Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “theory - methods”

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 649 records · Page 36
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1984

A unified theory of electrodynamic coupling in coronal magnetic loops - The coronal heating problem

The coronal heating problem is studied, and it is demonstrated that Ionson's (1982) LRC approach results in a unified theory of coronal heating which unveils a variety of new heating mechanisms and which links together previously proposed mechanisms. Ionson's LRC equation is rederived, focusing on various aspects that were not clarified in the original article and incorporating new processes that were neglected. A parameterized heating rate is obtained. It is shown that Alfvenic surface wave heating, stochastic magnetic pumping, resonant electrodynamic heating, and dynamical dissipation emerge as special cases of a much more general formalism. This generalized theory is applied to solar coronal loops and it is found that active region and large scale loops are underdamped systems. Young active region loops and (possibly) bright points are found to be overdamped systems.

Ionson, J. A.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Theory of collision-induced translation-rotation spectra: H2-He

An adiabatic quantal theory of spectral line shapes in collision-induced absorption and emission is presented which incorporates the induced translation-rotation and translation-vibration spectra. The generalization to account for the anisotropy of the scattering potential is given. Calculations are carried out of the collision-induced absorption spectra of He in collisions with H2 with ab initio electric dipole functions and realistic potentials. The anisotropy of the interaction potential is small and is not included in the calculations. The predicted spectra are in satisfactory agreement with experimental data though some deviations occur which may be significant. The rotational line shapes have exponential wings and are not Lorentzian. The connection between the quantal and classical theories is written out explicitly for the isotropic overlap induction.

Birnbaum, G.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Nonlinear mode coupling theory of the lower-hybrid-drift instability

A nonlinear mode coupling theory of the lower-hybrid-drift instability is presented. A two-dimensional nonlinear wave equation is derived which describes lower-hybrid drift wave turbulence in the plane transverse to B (k.B = 0), and which is valid for finite beta, collisional and collisionless plasmas. The instability saturates by transferring energy from growing, long wavelength modes to damped, short wavelength modes. Detailed numerical results are presented which compare favorably to both recent computer simulations and experimental observations. Applications of this theory to space plasmas, the earth's magnetotail and the equatorial F region ionosphere, are discussed. Previously announced in STAR as N84-17734

Drake, J. F.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Theory of plasma waves in the auroral E region

A general theory is developed for both electrojet waves and ion cyclotron and current convective waves observed above 120 km altitude. Previously defined electrojet instability theories are extended to encompass the effects of the magnetic field on ions and the presence of field-aligned currents. The ion-cyclotron (E) waves are assumed produced by the two-stream instability in regions dominated by ion magnetization effects. Field-aligned and cross-field currents drive the E waves, which have displayed threshold drift velocities (TDV) sensitive to conditions at altitudes with effective electron/ion and anomalous electron collision frequencies. The electron density gradients in the region affect the magnitude of the TDV for waves on scales of tens of meters. Recombinational damping increases the TDV for marginal damping of two-stream E waves and establishes a TDV for excitation of large-scale gradient drift waves which propagate nearly perpendicularly to the magnetic field and may have only 10-20 m wavelengths.

Fejer, B. G.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Theory underlying the peripheral vision horizon device

Peripheral Vision Horizon Device (PVHD) theory states that the likelihood of pilot disorientation in flight is reduced by providing an artificial horizon that provides orientation information to peripheral vision. In considering the validity of the theory, three areas are explored: the use of an artificial horizon device over some other flight instrument; the use of peripheral vision over foveal vision; and the evidence that peripheral vision is well suited to the processing of orientation information.

Money, K. E.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Theory of nuclear magnetic relaxation

A theory of nuclear magnetic interaction is based on the study of the stochastic rotation operator. The theory is applied explicitly to relaxation by anisotropic chemical shift and to spin-rotational interactions. It is applicable also to dipole-dipole and quadrupole interactions.

