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At least 325 records · Page 18

Increasing Fatigue Lives of Laser-Cut Parts

Cut edges sanded to restore strength. Simple abrasion process removes transverse striations resulting from laser cutting of inconel 718 or equivalent alloy, increasing fatigue strengths of parts cut by laser beams. For stresses in range of 80 to 130 ksi (550 to 900 MPa) high cycle fatigue strengths restored to levels comparable to conventionally machined parts.

Glick, Edward W.↗

The Main Electronics Box (MEB) of the HAO coronagraph/polarimeter

The SMM satellite was launched in February, 1980 with a complex of instruments designed to study the active sun. The HAO instrument (c/p) operated satisfactorily until July when a series of partial failures began. This report describes analysis and resolution of problems up to the terminal failure on September 23, 1980. The MEB was replaced in orbit in April, 1984, restoring the observational capability of the c/p instrument. The process of trouble-shooting and restoration of the failed MEB at GSFC is described. Conclusions are presented regarding the cause of the failures encountered.

Robert E Davis↗

Resolution enhancement of multichannel microwave imagery from the Nimbus-7 SMMR for maritime rainfall analysis

A restoration of the 37, 21, 18, 10.7, and 6.6 GHz satellite imagery from the scanning multichannel microwave radiometer (SMMR) aboard Nimbus-7 to 22.2 km resolution is attempted using a deconvolution method based upon nonlinear programming. The images are deconvolved with and without the aid of prescribed constraints, which force the processed image to abide by partial a priori knowledge of the high-resolution result. The restored microwave imagery may be utilized to examine the distribution of precipitating liquid water in marine rain systems.

Olson, William S.↗

Deconvolution of a pre-outburst picture of SN 1987A

The block iterative method (Young 1971) of algebraic image restoration is applied to a photographic plate of the field around SN 1987A obtained 4 yr before outburst by Chu at the CTIO 4-m telescope. By setting appropriate constraints for the solution on a pixel-by-pixel basis, the image of a starfield centered on Sk -69 202, the precursor to the supernova, is restored. It is found that this star has two companions, which others (e.g., Walborn et al., 1987 and West et al., 1987) have also noted and designated as Star 2 and Star 3. Also found is marginal evidence for Star 4, a weak source at theta = 222 deg, r = 1.9 arcsec. Correction for the contributions of these companions yields an estimate of the magnitude for Sk -69 202 alone of V = 12.37.

Heap, Sara R.↗

Image-gathering system design for information and fidelity

Image gathering and processing are assessed in terms of information and fidelity, and the relationship between these two figures of merit is examined. It is assumed that the system is linear and isoplanatic and that the signal and noise amplitudes are Gaussian, wide-sense stationary, and statistically independent. Within these constraints, it is found that the combined process of image gathering and reconstruction (which is intended to reproduce the output of the image-gathering system) behaves as optical, or photographic, image formation in that the informationally optimized design of the image-gathering system ordinarily does not maximize the fidelity of the reconstructed image. The combined process of image gathering and restoration (which is intended to reproduce the input of the image-gathering system) behaves more as a communication channel in that the informationally optimized design of the image-gathering system tends to maximize the fidelity of optimally restored representations of the input.

Huck, Friedrich O.↗

Effects of using a posteriori methods for the conservation of integral invariants

The nature and effect of using a posteriori adjustments to nonconservative finite-difference schemes to enforce integral invariants of the corresponding analytic system are examined. The method of a posteriori integral constraint restoration is analyzed for the case of linear advection, and the harmonic response associated with the a posteriori adjustments is examined in detail. The conservative properties of the shallow water system are reviewed, and the constraint restoration algorithm applied to the shallow water equations are described. A comparison is made between forecasts obtained using implicit and a posteriori methods for the conservation of mass, energy, and potential enstrophy in the complete nonlinear shallow-water system.

Takacs, Lawrence L.↗

Stabilization and oscillation of an acoustically levitated object

Methods are described for rapidly damping oscillation of an acoustically levitated object or for causing and maintaining such oscillations, and a method is provided for determining the restoring force constant K on the levitated object by measuring its frequency of oscillation. Oscillations of a levitated object are damped by applying levitating acoustic energy at a frequency slightly less than the center resonant frequency. Oscillations are maintained by applying acoustic energy slightly greater than the center resonant frequency. The restoring force constant of the levitation force is proportional to the square of the frequency of oscillation of the object.

