Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “bridges”

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.

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

At least 865 records · Page 48
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1994

The Anderson Current Loop

Four-wire-probe concept applied to electrical-resistance transducers. Anderson current loop is excitation-and-signal-conditioning circuit suitable for use with strain gauges, resistance thermometers, and other electrical-resistance transducers mounted in harsh environments. Used as alternative to Wheatstone bridge. Simplifies signal-conditioning problem, enabling precise measurement of small changes in resistance of transducer. Eliminates some uncertainties in Wheatstone-bridge resistance-change measurements in flight research. Current loop configuration makes effects of lead-wire and contact resistances insignificantly small. Also provides output voltage that varies linearly with change in gauge resistance, and does so at double sensitivity of Wheatstone bridge.

Anderson, Karl F.↗
NASA NTRS1993

A study of fiber volume fraction effects in notched unidirectional SCS-6/Ti-15V-3Cr-3Al-3Sn composite

Notched unidirectional SCS-6/Ti-15-3 composite of three different fiber volume fractions (vf = 0.15, 0.37, and 0.41) was investigated for various room temperature microstructural and material properties including: fatigue crack initiation, fatigue crack growth, and fracture toughness. While the matrix hardness is similar for all fiber volume fractions, the fiber/matrix interfacial shear strength and matrix residual stress increases with fiber volume fraction. The composite fatigue crack initiation stress is shown to be matrix controlled and occurs when the net maximum matrix stress approaches the endurance limit stress of the matrix. A model is presented which includes residual stresses and presents the composite initiation stress as a function of fiber volume fraction. This model predicts a maximum composite initiation stress at vf approximately 0.15 which agrees with the experimental data. The applied composite stress levels were increased as necessary for continued crack growth. The applied Delta(K) values at crack arrest increase with fiber volume fraction by an amount better approximated using an energy based formulation rather than when scaled linear with modulus. After crack arrest, the crack growth rate exponents for vf37 and vf41 were much lower and toughness much higher, when compared to the unreinforced matrix, because of the bridged region which parades with the propagating fatigue crack. However, the vf15 material exhibited a higher crack growth rate exponent and lower toughness than the unreinforced matrix because once the bridged fibers nearest the crack mouth broke, the stress redistribution broke all bridged fibers, leaving an unbridged crack. Degraded, unbridged behavior is modeled using the residual stress state in the matrix ahead of the crack tip. Plastic zone sizes were directly measured using a metallographic technique and allow prediction of an effective matrix stress intensity which agrees with the fiber pressure model if residual stresses are considered. The sophisticated macro/micro finite element models of the 0.15 and 0.37 fiber volume fractions presented show good agreement with experimental data and the fiber pressure model when an estimated effective fiber/matrix debond length is used.

Covey, Steven J.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Strength characteristics and crack growth behavior of a composite with well aligned fibers

Continuous fiber composites have shown tremendous promise in industrial applications. Their microstructures, however, are very complex and in many instances difficult to characterize. In this project, the fracture characteristics of a specially made fiber reinforced composite with different fiber spacing are investigated. The experimental results so far have shown that after an initial transient phase the crack speed reaches a steady phase, i.e., independent of the crack length. Within the steady crack growth phase debonding along the fibers in the bridging zone grows in a self-similar manner. During the steady phase the energy dissipation per cycle is constant. Afterwards, an increase of the energy dissipation is observed that is accompanied by a decrease in crack speed. This latter trend is presumed to be the result of relatively large amounts of energy dissipated in the bulk of the specimen. Using appropriate Green's function and computer simulations, the stress intensity factor at the crack tip is evaluated for various cases of bridging stresses. In this way the effects of specimen size and fiber spacing on the overall fracture behavior of the composite system are analyzed. The steady crack speed and the steady rate of debonding have a similar power dependence on stress level. Dimensional analysis demonstrates that the particular fracture process is not governed by dimensional invariance but on the detailed micromechanisms in the bridging zone.

