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At least 1,441 records · Page 80

NASA Tech Briefs, September 2013

Topics include: ISS Ammonia Leak Detection Through X-Ray Fluorescence; A System for Measuring the Sway of the Vehicle Assembly Building; Fast, High-Precision Readout Circuit for Detector Arrays; Victim Simulator for Victim Detection Radar; Hydrometeor Size Distribution Measurements by Imaging the Attenuation of a Laser Spot; Quasi-Linear Circuit; High-Speed, High-Resolution Time-to-Digital Conversion; Li-Ion Battery and Supercapacitor Hybrid Design for Long Extravehicular Activities; Ultrasonic Low-Friction Containment Plate for Thermal and Ultrasonic Stir Weld Processes; High-Powered, Ultrasonically Assisted Thermal Stir Welding; Next-Generation MKIII Lightweight HUT/Hatch Assembly; Centrifugal Sieve for Gravity-Level-Independent Size; Segregation of Granular Materials; Ion Exchange Technology Development in Support of the Urine Processor Assembly; Nickel-Graphite Composite Compliant Interface and/or Hot Shoe Material; UltraSail CubeSat Solar Sail Flight Experiment; Mechanism for Deploying a Long, Thin-Film Antenna From a Rover; Counterflow Regolith Heat Exchanger; Acquisition and Retaining Granular Samples via a Rotating Coring Bit; Very-Low-Cost, Rugged Vacuum System; Medicine Delivery Device With Integrated Sterilization and Detection; FRET-Aptamer Assays for Bone Marker Assessment, C-Telopeptide, Creatinine, and Vitamin D; Multimode Directional Coupler for Utilization of Harmonic Frequencies from TWTAs; Dual-Polarization, Multi-Frequency Antenna Array for use with Hurricane Imaging Radiometer; Complementary Barrier Infrared Detector (CBIRD) Contact Methods; Autonomous Control of Space Nuclear Reactors; High-Power, High-Speed Electro-Optic Pockels Cell Modulator; Covariance Analysis Tool (G-CAT) for Computing Ascent, Descent, and Landing Errors; Enigma Version 12; Micrometeoroid and Orbital Debris (MMOD) Shield Ballistic Limit Analysis Program; Spitzer Telemetry Processing System; Planetary Protection Bioburden Analysis Program; Wing Leading Edge RCC Rapid Response Damage Prediction Tool (IMPACT2); ISSM: Ice Sheet System Model; Automated Loads Analysis System (ATLAS); Integrated Main Propulsion System Performance Reconstruction Process/Models. Phoenix Telemetry Processor; Contact Graph Routing Enhancements Developed in ION for DTN; GFEChutes Lo-Fi; Advanced Strategic and Tactical Relay Request Management for the Mars Relay Operations Service; Software for Generating Troposphere Corrections for InSAR Using GPS and Weather Model Data; Ionospheric Specifications for SAR Interferometry (ISSI); Implementation of a Wavefront-Sensing Algorithm; Sally Ride EarthKAM - Automated Image Geo-Referencing Using Google Earth Web Plug-In; Trade Space Specification Tool (TSST) for Rapid Mission Architecture (Version 1.2); Acoustic Emission Analysis Applet (AEAA) Software; Memory-Efficient Onboard Rock Segmentation; Advanced Multimission Operations System (ATMO); Robot Sequencing and Visualization Program (RSVP); Automating Hyperspectral Data for Rapid Response in Volcanic Emergencies; Raster-Based Approach to Solar Pressure Modeling; Space Images for NASA JPL Android Version; Kinect Engineering with Learning (KEWL); Spacecraft 3D Augmented Reality Mobile App; MPST Software: grl_pef_check; Real-Time Multimission Event Notification System for Mars Relay; SIM_EXPLORE: Software for Directed Exploration of Complex Systems; Mobile Timekeeping Application Built on Reverse-Engineered JPL Infrastructure; Advanced Query and Data Mining Capabilities for MaROS; Jettison Engineering Trajectory Tool; MPST Software: grl_suppdoc; PredGuid+A: Orion Entry Guidance Modified for Aerocapture; Planning Coverage Campaigns for Mission Design and Analysis: CLASP for DESDynl; and Space Place Prime.

Source record↗

Flight Control Research at NASA Ames

An overview of the flight control work in the Intelligent Systems Division at NASA Ames is presented. The highlight focuses on efforts surrounding performance-adaptive aeroelastic wing shaping for aircraft with flexible wings. Topics covered include aeroservoelastic modeling capabilities, online drag-optimizing control designs, gust and maneuver load alleviation techniques, and related wind tunnel demonstrations.

