Aerospace Engineering Commons^™

Propagation Of Errors Through Coning, Sculling, And Scrolling Correction Algorithms, James D. Brouk, Kyle J. Demars

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This paper investigates the propagation of estimation errors through a common coning, sculling, and scrolling architecture used in modern day inertial navigation systems. Coning, sculling, and scrolling corrections often have an unaccounted-for effect on the error statistics of inertial measurements used to describe the state and uncertainty propagation for position, velocity, and attitude estimates. Through the development of an error analysis for a set of coning, sculling, and scrolling algorithms, mappings of the measurement and estimation errors through the correction term are adaptively generated. Using the developed mappings, an efficient and consistent propagation of the state and uncertainty, within the …

Optimization Strategies For Myopic And Forecasted Divergence-Based Sensor Tasking Objectives, Matthew J. Gualdoni, Kyle J. Demars

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

In light of the ever-increasing value of space assets operating in the presence of a continuously growing population of space objects in orbit about Earth, space situational awareness is becoming more crucial than ever. The process of tracking and maintaining estimates for the numerous assets and space objects is a complex and highly demanding problem, as it requires robust state estimates in the presence of sparse data. As the number of space objects greatly outweighs the number of available sensors, a sensor tasking policy is necessary to properly utilize the available sensor resources in a way that ensures targets are …

Robustness Metric For Robust Design Optimization Under Time-And Space-Dependent Uncertainty Through Metamodeling, Xinpeng Wei, Xiaoping Du

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Product performance varies with respect to time and space in many engineering applications. This paper discusses how to measure and evaluate the robustness of a product or component when its quality characteristics (QCs) are functions of random variables, random fields, temporal variables, and spatial variables. At first, the existing time-dependent robustness metric is extended to the present time-and space-dependent problem. The robustness metric is derived using the extreme value of the quality characteristics with respect to temporal and spatial variables for the nominal-the-better type quality characteristics. Then, a metamodel-based numerical procedure is developed to evaluate the new robustness metric. The …

Thermodynamic Properties Of Hydroxylammonium Nitrate-Based Electric Solid Propellant Plasma, Matthew S. Glascock, Patrick D. Drew, Joshua L. Rovey, Kurt A. Polzin

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Electric solid propellants are advanced solid chemical rocket propellants controlled by electric current. An electric solid propellant may also be used in an electric propulsion system: specifically, an ablative pulsed plasma thruster. Previous experiments with the electric solid propellant known as high-performance electric propellant, or HIPEP, suggest its ablation processes are similar to the traditional propellant polytetrafluoroethylene (C2 F4). Better understanding of the ablation and the resulting propulsion performance of HIPEP requires a model of its vapor composition, bulk plasma quantities, and thermodynamic properties. Such a model was developed and favorably compared with previous analogous model predictions found in the …

Applications Of Polynomial Chaos-Based Cokriging To Aerodynamic Design Optimization Benchmark Problems, Jethro Nagawkar, Leifur Leifsson, Xiaosong Du

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

In this work, the polynomial chaos-based Cokriging (PC-Cokriging) is applied to a benchmark aerodynamic design optimization problem. The aim is to perform fast design optimization using this multifidelity metamodel. Multifidelity metamodels use information at multiple levels of fidelity to make accurate and fast predictions. Higher amount of lower fidelity data can provide important information on the trends to a limited amount of high-fidelity (HF) data. The PC-Cokriging metamodel is a multivariate version of the polynomial chaos-based Kriging (PC-Kriging) metamodel and its construction is similar to Cokriging. It combines the advantages of the interpolation-based Kriging metamodel and the regression-based polynomial chaos …

A Brief Review On 3d Bioprinted Skin Substitutes, Fateme Fayyazbakhsh, Ming-Chuan Leu

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The Global Escalating Cases of Skin Donor Shortage for Patients with Severe Wounds Warn the Vital Need for Alternatives to Skin Allografts. over the Last Three Decades, Research in the Skin Regeneration Area Has Addressed the Unmet Need for Artificial Skin Substitutes. 3D Bioprinting is a Promising Innovative Technology to Accurately Fabricate Skin Constructs based on Natural or Synthetic Bioinks, Whether Loaded or Not Loaded with Native Skin Cells (I.e., Keratinocytes and Fibroblasts) or Stem Cells in the Prescribed 3D Hierarchal Structure to Create Artificial Multilayer and Single Cell-Laden Construct. in This Paper, the Recent Developments in 3D Bioprinting for …

