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NASA NTRS2023

Metrics for Anomalous Charging currents in Polymer Tantalum Capacitors

Anomalous charging currents (ACC) in polymer tantalum capacitors may appear as a temporary short circuit that can last for dozens of milliseconds, cause failures to the parts, or cause malfunctions to fast operating electronic systems. Currently, there is no standard technique or set of metrics to evaluate the level of ACC which compares results obtained by different users and manufacturers. In this work, ACC in different types of capacitors were characterized by analysis of current transients during the constant voltage ramp or power surge testing (PST) techniques. It is shown that although the shape of transients may vary at different test conditions, the transfer charge and energy remain practically the same. The level of ACC is characterized by the energy dissipated in the part during PST. Variations of the dissipated energy with moisture content, test temperature, and voltage are evaluated. Effects of different reflow soldering conditions and long-term (up to 3000 hours) storage at 125 °C are discussed.

polymer tantalum capacitor↗

NASA NTRS1997

Remote sensing and characterization of anomalous debris

The analysis of orbital debris data shows a band of anomalously high debris concentration in the altitude range between 800 and 1000 km. Analysis indicates that the origin is the leaking coolant fluid from nuclear power sources that powered a now defunct Soviet space-based series of ocean surveillance satellites. A project carried out to detect, track and characterize a sample of the anomalous debris is reported. The nature of the size and shape of the sample set, and the possibility of inferring the composition of the droplets were assessed. The technique used to detect, track and characterize the sample set is described and the results of the characterization analysis are presented. It is concluded that the nature of the debris is consistent with leaked Na-K fluid, although this cannot be proved with the remote sensing techniques used.

Sridharan, R.↗

NASA NTRS2006

Optical Spectroscopy of Stardust Samples

The Stardust spacecraft collected dust samples of the Kuiper belt comet 81P Wild-2 in aerogel and returned them to Earth January 15, 2006. Preliminary examination (PE) of the collected dust includes teams focused on mineralogy, chemical composition, isotopic measurements, organic analysis, cratering and spectroscopic properties. The main PE science goals are to provide an initial characterization of the returned samples with an emphasis on the capture process and its effects on the samples, a comparison of Stardust samples to other meteoritic materials, and the abundance of presolar materials in the Stardust samples. The science objectives of the Spectroscopy team are to obtain spectroscopic data on Stardust particles through infrared (IR), UV/Vis and Raman measurements of particles in aerogel, extracted particles, keystones, and microtome thin sections. These data will be used to answer fundamental science questions about the nature of the samples, but will also serve as preliminary mineralogical data to guide follow-on measurements that will be performed in the other preliminary examination teams. The IR characteristics of Stardust particles are measured to determine: 1) the nature of the indigenous 3.4 micron organic feature, is it detected and can it be differentiated/deconvolved from the contaminated aerogel? How does it compare to features observed in interplanetary dust particles (IDPs) and to astronomical measurements of comets and interstellar dust? 2) the shape and fine structure within the 10 micron silicate feature. Overlap with the strong Si-O stretching vibration from the aerogel complicates this analysis, but we hope to determine if the feature is dominated by amorphous silicates such as those observed in IDPs and comets and whether or not crystalline silicates (e.g. olivine, pyroxene, clays) are present, 3) the presence of secondary (alteration) phases. Deep Impact results suggest that IR observations of Stardust particles should be evaluated for the presence of hydrated materials (water bands at 3 and 6 microns) and carbonates (6.8 microns and other resonances) and 4) the detection of crystalline features in the far-IR (20-100 microns) region where crystalline silicates and other minerals have strong bands that can be used both for phase analysis and phase chemistry. It has been demonstrated that these far-IR measurements can be obtained in situ on particles in aerogel keystones.

