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At least 577 records · Page 32

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NASA NTRS1980

Silicon ribbon growth using scanned lasers

The recent demand for low-cost photovoltaic arrays has renewed the interest in growing silicon in ribbon form. The approach used in the present paper for the growth of low-cost silicon ribbon is shown schematically. A pair of scanned, focused CO2 laser beams is directed onto both sides of a preformed silicon ribbon. A narrow (about 1 mm high) molten zone is formed across the full width of the ribbon. As the silicon ribbon is passed through the laser-heated zone, large grains are produced in the recrystallized ribbon. The laser beam path is outlined schematically. As a general rule, the lenses are not positioned so as to bring the laser beams to a fine focus, since highly focused beams would vaporize the silicon surface rather than serve to melt the bulk. Silicon ribbon has been grown at rates up to 13.3 cm/min by this approach. The best solar cell fabricated so far on this material has a conversion efficiency of 12.7%.

Baghdadi, A.↗

NASA NTRS1972

A study of the electrical properties of p-n junctions formed by ion-implantation into gallium arsenide

In the process of ion implantation, ion beams bombard the surface and create undesirable surface effects. The surface effects were investigated, and surface leakage currents were shown to be reduced by surface treatment. I-V characteristics and C-V measurements were obtained for the Zn-GaAs and Zn-(In,Ga)As junction is considered as a p-i-n heterojunction, without generation-recombination current. The Zn-GaAs junction is considered as a p-n homojunction with appreciable generation-recombination currents.

Lin, A. H.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Ion beam sputter-etched ventricular catheter for hydrocephalus shunt

A cerebrospinal fluid shunt in the form of a ventricular catheter for controlling the condition of hydrocephalus by relieving the excessive cerebrospinal fluid pressure is described. A method for fabrication of the catheter and shunting the cerebral fluid from the cerebral ventricles to other areas of the body is also considered. Shunt flow failure occurs if the ventricle collapse due to improper valve function causing overdrainage. The ventricular catheter comprises a multiplicity of inlet microtubules. Each microtubule has both a large openings at its inlet end and a multiplicity of microscopic openings along its lateral surfaces.

Banks, B. A.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Active control of a flexible beam

Because of inherent low damping and high flexibility, large space structures may require some form of active control of their dynamics. Because of the apparent inability to accurately model the dynamics of these structures, methods for parameter adaptive control are now being developed at Langley. This approach uses a digital computer to process discrete sensor data, identify modal parameters, calculate modal control gains, and then convert the modal forces to real forces. Some of the problems considered are: (1) the possibility that there may be modes to control with limited amounts of hardware, and (2) the required accuracy of identified structural parameters.

Williams, J. P.↗

NASA NTRS1992

The effect of material heterogeneity in curved composite beams for use in aircraft structures

A design tool is presented for predicting the effect of material heterogeneity on the performance of curved composite beams for use in aircraft fuselage structures. Material heterogeneity can be induced during processes such as sheet forming and stretch forming of thermoplastic composites. This heterogeneity can be introduced in the form of fiber realignment and spreading during the manufacturing process causing a gradient in material properties in both the radial and tangential directions. The analysis procedure uses a separate two-dimensional elasticity solution for the stresses in the flanges and web sections of the beam. The separate solutions are coupled by requiring the forces and displacements match at the section boundaries. Analysis is performed for curved beams loaded in pure bending and uniform pressure. The beams can be of any general cross-section such as a hat, T-, I-, or J-beam. Preliminary results show that geometry of the beam dictates the effect of heterogeneity on performance. Heterogeneity plays a much larger role in beams with a small average radius to depth ratio, R/t, where R is the average radius of the beam and t is the difference between the inside and outside radius. Results of the analysis are in the form of stresses and displacements, and they are compared to both mechanics of materials and numerical solutions obtained using finite element analysis.

Otoole, Brendan J.↗

NASA NTRS1979

The dynamics and control of large flexible space structures, 2. Part A: Shape and orientation control using point actuators

The equations of planar motion for a flexible beam in orbit which includes the effects of gravity gradient torques and control torques from point actuators located along the beam was developed. Two classes of theorems are applied to the linearized form of these equations to establish necessary conditions for controlability for preselected actuator configurations. The feedback gains are selected: (1) based on the decoupling of the original coordinates and to obtain proper damping, and (2) by applying the linear regulator problem to the individual model coordinates separately. The linear control laws obtained using both techniques were evaluated by numerical integration of the nonlinear system equations. Numerical examples considering pitch and various number of modes with different combination of actuator numbers and locations are presented. The independent model control concept used earlier with a discretized model of the thin beam in orbit was reviewed for the case where the number of actuators is less than the number of modes. Results indicate that although the system is controllable it is not stable about the nominal (local vertical) orientation when the control is based on modal decoupling. An alternate control law not based on modal decoupling ensures stability of all the modes.

