Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “WAVE FORMS”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 37 records · Page 2

The theory of magnetohydrodynamic wave generation by localized sources. I - General asymptotic theory

The magnetohydrodynamic wave emission from several localized, periodic, kinematically specified fluid velocity fields are calculated using Lighthill's method for finding the far-field wave forms. The waves propagate through an isothermal and uniform plasma with a constant B field. General properties of the energy flux are illustrated with models of pulsating flux tubes and convective rolls. Interference theory from geometrical optics is used to find the direction of minimum fast-wave emission from multipole sources and slow-wave emission from discontinuous sources. The distribution of total flux in fast and slow waves varies with the ratios of the source dimensions l to the acoustic and Alfven wavelengths.

Collins, William↗

Sonic boom loudness study and airplane configuration development

Sonic boom wave form parameters as related to loudness were investigated analytically. The parameters studied include rise time, duration, maximum overpressure and initial overpressure. The design criteria of a 72 dBA for corridors and 65 dBA for unconstrained flight were chosen based on a review of human response testing. The 72 dBA criterion suggests that 1.0 psf shock waves may be acceptable. On that basis, acceptable low sonic boom wave forms were explored with respect to cruise conditions, aerodynamic lifting length requirements and configuration design at M 1.5 and M 2.4. An M 2.4 baseline arrow wing configuration was studied as a possible vehicle for M 1.5 cruise overland. Modifications made to approach the low boom wave form included a slightly longer forebody, staggered nacelles, a lifting arrow wing horizontal tail, and carefully tailored lift and volume elements. The same wave form criteria applied for M 2.4 cruise results in a low boom configuration that has significant weight, length and balance penalties. Further detailed design work is required to reach the target wave form and resultant loudness level for overland cruise at M 1.5. These results so far suggest that a properly designed M 2.4 overwater configuration may be capable of M 1.5 overland operation with sonic boom noise characteristcs that meet the criterion.

Brown, Jessica G.↗

Currents in Florida lightning return strokes.

The transmission line return stroke model is used to derive individual current versus time wave forms from measured electric fields. A total of 98 strokes in 21 flashes at distances less than or equal to 10 km and 63 strokes in 18 flashes at distances between 10 and 32 km are analyzed for current wave shape and magnitude. For the closer strokes, return stroke velocity is also determined from the electric field wave forms. Eighteen detailed current and field wave forms and a statistical distribution of peak currents are presented. Return stroke channel currents are found to exhibit a sharp initial peak which currents measured in tall structures at the base of the lightning channel apparently do not exhibit. A complete discussion of errors is given.

Uman, M. A.↗

Vertically reciprocating auger

The mathematical model and test results developed for the Vertically Reciprocating Auger (VRA) are summarized. The VRA is a device capable of transporting cuttings that result from below surface drilling. It was developed chiefly for the lunar surface, where conventional fluid flushing while drilling would not be practical. The VRA uses only reciprocating motion and transports material through reflections with the surface above. Particles are reflected forward and land ahead of radially placed fences, which prevent the particles from rolling back down the auger. Three input wave forms are considered to drive the auger. A modified sawtooth wave form was chosen for testing, over a modified square wave or sine wave, due to its simplicity and effectiveness. The three-dimensional mathematical model predicted a sand throughput rate of 0.2667 pounds/stroke, while the actual test setup transported 0.075 pounds/stroke. Based on this result, a correction factor of 0.281 is suggested for a modified sawtooth input.

Etheridge, Mark↗

Wave ripples formed in ancient, ice-free lakes in Gale crater, Mars

Symmetrical wave ripples identified with NASA’s Curiosity rover in ancient lake deposits at Gale crater provide a key paleoclimate constraint for early Mars: At the time of ripple formation, climate conditions must have supported ice-free liquid water on the surface of Mars. These features are the most definitive examples of wave ripples on another planet. The ripples occur in two stratigraphic intervals within the orbitally defined Layered Sulfate Unit: a thin but laterally extensive unit at the base of the Amapari member of the Mirador formation, and a sandstone lens within the Contigo member of the Mirador formation. In both locations, the ripples have an average wavelength of ~4.5 centimeters. Internal laminae and ripple morphology show an architecture common in wave-influenced environments where wind-generated surface gravity waves mobilize bottom sediment in oscillatory flows. Their presence suggests formation in a shallow-water (<2 meters) setting that was open to the atmosphere, which requires atmospheric conditions that allow stable surface water.