Keller, Lindsay P.↗

NASA NTRS1965

Ground testing at MSFC

The large-scale field collection of acoustic data and their analysis are described in this review. The entire sound-field program has the purpose of solving complex problems of excessive noise propagation associated with the static test firing of large space-booster powerplants. The site of data collection has been Mississippi Test Facility (MTF), where far-field sound-propagation and correlated meteorological measurements were initiated in 1962. The statistical evaluation of sound-measurement data shows that the polar distribution of sound in the springtime (at MTF) is determined mainly by the temperature field of the atmosphere. Greater deformation of sound-intensity polar distribution occurs in the autumn as a result of the influence of the wind field. The data on sound attenuation as a function of distance from its source revealed attenuation in excess of the expected magnitude. The excess was mainly between 1 and 10 kilometers from the source, with maximum attenuation (17 to 18 decibels) near 6 kilometers. Excess sound attenuation was compared with calculated sound dispersion. For all sound frequencies in all seasons the deviation between reference and empirical attenuation values formed a bell-shaped distribution on a semilogarithmic plot. The physical causes for the sound- attenuation behavior are considered to be atmospheric diffraction and scattering effects. Statistical analysis of sod-intensity extremes indicated amplification of the sound signals by focusing which could be expected along selected azimuths. Empirical amplification values showed the maximum occurring in winter (50 decibels at 22 kilometers). For the analysis of correlation between empirical sound data and local atmospheric sound- propagation conditions, #e concept of analytical classification of sound-velocity profiles has been developed. Examination of over a quarter-million individual sound-velocity profiles indicates that 33 profile types for heights up to 3 kilometers constitute the empirical possibilities of sound-propagation conditions in southeastern United States. Since the focusing qualities of each sound- velocity profile can be determined as a class characteristic, the overall probabilities of focusing occurrence can he obtained. The severity of focusing, as based upon lateral spread of focusing areas, has been determined. The data for MTF indicate focusing is most severe in winter, with the direction toward east being most affected. Sound propagation is a fluctuating phenomenon because atmospheric conditions vary continuously. A measuring system for analyzing the nonstationary sound-propagation phenomena has been established. The analysis of the acoustic fluctuation data is sup- posed to provide "dynamic” perturbation functions of sound, which are to be superimposed on the related characteristic sound-velocity-profile type. The ultimate result of the program will be the establishment of reliable contingency tables showing the relationship between atmospheric parameters and far-field sound intensities. These data will be the basis for more accurate sound-propagation forecasting for static firing tests.

STATIC TESTING↗

NASA NTRS2003

Material Properties Analysis of Structural Members in Pumpkin Balloons

The efficient design, service-life qualification, and reliability predictions for lightweight aerospace structures require careful mechanical properties analysis of candidate structural materials. The demand for high-quality laboratory data is particularly acute when the candidate material or the structural design has little history. The pumpkin-shaped super-pressure balloon presents both challenges. Its design utilizes load members (tendons) extending from apex to base around the gas envelope to achieve a lightweight structure. The candidate tendon material is highly weight-efficient braided HM cord. Previous mechanical properties studies of Zylon have focused on fiber and yarn, and industrial use of the material in tensile applications is limited. For high-performance polymers, a carefully plamed and executed properties analysis scheme is required to ensure the data are relevant to the desired application. Because no directly-applicable testing standard was available, a protocol was developed based on guidelines fiom professional and industry organizations. Due to the liquid-crystalline nature of the polymer, the cord is very stiff, creeps very little, and does not yield. Therefore, the key material property for this application is the breaking strength. The pretension load and gauge length were found to have negligible effect on the measured breaking strength over the ranges investigated. Strain rate was found to have no effect on breaking strength, within the range of rates suggested by the standards organizations. However, at the lower rate more similar to ULDB operations, the strength was reduced. The breaking strength increased when the experiment temperature was decreased from ambient to 183K which is the lowest temperature ULDB is expected to experience. The measured strength under all test conditions was well below that resulting from direct scale-up of fiber strength based on the manufacturers data. This expected result is due to the effects of the braiding process and material ageing.

