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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 109 records · Page 6
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1994

Design and implementation of a beam-waveguide mirror control system for vernier pointing of the DSS-13 antenna

The design and implementation of an antenna beam-waveguide (BWG) mirror position control system at the DSS-13 34-m antenna is presented. While it has several potential applications, a positioner on the last flat-plate BWG mirror (M6) at DSS 13 is installed to demonstrate the conical scan (conscan) angle-tracking technique at the Ka-band (32-GHz) operating frequency. Radio frequency (RF) beam-scanning predictions for the M6 mirror, computed from a diffraction analysis, are presented. From these predictions, position control system requirements are then derived. The final mechanical positioner and servo system designs, as implemented at DSS 13, are illustrated with detailed design descriptions given in the appendices. Preliminary measurements of antenna Ka-band beam scan versus M6 mirror tilt made at DSS 13 in December 1993 are presented. After reduction, the initial measurements are shown to be in agreement with the RF predicts. Plans for preliminary conscan experimentation at DSS 13 are summarized.

Alvarez, L. S.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Decoupled control of a long flexible beam in orbit

Control involved commanding changes in pitch attitude as well as nulling initial disturbances in the pitch and flexible modes. Control force requirements were analyzed. Also, the effects of parameter uncertainties on the decoupling process were analyzed and were found to be small. Two methods were investigated: the system was completely coupled and certain actuators were then eliminated, one by one, which resulted in some or all modes not fully controlled; specified modes of the system were excluded from the decoupling control law by employing viewer control actuators than modes in the model. In both methods, adjustments were made in the feedback gains to include the uncontrolled modes in the overall control of the system.

Hamer, H. A.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Static deflection control of flexible beams by piezo-electric actuators

This study deals with the utilization of piezo-electric actuators in controlling the static deformation of flexible beams. An optimum design procedure is presented to enable the selection of the optimal location, thickness and excitation voltage of the piezo-electric actuators in a way that would minimize the deflection of the beam to which these actuators are bonded. Numerical examples are presented to illustrate the application of the developed optimization procedure in minimizing the structural deformation of beams of different materials when subjected to different loading and end conditions using ceramic or polymeric piezo-electric actuators. The results obtained emphasize the importance of the devised rational procedure in designing beam-actuator systems with minimal elastic distortions.

Baz, A. M.↗
DOE OSTI2026

Laboratory tests of laser control of electron beams for future colliders

Laser-driven Compton backscattering (CBS) has been proposed as method for controlling the intensity of colliding bunches in the FCC-ee so as to avoid the flip-flop instability caused by intensity asymmetry in colliding bunches. Laser-based collimation has also been proposed as an indestructible collimator for high-intensity electron beams. We have initiated a laboratory-based test program of these concepts with the E344 experiment at FACET-II. In this paper, we describe simulations of laser–beam interactions at FACET-II and the relevant scaling for FCC-ee. We also describe the experimental setup and diagnostics that will be used to make the measurements at FACET-II.

accelerator physics↗
DOE OSTI2026

Laboratory Tests of Laser Control of Electron Beams for Future Colliders

Laser-driven Compton backscattering (CBS) has been proposed as method for controlling the intensity of colliding bunches in the FCC-ee so as to avoid the flip-flop instability caused by intensity asymmetry in colliding bunches. Laser-based collimation has also been proposed as an indestructible collimator for high-intensity electron beams. We have initiated a laboratory-based test program of these concepts with the E344 experiment at FACET-II. In this paper, we describe simulations of laser-beam interactions at FACET-II and the relevant scaling for FCC-ee. We also describe the experimental setup and diagnostics that will be used to make the measurements at FACET-II.

Accelerator Physics (physics.acc-ph)↗
NASA NTRS1990

Modal domain fiber optic sensor for closed loop vibration control of a flexible beam

The use of a modal domain sensor in a vibration control experiment is described. An optical fiber is bonded along the length of a flexible beam. A control signal derived from the output of the modal domain sensor is used to suppress vibrations induced in the beam. A distributed effect model for the modal domain sensor is developed and combined with models of the beam and actuator dynamics to produce a system suitable for control design.

Cox, D.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Vibration control of flexible beams using an active hinge

The use of an active hinge to attenuate the transverse vibrations of a flexible beam is examined. A slender aluminum beam is suspended vertically, cantilevered at the top. An active hinge is placed at the node of the second vibration mode. The active hinge consists of a torque motor, strain gauge, and tachometer. A control law is implemented using both beam-bending strain and the relative angular velocity measured at this hinge, thereby configuring the hinge to act as an active damper. Results from implementing this control law show little improvement in the first mode damping ratio, 130 percent increase in the second mode damping ratio, and 180 percent increase in the third mode damping ratio. The merits of using a motor with a gearbox are discussed.

Cudney, H. H., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1991

The analysis and large-angle control of a flexible beam using an adaptive truss

This preliminary study of an adaptive truss slewing problem investigates the static positioning of an adaptive truss at slewed orientations and the dynamic vibrations of an attached flexible beam. A nonlinear model of an adaptive truss and flexible beam is derived. Linear control laws are developed and simulated for various truss configurations. Results show the linear control laws developed at a slewed configuration perform best at that configuration.

