Flow-Tube Oxidation Experiments On The Carbon Preform Of Pica,
2013
University of Kentucky
Flow-Tube Oxidation Experiments On The Carbon Preform Of Pica, Francesco Panerai, Alexandre Martin, Nagi N. Mansour, Steven A. Sepka, Jean Lachaud
Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications
Oxidation experiments on the carbon preform of a phenolic-impregnated carbon ablator were performed in the NASA Ames ow-tube reactor facility, at temperatures between 700 and 1300 K, under dry air gas at pressures between 103 and 104 Pa. Mass loss, volumetric recession and density changes were measured at different test conditions. An analysis of the diffusion/reaction competition within the porous material, based on the Thiele number, allowed us to identify low temperature and low pressure conditions to be dominated by in-depth volume oxidation. Experiments above 1000 K were found at transition conditions, where diffusion and reaction occur at similar scales. …
Multi-Dimensional Modeling Pyrolysis Gas Flow Inside Charring Ablators,
2013
University of Kentucky
Multi-Dimensional Modeling Pyrolysis Gas Flow Inside Charring Ablators, Haoyue Weng, Alexandre Martin
Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications
Using an ablative thermal/material response code, the importance of three-dimensionality for modeling ablative test-article is addressed. In particular, the simulation of the pyrolysis gas flow inside a porous material is presented, using two different geometries. The effects of allowing the gas to flow out of the side wall are especially highlighted. Results show that the flow inside the test-article is complex, and that the 0D or 1D assumption made in most Material Response (MR) codes might not be valid for certain geometries.
Incorporating Aluminum Honeycomb To Increase Efficiency Of U-Tube Removable Heat Exchanger,
2013
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Incorporating Aluminum Honeycomb To Increase Efficiency Of U-Tube Removable Heat Exchanger, Daniel Soto, Daniel Corona
Aerospace Engineering
This report contains the results of attempting to improve on the results of Scott R. Sawyer and Alan M. L’Esperance research paper “Investigation of Paraffin Wax as an Energy Storage Medium Within a Shell-and-Tube Heat Exchanger.” The overall goal of the paper mentioned was to investigate the usefulness of wax as an energy storage medium. Scott R. Sawyer and Alan M. L’Esperance determined that “the amount of energy that can be released by the paraffin wax back to the airflow reaches a plateau, despite an increase in heating times.” They suggested that by surrounding the airflow tubes of a heat …
Paschen Breakdown In A Co2 Atmosphere,
2013
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Paschen Breakdown In A Co2 Atmosphere, Matthew T. Stumbo
Aerospace Engineering
This report observes and analyzes the effect the pressure and gap distance have on the minimum positive breakdown potential between two parallel plate copper electrodes in both air and CO2. Two gap distances, 0.57 cm and 2.44 cm, were used. Paschen Curves generated in air from these distances had a strong positive correlation with a Spearman correlation coefficient of 0.97. Curves generated in CO2 had a Spearman correlation coefficient of 0.87. The strong correlation for both gases verifies Paschen's Law. The minimum breakdown potential in air was 361 ± 2 V at a pressure x gap distance …
Synergistic Effects Of Atomic Oxygen And Ultraviolet Radiation Exposure On Various Spacecraft Materials,
2013
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Synergistic Effects Of Atomic Oxygen And Ultraviolet Radiation Exposure On Various Spacecraft Materials, Adrian L. Doan
Aerospace Engineering
The Aerospace Engineering Space Environments Laboratory at California Polytechnic State University features a ground-based system capable of generating atomic oxygen (AO) and vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) radiation environments, constructed by Max Glicklin in 2012. Experiments using three different spacecraft materials were conducted to test the individual and synergistic effects of these naturally occurring phenomena. Kapton HN functioned as a means to provide initial validation of the presence of AO and VUV radiation. Kapton HN also functioned as a test-fluence standard during testing of two other materials. These materials included aluminized beta cloth, with the non-aluminized side being tested, and Indium-Tin-Oxide (ITO) …
Thermal Vacuum Chamber Operation And Testing,
2013
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Thermal Vacuum Chamber Operation And Testing, Leila Tebyani
Aerospace Engineering
The purpose of this senior project is to understand the capabilities of the thermal vacuum chamber in the Space Environments Laboratory at California Polytechnic State University and compare the performance to thermal vacuum chambers used in the aerospace industry. The lowest temperature attained inside the chamber during an experiment at ambient pressure was -33°C. The lowest pressure reached by the vacuum chamber at the time of this project was 5e-5 Torr. This report also yields recommendations for integrating a demonstation of the effects of thermal variation in space on spacecraft components for the class AERO 471. A lit LED can …
Development Of Random Vibration Profiles For Test Deployers To Simulate The Dynamic Environment In The Poly-Picosatellite Orbital Deployer,
2013
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Development Of Random Vibration Profiles For Test Deployers To Simulate The Dynamic Environment In The Poly-Picosatellite Orbital Deployer, Steve Furger
Aerospace Engineering
TestPODs and P-PODs have different structures with different resonant frequencies. This causes a change in the frequency response for CubeSats integrated into TestPODs compared to P-PODs. Adjusted random vibration profiles were developed for TestPODs to simulate the dynamic environment of the P-POD so CubeSats would have a consistent response in both deployers. Testing has shown that, with proper characterization of TestPODs and P-PODs, adjusted profiles can be used for TestPODs to simulate the P-POD dynamic environment.
