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At least 1,369 records · Page 76
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2007

Tailored Excitation for Frequency Response Measurement Applied to the X-43A Flight Vehicle

An important aspect of any flight research project is assessing aircraft stability and flight control performance. In some programs this assessment is accomplished through the estimation of the in-flight vehicle frequency response. This estimation has traditionally been a lengthy task requiring separate swept sine inputs for each control axis at a constant flight condition. Hypersonic vehicles spend little time at any specific flight condition while they are decelerating. Accordingly, it is difficult to use traditional methods to calculate the vehicle frequency response and stability margins for this class of vehicle. A technique has been previously developed to significantly reduce the duration of the excitation input by tailoring the input to excite only the frequency range of interest. Reductions in test time were achieved by simultaneously applying tailored excitation signals to multiple control loops, allowing a quick estimate of the frequency response of a particular aircraft. This report discusses the flight results obtained from applying a tailored excitation input to the X-43A longitudinal and lateral-directional control loops during the second and third flights. The frequency responses and stability margins obtained from flight data are compared with preflight predictions.

Baumann, Ethan↗
NASA NTRS2005

Case Study of the Space Shuttle Cockpit Avionics Upgrade Software

The purpose of the Space Shuttle Cockpit Avionics Upgrade project was to reduce crew workload and improve situational awareness. The upgrade was to augment the Shuttle avionics system with new hardware and software. An early version of this system was used to gather human factor statistics in the Space Shuttle Motion Simulator of the Johnson Space Center for one month by multiple teams of astronauts. The results were compiled by NASA Ames Research Center and it was was determined that the system provided a better than expected increase in situational awareness and reduction in crew workload. Even with all of the benefits nf the system, NASA cancelled the project towards the end of the development cycle. A major success of this project was the validation of the hardware architecture and software design. This was significant because the project incorporated new technology and approaches for the development of human rated space software. This paper serves as a case study to document knowledge gained and techniques that can be applied for future space avionics development efforts. The major technological advances were the use of reflective memory concepts for data acquisition and the incorporation of Commercial off the Shelf (COTS) products in a human rated space avionics system. The infused COTS products included a real time operating system, a resident linker and loader, a display generation tool set, and a network data manager. Some of the successful design concepts were the engineering of identical outputs in multiple avionics boxes using an event driven approach and inter-computer communication, a reconfigurable data acquisition engine, the use of a dynamic bus bandwidth allocation algorithm. Other significant experiences captured were the use of prototyping to reduce risk, and the correct balance between Object Oriented and Functional based programming.

Ferguson, Roscoe C.↗
DOE OSTI2014

A limited-angle intrafraction verification (LIVE) system for radiation therapy

Purpose: Currently, no 3D or 4D volumetric x-ray imaging techniques are available for intrafraction verification of target position during actual treatment delivery or in-between treatment beams, which is critical for stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) treatments. This study aims to develop a limited-angle intrafraction verification (LIVE) system to use prior information, deformation models, and limited angle kV-MV projections to verify target position intrafractionally. Methods: The LIVE system acquires limited-angle kV projections simultaneously during arc treatment delivery or in-between static 3D/IMRT treatment beams as the gantry moves from one beam to the next. Orthogonal limited-angle MV projections are acquired from the beam's eye view (BEV) exit fluence of arc treatment beam or in-between static beams to provide additional anatomical information. MV projections are converted to kV projections using a linear conversion function. Patient prior planning CT at one phase is used as the prior information, and the on-board patient volume is considered as a deformation of the prior images. The deformation field is solved using the data fidelity constraint, a breathing motion model extracted from the planning 4D-CT based on principal component analysis (PCA) and a free-form deformation (FD) model. LIVE was evaluated using a 4D digital extended cardiac torso phantom (XCAT) and a CIRS 008A dynamic thoracic phantom. In the XCAT study, patient breathing pattern and tumor size changes were simulated from CT to treatment position. In the CIRS phantom study, the artificial target in the lung region experienced both size change and position shift from CT to treatment position. Varian Truebeam research mode was used to acquire kV and MV projections simultaneously during the delivery of a dynamic conformal arc plan. The reconstruction accuracy was evaluated by calculating the 3D volume percentage difference (VPD) and the center of mass (COM) difference of the tumor in the true on-board images and reconstructed images. Results: In both simulation and phantom studies, LIVE achieved substantially better reconstruction accuracy than reconstruction using PCA or FD deformation model alone. In the XCAT study, the average VPD and COM differences among different patient scenarios for LIVE system using orthogonal 30° scan angles were 4.3% and 0.3 mm when using kV+BEV MV. Reducing scan angle to 15° increased the average VPD and COM differences to 15.1% and 1.7 mm. In the CIRS phantom study, the VPD and COM differences for the LIVE system using orthogonal 30° scan angles were 6.4% and 1.4 mm. Reducing scan angle to 15° increased the VPD and COM differences to 51.9% and 3.8 mm. Conclusions: The LIVE system has the potential to substantially improve intrafraction target localization accuracy by providing volumetric verification of tumor position simultaneously during arc treatment delivery or in-between static treatment beams. With this improvement, LIVE opens up a new avenue for margin reduction and dose escalation in both fractionated treatments and SRS and SBRT treatments.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗
DOE OSTI2015

