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At least 343 records · Page 19

Shock interference peak heating measurements using phase change coatings

The phase change coating technique is used to obtain peak heating measurements in shock interference flow regions with high surface shear and heating. This technique provides heat transfer coefficients which are determined by measuring the time for a point on the surface to reach the phase change temperature of the thin fusible coating. Measurements were conducted on a 5.08-cm diameter hemisphere-cylinder made of silica based epoxy at Mach 6 for free stream Reynolds numbers of 3.3 to 25.6 million per meter. A sketch of the shock interference pattern produced by a flat plate shock generator is included. Heating data obtained on a 5.08-cm diameter stainless steel hemispherical model instrumented with thermocouples is presented for the purpose of comparing the phase change technique with the thermocouple-calorimeter technique.

Keyes, J. W.↗

Measurement of the primary cosmic electron spectrum from 10 to about 250 GeV

The intensity and energy spectrum of primary cosmic electrons from 10 to about 250 GeV have been studied by using balloon-borne detectors. The detectors were large-area ionization calorimeters which sampled showering particles frequently and demonstrated an energy resolution of about 7% in calibration tests. On one of the flights a time-of-flight system and detectors to sample the lateral properties of showers were used to examine and to test background rejection. The results of the balloon flights from Alamogordo, N. Mex., in 1970 and Cape Girardeau, Mo., in 1972 indicated that the primary cosmic ray electron differential energy spectrum exhibits no change of slope in the energy range measured and is well represented by a power law. The results indicate that the cosmic electron spectrum is steeper than the cosmic ray proton spectrum. It is shown that these data are consistent with the leakage lifetime model for the propagation of cosmic electrons in the galaxy, although other more complex models cannot be excluded on the basis of these data.

Silverberg, R. F.↗

Thermodynamic property determination in low gravity

Techniques for determining heat capacities and other properties of molten metals were investigated and critically evaluated. Precisely determining heat capacities calorimetrically in space poses several problems. The weight of a drop calorimeter block along with the necessity of obtaining a large number of data points tend to make traditional approaches appear infeasible. However, for many substances exhibiting sufficiently high thermal conductivities and with known emissivities, it appears possible to investigate their properties by observing the rate of cooling of a levitated sphere which is initially at a uniform temperature above the melting point. A special advantage of the levitation method is that considerable supercooling is expected, making the study of the heat capacities of molten metals both above and below their melting points possible.

Margrave, J. L.↗

On the high energy proton spectrum measurements

The steepening of the proton spectrum beyond 1000 GeV and the rise in inelastic cross sections between 20 and 600 GeV observed by the PROTON-1-2-3 satellite experiments were explained by systematic effects of energy dependent albedo (backscatter) from the calorimeter.

Ellsworth, R. W.↗

Experimental investigations on sodium-filled heat pipes

The possibilities of producing heat pipes and, especially, the necessary capillary structures are discussed. Several types of heat pipes were made from stainless steel and tested at temperatures between 400 and 1055 deg C. The thermal power was determined by a calorimeter. Results indicate: bubble-free evaporation of sodium from rectangular open chennels is possible with a heat flux of more than 1,940 W/sq cm at 1055 C. The temperature drop along the tube could be measured only at low temperatures. A subdivided heat pipe worked against the gravitational field. A heat pipe with a capillary structure made of a rolled screen was supported by rings and bars operated at 250 W/sq cm heat flux in the evaporating region.

Dorner, S.↗

Evacuated load-bearing high performance insulation study

A light weight, vacuum jacketed, load bearing cryogenic insulation system was developed and tested on a 1.17-m (46-in.) spherical test tank. The vacuum jacket consists of 0.08 mm (0.003 in.) thick 321 stainless steel formed into a wedge design that allows elastic jacket movements as the tank shrinks (cools) or expands (warms up or is pressurized). Hollow glass spheres, approximately 80 micrometers in diameter with a bulk density of 0.069 g/cc (4.3 lb cubic foot), provide the insulating qualities and one atmosphere load bearing capability required. The design, fabrication, and test effort developed the manufacturing methods and engineering data needed to scale the system to other tank sizes, shapes, and applications. The program demonstrated that thin wall jackets can be formed and welded to maintain the required vacuum level of .013 Pa yet flex elastically for multiple reuses. No significant shifting or breakage of the microspheres occurred after 13 simulated Space Tug flight cycles on the test tank and a hundred 1 atmosphere load cycles in a flat plate calorimeter. The test data were then scaled to the Space Tug LO2 and LH2 tanks, and weight, thermal performance, payload performance, and costs were compared with a helium purged multilayer insulation system.

