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At least 1,441 records · Page 80

On the relationship between dynamics of the polar thermosphere and morphology of the aurora - Global-scale observations from Dynamics Explorers 1 and 2

The effect of the neutral-air circulation in the high-latitude F region on the spatial distribution of the aurora is investigated on the basis of simultaneous global-scale auroral images and neutral-wind vectors obtained over the northern polar cap by the DE 1 and DE 2 satellites in December 1981. The results are presented graphically, along with DE 2 data on the composition, ion densities, and cross-track ion drift of the neutral winds and ISEE-3 IMF measurements, and analyzed. It is found that the large-scale features of the neutral circulation follow the substorm-driven expansion and contraction of the auroral oval, and that the drag effect from ions convecting sunward extends to much lower latitudes and has a more complex morphology than that predicted by GCMs. A number of asymmetries in the flow patterns are considered in detail.

Killeen, T. L.↗

Aerodynamic flow quality and acoustic characteristics of the 40- by 80-foot test section circuit of the National Full-Scale Aerodynamic Complex

The 40- by 80-foot wind tunnel circuit of the National Full-Scale Aerodynamic Complex (NFAC) has recently undergone major modifications and subsequently completed final acceptance testing. The initial testing and calibration of the wind tunnel are described and in many cases these results are compared with predictions derived from model tests and theoretical analyses. The wind tunnel meets or exceeds essentially all performance objectives. The facility runs smoothly and routinely at its maximum test-section velocity of 300 knots (Mach number = 0.45). An effective cooling air exchange system enables the wind tunnel to operate indefinitely at this maximum power condition. Throughout the operating envelope of the wind tunnel the test-section dynamic pressure is uniform to within + or - 0.5 deg, and the axial component of turbulence is generally less than 0.5 percent. Acoustic measurements indicate that, due to the low noise fans and acoustic treatment in the wind-tunnel circuit and test section, the background noise level in the test section is comparable to other large-scale acoustic wind tunnels in the United States and abroad.

Olson, Lawrence E.↗

Scale model acoustic testing of counterrotating fans

The UDF contrarotating propfan has been subjected to scale model wind tunnel testing to ascertain both general performance and acoustic characteristics data bases. Model Propulsion Simulator test rigs able to mount contrarotating fan blades of up to 24.5-inch diameter were used, and one of these was installed in a large anechoic test chamber for acoustic measurement of conditions simulating representative takeoffs, power cutbacks, and landing approaches. Attention is presently given to the data acquisition/reduction systems, the scaling criteria used to obtain engine size acoustic data, and comparisons with demonstrator aircraft in-flight acoustic test results.

Janardan, B. A.↗

Fluid mechanics of dynamic stall. II - Prediction of full scale characteristics

Analytical extrapolations are made from experimental subscale dynamics to predict full scale characteristics of dynamic stall. The method proceeds by establishing analytic relationships between dynamic and static aerodynamic characteristics induced by viscous flow effects. The method is then validated by predicting dynamic test results on the basis of corresponding static test data obtained at the same subscale flow conditions, and the effect of Reynolds number on the static aerodynamic characteristics are determined from subscale to full scale flow conditions.

Ericsson, L. E.↗

Measurements of natural circulation flow in a scale model PWR reactor system during postulated degraded core accidents using laser anemometry

The natural circulation of a single-phase fluid in a scale-model pressurized water reactor system was studied during a postulated degraded core accident. A half section of a one-seventh scale model with a plexiglass adiabatic window was employed. Water and SF6 were used as the fluid. LDA was used to perform velocity measurements along the center plane of the model at five elevations. It was found that the recirculation flow patterns are nearly symmetric except near the hot legs and in the upper head and that the fluid in the upper plenum is well mixed.

Kadambi, J. R.↗

Large-scale structure from cosmic-string loops in a baryon-dominated universe

The results are presented of a numerical simulation of the formation of large-scale structure in a universe with Omega(0) = 0.2 and h = 0.5 dominated by baryons in which cosmic strings provide the initial density perturbations. The numerical model yields a power spectrum. Nonlinear evolution confirms that the model can account for 700 km/s bulk flows and a strong cluster-cluster correlation, but does rather poorly on smaller scales. There is no visual 'filamentary' structure, and the two-point correlation has too steep a logarithmic slope. The value of G mu = 4 x 10 to the -6th is significantly lower than previous estimates for the value of G mu in baryon-dominated cosmic string models.

