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At least 469 records · Page 26

On the structure of an underexpanded rectangular jet

An underexpanded jet of air issuing from a converging rectangular nozzle of moderate aspect ratio was investigated. Schileren pictures of the flow field along with hot-wire measurements in the jet were obtained at different pressure ratios. At the pressure ratio corresponding to the maximum screeching sound, Schlieren photographs show a very strong organized cylindrical wave pattern on either side of the jet, with their respective sources being located at the end of the third shock cell. Associated with this wave pattern is a large increase in the angle of spread of the jet. It is shown that the self excitation helps to induce large-scale vortical motions in the jet both in the plane containing the small dimension of the nozzle and in the plane containing the long dimension of the nozzle. However, the locations of these structures are different in the two planes. Nevertheless, the characteristic Strouhal number corresponding to these large-scale structures in both planes is the same and equal to 0.12. The influence of the self excitation on the mean velocities and rms intensities was also investigated. For the full range of pressure ratios studied, similarity was found in the mean velocity and rms intensity profiles in the two central planes beyond 80 widths downstream of the nozzle exit. However, the shapes of the similarity profiles are different in the two planes.

Krothapalli, A.↗

Development of a multiple-parameter nonlinear perturbation procedure for transonic turbomachinery flows: Preliminary application to design/optimization problems

An investigation was conducted to continue the development of perturbation procedures and associated computational codes for rapidly determining approximations to nonlinear flow solutions, with the purpose of establishing a method for minimizing computational requirements associated with parametric design studies of transonic flows in turbomachines. The results reported here concern the extension of the previously developed successful method for single parameter perturbations to simultaneous multiple-parameter perturbations, and the preliminary application of the multiple-parameter procedure in combination with an optimization method to blade design/optimization problem. In order to provide as severe a test as possible of the method, attention is focused in particular on transonic flows which are highly supercritical. Flows past both isolated blades and compressor cascades, involving simultaneous changes in both flow and geometric parameters, are considered. Comparisons with the corresponding exact nonlinear solutions display remarkable accuracy and range of validity, in direct correspondence with previous results for single-parameter perturbations.

Stahara, S. S.↗

LANDSAT image differencing as an automated land cover change detection technique

Image differencing was investigated as a technique for use with LANDSAT digital data to delineate areas of land cover change in an urban environment. LANDSAT data collected in April 1973 and April 1975 for Austin, Texas, were geometrically corrected and precisely registered to United States Geological Survey 7.5-minute quadrangle maps. At each pixel location reflectance values for the corresponding bands were subtracted to produce four difference images. Areas of major reflectance differences are isolated by thresholding each of the difference images. The resulting images are combined to obtain an image data set to total change. These areas of reflectance differences were found, in general, to correspond to areas of land cover change. Information on areas of land cover change was incorporated into a procedure to mask out all nonchange areas and perform an unsupervised classification only for data in the change areas. This procedure identified three broad categories: (1) areas of high reflectance (construction or extractive), (2) changes in agricultural areas, and (3) areas of confusion between agricultural and other areas.

Stauffer, M. L.↗

Development of tough, strong, iron-base alloy for cryogenic applications

The development of an iron-base alloy that combines the normally divergent properties of high toughness and high strength at cryogenic temperatures is discussed. Specifically, alloy properties were sought which at -196 C would exhibit a fracture toughness of 220 MPa-m(1/2) with a corresponding yield strength of 1.4 GPa (200 ksi). Early work showed that high toughness could be achieved in Fe-12Ni alloys containing reactive metal additions such as Al, Nb, Ti, and V. Further research emphasized strengthening of these tough alloys by thermomechanical processing and the addition of Cu. Results showed that high strength and high toughness could be achieved in a single alloy at temperatures as low as -196 C. An alloy with composition Fe-12Ni-9.5Al-2Cu exhibited a yield strength of 1.65 GPa with a corresponding fracture toughness of 220 MPa-m(1/2) at -196 C. Strengthening due to Cu additions to the Fe-12Ni base alloys results primarily from precipitation of Cu-rich epsilon particles approximately 20 nm in diameter. Strengthening mechanisms are discussed in terms of an elastic modulus hardening model and are supported by transimission electron microscopy examinations of selected test specimens.