Sterling, W. J.↗

NASA NTRS2000

Analysis of the DFP/AFCS Systems for Compensating Gravity Distortions on the 70-Meter Antenna

This paper presents the theoretical computations showing the expected performances for both systems. The basic analysis tool is a Physical Optics reflector analysis code that was ported to a parallel computer for faster execution times. There are several steps involved in computing the RF performance of the various systems. 1 . A model of the RF distortions of the main reflector is required. This model is based upon measured holography maps of the 70-meter antenna obtained at 3 elevation angles. The holography maps are then processed (using an appropriate gravity mechanical model of the dish) to provide surface distortion maps at all elevation angles. 2. From the surface distortion maps, ray optics is used to determine the theoretical shape of the DFP that will exactly phase compensate the distortions. 3. From the theoretical shape and a NASTRAN mechanical model of the plate, the actuator positions that generate a surface that provides the best RMS fit to the theoretical model are selected. Using the actuator positions and the NASTRAN model provides an accurate description of the actual mirror shape. 4. Starting from the mechanical drawings of the feed, a computed RF feed pattern is generated. This pattern is expanded into a set of spherical wave modes so that a complete near field analysis of the reflector system can be obtained. 5. For the array feed, the excitation coefficients that provide the maximum gain are computed using a phase conjugate technique. The basic experimental geometry consisted of a dual shaped 70-meter antenna system; a refocusing ellipse, a DFP and an array feed system. To provide physical insight to the systems performance, focal plane field plots are presented at several elevations. Curves of predicted performance are shown for the DFP system, monopulse tracking system, AFCS and combined DFP/AFCS system. The calculated results show that the combined DFP/AFCS system is capable of recovering the majority of the gain lost due to gravity distortion.

Imbriale, William A.↗

NASA NTRS1998

Tape-Drop Transient Model for In-Situ Automated Tape Placement of Thermoplastic Composites

Composite parts of nonuniform thickness can be fabricated by in-situ automated tape placement (ATP) if the tape can be started and stopped at interior points of the part instead of always at its edges. This technique is termed start/stop-on-the-part, or, alternatively, tape-add/tape-drop. The resulting thermal transients need to be managed in order to achieve net shape and maintain uniform interlaminar weld strength and crystallinity. Starting-on-the-part has been treated previously. This paper continues the study with a thermal analysis of stopping-on-the-part. The thermal source is switched off when the trailing end of the tape enters the nip region of the laydown/consolidation head. The thermal transient is determined by a Fourier-Laplace transform solution of the two-dimensional, time-dependent thermal transport equation. This solution requires that the Peclet number Pe (the dimensionless ratio of inertial to diffusive heat transport) be independent of time and much greater than 1. Plotted isotherms show that the trailing tape-end cools more rapidly than the downstream portions of tape. This cooling can weaken the bond near the tape end; however the length of the affected region is found to be less than 2 mm. To achieve net shape, the consolidation head must continue to move after cut-off until the temperature on the weld interface decreases to the glass transition temperature. The time and elapsed distance for this condition to occur are computed for the Langley ATP robot applying PEEK/carbon fiber composite tape and for two upgrades in robot performance. The elapsed distance after cut-off ranges from about 1 mm for the present robot to about 1 cm for the second upgrade.

Costen, Robert C.↗

NASA NTRS2015

A Methodology to Assess the Capability of Engine Designs to Meet Closed-Loop Performance and Operability Requirements

