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At least 451 records · Page 25

Interphase layer optimization for metal matrix composites with fabrication considerations

A methodology is presented to reduce the final matrix microstresses for metal matrix composites by concurrently optimizing the interphase characteristics and fabrication process. Application cases include interphase tailoring with and without fabrication considerations for two material systems, graphite/copper and silicon carbide/titanium. Results indicate that concurrent interphase/fabrication optimization produces significant reductions in the matrix residual stresses and strong coupling between interphase and fabrication tailoring. The interphase coefficient of thermal expansion and the fabrication consolidation pressure are the most important design parameters and must be concurrently optimized to further reduce the microstresses to more desirable magnitudes.

Morel, Michael↗

Operation and design considerations for unsteady data acquisition with PC-based systems in high Reynolds number hypersonic flowfields

Operation and design considerations for personal-computer-based data acquisition are analyzed, and a system is created that is portable, inexpensive, and capable of high-frequency response. This system performed well when given an extensive analysis of the characteristics of the radio-frequency noise in the test environment. The system architecture is well-suited for support of high-frequency data acquisition from both pressure transducers and high-frequency-response thermocouple gauges. As configured, the system provides a data resolution of approximately 0.09 psia and 0.56 F. Considering the constraints placed upon this design, this data resolution is acceptable. The $5000 budget did require use of an existing PC and rental of signal-conditioning equipment.

Flanagan, M. J., Jr.↗

Solar EUV/FUV line polarimetry. I - Observational parameters and theoretical considerations. II - Instruments and methods

The paper discusses theoretical considerations and presents the observational parameters for the development of reflective FUV coronagraph/polarimeter and EUV imaging polarimeter instruments. New EUV/FUV polarimeter instrument concepts for solar research are described. One of these is a new coronagraph/polarimeter operating at 1215.6 A, which could observe the neutral hydrogen Ly-alpha line in the near solar corona and lead to the first direct measurements of both the strength and the direction of coronal magnetic fields. The other is a new multilayer EUV imaging polarimeter, operating at the wavelengths of strong He emission lines, which could observe impact polarization phenomena and provide information concerning the relative importance of thermal and nonthermal processes in solar flares.

Fineschi, Silvano↗

Mineralization on the moon? Theoretical considerations of Apollo 16 'rusty rocks', sulfide replacement in 67016, and surface-correlated volatiles on lunar volcanic glass

Theoretical considerations of vapor-rock interactions in the lunar environment are a useful supplement to petrologic studies of mineralization or alteration in rocks from the moon. They also provide insights into the potential for the existence of more extensive mineralization on the moon than is found in the limited sample set. Discussed in this paper are the coexistence and textural association in 66095 of the phases lawrencite, troilite, schreibersite, iron metal, and sphalerite; the replacement of olivine in certain clasts of 67016 by troilite and enstatite; and the existence of Zn + S deposits on the surfaces of volcanic glass beads. Particular attention is given in each case to whether the observed mineralization implies that metals, as well as S, P, or Cl, have been mobilized in the vapor. Vapor species that might mobilize metals in the absence of H2O are considered. Most importantly, the suggestion is made that in the dry lunar environment carbonyl species may be important carriers of S and metals. The implications of this possibility are discussed.

Colson, Russell O.↗

Load redistribution considerations in the fracture of ceramic matrix composites

Using a macroscopic viewpoint, composite laminae are homogeneous orthotropic solids whose directional strengths are random variables. Incorporation of these random variable strengths into failure models, either interactive or noninteractive, allows for the evaluation of the lamina reliability under a given stress state. Using a noninteractive criterion for demonstration purposes, laminate reliabilities are calculated assuming previously established load sharing rules for the redistribution of load as the failure of laminae occur. The matrix cracking predicted by ACK theory is modeled to allow a loss of stiffness in the fiber direction. The subsequent failure in the fiber direction is controlled by a modified bundle theory. Results are compared with previous models which did not permit separate consideration of matrix cracking, as well as to results obtained from experimental data. The effects of variations from the ideal physical geometry which is normally used to depict the matrix cracking are also studied.

