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NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Electromagnetic Modeling of Wind tunnel Magnetic Suspension and Balance Systems

An analytical framework for the open-loop behavior of a permanent magnet element levitated within an applied magnetic field are shown, in the context of application to wind tunnel Magnetic Suspension and Balance Systems (MSBS). Various modes of motion are identified, which correlate with observed behavior of the NASA/ODU 6-inch MSBS. This system is being developed as a technology demonstrator for dynamic stability testing of atmospheric entry capsules, with possible application to a supersonic wind tunnel. The analytic equations are populated with field information from experimental measurements and a finite element model. Finally, a system simulation can provide alternative estimates of system dynamic behavior via model linearization, with preliminary comparisons presented. Taken together, the analytical framework, experimental measurement, finite element analysis, and dynamic simulation provide a complete understanding of the characteristics and behavior of the MSBS.

magnetic suspension↗

NASA NTRS2005

Modified Penning-Malmberg Trap for Storing Antiprotons

A modified Penning-Malmberg trap that could store a small cloud of antiprotons for a relatively long time (weeks) has been developed. This trap is intended for use in research on the feasibility of contemplated future matter/antimatter-annihilation systems as propulsion sources for spacecraft on long missions. This trap is also of interest in its own right as a means of storing and manipulating antiprotons for terrestrial scientific experimentation. The use of Penning-Malmberg traps to store antiprotons is not new. What is new here is the modified trap design, which utilizes state-of-the-art radiofrequency (RF) techniques, including ones that, heretofore, have been used in radio-communication applications but not in iontrap applications. A basic Penning-Malmberg trap includes an evacuated round tube that contains or is surrounded by three or more collinear tube electrodes. A steady axial magnetic field that reaches a maximum at the geometric center of the tube is applied by an external source, and DC bias voltages that give rise to an electrostatic potential that reaches a minimum at the center are applied to the electrodes. The combination of electric and magnetic fields confines the charged particles (ions or electrons) for which it was designed to a prolate spheroidal central region. However, geometric misalignments and the diffusive cooling process prevent the steady fields of a basic Penning- Malmberg trap from confining the particles indefinitely. In the modified Penning-Malmberg trap, the loss of antiprotons is reduced or eliminated by use of a "rotating-wall" RF stabilization scheme that also heats the antiproton cloud to minimize loss by matter/antimatter annihilation. The scheme involves the superposition of a quadrupole electric field that rotates about the cylindrical axis at a suitably chosen radio frequency. The modified Penning-Malmberg trap (see Figure 1) includes several collinear sets of electrodes inside a tubular vacuum chamber. Each set comprises either a single metal tube or else a tube that is segmented into four electrodes that subtend equal angles about the cylindrical axis. The output of an RF signal generator is fed through a 90 hybrid coupler and then through two baluns to generate four replicas of the signal at relative phase shifts of 0 , 90 , 180 , and 270 (see Figure 2). These signal replicas are fed through 6-dB directional couplers, then via coaxial cables to the vacuum chamber. The signal is then routed to a phase cancellation network, which filters out the drive signal with the difference representing the plasma interaction. Inside the vacuum chamber, twisted-pair wires feed the signals from the coaxial cables to the four electrodes of each segmented electrode tube.

Sims, William H.↗

NASA NTRS1999

Electric Field Double Probe Measurements for Ionospheric Space Plasma Experiments

Double probes represent a well-proven technique for gathering high quality DC and AC electric field measurements in a variety of space plasma regimes including the magnetosphere, ionosphere, and mesosphere. Such experiments have been successfully flown on a variety of spacecraft including sounding rockets and satellites. Typical instrument designs involve a series of trades, depending on the science objectives, type of platform (e.g., spinning or 3-axis stabilized), expected plasma regime where the measurements will be made, available telemetry, budget, etc. In general, ionospheric DC electric field instruments that achieve accuracies of 0.1 mV/m or better, place spherical sensors at large distances (10m or more) from the spacecraft body in order to extend well beyond the spacecraft wake and sheath and to achieve large signal-to-noise ratios for DC and long wavelength measurements. Additional sets of sensors inboard of the primary, outermost sensors provide useful additional information, both for diagnostics of the plasma contact potentials, which particularly enhance the DC electric field measurements on non-spinning spacecraft, and for wavelength and phase velocity measurements that use the spaced receiver or "interferometer" technique. Accurate attitude knowledge enables B times V contributions to be subtracted from the measured potentials, and permits the measured components to be rotated into meaningful geophysical reference frames. We review the measurement technique for both DC and wave electric field measurements in the ionosphere discussing recent advances involving high resolution burst memories, multiple baseline double probes, new sensor surface materials, biasing techniques, and other considerations.

