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Articles 541 - 570 of 1780
Full-Text Articles in Aerospace Engineering
Space Qualification Testing Of A Deployable Shape Memory Alloy Cubesat Antenna, Carl L. Kobza
Space Qualification Testing Of A Deployable Shape Memory Alloy Cubesat Antenna, Carl L. Kobza
Theses and Dissertations
Increasingly capable CubeSat missions require antenna with improved Radio Frequency performance over the traditional CubeSat antennas. Deployable quadrifilar helical antennas (QHA) enable an acceptable stowing volume and deploy to provide increased gain and bandwidth over traditional patch and dipole antennas. Extensive ground testing is required to ensure the antenna is space qualified and to characterize the antenna deployment in the space environment. AFIT requires a QHA to perform a future CubeSat geolocation mission and contracted Helical Communication Technologies (HCT) to design and manufacture a Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) L-band deployable QHA. Vibration, thermal vacuum, laser vibrometer, and Voltage Standing Wave …
Mechanical Properties And Fatigue Behavior Of Unitized Composite Airframe Structures At Elevated Temperature, Mohamed Noomen
Mechanical Properties And Fatigue Behavior Of Unitized Composite Airframe Structures At Elevated Temperature, Mohamed Noomen
Theses and Dissertations
The tension-tension fatigue behavior of a newly developed unitized composite material system was investigated. The unitized composite consisted of a polymer matrix composite (PMC) co-cured with a ceramic matrix composite (CMC). The PMC portion consisted of an NRPE high-temperature polyimide matrix reinforced with carbon fibers woven in an eight harness satin weave (8HSW). The CMC layer is a single-ply non-crimp 3D orthogonal weave composite consisting of ceramic matrix reinforced with glass fibers. In order to assess the performance and suitability of this composite for use in aerospace components designed to contain high-temperature environments, mechanical tests were performed under temperature conditions …
Optimal Control Of An Uninhabited Loyal Wingman, Clay J. Humphreys
Optimal Control Of An Uninhabited Loyal Wingman, Clay J. Humphreys
Theses and Dissertations
As researchers strive to achieve autonomy in systems, many believe the goal is not that machines should attain full autonomy, but rather to obtain the right level of autonomy for an appropriate man-machine interaction. A common phrase for this interaction is manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T), a subset of which, for unmanned aerial vehicles, is the concept of the loyal wingman. This work demonstrates the use of optimal control and stochastic estimation techniques as an autonomous near real-time dynamic route planner for the DoD concept of the loyal wingman. First, the optimal control problem is formulated for a static threat environment and …
The Scaling Of Loss Pathways And Heat Transfer In Small Scale Internal Combustion Engines, Joseph K. Ausserer
The Scaling Of Loss Pathways And Heat Transfer In Small Scale Internal Combustion Engines, Joseph K. Ausserer
Theses and Dissertations
Prior literature indicates fuel conversion efficiency and normalized power deteriorate increasingly rapidly with decreasing displacement, but does not fully reveal the driving losses. The literature also suggested that increasing losses relax the required fuel anti-knock index (AKI), but offered conflicting conclusions on the performance impact. This comprehensive experimental study of three, 28 cm3 to 85 cm3 displacement, commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS), two-stroke ICEs identified short-circuiting as having the most deleterious impact on COTS engine performance in this size range. Heat transfer losses were comparable to larger engines for displaced volumes greater than 10 cm3. An engine friction model …
Orbit Determination Using Vinti's Solution, Steven P. Wright
Orbit Determination Using Vinti's Solution, Steven P. Wright
Theses and Dissertations
Orbital altitudes congested with spacecraft and debris combined with recent collisions have all but negated the Big Sky Theory. As the sheer number of orbital objects to track grows unbounded so does interest in prediction methods that are rapid and minimally computational. Claimed as the \other solvable solution, the recently completed solution too orbital motion about the earth, based on Vinti's method and including the major effects of the equatorial bulge, opens up the prospect of much more accurate analytical models for space situational awareness. A preliminary examination of this solution is presented. A numerical state transition matrix is found …
Adaptive Estimation And Heuristic Optimization Of Nonlinear Spacecraft Attitude Dynamics, Joshuah A. Hess
