Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “Thermal state”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 739 records · Page 41

Compressing the Cosmological Information in One-dimensional Correlations of the Lyman-$\alpha$ Forest

Observations of the Lyman-α forest from spectroscopic surveys such as the Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey or its extension, eBOSS, or the ongoing Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) survey offer a unique window to study the growth of structure on megaparsec scales. Interpretation of these measurements is a complicated task, requiring hydrodynamical simulations to model and marginalize over the thermal and ionization state of the intergalactic medium. This complexity has limited the use of Lyα clustering measurements in joint cosmological analyses. In this work we show that the cosmological information content of the one-dimensional power spectrum (P 1D ) of the Lyman-α forest can be compressed into a simple two-parameter likelihood without any significant loss of constraining power. We simulate P 1D measurements from DESI using hydrodynamical simulations and show that the compressed likelihood is model independent and lossless, recovering unbiased results even in the presence of massive neutrinos or running of the primordial power spectrum.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

The environmental heat flux routine, version 4 (EHFR-4) and Multiple Reflections Routine (MRR), volume 1

The environmental heat flux routine version 4, (EHFR-4) is a generalized computer program which calculates the steady state and/or transient thermal environments experienced by a space system during lunar surface, deep space, or thermal vacuum chamber operation. The specific environments possible for EHFR analysis include: lunar plain, lunar crater, combined lunar plain and crater, lunar plain in the region of spacecraft surfaces, intervehicular, deep space in the region of spacecraft surfaces, and thermal vacuum chamber generation. The EHFR was used for Extra Vehicular Mobility Unit environment analysis of the Apollo 11-17 missions, EMU manned and unmanned thermal vacuum qualification testing, and EMU-LRV interface environmental analyses.

Dietz, J. B.↗

Shock compression and adiabatic release of lunar fines from Apollo 17

An experimental investigation was conducted with the objective to obtain quantitative bounds, in terms of shock pressure and hence meteoroid impact velocity, concerning the conditions required to compact and lithify lunar fines. The measured pressure-particle velocity release states provide a basis for the determination of the approximate values of shock pressure associated with various postshock volumes and temperatures concomitant with solid-state vitrification and thermal melting. The implications of the obtained results for the study of regolith evolution are discussed.

Ahrens, T. J.↗

Solid state SPS microwave generation and transmission study. Volume 2, phase 2: Appendices

The solid state sandwich concept for SPS was further defined. The design effort concentrated on the spacetenna, but did include some system analysis for parametric comparison reasons. Basic solid state microwave devices were defined and modeled. An initial conceptual subsystems and system design was performed as well as sidelobe control and system selection. The selected system concept and parametric solid state microwave power transmission system data were assessed relevant to the SPS concept. Although device efficiency was not a goal, the sensitivities to design of this efficiency were parametrically treated. Sidelobe control consisted of various single step tapers, multistep tapers and Gaussian tapers. A hybrid concept using tubes and solid state was evaluated. Thermal analyses are included with emphasis on sensitivities to waste heat radiator form factor, emissivity, absorptivity, amplifier efficiency, material and junction temperature.

Maynard, O. E.↗

Mollier-I, S-Diagrams for Combustion Gases in Data Processing

In order to have all the thermal and caloric states of combustion gases accessible in a computer, closed mathematical approximation equations were established for the real factors, the enthalpy and the entropy of a real combustion gas. The equations approximate the various effects of molecular forces real gas influence and dissociation - at temperatures of 200 K to 6,000 K, pressures of 0.001 to 1,000 bar, and in the range from stoichiometric composition to air. A system of subprograms is listed in FORTRAN, by means of which thermodynamic calculations can be carried out in the same manner as with Mollier I,S diagrams.

Zacharias, F.↗

Thermal analysis of a planetary transmission with spherical roller bearings operating after complete loss of oil

Planetsys and Spherbean, two computer programs developed for the analysis of rolling element bearings, were used to simulate the thermal performance of an OH-58 helicopter main rotor transmission. A steady state and a transient thermal analysis were made and temperatures thus calculated were compared with experimental data obtained from a transmission that was operated to destruction, which occurred about 30 min after all the oil was drained from the transmission. Temperatures predicted by Spherbean were within 3% of the corresponding measured values at 15 min elapsed time and within 9% at 25 min. Spherbean also indicates a potential for high bearing cage temperatures with misalignment and outer ring rotation.

