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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 1,333 records · Page 74
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NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Isolator Shock Train Response to Dual-Mode Scramjet Throttling-Like Forcing

Typical dual-mode scramjet designs employ an isolator component situated between the inlet and combustor. The isolator fluidically buffers the inlet from the combustor via the formation of a shock train, an interconnected series of shock-boundary layer interactions. The isolator is required during ramjet-engine operation and at the lower edges of the scramjet operational envelope. In an operational engine, transient behavior imposes fluidic dynamics due to attitude adjustments, combustor throttling, aberrant resonances within the combustor, etc. To accommodate these transients, the shock train adjusts on both temporal and spatial scales. Sufficiently large downstream pressure increases in the combustor play a critical role during unstart, whereby strong compression waves propagate upstream in the isolator to ultimately force the shock train out the inlet, if it cannot stabilize to the pressure increase. This critically reduces the engine mass flow rate, potentially causing a catastrophic reduction in thrust and loss of the vehicle. A nearly instantaneous unstart can, in principle, be predicted by a ratio of the normal shock pressure jump in an inviscid isolator. However, lower-magnitude perturbations, below this bound, also induce unstarts. Understanding the transient behavior inherent in unsteady isolator operation is critical to reducing safety margin in isolator length and refining engine control algorithms to improve engine performance. The Isolator Dynamics Research Lab (IDRL) is a cold-flow, direct-connect isolator facility ideal for assessing the fundamental fluid dynamics of shock trains. The internal flow of a scramjet isolator is modeled using a 2D, symmetric Mach 2.5 nozzle followed by a 695 mm long, 25.4x50.8 mm rectangular isolator test section. A blockage cone on a high-speed ball screw actuator downstream of the isolator is pulsed to simulate the throttling behavior in an operational combustor. Wall flush high-speed static pressure transducers detect the streamwise shock train within the isolator. Time delays between the onset of the throttling and the response motion of the shock train are analyzed to assess the controlling scales and parameters. From this analysis, the response time of the isolator shock train system is found to depend primarily on the isolator back pressure time-rate-of-change but quickly saturates to a maximum propagation speed along the isolator. These results inform dual-mode scramjet engine designers of the critical parameters and limits of an unstart resistant engine.

scramjet↗
NASA NTRS2024

Electrostatic Waves and Electron Holes in Simulations of Low-Mach Quasi-Perpendicular Shocks

Collisionless low Mach number shocks are abundant in astrophysical and space plasma environments, exhibiting complex wave activity and wave-particle interactions. In this paper, we present 2D Particle in-Cell (PIC) simulations of quasi-perpendicular nonrelativistic (vsh ≈ (5500−22000) km/s) low Mach number shocks, with a specific focus on studying electrostatic waves in the shock ramp and the precursor regions. In these shocks, an ion-scale oblique whistler wave creates a configuration with two hot counter streaming electron beams, which drive unstable electron acoustic waves (EAWs) that can turn into electrostatic solitary waves (ESWs) at the late stage of their evolution. By conducting simulations with periodic boundaries, we show that EAW properties agree with linear dispersion analysis. The characteristics of ESWs in shock simulations, including their wavelength and amplitude, depend on the shock velocity. When extrapolated to shocks with realistic velocities (vsh ≈ 300 km/s), the ESW wavelength is reduced to one tenth of the electron skin depth and the ESW amplitude is anticipated to surpass that of the quasi-static electric field by more than a factor of 100. These theoretical predictions may explain a discrepancy, between PIC and satellite measurements, in the relative amplitude of high and low-frequency electric field fluctuations.

Plasma astrophysics↗
NASA NTRS1993

An introduction to wavelet analysis in oceanography and meteorology - With application to the dispersion of Yanai waves

Wavelet analysis is a relatively new technique that is an important addition to standard signal analysis methods. Unlike Fourier analysis that yields an average amplitude and phase for each harmonic in a dataset, the wavelet transform produces an instantaneous estimate or local value for the amplitude and phase of each harmonic. This allows detailed study of nonstationary spatial or time-dependent signal characteristics. The wavelet transform is discussed, examples are given, and some methods for preprocessing data for wavelet analysis are compared. By studying the dispersion of Yanai waves in a reduced gravity equatorial model, the usefulness of the transform is demonstrated. The group velocity is measured directly over a finite range of wavenumbers by examining the time evolution of the transform. The results agree well with linear theory at higher wavenumber but the measured group velocity is reduced at lower wavenumbers, possibly due to interaction with the basin boundaries.

