Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “Fisher”

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 1,171 records · Page 65

Storm hazards '79: F-106B operations summary

Preliminary flight tests with a F-106B aircraft were made on the periphery of isolated thunder cells using weather radar support. In addition to storm hazards correlation research, a direct-strike lightning measurement experiment and an atmospheric chemistry experiment were conducted. Two flights were made to close proximity to lightning generating cumulonimbus clouds; however, no direct lightning strikes were experienced. Although no discernible lightning transients were recorded, many operational techniques were identified and established.

Fisher, B. D.↗

Diffusion bonded boron/aluminum spar-shell fan blade

Design and process development tasks intended to demonstrate composite blade application in large high by-pass ratio turbofan engines are described. Studies on a 3.0 aspect radio space and shell construction fan blade indicate a potential weight savings for a first stage fan rotor of 39% when a hollow titanium spar is employed. An alternate design which featured substantial blade internal volume filled with titanium honeycomb inserts achieved a 14% potential weight savings over the B/M rotor system. This second configuration requires a smaller development effort and entails less risk to translate a design into a successful product. The feasibility of metal joining large subsonic spar and shell fan blades was demonstrated. Initial aluminum alloy screening indicates a distinct preference for AA6061 aluminum alloy for use as a joint material. The simulated airfoil pressings established the necessity of rigid air surfaces when joining materials of different compressive rigidities. The two aluminum alloy matrix choices both were successfully formed into blade shells.

Carlson, C. E. K.↗

Boundary-layer transition on a 10-deg cone - Wind tunnel/flight correlation

Boundary-layer transition location measurements were made on a 10-deg sharp cone in 23 wind tunnels of the US and Europe and in flight. The data were acquired at subsonic, transonic, and supersonic Mach numbers over a range of unit Reynolds numbers to obtain an improved understanding of wind tunnel flow quality influence. Cone surface microphone measurements showed Tollmien-Schlichting waves present. Transition location defined by pitot probe measurements showed transition Reynolds number to be correlatable to cone surface disturbance amplitude within + or - 20 percent for the majority of tunnel and flight data.

Dougherty, N. S., Jr.↗

The evaluation of ceramic turbine stators

A ceramic turbine stator evaluation program administered by the NASA Lewis Research Center and supported by the Department of Energy is outlined. The objectives of the program are to evaluate the durability of ceramic stators over a highly dynamic automotive gas turbine duty cycle and to assess the capability of current ceramic design methodology to predict the durability of the stators over the selected duty cycle for times in excess of 200 hours. The program also provides an assessment of the ability of the ceramic industry to fabricate complex geometry monolithic stators by near-net-shape forming processes. A summary of results obtained to date is presented and future plans are discussed.

Fisher, E. A.↗

A computational and experimental study of high Reynolds number viscous/inviscid interaction about a cone at high angle of attack

The flow over a 5 deg semi-angle cone at incidence in supersonic flow is studied as a model problem for the flow over aircraft forebodies. A computational method utilizing the conically symmetric Navier-Stokes equations is used to obtain theoretical flow results which are compared with experimental data from the Ames Research Center 6- by 6-Foot Wind Tunnel and with results from a cone model sting mounted on an F-15 aircraft. The computed results agree well with the wind-tunnel data but less well with the flight data. Modification of the algebraic turbulence model was necessary to reflect an apparent lower turbulence level in flight than was present in the wind tunnel.

Mcrae, D. S.↗

Load-Displacement Measurement on Pin-Loaded Specimens

Tubes apply as displacement is registered by long armed, double-cantilever gage. Sharp points at ends of arms protrude through holes in tube walls and contact center of area of load applications. Method was devised for determining load point displacement accurately. No extraneous displacement fraction is present in measurement, and data-correction procedures are unnecessary.

Fisher, D. M.↗

Experimental compliance calibration of the compact fracture toughness specimen

Compliances and stress intensity coefficients were determined over crack length to width ratios from 0.1 to 0.8. Displacements were measured at the load points, load line, and crack mouth. Special fixturing was devised to permit accurate measurement of load point displacement. The results are in agreement with the currently used results of boundary collocation analyses. The errors which occur in stress intensity coefficients or specimen energy input determinations made from load line displacement measurements rather than from load point measurements are emphasized.

