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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

Verification and application of the Iosipescu shear test method

Finite element models were used to study the effects of notch angle variations on the stress state within an Iosipescu shear test speciment. These analytical results were also studied to determine the feasibility of using strain gage rosettes and a modified extensometer to measure shear strains in this test specimen. Analytical results indicate that notch angle variations produced only small differences in simulated shear properties. Both strain gage rosettes and the modified extensometer were shown to be feasible shear strain transducers for the test method. The Iosipoescu shear test fixture was redesigned to incorporate several improvements. These improvements include accommodation of a 50 percent larger specimen for easier measurement of shear train, a clamping mechanism to relax strict tolerances on specimen width, and a self contained alignment tool for use during specimen installation. A set of in-plane and interlaminar shear properties were measured for three graphite fabric/epoxy composites of T300/934 composite material. The three weave patterns were Oxford, 5-harness satin, and 8-harness satin.

Walrath, D. E.↗

Thematic Mapper: Design through flight evaluation

LANDSAT 4 and 5, launched in 1982 and 1984, not only carried the Thematic Mapper, but were redesigned to handle the increased data rates associated with it, and to communicate that data to Earth via geosynchronous orbiting Tracking and Data Relay Satellites (TDRS). The TM development program is summarized. A brief historical perspective is presented of the evolution of design requirements and hardware development. The basic performance parameters that serve as sensor design guidelines are presented.

Source record↗

A normal incidence, high resolution X-ray telescope for solar coronal observations

The following major activities were advanced or completed: complete design of the entire telescope assembly and fabrication of all front-end components; specification of all rocket skin sections including bulkheads, feedthroughs and access door; fabrication, curing, and delivery of the large graphite-epoxy telescope tube; engineering analysis of the primary mirror vibration test was completed and a decision made to redesign the mirror attachment to a kinematic three-point mount; detail design of the camera control, payload and housekeeping electronics; and multilayer mirror flats with 2d spacings of 50 A and 60 A.

Golub, L.↗

Low-speed aerodynamic test of an axisymmetric supersonic inlet with variable cowl slot

The experimental low-speed aerodynamic characteristics of an axisymmetric mixed-compression supersonic inlet with variable cowl slot are described. The model consisted of the NASA P-inlet centerbody and redesigned cowl with variable cowl slot powered by the JT8D single-stage fan simulator and driven by an air turbine. The model was tested in the NASA Lewis Research Center 9- by 15-foot low-speed tunnel at Mach numbers of 0, 0.1, and 0.2 over a range of flows, cowl slot openings, centerbody positions, and angles of attack. The variable cowl slot was effective in minimizing lip separation at high velocity ratios, showed good steady-state and dynamic distortion characteristics, and had good angle-of-attack tolerance.

Powell, A. G.↗

A simplified GPS C/A reciever front end with low noise performance

A redesign of the antenna electronics package for the NBS/GPS C/A receiver has resulted in significantly reduced cost and improved performance. Major improvements include a simplified and more reliable multiplier/mixer, elimination of all twelve piston trimmer tuning capacitors in the original design, elimination of expensive bandpass filters, less expensive antenna and a simplified packaging scheme.

Davis, D. D.↗

An Integrated Control and Minimum Mass Structural Optimization Algorithm for Large Space Structures

A new approach is discussed for solving dual structural control optimization problems for high-order flexible space structures, where reduced-order structural models are employed and minimum mass designs are sought. For a given initial structural design, a quadratic control cost is minimized subject to a constant-mass constraint. The sensitivity of the optimal control cost with respect to the structural design variables is then determined and used to obtain successive structural redesigns, using a constrained gradient optimization algorithm. This process is repeated until the constrained control cost sensitivity becomes negligible. The minimum mass design is obtained by solving a sequence of neighboring optimal constant mass designs, where the sequence of optimal performance indices has a minimum at the optimal minimum mass design. A numerical example is presented which demonstrates that this new approach effectively addresses the problem of dual optimization for potentially very high-order structures.

Messac, A.↗

A normal incidence X-ray telescope sounding rocket payload

Progress is reported on the following major activities on the X-ray telescope: (1) complete design of the entire telescope assembly and fabrication of all front-end components was completed; (2) all rocket skin sections, including bulkheads, feedthroughs and access door, were specified; (3) fabrication, curing and delivery of the large graphite-epoxy telescope tube were completed; (4) an engineering analysis of the primary mirror vibration test was completed and a decision made to redesign the mirror attachment system to a kinematic three-point mount; (5) detail design of the camera control, payload and housekeeping electronics were completed; and (6) multilayer mirror plates with 2d spacings of 50 A and 60 A were produced.

