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At least 1,099 records · Page 61

Efficient parametric analysis of performance measures for communication networks

Efficient techniques for estimating performance measures in communication networks in a steady-state or transient setting are developed. These techniques may be used in a simulation environment or in connection with real-time observations. For Markov chain models, the recently proposed standard clock approach is extended, and a class of real-time algorithms for simultaneously generating multiple sample paths under different parameter sets is presented. Attention is focused on the link crash time estimation problem, where a 'crash' is defined as the first time a buffer overflows, given some initial conditions. An algorithm for estimating crash times under various traffic shocks is derived, where all estimates are obtained in parallel to an actual network's normal operation. An algorithm for crash time estimation of a G/D/1 link model is also derived using a different (perturbation-analysis-based) approach. Finally, extensive simulation results are provided to validate the proposed algorithms and compare them to brute-force simulation.

Cassandras, Christos G.↗

Design of a Mode Conversion Ultrasonic Motor for Position Control

The many useful characteristics of ultrasonic motors, such as high holding torques, and high torque at low speeds, have made them the subject of increasing interest. In addition, several of their characteristics make them attractive for aerospace applications: they have a torque to weight ratio, and they require neither gearing mechanisms nor lubrication. Moreover, they create negligible magnetic fields, and conversely, they are not affected by external magnetic fields. Ultrasonic motors based on bolt-tightened structures offer simplicity and high stress capability. They use the inverse piezoelectric effect in the stator to produce vibrational energy, which is transferred to the rotor by friction. We designed a bolt-tightened ultrasonic motor using numerical modelling tools (finite element and electromechanical circuit analyses), creating an equivalent circuit model that takes into account the electromechanical energy conversion in the stator and the contact between the stator and the rotor. Analysis of the circuit gives insight into the behavior of the motor and allows its performance to be calculated. Two prototypes of the motor were built; their transient responses and other quantities, such as starting torque, were measured. In this paper, we discuss the numerical and the experimental results, and demonstrate the usefulness of numerical analysis in designing ultrasonic motors and estimating their performance.

LeLetty, Ronan↗

Dynamic analysis of an open-cycle gas-core nuclear rocket

Reactivity and flow disturbances were used to investigate the transient response of a conceptual open cycle gas core nuclear rocket engine. The disturbances were made with the system initially operating at its steady state design point. Results of the study show that the feedbacks associated with the propellant density and propellant temperature have a dominant effect on the response of the system. Furthermore, there appears to be a rather limited range of values of these propellant feedback coefficients for which the gas core nuclear rocket has a stable response. The system was rather insensitive to a fuel flow rate disturbance, whereas a similar disturbance in the propellant flow rate caused large changes in reactor power. For a similar disturbance in the propellant flow rate caused large changes in reactor power. For most reactivity and flow rate disturbances, the response showed oscillations of various intensity.

Turney, G. E.↗

Temperature distributions and thermal stresses in a graded zirconia/metal gas path seal system for aircraft gas turbine engines

A ceramic/metallic aircraft gas turbine outer gas path seal designed for improved engine performance was studied. Transient temperature and stress profiles in a test seal geometry were determined by numerical analysis. During a simulated engine deceleration cycle from sea-level takeoff to idle conditions, the maximum seal temperature occurred below the seal surface, therefore the top layer of the seal was probably subjected to tensile stresses exceeding the modulus of rupture. In the stress analysis both two- and three-dimensional finite element computer programs were used. Predicted trends of the simpler and more easily usable two-dimensional element programs were borne out by the three-dimensional finite element program results.

Taylor, C. M.↗

HEAP: Heat Energy Analysis Program, a computer model simulating solar receivers

A computer program which can distinguish between different receiver designs, and predict transient performance under variable solar flux, or ambient temperatures, etc. has a basic structure that fits a general heat transfer problem, but with specific features that are custom-made for solar receivers. The code is written in MBASIC computer language. The methodology followed in solving the heat transfer problem is explained. A program flow chart, an explanation of input and output tables, and an example of the simulation of a cavity-type solar receiver are included.