Mcconnell, J.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Magnetic Alignment Theory and the Interpretation of Polarization

The theory of magnetic spinning alignment is outlined. It is shown that a classical enhanced thermal Davis and Greenstein mechanism may be considered as a limiting case of Purcell's suprathermal spinning alignment theory when the number of active sites on a given grain becomes very important and/or for very short lived suprathermal sites. The results are applied to the interstellar medium and some problems in which it may be important are discussed.

Cugnon, P.↗
NASA NTRS1985

A T-matrix theory of galactic heavy-ion fragmentation

The theory of galactic heavy ion fragmentation is furthered by incorporating a T matrix approach into the description of the three step process of abrasion, ablation, and final state interations. The connection between this T matrix and the interaction potential is derived. For resonant states, the substitution of complex energies for real energies in the transition rate is formerly justified for up to third order processes. The previously developed abrasion-ablation fragmentation theory is rederived from first principles and is shown to result from time ordering, classical probability, and zero width resonance approximations. Improvements in the accuracy of the total fragmentation cross sections require an alternative to the latter two approximations. A Lorentz invariant differential abrasion-ablation cross section is derived which explicitly includes the previously derived abrasion total cross sections. It is demonstrated that spectral and angular distributions can be obtained from the general Lorentz invariant form.

Norbury, J. W.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Bifurcation theory applied to aircraft motions

Bifurcation theory is used to analyze the nonlinear dynamic stability characteristics of single-degree-of-freedom motions of an aircraft or a flap about a trim position. The bifurcation theory analysis reveals that when the bifurcation parameter, e.g., the angle of attack, is increased beyond a critical value at which the aerodynamic damping vanishes, a new solution representing finite-amplitude periodic motion bifurcates from the previously stable steady motion. The sign of a simple criterion, cast in terms of aerodynamic properties, determines whether the bifurcating solution is stable (supercritical) or unstable (subcritical). For the pitching motion of a flap-plate airfoil flying at supersonic/hypersonic speed, and for oscillation of a flap at transonic speed, the bifurcation is subcritical, implying either that exchanges of stability between steady and periodic motion are accompanied by hysteresis phenomena, or that potentially large aperiodic departures from steady motion may develop. On the other hand, for the rolling oscillation of a slender delta wing in subsonic flight (wing rock), the bifurcation is found to be supercritical. This and the predicted amplitude of the bifurcation periodic motion are in good agreement with experiments.

Hui, W. H.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Predictions of nucleation theory applied to Ehrenfest thermodynamic transitions

A modified nucleation theory is used to determine a critical nucleus size and a critical activation-energy barrier for second-order Ehrenfest thermodynamic transitions as functions of the degree of undercooling, the interfacial energy, the heat-capacity difference, the specific volume of the transformed phase, and the equilibrium transition temperature. The customary approximations of nucleation theory are avoided by expanding the Gibbs free energy in a Maclaurin series and applying analytical thermodynamic expressions to evaluate the expansion coefficients. Nonlinear correction terms for first-order-transition calculations are derived, and numerical results are presented graphically for water and polystyrene as examples of first-order and quasi-second-order transitions, respectively.

Barker, R. E., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1985

A theory for the core of a three-dimensional leading-edge vortex

A theory is presented for the flow in the core of a separation-induced leading-edge vortex. The theory is based on matching inner and outer representations of the vortex. The inner representation models continuously distributed vorticity and includes an asymptotic viscous subcore. The outer representation models concentrated spiral sheets of vorticity and is fully three dimensional. A parameter is identified which closely tracks the vortex breakdown stability boundary for delta, arrow, and diamond wings.

Luckring, J. M.↗
NASA NTRS1985

The altitude variation of the ionospheric photoelectron flux A comparison of theory and measurement

The 145 to 300-km altitude variation of the measured photoelectron flux in the 13 to 18 eV, 28 to 34 eV, and 50 to 55 eV energy regions are compared with the variations expected from theory. There is a strong linear relationship between the measured photoelectron flux and the attenuation of the solar EUV flux at these energies. Therefore, the photoelectron flux is sensitive to changes in the solar zenith angle, neutral density scale height, and total neutral density. However, contrary to previous assertions, the photoelectron flux at most energies is not sensitive to the relative densities of the neutral constituents. In addition, good agreement between theory and measurement is obtained. By using the concept of photoelectron production frequencies, the usually complex evaluation of the local equilibrium photoelectron flux is reduced to a trivial calculation so that the steps in the calculation can be readily verified.

