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At least 145 records · Page 8

Modification of Eye Movements and Motion Perception during Off-Vertical Axis Rotation

Constant velocity Off-Vertical Axis Rotation (OVAR) imposes a continuously varying orientation of the head and body relative to gravity. The ensuing ocular reflexes include modulation of both torsional and horizontal eye movements as a function of the varying linear acceleration along the lateral plane, and modulation of vertical and vergence eye movements as a function of the varying linear acceleration along the sagittal plane. Previous studies have demonstrated that tilt and translation otolith-ocular responses, as well as motion perception, vary as a function of stimulus frequency during OVAR. The purpose of this study is to examine normative OVAR responses in healthy human subjects, and examine adaptive changes in astronauts following short duration space flight at low (0.125 Hz) and high (0.5 Hz) frequencies. Data was obtained on 24 normative subjects (14 M, 10 F) and 14 (13 M, 1F) astronaut subjects. To date, astronauts have participated in 3 preflight sessions (n=14) and on R+0/1 (n=7), R+2 (n= 13) and R+4 (n= 13) days after landing. Subjects were rotated in darkness about their longitudinal axis 20 deg off-vertical at constant rates of 45 and 180 deg/s, corresponding to 0.125 and 0.5 Hz. Binocular responses were obtained with video-oculography. Perceived motion was evaluated using verbal reports and a two-axis joystick (pitch and roll tilt) mounted on top of a two-axis linear stage (anterior-posterior and medial-lateral translation). Eye responses were obtained in ten of the normative subjects with the head and trunk aligned, and then with the head turned relative to the trunk 40 deg to the right or left of center. Sinusoidal curve fits were used to derive amplitude, phase and bias of the responses over several cycles at each stimulus frequency. Eye responses during 0.125 Hz OVAR were dominated by modulation of torsional and vertical eye position, compensatory for tilt relative to gravity. While there is a bias horizontal slow phase velocity (SPV), the modulation of horizontal and vergence SPV is negligible at this lower stimulus frequency. Eye responses during 0.5 Hz OVAR; however, are characterized by modulation of horizontal and vergence SPV, compensatory for translation in the lateral and sagittal planes, respectively. Neither amplitude nor bias velocities were significantly altered by head-on-trunk position. The phases of the ocular reflexes, on the other hand, shifted towards alignment with the head. During the lower frequency OVAR, subjects reported the perception of progressing along the edge of a cone. During higher frequency OVAR, subjects reported the perception of progressing along the edge of an upright cylinder. In contrast to the eye movements, the phase of both perceived tilt and translation motion is not altered by stimulus frequency. Preliminary results from astronaut data suggest that the ocular responses are not substantially altered by short-duration spaceflight. However, compared to preflight averages, astronauts reported greater amplitude of both perceived tilt and translation at low and high frequency, respectively, during early post-flight testing. We conclude that the neural processing to distinguish tilt and translation linear acceleration stimuli differs between eye movements and motion perception. The results from modifying head-on-trunk position are consistent with the modulation of ocular reflexes during OVAR being primarily mediated by the otoliths in response to the sinusoidally varying linear acceleration along the interaural and naso-occipital head axis. While the tilt and translation ocular reflexes appear to operate in an independent fashion, the timing of perceived tilt and translation influence each other. We conclude that the perceived motion path during linear acceleration in darkness results from a composite representation of tilt and translation inputs from both vestibular and somatosensory systems.

Wood, S. J.↗

Simulation of on-orbit modal tests of large space structures

This paper describes a procedure to analytically simulate a modal test of an on-orbit large space structure (LSS), extract the modal properties, and evaluate the success of the modal test. This procedure addresses some of the major challenges to performing an on-orbit modal test of an LSS including high modal density, low frequency modes, and limitations in excitation capabilities. A finite element model of the orbiting structure is used to predict acceleration responses due to thruster excitations, time-domain modal extraction methods are used to estimate the modal properties, and comparison of frequencies and cross-orthogonality values is used to evaluate the success of the modal test. Several alternative excitation patterns and sensor arrangements were evaluated using a space station model as an example. Results of the simulations indicate that the choice of excitation functions is critical to the success of the test.

