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Aerospace Engineering Commons

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2002

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Articles 1 - 25 of 25

Full-Text Articles in Aerospace Engineering

Implementation Of Gy-Eq For Deterministic Effects Limitation In Shield Design, John W. Wilson, Myung-Hee Y. Kim, Giovanni De Angelis, Francis A. Cucinotta, Nobuaki Yoshizawa, Francis F. Badavi Dec 2002

Implementation Of Gy-Eq For Deterministic Effects Limitation In Shield Design, John W. Wilson, Myung-Hee Y. Kim, Giovanni De Angelis, Francis A. Cucinotta, Nobuaki Yoshizawa, Francis F. Badavi

Mathematics & Statistics Faculty Publications

The NCRP has recently defined RBE values and a new quantity (Gy-Eq) for use in estimation of deterministic effects in space shielding and operations. The NCRP's RBE for neutrons is left ambiguous and not fully defined. In the present report we will suggest a complete definition of neutron RBE consistent with the NCRP recommendations and evaluate attenuation properties of deterministic effects (Gy-Eq) in comparison with other dosimetric quantities.


Lunar Lava Tube Radiation Safety Analysis, Giovanni De Angelis, J. W. Wilson, M. S. Clowdsley, J. E. Nealy, D. H. Humes, J. M. Clem Dec 2002

Lunar Lava Tube Radiation Safety Analysis, Giovanni De Angelis, J. W. Wilson, M. S. Clowdsley, J. E. Nealy, D. H. Humes, J. M. Clem

Mathematics & Statistics Faculty Publications

For many years it has been suggested that lava tubes on the Moon could provide an ideal location for a manned lunar base, by providing shelter from various natural hazards, such as cosmic radiation, meteorites, micrometeoroids, and impact crater ejecta, and also providing a natural environmental control, with a nearly constant temperature, unlike that of the lunar surface showing extreme variation in its diurnal cycle. An analysis of radiation safety issues on lunar lava tubes has been performed by considering radiation from galactic cosmic rays (GCR) and Solar Particle Events (SPE) interacting with the lunar surface, modeled as a regolith …


Photoreflectance Spectroscopy Of Strained (In)Gaasn/Gaas Multiple Quantum Wells, J. B. Heroux, Xiaodong Yang, W. I. Wang Oct 2002

Photoreflectance Spectroscopy Of Strained (In)Gaasn/Gaas Multiple Quantum Wells, J. B. Heroux, Xiaodong Yang, W. I. Wang

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The effect of a variation of the indium and nitrogen concentrations in Inᵪ Ga1-x As1-y Ny /GaAs multiquantum wells grown by molecular beam epitaxy is studied systematically by room temperature photoreflectance spectroscopy. The band gap redshift caused by a nitrogen fraction of 1.5% decreases by as much as 30% as the indium fraction increases from 0% to 20%. A moderate increase of electron effective mass (Δmₑ ~ 0.03m₀) is found in all samples containing nitrogen (y ≳ 1%). In compressively strained quantum wells, the energy separation between the first confined heavy and light hole energy levels decreases …


Flightlines, Vol. 10, No. 1, Jeffrey A. Johnson Oct 2002

Flightlines, Vol. 10, No. 1, Jeffrey A. Johnson

Flightlines Newsletter

No abstract provided.


An Intelligent System For Monitoring The Microgravity Environment Quality On-Board The International Space Station, Paul P. Lin, Kenol Jules Oct 2002

An Intelligent System For Monitoring The Microgravity Environment Quality On-Board The International Space Station, Paul P. Lin, Kenol Jules

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

An intelligent system for monitoring the microgravity environment quality on-board the International Space Station is presented. The monitoring system uses a new approach combining Kohonen's self-organizing feature map, learning vector quantization, and a back propagation neural network to recognize and classify the known and unknown patterns. Finally, fuzzy logic is used to assess the level of confidence associated with each vibrating source activation detected by the system.


