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At least 1,171 records · Page 65

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NASA NTRS1982

Effects of the mode of storage on the capacity fading of the sintered nickel electrodes

A systematic investigation of the effect of temperature and two conditions of storage, shortened and open circuit, on the capacity fading of sintered nickel electrodes in NiCd batteries was conducted. All testing was done on sintered electrodes in flooded cells. Cycling tests to measure the capacity were performed at room temperature. The capacity out to one volt, a capacity useful for satellite applications. Test results indicated that: the shortened electrode showed a higher rate of loss than the open circuit electrodes; there was an increase in both modes with an increase in temperature; there was a loss of capacity with time of storage; a general degradation was observed as a function of time; shortened electrodes showed a higher end of charge than the open circuit ones; and at room temperature there was a lower loss in the open circuit electrode than in the shortened one.

Vyes, B.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Appendix B: Principles of computer processing of LANDSAT data

Computer processing facilitates extraction of information from every pixel by executing a variety of functional operations, called processed algorithms, in general or specialized routines. The best results are obtained when data from more than one multispectral band are used together. Multivariate tatistical analysis, computer tape characteristics, processing modes, and a choice of systems (batch or interactive) are discussed. The major operations in computer processing elaborated include: preprocessing, enhancement, effects of rationing, and classification. Techniques for multisource data correlation are considered with emphasis on geobased systems.

Source record↗

NASA NTRS1981

The role of geological surfaces in determining visible-near infra red spectral signatures

The goal of the study described here is to determine new criteria for improved target discrimination in areas of hydrothermal mineralization. It is noted that the portion of materials, that is, geological surfaces detected by sensing devices, must be accurately determined before elemental and mineralogical characterization. The depth from which visible-near infrared radiation is reflected from target surfaces depends on composition and fabric. Reflectance spectra are obtained from binary mixtures of hematite, goethite, kaolinite and montmorillonite with a reflecting sphere spectrometer over a wavelength range of 400-2500 nm. The reflection (or absorption) intensity is plotted vs. the sample thickness (determined by scanning electron microscopy) to determine the sample thickness at which absorption saturates. The optical depth is seen to vary as a function of mineralogy and wavelength. In general, the maximum depth from which reflection features are discerned is from 12 to 47 microns measured in the visible-near infrared spectral region.

Sommer, S. E.↗

NASA NTRS1984

The core-saturation method with partial redistribution

The core-saturation technique for calculating the radiation field in spectral lines (Rybicki, 1971) is extended to cases where partial redistribution is important. The frequency space is discretized and a general vector equation relating the source function S to the mean intensities is derived. The components of S are then used in a lambda iteration to determine the specific intensities. Numerical tests show that the efficiency and accuracy of this method are maintained.

Stenholm, L. G.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Enhanced TCAS 2/CDTI traffic Sensor digital simulation model and program description

Digital simulation models of enhanced TCAS 2/CDTI traffic sensors are developed, based on actual or projected operational and performance characteristics. Two enhanced Traffic (or Threat) Alert and Collision Avoidance Systems are considered. A digital simulation program is developed in FORTRAN. The program contains an executive with a semireal time batch processing capability. The simulation program can be interfaced with other modules with a minimum requirement. Both the traffic sensor and CAS logic modules are validated by means of extensive simulation runs. Selected validation cases are discussed in detail, and capabilities and limitations of the actual and simulated systems are noted. The TCAS systems are not specifically intended for Cockpit Display of Traffic Information (CDTI) applications. These systems are sufficiently general to allow implementation of CDTI functions within the real systems' constraints.

Goka, T.↗

NASA NTRS1984

A universal spectrum for AGNs and QSOs

The effects of the feedback of e+-e- pair reinjection in a plasma due to photon photon absorption of its own radiation is examined. Under the assumption of continuous electron injection with a power law spectrum and Compton losses only, it is shown that for power law index 2 the steady state electron distribution function has a unique form independent of the primary injection spectrum. This electron distribution function can by then reproduce the general characteristics of AGN, QSO spectra from radio to X-rays. It also implies gamma ray emission from these objects consistent with the observations of the diffuse gamma ray background.

Kazanas, D.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Finite element or Galerkin type semidiscrete schemes

A finite element of Galerkin type semidiscrete method is proposed for numerical solution of a linear hyperbolic partial differential equation. The question of stability is reduced to the stability of a system of ordinary differential equations for which Dahlquist theory applied. Results of separating the part of numerical solution which causes the spurious oscillation near shock-like response of semidiscrete scheme to a step function initial condition are presented. In general all methods produce such oscillatory overshoots on either side of shocks. This overshoot pathology, which displays a behavior similar to Gibb's phenomena of Fourier series, is explained on the basis of dispersion of separated Fourier components which relies on linearized theory to be satisfactory. Expository results represented.

Durgun, K.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Beyond singular values and loop shapes

The status of singular value loop-shaping as a design paradigm for multivariable feedback systems is reviewed. It shows that this paradigm is an effective design tool whenever the problem specifications are spacially round. The tool can be arbitrarily conservative, however, when they are not. This happens because singular value conditions for robust performance are not tight (necessary and sufficient) and can severely overstate actual requirements. An alternate paradign is discussed which overcomes these limitations. The alternative includes a more general problem formulation, a new matrix function mu, and tight conditions for both robust stability and robust performance. The state of the art currently permits analysis of feedback systems within this new paradigm. Synthesis remains a subject of research.

