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At least 1,585 records · Page 88

Analytical comparison of transient and steady state visual evoked cortical potentials

To better describe the linear-dynamic properties of the human visual-cortical response system, transient and steady state Visual Evoked Response Potentials (VERP) were observed. The stimulus presentation device provided both the evoking stimulus (flickering or pulsing lights) and a video task display. The steady state stimulus was modulated by a complex, ten frequency, sum-of-sines, wave. The transient VERP was the time-locked average of the EEG to a series of narrow light pulses (pulse width of 10 msec). The Fourier transform of the averaged pulses had properties that approximate band limited white noise, i.e., a flat spectrum over the frequency region spanned by the 10 summed sines. The Fourier transform of both the steady state and the transient evoked potentials resulted in transfer that are equivalent and therefore comparable. To investigate the effects of task loading on evoked potentials, a grammatical reasoning task was provided. Results support the relevancy of continued application of a systems engineering approach for describing neurosensory functioning.

Junker, A. M.↗

Real-time open-loop frequency response analysis of flight test data

A technique has been developed to compare the open-loop frequency response of a flight test aircraft real time with linear analysis predictions. The result is direct feedback to the flight control systems engineer on the validity of predictions and adds confidence for proceeding with envelope expansion. Further, gain and phase margins can be tracked for trends in a manner similar to the techniques used by structural dynamics engineers in tracking structural modal damping.

Bosworth, J. T.↗

Dynamic stability and handling qualities tests on a highly augmented, statically unstable airplane

This paper describes some novel flight tests and analysis techniques in the flight dynamics and handling qualities area. These techniques were utilized during the initial flight envelope clearance of the X-29A aircraft and were largely responsible for the completion of the flight controls clearance program without any incidents or significant delays. The resulting open-loop and closed-loop frequency responses and the time history comparison using flight and linear simulation data are discussed.

Gera, Joseph↗

Dynamic loading of spur gears with linear or parabolic tooth profile modification

A computer simulation was conducted to investigate the effects of both linear and parabolic tooth profile modification on the dynamic response of low-contact-ratio spur gears. The effect of the total amount of modification and the length of the modification zone were studied at various loads and speeds to find the optimal profile modification for minimal dynamic loading. Design charts consisting of normalized maximum dynamic load curves were generated for gear systems operated at various loads and with different tooth profile modification. An optimum profile modification can be determined from these design charts to minimize the dynamic loads of spur gear systems.

Lin, Hsiang Hsi↗

Dynamic loading of spur gears with linear or parabolic tooth profile modifications

A computer simulation was conducted to investigate the effects of both linear and parabolic tooth profile modification on the dynamic response of low-contact-ratio spur gears. The effect of the total amount of modification and the length of the modification zone were studied at various loads and speeds to find the optimal profile modification for minimal dynamic loading. Design charts consisting of normalized maximum dynamic load curves were generated for gear systems operated at various loads and with different tooth profile modification. An optimum profile modification can be determined from these design charts to minimize the dynamic loads of spur gear systems.

Lin, H. H.↗

Active disturbance rejection in large flexible space structures

The design of an active control law for the rejection of persistent disturbances, in large space structures is presented. The control system design approach is based on a deterministic model of the disturbances and it optimizes the magnitude of the disturbance that the structure can tolerate without violating certain predetermined constraints. In addition to closed-loop stability, the explicit treatment of state, control, and control rate constraints, such as structural displacement and control actuator effort, guarantees that the final design will exhibit desired performance characteristics. The technique is applied to a simple two-bay truss structure, and its response is compared with that obtained using a linear-quadratic-Gaussian/loop-transfer-recovery (LQG/LTR) compensator. Preliminary results indicate that the proposed control system can reject persistent disturbances of greater magnitude by utilizing most of the available control, while limiting the structural displacements to within desired tolerances.

Parlos, Alexander G.↗

A bulk flow model of a brush seal system

Fibers can be readily fabricated into a variety of seal configurations that are compliant and responsive to high speed or lightly loaded systems. A linear, circular, or contoured brush seal system is a contact seal consisting of the bristle pattern and hardened interface. When compared to a labyrinth seal, the brush seal system is superior and features low leakage, dynamic stability, and permits compliant structures. But in turn, the system usually requires a hardened smooth interface and permits only limited pressure drops. Wear life and wear debris for operations with static or dynamic excitation are largely undetermined. A seal system involves control of fluid within specific boundaries. The brush and rub ring (or rub surface) form a seal system. Design similitudes, a bulk flow model, and rub ring (interface) coatings are discussed. The bulk flow model calculations are based on flows in porous media and filters. The coatings work is based on experience and expanded to include current practice.

