Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “SPECIFICATIONS”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 631 records · Page 35

NASA/General Electric broad-specification fuels combustion technology program

The NASA/General Electric Broad Specification Fuels Combustion Technology Program is being conducted to evolve and demonstrate the technology required to use broadened-properties fuels in current and next generation commercial aircraft engines. The first phase of this program, completed in 1982, involved the design and test evaluation of three different combustor concepts. All combustors were designed for the General Electric CF6-80A engine envelope and operating conditions, using Experimental Referee Broad Specification (ERBS) fuel having a fuel hydrogen content of 12.8% by weight. Several different configurations of each combustor concept were evaluated in a series of high pressure sector combustor component tests. A total of 25 sector tests were conducted during phase 1. Combustor metal temperatures, emissions, exit temperature profiles, and radiant heat flux were measured over the full range of steady-state operating conditions using four fuels having nominal hydrogen contents between 11.8 and 14%. During the current phase 2 program, the two most promising concepts from phase 1 are being further refined and evaluated. For phase 2 testing, two additional fuels representing a wider range of fluidity and volatility are also being used in combustion system tests.

Dodds, W. J.↗

Simulated Microgravity as a Probe for Understanding the Mechanisms of Early Pattern Specification

Early pattern specification (e.g., axial structure morphogenesis, doreal ventral polarity, etc.) is monitored in amphibian eggs which were subjected to microgravity simulation by constant rotation on a horizontal clinostat. In contrast to previous clinostat experiments, rotation is initiated either prior to fertilization or immediately thereafter. Large proportions of clinostated eggs developed normal axial structures. A model which employs a multiple set of signals for specifying early pattern is discussed. Effects of microgravity simulation on the earliest post fertilization pattern specification event dorsal/ventral polarization is analyzed in detail. Other models are developed and they are discussed. As a general mechanism for explaining the manner in which regional developmental patterns emerge from the initial, radially symmetrial egg, the density compartment model is described. The identification of the various zones or compartments of egg cytoplasm using inverted eggs is explained.

Neff, A. W.↗

Automated benchmark generation based upon a specification language

The problem of validating and verifying digital flight control system (DFCS) software is addressed in this paper. A new specification language DIVERS is proposed, and is the keystone of the approach. This language consists of keywords where each keyword represents an element in the block diagram of a DFCS. DIVERS has a dictionary which contains all the keywords a DFCS designer might need. Translator programs convert the system specifications into an executable, high-level language program. The features of translators are discussed and are elucidated by examples. This language is used to describe a typical flight software module.

Rajan, N.↗

The physical and empirical basis for a specific clear-air turbulence risk index

The fundamental emphasis of this research was to develop a technique which would be a significant improvement over those currently used for flight planning to avoid clear air turbulence (CAT). The technique should, ideally, be both quantitative in determining potential intensity and specific in locating regions of relatively high risk. Furthermore, it should not rely on specialized data but be functional using the currently available rawinsonde observation (raob) system. Encouraging results documented in an earlier investigation were considered compelling enough to warrant a closer look into the possibilities of a Specific Clear Air Turbulence Risk (SCATR) index approach to the clear air turbulence problem. Unlike that research, which considered sustained periods of flight in light to moderate clear air turbulence, this study focuses on several cases of documented severe CAT. Results of these case studies suggest that a SCATR index is not an unrealizable goal and that uses of such an index, event in its current prototype level of development, are also apparent.

Keller, J. L.↗

Measuring Specific Heats at High Temperatures

Flash apparatus for measuring thermal diffusivities at temperatures from 300 to 1,000 degrees C modified; measures specific heats of samples to accuracy of 4 to 5 percent. Specific heat and thermal diffusivity of sample measured. Xenon flash emits pulse of radiation, absorbed by sputtered graphite coating on sample. Sample temperature measured with thermocouple, and temperature rise due to pulse measured by InSb detector.

