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At least 649 records · Page 36

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NASA NTRS1985

Covariances and spectra of the kinematics and dynamics of nonlinear waves

Using the Stokes waves as a model of nonlinear waves and considering the linear component as a narrow-band Gaussian process, the covariances and spectra of velocity and acceleration components and pressure for points in the vicinity of still water level were derived taking into consideration the effects of free surface fluctuations. The results are compared with those obtained earlier using linear Gaussian waves.

Tung, C. C.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Supersonic, nonlinear, attached-flow wing design for high lift with experimental validation

Results of the experimental validation are presented for the three dimensional cambered wing which was designed to achieve attached supercritical cross flow for lifting conditions typical of supersonic maneuver. The design point was a lift coefficient of 0.4 at Mach 1.62 and 12 deg angle of attack. Results from the nonlinear full potential method are presented to show the validity of the design process along with results from linear theory codes. Longitudinal force and moment data and static pressure data were obtained in the Langley Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel at Mach numbers of 1.58, 1.62, 1.66, 1.70, and 2.00 over an angle of attack range of 0 to 14 deg at a Reynolds number of 2.0 x 10 to the 6th power per foot. Oil flow photographs of the upper surface were obtained at M = 1.62 for alpha approx. = 8, 10, 12, and 14 deg.

Pittman, J. L.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Thermosolutal convection during dendritic solidification

This paper presents a mathematical model for directional solidification of a binary alloy including a dendritic region underlying an all-liquid region. It is assumed initially that there exists a nonconvecting state with planar isotherms and isoconcentrates solidifying at a constant velocity. The stability of this system has been analyzed and nonlinear calculations are performed that show the effect of convection in the solidification process when the system is unstable. Results of calculations for various cases defined by the initial temperature gradient at the dendrite tips and varying strength of the gravitational field are presented for systems involving lead-tin alloys. The results show that the systems are stable for a gravitational constant of 0.0001 g(0) and that convection can be suppressed by appropriate choice of the container's size for higher values of the gravitational constant. It is also concluded that for the lead-tin systems considered, convection in the mushy zone is not significant below the upper 20 percent of the dendritic zone, if al all.

Heinrich, J. C.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Interaction of surface radiation with convection in crystal growth by physical vapor transport

Growth of single crystals from vapor in closed ampoules is governed by an intricate interplay between mass, momentum and heat transfer processes. The objective of this study is to examine and isolate the effects of surface radiation heat transfer on the vapor transport process using a mathematical model. The model consists of a set of coupled nonlinear partial differential equations for conservation of mass, momentum, energy and species, and the integrodifferential equations which represent radiative exchange. It depends on five important physical parameters. These are Grashof number, Prandtl number, Schmidt number, aspect ratio and the radiation-conduction number. The effects of these dimensionless groupings are systematically investigated. From the cases examined, it is concluded that surface radiation can change the flow structure appreciably. This is especially true in microgravity environment where radiation competes primarily with conduction in modifying the thermal profiles. The numerical results also show that in the presence of radiation, the top heating configuration (source on top) is no longer stable and that near the growing crystal, radiation-induced vortices can introduce significant nonuniformities in the growth flux.

Kassemi, Mohammad↗

NASA NTRS1990

Compounds Generate Optical Second Harmonics

Newly synthesized organic salts found to generate relatively large second-harmonic signals when illuminated by fundamental signals in near-infrared spectrum. Made by crystallizing, with appropriate counterions, organic ions having large molecular hyperpolarizibilities. Large second-order nonlinear susceptibilities observed. These and other compounds having large nonlinear optical properties used in electro-optical modulators, switches, and signal-processing equipment.

