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At least 1,513 records · Page 84

Experimental determination of the rattle of simple models

The effect of the excitation frequency on the rattle boundaries of simple models was investigated. The frequency range investigated was from 40 to 4,000 Hz. A 1-inch steel ball was studied to determine the rattle boundary for both vertical motion and for the ball suspended as a pendulum. Effects of surface contact and weight were also studied. Results indicate that the shape of the rattle boundary depends on the particular configuration being investigated as well as the range of frequency being investigated. Although there was condiderable scatter in the data, the general trend indicates that the level of acceleration required for the onset of rattle was independent of excitation frequency.

Clevenson, S. A.↗

Effect of a changing G on the moment of inertia of the earth

A recent value found by Nordtvedt and Will (1972) for the rate of increase of the moment of inertia of earth resulting from a decreasing G is shown to be based on conflicting physical assumptions. The corrected result for this restricted problem yields a rate of change almost twice as large. However, in a realistic treatment, additional purely geophysical causes must also be taken into account, and these imply a decreasing moment of inertia on a scale much outweighing the increase that would occur for any acceptable value of the derivative of G. This accords with the intrinsic acceleration of angular velocity established from ancient-eclipse data.

Lyttleton, R. A.↗

Neutrons and Gamma Rays from Solar Flares

The theory of neutron and gamma-ray production in flares is reviewed and comparisons of the calculations with data are made. The principal conclusions pertain to the accelerated proton and electron numbers and spectra in flares and to the interaction site of these particles in the solar atmosphere. For the June 21, 1980 flare, from which high-energy neutrons and high-energy ( MeV) photons were seen, the electron-to-proton ratio is energy dependent and much smaller than unity at energies greater than 1 MeV. The interaction site of these particles appears to be the solar chromosphere.

Ramaty, R.↗

Multiline Transfer and the Dynamics of Stellar Winds

A Monte Carlo technique for treating multiline transfer in stellar winds is described. With a line list containing many thousands of transitions and with fairly realistic treatments of ionization, excitation and line formation, the resulting code allows the dynamic effects of overlapping lines the investigation of and provides the means to directly synthesize the complete spectrum of a star and its wind. It is found that the computed mass loss rate for data Puppis agrees with the observed rate. The synthesized spectrum of zeta Puppis also agrees with observational data. This confirms that line driving is the dominant acceleration mechanism in this star's wind.

Abbott, D. C.↗

Exposure history of shergottites

The cosmogenic nuclides Cl-36, Al-26, Be-10, and Mn-53 were analyzed in Shergotty, ALHA 77005, and EETA 79001 shergottites by means of accelerator mass spectrometry and neutron activation. The cosmogenic radionuclide data were combined with noble gas data and cosmic ray track data to obtain the exposure ages, terrestrial ages, preatmospheric radii, and ablation depths for the three shergottites. The results indicate that none of the three meteorites was irradiated measurably by cosmic rays on its parent body, and that all three objects were ejected from greater than a 3-m depth in their parent bodies. The EETA 79001 meteorite was ejected in an event distinct from that of ALHA 77005 and Shergotty. All three shergottites show a very small amount of ablation, suggesting low velocities on entry into the earth's atmosphere.

Nishizumi, K.↗

COLD-SAT: An orbital cryogenic hydrogen technology experiment

The COLD-SAT spacecraft will perform subcritical liquid hydrogen storage and transfer experiments under low-gravity conditions to provide engineering data for future space transportation missions. Consisting of an experiment module mated to a spacecraft bus, COLD-SAT will be placed in an initial 460 km circular orbit by an Atlas I commercial launch vehicle. After deployment, the three-axis-controlled spacecraft bus will provide electric power, experiment control and data management, communications, and attitude control along with propulsive acceleration levels ranging from 10(-6) to 10(-4)g. These accelerations are an important aspect of some of the experiments, as it is desired to know the effects that low gravity levels might have on the heat and mass transfer processes involved. The experiment module will contain the three liquid hydrogen tanks, valves, pressurization equipment, and instrumentation. At launch all the hydrogen will be in the largest tank, which has helium-purged MLI and is loaded and topped off by the hydrogen tanking system used for the Centaur upper stage of the Atlas. The two smaller tanks will be utilized in orbit for performing some of the experiments. The experiments are grouped into two classes on the basis of their priority, and include six regarded as enabling technology and nine regarded as enhancing technology.

