Analysis of wind field conditions adversely affecting vehicle operations Interim report, Mar. 1968 - Mar. 1969
Wind field conditions adversely affecting vehicle launch operations
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Wind field conditions adversely affecting vehicle launch operations
We report faults in Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems of buildings result in significant energy waste in building operation. With fast-growing sensing data availability and advancement in computing, computational modeling has demonstrated strong capability to detect and diagnose HVAC system faults, hence, ensuring efficient building operation. This paper comprehensively reviews the state-of-the-art computing-based fault detection and diagnosis (FDD) for HVAC systems. Overall, the reviewed computing-based FDD methods are classified as two major approaches: knowledge-based and data-driven approaches. We then identify multiple important topics, including data availability, training data size, data quality, approach generality, capability, interpretability, and required modeling efforts, along with corresponding metrics to summarize the most updated FDD development. Generally, the knowledge-based approaches are further divided as physics-based modeling, Diagnostic Bayesian Network, and performance indicator-based methods while data-driven approaches include supervised learning, unsupervised learning, and regression and statistics-based methods. State-of-the-art FDD development, remaining challenges, and future research directions are further discussed to push forward FDD in practice. Availability of fault data, capability of existing methods to deal with complex fault situations (such as simultaneous faults), modeling interpretability for data-driven methods, and required engineering efforts for physics-based methods are identified as remaining challenges in FDD development. Improving modeling fidelity and reducing modeling efforts are essential for applying physics-based methods in real buildings. Meanwhile, addressing fault data availability, increasing algorithm adaptability, and handling multiple faults are essential to further enhance the applicability of data-driven FDD approaches.
The Fission Accelerated Steady-state Test (FAST) methodology has been used to test several innovative metallic fuel designs for use in Sodium?cooled Fast Reactors (SFRs). The FAST method utilizes geometrically scaled fuel pins to produce improved burnup rates for fuels while maintaining semi-prototypic thermal conditions. This report provides a summary description of the test matrix and test objectives for the AFC FAST irradiation campaign as well as details of the as-built conditions for all rodlets. This report also include status update on the irradiation conditions for the rodlets as well as post-irradiation examination (PIE) results on low to mid?range burnup fuel rodlets and a summary power history for those rodlets. A brief discussion provides some early interpretation of the results and whether or not FAST is producing results typical of metallic fuels. Lastly, an outlook for the work expected to be completed in fiscal year (FY) 2026 is also included.
The flow field in the tip clearance region of a compressor rotor at an off-design condition is reported in this paper. The earlier data at the design condition has also been re-interpreted and correlated with the blade and the flow parameters. The measurements inside the rotor tip region are acquired using a miniature hot wire sensor of 'V' configuration. The instantaneous velocity data is analyzed by the ensemble averaging technique to derive the blade-to-blade velocity field at various axial and radial locations between the rotor tip and the casing. The flow and the blade pressure data at the design condition are compared with the data at the off-design condition (lower blade loading). In addition to a reduction in the leakage velocities, its chordwise variation is also altered substantially at the lower blade loading.
Robust stability conditions obtained through generalization of the notion of energy dissipation in physical systems are discussed in this report. Linear time-invariant (LTI) systems which dissipate energy corresponding to quadratic power functions are characterized in the time-domain and the frequency-domain, in terms of linear matrix inequalities (LMls) and algebraic Riccati equations (ARE's). A novel characterization of strictly dissipative LTI systems is introduced in this report. Sufficient conditions in terms of dissipativity and strict dissipativity are presented for (1) stability of the feedback interconnection of dissipative LTI systems, (2) stability of dissipative LTI systems with memoryless feedback nonlinearities, and (3) quadratic stability of uncertain linear systems. It is demonstrated that the framework of dissipative LTI systems investigated in this report unifies and extends small gain, passivity, and sector conditions for stability. Techniques for selecting power functions for characterization of uncertain plants and robust controller synthesis based on these stability results are introduced. A spring-mass-damper example is used to illustrate the application of these methods for robust controller synthesis.
This study reports the autoignition delay times of hydrogen/ammonia mixtures at conditions similar to turbine engine operating conditions (23 bar, 1100-1250 K). H2 was mixed with NH3 and shock-heated using synthetic air as the oxidizer. The data is compared against the current state-of-the-art NH3 chemical kinetic mechanisms found in the literature for undiluted fuel validation and refinement. Experiments were performed in a high-pressure shock tube and have shown detonation pressures reaching 200 bar. Lower temperature points have also exhibited non-ideal behavior, which calls for extensive chemical analysis to accurately report the IDTs. This work will aid in the design of air-breathing turbine engines using hydrogen and ammonia as fuel and develop a well-built NH3-based chemical kinetic mechanism.
