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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 865 records · Page 48

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NASA NTRS1971

Oxidation screening at 1204 C /2200 F/ of candidate alloys for the space shuttle thermal protection system.

Evaluation of the oxidation resistance of 15 alloys under some of the environmental conditions that might be encountered by the shuttle thermal protection system. The alloys included nickel-, iron-, and cobalt-base wrought alloys. Specimens were self-resistively heated to 1204 C (2200 F) in a 10-torr still-air environment for 100 thirty-minute cycles. Specimen weight, thickness, and microstructural changes were noted, and surface scales were identified by room-temperature X-ray diffraction. Based on these observations, the behavior of the alloys was evaluated in terms of overall amount of metal consumption due to oxide formation and relative tendency toward oxide spalling and scale vaporization.

Sanders, W. A.↗

NASA NTRS1972

Coupled nuclear spin relaxation and internal rotations in magnesium fluosilicate hexahydrate.

Both proton and fluorine nuclear spin-lattice relaxations have been studied by the 180- to 90-deg pulse method in magnesium fluosilicate hexahydrate at 25 and 13 MHz over the temperature range from 170 to 350 K. Observed nonexponential behavior of the nuclear magnetic relaxation is explained by internal rotations of the doubly charged negative fluosilicate ions and doubly charged positive magnesium hexahydrate ions.

Utton, D. B.↗

NASA NTRS1973

Magnetospheric electric field measurements during sudden commencements

Direction measurements of electric fields were made in the outer magnetosphere during two sudden commencements in 1972. These measurements were observed with the double floating probe experiment carried aboard the IMP 6 satellite. The initial variations of the measured electric field consisted of an increase from a background of about 1 mv/meter to some 10 mv/meter at about 7 rE (earth radi) and to some 4 mv/meter at 3 rE. These initial electric field disturbances were longitudinal, oriented counter clockwise about an axis pointed north. A solution of Maxwell's third equation is derived for these measurements using a quasi-static version of Mead's model of the magnetosphere B (t). This solution seems to describe well the magnitude and direction of the initial perturbation of the electric field vectors observed during these two sudden commencements. After the initial increase, the measured electric field rings several times with periods of the order of minutes. This observed oscillatory behavior correlates with magnetic observatory records taken near the foot of the magetic field line passing through the satellite.

Aggson, T. L.↗

NASA NTRS1975

Discrete time modelization of human pilot behavior

This modelization starts from the following hypotheses: pilot's behavior is a time discrete process, he can perform only one task at a time and his operating mode depends on the considered flight subphase. Pilot's behavior was observed using an electro oculometer and a simulator cockpit. A FORTRAN program has been elaborated using two strategies. The first one is a Markovian process in which the successive instrument readings are governed by a matrix of conditional probabilities. In the second one, strategy is an heuristic process and the concepts of mental load and performance are described. The results of the two aspects have been compared with simulation data.

Cavalli, D.↗

NASA NTRS1974

Statistical method for the prediction of matching results in spectral file searching

In file-search techniques, the distribution of mismatches quantitatively measures the fit of a particular unknown against a given library. A simple theoretical method is developed to predict, a priori, this distribution. With this procedure, for any unknown code and library, the mean number of mismatches can be calculated exactly. For a given library and coding scheme, the mismatch distribution for most unknown codes closely follows a common curve which is easily calculated from statistical properties of the library. When this common curve is normalized to a constant mean, the observed matching behavior is well predicted. The theory should permit the user to more clearly assess the effects of errors on file search performance and suggest techniques by which recognition performance may be optimized.

Grotch, S. L.↗

NASA NTRS1975

Variations in ion composition at middle and low latitudes from Isis 2 satellite

The paper describes absolute ion concentration measurements with an ion mass spectrometer on the Isis 2 satellite and discusses features of the ion composition near a fixed altitude of 1400 km as they relate to longitudinal and latitudinal variations at low and middle latitudes. Two distinct classes of daytime ionospheric behavior are observed. The data obtained confirm the strong solar-geomagnetic seasonal control over the topside ion distribution. The new phenomena associated with the observed longitudinal dependence of the ion composition at 1400 km demonstrate the existence of complex physical processes which take place in this region of the ionosphere.

