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At least 1,009 records · Page 56

Crash tests of four low-wing twin-engine airplanes with truss-reinforced fuselage structure

Four six-place, low-wing, twin-engine, general aviation airplane test specimens were crash tested under controlled free flight conditions. All airplanes were impacted on a concrete test surface at a nomial flight path velocity of 27 m/sec. Two tests were conducted at a -15 deg flight path angle (0 deg pitch angle and 15 deg pitch angle), and two were conducted at a -30 deg flight path angle (-30 deg pitch angle). The average acceleration time histories (crash pulses) in the cabin area for each principal direction were calculated for each crash test. In addition, the peak floor accelerations were calculated for each test as a function of aircraft fuselage longitudinal station number. Anthropomorphic dummy accelerations were analyzed using the dynamic response index and severity index (SI) models. Parameters affecting the dummy restraint system were studied; these parameters included the effect of no upper torso restraint, measurement of the amount of inertia-reel strap pullout before locking, measurement of dummy chest forward motion, and loads in the restraints. With the SI model, the dummies with no shoulder harness received head impacts above the concussive threshold.

Williams, M. S.↗

Advanced Gas Turbine (AGT) powertrain system development for automotive applications

An automotive gas turbine powertrain system which, when installed in a 1985 production vehicle (3000 pounds inertia weight), is being developed with a CFDC fuel economy of 42.8 miles per gallon based on Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) test procedures and diesel No. 2 fuel. The AGT-powered vehicle shall give substantially the same overall vehicle driveability and performance as a comparable 1985 production vehicle powered by a conventional spark ignition powertrain system (baseline system). Gaseous emissions and particulate levels less than: NOx = 0.4 gm/mile, HC = 0.41 gm/mile, and CO = 3.4 gm/mile, and a total particulate of 0.2 gm/mile, using the same fuel as used for fuel economy measurements is expected, along with the ability to use a variety of alternate fuels.

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Geologic interpretation of HCMM and aircraft thermal data

Progress on the Heat Capacity Mapping Mission (HCMM) follow-on study is reported. Numerous image products for geologic interpretation of both HCMM and aircraft thermal data were produced. These include, among others, various combinations of the thermal data with LANDSAT and SEASAT data. The combined data sets were displayed using simple color composites, principal component color composites and black and white images, and hue, saturation intensity color composites. Algorithms for incorporating both atmospheric and elevation data simultaneously into the digital processing for creation of quantitatively correct thermal inertia images, are in the final development stage. A field trip to Death Valley was undertaken to field check the aircraft and HCMM data.

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Advanced Gas Turbine (AGT) powertrain system development for automotive applications

A gas turbine powertrain for automobiles with reduced fuel consumption and reduced environmental impact is investigated. The automotive gas turbine, when installed in an automobile (3000 pounds inertia weight), provides a CFDC fuel economy of 42.8 miles per gallon based on EPA test procedures and diesel No. 2 fuel. The AGT powered vehicle substantially gives the same overall vehicle driveability and performance as a comparable production vehicle powered by a conventional spark ignition powertrain system. The emissions are less than federal standards, and a variety of fuels can be used.

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Remote sensing: Present and future

Satellite remote sensing technology is overviewed with particular emphasis on the present and planned LANDSAT satellite systems. Satellite-borne instrumentation and their capabilities are discussed including multispectral scanners, return beam vidicons, the thermal inertia mapper, and STEREOSAT instrumentation.

Bloemer, H. H. L.↗

Stability analysis of flexible wind turbine blades using finite element method

Static vibration and flutter analysis of a straight elastic axis blade was performed based on a finite element method solution. The total potential energy functional was formulated according to linear beam theory. The inertia and aerodynamic loads were formulated according to the blade absolute acceleration and absolute velocity vectors. In vibration analysis, the direction of motion of the blade during the first out-of-lane and first in-plane modes was examined; numerical results involve NASA/DOE Mod-0, McCauley propeller, north wind turbine and flat plate behavior. In flutter analysis, comparison cases were examined involving several references. Vibration analysis of a nonstraight elastic axis blade based on a finite element method solution was performed in a similar manner with the straight elastic axis blade, since it was recognized that a curved blade can be approximated by an assembly of a sufficient number of straight blade elements at different inclinations with respect to common system of axes. Numerical results involve comparison between the behavior of a straight and a curved cantilever beam during the lowest two in-plane and out-of-plane modes.

Kamoulakos, A.↗

A method for diagnosing surface parameters using geostationary satellite imagery and a boundary-layer model

A method for diagnosing surface parameters on a regional scale via geosynchronous satellite imagery is presented. Moisture availability, thermal inertia, atmospheric heat flux, and total evaporation are determined from three infrared images obtained from the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES). Three GOES images (early morning, midafternoon, and night) are obtained from computer tape. Two temperature-difference images are then created. The boundary-layer model is run, and its output is inverted via cubic regression equations. The satellite imagery is efficiently converted into output-variable fields. All computations are executed on a PDP 11/34 minicomputer. Output fields can be produced within one hour of the availability of aligned satellite subimages of a target area.