Hendricks, R. C.↗

Acoustic fatigue life prediction for non-linear structures

Using an approach based on a time domain analysis, a method of equivalent linearization is applied for an estimation of the strain response of complex nonlinear structures having nearly arbitrary complexity. Fatigue lives estimated for a nonlinear beam with random excitation using the approximate method were compared with results obtained using a conventional numerical simulation, yielding nearly identical results.

Sun, J. Q.↗

Microwave scattering from wind- and rain-roughened seas

Microwave scattering from wind- and rain-roughened seas is studied under the assumption that, for light wind and light rain, the processes contributing to the scatterometer signal are independent. It is argued that calibrations from exclusively rain and exclusively wind conditions are all that is needed to predict scatterometer cross section for combined conditions. It is demonstrated that scatterometer response to a rain-roughened water surface is linear, but the slope of the relationship is sensitive to drop-size distribution. It is concluded that first-order wind and rain can be regarded as independent processes. Average cross section varies linearly with rainfall rate, but the slope of the relationship is a function of drop-size distribution. For combined light rain plus light wind, sigma-c is found to be well predicted by the addition of wind and rain models.

Bliven, Larry F.↗

Electromechanical simulation and testing of actively controlled rotordynamic systems with piezoelectric actuators

Theoretical developments for the simulation of an actively controlled rotorbearing system with piezoelectric type actuators are summarized. Two simulation models were derived; the first assumes that the actuators and other electrical components in the feedback system operate at all frequencies without phase lag or rolloff, while the second model includes the nonideal behavior of these components which are modeled with linear electric circuits. The two models predict identical unbalance response at low frequencies, and the nonideal model also predicts instability-onset feedback gains. The agreement between the measured and predicted results for unbalance response and instability onset gain is very good. The predicted instability-onset feedback gain for active damping was found to be very sensitive to the tare (uncontrolled) damping in the unstable mode.

Lin, Reng R.↗

A seasonal radiative-dynamic model of Saturn's troposphere

The present steady-state, linearized and zonally-averaged model of the thermal response of Saturn's atmosphere to seasonal insolation is compared with extant data in order to extract diagnostic information on the planet's troposphere and stratosphere. The planet's rings are shown to constitute a strong modulator of the seasonal insolation function. A detailed comparison of the model with existing temperature measurements shows that the large thermal inertia of Saturn and uncertainties in the wind and thermal measurements overwhelm the rings' thermal effects. A meridional asymmetry in heating is noted which is consistent with an enhancement of aerosols and of photochemically generated ethane and acetylene in the southern hemisphere's summer.

Barnet, C. D.↗

Detailed analysis and test correlation of a stiffened composite wing panel

New finite element analysis methods are examined by application to a complicated composite wing panel from the V-22 rotorcraft. A detailed FEM model with a relatively coarse mesh of 9-node elements was generated, and linear and nonlinear stress analyses, first-ply failure analyses, and buckling analyses were conducted. At low values of applied load, i.e., up to the design ultimate load of the panel, the linear stress analysis accurately predicted the strains and structural response characteristics of the panel.

Davis, D. D., Jr.↗

Application of artificial neural networks in nonlinear analysis of trusses

A method is developed to incorporate neural network model based upon the Backpropagation algorithm for material response into nonlinear elastic truss analysis using the initial stiffness method. Different network configurations are developed to assess the accuracy of neural network modeling of nonlinear material response. In addition to this, a scheme based upon linear interpolation for material data, is also implemented for comparison purposes. It is found that neural network approach can yield very accurate results if used with care. For the type of problems under consideration, it offers a viable alternative to other material modeling methods.

Alam, J.↗

Characteristics of the HYDICE sensor

In 1992, in an effort to significantly improve knowledge in the field of hyperspectral imagery, the Naval Research Laboratories defined a set of requirements for a new generation sensor. Construction of this instrument, designated HYDICE, has recently been completed at Hughes Danbury Optical Systems. It is currently being flight tested on a Convair 580 operated by ERIM. This paper reports on some of the performance parameters measured to date. The majority of these are derived from laboratory test data. Optomechanical parameters include MTF, spatial co-registration, 'smile', spectral profile and spectral calibration. Detector-related parameters include system responsivity, signal to noise ratio, radiometric stability and gain linearity. The results are compared with the original system performance predictions.