Marder, Seth R.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Optical pattern recognition; Proceedings of the Meeting, Los Angeles, CA, Jan. 17, 18, 1989

Papers on optical pattern recognition are presented, covering topics such as the estimation of satellite pose and motion parameters using a neural net tracker, associative memory, optical implmentation of programmable neural networks, optoelectronic neural networks, dynamic autoassociative neural memory, heteroassociative memory, bilinear pattern recognition processors, optical processing of optical correlation plane data, and a synthetic discriminant function-based nonlinear optical correlator. Other topics include an interactive optical-digital image processor, geometric transformations for video compression and human teleoperator display, quasiconformal remapping for compensation of human visual field defects, hybrid vision for automated spacecraft landing, advanced symbolic and inference optical correlation filters, and a rotationally invariant holographic tracking system. Additional topics include the detection of rotational and scale-varying objects with a programmable joint transform correlator, a single spatial light modulator binary nonlinear optical correlator, optical joint transform correlation, linear phase coefficient composite filters, and binary phase-only filters.

Liu, Hua-Kuang↗

NASA NTRS1991

A statistical rain attenuation prediction model with application to the advanced communication technology satellite project. 3: A stochastic rain fade control algorithm for satellite link power via non linear Markow filtering theory

The dynamic and composite nature of propagation impairments that are incurred on Earth-space communications links at frequencies in and above 30/20 GHz Ka band, i.e., rain attenuation, cloud and/or clear air scintillation, etc., combined with the need to counter such degradations after the small link margins have been exceeded, necessitate the use of dynamic statistical identification and prediction processing of the fading signal in order to optimally estimate and predict the levels of each of the deleterious attenuation components. Such requirements are being met in NASA's Advanced Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS) Project by the implementation of optimal processing schemes derived through the use of the Rain Attenuation Prediction Model and nonlinear Markov filtering theory.

Manning, Robert M.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Inverting Image Data For Optical Testing And Alignment

Data from images produced by slightly incorrectly figured concave primary mirror in telescope processed into estimate of spherical aberration of mirror, by use of algorithm finding nonlinear least-squares best fit between actual images and synthetic images produced by multiparameter mathematical model of telescope optical system. Estimated spherical aberration, in turn, converted into estimate of deviation of reflector surface from nominal precise shape. Algorithm devised as part of effort to determine error in surface figure of primary mirror of Hubble space telescope, so corrective lens designed. Modified versions of algorithm also used to find optical errors in other components of telescope or of other optical systems, for purposes of testing, alignment, and/or correction.

Shao, Michael↗

NASA NTRS1990

Optimal design of control systems for prevention of aircraft flight departure

Control system design for general nonlinear flight dynamic models is considered through numerical simulation. The design is accomplished through a numerical optimizer coupled with analysis of flight dynamic equations. In the analysis, the general nonlinear flight dynamic equations with nonlinear aerodynamics are numerically integrated; and the dynamic characteristics needed in the optimization process are then identified from the dynamic response. To assure a reasonable solution, the initial input values of the design variables are estimated through a sensitivity analysis. To demonstrate the method, the pitch departure prevention for an F-16 configuration is demonstrated.

Lan, C. Edward↗

NASA NTRS1993

An extended laser flash technique for thermal diffusivity measurement of high-temperature materials

Knowledge of thermal diffusivity data for high-temperature materials (solids and liquids) is very important in analyzing a number of processes, among them solidification, crystal growth, and welding. However, reliable thermal diffusivity versus temperature data, particularly those for high-temperature liquids, are still far from complete. The main measurement difficulties are due to the presence of convection and the requirement for a container. Fortunately, the availability of levitation techniques has made it possible to solve the containment problem. Based on the feasibility of the levitation technology, a new laser flash technique which is applicable to both levitated liquid and solid samples is being developed. At this point, the analysis for solid samples is near completion and highlights of the technique are presented here. The levitated solid sample which is assumed to be a sphere is subjected to a very short burst of high power radiant energy. The temperature of the irradiated surface area is elevated and a transient heat transfer process takes place within the sample. This containerless process is a two-dimensional unsteady heat conduction problem. Due to the nonlinearity of the radiative plus convective boundary condition, an analytic solution cannot be obtained. Two options are available at this point. Firstly, the radiation boundary condition can be linearized, which then accommodates a closed-form analytic solution. Comparison of the analytic curves for the temperature rise at different points to the experimentally-measured values will then provide the thermal diffusivity values. Secondly, one may set up an inverse conduction problem whereby experimentally obtained surface temperature history is used as the boundary conditions. The thermal diffusivity can then be elevated by minimizing the difference between the real heat flux boundary condition (radiation plus convection) and the measurements. Status of an experimental study directed at measuring the thermal diffusivity of high-temperature solid samples of pure Nickel and Inconel 718 superalloys are presented. Preliminary measurements showing surface temperature histories are discussed.

