Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “Programming, Linear”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,549 records · Page 86

Evaluation of automated decisionmaking methodologies and development of an integrated robotic system simulation. Volume 1: Study results

A variety of artificial intelligence techniques which could be used with regard to NASA space applications and robotics were evaluated. The techniques studied were decision tree manipulators, problem solvers, rule based systems, logic programming languages, representation language languages, and expert systems. The overall structure of a robotic simulation tool was defined and a framework for that tool developed. Nonlinear and linearized dynamics equations were formulated for n link manipulator configurations. A framework for the robotic simulation was established which uses validated manipulator component models connected according to a user defined configuration.

Lowrie, J. W.↗

The role of modern control theory in the design of controls for aircraft turbine engines

The development, applications, and current research in modern control theory (MCT) are reviewed, noting the importance for fuel-efficient operation of turbines with variable inlet guide vanes, compressor stators, and exhaust nozzle area. The evolution of multivariable propulsion control design is examined, noting a basis in a matrix formulation of the differential equations defining the process, leading to state space formulations. Reports and papers which appeared from 1970-1982 which dealt with problems in MCT applications to turbine engine control design are outlined, including works on linear quadratic regulator methods, frequency domain methods, identification, estimation, and model reduction, detection, isolation, and accommodation, and state space control, adaptive control, and optimization approaches. Finally, NASA programs in frequency domain design, sensor failure detection, computer-aided control design, and plant modeling are explored

Zeller, J.↗

Elevated temperature crack growth

The objective of the Elevated Temperature Crack Growth Program is to evaluate proposed nonlinear fracture mechanics methods for application to hot section components of aircraft gas turbine engines. Progress during the past year included linear-elastic fracture mechanics data reduction on nonlinear crack growth rate data on Alloy 718. The bulk of the analytical work centered on thermal gradient problems and proposed fracture mechanics parameters. Good correlation of thermal gradient experimental displacement data and finite element prediction was obtained.

Malik, S. N.↗

Development of a validation model for the defense meteorological satellite program's special sensor microwave imager

The Defence Meteorological Space Program's (DMSP) Special Sensor Microwave/Imager (SSM/I), an operational wind speed algorithm was developed. The algorithm is based on the D-matrix approach which seeks a linear relationship between measured SSM/I brightness temperatures and environmental parameters. D-matrix performance was validated by comparing algorithm derived wind speeds with near-simultaneous and co-located measurements made by off-shore ocean buoys. Other topics include error budget modeling, alternate wind speed algorithms, and D-matrix performance with one or more inoperative SSM/I channels.

Swift, C. T.↗

The analytical representation of viscoelastic material properties using optimization techniques

This report presents a technique to model viscoelastic material properties with a function of the form of the Prony series. Generally, the method employed to determine the function constants requires assuming values for the exponential constants of the function and then resolving the remaining constants through linear least-squares techniques. The technique presented here allows all the constants to be analytically determined through optimization techniques. This technique is employed in a computer program named PRONY and makes use of commercially available optimization tool developed by VMA Engineering, Inc. The PRONY program was utilized to compare the technique against previously determined models for solid rocket motor TP-H1148 propellant and V747-75 Viton fluoroelastomer. In both cases, the optimization technique generated functions that modeled the test data with at least an order of magnitude better correlation. This technique has demonstrated the capability to use small or large data sets and to use data sets that have uniformly or nonuniformly spaced data pairs. The reduction of experimental data to accurate mathematical models is a vital part of most scientific and engineering research. This technique of regression through optimization can be applied to other mathematical models that are difficult to fit to experimental data through traditional regression techniques.

Hill, S. A.↗

Nonlinear viscoelastic characterization of polymer materials using a dynamic-mechanical methodology

Polymer materials retrieved from LDEF exhibit nonlinear constitutive behavior; thus the authors present a method to characterize nonlinear viscoelastic behavior using measurements from dynamic (oscillatory) mechanical tests. Frequency-derived measurements are transformed into time-domain properties providing the capability to predict long term material performance without a lengthy experimentation program. Results are presented for thin-film high-performance polymer materials used in the fabrication of high-altitude scientific balloons. Predictions based upon a linear test and analysis approach are shown to deteriorate for moderate to high stress levels expected for extended applications. Tests verify that nonlinear viscoelastic response is induced by large stresses. Hence, an approach is developed in which the stress-dependent behavior is examined in a manner analogous to modeling temperature-dependent behavior with time-temperature correspondence and superposition principles. The development leads to time-stress correspondence and superposition of measurements obtained through dynamic mechanical tests. Predictions of material behavior using measurements based upon linear and nonlinear approaches are compared with experimental results obtained from traditional creep tests. Excellent agreement is shown for the nonlinear model.