Martin B Barmatz↗

Some new results in the investigation of the middle atmosphere from space using the daytime horizon scanning method

The results of the restoration of the optical parameters of the El Chichon aerosol cloud at Lambda 2.2 micron are presented. The eight channel teleradiometer FAZA for visible and near infrared spectral regions is described in some detail. Mathematical aspects of data processing for the ill-posed problems are discussed. The results of the restoration of the volume emission rate of the molecular oxygen on Lambda 1.27 micron in the middle atmosphere and of the aerosol on Lambda 0.84 micron are presented.

Room, R.↗

Countermeasures to microgravity

Biological systems ranging from the most simple to the most complex generally survive exposure to microgravity. Changes in many characteristics of biological systems are well documented as a consequence of space flight. Attempts to devise countermeasures to microgravity may have direct pragmatic consequences for crew protection and may provide additional insights into the nature of microgravity influences on biological systems. Some of the most well documented changes occur in humans who have experienced space flight. Changes appear to be transient. Space adaption syndrome occurs relatively briefly whereas bone deterioration may require months of postflight time for restoration. It seems critical to recognize that these changes and others may derive from rather passive, active or even reactive changes in the biological systems that are hosts to them. For example, hydrostatic fluid redistributions may be quite passive occurrences that are realized through extensive fluid channels. Changes occur in cell metabolism because of fluid, nutrient and gas redistributions. Equally important are the misconstrued messages likely to be carried by fluid redistributions. These reactive events can trigger, for example, loss of fluids and electrolytes through altered kidney function. Each of these considerations must be evaluated in regard to the biological site affected. Countermeasures to the vast range of biological changes and sites are difficult to envision. The most obvious countermeasure is the restoration of gravity-like influences. Some options are discussed. Recent work has focussed on the use of magnetic fields. Pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) are shown to alleviate bone deterioration produced in rodents exposed to tail suspension. Methods of PEMF exposure are consistent with human use in space. Related methods may provide muscular and neural benefits.

Luttges, Marvin W.↗

Modified Hilbert transform pair and Kramers-Kronig relations for complex permittivities

Modified versions of the Hilbert transform pair and the Kramers-Kronig relations are derived for the complex permittivity of a plasma/dielectric medium which is singular at the frequency of the applied electric field equal to 0. Such a complex permittivity exists when the plasma/dielectric model allows a loss term but no restoring term. Permittivity, in which both loss and restoring terms are included, is shown to satisfy the standard Hilbert transform pair and, thus, the Kramers-Kronig relations.

Cockrell, C. R.↗

Modeling and control design of a wind tunnel model support

The 12-Foot Pressure Wind Tunnel at Ames Research Center is being restored. A major part of the restoration is the complete redesign of the aircraft model supports and their associated control systems. An accurate trajectory control servo system capable of positioning a model (with no measurable overshoot) is needed. Extremely small errors in scaled-model pitch angle can increase airline fuel costs for the final aircraft configuration by millions of dollars. In order to make a mechanism sufficiently accurate in pitch, a detailed structural and control-system model must be created and then simulated on a digital computer. The model must contain linear representations of the mechanical system, including masses, springs, and damping in order to determine system modes. Electrical components, both analog and digital, linear and nonlinear must also be simulated. The model of the entire closed-loop system must then be tuned to control the modes of the flexible model-support structure. The development of a system model, the control modal analysis, and the control-system design are discussed.

Howe, David A.↗

Dental equipment test during zero-gravity flight

The overall objectives of this program were to establish performance criteria and develop prototype equipment for use in the Health Maintenance Facility (HMF) in meeting the needs of dental emergencies during space missions. The primary efforts during this flight test were to test patient-operator relationships, patent (manikin) restraint and positioning, task lighting systems, use and operation of dental rotary instruments, suction and particle containment system, dental hand instrument delivery and control procedures, and the use of dental treatment materials. The initial efforts during the flight focused on verification of the efficiency of the particle containment system. An absorptive barrier was also tested in lieu of the suction collector. To test the instrument delivery system, teeth in the manikin were prepared with the dental drill to receive restorations, some with temporary filling materials and another with definitive filling material (composite resin). The best particle containment came from the combination use of the laminar-air/suction collector in concert with immediate area suction from a surgical high-volume suction tip. Lighting in the treatment area was provided by a flexible fiberoptic probe. This system is quite effective for small areas, but for general tasks ambient illumination is required. The instrument containment system (elastic cord network) was extremely effective and easy to use. The most serious problem with instrument delivey and actual treatment was lack of time during the microgravity sequences. The restorative materials handled and finished well.

