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At least 433 records · Page 24

Calculation of the attenuation and phase displacement per unit of length due to rain composed of ellipsoidal drops

All of the phenomena which influence the propagation of radiowaves at frequencies above 10 GHz (attenuation, depolarization, scintillation) can by intensified by parameters directly derived from a solution of individual scatter, naturally in addition to be meteorological elements which characterize the physical medium. The diffusion caused by rainy precipitation was studied using Mie's algorithm for rain composed of spherical drops, and Oguchi's algorithm for rain composed of drops in an ellipsoidal form with axes of rotational symmetry arrange along the vertical line of a generic reference point. Specific phase displacement and attenuation along the principal planes, propagation of radiowaves in generic polarization, and propagation with inclined axes are also considered.

Maggiori, D.↗

Study of electrical and chemical propulsion systems for auxiliary propulsion of large space systems, volume 2

The five major tasks of the program are reported. Task 1 is a literature search followed by selection and definition of seven generic spacecraft classes. Task 2 covers the determination and description of important disturbance effects. Task 3 applies the disturbances to the generic spacecraft and adds maneuver and stationkeeping functions to define total auxiliary propulsion systems requirements for control. The important auxiliary propulsion system characteristics are identified and sensitivities to control functions and large space system characteristics determined. In Task 4, these sensitivities are quantified and the optimum auxiliary propulsion system characteristics determined. Task 5 compares the desired characteristics with those available for both electrical and chemical auxiliary propulsion systems to identify the directions technology advances should take.

Smith, W. W.↗

System architecture study of an orbital GPS user terminal

The generic RF and applications processing requirements for a GPS orbital navigator are considered. A line of demarcation between dedicated analog hardware, and software/processor implementation, maximizing the latter is discussed. A modular approach to R/PA design which permits several varieties of receiver to be constructed from basic components is described. It is a basic conclusion that software signal processing of the output of the baseband correlator is the best choice of transition from analog to digital signal processing. High performance sets requiring multiple channels are developed from a generic design by replicating the RF processing segment, and modifying the applications software to provide enhanced state propagation and estimation.

Martin, D. P.↗

Development of a rotorcraft. Propulsion dynamics interface analysis, volume 1

The details of the modeling process and its implementation approach are presented. A generic methodology and model structure for performing coupled propulsion/rotor response analysis that is applicable to a variety of rotorcraft types was developed. A method for parameterizing the model structure to represent a particular rotorcraft is defined. The generic modeling methodology, the development of the propulsion system and the rotor/fuselage models, and the formulation of the resulting coupled rotor/propulsion system model are described. A test case that was developed is described.

Hull, R.↗

NASA Thesaurus. Volume 1: Hierarchical listing

There are 16,713 postable terms and 3,716 nonpostable terms approved for use in the NASA scientific and technical information system in the Hierarchical Listing of the NASA Thesaurus. The generic structure is presented for many terms. The broader term and narrower term relationships are shown in an indented fashion that illustrates the generic structure better than the more widely used BT and NT listings. Related terms are generously applied, thus enhancing the usefulness of the Hierarchical Listing. Greater access to the Hierarchical Listing may be achieved with the collateral use of Volume 2 - Access Vocabulary.

Source record↗

Complexities of high temperature metal fatigue: Some steps toward understanding

After pointing out many of the complexities that attend high temperature metal fatigue beyond those already studied in the sub-creep range, a description of the micromechanisms of deformation and fracture is presented for several classes of materials that were studied over the past dozen years. Strainrange Partitioning (SRP) is used as a framework for interpreting the results. Several generic types of behavior were observed with regard both to deformation and fracture and each is discussed in the context of the micromechanisms involved. Treatment of cumulative fatigue damage and the possibility of ""healing'' of damage in successive loading loops, has led to a new interpretation of the Interaction Damage Rule of SRP. Using the concept of ""equivalent micromechanistic damage'' -- that the same damage on a microscopic scale is induced if the same hysteresis loops are generated, element for element -- it turns out the Interaction Damage Rule essentially compounds a number of variants of hysteresis loops, all of which have the same damage according to SRP concepts, into a set of loops each containing only one of the generic SRP strainranges. Thus the damage associcated with complex loops comprising several types of strainrange is analyzed by considering a combination of loops each containing only one type of strainrange. This concept is expanded to show how several independent loops can combine to ""heal'' creep damage in a complex loading history.