Stephens, J. R.↗

Synchronized voltage contrast display analysis system

An apparatus and method for comparing internal voltage potentials of first and second operating electronic components such as large scale integrated circuits (LSI's) in which voltage differentials are visually identified via an appropriate display means are described. More particularly, in a first embodiment of the invention a first and second scanning electron microscope (SEM) are configured to scan a first and second operating electronic component respectively. The scan pattern of the second SEM is synchronized to that of the first SEM so that both simultaneously scan corresponding portions of the two operating electronic components. Video signals from each SEM corresponding to secondary electron signals generated as a result of a primary electron beam intersecting each operating electronic component in accordance with a predetermined scan pattern are provided to a video mixer and color encoder.

Johnston, M. F.↗

An experimental study of adsorption interference in binary mixtures flowing through activated carbon

The isothermal transmission through activated carbon adsorber beds at 25 C of acetaldehyde-propane and acetylene-ethane mixtures in a helium carrier gas was measured. The inlet concentration of each component was in the range between 10 ppm and 500 ppm. The constant inlet volumetric flow rate was controlled at 200 cc (STP)/min in the acetaldehyde-propane experiments and at 50 cc (STP)/min in the acetaldehyde-ethane experiments. Comparison of experimental results with the corresponding single-component experiments under similar conditions reveals interference phenomena between the components of the mixtures as evidenced by changes in both the adsorption capacity and the dispersion number. Propane was found to displace acetaldehyde from the adsorbed state. The outlet concentration profiles of propane in the binary mixtures tend to become more diffuse than the corresponding concentration profiles of the one-component experiments. Similar features were observed with mixtures of acetylene and ethane; however, the displacement of acetylene by ethane is less pronounced.

Madey, R.↗

Effects of specimen resonances on acoustic-ultrasonic testing

The effects of specimen resonances on acoustic ultrasonic (AU) nondestructive testing were investigated. Selected resonant frequencies and the corresponding normal mode nodal patterns of the aluminum block are measured up to 75.64 kHz. Prominent peaks in the pencil lead fracture and sphere impact spectra from the two transducer locations corresponded exactly to resonant frequencies of the block. It is established that the resonant frequencies of the block dominated the spectral content of the output signal. The spectral content of the output signals is further influenced by the transducer location relative to the resonant frequency nodal lines. Implications of the results are discussed in relation to AU parameters and measurements.

Williams, J. H., Jr.↗

Adaptive flutter suppression, analysis and test

Methods of adaptive control have been applied to suppress a potentially violent flutter condition of a half-span model of a lightweight figher aircraft. This marked the confluence of several technologies with active flutter suppression, digital control and adaptive control theory the primary contributors. The control algorithm was required to adapt both to slowly varying changes, corresponding to changes in the flight condition or fuel loading and to rapid changes, corresponding to a store release or the transition from a stable to an unstable flight condition. The development of the adaptive control methods was followed by a simulation and checkout of the complete system and a wind tunnel demonstration. As part of the test, a store was released from the model wing tip, transforming the model abruptly from a stable configuration to a violent flutter condition. The adaptive algorithm recognized the unstable nature of the resulting configuration and implemented a stabilizing control law in a fraction of a second. The algorithm was also shown to provide system stability over a range of wind tunnel Mach numbers and dynamic pressures.

Johnson, E. H.↗

Requirements for a mobile communications satellite system. Volume 1: Executive summary

Three types of satellite-aided mobile communications are considered for users in areas not served by (terrestrial) cellular radio systems. In System 1, mobile units are provided a direct satellite link to a gateway station, which serves as the interface to the terrestrial toll network. In System 2, a terrestrial radio link similar to those in cellular systems connects the mobile unit to a translator station; each translator relays the traffic from mobile units in its vicinity, via satellite, to the regional gateway. It is not feasible for System 2 to provide ubiquitous coverage. Therefore, System 3 is introduced, in which the small percentage of users not within range of a translator are provided a direct satellite link as in System 1. While System 2 can operate with leased satellite capacity, Systems 1 and 3 require a dedicated satellite. A major portion of this study is concerned with the design of a satellite for System 1. A weight limit of 10,000 lbs, corresponding to the projected 1990 STS capability, is imposed on the design. Frequency re-use of the allocated spectrum, through multiple satellite beams, is employed to generate the specified system capacity. Both offset-fed and center-fed reflectors are considered. For an assumed 10-MHz allocation and a population of 350,000 subscribers, a two-satellite system is required. The reflector diameters corresponding to offset-fed and center-fed geometries are 46 m and 62 m, respectively. Thus, large-space-structure technology is inherent to the implementation of System 1. In addition to establishing the technical requirements for the three types of satellite systems, the monthly service charge needed to provide a specified return on invested capital is computed. A net present value analysis is used for this purpose.

