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At least 1,675 records · Page 93

Analysis of rocket engine injection combustion processes

Mixing methodology improvement for the JANNAF DER and CICM injection/combustion analysis computer programs was accomplished. ZOM plane prediction model development was improved for installation into the new standardized DER computer program. An intra-element mixing model developing approach was recommended for gas/liquid coaxial injection elements for possible future incorporation into the CICM computer program.

Salmon, J. W.↗

Evaluation of Rankine cycle air conditioning system hardware by computer simulation

A computer program for simulating the performance of a variety of solar powered Rankine cycle air conditioning system components (RCACS) has been developed. The computer program models actual equipment by developing performance maps from manufacturers data and is capable of simulating off-design operation of the RCACS components. The program designed to be a subroutine of the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) Solar Energy System Analysis Computer Program 'SOLRAD', is a complete package suitable for use by an occasional computer user in developing performance maps of heating, ventilation and air conditioning components.

Healey, H. M.↗

Prediction of sound radiated from different practical jet engine inlets

Existing computer codes for calculating the far field radiation patterns surrounding various practical jet engine inlet configurations under different excitation conditions were upgraded. The computer codes were refined and expanded so that they are now more efficient computationally by a factor of about three and they are now capable of producing accurate results up to nondimensional wave numbers of twenty. Computer programs were also developed to help generate accurate geometrical representations of the inlets to be investigated. This data is required as input for the computer programs which calculate the sound fields. This new geometry generating computer program considerably reduces the time required to generate the input data which was one of the most time consuming steps in the process. The results of sample runs using the NASA-Lewis QCSEE inlet are presented and comparison of run times and accuracy are made between the old and upgraded computer codes. The overall accuracy of the computations is determined by comparison of the results of the computations with simple source solutions.

Zinn, B. T.↗

Rotordynamic response analysis program

Computer routine is similar to Holzer's method in torsional vibration treatment, and Prohl's and Myklestad's approach in computing rotor deflection. Matrix iteration technique is used to compute rotordynamic response by a simulated discrete mass system.

Shen, F. A.↗

PPUAS--photopeak unfolding and self-shielding program

Computer code was developed to determine radioactive emission rates of nuclear fuels. Code is basically written for two different source geometries; however, unfolding routine can be executed for other source geometries.

Taherzadeh, M.↗

Benchmark radar targets for the validation of computational electromagnetics programs

Results are presented of a set of computational electromagnetics validation measurements referring to three-dimensional perfectly conducting smooth targets, performed for the Electromagnetic Code Consortium. Plots are presented for both the low- and high-frequency measurements of the NASA almond, an ogive, a double ogive, a cone-sphere, and a cone-sphere with a gap.

Woo, Alex C.↗

Three-dimensional vector modeling and restoration of flat finite wave tank radiometric measurements

The three-dimensional vector interaction between a microwave radiometer and a wave tank was modeled. Computer programs for predicting the response of the radiometer to the brightness temperature characteristics of the surroundings were developed along with a computer program that can invert (restore) the radiometer measurements. It is shown that the computer programs can be used to simulate the viewing of large bodies of water, and is applicable to radiometer measurements received from satellites monitoring the ocean. The water temperature, salinity, and wind speed can be determined.

Truman, W. M.↗

System model development for nuclear thermal propulsion

A critical enabling technology in the evolutionary development of nuclear thermal propulsion (NTP) is the ability to predict the system performance under a variety of operating conditions. This is crucial for mission analysis and for control subsystem testing as well as for the modeling of various failure modes. Performance must be accurately predicted during steady-state and transient operation, including startup, shutdown, and post operation cooling. The development and application of verified and validated system models has the potential to reduce the design, testing, and cost and time required for the technology to reach flight-ready status. Since Oct. 1991, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Department of Defense (DOD), and NASA have initiated critical technology development efforts for NTP systems to be used on Space Exploration Initiative (SEI) missions to the Moon and Mars. This paper presents the strategy and progress of an interagency NASA/DOE/DOD team for NTP system modeling. It is the intent of the interagency team to develop several levels of computer programs to simulate various NTP systems. The first level will provide rapid, parameterized calculations of overall system performance. Succeeding computer programs will provide analysis of each component in sufficient detail to guide the design teams and experimental efforts. The computer programs will allow simulation of the entire system to allow prediction of the integrated performance. An interagency team was formed for this task to use the best capabilities available and to assure appropriate peer review.

