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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.

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At least 1,027 records · Page 57
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1993

The first detection of ionized helium in the local ISM - EUVE and IUE spectroscopy of the hot DA white dwarf GD 246

We report observations of the extreme ultraviolet spectrum of the hot degenerate star GD 246 obtained with the EUVE. Our initial attempt at modeling the photospheric emission from the white dwarf reveals a relatively uncontaminated pure H spectrum in the range above 200 A, allowing a study of interstellar continuum absorption features in the line of sight of GD 246. Modeling of the He I autoionization transition discussed by Rumph et al. (1993), and the EUV continuum using the white dwarf as a source of background radiation provides measurements of both neutral and, for the first time, singly ionized He column densities in the local ISM (LISM). We estimate the He ionization fraction He II/(He I + He II) at roughly 25 percent with a total He column of 1.40-1.65 x 10 exp 18/sq cm. We have measured and compared H I column densities from the saturated Ly-alpha ISM absorption in IUE high-dispersion spectroscopy and from EUV continuum absorption: the two measurements are in good agreement with a total H column of 1.2-1.6 x 10 exp 19/sq cm. We discuss some implications for the nature of the LISM, particularly in the context of current models of the EUV radiation field.

Vennes, Stephane↗
NASA NTRS1992

On the local stability of accretion disks

The local stability of accretion disks is investigated through the study of an unbounded rotating compressible viscous plane Couette flow. Bulk viscosity is included. Such a flow is shown to be stable against all small amplitude disturbances. The implication of this result for the origin of the assumed turbulent viscosity is explored. In particular, the possible role of finite amplitude perturbations in the onset of turbulence is stressed.

Dubrulle, B.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Local time asymmetries in the Venus thermosphere

A comparison is presented of the 130-m images taken in the Venus thermosphere by the Pioneer Venus Orbiter Ultraviolet Spectrometer (PVOUVS) to predictions by a model which incorporates current understanding of the global structure of the thermosphere, the mechanisms which excite the 130-nm transition in O, and the radiative transport of the 130-nm triplet in the thermosphere. The features identified in the data/model comparison appear as a local time asymmetry in B(130) and O at altitudes poleward of 30 deg. Oxygen densities at the evening terminator are typically a factor of 2 higher than those at the morning terminator. This asymmetry in O has never before been observed or predicted in the global thermospheric models.

Alexander, M. J.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Methodology for the passive control of orbital inclination and mean local time to meet sun-synchronous orbit requirements

The mean local time (MLT) of equatorial crossing of a sun-synchronous Earth-observing spacecraft orbit drifts with inclination; therefore, in order to maintain the MLT, the inclination must be controlled. Inclination may be maintained actively by costly out-of-plane maneuvers or passively by using the perturbing forces due to the sun and moon. This paper examines the passive control approach using the Earth Observing System (EOS) as a basis for the discussion. Applications to Landsat and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) spacecraft are presented for comparison. This technique is especially beneficial to spacecraft lacking propulsion systems. The results indicate that passive inclination control appears to be the preferable maintenance method when spacecraft weight restrictions, operational considerations, and scientific requirements apply.

Folta, David↗
NASA NTRS1989

Locally optimal-digital redesign of continuous-time systems

This paper presents a new optimal digital redesign technique for finding a dynamic digital control law from the given continuous-time counterpart by minimizing a local quadratic performance index. The quadratic performance index is chosen as the integral of the weighted squared difference between the states of the original closed-loop system and those of the digitally controlled closed-loop system at any instant between each sampling period. The developed optimal digital redesign control law enables the states of the digitally controlled closed-loop system 10 closely match those of the original closed-loop system at any instant between each sampling period, and it can easily be implemented using microcomputers with a relatively large sampling period.

Shieh, Leang-San↗
NASA NTRS1993

Headphone localization of speech

Three-dimensional acoustic display systems have recently been developed that synthesize virtual sound sources over headphones based on filtering by head-related transfer functions (HRTFs), the direction-dependent spectral changes caused primarily by the pinnae. In this study, 11 inexperienced subjects judged the apparent spatial location of headphone-presented speech stimuli filtered with nonindividualized HRTFs. About half of the subjects 'pulled' their judgments toward either the median or the lateral-vertical planes, and estimates were almost always elevated. Individual differences were pronounced for the distance judgments; 15 to 46 percent of stimuli were heard inside the head, with the shortest estimates near the median plane. The results suggest that most listeners can obtain useful azimuth information from speech stimuli filtered by nonindividualized HRTFs. Measurements of localization error and reversal rates are comparable with a previous study that used broadband noise stimuli.

