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At least 109 records · Page 6
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2005

Stroboscopic Interferometer for Measuring Mirror Vibrations

Stroboscopic interferometry is a technique for measuring the modes of vibration of mirrors that are lightweight and, therefore, unavoidably flexible. The technique was conceived especially for modal characterization of lightweight focusing mirror segments to be deployed in outer space; however, the technique can be applied to lightweight mirrors designed for use on Earth as well as the modal investigation of other optical and mechanical structures. To determine the modal structure of vibration of a mirror, it is necessary to excite the mirror by applying a force that varies periodically with time at a controllable frequency. The excitation can utilize sinusoidal, square, triangular, or even asynchronous waveforms. Because vibrational modes occur at specific resonant frequencies, it is necessary to perform synchronous measurements and sweep the frequency to locate the significant resonant modes. For a given mode it is possible to step the phase of data acquisition in order to capture the modal behavior over a single cycle of the resonant frequency. In order to measure interferometrically the vibrational response of the mirror at a given frequency, an interferometer must be suitably aligned with the mirror and adjustably phase-locked with the excitation signal. As in conventional stroboscopic photography, the basic idea in stroboscopic interferometry is to capture an image of the shape of a moving object (in this case, the vibrating mirror) at a specified instant of time in the vibration cycle. Adjusting the phase difference over a full cycle causes the interference fringes to vary over the full range of motion for the mode at the excitation frequency. The interference-fringe pattern is recorded as a function of the phase difference, and, from the resulting data, the surface shape of the mirror for the given mode is extracted. In addition to the interferometer and the mirror to be tested, the equipment needed for stroboscopic interferometry includes an arbitrary-function generator (that is, a signal generator), an oscilloscope, a trigger filter, and an advanced charge-coupled-device (CCD) camera. The optical components are positioned to form a pupil image of the mirror under test on the CCD chip, so that the interference pattern representative of the instantaneous mirror shape is imaged on the CCD chip.

Stahl, H. Philip↗
NASA NTRS1974

Neutron propagation and 2.2 MeV gamma-ray line production in the solar atmosphere

The 2.2 MeV gamma ray line intensity from the sun was calculated using a Monte Carlo method for neutron propagation in the solar atmosphere. Detailed results are provided on the total gamma ray yield per neutron and on the time profile of the 2.2 MeV line from an instantaneous and monoenergetic neutron source. The parameters which have the most significant effects on the line intensity are the energies of the neutrons, the position of the neutron source on the sun, and the abundance of He-3 in the photosphere. For an isotropic neutron source which is not too close to the limb of the sun, the gamma ray yield is between about 0.02 to 0.2 photons per neutron, provided that the neutron energies are in the range 1 to 100 MeV and the ratio He-3/H is less than about .00005.

Wang, H. T.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Neutron propagation and 2.2 MeV gamma-ray line production in the solar atmosphere

Calculation of the 2.2-MeV gamma-ray line intensity from the sun using a Monte Carlo method for neutron propagation in the solar atmosphere. Detailed results are provided concerning the total gamma-ray yield per neutron and the time profile of the 2.2-MeV line from an instantaneous and monoenergetic neutron source. The parameters which have the most significant effects on the line intensity are the energies of the neutrons, the position of the neutron source on the sun, and the abundance of He-3 in the photosphere. For an isotropic neutron source which is not too close to the limb of the sun, the gamma-ray yield is between about 0.02 to 0.2 photons per neutron, provided that the neutron energies are in the range from 1 to 100 MeV and the ratio He-3/H is less than about .00005.

Wang, H. T.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Applications of radio interferometry to navigation

Radio astronomy experiments have demonstrated the feasibility of making precise position measurements using interferometry techniques. The application of this method to navigation and marine geodesy is discussed, and comparisons are made with existing navigation systems. The very long baseline technique, with a master station, can use either an artificial satellite or natural sources as position references; a high-speed data link is required. A completely ship-borne system is shown to be feasible, at the cost of poorer sensitivity for natural sources. A comparison of Doppler, delay and phase-track modes of operating a very long baseline configuration is made, as that between instantaneous measurements and those where a source can be tracked from horizon to transit. Geometric limitations in latitude and longitude coverage are discussed. The characteristics of natural radio sources, their flux, distribution on the sky, and apparent size are shown to provide a limit on position measurements precision. The atmosphere and frequency standard used both contribute to position measurement uncertainty by affecting interferometric phase.

