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Integrated Guidance And Control Of Missiles With Θ-D Method, Ming Xin, S. N. Balakrishnan, Ernest J. Ohlmeyer Nov 2006

Integrated Guidance And Control Of Missiles With Θ-D Method, Ming Xin, S. N. Balakrishnan, Ernest J. Ohlmeyer

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A new suboptimal control method is proposed in this study to effectively design an integrated guidance and control system for missiles. Optimal formulations allow designers to bring together concerns about guidance law performance and autopilot responses under one unified framework. They lead to a natural integration of these different functions. by modifying the appropriate cost functions, different responses, control saturations (autopilot related), miss distance (guidance related), etc., which are of primary concern to a missile system designer, can be easily studied. A new suboptimal control method, called the θ-D method, is employed to obtain an approximate closed-form solution to this …


Torque Ripple Sensor And Mitigation Mechanism, Jason Neely, Steven Pekarek, Jason M. Banaskavich, Daniel S. Stutts Oct 2006

Torque Ripple Sensor And Mitigation Mechanism, Jason Neely, Steven Pekarek, Jason M. Banaskavich, Daniel S. Stutts

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A torque ripple sensor and method for torque ripple sensing and/or mitigation. A piezoelectric sensor is positioned relative to a motor so that torque fluctuations due to torque ripple of the motor are transmitted to the sensor, resulting in strain of a piezoelectric element. A resulting signal can be amplified and conditioned for determining a magnitude of the torque ripple and/or fed into a feedback loop for applying current control or a counter-torque to the motor for torque ripple mitigation.


Internal Small Volume Storage Water Heater, Kelly Homan Oct 2006

Internal Small Volume Storage Water Heater, Kelly Homan

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The invention concerns devices for water storage, heating and delivery. A storage water heater of the invention provides an amount of unmixed recently heated water from an internal small volume during a draw along with water from a main volume. When water is drawn from the storage water heater, an amount of recently heated water substantially unmixed with the remaining volume of the tank is drawn along with heated water from the remaining volume. Substantial performance increases in the hot water that may be delivered over a period, such as an hour, may be achieved compared to an otherwise identical …


Numerical Simulation And Prediction Of Dilution During Laser Deposition, Zhiqiang Fan, Anand Jambunathan, Todd E. Sparks, Jianzhong Ruan, Yu Yang, Yaxin Bao, Frank W. Liou Aug 2006

Numerical Simulation And Prediction Of Dilution During Laser Deposition, Zhiqiang Fan, Anand Jambunathan, Todd E. Sparks, Jianzhong Ruan, Yu Yang, Yaxin Bao, Frank W. Liou

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The laser additive manufacturing technique of laser deposition allows quick fabrication of fully-dense metallic components directly from Computer Aided Design (CAD) solid models. The applications of laser deposition include rapid prototyping, rapid tooling and part refurbishment. The development of an accurate predictive model for laser deposition is extremely complicated due to the multitude of process parameters and materials properties involved. In this work, a heat transfer and fluid flow model is developed. The model is used to predict dilution under varying process parameters for deposits of Ti-6Al-4V. Experimental validation of the predicted dilution is presented. The laser used is a …


Effect Of Structured Laser Pulses On Grain Growth In H13 Tool Steel, Todd E. Sparks, Jianzhong Ruan, Zhiqiang Fan, Yaxin Bao, Frank W. Liou Aug 2006

Effect Of Structured Laser Pulses On Grain Growth In H13 Tool Steel, Todd E. Sparks, Jianzhong Ruan, Zhiqiang Fan, Yaxin Bao, Frank W. Liou

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

In metal solidification. the cooling rate is an important factor in determining the resultant grain structure of the material. The paper discusses the results of a feasibility study done to determine whether a laser pulse scheme can be designed to affect, and eventually control, the resultant microstructure of the deposited material. A factorial experimental approach is applied to determine the significant parameters affecting grain size and orientation. Parameters investigated include maximum pulse power, pulse frequency, pulse shape, and material feed rate. Particular attention is given to parameter combinations that can cause grain growth through the layer boundaries of the deposited …


Applications Of A Hybrid Manufacturing Process For Fabrication And Repair Of Metallic Structures, Frank W. Liou, Kevin P. Slattery, Mary Kinsella, Joseph William Newkirk, Hsin-Nan Chou, Robert G. Landers Aug 2006

