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At least 1,405 records · Page 78
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2011

Enhanced Spectral Anisotropies Near the Proton-Cyclotron Scale: Possible Two-Component Structure in Hall-FLR MHD Turbulence Simulations

Recent analysis of the magnetic correlation function of solar wind fluctuations at 1 AU suggests the existence of two-component structure near the proton-cyclotron scale. Here we use two-and-one-half dimensional and three-dimensional compressible MHD models to look for two-component structure adjacent the proton-cyclotron scale. Our MHD system incorporates both Hall and Finite Larmor Radius (FLR) terms. We find that strong spectral anisotropies appear adjacent the proton-cyclotron scales depending on selections of initial condition and plasma beta. These anisotropies are enhancements on top of related anisotropies that appear in standard MHD turbulence in the presence of a mean magnetic field and are suggestive of one turbulence component along the inertial scales and another component adjacent the dissipative scales. We compute the relative strengths of linear and nonlinear accelerations on the velocity and magnetic fields to gauge the relative influence of terms that drive the system with wave-like (linear) versus turbulent (nonlinear) dynamics.

Ghosh, Sanjoy↗
NASA NTRS1988

Functional reasoning in diagnostic problem solving

This work is one facet of an integrated approach to diagnostic problem solving for aircraft and space systems currently under development. The authors are applying a method of modeling and reasoning about deep knowledge based on a functional viewpoint. The approach recognizes a level of device understanding which is intermediate between a compiled level of typical Expert Systems, and a deep level at which large-scale device behavior is derived from known properties of device structure and component behavior. At this intermediate functional level, a device is modeled in three steps. First, a component decomposition of the device is defined. Second, the functionality of each device/subdevice is abstractly identified. Third, the state sequences which implement each function are specified. Given a functional representation and a set of initial conditions, the functional reasoner acts as a consequence finder. The output of the consequence finder can be utilized in diagnostic problem solving. The paper also discussed ways in which this functional approach may find application in the aerospace field.

Sticklen, Jon↗
NASA NTRS2014

Investigation of Structure and Transport in Li-Doped Ionic Liquid Electrolytes: [pyr14][TFSI], [pyr13][FSI], [EMIM][BF4]

Ionic liquid electrolytes have been proposed as a means of improving the safety and cycling behavior of advanced lithium batteries; however, the properties of these electrolytes under high lithium doping are poorly understood. Here, we employ both polarizable molecular dynamics simulation and experiment to investigate the structure, thermodynamics and transport of three potential electrolytes, N-methyl-N-butylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsufonyl)imide ([pyr14][TFSI]), N- methyl-N-propylpyrrolidinium bis(fluorosufonyl)imide ([pyr13][FSI]), and 1-ethyl-3-- methylimidazolium boron tetrafluoride ([EMIM][BF4]), as a function of Li (-) salt concentration and temperature. Structurally, Li(+) is shown to be solvated by three anion neighbors in [pyr14][TFSI] and four anion neighbors in both [pyr13][FSI] and [EMIM][BF4], and at all levels of xLi we find the presence of lithium aggregates. Furthermore, the computed density, diffusion, viscosity, and ionic conductivity show excellent agreement with experimental data. While the diffusion and viscosity exhibit a systematic decrease and increase, respectively, with increasing xLi, the contribution of Li(+) to ionic conductivity increases until reaching a saturation doping level of xLi 0.10. Comparatively, the Li(+) conductivity of [pyr14][TFSI] is an order of magnitude lower than that of the other liquids, which range between 0.1-0.3 mScm. The differences in Li(+) transport are reflected in the residence times of Li(+) with the anions, which are revealed to be much larger for [pyr14][TFSI] (up to 100 ns at the highest doping levels) than in either [EMIM][BF4] or [pyr13][FSI]. Finally, we comment on the relative kinetics of Li(+) transport in each liquid and we present strong evidence for transport through anion exchange (hopping) as opposed to the net motion of Li(+) with its solvation shell (vehicular).

ionic liquids↗
NASA NTRS2014

Investigation of Structure and Transport in Li-Doped Ionic Liquid Electrolytes: [pyr14][TFSI], [pyr13][FSI], [EMIM][BF4]