Adaptive Estimation And Heuristic Optimization Of Nonlinear Spacecraft Attitude Dynamics, Joshuah A. Hess
Theses and Dissertations
For spacecraft conducting on-orbit operations, changes to the structure of the spacecraft are not uncommon. These planned or unanticipated changes in inertia properties couple with the spacecraft's attitude dynamics and typically require estimation. For systems with time-varying inertia parameters, multiple model adaptive estimation (MMAE) routines can be utilized for parameter and state estimates. MMAE algorithms involve constructing a bank of recursive estimators, each assuming a different hypothesis for the systems dynamics. This research has three distinct, but related, contributions to satellite attitude dynamics and estimation. In the first part of this research, MMAE routines employing parallel banks of unscented attitude …
Cavity Geometric Features And Entrainment Characterization Resulting From A Ballistically Induced Hydrodynamic Ram Event, Andrew J. Lingenfelter
Cavity Geometric Features And Entrainment Characterization Resulting From A Ballistically Induced Hydrodynamic Ram Event, Andrew J. Lingenfelter
Theses and Dissertations
Hydrodynamic Ram can cause damage to industrial and aircraft systems. The resulting transient spray increases the probability of fire. To better understand the driving mechanisms behind transient spray, internal, and external measurements of the cavity geometry, and entrained flow field were accomplished. Research determined cavity contraction and separation are pre-cursors to the initiation of the transient spray phases. The entrained flow measurement required development of a new and novel technique using a continuous wave laser and atomized water particles. The peak mass flow correlated well with cavity geometric features, such as cavity contraction. Using the mass flow, cavity diameter at …
Ultra-High Temperature Full Field Deformation Measurements Of Materials Subjected To Thermo-Mechanical Loading: A Dic Based Study, Guillemo A. Valeri Paoli
Ultra-High Temperature Full Field Deformation Measurements Of Materials Subjected To Thermo-Mechanical Loading: A Dic Based Study, Guillemo A. Valeri Paoli
Theses and Dissertations
Determining the mechanical response of materials at elevated temperatures is a subject of great interest in metal forming, aerospace and aero-engine industries. For example, measurement of the deformation response under tensile loading at high temperatures is crucial for establishing thermomechanical and thermo-physical properties of materials, consequently, determining the reliability of a component or structure exposed to elevated temperatures. In order to predict the behavior of materials at ultra-high temperatures, a novel experimental approach based on Digital Image Correlation (DIC) is proposed and successfully applied to different materials at temperatures ranging from room temperature to 1100˚C. In these studies, a portable …
Design, Manufacturing, And Testing Of A Small Through-Flow Wave For Use Within The Brayton Cycle, Micahel J. Mcclearn
Design, Manufacturing, And Testing Of A Small Through-Flow Wave For Use Within The Brayton Cycle, Micahel J. Mcclearn
Theses and Dissertations
With the ever growing popularity of drones and other unmanned aerial vehicles for military, commercial, and private usage, there is a desire to improve performance in terms of range, altitude, and flight speed. Current technology uses either electric motors or internal combustion engines: both piston and jet engine types. These sorts of engines undergo significant efficiency degradation as their size decreases. While some efficiency may be recovered via intensive design studies, the cycles are approaching the limit to their operating physics. A possible solution to this is to change the operating physics to something more immune to scaling losses; a …
Design And Experimentation Of A Premixed Rotating Detonation Engine, Ionio Q. Andrus
Design And Experimentation Of A Premixed Rotating Detonation Engine, Ionio Q. Andrus
Theses and Dissertations
Desire for a more efficient air breathing engine has shifted research attention to the Rotating Detonation Engine (RDE). Detonation is a more efficient combustion process than deflagration and provides a pressure gain. The RDE detonation cycle occurs in a compact volume to produce a high specific impulse engine. Computational fluid dynamic (CFD) models have predicted higher specific impulse and detonation wave speeds than has been seen in experimental RDE. The CFD models frequently assume premixed reactants and ignore inlet geometries to facilitate rapid computation. An experimental premixed RDE was sought to test if the premixed assumption in CFD was the …
Meeting The Dod’S Tactical Weather Needs Using Cubesats, Shayna K. Mckenney
