Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “Leg”

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.

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

At least 955 records · Page 53

Controlled impact demonstration seat/cabin restraint systems: FAA

The FAA restraint system experiments consisted of 24 standard and modified seats, 2 standard galleys and 2 standard overhead compartments. Under the controlled impact demonstration (CID) program, the experimental objective was to demonstrate the effectiveness of individual restraint system designs when exposed to a survivable air-to-ground impact condition. What researchers were looking for was the performance exhibited by standard and modified designs, performance differences resulting from their installed cabin location, and interrelating performance demonstrated by test article and attaching floor and/or fuselage structure. The other restraint system experiment consisted of 2 standard overhead stowage compartments and 2 galley modules. Again, researchers were concerned with the retention of stowed equipment and carry-on articles. The overhead compartments were loaded with test weights up to their maximum capacity, and each of the galleys was filled with test articles: aft with normal galley equipment, forward with hazardous material test packages. A breakdown of instrumentation and distribution is given beginning with 11 instrumented type anthropomorphic dummies and 185 sensors which provided for acceleration and load measurements at the various experiment and associated structure locations. The onboard cameras provided additional coverage of these experiments, including the areas of cabin which were not instrumented. Test results showing the window-side leg forces versus pulse duration are given.

Johnson, R. A.↗

Drop foot corrective device

A light weight, economical device to alleviate a plurality of difficulties encountered in walking by a victim suffering from a drop foot condition is discussed. A legband girdles the leg below the knee and above the calf providing an anchor point for the upper end of a ligament having its lower end attached to a toe of a shoe or a toe on the foot. The ligament is of such length that the foot is supported thereby and retained in a normal position during walking.

Deis, B. C.↗

Shoulder and hip joints for hard space suits and the like

For use in hard space suits and the like, a joint between the torso covering and the upper arm covering (i.e., shoulder) or between the torso covering and upper leg covering (i.e., hip) is disclosed. Each joint has an outer covering and a inner covering. The outer covering has plural perferably truncated toroidal sections decreasing in size proceeding outwardly. In one embodiment at each joint there are two bearings, the first larger than the second. The outer race of the larger bearing is attached to the outer edge of the smaller end of each section and the inner race of the larger bearing is attached to the end wall. The inner race of the smaller bearing is attached to the end wall. The outer race of the smaller bearing is attached to the larger end of the next section. Each bearing hask appropriate seals. Between each section is a rubber ring for the comfort of the wearer. Such rubber rings have radial flanges attached to the inner races of two adjacent bearings. Matching semicircular grooves are formed in the abutting overlapping surfaces. Bellows-like inner walls are also provided for each section fixed at one end to an inner cylindrical flange and, at the opposite end, to an end wall. Each outer section may rotate 360 deg relative to the next outer section, whereas the bellows sections do not rotate, but rather expand or contract locally as the rigid sections rotate relative to each other.

Vykukal, H. C.↗

Simultaneous microwave observations of solar flares at 6 and 20 cm wavelengths using the VLA

Using the Very Large Array, solar burst observations have been carried out simultaneously at 6 and 20 cm. Structural changes and preheating have been observed in the flaring regions on time scales of minutes to tens of minutes before the onset of the burst impulsive phase. The 6 cm burst sources are located close to the neutral line, or near the legs of a flaring loop. The 20 cm burst sources show complex and extended structures spatially separated from both the preburst emission and the gradual decay phase of the burst. The observations are interpreted in terms of a two-component flare model (bulk heating as well as acceleration of particles), and the physical parameters of the burst sources are derived.

Melozzi, M.↗

Designing a Mars surface rover

Only three categories of vehicular configuration are under consideration for the Mars rover geological exploration mission: a six-wheeled 'lunar roving vehicle' (LRV), an elastic loopwheeled mobility system (ELMS), and a 'walking' vehicle. The LRV uses three compliantly coupled modules, each of which is equipped with two powered wheels. The ELMS uses three loopwheels that are reminiscent of tracks mounted on an articulated suspension. Walkers, which use leg-like mechanisms, are the least developed of the three categories. A comparative assessment of the capabilities and economies of the three vehicle types is presented.

