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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 703 records · Page 39
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1972

A study of space shuttle structural integrity test and assessment. Part 1

The ultrasonics technique for assessing the structural integrity of the primary surface of the space shuttle vehicles is discussed and evaluated. Analysis was made of transducers, transducer coupling test structure fabrication, flaws, and ultrasonic testing. Graphs of microphone response curves from the initial noise tests, accelerometer response curves from the final noise tests, and microphone curves from the final noise tests are included along with a glossary, bibliography, and results.

Anderson, R. E.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Tactile sensing means for prosthetic limbs

An improved prosthetic device characterized by a frame and a socket for mounting on the stump of a truncated human appendage is described. Flexible digits extend from the distal end and transducers located within the digits act as sensing devices for detecting tactile stimuli. The transducers are connected through a power circuit with a slave unit supported by a strap and fixed to the stump. The tactile stimuli detected at the sensing devices are reproduced and applied to the skin of the appendage in order to stimulate the sensory organs located therein.

Scott, W. L.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Acoustic emission studies of large advanced composite rocket motor cases.

Acoustic emission (AE) patterns were measured during pressure testing of advanced composite rocket motor cases made of boron/epoxy and graphite/epoxy. Both accelerometers and high frequency AE transducers were used, and both frequency spectrum and amplitude distribution were studied. The AE patterns suggest that precursor emission might be used in certain cases to anticipate failure. The technique of hold-cycle AE monitoring was also evaluated and could become a valuable decision gate for test continuation/termination. Data presented show similarity of accelerometers and AE transducer responses despite the different frequency response, and suggest that structural AE phenomena are broadband.

Robinson, E. Y.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Design criteria monograph for actuators and operators

Instrumentation for actuators and operators includes electrical position-indicating switches, potentiometers, and transducers and pressure-indicating switches and transducers. Monograph is based on critical evaluation of experiences and practices in design, test, and use of these control devices and instruments in operational space vehicles.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1974

Ultrasonic scanner for footprint identification

Scanner includes transducer, acoustical drive, acoustical receiver, X and Y position indicators, and cathode-ray tube. Transducer sends ultrasonic pulses into shoe sole or shoeprint. Reflected signals are picked up by acoustic receiver and fed to cathode-ray tube. Resulting display intensity is directly proportional to reflected signal magnitude.

Derr, L. J.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Solid state controller three axes controller

The reported flight controller features a handle grip which is mounted on a longitudinally extending control element. The handle grip is pivotally mounted on the control element about a pitch axis which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis through the control element. The pivotal mounting includes a resilient force mounting mechanism which centers the grip relative to the control element. Rotation of the handle grip produces a direct rotation of a transducer element in a transducer which provides an electrical indication of the rotative movement about three mutually perpendicular axes.

Bailey, C. L., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1974

ASRDI oxygen technology survey. Volume 4: Low temperature measurement

Information is presented on temperature measurement between the triple point and critical point of liquid oxygen. The criterion selected is that all transducers which may reasonably be employed in the liquid oxygen (LO2) temperature range are considered. The temperature range for each transducer is the appropriate full range for the particular thermometer. The discussion of each thermometer or type of thermometer includes the following information: (1) useful temperature range, (2) general and particular methods of construction and the advantages of each type, (3) specifications (accuracy, reproducibility, response time, etc.), (4) associated instrumentation, (5) calibrations and procedures, and (6) analytical representations.

Sparks, L. L.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Space manufacturing of surface acoustic wave devices, appendix D

Space manufacturing of transducers in a vibration free environment is discussed. Fabrication of the masks, and possible manufacturing of the surface acoustic wave components aboard a space laboratory would avoid the inherent ground vibrations and the frequency limitation imposed by a seismic isolator pad. The manufacturing vibration requirements are identified. The concepts of space manufacturing are analyzed. A development program for manufacturing transducers is recommended.

Sardella, G.↗
NASA NTRS1973

The performance of solar arrays in deep space

Spacecraft of the Mariner class have been used by the United States during the past 11 years for planetary exploration. During these missions, the solar array performance characteristics were carefully monitored, and the data were reduced and analyzed. In addition to the direct array telemetry itself, the five latest Mariners were also equipped with a special transducer to aid in evaluating performance and determining the cause of array degradation. This paper describes the performance results of the Mariner solar arrays and the intelligence returned from the special performance transducer carrier on the later flights.

Goldsmith, J. V.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Advances in measuring techniques for turbine cooling test rigs - Status report

Instrumentation development pertaining to turbine cooling research has resulted in the design and testing of several new systems. Pressure measurements on rotating components are being made with a rotating system incorporating ten miniature transducers and a slip-ring assembly. The system has been tested successfully up to speeds of 9000 rpm. An advanced system development combining pressure transducer and thermocouple signals is also underway. Thermocouple measurements on rotating components are transferred off the shaft by a 72-channel rotating data system. Thermocouple data channels are electronically processed on board and then removed from the shaft in the form of a digital serial train by one winding of a rotary transformer.

