SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “Conditional rate functions”

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 847 records · Page 47

All sources NASA NTRS DOE OSTI

DOE OSTI2018

Interannual variations in needle and sapwood traits of Pinus edulis branches under an experimental drought

Abstract In the southwestern USA , recent large‐scale die‐offs of conifers raise the question of their resilience and mortality under droughts. To date, little is known about the interannual structural response to droughts. We hypothesized that piñon pines ( Pinus edulis ) respond to drought by reducing the drop of leaf water potential in branches from year to year through needle morphological adjustments. We tested our hypothesis using a 7‐year experiment in central New Mexico with three watering treatments (irrigated, normal, and rain exclusion). We analyzed how variation in “evaporative structure” (needle length, stomatal diameter, stomatal density, stomatal conductance) responded to watering treatment and interannual climate variability. We further analyzed annual functional adjustments by comparing yearly addition of needle area ( LA ) with yearly addition of sapwood area ( SA ) and distance to tip ( d ), defining the yearly ratios SA : LA and SA : LA / d . Needle length ( l ) increased with increasing winter and monsoon water supply, and showed more interannual variability when the soil was drier. Stomatal density increased with dryness, while stomatal diameter was reduced. As a result, anatomical maximal stomatal conductance was relatively invariant across treatments. SA : LA and SA : LA / d showed significant differences across treatments and contrary to our expectation were lower with reduced water input. Within average precipitation ranges, the response of these ratios to soil moisture was similar across treatments. However, when extreme soil drought was combined with high VPD , needle length, SA : LA and SA : LA / d became highly nonlinear, emphasizing the existence of a response threshold of combined high VPD and dry soil conditions. In new branch tissues, the response of annual functional ratios to water stress was immediate (same year) and does not attempt to reduce the drop of water potential. We suggest that unfavorable evaporative structural response to drought is compensated by dynamic stomatal control to maximize photosynthesis rates.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2016

Impulsive Control for Continuous-Time Markov Decision Processes: A Linear Programming Approach

In this paper, we investigate an optimization problem for continuous-time Markov decision processes with both impulsive and continuous controls. We consider the so-called constrained problem where the objective of the controller is to minimize a total expected discounted optimality criterion associated with a cost rate function while keeping other performance criteria of the same form, but associated with different cost rate functions, below some given bounds. Our model allows multiple impulses at the same time moment. The main objective of this work is to study the associated linear program defined on a space of measures including the occupation measures of the controlled process and to provide sufficient conditions to ensure the existence of an optimal control.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

DOE OSTI2026

Qualifying LaBr3:Ce+Sr detector performance for the Mu2e experiment at Fermilab Using the ELBE Accelerator

A LaBr3:Ce+Sr detector will be used to measure the stopped muon captures at the Mu2e experiment at Fermilab. It has been benchmarked in a test beam experiment performed at the ELBE electron accelerator located at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Germany. ELBE’s pulsed bremsstrahlung beam line was set to deliver an average γ -ray energy of between 4–5 MeV. The detector response was mapped to match Mu2e beam conditions, including rates up to 1 Mcps, energy flux, and time structure. A radioactive calibration source was used to mimic the characteristic 1808.7 keV γ -ray, emitted during the atomic muon nuclear capture in the Mu2e aluminum stopping target. The detector energy resolution was measured as a function of the average energy flux: up to 1 TeV/s for 0.34 s, the steady-operation beam-on time and up to 4 TeV/s for 5 ms to get a conservative estimate of the effect of high intensity Mu2e beam fluctuations. The PMT gain variation as a function of the beam spill length and average intensity has been parametrized and corrected for. When a PMT gain correction corresponding to the average beam-spill intensity is applied, the residual effect of beam intensity fluctuations around the average degrades the energy resolution, σ E γ /E γ , at 1808.7 keV from 0.66% to 0.83%.

