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At least 127 records · Page 7

Methods for Scaling Icing Test Conditions

This report presents the results of tests at NASA Lewis to evaluate several methods to establish suitable alternative test conditions when the test facility limits the model size or operating conditions. The first method was proposed by Olsen. It can be applied when full-size models are tested and all the desired test conditions except liquid-water content can be obtained in the facility. The other two methods discussed are: a modification of the French scaling law and the AEDC scaling method. Icing tests were made with cylinders at both reference and scaled conditions representing mixed and glaze ice in the NASA Lewis Icing Research Tunnel. Reference and scale ice shapes were compared to evaluate each method. The Olsen method was tested with liquid-water content varying from 1.3 to .8 g/m(exp3). Over this range, ice shapes produced using the Olsen method were unchanged. The modified French and AEDC methods produced scaled ice shapes which approximated the reference shapes when model size was reduced to half the reference size for the glaze-ice cases tested.

Anderson, David N.↗

Electromagnetic scattering from a class of open-ended waveguide discontinuities

A relatively simple high frequency analysis of electromagnetic scattering from a class of open-ended waveguide discontinuites was developed. The waveguides are composed of perfectly-conducting sections in which the electromagnetic field can be written as the sum of waveguide modes. Junctions are formed at the open end and also within interior regions where different sections are joined. The reflection and transmission properties of each junction are described in terms of a scattering matrix which is determined by combining the modal ray picture with high frequency techniques such as the Geometrical Theory of Diffraction (GTD), the Equivalent Current Method (ECM), and modifications of the Physical Theory of Diffraction (PTD). A new set of equivalent circuits are employed in this ECM analysis which leads to a simple treatment of many types of junction discontinuities. Also, a new procedure is presented to improve the efficiency of the aperture integration at the open end which is required in the PTD procedure for finding the fields radiated from (or coupled to) the open end. Once the scattering matrices are determined, they are then combined using a self-consistent multiple scattering method to obtain the total scattered fields.

Altintas, A.↗

Modification and Validation of Conceptual Design Aerodynamic Prediction Method HASC95 With VTXCHN

A conceptual/preliminary design level subsonic aerodynamic prediction code HASC (High Angle of Attack Stability and Control) has been improved in several areas, validated, and documented. The improved code includes improved methodologies for increased accuracy and robustness, and simplified input/output files. An engineering method called VTXCHN (Vortex Chine) for predicting nose vortex shedding from circular and non-circular forebodies with sharp chine edges has been improved and integrated into the HASC code. This report contains a summary of modifications, description of the code, user's guide, and validation of HASC. Appendices include discussion of a new HASC utility code, listings of sample input and output files, and a discussion of the application of HASC to buffet analysis.

Aerodynamics prediction↗

A study to explore the use of orbital remote sensing to determine native arid plant distribution

The author has identified the following significant results. A theory has been developed of a method for determining the reflectivities of natural areas from ERTS-1 data. This method requires the following measurements: (1) ground truth reflectivity data from two different calibration areas; (2) radiance data from ERTS-1 MSS imagery for the same two calibration areas; and (3) radiance data from ERTS-1 MSS imagery for the area(s) in which reflectivity is to be determined. The method takes into account sun angle effects and atmospheric effects on the radiance seen by the space sensor. If certain assumptions are made, the ground truth data collection need not be simultaneous with the ERTS-1 overflight. The method allows the calculation of a conversion factor for converting ERTS-1 MSS radiance measurements of a given overflight to reflectivity values. This conversion factor can be used to determine the reflectivity of any area in the general vicinity of the calibration areas which has a relatively similar overlying atmosphere. This method, or some modification of it, may be useful in ERTS investigations which require the determination of spectral signatures of areas from spacecraft data.

