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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 145 records · Page 8
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1974

Apparatus for inserting and removing specimens from high temperature vacuum furnaces

The apparatus comprises a high speed gate valve for isolating the interior of the furnance from an air lock chamber on the opposite side of the gate valve. The air lock chamber is provided with valve ports connected to a vacuum source, a source of inert quenching gas, and the atmosphere, respectively. Attached to the end of the air lock chamber away from the furnace is a cylindrical tube having disposed within it a rod carrying specimen pan at the end towards the furnace and having mounted at its top end an annular magnet having a diameter slightly less than the interior diameter of the tube. The top end of the tube is closed by a removeable cap. Encircling the tube in the vicinity of the magnet is a carbon steel ring which when axially moved along the tube causes the magnet to follow it and thereby controls the position of the rod and specimen pan within the tube.

Whitehead, C. W.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Shuttle subscale ablative nozzle tests

Recent subscale nozzle tests have identified new and promising carbon phenolic nozzle ablatives which utilize staple rayon, PAN, and pitch based carbon cloth. A 4-inch throat diameter submerged test nozzle designed for the 48-inch Jet Propulsion Laboratory char motor was used to evaluate five different designs incorporating 20 candidate ablatives. Test results indicate that several pitch and PAN-based carbon phenolic ablatives can provide erosion and char performance equivalent or superior to the present continuous rayon-based SRM ablative.

Powers, L. B.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Theoretical and experimental supersonic lateral-directional stability characteristics

A program has been initiated at NASA Langley Research Center to assess several methods for estimation of lateral-directional stability. As a basis for comparison, experimental data are presented for a simple wing-body vertical tail configuration. The methods for estimating the characteristics include a second-order shock expansion and panel method (MISLIFT), a slender body and 'first-order' panel method (APAS), and a 'higher-order' panel method for linearized supersonic flow (PAN AIR). The results show that PAN AIR provides accurate estimates of these characteristics at moderate angles of attack for complete configurations with either single or twin vertical tails. APAS provides estimates for complete configurations at zero angle of attack. However, MISLIFT only provides estimates for the simplest body-vertical tail configurations at zero angle of attack.

Lamb, M.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Shuttle solid rocket motor nozzle alternate ablative evaluation

A series of subscale tests are shown to suggest that a lower-cost ablative material than the rayon-based carbon ablative currently used in the Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Motor (SRM) may be used as a substitute. Six such ablatives with outstanding performance characteristics, using spun PAN and continuous pitch and PAN fibers instead of the present, continuous rayon, were identified in the course of tests with HTPB/AL/AP solid propellant grains with a burn time of 12 sec. The test nozzle features an initial throat diameter of 2.2 in. and a 6.1 expansion ratio. In addition to nozzle structural feature drawings, extensive test data tables and propellant formulation and properties tables are provided.

Powers, L. B.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Carbon Fibers Conductivity Studies

In an attempt to understand the process of electrical conduction in polyacrylonitrile (PAN)-based carbon fibers, calculations were carried out on cluster models of the fiber consisting of carbon, nitrogen, and hydrogen atoms using the modified intermediate neglect of differential overlap (MINDO) molecular orbital (MO) method. The models were developed based on the assumption that PAN carbon fibers obtained with heat treatment temperatures (HTT) below 1000 C retain nitrogen in a graphite-like lattice. For clusters modeling an edge nitrogen site, analysis of the occupied MO's indicated an electron distribution similar to that of graphite. A similar analysis for the somewhat less stable interior nitrogen site revealed a partially localized II electron distribution around the nitrogen atom. The differences in bonding trends and structural stability between edge and interior nitrogen clusters led to a two-step process proposed for nitrogen evolution with increasing HTT.

Yang, C. Y.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Electrical conductivity and electron-spin resonance in oxidatively stabilized polyacrylonitrile subjected to elevated temperature

Electrical conductivity and electron spin resonance measurements are presented for oxidatively stabilized polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fibers subjected to heat treatment at temperatures ranging from 700 to 950 K. Conductivity measurements made at temperatures between 77 and 523 K reveal that PAN fibers heat treated in vacuum behave as semiconductors, with a room-temperature conductivity dominated by the contributions of impurity states, with an activation energy of 88 kcal/mole. A decrease in conductivity is observed upon air which is attributed to a decrease in the electron-phonon scattering time. ESR spectra indicate that conducting pathways having metallic properties are formed at temperatures as low as 715 K, although the contribution of these pathways to the room-temperature conductivity is extremely small next to the contribution of localized spin centers.

Lerner, N. R.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Development of V/STOL methodology based on a higher order panel method

The development of a computational technique to predict the complex flowfields of V/STOL aircraft was initiated in which a number of modules and a potential flow aerodynamic code were combined in a comprehensive computer program. The modules were developed in a building-block approach to assist the user in preparing the geometric input and to compute parameters needed to simulate certain flow phenomena that cannot be handled directly within a potential flow code. The PAN AIR aerodynamic code, which is higher order panel method, forms the nucleus of this program. PAN AIR's extensive capability for allowing generalized boundary conditions allows the modules to interact with the aerodynamic code through the input and output files, thereby requiring no changes to the basic code and easy replacement of updated modules.

