Engineering topics

Alderfer, David W.

Publications and source records attributed to Alderfer, David W..

29 records · Page 2

NASA NTRS1994

Determining Directional Emittance With An Infrared Imager

Directional emittances of flat specimen of smooth-surfaced, electrically nonconductive material at various temperatures computed from measurements taken by infrared radiometric imager operating in conjunction with simple ancillary equipment. Directional emittances useful in extracting detailed variations of surface temperatures from infrared images of curved, complexly shaped other specimens of same material. Advantages: simplification of measurement procedure and reduction of cost.

Daryabeigi, Kamran↗

NASA NTRS1993

Optical flameout detector

A device has been developed which monitors the presence of a flame within a combustion chamber. The optical flameout detection system responds to gross changes in combustor light intensity, which is monitored in two spectral bands. A photomultiplier tube makes optical measurements in the ultraviolet portion of the spectrum, and a silicon photodiode covers the visible region. The detectors, located outside the combustion chamber, receive the light energy radiated from the combustion process through fiber optic probes designed to operate in a high pressure environment. The optical fibers are aimed diagonally through the center of the injector at the combustion chamber wall downstream of the injector. The probes observe events occurring within a narrow conical-shaped field of view so that the system can quickly detect longitudinal movement of the flame front away from the injector. If a change in intensity of the flame is detected, the fuel supply to the combustion chamber is shut off, limiting the amount of unburned fuel in the combustion chamber which could reignite.

Borg, Stephen E.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Infrared Imaging Of Flows Seeded With SF6

Novel technique enables repeated measurements of flow patterns during flight. Wing-tip vorticity studied in flight by observing infrared emissions from SF6 gas entrained in wing-tip flow. System makes vortical flows visible throughout all altitude and speed ranges of all subsonic aircraft. Also useful for transonic and supersonic speeds. Primary application is testing of aircraft in flight, also proves useful in testing fast land vehicles and structures or devices subject to strong winds.

Manuel, Gregory S.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Off-surface infrared flow visualization

A method for visualizing off-surface flows is provided. The method consists of releasing a gas with infrared absorbing and emitting characteristics into a fluid flow and imaging the flow with an infrared imaging system. This method allows for visualization of off-surface fluid flow in-flight. The novelty of this method is found in providing an apparatus for flow visualization which is contained within the aircraft so as not to disrupt the airflow around the aircraft, is effective at various speeds and altitudes, and is longer-lasting than previous methods of flow visualization.

Manuel, Gregory S.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Directional emittance corrections for thermal infrared imaging

A simple measurement technique for measuring the variation of directional emittance of surfaces at various temperatures using commercially available radiometric IR imaging systems was developed and tested. This technique provided the integrated value of directional emittance over the spectral bandwidth of the IR imaging system. The directional emittance of flat black lacquer and red stycast, an epoxy resin, measured using this technique were in good agreement with the predictions of the electromagnetic theory. The data were also in good agreement with directional emittance data inferred from directional reflectance measurements made on a spectrophotometer.

Daryabeigi, Kamran↗

NASA NTRS1991

In-flight off-surface flow visualization using infrared imaging

A light test investigation was conducted to evaluate an infrared (IR) imaging technique to visualize off-surface flow phenomena. A single-engine, general-aviation airplane was equipped with an IR imaging system that viewed the region around the left wingtip. Vortical flow at the wingtip was seeded with surfur hexafluoride, a gas with strong infrared absorbing and emitting characteristics. Different terrain and sky backgrounds were evaluated for their effect on IR images of vortical flow. The best IR images were obtained with a clear background. The results of the investigation indicate that IR flow visualization compliments existing smoke generator methods for off-surface flow visualization.

Manuel, Gregory S.↗

NASA NTRS1990

The utilization of an infrared imaging system as a cooling slot blockage detector in the inspection of a transpiration cooled nozzle

A comprehensive examination of the 8 foot temperature tunnel's transpiration cooled nozzle was completed using an infrared imaging radiometer to locate regions of cooling flow irregularities caused by obstruction of three or more adjacent cooling slots. Restrictions in the cooling flow were found and cataloged. Blockages found were due primarily to the presence of residual phosphoric acid being discharged from some of the cooling slots. This acid was used during construction of the nozzle components and was to have been purged prior to its delivery to the NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC). In addition, a radial displacement of one selection of discs located in the spool piece was inspected and cataloged for future reference. There did not seem to be a serious restriction of flow in this defect, but evidence from the infrared images indicated reduced slot activity within the gouge. The radiometer survey uncovered regions where closer inspection is recommended but did not cover the entire surface area of the three nozzle subsections due to equipment limitations. A list of areas with suspected problems is included in Appendix A.

Borg, Stephen E.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Annealing Increases Stability Of Iridium Thermocouples

Metallurgical studies carried out on samples of iridium versus iridium/40-percent rhodium thermocouples in condition received from manufacturer. Metallurgical studies included x-ray, macroscopic, resistance, and metallographic studies. Revealed large amount of internal stress caused by cold-working during manufacturing, and large number of segregations and inhomogeneities. Samples annealed in furnace at temperatures from 1,000 to 2,000 degree C for intervals up to 1 h to study effects of heat treatment. Wire annealed by this procedure found to be ductile.

Germain, Edward F.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Aerodynamic applications of infrared thermography

A series of wind tunnel experiments were conducted as part of a systematic study for evaluation of infrared thermography as a viable non-intrusive thermal measurement technique for aerodynamic applications. The experiments consisted of obtaining steady-state surface temperature and convective heat transfer rates for a uniformly heated cylinder in transverse flow with a Reynolds number range of 46,000 to 250,000. The calculated convective heat transfer rates were in general agreement with classical data. Furthermore, IR thermography provided valuable real-time fluid dynamic information such as visualization of flow separation, transition and vortices.

Daryabeigi, Kamran↗

NASA NTRS1987

Evaluation of industrial platinum resistance thermometers

The calibration and stability of four surface temperature measuring industrial platinum resistance thermometers for use in the temperature range -120 C to 160 C was investigated. It was found that the calibration formulation of the International Practical Temperature Scale of 1968 provided the most accurate calibration. It was also found that all the resistance thermometers suffered from varying degrees of instability and hysteresis.

Daryabeigi, Kamran↗

NASA NTRS1987

A preliminary study of factors affecting the calibration stability of the iridium versus iridium-40 percent rhodium thermocouple

An iridium versus iridium-40% rhodium thermocouple was studied. Problems associated with the use of this thermocouple for high temperature applications (up to 2000 C) were investigated. The metallurgical studies included X-ray, macroscopic, resistance, and metallographic studies. The thermocouples in the as-received condition from the manufacturer revealed large amounts of internal stress caused by cold working during manufacturing. The thermocouples also contained a large amount of inhomogeneities and segregations. No phase transformations were observed in the alloy up to 1100 C. It was found that annealing the thermocouple at 1800 C for two hours, and then at 1400 C for 2 to 3 hours yielded a fine grain structure, relieving some of the strains, and making the wire more ductile. It was also found that the above annealing procedure stabilized the thermal emf behavior of the thermocouple for application below 1800 C (an improvement from + or - 1% to + or - 0.02% within the range of the test parameters used).

Ahmed, Shaffiq↗