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At least 559 records · Page 31

A directional low energy gamma-ray detector

The sensitivity of a directional gamma ray detector, which relies on blocking a source to determine its direction and energy spectrum, is calculated and compared to the more conventional well shaped shielded detectors. It is shown that such an anticollimator detection system provides a basis for measuring the celestial diffuse gamma ray background, gamma ray sources and bursts with good energy, angular, and time resolution, and that additionally the system is 20 to 50 times as sensitive as conventional detectors when compared on a per unit mass basis.

Morfill, G.↗

Low-speed wind tunnel investigation of the lateral-directional characterisitcs of a large-scale variable wing-sweep fighter model in the high-lift configuration

The low-speed characteristics of a large-scale model of the F-14A aircraft were studied in tests conducted in the Ames Research Center 40- by 80-Foot Wind Tunnel. The primary purpose of the present tests was the determination of lateral-directional stability levels and control effectiveness of the aircraft in its high-lift configuration. Tests were conducted at wing angles of attack between minus 2 deg and 30 deg and with sideslip angles between minus 12 deg and 12 deg. Data were taken at a Reynolds number of 8.0 million based on a wing mean aerodynamic chord of 2.24 m (7.36 ft). The model configuration was changed as required to show the effects of direct lift control (spoilers) at yaw, yaw angle with speed brake deflected, and various amounts and combinations of roll control.

Eckert, W. T.↗

Development and flight tests of a gyro-less wing leveler and directional autopilot

A gyro-less wing leveler and directional autopilot were developed and flight tested in a single-engine light airplane. The primary purpose of the project was to develop a simple, reliable, low-cost stability augmentation and autopilot system for light aircraft. The wing leveler used a fluidic inertial rate sensor, electronic signal processing circuitry, and vacuum operated servos. A strap-down magnetic heading reference of simple design provided the wing leveler with directional autopilot capability. Flight tests indicated that the performance of the gyro-less wing leveler was equal to that of a commercial wing leveler using a gyroscopic rate sensor. Drift-free, long-term, heading-hold capability of the magnetic heading reference was demonstrated.

Garner, H. D.↗

Transient Response of Shells of Revolution by Direct Integration and Modal Superposition Methods

The results of an analytical effort to obtain and evaluate transient response data for a cylindrical and a conical shell by use of two different approaches: direct integration and modal superposition are described. The inclusion of nonlinear terms is more important than the inclusion of secondary linear effects (transverse shear deformation and rotary inertia) although there are thin-shell structures where these secondary effects are important. The advantages of the direct integration approach are that geometric nonlinear and secondary effects are easy to include and high-frequency response may be calculated. In comparison to the modal superposition technique the computer storage requirements are smaller. The advantages of the modal superposition approach are that the solution is independent of the previous time history and that once the modal data are obtained, the response for repeated cases may be efficiently computed. Also, any admissible set of initial conditions can be applied.

Stephens, W. B.↗

The direction and spectral variability of a cosmic gamma-ray burst

Description of the simultaneous observations of a gamma-ray event by five different satellites on May 14, 1972 in widely differing geomagnetic environments. The direction of the source was unambiguously determined, and it is concluded that the event was real and not caused by some unexplained spurious or instrumental effects. Since the obtained direction is far from the earth and the sun, the conclusion is that this gamma-ray event was almost certainly of cosmic origin. The total energy at the earth in this event was about .0005 ergs/sq cm from 11 to 1500 keV.

Wheaton, W. A.↗

A direct method for calculating flutter speeds

The basic objective of this work is to provide a direct and simple means for calculating classical flutter. The analysis makes no use of free vibration modes, although the method is readily adaptable to a modal type approach. Only subsonic aerodynamics are considered; however, the method applies to any speed regime. The problems of following modes and modal coupling are completely avoided. The simplicity and accuracy of the direct solution is stressed. The analysis is applicable to both straight and swept wings although only straight wings, uniform as well as nonuniform, are presented.

Beres, D. P.↗

Fast direct numerical solution of the nonhomogeneous Cauchy-Riemann equations

A fast direct (noniterative) 'Cauchy-Riemann Solver' is developed for solving the finite-difference equations representing systems of first-order elliptic partial differential equations in the form of the nonhomogeneous Cauchy-Riemann equations. The method is second-order accurate and requires approximately the same computer time as a fast cyclic-reduction Poisson solver. The accuracy and efficiency of the direct solver are demonstrated in an application to solving an example problem in aerodynamics: subsonic inviscid flow over a biconvex airfoil. The analytical small-perturbation solution contains singularities, which are captured well by the computational technique. The algorithm is expected to be useful in nonlinear subsonic and transonic aerodynamics.

Lomax, H.↗

Radial and directional solidification of metallic systems in space

Investigation of the solidification behavior of spherical specimens of Ni-12 wt % Sn and Ni-1 wt % Ag that froze radially from the surface toward the center and cylindrical specimens of Al-33 wt % Cu eutectic that froze directionally under appropriately selected conditions of thermal gradient at the solid-liquid interface and growth rate. Possible effects of vacuum and low gravity conditions, under which the spherical specimens were processed, on observed nucleation and growth phenomena are discussed. A genetic explanation is given of observed microstructures, and the distributions of alloying elements is discussed. In directionally solidified eutectic specimens a comparison is made between statistically evaluated growth defects in Skylab and in ground specimens.

