Versatile low-power-drain hybrid tunnel diode pulse generator.
Low power drain hybrid tunnel diode pulse generator for delay circuits, gated oscillators, frequency limiters and leading and trailing edge discriminators
Cancro, C. A.↗
SEARCH · Engineering Papers
Results for “Generation limits”
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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Portable breathing apparatus for coal mines
The state of the art in portable oxygen breathing equipment is reported. Considered are self-containing as well as chemically generating oxygen sources and their effectiveness and limitations in mine rescue operations.
Vandolah, R. W.↗
Photocatalytic generation of hydrogen from water
A concept designed to overcome the problems encountered when using photodissociation for the generation of hydrogen is discussed. The problems limiting the efficiency of photodissociation of water are the separation of the photolysis products and the high energy photons necessary for the reaction. It is shown that the dissociation energy of a large number of molecules is catalytically reduced when these molecules are in intimate contact with the surface of certain metals. It is proposed to develop a surface which will take advantage of this catalytic shift in dissociation energies to reduce the photon energy required to produce hydrogen. This same catalytic surface can be used to separate the reaction products if it is made so that one of the dissociations products is soluble in the metal and others are not. This condition is met by many metal systems such as platinum group metals which have been used commercially to separate hydrogen from other gases and liquids.
Bottoms, W. R.↗
The Use of General Purpose Computer Programs to Derive Equations of Motion for Optimal Isolation Studies
Techniques were developed that utilize general purpose structural analysis computer programs to generate the equations of motion necessary for limiting performance studies. The methodology necessary to couple available general purpose finite element structural programs to a limiting performance capability was developed. Primary emphasis was given to the use of the general purpose program to develop equations of motion in a form that can be used by the limiting performance program.
Pilkey, W. D.↗
Pulse compression inside an actively AM mode-locked Nd:YAG laser using a liquid Kerr cell
A mode-locked Nd:YAG laser capable of generating pulses substantially shorter than the present limit of 30-50 ps, while retaining the stability of active mode locking, would be a useful development. This study presents a simplified theoretical analysis and a preliminary experimental verification of the use of an optical Kerr cell as a passive lossless pulse compressor inside a Q-switched and actively mode-locked YAG laser. The theoretical model indicates possible compression to as short as about 5 ps in a typical low-power Nd:YAG laser. The preliminary experimental results show substantial pulse compression via the predicted mechanism, though still not below about 30 ps. The technique appears capable, however, of pulse compression to substantially shorter values without the instabilities, statistical fluctuations, or energy losses associated with saturable-absorber mode locking.
Duerinckx, A. J.↗
CADAT test pattern generator
CADAT test pattern generator (TPG) aids in checkout, fault detection, and fault isolation of complex digital circuits. Time and effort of manually generating digital test patterns can be major limiting factor in effectively utilizing automatic testing. This time and effort are reduced from several months to several days by TPG.
Source record↗
Coupled generator and combustor performance calculations for potential early commercial MHD power plants
A parametric study of the performance of the MHD generator and combustor components of potential early commercial open-cycle MHD/steam power plants is presented. Consideration is given to the effects of air heater system concept, MHD combustor type, coal type, thermal input power, oxygen enrichment of the combustion, subsonic and supersonic generator flow and magnetic field strength on coupled generator and combustor performance. The best performance is found to be attained with a 3000 F, indirectly fired air heater, no oxygen enrichment, Illinois no. 6 coal, a two-stage cyclone combustor with 85% slag rejection, a subsonic generator, and a magnetic field configuration yielding a constant transverse electric field of 4 kV/m. Results indicate that optimum net MHD generator power is generally compressor-power-limited rather than electric-stress-limited, with optimum net power a relatively weak function of operating pressure.
Dellinger, T. C.↗
Location and propagation of shock associated noise from supersonic jets
Shock associated noise from unheated supersonic jets is investigated through acoustic measurements in both the near and far fields. The peak Helmholtz number of broadband shock noise is found to be independent of nozzle pressure ratio when based on the length of the shock cells and the ambient speed of sound. This indicates that the acoustic wavelengths generated in the shock noise process are limited in size by the shock cell spacing. Excellent agreement between power spectral densities measured at various far-field angles is obtained at and above the peak shock noise frequency when source convection effects are included. Results show a directivity of broadband shock noise pointed in the upstream direction, with omnidirectionality being approached only at high pressure ratios. The relative importance of shock noise with respect to jet mixing noise is found to be maximum near the pressure ratio at which a Mach disc begins to form in the jet. Near-field measurements point to the downstream shock cells as the region where the dominant shock noise eminates from the jet.
