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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 37 records · Page 2
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1972

A case study of persistent, intense, clear air turbulence in an upper level frontal zone.

Widespread and persistent clear air turbulence (CAT) occurred over the Eastern Seaboard of the U.S. between New York and South Carolina on 18 March 1969. The major synoptic features and a qualitative discussion of the factors contributing to the development of the large vertical wind shears associated with the turbulence are presented. The turbulent region in the vicinity of Wallops Island, Va., was probed with a NASA T-33 research aircraft and with sensitive radars. The clear air radar echoes and the most intense turbulence occurred principally within an upper level frontal zone of about 2 km depth which was produced by the confluence of two currents of widely different origin.

Reed, R. J.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Geologic landform analysis in the central Piedmont of Virginia and North Carolina, 1

The author has identified the following significant results. ERTS-1 imagery in the central Piedmont of Va. and N.C. reveals some geologic structures in the Precambrian and Paleozoic metamorphic terrain as well as structure in the younger Triassic deposits. A major synform five miles wide and more than 20 miles long has been identified in the metamorphic rocks north of Danville, Va. Structures in the metavolcanic Carolina slate belt are also identifiable near the confluence of the Dan and Staunton Rivers. Cleared land and other cultural features tend to coincide with topographic reflection of geologic units, thus enhancing the ERTS-1 resolution of some geologic structures. In other cases pseudostructures may be identified when regular geometric configurations of culture bear little or no relation to underlying geologic units. Interpreting geologic structure in the nearly flat and deeply weather Piedmont is a severe test of ERTS-1 imagery resolution. Doubling the resolution and providing stereoscopic overlap would increase the geologic usefulness of these photographs many fold.

Glover, L., III↗
NASA NTRS1972

Sleep deprivation and the organization of the behavioral states.

Questions concerning the significance of sleep in the developing organism are investigated, together with the mechanisms that underlie the unique distribution of behavioral states at any particular age and during any particular experimental manipulation. It is attempted to define the states of sleep and wakefulness in terms of a temporal confluence of a number of more or less independent processes, taking also into account the functional consequences of these attributes. The results of a selective deprivation of rapid eye movement sleep are explored, giving attention to effects on sleep, behavioral changes, brain excitability, pharmacological changes, and biochemical changes.

Dement, W. C.↗
NASA NTRS1973

A multi-sensor analysis of Nimbus 5 data on 22 January 1973

The Nimbus 5 meteorological satellite carried aloft a full complement of radiation sensors, the data from which were analyzed and intercompared during orbits 569-570 on 22 January 1973. The electrically scanning microwave radiometer (ESMR) which sensed passive microwave radiation in the 19.35 GHz region, delineated rain areas over the ocean off the U.S. east coast, in good agreement with WSR-57 and FPS-77 radar imagery and permitted the estimation of rainfall rates in this region. Residual ground water in the lower Mississippi Valley, which resulted from abnormal rainfall in previous months, was indicated under clear sky conditions by soil brightness temperature values in the Nimbus 5 ESMR and U.S. Air Force Data Acquisition and Processing Program (DAPP) IR data. The temperature-humidity infrared radiometer showed the height and spatial configuration of frontal clouds along the east coast and outlined the confluence of a polar jet stream with a broad sub-tropical jet stream along the U.S. Gulf Coast. Temperature profiles from three vertical temperature sounders, the infrared temperature profile radiometer (ITPR), the Nimbus E microwave spectrometer (NEMS) and the selective chopper radiometer (SCR) were found to be in good agreement with related radiosonde ascents along orbit 569 from the sub-tropics to the Arctic Circle.

Allison, L. J.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Bio-medical electrical disconnects

Improvements in medical care during the last two decades have resulted in the survival of an ever-increasing group of patients with severe neuro-muscular disabilities who otherwise would have succumbed to their diseases or injuries. This has created a sizeable population of severely paralyzed persons totally dependent upon society for care. It has been estimated that this population may grow beyond 5,000,000 persons by 1980. A rather fortunate confluence of complementing technologies and surgical techniques offer promise of solving this growing socially significant problem.

Parsons, W. E.↗
NASA NTRS1975

A multisensor analysis of Nimbus-5 data recorded on 22 January 1973

The Nimbus 5 meteorological satellite has a full complement of radiation sensors. Data from these sensors were analyzed and intercompared for orbits 569 and 570. The electrically-scanning microwave radiometer (19.35-GHz region) delineated rain areas over the ocean off the U.S. east coast, in good agreement with radar imagery, and permitted the estimation of rainfall rates in this region. Residual ground water, from abnormal rainfall in the lower Mississippi Valley, was indicated under clear sky conditions by soil brightness temperature values in the Nimbus 5 electrically scanning microwave radiometer and U.S. Air Force Data Acquisition and Processing Program infrared data. The temperature-humidity infrared radiometer (6.7 micron and 11 micron) showed the height and spatial configuration of frontal clouds along the east coast and outlined the confluence of a polar jet stream with a broad subtropical jet stream along the U.S. Gulf Coast. Temperature profiles from three vertical temperature sounders are found to be in good agreement with related radiosonde ascents along orbit 569 from the subtropics to the Arctic Circle.