Knowles, S. H.↗
NASA NTRS1981

A head-up display for low-visibility approach and landing

An electronic flight-guidance display format was designed for use in evaluations of the collimated head-up display concept in low-visibility landings of transport aircraft. In the design process of iterative evaluation and modification, some general principles, or guidelines, applicable to such flight displays were suggested. The usefulness of an indication of instantaneous inertial flightpath was clearly demonstrated, particularly in low-altitude transition to visual references. Evaluator pilot acceptance of the unfamiliar display concepts was very positive when careful attention was given to indoctrination and training.

Bray, R. S.↗
NASA NTRS2016

Potential Impact of a US Climate Policy and Air Quality Regulations on Future Air Quality and Climate Change

We have investigated how future air quality and climate change are influenced by the US air quality regulations that existed or were proposed in 2013 and a hypothetical climate mitigation policy that aims to reduce 2050 CO2 emissions to be 50% below 2005 emissions. Using the NASA GISS ModelE2 general circulation model, we look at the impacts for year 2030 and 2055. The US energy-sector emissions are from the GLIMPSE project (GEOS-Chem LIDORT Integrated with MARKAL (MARKet ALlocation) for the Purpose of Scenario Exploration), and other US emissions data sets and the rest of the world emissions data sets are based on the RCP4.5 scenario. The US air quality regulations are projected to have a strong beneficial impact on US air quality and public health in year 2030 and 2055 but result in positive radiative forcing. Under this scenario, no more emission constraints are added after 2020, and the impacts on air quality and climate change are similar between year 2030 and 2055. Surface particulate matter with a diameter smaller than 2.5 micron PM(sub 2:5) is reduced by 2 approximately μg/m(sup -3) on average over the USA, and surface ozone by approximately 8 ppbv. The improved air quality prevents about 91 400 premature deaths in the USA, mainly due to the PM(sub 2:5) reduction approximately (74 200 lives saved). The air quality regulations reduce the light-reflecting aerosols (i.e., sulfate and organic matter) more than the light-absorbing species (i.e., black carbon and ozone), leading to a strong positive radiative forcing (RF) over the USA by both aerosols' direct and indirect forcing: the total RF is approximately 0.04 W m(sup -2) over the globe, and approximately 0.8 W m(sup -2) over the USA. Under the hypothetical climate policy, a future CO2 emissions cut is achieved in part by relying less on coal, and thus SO2 emissions are noticeably reduced. This provides air quality co-benefits, but it could lead to potential climate disbenefits over the USA. In 2055, the US mean total RF is +C02 W m(sup -2) due to positive aerosol direct and indirect forcing, while the global mean total RF is -0.06 W m(sup -2) due to the dominant negative CO2 RF (instantaneous RF). To achieve a regional-scale climate benefit via a climate policy, it is critical (1) to have multinational efforts to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and (2) to simultaneously target emission reduction of light-absorbing species (e.g., BC and O3) on top of long-lived species. The latter is very desirable as the resulting climate benefit occurs faster and provides cobenefits to air quality and public health.

Air quality↗
NASA NTRS1973

A coronal hole and its identification as the source of a high velocity solar wind stream

X-ray images of the solar corona showed a magnetically open structure in the low corona which extended from N20W20 to the south pole. Analysis of the measured X-ray intensities shows the density scale heights within the structure to be typically a factor of two less than that in the surrounding large scale magnetically closed regions. The structure is identified as a coronal hole. Wind measurements for the appropriate period were traced back to the sun by the method of instantaneous ideal spirals. A striking agreement was found between the Carrington longitude of the solar source of a recurrent high velocity solar wind stream and the position of the hole.

Krieger, A. S.↗
NASA NTRS1995

The 3-D wake measurements near a hovering rotor for determining profile and induced drag

Primarily an experimental effort, this study focuses on the velocity and vorticity fields in the near wake of a hovering rotor. Drag terminology is reviewed, and the theory for separately determining the profile-and-induced-drag components from wake quantities is introduced. Instantaneous visualizations of the flow field are used to center the laser velocimeter (LV) measurements on the vortex core and to assess the extent of the positional mandering of the trailing vortex. Velocity profiles obtained at different rotor speeds and distances behind the rotor blade clearly indicate the position, size, and rate of movement of the wake sheet and the core of the trailing vortex. The results also show the distribution of vorticity along the wake sheet and within the trailing vortex.

Mcalister, K. W.↗
NASA NTRS1999

How an Electron Beam (Eventually) Penetrates Ceramic Cloth

In anticipation of the International Space Welding Experiment (ISWE) the effect of an electron beam was investigated on Nextel AF-62 ceramic cloth designed to withstand temperatures up to 1427 C. It was anticipated that the cloth would take a static charge that would repel the beam and remain undamaged. It was found that after some seconds the impinging beam penetrated penetrated the cloth. Further, the penetration time went up significantly both at longer and at closer standoff distances. A tentative explanation appears to fit the observed facts. The electrons in the beam generate positive ions by collisions with the contaminant gas molecules in the vacuum chamber. The positive ions transfer a small but significant fraction of the beam power to the cloth. Under the impingement of the positive ions the cloth heats up until sufficient outgassing occurs to initiate arcing. Once arcing occurs the full beam power impinges on the cloth and, almost instantaneously, burns a hole.

