Abstract: This paper is focused on deformation measuring methods based on inertial sensors, which are used to achieve high accuracy motion parameters and the spatial distribution optimization of multiple slave systems in the airborne distributed Position and Orientation System or other purposes. In practical application, the installation difficulty, cost, and accuracy of measuring equipment are the key factors that need to be considered synthetically. Motivated by these, deformation measuring methods based on gyros and accelerometers are proposed, respectively, and compared with the traditional method based on the inertial measurement unit (IMU). The mathematical models of these proposed methods are built, and the detailed derivations of them are given. Based on the Kalman filtering estimation, simulation and semiphysical simulation based on vehicle experiment show that the method based on gyros can obtain a similar estimation accuracy to the method based on IMU, and the method based on accelerometers has an advantage in -axis deformation estimation. PubDate: Sun, 10 Sep 2017 00:00:00 +000
Abstract: A novel th order finite element for interior acoustics and structural dynamics is presented, with arbitrarily large. The element is based upon a three-dimensional extension of the Coons patch technique, which combines high-order Lagrange and Hermite interpolation schemes. Numerical applications are presented, which include the evaluation of the natural frequencies and modes of vibration of (1) air inside a cavity (interior acoustics) and (2) finite-thickness beams and plates (structural dynamics). The numerical results presented are assessed through a comparison with analytical and numerical results. They show that the proposed methodology is highly accurate. The main advantages however are (1) its flexibility in obtaining different level of accuracy (-convergence) simply by increasing the number of nodes, as one would do for -convergence, (2) the applicability to arbitrarily complex configurations, and (3) the ability to treat beam- and shell-like structures as three-dimensional small-thickness elements. PubDate: Tue, 05 Sep 2017 07:18:24 +000
Abstract: Gun chamber pressure is an important parameter in proofing of ammunition to ensure safety and reliability. It can be measured using copper crushers or piezoelectric sensor. Pressure calculations in copper crusher method are based on linear plastic deformation of copper after firing. However, crusher pressure deformation at high pressures deviates from the corresponding values measured by piezoelectric pressure transducers due to strain rate dependence of copper. The nonlinear deformation rate of copper at high pressure measurements causes actual readings from copper crusher gauge to deviate from true pressure values. Comparative analysis of gun chamber pressure was conducted for 7.62 × 51 mm ammunition using Electronic Pressure, Velocity, and Action Time (EPVAT) system with piezoelectric pressure transducers and conventional crusher gauge. Ammunitions of two different brands were used to measure chamber pressure, namely, NATO standard ammunition and non-NATO standard ammunition. The deformation of copper crushers has also been simulated to compare its deformation with real time firing. The results indicate erratic behavior for chamber pressure by copper crusher as per standard deviation and relative spread and thus prove piezo sensor as more reliable and consistent mode of peak pressure measurement. The results from simulation, cost benefit analysis, and accuracy clearly provide piezo sensors with an edge over conventional, inaccurate, and costly method of copper crusher for ballistic measurements due to its nonlinear behavior. PubDate: Tue, 29 Aug 2017 06:47:32 +000
Abstract: Recent interest in on-orbit proximity operations has pushed towards the development of autonomous GNC strategies. In this sense, optical navigation enables a wide variety of possibilities as it can provide information not only about the kinematic state but also about the shape of the observed object. Various mission architectures have been either tested in space or studied on Earth. The present study deals with on-orbit relative pose and shape estimation with the use of a monocular camera and a distance sensor. The goal is to develop a filter which estimates an observed satellite’s relative position, velocity, attitude, and angular velocity, along with its shape, with the measurements obtained by a camera and a distance sensor mounted on board a chaser which is on a relative trajectory around the target. The filter’s efficiency is proved with a simulation on a virtual target object. The results of the simulation, even though relevant to a simplified scenario, show that the estimation process is successful and can be considered a promising strategy for a correct and safe docking maneuver. PubDate: Mon, 28 Aug 2017 00:00:00 +000
