SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “Passivation”

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.

SourceResearch connectionFrom yearThrough year

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 937 records · Page 52

All sources NASA NTRS DOE OSTI

NASA NTRS1986

Equivalence of active and passive gravitational mass using the moon

Based on an asymmetry in the composition of the moon, a limit is established for the violation of the equity of passive and active gravitational mass. It is suggested that the 2-km offset between the moon's center of figure and center of mass imply an asymmetry in the distribution of Fe and Al, and that the Fe on one side and the Al on the other must attract another with equal force in order for the moon to follow the orbit predicted by classical mechanics. Based on laser ranging data and a model for the moon's interior, the ratios of active to passive mass for Fe and Al are found to be equal to a precision of 4 x 10 to the -12th.

Bartlett, D. F.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Effect of inactivity and passive stretch on protein turnover in phasic and postural rat muscles

Muscle atrophy in humans can occur during prolonged bed rest, plaster cast immobilization, and space flight. In the present study, the suspension model used by Musacchia et al. (1983) is employed to investigate changes in protein synthesis and degradation in fast-twitch phasic (extensor digitorum longus) and slow-twitch postural (soleus) muscles in the rat, following hypokinesia and hypodynamia. In addition, the use of passive stretch was examined as a means of preventing atrophy. The obtained results suggest that the mechanisms controlling the processes of protein synthesis and protein breakdown during muscle disuse atrophy may be independent of each other. It appears, however, that the muscle atrophy due to hypokinesia and hypodynamia can be temporarily prevented by passively stretching a muscle.

Loughna, P.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Severe storm detection with passive 37 GHz observations

The research objective was to determine the information content of satellite passive 37 GHz brightness temperatures on the severity of thunderstorms through the measurement of the attenuation (scattering) signature of precipitation. The severe storm detection potential of satellite-observed passive 37 GHz radiances was evaluated by comparing Nimbus-7 Scanning Multi-channel Microwave Radiometer (SMMR) data to reports of severe weather contained in the NSSFC severe weather log for calendar years 1979 and 1980 over the United States east of the Rocky Mountains. Heavy thunderstorms have a characteristic signature in the form of localized very low 37 GHz T sub B from scattering by precipitation-size ice particles (thick cirrus being transparent at this frequency). The local noon and midnight snapshots taken by the SMMR on alternating days (with incomplete areal coverage of the U.S. on any given day) were scanned to find cases of strong scattering by precipitation, revealed by large differences between the 18 and 37 GHz brightness temperatures, the 37 GHz T sub B being at least 20 C lower than the 18 GHz T sub B. The value of the 37 GHz T sub b was then compared to severe weather reports within one hour of the SMMR observation time, in the vicinity of the SMMR-observed storm. It was found that the degree to which the T sub B were lowered was a fairly good indicator of the probability that the storm was severe. Of 263 storms observed by the SMMR during 1979 and 1980, 54 percent had severe weather associated with them for a T sub b below 203 K, while 8 percent of those above this threshold were severe.

Spencer, R. W.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Active-passive correlation spectroscopy - A new technique for identifying ocean color algorithm spectral regions

A new active-passive airborne data correlation technique has been developed which allows the validation of existing in-water oceoan color algorithms and the rapid search, identification, and evaluation of new sensor band locations and algorithm wavelength intervals. Thus far, applied only in conjunction with the spectral curvature algorithm (SCA), the active-passive correlation spectroscopy (APCS) technique shows that (1) the usual 490-nm (center-band) chlorophyll SCA could satisfactorily be placed anywhere within the nominal 460-510-nm interval, and (2) two other spectral regions, 645-660 and 680-695 nm, show considerable promise for chlorophyll pigment measurement. Additionally, the APCS method reveals potentially useful wavelength regions (at 600 and about 670 nm) of very low chlorophyll-in-water spectral curvature into which accessory pigment algorithms for phycoerythrin might be carefully positioned. In combination, the APCS and SCA methods strongly suggest that significant information content resides within the seemingly featureless ocean color spectrum.

