Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “geodesics”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 55 records · Page 3
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1993

A Large Hemi-Anechoic Enclosure for Community-Compatible Aeroacoustic Testing of Aircraft Propulsion Systems

A large hemi-anechoic (absorptive walls and acoustically hard floor) noise control enclosure has been erected around a complex of test stands at the NASA Lewis Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio. This new state-of-the-art Aeroacoustic Propulsion Laboratory (APL) provides an all-weather, semisecure test environment while limiting noise to acceptable levels in surrounding residential neighborhoods. The 39.6 m (130 ft) diameter geodesic dome structure houses the new Nozzle Aeroacoustic Test Rig (NATR), an ejector-powered M = 0.3 free jet facility for acoustic testing of supersonic aircraft exhaust nozzles and turbomachinery. A multi-axis, force-measuring Powered Lift Facility (PLF) stand for testing of Short Takeoff Vertical Landing (STOVL) vehicles is also located within the dome. The design of the Aeroacoustic Propulsion Laboratory efficiently accomodates the research functions of two separate test rigs, one of which (NATR) requires a specialized environment for taking acoustic measurements. Absorptive fiberglass wedge treatment on the interior surface of the dome provides a hemi-anechoic interior environment for obtaining the accurate acoustic measurements required to meet research program goals. The APL is the first known geodesic dome structure to incorporate transmission-loss properties as well as interior absorption into a free-standing, community-compatible, hemi-anechoic test facility.

Cooper, Beth A.↗
NASA NTRS2002

Use of TRMM Data to Test an Improved Parameterization of Stratiform Precipitation

We successfully implemented our EAUcup parameterization of convection in our most recent geodesic-grid version of the Colorado State University General Circulation Model (CSU GCM). Tendencies due to convection and large-scale cloud microphysics are computed using the same time-step, allowing smoother interactions between convective and large-scale moist processes. Figures illustrate our most recent progress on the simulation of convective and stratiform precipitations for January. Comparisons against TRMM precipitation radar (PR) data would reveal a systematic overestimation of the simulated monthly-mean convective rainfall over well-known areas of deep convection. One major deficiency in the global distribution of stratiform precipitation simulated in the CSU GCM is the lack of stratiform precipitation over land in the tropics. This result strongly disagree with Fowler and Randall who show that convective and stratiform precipitations always coexist and that their ratio to the total precipitation is about 0.5. We believe that stratiform precipitation over land evaporates before reaching the ground because the lower troposphere remains too dry in response to the lack of convective detrainment occurring immediately above the Planetary Boundary Layer (PBL). This issue is further investigated at present. We made significant progress in the development of our parameterization of fractional cloudiness. As an example of our ongoing research effort, a figure shows the global distribution of the cloud ice mixing ratio and corresponding fractional area of ice clouds at 250 hPa. These results were obtained using our latitude-longitude grid version of the CSU GCM. There is a nice correspondence between areas of high (low) values of the cloud ice mixing ratio and the cloud fraction. A nice correspondence between the global distribution of the cloud water mixing ratio and fraction of water clouds in the lower troposphere can also be found. We are pursuing this effort, but in the geodesic version of the GCM. We hope to be able to make comparison of the simulated precipitation against TRMM precipitation data in the near future.

Randall, David A.↗
NASA NTRS2005

Structural Analysis of Helios Filament-Wound Tanks Subjected to Internal Pressure and Cooling

A finite-element stress analysis is performed on Helios filament-wound hydrogen tanks to examine the stress field and effect of end dome geometry on the stress field. Each tank is composed of a central circular cylindrical section with either geodesic or hemispherical end domes, which have metallic polar bosses. The tanks are subjected to combined and separate internal pressure and temperature loading conditions, and the stress contributions of each loading component are examined. The tank-wall-polar-boss interfacial meridional tensile stress in the hemispherical dome is found to be approximately 27 percent lower than that in the geodesic dome. The effects of both material anisotropy and the aluminum lining on the intensities of tensile meridional stress at the tank-wall-polar-boss bonding interface are examined.

