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At least 739 records · Page 41

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NASA NTRS1983

Galileo Atmospheric Entry Probe System - Design, development, and test

The overall development of the Galileo Atmospheric Entry Probe System is described. The Probe will be carried to Jupiter by the Galileo Orbiter and released on an entry trajectory 150 days before entry. A complement of seven science instruments will measure the near-Jupiter radiation field and the characteristics of the Jovian atmosphere from a distance of about 5 Jupiter radii above the 1-bar level down to levels in the 10-20-bar range. Probe data are to be transmitted to earth via the Orbiter. System requirements are discussed. Probe design features and those features of the development test program peculiar to entry probes are described.

Givens, J. J.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Numerical simulation of a disk-shaped electron accelerating electrostatic probe

This paper presents a method utilizing the numerical plasma simulation particle-in-cell technique for studying electron accelerating probe characteristics. A probe configuration other than the commonly used plane, cylindrical, or spherical case will be studied; the probe configuration used is that of a disk. Cylindrical geometry is used in the simulation model. One of the advantages of a numerical simulation is the ease with which the details of the system can be examined. Therefore, in addition to the current-voltage characteristics of the static probe, other results are presented such as the time evolution of the plasma properties and studies of the sheath region surrounding the probe.

Nonnast, J. H.↗

NASA NTRS1984

A new concept for a Titan atmospheric probe

Since the Voyager 1 close-pass observations of Titan, scientific interest in the nature and composition of the atmosphere and surface of Titan has increased greatly. This enhanced interest has led to the study of mission options to the Saturnian system with a principal goal of depositing a probe into the atmosphere of Titan. Such a probe could carry instrumentation to perform in situ measurements of the structure and composition of the atmosphere and clouds and of the morphology and composition of the surface. Previous studies have examined the possibility of modifying, in a minimal way, the Galileo probe currently being prepared for an atmospheric sampling mission to Jupiter. The purpose of this paper is to report the results of a study of probe-system concepts optimized for the Titan mission. The scientific rationale for such a mission to Titan is discussed and instruments to accomplish the scientific goals are indicated. Probe systems compatible with those goals and instruments are described, and the associated development costs for each are discussed.

Swenson, B. L.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Titan atmospheric probe

Increased scientific interest in the structure and composition of Titan's atmosphere, clouds and surface have led to the study of mission options to the Saturnian system with the main goal of placing a probe into the atmosphere of the satellite. Two probe concepts have been studied by NASA: the first concept, a slightly modified Galileo probe capable of withstanding approximately 50 earth G during atmospheric entry heating and deceleration, would consist of a blunted 53 degree, 136-cm-diameter half-angle cone with a hemispherical afterbody, and a descent module containing scientific instruments and a parachute; the second concept, a system designed to provide in situ atmospheric measurements of Titan's organic haze layer, would consist of a probe using a 165-cm deployable graphite fabric decelerator, a 50-cm-diameter cylindrical descent module containing five instruments and a 2.5 m-diameter parachute and a 50-cm-radius spherical nose cap. Although the modified Galileo probe is feasible, its scientific drawback includes its inability to obtain in situ measurements above approximately 100 km.

Swenson, B. L.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Heat pipe cooled probe

The basic heat pipe principle is employed to provide a self-contained passively cooled probe that may be placed into a high temperature environment. The probe consists of an evaporator region of a heat pipe and a sensing instrument. Heat is absorbed as the working fluid evaporates in the probe. The vapor is transported to the vapor space of the condenser region. Heat is dissipated from the condenser region and fins causing condensation of the working fluid, which returns to the probe by gravity and the capillary action of the wick. Working fluid, wick and condenser configurations and structure materials can be selected to maintain the probe within an acceptable temperature range.

Camarda, C. J.↗

NASA NTRS1985

A stagnation pressure probe for droplet-laden air flow

It is often of interest in a droplet-laden gas flow to obtain the stagnation pressure of both the gas phase and the mixture. A flow-decelerating probe (TPF), with separate, purged ports for the gas phase and the mixture and with a bleed for accumulating liquid at the closed end, has been developed. Measurements obtained utilizing the TPF in a nearly isothermal air-water droplet mixture flow in a smooth circular pipe under various conditions of flow velocity, pressure, liquid concentration and droplet size are presented and compared with data obtained under identical conditions with a conventional, gas phase stagnation pressure probe (CSP). The data obtained with the CSP and TPF probes are analyzed to determine the applicability of the two probes in relation to the multi-phase characteristics of the flow and the geometry of the probe.

