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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 415 records · Page 23
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1936

A study of autogiro rotor-blade oscillations in the plane of the rotor disk

An analysis of the factors governing the oscillation of an autogiro rotor blade in the plane of the rotor disk showed that the contribution of the air forces to the resultant motion was small and that the oscillation is essentially a direct effect of the rotor-blade flapping motion. A comparison of calculated oscillations with those measured in flight on three different rotors disclosed that the calculations gave satisfactory agreement with experiment. The calculated air forces on the rotor blade appear to be larger than the experimental ones, but this discrepancy can be attributed to the deficiencies in the strip analysis.

Wheatley, John B↗
NASA NTRS1985

Oscillations in sunspots

Recent observational and theoretical work on oscillations in sunspots is reviewed. The characteristic 3-minute umbral oscillations and flashes are resonant modes of the sunspot itself, whereas the 5-minute oscillations in the umbra are a passive response to forcing by p modes in the surrounding convection zone. The observational evidence suggests that the fundamental cause of the 3-minute oscillations is the photospheric fast-mode resonance, with chromospheric slow-mode resonances perhaps producing additional oscillation frequencies in the chromosphere. Observations and theoretical models of the interaction of 5-minute p-mode oscillations with a sunspot offer a means of probing the structure of a sunspot magnetic flux tube beneath the solar surface. The observed differences between running penumbral waves in the chromosphere and in the photosphere may be explained by the effect of the Evershed flow on trapped magneto-atmospheric waves in the penumbra.

Thomas, J. H.↗
NASA NTRS1996

Surface-Controlled Drop Oscillations in Space

Large liquid drops were deformed by an acoustic standing wave in a resonant air chanber called the Drop Physics Module, which was carried on Space Shuttle Columbia as part of the second United States Microgravity Laboratory mission. When this deforming force was suddenly reduced, the drops executed free oscillations about a perfect sherical equilibrium. Results are presented for pure water and aqueous solutions of soluble surfactants. [PACS: 43.25.U, 47.55Dz, 68.10.Cr, 83.10.-y].

microgravity drop oscillations drop physics module↗
NASA NTRS1990

Oscillational instabilities in single mode acoustics levitators

An extention of standard results for the acoustic force on an object in a single-mode resonant chamber yields predictions for the onset of oscillational instabilities when objects are levitated or positioned in these chambers. The authors' results are consistent with those of experimental investigators. The present approach accounts for the effects of time delays in the response of a cavity to the motion of an object inside of it. Quantitative features of the instabilities are investigated. The experimental conditions required for sample stability, saturation of sample oscillations, hysteretic effects, and the loss of ability to levitate are discussed.

Rudnick, J.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Low-frequency oscillations in radiative-convective systems

Although eastward propagation has long been considered one of the essential features of the Madden-Julian waves, recent observations have revealed a stationary or quasi-stationary component in the oscillations, particularly in measures of the diabatic heating rate. Wave-CISK theories of the low-frequency oscillations have struggled to explain the observed period and vertical structure of the waves. On the other hand, theoretical and numerical studies have shown that low-frequency waves strongly resembling the observed oscillations can be excited by specified low-frequency oscillations of the convective heating. A problem with the latter set of theories is that the cause of the oscillatory heating has not been satisfactorily explained. It is proposed here that the observed low-frequency wave motions are the response to forcing by an essentially stationary, self-excited oscillating heat source that is produced by nonlinear interactions among radiation, cumulus convection, and the surface fluxes of sensible heat and moisture. Feedback of the large-scale motions on the latent heating is not required. Results from two very different one-dimensional models are presented to support this hypothesis. The physical processes included in the models are essentially the same, that is, radiation, cumulus convection, and the surface fluxes of sensible heat and moisture; the first model is highly simplified, however, while the second includes relatively sophisticated parameterizations of all the relevant physical processes. Results from both models show low-frequency oscillations of the latent heating, temperature, and moisture. Experiments show that the oscillations are favored by a warm sea surface and weak surface wind speeds, consistent with the observed conditions over the Indian Ocean and the tropical western Pacific Ocean.

