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At least 1,063 records · Page 59

Contrast reduction by the atmosphere and retrieval of nonuniform surface reflectance

A radiative transfer model is developed which gives the upward radiance at nadir for any 1-D Lambertian surface reflectance. This model is used to depict the atmospheric effect on the transmittance of contrast for any 1-D surface reflectance. Here by contrast we mean a general variation of the radiation field across the image. With the aid of this model an inversion algorithm is developed for retrieval of true surface reflectance from high resolution satellite data (e.g., Landsat). This inversion technique can be a useful tool for extraction of surface reflectance from satellite data in the case of a surface reflectance variable in one dimension only (e.g., seashore or near borders of big fields). A sensitivity study of the inversion procedure on the knowledge of atmospheric parameters and sensor calibration was performed. It is shown that this inversion technique is stable even in the presence of errors in the sensor calibration and the atmospheric parameters. The method was applied to Landsat data in two wavelengths. The results show reasonable dependence of the derived surface reflectance on the distance from the seashore.

Mekler, Y.↗

Piezoelectricity and pyroelectricity in polyvinylidene fluoride - Influence of the lattice structure

Piezoelectric and pyroelectric responses of beta-phase (Phase I) polyvinylidene fluoride are predicted for a model system of polarizable point dipoles. The model incorporates the influence of the orthorhombic crystal structure by including the dependence of the internal electric field on the lattice parameters. Strong anisotropy in the piezoelectric response under uniaxial stress is predicted as a consequence of the orthorhombic lattice structure. Predictions are found to be in reasonable agreement with room-temperature experimental data.

Purvis, C. K.↗

Lunar origin: role of giant impacts

The explanation that lunar origin involved giant impacts remains attractive. Large planetesimals are consistent with current accretion models, and may have been widely scattered in the early solar system; their existence is a reasonable, assumption in Moon origin models. Isotopic data require the Moon's formation primarily from local material resembling Earth's upper mantle, not material from elsewhere in the solar system. Giant impacts are stochastic, class predictable events that would provide the required type of ejected Earth mantle material without requiring large moons to form near other planets (a problem with less stochastic processes). Such material may have mixed with incoming meteorites during lunar formation, affecting lunar chemistry.

Hartmann, W. K.↗

Lunar Origin: Role of Giant Impacts

The explanation that lunar origin involved giant impacts remains attractive. Large planetesimals are consistent with current accretion models, and may have been widely scattered in the early solar systems; their existence is a reasonably, assumption in Moon origin models. Isotopic data require the Moon's formation primarily from local material resembling Earth's upper mantle, not material from elsewhere in the solar system. Giant impacts are stochastic, class predictable events that would provide the required type of ejected Earth mantle material without requiring large moons to form near other planets (a problem with less stochastic processes). Such material may have mixed with incoming meteorites during lunar formation, affecting lunar chemistry.

Hartmann, W. K.↗

Improved Cloud and Surface Fields Derived from HIRS2/MSU

The methods to retrieve cloud parameters from HIRS2/MSU data have been shown to produce qualitatively reasonable cloud fields but to underestimate cloud amount. Improvements have been made to the cloud algorithm which allow for better determination of low clouds. These improvements involve retrieving cloud fields at a higher spatial resolution, which decreases the problems arising from multiple layer clouds, and increasing the number of channels used to determine the cloud parameters from 2 15 microns lower tropospheric sounding channels to 5 channels, including the 11 microns window and 2 15 microns mid and upper tropospheric sounding channels. The use of the 11 microns window channel was very important in identifying low level clouds.

Susskind, J.↗

The He2 potential at small distances

Quantum Monte Carlo methods have been used to determine the exact Born-Oppenheimer interaction energy of two helium atoms with internuclear separations between 0.5 and 1.8 A. There is reasonable agreement with potentials derived from scattering data, however the semiempirical Aziz potential is too repulsive for separation less than 1.8 A. A new potential for this region is proposed.

Ceperley, D. M.↗

Low-frequency electromagnetic waves driven by gyrotropic gyrating ion beams

The origin of left- and right-hand-polarized low-frequency waves in space plasmas is analyzed. It has been shown that a gyrotropic gyrating ion beam, a ring in velocity space, can excite electromagnetic modes in the plasma near the beam gyrofrequency. It excites left-hand-polarized shear Alfven waves and their harmonics via the coupling of Alfven modes with the beam modes. It can also excite right-hand-polarized fast-mode magnetosonic waves and their harmonics as well. The excitation is possible for beam ions heavier than the plasma ions. The growth rate varies as one-third power of the beam density and decreases with the angle of wave propagation with respect to the ambient magnetic field. The nonlocality has a stabilizing effect on the instability. The predicted values of the wave frequencies compare reasonably well with those observed in satellite data.