Bainum, P. M.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Shape determination and control for large space structures

An integral operator approach is used to derive solutions to static shape determination and control problems associated with large space structures. Problem assumptions include a linear self-adjoint system model, observations and control forces at discrete points, and performance criteria for the comparison of estimates or control forms. Results are illustrated by simulations in the one dimensional case with a flexible beam model, and in the multidimensional case with a finite model of a large space antenna. Modal expansions for terms in the solution algorithms are presented, using modes from the static or associated dynamic mode. These expansions provide approximated solutions in the event that a used form analytical solution to the system boundary value problem is not available.

Weeks, C. J.↗

NASA NTRS1994

Ultraviolet spectra of quenched carbonaceous composite derivatives: Comparison to the '217 nanometer' interstellar absorption feature

QCCs (quenched carbonaceous composite) are amorphus carbonaceous material formed from a hydrocarbon plasma. We present the UV-visible spectra of 'filmy QCC; (obtained outside of the beam ejected from the hydrocarbon plasma) and 'dark QCC' (obtained very near to the beam) for comparison to the stellar extinction curve. When filmy QCC is heated to 500-700 C (thermally altered), the wavelength of the absorption maximum increases form 204 nm to 220-222 nm. The dark QCC has an absorption maximum at 217-222 nm. In addition, the thermally altered filmy QCC has a slope change at about 500 nm which resmbles that in the interstellar extinction curve. The resemblance of the extinction curve of the QCCs to that of the interstellar medium suggests that QCC derivatives may be representative of the type of interstellar material that produces the 217 nm interstellar medium feature. The peak extinction of the dark QCC is higher than the average interstellar extinction curve while that of the thermally altered filmy QCC is lower, so that a mixture of dark and thermally altered filmy QCC can match the peak extinction observed in the interstellar medium. It is shown from electron micrographs that most of the thermally altered flimy QCC is in the form of small grainy structure less than 4 nm in diameter. This shows that the structure unit causing the 217-222 nm feature in QCC is very small.

Sakata, Akira↗

NASA NTRS1973

Thermoelastic flutter models for elements of flexible satellites

Models of thermally induced flutter of the flexible elements of a satellite, such as beams, circular plates, and cylindrical shells have been obtained. These models form the necessary blocks for analyzing the motion of satellites. The heat input is considered to be caused by solar radiations. The partial differential equations for all the elements of the satellite are linear in the space dependent variables and nonlinear in the time-dependent variables. These equations are coupled through the motion of the center of mass of the satellite. Galerkin's method has been used to remove the space-dependence of these equations. In the succeeding paper, a further reduction of these equations is made into singular perturbation equations, which are amenable to solution for complex problems of extremely large number of degrees of freedom.

Huang, T. C.↗

NASA NTRS1975

Thermoelastic flutter models for elements of flexible satellites

Models of thermally induced flutter of the flexible elements of a satellite, such as beams, circular plates, and cylindrical shells, have been obtained. These models form the necessary blocks for analyzing the motion of satellites. The heat input is considered to be caused by solar radiation. The partial differential equations for all the elements of the satellite are linear in the space-dependent variables and nonlinear in the time-dependent variables. These equations are coupled through the motion of the center of mass of the satellite. Galerkin's method has been used to remove the space-dependence of these equations.

Huang, T. C.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Method and apparatus for producing an image from a transparent object

The contrast produced from a photographic transparency is controlled by placing the transparency between a pair of partially reflecting mirrors forming walls of an optical cavity. Mirrors trap a collimated laser beam illuminating the transparency so that at least a portion of the beam energy is passed through the transparency plural times. The distance that the light beam travels between the mirrors is controlled as a function of the wavelength of the beam energy to control the phase of light interference in the beam passing through the transparency, thereby controlling the intensity of the beam derived from the mirror downstream of the transparency.

Lee, S. H.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Study of methods for direct optical address of integrated optical circuits

Methods for introducing optical information directly, without intervening recording and storage steps, into integrated optical data-processing devices are surveyed. The information is taken to be in the form of a one-dimensional variation of intensity across the beam. Physical phenomena that may be utilized are evaluated, and the most suitable presently known classes of materials for exploitation of each type of interaction are discussed. A variety of possible device configurations are suggested and general principles are outlined whereby many more device types can be generated. A simple experimental device was demonstrated and its operation was analyzed.

Wood, V. E.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Apparatus and method for determining the position of a radiant energy source

The position of a terrestrial RF source is determined from a geostationary, synchronous satellite by scanning the beam of a narrow beam width antenna in first and second orthogonal directions over a region including the source. The peak level of energy transduced by the antenna in each of the scanning directions is detected and correlated with the scanning position of the beam by feeding the output of a detector responsive to the transduced signal to an indicator of an X-Y recorder. The X and Y axes of the recorder are scanned in synchronism with the beam being respectively scanned in the first and second directions to form X and Y traces on which are indicated the detected peak position in each of the scanning directions. The source position is determined from an intersection of lines drawn parallel to the X and Y axes and including the detected peak position of each trace.

