Session: 05-06-01: Lightweight Sandwich Composites and Layered Structures

Paper Number: 113835

113835 - Development of the Magneto-Active Slosh Control System for Spacecraft and Launch Vehicles 

The objective of the current work is to develop the existing concept (in the patent) and to demonstrate the effectiveness of a low-gravity active-damping diaphragm in reducing the gauging uncertainty of the Modal Propellant Gauging (MPG) technology during propellant slosh. The active damping system relies on a cross-woven mesh of magnetic alloy film embedded in a polymer matrix and formed into a thin circular membrane that floats freely (in 1-g) on the surface of the propellant. The alloy has a large magnetic permeability and demonstrates strong magnetostriction (expansion) under a static applied magnetic field. When formed into a mesh, the alloy is a “smart material” that experiences dramatic changes in structural properties under an applied magnetic field, expanding and stiffening from a pliable mesh to a more rigid structure. A secondary effect of the interaction of the alloy with an applied magnetic field is that the mesh can be induced to accelerate along magnetic field gradients, generating forces on the liquid that can further damp slosh waves. It is the enhanced rigidity and the restorative damping force of the membrane that we exploit in this technology to suppress surface waves and to localize propellant during slosh.

We propose to develop the concept and flight test a hybrid of the existing MAPMD diaphragm (in 2023 NASA Microgravity REDDI Program) in which an external magnetic field is used to position the free diaphragm near the top surface of the liquid in low gravity (where buoyant forces are not active). By adjusting the gradient of the magnetic field, the position of the diaphragm can be manipulated with high resolution, while the strength of the magnetic field determines the restorative forces applied to the sloshing liquid. The “Field Gradient Control” method of positioning a free-floating diaphragm is a new approach to propellant slosh mitigation that is both minimally invasive to the propellant tank (requiring only the free-float diaphragm inside the tank) and is scalable to large tank systems.

The proposed lab and flight testing will have three key objectives: (1) demonstrate the ability to position the MAPMD diaphragm at the free surface of the liquid using field gradient positioning, (2) measure the reduction in slosh amplitude of low-gravity propellant simulant slosh when the MAPMD is activated (relative to passive diaphragm slosh suppression), and (3) correlate the reduction in slosh amplitude with enhanced low-gravity gauging resolution of the MPG technology. The reduction in slosh amplitude will be measured relative to a free-floating but unactuated MAPMD.

Presenting Author: Sathya Gangadharan Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Presenting Author Biography: Sathya Gandharan, Ph.D.
Professor
Mechanical Engineering Department
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Email: sathya@erau.edu. Tel: 386-226-7005


(a) Professional Preparation
- University of Madras, India, B.Eng. in Mechanical Engineering, 1984.
- Memorial University, Canada, M.Eng. in Mechanical Engineering, 1986.
- Virginia Tech, USA, Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, 1990.


(b) Appointments
- 2001-today: Professor. Mechanical Engineering Department. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Daytona Beach, FL, USA. (sathya@erau.edu)
- 1999-2007: Professor. Engineering Sciences Department. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Daytona Beach, FL, USA. (sathya@erau.edu)
- 1993-2001: Associate Professor. Mechanical Engineering Department. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Daytona Beach, FL, USA. (sathya@erau.edu)
- 1990-1993: Assistant Professor. Mechanical Engineering Department. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Daytona Beach, FL, USA. (sathya@erau.edu)
- Summer 2003, 2004 and 2005: Research Engineer and Summer Faculty Fellow. NASA Kennedy Space Center, Florida, USA
- Summer 1992: Visiting Research Scientist. Harbor Branch, Fort Pierce, Florida, USA
- 1993-2001: Associate Professor. Mechanical Engineering Department. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Daytona Beach, FL, USA. (sathya@erau.edu)
- 2004-today: National Evaluator. NCME/SME. Detroit, Michigan, USA


(c) Products
- Currently 74 refereed research publications (15 journal papers in quality research journals like the AIAA Journal, Journal of Ship Research, Marine Technology Journal and Journal of Heat Transfer) and conference presentations (51 conference proceedings) over the past 22 years at ERAU. Responsible for over $2M in research funding and have written more than 150 research proposals for funding over the past 29 years at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

