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At least 1,153 records · Page 64
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2016

Tangle-Free Finite Element Mesh Motion for Ablation Problems

In numerical simulations involving boundaries that evolve in time, the primary challenge is updating the computational mesh to reflect the physical changes in the domain. In particular, the fundamental objective for any such \mesh motion" scheme is to maintain mesh quality and suppress unphysical geometric anamolies and artifacts. External to a physical process of interest, mesh motion is an added component that determines the specifics of how to move the mesh given certain limited information from the main system. This paper develops a set of boundary conditions designed to eliminate tangling and internal collision within the context of PDE-based mesh motion (linear elasticity). These boundary conditions are developed for two- and three-dimensional meshes. The paper presents detailed algorithms for commonly occuring topological scenarios and explains how to apply them appropriately. Notably, the techniques discussed herein make use of none of the specifics of any particular formulation of mesh motion and thus are more broadly applicable. The two-dimensional algorithms are validated by an extensive verification procedure. Finally, many examples of diverse geometries in both two- and three-dimensions are shown to showcase the capabilities of the tangle-free boundary conditions.

Droba, Justin↗
NASA NTRS2016

Cloud Motion in the GOCI COMS Ocean Colour Data

The Geostationary Ocean Colour Imager (GOCI) instrument, on Koreas Communications, Oceans, and Meteorological Satellite (COMS), can produce a spectral artefact arising from the motion of clouds the cloud is spatially shifted and the amount of shift varies by spectral band. The length of time it takes to acquire all eight GOCI bands for a given slot (portion of a scene) is sucient to require that cloud motion be taken into account to fully mask or correct the eects of clouds in all bands. Inter-band correlations can be used to measure the amount of cloud shift, which can then be used to adjust the cloud mask so that the union of all shifted masks can act as a mask for all bands. This approach reduces the amount of masking required versus a simple expansion of the mask in all directions away from clouds. Cloud motion can also aect regions with unidentied clouds thin or fractional clouds that evade the cloud identication process yielding degraded quality in retrieved ocean colour parameters. Areas with moving and unidentied clouds require more elaborate masking algo-rithms to remove these degraded retrievals. Correction for the eects of moving fractional clouds may also be possible. The cloud shift information can be used to determine cloud motion and thus wind at the cloud levels on sub-minute timescales. The benecial and negative eects of moving clouds should be con-sidered for any ocean colour instrument design and associated data processing plans.

Robinson, Wayne D.↗
NASA NTRS1960

A Theoretical Study of the Angular Motions of Spinning Bodies in Space

A theoretical study was made of the angular motions of spinning bodies in space. The analysis was based on Euler's dynamic equations which were linearized and solved analytically. The results of the study are directly applicable only to spin-stabilized vehicles with constant moments of inertia and angular displacements not exceeding about 15 degrees. Simple analytical expressions were obtained which relate angular motions to spin-rate and inertia distributions for a given disturbance. Consideration was given to the effects produced by having artificial damping in the system. The study included numerical examples and comparisons of analytical solutions with machine solutions of exact dynamic equations. The analysis indicated that angular motions are sensitive to inertia distribution. In considering a rectangular-pulse pitching moment, it was found that the residual motion was very sensitive to the time at which the moment was removed. Artificial damping due to a perfect proportional control system seemed to be more advantageous to pencil-like configurations than to disk-like configurations.

Suddath, Jerrold H.↗
NASA NTRS2020

Preliminary Measurements of the Motion of Arcjet Current Channel Using Inductive Magnetic Probes

This paper covers the design and first measurements of non-perturbative, external inductive magnetic diagnostics for arcjet constrictors which can measure the motion of the arc current channel. These measurements of arc motion are motivated by previous simulations using the ARC Heater Simulator (ARCHeS), which predicted unsteady arc motion due to the magnetic kink instability. Measurements of the kink instability are relevant to characterizing motion of the enthalpy profile of the arcjet, the arcjet operational stability, and electrode damage due to associated arc detachment events. These first measurements indicate 4 mm oscillations at 0.5-2 kHz of the current profile.

