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At least 685 records · Page 38

Onboard Experiment Data Support Facility (OEDSF): Conceptual design study

The Onboard Experimental Data Support Facility (OEDSF) is an inflight data processor based on a totally new architecture specifically developed to cost-effectively process the data of Shuttle payloads sensors. Processing data onboard fills the following needs: (1) reduction of data bulk by conversion to information (2)quick-look for evaluation, interactive operation, etc. (3) real-time computation of engineering representation of sensed phenomena. For example: Value of backscatter coefficient (sigma) of a scatterometer as a function of latitude and longitude (4) exploitation of the real-time availability of ancillary data, thereby obviating the need for time-tagging, recording, and recorrelation and (5) providing data or information immediately usable by the experimenter or user. The OEDSF is made up of modular and cascadable matrix processors. Each matrix has been sized to process the data of a full typical shuttle payload. Cost analyses indicate that significant savings are realized by processing data with the OEDSF compared with conventional ground facilities.

Source record↗

An economic and performance design study of solar preheaters for domestic hot water heaters in North Carolina

The performance and estimated material costs for several solar preheaters for domestic hot water heaters using isolation levels present in North Carolina are presented. The effects of monthly variations in isolation and the direction of incident radiation are included. Demand is assumed at 13 gallons (49.2 liters) per day per person. The study shows that a closed circulation system with 82 gallons (310 liters) of preheated storage and 53.4 cu ft (4.94 cu m) of collector surface with single cover can be expected to cost about $800 and to repay it capital cost and interest (at 8%) in 5.2 years, assuming present electric rates increase at 5% per year.

Jones, C. B.↗

Integrated source and channel encoded digital communication system design study

The analysis of the forward link signal structure for the shuttle orbiter Ku-band communication system was carried out, based on the assumptions of a 3.03 Mcps PN code. It is shown that acquisition requirements for the forward link can be met at the acquisition threshold C/N0 sub 0 value of about 60 dB-Hz, which corresponds to a bit error rate (BER) of about 0.001. It is also shown that the tracking threshold for the forward link is at about 57 dB-Hz. The analysis of the bent pipe concept for the orbiter was carried out, along with the comparative analysis of the empirical data. The complexity of the analytical approach warrants further investigation to reconcile the empirical and theoretical results. Techniques for incorporating a text and graphics capability into the forward link data stream are considered and a baseline configuration is described.

Udalov, S.↗

Experimental design studies and flow visualization of proportional laminar-flow fluidic amplifiers

The effects of certain parameter variations on the performance characteristics of laminar, proportional, jet-deflection fluidic amplifiers were studied. The matching and staging of amplifiers to obtain high pressure gain was included, but dynamic effects were not. The parameter variations considered were aspect ratio, setback, control length, splitter distance, receiver-duct width, width of center-vent duct, and bias pressure. Usable pressure gains of 19 per stage were achieved, and 5 amplifier stages were integrated to yield an overall pressure gain of 2,000,000.

Hellbaum, R. F.↗

Continuous high pressure lump coal feeder design study

A continuous lump coal dry feeder was developed for a pressurized fluidized bed combustor. The approach was to adapt the commercially available Fuller-Kinyon pump to feed coal against a pressure differential of 100 psi or more. The pump was modified and tests performed at various pressure differentials, with differently pitched screws, various screw rotational speeds, and various seal lengths and configurations. Successful operation of the modified Fuller-Kinyon pump was generally limited to pressure differentials of 60 psi or less. Although the results are not conclusive, test data and observations were made that indicated that higher pressure differentials could be attained by further modifications of the test setup. In particular, it is recommended that further testing be performed after replacing the 40-horsepower pump motor presently in the test setup with a motor having a significantly high power rating (thereby allowing pump operation with longer seals and at higher pressure differentials than those tested so far).

Fields, S. F.↗

Dual hologram design study

A phase modulated triple exposure technique was incorporated into a holographic nondestructive test (HNDT) system. The technique was able to achieve a goal of simultaneously identifying the zero-order fringe and determining the direction of motion (or displacement). Basically, the technique involves the addition of one more exposure, during the loading of the tested object, to the conventional double-exposure hologram. A phase shifter is added to either the object beam or the reference beam during the second and third exposure. Theoretical analysis with the assistance of computer simulation illustrated the feasibility of implementing the phase modulation and triple-exposure in the HNDT systems. Main advantages of the technique are the enhancement of accuracy in data interpretation and a better determination of the nature of the flaws in the tested object.

Liu, H. K.↗

Space electric power design study

The conversion of laser energy to electrical energy is discussed. Heat engines in which the laser heats the gas inside the engine through a window as well as heat engines in which the gas is heated by a thermal energy storage reservoir which has been heated by laser radiation are both evaluated, as well as the necessary energy storage, transmission and conversion components needed for a full system. Preliminary system concepts are presented and a recommended development program is outlined. It appears possible that a free displacer Stirling engine operating directly a linear electric generator can convert 65% of the incident laser energy into electricity.

