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At least 145 records · Page 8

Sheath effects observed on a 10 meter high voltage panel in simulated low earth orbit plasma

A large (1m x 10m) flat surface of conductive material was biased to high voltage (+ or - 3000 V) to simulate the behavior of a large solar array in low earth orbit. The model array was operated in a plasma environment of 1,000 to 1,000,000/cu cm, with sufficient free space around it for the resulting plasma sheaths to develop unimpeded for 5-10 meters into the surrounding plasma. Measurements of the resulting sheath thickness were obtained. The observed thickness varied approximately as V to the 3/4 power and N to the 1/2 power. This effect appears to limit total current leakage from the test array until sheath dimensions exceed about 1 meter. Total leakage current was also measured with the array.

Mccox, J. E.↗

Preliminary test results of a flight management algorithm for fuel conservative descents in a time based metered traffic environment

A flight management algorithm designed to improve the accuracy of delivering the airplane fuel efficiently to a metering fix at a time designated by air traffic control is discussed. The algorithm provides a 3-D path with time control (4-D) for a test B 737 airplane to make an idle thrust, clean configured descent to arrive at the metering fix at a predetermined time, altitude, and airspeed. The descent path is calculated for a constant Mach/airspeed schedule from linear approximations of airplane performance with considerations given for gross weight, wind, and nonstandard pressure and temperature effects. The flight management descent algorithms and the results of the flight tests are discussed.

Knox, C. E.↗

NASA TLA workload analysis support. Volume 2: Metering and spacing studies validation data

Four sets of graphic reports--one for each of the metering and spacing scenarios--are presented. The complete data file from which the reports were generated is also given. The data was used to validate the detail task of both the pilot and copilot for four metering and spacing scenarios. The output presents two measures of demand workload and a report showing task length and task interaction.

Sundstrom, J. L.↗

Development and test results of a flight management algorithm for fuel conservative descents in a time-based metered traffic environment

A simple flight management descent algorithm designed to improve the accuracy of delivering an airplane in a fuel-conservative manner to a metering fix at a time designated by air traffic control was developed and flight tested. This algorithm provides a three dimensional path with terminal area time constraints (four dimensional) for an airplane to make an idle thrust, clean configured (landing gear up, flaps zero, and speed brakes retracted) descent to arrive at the metering fix at a predetermined time, altitude, and airspeed. The descent path was calculated for a constant Mach/airspeed schedule from linear approximations of airplane performance with considerations given for gross weight, wind, and nonstandard pressure and temperature effects. The flight management descent algorithm is described. The results of the flight tests flown with the Terminal Configured Vehicle airplane are presented.

Knox, C. E.↗

Automatic control of NASA Langley's 0.3-meter cryogenic test facility

Experience during the past 6 years of operation of the 0.3-meter transonic cryogenic tunnel at the NASA Langley Research Center has shown that there are problems associated with efficient operation and control of cryogenic tunnels using manual control schemes. This is due to the high degree of process crosscoupling between the independent control variables (temperature, pressure, and fan drive speed) and the desired test condition (Mach number and Reynolds number). One problem has been the inability to maintain long-term accurate control of the test parameters. Additionally, the time required to change from one test condition to another has proven to be excessively long and much less efficient than desirable in terms of liquid nitrogen and electrical power usage. For these reasons, studies have been undertaken to: (1) develop and validate a mathematical model of the 0.3-meter cryogenic tunnel process, (2) utilize this model in a hybrid computer simulation to design temperature and pressure feedback control laws, and (3) evaluate the adequacy of these control schemes by analysis of closed-loop experimental data. This paper will present the results of these studies.

Thibodeaux, J. J.↗

Test results of flight guidance for fuel conservative descents in a time-based metered air traffic environment

The NASA developed, implemented, and flight tested a flight management algorithm designed to improve the accuracy of delivering an airplane in a fuel-conservative manner to a metering fix at a time designated by air traffic control. This algorithm provides a 3D path with time control (4D) for the TCV B-737 airplane to make an idle-thrust, clean configured (landing gear up, flaps zero, and speed brakes retracted) descent to arrive at the metering fix at a predetermined time, altitude, and airspeed. The descent path is calculated for a constant Mach/airspeed schedule from linear approximations of airplane performance with considerations given for gross weight, wind, and nonstandard pressure and temperature effects. The flight management descent algorithms are described and flight test results are presented.