Murthy, S. N. B.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Aerothermodynamic environment for a Titan probe with deployable decelerator

It is pointed out that further exploration of Titan, Saturn's largest moon, is of current interest to the scientific community, particularly from the standpoint of the organic chemical evolution of its atmosphere. For a suitable study of this Saturnian satellite, a mission involving a Titan atmospheric entry probe is to be conducted. The probe is to employ a deployable decelerator with the aim to allow scientific measurements in the haze layer. The present investigation is concerned with an assessment of the aerothermodynamic environment for the considered probe during its hypervelocity, low-Reynolds-number entry. Attention is given to the employed computational method, the Titan probe configuration, the Titan probe trajectory, the viscous-layer regime of the aerothermodynamic environment, and the incipient merged-layer regime.

Green, M. J.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Semiautomatic Probe-And-Drogue Attachment Mechanism

Spring-loaded pawls provide quick coupling. As probe enters drogue during coupling, three spring-loaded pawls in probe latch probe in drogue, preventing accidental uncoupling. Then worm-gear mechanism turned by standard 0.25-in. (6.35-mm) tool transfers motion to central threaded shaft, extending cap at tip of probe until all play taken up. This centers probe in drogue and renders coupling pawls to extend again. New mechanism useful for coupling modular components in other applications where ease and security of attachment, precise final alignment, and ease of removal important and where stresses and bending reasonably low.

Wanagas, John D.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Technique for temperature compensation of eddy-current proximity probes

Eddy-current proximity probes are used in turbomachinery evaluation testing and operation to measure distances, primarily vibration, deflection, or displacment of shafts, bearings and seals. Measurements of steady-state conditions made with standard eddy-current proximity probes are susceptible to error caused by temperature variations during normal operation of the component under investigation. Errors resulting from temperature effects for the specific probes used in this study were approximately 1.016 x 10 to the -3 mm/deg C over the temperature range of -252 to 100 C. This report examines temperature caused changes on the eddy-current proximity probe measurement system, establishes their origin, and discusses what may be done to minimize their effect on the output signal. In addition, recommendations are made for the installation and operation of the electronic components associated with an eddy-current proximity probe. Several techniques are described that provide active on-line error compensation for over 95 percent of the temperature effects.

Masters, Robert M.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Miniaturized compact water-cooled pitot-pressure probe for flow-field surveys in hypersonic wind tunnels

An experimental investigation of the design of pitot probes for flowfield surveys in hypersonic wind tunnels is reported. The results show that a pitot-pressure probe can be miniaturized for minimum interference effects by locating the transducer in the probe support body and water-cooling it so that the pressure-settling time and transducer temperature are compatible with hypersonic tunnel operation and flow conditions. Flowfield surveys around a two-to-one elliptical cone model in a 20-inch Mach 6 wind tunnel using such a probe show that probe interference effects are essentially eliminated.

Ashby, George C.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Circumferential pressure probe

A probe for measuring circumferential pressure inside a body cavity is disclosed. In the preferred embodiment, a urodynamic pressure measurement probe for evaluating human urinary sphincter function is disclosed. Along the length of the probe are disposed a multiplicity of deformable wall sensors which typically comprise support tube sections with flexible side wall areas. These are arranged along the length of the probe in two areas, one just proximal to the tip for the sensing of fluid pressure inside the bladder, and five in the sensing section which is positioned within the urethra at the point at which the urinary sphincter constricts to control the flow of urine. The remainder of the length of the probe comprises multiple rigid support tube sections interspersed with flexible support tube sections in the form of bellows to provide flexibility.

Holmes, Harlan K.↗

NASA NTRS1990

The application of the triple probe method to MPD thruster plumes

The triple probe method is an attractive technique for measuring axial and radial profiles of electron temperature T(e) and electron number density n(e) in magnetoplasmadynamic (MPD) thruster plumes. In this paper the performance and applicability of the triple probe to MPD thruster plumes is evaluated by identifying sources of error, correction methods, and error estimation techniques. Included in the analysis is an adaptation of Laframboise's exact calculations to the triple probe, aligned with the flow vector, and a preliminary investigation of the effect of flow transverse to the probe axis. In MPD thrusters, the triple probe method can provide measurement accuracy of T(e) wintin about 10 percent and n(e) within about 60 percent.

Kelly, Arnold J.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Evaluation of water cooled supersonic temperature and pressure probes for application to 1366 K flows

Water cooled supersonic probes are developed to investigate total pressure, static pressure, and total temperature in high-temperature jet plumes and thereby determine the mean flow properties. Two probe concepts, designed for operation at up to 1366 K in a Mach 2 flow, are tested on a water cooled nozzle. The two probe designs - the unsymmetric four-tube cooling configuration and the symmetric annular cooling design - take measurements at 755, 1089, and 1366 K of the three parameters. The cooled total and static pressure readings are found to agree with previous test results with uncooled configurations. The total-temperature probe, however, is affected by the introduction of water coolant, and effect which is explained by the increased heat transfer across the thermocouple-bead surface. Further investigation of the effect of coolant on the temperature probe is proposed to mitigate the effect and calculate more accurate temperatures in jet plumes.