Source record↗

Laser system for natural gas detection. Phase 1: Laboratory feasibility studies

This project demonstrated the feasibility of using laser remote sensing technology as a tool for leak survey work in natural gas distribution systems. A laboratory device was assembled using a pair of helium neon (HeNe) lasers to measure methane. One HeNe laser emits radiation at a wavelength of 3.3922 micrometers, which corresponds to a strong absorption feature of methane, while the other emits radiation at a wavelength of 3.3911 micrometers, which corresponds to a weak absorption by methane. As a particular area is scanned for leaks, the laser is pointed at convenient topographic targets within its operating range, about 25 m. A portion of the backscattered radiation is collected by a receiver and focused onto an indium antimonide (InSb) photodetector, cooled to 77K. Methane concentrations were determined from the differential absorption at the two wavelengths for the backscattered radiation.

Grant, W. B.↗

Low-speed aerodynamic performance of an aspect-ratio-10 supercritical-wing transport model equipped with a full-span slat and part-span and full-span double-slotted flaps

An investigation was conducted in the Langley 4 by 7 Meter Tunnel to determine the static longitudinal and lateral directional aerodynamic characteristics of an advanced aspect ratio 10 supercritical wing transport model equipped with a full span leading edge slat as well as part span and full span trailing edge flaps. This wide body transport model was also equipped with spoiler and aileron roll control surfaces, flow through nacelles, landing gear, and movable horizontal tails. Six basic wing configurations were tested: (1) cruise (slats and flaps nested), (2) climb (slats deflected and flaps nested), (3) part span flap, (4) full span flap, (5) full span flap with low speed ailerons, and (6) full span flap with high speed ailerons. Each of the four flapped wing configurations was tested with leading edge slat and trailing edge flaps deflected to settings representative of both take off and landing conditions. Tests were conducted at free stream conditions corresponding to Reynolds number of 0.97 to 1.63 x 10 to the 6th power and corresponding Mach numbers of 0.12 to 0.20, through an angle of attack range of 4 to 24, and a sideslip angle range of -10 deg to 5 deg. The part and full span wing configurations were also tested in ground proximity.

Morgan, H. L., Jr.↗

System for controlled acoustic rotation of objects

A system is described for use with acoustically levitated objects, which enables close control of rotation of the object. One system includes transducers that propagate acoustic waves along the three dimensions (X, Y, Z) of a chamber of rectangular cross section. Each transducers generates one wave which is resonant to a corresponding chamber dimension to acoustically levitate an object, and additional higher frequency resonant wavelengths for controlling rotation of the object. The three chamber dimensions and the corresponding three levitation modes (resonant wavelengths) are all different, to avoid degeneracy, or interference, of waves with one another, that could have an effect on object rotation. Only the higher frequencies, with pairs of them having the same wavelength, are utilized to control rotation, so that rotation is controlled independently of levitation and about any arbitrarily chosen axis.

Barmatz, M. B.↗

Continental land cover classification using meteorological satellite data

The use of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's advanced very high resolution radiometer satellite data for classifying land cover and monitoring of vegetation dynamics over an extremely large area is demonstrated for the continent of Africa. Data from 17 imaging periods of 21 consecutive days each were composited by a technique sensitive to the in situ green-leaf biomass to provide cloud-free imagery for the whole continent. Virtually cloud-free images were obtainable even for equatorial areas. Seasonal variation in the density and extent of green leaf vegetation corresponded to the patterns of rainfall associated with the inter-tropical convergence zone. Regional variations, such as the 1982 drought in east Africa, were also observed. Integration of the weekly satellite data with respect to time produced a remotely sensed assessment of biological activity based upon density and duration of green-leaf biomass. Two of the 21-day composited data sets were used to produce a general land cover classification. The resultant land cover distributions correspond well to those of existing maps.