Abstract: Effects of swirling oxidizer flow on the performance of a HTPB/N2O Hybrid rocket motor were studied. A hybrid propulsion laboratory has been developed, to characterize internal ballistics characteristics of swirl flow hybrid motors and to define the operating parameters, like fuel regression rate, specific impulse, and characteristics velocity and combustion efficiency. Primitive variables, like pressure, thrust, temperature, and the oxidizer mass flow rate, were logged. A modular motor with 70 mm outer diameter and variable chamber length is designed for experimental analysis. The injector module has four tangential injectors and one axial injector. Liquid nitrous oxide (N2O) as an oxidizer is injected at the head of combustion chamber into the motor. The feed system uses pressurized air as the pressurant. Two sets of tests have been performed. Some tests with axial and tangential oxidizer injection and a test with axial oxidizer injection were done. The test results show that the fuel grain regression rate has been improved by applying tangential oxidizer injection at the head of the motor. Besides, it was seen that combustion efficiency of motors with the swirl flow was about 10 percent more than motors with axial flow. PubDate: Sun, 27 Aug 2017 08:18:06 +000
Abstract: This paper analyzes the ground effect in multirotors, that is, the change in the thrust generated by the rotors when flying close to the ground due to the interaction of the rotor airflow with the ground surface. This effect is well known in single-rotor helicopters but has been assumed erroneously to be similar for multirotors in many cases in the literature. In this paper, the ground effect for multirotors is characterized with experimental tests in several cases and the partial ground effect, a situation in which one or some of the rotors of the multirotor (but not all) are under the ground effect, is also characterized. The influence of the different cases of ground effect in multirotor control is then studied with several control approaches in simulation and validated with experiments in a test bench and with outdoor flights. PubDate: Thu, 17 Aug 2017 06:50:30 +000
Abstract: On-board appendages with mechanical moving parts for satellites produce undesirable micro-jitters during their on-orbit operation. These micro-jitters may seriously affect the image quality from high-resolution observation satellites. A new application form of a passive vibration isolation system was proposed and investigated using a pseudoelastic SMA mesh washer. This system guarantees vibration isolation performance in a launch environment while effectively isolating the micro-disturbances from the on-orbit operation of jitter source. The main feature of the isolator proposed in this study is the use of a ring-type mesh washer as the main axis to support the micro-jitter source. This feature contrasts with conventional applications of the mesh washers where vibration damping is effective only in the thickness direction of the mesh washer. In this study, the basic characteristics of the SMA mesh washer isolator in each axis were measured in static tests. The effectiveness of the design for the new application form of the SMA mesh washer proposed in this study was demonstrated through both launch environment vibration test at qualification level and micro-jitter measurement test which corresponds to on-orbit condition. PubDate: Thu, 17 Aug 2017 00:00:00 +000
Abstract: The implementation of advanced guidance laws with bearings-only measurements requires estimation of the range information. To improve estimation accuracy and satisfy the impact angle constraint, this paper proposes a two-phase optimal guidance law consisting of an observing phase and an attacking phase. In the observing phase, the determinant of Fisher information matrix is maximized to achieve the optimal observability and a suboptimal solution expressed by leading angle is derived analytically. Then, a terminal sliding-mode guidance law is designed to track the desired leading angle. In the followed attacking phase, an optimal guidance law is integrated with a switching term to satisfy both the impact angle constraint and the field-of-view constraint. Finally, comparison studies of the proposed guidance law and a traditional optimal guidance law are conducted on stationary targets and maneuvering targets cases. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed guidance law is able to improve the range observability and achieve better terminal performances including impact angle accuracy and miss distance. PubDate: Tue, 15 Aug 2017 00:00:00 +000
Abstract: One of the keys to the success of aerial refueling for probe-drogue aerial refueling system (PDARS) is the successful docking between the probe and drogue. The study of probe-drogue docking success probability offers an important support to achieving successful docking. During the docking phase of PDARS, based on prior information and reasonable assumptions for the movements of the drogue under atmospheric disturbance, the probe-drogue docking success probability is converted to the probability of the drogue center located in a specific area. A model of the probe-drogue docking success probability is established with and without actuation error, respectively. The curves of the probe-drogue docking success probability with the standard deviation of the drogue central position, the maximum distance from the drogue center position to the equilibrium position, the actuation error, and the standard deviation of the actuation error are obtained through simulations. The study has referential value for the docking maneuver decision of aerial refueling for PDARS. PubDate: Tue, 08 Aug 2017 10:06:12 +000
