Future trends in space photovoltaics

The Air Force, NASA, NRL and the commercial sector are all using small spacecraft to a greater extent in order to provide more cost-effective access to space. This paper discusses the generic photovoltaic technologies which are being studied and/or developed to support these smaller spacecraft, and identifies several specific examples. The unique requirements of these mission types include lower power arrays, arrays with lower mass and stowed volume which will be more compatible with small launch vehicles, and power systems with lower fabrication costs     

Future trends in space power technology

The status of the US Air Force Space Power Research and Development Program is summarized. Generic issues and requirements affecting the strategic planning of space power advances for the 1990s and beyond are described. The major thrusts of the Air Fore part of the Strategic Defense Initiative Office Space Power Program are highlighted, with emphasis on the ongoing advanced component technology development program. The status of these component technologies in the areas of power sources, energy storage, power management and distribution, and thermal management is described. Technology projections for the full range of envisioned technology options for the foregoing are used as the basis for a series of point designs for deriving the subsystem- and system-level benefits of the technologies. The primary focus is on baseload (CW) power systems operating in the range from 100 W for small satellites to 50 kW for potential large surveillance satellites. The secondary focus is on large, multimegawatt pulsed power systems and related components for potential applications such as directed energy. Potential `trump card' technologies related to energy conversion, storage, power electronics, and thermal management are identified     

Air traffic management design considerations

An air traffic management system (ATMS) is a network-centric system being used to manage another network-centric system, namely, an air transportation system. We are developing a design language for network-centric systems and design guidelines for the development system of engineers and domain specialists involved in designing and integrating systems. Note: this development system with today's technology is also a network-centric system. An outline of the design language under construction and the design guidelines being studied is provided. Specifically we discuss ATMS mission objectives (e.g., average yearly throughput of people and freight for a high demand scenario); ATMS sample usage scenarios (e.g., ATMS reroutes air traffic in time and space in reaction to major weather deviation along the northeast coast); and system objectives for an ATMS (e.g., timelines of a specific high volume of messages from aircraft, weather sensors, and airports). We lay out some key design decisions associated with both the development system of engineers and domain specialists and the operational ATMS. Examples of key design decisions for the engineering system are: 1) appropriate partitioning of functional/physical architectures of the engineering system; 2) appropriate degree to telecollaboration and collaboration among design/integration groups; 3) appropriate incremental delivery packages for an incremental delivery schedule of ATMS elements; and 4) appropriate levels and thrusts of the risk management program. Examples of key design decisions for the operational ATMS are: 1) throughput and security trades of the ATMS and 2) throughput and resiliency to weather changes. Finally, we relate network-centric architecture issues to both of the above sets of design decisions.     

Variable-fidelity optimization with design space reduction

Advanced engineering systems, like aircraft, are defined by tens or even hundreds of design variables. Building an accurate surrogate model for use in such high-dimensional optimization problems is a difficult task owing to the curse of dimensionality. This paper presents a new algorithm to reduce the size of a design space to a smaller region of interest allowing a more accurate surrogate model to be generated. The framework requires a set of models of different physical or numerical fidelities. The low-fidelity (LF) model provides physics-based approximation of the high-fidelity (HF) model at a fraction of the computational cost. It is also instrumental in identifying the small region of interest in the design space that encloses the high-fidelity optimum. A surrogate model is then constructed to match the low-fidelity model to the high-fidelity model in the identified region of interest. The optimization process is managed by an update strategy to prevent convergence to false optima. The algorithm is applied on mathematical problems and a two-dimen-sional aerodynamic shape optimization problem in a variable-fidelity context. Results obtained are in excellent agreement with high-fidelity results, even with lower-fidelity flow solvers, while showing up to 39% time savings.     

Spacecraft design considerations for small satellite remote sensing

The idea of adapting existing small satellite technology for remote sensing purposes is discussed. The major design problems and constraints influencing the design of a small low-cost remote sensing satellite bus are identified using the subsystem approach. Key design areas include the improvement of battery technology and the development of a deployable solar array, attitude control assemblies, on-board data processing/storage, and ground station data acquisition. Although the eventual satellite would also have to be somewhat larger, more powerful and, above all, more sophisticated than the previous small satellites, this is considered to be a natural progression of research in this area     

概念设计时影响涡轮转子叶片强度的关键因素

基于总体结构参数对后期详细设计的重要性这一事实,探讨了航空发动机叶片概念设计中可能出现的强度问题,研究了涡轮叶片的 AN2值、轮缘切线速度、叶片稠度和材料性能等重要设计参数对强度和寿命的影响.结果表明:目前先进民用大涵道比涡扇发动机的 AN2值在25m2·(r/min)2以内,轮缘切线速度应当使得涡轮盘的形状因子控制在2以内,叶片稠度则应满足叶片能被榫连结构包容的要求,材料蠕变和低循环疲劳性能的限制要求高压涡轮叶片根部平均应力控制在250MPa左右.这些结果将为先进航空发动机和燃气轮机涡轮叶片的设计提供重要的参考依据.      

