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At least 55 records · Page 3

A model of the magnetospheric tail with current-free lobes

A model of the earth's tail field with no current density in its high latitude lobes is obtained as a modification of Tsyganenko's tail model. This is achieved by replacing Tsyganenko's current element with one in which the current density ends abruptly at a distance D from the central axis.

Stern, David P.↗

Dynamics and Structure of Dusty Reacting Flows: Inert Particles in Strained, Laminar, Premixed Flames

A detailed numerical study was conducted on the dynamics and thermal response of inert, spherical particles in strained, laminar, premixed hydrogen/air flames. The modeling included the solution of the steady conservation equations for both the gas and particle phases along and around the stagnation streamline of an opposed-jet configuration, and the use of detailed descriptions of chemical kinetics and molecular transport, For the gas phase, the equations of mass, momentum, energy, and species are considered, while for the particle phase, the model is based on conservation equations of the particle momentum balance in the axial and radial direction, the particle number density, and the particle thermal energy equation. The particle momentum equation includes the forces as induced by drag, thermophoresis, and gravity. The particle thermal energy equation includes the convective/conductive heat exchange between the two phases, as well as radiation emission and absorption by the particle. A one-point continuation method is also included in the code that allows for the description of turning points, typical of ignition and extinction behavior. As expected, results showed that the particle velocity can be substantially different than the gas phase velocity, especially in the presence of large temperature gradients and large strain rates. Large particles were also found to cross the gas stagnation plane, stagnate, and eventually reverse as a result of the opposing gas phase velocity. It was also shown that the particle number density varies substantially throughout the flowfield, as a result of the straining of the flow and the thermal expansion. Finally, for increased values of the particle number density, substantial flame cooling to extinction states and modification of the gas phase fluid mechanics were observed. As also expected, the effect of gravity was shown to be important for low convective velocities and heavy particles. Under such conditions, simulations indicate that the magnitude and direction of the gravitational force can substantially affect the profiles of the particle velocity, number density, mass flux, and temperature.

Egolfopoulos, Fokion N.↗

Dynamics and Structure of Dusty Reacting Flows: Inert Particles in Strained, Laminar, Premixed Flames

A detailed numerical study was conducted on the dynamics and thermal response of inert spherical particles in strained, laminar, premixed hydrogen/air flames. The modeling included the solution of the steady conservation equations for both the gas and particle phases along and around the stagnation streamline of an opposed-jet configuration, and the use of detailed descriptions of chemical kinetics and molecular transport. For the gas phase, the equations of mass, momentum, energy, and species are considered, while for the particle phase, the model is based on conservation equations of the particle momentum balance in the axial and radial direction, the particle number density, and the particle thermal energy equation. The particle momentum equation includes the forces as induced by drag, thermophoresis, and gravity. The particle thermal energy equation includes the convective/conductive heat exchange between the two phases, as well as radiation emission and absorption by the particle. A one-point continuation method is also included in the code that allows for the description of turning points, typical of ignition and extinction behavior. As expected, results showed that the particle velocity can be substantially different than the gas phase velocity, especially in the presence of large temperature gradients and large strain rates. Large particles were also found to cross the gas stagnation plane, stagnate, and eventually reverse as a result of the opposing gas phase velocity. It was also shown that the particle number density varies substantially throughout the flowfield, as a result of the straining of the flow and the thermal expansion. Finally, for increased values of the particle number density, substantial flame cooling to extinction states and modification of the gas phase fluid mechanics were observed. As also expected, the effect of gravity was shown to be important for low convective velocities and heavy particles. Under such conditions, simulations indicate that the magnitude and direction of the gravitational force can substantially affect the profiles of the particle velocity, number density, mass flux, and temperature.

Egolfopoulos, Fokion N.↗

Cryostatic influence of Formvar coatings on sizing of the stabilizer in superconductive NbTi-Cu - Conductor bundle effects

In continuation of single-conductor studies, quench onset data of quasi-steady operation are reported for a Formvar-coated composite (Nb48Ti/Cu) in bundle geometry (conductor thickness about 0.2 cm, approximately square cross section). Overall thermal conductances of the heater simulation technique applied are of the order 0.1 W/(sq cm-K), comparable to single-specimen results, around 4 K and below the lambda transition in agreement with model predictions. Considerable deterioration, however, occurs below 3 K and down to the lambda temperature during operation in near-saturated He I. Consequences for magnets of intermediate energy density are discussed with emphasis on the modifications necessitated by coatings.

Caspi, S.↗

Saturn Satellite Densities and the C/O Chemistry of the Solar Nebula

The composition of material condensed in the outer solar system is very dependent on the state of carbon and oxygen in the solar or circumplanetary nebula, since oxygen is the dominant solid-forming element in a solar composition gas (in the form of silicates and water ice), and carbon is about half as abundant. Past discussions of solid material formed in these regions have focused on differences expected between material formed near giant planets where carbon is generally expected to be in the reduced, CH4, form and material formed in the outer protoplanetary solar nebula where CO is believed to be the dominant form [1]. The composition and expected density of these materials are quite sensitive to the C and O solar abundances in all these models. We discuss here the effects of recently suggested modifications to solar abundances on the interpretation of the mean densities for satellites in the Saturn system.