Hu, QI↗
NASA NTRS1990

Oscillational instabilities in single-mode acoustic levitators

An extension of standard results for the acoustic force on an object in a single-mode resonant chamber yields predictions for the onset of oscillational instabilities when objects are levitated or positioned in these chambers. The results are consistent with experimental investigations. The present approach accounts for the effect of time delays on the response of a cavity to the motion of an object inside it. Quantitative features of the instabilities are investigated. The experimental conditions required for sample stability, saturation of sample oscillations, hysteretic effects, and the loss of the ability to levitate are discussed.

Rudnick, Joseph↗
NASA NTRS1973

Part 2: Oscillations of elastic systems

Problems of oscillations of linear systems are discussed, including systems with a fractional number of degrees of freedom as well as free oscillations of a cantilever in the field of centrifugal forces. Four methods of solving the problem of the action of periodic instantaneous impulses are presented. The Tacoma catastrophe is analyzed and used as an example of aeroelastic oscillations. Problems of nonlinear system oscillations include the vibration maintenance of rotation, the Sommerfeld effect, and self-oscillations of a quasi-system with dry friction.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1991

The quasiquadrennial oscillation of Jupiter's equatorial stratosphere

Jupiter's 4-5 yr stratospheric equatorial temperature oscillation is compared here with two long-period oscillations of zonal winds in the earth's equatorial stratosphere, and it is proposed that the same mechanism - forcing by the stress of vertically propagating waves - responsible for the oscillations on both planets. Jupiter's temperature oscillation has been observed for slightly more than two cycles and closely resembles the temperature signatures of the earth's semiannual oscillation and quasi-biennial oscillation. If the mechanisms responsible for these oscillations are indeed similar, Jupiter's oscillation indicate that there is significant vertical momentum transport due to equatorially trapped atmospheric waves, and it may provide a means for probing the poorly understood process of the generation of these waves by convection.

Leovy, Conway B.↗
NASA NTRS1988

An investigation into force-moment calibration techniques applicable to a magnetic suspension and balance system

The problem of determining the forces and moments acting on a wind tunnel model suspended in a Magnetic Suspension and Balance System is addressed. Two calibration methods were investigated for three types of model cores, i.e., Alnico, Samarium-Cobalt, and a superconducting solenoid. Both methods involve calibrating the currents in the electromagnetic array against known forces and moments. The first is a static calibration method using calibration weights and a system of pulleys. The other method, dynamic calibration, involves oscillating the model and using its inertia to provide calibration forces and moments. Static calibration data, found to produce the most reliable results, is presented for three degrees of freedom at 0, 15, and -10 deg angle of attack. Theoretical calculations are hampered by the inability to represent iron-cored electromagnets. Dynamic calibrations, despite being quicker and easier to perform, are not as accurate as static calibrations. Data for dynamic calibrations at 0 and 15 deg is compared with the relevant static data acquired. Distortion of oscillation traces is cited as a major source of error in dynamic calibrations.

Eskins, Jonathan↗
NASA NTRS1977

The use of a movable telescoping end mass system for the time-optimal control of spinning spacecraft

The time-optimal control of a spin-stabilized spacecraft with a movable telescoping appendage (boom) is considered analytically and numerically. The motion of a control mass at the end of the boom is determined such that the terminal time will be minimized for two-axis control of a symmetric spacecraft. The equations of rotational motion are linearized about the desired state of spin about the symmetry axis. The equations for the transverse angular velocity components have the form of a coupled two dimensional harmonic oscillator with boom motion as a control force. The control function which brings the system to the desired state is known to be a series of positive and negative pulses. If the initial state is such that the system can be driven to rest in a single switch, the responses, switching and final times, and required boom motion may be determined analytically. Some typical numerical results based on these solutions are discussed.

