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At least 145 records · Page 8

Developmental design, fabrication, and test of acoustic suppressors for fans of high bypass turbofan engines

An analysis procedure was developed for design of acoustically treated nacelles for high bypass turbofan engines. The plan was applied to the conceptual design of a nacelle for the quiet engine typical of a 707/DC-8 airplane installation. The resultant design was modified to a test nacelle design for the NASA Lewis quiet fan. The acoustic design goal was a 10 db reduction in effective perceived fan noise levels during takoff and approach. Detailed nacelle designs were subsequently developed for both the quiet engine and the quiet fan. The acoustic design goal for each nacelle was 15 db reductions in perceived fan noise levels from the inlet and fan duct. Acoustically treated nacelles were fabricated for the quiet engine and quiet fan for testing. Performance of selected inlet and fan duct lining configurations was experimentally evaluated in a flow duct. Results of the tests show that the linings perform as designed.

Tucker, R. H.↗

A large carbon monoxide cloud in Orion

Carbon monoxide line emission was observed at a wavelength of 2.6 mm in an area of L1630, a diffuse dark nebula forming a bridge between NGC 2024 and the reflection nebula NGC 2068. The absence of a 21-cm counterpart to this region of high visual extinction suggests that L1630 is predominantly molecular hydrogen. The molecular hydrogen mass, estimated from the carbon monoxide observations, is found to comprise a significant fraction of the total mass of stars and gas within the boundaries of I Ori association.

Tucker, K. D.↗

Variable features on Mars III - Comparison of Mariner 1969 and Mariner 1971 photography

Mariner 9 (M9) and Mariner 6 and 7 photography of common regions of Mars are compared, with appropriate attention to the photometric properties of the camera systems. The comparison provides a 2.5 yr time baseline for study of variable albedo features. We find the development of bright streaks and patches, a phenomenon unobserved through the entire M9 mission; the evolution of dark crater splotches into dark streaks; and a planetwide increase in splotchiness. Yet, a large number of splotches and albedo boundaries remain fixed over the same period. Many of the observations are interpreted in terms of a global fallout and subsequent local redistribution of bright fine particulates raised by global dust storms.

Veverka, J.↗

Variable features on Mars. IV - Pavonis Mons

A remarkable set of albedo changes has been uncovered by Mariner 9 photography of the upper slopes of the shield volcano Pavonis Mons, near its summit caldera. The most likely explanation of the event is aeolian transport of fine-grained particles. Since the atmospheric pressure in this locality is about 1.5 mb, minimum wind velocities above the surface boundary layer of about 110 m per sec are necessary, corresponding to 0.51 of the speed of sound. Slope winds in this velocity range are expected near the upper flanks of major Martian volcanic constructs.

Sagan, C.↗

The ethynyl radical C2H - A new interstellar molecule

Four new interstellar lines have been detected near 87.3 GHz. Based on laboratory ESR data these lines have been positively defined as hyperfine components of the lowest rotational transition of the ethynyl radical C2H. The observations gave precise values for the C2H rotation, spin-doubling, and hyperfine constants. C2H is probably one of the most abundant interstellar polyatomic molecules yet detected.

Tucker, K. D.↗

A Mariner 9 Atlas of the moons of Mars

During its active lifetime Mariner 9 obtained 32 high-resolution pictures of Phobos, and 9 of Deimos. The spacecraft orbit was adequate for about 80% complete coverage of Phobos. However, the coverage of the outer satellite was restricted to the Mars-facing side. The approaches used in processing the pictures are discussed. For each satellite picture a coordinate grid of the satellite was obtained with the aid of a computer.

Veverka, J.↗

A transition calculus for Boolean functions

A transition calculus is presented for analyzing the effect of input changes on the output of logic circuits. The method is closely related to the Boolean difference, but it is more powerful. Both differentiation and integration are considered.

Tucker, J. H.↗

CO, CS, and HCN in a clustering of reflection nebulae in Monoceros

Observations are reported of the 2.6-mm line of CO from an extended region in Monoceros containing a complex of dust clouds as well as a group of reflection nebulae (Mon R2) and where a source of relatively strong millimeter emission from CS and HCN has been found. Lower limits are obtained for the CO and H2 column densities in this region, and five CO emission peaks are identified, each of which is approximately coincident with at least one reflection nebula. Around the position of the strongest peak, extended emission is observed from CS and HCN, suggesting the existence of a rotating core with an H2 density which corresponds to a mass of 5500 solar masses. The CO profiles in the direction of the strongest peak appear to show self-absorption, which may indicate a collapsing cloud.

Kutner, M. L.↗

Shortgrass prairie spectral measurements

The spectral methods of vegetation analysis not only measure herbage biomass on a nondestructive basis but also can be adapted to aircraft and satellite devices to map the spatial distribution over an area in an efficient and economical fashion. This study reviews the ground-based in situ field spectrometry in the 0.350-0.800 micron region of the spectrum. A statistical analysis of in situ spectroreflectance data from sample plots of the shortgrass prairie shows that green biomass, chlorophyll concentration, and leaf water content are directly interrelated to that composite property of the plot which is called functioning green biomass. Spectrocorrelation data indicate the spectral regions of optimum sensitivity for a remote estimation of the green biomass, chlorophyll, and leaf water content. The near-infrared region of the spectrum shows a high positive spectrocorrelation to these three sample parameters, regardless of the amount of standing dead vegetation.

