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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 91 records · Page 5
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1976

A NASTRAN implementation of the doubly asymptotic approximation for underwater shock response

A detailed description is given of how the decoupling approximation known as the doubly asymptotic approximation is implemented with NASTRAN to solve shock problems for submerged structures. The general approach involves locating the nonsymmetric terms (which couple structural and fluid variables) on the right hand side of the equations. This approach results in coefficient matrices of acceptable bandwidth but degrades numerical stability, requiring a smaller time step size than would otherwise be used. It is also shown how the structure's added (virtual) mass matrix, is calculated with NASTRAN.

Everstine, G. C.↗
NASA NTRS1975

An underwater work systems package

A modular unit which is adaptable to several existing deep sea submersibles was developed to extend their working abilities and acquire knowledge of components and techniques for working in the deep sea environment. This work systems package is composed of an aluminum pipe structure on which are mounted two six-function grabber arms, a seven function manipulator, tool suit, 1,000/lb. capacity winch, electrohydraulic power supply, electronics housing, lights, and television. The unit is designed to be operated by itself either remotely or with divers, attached to manned submersibles, or mounted on unmanned cable-controlled submersibles.

Estabrook, N. B.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Remote in-situ elemental analysis systems for underwater application

The systems approach, theoretical measurement calculations, and preliminary measurements to be used in monitoring and mapping pollutants (such as traces of heavy metals) in the Chesapeake Bay are discussed. A neutron gamma-ray method is under development for demonstrating the system. The excitation source to be used is a machine accelerator using a deuterium/tritium reaction to produce 14-MeV neutrons. The neutrons excite characteristic gamma ray emission from the neutron irradiated surface. The discrete line emission produced can be used to infer both qualitative and quantitative elemental composition. A data preprocessor will accumulate, digitize, store, format, and prepare the data for transmission which can be accomplished by telephone, microwave, and possibly satellite link to central processors.

Trombka, J. I.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Surface waves generated by shallow underwater explosions

Surface water waves generated by surface and near surface point explosions are calculated. Taking the impulse distribution imparted at the water surface by the explosion as the overriding mechanism for transferring energy of the explosive to surface wave motion, the linearized theory of Kranzer and Keller is used to obtain the wave displacement in the far field. The impulse distribution is obtained by integrating the pressure wave over an appropriate time interval on a horizontal surface just beneath the undisturbed water surface. For surface explosions, a modified form of the similarity method first used by Collins and Holt is used to obtain the flow field. In the case of submerged explosions, the flow field is estimated by making necessary modifications to Sedov's similarity solution to account for the venting that accompanies the interaction of the leading (blast) wave with the ocean surface. Surface waves generated by a charge at six depths of placement (0.15 m, 0.30 m, 0.61 m, 0.91 m, 1.37 m, 3.05 m) are considered in addition to surface explosions. The results seem to support the existence of an upper critical depth phenomenon (of the type already established for chemical explosions) for point (nuclear) explosions.

Falade, A.↗
NASA NTRS1983

A review of underwater acoustic systems and methods for locating objects lost at sea

Information related to the location of objects lost at sea is presented. Acoustic devices attached to an object prior to being transported is recommended as a homing beacon. Minimum requirements and some environmental constraints are defined. Methods and procedures for search and recovery are also discussed. Both an interim system and a more advanced system are outlined. Controlled acoustic emission to enhance security is the theme followed.

Lovelady, R. W.↗
NASA NTRS1984

The numerical solution of the Helmholtz equation for wave propagation problems in underwater acoustics

The Helmholtz Equation (-delta-K(2)n(2))u=0 with a variable index of refraction, n, and a suitable radiation condition at infinity serves as a model for a wide variety of wave propagation problems. A numerical algorithm was developed and a computer code implemented that can effectively solve this equation in the intermediate frequency range. The equation is discretized using the finite element method, thus allowing for the modeling of complicated geometrices (including interfaces) and complicated boundary conditions. A global radiation boundary condition is imposed at the far field boundary that is exact for an arbitrary number of propagating modes. The resulting large, non-selfadjoint system of linear equations with indefinite symmetric part is solved using the preconditioned conjugate gradient method applied to the normal equations. A new preconditioner is developed based on the multigrid method. This preconditioner is vectorizable and is extremely effective over a wide range of frequencies provided the number of grid levels is reduced for large frequencies. A heuristic argument is given that indicates the superior convergence properties of this preconditioner.

Bayliss, A.↗
NASA NTRS1988

The relationship between preflight underwater training and space motion sickness

SMS (Space Motion Sickness) severity was compared to WETF - (Weightless Environment Training Facility) trained and non-trained astronauts. Based on postflight medical debriefings, SMS severity was categorized as none, mild, moderate, and severe. The results showed 63% of all crewmembers on their first shuttle flight experienced some level of SMS. Of those, 55% had symptoms ranked moderate to severe. From the non-trained group, 35% had no SMS, 18% had mild, 29% had moderate, and 18% had severe. From the trained group, 41% had no SMS, 41% had mild, 19% had moderate, and 3% had severe SMS. These results indicate an inverse relationship (p <0.01) between WETF training and SMS severity. Preflight WETF training may have operations significance as a viable countermeasure to SMS.