Lagen, Nicholas↗

NASA NTRS1991

Water cooled static pressure probe

An improved static pressure probe containing a water cooling mechanism is disclosed. This probe has a hollow interior containing a central coolant tube and multiple individual pressure measurement tubes connected to holes placed on the exterior. Coolant from the central tube symmetrically immerses the interior of the probe, allowing it to sustain high temperature (in the region of 2500 F) supersonic jet flow indefinitely, while still recording accurate pressure data. The coolant exits the probe body by way of a reservoir attached to the aft of the probe. The pressure measurement tubes are joined to a single, larger manifold in the reservoir. This manifold is attached to a pressure transducer that records the average static pressure.

Lagen, Nicholas T.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Inflatable traversing probe seal

An inflatable seal acts as a pressure-tight zipper to provide traversing capability for instrumentation rakes and probes. A specially designed probe segment with a teardrop cross-section in the vicinity of the inflatable seal minimizes leakage at the interface. The probe is able to travel through a lengthwise slot in a pressure vessel or wind tunnel section, while still maintaining pressure integrity. The design uses two commercially available inflatable seals, opposing each other, to cover the probe slot in a wind tunnel wall. Proof-of-concept tests were conducted at vessel pressures up to 30 psig, with seals inflated to 50 psig, showing no measurable leakage along the seal's length or around the probe teardrop cross-section. This seal concept can replace the existing technology of sliding face plate/O-ring systems in applications where lengthwise space is limited.

Trimarchi, Paul A.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Surgical force detection probe

The development progress of a precision electro-mechanical instrument which allows the detection and documentation of the forces and moment applied to human tissue during surgery (under actual operation room conditions), is reported. The pen-shaped prototype probe which measures 1/2 inch in diameter and 7 inches in length was fabricated using an aerodynamic balance. The aerodynamic balance, a standard wind tunnel force and moment sensing transducer, measures the forces and the moments transmitted through the surgeon's hand to the human tissue during surgery. The prototype probe which was fabricated as a development tool was tested successfully. The final version of the surgical force detection probe will be designed based on additional laboratory tests in order to establish the full scale loads. It is expected that the final product will require a simplified aerodynamic balance with two or three force components and one moment component with lighter full scale loads. A signal conditioner was fabricated to process and display the outputs from the prototype probe. This unit will be interfaced with a PC-based data system to provide automatic data acquisition, data processing, and graphics display. The expected overall accuracy of the probe is better than one percent full scale.

Tcheng, Ping↗

NASA NTRS1991

Probe systems for static pressure and cross-stream turbulence intensity

A recent study of total-pressure probes for use in highly turbulent streams is extended herein by developing probe systems that measure time-averaged static or ambient pressure and turbulence intensity. Arrangements of tubular probes of circular and elliptical cross section are described that measure the pressure at orifices on the sides of the probes to obtain different responses to the cross-stream velocity fluctuations. When the measured data are combined to remove the effect of the presence of the probes on the local pressure, the time-averaged static pressure and the cross-stream components of turbulence intensity can be determined. If a system of total pressure tubes, as described in an accompanying paper, is added to the static pressure group to form a single cluster, redundant measurements are obtained that permit accuracy and consistency checks.

Rossow, Vernon, J.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Solar extreme ultraviolet sensor and advanced langmuir probe

For more than two decades, the staff of the Space Physics Research Laboratory (SPRL) has collaborated with the Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) in the design and implementation of Langmuir probes (LP). This program of probe development under the direction of Larry Brace of GSFC has evolved methodically with innovations to: improve measurement precision, increase the speed of measurement, and reduce the weight, size, power consumption and data rate of the instrument. Under contract NAG5-419 these improvements were implemented and are what characterize the Advanced Langmuir Probe (ALP). Using data from the Langmuir Probe on the Pioneer Venus Orbiter, Brace and Walter Hoegy of GSFC demonstrated a novel method of monitoring the solar extreme ultraviolet (EUV) flux. This led to the idea of developing a sensor similar to a Langmuir probe specifically designed to measure solar EUV (SEUV) that uses a similar electronics package. Under this contract, a combined instrument package of the ALP and SEUV sensor was to be designed, constructed, and laboratory tested. Finally the instrument was to be flight tested as part of sounding rocket experiment to acquire the necessary data to validate this method for possible use in future earth and planetary aeronomy missions. The primary purpose of this contract was to develop the electronics hardware and software for this instrument, since the actual sensors were suppied by GSFC. Due to budget constraints, only a flight model was constructed. These electronics were tested and calibrated in the laboratory, and then the instrument was integrated into the rocket payload at Wallops Flight Facility where it underwent environmental testing. After instrument recalibration at SPRL, the payload was reintegrated and launched from the Poker Flat Research Range near Fairbanks Alaska. The payload was successfully recovered and after refurbishment underwent further testing and developing to improve its performance for future use.

Voronka, N. R.↗