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At least 469 records · Page 26
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1976

An analog technique for the measurement of damping from transient decay signals

A tracking filter that includes an output that is logarithmically proportional to the amplitude of the filtered signal is used to measure the damping exponent of a transient decay. This method is analogous to the digital technique referred to as the moving-block or peak-plot method. The method is simple to use and quite accurate, avoids the numerical computations associated with similar digital techniques, but is constrained by the poor time-domain response characteristics of commercial tracking filters presently available.

Bousman, W. G.↗
NASA NTRS1976

On signal design by the R sub 0 criterion for non-white Gaussian noise channels

The use of the R sub 0 criterion for modulation system design is investigated for channels with non-white Gaussian noise. A signal space representation of the waveform channel is developed, and the cut-off rate R sub 0 for vector channels with additive nonwhite Gaussian noise and unquantized demodulation is derived. When the signal unput to the channel is a continuous random vector, maximization of R sub 0 with constrained average signal energy leads to a water-filling interpretation of optimal energy distribution in signal space. The necessary condition for a finite signal set to maximize R sub 0 with constrained energy and an equally likely probability assignment of signal vectors is presented, and an algorithm is outlined for numerically computing the optimum signal set. A necessary condition on a constrained energy, finite signal set is found which maximizes a Taylor series approximation of R sub 0. This signal set is compared with the finite signal set which has the water-filling average energy distribution.

Bordelon, D. L.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Shear flow aerodynamics - Lifting surface theory

A lifting surface theory based on a parallel shear flow model is presented for steady, incompressible flows. The theory is intended to account approximately for the presence of a boundary layer. The method of Fourier transforms is used to calculate the pressure on a surface of infinite extent and arbitrary contour. Immediately above the surface is a region of sheared flow (the boundary layer), outside of which the flow velocity is constant. The Fourier transform of the pressure on this surface is used to derive the shear flow equivalent to the kernel function of classical potential flow lifting surface theory. The kernel function provides an integral relation between the upwash at a given point on the surface and the pressure everywhere on the surface. This relation is treated as an integral equation for the pressure, and is solved numerically. Computations are presented for the lift and pitching moment on a flat plate in two-dimensional flow, and for flat, rectangular wings of aspect ratio 1, 2, and 5. As expected, the shear layer decreases the lift curve slope; however, the shear layer (whose thickness is constant along the wing chord) has little effect on the center of pressure.

Ventres, C. S.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Microwave thermal emission from a stratified medium with nonuniform temperature distribution

Using the dissipation-fluctuation approach, the brightness temperature of a stratified medium with inhomogeneous permittivities and nonuniform temperature profiles is solved. The solution is expressed in closed form ready for machine computation. Numerical results are illustrated and compared with closed-form analytical solutions and results obtained from the WKB method for simple profiles.

Tsang, L.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Critical examination of two-equation turbulence closure models

Comparison of the Jones-Launder, Ng-Spalding, Saffman-Wilcox, and Wilcox-Traci two-equation turbulence models has been conducted. It was shown that the Saffman-Wilcox and Wilcox-Traci dissipation-rate formulations admit straightforward integration through the viscous sublayer, whereas integration through the viscous sublayer is a more difficult issue with the Jones-Launder dissipation-function and the Ng-Spalding length-scale formulations. Numerical computations were conducted in which the models were applied to four equilibrium boundary layer flows including adverse, zero, and favorable pressure gradients. Computations of zero pressure gradient flow over a convex wall composed the final part of the comparison.