Applications Of A Hybrid Manufacturing Process For Fabrication And Repair Of Metallic Structures, Frank W. Liou, Kevin P. Slattery, Mary Kinsella, Joseph William Newkirk, Hsin-Nan Chou, Robert G. Landers

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Since its appearance, rapid prototyping technology has been of interest to various industries that are looking for a process to produce/build a part directly from a CAD model in a short time. Among them, the direct metal deposition process is the only process which directly manufactures a fully dense metal part without intermediate steps. However, challenges of the direct metal deposition process include building overhang structures, producing precision surfaces, and making parts with complex structures. Coupled between the additive and the subtractive processes into a single workstation, the integrated process, or hybrid process, can produce a metal part with machining …


Automation Of A Hybrid Manufacturing System Through Tight Integration Of Software And Sensor Feedback, Jacquelyn K. Stroble, Robert G. Landers, Frank W. Liou Aug 2006

Automation Of A Hybrid Manufacturing System Through Tight Integration Of Software And Sensor Feedback, Jacquelyn K. Stroble, Robert G. Landers, Frank W. Liou

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This paper presents a framework for the automation of the Laser Aided Manufacturing Process (LAMP) lab at the University of Missouri-Rolla. The groundwork for the proposed system involves the integration of the LabVIEW software package and a PXI-8195 real time controller with several sensors and actuators. The incorporation of all key control parameters into one virtual instrument will help achieve the goal of an automated hybrid system. To achieve this goal, a five-phase plan, which will be further discussed in the paper, has been developed. The first phase of this plan, which includes the deposition of a thin walled structure …


Determination Of Transformation Matrix In A Hybrid Multi-Axis Laser-Aided Manufacturing System And Its Practical Implementation, Ajay Panackal Padathu Vijayan, Todd E. Sparks, Jianzhong Ruan, Frank W. Liou Aug 2006

Determination Of Transformation Matrix In A Hybrid Multi-Axis Laser-Aided Manufacturing System And Its Practical Implementation, Ajay Panackal Padathu Vijayan, Todd E. Sparks, Jianzhong Ruan, Frank W. Liou

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The Laser Aided Manufacturing Process (LAMP) is a multi-axis hybrid manufacturing process comprised of both an additive process, laser deposition, and a subtractive process, CNC machining. Determination of transformation matrix is one of the most important tasks to bridge the gap between process planning (software) and real deposition/machining process. The first part of the paper discusses an algorithm for computing the position of point/points in three-dimensional space, using homogenous transformation matrices. The second part of the paper discusses about how the algorithm was used in practice to build 3-D parts and part-repair using hybrid manufacturing process.


Comparison Of Thermal Properties Of Laser Deposition And Traditional Welding Process Via Thermal Diffusivity Measurement, Yu Yang, Omoghene Osaze Obahor, Yaxin Bao, Todd E. Sparks, Jianzhong Ruan, Jacquelyn K. Stroble, Robert G. Landers, Joseph William Newkirk, Frank W. Liou Aug 2006

Comparison Of Thermal Properties Of Laser Deposition And Traditional Welding Process Via Thermal Diffusivity Measurement, Yu Yang, Omoghene Osaze Obahor, Yaxin Bao, Todd E. Sparks, Jianzhong Ruan, Jacquelyn K. Stroble, Robert G. Landers, Joseph William Newkirk, Frank W. Liou

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Laser deposition is an effective process for mold and die repair. In order to improve the part repair quality, the process impact on thermal diffusivity and thermal conductivity needs to be understood for laser deposited, welded and virgin H13. In this paper, H13 tool steel samples were made by laser deposition, welding and virgin H13 and then cut into pieces. Experiments were conducted to investigate the thermal diffusivity and conductivity. A laser flash method is used to test these samples. The future work and opportunities are also summarized.


Evaluation Of Mechanical Properties And Microstructure For Laser Deposition Process And Welding Process, Yaxin Bao, Jianzhong Ruan, Todd E. Sparks, Jambunathan Anand, Joseph William Newkirk, Frank W. Liou Aug 2006

Evaluation Of Mechanical Properties And Microstructure For Laser Deposition Process And Welding Process, Yaxin Bao, Jianzhong Ruan, Todd E. Sparks, Jambunathan Anand, Joseph William Newkirk, Frank W. Liou

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Laser Aided Manufacturing Process (LAMP) can be applied to repair steel die/molds which are currently repaired using traditional welding process in industry. In order to fully understand the advantages of laser deposition repair process over traditional welded-repair process, the mechanical properties such as tensile strength and hardness of H13 tool steel samples produced by these two processes were investigated. The microstructure and fracture surface of the samples were analyzed using optical microscope and SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope). Moreover, depositions on substrates with different shapes were studied to evaluate the performance of LAMP on damaged parts with complicated geometric shape.


