Aerospace Engineering Commons^™

Aerodynamics And Vibrations Of A Helicopter Rotor Blade, Mohammad Khairul Habib Pulok

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

The nature of the aerodynamic environment surrounding a helicopter causes a significant amount of vibration to its whole body. Among different sources of vibrations, the aerodynamic loading on the main rotor blade is the major contributor. Therefore, analyzing a rotor blade's vibration characteristics and aerodynamic behavior becomes essential. The vortex characteristics and the wake surrounding a helicopter rotor blade play an important role because they affect the aerodynamic behavior of the rotor blade. An advanced mathematical and computational model of rotor wake and blade vortex gives a better understanding of the helicopter rotor dynamics. This study develops computational models of …

Smart Manufacturing—Theories, Methods, And Applications, Zhuming Bi, Lida Xu, Puren Ouyang

Information Technology & Decision Sciences Faculty Publications

(First paragraph) Smart manufacturing (SM) distinguishes itself from other system paradigms by introducing ‘smartness’ as a measure to a manufacturing system; however, researchers in different domains have different expectations of system smartness from their own perspectives. In this Special Issue (SI), SM refers to a system paradigm where digital technologies are deployed to enhance system smartness by (1) empowering physical resources in production, (2) utilizing virtual and dynamic assets over the internet to expand system capabilities, (3) supporting data-driven decision making at all domains and levels of businesses, or (4) reconfiguring systems to adapt changes and uncertainties in dynamic environments. …

Characterization Of Fatigue Strength Of Additively Manufactured Ti-6al-4v With Recoater Blade Interference Flaws And Residual Stresses Towards An Enhanced Fatigue Substantiation Methodology For Aerospace Structures Applications, Joshua Manyara Mochache

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Dissertations - Archive

This research characterized the fatigue strength of additively manufactured (AM) Ti-6Al-4V, through fatigue and static tests conducted using specimens with and without recoater blade interference flaws (RBIF), and thus further enhanced the fatigue substantiation methodology for AM parts by using combined fatigue strength knock-down-factors (KDF) developed from this study. Qualification and certification (Q&C) of metallic AM parts, through acceptable methods for fatigue and damage tolerance (F&DT) substantiation, is an area where significant gaps still exist. While progress has been made in design as well as materials and process standardization, Q&C of additively manufactured metallic structural parts, especially those in civil …

Fully Kinetic Particle-In-Cell Simulations Of Plasma-Surface-Dust Interactions For Lunar Exploration, Jianxun Zhao

Doctoral Dissertations

"The studies involving lunar surface explorations have drawn attentions in recent years. A better understanding of possible potential hazards to astronauts and electronic equipment has become a necessity for future lunar explorations. The lunar surface, lacking an atmosphere and global magnetic field therefore directly exposed to solar radiation and solar wind plasma, is electrically charged by the bombardment of solar wind plasma and emission/collection of photoelectrons. Additionally, lunar dust grains can also get charged and levitated from the surface under the influence of the electric field as well as gravity within the plasma sheath. Since the plasma sheath formed near …

Predicting The Impact Of Utility Lighting Rebate Programs On Promoting Industrial Energy Efficiency: A Machine Learning Approach, Phillip Shook, Jun-Ki Choi

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Publications

Implementation costs are a major factor in manufacturers' decisions to invest in energy-efficient technologies. Emerging technologies in lighting systems, however, typically require small investment costs and offer short, simple payback periods, due, in part, to federal, state, and utility incentive programs. Recently, however, certain state and federal mandates have reduced the support for and efficacy of electricity utility incentivizing programs. To determine the impact of such support programs, this study examined historical data regarding lighting retrofit savings, implementation costs, and utility rebates gathered from 13 years of industrial energy audits by a U.S. Department of Energy Industrial Assessment Center in …

Control Mapping Methodology For Tailless Morphing-Wing Aircraft, Zachary S. Montgomery

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Advanced aircraft designs tend to have several control surfaces or devices that affect the flight of the aircraft. It is difficult or even impossible for a pilot to directly control each of these devices and fly the aircraft well. Therefore, a control mapping logic is needed to take typical pilot commands and map them to what the control devices should do to achieve the pilot’s commands. This work presents a methodology for determining this control mapping logic using two different approaches. The first uses a theoretical approach based on lifting-line theory, while the second leverages computational methods. The methodology consists …

Development Of New Space Systems Architecture In Sysml Using Model-Based Pattern Language, Bhushan Lohar

Graduate Theses and Dissertations (2019 - present)

This manuscript presents an approach to the application of the Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) and Model-Based Systems Architecting (MBSA) principles to develop a Model-Based Pattern Language (MBPL). It takes considerable time for systems engineers and mission architects to develop a new system from scratch, particularly new space-based systems derived from the existing space system architectures. The use of a pattern language which is a holistic view of reusable logical model artifacts, can improve the process.

