LEED structures due to interaction of CO and O sub 2 with /0001/ Re
Low energy electron diffraction structures due to Re crystal surface interaction with CO and molecular oxygen at high temperatures
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Low energy electron diffraction structures due to Re crystal surface interaction with CO and molecular oxygen at high temperatures
Low energy electron diffraction pattern from surface steps and facets resulting from recrystallization of Re single crystal
A series of Mo-Re alloy films has been prepared by sputtering from a composite molybdenum and rhenium cathode. These films were deposited in an ultra-high purity environment onto sapphire substrates which were held at temperatures ranging from 400 to 1300 C. Maximum transition temperatures observed were 15 K which is significantly greater than the highest reported bulk values. Critical current and field characteristics also were found to be considerably greater in the films compared to corresponding bulk samples. Upper critical fields of over 100 kOe were measured. These enhanced properties are discussed in relation to the structural characteristics of the sputtered films.
Seven tantalum sheathed, BeO insulated, 0.157-cm-diam, grounded-junction W-3%Re/W-25%Re thermocouples were irradiated in a helium-argon environment at a temperature of 1900 to 2100 K. Six other thermocouples from the same lot were operated out-of-pile with the same temperature history as the in-pile thermocouples. Drift-in-pile was determined by periodically replacing a 'reference' thermocouple in the irradiation capsule. Drift out-of-pile was determined with an optical pyrometer. After 8000 hours irradiation, the estimated neutron fluence was 4 x 10 to the 21st power thermal neutrons/sq cm and 0.9 x 10 to the 21st power fast neutrons/sq cm (E greater than 0.18 MeV). At this time the in-pile group had decreased in output the equivalent of 340 K at 2073 K, while the out-of-pile group had decreased in output the equivalent of 54 K at 2073 K. The maximum deviation in drift between thermocouples of the in-pile group and between thermocouples of the out-of-pile group was less than plus or minus 15 K and less than plus or minus 10 K, respectively.
Electron density profiles which include the effect of an ablated sodium impurity were computed for the boundary layer on a blunt-nosed body re-entering the atmosphere at 7.62 km/sec. Profiles are computed from the nose to a distance of four diameters along the RAM C-payload. A finite-difference, laminar, nonequilibrium chemistry boundary-layer program was used. Comparison of theory with S-band diagnostic antenna results, electron concentration deduced from X- and C-band attenuation data, and Langmuir probe data at several different aft body locations show that agreement is good at high altitude. At the lower altitudes there is disagreement between theory and S-band antenna data where the apparent discrepancy is attributed to the three-body recombination rate constant used for deionization of sodium coupled with the effect of angle of attack.
The objective of this program was to establish feasibility of a process to produce low cost aluminum oxide fibers having sufficient strength, flexibility, and thermal stability for multiple re-use at temperatures to 1480 C in advanced RSI type heat shields for reentry vehicles. Using bench-scale processing apparatus, the Alcoa 'Saphiber' process was successfully modified to produce nominally 8 microns diameter polycrystalline alpha-alumina fiber. Thermal stability was demonstrated in vacuum reheating tests to 1371 C and in atmospheric reheating to 1483 C. Individual fiber properties of strength, modulus, and flexibility were not determined because of friability and short length of the fiber. Rigidized tile produced from fiber of nominally 8, 20 and 40 micron diameter had thermal conductivities significantly higher than those of RSI SiO2 or mullite at relatively low temperature but became comparable above about 1000 C. Tile densities were high due to short fiber length, especially in the coarser diameter fiber. No significant effect of fiber diameter on thermal properties could be determined form the data. Mechanical properties of tiles deteriorated as fiber diameter increased.
This paper describes theoretical and experimentally verified heat pipe characteristics of an axially grooved aluminum extrusion with a re-entrant groove profile. The extrusion is 13 mm diameter with 20 axial grooves, each groove consisting of a nominal .8 mm diameter channel with a .2 mm wide passageway connecting the channel to the hollow core. A computer program was written to compute the zero gravity heat transport capability of the extrusion. A heat pipe was fabricated and its performance characteristics measured. The characteristics of the pipe with ammonia at 20 C are: zero gravity pumping limit 143 w-meters; static wicking height 21.5 mm; evaporator and condenser coefficients 7300 and 20,500 watt/sq m C, respectively.