Fin Flutter Analysis,
2013
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Fin Flutter Analysis, Richard Bauer, Austin Hardman
Aerospace Engineering
This report summarizes the experimental process executed to study fin flutter characteristics. The experiment analyzed the influence of the relationship between structural dynamics and aerodynamics on flutter characteristics. Theoretical models were created in PATRAN/NASTRAN and FinSim for comparison to experimental results and to set the envelope of the physical experiments. The theoretical analysis predicted the occurrence of flutter near Mach 1 or Mach 5. The physical model was constructed of solid aluminum with machined holes for the inertial sensors. Two test runs were completed to collect data on the displacement of the fin in the supersonic wind tunnel. Additionally, the …
Creation And Analysis Of An Electric And Magnetic Model Of A Micro Ion Thruster,
2013
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Creation And Analysis Of An Electric And Magnetic Model Of A Micro Ion Thruster, Maxwell Bodnar
Aerospace Engineering
This report explores the magnetic and electric fields within the Cal Poly Miniature Xenon Ion (MiXI) Thruster V3 in order to create a comprehensive electric and magnetic model of the plasma chamber to analyze and test the current thruster configurations and changes to the existing thruster. This model is used to analyze the operation and efficiency of the ion thruster and the plasma environment within the plasma chamber. This model explores the ionization and electron collision rates during operation of the thruster to measure the efficiency of the current thruster configuration, also determining the theoretical Isp and thrust of the …
Study Of Natural Composite Materials Square Beam Under Three Point Bending Test,
2013
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Study Of Natural Composite Materials Square Beam Under Three Point Bending Test, Casey Wu
Aerospace Engineering
The purpose of this report is to summarize the findings on three point bending tests to try to find the optimum geometrical shape and layup configuration of a square beam composed of natural composites. The final project was entered into the SAMPE 2013 bridge building competition to compete internationally against other universities in the natural square beam category. The main focus of the bridge project is to compose it entirely of natural occurring fibers and other natural materials to create a “green” beam. The beams in the competition are tested under 3 point bending tests and will be scored based …
Construction And Testing Of A Quadcopter,
2013
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Construction And Testing Of A Quadcopter, David Roberts
Aerospace Engineering
No abstract provided.
Assessment For Completion Of Cp7 Integration With Revision 6 Avionics,
2013
California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo
Assessment For Completion Of Cp7 Integration With Revision 6 Avionics, Daniel Jennings
Electrical Engineering
he purpose of this project is the continuation of the CP7 CubeSat project, analysis for integration with new Avionics Systems, and to leave behind instruction for future work for completion of the satellite. CP7 is a satellite in development to support a mechanical and electrical system to experiment on particle damping in micro-gravity. The completion of this satellite needs to be prioritized more than it has been by the PolySat team to honor our work with Northrop Grumman, who have been supportive and helpful throughout the process. This work seeks to aid in the completion of this satellite, so that …
Integrated Collision Avoidance System Sensor Evaluation Final Design Project,
2013
California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo
Integrated Collision Avoidance System Sensor Evaluation Final Design Project, Alex F. Graebe, Bridgette S. Kimball, Drew T. Lavoise
Mechanical Engineering
Following the development of Aircraft Collision Avoidance Technology (ACAT) by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), a need arose to transition the life-saving technology to aid the general aviation community. Considering the realistic cost of implementation, it was decided that the technology should be adapted to function on any smartphone, using that device as an end-to-end solution to sense, process, and alert the pilot to imminent threats. In September of 2012, the SAS (Sense and Survive) Senior Project Team at California Polytechnic University (Cal Poly), San Luis Obispo was assigned the task of using smartphone technology to accurately sense …
A Generic Decision Making Framework For Autonomous Systems,
2013
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
A Generic Decision Making Framework For Autonomous Systems, Connor Lange
Master's Theses