Space Adaptation Syndrome (SAS)↗
NASA NTRS1995

Engineering development program of a closed aluminum-oxygen semi-cell system for an unmanned underwater vehicle: An update

Most emerging unmanned undersea vehicle (UUV) missions require significantly longer range and endurance than is achievable with existing battery technology. The Aluminum-Oxygen (Al-O2) semi-cell is a candidate technology capable of providing a significant improvement in endurance compared to the silver-zinc battery technology currently used in UUVs and compares favorably to other proposed UUV power systems not only in performance, but also in safety and logistics. An Al-O2 semi-cell system is under development by Loral Defense Systems-Akron (Loral) for the ARPA/Navy 44 in. diameter UUV test vehicle. The power plant consists of a cell stack, gas management, oxygen storage, electrolyte management, coolant and controller subsystems, designed to replace the existing silver-zinc battery and meet existing weight, volume, electrical and thermal requirements, therefore minimizing modifications to the UUV. A detailed system design is complete. A component and material endurance test to evaluate compatibility and reliability of various material arid components is complete. Sub scale (Short stack) system testing is completed. A full-scale demonstration unit is now under construction in the second half of 1995. The full scale demonstration test will simulate environmental conditions of the operational system. This paper summarizes the results of the extensive short stack and endurance test programs, describes the plan for full-scale testing, and concludes with a brief discussions of future directions for this technology. This program is sponsored by ARPA Maritime Systems Technology Office under NASA contract NAS3-26715.

Gregg, Dane W.↗
NASA NTRS1996

Engineering Development Program of a Closed Aluminum-Oxygen Semi-cell System for an Unmanned Underwater Vehicle: An Update

Most emerging unmanned undersea vehicle (UUV) missions require significantly longer range and endurance than is achievable with existing battery technology. The Aluminum-Oxygen (Al-O2) semi-cell is a candidate technology capable of providing a significant improvement in endurance compared to the silver-zinc battery technology currently in use in UUVs and compares favorably to other proposed UUV power systems not only in performance, but also in safety and logistics. An Al-O2 semi-cell system is under development, consisting of a cell stack, gas management, oxygen storage, electrolyte management coolant and controller subsystems. It is designed to replace the existing silver-zinc battery and meet existing weight, volume, electrical and thermal requirements, therefore minimizing modification to the UUV. A detailed system design is complete. A component and material endurance test to evaluate compatibility and reliability of various materials and components is complete. Sub=scale (short stack) system testing is complete. A full-scale demonstration unit is now under construction for testing in the second half of 1995. The full scale demonstration test will simulate environmental conditions of the operational system. This paper summarizes the results of the extensive short stack and endurance test programs, describes the plan for full-scale testing, and concludes with a brief discussion of future directions for this technology.

Gregg, Dane W.↗
NASA NTRS2009

Monitoring and Controlling an Underwater Robotic Arm

The SSRMS Module 1 software is part of a system for monitoring an adaptive, closed-loop control of the motions of a robotic arm in NASA s Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory, where buoyancy in a pool of water is used to simulate the weightlessness of outer space. This software is so named because the robot arm is a replica of the Space Shuttle Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS). This software is distributed, running on remote joint processors (RJPs), each of which is mounted in a hydraulic actuator comprising the joint of the robotic arm and communicating with a poolside processor denoted the Direct Control Rack (DCR). Each RJP executes the feedback joint-motion control algorithm for its joint and communicates with the DCR. The DCR receives joint-angular-velocity commands either locally from an operator or remotely from computers that simulate the flight like SSRMS and perform coordinated motion calculations based on hand-controller inputs. The received commands are checked for validity before they are transmitted to the RJPs. The DCR software generates a display of the statuses of the RJPs for the DCR operator and can shut down the hydraulic pump when excessive joint-angle error or failure of a RJP is detected.

Haas, John↗
NASA NTRS2013

Origins and Early History of Underwater Neutral Buoyancy Simulation of Weightlessness for EVA Procedures Development and Training: Winnowing and Regrowth - Part 2

The technique of neutral buoyancy during water immersion was applied to a variety of questions pertaining to human performance factors in the early years of the space age. It was independently initiated by numerous aerospace contractors at nearly the same time, but specific applications depended on the problems that the developers were trying to solve. Those problems dealt primarily with human restraint and maneuverability and were often generic across extravehicular activity (EVA) and intravehicular activity (IVA) worksites. The same groups often also considered fractional gravity as well as weightless settings and experimented with ballasting to achieve lunar and Mars-equivalent loads as part of their on-going research and development. Dr. John Charles reviewed the association of those tasks with contemporary perceptions of the direction of NASA's future space exploration activities and with Air Force assessments of the military value of man in space.

Charles, John B.↗