Coe, H. H.↗

Optical characterization of semi-insulating GaAs - Determination of the Fermi energy, the concentraion of the midgap EL2 level and its occupancy

The key electronic characteristics of semiinsulating GaAs, i.e., the Fermi energy, concentration, and occupancy of the midgap donor EL2, and the net concentration of ionized acceptors can all be determined from high-resolution measurements of the EL2 intracenter absorption. The procedure is based on the measurement of zero-phonon line intensity before and after the complete transfer of EL2 to its metastable state followed by thermal recovery. The procedure is quantitative, involves no fitting parameters, and unlike existing methods, is applicable even when a significant part of the EL2 is ionized.

Lagowski, J.↗

Fundamental limits to performance of quantum well infrared detectors

Radiometric, density of states (material), and thermal considerations are used to obtain the figure of merit of the quantum-well GaAs/GaAlAs infrared detectors described by Smith et. al. The results are compared with HgCdTe, the present industry standard, as well as with recent experiments at other laboratories.

Yariv, Amnon↗

The interaction of atomic oxygen with thin copper films

A source of thermal, ground-state atomic oxygen has been used to expose thin copper films at a flux of 1.4 x 10 exp 17 atoms/sq cm s for times up to 50 min for each of five temperatures between 140 and 200 C. Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy was used to characterize the oxide formed during exposure. The observations are consistent with the oxide phase Cu2O. The time dependence and the temperature dependence of the oxide layer thickness can be described using oxide film growth theory based on rate limitation by diffusion. Within the time and temperature ranges of this study, the growth of the oxide layers is well described by the equation L(T,t) = 3.6 x 10 to 8th exp(- 1.1/2k sub B T)t exp 1/2, where L,T, and t are measured in angstroms, degrees Kelvin, and minutes, respectively. The deduced activation energy is 1.10 +/- 0.15 eV, with the attendant oxidation rate being greater than that for the corresponding reaction in molecular oxygen.

Gibson, B. C.↗

The relationship between the height of a volcano and the depth to its magma source zone - A critical reexamination

The relationship between the maximum height to which a volcanic edifice is able to grow and the depth at which the partial melts providing its magma supply are formed is used to infer various aspects of the thermal and stress state of the lithosphere beneath volcanic constructs on earth, Mars, Io, and Venus. The assumptions behind this relationship are examined, and it is shown that many of them require geologically unreasonable conditions. The evidence cited in the literature for the relationship is assessed critically, and it is found that there are other factors that may explain the observations. It is concluded that volcano heights on the terrestrial planets cannot be related in any simple way to lithospheric thickness or depth to the magma source zone, and the range of other vectors controlling volcano height are reviewed.

Wilson, Lionel↗

Dust transport into Martian polar latitudes

The presence of suspended dust in the Martian atmosphere, and its return to the planet's surface, is implicated in the formation of the polar layered terrain and the dichotomy in perennial CO2 polar cap retention in the two hemispheres. A three dimensional model was used to study Martian global dust storms. The model accounts for the interactive feedbacks between the atmospheric thermal and dynamical states and an evolving radiatively active suspended dust load. Results from dust storm experiments, as well as from simulations in which there is interest in identifying the conditions under which surface dust lifting occurs at various locations and times, indicate that dust transport due to atmospheric eddy motions is likely to be important in the arrival of suspended dust at polar latitudes. The layered terrain in both polar regions of Mars is interpreted as the reality of cyclical episodes of volatile (CO2, H2O) and dust deposition.

Murphy, J. R.↗

The optical spectrum of 5145 Pholus

A 2.4-m telescope and a CCD spectrograph have been used to measure the optical reflectance spectrum of the 5145 Pholus outer solar system object in the 4400-9600 A range, with 10 A/pixel dispersion. No emission lines were detected, and a reflectance slope value intermediate between two previously reported slopes is obtained. This steep red slope is indicative of organic surface material, prompting the suggestion that the object is of primitive composition and at either the initial or terminal state of its thermal evolution.

Binzel, Richard P.↗

Possible flexural signatures around Olympus and Ascraeus Montes, Mars

The effective elastic thickness (h) of the lithosphere provides a measure of the thermal and mechanical state of a planet's shallow interior. An estimate of h in the vicinity of a feature that constitutes a load on a planetary surface can be determined from the flexural response of the lithosphere to the load. This approach has been applied to Mars by calculating radial stresses associated with lithospheric flexure associated with surface loads, and comparing the results to the positions of circumferential graben surrounding the major Martian shield volcanoes and mascon basins. However, many prominent surface loads on Mars, most notably the Olympus Mons volcano, do not exhibit flexural graben. In these instances application of the above method can provide only a lower limit of effective elastic thickness. An alternative method of determining h is to calculate the vertical displacements associated with the flexural loading and to compare the amplitude and shape of the flexural profile to observed topography. This method has not been applied to flexural problems on Mars because of the poor resolution of Martian topographic data. However, previous analyses have shown that the lithosphere around major volcanic shields should exhibit vertical deflections of order 1 km over horizontal baselines of order 100 km. We were thus motivated to search for the presence of flexural troughs in the existing Mars topography data.

