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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.

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At least 1,747 records · Page 97
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1994

An Object-Oriented Graphical User Interface for a Reusable Rocket Engine Intelligent Control System

An intelligent control system for reusable rocket engines under development at NASA Lewis Research Center requires a graphical user interface to allow observation of the closed-loop system in operation. The simulation testbed consists of a real-time engine simulation computer, a controls computer, and several auxiliary computers for diagnostics and coordination. The system is set up so that the simulation computer could be replaced by the real engine and the change would be transparent to the control system. Because of the hard real-time requirement of the control computer, putting a graphical user interface on it was not an option. Thus, a separate computer used strictly for the graphical user interface was warranted. An object-oriented LISP-based graphical user interface has been developed on a Texas Instruments Explorer 2+ to indicate the condition of the engine to the observer through plots, animation, interactive graphics, and text.

Litt, Jonathan S.↗
DOE OSTI2023

pystorms: A simulation sandbox for the development and evaluation of stormwater control algorithms

Advances in cyber–physical technologies have enabled real-time sensing and adaptive control of stormwater infrastructure. These smart stormwater systems allow for inexpensive, minimally-invasive stormwater control interventions in lieu of new construction. Importantly, however promising the area of smart stormwater control, there still remain barriers – for experts and novices alike – to access shared tools and methods for investigating, developing, and contributing to it. In an effort to make smart stormwater control research more methodical and accessible, we present pystorms, an open-source Python-based simulation sandbox that facilitates the quantitative evaluation and comparison of control strategies. pystorms consists of a collection of real world-inspired smart stormwater control scenarios on which any number of control strategies can be applied and tested via an accompanying Python programming interface and coupled stormwater simulator. pystorms provides a framework for the rigorous and efficient evaluation of smart stormwater control methodologies across diverse watersheds with only a few lines of code.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2026

Analysis of strategies to meet ASHRAE S241 infectious aerosol control targets by space type and region using EnergyPlus™ simulations

Professional organizations, such as ASHRAE, have recently proposed new voluntary standards for controlling infectious aerosols. Specifically, ASHRAE Standard 241 (S241) defines equivalent clean air targets for a range of space types that can be met through combinations of mitigation measures. This paper seeks to inform the selection of measures by space type and climate zone through building simulations that quantify the impacts of increased outdoor air ventilation; increasing filtration and/or adding germicidal ultraviolet (GUV) in the central heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems; or using portable air cleaners (PACs), upper room GUV, or whole room GUV approaches to increase equivalent clean air delivery. The measures are assessed individually and in practical combinations for their ability to meet S241 in four space types (offices, classrooms, dining areas, and healthcare waiting rooms) using prototype buildings modeled using EnergyPlus. The mitigation measures are compared holistically against baseline building operations using metrics for equivalent clean air, energy, and comfort. The results in this study show that single measures can meet S241 for offices with minimal impacts on energy and comfort, while either upper room GUV systems or combinations of measures such as MERV 13 HVAC filtration with PACs are needed to meet S241 for classrooms. The dining area and healthcare waiting room targets cannot be met in this study when assuming design occupancy and MS2 as the challenge agent, even when combining multiple measures together. This paper provides valuable considerations when designing measures to meet S241 for a range of spaces and scenarios.

GUV↗
DOE OSTI2025

Factors Controlling Precipitation Onset and Maintenance: Inferences From Large Eddy Simulations of Two Afternoon Deep Convective Regimes Over Amazon

To investigate the environmental factors controlling the onset and maintenance of afternoon precipitation over tropical rainforests, two contrasting cases are created for large eddy simulations (LES) using GoAmazon observations: one features a single-pulse rain dissipating quickly in earlier afternoon, while the other shows double pulses lasting until evening. For these two specific cases under consideration, LES confirms that early-morning relative humidity dominates afternoon rain patterns. The attributed impacts are distinct: moisture determines the rain onset timing while temperature affects the peak rain intensity. Single-pulse day observes one round of strong precipitation and cold pools, which further suppresses convection. On double-pulse day, the first precipitation peak results from an intermediate development of congestus clouds, whose detrainment leads to a gradual moistening of the lower-to-middle troposphere. This behavior of convection favors a second pulse of stronger precipitation with more convective organization, whose development decouples from surface fluxes and sustains until evening.