Ionic liquid electrolytes have been proposed as a means of improving the safety and cycling behavior of advanced lithium batteries; however, the properties of these electrolytes under high lithium doping are poorly understood. Here, we employ both polarizable molecular dynamics simulation and experiment to investigate the structure, thermodynamics and transport of three potential electrolytes, N-methyl-N-butylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsufonyl)imide ([pyr14][TFSI]), N- methyl-N-propylpyrrolidinium bis(fluorosufonyl)imide ([pyr13][FSI]), and 1-ethyl-3-- methylimidazolium boron tetrafluoride ([EMIM][BF4]), as a function of Li (-) salt concentration and temperature. Structurally, Li(+) is shown to be solvated by three anion neighbors in [pyr14][TFSI] and four anion neighbors in both [pyr13][FSI] and [EMIM][BF4], and at all levels of xLi we find the presence of lithium aggregates. Furthermore, the computed density, diffusion, viscosity, and ionic conductivity show excellent agreement with experimental data. While the diffusion and viscosity exhibit a systematic decrease and increase, respectively, with increasing xLi, the contribution of Li(+) to ionic conductivity increases until reaching a saturation doping level of xLi 0.10. Comparatively, the Li(+) conductivity of [pyr14][TFSI] is an order of magnitude lower than that of the other liquids, which range between 0.1-0.3 mScm. The differences in Li(+) transport are reflected in the residence times of Li(+) with the anions, which are revealed to be much larger for [pyr14][TFSI] (up to 100 ns at the highest doping levels) than in either [EMIM][BF4] or [pyr13][FSI]. Finally, we comment on the relative kinetics of Li(+) transport in each liquid and we present strong evidence for transport through anion exchange (hopping) as opposed to the net motion of Li(+) with its solvation shell (vehicular).

molecular dynamics↗
NASA NTRS1992

Scattering properties of Venus' surface

Radar backscatter functions Sigma-(carat)(sub 0)(phi) for incidence angles between 0 less than or equal to phi less than or equal to 4-10 deg were derived from Magellan altimetry radar echoes. The procedure includes constrained solution of a system of simultaneous equations for which the echo-spectrum and echo time profile are inputs. A practical and workable set of constraints was applied; optimization and improved results are expected as the analysis matures. The scattering functions yield information on small-scale surface structures (tens of centimeters to tens of meters) but averaged over hundreds of sq km. RMS surface slopes derived from fits of analytic functions to the Sigma-(carat)(sub 0)(phi) results were converted to map form and show patterns similar to those reported using other techniques. While all three forms are found on Venus, fit residuals imply that an exponential scattering function matches data better than either the Hagfors or Gaussian form in most areas, although the Hagfors function may be a better descriptor at some sites. Limited study of image data indicates that average backscatter cross section, and possibly its slope, can be derived at oblique angles (17 deg less than or equal to phi less than or equal to 45 deg). Offsets of the echo peak in altimetry spectra are surprisingly common and are loosely correlated with Venus topography, but no cause for this phenomenon was identified.

Tyler, G. L.↗
NASA NTRS1992

A parameter optimization approach to controller partitioning for integrated flight/propulsion control application

A parameter optimization framework is presented to solve the problem of partitioning a centralized controller into a decentralized hierarchical structure suitable for integrated flight/propulsion control implementation. The controller partitioning problem is briefly discussed and a cost function to be minimized is formulated, such that the resulting 'optimal' partitioned subsystem controllers will closely match the performance (including robustness) properties of the closed-loop system with the centralized controller while maintaining the desired controller partitioning structure. The cost function is written in terms of parameters in a state-space representation of the partitioned sub-controllers. Analytical expressions are obtained for the gradient of this cost function with respect to parameters, and an optimization algorithm is developed using modern computer-aided control design and analysis software. The capabilities of the algorithm are demonstrated by application to partitioned integrated flight/propulsion control design for a modern fighter aircraft in the short approach to landing task. The partitioning optimization is shown to lead to reduced-order subcontrollers that match the closed-loop command tracking and decoupling performance achieved by a high-order centralized controller.

Schmidt, Phillip↗
NASA NTRS1993

A parameter optimization approach to controller partitioning for integrated flight/propulsion control application

A parameter optimization framework is presented to solve the problem of partitioning a centralized controller into a decentralized hierarchical structure suitable for integrated flight/propulsion control implementation. The controller partitioning problem is briefly discussed and a cost function to be minimized is formulated, such that the resulting 'optimal' partitioned subsystem controllers will closely match the performance (including robustness) properties of the closed-loop system with the centralized controller while maintaining the desired controller partitioning structure. The cost function is written in terms of parameters in a state-space representation of the partitioned sub-controllers. Analytical expressions are obtained for the gradient of this cost function with respect to parameters, and an optimization algorithm is developed using modern computer-aided control design and analysis software. The capabilities of the algorithm are demonstrated by application to partitioned integrated flight/propulsion control design for a modern fighter aircraft in the short approach to landing task. The partitioning optimization is shown to lead to reduced-order subcontrollers that match the closed-loop command tracking and decoupling performance achieved by a high-order centralized controller.

