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At least 109 records · Page 6

Fuel optimal propulsive reboost of flexible spacecraft

The following paper is presented in viewgraph format and topics include: (1) exact solutions are difficult to obtain for higher order systems; (2) impulsive forces cannot be implemented directly; (3) exact solution provide the basis for judging the optimality of approximate techniques; and (4) properties of the exact solution can be used to develop improved approximations. Furthermore, the author discusses a floating harmonic oscillator whose model possesses rigid and flexible body motion characteristics of the proposed spacecraft.

Redmond, Jim↗

Time-Accurate, Unstructured-Mesh Navier-Stokes Computations with the Space-Time CESE Method

Application of the newly emerged space-time conservation element solution element (CESE) method to compressible Navier-Stokes equations is studied. In contrast to Euler equations solvers, several issues such as boundary conditions, numerical dissipation, and grid stiffness warrant systematic investigations and validations. Non-reflecting boundary conditions applied at the truncated boundary are also investigated from the stand point of acoustic wave propagation. Validations of the numerical solutions are performed by comparing with exact solutions for steady-state as well as time-accurate viscous flow problems. The test cases cover a broad speed regime for problems ranging from acoustic wave propagation to 3D hypersonic configurations. Model problems pertinent to hypersonic configurations demonstrate the effectiveness of the CESE method in treating flows with shocks, unsteady waves, and separations. Good agreement with exact solutions suggests that the space-time CESE method provides a viable alternative for time-accurate Navier-Stokes calculations of a broad range of problems.

Chang, Chau-Lyan↗

Coherent pulses in the diffusive transport of charged particles`

We present exact solutions to the diffusive transport of charged particles following impulsive injection for a simple model of scattering. A modified, two-parameter relaxation-time model is considered that simulates the low rate of scattering through perpendicular pitch-angle. Scattering is taken to be isotropic within each of the foward- and backward-pointing hemispheres, respectively, but, at the same time, a reduced rate of sccattering is assumed from one hemisphere to the other one. By applying a technique of Fourier- and Laplace-transform, the inverse transformation can be performed and exact solutions can be reached. By contrast with the first, and so far only exact solutions of Federov and Shakov, this wider class of solutions gives rise to coherent pulses to appear. The present work addresses omnidirectional densities for isotropic injection from an instantaneous and localized source. The dispersion relations are briefly discussed. We find, for this particular model, two diffusive models to exist up to a certain limiting wavenumber. The corresponding eigenvalues are real at the lowest wavenumbers. Complex eigenvalues, which are responsible for coherent pulses, appear at higher wavenumbers.

Kota, J.↗

Separated flows near the nose of a body of revolution

The solution of the Navier-Stokes equations for the problem of cross-flow separataion about a deforming cylinder was achieved by iteration. It was shown that the separation starts at the rear stagnation point and the point of primary separation moves upstram along the cylinder surface. A general method of linear stability analysis for nonparallel external flows was constructed, which consists of representing the eigenfunctions with complete orthogonal sets and forms characteristic equations with the Galerkin method. The method was applied to the Kovasznay flow which is an exact solution of the Navier-Stokes equation. The results show that when the critical parameter is exceeded, there are only a few isolated unstable eigen-frequencies. Another exact solution is shown to be absolutely and monotonically stable with respect to infinitesimal disturbances of all frequencies. The flow is also globally, asymptotically, and monotonically stable in the mean with respect o three-dimensional disturbances. This result forms the sound foundation of rigorous stability analysis for nonparallel flows, and provides an invaluable test ground for future studies of nonparallel flows in which the basic states do not posses exact solutions. The application of this method to the study of the formation of spiral vorticies near the nose of a rotating body of revolution is underway. The same method will be applied to the stability analysis of reversed flow over a plate with suction.

Lin, S. P.↗

Orbit Transfer Programs

Collection of computer programs developed that solve problem of transfer between noncoplanar circular orbits for spacecraft with chemical propulsion systems. Two basic programs given. First, referred to as "exact solution," gives complete, exact time histories of transfers. Second, or "approximate solution," program gives approximate information on transfer time and fuel cost but provides no detail of trajectory.

Breakwell, J. V.↗

An Adaptively-Refined, Cartesian, Cell-Based Scheme for the Euler and Navier-Stokes Equations