With the rising popularity of small satellites, such as CubeSats, many smaller institutions previously incapable of developing and deploying a spacecraft have starting to do so. Institutions with a history of space flight, such as NASA JPL, have begun to put projects on CubeSats that would normally fly on much larger satellites. As a result, the institutions with space flight heritage have begun to port spacecraft software that was previously designed for much larger and more complex satellites to the CubeSat platform. Unfortunately for universities, who are the majority of all institutions devel- oping CubeSats, these ported systems are too …
Feasibility Of Microsatellite Active Debris Removal Systems,
2013
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Feasibility Of Microsatellite Active Debris Removal Systems, Karsten J. James
Master's Theses
Space debris has become an increasingly hazardous obstacle to continued spaceflight operations. In an effort to mitigate this problem an investigation of the feasibility of a microsatellite active debris removal system was conducted. Through proposing a novel concept of operation, utilizing a grapple-and-tug system architecture, and by analyzing each resultant mission phase in the frame of a representative example, it was found that microsatellite scale systems are capable of fulfilling the active debris removal mission. Analysis of rendezvous, docking, control and deorbit mission requirements determined that the design of a grapple-and-tug system will be driven by sizing of the propellant …
Linear Model Estimation Of Nonlinear Systems Using Least-Squares Algorithm5,
2013
Daytona State College
Linear Model Estimation Of Nonlinear Systems Using Least-Squares Algorithm5, Alireza Rahrooh, Walter W. Buchanan, Remzi Seker
Publications
This paper presents utilizes Least-Squares Algorithm to obtain more accurate linear models of nonlinear systems using parameter estimation. This approach generates an optimal linear model which is valid over a wide range of trajectories and converges to the desired steady-state value with no errors unlike the existing techniques. The proposed technique is very efficient and does not require storing the data. Therefore, it can easily be used and implemented with limited resources for undergraduate curriculum especially in underdeveloped countries. Most available techniques for linearization of nonlinear system are only valid about the operating point; furthermore, the knowledge of the operating …
Rocket Fuel Pressurization,
2013
California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo
Rocket Fuel Pressurization, Sean Green, Joe Marcinkowski, Andrew Nahab
Mechanical Engineering
No abstract provided.
Global Skin Friction Diagnostics: The Glof Technique And Measurements Of Complex Separated Flows,
2013
Western Michigan University
Global Skin Friction Diagnostics: The Glof Technique And Measurements Of Complex Separated Flows, Sudesh A. Woodiga
Dissertations
This work describes the application of the global luminescent oil film skin friction meter to quantitative global skin friction diagnostics of complex separated flows. The development of this technique is based on the relationship between the oil film thickness and luminescent intensity of a luminescent oil film. The projected thin oil film equation is given to relate the normalized luminescent intensity with skin friction. The variational formulation with a smoothness constraint on skin friction is proposed to obtain a snap shot solution from two consecutive images for a relative skin friction field. A complete skin friction field is reconstructed through …
Design And Analysis Of Reusable Nozzles For Cal Poly’S Hybrid Rocket Lab,
2013
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Design And Analysis Of Reusable Nozzles For Cal Poly’S Hybrid Rocket Lab, Cheyne Austin, Jose Vargas
Aerospace Engineering
Two nozzles were designed and constructed for testing in the Cal Poly propulsion laboratory to explore which nozzle was the most capable in producing the most thrust. A 15 degree and 30 degree converging-diverging nozzles were machined and tested. Theory suggest that a bell nozzle would be the most efficient since all of the gasses generated in the combustion chamber are directed and accelerated by the throat leave the nozzle traveling along the thrust axis. All of the momentum of the gasses are directed axially thus resulting in maximum thrust. Thrust should also be produced by the converging-diverging nozzle and …
Low-Cost Imu Implementation Via Sensor Fusion Algorithms In The Arduino Environment,
2013
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Low-Cost Imu Implementation Via Sensor Fusion Algorithms In The Arduino Environment, Brandon Mccarron
Aerospace Engineering
A multi-phase experiment was conducted at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, CA, to design a low-cost inertial measurement unit composed of a 3-axis accelerometer and 3-axis gyroscope. Utilizing the growing microprocessor software environment, a 3-axis accelerometer and 3-axis gyroscope simulated 6 degrees of freedom orientation sensing through sensor fusion. By analyzing a simple complimentary filter and a more complex Kalman filter, the outputs of each sensor were combined and took advantage of the benefits of both sensors to improved results. Gyroscopic drift was removed in the pitch and roll axes using the Kalman filter for both static and dynamic …
