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At least 1,279 records · Page 71

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NASA NTRS1983

MINIVER upgrade for the AVID system. Volume 3: EXITS user's and input guide

The successful design of thermal protection systems for vehicles operating in atmosphere and near-space environments requires accurate analyses of heating rate and temperature histories encountered along a trajectory. For preliminary design calculations, however, the requirement for accuracy must be tempered by the need for speed and versatility in computational tools used to determine thermal environments and structural thermal response. The MINIVER program was found to provide the proper balance between versatility, speed and accuracy for an aerothermal prediction tool. The advancement in computer aided design concepts at Langley Research Center (LaRC) in the past few years has made it desirable to incorporate the MINIVER program into the LaRC Advanced Vehicle Integrated Design, AVID, system. In order to effectively incorporate MINIVER into the AVID system, several changes to MINIVER were made. The thermal conduction options in MINIVER were removed and a new Explicit Interactive Thermal Structures (EXITS) code was developed. Many upgrades to the MINIVER code were made and a new Langley version of MINIVER called LANMIN was created.

Pond, J. E.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Observation of winds in cool stars

Sufficient observational material - ultraviolet spectroscopic measures, quantitative optical spectroscopy, and X-ray photometry exists to enable discernment of the presence and character of mass loss in cool stars and to establish meaningful constraints on theoretical models. Two determinants of atmospheric wind structure - temperature and gravity - may suffice in a most superficial way to define the wind and atmospheric structure in a star; however more extensive observations demonstrate the importance of magnetic surface activity and its particular geometrical configuration. Successive observations of an active binary system and a supergiant star reveal that magnetic activity and perhaps mass loss occur on restricted regions of a stellar surface and that long lived structures are present in a wind.

Dupree, A. K.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Aeroelastic effects in multi-rotor vehicles with application to a hybrid heavy lift system. Part 1: Formulation of equations of motion

This report presents a set of governing coupled differential equations for a model of a hybrid aircraft. The model consists of multiple rotor systems connected by an elastic interconnecting structure, with options to add any combination of or all of the following components; i.e., thrusters, a buoyant hull, and an underslung weight. The dynamic equations are written for the individual blade with hub motions, for the rigid body motions of the whole model, and also for the flexible modes of the interconnecting structure. One of the purposes of this study is to serve as the basis of a numerical study aimed at determining the aeroelastic stability and structural response characteristics of a Hybrid Heavy Lift Airship (HHLA). It is also expected that the formulation may be applicable to analyzing stability and responses of dual rotor helicopters such as a Heavy Lift Helicopter (HLH). Futhermore, the model is capable of representing coupled rotor/body aeromechanical problems of single rotor helicopters.

Venkatesan, C.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Development of metallization process

A non lead frit paste is evaluated. A two step process is discussed where the bulk of the metallization is Mo/Sn but a small ohmic pad is silver. A new matrix of paste formulations is developed. A variety of tests are performed on paste samples to determine electrical, thermal and structural properties.

Garcia, A., III↗

NASA NTRS1984

Diffused junction p(+)-n solar cells in bulk GaAs. II - Device characterization and modelling

The photovoltaic characteristics of p(+)-n junction solar cells fabricated on bulk GaAs by an open tube diffusion technique are presented in detail. Quantum efficiency measurements were analyzed and compared to computer simulations of the cell structure in order to determine material parameters such as diffusion length, surface recombination velocity and junction depth. From the results obtained it is projected that proper optimization of the cell parameters can increase the efficiency of the cells to close to 20 percent.

Keeney, R.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Estimated low-speed aerodynamic parameters of an advanced fighter from flight and wind tunnel data

A procedure for determination of aerodynamic model structure and estimation of aerodynamic parameters is applied to data from a modern fighter operating within an angle of attack range of 5 to 60 deg. The paper briefly describes the airplane, flight and wind tunnel data available, postulated models for airplane aerodynamic coefficients and flight data analysis. The results presented contain only a small number of selected longitudinal and lateral parameters. These parameters were obtained from various maneuvers and subsets of joined data from several flights. The estimated parameters are in good agreement with the wind tunnel measurements. The resulting aerodynamic model equations seem to be satisfactory for the prediction of airplane motion.

