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At least 1,405 records · Page 78

SAFE - Six axis frequency evaluation of a motion simulator.

SAFE is a digital computer program used to check the response of an aircraft motion simulator. SAFE drives each axis of the simulator near its acceleration, velocity and position limits, recording the simulator motions for comparison with nominal responses. SAFE also drives up to six axes at once to measure the frequency response and noise levels of each axis. Together these two measurements provide a sensitive check of the entire motion system, yet they can be completed in less than ten minutes.

Shirley, R. S.↗

Anti-motion-sickness therapy

Neither alterations in environmental temperature nor moderate intake of alcohol was found to alter susceptibility to motion sickness in subjects exposed to rotation in the Pensacola slow rotation room. Scopolamine with d-amphetamine was found to be the most effective preparation for the prevention of motion sickness under the experimental conditions of the studies reported here. Promethazine in combination with d-amphetamine was in the same range of effectiveness. Drug actions suggest that acetylcholine and norepinephrine may be involved in motion sickness.

Wood, C. D.↗

The minimum free-stream wind speed for initiating motion of surface material on Mars

Estimates of the minimum free-stream wind speed that is required for initiating the motion of surficial material on Mars have ranged from 30 to about 200 meters per second. Thus the best value for this quantity is not well established. Graphical comparison of much of the pertinent data taken in the laboratory and in the field on Earth provides a minimum value for the Bagnold coefficient of 0.08 and this in turn provides a minimum value for the threshold friction velocity of 1.3 meters per second for initiating motion of particulate matter on Mars at low elevations where the pressure is 7 millibars. The most appropriate value of the ratio of friction velocity to free-stream velocity for putative unstable condition appears to be 0.026. Thus the minimum free-stream wind speed for initiating motion is obtained as 50 meters per second. If the surface material on Mars, however, is less cohesive than that on earth, the minimum value may be smaller.

Wood, G. P.↗

The average motion of a charged particle in a dipole field

The numerical representation of the average motion of a charged particle trapped in a geomagnetic field is developed. An assumption is made of the conservation of the first two adiabatic invariants where integration is along a field line between mirror points. The averaged motion also involved the parameters defining the magnetic field line to which the particle is attached. Methods involved in obtaining the motion in the equatorial plane of model magnetospheres are based on Hamiltonian functions. The restrictions imposed by the special nature of the dipole field are defined.

Chen, A. J.↗

Studies of irregularities in motion of vibroshock type mechanisms

Reciprocating motion mechanisms, in which a mass with large gaps can be driven with almost uniform speed, are investigated. A single-mass system with dry friction, the motion of which is restricted by two stops, is examined. The system is put into motion by kinematic disturbances through a flexible link. Periodic modes of movement, under conditions in which the disturbance arises from two impacts on the mass (from the right and left stops) are examined. Primary attention was given to irregularities in the course of the mass. The shock interaction of the mass with the stop was accounted for by the shock speed restoration coefficient R. The shock-frequency characteristics of the free shock vibrations were determined. Expressions were obtained which define the transitional process. The phase and velocity of several succeeding shocks were determined. After taking account of the conditions of the steady mode of movement, velocities and phases in the steady mode of movement were obtained.

Mateyshka, S. Y.↗

Some suggested approaches to solving the Hamilton-Jacobi equation associated with constrained rigid body motion

Some methods of approaching a solution to the Hamilton-Jacobi equation are outlined and examples are given to illustrate particular methods. These methods may be used for cases where the Hamilton-Jacobi equation is not separable and have been particularly useful in solving the rigid body motion of an earth satellite subjected to gravity torques. These general applications may also have usefulness in studying the motion of satellites with aerodynamic torque and in studying space vehicle motion where thrusting is involved.

