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At least 361 records · Page 20

Performance characteristics of the 12 GHz, 200 watt Transmitter Experiment Package for CTS

Measured performance characteristics from ground test of the Transmitter Experiment Package (TEP) for the Communications Technology Satellite are presented. The experiment package consists of a 200 W Output Stage Tube (OST) powered by a Power Processing System (PPS). Descriptions of both the PPS and OST are given. The PPS provides the necessary voltages with a measured dc/dc conversion efficiency of 89 per cent. The OST, a traveling wave tube with multiple collectors, has a saturated rf output power of 224 W and operates at an overall efficiency exceeding 40 per cent over an 85 MHz bandwidth at 12 GHz. OST performance given includes frequency response, saturation characteristics, group delay, AM to PM conversion, intermodulation distortion, and two channel gain suppression. Single and dual channel FM video performance is presented. It was determined that for 12 MHz peak to peak frequency deviation on each channel, dual channel FM television signals can be transmitted through the TEP at 60 W, each channel, with 40 MHz channel spacing (center to center).

Miller, E. F.↗

Imaginary-frequency polarizability and van der Waals force constants of two-electron atoms, with rigorous bounds

Variational functionals of Braunn and Rebane (1972) for the imagery-frequency polarizability (IFP) have been generalized by the method of Gramian inequalities to give rigorous upper and lower bounds, valid even when the true (but unknown) unperturbed wavefunction must be represented by a variational approximation. Using these formulas in conjunction with flexible variational trial functions, tight error bounds are computed for the IFP and the associated two- and three-body van der Waals interaction constants of the ground 1(1S) and metastable 2(1,3S) states of He and Li(+). These bounds generally establish the ground-state properties to within a fraction of a per cent and metastable properties to within a few per cent, permitting a comparative assessment of competing theoretical methods at this level of accuracy. Unlike previous 'error bounds' for these properties, the present results have a completely a priori theoretical character, with no empirical input data.

Glover, R. M.↗

Mass driver retrievals of earth-approaching asteroids

Mass driver tugs can be designed to move Apollo and Amor asteroids at opportunities of low velocity increment to the vicinity of the earth. The cost of transferring asteroids through a velocity interval of 3 km/sec by mass driver is about 16 cents per kilogram amortized over 10 years, about ten times less than that required to retrieve lunar resources during the early phases of a program of space manufacturing. About 22 per cent of a 200-meter diameter asteroid could be transferred to high earth orbit by an automated 100 megawatt solar-powered mass driver in a period of five years for a cost of approximately $1 billion. Estimates of the total investment of a space manufacturing program could be reduced twofold by using asteroidal instead of lunar resources; such a program could begin several years sooner with minimal concurrent development if asteroidal search programs and mass driver development are immediately accelerated.

Oleary, B.↗

Friction and wear behavior of graphite fiber reinforced polyimide composites

The friction and wear rate characteristics of 50/50 (weight per cent) graphite fiber-polyimide composites were studied by sliding metallic hemispherically tipped riders against disks made from the composites. Two different polyimides and two different graphite fibers were evaluated. Also studied were such variables as the effect of adding 10 per cent weight additions of powdered (CF-1.1)n, CdI2, or CdO, the effect of moisture in an air atmosphere, the effect of temperature, and the effect of different sliding speeds. In general, wear to the metallic riders was negligible and composite wear increased at a constant rate as a function of number of sliding cycles.

Fusaro, R. L.↗

SPS cost considerations

Recent solar power satellite (SPS) system definition studies have emphasized cost estimation for the operational phase of an SPS program, in order to assess economic practicality of SPS. A cost analysis approach is described. Cost results for a silicon photovoltaic SPS are reported, showing SPS costs from $1700 to $2700 per kilowatt and busbar power costs from 3 cents to 7 cents per kilowatt-hour. Rationales behind the estimates are discussed.

Woodcock, G. R.↗

Array automated assembly task, phase 2. Low cost silicon solar array project

Several modifications instituted in the wafer surface preparation process served to significantly reduce the process cost to 1.55 cents per peak watt in 1975 cents. Performance verification tests of a laser scanning system showed a limited capability to detect hidden cracks or defects, but with potential equipment modifications this cost effective system could be rendered suitable for applications. Installation of electroless nickel plating system was completed along with an optimization of the wafer plating process. The solder coating and flux removal process verification test was completed. An optimum temperature range of 500-550 C was found to produce uniform solder coating with the restriction that a modified dipping procedure is utilized. Finally, the construction of the spray-on dopant equipment was completed.