Huang, Shihua [Purdue U., West Lafayette]↗

DOE OSTI2019

On the propagation of electrodynamic waves along a wire by A. Sommerfeld

This is a translation of a classic paper of Arnold Sommerfeld published in 1899. It reflected the first rigorous theory of waves traveling on a resistive wire of finite radius. General solutions inside and outside the wire are written in terms of Bessel functions, and the boundary condition at the surface is well approximated by a transcendental equation. A detailed analysis of the equation demonstrates that surface waves are supported, which decay exponentially with the radial distance from the wire. The propagation velocity, less than c, and the longitudinal damping rate are related to the material properties of the wire. An historical overview of related work, on surface waves and open waveguides, is given by the translator.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

DOE OSTI2017

Time characteristics of detectors based on silicon photomultipliers for the GlueX experiment

Here, silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs) are used in detectors of the GlueX experiment devoted to studying the nature of confinement. These detectors are operable at counting rates as high as 2 MHz with a time resolution (FWHM) of approximately 0.3 ns and a number of excited pixels of up to 10 4 . For SiPMs that operate under these conditions, the measured dependences of the recovery time and the time resolution are presented as functions of the number of excited pixels and the excitation frequency. Using a picosecond laser, the time resolution has been measured for an array of 4 × 4 SiPMs, which was specially developed for the experiment.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

DOE OSTI2022

Understanding the tool influence function during sub-aperture belt-on-wheel glass polishing

The tool influence function (TIF) during sub-aperture belt-on-wheel polishing has been evaluated as a function of various process conditions (belt use/wear, dwell time, displacement, belt velocity, and wheel modulus and diameter) on fused silica glass workpieces using C e O 2 polishing media. TIF spots are circular or elliptical in shape with a largely flat bottom character. Furthermore, the volumetric removal rate varies significantly with belt use (or wear), stabilizing after ~ 15 m i n of use. A modified Preston model, where the pressure dependence is adjusted using a different scaling of the wheel modulus ( E w 0.5 ), largely predicts the volumetric removal rate over the range of process conditions evaluated. The relatively high volumetric removal rate of 30 - 60 m m 3 / h using a fixed C e O 2 -in-resin-host belt offers a rapid, and hence, more economical, initial polish of aspheric and freeform optics.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

DOE OSTI2014

Performance Verification of Production-Scalable Energy-Efficient Solutions: Winchester/Camberley Homes Mixed-Humid Climate

Winchester/Camberley Homes with the Building America program and its NAHB Research Center Industry Partnership collaborated to develop a new set of high performance home designs that could be applicable on a production scale. The new home designs are to be constructed in the mixed humid climate zone four and could eventually apply to all of the builder's home designs to meet or exceed future energy codes or performance-based programs. However, the builder recognized that the combination of new wall framing designs and materials, higher levels of insulation in the wall cavity, and more detailed air sealing to achieve lower infiltration rates changes the moisture characteristics of the wall system. In order to ensure long term durability and repeatable successful implementation with few call-backs, this report demonstrates through measured data that the wall system functions as a dynamic system, responding to changing interior and outdoor environmental conditions within recognized limits of the materials that make up the wall system. A similar investigation was made with respect to the complete redesign of the heating, cooling, air distribution, and ventilation systems intended to optimize the equipment size and configuration to significantly improve efficiency while maintaining indoor comfort. Recognizing the need to demonstrate the benefits of these efficiency features, the builder offered a new house model to serve as a test case to develop framing designs, evaluate material selections and installation requirements, changes to work scopes and contractor learning curves, as well as to compare theoretical performance characteristics with measured results.

2X6 WALLS↗

DOE OSTI2022

Implications of Microstructure in Helium-Implanted Nanocrystalline Metals

Helium bubbles are known to form in nuclear reactor structural components when displacement damage occurs in conjunction with helium exposure and/or transmutation. If left unchecked, bubble production can cause swelling, blistering, and embrittlement, all of which substantially degrade materials and—moreover—diminish mechanical properties. On the mission to produce more robust materials, nanocrystalline (NC) metals show great potential and are postulated to exhibit superior radiation resistance due to their high defect and particle sink densities; however, much is still unknown about the mechanisms of defect evolution in these systems under extreme conditions. Here, the performances of NC nickel (Ni) and iron (Fe) are investigated under helium bombardment via transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Bubble density statistics are measured as a function of grain size in specimens implanted under similar conditions. While the overall trends revealed an increase in bubble density up to saturation in both samples, bubble density in Fe was over 300% greater than in Ni. To interrogate the kinetics of helium diffusion and trapping, a rate theory model is developed that substantiates that helium is more readily captured within grains in helium-vacancy complexes in NC Fe, whereas helium is more prone to traversing the grain matrices and migrating to GBs in NC Ni. Our results suggest that (1) grain boundaries can affect bubble swelling in grain matrices significantly and can have a dominant effect over crystal structure, and (2) an NC-Ni-based material can yield superior resistance to irradiation-induced bubble growth compared to an NC-Fe-based material and exhibits high potential for use in extreme environments where swelling due to He bubble formation is of significant concern.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

