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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 577 records · Page 32

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NASA NTRS1980

V/STOLAND digital avionics system for XV-15 tilt rotor

A digital flight control system for the tilt rotor research aircraft provides sophisticated navigation, guidance, control, display and data acquisition capabilities for performing terminal area navigation, guidance and control research. All functions of the XV-15 V/STOLAND system were demonstrated on the NASA-ARC S-19 simulation facility under a comprehensive dynamic acceptance test. The most noteworthy accomplishments of the system are: (1) automatic configuration control of a tilt-rotor aircraft over the total operating range; (2) total hands-off landing to touchdown on various selectable straight-in glide slopes and on a flight path that includes a two-revolution helix; (3) automatic guidance along a programmed three-dimensional reference flight path; (4) navigation data for the automatic guidance computed on board, based on VOR/DME, TACAN, or MLS navid data; and (5) integration of a large set of functions in a single computer, utilizing 16k words of storage for programs and data.

Liden, S.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Video image processor on the Spacelab 2 Solar Optical Universal Polarimeter /SL2 SOUP/

The SOUP instrument is designed to obtain diffraction-limited digital images of the sun with high photometric accuracy. The Video Processor originated from the requirement to provide onboard real-time image processing, both to reduce the telemetry rate and to provide meaningful video displays of scientific data to the payload crew. This original concept has evolved into a versatile digital processing system with a multitude of other uses in the SOUP program. The central element in the Video Processor design is a 16-bit central processing unit based on 2900 family bipolar bit-slice devices. All arithmetic, logical and I/O operations are under control of microprograms, stored in programmable read-only memory and initiated by commands from the LSI-11. Several functions of the Video Processor are described, including interface to the High Rate Multiplexer downlink, cosmetic and scientific data processing, scan conversion for crew displays, focus and exposure testing, and use as ground support equipment.

Lindgren, R. W.↗

NASA NTRS1981

A global atlas of GEOS-3 significant waveheight data and comparison of the data with national buoy data

The accuracy of the GEOS-3 significant waveheight estimates compared with buoy measurements of significant waveheight were determined. A global atlas of the GEOS-3 significant waveheight estimates gathered is presented. The GEOS-3 significant waveheight estimation algorithm is derived by analyzing the return waveform characteristics of the altimeter. Convergence considerations are examined, the rationale for a smoothing technique is presented and the convergence characteristics of the smoothed estimate are discussed. The GEOS-3 data are selected for comparison with buoy measurements. The GEOS-3 significant waveheight estimates are assembled in the form of a global atlas of contour maps. Both high and low sea state contour maps are presented, and the data are displayed both by seasons and for the entire duration of the GEOS-3 mission.

Mcmillan, J. D.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Survey of multi-function display and control technology

The NASA orbiter spacecraft incorporates a complex array of systems, displays and controls. The incorporation of discrete dedicated controls into a multi-function display and control system (MFDCS) offers the potential for savings in weight, power, panel space and crew training time. The technology applicable to the development of a MFDCS for orbiter application is surveyed. Technology thought to be applicable presently or in the next five years is highlighted. Areas discussed include display media, data handling and processing, controls and operator interactions and the human factors considerations which are involved in a MFDCS design. Several examples of applicable MFDCS technology are described.

Spiger, R. J.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Investigation of the effects of external current systems on the MAGSAT data utilizing grid cell modeling techniques

Progress made in reducing MAGSAT data and displaying magnetic field perturbations caused primarily by external currents is reported. A periodic and repeatable perturbation pattern is described that arises from external current effects but appears as unique signatures associated with upper middle latitudes on the Earth's surface. Initial testing of the modeling procedure that was developed to compute the magnetic fields at satellite orbit due to current distributions in the ionosphere and magnetosphere is also discussed. The modeling technique utilizes a linear current element representation of the large scale space current system.

Klumpar, D. M.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Advanced oxygen-hydrocarbon Earth-to-orbit propulsion

Liquid oxygen/hydrocarbon (LO2/HC) rocket engine cycles for a surface to orbit transportation system were evaluated. A consistent engine system data base is established for defining advantages and disadvantages, system performance and operating limits, engine parametric data, and technology requirements for candidate engine systems. Preliminary comparisons of the engine cycles utilizing delivered specific impulse values are presented. Methane and propane staged combustion cycles are the highest LO2/HC performers. The hydrogen cooled LO2/methane dual throat engine was found to be the highest performing. Technology needs identified in the study include: high temperature turbines; oxidizer-rich preburners; LO2, methane, and propane cooling; methane and propane fuel-rich preburners; the HC fuel turbopump; and application of advanced composite materials to the engine system. Parametric sensitivity analysis data are displayed which show the effect of variations in engine thrust, mixture ratio, chamber pressure, area ratio, cycle life, and turbine inlet temperature on specific impulse and engine weight.

