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At least 703 records · Page 39

Design considerations in mechanical face seals for improved performance. II - Lubrication

The importance of sealing technology in the U.S. industrial chemical-orientated society in regard to maintenance and environmental contamination is pointed out. It is stated that seal performance (leakage, life) is directly related to seal lubrication, which is a mechanism not well understood. Current thinking in regard to seal lubrication is reviewed, the effect of energy dissipation in the thin lubricating film separating the sealing faces is pointed out, and the results of vaporization due to heating are illustrated. Also, hydrodynamic lubrication is reviewed, and an inherent tendency for the seal to operate with angular misalignment is pointed out. Recent work on hydrostatic effects is summarized and the conditions for seal instability are discussed. Four different modes of seal lubrication are postulated with the mode type being a strong function of speed and pressure.

Ludwig, L. P.↗

Twisted and warped disks as consequences of heavy halos

Observationally testable consequences of the hypothesis that galactic disks are confined less by their self-gravity than that of some hot stellar component are sought. Theoretical and observational studies are reviewed which suggest that elliptical galaxies are typically triaxial in form. It is argued that any hot stellar component is likely to be similarly spherical. The motion of a galactic disk about such a population is calculated. Within the plane the flow is to first order along similar concentric ellipses and without of the plane, provided that certain conditions on the background field are met, an oscillation may be excited which can cause isolated galaxies to become warped. The circular motion of matter in such disks will manifest itself in the misalignment of the apparent minor axis and the H I zero-velocity contour. Such an effect may be present in a number of recent H I surveys, although the data presently available do not allow definite conclusions. Alternative explanations of galactic warps are reviewed and their relation to the present proposal discussed.

Binney, J.↗

Precision attitude determination for multimission spacecraft

Attitude determination algorithms for a multimission spacecraft are derived and their performance analyzed. The attitude determination system is composed of a strapdown Inertial Reference Unit (IRU), two fixed head star trackers, and an onboard computer. IRU data is processed to maintain real-time knowledge of spacecraft attitude relative to an inertial reference frame. Star tracker data is processed using Kalman filtering techniques to estimate and correct the attitude determination errors and the gyro drift compensation errors. The results of a star availability analysis for stellar, solar and earth pointing missions are presented. Linear covariance analysis techniques are used to evaluate nominal attitude determination performance, the effects of sensor measurement accuracy variations, the effects of errors in knowledge of sensor measurement accuracy, and the effects of star tracker misalignment errors. Results of a nonlinear simulation analysis of attitude determination performance are also presented. These analyses show that precision attitude determination for stellar, solar and earth pointing missions is achieved.

Murrell, J. W.↗

Achievable flatness in a large microwave power antenna study

Achievable flatness for the microwave power transmission system antenna array was determined. Two configurations were analyzed in detail and evaluated as to their net potential misalignment. Manufacturing, joint slack, assembly, alignment and environmental aspects were considered. Approaches to each aspect were analyzed to minimize their contributions to distortions.

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High speed cylindrical roller bearing analysis, SKF computer program CYBEAN. Volume 2: User's manual

The CYBEAN (Cylindrical Bearing Analysis) was created to detail radially loaded, aligned and misaligned cylindrical roller bearing performance under a variety of operating conditions. Emphasis was placed on detailing the effects of high speed, preload and system thermal coupling. Roller tilt, skew, radial, circumferential and axial displacement as well as flange contact were considered. Variable housing and flexible out-of-round outer ring geometries, and both steady state and time transient temperature calculations were enabled. The complete range of elastohydrodynamic contact considerations, employing full and partial film conditions were treated in the computation of raceway and flange contacts. Input and output architectures containing guidelines for use and a sample execution are detailed.

Kleckner, R. J.↗

AXAF optical technology analysis

A grazing incidence telescope with six nested subsystems is investigated through the effects of misalignment and surface deformations on it's image quality. The axial rms-spot size serves as measure for the image quality. The surface deformations are simulated by ellipsoidal and sinusoidal deviation elements. Each type of defect is analyzed in the single two-element system. The full nested system is then analyzed in the presence of all possible defects on all twelve elements, whereby the magnitude of the defects is randomized within a given upper limit.

Korsch, D.↗

Conceptual design study of concentrator enhanced solar arrays for space applications Volume 2: Technical

Concentrator concepts which utilize Kapton mirror material were evaluated and selected for solar array use due to their zero mass. All concepts considered employed thin silicon solar cells. Design requirements for the concentrator were: the cell temperature was not to exceed 150 C; the concentrators were to produce illumination of the array within 15% of being perfectly uniform; the concentrators were to operate while misaligned as much as 5 degrees with the solar axis. Concentrator designs along with mirror structure and configurations are discussed and comparisons are made for optimal space applications.

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Fluid pressure balanced seal

A seal which increases in effectiveness with increasing pressure is presented. The seal's functional capability throughout both static and dynamic operation makes it particularly useful for sealing ball valve ports. Other features of the seal include the ability to seal two opposed surfaces simultaneously, tolerance of small misalignments, tolerance of wide temperature ranges, ability to maintain positive sealing contact under conditions of internal or external pressurization, and ability to conform to slight irregularities in seal or surface contours.

