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At least 613 records · Page 34

Shear dampers for deflections of micro-inch magnitudes

The rotation of the TV camera on the Mariner Jupiter/Saturn 1977 (MJS77) spacecraft will excite the long magnetometer and heavy RTG booms which are slightly damped perturbances that have long settling times. To ensure clear TV pictures additional damping was required over micro-inch displacements and at low frequencies. The solution incorporated elastomeric shear dampers at the base of these booms which possessed high loss tangent values in the expected frequency and temperature ranges. Presented are the shear damper design, results of full scale horizontal boom tests and relative effects of damper sizing and temperature. Boom instrumentation and excitation used for the full scale tests are also discussed.

Otth, D.↗

Determination of micro amounts of iron, aluminum, and alkaline earth metals in silicon carbide

A colorimetric method for analysis of micro components in silicon carbide used as the raw material for varistors is described. The microcomponents analyzed included iron soluble in hydrochloric acid, iron, aluminum, calcium and magnesium. Samples were analyzed by the method, and the results for iron and aluminum agreed well with the N.B.S. standard values and the values obtained by the other company. The method can therefore be applied to the analysis of actual samples.

Hirata, H.↗

Rectenna session: Micro aspects

Two micro aspects of rectenna design are discussed: evaluation of the degradation in net rectenna RF to DC conversion efficiency due to power density variations across the rectenna (power combining analysis) and design of Yagi-Uda receiving elements to reduce rectenna cost by decreasing the number of conversion circuits (directional receiving elements). The first of these involves resolving a fundamental question of efficiency potential with a rectenna, while the second involves a design modification with a large potential cost saving.

Gutmann, R. J.↗

Micro-area Auger analysis of a SiC/Ti fibre composite

Micro-area Auger electron spectroscopy with a spatial resolution of less than 50 nm has been used to study the concentration of elements across the reaction zone of a W-reinforced SiC fiber in a titanium matrix. Although the elemental concentrations obtained by this technique are affected by the reaction zone morphology to a greater extent than in the case of X-ray microprobe analysis, the proposed technique has the advantage of a much higher spatial resolution and avoids the problems of bulk averaging that characterize the X-ray technique.

Zironi, E. P.↗

Spherical micro-glass particle impingement studies of thermoplastic materials at normal incidence

Light optical and scanning electron microscope studies were conducted to characterize the erosion resistance of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polycarbonate (PC), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and ultra-high-molecular-weight-polyethylene (UHMWPE). Erosion was caused by a jet of spherical micro-glass beads at normal impact. During the initial stages of damage, the surfaces of these materials were studied using a profilometer. Material buildup above the original surface was observed on PC and PMMA. As erosion progressed, this buildup disappeared as the pit became deeper. Little or no buildup was observed on PTFE and on UHMWPE. UHMWPE and PTFE are the most resistant materials and PMMA the least. Favorable properties for high erosion resistance seem to be high values of ultimate elongation, and strain energy and a low value of the modulus of elasticity. Erosion-rate-versus-time curves of PC and PTFE exhibit incubation, acceleration and steady state periods. A continuously increasing erosion rate period was observed however for PMMA instead of a steady state period. At early stages of damage and at low impact pressure material removal mechanisms appear to be similar to those for metallic materials.

Rao, P. V.↗

A micro-computer based system to compute magnetic variation

A mathematical model of magnetic variation in the continental United States (COT48) was implemented in the Ohio University LORAN C receiver. The model is based on a least squares fit of a polynomial function. The implementation on the microprocessor based LORAN C receiver is possible with the help of a math chip, Am9511 which performs 32 bit floating point mathematical operations. A Peripheral Interface Adapter (M6520) is used to communicate between the 6502 based micro-computer and the 9511 math chip. The implementation provides magnetic variation data to the pilot as a function of latitude and longitude. The model and the real time implementation in the receiver are described.

Kaul, R.↗

Mass Spectrometer for Airborne Micro-Organisms

Bacteria and other micro-organisms identified continously with aid of new technique for producing samples for mass spectrometer. Technique generates aerosol of organisms and feeds to spectrometer. Given species of organism produces characteristic set of peaks in mass spectrum and thereby identified. Technique useful for monitoring bacterial makeup in environmental studies and in places where cleanliness is essential, such as hospital operating rooms, breweries, and pharmaceutical plants.

Sinha, M. P.↗

Designing a micro-spacecraft

Planetary spacecraft design could move toward less complex probes which would cost less then previous highly instrumented missions. The goal then becomes to fly more frequent missions and use commercial, proven hardware to ameliorate development costs. A commonality would be kept in place from spacecraft to spacecraft, with upgrades being introduced only to meet specific objectives or take advantage of advances in commercial hardware. Mission costs are in large part determined by spacecraft mass, so instrumentation must be miniaturized, i.e., the concept of a micro-satellite. A design study for the Cosimi project, which would feature placing a spacecraft on the far side of the solar corona to broadcast radio signals to earth, demonstrates the feasibility of a 20 cm diam rocket and integrated instruments for performing low-cost solar physics experiments. It is concluded, however, that current program start-ups will continue to maximize the mass and instrumentation of spacecraft.

Burke, J. D.↗

Time-dependent mixed convection heat transfer from a sphere in a micro-gravity environment

A fundamental problem of interest for crystal growth in micro-gravity applications involves the mixed convection heat transfer from a sphere in a uniform flow of fluid at a differing temperature. Under the combined influence of the imposed free stream as well as an induced buoyancy force due to thermal expansion of the fluid, the heat transfer from the sphere will be different from that of either the pure forced convection flow or the pure free convection flow. For the present study, the method of matched asymptotic expansions is applied to the laminar flow problem of an impulsively heated, impulsively started sphere in an originally quiescent fluid. Time series expansions are developed for the dependent variables by acknowledging the existence of two distinct regions: one, an inner region, near the sphere, in which viscous effects are significant; and two, an outer region in which the fluid may be treated as inviscid. The time series expansions are developed in terms of the Reynolds number and Richardson number (Buoyancy Parameter), and the relevant heat transfer and drag coefficients are calculated and plotted.

Hommel, Mark J.↗

Electromagnetically launched micro spacecraft for space science missions

This paper presents the concept of using very small spacecraft launched by an electromagnetic launcher located in low earth orbit to perform space science missions. This paper includes a discussion of flight time versus distance performance, potential missions, electromagnetic launchers, micro spacecraft concepts, high G technology and a conceptual launcher design. It is suggested that the present is an especially good time to investigate the subject concept due to the current launch vehicle crisis for space science, and due to the large amounts of resources that the SDIO is spending on the development of the technology for electromagnetic launchers and projectiles.

Jones, Ross M.↗