SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “forced oscillation”

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.

SourceResearch connectionFrom yearThrough year

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,315 records · Page 73

All sources NASA NTRS DOE OSTI

DOE OSTI2020

Verification of an improved equation-free projective integration method for neoclassical plasma-profile evolution in tokamak geometry

A brute-force, long-time gyrokinetic simulation of plasma profile evolution in magnetic fusion devices is not desirable due to large computational resource requirements and a possible accumulation of numerical error. The equation-free projective integration method of Keverekidis et al. [Commun. Math. Sci. 1(4), 715–762 (2003)] is one of the outstanding candidates in projecting micro-scale simulations to a longer timescale. However, its application to tokamak plasma has not been fruitful due to the appearance of spurious transient oscillations in the lifting process, which are present when the kinetic simulations are initialized with a simplified model distribution function and which make the kinetic simulations to deviate from the desired paths. In this work, a kinetically informed lifting algorithm is added to the equation-free projective integration method, which is then verified in the electrostatic gyrokinetic particle-in-cell code XGCa [R. Hager and C. S. Chang, Phys. Plasmas 23, 042503 (2016)] for a neoclassical ion heat transport problem with adiabatic electrons. This new lifting operator is demonstrated to control spurious transients, enabling an over four-times reduction in the overall computing time in the time-evolution of the ion temperature profile in an axisymmetric toroidal plasma. Further reduction in the computing time is found to be limited due to the stability properties of the linear least squares projective integrator.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

DOE OSTI2025

Dynamics of McMillan mappings II. axially symmetric map

Here, in this article, we investigate the transverse dynamics of a single particle in a model integrable accelerator lattice, based on a McMillan axially-symmetric electron lens. Although the McMillan e-lens has been considered as a device potentially capable of mitigating collective space charge forces, some of its fundamental properties have not been described yet. The main goal of our work is to close this gap and understand the limitations and potentials of this device. It is worth mentioning that the McMillan axially symmetric map provides the first-order approximations of dynamics for a general linear lattice plus an arbitrary thin lens with motion separable in polar coordinates. Therefore, advancements in its understanding should give us a better picture of more generic and not necessarily integrable round beams. In the first part of the article, we classify all possible regimes with stable trajectories and find the canonical action-angle variables. This provides an evaluation of the dynamical aperture, Poincaré rotation numbers as functions of amplitudes, and thus determines the spread in nonlinear tunes. Also, we provide a parameterization of invariant curves, allowing for the immediate determination of the map image forward and backward in time. The second part investigates the particle dynamics as a function of system parameters. We show that there are three fundamentally different configurations of the accelerator optics causing different regimes of nonlinear oscillations. Each regime is considered in great detail, including the limiting cases of large and small amplitudes. In addition, we analyze the dynamics in Cartesian coordinates and provide a description of observable variables and corresponding spectra.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

NASA NTRS1986

An experimental investigation of free-tip response to a jet

The aerodynamic response of passively oscillating tips appended to a model helicopter rotor was investigated during a whirl test. Tip responsiveness was found to meet free-tip rotor requirements. Experimental and analytical estimates of the free-tip aerodynamic spring, mechanical spring, and aerodynamic damping were calculated and compared. The free tips were analytically demonstrated to be operating outside the tip resonant response region at full-scale tip speeds. Further, tip resonance was shown to be independent of tip speed, given the assumption that the tip forcing frequency is linearly dependent upon the rotor rotational speed.

Young, L. A.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Active control of flexural vibrations in beams

The feasibility of using piezoelectric actuators to control the flexural oscillations of large structures in space is investigated. Flexural oscillations are excited by impulsive loads. The vibratory response can degrade the pointing accuracy of cameras and antennae, and can cause high stresses at structural node points. Piezoelectric actuators have the advantage of exerting localized bending moments. In this way, vibration is controlled without exciting rigid body modes. The actuators are used in collocated sensor/driver pairs to form a feedback control system. The sensor produces a voltage that is proportional to the dynamic stress at the sensor location, and the driver produces a force that is proportional to the voltage applied to it. The analog control system amplifies and phase shifts the sensor signal to produce the voltage signal that is applied to the driver. The feedback control is demonstrated to increase the first mode damping in a cantilever beam by up to 100 percent, depending on the amplifier gain. The damping efficiency of the control system when the piezoelectrics are not optimally positioned at points of high stress in the beam is evaluated.