Sum Normal Optimization Of Fuzzy Membership Functions, Daniel J. Simon Aug 2002

Sum Normal Optimization Of Fuzzy Membership Functions, Daniel J. Simon

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

Given a fuzzy logic system, how can we determine the membership functions that will result in the best performance? If we constrain the membership functions to a certain shape (e.g., triangles or trapezoids) then each membership function can be parameterized by a small number of variables and the membership optimization problem can be reduced to a parameter optimization problem. This is the approach that is typically taken, but it results in membership functions that are not (in general) sum normal. That is, the resulting membership function values do not add up to one at each point in the domain. This …


A Method For Thermodynamic Work Potential Analysis Of Aircraft Engines, Robert Mcdonald Jul 2002

A Method For Thermodynamic Work Potential Analysis Of Aircraft Engines, Robert Mcdonald

Aerospace Engineering

The objective of this paper is to provide a tool to facilitate the application of thermodynamic work potential methods to aircraft and engine analysis. This starts with a discussion of the theoretical background underlying these methods, which is then used to derive various equations useful for thermodynamic analysis of aircraft engines. The work potential analysis method is implemented in the form of a set of working charts and tables than can be used to graphically evaluate work potential stored in high-enthalpy gas. The range of validity for these charts is 300 to 36,000 °R, pressures between 0.01 and 100 atm, …


Propagation Of Detonation Waves In Tubes Split From A Pde Thrust Tube, August J. Rolling, Paul I. King, Fred R. Schauer Jul 2002

Propagation Of Detonation Waves In Tubes Split From A Pde Thrust Tube, August J. Rolling, Paul I. King, Fred R. Schauer

Faculty Publications

A Pulse Detonation Engine (PDE) combusts a fuel air mixture through detonation. Existing designs require spark plugs in each separate thrust tube to ignite premixed reactants. A single thrust tube could require the spark plug to fire hundreds of times per second for long durations. This paper reports on the use of a continuously propagating detonation wave as both a thrust producer and a single ignition source for a multi-tube system. The goal was to minimize ignition complexity and increase reliability by limiting the number of ignition sources. The work includes a systematic investigation of single tube geometric effects on …


Description Of New Inflatable/Rigidizable Hexapod Structure Testbed For Shape And Vibration Control, Olawale Adetona, Lee Keel, Lucas Horta, Dave Cadogan, George Sapna, Steve Scarborough Apr 2002

Description Of New Inflatable/Rigidizable Hexapod Structure Testbed For Shape And Vibration Control, Olawale Adetona, Lee Keel, Lucas Horta, Dave Cadogan, George Sapna, Steve Scarborough

Information Systems and Engineering Management Research Publications

Larger and more powerful space based instruments are needed to meet increasingly sophisticated scientific demand. To support this need, concepts for telescopes with apertures of 100 meters are being investigated, but the required technologies are not in hand today. Due to the capacity limits of launch vehicles, the idea of deploying, erecting, or inflating large structures in space is being considered. Recently, rigidization concepts of large inflatable structures have demonstrated the capability of weight reductions of up to 50% from current concepts with packaging efficiencies near 80%. One of the important aspects of inflatable structures is vibration mitigation and line-of-sight …


Analytical Derivation Of A Coupled-Circuit Model Of A Claw-Pole Alternator With Concentrated Stator Windings, Hua Bai, Steven Pekarek, Jerry L. Tichenor, Walter Eversman, Duane J. Buening, Gregory R. Holbrook, Michael L. Hull, Ronald J. Krefta, Steven J. Shields Mar 2002

Analytical Derivation Of A Coupled-Circuit Model Of A Claw-Pole Alternator With Concentrated Stator Windings, Hua Bai, Steven Pekarek, Jerry L. Tichenor, Walter Eversman, Duane J. Buening, Gregory R. Holbrook, Michael L. Hull, Ronald J. Krefta, Steven J. Shields

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A lumped-parameter coupled-circuit model of a claw-pole alternator is derived. To derive the model, analytical techniques are used to define a three-dimensional (3-D) Fourier-series representation of the airgap flux density. Included in the series expansion are the harmonics introduced by rotor saliency, concentrated stator windings, and stator slots. From the airgap flux density waveform, relatively simple closed-form expressions for the stator and rotor self- and mutual-inductances are obtained. The coupled-circuit model is implemented in the simulation of an alternator/rectifier system using a commercial state-model-based circuit analysis program. Comparisons with experimental results demonstrate the accuracy of the model in predicting both …


