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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

Aircraft Flaps Modeling in OpenMDAO

The goal of this project was to develop a model for a single subsystem in the aerodynamics discipline, in this case the flaps of an aircraft. Flaps are high-lift devices used by planes to allow for quicker takeoffs, and slower landings. A computer-based aircraft model of the flaps of an aircraft was developed using the Python based open-source framework OpenMDAO. OpenMDAO is used to develop multi-disciplinary aircraft models using gradient-based optimization; design optimization (MDO) is concerned with solving design problems involving numerical models of complex engineering systems. There were 4 components in the model; each has input values, output variables, and equations to calculate said outputs. The variables and equations are sourced from NASA Fortran code from the 1970s, in a project called the General Aviation Synthesis Program (GASP). These variables and equations which create the model are being converted to Python for ease of use. The flaps model developed will be integrated into a larger model of a conventional aircraft’s flight phases. All subsystems of the model will first be built using the parameters of a Boeing 737 MAX-8, to validate its functionality and accuracy. Then, the aircraft model will be used for hybrid-electric research; running optimizations to improve efficiency, minimize fuel burn, and advance hybrid-electric technology in the aerospace field.

Computer-based aircraft modeling↗

Design Enhancement and Improved Post-Actuation Test Method for a 1/4 inch Normally Closed Pyro Valve

The NASA/JPL Cassini mission to Saturn will launch in October, 1997 and arrive at Saturn in the year 2004 with a 4 year mission to orbit the planet. The main propulsion thrust vector and attitude control for the spacecraft is supplied by the Cassini Propulsion Module Subsystem (C-PMS). This system will use numerous ordnance-actuated, normally-closed (NC) pyro valves to perform mission critical tasks over the 11 year mean mission duration (NMD). The proper operation of this NC valve requires it to isolate fluid flow until commanded open. Once open, the valve must allow an unobstructed flow path and seal internally to prevent leakage external to the valve. This paper documents a design evolution to a qualified, Viking heritage design with improvements in design details that control external leakage to levels that support the planetary mission of this spacecraft. In addition, it addresses an improved post-actuation leak test technique, used to better detect gas leakage past the valve's primary metal-to-metal internal seal.

Cassini↗

Cartesian-based control of a deformable robot manipulator

A control scheme for the 6-DOF Cincinnati-Milacron T3 robot arm is developed and demonstrated by means of numerical simulations. The arm is modeled as an open-loop articulated system with both actuators and position and velocity sensors at each joint, and a Cartesian-frame control algorithm is constructed in which (1) an adaptive scheme decouples the end-effector subsystem from the complex highly nonlinear main system and (2) a servo scheme drives the reduced system to follow a presumed end-effector trajectory on the basis of the Cartesian-frame feedback gains. The velocity transformation used to transfer the control forces from the Cartesian frame to joint-based space is explained, and the simulation results are presented in extensive graphs and diagrams. The control is found to respond well to system-topology changes and robot-environment impacts.

Chang, C. W.↗

X-56A MUTT: Aeroservoelastic Modeling

For the NASA X-56a Program, Armstrong Flight Research Center has been developing a set of linear states space models that integrate the flight dynamics and structural dynamics. These high order models are needed for the control design, control evaluation, and test input design. The current focus has been on developing stiff wing models to validate the current modeling approach. The extension of the modeling approach to the flexible wings requires only a change in the structural model. Individual subsystems models (actuators, inertial properties, etc.) have been validated by component level ground tests. Closed loop simulation of maneuvers designed to validate the flight dynamics of these models correlates very well flight test data. The open loop structural dynamics are also shown to correlate well to the flight test data.

