PROPOSAL NUMBER: | 05 T9.01-9891 |
RESEARCH SUBTOPIC TITLE: | Rocket Propulsion Testing Systems |
PROPOSAL TITLE: | Intelligent Agents for Improved Ground-Test Operations |
SMALL BUSINESS CONCERN (SBC): | RESEARCH INSTITUTION (RI): | ||
NAME: | 2L RESEARCH | NAME: | University of Alabama |
---|---|---|---|
ADDRESS: | 190 GREEN VALLEY RD. | ADDRESS: | Box 870104 |
CITY: | OWENS CROSS ROADS | CITY: | Tuscaloosa |
STATE/ZIP: | AL 35763-9726 | STATE/ZIP: | AL 35487-0104 |
PHONE: | (256) 656-9652 | PHONE: | (205) 348-5152 |
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR/PROJECT MANAGER
(Name,Email)
LUIS TREVINO
trevino@hiwaay.net
TECHNICAL ABSTRACT (LIMIT 200 WORDS)
The proposal outlines a research program for developing a novel soft-computing technology composed of an Artificial Immune System and Bayesian Belief Networks for monitoring, knowledge and information processing, and decision support infrastructure for testing of rocket engines of future spacecrafts. An engine failure during test operations may cause catastrophic results for the test article, supporting infrastructure, and potentially to supporting resources. The ability to effectively monitor health and status of a testbed and test article during a test firing and to take corrective measures for peak performance and improving reliable operations is of utmost importance. Using an existing SR-30 Jet Engine testbed utilizing artificial intelligence control techniques, novel algorithms are being developed by The University of Alabama that can function under faulty sensor conditions, can work effectively with thousands of sensors at high data rates, are self-checking, and are self-correcting can be of further support. The proposed effort builds on an existing joint MSFC/University of Alabama project where NASA's NSSTC is only funding graduate student research. This proposal will further enhance technology research for realization and synthesis of needed advanced algorithms in larger scale test platforms for propulsion health management, thereby furthering educational research addressing NASA's education missions.
POTENTIAL NASA COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS (LIMIT 150 WORDS)
The proposed technology will help NASA test programs with advanced test platforms with improved abilities to monitor, process knowledge and system information, infer about system state, and provide supporting information for performing real time decisions. The technology is widely applicable to complex robust systems such as a rocket jet engine and supporting test infrastructures. For the test environment, insuring that reliable engineering data and supporting information from the test facility is provided to test personnel will further enable them to make qualified real time decisions. This will further guarantee mission success and further insure safety to the test article. Cases such as premature engine shutdowns, pump cavitation, propellant leaks, and numerous problems inherent in cryogenic environments (i.e., with sensors and data) are costly and pose risk in social acceptance of current and future space-based programs. Other non-propulsion (complex) systems can certainly benefit from the core technologies proposed.
POTENTIAL NON-NASA COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS (LIMIT 150 WORDS)
For improving commercially based test systems and their operations, the proposed technology will help provide a deeper ability to monitor, process knowledge and system information, infer about the system states, and aid personnel in their critical decisions during all phases of test operations. Such information may entail system parameter adjustments, critical reconfiguration of the test article, or halting all operations for safety concerns.
Advanced methods such as intelligent agents, behavioral networks and more for better test environments for:
- Facility and Test Article Health-Monitoring Technologies
- Improvement in Ground-Test Operations, Safety, Cost-
Effectiveness, and Reliability
- Application of System Modeling to Ground Test Operations
in a Resource Constrained Environment
Technology Beneficial to Industry:
? Nuclear & coal-fired power plants systems
? Space capitalists seeking commercial application for space travel
? Manufacturing processes: oil & gas refineries, textile, automotive,
mining, etc.
? Transportation systems (i.e, aviation, locomotive).
NASA's technology taxonomy has been developed by the SBIR-STTR program to disseminate awareness of proposed and awarded R/R&D in the agency. It is a listing of over 100 technologies, sorted into broad categories, of interest to NASA. |
TECHNOLOGY TAXONOMY MAPPING
|
Autonomous Reasoning/Artificial Intelligence
Data Acquisition and End-to-End-Management Data Input/Output Devices Expert Systems Human-Computer Interfaces Operations Concepts and Requirements Portable Data Acquisition or Analysis Tools Sensor Webs/Distributed Sensors Simulation Modeling Environment Software Tools for Distributed Analysis and Simulation Testing Facilities Training Concepts and Architectures |