Klein, V.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Mars Radar Catalog

Radar observations of Mars have been conducted since 1963 using four Earth based facilities. Wavelengths have ranged from about 3 to about 70 cm. Experiments have been conducted in ranging, spectral, and mixed modes. Results include topographic profiles, estimates of dielectric constant and meter scale surface roughness, and qualtitative determinations of centimeter scale structure.

Simpson, R. A.↗

NASA NTRS1985

The Space Station as a Construction Base for Large Space Structures

The feasibility of using the Space Station as a construction site for large space structures is examined. An overview is presented of the results of a program entitled Definition of Technology Development Missions (TDM's) for Early Space Stations - Large Space Structures. The definition of LSS technology development missions must be responsive to the needs of future space missions which require large space structures. Long range plans for space were assembled by reviewing Space System Technology Models (SSTM) and other published sources. Those missions which will use large space structures were reviewed to determine the objectives which must be demonstrated by technology development missions. The three TDM's defined during this study are: (1) a construction storage/hangar facility; (2) a passive microwave radiometer; and (3) a precision optical system.

Gates, R. M.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Sidewall boundary-layer effects in two-dimensional airfoil testing

Theoretical studies required to evaluate and validate the streamlined wall test section of the 0.3 m transonic Cryogenic Tunnel were initiated. The various aspects that are being considered presently are deviations of the real wall shape from the true streamline shape, wall adjustment strategy, and the influence of the sidewall boundary layers. Since the top and bottom walls are supported at a finite number of jack points, the true wall shape will be different from the ideal streamline shape. This is determined by calculating the structural shape for cases for which the exact streamline shape can be calculated. For the structural shape calculations, the MSCNASTRAN code is being used. To start with, comparisons are made using simple singularities for model representation and also for a flat plate at angle of attack.

Murthy, A. V.↗

NASA NTRS1985

The 3.5 b.y. old Onverwacht Group: A remnant of ancient oceanic crust

The interaction between seawater and submarine volcanic rock has had important consequences for the chemistry of the ocean during the Phanerozoic. Most extant terranes have been regionally metamorphosed to the amphibolite and granulite facies, so that their precursor lithologies and structures are not readily determinable. However, the 3.5 b.y. old supracrustal rocks of the Barberton Mountain Land, South Africa, have not been subjected to high grade regional metamorphism, and therefore there was reason to hope that a laboratory investigation might reveal the extent to which these rocks had been exposed to subseafloor hydrothermal activity. Hart and de Wit describe bulk geochemical evidence from the entire suite as well as field evidence which support the concept of hydrothermal activity in the Barberton Mountain Land. Mineralogical and textural features which unequivocally mark it as a submarine sequence emplaced in a midocean ridge/fracture zone or back arc/fracture zone environment are briefly discussed.

Hoffman, S.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Characterization of microstrip discontinuities in the time and frequency domains

A number of impedance transitions and interconnections to a microstrip were designed and investigated. The double-step discontinuity on a microstrip was studied in detail, and a procedure was developed to design these structures. Their response was determined by making measurements in both the frequency and time domains in a consistent and repeatable manner. The time-domain presentation of the data was the most useful feature of the measuring system. All undesirable signal components were filtered out through the use of gating functions. Theoretically computed results were verified experimentally.

Feldman, U.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Investigations of Thematic Mapper data dimensionality and features using field spectrometer data

Landsat-4 TM and MSS data, simulated from field reflectance spectra, are used to determine the dimensionality and structure of TM data (excluding the thermal band), demonstrate the relationships between the two sensors, and derive a Tasseled Cap Transformation for TM data. The simulated TM data are found to primarily occupy three dimensions, and to be concentrated into two adjoining and orthogonal planes and a transition zone between the two. The 'Plane of Vegetation' is shown to be comparable to the MSS Tasseled Cap plane, while the 'Plane of Soils' represents new information. The potential for improved spectral estimation of the relative mix of vegegation and soil in the field of view, and for improved monitoring of soil moisture status, is demonstrated.

