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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.

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At least 847 records · Page 47
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1974

Fluid flow effects on crystalline perfection

Optimum solidification parameters for the production of highly perfect copper crystals by Czochralski growth are sought along with the documentation of crystal imperfections under various growth conditions. X-ray techniques which do not in their application produce defects and which allow the characterization of imperfections in single crystals are chosen to assess crystal perfection. The X-ray techniques employed ranged from ordinary Laue photography through Borrmann topography to double-crystal scanning diffractometry, thus allowing crystals with a wide variation in perfection to be studied. As a set of controllable solidification parameters, the rotation of the seed and of the melt and the diameter of the bottleneck are chosen. X-ray diffraction topographs are analyzed along with the data obtained from rocking curve measurements. Tables of growth conditions and quantitative data of rocking curve widths are presented.

Kuriyama, M.↗
NASA NTRS1972

The SAS-D nutation control system

A control law is developed for the SAS-D nutation control system. Nutation is removed in a sub-optimal manner with respect to fuel consumed, but attitude errors are minimized. The research performed consist of an investigation of nutation theory and nutation due to energy dissipation, nutation detection analysis, nutation control analysis, and error analysis. The resulting nutation control system uses an accelerometer or rate gyro to sense the nutation angle theta which varies sinusoidally at the nutation frequency omega. The sensed nutation angle is compared with a threshold theta sub tau. If the sensed nutation is greater, a thrust pulse of duration equal to the period of one spin cycle is initiated. Since the threshold theta sub tau is set equal to the amount of nutation that can be removed by one thrust pulse of duration equal to one spin cycle, the spacecraft nutation is reduced to near zero. Error analysis indicates that the nutation sensed, the threshold, the amount of nutation that can be removed during one thrust pulse, and the time duration of one thrust pulse are all sensitive to the spacecraft spin frequency imparted by the Delta rocket. Thus, the nutation control system was designed to be adaptive to the possible variations in imparted spin frequency.

Taylor, J. M.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Standardized multiple output power supply

A comprehensive program to develop a prototype model of a standardized multiple output power supply for use in space flight applications is described. The prototype unit was tested and evaluated to assure that the design would provide near optimum performance for the planned application. The prototype design used a dc-to-dc converter incorporating reqenerative current feedback with a time-ratio controlled duty cycle to achieve high efficiency over a wide variation of input voltage and output loads. The packaging concept uses a mainframe capable of accommodating up to four inverter/regulator modules with one common input filter and housekeeping module. Each inverter/regulator module provides a maximum of 100 watts or 10 amperes. Each module is adaptable to operate at any voltage between 4.0 volts and 108 volts. The prototype unit contains +5, + or - 15 and +28 volt modules.

Ragusa, E. V.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Development of a spectroscopic photoelectric imaging Fabry-Perot interferometer preliminary observational results

In order to observe extended astronomical objects at high spatial and spectral resolution, a spectroscopic photoelectric imaging Fabry-Perot interferometer was constructed. Among the properties chosen for the instrument are an air-spaced, piezoelectrically scanned design allowing an accurately settable free spectral range and employing a single etalon of high finesse. Careful design of the etalon mountings and optical train preserves high ligh throughput. Spectra of single spatial elements with a photomultiplier were obtained, and an SEC vidicon detector was used to record a series of images through the interferometer while scanning the wavelength in discrete steps. The latter procedure yields sufficient information to reconstruct spectral features over the entire object, and for the conditions assumed, either series of observations requires only a small fraction of a rotational period for Jupiter or Saturn. An electronic control system was also constructed which permits rapid and flexible variation of the operational mode of the Fabry-Perot and its ancilliary devices so as to minimize loss of observational time.

Smith, W. H.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Wind Tunnel Generation of Sinusoidal Lateral and Longitudinal Gusts by Circulation of Twin Parallel Airfoils

A gust generator capable of producing sinusoidal lateral and longitudinal gusts was developed for the purpose of studying the gust response of a model rotor-propeller in a wind tunnel. The gust generator utilized harmonic circulation control of twin parallel airfoils to achieve the harmonic lift variation required for gust generation. The gust generator design, construction, and testing is described. Typical test results are presented in the form of lateral and longitudinal gust perturbation velocities as a function of generator reduced frequency.