Allison, L. J.↗
NASA NTRS1974

A general description of Loran-C: Present and potential applications

Loran-C is a low frequency (100 kHz) pulse navigation system. The pulse format and phase stability of the system are of paramount importance for both navigation and time synchronization using this system. Present Loran-C installations operated by the U. S. Coast Guard cover much of the northern hemisphere. A recent government-wide decision has declared that Loran-C will be the U. S. Coastal confluence navigation system for the immediate future. Therefore, Loran-C stations are presently being installed or planned to cover the entire U. S. coastline.

Doherty, R. H.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Loran-C expansion: Impact on precise time/time interval

On 16 May 1974, it was announced that Loran-C was chosen as the navigation system to serve the U. S. Coastal Confluence Zone. At the present time, reliable CONUS Loran-C groundwave timing coverage extends westward only about as far as Boulder, CO. The groundwave hyperbolic and timing coverage which will result from the planned CONUS expansion are illustrated. Time frames are provided. A status report on the planned reduction in Loran-C PTTI tolerances is presented.

Roeber, J. F., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1974

On observations of modal interference of the North Dakota Omega transmission

Phase perturbations due to apparent modal interference make a distinctive contribution to the navigation error according to an evaluation of Omega navigation accuracies. In general the North Dakota VLF Omega signal phase has been observed to lag consistently at virtually all of the receiver sites considered. Attention is given to modal excitation in a spherical waveguide and the sensitivity of receiver phase to parameter variations. It is found that the large phase fluctuations which have occurred at night at ranges from North Dakota could deteriorate navigation accuracies particularly in and near the coastal confluence regions.

Baxa, E. G., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Development of a three dimensional numerical water quality model for continental shelf applications

A model to predict the distribution of water quality parameters in three dimensions was developed. The mass transport equation was solved using a non-dimensional vertical axis and an alternating-direction-implicit finite difference technique. The reaction kinetics of the constituents were incorporated into a matrix method which permits computation of the interactions of multiple constituents. Methods for the computation of dispersion coefficients and coliform bacteria decay rates were determined. Numerical investigations of dispersive and dissipative effects showed that the three-dimensional model performs as predicted by analysis of simpler cases. The model was then applied to a two dimensional vertically averaged tidal dynamics model for the Providence River. It was also extended to a steady state application by replacing the time step with an iteration sequence. This modification was verified by comparison to analytical solutions and applied to a river confluence situation.

Spaulding, M.↗
NASA NTRS1977

A multispectral analysis of the interface between the Brazil and Falkland currents from Skylab

Skylab multispectral scanner data acquired on September 2, 1973, were used to study the spectral signature of the water at the confluence of the Falkland and the Brazil currents off the east coast of Argentina. The boundary between the two currents is sharply defined in the thermal band (10.2-12.5 microns); a gradient of 1 C per 67 m exists locally at the boundary. Using the visible bands centered at 0.485 and 0.54 micron, this study establishes that water color analysis of boundary waters must first confirm that the sea states on both sides of the boundary do not contaminate the data with sun glitter.

Johnson, W. R.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Quasi-linear blocks forced by orography in a hemispheric, quasi-geostrophic barotropic model

Stationary linear perturbation responses to Northern Hemisphere orography are calculated in a quasi-geostrophic barotropic model in solid-body rotation. The stationary mountain torque induced by these perturbations is then used to construct graphical solutions to the steady-state wave, mean-flow interaction problem. It is shown that multiple solutions exist in the system and are near either the forcing equilibrium of the zonal forcing or near the resonance points in the system. Some of these near-resonance solutions have block-like configurations with a confluence zone upstream from a large-amplitude structure consisting of a high at high latitudes and a low at low latitudes. These block-like configurations are shown to be near stable solutions of the system. Time-dependent calculations show that the initial state and the zonal forcing equilibrium are important in determining the long-term time evolution of the system.

Roads, J. O.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Adaptive flutter suppression, analysis and test

Methods of adaptive control have been applied to suppress a potentially violent flutter condition of a half-span model of a lightweight figher aircraft. This marked the confluence of several technologies with active flutter suppression, digital control and adaptive control theory the primary contributors. The control algorithm was required to adapt both to slowly varying changes, corresponding to changes in the flight condition or fuel loading and to rapid changes, corresponding to a store release or the transition from a stable to an unstable flight condition. The development of the adaptive control methods was followed by a simulation and checkout of the complete system and a wind tunnel demonstration. As part of the test, a store was released from the model wing tip, transforming the model abruptly from a stable configuration to a violent flutter condition. The adaptive algorithm recognized the unstable nature of the resulting configuration and implemented a stabilizing control law in a fraction of a second. The algorithm was also shown to provide system stability over a range of wind tunnel Mach numbers and dynamic pressures.

