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At least 91 records · Page 5

NASTRAN variance analysis and plotting of HBDY elements

The NASTRAN Thermal Analyzer has been intended to do variance analysis and plot the thermal boundary elements. The objective of the variance analysis addition is to assess the sensitivity of temperature variances resulting from uncertainties inherent in input parameters for heat conduction analysis. The plotting capability provides the ability to check the geometry (location, size and orientation) of the boundary elements of a model in relation to the conduction elements. Variance analysis is the study of uncertainties of the computed results as a function of uncertainties of the input data. To study this problem using NASTRAN, a solution is made for both the expected values of all inputs, plus another solution for each uncertain variable. A variance analysis module subtracts the results to form derivatives, and then can determine the expected deviations of output quantities.

Harder, R. L.↗

RSRM-3 (360L003) Ballistics/Mass Properties Report

The propulsion performance and reconstructed mass properties data from Morton Thiokol's RSRM-3 motors which were assigned to the STS-29 launch are presented. The composite type solid propellant burn rates were close to predicted. The performance of the pair of motors were compared to some CEI Specifications. The performance from each motor as well as matched pair performance values were well within the CEI specification requirements. The nominal thrust time curve and impulse gate information is included. Post flight reconstructed Redesigned Solid Rocket Motor (RSRM) mass properties are within expected values for the lightweight configuration.

Laubacher, B. A.↗

Possible flyby measurements of Galilean satellite interior structure

Flyby encounters of the Galilean satellites from a Jupiter orbiter spacecraft could yield information about the second-degree gravity harmonics of these satellites. The expected values of these harmonics have been calculated for a range of plausible interior models in hydrostatic equilibrium. Because the satellites respond to comparable perturbations from rotation and tides, an independent test of hydrostatic equilibrium is feasible. For Io and Ganymede, the expected measurement accuracy from a nominal encounter should make possible an excellent discrimination from the ensemble of interior models. For Europa, a qualitative distinction between near-uniform and centrally condensed models seems feasible. Only for Callisto is the proposed experiment of marginal value.

Hubbard, W. B.↗

Two-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic turbulence - Cylindrical, non-dissipative model

Incompressible magnetohydrodynamic turbulence is treated in the presence of cylindrical boundaries which are perfectly conducting and rigidly smooth. The model treated is non-dissipative and two-dimensional, the variation of all quantities in the axial direction being ignored. Equilibrium Gibbs ensemble predictions are explored assuming the constraint of constant axial current (appropriate to tokamak operation). No small-amplitude approximations are made. The expectation value of the turbulent kinetic energy is found to approach zero for the state of maximum mean-square vector potential to energy ratio. These are the only states for which large velocity fluctuations are not expected.

Montgomery, D.↗

Actinides in the Source of Cosmic Rays and the Present Interstellar Medium

The abundances of the actinide elements in the cosmic rays can provide critical constraints on the major sites of their acceleration. Using recent calculations of the r-process yields in core collapse supernovae, we have determined the actinide abundances averaged over various assumed time intervals for their supernova generation and their cosmic-ray acceleration. Using standard Galactic chemical evolution models, we have also determined the expected actinide abundances in the present interstellar medium. From these two components, we have calculated the U/Th and other actinide abundances expected in the supernova-active cores of superbubbles, as a function of their ages and mean metallicity resulting from dilution with interstellar cloud debris. Then, using observations of the fractions of Galactic supernovae that occur in superbubbles and in the rest of the interstellar medium, we calculate the expected actinide abundances in cosmic rays accelerated by Galactic supernovae. We find that the current measurements of actinide/Pt-group and preliminary estimates of the UPuCm/Th ratio in cosmic rays are all consistent with the expected values if superbubble cores have mean metallicities of around 3 times solar. Such metallicities are quite comparable to the superbubble core metallicities inferred from other cosmic-ray observations. Future, more precise measurements of these ratios with experiments such as ECCO are needed to provide a better measure of the mean source metallicity sampled by the local Galactic cosmic rays. Measurements of the cosmic- ray actinide abundances have been favorably compared with the protosolar ratio, inferred from present solar system abundances, to infer that the cosmic rays are accelerated from the general interstellar medium. We suggest, however, that such an inference is not valid because the expected actinide abundances in the present interstellar medium are very different from the protosolar values, which sampled the interstellar medium 4.5 Gyr ago and included an additional fresh ejecta component from a neighboring supernova.

