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At least 307 records · Page 17

Regenerable non-venting thermal control subsystem for extravehicular activity

Extravehicular Mobility Unit heat rejection requirements have been formulated for both Space Shuttle Orbiter and space station regenerable nonventing thermal sink (RNTS) applications, where the former involve nonventing extravehicular activity (EVA) missions and the latter both nonventing and regenerable EVA. The present conceptual study notes that while the exclusive use of thermal storage is suitable for the Space Shuttle mission, space station requirements are best satisfied by a hybrid system which combines thermal storage with radiator and heat pump. The Space Shuttle RNTS thermal control subsystem's thermal storage unit uses water as a phase change medium. It is noted that the same heat storage unit can satisfy the Space Shuttle and space station requirements.

Roebelen, G. J., Jr.↗

An association between discrete aurora and energetic particle boundaries

Low-altitude observations of the energy flux carried by precipitating auroral electrons are compared with simultaneous measurements of the more energetic particle population to determine the spatial relationships between discrete auroras and those regions where the ion population exhibits a full loss cone. Discrete auroras are identified as instances where large, spatially structured energy fluxes (in excess of 10 erg per sq cm s) are carried almost exclusively by precipitating electrons. This comparison makes it possible to infer a relation between discrete auroras and earthward streaming ions observed in the tail. Since discrete auroras occur in association with field-aligned currents, an evaluation is made of the suggestion that auroral field-aligned currents map to the outer boundary of the plasma sheet.

Lyons, L. R.↗

X-ray selected quasars and Seyfert galaxies - Cosmological evolution, luminosity function, and contribution to the X-ray background

The cosmological evolution and the X-ray luminosity function of quasars and Seyfert galaxies (active galactic nuclei /AGNs/) are derived and discussed. The sample used consists of 56 objects extracted from the expanded Einstein Observatory Medium Sensitivity Survey, and it is exclusively defined by its X-ray properties. The distribution in space of X-ray selected AGNs is confirmed to be strongly nonuniform; the amount of cosmological evolution required by the data is in agreement with a previous determination based on a smaller sample of objects. The X-ray luminosity function (XLF) is derived. The high-luminosity part of the XLF is satisfactorily described by a power law of slope gamma approximately 3.6. A significant flattening is observed at low luminosities. The simultaneous determination of the cosmological evolution and of the X-ray luminosity function of AGNs is then used to estimate the contribution to the extragalactic diffuse X-ray background. Using the best fit values for the evolution of AGNs and for their volume density, it is found that they contribute approximately 80 percent of the 2 keV diffuse X-ray background. Uncertainties in this estimate are still rather large; however, it seems difficult to reconcile the data with a contribution much less than 50 percent.

Maccacaro, T.↗

Complementary-Logic Fault Detector

Circuit for checking two-line complementary-logic bits for single faults used as building block for self-checking memory interface for Hammingcoded data. Intended for such applications as fault-tolerant computing, data handling, and data transmission. Circuit performs exclusive-OR function. Many such circuits combined produce complete memory interface with both detection and correction abilities.

Wawrzynek, J. C.↗

A preliminary study of the feasibility of detecting the floating macrophytes by means of digital processing of MSS/LANDSAT data

The feasibility of mapping the floating macrophytes (mostly water hyacinth: (Eichornia crassipes) in the Salto Grande reservoir in Americana, SP, by means of digital processing of MSS/LANDSAT data is described. The area occupied by the macrophytes was extracted by exclusion after the merging of two thematic masks representing the area of vegetation free water surface. One of the masks was obtained from a date when the vegetal cover is insignificant, while the other represents a large infestation episode. The utilization of digital processing of MSS/LANDSAT data techniques for the documentation of macrophytes infestation is feasible only when the phenomenon occurs in large areas.