Amazon↗
DOE OSTI2022

Predictive Direct DC-Link Control for 7.2 kV Three-Port Low-Inertia Solid-State Transformer With Active Power Decoupling

Promising for applications including renewable energy and electric vehicle fast charging, a medium-voltage (MV) solid-state transformer (SST) typically has multiple modules series stacked, which requires the modules to be single phase. One critical issue of the single-phase SST is the double-line-frequency power ripple. Traditionally, large passives are used to buffer the ripple, resulting in significantly increased volume and cost. This article for the first time proposes active power decoupling (APD) for the SST and a predictive direct DC-link control method, using a current-source single-stage SST as an example. An electrolytic capacitor-less buffer port is used to absorb the ripple, which tolerates up to a 30% voltage ripple for small capacitance. The APD SST control is challenging. First, the current-source SST realizes isolation, DC link, and multiport in a single stage. Second, different from conventional SSTs or APD converters, the low-inertia DC link in this SST has a 40% switching ripple, which is difficult to stabilize. To address the control challenge, a direct DC-link control architecture and a predictive control method are proposed. Simulation and experimental results verify the proposed control method on an MV SiC modular soft-switching solid-state transformer (M-S4T) prototype. Here, the proposed APD reduces the SST volume by 53.8%. Importantly, the proposed concept is not limited to the M-S4T but is generic to other SSTs or APD converters.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2019

Electron Cloud Studies at Fermilab

The presence of unwanted electrons in an accelerator vacuum chamber, known as E-cloud (E-cloud) can potentially cause operational problems in the Fermilab Main Injector (MI) and Recycler Ring (RR). E-cloud has caused instability in the RR in the past, and although it is not currently a problem, there is measurable E-cloud in the MI accelerator. There are planned beam intensity increases due to upgrades of the Fermilab accelerator complex, so E-cloud could become a problem. Some work has been done by others previously to understand how low SEY (Secondary Electron Yield coefficient) coatings might mitigate production of E-cloud, and to model the mechanism whereby E-cloud causes beam instability. Using previous studies as a base, this research took several approaches toward understanding the risk of E-cloud at Fermilab. The evolution of the SEY of the SS316L (stainless steel), TiN coated SS316L, and amorphous carbon coated SS316L were measured in-situ using a SEY meas urement station in the MI tunnel. The SEY of these materials change over time either due to bombardment of the E-cloud, or disruption of vacuum conditions. The SEY evolution was tracked over a several year period to find out how long it takes for the SEY of each material to reach its lowest level, and how much the SEY rises during deconditioning periods of poor vacuum. The SEY measurement results can be used to determine whether the SS316L will be a problem at upgrade intensities, and if so, whether or not TiN and A-Carbon coatings can mitigate E-cloud related problems sufficiently. Direct measurements of the E-cloud were done as well, and compared to simulation. The E-cloud bombardment rate was measured at different beam intensities and bunch lengths. It was possible to get detailed information on how the E-cloud varies over the acceleration cycle, where sensitivity to bunch length is reflected in the evolution of the E-cloud. The Retarding Field Analyzer (RFA) measuring th e E-cloud bombardment rate was near the instrument that is u! sed to measure the SEY of the beam pipe material. This proximity provided an accurate SEY value for simulations, so that the simulated E-cloud bombardment rate could be better compared to measurement. Bunch length measurements and computations generated accurate bunch length information also needed as input for simulations. After this careful control of the input parameters, the POSINST simulations of E-cloud were a good match to direct measurements. This gave confidence that predictions could be made concerning the E-cloud densities at upgrade intensities. These densities were compared against corresponding proton densities to predict the SEY required to avoid instabilities. That prediction and the information provided by the SEY measurements provide helpful information regarding the risks of E-cloud effects at future beam intensities at Fermilab.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
NASA NTRS1985

The definition of the Shuttle Tethered Aerothermodynamic Research Facility

Studies have been conducted to define the feasibility and practical limitations of the Shuttle Orbiter Tethered 'wind-tunnel' concept. This concept, referred to as the Shuttle Tethered Aerothermodynamic Research Facility (STARFAC), is proposed to provide researchers access to altitudes above 90 km to accomplish aerothermodynamic research in the rarefied upper atmosphere. Determining the feasibility and limitations of the concept has required the enhancement and/or development of mission simulation analytical techniques and control laws; the accomplishment of candidate mission simulations; the definition of instrumentation requirements, both for science and engineering; and the establishment of tether and satellite design requirements to meet STARFAC objectives. The results of the study, to date, indicate that such a concept is both feasible and practical. Representative results are presented, as are recommendations for continued studies which would result in program implementation.

Siemers, P. M., III↗
NASA NTRS1989

Perturbation guidance for aerocruise with bounded control

A perturbation guidance algorithm is developed for the constant-altitude portion of the orbital-plane change maneuver, called aerocruise. It is obtained by solving a linear-quadratic regulator problem in terms of the perturbed state and control variables. The regulator problem with hard control-variable constraints is then studied. For the two-control-variable case, the simulation results show that the bounded-control algorithm gives better performance than that obtained using a limiter for the case where control variables exceed the bounds.

