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At least 91 records · Page 5

Production, Outflow Velocity, and Radial Distribution of H2O and OH in the Coma of Comet C/1995 O1 [Hale-Bopp] from Wide Field Imaging of OH

Observations of OH are a useful proxy of the water production rate (Q(sub H2O)) and outflow velocity (V(sub out)) in comets. We use wide field images taken on 03/28/1997 and 04/08/1997 that capture the entire scale length of the OH coma of comet C/1995O1 (Hale-Bopp) to obtain Q(sub H2O) from the model-independent method of aperture summation. We also extract the radial brightness profile of OH 3080 angstroms out to cometocentric distances of up to 10(exp 6) km using an adaptive ring summation algorithm. Radial profiles are obtained as azimuthal averages and in quadrants covering different position angles relative to the comet-Sun line. These profiles are fit using both fixed and variable velocity two-component spherical expansion models to determine VOH with increasing distance from the nucleus. The OH coma of Hale-Bopp was more spatially extended than in previous comets, and this extension is best matched by a variable acceleration of H2O and OH that acted across the entire coma, but was strongest within 1-2 x 10(exp 4) km from the nucleus. This acceleration led to VOH at 10(exp 6) km that was 2-3 times greater than that obtained from a 1P/Halleytype comet at 1 AU, a result that is consistent with gas-kinetic models, extrapolation from previous observations of OH in comets with Q(sub H2O) > 10(exp 29)/s, and radio measurements of the outer coma Hale-Bopp OH velocity profile. When the coma is broken down by quadrant, we find an azimuthal asymmetry in the radial distribution that is characterized by an increase in the spatial extent of OH in the region between the orbit-trailing and anti-sunward directions. Model fits to this area and comparison with radio OH measurements suggest greater acceleration in this region, with VOH UP to 1.5 times greater at 10(exp 6) km radial distance than elsewhere in the coma.

Harris, Walter M.↗

Development and Testing of a Radial Halbach Magnetic Bearing

The NASA John H. Glenn Research Center has developed and tested a revolutionary Radial Halbach Magnetic Bearing. The objective of this work is to develop a viable non-contact magnetic bearing utilizing Halbach arrays for all-electric flight, and many other applications. This concept will help reduce harmful emissions, reduce the Nation s dependence on fossil fuels and mitigate many of the concerns and limitations encountered in conventional axial bearings such as bearing wear, leaks, seals and friction loss. The Radial Halbach Magnetic Bearing is inherently stable and requires no active feedback control system or superconductivity as required in many magnetic bearing designs. The Radial Halbach Magnetic Bearing is useful for very high speed applications including turbines, instrumentation, medical applications, manufacturing equipment, and space power systems such as flywheels. Magnetic fields suspend and support a rotor assembly within a stator. Advanced technologies developed for particle accelerators, and currently under development for maglev trains and rocket launchers, served as the basis for this application. Experimental hardware was successfully designed and developed to validate the basic principles and analyses. The report concludes that the implementation of Radial Halbach Magnetic Bearings can provide significant improvements in rotational system performance and reliability.

Eichenberg, Dennis J.↗

On the Origin of Near-Radial Magnetic Fields in the Heliosphere: Numerical Simulations

Deviations from the direction of the "Parker spiral" can be found in in situ measurements of the interplanetary magnetic field on essentially all scales. One intriguing subset is the intervals of near-radial magnetic field, lasting for many hours. Some such intervals are obviously associated with coronal mass ejections, while others appear to be embedded within the ambient solar wind. Most occur on declining speed profiles, such that, when mapped back to the Sun, an entire radial field interval appears to have been launched at approximately the same time. It has been proposed that these events are the result of abrupt, semipermanent speed decreases on these field lines close to the Sun, and that such speed changes might be due to interchange reconnection. In this study, we use a three-dimensional, time-dependent magnetohydrodynamic model to assess to what extent this can account for near-radial magnetic fields observed relatively far out in the heliosphere. We find that sudden speed drops on the trailing portions of high-speed flows can produce strongly underwound (that is near radial) field lines in the heliosphere, although significantly larger speed gradients are required than are typically observed. Moreover, the simulations also reproduce the decreases in density, temperature, and magnetic field strength that are also commonly observed within these events. The question of what produces the abrupt speed drops remains to be answered.