Botsis, John↗
NASA NTRS1994

The extensional rheology of non-Newtonian materials

It has been proposed to measure the extensional viscosity function of a non-Newtonian polymer solution in a reduced gravity environment as part of the Advanced Fluid Module. In ground-based extensional measurements, the no-sip boundary condition at solid-fluid interfaces always result in appreciable shear gradients in the test fluid; however the removal of gravitational body forces permits controlled extensional deformation of containerless test samples and the first unambiguous measurements of this kind. Imperative to successful implementation of this experiment is the generation and subsequent deformation of a stable cylindrical column of test fluid. A study of the generation and deformation of liquid bridges demonstrates that Newtonian liquid bridges undergo capillary breakup as anticipated when stretched beyond a critical aspect ratio; non-Newtonian liquid bridges, however, are stabilized by the strain-hardening phenomenon exhibited by these materials. Numerical simulations of Newtonian breakup are compared with experimental results, and show that previous ground-based attempts at measuring the extensional viscosity of Newtonian fluids are of limited accuracy.

Spiegelberg, Stephen H.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Active Pyroelectric Infrared Detector

A noncontact pyroelectric infrared detector is described. A pyroelectric film that also has piezoelectric properties is held in place so that it is free to vibrate. It is electrically stimulated to vibrate at a resonance frequency. The vibrating film forms part of a balanced bridge circuit. As thermal radiation impinges on the film the pyroelectric effect causes the resonance frequency to change, thereby unbalancing the bridge circuit. A differential amplifier tracks the change in voltage across the bridge. The resulting voltage signal is further processed by a bandpass filter and a precision rectifier. The device allows for DC or static temperature measurements without the use of a mechanical chopping device.

Zuckerwar, Allan J.↗
NASA NTRS1996

A Progressive Damage Methodology for Residual Strength Predictions of Center-Crack Tension Composite Panels

An investigation of translaminate fracture and a progressive damage methodology was conducted to evaluate and develop a residual strength prediction capability for laminated composites with through penetration notches. This is relevant to the damage tolerance of an aircraft fuselage that might suffer an in-flight accident such as an uncontained engine failure. An experimental characterization of several composite materials systems revealed an R-curve type of behavior. Fractographic examinations led to the postulate that this crack growth resistance could be due to fiber bridging, defined here as fractured fibers of one ply bridged by intact fibers of an adjacent ply. The progressive damage methodology is currently capable of predicting the initiation and growth of matrix cracks and fiber fracture. Using two difference fiber failure criteria, residual strength was predicted for different size panel widths and notch lengths. A ply discount fiber failure criterion yielded extremely conservative results while an elastic-perfectly plastic fiber failure criterion showed that the fiber bridging concept is valid for predicting residual strength for tensile dominated failure loads. Furthermore, the R-curves predicted by the model using the elastic-perfectly plastic fiber criterion compared very well with the experimental R-curves.

Coats, Timothy William↗
NASA NTRS1996

Thermocapillary Convection in a Low Pr Material Under Simulated Reduced-Gravity Conditions

A liquid bridge of tin was held between two vertical coaxial iron rods 4.5 mm in diameter and 4.6 mm apart. The temperatures at the top and bottom of the liquid bridge were 325 and 240 degrees, respectively. Flow oscillation was detected by a thermocouple in the liquid bridge. The amplitude and frequency of oscillation were around 1.3 degrees C and 5 Hz, respectively.

Tao, Yong X.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Effect of Hindlimb Unloading on Rat Soleus Fiber Force, Stiffness, and Calcium Sensitivity

The purpose of this study was to examine the time course of change in soleus muscle fiber peak force (N), tension (P(sub 0), kN/sq m), elastic modulus (E(sub 0)), and force-pCa and stiffness - pCa relationships. After 1, 2, or 3 wk of Hindlimb Unloading (HU), single fibers were isolated and placed between a motor arm and a transducer, and fiber diameter, peak absolute force, P(sub 0), E(sub 0), and force-pCa and stiffness-pca relationships were characterized. One week of HU resulted in a significant reduction in fiber diameter (68 +/- 2 vs. 57 +/- 1 micrometer), force (3.59 +/- 0.15 vs. 2.19 +/- 0.12 x 10(exp -4) N), P(sub 0) (102 +/- 4 vs. 85 +/- 2 kN/sq m), and E(sub 0) (1.96 +/- 0.12 vs. 1.37 +/- 0.13 X 10(exp 7) N/sq m) and 2 wk of HU caused a further decline in fiber diameter (45 +/- 1 micrometer), force (1.31 +/- 0.06 x 10(exp -4) N), and E(sub 0)(0.96 +/- 0.09 x 10(exp 7) N/sq m). Although the mean fiber diameter and absolute force continued to decline through 3 wk of HU, P(sub 0) recovered to values not significantly different from control. The P(sub 0)/E(sub 0) ratio was significantly increased after 1 (5.5 +/- 0.3 to 7.1 +/- 0.6), 2, and 3 wk of HU, and the 2-wk (9.5 +/- 0.4) and 3-wk (9.4 +/- 0.8) values were significantly greater than the 1-wk values. The force-pCa and stiffness-pCa curves were shifted right- ward after 1, 2, and 3 wk of HU. At 1 wk of HU, the Ca(2+) sensitivity of isometric force, assessed by Ca(2+) concentration required for half-maximal force, was increased from the control value of 1.83 +/- 0.12 to 2.30 +/- 0.10 micrometers. In conclusion, after HU, the decrease in soleus fiber P(sub 0) can be explained by a reduction in the number of myofibrillar cross bridges per cross-sectional area. Our working hypothesis is that the loss of contractile protein reduces the number of cross bridges per cross-sectional area and increases the filament lattice spacing. The increased spacing reduces cross-bridge force and stiffness, but P(sub 0)/E(sub 0) increases because of a quantitatively greater effect on stiffness.

