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At least 1,135 records · Page 63

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NASA NTRS1981

Direct simulation Monte Carlo technique for modeling of the environment in the vicinity of the Space Shuttle Orbiter

A program for analyzing the flowfield parameters in the neighborhood of the Space Shuttle Orbiter has been developed. The program uses the direct simulation Monte Carlo method, which is a completely probabilistic Monte Carlo technique capable of analyzing 3-dimensional steady or unsteady flow with prescribed internal and external boundary conditions. The freestream flux densities incident on the external flowfield boundaries are calculated from the drifting Maxwellian gas properties of the freestream. The flux entering the flowfield from the internal boundary is calculated from the outgassing flux density distribution over the Shuttle external surface and the prescribed discrete source fluxes. This technique produces a numerical flowfield solution which is the probabilistic equivalent of a complete solution of the time-dependent, 3-dimensional Boltzmann equation. Flowfield results are presented for the following configurations: (1) Shuttle angles of attack of 0 and 90 deg, (2) freestream density 10 to the 9th - 10 to the 11th per cu cm, (3) Shuttle outgassing flux density, and (4) operation of the aft downfiring vernier Reaction Control System (RCS) engine. Results are presented for column density distribution of outgassed and engine species and for the flux density of outgassed and engine species incident on the Shuttle bay and the windshield.

Melfi, L. T., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Computational methods in nonlinear structural and solid mechanics; Proceedings of the Symposium, Washington, D.C., October 6-8, 1980. Symposium sponsored by the George Washington University and NASA

Topics discussed include computational strategies for nonlinear problems in structural mechanics, time integration techniques and the numerical solution of nonlinear algebraic equations, material characterization and nonlinear fracture mechanics, nonlinear interaction problems, and seismic response and the nonlinear analysis of concrete structures. Also considered are nonlinear problems for nuclear reactors, crash dynamics and impact problems, nonlinear problems of fibrous composites and advanced nonlinear applications, and computerized symbolic manipulation and nonlinear analysis software systems.

Noor, A. K.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Subcritical transition to turbulence in planar shear flows

The two-dimensional steady and time dependent properties of plane Poiseuille and plane Couette flows are analyzed using iterative techniques and full numerical simulation of the Navier-Stokes equations. It is shown that the finite-amplitude two-dimensional states investigated are strongly unstable to very small three-dimensional perturbations. It is also shown, through full numerical simulation, that this explosive secondary instability can explain the subcritical transitions that occur in real flows. Finally, it is shown that the three-dimensional instability can be analyzed by a linear stability analysis of a two-dimensional flow consisting of the basic parallel flow and a steady (or quasi-steady) finite-amplitude two-dimensional cellular motion.

Orszag, S. A.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Temporal development of composition, spectra, and anisotropies during upstream particle events

An analysis is conducted of the temporal development of particle intensity, composition, and anisotropies during diffuse particle events. The observations were made with an ultra-low energy charge analyzer (ULECA) sensor. ULECA basically consists of an electrostatic deflection system and an array of solid state detectors. The simultaneous measurement of energy per charge and total energy makes it possible to determine the charge state of a particle. Spectra are derived by an iterative technique involving the numerical integration of particle spectra with the energy response functions of the individual detectors. The presented data are explained in terms of temporal and spatial structures in the upstream region. The temporal structures during the event onset are consistent with a time-dependent first-order Fermi acceleration model, as discussed by Scholer et al. (1980).

Ipavich, F. M.↗

NASA NTRS1983

A method for modifying two-dimensional adaptive wind-tunnel walls including analytical and experimental verification

The theoretical development of a simple and consistent method for removing the interference in adaptive-wall wind tunnels is reported. A Cauchy integral formulation of the velocities in an imaginary infinite extension of the real wind-tunnel flow is obtained and evaluated on a closed contour dividing the real and imaginary flow. The contour consists of the upper and lower effective wind-tunnel walls (wall plus boundary-layer displacement thickness) and upstream and downstream boundaries perpendicular to the axial tunnel flow. The resulting integral expressions for the streamwise and normal perturbation velocities on the contour are integrated by assuming a linear variation of the velocities between data-measurement stations along the contour. In an iterative process, the velocity components calculated on the upper and lower boundaries are then used to correct the shape of the wall to remove the interference. Convergence of the technique is shown numerically for the cases of a circular cylinder and a lifting and nonlifting NACA 0012 airfoil in incompressible flow. Experimental convergence at a transonic Mach number is demonstrated by using an NACA 0012 airfoil at zero lift.

