SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “directivity”

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.

SourceResearch connectionFrom yearThrough year

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

At least 793 records · Page 44

All sources NASA NTRS DOE OSTI

NASA NTRS1986

Direct detection of extra-solar planetary systems from the ground and space

This paper discusses recent work in the development of instrumentation used for the direct detection of planetary systems from ground-based and space-based observatories. Direct methods such as CCD coronagraphic imaging of nearby stars must overcome the large contrast differences between parent star and the circumstellar material. However, these methods have the advantage over indirect methods in that more advanced space-based direct detection instrumentation can lead to a significantly greater science return.

Terrile, R. J.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Measurements of Siple transmitter signals on the DE 1 satellite - Wave normal direction and antenna effective length

A new experimental technique is developed to simultaneously measure the wave propagation direction and the effective length of a small (L value much smaller than wavelength) electric dipole antenna on a spin-stabilized satellite in the magnetosphere. The technique relies on the near simultaneous measurement of single components of the electric and magnetic fields of a coherent VLF signal injected into the medium from a ground-based source. The spin fading characteristics of the signal received by the electric dipole and the magnetic loop antenna permit the measurement of the wave normal direction assuming whistler-mode propagation. In-situ and remote measurements of the local cold plasma density are used to determine the refractive index. The wave electric field is then inferred from the wave magnetic field as measured on the loop antenna, the refractive index and the direction of propagation. Comparing this electric field with the measured voltage across the dipole antenna leads to the determination of the effective length of the receiving electric dipole. The technique is applied to data from the Dynamics Explorer 1 satellite observations of whistler mode signals injected into the magnetosphere from the Siple, Antarctica, VLF transmitter. In one case, with the measured background cold plasma density being 15 el/cu cm, the effective length of the 200 m-long electric dipole antenna is found to be 222 + or - 56 m, i.e., about twice the conventional value.

Sonwalker, V. S.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Reverberation effects on directionality and response of stationary monopole and dipole sources in a wind tunnel

Analytical solutions for the three dimensional inhomogeneous wave equation with flow in a hardwall rectangular wind tunnel and in the free field are presented for a stationary monopole noise source. Dipole noise sources are calculated by combining two monopoles 180 deg out of phase. Numerical calculations for the modal content, spectral response and directivity for both monopole and dipole sources are presented. In addition, the effect of tunnel alterations, such as the addition of a mounting plate, on the tunnels reverberant response are considered. In the frequency range of practical importance for the turboprop response, important features of the free field directivity can be approximated in a hardwall wind tunnel with flow if the major lobe of the noise source is not directed upstream. However, for an omnidirectional source, such as a monopole, the hardwall wind tunnel and free field response are not comparable.

Baumeister, K. J.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Direct solar heating for Space Station application

Early investigations have shown that a large percentage of the power generated on the Space Station will be needed in the form of high-temperature thermal energy. The most efficient method of satisfying this requirement is through direct utilization of available solar energy. A system concept for the direct use of solar energy on the Space Station, including its benefits to customers, technologists, and designers of the station, is described. After a brief discussion of energy requirements and some possible applications, results of selective tradeoff studies are discussed, showing area reduction benefits and some possible configurations for the practical use of direct solar heating. Following this is a description of system elements and required technologies. Finally, an assessment of available contributive technologies is presented, and a Space Shuttle Orbiter flight experiment is proposed.

Simon, W. E.↗

NASA NTRS1986

The structure of galactic HI in directions of low total column density

A detailed 21 cm study of areas of that have the smallest known amount of HI in the northern sky was performed. These observations were corrected for stray radiation. The region of main interest, around alpha = 10(h)45(m), delta = 57 deg 20 arcmin, has a minimum N(HI) of 4.5 x 10 to the 19th power/sq cm. Spectra taken at 21 arcmin resolution over a field 4 x 3 deg in this direction show up to four HI line components. Two, near 0 and -50 km/s, are ubiquitous. There is also a narrow component at -10 km/s attributable to a diffuse cloud covering half of the field, and scattered patches of HI at v -100 km/s the low and intermediate velocity components have a broad line width and are so smoothly distributed across the region that it is unlikely that they contain significant unresolved angular structure. Eight other low column density directions were also observed. Their spectra typically have several components, but the total column density is always 7 x 10 to the 19th power/sq cm and changes smoothly along a 2 deg strip. Half of the directions show narrow lines arising from weak diffuse HI clouds that contain 0.5 to 3.0 x 10 to the 19th power/sq cm.

Lockman, F. J.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Directional reflectance response in AVHRR red and near-IR bands for three cover types and varying atmospheric conditions

Surface directional red and near-infrared reflectances of bare soil, orchard grass, and fescue were extracted from a multitemporal data set to correspond to NOAA-7 Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) scanning and illumination geometry at 30 deg latitude. Radiances were simulated at satellite altitude and a ratio vegetation index was calculated. The results show that off-nadir directional reflectance measured at the surface in the red and near-IR portions of the spectrum are approximately maintained with AVHRR viewing and illumination characteristics. The two-channel reflectance response is such that the ratio vegetation index is more constant with scan angle and atmospheric conditions than individual channels. It is shown that inclusion of atmospheric and surface reflectance data can greatly improve interpretation of AVHRR data, when knowledge of the range of atmospheric conditions and approximate directional reflectances of major cover types are known.