Blelloch, Paul↗

LOX/hydrocarbon rocket engine analytical design methodology development and validation. Volume 2: Appendices

This final report includes a discussion of the work accomplished during the period from Dec. 1988 through Nov. 1991. The objective of the program was to assemble existing performance and combustion stability models into a usable design methodology capable of designing and analyzing high-performance and stable LOX/hydrocarbon booster engines. The methodology was then used to design a validation engine. The capabilities and validity of the methodology were demonstrated using this engine in an extensive hot fire test program. The engine used LOX/RP-1 propellants and was tested over a range of mixture ratios, chamber pressures, and acoustic damping device configurations. This volume contains time domain and frequency domain stability plots which indicate the pressure perturbation amplitudes and frequencies from approximately 30 tests of a 50K thrust rocket engine using LOX/RP-1 propellants over a range of chamber pressures from 240 to 1750 psia with mixture ratios of from 1.2 to 7.5. The data is from test configurations which used both bitune and monotune acoustic cavities and from tests with no acoustic cavities. The engine had a length of 14 inches and a contraction ratio of 2.0 using a 7.68 inch diameter injector. The data was taken from both stable and unstable tests. All combustion instabilities were spontaneous in the first tangential mode. Although stability bombs were used and generated overpressures of approximately 20 percent, no tests were driven unstable by the bombs. The stability instrumentation included six high-frequency Kistler transducers in the combustion chamber, a high-frequency Kistler transducer in each propellant manifold, and tri-axial accelerometers. Performance data is presented, both characteristic velocity efficiencies and energy release efficiencies, for those tests of sufficient duration to record steady state values.

Niiya, Karen E.↗

Visual Vestibular Interaction in the Dynamic Visual Acuity Test during Voluntary Head Rotation

Although intact vestibular function is essential in maintaining spatial orientation, no good screening tests of vestibular function are available to the aviation community. High frequency voluntary head rotation was selected as a vestibular stimulus to isolate the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) from visual influence. A dynamic visual acuity test that incorporates voluntary head rotation was evaluated as a potential vestibular function screening tool. Twenty-seven normal subjects performed voluntary sinusoidal head rotation at frequencies from 0.7-4.0 Hz under three different visual conditions: visually-enhanced VOR, normal VOR, and visually suppressed VOR. Standardized Baily-Lovie chart letters were presented on a computer monitor in front of the subject, who then was asked to read the letters while rotating his head horizontally. The electro-oculogram and dynamic visual acuity score were recorded and analyzed. There were no significant differences in gain or phase shift among three visual conditions in the frequency range of 2.8 to 4.0 Hz. The dynamic visual acuity score shifted less than 0.3 logMAR at frequencies under 2.0 Hz. The dynamic visual acuity test at frequencies a round 2.0 Hz can be recommended for evaluating vestibular function.

VISUAL ACUITY↗

Propulsion Health Monitoring of a Turbine Engine Disk Using Spin Test Data

This paper considers data collected from an experimental study using high frequency capacitive sensor technology to capture blade tip clearance and tip timing measurements in a rotating turbine engine-like-disk-to predict the disk faults and assess its structural integrity. The experimental results collected at a range of rotational speeds from tests conducted at the NASA Glenn Research Center s Rotordynamics Laboratory are evaluated using multiple data-driven anomaly detection techniques to identify abnormalities in the disk. Further, this study presents a select evaluation of an online health monitoring scheme of a rotating disk using high caliber sensors and test the capability of the in-house spin system.

Abdul-Aziz, Ali↗

Ionospheric heating at Arecibo - First tests.

Ionospheric F-region heating by a high-frequency transmitter (100 kW at 5.62 MHz fed into a 1000-ft dish producing a beam with an angular half-width of 10 deg) was observed with a 430-MHz incoherent scatter radar, an ionosonde, and several photometers. The electron temperature of the ionosphere was increased by as much as 30% at and just below the height where the local plasma frequency was equal to the frequency of the heating transmitter. Calculations show time constants of 40 sec for electron heating and less than 10 sec for the cooling at 308 km when the heating transmitter was operated in a pulsed mode.

Gordon, W. E.↗

Elimination of High-Frequency Combustion Instability in the Fastrac Engine Thrust Chamber

A series of tests were conducted to stabilize the combustion of the Fastrac engine thrust chamber. The first few stability tests resulted in unstable combustion due ineffective acoustic cavity designs. The thrust chamber exhibited unstable combustion in the first-tangential mode and its harmonics. Combustion was stabilized by increasing the volume of the acoustic cavities and by plugging the dump-cooling orifices so that the cavities were uncooled. Although the first few stability tests resulted in unstable combustion, prior and subsequent long-duration performance tests of the Fastrac thrust chamber were spontaneously stable. Stability considerations during the injector faceplate design were based on the Hewitt correlation.

