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At least 487 records · Page 27

Magnetic shielding in a low temperature torsion pendulum experiment

A new type of ether drift experiment searches for anomalous torques on a permanent magnet. A torsion pendulum is used at liquid helium temperature, so that superconducting cylinders can be used to shield magnetic fields. Lead shields attenuate the earth's field, while Nb-Sn shields fastened to the pendulum contain the fields of the magnet. The paper describes the technique by which the earth's field can be reduced below 0.0001 G while simultaneously the moment of the magnet can be reduced by a factor 7 x 10 to the 4th.

Phillips, P. R.↗

Bayonet plug with ramp-activated lock

Matched pair of washers with broad surface ramps is locking mechanism in bayonet plug. It can be used where threaded springs and fasteners are impractical because of extreme temperatures or other environmental incompatibility. Matched pair of ramped washers is placed on plug and bayonet inserted. Inner slot of one washer matches contour of plug; this washer is stationary. Inner slot of second washer is circular. When second washer is rotated, washers push against bayonet plug, locking it in place. Retaining wire secures plug.

Wood, K. E.↗

Interchangeable spring modules for inertia measurements

Operation of inertia balance is simplified by packaging set of balance springs in interchangeable modules. They are held in place in balance pedestal by just two fasteners, making removal and replacement fast and simple. With them, balance can be readied in less than 15 minutes, in contrast to more than 2 hours by previous method.

Mcnamara, J. W.↗

Torque-wrench extension

Torque-wrench extension makes it easy to install and remove fasteners that are beyond reach of typical wrenches or are located in narrow spaces that prevent full travel of wrench handle. At same time, tool reads applied torque accurately. Wrench drive system, for torques up to 125 inch-pounds, uses 2 standard drive-socket extensions in aluminum frame. Extensions are connected to bevel gear that turns another bevel gear. Gears produce 1:1 turn ratio through 90 degree translation of axis of rotation. Output bevel has short extension that is used to attach 1/4-inch drive socket.

Peterson, D. H.↗

Soft container for explosive nuts

Flexible fabric fits over variety of assembly shapes to contain debris produced by detonations or safety tests. Bag material is woven multifilament polyamide or aramid. Belt loops hold bag to clamp. Ring supports explosive nut structure and detonator wires, and after nut is mounted, bag and clamp are slipped over ring and fastened.

Glenn, D. C.↗

Eliminating gaps in split rings

Simple installation method allows thinner, lighter tether rings than conventional procedures, saving expensive materials. Installer inverts ring with pliers before it is slid over cable, then returns it to its original position after installation. Ring is in correct orientation, and coils are tightly compressed for high reliability fastening.

Gould, R. W.↗

Selected topics from the structural acoustics program for the B-1 aircraft

The major elements of the structural acoustics program for the B-1 aircraft are considered. Acoustic pressures measured at 280 sites on the surface of the vehicle were used to develop pressure models for a resizing of airframe components for aircraft No. 4 (A/C4). Acoustical fatigue design data for two dynamically complex structural configurations were acquired in laboratory programs, the conceptions for and executions of which detailed significant departures from the conventional. Design requirements for mechanical fasteners for configurations other than these two made use of analytical extensions of regrettably limited available information.

Belcher, P. M.↗

A device for determining the intensity of partial sweating

An invention which can measure partial perspiration is disclosed. The partial perspiration is measured with a specially shaped device tightly fastened to the body but not touching the skin area being studied. A special grid is used to keep the moisture-absorbing agent from touching the skin.

Rayskiy, V. A.↗

Flight service evaluation of Kevlar-49 epoxy composite panels in wide-bodied commercial transport aircraft

Kevlar-49 fairing panels, installed as flight service components on three L-1011s, were inspected after 6 years' service. The Kevlar-49 components were found to be performing satisfactorily in service with no major problems, or any condition requiring corrective action. The only defects noted were minor impact damage, and a minor degree of fastener hole fraying and elongation. These are for the most part comparable to damage noted on fiberglass fairings.

Stone, R. H.↗

Automated beam builder

Requirements for the space fabrication of large space structures are considered with emphasis on the design, development, manufacture, and testing of a machine which automatically produces a basic building block aluminum beam. Particular problems discussed include those associated with beam cap forming; brace storage, dispensing, and transporting; beam component fastening; and beam cut-off. Various critical process tests conducted to develop technology for a machine to produce composite beams are also discussed.

