University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Santa Clara University
The University of Akron
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Kansas State University
Computational Analysis Of Steady Hypersonic Flow Fields Of Nasa Benchmark Geometries Utilizing Ansys Fluent,
2023
Washington University in St. Louis
Computational Analysis Of Steady Hypersonic Flow Fields Of Nasa Benchmark Geometries Utilizing Ansys Fluent, Aidan Murphy
McKelvey School of Engineering Theses & Dissertations
The Hypersonic International Flight Research Experimentation (HIFiRE) program explores and advances hypersonic aerospace systems by developing a multitude of test flight geometries and conducting experimental test flights to obtain data for use in validation of computational models and results. This study focuses on computational validation of heat flux, and calculation of static pressure profiles, skin friction coefficient profiles, and flow contours. The flow fields studied are for Mach number 7.18 and angles of attack (α) of 0° & 2°. These flow fields include many compressible flow features such as an expansion wave at the intersection of the cone and flat …
Online Estimation Of Unknown Parameters For Flexible Spacecraft,
2023
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Online Estimation Of Unknown Parameters For Flexible Spacecraft, Nicolo Woodward
Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses
Attitude controls methods of highly flexible spacecraft have seen increased interest over the last decades thanks to the technological development of flexible solar panels and deploy-ables, which improves the capabilities of small satellites. However, a high-fidelity model of the flexible mode dynamics is hard to obtain in on-ground testing because not all modes of frequencies can be observed, complicating the controller design. Furthermore, plastic deformations due to long periods of storage of stowed flexible components could result in exciting frequencies outside of the designed controller’s bandwidth, leading to an uncontrollable system. This thesis proposes a method to develop a high-fidelity …
Sensor Module Network For Monitoring Trace Gases In The International Space Station,
2023
Northern Illinois University
Sensor Module Network For Monitoring Trace Gases In The International Space Station, Aaron Beck, Drake Provost, Christopher English, Kamrin Gustave
Honors Capstones
The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) aims to develop a sensor network for the International Space Station (ISS) to ensure a comprehensive understanding of air quality within the station. The accumulation of carbon dioxide (CO2) can lead to cognitive impairment, headaches, and potentially dangerous situations at high concentrations. Monitoring air content at the ISS is critical to maintaining a healthy environment for crew onboard. Exposure to harmful gases causes negative side effects that make crew sick, which may interfere with their responsibilities. CO2 is a gas that should be monitored …
Low-Erosion Nozzle Materials For Long-Duration Hybrid Rocket Burns,
2023
Utah State University
Low-Erosion Nozzle Materials For Long-Duration Hybrid Rocket Burns, Russell S. Babb
All Graduate Theses and Dissertations
Hybrid rocket systems, which employ a solid fuel grain and a liquid oxidizer, are a low-cost and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional rocket systems. However, hybrid rockets suffer from an increased nozzle throat erosion rate, which impacts motor performance and reliability. To address this issue several materials and low-erosion nozzle configurations were tested. The results of the testing campaign produced a nozzle that reduce the throat erosion rate five-fold.