Hull, David G.↗
NASA NTRS1955

Simulator studies of the attack phase of an automatically controlled interceptor

The attack phase of the automatically controlled interceptor is studied in two parts. Part I is a limited simulation conducted to specify the lateral and longitudinal control systems for an automatic interceptor. The results are presented as Nyquist plots and time histories of the airplane variables. Part II uses the control systems developed in Part I, together with a dynamically perfect guidance system, to study the effect of the nonlinear terms in the complete equations of motion and nonlinear aerodynamics on the airplane response. The results are presented as time histories of the airplane and control surface motions.

CONTROL, LONGITUDINAL↗
NASA NTRS1979

Control and stabilization of the DOE/NASA Mod-1 two megawatt wind turbine generator

This paper describes the controls design, performance simulation process and specialized dynamic considerations for the DOE/NASA Mod 1 wind turbine generator (WTG). It shows controls, structural and utility interface considerations of the wind turbine generator and shows how a wind turbine generator can be integrated with a synchronous power system. Differences with respect to fossil or hydro generation and their implications are vital to long-term WTG reliability and availability and acceptance by utilities and consumers. The paper describes the control performance requirements to provide stable pitch and excitation control with drivetrain torsional dynamics, and the control of power swing stability and utility feeder voltage due to wind gusts.

Barton, R. S.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Simulation experiments for testing the assimilation of geostationary satellite temperature retrievals into a numerical prediction model

A simulation experiment is presented which tests a procedure that assimilates temperature soundings from geostationary satellites using a method developed by Gal-Chen (1983). The simulation is used to decide whether the increased temporal resolution of geostationary satellite data can be used to improve numerical simulation of a baroclinically unstable wave, and to assess the impact of gaps in the satellite sounding fields on the model simulations. Background information on the simulation experiment is presented, including discussion of the variational approach utilized, the numerical model, updating procedures, and control run. The simulation results indicate that, for the case of a baroclinically unstable wave, considerable improvements in the short-range forecast may be realized if geostationary satellite data are inserted with a frequency near 1 hr during a 6 hr analysis cycle compared with a single insertion.

Gal-Chen, T.↗
DOE OSTI2024

Distributed Automatic Generation Control Considering DPV Using T&D Dynamic Co-Simulation

The increasing adoption of distributed energy resources (DERs) over the last decade warrants a reconsideration of control of generation resources. This paper proposes a distributed Automatic Generation Control (AGC) using transmission-and-distribution (T&D) dynamic co-simulation framework for the efficient DPV frequency regulation services. The co-simulation framework allows AGC units to exchange the information for distributed AGC, based on their adopted communication network topology. As a result, a cost-effective automatic generation control is achieved with DPV and conventional generators. The proposed distributed AGC is based on the gossip algorithm in which the neighboring AGC units share the relevant local information with each other and updates their share of AGC regulation signal. Distributed photovoltaics (DPV) unit contribute to AGC response based on their headroom capacity via DER aggregators. The algorithm is tested on IEEE-14 bus transmission system under conditions of generation failure and random load variation to observe effective frequency regulations service offered by DPVs and other AGC units. The study shows that DPV can effectively participate in AGC with the proposed distributed control framework.

automatic generation control↗
NASA NTRS1981

Analysis and simulation of a magnetic bearing suspension system for a laboratory model annular momentum control device

A linear analysis and the results of a nonlinear simulation of a magnetic bearing suspension system which uses permanent magnet flux biasing are presented. The magnetic bearing suspension is part of a 4068 N-m-s (3000 lb-ft-sec) laboratory model annular momentum control device (AMCD). The simulation includes rigid body rim dynamics, linear and nonlinear axial actuators, linear radial actuators, axial and radial rim warp, and power supply and power driver current limits.

Groom, N. J.↗
NASA NTRS2009

Measurement of Temporal Awareness in Air Traffic Control

Temporal awareness, or level 3 situation awareness, is critical to successful control of air traffic, yet the construct remains ill-defined and difficult to measure. This research sought evidence for air traffic controllers awareness of temporal characteristics of their tasks in data from a high-fidelity system evaluation simulation. Five teams of controllers worked on four scenarios with different traffic load. Several temporal parameters were defined for each task controllers performed during a simulation run and their actions on the tasks were timed relative to them. Controllers showed a strong tendency to prioritize tasks according to a first come, first served principle. This trend persisted as task load increased. Also evident was awareness of the urgency of tasks, as tasks with impending closing of a window of opportunity were performed before tasks that had longer time available before closing of the window.

Rantanen, E.M.↗
NASA NTRS1958

Ground Simulator Studies of the Effects of Valve Friction, Stick Friction, Flexibility, and Backwash on Power Control System Quality

Report presents results of tests made on a power control system by means of a ground simulator to determine the effects of various combinations of valve friction and stick friction on the ability of the pilot to control the system. Various friction conditions were simulated with a rigid control system, a flexible system, and a rigid system having some backlash. For the tests, the period and damping of the simulated airplane were held constant.

Brown, B Porter↗