Ham, N. D.↗
NASA NTRS1974

The solar wind and magnetospheric dynamics

The dynamic processes involved in the interaction between the solar wind and the earth's magnetosphere are reviewed. The evolution of models of the magnetosphere is first surveyed. The existence of the auroral substorm and the cyclical polar magnetic substorm is evidence that the magnetosphere is a dynamic system. The dynamic changes occurring in the magnetosphere, including erosion of the magnetopause, changes in the size of the polar cap, variations in the flaring angle of the tail, neutral point formation, plasma sheet motions, and the inward collapse of the midnight magnetosphere, are discussed. The cyclical variations of geomagnetic activity are explained in terms of the control of the solar wind-magnetosphere interaction by the north-south component of the interplanetary magnetic field. Present phenomenological models allow prediction of geomagnetic activity from interplanetary measurements, but modeling of detailed magnetospheric processes is still in its infancy.

Russell, C. T.↗
NASA NTRS1980

A Study of Panel Loads and Centers of Pressure of Three Different Cruciform Aft-Tail Control Surfaces of a Wingless Missile from Mach 1.60 to 3.70

An investigation was made of the forces and moments on the cruciform aft-tail control surfaces of a wingless missile model to determine the variation of panel load and center of pressure with angle of attack, tail deflection, model roll angle, and Mach number. Also, a limited force-moment and surface-pressure investigation was made on a noncircular aft end. These investigations were made in a unitary plan wind tunnel at Mach numbers of 1.60, 2.36, and 3.70 and at a Reynolds number per meter of 6,600,000. The cruciform aft-tail results indicate very little variation in the center of pressure for the highly loaded windward tail. The noncircular aft-end test results indicate no significant effect of the fin unporting on the fin loads.

Lamb, M.↗
NASA NTRS1980

An application of extremal field guidance in statistical low thrust guidance analysis

The subject of this paper is the application of extremal field guidance to the covariance analysis of low thrust retargeting guidance. The general procedure for low thrust navigation analysis is briefly reviewed. The basic equations of trajectory optimization and extremal field guidance are presented with emphasis on the low thrust problem. The adopted formulation includes thruster on-off times as control variables and accounts for the effects of model parameter variations. A method of solution of the guidance equations is outlined; and the application of the solution in a covariance analysis, including a procedure for the treatment of model parameter variations as either biases or first order Gauss-Markov stochastic processes, is discussed.

Jacobson, R. A.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Performance analysis and simulation of the SPS reference phase control system

The major elements required in the operation of an SPS which employs retrodirectivity as a means of pointing the beam to Earth include the spacetenna, the rectenna, and the pilot signal transmitter. The phase control system is faced with several problems: (1) path delay variations due to imperfect SPS circular orbits; (2) ionospheric effects; (3) initial phase beam forming; (4) beam pointing; (5) beam safing; (6) high power phase noise effects; and (7) interference. The use of SOLARISM, a computer program to select pilot signal parameters and evaluate SPS performance is described.

Lindsey, W. C.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Acoustic Emissions Reveal Combustion Conditions

Turbulent-flame acoustic emissions change with air/fuel ratio variations. Acoustic emissions sensed and processed to detect inefficient operation; control system responds by adjusting fuel/air mixture for greater efficiency. Useful for diagnosis of combustion processes and fuel/air control.

