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At least 775 records · Page 43

Holder For Shot Peening

Fixture delimits peened area precisely while boosting productivity. New fixture ensures small tolerances essential for turbine blades. Opens and closes quickly so finished part removed and new part inserted.

Coker, Bill E.↗

Erosion-Resistant Water-Blast Nozzle

Design of nozzle reduces erosion of orifice by turbulent high-pressure water flowing through it. Improved performance and resistance to erosion achieved by giving interior nozzle surface long, gradual convergence before exit orifice abrupt divergence after orifice and by machining surface to smooth finish.

Roberts, Marion L.↗

Shaping Plastic Covers Quickly And Cheaply

Fixture enables thermal forming of custom-contoured plastic covers in half hour. In assembled cover-forming fixture, spring-loaded plate presses plastic sheet toward baseplate. Finished covers stacked at left side of table.

Gurman, I.↗

Machining Thin-Walled Cylindrical Parts

Cylindrical walls only few thousandths of inch thick machined accurately and without tears or punctures with aid of beryllium copper mandrel. Chilled so it contracts, then inserted in cylinder. As comes to room temperature, mandrel expands and fits snugly inside cylinder. Will not allow part to slide and provides solid backup to prevent deflection when part machined by grinding wheel. When machining finished, cylinder-and-mandrel assembly inserted in dry ice, mandrel contracts and removed from part.

Cimbak, Joe↗

Wind tunnel model surface gauge for measuring roughness

The optical inspection of surface roughness research has proceeded along two different lines. First, research into a quantitative understanding of light scattering from metal surfaces and into the appropriate models to describe the surfaces themselves. Second, the development of a practical instrument for the measurement of rms roughness of high performance wind tunnel models with smooth finishes. The research is summarized, with emphasis on the second avenue of research.

Vorburger, T. V.↗

An update to the MITRE/WPI Space Shuttle Program GASCAN G-408

The objective of the MITRE/WPI Space Shuttle Program was to develop a set of scientific meaningful experiments that could be flown in a Get Away Special Canister. Currently, the first GASCAN is finished (G-408) and ready to be launched. The program has been so successful that the design and development of a second set of experiments was started (G-533). Both of these programs are described and summarized.

Looft, F. J.↗

Polyether-polyester graft copolymer

Described is a polyether graft polymer having improved solvent resistance and crystalline thermally reversible crosslinks. The copolymer is prepared by a novel process of anionic copolymerization. These polymers exhibit good solvent resistance and are well suited for aircraft parts. Previous aromatic polyethers, also known as polyphenylene oxides, have certain deficiencies which detract from their usefulness. These commercial polymers are often soluble in common solvents including the halocarbon and aromatic hydrocarbon types of paint thinners and removers. This limitation prevents the use of these polyethers in structural articles requiring frequent painting. In addition, the most popular commercially available polyether is a very high melting plastic. This makes it considerably more difficult to fabricate finished parts from this material. These problems are solved by providing an aromatic polyether graft copolymer with improved solvent resistance and crystalline thermally reversible crosslinks. The graft copolymer is formed by converting the carboxyl groups of a carboxylated polyphenylene oxide polymer to ionic carbonyl groups in a suitable solvent, reacting pivalolactone with the dissolved polymer, and adding acid to the solution to produce the graft copolymer.

Bell, Vernon L.↗

Nondestructive evaluation of structural ceramics

Research on nondestructive evaluation (NDE) of structural ceramics for heat engine applications is reviewed. Microfocus radiography and scanning laser acoustic microscopy are the NDE techniques highlighted. The techniques were applied to research samples of sintered silicon nitride and silicon carbide in the form of modulus-of-rupture (MOR) bars. The strength and limitations of the aforementioned techniques are given in terms of probablility of detection for voids in green and sintered MOR bars. Voids for this purpose were introduced by seeding green ceramic bars and characterizing each void in terms of its size, shape, location, and nature before and after sintering. The effects of material density, microstructure, surface finish, thickness, void depth, and size characteristics on detectability are summarized.

