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At least 469 records · Page 26

Landsat D Thematic Mapper image resampling for scan geometry correction

The Landsat D system is described, and the geometric correction processing for the Thematic Mapper (TM) is reviewed. The resampling procedure (the generation of a TM output image) is analyzed with emphasis on the effect of sampling geometry on output image. Effects of scan gaps and spacecraft jitter on output image are studied by means of a simulation of the sampling and resampling processes for three sampling geometries. Visual inspection of the resampling results shows that the resampling algorithm works excellently under all conditions and that distortion is visible only in the rare case of large gaps between scans.

Prakash, A.↗

Thermomechanical loading of multilayered cylindrical geometries in thermal cycling from 300 to 1300 K

The principal of multiple material layering is well known as an effective method of reducing heat transfer; however, thermal gradients can impose significant loads and lead to delamination and subsequent component failure. An analysis is developed and experimental data are discussed for the thermomechanical effects of multilayered materials on a heat sink substrate of cylindrical geometry subject to thermal cycling. The geometry is heated in cross-flow by a high-velocity flame and cooled in crossflow by ambient-temperature air from a critical flow orifice. Each layer of material possesses a threshold beyond which small changes in temperature or mechanical loading greatly influence the life in thermal cycling of the layered materials. Comparisons are made between the thermomechanical loads predicted by various numerical codes for the linear case and by a simplified analytic model.

Hendricks, R. C.↗

Relations between mirror flats geometry and X-ray data

The X-ray data is used to determine the position where the mirror flats are properly aligned. The zero angle of incidence position of the mirrors is determined with the data. The mirrors are in the periscope geometry. However, the value of S sub T, the distance from the slit to the plane of the short mirror, is not fixed nor known a priori. This parameter plays a very important role in the zero position of the mirrors. As a further complicating factor, it is possible that the mirrors are not parallel. That is, they may be cocked by some angles alpha and beta, respectively. The relation between the X-ray data and the geometry of the mirrors is given. The experimental errors are given in terms of known or measured parameters.

Williams, A. C.↗

Vibration characteristics of a deployable controllable-geometry truss boom

An analytical study was made to evaluate changes in the fundamental frequency of a two dimensional cantilevered truss boom at various stages of deployment. The truss could be axially deployed or retracted and undergo a variety of controlled geometry changes by shortening or lengthening the telescoping diagonal members in each bay. Both untapered and tapered versions of the truss boom were modeled and analyzed by using the finite element method. Large reductions in fundamental frequency occurred for both the untapered and tapered trusses when they were uniformly retracted or maneuvered laterally from their fully deployed position. These frequency reductions can be minimized, however, if truss geometries are selected which maintain cantilever root stiffness during truss maneuvers.

Dorsey, J. T.↗

Evaluation of LANDSAT-4 TM and MSS ground geometry performance without ground control

LANDSAT thematic mapper P-data of Washington, D.C., Harrisburg, PA, and Salton Sea, CA were analyzed to determine magnitudes and causes of error in the geometric conformity of the data to known earth-surface geometry. Several tests of data geometry were performed. Intra-band and inter-band correlation and registration were investigated, exclusive of map-based ground truth. Specifically, the magnitudes and statistical trends of pixel offsets between a single band's mirror scans (due to processing procedures) were computed, and the inter-band integrity of registration was analyzed.

Bryant, N. A.↗

The Solid Model Geometry Generator (SMGG)

The Solid Model Geometry Generator (SMGG) system provides the capacity to model complex solid objects through the composition of primitive parts. The parts are specified through input of dimension and orientation parameters. The parts may later be edited, the model may be displayed (through a variety of display options), and the resulting geometry formatted for subsequent analysis. The SMGG system was originally constructed for use in the preliminary stages of space station and other spacecraft design. Because the system models a design through the use of basic shapes common to many solid objects and provides limited capabilities for producing irregularly shaped parts, it can be used for a variety of applications. Currently, seven primitive parts may be specified and produced through SMGG. These include boxes, spheres, cones, paraboloids, tori, and translationally or rotationally swept parts. Each part may be specified by the user through input of basic part dimensions and a local orientation. For example, a box is specified by its length, width, height and orientation in space (rotation, translation, and scaling).