McDonald Kerry S.↗
NASA NTRS2001

Novel High Efficient Organic Photovoltaic Materials

In man's mission to the outer space or a remote site, the most abundant, renewable, nonpolluting, and unlimited external energy source is light. Photovoltaic (PV) materials can convert light into electrical power. In order to generate appreciable electrical power in space or on the Earth, it is necessary to collect sunlight from large areas due to the low density of sunlight, and this would be very costly using current commercially available inorganic solar cells. Future organic or polymer based solar cells seemed very attractive due to several reasons. These include lightweight, flexible shape, ultra-fast optoelectronic response time (this also makes organic PV materials attractive for developing ultra-fast photo detectors), tunability of energy band-gaps via molecular design, versatile materials synthesis and device fabrication schemes, and much lower cost on large-scale industrial production. It has been predicted that nano-phase separated block copolymer systems containing electron rich donor blocks and electron deficient acceptor blocks will facilitate the charge separation and migration due to improved electronic ultrastructure and morphology in comparison to current polymer composite photovoltaic system. This presentation will describe our recent progress in the design, synthesis and characterization of a novel donor-bridge-acceptor block copolymer system for potential high-efficient organic optoelectronic applications. Specifically, the donor block contains an electron donating alkyloxy derivatized polyphenylenevinylene, the acceptor block contains an electron withdrawing alkyl-sulfone derivatized polyphenylenevinylene, and the bridge block contains an electronically neutral non-conjugated aliphatic hydrocarbon chain. The key synthetic strategy includes the synthesis of each individual block first, then couple the blocks together. While the donor block stabilizes the holes, the acceptor block stabilizes the electrons. The bridge block is designed to hinder the electron-hole recombination. Thus, improved charge separation is expected. In addition, charge migration will also be facilitated due to the expected nano-phase separated and highly ordered block copolymer ultrastructural. The combination of all these factors will result in significant overall enhancement of photovoltaic power conversion efficiency.

Sun, Sam↗
NASA NTRS1976

Space Paint

Developed at Goddard, this improved inorganic paint may help protect coastal bridges subject to extreme corrosion from seawater spray. Potassium silicate formulated into a thin waterbase binder that sprays easily, adheres readily, and can be heavily loaded with zinc particles to provide uniform coverage in a single coat. Stanford Research Institute has measured an annual market in excess of $2 billion in painting highway bridges, utility pipelines, nuclear reactors, and railcar hoppers. Other suitable markets include offshore drilling facilities, railroad bridges, and ships.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS2002

Design and Synthesis of Novel Block Copolymers for Efficient Opto-Electronic Applications

It has been predicted that nano-phase separated block copolymer systems containing electron rich donor blocks and electron deficient acceptor blocks may facilitate the charge carrier separation and migration in organic photovoltaic devices due to improved morphology in comparison to polymer blend system. This paper presents preliminary data describing the design and synthesis of a novel Donor-Bridge-Acceptor (D-B-A) block copolymer system for potential high efficient organic optoelectronic applications. Specifically, the donor block contains an electron donating alkyloxy derivatized polyphenylenevinylene (PPV), the acceptor block contains an electron withdrawing alkyl-sulfone derivatized polyphenylenevinylene (PPV), and the bridge block contains an electronically neutral non-conjugated aliphatic hydrocarbon chain. The key synthetic strategy includes the synthesis of each individual block first, then couple the blocks together. While the donor block stabilizes and facilitates the transport of the holes, the acceptor block stabilizes and facilitates the transport of the electrons, the bridge block is designed to hinder the probability of electron-hole recombination. Thus, improved charge separation and stability are expected with this system. In addition, charge migration toward electrodes may also be facilitated due to the potential nano-phase separated and highly ordered block copolymer ultra-structure.