Three Dimensional Die Repair Using A Hybrid Manufacturing System, Lan Ren, Ajay Panackal Padathu, Jianzhong Ruan, Todd E. Sparks, Frank W. Liou Aug 2006

Three Dimensional Die Repair Using A Hybrid Manufacturing System, Lan Ren, Ajay Panackal Padathu, Jianzhong Ruan, Todd E. Sparks, Frank W. Liou

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A dramatic reduction in the cost, energy and time can be achieved by pursuing part repairing especially for die industry. In this paper, repairing process development was carried out by a hybrid manufacturing system aiming at the prevalent kinds of die core damages which is worn-out or corroded surface. Surface patches pattern is used for generating tool path to repair the damaged faces. A user-friendly software tool was developed to facilitate the users. 3D repairing technology was also integrated which ensures the alignment when more than one damages need to be repaired without reloading the part. Realization of 3D surface …


A Review Of Layer Based Manufacturing Processes For Metals, Jianzhong Ruan, Todd E. Sparks, Zhiqiang Fan, Jacquelyn K. Stroble, Ajay Panackal, Frank W. Liou Aug 2006

A Review Of Layer Based Manufacturing Processes For Metals, Jianzhong Ruan, Todd E. Sparks, Zhiqiang Fan, Jacquelyn K. Stroble, Ajay Panackal, Frank W. Liou

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The metal layered manufacturing processes have provided industries with a fast method to build functional parts directly from CAD models. This paper compares current metal layered manufacturing technologies from including powder based metal deposition, selective laser sinstering (SLS), wire feed deposition etc. The characteristics of each process, including its industrial applications, advantages/disadvantages, costs etc are discussed. In addition, the comparison between each process in terms of build rate, suitable metal etc. is presented in this paper.


Freeform Extrusion Of High Solids Loading Ceramic Slurries, Part I: Extrusion Process Modeling, Michael S. Mason, Tieshu Huang, Robert G. Landers, Ming-Chuan Leu, Greg Hilmas Aug 2006

Freeform Extrusion Of High Solids Loading Ceramic Slurries, Part I: Extrusion Process Modeling, Michael S. Mason, Tieshu Huang, Robert G. Landers, Ming-Chuan Leu, Greg Hilmas

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A novel, solid freeform fabrication method has been developed for the manufacture of ceramic-based components in an environmentally friendly fashion. The method is based on the extrusion of ceramic slurries using water as the binding media. Aluminum oxide (Al2O3) is currently being used as the part material and solids loading as high as 60 vol. % has been achieved. This paper describes a novel manufacturing machine that has been developed for the extrusion of high solids loading ceramic slurries. A critical component of the machine is the deposition system, which consists of a syringe, a plunger, …


Freeform Extrusion Of High Solids Loading Ceramic Slurries, Part Ii: Extrusion Process Control, Michael S. Mason, Tieshu Huang, Robert G. Landers, Ming-Chuan Leu, Greg Hilmas Aug 2006

Freeform Extrusion Of High Solids Loading Ceramic Slurries, Part Ii: Extrusion Process Control, Michael S. Mason, Tieshu Huang, Robert G. Landers, Ming-Chuan Leu, Greg Hilmas

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Part I of this paper provided a detailed description of a novel fabrication machine for high solids loading ceramic slurry extrusion processes and presented an empirical model of the ceramic extrusion process, viewing ram velocity as the input and extrusion force as the output. A constant extrusion force is desirable as it correlates with a constant material deposition rate and, thus, good part quality. The experimental results used to construct the model demonstrated that a constant ram velocity will not necessarily produce a constant extrusion force. In some instances the extrusion force increased until ram motor skipping occurred, and process …


Freeze-Spray Processing Of Layered Ceramic Composites, Qiang Fu, Oratai Jongprateep, Ashlee Abbott, Fatih Dogan Aug 2006

Freeze-Spray Processing Of Layered Ceramic Composites, Qiang Fu, Oratai Jongprateep, Ashlee Abbott, Fatih Dogan