Parmley, R. T.↗

Nuclear Science Symposium, 4th, and Nuclear Power Systems Symposium, 9th, San Francisco, Calif., October 19-21, 1977, Proceedings

Consideration is given to the following types of high energy physics instrumentation: drift chambers, multiwire proportional chambers, calorimeters, optical detectors, ionization and scintillation detectors, solid state detectors, and electronic and digital subsystems. Attention is also paid to reactor instrumentation, nuclear medicine instrumentation, data acquisition systems for nuclear instrumentation, microprocessor applications in nuclear science, environmental instrumentation, control and instrumentation of nuclear power generating stations, and radiation monitoring. Papers are also presented on instrumentation for the High Energy Astronomy Observatory.

Source record↗

An ultralightweight, evacuated, load-bearing, high-performance insulation system

A new hollow-glass microsphere insulation and a flexible stainless-steel vacuum jacket were demonstrated on a flight-weight cryogenic test tank, 1.17 m in diameter. The weight of the system is three times lighter than the most advanced vacuum-jacketed design demonstrated to date, a free-standing honeycomb hard shell with a multilayer insulation system (for a Space Tug application). Design characteristics of the flexible vacuum jacket are presented along with a model describing the insulation thermal performance as a function of boundary temperatures and emittance, compressive load on the insulation and insulation gas pressure. Test data are compared with model predictions and with prior flat-plate calorimeter test results. Potential applications for this insulation system or a derivative of this system include the cryogenic Space Tug, the Single-Stage-to-Orbit Space Shuttle, LH2 fueled subsonic and hypersonic aircraft, and LNG applications.

Parmley, R. T.↗

Large-scale pool fire test recommendations

The important aspects of external pool fires are outlined. The research objectives are: (1) determine heat flux to surfaces as a function of pool size (convective and radiative heat flux); (2) obtain information that can be compared with theoretical models for radiative flux in the near field; and (3) predict radiative heat flux for arbitrary pool size. The measurements and instrumentation (calorimeters and thermocouples) used for pool fires are outlined.

Bankston, C. P.↗

Spectrometer of high energy gamma quantums

A detailed description of the apparatus GG-2M is given. The spectrometer contains a Cerenkov and scintillation (including anticoincidence) counter. The energies of the gamma quantums are measured by a shower calorimeter, in which scintillation counters are used in the capacity of detectors. Results are given for tuning the device on mu-mesons of cosmic rays. The data of physical tuning allow more reliable interpretation of the results of measurements which are received on the satellites.

Blokhintsev, I. D.↗

Numerical simulation of experiments in the Giant Planet Facility

Utilizing a series of existing computer codes, ablation experiments in the Giant Planet Facility are numerically simulated. Of primary importance is the simulation of the low Mach number shock layer that envelops the test model. The RASLE shock-layer code, used in the Jupiter entry probe heat-shield design, is adapted to the experimental conditions. RASLE predictions for radiative and convective heat fluxes are in good agreement with calorimeter measurements. In simulating carbonaceous ablation experiments, the RASLE code is coupled directly with the CMA material response code. For the graphite models, predicted and measured recessions agree very well. Predicted recession for the carbon phenolic models is 50% higher than that measured. This is the first time codes used for the Jupiter probe design have been compared with experiments.

Green, M. J.↗

Gas-laser power monitor

Device attaches simply to front of laser housing for continuous monitoring of power output. Monitor is calibrated to read either total output or power generated in test volume. It is fabricated from four black-anodized aluminum parts; crown glass positioned at Brewster angle reflects 0.33 percent of beam onto photodiode calibrated for electrical output proportional to laser power. Unlike conventional calorimeter, monitor does not interrupt laser beams, and fast-response diode allows instantaneous tracking of power fluctuations.

Russ, C. E., Jr.↗

Design, fabrication and delivery of a high pressure LOX-methane injector

An injector for 3000 psia chamber pressure using liquid oxygen and gaseous methane propellants is presented. The injector is intended to be evaluated during a series of pressure-fed test firings using a water-cooled calorimeter chamber and a milled-slot regenerative chamber. Combustion efficiency, combustion stability, ignition and injector face heat transfer assessments were made for candidate injector body and pattern design approaches. This evaluation resulted in baselining an oxidizer post type manifold with a 60 element platelet coaxial swirler injector pattern. An axial acoustic resonator cavity was created at the injector/chamber interface.

