Mechanical Engineering Commons^™

Freezing Point Mobile Munitions Assessment Sytem: Thermal Chamber Redesign, Sara Gifford, Preston Harris

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

The Army is actively investigating non-intrusive methods to identify six chemical weapons agents. The chemical munitions in question are often found scattered across military bases and other facilities. These non-stockpile munitions are specifically targeted for identification using the mobile munitions assessment system. This program is being administered by the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory.

Three-Dimensional Aerodynamic Design Optimization Using Discrete Sensitivity Analysis And Parallel Computing, Amidu Olawale Oloso

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

A hybrid automatic differentiation/incremental iterative method was implemented in the general purpose advanced computational fluid dynamics code (CFL3D Version 4.1) to yield a new code (CFL3D.ADII) that is capable of computing consistently discrete first order sensitivity derivatives for complex geometries. With the exception of unsteady problems, the new code retains all the useful features and capabilities of the original CFL3D flow analysis code. The superiority of the new code over a carefully applied method of finite-differences is demonstrated.

A coarse grain, scalable, distributed-memory, parallel version of CFL3D.ADII was developed based on "derivative stripmining". In this data-parallel approach, an identical copy …

Input Design For Systems Under Identification Using Indirect And Direct Methods, Marco P. Schoen

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The motivation for system identification can be manifold. In this work, the provocation to identify unknown system characteristics is derived from the control engineering point of view. That is, one intends to design a control strategy based on the identified system properties. The used system identification methods are the Open-Loop Kalman filter System Identification method (OKID) and the Closed-Loop System Identification method (CLID). It is shown that the quantitative largest error of the system identification is given by its model representation, that is the attempt to describe a system with model parameters which poses a linear relationship with the input/output …

Adaptive Critic Based Neurocontroller For Autolanding Of Aircrafts, S. N. Balakrishnan, Gaurav Saini

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

In this paper, adaptive critic based neural networks have been used to design a controller for a benchmark problem in aircraft autolanding. The adaptive critic control methodology comprises successive adaptations of two neural networks, namely action and critic network (which approximate the Hamiltonian equations associated with optimal control theory) until closed loop optimal control is achieved. The autolanding problem deals with longitudinal dynamics of an aircraft which is to be landed in a specified touchdown region (within acceptable ranges of speed, pitch angle and sink rate) in the presence of wind disturbances and gusts using elevator deflection as the control …

Adaptive Critic Based Neurocontroller For Autolanding Of Aircraft With Varying Glideslopes, Gaurav Saini, S. N. Balakrishnan

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

In this paper, adaptive critic based neural networks have been used to design a controller for a benchmark problem in aircraft autolanding. The adaptive critic control methodology comprises successive adaptations of two neural networks, namely `action' and `critic' networks until closed loop optimal control is achieved. The autolanding problem deals with longitudinal dynamics of an aircraft which is to be landed in a specified touchdown region in the presence of wind disturbances and gusts using elevator deflection as the control for glideslope and flare modes. The performance of the neurocontroller is compared to that of a conventional PID controller. Neurocontroller's …

A Feasibility Study Of Fuel Cell Cogeneration In Industry, Scott B. Phelps, J. Kelly Kissock

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Publications

Up until now, most of the literature on fuel cell cogeneration describes cogeneration at commercial sites. In this study, a PC25C phosphoric acid fuel cell cogeneration system was designed for an industrial facility and an economic analysis was performed. The US DOE Industrial Assessment Center (IAC) database was examined to determine what industry considers a good investment for energy saving measures. Finally, the results of the cogeneration analysis and database investigation were used to project the conditions in which the PC25C might be accepted by industry.

Analysis of IAC database revealed that energy conservation recommendations with simple paybacks as high …

A Finite Element Formulation For Aft Fan Duct Acoustic Radiation, Walter Eversman

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A finite element code has been developed for the prediction of the radiated acoustic field in and around the aft fan duct of a turbofan engine. The acoustic field is modeled based on the assumption that the steady flow in and around the nacelle is irrotational as is the acoustic perturbation. The geometry of the nacelle is axisymmetric, and the acoustic source is harmonic and decomposed into its angular harmonics. The steady flow is computed on the acoustic mesh and provides data for the acoustic calculations. The jet is included in the steady flow potential flow model by separating the …

Radiative Heating In Scramjet Combustors, Harlan F. Nelson

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Currently, there is considerable interest in scramjet engines for hypersonic aircraft and missiles. This paper presents preliminary calculations of the radiative heating of the walls of scramjet combustion chambers. The analysis assumes isothermal, constant property flow fields that are representative of actual combustor flow fields. The fuel is H2, and N2 is taken as inert. Temperature in the combustor is on the order of 2000-3000 K and the pressure is of the order of 5 atm. The combustion products consist mainly of H2O and OH. These gases are strong radiators in the infrared. Radiation heating can be significant because of …