Hashemi, Kelley↗

Model Update of a Micro Air Vehicle (MAV) Flexible Wing Frame with Uncertainty Quantification

This paper describes a procedure to update parameters in the finite element model of a Micro Air Vehicle (MAV) to improve displacement predictions under aerodynamics loads. Because of fabrication, materials, and geometric uncertainties, a statistical approach combined with Multidisciplinary Design Optimization (MDO) is used to modify key model parameters. Static test data collected using photogrammetry are used to correlate with model predictions. Results show significant improvements in model predictions after parameters are updated; however, computed probabilities values indicate low confidence in updated values and/or model structure errors. Lessons learned in the areas of wing design, test procedures, modeling approaches with geometric nonlinearities, and uncertainties quantification are all documented.

Reaves, Mercedes C.↗

Advances in tilt rotor noise prediction

The two most serious tilt rotor external noise problems, hover noise and blade-vortex interaction noise, are studied. The results of flow visualization and inflow velocity measurements document a complex, recirculating highly unsteady and turbulent flow due to the rotor-wing-body interactions characteristic of tilt rotors. The wing under the rotor is found to obstruct the inflow, causing a deficit in the inflow velocities over the inboard region of the rotor. Discrete frequency harmonic thickness and loading noise mechanisms in hover are examined by first modeling tilt rotor hover aerodynamics and then applying various noise prediction methods using the WOPWOP code. The analysis indicates that the partial ground plane created by the wing below the rotor results in a primary sound source for hover.

George, A. R.↗

Unsteady aerodynamic loads on pitching aerofoils represented by Gaussian body force distributions

The actuator line model (ALM) is an approach commonly used to represent lifting and dragging devices like wings and blades in large-eddy simulations (LES). The crux of the ALM is the projection of the actuator point forces onto the LES grid by means of a Gaussian regularisation kernel. The minimum width of the kernel is constrained by the grid size; however, for most practical applications like LES of wind turbines, this value is an order of magnitude larger than the optimal value that maximises accuracy. This discrepancy motivated the development of corrections for the actuator line, which, however, neglect the effect of unsteady spanwise shed vorticity. In this work we develop a model for the impact of spanwise shed vorticity on the unsteady loading of an aerofoil modelled as a Gaussian body force distribution, where the model is applicable within the regime of unsteady attached flow. The model solution is derived both in the time and frequency domain and features an explicit dependence on the Gaussian kernel width. We verify the model with ALM-LES for both pitch steps and periodic pitching. The model solution is compared with Theodorsen theory and validated with both computational fluid dynamics using body fitted grids and experiment. It is concluded that the optimal kernel width for unsteady aerodynamics is approximately 40 % of the chord. The ALM is able to predict the magnitude of the unsteady loading up to a reduced frequency of 𝑘 ≈ 0.2.

17 WIND ENERGY↗

A mixed-mode phase field fracture model in anisotropic rocks with consistent kinematics

Under a pure tensile loading, cracks in brittle, isotropic, and homogeneous materials often propagate such that pure mode I kinematics are maintained at the crack tip. However, experiments performed on geo-materials, such as sedimentary rock, shale, mudstone, concrete and gypsum, often lead to the conclusion that the mode I and mode II critical fracture energies/surface energy release rates are distinctive. This distinction has great influence on the formation and propagation of wing cracks and secondary cracks from pre-existing flaws under a combination of shear and tensile or shear and compressive loadings. To capture the mixed-mode fracture propagation, a mixed-mode I/II fracture model that employs multiple critical energy release rates based on Shen and Stephansson, IJRMMS, 1993 is reformulated in a regularized phase field fracture framework. Here we obtain the mixed-mode driving force of the damage phase field by balancing the microforce. Meanwhile, the crack propagation direction and the corresponding kinematics modes are determined via a local fracture dissipation maximization problem. Several numerical examples that demonstrate mode II and mixed-mode crack propagation in brittle materials are presented. Possible extensions of the model capturing degradation related to shear/compressive damage, as commonly observed in sub-surface applications and triaxial compression tests, are also discussed.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Calculation of load distribution in stiffened cylindrical shells

Thin-walled shells with strong longitudinal and transverse stiffening (for example, stressed-skin fuselages and wings) may, under certain simplifying assumptions, be treated as static systems with finite redundancies. In this report the underlying basis for this method of treatment of the problem is presented and a computation procedure for stiffened cylindrical shells with curved sheet panels indicated. A detailed discussion of the force distribution due to applied concentrated forces is given, and the discussion illustrated by numerical examples which refer to an experimentally determined circular cylindrical shell.

