Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “propagation losses”

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 109 records · Page 6

Quantitative ultrasonic evaluation of engineering properties in metals, composites, and ceramics

Ultrasonic techniques that have demonstrated potential for material characterization are reviewed. These techniques rely on physical acoustic properties of materials and the interaction of elastic stress waves with morphological factors in the ultrasonic regime. The speed of wave propagation and energy loss by interaction with material microstructure and geometrical factors underlie ultrasonic determination of material properties. Two categories of ultrasonic measurements are discussed: those related to material strengths (e.g., elastic moduli, tensile strength, and fracture toughness) and those related to morphology and material conditions that govern strength and performance (e.g., microstructure, void content, residual stress, fatigue damage). It is shown that large-scale industrial application of ultrasonic NDE will depend on advancement in such areas as theory development, instrumentation, system automation, standardization, and coordination with design.

Vary, A.↗

Neutrinos from type II supernovae - The first 100 milliseconds

The collapse of a 1.17 solar mass iron core is numerically followed through infall to 100 ms past core bounce, and the emergent neutrino spectra during each phase are highlighted. It is found that, even with fairly optimistic conditions for producing a strong, sustained core-bounce shock wave, the prompt shock stalls within 9 ms of core bounce at a radius of less than 250 km. It appears that a radical change in the character of the progenitor core or in our understanding of the relevant physics of stellar collapse is needed before the direct mechanism for type II supernovae can become viable. Expanding the number of neutrino types from one to six magnifies the debilitating effect of neutrino loss on shock propagation. At shock breakout, prompt bursts of all neutrino types are observed. The luminosities of the nonelectron types show a sudden turn-on in luminosity while that of the electron neutrinos steadily increases throughout infall as a result of accelerating electron capture.

Myra, Eric S.↗

Review of Slow-Wave Structures

The majority of recent theoretical and experimental reports published in the literature dealing with helical slow-wave structures focus on the dispersion characteristics and their effects due to the finite helix wire thickness and attenuation, dielectric loading, metal loading, and the introduction of plasma. In many papers, an effective dielectric constant is used to take into account helix wire dimensions and conductivity losses, while the propagation constant of the signal and the interaction impedance of the structure are found to depend on the surface resistivity of the helix. Also, various dielectric supporting rods are simulated by one or several uniform cylinders having an effective dielectric constant, while metal vane loading and plasma effects are incorporated in the effective dielectric constant. The papers dealing with coupled cavities and folded or loaded wave guides describe equivalent circuit models, efficiency enhancement, and the prediction of instabilities for these structures. Equivalent circuit models of various structures are found using computer software programs SUPERFISH and TOUCHSTONE. Efficiency enhancement in tubes is achieved through dynamic velocity and phase adjusted tapers using computer techniques. The stability threshold of unwanted antisymmetric and higher order modes is predicted using SOS and MAGIC codes and the dependence of higher order modes on beam conductance, section length, and effective Q of a cavity is shown.

Wallett, Thomas M.↗

NASA wiring for space applications program test results

The objective of this test is to examine the mechanical and electrical properties of PFPI insulation. Some of the parameters considered during the test are: AC corona (400 Hz), wire fusing time, abrasion resistance, dynamic cut through, notch propagation, and weight loss (outgassing). In addition the degradation of the samples caused by the immature manufacturing status of the PFPI materials for wiring is considered.

Ide, Jim↗

The Use of Probabilistic Methods to Evaluate the Systems Impact of Component Design Improvements on Large Turbofan Engines