Meyers, Steven D.↗
NASA NTRS1997

Mathematical Analysis and Optimization of Infiltration Processes

A variety of infiltration techniques can be used to fabricate solid materials, particularly composites. In general these processes can be described with at least one time dependent partial differential equation describing the evolution of the solid phase, coupled to one or more partial differential equations describing mass transport through a porous structure. This paper presents a detailed mathematical analysis of a relatively simple set of equations which is used to describe chemical vapor infiltration. The results demonstrate that the process is controlled by only two parameters, alpha and beta. The optimization problem associated with minimizing the infiltration time is also considered. Allowing alpha and beta to vary with time leads to significant reductions in the infiltration time, compared with the conventional case where alpha and beta are treated as constants.

Chang, H.-C.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Reduced Dimensionality Analysis of TEMPO Ozone Profile Retrievals Using the Compact Phase Space (CPSR) Algorithm

TEMPO ozone (O 3 ) profile retrievals are expected to have fidelity in the troposphere due the sensitivities of the associated averaging kernels. However, those averaging kernels are severely rank deficiency meaning that a visual inspection of the vertical structure of the averaging kernel profile sensitivities is misleading due linear dependencies in the profile. The Compact Phase Space Retrieval (CPSR) algorithm use singular value decompositions of the averaging kernels and the ‘compressed’ retrieval solution error covariance to project the transformed averaging kernels into a space that removes the linear dependencies and accounts for the solution error uncertainties. In this oral presentation and poster, we apply the CPSR dimensional reduction analysis to TEMPO and TROPOMI O 3 profile retrievals for 13:45 UTC March 29, 2024 to study the phase space characteristics of the transformed averaging kernels as a function of latitude for North America. Our results show that TEMPO generally has more phase space vertical structure in the troposphere than TROPOMI. TEMPO has four to five dominant modes, and TROPOMI has five to six dominant modes. That means that dimensional reduction can reduce the TEMPO resource requirements by ~77% and the TROPOMI requirements by ~81%. Finally, we found that after removing linear dependences and after accounting for solution uncertainties TEMPO still has sensitivities throughout the troposphere.

TEMPO↗
NASA NTRS1995

Two Carrier Analysis of Persistent Photoconductivity in Modulation-Doped Structures

A simultaneous fit of Hall and conductivity data gives quantitative results on the carrier concentration and mobility in both the quantum well and the parallel conduction channel. In this study this method was applied to reveal several new findings on the effect of persistent photoconductivity (PPC) on free-carrier concentrations and mobilities. The increase in the two-dimensional electron-gas (2DEG) concentration is significantly smaller than the apparent one derived from single carrier analysis of the Hall coefficient. In the two types of structures investigated, delta doped and continuously doped barrier, the apparent concentration almost doubles following illumination, while analysis reveals an increase of about 20% in the 2DEG. The effect of PPC on mobility depends on the structure. For the sample with a continuously doped barrier the mobility in the quantum well more than doubles. This increase is attributed to the effective screening of the ionized donors by the large electron concentration in the barrier. In the delta doped barrier sample the mobility is reduced by almost a factor of 2. This decrease is probably caused by strong coupling between the two wells, as is demonstrated by self-consistent analysis.

Schacham, S. E.↗
NASA NTRS1983

The 3D inelastic analysis methods for hot section components

The objective of this research is to develop an analytical tool capable of economically evaluating the cyclic time dependent plasticity which occurs in hot section engine components in areas of strain concentration resulting from the combination of both mechanical and thermal stresses. The techniques developed must be capable of accommodating large excursions in temperatures with the associated variations in material properties including plasticity and creep. The overall objective of this proposed program is to develop advanced 3-D inelastic structural/stress analysis methods and solution strategies for more accurate and yet more cost effective analysis of combustors, turbine blades, and vanes. The approach will be to develop four different theories, one linear and three higher order with increasing complexities including embedded singularities.