Use of a Multiplexed Photonic Doppler Velocimetry (MPDV) System to Study Plastic Deformation of Metallic Steel Plates in High Velocity Impact

High-velocity impact experiments with a gas gun pose unique challenges, in terms of experimental setup and computational simulation, since the projectile-target interaction creates extreme pressure and temperature within few micro seconds. The objective of this study is to accurately measure the plastic deformation of plates under projectile impact that does not lead to full penetration. In this work, free surface velocities at the back side of target plates are measured using the newly developed Multiplexed Photonic Doppler Velocimetry (MPDV) system, which is an interferometric fiber-optic technique which can measure velocity from the Doppler shift of the light reflected from the moving back surface of the target. The MPDV system allows measurements of velocity from different locations on the target plate using multiple optical fiber probes oriented in specific directions and patterns. Data are reduced using a Fast Fourier transformation (FFT) technique to obtain the free surface velocity profiles. These velocity profiles can present insights into the dynamic behavior of impacted materials under shock loading conditions.

MPDV, multiplexing, high-velocity impact, velocime↗
DOE OSTI2023

Compression of tokamak boundary plasma simulation data using a maximum volume algorithm for matrix skeleton decomposition

This report demonstrates satisfactory data compression of SOLPS-ITER simulation output ranging from 2D fields, 1D profiles, and 0D scalar variables with a novel matrix decomposition approach. The singular value decomposition (SVD) scales poorly for large matrix sizes and is unsuited to the application on high dimensional data common to fusion plasma physics simulation. In this work, we employ the columns-submatrix-rows (CUR) matrix factorization technique in order to compute a low-rank approximation up to two orders of magnitude faster than the SVD, but within a nominal L2-norm relative error of ε = 10 –2 . In addition, the CUR approach maintains the original format of the data, in its extracted columns and rows, allowing for interpretable data storage at the original resolution of the simulation. We utilize an iterative algorithm to compute the CUR decomposition of simulation output by maximizing the volume, or linearly independent information content, of a low-rank submatrix contained within the data. Experiments over $\textit{n} × \textit{n}$ randomized test matrices with embedded rank-deficient features show that this maximum volume implementation of CUR matrix approximation has reduced asymptotic computational complexity on the order of n compared to the SVD, which scales approximately as $n^3$. These results show that the CUR technique can be used to effectively select time step snapshots (columns) of over 140 SOLPS-ITER output variables and the associated discretized coordinate timeseries (rows) allowing for reconstruction of the complete simulation dynamics.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
NASA NTRS2015

Application of an Aligned and Unaligned Signal Processing Technique to Investigate Tones and Broadband Noise in Fan and Contra-Rotating Open Rotor Acoustic Spectra

The study of noise from a two-shaft contra-rotating open rotor (CROR) is challenging since the shafts are not phase locked in most cases. Consequently, phase averaging of the acoustic data keyed to a single shaft rotation speed is not meaningful. An unaligned spectrum procedure that was developed to estimate a signal coherence threshold and reveal concealed spectral lines in turbofan engine combustion noise is applied to fan and CROR acoustic data in this paper (also available as NASA/TM-2015-218865). The NASA Advanced Air Vehicles Program, Advanced Air Transport Technology Project, Aircraft Noise Reduction Subproject supported the current work. The fan and open rotor data were obtained under previous efforts supported by the NASA Quiet Aircraft Technology (QAT) Project and the NASA Environmentally Responsible Aviation (ERA) Project of the Integrated Systems Research Program in collaboration with GE Aviation, respectively. The overarching goal of the Advanced Air Transport (AATT) Project is to explore and develop technologies and concepts to revolutionize the energy efficiency and environmental compatibility of fixed wing transport aircrafts. These technological solutions are critical in reducing the impact of aviation on the environment even as this industry and the corresponding global transportation system continue to grow.