Haw, Magnus A.↗
NASA NTRS2020

Preliminary Measurements of the Motion of Arcjet Current Channel Using Inductive Magnetic Probes

This paper covers the design and first measurements of non-perturbative, external inductive magnetic diagnostics for arcjet constrictors which can measure the motion of the arc current-channel. These measurements of arc motion are motivated by previous simulations using the ARC Heater Simulator (ARCHeS), which predicted unsteady arc motion due to the magnetic kink instability. Measurements of the kink instability are relevant to characterizing motion of the enthalpy profile of the arcjet, the arcjet operational stability, and electrode damage due to associated arc detachment events. These first measurements indicate $\pm4$ mm oscillations at 0.5-2 kHz of the current profile.

Haw, Magnus A.↗
NASA NTRS2019

A Joint Analysis of GPS Displacement and GRACE Geopotential Data for Simultaneous Estimation of Geocenter Motion and Gravitational Field

Gravitational potential data from GRACE are being used to study mass redistribution within and between the atmosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, and solid Earth. The GRACE data are made available in a reference frame with its origin at the center of mass of the Earth system (geocenter) while many other geophysical models and data sets refer to a reference frame attached to the Earth's surface. Changes in the offset between these reference frames (geocenter motion) must be accounted for when GRACE data are used to quantify surface mass changes. In this study, we developed a technique for co‐estimation of geocenter motion and gravitational potential field seamlessly from degree 1 to 90 by simultaneously inverting a set of globally‐distributed GPS displacement time series and the temporally‐varying GRACE gravity data. We found that the effect of geocenter motion was evident particularly in the GPS time series of horizontal displacements. Our estimates of geocenter motion are most consistent with the Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR) results within 1 mm in X and Z components and a submillimeter in Y component, when compared to monthly variability averaged over the period of 2003–2016. The overall magnitude of the degree‐1 (l = 1) surface mass load is estimated to be ~3 cm in equivalent water height annually migrating south‐westward from Europe (December–January) to the South Pacific (June–July). Our results also show that dense GPS network data improve water storage recovery in major river basins in the United States and Europe by contributing significantly to the recovery of higher‐degree (l ≥ ~20) geopotential coefficients.

Razeghi, Mahdiyeh↗
NASA NTRS2019

Nonlinear Analysis of a Two-Parachute System Undergoing Pendulum Motion

Motion resembling that of a pendulum undergoing large-amplitude limit cycle oscillation was observed during a series of flight tests of an unoccupied Orion Capsule Parachute Assembly System (CPAS) comprised of two parachutes and a capsule payload. Large excursions away from vertical by the capsule could cause it to strike the ground or ocean at a large angle with respect to vertical, or at a large horizontal speed. These conditions are undesirable because they would endanger the occupants of the capsule in an actual mission. A simplified planar dynamics model in conjunction with a nonlinear normal force coefficient vs. angle of attack model serves as the basis of an analytical investigation of the fundamental dynamics of this pendulum motion. Output error methodology from system identification theory was used to identify the parameters of the nonlinear aerodynamics model. The identified model yielded excellent comparison with portions of flight test data where the pendulum motion occurred. Due to the inherent nonlinear nature of the pendulum motion limit cycle, traditional nonlinear analysis techniques were applied to gain further insight into the system. Lyapunov’s direct method provided mathematical proof in the absolute stability of the pendulum mode. Describing Function method was used to predict the amplitude and frequency of the limit cycle oscillation. Finally, phase plane analysis allowed easy visualization on the size and shape of the limit cycle with respect to variations in key aerodynamic parameters.

