Hydraulic mechanism to limit torsional loads between the IUS and space transportation system orbiter

The Inertial Upper Stage (IUS) is a two-stage booster used by NASA and the Defense Department to insert payloads into geosynchronous orbit from low-Earth orbit. The hydraulic mechanism discussed here was designed to perform a specific dynamic and static interface function within the Space Transportation System's Orbiter. Requirements, configuration, and application of the hydraulic mechanism with emphasis on performance and methods of achieving zero external hydraulic leakage are discussed. The hydraulic load-leveler mechanism meets the established design requirements for operation in a low-Earth orbit. Considerable testing was conducted to demonstrate system performance and verification that external leakage had been reduced to zero. Following each flight use of an ASE, all hydraulic mechanism components are carefully inspected for leakage. The ASE, including the hydraulic mechanism, has performed without any anomalies during all IUS flights

Comparison of fine structural mice via coarse iteration

Let M be a fine structural mouse. Let D be a fully backgrounded L[E]-construction computed inside an iterable coarse premouse S. We describe a process comparing M with D, through forming iteration trees on M and on S. We then prove that this process succeeds

Computational fluid mechanics utilizing the variational principle of modeling damping seals

An analysis for modeling damping seals for use in Space Shuttle main engine turbomachinery is being produced. Development of a computational fluid mechanics code for turbulent, incompressible flow is required

Radiation/convection coupling in rocket motor and plume analysis

A method for describing radiation/convection coupling to a flow field analysis was developed for rocket motors and plumes. The three commonly used propellant systems (H2/O2, RP-1/O2, and solid propellants) radiate primarily as: molecular emitters, non-scattering small particles (soot), and scattering larger particles (Al2O3), respectively. For the required solution, the divergence of the radiation heat flux was included in the energy equation, and the local, volume averaged intensity was determined by a solution to the radiative transfer equation. A rigorous solution to this problem is intractable, therefore, solution methods which use the ordinary and improved differential approximation were developed. This radiation model was being incorporated into the FDNS code, a Navier-Stokes flowfield solver for multiphase, turbulent combusting flows

On Carbon Burning in Super Asymptotic Giant Branch Stars

We explore the detailed and broad properties of carbon burning in Super Asymptotic Giant Branch (SAGB) stars with 2755 MESA stellar evolution models. The location of first carbon ignition, quenching location of the carbon burning flames and flashes, angular frequency of the carbon core, and carbon core mass are studied as a function of the ZAMS mass, initial rotation rate, and mixing parameters such as convective overshoot, semiconvection, thermohaline and angular momentum transport. In general terms, we find these properties of carbon burning in SAGB models are not a strong function of the initial rotation profile, but are a sensitive function of the overshoot parameter. We quasi-analytically derive an approximate ignition density, $\rho_{ign} \approx 2.1 \times 10^6$ g cm$^{-3}$, to predict the location of first carbon ignition in models that ignite carbon off-center. We also find that overshoot moves the ZAMS mass boundaries where off-center carbon ignition occurs at a nearly uniform rate of $\Delta M_{\rm ZAMS}$/$\Delta f_{\rm{ov}}\approx$ 1.6 $M_{\odot}$. For zero overshoot, $f_{\rm{ov}}$=0.0, our models in the ZAMS mass range $\approx$ 8.9 to 11 $M_{\odot}$ show off-center carbon ignition. For canonical amounts of overshooting, $f_{\rm{ov}}$=0.016, the off-center carbon ignition range shifts to $\approx$ 7.2 to 8.8 $M_{\odot}$. Only systems with $f_{\rm{ov}}$ $\geq 0.01$ and ZAMS mass $\approx$ 7.2-8.0 $M_{\odot}$ show carbon burning is quenched a significant distance from the center. These results suggest a careful assessment of overshoot modeling approximations on claims that carbon burning quenches an appreciable distance from the center of the carbon core.Comment: Accepted ApJ; 23 pages, 21 figures, 5 table

