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At least 1,081 records · Page 60

Instrumentation for measurement of aircraft noise and sonic boom

A jet aircraft noise and sonic boom measuring device which converts sound pressure into electric current is described. An electric current proportional to the sound pressure level at a condenser microphone is produced and transmitted over a cable, amplified by a zero drive amplifier and recorded on magnetic tape. The converter is comprised of a local oscillator, a dual-gate field-effect transistor (FET) mixer and a voltage regulator/impedance translator. A carrier voltage that is applied to one of the gates of the FET mixer is generated by the local oscillator. The microphone signal is mixed with the carrier to produce an electrical current at the frequency of vibration of the microphone diaphragm by the FET mixer. The voltage of the local oscillator and mixer stages is regulated, the carrier at the output is eliminated, and a low output impedance at the cable terminals is provided by the voltage regulator/impedance translator.

Zuckerwar, A. J.↗

The motion of interconnected flexible bodies

The equations of motion for an arbitrarily interconnected collection of substructures are derived. The substructures are elastic bodies which may be idealized as finite element assemblies and are subject to small deformations relative to a nominal state. Interconnections between the elastic substructures permit large relative translations and rotations between substructures, governed by Pfaffian constraints describing the connections. Screw connections (permitting rotation about and translation along a single axis) eliminate constraint forces and incorporate modal coupling. The problem of flexible spacecraft simulation is discussed. Hurty's component mode approach is extended by permitting interconnected elastic substructures large motions relative to each other and relative to inertial space. The hybrid coordinate methods are generalized by permitting all substructures to be flexible (rather than only the terminal members of a topological tree of substructures). The basic relationships of continuum mechanics are developed.

Hopkins, A. S.↗

Science objectives and the Mariner Jupiter/Saturn 1977 mission design

The two Mariner spacecraft to be launched in 1977 to fly by Jupiter and Saturn require a mission design which is heavily dependent on science objectives. These science objectives translate into trajectory requirements imposed by one or more of the eleven instruments aboard Mariner such as distance of closest approach, inclination, occultation, lighting, etc., at the bodies of interest. Also, Jupiter and Saturn cannot be considered as individual targets but as miniature solar systems, where the mission design must apply to the Jovian and Saturnian satellites, and to Saturn's rings. The major objective of this analysis is to translate the science desires into the mission possibilities. Each object, be it a Galilean satellite, Titan, or the ring of Saturn, provides a unique region suitable for scientific investigation for the on-board instruments. Some of these trajectory regions overlap, others do not. Thus, critical choices must be made in selecting the trajectories to be flown by the two Mariner spacecraft. Such a choice, though preliminary, has been made by the Mariner Jupiter/Saturn 1977 (MJS'77) science teams, and a brief discussion of the selection process and the pair of trajectories chosen is presented in this paper.

Penzo, P. A.↗

Absolute plate motions by boundary velocity minimizations

The main interaction of the earth's interior with the lithosphere is as a material source and sink. An absolute reference frame defined by minimizing the translational motion of tectonic plate boundaries differs by 0.6 cm/year from a frame defined by hot spot traces and by 0.4 cm/year from the frame defined by the most plausible model of drag forces on the plates. The rms absolute translational velocities are about 2 cm/year for ocean-ocean plate boundaries and 1.5 cm/year for ocean-continent plate boundaries. The close agreement between the source and sink and the drag-dependent definitions suggests that the lithosphere, as a stress guide, to some extent controls the locations of its sources and sinks.

Kaula, W. M.↗

Monte Carlo calculations of diatomic molecule gas flows including rotational mode excitation

The direct simulation Monte Carlo method was used to solve the Boltzmann equation for flows of an internally excited nonequilibrium gas, namely, of rotationally excited homonuclear diatomic nitrogen. The semi-classical transition probability model of Itikawa was investigated for its ability to simulate flow fields far from equilibrium. The behavior of diatomic nitrogen was examined for several different nonequilibrium initial states that are subjected to uniform mean flow without boundary interactions. A sample of 1000 model molecules was observed as the gas relaxed to a steady state starting from three specified initial states. The initial states considered are: (1) complete equilibrium, (2) nonequilibrium, equipartition (all rotational energy states are assigned the mean energy level obtained at equilibrium with a Boltzmann distribution at the translational temperature), and (3) nonequipartition (the mean rotational energy is different from the equilibrium mean value with respect to the translational energy states). In all cases investigated the present model satisfactorily simulated the principal features of the relaxation effects in nonequilibrium flow of diatomic molecules.