Lansing, F. L.↗

Preliminary measurements of aerodynamic damping of a transonic compressor rotor

The aeroelastic behavior of a transonic compressor rotor operated in the MIT Blowdown Compressor Facility has been examined by means of piezoelectric motion sensors at the base of each of the 23 blades. Excitation has been observed due to rotating stall, due to an incipient flutter, and due to the facility startup transient. A method has been found for determining the aerodynamic damping force by modal analysis of the blade motion. Application of this technique to the example of excitation by rotating stall has led to the conclusions that the blade loading decreases in the stall cell, and that the damping force on the blades in the clean flow is in phase with blade velocity but opposite it in sign, leading to a logarithmic decrement of 0.2. This method of force derivation has quite general applicability as it requires only blade motion data such as are routinely acquired with strain gages. It is argued that models are needed for aerodynamic damping which focus on the effects of near neighbors of a given blade, since flutter often results in large response of isolated blades or small groups of blades.

Crawley, E. F.↗

Analytical performance prediction for large antennas

A linear mathematical modeling of the static and dynamic characteristics of a deployable offset wrap rib antenna was attempted using small motions in an effort to simulate the surface distortion resulting from thermal loading and transient oscillations from control. Both cyclic symmetry and model synthesis were used for parametric analysis. Although the ribs can be modeled as slender beams varying cross sections and equivalent linear material properties, the mesh poses a problem since its equivalent stress strain relations are highly nonlinear and sensitive to the biaxial prestressed state. Consequently, the macroscopic material properties were measured experimentally in the neighborhood of the design prestress. An equivalent tangent modulus technique was then adopted about this equilibrium state and assumed to be valid within a small range of incremental stresses.

El-Raheb, M.↗

High-temperature constitutive modeling

Thermomechanical service conditions for high-temperature levels, thermal transients, and mechanical loads severe enough to cause measurable inelastic deformation are studied. Structural analysis in support of the design of high-temperature components depends strongly on accurate mathematical representations of the nonlinear, hereditary, inelastic behavior of structural alloys at high temperature, particularly in the relatively small strain range. Progress is discussed in the following areas: multiaxial experimentation to provide a basis for high-temperature multiaxial constitutive relationships; nonisothermal testing and theoretical development toward a complete thermomechanically path dependent formulation of viscoplasticity; and development of viscoplastic constitutive model accounting for initial anisotropy.

Robinson, D. N.↗

BATSE flare observations in Solar Cycle 22

The Hard X-Ray Burst Spectrometer (HXRBS) group at GSFC has developed and is maintaining a quick-look analysis system for solar flare hard x-ray data from the Burst and Transient Source Experiment (BATSE) on the recently launched Compton Gamma-Ray Observatory (GRO). The instrument consists, in part, of 8 large planar detectors, each 2025 sq cm, placed on the corners of the GRO spacecraft with the orientation of the faces being those of a regular octahedron. Although optimized for the detection of gamma-ray bursts, these detectors are far more sensitive than any previous spacecraft-borne hard x-ray flare instrumentation both for the detection of small microflares and the resolution of fine temporal structures. The data in this BATSE solar data base are from the discriminator large area (DISCLA) rates. From each of eight detectors there are hard x-ray data in four energy channels, 25-50, 50-100, 100-300, and greater than 300 keV with a time resolution of 1.024 seconds. These data are suitable for temporal correlation with data at other wavelengths, and they provide a first look into the BATSE and other GRO instrument flare data sets. The BATSE and other GRO principle investigator groups should be contacted for the availability of data sets at higher time or spectral resolution or at higher energies.