Gerhold, Carl H.↗

NASA NTRS1947

Stability and Control Characteristics of a 1/10-Scale Model of the McDonnell XP-85 Airplane While Attached to the Trapeze

At the request of the Air Materiel Command, Army Air Forces, an investigation of the low-speed, power-off, stability and control characteristics of the McDonnell XP-85 airplane has been conducted in the Langley free-flight tunnel. The results of the portion of the investigation consisting of tests of a 1/10-scale model to study the stability of the XP-85 when attached to the trapeze and during retraction into the B-36 bomb bay are presented herein. In the power-off condition the stability was satisfactory with all oscillations well damped and the nose-restraining collar could be placed in position without difficulty. In a simulated power-on condition the model had a constant-amplitude rolling and sidewise motion and when the collar was layered, a violent motion resulted if the collar struck the model but failed to hold it in the proper manner. Folding of the wings and retraction into the bomb bay offered no problem once the airplane was properly held by the collar. It is recommended that the power be cut immediately after hooking on and that a restricting mechanism be incorporated in the center of the trapeze to eliminate the sidewise motion. It also appears desirable to have the retracting procedure controlled by the XP-85 pilot or an observer in the mother ship to insure that the parasite is in proper position after hooking up before bringing the collar down.

Johnson, Joseph L.↗

DOE OSTI2023

MJO in Different Orbital Regimes: Role of the Mean State in the MJO’s Amplitude during Boreal Winter

Abstract The Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) exhibits pronounced seasonality, with one of the key unanswered questions being the following: what controls the maximum in MJO precipitation variance in the Southern Hemisphere during boreal winter? In this study, we examine a set of global climate model simulations in which the eccentricity and precession of Earth’s orbit are altered to change the boreal winter mean state in an attempt to reveal the processes that are responsible for the MJO’s amplitude in the boreal winter. In response to the forced insolation changes, the north–south asymmetry in sea surface temperature is amplified in boreal fall, which intensifies the Hadley circulation in boreal winter. The stronger Hadley circulation yields higher mean precipitation and stronger mean lower-tropospheric westerlies in the southern part of the Indo-Pacific warm pool. The MJO precipitation variability increases significantly where the mean precipitation and lower-tropospheric westerlies strengthen. In the column-integrated moisture budget of the simulated MJO, only surface latent heat flux feedback shows a trend that is consistent with the MJO’s amplitude, suggesting an important role for the surface latent heat flux feedback in the MJO’s amplitude during the boreal winter. An analysis of the moisture–precipitation relationship in the simulations shows that the increase in the mean precipitation lowers the convective moisture adjustment time scale, leading to the increase in precipitation variance. Our results suggest that the mean-state precipitation plays a critical role in the maintenance mechanism of the MJO.

Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences↗

DOE OSTI2026

Indirect climate impacts of the Hunga eruption

Injection of sulfur and water vapour by the Hunga volcanic eruption significantly altered chemical composition and radiative budget of the stratosphere. Yet, whether the eruption could also affect surface climate, especially via indirect pathways, remains poorly understood. Here we investigate these effects using large ensembles of simulations with the CESM2(WACCM6) Earth system model, incorporating interactive chemistry and aerosols in both coupled ocean and atmosphere-only configurations. We find some statistically significant extratropical regional climate responses to the eruption driven by circulation changes; these are partially linked to the modulation of El Niño–Southern Oscillation, and its associated teleconnections, and to perturbations of the stratospheric polar vortex in both hemispheres. The stratospheric anomalies affect surface climate through modulating the North Atlantic Oscillation in the Northern Hemisphere (up to three boreal winters following the eruption) and the Southern Annular Mode in the Southern Hemisphere in late 2023. The latter is partly related to a concurrent reduction in Antarctic ozone, as increased stratospheric aerosols and water vapor reach the polar vortex. Our study suggests that the eruption could have had a non-negligible influence on regional surface climate, and discusses the mechanisms via which such an influence could occur. However, the results also highlight that this forcing is relatively weak compared to interannual variability, and is subject to model uncertainties in the representation of key processes. More research is thus needed before definitive statements on the role of the eruption in contributing to surface climate and weather events in the following years are made.