Holben, B.↗

NASA NTRS1986

A comparison of SIR-B directional ocean wave spectra with aircraft scanning radar spectra

Directional ocean wave spectra derived from Shuttle Imaging Radar-B (SIR-B) L-band imagery collected off the coast of Southern Chile on 11 and 12 October 1984 were compared with independent spectral estimates from two airborne scanning radars. In sea states with significant wave heights ranging from 3 to 5 meters, the SIR-B-derived sspectra at 18 deg and 25 deg off nadir yielded reasonable estimates of wavelengths, directions, and spectral shapes for all wave systems encountered, including a purely azimuth-traveling system. A SIR-B image intensity variance spectrum containing predominantly range-traveling waves closely resembles an independent aircraft estimate of the slope variance spectrum. The prediction of a U.S. Navy global spectral ocean wave model on 11 October 1984 exhibited no significant bias in dominant wave number but contained a directional bias of about 30 deg with respect to the mean of the aircraft and spacecraft estimates.

Beal, R. C.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Noise radiation directivity from a wind-tunnel inlet with inlet vanes and duct wall linings

The acoustic radiation patterns from a 1/15th scale model of the Ames 80- by 120-Ft Wind Tunnel test section and inlet have been measured with a noise source installed in the test section. Data were acquired without airflow in the duct. Sound-absorbent inlet vanes oriented parallel to each other, or splayed with a variable incidence relative to the duct long axis, were evaluated along with duct wall linings. Results show that splayed vans tend to spread the sound to greater angles than those measured with the open inlet. Parallel vanes narrowed the high-frequency radiation pattern. Duct wall linings had a strong effect on acoustic directivity by attenuating wall reflections. Vane insertion loss was measured. Directivity results are compared with existing data from square ducts. Two prediction methods for duct radiation directivity are described: one is an empirical method based on the test data, and the other is a analytical method based on ray acoustics.

Soderman, P. T.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Wind-driven surface transport in stratified closed basins Direct versus residual circulations

The wind-driven circulation in a moderately large, stratified basin Lake Tahoe, California-Nevada, is studied using a numerical model. Direct circulations, in which the current directions remain relatively constant and the mean circulation formed over several days resembles the instantaneous circulation, and residual circulations, in which the currents fluctuate continuously and the mean circulation is characterized by small net displacements of parcels after large oscillations, are found. The lake's double gyre, dominated by the large anticyclonic northern gyre, differs from the single cyclonic gyre reported for other stratified basins, and examination of the modeled vorticity budget in the surface layer shows that the curl of the wind stress must be included to obtain the observed direct double gyre circulation.

Strub, P. T.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Directional solidification of Bi-Mn alloys using an applied magnetic field

Off-eutectic compositions of Bi-Mn were directionally solidified in applied transverse magnetic fields up to 3 kG, to determine the effects on thermal and solutal convection. Plane front directional solidification of eutectic and near-eutectic Bi-Mn results in a two-phase rodlike morphology consisting of ferromagnetic MnBi rods in a Bi solid solution matrix. Compositions of either side of the eutectic were studied in growth orientations vertically up and down. Temperature gradient was monitored during growth by means of an in-situ thermocouple. For Bi-rich compositions, the magnetic field appeared to increase mixing as determined from thermal, morphological, chemical, and magnetic analyses. For Mn-rich compositions, morphological and chemical analyses suggest some reduction in mixing due to application of the magnetic force. The capability for carrying out directional solidification of Bi-Mn in high longitudinal magnetic fields was established.

Decarlo, J. L.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Mechanical property anisotropy in superalloy El-929 directionally solidified by an exothermic technique

Directional solidification (DS) of the nickel-based superalloy El-929 was carried out by employing the exothermic technique for preparing several 150 mm long x 55 mm diameter rods. Specimens machined from blanks cut at 0, 45, 75 and 90 deg to the chill surface were tensile and stress-rupture tested at different temperatures. The air-melted DS alloy, when loaded parallel to the growth direction, shows considerable improvement in stress-rupture life and tensile ductility as compared with the vacuum induction melted, forged and heat-treated alloy. However, these property advantages rapidly degrade with the increasing deviation of the load axis from the growth direction.

Pradhan, D. C.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Directional solidification and annealing of Mn55Al45 alloys

The use of directional solidification to produce aligned or magnetic microstructures for the MnAl alloy and the effect of annealing on the bulk magnetic properties of the alloy are investigated. The phase composition, cylindrically shaped magnetization, and room-temperature magnetization of the samples are analyzed. The microstructure of a directionally solidified Al-Mn alloy is characterized by a two-phase structure consisting of randomly-oriented Al-rich fibers of about 40 at. pct Al dispersed in a textureless matrix of about 50 at. pct Al; the matrix phase contains at least 50 wt pct of the metastable and ferrimagnetic tau-phase, and the Al-rich fibers as a precipitated Cr5Al8-type Al-Mn phase. Significant macrosegregation for the thermally stable growth-up orientation is detected. The data reveal that the annealing enhances the cell-like microstructure observed transverse of the solidification direction and increases remanent magnetization and intrinsic coercivity.

