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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 1,045 records · Page 58
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1986

Synoptic study of the corona at meter wavelength

The Mark III Nancay Radioheliograph is used to observe the Sun at 169 MHz with a time resolution of 25 East-West and North-South images per second. When the brightness distribution of the Sun is stable during the eight hours of daily observation, a two dimensional map can be produced using the technique of earth rotation synthesis. The best images are obtained during the period April to August, when the declination of the Sun is high to give a good coverage in the uv plane and a reasonable North-South resolution. The spatial resolution is 1.5' East-West and in summer, 3.5' North-South. The maps are calibrated using Cygnus A as a reference. Examples of the maps are given and discussed.

Lantos, P.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Use of a 2.3-GHz traveling-wave maser on the Usuda 64-meter antenna

A 2.3 GHz traveling-wave maser/closed-cycle refrigeration system was installed on the 64 m antenna at Usuda, Japan. This was done to evaluate the beam-waveguide antenna noise performance, and to support the International Cometary Explorer's (ICE's) comet flyby mission. System noise temperature at 2270 MHz was measured to be 15 K, including the maser noise contribution of 2.5 K. Maser installation and noise performance are described. The Usuda 64 m antenna is of high quality with a system operating noise temperature better than the DSN 64 m antennas.

Neff, D.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Transonic wall interference assessment and corrections for airfoil data from the 0.3-meter TCT adaptive wall test section

The wall interference assessment/correction code presented is nonlinear, involves four walls, and is applicable to transonic airfoil data from wind tunnels with shaped, solid top and bottom walls. Attention is given to its application to data from the NASA 0.3-m Transonic Cryogenic Tunnel Adaptive Test Section, for two sizes of a NACA 0012 airfoil and to simulated data for an inviscid two-dimensional full-potential code. This study indicates that while adaptive wall wind tunnels significantly reduce some aspects of wall-interference effects (by comparison to straight solid and slotted wall wind tunnels), residual wall and other interference effects are present.

Green, Lawrence L.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Atmospheric lateral and longitudinal turbulent length scales (measured at 600 to 800 meters above grade level)

NASA's Airborne Doppler Lidar System has been used to obtain a detailed 'instantaneous' mapping of horizontal spatial wind fields at 600-800 m elevations on the east side of the San Gorgonio Pass in California, in the form of checkerboard-fashion horizontal wind vectors spaced at 300 m intervals along and normal to the flight path. Spatial autocorrelations for the lateral and longitudinal components are ensemble-averaged, and integral turbulent length scales are computed for the wind fields' longitudinal and lateral directions. The flow in the region studied does not appear to be isotropic.

Cliff, W. C.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Portable Airflow Meter

Compact hand-held instrument measures airflow. Consists of hot-wire anemometer probe in flow-straightening tube that reduces swirling. Configuration developed empirically to reduce length of instrument to practical dimension for use and storage in confined space. Two versions of new straightener only 17 and 18 in. long. Weighs less than 8 lb. and readily stored on Space Shuttle, developed to measure airflow in waster-collection system during flight. Used on Earth to measure airflow in ventilation systems, vacuum cleaners, and the like.

Burgett, Frank A.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Proposed studies of a 30 meter imaging interferometer concept

An imaging interferometer in space based on the use of 15 m sections of graphite-epoxy truss structure to form the basic mechanical support system is suggested. One simple design is a Y-shaped array of 3 coplanar arms, each 15 m long and 1.5 m in diameter, together with a perpendicualr mast of similar length. Roughly 15 observing telescopes of 0.5 m diameter would be used, with laser interferometers controlling the optical pathlengths. The total mass of the imaging interferometer is 3000 kg. With this design, the entire interferometer can be carried to orbit with a single STS launch and then deployed. The interferometer could be operated either in a fully illuminated Sun-synchronous orbit at 1400 km altitude or loosely attached to the Space Station.