Martini, W. R.↗

Shuttle Ku-band signal design study

Carrier synchronization and data demodulation of Unbalanced Quadriphase Shift Keyed (UQPSK) Shuttle communications' signals by optimum and suboptimum methods are discussed. The problem of analyzing carrier reconstruction techniques for unbalanced QPSK signal formats is addressed. An evaluation of the demodulation approach of the Ku-Band Shuttle return link for UQPSK when the I-Q channel power ratio is large is carried out. The effects that Shuttle rocket motor plumes have on the RF communications are determined also. The effect of data asymmetry on bit error probability is discussed.

Lindsey, W. C.↗

Solar power satellite rectenna design study: Directional receiving elements and parallel-series combining analysis

Rectenna conversion efficiencies (RF to dc) approximating 85 percent were demonstrated on a small scale, clearly indicating the feasibility and potential of efficiency of microwave power to dc. The overall cost estimates of the solar power satellite indicate that the baseline rectenna subsystem will be between 25 to 40 percent of the system cost. The directional receiving elements and element extensions were studied, along with power combining evaluation and evaluation extensions.

Gutmann, R. J.↗

Design study for future satellite microwave scatterometers, part 3

A computerized simulation analysis for a number of scatterometer antenna configuration and polarization modes including the Seasat scatterometer (SASS) is presented. The results of the simulations were expressed in terms of performance statistics. These statistics relate to the wind direction alias removal capability and to the rms sensing errors for friction velocity and wind direction X. The statistics are analyzed, and optimum scatterometer configurations are recommended. The accuracy of the SASS in measuring U* and X, and its capability to resolve wind direction aliases are assessed.

Wentz, F. J.↗

Analysis methods and preliminary design study

The shuttle orbiter body flap was studied to define loads and temperatures and to assess various structural concepts. Laminated-structure analysis capability was required. An appraisal of the available structural analysis programs, NASTRAN and SPAR, indicates that neither had all the capabilities required. The thermal analysis program, MITAS solved the problem once a model was generated but model generation and verification was laborious and transfer of temperatures to the structural program usually required interpolation. Therefore it was decided to incorporate both capabilities in the SPAR finite element program.

Blackburn, C. L.↗

Orbital transfer vehicle advanced expander cycle engine point design study

A detailed computer model of the expander cycle engine system steady-state operation was developed. Payload performance data for the expander cycle engine for 100K pounds and 65K pounds Space Shuttle missions were examined to establish peak payload thrusts. It was found that peak payload for the 100K pound gross weight single engine case occurred at nearly 15,000 pounds thrust for both engine mixture ratios of 6:1 and 7:1. Peak payload at engine mixture ratio of 6:1 was 4 percent greater than at 7:1 mixture ratio. The two engine configuration peak paYloads occurred at engine thrust below 7,500 pounds (extrapolated) and were lower than single engine payloads. For the 65K pound gross weight mission, peak payloads for the single engine configuration occurred at nearly 10,000 pounds for both mixture ratios. Mixture ratio of 7:1 payloads were 5 percent lower than 6:1 payloads. Two engine configuration payloads occurred at engine thrusts considerably below 10K pounds.

Martinez, A.↗

Shuttle Global Positioning (GPS) System design study

Investigations of certain aspects and problems of the shuttle global positioning system GPS, are presented. Included are: test philosophy and test outline; development of a phase slope specification for the shuttle GPS antenna; an investigation of the shuttle jamming vulnerability; and an expression for the GPS signal to noise density ratio for the thermal protection system.

Nilsen, P.↗

A design study for an advanced ocean color scanner system

Along with a colorimetric data analysis scheme, the instrumental parameters which need to be optimized in future spaceborne ocean color scanner systems are outlined. With regard to assessing atmospheric effects from ocean colorimetry, attention is given to computing size parameters of the aerosols in the atmosphere, total optical depth measurement, and the aerosol optical thickness. It is suggested that sensors based on the use of linear array technology will meet hardware objectives.

Kim, H. H.↗

Optimal control model predictions of system performance and attention allocation and their experimental validation in a display design study

The influence of different types of predictor displays in a longitudinal vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) hover task is analyzed in a theoretical study. Several cases with differing amounts of predictive and rate information are compared. The optimal control model of the human operator is used to estimate human and system performance in terms of root-mean-square (rms) values and to compute optimized attention allocation. The only part of the model which is varied to predict these data is the observation matrix. Typical cases are selected for a subsequent experimental validation. The rms values as well as eye-movement data are recorded. The results agree favorably with those of the theoretical study in terms of relative differences. Better matching is achieved by revised model input data.

Johannsen, G.↗