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At least 613 records · Page 34

An active thermal compensator for closed-cycle helium refrigerators

A technique was developed for reducing the amplitude of the temperature oscillation in He closed-cyle refrigerators. The device uses a semiconductor diode as a heating element to actively supply a small oscillating input of heat at a point between the laser and the cold-tip to cancel the heat oscillations due to the refrigerator. It was found that the heater diode could drive the temperature of the heat sink more effectively, i.e., with lower current and therefore less heat, if the heat sink was insulated slightly from the rest of the mount. A sine-wave generator was used to drive the programmable supply which provided the offset current to the heater diode. By matching the frequency and phase of the oscillator to that of the refrigerator cycle, and by adjusting the amplitude of the oscillator signal, the temperature fluctuations at the laser could be minimized. Residual fluctuations were about 0.003K peak-to-peak, at an operating temperature of 9.5K.

Jennings, D. E.↗

Particle and flow field measurements by laser holography

Holograms make transmission recordings of aerodynamic events which are real-illuminated with ground-glass light diffusers and with no requirements for precision. The three-dimensional interferograms can be recorded by stored-beam, double-exposure, and double-plate techniques. Weak traveling shock waves, generated by rotating blade rows of an aircraft fan compressor, can be visualized by rapid double-exposure holograms recorded with a ruby laser. The same laser technique can also determine flow velocities from holograms of small flow-entrained particles. Particles larger than one-quarter millimeter are recorded under rear diffuse illumination conditions. Smaller particles can be recorded by their own forward scattering of laser light through the sensitivity of the holographic process for weak signals. Since the holographic apparatus can be path-matched, both particle and flow interferograms can be recorded with lasers of short coherence length.

Wuerker, R. F.↗

Natural precedents to active magnetospheric experiments

Some of the natural analogs of proposed seeding experiments in the magnetosphere are: electric charged particle injections during substorms; lightning-induced whistlers providing wave injections; 'detachment' of plasma from the plasmapause, which is equivalent to light-ion seeding in the outer magnetosphere. In the present paper, the characteristics of some natural precedents to active experiments are reviewed, and their relative advantages and drawbacks are examined. One of these precedents - wave generation in detached plasma regions - is then discussed in some detail; the discussion reveals the generation of ELF electromagnetic noise when the energetic electrons exceed the stably trapped limit, and also indicates that a critical dimension for the seeded volume exists transverse to the geomagnetic field.

Russell, C. T.↗

Ion acoustic stability analysis of the earth's bow shock

A marginal stability criterion for ion acoustic waves is applied to the analysis of five thin bow shock crossings observed by OGO-5; the observations began with the satellite in the magnetosheath. The assumption of marginally stable ion acoustic wave generation in the shock ramp provides the basis for determining the thickness of the magnetic gradients for subcritical, quasi-perpendicular shock features.

Greenstadt, E. W.↗

Microwave remote sensing laboratory design

Application of active and passive microwave remote sensing to the study of ocean pollution is discussed. Previous research efforts, both in the field and in the laboratory were surveyed to derive guidance for the design of a laboratory program of research. The essential issues include: choice of radar or radiometry as the observational technique; choice of laboratory or field as the research site; choice of operating frequency; tank sizes and material; techniques for wave generation and appropriate wavelength spectrum; methods for controlling and disposing of pollutants used in the research; and pollutants other than oil which could or should be studied.

Friedman, E.↗

The supersonic triplet - A new aerodynamic panel singularity with directional properties

A new supersonic triplet singularity has been developed which eliminates internal waves generated by panels having supersonic edges. The triplet is a linear combination of source and vortex distributions which provides the desired directional properties in the flow field surrounding the panel. The theoretical development of the triplet is described, together with its application to the calculation of surface pressure on arbitrary body shapes. Examples are presented comparing the results of the new method with other supersonic panel methods and with experimental data.

Woodward, F. A.↗

Low-turbulence high-speed wind tunnel for the determination of cascade shock losses

A low turbulence high-speed wind tunnel, using anti-turbulence screening and a 100:1 contraction ratio, has been found suitable for high-speed smoke flow visualization. The location and strength of normal, oblique, and curved shock waves generated by transonic or supersonic wind tunnel flow over airfoils or through axial compressor cascades is determined by combined shadowgraph and smokelines visualization techniques without the interference effects caused by intrusive probes. The Reynolds number based on chord varied between 50,000 and 1,000,000. Preliminary results are compared with the relevant theory and data gathered using a total pressure probe.

Slovisky, J. A.↗

Observations of Pc 1-2 waves in the outer magnetosphere

High time resolution measurements made inside the magnetopause from L = 7 to L = 14 by the flux gate magnetometer aboard the Ogo 5 satellite, which demonstrate that the Pc 1-2 magnetic field oscillations are present in the outer magnetosphere, are examined. The solar wind dynamic pressure and the magnetospheric cold plasma were enhanced, and the IMF had a southward component 2 hours before the events, but there was no significant correlation between the time of the events and either storm recovery phase or substorm onset. The magnetic field perturbations in each event were transverse to the ambient field with amplitudes from 2 to 8 gamma, and most of the transverse perturbations showed left-handed polarization. Excursions into the magnetosheath during two events revealed a disturbed magnetic field with significant power in frequencies of minimum 0.1 Hz, and although the magnetosheath was a source of free energy for waves at Pc 1-2 frequencies, the data within the magnetosphere suggest that the observed pulsations were ion cyclotron waves generated at the geomagnetic equator at large radial distances.

Kaye, S. M.↗

Dynamics of liquid films and thin jets

The theory of liquid films and thin jets as one- and two-dimensional continuums is examined. The equations of motion have led to solutions for the characteristic speeds of wave propagation for the parameters characterizing the shape. The formal analogy with a compressible fluid indicates the possibility of shock wave generation in films and jets and the formal analogy to the theory of threads and membranes leads to the discovery of some new dynamic effects. The theory is illustrated by examples.

