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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.

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At least 667 records · Page 37
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NASA NTRS1986

Formal optimization of hovering performance using free wake lifting surface theory

Free wake techniques for performance prediction and optimization of hovering rotor are discussed. The influence functions due to vortex ring, vortex cylinder, and source or vortex sheets are presented. The vortex core sizes of rotor wake vortices are calculated and their importance is discussed. Lifting body theory for finite thickness body is developed for pressure calculation, and hence performance prediction of hovering rotors. Numerical optimization technique based on free wake lifting line theory is presented and discussed. It is demonstrated that formal optimization can be used with the implicit and nonlinear objective or cost function such as the performance of hovering rotors as used in this report.

Chung, S. Y.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Constraints on galaxy formation theories

The present theories of galaxy formation are reviewed. The relation between peculiar velocities, temperature fluctuations of the microwave background and the correlation function of galaxies point to the possibility that galaxies do not form uniformly everywhere. The velocity data provide strong constraints on the theories even in the case when light does not follow mass of the universe.

Szalay, A. S.↗
NASA NTRS1985

The cyclotron maser theory of AKR and Z-mode radiation

The cyclotron maser mechanism which may be responsible for the generation of auroral kilometric radiation and Z-mode radiation is discussed. Emphasis is placed on the basic concepts of the cyclotron maser theory, particularly the relativistic effect of the cyclotron resonance condition. Recent development of the theory is reviewed. Finally, the results of a computer simulation study which helps to understand the nonlinear saturation of the maser instability are reported.

Wu, C. S.↗
NASA NTRS1986

An economical semi-analytical orbit theory for micro-computer applications

An economical algorithm is presented for predicting the position of a satellite perturbed by drag and zonal harmonics J2 through J4. Simplicity being of the essence, drag is modeled as a secular decay rate in the semimajor axis (retarded motion) with the zonal perturbations modeled from a modified version of Brouwers formulas. The algorithm is developed as an alternative on-board orbit predictor; a back up propagator requiring low energy consumption; or a ground based propagator for microcomputer applications (e.g., at the foot of an antenna). An O(J2) secular retarded state partial matrix (matrizant) is also given to employ with state estimation. The theory has been implemented in BASIC on an inexpensive microcomputer, the program occupying under 8K bytes of memory. Simulated trajectory data and real tracking data are employed to illustrate the theory's ability to accurately accommodate oblateness and drag effects.

Gordon, R. A.↗
NASA NTRS1986

A simple kinetic theory of auroral arc scales

A kinetic theory of the origins of the auroral arc scale spectrum is presented in this paper. The conceptual basis of the theory is current conservation in a turbulent plasma at the magnetospheric equatorial region in which a field-aligned current is generated and the local electrostatic potential structure is forced to adjust to the presence of the field-aligned current. This simple model uses an ad hoc Ohm's law relationship between the perpendicular current and the perpendicular electric field, but with a negative conductance in the generator region so that J(perpendicular) x E(perpendicular) is less than 0. An exact solution of a simple model of the concept yields a bistatic auroral generator for which multiple-arc formation is predicted if the field-aligned current exceeds a critical value. The predicted scale spectrum is inversely proportional to the square root of the field-aligned current strength spectrum.

Chiu, Y. T.↗
NASA NTRS1985

A theory of post-stall transients in axial compression systems. I - Development of equations

An approximate theory is presented for post-stall transients in multistage axial compression systems. The theory leads to a set of three simultaneous nonlinear third-order partial differential equations for pressure rise, and average and disturbed values of flow coefficient, as functions of time and angle around the compressor. By a Galerkin procedure, angular dependence is averaged, and the equations become first order in time. These final equations are capable of describing the growth and possible decay of a rotating-stall cell during a compressor mass-flow transient. It is shown how rotating-stall-like and surgelike motions are coupled through these equations, and also how the instantaneous compressor pumping characteristic changes during the transient stall process.

