SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “Change detection”

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.

SourceResearch connectionFrom yearThrough year

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

At least 667 records · Page 37

All sources NASA NTRS DOE OSTI

NASA NTRS1980

A fundamental approach to adhesion: Synthesis, surface analysis, thermodynamics and mechanics

The acid-base properties of titanium 6-4 plates (low surface area) were investigated after three different pretreatments, namely Turco, phosphate-fluoride and Pasa-Jell. A series of indicators was used and color changes were detected using diffuse reflectance visible spectroscopy. Electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis was used to examine the indicator on the Ti 6-4 surface. Specular reflectance infra-red spectroscopy was used to study the adsorption of stearic acid from cyclohexane solutions on the Ti 6-4 surface.

Siriwardane, R.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Indirect microbial detection

The growth of microorganisms in a sample is detected and monitored by culturing microorganisms in a growth medium and detecting a change in potential between two electrodes, separated from the microbial growth by a barrier which is permeable to charged paticles but microorganism impermeable.

Wilkins, J. R.↗

NASA NTRS1982

An adaptive tracking observer for failure-detection systems

The design problem of adaptive observers applied to linear, constant and variable parameters, multi-input, multi-output systems, is considered. It is shown that, in order to keep the observer's (or Kalman filter) false-alarm rate (FAR) under a certain specified value, it is necessary to have an acceptable proper matching between the observer (or KF) model and the system parameters. An adaptive observer algorithm is introduced in order to maintain desired system-observer model matching, despite initial mismatching and/or system parameter variations. Only a properly designed adaptive observer is able to detect abrupt changes in the system (actuator, sensor failures, etc.) with adequate reliability and FAR. Conditions for convergence for the adaptive process were obtained, leading to a simple adaptive law (algorithm) with the possibility of an a priori choice of fixed adaptive gains. Simulation results show good tracking performance with small observer output errors and accurate and fast parameter identification, in both deterministic and stochastic cases.

Sidar, M.↗

NASA NTRS1982

The development version control and visibility subsystem

A prototype development version control and programming environment visibility subsystem (DVCS) is described. DVCS provides an implementation/management interface serving both the implementor and management. The DVCS provides the implementor listings annotated with change bars, detects errors in the block structure of the design and indicates when standards requiring the use of structured programming constructs in the design of software are violated.

Hawley, L. R.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Solar UV variability - Effects on stratospheric ozone, trace constituents and thermal structure

The effect of long-term (11-year solar cycle) solar UV variability on stratospheric chemical and thermal structure has been studied using a time-dependent one-dimensional model. Previous studies have suggested substantial variations in local and total ozone, and in stratospheric thermal structure from solar minimum to solar maximum. It is shown that significant variations also occur in some of the trace constituents. Members of the HOx family and N2O exhibit the largest variations, and these changes, if detected, may provide additional means of verifying the presence of solar UV variability and its effects. Some of the species show large phase differences with the assumed solar flux variation. The role of chemical and transport time constants on the time variations of the trace species is examined. Comparisons with reported ozone and temperature data show reasonable agreement for the period 1960 to 1972.

Natarajan, M.↗

NASA NTRS1982

A study of the feasibility of statistical analysis of airport performance simulation

The feasibility of conducting a statistical analysis of simulation experiments to study airport capacity is investigated. First, the form of the distribution of airport capacity is studied. Since the distribution is non-Gaussian, it is important to determine the effect of this distribution on standard analysis of variance techniques and power calculations. Next, power computations are made in order to determine how economic simulation experiments would be if they are designed to detect capacity changes from condition to condition. Many of the conclusions drawn are results of Monte-Carlo techniques.

Myers, R. H.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Very-long-baseline radio interferometry - The Mark III system for geodesy, astrometry, and aperture synthesis

Up to 112 megabit/sec from each radio telescope of an interferometric array can be recorded and processed by the Mark III VLBI system. Sample results are given for baseline lengths between three antennas in the U.S. and three in Europe, as well as for the arc lengths between the positions of six extragalactic radio sources. No significant change is detected in any of these quantities. Signals of a given polarization or of pairs of orthogonal polarizations may be recorded in up to 28 contiguous bands, each nearly 2 MHz wide, for mapping the brightness distribution of compact radio sources. The demonstrated ability to record large bandwidths, and to link many large radio telescopes, allows compact sources with flux densities below 1 millijansky to be detected and studied.