Norum, T. D.↗
A Monte Carlo approach to tolerance analysis of a near-diffraction limited optical imaging system
A computer program was developed to generate random numbers on the Sigma V computer. A subroutine gave a random real number from a uniform distribution on the interval (0,1). A normal distribution with mean zero and variance 1 was also obtained.
Davenport, W. H.↗
Evaluation of high temperature structural adhesives for extended service
The long term thermal aging data initiated in Phase 1 is reported. All candidate adhesive systems have exhibited significant degradation in bond properties after 505K (450 F) 10,000 hour exposure. Failures appear to be adhesive in the oxide layer. Phase 2 chemical characterization, cure cycle studies, baseline data, preliminary specifications, and environmental exposure data generated on polyphenyquinoxaline is presented. Similar but limited data on LARC-13 and NR056X adhesives is reported.
Hill, S. G.↗
Effects of small-scale, high intensity inlet turbulence on flow in a two-dimensional diffuser
The flow through a 2D experimental diffuser with channel width 2.60 cm and divergence angle (2 theta) 9 or 20 deg is investigated experimentally for inlet Reynolds number 78,300 and velocity 43.9 m/s, with and without vertical rods to generate inlet turbulence in excess of the limits defined by Hoffmann (1981) and Hoffmann and Gonzales (1983). Measurements are obtained using a thermal wall-flow-direction probe and a single hot-wire velocity probe, and the results are presented graphically. Significant increases in the pressure-recovery coefficient of the diffuser (10 percent at 9 deg and 22 percent at 20 deg) are attributed to the action of turbulence to reduce distortion and delay separation, thus creating an altered flow condition with symmetrical velocity profiles.
Hoffmann, J. A.↗
Fundamental Algorithms of the Goddard Battery Model
The Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) is currently producing a computer model to predict Nickel Cadmium (NiCd) performance in a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) cycling regime. The model proper is currently still in development, but the inherent, fundamental algorithms (or methodologies) of the model are defined. At present, the model is closely dependent on empirical data and the data base currently used is of questionable accuracy. Even so, very good correlations have been determined between model predictions and actual cycling data. A more accurate and encompassing data base has been generated to serve dual functions: show the limitations of the current data base, and be inbred in the model properly for more accurate predictions. The fundamental algorithms of the model, and the present data base and its limitations, are described and a brief preliminary analysis of the new data base and its verification of the model's methodology are presented.
Jagielski, J. M.↗
Mast material test program (MAMATEP)
The Mast Material Test Program (MAMATEP) at NASA Lewis is discussed. Objectives include verifying the need for, and evaluating the performance of, various protection techniques for the Solar Array Assembly mast of the Space Station Photovoltaic Power Module. Mast material samples were evaluated in terms of mass and bending modulus, measured before and after environmental exposure. Test environments included atomic oxygen exposure (RF plasma asher), thermal cycling, and mechanical flexing. Protective coatings included CV-1144 silicon, a Ni/Au/InSn eutectic, and an open weave, Al braid. Results indicate that unprotected samples degrade in an atomic oxygen environment at a steady rate. Open weave, Al braid offers little protection for the fiberglass-epoxy sample in an asher environment. Ni/Au/InSn eutectic offers excellent protection in an asher environment prior to thermal cycling and mechanical flexing. Long duration asher results from unprotected samples indicate that, even though the fiberglass-epoxy degrades, a protection technique may not be necessary to ensure structural integrity. However, a protection technique may be desirable to limit or contain the amount of debris generated by the degradation of the fiberglass-epoxy.
Ciancone, Michael L.↗
Third and higher harmonic plasma emission due to Raman scattering
The theory for third and higher harmonic plasma emission by the weak turbulence (or random phase) process L + T prime to T (where L denotes a Langmuir wave, and T and T prime denote transverse waves) is developed. Kinematic constraints on the characteristics and growth lengths of waves participating in the wave processes are identified. The cases of L waves produced either directly by a streaming instability, or by the decay L to L prime + S (S is an ion sound wave) of L waves generated by a streaming instability, are considered. Limits on the brightness temperature of the radiation are determined, and expressions for the growth rate and path-integrated wave temperatures are derived.