Moore, F. K.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Theory of the current-driven ion cyclotron instability in the bottomside ionosphere

A comprehensive treatment of the theory of electrostatic ion cyclotron instability in the collisional bottomside ionosphere is given. The linear dispersion relations for the ion cyclotron instability (electron and ion collisions) are derived. Analytical solutions to the dispersion relation are obtained in three limits: collisionless; weakly collisional; and collisional. In addition, the linear dispersion relation is solved numerically, using parameters typical of the high-latitude bottomside ionosphere. It is pointed out that the linear growth rates in the bottomside collisional regime can be of the same order as the corresponding topside collisionless growth rates. A nonlinear saturation mechanism for the electrostatic ion cyclotron instability is proposed on the basis of Dupree's (1966) resonance broadening theory.

Satyanarayana, P.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Stability and natural vibration analysis of laminated plates by using a mixed element based on a refined plate theory

A mixed shear flexible finite element, with relaxed continuity, is developed for the geometrically linear and nonlinear analysis of layered anisotropic plates. The element formulation is based on a refined higher order theory which satisfies the zero transverse shear stress boundary conditions on the top and bottom faces of the plate and requires no shear correction coefficients. The mixed finite element developed herein consists of eleven degrees of freedom per node which include three displacements, two rotations and six moment resultants. The element is evaluated for its accuracy in the analysis of the stability and vibration of anisotropic rectangular plates with different lamination schemes and boundary conditions. The mixed finite element described here for the higher order theory gives very accurate results for buckling loads and natural frequencies.

Putcha, N. S.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Theory and simulations of broadband electrostatic noise in the geomagnetic tail

The excitation mechanism for broadband electrostatic noise (BEN) and the effects of BEN particles in the geomagnetic tail are examined using the linear analysis theory and particle simulations. The linear theory for electrostatic instabilities is discussed. The plasma sheet particle population is simulated using counter-streaming cold ion beams, and warm ions and electrons. The ion-ion instability, ion-acoustic mode, and the electrostatic ion cyclotron harmonic waves are studied. The velocity distributions, electric field intensity, and electron plasma waves for the plasma sheet boundary layer are evaluated. The frequency wave spectrum and particle distributions are computed and analyzed. The conditions for the two simulations, which differ only in beam ion drift speed, are described; it is observed that in the first simulation the dominate modes propagate parallel to the magnetic field and in the second simulation the propagation modes are oblique. The simulation data reveal that when beam temperature is smaller than plasma sheet temperature ion-acoustic and ion-ion instabilities grow to large amplitudes heating both electrons and ions. The data are compared to ISEE-1 observations and good correlation is obtained.

Ashour-Abdalla, M.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Development of intuitive theories of motion - Curvilinear motion in the absence of external forces

College students and children between the ages of 4 and 12 were asked to draw the path a ball would take upon exiting a curved tube. As in previous studies, many subjects erroneously predicted curvilinear paths. However, a clear U-shaped curve was evident in the data: Preschoolers and kindergartners performed as well as college students, whereas school-aged children were more likely to make erroneous predictions. A second study suggested that the youngest children's correct responses could not be attributed to response biases or drawing abilities. This developmental trend is interpreted to mean that the school-aged children are developing intuitive theories of motion that include erroneous principles. The results are related to the 'growth errors' found in other cognitive domains and to the historical development of formal theories of motion.

Kaiser, M. K.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Theory for computing the field scattered from a smooth inflected surface

A theory is described for computing the reflected or scattered field from a smooth body with inflection points. These inflections occur in certain directions at each surface point for which the total (Gaussian) curvature is zero or negative. For surface illumination in one of these critical directions, the usual reflection formulas obtained by the high-frequency approximation are inapplicable, and a shadow zone exists in the reflected field. Scattering into the shadow zone is treated, as well as specular reflection. This theory should have a variety of applications such as for certain optics problems, computer graphics modeling of three-dimensional shapes, and the design and analysis of specialized microwave reflector antennas.

