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At least 1,207 records · Page 67

Angular correlations of causally-coherent primordial quantum perturbations

In this work, we consider the hypothesis that nonlocal, omnidirectional, causally-coherent quantum entanglement of inflationary horizons may account for some well-known measured anomalies of cosmic microwave background (CMB) anisotropy on large angular scales. It is shown that causal coherence can lead to less cosmic variance in the large-angle power spectrum C ℓ of primordial curvature perturbations on spherical horizons than predicted by the standard model of locality in effective field theory, and to new symmetries of the angular correlation function C (Θ). Causal considerations are used to construct an approximate analytic model for C (Θ) on angular scales larger than a few degrees. Allowing for uncertainties from the unmeasured intrinsic dipole and from Galactic foreground subtraction, causally-coherent constraints are shown to be consistent with measured CMB correlations on large angular scales. Reduced cosmic variance will enable powerful tests of the hypothesis with better foreground subtraction and higher fidelity measurements on large angular scales.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Energy distributions and radiation transport in uranium plasmas

An approximate analytic model, based on continuous electron slowing, has been used for survey calculations. Where more accuracy is required, a Monte Carlo technique is used which combines an analytic representation of Coulombic collisions with a random walk treatment of inelastic collisions. The calculated electron distributions have been incorporated into another code that evaluates both the excited atomic state densities within the plasma and the radiative flux emitted from the plasma.

Miley, G. H.↗

Dynamic analysis and experiment methods for a generic space station model

Modal vibration tests in conjunction with finite element analysis were used to characterize a generic dynamic model. The model consists of five substructures to simulate the multi-body, low frequency nature of large space structures. Static tests were used to refine the substructure analytical models prior to full assemblage analysis. The effects of a cable suspension system are analyzed using prestressed vibration analysis. Coupling between a cable suspension mode and model bending mode is shown to be influenced by the distance from the model center of gravity to the cable-to-model attachment location. A damping characterization method using noncontacting exciters was used to measure amplitude dependent damping. Frequency and damping measurements in ambient air and at near-vacuum conditions are presented.

Belvin, W. K.↗

Parameter identification methods for improving structural dynamic models

There is an increasing need to develop Parameter Identification methods for improving structural dynamic models, based on the inability of engineers to produce mathematical models which correlate with experimental data. This research explores the efficiency of combining Component Mode Synthesis (substructuring) methods with Parameter Identification procedures in order to improve analytical modeling of structural components and their connections. Improvements are computed in terms of physical stiffness and damping parameters in order that the physical characteristics of the model can be better understood. Connections involving both viscous and friction damping are investigated. Substructuring methods are utilized to reduce the complexity of the identification problem. Component and inter-component structural connection properties are evaluated and identified independently, thus simplifying the identification problem. It is shown that modal test data is effective for identifying modeling problems associated with structural components, and for determining the stiffness and damping properties of intercomponent connections. In general, Parameter Identification is improved when greater quantities of experimental data are available.

Lawrence, Charles↗

Liquid Engine Jet Atomization Workshop report

The workshop was oriented to disclose information and unsettled problems to understand the fundamental physical mechanism of the droplet formation process. Based on presentation and discussion of results, recommendations were made which should lead to associated future activities. To accomplish this task, existing observations and experiments, contributing to the basic knowledge, providing data for analytical concept verification, and forming a basis for empirical correlations were solicited. Advanced analytical modeling methods or results from specific studies were requested as well as the experience and advice from injector designers. All effort is directed to advance current analytical techniques, simulating the flow behavior downstream of the injection elements in a liquid rocket combustion chamber. Such a tool can be used to optimize injector designs with respect to short length weight savings, wall material protection, or large heat energy transport to a regenerative cooling fluid, while simultaneously achieving the maximum specific impulse in performance. The liquid atomization process also forms a sound basis for combustion instability analysis.

Gross, Klaus W.↗

Non-linear dynamic analysis of geared systems

Under driving conditions, a typical geared system may be subjected to large dynamic loads. Also, the vibration level of the geared system is directly related to the noise radiated from the gear box. The steady state dynamic behavior of the system is examined in order to design reliable and quiet transmissions. The scope is limited to a system containing a spur gear pair with backlash and periodically time varying mesh stiffness, and rolling element bearings with clearance type nonlinearities. The internal static transmission error at the gear mesh, which is of importance from high frequency noise and vibration control view point, is considered in the formulation in sinusoidal or periodic form. A dynamic finite element model of the linear time invariant (LTI) system is developed. Effects of several system parameters, such as torsional and transverse flexibilities of the shafts and prime mover/load inertias, on free and forced vibration characteristics are investigated. Several reduced order LTI models are developed and validated by comparing their eigen solutions with the finite element model results. Using the reduced order formulations, a three degree of freedom dynamic model is developed which includes nonlinearities associated with radical clearances in the radial rolling element bearings, backlash between a spur gear pair and periodically varying gear mesh stiffness. As a limiting case, a single degree of freedom model of the spur gear pair with backlash is considered and mathematical conditions for tooth separation and back collision are defined. Both digital simulation technique and analytical models such as method of harmonic balance and the method of multiple scales were used to develop the steady state frequency response characteristics for various nonlinear and/or time varying cases.