Five relevant publications:
1. Duraisamy, V. V., Pastrana, F., Topolski, C., Andrijauskaite, K., Gangadharan, S. N., & Llanos, P. J. (2017). Design, Development and Testing of a Suborbital Nanolab Research Experiment in Microgravity. In AIAA SPACE and Astronautics Forum and Exposition (p. 5361).
2. Nazario, V., Ramirez, J., Kulkarni, M., Gangadharan, S. N., Kirk, D., Wilde, M., & Nagendra, S. (2017). Mass Gauging and Validation of a Novel In-Space Propellant Storage and Transfer using CFD. In AIAA SPACE and Astronautics Forum and Exposition (p. 5198).
3. Gangadharan, S.N., and Kirk, D. On-Orbit Propellant Storage and Transfer System. National Sub-Orbital Flight Researchers Conference (2016)
4. Sivasubramanian, B., Paul, Leander, Krishnappa, S., and Gangadharan, S.N. A Hybrid Magneto-active Propellant Management Device for Active Slosh Damping in Spacecraft. AIAA SciTech Conference (2015)
5. Nazario, V., Ramirez, J., Kulkarni, M., Gangadharan, S. N., Kirk, D., Wilde, M., & Nagendra, S. (2017). Mass Gauging and Validation of a Novel In-Space Propellant Storage and Transfer using CFD. In AIAA SPACE and Astronautics Forum and Exposition (p. 5198).


Other five referenced publications:
1. Lenahen, B.,, Gangadharan, S.N., Desai, M., A Computational and Experimental Analysis of Spacecraft Propellant Tanks Implemented with Flexible Diaphragms, AIAA 54th Structures, Structural Dynamics and Materials (SDM) Conference, Boston, April 8-11, 2013.

2. Leuva, D., Gangadharan, S.N., Wilson, P., and Kutter, B., A CFD Study of Cryogenic LH2 Tank Ullage Presssurization”, AIAA 53rd Structures, Structural Dynamics and Materials (SDM) Conference, Honolulu, April 23-26, 2012 (accepted for publication and presentation).
3. Silvernail, N., Leuva, D., Gangadharan, S.N., Wilson, P., and Kutter, B., A Investigation to Determine Rotational Stability of On-Orbit Propellant Storage and Transfer Systems Undergoing Operational Fuel Transfer Scenarios, AIAA 53rd Structures, Structural Dynamics and Materials (SDM) Conference, Honolulu, April 23-26, 2012 (accepted for publication and presentation).
4. Metla, C., Lee, J.W., Shah, N., Nagwekar, N., Patel, J., and Gangadharan, S.N., Design Optimization of Hybrid Laminated Composite Structures Subjected to Stress Concentration, In Proceedings, AIAA SDM Conference, Orlando, Florida, April 2010.
5. Marselle, B., Gangadharan, S.N., Chatman, Y., Sudermann, J.E., and Ristow, J., Using CFD Techniques to Predict Slosh Force Frequency and Damping Rate, In Proceedings, AIAA/SME/ASCE/AHS/ASC 50th Structures, Structural Dynamics and Materials (SDM) Conference, Palm Springs, California, May 2009


(d) Synergistic Activities
Research: Modeling and Multidisciplinary Design Optimization; Structures and Structural Dynamics; Fluid-Structure Interaction; Design & Manufacturing.

Sponsored Research: Over $ 2 Million of research and professional development funding as Principal Investigator (PI). Served as PI in over 25 funded research projects related to NASA, NSF, ULA, FSGC, FAU (NREL) and other funding agencies.

Education and Service:
1. Faculty Advisor, NASA Student Microgravity Program, Spring 2006.
2. Faculty Advisor, Sigma Beta Rho Fraternity, ERAU, 2004-present.
3. Faculty Advisor, Students Chapter of Unmanned Vehicles Systems Society, 1996-2001.
4. Faculty Advisor, SAE Formula Race Car Student Team, 2000- 2001.
5. Faculty Advisor, Indo-American Students Association, ERAU, August 1990 - 1994.
6. Faculty Advisor, Society of Physics Students, 1993-1994.
Committees:
1. Promotion & Tenure Committee (College of Engineering)
2. Scholarly Activities Committee (College of Engineering)
3. Member, University Research Committee (served as Chair for two years)
4. Chair, University Planning Committee
5. Member, M.S.Theses (Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering and Human Factors & Systems Engineering Programs) Committees.
6. Served in numerous committees at the departmental, College and University levels.

Authors:

Sathya Gangadharan Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University