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At least 1,477 records · Page 82

Telerobotics for the efficient utilization of space

Telerobotics is a new technology that is being developed to perform remote manipulation in space. It seeks to accommodate the needs arising from a rapidly increasing investment in space assets and from the large costs deriving from human operations in space, especially EVA. Telerobotics applies advanced automation and artificial intelligence technology and combines the immediacy of execution of teleoperation (the replication at a distance of the physical motions of the operator) with the efficiency and precision of supervised robotic autonomy (the accomplishment of assignments through machine task decomposition and interpretation of sensor information). One of the key goals of this approach is the achievement of a seamless transition between teleoperation and supervised autonomy. The basis of this technology and of the NASA telerobotics research and development activities are described. They consist of five elements: core research, laboratory integration testbed, mission analysis, application demonstrations and flight experiments. Current advances, both in research and system integration are reported including the first integration of the laboratory testbed and quantitative comparisons obtained in a buoyant facility. Planned future goals are outlined.

Varsi, Giulio↗

Identification of rotor flapping equation of motion from flight measurements with the RSRA compound helicopter

The application of an integrated rotorcraft identification method to the linear modeling of rotor system dynamics is studied. Two approaches used to describe the rotor flapping parameters in the rotor state dynamic equations and the period coefficients of the blade flapping equation of motion are presented. In the first approach, the parameters are identified in the nonrotating reference frame; in the second, the blade equivalent damping and spring periodic coefficients as well as other periodic coefficients are identified in the rotating reference frame.

Wang, Ji C.↗

A triangular property of the associated Legendre functions

A mathematical formula is introduced and proved which relates the associated Legendre functions with given nonnegative integral indices. The application of this formula in simplifying the calculation of collisional electron-atom cross sections higher than the dipole is mentioned. A proof of the stated identity using the Gegenbauer polynomials and their generating function is given.

Fineschi, S.↗

Low dimensional models of the wall region of a turbulent boundary layer, and the possibility of control

A method of identification of coherent structures in a random turbulent flow is outlined with emphasis on the structure best correlated with a random energy-integrable field and application of the proper orthogonal decomposition to the shear flow of the wall region. The wall region of a pipe flow with almost pure glycerine is investigated experimentally, dynamic equations are obtained, and an energy-transfer model is employed. Numerical solutions are obtained, implications for the flow in the wall region are discussed with focus placed on the sets of solutions exhibiting intermittency. The most significant finding of the study is considered to be the suggestion of the etiology of the bursting phenomenon; presuming that abrupt transitions from one fixed point to the other can be identified with a burst, these bursts appear to be produced autonomously by the wall region, but be triggered by pressure signals from the outer layer.

Lumley, John L.↗

An aeroelastic analysis with a generalized dynamic wake

An aeroelastic model with generalized dynamic wake is developed for application in the integration of aerodynamic, dynamic, and structural optimization of a rotor blade. The investigation is carried out with special attention to efficiency and accuracy of aeroelastic modeling. Each blade is assumed to be an elastic beam undergoing flap bending, lead-lag bending, elastic twist and axial deflections. The nonuniform blade is discretized into finite beam elements, each of which consists of twelve degrees of freedom. Such important blade design variables as pretwist, and chordwise offsets of the blade center of gravity and of the aerodynamic center from the elastic axis have been included in the analysis. Aerodynamic loads are computed from unsteady blade element theory where the rotor three-dimensional unsteady wake is modeled using a generalized dynamic wake theory. The noncirculatory loads based on unsteady thin airfoil theory are also included.

He, Cheng J.↗

The 19 mm date recorders: Similarities and differences

Confusion over the use of non-video 19 mm data recorders is becoming more pronounced in the world of high performance computing. The following issues are addressed: (1) the difference between ID-1, ID-2, MIL-STD-2179, and DD-2; (2) the proper machine for the necessary application; and (3) integrating the machine into an existing environment. Also, an attempt is made to clear up any misconceptions there might be about 19 mm tape recorders.

Atkinson, Steve↗

On some recent advances in multidisciplinary analysis of hypersonic vehicles

This paper presents pertinent details of the development and application of an integrated, multidisciplinary finite element analysis tool for the effective modeling and simulation of aerospace vehicles including hypersonic ones. Recent advances in this connection include more efficient CFD solution techniques and also aeroservoelastic stability analysis methods that employ unsteady aerodynamic forces for computation of flutter and divergence speeds. An accelerated Euler solution procedure based on the Aitken acceleration technique has recently been implemented that effects considerable improvement in solution efficiency for the same level of solution accuracy, as evidenced by example problems presented in the paper. A summary of finite element numerical formulations for the various individual disciplines as well as for the unified aeroservoelastic analysis and some relevant numerical examples are also presented in the paper.

Gupta, K. K.↗

The lift-fan powered-lift aircraft concept: Lessons learned

This is one of a series of reports on the lessons learned from past research related to lift-fan aircraft concepts. An extensive review is presented of the many lift-fan aircraft design studies conducted by both government and industry over the past 45 years. Mission applications and design integration including discussions on manifolding hot gas generators, hot gas dusting, and energy transfer control are addressed. Past lift-fan evaluations of the Avrocar are discussed. Lessons learned from these past efforts are identified.