Modeling↗

Sleuthing the MSL EDL Performance from an X Band Carrier Perspective

During the Entry, Descent, and Landing (EDL) of NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL), or Curiosity, rover to Gale Crater on Mars on August 6, 2012 UTC, the rover transmitted an X-band signal composed of carrier and tone frequencies and a UHF signal modulated with an 8kbps data stream. During EDL, the spacecraft's orientation is determined by its guidance and mechanical subsystems to ensure that the vehicle land safely at its destination. Although orientation to maximize telecom performance is not possible, antennas are especially designed and mounted to provide the best possible line of sight to Earth and to the Mars orbiters supporting MSL's landing. The tones and data transmitted over these links are selected carefully to reflect the most essential parameters of the vehicle's state and the performance of the EDL subsystems for post-EDL reconstruction should no further data transmission from the vehicle be possible. This paper addresses the configuration of the X band receive system used at NASA / JPL's Deep Space Network (DSN) to capture the signal spectrum of MSL's X band carrier and tone signal, examines the MSL vehicle state information obtained from the X band carrier signal only and contrasts the Doppler-derived information against the post-EDL known vehicle state. The paper begins with a description of the MSL EDL sequence of events and discusses the impact of the EDL maneuvers such as guided entry, parachute deploy, and powered descent on the frequency observables expected at the DSN. The range of Doppler dynamics possible is derived from extensive 6 Degrees-Of-Freedom (6 DOF) vehicle state calculations performed by MSL's EDL simulation team. The configuration of the DSN's receive system, using the Radio Science Receivers (RSR) to perform open-loop recording for both for nominal and off-nominal EDL scenarios, is detailed. Expected signal carrier power-to-noise levels during EDL are shown and their impact on signal detection is considered. Particular attention is given to the selection of the appropriate RSR processing bandwidths and to its configuration for real-time signal detection. The X-band carrier frequency obtained through post-processing of the open-loop recorded spectrum is given. Detection of spacecraft status and completion of key vehicle events through their Doppler signature is discussed and illustrated. This Doppler-derived information is compared against the very accurate vehicle data obtained post-EDL via MSL's UHF radio subsystem. The paper concludes with a discussion on the advantages and disadvantages of transmitting the X-band carrier and tone signal in the general context of EDL communications and lessons learned for future missions with EDL sequences are given

Mars Science Laboratory (MSL)↗

Quarkonium semiclassical transport in quark-gluon plasma: factorization and quantum correction

We study quarkonium transport in the quark-gluon plasma by using the potential nonrelativistic QCD (pNRQCD) effective field theory and the framework of open quantum systems. We argue that the coupling between quarkonium and the thermal bath is weak using separation of scales, so the initial density matrix of the total system factorizes and the time evolution of the subsystem is Markovian. We derive the semiclassical Boltzmann equation for quarkonium by applying a Wigner transform to the Lindblad equation and carrying out a semiclassical expansion. We resum relevant interactions to all orders in the coupling constant at leading power of the nonrelativistic and multipole expansions. The derivation is valid for both weakly coupled and strongly coupled quark-gluon plasmas. We find reaction rates in the transport equation factorize into a quarkonium dipole transition function and a chromoelectric gluon distribution function. For the differential reaction rate, the definition of the momentum dependent chromoelectric gluon distribution function involves staple-shaped Wilson lines. For the inclusive reaction rate, the Wilson lines collapse into a straight line along the real time axis and the distribution becomes momentum independent. The relation between the two Wilson lines is analogous to the relation between the Wilson lines appearing in the gluon parton distribution function (PDF) and the gluon transverse momentum dependent parton distribution function (TMDPDF). The centrality dependence of the quarkonium nuclear modification factor measured by experiments probes the momentum independent distribution while the transverse momentum dependence and measurements of the azimuthal angular anisotropy may be able to probe the momentum dependent one. We discuss one way to indirectly constrain the quarkonium in-medium real potential by using the factorization formula and lattice calculations. The leading quantum correction to the semiclassical transport equation of quarkonium is also worked out. The study can be easily generalized to quarkonium transport in cold nuclear matter, which is relevant for quarkonium production in eA collisions in the future Electron-Ion Collider.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

An Open-Source Virtual Testbed for a Real Net-Zero Energy Community

Net zero energy communities (NZECs) are critical to ensure sustainability and resilience of modernized power systems. System modeling helps overcome technical challenges in designing and operating NZECs. In this paper, we present the modeling work based on a real NZEC. Two sets of models are developed: higher-fidelity physics-based models considering the interaction between subsystems of the studied NZEC and capturing fast-dynamics; and lower-fidelity data-driven models requiring less resource to establish and/or run. All models are validated against measurements from this real NZEC. In addition, we create a simulation framework which streamlines the processes for simulation and thus allows using developed models to form a virtual testbed. To demonstrate the usage of the virtual testbed, a case study is conducted where a building-to-grid integration control is evaluated via simulation. The evaluation results suggest that the tested control significantly smooths the power draw of the studied community and doesn’t sacrifice the thermal comfort to a great extent.

