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At least 307 records · Page 17

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NASA NTRS1981

Improved method for calculating transonic velocities on blade-to-blade stream surfaces of a turbomachine

A method was developed to improve the accuracy of an existing computer program used to calculate transonic velocities on a blade-to-blade surface of a turbomachine. The method eliminates problems encountered in obtaining solutions with the velocity gradient equation when large gradients in velocity occur through the blade row. With the improved method, results indicate that the transonic solution can be obtained by scaling the velocities obtained at the reduced mass flow rate where all velocities are subsonic thereby eliminating the need for a solution of the velocity gradient equation. Solutions obtained with the scaling method on a two dimensional compressor cascade and an axial turbine stator show good agreement with experimental data. The results obtained for the stationary blade rows and comparison of analytical results obtained with and without the present method suggest that the method will yield an improved solution for centrifugal compressor impellers.

Wood, J. R.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Advanced supersonic transport propulsion and configuration technology improvements

This paper presents the results of recent Douglas Aircraft Company integration studies for an advanced supersonic transport. The studies include technology improvements such as superplastic formed and diffusion-bonded titanium sandwich primary structure, composite secondary structure, bicone engine inlet, improved mechanical suppressors based on flight test data, improved aerodynamic efficiency based on wind tunnel test data, and updated performance for both variable-cycle and low-bypass-ratio engines. Technology development requirements for an economically viable and environmentally acceptable advanced supersonic transport are defined through these studies. A new Douglas Aircraft Company baseline supersonic transport designed to carry 350 passengers is defined for cost comparisons.

Rowe, W. T.↗

NASA NTRS1981

An improved prediction method for noise generated by conventional profile coaxial jets

A semi-empirical model for predicting the noise generated by conventional-velocity-profile jets exhausting from coaxial nozzles is presented and compared with small-scale static and simulated flight data. The present method is an updated version of that part of the original NASA Aircraft Noise Prediction (ANOP) Program (1974) relating to coaxial jet noise. That method has been shown to agree reasonably well with model and full-scale experimental data except at high jet velocities in the region near the jet axis. Improvements to the basic circular jet noise prediction have been developed since that time which improve the accuracy, especially at high jet velocity and near the jet axis, and are incorporated into the coaxial jet procedure in this paper. The new procedure is more theoretically based and has also been improved by some empirical adjustments.

Stone, J. R.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Novel improved PMR polyimides

A series of N-phenylnadimide (PN) modified PMR polyimide composites reinforced with graphite fibers was investigated. The improved flow matrix resins consist of N-phenylnadimide (PN), monomenthyl ester of 5-norbornene-2, 3-dicarboxylic acid (NE), dimethyl ester of 3,3, 4,4-benzophenonetetracarboxylic acide (BTDE), and 4,4 methylenedianiline (MDA). Five modified PMR resin systems were formulated by the addition of 4 to 20 mole percent N-phenylnadimide to the standard PMR-15 composition. These formulations and the control PMR resin were evaluated for rheological characteristics. The initial thermal and mechanical properties of the PN modified PMR and the control PMR/Celion 6000 composites were determined. The results show that the addition of N-phenylnadimide to PMR-15 significantly improved the resin flow characteristics without sacrificing the composites properties. Concentrations of 4 and 9 mole percent PN appear to improve the thermoxidative stability of PMR composites.

Pater, R. H.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Aerosil for the improvement of the flow behavior of powdered substances

The tendency of powdered substances to agglomerate and stick together is studied. The highly dispersed silicic acid Aerosil (tradename) is studied as an agent to improve the free flowing characteristics of powdered materials. It was concluded that the use of Aerosil 200, Aerosil R 972, aluminum oxide C and sylicic acid D 17 as flow agents caused broad improvements in the flow properties of powders. Additionally, the sifting, dispersion, and spray behavior, as well as the grinding and air separation characteristics of powders were improved.