Aeroacoustics↗
DOE OSTI2020

Evaluation of probabilistic photometric redshift estimation approaches for The Rubin Observatory Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST)

Many scientific investigations of photometric galaxy surveys require redshift estimates, whose uncertainty properties are best encapsulated by photometric redshift (photo-z) posterior probability density functions (PDFs). A plethora of photo-z PDF estimation methodologies abound, producing discrepant results with no consensus on a preferred approach. We present the results of a comprehensive experiment comparing twelve photo-z algorithms applied to mock data produced forLarge Synoptic Survey Telescope The Rubin Observatory Legacy Survey of Space and Time (lsst) Dark Energy Science Collaboration (desc). By supplying perfect prior information, in the form of the complete template library and a representative training set as inputs to each code, we demonstrate the impact of the assumptions underlying each technique on the output photo-z PDFs. In the absence of a notion of true, unbiased photo-z PDFs, we evaluate and interpret multiple metrics of the ensemble properties of the derived photo-z PDFs as well as traditional reductions to photo-z point estimates. Additionally, we report systematic biases and overall over/under-breadth of the photo-z PDFs of many popular codes, which may indicate avenues for improvement in the algorithms or implementations. Furthermore, we raise attention to the limitations of established metrics for assessing photo-z PDF accuracy; though we identify the conditional density estimate (CDE) loss as a promising metric of photo-z PDF performance in the case where true redshifts are available but true photo-z PDFs are not, we emphasize the need for science-specific performance metrics.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2019

Pressio

Reduced-order Models (ROMs). ROMs are "compressed" approximations of high-fidelity computational models. Implementing ROM methods in production codes is typically intrusive, i.e. the native codes must be adapted and modified, with individual ROM methods reimplemented in every application code. This clearly constitutes an obstacle to users who want to use ROMs. To address this, we have developed Pressio, which is a C++ header-only ROM library that can be used by an application code in a non-intrusive fashion. The main objectives behind the design of Pressio are: (a) support for general computational models (data structures, PDE types); (b) heterogeneous hardware (CPU, GPU); (c) performance; and (d) extensibility. Using metaprogramming techniques, Pressio detects and leverages the application?s native linear algebra data structures (e.g. vector and matrix) to run the ROM methods. The application only needs to expose the velocity vector and Jacobian matrix via an adapter class. Pressio checks at compile time that the target application meets the correct API. The library is structured in several modular packages including (a) non-linear least-square solvers (e.g. Gauss-Newton with and without line-search); (b) singular value decomposition (for the computation of the ROM generalized coordinates) and (c) algebraic hyper-reduction.SAND2019-5878 M

Blonigan, Patrick↗
DOE OSTI2019

Pressio v.1.0

Reduced-order Models (ROMs). ROMs are "compressed" approximations of high-fidelity computational models. Implementing ROM methods in production codes is typically intrusive, i.e. the native codes must be adapted and modified, with individual ROM methods reimplemented in every application code. This clearly constitutes an obstacle to users who want to use ROMs. To address this, we have developed Pressio, which is a C++ header-only ROM library that can be used by an application code in a non-intrusive fashion. The main objectives behind the design of Pressio are: (a) support for general computational models (data structures, PDE types); (b) heterogeneous hardware (CPU, GPU); (c) performance; and (d) extensibility. Using metaprogramming techniques, Pressio detects and leverages the application?s native linear algebra data structures (e.g. vector and matrix) to run the ROM methods. The application only needs to expose the velocity vector and Jacobian matrix via an adapter class. Pressio checks at compile time that the target application meets the correct API. The library is structured in several modular packages including (a) non-linear least-square solvers (e.g. Gauss-Newton with and without line-search); (b) singular value decomposition (for the computation of the ROM generalized coordinates) and (c) algebraic hyper-reduction.SAND2019-5878 M

Blonigan, Patrick↗
DOE OSTI2025

Hydrothermal Growth of Magnetically Frustrated Crystals: Lanthanide Stannate Pyrochlores as a Prototype

