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At least 1,243 records · Page 69
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1929

Pressure Distribution Tests on PW-9 Wing Models from -18 Degree Through 90 Degree Angle of Attack

At the request of the Army Air Corps, an investigation of the pressure distribution over PW-9 wing models was conducted in the atmospheric wind tunnel of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics. The primary purpose of these tests was to obtain wind-tunnel data on the load distribution on the cellule to be correlated with similar information obtained in flight tests, both to be used for design purposes. Because of the importance of the conditions beyond the stall as affecting the control and stability, this investigation was extended through 90 degree angle of attack. The results for the range of normal flight have been given in NACA Technical Report No. 271. The present paper presents the same results in a different form and includes, in addition, those over the greater range of angle of attack, -18 degrees through 90 degrees. The results show that: (1) at angles of attack above maximum lift, the biplane upper wing pressures are decreased by the shielding action of the lower wing. (2) the burble of the biplane lower wing, with respect to the angle of attack, is delayed, due to the shielding action of the lower wing. (3) the center of pressure of the biplane upper wing (semispan) is, in general, displaced forward and outward with reference to that of the wing as a monoplane, while for the lower wing there is but slight difference for both conditions. (4) the overhanging portion of the upper wing is little affected by the presence of the lower wing.

Loeser, Oscar E , Jr↗
NASA NTRS1989

Calibrating a VPL DataGlove for teleoperating the Utah/MIT hand

A system able to control the Utah/MIT hand with the VPL DataGlove has been developed. To get the actual joint angles from the DataGlove sensor values, a least-squares fit is used to find the best-fit exponential curve for each sensor, and then the correlation between the sensors is reduced by the iterative correlation elimination procedure. The calibration depends both on the wearer and the particular DataGlove being used. The first-level calibration is simple and can be done under 15 min with experience. The second level is fixed and requires no adjustments. To control the hand, a mapping from the DataGlove angles to the hand angles is applied, making the hand fingertips follow the DataGlove fingertips. The hand can successfully implement various high-level tasks under the DataGlove wearer's control.

Hong, Jiawei↗
NASA NTRS1995

Hypersonic Aerodynamic Characteristics of a Proposed Single-Stage-To-Orbit Vehicle

The hypersonic aerodynamic characteristics of a winged body concept representing a candidate single- stage-to-orbit vehicle which features wing tip fin controllers and elevon/body flap control surfa'Fs are predicted at points along a nominal trajectory for Mach numbers from 5 to 27 and angles of attack from 19 to 32 degrees. Predictions are derived from surface properties based on flow solvers for inviscid and viscous, laminar flows acting as a perfect gas, as a gas in chemical equilibrium and as a gas in chemical non- equilibrium. At a Mach number of 22, the lateral aerodynamic characteristics of the vehicle are determined based on an inviscid analysis at side slip angles of 2 and 4 degrees and 32 degrees angle of attack; a viscous analysis was carried out to determine the effect of gas chemistry model on surface pressure and to determine the incremental aerodynamics for control surface deflections. The results show that the longitudinal pitch characteristics of the baseline configuration, i.e., zero control surface deflections, are significantly altered by real gas chemistry at angles of attack greater than 30 degrees and Mach numbers greater than 9; and, that aerodynamics derived from inviscid solutions are of sufficient accuracy for preliminary analysis. Also, it is shown that a Mach number of 22, the choice of gas chemistry model has a large impact on surface pressure levels at highly localized regions on the vehicle and that the vehicle can be trimmed at control surface deflections less than 11 degrees.