Probabilistic Structural Analysis (PSA) is now commonly used for predicting the distribution of time/cycles to failure of turbine blades and other engine components. These distributions are typically based on fatigue/fracture and creep failure modes of these components. Additionally, reliability analysis is used for taking test data related to particular failure modes and calculating failure rate distributions of electronic and electromechanical components. How can these individual failure time distributions of structural, electronic and electromechanical component failure modes be effectively combined into a top level model for overall system evaluation of component upgrades, changes in maintenance intervals, or line replaceable unit (LRU) redesign? This paper shows an example of how various probabilistic failure predictions for turbine engine components can be evaluated and combined to show their effect on overall engine performance. A generic model of a turbofan engine was modeled using various Probabilistic Risk Assessment (PRA) tools (Quantitative Risk Assessment Software (QRAS) etc.). Hypothetical PSA results for a number of structural components along with mitigation factors that would restrict the failure mode from propagating to a Loss of Mission (LOM) failure were used in the models. The output of this program includes an overall failure distribution for LOM of the system. The rank and contribution to the overall Mission Success (MS) is also given for each failure mode and each subsystem. This application methodology demonstrates the effectiveness of PRA for assessing the performance of large turbine engines. Additionally, the effects of system changes and upgrades, the application of different maintenance intervals, inclusion of new sensor detection of faults and other upgrades were evaluated in determining overall turbine engine reliability.

Packard, Michael H.↗

Technology Developments Integrating a Space Network Communications Testbed

As future manned and robotic space explorations missions involve more complex systems, it is essential to verify, validate, and optimize such systems through simulation and emulation in a low cost testbed environment. The goal of such a testbed is to perform detailed testing of advanced space and ground communications networks, technologies, and client applications that are essential for future space exploration missions. We describe the development of new technologies enhancing our Multi-mission Advanced Communications Hybrid Environment for Test and Evaluation (MACHETE) that enable its integration in a distributed space communications testbed. MACHETE combines orbital modeling, link analysis, and protocol and service modeling to quantify system performance based on comprehensive considerations of different aspects of space missions. It can simulate entire networks and can interface with external (testbed) systems. The key technology developments enabling the integration of MACHETE into a distributed testbed are the Monitor and Control module and the QualNet IP Network Emulator module. Specifically, the Monitor and Control module establishes a standard interface mechanism to centralize the management of each testbed component. The QualNet IP Network Emulator module allows externally generated network traffic to be passed through MACHETE to experience simulated network behaviors such as propagation delay, data loss, orbital effects and other communications characteristics, including entire network behaviors. We report a successful integration of MACHETE with a space communication testbed modeling a lunar exploration scenario. This document is the viewgraph slides of the presentation.

hybrid simulation↗

A Neutron Detector for the Electron Calorimeter (ECAL) Long Duration Balloon Experiment

The highest energy measurements of cosmic ray electrons extend just beyond 1 TeV. High energy electrons are of particular interest because energy losses during interstellar propagation insure that they arrive primarily from nearby sources. This may produce observable structure in their spectrum. Further, it is predicted that electrons and positrons result from the annihilation of many exotic particles deposited as dark matter candidates. These electrons may appear as excesses in the cosmic ray electron spectrum from 200 GeV to 1000 GeV. A new long duration balloon experiment, ECAL, is being planned to provide direct cosmic ray electron measurements from approx.50 GeV to >1 TeV. To make these measurements ECAL must discriminate strongly against showers from protons and heavier ions. One of the techniques used to make this discrimination may be based on measuring the secondary neutrons produced by events in the instrument. The neutron detector configuration and technique will be discussed along with its expected performance based on Monte Carlo simulations.

Adams, J. H., Jr.↗

Direct Measurement of the Spectral Structure of Cosmic-Ray Electrons+Positrons in the Tev Region With Calet on the International Space Station

