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At least 109 records · Page 6

Parametric Analysis of Entry Vehicles for Giant Planet Missions

Summarize concept designs for entry vehicles for giant planet destinations identified as high priority in the latest decadal survey. Identify viable entry states, aerothermal environments, and heatshield thermal protection systems (TPS) for various vehicle dimensions. Viable TPS options and sizing focus on low-g (< 50g) entry conditions to avoid costly instrumentation requalification. TPS manufacturing capabilities are also taken into consideration while adhering to the manufacturing capabilities of the TPS options. Margined mass estimates for heatshield TPS options are provided for Uranus and Saturn test cases.

Giant Planet↗

Thermo-mechanical modeling and experimental validation for multilayered metallic microstructures

This paper presents thermo-mechanical modeling on multilayered metallic microstructures consisting of two bilayers that enable 3D deployment once being Joule heated. Additionally, a representative design of such microstructures, as well as their working principle is introduced. Furthermore, a mathematical model is derived using Euler–Bernoulli beam theory, and analytical solutions describing out-of-plane displacement of the multilayered microstructures when uniformly heated, which is validated by finite element analysis. Parametric analysis on thermal load and dimensional change of beam shows a good agreement between the analytical solutions and results given by finite element analysis. The phases of the near-equiatomic NiTi layer are analyzed by EDS and XRD, which prove to be austenite during the Joule heating process. The mechanical properties of austenite NiTi are incorporated into the analytical solutions that provides a good estimation of 3D deployment of microstructures made of NiTi and aluminum. The experimental results provide an approximately 7 µm out-of-plane deployment by applying a uniform temperature increase of 132 K, and parametric analysis on the dimension of top aluminum beam offers another promising approach to larger 3D deployment. The proposed mathematical model provides an efficient tool for predicting the out-of-plane deployment of such multilayered microstructures.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Performance evaluation of a wrapped around condenser for heat pump water heater applications

In this report, accurate performance evaluation of a wrapped-around condenser for heat pump water heaters (WHPWH) is critical since the COP of the system depends heavily on thermal stratification and condenser design. An analytical, quasi-steady state heat balance method has been developed to determine the optimal spacing between adjacent channels, tube diameter, tube shape, and total refrigerant charge amount for the condenser. The heat transfer rate is compared among three approaches: the refrigerant thermodynamic model, the condenser-wrap fin model, and the analytical natural convection model on the inside of the tank for the three regions based on the refrigerant phase (e.g., super-heated, saturated, or subcooled). The heat transfer rate was predicted by a combination of slug-plug and annular flow for a D-shaped helical tube. Experimental data were used as boundary conditions for validating the model. The rate of heat transfer based on tube shape and tank wall temperatures was compared by CFD analysis. Parametric analysis indicates a tradeoff between refrigerant mass, pressure drop, tube diameter, and tube length to maximize the heat transfer rate. The model suggests the saturated region length can be extended by 400%, and the condenser pressure drop can be reduced by 23% with an optimal spacing pattern.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Parametric Cost Analysis: A Design Function

Parametric cost analysis uses equations to map measurable system attributes into cost. The measures of the system attributes are called metrics. The equations are called cost estimating relationships (CER's), and are obtained by the analysis of cost and technical metric data of products analogous to those to be estimated. Examples of system metrics include mass, power, failure_rate, mean_time_to_repair, energy _consumed, payload_to_orbit, pointing_accuracy, manufacturing_complexity, number_of_fasteners, and percent_of_electronics_weight. The basic assumption is that a measurable relationship exists between system attributes and the cost of the system. If a function exists, the attributes are cost drivers. Candidates for metrics include system requirement metrics and engineering process metrics. Requirements are constraints on the engineering process. From optimization theory we know that any active constraint generates cost by not permitting full optimization of the objective. Thus, requirements are cost drivers. Engineering processes reflect a projection of the requirements onto the corporate culture, engineering technology, and system technology. Engineering processes are an indirect measure of the requirements and, hence, are cost drivers.