Begault, Durand R.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Inferring global characteristics of current sheet from local measurements

A new procedure to extract global characteristics of a current sheet based on local measurements of magnetic field, plasma, and current density from a single spacecraft is described. By adopting suitable current density profiles, this method permits an estimate of the following parameters: (1) the asymptotic magnetic field strength outside the current sheet, (2) the north-south thickness of the current sheet, (3) the spacecraft distance from the center of the current sheet, (4) the magnetic field line curvature at the center of the current sheet, (5) the volume current density at the center of the current sheet, (6) the integrated current density across the thickness of the current sheet, and (7) the kappa parameter used by many researchers in the study of particle orbits in a current sheet geometry.

Lui, A. T. Y.↗
NASA NTRS1952

Solutions of laminar-boundary-equations which result in specific-weight-flow profiles locally exceeding free-stream values

Revised solutions of the laminar-boundary-layer equations for cases which involved cooling at the wall combined with large pressure gradients in the main stream produced specific-weight-flow profiles which locally exceeded free-stream values. Heat-transfer and friction coefficients, boundary-layer thicknesses, and velocity, temperature, and specific-weight-flow distributions resulting from the revised solutions are presented for Euler numbers of 0.5 and 1, stream-to-wall temperature ratios of 2 and 4, and cooling-air flow rates through porous walls designated by flow parameters of 0, -0.5, and -1.

HEAT TRANSFER, AERODYNAMIC↗
NASA NTRS1950

Analytical determination of local surface heat-transfer coefficients for cooled turbine blades from measured metal temperatures

Analytical methods are presented for the determination of local values of outside and inside heat-transfer coefficients and effective gas temperatures by use of turbine-blade-temperature measurements. The methods are derived for a number of configurations that can be applied to typical cooled-turbine-blade shapes as well as to other types of heat-transfer apparatus.

TURBINE COOLING↗
NASA NTRS1956

Investigation of Local Heat-transfer and Pressure Drag Characteristics of a Yawed Circular Cylinder at Supersonic Speeds

Local heat-transfer coefficients, temperature recovery factors, and pressure distributions were measured on the front side of a circular cylinder at a nominal Mach number of 3.9 over a range of free-stream Reynolds numbers from 2.1 x 10 to the 3rd power to 6.7 x 10 to the 3rd power and yaw angles from zero degrees to 44 degrees. Yawing the cylinder reduced the heat-transfer coefficients and the pressure drag coefficients. The amount of reduction may be predicted by a theory presented herein.

Goodwin, Glen↗
NASA NTRS1994

Optical Fibers Would Sense Local Strains

Proposed fiber-optic transducers measure local strains. Includes lead-in and lead-out lengths producing no changes in phase shifts, plus short sensing length in which phase shift is sensitive to strain. Phase shifts in single-mode fibers vary with strains. In alternative version, multiple portions of optical fiber sensitive to strains characteristic of specific vibrational mode of object. Same principle also used with two-mode fiber.

Egalon, Claudio O.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Optical Fibers Would Sense Local Temperatures

Proposed fiber-optic transducers measure local temperatures. Includes lead-in and lead-out lengths producing no changes in phase shifts, plus short sensing length in which phase shift sensitive to temperature. Phase shifts in two-mode fibers vary with temperatures.

Egalon, Claudio O.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Local measurement of temperatures and concentrations: A review for hypersonic flows

The quality of reentry simulation for Shuttle, HERMES, Sanger, and NASP systematically suffers from the strong non-equilibrium of rotational and vibrational temperature due to the rapid acceleration of the test gas in the nozzle. Therefore the determination of temperatures is necessary and, if possible, preferable by a non-intrusive technique. The specific interests of this review are optical techniques such as electron beam fluorescence, laser-induced fluorescence, and coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering. The capabilities available for local measurements with temporal resolution and quantitative accuracy are discussed for velocity, temperature, density, species concentrations, and fluctuations due to turbulence. The applicability of these methods of measurement is presented and discussed for the coming topic in aerothermodynamics: experimental techniques of hot gases in high enthalpy flows.