Everhart, J. L.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Process research on non-CZ silicon material

High risk, high payoff research areas associated with he process for producing photovoltaic modules using non-CZ sheet material are investigated. All investigations are being performed using dendritic web silicon, but all processes are directly applicable to other ribbon forms of sheet material. The technical feasibility of forming front and back junctions in non-CZ silicon using liquid dopant techniques was determined. Numerous commercially available liquid phosphorus and boron dopant solutions are investigated. Temperature-time profiles to achieve N(+) and P(+) sheet resistivities of 60 + or - 10 and 40 + or - s10 ohms per square centimeter respectively are established. A study of the optimal method of liquid dopant application is performed. The technical feasibility of forming a liquid applied diffusion mask to replace the more costly chemical vapor deposited SiO2 diffusion mask was also determined.

Source record↗

NASA NTRS1982

An approximation theory for nonlinear partial differential equations with applications to identification and control

Approximation results from linear semigroup theory are used to develop a general framework for convergence of approximation schemes in parameter estimation and optimal control problems for nonlinear partial differential equations. These ideas are used to establish theoretical convergence results for parameter identification using modal (eigenfunction) approximation techniques. Results from numerical investigations of these schemes for both hyperbolic and parabolic systems are given.

Banks, H. T.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Turbulent transport models for scramjet flowfields

Turbulence modeling approaches were examined from the standpoint of their capability to predict the complex flowfield features observed in scramjet combustions. Thus, for example, the accuracy of each turbulence model, with respect to the prediction of recirculating flows, was examined. It was observed that for large diameter ratio axisymmetric sudden expansion flows, a choice of turbulence model was not critical because of the domination of their flowfields by pressure forces. For low diameter ratio axisymmetric sudden expansions and planar backward-facing steps flows, where turbulent shear stresses are of greater significance, the algebraic Reynolds stress approach, modified to increase its sensitivity to streamline curvature, was found to provide the best results. Results of the study also showed that strongly swirling flows provide a stringent test of turbulence model assumptions. Thus, although flows with very high swirl are not of great practical interest, they are useful for turbulence model development. Finally, it was also noted that numerical flowfields solution techniques have a strong interrelation with turbulence models, particularly with the turbulent transport models which involve source-dominated transport equations.

Sindir, M. M.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Remote Sensing of Earth Terrain

Theoretical models that are useful and practical in relating remote sensing data to the important physical parameters characterizing Earth terrain are developed. The development of models that are useful in data analysis and interpretation, scene simulation, and developing new remote sensing approaches and techniques is discussed. Numerous theoretical models that are applicable to the active and passive remote sensing of plowed fields, atmospheric precipitation, vegetation, and snow fields were developed. The radiative transfer theory is used to interpret the active and passive data as a function of rain rate. Both the random medium model and the discrete scatterer model is used to study the remote sensing of vegetation fields. Due to the non-spherical geometry of the scatterers there is strong azimuthal dependence in the observed data. Thus, the anisotropic random medium model and the discrete scatterer model with nonspherical particles was developed. In order to relate the remote sensing data to the actual physical parameters, the scattering of electromagnetic waves from randomly distributed dielectric scatterers was studied. Both the rigorous random discrete scatterer theory and the strong fluctuation theory are used to derive the backscattering cross section in terms of the actual physical parameters and the results agree well with the data obtained from the snow fields.

Kong, J. A.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Inversion of vegetation canopy reflectance models for estimating agronomic variables. I - Problem definition and initial results using the Suits model

An important but relatively uninvestigated problem in remote sensing is the inversion of vegetative canopy reflectance models to obtain agrophysical parameters, given measured reflectances. The problem is here formally defined and its solution outlined. Numerical nonlinear optimization techniques are used to implement this inversion to obtain the leaf area index using Suits' canopy reflectance model. The results for a variety of cases indicate that this can be done successfully using infrared reflectances at different views or azimuth angles or a combination thereof. The other parameters of the model must be known, although reasonable measurement errors can be tolerated without seriously degrading the accuracy of the inversion. The application of the technique to ground based remote-sensing experiments is potentially useful, but is limited to the degree to which the canopy reflectance model can accurately predict observed reflectances.

Goel, N.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Swirl flow turbulence modeling

Confined turbulent swirling flow data obtained from a single hot-wire using a six-orientation technique are analyzed numerically. The effects of swirl strength and the presence of a strong contraction nozzle further downstream on deduced parameters is also presented and discussed for the case of chamber-to-inlet diameter ratio D/d = 2. Three swirl strengths are considered with inlet swirl vane angles of 0, 45 and 70 deg. A strong contraction nozzle with an area ratio of 4 is located two chamber-diameters downstream of the inlet to the flowfield. It is found that both the swirl strength and the contraction have strong effects on the turbulence parameters. Generally, the most dramatic effect of increase of swirl strength is the considerable increase in values of all the parameters considered, (rx-viscosity, kinetic energy of turbulence, length scales, and degree of nonisotropy). The presence of a strong contraction nozzle tends to increase the turbulence parameter values in regions of acceleration and to reduce them in deceleration regions. Based on similarity of viscosity and length scale profiles, a C sub mu formulation is deduced which is shown to improve the predictive capability of the standard k-epsilon turbulence model in swirling recirculating flows.