Thomas, David J.↗

Operational considerations to reduce solar array loads

The key parameters associated with solar array plume loads are examined, and operational considerations aimed at minimizing the effect of the Shuttle plumes on the Space Station solar arrays are discussed. These include solar array pointing to reduce loads and restrictions on Shuttle piloting. Particular attention is given to the method used to obtain the forcing functions (thruster time firing histories) for solar array plume calculation.

Gerstenmaier, W.↗

Crew considerations in the design for Space Station Freedom modules on-orbit maintenance

The paper presents an approach to the maintenance process currently planned for the Space Station Freedom modules. In particular, it describes the planned crew interfaces with maintenance items, and the anticipated implications for the crew in performing the interior and exterior maintenance of modules developed by U.S., ESA, and NASDA. Special consideration is given to the maintenance requirements, allocations, and approach; the maintenance design; the Maintenance Workstation; the robotic mechanisms; and the developemnt of maintenance techniques.

Stokes, Jack W.↗

Design considerations in clustering nuclear rocket engines

An initial investigation of the design considerations in clustering nuclear rocket engines for space transfer vehicles has been made. The clustering of both propulsion modules (which include start tanks) and nuclear rocket engines installed directly to a vehicle core tank appears to be feasible. Special provisions to shield opposite run tanks and the opposite side of a core tank - in the case of the boost pump concept - are required; the installation of a circumferential reactor side shield sector appears to provide an effective solution to this problem. While the time response to an engine-out event does not appear to be critical, the gimbal displacement required appears to be important. Since an installation of three engines offers a substantial reduction in gimbal requirements for engine-out and it may be possible to further enhance mission reliability with the greater number of engines, it is recommended that a cluster of four engines be considered.

Sager, Paul H.↗

Automation and robotics considerations for a lunar base

An envisioned lunar outpost shares with other NASA missions many of the same criteria that have prompted the development of intelligent automation techniques with NASA. Because of increased radiation hazards, crew surface activities will probably be even more restricted than current extravehicular activity in low Earth orbit. Crew availability for routine and repetitive tasks will be at least as limited as that envisioned for the space station, particularly in the early phases of lunar development. Certain tasks are better suited to the untiring watchfulness of computers, such as the monitoring and diagnosis of multiple complex systems, and the perception and analysis of slowly developing faults in such systems. In addition, mounting costs and constrained budgets require that human resource requirements for ground control be minimized. This paper provides a glimpse of certain lunar base tasks as seen through the lens of automation and robotic (A&R) considerations. This can allow a more efficient focusing of research and development not only in A&R, but also in those technologies that will depend on A&R in the lunar environment.

Sliwa, Nancy E.↗

Design considerations for rechargeable lithium batteries

Viewgraphs of a discussion of design considerations for rechargable lithium batteries. The objective is to determine the influence of cell design parameters on the performance of Li-TiS2 cells. Topics covered include cell baseline design and testing, cell design and testing, cell design parameters studies, and cell cycling performance.

Shen, D. H.↗

Joint NASA/USAF Airborne Field Mill Program - Operation and safety considerations during flights of a Lear 28 airplane in adverse weather

A NASA Langley Research Center Learjet 28 research airplane was flown in various adverse weather conditions in the vicinity of the NASA Kennedy Space Center from 1990-1992 to measure airborne electric fields during the Joint NASA/USAF Airborne Field Mill Program. The objective of this program was to characterize the electrical activity in various weather phenomena common to the NASA-Kennedy area in order to refine Launch Commit Criteria for natural and triggered lightning. The purpose of the program was to safely relax the existing launch commit criteria, thereby increasing launch availability and reducing the chance for weather holds and delays. This paper discusses the operational conduct of the flight test, including environmental/safety considerations, aircraft instrumentation and modification, test limitations, flight procedures, and the procedures and responsibilities of the personnel in the ground station. Airborne field mill data were collected for all the Launch Commit Criteria during two summer and two winter deployments. These data are now being analyzed.