Schuster, J. R.↗

COLD-SAT - An orbital cryogenic hydrogen technology experiment

The COLD-SAT spacecraft will perform subcritical liquid hydrogen storage and transfer experiments under low-gravity conditions to provide engineering data for future space transportation missions. Consisting of an experiment module mated to a spacecraft bus, COLD-SAT will be placed in an initial 460 km circular orbit by an Atlas I commercial launch vehicle. After deployment, the three-axis-controlled spacecraft bus will provide electric power, experiment control and data management, communications, and attitude control along with propulsive acceleration levels ranging from 10 (-6) to 10(-4) g. These accelerations are an important aspect of some of the experiments, as it is desired to know the effects that low gravity levels might have on the heat and mass transfer processes involved. The experiment module will contain the three liquid hydrogen tanks, valves, pressurization equipment, and instrumentation. At launch all the hydrogen will be in the largest tank, which has helium-purged MLI and is loaded and topped off by the hydrogen tanking system used for the Centaur upper stage of the Atlas. The two smaller tanks will be utilized in orbit for performing some of the experiments. The experiments are grouped into two classes on the basis of their priority, and include six regarded as enabling technology and nine regarded as enhancing technology.

Schuster, J. R.↗

Analysis of cryogenic propellant behavior in microgravity and low thrust environments

Predictions of a CFD program calculating a fluid-free surface shape and motion as a function of imposed acceleration are validated against the drop-tower test data collected to support design and performance assessments of the Saturn S-IVB stage liquid-hydrogen tank. The drop-tower facility, experimental package, and experiment procedures are outlined, and the program is described. It is noted that the validation analysis confirms the program's suitability for predicting low-g fluid slosh behavior, and that a similar analysis could examine the effect of incorporating baffles and screens to impede initiation of any unwanted side loads due to slosh. It is concluded that in actual vehicle applications, the engine thrust tailoff profile should be included in computer simulations if the precise interface versus time definition is needed.

Fisher, Mark F.↗

Patterns of seismic activity preceding large earthquakes

A mechanical model of seismic faults is employed to investigate the seismic activities that occur prior to major events. The block-and-spring model dynamically generates a statistical distribution of smaller slipping events that precede large events, and the results satisfy the Gutenberg-Richter law. The scaling behavior during a loading cycle suggests small but systematic variations in space and time with maximum activity acceleration near the future epicenter. Activity patterns inferred from data on seismicity in California demonstrate a regional aspect; increased activity in certain areas are found to precede major earthquake events. One example is given regarding the Loma Prieta earthquake of 1989 which is located near a fault section associated with increased activity levels.

Shaw, Bruce E.↗

The drag of Zeppelin airships

This report is a discussion of the results of tests with Zeppelin airships, in which the propellers were stopped as quickly as possible while the airship was in full flight. In this paper the author refers to the theory involved in these tests and calls attention to one scientifically interesting fact which can be derived from the tests and which has not yet been noted. The most important question concerning the tests is, of course: does the negative acceleration of an airship with stopped propellers supply proper data for determining the drag of the airship when in uniform flight? This can not be absolutely answered, however, except that in this particular case the agreement is sufficient and that the data obtained from the test are the true quantities, or, at least, the approximate quantities wanted.

Munk, Max M↗

Experiences with Flow-direction Instruments

The method of recording the direction of flows on the basis of the hydrodynamic zero-point measurement has now reached a certain limit, in spite of the good results achieved. While the available flow-direction devices are accurate enough for many purposes, they are all insufficient for perfectly exact prediction of the flow direction. The next problem will be to achieve a point-by point flow-direction record, whereby the test procedure must be simplified, accelerated, and the degree of accuracy of the test data improved.

