Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “mechanical”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,063 records · Page 59

Static and yawed-rolling mechanical properties of two type 7 aircraft tires

Selected mechanical properties of 18 x 5.5 and 49 x 17 size, type 7 aircraft tires were evaluated. The tires were subjected to pure vertical loads and to combined vertical and lateral loads under both static and rolling conditions. Parameters for the static tests consisted of tire load in the vertical and lateral directions, and parameters for the rolling tests included tire vertical load, yaw angle, and ground speed. Effects of each of these parameters on the measured tire characteristics are discussed and, where possible, compared with previous work. Results indicate that dynamic tire properties under investigation were generally insensitive to speed variations and therefore tend to support the conclusion that many tire dynamic characteristics can be obtained from static and low speed rolling tests. Furthermore, many of the tire mechanical properties are in good agreement with empirical predictions based on earlier research.

Tanner, J. A.↗

Mechanical heating in the transition region

Attention is focused on the energy balance in the transition region and the role that mechanical heating plays in determining the temperature density structure of this region in a stellar atmosphere. Because of its role as the interface layer through which mass and energy flow between the chromospheres and corona, direct deposition of mechanical energy is a relatively unimportant factor in the overall energy balance in the transition region, except in the uppermost layers where the temperature approaches coronal values.

Withbroe, G.↗

A comparison of some static and dynamic mechanical properties of 18 x 5.5 and 49 x 17 type 7 aircraft tires as measured by three test facilities

The properties were measured during static, slow rolling, and high-speed tests, and comparisons were made between data as acquired on indoor drum dynamometers and on an outdoor test track. In addition, mechanical properties were also obtained from scale model tires and compared with corresponding properties from full-size tires. While the tests covered a wide range of tire properties, results seem to indicate that speed effects are not large, scale models may be used for obtaining some but not all tire properties, and that predictive equations developed in NASA TR R-64 are still useful in estimating most mechanical properties.

Dodge, R. N.↗

Mechanical properties of turbine blade alloys in hydrogen at elevated temperatures

The mechanical properties of single crystal turbine blade alloys in a gaseous hydrogen environment were determined. These alloys are proposed for use in space propulsion systems in pure or partial high pressure hydrogen environments at elevated temperatures. Mechanical property tests included: tensile, creep, low fatigue (LCF), and crack growth. Specimens were in both transverse and longitudinal directions relative to the casting solidification direction. Testing was conducted on solid specimens exposed to externally pressurized environments of gaseous hydrogen and hydrogen-enriched steam.

Deluca, D. P.↗

Mechanism of instabilities in turbulent combustion leading to flashback

High-speed schlieren cinematography, combined with synchronized pressure transducer records, was used to investigate the mechanism of combustion instabilities leading to flashback. The combustion chamber had an oblong rectangular cross-section to model the essential features of planar flow, and was provided with a rearward facing step acting as a flameholder. As the rich limit was approached, three instability modes were observed: (1) humming - a significant increase in the amplitude of the vortex pattern; (2) buzzing - a large-scale oscillation of the flame; and (3) chucking - a cyclic reformation of the flame, which results in flashback. The mechanism of these phenomena is ascribed to the action of vortices in the recirculation zone and their interactions with the trailing vortex pattern of the turbulent mixing layer behind the step.

Keller, J. O.↗

The mechanism of growth of quartz crystals into fused silica

It is proposed that the growth of quartz crystals into fused silica is effected by a mechanism involving the breaking of an Si-O bond and its association with an OH group, followed by cooperative motion of the nonbridging oxygen and the hydroxyl group which results in the crystallization of a row of several molecules along a crystalline-amorphous interfacial ledge. This mechanism explains, at least qualitatively, all the results of the earlier experimental study of the dependence of quartz crystal growth upon applied pressure: large negative activation volume; single activation enthalpy below Si-O bond energy; growth velocity constant in time, proportional to the hydroxyl and chlorine content, decreasing with increasing degree of reduction, and enhanced by nonhydrostatic stresses; lower pre-exponential for the synthetic than for the natural silica.