Lingenfelter, R. E.↗

Turbulence models for compressible boundary layers

It is shown that to satisfy the general accepted compressible law of the wall derived from the Van Driest transformation, turbulence modeling coefficients must actually be functions of density gradients. The transformed velocity profiles obtained by using standard turbulence model constants have too small a value of the effective von Karman constant kappa in the log-law region (inner layer). Thus, if the model is otherwise accurate, the wake component is overpredicted and the predicted skin friction is lower than the expected value.

Huang, P. G.↗

The Temperature and Distribution of Organic Molecules in the Inner Regions of T Tauri Disks

"High-resolution NIR spectroscopic observations of warm molecular gas emission from young circumstellar disks allow us to constrain the temperature and composition of material in the inner planet-forming region. By combining advanced data reduction algorithms with accurate modeling of the terrestrial atmospheric spectrum and a novel double-differencing data analysis technique, we have achieved very high-contrast measurements (S/N approx. 500-1000) of molecular emission at 3 microns. In disks around low-mass stars, we have achieved the first detections of emission from HCN and C2H2 at near-infrared wavelengths from several bright T Tauri stars using the CRIRES spectrograph on the Very Large Telescope and NIRSPEC spectrograph on the Keck Telescope. We spectrally resolve the line shape, showing that the emission has both a Keplerian and non-Keplerian component as observed previously for CO emission. We used a simplified single-temperature local thermal equilibrium (LTE) slab model with a Gaussian line profile to make line identifications and determine a best-fit temperature and initial abundance ratios, and we then compared these values with constraints derived from a detailed disk radiative transfer model assuming LTE excitation but utilizing a realistic temperature and density structure. Abundance ratios from both sets of models are consistent with each other and consistent with expected values from theoretical chemical models, and analysis of the line shapes suggests that the molecular emission originates from within a narrow region in the inner disk (R < 1 AU)."

Mandell, Avi↗

Microwave properties of a quiet sea

The microwave flux responses of a quiet sea are observed at five microwave frequencies and with both horizontal and vertical polarizations at each frequency--a simultaneous 10 channel receiving system. The measurements are taken from Earth orbit with an articulating antenna. The 10 channel responses are taken simultaneously since they share a common articulating collector with a multifrequency feed. The plotted flux responses show: (1) the effects of the relative, on-axis-gain of the collecting aperture for each frequency; (2) the effects of polarization rotation in the output responses of the receive when the collecting aperture mechanically rotates about a feed that is fixed; (3) the difference between the flux magnitudes for the horizontal and vertical channels, at each of the five frequencies, and for each pointing position, over a 44 degree scan angle; and (4) the RMS value of the clutter--as reckoned over the interval of a full swath for each of the 10 channels. The clutter is derived from the standard error of estimate of the plotted swath response for each channel. The expected value of the background temperature is computed for each of the three quiet seas. The background temperature includes contributions from the cosmic background, the downwelling path, the sea surface, and the upwelling path.

Stacey, J.↗

The Gas Production Rate and Coma Structure of Comet C/1995 01 (Hale-Bopp)

The University of Wisconsin-Madison and NASA-Goddard conducted a comprehensive multi-wavelength observing campaign of coma emissions from comet Hale-Bopp, including OH 3080 A, [O I] 6300 A, H2O(+) 6158 A, H Balmer-alpha 6563 A, NH2 6330 A, [C I] 9850 A CN 3879 A, C2 5141 A, C3 4062 A, C I 1657 A, and the UV and optical continua. In this work, we concentrate on the results of the H2O daughter studies. Our wide-field OH 3080 A measured flux agrees with other, similar observations and the expected value calculated from published water production rates using standard H2O and OH photochemistry. However, the total [O I] 6300 A flux determined spectroscopically over a similar field-of-view was a factor of 3 - 4 higher than expected. Narrow-band [O I] images show this excess came from beyond the H2O scale length, suggesting either a previously unknown source of [O I] or an error in the standard OH + upsilon to O((sup I)D) + H branching ratio. The Hale-Bopp OH and [O I] distributions, both of which were imaged to cometocentric distances greater than 1 x 10(exp 6) km, were more spatially extended than those of comet Halley (after correcting for brightness differences), suggesting a higher bulk outflow velocity. Evidence of the driving mechanism for this outflow is found in the H(alpha) line profile, which was narrower than in comet Halley (though likely because of opacity effects, not as narrow as predicted by Monte-Carlo models). This is consistent with greater collisional coupling between the suprathermal H photodissociation products and Hale-Bopp's dense coma. Presumably because of mass loading of the solar wind by ions and ions by the neutrals, the measured acceleration of H2O(+) down the ion tail was much smaller than in comet Halley. Tailward extensions in the azimuthal distributions of OH 3080 A, [O I], and [C I], as well as a Doppler asymmetry in the [O I] line profile, suggest ion-neutral coupling. While the tailward extension in the OH can be explained by increased neutral acceleration, the [O I] 6300 A and [C I] 9850 A emissions show 13% and less than 200% excesses in this direction (respectively), suggesting a non-negligible contribution from dissociative recombination of CO(+) and/or electron collisional excitation. Thus, models including the effects of photo-and collisional chemistry are necessary for the full interpretation of these data.

