Engineering topics

Russell, D. A.

Publications and source records attributed to Russell, D. A..

33 records · Page 2

NASA NTRS1981

Testing of solar cell covers and encapsulants conducted in a simulated space environment

The materials included in the evaluation were 0211 micro-sheet, FEP-A used as a cover and as an adhesive, DC 93-500 adhesive, PFA "hard coat" used as a cover, GE 615/UV-24 used as a cover, GR 650 used as a cover, and electrostatically bonded 7070 glass. The test environments were 1 MeV electron irradiation interspersed with thermal cycling, 0.5 MeV proton irradiation interspersed with thermal cycling and UV exposure interspersed with thermal cycling. Summary data is given describing the response of the test materials both visually and electrically to the three different environments.

Russell, D. A.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Chaotic /strange/ and periodic behavior in instability saturation by the oscillating two-stream instability

The nonlinear Schroedinger equation with linear growth and damping is truncated to three waves. The resulting system of nonlinear ordinary differential equations describes the excitation of linearly damped waves by the oscillating two-stream instability driven by a linearly unstable pump wave. This system represents a simple model for the nonlinear saturation of a linearly unstable wave. The model is examined analytically and numerically as a function of the dimensionless parameters of the system. It is found that the model can exhibit a wealth of characteristic dynamical behavior including stationary equilibria, Hopf bifurcations to periodic orbits, period doubling bifurcations, chaotic solutions characteristic of a strange attractor, tangent bifurcations from chaotic to periodic solutions, transient chaos, and hysteresis. Many of these features are shown to be explainable on the basis of one-dimensional maps. In the case of chaotic solutions, evidence for the presence of a strange attractor is provided by demonstrating Cantor set-like structure (i.e., scale invariance) in the surface of section.

Russell, D. A.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Effects of low energy proton, electron, and simultaneously combined proton and electron environments in silicon and GaAs solar cells

Degradation of silicon and GaAs solar cells due to exposures to low energy proton and electron environments and annealing data for these cells are discussed. Degradation of silicon cells in simultaneously combined electron and low energy proton environments and previous experimental work is summarized and evaluated. The deficiencies in current solar array damage prediction techniques indicated by these data and the relevance of these deficiencies to specific missions such as intermediate altitude orbits and orbital transfer vehicles using solar electric propulsion systems are considered.

Horne, W. E.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Evaluation of solar cell covers and encapsulant materials for space application

The effects of space radiation (electrons and protons), vacuum, and thermal cycling on a variety of solar cell covers are investigated. Cover materials evaluated include glass resins, 2 mil glass applied with adhesives or electrostatically bonded, and thin plastic films of FEP or PFA applied with adhesive. Solar cells were exposed to environmental conditions simulating those encountered in outer space. These test conditions include 1 MeV electrons, 0.5 MeV protons, and thermal cycling in vacuum. During testing the solar cells were monitored for variations in electrical characteristics and structural changes.

Russell, D. A.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Viscous effects in tube flow initiated by an expansion wave

An examination is made of the effect of the turbulent boundary layer on the uniformity of the flow initiated by a nonsteady expansion wave traveling in a long, constant-area tube. Closed-form expressions for the flow perturbations first are obtained from the linearized equations of motion. Measured static pressure histories for both lowand high-tube Mach numbers are used for comparison. Detailed discussions of the limitations of the linearized model and its extension to high-tube Mach numbers are given. Agreement is shown between a modified version of the linearized model and the experimental results. A model of viscous nonsteady pipe flow is used to explain the nonlinear pressure decay observed at very large length-to-diameter ratios.

Tong, K.-O.↗

NASA NTRS1976

Gamma-effects on 2-dimensional transonic aerodynamics

Nonlifting 10% biconvex airfoils are mounted in a 30 x 40 cm Ludwieg-tube-driven transonic test-section and the flow field recorded with a holographic interferometer. Nitrogen, argon, and carbon dioxide are used as the principal test gases. Experiments are conducted with Reynolds number based on chord of (0.5-3.5) x 10 to the 6th with Mach numbers of 0.70, 0.75, and 0.80. Supporting calculations use inviscid transonic small-disturbance and full-potential computer codes coupled with simple integral boundary-layer modeling. Systematic studies show that significant gamma-effects can occur due to shock-induced separation.

