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At least 973 records · Page 54

Analysis of Microwave Resonant Cavity Transducer Degradation Mechanisms

We are investigating a microwave resonant cavity transducer for flow sensing in the vessel of a high temperature fluid advanced reactor (AR), such as a molten salt cooled reactor (MSCR) or a sodium fast reactor (SFR). This transducer is a hollow metallic cylindrical cavity, with the flat wall of the cylinder flexible enough to undergo microscopic deflection due to dynamic fluid pressure. Membrane deflection leads to a shift in the resonant frequency, which can be detected with a spectrum analyzer. Because the transducer is intended for immersion in a high temperature corrosive fluid, understanding of material degradation is crucial for estimation of transducer performance lifetime, and development of measurement interpretation algorithms. We conducted a preliminary computational investigation of relevant damage mechanisms of a stainless steel 316 cylindrical resonator in FLiBe salt. The two main damage mechanisms, creep and corrosion, were modeled using multiphysics COMSOL software. Degradation was modeled for a temperature range 500°C to 700°C. Coupling of the damage mechanisms was not considered. These models predict significant inelastic deformation at most temperatures due to creep, and qualitatively predict chromium depletion both along the liquid/solid interface and along the grain boundaries. An algorithmic approach for compensation of these degradation effects during fluid flow measurements will be developed in the future work.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

Probabilistic Analysis of Long-Term Degradation of Microwave Cavity Flow Sensor

We are investigating a microwave resonant cavity transducer for flow sensing in the vessel of a high temperature fluid advanced reactor (AR), such as a molten salt cooled reactor (MSCR) or a sodium fast reactor (SFR). This transducer is a hollow metallic cylindrical cavity, with the flat wall of the cylinder flexible enough to undergo microscopic deflection due to dynamic fluid pressure. Membrane deflection leads to a shift in the resonant frequency, which can be detected with a spectrum analyzer. We have performed a proof-of-concept experiment of flow sensing with the transducer in liquid sodium at 340°C in impinging liquid jet geometry. The transducer remained in liquid sodium for 70 days. After removal, no structural damage was observed, and the expected transducer response was verified in a water test. Because long-term (multi-year) experimental tests of transducer resilience to harsh environment are not practical, we have developed a probabilistic model of creep to estimate transducer resilience to the harsh environment. The probabilistic model considers diffusion creep under the condition of high temperature and low stress, where the stress and temperature are allowed to be random variables with Gaussian distributions. Using the probabilistic model, we estimate inelastic membrane deflections due to creep for several temperature ranges. We conclude that for temperatures less than 650°C, creep has negligible long-term effect on the transducer performance. Since a yellowish residue was observed on the transducer surface after 70 days of immersion in liquid sodium, we have investigated possible evidence of corrosion. Chromium depletion is a typical indicator of the corrosion process in stainless steel. Scraping off a residue from the transducer and performing scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive analysis (EDS) did not find any chromium in the residue. Approximately 60% of the residue consisted of copper, which can be attributed to contamination of sodium due to powder residue from machining of copper and brass components of the transducer.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

Advanced Intra-Cycle Detection of Pre-Ignition Events through Phase-Space Transforms of Cylinder Pressure Data

The widespread adoption of boosted, downsized SI engines has brought pre-ignition phenomena into greater focus, as the knock events resulting from pre-ignitions can cause significant hardware damage. Much attention has been given to understanding the causes of pre-ignition and identify lubricant or fuel properties and engine design and calibration considerations that impact its frequency. This helps to shift the pre-ignition limit to higher specific loads and allow further downsizing but does not fundamentally eliminate the problem. Real-time detection and mitigation of pre-ignition would thus be desirable to allow safe engine operation in pre-ignition-prone conditions. This study focuses on advancing the time of detection of pre-ignition in an engine cycle where it occurs. Furthermore, phase space transforms through time-delay embedding of cylinder pressure and principal component analysis were applied to same-cycle detection of pre-ignition and shown to enable detection on the order of a crank degree earlier than deviation in cylinder pressure can be identified through direct statistical observation of the pressure data. Additionally, it appears that the deviation of the trajectory in phase space may offer the opportunity to extend this method to further extend the detection window and allow more time for mitigation actions to occur.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Mean and fluctuating velocity contours and acoustic characteristics of subsonic and supersonic jets.

