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At least 1,369 records · Page 76

Analytical model of the combustion of multicomponent solid propellants

Multiple flame models derived for simple composite propellants are extended to describe the combustion of propellants containing multimodal particle sizes, mixed oxidizers and monopropellant binders. Models combining the component contributions to propellant surface structure, flame structure and energy distribution are based in part upon experimental observations and in part upon hypotheses constrained to provide reasonable agreement with measured burning rate characteristics. The methods employed consist of superposition, interaction and iteration. The computerized model is applied to explain the effects of multiple ingredients and to discuss burning rate tailoring problems of current interest.

Cohen, N. S.↗

Finite-element solutions for geothermal systems

Vector potential and scalar potential are used to formulate the governing equations for a single-component and single-phase geothermal system. By assuming an initial temperature field, the fluid velocity can be determined which, in turn, is used to calculate the convective heat transfer. The energy equation is then solved by considering convected heat as a distributed source. Using the resulting temperature to compute new source terms, the final results are obtained by iterations of the procedure. Finite-element methods are proposed for modeling of realistic geothermal systems; the advantages of such methods are discussed. The developed methodology is then applied to a sample problem. Favorable agreement is obtained by comparisons with a previous study.

Chen, J. C.↗

A family of solution algorithms for nonlinear structural analysis based on relaxation equations

A family of hierarchical algorithms for nonlinear structural equations are presented. The algorithms are based on the Davidenko-Branin type homotopy and shown to yield consistent hierarchical perturbation equations. The algorithms appear to be particularly suitable to problems involving bifurcation and limit point calculations. An important by-product of the algorithms is that it provides a systematic and economical means for computing the stepsize at each iteration stage when a Newton-like method is employed to solve the systems of equations. Some sample problems are provided to illustrate the characteristics of the algorithms.

Park, K. C.↗

Evaluation and development of new VAS remote sensing algorithms

An algorithm, developed to permit the simultaneous retrieval of temperature/moisture profiles and surface skin temperature by direct analytical solution of the radiative transfer equation, alleviates the problem associated with the interdependencies of water vapor retrieval on temperature retrieval and their dependencies on surface emissions. Simultaneous solution of all these quantities is achieved in one calculation using the available radiance observations. Since only a single matrix inversion is required for the specification of all parameters, the solution is computationally efficient. Ancillary observations of temperature and/or moisture from surface sensors on aircraft can be readily incorporated into the solution. Simulation tests of the method indicate improved performance over the previous iterative technique, particularly for the lower troposphere and for water vapor.

Smith, W. L.↗

Some iterative schemes for transonic potential flows

The minimal residual (MR) method for the numerical solution of transonic potential flows is closely related to the conjugate gradient method, which has found widespread use in the solution of large sparse, symmetric, and positive-definite linear equations. The primary advantage of the MR method is its applicability to both symmetric and nonsymmetric matrices.

Wong, Y. S.↗

Infrared band extinctions and complex refractive indices of crystalline C2H2 and C4H2

Thermal IR absorption intensities are obtained for thin films of crystalline C2H2 and C4H2 at 70 K, and their n and k complex refractive indices are ascertained by separating true film absorption from interface reflection on the basis of an analysis of the transmission spectrum ratio for two sample thicknesses. This method significantly simplifies the n and k iteration process. The n and k values determined in the laboratory will in most cases reproduce a given sample thickness' observed transmission to within + or - 5 percent.

Khanna, R. K.↗

Chemical nonequilibrium and viscous flow computation for conic aerobrake bodies

Three-dimensional analyses are presented for the viscous, reactive flow over a complete entry-body configuration with a wide-angle conic surface. The predictive method uses a split approach that solves iteratively the Navier-Stokes and the continuity equations of chemical species. The finite-difference formulation and the computational grid are adapted to the bow shock and the conformally mapped body such that the velocity components are in the computational spherical-polar space. Combinations of several conic forebody and afterbody configurations have been studied using wind-tunnel, Space Shuttle, and aerobraking orbital transfer vehicle (AOTV) entry conditions. The effects of the borebody bluntness and of finite-rate chemical reactions on the shock layer, the wall catalycity on the boundary layer, the shear-layer impingement on the afterbody, and the base-flow environment are discussed.

Li, C. P.↗

Efficient real gas Navier-Stokes computations of high speed flows using an LU scheme

An efficient method to account for the chemically frozen thermodynamic and transport properties of air in three dimensional Navier-Stokes calculations was demonstrated. This approach uses an explicitly specified equation of state (EOS) so that the fluid pressure, temperature and transport properties are directly related to the flow variables. Since the pressure is explicitly known as a general function of the flow variables no assumptions are made regarding the pressure derivatives in the construction of the flux Jacobians. The method is efficient since no sub-iterations are required to deduce the pressure and temperature from the flux variables and allows different equations of state to be easily supplied to the code. The flexibility of the EOS approach is demonstrated by implementing a high order TVD upwinding scheme based upon flux differencing and Van Leer's flux vector splitting. The EOS approach is demonstrated by computing the hypersonic flow through the corner region of two mutually perpendicular flat plates and through a simplified model of a scramjet module gap-seal configuration.