Geosciences↗

NASA NTRS2002

Development and Design of Zero-g Liquid Quantity Gauge for Solar Thermal Vehicle

The development and design of a cryogenic liquid quantity gauge for zero-gravity (zero-g) applications are described. The gauge, named the compression mass gauge (CMG), operates on the principle of slightly changing the volume of the tank by an oscillating bellows. The resulting pressure change is measured and used to predict the volume of vapor in the tank, from which the volume of liquid is computed. For each gauging instance, pressures are measured for several different bellows frequencies to enable minor real-gas effects to be quantified and thereby to obtain a gauging accuracy of 11 percent of tank volume. The CMG has been selected by NASA's Future-X program for a flight demonstration on the United States Air Force-Boeing Solar Orbit Transfer Vehicle Space Experiment (SOTVSE). This report reviews the design trade studies needed for the CMG to satisfy the SOTVSE limitations on its power, volume, and mass and also describes the mechanical design of the CMG.

Dodge, Franklin T.↗

NASA NTRS1960

Supersonic Aerodynamic Characteristics of a Low-Drag Aircraft Configuration having an Arrow Wing of Aspect Ratio 1.86 and a Body of Fineness Ratio 20

A free-flight rocket-propelled-model investigation was conducted at Mach numbers of 1.2 to 1.9 to determine the longitudinal and lateral aero-dynamic characteristics of a low-drag aircraft configuration. The model consisted of an aspect-ratio -1.86 arrow wing with 67.5 deg. leading-edge sweep and NACA 65A004 airfoil section and a triangular vertical tail with 60 deg. sweep and NACA 65A003 section in combination with a body of fineness ratio 20. Aerodynamic data in pitch, yaw, and roll were obtained from transient motions induced by small pulse rockets firing at intervals in the pitch and yaw directions. From the results of this brief aerodynamic investigation, it is observed that very slender body shapes can provide increased volumetric capacity with little or no increase in zero-lift drag and that body fineness ratios of the order of 20 should be considered in the design of long-range supersonic aircraft. The zero-lift drag and the drag-due-to-lift parameter of the test configuration varied linearly with Mach number. The maximum lift-drag ratio was 7.0 at a Mach number of 1.25 and decreased slightly to a value of 6.6 at a Mach number of 1.81. The optimum lift coefficient, normal-force-curve slope, lateral-force-curve slope, static stability in pitch and yaw, time to damp to one-half amplitude in pitch and yaw, the sum of the rotary damping derivatives in pitch and also in yaw, and the static rolling derivatives all decreased with an increase in Mach number. Values of certain rolling derivatives were obtained by application of the least-squares method to the differential equation of rolling motion. A comparison of the experimental and calculated total rolling-moment-coefficient variation during transient oscillations of the model indicated good agreement when the damping-in-roll contribution was included with the static rolling-moment terms.

Gillespie, Warren, Jr.↗

NASA NTRS1994

Adiabatic invariants in stellar dynamics. 1: Basic concepts

The adiabatic criterion, widely used in astronomical dynamics, is based on the harmonic oscillator. It asserts that the change in action under a slowly varying perturbation is exponentially small. Recent mathematical results that precisely define the conditions for invariance show that this model does not apply in general. In particular, a slowly varying perturbation may cause significant evolution stellar dynamical systems even if its time scale is longer than any internal orbital time scale. This additional 'heating' may have serious implications for the evolution of star clusters and dwarf galaxies which are subject to long-term environmental forces. The mathematical developments leading to these results are reviewed, and the conditions for applicability to and further implications for stellar systems are discussed. Companion papers present a computational method for a general time-dependent disturbance and detailed example.