Tuzla, K.↗

NASA NTRS1975

Flow lasers

The present work reviews the fluid-mechanical aspects of high-power continuous-wave (CW) lasers. The flow characteristics of these devices appear as classical fluid-mechanical phenomena recast in a complicated interactive environment. The fundamentals of high-power lasers are reviewed, followed by a discussion of the N2-CO2 gas dynamic laser. Next, the HF/DF supersonic diffusion laser is described, and finally the CO electrical-discharge laser is discussed.

Christiansen, W. H.↗

NASA NTRS1975

Uniformity of Ludwieg tube flows

Pressure and speed of sound measurements are used to obtain averaged gas properties in a Ludwieg combustion tube in which the gas is burned just prior to use. Absorption of a laser beam in the exit flow is used to check the predicted temperature uniformity. The burning process and the heat transfer to the cold walls are modeled. Interferograms of Ludwieg tube boundary layers are utilized to develop a new semiempirical boundary layer expression referred to as the integral density thickness, which is then applied to a recently developed linearized analysis of the effects of this layer. Pressure-time histories are determined for a wide range of tube flow Mach number and aspect ratio. Viscous and nonviscous effects are considered. It is shown that although the influence of the integral density thickness on the flow can be large, a modified linear theory can be used to estimate the effects for arbitrary tube flow Mach number and values of the aspect ratio that include cases where the boundary layers have merged.

Russell, D. A.↗

NASA NTRS1973

Double expansion nozzles for shock tunnels and Ludwieg tubes

Double expansion nozzles use a shock system located between two sonic throats in order to exchange total pressure for flow cross-sectional area. They can be useful for gaskinetic and aerodynamic flows that otherwise cannot take advantage of available pressure capability. This paper reports experiments with a 7.5 by 10 cm, Mach 3 nozzle operated in both conventional and double expansion nozzle modes using 7.5 by 10 cm and 2.5 cm I.D. Ludwieg drive tubes, respectively. Pressure traces document a simple starting model for the double expansion case, while holographic interferometry has been used to establish and compare nozzle flow quality. Interferometry is also used to estimate turbulence levels through onset of fringe breakdown. The measurements generally show that, with careful design, double expansion nozzles can be used to extend facility performance without loss in flow quality and with acceptable loss in testing time.

Russell, D. A.↗

NASA NTRS1972

Aerodynamics of high-performance Ludwieg tubes.

A small perturbation analysis of the flow in a Ludwieg tube supply is described which includes both the growing turbulent boundary-layer and axial pipe nonuniformities. Measured pressure time histories are used to check the theory and its extension to high pipe Mach numbers and large flow perturbations. The nonsteady coupling of this flow to a nozzle is investigated. Calculations are made of the effects on the nozzle boundary layer, while a separate analysis is carried out for the case of complete mixing in a nozzle plenum. The double expansion nozzle is shown to extend Ludwieg-tube capability. Analytical and experimental studies are made of the aerodynamic problems that can arise in these nozzles.

Russell, D. A.↗

NASA NTRS1972

Generating high Reynolds-number flows.

Present test facilities are seriously limited regarding investigations involving high Reynolds numbers due to financial considerations. Quasi-steady testing facilities offer a practical immediate solution to the problem of high-Re testing. A familiar example is the blowdown wind tunnel, but even more flexibility and economy may be provided by using shock-tube devices. The Ludwieg tube is the shock-tube device most often proposed as a means of generating high-Re flows. Two-stage nozzles may be used with a Ludwieg tube. Quasi-steady facilities will be useful only if the available test time exceeds that required to establish steady flow.

Russell, D. A.↗

NASA NTRS1971