Other Aerospace Engineering Commons^™

Fuel System To Envelope Interface, James Campbell

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

*NOTE THIS PROJECT IS CONFIDENTIAL*

In this project, I will investigate solutions to interfacing a fuel system with a fabric skin section

Air Passenger Demand Forecast Through The Use Of Artificial Neural Network Algorithms, Juan Gerardo Muros Anguita, Oscar Díaz Olariaga

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

Airport planning depends to a large extent on the levels of activity that are anticipated. To plan the facilities and infrastructures of an airport system and to be able to satisfy future needs, it is essential to predict the level and distribution of demand. This document presents a short- and medium-term forecast of the demand for air passengers carried out through a specific case study (Colombia), in which the impact of the pandemic period due to COVID-19 on air traffic was taken into account. To make the forecast, an algorithm that implements techniques based on Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) (Machine …

Astronaut Or Astronot?, David A. Gusis

Ideas: Exhibit Catalog for the Honors College Visiting Scholars Series

As space becomes more and more accessible to the general population, the terminology we used in the past to describe those who trained endlessly to become the pioneers of a new frontier is beginning to lose its meaning. Astronauts like Colonel Richard Covey have earned their title and to bestow it on others who haven't gone through the same training or have paid to visit space as a tourist is wrong. My hope is to provide the necessary background information about what it means to be an Astronaut and provoke thought about preserving the term and creating new terminology for …

Tradespace Exploration Of A Uav Conceptual Design Using Model-Based Systems Engineering, Ayan Srivastava

All Theses

The objective of this research is to apply model-based systems engineering approaches to the conceptual design of unmanned aerial vehicles. This is accomplished by evaluating the models of aircraft performance, extracting input and output parameters from the models, creating chains of models, and implementing the models in the MATLAB programming language. By following this process, it is possible to identify the global parameters that remain constant across models, the shared input parameters, the dependencies between models, and the feedback loops with the systems models.

The models are currently implemented in two files using Microsoft MS Excel, one is focused on …

Optimal Sizing And Control Of Hybrid Rocket Vehicles, Srija Ryakam

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

In the present work, a genetic algorithm is used to optimize a hybrid rocket engine in order to minimize the propellant required for a specific mission. In a hybrid rocket engine, the mass flow rate of the oxidizer can be throttled to enhance the performance of the rocket. First, an analysis of the internal ballistics and the ascent trajectory has been carried out for different mass flow rates of the oxidizer as a function of time, for a fixed amount of oxidizer, in order to study the effect of throttling. Two equivalent problems are considered: in the first problem the …

Developing A Light Curve Simulation Tool For Ground And Space-Based Observations Of Spacecraft And Debris, Andrew T. Ochoa

Master's Theses

A light curve is a plot of brightness versus time of an object. Light curves are dependent on orbit, attitude, surface area, size, and shape of the observed object. Using light curve data, several analysis methods have been developed to derive these parameters. These parameters can be used for tracking orbital debris, monitoring satellite health, and determining the mission of an unknown spacecraft.

This paper discusses the development, verification, and utilization of a tool that simulates light curve data. This tool models ground-based observations, space-based observations, self-shadowing geometry, tumbling debris, and controlled spacecraft. The main output from the tool is …

Background Flow Influence On Impulsive Jet-Driven Micro Droplet Dispersal, Vaishak Thiruvenkitam

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

Accurately predicting the airborne spread of infectious diseases is crucial in controlling the COVID­19 pandemic today. Studies have shown the spread of expiratory droplets depends on ambient thermodynamic conditions and flow properties of the jet emitted by the activity. However, the droplet spread in conditions of background flow is not yet comprehensively understood. This study uses the Eulerian­-Lagrangian model with k−ω turbulence modelling to simulate spread of particles and study the factors affecting it in a closed environment with a background flow. Respiratory activities are modeled as a non-­isothermal jet of air with droplets suspended in them in a predetermined …

Active Control Of Coherent Structures In An Axisymmetric Jet, Michael Marques Goncalves

