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At least 829 records · Page 46

Crystallization of calcia-gallia-silica glasses

A thermal image furance is presently used to study the critical cooling rate for glass formation, and the kinetics of crystallization, of the compositions 18.4CaO-(81.6-X)Ga2O3-XSiO2, where X = 3, 6, 9, and 13.8. Crystallization was studied nonisothermally, and the data were analyzed in light of the Avrami (1939) equation. Critical cooling rate and crystallization activation energy are both found to decrease with increasing silica content, and the results obtained by the present technique are noted to agree with those obtained on the basis of differential thermal analysis measurements.

Ray, C. S.↗

A comparison of four precise global positioning system geodetic receivers

Four precise global positioning system (GPS) geodetic receivers were operated simultaneously in January and February 1984 over ten baselines ranging in distance from 13 to 1304 km. Several of the baselines had been previously measured using very long baseline interferometry and, therefore, provide very good standards to which the satellite results can be compared. Results of these experiments are presented along with a brief description of each receiver and the associated analysis techniques.

Goad, C. C.↗

A First Look at Airborne Imaging Spectrometer (AIS) Data in an Area of Altered Volcanic Rocks and Carbonate Formations, Hot Creek Range, South Central Nevada

Three flight lines of Airborne Imaging Spectrometer (AIS) data were collected in 128 bands between 1.2 and 2.4 microns in the Hot Creek Range, Nevada on July 25, 1984. The flight lines are underlain by hydrothermally altered and unaltered Paleozoic carbonates and Tertiary rhyolitic to latitic volcanics in the Tybo mining district. The original project objectives were to discriminate carbonate rocks from other rock types, to distinguish limestone from dolomite, and to discriminate carbonate units from each other using AIS imagery. Because of high cloud cover over the prime carbonate flight line and because of the acquisition of another flight line in altered and unaltered volcanics, the study has been extended to the discrimination of alteration products. In an area of altered and unaltered rhyolites and latites in Red Rock Canyon, altered and unaltered rock could be discriminated from each other using spectral features in the 1.16 to 2.34 micron range. The altered spectral signatures resembled montmorillonite and kaolinite. Field samples were gathered and the presence of montmorillonite was confirmed by X-ray analysis.

Feldman, S. C.↗

DE 1 RIMS operational characteristics

The Retarding Ion Mass Spectrometer (RIMS) on the Dynamics Explorer 1 spacecraft observes both the thermal and superthermal (50 eV) ions of the ionosphere and inner magnetosphere. It is capable of measuring the detailed species distribution function of these ions in many cases. It was equipped with an integral electrometer to permit in-flight calibration of the detector sensitivities and variations thereof. A guide to understanding the RIMS data set is given. The reduction process from count rates to physical quantities is discussed in some detail. The procedure used to establish in-flight calibration is described, and results of a comparison with densities from plasma wave measurements are provided. Finally, a discussion is provided of various anomalies in the data set, including changes of channeltron efficiency with time, spin modulation of the axial sensor heads, apparent potential differences between the sensor heads, and failures of the radial head retarding potential sweep and of the -Z axial head aperture plane bias. Studies of the RIMS data set should be conducted only with a thorough awareness of the material presented here, or in collaboration with one of the scientists actively involved with RIMS data analysis.

Olsen, R. C.↗

The analysis of ocean optical data

A new oceanographic instrument to measure underwater optical, biological and physical properties simultaneously has been built and used extensively at sea. The Bio-Optical Profiling System (BOPS) was designed for the rapid acquisition of data to accommodate shipboard 'synoptic' sampling strategies, often in conjunction with concurrent aircraft and satellite sensors. The data rates and associated quantity of data from the BOPS are some orders of magnitude larger than those traditionally encountered in optical oceanography. The rapid acquisition of optical data in a wide range of environmental conditions requires new methodologies in ocean optical data analysis.

Smith, R. C.↗

Radiometric calibration of the Shuttle Imaging Radar (SIR-C) system

The radiometric calibration accuracy of the Shuttle Imaging Radar (SIR-C) sensor is discussed. The analysis includes the antenna, RF electronics, the digital data handling system, the platform attitude control, attitude determination accuracy, and orbit effects. The radiometric distortion of the image products by the ground processing system used for the image formation is also considered. Since the SIR-C system is a dual-frequency quad-polarized system (i.e., 8 channels), the amplitude and phase error is considered over all possible operating modes and environments for absolute and relative (long-term and short-term) calibration within a channel and across channels.