Rogers, A. E. E.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Seasat synthetic aperture radar observations of wave-current and wave-topographic interactions

This study investigated the capability of a spaceborne, imaging radar system to detect subtle changes in the propagation characteristics of ocean wave systems. Specifically, an evolving surface gravity wave system emanating from Hurricane Ella and propagating toward Cape Hatteras, NC, formed the basis of this investigation. This wave system was successfully imaged by the Seasat synthetic aperture radar (SAR) during revolution 974 on September 3, 1978. Estimates of the dominant wavelength and direction of the ocean waves were derived from the SAR data by using optical Fourier transforms. Environmental data of the test area, which included the surface velocity vector within the Gulf Stream, the location of Hurricane Ella, and local bathymetric information, were used in conjunction with the SAR data to form the basis of this comparative study. Favorable agreement was found between wave rays calculated by utilizing theoretical wave-current and wave-topographic interactions and SAR observed dominant wavelength and direction changes across the Gulf Stream and continental shelf.

Meadows, G. A.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Experimental results for the rapid determination of the freezing point of fuels

Two methods for the rapid determination of the freezing point of fuels were investigated: an optical method, which detected the change in light transmission from the disappearance of solid particles in the melted fuel; and a differential thermal analysis (DTA) method, which sensed the latent heat of fusion. A laboratory apparatus was fabricated to test the two methods. Cooling was done by thermoelectric modules using an ice-water bath as a heat sink. The DTA method was later modified to eliminate the reference fuel. The data from the sample were digitized and a point of inflection, which corresponds to the ASTM D-2386 freezing point (final melting point), was identified from the derivative. The apparatus was modifified to cool the fuel to -60 C and controls were added for maintaining constant cooling rate, rewarming rate, and hold time at minimum temperature. A parametric series of tests were run for twelve fuels with freezing points from -10 C to -50 C, varying cooling rate, rewarming rate, and hold time. Based on the results, an optimum test procedure was established. The results showed good agreement with ASTM D-2386 freezing point and differential scanning calorimetry results.

Mathiprakasam, B.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Coupled orbiting inertial reference systems and Geopotential Research Mission (GRM) geodesy

Two spacecraft, one following the other with a separation of a few hundred kilometers and orbiting at an altitude of 160 km in a 90-degree polar orbit, are used to detect the minute variations in the earth's gravitational field. Housed in a capacitive cavity located at the centroid of the spacecraft is a free-floating metallic spherical proof-mass, which is the sensor controlling the thrusters that nullify all nongravitational forces on the spacecraft. The proof-mass in each spacecraft is the inertial-guidance reference for its host spacecraft, and the proof-masses are coupled together by a millimeter-wave link. This coupled system detects minute changes in the spacecraft's orbital positions and thus measures the anomalies present in the gravitational field of the earth. To derive a global geodetic model of the gravitational field with an amplitude resolution of 1 milligal and a spatial resolution of 100 km requires that the relative velocity between the proof-mass references be determined to within 1 micron/s.

Keating, T.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Abnormal Circulation Changes in the Winter Stratosphere, Detected Through Variations of D Region Ionospheric Absorption

A method to detect stratospheric warmings using ionospheric absorption records obtained by an Absorption Meter (method A3) is introduced. The activity of the stratospheric circulation and the D region ionospheric absorption as well as other atmospheric parameters during the winter anomaly experience an abnormal variation. A simultaneity was found in the beginning of abnormal variation in the mentioned parameters, using the absorption records for detecting the initiation of the stratospheric warming. Results of this scientific experience of forecasting in the El Arenosillo Range, are presented.

Delamorena, B. A.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Global geomorphology: Report of Working Group Number 1

Remote sensing was considered invaluable for seeing landforms in their regional context and in relationship to each other. Sequential images, such as those available from LANDSAT orbits provide a means of detecting landform change and the operation of large scale processes, such as major floods in semiarid regions. The use of remote sensing falls into two broad stages: (1) the characterization or accurate description of the features of the Earth's surface; and (2) the study of landform evolution. Recommendations for future research are made.

Douglas, I.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Patterns of reflected radiance associated with geobotanical anomalies

This paper summarizes three remote sensing experiments in which changes in remotely measured reflected radiance patterns of vegetation correlated with changes in geology. In two cases using airborne spectroradiometer data, changes in the physical properties of a uniform species correlated with zones of porphyry copper mineralization. In another case using Landsat digital data, changes were detected in the distribution and density of a number of species and combined with soil brightness data to produce a composite index useful for distinguishing lithologies.