Basedow, R. W.↗

Development of Curved-Plate Elements for the Exact Buckling Analysis of Composite Plate Assemblies Including Transverse-Shear Effects

The analytical formulation of curved-plate non-linear equilibrium equations including transverse-shear-deformation effects is presented. The formulation uses the principle of virtual work. A unified set of non-linear strains that contains terms from both physical and tensorial strain measures is used. Linearized, perturbed equilibrium equations (stability equations) that describe the response of the plate just after buckling occurs are then derived after the application of several simplifying assumptions. These equations are then modified to allow the reference surface of the plate to be located at a distance z(sub c) from the centroidal surface. The implementation of the new theory into the VICONOPT exact buckling and vibration analysis and optimum design computer program is described as well. The terms of the plate stiffness matrix using both Classical Plate Theory (CPT) and first-order Shear-Deformation Plate Theory (SDPT) are presented. The necessary steps to include the effects of in-plane transverse and in-plane shear loads in the in-plane stability equations are also outlined. Numerical results are presented using the newly implemented capability. Comparisons of results for several example problems with different loading states are made. Comparisons of analyses using both physical and tensorial strain measures as well as CPT and SDPF are also made. Results comparing the computational effort required by the new analysis to that of the analysis currently in the VICONOPT program are presented. The effects of including terms related to in-plane transverse and in-plane shear loadings in the in-plane stability equations are also examined. Finally, results of a design-optimization study of two different cylindrical shells subject to uniform axial compression are presented.

McGowan, David Michael↗

Development of Curved-Plate Elements for the Exact Buckling Analysis of Composite Plate Assemblies Including Transverse-Shear Effects

The analytical formulation of curved-plate non-linear equilibrium equations including transverse-shear-deformation effects is presented. A unified set of non-linear strains that contains terms from both physical and tensorial strain measures is used. Linearized, perturbed equilibrium equations (stability equations) that describe the response of the plate just after buckling occurs are derived. These equations are then modified to allow the plate reference surface to be located a distance z(sub c) from the centroidal surface. The implementation of the new theory into the VICONOPT exact buckling and vibration analysis and optimum design computer program is described. The terms of the plate stiffness matrix using both classical plate theory (CPT) and first-order shear-deformation plate theory (SDPT) are presented. The effects of in-plane transverse and in-plane shear loads are included in the in-plane stability equations. Numerical results for several example problems with different loading states are presented. Comparisons of analyses using both physical and tensorial strain measures as well as CPT and SDPT are made. The computational effort required by the new analysis is compared to that of the analysis currently in the VICONOPT program. The effects of including terms related to in-plane transverse and in-plane shear loadings in the in-plane stability equations are also examined. Finally, results of a design-optimization study of two different cylindrical shells subject to uniform axial compression are presented.

McGowan, David M.↗

Steps Toward Determination of the Size and Structure of the Broad-Line Region in Active Galactic Nuclei XVI: A 13 Year Study of Spectral Variability in NGC 5548

We present the final installment of an intensive 13 year study of variations of the optical continuum and broad H beta emission line in the Seyfert 1 galaxy NGC 5548. The database consists of 1530 optical continuum measurements and 1248 H beta measurements. The H beta variations follow the continuum variations closely, with a typical time delay of about 20 days. However, a year-by-year analysis shows that the magnitude of emission-line time delay is correlated with the mean continuum flux. We argue that the data are consistent with the simple model prediction between the size of the broad-line region and the ionizing luminosity, r is proportional to L(sup 1/2)(sub ion). Moreover, the apparently linear nature of the correlation between the H beta response time and the nonstellar optical continuum F(sub opt) arises as a consequence of the changing shape of the continuum as it varies, specifically F(sub opt) is proportional to F(sup 0.56)(sub UV).

Peterson, B. M.↗

Predictions of Leukemia Risks to Astronauts from Solar Particle Events

Leukemias consisting of acute and chronic myeloid leukemia and acute lymphatic lymphomas represent the earliest cancers that appear after radiation exposure, have a high lethality fraction, and make up a significant fraction of the overall fatal cancer risk from radiation for adults. Several considerations impact the recommendation of a preferred model for the estimation of leukemia risks from solar particle events (SPE's): The BEIR VII report recommends several changes to the method of calculation of leukemia risk compared to the methods recommended by the NCRP Report No. 132 including the preference of a mixture model with additive and multiplicative components in BEIR VII compared to the additive transfer model recommended by NCRP Report No. 132. Proton fluences and doses vary considerably across marrow regions because of the characteristic spectra of primary solar protons making the use of an average dose suspect. Previous estimates of bone marrow doses from SPE's have used an average body-shielding distribution for marrow based on the computerized anatomical man model (CAM). We have developed an 82-point body-shielding distribution that faithfully reproduces the mean and variance of SPE doses in the active marrow regions (head and neck, chest, abdomen, pelvis and thighs) allowing for more accurate estimation of linear- and quadratic-dose components of the marrow response. SPE's have differential dose-rates and a pseudo-quadratic dose response term is possible in the peak-flux period of an event. Also, the mechanistic basis for leukemia risk continues to improve allowing for improved strategies in choosing dose-rate modulation factors and radiation quality descriptors. We make comparisons of the various choices of the components in leukemia risk estimates in formulating our preferred model. A major finding is that leukemia could be the dominant risk to astronauts for a major solar particle event.

Cucinotta, F. A.↗