Deckert, Wallace H.↗

The Advanced Technology Operations System: ATOS

Mission control systems supporting new space missions face ever-increasing requirements in terms of functionality, performance, reliability and efficiency. Modern data processing technology is providing the means to meet these requirements in new systems under development. During the past few years the European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) of the European Space Agency (ESA) has carried out a number of projects to demonstrate the feasibility of using advanced software technology, in particular, knowledge based systems, to support mission operations. A number of advances must be achieved before these techniques can be moved towards operational use in future missions, namely, integration of the applications into a single system framework and generalization of the applications so that they are mission independent. In order to achieve this goal, ESA initiated the Advanced Technology Operations System (ATOS) program, which will develop the infrastructure to support advanced software technology in mission operations, and provide applications modules to initially support: Mission Preparation, Mission Planning, Computer Assisted Operations, and Advanced Training. The first phase of the ATOS program is tasked with the goal of designing and prototyping the necessary system infrastructure to support the rest of the program. The major components of the ATOS architecture is presented. This architecture relies on the concept of a Mission Information Base (MIB) as the repository for all information and knowledge which will be used by the advanced application modules in future mission control systems. The MIB is being designed to exploit the latest in database and knowledge representation technology in an open and distributed system. In conclusion the technological and implementation challenges expected to be encountered, as well as the future plans and time scale of the project, are presented.

Kaufeler, J.-F.↗

ELISA, a demonstrator environment for information systems architecture design

This paper describes an approach of reusability of software engineering technology in the area of ground space system design. System engineers have lots of needs similar to software developers: sharing of a common data base, capitalization of knowledge, definition of a common design process, communication between different technical domains. Moreover system designers need to simulate dynamically their system as early as possible. Software development environments, methods and tools now become operational and widely used. Their architecture is based on a unique object base, a set of common management services and they host a family of tools for each life cycle activity. In late '92, CNES decided to develop a demonstrative software environment supporting some system activities. The design of ground space data processing systems was chosen as the application domain. ELISA (Integrated Software Environment for Architectures Specification) was specified as a 'demonstrator', i.e. a sufficient basis for demonstrations, evaluation and future operational enhancements. A process with three phases was implemented: system requirements definition, design of system architectures models, and selection of physical architectures. Each phase is composed of several activities that can be performed in parallel, with the provision of Commercial Off the Shelves Tools. ELISA has been delivered to CNES in January 94, currently used for demonstrations and evaluations on real projects (e.g. SPOT4 Satellite Control Center). It is on the way of new evolutions.

Panem, Chantal↗

Chemical beam epitaxy for high efficiency photovoltaic devices

InP-based multijunction tandem solar cells show great promise for the conversion efficiency (eta) and high radiation resistance. InP and its related ternary and quanternary compound semiconductors such as InGaAs and InGaAsP offer desirable combinations for energy bandgap values which are very suitable for multijunction tandem solar cell applications. The monolithically integrated InP/In(0.53)Ga(0.47)As tandem solar cells are expected to reach efficiencies above 30 percent. Wanlass, et.al., have reported AMO efficiencies as high as 20.1% for two terminal cells fabricated using atmospheric-pressure metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy (APMOVPE). The main limitations in their technique are first related to the degradation of the intercell ohmic contact (IOC), in this case the In(0.53)Ga(0.47)As tunnel junction during the growth of the top InP subcell structure, and second to the current matching, often limited by the In(0.53)Ga(0.47)As bottom subcell. Chemical beam epitaxy (CBE) has been shown to allow the growth of high quality materials with reproducible complex compositional and doping profiles. The main advantage of CBE compared to metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD), the most popular technique for InP-based photovoltaic device fabrication, is the ability to grow high purity epilayers at much lower temperatures (450 C - 530 C). In a recent report it was shown that cost-wise CBE is a breakthrough technology for photovoltaic (PV) solar energy progress in the energy conversion efficiency of InP-based solar cells fabricated using chemical beam epitaxy. This communication summarizes our recent results on PV devices and demonstrates the strength of this new technology.

Bensaoula, A.↗

An Interactive Software for Conceptual Wing Flutter Analysis and Parametric Study

An interactive computer program was developed for wing flutter analysis in the conceptual design stage. The objective was to estimate the flutter instability boundary of a flexible cantilever wing, when well-defined structural and aerodynamic data are not available, and then study the effect of change in Mach number, dynamic pressure, torsional frequency, sweep, mass ratio, aspect ratio, taper ratio, center of gravity, and pitch inertia, to guide the development of the concept. The software was developed for Macintosh or IBM compatible personal computers, on MathCad application software with integrated documentation, graphics, data base and symbolic mathematics. The analysis method was based on non-dimensional parametric plots of two primary flutter parameters, namely Regier number and Flutter number, with normalization factors based on torsional stiffness, sweep, mass ratio, taper ratio, aspect ratio, center of gravity location and pitch inertia radius of gyration. The parametric plots were compiled in a Vought Corporation report from a vast data base of past experiments and wind-tunnel tests. The computer program was utilized for flutter analysis of the outer wing of a Blended-Wing-Body concept, proposed by McDonnell Douglas Corp. Using a set of assumed data, preliminary flutter boundary and flutter dynamic pressure variation with altitude, Mach number and torsional stiffness were determined.

