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Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

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Articles 991 - 1020 of 1141

Full-Text Articles in Mechanical Engineering

Effect Of Inflow Pressure And Wall Heat Transfer On Shock-Induced Combustion/Detonation, B. S. Green, Harlan F. Nelson Jan 1996

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 …

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Hamiltonian Based Adaptive Critics For Missile Guidance, S. N. Balakrishnan, Jie Shen Jan 1996

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 …

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Heat Transfer In Two-Phase Solid-Rocket Plumes, Harlan F. Nelson, John C. Fields Jan 1996

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 …

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Global Characteristics And Structure Of Hydrogen-Air Counterflow Diffusion Flames, J. Zhao, Kakkattukuzhy M. Isaac, G. L. Pellett Jan 1996

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 …

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Compliant Pliers, Ashok Midha, S. C. Visser Jan 1996

Compliant Pliers, Ashok Midha, S. C. Visser

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The pliers include an endless loop, a top jaw appended to the endless loop, and a bottom jaw appended to the endless loop. The endless loop includes in series a top grip handle, a spring segment, a bottom grip handle and a compliant strip interconnecting the top and bottom grip handles. A rolling surface on the top grip handle rolls on a contact portion of the bottom grip handle. The rolling action causes the compliant strip to flex which causes the top and bottom jaws to move toward one another. The endless loop provides a built-in automatic spring and enhances …

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Gas And Liquid Phase Transport In Pulsed Fuel Sprays, Pete D. Jennings, James A. Drallmeier Jan 1996

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 …

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Target Profile Estimation Using Haar Functions, William R. Bockman, S. N. Balakrishnan, Christopher D'Souza, James Cloutier Jan 1996

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.

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Radiative Heating In Scramjet Combustors, Harlan F. Nelson Jan 1996

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 which 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 to 3000 K and 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 …

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Non-Axisymmetric Matrix Cracking And Interface Debonding With Friction In Ceramic Composites, F. S. Ji, Lokeswarappa R. Dharani Jan 1996

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 …

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A Dual Neural Network Architecture For Linear And Nonlinear Control Of Inverted Pendulum On A Cart, S. N. Balakrishnan, Victor Biega Jan 1996

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, …

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Fuzzy Logic In Restructurable Flight Control Systems, S. N. Balakrishnan, H. S. Ho Jan 1995

Fuzzy Logic In Restructurable Flight Control Systems, S. N. Balakrishnan, H. S. Ho

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

In this paper, a fuzzy logic controller (FLC) is proposed for restructurable flight control systems. The role of the FLC is to stabilize the aircraft upon a fault occurrence. The FLC derives pitch/roll/yaw controls from a generic knowledge base characterized by 49 if-then rules. A linearized model representative of a modern jet fighter provides the basis for the numerical simulation. Simulated faults include various degrees of surface loss at the right stabilator, combined with reduced ailerons and rudder control power. The FLC accomplishes the stabilization task under test conditions without any knowledge of the system parameters. The numerical results demonstrate …

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On A Method For Obtaining Approximate Solutions To Sturm-Liouville Problems, Serge Abrate Jan 1995

On A Method For Obtaining Approximate Solutions To Sturm-Liouville Problems, Serge Abrate

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A method presented recently to find approximate solutions to a Sturm-Liouville problem is shown to be a special case of a classical weighted residual method. The choice of approximation functions and convergence of the method are also examined. © 1995 American Mathematical Society.

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Thermal Contact Conductance Of Ceramic Substrate Junctions, K. C. Chung, H. K. Benson, John W. Sheffield Jan 1995

Thermal Contact Conductance Of Ceramic Substrate Junctions, K. C. Chung, H. K. Benson, John W. Sheffield

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

No abstract provided.