Numerical Study Of Paramagnetic Elliptical Microparticles In Curved Channels And Uniform Magnetic Fields, Christopher Sobecki, Jie Zhang, Cheng Wang

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

We numerically investigated the dynamics of a paramagnetic elliptical particle immersed in a low Reynolds number Poiseuille flow in a curved channel and under a uniform magnetic field by direct numerical simulation. A finite element method, based on an arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian approach, analyzed how the channel geometry, the strength and direction of the magnetic field, and the particle shape affected the rotation and radial migration of the particle. The net radial migration of the particle was analyzed after executing a π rotation and at the exit of the curved channel with and without a magnetic field. In the absence of …

Peak Pressures On Low Rise Buildings: Cfd With Les Versus Full Scale And Wind Tunnel Measurements, Aly Mousaad Aly, Hamzeh Gol-Zaroudi

Faculty Publications

This paper focuses on the processes of wind flow in the atmospheric boundary layer, to produce realistic full-scale pressures for the design of low-rise buildings. CFD with LES turbulence closure is implemented on a scale 1:1 prototype building. A proximity study was executed computationally in CFD with LES that suggests new recommendations on the computational domain size, in front of a building model, apart from common RANS-based guidelines (e.g. COST and AIJ). Our findings suggest a location of the test building, different from existing guidelines, and the inflow boundary proximity influences pressure correlation and reproduction of peak loads. The CFD …

Towards A Hybrid Comfortable Passenger Cabin Interior For The Flying V Aircraft, Peter Vink, Thomas Rotte, Shabila Anjani, Chiara Percuoco, Roelof Vos

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

The Flying-V is a V-shaped airplane in development, which uses less fuel due its form. Passengers are in the oval cabin in the wing, which asks for an alternative design to the interior. At the same time there is a demand for more comfortable interiors.

80 students were asked to develop interior design ideas for this Flying V concept. A jury of experts selected four aircraft interior concepts and these were developed and a 1:1 scale mockup was made, with a hybrid interior. It included a chaise longue seats, the group space, beds and ‘staggered’ seats for the middle of …

A Review Of Dji’S Mavic Pro Precision Landing Accuracy, Cody Yoakum, Joseph Cerreta

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

Precision landing has the potential to increase the accuracy of autonomous landings. Unique applications require specific landing performance; for example, wireless charging loses efficiency with a misalignment of 100mm. Unfortunately, there is no publicly available information for the DJI Mavic Pro’s landing specifications. This research investigated the ability of a Mavic Pro to land at a specified point accurately. The purpose of this research is to determine if precision landings are more accurate than non-precision autonomous landings and if the Mavic Pro is capable of applications such as wireless charging when using precision landings. A total of 128 (64 precision …

Mini Unmanned Aerial Systems (Uav) - A Review Of The Parameters For Classification Of A Mini Uav., Ramesh Ps, Muruga Lal Jeyan

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

In the recent years, Mini Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) has generated a lot of interest both in military and civilian applications. Contemporary innovations have seen the entry of Mini UAV into a wide range of hitherto fore unexplored domains. Advancement in computer systems, miniaturisation of electronics, artificial intelligence and composite materials is propelling the development of Mini UAV. Mini UAV is a class of UAV within the large family of unmanned systems categorised by a set of parameters. However, there are glaring inconsistencies and lack of uniformity in specifying the parameters which define a Mini UAV. The paper explores the …

Rapid Orbital Motion Emulator (Rome): Kinematics Modeling And Control, Ahmed Elsadek Ahmed Seleit

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-2023

Space missions design requires already tested and trusted control algorithms for spacecraft motion. Rapidly testing control algorithms at a low cost is essential. A novel robotic system that emulates orbital motion in a laboratory environment is presented. The system is composed of a six degree of freedom robotic manipulator fixed on top of an omnidirectional ground vehicle accompanied with onboard computer and sensors. The integrated mobile manipulator is used as a testbed to emulate and realize orbital motion and control algorithms. The kinematic relations of the ground vehicle, robotic manipulator and the coupled kinematics are derived. The system is used …

Multiscale Modeling Of Carbon Fibers/Graphene Nanoplatelets/Epoxy Hybrid Composites For Aerospace Applications, Hashim Al Mahmud

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Significant research effort has been dedicated for decades to improve the mechanical properties of aerospace polymer-based composite materials. Lightweight epoxy-based composite materials have increasingly replaced the comparatively heavy and expensive metal alloys used in aeronautical and aerospace structural components. In particular, carbon fibers (CF)/graphene nanoplatelets (GNP)/epoxy hybrid composites can be used for this purpose owing to their high specific stiffness and strength. Therefore, this work has been completed to design, predict, and optimize the effective mechanical properties of CF/GNP/epoxy composite materials at different length scales using a multiscale modeling approach. The work-flow of modeling involves a first step of using …