Weinberg, Martin D.↗

NASA NTRS2022

Gas-Liquid Flows Through Porous Media in Microgravity: Packed Bed Reactor Experiment-2

Modifications were made to the Packed Bed Reactor Experiment (PBRE) and flown on the ISS as PBRE-2 to eliminate external pressure oscillations at higher liquid flow rates and the packing diameter was reduced to increase the pressure gradient for lower flows. It is found that gas hold-up is a function of bed history at low liquid and gas flow rates whereas higher gas hold-up and pressure gradients are observed for the test conditions following a liquid only pre-flow compared to the test conditions following a gas only pre-flow period. Over the range of flow rates tested, the capillary force is the dominant contributor to the pressure gradient, which is found to be linear with the superficial liquid velocity but is a much weaker function of the superficial gas velocity, and varying inversely with the particle diameter.

Mahsa Taghavi↗

DOE OSTI2020

Adapting Optimal Velocity Tracking Control to Account for WEC Constraints and Power-Take-Off Efficiencies: Preprint

Wave energy converters (WECs) come in many different forms, from point absorbers, oscillating water columns, to bulge wave devices. This paper focuses on the control of point absorber WECs, which typically have a narrow-banded frequency response and, therefore, control is well placed to improve the energy capture of such WECs. The acausal nature of the control problem means that theoretically optimal control is almost impossible to achieve inpractice; however optimal velocity tracking (OVT) offers a simple and robust approximation to optimal control that can achieve better power capture than passive linear damping methods, albeit with necessarily higher force demands. OVT is a form of impedance matching and the magnitude of the power-take off (PTO) force demand is often not linearly proportional to the WEC velocity, which can lead to PTO force and speed combinations far from the optimalPTO efficiency. The highly non-linear PTO force and speed to efficiency mapping can, without remedial measures, severely diminish the effectiveness of OVT techniques. In this paper, limits to the movement and force of the PTO are demonstrated, allowing OVT to be more easily applied in practice. The effect of PTO efficiency is explored, and a potential solution to the problem of adapting control to account for efficiency is presented. Both aspects of the work presented highlight the requirement for co-design of the WEC, PTO, and controller.

conversion efficiency↗

DOE OSTI2020

Hydrodynamics of two-dimensional compressible fluid with broken parity: Variational principle and free surface dynamics in the absence of dissipation

In this paper, we consider an isotropic compressible nondissipative fluid with broken parity subject to free surface boundary conditions in two spatial dimensions. The hydrodynamic equations describing the bulk dynamics of the fluid and the free surface boundary conditions depend explicitly on the parity-breaking nondissipative odd viscosity term. We construct an effective action which gives both bulk hydrodynamic equations and free surface boundary conditions. The free surface boundary conditions require an additional boundary term in the action which resembles a 1+1D chiral boson field coupled to the background geometry. We solve the linearized hydrodynamic equations for the deep water case and derive the dispersion of chiral surface waves. We show that in the long-wavelength limit the flow profile exhibits an oscillating vortical boundary layer near the free surface. The layer thickness is controlled by the ratio between the odd viscosity (ν o ) and the sound velocity (c s ), δ ~ ν o /c s . In the incompressible limit, c s → ∞, the vortical boundary layer becomes singular with the vorticity within the layer diverging as ω ~ c s . The boundary layer is formed by odd viscosity coupling the divergence of velocity ∇ • v to vorticity ∇ × v. It results in nontrivial chiral free surface dynamics even in the absence of external forces. The structure of the odd-viscosity-induced boundary layer is very different from the conventional free surface boundary layer associated with dissipative shear viscosity.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

DOE OSTI2021

TEAMER: Biofouling Analysis for Wave Energy Piston Design - Load Cell Data

Biofouling and corrosion are a major concern for all ocean-deployed components, especially when mechanical motion is involved. Triton has developed the concept of a biofouling mitigation seal as part of the piston sealing assembly for the Triton Wave Energy Converter (TSI-WEC). This mitigation seal has the purpose of preventing the formation of a biofilm on the inside of the piston cylinder. It is hypothesized that the prevention of a biofilm will reduce the amount of macro-biofouling that can occur in the piston assembly. The mitigation seal can also reduce the wear on the main dynamic seal, helping to maintain smooth operation and water-tightness. The cylinder is made from a thermoset composite epoxy, which is resistant to corrosion. However, no studies have researched the material's performance with biofouling. Triton placed two prototype Power Take-Off (PTO) assemblies in a PNNL biofouling tank, one with a biofouling mitigation seal and one without, allowing for an evaluation of seal effectiveness at the prevention of biofouling. In actual WEC operation, wave action would react against the piston, which would drive the linear actuator and electric generator, providing electrical power. In the test setup, this was reversed; a linear actuator was powered to drive the piston in a consistent motion within the cylinder. There are two assemblies: one has a biofouling mitigation seal, the other (control) does not. The following data encompasses a 4 month test period, with load cells being used to monitor piston friction force. Results from this testing will be used to improve seal design and material selection, mitigating risk of premature failure during open water testing and evaluation. This project is part of the TEAMER RFTS 3 (request for technical support) program.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗

DOE OSTI2022

Development of Integrated Education, Training and Research Program with Interdisciplinary Applications

Plasma models have been formulated including realistic spatial profiles of both flow and radio frequency induced ponderomotive force. With these inclusions the picture of stability of various plasma and fluid instabilities, as expected, changed drastically with ground-breaking consequences. The inhomogeneous parallel flow and the radio frequency waves can actually shown to stabilize turbulence. This is different from the prevalent notion that both parallel flow shear and radio frequency waves are responsible for the excitation (destabilization) of plasma turbulence. This has several ground-breaking consequences:- (1) the stabilization by parallel flow clearly goes against the conventional notion of the origin of ionospheric oscillation which invokes parallel flow destabilization as the origin, (2) the stabilization by parallel flow opens us a new avenue for improved mode formation in fusion devices - which mostly rely on the perpendicular flow shear stabilization for improved mode formation but the perpendicular flow is damped in a tokamak - so the improved mode formed by the parallel flow can sustain longer and has more prospect for ignition, (3) the complete stabilization of the ITG mode (and consequent suppression of transport) not only explain many unknown phenomena in the space physics but it also raises a prospect for transport barrier formation by the RF waves but not by the RF induced flow (as most works suggest) which is never observed in a tokamak of that magnitude to create a barrier. These are indeed ground-breaking consequences.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

DOE OSTI2024

Development of Integrated Education, Training and Research Program with Interdisciplinary Applications II

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

NASA NTRS1981

Effects of turbulence on a kinetic auroral arc model

A plasma kinetic model of an inverted-V auroral arc structure which includes the effects of electrostatic turbulence is proposed. In the absence of turbulence, a parallel potential drop is supported by magnetic mirror forces and charge quasi neutrality, with energetic auroral ions penetrating to low altitudes; relative to the electrons, the ions' pitch angle distribution is skewed toward smaller pitch angles. The electrons energized by the potential drop form a current which excites electrostatic turbulence. In equilibrium the plasma is marginally stable. The conventional anomalous resistivity contribution to the potential drop is very small. Anomalous resistivity processes are far too dissipative to be powered by auroral particles. It is concluded that under certain circumstances equilibrium may be impossible and relaxation oscillations set in.

Cornwall, J. M.↗

NASA NTRS2014

The QBO in Two GISS Global Climate Models: 1. Generation of the QBO

The adjustment of parameterized gravity waves associated with model convection and finer vertical resolution has made possible the generation of the quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO) in two Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS) models, GISS Middle Atmosphere Global Climate Model III and a climate/middle atmosphere version of Model E2. Both extend from the surface to 0.002 hPa, with 2deg × 2.5deg resolution and 102 layers. Many realistic features of the QBO are simulated, including magnitude and variability of its period and amplitude. The period itself is affected by the magnitude of parameterized convective gravity wave momentum fluxes and interactive ozone (which also affects the QBO amplitude and variability), among other forcings. Although varying sea surface temperatures affect the parameterized momentum fluxes, neither aspect is responsible for the modeled variation in QBO period. Both the parameterized and resolved waves act to produce the respective easterly and westerly wind descent, although their effect is offset in altitude at each level. The modeled and observed QBO influences on tracers in the stratosphere, such as ozone, methane, and water vapor are also discussed. Due to the link between the gravity wave parameterization and the models' convection, and the dependence on the ozone field, the models may also be used to investigate how the QBO may vary with climate change.

middle atmosphere dynamics↗