Mikic, Zoran↗

High-Temperature, High-Load-Capacity Radial Magnetic Bearing

A radial heteropolar magnetic bearing capable of operating at a temperature as high as 1,000 F (=540 C) has been developed. This is a prototype of bearings for use in gas turbine engines operating at temperatures and speeds much higher than can be withstood by lubricated rolling-element bearings. It is possible to increase the maximum allowable operating temperatures and speeds of rolling-element bearings by use of cooling-air systems, sophisticated lubrication systems, and rotor-vibration- damping systems that are subsystems of the lubrication systems, but such systems and subsystems are troublesome. In contrast, a properly designed radial magnetic bearing can suspend a rotor without contact, and, hence, without need for lubrication or for cooling. Moreover, a magnetic bearing eliminates the need for a separate damping system, inasmuch as a damping function is typically an integral part of the design of the control system of a magnetic bearing. The present high-temperature radial heteropolar magnetic bearing has a unique combination of four features that contribute to its suitability for the intended application: 1. The wires in its electromagnet coils are covered with an insulating material that does not undergo dielectric breakdown at high temperature and is pliable enough to enable the winding of the wires to small radii. 2. The processes used in winding and potting of the coils yields a packing factor close to 0.7 . a relatively high value that helps in maximizing the magnetic fields generated by the coils for a given supplied current. These processes also make the coils structurally robust. 3. The electromagnets are of a modular C-core design that enables replacement of components and semiautomated winding of coils. 4. The stator is mounted in such a manner as to provide stable support under radial and axial thermal expansion and under a load as large as 1,000 lb (.4.4 kN).

Provenza, Andrew↗

Fluctuating Pressure Environments and Hydrodynamic Radial Force Mitigation for a Two Blade Unshrouded Inducer

Fluctuating pressure data from water flow testing of an unshrouded two blade inducer revealed a cavitation induced oscillation with the potential to induce a radial load on the turbopump shaft in addition to other more traditionally analyzed radial loads. Subsequent water flow testing of the inducer with a rotating force measurement system confirmed that the cavitation induced oscillation did impart a radial load to the inducer. After quantifying the load in a baseline configuration, two inducer shroud treatments were selected and tested to reduce the cavitation induced load. The first treatment was to increase the tip clearance, and the second was to introduce a circumferential groove near the inducer leading edge. Increasing the clearance resulted in a small decrease in radial load along with some steady performance degradation. The groove greatly reduced the hydrodynamic load with little to no steady performance loss. The groove did however generate some new, relatively high frequency, spatially complex oscillations to the flow environment.

Mulder, Andrew↗

Investigation of a Cross-Correlation Based Optical Strain Measurement Technique for Detecting radial Growth on a Rotating Disk

The Aeronautical Sciences Project under NASA`s Fundamental Aeronautics Program is extremely interested in the development of novel measurement technologies, such as optical surface measurements in the internal parts of a flow path, for in situ health monitoring of gas turbine engines. In situ health monitoring has the potential to detect flaws, i.e. cracks in key components, such as engine turbine disks, before the flaws lead to catastrophic failure. In the present study, a cross-correlation imaging technique is investigated in a proof-of-concept study as a possible optical technique to measure the radial growth and strain field on an already cracked sub-scale turbine engine disk under loaded conditions in the NASA Glenn Research Center`s High Precision Rotordynamics Laboratory. The optical strain measurement technique under investigation offers potential fault detection using an applied high-contrast random speckle pattern and imaging the pattern under unloaded and loaded conditions with a CCD camera. Spinning the cracked disk at high speeds induces an external load, resulting in a radial growth of the disk of approximately 50.0-im in the flawed region and hence, a localized strain field. When imaging the cracked disk under static conditions, the disk will be undistorted; however, during rotation the cracked region will grow radially, thus causing the applied particle pattern to be .shifted`. The resulting particle displacements between the two images will then be measured using the two-dimensional cross-correlation algorithms implemented in standard Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) software to track the disk growth, which facilitates calculation of the localized strain field. In order to develop and validate this optical strain measurement technique an initial proof-of-concept experiment is carried out in a controlled environment. Using PIV optimization principles and guidelines, three potential speckle patterns, for future use on the rotating disk, are developed and investigated in the controlled experiment. A range of known shifts are induced on the patterns; reference and data images are acquired before and after the induced shift, respectively, and the images are processed using the cross-correlation algorithms in order to determine the particle displacements. The effectiveness of each pattern at resolving the known shift is evaluated and discussed in order to choose the most suitable pattern to be implemented onto a rotating disk in the Rotordynamics Lab. Although testing on the rotating disk has not yet been performed, the driving principles behind the development of the present optical technique are based upon critical aspects of the future experiment, such as the amount of expected radial growth, disk analysis, and experimental design and are therefore addressed in the paper.