Huang, Sen↗

Closed culture plant studies: Implications for CELSS

Arabidopsis plants were grown in closed cultures similar to those used in space experiments. A shift in metabolism from photosynthesis to respiration is indicated by the accumulation of CO2 in the culture atmosphere. Reproductive growth is suppressed. Plant growth and development is apparently related to the atmospheric volume available to each plant. The implications of these findings to closed ecological systems are given: (1) there is a need for an open culture having ample gas exchange, (2) CO2 levels must be maintained within prescribed limits, (3) the minimum atmospheric volume required for each plant is dependent on the precision of the gas monitors and of the subsystems used to maintain appropriate levels of various atmospheric components, and (4) volatiles such as ethylene and terpenes emanating from plants be monitored and reduced to benign concentrations.

Hoshizaki, T.↗

A Roadmap for using Agile Development in a Traditional System

I. Ensemble Development Group: a) Produces activity planning software for in spacecraft; b) Built on Eclipse Rich Client Platform (open source development and runtime software); c) Funded by multiple sources including the Mars Technology Program; d) Incorporated the use of Agile Development. II. Next Generation Uplink Planning System: a) Researches the Activity Planning and Sequencing Subsystem for Mars Science Laboratory (APSS); b) APSS includes Ensemble, Activity Modeling, Constraint Checking, Command Editing and Sequencing tools plus other uplink generation utilities; c) Funded by the Mars Technology Program; d) Integrates all of the tools for APSS.

uplink planning systems↗

On the periodic coordination of linear stochastic systems

The decentralized stochastic control of a linear dynamic system consisting of several subsystems is considered. A two-level approach is used by the introduction of a coordinator who collects measurements from the local controllers periodically and in return transmits coordinating parameters. Two types of coordination are considered: open-loop feedback and closed loop. The resulting control laws are found to be intuitively attractive.

Chong, C.-Y.↗

ISRU Technology Development for Extraction of Water from the Mars Surface

Goals: Develop technologies to extract water from planetary regolith considering production rate vs: energy/power consumption (efficiency, yield, heat recuperation options); Mass and sizing: modularity, batch sizes, soil feed options, etc.; Ruggedness in terms of soil, environmental, and operational parameters; seals and component wear, etc.; Removal of product and disposal of spent material. Summary: Technology development is underway for several ISRU water extraction hardware concepts for Mars application - Hydrated minerals (Auger dryer, Microwave, Open Air), Subsurface Ice (Rodwell); Models are developed with experimental and breadboard efforts for use in larger ISRU system models; Each effort consists of a 3 year development plan, with the goal of integrating into a larger subsystem test in 2020 - Concurrent technology advance allows for flexibility in system design; depending on architecture decisions and progress of associated subsystems.

In-Situ Resource Utilization↗

Internal Architecture of the Common Habitat

The core stage liquid oxygen tank of the Space Launch System can be manufactured as a habitat instead of as a propellant tank, with a common design such that it is equally suitable for use in 0g, 1/6g, 3/8g, 1g, or variable artificial gravity. This Common Habitat can be the central element of a human spaceflight architecture that encompasses the Moon, Mars, and other destinations within the inner solar system. The Common Habitat is specifically used within an alternative architecture study (that is not part of the current NASA baseline) as the core habitation element within a Lunar Basecamp, Mars Basecamp, and the Deep Space Exploration Vehicle. The Common Habitat internal architecture applies a design philosophy to separate crew functions according to deck. The lower deck is reserved for private functions. It includes eight private crew quarters and four waste and hygiene clusters – each with a private waste management compartment, private full body hygiene compartment, and foyer/clothes changing area. The mid deck is primarily allocated to mission-related working functions. It includes an exercise facility, fabrication / maintenance / repair facility, physical science laboratory (physics, geology, and astronomy), and life science laboratory (biology and human research). The mid deck also has four external hatches, clocked one every 90 degrees, centered on the vehicle vertical centerline. Each hatch has a 60-inch tall by 40-inch wide opening with the mid deck floor 16 inches below the bottom lip of the hatch opening. The upper deck is primarily allocated to group or social functions. It includes a large galley, wardroom with projector and display screen, plant growth chambers, bulk stowage, command and control station, medical facility, hygiene compartment, and vehicle subsystems. A Vertical Translation System, based in part on results from a GrabCAD public challenge, enables crew and equipment traverse between habitat decks in 0g, 1/6g, 3/8g, and 1g. A 40-inch by 60-inch vertical translation corridor ensures that anything that can fit through the external hatches can also be moved from deck to deck. The system includes three component systems: a deploying floor to safety barrier system that folds down to become a traversable floor when vertical translation is not in use and deploys to become a safety barrier during vertical translations; a folding ladder that stows in the ceiling when not in use; and an elevator platform that can attach to the ladder for cargo or incapacitated crew member transport. This system is complemented by a Horizontal Translation System, also based in part on the same GrabCAD challenge, provides for horizontal crew translation in microgravity but requires no vehicle reconfiguration for fractional or whole gravity operation. It relies primarily on gecko-inspired grippers, originally developed at Stanford and NASA JPL, attached to footwear to enable crew to emulate walking. Some handrails are also strategically placed throughout the Common Habitat to aid translation in both gravity and microgravity environments.