Jones, K. H.↗

Effect of boattail geometry on the acoustics of parallel baffles in ducts

Sound attenuation and total pressure drop of parallel duct baffles incorporating certain boattail geometries were measured in the NASA Ames Research Center 7- by 10-Foot Wind Tunnel. The baseline baffles were 1.56 m long and 20 cm thick, on 45-cm center-to-center spacings, and spanned the test section from floor to ceiling. Four different boattails were evaluated: a short, smooth (nonacoustic) boattail; a longer, smooth boattail; and two boattails with perforated surfaces and sound-absorbent filler. Acoustic measurements showed the acoustic boattails improved the sound attenuation of the baffles at approximately half the rate to be expected from constant-thickness sections of the same length; that is, 1.5 dB/n, where n is the ratio of acoustic treatment length to duct passage width between baffles. The aerodynamic total pressure loss was somewhat sensitive to tail geometry. Lengthening the tails to reduce the diffusion half-angle from 11 to 5 degrees reduced the total pressure loss approximately 9%. Perforating the boattails, which increased the surface roughness, did not have a large effect on the total pressure loss. Aerodynamic results are compared with a published empirical method for predicting baffle total pressure drop.

Soderman, P. T.↗

Dependence of the polar cap geometry on the IMF

The geometry of the open field line region in the polar region is computed for a variety of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) orientation. The open field line region can be identified as the area bounded by the auroral oval, namely the polar cap. The polar cap geometry varies considerably with the orientation of the IMF and magnitude, particularly when the IMF Bz component is positive and large. The corresponding exit points of the open field lines on the magnetopause are also examined. The results are useful in interpreting various upper atmospheric phenomena in the highest latitude region of the earth and also in observing chemical releases outside the magnetopause.

Akasofu, S.-I.↗

Effects of the passage on an IMF discontinuity on the polar cap geometry and the formation of a polar cap ARC

Changes of the geometry of the open field line region (namely, the polar cap) caused by the passage of a tangential IMF discontinuity are simulated using the model constructed by Akasofu and Roederer (1983). A singly-bounded open field line region tends to split into two, forming a narrow closed field line region and thus allowing the formations of a plasma sheet and of an auroral arc across the highest latitude region of the earth. The three-dimensional geometry of some of the closed field lines in the narrow closed region is examined. In this connection, an interesting observation of the formation of an auroral arc over Thule, Greenland, is reported.

Akasofu, S.-I.↗

Effect of geometry on airfoil icing characteristics

A droplet trajectory computer code is used to predict the water droplet impingement characteristics of several low- and medium-speed airfoils. The maximum impingement efficiency, total collection efficiency, and limits of impingement are analyzed as functions of the airfoil geometry and freestream conditions. The airfoil geometry is represented by leading edge radius, maximum thickness, maximum camber, and angle of attack. The analysis shows that the primary effects are an increase in maximum impingement efficiency with a decrease in leading edge radius, a reduction in total collection efficiency for thicker airfoils, and a change in the limits of impingement for airfoils of different maximum camber.

Bragg, M. B.↗

Determination of equivalent model geometry for tunnel wall interference assessment/correction

A formula for the determination of equivalent model geometry with two variables measured at the interface is derived, based on two dimensional subsonic flow. This predicted model profile is a reasonable initial estimate for transonic flow as long as the sonic region does not reach the interface. A general formula is given in two forms. One is in terms of complex variable functions and the other is an integral equation. The complex-function formula has the advantage of using analytic expressions. The integral equation form requires a numerical solution after assuming the model geometry as a polynomial function. Examples are given to illustrate the application of the formulas.

Lo, C. F.↗

Analysis of SIR-B radar illumination of geometry for depth of penetration and surface feature and vegetation detection, Nevada and California

The measurement capability provided by the Shuttle Imaging Radar (SIR-B) was used to determine: (1) the relationships between radar illumination geometry and depth of penetration in different climatic and physiographic environments in Nevada; and, (2) the relationships between radar illumination geometry and detection and analysis of structural features in different climatic and physiographic environments in Nevada.