Weilmuenster, K. James↗
NASA NTRS2006

Effect of EMIC Wave Normal Angle Distribution on Relativistic Electron Scattering

The flux level of outer-zone relativistic electrons (above 1 MeV) is extremely variable during geomagnetic storms, and controlled by a competition between acceleration and loss. Precipitation of these electrons due to resonant pitch-angle scattering by electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves is considered one of the major loss mechanisms. This mechanism was suggested in early theoretical studies more than three decades ago. However, direct experimental evidence of the wave role in relativistic electrons precipitation is difficult to obtain because of lack of concurrent measurements of precipitating electrons at low altitudes and the waves in a magnetically conjugate equatorial region. Recently, the data from balloon-borne X-ray instruments provided indirect but strong evidence on an efficiency of the EMIC wave induced loss for the outer-zone relativistic electrons. These observations stimulated theoretical studies that, particularly, demonstrated that EMIC wave induced pitch-angle diffusion of MeV electrons can operate in the strong diffusion limit and this mechanism can compete with relativistic electron depletion caused by the Dst effect during the initial and main phases of storm. Although an effectiveness of relativistic electron scattering by EMIC waves depends strongly on the wave spectral properties, the most favorable assumptions regarding wave characteristics has been made in all previous theoretical studies. Particularly, only quasi field-aligned EMIC waves have been considered as a driver for relativistic electron loss. At the same time, there is growing experimental and theoretical evidence that these waves can be highly oblique; EMIC wave energy can occupy not only the region of generation, i.e. the region of small wave normal angles, but also the entire wave normal angle region, and even only the region near 90 degrees. The latter can dramatically change he effectiveness of relativistic electron scattering by EMIC waves. In the present study, we calculate the pitch-angle diffusion coefficients using the typical wave normal distributions obtained from our self-consistent ring current-EMIC wave model, and try to quantify the effect of EMIC wave normal angle characteristics on relativistic electron scattering.

Gamayunov, K. V.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Dynamic control modification techniques in teleoperation of a flexible manipulator

The objective of this research is to reduce the end-point vibration of a large, teleoperated manipulator while preserving the usefulness of the system motion. A master arm is designed to measure desired joint angles as the user specifies a desired tip motion. The desired joint angles from the master arm are the inputs to an adaptive PD control algorithm that positions the end-point of the manipulator. As the user moves the tip of the master, the robot will vibrate at its natural frequencies which makes it difficult to position the end-point. To eliminate the tip vibration during teleoperated motions, an input shaping method is presented. The input shaping method transforms each sample of the desired input into a new set of impulses that do not excite the system resonances. The method is explained using the equation of motion for a simple, second-order system. The impulse response of such a system is derived and the constraint equations for vibrationless motion are presented. To evaluate the robustness of the method, a different residual vibration equation from Singer's is derived that more accurately represents the input shaping technique. The input shaping method is shown to actually increase the residual vibration in certain situations when the system parameters are not accurately specified. Finally, the implementation of the input shaping method to a system with varying parameters is shown to induce a vibration into the system. To eliminate this vibration, a modified command shaping technique is developed. The ability of the modified command shaping method to reduce vibration at the system resonances is tested by varying input perturbations to trajectories in a range of possible user inputs. By comparing the frequency responses of the transverse acceleration at the end-point of the manipulator, the modified method is compared to the original PD routine. The control scheme that produces the smaller magnitude of resonant vibration at the first natural frequency is considered the more effective control method.

Magee, David Patrick↗
NASA NTRS1999

Reconfigurable Flight Control Designs With Application to the X-33 Vehicle

Two methods for control system reconfiguration have been investigated. The first method is a robust servomechanism control approach (optimal tracking problem) that is a generalization of the classical proportional-plus-integral control to multiple input-multiple output systems. The second method is a control-allocation approach based on a quadratic programming formulation. A globally convergent fixed-point iteration algorithm has been developed to make onboard implementation of this method feasible. These methods have been applied to reconfigurable entry flight control design for the X-33 vehicle. Examples presented demonstrate simultaneous tracking of angle-of-attack and roll angle commands during failures of the right body flap actuator. Although simulations demonstrate success of the first method in most cases, the control-allocation method appears to provide uniformly better performance in all cases.

