a comprehensive analysis for rotorcraft. II - Aircraft model, solution procedure and applications

The development of a comprehensive analytical model of rotorcraft aerodynamics and dynamics is described. Particular emphasis is given to describing the reasons behind the choices and decisions involved in constructing the model. The analysis is designed to calculate rotor performance, loads and noise; helicopter vibration and gust response; flight dynamics and handling qualities; and system aeroelastic stability. It is intended for use in the design, testing and evaluation of a wide class of rotors and rotorcraft and to be the basis for further development of rotary wing theories. The general characteristics of the geometric, structural, inertial and aerodynamic models used for the rotorcraft components are described, including the assumptions introduced by the chosen models and the resulting capabilities and limitations. Finally, some examples from recent applications of the analysis are given.

Johnson, W.↗

Precision optical pointing and tracking from spacecraft with vibrational noise

The results of an investigation of the performance of three basic precision pointing and tracking control subsystems considered for application to satellite to satellite optical communication missions are discussed. The three-control subsystems include: (1) gyro-stabilized, (2) mass-stabilized and (3) complementary filter. The sources of error included in the analysis included: (1) sensor noise from the optical detector, (2) host satellite baseframe vibrational noise and (3) frictional and bearing noise. The measured vibrational and disturbance data from the LANDSAT satellite was used to generate the power spectral density parameter needed to model the baseframe noise environments of the two satellites used for the evaluation. The results of the study indicate that the 1 microradian rms pointing and tracking accuracy may be achieved with either the gyro-stabilized or the complementary filter approach.

Held, K. J.↗

Stability of elastic bending and torsion of uniform cantilever rotor blades in hover with variable structural coupling

The stability of elastic flap bending, lead-lag bending, and torsion of uniform, untwisted, cantilever rotor blades without chordwise offsets between the elastic, mass, tension, and areodynamic center axes is investigated for the hovering flight condition. The equations of motion are obtained by simplifying the general, nonlinear, partial differential equations of motion of an elastic rotating cantilever blade. The equations are adapted for a linearized stability analysis in the hovering flight condition by prescribing aerodynamic forces, applying Galerkin's method, and linearizing the resulting ordinary differential equations about the equilibrium operating condition. The aerodynamic forces are obtained from strip theory based on a quasi-steady approximation of two-dimensional unsteady airfoil theory. Six coupled mode shapes, calculated from free vibration about the equilibrium operating condition, are used in the linearized stability analysis. The study emphasizes the effects of two types of structural coupling that strongly influence the stability of hingeless rotor blades. The first structural coupling is the linear coupling between flap and lead-lag bending of the rotor blade. The second structural coupling is a nonlinear coupling between flap bending, lead-lag bending, and torsion deflections. Results are obtained for a wide variety of hingeless rotor configurations and operating conditions in order to provide a reasonably complete picture of hingeless rotor blade stability characteristics.

Hodges, D. H., Roberta.↗