Pfaff, R.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Study of the crust and mantle using magnetic surveys by Magsat and other satellites

This article summarizes some of the methodology and results for studies of the earth's mantle and crust. Mantle conductivity studies can be made either by studying signals impressed on the earth from outside, e.g., the ionosphere or magnetosphere, or by studing signals originating in the core and transmitted through the mantle. Crustal field studies begin with a careful selection of the data and subsequent removal of core and external fields by some sort of filtering. Average maps from different local times sometimes differ, presumably due to the remaining presence of fields of external origin. Several techniques for further filtering are discussed. Where large-area aeromagnetic maps are available, crustal maps derived from satellite data can be compared with upward continued data. In general, the comparisons show agreement, with some differences, particularly in and near the auroral belts. The satellite data are further reduced by various methods of inverse and forward modeling, sometimes including reduction to the pole. These techniques are generally unstable at the equator. Common methods of stabilizing the inversions include principle components analysis and ridge regression. Because of the presence of the core field, the entire crustal contribution from the field is not known. Also, there is a basic nonuniqueness to the inverse solutions. Nevertheless, magnetizations that are interpretable can be derived.

Langel, Robert A.↗

NASA NTRS1965

On the interchange stability of the Van Allen belt

Interchange stability of Van Allen belt in electrostatic approximation

RADIATION BELT↗

NASA NTRS1972

New twisted intermetallic compound superconductor: A concept

Method for processing Nb3Sn and other intermetallic compound superconductors produces a twisted, stabilized wire or tube which can be used to wind electromagnetics, armatures, rotors, and field windings for motors and generators as well as other magnetic devices.

Coles, W. D.↗

NASA NTRS1973

Method of fabricating a twisted composite superconductor

A method of producing a twisted, stabilized wire or tube superconductor which can be used to wind electromagnets, armatures, rotors, field windings for motors and generators, and other magnetic devices which use a solenoid, toroidal, or other type winding is reported. At least one groove is formed along the length of a wire substrate which is then twisted into a helix and a layer of intermetallic superconducting material is formed in the groove. This layer can be formed by depositing the desired intermetallic compound into the groove or by diffusing one component of the superconductor into the groove formed in a substrate composed of the other component. The superconductor prepared by this method comprises a non-superconductor wire twisted into the shape of a helix, having at least one groove containing a layer of superconductor material along the length of the wire.

Brown, G. V.↗

NASA NTRS1973

Nonlinear problems of the theory of heterogeneous slightly curved shells

An account if given of the variational method of the solution of physically and geometrically nonlinear problems of the theory of heterogeneous slightly curved shells. Examined are the bending and supercritical behavior of plates and conical and spherical cupolas of variable thickness in a temperature field, taking into account the dependence of the elastic parameters on temperature. The bending, stability in general and load-bearing capacity of flexible isotropic elastic-plastic shells with different criteria of plasticity, taking into account compressibility and hardening. The effect of the plastic heterogeneity caused by heat treatment, surface work hardening and irradiation by fast neutron flux is investigated. Some problems of the dynamic behavior of flexible shells are solved. Calculations are performed in high approximations. Considerable attention is given to the construction of a machine algorithm and to the checking of the convergence of iterative processes.

Kantor, B. Y.↗

NASA NTRS1974

Radiation hardening of MOS devices by boron

A technique is described for radiation hardening of MOS devices and specifically for stabilizing the gate threshold potential at room temperature of a radiation subjected MOS field-effect device with a semiconductor substrate, an insulating layer of oxide on the substrate, and a gate electrode disposed on the insulating layer. The boron is introduced within a layer of the oxide of about 100 A-300 A thickness immediately adjacent the semiconductor-insulator interface. The concentration of boron in the oxide layer is preferably maintained on the order of 10 to the 18th power atoms/cu cm. The technique serves to reduce and substantially annihilate radiation induced positive gate charge accumulations.

Danchenko, V.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Low cost point focus solar concentrator, phase 1

Design concepts and plans for mass-production facilities and equipment, field installation, and maintenance were developed and used for cost analysis of a pneumatically stabilized plastic film point focus solar concentrator which has potential application in conjunction with Brayton cycle engines or supply of thermal energy. A sub-scale reflector was fabricated and optically tested by laser ray tracing to determine focal deviations of the surface slope and best focal plane. These test data were then used for comparisons with theoretical concentrator performance modeling and predictions of full-scale design performance. Results of the economic study indicate the concentrator design will have low cost when mass-produced and has cost/performance parameters that fall within current Jet Propulsion Laboratory goals.

Source record↗

NASA NTRS1981

Numerical Boundary Condition Procedures

Topics include numerical procedures for treating inflow and outflow boundaries, steady and unsteady discontinuous surfaces, far field boundaries, and multiblock grids. In addition, the effects of numerical boundary approximations on stability, accuracy, and convergence rate of the numerical solution are discussed.

