Engineering Papers⌕ Search

Engineering topics

Reed, R. E.

Publications and source records attributed to Reed, R. E..

Analytical aspects of Randomdec analysis

Relationships between Randomdec analysis and conventional methods of analysis such as Fourier and modal analysis are shown. The Randomdec signature is described in terms of the Fourier amplitude coefficients. Using this result, the effect of filtering the time history is shown. For a linear, two mode model, signatures are compared to the free response of the system subjected to different initial conditions to show the relationship of displacement and acceleration signatures to the physical system. Detection and location of flaws is also discussed.

Reed, R. E.↗

Surface tension induced convection in encapsulated liquid metals in a microgravity environment. Experiment MA-041

The experiment was designed to detect possible convection caused by a steplike compositional variation in a liquid metal in a microgravity environment. Wetting and nonwetting ampoules were used to try to determine the extent of the stirring effects if they were present. Since stirring effects can be caused by temperature gradients, the temperature gradients were minimized. Steplike compositional variation was created by pressure bonding a lead-0.05 atom percent gold alloy to pure lead. Two diffusion temperatures (923 K and 723 K) were used; if no stirring effects were present, it was hoped that the liquid diffusion parameters for gold in lead could be obtained. Two identifical experimental arrangements were used to compare the transport mechanisms of gold in liquid lead in unit gravity and microgravity environments.

Reed, R. E.↗

Surface-tension-induced convection experiment MA-041

In the absence of gravity, stirring in a liquid is suppressed because of density differences caused by thermal or compositional gradients. However, other mechanisms resulting in natural convection in a microgravity environment exist. One of the most important mechanisms for liquid metals is surface tension driven convection, which becomes predominant in the low gravity environment. In this case, surface tension differences caused by compositional or temperature gradients have been demonstrated to cause stirring in liquids during experiments performed onboard Skylab. Compositional gradients were created by adding a soap solution to a large water globule, which caused vigorous fluid motion for some moments after the addition.

Reed, R. E.↗