Mean and fluctuating velocity contours were determined for a convergent nozzle from surveys with impact pressure and piezoelectric pressure gauge probes, at Mach numbers of 0.6 to 1.4. For supersonic Mach numbers of 1.2 and 1.4, the length of the supersonic region increased as the square of the Mach number, and the peak pressure fluctuations occurred close to the sonic velocity contour. For subsonic Mach numbers of 0.6 to 1.0, the peak pressure fluctuations occurred in a toroidal region located approximately 4 to 6 diameters from the nozzle. The normalized sound power spectra for subsonic Mach numbers were similar, and for supersonic Mach numbers the power spectra shifted to the higher frequencies.

Nagamatsu, H. T.↗

Vibrational spectra and structure of azomethane and azomethane-d6.

The infrared and Raman spectra of azomethane and azomethane-d(6) were examined in detail. Vibrational data provided definitive verification of a trans-structure with C(2h) symmetry. A vibrational assignment is proposed for the 24 fundamental modes based upon the observed contours, isotopic shift ratios, and group frequency correlations. Spectra of the polycrystalline samples indicate that there are at least four molecules per unit cell, since a number of the bands were observed to be split into doublets. The crystal also appeared to have a center of symmetry, since mutual exclusion was clearly operative.

Durig, J. R.↗

Spectral analysis of skeletal muscle changes resulting from 59 days of weightlessness in Skylab 2

During stressful exercise of the m. gastrocnemius, preflight and postflight surface electromyograms (EMG) were taken from each of the Skylab II astronauts. Measurements on the muscle were made once 5 days before launch, and four times postflight on recovery day, 4 days after recovery, 16 days after recovery and 29 days after recovery. It was hypothesized that the disused gastrocnemius would exhibit dysfunction characteristics similar to those found in laboratory studies on disuse and of pathologically astrophied muscle, and that physical stress would be associated with heightened fatigability in the muscle. Both hypotheses were sustained. The results showed significant shifts of the predominant frequency of the gastrocnemius into higher than normal bands which suggests a relationship between muscle disuse characteristics and pathologic dysfunction characteristics. It was concluded that the spectrally analyzed EMG is a sensitive measure of muscle dsyfunction that is associated with disuse. Antigravity muscles exhibit heightened susceptibility to fatigue when subjected to lengthy weightlessness.

Lafevers, E. V.↗

Acoustic, performance, and wake survey measurements of a lobed velocity-decayer nozzle installed on a quieted TF-34 turbofan engine

Results for three velocity decayer nozzle configurations are compared with those obtained with a separate flow coannular nozzle tested on the same quieted turbofan engine. Peak sideline noise, which occurred 110 degrees from the inlet, was 2 to 4 db louder than with the coannular nozzle at the same ideal effective exhaust velocity and 8 to 11 db louder at the same thrust level. The decayer nozzles produced an increase in loss equivalent to about 4 percent of the engine thrust and also increased the effective exhaust velocity of the engine. The exhaust decayed to 0.35 of its peak velocity, compared with no decay for the coannular nozzle, within 3 equivalent nozzle diameters of the exit. The peak exhaust gas temperature was 400 K lower for the decayer configuration at the same location. The increase in perceived noise level for the decayer nozzles as compared with the coannular nozzle was attributed to the increase in exhaust velocity and the shift in peak spectrum frequency produced by these nozzles.

Samanich, N. E.↗

Orbiter KU-band transmitter

The design, build, and test of an engineering breadboard Ku band quadraphase shift keyed and wideband frequency modulated transmitter are described. This orbiter Ku band transmitter drawer is to simulate the orbiter transmitter and meet the functional requirements of the orbiter communication link.

Halterman, R.↗

National geodetic satellite program, part 1

The Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) space research program was directed toward modeling the gravitational field of the earth from an analysis of the Doppler shifts on the transmitted frequencies of the satellites as obtained by the tracking stations. Emphasis is on the satellites involved and the methods used in accomplishing this aim.