Source record↗

NASA NTRS1982

Interface control and mechanical property improvements in silicon carbide/titanium composites

Several composite systems made of titanium matrix reinforced with silicon carbide fiber were investigated to obtain a better understanding of composite-degradation mechanisms and to develop techniques to minimize loss of mechanical properties during fabrication and in service. Emphasis was on interface control by fiber or matrix coatings. X-ray diffraction studies on planar samples showed that the formation of titanium silicides was greatly inhibited by the presence of aluminum or Ti3A1 layers at the fiber-matrix interface, with the Ti3A1 being more effective in reducing the reactions. Fiber studies showed that coating the fiber with a 1-micron-thick layer of aluminum improved the as-fabricated strength of a stoichiometric SiC fiber and reduced the fiber degradation during exposure to composite-fabrication conditions. Applying an interfacial barrier by coating the matrix foils instead of the fibers was found to be an effective method for improving composite strength. Reducing the fabrication temperature also resulted in significant improvements in composite strengths. Good-quality, well-consolidated composites were fabricated at temperatures well below those currently used for SiC-Ti composite fabrication.

Brewer, W. D.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Improved global prediction of 300 nautical mile mean free air anomalies

Current procedures used for the global prediction of 300nm mean anomalies starting from known values of 1 deg by 1 deg mean anomalies yield unreasonable prediction results when applied to 300nm blocks which have a rapidly varying gravity anomaly field and which contain relatively few observed 60nm blocks. Improvement of overall 300nm anomaly prediction is first achieved by using area-weighted as opposed to unweighted averaging of the 25 generated 60nm mean anomalies inside the 300nm block. Then, improvement of prediction over rough 300nm blocks is realized through the use of fully known 1 deg by 1 deg mean elevations, taking advantage of the correlation that locally exists between 60nm mean anomalies and 60nm mean elevations inside the 300nm block. An improved prediction model which adapts itself to the roughness of the local anomaly field is found to be the model of Least Squares Collocation with systematic parameters, the systematic parameter being the slope b which is a type of Bouguer slope expressing the correlation that locally exists between 60nm mean anomalies and 60nm mean elevations.

Cruz, J. Y.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Improvement of a large dynamic analytical model using ground vibration test data

A method has been developed which uses measured normal modes and natural frequencies to improve an analytical mass and stiffness matrix model of a structure. The method directly identifies, without iteration, a set of minimum changes in the analytical matrices which force the eigensolutions to agree with the test measurements. An application is presented in which the analytical model had 508 degrees of freedom and 19 modes were measured at 101 locations on the structure. The resulting changes in the model are judged to be small compared to expectations of errors in the analysis. Thus the improved model is accepted as a reasonable model of the structure with improved dynamic response characteristics. In addition, it is shown that the procedure may be a useful tool in identifying apparent measured modes which are not true normal modes of the structures.

Berman, A.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Pyrheliometer With Improved Accuracy

Instrument maintains components at constant temperature and allows tenfold improvement in instrumental accuracy. Two units make up improved pyreheliometer. Radiometer absorbs radiant energy and generates electrical signal. Control unit, which incorporates improvements, provides amplifiers, controls, and calibration circuits. Instrument 10 times more accurate than previous sion.

Estey, R. S.↗

NASA NTRS1982

The CF6 engine performance improvement

As part of the NASA-sponsored Engine Component Improvement (ECI) Program, a feasibility analysis of performance improvement and retention concepts for the CF6-6 and CF6-50 engines was conducted and seven concepts were identified for development and ground testing: new fan, new front mount, high pressure turbine aerodynamic performance improvement, high pressure turbine roundness, high pressure turbine active clearance control, low pressure turbine active clearance control, and short core exhaust nozzle. The development work and ground testing are summarized, and the major test results and an enomic analysis for each concept are presented.

Fasching, W. A.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Evaluation of Production Version of the NASA Improved Inorganic-Organic Separator

The technology of an inorganic-organic (I/O) separator, which demonstrated improved flexibility, reduced cost, production feasibility and improved cycle life was developed. Substrates to replace asbestos and waterbased separator coatings to replace the solvent based coatings were investigated. An improved fuel cell grade asbestos sheet was developed and a large scale production capability for the solvent based I/O separator was demonstrated. A cellulose based substrate and a nonwoven polypropylene fiber substrate were evaluated as replacements for the asbestos. Both the cellulose and polypropylene substrates were coated with solvent based and water based coatings to produce a modified I/O separator. The solvent based coatings were modified to produce aqueous separator coatings with acceptable separator properties. A single ply fuel cell grade asbestos with a binder (BTA) was produced. It has shown to be an acceptable substrate for the solvent and water based separator coatings, an acceptable absorber for alkaline cells, and an acceptable matrix for alkaline fuel cells. The original solvent based separator (K19W1), using asbestos as a substrate, was prepared.