Pirich, Ronald G.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Relationship between directions of wave and energy propagation for cold plasma waves

The dispersion relation for plasma waves is considered in the 'cold' plasma approximation. General formulas for the dependence of the phase and group velocities on the direction of wave propagation with respect to the local magnetic field are obtained for a cold magnetized plasma. The principal cold plasma resonances and cut-off frequencies are defined for an arbitrary angle and are used to establish basic regimes of frequency where the cold plasma waves can propagate or can be evanescent. The relationship between direction of wave and energy propagation, for cold plasma waves in hydrogen atmosphere, is presented in the form of angle diagrams (angle between group velocity and magnetic field versus angle between phase velocity and magnetic field) and polar diagrams (also referred to as 'Friedrich's diagrams') for different directions of wave propagation. Morphological features of the diagrams as well as some critical angles of propagation are discussed.

Musielak, Zdzislaw E.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Effect of heat treatment on the fracture behaviour of directionally solidified (gamma/gamma-prime)-alpha alloy

An investigation is conducted into the influence of various heat treatments on the work of fracture and its relation to microstructure for a directionally solidified Ni-33Mo-5.7Al (wt pct) (gamma/gamma-prime)-alpha alloy. The jagged crack propagation observed is due to delamination of the ligaments and associated plastic deformation. Fracture behavior is examined with respect to alloy microstructures and load-deflection curves. The four heat-treatment conditions considered are: (1) as-directionally solidified, (2) solutionized, (3) directionally solidified and thermally cycled, and (4) solutionized and thermally cycled.

Sriramamurthy, A. M.↗

NASA NTRS1988

The use of direct solvers for compressible flow computations

The feasibility of using a vectorized direct solver for the compressible Euler and Navier-Stokes equations is examined for both single-grid and multi-grid strategies. A procedure is developed for comparing the computational effort required for the direct method with that of the vertical line Gauss-Seidel iteration scheme in order to provide a criteria for choosing between the two techniques. The direct method is shown to have a relatively wide range of application on a vector processor with large memory. Results for both inviscid and viscous test problems in two-dimensions are examined.

Riggins, David↗

NASA NTRS1988

Directivity of 100 keV-1 MeV photon sources in solar flares

Stereoscopic observations of 0.1-1.0 MeV photon sources in solar flares made with spectrometers aboard the ISEE 3 and PVO (Pioneer Venus Orbiter) have been analyzed to determine the directivity of the photon sources and its possible dependence on photon energy. During the period October 1, 1978-October 31, 1980, a total of 44 solar flares were observed simultaneously by the two instruments. Of these, 39 flares were in full view of both the instruments, the remaining five being partially occulted by the photosphere from the line of sight of at least one instrument. The view angles theta(P) and theta(I) of the PVO and ISEE 3 instruments with respect to the outward solar radius at the flare site varied from one flare to another and were in the range 9-88 deg. The difference between the two view angles varied from 1 deg to 66 deg. The observations of differential photon energy spectra averaged over more than about 16 s do not indicate any systematic directivity. In most flares the directivity of 0.1-1.0 MeV photon sources is found to be less than about 2.5.

Kane, S. R.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Distortions of perceived visual directions out of pictures

Two experiments are reported examining judgments from 16 subjects who indicated the apparent direction of a photographed pointer that was rotated to different physical positions while being photographed. The photographs themselves were rotated about a vertical axis to several positions with respect to the subjects' central viewing axis. The results replicate the well-known distortion in apparent direction associated with photographed pointers positioned to project directly out of the plane of the photograph. This effect has been described by Goldstein (1979) as the 'differential rotation effect' because its magnitude is reduced as the depicted angle of the pointer becomes less orthogonal to the photograph. Analysis of the two-dimensional properties of the projected images shows that this differential rotation is related to projected angles on the surface of the photograph. This analysis may explain why circular objects often do not appear to be correctly drawn in the periphery of geometrically correct projections.

Ellis, Stephen R.↗

NASA NTRS1987

The calculated influence of atmospheric conditions on solar cell ISC under direct and global solar irradiances

Calculations of the influence of atmospheric conditions on solar cell short-circuit current (Isc) are made using a recently developed computer model for solar spectral irradiance distribution. The results isolate the dependence of Isc on changes in the spectral irradiance distribution without the direct influence of the total irradiance level. The calculated direct normal irradiance and percent diffuse irradiance are given as a reference to indicate the expected irradiance levels. This method can be applied to the calibration of photovoltaic reference cells. Graphic examples are provided for amorphous silicon and monocrystalline silicon solar cells under direct normal and global normal solar irradiances.

Mueller, Robert L.↗