Fisher, D. M.↗

Summary of flight tests of an airborne lighting locator system and comparison with ground-based measurements of precipitation and turbulence

Data from an airborne lightning locator system and data relating to storm intensity obtained by ground-based Doppler radars and the S-band research radar are presented. When comparing lightning locations from the airborne lightning locator system with ground-based Doppler radar measurements of reflectivity and spectrum width, the lightning locations tended to be further from the aircraft position than the Doppler radar contours, but at the same relative bearing from the aircraft as the Doppler contours. The results also show that convective storms generate little or no lightning for a significant part of their life cycle, but can produce at least moderate turbulence. Therefore, it is concluded that a lack of lightning activity cannot be accepted as an inference of a corresponding lack of other hazards to the flight of aircraft through convective storms.

Fisher, B. D.↗

Thunderstorm hazards flight research: Storm hazards 1980 overview

A highly instrumented NASA F-106B aircraft, modified for the storm hazards mission and protected against direct lightning strikes, was used in conjunction with various ground based radar and lightning measurement systems to collect data during thunderstorm penetration flights. During 69 thunderstorm penetrations, there were 10 direct lightning strikes to the aircraft. No problems were encountered with any of the aircraft's systems as a result of the strikes and the research instrumentation performed as designed. Electromagnetic characteristics of nine strikes were recorded, and the results of other experiments confirm the theory that X-ray radiation and nitrous oxide gas are being produced by processes associated directly with thunderstorm electric fields and lightning discharges. A better understanding of aircraft lightning attachment mechanisms and strike zones is being accomplished by careful inspection, identification, and documentation of lightning attachment points and swept stroke paths following each strike to the aircraft.

Deal, P. L.↗

Flight experiments with a slender cone at angle of attack

The three-dimensional leeward separation about a 5 deg semi-angle cone at an 11 deg angle of attack was investigated in flight, in the wind tunnel, and by numerical computations. The test conditions were Mach numbers of 0.6, 1.5, and 1.8 at Reynolds numbers between 7 and 10 million based on free-stream conditions and a 30-inch wetted length or surface. The surface conditions measured included mean static and fluctuating pressures; skin friction magnitudes and separation line positions were obtained using obstacle blocks. The mean static pressures from flight and wind tunnel were in good agreement. The computed results gave the same distributions, but were slightly more positive in magnitude. The experimentally measured primary and secondary separation line locations compared closely with computed results. There were substantial differences in level and in trend between the surface root-mean-square pressure fluctuations obtained in flight and in the wind tunnel, due, it is thought, to a relatively high acoustic disturbance level in the tunnel compared with the quiescent conditions in flight.

Peake, D. J.↗

Coronal activity below 2 solar radii - 1980 February 15-17

Coronal observations concerning the area between the solar surface and 2.0 solar radii can now be conducted by making use of a new ground-based K-coronameter and a prominence monitor on Mauna Loa in Hawaii. Observations made by the K-coronameter on three consecutive days surrounding the eclipse of 1980 February 16 show that the solar corona was very active during this time. Definite changes occurred between each day's observations. During one period of K-coronameter observations (1980 February 15) a coronal transient was observed to move through the coronameter's field of view. A description is presented of the general changes which occurred in the corona during this period, taking into account the coronal transient observed by the prominence monitor and K-coronameter. The most important aspects of these new observations pertain to the relationship between the H alpha prominence and the surrounding coronal material.

Fisher, R. R.↗

Onsite Fabrication of Trusses and Structures

Tribeam truss that is strong and light made at site where used. Reinforced plastic members are fabricated by beam-making machine and assembled by assembly and welding machines. Although proposed for space-platform assembly, concept may be useful in terrestrial applications in remote or inaccessible places.