Meeting The Dod’S Tactical Weather Needs Using Cubesats, Shayna K. Mckenney
Theses and Dissertations
This thesis investigates a CubeSat design that uses Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) components to capture, store, process, and downlink collected terrestrial weather data at resolutions near stat-of-the-art. The weather phenomena to be detected and transmitted in a timely manner are cloud formations, wind profiles, ocean currents, sea state, lightning, temperature profiles, and precipitation. It is hypothesized and shown that the proposed design will provide an improvement on the current U.S. tactical weather collection satellites because of the anticipated increased reliability and lowered cost to build and maintain the proposed CubeSat constellation. The methodology employed a multi-phase approach through the collective research of …
Test And Verification Of A Cubesat Attitude Determination And Control System In Variable Magnetic Fields, Eric A. Bassett
Test And Verification Of A Cubesat Attitude Determination And Control System In Variable Magnetic Fields, Eric A. Bassett
Theses and Dissertations
The Center for Space Research and Assurance (CSRA) at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) continues to explore CubeSat initiatives for solving many current space security issues. Regardless of the mission requirements, the success of the Cube- Sat on orbit frequently depends on the Attitude Determination and Control System (ADCS) functioning correctly. Previous research at AFIT has demonstrated single axis control on a spherical air bearing test bed incorporated within a Helmholtz cage utilizing artificially strong magnetic fields for better signal to noise ratios which are not experienced on orbit. This research explores the process of redesigning, testing, and …
Investigation Of Thermal Scaling Effects For A Turbine Blade Leading Edge And Pressure Side Model, Ryan A. Lynch
Investigation Of Thermal Scaling Effects For A Turbine Blade Leading Edge And Pressure Side Model, Ryan A. Lynch
Theses and Dissertations
Recent experiments have attempted to quantify the overall cooling effectiveness at elevated temperature conditions. The Film Cooling Rig (FCR) at the Air Force Institute of Technology has been modified to better match the configuration of a similar large scale, low temperature rig at the Air Force Research Laboratory. This has enabled comparison and trend identification of how various properties scale from the low to high temperature condition. Various internal cooling and hole geometry configurations were investigated over a range of temperatures while utilizing the thermal scaling capability of Inconel 718. Film cooling trends and measures of overall effectiveness were matched, …
Flight Test Investigation On The Effects Of Aircraft Flap Configuration Change On Longitudinal Trim, Tiziano Bernard
Flight Test Investigation On The Effects Of Aircraft Flap Configuration Change On Longitudinal Trim, Tiziano Bernard
Theses and Dissertations
Loss of Control (LOC) in general aviation has been a topic of extensive study and analysis in the United States and the European Union due to a long series of aircraft accidents in the past decades. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has identified over 1500 accidents in the traffic pattern involving LOC in general aviation aircraft between 1982 and 2015. LOC has often been attributed to deficiencies in pilot training, and the typical recommendation to reduce the number of accidents is to provide further training in stalls and spins. The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has performed research that …
Experimental, Numerical, And Analytical Slosh Dynamics Of Water And Liquid Nitrogen In A Spherical Tank, Jedediah Morse Storey
Experimental, Numerical, And Analytical Slosh Dynamics Of Water And Liquid Nitrogen In A Spherical Tank, Jedediah Morse Storey
Theses and Dissertations
Understanding, predicting, and controlling fluid slosh dynamics is critical to safety and improving performance of space missions when a significant percentage of the spacecraft’s mass is a liquid. Computational fluid dynamics simulations can be used to predict the dynamics of slosh, but these programs require extensive validation. Many experimental and numerical studies of water slosh have been conducted. However, slosh data for cryogenic liquids is lacking. Water and cryogenic liquid nitrogen are used in various ground-based tests with a spherical tank to characterize damping, slosh mode frequencies, and slosh forces. A single ring baffle is installed in the tank for …
Multi-Cubesat Deployment Strategies: How Different Satellite Deployment Schemes Affect Satellite Separation And Detection For Various Types Of Constellations And Missions, Scott A. Biehl Jr.