Burken, John J.↗
NASA NTRS2001

Two Reconfigurable Flight-Control Design Methods: Robust Servomechanism and Control Allocation

Two methods for control system reconfiguration have been investigated. The first method is a robust servomechanism control approach (optimal tracking problem) that is a generalization of the classical proportional-plus-integral control to multiple input-multiple output systems. The second method is a control-allocation approach based on a quadratic programming formulation. A globally convergent fixed-point iteration algorithm has been developed to make onboard implementation of this method feasible. These methods have been applied to reconfigurable entry flight control design for the X-33 vehicle. Examples presented demonstrate simultaneous tracking of angle-of-attack and roll angle commands during failures of the fight body flap actuator. Although simulations demonstrate success of the first method in most cases, the control-allocation method appears to provide uniformly better performance in all cases.

Burken, John J.↗
NASA NTRS1954

A wind-tunnel investigation at high subsonic speeds of the lateral control characteristics of various plain spoiler configurations on a 3-percent-thick 60 degree delta wing

Results are presented of wind-tunnel investigations at Mach numbers of 0.60 to 0.94 and angles of attack of -2 degrees to about 24 degrees to determine the lateral control characteristics of spoilers with various wing chord-wise and spanwise locations and spoiler spans and deflections on thin 60 degree delta wing of NACA 65a003 airfoil section parallel to free stream.

Wiley, Harleth G↗
NASA NTRS2011

Large-Scale Low-Boom Inlet Test Overview

This presentation provides a high level overview of the Large-Scale Low-Boom Inlet Test and was presented at the Fundamental Aeronautics 2011 Technical Conference. In October 2010 a low-boom supersonic inlet concept with flow control was tested in the 8'x6' supersonic wind tunnel at NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC). The primary objectives of the test were to evaluate the inlet stability and operability of a large-scale low-boom supersonic inlet concept by acquiring performance and flowfield validation data, as well as evaluate simple, passive, bleedless inlet boundary layer control options. During this effort two models were tested: a dual stream inlet intended to model potential flight hardware and a single stream design to study a zero-degree external cowl angle and to permit surface flow visualization of the vortex generator flow control on the internal centerbody surface. The tests were conducted by a team of researchers from NASA GRC, Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and the University of Virginia

Hirt, Stefanie↗
NASA NTRS1991

Control of a small working robot on a large flexible manipulator for suppressing vibrations

The short term objective of this research is the completion of experimental configuration of the Small Articulated Robot (SAM) and the derivations of the actuator dynamics of the Robotic Arm, Large and Flexible (RALF). In order to control vibrations SAM should have larger bandwidth than that of the vibrations. The bandwidth of SAM consist of 3 parts; structural rigidity, processing speed of controller, and motor speed. The structural rigidity was increased to a reasonably high value by attaching aluminum angles at weak points and replacing thin side plates by thicker ones. The high processing speed of the controller was achieved by using parallel processors (three 68000 process, three interface board, and one main processor (IBM-XT)). Maximum joint speed and acceleration of SAM is known as about 4 rad/s and 15 rad/sq s. Hence SAM can move only .04 rad at 3 Hz which is the natural frequency of RALF. This will be checked by experiment.

Lee, Soo Han↗
NASA NTRS2014

Performance of an Achromatic Focal Plane Mask for Exoplanet Imaging Coronagraphy

Coronagraph technology combined with wavefront control is close to achieving the contrast and inner working angle requirements in the lab necessary to observe the faint signal of an Earth-like exoplanet in monochromatic light. An important remaining technological challenge is to achieve high contrast in broadband light. Coronagraph bandwidth is largely limited by chromaticity of the focal plane mask, which is responsible for blocking the stellar PSF. The size of a stellar PSF scales linearly with wavelength; ideally, the size of the focal plane mask would also scale with wavelength. A conventional hard-edge focal plane mask has a fixed size, normally sized for the longest wavelength in the observational band to avoid starlight leakage. The conventional mask is oversized for shorter wavelengths and blocks useful discovery space. Recently we presented a solution to the size chromaticity challenge with a focal plane mask designed to scale its effective size with wavelength. In this paper, we analyze performance of the achromatic size-scaling focal plane mask within a Phase Induced Amplitude Apodization (PIAA) coronagraph. We present results from wavefront control around the achromatic focal plane mask, and demonstrate the size-scaling effect of the mask with wavelength. The edge of the dark zone, and therefore the inner working angle of the coronagraph, scale with wavelength. The achromatic mask enables operation in a wider band of wavelengths compared with a conventional hard-edge occulter.