Schwartz, R. A.↗

Numerical analysis of a thermal deicer

An algorithm has been developed to numerically model the concurrent phenomena of two-dimensional transient heat transfer, ice accretion and ice shedding which arise from the use of an electrothermal pad. The Alternating Direction Implicit method is used to simultaneously solve the heat transfer and accretion equations occurring in a multilayered body covered with ice. In order to model the phase change between ice and water, a technique was used which assumes a phase for each node. This allows the equations to be linearized such that a direct solution is possible. This technique requires an iterative procedure to find the correct phase at each node. The computer program developed to find this solution has been integrated with the NASA/Lewis flow/trajectory code LEWICE.

Wright, W. B.↗

Flux-Based Finite Volume representations for general thermal problems

Flux-Based Finite Volume (FV) element representations for general thermal problems are given in conjunction with a generalized trapezoidal gamma-T family of algorithms, formulated following the spirit of what we term as the Lax-Wendroff based FV formulations. The new flux-based representations introduced offer an improved physical interpretation of the problem along with computationally convenient and attractive features. The space and time discretization emanate from a conservation form of the governing equation for thermal problems, and in conjunction with the flux-based element representations give rise to a physically improved and locally conservative numerical formulations. The present representations seek to involve improved locally conservative properties, improved physical representations and computational features; these are based on a 2D, bilinear FV element and can be extended for other cases. Time discretization based on a gamma-T family of algorithms in the spirit of a Lax-Wendroff based FV formulations are employed. Numerical examples involving linear/nonlinear steady and transient situations are shown to demonstrate the applicability of the present representations for thermal analysis situations.

Mohan, Ram V.↗

Development of an Atomization Methodology for Spray Combustion

In liquid rocket propulsion, the knowledge and the understanding of liquid-gas interfacial phenomena are very important. This is important for predicting the onset of cavitation occurring in swirl injection elements used in STME, as well as atomization processes in shear-induced injectors (co-axial) and impinging injector elements. From the fact that all the physical processes including droplet size distribution, droplet dispersion, mixing and combustion are controlled by atomization processes, it is expected that the successful incorporation of the volume of fraction (VOF) will greatly enhance the analytical capability of predicting spray combustion processes in liquid-fueled engines. In this paper, a methodology is developed to define and track interfaces between two fluids in non-orthogonal, body-fitted grids using a single fractional volume of fluid (VOF) variable to describe the distribution of the liquid phase in a gas-liquid flow field. This method was implemented in a mature CFD code MAST (Multiphase All-Speed Transient) utilizing the general PISO-C algorithm. For the preliminary study on the analysis of spray combustion and tracking of the interface between two phases, we will report on the progress of the simulation of the instability on the liquid column; the surface wave instability and the droplet breakup from the liquid surface.

Seung, S. P.↗

Thermohydrodynamic Analysis of Cryogenic Liquid Turbulent Flow Fluid Film Bearings

Computational programs developed for the thermal analysis of tilting and flexure-pad hybrid bearings, and the unsteady flow and transient response of a point mass rotor supported on fluid film bearings are described. The motion of a cryogenic liquid on the thin film annular region of a fluid film bearing is described by a set of mass and momentum conservation, and energy transport equations for the turbulent bulk-flow velocities and pressure, and accompanied by thermophysical state equations for evaluation of the fluid material properties. Zeroth-order equations describe the fluid flow field for a journal static equilibrium position, while first-order (linear) equations govern the fluid flow for small amplitude-journal center translational motions. Solution to the zeroth-order flow field equations provides the bearing flow rate, load capacity, drag torque and temperature rise. Solution to the first-order equations determines the rotordynamic force coefficients due to journal radial motions.

