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At least 703 records · Page 39
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1994

Aircraft-borne, laser-induced fluorescence instrument for the in situ detection of hydroxyl and hydroperoxyl radicals

The odd-hydrogen radicals OH and HO2 are central to most of the gas-phase chemical transformations that occur in the atmosphere. Of particular interest is the role that these species play in controlling the concentration of stratospheric ozone. This paper describes an instrument that measures both of these species at volume mixing ratios below one part in 10(exp 14) in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere. The hydroxyl radical (OH) is measured by laser induced fluorescence at 309 nm. Tunable UV light is used to pump OH to the first electric state near 282 nm. the laser light is produced by a high-repetition rate pulsed dye-laser powered with all solid-state pump lasers. HO2 is measured as OH after gas-phase titration with nitric oxide. Measurements aboard a NASA ER-2 aircraft demonstrate the capability of this instrument to perform reliably with very high signal-to-noise ratios (greater than 30) achieved in short integration times (less than 20 sec).

Wennberg, P. O.↗
NASA NTRS1996

Aspirating Seal Development: Analytical Modeling and Seal Test Rig

This effort is to develop large diameter (22 - 36 inch) Aspirating Seals for application in aircraft engines. Stein Seal Co. will be fabricating the 36-inch seal(s) for testing. GE's task is to establish a thorough understanding of the operation of Aspirating Seals through analytical modeling and full-scale testing. The two primary objectives of this project are to develop the analytical models of the aspirating seal system, to upgrade using GE's funds, GE's 50-inch seal test rig for testing the Aspirating Seal (back-to-back with a corresponding brush seal), test the aspirating seal(s) for seal closure, tracking and maneuver transients (tilt) at operating pressures and temperatures, and validate the analytical model. The objective of the analytical model development is to evaluate the transient and steady-state dynamic performance characteristics of the seal designed by Stein. The transient dynamic model uses a multi-body system approach: the Stator, Seal face and the rotor are treated as individual bodies with relative degrees of freedom. Initially, the thirty-six springs are represented as a single one trying to keep open the aspirating face. Stops (Contact elements) are provided between the stator and the seal (to compensate the preload in the fully-open position) and between the rotor face and Seal face (to detect rub). The secondary seal is considered as part of the stator. The film's load, damping and stiffness characteristics as functions of pressure and clearance are evaluated using a separate (NASA) code GFACE. Initially, a laminar flow theory is used. Special two-dimensional interpolation routines are written to establish exact film load and damping values at each integration time step. Additionally, other user-routines are written to read-in actual pressure, rpm, stator-growth and rotor growth data and, later, to transfer these as appropriate loads/motions in the system-dynamic model. The transient dynamic model evaluates the various motions, clearances and forces as the seals are subjected to different aircraft maneuvers: Windmilling restart; start-ground idle; ground idle-takeoff; takeoff-burst chop, etc. Results of this model show that the seal closes appropriately and does not ram into the rotor for all of the conditions analyzed. The rig upgrade design for testing Aspirating Seals has been completed. Long lead-time items (forgings, etc.) have been ordered.

Bharat Bagepalli↗
NASA NTRS1996

Generalization of the Time-Energy Uncertainty Relation of Anandan-Aharonov Type

A new type of time-energy uncertainty relation was proposed recently by Anandan and Aharonov. Their formula, to estimate the lower bound of time-integral of the energy-fluctuation in a quantum state is generalized to the one involving a set of quantum states. This is achieved by obtaining an explicit formula for the distance between two finitely separated points in the Grassman manifold.

Hirayama, Minoru↗
NASA NTRS1996

Computer-Based Mathematics Instructions for Engineering Students

Almost every engineering course involves mathematics in one form or another. The analytical process of developing mathematical models is very important for engineering students. However, the computational process involved in the solution of some mathematical problems may be very tedious and time consuming. There is a significant amount of mathematical software such as Mathematica, Mathcad, and Maple designed to aid in the solution of these instructional problems. The use of these packages in classroom teaching can greatly enhance understanding, and save time. Integration of computer technology in mathematics classes, without de-emphasizing the traditional analytical aspects of teaching, has proven very successful and is becoming almost essential. Sample computer laboratory modules are developed for presentation in the classroom setting. This is accomplished through the use of overhead projectors linked to graphing calculators and computers. Model problems are carefully selected from different areas.