Strganac, Thomas W.↗

Far UV Spectroscopy of eta Carinae

We present the first high spectral resolution observations of the Luminous Blue Variable eta Carinae between the Lyman limit and 1180 Angstroms. High resolution spectra (R approximately 20,000) were obtained with the Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE) satellite on Feb. 1 and Mar. 20, 2000. The observations were made with a 30x30 arcsec aperture and includes the entire Homunculus region. However, the spatial extent of the far UV flux is consistent with a point source. With the limited spatial resolution of the FUSE instrument, we can only constrain the far UV emission to be within +/-5 arcsec of the star. The far UV spectrum of eta Car is dominated by strong absorption features of molecular hydrogen. The observed flux level at 1150 Angstroms is approximately 4\times 10(exp 12) erg/sq cm/s/Angstrom and decreases approximately linearly to approximately 920 Angstroms where converging HI and HII features completely blanket the spectrum. These observations were obtained as part of the FUSE Early Release Observation program.

Iping, R. C.↗

Far UV Spectroscopy of eta Carinae

We present the first high spectral resolution observations of the Luminous Blue Variable eta Carinae between the Lyman limit and 1180 A. High resolution spectra (R approx. 20,000) were obtained with the Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE) satellite on Feb. 1 and Mar. 20, 2000. The observations were made with a 30 x 30 arcsec aperture and includes the entire Homunculus region. However, the spatial extent of the far UV flux is consistent with a point source. With the limited spatial resolution of the FUSE instrument, we can only constrain the far UV emission to be within +/- 5 arcsec of the star. The far UV spectrum of eta Car is dominated by strong absorption features of molecular hydrogen. The observed flux level at 1150A is approx. 4 times 10(exp 12) erg /cm(exp -2) /sec(exp -1) / A(exp -1) and decreases approximately linearly to approx. 920 A where converging H1 and H2 features completely blanket the spectrum. These observations were obtained as part of the FUSE Early Release Observation program.

Iping, R. C.↗

Satellite Estimation of Fractional Cover in Several California Specialty Crops

Past research in California and elsewhere has revealed strong relationships between satellite NDVI, photosynthetically active vegetation fraction (Fc), and crop evapotranspiration (ETc). Estimation of ETc can support efficiency of irrigation practice, which enhances water security and may mitigate nitrate leaching. The U.C. Cooperative Extension previously developed the CropManage (CM) web application for evaluation of crop water requirement and irrigation scheduling for several high-value specialty crops. CM currently uses empirical equations to predict daily Fc as a function of crop type, planting date and expected harvest date. The Fc prediction is transformed to fraction of reference ET and combined with reference data from the California Irrigation Management Information System to estimate daily ETc. In the current study, atmospherically-corrected Landsat NDVI data were compared with in-situ Fc estimates on several crops in the Salinas Valley during 2011-2014. The satellite data were observed on day of ground collection or were linearly interpolated across no more than an 8-day revisit period. Results will be presented for lettuce, spinach, celery, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, peppers, and strawberry. An application programming interface (API) allows CM and other clients to automatically retrieve NDVI and associated data from NASA's Satellite Irrigation Management Support (SIMS) web service. The SIMS API allows for queries both by individual points or user-defined polygons, and provides data for individual days or annual timeseries. Updates to the CM web app will convert these NDVI data to Fc on a crop-specific basis. The satellite observations are expected to play a support role in Salinas Valley, and may eventually serve as a primary data source as CM is extended to crop systems or regions where Fc is less predictable.

satellite↗

DYSCO: A software system for modeling general dynamic systems

The DYSCO program has been under development since 1979. It has been funded by Army and Air Force laboratories and by the Kaman Aerospace Corporation. It is presently available at a number of government and nongovernment installations. It has been used to analyze a very broad range of dynamics problems. A principle feature of the software design of DYSCO is the separation of the executive from the technology. The executive, which controls all the operations, is intelligent in the sense that it knows that its function is to assemble differential equations and to prepare them for solution. The technology library contains FORTRAN routines which perform standard functions, such as, computing the equation coefficients of an element (or component) given the local state at any time. The technology library also contains algorithms and procedures for solving the coupled system equations. The system was designed to allow easy additional of technology to the library. Any linear or nonlinear structural entity, control system, or set of ordinary differential equations may be simply coded and added to the library, as well as algorithms for time or frequency domain solution. The program is described with emphasis on its usefulness in easily modeling unusual concepts and configurations, performing analysis of damage, evaluating new algorithms, and simulating dynamic tests.