Luis San Andres↗

The High Stability Engine Control (HISTEC) Program: Flight Demonstration Phase

Future aircraft turbine engines, both commercial and military, must be able to accommodate expected increased levels of steady-state and dynamic engine-face distortion. The current approach of incorporating sufficient design stall margin to tolerate these increased levels of distortion would significantly reduce performance. The objective of the High Stability Engine Control (HISTEC) program is to design, develop, and flight-demonstrate an advanced, integrated engine control system that uses measurement-based estimates of distortion to enhance engine stability. The resulting distortion tolerant control reduces the required design stall margin, with a corresponding increase in performance and decrease in fuel burn. The HISTEC concept has been developed and was successfully flight demonstrated on the F-15 ACTIVE aircraft during the summer of 1997. The flight demonstration was planned and carried out in two phases, the first to show distortion estimation, and the second to show distortion accommodation. Post-flight analysis shows that the HISTEC technologies are able to successfully estimate and accommodate distortion, transiently setting the stall margin requirement on-line and in real-time. This allows the design stall margin requirement to be reduced, which in turn can be traded for significantly increased performance and/or decreased weight. Flight demonstration of the HISTEC technologies has significantly reduced the risk of transitioning the technology to tactical and commercial engines.

DeLaat, John C.↗

High Stability Engine Control (HISTEC): Flight Demonstration Results

Future aircraft turbine engines, both commercial and military, must be able to accommodate expected increased levels of steady-state and dynamic engine-face distortion. The current approach of incorporating sufficient design stall margin to tolerate these increased levels of distortion would significantly reduce performance. The High Stability Engine Control (HISTEC) program has developed technologies for an advanced, integrated engine control system that uses measurement- based estimates of distortion to enhance engine stability. The resulting distortion tolerant control reduces the required design stall margin, with a corresponding increase in performance and/or decrease in fuel burn. The HISTEC concept was successfully flight demonstrated on the F-15 ACTIVE aircraft during the summer of 1997. The flight demonstration was planned and carried out in two parts, the first to show distortion estimation, and the second to show distortion accommodation. Post-flight analysis shows that the HISTEC technologies are able to successfully estimate and accommodate distortion, transiently setting the stall margin requirement on-line and in real-time. Flight demonstration of the HISTEC technologies has significantly reduced the risk of transitioning the technology to tactical and commercial engines.

Delaat, John C.↗

Interfacing the Generalized Fluid System Simulation Program with the SINDA/G Thermal Program

A general purpose, one dimensional fluid flow code has been interfaced with the thermal analysis program SINDA/G. The flow code, GFSSP, is capable of analyzing steady state and transient flow in a complex network. The flow code is capable of modeling several physical phenomena including compressibility effects, phase changes, body forces (such as gravity and centrifugal) and mixture thermodynamics for multiple species. The addition of GFSSP to SINDA/G provides a significant improvement in convective heat transfer modeling for SINDA/G. The interface development was conducted in two phases. This paper describes the first (which allows for steady and quasi-steady - unsteady solid, steady fluid - conjugate heat transfer modeling). The second (full transient conjugate heat transfer modeling) phase of the interface development will be addressed in a later paper. Phase 1 development has been benchmarked to an analytical solution with excellent agreement. Additional test cases for each development phase demonstrate desired features of the interface. The results of the benchmark case, three additional test cases and a practical application are presented herein.

Schallhorn, Paul↗

A Steady State and Quasi-Steady Interface Between the Generalized Fluid System Simulation Program and the SINDA/G Thermal Analysis Program

A general purpose, one dimensional fluid flow code is currently being interfaced with the thermal analysis program SINDA/G. The flow code, GFSSP, is capable of analyzing steady state and transient flow in a complex network. The flow code is capable of modeling several physical phenomena including compressibility effects, phase changes, body forces (such as gravity and centrifugal) and mixture thermodynamics for multiple species. The addition of GFSSP to SINDA/G provides a significant improvement in convective heat transfer modeling for SINDA/G. The interface development is conducted in multiple phases. This paper describes the first phase of the interface which allows for steady and quasisteady (unsteady solid, steady fluid) conjugate heat transfer modeling.

Schallhorn, Paul↗