Designing a closed-loop controller for an engine requires balancing trade-offs between performance and operability of the system. One such trade-off is the relationship between the 95 percent response time and minimum high-pressure compressor (HPC) surge margin (SM) attained during acceleration from idle to takeoff power. Assuming a controller has been designed to meet some specification on response time and minimum HPC SM for a mid-life (nominal) engine, there is no guarantee that these limits will not be violated as the engine ages, particularly as it reaches the end of its life. A characterization for the uncertainty in this closed-loop system due to aging is proposed that defines elliptical boundaries to estimate worst-case performance levels for a given control design point. The results of this characterization can be used to identify limiting design points that bound the possible controller designs yielding transient results that do not exceed specified limits in response time or minimum HPC SM. This characterization involves performing Monte Carlo simulation of the closed-loop system with controller constructed for a set of trial design points and developing curve fits to describe the size and orientation of each ellipse; a binary search procedure is then employed that uses these fits to identify the limiting design point. The method is demonstrated through application to a generic turbofan engine model in closed-loop with a simplified controller; it is found that the limit for which each controller was designed was exceeded by less than 4.76 percent. Extension of the characterization to another trade-off, that between the maximum high-pressure turbine (HPT) entrance temperature and minimum HPC SM, showed even better results: the maximum HPT temperature was estimated within 0.76 percent. Because of the accuracy in this estimation, this suggests another limit that may be taken into consideration during design and analysis. It also demonstrates the extension of the characterization to other attributes that contribute to the performance or operability of the engine. Metrics are proposed that, together, provide information on the shape of the trade-off between response time and minimum HPC SM, and how much each varies throughout the life cycle, at the limiting design points. These metrics also facilitate comparison of the expected transient behavior for multiple engine models.

systems analysis↗

NASA NTRS1984

An experimental investigation of the effect of boundary layer refraction on the noise from a high-speed propeller

Models of supersonic propellers were previously tested for acoustics in the Lewis 8- by 6-Foot Wind Tunnel using pressure transducers mounted in the tunnel ceiling. The boundary layer on the tunnel ceiling is believed to refract some of the propeller noise away from the measurement transducers. Measurements were made on a plate installed in the wind tunnel which had a thinner boundary layer than the ceiling boundary layer. The plate was installed in two locations for comparison with tunnel ceiling noise data and with fuselage data taken on the NASA Dryden Jetstar airplane. Analysis of the data indicates that the refraction increases with: increasing boundary layer thickness; increasing free stream Mach number; increasing frequency; and decreasing sound radiation angle (toward the inlet axis). At aft radiation angles greater than about 100 deg there was little or no refraction. Comparisons with the airplane data indicated that not only is the boundary layer thickness important but also the shape of the velocity profile. Comparisons with an existing two-dimensional theory, using an idealized shear layer to approximate the boundary layer, showed that the theory and data had the same trends. Analysis of the data taken in the tunnel at two different distances from the propeller indicates a decay with distance in the wind tunnel at high Mach numbers but the decay at low Mach numbers is not as clear.

Dittmar, J. H.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Computational Aspects of Sensitivity Calculations in Linear Transient Structural Analysis

A study has been performed focusing on the calculation of sensitivities of displacements, velocities, accelerations, and stresses in linear, structural, transient response problems. One significant goal was to develop and evaluate sensitivity calculation techniques suitable for large-order finite element analyses. Accordingly, approximation vectors such as vibration mode shapes are used to reduce the dimensionality of the finite element model. Much of the research focused on the accuracy of both response quantities and sensitivities as a function of number of vectors used. Two types of sensitivity calculation techniques were developed and evaluated. The first type of technique is an overall finite difference method where the analysis is repeated for perturbed designs. The second type of technique is termed semianalytical because it involves direct, analytical differentiation of the equations of motion with finite difference approximation of the coefficient matrices. To be computationally practical in large-order problems, the overall finite difference methods must use the approximation vectors from the original design in the analyses of the perturbed models.

Greene, William H.↗

NASA NTRS1995

Electromagnetic scattering analysis of a three-dimensional-cavity-backed aperture in an infinite ground plane using a combined finite element method/method of moments approach

A combined finite element method/method of moments (FEM/MoM) approach is used to analyze the electromagnetic scattering properties of a three-dimensional-cavity-backed aperture in an infinite ground plane. The FEM is used to formulate the fields inside the cavity, and the MoM (with subdomain bases) in both spectral and spatial domains is used to formulate the fields above the ground plane. Fields in the aperture and the cavity are solved using a system of equations resulting from the combination of the FEM and the MoM. By virtue of the FEM, this combined approach is applicable to all arbitrarily shaped cavities with inhomogeneous material fillings, and because of the subdomain bases used in the MoM, the apertures can be of any arbitrary shape. This approach leads to a partly sparse and partly full symmetric matrix, which is efficiently solved using a biconjugate gradient algorithm. Numerical results are presented to validate the analysis.