Breig, E. L.↗

NASA NTRS1976

Buckling behavior and structural efficiency of open-section stiffened composite compression panels

Several experiments with J- and blade-stiffened graphite/epoxy panels were conducted to obtain insight into how well experimental data could be correlated with analysis for the buckling behavior of open-section stiffened composite compression panels. Although some nonlinear behavior was observed during the experiments, adequate correlation with analysis was obtained to justify the use of linear, thin-plate buckling analysis in a minimum-weight design synthesis program for J- and blade-configurations. Results from two design studies using this program are presented. In the first study the minimum weights of Jand blade-configurations for two different material systems (graphite/epoxy and aluminum) are determined subject to buckling and strength constraints for a wide range of the compressive load index. In the second study the minimum weights required for graphite/epoxy blade-stiffened panels to satisfy additional stiffness constraints typical of medium-size commercial aircraft wing structures are determined. Both minimum-weight studies indicate that graphite/epoxy open-section stiffened panels can be designed so that weight savings of 30 to 50% are possible compared with the most efficient aluminum designs.

Williams, J. G.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Quantitative determination of zero-gravity effects on electronic materials processing germanium crystal growth with simultaneous interface demarcation. Experiment MA-060

Experiment MA-060 was designed to establish the crystal growth and segregation characteristics of a melt in a directional solidification configuration under near zero-g conditions. The interface demarcation technique was incorporated into the experiment since it constitutes a unique tool for recording the morphology of the growth rate throughout solidification, and for establishing an absolute time reference framework for all stages of the solidification process. An extensive study was performed of the germanium crystals grown during the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project mission. It was found that single crystal growth was achieved and that the interface demarcation functioned successfully. There was no indication that convection driven by thermal or surface tension gradients was present in the melt. The gallium segregation, in the absence of gravity, was found to be fundamentally different in its initial and its subsequent stages from that of the ground-based tests. None of the existing theoretical models for growth and segregation can account for the observed segregation behavior in the absence of gravity.

Gatos, H. C.↗

NASA NTRS1976

Ames T-3 fire test facility - Aircraft crash fire simulation

There is a need to characterize the thermal response of materials exposed to aircraft fuel fires. Large scale open fire tests are costly and pollute the local environment. This paper describes the construction and operation of a subscale fire test that simulates the heat flux levels and thermochemistry of typical open pool fires. It has been termed the Ames T-3 Test and has been used extensively by NASA since 1969 to observe the behavior of materials exposed to JP-4 fuel fires.

Fish, R. H.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Transfer of polarized radiation in self-absorbed synchrotron sources. I - Results for a homogeneous source

The solution to the equation of transfer of polarized radiation in a steady-state homogeneous rarefied medium is applied to self-absorbed synchrotron sources. Relativistic electrons (independent of the presence of any cold plasma) can quite easily produce in such sources significant Faraday rotation and/or conversion of linear to circular polarization. Structural inhomogeneities do not obviate the importance of these phenomena in compact nonthermal sources. Contrary to the calculation of Pacholczyk and Swihart (1975), the circular polarization for a homogeneous source changes sign just below the self-absorption turnover as the source becomes opaque, even when polarization conversion dominates; however, for a physically realistic source, structural inhomogeneity may alter this behavior. The observational evidence bearing upon these effects is reviewed.

Jones, T. W.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Icy craters on the Galilean satellites

The high degree of echo depolarization observed for linearly polarized incident waves in the case of radar observations of Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto is consistent with a rough, icy surface. Measurements with circularly polarized waves, however, conducted in 1976 suggest that the types of surface irregularities found on the Galilean satellites must be very different from those on the moon and the inner planets. A description is presented of an investigation in which geometrical optics and the Stokes-vector formalism are employed to examine several possible configurations which could cause the circular polarization transmitted to exceed unity. On the basis of the obtained results it appears that a model which postulates that significant parts of the surfaces of the three satellites are covered with an icy layer at least several kilometers thick and saturated with hemispherical craters can explain nearly all the observed radar behavior.