Pei, Jing↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Visualization and 3D Mesh Generation for ASSEMBLERS Range of Motion

In an effort to create a base and foundation for ASSEMBLERS with an informed layout, data representing the range of motion of varying heights of Stewart platforms were analyzed. 3D shapes were generated first to be approximately representative of these data in the form of rotationally symmetric shells, making use of 2D alpha shapes to create a border that did not account for asymmetry inherent in the true range of motion. Further work was performed to generate mesh files more fully representative of reach, creating 3D alpha shapes based directly on point clouds generated from uniformly random platform positions. These shapes were initially not representative of the entire range of motion of a platform stack due to the low likelihood of the most extreme positions being added to a given point cloud but were more representative of the asymmetry inherent in the possible positions of a Stewart platform as they no longer relied on a single 2D contour. The same algorithm for generating 3D alpha shapes was then applied to point clouds designed to represent extreme positions, generating larger smooth shells with six clear planes of symmetry. All shells were converted to STLs to aid in further modeling of range of motion for base layouts and in visualizing reachable area for varying stack heights, successfully creating closed shells representative of typical and extreme positions for platform stacks of varying heights.

Jonah DeGuire Vanke↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Experimental and Computational Investigation of Valve Motion in a Resonant Pulse Combustor

The motion of a passive reed-type valve and a poppet-style valve operating in a small scale, liquid-fueled pulse combustor is investigated experimentally. Valve position and combustion chamber pressure are simultaneously measured using an in-house fabricated optical position probe. The reed valve configuration is found to operate in a self-aspirated mode, generating significant pressure gain. The poppet valve configuration cannot operate without forced air, and does not generate pressure gain. Both type valves are tested in combustors of multiple lengths. Close examination of the respective valve motions indicate that the reed valve is highly non-linear, with unique attributes that appear essential for self-aspiration. Dynamic models for the motion of each valve are implemented in a computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulation of the pulse combustor in order to assess if this unique valve motion is critical to successful operation. The results show that it is. The implications of these results are discussed. The need for active actuation with feedback control, rather than passive valve actuation is highlighted as a critical technology for practical resonant pulse combustors.

Combustion↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Experimental and Computational Investigation of Valve Motion in a Resonant Pulse Combustor

The motion of a passive reed-type valve and a poppet-style valve operating in a small scale, liquid-fueled pulse combustor is investigated experimentally. Valve position and combustion chamber pressure are simultaneously measured using an in-house fabricated optical position probe. The reed valve configuration is found to operate in a self-aspirated mode, generating significant pressure gain. The poppet valve configuration cannot operate without forced air, and does not generate pressure gain. Both type valves are tested in combustors of multiple lengths. Close examination of the respective valve motions indicate that the reed valve is highly non-linear, with unique attributes that appear essential for self-aspiration. Dynamic models for the motion of each valve are implemented in a computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulation of the pulse combustor in order to assess if this unique valve motion is critical to successful operation. The results show that it is. The implications of these results are discussed. The need for active actuation with feedback control, rather than passive valve actuation is highlighted as a critical technology for practical resonant pulse combustors.

Combustion↗
DOE OSTI2011

Enhancement of vortex induced forces and motion through surface roughness control

Roughness is added to the surface of a bluff body in a relative motion with respect to a fluid. The amount, size, and distribution of roughness on the body surface is controlled passively or actively to modify the flow around the body and subsequently the Vortex Induced Forces and Motion (VIFM). The added roughness, when designed and implemented appropriately, affects in a predetermined way the boundary layer, the separation of the boundary layer, the level of turbulence, the wake, the drag and lift forces, and consequently the Vortex Induced Motion (VIM), and the fluid-structure interaction. The goal of surface roughness control is to increase Vortex Induced Forces and Motion. Enhancement is needed in such applications as harnessing of clean and renewable energy from ocean/river currents using the ocean energy converter VIVACE (Vortex Induced Vibration for Aquatic Clean Energy).