Morgenthaler, Jeffrey P.↗

Upgraded automotive gas turbine engine design and development program, volume 2

Results are presented for the design and development of an upgraded engine. The design incorporated technology advancements which resulted from development testing on the Baseline Engine. The final engine performance with all retro-fitted components from the development program showed a value of 91 HP at design speed in contrast to the design value of 104 HP. The design speed SFC was 0.53 versus the goal value of 0.44. The miss in power was primarily due to missing the efficiency targets of small size turbomachinery. Most of the SFC deficit was attributed to missed goals in the heat recovery system relative to regenerator effectiveness and expected values of heat loss. Vehicular fuel consumption, as measured on a chassis dynamometer, for a vehicle inertia weight of 3500 lbs., was 15 MPG for combined urban and highway driving cycles. The baseline engine achieved 8 MPG with a 4500 lb. vehicle. Even though the goal of 18.3 MPG was not achieved with the upgraded engine, there was an improvement in fuel economy of 46% over the baseline engine, for comparable vehicle inertia weight.

Wagner, C. E.↗

Preliminary cost and mission value comparisons for planetary probes delivered by advanced propulsion systems

The three advanced propulsion systems analyzed are an advanced chemical system, an improved solid-core nuclear rocket engine with a 25-kilowatt auxiliary powerplant, and a nuclear-electric system. The comparison of these systems is made on the basis of transportation cost divided by the expected value of the data returned to earth. The analysis shows that for the Mercury Orbiter mission and for missions to the outer planets with a high data requirement, the nuclear-electric system emerges as the best system. For the Venus Orbiter mission, the advanced chemical propulsion system is best.

Hrach, F. J.↗

A Geomagnetic Estimate of Mean Paleointensity

To test a statistical hypothesis about Earth's magnetic field against paleomagnetism, the present field is used to estimate time averaged paleointensity. The estimate used the modern magnetic multipole spectrum R(n), which gives the mean square induction represented by spherical harmonics of degree n averaged over the sphere of radius a = 6371.2 km. The hypothesis asserts that low degree multi-pole powers of the coresource field are distributed as chi-squared with 2n+1 degrees of freedom and expectation values, where c is the 3480 km radius of the Earth's core. (This is compatible with a usually mainly geocentric axial dipolar field). Amplitude K is estimated by fitting theoretical to observational spectra through degree 12. The resulting calibrated expectation spectrum is summed through degree 12 to estimate expected square intensity F(exp 2). The sum also estimates F(exp 2) averaged over geologic time, in so far as the present magnetic spectrum is a fair sample of that generated in the past by core geodynamic processes. Additional information is included in the original extended abstract.

Voorhies, Coerte V.↗

Method of Calibrating a Force Balance

A calibration system and method utilizes acceleration of a mass to generate a force on the mass. An expected value of the force is calculated based on the magnitude and acceleration of the mass. A fixture is utilized to mount the mass to a force balance, and the force balance is calibrated to provide a reading consistent with the expected force determined for a given acceleration. The acceleration can be varied to provide different expected forces, and the force balance can be calibrated for different applied forces. The acceleration may result from linear acceleration of the mass or rotational movement of the mass.