The main benefit of the pattern language is to reduce the time and validation required to generate a new space-based system architecture; this approach will …

Oxygen Compatibility For Aerospace Materials, Jazmin Abril Arellano

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

The use of oxygen for aerospace applications is bonded to the history of American rocketry. The first liquid powered rocket engine used gaseous oxygen to pressurize both gasoline as fuel and liquid oxygen as oxidizer. Research and development about oxygen compatibility with aerospace materials has been continuously performed. However, no universal test has been developed to determine the oxygen compatibility of all materials yet. A review about oxygen properties, ignition mechanisms and their unique characteristic elements in addition to metals and nonmetals commonly used in oxygen systems and materials prohibited in oxygen applications can be found in this document. The …

Trade Study Analysis Of The Janus Moon Lander Vehicle, Omar Vazquez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Liquid Oxygen (LOX) and Liquid Methane (LCH4) has become a propellant combination of interest in the recent years, especially for leading aerospace companies with the sight set on mars such as SpaceX and Blue Origin in their heavy thrust engines (the Raptor and BE-4 respectively) since methane can be more stable than hydrogen, can be stored at more manageable temperatures and can be produced locally, at mars, using in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) [1].The Center for Space Exploration and Technology Research (cSETR) has developed a 500 lbf throttleable (4:1) thrust chamber (CROME) using the aforementioned propellant combination with the intention of …

Scheduling, Complexity, And Solution Methods For Space Robot On-Orbit Servicing, Susan E. Sorenson

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This research proposes problems, models, and solutions for the scheduling of space robot on-orbit servicing. We present the Multi-Orbit Routing and Scheduling of Refuellable On-Orbit Servicing Space Robots problem which considers on-orbit servicing across multiple orbits with moving tasks and moving refuelling depots. We formulate a mixed integer linear program model to optimize the routing and scheduling of robot servicers to accomplish on-orbit servicing tasks. We develop and demonstrate flexible algorithms for the creation of the model parameters and associated data sets. Our first algorithm creates the network arcs using orbital mechanics. We have also created a novel way to …

Foundations For Finite-State Modelling Of A Two-Dimensional Airfoil That Reverses Direction, Jake Michael Oscar Welsh

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

Current 3-D finite-state wake models are incapable of simulating a maneuver in which the sign of the free-stream velocity changes direction and the rotor enters its own wake -- as might occur in the case of a helicopter which ascends and then descends. It is the purpose of this work to create a 2-D finite-state wake model which is capable of handling changes in free-stream direction as a precursor to development of a 3-D model that can do the same.

The 2-D finite-state model used for reentry modifications is an existing model created by Peters, Johnson, and Karunamoorthy. By the …

Enhancements To Nuclear Thermal Propulsion Rockets, Kimberly Gonzalez

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Nuclear thermal rocket propulsion has been proposed as a highly efficient technology for space vehicles traveling from earth orbit to the moon, Mars, and other locations in the solar system. With twice the performance of a chemical rocket, nuclear thermal propulsion (NTP) uses the thrust produced by heating hydrogen gas within a thermal nuclear reactor where the exhaust is then passed through a de Laval nozzle to produce supersonic flow. NTP engines were the subject ofthe NERVA experiments at the Nevada Test Site in the 1970’s, and they produced a specific impulse of up to 900 seconds which is almost …

Fabrication And Testing Of Catalyst-Infused Filament For 3d Printing Of Ignition-Augmented Hybrid Rocket Fuels, Kurt C. Olsen

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This thesis describes and addresses the need for reliable ignition in small satellite hybrid propulsion systems using higher density oxidizers. It describes methods of creating custom 3D printing ABS plastic based filaments that contain small amounts of catalysts. These catalysts lead to a more reliable and energy-efficient ignition of a hybrid rocked propulsion system using catalyst-infused ABS and nitrous oxide and oxygen blend called Nytrox, commonly known as ”laughing gas.” The ”laughing gas” has a higher density and can therefore provide more ”miles per gallon” in a hybrid propulsion system on a small satellite when compared to gaseous oxygen (GOX). …

Controller Platform Design And Demonstration For An Electric Aircraft Propulsion Driv, Rosten Sweeting