One important test bed system for frustrated magnetism is the pyrochlore lattice with the formula A2B2O7 in the cubic space group Fd3(-)m. Both the A and B sites occupy crystallographic trigonal sites and both sites possess a tetrahedral relationship with the other similar metal ion sites. These symmetry relationships generate a 3 D frustrated structure. In frustrated magnetic systems, typically a trivalent lanthanide ion occupies the A site and a magnetically silent tetravalent ion (Ti, Zr, Sn, etc.) occupies the B site. A classical problem related to the crystal growth of these compounds is sample quality. As refractory oxides, the traditional synthesis and crystal growth techniques require high temperatures, which creates two problems that are quite common and endemic to the pyrochlores. One is oxide lattice defects and the other is A/B site disorder. Both issues often occur in the same crystals at the same time and can have a significant impact on the study of physical properties. A hydrothermal approach can be applied to this problem. The relatively low crystal growth temperatures (600-720˚C) greatly minimize nonstoichiometry, lattice defects and A/B site disorder. The reduction of these pervasive imperfections significantly increases the quality of the observed physical property data. This talk will focus on the lanthanide stannates Ln2Sn2O7 as a prototype test bed of these systems. The stannates are among the few building blocks that can stabilize the pyrochlore structure type for all the lanthanides and they serve as an excellent proving ground for a wide range of physical properties. The synthesis and crystal growth of the lanthanide stannates will be reviewed, along with a discussion of some of the physical properties that result from the frustrated magnetic states of these low defect crystals.

Hydrothermal, crystal growth↗
DOE OSTI2019

FTIR and Raman Spectroscopy of Reduced Graphene Oxide Carbon Nanoribbons and Graphene Oxide on Copper (Cu)

In the past couple of decades, carbon nanomaterials produced from graphene and graphite have emerged as one of the more important recently discovered substances. These carbon nanomaterials have been found to exhibit high levels of mechanical strength, thermal resistance, and electrical conductivity, thus having a multitude of applications. Therefore, it is important to identify and analyze their traits in order to maximize their effectiveness. Two spectroscopic techniques employed for such analyses of these materials are Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR) and Raman Spectroscopy. The advantages of FTIR and Raman include nondestructive analysis, relatively quick measurements under normal atmospheric conditions, and enhanced sensitivity with high resolution capacity. FTIR Spectroscopy was used in this research project to determine the effects of thermal exfoliation and photoreduction on the functionality groups of a carbon nanomaterial. Raman Spectroscopy was used in this research project to determine the effects of thermal exfoliation and photoreduction on the intensity of the disorder peak, which is greater in intensity if the carbon nanomaterial exhibits greater amounts of functionalities or defects in the graphitic material. There were two sample types which were analyzed with both FTIR and Raman Spectroscopy for the research project: graphene nanoribbons and graphene oxide. The m-grade graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) were produced from m-grade carbon nanotubes (CNTs) via Tour's method. The graphene oxide (GO) was produced from graphene via Tour's method, sonicated and centrifuged, dip-coated onto Copper (Cu) foil, and then photoreduced under a UV light source. FTIR measurements and analyses were conducted using a Jasco FTIR Spectrometer. Raman measurements and analyses were conducted using a Jasco Laser Raman Spectrometer. Tasks and techniques for this project included photoreduction, dip-coating, corrosion testing, FTIR and Raman data collection and analysis, and improvement of data collection for the Raman Spectrometer. GNRs exfoliated and reduced (deoxygenation) at 270 deg. C in air showed a significant decrease in O functionalities according to FTIR. However, Raman revealed that a large increase in graphene planar and edge defects are present as indicated by the disorder band at 1340 cm-1. Further optimization could be performed by thermal exfoliation at lower temperatures assuming a need for fewer structural defects. Graphene oxide coatings showed clear reduction with an increase with photoreduction time. Raman revealed that the reduced graphene oxide films had less disruption in the planar phonon lattice vibrations which indicates that the structure is returning to sp2 hybridization of pristine graphene without adding structural defects.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2015