A System For Collecting Milligram Quantities Of Cloud Condensation Nuclei, Darryl J. Alofs, Donald E. Hagen, Steven D. Medley, Daniel R. White, John L. Schmitt, Allen L. Williams

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

An Experimental System to Collect Cloud Condensation Nuclei (CCN) Onto Filters in Amounts Sufficient for Chemical Analysis is Described. This Experimental Apparatus is Designed to Process Ambient Air at a Rate of More Than 1 M3/min. Two Identical Systems Have Been Built. One is Installed in a Laboratory at Rolla, MO. the Other is Installed on an 11 M Long Trailer. the System Isolates Three Size Classes of CCN, Having Mass Median Diameters of 0.27, 0.12, and 0.075 Μm, Respectively, and Mass Collection Rates of 11.5, 1.28, and 0.13 Mg/day, Respectively. the above Sizes and Collection Rates Are Obtained from …

Parametric Correlations For Generic Scramjet Combustors With Ramp-Type Injectors, Jason Granville Bush

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Development of an efficient scramjet combustor requires the use of computational models due to the cost of full-scale physical testing in the speed regime of Mach 10 through Mach 18. This study focuses upon the database generated by one such computational model, SHIP3D, which describes a generic scramjet combustor using ramp-type file! injectors. Three generalized parametric equations have been developed from this database, which describe the fuel-air mixing efficiency within the scramjet combustor as a function of normalized-axial combustor distance, ramp injector-region lift coefficient, and stoichiometry. It is shown that one of the three equations nearly models the trends as …

The Effectiveness Of Film Cooling In A Hypersonic Flowfield With Favorable Pressure Gradients, Julie A. Young

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The impetus of this technical document is to report results of aerothermodynamic cooling of a scramjet nozzle under favorable pressure gradients. The goals of film cooling are to protect the nozzle skin from the high enthalpy combustor flow, reduce regenerative cooling requirements, and decrease nozzle skin friction. A hypersonic nozzle configuration for which experimental data exists was selected as the basis of this numerical study. As a first step, the numerical results of film cooling along a flat plate are compared to previous literature to validate the numerical model. Subsequently, computations are performed to study the effects of varying the …

Numerical Analysis Of Two And Three Dimensional Recessed Flame Holders For Scramjet Applications, Douglas L. Davis

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the flame holding properties of recessed cavities in supersonic flow using numerical analysis techniques. A simplified analytical model indicated that an important property for flame holding was the lower residence time. Several chemical kinetic rate models for hydrogen and hydrocarbon combustion were compared. The perfectly stirred reactor model also indicated that trace species diffusion should increase flame spreading rate, and that heat loss reduces flame holding limits. After nonreacting calibration, two-dimensional simulations confirmed the perfectly stirred reactor results for blowout limits. Also, the effect of trace species diffusion on flame spreading was shown to be negligible, and …

Numerical Prediction Of Turbulent Diffusion Flames Formed By Cylindrical Tube Injector, Ali S. Kheireddine

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

This work summarizes numerical results for a diffusion flame formed from a cylindrical tube fuel injector, issuing gaseous fuel jet vertically in a quiescent atmosphere. Both pure fuels as well as fuel mixtures are examined. The primary objective is to predict the flame base height as a function of the jet velocity. A finite volume scheme is used to discretize the time-averaged Navier-Stokes equations for the reacting flow, resulting from the turbulent fuel jet motion. The turbulent stresses, and heat and mass fluxes are computed from the Reynolds stress turbulence model. A chemical kinetics model involving a two-step chemical reaction …

A Progressive Damage Methodology For Residual Strength Predictions Of Center-Crack Tension Composite Panels, Timothy William Coats

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

An investigation of translaminate fracture and a progressive damage methodology was conducted to evaluate and develop residual strength prediction capability for laminated composites with through penetration notches. This is relevant to the damage tolerance of an aircraft fuselage that might suffer an in-flight accident such as an uncontained engine failure. An experimental characterization of several composite materials systems revealed an R-curve type of behavior. Fractographic examinations led to the postulate that this crack growth resistance could be due to fiber bridging, defined here as fractured fibers of one ply bridged by intact fibers of an adjacent ply.