Computing Small-Fleet Aircraft Availabilities Including Redundancy And Spares, Jeffery K. Cochran, Theodore P. Lewis Jan 2002

Computing Small-Fleet Aircraft Availabilities Including Redundancy And Spares, Jeffery K. Cochran, Theodore P. Lewis

U.S. Air Force Research

Logistics support is a key element of aircraft transportation systems. This paper is concerned with the impact of aircraft spares provisioning decisions on the availability of aircraft. Spares provisioning in this context is complicated by the fact that spares may be shared across aircraft and that aircraft may have redundant systems. In addition, decisions concerning aircraft spares support require a rapid response for safety reasons. Analytical models have proven to provide a quicker response time than corresponding simulation models. There is an existing analytical model that includes the effect of redundancy and spares, but the underlying assumption is that a …


Victim, Perpetrator, Family, And Incident Characteristics Of Infant And Child Homicide In The United States Air Force, Don R. Lucas, Kelley C. Wezner, Joel S. Milner, Thomas R. Mccanne, I. Nell Harris, Carla Monroe-Posey, John P. Nelson Jan 2002

Victim, Perpetrator, Family, And Incident Characteristics Of Infant And Child Homicide In The United States Air Force, Don R. Lucas, Kelley C. Wezner, Joel S. Milner, Thomas R. Mccanne, I. Nell Harris, Carla Monroe-Posey, John P. Nelson

U.S. Air Force Research

Objective: The present study describes factors related to fatal abuse in three age groups in the United States Air Force (USAF).

Method: Records from 32 substantiated cases of fatal child abuse in the USAF were independently reviewed for 60 predefined factors.

Results: Males were over-represented in young child victims (between 1 year and 4 years of age) and child victims (between 4 years and 15 years of age) but not in infant victims (between 24 hours and 1 year of age). African-American infant victims and perpetrators were over-represented. Younger victims were more likely to have been previously …


Atmospheric Turbulence Conditions Leading To Focused And Folded Sonic Boom Wave Fronts, Andrew A. Piacsek Jan 2002

Atmospheric Turbulence Conditions Leading To Focused And Folded Sonic Boom Wave Fronts, Andrew A. Piacsek

All Faculty Scholarship for the College of the Sciences

The propagation and subsequent distortion of sonic booms with rippled wave fronts are investigated theoretically using a nonlinear time-domain finite-difference scheme. This work seeks to validate the rippled wave front approach as a method for explaining the significant effects of turbulence on sonic booms [A. S. Pierce and D. J. Maglieri, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 51, 702–721 (1971)]. A very simple description of turbulence is employed in which velocity perturbations within a shallow layer of the atmosphere form strings of vortices characterized by their size and speed. Passage of a steady-state plane shock front through such a vortex layer …


Neil Armstrong, Monish Ranjan Chatterjee Jan 2002

Neil Armstrong, Monish Ranjan Chatterjee

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

In addition to his outstanding and pioneering contributions to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) crewed spaceflight program, Armstrong served with distinction as a professor of aerospace engineering, chairman and director of several corporations, and member of presidential commissions.


Flightlines, Vol. 9, No. 2, Jeffrey A. Johnson Jan 2002

Flightlines, Vol. 9, No. 2, Jeffrey A. Johnson

Flightlines Newsletter

No abstract provided.


