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At least 19 records

Longitudinal oscillation of launch vehicles

During powered flight a vehicle may develop longitudinal self-excited oscillations, so-called oscillations, of its structure. The energy supplying the vibration is tapped from the thrust by the activity of the system itself; that is, oscillation of the structure causes oscillation of the propellant system, especially of the pumps. In this way an oscillating thrust can be created that, by a feedback loop, may sustain the structural oscillation under certain circumstances. Two special features of the system proved to be essential for creation of instability. One is the effect of the inherent time interval that the thrust oscillation is lagging behind the structural oscillation. The other is the decreased of system mass caused by the exhausting of gas. The latter feature may cause an initially stable system to become unstable. To examine the stability of the system, a single mass-spring model, which is the result of a one-term Galerkin approach to the equation of motion, has been considered. The Nyquist stability criterion leads to a stability graph that shows the stability conditions in terms of the system parameter and also demonstrates the significance of time lag, feedback magnitude, and loss of mass. An important conclusion can be drawn from the analysis: large relative displacements of the pump-engine masses favor instability. This is also confirmed by flight measurements.

Glaser, R. F.

Calculation of the lateral-dynamic stability of aircraft

Graphs and formulas are given with the aid of which all the aerodynamic coefficients required for computing the lateral dynamic stability can be determined. A number of numerical examples are given for obtaining the stability derivatives and solving the characteristic-stability equation. Approximate formulas are derived with the aid of which rapid preliminary computations may be made and the stability coefficients corrected for certain modifications of the airplane. A derivation of the lateral-dynamic-stability equations is included.

STABILITY, LATERAL - DYNAMIC

Experimental observations of strong double layers

A computer simulation is applied to the production of strong electric potential double layers (DL) in a triple plasma device. The simulation is intended to represent DL in the low magnetosphere above the auroral zones. The DL are described as standing electrostatic shocks with different energy coefficients in their strong and weak forms. The strong DL was generally found to be unstable, but stability could be imparted if a population of trapped electrons was presented. Stability increased with the length of the system. A schematic for the system is presented, and a phase-space plot of electrons (indicating system stability) is graphed.

Coakley, P.

A note on a corrector formula for the numerical solution of ordinary differential equations

A new corrector formula for predictor-corrector methods for numerical solutions of ordinary differential equations is presented. Two considerations for choosing corrector formulas are given: (1) the coefficient in the error term and (2) its stability properties. The graph of the roots of an equation plotted against its stability region, of different values, is presented along with the tables that correspond to various corrector equations, including Hamming's and Milne and Reynolds'.

Chien, Y.-C.

An experimental study of the lift, drag and static longitudinal stability for a three lifting surface configuration

The experimental procedure and aerodynamic force and moment measurements for wind tunnel testing of the three lifting surface configuration (TLC) are described. The influence of nonelliptical lift distributions on lift, drag, and static longitudinal stability are examined; graphs of the lift coefficient versus angle of attack, the pitching moment coefficient, drag coefficient, and lift to drag ratio versus lift coefficient are provided. The TLC data are compared with the conventional tail-aft configuration and the canard-wing configuration; it is concluded that the TLC has better lift and high-lift drag characteristics, lift to drag ratio, and zero-lift moments than the other two configurations. The effects of variations in forward and tail wind incidence angles, gap, stagger, and forward wind span on the drag, lift, longitudinal stability, and zero-lift moments of the configuration are studied.

Ostowari, C.

Missile aerodynamics

The fundamental aerodynamics of slender bodies is examined in the reprint edition of an introductory textbook originally published in 1960. Chapters are devoted to the formulas commonly used in missile aerodynamics; slender-body theory at supersonic and subsonic speeds; vortices in viscid and inviscid flow; wing-body interference; downwash, sidewash, and the wake; wing-tail interference; aerodynamic controls; pressure foredrag, base drag, and skin friction; and stability derivatives. Diagrams, graphs, tables of terms and formulas are provided.

Nielsen, Jack N.

International Space Station Alpha trace contaminant control subassembly life test report

The Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) Life Test Program (ELTP) began with Trace Contaminant Control Subassembly (TCCS) Life Testing on November 9, 1992, at 0745. The purpose of the test, as stated in the NASA document 'Requirements for Trace Contaminant Control Subassembly High Temperature Catalytic Oxidizer Life Testing (Revision A)' was to 'provide for the long duration operation of the ECLSS TCCS HTCO (High Temperature Catalytic Oxidizer) at normal operating conditions... (and thus)... to determine the useful life of ECLSS hardware for use on long duration manned space missions.' Specifically, the test was designed to demonstrate thermal stability of the HTCO catalyst. The report details TCCS stability throughout the test. Graphs are included to aid in evaluating trends and subsystem anomalies. The report summarizes activities through the final day of testing, January 17, 1995 (test day 762).