Bodle, J. G.↗

PC-402 Pioneer Venus orbiter spacecraft mission operational characteristics document

The operational characteristics of the Orbiter spacecraft and its subsystems are described. In extensive detail. Description of the nominal phases, system interfaces, and the capabilities and limitations of system level performance are included along with functional and operational descriptions at the subsystem and unit level the subtleties of nominal operation as well as detailed capabilities and limitations beyond nominal performance are discussed. A command and telemetry logic flow diagram for each subsystem is included. Each diagram encountered along each command signal path into, and each telemetry signal path out of the subsystem. Normal operating modes that correspond to the performance of specific functions at the time of specific events in the mission are also discussed. Principal backup means of performing the normal Orbiter operating modes are included.

Barker, F. C.↗

In-flight transition measurement on a 10 deg cone at Mach numbers from 0.5 to 2.0

Boundary layer transition measurements were made in flight on a 10 deg transition cone tested previously in 23 wind tunnels. The cone was mounted on the nose of an F-15 aircraft and flown at Mach numbers room 0.5 to 2.0 and altitudes from 1500 meters (5000 feet) to 15,000 meters (50,000 feet), overlapping the Mach number/Reynolds number envelope of the wind tunnel tests. Transition was detected using a traversing pitot probe in contact with the surface. Data were obtained near zero cone incidence and adiabatic wall temperature. Transition Reynolds number was found to be a function of Mach number and of the ratio of wall temperature to adiabatic all temperature. Microphones mounted flush with the cone surface measured free-stream disturbances imposed on the laminar boundary layer and identified Tollmien-Schlichting waves as the probable cause of transition. Transition Reynolds number also correlated with the disturbance levels as measured by the cone surface microphones under a laminar boundary layer as well as the free-stream impact.

Fisher, D. F.↗

The operational use of Landsat for lake quality assessment

A cooperative program between the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the University of Wisconsin for the assessment, with Landsat data, of the trophic status of all the significant inland lakes in Wisconsin is described. The analysis technique is a semiautomatic data acquisition and handling system which, in conjunction with an analytical categorization scheme, can be used for classifying inland lakes into one of seven categories of eutrophication and one of four problem types.

Scarpace, F. L.↗

Thunderstorm hazards flight research - Program overview

The NASA thunderstorm hazards research program, designed to study the effects of lightning strikes on the design and operation of aircraft, is described. An all-weather F-106B is instrumented to document the EM characteristics of direct and nearby strikes, measure the field parameters and analyze the ambient atmospheric content, and film the strikes; X-ray detectors are also on board, along with instrumentation for determining the frequency of visible light waveforms. Data is either recorded on-board or sent by telemetry to base, while ground based telemetry is used to direct the pilot and craft into regions of optimal lightning activity. The sensing apparatus is described, and ongoing programs to correlate different storm parameters are reviewed, along with operational procedures and safety precautions. Continued use of the craft through 152 storms and 16 direct hits, with no fatalities or circuit breaker throw, confirms the ability of metal skinned aircraft to withstand lightning strikes; data gathered from flights during 1980 are provided.

Deal, P. L.↗

Operational evaluation of thunderstorm penetration test flights during project Storm Hazards '80

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is conducting a research project called Storm Hazards '80 in order to study the prediction, detectability and avoidance of the hazards of severe storms for aircraft operations. The project, using a highly instrumented NASA F-106B airplane to penetrate thunderstorms, gathered and correlated data from both airborne and ground based instrumentation. The objectives of this project are to determine the effects of lightning on the design and operation of aircraft composite structures and digital electronic systems. The data will be used to determine the correlation of lightning hazards with other severe storm hazards, such as heavy precipitation, hail, turbulence and wind-shear, in order to develop an initial data base for use in design and avoidance. The NASA F-106B was equipped with a weather radar, stormscope, lightning measurement instrumentation and air sampling equipment. This paper will focus on the operational aspects of thunderstorm penetrations and the pilot techniques used to avoid the extremely hazardous portions of the storm such as the tornadoes and hail. It will deal with the effects of the storm elements on the aircraft hardware, avionics and the crew.

Keyser, G. L., Jr.↗