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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.

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At least 541 records · Page 30

Lunar microcraters and interplanetary dust fluxes

Conflicting depth/diameter ratios reported for lunar microcrater pits, microcrater pit morphology and size distribution, the composition and structure of pit glasses, and various alternative 'clocks' for estimating exposure time of microcrater pits are examined. Surface exposure time 'clocks' discussed include: galactic cosmic ray tracks, cosmogenic nuclides (involving changes in host rock isotopic composition induced by nuclear reactions), tracks produced in lunar top surfaces by nuclei accelerated during solar flares, and solar wind sputtering. 'Calibration' of the disparate types of surface exposure time 'clocks' with one another is discussed. The sensitive relationship between determinations of meteoroid flux and surface exposure time is examined.

Hartung, J. B.↗

NASA aviation safety reporting system

During the third quarter of operation of the Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS), 1429 reports concerning aviation safety were received from pilots, air traffic controllers, and others in the national aviation system. Details of the administration and results of the program are discussed. The design and construction of the ASRS data base are briefly presented. Altitude deviations and potential aircraft conflicts associated with misunderstood clearances were studied and the results are discussed. Summary data regarding alert bulletins, examples of alert bulletins and responses to them, and a sample of deidentified ASRS reports are provided.

Source record↗

System design consideration for the Nimbus-G observatory mission

The objectives of the Nimbus-G mission are to study air pollution, ocean parameters, and weather and climate on a global scale. The observations required to meet these objectives include nadir viewing and scanning, and limb viewing and scaling techniques. Each of these approaches requires that the spacecraft provide a sensor mounting surface that maintains a fixed orientation relative to the nadir and the orbit track and that the orientation of the orbit plane remain constant with respect to the sun for maximum space cooler efficiency. The tradeoffs necessary to satisfy the conflicting instrument payload requirements within the constraints placed on the Nimbus design are discussed, along with the modifications necessary to meet the unique needs of the instrument complement.

Hogan, G. D.↗

Interaction studies on a jet engine model by characteristic methodologies

It is shown how the generalized characteristic locus method developed by MacFarlane (1972) can be used for the step-by-step design of multivariable closed-loop compensators. The design procedure attempts to strike a balance between four conflicting objectives: stability, integrity, interaction, and accuracy. The generalized locus method is illustrated by a jet engine example.

Seshadri, V.↗

Efficiency calculations for Al/x/Ga/1-x/As-GaAs heteroface solar cells

A computer-assisted analysis of the Al(x)Ga(1-x)As-GaAs heteroface solar cell is done to find the dependence of cell efficiency on substrate doping level. Assumptions for carrier lifetime needed for the evaluation of efficiency are based on measurements of experimental Al(x)Ga(1-x)As-GaAs heteroface cells. The results show the doping range 10 to the 16th-17th power per cu cm to be the best for heteroface solar cells. Calculations based on a three-halves temperature dependence for lifetimes agree well with early experimental efficiency versus temperature measurements on GaAs cells, but conflict with earlier results for an Al(x)Ga(1-x)As-GaAs heteroface cell.

Sekela, A. M.↗

Creep resistance

High-temperature structural applications usually require creep resistance because some average stress is maintained for prolonged periods. Alloy and microstructural design guidelines for creep resistance are presented through established knowledge on creep behavior and its functional dependences on alloy microstructure. Important considerations related to creep resistance of alloys as well as those that are harmful to high-temperature properties are examined. Although most of the creep models do not predict observed creep behavior quantitatively, they are sophisticated enough to provide alloy or microstructural design guidelines. It is shown that creep-resistant microstructures are usually in conflict with microstructures that improve such other properties as stress rupture ductility. Greater understanding of the effects of environments on creep and stress rupture behavior of materials is necessary before one can optimally design alloys for applications in different environments.