Ruoff, C.↗

Ion flow at comet Halley

The three-dimensional positive ion analyzer aboard the Giotto spacecraft has been used to study the interaction between protons and alpha-particles in the solar wind and positive ions from comet Halley. Although the first impression of the overall structure is that the plasma flow evolves smoothly as the nucleus is approached, three sharp transitions of relatively small amplitude can be identified on both the inbound and outbound legs of the trajectory. The outermost one, at about one million km from the nucleus, appears to be a multiple crossing of a weak bow shock. The innermost one, at 80,000 km, is the boundary where the flowing plasma becomes depleted. On a microscopic scale, the turbulence created by the interaction between the two ion populations extends to a distance of several million km from the nucleus. At Giotto's closest approach to the nucleus, the plasma produced around the spacecraft by dust and gas impacts was much more energetic than had been expected.

Johnstone, A.↗

Side-Looking Viewer for Crevices

Side-looking optical viewer inserted into gap 1 mm wide to depth of 10 cm. Instrument allows human observer to inspect small crevices from comfortable viewing angle. Small mirror atop pair of thin, flat legs inserted into gap. Mirror reflects image of gap wall or other object into microscope, which magnifies image 20 times. Quartz/halogen lamp in separate unit provides light to illuminate gap via optical-fiber bundle. Observer looks directly through microscope or attaches photographic or video camera without disturbing setup.

Hagen, G. R.↗

Higher-Quality Weld Joints for Tube Sections

Less material in weld inserts results in better fusion. Redesigned insert for joining tubes by welding improves quality of weld. In new insert, leg of T shorter so it does not protrude into tube cavity.

Olszewski, John T.↗

In vivo nuclear magnetic resonance imaging

During the past year the Woodlands Baylor Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) facility became fully operational. A detailed description of this facility is given. One significant instrument addition this year was the 100 MHz, 40cm bore superconducting imaging spectrometer. This instrument gives researchers the capability to acquire high energy phosphate spectra. This will be used to investigate ATP, phosphocreatinine and inorganic phosphate changes in normal and atrophied muscle before, during and after exercise. An exercise device for use within the bore of the imaging magnet is under design/construction. The results of a study of T sub 1 and T sub 2 changes in atrophied muscle in animals and human subjects are given. The imaging and analysis of the lower leg of 15 research subjects before and after 5 weeks of complete bedrest was completed. A compilation of these results are attached.

Leblanc, A.↗

Gulf stream velocity structure through combined inversion of hydrographic and acoustic Doppler data

Near-surface velocities from an acoustic Doppler instrument are used in conjunction with CTD/O2 data to produce estimates of the absolute flow field off Cape Hatteras. The data set consists of two transects across the Gulf Stream made by the R/V Endeavor cruise EN88 in August 1982. An inverse procedure is applied which makes use of both the acoustic Doppler data and property conservation constraints. Velocity sections at approximately 73 deg. W and 71 deg. W are presented with formal errors of 1-2 cm/s. The net Gulf Stream transports are estimated to be 116 + or - 2 Sv across the south leg and 161 + or - 4 Sv across the north. A Deep Western Boundary Current transport of 4 + or - 1 Sv is also estimated. While these values do not necessarily represent the mean, they are accurate estimates of the synoptic flow field in the region.

Pierce, S. D.↗

Mars mission concepts and opportunities

Trajectory and mission requirement data are presented for Earth Mars opposition and conjunction class roundtrip flyby and stopover mission opportunities available between 1997 and 2045. The opposition class flyby mission uses direct transfer trajectories to and on return from Mars. The opposition class stopover mission employs the gravitational field of Venus to accelerate the space vehicle on either the outbound or inbound leg in order to reduce the propulsion requirement associated with the opposition class mission. The conjunction class mission minimizes propulsion requirements by optimizing the stopover time at Mars.

Archie C Young↗

Three dimensional structures of solar active regions

Three dimensional structure of an active region is determined from observations with the Very Large Array (VLA) at 2, 6, and 20 cm. This region exhibits a single magnetic loop of length approx. 10 to the 10th power cm. The 2 cm radiation is mostly thermal bremsstrahlung and originates from the footpoints of the loop. The 6 and 20 cm radiation is dominated by the low harmonic gyroresonance radiation and originates from the upper portion of the legs or the top of the loop. The loop broadens toward the apex. The top of the loop is not found to be the hottest point, but two temperature maxima on either side of the loop apex are observed, which is consistent with the model proposed for long loops. From 2 and 6 cm observations it can be concluded that the electron density and temperature cannot be uniform in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the loop; the density should decrease away from the axis of the loop.

