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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 127 records · Page 7
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2021

Development of a Nearly Autonomous Management and Control (NAMAC) System for Advanced Reactors (Final Report for ARPA-E Project)

The project formulates a technical basis for, and preliminary development of, a Nearly Autonomous Management and Control (NAMAC) system in advanced reactors. The system is intended to provide recommendations to operators during plant operation. The NAMAC system utilizes simulation-informed, data/knowledge-driven, AI-guided, plant-data-assimilated real-time operating procedures to effectively support the operator in risk-informed management of plant operations.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
NASA NTRS1990

Thermal control system corrosion study

During the development of an expert system for autonomous control of the Space Station Thermal Control System (TCS), the thermal performance of the Brassboard TCS began to gradually degrade. This degradation was due to filter clogging by metallic residue. A study was initiated to determine the source of the residue and the basic cause of the corrosion. The investigation focused on the TCS design, materials compatibility, Ames operating and maintenance procedures, and chemical analysis of the residue and of the anhydrous ammonia used as the principal refrigerant. It was concluded that the corrosion mechanisms involved two processes: the reaction of water alone with large, untreated aluminum parts in a high pH environment and the presence of chlorides and chloride salts. These salts will attack the aluminum oxide layer and may enable galvanic corrosion between the aluminum and the more noble stainless steel and other metallic elements present. Recommendations are made for modifications to the system design, the materials used, and the operating and maintenance procedures, which should largely prevent the recurrence of these corrosion mechanisms.

Yee, Robert↗
NASA NTRS2014

Vision Based Autonomous Robotic Control for Advanced Inspection and Repair

The advanced inspection system is an autonomous control and analysis system that improves the inspection and remediation operations for ground and surface systems. It uses optical imaging technology with intelligent computer vision algorithms to analyze physical features of the real-world environment to make decisions and learn from experience. The advanced inspection system plans to control a robotic manipulator arm, an unmanned ground vehicle and cameras remotely, automatically and autonomously. There are many computer vision, image processing and machine learning techniques available as open source for using vision as a sensory feedback in decision-making and autonomous robotic movement. My responsibilities for the advanced inspection system are to create a software architecture that integrates and provides a framework for all the different subsystem components; identify open-source algorithms and techniques; and integrate robot hardware.

sensory feedback↗
NASA NTRS1995

Multiprocessor Adaptive Control Of A Dynamic System

Architecture for fully autonomous digital electronic control system developed for use in identification and adaptive control of dynamic system. Architecture modular and hierarchical. Combines relatively simple, standardized processing units into complex parallel-processing subsystems. Although architecture based on neural-network concept, processing units themselves not neural networks; processing units implemented by programming of currently available microprocessors.

Juang, Jer-Nan↗
NASA NTRS2013

Autonomous Formations of Multi-Agent Systems

Autonomous formation control of multi-agent dynamic systems has a number of applications that include ground-based and aerial robots and satellite formations. For air vehicles, formation flight ("flocking") has the potential to significantly increase airspace utilization as well as fuel efficiency. This presentation addresses two main problems in multi-agent formations: optimal role assignment to minimize the total cost (e.g., combined distance traveled by all agents); and maintaining formation geometry during flock motion. The Kuhn-Munkres ("Hungarian") algorithm is used for optimal assignment, and consensus-based leader-follower type control architecture is used to maintain formation shape despite the leader s independent movements. The methods are demonstrated by animated simulations.

Dhali, Sanjana↗
NASA NTRS1990

Autonomous-Control Concept For Instrument Pointing System

Integrated payload articulation and identification system (IPAIDS) is conceptual system to control aiming of instruments aboard spacecraft of proposed Earth Observation System (EOS). Principal features of concept include advanced control strategies intended to assure robustness of performance over wide range of uncertainties in characteristics of spacecraft and instrument system. Intended originally for application to spacecraft system, has potential utility on Earth for automatic control of autonomous (robotic) vehicles or of remote sensing systems.

