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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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117 records · Page 7
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1995

Investigation of computational and spectral analysis methods for aeroacoustic wave propagation

Most computational fluid dynamics (CFD) schemes are not adequately accurate for solving aeroacoustics problems, which have wave amplitudes several orders of magnitude smaller yet with frequencies larger than the flow field variations generating the sound. Hence, a computational aeroacoustics (CAA) algorithm should have minimal dispersion and dissipation features. A dispersion relation preserving (DRP) scheme is, therefore, applied to solve the linearized Euler equations in order to simulate the propagation of three types of waves, namely: acoustic, vorticity, and entropy waves. The scheme is derived using an optimization procedure to ensure that the numerical derivatives preserve the wave number and angular frequency of the partial differential equations being discretized. Consequently, simulated waves propagate with the correct wave speeds and exhibit their appropriate properties. A set of radiation and outflow boundary conditions, compatible with the DRP scheme and derived from the asymptotic solutions of the governing equations, are also implemented. Numerical simulations are performed to test the effectiveness of the DRP scheme and its boundary conditions. The computed solutions are shown to agree favorably with the exact solutions. The major restriction appears to be that the dispersion relations can be preserved only for waves with wave lengths longer than four or five spacings. The boundary conditions are found to be transparent to the outgoing disturbances. However, when the disturbance source is placed closer to a boundary, small acoustic reflections start appearing. CAA generates enormous amounts of temporal data which needs to be reduced to understand the physical problem being simulated. Spectral analysis is one approach that helps us in extracting information which often can not be easily interpreted in the time domain. Thus, three different methods for the spectral analysis of numerically generated aeroacoustic data are studied. First, the capabilities of two traditional methods for spectral analysis, namely, the Blackman-Tukey method and periodogram method, are compared in estimating the spectra of a simple-periodic process. The periodogram is then applied to analyze transitory-deterministic processes. Finally, these two methods are compared with a more recent method, referred as the Weighted-Overlapped-Segment-Averaging (WOSA) method, in estimating the spectra of a chaotic (random-like) process. From the demonstrative case for the spectral analyses of data generated by simple-periodic process, the periodogram method is found to give a better estimate of the steep-sloped spectra than the Blackman-Tukey method. Also, for this problem, the Hanning window is found to perform better with the periodogram method than with the Blackman-Tukey method. Finally, for the spectral analysis of data generated by the chaotic process, the periodogram method does not perform well, whereas, the WOSA and Blackman-Tukey methods give equivalently good results.

Vanel, Florence O.↗
NASA NTRS2016

Comparison of Mesospheric Winds From a High-Altitude Meteorological Analysis System and Meteor Radar Observations During the Boreal Winters of 2009-2010 and 2012-2013

We present a study of horizontal winds in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere (MLT) during the boreal winters of 2009-2010 and 2012-2013 produced with a new high-altitude numerical weather prediction (NWP) system. This system is based on a modified version of the Navy Global Environmental Model (NAVGEM) with an extended vertical domain up to approximately 116 km altitude coupled with a hybrid four-dimensional variational (4DVAR) data assimilation system that assimilates both standard operational meteorological observations in the troposphere and satellite-based observations of temperature, ozone and water vapor in the stratosphere and mesosphere. NAVGEM-based MLT analyzed winds are validated using independent meteor radar wind observations from nine different sites ranging from 69 deg N-67 deg S latitude. Time-averaged NAVGEM zonal and meridional wind profiles between 75 and 95 km altitude show good qualitative and quantitative agreement with corresponding meteor radar wind profiles. Wavelet analysis finds that the 3-hourly NAVGEM and 1-hourly radar winds both exhibit semi-diurnal, diurnal, and quasi-diurnal variations whose vertical profiles of amplitude and phase are also in good agreement. Wavelet analysis also reveals common time-frequency behavior in both NAVGEM and radar winds throughout the Northern extra tropics around the times of major stratospheric sudden warmings (SSWs) in January 2010 and January 2013, with a reduction in semi-diurnal amplitudes beginning around the time of a mesospheric wind reversal at 60 deg N that precedes the SSW, followed by an amplification of semi-diurnal amplitudes that peaks 10-14 days following the onset of the mesospheric wind reversal. The initial results presented in this study demonstrate that the wind analyses produced by the high altitude NAVGEM system accurately capture key features in the observed MLT winds during these two boreal winter periods.