Dame, L. T.↗
NASA NTRS1993

An analytical/numerical correlation study of the multiple concentric cylinder model for the thermoplastic response of metal matrix composites

The utility of a recently developed analytical micromechanics model for the response of metal matrix composites under thermal loading is illustrated by comparison with the results generated using the finite-element approach. The model is based on the concentric cylinder assemblage consisting of an arbitrary number of elastic or elastoplastic sublayers with isotropic or orthotropic, temperature-dependent properties. The elastoplastic boundary-value problem of an arbitrarily layered concentric cylinder is solved using the local/global stiffness matrix formulation (originally developed for elastic layered media) and Mendelson's iterative technique of successive elastic solutions. These features of the model facilitate efficient investigation of the effects of various microstructural details, such as functionally graded architectures of interfacial layers, on the evolution of residual stresses during cool down. The available closed-form expressions for the field variables can readily be incorporated into an optimization algorithm in order to efficiently identify optimal configurations of graded interfaces for given applications. Comparison of residual stress distributions after cool down generated using finite-element analysis and the present micromechanics model for four composite systems with substantially different temperature-dependent elastic, plastic, and thermal properties illustrates the efficacy of the developed analytical scheme.

Pindera, Marek-Jerzy↗
NASA NTRS1970

The dynamics of oceanic fronts. Part 1: The Gulf Stream

The establishment and maintenance of the mean hydrographic properties of large scale density fronts in the upper ocean is considered. The dynamics is studied by posing an initial value problem starting with a near surface discharge of buoyant water with a prescribed density deficit into an ambient stationary fluid of uniform density. The full time dependent diffusion and Navier-Stokes equations for a constant Coriolis parameter are used in this study. Scaling analysis reveals three independent length scales of the problem, namely a radius of deformation or inertial length scale, Lo, a buoyance length scale, ho, and a diffusive length scale, hv. Two basic dimensionless parameters are then formed from these length scales, the thermal (or more precisely, the densimetric) Rossby number, Ro = Lo/ho and the Ekman number, E = hv/ho. The governing equations are then suitably scaled and the resulting normalized equations are shown to depend on E alone for problems of oceanic interest. Under this scaling, the solutions are similar for all Ro. It is also shown that 1/Ro is a measure of the frontal slope. The governing equations are solved numerically and the scaling analysis is confirmed. The solution indicates that an equilibrium state is established. The front can then be rendered stationary by a barotropic current from a larger scale along-front pressure gradient. In that quasisteady state, and for small values of E, the main thermocline and the inclined isopycnics forming the front have evolved, together with the along-front jet. Conservation of potential vorticity is also obtained in the light water pool. The surface jet exhibits anticyclonic shear in the light water pool and cyclonic shear across the front.

Kao, T. W.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Cost and Throughput Analysis for the NASA Ames Arc Jet Modernization Program

NASA Ames Center is currently evaluating alternatives to modernize the Arc Jet Complex, a critical part of testing for NASA’s planetary missions. NASA’s Arc Jet Complex facilities “are used to simulate the aerothermodynamic heating that a spacecraft endures throughout hypersonic atmospheric entry, and to test candidate thermal protection system (TPS) materials and systems. “Because planetary mission schedules often have tight windows due to planetary alignment constraints, a small increase in schedule could result in a two-year delay. Such a delay could increase the cost of a $1billionmissionbyhundreds of millions of dollars due to project personnel pay and clean room storage. To avoid these costs, the authors support NASA Ames in evaluating return on investment (ROI) and effectiveness of alternatives for modernizing the complex. The first input into the ROI is the deconstruction and construction cost estimates, which are developed using independent research on highly specialized subsystems, vendor quotes, and Unified Facilities Criteria (UFC), depending on the facility and work package. One of the measures of effectiveness is throughput analysis of the test bays, as a main goal of the modernization is to increase the number of possible test runs per year. This analysis is conducted via a probabilistic simulation and accounts for a variety of stochastic factors that influence the sequence of test runs, such as the facility availability; test complexity; the need to pause to assess test results; test failure; and the possibility of a system failure. The methodologies for both these analyses are discussed, along with the challenges presented due to the unique nature of the highly specialized test equipment.

Jennifer Scheel↗
NASA NTRS1981

Temperature dependence of ozone absorption cross section, 280 to 330 nm

A description is presented of the results of an analysis of the presently available data on the variation of the ozone absorption cross section and the O(1D) yield with temperature. The data used in the analysis of the total ozone cross section were obtained by Inn and Tanaka (1953), Vigroux (1953), and Simons et al. (1973). The O(1D) yield data examined include those of Moortgat et al. (1977), Arnold et al. (1977), and Brock and Watson (1980). For the purposes of the analysis the yield measurements were converted to partial cross sections by multiplying the published yield by the published total cross section.

