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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 73 records · Page 4
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1975

Nonlinear transient neutralization theory of ion beams with dissipation

An analytical theory of nonlinear neutralization waves generated by injection of electrons from a grid in the direction of a homogeneous ion beam of uniform velocity and infinite extension is presented. The electrons are assumed to interact with the ions through the self-consistent space charge field and by strong collective interactions. The associated nonlinear boundary-value problem is solved in closed form by means of a von Mises transformation. It is shown that the electron gas moves into the ion space in the form of a discontinuous neutralization wave. This periodic wave structure is damped out by intercomponent momentum transfer, i.e., after a few relaxation lengths a quasi-neutral beam results. The relaxation scale in space agrees with neutralization experiments of rarefied ion beams, if the collective momentum transfer between the electron and ion streams is assumed to be of the Buneman type.

Wilhelm, H. E.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Analysis of multicircuit shells of revolution by the field method

The reported investigation represents a continuation of studies conducted by Cohen (1974). The current analysis treats a much broader class of connected graphs which may contain multiple circuits. Attention is given to the definition of a boundary-value problem, the field relations, a plan of the field method, differential equations for field functions, initial values of field functions, and shells of revolution.

Cohen, G. A.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Plasma rotation by electric and magnetic fields in a discharge cylinder

A theoretical model for an electric discharge consisting of a spatially diverging plasma sustained electrically between a small ring cathode and a larger ring anode in a cylindrical chamber with an axial magnetic field is developed to study the rotation of the discharge plasma in the crossed electric and magnetic fields. The associated boundary-value problem for the coupled partial differential equations which describe the electric potential and the plasma velocity fields is solved in closed form. The electric field, current density, and velocity distributions are discussed in terms of the Hartmann number and the Hall coefficient. As a result of Lorentz forces, the plasma rotates with speeds as high as 1 million cm/sec around its axis of symmetry at typical conditions. As an application, it is noted that rotating discharges of this type could be used to develop a high-density plasma-ultracentrifuge driven by j x B forces, in which the lighter (heavier) ion and atom components would be enriched in (off) the center of the discharge cylinder.

Wilhelm, H. E.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Exact Green's function method of solar force-free magnetic-field computations with constant alpha. I - Theory and basic test cases

Exact closed-form solutions to the solar force-free magnetic-field boundary-value problem are obtained for constant alpha in Cartesian geometry by a Green's function approach. The uniqueness of the physical problem is discussed. Application of the exact results to practical solar magnetic-field calculations is free of series truncation errors and is at least as economical as the approximate methods currently in use. Results of some test cases are presented.

Chiu, Y. T.↗
NASA NTRS1976

A higher order panel method for general analysis and design applications in subsonic flow

A higher-order panel method is described for numerical solution of boundary-value problems relating to steady inviscid irrotational incompressible subsonic fluid flow in a domain. Both Neumann and Dirichlet boundary conditions are treated; two types of auxiliary conditions are used to remove the degrees of freedom that arise from specifying only the derivative of the perturbation velocity potential. Four general network types and two expansions of the induced potential kernel are employed in the numerical solution. Some results are presented which illustrate the modeling options and numerical characteristics of the method.

Johnson, F. T.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Nonlinear stress waves in a perfectly flexible string

This paper discusses nonlinear stress-wave propagation in a perfectly flexible string obeying a quasilinear (rate-dependent) constitutive equation. Wave speeds and compatibility relations valid along various families of characteristics were determined. It was shown that the compatibility relations associated with the transverse as well as the longitudinal waves readily yield a physical interpretation when they are expressed in suitable variables and in vector form. Coding based on the present information was completed for the machine solution of a class of mixed initial- and boundary-value problems of practical interest. Computer simulation of the stress-wave interaction in the 40-foot lanyard in the Arcas 'Rocoz' system during deployment was carried out using a stress-strain relation for nylon at the strain rate of 30/second. A method for estimating the maximum tension and strain in a string during the initial loading phase is proposed.

Fan, D.-N.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Propagation along azimuthally magnetized ferrite-loaded circular waveguides

The paper describes the modal dispersion characteristics of electromagnetic waves traveling along the azimuthally magnetized ferrite-loaded coaxial transmission line and the ferrite-loaded wire. The modal dispersion curves are used to determine the pass and stop bands of normal propagation. Boundary-value problems were solved with Bolle-Heller functions. The dispersion characteristics of transverse electric modes are presented as plots of the normalized propagation constant vs the normalized frequency.

Mueller, R. S.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Generalized Theodorsen solution for singular integral equations of the airfoil class

A class of singular integral equations is considered which arise in various two-dimensional mixed boundary-value problems with simple harmonic time variation. A problem typical of this class is that of determining the lifting pressure distribution on an oscillating airfoil in an unbounded incompressible potential flow. It is shown that Theodorsen's (1935) solution to this problem, with some modification, is valid for a general class of unsteady kernel functions. The technique employed is to consider an equivalent steady problem and then show that the unsteady resolvent and unsteady homogeneous solution can be written directly in terms of the steady solutions and a single frequency-dependent function which reduces to the Theodorsen function for the steady kernel.