Pre-oxidized alumina-forming austenitic (AFA) steels have been previously identified as candidate alloys for structural components in lead-cooled fast reactors (LFRs). They offer compatibility with liquid Pb, high-temperature strength, formability, and cost advantages. However, variations in Ni content can affect the formation and stability of the Al 2 O 3 layer, influencing compatibility with liquid Pb. The effect of fast neutron irradiation on Al 2 O 3 stability in liquid Pb also requires evaluation. Therefore, understanding how Ni concentrations impacts pre-oxidized AFAs under combined extremes of irradiation and liquid metal corrosion is essential before safe deployment. The Behavior Of In-situ Lead Environments & Radiation (BOILER) experiment was developed under the Nuclear Science User Facilities (NSUF) program to integrate alloy development, irradiation experiment design, and irradiated materials characterization. In this effort, two pre-oxidized AFA steels with 20 wt% and 25 wt% Ni, hereinafter referred to as GA05-20Ni and GA05-25Ni, were produced. An irradiation experiment was then planned for the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR), designed for passive heating of irradiation rabbit capsules from gamma heating in the HFIR flux trap (1 × 10 15 n/cm 2 ·s, >0.1 MeV). This heating melts Pb and exposes the pre-oxidized AFA steel specimens to nominal temperatures of 400 and 650°C. Detailed neutronics and thermal analyses were performed, though based on nominal design rather than as-built, as-irradiated conditions. This report documents further characterization of the pre-oxidized AFAs in the unirradiated condition. It also includes as-built thermal analysis using measured component dimensions, updated fill gas concentrations, and actual HFIR irradiation positions. Finally, the report summarizes capsule fabrication, current irradiation status, projected completion, estimated damage accumulation, and initial plans for post-irradiation examination plans.
Confidence in the long term durability of advanced composites is developed through a series of flight service programs. Service experience is obtained by installing secondary and primary composite components on commercial and military transport aircraft and helicopters. Included are spoilers, rudders, elevators, ailerons, fairings and wing boxes on transport aircraft and doors, fairings, tail rotors, vertical fins, and horizontal stabilizers on helicopters. Materials included in the evaluation are boron/epoxy, Kevlar/epoxy, graphite/epoxy and boron/aluminum. Inspection, maintenance, and repair results for the components in service are reported. The effects of long term exposure to laboratory, flight, and outdoor environmental conditions are reported for various composite materials. Included are effects of moisture absorption, ultraviolet radiation, and aircraft fuels and fluids.
Instrumentation unit thermal conditioning heat sink concepts - wick boiler module tests, and panel designs
Expendable evaporant heat sink design concepts - optimization of wick-type boiler and porous plate sublimator heat sink modules, and thermal conditioning panel design
Initial results of a program to investigate the sources of noise in unshrouded propellers under forward flight conditions are reported. Tests were conducted using a three-blade full-scale instrumented propeller mounted on a twin-engine aircraft. Measurements included (1) far-field noise at fixed ground stations and at two aircraft wing tip locations, (2) blade surface pressures at seven locations on one of the propeller blades, (3) atmospheric turbulence encountered by the aircraft in flight, and (4) aircraft operating conditions. The results confirm that significantly lower levels of propeller noise are produced in forward flight than at static conditions. It is tentatively concluded that propeller noise generation in flight may be dominated by steady loading at blade passage frequency, but at higher frequencies unsteady loading due to interaction with natural atmospheric turbulence may be the dominant mechanism of noise generation. Under static conditions the total noise signature appears to be the result of interaction of the propeller with persistent turbulent eddies passing through the propeller disk.
Resonant whirl condition during operation of a multi-stage centrifugal compressor at higher than anticipated speeds and loads was reported. The condition was diagnosed by a large scale computerized Machinery Condition Monitoring System (MACMOS). This computerized system verified that the predominant subsynchronous whirl frequency locked in on the first resonant frequency of the compressor rotor and did not vary with compressor speed. Compressor stability calculations showed the rotor system had excessive hearing stiffness and inadequate effective damping. An optimum bearing design which was developed to minimize the unbalance response and to maximize the stability threshold is presented.
This paper reports on the measurement of radiative heating for shock heated flows which simulate conditions for Mars and Earth entries. Radiation measurements are made in NASA Ames' Electric Arc Shock Tube at velocities from 3-15 km/s in mixtures of N2/O2 and CO2/N2/Ar. The technique and limitations of the measurement are summarized in some detail. The absolute measurements will be discussed in regards to spectral features, radiative magnitude and spatiotemporal trends. Via analysis of spectra it is possible to extract properties such as electron density, and rotational, vibrational and electronic temperatures. Relaxation behind the shock is analyzed to determine how these properties relax to equilibrium and are used to validate and refine kinetic models. It is found that, for some conditions, some of these values diverge from non-equilibrium indicating a lack of similarity between the shock tube and free flight conditions. Possible reasons for this are discussed.