Detailed measurements of the spectral structure of cosmic-ray electrons and positrons from 10.6 GeV to 7.5 TeV are presented from over 7 years of observations with the CALorimetric Electron Telescope (CALET) on the International Space Station. The instrument, consisting of a charge detector, an imaging calorimeter, and a total absorption calorimeter with a total depth of 30 radiation lengths at normal incidence and a fine shower imaging capability, is optimized to measure the all-electron spectrum well into the TeV region. Because of the excellent energy resolution (a few percent above 10 GeV) and the outstanding e/p separation (10 5 ), CALET provides optimal performance for a detailed search of structures in the energy spectrum. The analysis uses data up to the end of 2022, and the statistics of observed electron candidates has increased more than 3 times since the last publication in 2018. By adopting an updated boosted decision tree analysis, a sufficient proton rejection power up to 7.5 TeV is achieved, with a residual proton contamination less than 10%. The observed energy spectrum becomes gradually harder in the lower energy region from around 30 GeV, consistently with AMS-02, but from 300 to 600 GeV it is considerably softer than the spectra measured by DAMPE and Fermi-LAT. At high energies, the spectrum presents a sharp break around 1 TeV, with a spectral index change from −3.15 to −3.91, and a broken power law fitting the data in the energy range from 30 GeV to 4.8 TeV better than a single power law with 6.9 sigma significance, which is compatible with the DAMPE results. The break is consistent with the expected effects of radiation loss during the propagation from distant sources (except the highest energy bin). We have fitted the spectrum with a model consistent with the positron flux measured by AMS-02 below 1 TeV and interpreted the electron+positron spectrum with possible contributions from pulsars and nearby sources. Above 4.8 TeV, a possible contribution from known nearby supernova remnants, including Vela, is addressed by an event-by-event analysis providing a higher proton-rejection power than a purely statistical analysis.

O. Adriani↗

2023 Astrophotonics Roadmap: Pathways to Realizing Multi-Functional Integrated Astrophotonic Instruments

Photonic technologies offer numerous functionalities that can be used to realize astrophotonic instruments. The most spectacular example to date is the ESO Gravity instrument at the Very Large Telescope in Chile that combines the light-gathering power of four 8 m telescopes through a complex photonic interferometer. Fully integrated astrophotonic devices stand to offer critical advantages for instrument development, including extreme miniaturization when operating at the diffraction-limit, as well as integration, superior thermal and mechanical stabilization owing to the small footprint, and high replicability offering significant cost savings. Numerous astrophotonic technologies have been developed to address shortcomings of conventional instruments to date, including for example the development of photonic lanterns to convert from multimode inputs to single mode outputs, complex aperiodic fiber Bragg gratings to filter OH emission from the atmosphere, complex beam combiners to enable long baseline interferometry with for example, ESO Gravity, and laser frequency combs for high precision spectral calibration of spectrometers. Despite these successes, the facility implementation of photonic solutions in astronomical instrumentation is currently limited because of (1) low throughputs from coupling to fibers, coupling fibers to chips, propagation and bend losses, device losses, etc, (2) difficulties with scaling to large channel count devices needed for large bandwidths and high resolutions, and (3) efficient integration of photonics with detectors, to name a few. In this roadmap, we identify 24 key areas that need further development. We outline the challenges and advances needed across those areas covering design tools, simulation capabilities, fabrication processes, the need for entirely new components, integration and hybridization and the characterization of devices. To realize these advances the astrophotonics community will have to work cooperatively with industrial partners who have more advanced manufacturing capabilities. With the advances described herein, multi-functional integrated instruments will be realized leading to novel observing capabilities for both ground and space based platforms, enabling new scientific studies and discoveries.

astrophotonics↗

Results of Outdoor to Indoor Propagation Measurements from 5-32GHz

The demand for wireless services has increased exponentially in the last few years and shows no signs of slowing in the near future. In order for the next generation wireless to provide seamless access, whether the user is indoors or out, a thorough understanding and validation of models describing the impact of building entry loss (BEL) is required. This information is currently lacking and presents a challenge for most system designers. For this reason empirical data is needed to assess the impact of BEL at frequencies that are being explored for future mobile broadband applications This paper present the results of measurements of outdoor-to-indoor propagation from 5-32 GHz in three different buildings. The first is a newer building that is similar in construction to modern residential home. The second is an older commercial office building. The last building is a very new commercial office building built using modern green building techniques. These three buildings allow for the measurement of propagation losses through both modern and older materials; such as glass windows and exterior block and siding. Initial results found that at particular spatial locations the BEL could be less than 1dB or more than 70dB with free space losses discounted (this is likely influenced by multipath). Additionally, it was observed that the PDF distributions of a majority of the measurements trended toward log-normal with means and standard deviations ranging from 8-38dB and 6-14dB, respectively.

building entry loss↗

Estimation of microwave absorption in the Jupiter atmosphere

A procedure for estimating the microwave absorption loss of the Jupiter atmosphere is presented. Estimation of microwave absorption by planetary atmospheres involves two different investigative disciplines (1) the determination of an acceptable model of the atmosphere itself and (2) the determination of the microwave attenuation rate applicable to each different volume sample of the atmosphere, and the integration of this loss over the varying radio propagation path for any given entry trajectory to obtain the total loss.