Nunes, A. C., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1977

The large-scale ionospheric electric field - Its variation with magnetic activity and relation to terrestrial kilometric radiation

Four days of simultaneous auroral zone electric field measurements on balloons flown from six sites spanning 180 deg of magnetic longitude have been analyzed. The average electric field behavior during this magnetically quiet epoch is consistent with earlier single-point measurements, although the average auroral zone electric field was more affected by corotation effects than it was during more disturbed times. When these data, which primarily reflect the large-scale (several hundred kilometer) ionospheric electric field, are mapped to the equator, a steady dawn to dusk component is apparent only on the average, while instantaneously the field is quite variable. The ionospheric electric field during isolated substorms is shown to have differing signatures east and west of 2200 LT. A worldwide positive correlation is shown to exist between the auroral zone electric field strength and the intensity of terrestrial kilometric radiation.

Holzworth, R. H.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Determination of mean rainfall from the Special Sensor Microwave/Imager (SSM/I) using a mixed lognormal distribution

Global estimates of monthly, seasonal, and annual oceanic rainfall are computed for a period of one year using data from the Special Sensor Microwave/Imager (SSM/I). Instantaneous rainfall estimates are derived from brightness temperature values obtained from the satellite data using the Hughes D-matrix algorithm. The instantaneous rainfall estimates are stored in 1 deg square bins over the global oceans for each month. A mixed probability distribution combining a lognormal distribution describing the positive rainfall values and a spike at zero describing the observations indicating no rainfall is used to compute mean values. The resulting data for the period of interest are fitted to a lognormal distribution by using a maximum-likelihood. Mean values are computed for the mixed distribution and qualitative comparisons with published historical results as well as quantitative comparisons with corresponding in situ raingage data are performed.

Berg, Wesley↗
NASA NTRS2015

Effects of Mesoscale Eddies in the Active Mixed Layer: Test of the Parametrisation in Eddy Resolving Simulations

In eddy resolving simulations, we test a mixed layer mesoscale parametrisation, developed recently by Canuto and Dubovikov [Ocean Model., 2011, 39, 200-207]. With no adjustable parameters, the parametrisation yields the horizontal and vertical mesoscale fluxes in terms of coarse-resolution fields and eddy kinetic energy (EKE). We compare terms of the parametrisation diagnosed from coarse-grained fields with the eddy mesoscale fluxes diagnosed directly from the high resolution model. An expression for the EKE in terms of mean fields has also been found to get a closed parametrisation in terms of the mean fields only. In 40 numerical experiments we simulated two types of flows: idealised flows driven by baroclinic instabilities only, and more realistic flows, driven by wind and surface fluxes as well as by inflow-outflow. The diagnosed quasi-instantaneous horizontal and vertical mesoscale buoyancy fluxes (averaged over 1-2 degrees and 10 days) demonstrate a strong scatter typical for turbulent flows, however, the fluxes are positively correlated with the parametrisation with higher (0.5-0.74) correlations at the experiments with larger baroclinic radius Rossby. After being averaged over 3-4 months, diffusivities diagnosed from the eddy resolving simulations are consistent with the parametrisation for a broad range of parameters. Diagnosed vertical mesoscale fluxes restratify mixed layer and are in a good agreement with the parametrisation unless vertical turbulent mixing in the upper layer becomes strong enough in comparison with mesoscale advection. In the latter case, numerical simulations demonstrate that the deviation of the fluxes from the parametrisation is controlled by dimensionless parameter estimating the ratio of vertical turbulent mixing term to mesoscale advection. An analysis using a modified omega-equation reveals that the effects of the vertical mixing of vorticity is responsible for the two-three fold amplification of vertical mesoscale flux. Possible physical mechanisms, responsible for the amplification of vertical mesoscale flux are discussed.

simulation↗
NASA NTRS1985

Analysis of low-altitude wind speed and direction shears

Horizontal wind profile measurements recorded at the NASA 150-Meter Ground Winds Tower Facility at the Kennedy Space Center, Fla., are analyzed to evaluate wind shears known to be hazardous to the ascent and descent of conventional aircraft and the Space Shuttle. Twenty 5-s intervals of high (between 10 and 18 m/s) and gale force (18 to 33 m/s) surface winds provided instantaneous recordings every 0.1 s per speed, direction, and tower level from 3-150 m. Mathematical (maximum, mean, standard deviation) and graphical (percentage frequency distribution) descriptions of absolute, positive, and negative speed and direction shears with altitude (six vertical layers) and along flight path (one horizontal distance) are presented as functions of the intensity categories and significant values.