Bhateley, I. C.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Some characteristics of polymers in composite materials and as electrical conductors

The characteristics of carbon fibers (CF) made from polyacrylonitrile (PAN) materials are discussed, together with research on conducting polymers. CF materials have better mechanical properties, chemical inertness, and higher stiffness than metallic materials but are subject to environmental instability, flammability, and delamination fatigue. Polymerization procedures for the monopolymer PAN are described, noting the use of SEM and X-ray diffraction techniques for studying the fiber structure. High modulus and strength of CF are caused by covalent sp(2) bonds in hexagonal carbon rings, which are stronger than the same links in diamonds. Details of the molecular chain structures and macroformations, stress-strain as a function of temperature, and thermosetting and glass transition temperatures of polymers are provided. Computational quantum chemistry techniques are being applied to studying electrical conductance in polymers, mainly to discover ways to stabilize the materials. Doped CH(x) has exhibited photovoltaic properties and other polymers have become superconductors at cryogenic temperatures.

Hansen, C. F.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Impact of fuselage incidence on the supersonic aerodynamics of two fighter configurations

The results of experimental and theoretical investigations into the effect of fuselage upwash on fighter aircraft wing performance are reported. Wind tunnel trials were performed on 4 percent scale models of two supersonic fighters. The trials were run at Mach 1.6-2.0, an Re of 2,000,000 and at angles of attack (AOA) of -4 to 20 deg. Measurements were made of lift, drag and pitching moments. Two linearized theory supersonic aerodynamic prediction codes, PAN AIR and the SDAS lift analysis, were used to predict the same aerodynamic coefficients. The fuselage AOA augmented the lift and pitching moment at 0, 2 and 5 deg. The contribution mainly arose from the fuselage-induced upwash. The PAN AIR code gave superior data for the fuselage aerodynamics and effects, although both codes accurately predicted the overall lift and moment increments due to the fuselage AOA.

Wood, R. M.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Alternate nozzle ablative materials program

Four subscale solid rocket motor tests were conducted successfully to evaluate alternate nozzle liner, insulation, and exit cone structural overwrap components for possible application to the Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Motor (SRM) nozzle asasembly. The 10,000 lb propellant motor tests were simulated, as close as practical, the configuration and operational environment of the full scale SRM. Fifteen PAN based and three pitch based materials had no filler in the phenolic resin, four PAN based materials had carbon microballoons in the resin, and the rest of the materials had carbon powder in the resin. Three nozzle insulation materials were evaluated; an aluminum oxide silicon oxide ceramic fiber mat phenolic material with no resin filler and two E-glass fiber mat phenolic materials with no resin filler. It was concluded by MTI/WD (the fabricator and evaluator of the test nozzles) and NASA-MSFC that it was possible to design an alternate material full scale SRM nozzle assembly, which could provide an estimated 360 lb increased payload capability for Space Shuttle launches over that obtainable with the current qualified SRM design.

Kimmel, N. A.↗
NASA NTRS1985

A theoretical basis for extending surface-paneling methods to transonic flow

The surface integral terms in Green's third identity are often used to solve the Prandtl-Glauert (linear potential-flow) equation with panel methods. This can be done, as in the PAN AIR code, for either subsonic or supersonic flow about complete aircraft. The extension to transonic flow is suggested by the volume integral terms of Green's third identity. The mathematical basis for this extension, without the use of body-fitted grids, is presented. Supercritical transonic results computed from a two-dimensional transonic PAN AIR research code demonstrate the method.

Erickson, L. L.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Calibration-Tube Dewar

Container maintains reference material for gas chromatography at constant temperature for extended periods. Developed for holding peroxyacetylnitrate (PAN), material unstable at room temperature but stable at 0 degree C. Keeps vial of PAN at this temperature by immersing in mixture of water and ice. Perforated tube surrounds vial, protects from damage by ice but allows cold water to circulate around. Plug with handle removable so ice added through filler tube. O-rings seal joints around removable parts. Substances undergoing phase changes at other temperatures substituted for ice and water if different reference materials and storage temperatures used. Used on research aircraft collecting and analyzing air samples in troposphere and stratosphere.

Herlth, Donald B.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Space environment robot vision system

A prototype twin-camera stereo vision system for autonomous robots has been developed at Goddard Space Flight Center. Standard charge coupled device (CCD) imagers are interfaced with commercial frame buffers and direct memory access to a computer. The overlapping portions of the images are analyzed using photogrammetric techniques to obtain information about the position and orientation of objects in the scene. The camera head consists of two 510 x 492 x 8-bit CCD cameras mounted on individually adjustable mounts. The 16 mm efl lenses are designed for minimum geometric distortion. The cameras can be rotated in the pitch, roll, and yaw (pan angle) directions with respect to their optical axes. Calibration routines have been developed which automatically determine the lens focal lengths and pan angle between the two cameras. The calibration utilizes observations of a calibration structure with known geometry. Test results show the precision attainable is plus or minus 0.8 mm in range at 2 m distance using a camera separation of 171 mm. To demonstrate a task needed on Space Station Freedom, a target structure with a movable I beam was built. The camera head can autonomously direct actuators to dock the I-beam to another one so that they could be bolted together.