Science & Technology - Other Topics↗

The last three minutes - Issues in gravitational-wave measurements of coalescing compact binaries

Gravitational-wave interferometers are expected to monitor the last three minutes of inspiral and final coalescence of neutron star and black hole binaries at distances approaching cosmological, where the event rate may be many per year. Because the binary's accumulated orbital phase can be measured to a fractional accuracy much lower than 10 exp -3, and relativistic effects are large, the wave forms will be far more complex and carry more information than has been expected. Improved wave form modeling is needed as a foundation for extracting the waves' information, but is not necessary for wave detection.

Cutler, Curt↗

Arcing in Leo and Geo Simulated Environments: Comparative Analysis

Comprehensive tests of two solar array samples in simulated Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and Geosynchronous Orbit (GEO) environments have demonstrated that the arc inception voltage was 2-3 times lower in the LEO plasma than in the GEO vacuum. Arc current pulse wave forms are also essentially different in these environments. Moreover, the wide variations of pulse forms do not allow introducing the definition of a "standard arc wave form" even in GEO conditions. Visual inspection of the samples after testing in a GEO environment revealed considerable damage on coverglass surfaces and interconnects. These harmful consequences can be explained by the discharge energy being one order of magnitude higher in vacuum than in background plasma. The tests also revealed a potential danger of powerful electrostatic discharges that could be initiated on the solar array surface of a satellite in GEO during the ignition of an arcjet thruster.

Vayner, Boris V.↗

Schmitt trigger multivibrator

Schmitt trigger multivibrator circuit, capable of astable, monostable or bistable operation, incorporates an input circuit in conjunction with a Schmitt trigger circuit. The circuits form two output signal levels, are useful in switching circuit applications, initiates oscillations, and forms highly unsymmetrical wave forms.

Zrubek, W. E.↗

Analysis of Exhaust Plume Effects on Sonic Boom for a 59-Degree Wing Body Model

Reducing or eliminating the operational restrictions of supersonic aircraft over populated areas has led to extensive research at NASA. Restrictions are due to the disturbance of the sonic boom, caused by the coalescence of shock waves formed off the aircraft. Recent work has been performed to reduce the magnitude of the sonic boom N-wave generated by airplane components with focus on shock waves caused by the exhaust nozzle plume. Previous Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analyses showed how the shock wave formed at the nozzle lip interacted with the nozzle boat-tail expansion wave. The nozzle lip shock moved with increasing nozzle pressure ratio (NPR) and reduced the nozzle boat-tail expansion. Lip shock movement caused a favorable change in the observed pressure signature. These results were applied to a simplified supersonic vehicle geometry with no inlets and no tail, in which the goal was to demonstrate how under-expanded nozzle operation reduced the sonic boom signature by twelve percent. A secondary goal was to demonstrate the use of the Cart3D inviscid code for off-body pressure signatures including the nozzle plume effect.