Chambers, T. L.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Streamline curvature effects on turbulent boundary layers

A theoretical tool has been developed for predicting, in a nonempirical manner, effects of streamline curvature and coordinate-system rotation on turbulent boundary layers. The second-order closure scheme developed by Wilcox and Traci has been generalized for curved streamline flow and for flow in a rotating coordinate system. A physically based straightforward argument shows that curvature/rotation primarily affects the turbulent mixing energy; the argument yields suitable curvature/rotation terms which are added to the mixing-energy equation. Singular-perturbation solutions valid in the wall layer of a curved-wall boundary layer and a fully developed rotating channel flow demonstrate that, with the curvature/rotation terms, the model predicts the curved-wall and the rotating coordinate system laws of the wall. Results of numerical computations of curved-wall boundary layers and of rotating channel flow show that curvature/rotation effects can be computed accurately with second-order closure.

Wilcox, D. C.↗
NASA NTRS1977

A spectral domain method for remotely probing stratified media

The problem of remotely probing a stratified, lossless, dielectric medium is formulated using the spectral domain method of probing. The response of the medium to a spectrum of plane waves incident at various angles is used to invert the unknown profile. For TE polarization, the electric field satisfies a Helmholtz equation. The inverse problem is solved by means of a new representation for the wave function. The principal step in this inversion is solving a second kind Fredholm equation which is very amenable to numerical computations. Several examples are presented including some which indicate that the method can be used with experimentally obtained data. When the fields exhibit a surface wave behavior, a unique inversion can be obtained only if information about the magnetic field is also available. In this case, the inversion is accomplished by a two-step procedure which employs a formula of Jost and Kohn. Some examples are presented, and an approach which greatly shortens the computations without greatly deteriorating the results is discussed.

Schaubert, D. H.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Intense localized photoelectric charging in the lunar sunset terminator region. I - Development of potentials and fields. II - Supercharging at the progression of sunset

Numerical computations show that locally sunlit areas in the dark lunar sunset terminator region can acquire large electric potentials and fields due to the retention of photoelectrons emitted from sunlit areas by surrounding dark areas of the highly resistive lunar surface. It is shown that the potential can increase or decrease depending on the rates of photoelectron emission and areal contraction. It is concluded that in the lunar situation, the likely result is an increase in the potential, or a 'supercharging' of the sunlit area.

Criswell, D. R.↗
NASA NTRS1976

A numerical solution of the axisymmetric jet counterflow problem

A numerical computation of a normal shock case in which the shock waves and shear layers are modeled as normal and tangential discontinuities bounding the regions of an inviscid flow is discussed. Within these regions the unsteady gasdynamic equations are solved in finite-volume form on a moving computational mesh. The positions of discontinuities are determined from the jump conditions. The results obtained for values of the ratio of jet total pressure to free-stream total pressure ranging from 10.0 to 100.0 are found to be in agreement with the experimental results obtained by Fleeman and Nelson (1974).

Schiff, L. B.↗
NASA NTRS1977

On the singular behavior of linear acoustic theory in near-sonic duct flows

The propagation of sound in a converging-diverging duct containing a quasi-one-dimensional steady flow with a high subsonic throat Mach number is studied. The behavior of linearized acoustic theory at the throat of the duct is shown to be singular, and the explicit form of the singularity is determined for two special types of area variation. Numerically computed results showing the development of the singularity are presented. The singularity implies that linearized acoustic theory is invalid for sound propagating through a throat carrying a near-sonic flow.

Myers, M. K.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Radiative transfer in a polluted urban planetary boundary layer

Radiative transfer in a polluted urban atmosphere is studied using a dynamic model. The diurnal nature of radiative transfer for summer conditions is simulated for an urban area 40 km in extent and the effects of various parameters arising in the problem are investigated. The results of numerical computations show that air pollution has the potential of playing a major role in the radiative regime of the urban area. Absorption of solar energy by aerosols in realistic models of urban atmosphere are of the same order of magnitude as that due to water vapor. The predicted effect of the air pollution aerosol in the city is to warm the earth-atmosphere system, and the net effect of gaseous pollutant is to warm the surface and cool the planetary boundary layer, particularly near the top.

