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At least 1,171 records · Page 65

A finite element algorithm for sound propagation in axisymmetric ducts containing compressible mean flow

The described investigation is concerned with he development of a finite element scheme which can be used in a study of the acoustics of aircraft-engine ducts. In the absence of suitable variational principles for acoustic fluctuations within an aircraft fan engine, an acoustic analysis must proceed directly from the differential equations which describe compressible flow. The derived equations cannot be solved algebraically. The numerical technique used for solving them makes use of a linear rectangular element of a type considered by Zienkiewicz (1971). Attention is given to aspects of element derivation, the global matrix assembly, the solution of the matrix equation, questions of acoustic attenuation, and illustrations of the potential of the current model in duct optimization.

Abrahamson, A. L.↗

Formation of stored heat by means of bled steam during times of load reduction and its use in peak load times

Technical possibilities and economic advantages of integrating hot water storage systems into power plants fired with fossil fuels are discussed. The systems can be charged during times of load reduction and then used for back-up during peak load periods. Investment costs are higher for such systems than for gas turbine power plants fired with natural gas or light oil installed to meet peak load demand. However, by improving specific heat consumption by about 1,000 kcal/k ohm, which thus reduces the related costs, investment costs will be compensated for, so that power production costs will not increase.

Bitterlich, E.↗

Effect of discontinuities as a means to alleviate thermal expansion mismatch damage in laminar composites

An investigation of Nichrome/tungsten laminar composites showed that intentionally introduced discontinuities, such as perforations through or grooves on the surface of the matrix laminae, improved thermal expansion mismatch damage resistance. It was found that specimens having smooth matrix laminate surfaces were virtually destroyed by delamination in 21 or fewer fast cool cycles in which they were water quenched from 981 C. Specimens having interior matrix laminae with discontinuities and relatively thin, nondiscontinuous, surface matrix laminae resisted 50 similar cycles without evident delamination damage.

Hoffman, C. A.↗

Study to investigate and evaluate means of optimizing the Ku-band combined radar/communication functions for the space shuttle

The Ku band radar system on the shuttle orbiter operates in both a search and a tracking mode, and its transmitter and antennas share time with the communication mode in the integrated system. The power allocation properties and the Costa subloop subcarrier tracking performance associated with the baseline digital phase shift implementation of the three channel orbiter Ku band modulator are discussed.

Weber, C. L.↗

Quantitative evaluation of water bodies dynamic by means of thermal infrared and multispectral surveys on the Venetian lagoon

Surveys employing a two channel Daedalus infrared scanner and multispectral photography were performed. The spring waning tide, the velocity of the water mass, and the types of suspended matter were among the topics studied. Temperature, salinity, sediment transport, and ebb stream velocity were recorded. The bottom topography was correlated with the dynamic characteristics of the sea surface.

Alberotanza, L.↗

Method of and means for testing a glancing-incidence mirror system of an X-ray telescope

An apparatus was designed for measuring the resolution and efficiency of a glancing-incidence mirror system having an even number of coaxial and confocal reflecting surfaces for use in an X-ray telescope. A collimated beam of X-rays is generated by an X-ray laser and directed along the axis of the system so that the beam is incident on the reflecting surfaces and illuminates a predetermined area. An X-ray detector, such as a photographic film, is located at the common focus of the surfaces so that the image produced by the X-rays may be compared with a test pattern interposed between the laser and the system.

Dailey, C. C.↗

Purging means and method for Xenon arc lamps

High pressure Xenon short-arc lamp with two reservoirs which are selectively connectable to the lamp's envelope is described. One reservoir contains an absorbent which will absorb both Xenon and contaminant gases such as CO2 and O2. The absorbent temperature is controlled to evacuate the envelope of both the Xenon and the contaminant gases. The temperature of the absorbent is then raised to desorb only clean Xenon while retaining the contaminant gases, thereby clearing the envelope of the contaminant gases. The second reservoir contains a gas whose specific purpose is, to remove the objectional metal film which deposits gradually on the interior surface of the lamp envelope during normal arc operation. The origin of the film is metal transferred from the cathode of the arc lamp by sputtering or other gas transfer processes.