Walton, James T.↗

Laboratory data manipulation tools basic data handling programs. Volume 2: Detailed software/hardware documentation

The set of computer programs described allows for data definition, data input, and data transfer between the LSI-11 microcomputers and the VAX-11/780 minicomputer. Program VAXCOM allows for a simple method of textual file transfer from the LSI to the VAX. Program LSICOM allows for easy file transfer from the VAX to the LSI. Program TTY changes the LSI-11 operators console to the LSI's printing device. Program DICTIN provides a means for defining a data set for input to either computer. Program DATAIN is a simple to operate data entry program which is capable of building data files on either machine. Program LEDITV is an extremely powerful, easy to use, line oriented text editor. Program COPYSBF is designed to print out textual files on the line printer without character loss from FORTRAN carriage control or wide record transfer.

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Predicting Rocket or Jet Noise in Real Time

A semi-empirical theoretical model and a C++ computer program that implements the model have been developed for use in predicting the noise generated by a rocket or jet engine. The computer program, entitled the Realtime Rocket and Jet Engine Noise Analysis and Prediction Software, is one of two main subsystems of the Acoustic Prediction/Measurement Tool, which comprises software, acoustic instrumentation, and electronic hardware combined to afford integrated capabilities for real-time prediction and measurement of noise emitted by rocket and jet engines. [The other main subsystem, consisting largely of acoustic instrumentation and electronic hardware, is described in Wireless Acoustic Measurement System, which appears elsewhere in this section.] The theoretical model was derived from the fundamental laws of fluid mechanics, as first was done by M. J. Lighthill in his now famous theory of aerodynamically generated sound. The far-field approximation of the Lighthill theory is incorporated into this model. Many other contributions from various researchers have also been introduced into the model. The model accounts for two noise components: shear noise and self noise. The final result of the model is expressed in terms of a volume integral of the acoustic intensities attributable to these two components, subject to various directivity coefficients. The computer program was written to solve the volume integral. The inputs required by the program are two data files from a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation of the flow of interest: the computational-grid file and the solution file. The CFD solution should be one that has been obtained for conditions that closely approximate those of an experimental test that is yet to be performed. In the current state of development of the model and software, it is recommended that the observation points lie along a radius at an angle >60 from the jet axis. The software provides, and is driven via, a graphical user interface, which facilitates its use. Optionally, the program accepts additional input in the form of data on the measured sound pressure level as a function of frequency at a given far-field location, preferably at an angle of 90 from the jet axis. The user is prompted to use default empirical constants or to choose constants based the measurement data. The user can view the results and compare them with other computational or experimental data. Once satisfied with the results, the user can save a graph of the results in a file that can be imported into documents.

Frendi, Kader↗

Programs For Modeling Fault-Tolerant Computing Systems

Pade Approximation with Scaling, (PAWS) and Scaling Taylor Exponential Matrix (STEM) computer programs are software tools for design and validation. Provide flexible, user-friendly, language-based interface for input of Markov mathematical methods describing behaviors of fault-tolerant computer systems. Markov models include both recovery from faults via reconfiguration and behaviors of such systems when faults occur. PAWS and STEM produce exact solutions of probability of system failure and provide conservative estimate of number of significant digits in solution. Written in PASCAL and FORTRAN.

Butler, Ricky W.↗

Rocket engine thrust chamber wall temperature distribution calculation and analysis

An analytical computational concept is presented which predicts the temperature profiles along a regeneratively cooled thrust chamber wall on the hot gas side and on the coolant side, and also the coolant bulk temperature profile. The computational model is based upon a coupling of the boundary layer heat transfer process with the heat transfer process through the chamber wall and the coolant flow heat absorption. The calculation is started with approximate temperature distributions for the hot gas side wall and the coolant flow. The iteration process of the computer program is terminated when the total heat transfer rates from the hot gas boundary layer to the wall and from the wall to the coolant are equal. The computer program for the integration of regenerative cooling process to a thrust chamber is kept general such that this program can be used with any boundary layer analysis computer program for temperature profile and heat transfer studies. A sample application of this concept is shown by using a boundary layer analysis program for the RL10 rocket engine thrust chamber.

