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At least 1,153 records · Page 64

Dynamic pressure transducer system for pulsed plasma flow diagnosis.

The response characteristics of high sensitivity piezoelectric pressure transducers suitable for use in the plasma flow induced by megawatt-level electric discharges in low density (less than 1 Torr) gases are described. The uniquely designed probe records the initial impingement of a large magnitude total pressure pulse, followed by the flow of primary interest with order-of-magnitude smaller signals. Effects relating to probe and support accelerations, blast shielding and probe heating are evaluated and accounted for in a probe system with a sensitivity of 40 V/atm.

York, T. M.↗

Results of a 0.03- scale aerodynamic characteristics investigation of Boeing 747 carrier (model no. AX 1319 I-1) mated with a space shuttle orbiter (model 45-0) conducted in the Boeing transonic wind tunnel (CA5), volume 1

The performance, stability, and control characteristics of various carrier aircraft configurations are presented. Aerodynamic characteristics of the carrier mated with the Orbiter, carrier alone, and Orbiter alone were investigated. Carrier support system tare and interference effects were determined. Six-component force and moment data were recorded for the carrier and Orbiter. Buffet onset characteristics of the carrier vertical tail and horizontal tail were recorded. Angles of attack from -3 deg through 26 deg and angles of slideslip between +12 deg and -12 deg were investigated at Mach numbers from 0.15 through 0.70. Photographs are included.

Sarver, D.↗

A comparison of leaf epinasty induced by weightlessness or by clinostat rotation

A space flight experiment to determine the effect of weightlessness on the liminal angle of leaves of pepper as compared to the angles of leaves of central plants that rotate horizontally on an earth-based clinostat is evaluated. Copies of the Biosatellite II pepper plant flight film and of the clinostat central film were obtained, and an objective analysis of the information on these films is presented. Results confirm that epinastic leaf movements are characteristic in both orbital and clinostated pepper plants. Claims that the rotation on the clinostat produce the same effect as weightlessness are not supported by the pepper plant experiment.

Brown, A. H.↗

Application of NASTRAN to large deflection supersonic flutter of panels

Flat panel flutter at high supersonic Mach number is analyzed using NASTRAN Level 16.0 by means of modifications to the code. Two-dimensional plate theory and quasi-steady aerodynamic theory are employed. The finite element formulation and solution procedure are presented. Modifications to the NASTRAN code are discussed. Convergence characteristics of the iteration processes are also briefly discussed. Effects of aerodynamic damping, boundary support condition and applied in-plane loading are included. Comparison of nonlinear vibration and linear flutter results with analytical solutions demonstrate that excellent accuracy is obtained with NASTRAN.

Mei, C.↗

Cinemicrographic specimen housing

Housing used to observe gravitation effects on specimens embedded in support media, such as agar, supports microbial specimens vertically for time-lapsed cinemicrographic studies. Procedure cannot be performed with conventional microscopes which see specimens in horizontal plane only.

Wilkins, J. R.↗

Software development environments: Present and future, appendix D

Computerized environments which facilitate the development of appropriately functioning software systems are discussed. Their current status is reviewed and several trends exhibited by their history are identified. A number of principles, some at (slight) variance with the historical trends, are suggested and it is argued that observance of these principles is critical to achieving truly effective and efficient software development support environments.

Riddle, W. E.↗

A cracked beam or plate transversely loaded by a stamp

In this paper the problem of an infinite elastic beam or a plate containing a crack is considered. The medium is loaded transversely through a stamp which may be rigid or elastic. The problem is a coupled crack-contact problem which cannot be solved by treating the crack and contact problems separately and by using a superposition technique. First the Green's functions for the general case are obtained. Then the integral equations for a cracked infinite strip loaded by a frictionless stamp are obtained. With the question of fracture in mind, the primary interest in the paper has been in calculating the stress intensity factors. The results are given for a rigid flat stamp with sharp edges and for an elastic curved stamp. The effect of friction at the supports on the stress intensity factors is also studied and a numerical example is given.