Johnson, T. V.↗

Channel and physical models of the Jovian subnebula

A semiempirical physical model of the Jovian subnebula was developed by analogy with the primitive solar nebula itself. The chemical aspects of this model are developed according to the principles developed in the study of the thermochemistry and gas kinetic behavior of the solar nebula, but with important modifications to take into account the higher pressures and densities in the Jovian subnebula. The bulk compositions and densities of the inner satellites of Jupiter are calculated. It is proposed that Europa differs from Io chiefly in that in has suffered a less severe thermal history. The general features of this model are applicable with minor modification to the systems of Saturn and Uranus.

Lewis, J. S.↗

The relationship between pressure-based and density-based algorithms

The PISO, pressure-based algorithm, is compared with implicit time-marching systems to ascertain their similarities and differences. Both methods are expressed in vector form for comparison purposes. The vector form of the PISO method is triangular, allowing an uncoupled solution procedure, while the Euler implicit method requires the simultaneous solution of all equations. Upwind differencing is performed according to the direction of the eigenvalues in both systems, but this is the particle velocity in the PISO method and the acoustic velocity in the Euler method. Vector stability calculations show that the PISO method is conditionally stable depending on the time step, but that it provides adequate damping at small time steps to enable good convergence. Unconditional stability can be provided by retaining the energy coupling terms in the time derivative. Transforming the Euler implicit equations to the PISO variables along with a modification of the time derivatives gives the density-based method the same amplification factors at low speeds as the pressure-based method without affecting their behavior at high speeds.

Merkle, Charles L.↗

Hypervelocity Impact Test Fragment Modeling: Modifications to the Fragment Rotation Analysis and Lightcurve Code

Hypervelocity impact tests on test satellites are performed by members of the orbital debris scientific community in order to understand and typify the on-orbit collision breakup process. By analysis of these test satellite fragments, the fragment size and mass distributions are derived and incorporated into various orbital debris models. These same fragments are currently being put to new use using emerging technologies. Digital models of these fragments are created using a laser scanner. A group of computer programs referred to as the Fragment Rotation Analysis and Lightcurve code uses these digital representations in a multitude of ways that describe, measure, and model on-orbit fragments and fragment behavior. The Dynamic Rotation subroutine generates all of the possible reflected intensities from a scanned fragment as if it were observed to rotate dynamically while in orbit about the Earth. This calls an additional subroutine that graphically displays the intensities and the resulting frequency of those intensities as a range of solar phase angles in a Probability Density Function plot. This document reports the additions and modifications to the subset of the Fragment Rotation Analysis and Lightcurve concerned with the Dynamic Rotation and Probability Density Function plotting subroutines.

Gouge, Michael F.↗

Investigation of configuration effects on entry heating distributions at Mach no. equals 8.0 (OH41A)

The results are presented of aerodynamic heating investigations conducted on 0.006 scale models of three Rockwell International Space Shuttle Vehicles (SSV) orbiter configurations in the Mach 8 variable density tunnel. It was established that lower surface modifications to one of these configurations (Model SS-H-00326-4) would alleviate premature transition. Re-entry data were acquired on these models at angles of attack from 30 to 40 degrees for nominal Reynolds numbers per foot of 1.0, 3.0, 6.0 and 8.0 million utilizing the phase change paint technique. A total of 17 orbiter heating runs and 3 orbiter oil flow runs were completed.

Gorowitz, H.↗

Abundances in the Crab Nebula

The bright visual-wavelength emission lines in spectra of filaments in the Crab Nebula cannot be used to derive unique values for the relative abundances of elements there, even under a simplifying assumption that heating is due entirely to photoionization by the Crab's nonthermal continuum. However, a range of possibilities may be estimated. By mass, helium is more abundant than hydrogen; but the mass fraction of heavier elements may be surprisingly small. Such conclusions are subject to modification if a noticeable fraction of the energy density involves fast particles around 1 MeV.

Davidson, K.↗

Evaluation of LANDSAT multispectral scanner images for mapping altered rocks in the east Tintic Mountains, Utah

The author has identified the following significant results. Positive findings of earlier evaluations of the color-ratio compositing technique for mapping limonitic altered rocks in south-central Nevada are confirmed, but important limitations in the approach used are pointed out. These limitations arise from environmental, geologic, and image processing factors. The greater vegetation density in the East Tintic Mountains required several modifications in procedures to improve the overall mapping accuracy of the CRC approach. Large format ratio images provide better internal registration of the diazo films and avoids the problems associated with magnifications required in the original procedure. Use of the Linoscan 204 color recognition scanner permits accurate consistent extraction of the green pixels representing limonitic bedrock maps that can be used for mapping at large scales as well as for small scale reconnaissance.

