An efficient analytical homogenization technique for mechanical-hygrothermal responses of unidirectional composites with applications to optimization and multiscale analyses

The elasticity-based Locally Exact Homogenization Theory (LEHT) is extended to study the mechanical-hygrothermal behaviors of unidirectionally-reinforced composites. Based on the framework developed previously, thermal and moisture effects are incorporated into the LEHT to study the homogenized and localized responses of heterogeneous materials, which are validated using available analytical and numerical techniques. The LEHT programs are then encapsulated as subroutines with Input/Output (I/O) interfaces, to be readily applied in different computational scenarios. In order to illustrate the efficiency of the LEHT, the theory is firstly coupled to the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm in order to minimize the axial thermal expansion mismatch in hexagonal and square fiber arrays by tailoring the fiber volume fraction. The LEHT is then implemented into the lamination theory to study fabrication-induced residual stresses arising during the cool-down process which introduces local laminate stresses owing to thermo-mechanical property mismatch between plies. Both of these applications illustrate the efficiency and accuracy of the LEHT in generating effective properties and local stress distributions, making the theory a golden standard in validating other analytical or numerical techniques as well as a reliable tool in composite design and practice for professionals and non-professionals alike.     

Design and performance analysis of position-based impedance control for an electrohydrostatic actuation system

Electrohydrostatic actuator (EHA) is a type of power-by-wire actuator that is widely implemented in the aerospace industry for flight control, landing gears, thrust reversers, thrust vector control, and space robots. This paper presents the development and evaluation of position-based impedance control (PBIC) for an EHA. Impedance control provides the actuator with compliance and facilitates the interaction with the environment. Most impedance control applications utilize electrical or valve-controlled hydraulic actuators, whereas this work realizes impedance control via a compact and efficient EHA. The structures of the EHA and PBIC are firstly introduced. A mathematical model of the actuation system is established, and values of its coefficients are identified by particle swarm optimization. This model facilitates the development of a position controller and the selection of target impedance parameters. A nonlinear proportional-integral position controller is developed for the EHA to achieve the accurate positioning requirement of PBIC. The controller compensates for the adverse effect of stiction, and a position accuracy of 0.08 mm is attained. Various experimental results are presented to verify the applicability of PBIC to the EHA. The compliance of the actuator is demonstrated in an impact test.     

Ascent guidance law for a horizontal take-off vehicle with a multi-combined cycle engine

This paper researches the ascent guidance law for the vehicle with a multi-combined cycle propulsion. The guidance law comprises two parts, namely, the off-line optimal trajectories generation and online guidance. With respect to the off-line part, disturbances are discretized and incorporated into the trajectory optimization problem; subsequently, a set of trajectories is calculated to constitute a database. To quickly obtain a database that comprises a large number of trajectories, a novel ascent profile is proposed with respect to height and velocity. Based on this profile, only inequity constraints exist in the optimization model, and the original optimization problem is converted to a parameter searching problem. The optimal trajectories are calculated using a hybrid optimization method that comprises a particle swarm optimization (PSO) method and the Hooke-Jeeves (HJ) method. With respect to online guidance, the profile is updated using a radial basis function neural network (RBFNN) based on the current flight states and the database. Simulation validates the efficiency of the proposed optimization method by comparing the method with the pseudospectral method; the robustness of the guidance law is also validated using Monte Carlo simulation.     

A Partially Orthogonal EnKF approach to atmospheric density estimation using orbital debris

A key requirement for accurate trajectory prediction and space situational awareness is knowledge of how non-conservative forces affect space object motion. These forces vary temporally and spatially, and are driven by the underlying behavior of space weather particularly in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). Existing trajectory prediction algorithms adjust space weather models based on calibration satellite observations. However, lack of sufficient data and mismodeling of non-conservative forces cause inaccuracies in space object motion prediction, especially for uncontrolled debris objects. The uncontrolled nature of debris objects makes them particularly sensitive to the variations in space weather. Our research takes advantage of this behavior by utilizing observations of debris objects to infer the space environment parameters influencing their motion.The hypothesis of this research is that it is possible to utilize debris objects as passive, indirect sensors of the space environment. We focus on estimating atmospheric density and its spatial variability to allow for more precise prediction of LEO object motion. The estimated density is parameterized as a grid of values, distributed by latitude and local sidereal time over a spherical shell encompassing Earth at a fixed altitude of 400 km. The position and velocity of each debris object are also estimated. A Partially Orthogonal Ensemble Kalman Filter (POEnKF) is used for assimilation of space object measurements to estimate density.For performance comparison, the scenario characteristics (number of objects, measurement cadence, etc.) are based on a sensor tasking campaign executed for the High Accuracy Satellite Drag Model project. The POEnKF analysis details spatial comparisons between the true and estimated density fields, and quantifies the improved accuracy in debris object motion predictions due to more accurate drag force models from density estimates. It is shown that there is an advantage to utilizing multiple debris objects instead of just one object. Although the work presented here explores the POEnKF performance when using information from only 16 debris objects, the research vision is to utilize information from all routinely observed debris objects. Overall, the filter demonstrates the ability to estimate density to within a threshold of accuracy dependent on measurement/sensor error. In the case of a geomagnetic storm, the filter is able to track the storm and provide more accurate density estimates than would be achieved using a simple exponential atmospheric density model or MSIS Atmospheric Model (when calm conditions are assumed).     

