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At least 901 records · Page 50

Applications of the magneto-optical filter to stellar pulsation measurements

A proposed method of employing the Cacciani magneto-optical filter (MOF) for stellar seismology studies is described. The method relies on the fact that the separation of the filter bandpasses in the MOF can be changed by varying the level of input power to the filter cells. With the use of a simple servosystem the bandpass of a MOF can be tuned to compensate for the changes in the radial velocity of a star introduced by the orbital motion of the Earth. Such a tuned filter can then be used to record intensity fluctuations through the MOF bandpass over an extended period of time for each given star. Also, the use of a two cell version of the MOF makes it possible to alternately chop between the bandpass located in the stellar line wing and a second bandpass located in the stellar continuum. Rapid interchange between the two channels makes it possible for atmospheric-introduced noise to be removed from the time series.

Rhodes, E. J., Jr.↗

A Simulation of High Latitude F-Layer Instabilities in the Presence of Magnetosphere-Ionosphere Coupling

A magnetic-field-line-integrated model of plasma interchange instabilities is developed for the high latitude ionosphere including magnetospheric coupling effects. We show that primary magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling effect is to incorporate the inertia of the magnetospheric plasma in the analysis. As a specific example, we present the first simulation of the E x B instability in the inertial regime, i.e., nu sub i omega where nu sub i is the ion-neutral collision frequency and omega is the wave frequency. We find that the inertial E x B instability develops in a fundamentally different manner than in the collisional case ni sub i omega. Our results show that striations produced in the inertial regime are spread and retarded by ion inertial effects, and result in more isotropic irregularities than those seen in the collisional case.

Mitchell, H. G., Jr.↗

The NO-NO2 system at laboratory surfaces

Experiments on formation and excitation of NO2 and NO molecules at (and near) laboratory surfaces of varying degrees of characterization are reviewed. On some transition metals NO is desorbed in the B sub 2 pi state, from which it radiates the familiar beta (B yields x) bands. In contrast while an ONO intermediate is inferred from isotope interchange measurements on platinum, neither ground state nor excited NO2 has been found to be desorbed under the relatively limited number of laboratory conditions so far investigated.

Barrett, J. L.↗

Aeroelastic considerations for torsionally soft rotors

A research study was initiated to systematically determine the impact of selected blade tip geometric parameters on conformable rotor performance and loads characteristics. The model articulated rotors included baseline and torsionally soft blades with interchangeable tips. Seven blade tip designs were evaluated on the baseline rotor and six tip designs were tested on the torsionally soft blades. The designs incorporated a systemmatic variation in geometric parameters including sweep, taper, and anhedral. The rotors were evaluated in the NASA Langley Transonic Dynamics Tunnel at several advance ratios, lift and propulsive force values, and tip Mach numbers. A track sensitivity study was also conducted at several advance ratios for both rotors. Based on the test results, tip parameter variations generated significant rotor performance and loads differences for both baseline and torsionally soft blades.

Mantay, W. R.↗

Wind-tunnel acoustic results of two rotor models with several tip designs

A three-phase research program has been undertaken to study the acoustic signals due to the aerodynamic interaction of rotorcraft main rotors and tail rotors. During the first phase, two different rotor models with several interchangeable tips were tested in the Langley 4- by 7-Meter Tunnel on the U.S. Army rotor model system. An extensive acoustic data base was acquired, with special emphasis on blade-vortex interaction (BVI) noise. The details of the experimental procedure, acoustic data acquisition, and reduction are documented. The overall sound pressure level (OASPL) of the high-twist rotor systems is relatively insensitive to flight speed but generally increases with rotor tip-path-plane angle. The OASPL of the high-twist rotors is dominated by acoustic energy in the low-frequency harmonics. The OASPL of the low-twist rotor systems shows more dependence on flight speed than the high-twist rotors, in addition to being quite sensitive to tip-path-plane angle. An integrated band-limited sound pressure level, limited by 500 to 3000 Hz, is a useful metric to quantify the occurrence of BVI noise. The OASPL of the low-twist rotors is strongly influenced by the band-limited sound levels, indicating that the blade-vortex impulsive noise is a dominant noise source for this rotor design. The midfrequency acoustic levels for both rotors show a very strong dependence on rotor tip-path-plane angle. The tip-path-plane angle at which the maximum midfrequency sound level occurs consistently decreases with increasing flight speed. The maximum midfrequency sound level measured at a given location is constant regardless of the flight speed.

Martin, R. M.↗

On substructuring algorithms and solution techniques for the numerical approximation of partial differential equations

Substructuring methods are in common use in mechanics problems where typically the associated linear systems of algebraic equations are positive definite. Here these methods are extended to problems which lead to nonpositive definite, nonsymmetric matrices. The extension is based on an algorithm which carries out the block Gauss elimination procedure without the need for interchanges even when a pivot matrix is singular. Examples are provided wherein the method is used in connection with finite element solutions of the stationary Stokes equations and the Helmholtz equation, and dual methods for second-order elliptic equations.