Previous coreflooding results and wettability analyses in our group show that injection of naphthenic-acid-enriched water can improve oil recovery over traditional waterflooding. This observation is still a subject of research efforts without a definitive explanation. Naphthenic acids (NA) have been reported to drive wettability alteration and increase the water–oil interface elasticity. These alterations depend on the NA carbon number and aqueous-phase salinity, among other conditions, as reported in the literature. Smart-water flooding (SWF) research often links recovery to the initial wettability condition, being higher for initially oil-wet rock. SWF refers to a technique in which the aqueous-phase ion composition or/and salinity are changed to maximize oil recovery. Given NAs’ complex solution behavior, selecting acid combinations that prompt oil recovery is a difficult objective. The aim of this research is to determine the effects of select naphthenic acids on the oil–water interfacial rheology and wettability alteration and how these interfacial effects are associated with oil recovery under spontaneous imbibition. NAs were selected based on their carbon number, molecular structure, and solubility in the saline solution used in this research. We aimed at exploring which NAs should be used to regulate interfacial properties so as to either increase oil recovery or accelerate production. Time-domain nuclear magnetic resonance, interfacial dilatational rheology, and liquid-bridge experiments, i.e., proxy of snap-off, were conducted. A baseline was established using results obtained with a previously tested sulfate-rich aqueous phase, shown to be effective in recovering oil. Results show that NA14 and N18 increase the water–oil interfacial viscoelasticity and induce interfacial healing but led to different recovery factors. N10, while effective at inducing water wetness in oil-wet rock, is ineffective at increasing the recovery factor. We concluded that wettability and oil–water interfacial rheology are not exclusive, and instead they can synergistically favor EOR benefits. Moreover, oil recovery benefits under spontaneous imbibition are shown to depend strongly on the initial wettability conditions.
This report assesses the ASME Section III, Division 5, Subsection HB, Subpart B rules covering the design and construction of high temperature Class A nuclear reactor components for their robustness against creep notch effects. The creep notch effect combines the effect of multiaxial stresses on material creep deformation and damage. This report considers both effects, including the potential for creep mechanism shifts affecting the extrapolation of design data from high stress, short-time experimental data to low stress, long time operating component conditions. The report summarizes the history of and literature on multiaxial creep and surveys the current ASME design rules dealing with multiaxial effects. The report then describes the results of two dedicated numerical studies, one assessing the robustness of the ASME rules against uncertainty in extrapolating from uniaxial creep test data to multiaxial component conditions and a second study examining the potential effects of a mechanism shift from high stress, dislocation-mediated creep to diffusion-dominated creep at lower stresses. The final conclusion of the report is that the ASME rules adequately guard against multiaxial creep failure, though there are several aspects of the Code that could be optimized to provide less over-conservative design predictions or to provide a more consistent design margin as a function of temperature and stress. In a few areas, particularly the potential for mechanism shifts outside the currently-available experimental data, the Code rules should be revaluated as additional experimental data and new modeling and simulation results become available
Noise and wake structure measurements in a ducted fan were conducted. The tip speed was kept at subsonic levels. The anechoic platform used during the test is described. The following conditions are reported: (1) one third octave band analyses of the fan noise data, (2) narrow band analyses of the fan noise for selected test conditions, (3) narrow band sound power level data for all fan test conditions, and (4) velocity and air angle evaluation of blade wake data.
Elsewhere, we report on our investigation of the initiation and growth of ice lenses under Mars like conditions. In that work, we assume that the soil-water-ice system is gas and solute free. We conclude that initiation of lens initiation - the unloading of particle-particle contacts by thermomolecular forces at a given soil horizon - may be a common process in the shallow Martian regolith, and that the dominant property controlling the rate of lens growth is the freezing point depression (Delta-T(sub f)) associated with the interfacial forces of the soil. Lens growth is thus favored in clay-sized soils over silt soils due to the greater Delta-T(sub f), but segregated ice was observed at the Phoenix site, where soils were predominantly siltsized.. Perchlorate salts were also observed at the Phoenix site, and will strongly affect some of the properties associated with potential ice lens growth, over and above increases to Delta-T(sub f),. Here, we investigate the nature of Mg(ClO4)2 brines under Mars-like conditions, with particular emphasis on those aspects that might influence the in situ segregation of residual liquids during phase change, potentially leading to the formation of subsurface excess ice. We also discuss cyclic variations in the water activity (a(sub w)) that might affect the habitability of solutions in the shallow regolith.
Joule-Thomson (J-T) devices have been identified as critical components for Thermodynamic Vent Systems (TVS) planned for future space exploration missions. Lee Visco Jets (The Lee Company) (Ref. 4) are one type of J-T device that may be used for LCH4 propellant systems. Visco Jets have been previously tested and characterized in LN2 and LH2 (Refs. 6 and 7), but have not been characterized in LOX or LCH4. Previous Visco Jet tests with LH2 resulted in clogging of the Visco Jet orifice under certain conditions. It has been postulated that this clogging was due to the presence of neon impurities in the LH2 that solidified in the orifices. Visco Jets therefore require testing in LCH4 to verify that they will not clog under normal operating conditions. This report describes a series of tests that were performed at the NASA Glenn Research Center to determine if Visco Jets would clog under normal operating conditions with LCH4 propellant. Test results from this program indicate that no decrease in flow rate was observed for the Visco Jets tested, and that current equation used for predicting flow rate appears to under-predict actual flow at high Lohm ratings.