Tien, J. K.↗

The metallurgy of high temperature alloys

Nickel-base, cobalt-base, and high nickel and chromium iron-base alloys are dissected, and their microstructural and chemical components are assessed with respect to the various functions expected of high temperature structural materials. These functions include the maintenance of mechanical integrity over the strain-rate spectrum from creep resistance through fatigue crack growth resistance, and such alloy stability expectations as microstructural coarsening resistance, phase instability resistance and oxidation and corrosion resistance. Special attention will be given to the perennial conflict and trade-off between strength, ductility and corrosion and oxidation resistance. The newest developments in the constitution of high temperature alloys will also be discussed, including aspects relating to materials conservation.

Tien, J. K.↗

Flight effects on exhaust noise for turbojet and turbofan engines - Comparison of experimental data with prediction

Recent experiments on the effects of flight on jet engine exhaust noise have produced apparently conflicting results. Some of these results do not agree with projections based on classical jet noise theories nor with experimental results from model jet simulated flight tests. It has been shown that in some of the cases reported, the proper corrections were not made to account for the distributed nature of the jet noise sources. It is shown herein that the remaining discrepancies can be reconciled by considering the combined effects of jet-mixing noise, internally-generated engine exhaust noise, and shock noise. This paper demonstrates that static and in-flight jet engine exhaust noise can be predicted with reasonable accuracy when the multiple-source nature of the problem is taken into account. Jet-mixing noise is predicted from an improved version of the NASA interim prediction method. Provisional methods of estimating internally-generated noise and shock noise flight effects are used, based partly on existing prediction methods and partly on recently reported engine data.

Stone, J. R.↗

Radio and EUV observations of a coronal hole

Current ideas and modeling assumptions concerning the structure of the transition region and corona are summarized. Observations of a specific coronal hole are reported which were made with the EUV spectroheliometer aboard Skylab and with high-resolution radio telescopes in Australia and West Germany. Theoretical EUV line intensities and radio brightness temperatures are calculated, and an attempt is made to analyze the observations on the basis of standard one-dimensional plane-parallel hydrostatic-equilibrium models for the transition region and corona. It is found that any given standard model predicts either higher radio brightnesses or lower EUV line intensities than are observed. Several potential problem areas are examined in order to resolve this conflict. It is concluded that a model involving departures from hydrostatic equilibrium, varying conductive flux, mass outflow, as well as effects of thermal diffusion and nonequilibrium ionization should be investigated in more detail.

Dulk, G. A.↗

Solar flare activity - Evidence for large-scale changes in the past

An analysis of radar and photographic meteor data and of spacecraft meteoroid-penetration data indicates that there probably has not been a large increase in meteoroid impact rates in the last 10,000 yr. The solar-flare tracks observed in the glass linings of meteoroid impact pits on lunar rock 15205 are therefore reanalyzed assuming a meteoroid flux that is constant in time. Based on this assumption, the data suggest that the production rate of Fe-group solar-flare tracks may have varied by as much as a factor of 50 on a time scale of about 10,000 yr. No independently obtained data are known to require conflict with this interpretation. Confidence in this conclusion is somewhat qualified by the experimental and analytical uncertainties involved, but the conclusion nevertheless remains the present 'best' explanation for the observed data trends.

Zook, H. A.↗

Effects of shields on cables

Aircraft wiring subjected to rapidly changing electromagnetic fields was considered. The ways in which shielded cables reduce surge voltages were studied along with the ways in which common practice regarding the use of shields may be at variance with the use required for the control of lightning effects. Courses in which this apparent conflict of use may be resolved were suggested. Noise currents flowing on shields of cables related to the noise signals coupled onto signal conductors were also investigated.

Franklin A Fisher↗

Gamma rays and the case for baryon symmetric big-bang cosmology

The baryon symmetric big-bang cosmologies offer an explanation of the present photon-baryon ratio in the universe, the best present explanation of the diffuse gamma-ray background spectrum in the 1 to 200 MeV range, and a mechanism for galaxy formation. In the context of an open universe model, the value of omega which best fits the present gamma-ray data is omega equals approx. 0.1 which does not conflict with upper limits on Comptonization distortion of the 3K background radiation. In regard to He production, evidence is discussed that nucleosynthesis of He may have taken place after the galaxies were formed.