Pollack, F. G.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Advanced life systems hardware development for future missions

An examination of the pulse formation in an externalized vessel suggests that the vessel does not behave as a simple visco-elastic tube. Pressure-pulse waveform transducers are sensitive either to the pressure present at the vessel wall or to the volume of blood filling a region of tissue. Results of comparisons between intra-and extra-vascular pressure recordings suggest that changes in vasomotor tone and transducer-vessel pressures may be the greatest contributors to the divergence of extra-vascular waveforms from intra-vascular waveforms.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1975

Application of acoustic surface wave technology to shuttle radar

The application of surface acoustic wave (SAW) signal processing devices in the space shuttle was explored. In order to demonstrate the functions which a SAW device might perform, a breadboard pulse compression filter (PCF) module was assembled. The PCF permits a pulse radar to operate with a large duty cycle and low peak power, a regime favorable to the use of solid state RF sources. The transducer design, strong coupling compensation, circuit model analysis, fabrication limitations, and performance evaluation of a PCF are described. The nominal value of the compression ratio is 100:1 with 10-MHz bandwidth centered at 60 MHz and 10-microsecond dispersive delay. The PCF incorporates dispersive interdigital transducers and a piezoelectric lithium niobate substrate.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1975

Feasibility of miniaturized instrumentation of the inflatable sphere for temperature, pressure and acceleration measurement

The feasibility of instrumenting the inflatable passive sphere (presently used to provide upper atmosphere density measurements) with miniaturized thermistors, pressure transducers, and accelerometers was analyzed. Data from the sensors must be transmitted by an onboard telemetry system to a ground receiving station. To assure a sufficiently slow fall velocity for the sphere the additional mass of the sensor and telemetry hardware must be less than 100 grams. Other constraints that must be satisfied by the sensor and telemetry systems include the ability to withstand a 150 g launch acceleration, the ability to function in both high and low temperature and pressure environments and be sufficiently small to be packaged within the body of a 3.81 cm diameter dart. A differential transducer that will measure the difference between ambient and internal sphere pressures is recommended. The application of each type of measurement relative to its ability to monitor sphere malfunction and to provide additional meteorological data is considered.

Luers, J. K.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Development of ultrasonic methods of hemodynamic measurements

A pulsed ultrasonic Doppler velocity meter which can be used (by modifying transducers) as a flowmeter for blood circulation was experimentally studied. Calculations and profiles of turbulent and laminar flow within blood vessels are shown. Graphs and charts of transducers are included.

Histand, M. B.↗
NASA NTRS1974

A spark gap switching system for gasdynamic facilities

A spark gap switching system has been developed to coordinate the discharge of a 300 kJ capacitor bank with the high speed flow of helium in a shock tube driver. The trigger system includes a flow transducer, a pulse forming circuit, a high voltage spark generator, and four heavy duty spark gaps that can carry total peak currents greater than 1.5 million A. A glow gauge flow transducer sensitive to small gas density changes was used whose input power and signal output can withstand high voltage fluctuations. This switching system is of use with gasdynamic discharge devices requiring a minimum number of switches.

Leibowitz, L. P.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Transonic buffet behavior of Northrop F-5A aircraft

Flight tests were performed on an extensively instrumented F-5A aircraft to investigate the dynamic buffet pressure distribution on the wing surfaces and the responses during a series of transonic maneuvers called the windup turns. The maneuvers to maximum lift were performed at three Mach number-altitude combinations with a constant 'q' of approximately 14,360 N/sq m (300 psf). The fluctuating buffet pressure data at 24 stations on the right wing of the F-5A were acquired by miniaturized semiconductor type pressure transducers mounted on the wing. A new transducer mounting and wiring technique was applied where the interference with the natural flow condition was minimized. The data acquired in this manner were found adequate to trace the shock origin, the movement of the shock front and the development of the separated flow (shock induced or leading edge induced) on the wing surface.

Hwang, C.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Ultrasonic dispersion determined from mechanical resonance frequency shifts

With standing wave ultrasonic techniques, small changes in phase velocity which result from changes in some external parameter (e.g., temperature or magnetic field) have traditionally been determined by observing shifts in the mechanical resonance frequency of a composite resonator. Some previous investigators have assumed that the fractional change in velocity is equal to the fractional change in frequency. We discuss quantitatively the errors involved in such an approach, showing that it leads to substantial inaccuracies when the loading effect of the transducer(s) cannot be neglected. Substantially improved formulas for determining the dispersion are presented and one of these is shown to be much more accurate than all previous approximations. The results of simulated and actual experiments over wide ranges of dispersion, transducer loading parameter, and frequency are analyzed in order to compare the errors inherent in the various approximations.

Moerner, W. E.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Measuring mandibular motions

Mandibular motion along three axes is measured by three motion transducers on floating yoke that rests against mandible. System includes electronics to provide variety of outputs for data display and processing. Head frame is strapped to test subject's skull to provide fixed point of reference for transducers.

Dimeff, J.↗