Valeriano, D. D.↗

NASA Redox Storage System Development Project

The Redox Storage System Technology Project was jointly supported by the U.S. Department of Energy and NASA. The objectives of the project were to develop the Redox flow battery concept and to probe its technical and economic viability. The iron and chromium redox couples were selected as the reactants. Membranes and electrodes were developed for the original mode of operating at 25 C with the reactants separated by an ion-exchange membrane. Analytical capabilities and system-level operating concepts were developed and verified in a 1-kW, 13-kWh preprototype system. A subsequent change was made in operating mode, going to 65 C and using mixed reactants. New membranes and a new electrode catalyst were developed, resulting in single cell operation as high as 80 mA/sq cm with energy efficiencies greater than 80 percent. Studies indicate a likely system cost of about $75/kWh. Standard Oil of Ohio (Sohio) has undertaken further development of the Redox system. An exclusive patent license was obtained from NASA by Sohio. Transfer of Redox technology to Sohio is supported by the NASA Technology Utilization Office.

Hagedorn, N. H.↗

Algorithm for space-time analysis of data on geomagnetic field

The algorithm for the execution of the space-time analysis of data on geomagnetic fields is described. The primary constraints figuring in the specific realization of the algorithm on a computer stem exclusively from the limited possibilities of the computer involved. It is realized in the form of a program for the BESM-6 computer.

Kulanin, N. V.↗

Thematic Mapper Spectral Dimensionality and Data Structure

A simulated LANDSAT 4 TM and MSS data set, representing three crops over three growing seasons and a wide variety of soil types, was used to evaluate the structure of TM data and to compare its characteristics to those of MSS data. TM bands 2, 3, and 4, transformed to tasseled cap-like coordinates, provide an equivalent data space to MSS tasseled cap data, with greater dynamic range and no apparent loss of information resulting from the exclusion of the 0.9 to 1.1 micron region. Data from the six reflective TM bands (excluding the thermal band) primarily occupy two planes and a transition zone between them. The plane of vegetation is comparable to the MSS tasseled cap plane, while the plane of soils and transition zone provide a new dimension of information unavailable from the MSS. This added dimension offers promise of improved ability to determine the relative mix of vegetation and soil in the sensor field of view and to estimate soil moisture status. The improvement in spectral characteristics of the TM over the MSS, not to mention the greater spatial resolution, have resulted in a significant increase in the information content of the data.

Crist, E. P.↗

Formation of high molecular weight products from benzene during boundary lubrication

High molecular weight products were detected on the wear track of an iron disk at the end of a sliding friction and wear test using benzene as a lubricant. Size exclusion chromagography in conjunction with UV analysis gave evidence that the high molecular weight products are polyphenyl ether type substances. Organic electrochemistry was used to elucidate the possible surface reaction mechanisms.

Morales, W.↗

Periodic binary sequence generators: VLSI circuits considerations

Feedback shift registers are efficient periodic binary sequence generators. Polynomials of degree r over a Galois field characteristic 2(GF(2)) characterize the behavior of shift registers with linear logic feedback. The algorithmic determination of the trinomial of lowest degree, when it exists, that contains a given irreducible polynomial over GF(2) as a factor is presented. This corresponds to embedding the behavior of an r-stage shift register with linear logic feedback into that of an n-stage shift register with a single two-input modulo 2 summer (i.e., Exclusive-OR gate) in its feedback. This leads to Very Large Scale Integrated (VLSI) circuit architecture of maximal regularity (i.e., identical cells) with intercell communications serialized to a maximal degree.

Perlman, M.↗

Free-form Design in Solid Modelling

Solid modelling is developed as a means of representing the shapes of components used in the less specialized mechanical engineering industries. Solids can now be modelled with free form surfaces. In some cases parametric geometry is used exclusively, while in others here is mixed use of parametric and implicit geometry. A method is suggested and discussed for free form solids modelling. The method has several advantages, one of which is that it avoids the use of detached surfaces, Boolean operations and surface intersection computations. It involves only minor topological changes to the model and is therefore computationally efficient.

Pratt, M. J.↗

An Intuitive Approach to Geometric Continuity for Parametric Curves and Surfaces (Extended Abstract)

The notion of geometric continuity is extended to an arbitrary order for curves and surfaces, and an intuitive development of constraints equations is presented that are necessary for it. The constraints result from a direct application of the univariate chain rule for curves, and the bivariate chain rule for surfaces. The constraints provide for the introduction of quantities known as shape parameters. The approach taken is important for several reasons: First, it generalizes geometric continuity to arbitrary order for both curves and surfaces. Second, it shows the fundamental connection between geometric continuity of curves and geometric continuity of surfaces. Third, due to the chain rule derivation, constraints of any order can be determined more easily than derivations based exclusively on geometric measures.