Hoge, F. E.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Passive scalar entrainment and mixing in a forced, spatially-developing mixing layer

Numerical simulations are performed for the forced, spatially-developing plane mixing layer in two and three dimensions. Transport of a passive scalar field is included in the computation. This, together with the allowance for spatial development in the simulations, affords the opportunity for study of the asymmetric entrainment of irrotational fluid into the layer. The inclusion of a passive scalar field provides a means for simulating the effect of this entrainment asymmetry on the generation of 'products' from a 'fast' chemical reaction. Further, the three-dimensional simulations provide useful insight into the effect of streamwise structures on these entrainment and 'fast' reaction processes. Results from a two-dimensional simulation indicate 1.22 parts high-speed fluid are entrained for every one part low-speed fluid. Inclusion of streamwise vortices at the inlet plane of a three-dimensional simulation indicate a further increase in asymmetric entrainment - 1.44:1. Results from a final three-dimensional simulation are presented. In this case, a random velocity perturbation is imposed at the inlet plane. The results indicate the 'natural' development of the large spanwise structures characteristic of the mixing layer.

Lowery, P. S.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Passive microwave radiometer experiment for GOES-NEXT

A new passive microwave radiometer (PMR) experiment for GOES-NEXT is described. The PMR, expected to be in orbit in the early 1990's, is a multichannel microwave radiometer which will allow new measurements of temperature and moisture structure and precipitation by penetrating much of the overlying cloud cover near significant weather systems. PMR experimental objectives are to use a geostationary platform for the first time to obtain passive microwave imagery and soundings in a high time frequency mode to address several scientific objectives. These scientific objectives address current problems of atmospheric science at the mesoscale and in climate research.

Vonder Haar, Thomas H.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Investigation of multi-dimensional algorithms using active and passive microwave data for ice concentration determination

A discussion is presented concerning the effect of variations in ice surface characteristics on the concentration calculations, in order to ascertain how active and passive microwave data can be optimally combined. Attention is given to dual-polarized, multifrequency passive microwave sensors and to single-channel SAR, in virtue of their availability in the near future. An examination of SAR intensity data at both 1 and 10 GHz indicates that the latter are much less sensitive to ice type and surface condition variations such as wetness and ridging. The Advanced Multichannel Microwave Radiometer is discussed.

Cavalieri, Donald J.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Improvements to tilt rotor performance through passive blade twist control

A passive blade twist control is presented in which the twist distribution of a tilt rotor blade is elastically changed as a function of rotor speed. The elastic twist deformation is used to achieve two different blade twist distributions corresponding to the two rotor speeds used on conventional tilt rotors in hover and forward flight. By changing the blade twist distribution, the aerodynamic performance can be improved in both modes of flight. The concept presented obtains a change in twist distribution with extension-twist-coupled composite blade structure. This investigation first determines the linear twists which are optimum for each flight mode. Based on the optimum linear twist distributions, three extension-twist-coupled blade designs are developed using coupled-beam and laminate analyses integrated with an optimization analysis. The designs are optimized for maximum twist deformation subject to material strength limitations. The aerodynamic performances of the final designs are determined which show that the passive blade twist control concept is viable, and can enhance conventional tilt rotor performance.

Nixon, Mark W.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Performance and properties of arsenic passivated lithium-titanium disulfide cells

In order to inhibit chemical degradation associated with the lithium-electrolyte interaction in ambient temperature lithium cells, an attempt was made to synthetically passivate the anode via ion implantation of arsenic. Solvent reduction is reduced although salt reaction with lithium is still present. The performance of the Li-TiS2 cell differs from those with standard electrodes, but further work is necessary to clarify the efficacy of this mode of passivation.

Yen, S. P. S.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Passive venting system for modifying cavity flowfields at supersonic speeds

The drag of airfoils in transonic flow can be reduced through the use of a passive venting system that employs a porous plate for part of the airfoil upper surface with a vent chamber underneath the porous plate Attention is given to the results obtained with a wind tunnel model employing such a porous floor system. This passive venting system has been used to extend the length/height value before the onset of high drag-producing closed cavity flow at supersonic speeds.

Wilcox, Floyd J., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Robustness analysis based on passivity

A technique of robust stability analysis for multivariable control systems is introduced. Existing tools in the literature are mostly based on small gain type of conditions such as the H(infinity)-norm or mu measure. In contrast, the approach presented is motivated by passivity theory. The natural energy Lyapunov function associated with a passive system allows robustness to be analyzed with Lyapunov stability theory. Consequently, nonlinear and time-varying perturbations can be considered within the same framework. For unstructured uncertainties, the robustness margin is characterized in terms of an index related to the Hermitian part of a transfer function. If the uncertainties contain additional diagonal structure, stability margins are obtained for variations of each uncertain block in both positive and negative directions. Applications of this robustness analysis technique are illustrated.