Valler, H. W.↗

Evaluation of high-energy lithium thionyl chloride primary cells

An advanced commercial primary lithium cell (LiSoCl2) was evaluated in order to establish baseline data for improved lithium batteries for aerospace applications. The cell tested had nominal capacity of 6 Ah. Maximum energy density at low rates (less than C/30, where C is the cell capacity in amp-hrs and 30 corresponds to a 30 hr discharge time) was found to be near 300 Wh/kg. An equation which predicts the operating voltage of these cells as a function of current and state of charge is presented. Heat generation rates of these cells were determined as a function of current in a calorimeter. It was found that heat rates could be theoretically predicted with some degree of accuracy at currents less than 1 amp or the C/6 rate. No explosions were observed in the cells during the condition of overdischarge or reversal nor during high rate discharge. It was found, however, that the cells can vent when overdischarge currents are greater than C/30 and when discharge rates are greater than 1.5C.

Frank, H. A.↗

NASA 50 amp hour nickel cadmium battery waste heat determination

A process for determining the waste heat generated in a 50-ampere-hour, nickel cadmium battery as a function of the discharge rate is described and results are discussed. The technique involved is essentially calibration of the battery as a heat transfer rate calorimeter. The tests are run at three different levels of battery activity, one at 40-watts of waste heat generated, one at 60, and one at 100. Battery inefficiency ranges from 14 to 18 percent at discharge rates of 284 to 588 watts, respectively and top-of-cell temperatures of 20 C.

Mueller, V. C.↗

Burning characteristics and fiber retention of graphite/resin matrix composites

Graphite fiber reinforced resin matrix composites were subjected to controlled burning conditions to determine their burning characteristics and fiber retention properties. Two types of burning equipment were used. Small samples were burned with a natural gas fired torch to study the effects of fiber orientation and structural flaws such as holes and slits that were machined into the laminates. Larger laminate samples were burned in a Heat Release Rate Calorimeter. Unidirectional epoxy/graphite and polyimide/graphite composites and boron powder filled samples of each of the two composite systems were burn tested and exposed to a thermal radiation. The effects of fiber orientation, flaws, and boron filler additives to the resins were evaluated. A high char forming polyimide resin was no more effective in retaining graphite fibers than a low char forming epoxy resin when burning in air.

Bowles, K. J.↗

Cosmic ray studies with a gas Cerenkov counter in association with an ionization spectrometer

The results from a balloon-borne gas Cerenkov counter (threshold 16.5 GeV/nuc) and an ionization spectrometer are presented. The gas Cerenkov counter provides an absolute energy calibration for the response of the calorimeter for the Z range of 5-26 nuclei of cosmic rays. The contribution of scintillation to the gas Cerenkov pulse height has been obtained by independently selecting particles below the gas Cerenkov threshold using the ionization spectrometer. Energy spectra were derived by minimizing the chi-squared between a Monte Carlo simulated data and flight data. Best fit power laws were determined for C, N, O, Ne, Mg, and Si. The power laws, all consistent with E exp-2.7, are not good fits to the data. A better fit is obtained using the spectrum derived from the spectrometer.

Balasubrahmanyan, V. K.↗

Energy spectra of cosmic-ray nuclei to above 100 GeV per nucleon

Energy spectra of cosmic-ray nuclei boron to iron have been measured from 2 GeV per nucleon to beyond 100 GeV per nucleon. The data were obtained using an ionization calorimeter flown on a balloon from Palestine, Texas. The 3450 kg payload floated at 7 g/sq cm for almost 24 hours. The results are in excellent agreement with those of other workers where overlaps exist. The spectra are not consistent with single power laws, and demonstrate the power of using a single technique sensitive over a large dynamic range. The data are consistent with the leaky box model of cosmic-ray propagation. The boron data indicate that the cosmic-ray escape length decreases with increasing energy as E to the -(0.4 + or - 0.1) up to 100 GeV per nucleon. Secondary nuclei from iron are also consistent with this dependence. Predicted changes in the energy dependence of the ratios of primary nuclei O/C and (Fe + Ni)/(C + O) are also observed.

Simon, M.↗