Ramohalli, D. N. R.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Voyager 2 plasma ion observations in the magnetosphere of Uranus

Positive ion measurements in the magnetosphere of Uranus have been made by the Voyager 2 plasma science experiment. The paper presents an overview of the entire data set and a detailed analysis of the observations from the inner magnetosphere which complements and extends results reported elsewhere. Densities and temperatures are obtained from an analysis which incorporates details of the instrumental response. These results are then used to calculate flux tube particle and energy content to support the hypothesis that the plasma transport is controlled by a solar wind-driven magnetospheric convection system. Variations in the flux tube content suggest both a local source of plasma, produced from the neutral hydrogen corona of Uranus, and a nonlocal source, convected inwared and heated by adiabatic compression. In each case a proton composition is inferred. Sharp boundaries in the high-energy (approximately 1 keV) plasma population are interpreted in terms of the spatial extent of the magnetospheric convection, with significant shielding of the convection electric field. The convection theory is also used in a simulation of the low-energy (approximately 10 eV) ion component using the neutral hydrogen source, resulting in distribution functions which qualitatively agree with the observations.

Selesnick, Richard S.↗
NASA NTRS1990

High-frequency ac power distribution in Space Station

A utility-type 20-kHz ac power distribution system for the Space Station, employing resonant power-conversion techniques, is presented. The system converts raw dc voltage from photovoltaic cells or three-phase LF ac voltage from a solar dynamic generator into a regulated 20-kHz ac voltage for distribution among various loads. The results of EASY5 computer simulations of the local and global performance show that the system has fast response and good transient behavior. The ac bus voltage is effectively regulated using the phase-control scheme, which is demonstrated with both line and load variations. The feasibility of paralleling the driver-module outputs is illustrated with the driver modules synchronized and sharing a common feedback loop. An HF sinusoidal ac voltage is generated in the three-phase ac input case, when the driver modules are phased 120 deg away from one another and their outputs are connected in series.

Tsai, Fu-Sheng↗
NASA NTRS1989

Theory and observations: Model simulations of the period 1955-1985

The main objective of the theoretical studies presented here is to apply models of stratospheric chemistry and transport in order to understand the processes that control stratospheric ozone and that are responsible for the observed variations. The model calculations are intended to simulate the observed behavior of atmospheric ozone over the past three decades (1955-1985), for which there exists a substantial record of both ground-based and, more recently, satellite measurements. Ozone concentrations in the atmosphere vary on different time scales and for several different causes. The models described here were designed to simulate the effect on ozone of changes in the concentration of such trace gases as CFC, CH4, N2O, and CO2. Changes from year to year in ultraviolet radiation associated with the solar cycle are also included in the models. A third source of variability explicitly considered is the sporadic introduction of large amounts of NO sub x into the stratosphere during atmospheric nuclear tests.

Isaksen, Ivar S. A.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Large shield volcanos on Venus: The effect of neutral buoyancy zone development on evolution and altitude distribution

The Magellan mission to Venus has emphasized the importance of volcanism in shaping the surface of the planet. Volcanic plains make up 80 percent of the terrain and hundreds of regions of localized eruptions have been identified. Large volcanos, defined as edifices with diameters greater than 100 km, are the sites of some of the most voluminous eruptions. Head et al. have identified 158 of these structures. Their spatial distribution is neither random nor arranged in linear chains as on the Earth; large volcanos on Venus are concentrated in two large, near-equatorial clusters that are also the site of many other forms of volcanic activity. The set of conditions that must be met on Venus that controls the change from widespread, distributed volcanism to focused, shield-building volcanism is not well understood. Future studies of transitional features will help to address this problem. It is likely, however, that the formation and evolution of a neutral buoyancy zone (NBZ) plays an important role in both determining the style of the volcanism and the development of the volcanic feature once it has begun to erupt. Head and Wilson have suggested that the high surface pressure on Venus may inhibit volatile exsolution, which may influence the density distribution of the upper crust and hence control the nature and location of a NBZ. The extreme variations in pressure with elevation may result in significantly different characteristics of such a NBZ at different locations on the planet. In order to test these ideas regarding the importance of NBZ development in the evolution of a large shield and to determine the style of volcanism, three large volcanos that occur at different basal elevations were examined and the distribution of large volcanos as a function of altitude was determined.