Reddy, C. J.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Analysis of Landsat for monitoring vegetables in New York mucklands

This pilot study assessed the feasibility of relying on Landsat multispectral scanner data for inventorying vegetables grown in mucklands,in variably shaped, variably sized fields. Classification of muckland vegetables using a Euclidean distance classifier and a parallelepiped classifier was performed with reasonable accuracy (generally over 60 percent) based on only one date of Landsat data. Prior canonical and principal component analyses did not improve the classification accuracy but did reduce the dimensionality of the data.

Zhu, M. H.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Vibration analysis of heated anisotropic plates with free edge conditions

Tabular and plotted results are presented (as a function of lamination angle and temperature) for the first two vibration frequencies and mode shapes of a heated, single-layer Boron/epoxy laminate. A Ritz formulation is used to determine the thermally induced in-plane forces and the out-of-plane vibration frequencies. This approach is formulated in terms of the out-of-plane displacement and the in-plane stress function; both the displacement and the stress function are expressed as simple algebraic polynomials modified to satisfy the essential boundary conditions. Heating is applied as a steady-state temperature distribution; material properties are considered to be temperature-dependent. To establish the correctness and effectiveness of the method, the in-plane forces are compared with Fourier series analytical results.

Locke, James E.↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Statistical Analysis of Fading Power Vectors for Real-Time Atmospheric Channel Emulation

The design and testing of a free-space optical communication system requires assessment of the impact of random fluctuations in received power from a laser beam transmitted over an atmospheric channel. A number of methods for generating fading power vectors for in-lab emulation of an atmospheric channel have previously been reported. These techniques include spectral shaping and filtering of a signal from a normally distributed pseudo-random number generator, full wave optics simulations with random phase screens, and pre-recorded measurements from experimental free-space links. In this work, a statistical analysis of atmospheric fading is presented with the goal of producing a practical engineering model for the fading channel suitable for generating synthetic fade vectors in real-time for long-duration receiver testing with channel interleaving. Specifically, a parametric model is developed for turbulence-induced fade on space-to-ground links with large-aperture receivers, including aperture-averaging and the effects of aperture size on the instantaneous coupling efficiency for mode- limited receivers. In particular, we analyze the probability density function and temporal power spectrum for fluctuations of the coupling efficiency for few-mode fibers in a range of turbulence conditions.

free-space optical communication↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Statistical Analysis of Fading Power Vectors for Real-Time Atmospheric Channel Emulation

The design and testing of a free-space optical communication system requires assessment of the impact of random fluctuations in received power from a laser beam transmitted over an atmospheric channel. A number of methods for generating fading power vectors for in-lab emulation of an atmospheric channel have previously been reported. These techniques include spectral shaping and filtering of a signal from a normally distributed pseudo-random number generator, full wave optics simulations with random phase screens, and pre-recorded measurements from experimental free-space links. In this work, a statistical analysis of atmospheric fading is presented with the goal of producing a practical engineering model for the fading channel suitable for generating synthetic fade vectors in real-time for long-duration receiver testing with channel interleaving. Specifically, a parametric model is developed for turbulence-induced fade on space-to-ground links with large-aperture receivers, including aperture-averaging and the effects of aperture size on the instantaneous coupling efficiency for mode-limited receivers. In particular, we analyze the probability density function and temporal power spectrum for fluctuations of the coupling efficiency for few-mode fibers in a range of turbulence conditions.

