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At least 775 records · Page 43

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NASA NTRS1982

A determination of the current density in electron beams

Current gathering rotating probe techniques were used to examine the envelope shape and power density profile of electron beams used in electron beam welding devices. The electron power density contours which determine the shape of the weld vapor cavity, penetration, and local heat distribution were considered. A mathematical analysis consistent with a rotating probe technique necessary to determine the current density distribution (assumed symmetrically radial) in a cross-section of the beam is provided. An explanation of the experimental technique for obtaining data, a BASIC language computer program to determine the current density from the data, and a study indicating the level of confidence to be associated with results obtained are also provided. An example of the application of the analysis to some experimental electron beam data is included.

Beil, R. J.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Application of a computerized vibroacoustic data bank for random vibration criteria development

A computerized data bank system was developed for utilization of large amounts of vibration and acoustic data to formulate component random vibration design and test criteria. This system consists of a computer, graphics tablets, and a dry silver hard copier which are all desk top type hardware and occupy minimal space. Currently, the data bank contains data from the Saturn 5 and Titan 3 flight and static test programs. The vibration and acoustic data are stored in the form of power spectral density and one third octave band plots over the frequency range from 20 to 2000 Hz. The data were stored by digitizing each spectral plot by tracing with the graphics tablet. The digitized data were statistically analyzed, and the resulting 97.5 percent confidence levels were stored on tape along with the appropriate structural parameters. Standard extrapolation procedures were programmed for prediction of component random vibration test criteria for new launch vehicle and payload configurations. A user's manual is included to guide potential users through the programs.

Ferebee, R. C.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Elevation of a cane-growing area of the state of Sao Paulo using LANDSAT data

Images at a scale of 1:250.000 were visually interpreted for identification and area estimates of sugar cane plantations in Sao Paulo. The basic criteria for crop identification were the spectral characteristics of channels 5 and 7 and their temporal variations observed from different LANDSAT passes. Using this technique, it was possible to map the sugar cane areas as well as the sugar cane already harvested. An area of 801,950 hectares was estimated within the study area. The confidence interval of correct classification ranged from 87.11% to 94.71%.

Dejesusparada, N.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Effect of aluminum phosphate additions on composition of three-component plasma-sprayed solid lubricant

Image analysis (IA) and electron microprobe X-ray analysis (EMXA) were used to characterize a plasma-sprayed, self-lubricating coating, NASA LUBE PS106, specified by weight percent as 35NiCr-35Ag-30CaF2. To minimize segregation of the powder mixture during the plasma-spraying procedure, monoaluminum phosphate was added to form agglomerate particles. Three concentrations of AlPO4 were added to the mixtures: 1.25, 2.5, and 6.25 percent by weight. Analysis showed that 1.25 wt% AlPO4 yielded a CaF2 deficiency, 2.5 wt% kept the coating closest to specification, and 6.25 wt% yielded excess CaF2 as well as more impurities and voids and a deficiency in silver. Photomicrographs and X-ray maps are presented. The methods of IA and EMXA complement each other, and the reasonable agreement in the results increases the confidence in determining the coating composition.

Jacobson, T. P.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Venus: Halide cloud condensation and volatile element inventories

Several Venus cloud condensates, including A12C16 as well as halides, oxides and sulfides of arsenic and antimony, are assessed for their thermodynamic and geochemical plausibility. Aluminum chloride can confidently be ruled out, and condensation of arsenic sulfides on the surface will cause arsenic compounds to be too rare to produce the observed clouds. Antimony may conceivably be sufficiently volatile, but the expected molecular form is gaseous SbS, not the chloride. Arsenic and antimony compounds in the atmosphere will be regulated at very low levels by sulfide precipitation, irrespective of the planetary inventory of As and Sb. Thus the arguments for a volatile-deficient origin for Venus based on the depletion of water and mercury (relative to Earth) cannot be tested by a search for atmospheric arsenic or antimony.