Mettler, Edward↗
NASA NTRS1989

Applications of graphics to support a testbed for autonomous space vehicle operations

Researchers describe their experience using graphics tools and utilities while building an application, AUTOPS, that uses a graphical Machintosh (TM)-like interface for the input and display of data, and animation graphics to enhance the presentation of results of autonomous space vehicle operations simulations. AUTOPS is a test bed for evaluating decisions for intelligent control systems for autonomous vehicles. Decisions made by an intelligent control system, e.g., a revised mission plan, might be displayed to the user in textual format or he can witness the effects of those decisions via out of window graphics animations. Although a textual description conveys essentials, a graphics animation conveys the replanning results in a more convincing way. Similarily, iconic and menu-driven screen interfaces provide the user with more meaningful options and displays. Presented here are experiences with the SunView and TAE Plus graphics tools used for interface design, and the Johnson Space Center Interactive Graphics Laboratory animation graphics tools used for generating out out of the window graphics.

Schmeckpeper, K. R.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Autonomy, automation, and systems

Automation technologies which support autonomy in artificial intelligence systems are discussed. The motivation for system control architecture is reviewed, and the concept of an operating system for autonomous control is examined. Design requirements for complex automated systems are summarized, and system engineering tool applications in design support are discussed.

Turner, Philip R.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Supervisory autonomous local-remote control system design: Near-term and far-term applications

The JPL Supervisory Telerobotics Laboratory (STELER) has developed a unique local-remote robot control architecture which enables management of intermittent bus latencies and communication delays such as those expected for ground-remote operation of Space Station robotic systems via the TDRSS communication platform. At the local site, the operator updates the work site world model using stereo video feedback and a model overlay/fitting algorithm which outputs the location and orientation of the object in free space. That information is relayed to the robot User Macro Interface (UMI) to enable programming of the robot control macros. The operator can then employ either manual teleoperation, shared control, or supervised autonomous control to manipulate the object under any degree of time-delay. The remote site performs the closed loop force/torque control, task monitoring, and reflex action. This paper describes the STELER local-remote robot control system, and further describes the near-term planned Space Station applications, along with potential far-term applications such as telescience, autonomous docking, and Lunar/Mars rovers.

Zimmerman, Wayne↗
NASA NTRS2017

NASA's Optical Program on Ascension Island: Bringing MCAT to Life as the Eugene Stansbery-Meter Class Autonomous Telescope (ES-MCAT)

In June 2015, the construction of the Meter Class Autonomous Telescope was completed and MCAT saw the light of the stars for the first time. In 2017, MCAT was newly dedicated as the Eugene Stansbery-MCAT telescope by NASA's Orbital Debris Program Office (ODPO), in honor of his inspiration and dedication to this newest optical member of the NASA ODPO. Since that time, MCAT has viewed the skies with one engineering camera and two scientific cameras, and the ODPO optical team has begun the process of vetting the entire system. The full system vetting includes verification and validation of: (1) the hardware comprising the system (e.g. the telescopes and its instruments, the dome, weather systems, all-sky camera, FLIR cloud infrared camera, etc.), (2) the custom-written Observatory Control System (OCS) master software designed to autonomously control this complex system of instruments, each with its own control software, and (3) the custom written Orbital Debris Processing software for post-processing the data. ES-MCAT is now capable of autonomous observing to include Geosynchronous survey, TLE (Two-line element) tracking of individual catalogued debris at all orbital regimes (Low-Earth Orbit all the way to Geosynchronous (GEO) orbit), tracking at specified non-sidereal rates, as well as sidereal rates for proper calibration with standard stars. Ultimately, the data will be used for validation of NASA's Orbital Debris Engineering Model, ORDEM, which aids in engineering designs of spacecraft that require knowledge of the orbital debris environment and long-term risks for collisions with Resident Space Objects (RSOs).

Lederer, S. M.↗
NASA NTRS2019

A Control Framework for Autonomous Smart Grids for Space Power Applications

With the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) rising interest in lunar surface operations and deep space exploration, there is a growing need to move from traditional ground-based mission operations to more autonomous vehicle level operations. In lunar surface operations, there are periods of time where communications with ground-based mission control could not occur, forcing vehicles and a lunar base to completely operate independent of the ground. For deep space exploration missions, communication latency times increase to greater than 15 minutes making real-time control of critical systems difficult, if not near impossible. These challenges are driving the need for an autonomous power control system that has the capability to manage power and energy. This will ensure that critical loads have the necessary power to support life systems and carry out critical mission objectives. This paper presents a flexible, hierarchical, distributed control methodology that enables autonomous operation of smart grids and can integrate into a higher level autonomous architecture.