Derose, T. D.↗

Excerpts from the paper: Research Status and Recommendation from the Alaska Workshop on Gravity Waves and Turbulence in the Middle Atmosphere, part 1.3A

Internal gravity waves are disturbances whose intrinsic frequencies k(c - u) are smaller than the Brunt-Vaisala frequency (N). Their importance arises because: they are the major components of the total flow and temperature variability fields of the mesosphere (i.e., shears and lapse rates) and hence constitute the likely sources of turbulence; and they are associated with fluxes of momentum that communicate stresses over large distances. For example, gravity waves exert a drag on the flow in the upper mesosphere. However, in order for gravity waves to exert a net drag on the atmosphere, they must be attenuated. There are two general types of processes that seek to attenuate gravity waves: dissipation and saturation. Dissipation is any process that is effective independent of the wave amplitude, while saturation occurs when certain wave amplitude conditions are met. Radiative damping is an example of dissipation, while convective overturning is an example of saturation. The two processes are not mutually exclusive.

Fritts, D. C.↗

Overview of on-line data processing for MST radars (keynote paper), part 7

The most important aspects of the processing of MST radar data are discussed. The important points of on-line data processing for MST radar are reviewed. The goals of the on-line and now almost exclusively digital processing, procedures are to achieve good altitude resolution and coverage, good frequency (Doppler shift) resolution, and good time resolution, while avoiding, the problems of range and frequency ambiguity (aliasing), ground clutter, and interference. Achieving optimum results requires pulse compression and some coherent integration. The first allows full utilization of the average power capability of the transmitter and the second reduces the computing requirements.

Farley, D. T.↗

Recent results at the Sunset radar

The Sunset radar is a VHF, pulsed Doppler radar located in a narrow canyon near the Sunset townsite 15 km west of Boulder, CO. This facility is operated by the Aeronomy Laboratory, ERL, NOAA, exclusively for meteorological research and the development of the mesosphere-stratosphere-troposphere (MST) and stratosphere-troposphere (ST) radar technique. Recent results include a measurement of all three components of wind velocity for the Federal Administration.

Green, J. L.↗

Diffusion welding of Cassegrainian concentrator cell stack assemblies

Development of a procedure to join the components of the Cassegrainian concentrator photovoltaic cell stack assembly was studied. Diffusion welding was selected as the most promising process, and was concentrated on exclusively. All faying surfaces were coated with silver to promote welding. The first phase of the study consisted of developing the relationship between process parameters and joint strength using silver plated steel samples and an isostatic pressure system. In the second phase, mockups of the cell stack assembly were welded in a hot isostatic press. Excellent joint strength was achieved with parameters of 350 C and 10 ksi, but the delicate GaAs component could not survive the welding cycle without cracking. The tendency towards cracking was found to be affected by both temperature and pressure. Further work will be required in the future to solve this problem.

Gangl, K. J.↗

The VLSI implementation of a Reed-Solomon encoder using Berlekamp's bit-serial multiplier algorithm

Realization of a bit-serial multiplication algorithm for the encoding of Reed-Solomon (RS) codes on a single VLSI chip using NMOS technology is demonstrated to be feasible. A dual basis (255, 223) over a Galois field is used. The conventional RS encoder for long codes often requires look-up tables to perform the multiplication of two field elements. Berlekamp's algorithm requires only shifting and exclusive-OR operations.

Hsu, I.-S.↗

Large-scale flow in the dayside magnetosheath

The degree of control over plasma flow direction exerted by the compressed magnetic field in the dayside magnetosheath is examined by comparing ISEE 1 LEPEDEA data with hydrodynamic and MHD predictions. In 11 of 20 observed cases, the flow pattern followed the predictions of simple hydrodynamic theory; in the nine other cases, the flow deviated from this pattern. One case with large deflection was persistent over 1.5 hr, and its direction was consistent with a stagnation point displacement resulting from increased, asymmetric magnetic field pressure contributions during periods of low Alfven Mach number. The eight other cases of observed large deflection are consistent with either the subsolar merging line or the antiparallel merging hypothesis, but not exclusively with one or the other.

Crooker, N. U.↗