NASA NTRS1974

Investigation of the effect of hub support parameters on two-bladed rotor oscillatory loads

The results are presented of a test program and analysis to investigate the effects of inplane hub support parameters on the oscillatory chordwise loads of a two-bladed teetering rotor. The test program was conducted in two phases. The first consisted of a shake test to define the impedance of a number of test configurations as a function of frequency. The second phase was the test of these configurations in the NASA-Langley transonic dynamics tunnel. The test showed that the one-per-rev inplane bending moments could be changed by a factor of 2.0 as a function of the pylon configuration at the same aerodynamic operating condition. The higher harmonic inplane, flapwise, and torsional bending moments, and pitch link axial loads were not affected by changes in inplane hub impedance. The maximum inplane loads occurred for the pylon configuration with the minimum spring rate and maximum inertia.

Lee, C. D.↗

NASA NTRS1975

Synchronous Meteorological Satellite spin testing

The end-to-end spin tests conducted on the Synchronous Meteorological Satellite are described in detail. It is noted that the objective of these tests was to demonstrate that the satellite performed its intended functions under spinning conditions and that all satellite functions were tested except for solar-panel illumination, pyrotechnic-device operation, VISSR infrared operation, and auxiliary propulsion-system operation. Tests discussed include antenna pointing, S-band and UHF equivalent isotropic radiated power, output-power ripple, bit error rate, synchronous electromagnetic interference, earth width measurement, and satellite magnetic-field measurement. The purpose, technique, salient results, and problems of each test are outlined.

Mcbrady, D. J.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Low cost silicon solar array project silicon materials task: Establishment of the feasibility of a process capable of low-cost, high volume production of silane (step 1) and the pyrolysis of silane to semiconductor-grade silicon (step 2)

Extended operation of a small process-development unit routinely produced high quality silane in 97+% yield from dichlorosilane. The production rate was consistent with design loadings for the fractionating column and for the redistribution reactor. A glass fluid-bed reactor was constructed for room temperature operation. The behavior of a bed of silcon particles was observed as a function of various feedstocks, component configurations, and operating conditions. For operating modes other than spouting, the bed behaved in an erratic and unstable manner. A method was developed for casting molten silicon powder into crack-free solid pellets for process evaluation. The silicon powder was melted and cast into thin walled quartz tubes that sacrificially broke on cooling.

Breneman, W. C.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Heating due to the 9.6 micron ozone band in an inhomogeneous atmosphere - A new approximation

The Curtis-Godson (1953) method, when applied to the 9.6-micron ozone band, yields large errors. Kuriyan et al. (1977) suggested a method improving this result and yet retaining the analytic simplicity of the transmission function. In this paper, the analytic form of the derivative of the transmission function is obtained and then the heating rates are calculated with the new approximation. The errors in this case are negligibly small. Algebraic manipulation enables the reduction of this approximation to a form similar to that proposed by Goody (1964). This procedure permits interpretation of the boundary conditions in physical terms.

Kuriyan, J. G.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Blood circulation under conditions of weightlessness

Experimental materials and published data on the problem of blood circulation in man and animals under conditions of short and long term weightlessness are summarized. The data obtained allow the conclusion, that when humans spent 5 days in a weightless state their blood circulation was not essentially distributed. Some features of the functioning of the cardiovascular system are pointed out: delay of adaptation rate, increase in lability, etc. There is a discussion of the physiological mechanisms for the direct and indirect effect of weightlessness. The direct effect comprise the complex of reactions caused by the significant fall in hydrostatic pressure and the indirect embraces all the reactions arising in the organism resulting from disturbance of the systematic character of the analyzers that take part in the analysis of space realtions and the body's orientation in space.

Kastyan, I. I.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Thermal-mechanical fatigue crack growth in Inconel X-750

Thermal-mechanical fatigue crack growth (TMFCG) was studied in a gamma-gamma' nickel base superalloy Inconel X-750 under controlled load amplitude in the temperature range from 300 to 650 C. In-phase (T sub max at sigma sub max), out-of-phase (T sub min at sigma sub max), and isothermal tests at 650 C were performed on single-edge notch bars under fully reversed cyclic conditions. A dc electrical potential method was used to measure crack length. The electrical potential response obtained for each cycle of a given wave form and R value yields information on crack closure and crack extension per cycle. The macroscopic crack growth rates are reported as a function of delta k and the relative magnitude of the TMFCG are discussed in the light of the potential drop information and of the fractographic observations.