Richards, P. G.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Fractional representation theory - Robustness results with applications to finite dimensional control of a class of linear distributed systems

This paper reviews and extends the fractional representation theory. In particular, new and powerful robustness results are presented. This new theory is utilized to develop a preliminary design methodology for finite dimensional control of a class of linear evolution equations on a Banach space. The design is for stability in an input-output sense, but particular attention is paid to internal stability as well.

Nett, C. N.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Statistical theory of cubic Langmuir turbulence

The cubic direct interaction approximation is applied to a truncated (in Fourier space) version of the cubically nonlinear Schroedinger equation model of Langmuir physics. The results are compared (in the three-mode case) to those for an ensemble of numerical solutions of the dynamical equations with 10,000 different sets of Gaussianly distributed initial conditions. In the undriven, undamped case, the statistical theory (but not the ensemble) evolves to a state of thermal equilibrium. In the driven, damped case, the statistical theory appears to evolve to a state close to that corresponding to one of the limit cycles of the dynamical equations.

Sun, G.-Z.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Harmonic response of cylindrical and toroidal shells to an internal acoustic field. I - Theory. II - Results

In the first part of the present work concerning the coupled elastic and acoustic response of a system of cylindrical and toroidal shells enclosing an acoustic medium, the theoretical model for the cylindrical and toroidal segments' elastodynamics incorporates an elastic simulation based on transfer matrices, while the acoustic simulation adapts Green's function and curved surface elements. The coupled response is determined by the equilibrium of the acoustic pressure and internal elastic reactions of the shell, and compatibility between acoustic and elastic accelerations at the shell-fluid interface. The second part of this work obtains and discusses numerical results based on the theory for the cases of shell configurations having a plane of symmetry, as well as asymmetric ones. The inadequacy of beam theory in modeling the response of short, thin shell configurations at frequencies above the fundamental elastic resonance is demonstrated.

El-Raheb, M.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Experimental verification of corrosive vapor deposition rate theory in high velocity burner rigs

The ability to predict deposition rates is required to facilitate modelling of high temperature corrosion by fused salt condensates in turbine engines. A corrosive salt vapor deposition theory based on multicomponent chemically frozen boundary layers (CFBL) has been successfully verified by high velocity burner rig experiments. The experiments involved internally air-impingement cooled, both rotating full and stationary segmented cylindrical collectors located in the crossflow of sodium-seeded combustion gases. Excellent agreement is found between the CFBL theory an the experimental measurements for both the absolute amounts of Na2SO4 deposition rates and the behavior of deposition rate with respect to collector temperature, mass flowrate (velocity) and Na concentration.

Gokoglu, S. A.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Bifurcation theory applied to aircraft motions

The bifurcation theory is used to analyze the nonlinear dynamic stability characteristics of single-degree-of-freedom motions of an aircraft or a flap about a trim position. The bifurcation theory analysis reveals that when the bifurcation parameter, e.g., the angle of attack, is increased beyond a critical value at which the aerodynamic damping vanishes, a new solution representing finite-amplitude periodic motion bifurcates from the previously stable steady motion. The sign of a simple criterion, cast in terms of aerodynamic properties, determines whether the bifurcating solution is stable (supercritical) or unstable (critical). For the pitching motion of a flap-plate airfoil flying at supersonic/hypersonic speed, and for oscillation of a flap at transonic speed, the bifurcation is subcritical, implying either that exchanges of stability between steady and periodic motion are accompanied by hysteresis phenomena, or that potentially large aperiodic departures from steady motion may develop. On the other hand, for the rolling oscillation of a slender delta wing in subsonic flight (wing rock), the bifurcation is found to be supercritical. This and the predicted amplitude of the bifurcation periodic motion are in good agreement with the experiments.

Hui, W. H.↗