Lewis, J. S.↗

NASA NTRS1981

An inventory of California's irrigated land

Currently in the fourth year of its applications pilot test project to assess irrigated lands for water management, California officials found that the performance goal of plus or minus 5% at the 95% confidence level by each of the state's 10 major hydrologic basins was bettered in all but a few cases using manual analysis techniques for estimation. The process used was photointerpretation of enlarged LANDSAT scenes (1:150,000 scale), adjusting the determined acreage using a regression estimator and ground truth data from 637 sample cells. Sample cells were allocated to areas stratified on the basis of field size and selected crop types. Interpretation of three dates of imagery was required to span the complete time during which irrigated crops are grown in California. The registration of multitemporal data and classification procedures for estimating irrigated land using digital techniques are being studied as part of the second task in the project.

Sawyer, G. B.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Combining LANDSAT MSS, aerial photographs and ground measurements to estimate rangeland productivity

The production of a vegetation map of over 2.2 million acres with detail down to the plant community level, and the production of estimates of rangeland productivity (pounds of usable forage per acre for cattle) for a 500,000 acre subset of area with a design goal for accuracy and precision of + or - 20% at the 80% confidence level, are considered. The data consist of five groups: maps of area, LANDSAT data, digital terrain data, large scale aerial photography, and ground plots. An outline of the data acquisition and data reduction schemes are presented.

Gialdini, M. J.↗

NASA NTRS1980

SPS cost methodology and sensitivities

A total solar power satellite is defined and costs for such a program estimated. The program is assumed to consist of a number of phases from initial research to the completed production unit. Each phase represents an increasing commitment of resources as confidence in the ultimate success of the program grows. The total cost of the program through the first full-scale unit is estimated to be slightly over 100 billion dollars. The subsequent units are estimated to cost an average of 11.5 billion dollars per unit.

Piland, R. O.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Calculation of guaranteed mean power from wind turbine generators

A method for calculating the 'guaranteed mean' power output of a wind turbine generator is proposed. The term 'mean power' refers to the average power generated at specified wind speeds during short-term tests. Correlation of anemometers, the method of bins for analyzing non-steady data, the PROP Code for predicting turbine power, and statistical analysis of deviations in test data from theory are discussed. Guaranteed mean power density for the Clayton Mod-OA system was found to be 8 watts per square meter less than theoretical power density at all power levels, with a confidence level of 0.999. This amounts to 4 percent of rated power.

Spera, D. A.↗

NASA NTRS1981

MOD-0 wind turbine dynamics test correlations

The behavior of the teetered, downwind, free yaw, MOD-0 wind turbine, as represented by NASA dynamic test data, was used to support confidence in the Hamilton Standard computer code simulations. Trim position, performance at trim, and teeter response as predicted by the computer codes were compared to test results. Using the computer codes, other possible configurations for MOD-0 were investigated. Several new test configurations are recommended for exploring free yaw behavior. It is shown that eliminating rotor tilt and optimizing cooling and blade twist can contribute to good free yaw behavior and stability. The effects of rotor teeter, teeter gravity balance, inflow and other physical and operating parameters were also investigated.

Brooks, B. M.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Software reliability: A comparison of results obtained from established software reliability models

Two models of the software error detection process are compared, the Jelinski-Moranda model and a Bayes inference model. Simulation techniques are used to generate software related system failure data which is analyzed by both models. Point estimates and confidence limits are compared. It is demonstrated that uncertainty may be considerable for reasonable samples sizes and should be considered in any application of these techniques. The Jelinski-Moranda model is sensitive to the failure of data to follow internal assumptions of the model, often not providing any point estimates, a factor which may limit its usefulness in many real world situations. The Bayes model is shown to respond to the introduction of additional errors in the software correction process, a condition where error counting models such as the Jelinski-Moranda generally fail to converge.

Horn, M. H.↗

NASA NTRS1981

AgRISTARS. Supporting research: MARS x-band scatterometer

The design, construction, and data collection procedures of the mobile agricultural radar sensor (MARS) x band scatterometer are described. This system is an inexpensive, highly mobile, truck mounted FM-CW radar operating at a center frequency of 10.2 GHz. The antennas, which allow for VV and VH polarizations, are configured in a side looking mode that allows for drive by data collection. This configuration shortens fieldwork time considerably while increasing statistical confidence in the data. Both internal calibration, via a delay line, and external calibration with a Luneberg lens are used to calibrate the instrument in terms of sigma(o). The radar scattering cross section per unit area, sigma(o), is found using the radar equation.