Clem, Michelle M.↗

Determination of the Heliospheric Radial Magnetic Field from the Standoff Distance of a CME-Driven Shock Observed by the Stereo Spacecraft

We report on the determination of radial magnetic field strength in the heliocentric distance range from 6 to 120 solar radii (R-solar) using data from Coronagraph 2 (COR2) and Heliospheric Imager I (HI1) instruments on board the Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory spacecraft following the standoff-distance method of Gopalswamy & Yashiro. We measured the shock standoff distance of the 2008 April 5 coronal mass ejection (CME) and determined the flux-rope curvature by fitting the three-dimensional shape of the CME using the Graduated Cylindrical Shell model. The radial magnetic field strength is computed from the Alfven speed and the density of the ambient medium. We also compare the derived magnetic field strength with in situ measurements made by the Helios spacecraft, which measured the magnetic field at the heliocentric distance range from 60 to 215 R-solar.We found that the radial magnetic field strength decreases from 28 mG at 6 R-solar to 0.17 mG at 120 R-solar. In addition, we found that the radial profile can be described by a power law.

CMEs↗

Radial Surface Density Profiles of Gas and Dust in the Debris Disk Around 49 Ceti

We present approximately 0".4 resolution images of CO(3-2) and associated continuum emission from the gas-bearing debris disk around the nearby A star 49 Ceti, observed with the Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array (ALMA). We analyze the ALMA visibilities in tandem with the broadband spectral energy distribution to measure the radial surface density profiles of dust and gas emission from the system. The dust surface density decreases with radius between approximately 100 and 310 au, with a marginally significant enhancement of surface density at a radius of approximately 110 au. The SED requires an inner disk of small grains in addition to the outer disk of larger grains resolved by ALMA. The gas disk exhibits a surface density profile that increases with radius, contrary to most previous spatially resolved observations of circumstellar gas disks. While approximately 80% of the CO flux is well described by an axisymmetric power-law disk in Keplerian rotation about the central star, residuals at approximately 20% of the peak flux exhibit a departure from axisymmetry suggestive of spiral arms or a warp in the gas disk. The radial extent of the gas disk (approx. 220 au) is smaller than that of the dust disk (approx. 300 au), consistent with recent observations of other gasbearing debris disks. While there are so far only three broad debris disks with well characterized radial dust profiles at millimeter wavelengths, 49 Ceti's disk shows a markedly different structure from two radially resolved gas-poor debris disks, implying that the physical processes generating and sculpting the gas and dust are fundamentally different.

Atacama Large Millimeter Submillimeter Array(ALMA)↗

Radial Variations in Solar Type III Radio Bursts

Type III radio bursts are generated by electron beams accelerated at reconnection sites in the corona. This study, utilizing data from the Parker Solar Probe's first 17 encounters, closely examines these bursts down to 13 solar radii. A focal point of our analysis is the near-radial alignment (within 5°) of the Parker Solar Probe, STEREO-A, and Wind spacecraft relative to the Sun. This alignment, facilitating simultaneous observations of 52 and 27 bursts by STEREO-A and Wind respectively, allows for a detailed differentiation of radial and longitudinal burst variations. Our observations reveal no significant radial variations in electron beam speeds, radio fluxes, or exponential decay times for events below 50 solar radii. In contrast, closer to the Sun we noted a decrease in beam speeds and radio fluxes. This suggests potential effects of radio beaming or alterations in radio source sizes in this region. Importantly, our results underscore the necessity of considering spacecraft distance in multispacecraft observations for accurate radio burst analysis. A critical threshold of 50 solar radii emerges, beyond which beaming effects and changes in beam speeds and radio fluxes become significant. Furthermore, the consistent decay times across varying radial distances point toward a stable trend extending from 13 solar radii into the inner heliosphere. Our statistical results provide valuable insights into the propagation mechanisms of type III radio bursts, particularly highlighting the role of scattering near the radio source when the frequency aligns with the local electron plasma frequency.