Khan, Mustaq A.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Probability Density Functions of Observed Rainfall in Montana

The question of whether a rain rate probability density function (PDF) can vary uniformly between precipitation events is examined. Image analysis on large samples of radar echoes is possible because of advances in technology. The data provided by such an analysis easily allow development of radar reflectivity factors (and by extension rain rate) distribution. Finding a PDF becomes a matter of finding a function that describes the curve approximating the resulting distributions. Ideally, one PDF would exist for all cases; or many PDF's that have the same functional form with only systematic variations in parameters (such as size or shape) exist. Satisfying either of theses cases will, validate the theoretical basis of the Area Time Integral (ATI). Using the method of moments and Elderton's curve selection criteria, the Pearson Type 1 equation was identified as a potential fit for 89 percent of the observed distributions. Further analysis indicates that the Type 1 curve does approximate the shape of the distributions but quantitatively does not produce a great fit. Using the method of moments and Elderton's curve selection criteria, the Pearson Type 1 equation was identified as a potential fit for 89% of the observed distributions. Further analysis indicates that the Type 1 curve does approximate the shape of the distributions but quantitatively does not produce a great fit.

Larsen, Scott D.↗
NASA NTRS1996

Large-eddy simulation of a backward facing step flow using a least-squares spectral element method

We report preliminary results obtained from the large eddy simulation of a backward facing step at a Reynolds number of 5100. The numerical platform is based on a high order Legendre spectral element spatial discretization and a least squares time integration scheme. A non-reflective outflow boundary condition is in place to minimize the effect of downstream influence. Smagorinsky model with Van Driest near wall damping is used for sub-grid scale modeling. Comparisons of mean velocity profiles and wall pressure show good agreement with benchmark data. More studies are needed to evaluate the sensitivity of this method on numerical parameters before it is applied to complex engineering problems.

Chan, Daniel C.↗
NASA NTRS1997

Algorithmic Extensions of Low-Dispersion Scheme and Modeling Effects for Acoustic Wave Simulation

Accurate computation of acoustic wave propagation may be more efficiently performed when their dispersion relations are considered. Consequently, computational algorithms which attempt to preserve these relations have been gaining popularity in recent years. In the present paper, the extensions to one such scheme are discussed. By solving the linearized, 2-D Euler and Navier-Stokes equations with such a method for the acoustic wave propagation, several issues were investigated. Among them were higher-order accuracy, choice of boundary conditions and differencing stencils, effects of viscosity, low-storage time integration, generalized curvilinear coordinates, periodic series, their reflections and interference patterns from a flat wall and scattering from a circular cylinder. The results were found to be promising en route to the aeroacoustic simulations of realistic engineering problems.

Kaushik, Dinesh K.↗
NASA NTRS1997

Application of PML Absorbing Boundary Conditions to the Benchmark Problems of Computational Aeroacoustics

Accurate numerical non-reflecting boundary conditions are important in all the proposed benchmark problems of the Second Workshop. Recently, a new absorbing boundary condition has been developed using Perfectly Matched Layer (PML) equations for the Euler equations. In this approach, a region with a width of a few grid points is introduced adjacent to the non-reflecting boundaries. In the added region, Perfectly Matched Layer equations are constructed and applied so that the out-going waves are absorbed inside the layer with little reflection to the interior domain. It will be demonstrated in the present paper that the proposed absorbing boundary condition is quite general and versatile, applicable to radiation boundaries as well as inflow and outflow boundaries. It is also easy to implement. The emphasis of the paper will be on the application of the PML absorbing boundary condition to problems in Categories 1, 2, and 3. In Category 1, solutions of problems 1 and 2 are presented. Both problems are solved using a multi-domain polar grid system. Perfectly Matched Layer equations for a circular boundary are constructed and their effectiveness assessed. In Category 2, solutions of problem 2 are presented. Here, in addition to the radiation boundary conditions at the far field in the axisymmetric coordinate system, the inflow boundary condition at the duct inlet is also dealt with using the proposed Perfectly Match Layer equations. At the inlet, a PML domain is introduced in which the incident duct mode is simulated while the waves reflected from the open end of the duct are absorbed at the same time. In Category 3, solutions of all three problems are presented. Again, the PML absorbing boundary condition is used at the inflow boundary so that the incoming vorticity wave is simulated while the outgoing acoustic waves are absorbed with very little numerical reflection. All the problems are solved using central difference schemes for spatial discretizations and the optimized Low-Dissipation and Low-Dispersion Runge-Kutta scheme for the time integration. Issues of numerical accuracy and efficiency are also addressed.