Zak, M.↗

Signal-to-noise ratio for acoustic detection in the deep ocean

A simple method is presented for studying the thermoacoustic wave generated by a heat pulse. The signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) is then calculated for a typical hadronic-electromagnetic cascade in the deep ocean where low frequencies are masked by surface noise. It is found that a maximum useful range of about 16 km is found for typical conditions at 5 km depth. It is shown that in order to obtain useful signals with S/N greater than 100 at distances of 1 to 16 km, the cascade energy must be 10 to the 16th to 10 to the 18th eV. Finally, attention is given to further refinements of the theory of acoustic detection which remain to be investigated.

Bowen, T.↗

Development of the triplet singularity for the analysis of wings and bodies in supersonic flow

A supersonic triplet singularity was developed which eliminates internal waves generated by panels having supersonic edges. The triplet is a linear combination of source and vortex distributions which gives directional properties to the perturbation flow field surrounding the panel. The theoretical development of the triplet singularity is described together with its application to the calculation of surface pressures on wings and bodies. Examples are presented comparing the results of the new method with other supersonic methods and with experimental data.

Woodward, F. A.↗

An experimental test of the electromagnetic ion cyclotron instability within the earth's magnetosphere

Examples of propagating electromagnetic Alfven/ion cyclotron waves in plasma particle and magnetic field data observed by the ATS-6 geostationary satellite are discussed. These waves were viewed mainly near the afternoon and dusk regions of the earth's magnetosphere with normalized frequencies in the 0.05 to 0.5 range. Two wave events were analyzed: both appeared coincidentally with the encounter of cool plasma populations which joined the hot populations already present. An electromagnetic ion cyclotron instability was proposed as the wave generation mechanism; this theory was tested by evaluating the linear growth integrals under the measured anisotropic hot ion distribution.

Mauk, B. H.↗

Heating of chromospheres and coronae in cool stars

Recent evidence is summarized that suggests that neither of two traditional views of chromospheric heating (that the flux of energy required to heat the solar chromosphere) is only a small fraction of the total radiative energy emerging from the solar interior and that chromospheres are heated by acoustic waves generated in the convection zone (which lies close to the surface of the star) is valid. Particular attention is given to cool stars, both dwarfs and giants. The directions in which research is currently heading in attempting to understand heating of chromospheres and coronae in these stars are indicated. Hot stars are excluded from consideration because radiation pressure plays an important role in their atmospheric heating. It is concluded that the role of magnetic fields in giants is different from the role in dwarfs.

Mullan, D. J.↗

Whistler mode wave propagation in the solar wind near the bow shock

The presence of whistler mode waves in, and upstream from, the bow shock has been well established by observation. Theoretical descriptions of the mode under solar wind conditions have been relatively meagre, however, and it may not be generally appreciated how readily whistler waves generated in the shock could occupy most of the region ahead of the shock most of the time. Graphic descriptions of phase and group velocities and group velocity directions for typical solar wind parameters are presented by using the cold plasma approximation over all appropriate frequencies and directions with respect to the IMF. The relations of whistler phase and group velocities to observations of a quasi-perpendicular shock crossing by ISEE are illustrated.

Greenstadt, E. W.↗

Radially propagating shock waves in the outer heliosphere - The evidence from Pioneer 10 energetic particle and plasma observations

At heliocentric distances between 14 and 22 AU, some 14 increases in the flux of 1 MeV protons have been identified over a 3 yr period by the NASA Goddard/University of New Hampshire cosmic-ray experiment on Pioneer 10. These increases appear to be associated with large solar flares. Combining the particle data with the Pioneer 10 plasma observations from the NASA/Ames plasma analyzer reveals that the particle increases are produced by radially propagating shock waves generated by the solar events. While the characteristics of these particle events in the distant heliosphere appear to differ greatly from those observed at 1 AU, they represent the evolution expected as the interplanetary magnetic field becomes almost azimuthal. These long-lived shocks provide a valuable in situ laboratory for directly studying particle acceleration under a variety of conditions. They may also represent a significant factor in producing the long-term modulation of galactic cosmic rays.

Mcdonald, F. B.↗

Redundant Gear Train

Tandem harmonic drives are immune to single-point failure. One mechanism continues transmitting power regardless of how other fails. Harmonic drive mechanism, combination of elliptical wave generator and tooth differential between flexible spline and circular spline produces rotational speed reduction in compact volume.

Packard, D. T.↗

Detection of ultrasonic waves in solids by an optical fiber interferometer

An optical fiber interferometer was developed for the detection of ultrasonic waves in solids. The optical paths in both the signal and reference arms of the Mach-Zehnder interferometer are through the cores of similar lengths of single mode fiber mode stripped at both input and output. Instantaneous translation of the pattern is proportional to the localized strain produced by ultrasonic bulk waves generated in the disc and integrated along the fiber path. By spatially filtering the moving fringe pattern and synchronously demodulating the filtered optical intensity distirbution, a signal proportional to the integrated strain is obtained.

Claus, R. O.↗

A model for the submarine depthkeeping team

The most difficult task the depthkeeping team must face occurs during periscope-depth operations during which they may be required to maintain a submarine several hundred feet long within a foot of ordered depth and within one-half degree of ordered pitch. The difficulty is compounded by the facts that wave generated forces are extremely high, depth and pitch signals are very noisy and submarine speed is such that overall dynamics are slow. A mathematical simulation of the depthkeeping team based on the optimal control models is described. A solution of the optimal team control problem with an output control restriction (limited display to each controller) is presented.

Ware, J. R.↗