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Improved Finite Element Modeling Of The Turbofan Engine Inlet Radiation Problem, I. Danda Roy, Walter Eversman Jan 1995

Improved Finite Element Modeling Of The Turbofan Engine Inlet Radiation Problem, I. Danda Roy, Walter Eversman

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Improvements have been made in the finite element model of the acoustic radiated field from a turbofan engine inlet in the presence of a mean flow. The problem of acoustic radiation from a turbofan engine inlet is difficult to model numerically because of the large domain and high frequencies involved. A numerical model with conventional finite elements in the near field and wave envelope elements in the far field has been constructed. By employing an irrotational mean flow assumption, both the mean flow and the acoustic perturbation problem have been posed in an axisymmetric formulation in terms of the velocity …

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Vibration Of Point-Supported Rectangular Composite Plates, Serge Abrate Jan 1995

Vibration Of Point-Supported Rectangular Composite Plates, Serge Abrate

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A general approach is presented to study the free vibrations of rectangular symmetrically laminated composite plates with point supports by using the Rayleigh-Ritz method and the Lagrange multiplier technique for enforcing the zero displacement constraints at the support locations. Polynomial approximation functions are used, and the constitutive relationships are written in terms of four lamination parameters. With these lamination parameters, the number of design variables is reduced to a minimum, which is useful for design optimization purposes, while all symmetric lay-ups are considered. This paper illustrates how the lamination parameters can be used for optimal design of vibrating plates. Results …

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Adaptive Critic Based Neural Networks For Control (Low Order System Applications), S. N. Balakrishnan, Victor Biega Jan 1995

Adaptive Critic Based Neural Networks For Control (Low Order System Applications), S. N. Balakrishnan, Victor Biega

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Dynamic programming is an exact method of determining optimal control for a discretized system. Unfortunately, for nonlinear systems the computations necessary with this method become prohibitive. This study investigates the use of adaptive neural networks that utilize dynamic programming methodology to develop near optimal control laws. First, a one dimensional infinite horizon problem is examined. Problems involving cost functions with final state constraints are considered for one dimensional linear and nonlinear systems. A two dimensional linear problem is also investigated. In addition to these examples, an example of the corrective capabilities of critics is shown. Synthesis of the networks in …

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Hamiltonian Based Adaptive Critics For Aircraft Control, S. N. Balakrishnan, Jie Shen Jan 1995

Hamiltonian Based Adaptive Critics For Aircraft Control, S. N. Balakrishnan, Jie Shen

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Aircraft designs are becoming more complex in order to either operate more efficiently as in the commercial sector or to push the performance envelopes as in the military sector. An interesting outcome of this scenario is that `control'' has come to play an important role in helping realize these objectives. Increasingly, control is becoming an integral part of an aircraft design rather than an afterthought. More effective and efficient control of an aircraft is certain to lead to improved performance at a lower cost

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On The Use Of Students For Developing Engineering Laboratories, Bopaya Bidanda, Richard E. Billo Jan 1995

On The Use Of Students For Developing Engineering Laboratories, Bopaya Bidanda, Richard E. Billo

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This paper describes a unique and innovative approach that solved the dual problem of starting up a new engineering instructional laboratory in a timely manner, and for teaching engineering students advanced skills in Automatic Data Collection. Students enrolled in a special pilot course were used to develop and startup an Automatic Data Collection laboratory. These students were assigned individual Automatic Data Collection technologies of interest and given total responsibility for the successful startup of the laboratory. The organization and structure of the course modeled the typical team oriented project development efforts in industry. Feedback from students showed the course to …

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A New Neural Architecture For Homing Missile Guidance, S. N. Balakrishnan, Victor Biega Jan 1995

A New Neural Architecture For Homing Missile Guidance, S. N. Balakrishnan, Victor Biega

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

We present a new neural architecture which imbeds dynamic programming solutions to solve optimal target-intercept problems. They provide feedback guidance solutions, which are optimal with any initial conditions and time-to-go, for a 2D scenario. The method discussed in this study determines an optimal control law for a system by successively adapting two networks - an action and a critic network. This method determines the control law for an entire range of initial conditions; it simultaneously determines and adapts the neural networks to the optimal control policy for both linear and nonlinear systems. In addition, it is important to know that …

