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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
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2010

Use of Modal Acoustic Emission to Monitor Damage Progression in Carbon Fiber/Epoxy and Implications for Composite Structures

Broad-band modal acoustic emission (AE) data was used to characterize micromechanical damage progression in uniaxial IM7 and T1000 carbon fiber-epoxy tows and an IM7 composite overwrapped pressure vessel (COPV) subjected to an intermittent load hold tensile stress profile known to activate the Felicity ratio (FR). Damage progression was followed by inspecting the Fast Fourier Transforms (FFTs) associated with acoustic emission events. FFT analysis revealed the occurrence of cooperative micromechanical damage events in a frequency range between 100 kHz and 1 MHz. Evidence was found for the existence of a universal damage parameter, referred to here as the critical Felicity ratio, or Felicity ratio at rupture (FR*), which had a value close to 0.96 for the tows and the COPV tested. The implications of using FR* to predict failure in carbon/epoxy composite materials and related composite components such as COPVs are discussed. Trends in the FFT data are also discussed; namely, the difference between the low and high energy events, the difference between early and late-life events, comparison of IM7 and T1000 damage progression, and lastly, the similarity of events occurring at the onset of significant acoustic emission used to calculate the FR.

Waller, J. M.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Research study on stabilization and control. Modern sampled-date control theory. Stability analysis of the low cost large space telescope system

A mathematical model employing Fourier series is used to show quantization and reaction wheel friction nonlinearity in a telescope system for use in space. Block diagrams are used to illustrate the system. A discrete describing function of a quantizer also is given, and input and output signal waveforms, with illustrative examples, are shown.

Kuo, B. C.↗
NASA NTRS2011

Time-Frequency Analysis of Rocket Nozzle Wall Pressures During Start-up Transients

Surveys of the fluctuating wall pressure were conducted on a sub-scale, thrust- optimized parabolic nozzle in order to develop a physical intuition for its Fourier-azimuthal mode behavior during fixed and transient start-up conditions. These unsteady signatures are driven by shock wave turbulent boundary layer interactions which depend on the nozzle pressure ratio and nozzle geometry. The focus however, is on the degree of similarity between the spectral footprints of these modes obtained from transient start-ups as opposed to a sequence of fixed nozzle pressure ratio conditions. For the latter, statistically converged spectra are computed using conventional Fourier analyses techniques, whereas the former are investigated by way of time-frequency analysis. The findings suggest that at low nozzle pressure ratios -- where the flow resides in a Free Shock Separation state -- strong spectral similarities occur between fixed and transient conditions. Conversely, at higher nozzle pressure ratios -- where the flow resides in Restricted Shock Separation -- stark differences are observed between the fixed and transient conditions and depends greatly on the ramping rate of the transient period. And so, it appears that an understanding of the dynamics during transient start-up conditions cannot be furnished by a way of fixed flow analysis.

Baars, Woutijn J.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Study of balloon and thermal control material degradation aboard LDEF

The initial results of analysis performed on a number of polymeric materials which were exposed aboard the Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) are discussed. These materials include two typical high altitude balloon films (a polyester and a polyethylene) and silver-backed Teflon from thermal control blanket samples. The techniques used for characterizing changes in mechanical properties, chemical structure and surface morphology include Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and dynamic mechanical analysis.

Letton, Alan↗
NASA NTRS1981

A computer program for estimating the power-density spectrum of advanced continuous simulation language generated time histories

A computer program for performing frequency analysis of time history data is presented. The program uses circular convolution and the fast Fourier transform to calculate power density spectrum (PDS) of time history data. The program interfaces with the advanced continuous simulation language (ACSL) so that a frequency analysis may be performed on ACSL generated simulation variables. An example of the calculation of the PDS of a Van de Pol oscillator is presented.

Dunn, H. J.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Automated thematic mapping and change detection of ERTS-1 images, part A

The author has identified the following significant results. Automatic and accurate image processing techniques are essential to full utilization of ERTS-1 photography. In pursuit of this, terrain types in the ERTS-1 photography will be classified by spatial signatures. Diffraction patterns from selected ERTS-1 images have been developed optically and are being analyzed to identify unique signatures for various terrain types. Spatial signatures have been definitely identified for cultivated land and certain urban areas. A Fourier plane mask has been developed that greatly facilitates the analysis of the diffraction patterns.

Gramenopoulos, N.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Theoretical analysis of impact in composite plates

The calculated stresses and displacements induced anisotropic plates by short duration impact forces are presented. The theoretical model attempts to model the response of fiber composite turbine fan blades to impact by foreign objects such as stones and hailstones. In this model the determination of the impact force uses the Hertz impact theory. The plate response treats the laminated blade as an equivalent anisotropic material using a form of Mindlin's theory for crystal plates. The analysis makes use of a computational tool called the fast Fourier transform. Results are presented in the form of stress contour plots in the plane of the plate for various times after impact. Examination of the maximum stresses due to impact versus ply layup angle reveals that the + or - 15 deg layup angle gives lower flexural stresses than 0 deg, + or - 30 deg and + or - 45 deg. cases.