Crist, E. P.↗

NASA NTRS1985

The R Aquarii system at optical and radio wavelengths

New continuum observations of all radio components of the R Aquarii system at 2, 6, and 20 cm are reported which allow determination of polarization properties, integrated flux levels, spectral indices, and hence the emission mechanisms of the individual components. Complementary wide-band optical observations are also reported to help determine the nature and structure of the compact double radio source (CDRS) and the R Aquarii radio jet. The results of these observations are discussed in detail with regard to models currently or previously proposed for the R Aquarii system. It is concluded that the compact H II region spectral index is about +0.6, indicative of a thermal and optically thick expanding wind from the long-period variable. The radio jet emission is shown to be optically thin, thermal, cospatial with optical emission, and stable over the last few years. The CDRS is shown to be an extragalactic background object.

Hollis, J. M.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Spartan service module finite element modeling technique and analysis

Sounding rockets have served as a relatively inexpensive and easy method of carrying experiments into the upper atmosphere. Limited observation time and pointing capabilities suggested the development of a new sounding rocket type carrier compatible with NASA's Space Transportation System. This concept evolved into the Spartan program, now credited with a successful Spartan 101 mission launched in June 1985. The next series of Spartans will use a service module primary structure. This newly designed reusable and universal component in the Spartan carrier system required thorough analysis and evaluation for flight certification. Using advanced finite element modeling techniques, the structure was analyzed and determined acceptable by meeting strict design goals and will be tested for verification of the analytical results.

Lindenmoyer, A. J.↗

NASA NTRS1986

The preferred spatial mode of instability for a Mach 2 jet

Phase-averaged schlieren video and an array of azimuthally oriented microphones were used in the experiments performed to determine the preferred spatial structure associated with supersonic nozzle design for an exhaust Mach number of 2. The jet flow was unheated, chemically inert, and submerged in a static environment, conditions that are satisfactory for the quasi-linear wave-analytical model of Tam and Morris (1980) and Tam and Burton (1984). For general conditions of undeterminate phase-averaged optical records, a conditional sampling method was devised, based on fundamental multimode components. This method uncovers the preferred spatial structure, and shows that in addition to the dominant jet flapping mode, there is also a significant contribution from the axisymmetric mode. Near-field correlations with a moving microphone indicate that the flapping plane is nearly stationary, and not spinning as in the Westley and Wolley (1975) experiment.

Seiner, J. M.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Optimization of helicopter rotor blade design for minimum vibration

The optimization approach discussed is part of an ongoing effort to develop a general automated procedure for rotor blade design. This procedure can be used to determine the necessary geometric, structural, and material properties of a rotor system to achieve desired objectives relating to vibration, stress, and aerodynamic performance. The approach used for helicopter vibration is emphasized. Based on analytical studies performed at the United Technologies Research Center (UTRC), a simplified vibration analysis was developed to be used in conjunction with a forced response analysis in the optimization process. This simplified analysis improves the efficiency of the design process significantly. Results of applying this approach to the design of an existing rotor blade model are presented.

Davis, M. W.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Laboratory formation of a simulated comet

A laboratory simulation experiment to study the interaction between a cometary plasma and the solar wind has been performed using the UCR-T1 space simulation facility (dia. 1.3 m, length 11 m). Intense plasma flow simulating the solar wind interacts with another light-emitting plasma composed of Ba, Sr, and/or C by a plasma emitter which simulates a cometary coma. The purposes of this experiment are to investigate how the solar wind parameters contribute to the formation of the cometary ion tail and to determine the magnetic field structure of a comet. In order to estimate the solar wind parameters by ground-based observations of actual comets, knowledges of such relationships are essential. The experimental results show that the interplanetary magnetic field of the solar wind is very important in forming the cometary tail.

Minami, S.↗

NASA NTRS1985

On-orbit systems identification of flexible spacecraft

The process of on-orbit systems identification of flexible spacecraft is examined in terms of the difficulties that are expected because of the potentially unmanageable number of unknown model parameters due to the very high order system models involved. A Jordon block canonical form and global model parameters are used to reduce the number of unknown parameters to manageable numbers. A Bayesian approach is discussed which enables the merging of theoretical models with ground or on-orbit test results by using Unconditional Maximum Likelihood Parameter Estimation. A Modified Newton-Raphson technique is proposed for determining the model parameter estimates and an expected fit error criterion is recommended for the determination of the model structure and order reduction.

Taylor, L. W., Jr.↗