Abstract: This paper investigates the fixed-time attitude tracking control problem for flexible spacecraft with unknown bounded disturbances. First, with the knowledge of norm upper bounds of external disturbances and the coupling effect of flexible modes, a novel robust fixed-time controller is designed to deal with this problem. Second, the controller is further enhanced by an adaptive law to avoid the knowledge of norm upper bounds of external disturbances and coupling effect of flexible modes. This control law guarantees the convergence of attitude tracking errors in fixed time where the settling time is bounded by a constant independent of initial conditions. Moreover, the proposed controllers can prevent the unwinding phenomenon. Simulation results are presented to demonstrate the performance of the proposed control scheme. PubDate: Mon, 07 Aug 2017 00:00:00 +000
Abstract: A new strategy for the control of aeronautical electrical generators via sliding manifold selection is proposed, with an associated innovative intelligent energy management strategy used for efficient power transfer between two sources providing energy to aeronautical loads, having different functionalities and priorities. Electric generators used for aeronautical application involve several machines, including a main generator and an exciter. Standard regulators (PI or PID-like) are normally used for the rectification of the generator voltage to be used to supply a high-voltage DC bus. The regulation is obtained by acting on a DC/DC converter that imposes the field voltage of the exciter. In this paper, the field voltage is fed to the generator windings by using a second-order sliding mode controller, resulting into a stable, robust (against disturbances) action and a fast convergence to the desired reference. By using this strategy, an energy management strategy is proposed that dynamically changes the voltage set point, in order to intelligently transfer power between two voltage busses. Detailed simulation results are provided in order to show the effectiveness of the proposed energy management strategy in different scenarios. PubDate: Sun, 06 Aug 2017 07:40:02 +000
Abstract: This paper discusses the creation of a genetic algorithm to locate and optimize interplanetary trajectories using gravity assist maneuvers to improve fuel efficiency of the mission. The algorithm is implemented on two cases: (i) a Centaur-class target close to the ecliptic plane and (ii) a Centaur-class target with a high inclination to the ecliptic plane. Cases for multiple numbers of flybys (up to three) are discussed and compared. It is shown that, for the targets considered here, a single flyby of Jupiter is the most efficient trajectory to either target with the conditions and limitations discussed in this paper. In this paper, we also iterate on possible reasons for certain results seen in the analysis and show how these previously observed behaviors could be present in any trajectory found. The parameters and methods used in the algorithm are explained and justified over multiple real-life interplanetary missions to provide deeper insights into the development choices. PubDate: Thu, 03 Aug 2017 00:00:00 +000
Abstract: Displaced solar orbits for spacecraft propelled by electric sails are investigated. Since the propulsive thrust is induced by the sail attitude, the orbital and attitude dynamics of electric-sail-based spacecraft are coupled and required to be investigated together. However, the coupled dynamics and control of electric sails have not been discussed in most published literatures. In this paper, the equilibrium point of the coupled dynamical system in displaced orbit is obtained, and its stability is analyzed through a linearization. The results of stability analysis show that only some of the orbits are marginally stable. For unstable displaced orbits, linear quadratic regulator is employed to control the coupled attitude-orbit system. Numerical simulations show that the proposed strategy can control the coupled system and a small torque can stabilize both the attitude and orbit. In order to generate the control force and torque, the voltage distribution problem is studied in an optimal framework. The numerical results show that the control force and torque of electric sail can be realized by adjusting the voltage distribution of charged tethers. PubDate: Mon, 31 Jul 2017 11:51:45 +000
