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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 217 records · Page 12
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1975

Calculation of supersonic three-dimensional free-mixing flows using the parabolic-elliptic Navier-Stokes equations

A numerical method is presented which is valid for integration of the parabolic-elliptic Navier-Stokes equations. The solution procedure is applied to the three-dimensional supersonic flow of a jet issuing into a supersonic free stream. Difficulties associated with the imposition of free-stream boundary conditions are noted, and a coordinate transformation, which maps the point at infinity onto a finite value, is introduced to alleviate these difficulties. Results are presented for calculations of a square jet and varying-aspect-ratio rectangular jets. The solution behavior varies from axisymmetry for the square jet to nearly two-dimensional for the high-aspect-ratio rectangle, although the computation always calculates the flow as though it were truly three-dimensional.

Hirsh, R. S.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Generalized Du Fort-Frankel methods for parabolic initial-boundary value problems

The Du Fort-Frankel difference scheme is generalized to difference operators of arbitrary high order accuracy in space and to arbitrary order of the parabolic differential operator. Spectral methods can also be used to approximate the spatial part of the differential operator. The scheme is explicit, and it is unconditionally stable for the initial value problem. Stable boundary conditions are given for two different fourth order accurate space approximations.

Gottlieb, D.↗
NASA NTRS1976

A Z-axis recumbent rotating device for use in parabolic flight

A prototype apparatus for exposing persons to rotation about their Z-axis in parabolic flight is described. Although it resembles earth-horizontal axis devices, added features are its strength and portability, and the fiber glass 'couch' with adjustable elements providing support and restraint. Even under ground-based conditions, this device provides unique opportunities for investigations involving not only canalicular and macular mechanoreceptors, but also touch, pressure, and kinesthetic receptor systems.

Graybiel, A.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Numerical solution of supersonic three-dimensional free-mixing flows using the parabolic-elliptic Navier-Stokes equations

A numerical method is presented for solving the parabolic-elliptic Navier-Stokes equations. The solution procedure is applied to three-dimensional supersonic laminar jet flow issuing parallel with a supersonic free stream. A coordinate transformation is introduced which maps the boundaries at infinity into a finite computational domain in order to eliminate difficulties associated with the imposition of free-stream boundary conditions. Results are presented for an approximate circular jet, a square jet, varying aspect ratio rectangular jets, and interacting square jets. The solution behavior varies from axisymmetric to nearly two-dimensional in character. For cases where comparisons of the present results with those obtained from shear layer calculations could be made, agreement was good.

Hirsh, R. S.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Design and fabrication of a low-specific-weight parabolic dish solar concentrator

A segmented design and fabrication and assembly techniques were developed for a 1.8 m (6 ft) diameter parabolic concentrator for space application. This design and these techniques were adaptable to a low cost, mass-produced concentrator. Minimal machining was required. Concentrator segments of formed magnesium were used. The concentrator weighed only 1.6 kg sq m (0.32 lbm/sq ft).

Richter, C. W.↗
NASA NTRS1979

The parabolic concentrating collector: A tutorial

A tutorial overview of point-focusing parabolic collectors is presented. Optical and thermal characteristics are discussed. Data representing typical achievable collector efficiencies are presented and the importance of balancing collector cost with concentrator quality is argued through the development of a figure of merit. Various types of two-axis tracking collectors are described. The Department of Energy program to develop these devices is briefly discussed, as are present and projected costs for these collectors.

Truscello, V. C.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Alternating direction implicit methods for parabolic equations with a mixed derivative

Alternating direction implicit (ADI) schemes for two-dimensional parabolic equations with a mixed derivative are constructed by using the class of all A sub 0-stable linear two-step methods in conjunction with the method of approximation factorization. The mixed derivative is treated with an explicit two-step method which is compatible with an implicit A sub 0-stable method. The parameter space for which the resulting ADI schemes are second order accurate and unconditionally stable is determined. Some numerical examples are given.

Beam, R. M.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Explicit numerical formulas of improved stability and accuracy for the solution of parabolic equations

A class of explicit numerical formulas which involve next nearest neighbor as well as nearest neighbor points are explored in this paper. These formulas are formal approximations to the linear parabolic partial-differential equation of first order in time and second order in distance. It was found that some of these formulas can employ time steps as much as four times that for the conventional explicit technique without becoming unstable. Others showed improved accuracy for a given time step and spatial grid spacing. One formula achieved a steady-state solution of specified accuracy for an example problem in less than 4 percent of the total computational time required by the conventional explicit technique.

Olstad, W. B.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Solar parabolic dish thermal power systems - Technology and applications

Activities of two projects at JPL in support of DOE's Small Power Systems Program are reported. These two projects are the Point-Focusing Distributed Receiver (PFDR) Technology Project and the Point-Focusing Thermal and Electric Applications (PFTEA) Project. The PFDR Technology Project's major activity is developing the technology of solar concentrators, receivers and power conversion subsystems suitable for parabolic dish or point-focusing distributed receiver power systems. Other PFDR activities include system integration and cost estimation under mass production, as well as the testing of the hardware. The PFTEA Project's first major activity is applications analysis, that is seeking ways to introduce PFDR systems into appropriate user sectors. The second activity is systems engineering and development wherein power plant systems are analyzed for specific applications. The third activity is the installation of a series of engineering experiments in various user environments to obtain actual operating experience

Lucas, J. W.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Heat and electricity from the Sun using parabolic dish collector systems