Vary, Alex↗

Surface fatigue life of CBN and vitreous ground carburized and hardened AISI 9310 spur gears

Spur gear surface endurance tests were conducted to investigate CBN ground AISI 9310 spur gears for use in aircraft applications, to determine their endurance characteristics and to compare the results with the endurance of standard vitreous ground AISI 9310 spur gears. Tests were conducted with VIM-VAR AISI 9310 carburized and hardened gears that were finish ground with either CBN or vitreous grinding methods. Test conditions were an inlet oil temeprature of 320 K (116 F), an outlet oil temperature of 350 K (170 F), a maximum Hertz stress of 1.71 GPa (248 ksi), and a speed of 10,000 rpm. The CBN ground gears exhibited a surface fatigue life that was slightly better than the vitreous ground gears. The subsurface residual stress of the CBN ground gears was approximately the same as that for the standard vitreous ground gears for the CBN grinding method used.

Townsend, Dennis P.↗

Thermoplastic coating of carbon fibers

Now that quantities of prepreg were made on the thermoplastic coating line, they are being formed into both textile preform structures and directly into composite samples. The textile preforms include both woven and knitted structures which will be thermoformed into a finished part. In order to determine if the matrix resin is properly adhering to the fibers or if voids are being formed in the coating process, the tensile strength and modulus of these samples will be tested. The matrix uniformity of matrix distribution in these samples is also being determined using an image analyzer.

Edie, D. D.↗

Evaluation of transfer films of Salox M on 440C for HPOTP bearing cage applications, task 119

The objective of the task was to evaluate the suitability of a bronze-filled polytetra fluoroethylene (Salox M) as the cage material in Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) high pressure oxygen turbo pump (HPOTP) bearings. The role of the cage pocket material will be to provide a transferred lubricating interface at the ball-race contact region. A series of experiments was conducted which involved block-on-ring tests (the block was the polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) -filled material and the ring was through-hardened 440C steel) and high speed traction tests of two 440C disks with one disk rubbed with a PTFE block to generate a transfer film. Measurements included post test visual observations of the condition of the 440C, wear rate measurements of the blocks, and traction measurements between the disks. It was observed that both Salox M and glass-filled PTFE (Armalon) transferred PTFE to 440C at cryogenic temperatures. Bronze is also transferred to uncoated 440C from the Salox M. At room temperature no PTFE transfer was observed in the high speed disk tests due to severe frictional heating, although bronze transfer still occurred with the bronze-PTFE Salox M material. Since the bearing will operate at cryogenic temperature, transfer films are very probable. Salox M wore slightly, although probably tolerably, more than glass-filled PTFE against 440C. However, Salox M is clearly less abrasive to 440C than is the glass-filled material. When the surface layer of PTFE is depleted from the glass-filled material, the glass fibers tend to seriously abrade the steel. This problem does not occur with Salox M. The surface roughness studies indicate that smooth balls are quite reasonable for transfer films. No significant difference in wear rates of the candidate cage materials was observed when the 440C surface finish was increased from 0.025 micron to 0.1 micron cla. At higher levels of roughness, the wear rate increased. Two surface coatings (MoS2 and TiN) were tested. The surface coatings tended to reduce the Salox M wear rate and reduce bronze transfer. PTFE transfer at cryogenic temperatures still occurred with the surface coatings. Two cage design concepts are presented utilizing Salox M material. One design involves a metal-reinforced Salox M cage, while the second design uses Salox M inserts in a metal structure.

Barber, S. A.↗

Surface fatigue and failure characteristics of hot-forged powder metal AISI 4620, AISI 4640, and machined AISI 4340 steel spur gears

Spur gear surface fatigue endurance tests were conducted to investigate hot forged powder metal AISI 4620 and 4640 steel for use as a gear material, to determine endurance characteristics and to compare the results with machined AISI 4340 and 9310 steel gear materials. The as-forged and unground AISI 4620 gear exhibited a 10 percent fatigue life that was approximately one-fourth of that for AISI 9310 and less than one-half that for the AISI 4340 gears. The forged and finish ground AISI 4620 gears exhibited a 10 percent life, approximately 70 percent that of AISI 9310 and slightly better than that of AISI 4340. The AISI 4640 hot forged gears had less fracture toughness and slightly less fatigue life than the AISI 4620 test gears.