Cairns, Iver H.↗
Mast material test program (MAMATEP)
The MAMATEP program, which is aimed at verifying the need for and evaluating the performance of various protection techniques for the solar array assembly mast of the Space Station photovoltaic power module, is discussed. Coated and uncoated mast material samples have been environmentally tested and evaluated, before and after testing, in terms of mass and bending modulus. The protective coatings include CV-1144 silicone, a Ni/Al/InSn eutectic, and an open-weave Al braid. Long-term plasma asher results from unprotected samples indicate that, even though fiberglass-epoxy samples degrade, a protection technique may not be necessary to ensure structural integrity. A protection technique, however, may be desirable to limit or contain the amount of debris generated by the degradation of the fiberglass-epoxy.
Ciancone, Michael L.↗
DecisionMaker software and extracting fuzzy rules under uncertainty
Knowledge acquisition under uncertainty is examined. Theories proposed in deKorvin's paper 'Extracting Fuzzy Rules Under Uncertainty and Measuring Definability Using Rough Sets' are discussed as they relate to rule calculation algorithms. A data structure for holding an arbitrary number of data fields is described. Limitations of Pascal for loops in the generation of combinations are also discussed. Finally, recursive algorithms for generating all possible combination of attributes and for calculating the intersection of an arbitrary number of fuzzy sets are presented.
Walker, Kevin B.↗
Statistical analysis of environmental variability within the CELSS breadboard project's biomass production chamber
Variability in the aerial and root environments of NASA's Breadboard Project's Biomass Production Chamber (BPC) was determined. Data from two lettuce and two potato growouts were utilized. One growout of each crop was conducted prior to separating the upper and lower chambers; the other was subsequent to separation. There were little or no differences in pH, EC, or solution temperature between the upper and lower chamber or within a chamber. Variation in the aerial environment within a chamber was two to three times greater than variation between chambers for air temperature, relative humidity, and PPF. High variability in air velocity, relative to tray position, was observed. Separating the BPC had no effect on PPF, air velocity, solution temperature, pH, or EC. Separation reduced the gradient in air temperature and relative humidity between the upper and lower chambers, but increased the variability within a chamber. Variation between upper and lower chambers was within 5 percent of environmental set-points and of little or no physiological significance. In contrast, the variability within a chamber limits the capability of the BPC to generate statistically reliable data from individual tray treatments at this time.
Stutte, G. W.↗
DAC-3 Pointing Stability Analysis Results for SAGE 3 and Other Users of the International Space Station (ISS) Payload Attachment Sites (PAS)
The purpose of this paper is to provide final results of a pointing stability analysis for external payload attachment sites (PAS) on the International Space Station (ISS). As a specific example, the pointing stability requirement of the SAGE III atmospheric science instrument was examined in this paper. The instrument requires 10 arcsec stability over 2 second periods. SAGE 3 will be mounted on the ISS starboard side at the lower, outboard FIAS. In this engineering analysis, an open-loop DAC-3 finite element model of ISS was used by the Microgravity Group at Johnson Space Flight Center to generate transient responses at PAS to a limited number of disturbances. The model included dynamics up to 50 Hz. Disturbance models considered included operation of the solar array rotary joints, thermal radiator rotary joints, and control moment gyros. Responses were filtered to model the anticipated vibration attenuation effects of active control systems on the solar and thermal radiator rotary joints. A pointing stability analysis was conducted by double integrating acceleration transient over a 2 second period. Results of the analysis are tabulated for ISS X, Y, and Z Axis rotations. These results indicate that the largest excursions in rotation during pointing occurred due to rapid slewing of the thermal radiator. Even without attenuation at the rotary joints, the resulting pointing error was limited to less than 1.6 arcsec. With vibration control at the joints, to a maximum 0.5 arcsec over a 2 second period. Based on this current level of model definition, it was concluded that between 0 - 50 Hz, the pointing stability requirement for SAGE 3 will not be exceeded by the disturbances evaluated in this study.
Woods-Vedeler, Jessica A.↗