Alexander, M. B.↗
NASA NTRS2000

Surge Flow in a Centrifugal Compressor Measured by Digital Particle Image Velocimetry

A planar optical velocity measurement technique known as Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) is being used to study transient events in compressors. In PIV, a pulsed laser light sheet is used to record the positions of particles entrained in a fluid at two instances in time across a planar region of the flow. Determining the recorded particle displacement between exposures yields an instantaneous velocity vector map across the illuminated plane. Detailed flow mappings obtained using PIV in high-speed rotating turbomachinery components are used to improve the accuracy of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations, which in turn, are used to guide advances in state-of-the-art aircraft engine hardware designs.

Wernet, Mark P.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Th-230 - U-238 series disequilibrium of the Olkaria rhyolites Gregory Rift Valley, Kenya: Petrogenesis

Positive correlations of (U-238/Th-230) versus Th show the rhyolites to be products of partial melting. Positive correlations of U and Cl and U and F show that the U enrichment in the rhyolites is associated with the halogen contents which may be related to the minor phenocryst phase fractionation. Instantaneous Th/U ratios exceed time integrated Th/U ratios providing further evidence of the hydrous nature of the Olkaria rhyolite source. Excess (U-238/Th-230) in the subduction related rocks has been associated to the preferential incorporation of uranium in slab derived fluids, but no evaluation of the size of this flux has been made. The majority of the Naivasha samples show a (U-238/Th-230) less than 1 and plot close to the subduction related samples indicating the Naivasha rhyolites may also have been influenced by fluids during their formation. In general samples with high (U-238/Th-230) ratios reflecting recent enrichment of uranium relative to thorium have high thorium contents, thereby the high (U-238/Th-230) ratios are restricted to the most incompatible element enriched magmas and, hence, are a good indication that the rhyolites were formed by partial melting. If a fluid phase had some influence on the formation of the rhyolites then the uranium and thorium may have some correlation with F and Cl contents which can be mirrored by the peralkalinity. Plots of uranium against F and Cl contents are shown. The positive correlation indicates that the uranium enrichments are associated with the halogen contents. There seems to be a greater correlation for U against Cl than F indicating that the U may be transported preferentially as Cl complexes.

Black, S.↗
NASA NTRS1978

The ST environment: Expected charged particle radiation levels

The external (surface incident) charged particle radiation, predicted for the ST satellite at the three different mission altitudes, was determined in two ways: (1) by orbital flux-integration and (2) by geographical instantaneous flux-mapping. The latest standard models of the environment were used in this effort. Magnetic field definitions for three nominal circular trajectories and for the geographic mapping positions were obtained from a current field model. Spatial and temporal variations or conditions affecting the static environment models were considered and accounted for, wherever possible. Limited shielding and dose evaluations were performed for a simple geometry. Results, given in tabular and graphical form, are analyzed, explained, and discussed. Conclusions are included.

Stassinopoulos, E. G.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Quick Check Of Butt-Weld Alignment

Proposed tool measures alignments of plates before butt-welded. Provides nearly instantaneous check on alignment, thereby facilitating repetitive measurements along length of weld joint. Reduces risk of contamination of weld from dirty measuring tools. Middle photodetector indicates acceptable alignment when position of transmitter fiber preciously matches that of center receiver fiber. If plates offset, other photodetectors signal misalignment.

Smith, Matthew A.↗
NASA NTRS1975

A flying hot wire study of the turbulent near wake of a circular cylinder at Reynolds number of 140,000

The phenomenology was studied of the processes of vortex formation and transport in the near wake, at a Reynolds number sufficiently high to insure a fully turbulent wake, but low enough to insure a laminar separation. The apparatus developed for measuring this flow consisted of X-array hot wire probes mounted on the ends of a pair of whirling arms. A computer controlled data acquisition system was slaved to the position of the rotating arm and managed, monitored, edited, and recorded the vast profusion of data which is continuously poured out by the device. Results are presented which show the instantaneous velocity, intermittency, vorticity, and stress fields as a function of phase for the first six diameters of the near wake. The stresses in the near wake emerge as a concatenation of peaks and valleys, some the result of strong induced motions in the outer flow which cause free stream fluid to move rapidly inward toward the center of the wake, others the result of the random motions of the background turbulence.

Cantwell, B. J.↗