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At least 109 records · Page 6

Large-scale kinetic energy spectra from Eulerian analysis of EOLE wind data

A data set of 56,000 winds determined from the horizontal displacements of EOLE balloons at the 200 mb level in the Southern Hemisphere during the period October 1971-February 1972 is utilized for the computation of planetary- and synoptic-scale kinetic energy space spectra. However, the random distribution of measurements in space and time presents some problems for the spectral analysis. Two different approaches are used, i.e., a harmonic analysis of daily wind values at equi-distant points obtained by space-time interpolation of the data, and a correlation method using the direct measurements. Both methods give similar results for small wavenumbers, but the second is more accurate for higher wavenumbers (k above or equal to 10). The spectra show a maximum at wavenumbers 5 and 6 due to baroclinic instability and then decrease for high wavenumbers up to wavenumber 35 (which is the limit of the analysis), according to the inverse power law k to the negative p, with p close to 3.

Desbois, M.↗

Mathematical formulation for the propagation of sound through a turbulent jet

The sound propagation through a nonuniform turbulent jet flow field is studied by means of a system of linearized equations governing the acoustic variables. These equations depend on the fluctuating flow-field variables which can be prescribed by experimental results. It is shown that the correlations of the acoustic variables depend throughout the flow field on the space-time correlation of the turbulent velocities and on the mean flow variables and their gradients.

Gunzburger, M.↗

Theory of type IIIb solar radio bursts

During the initial space-time evolution of an electron beam injected into the corona, the strong beam-plasma interaction occurs at the head of the beam, leading to the amplification of a quasi-monochromatic large-amplitude plasma wave that stabilizes by trapping the beam particles. Oscillation of the trapped particles in the wave troughs amplifies sideband electrostatic waves. The sidebands and the main wave subsequently decay to observable transverse electromagnetic waves through the parametric decay instability. This process gives rise to the elementary striation bursts. Owing to velocity dispersion in the beam and the density gradient of the corona, the entire process may repeat at a finite number of discrete plasma levels, producing chains of elementary bursts. All the properties of the type IIIb bursts are accounted for in the context of the theory.

Smith, R. A.↗

Solar radiation measurement - Techniques and instrumentation

A general survey is presented of solar radiation measurement, techniques, and instrumentation. The importance of determining the total and spectral irradiance of the sun is examined in the context of the energy crisis and utilization of solar energy. The survey includes the extraterrestrial solar fluxes, their possible variations, problems relating to energy received by collecting surfaces on the ground, major types of instrumentation, and the radiation scales to which the measurements are referred. The type of insolation data available is reviewed. Alternate techniques of deriving insolation data with high space-time resolution are discussed with reference to solar energy conversion requirements. Energy received on the ground can be computed from known values of the extraterrestrial solar spectrum and of the spectral absorption parameters of the atmosphere. Another technique is based on measurements made by meteorological satellites of the cloud-cover and of the solar energy reflected and scattered back to space by the earth-atmosphere system.

Thekaekara, M. P.↗

Variational energy principle for compressible, baroclinic flow. 1: First and second variations of total kinetic action

The case of a cold gas in the absence of external force fields is considered. Since the only energy involved is kinetic energy, the total kinetic action (i.e., the space-time integral of the kinetic energy density) should serve as the total free-energy functional in this case, and as such should be a local minimum for all possible fluctuations about stable flow. This conjecture is tested by calculating explicit, manifestly covariant expressions for the first and second variations of the total kinetic action in the context of Lagrangian kinematics. The general question of the correlation between physical stability and the convexity of any action integral that can be interpreted as the total free-energy functional of the flow is discussed and illustrated for the cases of rectillinear and rotating shearing flows.

