Project Title:

SINDA/TRASYS Thermal Model Development Tool Using Interactive Color Graphics

09.12-8122
900114
SINDA/TRASYS Thermal Model Development Tool Using Interactive Color Graphics

Abstract:

This project will develop a non-proprietary, non-licensed, thermal model development
tool that is innovative in its simplicity and its ability to create interactively
SINDA and TRASYS models directly. The innovation will allow the user to graphically
construct geometry models for both of these codes in an interactive mode and view
 these models for completeness and accuracy from different perspectives through rotation
and tumbling animation. When satisfied that the model is correct, the user would
press a command key that instructs the graphics software to automatically output
a file that will be used to construct a computational grid network of the model.
The grid network will be visually displayed on the screen. Gird point packing and
clustering can be performed and the results viewed in real-time using grid cluster
controls from pre-programmed key strokes or "mouse" driven graphical software controls.
When satisfied with the nodal spacing, the user gives another key stroke command
which instructs the program to compute the input data set in the proper format for
SINDA and TRASYS applications. This data includes the node volumes, surface area
of the nodes, the internal conductances, and the thermal model. Using the thermal
environment data file which includes both the radiation environment from TRASYS and
the convective environment from MINIVER or a comparable heating program, the interface
routine computes the external surface convection coefficients and surface radiation
conductances which drive the SINDA thermal model.
This tool could be applied to firms currently using SINDA and TRASYS to design thermal
control systems, in particular, prime contractors of NASA on  major programs such
as the Space Station, Advanced Solid Rocket Motor Program, and the National Aerospace
Plane and the U.S. Army SDC in the design of advanced interceptors.
SINDA, TRASYS, interactive graphics, pre- and post-processor