A New Method For Suboptimal Control Of A Class Of Nonlinear Systems, Ming Xin, S. N. Balakrishnan Jan 2002

A New Method For Suboptimal Control Of A Class Of Nonlinear Systems, Ming Xin, S. N. Balakrishnan

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

In this paper, a new nonlinear control synthesis technique (θ - D approximation) is presented. This approach achieves suboptimal solutions to nonlinear optimal control problems in the sense that it solves the Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman (HJB) equation approximately by adding perturbations to the cost function. By manipulating the perturbation terms both semi-globally asymptotic stability and suboptimality properties can be obtained. The convergence and stability proofs are given. This method overcomes the large control for large initial states problem that occurs in some other Taylor expansion based methods. It does not need time-consuming online computations like the state dependent Riccati equation (SDRE) technique. …


A New Filtering Technique For A Class Of Nonlinear Systems, Ming Xin, S. N. Balakrishnan Jan 2002

A New Filtering Technique For A Class Of Nonlinear Systems, Ming Xin, S. N. Balakrishnan

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

In this paper, a new nonlinear filtering technique (θ-D filter) is presented. This filter is derived by constructing the dual of a new nonlinear regulator control technique, θ-D approximation which involves approximate solution to the Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman equation. The structure of this filter is similar to the state dependent riccati equation filter (SDREF). However, this method does not need time-consuming online computation of the algebraic Riccati equation at each sample time compared with the SDREF. By manipulating the perturbation terms both the asymptotic stability and optimality properties can be obtained. A simple pendulum problem is investigated to demonstrate the effectiveness of …


State-Constrained Agile Missile Control With Adaptive-Critic-Based Neural Networks, Dongchen Han, S. N. Balakrishnan Jan 2002

State-Constrained Agile Missile Control With Adaptive-Critic-Based Neural Networks, Dongchen Han, S. N. Balakrishnan

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

In this study, we develop an adaptive-critic-based controller to steer an agile missile that has a constraint on the minimum flight Mach number from various initial Mach numbers to a given final Mach number in minimum time while completely reversing its flightpath angle. This class of bounded state space, free final time problems is very difficult to solve due to discontinuities in costates at the constraint boundaries. We use a two-neural-network structure called "adaptive critic" in this study to carry out the optimization process. This structure obtains an optimal controller through solving optimal control-related equations resulting from a Hamiltonian formulation. …


Proper Orthogonal Decomposition Based Feedback Optimal Control Synthesis Of Distributed Parameter Systems Using Neural Networks, Radhakant Padhi, S. N. Balakrishnan Jan 2002

Proper Orthogonal Decomposition Based Feedback Optimal Control Synthesis Of Distributed Parameter Systems Using Neural Networks, Radhakant Padhi, S. N. Balakrishnan

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A new method for optimal control design of distributed parameter systems is presented in this paper. The concept of proper orthogonal decomposition is used for the model reduction of distributed parameter systems to form a reduced order lumped parameter problem. The optimal control problem is then solved in the time domain, in a state feedback sense, following the philosophy of ''adaptive critic'' neural networks. The control solution is then mapped back to the spatial domain using the same basis functions. Numerical simulation results are presented for a linear and nonlinear one-dimensional heat equation problem in an infinite time regulator framework.


Forensic Investigation Of Failed Mast Arms Of Traffic Signal Supported Structures, Genda Chen, Michael G. Barker, D. Scott Mackenzie, Christopher W. Ramsay, Joe Alderson, Lokeswarappa R. Dharani, Jiaqing Yu Jan 2002

Forensic Investigation Of Failed Mast Arms Of Traffic Signal Supported Structures, Genda Chen, Michael G. Barker, D. Scott Mackenzie, Christopher W. Ramsay, Joe Alderson, Lokeswarappa R. Dharani, Jiaqing Yu

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

In Missouri, 11 traffic signal mast arms fractured at the arm-post weld connection in 7 years. To reduce this fatigue failure, the Missouri Department of Transportation developed a fatigue-resistant weld profile that increases the weld leg and reduces the slope of the weld at the toe. This study investigated causes of the failed arms, compared performance of new and old weld profiles, and suggested retrofitting measures for further investigation. The scope included a metallurgical investigation of one failed field mast arm, laboratory fatigue testing of five prototype mast arms (two new and three old profiles), and laboratory failure analysis of …


The Wright Stuff: A Redesign Of The 1905 Wright Flyer, Adam Richards, Ben Case, Eric Peterson, Nathan Holman, Wayne Goodrich, Amy Hintze, Carson Esplin, David Christensen, Jonathan Holfeltz, Nick Filimoehala, Nicholas Alley Jan 2002

The Wright Stuff: A Redesign Of The 1905 Wright Flyer, Adam Richards, Ben Case, Eric Peterson, Nathan Holman, Wayne Goodrich, Amy Hintze, Carson Esplin, David Christensen, Jonathan Holfeltz, Nick Filimoehala, Nicholas Alley

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.