Moon, F. C.↗
NASA NTRS1977

High-resolution electron microscope

Employing scanning transmission electron microscope as interferometer, relative phases of diffraction maximums can be determined by analysis of dark field images. Synthetic aperture technique and Fourier-transform computer processing of amplitude and phase information provide high resolution images at approximately one angstrom.

Nathan, R.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Steady incompressible variable thickness shear layer aerodynamics

A shear flow aerodynamic theory for steady incompressible flows is presented for both the lifting and non lifting problems. The slow variation of the boundary layer thickness is considered. The slowly varying behavior is treated by using multitime scales. The analysis begins with the elementary wavy wall problem and, through Fourier superpositions over the wave number space, the shear flow equivalents to the aerodynamic transfer functions of classical potential flow are obtained. The aerodynamic transfer functions provide integral equations which relate the wall pressure and the upwash. Computational results are presented for the pressure distribution, the lift coefficient, and the center of pressure travel along a two dimensional flat plate in a shear flow. The aerodynamic load is decreased by the shear layer, compared to the potential flow. The variable thickness shear layer decreases it less than the uniform thickness shear layer based upon equal maximum shear layer thicknesses.

Chi, M. R.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Verification of interim simulated atmospheric turbulence

During horizontal and near-horizontal flight of the space shuttle orbiter, the effects of atmospheric turbulence on the vehicle are crucial in establishing the space shuttle design, control, and human pilot effects. The effects of both turbulent gusts and gust gradients (shears) must be taken into account. By means of a nonrecursive turbulence simulation model, twelve simulated turbulence time series for gusts and gust gradients were generated as part of a previous investigation. The current investigation was concerned with the spectral analysis of the time series based on the use of Fourier transform theory. A comparison between the computed spectra and the corresponding von Karman theoretical spectra is also included. A basic difference is explained between the computed and theoretical spectra which was identified as a result of the comparison. Conclusions and recommendations are presented.

Tatom, F. B.↗
NASA NTRS1984

LANDSAT-4 horizon scanner performance evaluation

Representative data spans covering a little more than a year since the LANDSAT-4 launch were analyzed to evaluate the flight performance of the satellite's horizon scanner. High frequency noise was filtered out by 128-point averaging. The effects of Earth oblateness and spacecraft altitude variations are modeled, and residual systematic errors are analyzed. A model for the predicted radiance effects is compared with the flight data and deficiencies in the radiance effects modeling are noted. Correction coefficients are provided for a finite Fourier series representation of the systematic errors in the data. Analysis of the seasonal dependence of the coefficients indicates the effects of some early mission problems with the reference attitudes which were computed by the onboard computer using star trackers and gyro data. The effects of sun and moon interference, unexplained anomalies in the data, and sensor noise characteristics and their power spectrum are described. The variability of full orbit data averages is shown. Plots of the sensor data for all the available data spans are included.

Bilanow, S.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Emission FTIR analyses of thin microscopic patches of jet fuel residues deposited on heated metal surfaces

The relationship of fuel stability to fuel composition and the development of mechanisms for deposit formation were investigated. Fuel deposits reduce heat transfer efficiency and increase resistance to fuel flow and are highly detrimental to aircraft performance. Infrared emission Fourier transform spectroscopy was chosen as the primary method of analysis because it was sensitive enough to be used in-situ on tiny patches of monolayers or of only a few molecular layers of deposits which generally proved completely insoluble in any nondestructive solvents. Deposits of four base fuels were compared; dodecane, a dodecane/tetralin blend, commercial Jet A fuel, and a broadened-properties jet fuel particularly rich in polynuclear aromatics. Every fuel in turn was provided with and without small additions of such additives as thiophene, furan, pyrrole, and copper and iron naphthenates.

Lauer, J. L.↗
NASA NTRS2001

Automatic Fringe Detection for Oil Film Interferometry Measurement of Skin Friction

This report summarizes two years of work on investigating algorithms for automatically detecting fringe patterns in images acquired using oil-drop interferometry for the determination of skin friction. Several different analysis methods were tested, and a combination of a windowed Fourier transform followed by a correlation was found to be most effective. The implementation of this method is discussed and details of the process are described. The results indicate that this method shows promise for automating the fringe detection process, but further testing is required.

Naughton, Jonathan W.↗
NASA NTRS2011

Geopotential Field Anomaly Continuation with Multi-Altitude Observations

Conventional gravity and magnetic anomaly continuation invokes the standard Poisson boundary condition of a zero anomaly at an infinite vertical distance from the observation surface. This simple continuation is limited, however, where multiple altitude slices of the anomaly field have been observed. Increasingly, areas are becoming available constrained by multiple boundary conditions from surface, airborne, and satellite surveys. This paper describes the implementation of continuation with multi-altitude boundary conditions in Cartesian and spherical coordinates and investigates the advantages and limitations of these applications. Continuations by EPS (Equivalent Point Source) inversion and the FT (Fourier Transform), as well as by SCHA (Spherical Cap Harmonic Analysis) are considered. These methods were selected because they are especially well suited for analyzing multi-altitude data over finite patches of the earth such as covered by the ADMAP database. In general, continuations constrained by multi-altitude data surfaces are invariably superior to those constrained by a single altitude data surface due to anomaly measurement errors and the non-uniqueness of continuation.