Sharma, O. P.↗

Numerical analysis of confined recirculating gas-solid turbulent flows

Particle dispersion in confined recirculating turbulent flows has been investigated numerically. The present computational scheme utilizes Eulerian forms of the governing equations and allows two-way coupling between gas and solid phases. A recently developed two-phase closure model based on the multiple-scale turbulence model was used for the estimation of turbulent viscosities and diffusivities. For the particle size and loading considered in this study, the effect of particulate phase on the conveying gas is small, the nonequilibrium between the two phases is significant. Effects of recirculation, expanded chamber size and secondary annular jet momentum on the particle mixing rate are also investigated. In general, the present numerical results are in reasonably good agreement with the available experimental data.

Chen, C. P.↗

New methods and results for quantification of lightning-aircraft electrodynamics

The NASA F-106 collected data on the rates of change of electromagnetic parameters on the aircraft surface during over 700 direct lightning strikes while penetrating thunderstorms at altitudes from 15,000 t0 40,000 ft (4,570 to 12,190 m). These in situ measurements provided the basis for the first statistical quantification of the lightning electromagnetic threat to aircraft appropriate for determining indirect lightning effects on aircraft. These data are used to update previous lightning criteria and standards developed over the years from ground-based measurements. The proposed standards will be the first which reflect actual aircraft responses measured at flight altitudes. Nonparametric maximum likelihood estimates of the distribution of the peak electromagnetic rates of change for consideration in the new standards are obtained based on peak recorder data for multiple-strike flights. The linear and nonlinear modeling techniques developed provide means to interpret and understand the direct-strike electromagnetic data acquired on the F-106. The reasonable results obtained with the models, compared with measured responses, provide increased confidence that the models may be credibly applied to other aircraft.

Pitts, Felix L.↗

Hypersonic drone design: A multidisciplinary experience

Efforts were focused on design problems of an unmanned hypersonic vehicle. It is felt that a scaled hypersonic drone is necessary to bridge the gap between present theory on hypersonics and the future reality of the National Aerospace Plane (NASP) for two reasons: to fulfill a need for experimental data in the hypersonic regime, and to provide a testbed for the scramjet engine which is to be the primary mode of propulsion for the NASP. Three areas of great concern to NASP design were examined: propulsion, thermal management, and flight systems. Problem solving in these areas was directed towards design of the drone with the idea that the same design techniques could be applied to the NASP. A seventy degree swept double delta wing configuration, developed in the 70's at NASA Langley, was chosen as the aerodynamic and geometric model for the drone. This vehicle would be air-launched from a B-1 at Mach 0.8 and 48,000 feet, rocket boosted by two internal engines to Mach 10 and 100,000 feet, and allowed to cruise under power of the scramjet engine until burnout. It would then return to base for an unpowered landing. Preliminary energy calculations based upon the flight requirements give the drone a gross launch weight of 134,000 lb. and an overall length of 85 feet.

Source record↗

A vector scanning processing technique for pulsed laser velocimetry

Pulsed-laser-sheet velocimetry yields two-dimensional velocity vectors across an extended planar region of a flow. Current processing techniques offer high-precision (1-percent) velocity estimates, but can require hours of processing time on specialized array processors. Sometimes, however, a less accurate (about 5 percent) data-reduction technique which also gives unambiguous velocity vector information is acceptable. Here, a direct space-domain processing technique is described and shown to be far superior to previous methods in achieving these objectives. It uses a novel data coding and reduction technique and has no 180-deg directional ambiguity. A complex convection vortex flow was recorded and completely processed in under 2 min on an 80386-based PC, producing a two-dimensional velocity-vector map of the flowfield. Pulsed-laser velocimetry data can thus be reduced quickly and reasonably accurately, without specialized array processing hardware.

Wernet, Mark P.↗

A comparison of various micromechanics models for metal matrix composites

Four micromechanics models currently used in the analysis of metal matrix composites are reviewed. The four models are the vanishing fiber diameter model, the Aboudi model, the multicell model, and discrete fiber-matrix model. Results predicted by computer programs based on each of the models are compared. Comparisons are made for the laminate properties and laminate stress-strain behavior for boron/aluminum and silicon-carbide/titanium composites. The predictions of constituent stresses are also compared. The predictions are compared to experimental data. Each of the models did a reasonably good job predicting laminate properties and stress-strain behavior. Thus, the discriminator between the models is a question of what type of results are required, the capabilities of the model and program, or the ease of operation. The choice of a model and program depends on several factors and the same program may not be the best choice for all analysis needs. The descriptions and comparisons made in this paper should aid in the choice of a model and program.