Bainum, P. M.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Lee waves, benign and malignant

The flow of an incompressible, stratified fluid over an obstacle will produce an oscillation in which buoyancy is the restoring force, called a gravity wave. For disturbances of this scale, the atmosphere may be treated as incompressible; and even the linear approximation will explain many of the phenomena observed in the lee of mountains. However, nonlinearities arise in two ways: (1) through the large (scaled) size of the mountain, and (2) from dynamically singular levels in the fluid field. These produce a complicated array of phenomena that present hazards to aircraft and to lee surface areas. If there is no dynamic barrier, these waves can penetrate vertically into the middle atmosphere (30-100 km attitude), where recent observations show them to be of a length scale that must involve the Coriolis force in any modeling. At these altitudes, the amplitude of the waves is very large, and the waves are studied with a view to their potential impact on the projected National Aerospace Plane. This paper presents the results of analyses and state-of-the-art numerical simulations, validated where possible by observational data.

Wurtele, M. G.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Lee waves: Benign and malignant

The flow of an incompressible fluid over an obstacle will produce an oscillation in which buoyancy is the restoring force, called a gravity wave. For disturbances of this scale, the atmosphere may be treated as dynamically incompressible, even though there exists a mean static upward density gradient. Even in the linear approximation - i.e., for small disturbances - this model explains a great many of the flow phenomena observed in the lee of mountains. However, nonlinearities do arise importantly, in three ways: (1) through amplification due to the decrease of mean density with height; (2) through the large (scaled) size of the obstacle, such as a mountain range; and (3) from dynamically singular levels in the fluid field. These effects produce a complicated array of phenomena - large departure of the streamlines from their equilibrium levels, high winds, generation of small scales, turbulence, etc. - that present hazards to aircraft and to lee surface areas. The nonlinear disturbances also interact with the larger-scale flow in such a manner as to impact global weather forecasts and the climatological momentum balance. If there is no dynamic barrier, these waves can penetrate vertically into the middle atmosphere (30-100 km), where recent observations show them to be of a length scale that must involve the coriolis force in any modeling. At these altitudes, the amplitude of the waves is very large, and the phenomena associated with these wave dynamics are being studied with a view to their potential impact on high performance aircraft, including the projected National Aerospace Plane (NASP). The presentation shows the results of analysis and of state-of-the-art numerical simulations, validated where possible by observational data, and illustrated with photographs from nature.

Wurtele, M. G.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Wavelets, period-doubling, and time-frequency localization with application to organization of convection over the tropical western Pacific

In this paper, preliminary results in using orthogonal and continuous wavelet transform (WT) to identify period doubling and time-frequency localization in both synthetic and real data are presented. First, the Haar WT is applied to synthetic time series derived from a simple nonlinear dynamical system- a first-order quadratic difference equation. Second, the complex Morlet WT is used to study the time-frequency localization of tropical convection based on a high-resolution Japanese Geostationary Meteorological Satellite infrared (IR) radiance dataset. The Haar WT of the synthetic time series indicates the presence and distinct separation of multiple frequencies in a period-doubling sequence. The period-doubling process generates a multiplicity of intermediate frequencies, which are manifested in the nonuniformity in time with respect to the phase of oscillations in the lower frequencies. Wavelet transform also enables the detection of extremely weak signals in high-order subharmonics resulting from the period-doubling bifurcations. These signals are either undetected or considered statistically insignificant by traditional Fourier analysis. The Morlet WT of the IR radiance dataset indicates the presence of multiple timescales, which are localized in both frequency and time. There are two regimes in the variation of IR radiance, corresponding to the wet and dry periods. Multiple timescales, ranging from semidiurnal, diurnal, synoptic, to intraseasonal with embedding structures, are active in the wet regime. In particular, synoptic variability is more prominent during the wet phase of an intensive intraseasonal cycle. These are not only consistent with, but also show more details than, previous findings by using other techniques. The phase-locking relationships among the oscillations with different time-scales suggest that both synoptic and intraseasonal variations may be mixed oscillations due to the interaction of self-excited oscillations in the tropical atmosphere and external forcings such as annual and diurnal solar radiation variations. Both examples show that WT is a powerful tool for analysis of phenomena involving multiscale interactions that exhibit localization in both frequency and time. A discussion on the caveats in the use of WT in geophysical data analysis is also presented.