Fratello, V. J.↗

Mechanical aggregation of enstatite chondrites from an inhomogeneous debris cloud

Enstatite chondrites have oxygen isotope ratios closer to those of the earth and moon than other meteorites. Their minerals are chemically reduced; metal contains Si, and some Ca, Ti, Mg and Mn are incorporated in sulphides rather than silicates. Clinoenstatite and olivine are virtually Fe-free. Two types of clinoenstatite in the Indarch enstatite chondrite have been reported, one luminescing blue and one red. Similar clinoenstatites in the Kota-Kota enstatite chondrite are associated with two distinct types of forsteritic olivine, one luminescing orange and the other blue. The textural relations and differences in chemical composition cannot be explained by progressive condensation from the solar nebula and require the mechanical mixing of material from at least two sources. It is suggested here that enstatite chondrites result from mechanical and chemical processes during aerodynamic sorting and gravitational settling of debris from a hot cloud of dust, liquid and gas produced during collision of planetesimals.

Leitch, C. A.↗

The effect of mechanical surface and heat treatments on the erosion resistance of 6061 aluminum alloy

The effects of both mechanical surface treatments and heat treatments on the erosion resistance of 6061 aluminum alloy were studied in order to gain a better understanding of material properties which affect erosion behavior. It was found that mechanical surface treatments have little or no effect on the erosion resistance. This is due to the formation by particle impact of a work-hardened surface layer, independent of the initial surface condition. The erosion resistance of aluminum single crystals was found to be independent of orientation, which is due to destruction of the surface microstructure and formation of a polycrystalline surface layer by the particle impact as observed by X-ray diffraction. Although on solution treatment of annealed aluminum 6061 the increase in hardness is accompanied by an increase in erosion resistance, precipitation treatment (which causes a further increase in hardness) results in a slightly lower erosion resistance.

Salik, J.↗

Computational methods in nonlinear structural and solid mechanics; Proceedings of the Symposium, Washington, D.C., October 6-8, 1980. Symposium sponsored by the George Washington University and NASA

Topics discussed include computational strategies for nonlinear problems in structural mechanics, time integration techniques and the numerical solution of nonlinear algebraic equations, material characterization and nonlinear fracture mechanics, nonlinear interaction problems, and seismic response and the nonlinear analysis of concrete structures. Also considered are nonlinear problems for nuclear reactors, crash dynamics and impact problems, nonlinear problems of fibrous composites and advanced nonlinear applications, and computerized symbolic manipulation and nonlinear analysis software systems.

Noor, A. K.↗

Fracture mechanics of cellular glass

The fracture mechanics of cellular glasses (for the structural substrate of mirrored glass for solr concentrator reflecting panels) are discussed. Commercial and developmental cellular glasses were tested and analyzed using standard testing techniques and models developed from linear fracture mechanics. Two models describing the fracture behavior of these materials were developed. Slow crack growth behavior in cellular glass was found to be more complex than that encountered in dense glasses or ceramics. The crack velocity was found to be strongly dependent upon water vapor transport to the tip of the moving crack. The existence of a static fatigue limit was not conclusively established, however, it is speculated that slow crack growth behavior in Region 1 may be slower, by orders of magnitude, than that found in dense glasses.

Zwissler, J. G.↗

Research in nonlinear structural and solid mechanics

Recent and projected advances in applied mechanics, numerical analysis, computer hardware and engineering software, and their impact on modeling and solution techniques in nonlinear structural and solid mechanics are discussed. The fields covered are rapidly changing and are strongly impacted by current and projected advances in computer hardware. To foster effective development of the technology perceptions on computing systems and nonlinear analysis software systems are presented.

Mccomb, H. G., Jr.↗

Benefits of detailed models of muscle activation and mechanics

Recent biophysical and physiological studies identified some of the detailed mechanisms involved in excitation-contraction coupling, muscle contraction, and deactivation. Mathematical models incorporating these mechanisms allow independent estimates of key parameters, direct interplay between basic muscle research and the study of motor control, and realistic model behaviors, some of which are not accessible to previous, simpler, models. The existence of previously unmodeled behaviors has important implications for strategies of motor control and identification of neural signals. New developments in the analysis of differential equations make the more detailed models feasible for simulation in realistic experimental situations.