McCormack, J.↗
DOE OSTI2023

Holographic thermal correlators: a tale of Fuchsian ODEs and integration contours

We analyze real-time thermal correlation functions of conserved currents in holographic field theories using the grSK geometry, which provides a contour prescription for their evaluation. We demonstrate its efficacy, arguing that there are situations involving components of conserved currents, or derivative interactions, where such a prescription is, in fact, essential. To this end, we first undertake a careful analysis of the linearized wave equations in AdS black hole backgrounds and identify the branch points of the solutions as a function of (complexified) frequency and momentum. All the equations we study are Fuchsian with only regular singular points that for the most part are associated with the geometric features of the background. Special features, e.g., the appearance of apparent singular points at the horizon, whence outgoing solutions end up being analytic, arise at higher codimension loci in parameter space. Using the grSK geometry, we demonstrate that these apparent singularities do not correspond to any interesting physical features in higher-point functions. We also argue that the Schwinger-Keldysh collapse and KMS conditions, implemented by the grSK geometry, continue to hold even in the presence of such singularities. For charged black holes above a critical charge, we furthermore demonstrate that the energy density operator does not possess an exponentially growing mode, associated with ‘pole-skipping’, from one such apparent singularity. Our analysis suggests that the connection between the scrambling physics of black holes and energy transport has, at best, a limited domain of validity.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2021

Use of Traveling Wave Signatures in Medium-Voltage Distribution Systems for Fault Detection and Location

Protection systems are a critical feature for the proper operation of a power grid. Protection systems should be able to quickly detect, identify, locate, and isolate the faults within a time frame that prevents damage to grid components and reduces customer outages. As more inverter-based photovoltaics (PV) are integrated into the grid, phasor domain based protection schemes become more inaccurate due to low levels of fault current from inverters or respond too slowly to accurately identify fault conditions. This points to the need to identify and develop novel protection approaches for distribution systems with high penetration of inverter based PV. The main objective of the project is to develop new time domain-based protection schemes to enable more accurate and faster detection, identification and location of faults in distribution systems and/or microgrids with high penetration of inverter-based PV. Our approach aims to exploit the traveling waves that are generated during a fault or other disturbances in the grid.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
NASA NTRS1993

Rough surface scattering from moving ocean surfaces as an indicator of scattering mechanisms

Ever since Crombie used the Doppler spectrum of RF signals scattered from the ocean surface to provide conclusive evidence for Bragg resonant scattering, scattering from the ocean surface has served as a testing ground for the identification of governing scattering mechanisms in rough surface scattering. The moving ocean surface has the advantage for rough surface scattering that, being a dispersive medium, features with different spatial scales the tendency to travel at different speeds. Thus, by looking at the temporal signature of the scattered field, one can try to isolate the scattering mechanism. This feature has been exploited by various authors. To give a recent example, we cite the work of Plant, who examined the Doppler spectrum of the return signal to infer the presence of two-scale scattering in scattering at medium incidence angles. The problem with restricting oneself to the examination of the Doppler spectrum, as has been done traditionally, is that one restricts the phenomena under investigation to temporally homogeneous phenomena: transient phenomena, which are localized in time, are not localized in frequency space. There is increasing evidence that this type of phenomena, due to specular scattering or breaking waves, may also play an important role in determining the scattering mechanism in ocean-like surfaces. To overcome this problem, we introduce the use of the Wavelet Transform to study the frequency-temporal signatures of the scattered field from moving ocean waves. We calculate this signature using various analytic scattering theories and show that the Wavelet Transform provides a useful tool for separating the different scattering mechanisms operating in scattering in ocean-like surfaces. Next we simulate realistic nonlinear moving ocean waves and calculate the temporal scattered field signature by using the method of moments and the stop-start approximation: the surface is assumed stationary during a scattering event, but moves between incident EM pulses. We compute and compare the Doppler frequency spectrum and the Wavelet Transform of the resulting signal for various types of surfaces and show how different scattering mechanisms may be isolated by this technique. Finally, we compare these numerical results against the analytical predictions in order to obtain the domain of applicability of various scattering theories for moving ocean surfaces which may include wave breaking and specular glints.