Mcginnies, W. G.↗

Fundamental Consideration of Noise radiation by rotary wings

An historical review of progress in understanding of rotor noise is presented. Initial work was principally on propellers, but has many obvious applications to noise from rotary wings. Current understanding of rotor noise radiation is then reviewed in some detail. The principal noise sources appear to be: (1) discrete frequency due to distorted inflow; (2) low frequency broadband due to turbulent inflow, and (3) high frequency broadband due to tip effects. On a helicopter rotor each of these sources seems to be intimately connected with the shed vortex wakes. Tip modifications offer one method for controlling the effects. The implications for the designer are discussed. Rotor subjective noise levels appear to obey a velocity to the eighth power law, independent of thrust. Experiments to rectify some of the present deficiencies in knowledge are suggested.

Lowson, M. V.↗

Cartographic products from the Mariner 9 mission

Simultaneous acquisition of geodetic, cartographic, geologic, and other scientific data on Mars from Mariner 9 required extensive modification of conventional methods of mapping. Preliminary evaluation of all data simultaneously generated an inordinately large number of interim cartographic products for a final cartographic atlas of Mars. The selection of the scales at which Mars would be mapped, the projections to be used, and the way the planet would be divided into quadrangles was based on the resolution of Mariner 9 pictures and upon the resources available over the lifetime of the Mariner Mars 1971 Project.

Batson, R. M.↗

Finite-amplitude thermal convection in a spherical shell

The properties of finite-amplitude thermal convection for a Boussinesq fluid contained in a spherical shell are investigated. All nonlinear terms are retained in the equations, and both axisymmetric and nonaxisymmetric solutions are studied. The velocity is expanded in terms of poloidal and toroidal vectors. Spherical surface harmonics resolve the horizontal structure of the flow, but finite differences are used in the vertical. With a few modifications, the transform method developed by Orszag (1970) is used to calculate the nonlinear terms, while Green's function techniques are applied to the poloidal equation and diffusion terms.

Young, R. E.↗

Approximate techniques of structural reanalysis

A study is made of two approximate techniques for structural reanalysis. These include Taylor series expansions for response variables in terms of design variables and the reduced-basis method. In addition, modifications to these techniques are proposed to overcome some of their major drawbacks. The modifications include a rational approach to the selection of the reduced-basis vectors and the use of Taylor series approximation in an iterative process. For the reduced basis a normalized set of vectors is chosen which consists of the original analyzed design and the first-order sensitivity analysis vectors. The use of the Taylor series approximation as a first (initial) estimate in an iterative process, can lead to significant improvements in accuracy, even with one iteration cycle. Therefore, the range of applicability of the reanalysis technique can be extended. Numerical examples are presented which demonstrate the gain in accuracy obtained by using the proposed modification techniques, for a wide range of variations in the design variables.

Noor, A. K.↗

Numerical techniques for the solution of the compressible Navier-Stokes equations and implementation of turbulence models

The time-splitting explicit numerical method of MacCormack is applied to separated turbulent boundary layer flow problems. Modifications of this basic method are developed to counter difficulties associated with complicated geometry and severe numerical resolution requirements of turbulence model equations. The accuracy of solutions is investigated by comparison with exact solutions for several simple cases. Procedures are developed for modifying the basic method to improve the accuracy. Numerical solutions of high-Reynolds-number separated flows over an airfoil and shock-separated flows over a flat plate are obtained. A simple mixing length model of turbulence is used for the transonic flow past an airfoil. A nonorthogonal mesh of arbitrary configuration facilitates the description of the flow field. For the simpler geometry associated with the flat plate, a rectangular mesh is used, and solutions are obtained based on a two-equation differential model of turbulence.

Baldwin, B. S.↗

Comment on lifetime determination of solar features

A commonly used technique for determining the lifetime of solar features consists of tagging the features on a photograph contained in a time-ordered set of photographs and tracing the features back to birth and forward to disappearance. The modification of this technique proposed in the present paper consists of a certain modification of the method used for interpreting the data. Suggestions for practical implementation of the method are made, and a serious source of bias in lifetime determination from time-ordered data is discussed.

Golub, L.↗

Decoding of B.C.H. and R.S. codes with errors and erasures using continued fractions

Through the use of continuing fractions, a simplified algorithm for decoding B.C.H. and R.S. codes is developed that corrects both erasures and errors on a finite field GF(q to the m). It is noted that the decoding method is a modification of the Forney-Belekamp technique. Finally, it is believed that the present scheme is both simpler to understand and to implement than more conventional algorithms.