Common Habitat↗

Mortar: An Open Testbed for Portable Building Analytics

Access to large amounts of real-world data has long been a barrier to the development and evaluation of analytics applications for the built environment. Open datasets exist, but they are limited in their span (how much data is available) and context (what kind of data is available and how it is described). Evaluation of such analytics is also limited by how the analytics themselves are implemented, often using hard-coded names of building components, points and locations, or unique input data formats. To advance the methodology for how such analytics are implemented and evaluated, we present Mortar: an open testbed for portable building analytics, currently spanning 90 buildings and containing over 9.1 billion data points. All buildings in the testbed are described using Brick, a recently developed metadata schema, providing rich functional descriptions of building assets and subsystems. We also propose a simple architecture for writing portable analytics applications that are robust to the diversity of buildings and can configure themselves based on context. We demonstrate the utility of Mortar by implementing 11 applications from the literature.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Slow control and data acquisition systems in the Mu2e experiment

The Mu2e experiment at the Fermilab Muon Campus will search for the coherent neutrinolessconversion of a muon into an electron in the field of an aluminum nucleus with a sensitivityimprovement by a factor of 10,000 over existing limits. The Mu2e Trigger and Data AcquisitionSystem (TDAQ) usesotsdaqas the online Data Acquisition System (DAQ) solution. Developed atFermilab,otsdaqintegrates both theartdaqDAQ and theartanalysis frameworks for event transfer,filtering, and processing.otsdaqis an online DAQ software suite with a focus on flexibility andscalability and provides a multi-user, web-based, interface accessible through a web browser. Thedata stream from the detector subsystems is read by a software filter algorithm that selects eventswhich are combined with the data flux coming from a Cosmic Ray Veto System. The DetectorControl System (DCS) has been developed using the Experimental Physics and Industrial ControlSystem (EPICS) open source platform for monitoring, controlling, alarming, and archiving. TheDCS System has been integrated intootsdaq. A prototype of the TDAQ and the DCS systems hasbeen built at Fermilab’s Feynman Computing Center. In this paper, we report on the progress ofthe integration of this prototype in the onlineotsdaqsoftware.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Online DAQ and slow control interface for the Mu2e experiment

The Mu2e experiment at the Fermilab Muon Campus will search for the coherent neutrinolessconversion of a muon into an electron in the field of an aluminum nucleus with a sensitivityimprovement by a factor of 10,000 over existing limits. The Mu2e Trigger and Data AcquisitionSystem (TDAQ) usesotsdaqas the online Data Acquisition System (DAQ) solution. Developed atFermilab,otsdaqintegrates both theartdaqDAQ and theartanalysis frameworks for event transfer,filtering, and processing.otsdaqis an online DAQ software suite with a focus on flexibility andscalability and provides a multi-user, web-based, interface accessible through a web browser. Thedata stream from the detector subsystems is read by a software filter algorithm that selects eventswhich are combined with the data flux coming from a Cosmic Ray Veto System. The DetectorControl System (DCS) has been developed using the Experimental Physics and Industrial ControlSystem (EPICS) open source platform for monitoring, controlling, alarming, and archiving. TheDCS System has been integrated intootsdaq. A prototype of the TDAQ and the DCS systems hasbeen built at Fermilab’s Feynman Computing Center. In this paper, we report on the progress ofthe integration of this prototype in the onlineotsdaqsoftware.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