Multi-Cubesat Deployment Strategies: How Different Satellite Deployment Schemes Affect Satellite Separation And Detection For Various Types Of Constellations And Missions, Scott A. Biehl Jr.
Theses and Dissertations
As economics drive an increased demand for small satellites and, consequently, an increase in the number of satellites deployed per launch, different deployment schemes and their effects on satellite dynamics must be well understood. While there are advantages to deploying multiple satellites at once, users may have trouble with tracking, identifying, and communicating with their satellites. This investigation examines the deployment of eight 3U CubeSats, and the resulting relative motion within a constellation. Both the distance between any two satellites within a constellation and the volume of a polygon encompassing a constellation are used to analyze the satellite dynamics within …
Liquid Fuel Film Cooling: A Cfd Analysis With Hydrocarbon Fuel, Jacob D. Bills
Liquid Fuel Film Cooling: A Cfd Analysis With Hydrocarbon Fuel, Jacob D. Bills
Theses and Dissertations
Cooling of liquid rocket engine combustion chambers and nozzles is a critical component to liquid rocket engine design. A common method of cooling is liquid fuel film cooling. Liquid fuel is injected along the surface of the wall to act as a barrier against the core combustion gases. A numerical model is developed for simulating liquid fuel _lm cooling in a rocket engine using a hydrocarbon fuel. The model incorporates turbulent multiphase ow with species transport within the commercial ANSYS® Fluent CFD software. Conjugate heat transfer is simulated through walls containing embedded cooling channels. A novel User Defined Function is …
Localized Plasma Measurement During Instability Modes In A Hall Thruster, David A. Cunningham
Localized Plasma Measurement During Instability Modes In A Hall Thruster, David A. Cunningham
Theses and Dissertations
Hall thrusters are a key technology for current and future unmanned satellites, striking a balance between thrust and fuel economy suitable for many mission profiles of interest. Despite their extensive flight heritage and a large body of research, many phenomena occurring in the plasma discharge of Hall thrusters are not well understood. A combination of intrusive and non-intrusive measurement techniques were used to investigate the properties of the exhaust plume of two Hall thrusters and correlate optical characteristics of oscillating modes with the plasma potential and azimuthal current distribution during those modes. A strong trend was found associating the optical …
Conceptual Design, Structural Analysis, And Design Space Exploration Of A Vacuum Lighter Than Air Vehicle, Brian C. Cranston
Conceptual Design, Structural Analysis, And Design Space Exploration Of A Vacuum Lighter Than Air Vehicle, Brian C. Cranston
Theses and Dissertations
The research detailed in this study investigates an internal vacuum as well as its optimal structural design, utilizing currently available materials, as an alternative to traditional gases to create and sustain buoyancy in lighter than air vehicles. To date, the consideration of a vacuum lighter than air vehicle has been limited to three sources of literature, the earliest of which dates back to 1663. This study will initially summarize and review this literature. We will then combine finite element analysis, dimensional analysis, design of experiments, and response surface methodology studies to explore the feasibility, and the functional design of a …
Key Detection Rate Modeling And Analysis For Satellite-Based Quantum Key Distribution, Jonathan C. Denton
Key Detection Rate Modeling And Analysis For Satellite-Based Quantum Key Distribution, Jonathan C. Denton
Theses and Dissertations
A satellite QKD model was developed and validated, that allows a user to determine the optimum wavelength for use in a satellite-based QKD link considering the location of ground sites, selected orbit and hardware performance. This thesis explains how the model was developed, validated and presents results from a simulated year-long study of satellite-based quantum key distribution. It was found that diffractive losses and atmospheric losses define a fundamental trade space that drives both orbit and wavelength selection. The optimal orbit is one which generates the highest detection rates while providing equal pass elevation angles and durations to multiple ground …
