Project Title:
Solution-Adaptive Aerodynamics Modeling on Personal Computers
94-1 03.07 1769
Solution-Adaptive Aerodynamics Modeling on Personal Computers
Abstract:
ResearchSouth proposes to develop innovative numerical methods and
software for operation on personal computers (PC) which will
provide aerodynamic loads for design of hypersonic vehicles. In
Phase I, we will develop the software for solving the Euler
equations for the inviscid outer flow and an interface from the
Euler solver to a boundary layer solution module. The software
package will be developed specifically for operation on a PC/
Windows - DOS environment with full user-interactive color
graphics. We will begin with our unique solution-adaptive finite
element method which automatically refines the mesh to achieve
stability and accuracy while minimizing computer run time. Then, we
will code the software for computation on personal computers,
provide 3D color graphics, and validate the package. Phase II will
extend the concepts and software to the full production status,
provide a fully operational boundary layer module, port the entire
package to a PowerPC platform, and provide an interface to finite
element stress and thermal codes. We will perform extensive
verification and validation exercise, document the software, and
provide user training to NASA. The immediate benefits to NASA
include more cost-effective preliminary design programs for its
hypersonic vehicles, space station structure, aeroassist orbital
vehicles, and future launch systems.
When our software is made operational on PC computers, it will be
an extremely competitive product which will outperform others in
the market. No similar capability presently exists. The potential
commercial applications for our product include úautomotive
industry - engine cooling, underhood flows, and passenger comfort:
úplastics industry - polymer mixing, casting, and solidification:
úbiomedical industry - design of artificial hearts, and flow in
clogged arteries:
úenvironmental engineering - airflow in buildings, pollutant
transport and climatization: úmetal forming industry - tundish
flows, casting, and worker environments: úfood processing business
- mixing, defrosting, microwaving: úelectronics industry - circuit
board cooling, chip etching, and chemical vapor deposition:
úgeological flows - mantle flows, ground water flows and pollutant
transport. ResearchSouth's business plan is to commercialize our
software, apply it to the above industries, and market it
internationally.
Key Words
ResearchSouth, Inc.
555 Sparkman Dr. Suite 818
Huntsville, AL 35816