Mukhopadhyay, Vivek↗

A Higher-Order Bending Theory for Laminated Composite and Sandwich Beams

A higher-order bending theory is derived for laminated composite and sandwich beams. This is accomplished by assuming a special form for the axial and transverse displacement expansions. An independent expansion is also assumed for the transverse normal stress. Appropriate shear correction factors based on energy considerations are used to adjust the shear stiffness. A set of transverse normal correction factors is introduced, leading to significant improvements in the transverse normal strain and stress for laminated composite and sandwich beams. A closed-form solution to the cylindrical elasticity solutions for a wide range of beam aspect ratios and commonly used material systems. Accurate shear stresses for a wide range of laminates, including the challenging unsymmetric composite and sandwich laminates, are obtained using an original corrected integration scheme. For application of the theory to a wider range of problems, guidelines for finite element approximations are presented.

Cook, Geoffrey M.↗

Tooling Foam for Structural Composite Applications

Tooling technology applications for composite structures fabrication have been expanded at MSFC's Productivity Enhancement Complex (PEC). Engineers from NASA/MSFC and Lockheed Martin Corporation have developed a tooling foam for use in composite materials processing and manufacturing that exhibits superior thermal and mechanical properties in comparison with other tooling foam materials. This tooling foam is also compatible with most preimpregnated composite resins such as epoxy, bismaleimide, phenolic and their associated cure cycles. MARCORE tooling foam has excellent processability for applications requiring either integral or removable tooling. It can also be tailored to meet the requirements for composite processing of parts with unlimited cross sectional area. A shelf life of at least six months is easily maintained when components are stored between 50F - 70F. The MARCORE tooling foam system is a two component urethane-modified polyisocyanurate, high density rigid foam with zero ozone depletion potential. This readily machineable, lightweight tooling foam is ideal for composite structures fabrication and is dimensionally stable at temperatures up to 350F and pressures of 100 psi.

DeLay, Tom↗

Generalized Functions for the Fractional Calculus

Previous papers have used two important functions for the solution of fractional order differential equations, the Mittag-Leffler functionE(sub q)[at(exp q)](1903a, 1903b, 1905), and the F-function F(sub q)[a,t] of Hartley & Lorenzo (1998). These functions provided direct solution and important understanding for the fundamental linear fractional order differential equation and for the related initial value problem (Hartley and Lorenzo, 1999). This paper examines related functions and their Laplace transforms. Presented for consideration are two generalized functions, the R-function and the G-function, useful in analysis and as a basis for computation in the fractional calculus. The R-function is unique in that it contains all of the derivatives and integrals of the F-function. The R-function also returns itself on qth order differ-integration. An example application of the R-function is provided. A further generalization of the R-function, called the G-function brings in the effects of repeated and partially repeated fractional poles.

Lorenzo, Carl F.↗

High-Q X-Band and K-Band Micromachined Spiral Inductors for Use in Si-Based ICs

A micromachined structure with reduced parasitics is proposed to enhance the resonant frequency and the quality factor (Q) of a spiral inductor. Inductors with various etch depths have been fabricated on a high resistivity Si substrate. Two-port S-parameters measurement is taken to characterize the performance of the inductors. With an etch depth of 20 micron, a fabricated 1.8 nH spiral inductor achieves a maximum resonant frequency of 25.6 GHz and a maximum Q of 20.2 at 14.5 GHz. This technology is compatible with SiGe/Si HBT technology, and the spiral inductors are especially suitable for Si-based monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) applications.

Lu, Liang-Hung↗

Fluid Dynamics of Small, Rugged Vacuum Pumps of Viscous-Drag Type

The need to identify spikes in the concentration of hazardous gases during countdowns to space shuttle launches has led Kennedy Space Center to acquire considerable expertise in the design, construction, and operation of special-purpose gas analyzers of mass-spectrometer type. If such devices could be miniaturized so as to fit in a small airborne package or backpack them their potential applications would include integrated vehicle health monitoring in later-generation space shuttles and in hazardous material detection in airports, to name two examples. The bulkiest components of such devices are vacuum pumps, particularly those that function in the low vacuum range. Now some pumps that operate in the high vacuum range (e.g. molecular-drag and turbomolecular pumps) are already small and rugged. The present work aims to determine whether, on physical grounds, one may or may not adopt the molecular-drag principle to the low-vacuum range (in which case viscous-drag principle is the appropriate term). The deliverable of the present effort is the derivation and justification of some key formulas and calculation methods for the preliminary design of a single-spool, spiral-channel viscous-drag pump.

Russell, John M.↗