Ulaby, F. T.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Within-field variability of plant and soil parameters

The variability of ground truth data collected for vegetation experiments was investigated. Two fields of wheat and one field of corn were sampled on two different dates. The variability of crop and soil parameters within a field, between two fields of the same type, and within a field over time were compared statistically. The number of samples from each test site required in order to be able to determine with confidence the mean and standard deviations for a given variable was determined. Eight samples were found to be adequate for plant height determinations, while twenty samples were required for plant moisture and soil moisture characterization. Eighteen samples were necessary for detecting within field variability over time and for between field variability for the same crop. The necessary sample sites vary according to the physiological growth stage of the crop and recent weather events that affect the moisture and/or height characteristics of the field in question.

Ulaby, F. T.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Materials and structures/ACEE

Light weight composites made from graphite fibers, glass, or man made materials held in an epoxy matrix, and their application to airframe design are reviewed. The Aircraft Energy Efficiency program is discussed. Characteristics of composites, acceptable risks, building parts and confidence, and aeroelastic tailoring are considered.

Source record↗

NASA NTRS1982

Dynamic environments for space shuttle payloads

Payload bay dynamic data from the first two space shuttle flights are summarized and evaluated. Development of dynamic environment design and test criteria for shuttle payloads from measured flight data is discussed. Factors that must be considered are flight to flight variations, spatial variations, temporal variations, measurement bias errors and the degree of confidence desired that a predicted environment will not be exceeded in flight. Summary and conclusion reports will be published after STS-4 and at appropriate intervals thereafter. The nature of these future reports and their impact on the user community is discussed.

Kern, D. L.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Gamma-ray spectroscopy of the galactic center region: Confirmation of the time-variability of the positron annihilation line

The GSFC Low-Energy Gamma-Ray Spectrometer observed the region of the galactic center during a balloon flight from Alice Springs, Australia, on 1981 November 20. No significant excess over background was evident in the 511 keV annihilation line. A 98 percent confidence upper limit is derived for this line of 1.2 x .001 photons/sq. cm-s. Continuum emission was detected above 100 keV with a best-fitting power law spectrum.

Paciesas, W. S.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Analysis of non-interacting binaries with luminous cool primaries

High dispersion long wave redundant (LWR) spectra are analyzed for the differential velocity between hot and cool components of heretofore single lined spectroscopic binaries with late type giant or supergiant primaries. Cross correlation of a composite spectrum against early and late type standard stars yields relative velocities with an accuracy of 0.2 to 0.3 kms. When the orbit of the primay is known, the differential measurement from IUE gives the mass ratio of the system. Low dispersion short wave prime (SWP) and LWR flux spectra are used together with ground-based photometry to disentangle the composite energy distributions of the binaries. Temperatures of both components, their relative luminosities, and the reddening of the system are obtained. Assuming the hot secondaries to be main sequence stars, their probable luminosities and masses may be obtained from their temperatures. Then absolute magnitudes and masses may be obtained for the evolved primaries with more confidence than with existing techniques.

Parsons, S. B.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Environmental exposure effects on composite materials for commercial aircraft

The data base for composite materials' properties as they are affected by the environments encountered in operating conditions, both in flight and at ground terminals is expanded. Absorbed moisture degrades the mechanical properties of graphite/epoxy laminates at elevated temperatures. Since airplane components are frequently exposed to atmospheric moisture, rain, and accumulated water, quantitative data are required to evaluate the amount of fluids absorbed under various environmental conditions and the subsequent effects on material properties. In addition, accelerated laboratory test techniques are developed are reliably capable of predicting long term behavior. An accelerated environmental exposure testing procedure is developed, and experimental results are correlated and compared with analytical results to establish the level of confidence for predicting composite material properties.

Gibbons, M. N.↗