Gunzburger, M. D.↗

Aeroelastic considerations for torsionally soft rotors

A research study was initiated to systematically determine the impact of selected blade tip geometric parameters on conformable rotor performance and loads characteristics. The model articulated rotors included baseline and torsionally soft blades with interchangeable tips. Seven blade tip designs were evaluated on the baseline rotor and six tip designs were tested on the torsionally soft blades. The designs incorporated a systemmatic variation in geometric parameters including sweep, taper, and anhedral. The rotors were evaluated in the NASA Langley Transonic Dynamics Tunnel at several advance ratios, lift and propulsive force values, and tip Mach numbers. A track sensitivity study was also conducted at several advance ratios for both rotors. Based on the test results, tip parameter variations generated significant rotor performance and loads differences for both baseline and torsionally soft blades. Azimuthal variation of elastic twist generated by variations in the tip parameters strongly correlated with rotor performance and loads, but the magnitude of advancing blade elastic twist did not. In addition, fixed system vibratory loads and rotor track for potential conformable rotor candidates appears very sensitive to parametric rotor changes.

Mantay, W. R.↗

Nitrogen species

Total odd nitrogen, NO(y), may be defined as the sum of all active nitrogen species that interchange photochemically with one another on a time scale of the order of weeks or less. As noted, NO + NO2 reactions dominate the processes controlling the ozone balance in the contemporary stratosphere. The observational data from non-satellite platforms are reviewed. The growth in available satellite data in the past four years is considered. Some of the most important scientific issues are discussed, taking into account new results from atmospheric models (mainly 2-D). The model results are compared with the observational data.

Harries, J. E.↗

Aeroelastic considerations for torsionally soft rotors

A research study was initiated to systematically determine the impact of selected blade tip geometric parameters on conformable rotor performance and loads characteristics. The model articulated rotors included baseline and torsionally soft blades with interchangeable tips. Seven blade tip designs were evaluated on the baseline rotor and six tip designs were tested on the torsionally soft blades. The designs incorporated a systemmatic variation in geometric parameters including sweep, taper, and anhedral. The rotors were evaluated in the NASA Langley Transonic Dynamics Tunnel at several advance ratios, lift and propulsive force values, and tip Mach numbers. A track sensitivity study was also conducted at several advance ratios for both rotors. Based on the test results, tip parameter variations generated significant rotor performance and loads differences for both baseline and torsionally soft blades. Azimuthal variation of elastic twist generated by variations in the tip parameters strongly correlated with rotor performance and loads, but the magnitude of advancing blade elastic twist did not. In addition, fixed system vibratory loads and rotor track for potential conformable rotor candidates appears very sensitive to parametric rotor changes.

Mantay, W. R.↗

Simulation world moves up to V/STOL

NASA-Ames' Vertical Motion Simulator (VMS) is a large motion amplitude manned simulator designed for investigation of landing, takeoff, and general handling qualities and control system development for STOL and VTOL aircraft. The VMS incorporates six degrees of freedom, a four-window computer-generated imagery (CGI) system, and interchangeable cabs. The CGI generates day and night scenes that can include moving objects on the ground and in flight. A project is now underway to upgrade the VMS for research on rotorcraft engaged in nap-of-the-earth flight missions.

Cook, A. M.↗

Magnetic buoyancy instabilities incorporating rotation

Plane layer stability analysis is extended to incorporate the effects of uniform rotation. Detailed studies are made of the interchange, or 'axisymmetric modes' and of the undular or wavelike motions, considering both high and low frequency modes. The force due to rotation on the fluid motions are determined. The types of instability relevant to astrophysical problems, are also discussed with attention given to the occurrence of two distinct modes of instability in a bottom heavy field gradient. Some peculiar stability boundaries, which are due to the absence of a dominating force, are described.

Hughes, D. W.↗

Aerodynamic measurements of an airfoil with simulated glaze ice

An experimental study has been conducted in the OSU subsonic tunnel to measure the detailed aerodynamic characteristics of an airfoil with simulated glaze ice. A special model was built with interchangeable leading edges to be used in this study. One leading edge is that of a NACA 0012, while the other is a simulation of a glaze ice accretion measured in the NACA Lewis Icing Research Tunnel. The model was instrumented with a dense distribution of surface pressure taps to provide excellent detail around the ice shapes and reattachment point. A traversing total pressure probe was used to document the boundary layer characteristics on the NACA 0012 section. The ice shape caused a severe lift and drag penalty, reducing the maximum lift by over 50 percent and causing a 300 percent increase in drag. Surface pressure distributions revealed a large lower surface separation in addition to the expected large upper surface separation.