自适应设计空间扩展的高效代理模型气动优化设计方法

对基于Kriging模型气动优化的加点方法和设计空间的构建问题进行了研究。首先,针对高效全局优化（EGO）方法收敛缓慢的问题,提出了一种混合加点方法,该方法通过引入期望提高（EI）阈值控制EI和最小预测值（MP）加点准则,利用先全局再局部的优化思想,提高了EGO方法在确定设计空间内的收敛性。其次,针对设计空间的构建问题,对比了扩大设计变量范围和多轮优化两种不同的设计空间构建方法,分析了设计变量范围对设计空间大小和样本密度的影响,进而提出了自适应设计空间扩展的代理模型优化方法。相对于传统固定设计空间的方法,自适应设计空间扩展的方法在动态的设计空间中进行优化搜索,只在有潜力的维度扩展设计变量范围,通过构建自适应设计空间,实现了样本的高效配置。最后,通过ADODG标准翼型优化算例证实,自适应设计空间优化方法可以大幅提高气动优化设计效率。     

Flight-critical distributed systems: design considerations [avionics]

With the proliferation of so-called "smart" components and the availability of small, low-cost, and high-speed data networks, avionics that have traditionally been centralized are becoming distributed. A distributed approach offers many potential benefits, such as reduced development time and cost, simplified system installation, increased flexibility for system expansion or modifications, and greater reuse of proven components. The distributed approach can also reduce the risk associated with design errors by splitting complex hardware and software into more manageable components. However, distributed systems also introduce new challenges in meeting real-time deadlines and providing fault tolerance. This paper examines the many design considerations and identifies the strengths and weaknesses of each. Emerging automotive drive-by-wire alternatives are compared for application to aerospace systems. This paper is based on a Draper Laboratory-sponsored effort to look at flight-critical distributed systems and to evaluate emerging hardware and software for building them.     

基于设计变量空间范围自适应优化设计方法研究

通过对翼型优化设计方法的研究,对设计变量在设计空间的分布进行了探讨,建立了设计变量空间范围自适应优化设计方法,解决了优化设计模型建立过程中的设计变量空间范围的选择问题.该方法建立了聚集度的概念,利用聚集度对优化设计过程中设计变量在设计空间内的分布规律进行统计分析,并根据统计分布规律对设计变量的设计空间进行调整,将设计变量重构,实现了优化设计过程中的设计变量空间自适应.该设计变量空间范围自适应优化设计方法,一方面能够在给定的条件下扩大搜索范围来搜索满足工程设计需要的最优解,一方面又能够通过对设计变量的重构提高搜索算法的搜索效率.利用该方法对NACA 0012和NLF(1) 0416翼型进行了优化设计,并与固定设计变量空间范围的优化设计方法进行对比分析.优化结果验证了本文提出的优化设计方法具有一定的可行性,可以在更大范围内找到最优解,并具有较高的优化搜索效率.     

A cost effective critical space systems design approach

NASA-ISC requires avionics platforms capable of serving a wide range of applications in a cost-effective manner. In part, making the avionics platform cost effective means adhering to open standards and supporting the integration of COTS products with custom products. Inherently, operation in space requires low power, mass, and volume while retaining high performance, reconfigurability, scalability, and upgradability. The Universal Mini-Controller (UMC) project is based on a modified PC/104-Plus architecture while maintaining full compatibility with standard COTS PC/104 products. The architecture consists of a library of stackable building block modules, which can be mixed and matched to meet a specific application. A set of NASA developed core building blocks, (e.g. processor card, analog input/output card, high level analog card, and a Mil-Std-1553 card) were constructed to meet critical functions and unique interfaces     

Conceptual design and flight simulation of space stations

This paper focuses on the conceptual design and flight simulation of space stations. Its goal is to discern the factors which influence the configurational design of a space station system. This is done in order to define an adequate methodology with an adapted set of computer tools for early conceptual design of space stations. First we review the history of space station design in order to show what factors drove conceptual space station designs in the past. After that, a methodological design approach for space stations is introduced with special emphasis on design rules applicable to the development of the configuration of a space station. Finally, the design example of a minimum space station with growth potential demonstrates the way in which methods and tools established in this study can be applied to a conceptual design problem.     

高原直升机电气系统设计的几点思考

针对高原地区特殊的气候和大气环境,通过对直升机电源、配电、发动机起动等系统的分析,提出对高原直升机电气系统改进的办法和措施。     

Risk-based technology portfolio optimization for early space mission design

The successful design, development, and operation of space missions requires informed decisions to be made across a vast array of investment, scientific, technological, and operational issues. In the work reported in this paper, we address the problem of determining optimal technology investment portfolios that minimize mission risk and maximize the expected science return of the mission. We model several relationships that explicitly link investment in technologies to mission risk and expected science return. To represent and compute these causal and computational dependencies, we introduce a generalization of influence diagrams that we call inference nets. To illustrate the approach, we present results from its application to a technology portfolio investment trade study done for a specific scenario for the projected 2009 Mars MSL mission. This case study examines the impact of investments in precision landing and long-range roving technologies on the mission capability, and the associated risk, of visiting a set of preselected science sites. We show how an optimal investment strategy can be found that minimizes the mission risk given a fixed total technology investment budget, or alternatively how to determine the minimum budget required to achieve a given acceptable mission risk.     

