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At least 433 records · Page 24

The thermohaline driving mechanism of oceanic jet streams

In a series of publications dealing with the circulation of the North Atlantic, Worthington (1959, 1972, 1976, 1977) has challenged the widely accepted notion that the Gulf Stream system is entirely wind-driven. He was able to demonstrate that the Gulf Stream over its most intense portion south of New England generally intensifies in winter. Worthington postulates that strong surface cooling in winter is the cause of Gulf Stream intensification, i.e., he believes that a thermal mechanism is partially responsible for driving the Gulf Stream. Worthington speaks of 'anticyclogenesis' and of a 'fresh charge of energy' which the Gulf Stream receives at the end of each (severe) winter. A pattern of thermoline circulation arising in the upper layers of the Stream could play a role similar to that of the Hadley circulation in the atmosphere, which derives the subtropical jet stream. The present investigation is concerned with the examination of such a possibility, taking into account the employment of a two-layer model.

Csanady, G. T.↗

Possible evidence for the driving of the winds of hot stars by Alfven waves

Ultraviolet spectra of the supergiants Alpha Cam (09.5 Ia), HD 105056 (ON9.7 Iae), and 15 Sgr (O9.7 Iab) are compared, and it is shown that the terminal outflow velocity, TOV, of HD 105056 is one-half that of the other two stars even though HD 105056 has the highest effective temperature of the three stars. This anomaly, together with the fact that the observed TOV values for early-type stars scatter about an empirical correlation between TOV and log T(eff) by an amount which is larger than the amount expected according to the observational errors in determining TOV and log T(eff), leads to the conclusion that an agent in addition to radiation, Alfven waves, is driving the winds of early-type stars.

Underhill, A. B.↗

Split-Stirling-cycle displacer linear-electric drive

The retrofit of a 1/4-W split-Stirling cooler with a linear driven on the displacer was achieved and its performance characterized. The objective of this work was to demonstrate that a small linear motor could be designed to meet the existing envelope specifications of the cooler and that an electric linear drive on the displacer could improve the cooler's reliability and performance. The paper describes the characteristics of this motor and presents cooler test results.

Ackermann, R. A.↗

Cold-air performance of compressor-drive turbine of department of energy upgraded automobile gas turbine engine. 3: Performance of redesigned turbine

The aerodynamic performance of a redesigned compressor drive turbine of the gas turbine engine is determined in air at nominal inlet conditions of 325 K and 0.8 bar absolute. The turbine is designed with a lower flow factor, higher rotor reaction and a redesigned inlet volute compared to the first turbine. Comparisons between this turbine and the originally designed turbine show about 2.3 percentage points improvement in efficiency at the same rotor tip clearance. Two versions of the same rotor are tested: (1) an as cast rotor, and (2) the same rotor with reduced surface roughness. The effect of reducing surface roughness is about one half percentage point improvement in efficiency. Tests made to determine the effect of Reynolds number on the turbine performance show no effect for the range from 100,000 to 500,000.

Roelke, R. J.↗

Summary of drive-train component technology in helicopters

A review of current helicopters was conducted to determine the technology in the drive-train systems. The design features are highlighted including reliability characteristics in transmission systems for the OH-58, UH-1, CH-47, and UH-60 helicopters. In addition, trade-offs involving cost, reliability and life are discussed.

Weden, G. J.↗

Advanced propfan drive system characteristics and technology needs

Characteristics of a single-rotation drive system for an advanced turboprop engine are described. The gearbox is designed for a 10,000 shp three-spool, free-turbine engine and is installed in a wing-mounted nacelle. An offset gearbox from an earlier APET study provided the background for the preliminary design and benefit analysis for a 1990s advanced technology versus 1980s state-of-the-art gearbox. High efficiencies were achieved for both designs with inherently high life goals. Increases in design allowables for gears, bearings, and lubricants resulted in improvements for the 1990s design.

Anderson, R. D.↗

Drives and benefits overview

The major technology issues for an advanced orbital transfer vehicles (OTV) engine to be used in conjunction with a space based, reusable orbit transfer vehicle are discussed. The results of the space station studies as they relate to the OTV and the ground rules and guidelines for a reusable OTV vehicle study are reviewed. The technology drives and benefit categories such as mission versatility, increased reliability or reduced cost are presented. The technology drivers and the associated benefits are covered with regard to relative significance and impact on the ongoing OTV engine technology program. It is recommended that because of the broad range of mission requirements and the long term potential cost benefits a new engine is needed for the space based reusable OTV.

Mcintyre, S. D.↗

Antenna Axis Drive Torques for the 70-meter Antenna

Antenna axis speeds versus wind speeds are given in terms of dish size, hydraulic motor size, and the number of servo valves. An increase in the dish diameter of antenna is usually accompanied by increases in the axis torques required to drive the antenna against wind. The proposed increase in the diameters of the 64-m antenna dishes to 70 m (plus a noise shield) does require increased axis torques. The increased dish diameter causes the maximum azimuth and elevation torques to increase 48% and 43% respectively.

Mcginness, H. D.↗

Evolution of oceanic lithosphere - A driving force study of the Nazca plate

The role of the evolution of oceanic lithosphere in driving oceanic plates is tested with elastic and viscous finite element modelling of the Nazca plate. The results indicate that ridge-push forces, when distributed over that portion of the oceanic lithosphere giving rise to the force, predict a stress state that varies more spatially than does previous modelling with ridge forces concentrated at the ridge crest. In particular, the component of stress normal to the ridge vanishes near the ridge for the new modelling. Stress states have also been calculated for a variety of slab-pull models, which include possible dependence on age, rate, and angle of subduction. The predicted stresses vary substantially near the trench among the models with less variation farther from the trench.