Singh, Rajendra↗

Imaging the effect of dipole tilt on magetotail boundaries

Eight years of Interplanetary Monitoring Platform (IMP) 8, four years of International Sun Earth Explorer (ISEE) 2, and one year of IMP 7 magnetometer data have been combined to produce an 'image' of the average magnetic field for a YZ cross section (aberrated GSM) of the magnetotail at a downtail distance of 25 R(sub E). The shape of the neutral sheet and magnetopause boundaries can be observed directly from the images. A fitting function that qualitatively matches the observed boundary shape can then be chosen. This approach improves on previous fits to possible unsuitable functional forms specified independently of the data. In addition, as a refinement of previous studies, we have corrected for varying solar wind dynamic pressure and the effects of tail flaring. We find the magnetopause is displaced above the XY plane with increasing dipole tilt. The neutral sheet is found to curve slightly more than the model of Fairlfield (1980) during times of large dipole tilt and near the flanks appears to differ substantially from the neutral sheet shape given by the analytic model of Voigt (1984), the more recent neutral sheet model of Dandouras (1988) based on the Voigt model, and the semi-empirical model of Tsyganenko (1989).

Hammond, C. Max↗

X-33 Metallic TPS Tests in NASA-LaRC High Temperature Tunnel

Conclusions The first series of metallic TPS tests in the NASA-LaRC Mach 7 High Temperature Tunnel has been completed. Additional testing is 'in progress and shall provide data for off-design configurations for the metallic TPS. The available data are being analyzed and being used to correlate analytical models to be used for X-33 flight design analysis. The final paper shan present additional data from these tests and comparisons between the data and analytical predictions.

Bouslog, Stanley A.↗

Aeroservoelastic Uncertainty Model Identification from Flight Data

Uncertainty modeling is a critical element in the estimation of robust stability margins for stability boundary prediction and robust flight control system development. There has been a serious deficiency to date in aeroservoelastic data analysis with attention to uncertainty modeling. Uncertainty can be estimated from flight data using both parametric and nonparametric identification techniques. The model validation problem addressed in this paper is to identify aeroservoelastic models with associated uncertainty structures from a limited amount of controlled excitation inputs over an extensive flight envelope. The challenge to this problem is to update analytical models from flight data estimates while also deriving non-conservative uncertainty descriptions consistent with the flight data. Multisine control surface command inputs and control system feedbacks are used as signals in a wavelet-based modal parameter estimation procedure for model updates. Transfer function estimates are incorporated in a robust minimax estimation scheme to get input-output parameters and error bounds consistent with the data and model structure. Uncertainty estimates derived from the data in this manner provide an appropriate and relevant representation for model development and robust stability analysis. This model-plus-uncertainty identification procedure is applied to aeroservoelastic flight data from the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center F-18 Systems Research Aircraft.

Brenner, Martin J.↗

Study of the Helicon Source Operation in the Variable Specific Impulse Magnetoplasma Rocket (VASIMR) Experiment

During this research period the following models of the VASIMR helicon discharge have been further developed and applied to analyze the on-going VX- 10 ASPL experiment: A) 1D semi-analytical model for a mixed-collisional propellant flow B) OD power and balance model for the whole helicon discharge In this particular research period we have concentrated on the MW-level performance of the VASIMR helicon source. Favorable high-power scaling and reduced ionization costs were obtained, and presented at the VASIMR NASA review in the Fall '02. This Grant is continuation of the previous NAG9-1224 award. The research results are summarized in 14 publications; they were presented as 20+ talks at the major International Conferences and scientific seminars at the leading Academic and Research Institutions. The reported results allowed helicon discharge characterization, understanding of the several experimental observations, and helped to make predictions and propose structural modifications for the advanced VASIMR helicon source operation.

Molvig, Kim↗

Comparison of analytical and physical modeling of planetesimal accumulation

Three cases for which the analytic solutions to the planetary embryo coagulation equation are known, namely those of constant coagulation rate, of rate proportional to the sum of the masses of the two colliding bodies, and of rate proportional to the product of their masses, are presently used to test the mathematical validity of the Wetherill and Stewart (1989) physical model for the evolution of planetary embryos' mass distribution. In all cases, excellent agreement is found between numerical physical modeling results and those of the analytic solutions. The treatment of the runaway case can proceed via extension of the efforts of Trubnikov (1971).