Tucker, C. J.↗

Digital data processing system dynamic loading analysis

Simulation and analysis of the Space Shuttle Orbiter Digital Data Processing System (DDPS) are reported. The mated flight and postseparation flight phases of the space shuttle's approach and landing test configuration were modeled utilizing the Information Management System Interpretative Model (IMSIM) in a computerized simulation modeling of the ALT hardware, software, and workload. System requirements simulated for the ALT configuration were defined. Sensitivity analyses determined areas of potential data flow problems in DDPS operation. Based on the defined system requirements and the sensitivity analyses, a test design is described for adapting, parameterizing, and executing the IMSIM. Varying load and stress conditions for the model execution are given. The analyses of the computer simulation runs were documented as results, conclusions, and recommendations for DDPS improvements.

Lagas, J. J.↗

Hand-held spectral radiometer to estimate gramineous biomass

A simple hand-held instrument has been designed and constructed to nondestructively estimate above-ground gramineous biomass using radiometric measurements. The prototype unit consists of a modified two-channel digital radiometer interfaced to a pocket calculator. A digital interface was constructed to join electronically and control the radiometer and calculator to enable the radiometer-calculator system to solve a linear conversion solution from radiometric units to estimated biomass. This instrument has been used to estimate radiometrically gramineous biomass in a more efficient fashion with a high degree of accuracy.

Pearson, R. L.↗

Screening analysis and selection of emission reduction concepts for intermittent combustion aircraft engines

An analysis was conducted to screen, evaluate, and select three engine exhaust emission reduction concepts from a group of 14 candidate alternatives. A comprehensive literature search was conducted to survey the emission reduction technology state-of-the-art and establish contact with firms working on intermittent combustion engine development and pollution reduction problems. Concept development, advantages, disadvantages, and expected emission reduction responses are stated. A set of cost effectiveness criteria was developed, appraised for relative importance, and traded off against each concept so that its merit could be determined. A decision model was used to aid the evaluators in managing the criteria, making consistent judgements, calculating merit scores, and ranking the concepts. An Improved Fuel Injection System, Improved Cooling Combustion Chamber, and a Variable Timing Ignition System were recommended to NASA for approval and further concept development. An alternate concept, Air Injection, was also recommended.

Rezy, B. J.↗

Use of near infrared/red radiance ratios for estimating vegetation biomass and physiological status

The application of photographic infrared/red (ir/red) reflectance or radiance ratios for the estimation of vegetation biomass and physiological status were investigated by analyzing in situ spectral reflectance data from experimental grass plots. Canopy biological samples were taken for total wet biomass, total dry biomass, leaf water content, dry green biomass, dry brown biomass, and total chlorophyll content at each sampling date. Integrated red and photographic infrared radiances were regressed against the various canopy or plot variables to determine the relative significance between the red, photographic infrared, and the ir/red ratio and the canopy variables. The ir/red ratio is sensitive to the photosynthetically active or green biomass, the rate of primary production, and actually measures the interaction between the green biomass and the rate of primary production within a given species type. The ir/red ratio resulted in improved regression significance over the red or the ir/radiances taken separately. Only slight differences were found between ir/red ratio, the ir-red difference, the vegetation index, and the transformed vegetation index. The asymptotic spectral radiance properties of the ir, red, ir/red ratio, and the various transformations were evaluated.

Tucker, C. J.↗

A dense molecular cloud in the OMC-1/OMC-2 region

H2CO emission at 2 mm is seen over a region 30 arcmin in extent which includes OMC-1 and OMC-2. The mass of this cloud, estimated from H2CO and CO observations, is about 7000 solar masses. The velocity pattern is one of rotation, with evidence for fragmentation into two or three distinct condensations. A sharp boundary to the molecular cloud is observed at the edge of the H II region in NGC 1977. It appears likely that NGC 1977 is a condensation at the northern end of the cloud, complementary to the Orion Nebula at the southern end.

Kutner, M. L.↗

The relation between carbon monoxide emission and visual extinction in cloud L134

Emission from the J = 1-0 transition of carbon monoxide has been mapped over an area of 40 by 55 arcmin in cloud L134, and visual extinctions over the entire cloud have been obtained by means of star counts. Line intensities of at least 2 K are observable down to an extinction level of about one magnitude. From observations of the J = 1-0 transition of the (C-13)O isotopic species at 18 locations in the cloud, a linear correlation is found between the local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE) column densities of (C-13)O and magnitudes of visual extinction.

Tucker, K. D.↗

Leaf optical system modeled as a stochastic process

A stochastic leaf radiation model based upon physical and physiological properties of dicot leaves has been developed. The model accurately predicts the absorbed, reflected, and transmitted radiation of normal incidence as a function of wavelength resulting from the leaf-irradiance interaction over the spectral interval of 0.40-2.50 micron. The leaf optical system has been represented as Markov process with a unique transition matrix at each 0.01-micron increment between 0.40 micron and 2.50 micron. Probabilities are calculated at every wavelength interval from leaf thickness, structure, pigment composition, and water content. Simulation results indicate that this approach gives accurate estimations of actual measured values for dicot leaf absorption, reflection, and transmission as a function of wavelength.

Tucker, C. J.↗

Boolean integration

This paper presents the necessary and sufficient conditions for a given differential expression to be compatibly integrable and it presents the necessary and sufficient conditions for a given expression to be exactly integrable. Methods are given for integrating a differential expression when it is exactly integrable and when it is compatibly integrable. The physical interpretation is given of the integral of order k, of a differential expression, and it is shown that any differential expression of the proper form is integrable by parts.

Tucker, J. H.↗

A soft X-ray image of the Algol region

Algol (Beta Persei) has been detected in two separate exposures of an imaging X-ray telescope. The 0.15- to 2-keV X-ray luminosity is approximately 2 by 10 to the 30th power erg/s. The X-ray flux is interpreted as thermal emission produced by direct accretion of mass from the K star to the B8 member of the triple star system.

Harnden, F. R., Jr.↗