Marchand, N.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Extensions of the Ritz-Galerkin method for the forced, damped vibrations of structural elements

The Ritz-Galerkin methods were used to obtain approximate solutions for free undamped, vibration problems. It is demonstrated that these same methods may be used straightforwardly to analyze forced vibrations with damping without requiring the free vibration eigenfunctions. It was shown that the Galerkin method is an effective technique for these types of problems. The Ritz method has the advantage that it does not need to satisfy the force-type boundary conditions, which is particularly important for plates and shells. Proper functionals representing the forcing and damping terms were developed. Two types of damping--viscous and material (hysteretic) are discussed. Distributed and concentrated exciting forces are treated. Numerical results are obtained for cantilevered beams and rectangular plates. The rates of convergence of the solutions are shown. Approximate solutions from the present methods are compared with the exact solutions for the cantilever beam.

Leissa, A. W.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Thermal-mechanical fatigue crack growth in Inconel X-750

Thermal-mechanical fatigue crack growth (TMFCG) was studied in a 'gamma-gamma' nickel base superalloy Inconel X-750 under controlled load amplitude in the temperature range from 300 to 650 C. In-phase (T sub max at sigma sub max), out-of-phase (T sub min at sigma sub max), and isothermal tests at 650 C were performed on single-edge notch bars under fully reversed cyclic conditions. A dc electrical potential method was used to measure crack length. The electrical potential response obtained for each cycle of a given wave form and R value yields information on crack closure and crack extension per cycle. The macroscopic crack growth rates are reported as a function of delta k and the relative magnitude of the TMFCG are discussed in the light of the potential drop information and of the fractographic observations.

Marchand, N.↗

NASA NTRS1999

An Additive to Improve the Wear Characteristics of Perfluoropolyether Based Greases

The friction and wear characteristics of two formulated perfluoropolyether based greases were compared to their non-additive base greases. One grease was developed for the electronics industry (designated as GXL-296A) while the other is for space applications (designated as GXL-320A). The formulated greases (GXL-296B and GXL-320B) contained a proprietary antiwear additive at an optimized concentration. Tests were conducted using a vacuum four-ball tribometer. AISI 52100 steel specimens were used for all GXL-296 tests. Both AISI 52100 steel and 440C stainless steel were tested with the GXL-320 greases. Test conditions included: a pressure less than 6.7 x 10(exp )-4 Pa, a 200N load, a sliding velocity of 28.8 mm/sec (100 rpm) and room temperature (approximately equal to 23 C). Wear rates for each grease were determined from the slope of the wear volume as a function of sliding distance. Both non-additive base greases yielded relatively high wear rates on the order of 10(exp -8) cu mm using AISI 52100 steel specimens. Formulated grease GXL-296B yielded a reduction in wear rate by a factor of approximately 21, while grease GXL-320B had a reduction of approximately 12 times. Lower wear rates (-50%) were observed with both GXL-320 greases using 440C stainless steel. Mean friction coefficients were slightly higher for both formulated greases compared to their base greases. The GXL-296 series (higher base oil viscosity) yielded much higher friction coefficients compared to their GXL-320 series (lower base oil viscosity) counterparts.

Jones, David G. V.↗

NASA NTRS2006

In-Situ Crystallization of a Lithium Disilicate Glass--Effect of Pressure on Crystal Growth Rate

Crystallization of a Li2O.2SiO2 (LS2) glass subjected to a uniform hydrostatic pressure of 4.5 GPa and 6 GPa was investigated up to a temperature of 750 C. The density of the compressed glass is about 2% greater at 4.5 GPa than at 1 atm and, depending upon the processing temperature, up to 10% greater at 6 GPa. Crystal growth rates investigated as a function of temperature and pressure show that lithium disilicate crystal growth is an order of magnitude slower at 4.5 GPa than 1 atm resulting in a shift of +45 C (plus or minus 10 C) in the growth rate curve at high pressure compared to 1 atm condition. At 6 GPa lithium disilicate crystallization is suppressed entirely, while a new high pressure lithium metasilicate crystallizes at temperatures 95 C (plus or minus 10 C) higher than those reported for lithium disilicate crystallization at 1 atm. The decrease in crystal growth rate with increasing pressure for lithium disilicate glass up to 750 C is related to an increase in viscosity with pressure associated with fundamental changes in glass structure accommodating densification.

Fuss, T.↗