Schmidt, Phillip H.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Docking of a spacecraft with an unrestrained orbiting structure

A methodology is presented for simulating a docking process involving a rigid body and an unrestrained nonuniform beam in orbit, and the issues that must be faced in the course of producing any such simulation are discussed. An algorithm is produced for the simulation of motions of the unrestrained structure, which necessitates the use of a structural analysis program for the purpose of constructing modal functions. An impulse problem then is solved in order to discover the changes that take place in certain variables in the course of the docking. This information is utilized to determine the initial values of variables used to characterize postdocking motions of the system under consideration, and an algorithm for simulating these motions is created, in which a structural analysis program is again used to produce modal functions. Finally, an extension of the methodology to the simulation of the docking of a rigid body with more complex orbiting structures is discussed.

Levinson, D. A.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Distributed digital signal processors for multi-body flexible structures

Multi-body flexible structures, such as those currently under investigation in spacecraft design, are large scale (high-order) dimensional systems. Controlling and filtering such structures is a computationally complex problem. This is particularly important when many sensors and actuators are located along the structure and need to be processed in real time. This report summarizes research activity focused on solving the signal processing (that is, information processing) issues of multi-body structures. A distributed architecture is developed in which single loop processors are employed for local filtering and control. By implementing such a philosophy with an embedded controller configuration, a supervising controller may be used to process global data and make global decisions as the local devices are processing local information. A hardware testbed, a position controller system for a servo motor, is employed to illustrate the capabilities of the embedded controller structure. Several filtering and control structures which can be modeled as rational functions can be implemented on the system developed in this research effort. Thus the results of the study provide a support tool for many Control/Structure Interaction (CSI) NASA testbeds such as the Evolutionary model and the nine-bay truss structure.

Lee, Gordon K. F.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Assembly, disassembly and repair of large truss structures in space

This paper addresses the problem of planning assembly, disassembly and repair sequences for large truss structures in space. First, the AND/OR graph representation scheme for mechanical assemblies is reviewed and extended to truss structures. The assembly, disassembly and repair sequence planning problem is then formulated as a graph search problem using assembly's AND/OR graph and appropriate cost functions. The general search problem, which is known to be exponential, is simplified by taking advantage of the symmetries that exist in truss structures. General cost functions for truss assembly are discussed.

Desai, Rajiv S.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Manual control models of industrial management

The industrial engineer is often required to design and implement control systems and organization for manufacturing and service facilities, to optimize quality, delivery, and yield, and minimize cost. Despite progress in computer science most such systems still employ human operators and managers as real-time control elements. Manual control theory should therefore be applicable to at least some aspects of industrial system design and operations. Formulation of adequate model structures is an essential prerequisite to progress in this area; since real-world production systems invariably include multilevel and multiloop control, and are implemented by timeshared human effort. A modular structure incorporating certain new types of functional element, has been developed. This forms the basis for analysis of an industrial process operation. In this case it appears that managerial controllers operate in a discrete predictive mode based on fast time modelling, with sampling interval related to plant dynamics. Successive aggregation causes reduced response bandwidth and hence increased sampling interval as a function of level.

Crossman, E. R. F. W.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Performance of statistical energy analysis

Statistical energy analysis (SEA) methods have been developed for high frequency modal analyses on random vibration environments. These SEA methods are evaluated by comparing analytical predictions to test results. Simple test methods are developed for establishing SEA parameter values. Techniques are presented, based on the comparison of the predictions with test values, for estimating SEA accuracy as a function of frequency for a general structure.

Davis, R. F.↗
NASA NTRS1973

SSME structural computer program development. Volume 2: BOPACE users manual

A computer program for use with a thermal-elastic-plastic-creep structural analyzer is presented. The following functions of the computer program are discussed: (1) analysis of very high temperature and large plastic-creep effects, (2) treatment of cyclic thermal and mechanical loads, (3) development of constitutive theory which closely follows actual behavior under variable temperature conditions, (4) stable numerical solution approach which avoids cumulative errors, and (5) capability of handling up to 1000 degrees of freedom. The computer program is written in FORTRAN IV and has been run on the IBM 360 and UNIVAC 1108 computer systems.

Vos, R. G.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Studies of hypokinesia in animals to solve urgent problems of space biology and medicine

The effects of hypokinesia on animals were studied by observing: (1) hormonal and mediator balance of the body; (2) gas exchange and tissue respiration; (3) protein content in skeletal muscles; (4) structure of skeletal muscles; and (5) function of skeletal muscles. Sharp limitation of motor activity causes interconnected processes of a dystropic and pathological character expressed as a reduction in the force of various muscle group with disturbance of velocity properties and motor coordination due to disturbances in the control link of the neuromuscular system.

Baranski, S.↗