Lehman, S. L.↗

Protective mechanisms and acclimation to solar ultraviolet-B radiation in Oenothera stricta

Plant adaptations ameliorating or repairing the damaging effects of ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation on plant tissue were investigated. The degree of phenotype plasticity in UV protective mechanisms and acclimation in relation to the natural solar UV-B radiation flux and in an enhanced UV-B irradiance environment was also examined. Mechanisms by which plants avoid radiation, adaptations altering the path of radiation incident on the leaf, and repair processes were considered. Attenuation of UV-B by tissues, UV-B irradiation into the leaf, and the effects of UV-B on photosynthesis were investigated.

Robberecht, R.↗

A movable stop mechanism for the SIRE telescope

A movable stop mechanism (MSM) designed to activate flaps that change the size and shape of a telescope aperture stop on command is described. Operating at the cryogenic temperatures of the optical system, it consists primarily of a rotary solenoid that drives (activates) dual four-bar linkages in synchronism that in turn rotate the butterfly flaps into position. The design, performance characteristics, and testing of this mechanism are discussed. Specific problems that occurred during testing and the solutions that were adopted are also described.

Tweedt, R. E.↗

A deployment mechanism for the double roll-out flexible solar array on the space telescope

A roll-out flexible array which provides more than 4 kW of power for the space telescope was developed. The Array is configured as two wings. The deployment mechanism for each wing is based on flight-proven FRUSA design. Modifications have been incorporated to accommodate an increase in size and mission requirements. The assembly and operation of the deployment mechanism are described together with environmental and functional tests results.

Cawsey, T. R.↗

Design, development and mechanization of a precision deployable truss with optimized structural efficiency for spaceborne applications

A deployable mast concept which meets the weight, size and stability requirements for a feed support structure for offset antennas up to 100 meters in diameter is discussed. A triangulated truss configuration, the use of tapered tubes which exhibit a high strength-to-weight ratio, and low CTE graphite-epoxy material are seen to provide an efficient, lightweight and stable truss suitable for an antenna feed support. A low stowage ratio of 30:1 is achieved through a unique preloaded hinge located at the center of each longeron and an autonomous deployment cage with a drive mechanism. Initial analysis and proof of concept hardware validated the basic mechanism and design assumptions and provided a basis for further investigation. The concept can readily accept variations in member size and thus lends itself to optimization for other potential uses where a stiff, lightweight deployable truss is needed.

Craighead, N. D.↗

High temperature low cycle fatigue mechanisms for nickel base and a copper base alloy

Damage mechanisms were studied in Rene' 95 and NARloy Z, using optical, scanning and transmission in microscopy. In necklace Rene' 95, crack initiation was mainly associated with cracking of surface MC carbides, except for hold time tests at higher strain ranges where initiation was associated more with a grain boundary mechanism. A mixed mode of propagation with a faceted fracture morphology was typical for all cycle characters. The dependence of life on maximum tensile stress can be demonstrated by the data falling onto three lines corresponding to the three tensile hold times, in the life against maximum tensile stress plot. In NARloy Z, crack initiation was always at the grain boundaries. The mode of crack propagation depended on the cycle character. The life decreased with decreasing strain rate and with tensile holds. In terms of damage mode, different life prediction laws may be applicable to different cycle characters.

Shih, C. I.↗

Interface control and mechanical property improvements in silicon carbide/titanium composites

Several composite systems made of titanium matrix reinforced with silicon carbide fiber were investigated to obtain a better understanding of composite-degradation mechanisms and to develop techniques to minimize loss of mechanical properties during fabrication and in service. Emphasis was on interface control by fiber or matrix coatings. X-ray diffraction studies on planar samples showed that the formation of titanium silicides was greatly inhibited by the presence of aluminum or Ti3A1 layers at the fiber-matrix interface, with the Ti3A1 being more effective in reducing the reactions. Fiber studies showed that coating the fiber with a 1-micron-thick layer of aluminum improved the as-fabricated strength of a stoichiometric SiC fiber and reduced the fiber degradation during exposure to composite-fabrication conditions. Applying an interfacial barrier by coating the matrix foils instead of the fibers was found to be an effective method for improving composite strength. Reducing the fabrication temperature also resulted in significant improvements in composite strengths. Good-quality, well-consolidated composites were fabricated at temperatures well below those currently used for SiC-Ti composite fabrication.

Brewer, W. D.↗