Yoshikawa, K. K.↗

SENS-5D trajectory and wind-sensitivity calculations for unguided rockets

A computational procedure is described which numerically integrates the equations of motion of an unguided rocket. Three translational and two angular (roll discarded) degrees of freedom are integrated through the final burnout; and then, through impact, only three translational motions are considered. Input to the routine is: initial time, altitude and velocity, vehicle characteristics, and other defined options. Input format has a wide range of flexibility for special calculations. Output is geared mainly to the wind-weighting procedure, and includes summary of trajectory at burnout, apogee and impact, summary of spent-stage trajectories, detailed position and vehicle data, unit-wind effects for head, tail and cross winds, coriolis deflections, range derivative, and the sensitivity curves (the so called F(Z) and DF(Z) curves). The numerical integration procedure is a fourth-order, modified Adams-Bashforth Predictor-Corrector method. This method is supplemented by a fourth-order Runge-Kutta method to start the integration at t=0 and whenever error criteria demand a change in step size.

Singh, R. P.↗

Evaluation of a composite mobile holographic nondestructive test system

A simplified theoretical model for the interpretation of the double-exposure holographic interference fringe loci due to the general three-dimensional displacements was derived for the specific composite mobile holographic nondestructive test system. The model, representing a good approximation to a more tedious theoretical result, predicts that a combination of in-plane and out-of-plane displacements of the surface will produce concentric circular-shaped fringe patterns with locations of their center affected by the displacements. Appropriate experiments were designed and carried out for the test of the validity of the theory. These experiments include the taking of double-exposure holograms of in-plane translations and combined in-plane and out-of-plane translations. The simplified model agreed quite well with the experimental results. Experimentally observed effects due to the curvature of the test plate and the variations of the angles of incidence of the laser light suggest that in order for the simplified model to be able to predict the test results more accurately, incidence and reflection of the laser light should be chosen as nearly perpendicular to the surface of the tested object as possible.

Liu, H. K.↗

Noise suppression with high Mach number inlets

Experimental results were obtained for two types of high Mach number inlets, one with a translating centerbody and a fixed geometry inlet (collapsing cowl) with no centerbody. The aerodynamic and acoustic performance of these inlets was examined. The effects of area ratio, length/diameter ratio, and lip geometry were among several parameters investigated. The translating centerbody type inlet was found to be superior to the collapsing cowl both acoustically and aerodynamically, particularly for area ratios greater than 1.5. Comparison of length/diameter ratio and area ratio effects on performance near choked flow showed the latter to be more significant. Also, greater high frequency noise attenuation was achieved by increasing Mach number from low to high subsonic values.

Lumsdaine, E.↗

A study of moving base simulation motion cues utilizing washout technique

The present study was conducted to derive data on non-visual motion thresholds utilizing washout technique, and to develop specific threshold values for use as washout parameters. It describes the results of acceleration detection studies carried out using the NASA MSFC General Purpose Simulator which provides six degree-of-freedom cab motion. A series of experiments was performed to test the hypothesis that constant velocity visual cues might suppress non-visual deceleration sensitivity. The psychophysical method employed was the forced-choice procedure which theoretically yields a pure sensitivity measure. The MSFC General Purpose Simulator was programmed to provide velocity ramps in three axes - pitch, fore-aft translation, and vertical translation. Data were collected with and without a constant velocity visual input. Comparison of the current results with classical data suggested significantly greater sensitivity of the human observer to fore-aft accelerations than has generally been reported, sensitivity tending to depend on motion direction and sign of velocity change.

Kirkpatrick, M., III↗

Fan noise reduction at subsonic and supersonic tip speeds with high Mach number inlets

Results are presented for an experimental study of two fixed geometry inlets and one translating centerbody type inlet tested in an anechoic-chamber transonic-compressor facility. The test vehicle was a 12-inch tip diameter single-stage transonic compressor with 19 rotor blades and 30 stator blades located approximately two chord lengths downstream of the rotor. It is shown that the translating centerbody type of inlet is superior to the collapsing cowl type for noise reduction at high subsonic Mach numbers, both acoustically and aerodynamically. The feasibility of using a high inlet Mach number depends largely on the maximum area ratio requirement (normally at landing). The high inlet Mach numbers are more effective in reducing high-frequency noise than low frequencies and more effective in reducing the blade passage frequency than the overall noise level.

Lumsdaine, E.↗

Aerodynamic and acoustic performance of high Mach number inlets

Experimental results were obtained for two types of high Mach number inlets, one with a translating centerbody and one with a fixed geometry (collapsing cowl) without centerbody. The aerodynamic and acoustic performance of these inlets was examined. The effects of several parameters such as area ratio and length-diameter ratio were investigated. The translating centerbody inlet was found to be superior to the collapsing cowl inlet both acoustically and aerodynamically, particularly for area ratios greater than 1.5. Comparison of length-diameter ratio and area ratio effects on performance near choked flow showed the latter parameter to be more significant. Also, greater high frequency noise attenuation was achieved by increasing Mach number from low to high subsonic values.