Wood, H. John↗
NASA NTRS1990

Operational overview of NASA GTE/CITE 2 airborne instrument intercomparisons - Nitrogen dioxide, nitric acid, and peroxyacetyl nitrate

This paper provides the rationale, objectives, approach, and a brief description of the instrumentation included in the second airborne Chemical Instrumentation Test and Evaluation (CITE 2) mission conducted on NASA's Electra aircraft. CITE 2 intercompared data from instruments measuring NO2, HNO3, and PAN in the troposphere. This study, conducted in August 1986, encountered marine and continental air with free tropospheric mixing ratios of NO2, HNO3, and PAN typically less than 120, 150, and 200 parts per trillion by volume, respectively.

Hoell, James M., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Effect of lightning strike on bromine intercalated graphite fiber/epoxy composites

Laminar composites were fabricated from pristine and bromine intercalated pitch based graphite fibers. It was found that laminar composites could be fabricated using either pristine or intercalated graphite fibers using standard fabrication techniques. The intercalated graphite fiber composites had electrical properties which were markedly improved over both the corresponding pitch based and polyacrylonitrile (PAN) based composites. Despite composites resistivities more than an order of magnitude lower for pitch based fiber composites, the lightning strike resistance was poorer than that of the Pan based fiber composites. This leads to the conclusion that the mechanical properties of the pitch fibers are more important than electrical or thermal properties in determining the lightning strike resistance. Based on indicated lightning strike tolerance for high elongation to failure materials, the use of vapor grown, rather than pitch based graphite fibers appears promising.

Gaier, James R.↗
NASA NTRS1993

A simple fuzzy logic real-time camera tracking system

A fuzzy logic control of camera pan and tilt has been implemented to provide real-time camera tracking of a moving object. The user clicks a mouse button to identify the object that is to be tracked. A rapid centroid estimation algorithm is used to estimate the location of the moving object, and based on simple fuzzy membership functions, fuzzy x and y values are input into a six-rule fuzzy logic rule base. The output of this system is de-fuzzified to provide pan and tilt velocities required to keep the image of the object approximately centered in the camera field of view.

Magee, Kevin N.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Voyager Encounter Highlights

The following are presented: computer animation of trajectories for both Voyagers 1 and 2; view of Jupiter during one orbit of Ganymede; computer animation of Voyager 2's encounter with Jupiter and its satellites; time lapse of the planet's rotation and its satellites; stroboscopic sequence of selected frames; cloud motion; Jupiter's Great Red Spot (4/25 - 5/24, 1979) through a violet filter; and the Great Red Spot through a blue filter by Voyager 1. The dynamics of Jupiter's clouds are shown - the whole planet is shown first, then two closer looks are repeated several times. Also included are pans of stills of Jupiter's satellites and a computer simulation tour of Saturn system from POV just behind Voyager, made of 116 images of Saturn through a green filter and of 516 images taken by Voyager 1 (9/12 - 9/14, 1980). Frames are enhanced to show the motion of features in Saturn's rings. Pans of stills of Saturn's satellites are shown. There is computer animation of the planet's system, rings, and Sigma Sagittari. Images on January 14, 1986 are through an orange filter. Uranus's satellites are shown as is computer animation of an August 1989 encounter.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1992

AVIRIS study of Death Valley evaporite deposits using least-squares band-fitting methods

Minerals found in playa evaporite deposits reflect the chemically diverse origins of ground waters in arid regions. Recently, it was discovered that many playa minerals exhibit diagnostic visible and near-infrared (0.4-2.5 micron) absorption bands that provide a remote sensing basis for observing important compositional details of desert ground water systems. The study of such systems is relevant to understanding solute acquisition, transport, and fractionation processes that are active in the subsurface. Observations of playa evaporites may also be useful for monitoring the hydrologic response of desert basins to changing climatic conditions on regional and global scales. Ongoing work using Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) data to map evaporite minerals in the Death Valley salt pan is described. The AVIRIS data point to differences in inflow water chemistry in different parts of the Death Valley playa system and have led to the discovery of at least two new North American mineral occurrences. Seven segments of AVIRIS data were acquired over Death Valley on 31 July 1990, and were calibrated to reflectance by using the spectrum of a uniform area of alluvium near the salt pan. The calibrated data were subsequently analyzed by using least-squares spectral band-fitting methods, first described by Clark and others. In the band-fitting procedure, AVIRIS spectra are fit compared over selected wavelength intervals to a series of library reference spectra. Output images showing the degree of fit, band depth, and fit times the band depth are generated for each reference spectrum. The reference spectra used in the study included laboratory data for 35 pure evaporite spectra extracted from the AVIRIS image cube. Additional details of the band-fitting technique are provided by Clark and others elsewhere in this volume.

Crowley, J. K.↗