Engineering PapersSearch

Engineering topics

Ward, J. F.

Publications and source records attributed to Ward, J. F..

At least 19 records

Critical target and dose and dose-rate responses for the induction of chromosomal instability by ionizing radiation

To investigate the critical target, dose response and dose-rate response for the induction of chromosomal instability by ionizing radiation, bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU)-substituted and unsubstituted GM10115 cells were exposed to a range of doses (0.1-10 Gy) and different dose rates (0.092-17.45 Gy min(-1)). The status of chromosomal stability was determined by fluorescence in situ hybridization approximately 20 generations after irradiation in clonal populations derived from single progenitor cells surviving acute exposure. Overall, nearly 700 individual clones representing over 140,000 metaphases were analyzed. In cells unsubstituted with BrdU, a dose response was found, where the probability of observing delayed chromosomal instability in any given clone was 3% per gray of X rays. For cells substituted with 25-66% BrdU, however, a dose response was observed only at low doses (<1.0 Gy); at higher doses (>1.0 Gy), the incidence of chromosomal instability leveled off. There was an increase in the frequency and complexity of chromosomal instability per unit dose compared to cells unsubstituted with BrdU. The frequency of chromosomal instability appeared to saturate around approximately 30%, an effect which occurred at much lower doses in the presence of BrdU. Changing the gamma-ray dose rate by a factor of 190 (0.092 to 17.45 Gy min(-1)) produced no significant differences in the frequency of chromosomal instability. The enhancement of chromosomal instability promoted by the presence of the BrdU argues that DNA comprises at least one of the critical targets important for the induction of this end point of genomic instability.

NASA Discipline Radiation Health

Helicopters for the future

Technology needed to provide the basis for creating a widening rotary wing market include: well defined and proven design; reductions in noise, vibration, and fuel consumption; improvement of flying and ride quality; better safety; reliability; maintainability; and productivity. Unsteady transonic flow, yawed flow, dynamic stall, and blade vortex interaction are some of the problems faced by scientists and engineers in the helicopter industry with rotorcraft technology seen as an important development for future advanced high speed vehicle configurations. Such aircraft as the Boeing Vertol medium lift Model 360 composite aircraft, the Sikorsky Advancing Blade Concept (ABC) aircraft, the Bell Textron XV-15 Tilt Rotor Aircraft, and the X-wing rotor aircraft are discussed in detail. Even though rotorcraft technology has become an integral part of the military scene, the potential market for its civil applications has not been fully developed.

Ward, J. F.

Photographic technology development project: Timber typing in the Tahoe Basin using high altitude panoramic photography

Procedures were developed and tested for using KA-80A optical bar camera panoramic photography for timber typing forest land and classifying nonforest land. The study area was the south half of the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit. Final products from this study include four timber type map overlays on 1:24,000 orthophoto maps. The following conclusions can be drawn from this study: (1) established conventional timber typing procedures can be used on panoramic photography if the necessary equipment is available, (2) The classification and consistency results warrant further study in using panoramic photography for timber typing; and (3) timber type mapping can be done as fast or faster with panoramic photography than with resource photography while maintaining comparable accuracy.

Ward, J. F.

Nationwide forestry applications program. Ten-Ecosystem Study (TES) site 6, Fort Yukon, Alaska

The author has identified the following significant results. Analysis of the processing results has led to the following conclusions: (1) LANDSAT imagery was a reliable resource for the stratification of level 2 forest features (softwood, hardwood, tundra, and water). These features can be classified with an accuracy of 72.4 percent + or - 5.9 percent at the 90 percent confidence level. (2) Training fields selected for signature development from only 10 percent of the area did not adequately and efficiently cover the class variability for the entire area. (3) Derived regression transformations were ineffective in recovering the loss of level 1 forest proportions and level 2 softwood and hardwood proportions.

Ward, J. F.

A preliminary training guide for utilizing high-altitude, color-infrared photography in compiling soil maps

Instruction for acquiring and analytically processing small-scale color-infrared photography to perform a soil resources inventory over forests of the southern U.S. is provided. Planning the project; acquiring aerial photography, materials, equipment and supplemental data; and preparing the photography for analysis are discussed. The procedures for preparing ancillary and primary component overlays are discussed. The use of correlation charts and dichotomous keys for mountain landforms, water regime, and vegetation is explained.

Weaver, J. E.

A summary of current research in rotor unsteady aerodynamics with emphasis on work at Langley Research Center

The basic unsteady aerodynamic environment of the rotary wing is summarized. Some of the observed trends in the state of the art are discussed. Some of the research needs that will require attention are reported. A review of a number of research investigations as a part of a joint NASA/Army rotorcraft project is presented. The research is directed toward achieving a better understanding of rotor unsteady airfoils. The investigations include: (1) rotor maneuver loads; (2) level flight and maneuver wake prediction; (3) tip-vortex flow; (4) blade-vortex interactions; (5) dynamic stall; (6) transient Mach number air loads; and (7) development of variable geometry rotors.

Ward, J. F.

Wind tunnel simulation of full scale vortices.

An experimental investigation has been conducted to determine the important scaling parameters for the flow in the core region of a vortex generated by a rectangular wing tip. The effect of an unconventional planform, the ogee tip, on the tip vortex is also determined. Data were measured for wing pitch angles of 6 and 9 deg at Mach numbers of 0.2, 0.5, and 0.6 for Reynolds numbers ranging from 440,000 to 7,000,000 using a triaxial hot wire probe. The probe was located at 2 and 5 chordlengths downstream from the trailing edge of the 4.25 inch and 26.0 inch chord wings. For rectangular planform wings, the measured vortex core diameter to chord ratios, peak tangential velocity ratios, and axial velocity ratios are shown to be functions only of wing lift coefficient and elapsed time from vortex formation, and appear to be independent of both Mach number and Reynolds number.

Rorke, J. B.