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At least 109 records · Page 6

Influence of the E region dynamo on equatorial spread F

The integrated E region Pedersen conductivity can be an important parameter in determining whether the bottomside of the equatorial F layer will be stable against the Rayleigh-Taylor gravitational instability. The F layer is observed to become unstable when it rises to great heights after sunset. One effect of this height rise is to decrease the stabilizing influence of ion-neutral collisions at F region heights. It is shown here that the same eastward electric field that raises the F layer also decreases the Pedersen conductivity of the E region, which further destabilizes convective overturning. Because the conductivity of magnetic tubes that penetrate the main F layer is large compared to the E layer contribution, these effects are important only for the bottomside of the equatorial F layer.

Hanson, W. B.↗

Evaluation of water cooled supersonic temperature and pressure probes for application to 2000 F flows

The development of water cooled supersonic probes used to study high temperature jet plumes is addressed. These probes are: total pressure, static pressure, and total temperature. The motivation for these experiments is the determination of high temperature supersonic jet mean flow properties. A 3.54 inch exit diameter water cooled nozzle was used in the tests. It is designed for exit Mach 2 at 2000 F exit total temperature. Tests were conducted using water cooled probes capable of operating in Mach 2 flow, up to 2000 F total temperature. Of the two designs tested, an annular cooling method was chosen as superior. Data at the jet exit planes, and along the jet centerline, were obtained for total temperatures of 900 F, 1500 F, and 2000 F, for each of the probes. The data obtained from the total and static pressure probes are consistent with prior low temperature results. However, the data obtained from the total temperature probe was affected by the water coolant. The total temperature probe was tested up to 2000 F with, and without, the cooling system turned on to better understand the heat transfer process at the thermocouple bead. The rate of heat transfer across the thermocouple bead was greater when the coolant was turned on than when the coolant was turned off. This accounted for the lower temperature measurement by the cooled probe. The velocity and Mach number at the exit plane and centerline locations were determined from the Rayleigh-Pitot tube formula.

Lagen, Nicholas T.↗

Numerical simulation of the flow about the F-18 HARV at high angle of attack

This report summarizes research done over the past two years as part of NASA Grant NCC 2-729. This research has been aimed at validating numerical methods for computing the flow about the complete F-18 HARV at alpha = 30 deg and alpha = 45 deg. At 30 deg angle of attack, the flow about the F-18 is dominated by the formation, and subsequent breakdown, of strong vortices over the wing leading-edge extensions (LEX). As the angle of attack is increased to alpha = 45 deg, the fuselage forebody of the F-18 contains significant laminar and transitional regions which are not present at alpha = 30 deg. Further, the flow over the LEX at alpha = 45 deg is dominated by an unsteady shedding in time, rather than strong coherent vortices. This complex physics, combined with the complex geometry of a full aircraft configuration, provides a challenge for current computational fluid dynamics (CFD) techniques. The following sections present the numerical method and grid generation scheme that was used, a review of prior research done to numerically model the F-18 HARV, and a discussion of the current research. The current research is broken into two main topics: the effect of engine-inlet mass-flow rate on the F-18 vortex breakdown position, and the results using a refined F-18 computational model to compute the flow at alpha = 30 deg and alpha = 45 deg.