Stein, G.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Heat transfer to and from vegetated surfaces - An analytical method for the bulk exchange coefficients

The semianalytical model outlined in a previous study (Massman, 1987) to describe momentum exchange between the atmosphere and vegetated surfaces is extended to include the exchange of heat. The methods employed are based on one-dimensional turbulent diffusivities, and use analytical solutions to the steady-state diffusion equation. The model is used to assess the influence that the canopy foliage structure and density, the wind profile structure within the canopy, and the shelter factor can have upon the inverse surface Stanton number (kB exp -1), as well as to explore the consequences of introducing a scalar displacement height which can be different from the momentum displacement height. In general, the triangular foliage area density function gives results which agree more closely with observations than that for constant foliage area density. The intended application of this work is for parameterizing the bulk aerodynamic resistances for heat and momentum exchange for use within large-scale models of plant-atmosphere exchanges.

Massman, William J.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Mode-medium instability in an unstable resonator

The mode-medium instability of an active medium in an unstable resonator is investigated. The asymptotic solution due to Horwitz (1973), valid for large Fresnel numbers in an empty cavity, is modified by introducing gain/phase sheets in front of the resonator mirrors. The effect of medium coupling to the mode in the cavity is obtained by introducing a general time-independent Green's function in the Fox-Li (1961) formulation. The time evolution is then obtained by repeated integration of the beam propagation in the cavity. The diffractive terms are shown to grow rapidly at the expense of the geometric term. This instability responsible for the deterioration of the beam quality is studied numerically for a CO2 lasing system as an example.

Sung, C. C.↗

NASA NTRS1988

A theory for the radiation of magnetohydrodynamic surface waves and body waves into the solar corona

The Green's function for the slab coronal hole is obtained explicitly. The Fourier integral representation for the radiated field inside and outside the coronal hole waveguide is obtained. The radiated field outside the coronal hole is calculated using the method of steepest descents. It is shown that the radiated field can be written as the sum of two contributions: (1) a contribution from the integral along the steepest descent path and (2) a contribution from all the poles of the integrand between the path of the original integral and the steepest descent path. The free oscillations of the waveguide can be associated with the pole contributions in the steepest descent representation for the Green's function. These pole contributions are essentially generalized surface waves with a maximum amplitude near the interface which separates the plasma inside the coronal hole from the surrounding background corona. The path contribution to the integral is essentially the power radiated in body waves.

Davila, Joseph M.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Variable-Metric Algorithm For Constrained Optimization

Variable Metric Algorithm for Constrained Optimization (VMACO) is nonlinear computer program developed to calculate least value of function of n variables subject to general constraints, both equality and inequality. First set of constraints equality and remaining constraints inequalities. Program utilizes iterative method in seeking optimal solution. Written in ANSI Standard FORTRAN 77.

Frick, James D.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Quantum mechanical algebraic variational methods for inelastic and reactive molecular collisions

The quantum mechanical problem of reactive or nonreactive scattering of atoms and molecules is formulated in terms of square-integrable basis sets with variational expressions for the reactance matrix. Several formulations involving expansions of the wave function (the Schwinger variational principle) or amplitude density (a generalization of the Newton variational principle), single-channel or multichannel distortion potentials, and primitive or contracted basis functions are presented and tested. The test results, for inelastic and reactive atom-diatom collisions, suggest that the methods may be useful for a variety of collision calculations and may allow the accurate quantal treatment of systems for which other available methods would be prohibitively expensive.

Schwenke, David W.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Nonlinear dynamics, fractals, cardiac physiology and sudden death

The authors propose a diametrically opposite viewpoint to the generally accepted tendency of equating healthy function with order and disease with chaos. With regard to the question of sudden cardiac death and chaos, it is suggested that certain features of dynamical chaos related to fractal structure and fractal dynamics may be important organizing principles in normal physiology and that certain pathologies, including ventricular fibrillation, represent a class of 'pathological periodicities'. Some laboratory work bearing on the relation of nonlinear analysis to physiological and pathophysiological data is briefly reviewed, with tentative theories and models described in reference to the mechanism of ventricular fibrillation.

Goldberger, Ary L.↗

NASA NTRS1989

A complete analytical solution for the inverse instantaneous kinematics of a spherical-revolute-spherical (7R) redundant manipulator

Using a method based upon resolving joint velocities using reciprocal screw quantities, compact analytical expressions are generated for the inverse solution of the joint rates of a seven revolute (spherical-revolute-spherical) manipulator. The method uses a sequential decomposition of screw coordinates to identify reciprocal screw quantities used in the resolution of a particular joint rate solution, and also to identify a Jacobian null-space basis used for the direct solution of optimal joint rates. The results of the screw decomposition are used to study special configurations of the manipulator, generating expressions for the inverse velocity solution for all non-singular configurations of the manipulator, and identifying singular configurations and their characteristics. Two functions are therefore served: a new general method for the solution of the inverse velocity problem is presented; and complete analytical expressions are derived for the resolution of the joint rates of a seven degree of freedom manipulator useful for telerobotic and industrial robotic application.

Podhorodeski, R. P.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Beyond singular values and loop shapes

Stein, Gunter↗

NASA NTRS1992

Potential Flows From Three-Dimensional Complex Variables

Report presents investigation of several functions of three-dimensional complex variable, with emphasis on potential-flow fields computed from these functions. Part of continuing research on generalization of well-established two-dimensional complex analysis to three and more dimensions.

Martin, E. Dale↗

NASA NTRS1950

Preliminary analysis of problem of determining experimental performance of air-cooled turbine I : methods for determining heat-transfer characteristics

In determining the experimental performance of an air-cooled turbine, the heat-transfer characteristics must be evaluated. The suggested formulas that are required to determine these characteristics are presented. The formulas have a form in which dependent parameters are expressed as unknown functions of independent parameters. Methods of experimenting to determine these functions are suggested. In some cases general heat-transfer discussions that lead to the suggested forms of the formulas are given.

TURBINE COOLING↗