Kim, Jeong Woo↗
NASA NTRS2012

Geopotential Field Anomaly Continuation with Multi-Altitude Observations

Conventional gravity and magnetic anomaly continuation invokes the standard Poisson boundary condition of a zero anomaly at an infinite vertical distance from the observation surface. This simple continuation is limited, however, where multiple altitude slices of the anomaly field have been observed. Increasingly, areas are becoming available constrained by multiple boundary conditions from surface, airborne, and satellite surveys. This paper describes the implementation of continuation with multi-altitude boundary conditions in Cartesian and spherical coordinates and investigates the advantages and limitations of these applications. Continuations by EPS (Equivalent Point Source) inversion and the FT (Fourier Transform), as well as by SCHA (Spherical Cap Harmonic Analysis) are considered. These methods were selected because they are especially well suited for analyzing multi-altitude data over finite patches of the earth such as covered by the ADMAP database. In general, continuations constrained by multi-altitude data surfaces are invariably superior to those constrained by a single altitude data surface due to anomaly measurement errors and the non-uniqueness of continuation.

Kim, Jeong Woo↗
NASA NTRS2006

Investigation of Post-Flight Solid Rocket Booster Thermal Protection System

After every Shuttle mission, the Solid Rocket Boosters (SRBs) are recovered and observed for missing material. Most of the SRB is covered with a cork-based thermal protection material (MCC-l). After the most recent shuttle mission, STS-114, the forward section of the booster appeared to have been impacted during flight. The darkened fracture surfaces indicated that this might have occurred early in flight. The scope of the analysis included microscopic observations to assess the degree of heat effects and locate evidence of the impact source as well as chemical analysis of the fracture surfaces and recovered foreign material using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy/Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy. The amount of heat effects and presence of soot products on the fracture surface indicated that the material was impacted prior to SRB re-entry into the atmosphere. Fragments of graphite fibers found on these fracture surfaces were traced to slag inside the Solid Rocket Motor (SRM) that forms during flight as the propellant is spent and is ejected throughout the descent of the SRB after separation. The direction of the impact mark matches with the likely trajectory of SRBs tumbling prior to re-entry.

Nelson, Linda A.↗
NASA NTRS2025

Line List for the A 2 Π−X 2 Σ + and the B 2 Σ + −X 2 Σ + Band Systems of CaF

The spectral analysis of molecule-rich asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars is challenging. Although other calcium and fluorine bearing molecules are observed in the microwave and in the visible spectrum of AGB stars, CaF has never been detected, despite favorable chemical equilibrium predictions. Yet, measuring the CaF abundance could give more insight into the fluorine budget of AGB stars and allow better simulation of stellar spectra. In this work, we present an analysis of the visible spectrum of CaF obtained with a Fourier transform spectrometer. CaF A 2 Π−X 2 Σ + and the B 2 Σ + −X 2 Σ + band systems were excited with a hollow cathode discharge. Using previous fluorescence spectroscopy measurements, highly accurate ground state constants, and reasonable extrapolation schemes, the strongest features of CaF in the visible spectrum can be accurately modeled for both band systems. Spectroscopic constants are determined for A 2 Π with v ≤ 16 and for B 2 Σ + with v ≤ 20. Ab initio transition dipole moment curves of both transitions were calculated and scaled, and we provide a line list with Einstein A coefficients and oscillator strengths. This line list can be used to simulate spectra of CaF at temperatures and pressures relevant to astrophysical environments.

Léo Lavy↗
NASA NTRS2010

A Final Approach Trajectory Model for Current Operations

Predicting accurate trajectories with limited intent information is a challenge faced by air traffic management decision support tools in operation today. One such tool is the FAA's Terminal Proximity Alert system which is intended to assist controllers in maintaining safe separation of arrival aircraft during final approach. In an effort to improve the performance of such tools, two final approach trajectory models are proposed; one based on polynomial interpolation, the other on the Fourier transform. These models were tested against actual traffic data and used to study effects of the key final approach trajectory modeling parameters of wind, aircraft type, and weight class, on trajectory prediction accuracy. Using only the limited intent data available to today's ATM system, both the polynomial interpolation and Fourier transform models showed improved trajectory prediction accuracy over a baseline dead reckoning model. Analysis of actual arrival traffic showed that this improved trajectory prediction accuracy leads to improved inter-arrival separation prediction accuracy for longer look ahead times. The difference in mean inter-arrival separation prediction error between the Fourier transform and dead reckoning models was 0.2 nmi for a look ahead time of 120 sec, a 33 percent improvement, with a corresponding 32 percent improvement in standard deviation.

Gong, Chester↗