The progressive damage …

An Investigation Of The Characteristics Of Regenerative Heat Exchangers, Timothy J. Murphy

Theses and Dissertations

The objective of the current research was to investigate the effects of reducing screen thickness on the volume and compactness factor of stacked, wire-screen regenerators. An improved transient step-change method was devised which integrated experimental data with a numerical model of the flow to determine the heat transfer coefficient and friction factor. The improvements to the approach are: (1) the measured inlet temperature trace is used, (2) the heat transfer coefficient is based on a parameter called the sponge effect delay time, and (3) the important effect of the tube surrounding the matrix is included in the numerical model. The …

Optimization Of Torquer Coil Design For Use With The Small Satellite Attitude Control Simulator, David Deloyd Anderson

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

This paper presents a procedure used to optimize the performance of a ferromagnetic core magnetic torquer coil design for use on the Space Dynamics Laboratory (Logan, UT) Small Satellite Attitude Control Simulator. The items of optimization include the primary goal of maximizing the coil 's magnetic moment while reducing power consumption and system mass within given power, mass, and dimensional constraints. The optimization process makes use of several simple equations to determine a few starting points for design, after which an iterative approach based on experimentation is used to produce the final design. It is found that optimal magnetic moment …

Unsteady, Transonic Flow Around Delta Wings Undergoing Coupled And Natural Modes Response: A Multidisciplinary Problem, Margaret Anne Menzies

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The unsteady, three-dimensional Navier-Stokes equations coupled with the Euler equations of rigid-body dynamics are sequentially solved to simulate and analyze the aerodynamic response of a high angle of attack delta wing undergoing oscillatory motion. The governing equations of fluid flow and dynamics of the multidisciplinary problem are solved using a time-accurate solution of the laminar, unsteady, compressible, full Navier-Stokes equations with the implicit, upwind, Roe flux-difference splitting, finite-volume scheme and a four-state Runge-Kutta scheme, respectively. The primary model under consideration consists of a 65° swept, sharp-edged, cropped delta wing of zero thickness at 20° angle of attack. In a freestream …

Sensitivity Analysis And Optimization Of Aerodynamic Configurations With Blend Surfaces, Almuttil Mathew Thomas

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

A novel (geometrical) parametrization procedure using solutions to a suitably chosen fourth order partial differential equation is used to define a class of airplane configurations. Inclusive in this definition are surface grids, volume grids, and grid sensitivity. The general airplane configuration has wing, fuselage, vertical tail and horizontal tail. The design variables are incorporated into the boundary conditions, and the solution is expressed as a Fourier series. The fuselage has circular cross section, and the radius is an algebraic function of four design parameters and an independent computational variable. Volume grids are obtained through an application of the Control Point …

An Approach For Multidisciplinary Design Optimization, Robert V. Krueger

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Multidisciplinary Design Optimization (MDO) is an optimization technique that allows complex designs to be improved by managing conflicting goals in such a fashion so as to improve the overall design. This thesis presents a nonhierarchic MDO formulation and gives a general explanation of how it is to be applied to various appropriate problems. In addition, this thesis evaluates the viability of this MDO technique by applying it to two distinct, multidisciplinary problems that have been used as examples in other literature. The first example problem is a combined aerodynamic/structural problem and the second example is an alkylation process problem. First, …

Variational Methods In Sensitivity Analysis And Optimization For Aerodynamic Applications, Adem Ibrahim Hussen

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Variational methods (VM) sensitivity analysis, which is the continuous alternative to the discrete sensitivity analysis, is employed to derive the costate (adjoint) equations, the transversality conditions, and the functional sensitivity derivatives. In the derivation of the sensitivity equations, the variational methods use the generalized calculus of variations, in which the variable boundary is considered as the design function. The converged solution of the state equations together with the converged solution of the costate equations are integrated along the domain boundary to uniquely determine the functional sensitivity derivatives with respect to the design function.

The determination of the sensitivity derivatives of …

A Finite Element Model Of Thermoacoustic Oscillations In Rayleigh Flow, Carlos A. Gutierrez, Walter Eversman

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The work reported here describes a portion of the development of a finite element model of thermoacoustic oscillations in ducted flows, including three dimensional geometries and nonuniform mean flows with steady heat addition. The thermoacoustic problem is not modeled by a form of the convected wave equation but instead by the conservation equations in primitive form. In this paper the three-dimensional model is reduced to one dimension, applicable to a uniform geometry, but allowing an axially nonuniform flow with sharp gradients in temperature, density, and Mach number. The steady mean flow is computed as a Rayleigh flow. Calculations are shown …

A Dual Neural Network Architecture For Linear And Nonlinear Control Of Inverted Pendulum On A Cart, S. N. Balakrishnan, Victor Biega

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The use of a self-contained dual neural network architecture for the solution of nonlinear optimal control problems is investigated in this study. The network structure solves the dynamic programming equations in stages and at the convergence, one network provides the optimal control and the second network provides a fault tolerance to the control system. We detail the steps in design and solve a linearized and a nonlinear, unstable, four-dimensional inverted pendulum on a cart problem. Numerical results are presented and compared with linearized optimal control. Unlike the previously published neural network solutions, this methodology does not need any external training, …

A Class Of Modified Hopfield Networks For Aircraft Identification And Control, Jie Shen, S. N. Balakrishnan