Orbital Resonances In The Vinti Solution, Laura M. Duffy
Orbital Resonances In The Vinti Solution, Laura M. Duffy
Theses and Dissertations
The Vinti Solution offers a more accurate model than the two-body problem as an orbital propagator. Unfortunately, the Vinti solution contains small divisors near orbital resonances in the perturbative terms of the Hamiltonian, which lead to inaccurate orbital predictions. One approach to avoid the small divisors is to apply transformation theory. The methodology of this research is to identify the perturbative terms of the Vinti Solution, perform a coordinate transformation, and derive the new equations of motion for the Vinti system near orbital resonances. The analysis in this research focuses on the 2:1 resonance, which includes the Global Positioning System. …
Spectroscopic Measurement Of Gas Temperature In Small Internal Combustion Engines, Matthew J. Deutsch
Spectroscopic Measurement Of Gas Temperature In Small Internal Combustion Engines, Matthew J. Deutsch
Theses and Dissertations
The Small Engine Research Bench (SERB) was used previously to measure spatially and temporally averaged heat flux, as well as local, instantaneous heat flux at several external locations, for a series of small engines (1 - 10 kW). This investigation obtained time averaged crank angle resolved measurements of the in-cylinder gas temperature using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) absorption thermometry. The results, coupled with heat flux measurements, will enable the validation or refinement of existing thermal energy loss models.
Effects Of Additive Manufacturing Methods On The Dynamic Properties Of 15-5ph Stainless Steel, Allison A. Dempsey
Effects Of Additive Manufacturing Methods On The Dynamic Properties Of 15-5ph Stainless Steel, Allison A. Dempsey
Theses and Dissertations
Experimental research was conducted to determine the dynamic properties and characterize the microstructure of 15-5PH Stainless Steel manufactured through Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) additive manufacturing (AM) processes and heat treated using common heat treatment protocols. A thorough understanding of the material's properties is necessary before such parts are utilized in an operational capacity. Of the five builds, two deviated significantly from the specified composition of 15-5PH stainless steel. The remaining three builds, possessing the desired composition and crystalline structure, were tested in compression and tension at two strain rates. Tension tests using a reflected wave and a momentum trap …
Space Object Self-Tracker On-Board Orbit Determination Analysis, Stacie M. Flamos
Space Object Self-Tracker On-Board Orbit Determination Analysis, Stacie M. Flamos
Theses and Dissertations
Due to the United States' growing dependence on space based assets and the in- creasing number of resident space objects (RSO), improvement of Space Situational Awareness (SSA) capabilities is more necessary than ever. As a way to aid in this need, the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) is developing the Space Object Self-Tracker (SOS) as a proof-of-concept experimental satellite for RSO precision tracking and collision avoidance system in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). Specifically, SOS will use Global Positioning System (GPS) position estimates for on-board orbit de- termination. Currently, SOS will use the Simplified General Perturbations-4 (SGP4) algorithm as its …
Surface Roughness Of Electron Beam Melting Ti-6al-4v Effect On Ultrasonic Testing, Evan T. Hanks
Surface Roughness Of Electron Beam Melting Ti-6al-4v Effect On Ultrasonic Testing, Evan T. Hanks
Theses and Dissertations
Experimental research was conducted on the effects of surface roughness on ultrasonic non-destructive testing of Electron Beam Melted (EBM) additively manufactured Ti-6Al-4V. Additive Manufacturing (AM) is a developing technology with many potential benefits, but certain challenges posed by its use require further research before AM parts are viable for widespread use in the aviation industry. Possible applications of this new technology include, Aircraft Battle Damage Repair (ABDR), small batch manufacturing to fill supply gaps, and replacement for obsolete parts. The research presented here assesses the effectiveness of ultrasonic inspection in detecting manufactured flaws in EBM manufactured Ti-6Al-4V. EBM products are …