Viskanta, R.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Turbulence models from the point of view of an industrial user

Since there appears to be little prospect of the development of methods for the solution of the full, time dependent Navier-Stokes equations in the near future, the need continues for turbulence models to approximate the Reynolds stress terms that appear in the time averaged Navier-Stokes equations. Even if methods were available for solving the full equations, this would not necessarily be the optimum choice in all cases. As the cost of numerical computations decreases, the trend toward the use of more complex methods is likely to continue, but there will always be a need for a range of methods, depending on the accuracy and detail required from the calculation.

Birch, S. F.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Internal wave solitons

Attention is given to the Benjamin-Ono equation for waves within a stratified fluid, i.e., internal waves. Numerical computations indicate soliton-like behavior since solitary waves pass through each other upon collision. In addition, two and three Lorentzian solitons are noted to pass through one another. An initial Lorentzian having an amplitude larger than soliton amplitude is observed to decay into solitons. The velocities of these solitons may be predicted by conservation laws. Future work will be directed toward determining exact solutions.

Meiss, J. D.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Relativistic radiationless transitions in atoms

The perturbing interaction appropriate for the Dirac-Fock formalism is used to formulate relativistic radiationless transitions. The transition rate between two jj-coupled many-electron configurations is expressed as a linear combination of radial integrals, suitable for numerical computation. The correlation and relaxation effects and the generalisation of the present work are discussed briefly.

Huang, K.-N.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Plasma sheath effects and voltage distributions of large high-power satellite solar arrays

Knowledge of the floating voltage configuration of a large array in orbit is needed in order to estimate various plasma-interaction effects. The equilibrium configuration of array voltages relative to space depends on the sheath structure. The latter dependence for an exposed array is examined in the light of two finite-sheath effects. One effect is that electron currents may be seriously underestimated. The other is that a potential barrier for electrons can occur, restricting electron currents. A conducting surface is assumed on the basis of a conductivity argument. Finite-sheath effects are investigated. The results of assuming thin-sheath and thick-sheath limits on the floating configuration of a linearly connected array are studied. Sheath thickness and parasitic power leakage are estimated. Numerically computed fields using a 3-D code are displayed in the thick-sheath limit.

Parker, L. W.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Evaluating and minimizing noise impact due to aircraft flyover

Existing techniques were used to assess the noise impact on a community due to aircraft operation and to optimize the flight paths of an approaching aircraft with respect to the annoyance produced. Major achievements are: (1) the development of a population model suitable for determining the noise impact, (2) generation of a numerical computer code which uses this population model along with the steepest descent algorithm to optimize approach/landing trajectories, (3) implementation of this optimization code in several fictitious cases as well as for the community surrounding Patrick Henry International Airport, Virginia.

Jacobson, I. D.↗
NASA NTRS1977

On signal design by the R/0/ criterion for non-white Gaussian noise channels

The use of the cut-off rate criterion for modulation system design is investigated for channels with non-white Gaussian noise. A signal space representation of the waveform channel is developed, and the cut-off rate for vector channels with additive non-white Gaussian noise and unquantized demodulation is derived. When the signal input to the channel is a continuous random vector, maximization of the cut-off rate with constrained average signal energy leads to a water-filling interpretation of optimal energy distribution in signal space. The necessary condition for a finite signal set to maximize the cut-off rate with constrained energy and an equally likely probability assignment of signal vectors is presented, and an algorithm is outlined for numerically computing the optimum signal set. As an example, the rectangular signal set which has the water-filling average energy distribution and the optimum rectangular set are compared.

Bordelon, D. L.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Design of quiet efficient propellers

A numerical computation scheme has been developed to determine the sound generated by propellers. A comparison of these calculations to the noise data taken in the flight test of a propeller driven aircraft shows good agreement. The method is then applied in a parametric study of fixed pitch propellers designed to reduce noise. All these techniques reduce noise while maintaining shaft speed so that the method presented here may be used in a retrofit option for the general aviation fleet.

Succi, G. P.↗