Rodriguez, Ernesto↗
NASA NTRS2013

Forward-Looking IED Detector Ground Penetrating Radar

There have been many developments of mine or metal detectors based on ground penetrating radar techniques, usually in hand-held or rover-mounted devices. In most mine or metal detector applications, conditions are in a stationary mode and detection speed is not an important factor. A novel, forward-looking, stepped-frequency ground penetrating radar (GPR) has been developed with a capability to detect improvised explosive devices (IEDs) at vehicular speeds of 15 to 20 mph (24 to 32 km/h), 10 to 20 m ahead of the vehicle, to ensure adequate time for response. The GPR system employs two horn antennas (1.7 to 2.6 GHz, 20 dBi) as transmit and receive. The detector system features a user-friendly instantaneous display on a laptop PC and is a low-power-consumption (3 W) compact system with minimal impact on vehicle operations. In practice, the whole GPR system and a laptop PC can be powered by plugging into a cigarette lighter of a vehicle. The stepped-frequency continuous-wave (CW) radar scans frequency from 1.7 to 2.6 GHz in 1,000 steps of 0.9 MHz, with the full frequency scan in 60 ms. The GPR uses a bi-static configuration with one horn antenna used as a transmitter and the other used as a receiver so that isolation between transmitter and receiver is improved. Since the horn antennas (20 dBi) are mounted on the roof of a vehicle at a shallow inclination angle (15 to 25 with respect to horizontal), there is a first-order reduction in ground reflection so that a significant amount of the total reflected power received by the GPR comes from the scattering of RF energy off of buried objects. The stepped-frequency technique works by transmitting a tone at a particular frequency, while the received signal is mixed with the transmitted tone. As a result, the output of the mixer produces a signal that indicates the strength of the received signal and the extent to which it is in phase or out of phase with the transmitted tone. By taking measurements of the phase relationship between the transmitted and received signals over a wide frequency range, an interference pattern is produced showing all target reflections. When a Fourier transform is performed on this pattern, the result is a time-domain representation of targets. Among the advantages of this technique over impulse radar is the ability to transmit and receive much more total energy, and to use non-damped, highly focused horn antennas. The novelty of the IED detector GPR has been achieved by miniaturization of GPR electronics (single electronics board, 10x5x2 cm), low power consumption (3 W), faster signal processing capability, and minimal impact on vehicle operations.

Kim, Soon Sam↗
NASA NTRS1999

The Effects of Partial Mechanical Loading and Ibandronate on Skeletal Tissues in the Adult Rat Hindquarter Suspension Model for Microgravity

We report initial data from a suspended rat model that quantitatively relates chronic partial weightbearing to bone loss. Chronic partial weightbearing is our simulation of the effect of limited artificial gravity aboard spacecraft or reduced planetary gravity. Preliminary analysis of bone by PQCT, histomorphometry, mechanical testing and biochemistry suggest that chronic exposure to half of Earth gravity is insufficient to prevent severe bone loss. The effect of episodic full weightbearing activity (Earth Gravity) on rats otherwise at 50% weightbearing was also explored. This has similarity to treatment by an Earth G-rated centrifuge on a spacecraft that normally maintained artificial gravity at half of Earth G. Our preliminary evidence, using the above techniques to analyze bone, indicate that 2 hours daily of full weightbearing was insufficient to prevent the bone loss observed in 50% weightbearing animals. The effectiveness of partial weightbearing and episodic full weightbearing as potential countermeasures to bone loss in spaceflight was compared with treatment by ibandronate. Ibandronate, a long-acting potent bisphosphonate proved more effective in preventing bone loss and associated functionality based upon structure than our first efforts at mechanical countermeasures. The effectiveness of ibandronate was notable by each of the testing methods we used to study bone from gross structure and strength to tissue and biochemistry. These results appear to be independent of generalized systemic stress imposed by the suspension paradigm. Preliminary evidence does not suggest that blood levels of vitamin D were affected by our countermeasures. Despite the modest theraputic benefit of mechanical countermeasures of partial weightbearing and episodic full weightbearing, we know that some appropriate mechanical signal maintains bone mass in Earth gravity. Moreover, the only mechanism that correctly assigns bone mass and strength to oppose regionally specific force applied to bone is mechanical, a process based upon bone strain. Substantial evidence indicates that the specifics of dynamic loading i.e. time-varying forces are critical. Bone strain history is a predictor of the effect that mechanical conditions have on bone structure mass and strength. Using servo-controlled force plates on suspended rats with implanted strain gauges we manipulated impact forces of ambulation in the frequency (Fourier) domain. Our results indicate that high frequency components of impact forces are particularly potent in producing bone strain independent of the magnitude of the peak force or peak energy applied to the leg. Because a servo-system responds to forces produced by the rat's own muscle activity during ambulation, the direction of ground-reaction loads act on bone through the rat's own musculature. This is in distinction to passive vibration of the floor where forces reach bone through the natural filters of soft tissue and joints. Passive vibration may also be effective, but it may or may not increase bone in the appropriate architectural pattern to oppose the forces of normal ambulatory activity. Effectiveness of high frequency mechanical stimulation in producing regional (muscle directed) bone response will be limited by 1. the sensitivity of bone to a particular range of frequencies and 2. the inertia of the muscles, limiting their response to external forces by increasing tension along insertions. We have begun mathematical modeling of normal ambulatory activity. Effectiveness of high frequency mechanical stimulation in producing regional (muscle directed) bone response will be limited by 1. the sensitivity of bone to a particular range of frequencies and 2. the inertia of the muscles, limiting their response to external forces by increasing tension along insertions. We have begun mathematical modeling of the rat forelimb as a transfer function between impact force and bone strain to predict optimal dynamic loading conditions for this system. We plan additional studies of mechanical counter-measures that incorporate improved dynamic loading, features relevant to anticipated evaluation of artificial gravity, exercise regimens and exposure to Martian gravity, The combination of mechanical countermeasures with ibandronate will also be investigated for signs of synergy.