Murman, Scott M.↗

Numerical simulation of the flow about the F-18 HARV at high angle of attack

This research has been aimed at validating numerical methods for computing the flow about the complete F-18 HARV at alpha = 30 deg and alpha = 45 deg. At 30 deg angle of attack, the flow about the F-18 is dominated by the formation, and subsequent breakdown, of strong vortices over the wing leading-edge extensions (LEX). As the angle of attack is increased to alpha = 45 deg, the fuselage forebody of the F-18 contains significant laminar and transitional regions which are not present at alpha = 30 deg. Further, the flow over the LEX at alpha = 45 deg is dominated by an unsteady shedding in time, rather than strong coherent vortices. This complex physics, combined with the complex geometry of a full-aircraft configuration, provides a challenge for current computational fluid dynamics (CFD) techniques. The following sections present the numerical method and grid generation scheme that was used, a review of prior research done to numerically model the F-18 HARV, and a discussion of the current research. The current research is broken into three main topics; the effect of engine-inlet mass-flow rate on the F-18 vortex breakdown position, the results using a refined F-18 computational model to compute the flow at alpha = 30 deg and alpha = 45 deg, and research done using the simplified geometry of an ogive-cylinder configuration to investigate the physics of unsteady shear-layer shedding. The last section briefly summarizes the discussion.

Murman, Scott M.↗

Experimental Investigation of an Air-Cooled Turbine Operating in a Turbojet Engine at Turbine Inlet Temperatures up to 2500 F

An experimental investigation was made of an air-cooled turbine at average turbine inlet temperatures up to 2500 F. A modified production-model 12-stage axial-flow-compressor turbojet engine operating in a static sea-level stand was used as the test vehicle. The modifications to the engine consisted of the substitution of special combustor and turbine assemblies and double-walled exhaust ducting for the standard parts of the engine. All of these special parts were air-cooled to withstand the high operating temperatures of the investigation. The air-cooled turbine stator and rotor blades were of the corrugated-insert type. Leading-edge tip caps were installed on the rotor blades to improve leading-edge cooling by diverting the discharge of coolant to regions of lower gas pressure toward the trailing edge of the blade tip. Caps varying in length from 0.15- to 0.55-chord length were used in an attempt to determine the optimum cap length for this blade. The engine was operated over a range of average turbine inlet temperatures from about 1600 to about 2500 F, and a range of average coolant-flow ratios of 0.012 to 0.065. Temperatures of the air-cooled turbine rotor blades were measured at all test conditions by the use of thermocouples and temperature-indicating paints. The results of the investigation indicated that this type of blade is feasible for operation in turbojet engines at the average turbine inlet temperatures and stress levels tested(maximums of 2500 F and 24,000 psi, respectively). An average one-third-span blade temperature of 1300 F could be maintained on 0.35-chord tip cap blades with an average coolant-flow ratio of about 0.022 when the average turbine inlet temperature was 2500 F and cooling-air temperature was about 260 F. All of the leading-edge tip cap lengths improved the cooling of the leading-edge region of the blades, particularly at low average coolant-flow ratios. At high gas temperatures, such parts as the turbine stator and the combustor liners are likely to be as critical as the turbine rotor blades.

Cochran, Reeves P.↗

Technical advance: identification of plant actin-binding proteins by F-actin affinity chromatography

Proteins that interact with the actin cytoskeleton often modulate the dynamics or organization of the cytoskeleton or use the cytoskeleton to control their localization. In plants, very few actin-binding proteins have been identified and most are thought to modulate cytoskeleton function. To identify actin-binding proteins that are unique to plants, the development of new biochemical procedures will be critical. Affinity columns using actin monomers (globular actin, G-actin) or actin filaments (filamentous actin, F-actin) have been used to identify actin-binding proteins from a wide variety of organisms. Monomeric actin from zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L.) hypocotyl tissue was purified to electrophoretic homogeneity and shown to be native and competent for polymerization to actin filaments. G-actin, F-actin and bovine serum albumin affinity columns were prepared and used to separate samples enriched in either soluble or membrane-associated actin-binding proteins. Extracts of soluble actin-binding proteins yield distinct patterns when eluted from the G-actin and F-actin columns, respectively, leading to the identification of a putative F-actin-binding protein of approximately 40 kDa. When plasma membrane-associated proteins were applied to these columns, two abundant polypeptides eluted selectively from the F-actin column and cross-reacted with antiserum against pea annexins. Additionally, a protein that binds auxin transport inhibitors, the naphthylphthalamic acid binding protein, which has been previously suggested to associate with the actin cytoskeleton, was eluted in a single peak from the F-actin column. These experiments provide a new approach that may help to identify novel actin-binding proteins from plants.