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Intercomparison Between Commercial Condensation Nucleus Counters And An Alternating Temperature Gradient Cloud Chamber, Darryl J. Alofs, C. K. Lutrus, Donald E. Hagen Jan 1995

Intercomparison Between Commercial Condensation Nucleus Counters And An Alternating Temperature Gradient Cloud Chamber, Darryl J. Alofs, C. K. Lutrus, Donald E. Hagen

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Three Commercial CNC Counters (TSI Models 3010, 3022A, and 3025A) Are Compared with an Alternating Temperature Gradient Cloud Chamber (ALGR). Electrically Size Classified Aerosols of Sodium Chloride and Silver Are Used. Diffusional Losses within the ALGR Are Much Larger Than for the TSI Instruments: Therefore the ALGR Concentrations Are Corrected for Internal Diffusional Losses, But the TSI Instruments Are Not. the Particle Size Range Tested is 4–90 Nm. for Sodium Chloride, the TSI Concentrations Agreed Fairly Well with the Corrected ALGR at Larger Sizes, and Were Below the Corrected ALGR at Smaller Sizes. the Electrical Aerosol Classifier (EAC) Setting at …

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Identification Of Cutting Force In End Milling Operations Using Recurrent Neural Networks, Q. Xu, K. Krishnamurthy, Bruce M. Mcmillin, Wen Feng Lu Jun 1994

Identification Of Cutting Force In End Milling Operations Using Recurrent Neural Networks, Q. Xu, K. Krishnamurthy, Bruce M. Mcmillin, Wen Feng Lu

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The problem of identifying the cutting force in end milling operations is considered in this study. Recurrent neural networks are used here and are trained using a recursive least squares training algorithm. Training results for data obtained from a SAJO 3-axis vertical milling machine for steady slot cuts are presented. The results show that a recurrent neural network can learn the functional relationship between the feed rate and steady-state average resultant cutting force very well. Furthermore, results for the Mackey-Glass time series prediction problem are presented to illustrate the faster learning capability of the neural network scheme presented here

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A Recursive Least Squares Training Algorithm For Multilayer Recurrent Neural Networks, Q. Xu, K. Krishnamurthy, Bruce M. Mcmillin, Wen Feng Lu Jun 1994

A Recursive Least Squares Training Algorithm For Multilayer Recurrent Neural Networks, Q. Xu, K. Krishnamurthy, Bruce M. Mcmillin, Wen Feng Lu

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Recurrent neural networks have the potential to perform significantly better than the commonly used feedforward neural networks due to their dynamical nature. However, they have received less attention because training algorithms/architectures have not been well developed. In this study, a recursive least squares algorithm to train recurrent neural networks with an arbitrary number of hidden layers is developed. The training algorithm is developed as an extension of the standard recursive estimation problem. Simulated results obtained for identification of the dynamics of a nonlinear dynamical system show promising results.

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Free Vibrations Of A Piezoelectric Body, J. S. Yang, R. C. Batra Mar 1994

Free Vibrations Of A Piezoelectric Body, J. S. Yang, R. C. Batra

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

We present a systematic analysis of the eigenvalue problem associated with free vibrations of a finite piezoelectric body. The analysis is based on an abstract formulation of the three-dimensional theory of piezoelectricity. A series of fundamental properties of free vibrations of a piezoelectric body are proved concisely. The problem of free vibrations of a piezoelectric plate governed by the two-dimensional plate equations due to Mindlin is treated in a similar manner. © 1994 Kluwer Academic Publishers.

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Optimal Design Of Laminated Plates And Shells, Serge Abrate Jan 1994

Optimal Design Of Laminated Plates And Shells, Serge Abrate

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Designing structures made out of composite materials represents a challenging task, since not only the thickness of the element must be determined to satisfy the constraints of the problem, but, in addition, the number of plies in the laminate and their relative orientation must also be selected. Because of their strong anisotropy, a careful selection of lay-up is required to make the best use of the capabilities of the material. In this article the optimum design of laminated plates and shells subjected to constraints on strength, stiffness, buckling loads, and fundamental natural frequencies are examined. © 1994.