Ebner, H↗

Evaluation of an aeroelastic model technique for predicting airplane buffet loads

A wind-tunnel technique which makes use of a dynamically scaled aeroelastic model to predict full-scale airplane buffet loads during buffet boundary penetration is evaluated. A 1/8-scale flutter model of a fighter airplane with remotely controllable variable-sweep wings and trimming surfaces was used for the evaluation. The model was flown on a cable-mount system which permitted high lift forces comparable to those in maneuvering flight. Bending moments and accelerations due to buffet were measured on the flutter model and compared with those measured on the full-scale airplane in an independent flight buffet research study. It is concluded that the technique can provide valuable information on airplane buffet load characteristics not available from any other source except flight test.

Hanson, P. W.↗

Comparison of resin film infusion, resin transfer molding, and consolidation of textile preforms for primary aircraft structure

Under NASA's Novel Composites for Wing and Fuselage Applications (NCWFA) Program, Grumman is developing innovative design concepts and cost-effective fabrication processes for damage-tolerant primary structures that can perform at a design ultimate strain level of 6000 micro-inch/inch. Attention has focused on the use of textile high-performance fiber-reinforcement concepts that provide improved damage tolerance and out-of-plane load capability, low-cost resin film infusion (RFI) and resin transfer molding (RTM) processes, and thermoplastic forming concepts. The fabrication of wing 'Y' spars by four different materials/processes methods is described: 'Y' spars fabricated using IM7 angle interlock 0/90 deg woven preforms with +/- 45 deg plies stitched with Toray high-strength graphite thread and processed using RFI and 3501-6 epoxy; 'Y' spars fabricated using G40-800 knitted/stitched preforms and processed using RFI and 3501-6 epoxy; 'Y' spars fabricated using G40-800 knitted/stitched preforms and processed using RTM and Tactix 123/H41 epoxy; and 'Y' spars fabricated using AS4(6k)/PEEK 150-g commingled angle interlock 0/90 deg woven preforms with +/- 45 deg commingled plies stitched using high-strength graphite thread and processed by consolidation. A comparison of the structural efficiency, processability, and projected acquisition cost of these representative spars is presented.

Suarez, J.↗

A CFD/CSD Interaction Methodology for Aircraft Wings

With advanced subsonic transports and military aircraft operating in the transonic regime, it is becoming important to determine the effects of the coupling between aerodynamic loads and elastic forces. Since aeroelastic effects can contribute significantly to the design of these aircraft, there is a strong need in the aerospace industry to predict these aero-structure interactions computationally. To perform static aeroelastic analysis in the transonic regime, high fidelity computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis tools must be used in conjunction with high fidelity computational structural fluid dynamics (CSD) analysis tools due to the nonlinear behavior of the aerodynamics in the transonic regime. There is also a need to be able to use a wide variety of CFD and CSD tools to predict these aeroelastic effects in the transonic regime. Because source codes are not always available, it is necessary to couple the CFD and CSD codes without alteration of the source codes. In this study, an aeroelastic coupling procedure is developed which will perform static aeroelastic analysis using any CFD and CSD code with little code integration. The aeroelastic coupling procedure is demonstrated on an F/A-18 Stabilator using NASTD (an in-house McDonnell Douglas CFD code) and NASTRAN. In addition, the Aeroelastic Research Wing (ARW-2) is used for demonstration of the aeroelastic coupling procedure by using ENSAERO (NASA Ames Research Center CFD code) and a finite element wing-box code (developed as part of this research).

Bhardwaj, Manoj K.↗

Aerostructural Level Set Topology Optimization for a Common Research Model Wing

The purpose of this work is to use level set topology optimization to improve the design of a representative wing box structure for the NASA common research model. The objective is to minimize the total compliance of the structure under aerodynamic and body force loading, where the aerodynamic loading is coupled to the structural deformation. A taxi bump case was also considered, where only body force loads were applied. The trim condition that aerodynamic lift must balance the total weight of the aircraft is enforced by allowing the root angle of attack to change. The level set optimization method is implemented on an unstructured three-dimensional grid, so that the method can optimize a wing box with arbitrary geometry. Fast matching and upwind schemes are developed for an unstructured grid, which make the level set method robust and efficient. The adjoint method is used to obtain the coupled shape sensitivities required to perform aerostructural optimization of the wing box structure.

Dunning, Peter D.↗

Response of discretely stiffened structures

This paper presents a theoretical study on dynamic response of complex discretely stiffened and interconnected structures to random loads. Modal and transfer matrix techniques are utilized to analyze these multidimensional structures. Application of this formulation for response and noise generation studies in space station and fuselage-wing design is discussed. The response spectral densities are calculated for several typical discretely stiffened and interconnected structural systems. It is found that this approach allows for easy parametric evaluation and that by proper selection of structural parameters and loading conditions, the vibration response can be reduced.