Stebbins, R. T.↗
NASA NTRS1987

A new state space model for the NASA/JPL 70-meter antenna servo controls

A control axis referenced model of the NASA/JPL 70-m antenna structure is combined with the dynamic equations of servo components to produce a comprehansive state variable (matrix) model of the coupled system. An interactive Fortran program for generating the linear system model and computing its salient parameters is described. Results are produced in a state variable, block diagram, and in factored transfer function forms to facilitate design and analysis by classical as well as modern control methods.

Hill, R. E.↗
NASA NTRS1987

A modern control theory based algorithm for control of the NASA/JPL 70-meter antenna axis servos

A digital computer-based state variable controller was designed and applied to the 70-m antenna axis servos. The general equations and structure of the algorithm and provisions for alternate position error feedback modes to accommodate intertarget slew, encoder referenced tracking, and precision tracking modes are descibed. Development of the discrete time domain control model and computation of estimator and control gain parameters based on closed loop pole placement criteria are discussed. The new algorithm was successfully implemented and tested in the 70-m antenna at Deep Space Network station 63 in Spain.

Hill, R. E.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Power density measurements in the near field of the DSS 13 26-meter antenna

Power density measurements were made at Deep Space Station (DSS) 13 in the near field of the 26-m antenna to determine if radio frequency (rf) fields generated by the 20-kW transmitters could be responsible for the failure of three solid state rf amplifiers. These amplifiers are used in the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) Radio Spectrum Surveillance System, which is currently located at the site. Measurements were made independently for one transmitter at 7150 MHz, and both transmitters together. Measurement results are tabulated and compared with predicted power densities under the measurement conditions. The results agree with the predictions within a factor of two. The predictions appear to give worst case values. Measurements indicated that amplifier failures are not attributable to the transmitter.

Jackson, E. B.↗
NASA NTRS1987

High Reynolds number transonic tests on a NACA 0012 airfoil in the Langley 0.3-meter transonic cryogenic tunnel

Tests were conducted in the two-dimensional test section of the Langley 0.3-m Transonic Cryogenic Tunnel on a NACA 0012 airfoil to obtain aerodynamic data as a part of the Advanced Technology Airfoil Test (ATAT) program. The test program covered a Mach number range of 0.30 to 0.82 and a Reynolds number range of 3.0 to 45.0 x 10 to the 6th. The stagnation pressure was varied between 1.2 and 6.0 atmospheres and the stagnation temperature was varied between 300 K and 90 K to obtain these test conditions. Plots of the spanwise variation of drag coefficient as a function of normal force coefficient and the variation of the basic aerodynamic characteristics with angle of attack are shown. The data are presented uncorrected for wall interference effects and without analysis.

Ladson, Charles L.↗
NASA NTRS1988

An optimal structure for a 34-meter millimeter-wave center-fed BWG antenna: The Cross-Box concept

An approach to the design of the planned NASA/JPL 34 m elevation-over-azimuth (Az-El) antenna structure at the Venus site (DSS-13) is presented. The antenna structural configuration accommodates a large (2.44 m) beam waveguide (BWG) tube centrally routed through the reflector-alidade structure, an elevation wheel design, and an optimal structural geometry. The design encompasses a cross-box elevation wheel-reflector base substructure that preserves homology while satisfying many constraints, such as structure weight, surface tolerance, stresses, natural frequency, and various functional constraints. The functional requirements are set to ensure that microwave performance at millimeter wavelengths is adequate. The cross-box configuration was modeled, optimized, and found to satisfy all DSN HEF baseline antenna specifications. In addition, the structure design was conceptualized and analyzed with an emphasis on preserving the structure envelope and keeping modifications relative to the HEF antennas to a minimum, thus enabling the transferability of the BWG technology for future retrofitting. Good performance results were obtained.

Chuang, K. L.↗
NASA NTRS1988

DSS 14 64-meter antenna S- and X-band efficiency and system noise temperature calibrations, September 1987

The efficiency and noise temperature characteristics of the DSN 64 m antenna network prior to its upgrading to 70 m configuration are documented. The DSS 14 (Goldstone, California) is the last of the three large antennas to be upgraded, and the test results presented document its performance just prior to its downtime during the end of 1987. Antenna area efficiency was found to be somewhat higher at DSS 14 than at DSS 43 (Australia) and DSS 63 (Spain). The peak X-band efficiency was determined to be 49.8 percent (without atmosphere), compared with 45.4 and 45.1 percent for DSS 43 and DSS 63, respectively. The X-band zenith system noise temperature was found to be 1 to 3 Kelvins higher than at the other two stations, depending on which maser was chosen for the measurements. Ascribing efficiency differences to small-scale antenna surface roughness, DSS 14 may be regarded as having a 1.5 to 1.6 mm rms surface as compared to the other two antennas with 1.7 to 1.8 mm rms surfaces.