Rhee, S. S.↗

Large horizontal axis wind turbine development

An overview of the NASA activities concerning ongoing wind systems oriented toward utility application is presented. First-generation-technology large wind turbines were designed and are in operation at selected utility sites. In order to make a significant energy impact, costs of 2 to 3 cents per kilowatt hour must be achieved. The federal program continues to fund the development by industry of wind turbines which can meet the cost goals of 2 to 3 cents per kilowatt hour. Lower costs are achieved through the incorporation of new technology and innovative system design to reduce weight and increase energy capture.

Robbins, W. H.↗

Solar cells for solar power satellites

The concept of a solar-cell array for a solar power satellite is developed to permit evaluation of its economic feasibility for generating power for delivery to public utilities on earth. Gallium arsenide solar cells were considered but it could not be assured that the world gallium resources could support constructions of two solar power satellites per year. Therefore, for preliminary design an array blanket made from 5 by 10 cm silicon solar cells, 50 microns thick, and electrostatically bonded between borosilicate glass sheets was adopted. In annealing experiments, a radiated 50 microns thick cell was restored to its initial performance in a 500 C. Solar-cell efficiency effects significantly the solar power satellite mass, which varies from 90,000 metric tons for 20 percent cells to 120,000 metric tons for 12 percent cells. The anticipated cost of delivered power, based on 1977 dollars, varies from 4 cents per kWh with 18 percent cells, to 5 cents per kWh for 12 percent efficient cells.

Oman, H.↗

Comparison of circadian rhythms in male and female humans

Heart rate (HR) and rectal temperature (RT) data were obtained from 12 female and 27 male subjects. The subjects were housed in a facility where the environment was controlled. Human male and female RT and HR exhibit a circadian rhythm with an excursion of about 1.2 C and 30 beats/min, respectively. The acrophases, amplitudes, and level crossings are only slightly different between the sexes. The male HR and RT circadian wave forms are more stable than those of the females. However, the actual RT and HR of males were always lower than that of females at all time points around the clock. The HR during sleep in females is 15 per cent below the daily mean heart rate and in males, 22 per cent.

Winget, C. M.↗

Magma production and migration within the moon

Partial melting is likely to have occurred throughout much of the moon due to heating during accretion and the volumetric heating of radioactive isotopes. Important problems that have received relatively little attention concern the migration of the resulting magmas to form surface or near surface volcanic rock. In the paper the basic mechanism for the migration of the magma through the lunar asthenosphere is considered. A porous flow model is proposed. The magma behaves like a liquid flowing through a porous matrix. The volume fraction of liquid present determines the saturated porosity. The differential buoyancy of the magma drives it upwards. It is shown that the per cent partial melt in the lunar interior will only slightly exceed that required to provide interconnecting porosity. Assuming that the radioactive isotopes are preferentially segregated into the magma, the time dependence of the partial melting of the lunar interior is found. It is shown that the total degree of partial melting of the deep lunar interior is likely to be between five and ten per cent.

Turcotte, D. L.↗

Effect of CeO2, MgO and Y2O3 additions on the sinterability of a milled Si3N4 with 14.5 wt% SiO2

The sinterability of alpha Si3N4 with 0-5.07 equivalent per cent of CeO2, MgO, or Y2O3 has been studied in the temperature range 1650-1820 C by density measurements and X-ray diffraction analysis. Maximum densities were obtained in the range 1765-1820 C and were 99.6% of theoretical with 2.5% CeO2; 98.5% of theoretical with 1.24 to 1.87% MgO, and 99.2% of theoretical with 2.5% Y2O3. Densities 94% or more of theoretical value were obtained with as little as 0.62 equivalent per cent additive.

Arias, A.↗

Optimal weighting of data to detect climatic change - Application to the carbon dioxide problem

It is suggested that a weighting of surface temperature data, using information about the expected level of warming in different seasons and geographical regions and statistical information about the amount of natural variability in surface temperature, can improve the chances of early detection of carbon dioxide concentration-induced climatic warming. A preliminary analysis of the optimal weighting method presented suggests that it is 25 per cent more effective in revealing surface warming than the conventional method, in virtue of the fact that 25 per cent more data must conventionally be analyzed in order to arrive at a similar probability of detection. An approximate calculation suggests that the warming ought to have already been detected, if the only sources of significant surface temperature variability had time scales of less than one year.

Bell, T. L.↗

Forecasting tropical cyclone recurvature with upper tropospheric winds

Data from 17 tropical cyclones during the 1974 through 1979 hurricane seasons are used to investigate whether the high level winds far to the northwest, north and northeast of the hurricane center can be used to predict hurricane track recurvature. When the man 200-mb winds 1500 to 2000 km northwest and north of the storm center equal or exceed 20 m/s, 80 per cent of the storms recurved before traveling as much as 12 degrees of longitude farther west. The high winds were also used to predict change in direction of forward motion during the next 72 hours. The regression equations developed explain up to 41 per cent of the variance in future direction. In addition to the geostrophic winds used, winds were also obtained by tracking clouds with successive satellite imagery. The u-components of the satellite winds are highly correlated with the geostrophic winds at 200-mb and could probably be used instead of them when available. The v-components are less highly correlated.