Ko, William L↗
NASA NTRS2008

LISA Pathfinder

USA Pathfinder is a space mission dedicated to demonstrating technology for the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA). LISA is a joint ESA/NASA mission to detect low-frequency gravitational waves on the 0.0001 to 0.1 Hz frequency band. LISA is expected to observe 100's of merging massive black hole binaries out z-15, tens of thousands of close compact binary systems in the Milky Way, merging intermediate-mass black hole binaries, tens of stellar-mass black holes falling into supermassive black holes in galactic centers, and possibly other exotic sources. Several critical LISA technologies have not been demonstrated at the requisite level of performance. In spaceflight, and some fight hardware cannot be tested in a 1-g environment. Hence, the LISA Pathfinder mission is being implemented to demonstrate these critical LISA technologies in a relevant flight environment. LISA Pathfinder mimics one arm of the LISA constellation by shrinking the 5-million-kilometer armlength down to a few tens of centimeters. The experimental concept is to measure the relative separation between two test masses nominally following their own geodesics, and thereby determine the relative residual acceleration between them near 1 mHz, about a decade above the lowest frequency required by LISA. To implement such a concept, disturbances on the test masses must be kept very small by many design features, but chiefly by "drag-free" flight. A drag-free spacecraft follows a free-falling test mass which it encloses, but has no mechanical connection to. The spacecraft senses it's orientation and separation with respect to the proof mass, and its propulsion system is commanded to keep the spacecraft centered about the test mass. Thus, the spacecraft shields the test mass from most external influences, and minimizes the effect of force gradients arising from the spacecraft, and acting on the test mass. LISA Pathfinder will compare the geodesic of one test mass against that of the other. Only a metrology system based on interferometry can achieve the displacement sensitivity. Interferometers monitor the separation of both test masses with a sensitivity comparable to that required by LISA, and using the same technologies. LISA Pathfinder is scheduled to be launched in the first half of 1020 to a Lissajous orbit around the first Sun-Earth Lagrange point, L1. In addition to a complete European technology package (the LISA Technology Package, or LTP), LISA Pathfinder will also carry thrusters and software, known as ST-7, a part of NASA's New Millennium Program.

Stebbins, Robin↗
NASA NTRS2017

Drag-Free Control and Drag Force Recovery of Small Satellites

Drag-free satellites provide autonomous precision orbit determination, accurately map the static and time varying components of Earth's mass distribution, aid in our understanding of the fundamental force of gravity, and will ultimately open up a new window to our universe through the detection and observation of gravitational waves. At the heart of this technology is a gravitational reference sensor, which (a) contains and shields a free-floating proof mass from all non-gravitational forces, and (b) precisely measures the position of the test mass inside the sensor. Thus, both test mass and spacecraft follow a pure geodesic in spacetime. By tracking the position of a low Earth orbiting drag-free satellite we can directly determine the detailed shape of geodesics and through analysis, the higher order harmonics of the Earths geopotential. This paper explores two different drag-free control systems on small satellites. The first drag-free control system is a continuously compensated single thruster 3-unit CubeSat with a suspension-free spherical proof-mass. A feedback control system commands the thruster and Attitude and Determination Control System to fly the tender spacecraft with respect to the test mass. The spheres position is sensed with a LED-based differential optical shadow sensor, its electric charge controlled by photoemission using UV LEDs, and the spacecraft position is maintained with respect to the sphere using an ion electrospray propulsion system. This configuration is the most fuel-efficient drag-free system possible today. The second drag-free control system is an electro-statically suspended cubical proof-mass that is operated with a low duty cycle, limiting suspension force noise over brief, known time intervals on a small GRACE-II -like satellite. The readout is performed using a laser interferometer, which is immune to the dynamic range limitations of voltage references. This system eliminates the need for a thruster, enabling drag-free control systems for passive satellites. In both cases, the test mass position, GPS tracking data, and commanded actuation, either thrust or suspension system, can be analyzed to estimate the 3-axis drag forces acting on the satellite. The data produces the most precise maps of upper atmospheric drag forces and with additional information, detailed models that describe the dynamics of the upper atmosphere and its impact on all satellites that orbit the Earth. This paper highlights the history, applications, design, laboratory technology development and highly detailed simulation results of each control system.

Small Satellites↗
NASA NTRS1968

Analysis of filament reinforced metal-shell pressure vessels

Computer program analyzes design requirements and computes designs for metal-lined filament-wound pressure vessels with either geodesic /helical/ or in-plane filament winding patterns on the cylindrical portion and over the ends, reinforced by circumferential windings on the cylindrical portion.

Landes, R. E.↗
NASA NTRS1971

Linearization of Schwarzschild's line element - Application to the clock paradox.

This article studies the relativistic theory of the motion of a particle in the presence of a uniform acceleration field. The problem is introduced as a linearization of the fundamental line element of general relativity. The linearized line element is a solution of Einstein's field equations. The equations of geodesics corresponding to this line element are solved and applied to the clock paradox problem.-

Broucke, R.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Doppler frequency in interplanetary radar and general relativity

The change of frequency of an interplanetary radar signal sent from the earth to another planet or to a space probe is worked out according to general relativity. The Schwarzschild spacetime is employed and its null geodesics control the motion of the signals. Exact Doppler frequency formulas are derived for one-way and two-way radar in terms of an arbitrary Schwarzschild radial coordinate. A reduction to the special relativity case is used to interpret the formulas in terms of the relative radial velocity of emitter and target. The general relativity corrections are worked out approximately for each of three possible Schwarzschild radial coordinates, and a numerical example is given. The amount of the correction is different according as one or the other of the Schwarzschild coordinates is identified with the radius vector deduced from classical celestial mechanics. The identification problem is discussed.