Tucker, C. J.↗

Sampling theory for asynoptic satellite observations. I Space-time spectra, resolution, and aliasing. II - Fast Fourier synoptic mapping

An evaluation of the information content of asynoptic data taken in the form of nadir sonde and limb scan observations is presented, and a one-to-one correspondence is established between the alias-free data and twice-daily synoptic maps. Attention is given to space and time limitations of sampling and the orbital geometry is discussed. The sampling pattern is demonstrated to determine unique space-time spectra at all wavenumbers and frequencies. Spectral resolution and aliasing are explored, while restrictions on sampling and information content are defined. It is noted that irregular sampling at high latitudes produces spurious contamination effects. An Asynoptic Sampling Theorem is thereby formulated, as is a Synoptic Retrieval Theorem, in the second part of the article. In the latter, a procedure is developed for retrieving the unique correspondence between the asymptotic data and the synoptic maps. Applications examples are provided using data from the Nimbus-6 satellite.

Salby, M. L.↗

Infrared laser optogalvanic spectroscopy of molecules

Infrared laser optogalvanic spectra of portions of the NH3 nu3 band at 9.5 microns and the NO2 nu3 band at 6.2 microns have been recorded using CW tunable diode lasers to probe dc electrical discharges in pure NH3 and an NO2/He gas mixture. Two contributions to the optogalvanic signal are identified: one which corresponds to an increase in discharge impedance and is seen only for irradiation of the negative glow region; and a second which corresponds to a decrease in discharge impedance and is seen for irradiation of all other discharge regions and the volume outside the interelectrode region. Mechanisms by which infrared laser irradiation may cause impedance changes in the discharge are proposed.

Webster, C. R.↗

Spectrophotometry of Saturn and its rings from 60 to 180 microns

Comparisons of Saturn observations at far-IR and submillimeter wavelengths, obtained during the earth's March 1980 passage through the plane of Saturn's rings, with spectroscopic observations obtained at an earlier time when the ring plane tilt angle was 21.8 deg, allow a separation of disk and ring contributions to the flux observed in this wavelength range. It is noted that the observed disk emission at 60-180 microns corresponds to a brightness temperature of 104 + or 2 K, and that the brightness temperature of the rings drops 20 K in the 60-80 micron range. An improved estimate of total Saturnian surface brightness is derived which corresponds to an effective temperature of 96.1 + or - 1.6 K.

Melnick, G.↗

Post-instability in continuous systems. I - Failure of differentiability of solutions in continuum mechanics

It is pointed out that mathematical models of continua are based on certain assumptions regarding functions which must be at least piece-wise differentiable. The assumption about smoothness of the functions makes it possible to use the mathematical technique of differentiable equations. However, this artificial mathematical limitation follows neither from the principles of mechanics nor from the definition of a continuum. The price paid for such a mathematical convenience is instability (in the class of smooth functions) of the solutions to the corresponding governing equations in some regions of the parameters. A new mathematical technique should, therefore, be developed to describe the solutions which are not necessarily differentiable. The present investigation is concerned with the criteria of applicability of the classical models of continua from the view point of stability of the corresponding solutions, postinstability models derived by reformulation of the original models, and postinstability models in enlarged classes of functions.

Zak, M.↗

The sun at 1.4 GHz - Intensity and polarization

1.4 GHz radio pictures of the sun are presented which were made on 1981 September 26 using the VLA with a resolution of 40 arcsec. Features observed include active regions, limb brightening, coronal holes and filament channels; all correspond well with features seen in H-alpha or He 10830 A, and can be explained as relative enhancements or depressions of free-free brmsstrahlung from the corona and upper transition region. The degree of circular polarization of the radiation from active regions ranges up to 0.2 and the sense corresponds, with a few exceptions, with the polarity of the photospheric magnetograms, even though the 1.4 GHz radiation arises from the corona at a height of 10 to 50 Mm. The polarization is in the sense of the x-mode and is highest near the edges of active regions, whereas the brightness is highest (maximum of 2.2 x 10 to the 6th K) near the line of zero polarization.

Dulk, G. A.↗