Fitzpatrick, P. M.↗

Venus - Atmospheric motion and structure from Mariner 10 pictures

The Mariner 10 television cameras imaged the planet Venus in the visible and near ultraviolet for a period of 8 days at resolutions ranging from 100 meters to 130 kilometers. The general pattern of the atmospheric circulation in the upper tropospheric/lower stratospheric region is displayed in the pictures. Atmospheric flow is symmetrical between north and south hemispheres. The equatorial motions are zonal (east-west) at approximately 100 meters per second, consistent with the previously inferred 4-day retrograde rotation. Angular velocity increases with latitude. The subsolar region, and the region downwind from it, show evidence of large-scale convection that persists in spite of the main zonal motion. Dynamical interaction between the zonal motion and the relatively stationary region of convection is evidenced by bowlike waves.

Murray, B. C.↗

A study of vertical motion requirements for landing simulation

Tests were conducted to determine the significance of vertical acceleration cues in the simulation of the visual approach and landing maneuver. Landing performance measures were obtained for four subject pilots operating a visual landing simulation mechanized in the Ames Height Control Test Apparatus, a device that provides up to plus or minus 40 ft of vertical motion. Test results indicate that vertical motion cues are utilized in the landing task, and that they are particularly important in the simulation of aircraft with marginal longitudinal-handling qualities. To assure vertical motion cues of the desired fidelity in the landing task, it appears, that a simulator must have excursion capabilities of at least 20 ft in either direction.

Bray, R. S.↗

Automatic spacecraft detumbling by internal mass motion

In the operation of future manned space vehicles, there will always be a finite probability that an accident will occur which results in uncontrolled tumbling of a craft. Hard docking by a manned rescue vehicle is not acceptable because of the hazardous environment to which rescue crewmen would be exposed and excessive maneuvering accelerations during docking operations. A movable-mass control concept, which is activated upon initiation of tumbling and is autonomous, can convert tumbling motion into simple spin. The complete equations of motion for an asymmetric rigid spacecraft containing a movable mass are presented, and appropriate control law and system parameters are selected to minimize kinetic energy, resulting in simple spin about the major principal axis. Simulations indicate that for a large space station experiencing a collision, which results in tumbling, a 1% movable mass is capable of stabilizing motion in 2 hr.

Edwards, T. L.↗

Atmospheric motions in red supergiants

Radial velocities obtained from interferometric spectra of a alpha Ori, alpha Her, and alpha Sco have been analyzed to investigate expansion and other large-scale motions in their atmospheres. In alpha Ori evidence of such motions is found. They appear to be sporadic in time or position on the surface of the star. If these motions are an observational indication of mass loss, they lead to extremely high instantaneous loss rates. It has not been possible to infer an average rate of mass loss.

Brooke, A. L.↗

A motion-constraint logic for moving-base simulators based on variable filter parameters

A motion-constraint logic for moving-base simulators has been developed that is a modification to the linear second-order filters generally employed in conventional constraints. In the modified constraint logic, the filter parameters are not constant but vary with the instantaneous motion-base position to increase the constraint as the system approaches the positional limits. With the modified constraint logic, accelerations larger than originally expected are limited while conventional linear filters would result in automatic shutdown of the motion base. In addition, the modified washout logic has frequency-response characteristics that are an improvement over conventional linear filters with braking for low-frequency pilot inputs. During simulated landing approaches of an externally blown flap short take-off and landing (STOL) transport using decoupled longitudinal controls, the pilots were unable to detect much difference between the modified constraint logic and the logic based on linear filters with braking.

Miller, G. K., Jr.↗

The motion of throw away detectors relative to the space shuttle

The motions of throw away detectors (TAD's) are analyzed using the linearized relative motion equations. The TAD's are to be used in the amps program as diagnostic instruments for making various measurements near the shuttle. The TAD's are ejected from the shuttle in arbitrary directions with small relative velocities (0.1 to 1.0 m/s) their subsequent trajectories relative to the shuttle are analyzed. Initial conditions that are likely to result in recontact between the TAD and the shuttle are identified. The sensitivity of the motion to variations in the initial conditions, possibly resulting from inaccuracy in the ejection mechanism, are analyzed as are effects of atmospheric drag. A targeting method, a method of giving the TAD correct initial conditions such that it will pass through a given point relative to the shuttle at a given time, is developed. The results of many specific cases are presented in graphical form.