Shen, F.↗

NASA NTRS1997

Unsteady Crystal Growth Due to Step-Bunch Cascading

Based on our experimental findings of growth rate fluctuations during the crystallization of the protein lysozym, we have developed a numerical model that combines diffusion in the bulk of a solution with diffusive transport to microscopic growth steps that propagate on a finite crystal facet. Nonlinearities in layer growth kinetics arising from step interaction by bulk and surface diffusion, and from step generation by surface nucleation, are taken into account. On evaluation of the model with properties characteristic for the solute transport, and the generation and propagation of steps in the lysozyme system, growth rate fluctuations of the same magnitude and characteristic time, as in the experiments, are obtained. The fluctuation time scale is large compared to that of step generation. Variations of the governing parameters of the model reveal that both the nonlinearity in step kinetics and mixed transport-kinetics control of the crystallization process are necessary conditions for the fluctuations. On a microscopic scale, the fluctuations are associated with a morphological instability of the vicinal face, in which a step bunch triggers a cascade of new step bunches through the microscopic interfacial supersaturation distribution.

Vekilov, Peter G.↗

NASA NTRS1997

Snow Crystal Shape and Microwave Scattering

The radiometric calibration of SeaWiFS data includes a correction for the temperature dependence of the individual detector sensitivities. The detector temperature are measured by temperature sensors mounted on instrument focal planes. Processing of the temperature sensor output by an onboard instrument computer introduces a nonlinear response into the temperature data. This paper describes the calibration of the temperature sensor output and the computation of the temperature corrections for the radiometric calibration of the instrument.

Foster, J. L.↗

NASA NTRS2005

Application of the Hilbert-Huang Transform to Financial Data

A paper discusses the application of the Hilbert-Huang transform (HHT) method to time-series financial-market data. The method was described, variously without and with the HHT name, in several prior NASA Tech Briefs articles and supporting documents. To recapitulate: The method is especially suitable for analyzing time-series data that represent nonstationary and nonlinear phenomena including physical phenomena and, in the present case, financial-market processes. The method involves the empirical mode decomposition (EMD), in which a complicated signal is decomposed into a finite number of functions, called "intrinsic mode functions" (IMFs), that admit well-behaved Hilbert transforms. The HHT consists of the combination of EMD and Hilbert spectral analysis. The local energies and the instantaneous frequencies derived from the IMFs through Hilbert transforms can be used to construct an energy-frequency-time distribution, denoted a Hilbert spectrum. The instant paper begins with a discussion of prior approaches to quantification of market volatility, summarizes the HHT method, then describes the application of the method in performing time-frequency analysis of mortgage-market data from the years 1972 through 2000. Filtering by use of the EMD is shown to be useful for quantifying market volatility.

Huang, Norden↗

NASA NTRS1987

The convergence of spectral methods for nonlinear conservation laws

The convergence of the Fourier method for scalar nonlinear conservation laws which exhibit spontaneous shock discontinuities is discussed. Numerical tests indicate that the convergence may (and in fact in some cases must) fail, with or without post-processing of the numerical solution. Instead, a new kind of spectrally accurate vanishing viscosity is introduced to augment the Fourier approximation of such nonlinear conservation laws. Using compensated compactness arguments, it is shown that this spectral viscosity prevents oscillations, and convergence to the unique entropy solution follows.