Marsh, H. W.↗

Elastomer mounted rotors - An alternative for smoother running turbomachinery

This paper describes the design of elastomeric bearing supports for a rotor built to simulate the power turbine of an advanced gas turbine engine which traverses two bending critical speeds. The elastomer dampers were constructed so as to minimize rotor dynamic response at the critical speeds. Results are presented of unbalance response tests performed with two different elastomer materials. These results showed that the resonances on the elastomer-mounted rotor were well damped for both elastomer materials and showed linear response to the unbalance weights used for response testing. Additional tests were performed using solid steel supports at either end (hand-mounted), which resulted in drastically increased sensitivity and nonlinear response, and with steel supports in one end of the rotor and the elastomer at the other, which yielded results which were between the soft- and hard-mounted cases. It is concluded that elastomeric supports are a viable alternative to other methods of mounting flexible rotors, that damping was well in excess of predictions and that elastomeric supports are tolerant of small rotor misalignments.

Tecza, J. A.↗

Collapse and relaxation of rotating stellar systems

The evolution of initially spherical, uniform-density, and uniform-velocity-dispersion stellar systems is investigated by means of a three-dimensional N-body computer model. Some 100,000 simulation stars are used to follow the collapse and relaxation of the system for various amounts of angular momentum in solid-body rotation. For initially low values of the angular momentum satisfying the Ostriker-Pebbles stability criterion the systems quickly relax to an axisymmetric shape and resemble elliptical galaxies in appearance. The maximum flattening for these systems is equivalent only to an E2 system. For larger values of the initial angular momentum bars develop, and the systems undergo a much more drastic evolution. The apparent rotational and random velocities of the barred systems are very sensitive to the viewing direction. An additional complication is the frequent misalignment of the apparent major axis with the direction that reflects the maximum rotation.

Hohl, F.↗

Magnetometer bias determination and attitude determination for near-earth spacecraft

A simple linear-regression algorithm is used to determine simultaneously magnetometer biases, misalignments, and scale factor corrections, as well as the dependence of the measured magnetic field on magnetic control systems. This algorithm has been applied to data from the Seasat-1 and the Atmosphere Explorer Mission-1/Heat Capacity Mapping Mission (AEM-1/HCMM) spacecraft. Results show that complete inflight calibration as described here can improve significantly the accuracy of attitude solutions obtained from magnetometer measurements. This report discusses the difficulties involved in obtaining attitude information from three-axis magnetometers, briefly derives the calibration algorithm, and presents numerical results for the Seasat-1 and AEM-1/HCMM spacecraft.

Lerner, G. M.↗

Mechanical end joint for structural columns

Connector for tubular struts permits construction of lightweight frames without tools or assembly equipment. Two main components are node fitting and strut element. Components are aleaned approximately and pushed together. Design accommodates reasonable axial and rotational misalignment of nodes and struts. Also, individual columns can be inserted into receptacle and given slight push by operator, trigger pins release ratchet, allowing energy stored in springs to rotate screw into nut in receptacle.

Bush, H. G.↗

Clamshell door system

Space shuttle system opens, closes, and latches bay doors. System includes remotely controlled "zipper latch" that accomodates misalignment. Opening, closing, and latching follow specific sequences, and are monitored from cockpit. Entire system could be modified for commercial jetliners and marine vessels with underwater access doors.

Helble, D. R.↗

Foam-filled cushions for sliding trays

Polytetrafluoroethylene tube filled with polyurethane foam forms low friction sliding surface that cushions vibrations and absorbs manufacturing tolerances and misalignment. Possible uses include packaging of components for shipping and seals for doors in lockers, cars, and refrigerators.

Nahin, S. B.↗

Composites with nearly zero thermal expansion

Graphite, glass, and resin composite is very strong, stiff, and thermally stable. As mounting material for antennas, mirrors and lenses, composite minimizes structural distortion and misalignment. Rods of substance are made by pulling preimpregnated ribbon of glass and graphite through die. When materials are combined in proper proportion, graphite contracts, and glass and resin expand as temperature increases. Matrix for fiber may be polysulfane, epoxy, polyimide, or othe resin.

Dunn, T. J.↗

The determination of atmospheric trace gases using the correlation interferometer technique

The theoretical feasibility inherent in the correlation interferometry technique is demonstrated. High signal to noise and increased information content in a given partial interferogram are attractive features of the technique. The separation of interfering gas species is overcome by a precise measurement program for spectral line parameters of methane and other species. There are optical, mechanical, and electronic difficulties with the interferometry hardware design. Flight data from Cessna 402 over southeastern Virginia during April 1978 yielded amplitude fluctuations that are explainable only as internal nonlinearities. Misalignment of the AGC/interferometer optical axis also contributed to a large error source in the flight data. It is concluded that no useful data on gas burdens was obtained from these flights.

Kindle, E. C.↗

The Magsat magnetometer boom

A lightweight extendable structure that can precisely position magnetically sensitive instruments safe distances from magnetic sources in a spacecraft is described as well as the major areas of concern that played dominant roles in its development. Weight, packaging volume, thermal distortion, mechanical misalignments, dimensional instability, launch environments, and low temperature functioning were areas that presented some formidable obstacles. The ways in which these obstacles were dealt with are examined for those involving the development of similar aerospace mechanisms with equally restrictive requirements.

Smola, J. F.↗