Vratislav Krupar↗

Turbo-Design: Open-Source Radial Equilibrium Turbomachinery Solver: Part I - Turbines

Advances in 3D Geometrical Designs and Cooling have played a significant role in improving the efficiency of turbomachinery. However, these advancements must be effectively translated back to the modeler. Machine learning can facilitate this transition. Specifically, machine learning–based loss models can bridge the gap between 3D and 1D designs, enabling modelers not only to predict velocity triangles but also to extract additional geometric features. Currently, the design tools used at NASA have not been updated to support such integration—until now. TurboDesign is an open-source, Python-based framework that replaces TD2 (LEW-11029-1) and AXOD2 (LEW-16323-1), both of which are radial equilibrium solvers for axial turbines. The goal of this update is to enable the integration of machine learning loss models into radial equilibrium equations. Additionally, TurboDesign is designed to support radial machines. This paper presents the governing equations, the assumptions underlying the code, the integration of legacy loss models, an example of machine learning model integration, and a validation comparison with CFD. All code, tutorials, and documentation are available at: https://www.github.com/nasa/turbo-design

Radial Equilibrium↗

A visual study of radial inward choked flow of liquid nitrogen

A visual study of the radial inward choked flow of liquid nitrogen was conducted. Data and high speed moving pictures were obtained. The study indicated the following: (1) steady radial inward choked flow seems equivalent to steady choked flow through axisymmetric nozzles, (2) transient choked flows through the radial gap are not uniform and the discharge pattern appears as nonuniform impinging jets, and (3) the critical mass flow rate data for the transient case appear different from those of the steady case.

Hendricks, R. C.↗

Fore and aft elastic response characteristics of 34 x 9.9, type 7, 14 ply-rating aircraft tires of bias-ply, bias-belted, and radial-belted design

An investigation was conducted to determine the fore-and-aft elastic response characteristics of 34 x 9.9, type VII, 14 ply-rating aircraft tires of bias-ply, bias-belted, and radial-belted design. The investigation consisted of static and rolling tests on dry concrete pavements at the Langley aircraft landing loads and traction facility; statistical techniques which related the measured tire elastic characteristics to variations in the vertical load, inflation pressure, braking force and/or tire vertical deflection; and a semiempirical analysis which related the tire elastic behavior to measured wheel slippage during steady-state braking. The bias-belted tire developed the largest spring constant value for most loading conditions; the radial-belted tire, the smallest. The elastic response of the tire free periphery to static braking included both tread stretch and carcass torsional wind-up about the axle for the bias-ply and bias-belted tires and carcass wind-up alone for the radial-belted tire.

Tanner, J. A.↗

Radial gradient of solar wind velocity from 1 to 5 AU

Solar wind velocities have been measured on a daily basis from data obtained by the Ames Research Center plasma analyzers on both Pioneer 10 and Pioneer 11. A comparison between the time profiles of the solar wind velocities observed at the two spacecraft shows that the solar wind has the same major features, such as high velocity streams, out to at least 5 astronomical units (AU) from the sun. Major features in the velocity time profile observed first at Pioneer 11 are seen later at Pioneer 10 with a delay consistent with the respective heliocentric longitudes of the two spacecraft, their radial distances from the sun, and the solar wind velocity. A more detailed comparison between the velocity measurements made at Pioneer 10 and Pioneer 11 shows that the range of solar wind velocities decreases with increasing radial distance from the sun. Although the average value of the solar wind velocity as measured over a sufficiently long period is approximately the same at both spacecraft, the deviations to higher and lower velocities are less at a greater radial distance from the sun.