Stecker, F. W.↗

Three-dimensional computational aerodynamics in the 1980's

The future requirements for constructing codes that can be used to compute three-dimensional flows about aerodynamic shapes should be assessed in light of the constraints imposed by future computer architectures and the reality of usable algorithms that can provide practical three-dimensional simulations. On the hardware side, vector processing is inevitable in order to meet the CPU speeds required. To cope with three-dimensional geometries, massive data bases with fetch/store conflicts and transposition problems are inevitable. On the software side, codes must be prepared that: (1) can be adapted to complex geometries, (2) can (at the very least) predict the location of laminar and turbulent boundary layer separation, and (3) will converge rapidly to sufficiently accurate solutions.

Lomax, H.↗

Possibilities for drag reduction by boundary layer control

The mechanics of laminar boundary layer transition are reviewed. Drag possibilities for boundary layer control are analyzed using assumed conditions of transition Reynolds number, inlet loss, number of slots, blower efficiency, and duct losses. Although the results of such analysis are highly favorable, those obtained by experimental investigations yield conflicting results, showing only small gains, and sometimes losses. Reduction of this data indicates that there is a lower limit to the quantity of air which must be removed at the slot in order to stabilize the laminar flow. The removal of insufficient air permits transition to occur while the removal of excessive amounts of air results in high power costs, with a net drag increases. With the estimated value of flow coefficient and duct losses equal to half the dynamic pressure, drag reductions of 50% may be obtained; with twice this flow coefficient, the drag saving is reduced to 25%.

Naiman, I.↗

DSN load and go pre-track preparation for Voyager support

The use of level 4 prepass readiness tests (load and go pretrack preparation) to increase in Network productivity is described. Application of this method of operation for Voyager support, so that increased tracking could be provided to all projects during a period of continued interproject conflicts, is discussed.

Taylor, T. M.↗

Motion sickness and otolith sensitivity - A pilot study of habituation to linear acceleration

Astronauts, particularly in Skylab flights, experienced varying degrees of motion sickness lasting 3-5 days. One possible mechanism for this motion sickness adaptation is believed to be a reduction in otolith sensitivity with an attendant reduction in sensory conflict. In an attempt to determine if this hypothesis is valid, a ground-based pilot study was conducted on a vertical linear accelerator. The extent of habituation to accelerations which initially produced motion sickness was evaluated, along with the possible value of habituation training to minimize the space motion sickness problem. Results showed that habituation occurred for 6 of the 8 subjects tested. However, in tests designed to measure dynamic and static otolith function, no significant differences between pre- and post-habituation tests were observed. Cross habituation effects to a standard Coriolis acceleration test were not significant. It is unlikely that ground-based pre-habituation to linear accelerations of the type examined would alter susceptibility to space motion sickness.

Potvin, A. R.↗

New concepts for Mercury orbiter missions

The next logical step in the exploration of Mercury is an orbiter mission. A conflict exists between those in the field of planetary sciences who desire a mission with a low circular orbit, and scientists in the fields and particles disciplines, who generally prefer a highly elliptical spacecraft orbit. The thermal environment imposed by the sun and planet render the low orbit intolerable for spacecraft using previous thermal control methods. A thermal control concept and a spacecraft mission concept have been developed which resolve these problems and promise a scientifically significant mission for the mid-1980s.

French, J. R.↗

Alloy design with oxide dispersoids and precipitates

The mechanical behavior of particle-strengthened alloys is reviewed. On the basis of this knowledge, it is concluded that second-phase particles, coherent or incoherent, can enhance the flow strength, creep resistance, and stress-rupture life of alloys. Unfortunately, particles are usually not beneficial alloy-design elements if enhanced uniaxial ductility, plane-strain ductility, stress-rupture ductility, and toughness are called for. Such properties as fatigue-crack propagation resistance appear to require, for example, both high strength and high ductility, a situation which can come to pass only when the perennial conflict between strength and ductility is resolved in particle-strengthened systems in particular and in any other material system in general. Wherever possible, the role of coherent and incoherent particles in alloy design is distinguished.

Tien, J. K.↗