Reed, I. S.↗

Radio propagation prediction services in Japan

Japanese prediction services for HF radio communications are outlined in relation to prediction method, performance and evaluation. The current prediction is based on the CCIR interim method with some modifications matching to a computer system. The principal service is the monthly median prediction issued regularly three months in advance for various communication circuits. A daily prediction for short distance circuits is being prepared by using real time ionospheric sounding data. An evaluation theory and practice is expected to be introduced in the future prediction service.

Maeda, R.↗

Continuation in a parameter - Experience with viscous and free surface flows

The results of modifications in continuation methods applied to obtain solutions to the Navier-Stokes systems of equations for incompressible, two-dimensional, steady flows are reported. It is shown that parameter continuation permits prediction of accurate, initial estimates for iterative processing of nonlinear finite difference and finite element equations of motions. The new parameter steps are derived from values of the preceding parameter steps. The accuracy of the estimates is ensured with appropriate choices of the step size. The continuation predictor/iterative corrector is demonstrated to trace the branches of parameter space along which steady flow states are found, and techniques are available for tracing multiply branching paths. The techniques are applied to solving the Navier-Stokes equations for flow through a rotating square channel, the formation of a falling liquid curtain, and gyrostatic equilibria of rotating cylindrical drops.

Kheshgi, H. S.↗

The application of quadratic optimal cooperative control synthesis to a CH-47 helicopter

A control-system design method, Quadratic Optimal Cooperative Control Synthesis (CCS), is applied to the design of a Stability and Control Augmentation Systems (SCAS). The CCS design method is different from other design methods in that it does not require detailed a priori design criteria, but instead relies on an explicit optimal pilot-model to create desired performance. The design model, which was developed previously for fixed-wing aircraft, is simplified and modified for application to a Boeing Vertol CH-47 helicopter. Two SCAS designs are developed using the CCS design methodology. The resulting CCS designs are then compared with designs obtained using classical/frequency-domain methods and Linear Quadratic Regulator (LQR) theory in a piloted fixed-base simulation. Results indicate that the CCS method, with slight modifications, can be used to produce controller designs which compare favorably with the frequency-domain approach.

Townsend, Barbara K.↗

The application of quadratic optimal cooperative control synthesis to a CH-47 helicopter

A control-system design method, quadratic optimal cooperative control synthesis (CCS), is applied to the design of a stability and control augmentation system (SCAS). The CCS design method is different from other design methods in that it does not require detailed a priori design criteria, but instead relies on an explicit optimal pilot-model to create desired performance. The design method, which was developed previously for fixed-wing aircraft, is simplified and modified for application to a Boeing CH-47 helicopter. Two SCAS designs are developed using the CCS design methodology. The resulting CCS designs are then compared with designs obtained using classical/frequency-domain methods and linear quadratic regulator (LQR) theory in a piloted fixed-base simulation. Results indicate that the CCS method, with slight modifications, can be used to produce controller designs which compare favorably with the frequency-domain approach.

Townsend, Barbara K.↗

Growing Wider Silicon Ribbons

New lid design makes larger withdrawal opening feasible. Wider silicon ribbons grown by dendritic-web method with proposed modification of furnace lid. Modification increases by about 22 percent size of portion of lid that limits ribbon width, potentially increasing area of single-crystal silicon ribbon and productivity.

Duncan, C. S.↗

Free wake analysis of helicopter rotor blades in hover using a finite volume technique

A fully compressible method for determining helicopter rotor wake effects is described which computes the wake without requiring external specification of the wake, or separate computations for the wake and blade region. The method is a modification of a compressible finite volume Potential Flow technique, and it has been implemented in a program, HELIX I, for computing compressible rotor flow fields in hover with free wakes. Wake positions in substantial agreement with experiment have been calculated for cases including subsonic and transonic flows, high and low aspect ratios, and two- and four-bladed rotors.

Ramachandran, K.↗