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

The primary objective of this work is to develop high-fidelity simulation model for jet noise control predictions and quantify the sound reduction when an external source frequency mode excitation is imposed on the jet flow. Whereas passive approaches using mixing devices, such as chevrons, have been shown to reduce low-frequency noise in jet engines, such approaches incur a performance penalty since they result in a reduced thrust. To avoid a performance penalty in reducing jet noise, the current work investigates a open-loop active noise control (ANC) system that utilizes a unsteady microjet actuator on the nozzle lip in the downstream …

Effects And Solutions On The Human Body After Long-Duration Space Flights, Jose Jaime Esquivel Patricio

McNair Research Journal SJSU

During the Cold War, President John F. Kennedy made it a mission for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to accomplish a lunar landing and return to Earth. The final lunar landing and the last time humans left Low Earth Orbit (LEO) was in December, 1972. However, 47 years have passed and the fascination with traveling into deep space remains alive and flourishing. A major problem with future human missions to Mars is the effects of microgravity and Mars’ 0.38g environment. Unfortunately, space medicine is limited and little is known about the effects of microgravity on the human body …

Design And Flight-Path Simulation Of A Dynamic-Soaring Uav, Gladston Joseph

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

We address the development of a dynamic-soaring capable unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) optimized for long-duration flight with no on-board power consumption. The UAV’s aerodynamic properties are captured with the integration of variable fidelity aerodynamic analyses. In addition to this, a 6 degree-of-freedom flight simulation environment is designed to include the effects of atmospheric wind conditions. A simple flight control system aids in the development of the dynamic soaring maneuver. A modular design paradigm is adopted for the aircraft dynamics model, which makes it conducive to use the same environment to simulate other aircraft models. Multiple wind-shear models are synthesized to …

Soarnet, Deep Learning Thermal Detection For Free Flight, Jake T. Tallman

Master's Theses

Thermals are regions of rising hot air formed on the ground through the warming of the surface by the sun. Thermals are commonly used by birds and glider pilots to extend flight duration, increase cross-country distance, and conserve energy. This kind of powerless flight using natural sources of lift is called soaring. Once a thermal is encountered, the pilot flies in circles to keep within the thermal, so gaining altitude before flying off to the next thermal and towards the destination. A single thermal can net a pilot thousands of feet of elevation gain, however estimating thermal locations is not …

Nitinol Robotic Arm, Brandon Cousino, Connor Sweatt

Thinking Matters Symposium

The goal of our project is to create a remotely controlled robotic arm using a nickel-titanium alloy (Nitinol) that exhibits “shape memory” tendencies and a 9-lumen tube. The arm must be able to move in all for directions (forward, left, right, backwards) with the control of a joystick and return to an upright position upon halting user input (thus requiring a two-way shape memory ability). The final product must operate without any unwanted twisting of the arm, crosstalk between the different nitinol wires due to heating, and be easily manufacturable. Easy replacement of the arm from the main mechanism is …

Airplane Pitch Response To Rapid Configuration Change: Flight Test And Safety Assessment, Ralph Kimberlin, Markus Wilde, Brian Kish, Isaac Silver

Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering

This paper examines airplane response to rapid flap extension on seven general aviation airplanes. The scenario involves a pilot flying in the traffic pattern becoming distracted, abruptly extending flaps while looking outside the airplane, and failing to notice airspeed and pitch-attitude changes. The airplanes tested reached pitch forces of up to 36 lbf, meeting FAA requirements but exceeding the capability of 55% of the population. Flight data showed a pitch-up to more than 30˚ in 5 s after flap extension, causing airspeed to drop below stall speed for four of the airplanes. At traffic pattern altitudes, stalling an airplane can …

Comparing Radiation Shielding Potential Of Liquid Propellants To Water For Application In Space, John Czaplewski

Master's Theses

The radiation environment in space is a threat that engineers and astronauts need to mitigate as exploration into the solar system expands. Passive shielding involves placing as much material between critical components and the radiation environment as possible. However, with mass and size budgets, it is important to select efficient materials to provide shielding. Currently, NASA and other space agencies plan on using water as a shield against radiation since it is already necessary for human missions. Water has been tested thoroughly and has been proven to be effective. Liquid propellants are needed for every mission and also share similar …