Nied, H. F.↗

In-situ cross linking of polyvinyl alcohol

A method of producing a crosslinked polyvinyl alcohol structure, such as a battery separator membrane or electrode envelope is described. An aqueous solution of a film-forming polyvinyl alcohol is admixed with an aldehyde crosslinking agent a basic pH to inhibit crosslinking. The crosslinking agent, perferably a dialdehyde such as glutaraldehyde, is used in an amount of from about 1/2 to about 20% of the theoretical amount required to crosslink all of the hydroxyl groups of the polymer. The aqueous admixture is formed into a desired physical shape, such as by casting a sheet of the solution. The sheet is then dried to form a self-supporting film. Crosslinking is then effected by immersing the film in aqueous acid solution. The resultant product has excellent properties for use as a battery separator.

Philipp, W. H.↗

Application of control theory to dynamic systems simulation

The application of control theory is applied to dynamic systems simulation. Theory and methodology applicable to controlled ecological life support systems are considered. Spatial effects on system stability, design of control systems with uncertain parameters, and an interactive computing language (PARASOL-II) designed for dynamic system simulation, report quality graphics, data acquisition, and simple real time control are discussed.

Auslander, D. M.↗

Optimal sun-alignment techniques of large solar arrays in electric propulsion spacecraft

Optimum sun-alignment of large solar arrays in electric propulsion spacecraft operating in earth orbit requires periodic roll motions around the thrust axis, synchronized with the apparent conical motion of the sun line. This oscillation is sustained effectively with the aid of gravity gradient torques while only a small share of the total torque is being contributed by the attitude control system. Tuning the system for resonance requires an appropriate choice of moment-of-inertia characteristics. To minimize atmospheric drag at low orbital altitudes the solar array is oriented parallel, or nearly parallel, to the flight direction. This can increase the thrust-to-drag ratio by as much as an order of magnitude. Coupled with optimal roll orientation, this feathering technique will permit use of electric propulsion effectively at low altitudes in support of space shuttle or space station activities and in spiral ascent missions.

Meissinger, H. F.↗

The International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE): Six years in orbit

Spacecraft and scientific instrument status of the International Ultraviolet Explorer mission at 6 yr in orbit is discussed. The satellite has been in continuous operations since January 26, 1978 and continues to support science operations normally and effectively in its 7 th year of successful in-orbit operation. Sapcecraft and scientific instrument design requirements and goals are met. Design lifetime of the hardware is 3 yr with a goal, including the sizing of consumables and degradable hardware, of 5 yr.

Faelker, J.↗

PAN AIR prediction of NASA Ames 12-foot pressure wind-tunnel interference on a fighter configuration

Models tested in the NASA Ames 12-Foot Pressure Wind Tunnel over an angle of attack range from 0 deg to 90 deg are mounted on a floor strut that protrudes from a fairly large support bump. In high-angle-of-attack tests (angle of attack = 40 deg to 90 deg), for which the floor support was originally designed, the effects of the flow angularities produced by the bump are often negligible. This is not so for low-angle-of-attack tests (0 deg to 40 deg). Since there are no standard means for correcting test data for this bump effect, low-angle-of-attack testing with the bump is not recommended by the Ames wind-tunnel staff. This paper presents an exploratory study of a technique for correcting balance forces and experimental pressures for combined wall and bump effects. This is done by modeling the aircraft, wind-tunngl walls, and bump, with PAN AIR. The wall-and-bump-induced increments in the lift coefficient and pitching-moment coefficient predicted by PAN AIR are compared with increments obtained from the Ames 12-foot tunnel with the bump and an 8 x 12 low speed wind tunnel which has no bump.