Mullins, L. D.↗

Particle motion in atmospheric boundary layers of Mars and Earth

To study the eolian mechanics of saltating particles, both an experimental investigation of the flow field around a model crater in an atmospheric boundary layer wind tunnel and numerical solutions of the two- and three-dimensional equations of motion of a single particle under the influence of a turbulent boundary layer were conducted. Two-dimensional particle motion was calculated for flow near the surfaces of both Earth and Mars. For the case of Earth both a turbulent boundary layer with a viscous sublayer and one without were calculated. For the case of Mars it was only necessary to calculate turbulent boundary layer flow with a laminar sublayer because of the low values of friction Reynolds number; however, it was necessary to include the effects of slip flow on a particle caused by the rarefied Martian atmosphere. In the equations of motion the lift force functions were developed to act on a single particle only in the laminar sublayer or a corresponding small region of high shear near the surface for a fully turbulent boundary layer. The lift force functions were developed from the analytical work by Saffman concerning the lift force acting on a particle in simple shear flow.

White, B. R.↗

Empirical comparison of a linear and a nonlinear washout for motion simulators

The subjective opinions gathered from seven pilots in the process of comparing a linear and a nonlinear washout for motion simulators reveal an important advance in motion cue presentation. The advance is not in the increased cue provided by the nonlinear filter over a linear filter for the same amount of motion base travel, but rather in the elimination of false rotational rate cues presented by linear filters.

Parrish, R. V.↗

The motion of a proton in the equatorial magnetosphere

In a time-independent model of the magnetosphere including a dipole magnetic field, a convection electric field (deduced from polar orbit observations), and an electric field due to the earth's rotation, the motion of a proton in the equatorial plane is analyzed. By means of the Hamiltonian of the motion, three regimes of motion are identified. A method is then developed for determining for any given observation point which arrival energies correspond to trapped particles and which represent 'open' trajectories.

Stern, D. P.↗

Long period nodal motion of sun synchronous orbits

An approximative model is formulated for assessing these perturbations that significantly affect long term modal motion of sun synchronous orbits. Computer simulations with several independent computer programs consider zonal and tesseral gravitational harmonics, third body gravitational disturbances induced by the sun and the moon, and atmospheric drag. A pendulum model consisting of evenzonal harmonics through order 4 and solar gravity dominated nodal motion approximation. This pendulum motion results from solar gravity inducing an inclination oscillation which couples into the nodal precession induced by the earth's oblateness. The pendulum model correlated well with simulations observed flight data.

Duck, K. I.↗

On the feasibility of real-time prediction of aircraft carrier motion at sea

The ability to predict the aircraft carrier's motion over an interval of several seconds within reasonable error bounds may allow an improvement in touchdown dispersion and a more certain value for ramp clearance due to a smoother aircraft trajectory. Also, improved information to the landing signal officer should decrease the number of waveoffs substantially. It is quantitatively shown that, based on the power density spectrum data for pitch and heave measured for various ships and sea conditions, the motion can be predicted well for up to 15 seconds. The zero crossover times for both pitch and heave motions can be predicted with impressive accuracy. The predictor was designed on the basis of Kalman's optimum filtering theory for the discrete time case, adapted for real-time digital computer operation.

Sidar, M.↗

Conformal coordinates associated with uniformly accelerated motion

Specific problems in the theory of relativity are often simplified by an appropriate choice of the coordinate system. Restricted conformal coordinates provide an especially simple analysis of motion with uniform acceleration, known as hyperbolic motion. Conformal coordinates x', t' may be obtained from Cartesian coordinates x, t by the transformation x'+ct'=F(x+ct) and x'-ct'=G(x-ct), where c is the velocity of light. A variable motion of the x' system is determined by the choice of the functions F and G.

Jones, R. T.↗