Warrington, Thomas J.↗
NASA NTRS2017

NISAR L-SAR Digital Electronics Subsystem - A Multichannel Distributed Processing System with Synchronous Timing Control for Digital Beam Forming and Multiple Echo Tracking

The NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) L-band SAR instrument employs multiple digital channels to optimize resolution while keeping a large swath on a single pass. High-speed digitization with fine synchronization and digital beam forming are necessary in order to facilitate this new technique called SweepSAR. An architecture employing multiple FPGA based digital signal processors has been conceived to facilitate digital calibration on an individual channel basis as well as digital signal processing to optimize the receive signal. On-board processing and data compression has been implemented to reduce the volume of data in order to satisfy the operational requirements of near global coverage for the desired science targets. A novel command and timing architecture was developed to manage this complex system while providing detailed control of individual channel receive window timing required for digital beam forming. The NISAR L-band Digital Electronics Subsystem is the combination of the hardware, firmware and software components architected and implemented to operate this radar and return the desired quantity and quality of data for the science community.

Chuang, Chung-Lun↗
NASA NTRS1987

Modeling and control of beam-like structures

The most popular finite element codes are based upon appealing theories of convergence of modal frequencies. For example, the popularity of cubic elements for beam-like structures is due to the rapid convergence of modal frequencies and stiffness properties. However, for those problems in which the primary consideration is the accuracy of response of the structure at specified locations it is more important to obtain accuracy in the modal costs than in the modal frequencies. The modal cost represents the contribution of a mode in the norm of the response vector. This paper provides a complete modal cost analysis for beam-like continua. Upper bounds are developed for mode truncation errors in the model reduction process and modal cost analysis dictates which modes to retain in order to reduce the model for control design purposes.

Hu, A.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Digital Controller For Laser-Beam-Steering Subsystem: Part 2

A report presents additional information about laser-beam-steering apparatus described in "Digital Controller for Laser-Beam-Steering Subsystem" (NPO-19193) and "More About Beam-Steering Subsystem for Laser Communication" (NPO-19381). Reiterates basic principles of operation of beam-steering subsystem, with emphasis on modes of operation, basic design concepts, and initial experiments on partial prototype of apparatus.

Ansari, Homayoon↗
NASA NTRS1982

Simulation and testing of digital control on a flexible beam

Large space structures are expected to have control problems due to low stiffness and damping, and control laws for these structures must deal with shape and configuration control as well as attitude and orbit maintenance. In general, these control tasks must be accomplished without adversely interacting with the lightly damped and low frequency vibration modes of the structure. Modal control schemes have been proposed to deal with these problems. A discrete time parameter adaptive control scheme which uses modal control has been proposed by Montgomery and Johnson (1978). In the present investigation the method considered by Montgomery and Johnson is applied to a homogeneous free-free beam in both numerical simulation and laboratory experimentation. Mathematical modeling of the beam is treated in a manner expedient for digital simulation and control implementation.

Williams, J. P.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Deployable controllable geometry truss beam

A study was conducted on a truss beam structural concept that can deploy and maneuver in a serpentine manner to align or position the truss beam tip. The truss beam is composed of a series of rod members connected together at joints that provide the required rotational degrees of freedom. The current study was conducted to evaluate the requirements of the joints and define a mechanical assembly that could provide both high structural stiffness and the required maneuverability. The truss beam requires two joint types; both types were fabricated and incorporated in a demonstration model. An analysis of the concept was performed to define the location and orientation of the beam tip during deployment and serpentine maneuvers.

Rhodes, M. D.↗
NASA NTRS1986

COFS 1: Beam dynamics and control technology overview

The Control of Flexible Structures (COFS) 1 Project provides the invaluable opportunity to test, validate, and measure the effectiveness of theories, structural concepts, control systems, and flight certification processes for future missions through a research program focusing on multiple issues in large flexible structures, dynamics, and controls. The COFS 1 Project consists of a series of ground and flight activities building progressively from modeling and dynamic characterization of large space systems to the more complex issues of flexible-body control. The program objectives are to: determine the degree to which theory and ground testing can predict flight performance of next-generation low-frequency structures; evaluate structural fidelity of representative next-generation large deployable precision structure; assess math modeling requirements for large lightweight complex systems on which ground test results are questionable; determine degree to which scale model analysis and tests can be correlated to full-scale performance; evaluate system identification and state estimation algorithms on complex lightweight structures in the space environment; evaluate and verify controls/structures modeling capability; evaluate control laws and control systems; and evaluate damping effects in micro-g environment.

Allen, John L.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Optically Addressable Spatial Light Modulators

Integrated multiple-quantum-well/Fabry-Perot structure provides high-contrast variation of reflection of reading beam, under control of writing beam. Periodic potential barriers separate photogenerated electrons from holes, leading to long recombination lifetimes and large concentrations of free charge carriers. Concentrations quench excitons or fill energy bands in quantum wells, altering absorption of reading beam.

Maserjian, Joseph↗
NASA NTRS1990

Applying CLIPS to control of molecular beam epitaxy processing

A key element of U.S. industrial competitiveness in the 1990's will be the exploitation of advanced technologies which involve low-volume, high-profit manufacturing. The demands of such manufacture limit participation to a few major entities in the U.S. and elsewhere, and offset the lower manufacturing costs of other countries which have, for example, captured much of the consumer electronics market. One such technology is thin-film epitaxy, a technology which encompasses several techniques such as Molecular Beam Epitaxy (MBE), Chemical Beam Epitaxy (CBE), and Vapor-Phase Epitaxy (VPE). Molecular Beam Epitaxy (MBE) is a technology for creating a variety of electronic and electro-optical materials. Compared to standard microelectronic production techniques (including gaseous diffusion, ion implantation, and chemical vapor deposition), MBE is much more exact, though much slower. Although newer than the standard technologies, MBE is the technology of choice for fabrication of ultraprecise materials for cutting-edge microelectronic devices and for research into the properties of new materials.

Rabeau, Arthur A.↗