The dynamical environments analysis of surface particles for different shaped asteroids

Asteroids are coming to be a popular topic in the areas of astrophysical studies and deep space exploration recently. However, surface dynamics of asteroids is still a difficult problem. This paper aims at the motion analysis of surface particles for different asteroids. The dynamical analysis method of particles’ movement is given for three parts: global motion trend, local motion trend and static analysis. A dimensionless parameter ζ is defined to distinguish the predominant term to determine the distribution of effective potential. Three kinds of common asteroids: spheroidal asteroid, spindle-shaped asteroid and dumbbell-shaped asteroid are all discussed for those three parts with different parameter ζ. The motion trend of particles on the surface of each kind of asteroid is given. The static analysis of surface particles for different asteroids is also illustrated. Based on them, some common rules for different shaped asteroids are revealed. This paper could not only provide a reference for asteroid exploration missions but also be meaningful for the research of morphologic evolution of asteroids.     

基于LTCC的基片集成波导滤波器仿真设计

文章详细论述了基于LTCC工艺的基片集成波导（SIW,Substrate Integrated Waveguide）滤波器的设计方法和步骤。并在此基础上,设计出了2个Ku频段具有椭圆函数响应的SIW滤波器。应用上下2个SIW谐振腔的耦合开孔位置不同,分别引入了正负耦合形式,从而能够实现具有椭圆函数响应的滤波器。验证了上下两腔之间为多层金属化耦合孔或单层金属形成的耦合窗,都可以达到引入耦合、进而实现特定的滤波响应的目的。这种基于LTCC的SIW滤波器具有尺寸小、设计灵活、电性能优良的优点。     

基于多敏感器的卫星姿态确定算法

针对多敏感器组成的卫星姿态确定系统,采用四元数方法建立卫星姿态估计器模型,应用扩展卡尔曼滤波EKF算法进行信息融合,通过仿真算例验证此算法具有较高的精度。与此同时,在EKF算法基础上提出一种定常增益的卡尔曼滤波CGKF算法。通过数学仿真对EKF算法和CGKF算法进行比较分析,证明在一定条件下CGKF算法具有与EKF算法相当的滤波精度,并且简化后的CGKF算法在获得与EKF算法相近滤波效果的同时,还能够节约星上资源,减少计算量。     

固体火箭喷管颗粒尺寸分级两相跨音速流场计算

本文中对固体火箭喷管颗粒尺寸分级的两相跨音速流场作了计算.气相控制方程采用隐式近似因子分解法求解,尺寸分级的颗粒控制方程采用特征线求解,然后,二者进行充分的耦合,可以获得固体火箭发动机含有任意颗粒质量分数和不同颗粒尺寸时轴对称喷管跨音速流场的参数分布.文中讨论了不同颗粒半径和质量分数对流场的影响,对单一颗粒尺寸和颗粒尺寸分级的参数进行了比较.两相耦合计算的迭代收敛速度取决于气相,本文中气相方程求解的格式除部分边界外是隐式的,CFL数可取至6左右,收敛速度快.特别是对颗粒尺寸分级的计算,得益更大,其得益的倍数为颗粒的分级数.     

Particle Acceleration in Mercury’s Magnetosphere

This paper is devoted to the problem of particle acceleration in the closest to the Sun Hermean magnetosphere. We discuss few available observations of energetic particles in Mercury environment made by Mariner-10 in 1974–1975 during Mercury flyby’s and by Helios in 1979 upstream of the Hermean bow shock. Typically ions are non-adiabatic in a very dynamic and compact Mercury magnetosphere, so one may expect that particle acceleration will be very effective. However, it works perfectly for electrons, but for ions the scale of magnetosphere is so small that it allows their acceleration only up to 100 keV. We present comparative analysis of the efficiency of various acceleration mechanisms (inductive acceleration, acceleration by the centrifugal impulse force, stochastic acceleration in a turbulent magnetic fields, wave–particle interactions and bow shock energization) in the magnetospheres of the Earth and Mercury. Finally we discuss several points which need to be addressed in a future Hermean missions.