Abujelala, M. T.↗

NASA NTRS1982

PMP-2: Equatorial wave dynamics

After the discovery of the quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO) in the stratospheric zonal wind, there were, in the last two decades, a large number of observational and theoretical studies on the structure and behavior of the mean zonal wind and waves in the tropical stratosphere. Planetary-scale, vertically propagating equatorial waves play an important role in producing the QBO through the mechanism of wave-mean flow interaction. Concerning the dynamics of the equatorial upper stratosphere and mesosphere, however, little was known about the possible wave motions, except for tides, mainly because of the lack of adequate observations in this region. The main purpose is to provide the nature of various types of equatorial wave modes, with the aid of improved sounding techniques and sophisticated numerical modelings.

Hirota, I.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Multidimensional Modeling of Atmospheric Effects and Surface Heterogeneities on Remote Sensing

The overall goal of this project is to establish a modeling capability that allows a quantitative determination of atmospheric effects on remote sensing including the effects of surface heterogeneities. This includes an improved understanding of aerosol and haze effects in connection with structural, angular, and spatial surface heterogeneities. One important objective of the research is the possible identification of intrinsic surface or canopy characteristics that might be invariant to atmospheric perturbations so that they could be used for scene identification. Conversely, an equally important objective is to find a correction algorithm for atmospheric effects in satellite-sensed surface reflectances. The technical approach is centered around a systematic model and code development effort based on existing, highly advanced computer codes that were originally developed for nuclear radiation shielding applications. Computational techniques for the numerical solution of the radiative transfer equation are adapted on the basis of the discrete-ordinates finite-element method which proved highly successful for one and two-dimensional radiative transfer problems with fully resolved angular representation of the radiation field.

Gerstl, S. A. W.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Gravity field fine structure estimation techniques for a spaceborne gravity gradiometer

Use of standard estimation techniques to recover geopotential fine structure from gradiometer data requires the adjustment of small subsets of parameters while constraining others to their a priori values in order to minimize the computational load. Here, gravitational anomalies are selected as a parametrization of the gravity field which permits such an approach. Techniques coupled with numerical results for a spaceborne gravity gradiometer mission simulation are described which demonstrate that if a satellite is in a polar/circular orbit at an altitude of 160 km, 1 deg mean free air gravity anomalies can be recovered to an accuracy of 0.4 mgal, where 1 mgal = 0.001 cm/sq s.

Kahn, W. D.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Modeling, model simplification and stability robustness with aeroelastic vehicles

The linearization and simplification of a nonlinear, literal model for flexible aircraft is highlighted. Areas of model fidelity that are critical if the model is to be used for control system synthesis are developed, and several simplification techniques that can deliver the necessary model fidelity are discussed. These techniques include both numerical and analytical approaches. An analytical approach, based on first-order sensitivity theory is shown to lead not only to excellent numerical results, but also to closed-form analytical expressions for key system dynamic properties such as the pole/zero factors of the vehicle transfer-function matrix. The analytical results are expressed in terms of vehicle mass properties, vibrational characteristics, and rigid-body and aeroelastic stability derivatives, thus leading to the underlying causes for critical dynamic characteristics.

Schmidt, David K.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Gravity gradient measurements

It is shown that, for floated satellite gradiometers subject to very low levels of unmodeled forces and torques, dynamic estimation can dramatically reduce rotation correction errors. The filter structure is developed, and the value of factorization techniques is examined. Numerical examples are given for a few practical cases using plausible instrument ensembles. To achieve these early results, great simplifications have been made, and important error sources have been suppressed.

Sonnabend, D.↗

NASA NTRS1989

A review of detailed comparisons between experiments and DSMC calculations in nonequilibrium flows

Results are reviewed from several sources on a detailed validation by experiment of the DSMC technique for the prediction of nonequilibrium flows of monatomic gases. The validation is used as a basis for using the DSMC technique to conduct numerical experiments in low Mach number shock waves to investigate the Mach number limits on the applicability of the Navier-Stokes equations. It is noted that sufficient data exist to undertake a similar, initial validation of nonequilibrium flows of nitrogen to study details of rotational energy transfer.

Erwin, D. A.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Numerically Controlled Machining Of Wind-Tunnel Models

New procedure for dynamic models and parts for wind-tunnel tests or radio-controlled flight tests constructed. Involves use of single-phase numerical control (NC) technique to produce highly-accurate, symmetrical models in less time.

Kovtun, John B.↗