Adaptation of multidimensional group particle tracking and particle wall-boundary condition model to the FDNS code

A particulate two-phase flow CFD model was developed based on the FDNS code which is a pressure based predictor plus multi-corrector Navier-Stokes flow solver. Turbulence models with compressibility correction and the wall function models were employed as submodels. A finite-rate chemistry model was used for reacting flow simulation. For particulate two-phase flow simulations, a Eulerian-Lagrangian solution method using an efficient implicit particle trajectory integration scheme was developed in this study. Effects of particle-gas reaction and particle size change to agglomeration or fragmentation were not considered in this investigation. At the onset of the present study, a two-dimensional version of FDNS which had been modified to treat Lagrangian tracking of particles (FDNS-2DEL) had already been written and was operational. The FDNS-2DEL code was too slow for practical use, mainly because it had not been written in a form amenable to vectorization on the Cray, nor was the full three-dimensional form of FDNS utilized. The specific objective of this study was to reorder to calculations into long single arrays for automatic vectorization on the Cray and to implement the full three-dimensional version of FDNS to produce the FDNS-3DEL code. Since the FDNS-2DEL code was slow, a very limited number of test cases had been run with it. This study was also intended to increase the number of cases simulated to verify and improve, as necessary, the particle tracking methodology coded in FDNS

Hubble space telescope: Pointing error effects on nonlinear ball joints

The Hubble Space Telescope pointing error produced by optical benches mounted on free ball joints is examined. Spacecraft cable connections are assumed to produce translational and rotational damping and restoring forces which act through the optical bench center of mass. The nonlinear dynamics are modeled and then implemented using an existing computer program for simulating the vehicle dynamics and pointing control system algorithm. Results are presented for the test case which indicate acceptable performance

Simulation of solidification in a Bridgman cell

Bridgman-type crystal growth techniques are attractive methods for producing homogeneous, high-quality infrared detector and junction device materials. However, crystal imperfections and interface shapes still must be controlled through modification of the temperature and concentration gradients created during solidification. The objective of this investigation was to study the temperature fields generated by various cell and heatpipe configurations and operating conditions. Continuum's numerical model of the temperature, species concentrations, and velocity fields was used to describe the thermal characteristics of Bridgman cell operation

Computational analysis of the SSME fuel preburner flow

A computational fluid dynamics model which simulates the steady state operation of the SSME fuel preburner is developed. Specifically, the model will be used to quantify the flow factors which cause local hot spots in the fuel preburner in order to recommend experiments whereby the control of undesirable flow features can be demonstrated. The results of a two year effort to model the preburner are presented. In this effort, investigating the fuel preburner flowfield, the appropriate transport equations were numerically solved for both an axisymmetric and a three-dimensional configuration. Continuum's VAST (Variational Solution of the Transport equations) code, in conjunction with the CM-1000 Engineering Analysis Workstation and the NASA/Ames CYBER 205, was used to perform the required calculations. It is concluded that the preburner operational anomalies are not due to steady state phenomena and must, therefore, be related to transient operational procedures

Calculation of flow about posts and powerhead model

A three dimensional analysis of the non-uniform flow around the liquid oxygen (LOX) posts in the Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) powerhead was performed to determine possible factors contributing to the failure of the posts. Also performed was three dimensional numerical fluid flow analysis of the high pressure fuel turbopump (HPFTP) exhaust system, consisting of the turnaround duct (TAD), two-duct hot gas manifold (HGM), and the Version B transfer ducts. The analysis was conducted in the following manner: (1) modeling the flow around a single and small clusters (2 to 10) of posts; (2) modeling the velocity field in the cross plane; and (3) modeling the entire flow region with a three dimensional network type model. Shear stress functions which will permit viscous analysis without requiring excessive numbers of computational grid points were developed. These wall functions, laminar and turbulent, have been compared to standard Blasius solutions and are directly applicable to the cylinder in cross flow class of problems to which the LOX post problem belongs