Berman, Alex↗

140,142 Ce Neutron Cross Section Resolved Resonance Region Evaluation [Abstract]

A resolved resonance region evaluation of 140,142 Ce has been carried out by Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Requested by the US Nuclear Criticality Safety Program, this evaluation is based on recent high-resolution transmission and capture high-resolution measurements of nat Ce and 142 Ce conducted at JRC-GEEL at the Geel Linear Accelerator facility, as well as recently measured thermal constants available from the EXFOR database. Starting from the resonance parameters from the ENDF/B-VIII.0 library and following a preliminary R-matrix analysis, an updated set of resonance parameters and corresponding covariance information was derived by the fit of these experimental datasets using the Reich-Moore approximation of the R-matrix theory as implemented in the SAMMY code system. The resolved resonance region upper energy limit for 140 Ce was kept at 200 keV while the 142 Ce resonance region was extended from 13 to 26 keV. This new evaluation was found to be in good agreement not only with several integral quantities of interest to the reactor physics community, but also with the stellar Maxwellian-averaged cross section.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Transport of cosmic ray nuclei in various materials

Cosmic-ray heavy ions have become a concern in space radiation effects analyses. Heavy ions rapidly deposit energy and create dense ionization trails as they traverse materials. Collection of the free charge disrupts the operation of microelectronic circuits. This effect, called the single-event upset, can cause a loss of digital data. Passage of high linear energy transfer particles through the eyes has been observed by Apollo astronauts. These heavy ions have great radiobiological effectiveness and are the primary risk factor for leukemia induction on a manned Mars mission. Models of the transport of heavy cosmic-ray nuclei through materials depend heavily on our understanding of the cosmic-ray environment, nuclear spallation cross sections, and computer transport codes. Our group has initiated and pursued the development of a full capability for modeling these transport processes. A recent review of this ongoing effort is presented in Ref. 5. In this paper, we discuss transport methods and present new results comparing the attenuation of cosmic rays in various materials.

NASA Discipline Radiation Health↗

Computer Vision on Edge Devices for the Short Term Prediction of Cloud Cover

Edge Computing and IoT are important pieces of today's technological landscape. Here, we build a low-cost IoT sensor for sky imaging and program it using AWS GreenGrass, one of the leading IoT platforms. We demonstrate remote reprogramming of this device to load software that predicts sun shading events through the linear advection method, which is a baseline algorithm that can be used to benchmark algorithmic improvements in future work. Some future directions for sky imaging research are enumerated.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Koopman Model Predictive Control for Eco-Driving of Automated Vehicles

In this paper, we develop a data-driven process for building a model predictive control (MPC) for eco-driving of automated vehicles. The process involves performing system identification in which the non-linear vehicle dynamics model is approximated by the Koopman operator, a linear predictor of higher state-dimension, in a data-driven framework. This approach allows us to formulate the eco-driving problem in a constrained quadratic program that leads to a computationally fast MPC. The MPC is then implemented as a closed-loop control of an electric vehicle in numerical simulations for demonstration.

autonomous vehicle↗

The application of color display techniques for the analysis of Nimbus infrared radiation data

A color enhancement system designed for the Applications Technology Satellite (ATS) spin scan experiment has been adapted for the analysis of Nimbus infrared radiation measurements. For a given scene recorded on magnetic tape by the Nimbus scanning radiometers, a virtually unlimited number of color images can be produced at the ATS Operations Control Center from a color selector paper tape input. Linear image interpolation has produced radiation analyses in which each brightness-color interval has a smooth boundary without any mosaic effects. An annotated latitude-longitude gridding program makes it possible to precisely locate geophysical parameters, which permits accurate interpretation of pertinent meteorological, geological, hydrological, and oceanographic features.

Allison, L. J.↗

Constrained low-thrust guidance.

Constrained low thrust guidance algorithms for three axis and spin-stabilized, constant power, solar electric propelled spacecraft on fixed time rendezvous missions are developed. A 'bang-bang' type of minimum-propellant thrust program is used. Control constraints arise from the specification that the thrust vector must remain fixed relative to the solar panels. The guidance law is derived from deterministic linear perturbation theory and is controllable to first order on trajectories containing at least two thrust arcs. The number and timing of guidance updates and the effectiveness of the guidance law in compensating for state and control estimation biases and uncertainties are discussed. Numerical comparisons between the optimal control and the restricted control case are presented on a Encke comet rendezvous.

Ungs, M. J.↗

Estimation of leading-edge thrust for supersonic wings of arbitrary planform

A numerical method for the estimation of leading edge thrust for supersonic wings of arbitrary planform was developed and was programmed as an extension to an existing high speed digital computer method for prediction of wing pressure distributions. The accuracy of the method was assessed by comparison with linearized theory results for a series of flat delta wings. Application of the method to wings of arbitrary planform, both flat and cambered, is illustrated in several examples.

Carlson, H. W.↗

Investigation of ODE integrators using interactive graphics

Two FORTRAN programs using an interactive graphic terminal to generate accuracy and stability plots for given multistep ordinary differential equation (ODE) integrators are described. The first treats the fixed stepsize linear case with complex variable solutions, and generates plots to show accuracy and error response to step driving function of a numerical solution, as well as the linear stability region. The second generates an analog to the stability region for classes of non-linear ODE's as well as accuracy plots. Both systems can compute method coefficients from a simple specification of the method. Example plots are given.

Brown, R. L.↗