Sun, Sam-Shajing↗
NASA NTRS1997

Low-Density Aerodynamics of the Stardust Sample Return Capsule

The aerodynamics of the Stardust Sample Return Capsule are analyzed in the low- density, transitional flow regime using free-molecular, Direct Simulation Monte Carlo, Navier-Stokes, and Newtonian methods to provide inputs for constructing a transitional flow bridging relation. The accuracy of this bridging relation in reconstructing the aero- dynamic coefficients given by the more exact methods is presented for a range of flight conditions and vehicle attitudes. There is good agreement between the various prediction methods, and a simple sine-squared bridging relation is shown to provide a reasonably good description of the axial force, normal force, and pitching moment over a range of Knudsen numbers from 0.001 to 10. The predictions show a static instability of the Star- dust capsule in the free-molecular regime that persists well into the transitional flow. The addition of a thin disk to the base of the capsule is shown to remove this static instability. However, the extremely high entry velocity of 12.6 km/s for the proposed trajectory introduces difficult design issues for incorporating this disk caused by the high aerothermal loads that occur even under relatively rarefied conditions.

Wilmoth, Richard G.↗
NASA NTRS2005

Quickbird Satellite in-orbit Modulation Transfer Function (MTF) Measurement Using Edge, Pulse and Impulse Methods for Summer 2003

The spatial characteristics of an imaging system cannot be expressed by a single number or simple statement. However, the Modulation Transfer Function (MTF) is one approach to measure the spatial quality of an imaging system. Basically, MTF is the normalized spatial frequency response of an imaging system. The frequency response of the system can be evaluated by applying an impulse input. The resulting impulse response is termed the Point Spread function (PSF). This function is a measure of the amount of blurring present in the imaging system and is itself a useful measure of spatial quality. An underlying assumption is that the imaging system is linear and shift-independent. The Fourier transform of the PSF is called the Optical Transfer Function (OTF) and the normalized magnitude of the OTF is the MTF. In addition to using an impulse input, a knife-edge in technique has also been used in this project. The sharp edge exercises an imaging system at all spatial frequencies. The profile of an edge response from an imaging system is called an Edge Spread Function (ESF). Differentiation of the ESF results in a one-dimensional version of the Point Spread Function (PSF). Finally, MTF can be calculated through use of Fourier transform of the PSF as stated previously. Every image includes noise in some degree which makes MTF of PSF estimation more difficult. To avoid the noise effects, many MTF estimation approaches use smooth numerical models. Historically, Gaussian models and Fermi functions were applied to reduce the random noise in the output profiles. The pulse-input method was used to measure the MTF of the Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) using 8th order even functions over the San Mateo Bridge in San Francisco, California. Because the bridge width was smaller than the 30-meter ground sample distance (GSD) of the TM, the Nyquist frequency was located before the first zero-crossing point of the sinc function from the Fourier transformation of the bridge pulse. To avoid the zero-crossing points in the frequency domain from a pulse, the pulse width should be less than the width of two pixels (or 2 GSD's), but the short extent of the pulse results in a poor signal-to-noise ratio. Similarly, for a high-resolution satellite imaging system such as Quickbird, the input pulse width was critical because of the zero crossing points and noise present in the background area. It is important, therefore, that the width of the input pulse be appropriately sized. Finally, the MTF was calculated by taking ratio between Fourier transform of output and Fourier transform of input. Regardless of whether the edge, pulse and impulse target method is used, the orientation of the targets is critical in order to obtain uniformly spaced sub-pixel data points. When the orientation is incorrect, sample data points tend to be located in clusters that result in poor reconstruction of the edge or pulse profiles. Thus, a compromise orientation must be selected so that all spectral bands can be accommodated. This report continues by outlining the objectives in Section 2, procedures followed in Section 3, descriptions of the field campaigns in Section 4, results in Section 5, and a brief summary in Section 6.