Melott, Adrian L.↗

Dynamics of convective scale interaction

Several of the mesoscale dynamic and thermodynamic aspects of convective scale interaction are examined. An explanation of how sounding data can be coupled with satellite observed cumulus development in the warm sector and the arc cloud line's time evolution to develop a short range forecast of expected convective intensity along an arc cloud line. The formative, mature and dissipating stages of the arc cloud line life cycle are discussed. Specific properties of convective scale interaction are presented and the relationship between arc cloud lines and tornado producing thunderstorms is considered.

Purdom, James F. W.↗

Continuously-Variable Vernier Scale

Easily fabricated device increases precision in reading graphical data. Continuously-variable vernier scale (CV VS) designed to provide greater accuracy to scientists and technologists in reading numerical values from graphical data. Placed on graph and used to interpolate coordinate value of point on curve or plotted point on figure within division on each coordinate axis. Requires neither measurement of line segments where projection of point intersects division nor calculation to quantify projected value. Very flexible device constructed with any kind of scale. Very easy to use, requiring no special equipment of any kind, and saves considerable amount of time if numerous points to be evaluated.

Miller, Irvin M.↗

Singular perturbations and time scales in the design of digital flight control systems

The results are presented of application of the methodology of Singular Perturbations and Time Scales (SPATS) to the control of digital flight systems. A block diagonalization method is described to decouple a full order, two time (slow and fast) scale, discrete control system into reduced order slow and fast subsystems. Basic properties and numerical aspects of the method are discussed. A composite, closed-loop, suboptimal control system is constructed as the sum of the slow and fast optimal feedback controls. The application of this technique to an aircraft model shows close agreement between the exact solutions and the decoupled (or composite) solutions. The main advantage of the method is the considerable reduction in the overall computational requirements for the evaluation of optimal guidance and control laws. The significance of the results is that it can be used for real time, onboard simulation. A brief survey is also presented of digital flight systems.

Naidu, Desineni S.↗

Small scale structure and mixing at the edge of the Antarctic vortex

Small scale correlations and patterns in the chemical tracers measured from the NASA ER-2 aircraft in the 1987 AAOE campaign can be used to investigate the structure of the edge of the polar vortex and the chemically perturbed region within it. Examples of several types of transport processes can be found in the data. Since ClO and O3 have similar vertical gradients and opposite horizontal gradients near the chemically perturbed region, the correlation between ClO and O3 can be used to study the extent of horizontal transport at the edge of the chemically perturbed region. Horizontal transport dominates the correlation for a latitude band up to 4 degrees on each side of the boundary. This implies a transition zone containing a substantial fraction of the mass of the total polar vortex. Similar horizontal transport can be seen in other tracers as well. It has not been possible to distinguish reversible transport from irreversible mixing. One manifestation of the horizontal transport is that the edge of the chemically perturbed region is often layered rather than a vertical curtain. This can be seen from the frequent reversed vertical gradients of NO2, caused by air with high NO2 overlapping layers with lower mixing ratios. Water and NO2 are positively correlated within the chemically perturbed region. This is the opposite sign to the correlation in the unperturbed stratosphere. The extent of the positive correlation is too great to be attributed solely to horizontal mixing. Instead, it is hypothesized that dehydration and descent are closely connected on a small scale, possibly due to radiative cooling of the clouds that also cause ice to fall to lower altitudes.

Murphy, D. M.↗

Calculation of reattaching shear layers in divergent channel with a multiple-time-scale turbulence model

Numerical calculations of turbulent reattaching shear layers in a divergent channel are presented. The turbulence is described by a multiple-time-scale turbulence model. The turbulent flow equations are solved by a control-volume based finite difference method. The computational results are compared with those obtained using k-epsilon turbulence models and algebraic Reynolds stress turbulence models. It is shown that the multiple-time-scale turbulence model yields significantly improved computational results than the other turbulence models in the region where the turbulence is in a strongly inequilibrium state.

Kim, S.-W.↗

Singular perturbation and time scale approaches in discrete control systems

After considering a singularly perturbed discrete control system, a singular perturbation approach is used to obtain outer and correction subsystems. A time scale approach is then applied via block diagonalization transformations to decouple the system into slow and fast subsystems. To a zeroth-order approximation, the singular perturbation and time-scale approaches are found to yield equivalent results.