Coirier, William J.↗

An application generator for rapid prototyping of Ada real-time control software

The need to increase engineering productivity and decrease software life cycle costs in real-time system development establishes a motivation for a method of rapid prototyping. The design by iterative rapid prototyping technique is described. A tool which facilitates such a design methodology for the generation of embedded control software is described.

Johnson, Jim↗

Efficient real gas Navier-Stokes computations of high speed flows using an LU scheme

An efficient method to account for the chemically frozen thermodynamic and transport properties of air in three dimensional Navier-Stokes calculations was demonstrated. This approach uses an explicitly specified equation of state (EOS) so that the fluid pressure, temperature and transport properties are directly related to the flow variables. Since the pressure is explicitly known as a general function of the flow variables no assumptions are made regarding the pressure derivatives in the construction of the flux Jacobians. The method is efficient since no sub-iterations are required to deduce the pressure and temperature from the flux variables and allows different equations of state to be easily supplied to the code. The flexibility of the EOS approach is demonstrated by implementing a high order TVD upwinding scheme based upon flux differencing and Van Leer's flux vector splitting. The EOS approach is demonstrated by computing the hypersonic flow through the corner region of two mutually perpendicular flat plates and through a simplified model of a scramjet module gap-seal configuration.

Coirier, William J.↗

A tool for interactive exploration of a hierarchical segmentation

Hierarchical segmentation is discussed as a form of region growing in which the sequence of merges is controlled by a 'best merge first' principle, and a record of the region merging sequence is often retained for later analysis. In the author's massively parallel implementation of hierarchical segmentation, which he calls iterative parallel region growing (IPRG), a set of directional edge maps are used to store the region merging sequence information. An iteractive tool is described that allows an analyst to fully explore a hierarchical segmentation, potentially producing an image segmentation that is a combination of segmentations produced at several different iterations of the IPRG algorithm. A potential method for automatically producing such segmentations is also discussed.

Tilton, James C.↗

Symmetric Galerkin boundary formulations employing curved elements

Accounts of the symmetric Galerkin approach to boundary element analysis (BEA) have recently been published. This paper attempts to add to the understanding of this method by addressing a series of fundamental issues associated with its potential computational efficiency. A new symmetric Galerkin theoretical formulation for both the (harmonic) heat conduction and the (biharmonic) elasticity problem that employs regularized singular and hypersingular boundary integral equations (BIEs) is presented. The novel use of regularized BIEs in the Galerkin context is shown to allow straightforward incorporation of curved, isoparametric elements. A symmetric reusable intrinsic sample point (RISP) numerical integration algorithm is shown to produce a Galerkin (i.e., double) integration strategy that is competitive with its counterpart (i.e., singular) integration procedure in the collocation BEA approach when the time saved in the symmetric equation solution phase is also taken into account. This new formulation is shown to be capable of employing hypersingular BIEs while obviating the requirement of C 1 continuity, a fact that allows the employment of the popular continuous element technology. The behavior of the symmetric Galerkin BEA method with regard to both direct and iterative equation solution operations is also addressed. A series of example problems are presented to quantify the performance of this symmetric approach, relative to the more conventional unsymmetric BEA, in terms of both accuracy and efficiency. It is concluded that appropriate implementations of the symmetric Galerkin approach to BEA indeed have the potential to be competitive with, if not superior to, collocation-based BEA, for large-scale problems.

Kane, J. H.↗

Transonic Flow Computations Using Nonlinear Potential Methods

This presentation describes the state of transonic flow simulation using nonlinear potential methods for external aerodynamic applications. The presentation begins with a review of the various potential equation forms (with emphasis on the full potential equation) and includes a discussion of pertinent mathematical characteristics and all derivation assumptions. Impact of the derivation assumptions on simulation accuracy, especially with respect to shock wave capture, is discussed. Key characteristics of all numerical algorithm types used for solving nonlinear potential equations, including steady, unsteady, space marching, and design methods, are described. Both spatial discretization and iteration scheme characteristics are examined. Numerical results for various aerodynamic applications are included throughout the presentation to highlight key discussion points. The presentation ends with concluding remarks and recommendations for future work. Overall. nonlinear potential solvers are efficient, highly developed and routinely used in the aerodynamic design environment for cruise conditions. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Holst, Terry L.↗

Flutter Prediction for Aircraft Conceptual Design

Flutter prediction is usually a knowledge-based analysis process that aims to reduce the cost of aeroelastic stability margin certification. However, early detection of flutter problems is beneficial in the development of unconventional aircraft. The recently developed automation tool ConceptFEA for structural sizing of aircraft concepts paves the way for rapid physics-based flutter prediction of aircraft concepts. A match-point iteration procedure using the p-k method is implemented for ConceptFEA with minimum user input requirements to generate flutter boundary points. A subsonic business jet concept and its high aspect-ratio wing variant are used to demonstrate how the newly developed flutter prediction capability can be used during aircraft conceptual design. Sized structures, flutter boundary curves, and flutter sensitivity analysis results are generated for these two concepts using ConceptFEA. The relevant equivalent plate theory is provided to show the quantitative relationships between a stiffened panel and its equivalent NASTRAN PSHELL panel. The rapid flutter prediction capability of ConceptFEA makes multidisciplinary collaborations between systems analysts and aeroelasticity experts feasible in practice.