Enhanced Flow Migration In Full Annular Ultra Compact Combustor, Nicholas A. Gilbert
Enhanced Flow Migration In Full Annular Ultra Compact Combustor, Nicholas A. Gilbert
Theses and Dissertations
Since combustion efficiency in modern jet engines has stabilized, attention has turned to improving the combustor by improving the thrust-to-weight ratio. The Ultra Compact Combustor (UCC) is a means to reduce the weight of the combustor while ensuring exhaust meets increasingly stringent government emission standards. Combustion occurs within the UCC under a g-load in the circumferential direction, which maintains combustion efficiency while decreasing axial combustor length. Previous analysis optimized the combustion chamber flame characteristics with a common upstream air source. Previously, issues for the UCC were inspired by integration into a traditional axial turbojet. The focus of this investigation was …
Investigation Into Reynolds Number Effects On A Biomimetic Flapping Wing, Daniel K. Hope
Investigation Into Reynolds Number Effects On A Biomimetic Flapping Wing, Daniel K. Hope
Theses and Dissertations
This research investigated how the nature of the wing changed as a function of Reynolds number by measuring the forces produced by wings with varying characteristic lengths, tested at varying air densities. Increasing the wing span increased the overall weight of the wing, which reduced the 1st natural frequency; and did not result in an increase in vertical force over the baseline 50 mm wing. However; if the decrease in natural frequency was counteracted by increasing the thickness of the joint material in the linkage mechanism, vertical force production did increase over the baseline wing planform. Negligible forces and moments …
Evaluation Of Unmanned Aircraft Flying Qualities Using Jsbsim, Joshua P. Kim
Evaluation Of Unmanned Aircraft Flying Qualities Using Jsbsim, Joshua P. Kim
Theses and Dissertations
Flying qualities data can be used to predict the future performance of aircraft; however, no flying qualities requirements exist for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). The intent of flying qualities requirements is to guarantee the safety and operational effectiveness of the aircraft. Flying qualities requirements have been extensively researched and specified for fixed-wing and rotary-wing manned aircraft based on a substantial database of assessments. The critical issue today in flying qualities is how to extend them to pilotless aircraft. A simulation study using an open-source flight dynamics model (JSBSim) was conducted to perform various performance maneuvers and evaluate how well the …
Analysis Of A Modified Equivalent Circuit Model For Lithium-Ion Battery Modules In Cubesats, James J. Liu
Analysis Of A Modified Equivalent Circuit Model For Lithium-Ion Battery Modules In Cubesats, James J. Liu
Theses and Dissertations
Failure of the electrical power system (EPS) to meet mission requirements is a common problem in nano-size satellites commonly referred to as CubeSats. The motivation for this research stems from the desire to prevent EPS failure through a process of testing and space qualification of components. Utilizing models to predict the behavior of an EPS before it is designed, built, and tested for space can provide critical insight in areas of limitation in performance and survivability. Modeling an entire EPS system is challenging because it requires extensive knowledge of all components and their behavior. This research focuses specifically on the …
Performance Testing Of Various Nozzle Design For Water Electrolysis Thruster, Yuen Liu
Performance Testing Of Various Nozzle Design For Water Electrolysis Thruster, Yuen Liu
Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this research is to develop new nozzles for the HYDROSTM thruster, a pulsed chemical thruster, to improve the current flight performance. This research consists of a base line test of the factory nozzle, as well as testing of three 15-degree conical nozzles with different expansion ratios. Experiments were conducted at plenum pressures 30, 40, and 45 psia to ensure the thruster is throttleable. Impulse bit data was collected through measuring the impulse response of each firing using a torsional balance thrust stand. Analysis of the thruster performance included calculations of impulse bit, specific impulse, thrust coefficient, …