Abstract: Carrier phase measurements are essential to high precision positioning. Usually, the carrier phase measurements are generated from the phase lock loop in a conventional Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver. However there is a dilemma problem to the design of the loop parameters in a conventional tracking loop. To address this problem and improve the carrier phase tracking sensitivity, a carrier phase tracking method based on a joint vector architecture is proposed. The joint vector architecture contains a common loop based on extended Kalman filter to track the common dynamics of the different channels and the individual loops for each channel to track the satellite specific dynamics. The transfer function model of the proposed architecture is derived. The proposed method and the conventional scalar carrier phase tracking are tested with a high quality simulator. The test results indicate that carrier phase measurements of satellites start to show cycle slips using the proposed method when carrier noise ratio is equal to and below 15 dB-Hz instead of 21 dB-Hz with using the conventional phase tracking loop. Since the joint vector based tracking loops jointly process the signals of all available satellites, the potential interchannel influence between different satellites is also investigated. PubDate: Sun, 30 Jul 2017 06:15:46 +000
Abstract: Vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft has good flight characteristics and system performance without runway. The multirotor system has been tried to expand into larger size for longer endurance or higher payload. But the motor power to endurance ratio has been limited. Due to the specific energy of gasoline being much higher than battery, introducing gasoline engine into multirotor system can be considered. This paper proposes a dual power multirotor system to combine a quadrotor using gasoline engines to provide major lift in shorter arm with another quadrotor using brushless DC motors to offer most controllable force with longer arm. System design, fabrication, and verification of the proposed dual power multirotor system development are presented. Preliminary flights have achieved 16 kg payload for long endurance flight. This is useful for various applications with advanced improvements. PubDate: Sun, 30 Jul 2017 00:00:00 +000
Abstract: Flexible membrane wings (FMWs) are known for two inherent advantages, that is, adaptability to gusty airflow as the wings can flex according to the gust load to reduce the effective angle of attack and the ability to be folded for compact storage purposes. However, the maneuverability of UAV with FMWs is rather limited as it is impossible to install conventional ailerons. The maneuver relies only on the rudders. Some applications utilize torque rods to warp the wings, but this approach makes the FMW become unfoldable. In this research, we proposed the application of a tendon-sheath mechanism to manipulate the wing shape of UAV. Tendon-sheath mechanism is relatively flexible; thus, it can also be folded together with the wings. However, its severe nonlinearity in its dynamics makes the wing warping difficult to control. To compensate for the nonlinearity, a dedicated adaptive controller is designed and implemented. The proposed approach is validated experimentally in a wind tunnel facility with imitated gusty condition and subsequently tested in a real flight condition. The results demonstrate a stable and robust wing warping actuation, while the adaptive washout capability is also validated. Accurate wing warping is achieved and the UAV is easily controlled in a real flight test. PubDate: Mon, 24 Jul 2017 00:00:00 +000
Abstract: The predicted impact point (PIP) of hypersonic interception changes continually; therefore the midcourse guidance law must have the ability of online trajectory optimization. In this paper, an online trajectory generation algorithm is designed based on neighboring optimal control (NOC) theory and improved indirect Radau pseudospectral method (IRPM). A trajectory optimization model is designed according to the features of operations in near space. Two-point boundary value problems (TPBVPs) are obtained based on NOC theory. The second-order linear form of transversality conditions is deduced backward to express the modifications of terminal states, costates, and flight time in terms of current state errors and terminal constraints modifications. By treating the current states and the optimal costates modifications as initial constraints and perturbations, the feedback control variables are obtained based on improved IRPM and nominal trajectory information. The simulation results show that when the changes of terminal constraints are not relatively large, this method can generate a modified trajectory effectively with high precision of terminal modifications. The design concept can provide a reference for the design of the online trajectory generation system of hypersonic vehicles. PubDate: Wed, 12 Jul 2017 07:35:22 +000
Abstract: The newly launched X-ray pulsar navigation-I (XPNAV-1) is an experimental satellite of China that is designed for X-ray pulsar observation. This paper presents the initial observation results and aims to recover the Crab pulsar’s pulse profile to verify the X-ray instrument’s capability of observing pulsars in space. With the grazing-incidence focusing type instrument working at the soft X-ray band (0.5–10 keV), up to 162 segments of observations of the Crab pulsar are fulfilled, and more than 5 million X-ray events are recorded. Arrival times of photons are corrected to the solar system barycentre, and the 33 ms pulse period is sought out for Crab. Epoch folding of all the corrected photon times generates the refined pulse profile of Crab. The characteristic two-peak profile proves that the Crab pulsar has been clearly seen, so that the conclusion is made that XPNAV-1’s goal of being capable of observing pulsars is achieved. PubDate: Thu, 06 Jul 2017 08:49:53 +000