Augmented State Linear Covariance Applications For Nonlinear Missile Engagements,
2023
Utah State University
Augmented State Linear Covariance Applications For Nonlinear Missile Engagements, Jeffrey Scott Clawson
All Graduate Theses and Dissertations
Sustained actuator saturation is a common occurrence for missile engagements. The saturation nonlinearity creates some difficulty for high-fidelity linear analysis methods. This dissertation investigates three methods of modeling actuator saturation in an advanced linear analysis. The linear covariance tools from this dissertation run extremely fast and provide several advantages over other linear missile engagement analysis methods. First, a simulation is developed and validated for a target engagement scenario without actuator saturation. Next, saturations are introduced to the problem, along with the first analysis method: statistical linear covariance analysis. This method combines the augmented state linear covariance framework with the statistical …
High Efficiency Angles-Only Space-Based Approaches For Geosynchronous Orbit Catalog Maintenance With Sparse Information,
2023
Utah State University
High Efficiency Angles-Only Space-Based Approaches For Geosynchronous Orbit Catalog Maintenance With Sparse Information, Louis M. Tonc
All Graduate Theses and Dissertations
The thesis of this dissertation proposes a novel filter algorithm to improve tracking and catalog maintenance of uncooperative satellites and other Resident Space Objects (RSOs) in Geosynchronous Equatorial Orbit (GEO). Tracking can be supported by space-based tracking from observer satellites (OBSs). Practical limitations can lead to long time gaps between measurement updates when tracking RSOs from an OBS, which may induce a loss of fidelity or divergence of the estimation algorithm. The Extended Kalman filter (EKF) is commonly used for tracking RSOs but it diverges as a consequence of nonlinearity in the dynamics and nonlinearity in the optical measurements from …
Simulating Dielectric Barrier Plasma Actuators With Varying Geometries,
2023
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Simulating Dielectric Barrier Plasma Actuators With Varying Geometries, Cass Wiederkehr
Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses
The idea of Ionic Wind Propulsion has long been a topic of research for whether or not it can be used as a practical power source for flight. MIT researchers proved in 2018 that a plane with zero moving parts powered by Ionic Wind Propulsion was possible, and sustained flight could work with an internal power supply. However, due to the thin wire electrodes required to generate the ion cloud that made such propulsion possible, large amounts of drag rendered the plane extremely inefficient and impractical. Dielectric Barrier Discharge Devices (DBDs) are being investigated as to whether they can serve …
Multifunctional Additive Manufacturing And Multiphysics Numerical Investigations Of Carbon Fiber Structural Battery Composite Using A Drop-On-Demand Method With In-Situ Consolidation,
2023
Missouri University of Science and Technology
Multifunctional Additive Manufacturing And Multiphysics Numerical Investigations Of Carbon Fiber Structural Battery Composite Using A Drop-On-Demand Method With In-Situ Consolidation, Xiangyang Dong, Yuekun Chen
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works
Lightweight Carbon Fiber Structural Battery Composite Has Great Potential in Increasing Structural Energy Storage Efficiency for Multifunctional Applications. However, It is Still Challenging to Design Carbon Fiber Multifunctional Composite Due to Lack of Proper Manufacturing Methods. in This Study, an Integrated Multifunctional Design and Fabrication Approach is Developed by Combining a Drop-On-Demand Additive Manufacturing Method with a Multiphysics Numerical Model to Guide the Development of the New Multifunctional Composite. through Deposition with In-Situ Consolidation, the Function and Thickness of Each Carbon Fiber Layer as Well as its Fiber Volume Fraction Are Accurately Controlled. Decreasing Layer Thickness Improves Flexural Properties. the …
The Effect Of Biodiesel Blend Composition On Jet Aircraft Airframe Fuel System Components & Materials,
2023
Florida Institute of Technology
The Effect Of Biodiesel Blend Composition On Jet Aircraft Airframe Fuel System Components & Materials, Elise Aurora Medhus
Theses and Dissertations
In the aviation industry, biodiesel is a clean-burning alternative to petroleum-based jet fuel and has been shown to reduce particle emissions from aircraft engines. This thesis studies the impact of biodiesel on aircraft airframe fuel system components & materials with corrosion-resistant surface treatments. The goal is to identify areas for optimization to increase the use of higher blends in jet aircraft engines to further reduce emissions. The work performed involved testing the corrosion resistance of several aluminum samples, steel samples, and non-metallic materials in numerous biodiesel blends ranging from B05 to B100. The testing method used was the Assessment of …
Modeling Of Turbulent Flow In Pipe Systems With Compound Bends,