Schmid, L. A.↗

Signature extension through the application of cluster matching algorithms to determine appropriate signature transformations

Signature extension is intended to increase the space-time range over which a set of training statistics can be used to classify data without significant loss of recognition accuracy. A first cluster matching algorithm MASC (Multiplicative and Additive Signature Correction) was developed at the Environmental Research Institute of Michigan to test the concept of using associations between training and recognition area cluster statistics to define an average signature transformation. A more recent signature extension module CROP-A (Cluster Regression Ordered on Principal Axis) has shown evidence of making significant associations between training and recognition area cluster statistics, with the clusters to be matched being selected automatically by the algorithm.

Lambeck, P. F.↗

An experimental investigation of the trailing edge noise mechanism

An experimental investigation has been conducted to understand the physical mechanism of noise generation from a turbulent wall jet discharging over a flat plate and interacting with its sharp trailing edge. An aspect ratio 10 rectangular nozzle was used to provide the wall jet. Measurements made consist of farfield noise, surface pressure fluctuations, turbulent velocity fluctuations, and two-point space-time cross-correlations among these quantities. Results are presented which suggest strongly that the generation mechanism is the interaction of the convecting large scale quasi-orderly disturbance in the upper free shear layer of the wall jet with the trailing edge. The interaction also excites large scale strong vortical motion in the trailing edge wake. The dominant part of the sound field is highly coherent and in phase opposition across the trailing edge.

Yu, J. C.↗

Low-frequency fluctuation spectra and associated particle transport in the NASA Lewis bumpy-torus plasma

The strong radial electric field associated with the Penning discharge and the strong toroidal magnetic field give rise to a diversity of E/B phenomena, such as rotating waves and spokes, which in turn manifest themselves as space-time fluctuations of the plasma density and potential. Work is done to further understand the nature and origin of the fluctuations and their connection with fluctuation-induced transport. The approach is to monitor the density and potential fluctuations; to digitize the data; and to generate, with the aid of a computer, various spectral properties by means of the fast fourier transform. Of particular interest is the computer-generated transport spectrum that indicates in a quantitative way which fluctuation spectral components contribute to transport and which do not. All experimental measurements of the spectral characteristics of the plasma are given in absolute units rather than as relative values. Preliminary measurements of the transport spectrum of the ion population are given, and it is shown that the fluctuation-induced transport is in order-of-magnitude agreement with that inferred from the steady state current flowing to the electrodes that generate the plasma.

Singh, C. M.↗

A Method of Monitoring Non-Resonant Raman Lidar Returns During Daylight Hours

A method for using non-resonant Raman lidar during daytime hours is presented. A dual (or quadruple) arrangement of electro-optical channels is set up in the lidar receiver. Each channel contains its own optical spectral response as determined by an appropriate set of interference filters. The incoming signal is split and fed into two channels, filtered (simultaneously) and then inserted into the input terminals of an operational amplifier. The difference signal is selected and amplified whereas the common portion of the signal is highly attenuated (Common Mode Re.jection Ratio = 75-80db). For the present hardware, daylight intensities 10(exp 2)-10(exp 3) times Raman signals are received simultaneously. Mean values of intensities of daylight signals which give rise to a constant differences merely shift the value of the measured variable at the ground. These mean value signals have their common part highly attenuated. The differences of the fluctuation portions of the daylight signal represents a noise signal. Identical (space-time) optical paths for each component of the daylight signal produce the same fluctuational spectra in each channel. Hence noise levels, much less than signal levels, are anticipated. First a N2-H2 ) signal pair is differenced. Then an N2-O2 pair is differenced and used for instrumental normalization purposes. Signal levels to be encountered are quite well known as a result of prior field work. Improved optical design of laser system can reduce mean value of daylight intensities by 10(exp 2). Thus the mean daylight intensity can be set equal to the expected signal levels by more advanced optical design. Performance characteristics of photomultiplier pairs are discussed in this connection.

Cooney, John↗

Experiment m-3, inflight exerciser on gemini iv

Evaluation of general physical condition of Gemini IV flight crew with increasing time under space flight conditions - response of cardiovascular system to calibrated workload

CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM↗