Focal Plane Mask↗
NASA NTRS1956

Some Effects of Roll Rate on the Longitudinal Stability Characteristics of a Cruciform Missile Configuration as Determined from Flight Test for a Mach Number Range of 1.1 to 1.8

A model of a cruciform missile configuration having a low-aspectratio wing equipped with flap-type controls was flight tested in order to determine stability and control characteristics while rolling at about 5 radians per second. Comparison is made with results from a similar model which rolled at a much lower rate. Results showed that, if the ratio of roll rate to natural circular frequency in pitch is not greater than about 0.3, the motion following a step disturbance in pitch essentially remains in a plane in space. The slope of normal-force coefficient against angle of attack C(sub N(sub A)) was the same as for the slowly rolling model at O deg control deflection but C(sub N(sub A)) was much higher for the faster rolling model at about 5 deg control deflection. The slope of pitching-moment coefficient against angle of attack & same for both models at 0 deg control deflection but was lower for the faster rolling model at about 5 deg control deflection. Damping data for the faster rolling model showed considerably more scatter than for the slowly rolling model.

Barber, H. T., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Fuel-optimal angular momentum vector control for spinning and dual-spin spacecraft.

The problem of fuel-optimal small-angle reorientation of the spin axis of a spinning or dual-spin spacecraft is examined. The results obtained show significant improvements over previously published optimization studies by virtue of the introduction of two innovations: (1) mass-explusion active control is utilized for angular momentum vector pointing only, with passive damping relied upon for stable vehicles to attenuate vehicle coning about the angular momentum vector, so that the task of the active controller changes from spin axis control to angular momentum vector control, and (2) several options are considered for type, number, and location of attitude control jets. The first of these considerations introduces a target set which is a smooth, two-dimensional linear manifold in the four-dimensional state space, whereas previous studies have adopted the origin as the target set. The second innovation amounts to consideration of a spectrum of control restraint sets.

Larson, V.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Selected stability and control derivatives from the first Space Shuttle entry

Primary stability and control derivative estimates garnered from the first Shuttle entry are reported. The craft was the first vehicle to maneuver over a wide range of hypersonic velocities, yielding data on flight characteristics from previously unexplored regimes. The flight envelope was confined to entry and safe landing, with no additional maneuvers to gain control data. Data for a Mach number range of 25-1.5 and altitudes of 515,000-50,000 ft are provided, and functional ranges of the Shuttle control surfaces and attitude jets are outlined. On-board systems gathered data on aerodynamic coefficient identification, flight condition and Euler angles, and jet chamber pressures. A maximum likelihood estimation program, which contained unknown stability and control derivatives, was used for control; a control input determined the value of the unknown derivatives, and the input and spacecraft response were measured. Longitudinal and lateral directional maneuvers and their derivative estimates are described, noting wind contamination of the sideslip measurements below Mach 3. Further maneuvering and stability tests are projected for subsequent flights.

Iliff, K. W.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Small-scale rotor test rig capabilities for testing vibration alleviation algorithms

A test was conducted to assess the capabilities of a small scale rotor test rig for implementing higher harmonic control and stability augmentation algorithms. The test rig uses three high speed actuators to excite the swashplate over a range of frequencies. The actuator position signals were monitored to measure the response amplitudes at several frequencies. The ratio of response amplitude to excitation amplitude was plotted as a function of frequency. In addition to actuator performance, acceleration from six accelerometers placed on the test rig was monitored to determine whether a linear relationship exists between the harmonics of N/Rev control input and the least square error (LSE) identification technique was used to identify local and global transfer matrices for two rotor speeds at two batch sizes each. It was determined that the multicyclic control computer system interfaced very well with the rotor system and kept track of the input accelerometer signals and their phase angles. However, the current high speed actuators were found to be incapable of providing sufficient control authority at the higher excitation frequencies.

