Fluid–structure interaction modeling of ringsail parachutes

Abstract

In this paper, we focus on fluid-structure interaction (FSI) modeling of ringsail parachutes, where the geometric complexity created by the "rings" and "sails" used in the construction of the parachute canopy poses a significant computational challenge. It is expected that NASA will be using a cluster of three ringsail parachutes, referred to as the "mains", during the terminal descent of the Orion space vehicle. Our FSI modeling of ringsail parachutes is based on the stabilized space-time FSI (SSTFSI) technique and the interface projection techniques that address the computational challenges posed by the geometric complexities of the fluid-structure interface. Two of these interface projection techniques are the FSI Geometric Smoothing Technique and the Homogenized Modeling of Geometric Porosity. We describe the details of how we use these two supplementary techniques in FSI modeling of ringsail parachutes. In the simulations we report here, we consider a single main parachute, carrying one third of the total weight of the space vehicle. We present results from FSI modeling of offloading, which includes as a special case dropping the heat shield, and drifting under the influence of side winds.

Space–time finite element computation of complex fluid–structure interactions

“…It is based on the new-generation DSD/SST formulations, which were also introduced in [34], increasing the scope and performance of the space-time FSI techniques developed earlier. The SSTFSI technique is now the core technology used in the parachute FSI computations of the T AFSM [34,38,69].…”

Space–time computations in practical engineering applications: a summary of the 25-year history

“…Transonic flow past a sphere was also reported in 2006 [52]. The FSI computations reported in 2007 [5,[53][54][55][56][57] and 2008 [58][59][60][61][62][63] were for flow past a flag, patient-specific models of a middle cerebral artery with aneurysm and a birfucating middle cerebral artery with aneurysm, carotid artery birfucation, abdominal aortic aneurysms, parachutes with complex designs, a cloth piece falling over a rigid rod, flow in a tube constrained with a diaphragm, inflation of a balloon, flow through and around a windsock, descent of a T-10 parachute with fabric porosity, sails, Orion spacecraft parachutes, flow around two flexible spheres colliding, and a flexible sphere sliding past a constriction in a channel.…”

A Real-Time 6DOF Computational Model to Simulate Ram-Air Parachute Dynamics

“…The cost involved in such a situation leaves no room for error. Because of that there are researches done in order to create accurate computational models that can simulate this scenario before testing the parachutes in a real environment [1].…”