13 HYDRO ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2014

Reduction of vortex induced forces and motion through surface roughness control

Roughness is added to the surface of a bluff body in a relative motion with respect to a fluid. The amount, size, and distribution of roughness on the body surface is controlled passively or actively to modify the flow around the body and subsequently the Vortex Induced Forces and Motion (VIFM). The added roughness, when designed and implemented appropriately, affects in a predetermined way the boundary layer, the separation of the boundary layer, the level of turbulence, the wake, the drag and lift forces, and consequently the Vortex Induced Motion (VIM), and the fluid-structure interaction. The goal of surface roughness control is to decrease/suppress Vortex Induced Forces and Motion. Suppression is required when fluid-structure interaction becomes destructive as in VIM of flexible cylinders or rigid cylinders on elastic support, such as underwater pipelines, marine risers, tubes in heat exchangers, nuclear fuel rods, cooling towers, SPAR offshore platforms.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2022

Hybrid Curve Fitting For Reducing Motion Commands In Object Construction

Existing slicing software for additive manufacturing typically requires a triangulated mesh as its input. Triangulated meshes are approximate representations of exact CAD models. Despite the loss in dimensional accuracy, triangulated meshes are used because they are computationally easier to cross-section and offset than the exact geometry in CAD format. When a triangulated object is prepared, the resulting machine instructions include only linear motion commands. Numerous modern motion controllers can move in arc and spline motions; however, the absence of slicing software that supports curvature prevents these commands from being leveraged. To address this limitation, this paper presents a method for the hybrid reconstruction of arcs and splines as a post-processing step to traditional slicing. This method can greatly reduce the number of motion commands required to construct an object by printing smooth curved surfaces. This concise representation of tool-pathing allows for more even extrusion and is computed without a major impact on slicing time.

Wade, Charles↗
DOE OSTI2012

Effect of rolling motion on critical heat flux for subcooled flow boiling in vertical tube

This paper presents defining characteristics of the critical heat flux (CHF) for the boiling of R-134a in vertical tube operation under rolling motion in marine reactor. It is important to predict CHF of marine reactor having the rolling motion in order to increase the safety of the reactor. Marine Reactor Moving Simulator (MARMS) tests are conducted to measure the critical heat flux using R-134a flowing upward in a uniformly heated vertical tube under rolling motion. MARMS was rotated by motor and mechanical power transmission gear. The CHF tests were performed in a 9.5 mm I.D. test section with heated length of 1 m. Mass fluxes range from 285 to 1300 kg m{sup -2}s{sup -1}, inlet subcooling from 3 to 38 deg. C and outlet pressures from 13 to 24 bar. Amplitudes of rolling range from 15 to 40 degrees and periods from 6 to 12 sec. To convert the test conditions of CHF test using R-134a in water, Katto's fluid-to-fluid modeling was used in present investigation. A CHF correlation is presented which accounts for the effects of pressure, mass flux, inlet subcooling and rolling angle over all conditions tested. Unlike existing transient CHF experiments, CHF ratio of certain mass flux and pressure are different in rolling motion. For the mass fluxes below 500 kg m{sup -2}s{sup -1} at 13, 16 (region of relative low mass flux), CHF ratio was decreased but was increased above that mass flux (region of relative high mass flux). Moreover, CHF tend to enhance in entire mass flux at 24 bar. (authors)

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Vibro-impact analysis and characterization of pipeline conveying fluids with multi-segmented motion-limiting constraints

Previous studies of the cantilevered pipeline conveying fluid system have included motion-limiting constraints in the form of trilinear springs. While this is desirable in experimental scenarios, it may not be representative of real-world applications. Therefore, here, this study focuses on multi-segmented motion-limiting constraints. As this type of motion-limiting constraint has not been investigated with a cantilevered pipeline system, a wide variety of outer and inner constraint stiffness and constraint gap sizes are investigated in this study to gain a comprehensive understanding of how the multi-segmented constraints affect the dynamics of the cantilevered pipeline. In this effort, bifurcation diagrams, phase portraits, Poincare maps, time histories, and power spectra are used to investigate the dynamics of the system, and the fluid flow speeds where dynamic characteristics are considered. In general, it is found that critical flow speeds like when the pipe sticks in the constraints are reduced as the constraint stiffnesses are increased. Additionally, the sticking flow speed occurred at lower flow speeds as the gap sizes of the inner and outer constraints decrease, and a larger constraint offset results in a smaller inner gap size leading to critical behaviors occurring at earlier flow speeds.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2011