Dean, Edwin B.↗

Parametric Studies of Square Solar Sails Using Finite Element Analysis

Parametric studies are performed on two generic square solar sail designs to identify parameters of interest. The studies are performed on systems-level models of full-scale solar sails, and include geometric nonlinearity and inertia relief, and use a Newton-Raphson scheme to apply sail pre-tensioning and solar pressure. Computational strategies and difficulties encountered during the analyses are also addressed. The purpose of this paper is not to compare the benefits of one sail design over the other. Instead, the results of the parametric studies may be used to identify general response trends, and areas of potential nonlinear structural interactions for future studies. The effects of sail size, sail membrane pre-stress, sail membrane thickness, and boom stiffness on the sail membrane and boom deformations, boom loads, and vibration frequencies are studied. Over the range of parameters studied, the maximum sail deflection and boom deformations are a nonlinear function of the sail properties. In general, the vibration frequencies and modes are closely spaced. For some vibration mode shapes, local deformation patterns that dominate the response are identified. These localized patterns are attributed to the presence of negative stresses in the sail membrane that are artifacts of the assumption of ignoring the effects of wrinkling in the modeling process, and are not believed to be physically meaningful. Over the range of parameters studied, several regions of potential nonlinear modal interaction are identified.

Sleight, David W.↗

Power flow analysis of two coupled plates with arbitrary characteristics

In the last progress report (Feb. 1988) some results were presented for a parametric analysis on the vibrational power flow between two coupled plate structures using the mobility power flow approach. The results reported then were for changes in the structural parameters of the two plates, but with the two plates identical in their structural characteristics. Herein, limitation is removed. The vibrational power input and output are evaluated for different values of the structural damping loss factor for the source and receiver plates. In performing this parametric analysis, the source plate characteristics are kept constant. The purpose of this parametric analysis is to determine the most critical parameters that influence the flow of vibrational power from the source plate to the receiver plate. In the case of the structural damping parametric analysis, the influence of changes in the source plate damping is also investigated. The results obtained from the mobility power flow approach are compared to results obtained using a statistical energy analysis (SEA) approach. The significance of the power flow results are discussed together with a discussion and a comparison between the SEA results and the mobility power flow results. Furthermore, the benefits derived from using the mobility power flow approach are examined.

Cuschieri, J. M.↗

Feasibility study of modern airships, phase 1. Volume 3: Historical overview (task 1)

The history of lighter-than-air vehicles is reviewed in terms of providing a background for the mission analysis and parametric analysis tasks. Data from past airships and airship operations are presented in the following areas: (1) parameterization of design characteristics; (2) markets, missions, costs, and operating procedures, (3) indices of efficiency for comparison; (4) identification of critical design and operational characteristics; and (5) definition of the 1930 state-of-the-art and the 1974 state-of-the-art from a technical and economic standpoint.

Faurote, G. L.↗

Parametric Comparative Analysis between Virtual Synchronous Generator and Droop-based Inertia for Inverter-Based Microgrids

This paper presents a parametric comparative analysis between the virtual synchronous generator (VSG) method and the droop control method to emulate inertia in the voltage-source inverter (VSI). Droop controllers are commonly used to regulate sharing power in microgrids and distribute power generation proportionally among VSI’s depending on their rated power. Additionally, VSG has been used to regulate the Rate-of-Change-of-Frequency (RoCoF) of the microgrid using virtual inertia. Although both methods can be used to regulate the frequency variation, the influence of each method on the closed loop eigenvalues is not the same. In this work, the transient response of the frequency is analyzed for each method to determine their advantages and disadvantages regarding frequency regulation in microgrid applications. The results were verified by conducting experimental trials using VSI’s. These experiments demonstrated that VSG is more suitable for regulating RoCoF and frequency nadir than droop controllers since it provides inertial support and improves frequency response.

Campo-Ossa, Daniel D.↗

Cryogenic storage tank thermal analysis

Parametric study discusses relationship between cryogenic boil-off and factors such as tank size, insulation thickness and performance, structural-support heat leaks and use of vapor-cooled shields. Data presented as series of nomographs and curves.