Golub, L.↗

Low-speed aerodynamic test of an axisymmetric supersonic inlet with variable cowl slot

The experimental low-speed aerodynamic characteristics of an axisymmetric mixed-compression supersonic inlet with variable cowl slot are described. The model consisted of the NASA P-inlet centerbody and redesigned cowl with variable cowl slot powered by the JT8D single-stage fan simulator and driven by an air turbine. The model was tested in the NASA Lewis Research Center 9- by 15-foot low-speed tunnel at Mach numbers of 0, 0.1, and 0.2 over a range of flows, cowl slot openings, centerbody positions, and angles of attack. The variable cowl slot was effective in minimizing lip separation at high velocity ratios, showed good steady-state and dynamic distortion characteristics, and had good angle-of-attack tolerance.

Powell, A. G.↗

Radiation Hardening of Computers

Single-event upsets reduced by use of oversize transistors. Computers made less susceptible to ionizing radiation by replacing bipolar integrated circuits with properly designed, complementary metaloxide-semiconductor (CMOS) circuits. CMOS circuit chips made highly resistant to single-event upset (SEU), especially when certain feedback resistors are incorporated. Redesigned chips also consume less power than original chips.

Nichols, D. K.↗

Lightweight Motorized Valve

Redesigned actuator assembly weighs 50 percent less. Isolator valve operated by ac motor instead of usual dc solenoid. Valve weighs only 3 lb (1.4 kg). New valve functions with either two-phase or three-phase power. Developed for isolating fluids in propellant tanks, manifolds, and interconnecting lines of Space Shuttle reaction control and orbital maneuvering subsystems, valve suited to applications in which leakage must be kept to minimum at high pressure differences - in petroleum and chemical processing.

Gonzalez, R.↗

Sealing a Loosely Fitting Valve Assembly

Double-ring seal avoids expense of remachining or redesigning valve parts. Mating fittings on valve sealed by pair of rings - one O-ring and backup ring. Backup ring fills relatively large gap between parts. Prevents softer O-ring from being pushed into and through gap.

Goff, L.↗

Mechanical Fasteners for Advanced Composite Materials

Advanced composite materials, which are increasingly being used to build aircraft, have different properties than the metals they replace. Fasteners intended for composite-material joints must be designed and selected to allow for these differences. For example, blind fasteners (one-sided access) used to assemble composite-to-composite joints have been redesigned to expand to larger diameters to resist pull-through and cocking failures. The fastener designs needed for composite materials are reviewed. Topics discussed are: galvanic corrosion, pull-through resistance, fastener rotation, installation damage, fastener galling and conductivity. A blind fastener recently developed by SPS Technologies is described to show how these requirements are incorporated.

Landt, R. C.↗

An analysis of cryotrap heat exchanger performance test data (400 area) and recommendations for a system to handle Apollo RCS engines

The current arrangement of a Platecoil heat exchanger which uses LN2 on the inside of parallel tubes, in counter flow to the test cell engine exhaust gases which are drawn through a box surrounding the plates by the existing vacuum blowers is examined. As a result of inadequate performance and special test data it was decided to redesign the system to accommodate an Apollo RCS engine.

Rakow, A.↗

Mod-2 wind turbine field operations experiment

The three-machine, 7.5 MW Goodnoe Hills located near Goldendale, Washington and is now in a research/experimental operations phase that offers a unique opportunity to study the effects of single and multiple wind turbines interacting with each other, the power grid; and the environment. Following a brief description of the turbine and project history, this paper addresses major problem areas and research and development test results. Field operations, both routine and nonroutine, are discussed. Routine operation to date has produced over 13,379,000 KWh of electrical energy during 11,064 hr of rotation. Nonroutine operation includes suspended activities caused by a crack in the low speed shaft that necessitated a redesign and reinstallation of this assembly on all three turbines. With the world's largest cluster back in full operation, two of the turbines will be operated over the next years to determine their value as energy producer. The third unit will be used primarily for conducting research tests requiring configuration changes to better understand the wind turbine technology. Technical areas summarized pertain to system performance and enhancements. Specific research tests relating to acoustics, TV interference, and wake effects conclude the paper.