Abstract: The processes of mixing and combustion in the jet of a shear-coaxial injector are investigated. Two test cases (nonreacting and reacting) are simulated using the commercial computational fluid dynamics code ANSYS CFX. The first test case is an experiment on the mixing in a nonreacting coaxial jet carried out with the use of planar laser induced fluorescence (PLIF). The second test case is an experiment on the visualization of hydrogen-oxygen flame using PLIF of OH in a single injector combustion chamber at pressure of 53 bar. In the first test case, the two-dimensional axisymmetric simulations are performed using the shear-stress turbulence (SST) model. Due to the dominant flow unsteadiness in the second test case, the turbulence is modeled using transient SAS (Scale-Adaptive Simulation) model. The combustion is modeled using the burning velocity model (BVM) while both two- and three-dimensional simulations are carried out. The numerical model agrees with the experimental data very well in the first test case and adequately in the second test case. PubDate: Tue, 27 Jun 2017 00:00:00 +000
Abstract: In order to improve the accuracy of the dynamical model used in the orbit determination of the Lagrangian navigation satellites, the nonlinear perturbations acting on Lagrangian navigation satellites are estimated by a neural network. A neural network based state observer is applied to autonomously determine the orbits of Lagrangian navigation satellites using only satellite-to-satellite range. This autonomous orbit determination method does not require linearizing the dynamical mode. There is no need to calculate the transition matrix. It is proved that three satellite-to-satellite ranges are needed using this method; therefore, the navigation constellation should include four Lagrangian navigation satellites at least. Four satellites orbiting on the collinear libration orbits are chosen to construct a constellation which is used to demonstrate the utility of this method. Simulation results illustrate that the stable error of autonomous orbit determination is about 10 m. The perturbation can be estimated by the neural network. PubDate: Wed, 21 Jun 2017 00:00:00 +000
Abstract: A validation study on the performance and vibration analyses of the XH-59A compound helicopter is conducted to establish techniques for the comprehensive analysis of lift-offset compound helicopters. This study considers the XH-59A lift-offset compound helicopter using a rigid coaxial rotor system as a verification model. CAMRAD II (Comprehensive Analytical Method of Rotorcraft Aerodynamics and Dynamics II), a comprehensive analysis code, is used as a tool for the performance, vibration, and loads analyses. A general free wake model, which is a more sophisticated wake model than other wake models, is used to obtain good results for the comprehensive analysis. Performance analyses of the XH-59A helicopter with and without auxiliary propulsion are conducted in various flight conditions. In addition, vibration analyses of the XH-59A compound helicopter configuration are conducted in the forward flight condition. The present comprehensive analysis results are in good agreement with the flight test and previous analyses. Therefore, techniques for the comprehensive analysis of lift-offset compound helicopters are appropriately established. Furthermore, the rotor lifts are calculated for the XH-59A lift-offset compound helicopter in the forward flight condition to investigate the airloads characteristics of the ABC™ (Advancing Blade Concept) rotor. PubDate: Thu, 15 Jun 2017 08:18:26 +000
Abstract: Al-polymer laminated membranes are widely used in large aerospace structures. When the laminated membranes are pressurized, wrinkles emerge, which have an important effect on the performance of the structures during operation. This paper describes the numerical simulation and experimental investigation of wrinkles in laminated membranes. The nonlinear postbuckling analysis method, based on laminated thin-shell elements, was used to simulate the onset, growth, and final configuration of wrinkles when laminated membranes are subjected to external loads. The simulations are conducted with the ANSYS finite element package. Changing regularities of number, wavelength, and range for the wrinkles during the onset and growth processes are investigated. The wrinkles of laminated membranes with different design parameters such as material selection, ply number, ply angle, and ply mode are predicted. Devices that can be used to clamp and load laminated membranes in several load cases were designed and developed. A 3D photogrammetry system was constructed to characterize wrinkling patterns of laminated membranes subjected to shear displacement loads. By comparing the results of numerical analysis and experimental results, the accuracy of the numerical analysis method was verified. This study work is expected to inform wrinkling simulation and shape control of aerospace laminated membrane structures. PubDate: Tue, 06 Jun 2017 06:10:08 +000