Curlander, John C.↗

Propfan test assessment testbed aircraft flutter model test report

The PropFan Test Assessment (PTA) program includes flight tests of a propfan power plant mounted on the left wind of a modified Gulfstream II testbed aircraft. A static balance boom is mounted on the right wing tip for lateral balance. Flutter analyses indicate that these installations reduce the wing flutter stabilizing speed and that torsional stiffening and the installation of a flutter stabilizing tip boom are required on the left wing for adequate flutter safety margins. Wind tunnel tests of a 1/9th scale high speed flutter model of the testbed aircraft were conducted. The test program included the design, fabrication, and testing of the flutter model and the correlation of the flutter test data with analysis results. Excellent correlations with the test data were achieved in posttest flutter analysis using actual model properties. It was concluded that the flutter analysis method used was capable of accurate flutter predictions for both the (symmetric) twin propfan configuration and the (unsymmetric) single propfan configuration. The flutter analysis also revealed that the differences between the tested model configurations and the current aircraft design caused the (scaled) model flutter speed to be significantly higher than that of the aircraft, at least for the single propfan configuration without a flutter boom. Verification of the aircraft final design should, therefore, be based on flutter predictions made with the test validated analysis methods.

Jenness, C. M. J.↗

Numerical studies of interacting vortices

To get a basic understanding of the physics of flowfields modeled by vortex filaments with finite vortical cores, systematic numerical studies of the interactions of two vortices and pairs of coaxial axisymmetric circular vortex rings were made. Finite difference solutions of the unsteady incompressible Navier-Stokes equations were carried out using vorticity and stream function as primary variables. Special emphasis was placed on the formulation of appropriate boundary conditions necessary for the calculations in a finite computational domain. Numerical results illustrate the interaction of vortex filaments, demonstrate when and how they merge with each other, and establish the region of validity for an asymptotic analysis.

Liu, G. C.↗

Rarefied aerodynamics and upper atmospheric flight results from the Orbiter High Resolution Accelerometer Package experiment

Data from the High Resolution Accelerometer Package (HiRAP) experiment on the Space Shuttle Orbiter have been analyzed for 10 flights to produce lift-drag (L/D) ratios in the free molecule, transition, and continuum flow flight regimes. Freestream density is also obtained in the altitude range from 60 km to 160 km using an aerodynamic model based upon earlier flight analysis of accelerometer data. The results of the L/D analysis of the latest four flights have been compared with the aerodynamic model developed from the first six HiRAP missions. The new data agree with the established flight-derived model, thereby validating earlier analysis. However, the arithmetic mean of the 10 flight-derived L/D values in the free molecular flow regime is 0.053 (+ or - 0.1) as compared to the initial value of 0.10 (+ or - 0.3), determined from STS-6. Updates to the Orbiter aerodynamic model values and calibration factors have been incorporated into the density calculations for all 10 flights to provide realistic absolute density. The derived density altitude profiles, which have been normalized to the U.S. Standard Atmosphere 1976, are characterized by a large amplitude wave pattern relative to the standard as seen in the initial flight analysis.

Blanchard, R. C.↗

Data compression experiments with LANDSAT thematic mapper and Nimbus-7 coastal zone color scanner data

A case study is presented where an image segmentation based compression technique is applied to LANDSAT Thematic Mapper (TM) and Nimbus-7 Coastal Zone Color Scanner (CZCS) data. The compression technique, called Spatially Constrained Clustering (SCC), can be regarded as an adaptive vector quantization approach. The SCC can be applied to either single or multiple spectral bands of image data. The segmented image resulting from SCC is encoded in small rectangular blocks, with the codebook varying from block to block. Lossless compression potential (LDP) of sample TM and CZCS images are evaluated. For the TM test image, the LCP is 2.79. For the CZCS test image the LCP is 1.89, even though when only a cloud-free section of the image is considered the LCP increases to 3.48. Examples of compressed images are shown at several compression ratios ranging from 4 to 15. In the case of TM data, the compressed data are classified using the Bayes' classifier. The results show an improvement in the similarity between the classification results and ground truth when compressed data are used, thus showing that compression is, in fact, a useful first step in the analysis.

Tilton, James C.↗

An approximate methods approach to probabilistic structural analysis

A probabilistic structural analysis method (PSAM) is described which makes an approximate calculation of the structural response of a system, including the associated probabilistic distributions, with minimal computation time and cost, based on a simplified representation of the geometry, loads, and material. The method employs the fast probability integration (FPI) algorithm of Wu and Wirsching. Typical solution strategies are illustrated by formulations for a representative critical component chosen from the Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) as part of a major NASA-sponsored program on PSAM. Typical results are presented to demonstrate the role of the methodology in engineering design and analysis.

Mcclung, R. C.↗

Chlorination processing of local planetary ores for oxygen and metallurgically important metals

The use of chlorine to extract, reclaim, and purify metals has attractive possibilities for extraterrestrial processing of local planetary resources. While a complete cyclic process has been proposed for the recovery of metallurgically significant metals and oxygen, herein the chlorination step of the cycle is examined. An experimental apparatus for reacting refractory materials, such as ilmenite, in a microwave induced plasma is being built. Complex equilibria calculations reveal that stable refractory materials can, under the influence of a plasma, undergo chlorination and yield oxygen as a by-product. These issues and the potential advantages for plasma processing in space are reviewed. Also presented is a discussion of the complex equilibria program used in the analysis.