Snyder, L. D.↗

Avionics technology - system concepts

Avionics System Concepts to meet technology needs of advanced helicopter integrated cockpit design are identified. Specific avionics system concepts which should be conducted and/or support by NASA to most effectively aid industry in advanced helicopter integrated cockpit design are also identified. Candidate Missions and Mission Requirements to meet technology needs are considered.

Bull, J. S.↗

USSR Space Life Sciences Digest, issue 14

This is the fourteenth issue of NASA's USSR Space Life Sciences Digest. It contains abstracts of 32 papers recently published in Russian language periodicals and bound collections and of three new Soviet monographs. Selected abstracts are illustrated with figures and tables from the original. Also included is a review of a recent Soviet conference on Space Biology and Aerospace Medicine. Current Soviet life sciences titles available in English are cited. The materials included in this issue have been identified as relevant to the following areas of aerospace medicine and space biology: adaptation, biological rhythms, body fluids, botany, cardiovascular and respiratory systems, developmental biology, endocrinology, enzymology, equipment and instrumentation, gastrointestinal systems, habitability and environment effects, human performance, immunology, life support systems, mathematical modeling, metabolism, musculoskeletal system, neurophysiology, nutrition, operational medicine, perception, personnel selection, psychology, radiobiology, and space biology and medicine.

Hooke, Lydia Razran↗

USSR Space Life Sciences Digest, issue 15

This is the 15th issue of NASA's USSR Space Life Sciences Digest. It contains abstracts of 59 papers published in Russian language periodicals or presented at conferences and of two new Soviet monographs. Selected abstracts are illustrated with figures and tables from the original. An additional feature is a review of a conference devoted to the physiology of extreme states. The abstracts included in this issue have been identified as relevant to 29 areas of space biology and medicine. These areas are adaptation, biological rhythms, biospherics, body fluids, botany, cardiovascular and respiratory systems, endocrinology, enzymology, equipment and instrumentation, exobiology, genetics, habitability and environment effects, human performance, immunology, life support systems, mathematical modeling, metabolism, microbiology, musculoskeletal system, neurophysiology, nutrition, operational medicine, perception. personnel selection, psychology, radiobiology, reproductive biology, and space biology and medicine.

Hooke, Lydia Razran↗

A software engineering approach to expert system design and verification

Software engineering design and verification methods for developing expert systems are not yet well defined. Integration of expert system technology into software production environments will require effective software engineering methodologies to support the entire life cycle of expert systems. The software engineering methods used to design and verify an expert system, RENEX, is discussed. RENEX demonstrates autonomous rendezvous and proximity operations, including replanning trajectory events and subsystem fault detection, onboard a space vehicle during flight. The RENEX designers utilized a number of software engineering methodologies to deal with the complex problems inherent in this system. An overview is presented of the methods utilized. Details of the verification process receive special emphasis. The benefits and weaknesses of the methods for supporting the development life cycle of expert systems are evaluated, and recommendations are made based on the overall experiences with the methods.

Bochsler, Daniel C.↗

Thermodynamic performance measure for cryogenic vessel insulation

Commonly encountered 'passive' insulation has been improved in recent years using 'dynamic'insulation based on closed cycle cryocoolers attached to photon shields. The paper presents a novel insulation performance measure based on ideal thermodynamic limits. Each floating insulation package has a unique value. In contrast real vessels with vent tube and supports are characterized by an 'effectiveness' less than unity.

Chen, W. E. W.↗

Performance characterization of the Hubble Space Telescope Rate Gyro Assembly

An account is given of the design features and performance characteristics of the Rate Gyro Assembly employed by the Hubble Space Telescope's Pointing Control System to effect accurate spacecraft maneuvers and support fine pointing telescope operation, in conjunction with the fine guidance sensors. The rate sensor attitude quantization is 0.00025 arcsec. Fine-pointing stability is the driver for gyro noise performance, while spacecraft-pointing accuracy requirements at the end of maneuvers has driven the gyro scale factor and mechanical alignment stability performance.

Dougherty, H.↗