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This paper presents a class of modified Hopfield neural networks and their use in solving aircraft optimal control and identification problems. This class of networks consists of parallel recurrent networks which have variable dimensions that can be changed to fit the problems under consideration. It has a structure to implement an inverse transformation that is essential for embedding optimal control gain sequences. Equilibrium solutions are discussed. Energy minimization of the networks leads to identification of the system parameters. Numerical results are provided to identify the dynamics of an aircraft, and the corresponding optimal control is calculated online. Comparison of the …

Heat Transfer In Two-Phase Solid-Rocket Plumes, Harlan F. Nelson, John C. Fields

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Results of a direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) and free molecule (FM) analysis of convective heat transfer to Al2O3 particles in solid-rocket plume environments are presented. The particle diameters are assumed to be 4μm, and the plume gases are CO2, H2O, CO, and N2. The plume gas temperature is 2000 K. Particle temperatures of 1500, 2000, and 2500 K are investigated for Knudsen numbers from 1/2 to 1000 (from slip flow to FM flow). The Nusselt number is presented in terms of Knudsen number and Reynolds number (or relative velocity). Both the Kavanau and the Kashmarov and Svirshevskii correlations generally …

Effect Of Inflow Pressure And Wall Heat Transfer On Shock-Induced Combustion/Detonation, B. S. Green, Harlan F. Nelson

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Oblique detonation waves are possible ignition mechanisms for scramjet engines. Results from a numerical study of the effects of changing the inflow pressure on oblique detonation wave structure for supersonic flow of a stoichiometric hydrogen-air mixture over a flat plate followed by a ramp are presented. Viscous effects and finite-rate chemistry are considered. Inflow pressure is varied from 0.1 to 1 atmosphere for Mach 4 inflow over a 30-degree ramp. Also, the effect of wall heat transfer rate is examined by comparing adiabatic wall, and constant temperature wall solutions. A separation bubble forms at the intersection of the flat plate …

Hamiltonian Based Adaptive Critics For Missile Guidance, S. N. Balakrishnan, Jie Shen

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A Hamiltonian based adaptive critic structure is proposed for solving missile guidance problems. This structure consists of a supervisor neural network called 'critic' and a controller network called 'action'. Together they are used to solve model-based guidance problems. The advantage of this approach is that: i) the training data for each network is created by the other network, ii) the converged solutions yield near optimal guidance over the entire span of the training range, and iii) they can be used as feedback controllers though trained off-line. A main contribution is that we establish a direct link between traditional optimal control …

Target Profile Estimation Using Haar Functions, William R. Bockman, S. N. Balakrishnan, Christopher D'Souza, James Cloutier

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

An approach to estimating the target acceleration in a maneuvering target model using Haar function partial summations to model the target acceleration is developed. A kinematic constraint is applied to the maneuvering target model and the effects of the use of this constraint are reviewed.

Non-Axisymmetric Matrix Cracking And Interface Debonding With Friction In Ceramic Composites, F. S. Ji, Lokeswarappa R. Dharani

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

An three-dimensional analytical model based on the principle of minimum potential energy is developed and applied to determine the stress state in a discrete fiber/matrix composite cylinder subjected to axial tensile loading in the fiber direction and containing a non-symmetric transverse matrix crack and an interface debond. The friction over the debonded interface is incorporated into the analysis. The strain energy release rates associated with the matrix crack and the interface debonding under the combination of the applied load and the interface frictional force are computed. The strain energy release rate criterion has been employed to evaluate the critical applied …

Global Characteristics And Structure Of Hydrogen-Air Counterflow Diffusion Flames, J. Zhao, Kakkattukuzhy M. Isaac, G. L. Pellett

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A model based on similarity transformation, for the nitrogen-diluted, H2-air opposed-jet laminar counterflow diffusion flame (CFDF), was developed independently of earlier models, and numerically solved to study flame location and flame structure and extinction limits. Numerical stiffness is handled by a special treatment of the species production term. Flame location with respect to the stagnation plane is identified as an important parameter that governs H2-air diffusion flames, and physical explanations are given to show how flame location is affected by fuel dilution, strain rate, and Lewis number. Results show very good agreement with experimental extinction conditions. The effect of thermal …

Gas And Liquid Phase Transport In Pulsed Fuel Sprays, Pete D. Jennings, James A. Drallmeier

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

An infrared extinction technique was used to characterize spatially and temporally the vapor phase of a transient fuel spray. Optical extinction data were taken at two laser wavelengths and compared to obtain fuel vapor partial pressure values averaged over the line-of-sight through the spray. A transient fuel injector spray was characterized at several axial positions with a spatial resolution of 0.125 cm and a temporal resolution of 0.2 ms. With the knowledge of an axisymmetric spray pulse, the line-of-sight averaged results were deconvoluted to obtain spatially resolved vapor pressure data. The same spray was also characterized using phase/doppler interferometry to …