PROPER MOTION OF THE SUB-PARSEC-SCALE JET IN THE RADIO GALAXY 3C 66B

We present the proper motion of the sub-parsec-scale jet in a nearby elliptical galaxy 3C 66B. Observations were made at 2.3 GHz and 8.4 GHz at 10 epochs over four years, using the Very Long Baseline Array for all epochs and the Effelsberg 100 m telescope for the last epoch. The 8.4 GHz images showed that the proper motion increases from 0.21 to 0.70 mas yr{sup -1}, corresponding to an apparent speed of 0.30-0.96c, with a distance from the core on a sub-parsec scale. Our investigation suggests that the apparent increase in the proper motion can be explained by changes in the viewing angle, according to a relativistic beaming model. However, we still cannot eliminate the possibility that acceleration of the jet outflow speed or changes in the emissivity profile in the two-zone jet might be found in 3C 66B.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2011

THE SOLAR NEIGHBORHOOD. XXVII. DISCOVERY OF NEW PROPER MOTION STARS WITH {mu} {>=} 0.''18 yr{sup -1} IN THE SOUTHERN SKY WITH 16.5 < R{sub 59F} {<=} 18.0

Here we present 1584 new southern proper motion systems with {mu} {>=} 0.''18 yr{sup -1} and 16.5 > R{sub 59F} {>=} 18.0. This search complements the six previous SuperCOSMOS-RECONS (SCR) proper motion searches of the southern sky for stars within the same proper motion range, but with R{sub 59F} {<=} 16.5. As in previous papers, we present distance estimates for these systems and find that three systems are estimated to be within 25 pc, including one, SCR 1546-5534, possibly within the RECONS 10 pc horizon at 6.7 pc, making it the second nearest discovery of the searches. We find 97 white dwarf candidates with distance estimates between 10 and 120 pc, as well as 557 cool subdwarf candidates. The subdwarfs found in this paper make up nearly half of the subdwarf systems reported from our SCR searches and are significantly redder than those discovered thus far. The SCR searches have now found 155 red dwarfs estimated to be within 25 pc, including 10 within 10 pc. In addition, 143 white dwarf candidates and 1155 cool subdwarf candidates have been discovered. The 1584 systems reported here augment the sample of 4724 systems previously discovered in our SCR searches and imply that additional systems fainter than R{sub 59F} = 18.0 are yet to be discovered.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2011

FIRST GROUND-BASED CHARGE-COUPLED DEVICE PROPER MOTIONS FOR FORNAX. II. FINAL RESULTS

We present the first entirely ground-based astrometric determination of the proper motion for the Fornax Local Group dwarf spheroidal satellite galaxy of the Milky Way (MW), using charge-coupled device data acquired with the ESO 3.5 m New Technology Telescope at La Silla Observatory in Chile. Our unweighted mean from five quasar fields in the background of Fornax, used as fiducial reference points, leads to {mu}{sub {alpha}c}os {delta} = 0.62 {+-} 0.16 mas yr{sup -1} and {mu}{sub {delta}} = -0.53 {+-} 0.15 mas yr{sup -1}. A detailed comparison with all previous measurements of this quantity seems to imply that there is still no convincing convergence to a single value, perhaps indicating the existence of unaccounted systematic effects in (some of) these measurements. From all available proper-motion and radial velocity measurements for Fornax, we compute Fornax's orbital parameters and their uncertainty using a realistic Galactic potential and a Monte Carlo simulation. Properties of the derived orbits are then compared to main star formation episodes in the history of Fornax. All published proper-motion values imply that Fornax has recently (200-300 Myr ago) approached perigalacticon at a distance of {approx}150 kpc. However, the derived period exhibits a large scatter, as does the apogalacticon. Our orbit, being the most energetic, implies a very large apogalactic distance of {approx}950 kpc. If this were the case, then Fornax would be a representative of a hypervelocity MW satellite in late infall.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