Richardson, R. M.↗

Variable-Displacement Hydraulic Drive Unit

Hydraulic power controlled through multiple feedback loops. In hydraulic drive unit, power closely matched to demand, thereby saving energy. Hydraulic flow to and from motor adjusted by motor-control valve connected to wobbler. Wobbler angle determines motor-control-valve position, which in turn determines motor displacement. Concept applicable to machine tools, aircraft controls, and marine controls.

Lang, D. J.↗

Preliminary structural analysis of Shuttle payloads using a base drive method with synthetic inputs

A transient base drive (TBD) analytical method for the support of the preliminary design analysis of Space Shuttle payloads, which could potentially reduce the cost of the payload structural analysis, is derscribed. The validity of TBD predictions depends on the ability to provide accurate synthetic base inputs. Acceleration inputs with a frequency content and magnitude which are not associated with a specific configuration or condition were synthesized. The use of frequency envelopes in the derivation of synthetic inputs can provide appropriate predictions independent of the payload modal frequencies.

Nelson, D. A. R., Jr.↗

Aerodynamic performance of two fifteen-percent-scale wind-tunnel drive fan designs

An experimental and analytical investigation of two fan blade designs was conducted. The fan blades tested were 15 percent scale models of the blades used in the National Full Scale Aerodynamic Complex fan drive at NASA Ames Research Center. The fan blades were composed of NACA-65 and modified NACA-65-series airfoil design sections. The blades with modified 65-series sections incorporated increased thickness on the upper surface, between the leading edge and the one-half chord position. Twist and taper were the same for both blade designs. The fan blades with modified 65-series sections were found to have an increase in stall margin when they were compared with the unmodified blades. The experimental performance data agreed favorably with theoretical calculations.

Signor, D. B.↗

Design and dynamic simulation of a fixed pitch 56 kW wind turbine drive train with a continuously variable transmission

The dynamic analysis of a horizontal axis fixed pitch wind turbine generator (WTG) rated at 56 kW is discussed. A mechanical Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) was incorporated in the drive train to provide variable speed operation capability. One goal of the dynamic analysis was to determine if variable speed operation, by means of a mechanical CVT, is capable of capturing the transient power in the WTG/wind environment. Another goal was to determine the extent of power regulation possible with CVT operation.

Gallo, C.↗

Experimental evaluation of two turning vane designs for fan drive corner of 0.1-scale model of NASA Lewis Research Center's proposed altitude wind tunnel

Two turning vane designs were experimentally evaluated for corner 2 of a 0.1 scale model of the NASA Lewis Research Center's proposed Altitude Wind Tunnel (AWT). Corner 2 contained a simulated shaft fairing for a fan drive system to be located downstream of the corner. The corner was tested with a bellmouth inlet followed by a 0.1 scale model of the crossleg diffuser designed to connect corners 1 and 2 of the AWT. Vane A was a controlled-diffusion airfoil shape; vane B was a circular-arc airfoil shape. The A vanes were tested in several arrangements which included the resetting of the vane angle by -5 degrees or the removal of the outer vane. The lowest total pressure loss for vane A configuration was obtained at the negative reset angle. The loss coefficient increased slightly with the Mach number, ranging from 0.165 to 0.175 with a loss coefficient of 0.170 at the inlet design Mach number of 0.24. Removal of the outer vane did not alter the loss. Vane B loss coefficients were essentially the same as those for the reset vane A configurations. The crossleg diffuser loss coefficient was 0.018 at the inlet design Mach number of 0.33.

Boldman, Donald R.↗

Traction-drive, seven-degree-of-freedom telerobot arm: A concept for manipulaton in space

As man seeks to expand his dominion into new environments, the demand increases for machines that perform useful functions in remote locations. This new concept for manipulation in space is based on knowledge and experience gained from manipulator systems developed to meet the needs of remote nuclear applications. It merges the best characteristics of teleoperation and robotic technologies. The design goals for the telerobot, a mechanical description, and technology areas that must be addressed for successful implementation are presented and discussed. The concept incorporates mechanical traction drives, redundant kinematics, and modular arm subelements to provide a backlash-free manipulator capable of obstacle avoidance.

Kuban, D. P.↗

The Pegasus drive - A multi-megawatt nuclear electric propulsion system

Pegasus, a power generating system for use in space, is multimegawatt power system that would enable missions of almost any conceivable duration and scope. The Pegassus Drive is the coupling of this nuclear electric power system with a 6 MWe MPD thruster. The power system has a maximum power output of 8.5 MWe. The MPD thruster requires 6 MWe to provide spacecraft propulsion and 1.5 MWe are available for mission-specific tasks and experiments. The balance of power generated is used to operate the power system. The size and mass limitations of the STS are of prime consideration in the design of this system to allow the collapsed system to be placed in lower earth orbit by two Shuttle missions. The main system (19,120 kg) employing a shadow shield would require one launch and the balance of the four-pi shield (27,830 kg) would occupy the second launch. Development of this power system could be completed by the mid 1990's and the system available near the turn of the century.

Coomes, E. P.↗