Wetherill, George W.↗

Discrete-Layer Piezoelectric Plate and Shell Models for Active Tip-Clearance Control

The objectives of this work were to develop computational tools for the analysis of active-sensory composite structures with added or embedded piezoelectric layers. The targeted application for this class of smart composite laminates and the analytical development is the accomplishment of active tip-clearance control in turbomachinery components. Two distinct theories and analytical models were developed and explored under this contract: (1) a discrete-layer plate theory and corresponding computational models, and (2) a three dimensional general discrete-layer element generated in curvilinear coordinates for modeling laminated composite piezoelectric shells. Both models were developed from the complete electromechanical constitutive relations of piezoelectric materials, and incorporate both displacements and potentials as state variables. This report describes the development and results of these models. The discrete-layer theories imply that the displacement field and electrostatic potential through-the-thickness of the laminate are described over an individual layer rather than as a smeared function over the thickness of the entire plate or shell thickness. This is especially crucial for composites with embedded piezoelectric layers, as the actuating and sensing elements within these layers are poorly represented by effective or smeared properties. Linear Lagrange interpolation polynomials were used to describe the through-thickness laminate behavior. Both analytic and finite element approximations were used in the plane or surface of the structure. In this context, theoretical developments are presented for the discrete-layer plate theory, the discrete-layer shell theory, and the formulation of an exact solution for simply-supported piezoelectric plates. Finally, evaluations and results from a number of separate examples are presented for the static and dynamic analysis of the plate geometry. Comparisons between the different approaches are provided when possible, and initial conclusions regarding the accuracy and limitations of these models are given.

Heyliger, P. R.↗

Continuum shock mixture models for Ni+Al multilayers: Individual layers and bulk equations of state

Continuum shock mixture models are reviewed and applied to determine the equations of state for five different compositions of Ni x Al y ⁠, as well as bulk Ni+Al reactive multilayers, by combining the fundamental property data for elemental nickel and aluminum. From the literature, we down-select and evaluate two analytical models for the mixture Hugoniot, i.e., the well-known method of kinetic energy averaging (KEA) and a recent model proposed by Jordan and Baer [J. Appl. Phys. 111, 083516 (2012)]. Fundamentally, the former method assumes pressure equilibrium, whereas the latter assumes a common particle velocity and mixture sound speed from compressible two-phase cavitating flows. Additionally, we construct thermodynamically complete equations of state by fitting Einstein oscillator series models for the specific heat at constant volume. Finally, the solid solution approximation is invoked for intermetallic compositions, which are not strictly physical mixtures. Overall, the KEA model provides a better fit to the available Ni x Al y and Ni+Al multilayer shock compression data; however, there are combinations of material properties where the performance of these two models is thought to be reversed. Moreover, the results of this work include the first analytical solution of Jordan–Baer that does not require numerical root finding, as well as proposed modifications to the Einstein oscillator series to incorporate some effects of local pressure–temperature equilibrium and reaction–diffusion. Future work is planned that will use these equations of state in mesoscale simulations to study shock-induced reaction in Ni+Al multilayers, and the intended application is illustrated with a brief 2D hydrocode example.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Experimental validation of an organic rankine-vapor compression cooling cycle using low GWP refrigerant R1234ze(E)

There is a significant global opportunity to capture and utilize low grade waste heat to reduce fossil fuel consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and improve energy efficiency across a wide range of industries. In this work, an advanced type of thermally activated cooling system, an organic Rankine-vapor compression cycle (ORVC) with novel heat integration strategies, was designed and tested at a relevant scale for industrial waste heat recovery (300 kW th cooling capacity). The ORVC linked an organic Rankine power cycle and a vapor compression cooling cycle using a turbine and compressor that shared a single shaft. The ORVC test facility absorbed waste heat from a liquid stream at 91 °C to simulate engine coolant in diesel generator sets, rejected heat to a glycol stream at 30 °C, and generated chilled water at 7 °C. A cooling capacity of 264 kW ± 3.5 kW was experimentally validated with a COP of 0.56 ± 0.01 during steady-state operation at the design temperatures. The thermal efficiency, accounting for pump work, of the Rankine cycle was 7.7% ± 0.22% and the COP of the vapor compression cycle was 5.25 ± 0.09. The centrifugal turbo-compressor operated at 31.5 kRPM ± 0.3 kRPM, with a turbine and compressor isentropic efficiencies of 76.7% ± 0.90% and 84.8% ± 0.54%, respectively, with near-perfect power transmission between these components. The pressure drop in the piping and heat exchangers were significantly larger than expected which had a detrimental impact on the performance of the ORVC. In addition, the condenser on the cooling cycle could not deliver the subcooling as specified from the design point modeling. Furthermore, the results from the sensitivity analysis showed that the higher condenser glycol outlet temperature had the largest impact on performance, which is consistent with other analytical models in the literature. When the ORVC simulations were updated with experimental values for isentropic efficiencies of the turbomachinery, the thermal COP was 0.66 which represents an estimate of the predicted performance if test facility limitations are overcome.