Wright, J. P.↗

An Interactive Software for Conceptual Wing Flutter Analysis and Parametric Study

An interactive computer program was developed for wing flutter analysis in the conceptual design stage. The objective was to estimate the flutter instability boundary of a flexible cantilever wing, when well-defined structural and aerodynamic data are not available, and then study the effect of change in Mach number, dynamic pressure, torsional frequency, sweep, mass ratio, aspect ratio, taper ratio, center of gravity, and pitch inertia, to guide the development of the concept. The software was developed for Macintosh or IBM compatible personal computers, on MathCad application software with integrated documentation, graphics, data base and symbolic mathematics. The analysis method was based on non-dimensional parametric plots of two primary flutter parameters, namely Regier number and Flutter number, with normalization factors based on torsional stiffness, sweep, mass ratio, taper ratio, aspect ratio, center of gravity location and pitch inertia radius of gyration. The parametric plots were compiled in a Vought Corporation report from a vast data base of past experiments and wind-tunnel tests. The computer program was utilized for flutter analysis of the outer wing of a Blended-Wing-Body concept, proposed by McDonnell Douglas Corp. Using a set of assumed data, preliminary flutter boundary and flutter dynamic pressure variation with altitude, Mach number and torsional stiffness were determined.

Mukhopadhyay, Vivek↗

Power flow analysis of two coupled plates with arbitrary characteristics

The limitation of keeping two plates identical is removed and the vibrational power input and output are evaluated for different area ratios, plate thickness ratios, and for different values of the structural damping loss factor for the source plate (plate with excitation) and the receiver plate. In performing this parametric analysis, the source plate characteristics are kept constant. The purpose of this parametric analysis is to be able to determine the most critical parameters that influence the flow of vibrational power from the source plate to the receiver plate. In the case of the structural damping parametric analysis, the influence of changes in the source plate damping is also investigated. As was done previously, results obtained from the mobility power flow approach will be compared to results obtained using a statistical energy analysis (SEA) approach. The significance of the power flow results are discussed together with a discussion and a comparison between SEA results and the mobility power flow results. Furthermore, the benefits that can be derived from using the mobility power flow approach, are also examined.

Cuschieri, J. M.↗

A Parametric Cycle Analysis of a Separate-Flow Turbofan with Interstage Turbine Burner

Today's modern aircraft is based on air-breathing jet propulsion systems, which use moving fluids as substances to transform energy carried by the fluids into power. Throughout aero-vehicle evolution, improvements have been made to the engine efficiency and pollutants reduction. This study focuses on a parametric cycle analysis of a dual-spool, separate-flow turbofan engine with an Interstage Turbine Burner (ITB). The ITB considered in this paper is a relatively new concept in modern jet engine propulsion. The JTB serves as a secondary combustor and is located between the high- and the low-pressure turbine, i.e., the transition duct. The objective of this study is to use design parameters, such as flight Mach number, compressor pressure ratio, fan pressure ratio, fan bypass ratio, linear relation between high- and low-pressure turbines, and high-pressure turbine inlet temperature to obtain engine performance parameters, such as specific thrust and thrust specific fuel consumption. Results of this study can provide guidance in identifying the performance characteristics of various engine components, which can then be used to develop, analyze, integrate, and optimize the system performance of turbofan engines with an ITB.

Marek, C. J.↗

Evaluation of grid generation technologies from an applied perspective

An analysis of the grid generation process from the point of view of an applied CFD engineer is given. Issues addressed include geometric modeling, structured grid generation, unstructured grid generation, hybrid grid generation and use of virtual parts libraries in large parametric analysis projects. The analysis is geared towards comparing the effective turn around time for specific grid generation and CFD projects. The conclusion was made that a single grid generation methodology is not universally suited for all CFD applications due to both limitations in grid generation and flow solver technology. A new geometric modeling and grid generation tool, CFD-GEOM, is introduced to effectively integrate the geometric modeling process to the various grid generation methodologies including structured, unstructured, and hybrid procedures. The full integration of the geometric modeling and grid generation allows implementation of extremely efficient updating procedures, a necessary requirement for large parametric analysis projects. The concept of using virtual parts libraries in conjunction with hybrid grids for large parametric analysis projects is also introduced to improve the efficiency of the applied CFD engineer.

