Engineering topics

Mansfield, J. A.

Publications and source records attributed to Mansfield, J. A..

5 records

NASA NTRS1989

Primary mirror and mount technology for the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) telescope

Candidate technologies for a lightweight primary mirror for the SOFIA telescope are evaluated for both mirror blank fabrication and polishing. Two leading candidates for the type mirror blank are considered: the frit-bonded, structured form, and the thin meniscus form. The feasible mirror is required to be very lightweight with an areal density of approximately 100 kg/sq m, have an f/ratio near 1.0, and have surface quality that permits imaging in the visible as well as the infrared. Also considered are the results of a study conducted to assess the feasibility of designing a suitable mounting system for the primary mirror. The requirements for the mount design are given both in terms of the environmental conditions and the expected optical performance. PATRAN and NASTRAN programs are used to model mirror and mounting. The sandwich-type mirror made of ultra low expansion silica with square cells in the core, is modeled using equivalent solid elements for the core. The design study produces primary mirror surface deflections in 1g as a function of mirror elevation angles. The surface is analyzed using an optical analysis program, FRINGE, to give a prediction of the mirror optical performance. Results from this analysis are included.

Melugin, Ramsey K.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Measurement of the spatial dependence of temperature and gas and soot concentrations within large open hydrocarbon fuel fires

A series of large-scale JP-4 fuel pool fire tests was conducted to refine existing mathematical models of large fires. Seven tests were conducted to make chemical concentration and temperature measurements in 7.5 and 15 meter-diameter pool fires. Measurements were made at heights of 0.7, 1.4, 2.9, 5.7, 11.4, and 21.3 meters above the fires. Temperatures were measured at up to 50 locations each second during the fires. Chemistry samples were taken at up to 23 locations within the fires and analyzed for combustion chemistry and soot concentration. Temperature and combustion chemistry profiles obtained during two 7.5 meter-diameter and two 15 meter-diameter fires are included.

Johnson, H. T.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Effects of potassium titanate fiber on the wear of automotive brake linings

Asbestos reinforcing fiber in an automotive friction material was replaced by an experimental ingredient having better thermal stability, and the effects on wear and friction were studied. A friction materials test machine (SAE J661a) was used to determine friction and wear, under constant energy output conditions, as a function of temperature between 121 and 343 C (250 and 650 F). When potassium titanate fiber replaced one half of the asbestos in a standard commercial lining, with a 40 percent upward adjustment of phenolic resin content, wear above 204 C (400 F) was improved by 40% and friction by 30%. Tests on a full-scale inertial dynamometer supported the findings of the sample dynamometer tests. It was demonstrated that the potassium titanate fiber contributes directly to the improvement in wear and friction.

Halberstadt, M. L.↗

NASA NTRS1976

An improved automotive brake lining using fibrous potassium titanate

Simultaneous fade reduction and wear improvement of a commercial automotive brake lining were achieved by adding fibrous potassium titanate. The dependence of friction and wear characteristics on quantitative variations in potassium titanate, asbestos, phenolic binder, and organic and inorganic modifiers was evaluated.

Mansfield, J. A.↗

NASA NTRS1975

An effective and practical fire-protection system

A high-performance sandwich-type fire protection system comprising a steel outer sheath and insulation combined in various configurations is described. An inherent advantage of the sheath system over coatings is that it eliminates problems of weatherability, materials strength, adhesion, and chemical attack. An experimental comparison between the protection performance of state-of-the-art coatings and the sheath system is presented, with emphasis on the protection of certain types of steel tanks for fuel storage and transport. Sheath systems are thought to be more expensive than coatings in initial implementation, although they are less expensive per year for sufficiently long applications.

Mansfield, J. A.↗