Wen, John T.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Passivity In Analysis Of Robustness Of A Control System

Robustness margin (measure of degree of passivity) defined. Paper presents new approach to analysis of stability of multivariable feedforward-and-feedback control system consisting of exponentially stable linear time-invariant (LTI) feedforward subsystem and nonlinear time-varying (NTV) or dynamic feedback subsystem. New method based on notion of passivity, quantified by robustness margin. Margin provides bound on magnitudes of perturbations, below which perturbations will not make system unstable.

Wen, John Ting-Yung↗

NASA NTRS1987

Reducing model uncertainty effects in flexible manipulators through the addition of passive damping

An important issue in the control of practical systems is the effect of model uncertainty on closed loop performance. This is of particular concern when flexible structures are to be controlled, due to the fact that states associated with higher frequency vibration modes are truncated in order to make the control problem tractable. Digital simulations of a single-link manipulator system are employed to demonstrate that passive damping added to the flexible member reduces adverse effects associated with model uncertainty. A controller was designed based on a model including only one flexible mode. This controller was applied to larger order systems to evaluate the effects of modal truncation. Simulations using a Linear Quadratic Regulator (LQR) design assuming full state feedback illustrate the effect of control spillover. Simulations of a system using output feedback illustrate the destabilizing effect of observation spillover. The simulations reveal that the system with passive damping is less susceptible to these effects than the untreated case.

Alberts, T. E.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Passive and active control of jet turbulence

Techniques for controlling the generation, growth, and interactions of large coherent structures in turbulent flows are discussed, reviewing the results of recent experimental investigations. The fundamental principles of active and passive coherent-structure manipulation are outlined; the effects of geometric modification are examined for the case of an elliptic jet; and particular attention is given to passive control via self-excitation, turbulence and noise suppression, control of pairing interaction via two-frequency excitation, and unsteady boundary-layer separation in wall jets. Diagrams and graphs of typical results are provided.

Fazle Hussain, A. K. M.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Controller synthesis for infinite dimensional systems based on a passivity approach

The author discusses a generalization of hyperstability to systems in Hilbert space and its application to finite-dimensional stabilizing compensator design. The basic idea is to characterize tolerable perturbations in terms of the passivity of the nominal closed-loop system. Controllers achieving the required closed-loop passivity property can then be designed using H(infinity)-optimization. In particular, the author presents a design procedure for a stabilizing a finite-dimensional compensator for a given infinite-dimensional system.

Wen, John T.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Turbulent flow separation control through passive techniques

Several passive separation control techniques for controlling moderate two-dimensional turbulent flow separation over a backward-facing ramp are studied. Small transverse and swept grooves, passive porous surfaces, large longitudinal grooves, and vortex generators were among the techniques used. It was found that, unlike the transverse and longitudinal grooves of an equivalent size, the 45-deg swept-groove configurations tested tended to enhance separation.

Lin, J. C.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Long-term performance of the passive thermal control systems of the IRAS spacecraft

Degradation of passive thermal control systems in space is a matter of serious concern and has been observed in many missions. The performance of the passive thermal control systems of the Infrared Astronomical Satellite (IRAS) over a period of three years is reported here. An exterior temperature of 200 K and a sunshade temperature of approximately 100 K were maintained over this period without significant degradation. The temperature of the telescope contained in the IRAS cryostat was also observed for two years after expenditure of the helium cryogen. It remained at 100 K with no degradation.

Mason, P. V.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Passive navigation using image irradiance tracking

Rotorcraft operating at low altitudes require navigational schemes for locating the terrain and obstacles. Due to the covert nature of missions to be accomplished, a passive navigation scheme is desirable. This paper describes the development of a passive navigation scheme combining image sequences from a vehicle mounted camera with vehicle motion variables. Geometric properties of perspective projection together with an image irradiance tracking scheme at each pixel are used to determine the range to various objects within the field-of-view. Derivation of the numerical algorithm and simulation results are given. Other applications of the proposed approach include navigation for autonomous planetary rovers and telerobots.

Menon, P. K. A.↗