Castner, Raymond S.↗

Exhaust Nozzle Plume Effects on Sonic Boom Test Results for Isolated Nozzles

Reducing or eliminating the operational restrictions of supersonic aircraft over populated areas has led to extensive research at NASA. Restrictions were due to the disturbance of the sonic boom, caused by the coalescence of shock waves formed off the aircraft. Recent work has been performed to reduce the magnitude of the sonic boom N-wave generated by airplane components with focus on shock waves caused by the exhaust nozzle plume. Previous Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis showed how the shock wave formed at the nozzle lip interacts with the nozzle boat-tail expansion wave. An experiment was conducted in the 1- by 1-ft Supersonic Wind Tunnel at the NASA Glenn Research Center to validate the computational study. Results demonstrated how the nozzle lip shock moved with increasing nozzle pressure ratio (NPR) and reduced the nozzle boat-tail expansion, causing a favorable change in the observed pressure signature. Experimental results were presented for comparison to the CFD results. The strong nozzle lip shock at high values of NPR intersected the nozzle boat-tail expansion and suppressed the expansion wave. Based on these results, it may be feasible to reduce the boat-tail expansion for a future supersonic aircraft with under-expanded nozzle exhaust flow by modifying nozzle pressure or nozzle divergent section geometry.

Castner, Raymond S.↗

Exhaust Nozzle Plume Effects on Sonic Boom Test Results for Vectored Nozzles

Reducing or eliminating the operational restrictions of supersonic aircraft over populated areas has led to extensive research at NASA. Restrictions were due to the disturbance of the sonic boom, caused by the coalescence of shock waves formed off the aircraft. Recent work has been performed to reduce the magnitude of the sonic boom N-wave generated by airplane components with a focus on shock waves caused by the exhaust nozzle plume. Previous Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis showed how the shock wave formed at the nozzle lip interacts with the nozzle boat-tail expansion wave. An experiment was conducted in the 1- by 1-foot Supersonic Wind Tunnel (SWT) at the NASA Glenn Research Center. Results show how the shock generated at the nozzle lip affects the near field pressure signature, and thereby the potential sonic boom contribution for a nozzle at vector angles from 3 to 8 . The experiment was based on the NASA F-15 nozzle used in the Lift and Nozzle Change Effects on Tail Shock experiment, which possessed a large external boat-tail angle. In this case, the large boat-tail angle caused a dramatic expansion, which dominated the near field pressure signature. The impact of nozzle vector angle and nozzle pressure ratio are summarized.

Castner, Raymond↗

The electric fields produced by lightning stepped leaders

The electric fields produced by stepped and dart-stepped leaders which immediately precede return strokes in lightning discharges to the ground have been recorded in Florida and Arizona. The mean interval time between normal steps is about 16 microsec, and the mean interval between dart steps is 6-8 microsec. The amplitudes of leader pulses in Florida increase just prior to the return stroke, the largest usually being about 10% of the return-stroke peak. In Arizona the leader pulse amplitudes are smaller than those in Florida, in relation to the return stroke, and are not as easy to identify. The shapes of the fields produced by normal steps are similar to dart steps, and the dart steps are very similar to regular sequences of pulses produced by many intracloud discharges. The 10-90% rise times of individual step wave forms are often less than 0.3 microsec, and the full width at half maximum of a step pulse is typically 0.4-0.5 microsec under conditions where the propagation distortion is minimal. The amplitudes and the shapes of leader step wave forms suggest that the peak step current is at least 2000-8000 A close to the ground and that the maximum rate of change of step current is 6-24 kA/microsec or larger. A rough estimate of the minimum charge lowered during the formation of a step is 0.001 to 0.004 C.

Krider, E. P.↗

Intermodulation in the oscillatory magnetoresistance of a two-dimensional electron gas

The oscillatory magnetoresistance wave form of a 2-D electron gas shows multiple structures when two subbands are populated. In addition to high-field oscillations at a frequency equal to the sum of the two frequencies corresponding to the concentrations of the subbands, and to a superposition at intermediate fields, we observed oscillations at the difference frequency at low fields and higher temperatures. The field range at which the frequency difference is observed increases with increasing temperature. The crossover from superposition to frequency difference is accompanied by a beat. Similar beats, whose field location shows identical temperature dependence, can be observed in data obtained by other groups on different structures. The various components of the wave form can be attributed to different phase relations between the diagonal and off-diagonal elements of the conductivity tensor. It is shown how the intermodulation term, when inserted into the extended oscillatory equation, can give rise to all three structures.