A Cartesian, cell-based scheme for solving the Euler and Navier-Stokes equations in two dimensions is developed and tested. Grids about geometrically complicated bodies are generated automatically, by recursive subdivision of a single Cartesian cell encompassing the entire flow domain. Where the resulting cells intersect bodies, polygonal 'cut' cells are created. The geometry of the cut cells is computed using polygon-clipping algorithms. The grid is stored in a binary-tree data structure which provides a natural means of obtaining cell-to-cell connectivity and of carrying out solution-adaptive refinement. The Euler and Navier-Stokes equations are solved on the resulting grids using a finite-volume formulation. The convective terms are upwinded, with a limited linear reconstruction of the primitive variables used to provide input states to an approximate Riemann solver for computing the fluxes between neighboring cells. A multi-stage time-stepping scheme is used to reach a steady-state solution. Validation of the Euler solver with benchmark numerical and exact solutions is presented. An assessment of the accuracy of the approach is made by uniform and adaptive grid refinements for a steady, transonic, exact solution to the Euler equations. The error of the approach is directly compared to a structured solver formulation. A non smooth flow is also assessed for grid convergence, comparing uniform and adaptively refined results. Several formulations of the viscous terms are assessed analytically, both for accuracy and positivity. The two best formulations are used to compute adaptively refined solutions of the Navier-Stokes equations. These solutions are compared to each other, to experimental results and/or theory for a series of low and moderate Reynolds numbers flow fields. The most suitable viscous discretization is demonstrated for geometrically-complicated internal flows. For flows at high Reynolds numbers, both an altered grid-generation procedure and a different formulation of the viscous terms are shown to be necessary. A hybrid Cartesian/body-fitted grid generation approach is demonstrated. In addition, a grid-generation procedure based on body-aligned cell cutting coupled with a viscous stensil-construction procedure based on quadratic programming is presented.

Coirier, William John↗

Modeling the heliolatitudinal gradient of the solar wind parameters with exact MHD solutions

The heliolatitudinal dependence of observations of the solar wind macroscopic quantities such as the averaged proton speed, density and the mass and momentum flux are modeled. The published observations covering the last two and a half solar cycles, are obtained either via the technique of interplanetary scintillations for the last 2 solar cycles (1970-1990), or, from the plasma experiment aboard the ULYSSES spacecraft for the recent period 1990-1994. Exact, two dimensional solutions of the full set of the steady MHD equations are used which are obtained through a nonlinear separation of the variables in the MHD equations. The three parameters emerging from the solutions are fixed from these observations, as well as from observations of the solar rotation. It is found that near solar maximum the solar wind speed is uniformly low, around the 400 km/s over a wide range of latitudes. On the other hand, during solar minimum and the declining phase of the solar activity cycle, there is a strong heliolatitudinal gradient in proton speed between 400-800 from equator to pole. This modeling also agrees with previous findings that the gradient in wind speed with the latitude is offset by a gradient in density such that the mass and momentum flux vary relatively little.

Lima, J. J. G.↗

The problem of exact interior solutions for rotating rigid bodies in general relativity

The (3 + 1) dyadic formalism for timelike congruences is applied to derive interior solutions for stationary, axisymmetric, rigidly rotating bodies. In this approach the mathematics is formulated in terms of three-space-covariant, first-order, vector-dyadic, differential equations for a and Omega, the acceleration and angular velocity three-vectors of the rigid body; for T, the stress dyadic of the matter; and for A and B, the 'electric' and 'magnetic' Weyl curvature dyadics which describe the gravitational field. It is shown how an appropriate ansatz for the forms of these dyadics can be used to discover exact rotating interior solutions such as the perfect fluid solution first published in 1968. By incorporating anisotropic stresses, a generalization is found of that previous solution and, in addition, a very simple new solution that can only exist in toroidal configurations.

Wahlquist, H. D.↗

Hierarchic plate and shell models based on p-extension

Formulation of hierarchic sequences of finite element models for beams, arches, plates and shells based on the principle of virtual work is described. The exact solutions corresponding to models in the hierarchic sequence converge to the exact solution of the fully three-dimensional problem of linear elasticity. The stopping criterion is that the functionals of interest must be substantially independent of the choice of the model. This process is closely related to p-extensions. Aspects of implementation are discussed in connection with axisymmetric shells and an example is presented. An application of superconvergent extraction methods for the computation of stress resultants is demonstrated.

Szabo, B. A.↗

A least squares finite element scheme for transonic flow around harmonically oscillating airfoils

The present investigation shows that a finite element scheme with a weighted least squares variational principle is applicable to the problem of transonic flow around a harmonically oscillating airfoil. For the flat plate case, numerical results compare favorably with the exact solution. The obtained numerical results for the transonic problem, for which an exact solution is not known, have the characteristics of known experimental results. It is demonstrated that the performance of the employed numerical method is independent of equation type (elliptic or hyperbolic) and frequency. The weighted least squares principle allows the appropriate modeling of singularities, which such a modeling of singularities is not possible with normal least squares.

Cox, C. L.↗

A mixed shear flexible finite element for the analysis of laminated plates

A mixed shear flexible finite element based on the Hencky-Mindlin type shear deformation theory of laminated plates is presented and their behavior in bending is investigated. The element consists of three displacements, two rotations, and three moments as the generalized degrees of freedom per node. The numerical convergence and accuracy characteristics of the element are investigated by comparing the finite element solutions with the exact solutions. The present study shows that reduced-order integration of the stiffness coefficients due to shear is necessary to obtain accurate results for thin plates.