Obrien, C. J.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Ensemble averaging of acoustic data

A computer program called Ensemble Averaging of Acoustic Data is documented. The program samples analog data, analyzes the data, and displays them in the time and frequency domains. Hard copies of the displays are the program's output. The documentation includes a description of the program and detailed user instructions for the program. This software was developed for use on the Ames 40- by 80-Foot Wind Tunnel's Dynamic Analysis System consisting of a PDP-11/45 computer, two RK05 disk drives, a tektronix 611 keyboard/display terminal, and FPE-4 Fourier Processing Element, and an analog-to-digital converter.

Stefanski, P. K.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Use of an engineering data management system in the analysis of Space Shuttle Orbiter tiles

This paper demonstrates the use of an engineering data management system to facilitate the extensive stress analyses of the Space Shuttle Orbiter thermal protection system. Descriptions are given of the approach and methods used (1) to gather, organize, and store the data, (2) to query data interactively, (3) to generate graphic displays of the data, and (4) to access, transform, and prepare the data for input to a stress analysis program. The relational information management system was found to be well suited to the tile analysis problem because information related to many separate tiles could be accessed individually from a data base having a natural organization from an engineering viewpoint. The flexible user features of the system facilitated changes in data content and organization which occurred during the development and refinement of the tile analysis procedure. Additionally, the query language supported retrieval of data to satisfy a variety of user-specified conditions.

Giles, G. L.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Fast Electronic Solar Cell Tester

Microcomputer controlled system gather current and voltage data. System consists of light source, microcomputer, programable dc power supply, analog/ digital interface, and data storage display equipment. Applies series of test loads to cell via programable dc power supply to obtain I/V characteristic curve and key cell-peformance parameter. Apparatus and programming technique are applicable to devices such as batteries and sensors.

Lathrop, J. W.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Experimental investigation of shock-cell noise reduction for dual-stream nozzles in simulated flight comprehensive data report. Volume 1: Test nozzles and acoustic data

Parameters which contribute to supersonic jet shock noise were investigated for the purpose of determining means to reduce such noise generation to acceptable levels. Six dual-stream test nozzles with varying flow passage and plug closure designs were evaluated under simulated flight conditions in an anechoic chamber. All nozzles had combined convergent-divergent or convergent flow passages. Acoustic behavior as a function of nozzle flow passage geometry was measured. The acoustic data consist primarily of 1/3 octave band sound pressure levels and overall sound pressure levels. Detailed schematics and geometric characteristics of the six scale model nozzle configurations and acoustic test point definitions are presented. Tabulation of aerodynamic test conditions and a computer listing of the measured acoustic data are displayed.

Yamamoto, K.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Assessment of preliminary prediction techniques for wing leading-edge vortex flows at supersonic speeds

The applicability of existing theoretical models for predicting wing leading edge separated flow characteristics for high-lift supersonic flight was examined with regard to previous experimental force, pressure and flow visualization data. Correlations of data on uncambered delta wings revealed that the upper surface normal force and minimum pressure coefficients decreased nonlinearly with increasing angles of attack. The attainable vacuum pressure decreased with increasing Mach number, while the lower surface normal force increased nonlinearly with increasing speed. The LISTAR and VORCAM linear theory aerodynamic codes generated predictions for comparison with the data. LISTAR displayed better agreement with measured vortex strength and position and lifting characteristics than did VORCAM. The Euler code SWINT was ill-suited to calculating wing performance in separated flows at high lift and low supersonic speeds.

Wood, R. M.↗

NASA NTRS1986

"Speaking" Microcomputer

Microcomputer system allows blind person to use portable computer and communicate with remote mainframe computer. System prepares data for transmission to mainframe, translates data transmitted from mainframe for its own use, and converts data ordinarily displayed on its video screen into synthesized speech.

Mandy, C.↗

NASA NTRS1986

A laboratory investigation of the variability of cloud reflected radiance fields

A method to determine the radiative properties of complex cloud fields was developed. A Cloud field optical simulator (CFOS) was constructed to simulate the interaction of cloud fields with visible radiation. The CFOS was verified by comparing experimental results from it with calculations performed with a Monte Carlo radiative transfer model. A software library was developed to process, reduce, and display CFOS data. The CFSOS was utilized to study the reflected radiane patterns from simulated cloud fields.