Saha, H.↗

A Monte Carlo study of Weibull reliability analysis for space shuttle main engine components

The incorporation of a number of additional capabilities into an existing Weibull analysis computer program and the results of Monte Carlo computer simulation study to evaluate the usefulness of the Weibull methods using samples with a very small number of failures and extensive censoring are discussed. Since the censoring mechanism inherent in the Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) data is hard to analyze, it was decided to use a random censoring model, generating censoring times from a uniform probability distribution. Some of the statistical techniques and computer programs that are used in the SSME Weibull analysis are described. The methods documented in were supplemented by adding computer calculations of approximate (using iteractive methods) confidence intervals for several parameters of interest. These calculations are based on a likelihood ratio statistic which is asymptotically a chisquared statistic with one degree of freedom. The assumptions built into the computer simulations are described. The simulation program and the techniques used in it are described there also. Simulation results are tabulated for various combinations of Weibull shape parameters and the numbers of failures in the samples.

Abernethy, K.↗

Application-Program-Installer Builder

A computer program builds application programming interfaces (APIs) and related software components for installing and uninstalling application programs in any of a variety of computers and operating systems that support the Java programming language in its binary form. This program is partly similar in function to commercial (e.g., Install-Shield) software. This program is intended to enable satisfaction of a quasi-industry-standard set of requirements for a set of APIs that would enable such installation and uninstallation and that would avoid the pitfalls that are commonly encountered during installation of software. The requirements include the following: 1) Properly detecting prerequisites to an application program before performing the installation; 2) Properly registering component requirements; 3) Correctly measuring the required hard-disk space, including accounting for prerequisite components that have already been installed; and 4) Correctly uninstalling an application program. Correct uninstallation includes (1) detecting whether any component of the program to be removed is required by another program, (2) not removing that component, and (3) deleting references to requirements of the to-be-removed program for components of other programs so that those components can be properly removed at a later time.

Wolgast, Paul↗

Analysis and calculation of lightning-induced voltages in aircraft electrical circuits

Techniques to calculate the transfer functions relating lightning-induced voltages in aircraft electrical circuits to aircraft physical characteristics and lightning current parameters are discussed. The analytical work was carried out concurrently with an experimental program of measurements of lightning-induced voltages in the electrical circuits of an F89-J aircraft. A computer program, ETCAL, developed earlier to calculate resistive and inductive transfer functions is refined to account for skin effect, providing results more valid over a wider range of lightning waveshapes than formerly possible. A computer program, WING, is derived to calculate the resistive and inductive transfer functions between a basic aircraft wing and a circuit conductor inside it. Good agreement is obtained between transfer inductances calculated by WING and those reduced from measured data by ETCAL. This computer program shows promise of expansion to permit eventual calculation of potential lightning-induced voltages in electrical circuits of complete aircraft in the design stage.

Plumer, J. A.↗

NASA charging analyzer program: A computer tool that can evaluate electrostatic contamination

A computer code, the NASA Charging Analyzer Program (NASCAP), was developed to study the surface charging of bodies subjected to geomagnetic substorm conditions. This program will treat the material properties of a surface in a self-consistent manner and calculate the electric fields in space due to the surface charge. Trajectories of charged particles in this electric field can be computed to determine if these particles enhance surface contamination. A preliminary model of the Spacecraft Charging At The High Altitudes (SCATHA) satellite was developed in the NASCAP code and subjected to a geomagnetic substorm environment to investigate the possibility of electrostatic contamination. The results indicate that differential voltages will exist between the spacecraft ground surfaces and the insulator surfaces. The electric fields from this differential charging can enhance the contamination of spacecraft surfaces.

Stevens, N. J.↗

Bonded composite to metal scarf joint performance in an aircraft landing gear drag strut

The structural performance of a boron-epoxy reinforced titanium drag strut, which contains a bonded scarf joint and was designed to the criteria of the Boeing 747 transport, was evaluated. An experimental and analytical investigation was conducted. The strut was exposed to two lifetimes of spectrum loading and was statically loaded to the tensile and compressive design ultimate loads. Throughout the test program no evidence of any damage in the drag strut was detected by strain gage measurements, ultrasonic inspection, or visual observation. An analytical study of the bonded joint was made using the NASA structural analysis computer program NASTRAN. A comparison of the strains predicted by the NASTRAN computer program with the experimentally determined values shows excellent agreement. The NASTRAN computer program is a viable tool for studying, in detail, the stresses and strains induced in a bonded joint.

Howell, W. E.↗