Hufford, Gary S.↗

Interactive flutter analysis and parametric study for conceptual wing design

An interactive computer program was developed for wing flutter analysis in the conceptual design stage. The objective was to estimate the flutter instability boundary of a flexible cantilever wing, when well defined structural and aerodynamic data are not available, and then study the effect of change in Mach number, dynamic pressure, torsional frequency, sweep, mass ratio, aspect ratio, taper ratio, center of gravity, and pitch inertia, to guide the development of the concept. The software was developed on MathCad (trademark) platform for Macintosh, with integrated documentation, graphics, database and symbolic mathematics. The analysis method was based on nondimensional parametric plots of two primary flutter parameters, namely Regier number and Flutter number, with normalization factors based on torsional stiffness, sweep, mass ratio, aspect ratio, center of gravity location and pitch inertia radius of gyration. The plots were compiled in a Vaught Corporation report from a vast database of past experiments and wind tunnel tests. The computer program was utilized for flutter analysis of the outer wing of a Blended Wing Body concept, proposed by McDonnell Douglas Corporation. Using a set of assumed data, preliminary flutter boundary and flutter dynamic pressure variation with altitude, Mach number and torsional stiffness were determined.

Mukhopadhyay, Vivek↗

Deriving the Coronal Magnetic Field Using Parametric Transformation Analysis

When plasma-beta greater than 1 then the gas pressure dominates over the magnetic pressure. This ratio as a function along the coronal magnetic field lines varies from beta greater than 1 in the photosphere at the base of the field lines, to beta much less than 1 in the mid-corona, to beta greater than 1 in the upper corona. Almost all magnetic field extrapolations do not or cannot take into account the full range of beta. They essentially assume beta much less than 1, since the full boundary conditions do not exist in the beta greater than 1 regions. We use a basic parametric representation of the magnetic field lines such that the field lines can be manipulated to match linear features in the EUV and SXR coronal images in a least squares sense. This research employs free-form deformation mathematics to generate the associated coronal magnetic field. In our research program, the complex magnetic field topology uses Parametric Transformation Analysis (PTA) which is a new and innovative method to describe the coronal fields that we are developing. In this technique the field lines can be viewed as being embedded in a plastic medium, the frozen-in-field-line concept. As the medium is deformed the field lines are similarly deformed. However the advantage of the PTA method is that the field line movement represents a transformation of one magnetic field solution into another magnetic field solution. When fully implemented, this method will allow the resulting magnetic field solution to fully match the magnetic field lines with EUV/SXR coronal loops by minimizing the differences in direction and dispersion of a collection of PTA magnetic field lines and observed field lines. The derived magnetic field will then allow beta greater than 1 regions to be included, the electric currents to be calculated, and the Lorentz force to be determined. The advantage of this technique is that the solution is: (1) independent of the upper and side boundary conditions, (2) allows non-vanishing magnetic forces, and (3) provides a global magnetic field solution, which contains high- and low-beta regimes and maximizes the similarity between the field lines structure and all the coronal images of the region. The coronal image analysis is crucial to the investigation and for the first time these images can be exploited to derive the coronal magnetic field in a well-posed mathematical formulation. This program is an outgrowth of an investigation in which an extrapolated potential field was required to be "inflated" in order to have the field lines match the Yohkoh/SXT images. The field lines were radially stretched resulting in a better match to the coronal loops of an active region. The PTA method of radial and non-radial deformations of field lines to provide a match to the EUV/SXR images will be presented.

Gary, G. Allen↗

A Conceptual Wing Flutter Analysis Tool for Systems Analysis and Parametric Design Study

An interactive computer program was developed for wing flutter analysis in the conceptual design stage. The objective was to estimate flutt er instability boundaries of a typical wing, when detailed structural and aerodynamic data are not available. Effects of change in key flu tter parameters can also be estimated in order to guide the conceptual design. This userfriendly software was developed using MathCad and M atlab codes. The analysis method was based on non-dimensional paramet ric plots of two primary flutter parameters, namely Regier number and Flutter number, with normalization factors based on wing torsion stiffness, sweep, mass ratio, taper ratio, aspect ratio, center of gravit y location and pitch-inertia radius of gyration. These parametric plo ts were compiled in a Chance-Vought Corporation report from database of past experiments and wind tunnel test results. An example was prese nted for conceptual flutter analysis of outer-wing of a Blended-Wing- Body aircraft.

Mukhopadhyay, Vivek↗