Schacham, S. E.↗

Intermodulation in the oscillatory magnetoresistance of a two-dimensional electron gas

The oscillatory magnetoresistance wave form of a 2-D electron gas shows multiple structures when two subbands are populated. In addition to high-field oscillations at a frequency equal to the sum of the two frequencies corresponding to the concentrations of the subbands, and to a superposition at intermediate fields, we observed oscillations at the difference frequency at low fields and higher temperatures. The field range at which the frequency difference is observed increases with increasing temperature. The crossover from superposition to frequency difference is accompanied by a beat. Similar beats, whose field location shows identical temperature dependence, can be observed in data obtained by other groups on different structures. The various components of the wave form can be attributed to different phase relations between the diagonal and off-diagonal elements of the conductivity tensor. It is shown how the intermodulation term, when inserted into the extended oscillatory equation, can give rise to all three structures.

Schacham, S. E.↗

Planetary Transmission Diagnostics

This report presents a methodology for detecting and diagnosing gear faults in the planetary stage of a helicopter transmission. This diagnostic technique is based on the constrained adaptive lifting algorithm. The lifting scheme, developed by Wim Sweldens of Bell Labs, is a time domain, prediction-error realization of the wavelet transform that allows for greater flexibility in the construction of wavelet bases. Classic lifting analyzes a given signal using wavelets derived from a single fundamental basis function. A number of researchers have proposed techniques for adding adaptivity to the lifting scheme, allowing the transform to choose from a set of fundamental bases the basis that best fits the signal. This characteristic is desirable for gear diagnostics as it allows the technique to tailor itself to a specific transmission by selecting a set of wavelets that best represent vibration signals obtained while the gearbox is operating under healthy-state conditions. However, constraints on certain basis characteristics are necessary to enhance the detection of local wave-form changes caused by certain types of gear damage. The proposed methodology analyzes individual tooth-mesh waveforms from a healthy-state gearbox vibration signal that was generated using the vibration separation (synchronous signal-averaging) algorithm. Each waveform is separated into analysis domains using zeros of its slope and curvature. The bases selected in each analysis domain are chosen to minimize the prediction error, and constrained to have the same-sign local slope and curvature as the original signal. The resulting set of bases is used to analyze future-state vibration signals and the lifting prediction error is inspected. The constraints allow the transform to effectively adapt to global amplitude changes, yielding small prediction errors. However, local wave-form changes associated with certain types of gear damage are poorly adapted, causing a significant change in the prediction error. The constrained adaptive lifting diagnostic algorithm is validated using data collected from the University of Maryland Transmission Test Rig and the results are discussed.

Lewicki, David G.↗

General Forms of Wave Functions for Dipositronium, Ps2

The consequences of particle interchange symmetry for the structure of wave functions of the states of dipositronium was recently discussed by the author [I]. In the present work, the methodology is simply explained, and the wave functions are explicitly given.

Schrader, D.M.↗

Use of a genetic algorithm for the analysis of eye movements from the linear vestibulo-ocular reflex

It is common in vestibular and oculomotor testing to use a single-frequency (sine) or combination of frequencies [sum-of-sines (SOS)] stimulus for head or target motion. The resulting eye movements typically contain a smooth tracking component, which follows the stimulus, in which are interspersed rapid eye movements (saccades or fast phases). The parameters of the smooth tracking--the amplitude and phase of each component frequency--are of interest; many methods have been devised that attempt to identify and remove the fast eye movements from the smooth. We describe a new approach to this problem, tailored to both single-frequency and sum-of-sines stimulation of the human linear vestibulo-ocular reflex. An approximate derivative is used to identify fast movements, which are then omitted from further analysis. The remaining points form a series of smooth tracking segments. A genetic algorithm is used to fit these segments together to form a smooth (but disconnected) wave form, by iteratively removing biases due to the missing fast phases. A genetic algorithm is an iterative optimization procedure; it provides a basis for extending this approach to more complex stimulus-response situations. In the SOS case, the genetic algorithm estimates the amplitude and phase values of the component frequencies as well as removing biases.

Non-NASA Center↗