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At least 1,243 records · Page 69

A vortex-filament and core model for wings with edge vortex separation

A method for predicting aerodynamic characteristics of slender wings with edge vortex separation was developed. Semiempirical but simple methods were used to determine the initial positions of the free sheet and vortex core. Comparison with available data indicates that: the present method is generally accurate in predicting the lift and induced drag coefficients but the predicted pitching moment is too positive; the spanwise lifting pressure distributions estimated by the one vortex core solution of the present method are significantly better than the results of Mehrotra's method relative to the pressure peak values for the flat delta; the two vortex core system applied to the double delta and strake wing produce overall aerodynamic characteristics which have good agreement with data except for the pitching moment; and the computer time for the present method is about two thirds of that of Mehrotra's method.

Pao, J. L.↗

Theoretical investigations, and correlative studies for NLF, HLFC, and LFC swept wings at subsonic, transonic and supersonic speeds

Attention is given to the results of theory/experiment-correlation studies for natural laminar flow, LFC, and hybrid-LFC airfoils at subsonic and supersonic Mach numbers. The method of characteristics, integral compressible boundary layer methods for infinitely swept wings, and a method for prediction of separating turbulent boundary layer characteristics. The integral boundary layer methods are found to be successful at predicting both transonic and supersonic transition phenomena. Computations for wings with 0-50 deg sweep angle, Reynolds number range of 1-30 million, and with and without LFC, are in good agreement with experimental data.

Goradia, S. H.↗

New method for critical failure prediction of complex systems

Rigorous analytical technique, called criticality determination methodology /or CD technique/ determines the probability that a given complex system will successfully achieve stated objectives. The CD technique identifies critical elements of the system by a failure mode and effects analysis.

Cox, C. T.↗

Developing structures technology for the day after tomorrow.

To prepare for new demands on aircraft structures, NASA has established a number of goals. These include automatic analysis and design, building confidence in advanced composites, improving the technology base for future supersonic and hypersonic vehicles, validating concepts for active controls, developing methods for predicting aircraft loads and aeroelasticity, and generating design methods for assuring structural integrity. Progress made in achieving these goals is discussed in detail.

Brooks, G. W.↗

Space shuttle orbit maneuvering engine reusable thrust chamber program

Reusable thrust chamber and injector concepts were evaluated for the space shuttle orbit maneuvering engine (OME). Parametric engine calculations were carried out by computer program for N2O4/amine, LOX/amine and LOX/hydrocarbon propellant combinations for engines incorporating regenerative cooled and insulated columbium thrust chambers. The calculation methods are described including the fuel vortex film cooling method of combustion gas temperature control, and performance prediction. A method of acceptance of a regeneratively cooled heat rejection reduction using a silicone oil additive was also demonstrated by heated tube heat transfer testing. Regeneratively cooled thrust chamber operation was also demonstrated where the injector was characterized for the OME application with a channel wall regenerative thrust chamber. Bomb stability testing of the demonstration chambers/injectors demonstrated recovery for the nominal design of acoustic cavities. Cavity geometry changes were also evaluated to assess their damping margin. Performance and combustion stability was demonstrated of the originally developed 10 inch diameter combustion pattern operating in an 8 inch diameter thrust chamber.

Senneff, J. M.↗

Theoretical and experimental studies of the deposition of Na2So4 from seeded combustion gases

Flames in a Mach 0.3 atmospheric pressure laboratory burner rig were doped with sea salt, NaS04, and NaCl, respectively, in an effort to validate theoretical dew point predictions made by a local thermochemical equilibrium (LTCE) method of predicting condensation temperatures of sodium sulfate in flame environments. Deposits were collected on cylindrical platinum targets placed in the combustion products, and the deposition was studied as a function of collector temperature. Experimental deposition onset temperatures checked within experimental error with LTCE-predicted temperatures. A multicomponent mass transfer equation was developed to predict the rate of deposition of Na2SO4(c) via vapor transport at temperatures below the deposition onset temperature. Agreement between maximum deposition rates predicted by this chemically frozen boundary layer (CFBL) theory and those obtained in the seeded laboratory burner experiments is good.

Kohl, F. J.↗

Methods and models for predicting fatigue crack growth under random loading

Papers are presented in the volume summarizing the baseline data, methodology, procedures, and results of a round-robin analysis which was conducted to predict the fatigue crack growth in 2219-T851 aluminum center-cracked specimens subjected to flight loading in random cycle-by-cycle format. The objective of the analysis was to assess whether data from constant-amplitude fatigue crack growth tests on center-cracked specimens can be used to predict fatigue crack growth lives under random loading. The following approaches are discussed in detail: a root-mean-square approach, a crack-closure model, a multi-parameter yield zone model, and a load-interaction model.

Chang, J. B.↗

Method and apparatus for predicting the direction of movement in machine vision

A computer-simulated cortical network is presented. The network is capable of computing the visibility of shifts in the direction of movement. Additionally, the network can compute the following: (1) the magnitude of the position difference between the test and background patterns; (2) localized contrast differences at different spatial scales analyzed by computing temporal gradients of the difference and sum of the outputs of paired even- and odd-symmetric bandpass filters convolved with the input pattern; and (3) the direction of a test pattern moved relative to a textured background. The direction of movement of an object in the field of view of a robotic vision system is detected in accordance with nonlinear Gabor function algorithms. The movement of objects relative to their background is used to infer the 3-dimensional structure and motion of object surfaces.