Bragg, M. B.↗

Shear flow-ballooning instability as a possible mechanism for hydromagnetic fluctuations

A unified linear electromagnetic analysis of both the Kelvin-Helmholtz (shear flow) instability and of the ballooning (interchange) instability is carried out on the basis of MHD theory. In the analysis, the concept of the Richardson instability of hydrodynamic flows is extended into the hydromagnetic context by unifying both the shear flow and the ballooning instability. As essential concept of the analysis is the role played by the magnetic buoyancy due to an effective gravity produced by the curvature of the field lines which provides the basic step by which both instabilities could be coupled. The results of the study are applied to the plasmapause to explain the excitation of hydromagnetic waves in that region, including the effect of the hot particles from the plasma sheet.

Vinas, A. F.↗

A new format proposal

The American Congress on Surveying and Mapping (ACSM) National Committee on Digital Cartographic Data Standards has been chartered by the National Bureau of Standards to recommend a format for the interchange of digital cartographic data. The committee presented the format concept at the spring 1985 ACSM meeting in Washington, DC. It is the intent that this concept be reviewed by the concerned public, who are asked to provide reactions to the committee.

Billingsley, F. C.↗

Orbital transfer vehicle launch operations study. Volume 2: Detailed summary

A series of Operational Design Drivers were identified. Several of these could have significant impact(s) on program costs. These recommendations, for example, include such items as: complete factory assembly and checkout prior to shipment to the ground launch site to make significant reductions in time required at the launch site as well as overall manpower required to do this work; minimize use of nonstandard equipment when orbiter provided equipment is available; and require commonality (or interchangeability) of subsystem equipment elements that are common to the space station, Orbit Maneuvering Vehicles, and/or Orbit Transfer Vehicles. Several additional items were identified that will require a significant amount of management attention (and direction) to resolve. Key elements of the space based processing plans are discussed.

Source record↗

Lidar method of measurement of atmospheric extinction and ozone profiles

A description of a method of measurement of atmospheric extinction and of ozone profiles by use of the backscatter signal from a monostatic lidar is given. The central feature of the procedure involves a measurement of the ratio of the Raman backscatter returns of both the oxygen and nitrogen atmospheric content. Because the ratio of the number density of both species is known to high accuracy, the measurement itself becomes a measure of the ratio of two transmissions to altitude along with a ratio of the two system constants. The calibration measurement for determining the value of the ratio of the two system constants or electro-optical conversion constants is accomplished by a lidar measurement of identical atmospheric targets while at the same time interchanging the two optical filters in the two optical channels of the receiver. More details of the procedure are discussed. Factoring this calibrated value into the measured O2/N2 profile ratio provides a measured value of the ratio of the two transmissions. Or equivalently, it provides a measurement of the difference of the two extinction coefficients at the O2 and N2 Raman wavelengths as a function of the height.

Cooney, J. A.↗

An experimental study of the aerodynamics of a NACA 0012 airfoil with a simulated glaze ice accretion

An experimental study was conducted in the Ohio State University subsonic wind tunnel to measure the detailed aerodynamic characteristics of an airfoil with a simulated glaze ice accretion. A NACA 0012 model with interchangeable leading edges and pressure taps every one percent chord was used. Surface pressure and wake data were taken on the airfoil clean, with forced transition and with a simulated glaze ice shape. Lift and drag penalties due to the ice shape were found and the surface pressure clearly showed that large separation bubbles were present. Both total pressure and split-film probes were used to measure velocity profiles, both for the clean model and for the model with a simulated ice accretion. A large region of flow separation was seen in the velocity profiles and was correlated to the pressure measurements. Clean airfoil data were found to compare well to existing airfoil analysis methods.

Bragg, M. B.↗

Composition of faint comets

The study uses an emission line, differential imaging camera built by the Science Operations Branch. This instrument allows photometric data to be obtained over a large area of a comet in a large number of resolution elements. The detector is a 100x100 Reticon array which with interchangeable optics can give resolutions from 2" to 30" over a field of 1' to 15'. The camera through its controlling computer can simultaneously take images in on-line and continuum filters and through computer subtraction and calibration present a photometric image of the comet produced by only the emission of the molecule under study. Initial work has shown two significant problems. First the auxiliary equipment of the telescope has not allowed the unambiguous location of faint comets so that systematic observations could be made, and secondly initial data has not shown much molecular emission from the faint comets which were located. Work last year on a software and hardware display system and this year on additional guide motors on the 36-inch telescope has allowed the differential camera to act as its own finder and guide scope. Comet IRAS was observed in C2 and CO+, as well as an occultation by the comet of SAO029103. The perodic comet Giacobini-Zinner was also observed in C2.

Brown, L. W.↗