Variable Data Collection Rate System for a Wildlife Behavior Monitor

Behavior monitors typically collect data, and consequently spend energy, at fixed intervals. For devices that utilize energy harvesting, a fixed data collection interval may result in inefficient battery usage due to variability in available solar radiation. Work was performed for a system capable of adjusting a data collection rate, proportional to changes in battery charge, such that data obtained was maximized without sacrificing battery energy sustainability. Energy consumption, of an actual behavior monitor, was modeled to aid in design and evaluation of a changeable data collection rate system. Model validation was performed by comparing simulated to empirical data for battery charge over time. Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) control was used that changed the rate at which data was collected such that error was minimized between battery State Of Charge (SOC) and a reference point. Gain scheduling was incorporated as a mechanism to resist change in data collection rate caused by fluctuation in available SOC. Gain parameters for a discrete, time domain, PID controller were tuned using a manual, trial and error method. Results of tuning showed improved performance with the absence of Integral control. The system was evaluated by performing simulations for change in available solar energy. Results showed that data collection adjusted to changes in available energy and as a consequence, SOC remained within +/-5% of a reference point

Oral History Interview: Sheridan Estel Blackshire

This interview is one of a series concerning workers in various West Virginia industries and businesses. Mr. Blackshire left his father\u27s farm in Sissonville, West Virginia at age sixteen to begin work for Appalachian Power in the area of DuPont, West Virginia. In 1973, he was living in Elkview, West Virginia. Topics discussed in this interview include: food preservation, land leasing, marketing livestock, and hunting.https://mds.marshall.edu/oral_history/1065/thumbnail.jp

Digital PIV (DPIV) Software Analysis System

A software package was developed to provide a Digital PIV (DPIV) capability for NASA LaRC. The system provides an automated image capture, test correlation, and autocorrelation analysis capability for the Kodak Megaplus 1.4 digital camera system for PIV measurements. The package includes three separate programs that, when used together with the PIV data validation algorithm, constitutes a complete DPIV analysis capability. The programs are run on an IBM PC/AT host computer running either Microsoft Windows 3.1 or Windows 95 using a 'quickwin' format that allows simple user interface and output capabilities to the windows environment

MSTB 2 x 6-Inch Low Speed Tunnel Turbulence Generator Grid/Honeycomb PIV Measurements and Analysis

An assessment of the turbulence levels present in the Measurement Science and Technology (MSTB) branch's 2 x 6-inch low speed wind tunnel was made using Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV), and a turbulence generator consisting of a grid/honeycomb structure. Approximately 3000 digital PIV images were captured and analyzed covering an approximate 2 x 6-inch area along the centerline of the tunnel just beyond the turbulence generator system. Custom software for analysis and acquisition was developed for semi-automated digital PIV image acquisition and analysis. Comparisons between previously obtained LTA and LV turbulence measurements taken in the tunnel are presented

Analysis of Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) Data for Acoustic Velocity Measurements

Acoustic velocity measurements were taken using Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) in a Normal Incidence Tube configuration at various frequency, phase, and amplitude levels. This report presents the results of the PIV analysis and data reduction portions of the test and details the processing that was done. Estimates of lower measurement sensitivity levels were determined based on PIV image quality, correlation, and noise level parameters used in the test. Comparison of measurements with linear acoustic theory are presented. The onset of nonlinear, harmonic frequency acoustic levels were also studied for various decibel and frequency levels ranging from 90 to 132 dB and 500 to 3000 Hz, respectively

Analysis of Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) Data for Application to Subsonic Jet Noise Studies

Global velocimetry measurements were taken using Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) in the subsonic flow exiting a 1 inch circular nozzle in an attempt to better understand the turbulence characteristics of its shear layer region. This report presents the results of the PIV analysis and data reduction portions of the test and details the processing that was done. Custom data analysis and data validation algorithms were developed and applied to a data ensemble consisting of over 750 PIV 70 mm photographs taken in the 0.85 mach flow facility. Results are presented detailing spatial characteristics of the flow including ensemble mean and standard deviation, turbulence intensities and Reynold's stress levels, and 2-point spatial correlations

PIV/HPIV Film Analysis Software Package

A PIV/HPIV film analysis software system was developed that calculates the 2-dimensional spatial autocorrelations of subregions of Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) or Holographic Particle Image Velocimetry (HPIV) film recordings. The software controls three hardware subsystems including (1) a Kodak Megaplus 1.4 camera and EPIX 4MEG framegrabber subsystem, (2) an IEEE/Unidex 11 precision motion control subsystem, and (3) an Alacron I860 array processor subsystem. The software runs on an IBM PC/AT host computer running either the Microsoft Windows 3.1 or Windows 95 operating system. It is capable of processing five PIV or HPIV displacement vectors per second, and is completely automated with the exception of user input to a configuration file prior to analysis execution for update of various system parameters

Interferometric and Holographic Imaging of Surface-Breaking Cracks

Two advanced nondestructive evaluation systems are developed for imaging surface-breaking cracks in aerospace materials. The systems use scanning heterodyne interferometry and frequency-translated holography principles to image ultrasonic displacement fields on material surfaces with high resolution and sensitivity. Surface-breaking cracks are detected and characterized by visualizing near-field ultrasonic scattering processes, which in turn results in local intensification of ultrasonic displacement fields in the immediate vicinity of a crack. The local intensification permits cracks to be easily distinguished from background levels, and creates unique displacement field images that follow the contours and morphology of the cracks with microscopic precision. The interferometric and holographic imaging approaches each provide noncontact and near optical-diffraction-limited measurement capabilities that are essential for probing ultrasonic displacement fields in the immediate vicinity of cracks. Several representative crack-imaging results are provided, along with detailed descriptions of both experimental techniques, and the capabilities and limitations of each method. The resulting systems provide simple yet very powerful tools for evaluating surface-breaking cracks in detail