Birnie, R. W.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Canadian medical experiments on Shuttle Flight 41-G

During the 41-G mission, two payload specialist astronauts took part in six Canadian medical experiments designed to measure how the human nervous system adapts to weightlessness, and how this might contribute to space motion sickness. Similar tests conducted pre-flight provided base-line data, and post-flight experiments examined re-adaptation to the ground. No changes were detected in the vestibulo-ocular reflex during this 8-day mission. Pronounced proprioceptive illusions were experienced, especially immediately post-flight. Tactile acuity was normal in the fingers and toes, but the ability to judge limb position was degraded. Estimates of the locations of familiar targets were grossly distorted in the absence of vision. There were no differences in taste thresholds or olfaction. Despite pre-flight tests showing unusual susceptibility to motion sickness, the Canadian payload specialist turned out to be less susceptible than normal on-orbit. Re-adaptation to the normal gravity environment occurred within the first day after landing.

Watt, D. G. D.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Meso-beta scale perturbations of the wind field by thunderstorm cells

Data from the high density storm-scale rawinsonde network of the Severe Environmental Storms and Mesoscale Experiment revealed temporal and spatial changes in the divergence fields of the troposphere in response to severe storm evolution on May 2, 1979; these changes were detectable on the meso-beta scale. This unique set of data was subsequently used to study the evolution of the wind, divergence and vertical motion fields in the presence of intense convection. Mid- and upper-tropospheric divergence was superimposed over low-level convergence. The divergence, which has a maximum value of .0004/s, occurred 75 to 100 km upwind as well as over the tornadic cells. To the south of the storm cells, the kinematic pattern was in reverse, upper level convergence was superimposed over low-level divergence. A vertical motion doublet was found to ascend over the squall line and descend about 70 km south of the squall line. It is suggested that the following effects are accountable for the nature of the kinematic fields: (1) blocking of tropospheric environmental flow by the storm cells, (2) anvil outflows, particularly from the tornadic cells, and (3) divergence from the exit region of the jet stream.

Ulanski, S. L.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Vertical motions in the quiescent prominences observed in the He I Lambda10830Angstrom line

The observations contain two-dimensional spectral scans of a total of 17 different prominences on the solar disk from the period 3 to 9 May 1981, using the main spectrograph of the solar vacuum telescope at Sacramento Peak. The following conclusions may be drawn from the data: (1) Blue shifts are much more common than red shifts. In many cases more than 90 per cent of the projected prominence area is associated with blue shifts. (2) The darkest prominence regions show the largest blue shift (v less than 3 km s-1). (3) Red shifts are most commonly seen at prominence edges. (4) The general pattern of prominence velocity persists for several hours. On the scale of about 10 arcsec and less, changes are detectable in the course of 2 to 5 minutes. The observed predominance of the blue shifts is largely in agreement with earlier results from H alpha (cf. Martres et al. 1981). It cannot, however, be concluded definitely that the observed shift really represents a net flow of matter. The situation could possibly be analogous to that of the solar transition region where lines such as C IV lambda 1548 angstroms seem to indicate a net inflow, which can hardly be true, at velocities greater than 4 km s(-1) in the quiet Sun (Athay et al. 1983; Gurman and Athay 1983). If the typical structure element of the prominence is sub-resolution, i.e., 2 to 3 arcsec or worse, as in the present case, an apparent net shift could result if the ascending and the decending elements have different temperature and/or pressure. Different lines could then indicate different flow velocities and even opposite directions.

Engvold, Oddbjorn↗

NASA NTRS1986

Estimation of left ventricular mass in conscious dogs

A method for the assessment of the development or the regression of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in a conscious instrumented animal is described. First, the single-slice short-axis area-length method for estimating the left-ventricular mass (LVM) and volume (LVV) was validated in 24 formaldehyde-fixed canine hearts, and a regression equation was developed that could be used in the intact animal to correct the sonomicrometrically estimated LVM. The LVM-assessment method, which uses the combined techniques of echocardiography and sonomicrometry (in conjunction with the regression equation), was shown to provide reliable and reproducible day-to-day estimates of LVM and LVV, and to be sensitive enough to detect serial changes during the development of LVH.

Coleman, Bernell↗

NASA NTRS1988

A test of the massive binary black hole hypothesis - Arp 102B

The emission-line spectra of several AGN have broad peaks which are significantly displaced in velocity with respect to the host galaxy. An interpretation of this effect in terms of orbital motion of a binary black hole predicts periods of a few centuries. It is pointed out here that recent measurements of the masses and sizes of many low-luminosity AGN imply orbital periods much shorter than this. In particular, it is found that the elliptical galaxy Arp 102B is the most likely candidate for observation of radial velocity variations; its period is expected to be about 3 yr. The H-alpha line profile of Arp 102B has been measured for 5 yr without detecting any change in velocity, and it is thus found that a rather restrictive observational test of the massive binary black hole hypothesis already exists, albeit for this one object.

Helpern, J. P.↗