Dunnell, C. A.↗

A linear scanning balloon-borne telescope for far-infrared astronomy

A low-background balloon-borne far-infrared (30-300 microns) telescope, utilizing a linear scan mode has dramatically increased the efficiency of mapping large extended areas over more conventional systems. The system consists of a 20 cm linear scanned mirror mounted as an off-axis (Herchelian) telescope designed to achieve an emissivity of 1% or less, a ten position cooled aperture-filter wheel, a cooled Pfund optical system with a composite diamond-germanium bolometer mounted in a spherical cavity, a minimum phase shift ultra-low frequency amplifier, and a 4 micron thick mylar dewar window. This system was used to produce detailed far-infrared maps of the galactic plane. The system specifications and operating parameters will be discussed and preliminary data shown.

Nishimura, T.↗

Radar research on thunderstorms and lightning

Applications of Doppler radar to detection of storm hazards are reviewed. Normal radar sweeps reveal data on reflectivity fields of rain drops, ionized lightning paths, and irregularities in humidity and temperature. Doppler radar permits identification of the targets' speed toward or away from the transmitter through interpretation of the shifts in the microwave frequency. Wind velocity fields can be characterized in three dimensions by the use of two radar units, with a Nyquist limit on the highest wind speeds that may be recorded. Comparisons with models numerically derived from Doppler radar data show substantial agreement in storm formation predictions based on information gathered before the storm. Examples are provided of tornado observations with expanded Nyquist limits, gust fronts, turbulence, lightning and storm structures. Obtaining vertical velocities from reflectivity spectra is discussed.

Rust, W. D.↗

Report on Satellite Radar for Detecting Ocean Currents

Good resolution and high signal/noise ratio anticipated. Report describes orbiting sidelooking radar that measures ocean currents in direction toward or away from it. Radar relies on relationship between Doppler shifts and lengths and frequencies of ocean waves.

Jain, A.↗

Cytoplasmic rearrangements associated with amphibian egg symmetrization

Cytoplasmic rearrangements which follow fertilization were mentioned in normal and inverted eggs. A set of yolk compartments was resolved by cytological analyses of both normally oriented and inverted eggs. Those compartments were characterized by their yolk platelet compositions and movement during egg inversion. It is found that during egg inversion the yolk compartments shift minor cytoplasmic compartments which line the egg cortex. Those yolk mass shifts occurred only after the inverted egg was activated. The direction of shift of the major yolk components, rather than the sperm entrance site, determines the dorsal/ventral polarity of the inverted egg. Among different spawnings the rate of shift varied. Eggs that displayed the fastest rate of shift exhibited the highest frequency of developmental abnormalities during organogenesis. Interpretation of novel observations on cytoplasmic organization provide criticism of some earlier models. A new density compartment model is presented as a coherent way to view the organization of the egg cytoplasm and the development of bilateral symmetry.

Malacinski, G. M.↗

Mean excitation energies for stopping powers in various materials using local plasma oscillator strengths

The basic model of Lindhard and Scharff, known as the local plasma model, is used to study the effects on stopping power of the chemical and physical state of the medium. Unlike previous work with the local plasma model, in which individual electron shifts in the plasma frequency were estimated empirically, he Pines correction derived for a degenerate Fermi gas is shown herein to provide a reasonable estimate, even on the atomic scale. Thus, the model is moved to a complete theoretical base requiring no empirical adjustments, as characteristic of past applications. The principal remaining error is in the overestimation of the low-energy absorption properties that are characteristic of the plasma model in the region of the atomic discrete spectrum, although higher-energy phenomena are accurately represented, and even excitation-to-ionization ratios are given to fair accuracy. Mean excitation energies for covalent-bonded gases and solids, for ionic gases and crystals, and for metals are calculated using first-order models of the bonded states.

Wilson, J. W.↗

Study of spectral/radiometric characteristics of the Thematic Mapper for land use applications

Progress during the Environmental Research Institute of Michigan-ERIM's and 5 image data quality assessment program for the thematic mapper is described. Analyses of LANDSAT 5 TM radiometric characteristics were performed. Effects which had earlier been found in LANDSAT 4 TM data were found to be present in LANDSAT 5 data as well, including: (1) scan direction related signal droop; (2) scan correlated level shifts; and (3) low frequency coherent noise. Coincident LANDSAT 4 and 5 raw TM data were analyzed, and band by band relationships between the two sensors were derived. Earlier efforts which developed an information theoretic measure of multispectral information content were continued, comparing TM and MSS information content.

Malila, W. A.↗