Search for 0ν2β of {sup 100}Mo by NEMO-3 and status of SuperNEMO

The NEMO-3 experiment was devoted to the research of the neutrinoless double beta decay and the precise measurement of the two-neutrino double beta decay of seven isotopes. The detector took data in the Laboratoire Souterrain de Modane (LSM) from 2003 to 2011. The unique combination of a 3D-tracker and a calorimeter allowed to fully reconstruct the double beta decay events topology and strongly reduces the backgrounds. This feature also permitted to characterize the remaining backgrounds in independent analysis channels. With an exposure of 34.7 kg·y of {sup 100}Mo no evidence for the 0ν2β signal has been found, yielding a limit for the light Majorana neutrino mass mechanism of T{sub 1/2}(0ν2β) > 1.1 10{sup 24} years (90 % C.L.) once both statistical and systematic uncertainties are taken into account. Depending on the Nuclear Matrix Elements this corresponds to an upper limit on the Majorana effective neutrino mass of |m{sub ββ}| < 0.3 − 0.9 eV (90 % C.L.). Constraints on other lepton number violating mechanisms of 0ν2β decays are also given. Searching for high-energy double electron events in all suitable sources of the detector, no event in the energy region [3.2-10] MeV is observed for an exposure of 47 kg·y. The next generation experiment, SuperNEMO, will use the same experimental technique to extend the sensitivity on the neutrinoless double beta decay search. Several aspects have been improved compared to NEMO-3: choice of the isotope, energy resolution, energy losses… but the main challenge is the background reduction. All the detector materials have been selected for their low natural radioactivity contaminations through High Purity Germanium (HPGe) gamma spectroscopy. The double beta sources after enrichment are being prepared with extreme care and the ultimate contaminations will be characterized by the most sensitive BiPo detector. External radon tightness and internal radon emanation have been studied to ensure a very low level in the tracker with very sensitive complementary detectors: diffusion apparatus, concentration line and emanation tanks. The construction of the first detector, called the demonstrator, has started in 2012. Studying 7 kg of {sup 82}Se, the demonstrator will reach the NEMO-3 sensitivity in only 5 months and improve it by at least a factor 6 in 2.5 years. Underground installation will start fall 2014 and physics data taking should start by summer 2015.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
NASA NTRS1994

Reduction of parasitic lasing

A technique was developed which carefully retro-reflects precisely controlled amounts of light back into a laser system thereby intentionally forcing the laser system components to oscillate in a new resonator called the parasitic oscillator. The parasitic oscillator uses the laser system to provide the gain and an external mirror is used to provide the output coupling of the new resonator. Any change of gain or loss inside the new resonator will directly change the lasing threshold of the parasitic oscillator. This change in threshold can be experimentally measured as a change in the absolute value of reflectivity, provided by the external mirror, necessary to achieve lasing in the parasitic oscillator. Discrepancies between experimental data and a parasitic oscillator model are direct evidence of optical misalignment or component performance problems. Any changes in the optical system can instantly be measured as a change in threshold for the parasitic oscillator. This technique also enables aligning the system for maximum parasitic suppression with the system fully operational.

Storm, Mark E.↗
DOE OSTI2018

Formation and redox reactivity of ferrihydrite-organic carbon-calcium co-precipitates

Complexation with minerals plays a critical role in regulating the stability of organic matter. The presence of cations is assumed to be important for the complexation between organic matter and minerals, but there is still limited direct analysis for the formation and reactivity of mineral-organic matter-cation ternary complexes, as well as governing factors for the fate of minerals and organic matter in the complexes. In order to close this knowledge gap, we investigated the formation and reactivity of ferrihydrite (Fh)-organic carbon (OC)-calcium (Ca) ternary co-precipitates. We performed microbial anaerobic Fe reduction using Shewanella putrefaciens CN32 on synthesized Fh-OC-Ca co-precipitates and characterized OC and Fe minerals using various spectroscopic and wet chemistry techniques. We discovered that Ca incorporated into the co-precipitate was a function of OC/iron (Fe) ratio, but OC incorporation was not impacted by the Ca content. During the reduction, the presence of Ca favored the formation of green rust but decreased the formation of magnetite and siderite in co-precipitates with high OC content. The reduction of Fe and reductive release of Fe-bound OC were controlled primarily by the C/Fe ratio, rather than Ca/Fe ratio. Phenolic OC was preferentially released or degraded during the reduction compared to aromatic and carboxylic OC. Collectively, C/Ca incorporation data, Fe K-edge extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) analysis for co-precipitates before and after reduction, and the reductive release of Ca and OC suggest the formation of Fh-OC-Ca ternary co-precipitates, likely with OC as bridges. The reduction of Fe and reductive release of OC were primarily controlled by the C/Fe ratio, whereas the presence of Ca affected the mineral phase transformation for Fh during the reduction of Fe. Thus, our results provide novel understanding for the formation and reactivity of Ca-based ternary co-precipitates, which can be valuable for building up process-based models for cycles of carbon and metals.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS1983