2023
Florida Institute of Technology
Modeling Of Turbulent Flow In Pipe Systems With Compound Bends, Stella Smithe
Theses and Dissertations
A practical CFD k-epsilon realizable model is applied to four pipe systems with various 90° bend configurations to examine velocity profile evolution and total pressure losses within the pipe systems. The pipe systems compared are a configuration with a single 90° L-bend, as well as three additional pipe configurations composed of dual 90° bends, all with total length x/D=16.7. The dual bend configurations studied are: a 180° turning U-bend, a 0° total turning S-bend, and a dual 90° out-of-plane, compound C-bend. The CFD model was benchmarked against experimental data from a straight pipe and a pipe configuration with a single …
A Study To Determine Performance Characteristics Of The Mississippi Cowling - Piper Archer Vs. Piper Warrior,
2023
Florida Institute of Technology
A Study To Determine Performance Characteristics Of The Mississippi Cowling - Piper Archer Vs. Piper Warrior, Zilvinas Visockas
Theses and Dissertations
Today, aviation is one of the most technologically advanced and innovative sectors in the world. With fast-depleting natural resources, increasing environmental pollution, and continuous growth in fuel cost, efficiency has become industry’s top priority. Engineers are making gradual improvements that offer overall increase in aircraft’s performance. Drag is critical factor in aviation as it directly impacts aircraft’s fuel efficiency, range, and speed. During the design phase, engineers invest significant effort and expense in attempting to minimize the drag profile by implementing aerodynamic shapes and constantly reducing component weights. One of the real-life examples of such engineering attempts is Piper Archer, …
Climb Performance Testing Of The Pa-28-180 Utilizing Saw-Tooth Method And Level Acceleration Method,
2023
Florida Institute of Technology
Climb Performance Testing Of The Pa-28-180 Utilizing Saw-Tooth Method And Level Acceleration Method, Paige Elizabeth Christensen
Theses and Dissertations
This thesis details the test methods, data reduction methods, and flight data analysis conducted in the climb performance evaluation of the PA-28-180 “Piper Arrow.” The main objective of this thesis was to quantitatively compare the climb performance requirements detailed in the former regulation, CAR 3.85a to the current regulation, 14 CFR 23.2120, utilizing Saw-Tooth steady climb method conducted at various airspeeds. The report also evaluates the Level Acceleration method at reciprocating headings, and qualitatively assesses the usefulness of testing multiple headings on a general aviation aircraft at multiple altitudes. The Saw-Tooth Climb and Level Acceleration flights were conducted on January …
Determining Performance Characteristics From The Mississippi Cowling - Piper Warrior Vs. Piper Archer,
2023
Florida Institute of Technology
Determining Performance Characteristics From The Mississippi Cowling - Piper Warrior Vs. Piper Archer, Soufiane Ait Yahia
Theses and Dissertations
Today, Piper is one of the most used aircraft in the general aviation sector. The history of Piper Aircraft has been the subject of numerous books and research projects with over 80 years of aviation industry leadership. For aviation fanatics, the Cherokee is synonymous with Piper Aircraft Corporation. The Piper PA-28 Cherokee is a family of two-seat or four-seat light aircraft built for air taxi, flight training, and personal use. The original Piper Cherokees PA-28- 150 and PA-28-160 received their type certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration back in 1960 and the series remains in production to this day. Multiple …
Accident Investigation On In-Flight Loss Of Control Due To Configuration Change On Piper Arrow,
2023
Florida Institute of Technology
Accident Investigation On In-Flight Loss Of Control Due To Configuration Change On Piper Arrow, Basilio Caruso
Theses and Dissertations
Between 2012 and 2021, NTSB has identified over 2200 accidents due to loss of control. The majority of which happened while flying in the pattern. The most challenging phase of a flight is the take-off and landing. During these phases, the pilot initiates a change of configuration of the airplane by lowering or retracting the flaps. Lowering the flaps slows down the plane and increases the lift of the wing but also changes the longitudinal free response of the aircraft. The pitch changes of the plane require the pilot to promptly compensate to keep straight and level flight and avoid …
Investigation Of Dynamic Hybrid Rans-Les Turbulence Modeling For Cfd Simulation Of A Normal Jet In Crossflow,
2023
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Investigation Of Dynamic Hybrid Rans-Les Turbulence Modeling For Cfd Simulation Of A Normal Jet In Crossflow, Cole Simmonds
Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses
The jet in crossflow is a canonical flow feature in many natural and engineered systems, ranging from pollutant dispersal in exhaust discharge to film cooling of high-temperature components in modern propulsion systems. The ability to computationally predict the flow features of jets in crossflow accurately and efficiently is therefore important for analysis and design for a wide variety of applications. In this study the capabilities of the dynamic hybrid RANS-LES (DHRL) turbulence modeling technique are investigated and compared to an industry standard Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes model (k-omega SST) in order to quantify the accuracy and computational cost of the two approaches. …
Aerodynamic Implications Of A Bio‐Inspired Rotating Empennage Design For Control Of A Fighter Aircraft,
2023
Utah State University
Aerodynamic Implications Of A Bio‐Inspired Rotating Empennage Design For Control Of A Fighter Aircraft, Christian R. Bolander
All Graduate Theses and Dissertations
This dissertation presents an analysis of the aerodynamics for an aircraft using a novel, bio-inspired control system. The control system is a rotating tail, that is inspired by the way in which birds use their tail to control their flight. An aerodynamic model for a baseline aircraft and a bio-inspired variant are created by referencing well-known relationships for the aerodynamics of flight, which are then used to analyze the available flight envelope at which each aircraft can reach two different equilibrium states. An analysis of the total aerodynamic control authority of each aircraft is also included along with a preliminary …
Flow Characterization Over Biomimetic Fish Scale Arrays,
2023
Western University
Flow Characterization Over Biomimetic Fish Scale Arrays, Isaac Nr Clapp Mr.
Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository
The contributions of drag to energy consumption in the transportation sector are significant and often unavoidable. Biomimetic surfaces are promising as passive drag reduction mechanisms. Among them, fish scale arrays are beneficial in the laminar and transitional flow regimes but lack fundamental understanding. This research addressed this need and investigated the underlying flow mechanisms over fish scale arrays. Experimental measurements revealed the presence of flow recirculation, streamwise velocity streaks, spanwise velocity fluctuations, and wall normal vorticity streaks, all of which play a role in the near wall flow behaviour. Numerical simulations revealed the superior friction drag reduction capabilities of the …
Solar Sailing Adaptive Control Using Integral Concurrent Learning For Solar Flux Estimation,
2023
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Solar Sailing Adaptive Control Using Integral Concurrent Learning For Solar Flux Estimation, Luis Mendoza Zambrano
Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses
In the interest of exploiting natural forces for propellant-less spacecraft missions, this thesis proposes an adaptive control strategy to account for unknown parameters in the dynamic modeling of a reflectivity-controlled solar sail spacecraft. A Lyapunov-based control law along with integral concurrent learning is suggested to accomplish and prove global exponential tracking of the estimated parameters and states of interest, without satisfying the common persistence of excitation condition, which in most nonlinear systems cannot be guaranteed a priori. This involves estimating the solar flux or irradiance from the Sun to account for uncertainty and variation over time in this value. To …
Superfly Amphibian,
2023
Kennesaw State University
Superfly Amphibian, Devonte Andrews, Ahmed Hamza, Kwesi Onumah, Eva Sanchez
Senior Design Project For Engineers
Following a Short Takeoff and Landing (STOL) mission profile, this seaplane is designed to carry 19 passengers and 1 flight crew with a range of 200 nautical miles. The seaplane is equipped with two turbo-prop engines and is economically comparable to current seaplanes in terms of servicing and operating expenses. The aircraft is capable of operating in remote locations with limited infrastructure due to its STOL abilities, allowing for increased access to difficult-to-reach areas. The seaplane's design incorporates modern materials and technologies to enhance efficiency, safety, and comfort for passengers and crew. The aircraft's versatility and cost-effectiveness make it an …
The Lagrange Logistics Method,
2023
University of North Dakota
The Lagrange Logistics Method, Jeffrey Rogers
Space Studies Student Publications
Human development into different environments has always required logistics support to sustain life, focusing this research on one method in supporting interplanetary missions beyond Earth. It explores utilizing stations in Lagrange orbital points within the solar system, analogous to transcontinental hubs for logistics operations in an emerging domain. The evaluation considers available Lagrange points, environmental considerations including available resources, flight distances and time in comparison to current interplanetary flight, potential risks, and possibilities beyond the immediate future to determine the practicability of this method. To determine this, a qualitative descriptive analysis method is employed. Data was collected through historical accounts, …