Manson, S. S.↗

AFTI/F-16 flight test results and lessons

The advanced fighter technology integration (AFTI) F-16 aircraft is a highly complex digital flight control system integrated with advanced avionics and cockpit. The use of dissimilar backup modes if the primary system fails requires the designer to trade off system simplicity and capability. The tradeoff is evident in the AFTI/F-16 aircraft with its limited stability and fly by wire digital flight control systems when a generic software failure occurs the backup or normal mode must provide equivalent envelop protection during the transition to degraded flight control. The complexity of systems like the AFTI/F-16 system defines a second design issue, which is divided into two segments: (1) the effect on testing, (2) and the pilot's ability to act correctly in the limited time available for cockpit decisions. The large matrix of states possible with the AFTI/F-16 flight control system illustrates the difficulty of both testing the system and choosing real time pilot actions. The third generic issue is the possible reductions in the user's reliability expectations where false single channel information can be displayed at the pilot vehicle interface while the redundant set remains functional.

Ishmael, S. D.↗

Feedback laws for fuel minimization for transport aircraft

The Theoretical Mechanics Branch has as one of its long-range goals to work toward solving real-time trajectory optimization problems on board an aircraft. This is a generic problem that has application to all aspects of aviation from general aviation through commercial to military. Overall interest is in the generic problem, but specific problems to achieve concrete results are examined. The problem is to develop control laws that generate approximately optimal trajectories with respect to some criteria such as minimum time, minimum fuel, or some combination of the two. These laws must be simple enough to be implemented on a computer that is flown on board an aircraft, which implies a major simplification from the two point boundary value problem generated by a standard trajectory optimization problem. In addition, the control laws allow for changes in end conditions during the flight, and changes in weather along a planned flight path. Therefore, a feedback control law that generates commands based on the current state rather than a precomputed open-loop control law is desired. This requirement, along with the need for order reduction, argues for the application of singular perturbation techniques.

Price, D. B.↗

Conceptual design and evaluation of selected Space Station concepts, volume 1

Space Station configuration concepts are defined to meet the NASA Headquarters Concept Development Group (CDG) requirements. Engineering and programmatic data are produced on these concepts suitable for NASA and industry dissemination. A data base is developed for input to the CDG's evaluation of generic Space Station configurations and for use in the critique of the CDG's generic configuration evaluation process.

Source record↗

MOD silver metallization for photovoltaics

The development of flat plate solar arrays is reported. Photovoltaic cells require back side metallization and a collector grid system on the front surface. Metallo-organic decomposition (MOD) silver films can eliminate most of the present problems with silver conductors. The objectives are to: (1) identify and characterize suitable MO compounds; (2) develop generic synthesis procedures for the MO compounds; (3) develop generic fabrication procedures to screen printable MOD silver inks; (4) optimize processing conditions to produce grid patterns and photovoltaic cells; and (5) develop a model which describes the adhesion between the fired silver film and the silicon surface.

Vest, G. M.↗

Overview of free-piston Stirling technology at the NASA Lewis Research Center

An overview of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Lewis Research Center (Lewis) free-piston Stirling engine activities is presented. These activities include: (1) a generic free-piston Stirling technology project being conducted to develop technologies synergistic to both space power and terrestrial heat pump applications in a cooperative, cost-shared effort with the Department of Energy (DOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ONRL)), and (2) a free-piston Stirling space-power technology demonstration project as part of the SP-100 program being conducted in support of the Department of Defense (DOD), DOE, and NASA/Lewis. The generic technology effort includes extensive parametric testing of a 1 kw free-piston Stirling engine (RE-1000), development and validation of a free-piston Stirling performance computer code, and fabrication and initial testing of an hydraulic output modification for the RE-1000 engine. The space power technology effort, under SP-100, addresses the status of the 25 kWe Space Power Demonstrator Engine (SPDE) including early test results.