Vaicaitis, R.↗

On the optimization of discrete structures with aeroelastic constraints

The paper deals with the problem of dynamic structural optimization where constraints relating to flutter of a wing (or other dynamic aeroelastic performance) are imposed along with conditions of a more conventional nature such as those relating to stress under load, deflection, minimum dimensions of structural elements, etc. The discussion is limited to a flutter problem for a linear system with a finite number of degrees of freedom and a single constraint involving aeroelastic stability, and the structure motion is assumed to be a simple harmonic time function. Three search schemes are applied to the minimum-weight redesign of a particular wing: the first scheme relies on the method of feasible directions, while the other two are derived from necessary conditions for a local optimum so that they can be referred to as optimality-criteria schemes. The results suggest that a heuristic redesign algorithm involving an optimality criterion may be best suited for treating multiple constraints with large numbers of design variables.

Mcintosh, S. C., Jr.↗

Validation of Design and Analysis Techniques of Tailored Composite Structures

Aeroelasticity is the relationship between the elasticity of an aircraft structure and its aerodynamics. This relationship can cause instabilities such as flutter in a wing. Engineers have long studied aeroelasticity to ensure such instabilities do not become a problem within normal operating conditions. In recent decades structural tailoring has been used to take advantage of aeroelasticity. It is possible to tailor an aircraft structure to respond favorably to multiple different flight regimes such as takeoff, landing, cruise, 2-g pull up, etc. Structures can be designed so that these responses provide an aerodynamic advantage. This research investigates the ability to design and analyze tailored structures made from filamentary composites. Specifically the accuracy of tailored composite analysis must be verified if this design technique is to become feasible. To pursue this idea, a validation experiment has been performed on a small-scale filamentary composite wing box. The box is tailored such that its cover panels induce a global bend-twist coupling under an applied load. Two types of analysis were chosen for the experiment. The first is a closed form analysis based on a theoretical model of a single cell tailored box beam and the second is a finite element analysis. The predicted results are compared with the measured data to validate the analyses. The comparison of results show that the finite element analysis is capable of predicting displacements and strains to within 10% on the small-scale structure. The closed form code is consistently able to predict the wing box bending to 25% of the measured value. This error is expected due to simplifying assumptions in the closed form analysis. Differences between the closed form code representation and the wing box specimen caused large errors in the twist prediction. The closed form analysis prediction of twist has not been validated from this test.

Jegley, Dawn C.↗

Wind tunnel test of the 0.019 scale space shuttle integrated vehicle (model 14-OTS) in the CALSPAN 8-foot transonic wind tunnel (IA36), volume 2

A test is presented which was performed to determine the effect of cold jet gas plumes generated from main propulsion system and solid rocket motor nozzles on: (1) six-component force and moment data, (2) wing static pressures, (3) wing hinge moment, (4) elevon hinge moment, (5) rudder hinge moment, and (6) orbiter MPS nozzle pressure loads. The effects of rudder deflection, nozzle gimbal angle, and plume size were also obtained.

Hardin, R. B.↗

Pressure and thermal distributions on wings and adjacent surfaces induced by elevon deflections at Mach 6

Surface pressure distributions and heat transfer distributions were obtained on wing half-models in regions where three dimensional separated flow effects are prominent. Unswept and 50 deg and 70 deg swept semispan wings were tested, for trailing-edge-elevon ramp angles of 0 deg, 10 deg, 20 deg, and 30 deg, with and without cylindrical and flat plate center bodies and with and without various wing-tip plates and fins. The data, obtained for a free stream Mach number of 6 and a wing-root-chord Reynolds number of 18.5 million, reveal considerably larger regions of increased pressure and thermal loads than would be anticipated using non-separated flow analyses.

Kaufman, L. G., II↗

HiMAT systems development results and projections

Significant findings of the Highly Maneuverable Aircraft Technology Remotely Piloted Research Vehicle (HiMAT RPRV) flight test program are presented. Among the topics covered are: aerodynamic scaling relationships, the aeroelastic tailoring of wing and canard twist and camber, and laminate graphite/epoxy composite primary structure performance under high-g loading maneuvers. Attention is also given to the set of actuators used in the test and development program, with a view to the minimization of costs through modularity and interchangeability of components and the extensive use of off-the-shelf equipment. The relationship between composite ply geometry and the shape and magnitude of aeroelastic deformations during maneuvering is discussed in detail.

Brown, L. E., Jr.↗

In-flight measurement of rotor hub drag using the RSRA - A feasibility demonstration

The Rotor Systems Research Aircraft (RSRA) is a compound helicopter that was test flown as a fixed-wing aircraft, with the main rotor blades removed and the rotor hub installed. An onboard rotor load-measurement system measured the resulting rotor hub drag and lift. Measured hub drag and lift are plotted for comparison to that predicted by full-scale and 1/6-scale model wind-tunnel tests. The success of the demonstration gives confidence that planned improvements to the RSRA will allow high-accuracy hub drag and lift measurements to be made in flight on a routine research basis.

Acree, C. W., Jr.↗