Keddie, S.↗
NASA NTRS1993

From minerals to rocks: Toward modeling lithologies with remote sensing

High spectral resolution imaging spectroscopy will play an important role in future planetary missions. Sophisticated approaches will be needed to unravel subtle, super-imposed spectral features typically of natural systems, and to maximize the science return of these instruments. Carefully controlled laboratory investigations using homogeneous mineral separates have demonstrated that variations due to solid solution, changes in modal abundances, and the effects of particle size are well understood from a physical basis. In many cases, these variations can be modeled quantitatively using photometric models, mixing approaches, and deconvolution procedures. However, relative to the spectra of individual mineral components, reflectance spectra of rocks and natural surfaces exhibit a reduced spectral contrast. In addition, soils or regolith, which are likely to dominate any natural planetary surface, exhibit spectral properties that have some similarities to the parent materials, but due to weathering and alteration, differences remain that cannot yet be fully recreated in the laboratory or through mixture modeling. A significant challenge is therefore to integrate modeling approaches to derive both lithologic determinations and include the effects of alteration. We are currently conducting laboratory investigations in lithologic modeling to expand upon the basic results of previous analyses with our initial goal to more closely match physical state of natural systems. The effects of alteration are to be considered separately.

Mustard, John F.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Simulation of a spatial, servo-hydraulic test facility for space structures

In this paper different control concepts for servo-hydraulic test facilities are derived using exact linearization techniques. Based on different linear and nonlinear models of the test table and the actuator dynamics several nonlinear controllers of different complexity are derived. The closed loop system performance of the controlled servo-hydraulic test facility is tested in various computer simulations using both, standard test signals and large test signals as system inputs. The simulation results turn out, that in case of standard input signals the test facility controller must include a linear test table mechanics model and a nonlinear servo-hydraulic actuator model. Additional simulations demonstrate the robustness of the control concept selected for standard test signals with respect to variations of plant parameters.

Leimbach, K.-D.↗
NASA NTRS1994

The trend of production rates with heliocentric distance for comet P/Halley

Comet P/Halley was observed spectroscopically in the wavelength range 5200-10,400 A during 10 observing runs, roughly a month apart from 1985 August 28 to 1986 June 6. The observations span a heliocentric distance from 0.73 to 2.52 AU. This data set is analyzed to determine the course of the production rate with heliocentric distance for C2, NH2, CN, and the continuum. The effect of changing the Haser scale lengths and their heliocentric distance dependence is examined. The production rate ratios to water change only in a minor way, but the absolute values of the production rates are more severely affected. Fluorescent efficiencies, or g-factors for the CN red system are calculated, and band intensity ratios for NH2 and CN are presented. Using presently available fluorescence efficiencies and Haser scale lengths, mixing ratios for the parents of C2, CN, and NH2 with respect to water are: 0.34 +/- 0.07%, 0.15 +/- 0.04%, and 0.13 +/- 0.05%. It is found that these mixing ratios are essentially constant over the heliocentric distance range of the observations, implying a rather uniform nucleus and uniform outgassing characteristics, although there are indications of smaller scale day-to-day variations. The results provide strong observational confirmation that water evaporation controls the activity of the comet over the distance range studied. Continuum values Af rho are determined, and their ratios to QH2O are found to have a clear dependence with heliocentric distance approximately r(exp -1.0) with a post-perihelion enhancement. No correlation of the production rate ratios with light curve of P/Halley were found, nor was there any correlation of the C2 or CN production with the dust.

Fink, Uwe↗
NASA NTRS1995

Study Of Rocket-Engine Joints Bonded By Ni/Cu/NARloy-Z

Report describes study of those joints in main combustion chamber of main engine of space shuttle bonded by use of electrodeposited nickel on electrodeposited copper on NARloy-Z. Primary concern in study to understand interrelationships among stresses in joints, strengths of joints, and variations of parameters of joints, with view toward developing process controls to ensure strong joints free of defects. Results of study appear applicable to any similarly bonded joints characterized by parameters used and assumptions made in study.

Min, J. B.↗