Slaby, J. G.↗

Astrophysical payload accommodation on the space station

Surveys of potential space station astrophysics payload requirements and existing point mount design concepts were performed to identify potential design approaches for accommodating astrophysics instruments from space station. Most existing instrument pointing systems were designed for operation from the space shuttle and it is unlikely that they will sustain their performance requirements when exposed to the space station disturbance environment. The technology exists or is becoming available so that precision pointing can be provided from the space station manned core. Development of a disturbance insensitive pointing mount is the key to providing a generic system for space station. It is recommended that the MSFC Suspended Experiment Mount concept be investigated for use as part of a generic pointing mount for space station. Availability of a shirtsleeve module for instrument change out, maintenance and repair is desirable from the user's point of view. Addition of a shirtsleeve module on space station would require a major program commitment.

Woods, B. P.↗

NASA thesaurus. Volume 1: Hierarchical listing

There are 16,835 postable terms and 3,765 nonpostable terms approved for use in the NASA scientific and technical information system in the Hierarchical Listing of the NASA Thesaurus. The generic structure is presented for many terms. The broader term and narrower term relationships are shown in an indented fashion that illustrates the generic structure better than the more widely used BT and NT listings. Related terms are generously applied, thus enhancing the usefulness of the Hierarchical Listing. Greater access to the Hierarchical Listing may be achieved with the collateral use of Volume 2 - Access Vocabulary.

Source record↗

Design criteria for expert systems

Knowledge based expert systems are applicable to a wide range of engineering problems ranging from formation to derivation. At the formation end of the spectrum, design, planning and prediction have been identified as generic tasks with similar issues that are dealt with by experts, and need to be formalized for successful expert system implementation. At the derivation end, diagnosis, interpretation and monitoring have been identified as generic tasks with similar subproblems with which experts must cope. At theimplementation level, four levels of programming have been identified: logic programming, production system programming, object oriented programming and hybrid programming.

Allen, R.↗

Composite structural materials

Overall emphasis is on basic long-term research in the following categories: constituent materials, composite materials, generic structural elements, processing science technology; and maintaining long-term structural integrity. Research in basic composition, characteristics, and processing science of composite materials and their constituents is balanced against the mechanics, conceptual design, fabrication, and testing of generic structural elements typical of aerospace vehicles so as to encourage the discovery of unusual solutions to present and future problems. Detailed descriptions of the progress achieved in the various component parts of this comprehensive program are presented.

Loewy, R.↗

Development and usage of a small-scale V/STOL ground effects simulator

A small scale ground effects simulator for V/STOL aircraft design testing has been built by an American university in association with NASA-AMES. The simulator is used to measure pressures and forces on a wide variety of V/STOL model configurations including generic models which do not represent any particular aircraft. The modes of operation and instrumentation of the simulator are described, and a survey of some recent test results are presented. The basic simulator consists of two parts, an aluminum disk ground plane and a model support. Instrumentation consists of pressure transducers, scanivalves, thermocouples and hot wire anemometers. Test results are presented for single and twin nozzle configurations; a generic V/STOL design, and the Harrier and Grumman 698 combat aircraft models. A black and white photograph of the simulator is provided.

Lord, P. A.↗

Automated subsystems control development

NASA has the objective to launch a Space Station in the 1990s. It has been found that the success of the Space Station engineering development, the achievement of initial operational capability (IOC), and the operation of a productive Space Station will depend heavily on the implementation of an effective automation and control approach. For the development of technology needed to implement the required automation and control function, a contract entitled 'Automated Subsystems Control for Life Support Systems' (ASCLSS) was awarded to two American companies. The present paper provides a description of the ASCLSS program. Attention is given to an automation and control architecture study, a generic automation and control approach for hardware demonstration, a standard software approach, application of Air Revitalization Group (ARG) process simulators, and a generic man-machine interface.

Block, R. F.↗

Supplementary report on antilock analyses

Generic modulator analysis was performed to quantify the effects of dump and reapply pressure rates on antilock stability and performance. Analysis will include dump and reapply rates, and lumped modulator delay. Based on the results of the generic modulator analysis and earlier toggle optimization analysis (with Mitsubishi modulator), a recommended preliminary antilock design was synthesized and its response and performance simulated. The results of these analyses are documented.

Zellner, J. W.↗