Hudson, R. D.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Analysis of the SOR iteration for the 9-point Laplacian

The SOR iteration for solving linear systems of equations depends upon an overrelaxation factor omega. A theory for determining omega was given by Young (1950) for consistently ordered matrices. Here the optimal omega is determined for the 9-point stencil for the model problem of Laplace's equation on a square. Several orderings of the equations are considered, including the natural rowwise and multicolor orderings, all of which lead to non-consistently ordered matrices, and two equivalence classes of orderings are found with different convergence behavior and optimal omega's. The results for the natural rowwise ordering are compared to those of Garabedian (1956) and it is explained why both results are, in a sense, correct, even though they differ. Also analyzed is a pseudo SOR method for the model problem and it is shown that it is not as effective as the SOR methods. Finally, the point SOR methods are compared to known results for line SOR methods for this problem.

Loyce M. Adams↗
NASA NTRS1991

Software reliability experiments data analysis and investigation

The objectives are to investigate the fundamental reasons which cause independently developed software programs to fail dependently, and to examine fault tolerant software structures which maximize reliability gain in the presence of such dependent failure behavior. The authors used 20 redundant programs from a software reliability experiment to analyze the software errors causing coincident failures, to compare the reliability of N-version and recovery block structures composed of these programs, and to examine the impact of diversity on software reliability using subpopulations of these programs. The results indicate that both conceptually related and unrelated errors can cause coincident failures and that recovery block structures offer more reliability gain than N-version structures if acceptance checks that fail independently from the software components are available. The authors present a theory of general program checkers that have potential application for acceptance tests.

Walker, J. Leslie↗
NASA NTRS1992

An analysis of power beaming for the Moon and Mars

Operations on the surface of the Moon and Mars will depend on a reliable source of electrical power. At NASA Lewis Research Center, the feasibility of powering lunar and Martian surface sites by power beaming was studied. Constellations of nuclear or solar powered satellites using microwave or laser transmitters were designed to power an equatorial surface base. Additional surface assets, such as rovers, can also be powered from the same orbiting satellites, requiring only the additional mass of a receiver. However, the actual mass and power capabilities of the system are dependent on the location of the surface receiver. The masses of the beam power systems can be reduced by up to 50 percent, by using the power source of an electric propulsion vehicle to power the beam system. The important analyses results and any additional issues that remain unresolved are discussed.

Stavnes, Mark W.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Quantitative Analysis of Spaceflight Drug Stability Data to Support a Predictive Pharmaceutical Testing Strategy

To systematically quantify the time-dependent effect of spaceflight on active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) degradation, data were extracted from available published and unpublished spaceflight drug stability studies. Seven studies were identified that investigated the stability of individual medications following storage aboard crewed spacecraft. Medications stored for up to 2.4 years in low earth orbit (LEO) show limited change in API potency that, in all cases, falls within 10% of matched terrestrial controls, and within 5% of controls for the most drugs. This investigation shows that spaceflight is associated with a ~1.5-fold increase in the degradation rate relative to lot-matched terrestrial controls. Spaceflight is associated with an increased probability of drug failure over time; however, the incremental increase in degradation risk associated with spaceflight is minor compared to the baseline risk associated with terrestrial controls. Since most drugs across all NASA-supported studies were repackaged solid oral formulations that had been removed from protective manufacturer packaging, it is likely that prolonged exposure to atmospheric factors during both terrestrial and spaceflight treatments is a key contributor to degradation. Unique spaceflight environmental factors, particularly ionizing radiation and elevated CO2, may contribute to the additional cumulative effect of spaceflight. The results of this study show that the effect of spaceflight on drug stability is minor relative to the terrestrial baseline; however, the degradation rate and time-dependent failure of terrestrial controls highlights an extremely critical need to evaluate the effect of current repackaging methods and development of operationally appropriate methods to protected repackaged solid oral medications from environmental factors that mediate degradation.

J F Reichard↗
NASA NTRS1993

The wavelength dependence of Martian atmospheric dust radiative properties

One of the key radiative agents in the atmosphere of Mars is the suspended dust particles. A new analysis of two data sets of the Martian atmosphere is being carried out in order to better evaluate the radiative properties of the atmospheric dust particles. The properties of interest are the size distribution, optical constants, and other radiative properties, such as the single-scattering albedo and phase function. Of prime importance is the wavelength dependence of these radiative properties throughout the visible and near-infrared wavelengths. Understanding the wavelength dependence of absorption and scattering characteristics will provide a good definition of the influence that the atmospheric dust has on heating of the atmosphere.

Pollack, J. B.↗