Non-NASA Center↗

Detached-Eddy Simulation Based on the V2-F Model

Detached-eddy simulation (DES) based on the v(sup 2)-f Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) model is developed and tested. The v(sup 2)-f model incorporates the anisotropy of near-wall turbulence which is absent in other RANS models commonly used in the DES community. The v(sup 2)-f RANS model is modified in order the proposed v(sup 2)-f-based DES formulation reduces to a transport equation for the subgrid-scale kinetic energy isotropic turbulence. First, three coefficients in the elliptic relaxation equation are modified, which is tested in channel flows with friction Reynolds number up to 2000. Then, the proposed v(sup 2)-f DES model formulation is derived. The constant, C(sub DES), required in the DES formulation was calibrated by simulating both decaying and statistically-steady isotropic turbulence. After C(sub DES) was calibrated, the v(sub 2)-f DES formulation is tested for flow around a circular cylinder at a Reynolds number of 3900, in which case turbulence develops after separation. Simulations indicate that this model represents the turbulent wake nearly as accurately as the dynamic Smagorinsky model. Spalart-Allmaras-based DES is also included in the cylinder flow simulation for comparison.

Jee, Sol Keun↗

Effect of Strain Rate on Mechanical Properties of Wrought Sintered Tungsten at Temperatures above 2500 F

Specimens of wrought sintered commercially pure tungsten were made from 1/8-inch swaged rods. All the specimens were recrystallized at 4050 F for 1 hour prior to testing at temperatures from 2500 to 4000 F at various strain rates from 0.002 to 20 inches per inch per minute. Results showed that, at a constant temperature, increasing the strain rate increased the ultimate tensile strength significantly. The effects of both strain rate and temperature on the ultimate tensile strength of tungsten may be correlated by the linear parameter method of Manson and Haferd and may be used to predict the ultimate tensile strength at higher temperatures, 4500 and 5000 F. As previously reported, ductility, as measured by reduction of area in a tensile test, decreases with increasing temperature above about 3000 F. Increasing the strain rate at temperatures above 3000 F increases the ductility. Fractures are generally transgranular at the higher strain rates and intergranular at the lower strain rates.

Sikora, Paul F.↗

A Theoretical and Computational Revisit of Conversions Between Whitham’s F-Function and Equivalent Area

This paper proves mathematically that the integral transforms between Whitham’s F-function and equivalent area are the inverse transforms of each other if and only if the slope of the equivalent area at the origin is zero. This mathematical fact contradicts the accepted unconditional inverse relation between Whitham’s F-function and equivalent area in the sonic boom research literature. Piecewise linear approximations of an F-function and of the second derivative of an equivalent area are used to derive numerical formulas for conversions between Whitham’s F-function and equivalent area. Numerical results are included to show convergence of the numerical conversions as the maximum length of the segments for piecewise linear approximations goes to zero. These numerical conversions are approximately the inverse transforms of each other when the second derivative of an equivalent area is continuous and the slope of the equivalent area at the origin is zero.

Whitham's F-function↗

Measured performance of a 1089 K (1500 deg F) heat storage device for sun-shade orbital missions

Tubes designed for a solar heat receiver to serve as an energy source for a Brayton power system were tested for 2002 hours and 1251 sun-shade cycles. The tubes were designed to transfer a constant thermal input to the Brayton system during an orbit. Excess solar energy during a sun period is stored as heat of fusion of lithium fluoride. The niobium - 1% zirconium tubes accommodate the 23 percent volume decrease of LiF during freezing. Test results showed slight, local distortions. The gas discharge temperature varied from 16 K (29 F) below to 28 K (50 F) above the nominal value of 1089 K (1500 F). The tube surface temperatures ranged from 1039 K (1410 F) to 1183 K (1670 F).