Coombs, W. C.↗

Effects of radiation heat loss on planar and spherical hydrofluorocarbon/air flames

Hydrofluorocarbons (HFC), which are mildly flammable and pose potential fire risks, have received greater attention as a viable low global warming potential alternative to traditional refrigerant and fire-suppressant compounds. Therefore, there is a demand to accurately quantify their flammability and re-activity to establish proper safety metrics. Here, this study investigates the effects of radiation heat loss on slowly-propagating HFC/air laminar flames. Planar 1-D simulations of R-32/air and R-1234yf/air flames show significant reductions in laminar flame speed due to radiative heat losses from the flame zone. Simulations of spherically expanding flames (SEF) revealed that the radiation-induced flow needs to be considered when interpreting data from experiments. To this end, a Spherical-flame RADiation-Induced Flow (SRADIF) model was developed to estimate the burned gas inward flow velocities in constant-pressure SEFs, utilizing the optically thin limit assumption to model radiation heat loss. The model was validated against results from detailed numerical simulations of SEFs, from which radiation-induced inward flow was derived using a new formulation considering both the radiation heat loss and convective flow effects. Results show that SRADIF accurately predicts the inward flow velocity for R-32/air mixtures over a range of conditions and performs significantly better compared to existing analytical models. However, the model was unable to accurately predict flow velocities for R-1234yf/air flames and the reason for this is discussed. (224 words)

42 ENGINEERING↗

Losing Control of Your Linear Network? Try Resilience Theory

Resilience of cyber-physical networks to unexpected failures is a critical need widely recognized across domains. For instance, power grids, telecommunication networks, transportation infrastructures, and water treatment systems have all been subject to disruptive malfunctions and catastrophic cyberattacks. Following such adverse events, we investigate scenarios where a node of a linear network suffers a loss of control authority over some of its actuators. These actuators are not following the controller's commands and are instead producing undesirable outputs. The repercussions of such a loss of control can propagate and destabilize the whole network despite the malfunction occurring at a single node. To assess system vulnerability, we establish resilience conditions for networks with a subsystem enduring a loss of control authority over some of its actuators. Furthermore, we quantify the destabilizing impact on the overall network when such a malfunction perturbs a nonresilient subsystem. We illustrate our resilience conditions on two academic examples, on an islanded microgrid and on the linearized IEEE 39-bus system.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Monlithic nonplanar ring oscillator and method

A monolithic nonplanar ring oscillator having an optically isotropic solid-state laser body for propagating laser radiation about a nonplanar ring path internal to the laser body is disclosed. The monolithic laser body is configured to produce a 2N reflection nonplanar ring light path, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 2, comprising 2N-1 total internal reflections and one reflection at a coupler in a single round trip. Undirectional traveling wave oscillation of the laser is induced by the geometry of the nonplanar ring path together with the effect of an applied magnetic field and partial polarizer characteristics of the oblique reflection from the coupler. The 6-reflection nonplanar ring oscillator makes possible otpimal unidirectional oscillation (low loss for the oscillating direction of propagation and, simultaneously high loss for the nonoscillating direction of propagation) in monolithic NPROs using materials with index of refraction smaller than the square root of 3, for example, laser glass.