Polansky, A. C.↗

Correlation and evaluation of inplane stability characteristics for an advanced bearingless main rotor

A program of experimental and analytical research was performed to demonstrate the degree of correlation achieved between measured and computed rotor inplane stability characteristics. The experimental data were obtained from hover and wind tunnel tests of a scaled bearingless main rotor model. Both isolated rotor and free-hub conditions were tested. Test parameters included blade built-in cone and sweep angles; rotor inplane structural stiffness and damping; pitch link stiffness and location; and fuselage damping, inertia, and natural frequency. Analytical results for many test conditions were obtained. In addition, the analytical and experimental results were examined to ascertain the effects of the test parameters on rotor ground and air resonance stability. The results from this program are presented herein in tabular and graphical form.

Weller, W. H.↗

A Study of Feature Extraction Using Divergence Analysis of Texture Features

An empirical study of texture analysis for feature extraction and classification of high spatial resolution remotely sensed imagery (10 meters) is presented in terms of specific land cover types. The principal method examined is the use of spatial gray tone dependence (SGTD). The SGTD method reduces the gray levels within a moving window into a two-dimensional spatial gray tone dependence matrix which can be interpreted as a probability matrix of gray tone pairs. Haralick et al (1973) used a number of information theory measures to extract texture features from these matrices, including angular second moment (inertia), correlation, entropy, homogeneity, and energy. The derivation of the SGTD matrix is a function of: (1) the number of gray tones in an image; (2) the angle along which the frequency of SGTD is calculated; (3) the size of the moving window; and (4) the distance between gray tone pairs. The first three parameters were varied and tested on a 10 meter resolution panchromatic image of Maryville, Tennessee using the five SGTD measures. A transformed divergence measure was used to determine the statistical separability between four land cover categories forest, new residential, old residential, and industrial for each variation in texture parameters.

Hallada, W. A.↗

Potential of multisensor data and strategies for data acquisition and analysis

Registration and simultaneous analysis of multisensor images is useful because the multiple data sets can be compressed through image processing techniques to facilitate interpretation. This also allows integration of other spatial data sets. Techniques being developed to analyze multisensor images involve comparison of image data with a library of attributes based on physical properties measured by each sensor. This results in the ability to characterize geologic units based on their similarity to the library attributes, as well as discriminate among them. Several studies can provide information on ways to optimize multisensor remote sensing. Continued analyses of the Death Valley and San Rafael Swell data sets can provide insight into tradeoffs in spectral and spatial resolutions of the various sensors used to obtain the coregistered data sets. These include imagery from LANDSAT, SEASAT, HCMM, SIR-A, 11-channel VIS-NIR, thermal inertia images, and aircraft L- and X-band radar.

Evans, D.↗

Advanced single permanent magnet axipolar ironless stator ac motor for electric passenger vehicles

A program was conducted to design and develop an advanced-concept motor specifically created for propulsion of electric vehicles with increased range, reduced energy consumption, and reduced life-cycle costs in comparison with conventional systems. The motor developed is a brushless, dc, rare-earth cobalt, permanent magnet, axial air gap inductor machine that uses an ironless stator. Air cooling is inherent provided by the centrifugal-fan action of the rotor poles. An extensive design phase was conducted, which included analysis of the system performance versus the SAE J227a(D) driving cycle. A proof-of-principle model was developed and tested, and a functional model was developed and tested. Full generator-level testing was conducted on the functional model, recording electromagnetic, thermal, aerodynamic, and acoustic noise data. The machine demonstrated 20.3 kW output at 1466 rad/s and 160 dc. The novel ironless stator demonstated the capability to continuously operate at peak current. The projected system performance based on the use of a transistor inverter is 23.6 kW output power at 1466 rad/s and 83.3 percent efficiency. Design areas of concern regarding electric vehicle applications include the inherently high windage loss and rotor inertia.

Beauchamp, E. D.↗

Orbiting chains and rings

Two very different, highly flexible, space structures proposed during the last decade which involve analytical solution of certain partial differential equations are discussed. The first structure is an array, or hanging chain of aluminum beads which would serve as a convenient communicator if, under the influence of the Earth's gravity gradient, it assumes a local vertical orientation as it circles the Earth. Two passive schemes have been proposed for damping the rigid modes: twist the wire at the ends to provide non-zero moment of inertia about the vertical, thereby inducing relative motion of the two tips during rigid pitch or roll, and thus exercising a damper; and introduce weak lossy springs between the end sections and the main section; thereby providing linear coupling between the springs and all the in-plane (pitch) modes. The second structure is a complete ring of satellites cabled together at synchronous altitude. By a slight increase in altitude, the cable is in tension. This configuration is, however, unstable, and an active feedback control scheme is required to stabilize it. A possible scheme involves local cable length adjustment based on measurement of local altitude and shape variations and their rates.