Kundu, M. R.↗

Experimental evaluation of honeycomb/screen configurations and short contraction section for NASA Lewis Research Center's altitude wind tunnel

An experimental investigation was conducted in the high speed leg of the 0.1 scale model of the proposed Altitude Wind Tunnel to evaluate flow conditioner configurations in the settling chamber and their effect on the flow through the short contraction section. The lowest longitudinal turbulence intensity measured at the contraction-section entrance, 1.2%, was achieved with a honeycomb plus three fine-mesh screens. Turbulence intensity in the test section was estimated to be between 0.1 and 0.2% with the honeycomb plus three fine mesh screens in the settling chamber. Adding screens, however, adversely affected the total pressure profile, causing a small defect near the centerline at the contraction section entrance. No significant boundary layer separation was evident in the short contraction section.

Burley, Richard R.↗

Anisotropy of the neutral gas distribution of Comet Halley deduced from NGE/Vega 1 measurements

The neutral gas density profile of comet Halley measured by the Neutral Gas Experiment on Vega 1 showed an asymmetry between the inbound and the outbound legs during the fly-by on 6 March 1986. The implications of this asymmetry are discussed, and it is shown how the asymmetry detected by NGE on Vega 1 can be traced back to regions on or near the nucleus to obtain their relative gas production activities at specific times of emission.

Hsieh, K. C.↗

Macroscopic perturbations of the Interplanetary Magnetic Field (IMF) by P/Halley as seen by the Giotto magnetometer

Giotto magnetic field data were used to analyze the macroscopic field structure in the vicinity of P/Halley. During the Giotto flyby at comet P/Halley the IMF showed a quite stable away polarity. Draping of magnetic field lines is clearly observed along the outbound leg of the trajectory. Inside the magnetic pile-up region the field reverses its polarity several times. A symmetry of oppositely magnetized sheets with respect to the nucleus is found and explained in terms of convected IMF features.

Raeder, J.↗

Buckling analysis of the quadripod structure for the NASA 70-meter antenna

As part of the effort to extend the diameter of three Deep Space Network large earth antennas from 64 meters to 70 meters, a slim profiled quadripod structure was designed to support a 7.7 meter diameter subreflector for the 70 meter antenna. The new quadripod design, which particularly emphasizes reduced radio frequency blockage, is achieved by means of a narrow cross sectional profile of the legs. Buckling analysis, using NASTRAN, was conducted in this study to verify the safety margin for the quadripod structural stability.

Chian, Chian T.↗

The extreme-ultraviolet spectrum (300-630 A) of an erupting prominence observed from Skylab

The Skylab 300-630 A images of the January 17, 1974 eruptive spray event imply that the energy input to the arch was maintained during the first 22 min, accompanied by upward motion and heating. From the spectrum obtained, thermal properties are derived for the brightest portion of the nearly straightened leg of the arch. Wavelengths, identifications and intensities are presented for about 90 emission lines formed at temperatures between 100,000 and 1,000,000 K. The emission measure plot obtained is similar to those plots observed for the quiet sun.

Widing, K. G.↗

Three-dimensional vortical structures of transition in plane channel flow

Three-dimensional visualization of flwo field structures in transitional plane channel flow obtained from a numerical simulation are presented at two Reynolds numbers. It is revealed that at the one-spike stage, independent of Reynolds number, the flow is characterized by a multi-layer vortex system. In the upper layer, total vorticity vector plots indicate a high-shear layer dominated by spanwise vorticity, whereas the middle layer (corresponding approximately to the critical layer) forms a vortex loop (alpha-vortex) consisting of strong streamwise and spanwise vorticity components. At the three-spike stage, the breakdown of the vortical structure proceeds in a manner similar to frontal relaminarization of turbulent spots. This process is accompanied by intense vortex lift-up activity near the wall which seems to originate at the legs of the vortex loop trailing the high-shear layer. Finally, at the five-spike stage, it is shown that high-vorticity regions (vortical structures) develop into horseshow eddies in planes inclined to the main flow direction.

Biringen, S.↗