Nilsson, Alan C.↗

Static tests of excess ground attenuation at Wallops Flight Center

An extensive experimental measurement program which evaluated the attenuation of sound for close to horizontal propagation over the ground was designed to replicate, under static conditions, results of the flight measurements carried out earlier by NASA at the same site (Wallops Flight Center). The program consisted of a total of 41 measurement runs of attenuation, in excess of spreading and air absorption losses, for one third octave bands over a frequency range of 50 to 4000 Hz. Each run consisted of measurements at 10 locations up to 675 m, from a source located at nominal elevations of 2.5, or 10 m over either a grassy surface or an adjacent asphalt concrete runway surface. The tests provided a total of over 8100 measurements of attenuation under conditions of low wind speed averaging about 1 m/s and, for most of the tests, a slightly positive temperature gradient, averaging about 0.3 C/m from 1.2 to 7 m. The results of the measurements are expected to provide useful experimental background for the further development of prediction models of near grazing incidence sound propagation losses.

Sutherland, L. C.↗

Reevaluation of the cosmic antideuteron flux from cosmic-ray interactions and from exotic sources

Cosmic-ray antideuterons could be a key for the discovery of exotic phenomena in our Galaxy, such as dark-matter annihilations or primordial black hole evaporation. Unfortunately the theoretical predictions of the antideuteron flux at Earth are plagued with uncertainties from the mechanism of antideuteron production and propagation in the Galaxy. We present the most up-to-date calculation of the antideuteron fluxes from cosmic-ray collisions with the interstellar medium and from exotic processes. We include for the first time the antideuteron inelastic interaction cross section recently measured by the ALICE collaboration to account for the loss of antideuterons during propagation. In order to bracket the uncertainty in the expected fluxes, we consider several state-of-the-art models of antideuteron production and of cosmic-ray propagation.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

A Theoretical Study of Propagation and Extinction of Nonsteady Spherical Flame Fronts

Freely propagating expanding spherical flame fronts are studied analytically using the method of activation energy asymptotics. Effects of Lewis number (Le), curvature, heat loss, and thermal expansion on propagation rates and extinction conditions are examined. The behavior of spherical flame fronts is found to be determined primarily by the values of Le and a heat-loss parameter. Results are compared to recent experimental observations of spherical flame fronts in mixtures near the flammability limits; for Le less than 1, it is found that many of the features of these experimental results are described by the analysis presented here. For Le greater than 1, however, unrealistic dynamic behavior is predicted due to the nature of diffusive-thermal instabilities under these conditions.

Ronney, P. D.↗

Synergistic foam stabilization and transport improvement in simulated fractures with polyelectrolyte complex nanoparticles: Microscale observation using laser etched glass micromodels

Inaccessibility to direct pore scale observation in hydrocarbon recovery of tight shale formations poses a great challenge to water-energy nexus initiatives and necessitates the use of high throughput technologies to emulate environmentally friendly processes. Herein, we employ a precise glass micromodel fabrication and visualization method to isolate the supercritical CO 2 bubbles surrounded by CO 2 -water lamella prepared in saline produced water stabilized with molecular complexation of zwitterionic surfactants (ZS) and polyelectrolyte complex nanoparticles (PECNP). The Selective Laser Enhanced Etching (SLE) technique was selected for micromodel simulation of high-pressure flow. Two representative designs, (1) fracture/micro-crack network 28 and (2) fracture/matrix were etched on fused silica glass with a laser printing machine and scCO 2 foam was injected to study the foamability, propagation, stability, and fluid loss properties. The highly monodispersed and uniformly distributed array of scCO 2 bubbles were detected in flow of scCO 2 foam in highly saline brine containing ionic complexes of positively charged PECNPs and ZS, whereas foam flow with the lamella containing ZS in fractures offered a noticeably large and polydisperse array of scCO 2 bubbles. scCO 2 bubble motion and deformation were traced, and local description of foam flow was visually examined. The confined array of scCO 2 bubbles stabilized by ZS in microcracks was affected by bubble growth and coalescence, whereas the super-populated array of monodispersed scC O2 bubbles with lamella containing complexes of PECNP and ZS were able to fill the channels with stable configurations within the timeframe of comparative stability measurements. The ability of complex fluid to prevent the formation damage was evaluated through fluid loss visualization in micromodels. Probing scCO 2 foam transport in homogenous porous media revealed smaller volume leak-off for scCO 2 foam containing PECNP-ZS ionic complexes.

04 OIL SHALES AND TAR SANDS↗