Muench, W. K.↗

Thermal performance of a mechanically attached ablator tile for on-orbit repair of shuttle TPS

The reusable surface insulation (RSI) material used in the shuttle thermal protection system is susceptible to damage. If any RSI tiles are damaged or lost during ascent, they must be repaired or replaced prior to entry. One approach to replacing a damaged or missing RSI tile consists of mechanically attaching a tile of ablation material in the place of the RSI tile. The thermal performance of this type of repair tile was evaluated in a simulated entry heating environment. The test specimen consisted of the ablator repair tile mechanically fastened to the strain isolation pad and surrounded by RSI tiles. The evaluation of the thermal performance was based on temperature response, surface integrity, and predicted flight performance. When the ablator tile protruded 1/8 inch above the surrounding RSI tiles, the forward facing steps caused significant inflow of hot gas down the ablator RSI joints and this inflow caused greatly increased back surface temperatures.

Thompkins, S. S.↗

Notch sensitivity of space shuttle tile materials

Tests were conducted at room temperature to determine the notch sensitivity of the thermal protection tile for the space shuttle. Two types of RSI tile were studied: LI-900 and LI-2200. Three point bend specimens were cut from discarded tiles in the in-plane (ip) and through-the-thickness (ttt) directions. They were tested with or without a sharp notch. The LI-900 (ip and ttt) specimens were not very notch sensitive, but the LI-2200 (ip and ttt) specimens were. The LI-2200 material showed about a 35 percent reduction in strength due to the presence of the notch. This reduction in strength should be considered in the design of mechanically fastened tile concepts.

Newman, J. C., Jr.↗

Small Transport Aircraft Technology

The article surveys the results of the NASA-instituted Small Transport Aircraft Technology (STAT) research effort aimed at generating advanced technologies for application to new small, short haul transports having significantly better performance, efficiency, and environmental compatibility. Discussion covers fuselage designs and bonded aluminum-honeycomb wing construction which reduces the number of parts and fasteners, and gives a smoother outer contour. Topics discussed include: advanced aluminum alloys, composite primary structures, propellers, engine components, icing protection, avionics, flight controls, aerodynamics, and gust load alleviation.

Galloway, T. L.↗

Recharging the Silicon Crucible in a Hot Furnace

"Melt recharger" adds raw silicon to crucible in crystal-growing furnace without disturbing inert-gas atmosphere or significantly lowering temperature of melt. Crucible-refill hopper is lowered into hot zone of crystal-pulling chamber through an isolation valve. Cable that supports hopper is fastened to cone-shaped stopper in bottom of hopper. Stopper moves out of opening in hopper, allowing part of polysilicon charge to drop into crucible.

Lane, R. L.↗

Shaping Transistor Leads for Better Solder Joints

Special lead-forming tool puts step in leads of microwave power transistors without damaging braze joints that fasten leads to package. Stepped leads are soldered to circuit boards more reliably than straight leads, and stress on brazes is relieved. Lead-forming hand-tool has two parts: a forming die and an actuator. Spring-loaded saddle is adjusted so that when transistor package is placed on it, leads rest on forming rails.

Mandel, H.↗

Safety Bolt Doubles as a Bushing-Removal Tool

Bushings fitted to close tolerances and limited access can be removed without damage to housing by using bolt with integrated locking dog. Such self-retaining positive - locking bolts are normally used as fasteners in critical joints where accidentally loosened bolt could cause damage or injuries.

Haverkamp, C. E.↗

Ultrasonic Welding of Graphite/Thermoplastic Composite

Ultrasonic welding of graphite/thermoplastic composite materials eliminates need for fasteners (which require drilling or punching, add weight, and degrade stiffness) and can be totally automated in beam fabrication and assembly jigs. Feasibility of technique has been demonstrated in laboratory tests which show that neither angular orientation nor vacuum affect weld quality.

Hardy, S. S.↗

Autoregulation of cerebral blood circulation under orthostatic tests

Autoregulation of cerebral blood flow (ACBF) under orthostatic tests (OT) was estimated in acute experiments on rabbits and cats under local anesthesia according to changes of perfusion pressure (PP) in carotid arteries, cerebral blood flow, pressure in the venous system of the brain, and resistance of cerebral vessels. The OT were conducted by turning a special table with the animal fastened to it from a horizontal to a vertical (head up or head down) position at 40 to 80 deg. In most experiments ACBF correlated with the changes of PP. Different variations of ACBF and its possible mechanisms are discussed.

Gayevyy, M. D.↗