Rocker, Marvin↗

Elimination of High-Frequency Combustion Instability in the Fastrac Engine Thrust Chamber

A series of tests were conducted to stabilize the combustion of the Fastrac engine thrust chamber. The first few stability tests resulted in unstable combustion due ineffective acoustic cavity designs. The thrust chamber exhibited unstable combustion in the first-tangential mode and its harmonics. Combustion was stabilized by increasing the volume of the acoustic cavities and by plugging the dump-cooling orifices so that the cavities were uncooled. Although the first few stability tests resulted in unstable combustion, prior and subsequent long-duration performance tests of the Fastrac thrust chamber were spontaneously stable. Stability considerations during the injector faceplate design were based on the Hewitt correlation.

Rocker, Marvin↗

High frequency drive mechanism for an active controls systems aircraft control surface

The mechanism was successfully utilized on a wind tunnel model tested in the transonic blow down tunnel. The mechanism is also applicable to a flying aircraft. Several interrelated mechanical subsystems were utilized, including a low inertia antibacklash drive mechanism for high frequency oscillation and a compact antibacklash drive mechanism for conversion of rotary motion to linear motion.

Smith, H. E.↗

Artificial intelligence techniques for ground test monitoring of rocket engines

An expert system is being developed which can detect anomalies in Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) sensor data significantly earlier than the redline algorithm currently in use. The training of such an expert system focuses on two approaches which are based on low frequency and high frequency analyses of sensor data. Both approaches are being tested on data from SSME tests and their results compared with the findings of NASA and Rocketdyne experts. Prototype implementations have detected the presence of anomalies earlier than the redline algorithms that are in use currently. It therefore appears that these approaches have the potential of detecting anomalies early eneough to shut down the engine or take other corrective action before severe damage to the engine occurs.

Ali, Moonis↗

Effects of streamwise variations in noise levels and spectra on supersonic boundary-layer transition

Transition data for sharp cones in two quiet wind tunnels at Mach numbers 3.5 and 5.0 have been correlated in terms of noise parameters with data from several conventional wind tunnels and from the flight data for the AEDC transition cone. The noise parameters were developed to account for the large axial variations of the rms stream noise and the high frequency noise spectra that occurred in the quiet tunnels for some test conditions. The correlation results indicated transition in the quiet tunnels was dominated by the local stream noise that was incident on the cone boundary layer upstream of the neutral stability point. The correlation results also suggested that the energy in high frequency components of the quiet tunnel noise spectra had significant adverse effects on transition when the noise was incident on the boundary layer both upstream and downstream of the neutral stability point.

Chen, F.-J.↗

Optimum mix of passive and active control of space structures

The objective of this research was to test vibration suppression (settling time and jitter) of a large space structure (LSS) characterized by low frequency high global vibration modes. Five percent passive damping in a large truss was analyzed, tested and correlated. A representative system article re-target analysis shows that modest levels of passive damping dramatically reduce the control energy required. LSS must incorporate passive damping from the outset. The LSS system performance will not be met by either active or passive damping alone.

Rogers, Lynn↗

An evaluation of preliminary Doppler global velocimetry measurements

A review of Doppler Global Velocimetry (DGV) data obtained during wind tunnel tests on a 75 degree swept delta wing was performed. High frequency variations observed in normalized data files are attributed to image alignment problems. Unfortunately, initial DGV velocity data compared poorly with baseline reference data. Nonlinear DGV system operation during the tests is the likely source of this problem. Corrected data compares much more favorably and suggests that DGV is a valid measurement technique. Future DGV investigations should include a method or means for monitoring laser frequency relative to the ALF transfer function behavior.

Miller, L. Scott↗

Quiet Clean Short-haul Experimental Engine (QCSEE) under-the-wing engine composite fan blade design report

A total of 38 quiet clean short haul experimental engine under the wing composite fan blades were manufactured for various component tests, process and tooling, checkout, and use in the QCSEE UTW engine. The component tests included frequency characterization, strain distribution, bench fatigue, platform static load, whirligig high cycle fatigue, whirligig low cycle fatigue, whirligig strain distribution, and whirligig over-speed. All tests were successfully completed. All blades planned for use in the engine were subjected to and passed a whirligig proof spin test.