Jacklin, Stephen A.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Quantification of uncertainties in the performance of smart composite structures

A composite wing with spars, bulkheads, and built-in control devices is evaluated using a method for the probabilistic assessment of smart composite structures. Structural responses (such as change in angle of attack, vertical displacements, and stresses in regular plies with traditional materials and in control plies with mixed traditional and actuation materials) are probabilistically assessed to quantify their respective scatter. Probabilistic sensitivity factors are computed to identify those parameters that have a significant influence on a specific structural response. Results show that the uncertainties in the responses of smart composite structures can be quantified. Responses such as structural deformation, ply stresses, frequencies, and buckling loads in the presence of defects can be reliably controlled to satisfy specified design requirements.

Shiao, Michael C.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Pterodactyl: Guidance and Control of a Symmetric Deployable Entry Vehicle using an Aerodynamic Control System

The NASA-funded Pterodactyl project seeks to advance the state-of-the-art for varying entry vehicle types by developing unconventional guidance and control technologies for Deployable Entry Vehicles (DEVs) that can be applied to different entry vehicle configurations. Prior work by the authors [1–5] involved developing both traditional and novel integrated guidance and control solutions for a Pterodactyl Baseline Vehicle (PBV), a variant of an asymmetric DEV called the Lifting Nano ADEPT (LNA) [6]. In the prior studies, two different guidance schemes were designed and implemented for the PBV: (i) traditional bank angle guidance developed using the Fully Numerical Predictor-Corrector Entry Guidance (FNPEG) and (ii) novel angle of attack and sideslip (α - β) guidance developed using FNPEG with Uncoupled Range Control [4]. Using Linear Quadratic Regulator (LQR) optimal control methods with state-feedback integral control designs, these guidance trajectories were designed to be tracked using (i) a conventional propulsive entry vehicle control hardware architecture - reaction control systems (RCS) and (ii) novel non-propulsive entry vehicle control systems - aerodynamic flap control system (FCS) and moving mass control system (MMCS) [1]. The novel FCS and MMCS architectures were designed to track α - β guidance commands while the RCS was designed to track bank angle commands. It was discovered that the asymmetric DEV, the PBV, experienced a non-zero induced roll moment due to sideslip that the FCS and MMCS architectures had limited capability to trim out. These two architectures were designed to provide independent angle of attack and sideslip commands with limited consideration for roll moment generation to trim. As a result, for the PBV, the FCS and MMCS configurations as designed, were limited in providing the control authority needed to track an α - β guidance trajectory [1]. These results form the motivation for the work presented in this paper - utilizing an aerodynamic control system to track α - β guidance commands for a symmetric DEV with the expectation that a symmetric entry vehicle will have zero or significantly reduced roll moment due to sideslip that the FCS can handle when tracking an α - β guidance trajectory. To demonstrate the feasibility of a novel guidance and control architecture on a DEV, we utilize a symmetric DEV, the PBV-II, for (i) the novel α - β guidance development using FNPEG with Uncoupled Range Control and (ii) LQR control design using eight aerodynamic control surfaces. This paper demonstrates that the novel uncoupled α - β guidance tracking can be achieved using aerodynamic control surfaces on a symmetric deployable entry vehicle configuration.

Wendy A Okolo↗
NASA NTRS1981

Hover tests of a model H-force rotor

The potential of using tip vanes at the ends of helicopter rotor blades to obtain a controllable H-force is considered. The addition of vanes placed perpendicular to the blade tips can be used to obtain an inplane force. By varying the angle of the vanes, a radial force can be created which can be controllable in azimuth position. Such a force could be used to provide translational motion of the rotor and aircraft without the requirement for rotor tilting. In addition, an H-force generated at high flight speed could be used as a propulsive force in a matter similar to a propeller. The force generated by the vanes could also affect the aircraft's stability characteristics. The H-force could also modify rotor performance in hovering since they could be thought to act as a virtual shroud. Tests were run with a model rotor which has a 6 foot diameter with a 3 inch chord blade. Test data are presented on the effects of various tip-vane configurations on the hovering figure of merit. The extreme sensitivity of the performance to vane arrangement is shown.

Velkoff, H. R.↗