Schaefer, G. J.↗

NASA NTRS1981

A new experiment to investigate the origin of optical activity using a low energy positron beam of controlled helicity

Previous experiments undertaken in search of a correlation between the origin of optical activity in biological molecules and the helicity of beta particles emitted in nuclear beta decay have not provided any useful results. A description is presented of an experiment in which a low energy polarized positron beam of controlled helicity interacts with an optically active material to form positronium in vacuum. Advantages of the current study compared to the previous experiments are mainly related to a much greater sensitivity. Initially, it will be possible to detect a helicity-dependent asymmetry in triplet positronium formation of 1 part in 10,000. Improvements to better than 1 part in 100,000 should be attainable.

Gidley, D. W.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Planar dynamics of a uniform beam with rigid bodies affixed to the ends

The planar dynamics of a uniform elastic beam subject to a variety of geometric and natural boundary conditions and external excitations were analyzed. The beams are inextensible and capable of small transverse bending deformations only. Classical beam vibration eigenvalue problems for a cantilever with tip mass, a cantilever with tip body and an unconstrained beam with rigid bodies at each are examined. The characteristic equations, eigenfunctions and orthogonality relations for each are derived. The forced vibration of a cantilever with tip body subject to base acceleration is analyzed. The exact solution of the governing nonhomogeneous partial differential equation with time dependent boundary conditions is presented and compared with a Rayleigh-Ritz approximate solution. The arbitrary planar motion of an elastic beam with rigid bodies at the ends is addressed. Equations of motion are derived for two modal expansions of the beam deflection. The motion equations are cast in a first order form suitable for numerical integration. Selected FORTRAN programs are provided.

Storch, J.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Aeroelastic analysis of launch vehicles in transonic flight

A numerical study of the aeroelastic stability of launch vehicles in transonic flight is performed. The unsteady aerodynanic flowfield about the vehicle is simulated using the three dimensional Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes equations with the account for turbulent mixing done by a two-layer algebraic eddy viscosity model. The structural-dynamic formulation considers free-free flexural vibration of an elongated beam with variable properties and the equations are cast in modal form. The two sets of equations are integrated simultaneously in time, after a initial perturbation, to ascertain the aeroelastic stability of a given configuration. The method propossed is described in detail, and results that illustrate its application are presented.

Azevedo, Joao Luiz F.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Instantaneous planar visualization of reacting supersonic flows using silane seeding

A new visualization technique for reacting flows has been developed. This technique, which is suitable for supersonic combustion flows, has been demonstrated on a scramjet combustor model. In this application, gaseous silane (SiH4) was added to the primary hydrogen fuel. When the fuel reacted, so did the (SiH4), producing silica (SiO2) particles in situ. The particles were illuminated with a laser sheet formed from a frequency-doubled Nd:YAG laser (532 nm) beam and the Mie scattering signal was imaged. These planar images of the silica Mie scattering provided instantaneous 'maps' of combustion progress within the turbulent reacting flowfield.

Smith, Michael W.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Multispectral observations of the Jovian aurora

The upper atmospheres of the Earth and the outer planets form a screen on which precipitating charged particles, like the electron beam in a television, trace fleeting, but revealing patterns of visible, ultraviolet, infrared, and x ray emissions that offer valuable clues to processes occurring within the planetary magnetospheres. At Earth, years of in situ measurements, as well as ground based observations, have yielded a picture (still fuzzy) where the interaction of the solar wind with the magnetosphere of the Earth provides a complex path for the storage and release of energy during magnetic substorms; the ultimate manifestation of terrestrial auroral processes. More recent global imaging of substorm events from high above the Earth (greater than 3.5 R(sub e)) by Dynamics Explorer have made a unique contribution towards understanding the global and temporal evolution of such auroral events by providing a morphological perspective and by providing the crucial observational link that allows the separation of spatial and temporal variations inherent in the interpretation of in situ data. A similar role was played by the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) during the recent encounter of Ulysses with Jupiter in helping to define a new paradigm in Jovian auroral physics. The old paradigm portrayed Jupiter's magnetosphere as totally dominated by internal processes (i.e. Io related tori, heavy ions, etc.) where energetic heavy ion precipitation in the inner magnetosphere was solely responsible for the observed auroral phenomena. Ulysses and HST portray a more Earth-like paradigm where electron acceleration in the outer magnetosphere near the boundary with the solar wind plays a distinct role in the formation of auroral hot spots, yet energetic heavy ions also enter into the picture (similar to the role of the energetic ions from the terrestrial ring current during magnetic substorms). These heavy ions as a result of excitation during their transit through the atmosphere produce the x ray emissions observed in Roentgensatellit (ROSAT) x ray energy spectra.

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