Parker, Peter A.↗

Anomalous heating of the polar E region by unstable plasma waves. II - Theory

It is found that anomalous electron temperatures in the disturbed high-latitude E region can be quantitatively explained in terms of heating by unstable plasma waves. The electron temperatures at 110 km have been measured to be as high as 1500 K instead of the expected value of about 300 K. It is shown that by using quasi-linear theory there is an ample source of heat in the unstable waves and that the measured electron temperature profiles have a shape very similar to what is expected from plasma wave heating by the modified two-stream instability. It is found that there is even more heating going to the ion gas, but that the resulting effect on the ion temperature may be difficult to measure. The best estimate of the wave heating rates leads to the conclusion that wave heating can be as much as 50% of the Joule heating for dc electric field strengths of the order of 45 mV/m or greater.

St.-Maurice, J. P.↗

CW laser strategies for multi-parameter measurements of high-speed flows containing either NO or O2

Measurements of gasdynamic quantities were performed using a rapid-tuning CW dye laser to resolve Doppler-shifted spectral features in either the O2 Schumann-Runge bands or the NO gamma band near 225 nm. With the rapid-tuning capability, spectral features were acquired at a repetition rate of 4 kHz. Monitoring O2 transitions provided estimates of velocities while monitoring collision-broadened NO line pairs provided simultaneous measurements of velocity, temperature and pressure. Experiments were first performed in absorption within the transient one-dimensional flows generated in a shock tube. Agreement between measured and theoretical values, as calculated from one-dimensional shock relations, was typically better than 5 percent. The method was extended to fluorescence detection of NO in a static cell. Temperature and pressure were extracted from recorded profiles, and the results agreed well with expected values.

Dirosa, M. D.↗

N2/O2/H2 Dual-Pump Cars: Validation Experiments

The dual-pump coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy (CARS) method is used to measure temperature and the relative species densities of N2, O2 and H2 in two experiments. Average values and root-mean-square (RMS) deviations are determined. Mean temperature measurements in a furnace containing air between 300 and 1800 K agreed with thermocouple measurements within 26 K on average, while mean mole fractions agree to within 1.6 % of the expected value. The temperature measurement standard deviation averaged 64 K while the standard deviation of the species mole fractions averaged 7.8% for O2 and 3.8% for N2, based on 200 single-shot measurements. Preliminary measurements have also been performed in a flat-flame burner for fuel-lean and fuel-rich flames. Temperature standard deviations of 77 K were measured, and the ratios of H2 to N2 and O2 to N2 respectively had standard deviations from the mean value of 12.3% and 10% of the measured ratio.

OByrne, S.↗

Galactic dual population models of gamma-ray bursts

We investigate in more detail the properties of two-population models for gamma-ray bursts in the galactic disk and halo. We calculate the gamma-ray burst statistical properties, mean value of (V/V(sub max)), mean value of cos Theta, and mean value of (sin(exp 2) b), as functions of the detection flux threshold for bursts coming from both Galactic disk and massive halo populations. We consider halo models inferred from the observational constraints on the large-scale Galactic structure and we compare the expected values of mean value of (V/V(sub max)), mean value of cos Theta, and mean value of (sin(exp 2) b), with those measured by Burst and Transient Source Experiment (BATSE) and other detectors. We find that the measured values are consistent with solely Galactic populations having a range of halo distributions, mixed with local disk distributions, which can account for as much as approximately 25% of the observed BATSE bursts. M31 does not contribute to these modeled bursts. We also demonstrate, contrary to recent arguments, that the size-frequency distributions of dual population models are quite consistent with the BATSE observations.

Higdon, J. C.↗

Equation of state at ultrahigh densities. II

Theoretical research into the behavior of matter in the high-density region (at least 2 by 10 to the 14th power g/cu cm) is reviewed. Results of work concerning the appearance of hyperons in the neutron fluid at densities higher than nuclear density are summarized, and it is shown that the presence of hyperons does not severely alter the equation of state from that for a pure neutron gas provided that hyperonic potentials are almost identical to the nucleon-nucleon case. Computations to determine whether neutrons can solidify at a high enough density are described. It is shown that the solidification density is well within the range of values expected in the interior of neutron stars. Several unrelated attempts to analyze the behavior of matter in the relativistic or superhigh-density region (in excess of 10 to the 16th power gm/cu cm) are summarized. It is noted that available data on neutron stars are insufficient to determine a specific value for the speed of sound at superhigh densities.

Camuto, V.↗