Namkoong, D.↗

The P prime(f) to N(h) inversion problem in ionospheric soundings

A general review is given of the inversion techniques used to derive the ionospheric electron density N as a function of altitude h from group path P versus frequency f measurements obtained by vertical incidence ionospheric sounders. The paper discusses the medium under investigation, the experimental techniques used to obtain the P(f) data, the theoretical considerations leading to the integral equation relating P(f) to N(h), and the assumptions made in the inversion process. The lamination inversion technique is then presented, with special attention given to mathematical difficulties arising from discontinuities in the P(f) function, infinities in the integrand, and in some cases unknown integration limits. Methods outlined for minimizing the uncertainties due to discontinuities include the use of redundant information - that is the two distinct P(f) functions available for a given N(h) profile - and the use of models based on statistical data. Mathematical procedures are discussed that increase significantly the efficiency and accuracy of the required numerical integrations. The accuracy of the inversion technique is deduced by comparing the resulting N(h) profile with N(h) data obtained by simultaneous but independent observations.

Jackson, J. E.↗

A theoretical model of artificial spread F echoes

A theoretical model is developed for artificial spread F echoes elicited by irradiating the ionospheric F region with signals from ground-based HF transmitters. Account is taken of the irregularity polarizations, scale length and the magnetic dip angle of the echo. Ray tracing equations are defined for wave propagation in a horizontally stratified ionosphere which has been bathed with HF signals and therefore contains wavelike structures. Irregularities polarized within the meridian plane are found to cause the spread F echoes, while perpendicularly polarized irregularities do not. A magnetic dip angle of 5 deg must be exceeded for the spread F to become strong. The irregularities need scale lengths exceeding 100 m. Modes of operation are identified for inducing the required spread F echoes using ground-based radiotelescopes.

Kuo, S. P.↗

The importance of diffuse f functions for transition metals

The importance of a diffuse f function for determining the dissociation energy (De) of Cu2 and the 3F-3D energy separation in Ni atom is investigated. It is found that the diffuse f contributes at most 0.05 eV to the De of Cu2 when added to a basis containing tight f functions and a flexibly contracted d basis. The diffuse f function is found to decrease the 3F-3D separation in Ni, but by substantially less than the tight f functions.

Langhoff, S. R.↗

The generation of kilometer scale irregularities in equatorial spread F

Two rockets launched into spread F during March 1983 show that the intermediate-scale spectrum of density irregularities sometimes exhibits a knee near 1 km scale length. This result confirms previous reports which are reviewed. Two different nonlinear theories of spread F turbulence are studied here and shown to be consistent with the experimental spectra when the knee is observed. Also, the existence or nonexistence of the knee may be effected by two linear mechanisms: the injection of kilometer scale turbulence at the steepened walls of spread F bubbles and the nonlocal role of the compressible E region in the development of spread F. This spectral feature, which seems to be associated with the most turbulent state of equatorial spread F, has not yet been identified in computer simulations.

Labelle, J.↗

The effects of magnetic storm phases on F-layer irregularities

The effects of magnetic storm phases on F-layer irregularities from auroral to equatorial latitudes in a nearly constant western longitude zone are presented by considering scintillation, spread F, and low-energy (less than 12 eV) electron precipitation data for eight magnetic storms that occurred during the high solar flux period September-November 1981. In the equatorial region, F-layer irregularities can be inhibited during the main phase. In the high latitude region, F-layer irregularities are found to be generated at the auroral latitudes during the main phase. During the recovery phase, when there are conditions of low magnetic activity, low auroral irregularities, and low-energy electron precipitation crossing the subauroral regions, strong F-layer irregularities are found to be generated in the subauroral regions.