Mcvittie, G. C.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Spacetimes with Killing tensors

The characteristics of the Killing equation and the Killing tensor are discussed. A conformal Killing tensor is of interest inasmuch as it gives rise to a quadratic first integral for null geodesic orbits. The Einstein-Maxwell equations are considered together with the Bianchi identity and the conformal Killing tensor. Two examples for the application of the considered relations are presented, giving attention to the charged Kerr solution and the charged C-metric.

Hughston, L. P.↗
NASA NTRS1973

New two-metric theory of gravity with prior geometry

A Lagrangian-based metric theory of gravity is developed with three adjustable constants and two tensor fields, one of which is a nondynamic 'flat space metric' eta. With a suitable cosmological model and a particular choice of the constants, the 'post-Newtonian limit' of the theory agrees, in the current epoch, with that of general relativity theory (GRT); consequently the theory is consistent with current gravitation experiments. Because of the role of eta, the gravitational 'constant' G is time-dependent and gravitational waves travel null geodesics of eta rather than the physical metric g. Gravitational waves possess six degrees of freedom. The general exact static spherically-symmetric solution is a four-parameter family. Future experimental tests of the theory are discussed.

Lightman, A. P.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Conformal coordinates associated with space-like motions

Conformal transformations in two dimensions provide a simple extension of the Lorentz transformation. The velocity of light appears in such transformations as a singular velocity rather than as an upper limit for the velocity. A well ordered branch of the theory exists for velocities in excess of the velocity of light. If the velocity of a point exceeds the singular velocity in an inertial system, then the conformal representation of the motion is no longer uniform, but contains a folded region. However, the branching of the transformation may be determined so that the elapsed time along the path of such a motion remains positive. Kinematic relations on the other side of the singular velocity seem to complement the usual results of relativity theory in an interesting way. Thus it is known that motion at the speed of light occurs along a null geodesic, and hence corresponds in a certain sense to motion at infinite velocity. The complementary relation is that a motion of infinite velocity corresponds in the same sense to motion at the speed of light.

Jones, R. T.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Geometrization of the Dirac theory of the electron

Using the concept of parallel displacement of a half vector, the Dirac equations are generally written in invariant form. The energy tensor is formed and both the macroscopic and quantum mechanic equations of motion are set up. The former have the usual form: divergence of the energy tensor equals the Lorentz force and the latter are essentially identical with those of the geodesic line.

Fock, V.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Deflection of polarised radiation - Relative phase delay technique

The article discusses the geodesic motion of photons, considering particularly whether oppositely polarized photons fall at the same rate. It is assumed that orthogonally polarized photons would be equally deflected by the gravitational field of a nonrotating mass. Upon the introduction of rotation, the angular momentum of the deflecting source couples to the photon spin through gravitational field action. Thus there arise separate trajectories for orthogonal polarizations. Searching for changes in polarization in a deflected beam is accomplished by a relative phase delay technique. If the beam is split into orthogonal linear polarization, final polarization is elliptical. Experiments have been performed on searching for ellipticity developments in the linearly polarized carrier waves from Helios 1 and 2, and the results are presented.

Dennison, B.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Zone-controlled resistance heater

Geodesic array of heaters powered by separate electrical supply unit and silicon controlled-rectifier (SCR) control unit produces controlled temperatures over independent zones. Arrays conform to and enclose almost any shape with close thermal coupling and are programmed to reproduce almost any desired time/temperature distribution.

Bagwell, P. R.↗
NASA NTRS1978

An investigation for the development of an integrated optical data preprocessor

The successful fabrication and demonstration of an integrated optical circuit designed to perform a parallel processing operation by utilizing holographic subtraction to simultaneously compare N analog signal voltages with N predetermined reference voltages is summarized. The device alleviates transmission, storage and processing loads of satellite data systems by performing, at the sensor site, some preprocessing of data taken by remote sensors. Major accomplishments in the fabrication of integrated optics components include: (1) fabrication of the first LiNbO3 waveguide geodesic lens; (2) development of techniques for polishing TIR mirrors on LiNbO3 waveguides; (3) fabrication of high efficiency metal-over-photoresist gratings for waveguide beam splitters; (4) demonstration of high S/N holographic subtraction using waveguide holograms; and (5) development of alignment techniques for fabrication of integrated optics circuits. Important developments made in integrated optics are the discovery and suggested use of holographic self-subtraction in LiNbO3, development of a mathematical description of the operating modes of the preprocessor, and the development of theories for diffraction efficiency and beam quality of two dimensional beam defined gratings.

Verber, C. M.↗