Dankert, C.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Status of local oscillators for operating ultra-high resolution frequency discriminators as frequency standards

The operation of new improved frequency standards based on new ultra-high-resolution frequency discriminators requires high stability local, or 'flywheel' oscillators. We review the spectral density of phase fluctuations of existing flywheel oscillators and the related time domain frequency stability of new and proposed cryogenically cooled oscillators suitable for this application. Presently used devices include the quartz crystal oscillator, the room-temperature actively oscillating atomic hydrogen (H) maser, and the superconducting maser oscillator. Future devices include the cryogenic H-maser and other cryogenic devices using resonators of superconducting metal or solid crystalline sapphire. The relation of the phase spectral density of these devices to the characteristics of present and proposed frequency discriminators based on trapped cooled ions and cold atoms is discussed in terms of their operation as frequency standards.

Vessot, R. F. C.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Local fluid shifts and edema in humans during simulated microgravity

Local fluid shifts and edema in humans during simulated microgravity is studied. Recent results and significance and future plans on the following research topics are discussed: mechanisms of headward edema formation during head-down tilt; postural responses of head and foot microcirculations and their sensitivity to bed rest; and transcapillary fluid transport associated with lower body negative pressure (LBNP) with and without saline ingestion.

Hargens, Alan R.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Local isotropy in high Reynolds number turbulent shear flows

This is a report on the continuation of experiments, which Dr. Srinivas Veeravalli and the present author started in 1991, to investigate the hypothesis of local isotropy in shear flows. This hypothesis, which states that at sufficiently high Reynolds numbers the small-scale structures of turbulent motions are independent of large-scale structures and mean deformations, has been used in theoretical studies of turbulence and computational methods like large-eddy simulation. The importance of Kolmogorov's ideas arises from the fact that they create a foundation for turbulence theory.

Saddoughi, Seyed G.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Bandwidth characteristics of multimedia data traffic on a local area network

Limited spacecraft communication links call for users to investigate the potential use of video compression and multimedia technologies to optimize bandwidth allocations. The objective was to determine the transmission characteristics of multimedia data - motion video, text or bitmap graphics, and files transmitted independently and simultaneously over an ethernet local area network. Commercial desktop video teleconferencing hardware and software and Intel's proprietary Digital Video Interactive (DVI) video compression algorithm were used, and typical task scenarios were selected. The transmission time, packet size, number of packets, and network utilization of the data were recorded. Each data type - compressed motion video, text and/or bitmapped graphics, and a compressed image file - was first transmitted independently and its characteristics recorded. The results showed that an average bandwidth of 7.4 kilobits per second (kbps) was used to transmit graphics; an average bandwidth of 86.8 kbps was used to transmit an 18.9-kilobyte (kB) image file; a bandwidth of 728.9 kbps was used to transmit compressed motion video at 15 frames per second (fps); and a bandwidth of 75.9 kbps was used to transmit compressed motion video at 1.5 fps. Average packet sizes were 933 bytes for graphics, 498.5 bytes for the image file, 345.8 bytes for motion video at 15 fps, and 341.9 bytes for motion video at 1.5 fps. Simultaneous transmission of multimedia data types was also characterized. The multimedia packets used transmission bandwidths of 341.4 kbps and 105.8kbps. Bandwidth utilization varied according to the frame rate (frames per second) setting for the transmission of motion video. Packet size did not vary significantly between the data types. When these characteristics are applied to Space Station Freedom (SSF), the packet sizes fall within the maximum specified by the Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems (CCSDS). The uplink of imagery to SSF may be performed at minimal frame rates and/or within seconds of delay, depending on the user's allocated bandwidth. Further research to identify the acceptable delay interval and its impact on human performance is required. Additional studies in network performance using various video compression algorithms and integrated multimedia techniques are needed to determine the optimal design approach for utilizing SSF's data communications system.

Chuang, Shery L.↗