Motion driven by the interface

Due to the reduction in buoyant forces aboard orbiting spacecraft such as the Space Shuttle, fluid motion driven by gradients in interfacial tension will be important in the processing of materials in space. In this paper, preliminary results from a study of surface tension driven flow in a pendant drop are reported. The drop is heated from above, and the resulting temperature gradients on the drop surface give rise to interfacial tension gradients. These, in turn, drive a circulation in the drop which is made visible by suitable tracers. The velocities are measured using a video technique, and the data on core velocities are found to agree well with results from a predictive theoretical model.

Jayaraj, K.↗
NASA NTRS1992

The platinum microelectrode/Nafion interface - An electrochemical impedance spectroscopic analysis of oxygen reduction kinetics and Nafion characteristics

The objectives of this study were to use electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) to study the oxygen-reduction reaction under lower humidification conditions than previously studied. The EIS technique permits the discrimination of electrode kinetics of oxygen reduction, mass transport of O2 in the membrane, and the electrical characteristics of the membrane. Electrode-kinetic parameters for the oxygen-reduction reaction, corrosion current densities for Pt, and double-layer capacitances were calculated. The production of water due to electrochemical reduction of oxygen greatly influenced the EIS response and the electrode kinetics at the Pt/Nafion interface. From the finite-length Warburg behavior, a measure of the diffusion coefficient of oxygen in Nafion and diffusion-layer thickness was obtained. An analysis of the EIS data in the high-frequency domain yielded membrane and interfacial characteristics such as ionic conductivity of the membrane, membrane grain-boundary capacitance and resistance, and uncompensated resistance.

Parthasarathy, Arvind↗
NASA NTRS1994

F/A-18 forebody vortex control. Volume 2: Rotary-balance tests

A rotary-balance wind tunnel test was conducted on a six percent model of the F/A-18 at the NASA Ames 7 X 10-Foot Low Speed Wind Tunnel. The data reduction was specially written for the test in National Instruments' LabVIEW. The data acquisition, reduction and analysis was performed with a Macintosh computer. The primary objective of the test was to evaluate the effectiveness of several forebody vortex control configurations in a rotary flow field. The devices that were found to be the most effective during the static tests (Volume 1) were investigated and included both mechanical and pneumatic configurations. The mechanical systems evaluated were small, single and dual, rotating nose tip strakes and a vertical nose strake. The jet blowing configuration used nozzles canted inboard 60 degrees. A two segment tangential slot was also evaluated. The different techniques were evaluated at angles of attack of 30 degrees, 45 degrees, 51 degrees, and 60 degrees. Sideslip and Reynolds number were varied for some of the configurations. All of the techniques proved to be effective in the rotating flow field. The vertical nose strake had the largest 'envelope' of effectiveness. Forebody vortex control provides large, robust yawing moments at medium to high angles of attack, even during combat maneuvers such as loaded roll.

Kramer, Brian R.↗
NASA NTRS1996

High temperature braided rope seals for static sealing applications

Achieving efficiency and performance goals of advanced aircraft and industrial systems are leading designers to implement high temperature materials such as ceramics and intermetallics. Generally these advanced materials are applied selectively in the highest temperature sections of the engine system including the combustor and high pressure turbine, amongst others. Thermal strains that result in attaching the low expansion-rate components to high expansion rate superalloy structures can cause significant life reduction in the components. Seals are being designed to both seal and to serve as compliant mounts allowing for relative thermal growths between high temperature but brittle primary structures and the surrounding support structures. Designers require high temperature, low-leakage, compliant seals to mitigate thermal stresses and control parasitic and cooling airflow between structures. NASA is developing high temperature braided rope seals in a variety of configurations to help solve these problems. This paper will describe the types of seals being developed, describe unique test techniques used to assess seal performance, and present leakage flow data under representative pressure, temperature and scrubbing conditions. Feasibility of the braided rope seals for both an industrial tube seal and a turbine vane seal application is also demonstrated.

Adams, Michael L.↗