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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 343 records · Page 19

Generating high Reynolds-number flows.

Present test facilities are seriously limited regarding investigations involving high Reynolds numbers due to financial considerations. Quasi-steady testing facilities offer a practical immediate solution to the problem of high-Re testing. A familiar example is the blowdown wind tunnel, but even more flexibility and economy may be provided by using shock-tube devices. The Ludwieg tube is the shock-tube device most often proposed as a means of generating high-Re flows. Two-stage nozzles may be used with a Ludwieg tube. Quasi-steady facilities will be useful only if the available test time exceeds that required to establish steady flow.

Russell, D. A.↗

Minimizing pattern effects in semiconductor lasers at high rate pulse modulation

This paper deals with analytical and experimental work related to modulation of a semiconductor laser used in high bit rate communication. The approach is based upon minimizing the charge storage effect by a proper choice of the area of the modulating pulses and the bias current. The concept of using additional current pulses to probe for variations in electron density between pulses is investigated. The primary limitation on bit rate is found to be the ability to generate laser drive pulses free of ringing or similar transients. This and the 300 ps pulsewidth, an experimental constraint, limit the bit rate to about 1 Gbit/s. However, by using this approach it appears that bit rates considerably higher than 2 Gbits/s could be reached with sufficiently accurate control of drive pulse shape. It is found that the laser bias and the current pulse area had to be controlled within 1 percent and 10 percent, respectively.

Torphammar, P.↗

The spatial distribution and time evolution of impact-generated magnetic fields

The production of magnetic fields was revealed by laboratory hypervelocity impacts in easily vaporized targets. As quantified by pressure measurements, high frame-rate photography, and electrostatic probes, these impacts tend to produce large quantities of slightly ionized vapor, which is referred to as impact-generated plasma. Nonaligned electron density and temperature gradients within this plasma may lead to production of the observed magnetic fields. Past experiments were limited to measuring a single component of the impact-generated magnetic fields at only a few locations about the developing impact crater and consequently gave little information about the field production mechanism. To understand this mechanism, the techniques were extended to map the three components of the magnetic field both in space and time. By conducting many otherwise identical experiments with arrayed magnetic detectors, a preliminary 3-D picture was produced of impact-generated magnetic fields as they develop through time.

Crawford, D. A.↗

Wideband FM generation.

Wideband FM signal generation without frequency deviation or modulation frequency limitations by wave shaping FM triangular wave, discussing transmitter receiver distortion

Clarke, K. K.↗

Portable breathing apparatus for coal mines

The state of the art in portable oxygen breathing equipment is reported. Considered are self-containing as well as chemically generating oxygen sources and their effectiveness and limitations in mine rescue operations.

Vandolah, R. W.↗

Photocatalytic generation of hydrogen from water

A concept designed to overcome the problems encountered when using photodissociation for the generation of hydrogen is discussed. The problems limiting the efficiency of photodissociation of water are the separation of the photolysis products and the high energy photons necessary for the reaction. It is shown that the dissociation energy of a large number of molecules is catalytically reduced when these molecules are in intimate contact with the surface of certain metals. It is proposed to develop a surface which will take advantage of this catalytic shift in dissociation energies to reduce the photon energy required to produce hydrogen. This same catalytic surface can be used to separate the reaction products if it is made so that one of the dissociations products is soluble in the metal and others are not. This condition is met by many metal systems such as platinum group metals which have been used commercially to separate hydrogen from other gases and liquids.

Bottoms, W. R.↗

The Use of General Purpose Computer Programs to Derive Equations of Motion for Optimal Isolation Studies

Techniques were developed that utilize general purpose structural analysis computer programs to generate the equations of motion necessary for limiting performance studies. The methodology necessary to couple available general purpose finite element structural programs to a limiting performance capability was developed. Primary emphasis was given to the use of the general purpose program to develop equations of motion in a form that can be used by the limiting performance program.

Pilkey, W. D.↗

Pulse compression inside an actively AM mode-locked Nd:YAG laser using a liquid Kerr cell

A mode-locked Nd:YAG laser capable of generating pulses substantially shorter than the present limit of 30-50 ps, while retaining the stability of active mode locking, would be a useful development. This study presents a simplified theoretical analysis and a preliminary experimental verification of the use of an optical Kerr cell as a passive lossless pulse compressor inside a Q-switched and actively mode-locked YAG laser. The theoretical model indicates possible compression to as short as about 5 ps in a typical low-power Nd:YAG laser. The preliminary experimental results show substantial pulse compression via the predicted mechanism, though still not below about 30 ps. The technique appears capable, however, of pulse compression to substantially shorter values without the instabilities, statistical fluctuations, or energy losses associated with saturable-absorber mode locking.

Duerinckx, A. J.↗

CADAT test pattern generator

CADAT test pattern generator (TPG) aids in checkout, fault detection, and fault isolation of complex digital circuits. Time and effort of manually generating digital test patterns can be major limiting factor in effectively utilizing automatic testing. This time and effort are reduced from several months to several days by TPG.