Johnson, E. H.↗
NASA NTRS1984

The Presidents' Day cyclone of 18-19 February 1979 - Synoptic overview and analysis of the subtropical jet streak influencing the pre-cyclogenetic period

A detailed examination is undertaken of the subtropical jet (STJ) streak revealed by an analysis of the Presidents' Day cyclone of February 18-19, 1979. During its 24 h period, the STJ's flow became increasingly supergeostrophic and apparently unbalanced, while ageostrophic wind speeds increased to more than 30 m/sec in association with a significant cross-contour component, directed toward lower values of the Montgomery streamfunction, as the flow along the STJ became more divergent with time. These phenomena are linked to the increasing confluence in the entrance region of the jet streak and the decreasing wavelength of the trough-ridge system in which the jet streak was embedded. The upper level divergence and upward vertical motion near the axis of the STJ are found to be important factors in the development of the cyclone's first area of heavy snow.

Uccellini, L. W.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Climatic Impact of a Change in North Atlantic Deep Water Formation

The response of the ocean to climate changes is one of the most uncertain questions regarding the impact of increasing CO2 on climate and society. North Atlantic deep water (NADW) formation apparently depends on a complex confluence of different water masses originating in different areas, all of which will presumably be affected by changes in wind, evaporation, etc., as the atmosphere warms. To analyze from first principles what the effect will be on NADW formation is a task which requires an ocean modeling capability not yet available. As a substitute, past climates can be investigated to see if there is any evidence for alterations in NADW formation. In addition, the possible impact of such changes on climate can be explored. An estimate of NADW sensitivity (at least in the past) and of the climate consequences can be studied. The North Atlantic surface water temperatures can be reconstructed to indicate a substantial cooling between 11,000 and 10,000 years B.P. Were NADW formation to have ceased, it would have resulted in cooler surface waters; whether the reconstructed temperatures were due to this or some other effect cannot be determined at this time. Nevertheless, it was decided that it would be useful to see what the effect these colder temperatures would have had on the climate.

Rind, D.↗
NASA NTRS1985

A survey of major east coast snowstorms, 1960-1983. Part 2. Summary of surface and upperlevel characteristics

Surface and upper-level characteristics of selected meteorological fields are summarized. Two major types of sea level development are described and applied to the cases at hand, with a few storm systems showing characteristics of both types. Aspects such as rapid sea level deepening, coastal frontogenesis, cold air damming, low level jet formation, the development of an S-shaped isotherm pattern, diffluence downwind of a negatively tilted upper level trough axis, upper level confluence and an increase of geopotential heights at the base of the upper level trough characterized the pre-cyclogenetic and cyclogenetic periods of many of the storm systems. Large variability was also observed, especially with regard to the spatial dimensions of the surface and upper level systems, as well as variations in trough/ridge amplification and the evolution of upper level jet streak systems. The influence of transverse circulations associated with a confluent jet streak entrance region and the diffluent exit region of a jet streak/trough system on the production of snowfall is also discussed.

Kocin, P. J.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Diagnosis of ageostrophic circulations in a two-dimensional primitive equation model of frontogenesis

A two-dimensional primitive equation frontogenesis model is applied to the identification of dynamical mechanisms which contribute to transverse ageostrophic circulation in warm and cold advection situations. Attention is focused on conditions conducive to significant alongfront ageostrophic flow with divergence confined to the transverse plane. The circulation is partitioned as a function of forcing mechanisms accompanied by confluence, horizontal shear and the alongfront component of the ageostrophic wind. A series of diagnostic equations is defined for the transverse geostrophic circulation and instantaneous contribution from each partitioned component of the circulation are quantified. In the cold advection case, results are obtained which are consistent with positive feedback between the subsidence pattern and forcing by horizontal shear.

Keyser, D.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Peat landforms along the Albany River, northern Ontario. An ecological study of peat landforms in Canada and Alaska

During the summer of 1985 a field investigation was started in the Hudson Bay lowland region of northern Ontario, which represents the largest expanse of peatland in North America and is an important sink in the global carbon cycle. A key area in the lowlands is situated along the Albany River near the confluence of the Chepay River. Here the striking vegetation-landforms are transitional between those found on the bed of Glacial Lake Agassiz in northern Minnesota and southern Manitoba and the more northern peatlands in the Hudson Bay lowland region. In peatland studies elsewhere the landform patterns have been used not only to classify different peatland types but also as an indicator of potential developmetnal trends. The study area is generally defined by that covered by the TM scene E-40062-15532 taken on Sept. 16, 1982. The purpose of the field work is to acquire sufficent information to interpret the TM imagery and test various hypotheses on peatland development on the gasis of the pattern transitions.

Glaser, P. H.↗