Williams, M. H.↗
NASA NTRS1978

System analysis of plasma centrifuges and sputtering

System analyses of cylindrical plasma centrifuges are presented, for which the velocity field and electromagnetic fields are calculated. The effects of different electrode geometrics, induced magnetic fields, Hall-effect, and secondary flows are discussed. It is shown that speeds of 10000 m/sec can be achieved in plasma centrifuges, and that an efficient separation of U238 and U235 in uranium plasmas is feasible. The external boundary-value problem for the deposition of sputtering products is reduced to a Fredholm integral equation, which is solved analytically by means of the method of successive approximations.

Hong, S. H.↗
NASA NTRS1978

An exact derivation of contact resistance to planar devices

A mixed boundary-value problem is formulated for an imperfect rectangular contact to a semiconducting sheet (layer). An exact model for derivation of contact resistance is developed and its solution by conformal mapping and eigenfunction expansion is presented. The expression for contact resistance is similar to that for a perfect (lossless) contact but includes an additional term containing the lowest-order coefficient in the infinite series expansion of the complex potential function. The calculated contact resistances are compared with those obtained from three approximate models: lossless contact, transmission line, and extended transmission line models. The extended transmission line model appears to be a very satisfactory approximation provided the ratio of contact length to sheet thickness is no less than 0.5.

Schuldt, S. B.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Advanced-panel pilot code

Numerical research program helps establish "proof-of-concept" for newly developed higher-order panel method applicable to both subsonic and supersonic flows about nearly-arbitrary aircraft configurations. It is intended to solve variety of boundary-value problems in steady-subsonic or supersonic inviscid flow.

Bills, G. R.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Random motion analysis of flexible satellite structures

A singular perturbation formulation is used to study the responses of a flexible satellite when random measurement errors can occur. The random variables, at different instants of time, are assumed to be uncorrelated. Procedures for obtaining maxima and minima are described, and a variation of the linear method is developed for the formal solution of the two-point boundary-value problems represented by the variational equations. Random and deterministic solutions for the structural position coordinates are studied, and an analytic algorithm for treating the force equation of motion is developed. Since the random system indicated by the variational equation will always be asymptotically unstable, any analysis of stability must be based on the deterministic system.

Huang, T. C.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Application of the superposition principle to solar-cell analysis

The superposition principle of differential-equation theory - which applies if and only if the relevant boundary-value problems are linear - is used to derive the widely used shifting approximation that the current-voltage characteristic of an illuminated solar cell is the dark current-voltage characteristic shifted by the short-circuit photocurrent. Analytical methods are presented to treat cases where shifting is not strictly valid. Well-defined conditions necessary for superposition to apply are established. For high injection in the base region, the method of analysis accurately yields the dependence of the open-circuit voltage on the short-circuit current (or the illumination level).

Lindholm, F. A.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Lifting three-dimensional wings in transonic flow

The far field of a lifting three-dimensional wing in transonic flow is analysed. The boundary-value problem governing the flow far from the wing is derived by the method of matched asymptotic expansions. The main result is to show that corrections which are second order in the near field make a first-order contribution to the far field. The present study corrects and simplifies the work of Cheng and Hafez (1975) and Barnwell (1975).

Cramer, M. S.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Interaction of ocean waves with a soft bottom

Soft muddy bottoms have significant effects on properties of water waves which propagate over them. The wave dispersion equation is modified and wave energy is dissipated by the coupling between the waves in water and those induced in the mud layer. These effects are theoretically determined by assuming a viscoelastic mud layer. A boundary-value problem is solved for the water-mud system with sinusoidal waves. The theoretical dissipation rates are compared favorably with field measurements.

Hsiao, S. V.↗
NASA NTRS1950

Flutter of a uniform wing with an arbitrarily placed mass according to a differential-equation analysis and a comparison with experiment

A method is presented for the calculation of the flutter speed of a uniform wing carrying an arbitrarily placed concentrated mass. The method, an extension of recently published work by Goland and Luke, involves the solution of the differential equations of motion of the wing at flutter speed and therefore does not require the assumption of specific normal modes of vibration. The order of the flutter determinant to be solved by this method depends upon the order of the system of differential equations and not upon the number of modes of vibration involved. The differential equations are solved by operational methods, and a brief discussion of operational methods as applied to boundary-value problems is included in one of two appendixes. A comparison is made with experiment for a wing with a large eccentrically mounted weight and good agreement is obtained. Sample calculations are presented to illustrate the method; and curves of amplitudes of displacement, torque, and shear for a particular case are compared with corresponding curves computed from the first uncoupled normal modes.

Runyan, Harry L↗
NASA NTRS1954

Theoretical study of the transonic lift of a double-wedge profile with detached bow wave

A theoretical study is described of the aerodynamic characteristics at small angle of attack of a thin, double-wedge profile in the range of supersonic flight speed in which the bow wave is detached. The analysis is carried out within the framework of the transonic (nonlinear) small-disturbance theory, and the effects of angle of attack are regarded as a small perturbation on the flow previously calculated at zero angle. The mixed flow about the front half of the profile is calculated by relaxation solution of a suitably defined boundary-value problem for transonic small-disturbance equation in the hodograph plane (i.e., the Tricomi equation). The purely supersonic flow about the rear half is found by an extension of the usual numerical method of characteristics. Analytical results are also obtained, within the framework of the same theory, for the range of speed in which the bow wave is attached and the flow is completely supersonic.

Vincenti, Walter G↗