Putcha, N. S.↗

Collisionless tearing instability of a bi-Maxwellian neutral sheet - An integrodifferential treatment with exact particle orbits

The integrodifferential equation describing the linear tearing instability in the bi-Maxwellian neutral sheet is solved without approximating the particle orbits or the eigenfunction psi. Results of this calculation are presented. Comparison between the exact solution and the three-region approximation motivates the piecewise-straight-line approximation, a simplification that allows faster solution of the integrodifferential equation, yet retains the important features of the exact solution.

Burkhart, G. R.↗

Crossflow effects on the growth rate of inviscid Goertler vortices in a hypersonic boundary layer

The effects of crossflow on the growth rate of inviscid Goertler vortices in a hypersonic boundary layer with pressure gradient are studied. Attention is focused on the inviscid mode trapped in the temperature adjustment layer; this mode has greater growth rate than any other mode. The eigenvalue problem which governs the relationship between the growth rate, the crossflow amplitude, and the wavenumber is solved numerically, and the results are then used to clarify the effects of crossflow on the growth rate of inviscid Goertler vortices. It is shown that crossflow effects on Goertler vortices are fundamentally different for incompressible and hypersonic flows. The neutral mode eigenvalue problem is found to have an exact solution, and as a by-product, we have also found the exact solution to a neutral mode eigenvalue problem which was formulated, but unsolved before, by Bassom and Hall (1991).

Fu, Yibin↗

Exact and approximate solutions to the oblique shock equations for real-time applications

The derivation of exact solutions for determining the characteristics of an oblique shock wave in a supersonic flow is investigated. Specifically, an explicit expression for the oblique shock angle in terms of the free stream Mach number, the centerbody deflection angle, and the ratio of the specific heats, is derived. A simpler approximate solution is obtained and compared to the exact solution. The primary objectives of obtaining these solutions is to provide a fast algorithm that can run in a real time environment.

Hartley, T. T.↗

Stability and vibration of isotropic, orthotropic and laminated plates according to a higher-order shear deformation theory

A higher-order shear deformation theory is used to demonstrate the natural frequencies and buckling loads of elastic plates. The theory accounts for parabolic distribution of the transverse shear strains through the thickness of the plate and rotary inertia. Exact solutions of simply supported plates are obtained and the results are compared with the exact solutions of three-dimensional elasticity theory, the first-order shear deformation theory, and the classical plate theory. The present theory predicts the frequencies and buckling loads more accurately when compared to the first-order and classical plate theories.

Reddy, J. N.↗

Analytic Formulation and Numerical Implementation of an Acoustic Pressure Gradient Prediction

Two new analytical formulations of the acoustic pressure gradient have been developed and implemented in the PSU-WOPWOP rotor noise prediction code. The pressure gradient can be used to solve the boundary condition for scattering problems and it is a key aspect to solve acoustic scattering problems. The first formulation is derived from the gradient of the Ffowcs Williams-Hawkings (FW-H) equation. This formulation has a form involving the observer time differentiation outside the integrals. In the second formulation, the time differentiation is taken inside the integrals analytically. This formulation avoids the numerical time differentiation with respect to the observer time, which is computationally more efficient. The acoustic pressure gradient predicted by these new formulations is validated through comparison with available exact solutions for a stationary and moving monopole sources. The agreement between the predictions and exact solutions is excellent. The formulations are applied to the rotor noise problems for two model rotors. A purely numerical approach is compared with the analytical formulations. The agreement between the analytical formulations and the numerical method is excellent for both stationary and moving observer cases.

Lee, Seongkyu↗

Radiation from a current filament driven by a traveling wave

Solutions are presented for the electromagnetic fields radiated by an arbitrarily oriented current filament located above a perfectly conducting ground plane and excited by a traveling current wave. Both an approximate solution, valid in the fraunhofer region of the filament and predicting the radiation terms in the fields, and an exact solution, which predicts both near and far field components of the electromagnetic fields, are presented. Both solutions apply to current waveforms which propagate along the channel but are valid regardless of the actual waveshape. The exact solution is valid only for waves which propagate at the speed of light, and the approximate solution is formulated for arbitrary velocity of propagation. The spectrum-magnitude of the fourier transform-of the radiated fields is computed by assuming a compound exponential model for the current waveform. The effects of channel orientation and length, as well as velocity of propagation of the current waveform and location of the observer, are discussed. It is shown that both velocity of propagation and an effective channel length are important in determining the shape of the spectrum.

Levine, D. M.↗

Finite element analysis of wrinkling membranes

The development of a nonlinear numerical algorithm for the analysis of stresses and displacements in partly wrinkled flat membranes, and its implementation on the SAP VII finite-element code are described. A comparison of numerical results with exact solutions of two benchmark problems reveals excellent agreement, with good convergence of the required iterative procedure. An exact solution of a problem involving axisymmetric deformations of a partly wrinkled shallow curved membrane is also reported.

Miller, R. K.↗