Lawton, Teri B.↗

Methods for evaluating the predictive accuracy of structural dynamic models

Modeling uncertainty is defined in terms of the difference between predicted and measured eigenvalues and eigenvectors. Data compiled from 22 sets of analysis/test results was used to create statistical databases for large truss-type space structures and both pretest and posttest models of conventional satellite-type space structures. Modeling uncertainty is propagated through the model to produce intervals of uncertainty on frequency response functions, both amplitude and phase. This methodology was used successfully to evaluate the predictive accuracy of several structures, including the NASA CSI Evolutionary Structure tested at Langley Research Center. Test measurements for this structure were within + one-sigma intervals of predicted accuracy for the most part, demonstrating the validity of the methodology and computer code.

Hasselman, Timothy K.↗

Method and System for Predicting Rocket Nozzle Deformation During Engine Start-Up and Shut-Down Transients

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) computations are performed at time increments using structural properties of the nozzle and flow properties of combustion products flowing through the nozzle. Each CFD computation accounts for movement of the wall geometry of the rocket nozzle due to the flowfield. Structural dynamics computations are performed at each time increment using the CFD computations in order to describe the movement of the wall geometry. Mesh dynamics computations at each time increment redefine the flowfield to account for the movement of the wall geometry. The mesh dynamics computations are based on a spring analogy process. The computations are iterated to solution convergence at each time increment with results being output to an output device.

Wang, Ten-See↗

A Method and Model to Predict Initial Failure Rates

It has long been well known that actual system reliability typically falls well short of early estimates. Failure rates are often ten or more times higher than anticipated. Many reasons have been given for this, but over-optimism is the fundamental cause of too-favorable reliability predictions. Most forecasts of reliability are essentially best-case scenarios, as are predictions of budget and schedule. Confident engineers assemble estimates bottom-up, including the known factors and ignoring problems that they hope won’t happen. Traditional reliability estimation is based on simply summing up the component failure rates. This ignores most actual failure causes. The way to reduce over-optimism is to use the historical system level failure rate from similar projects. Adjustments should not be made based purely on engineering judgment, but only if there is so logical quantitative justification. The traditional component-based reliability estimate is useful as a lower bound on the system failure rate. The difference between this lower bound component-based reliability and the historical system level reliability indicates how much of the total failure rate is due to system level problems rather than component failures.

Jones, Harry W.↗

A Method and Model to Predict Initial Failure Rates

It has long been well known that actual system reliability typically falls well short of early estimates. Failure rates are often ten or more times higher than anticipated. Many reasons have been given for this, but over-optimism is the fundamental cause of too-favorable reliability predictions. Most forecasts of reliability are essentially best-case scenarios, as are predictions of budget and schedule. Confident engineers assemble estimates bottom-up, including the known factors and ignoring problems that they hope won't happen. Traditional reliability estimation is based on simply summing up the component failure rates. This ignores most actual failure causes. The way to reduce over-optimism is to use the historical system level failure rate from similar projects. Adjustments should not be made based purely on engineering judgment, but only if there is so logical quantitative justification. The traditional component-based reliability estimate is useful as a lower bound on the system failure rate. The difference between this lower bound component-based reliability and the historical system level reliability indicates how much of the total failure rate is due to system level problems rather than component failures

Jones, Harry W.↗

A Study of the Kinetics of the CO Oxidation Catalyst in a Human Spaceflight Fire Cartridges as a Method to Understand and Predict Performance

Fire Cartridges (FC) are an integral part of fire response on ISS, Orion and Gateway. When a pair of FCs are integrated with an Emergency Mask, they can be used to provide safe breathing air on these vehicles in a post-fire environment. The FCs have two primary mechanisms for removing contaminants from the air, an activated carbon (AC) bed which adsorbs the majority of fire byproducts, and a catalyst bed consisting of gold nanoparticles supported on iron oxide which oxidized CO to CO2 under near ambient conditions. While the FC catalyst has proven its ability to convert CO under relevant conditions, this paper attempts to address the apparent inconsistent performance of the catalyst seen in testing. Numerous variables effect the performance of the catalyst, including but not limited to: reaction environment, reactant gas composition, inert gas composition, catalyst age, and catalyst lot. This paper discusses the importance of these variables and attempts a fundamental mechanistic explanation for the effects of each variable. The fundamental mechanisms are then used to establish the magnitude of expected performance variability, which were validated against real test data of flight quality FCs.

Fire Cartridge↗

A Study of the Kinetics of the CO Oxidation Catalyst in a Human Spaceflight Fire Cartridges as a Method to Understand and Predict Performance

Fire Cartridges (FC) are an integral part of fire response on ISS, Orion and Gateway. When a pair of FCs are integrated with an Emergency Mask, they can be used to provide safe breathing air on these vehicles in a post-fire environment. The FCs have two primary mechanisms for removing contaminants from the air, an activated carbon (AC) bed which adsorbs the majority of fire byproducts, and a catalyst bed consisting of gold nanoparticles supported on iron oxide which oxidized CO to CO2 under near ambient conditions. While the FC catalyst has proven its ability to convert CO under relevant conditions, this paper attempts to address the apparent inconsistent performance of the catalyst seen in testing. Numerous variables effect the performance of the catalyst, including but not limited to: reaction environment, reactant gas composition, inert gas composition, catalyst age, and catalyst lot. This paper discusses the importance of these variables and attempts a fundamental mechanistic explanation for the effects of each variable. The fundamental mechanisms are then used to establish the magnitude of expected performance variability, which were validated against real test data of flight quality FCs.

Fire Cartridge↗