Hu, Fang Q.↗
NASA NTRS1997

On spurious behavior of CFD simulations

Spurious behavior in underresolved grids and/or semi-implicit temporal discretizations for four computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations are studied. The numerical simulations consist of (a) a 1-D chemically relaxed nonequilibrium model, (b) the direct numerical simulation (DNS) of 2-D incompressible flow over a backward facing step, (c) a loosely-coupled approach for a 2-D fluid-structure interaction, and (d) a 3-D compressible unsteady flow simulation of vortex breakdown in delta wings. Using knowledge from dynamical systems theory, various types of spurious behaviors that are numerical artifacts were systematically identified. These studies revealed the various possible dangers of misinterpreting numerical simulation of realistic complex flows that are constrained by the available computing power. In large scale computations underresolved grids, semi-implicit procedures, loosely-coupled implicit procedures, and insufficiently long time integration in DNS are most often unavoidable. Consequently, care must be taken in both computation and in interpretation of the numerical data. The results presented confirm the important role that dynamical systems theory can play in the understanding of the nonlinear behavior of numerical algorithms and in aiding the identification of the sources of numerical uncertainties in CFD.

Numerical Solution↗
NASA NTRS1997

The Superconducting Cavity Stabilized Oscillator

Superconducting Cavity Stabilized Oscillators (SCSOs) have produced the most stable clocks to date for integration times between 10(exp 2) and 10(exp 3) seconds, achieving a fractional frequency stability of 2 x 10(exp -16) for a sampling time of 100 s. The principal contributors to cavity frequency variations are: (1) acceleration effects due to gravity and vibrations; (2) temperature variations; (3) variations in the energy stored in the cavity; and (4) noise introduced by the frequency stabilization circuit. We discuss the prospects for improvements in all these areas for both ground-based and space-based SCSOs, which may lead to SCSOs with fractional frequency stabilities below 10(exp -17). SCSOs of this frequency stability will be useful for testing fundamental physical principles.

Turneaure, J. P.↗
NASA NTRS1998

Satellite-Based Investigations of the Transition from an Oceanic to Continental Transform Margin

Detailed characterization of neotectonics evolution of the Valle de San Felipe and Arroyo Grande regions in northern Baja California. Reoccupied GEOMEX GPS sites, and occupied a regional GPS (Global Positioning System) network. The Baja California peninsula in Mexico offers a unique setting for studying the kinematic evolution of a complex, active strike-slip/rift plate boundary. We are currently conducting remote sensing, geologic, and geodetic studies of this boundary. The combined data sets will yield instantaneous and time integrated views of its evolution. This proposal solicits renewed funding from NASA to support remote sensing and geologic studies. During the late Cenozoic, Baja California has been the locus of changing fault geometry that has accommodated components of the relative motion between the North America and Pacific plates. Contemporary slip between the two plates occurs in a broad zone that encompasses much of southern California and the Baja California Peninsula. The transfer of slip across this zone in southern California is relatively well understood. South of the border, the geometry and role of specific faults and structural provinces in transferring plate margin deformation across the peninsula is enigmatic. Results We use Landsat Thematic Mapper imagery of the Baja California Peninsula to identify recent and active faults, and then conduct field studies that characterize the temporal and spatial structural evolution of the plate margin. These data address questions concerning the neotectonic development of the Gulf of California, the Baja California Peninsula, and their role in evolution of the post-Miocene Pacific - North American plate boundary. Moreover, these studies provide constraints on the geometry of active faults, allowing more exact understanding of the results of ongoing NASA-supported geodetic experiments. In addition, anticipated publication of the TM scenes will provide a widely available geological data base for relatively little-known peninsula California. Achievements include development of an ArcInfo data base of Landsat and SPOT imagery, detailed field studies of Neogene structures in northeastern Baja California, and new constraint on Pacific - North America plate motion at Baja California latitudes. These results are reported in maps, manuscripts and data products which are published or near completion.