Schultheis, Lester W.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Enhancements to the SSME transfer function modeling code

This report details the results of a one year effort by Ohio University to apply the transfer function modeling and analysis tools developed under NASA Grant NAG8-167 (Irwin, 1992), (Bartholomew, 1992) to attempt the generation of Space Shuttle Main Engine High Pressure Turbopump transfer functions from time domain data. In addition, new enhancements to the transfer function modeling codes which enhance the code functionality are presented, along with some ideas for improved modeling methods and future work. Section 2 contains a review of the analytical background used to generate transfer functions with the SSME transfer function modeling software. Section 2.1 presents the 'ratio method' developed for obtaining models of systems that are subject to single unmeasured excitation sources and have two or more measured output signals. Since most of the models developed during the investigation use the Eigensystem Realization Algorithm (ERA) for model generation, Section 2.2 presents an introduction of ERA, and Section 2.3 describes how it can be used to model spectral quantities. Section 2.4 details the Residue Identification Algorithm (RID) including the use of Constrained Least Squares (CLS) and Total Least Squares (TLS). Most of this information can be found in the report (and is repeated for convenience). Section 3 chronicles the effort of applying the SSME transfer function modeling codes to the a51p394.dat and a51p1294.dat time data files to generate transfer functions from the unmeasured input to the 129.4 degree sensor output. Included are transfer function modeling attempts using five methods. The first method is a direct application of the SSME codes to the data files and the second method uses the underlying trends in the spectral density estimates to form transfer function models with less clustering of poles and zeros than the models obtained by the direct method. In the third approach, the time data is low pass filtered prior to the modeling process in an effort to filter out high frequency characteristics. The fourth method removes the presumed system excitation and its harmonics in order to investigate the effects of the excitation on the modeling process. The fifth method is an attempt to apply constrained RID to obtain better transfer functions through more accurate modeling over certain frequency ranges. Section 4 presents some new C main files which were created to round out the functionality of the existing SSME transfer function modeling code. It is now possible to go from time data to transfer function models using only the C codes; it is not necessary to rely on external software. The new C main files and instructions for their use are included. Section 5 presents current and future enhancements to the XPLOT graphics program which was delivered with the initial software. Several new features which have been added to the program are detailed in the first part of this section. The remainder of Section 5 then lists some possible features which may be added in the future. Section 6 contains the conclusion section of this report. Section 6.1 is an overview of the work including a summary and observations relating to finding transfer functions with the SSME code. Section 6.2 contains information relating to future work on the project.

Irwin, R. Dennis↗
DOE OSTI2025

Local Thermal Conductivity Patterning in Rotating Lattice Crystals of Anisotropic Sb 2 S 3

The ability to control material heat transport properties over space and time can drive advanced functionalities in thermal management for electronics and system-on-chip, and enable thermal circuits. Despite the technological relevance, there are limited demonstrations of local thermal property control. Rotating lattice single (RLS) crystals—formed via laser-induced crystallization of an amorphous substrate—offer a novel avenue for local crystal engineering, unlocking opportunities for microscale property patterning. Here, thermal conductivity (𝜅) imaging is applied to RLS crystals of Sb2S3 to resolve microscale 𝜅 variations across patterned regions. Amorphous areas exhibit 𝜅 as low as 0.6 Wm −1 K −1 , while crystalline regions display periodic 𝜅 variations from 0.7 to over 2.5 Wm −1 K −1 . These variations correspond to changes in crystal orientation, revealing marked 𝜅 anisotropy. The crystal out-of-plane direction (c axis)—featuring van der Waals bonds—shows amorphous-like transport, whereas in-plane directions (a, b axes) exhibit 3.5x and 1.7x larger 𝜅, respectively. First-principles calculations, in excellent agreement with experiments, suggest that the in-plane anisotropy originates from expressed Sb lone pairs, which impart a corrugation along the b axis affecting bond stiffness and 𝜅. These findings demonstrate microscale control of thermal properties via laser-processed metastructures, with significant implications for next-generation thermal management.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