Barger, R. L.↗
NASA NTRS1986

On contact problems of elasticity theory

Certain contact problems are reviewed in the two-dimensional theory of elasticity when round bodies touch without friction along most of the boundary and, therefore, Herz' hypothesis on the smallness of the contact area cannot be used. Fundamental equations were derived coinciding externally with the equation in the theory of a finite-span wing with unkown parameter. These equations are solved using Multhopp's well-known technique, and numerical calculations are performed in specific examples.

Kalandiya, A. I.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Relativistic dispersion modifications to the cyclotron maser theory of planetary radio emissions

The effects of relativistic dispersion on the electron-cyclotron maser instability are investigated by linear theory, electromagnetic particle simulation, and quasilinear theory. When vsq/csq greater than or = omega pesq/Omega sq for the energetic electrons, the instability is localized just below k c/Omega e = 1, and the growth rate is strongly peaked for emission at 90 deg to the magnetic field. Saturation of the instability is due to perpendicular diffusion in momentum space, and the saturation level increases as omega pe/Omega e is decreased. Applications of the maser instability to the generation of the Earth's auroral kilometric radiation are discussed.

Pritchett, P. L.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Biot theory and acoustical properties of high porosity fibrous materials and plastic foams

Experimental values of acoustic wave propagation constant and characteristic impedance in fibrous materials, and normal absorption for two plastic foams, were compared to theoretical predictions obtained with Biot's theory. The best agreement was observed for fibrous materials between Biot's theory and Delany and Bazley experiments for a nearly zero mass coupling parameter. For foams, the lambda/4 structure resonance effect on absorption was calculated by using four-pole modelling of the medium. A significant mass coupling parameter is then necessary for obtaining agreement between the behavior of the measured absorption coefficients and the theoretical predictions. It is shown how the formalism used for predicting foams absorption coefficients may be used for studying the acoustic behavior of multi-layered media.

Allard, J.↗
NASA NTRS1986

A general theory for the Uranian satellites

A general analytical theory of the five main satellites of Uranus, including the secular and short period terms hereafter denoted by GUST, is presented. A comparison is made with an internal numerical integration with nominal masses of Veillet (1983). The precision of the theory goes from about 10 km for Miranda to 100 km for Oberon. The short period terms in the motions of Titania and Oberon are larger than 500 km. They should make possible the determination of the masses of the outer satellites through the optical data of Voyager encounter.

Laskar, J.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Relativistic dispersion modifications to the cyclotron maser theory of planetary radio emissions

The effects of relativistic dispersion on the electron-cyclotron maser instability are investigated by means of linear theory, electromagnetic particle simulation, and quasilinear theory. Saturation of the instability is due to perpendicular diffusion in momentum space, and the saturation level increases as the plasma frequency/electron cyclotron ratio is decreased. Applications of the maser instability to the generation of the the earth's auroral kilometric radiation are discussed.

Pritchett, P. L.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Hollow cathodes as electron emitting plasma contactors Theory and computer modeling

Several researchers have suggested using hollow cathodes as plasma contactors for electrodynamic tethers, particularly to prevent the Shuttle Orbiter from charging to large negative potentials. Previous studies have shown that fluid models with anomalous scattering can describe the electron transport in hollow cathode generated plasmas. An improved theory of the hollow cathode plasmas is developed and computational results using the theory are compared with laboratory experiments. Numerical predictions for a hollow cathode plasma source of the type considered for use on the Shuttle are presented, as are three-dimensional NASCAP/LEO calculations of the emitted ion trajectories and the resulting potentials in the vicinity of the Orbiter. The computer calculations show that the hollow cathode plasma source makes vastly superior contact with the ionospheric plasma compared with either an electron gun or passive ion collection by the Orbiter.

Davis, V. A.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Perfect gas effects in compressible rapid distortion theory

The governing equations presented for small amplitude unsteady disturbances imposed on steady, compressible mean flows that are two-dimensional and nearly uniform have their basis in the perfect gas equations of state, and therefore generalize previous results based on tangent gas theory. While these equations are more complex, this complexity is required for adequate treatment of high frequency disturbances, especially when the base flow Mach number is large; under such circumstances, the simplifying assumptions of tangent gas theory are not applicable.

Kerschen, E. J.↗