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Brown, W. C.

Publications and source records attributed to Brown, W. C..

At least 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2014

Depth of maximum of air-shower profiles at the Pierre Auger Observatory. II. Composition implications

Using the data taken at the Pierre Auger Observatory between December 2004 and December 2012, we have examined the implications of the distributions of depths of atmospheric shower maximum (Xmax), using a hybrid technique, for composition and hadronic interaction models. We do this by fitting the distributions with predictions from a variety of hadronic interaction models for variations in the composition of the primary cosmic rays and examining the quality of the fit. Regardless of what interaction model is assumed, we find that our data are not well described by a mix of protons and iron nuclei over most of the energy range. Acceptable fits can be obtained when intermediate masses are included, and when this is done consistent results for the proton and iron-nuclei contributions can be found using the available models. We observe a strong energy dependence of the resulting proton fractions, and find no support from any of the models for a significant contribution from iron nuclei. However, we also observe a significant disagreement between the models with respect to the relative contributions of the intermediate components.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2014

Probing the radio emission from air showers with polarization measurements

The emission of radio waves from air showers has been attributed to the so-called geomagnetic emission process. At frequencies around 50 MHz this process leads to coherent radiation which can be observed with rather simple setups. The direction of the electric field induced by this emission process depends only on the local magnetic field vector and on the incoming direction of the air shower. Here, we report on measurements of the electric field vector where, in addition to this geomagnetic component, another component has been observed that cannot be described by the geomagnetic emission process. The data provide strong evidence that the other electric field component is polarized radially with respect to the shower axis, in agreement with predictions made by Askaryan who described radio emission from particle showers due to a negative charge excess in the front of the shower. Our results are compared to calculations which include the radiation mechanism induced by this charge-excess process.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
NASA NTRS1991

Experimental radiation cooled magnetrons for space

The heat disposal problem that occurs in the microwave generator of the Solar Power Satellite when it converts dc power from solar photovoltaic arrays into microwave power for transmission to earth is examined. A theoretical study is made of the radiation cooling of a magnetron directional amplifier, and some experimental data obtained from the QKH 2244 magnetron are presented. This instrument is an unpackaged microwave oven magnetron to which an anodized aluminum radiator has been attached and whose magnetic field is supplied by special samarium cobalt magnets.

Brown, W. C.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Status of the use of microwave power transmission technology in the solar power satellite

Attention is given to recent advances in the technologies needed to build and transport a Solar Power satellite. Among the areas of NASA sponsored SPS research are: the application of ground-based, electronically steerable arrays to the SPS space-based microwave transmitting antenna; and the application of microwave transmission technology to a low-cost LEO-to-GEO transportation system to build the SPS. A photograph of a thin-film etched circuit rectenna for powering the LEO-to-GEO transportation system is provided.

Brown, W. C.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Earth to space dc to dc power transmission system utilizing a microwave beam as source of energy for electric propelled interorbital vehicles

The paper contributes to the credibility of an electric propelled interorbital transportation system by introducing a new low-mass source of continuous dc power for electric propulsion and illustrating how the source can be economically tied to an electric utility on earth by an electronically steered microwave beam. The new thin-film rectenna, which functions as the receiving end of an earth-to-space microwave power transmission system is described. It is easily fabricated, is over 80 percent efficient, has a specific mass of no more than 2 kilograms per kilowatt of continuous dc power output, and is well adapted for deployment in space. The paper then describes a complete system consisting of the interorbital vehicle and the microwave power transmission system that supplies it with power. A design scenario is used to obtain performance data from the system in terms of vehicle transfer times, payload fractions, and costs. Electric energy costs are found to be less than $1000 per kilogram of payload delivered to geosynchronous orbit from low-earth orbit.

Brown, W. C.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Fabricating Slotted-Waveguide Arrays From Sheet Metal

Low-cost lightweight waveguides formed from rolls of aluminum. Array formed from sheared, punched, and bent aluminum sheets. Sheets alined with punched jig holes and joined by laser-beam or resistance spot welding. Process permits use of thin metal to reduce raw material costs and mass. Also holds closer tolerances than usually attained in sheet-metal work.

Brown, W. C.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Status of the microwave power transmission components for the solar power satellite

During the 1970-1980 time period a substantial advance has been made in developing all portions of a microwave power transmission system for the solar power satellite (SPS). The most recent advances pertain to the transmitting portion of the system in the satellite and are based upon experimental observations of the use of the magnetron combined with a passive directional device to convert it into a highly efficient directional amplifier with excellent low-noise properties and potentially very long life. The ability of its microwave output to track a phase reference makes it possible to combine it with many other radiating units to provide a highly coherent microwave beam. The ability of its output to track an amplitude reference while operating from a dc power source with varying voltage makes it possible to eliminate most of the power conditioning equipment that would otherwise be necessary.

Brown, W. C.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Satellite Power System (SPS) magnetron tube assessment study

The data base was extended with respect to the magnetron directional amplifier and its operating parameters that are pertinent to its application in the solar power satellite. On the basis of the resulting extended data base the design of a magnetron was outlined that would meet the requirements of the SPS application and a technology program was designed that would result in its development. The proposed magnetron design for the SPS is a close scale of the microwave oven magnetron, and resembles it closely physically and electrically.

Brown, W. C.↗
NASA NTRS1980

The History of the Development of the Rectenna

The history of the development of the rectenna is reviewed through its early conceptual developmental phases. Some selective aspects of the current solar power satellite rectenna development are examined.

Brown, W. C.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Rectenna system design

The function of the rectenna in the solar power satellite system is described and the basic design choices based on the desired microwave field concentration and ground clearance requirements are given. One important area of concern, from the EMI point of view, harmonic reradiation and scattering from the rectenna is also designed. An optimization of a rectenna system design to minimize costs was performed. The rectenna cost breakdown for a 56 w installation is given as an example.

Brown, W. C.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Power amplifiers (tube)

An experimental model of the SPS transmitting antenna architecture was developed by combining a microwave oven magnetron with a ferrite circulator, a section of slotted waveguide radiator, and a control system to force the amplitude and the phase of the radiated output to follow phase and amplitude references. The amplitude control arrangement is depicted and evaluated.

Brown, W. C.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Microwave beamed power technology improvement

The magnetron directional amplifier was tested for (1) phase shift and power output as a function of gain, anode current, and anode voltage, (2) background noise and harmonics in the output, (3) long life potential of the magnetron cathode, and (4) high operational efficiency. Examples of results were an adequate range of current and voltage over which 20 dB of amplification could be obtained, spectral noise density 155 dB below the carrier, 81.7% overall efficiency, and potential cathode life of 50 years in a design for solar power satellite use. A fabrication method was used to fabricate a 64 slot, 30 in square slotted waveguide array module from 0.020 in thick aluminum sheet. The test results on the array are discussed.

Brown, W. C.↗
NASA NTRS1980

The adapting of the crossed-field directional amplifier to the requirements of the SPS

Progress in adapting the crossed-field directional amplifier to the SPS is reviewed. Special emphasis is given to (1) recent developments in controlling the phase and amplitude of the microwave power output, (2) a received architecture for its placement in the subarray, and (3) recent developments in the critical pivotal areas of noise, potential cathode life, and efficiency.

Brown, W. C.↗