Weng, Hengyi↗
NASA NTRS1997

Aircraft Flutter Testing

Wilmer Reed gained international recognition for his innovative research, contributions and patented ideas relating to flutter and aeroelasticity of aerospace vehicles at Langley Research Center. In the early 1980's, Reed retired from Langley and joined the engineering staff of Dynamic Engineering Inc. While at DEI, Reed conceived and patented the DEI Flutter Exciter, now used world-wide in flight flutter testing of new or modified aircraft designs. When activated, the DEI Flutter Exciter alternately deflects the airstream upward and downward in a rapid manner, creating a force similar to that produced by an oscillating trailing edge flap. The DEI Flutter Exciter is readily adaptable to a variety of aircraft.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS2003

Preliminary Planar Formation: Flight Dynamics Near Sun-Earth L2 Point

NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center is planning a series of missions in the vicinity of the Sun-Earth L2 libration point. Some of these projects will involve a distributed space system of telescope spacecraft acting together as a single telescope for high-resolution. The individual telescopes will be configured in a plane, surrounding a hub, where the telescope plane can be aimed toward various astronomical targets of interest. In preparation for these missions, it is necessary to develop an improved understanding of the dynamical behavior of objects in a planar configuration near L2. The classical circular restricted three body problem is taken as the basis for the analysis. At first order, the motion of such a telescope relative to the hub is described by a system of linear second order differential equations. These equations are identical to the circular restricted problem's linear equations describing the hub motion about L2. Therefore, the fundamental frequencies, both parallel to and normal to the ecliptic plane, are the same for the relative telescope motion as for the hub motion. To maintain the telescope plane for the duration necessary for the planned observations, a halo-type orbit of the telescopes about the hub is investigated. By using a halo orbit, the individual telescopes remain in approximately the same plane over the observation duration. For such an orbit, the fundamental periods parallel to and normal to the ecliptic plane are forced to be the same by careful selection of the initial conditions in order to adjust the higher order forces. The relative amplitudes of the resulting oscillations are associated with the orientation of the telescope plane relative to the ecliptic. As in the circular restricted problem, initial conditions for the linearized equations must be selected so as not to excite the convergent or divergent linear modes. In a higher order analysis, the telescope relative motion equations include the effects of the position of the hub relative to L2. In this paper, the differential equations are developed through second order in the distance of the hub from the libration point. A modified Lindstedt-Poincad perturbation method is employed to construct the solution of these differential equations through that same order of magnitude. In the course of the solution process, relationships are determined between the initial conditions of the telescopes, selected in order to avoid resonance excitation. As the differential equations include the hub position, it is necessary to simultaneously develop the solution for the hub. As has been done in past analyses of the circular restricted problem, the hub position is written in a power series formulation in terms of its distance from L2. Then, in order to be included in the telescope equations, the hub solution is cast in terms of the nonlinear frequency of the relative telescope motion. In the course of the analysis, it is determined that the hub should also maintain a halo orbit - about L2. Additionally, relationships are formed between the initial conditions of the telescopes and the hub. These relationships may be used to associate sets of initial conditions with particular orientations of the telescope plane. The accuracy of the analytical solution is verified through various simulations and comparison to numerical integration of the differential equations. The results of the simulations are presented, along with a graphical representation of the relationships between the initial conditions of the telescopes and hub.

Segerman, Alan M.↗
NASA NTRS2007

Nanoscale Subsurface Imaging via Resonant Difference-Frequency Atomic Force Ultrasonic Microscopy

A novel scanning probe microscope methodology has been developed that employs an ultrasonic wave launched from the bottom of a sample while the cantilever of an atomic force microscope, driven at a frequency differing from the ultrasonic frequency by the fundamental resonance frequency of the cantilever, engages the sample top surface. The nonlinear mixing of the oscillating cantilever and the ultrasonic wave in the region defined by the cantilever tip-sample surface interaction force generates difference-frequency oscillations at the cantilever fundamental resonance. The resonance-enhanced difference-frequency signals are used to create images of embedded nanoscale features.

Cantrell, Sean A.↗