Balan, N.↗

Ground-Recorded Sonic Boom Signatures of F-18 Aircraft in Formation Flight

Two F-18 aircraft were flown, one above the other, in two formations, in order for the shock systems of the two aircraft to merge and propagate to the ground. The first formation had the canopy of the lower F-18 in the tail shock of the upper F-18 (called tail-canopy). The second formation had the canopy of the lower F- 18 in the inlet shock of the upper F-18 (called inlet-canopy). The flight conditions were Mach 1.22 and an altitude of 23,500 ft . An array of five sonic boom recorders was used on the ground to record the sonic boom signatures. This paper describes the flight test technique and the ground level sonic boom signatures. The tail-canopy formation resulted in two, separated, N-wave signatures. Such signatures probably resulted from aircraft positioning error. The inlet-canopy formation yielded a single modified signature; two recorders measured an approximate flattop signature. Loudness calculations indicated that the single inlet-canopy signatures were quieter than the two, separated tail-canopy signatures. Significant loudness occurs after a sonic boom signature. Such loudness probably comes from the aircraft engines.

Bahm, Catherine M.↗

Radiation Near 2f(sub p) and Intensified Emissions Near f(sub p) in the Dayside and Nightside Auroral Region and Polar Cap

This paper reports the discovery in the DE 1 data of propagating radiation near 2f(sub p) (the H component) and relatively intense electromagnetic waves near f(sub p) with fields typically less than or approximately equal to 1 mV/m (the PF or plasma frequency component) on both the dayside and the nightside of Earth. These emissions are observed at auroral and polar cap latitudes for radial distances ranging from 2.5 to 4.5 R(sub E). The H component is unique in that no other 2f(sub p) emissions are known to be generated where the electron gyrofrequency f(sub g) exceeds 2f(sub p). Since existing theories for 2f(sub p) radiation assume f(sub g)/f(sub p) less than 1, new theories will be required to explain the H component. The PF waves near f(sub p) are electromagnetic, but with large ratios E/cB approximately 20. On the basis of cold plasma theory, the wave frequencies and the ratios E/cB, the PF component plausibly consists of zeta-mode and/or whistler mode waves near f(sub p), presumably driven by an electron instability. The H emissions have modest bandwidths of approximately 50% at frequencies ranging from 5 to 20 kHz. Grounds for interpreting the H component as emissions generated near 2f(sub p) are provided by the very good frequency tracking of the PF and H components and typical frequency ratios near 2.0. Strong evidence exists that part of the H component is propagating, electromagnetic radiation, based on propagation effects and spin modulation patterns. However, no magnetic signals have yet been detected for the H component, so that it could be partly electrostatic. Cold plasma theory and the observed wave characteristics favor interpreting the H component as composed of omicron mode and/or zeta mode signals. Combining the DE 1 observations with rocket observations, it is predicted that the much more intense Langmuir-like fields observed in the low altitude auroral zones should also generate observable 2f(sub p) radiation. This prediction should be testable using Polar and future rocket flights. Directions for future research are also described.

Cairns, Iver H.↗

Fin Buffeting Features of an Early F-22 Model

Fin buffeting is an aeroelastic phenomenon encountered by high performance aircraft, especially those with twin vertical tails that must operate at high angles of attack. This buffeting is a concern from fatigue and inspection points of view. To date, the buffet (unsteady pressures) and buffeting (structural response) characteristics of the F-15 and F/A-18 fins have been studied extensively using flow visualization, flow velocity measurements, pressure transducers, and response gages. By means of windtunnel and flight tests of the F-15 and F/A-18, this phenomenon is well studied to the point that buffet loads can be estimated and fatigue life can he increased by structural enhancements to these airframes. However, prior to the present research, data was not available outside the F-22 program regarding fin buffeting on the F-22 configuration. During a test in the Langley Transonic Dynamics Tunnel, flow visualization and unsteady fin surface pressures were recorded for a 13.3%-scale F-22 model at high angles of attack for the purpose of comparing with results available for similar aircraft configurations. Details of this test and fin buffeting are presented herein.

Moses, Robert W.↗