2008 Year in Review

In February of 2008; NASA Stennis Space Center (SSC), NASA Kennedy Space Center (KSC), and The Applied Research Laboratory at Penn State University demonstrated a pilot implementation of an Integrated System Health Management (ISHM) capability at the Launch Complex 20 of KSC. The following significant accomplishments are associated with this development: (1) implementation of an architecture for ground operations ISHM, based on networked intelligent elements; (2) Use of standards for management of data, information, and knowledge (DIaK) leading to modular ISHM implementation with interoperable elements communicating according to standards (three standards were used: IEEE 1451 family of standards for smart sensors and actuators, Open Systems Architecture for Condition Based Maintenance (OSA-CBM) standard for communicating DIaK describing the condition of elements of a system, and the OPC standard for communicating data); (3) ISHM implementation using interoperable modules addressing health management of subsystems; and (4) use of a physical intelligent sensor node (smart network element or SNE capable of providing data and health) along with classic sensors originally installed in the facility. An operational demonstration included detection of anomalies (sensor failures, leaks, etc.), determination of causes and effects, communication among health nodes, and user interfaces.

Figueroa, Jorge Fernando↗

Preliminary Study on Fine-Grained Power and Energy Measurements on Grace Hopper GH200 with Open-Source Performance Tools

The increasing adoption of tightly integrated, heterogeneous architectures, combined with the slowdown of Moore’s law, has made application power and energy-driven optimizations critical to efficiently use high-performance computing systems. This paper introduces a newly developed open-source toolkit that seamlessly integrates the Linux real-time hardware monitoring program hwmon with the Performance Application Programming Interface and the Score-P performance measurement system, thereby enabling fine-grained power and energy measurements for high-performance computing applications. Our primary target platform is the Wombat test bed, which is a system based on the NVIDIA GH200 superchip. The toolkit can capture transient power peaks with high temporal resolution (50 ms) and, thanks to Score-P integration, can map power metrics to specific code regions, thereby providing actionable information on power-intensive operations and inefficiencies. The toolkit also provides a holistic view of both the power and the energy consumption of the entire GH200 superchip by covering all major components: the Grace CPU, the Hopper GPU, and the I/O subsystem. Experiments that use Locally Self-consistent Multiple Scattering, which is an application for first-principles calculations of materials developed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, have demonstrated the tool’s ability to identify transient power spikes and uncover opportunities for energy-aware optimizations. Additionally, we introduce a Python-based utility for converting Open Trace Format 2 traces to Parquet format, thus enabling advanced data analysis for numerical integration methods applied to power data for accurate energy profiling.

Hernandez Mendoza, Oscar [ORNL] (ORCID:00000002538↗

SansEC Sensing Technology - A New Tool for Designing Space Systems and Components

This paper presents concepts for using the NASA developed SansEC sensing technology for reconfiguring/modifying many space subsystems to add to their original function the ability to be sensors/sensor arrays without the addition of the electrical circuitry typically used for sensors. Each sensor is a self-resonating planar pattern of electrically conductive material that is an open-circuit single component without electrical connections. The sensors are wirelessly powered using external oscillating magnetic fields and when electrically excited respond with their own magnetic fields whose frequency, amplitude and bandwidth can be correlated with the magnitude of multiple unrelated physical quantities. These sensors have been demonstrated for numerous measurements required for spacecraft and inflatable/expandable structures. SansEC sensors are damage resilient and simple to fabricate. Thin films of conductive material can be used to create sensor arrays that function as sensing skins. Each sensor on the skin can be tailored for a science or engineering measurement. Additionally, each sensor has an inherent damage detection capability. These sensing skins can be used to redesign inflatable habitat multi-layer insulation to provide additional functions of environmental measurement and micrometeorite/orbital debris damage detections. The sensing skins can be deposited on planetary exploratory vehicles to increase the number of measurements with negligible weight increase.

Woodard, Stanley E.↗