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Thermal gradients and associated stresses are critical in designing with ceramic composites having low thermal conductivity. In order to reduce the stresses from thermal gradients, compositional gradients are employed in designing of composite structures. This study addresses development of freeze-spray process to fabricate layered ceramic structures with controlled layer thickness and microstructural development. The composites were processed by spraying of ceramic slurries with low binder content and relatively high solids loadings (up to 40 vol%) on a cooled substrate. The frozen parts were freeze-dried and sintered at elevated temperatures. The relationship between microstructural development and thermal expansion behavior of Al …


Attribute-Level Neighbor Hierarchy Construction Using Evolved Pattern-Based Knowledge Induction, Thanit Puthpongsiriporn, J. David Porter, Bopaya Bidanda, Ming En Wang, Richard E. Billo Jul 2006

Attribute-Level Neighbor Hierarchy Construction Using Evolved Pattern-Based Knowledge Induction, Thanit Puthpongsiriporn, J. David Porter, Bopaya Bidanda, Ming En Wang, Richard E. Billo

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Neighbor knowledge construction is the foundation for the development of cooperative query answering systems capable of searching for close match or approximate answers when exact match answers are not available. This paper presents a technique for developing neighbor hierarchies at the attribute level. The proposed technique is called the evolved Pattern-based Knowledge Induction (ePKI) technique and allows construction of neighbor hierarchies for nonunique attributes based upon confidences, popularities, and clustering correlations of inferential relationships among attribute values. The technique is applicable for both categorical and numerical (discrete and continuous) attribute values. Attribute value neighbor hierarchies generated by the ePKI technique …


2nd Annual Undergraduate Research Conference Abstract Book, University Of Missouri--Rolla Apr 2006

2nd Annual Undergraduate Research Conference Abstract Book, University Of Missouri--Rolla

Undergraduate Research Conference at Missouri S&T

No abstract provided.


Regulation Of Powder Mass Flow Rate In Gravity-Fed Powder Feeder Systems, Vishnu Thayalan, Robert G. Landers Jan 2006

Regulation Of Powder Mass Flow Rate In Gravity-Fed Powder Feeder Systems, Vishnu Thayalan, Robert G. Landers

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Precise regulation of powder mass flow in laser-based manufacturing processes is critical to achieving excellent part dimensional and microstructure quality. Control of powder mass flow is challenging because low flow rates, where nonlinear effects are significant, are typically required. Also, gravity-fed powder feeder systems have significant material transport delays, making the control of powder mass flow even more challenging. This paper presents a control strategy for regulating the powder mass flow rate in a gravity-fed powder feeder system. A dynamic model of the powder feeder system, including material transport delay, is constructed, and a modified proportional plus integral (PI) controller …


Dynamic Re-Optimization Of A Spacecraft Attitude Controller In The Presence Of Uncertainties, Nishant Unnikrishnan, S. N. Balakrishnan, Radhakant Padhi Jan 2006

Dynamic Re-Optimization Of A Spacecraft Attitude Controller In The Presence Of Uncertainties, Nishant Unnikrishnan, S. N. Balakrishnan, Radhakant Padhi

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Online trained neural networks have become popular in recent years in the design of robust and adaptive controllers for dynamic systems with uncertainties due to their universal function approximation capabilities. This paper discusses a technique that dynamically reoptimizes a Single Network Adaptive Critic (SNAC) based optimal controller in the presence of unmodeled plant uncertainties. The SNAC based optimal controller designed for the nominal plant model no more retains optimality in the presence of uncertainties/unmodeled dynamics that may creep up in the system equations during operation. This calls for a strategy to re-optimize the existing SNAC controller with respect to the …


An Internet Based Intelligent Argumentation System For Collaborative Engineering Design, Xiaoqing Frank Liu, Samir Raorane, Man Zheng, Ming-Chuan Leu Jan 2006

An Internet Based Intelligent Argumentation System For Collaborative Engineering Design, Xiaoqing Frank Liu, Samir Raorane, Man Zheng, Ming-Chuan Leu

Computer Science Faculty Research & Creative Works

Modern product design is a very complicated process which involves groups of designers, manufacturers, suppliers, and customer representatives. Conflicts are unavoidable in collaboration among multiple stakeholders, who have different objectives, requirements, and priorities. Unfortunately, current web-based collaborative engineering design systems do not support collaborative conflict resolution. In this paper, we will develop an intelligent computational argumentation model to enable management of a large scale argumentation network, and resolution of conflicts based on argumentation from many participants. A web-based intelligent argumentation tool is developed as a part of a web-based collaborative engineering design system based on the above model to resolve …