Large-Scale Inflatable Structures For Tunnel Protection: A Review Of The Resilient Tunnel Plug Project, Eduardo M. Sosa, Gregory J. Thompson, Gregory M. Holter, John M. Fortune

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

The protection of underground civil infrastructure continues to be a high priority for transportation and transit security agencies. In particular, rail transit tunnels running under bodies of water are susceptible to disruptions due to flooding caused by extraordinary climatic events such as hurricanes or other events resulting from human activities. Several events have taken place in the past decades that have demonstrated the need to mitigate vulnerabilities or, at least, minimize the consequences of catastrophic events. Although it is impossible to prevent all situations that can lead to flooding, damage can be substantially decreased by reducing the area affected by …

Redesign And Analysis For Landing Gear Components, Daniel Clarke

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

A project for Collins Aerospace, the company I co-op at, where I will redesign several components of a landing gear for a military program. Any structural/stress analysis will also be performed. The goal is to reduce weight while maintaining strength and structural integrity.

Research And Design Of A Two-Stage Supersonic Rocket, Ryan Hannaford, James Gase, Matthew Reppa, Harrison Lewis

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This report documents the entire design process for a two-stage vertical launch vehicle and highlights the team’s research, design work, testing, and construction of the launch vehicle. Every major system of the launch vehicle, including motors, electronics systems, interior and exterior structures, and recovery, will be individually analyzed and assessed during the design process. The launch vehicle will compete at the 2020 Spaceport America Cup in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Undergoing this project will allow the team members to further develop the skills learned throughout the Mechanical Engineering curriculum and Aerospace Systems Engineering curriculum at the University of Akron. Additionally, …

Rocket Motor Nozzle, Corey Hillegass

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

For this honors research and senior design project, the authors will research, analyze, and manufacture a rocket motor nozzle for the Akronauts rocket design team. This research and design project will improve how the rocket design team will decide and manufacture nozzles going forward. The impact of this improvement allows the rocket design team to take steps toward being self-sustaining by manufacturing student designed parts as opposed to commercially bought parts. This will not only be successful in increasing student impact on future designs, but also provides a technical challenge for the authors and will present as an impressive feat …

Effect Of Turbulence Model Closure Coefficient Uncertainty On Scramjet Flow Field Analysis, Martin Albert Di Stefano

Doctoral Dissertations

“The numerical modeling of supersonic combustion ramjet (scramjet) engine flow paths plays an important role in the design of hypersonic air-breathing propulsion systems. Due to the complexity of the flow field physics and limited experimental data, numerical models possess uncertainties which should be addressed to improve the prediction accuracy of the simulations. In this study, the effect of turbulence model closure coefficient uncertainty on the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes solution of a scramjet isolator and scramjet strut fuel injector flow field is investigated with an uncertainty quantification and sensitivity analysis study for commonly used turbulence models. Turbulence models considered in this work …

Assessing Cognitive Processing And Human Factors Challenges In Nextgen Air Traffic Control Tower Team Operations, Mark D. Miller, Sam Holley, Bettina Mrusek, Linda Weiland

Publications

Previous research of Terminal Radar Control Facilities and Standard Terminal Automation Replacement Systems interactions by the authors examined how combined NextGen digitized technology affects air traffic controller functions. Applying their updated SHELL model, human factors implications on the Tower Team before and after implementing NextGen technology were examined, focusing on cognitive loading and automated functions affecting each team member. A survey examined where cognitive difficulties occur when controllers are responsible for multiple screen views, remote airfields or helipads, and digitized cameras and blind spots. Scanning challenges were identified where local traffic, ground operations, and data converge onto one screen, and …

Physiological Effects During Aerobatic Flights On Science Astronaut Candidates, Pedro Llanos, Diego M. Garcia

Publications

Spaceflight is considered the last frontier in terms of science, technology, and engineering. But it is also the next frontier in terms of human physiology and performance. After more than 200,000 years humans have evolved under earth’s gravity and atmospheric conditions, spaceflight poses environmental stresses for which human physiology is not adapted. Hypoxia, accelerations, and radiation are among such stressors, our research involves suborbital flights aiming to develop effective countermeasures in order to assure sustainable human space presence. The physiologic baseline of spaceflight participants is subject to great variability driven by age, gender, fitness, and metabolic reserve. The objective of …