Townsend, Dennis P.↗

Diffusion length measurement in bulk and epitaxially grown III-V semiconductors using charge collection microscopy

Diffusion lengths and surface recombination velocities were measured in GaAs diodes and InP finished solar cells. The basic technique used was charge collection microscopy, also known as electron beam induced current (EBIC). The normalized currents and distances from the pn junction were read directly from the calibrated curves obtained while using the line-scan mode in an SEM. These values were then equated to integral and infinite series expressions resulting from the solution of the diffusion equation with both extended-generation and point-generation functions. This expands previous work by examining both thin and thick samples. The surface recombination velocity was either treated as an unknown in a system of two equations or measured directly using low e(-) beam accelerating voltages. These techniques give accurate results by accounting for the effects of surface recombination and the finite size of the generation volume.

Leon, R. P.↗

A 'breadboard' biomass production chamber for CELSS

The Breadboard Project of the Controlled Ecological Life Support System (CELSS) Program is the first attempt by NASA to integrate the primary components of a bioregenerative life support system into a functioning system. The central component of this project is a Biomass Production Chamber (BPC). The BPC is under construction, and when finished will be sealed for the study of the flux of gases, liquids, and solids through the production module of a CELSS. Features of the CELSS breadboard facility will be covered as will design requirements for the BPC. Cultural practices developed for wheat for the BPC wil be discussed.

Prince, Ralph P.↗

Improved processing of alpha-SiC

Dry pressing/sintering, slurry pressing/sintering, and hot isostatic pressing have been investigated with a view to developing an optimum processing technique to produce high-strength SiC for high-temperature structural applications. A baseline strength of 348 MPa was achieved by dry pressing and sintering. When slurry pressing was used to minimize agglomerates in the powder, a baseline strength of 428 MPa was obtained. An additional improvement in strength (655 MPa) was obtained by hot isostatic pressing, which prevented the formation of critical flaws resulting from residual agglomerates in the powder. It is expected that surface finish, such as lapping, polishing, and heat treatment, may further improve the strength and Weibull modulus of hot isostatically pressed alpha-sic.

Dutta, Sunil↗

Localized coating removal using plastic media blasting

Steps taken to qualify the use of plastic media blasting for safely and effectively removing paint and other coatings from solid rocket booster aluminum structures are described. As a result of the effort, an improvement was made in the design of surface finishing equipment for processing flight hardware, in addition to a potentially patentable idea on improved plastic media composition. The general arrangement of the blast equipment and the nozzle configuration are presented.

Novak, Howard L.↗

Making and Inspecting Large Wire Grids

Old techniques refined and combined to make new polarizers. Equipment and procedures developed for fabrication and inspection of large, precisely-spaced, flat grids of wire. Technology includes refinements and combinations of established techniques for winding grids of electron tubes and ruling optical gratings and incorporates recent developments in electronic control and laser/electronic-based metrology. Wire wrapped on frame half translated under automatic control to achieve desired space between turns. Frame halves put together, and excess wire cut away, leaving finished grid mounted in frame. Useful as polarizers and beam splitters for electromagnetic radiation in overlapping ranges of long infrared and microwaves.

Magner, Thomas J.↗

Attaching Precise Mirrors To Lightweight Supports

Mirrors formed on optical masters and glued in place. Technique forms precise mirror surfaces on lightweight, rigid, imprecise graphite-composite substrates. Resembles that used to make lightweight replica mirrors and gratings. Layer of parting material deposited on master optical surface of precise desired shape. Parting layer must be very thin to minimize degradation of replica. Enables fabrication of lightweight mirrors of high surface finish suitable for use at short wavelengths.

Meinel, Aden B.↗