Eckert, B↗

Reduction of structural loads using maneuver load control on the Advanced Fighter Technology Integration (AFTI)/F-111 mission adaptive wing

A transonic fighter-bomber aircraft, having a swept supercritical wing with smooth variable-camber flaps was fitted with a maneuver load control (MLC) system that implements a technique to reduce the inboard bending moments in the wing by shifting the spanwise load distribution inboard as load factor increases. The technique modifies the spanwise camber distribution by automatically commanding flap position as a function of flap position, true airspeed, Mach number, dynamic pressure, normal acceleration, and wing sweep position. Flight test structural loads data were obtained for loads in both the wing box and the wing root. Data from uniformly deflected flaps were compared with data from flaps in the MLC configuration where the outboard segment of three flap segments was deflected downward less than the two inboard segments. The changes in the shear loads in the forward wing spar and at the roots of the stabilators also are presented. The camber control system automatically reconfigures the flaps through varied flight conditions. Configurations having both moderate and full trailing-edge flap deflection were tested. Flight test data were collected at Mach numbers of 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, and 0.9 and dynamic pressures of 300, 450, 600, and 800 lb/sq ft. The Reynolds numbers for these flight conditions ranged from 26 x 10(exp 6) to 54 x 10(exp 6) at the mean aerodynamic chord. Load factor increases of up to 1.0 g achieved with no increase in wing root bending moment with the MLC flap configuration.

Thornton, Stephen V.↗

Cryogenic On-Orbit Liquid Depot Storage, Acquisition, and Transfer Satellite (COLD-SAT)

The Cryogenic On-Orbit Liquid Depot Storage, Acquisition, and Transfer Satellite (COLD-SAT) will perform subcritical liquid hydrogen handling experiments under low gravity conditions to provide engineering data for future space transportation missions. Comprising the four Class 1 enabling experiments are tank press control, tank chilldown, tank no-vent fill, and liquid acquisition device fill/refill. The nine Class 2 enhancing experiments are tanker thermal performance, pressurization, low-gravity setting and outflow, liquid acquisition device performance, transfer line chilldown, outflow subcooling, low-gravity vented fill, fluid dumping, and advanced instrumentation. Consisting of an experiment module mated to a spacecraft bus, COLD-SAT will be placed in an initial 1300 km circular orbit by an Atlas commercial launch vehicle, and will perform experiments in a semi-autonomous mode for a period of up to six months. The three-axis controlled spacecraft bus provides electric power, control and data management, communications, and attitude control along with propulsive acceleration levels ranging from 10(exp -6) to 10(exp -4) g. It is desired to understand the effects that low acceleration levels might have on the heat and mass transfer processes involved in some of the experiments. The experiment module contains the three liquid hydrogen tanks, valves, pressurization and pumping equipment, and instrumentation. Within the highly insulated tanks are specialized fluid management equipment that might be used in future space transportation systems. At launch all the liquid hydrogen for the experiments is contained in the largest tank, which has helium-purged insulation to prevent cryo-pumping of air on the launch pad. The tank is loaded by the hydrogen tanking system used for the Centaur upper stage of the Atlas. After reaching orbit the two smaller tanks become receivers for fluid transfers, and when tanked, become the vessels for performing many of the experiments.

Schuster, John R.↗

Hypervelocity Impact Test Facility: A gun for hire

An affordable technique has been developed to duplicate the types of impacts observed on spacecraft, including the Shuttle, by use of a certified Hypervelocity Impact Facility (HIF) which propels particulates using capacitor driven electric gun techniques. The fully operational facility provides a flux of particles in the 10-100 micron diameter range with a velocity distribution covering the space debris and interplanetary dust particle environment. HIF measurements of particle size, composition, impact angle and velocity distribution indicate that such parameters can be controlled in a specified, tailored test designed for or by the user. Unique diagnostics enable researchers to fully describe the impact for evaluating the 'targets' under full power or load. Users regularly evaluate space hardware, including solar cells, coatings, and materials, exposing selected portions of space-qualified items to a wide range of impact events and environmental conditions. Benefits include corroboration of data obtained from impact events, flight simulation of designs, accelerated aging of systems, and development of manufacturing techniques.