Source record↗

NASA NTRS1982

Numerical modelling of turbulent flow in a combustion tunnel

A numerical technique is presented for the analysis of turbulent flow associated with combustion. The technique uses Chorin's random vortex method (rvm), an algorithm capable of tracing the action of elementary turbulent eddies and their cumulative effects without imposing any restriction upon their motion. In the past, the rvm has been used with success to treat nonreacting turbulent flows, revealing in particular the mechanics of large-scale flow patterns, the so-called coherent structures. Introduced here is a flame propagation algorithm, also developed by Chorin, in conjunction with volume sources modelling the mechanical effects of the exothermic process of combustion. As an illustration of its use, the technique is applied to flow in a combustion tunnel where the flame is stabilized by a back-facing step. Solutions for both nonreacting and reacting flow fields are obtained which satisfactorily describe the essential features of turbulent combustion in a lean propane-air mixture that were observed in the laboratory by means of high speed Schlieren photography.

Ghoniem, A. F.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Evolution of the Southern Oscillation as observed by the Nimbus-7 ERB experiment

The Nimbus-7 satellite has been in a 955-km, sun-synchronous orbit since October 1978. The Earth Radiation Budget (ERB) experiment has taken approximately 8 years of high-quality data during this time, of which seven complete years have been archived at the National Space Science Data Center. A final reprocessing of the wide-field-of-view channel dataset is underway. Error analyses indicate a long-term stability of 1 percent better over the length of the data record. As part of the validation of the ERB measurements, the archived 7-year Nimbus-7 ERB dataset is examined for the presence and accuracy of interannual variations including the Southern Oscillation signal. Zonal averages of broadband outgoing longwave radiation indicate a terrestrial response of more than 2 years to the oceanic and atmospheric manifestations of the 1982-83 El Nino/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) event, especially in the tropics. This signal is present in monthly and seasonal averages and is shown here to derive primarily from atmospheric responses to adjustments in the Pacific Ocean. The calibration stability of this dataset thus provides a powerful new tool to examine the physics of the ENSO phenomena.

Ardanuy, Philip E.↗

NASA NTRS1988

A comparative study of the influence of buoyancy driven fluid flow on GaAs crystal growth

A systematic investigation of the effect of gravity driven fluid flow on GaAs crystal growth was performed. It includes GaAs crystal growth in the microgravity environment aboard the Space Shuttle. The program involves a controlled comparative study of crystal growth under a variety of earth based conditions with variable orientation and applied magnetic field in addition to the microgravity growth. Earth based growth will be performed under stabilizing as well as destabilizing temperature gradients. The boules grown in space and on earth will be fully characterized to correlate the degree of convection with the distribution of impurities. Both macro- and micro-segregation will be determined. The space growth experiment will be flown in a self-contained payload container through NASA's Get Away Special program.

Kafalas, J. A.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Time domain numerical calculations of unsteady vortical flows about a flat plate airfoil

A time domain numerical scheme is developed to solve for the unsteady flow about a flat plate airfoil due to imposed upstream, small amplitude, transverse velocity perturbations. The governing equation for the resulting unsteady potential is a homogeneous, constant coefficient, convective wave equation. Accurate solution of the problem requires the development of approximate boundary conditions which correctly model the physics of the unsteady flow in the far field. A uniformly valid far field boundary condition is developed, and numerical results are presented using this condition. The stability of the scheme is discussed, and the stability restriction for the scheme is established as a function of the Mach number. Finally, comparisons are made with the frequency domain calculation by Scott and Atassi, and the relative strengths and weaknesses of each approach are assessed.

Hariharan, S. I.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Time domain numerical calculations of unsteady vortical flows about a flat plate airfoil

Hariharan, S. I.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Thermal stability during rotation in space - A scaling and numerical analysis

An analysis of thermal stability in a fluid during rotation is presented. The conditions resulting in thermal stability are examined and numerically verified. It is shown that at least one thermal field exists for any rotating fluid, with or without a gravitational background field, where convection does not occur. The numerical model used is fully nonlinear and 3D. Results are presented on the basis of both steady-state and fully transient models. The thermally stable condition is further investigated in the context of the average net acceleration and the inhomogeneous part of the acceleration field (gradient of acceleration). It is shown that in the thermally stable condition the flow that would result from the average net acceleration is equal and opposite to the flow that would result from the inhomogeneous part of the acceleration field. It is concluded that the thermally stable condition is actually a flow mode transition at Ad = 1.

Arnold, William A.↗

NASA NTRS1992

The steady part of the secular variation of the Earth's magnetic field

The secular variation of the Earth's magnetic field results from the effects of magnetic induction in the fluid outer core and from the effects of magnetic diffusion in the core and the mantle. Adequate observations to map the magnetic field at the core-mantle boundary extend back over three centuries, providing a model of the secular variation at the core-mantle boundary. Here we consider how best to analyze this time-dependent part of the field. To calculate steady core flow over long time periods, we introduce an adaptation of our earlier method of calculating the flow in order to achieve greater numerical stability. We perform this procedure for the periods 1840-1990 and 1690-1840 and find that well over 90 percent of the variance of the time-dependent field can be explained by simple steady core flow. The core flows obtained for the two intervals are broadly similar to each other and to flows determined over much shorter recent intervals.

Bloxham, Jeremy↗