free-space optical communication↗

NASA NTRS2003

Preparation of Regular Specimens for Atom Probes

A method of preparation of specimens of non-electropolishable materials for analysis by atom probes is being developed as a superior alternative to a prior method. In comparison with the prior method, the present method involves less processing time. Also, whereas the prior method yields irregularly shaped and sized specimens, the present developmental method offers the potential to prepare specimens of regular shape and size. The prior method is called the method of sharp shards because it involves crushing the material of interest and selecting microscopic sharp shards of the material for use as specimens. Each selected shard is oriented with its sharp tip facing away from the tip of a stainless-steel pin and is glued to the tip of the pin by use of silver epoxy. Then the shard is milled by use of a focused ion beam (FIB) to make the shard very thin (relative to its length) and to make its tip sharp enough for atom-probe analysis. The method of sharp shards is extremely time-consuming because the selection of shards must be performed with the help of a microscope, the shards must be positioned on the pins by use of micromanipulators, and the irregularity of size and shape necessitates many hours of FIB milling to sharpen each shard. In the present method, a flat slab of the material of interest (e.g., a polished sample of rock or a coated semiconductor wafer) is mounted in the sample holder of a dicing saw of the type conventionally used to cut individual integrated circuits out of the wafers on which they are fabricated in batches. A saw blade appropriate to the material of interest is selected. The depth of cut and the distance between successive parallel cuts is made such that what is left after the cuts is a series of thin, parallel ridges on a solid base. Then the workpiece is rotated 90 and the pattern of cuts is repeated, leaving behind a square array of square posts on the solid base. The posts can be made regular, long, and thin, as required for samples for atom-probe analysis. Because of their small volume and regularity, the amount of FIB-milling time can be much less than that of the method of sharp shards. Individual posts can be broken off for mounting in a manner similar to that of the method of sharp shards. Alternatively, the posts can be left intact on the base and the base can be cut to a small square (e.g., 3 by 3 mm) suitable for mounting in an atom probe of a type capable of accepting multiple-tip specimens. The advantage of multiple-tip specimens is the possibility of analyzing many tips without the time-consuming interchange of specimens.

Kuhlman, Kim↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Development and Characterization of the Integrally Stiffened Cylinder (ISC) Process for Launch Vehicles and Aircraft Fuselage Structures

Over the past decade, NASA Langley has led development of the Integrally Stiffened Cylinder (ISC) Process, a near-net shape, flow-forming technology. This innovative process is being evaluated for launch vehicle and commercial aircraft manufacturing. A thick-walled, cylindrical preform is flow-formed in a single operation into a thin-walled barrel with longitudinal stiffeners. The one-piece, stiffened barrels offer a direct replacement for conventional multi-piece welded or riveted structures. A cost-benefit analysis for launch vehicles estimated that the ISC process offers up to a 50% reduction in manufacturing costs and a 10% reduction in mass. NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), and industry partners have teamed to manufacture 10-ft. diameter aluminum ISCs. The intent is to demonstrate the commercial viability of the process at a scale relevant to the commercial launch and aircraft industries. Development activities will be presented, including process scale-up, formability assessment, microstructural analysis, and mechanical property testing.

ISC, flow forming, near net shape↗

NASA NTRS2000

A Multidisciplinary Performance Analysis of a Lifting-Body Single-Stage-to-Orbit Vehicle

Lockheed Martin Skunk Works (LMSW) is currently developing a single-stage-to-orbit reusable launch vehicle called VentureStar(TM) A team at NASA Langley Research Center participated with LMSW in the screening and evaluation of a number of early VentureStar(TM) configurations. The performance analyses that supported these initial studies were conducted to assess the effect of a lifting body shape, linear aerospike engine and metallic thermal protection system (TPS) on the weight and performance of the vehicle. These performance studies were performed in a multidisciplinary fashion that indirectly linked the trajectory optimization with weight estimation and aerothermal analysis tools. This approach was necessary to develop optimized ascent and entry trajectories that met all vehicle design constraints. Significant improvements in ascent performance were achieved when the vehicle flew a lifting trajectory and varied the engine mixture ratio during flight. Also, a considerable reduction in empty weight was possible by adjusting the total oxidizer-to-fuel and liftoff thrust-to-weight ratios. However, the optimal ascent flight profile had to be altered to ensure that the vehicle could be trimmed in pitch using only the flow diverting capability of the aerospike engine. Likewise, the optimal entry trajectory had to be tailored to meet TPS heating rate and transition constraints while satisfying a crossrange requirement.

Tartabini, Paul V.↗