Young, John↗

Who or what saved the day? A comparison of traditional and glass cockpits

This study examined incidents reported to NASAs Aviation Safety Reporting System from a different perspective: rather than focusing on the factors contributing to or causing incidents, this study concentrated on who and what (subsystems and information) enabled the recovery from an anomaly. Incident reports describing altitude deviations were classified as to cockpit type (glass or traditional), flight phase, agent restoring safety, and cockpit subsystems providing specific information that helped restore safety. The data revealed and quantified the agents, information, and factors that 'saved the day'. The flight crews used many sources of information to detect the altitude deviations: altimeter, outside scene, altitude alert, kinesthesia, attitude and communications monitoring. In the glass cockpits the crews also used the map display and autothrottles to detect deviations from assigned altitudes. There was an interaction between the person detecting the anomaly (controller/flight crew) and the type of cockpit. Glass cockpit flight crews detect proportionally more deviations than their counterparts in traditional cockpits, while controllers tend to detect more deviations involving traditional cockpits. There was no effect of cockpit position (captain/first officer). A model that details the flow of altitude information between air traffic control, flight crews, and cockpit subsystems, was developed and validated. This model identifies strengths and weaknesses in the flow of altitude information within the current ground/air system.

Degani, Asaf↗

Modeling and control design of a wind tunnel model support

The 12-Foot Pressure Wind Tunnel at Ames Research Center is being restored. A major part of the restoration is the complete redesign of the aircraft model supports and their associated control systems. An accurate trajectory control servo system capable of positioning a model (with no measurable overshoot) is needed. Extremely small errors in scaled-model pitch angle can increase airline fuel costs for the final aircraft configuration by millions of dollars. In order to make a mechanism sufficiently accurate in pitch, a detailed structural and control-system model must be created and then simulated on a digital computer. The model must contain linear representations of the mechanical system, including masses, springs, and damping in order to determine system modes. Electrical components, both analog and digital, linear and nonlinear must also be simulated. The model of the entire closed-loop system must then be tuned to control the modes of the flexible model-support structure. The development of a system model, the control modal analysis, and the control-system design are discussed.

Howe, David A.↗

Information, entropy and fidelity in visual communication

This paper presents an assessment of visual communication that integrates the critical limiting factors of image gathering and display with the digital processing that is used to code and restore images. The approach focuses on two mathematical criteria, information and fidelity, and on their relationships to the entropy of the encoded data and to the visual quality of the restored image.

Huck, Friedrich O.↗

Evidence for precession of the R Aquarii jet

Several models of the R Aqr northeast jet have been proposed which attempt to explain the presence of shock excitation, resulting in a confusing picture of this nearest astrophysical jet. This paper compares observations of the jet in the R Aqr system with the HST's Faint Object Camera (FOC) and radio continuum images acquired with the VLA. The forbidden-O III jet structure is derived from restored FOC imagery, which has been convolved with an elliptical Gaussian of the same size as the restoring beam of the 6-cm VLA maps, allowing image comparison at the same spatial resolution. It is found that, at increasing distances from the central star, the forbidden O III emission knots that comprise the optical jet occur at systematically larger position angles when compared with corresponding features in the radio images. The angular separation of forbidden O III and radio continuum emission can be understood in terms of a shock formed when ejecta in the stream interacts with previously existing circumstellar material and subsequently cools by nebular line emission.

Hollis, J. M.↗

Multiresponse imaging system design for improved resolution

Multiresponse imaging is a process that acquires A images, each with a different optical response, and reassembles them into a single image with an improved resolution that can approach 1/sq rt A times the photodetector-array sampling lattice. Our goals are to optimize the performance of this process in terms of the resolution and fidelity of the restored image and to assess the amount of information required to do so. The theoretical approach is based on the extension of both image restoration and rate-distortion theories from their traditional realm of signal processing to image processing which includes image gathering and display.

Alter-Gartenberg, Rachel↗

On the assessment of visual communication by information theory

This assessment of visual communication integrates the optical design of the image-gathering device with the digital processing for image coding and restoration. Results show that informationally optimized image gathering ordinarily can be relied upon to maximize the information efficiency of decorrelated data and the visual quality of optimally restored images.

Huck, Friedrich O.↗