Knox, C. E.↗

Evaluation of Microwave Landing System (MLS) effect on the delivery performance of a fixed-path metering and spacing system

Metering and spacing (M & S) system's algorithms described assume an aircraft two dimensional are navigation capability. The three navigation systems compared were: very high frequency omnidirectional range/distance measuring equipment (VOR/DME) and ILS, VOR/DME and + or - 40 MLS, and VOR/DME and + or - 60 MLS. Other factors studied were M & S tentative schedule point location, route geometry effects, and approach gate location effects. Summarized results are: the MLS offers some improvement over VOR/DME and ILS if all approach routes contain computer assisted turns; pilot reaction to moving the gate closer to the runway threshold may adversely affect M & S performance; and coupling en route metering to terminal scheduling transfers most of the terminal holding to more full efficient, higher altitude en route delay.

Credeur, L.↗

Flight test experience using advanced airborne equipment in a time-based metered traffic environment

A series of test flights have demonstrated that time-based metering guidance and control was acceptable to pilots and air traffic controllers. The descent algorithm of the technique, with good representation of aircraft performance and wind modeling, yielded arrival time accuracy within 12 sec. It is expected that this will represent significant fuel savings (1) through a reduction of the time error dispersions at the metering fix for the entire fleet, and (2) for individual aircraft as well, through the presentation of guidance for a fuel-efficient descent. Air traffic controller workloads were also reduced, in keeping with the reduction of required communications resulting from the transfer of navigation responsibilities to pilots. A second series of test flights demonstrated that an existing flight management system could be modified to operate in the new mode.

Morello, S. A.↗

Development of simplified airborne computations for fuel conservative descents in a time-based metered air traffic environment

The NASA has developed and flight-tested a simple flight management descent algorithm designed to improve the accuracy of delivering an airplane in a fuel-conservative manner to a metering fix at a time designated by air traffic control. This algorithm provides a three-dimensional path with terminal area time constraints (four-dimensional) for an airplane to make an idle-thrust, clean-configured (landing gear up, flaps zero, and speed brakes retracted) descent to arrive at the metering fix at a predetermined time, altitude, and airspeed. The descent path is calculated for a constant Mach/airspeed schedule from linear approximations of airplane performance with considerations given for gross weight, wind, and nonstandard pressure and temperature effects. Applications of the four-dimensional and descent planning capabilities of the algorithm to conventional airplanes is being investigated. This report describes the flight management descent algorithm and presents the results of the flight tests flown with the Terminal Configured Vehicle airplane.

Knox, C. E.↗

Ride-Quality Meter

Single- and combined-Axis discomfort are corrected by effects of noise and vibration to yield measure of total discomfort experienced by rider. Three modules transform mathematically-weighted rms accelerations, which represent physical vibration characteristics, into subjective discomfort units. Portable "ride-quality" meter measures passenger discomfort and acceptability of vehicle interior noise and vibration. Meter especially suited for determining vehicle comfort and design tradeoffs and for comparing ride quality of vehicles.

Leatherwood, J. D.↗

Acoustic Ground-Impedance Meter

Helmoltz resonator used in compact, portable meter measures acoustic impedance of ground or other surfaces. Earth's surface is subject of increasing acoustical investigations because of its importance in aircraft noise prediction and measurment. Meter offers several advantages. Is compact and portable and set up at any test site, irrespective of landscape features, weather or other environmental condition.

Zuckerwar, A. J.↗

The Ion Drift Meter for Dynamics Explorer-B

The Ion Drift Meter on Dynamics Explorer-B measures two mutually perpendicular angles of arrival of thermal ions with respect to the sensor look direction. These measurements are used to derive two components of the ambient thermal ion drift velocity, which together with the third component from the Retarding Potential Analyzer instrument provide the total velocity. The Ion Drift Meter technique yields high temporal resolution measurements essential in the studies of the convection pattern and energy deposition in the ionosphere.