Csank, Jeffrey T.↗
NASA NTRS2019

A Control Framework for Autonomous Smart Grids for Space Power Applications

With the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) rising interest in lunar surface operations and deep space exploration, there is a growing need to move from traditional ground-based mission operations to more autonomous vehicle level operations. In lunar surface operations, there are periods of time where communications with ground-based mission control could not occur, forcing vehicles and a lunar base to completely operate independent of the ground. For deep space exploration missions, communication latency times increase to greater than 15 minutes making real-time control of critical systems difficult, if not near impossible. These challenges are driving the need for an autonomous power control system that has the capability to manage power and energy. This will ensure that critical loads have the necessary power to support life systems and carry out critical mission objectives. This paper presents a flexible, hierarchical, distributed control methodology that enables autonomous operation of smart grids and can integrate into a higher level autonomous architecture.

Carbone, Marc A.↗
NASA NTRS2014

The Use of Software Agents for Autonomous Control of a DC Space Power System

In order to enable manned deep-space missions, the spacecraft must be controlled autonomously using on-board algorithms. A control architecture is proposed to enable this autonomous operation for an spacecraft electric power system and then implemented using a highly distributed network of software agents. These agents collaborate and compete with each other in order to implement each of the control functions. A subset of this control architecture is tested against a steadystate power system simulation and found to be able to solve a constrained optimization problem with competing objectives using only local information.

autonomous control↗
NASA NTRS1984

Control of Self-Replicating Systems

Three concepts proposed for system management and control. Concepts are: internal system for autonomous management and control, separate system for environment monitoring, and optical intelligent system required in especially chaotic environments. Intelligent system responds by making decisions and solving problems in novel situations preprogramed.

Von Tiesenhausen, G.↗
DOE OSTI2021

Creation of Laboratory-scale Testbed for Autonomous Monitoring and Control of Subsurface Systems

This report describes the results of an LDRD project aiming to develop a laboratory-scale testbed for autonomous subsurface monitoring and control systems. Modifications were made to an existing polyaxial loading frame to incorporate electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) and acoustic emission (AE) monitoring systems. This allows engineered subsurface processes to be studied under realistic temperatures and stresses in a scaled-down laboratory environment with similar monitoring systems as are deployed in field-scale systems. The paper outlines some challenges that were faced in implementing the ERT system at the laboratory scale and the solutions that were devised. Results are shown from two demonstration tests—one focusing on the ERT system, and one focusing on the AE system.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2026

Constellation: The autonomous control and data acquisition system for dynamic experimental setups

The operation of instruments and detectors in laboratory or beamline environments presents a complex challenge, requiring stable operation of multiple concurrent devices, often controlled by separate hardware and software solutions. These environments frequently undergo modifications, such as the inclusion of different auxiliary devices depending on the experiment or facility, adding further complexity. The successful management of such dynamic configurations demands a flexible and robust system capable of controlling data acquisition, monitoring experimental setups, enabling seamless reconfiguration, and integrating new devices with limited effort. This paper presents Constellation, a flexible and network-distributed control and data acquisition software framework tailored to laboratory and beamline environments, that addresses the limitations of existing solutions. The framework is designed with a focus on extensibility, providing a streamlined interface for instrument integration. It supports efficient system setup via network discovery mechanisms, promotes stability through autonomous operational features, and provides comprehensive documentation and supporting tools for operators and application developers such as controllers and logging interfaces. At the core of the architectural design is the autonomy of the individual components, called satellites, which can make independent decisions about their operation and communicate these decisions to other components. This paper introduces the design principles and framework architecture of Constellation, presents the available graphical user interfaces, shares insights from initial successful deployments, and provides an outlook on future developments and applications.

Autonomy↗