Tadmor, Eitan↗

NASA NTRS1992

Tailored metal matrix composites for high-temperature performance

A multi-objective tailoring methodology is presented to maximize stiffness and load carrying capacity of a metal matrix cross-ply laminated at elevated temperatures. The fabrication process and fiber volume ratio are used as the design variables. A unique feature is the concurrent effects from fabrication, residual stresses, material nonlinearity, and thermo-mechanical loading on the laminate properties at the post-fabrication phase. For a (0/90)(sub s) graphite/copper laminate, strong coupling was observed between the fabrication process, laminate characteristics, and thermo-mechanical loading. The multi-objective tailoring was found to be more effective than single objective tailoring. Results indicate the potential to increase laminate stiffness and load carrying capacity by controlling the critical parameters of the fabrication process and the laminate.

Morel, M. R.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Tailored metal matrix laminates for high-temperature performance

A multi-objective tailoring methodology is presented to maximize stiffness and load carrying capacity of a metal matrix cross-ply laminated at elevated temperatures. The fabrication process and fiber volume ratio are used as the design variables. A unique feature is the concurrent effects from fabrication, residual stresses, material nonlinearity, and thermo-mechanical loading on the laminate properties at the post-fabrication phase. For a (0.90) (sub s) graphite/copper laminate, strong coupling was observed between the fabrication process, laminate characteristics, and thermo-mechanical loading. The multi-objective tailoring was found to be more effective than single objective tailoring. Results indicate the potential to increase laminate stiffness and load carrying capacity by controlling the critical parameters of the fabrication process and the laminate.

Morei, Michael R.↗

NASA NTRS1999

Potential Flow Interactions With Directional Solidification

The effect of convective melt motion on the growth of morphological instabilities in crystal growth has been the focus of many studies in the past decade. While most of the efforts have been directed towards investigating the linear stability aspects, relatively little attention has been devoted to experimental and numerical studies. In a pure morphological case, when there is no flow, morphological changes in the solid-liquid interface are governed by heat conduction and solute distribution. Under the influence of a convective motion, both heat and solute are redistributed, thereby affecting the intrinsic morphological phenomenon. The overall effect of the convective motion could be either stabilizing or destabilizing. Recent investigations have predicted stabilization by a flow parallel to the interface. In the case of non-parallel flows, e.g., stagnation point flow, Brattkus and Davis have found a new flow-induced morphological instability that occurs at long wavelengths and also consists of waves propagating against the flow. Other studies have addressed the nonlinear aspects (Konstantinos and Brown, Wollkind and Segel)). In contrast to the earlier studies, our present investigation focuses on the effects of the potential flow fields typically encountered in Hele-Shaw cells. Such a Hele-Shaw cell can simulate a gravity-free environment in the sense that buoyancy-driven convection is largely suppressed, and hence negligible. Our interest lies both in analyzing the linear stability of the solidification process in the presence of potential flow fields, as well as in performing high-accuracy nonlinear simulations. Linear stability analysis can be performed for the flow configuration mentioned above. It is observed that a parallel potential flow is stabilizing and gives rise to waves traveling downstream. We have built a highly accurate numerical scheme which is validated at small amplitudes by comparing with the analytically predicted results for the pure morphological case. We have been able to observe nonlinear effects at larger times. Preliminary results for the case when flow is imposed also provide good validation at small amplitudes.

Buddhavarapu, Sudhir S.↗

NASA NTRS1994

A note on the accuracy of spectral method applied to nonlinear conservation laws

Fourier spectral method can achieve exponential accuracy both on the approximation level and for solving partial differential equations if the solutions are analytic. For a linear partial differential equation with a discontinuous solution, Fourier spectral method produces poor point-wise accuracy without post-processing, but still maintains exponential accuracy for all moments against analytic functions. In this note we assess the accuracy of Fourier spectral method applied to nonlinear conservation laws through a numerical case study. We find that the moments with respect to analytic functions are no longer very accurate. However the numerical solution does contain accurate information which can be extracted by a post-processing based on Gegenbauer polynomials.

Shu, Chi-Wang↗