Lynch, D. C.↗

Step voltage analysis for the catenoid lightning protection system

The main objective of the proposed overhead Catenoid Lightning Protection System (CLPS) is personnel safety. To ensure working personnel's safety in lightning situations, it is necessary that the potential difference developed across a distance equal to a person's pace (step voltage) does not exceed a separately established safe voltage in order to avoid electrocution (ventricular fibrillation) of humans. Therefore, the first stage of the analytical effort is to calculate the open circuit step voltage. An impedance model is developed for this purpose. It takes into consideration the earth's complex impedance behavior and the transient nature of the lightning phenomenon. In the low frequency limit, this impedance model is shown to reduce to results similar to those predicted by the conventional resistor model in a DC analysis.

Chai, J. C.↗

An improved shear beam method for the characterization of bonded composite joints

Closed-form analytical solutions, which govern the displacements and stresses in an adhesive shear beam, are discussed. The remarkable precision with which the shear stresses in the adhesive can be predicted forms the basis of the proposed characterization procedure. The shear modulus of the adhesive is obtained by means of a parameter estimation procedure which requires a symbiosis of theoretical and experimental stress analysis.

Hiel, Clem C.↗

Relevance of impacter shape to nonvisible damage and residual tensile strength of a thick graphite/epoxy laminate

A study was made to determine the relevance of impacter shape to nonvisible damage and tensile residual strength of a 36 mm thick graphite/epoxy motor case. The shapes of the impacters were as follows: 12.7 mm and 25.4 mm diameter hemispheres, a sharp corner, and a 6.3 mm diameter bolt-like rod. The investigation revealed that damage initiated when the contact pressure exceeded a critical level. However, the damage was not visible on the surface until an even higher pressure was exceeded. The impact energy to initiate damage or cause visible damage on the surface increased approximately with impacter diameter to the third power. The reduction in strength for nonvisible damage increased with increasing diameter, 9 and 30 percent for the 12.7 mm and 25.4 mm diameter hemispheres, respectively. The corner impacter made visible damage on the surface for even the smallest impact energy. The rod impacter acted like a punch and sliced through the composite. Even so, the critical level of pressure to initiate damage was the same for the rod and hemispherical impacters. Factors of safety for nonvisible damage increased with increasing kinetic energy of impact. The effects of impacter shape on impact force, damage size, damage visibility, and residual tensile strength were predicted quite well assuming Hertzian contact and using maximum stress criteria and a surface crack analysis.

Poe, Clarence C., Jr.↗

Fatigue mechanics - An assessment of a unified approach to life prediction

Consideration is given to the development of a total-life prediction methodology for aerospace structures based solely on crack propagation from a microstructural defect at stress concentrations. Crack-growth lives were calculated for a given loading condition by integrating the crack-growth-rate-against-delta K relationships for crack growth from a microstructural defect size to failure. Both small- and large-crack growth rate data were used. The assessment was based on data on 2024-T3 aluminum alloy, 2090-T8E41 aluminum-lithium alloy, annealed Ti-6Al-4V titanium alloy, and high-strength 4340 steel under either constant-amplitude or spectrum loading. Good agreement was found between fatigue lives measured on notched specimens with those computed from the total-life analysis.

Newman, J. C., Jr.↗

Application of piezoelectric devices to vibration suppression - From modeling and controller designs to implementation

Embedded piezoelectric devices may be ideally suited for vibration control of space structures, which lack an inertial ground. When subjected to an input voltage, an embedded piezoelectric actuator changes its dimensions, which in turn generates a pair of forces exerted on adjacent structural members. From the direct piezoelectric effect, an embedded piezoelectric transducer generates an electric charge proportional to the structural dynamic response. In this paper, the implementation, testing and modeling of an active truss structure consisting of piezoelectric sensors and actuators are described. Linear quadratic Gaussian (LQG), second-order, and direct rate feedback control schemes are designed to suppress the vibrations of the active structure. Simulation and test results are presented. It is shown that special model reduction considerations are required to achieve good correlation between test and analysis.

Won, Chin C.↗

The Telecommunications and Data Acquisition Report

Archival reports on developments in programs managed by JPL's Office of Telecommunications and Data Acquisition (TDA) are provided. In space communications, radio navigation, radio science, and ground-based radio and radar astronomy, it reports on activities of the Deep Space Network (DSN) in planning, in supporting research and technology, in implementation, and in operations. Also included is standards activity at JPL for space data and information. In the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI), the TDA Progress Report reports on implementation and operations for searching the microwave spectrum. Topics covered include tracking and ground-based navigation; communications, spacecraft-ground; station control and system technology; capabilities for new projects; network upgrade and sustaining; network operations and operations support; and TDA program management and analysis.

Posner, E. C.↗