Helder, Dennis↗
NASA NTRS2000

Process of changing the refractive index of a composite containing a polymer and a compound having large dipole moment and polarizability and applications thereof

Fused ring bridge, ring locked dyes that form thermally stable photorfractive compositions. The fused ring bridge structures are .pi.-conjugated bonds in benzene-, naphthalene- or anthracene-derived fused ring systems that connect donor and acceptor groups. The donor and acceptor groups contribute to a high molecular dipole moment and linear polarizability anisotropy. The polarization characteristics of the dye molecules are stabilized since the bonds in the fused ring bridge are not susceptible to rotation, reducing the opportunity for photoisomerization. The dyes are compatible with polymeric compositions, including thermoplastics. The dyes are electrically neutral but have charge transport, electronic and orientational properties such that upon illumination of a composition containing the dye, the dye facilitates refractive index modulation and a photorefractive effect that can be utilized advantageously in numerous applications such as in optical quality devices and biological imaging.

Marder, Seth R.↗
NASA NTRS2002

Thermally stable molecules with large dipole moments and polarizabilities and applications thereof

Disclosed are fused ring bridge, ring-locked dyes that form thermally stable photorefractive compositions. The fused ring bridge structures are .pi.-conjugated bonds in benzene-, naphthalene- or anthracene-derived fused ring systems that connect donor and acceptor groups. The donor and acceptor groups contribute to a high molecular dipole moment and linear polarizability anisotropy. The polarization characteristics of the dye molecules are stabilized since the bonds in the fused ring bridge are not susceptible to rotation, reducing the opportunity for photoisomerization. The dyes are compatible with polymeric compositions, including thermoplastics. The dyes are electrically neutral but have charge transport, electronic and orientational properties such that upon illumination of a composition containing the dye, the dye facilitates refractive index modulation and a photorefractive effect that can be utilized advantageously in numerous applications such as in optical quality devices and biological imaging.

Marder, Seth R.↗
NASA NTRS1983

FET commutated current-FED inverter

A shunt switch comprised of a field-effect transistor (Q.sub.1) is employed to commutate a current-fed inverter (10) using thyristors (SCR1, SCR2) or bijunction transistors (Q.sub.2, Q.sub.3) in a full bridge (1, 2, 3, 4) or half bridge (5, 6) and transformer (T.sub.1) configuration. In the case of thyristors, a tapped inverter (12) is employed to couple the inverter to a dc source to back bias the thyristors during commutation. Alternatively, a commutation power supply (20) may be employed for that purpse. Diodes (D.sub.1, D.sub.2) in series with some voltage dropping element (resistor R.sub.12 or resistors R.sub.1, R.sub.2 or Zener diodes D.sub.4, D.sub.5) are connected in parallel with the thyristors in the half bridge and transformer configuration to assure sharing the back bias voltage. A clamp circuit comprised of a winding (18) negatively coupled to the inductor and a diode (D.sub.3) return stored energy from the inductor to the power supply for efficient operation with buck or boost mode.

Rippel, Wally E.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Method of making and structure for monolithic optical circuits

A method for making monolithic optical circuits, with related optical devices as required or desired, on a supporting surface (10) consists of coating the supporting surface with reflecting metal or cladding resin, spreading a layer of liquid radiation senstivie plastic (12) on the surface, exposing the liquid plastic with a mask (14) to cure it in a desired pattern of light conductors (16, 18, 20), washing away the unexposed liquid plastic, and coating the conductors thus formed with reflective metal or cladding resin. The index of refraction for the cladding (22) is selected to be lower than for the conductors so that light in the conductors will be reflected by the interface with the cladding. For multiple level conductors, as where one conductor must cross over another, the process may be repeated to fabricate a bridge with columns (24, 26) of conductors to the next level, and conductor (28) between the columns. For more efficient transfer of energy over the bridge, faces at 45.degree. may be formed to reflect light up and across the bridge.

Evanchuk, Vincent L.↗
NASA NTRS2003

Two-photon or higher-order absorbing optical materials for generation of reactive species

Disclosed are highly efficient multiphoton absorbing compounds and methods of their use. The compounds generally include a bridge of pi-conjugated bonds connecting electron donating groups or electron accepting groups. The bridge may be substituted with a variety of substituents as well. Solubility, lipophilicity, absorption maxima and other characteristics of the compounds may be tailored by changing the electron donating groups or electron accepting groups, the substituents attached to or the length of the pi-conjugated bridge. Numerous photophysical and photochemical methods are enabled by converting these compounds to electronically excited states upon simultaneous absorption of at least two photons of radiation. The compounds have large two-photon or higher-order absorptivities such that upon absorption, one or more Lewis acidic species, Lewis basic species, radical species or ionic species are formed.

Cumpston, Brian↗