Vandersande, Jan W.↗

Guidelines for applying the Composite Specification Model (CSM)

The Composite Specification Model (CSM) is an approach to representing software requirements. Guidelines are provided for applying CSM and developing each of the three descriptive views of the software: the contextual view, using entities and relationships; the dynamic view, using states and transitions; and the function view, using data flows and processes. Using CSM results in a software specification document, which is outlined.

Agresti, William↗

Differential partition of virulent Aeromonas salmonicida and attenuated derivatives possessing specific cell surface alterations in polymer aqueous-phase systems

Two-polymer aqueous-phase systems in which partitioning of biological matter between the phases occurs according to surface properties such as hydrophobicity, charge, and lipid composition are used to compare the surface properties of strains of the fish pathogen Aeromonas salmonicida. The differential ability of strains to produce a surface protein array crucial to their virulence, the A layer, and to produce smooth lipopolysaccharide is found to be important in the partitioning behavior of Aeromonas salmonicida. The presence of the A layer is shown to decrease the surface hydrophilicity of the pathogen, and to increase specifically its surface affinity for fatty acid esters of polyethylene glycol. The method has application to the analysis of surface properties crucial to bacterial virulence, and to the selection of strains and mutants with specific surface characteristics.

Van Alstine, J. M.↗

The calculation of high-temperature equilibrium and nonequilibrium specific heat data for N2, O2 and NO

Specific heat data for high-temperature air species are needed to compute the temperature and enthalpy of gas mixtures in aerothermodynamics flowfield calculations. Accurate data are known only for temperatures under 6000 K, but are required for temperatures exceeding 25,000 K. In the present study, CP data are computed for N2, O2 and NO. The calculations are based on summations over all the vibration-rotation energy levels for all known bound electronic states. Estimates are made for the error introduced by the neglect of possible additional high-lying electronic states. In addition, a scheme for the partitioning of the internal energy into vibrational, rotational and electronic contributions is presented which consistently accounts for the nonseparable nature of the various energy modes. The multitemperature specific heat data are recommended for use in nonequilibrium flowfield models.

Jaffe, Richard L.↗

Thermal conductivity, electrical conductivity and specific heat of copper-carbon fiber composite

We have developed a new copper-carbon fiber composite which possesses properties of copper, i.e., excellent thermal and electrical conductivities, in combination with a property of carbon fiber, i.e., a small thermal expansion coefficient. The composite properties can be controlled by the amount, type and orientation of the carbon fibers they contain. Therefore, this composite is considered to be useful as an electrical material. The effects of volume and arrangement of fibers on the thermal conductivity, electrical conductivity and specific heat of the composite were studied. The results obtained were as follows: (1) The thermal and electrical conductivities of the composite became smaller as the volume of carbon fibers increased, and they were also influenced by the fiber arrangement. (2) The above conductivities could be calculated by careful application of the “rule of mixtures” for composites. (3) The specific heat of the composite was dependent not on the fiber arrangement but on the fiber volume. (4) In thermal fatigue tests, no degradation in electrical conductivity was observed.

Keiichi Kuniya↗

Determination of the specific area of liquid gas and the velocity of weak pressure waves in aqueous foams

The specific area of an aqueous foam contained in a tube is obtained by determining the fraction of the quantity of light emitted by a source and diffused by the specific area of the column of the foam. The velocity of the waves of weak pressure (which propagate in the air with the velocity of sound) is measured by noticing the moment when the wave penetrates the column and the moment when, having reached the opposite side, it determines a variation of the light diffused by the area of the latter.

Saint-Cloud, Jean↗

Specific heat of pristine and brominated graphite fibers, composites and HOPG

Differential scanning calorimetry was used to obtain specific heat values of pristine and brominated P-100 graphite fibers and brominated P-100/epoxy composite as well as pristine and brominated highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) for comparison. Based on the experimental results obtained, specific heat values are calculated for several different temperatures, with a standard deviation estimated at 1.4 percent of the average values. The data presented here are useful in designing heat transfer devices (such as airplane de-icing heaters) from bromine fibers.