Gentry, R. C.↗

L Chondrite meteorites: A compilation and preliminary analyses

A compilation of those meteorites currently recognized as being L chondrites, exclusive of the numerous Antarctica finds, was made and is known as the L Chondrite Register. Data for these 576 meteorites was collected from a variety of sources, primarily the British Museum's Catalogue of Meteorites and the Appendix to the Catalogue of Meteorites. Also used was the Revised Cambridge Chondrite Compendium, which provided a convenient listing of L chondrites; other sources include Chinese Meteorites, Meteorites, by Wasson (1974), and the Meteoritical Bulletin of Meteoritics. This last source provided data for most recent falls and was referenced through March of 1982. All such data were recorded on a computer data file with a HP 2647A terminal, so that information could easily be retrieved and manipulated. For each meteorite, the petrographic class, location of find, fall date and hour, mass, mole per cent fayalite, weight per cent Fe, SiO2/MgO ratio, shock class, metal class, 4He abundance, UTh-H3 gas retention age, K-Ar gas retention age, and 21Ne cosmic ray exposure age, was recorded when known.

Silliman, A.↗

A comparison of the aerodynamic characteristics of the normal and three reflexed airfoils in the variable density wind tunnel

An investigation was made of the aerodynamic effects of reflexing the trailing edge of three commonly used airfoils. Six airfoils were used in the investigation: three having the normal profiles of the Navy 60, the Boeing 106, and the Gottingen 398, and three having these profiles modified to obtain a reflexed trailing edge with the mean camber line changed to give Cmc/4=0. The tests were conducted at a value of the Reynolds Number of approximately 3,100,000 in the variable density wind tunnel of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics. Measurements of lift, drag, and pitching moment were made on each of the six airfoils. The expected reduction of the center of pressure travel was obtained. The maximum lift was reduced approximately 12 per cent and the minimum profile drag approximately 4 per cent.

Defoe, George L↗

Tests of N.A.C.A. airfoils in the variable-density wind tunnel Series 43 and 63

This note is one of a series covering an investigation of a family of related airfoils. It gives in preliminary form the results obtained from tests in the N.A.C.A. Variable-Density Wind Tunnel of two groups of six airfoils each. One group, the 43 series, has a maximum mean camber of 4 per cent of the chord at a position 0.3 of the chord from the leading edge; the other group, the 63 series, has a maximum mean camber of 6 per cent of the chord at the same position. The members within each group differ only in maximum thickness, the maximum thickness/chord ratios being:0.06, 0.09, 0.12, 0.15, 0.18, and 0.21. The results are analyzed with a view to indicating the variation of the aerodynamic characteristics with profile thickness for airfoils having a certain mean camber line.

Jacobs, Eastman N↗

Tests of N.A.C.A. airfoils in the variable-density wind tunnel Series 45 and 65

This note is one of a series covering an investigation of a number of related airfoils. It presents the results obtained from tests in N.A.C.A. Variable-Density Wind Tunnel of two groups of six airfoils each. One group, the 45 series, has a maximum mean camber of 4 per cent of the chord at a position 0.5 of the chord behind the leading edge, and the other group, the 65 series, has a maximum mean camber of 6 per cent of the chord at the same position. The members within each group differ only in maximum thickness, the maximum thickness/chord ratios being: 0.06, 0.09, 0.12, 0.15, 0.18, and 0.21. The results are analyzed with a view to indicating the variation of the aerodynamic characteristics with profile thickness for airfoils having a certain mean camber line form.

Jacobs, Eastman N↗

The Effect of Clearance Distribution on the Performance of a Compression-ignition Engine with a Precombustion Chamber

The clearance distribution in a precombustion chamber cylinder head was varied so that for a constant compression ratio of 13.5 the spherical auxiliary chambers contained 20, 35, 50, and 70 per cent of the total clearance volume. Each chamber was connected to the cylinder by a single circular passage, flared at both ends, and of a cross-sectional area proportional to the chamber volume, thereby giving the same calculated air-flow velocity through each passage. Results of engine-performance tests are presented with variations of power, fuel consumption, explosion pressure, rate of pressure rise, ignition lag, heat loss to the cooling water, and motoring characteristics. For good performance the minimum auxiliary chamber volume, with the cylinder head design used, was 35 per cent of the total clearance volume; for larger volumes the performance improves but slightly. With the auxiliary chamber that contained 35 percent of the clearance volume there were obtained the lowest explosion pressures, medium rates of pressure rise, and slightly less than the maximum power. For all clearance distributions an increase in engine speed decreased the ignition lag in seconds and increased the rate of pressure rise.

Moore, C. S.↗