Sheibley, D.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Innovation for maintenance technology improvements

A group of 34 submitted entries (32 papers and 2 abstracts) from the 33rd meeting of the Mechanical Failures Prevention Group whose subject was maintenance technology improvement through innovation. Areas of special emphasis included maintenance concepts, maintenance analysis systems, improved maintenance processes, innovative maintenance diagnostics and maintenance indicators, and technology improvements for power plant applications.

Shives, T. R.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Federal Aviation Administration weather program to improve aviation safety

The implementation of the National Airspace System (NAS) will improve safety services to aviation. These services include collision avoidance, improved landing systems and better weather data acquisition and dissemination. The program to improve the quality of weather information includes the following: Radar Remote Weather Display System; Flight Service Automation System; Automatic Weather Observation System; Center Weather Processor, and Next Generation Weather Radar Development.

Robert W. Wedan↗

NASA NTRS1984

Improved finite-difference vibration analysis of pretwisted, tapered beams

An improved finite difference procedure based upon second order central differences is developed. Several difficulties encountered in earlier works with fictitious stations that arise in using second order central differences, are eliminated by developing certain recursive relations. The need for forward or backward differences at the beam boundaries or other similar procedures is eliminated in the present theory. By using this improved theory, the vibration characteristics of pretwisted and tapered blades are calculated. Results of the second order theory are compared with published theoretical and experimental results and are found to be in good agreement. The present method generally produces close lower bound solutions and shows fast convergence. Thus, extrapolation procedures that are customary with first order finite-difference methods are unnecessary. Furthermore, the computational time and effort needed for this improved method are almost the same as required for the conventional first order finite-difference approach.

Subrahmanyam, K. B.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Enhanced Radio Frequency Carrier Margin Improvements for an Array of Receiving Systems with Unequal Predetection Signal-to-noise Ratios

Enhanced radio frequency carrier margin improvement for arrayed receiving systems for coherent reception which provides a significant carrier sensitivity improvement with a resultant decrease in telemetry radio loss due to reduction in rms phase noise at low carrier margins is discussed. A significant increase in doppler rate capability is realized relative to that obtained by switching to a narrower tracking loop bandwidth to obtain the same carrier sensitivity improvement. The situation for arrayed receiving systems with unequal apertures and statisically independent predetection noise is examined.

Brockman, M. H.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Improving slipring performance

The original slipring design for communications spacecraft, the handling and testing of the slipring assembly before launch, the on orbit performance indicating the need for improvement in dynamic noise, the subsequently incorporated design improvements, and the results of testing to verify noise performance improvement are described.

Matteo, D. N.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Grain-refining heat treatments to improve cryogenic toughness of high-strength steels

The development of two high Reynolds number wind tunnels at NASA Langley Research Center which operate at cryogenic temperatures with high dynamic pressures has imposed severe requirements on materials for model construction. Existing commercial high strength steels lack sufficient toughness to permit their safe use at temperatures approaching that of liquid nitrogen (-320 F). Therefore, a program to improve the cryogenic toughness of commercial high strength steels was conducted. Significant improvement in the cryogenic toughness of commercial high strength martensitic and maraging steels was demonstrated through the use of grain refining heat treatments. Charpy impact strength at -320 F was increased by 50 to 180 percent for the various alloys without significant loss in tensile strength. The grain sizes of the 9 percent Ni-Co alloys and 200 grade maraging steels were reduced to 1/10 of the original size or smaller, with the added benefit of improved machinability. This grain refining technique should permit these alloys with ultimate strengths of 220 to 270 ksi to receive consideration for cryogenic service.

Rush, H. F.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Improved methods of vibration analysis of pretwisted, airfoil blades

Vibration analysis of pretwisted blades of asymmetric airfoil cross section is performed by using two mixed variational approaches. Numerical results obtained from these two methods are compared to those obtained from an improved finite difference method and also to those given by the ordinary finite difference method. The relative merits, convergence properties and accuracies of all four methods are studied and discussed. The effects of asymmetry and pretwist on natural frequencies and mode shapes are investigated. The improved finite difference method is shown to be far superior to the conventional finite difference method in several respects. Close lower bound solutions are provided by the improved finite difference method for untwisted blades with a relatively coarse mesh while the mixed methods have not indicated any specific bound.

Subrahmanyam, K. B.↗