先进空间运输系统气动设计综述

天地往返运输系统是能够自由进出空间轨道、安全返回地球表面、执行天地往返运输任务的航天运输体系。近年来,随着先进动力、新材料、新工艺的带动效应逐渐显现,各航天集团开始了新一轮先进天地往返系统的研究,其中大量研究项目针对具备完全可重复使用、可大幅降低运送有效载荷进入太空成本的先进天地往返运输系统展开。本文针对这一热点领域进行综述性研究,对不同类型进出大气层飞行器的气动设计特点进行了分析,结果表明跨大气层飞行器是天地往返运输系统的主要载体,认为未来主要以火箭助推入轨滑翔再入和水平起飞水平返回为主要发展方向,两类飞行在气动设计方面有高超飞行器宽域飞行适应性的共性难题,同时在气动-动力一体化化设计方面又有较大的差异。     

基于粗糙度敏感性研究的风力机专用翼型设计

对几个具有代表性的风力机常用翼型的几何特性和气动特性进行分析研究,详细探讨了各种翼型的前缘粗糙度敏感特性情况。基于一种新的翼型几何形状表征形式,以设计攻角工况下光滑条件和粗糙条件下的升阻比加权值为目标,优化设计得到了一种相对厚度为24.7%的风力机专用新翼型。对新翼型在主要工作攻角范围的升力特性、阻力特性及升阻比特性进行了研究,并详细分析了新翼型在不同工况下的气动特性情况,研究结果表明:新翼型具有低前缘粗糙度敏感性和低湍流敏感性;在设计和非设计运行工况下都具有很好的气动性能;雷诺数的升高和三维旋转效应对风轮叶片新翼型的气动特性具有促进作用。     

空间非合作目标多指包络抓捕路径设计

针对现有空间非合作目标抓捕中存在无固定抓捕点以及待抓捕目标存在动态性等问题,提出了一种"主-从"式多指包络抓捕路径设计算法。首先,为了降低多指包络构型设计中的自由度,将多指机构分为一根主手指和其余从手指两类。然后,为了实现对具有动态性的空间非合作目标的抓捕,采用误差跟踪控制方法使主手指的基关节与包络点之间的运动保持同步。接着,引入单向距离的概念衡量主手指构型和包络边相似度,并利用快速搜索随机树算法寻找使得单向距离最小的主手指关节角取值。进一步,根据多指机构的结构模型,确定其余从手指的构型。最后,根据包络条件选择能够约束住空间非合作目标运动的有效包络构型。通过对可以简化为扁平型的空间非合作目标和一般性三维空间非合作目标这两类目标的包络抓捕仿真可以得出,所设计的算法可适用于一般性空间非合作目标的包络抓捕,同时计算复杂度也大大降低。     

空间机械臂维修性系统设计与评价体系的构建

空间机械臂维修性系统设计与评价体系的构建对机械臂维修具有非常重要的意义。结合空间机械臂维修性需求,建立了机械臂"设计-验证-设计-评价"全周期系统性的维修性设计与评价体系,根据维修性系统设计体系进行维修性设计-验证-再设计的循环管理,再根据维修性评价体系,三类评价人员模拟在轨维修操作场景分别开展维修评价,最终根据评价指标中的不合格项进行设计迭代。以机械臂中央控制器在轨维修为例验证该评价体系。研究结果将为后续空间机械臂维修性设计与评价工作提供体系借鉴和工程指导。     

夏日给他半正式西装

男人们西装革履的模样,虽然很正气很轩昂,但炎夏里还要忍受这一身"盔甲",也实在不是一件愉悦的事。好在男士们的夏日着装也出现了新动向,薄型的亚麻、纯棉、尼龙,甚至薄牛仔面料,造型各有所长,有别于正式西装的严肃,但感觉轻松却也不失优雅,让办公男们亮出Semi-     

Analysis, design, and practical considerations for 500 W power factor correctors

This paper presents analysis, design, and practical considerations for 500 W boost power factor correctors (PFCs). The boost PFCs with three active soft-switching cells, which are boost, forward and flyback, and a passive soft-switching cell are first discussed. The operating principle and performance characteristics of the PFCs are then presented in detail, from which the boost with a flyback soft-switching cell and that with a passive soft-switching cell are designed and implemented. Performance comparison among these PFCs is also presented. Hardware measurements are used to verify the theoretical discussion. The presented information can provide designers a good application reference.