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

With the growth in the aerospace industry there has been a trend to optimize the performance of an aircraft by reducing fuel consumption and operational cost. Recent advancements in the field of power electronics have pushed towards the concepts of hybrid electric aircraft also known as more electrical aircrafts. In this work, a custom controller board for an electric aircraft propulsion drive was designed to drive a permanent magnet synchronous motor. Design of the controller board required knowledge of the topology selection and power module selections. Simulations of the system were performed using MATLAB/Simulink to analyze the overall performance of …

Ground Station Eat, Utah State University Space Dynamics Laboratory

Space Dynamics Laboratory Publications

Ground Components

Two primary subsystems

•Ground Station(s)

•  May be your own or commercial
• Includes radio(s), antenna(s), rotor, etc.
• Heavily intertwined with satellite communications system
• Influences link budget

•Ground data system

• Your command, control, and telemetry interface
• Operator facing tools
• Front end processor
• Includes computer(s), networking equipment, displays, software tools, etc.
• Directly links to your ground station via network

•Additional ground subsystems could include:

• Payload ground (i.e. optical ground terminal)
• Space comm networks (i.e. Iridium)

Aiaa Design Build Fly Humanitarian Uav, Michael Finigian, Kyle Abbas, David Fryer, Kyle Bartholomew, Jacob Kaufman, William Ryan, Tyler Kwapniowski, Adam Witusik

Discovery Day - Prescott

Every year AIAA issues a challenge to any undergraduate universities willing to meet it: to build an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) designed to mission and product characteristics. This year the UAVs are to carry two different payloads in four missions with varying objectives, take-off distances, flight times and flight distances. The two payloads are large plunger syringes and mock vaccine vial packages. The Embry-Riddle Prescott team has decided that the best way to approach these competitions is to split responsibilities evenly between four integrated product teams (IPTs); Aerodynamics, Structures, Propulsion and Missions. In the early stages of the design process, …

Reconnaissance And Documentation (Rad), Cayli Farias, Terra Gordon, Sharik Joseph, Julia Kjenstad, Michael Lauber, Dakota Ross, Logan Hill, Dominick Uzzardo, Richard Harold

Discovery Day - Prescott

The Reconnaissance and Documentation (RAD) mission aims to utilize a Low Earth Orbit satellite using machine learning enabled image recognition and optical remote sensing to observe countries currently experiencing Stage Nine of the United Nations’ Ten Stages of Genocide. The primary objective of the RAD satellite, Leza, is to observe high-risk countries at adequate spatial and temporal resolutions to capture evidence of genocide. The secondary objective of Leza is to process images on-board, so flagged images serving as evidence may be distributed to proper authorities, the United Nations, and mainstream media outlets as soon as possible. Using remote sensing to …

Eaglenautics: Sae Aero West Design Competition Team, Steven Booth, Jessica Millard, Celin Rawther

Discovery Day - Prescott

Eaglenautics is an engineering club affiliated with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Every year, Eaglenautics participates in the SAE Aero West Design Competition. This competition challenges teams to design a competitive R/C scale aircraft from the ground up. Eaglenautics tackles this challenge by using a modified design-build-fly (DBF) process by adding a simulation step after the design step. Simulation software allows for a faster convergence to a design before the build process starts. Eaglenautics utilizes simulation programs like XFLR5 and OpenVSP to aid with the design of the aircraft to save time building multiple aircraft iterations. This process is especially helpful for …

Space Debris Characterization Using Machine Learning Methods, Anson Biggs, Ana Bader-Elenes

Discovery Day - Prescott

Orbital debris is a form of pollution that is growing at an exponential pace and puts current and future space infrastructure at risk. Satellites are critical to military, commercial, and civil operations. Unfortunately, the space they occupy is increasingly becoming more crowded and dangerous, potentially leading to a cascade event that could turn orbit around the Earth into an unusable wasteland for decades proper mitigation is not introduced. Unfortunately, existing models employed by NASA rely on a dataset created from 2D images and are missing many crucial features required for correctly modeling the space debris environment. Our approach uses highresolution …

Team Keryx: Project Lifelink, Robert Belz-Templeman, Evan Hefflin, Jessica Millard, Ariana Anderson, Jacob Hindmarsh, Corey Washburn

Discovery Day - Prescott

First responders such as wildland firefighters, search and rescue crews, and disaster relief workers often operate in cellular-service-denied environments. This lack of long-range communication channels greatly inhibits the spread of vital information. Project LifeLink is Team Keryx’s capstone project designed to solve this issue as well as meeting the course goals of AE 420/421. The course goals for AE 420/421 are to utilize the skills and knowledge obtained in prior classes to design, develop, build, and test an aircraft tailored to a specific challenge. The students will work together in an organized structure and process to prepare them for industry …