Breakwell, J. V.↗

Some examples of the utility of HCMM data in geologic remote sensing

Examples of HCMM (Heat Capacity Mapping Mission) data in geologic remote sensing are presented, and the data set is composed of HCMM and aircraft digital scanner data and ground truth data from four western U.S. test sites. Data are used in the thermal model to test thermal data effectiveness, and changes in temperature with depth and time for dry soils are described by the model. It is found that the HCMM thermal inertia image is useful in the separability of bedrock and alluvium in Death Valley, and aa and pahoehoe flows in the Pisgah basalt flow. In a color composite of HCMM day temperature, night temperature, and day visible images of the Pisgah Crater test site, it is possible to distinguish alluvium, playa, aa and pahoehoe basalt flow, rhyolite intrusives, and other elements. Ground checking of units at a few points will extend capabilities to large areas and assist in creating telegeologic maps.

Kahle, A. B.↗

Optimal sun-alignment techniques of large solar arrays in electric propulsion spacecraft

Optimum sun-alignment of large solar arrays in electric propulsion spacecraft operating in earth orbit requires periodic roll motions around the thrust axis, synchronized with the apparent conical motion of the sun line. This oscillation is sustained effectively with the aid of gravity gradient torques while only a small share of the total torque is being contributed by the attitude control system. Tuning the system for resonance requires an appropriate choice of moment-of-inertia characteristics. To minimize atmospheric drag at low orbital altitudes the solar array is oriented parallel, or nearly parallel, to the flight direction. This can increase the thrust-to-drag ratio by as much as an order of magnitude. Coupled with optimal roll orientation, this feathering technique will permit use of electric propulsion effectively at low altitudes in support of space shuttle or space station activities and in spiral ascent missions.

Meissinger, H. F.↗

A similarity analysis of the droplet trajectory equation

A procedure is established to reduce the number of similarity parameters in the trajectory equation for particles in a moving fluid. This is accomplished by the use of an approximate sphere drag law to derive a new trajectory scaling parameter. The modified inertia parameter proposed by Langmuir specifically for the aircraft icing problem is analyzed and for the first time a closed-form solution is obtained. Both experimental and analytical results are presented to verify this new trajectory scaling parameter.

Bragg, M. B.↗

Dynamic analysis of turbulent annular seals based on Hirs' lubrication equation

Expressions are derived which define dynamic coefficients for high-pressure annular seals typical of neck-ring and interstage seals employed in multistage centrifugal pumps. Completely developed turbulent flow is assumed in both the circumferential and axial directions, and is modeled in this analysis by Hirs' turbulent lubrication equations. Linear zeroth and first-order 'short-bearing' perturbation solutions are developed by an expansion in the eccentricity ratio. The influence of inlet swirl is accounted for in the development of the circumferential flow field. Comparisons are made between the stiffness, damping, and inertia coefficients derived herein based on Hirs' model and previously published results based on other models. Finally, numerical results are presented for interstage seals in the Space Shuttle Main Engine High Pressure Fuel Turbopump and a water pump.

Childs, D. W.↗

A model of Martian slope winds - Implications for eolian transport

Observations of dark Martian wind streaks not associated with visible topographic points of origin (coalesced dark streaks) show these features to favor regions with slopes of 1-10 deg. To investigate the circulation over such slopes, a Boussinesq fluid is adopted and a constant eddy diffusivity parameterization is assumed for small-scale mixing. The equations of motion are scaled to determine the range of slopes over which a strong local circulation due to slope winds can exist. For nighttime conditions, the estimated range compares well with the observed range of slopes favored by coalesced dark streaks. For daytime conditions, the slope wind solution is not valid. A simple one-dimensional analytic model is solved to determine friction velocities and velocity and temperature profiles. For reasonable choices of the input parameters, friction velocities and wind velocities suggestive of active downslope eolian transport on slopes of 1-10 deg are found. Friction velocities are largest over surfaces with low thermal inertia and large roughness length.

Magalhaes, J.↗

Wind streaks in Tharsis and Elysium - Implications for sediment transport by slope winds

Detailed maps of wind streaks in Tharsis and Elysium have been compiled from Viking Orbiter observations spanning one complete Martian year. The streak pattern is controlled by slope winds on the central volcanoes and on the flanks of the Tharsis bulge, while the global circulation dominates in Elysium. Dust erosion by downslope winds occurs over much of Tharsis and in the vicinity of Elysium Mons; this process is effective even at the low atmospheric pressures found near the summits of the large volcanoes. Erosional streaks are largely absent in Elysium Planitia; net deposition of dust might have occurred during the period of the observations. Surface properties such as slope, thermal inertia, and roughness may influence the efficiency of slope wind production sufficiently to account for the pronounced differences in streak types and patterns present in these two regions.

Lee, S. W.↗