Comparison Of Combustion Sources And Measurement Techniques For Particulates Emitted From Engines And A Power Plant, Matthew F. Chandler Jan 2006

Comparison Of Combustion Sources And Measurement Techniques For Particulates Emitted From Engines And A Power Plant, Matthew F. Chandler

Masters Theses

"Sub-micron particulates emitted from various combustion sources have serious negative impacts on human health and the environment. It is essential to accurately characterize the physical properties of these particulates including size, shape, structure, and chemical composition in order to monitor, regulate, and model the various transport, toxic, optical, chemical, and deposition properties which dictate their harmful effects. This study consists of two related investigations involving the application of diagnostics methods to characterization and comparison of combustion generated particulate emissions from various sources. The first investigation includes the measurement of particulates emitted from a compression-ignition (diesel) engine using two independent measurement …


A Non-Intrusive Polynomial Chaos Method For Uncertainty Propagation In Cfd Simulations, Serhat Hosder, R. Perez, Robert W. Walters Jan 2006

A Non-Intrusive Polynomial Chaos Method For Uncertainty Propagation In Cfd Simulations, Serhat Hosder, R. Perez, Robert W. Walters

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

An inexpensive non-intrusive polynomial chaos (NIPC) method for the propagation of input uncertainty in CFD simulations is presented. The method is straightforward to implement for any stochastic fluid dynamics problem and computationally less expensive than sampling or quadrature based non-intrusive methods. To validate the present NIPC approach, the method has been applied to: (1) an inviscid oblique shock wave problem with geometric uncertainty, (2) an inviscid expansion wave problem with geometric uncertainty, and (3) a subsonic, two-dimensional, laminar boundary layer flow over a flat plate with an uncertain free-stream dynamic viscosity. For all test cases, the statistics (mean and the …


Analysis Of Damage In Laminated Automotive Glazing Subjected To Simulated Head Impact, Shuangmei Zhao, Li Chai, S. D. Barbat, Lokeswarappa R. Dharani Jan 2006

Analysis Of Damage In Laminated Automotive Glazing Subjected To Simulated Head Impact, Shuangmei Zhao, Li Chai, S. D. Barbat, Lokeswarappa R. Dharani

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

During vehicle accidents, occupant's head impacting on windshield or side window is commonly observed. Any attempt to design glazing that minimizes injury to and death of occupants during a vehicle accident requires a thorough understanding of the mechanical behavior of automotive glazing subjected to head impact loads. A continuum damage mechanics (CDM) based constitutive model is developed and implemented into an axisymmetric finite element model to study the failure and impact resistance of laminated automotive glazing subjected to simulated head impact. An anisotropic elastic damage tensor with a linear damage evolution law is chosen to model the failure of the …


Nonlinear Control Concepts For A Ua, Vijayakumar Janardhan, Derek Schmitz, S. N. Balakrishnan Jan 2006

Nonlinear Control Concepts For A Ua, Vijayakumar Janardhan, Derek Schmitz, S. N. Balakrishnan

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A reconfigurable flight control method is developed to be implemented on an Unmanned Aircraft (UA), a thirty percent scale model of the Cessna 150. This paper presents the details of the UA platform, system identification, reconfigurable controller design, development, and implementation on the UA to analyze the performance metrics. A Crossbow Inertial Measurement Unit provides the roll, pitch, and yaw accelerations and rates along with the roll and pitch. The 100-400 mini-air data boom from SpaceAge Control provides the airspeed, altitude, angle of attack, and the side slip angles. System identification is accomplished by commanding preprogrammed inputs to the control …


Robust/Optimal Temperature Profile Control Using Neural Networks, Vivek Yadav, Radhakant Padhi, S. N. Balakrishnan Jan 2006

Robust/Optimal Temperature Profile Control Using Neural Networks, Vivek Yadav, Radhakant Padhi, S. N. Balakrishnan

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

An approximate dynamic programming (ADP) based neurocontroller is developed for a heat transfer application. Heat transfer problem for a fin in a car''s electronic module is modeled as a nonlinear distributed parameter (infinite-dimensional) system by taking into account heat loss and generation due to conduction, convection and radiation. A low-order, finite-dimensional lumped parameter model for this problem is obtained by using Galerkin projection and basis functions designed through the `Proper Orthogonal Decomposition'' technique (POD) and the `snap-shot'' solutions. A suboptimal neurocontroller is obtained with a single-network-adaptivecritic (SNAC). Further contribution of this paper is to develop an online robust controller to …