Heelis, R. A.↗

The 26-meter antenna s-x conversion project

Programmatic and management aspects of converting an existing 26-meter S-band subnet to a 34-meter S- and X-band subnet of the Deep Space Network are described. The stations involved were DSS 12 near Barstow, DSS 44 in Australia, and DSS 62 in Spain. The main subsystems affected by the conversion were the antenna mechanical, antenna microwave, and receiver-exciter. Antenna mechanial modifications and electronic additions and changes are described. The design and analysis of critical areas are considered and antenna performance is discussed.

Source record↗

Studies of sidewall boundary layer in the Langley 0.3 meter transonic cryogenic tunnel with and without suction

Boundary layer measurements on the sidewalls of the Langley 0.3 Meter Transonic Cryogenic Tunnel were made to determine the effectiveness of the passive boundary layer bleed system over a Reynolds number range from 20 to 200 x 10 to the sixth power per meter at Mach numbers from 0.30 to 0.76. The tunnel sidewall boundary layer displacement thickness was about 2 percent of the width of the test section without the boundary layer bleed. Measured velocity profiles correlated well with the defect law of Hama. With the boundary layer bleed equivalent to about 2 percent of the test section mass flow, the boundary layer displacement thickness reduced to about 1 percent of the test section width, which is generally considered acceptable for testing airfoils. It was also noticed that effectiveness of the bleed was nearly independent of the Mach number and Reynolds number over the range of conditions tested. A comparison of the measured suction effectiveness of the bleed with the finite difference and integral methods of boundary layer calculation showed good agreement.

Murthy, A. V.↗

The 15-meter diameter mechanically scanned deployable antenna

A preliminary design with structural model data and thermal-performance estimates of a 15-meter mechanically scanned deployable antenna (MSDA) that could be launched onboard a Shuttle Orbiter to provide radiometric brightness temperature maps of the Earth and oceans in selected bands over a frequency range from 1.4 to 11 GHz is provided. The study objectives were met through the design of a unique, integrated, offset feed mast and reflector design that uses the deployable box-truss structure as a building block. The performance of this system is summarized. The all graphite-epoxy, 4.57-meter prototype cube that was completed in 1981 and is proposed for this reflector and feed mast design is presented.

Coyner, J. V.↗

Surface accuracy measurement sensor test on a 50-meter antenna surface model

The Surface Accuracy Measurement Sensor (SAMS) is a telescope with a focal plane photo electric detector that senses the lateral position of light source targets in its field of view. After extensive laboratory testing the engineering breadboard sensor system was installed and tested on a 30 degree segment of a 50-meter diameter, mesh surface, antenna model. Test results correlated well with the laboratory tests and indicated accuracies of approximately 0.59 arc seconds at 21 meters range. Test results are presented and recommendations given for sensor improvements.

Spiers, R. B.↗

The case for aeolian control of meter-scale surface texture on Mars

The origin of Mars surface units and the extent of subsequent cratering play key roles in determining surface texture. At scale sizes of 0.1-10 meters, however, there is a growing body of evidence that wind is the dominant force. The direct and indirect evidence which implies that meter-scale surface texture on Mars is controlled by the wind is presented. Since radar is uniquely sensitive to structure on these scales, radio wave scattering data can provide insight on aeolian activity available from no other source.

Simpson, R. A.↗

Effects of aircraft and flight parameters on energy-efficient profile descents in time-based metered traffic

Attention is given to a computer algorithm yielding the data required for a flight crew to navigate from an entry fix, about 100 nm from an airport, to a metering fix, and arrive there at a predetermined time, altitude, and airspeed. The flight path is divided into several descent and deceleration segments. Results for the case of a B-737 airliner indicate that wind and nonstandard atmospheric properties have a significant effect on the flight path and must be taken into account. While a range of combinations of Mach number and calibrated airspeed is possible for the descent segments leading to the metering fix, only small changes in the fuel consumed were observed for this range of combinations. A combination that is based on scheduling flexibility therefore seems preferable.

Dejarnette, F. R.↗