Abstract: In the past decade, the wireline robot has received increasing attention due to the advantages of light weight, low cost, and flexibility compared to the traditional drilling instruments in space missions. For the lunar subsurface in situ exploration mission, we proposed a type of wireline robot named IBR (Inchworm Boring Robot) drawing inspiration from the inchworm. Two auger tools are utilized to remove chips for IBR, which directly interacted with the lunar regolith in the drilling process. Therefore, for obtaining the tools drilling characteristics, the chips removal principle of IBR is analyzed and its drilling load model is further established based on the soil mechanical theory in this paper. And then the proposed theoretical drilling load model is experimentally validated. In addition, according to the theoretical drilling load model, this paper discusses the effect of the drilling parameters on the tools drilling moments and power consumption. These results imply a possible energy-efficient control strategy for IBR. PubDate: Thu, 01 Jun 2017 08:05:58 +000
Abstract: This paper focuses on maximizing the percent coverage and minimizing the revisit time for a small satellite constellation with limited coverage. A target area represented by a polygon defined by grid points is chosen instead of using a target point only. The constellation consists of nonsymmetric and circular Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites. A global optimization method, Genetic Algorithm (GA), is chosen due to its ability to locate a global optimum solution for nonlinear multiobjective problems. From six orbital elements, five elements (semimajor axis, inclination, argument of perigee, longitude of ascending node, and mean anomaly) are varied as optimization design variables. A multiobjective optimization study is conducted in this study with percent coverage and revisit time as the two main parameters to analyze the performance of the constellation. Some efforts are made to improve the objective function and to minimize the computational load. A semianalytical approach is implemented to speed up the guessing of initial orbital elements. To determine the best parametric operator combinations, the fitness value and the computational time from each study cases are compared. PubDate: Wed, 31 May 2017 09:37:56 +000
Abstract: A tilting calibration mechanism is periodically deployed to view the reference temperature target during on-board calibration of a spaceborne imaging sensor and stowed after calibration. In the present work, we have proposed a new design strategy using a shape memory alloy (SMA) spring as an actuator that provides a fail-safe function to prevent the blocking of the main optical path when the mechanical driving part of the mechanism is stopped at a certain position during on-board calibration. Although a launch locking device was not considered in the design, this approach makes it possible to impose mechanical constraints on the driving part of the mechanism in severe launch vibration environments. The effectiveness of the proposed design was experimentally validated by a deploying and stowing function test and launch vibration environment tests such as a sine burst test, a random vibration test, and a pyroshock simulating impulse shock test. The test results demonstrated that the mechanism fulfills all the required functions for on-board calibration. The use of an SMA spring actuator was proved effective for implementing the dual function of a fail-safe in an emergency phase and a mechanical constraint on the driving part of the mechanism in severe launch vibration environment. PubDate: Tue, 30 May 2017 00:00:00 +000
Abstract: The integrated 6-DOF orbit-attitude dynamical modeling and control have shown great importance in various missions, for example, formation flying and proximity operations. The integrated approach yields better performances than the separate one in terms of accuracy, efficiency, and agility. One challenge in the integrated approach is to find a unified representation for the 6-DOF motion with configuration space . Recently, exponential coordinates of have been used in dynamics and control of the 6-DOF motion, however, only on the kinematical level. In this paper, we will improve the current method by adopting exponential coordinates on the dynamical level, by giving the relation between the second-order derivative of exponential coordinates and spacecraft’s accelerations. In this way, the 6-DOF motion in terms of exponential coordinates can be written as a second-order system with a quite compact form, to which a broader range of control theories, such as higher-order sliding modes, can be applied. For a demonstration purpose, a simple asymptotic tracking control law with almost global convergence is designed. Finally, the integrated modeling and control are applied to the body-fixed hovering over an asteroid and verified by a simulation, in which absolute motions of the spacecraft and asteroid are simulated separately. PubDate: Tue, 30 May 2017 00:00:00 +000