Miller, M. Meghan↗
NASA NTRS1997

High Spatial Resolution Studies of Blastwave Interactions in the Vela Supernova Remnant

The report targeted two interaction zones within the Vela supernova remnant for HRI observation and data reduction and analysis. Approximately 40 ksec of HRI integration time was awarded for each of the awarded target regions, one at priority 2 and one at priority 3. The observations have been completed for the priority 2 observation. Some observations have been made of the priority 3 target, however the data have not yet been received by the PI. The priority 2 data have been received and analyzed and the results have been prepared for publication. The chief results are as follows: (1) the radial profile of the X-ray emission from the western rim is characterized by a sudden increase in emission at the blastwave interaction region which is unresolved spatially at HRI resolution. The profile is consistent with the expanding blastwave from the remnant encountering a large, coherent structure in the surrounding ISM; (2) the X-ray emission lags slightly 'behind', approx. 10(exp 16)cm the H(alpha) and OIII optical filaments, consistent with the expected spatial profile of the emission assuming parameters derived from earlier PSPC observations of the region. the combination of the X-ray and optical interference filter data allow us to set limits on the distance to the Vela remnant and the general nature of the blastwave interactions in the remnant.

Craig, William↗
NASA NTRS1976

Environmental Effects on Graphite-Epoxy Fatigue Properties

Effects of torsional and flexural fatigue on the long-time Integrity of advanced graphite-epoxy structural composites have been investigated. Torsional fatigue tests were run at stress ratios of R = 0 (zero to maximum, repeated) and R = -1 (zero mean stress) on unidirectional, angleply, and woven graphite fiber materials in air and water at room temperature and at 74 C. Flexural fatigue tests (four-point bending) with R = -1 were run in air and water at room temperature, and with R = 0 in air. Results show that, in torsional cycling, both water environment and higher test temperature contribute to significant degradation of torsional stiffness. The degradation of stiffness from torsional stress cycling was observed to be much greater with R = -1 than with simple R = 0 cycling. The effect of environment also is greater in the fully reversed cycling. Flexural fatigue results on +/- 30 deg material show a large fatigue effect, with fatigue limits of less than 50% and 30% of the static failure strength for specimens tested under stress ratios of R = 0 and R = -1, respectively. Compliance measurements indicate that the final failures are preceded by damage initiation and accumulation, which begins at about 1% of the specimen life.

Sumsion, H. T.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Modeling of Radiative Heating in Base Region of Jovian Entry Probe

A theoretical model is derived to determine the average thermodynamic properties in the expanding region, recirculating region, recompression region, and neck region through application of one-dimensional conservation equations. Radiative transfer is calculated using spectrally detailed computer codes accounting for nonequilibrium. The results show that the most severe heating occurs immediately behind the frustum, and that the recompression and neck regions are the major sources of radiation that heats the base stagnation point, The radiation flux to the base point is slightly stronger with ablation than without. Its value is 0.11(43 P(sub b)/P(sub s))(sup 2) times that to the front stagnation point where the base pressure P(sub b) is defined as the average pressure in the recirculating region and P(sub s) is the front stagnation-point pressure. The time-integrated heat load to the base point is 18(43 P(sub b)/P(sub s))(sup 2) kJ/sq cm.

Park, Chul↗
NASA NTRS1998

Design and Performance of a Miniature Lidar Wind Profiler (MLWP)

The directional velocity of the wind is one of the most critical components for understanding meteorological and other dynamic atmospheric processes. Altitude-resolved wind velocity measurements, also known as wind profiles or soundings, are especially necessary for providing data for meteorological forecasting and overall global circulation models (GCM's). Wind profiler data are also critical in identifying possible dangerous weather conditions for aviation. Furthermore, a system has yet to be developed for wind profiling from the surface of Mars which could also meet the stringent requirements on size, weight, and power of such a mission. Obviously, a novel wind profiling approach based on small and efficient technology is required to meet these needs. A lidar system based on small and highly efficient semiconductor lasers is now feasible due to recent developments in the laser and detector technologies. The recent development of high detection efficiency (50%), silicon-based photon-counting detectors when combined with high laser pulse repetition rates and long receiver integration times has allowed these transmitter energies to be reduced to the order of microjoules per pulse. Aerosol lidar systems using this technique have been demonstrated for both Q-switched, diode-pumped solid-state laser transmitters (lambda = 523 nm) and semiconductor diode lasers (lambda = 830 nm); however, a wind profiling lidar based on this technique has yet to be developed. We will present an investigation of a semiconductor-laser-based lidar system which uses the "edge-filter" direct detection technique to infer Doppler frequency shifts of signals backscattered from aerosols in the planetary boundary layer (PBL). Our investigation will incorporate a novel semiconductor laser design which mitigates the deleterious effects of frequency chirp in pulsed diode lasers, a problem which has limited their use in such systems in the past. Our miniature lidar could be used on a future Mars lander and perhaps find its own niche in terrestrial applications due to its potential low cost an small size.