Taranik, J. V.↗

Experimental study of main rotor tip geometry and tail rotor interactions in hover. Volume 1. Text and figures

A model scale hover test was conducted in the Sikorsky Aircraft Model rotor hover Facility to identify and quantify the impact of the tail rotor on the demonstrated advantages of advanced geometry tip configurations. The test was conducted using the Basic Model Test Rig and two scaled main rotor systems, one representing a 1/5.727 scale UH-60A BLACK HAWK and the others a 1/4.71 scale S-76. Eight alternate rotor tip configurations were tested, 3 on the BLACK HAWK rotor and 6 on the S-76 rotor. Four of these tips were then selected for testing in close proximity to an operating tail rotor (operating in both tractor and pusher modes) to determine if the performance advantages that could be obtained from the use of advanced geometry tips in a main rotor only environment would still exist in the more complex flow field involving a tail rotor. The test showed that overall the tail rotor effects on the advanced tip configurations tested are not substantially different from the effects on conventional tips.

Balch, D. T.↗

Experimental study of main rotor tip geometry and tail rotor interactions in hover. Volume 2: Run log and tabulated data

A model scale hover test was conducted in the Sikorsky Aircraft Model Rotor hover Facility to identify and quantify the impact of the tail rotor on the demonstrated advantages of advanced geometry tip configurations. The existence of mutual interference between hovering main rotor and a tail rotor was acknowledged in the test. The test was conducted using the Basic Model Test Rig and two scaled main rotor systems, one representing a 1/5.727 scale UH-60A BLACK HAWK and the others a 1/4.71 scale S-76. Eight alternate rotor tip configurations were tested, 3 on the BLACK HAWK rotor and 6 on the S-76 rotor. Four of these tips were then selected for testing in close proximity to an operating tail rotor (operating in both tractor and pusher modes) to determine if the performance advantages that could be obtained from the use of advanced geometry tips in a main rotor only environment would still exist in the more complex flow field involving a tail rotor. This volume contains the test run log and tabulated data.

Balch, D. T.↗

Probabilistic Structural Analysis of SSME Turbopump Blades: Probabilistic Geometry Effects

A probabilistic study was initiated to evaluate the precisions of the geometric and material properties tolerances on the structural response of turbopump blades. To complete this study, a number of important probabilistic variables were identified which are conceived to affect the structural response of the blade. In addition, a methodology was developed to statistically quantify the influence of these probabilistic variables in an optimized way. The identified variables include random geometric and material properties perturbations, different loadings and a probabilistic combination of these loadings. Influences of these probabilistic variables are planned to be quantified by evaluating the blade structural response. Studies of the geometric perturbations were conducted for a flat plate geometry as well as for a space shuttle main engine blade geometry using a special purpose code which uses the finite element approach. Analyses indicate that the variances of the perturbations about given mean values have significant influence on the response.

Nagpal, V. K.↗

The slab geometry laser. I - Theory

Slab geometry solid-state lasers offer significant performance improvements over conventional rod-geometry lasers. A detailed theoretical description of the thermal, stress, and beam-propagation characteristics of a slab laser is presented. The analysis includes consideration of the effects of the zig-zag optical path, which eliminates thermal and stress focusing and reduces residual birefringence.

Eggleston, J. M.↗

Approximations useful for the prediction of electrostatic discharges for simple electrode geometries

The report provides approximations for estimating the capacitance and the ratio of electric field strength to potential for a certain class of electrode geometries. The geometry consists of an electrode near a grounded plane, with the electrode being a surface of revolution about the perpendicular to the plane. Some examples which show the accuracy of the capacitance estimate and the accuracy of the estimate of electric field over potential can be found in the appendix. When it is possible to estimate the potential of the electrode, knowing the ratio of electric field to potential will help to determine if an electrostatic discharge is likely to occur. Knowing the capacitance will help to determine the strength of the discharge (the energy released by it) if it does occur. A brief discussion of discharge mechanisms is given. The medium between the electrode and the grounded plane may be a neutral gas, a vacuum, or an unchanged homogeneous isotropic dielectric.

Edmonds, L.↗

Effects of geometry and materials on low cycle fatigue life of turbine blades in LOX/hydrogen rocket engines

This paper presents the results of an advanced turbine blade test program aimed at improving turbine blade low cycle fatigue (LCF) life. A total of 21 blades were tested in a blade thermal tester. The blades were made of MAR-M-246(Hf)DS and PWA-1480SC in six different geometries. The test results show that the PWA-1480SC material improved life by a factor of 1.7 to 3.0 over the current MAR-M-246(Hf)DS. The geometry changes yielded life improvements as high as 20 times the baseline blade made of PWA-1480SC and 34 times the baseline MAR-M-246DS blade.

Ryan, R. M.↗