Ostro, S. J.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Evaluation of display and control concepts for a terminal configured vehicle in final approach in a windshear environment

A revised treatment of nonrandom inputs was incorporated in the model. Response behavior was observed for two display configurations (a pictorial EADI presentation and a flight-director configuration requiring use of a panel-mounted airspeed indicator), two control configurations (attitude and velocity control wheel steering), and two shear environments, each of which contained a head-to-tail shear and a vertical component. In general, performance trends predicted by the model were confirmed experimentally. Experimental and analytical results both indicated superiority to the EADI display with respect to regulation of height and airspeed errors. Velocity steering allowed tighter regulation of height errors, but control parameters had little influence on airspeed regulation. Model analysis indicated that display-related differences could be ascribed to differences in the quality of speed-related information provided by the two displays.

Levison, W. H.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Investigations of lubricant rheology as applied to elastohydrodynamic lubrication

Measurements of lubricant shear rheological behavior in the amorphous solid region and near the liquid-solid transition are reported. Elastic, plastic and viscous behavior was observed. A shear rheological model based on primary laboratory data is proposed for concentrated contact lubrication. The model is a Maxwell model modified with a limiting shear stress. Three material properties are required: low shear stress viscosity, limiting elastic shear modulus, and the limiting shear stress the material can withstand. All three are functions of temperature and pressure. In applying the model to EHD contacts the predicted response possesses the characteristics expected from several experiments reported in the literature.

Bair, S.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Local precision nets for monitoring movements of faults and large engineering structures

Along Bocono Fault were installed local high precision geodetic nets to observe the possible horizontal crustal deformations and movements. In the fault area there are few big structures which are also included in the mentioned investigation. In the near future, measurements shall be extended to other sites of Bocono Fault and also to the El Pilar Fault. In the same way and by similar methods high precision geodetic nets are applied in Venezuela to observe the behavior of big structures, as bridges and large dams and of earth surface deformations due to industrial activities.

Henneberg, H. G.↗

NASA NTRS1979

T700 power turbine rotor multiplane/multispeed balancing demonstration

Research was conducted to demonstrate the ability of influence coefficient based multispeed balancing to control rotor vibration through bending criticals. Rotor dynamic analyses were conducted of the General Electric T700 power turbine rotor. The information was used to generate expected rotor behavior for optimal considerations in designing a balance rig and a balance technique. The rotor was successfully balanced 9500 rpm. Uncontrollable coupling behavior prevented observations through the 16,000 rpm service speed. The balance technique is practical and with additional refinement it can meet production standards.

Burgess, G.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Surface temperatures and glassy state investigations in tribology, part 2

Measurements of lubricant shear rheological behavior in the amorphous solid region and near the liquid solid transition are reported. Elastic, plastic and viscous behavior was observed. The maximum yield shear stress (limiting shear stress) is a function of temperature and pressure and is believed to be the property which determines the maximum traction in elastohydrodynamic contacts such as traction drives. A shear rheological model based on primary laboratory data is proposed for concentrated contact lubrication. The model is Maxwell model modified with a limiting shear stress. Three material properties are required: low shear stress viscosity, limiting elastic shear modulus, and the limiting shear stress the material can withstand. All three are functions of temperature and pressure.

Bair, S. S.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Design, fabrication, and initial test of a fixture for reducing the natural frequency of the Mod-O wind turbine tower

It was desired to observe the behavior of a two bladed wind turbine where the tower first bending natural frequency is less than twice the rotor speed. The system then passes through resonance when accelerating to operating speed. The frequency of the original Mod-O tower was reduced by placing it on a spring fixture. The fixture is adjustable to provide a range of tower bending frequencies. Fixture design details are given and behavior during initial operation is described.

Winemiller, J. R.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Fractographic analysis of gaseous hydrogen induced cracking in 18Ni maraging steel

Electron microscope fractographic analysis supplemented an extensive study of the kinetics of gaseous hydrogen assisted cracking in 18Ni maraging steel. Temperature determined the crack path morphology in each steel which, in turn, was directly related to the temperature dependence of the crack growth rate. Crack growth in the low temperature regime proceeded along prior austenite grain boundaries. Increasing the temperature above a critical value produced a continuously increasing proportion of transgranular quasi-cleavage associated with lath martensite boundaries. The amount of transgranular cracking was qualitatively correlated with the degree of temperature-induced deviation from Arrhenius behavior. Fractographic observations are interpreted in terms of hypothesized mechanisms for gaseous hydrogen embrittlement. It is concluded that hydrogen segregation to prior austenite and lath martensite boundaries must be considered as a significant factor in developing mechanisms for gaseous embrittlement of high strength steels.

Gangloff, R. P.↗