Abstract: Brake squeal phenomenon is a problem that has been long studied using multiple methods and theories. Finite Element Method (FEM) has been applied to the study of brake squeal problem. First, a disc brake model has been established. Complex mode theory has been applied to the mode analysis and unstable vibration modes can be extracted subsequently. The form of unstable vibration mode has been studied. Then, transient dynamic simulation using explicit dynamic method has been performed. Response in both time and frequency domain has been analyzed. Two methods have been compared, considering accuracy and calculation consumption. Then, the effect of different parameters such as coefficient of friction, stiffness, and brake force fluctuation frequency on squeal phenomenon has been analyzed. It can be found that coefficient of friction and the brake stiffness have a positive correlation with the extent of brake squeal phenomenon, while the frequency of brake force fluctuation should remain as low as possible. Afterwards, a ring-shaped layer of viscoelastic damping material is constrained to outer margin of the stator to restrain the unstable modal. This method can change the vibration nature and improve the brake squeal problem. PubDate: Sun, 28 May 2017 00:00:00 +000
Abstract: Supersonic flow over cavities has been of interest since 1960s because cavities represent the bomb bays of aircraft. The flow is transient, turbulent, and complicated. Pressure fluctuations inside the cavity can impede successful weapon release. The objective of this study is to use active and passive control methods on supersonic cavity flow numerically to decrease or eliminate pressure oscillations. Jet blowing at several locations on the front and aft walls of the cavity configuration is used as an active control method. Several techniques are used for passive control including using a cover plate to separate the flow dynamics inside and outside of the cavity, trailing edge wall modifications, such as inclination of the trailing edge, and providing curvature to the trailing edge wall. The results of active and passive control techniques are compared with the baseline case in terms of pressure fluctuations, sound pressure levels at the leading edge, trailing edge walls, and cavity floor and in terms of formation of the flow structures and the results are presented. It is observed from the results that modification of the trailing edge wall is the most effective of the control methods tested leading to up to 40 dB reductions in cavity tones. PubDate: Thu, 25 May 2017 06:52:47 +000
Abstract: To investigate more efficient aircraft configurations which have less environmental impact, this paper develops a multidisciplinary analysis framework integrated with the airframe and propulsion analysis modules. The characteristics for propulsion, aerodynamics, weight, performance, cost, emissions, and noise can be rapidly predicted by the framework. The impact of propulsion installation with large diameter engines on aircraft weight and drag are considered in the framework. A wide-body aircraft was taken as an example for the optimization to investigate the tradeoffs between the cost metric and the environmental performance metrics. Several cases for single objective and multiobjective optimizations were performed. In the single objective optimizations, the direct operating cost, the cumulative noise, the oxides of nitrogen emissions during landing-takeoff cycle, and the mission oxides of nitrogen emissions were considered as an objective and minimized, respectively. The different objectives resulted in designs with different airframe parameters and engine cycle parameters. In the multiobjective optimizations, the direct operating costs and environmental performances were considered as the objectives simultaneously. The optimization results were the Pareto fronts for the minimum direct operating costs and environmental performances, which illustrate the quantitative relationships between the economic metric and the environmental performances. PubDate: Thu, 25 May 2017 00:00:00 +000
Abstract: The correlation of the thermal mathematical models (TMMs) of spacecrafts with the results of the thermal test is a demanding task in terms of time and effort. Theoretically, it can be automatized by means of optimization techniques, although this is a challenging task. Previous studies have shown the ability of genetic algorithms to perform this task in several cases, although some limitations have been detected. In addition, gradient-based methods, although also presenting some limitations, have provided good solutions in other technical fields. For this reason, the performance of genetic algorithms and gradient-based methods in the correlation of TMMs is discussed in this paper to compare the pros and cons of them. The case of study used in the comparison is a real space instrument flown aboard the International Space Station. PubDate: Wed, 24 May 2017 00:00:00 +000
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