Katamis, T. Z.↗

Interfaces in directionally solidified eutectics

Consideration of the interface between the phases in directionally solidified eutectic structures with respect to its morphology, crystallography, stability, and overall response to internal and external stress fields. Yielding behavior in such eutectic structures is shown to be controlled by several possible mechanisms. Two that can be related to the interface in directionally-solidified eutectic alloys are: (1) the interaction of slip dislocations with interface dislocations of the semicoherent boundaries, and (2) restrictions of allowable deformation mechanisms in two contiguous phases due to orientation effects. Evidence found thus far for elastic-plastic eutectic composites indicates that interfaces are capable of diverting fatigue cracks parallel to the loading axis.

Hertzberg, R. W.↗

Multiple-slit shadow device for sensing the direction to a shining object

A multi-slit shadow direction sensor of jalousie type (JDS) was developed to provide a simple, highly reliable tracking system to guide a rotating mirror toward the sun so that the reflected light would illuminate the input slit of a photoelectric spectrometer. The operating principle and stability are considered as well as determination of initial signal level at the output of each photosensor. A procedure is recommended for calculation of a JDS. Both one- and two-coordinate sun direction sensors are described and considered for use in the tracking system of a photoelectric spectrometer.

Bruns, A. V.↗

Evaluation of a hemispherical head flow direction sensor for inlet duct measurements

A hemispherical head flow direction sensor was tested in a wind tunnel to evaluate its effectiveness for measuring dynamic duct flow direction angles of plus and minus 27 degrees. The tests were conducted at Reynolds numbers of 3.8 million per meter (1.0 million per foot) and 4.92 million per meter (1.5 million per foot) and at Mach numbers from 0.30 to 0.70. The design criteria for the probe are discussed and the wind tunnel results are presented. Three techniques for deriving the flow angles are described.

Bennett, D. L.↗

Structure and thermal cycling stability of a hafnium monocarbide reinforced directionally solidified cobalt-base eutectic alloy

A nominal composition of Co-15Cr-2ONi-10.5 Hf-0.7 C (NASA-HAFCO-11) was directionally solidified at 0.8 cm/hr growth rate to produce aligned HfC in a cobalt matrix alloy. The aligned HfC fibers were present as rod and plate types. The diameter of the aligned fibers was about 1 micron, with volume fraction in the range of 11 to 15 percent. The growth direction of the fibers was parallel to the 100. The NASA-HAFCO-11 alloy was subjected to thermal cycling between 425 deg and 1100 C, using a 2.5 minute cycle. No microstructural degradation of the HfC fibers in the alloy was observed after 2500 cycles.

Kim, Y. G.↗

A study of birefringence in the interstellar medium in the direction of the Crab Nebula

The interstellar medium may be regarded as a weak wave plate, the linear birefringence arising from the aligned grains which produce interstellar linear polarization. Using the Crab Nebula as a background source of linearly polarized light we have investigated this birefringence by measurements of circular polarization. The circular component is found to vary with the intrinsic linear polarization in a sinusoidal fashion characteristic of a wave plate with the orientation expected from independent measurements of the interstellar linear polarization in the same direction. Measurements of the wavelength dependence, together with the sense and magnitude of the circular polarization are interpreted as evidence for the dielectric nature of the interstellar grain materials. These observations provide a firm basis for a similar interpretation of the circular polarization of reddened stars. The observations of the stars can then be used to study the grain composition and the structure of the magnetic field in many directions in the Galaxy.

Martin, P. G.↗

Alfven waves and directional discontinuities in the interplanetary medium

The properties of directional discontinuities occurring in selected periods of interplanetary magnetic field data are investigated. Microscale fluctuations in these selected periods have previously been identified as being predominantly Alfvenic on time scales ranging from 5 min to a few hours. We argue that the majority of directional discontinuities in such periods are rotational and outwardly propagating.

Belcher, J. W.↗

Miniature probe for transonic flow direction measurements

A miniature probe is developed for measuring flow direction in one plane as well as stagnation pressure in the boundary layer and near wake of a transonic airfoil. The probe tip geometry and calibration curves are given, along with near wake survey data obtained for a supercritical airfoil. The advantages of the probe are ruggedness, ease of fabrication, ability to measure flow direction at a point, and insensitivity to out-of-plane velocity components.

Spaid, F. W.↗

The auxiliary problem for feasible directions

The present work compares the computational efficiency of two means of determining a direction vector S at constraint boundaries and demonstrates the advantages of using the alternative that formulates the S-determination subproblem with a single quadratic constraint, which in turn can be cast as a special linear problem and solved directly.

Gwin, L. B.↗

On the controversy about the direction of electrotransport in thin gold films

Annealed 'pure' gold films exhibit electromigration against the electron flow. In contrast, gold films deposited on a transition metal underlayer show mass flow in the same direction as the electron flow. Diffusion of the transition metal from the underlayer into the gold film, deduced from Auger analyses presented herein, is believed to be responsible for this reversal. A new experiment, utilizing an 'inverted temperature profile' gives unambiguous results on the direction of electrotransport.

Hummel, R. E.↗

Direction-finding measurements of auroral kilometric radiation

Direction-finding measurements with plasma wave experiments on the Hawkeye 1 and Imp 8 satellites are used to locate the source region of auroral kilometric radiation. This radiation has peak intensities between about 100 and 300 kHz and is emitted in intense sporadic bursts lasting for from half an hour to several hours. At peak intensity the total power emitted in this frequency range exceeds 1 billion W. The occurrence of this radiation is known to be closely associated with bright auroral arcs which occur in the local evening auroral regions. Hawkeye 1 provides direction-finding measurements of kilometric radiation from observations at high latitudes over the northern polar regions, and Imp 8 provides similar observations at large radial distances near the equatorial plane. Results from both satellites place the source of the intense auroral kilometric rdiation in the late local evening at about 22.0 hours LT and at a distance of about 0.75 earth radii from the polar axis of the earth.

Kurth, W. S.↗