Slobin, S. D.↗
NASA NTRS1988

New mode switching algorithm for the JPL 70-meter antenna servo controller

The design of control mode switching algorithms and logic for JPL's 70 m antenna servo controller are described. The old control mode switching logic was reviewed and perturbation problems were identified. Design approaches for mode switching are presented and the final design is described. Simulations used to compare old and new mode switching algorithms and logic show that the new mode switching techniques will significantly reduce perturbation problems.

Nickerson, J. A.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Testing of a one-bladed 30-meter-diameter rotor on the DOE/NASA Mod-O wind turbine

Tests were conducted on the DOE/NASA Mod-O 200-kW horizontal-axis wind turbine in a one-bladed rotor configuration. The objectives of the test were to evaluate the performance, loads, and dynamic characteristics of a one-bladed rotor, and then to compare these parameters with those of an aerodynamically similar two-bladed rotor configuration. Test operations showed that this intermediate-size (15.2-m radius) one-bladed rotor configuration can be operated successfully. Test results show that the one-bladed rotor had cyclic blade loads comparable to those of a two-bladed rotor. A moderate power penalty equivalent to a reduction in windspeed of 1 m/sec occurred with the one-bladed rotor when operated at a rotor speed 50 percent higher than that of the two-bladed rotor.

Ensworth, C. B. F., III↗
NASA NTRS1988

A 60-meter erectable assembly concept for a control of flexible structures flight experiment

A flight experiment which proposes to use a 60-m deployable/retractable truss beam attached to the Space Shuttle to study dynamic characterization and control of flexible structures is being studied by NASA. The concept requires a relatively complex mechanism for deploying and retracting the truss on-orbit. Development of such a mechanism having a high degree of reliability will be expensive. An alternative method for constructing the truss is discussed requiring no new technology development or complex mechanisms and has already been demonstrated on-orbit. The alternative method proposes an erectable truss beam which can be assembled by two astronauts in EVA. The EVA crew would have to manually assemble the beam from 468 struts and 165 nodes, and install 7 instrumentation platforms with signal and power cabling. The predicted assembly time is 3 hr and 23 min. The structure would also have to be disassembled and restowed following testing, thus 2 EVA days would be required. To allow 25 hr for data collection (probably a bare minimum to accomplish meaningful tests), current Shuttle operations policy dictates a 9-day mission. The design, assembly procedure and issues associated with the alternative concept are discussed.

Watson, Judith J.↗
NASA NTRS1988

The 15-meter diameter hoop/column antenna surface control actuator system

The design, development, and implementation status of the Surface Control Actuator System (SCAS) for the Hoop/Column Antenna are described with the primary focus on the design of the mechanical element. The SCAS is an electromechanical system that will automatically adjust the antenna shape by changing the length of control cords. Achieving and maintaining the proper surface shape and smoothness are critical to optimizing the electromagnetic characteristics of the antenna.

Ahl, Elvin L., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Undercooling of niobium-germanium alloys in a 100 meter drop tube

The undercoolings of pure Nb and Nb-Ge alloys are examined using the 100-m drop tube of the Marshall Space Flight Center. The temperatures of the samples prior to release were measured, and IR detectors were utilized to monitor recalescence from solidification. It is observed that the Nb and Nb-Ge samples undercooled to the homogeneous nucleation limit. The data reveal that all the samples displayed a dendritic primary phase, except for alloys nucleating in the beta-phase field, which had a cellular phase. The composition of these phases are studied using EDXA; it is detected that the composition of the phases corresponds to the Jorda (1978) phase diagram.

Hofmeister, W. H.↗