Mckee, T. B.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Longitudinal stability and control derivatives obtained from flight data of a PA-30 aircraft

In order to obtain reliable and accurate values of the stability and control derivatives, the Dryden Fligh Research Center (DFRC) developed a technique for extracting the derivatives from flight data. This technique is implemented by a set of FORTRAN computer programs that is based on a modified maximum likelihood estimator that uses the Newton-Raphson algorithm to perform the required minimization of the derivatives. Data was obtained with a PA-30, light twin-engine general aviation aircraft in zero, half, and full flap configuration in level unaccelerated flight with the landing gear retracted. The derivatives were plotted as functions of angle of attack using various graphical arrangements to show variations of wind tunnel and flight determined values at zero flap settings. Also, data was displayed to show the effects of flap deflection and thrust variation on the longitudinal stability derivatives. The angle of attack and angle of sideslip were measured. The dynamic pressure, velocity, and altitude were calculated, using a FORTRAN computer program, from the static and dynamic pressures. The control deflections of the stabilator, ailerons, and rudder also were recorded along with left throttle position, engine rpm, and manifold pressure.

Turley, D. R.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Application of the Man-computer Interactive Data Access System (McIDAS) to aerospace meteorology

The Man-computer Interactive Data Access System (McIDAS) considered in this paper has been in use at Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) since 1981. The MSFC McIDAS system is primarily employed as a research tool, taking into account rainfall estimates as deduced from Scanning Multichannel Microwave Radiometer (SMMR) data, remote sensing sensor development (MAMS), Doppler-lidar derived winds, cloud tracked winds, and analysis of lightning ground strike data. With respect to the SMMR data analysis, passive microwave satellite data are displayed on McIDAS as images. Two major research efforts are concerned with the determination of mesoscale winds. These efforts are based on a utilization of a Doppler-lidar system, and GOES multispectral imagery. It is pointed out that future plans include increased usage of the McIDAS system.

Meyer, P. J.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Dynamic characteristics of far-field radiation of current modulated phase-locked diode laser arrays

A versatile and powerful streak camera/frame grabber system for studying the evolution of the near and far field radiation patterns of diode lasers was assembled and tested. Software needed to analyze and display the data acquired with the steak camera/frame grabber system was written and the total package used to record and perform preliminary analyses on the behavior of two types of laser, a ten emitter gain guided array and a flared waveguide Y-coupled array. Examples of the information which can be gathered with this system are presented.

Elliott, R. A.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Short time Fourier analysis of the electromyogram - Fast movements and constant contraction

Short-time Fourier analysis was applied to surface electromyograms (EMG) recorded during rapid movements, and during isometric contractions at constant forces. A portion of the data to be transformed by multiplying the signal by a Hamming window was selected, and then the discrete Fourier transform was computed. Shifting the window along the data record, a new spectrum was computed each 10 ms. The transformed data were displayed in spectograms or 'voiceprints'. This short-time technique made it possible to see time-dependencies in the EMG that are normally averaged in the Fourier analysis of these signals. Spectra of EMGs during isometric contractions at constant force vary in the short (10-20 ms) term. Short-time spectra from EMGs recorded during rapid movements were much less variable. The windowing technique picked out the typical 'three-burst pattern' in EMG's from both wrist and head movements. Spectra during the bursts were more consistent than those during isometric contractions. Furthermore, there was a consistent shift in spectral statistics in the course of the three bursts. Both the center frequency and the variance of the spectral energy distribution grew from the first burst to the second burst in the same muscle. The analogy between EMGs and speech signals is extended to argue for future applicability of short-time spectral analysis of EMG.

Hannaford, Blake↗

NASA NTRS1986

A computer graphics pilot project - Spacecraft mission support with an interactive graphics workstation

The NASA Computer Graphics Pilot Project was undertaken to enhance the quality control, productivity and efficiency of mission support operations at the Goddard Operations Support Computing Facility. The Project evolved into a set of demonstration programs for graphics intensive simulated control room operations, particularly in connection with the complex space missions that began in the 1980s. Complex mission mean more data. Graphic displays are a means to reduce the probabilities of operator errors. Workstations were selected with 1024 x 768 pixel color displays controlled by a custom VLSI chip coupled to an MC68010 chip running UNIX within a shell that permits operations through the medium of mouse-accessed pulldown window menus. The distributed workstations run off a host NAS 8040 computer. Applications of the system for tracking spacecraft orbits and monitoring Shuttle payload handling illustrate the system capabilities, noting the built-in capabilities of shifting the point of view and rotating and zooming in on three-dimensional views of spacecraft.

Hagedorn, John↗