Experimental Implementation Of Adaptive-Critic Based Infinite Time Optimal Neurocontrol For A Heat Diffusion System, Prashant Prabhat, S. N. Balakrishnan, Dwight C. Look Jan 2002

Experimental Implementation Of Adaptive-Critic Based Infinite Time Optimal Neurocontrol For A Heat Diffusion System, Prashant Prabhat, S. N. Balakrishnan, Dwight C. Look

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Recently the synthesis methodology for the infinite time optimal neuro-controllers for PDE systems in the framework of adaptive-critic design has been developed. In this paper, first we model an experimental setup representing one dimensional heat diffusion problems. Then we synthesize and implement an adaptive-critic based neuro-controller for online temperature profile control of the experimental setup.


Advances In Space Radiation Shielding Codes, John W. Wilson, Ram K. Tripathi, Garry D. Qualls, Francis A. Cucinotta, Richard E. Prael, John W. Norbury, John H. Heinbockel, John Tweed, Giovanni De Angelis Jan 2002

Advances In Space Radiation Shielding Codes, John W. Wilson, Ram K. Tripathi, Garry D. Qualls, Francis A. Cucinotta, Richard E. Prael, John W. Norbury, John H. Heinbockel, John Tweed, Giovanni De Angelis

Mathematics & Statistics Faculty Publications

Early space radiation shield code development relied on Monte Carlo methods and made important contributions to the space program. Monte Carlo methods have resorted to restricted one-dimensional problems leading to imperfect representation of appropriate boundary conditions. Even so, intensive computational requirements resulted and shield evaluation was made near the end of the design process. Resolving shielding issues usually had a negative impact on the design. Improved spacecraft shield design requires early entry of radiation constraints into the design process to maximize performance and minimize costs. As a result, we have been investigating high-speed computational procedures to allow shield analysis from …


Adaptive Critic-Based Neural Network Controller For Uncertain Nonlinear Systems With Unknown Deadzones, Pingan He, Jagannathan Sarangapani, S. N. Balakrishnan Jan 2002

Adaptive Critic-Based Neural Network Controller For Uncertain Nonlinear Systems With Unknown Deadzones, Pingan He, Jagannathan Sarangapani, S. N. Balakrishnan

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A multilayer neural network (NN) controller in discrete-time is designed to deliver a desired tracking performance for a class of nonlinear systems with input deadzones. This multilayer NN controller has an adaptive critic NN architecture with two NNs for compensating the deadzone nonlinearity and a third NN for approximating the dynamics of the nonlinear system. A reinforcement learning scheme in discrete-time is proposed for the adaptive critic NN deadzone compensator, where the learning is performed based on a certain performance measure, which is supplied from a critic. The adaptive generating NN rejects the errors induced by the deadzone whereas a …


Effect Of Polymer-Surface Mobility On Adhesion In Poly(Methyl Methacrylate)-Tape System, Bhavesh C. Gandhi, Frank D. Blum, Lokeswarappa R. Dharani Jan 2002

Effect Of Polymer-Surface Mobility On Adhesion In Poly(Methyl Methacrylate)-Tape System, Bhavesh C. Gandhi, Frank D. Blum, Lokeswarappa R. Dharani

Chemistry Faculty Research & Creative Works

The interaction between two polymer layers, especially adhesion between them, plays an important role in polymer processing and other applications. Detailed knowledge of the molecular structure and dynamics of polymer interfaces, and how they relate to macroscopic mechanical properties, should help designers construct more functional systems. Unfortunately, there have been few studies where both molecular and macroscopic studies have been performed on similar systems. In previous studies from our group, we have probed the dynamics of poly(methyl acrylate) (PMA) and thermal behavior of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) on silica. These studies helped us paint a picture for strongly bound molecules on …