Point focus distributed receiver solar thermal technology for the production of electric power and of industrial process heat is addressed. The thermal power systems project which emphasizes the development of cost effective systems which will accelerate the commercialization and industrialization of plants up to 10 MWe, using parabolic dish collectors is described. The projected size of the isolated load market in the 1990-2000 time period is 300 to 1000 MW/year. Although this market is small in comparison to the grid connected utility market, it is indicated that by assuming only a 20 percent market penetration, up to 10,000 power modules per year would be required to meet this need. At a production rate of 25,000 units/year and assuming no energy storage, levelized bus bar energy costs of 75 mills/kWeh are projected. These numbers are based on what is believed to be a conservative estimate regarding engine-generator conversion efficiency (40 percent) for the 1990 time period. With a more optimistic estimate of efficiency (i.e., 45 percent), the bus bar cost decreases to about 67 mills/kWeh. At very large production rates (400,000 modules/years), the costs decrease to 58 mills/kWeh. Finally, the present status of the technology development effort is discussed.

Truscello, V. C.↗
NASA NTRS1980

JPL's parabolic dish test site

A parabolic dish test site (PDTS) was established in the California Mojave Desert to carry out work in testing solar point focusing concentrator systems and related hardware. The site was chosen because of its high solar insolation level and year around clear sky conditions. The various facilities and equipment at the PDTS, and the concentrator experiments being performed are described.

Hagen, T. L.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Parabolic flight - Loss of sense of orientation

On the earth, or in level flight, a blindfolded subject being rotated at constant velocity about his recumbent long body axis experiences illusory orbital motion of his body in the opposite direction. By contrast, during comparable rotation in the free-fall phase of parabolic flight, no body motion is perceived and all sense of external orientation may be lost; when touch and pressure stimulation is applied to the body surface, a sense of orientation is reestablished immediately. The increased gravitoinertial force period of a parabola produces an exaggeration of the orbital motion experienced in level flight. These observations reveal an important influence of touch, pressure, and kinesthetic information on spatial orientation and provide a basis for understanding many of the postural illusions reported by astronauts in space flight.

Lackner, J. R.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Heat and electricity from the sun using parabolic dish collector systems

The paper investigates point focus distributed receiver (PFDR) solar thermal technology for the production of electric power and of industrial process heat. Attention is given to a thermal systems project conducted by JPL under DOE sponsorship. It is reported that project emphasis is on the development of cost-effective systems which will accelerate the commercialization and industrialization of plants up to 10 MWe, using parabolic dish collectors. Also discussed are the characteristics of PFDR systems, the cost targets for major systems hardware, and markets for this technology. Finally, the present system status of the technology development effort is discussed.

Truscello, V. C.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Motion sickness susceptibility during rotation at 30 rpm in free-fall parabolic flight

To make comparisons with experimental motion sickness susceptibility in Skylab missions, subjects were tested during free fall in parabolic flight and in ground-based simulation tests. They were rotated at 30 rpm in a rotating litter chair (RLC) with head fixed, head swiveling left-to-right, or with 90 degree forward and return head and body movements. Stressful accelerations similar to those in the Skylab RLC were generated only in the tests aloft, where subjects who made 'forward and return' movements (generating cross-coupled angular accelerations) were substantially more prone to motion sickness than those with either head fixed or head swiveling left-to-right. However, with head swiveling, susceptibility was slightly higher in the laboratory than aloft.

Graybiel, A.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Design of stigmatic grazing incidence telescopes with non-parabolic primaries

A two-mirror grazing-incidence telescope having a non-parabolic primary, and designed to be free of spherical aberration has been investigated. A method for determining the second surface equation is described, when the surface equation for one mirror is given. Application to grazing incidence systems such as used in X-ray and planed for EUV astronomy is discussed. Of special interest is the design of a secondary mirror when the hyperboloid of a conventional Wolter type I system is taken as the primary.

Winkler, C. E.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Boundary control of parabolic systems - Finite-element approximation

The finite element approximation of a Dirichlet type boundary control problem for parabolic systems is considered. An approach based on the direct approximation of an input-output semigroup formula is applied. Error estimates are derived for optimal state and optimal control, and it is noted that these estimates are actually optimal with respect to the approximation theoretic properties.

Lasiecka, I.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Visual and postural motion aftereffects following parabolic flight

Postural and visual motion aftereffects may be experienced after exposure to alternating periods of free fall and increased gravitoinertial force in parabolic flight. In an aftereffect, the body feels as if it is again undergoing periodic changes in force level because of motion of the substrate; strong apparent postural motion is also accompanied by visual motion of the surroundings. The aftereffects are discussed according to: (1) their character, (2) their time course, (3) secondary symptoms associated with them, (4) conditions favoring their occurrence, (5) their relation to the inducing frequency, (6) fragments of the complete pattern, (7) their duration, and (8) the importance of contact cues.

Lackner, J. R.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Reduction of intensity variations on a photovoltaic array with compound parabolic concentrators

The reduction of nonuniformities in the intensity distribution of light focused on a photovoltaic array by a compound parabolic concentrator is investigated. The introduction of small distortions into the surfaces of the reflector in order to diffuse the incident collimated light to fill the angular acceptance of the concentrator is calculated by means of ray tracing to decrease the irradiance nonuniformity at the cost of a lowered effective concentration of the concentrator. Measurements of the intensity distribution on a scale test model in terrestrial sunlight with corrugated aluminized mylar reflectors are shown to be in good agreement with the ray tracing results. A two-stage concentrator consisting of a focusing primary and a nonimaging secondary is also shown to result in a fairly uniform intensity distribution except in the case of a 4-deg incidence angle, which may be corrected by the introduction of distortions into one or both concentration stages.

Greenman, P.↗