Ravenhall, R.↗

Flap-lag stability data for a small-scale isolated hingeless rotor in forward flight

An isolated, hingeless rotor with discrete flap and lead-lag flexures and relatively rigid blades was tested in the Aeroflightdynamics Directorate's 7- by 10-Foot Wind Tunnel. The lead-lag stability of a structurally simple rotor configuration in forward flight was determined. The model tested had no cyclic pitch control, and was therefore operated untrimmed at several collective pitch angles, at shaft angles from 0 deg to -20 deg, and at advance ratios as high as 0.55. Two inplane natural frequencies, 0.61/rev and 0.72/rev, were tested for configuration both with and without structural flap lag coupling. Concomitant hover testing of the model was also conducted. Representative plots of the frequency and damping data are presented to show general trends, and complete tabular data and model properties information are included for use in detailed correlation exercises. The most prominent feature of the forward flight data is an abrupt increase in damping with advance ratio at certain high-speed, high shaft-angle conditions, with high flapping loads. The hover data are consistent with previous experimental and theoretical results for hingeless rotors without kinematic couplings. Overall, the data quality is very good and the data are expected to be useful in the development and validation of rotor aeroelastic stability analyses.

Mcnulty, Michael J.↗

The effects of leading-edge serrations on reducing flow unsteadiness about airfoils.

High frequency surface pressure measurements were obtained from wind-tunnel tests over the Reynolds number range 1.2 x 1,000,000 to 6.2 x 1,000,000 on a rectangular wing of NACA 63-009 airfoil section. A wide selection of leading-edge serrations were also added to the basic airfoil. Under a two-dimensional laminar bubble very close to the leading edge of the basic airfoil there is a large peak in rms pressure, which is interpreted as an oscillation in size and position of the bubble. The serrations divide the bubble into segments and reduce the peak rms pressures. A low Reynolds number flow visualization test on a hydrofoil in water was also conducted. A von Karman vortex street was found trailing from the rear of the foil. Its frequency is at a much lower Strouhal number than in the high Reynolds number experiment, and is related mathematically to the airfoil trailing-edge and boundary-layer thicknesses.

Schwind, R. G.↗

Microcoil Spring Interconnects for Ceramic Grid Array Integrated Circuits

As integrated circuit miniaturization trends continue, they drive the need for smaller higher input/output (I/O) packages. Hermetically sealed ceramic area array parts are the package of choice by the space community for high reliability space flight electronic hardware. Unfortunately, the coefficient of thermal expansion mismatch between the ceramic area array package and the epoxy glass printed wiring board limits the life of the interconnecting solder joint. This work presents the results of an investigation by Marshall Space Flight Center into a method to increase the life of this second level interconnection by the use of compliant microcoil springs. The design of the spring and its attachment process are presented along with thermal cycling results of microcoil springs (MCS) compared with state-of-the-art ball and column interconnections. Vibration testing has been conducted on MCS and high lead column parts. Radio frequency simulation and measurements have been made and the MCS has been modeled and a stress analysis performed. Thermal cycling and vibration testing have shown MCS interconnects to be significantly more reliable than solder columns. Also, MCS interconnects are less prone to handling damage than solder columns. Future work that includes shock testing, incorporation into a digital signal processor board, and process evaluation of expansion from a 400 I/O device to a device with over 1,100 I/O is identified.

Strickland, S. M.↗

The effects of leading-edge serrations on reducing flow unsteadiness about airfoils, an experimental and analytical investigation

High frequency surface pressure measurements were obtained from wind-tunnel tests over the Reynolds number range 1.2 times one million to 6.2 times one million on a rectangular wing of NACA 63-009 airfoil section. Measurements were also obtained with a wide selection of leading-edge serrations added to the basic airfoil. Under a two-dimensional laminar bubble very close to the leading edge of the basic airfoil there is a large apatial peak in rms pressure. Frequency analysis of the pressure signals in this region show a large, high-frequency energy peak which is interpreted as an oscillation in size and position of the bubble. The serrations divide the bubble into segments and reduce the peak rms pressures. A low Reynolds number flow visualization test on a hydrofoil in water was also conducted. A von Karman vortex street was found trailing from the rear of the foil. Its frequency is at a much lower Strouhal number than in the high Reynolds number experiment, and is related to the trailing-edge and boundary-layer thicknesses.

Schwind, R. G.↗