Johnson, Calvin R.↗

Newton-Krylov-Schwarz: An implicit solver for CFD

Newton-Krylov methods and Krylov-Schwarz (domain decomposition) methods have begun to become established in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) over the past decade. The former employ a Krylov method inside of Newton's method in a Jacobian-free manner, through directional differencing. The latter employ an overlapping Schwarz domain decomposition to derive a preconditioner for the Krylov accelerator that relies primarily on local information, for data-parallel concurrency. They may be composed as Newton-Krylov-Schwarz (NKS) methods, which seem particularly well suited for solving nonlinear elliptic systems in high-latency, distributed-memory environments. We give a brief description of this family of algorithms, with an emphasis on domain decomposition iterative aspects. We then describe numerical simulations with Newton-Krylov-Schwarz methods on aerodynamics applications emphasizing comparisons with a standard defect-correction approach, subdomain preconditioner consistency, subdomain preconditioner quality, and the effect of a coarse grid.

Cai, Xiao-Chuan↗

Diffuse Gamma-Ray Emission from the Starburst Galaxy NGC 253

The starburst galaxy NGC 253 was observed with the Energetic Gamma Ray Experiment Telescope (EGRET) aboard the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory (CGRO) satellite. We obtain a 2 sigma upper limit to the gamma-ray emission above 100 MeV of 8 x 10(exp -8) photons/sq cm/s. Because of their large gas column densities and supernova rates, nearby starburst galaxies were predicted to have gamma-ray fluxes detectable by EGRET. Our nondetection of gamma-rays from NGC 253 motivates us to reexamine in detail the premise of supernova acceleration of cosmic rays and the effect of enhanced cloud densities, photon densities, and magnetic fields on the high-energy spectra of galaxies. By modeling the expected gamma-ray and synchrotron spectra from NGC 253, we find that up to 20% of the energy from supernovae is transferred to cosmic rays in the starburst, which is consistent with supernova acceleration models. Our calculations match the EGRET and radio data well with a supernova rate of 0.08/yr, a magnetic field B greater than or approximately equal to 5 x 10(exp -5) G, a density n approximately 300/cu cm, a photon density U(sub ph) approximately 200 eV/cu cm, and an escape timescale tau(sub o) less than or approximately equal to 10 Myr.

Bertsch, David L.↗

Impact and Collisional Processes in the Solar System

A series of impact experiments on anhydrite CaSO4, in which vaporized sample accelerates an element in a velocity interferometer, generate velocity data that we have recently reanalyzed using an explicit entropy generating finite difference code. The shock pressure required from the onset, and complete vaporization of 30% porous and 70% crystal density anhydrite is 52 +/- 3 and 122 +/- 13 GPa. Using observed acid leaching in non-marine K/T ejecta in North America, and the sharp global increase in Sr-87/Sr-86 ratios recorded at 65 Ma in marine rocks, we demonstrated that global acidification is primarily due to the SO2 released by anhydrite volatilization, and not HNO3 formed from bolide-induced air pyrolysis. Shock temperatures for crystal CaCO3 are measured from 3000 to 7000 K in the 90 to 160 GPa pressure range. These temperatures are much lower than calculated theoretically indicating that possibly bond breakdown at the shock front is occurring. This is the first mineral in which this effect has ever been seen. New data defining the ion species which are produced upon impact of volatilization of metals and minerals using a pulse ultraviolet laser to simulate intense shock heating from a projectile impact indicate that in shock experiments we can for the first time study the speciation of neutrals using a moderate resolution time-of-flight mass spectrometer. Measurements of the gas species from a series of proposed impact experiments appear to be quite feasible. We will attempt these experiments in the next year. Measurements of the impact induced shock wave decay in SiO2 and GeO2 glass are underway to measure these pure oxide properties. Predictive calculations indicate that the pressure will decay as r(exp -2.7) in the phase transition regime, versus a much lower rate of r(exp -1.18), if a phase transition does not occur.

Ahrens, Thomas J.↗

High Voltage TAL Performance

The performance of a two-stage, anode layer Hall thruster was evaluated. Experiments were conducted in single and two-stage configurations. In single-stage configuration, the thruster was operated with discharge voltages ranging from 300 to 1700 V. Discharge specific impulses ranged from 1630 to 4140 sec. Thruster investigations were conducted with input power ranging from 1 to 8.7 kW, corresponding to power throttling of nearly 9: 1. An extensive two-stage performance map was generated. Data taken with total voltage (sum of discharge and accelerating voltage) constant revealed a decrease in thruster efficiency as the discharge voltage was increased. Anode specific impulse values were comparable in the single and two-stage configurations showing no strong advantage for two-stage operation.

Jacobson, David T.↗