Rowan, L. C.↗

Electron beam injection during active experiments. II - Collisional effects

During active beam experiments, the presence of high neutral densities at low altitudes and/or during thruster firings has been observed to modify the spacecraft charging and the properties of the beam. Two-dimensional (three-velocity) electromagnetic particle simulations with ionizing collisions incorporated are used to investigate the modification of the beam-plasma interaction as the neutral density is increased. It is shown that when the spacecraft is uniformly immersed in a neutral cloud, most of the ionization is produced by direct ionization by the beam and its secondaries, rather than via vehicle-induced or wave-induced ionization for the neutral densities considered.

Winglee, R. M.↗

Optical Electronic Bragg Reflection Sensor System with Hydrodynamic Flow Applications

This project, as described in the following report, involved design and fabrication of fiber optic sensors for the detection and measurement of dynamic fluid density variations. These devices are created using UV (ultraviolet) ablation and generally modified transverse holographic fiber grating techniques. The resulting phase gratings created on or immediately underneath the flat portion of D-shaped optical waveguides are characterized as evanescent field sensing devices. The primary applications include the sensor portion of a real-time localized or distributed measurement system for hydrodynamic flow, fluid density measurements, and phase change phenomena. Several design modifications were implemented in an attempt to accomplish the tasks specified in our original proposal. In addition, we have established key collaborative relationships with numerous people and institutions.

Lyons, D. R.↗

Evacuation-induced pressure differentials in multilayer insulation systems

The pressure differentials induced across three types of multilayer insulation systems during evacuation have been measured and compared with values predicted using an idealized parallel plate geometric model. The systems tested were double-aluminized Mylar with a Tissuglas or silk net spacer and crinkled single-aluminized Mylar. Test samples were circular. The influence of purge gas type, layer density, sample diameter, and temperature was systematically investigated. The experimental approach was to measure the absolute pressure history and corresponding pressure differential induced across the insulation during evacuation. The measured pressure differentials were nondimensionalized and compared with those predicted by the parallel plate model as a function of Knudsen number. It was concluded that the parallel plate model is adequate for making engineering analyses. The influence of all parameters, except layer density, is well represented by the model. Representation of the influence of layer density is less satisfactory, but can be improved by modification of the flat plate model to allow for the more obvious practical nonidealities, such as crinkling, or the presence of a net spacer.

Glassford, A. P. M.↗

Investigation of low energy space plasma

An important modification was made in the method for computing ion densities from DE1/RIMS observations, based on the observed relationship between total plasma density and spacecraft potential. An iterative technique was developed to require that this relationship be preserved in all individual observations, not just in the average sense observed. Results of employing this technique were examined closely and are found to generally improve the final densities in terms of agreement with densities obtained from PWI upper hybrid frequency observations. It also has the effect of reducing scatter in the density vs. L profiles.

Comfort, Richard H.↗

Analysis of Compression Algorithm in Ground Collision Avoidance Systems (Auto-GCAS)

Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance Systems (Auto-GCAS) utilizes Digital Terrain Elevation Data (DTED) stored onboard a plane to determine potential recovery maneuvers. Because of the current limitations of computer hardware on military airplanes such as the F-22 and F-35, the DTED must be compressed through a lossy technique called binary-tree tip-tilt. The purpose of this study is to determine the accuracy of the compressed data with respect to the original DTED. This study is mainly interested in the magnitude of the error between the two as well as the overall distribution of the errors throughout the DTED. By understanding how the errors of the compression technique are affected by various factors (topography, density of sampling points, sub-sampling techniques, etc.), modifications can be made to the compression technique resulting in better accuracy. This, in turn, would minimize unnecessary activation of A-GCAS during flight as well as maximizing its contribution to fighter safety.

Schmalz, Tyler↗

Magnetic field vector and electron density diagnostics from linear polarization measurements in 14 solar prominences

The Hanle effect is the modification of the linear polarization parameters of a spectral line due to the effect of the magnetic field. It has been successfully applied to the magnetic field vector diagnostic in solar prominences. The magnetic field vector is determined by comparing the measured polarization to the polarization computed, taking into account all the polarizing and depolarizing processes in line formation and the depolarizing effect of the magnetic field. The method was applied to simultaneous polarization measurements in the Helium D3 line and in the hydrogen beta line in 14 prominences. Four polarization parameters are measured, which lead to the determination of the three coordinates of the magnetic field vector and the electron density, owing to the sensitivity of the hydrogen beta line to the non-negligible effect of depolarizing collisions with electrons and protons of the medium. A mean value of 1.3 x 10 to the 10th power cu. cm. is derived in 14 prominences.

Bommier, V.↗