Fisher, Bruce D.↗

Environmental effects consideration: A case study - Lessons learned

This paper discusses the importance for serious consideration of environmental effects and associated risks by management early in the development cycle of a facility. A case study on the Space Shuttle provides information with regard to some of the environmental effects issues encountered and the lesson learned. The importance of early management action to enable the acceptance of known environmental risks, or to make program adjustments to avoid their potential consequences, is emphasized.

Vaughan, William W.↗

Design considerations for EOS direct broadcast

The critical issues associated with EOS direct broadcast are investigated, and design approaches are recommended for the EOS direct broadcast transmission and ground receiving. In particular, the discussion covers the choice of data subsets for direct broadcast; the mode of transmission; impact of power, mass, and cost; design of ground stations; and the feasibility of on-board processing for direct broadcast. Data acquisition considerations for stations with data rates of 100 and 10 Mbps are examined.

Vermillion, Charles H.↗

Scanning mirror design considerations for a geostationary spaceborne radiometer

This paper will address the design considerations and challenges for a radiometer scanning mirror in a Geostationary (GEO) orbit. With increasingly demanding imaging requirements, mirror designs that are insensitive to the harsh thermal environment will be required. The compatibility of various mirror designs for a precision radiometer will be examined and discussed. The design solutions considered will include material, geometry and thermal design tradeoffs.

Hookman, R. A.↗

Considerations of Air Flow in Combustion Chambers of High-Speed Compression-Ignition Engines

The air flow in combustion chambers is divided into three fundamental classes - induced, forced, and residual. A generalized resume is given of the present status of air flow investigations and of the work done at this and other laboratories to determine the direction and velocity of air movement in auxiliary and integral combustion chambers. The effects of air flow on engine performance are mentioned to show that although air flow improves the combustion efficiency, considerable induction, friction, and thermal losses must be guarded against.

Spanogle, J A↗

Considerations affecting the additional weight required in mass balance of ailerons

This paper is essentially a consideration of mass balance of ailerons from a preliminary design standpoint, in which the extra weight of the mass counterbalance is the most important phase of the problem. Equations are developed for the required balance weight for a simple aileron and this weight is correlated with the mass-balance coefficient. It is concluded the location of the c.g. of the basic aileron is of paramount importance and that complete mass balance imposes no great weight penalty if the aileron is designed to have its c.g. inherently near to the hinge axis.

Diehl, W S↗

Adaptation of Combustion Principles to Aircraft Propulsion: Basic Considerations in the Combustion of Hydrocarbon Fuels with Air - Volume I

The report summarizes source material on combustion for flight-propulsion engineers. First, several chapters review fundamental processes such as fuel-air mixture preparation, gas flow and mixing, flammability and ignition, flame propagation in both homogenous and heterogenous media, flame stabilization, combustion oscillations, and smoke and carbon formation. The practical significance and the relation of these processes to theory are presented. A second series of chapters describes the observed performance and design problems of engine combustors of the principal types. An attempt is made to interpret performance in terms of the fundamental processes and theories previously reviewed. Third, the design of high-speed combustion systems is discussed. Combustor design principles that can be established from basic considerations and from experience with actual combustors are described. Finally, future requirements for aircraft engine combustion systems are examined.

THEORIES - COMBUSTION↗

Wall interference in a two-dimensional-flow wind tunnel, with consideration of the effect of compressibility

Theoretical tunnel-wall corrections are derived for an airfoil of finite thickness and camber in a two-dimensional-flow wind tunnel. The theory takes account of the effects of the wake of the airfoil and of the compressibility of the fluid, and is based upon the assumption that the chord of the airfoil is small in comparison with the height of the tunnel. Consideration is given to the phenomenon of choking at high speeds and its relation to the tunnel-wall corrections. The theoretical results are compared with the small amount of low-speed experimental data available and the agreement is seen to be satisfactory, even for relatively large values of the chord-height ratio.

Allen, H Julian↗