Gordon, L. H.↗

Ion Mobility Drift Spectrometer (IMDS) as a flight analytical instrument technique

A detailed knowledge of the history and abundances of the biogenic elements and their compounds throughout the solar system can provide the exobiologists with a basis for understanding the conditions necessary for chemical evolution and the origin of life. The Ion Mobility Drift Spectrometer is an ion molecule reactor coupled with an ion drift spectrometer. Sample molecules are ionized to form product ions in the reactant region. An electric field moves the ions through a drift region against the flow of a drift gas where they are separated according to their size and structure producing an ion mobility spectrum. These spectra provide the IMDS with virtually universal sample identification capability. To conform to the rigid limits of weight, volume and consumables placed on flight instrumentation, several aspects of the IMDS must be studied and redesigned for flight use. In addition to miniaturization of the instrument, a reduction in the high flow rates used for the drift gas is an obvious necessary consideration. The effect of drastically reduced drift flow rates on IMDS spectra was investigated by lowering flow rates from 500ml/min to 50ml/min. Changes in peak shape, drift time and total spectra were studied at each flow rate.

Kojiro, D. R.↗

SSME fuel preburner phase 1/phase 2+ comparison

An analytical comparison of the predicted combustion flowfields for the Phase 1 and Phase 2+ fuel preburner configurations using an advanced CFD combustion code is currently underway at Rocketdyne. The Phase 2+ injector has a modified element design. The redesigned element provides for improved atomization through a shift in the injector element/face bleed flow split while maintaining an acceptable pressure drop. Cold-flow tests of the new design have been encouraging. As a complement to those tests, the Advanced Rocket Injector Combustor Code (ARICC) was selected to conduct a detailed combustion flowfield simulation. ARICC models two-dimensional (or axisymmetric), transient, turbulent, two-phase mixing and combustion flowfields. It is derived from a member of the Los Alamos ICEd-ALE family of codes. Unique features of ARICC include explicit representation of the coaxial LOX jet and hydrogen gas flows, distributed atomization processes, droplet breakup, and supercritical vaporation processes. Predictions of temperature and OH concentration profiles for the Phase 1 and Phase 2+ injector flowfields indicate a trend toward more uniform temperature distributions and shorter flame lengths with the Phase 2+ design.

Jensen, R. J.↗

PCDS overview

A brief overview of the philosophy, design, and organization of the Pilot Climate Data System (PCDS) is presented. The design has evolved, over time, to deal with numerous data sets, provide appropriate tools for the manipulation and display of such data, and support a wide variety of users. The user interface to the system is provided by the Transportable Applications Executive (TAE). A user can choose one of the five major subsystems from the root menu display. These subsystems are CATALOG, INVENTORY, DATA ACCESS, DATA MANIPULATION, and GRAPHICS. Each subsystem was discussed and examples were given, demonstrating the flexibility provided by the existing PCDS software, Version 3.3. Three of these subsystems are presently being redesigned to provide a more flexible and friendly structure, to allow more consistency and facilitate the ability to support new data sets. Ongoing developmental efforts to migrate from the Version 3.3 prototype phase of PCDS to the operational Version 4.0 stress increased flexibility and data independence.

Treinish, L.↗

Laser techniques for arc jet plasma diagnostics; continuation of a feasibility and design study

This study is concerned with the continuation of a feasibility and design study of laser-based diagnostic techniques for the non-instrusive measurement of species concentrations, temperatures, and velocity in the low density, high enthalpy flow through the arc-heated wind tunnel facility (ARMSEF) at NASA/JSC. Last summer several laser-induced radiation scattering methods were investigated and some preliminary measurements of the spectral distribution of radiation emitted by the arc-heated gas flow were made. Based upon those preliminary measurements and subsequent investigations, four laser-induced radiation scattering methods were selected for further detailed study, and preliminary design of a measurement system has been undertaken. Further measurements of the spectral distribution of radiation emitted from the arc-heated free stream and shock layer flows, using a redesigned measurement system, have been made for one axial position in the flow for a range of tunnel operating power levels. Further study of the literature for physical property data, theoretical models of processes, and applications of the diagnostic methods has been also carried out.

Wierum, F. A.↗