Miller, C. G.↗

Experiments for improved positioning by means of integrated Doppler satellite observations and the NNSS broadcast ephemeris

An effort to improve station position recovery using broadcast ephemeris in Doppler data reduction was studied. A comparison of precise and broadcast ephemerides, treating the former as the standard, yielded information about the state disturbance that can be associated with the broadcast ephemeris. Statistical information about the state disturbance was used with current observational data for improved position recovery. The rank deficiency problem encountered in the short arc geodetic adjustment procedure was analysed and it was deduced that the fundamental rank deficiency is six, scale information being derivable from the wavelength of transmission. Coordinate differences between stations coobserving a pass are estimable. The uncertainty of the broadcast ephemeris, now in the WGS72 system, was assessed. It was conservatively estimated that its positional uncertainty may vary between 19 to 26 m in-track, 15 to 20 m cross-track and 9 to 10 m in radial directions depending on the incidence of the epoch of observations in the interinjection period.

Arur, M. G.↗

Verification results for the Spectral Ocean Wave Model (SOWM) by means of significant wave height measurements made by the GEOS-3 spacecraft

Significant wave heights estimated from the shape of the return pulse wave form of the altimeter on GEOS-3 for forty-four orbit segments obtained during 1975 and 1976 are compared with the significant wave heights specified by the spectral ocean wave model (SOWM), which is the presently operational numerical wave forecasting model at the Fleet Numerical Weather Central. Except for a number of orbit segments with poor agreement and larger errors, the SOWM specifications tended to be biased from 0.5 to 1.0 meters too low and to have RMS errors of 1.0 to 1.4 meters. The much fewer larger errors can be attributed to poor wind data for some parts of the Northern Hemisphere oceans. The bias can be attributed to the somewhat too light winds used to generate the waves in the model. Other sources of error are identified in the equatorial and trade wind areas.

Pierson, W. J.↗

Reflex feed system for dual frequency antenna with frequency cutoff means

A reflex feed system is described for a dual frequency antenna such as one which transmits and receives both S and X band signals. The dichroic plate, normally employed for directing X band radiation away from the X band horn, is replaced by a flange about the opening of the X band horn.

Hartop, R. W.↗

M2 ocean tide parameters and the deceleration of the moon's mean longitude from satellite orbit data

An estimation was made of the principal long period spherical harmonic parameters in the representation for the M sub 2 ocean tide from the orbital histories of three satellites - 1967-92A (TRANSIT), Starlette, and GEOS-3. The data used were primarily the evolution of the orbital inclinations of the satellites, with the addition of the longitude of the ascending node from GEOS-3. The results are: (1) C sub 22 superscript + = 3.42 plus or minus 0.24 cm; (2) sub 42 superscript + = 0.97 plus or minus 0.12 cm; (3) epsilon subscript 22 superscript + = 325 D.5 plus or minus 3.D9; (4) epsilon subscript 42 superscript + = 42 = 124D.0 plus or minus 6 D.9. These values agree quite well with recent numerical models and another recent determination from satellite data. The M sub 2 parameters obtained here infer an N of -25 plus or minus 3 arc seconds/century squared, in good agreement with other investigators. The range of current determinations of N is from -24.6 to 27.2 arc second/century squared.

Felsentreger, T. L.↗

Inference of the ring current ion composition by means of charge exchange decay

The analysis of the measured ion fluxes during the several day storm recovery period and the assumption that beside hydrogen other ions were present and that the decays were exponential in nature, it was possible to establish three separate lifetimes for the ions. These fitted decay lifetimes are in excellent agreement with the expected charge exchange decay lifetimes for H(+), O(+), and He(+) in the energy and L-value range of the data. This inference technique, thus, establishes the presence of measurable and appreciable quantities of oxygen and helium ions as well as protons in the storm-time ring current. Indications that He(+) may also be present under these same conditions were found.

Smith, P. H.↗

The meaning of desert color in earth orbital photographs

The color of desert surfaces as seen in earth orbital photographs is indicative of soil composition. Apollo-Soyuz photographs of the Sturt and Simpson Deserts of Australia confirm that sand grains become redder as the distance from the source increases. Reddening is caused by a thin iron-oxide coating on individual sand grains and can be used, in some cases, to map relative-age zones. Photographs of the Western (Libyan) Desert of Egypt indicate three distinct and nearly parallel color zones that have been correlated in the field with: (1) arable soil composed of quartz, clay, and calcium carbonate particles; (2) relatively active sand with or without sparse vegetation; and (3) relatively inactive sand mixed with dark (desert-varnished) pebbles. The youngest sands are in the form of longitudinal dunes, which are migrating to the south-southeast along the prevailing wind direction. Some of the young dune fields are encroaching on the western boundary of the fertile Nile Valley.

El-Baz, F.↗