Bigelow, C. A.↗

An SSME high pressure oxidizer turbopump diagnostic system using G2(TM) real-time expert system

An expert system which diagnoses various seal leakage faults in the High Pressure Oxidizer Turbopump of the SSME was developed using G2(TM) real-time expert system. Three major functions of the software were implemented: model-based data generation, real-time expert system reasoning, and real-time input/output communication. This system is proposed as one module of a complete diagnostic system for Space Shuttle Main Engine. Diagnosis of a fault is defined as the determination of its type, severity, and likelihood. Since fault diagnosis is often accomplished through the use of heuristic human knowledge, an expert system based approach was adopted as a paradigm to develop this diagnostic system. To implement this approach, a software shell which can be easily programmed to emulate the human decision process, the G2 Real-Time Expert System, was selected. Lessons learned from this implementation are discussed.

Guo, Ten-Huei↗

An SSME High Pressure Oxidizer Turbopump diagnostic system using G2 real-time expert system

An expert system which diagnoses various seal leakage faults in the High Pressure Oxidizer Turbopump of the SSME was developed using G2 real-time expert system. Three major functions of the software were implemented: model-based data generation, real-time expert system reasoning, and real-time input/output communication. This system is proposed as one module of a complete diagnostic system for the SSME. Diagnosis of a fault is defined as the determination of its type, severity, and likelihood. Since fault diagnosis is often accomplished through the use of heuristic human knowledge, an expert system based approach has been adopted as a paradigm to develop this diagnostic system. To implement this approach, a software shell which can be easily programmed to emulate the human decision process, the G2 Real-Time Expert System, was selected. Lessons learned from this implementation are discussed.

Guo, Ten-Huei↗

M.I.T. Stirling-cycle heat transfer apparatus

The design and construction of a two-cylinder apparatus to measure heat transfer under conditions of oscillating pressure and oscillating flow such as found in Stirling-cycle machines are described. The apparatus consists of two large single-stage air compressors joined by a rigid drive shaft between the two crack shafts, and is powered by a 25-hp variable speed DC motor. The apparatus is capable of measuring heat transfer while velocity and pressure change over the range of dimensionless parameters normally found in Stirling cycle machines. It allows each parameter to be varied independently and easily. Instrumentation for the apparatus is adequate for measurement of pressure, time, gas and wall temperature, wall heat flux, and gas velocity. It yields preliminary data which show that the apparatus and data acquisition are operating satisfactorily and produce reasonable results.

Smith, Joseph L., Jr.↗

A Study of Poisson's Ratio in the Yield Region

In the yield region of the stress-strain curve the variation in Poisson's ratio from the elastic to the plastic value is most pronounced. This variation was studied experimentally by a systematic series of tests on several aluminum alloys. The tests were conducted under simple tensile and compressive loading along three orthogonal axes. A theoretical variation of Poisson's ratio for an orthotropic solid was obtained from dilatational considerations. The assumptions used in deriving the theory were examined by use of the test data and were found to be in reasonable agreement with experimental evidence.

Gerard, George↗

Convective organization in the Pacific ITCZ: Merging OLR, TOVS, and SSM/I information

One of the most striking features of the planet's long-time average cloudiness is the zonal band of concentrated convection lying near the equator. Large-scale variability of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) has been well documented in studies of the planetary spatial scales and seasonal/annual/interannual temporal cycles of convection. Smaller-scale variability is difficult to study over the tropical oceans for several reasons. Conventional surface and upper-air data are virtually non-existent in some regions; diurnal and annual signals overwhelm fluctuations on other time scales; and analyses of variables such as geopotential and moisture are generally less reliable in the tropics. These problems make the use of satellite data an attractive alternative and the preferred means to study variability of tropical weather systems.

Hayes, Patrick M.↗

The design and implementation of EPL: An event pattern language for active databases

The growing demand for intelligent information systems requires closer coupling of rule-based reasoning engines, such as CLIPS, with advanced data base management systems (DBMS). For instance, several commercial DBMS now support the notion of triggers that monitor events and transactions occurring in the database and fire induced actions, which perform a variety of critical functions, including safeguarding the integrity of data, monitoring access, and recording volatile information needed by administrators, analysts, and expert systems to perform assorted tasks; examples of these tasks include security enforcement, market studies, knowledge discovery, and link analysis. At UCLA, we designed and implemented the event pattern language (EPL) which is capable of detecting and acting upon complex patterns of events which are temporally related to each other. For instance, a plant manager should be notified when a certain pattern of overheating repeats itself over time in a chemical process; likewise, proper notification is required when a suspicious sequence of bank transactions is executed within a certain time limit. The EPL prototype is built in CLIPS to operate on top of Sybase, a commercial relational DBMS, where actions can be triggered by events such as simple database updates, insertions, and deletions. The rule-based syntax of EPL allows the sequences of goals in rules to be interpreted as sequences of temporal events; each goal can correspond to either (1) a simple event, or (2) a (possibly negated) event/condition predicate, or (3) a complex event defined as the disjunction and repetition of other events. Various extensions have been added to CLIPS in order to tailor the interface with Sybase and its open client/server architecture.

Giuffrida, G.↗