Li, Wu↗

NASA Kennedy Space Center Swamp Works: Innovation Methods for Advanced Research & Technology Development

Kennedy Space Center’s (KSC) Swamp Works, provides government and commercial space ventures with the technologies required for working and living on the surfaces of the Moon or other planets and bodies in our solar system. The Swamp Works team establishes agile, innovative and cost effective exploration mission solutions through leveraging of partnerships across NASA, industry and academia. Concepts start small and build up efficiently, with lean development processes and a hands on approach. Testing is performed in early stages to drive design improvements and progressively increase Technology Readiness Levels (TRL). Swamp Works provides concepts, architecture studies and trades, designs, data, technology development, technology demonstration hardware, flight hardware, testing, flight support and knowledge in support of the development of surface systems. This paper will summarize the state of the art in innovation methods, and it will compare the various other methods to how innovation is accomplished at the NASA KSC Swamp Works. Since 2013, Swamp Works has developed a wide variety of technologies, and has demonstrated viable methods for innovation while also collaborating with other government agencies, industry and academia to support space exploration. These methods focus on agile design, test, build iterations where each cycle of prototyping results in improved knowledge and designs. Failures are tole rated in the early stages of these iterations, since the overall development cycle is shorter more efficient and cost effective by retiring risk early in the cycle. Momentum is maintained and the development teams remain highly motivated by the high level of team work, technical excellence, engagement and creative freedom.

Robotic Mining↗

Development of a Practical Secondary Control for Hardware Microgrids

Practical, vendor-agnostic interoperability guidelines for the secondary control architecture of microgrids (MGs) with multiple grid-forming (GFM) inverter-based resources (IBRs) have not yet been developed. Therefore, this paper proposes a generic and vendor-agnostic secondary control architecture that operates with all GFM IBRs and synchronous generators. This secondary control does not require the use of additional measurement devices in the MG and utilizes the inherent communication systems of the GFM units, such as Modbus TCP/IP. The practical challenges of Modbus registers, such as packet loss and quantization error, and their detrimental impacts on secondary control actions are investigated. The proposed three-stage modification for any secondary control architecture to mitigate these impacts includes: 1) averaging the data read, 2) situational event-triggering of the controller, and 3) finite iteration of the controlling action. The proposed method is validated using a three-phase electric power, 480 V, 60 Hz, 500 kVA laboratory hardware microgrid with commercial two GFM IBRs and one diesel generator. The experimental results corroborates the fact the proposed modification in the secondary control architecture is advantageous for practical usage under erroneous measurements.

grid-forming inverter↗

Development of a Practical Secondary Control for Hardware Microgrids: Preprint

Practical vendor-agnostic interoperability guidelines for the secondary control architecture of microgrids (MGs) with multiple grid-forming (GFM) inverter-based resources (IBRs) have not yet been developed. Therefore, this paper proposes a generic and vendor-agnostic secondary control architecture that works with all GFM IBRs and synchronous generators. This secondary control does not need to employ any additional measurement devices in the MG and uses the inherent communication systems of the GFM units, such as Modbus TCP/IP. The practical challenges of Modbus holding registers such as packet loss, quantization error, etc. and their deteriorating impacts on the secondary control action are investigated. The proposed three-stage modification of any secondary control architecture to eliminate these impacts includes 1) averaging the data read, 2) situational event-triggering of the controller, and 3) the finite iteration of the controlling action. The proposed method is validated using a laboratory hardware MG with commercial GFM units.

inverter based resources↗

Nested Krylov methods and preserving the orthogonality

Recently the GMRESR inner-outer iteraction scheme for the solution of linear systems of equations was proposed by Van der Vorst and Vuik. Similar methods have been proposed by Axelsson and Vassilevski and Saad (FGMRES). The outer iteration is GCR, which minimizes the residual over a given set of direction vectors. The inner iteration is GMRES, which at each step computes a new direction vector by approximately solving the residual equation. However, the optimality of the approximation over the space of outer search directions is ignored in the inner GMRES iteration. This leads to suboptimal corrections to the solution in the outer iteration, as components of the outer iteration directions may reenter in the inner iteration process. Therefore we propose to preserve the orthogonality relations of GCR in the inner GMRES iteration. This gives optimal corrections; however, it involves working with a singular, non-symmetric operator. We will discuss some important properties, and we will show by experiments that, in terms of matrix vector products, this modification (almost) always leads to better convergence. However, because we do more orthogonalizations, it does not always give an improved performance in CPU-time. Furthermore, we will discuss efficient implementations as well as the truncation possibilities of the outer GCR process. The experimental results indicate that for such methods it is advantageous to preserve the orthogonality in the inner iteration. Of course we can also use iteration schemes other than GMRES as the inner method; methods with short recurrences like GICGSTAB are of interest.

Desturler, Eric↗