Collard, H. R.↗

Sound fields in a lined annular flow duct with lined radial splitters

High attenuation in the inlet duct of fan-jet engines is limited mainly because of two factors: the duct length is short and the frequency is high giving rise to a large duct width to wavelength ratio. Lined radial splitters may be installed. In this configuration not only is the absorbing surface area increased, the acoustic propagation properties in each of the segmented ducts are different to those in a cylindrical or annular duct without radial splitters. Such differences in properties can be used to advantage for mismatching the acoustic source. A lower order spinning mode must propagate as a higher order (integral or fractional) spinning mode. Cut-off phenomena may also be used to advantage. A theoretical modal analysis is made of the sound inside one segment of the annular duct with lined radial splitters.

Mungur, P.↗

Determination of the radial gradient in the region 0.81-1.0 AU using both high- and low-energy /more than 10-GeV and more than 52-MeV/ detectors for the 1-AU monitor

A determination of the radial gradient for alpha particles (31-46 MeV/nuc) and protons with energies above 7.5 MeV and 44-77 MeV in the region 1.0-0.81 AU is presented for the solar-quiet year 1966. The determinations are based on data from the Pioneer 6 space probe. Two different detectors are used: the Deep River neutron monitor and measurements of low energy protons made on the IMP-C satellite. The average energy response of the Deep River monitor is 16 GeV, whereas the IMP-C data is for protons with energies above 50 MeV. The resulting radial gradient is found to be nearly zero for the alpha particles and slightly negative for the protons. The same qualitative results were found using the IMP-C data and the Deep River neutron monitor to measure the temporal variation in the cosmic ray intensity. The present analysis indicates that detectors over a wide range of energies are suitable for measuring the radial gradient, providing sufficient statistical precision is obtained to evaluate short-term modulation and the azimuthal separation of the detectors is not great.

Sheldon, W. R.↗

Radial gradient of solar wind velocity from 1 to 5 AU

Solar wind velocity measurements made by Pioneers 10 and 11 are compared to investigate radial variations in the velocity at heliocentric distances of 1 to 5 AU. Two hundred days of corresponding Pioneer 10 and 11 data are plotted, the velocity profiles for 25-day segments are compared, and the same general pattern of peaks and troughs is found in the corresponding profiles. A comparison of the relative smoothness of the profiles clearly shows that velocity amplitudes in the solar wind stream structure decrease dramatically with increasing radial distance from the sun, although the rate of decrease is not as clear. It is hypothesized that stream-stream interactions play a dominant part in inhibiting the classical radial expansion process in the solar wind and produce scattering centers which prevent the observation of a significant galactic cosmic ray gradient in this region of space.

Collard, H. R.↗

Cosmic ray radial intensity gradients measured by Pioneer 10 and Pioneer 11

The paper reports revised and updated measurements of the cosmic ray radial intensity gradient made with Pioneer 10 and 11 over the radial range 1-5 AU in differential energy windows from 10-70 MeV/nucleon, and for the integral intensity exceeding 70 MeV/nucleon. In most cases small positive gradients are found of the order of a few percent per AU, with evidence for significant temporal variations. Spectral studies show the presence of the 'anomalous' helium component below 50 MeV at all radial distances from 1-5 AU.

Mckibben, R. B.↗

Advanced radial inflow turbine rotor program: Design and dynamic testing

The advancement of small, cooled, radial inflow turbine technology in the area of operation at higher turbine inlet temperature is discussed. The first step was accomplished by designing, fabricating, and subjecting to limited mechanical testing an advanced gas generator rotating assembly comprising a radial inflow turbine and two-stage centrifugal compressor. The radial inflow turbine and second-stage compressor were designed as an integrally machined monorotor with turbine cooling taking place basically by conduction to the compressor. Design turbine inlet rotor gas temperature, rotational speed, and overall gas generator compressor pressure ratio were 1422 K (2560 R), 71,222 rpm, and 10/1 respectively. Mechanical testing on a fabricated rotating assembly and bearing system covered 1,000 cold start/stop cycles and three spins to 120 percent design speed (85,466 rpm).

Rodgers, C.↗