Naidu, D. S.↗

Recovering the full velocity and density fields from large-scale redshift-distance samples

A new method for extracting the large-scale three-dimensional velocity and mass density fields from measurements of the radial peculiar velocities is presented. Galaxies are assumed to trace the velocity field rather than the mass. The key assumption made is that the Lagrangian velocity field has negligible vorticity, as might be expected from perturbations that grew by gravitational instability. By applying the method to cosmological N-body simulations, it is demonstrated that it accurately reconstructs the velocity field. This technique promises a direct determination of the mass density field and the initial conditions for the formation of large-scale structure from galaxy peculiar velocity surveys.

Bertschinger, Edmund↗

Studies of high latitude mesospheric turbulence by radar and rocket. II - Measurements of small scale turbulence

Measurements of mesospheric small scale turbulence and associated larger scale wave structures were obtained from rocket probe flights during equinox in spring 1985. The measurements were verified by data from the mesosphere-stratosphere-troposphere radar at Poker Flat, Alaska. Electron density irregularities down to an altitude of about 62 km and fluctuations in positive ion density in the altitude region from 50 to 90 km were measured. Turbulence in the inertial subrange was observed at heights where the fluctuations generally were largest. Measurement of background electron density exhibited gradients relative to the monotonically increasing density profile, suggesting the presence of large amplitude wave motions transporting the plasma by mixing. The radar detected the occurrence of 1-3 km wavelike perturbations superimposed on a 7-km wave in the wind velocity field. It is suggested that the 1-3 km waves are more important in the transport of energy and momentum and in the production of turbulence in the lower mesosphere.

Blood, S. P.↗

Large-scale fluctuations in the solar wind at 1 AU - 1978-1982

The large-scale fluctuations in the strength of the magnetic field B and the bulk speed V at 1 AU were investigated on the basis of hourly averages of IMP 8 and ISEE 3 data compiled by Couzens and King (1986). The power spectra of the intermediate frequency fluctuations in B at 1 AU had the form of a power law with exponent 1.92 + or - 0.06 during the 1978-1982 interval. The contributions of jumps to the spectra of the large-scale fluctuations in B and V were studied for the interval from days 226 to 365, 1978, which is representative of other such intervals. Of the jumps in B, 22 percent have the signature of a forward or reverse shock.

Burlaga, L. F.↗

Resurrecting hot dark matter - Large-scale structure from cosmic strings and massive neutrinos

These are the results of a numerical simulation of the formation of large-scale structure from cosmic-string loops in a universe dominated by massive neutrinos (hot dark matter). This model has several desirable features. The final matter distribution contains isolated density peaks embedded in a smooth background, producing a natural bias in the distribution of luminous matter. Because baryons can accrete onto the cosmic strings before the neutrinos, the galaxies will have baryon cores and dark neutrino halos. Galaxy formation in this model begins much earlier than in random-phase models. On large scales the distribution of clustered matter visually resembles the CfA survey, with large voids and filaments.

Scherrer, Robert J.↗

The spatial scales and rise times of impulsive solar burst sources

During the rise time of an impulsive solar burst of hard X-rays and microwaves, energy release overwhelms losses so that the characteristics of the flare energy release process are best displayed. A sample of 30 bursts was analyzed, and the rise times of the bursts were compared with their source length scales. The result, as in earlier work employing the 'thermal conduction-front' model, is that the burst length scales were linerly proportional to their rise times, and ranged from 5.4 x 10 to the 6th to 3.6 x 10 to the 9th cm. This proportionality places a new and restrictive condition upon the possible energy release processes. The new condition is especially powerful because the proportionality was formerly believed to depend on the thermal source model alone, but now is known to follow from every model in current use.

Batchelor, David↗

On the smallest scale for the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations

It is proven that for solutions to the two-and three-dimensional incompressible Navier-Stokes equations, the minimum scale is inversely proportional to the square root of the Reynolds number based on the kinematic viscosity and the maximum of the velocity gradients. The bounds on the velocity gradients can be obtained for two-dimensional flows, but have to be assumed to be three-dimensional. Numerical results in two dimensions are given which illustrate and substantiate the features of the proof. Implications of the minimum scale result to the decay rate of the energy spectrum are discussed.

Henshaw, W. D.↗