Source record↗

Coupled generator and combustor performance calculations for potential early commercial MHD power plants

A parametric study of the performance of the MHD generator and combustor components of potential early commercial open-cycle MHD/steam power plants is presented. Consideration is given to the effects of air heater system concept, MHD combustor type, coal type, thermal input power, oxygen enrichment of the combustion, subsonic and supersonic generator flow and magnetic field strength on coupled generator and combustor performance. The best performance is found to be attained with a 3000 F, indirectly fired air heater, no oxygen enrichment, Illinois no. 6 coal, a two-stage cyclone combustor with 85% slag rejection, a subsonic generator, and a magnetic field configuration yielding a constant transverse electric field of 4 kV/m. Results indicate that optimum net MHD generator power is generally compressor-power-limited rather than electric-stress-limited, with optimum net power a relatively weak function of operating pressure.

Dellinger, T. C.↗

Location and propagation of shock associated noise from supersonic jets

Shock associated noise from unheated supersonic jets is investigated through acoustic measurements in both the near and far fields. The peak Helmholtz number of broadband shock noise is found to be independent of nozzle pressure ratio when based on the length of the shock cells and the ambient speed of sound. This indicates that the acoustic wavelengths generated in the shock noise process are limited in size by the shock cell spacing. Excellent agreement between power spectral densities measured at various far-field angles is obtained at and above the peak shock noise frequency when source convection effects are included. Results show a directivity of broadband shock noise pointed in the upstream direction, with omnidirectionality being approached only at high pressure ratios. The relative importance of shock noise with respect to jet mixing noise is found to be maximum near the pressure ratio at which a Mach disc begins to form in the jet. Near-field measurements point to the downstream shock cells as the region where the dominant shock noise eminates from the jet.

Norum, T. D.↗

Evaluation of high temperature structural adhesives for extended service

The long term thermal aging data initiated in Phase 1 is reported. All candidate adhesive systems have exhibited significant degradation in bond properties after 505K (450 F) 10,000 hour exposure. Failures appear to be adhesive in the oxide layer. Phase 2 chemical characterization, cure cycle studies, baseline data, preliminary specifications, and environmental exposure data generated on polyphenyquinoxaline is presented. Similar but limited data on LARC-13 and NR056X adhesives is reported.

Hill, S. G.↗

Effects of small-scale, high intensity inlet turbulence on flow in a two-dimensional diffuser

The flow through a 2D experimental diffuser with channel width 2.60 cm and divergence angle (2 theta) 9 or 20 deg is investigated experimentally for inlet Reynolds number 78,300 and velocity 43.9 m/s, with and without vertical rods to generate inlet turbulence in excess of the limits defined by Hoffmann (1981) and Hoffmann and Gonzales (1983). Measurements are obtained using a thermal wall-flow-direction probe and a single hot-wire velocity probe, and the results are presented graphically. Significant increases in the pressure-recovery coefficient of the diffuser (10 percent at 9 deg and 22 percent at 20 deg) are attributed to the action of turbulence to reduce distortion and delay separation, thus creating an altered flow condition with symmetrical velocity profiles.

Hoffmann, J. A.↗

Fundamental Algorithms of the Goddard Battery Model

The Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) is currently producing a computer model to predict Nickel Cadmium (NiCd) performance in a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) cycling regime. The model proper is currently still in development, but the inherent, fundamental algorithms (or methodologies) of the model are defined. At present, the model is closely dependent on empirical data and the data base currently used is of questionable accuracy. Even so, very good correlations have been determined between model predictions and actual cycling data. A more accurate and encompassing data base has been generated to serve dual functions: show the limitations of the current data base, and be inbred in the model properly for more accurate predictions. The fundamental algorithms of the model, and the present data base and its limitations, are described and a brief preliminary analysis of the new data base and its verification of the model's methodology are presented.

Jagielski, J. M.↗

Mast material test program (MAMATEP)

The Mast Material Test Program (MAMATEP) at NASA Lewis is discussed. Objectives include verifying the need for, and evaluating the performance of, various protection techniques for the Solar Array Assembly mast of the Space Station Photovoltaic Power Module. Mast material samples were evaluated in terms of mass and bending modulus, measured before and after environmental exposure. Test environments included atomic oxygen exposure (RF plasma asher), thermal cycling, and mechanical flexing. Protective coatings included CV-1144 silicon, a Ni/Au/InSn eutectic, and an open weave, Al braid. Results indicate that unprotected samples degrade in an atomic oxygen environment at a steady rate. Open weave, Al braid offers little protection for the fiberglass-epoxy sample in an asher environment. Ni/Au/InSn eutectic offers excellent protection in an asher environment prior to thermal cycling and mechanical flexing. Long duration asher results from unprotected samples indicate that, even though the fiberglass-epoxy degrades, a protection technique may not be necessary to ensure structural integrity. However, a protection technique may be desirable to limit or contain the amount of debris generated by the degradation of the fiberglass-epoxy.

Ciancone, Michael L.↗

Third and higher harmonic plasma emission due to Raman scattering

The theory for third and higher harmonic plasma emission by the weak turbulence (or random phase) process L + T prime to T (where L denotes a Langmuir wave, and T and T prime denote transverse waves) is developed. Kinematic constraints on the characteristics and growth lengths of waves participating in the wave processes are identified. The cases of L waves produced either directly by a streaming instability, or by the decay L to L prime + S (S is an ion sound wave) of L waves generated by a streaming instability, are considered. Limits on the brightness temperature of the radiation are determined, and expressions for the growth rate and path-integrated wave temperatures are derived.

Cairns, Iver H.↗