Hung, Ching-Chen↗

Update 8501: A new specification for rotorcraft handling qualities

MIL-H-8501B is a mission-oriented rotorcraft handling-qualities specification which prescribes the desired vehicle command response as a function of the mission task and the usable visual cues. It covers failures and flight envelopes, like MIL-F-8785C, but adds a novel concept in compliance testing in the form of a set of flight demonstration maneuvers. The proponents of this proposed specification including the authors, recognize that there are still many topics that are inadequately covered by it; they argue that it is nonetheless a significant improvement and should be adopted.

Key, David L.↗

Formalisms for user interface specification and design

The application of formal methods to the specification and design of human-computer interfaces is described. A broad outline of human-computer interface problems, a description of the field of cognitive engineering and two relevant research results, the appropriateness of formal specification techniques, and potential NASA application areas are described.

Auernheimer, Brent J.↗

Element-specific modal formulations for large-displacement multibody dynamics

Large dispacement assumed-mode modeling techniques are examined in the context of multibody elastodynamics. The range of both general and element-specific approaches are studied with the aid of examples involving beams, plates, and shells. For systems undergoing primarily structural bending and twisting with little or no membrane distortion, it is found that fully-linear, element-specific, modal formulations provide the most accurate time history solutions at the least expense. When membrane effects become dominant in structural problems due to loading and boundary conditions, one must naturally resort to a formulation involving a nonlinear stress-strain relationship in addition to nonlinear terms associated with large overall system motion. Such nonlinear models were investigated using assumed modes and found to lead to modal convergence difficulties when standard free-free structural modes are employed. A constrained mode formulation aimed at addressing the convergence problem is proposed.

Ryan, R. R.↗

Software requirements: Guidance and control software development specification

The software requirements for an implementation of Guidance and Control Software (GCS) are specified. The purpose of the GCS is to provide guidance and engine control to a planetary landing vehicle during its terminal descent onto a planetary surface and to communicate sensory information about that vehicle and its descent to some receiving device. The specification was developed using the structured analysis for real time system specification methodology by Hatley and Pirbhai and was based on a simulation program used to study the probability of success of the 1976 Viking Lander missions to Mars. Three versions of GCS are being generated for use in software error studies.

Withers, B. Edward↗

Representing object oriented specifications and designs with extended data flow notations

The issue of using extended data flow notations to document object oriented designs and specifications is discussed. Extended data flow notations, for the purposes here, refer to notations that are based on the rules of Yourdon/DeMarco data flow analysis. The extensions include additional notation for representing real-time systems as well as some proposed extensions specific to object oriented development. Some advantages of data flow notations are stated. How data flow diagrams are used to represent software objects are investigated. Some problem areas with regard to using data flow notations for object oriented development are noted. Some initial solutions to these problems are proposed.

Buser, Jon Franklin↗

Proceedings of the Advisory Committee on Standardization of Carbon-Phenolic Test Methods and Specifications

Proceedings of the Advisory Committee on Standardization of carbon-phenolic test methods and specifications are compiled. The following subject areas are covered: ashing procedures and alkali metal content of carbon fiber and fabrics; SPIP product identification code; SPIP initiative to adopt a water-soluble rayon yarn lubricant/size for weaving; fabric oxidation mass loss test; shelf life limit for prepregs, industry standard; silicon contamination update; resin, filler, and fabric content in prepreg; carbon assay testing calibration; thiokol rayon specifications; and SPIP low conductivity PAN program.

Hall, William B.↗

Report on the formal specification and partial verification of the VIPER microprocessor

The formal specification and partial verification of the VIPER microprocessor is reviewed. The VIPER microprocessor was designed by RSRE, Malvern, England, for safety critical computing applications (e.g., aircraft, reactor control, medical instruments, armaments). The VIPER was carefully specified and partially verified in an attempt to provide a microprocessor with completely predictable operating characteristics. The specification of VIPER is divided into several levels of abstraction, from a gate-level description up to an instruction execution model. Although the consistency between certain levels was demonstrated with mechanically-assisted mathematical proof, the formal verification of VIPER was never completed.

Brock, Bishop↗