Tatara, J. D.

Kinetic parameters from thermogravimetric analysis

High performance polymeric materials are finding increased use in aerospace applications. Proposed high speed aircraft will require materials to withstand high temperatures in an oxidative atmosphere for long periods of time. It is essential that accurate estimates be made of the performance of these materials at the given conditions of temperature and time. Temperatures of 350 F (177 C) and times of 60,000 to 100,000 hours are anticipated. In order to survey a large number of high performance polymeric materials on a reasonable time scale, some form of accelerated testing must be performed. A knowledge of the rate of a process can be used to predict the lifetime of that process. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) has frequently been used to determine kinetic information for degradation reactions in polymeric materials. Flynn and Wall studied a number of methods for using TGA experiments to determine kinetic information in polymer reactions. Kinetic parameters, such as the apparent activation energy and the frequency factor, can be determined in such experiments. Recently, researchers at the McDonnell Douglas Research Laboratory suggested that a graph of the logarithm of the frequency factor against the apparent activation energy can be used to predict long-term thermo-oxidative stability for polymeric materials. Such a graph has been called a kinetic map. In this study, thermogravimetric analyses were performed in air to study the thermo-oxidative degradation of several high performance polymers and to plot their kinetic parameters on a kinetic map.

Kiefer, Richard L.

Ramjet propulsion for single-stage-to-orbit vehicles

The concept of single stage earth-to-orbit transportation is studied with respect to existing and projected ramjet technology. Four types of ramjet are analyzed: fan ejector, fan ramjet, supersonic combustion ramjet, and fan ramjet with turbojet boosters. A fan ramjet with a removable fan, with separate rockets for the non-air-breathing flight phase, is considered superior to an ejector ramjet, for both ease of orbit insertion and payload boost capability. Vehicle design is also discussed in terms of trajectory integration and optimization, aerodynamic trim and stability, and complete mass estimation. Graphs are presented showing Mach number for air-breathing and non-air-breathing flight, specific impulse from various ramjet engines, and orbital-insertion parameters.

Martin, J. A.

Rolling flow wind tunnel tests of F-18 aircraft

The lateral directional characteristics of an F-18 aircraft was investigated. Aerodynamic derivatives associated with pure roll rate, or the 'p' derivatives were obtained. The model is described and the procedures used to obtain and correct the data, and a graphical presentation of the results are presented. These results include graphs of the lateral directional static stability derivatives versus angle of attack, and the lateral directional force and moment coefficients versus nondimensional roll rate. Results are presented for several configurations including complete, complete without vertical tails, complete without horizontal tails, fuselage wing and fuselage alone. Each of these configuations was tested with and without wing leading edge extensions. The basic control surfaces were deflected and the results were investigated.

Lutze, F. H.

Notes on System Theory, Volume VII

System theory - matrices, feedback control system, network synthesis, set theory, stability, shift registers, coding, theorem proving, polynomial roots, channels, and signal flow graphs

FEEDBACK CONTROL SYSTEM

Theoretical limits on Jovian radio belts

An attempt is made to establish safety limits for space missions near Jovian radio belts. A proton belt model was constructed and analyzed in an effort to set these limits based on the possible stability of radiation belts. Calculation results are graphed.

Neubauer, F. M.

Mechanics of unsymmetric laminates

Theoretical models describing the mechanical behavior of fiber-reinforced composite laminates are developed analytically and demonstrated. The curing of composite structures and the out-of-plane shapes of unsymmetric laminates are discussed and illustrated with photographs; the derivation of the governing equations is outlined; numerical results for typical laminates are presented in graphs; and particular attention is given to stability considerations and the effects of material properties, laminate thickness, aspect ratio, and stacking sequence.

Hyer, M. W.

Analytical study to define a helicoper stability derivative extraction method, volume 2

The data generated during tests to determine helicopter stability derivatives are presented in the form of graphs. The data are based on CH-53A helicopters and CH-54B helicopters with various digital filters operating at various airspeeds. Curves are plotted for a time history comparison of identified derivative models against flight data for the helicopters at specific airspeeds and maneuvers.

Molusis, J. A.

Recent progress in the development and understanding of SUPG methods with special reference to the compressible Euler and Navier-Stokes equations

The current status of streamline-upwind/Petrov-Galerkin (SUPG) methods for the analysis of flow problems is surveyed in an analytical review. Problem areas addressed include classical Galerkin, upwind, artificial-diffusion, SUPG, discontinuous Galerkin, space-time FEM, and discontinuity-capturing approaches to the scalar advection-diffusion equation; incompressible flows; advective-diffusive systems; and the compressible Euler and Navier-Stokes equations. Graphs and diagrams are provided, and the good stability properties of state-of-the-art SUPG methods are pointed out.

Hughes, Thomas J. R.