Zuber, M. T.↗

Fiber Contraction Approaches for Improving CMC Proportional Limit

The fact that the service life of ceramic matrix composites (CMC) decreases dramatically for stresses above the CMC proportional limit has triggered a variety of research activities to develop microstructural approaches that can significantly improve this limit. As discussed in a previous report, both local and global approaches exist for hindering the propagation of cracks through the CMC matrix, the physical source for the proportional limit. Local approaches include: (1) minimizing fiber diameter and matrix modulus; (2) maximizing fiber volume fraction, fiber modulus, and matrix toughness; and (3) optimizing fiber-matrix interfacial shear strength; all of which should reduce the stress concentration at the tip of cracks pre existing or created in the matrix during CMC service. Global approaches, as with pre-stressed concrete, center on seeking mechanisms for utilizing the reinforcing fiber to subject the matrix to in-situ compressive stresses which will remain stable during CMC service. Demonstrated CMC examples for the viability of this residual stress approach are based on strain mismatches between the fiber and matrix in their free states, such as, thermal expansion mismatch and creep mismatch. However, these particular mismatch approaches are application limited in that the residual stresses from expansion mismatch are optimum only at low CMC service temperatures and the residual stresses from creep mismatch are typically unidirectional and difficult to implement in complex-shaped CMC.

DiCarlo, James A.↗

Cloudy 94 and Applications to Quasar Emission Line Regions

This review discusses the most recent developments of the plasma simulation code Cloudy and its application to the, emission-line regions of quasars. The longterm goal is to develop the tools needed to determine the chemical composition of the emitting gas and the luminosity of the central engine for any emission line source. Emission lines and the underlying thermal continuum are formed in plasmas that are far from thermodynamic equilibrium. Their thermal and ionization states are the result of a balance of a vast set of microphysical processes. Once produced, radiation must, propagate out of the (usually) optically thick source. No analytic solutions are possible, and recourse to numerical simulations is necessary. I am developing the large-scale plasma simulation code Cloudy as an investigative tool for this work, much as an observer might build a spectrometer. This review describes the current version of Cloudy, version 94. It describes improvements made since the, release of the previous version, C90. The major recent, application has been the development of the "Locally Optimally-Emitting Cloud" (LOC) model of AGN emission line regions. Powerful selection effects, introduced by the atomic physics and line formation process, permit individual lines to form most efficiently only near certain selected parameters. These selection effects, together with the presence of gas with a wide range of conditions, are enough to reproduce the spectrum of a typical quasar with little dependence on details. The spectrum actually carries little information to the identity of the emitters. I view this as a major step forward since it provides a method to handle accidental details at the source, so that we can concentrate on essential information such as the luminosity or chemical composition of the quasar.

Ferland, Gary J.↗

COI Structural Analysis Presentation

This report discusses the structural analysis of the Next Generation Space Telescope Mirror System Demonstrator (NMSD) developed by Composite Optics Incorporated (COI) in support of the Next Generation Space Telescope (NGST) project. The mirror was submitted to Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) for cryogenic testing and evaluation. Once at MSFC, the mirror was lowered to approximately 40 K and the optical surface distortions were measured. Alongside this experiment, an analytical model was developed and used to compare to the test results. A NASTRAN finite element model was provided by COI and a thermal model was developed from it. Using the thermal model, steady state nodal temperatures were calculated based on the predicted environment of the large cryogenic test chamber at MSFC. This temperature distribution was applied in the structural analysis to solve for the deflections of the optical surface. Finally, these deflections were submitted for optical analysis and comparison to the interferometer test data.

Cline, Todd↗

Ceramic Thermal Protection Technology From The Space Shuttle to Access to Space

The presentation will describe the Space Shuttle Orbiter Thermal Protection System. Ceramic materials technology developed for the Shuttle an improvements introduced after its early flights will be delineated. The current Thermal Protection Technology state of the art and future needs for low cost access to space will be discussed.

Goldstein, Howard E.↗