Cornwell, Donald M., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1998

The Double Edge Aerosol and Molecular Techniques for Doppler Lidar Wind Measurement

We have developed the theory for aerosol- and molecular-based lidar measurements of the wind using double edge versions of the edge technique. Aerosol-based wind measurements have been made at Goddard Space Flight Center and molecular-based wind measurements at the University of Geneva. We have demonstrated atmospheric measurements using these techniques for altitudes from 1 to more than 10 km. Measurement accuracies of better than 1.25 m/s have been obtained with integration times from 5 to 30 seconds. The measurements can be scaled to space and agree, within a factor of two, with satellite-based simulations of performance based on Poisson statistics.

Korb, C. Laurence↗
NASA NTRS1999

Direct Detection Doppler Lidar for Spaceborne Wind Measurement

Aerosol and molecular based versions of the double-edge technique can be used for direct detection Doppler lidar spaceborne wind measurement. The edge technique utilizes the edge of a high spectral resolution filter for high accuracy wind measurement using direct detection lidar. The signal is split between an edge filter channel and a broadband energy monitor channel. The energy monitor channel is used for signal normalization. The edge measurement is made as a differential frequency measurement between the outgoing laser signal and the atmospheric backscattered return for each pulse. As a result the measurement is insensitive to laser and edge filter frequency jitter and drift at a level less than a few parts in 10(exp 10). We have developed double edge versions of the edge technique for aerosol and molecular-based lidar measurement of the wind. Aerosol-based wind measurements have been made at Goddard Space Flight Center and molecular-based wind measurements at the University of Geneva. We have demonstrated atmospheric measurements using these techniques for altitudes from 1 to more than 10 km. Measurement accuracies of better than 1.25 m/s have been obtained with integration times from 5 to 30 seconds. The measurements can be scaled to space and agree, within a factor of two, with satellite-based simulations of performance based on Poisson statistics. The theory of the double edge aerosol technique is described by a generalized formulation which substantially extends the capabilities of the edge technique. It uses two edges with opposite slopes located about the laser frequency at approximately the half-width of each edge filter. This doubles the signal change for a given Doppler shift and yields a factor of 1.6 improvement in the measurement accuracy compared to the single edge technique. The use of two high resolution edge filters substantially reduces the effects of Rayleigh scattering on the measurement, as much as order of magnitude, and allows the signal to noise ratio to be substantially improved in areas of low aerosol backscatter. We describe a method that allows the Rayleigh and aerosol components of the signal to be independently determined using the two edge channels and an energy monitor channel. The effects of Rayleigh scattering may then subtracted from the measurement and we show that the correction process does not significantly increase the measurement noise for Rayleigh to aerosol ratios up to 10. We show that for small Doppler shifts a measurement accuracy of 0.4 m/s can be obtained for 5000 detected photon, 1.2 m/s for 1000 detected photons, and 3.7 m/s for 50 detected photons for a Rayleigh to aerosol ratio of 5. Methods for increasing the dynamic range of the aerosol-based system to more than +/- 100 m/s are given.

Korb, C. Laurence↗
NASA NTRS1995

Large Topographic Rises on Venus: Implications for Mantle Upwelling

Topographic rises on Venus have been identified that are interpreted to be the surface manifestation of mantle upwellings. These features are classified into groups based on their dominant morphology. Atla and Beta Regiones are classified as rift-dominated, Dione, western Eistla, Bell, and Imdr Regiones as volcano-dominated, and Themis, eastern Eistla, and central Eistla Regiones as corona-dominated. At several topographic rises, geologic indicators were identified that may provide evidence of uplifted topography (e.g., volcanic flow features trending upslope). We assessed the minimum contribution of volcanic construction to the topography of each rise, which in general represents less than 5% of the volume of the rise, similar to the volumes of edifices at terrestrial hotspot swells. The total melt volume at each rise is approximated to be 10(exp 4) - 10(exp 6) cu km. The variations in morphology, topography, and gravity signatures at topographic rises are not interpreted to indicate variations in stage of evolution of a mantle upwelling. Instead, the morphologic variations between the three classes of topographic rises are interpreted to indicate the varying influences of lithospheric structure, plume characteristics, and regional tectonic environment. Within each class, variations in topography, gravity, and amount of volcanism may be indicative of differing stages of evolution. The similarity between swell and volcanic volumes for terrestrial and Venusian hotspots implies comparable time-integrated plume strengths for individual upwellings on the two planets.

Stofan, Ellen R.↗