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Buckling Of A Coating Bonded To A Round Bar Subjected To Axial Extension. Mech. Mater. 15 (1993) 131-138, C. W. Bert, Victor Birman Jan 1994

Buckling Of A Coating Bonded To A Round Bar Subjected To Axial Extension. Mech. Mater. 15 (1993) 131-138, C. W. Bert, Victor Birman

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

No abstract provided.

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On The Propagation Of A Shear Band In A Steel Tube, R. C. Batra, Xiangtong Zhang Jan 1994

On The Propagation Of A Shear Band In A Steel Tube, R. C. Batra, Xiangtong Zhang

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Marchand and Duffy tested thin-walled steel tubes in a split Hopkinson torsion bar at a nominal strain-rate of approximately 1600/s and could not determine conclusively whether a shear band initiating at a point in the tube propagated around the circumference in one direction or in both directions. They estimated the speed of propagation to be 520 m/s in the former case and 260 m/s in the latter. Here we simulate their test numerically and find that the shear band propagates in both directions around the circumference of the tube. When the tube is twisted at a nominal strain-rate of 5000/s, …

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Experiences In The Integration Of Design Across The Mechanical Engineering Curriculum, Ashok Midha, J. M. Starkey, D. P. Dewitt, R. W. Fox Jan 1994

Experiences In The Integration Of Design Across The Mechanical Engineering Curriculum, Ashok Midha, J. M. Starkey, D. P. Dewitt, R. W. Fox

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The Faculty of the School of Mechanical Engineering at Purdue University have effected a major change in the Purdue Mechanical Engineering program by integrating design throughout the curriculum. In doing so, a significant level of faculty interaction has been achieved as well. The goals of the curriculum revision are: (1) to improve student skills in how to solve open-ended design problems, (2) to reduce the core of the curriculum to allow flexibility in course selection, and allow time for solving design problems, (3) to improve student skills in team work and communications, and (4) to improve student skills in using …

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Use Of Hopfield Neural Networks In Optimal Guidance, S. N. Balakrishnan, James Edward Steck Jan 1994

Use Of Hopfield Neural Networks In Optimal Guidance, S. N. Balakrishnan, James Edward Steck

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A Hopfield neural network architecture is developed to solve the optimal control problem for homing missile guidance. A linear quadratic optimal control problem is formulated in the form of an efficient parallel computing device known as a Hopfield neural network. Convergence of the Hopfield network is analyzed from a theoretical perspective, showing that the network, as a dynamical system approaches a unique fixed point which is the solution to the optimal control problem at any instant during the missile pursuit. Several target-intercept scenarios are provided to demonstrate the use of the recurrent feedback neural net formulation.

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Approximate Analytical Guidance Schemes For Homing Missiles, S. N. Balakrishnan, Donald T. Stansbery Jan 1994

Approximate Analytical Guidance Schemes For Homing Missiles, S. N. Balakrishnan, Donald T. Stansbery

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Closed form solutions for the guidance laws are developed using modern control techniques. The resulting two-point boundary value problem is solved through the use of the state transition matrix of the intercept dynamics. Results are presented in terms of a design parameter.

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Impact On Laminated Composites: Recent Advances, Serge Abrate Jan 1994

Impact On Laminated Composites: Recent Advances, Serge Abrate

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Impact damage in structures made out of composite materials is a major concern since such damage can be introduced during the life of the structure, and its mechanical properties can be drastically reduced as a result. In a previous review of the literature on impact on composite materials, this author considered 285 published before 1989. In this article over 300 articles most of which appeared after 1989 are reviewed. These figures indicate that this is a very active area of research, and the present paper seeks to present a comprehensive view of the latest developments. Taken together, these two reviews …

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