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION↗

Analysis of conical slump shape reconstructed from stereovision images for yield stress prediction

Highlights: • Conical slump model tends to underpredict yield stress of material by slump height. • Profiles of slumped materials were reconstructed from stereovision images. • Actual profiles were compared to those predicted by cone and cylinder model. • The cause of deviation lies in the cylinder-like behaviour of conical slumping. • The model of equivalent cylinder could give an accurate yield stress value. Slump cones are widely utilised to evaluate the workability of cement materials owing to their simplicity. Analytical models have been established to relate this empirical value to the yield stress. However, they tend to be less effective for the cone and more valid for cylinder slumps. The cause of this deviation is yet to be fully understood. In this work, more details were sought from slump profiles using stereovision technology. A direct comparison of the predicted shapes based on conical model as well as cylindrical model to actual shapes was undertaken. The visual illustration clearly indicated that conical slumping shows a cylinder-like behaviour, and the slumped shapes in cone tests agree well with those predicted by an equivalent cylinder. By converting to cylindrical dimensionless units, the conical slump height can provide an accurate yield stress. The results suggest that the theory is valid if the slumping behaviour is effectively assumed.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

MCTrans++: a 0-D model for centrifugal mirrors

The centrifugal mirror confinement scheme incorporates supersonic rotation of a plasma into a magnetic mirror device. This concept has been shown experimentally to drastically decrease parallel losses and increase plasma stability as compared with prior axisymmetric mirrors. MCTrans++ is a dimensionless (0-D) scoping tool which rapidly models experimental operating points in the Centrifugal Mirror Fusion Experiment (CMFX) at the University of Maryland. In the low-collisionality regime, parallel losses can be modelled analytically. A confining potential is set up that is partially ambipolar and partially centrifugal. Due to the stabilizing effects of flow shear, the perpendicular losses can be modelled as classical. Radiation losses such as bremsstrahlung and cyclotron emission are taken into account. A neutrals model is included, and, in some circumstances, charge-exchange losses are found to exceed all other loss mechanisms. We use the SUNDIALS ARKODE library to solve the underlying equations of this model; the resulting software is suitable for scanning large parameter spaces, and can also be used to model time-dependent phenomena such as a capacitive discharge. MCTrans++ has been used to verify results from prior centrifugal mirrors, create an experimental plan for CMFX and find configurations for future reactor-scale fusion devices.

Schwartz, Nick R. (ORCID:0000000296846435)↗

Integral X-ray diffuse scattering for studying irradiation-induced dislocation loops in single crystals

Numerical diffuse scattering cross-section calculations are used to establish a rigorous basis for determining the concentration and size distribution of dis­location loops in irradiated single crystals from integral X-ray diffuse scattering (XRDS) measurements. Differential XRDS intensities for prismatic {111} type dislocation loops are numerically calculated as a function of loop radius R and wavevectors q relative to Bragg reflections in tungsten. The results show the well known 1/q 2 Huang scattering form at small q that transitions to a ∼1/q 4 dependence associated with the Stokes–Wilson approximation for q ≳ 1/R. More importantly, they show further that the 1/q 4 falloff is not the asymptotic large-q form of the diffuse scattering for small loops (R < 200 Å) as has often been assumed. Rather, for loop sizes as small as R ≃ 5 Å with strong curvature, the calculations show definitively that the scattering transitions to a robust 1/q 5 falloff at larger q that arises due to the local strains near the dislocation core defining the circumference of the dislocation loops. The presence of this 1/q 5 asymptotic form for both small and large loops is experimentally confirmed using an integral XRDS measurement around the 110 reflection on self-ion-irradiated tungsten combined with numerically calculated integral XRDS cross-sections. Accordingly, the historical two-region theoretical treatment of the cross-sections for integral XRDS is extended to a three-region model that has direct sensitivity to the (first-moment) dislocation line lengths of dislocation loops. In conclusion, these developments enable the use of both numerical and analytically modeled cross-sections to make accurate integral XRDS determinations of dislocation loop sizes and concentrations using modest-intensity laboratory X-ray sources.

42 ENGINEERING↗

The Effect of Compressibility and Outer Boundaries on Incipient Viscous Fingering

The knowledge of the effects of instability and heterogeneity on displacements, primarily enhanced oil recovery, and carbon dioxide storage are well known, although they remain difficult to predict. Here, the usual recourse to modeling these effects is through numerical simulation. Simulation remains the gold standard for prediction; however, its results lack generality, being case-specific. There are also several analytic models for displacements that are usually more informative than simulation results. However, these methods apply to steady-state, incompressible flow.

02 PETROLEUM↗