Creating Cross-Over Vehicles: Defining And Combining Vehicle Classes Using Shape Grammars, Seth D. Orsborn, R. Pawlicki, R. Smith, Jonathan Cagan Jan 2006

Creating Cross-Over Vehicles: Defining And Combining Vehicle Classes Using Shape Grammars, Seth D. Orsborn, R. Pawlicki, R. Smith, Jonathan Cagan

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

In the push for new vehicle designs, the distinctions between vehicle classes are quickly becoming blurred. We use shape grammars to quantify the differences between vehicle classes through the application of class-specific rules and the constraint of rule applications to within parametric ranges determined for each class. This allows for the development of new vehicle forms that clearly fall within a class or purposefully cross over the boundaries of classes and mix rules and ranges to create unique and interesting cross-over vehicles.


Effects Of Current On Droplet Generation And Arc Plasma In Gas Metal Arc Welding, J. Hu, Hai-Lung Tsai Jan 2006

Effects Of Current On Droplet Generation And Arc Plasma In Gas Metal Arc Welding, J. Hu, Hai-Lung Tsai

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

In gas metal arc welding (GMAW), a technology using pulsed currents has been employed to achieve the one-droplet-per-pulse (ODPP) metal transfer mode with the advantages of low average currents, a stable and controllable droplet generation, and reduced spatter. In this paper, a comprehensive model was developed to study the effects of different current profiles on the droplet formation, plasma generation, metal transfer, and weld pool dynamics in GMAW. Five types of welding currents were studied, including two constant currents and three wave form currents. In each type, the transient temperature and velocity distributions of the arc plasma and the molten …


Neural Network Approach For Obstacle Avoidance In 3-D Environments For Uavs, Vivek Yadav, Xiaohua Wang, S. N. Balakrishnan Jan 2006

Neural Network Approach For Obstacle Avoidance In 3-D Environments For Uavs, Vivek Yadav, Xiaohua Wang, S. N. Balakrishnan

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

In this paper a controller design is proposed to get obstacle free trajectories in a three dimensional urban environment for unmanned air vehicles (UAVs). The controller has a two-layer architecture. In the upper layer, vision-inspired Grossberg neural network is proposed to get the shortest distance paths. In the bottom layer, a model predictive control (MPC) based controller is used to obtain dynamically feasible trajectories. Simulation results are presented for to demonstrate the potential of the approach.


Plasma Modeling For Ultrashort Laser Ablation Of Dielectrics, Lan Jiang, Hai-Lung Tsai Jan 2006

Plasma Modeling For Ultrashort Laser Ablation Of Dielectrics, Lan Jiang, Hai-Lung Tsai

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

In ultrashort pulse (<10 ps) laser ablation of dielectrics, affected materials are first transformed into absorbing plasma with metallic properties and, then, the subsequent laser-plasma interaction causes material removals. For ultrashort-pulse laser ablation of dielectrics, this study proposes a model using the Fokker-Planck equation for electron density distribution, a plasma model for the optical properties of ionized dielectrics, and quantum treatments for electron heating and relaxation time. The free electron density distribution of the plasma within the pulse duration is then used to determine the ablation crater shape. The predicted threshold fluences and ablation depths for barium aluminum borosilicate and fused silica are in agreement with published experimental data. It is found that the significantly varying optical properties in time and space are the key factors determining the ablation crater shape. The effects of fluence and pulse duration are also studied.


Statistically Steady Measurements Of Rayleigh-Taylor Mixing In A Gas Channel, Malcolm J. Andrews, Arindam Banerjee Jan 2006

Statistically Steady Measurements Of Rayleigh-Taylor Mixing In A Gas Channel, Malcolm J. Andrews, Arindam Banerjee

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A novel gas channel experiment is described to study the development of high Atwood number Rayleigh-Taylor mixing. Two gas streams, one containing air and the other containing a helium-air mixture, flow parallel to each other separated by a thin splitter plate. The streams meet at the end of a splitter plate leading to the formation of an unstable interface and of buoyancy driven mixing. This buoyancy driven mixing experiment allows for long data collection times, has short transients, and is statistically steady. The facility was designed to be capable of large Atwood number studies (At~0.75). We describe initial validation work …