Development Of A Hybrid Particle Continuum Solver, Anthony J. Gay

Master's Theses

When simulating complex flows, there are some physical situations that exhibit large fluctuations in particle density such as: planetary reentry, ablation due to arcing, rocket exhaust plumes, etc. When simulating these events, a high level of physical accuracy can be achieved with kinetic methods otherwise known as particle methods. However, this high level of physical accuracy requires large amounts of computation time. If the simulated flow is in collisional equilibrium, then less computationally intensive continuum methods, otherwise known as fluid methods, can be utilized. Hybrid Particle-Continuum (HPC) codes attempt to blend particle and fluid solutions in order to reduce computation …

A Bibliometric Perspective Survey Of Astronomical Object Tracking System, Mariyam Ashai, Rhea Gautam Mukherjee, Sanjana Mundharikar, Vinayak Dev Kuanr, Shivali Amit Wagle, Harikrishnan R

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Advancement in the techniques in the field of Astronomical Object Tracking has been evolved over the years for more accurate results in prediction. Upgradation in Kepler’s algorithm aids in the detection of periodic transits of small planets. The tracking of the celestial bodies by NASA shows the trend followed over the years It has been noted that Machine Learning algorithms and the help of Artificial Intelligence have opted for several techniques allied with motion and positioning of the Celestial bodies and yields more accuracy and robustness. The paper discusses the survey and bibliometric analysis of Astronomical Object Tracking from the …

Commissioning And Testing Of A New Dusty Thermal Vacuum Chamber, Ben Wiegand

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

The Dusty Thermal Vacuum Chamber (DTVAC) is a new facility purchased by the Planetary Surface Technology Development Lab (PSTDL) that will be used to test the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of extraplanetary devices and systems. With the use of vacuum pumps and simulated regolith, the DTVAC can create extraplanetary environments such as those found on the Moon and Mars. This report details the actions that were taken to prepare the DTVAC for TRL testing, including the development of a Data Acquisition Center (DAC) and test fixtures, along with the findings of baseline tests that were performed to understand the behavior …

Remote Pilot Situational Awareness With Augmented Reality Glasses: An Observational Field Study, Jeffery Coleman, David Thirtyacre

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

With the use of small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) proliferating throughout industry and public safety, it is imperative to ensure safety of flight. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) published regulations for commercial use of sUAS in 2016 and included the requirement to maintain visual line-of-sight with the aircraft at all times. However, due to the nature of the sUAS ground control stations (GCS), remote pilots time-share between observing the aircraft and interacting with the display on the GCS. Time-sharing between the aircraft and GCS can be seen as similar to the cross-check a pilot uses when flying a manned aircraft. …

Folding Methodology For Flexible Aircraft Interiors, Aditya Venkatesh, Fengfeng (Jeff) Xi, Joon Chung

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

This paper establishes a general furniture folding methodology that is aimed at flexible aircraft cabin interiors. This methodology will allow users to modify existing furniture pieces to their liking and thereby customizing their overall travel experience. The folding methodology also includes a process to quantify the transformation of the furniture pieces. This paper also introduces two design concepts called Open-on-Demand and Reconfiguration to allow passengers to modify an otherwise rigid cabin. The advantages of the multi-functional space saving furniture pieces are also illustrated in this paper. While the general folding methodology was developed for aircraft interiors, it can be adapted …

Development Of Triangular And Tetrahedral Finite Elements For Solutions To Thermoelastic Instabilities Using Hotspotter, Cortney Samuel Leneave

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The objective of the work presented in this thesis is to develop first-order triangular and tetrahedral elements for solutions to Thermoelastic Instabilities (TEI) regarding sliding friction systems in Hotspotter.

Hotspotter software uses a finite element method and an eigenvalue method and is an important tool because currently no other commercial software exists which solves the TEI problem for critical velocities and wave numbers of a system. Hotspotter currently uses quadrilateral and hexahedral elements for two and three dimensional analysis, respectively. Typically, tri and tet elements are used in industry when doing static and dynamic stress analysis. Therefore, the Hotspotter user …