Lumsdaine, E.↗

MSFC holographic correlation techniques facility study

The basic theory of the holographic correlation system is illustrated. The effect of translating the object distribution in the object plane when the hologram is illuminated is investigated. The effect of translating the object along the optical axis is discussed and preliminary results presented.

Foreman, J. W., Jr.↗

V/STOL hover stability impact on hover control task

Longitudinal static stability requirements for V/STOL aircraft are discussed in terms of vertical landing on a small ship at night, response of the aircraft to air turbulence, and hovering flight. The increased pilot workload encountered under these flight conditions is considered. Results of a flight simulation study performed to evaluate a specific hover control task, two control systems - attitude rate command and translational velocity command, and the pilots' performance with and without turbulence are reported. It is concluded that the translational velocity command system provides the control requirements for good spot hovering capability and reduced pilot workload.

Whitaker, A. B.↗

The 70 S monosome accumulation and in vitro initiation complex formation by Escherichia coli ribosomes at 5 C

The inhibition of translation which is observed after shifting Escherichia coli to low temperature was investigated. 70 S ribosomes were isolated from E. coli 8 hours after a shift to 5 C synthesized protein in the absence of added mRNA (i.e., endogenous protein synthesis by 70 S monosomes) at a rate which was three times greater than the rate of endogenous protein synthesis by 70 S ribosomes which were isolated at the time of the shift to 5 C. Calculations based on the rates of endogenous protein synthesis and polyphenylalanine synthesis indicate that 70 S monosomes comprise only 0.1% of the total E. coli 70 S ribosome population after 8 hours at 5 c. Experiments designed to test initiation complex formation on ApUpG or formaldehyde treated MS-2 viral RNA demonstrated that, although the rate of formation of 30 S initiation complexes was not inhibited, the rate of formation of active 70 S initiation complexes, able to react with puromycin, was inhibited to a great extent at 5 C. A model depicting the effects of low temperature on the E. coli translation system is proposed.

Broeze, R. J.↗

Engineering description of the OMS/RCS/DAP modes used in the HP-9825A High Fidelity Relative Motion Program (HFRMP)

Simplified mathematical models are reported for the space shuttle's Orbital Maneuvering System (OMS), Reaction Control System (RCS), and on-orbit Digital Autopilot (DAP) that have been incorporated in the High-Fidelity Relative Motion Program (HFRMP) for the HP-9825A desk-top calculator. Comparisons were made between data generated by the HFRMP and by the Space Shuttle Functional Simulator (SSFS), which models the cited shuttle systems in much greater detail. These data include propellant requirements for representative translational maneuvers, rotational maneuvers, and attitude maintenance options. Also included are data relating to on-orbit trajectory deviations induced by RCS translational cross coupling. Potential close-range stationkeeping problems that are suggested by HFRMP simulations of 80 millisecond (as opposed to 40 millisecond) DAP cycle effects are described. The principal function of the HFRMP is to serve as a flight design tool in the area of proximity operations.

Wilson, S. W.↗

MBASIC batch processor architectural overview

The MBASIC (TM) batch processor, a language translator designed to operate in the MBASIC (TM) environment is described. Features include: (1) a CONVERT TO BATCH command, usable from the ready mode; and (2) translation of the users program in stages through several levels of intermediate language and optimization. The processor is to be designed and implemented in both machine-independent and machine-dependent sections. The architecture is planned so that optimization processes are transparent to the rest of the system and need not be included in the first design implementation cycle.

Reynolds, S. M.↗

Toggle mechanism for pinching metal tubes

A toggle mechanism pinches a metal tube and maintains the tube in a pinched condition, without fracturing. The toggle mechanism includes a plunger translatable along a longitudinal axis, as well as a pair of links pivoted about a common axis extending through an end of the plunger. One of the links also pivots about a fixed axis. A free end of the other link carries a push link which the other link translates at right angles to the plunger longitudinal axis. First and second sides of the tube bear against a first stop block and are engaged by the push link when a compression spring, attached to the plunger, is suddenly released to irreversibly drive the plunger along its longitudinal axis so the pivot point of the two links is driven to an over travel position.

Stengard, E. O.↗

Application of abstract harmonic analysis to the high-speed recognition of images

Methods are constructed for rapidly computing correlation functions using the theory of abstract harmonic analysis. The theory developed includes as a particular case the familiar Fourier transform method for a correlation function which makes it possible to find images which are independent of their translation in the plane. Two examples of the application of the general theory described are the search for images, independent of their rotation and scale, and the search for images which are independent of their translations and rotations in the plane.

Usikov, D. A.↗