A summary is presented of ablation performance data for carbon-carbon nosetip models obtained over a range of pressures from 10 to 168 atm. Two classes of tests are reviewed: (1) steady state, in which a constant environment is imposed on the model, and (2) ramp, in which the pressure is increased from 10 to 80 atmospheres to simulate re-entry pressure history. Comparison of arc test parameters with typical reentry vehicle parameters is included, to assess the adequacy of the test simulation. Based on this comparison, recommendations are made for facility developments which would yield improved simulation capability for reentry vehicle nosetip ablative performance.
The terminal guidance problem for a fixed-trim re-entry body is formulated with the objective of synthesizing a closed-loop steering law. A transformation of variables and subsequent linearization of the motion, with the sight-line to the target as a reference, reduces the order of the state system for the guidance problem. The reduced order system, although nonlinear and time-varying, is simple enough to lend itself to synthesis of a class of guidance laws. A generalization of the feedforward device of classical control theory is successfully employed for compensation of roll autopilot lags. The proposed steering law exhibits superior miss-distance performance in a computational comparison with existing fixed-trim guidance laws.
Thermodynamic energy balance equations are derived and applied to midsection Orbiter-payload atmospheric thermal math models (TMMs) to predict Orbiter component, element, compartment, internal insolation and structure temperatures in support of NASA/JSC mission planning, postflight thermal analysis and payload thermal integration planning. The equations are extended and applied to the forward section, midsection, and aft section of the TMMs for five Orbiter mission phases: prelaunch on pad with purge, lift-off to ascent, re-entry to touchdown, post landing without purge, and post-landing with purge. Predicted results from the 390 node/DFI atmospheric TMM are in good agreement with STS-1 flight measurement data.
Previously reported measurements of stratospheric ClO using a balloon-borne laser heterodyne radiometer, launched from Palestine, Texas, are re-evaluated as a result of recent spectroscopic data. A spectral feature which was observed during September, 1978 and November, 1979 flights was incorrectly identified as a ClO absorption line, while a second feature observed during the latter flight with somewhat limited sensitivity is now believed to be due to ClO. This new interpretation results in a measured ClO profile which falls off more rapidly with decreasing altitude than the previous results indicated.
The Titanium Multi-wall Thermal Protection System (TIPS) panel was re-designed to incorporate Ti-6-2-4-2 outer sheets for the hot surface, ninety degree side closures for ease of construction and through panel fastness for ease of panel removal. Thermal and structural tests were performed to verify the design. Twenty-five panels were fabricated and delivered to NASA for evaluation at Langley Research Center and Johnson Space Center.
A method which has evolved in our laboratories for the past 20 yr is re-examined with the intent of improving its accuracy and simplicity of application to engineering problems. Several modifications are introduced both to the analytical formulation of the Damage Curve Approach, and to the procedure for modifying this approach to achieve a Double Linear Damage Rule formulation which immensely simplifies the calculation. Improvements are also introduced in the treatment of mean stress for determining fatigue life of the individual events that enter into a complex loading history. While the procedure is completely consistent with the results of numerous two level tests that have been conducted on many materials, it is still necessary to verify applicability to complex loading histories. Caution is expressed that certain phenomena can also influence the applicability - for example, unusual deformation and fracture modes inherent in complex loading - especially if stresses are multiaxial. Residual stresses at crack tips, and metallurgical factors are also important in creating departures from the cumulative damage theories; examples of departures are provided.
Based on some fundamental properties of finite element approximations, a mesh re-zoning scheme is proposed for finite element simulations of metal forming problems. It is demonstrated that this technique is indispensable in analyzing many difficult forming processes, especially when there exist corners or very irregular shapes on the boundaries. The algorithm is tested by a backward extrusion process and direct extrusion through a square die.
A free-piston Stirling engine performance code is being upgraded and validated at the NASA Lewis Research Center under an interagency agreement between the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory and NASA Lewis. Many modifications were made to the free-piston code in an attempt to decrease the calibration effort. A procedure was developed that made the code calibration process more systematic. Engine-specific calibration parameters are often used to bring predictions and experimental data into better agreement. The code was calibrated to a matrix of six experimental data points. Predictions of the calibrated free-piston code are compared with RE-1000 free-piston Stirling engine sensitivity test data taken at NASA Lewis. Resonable agreement was obtained between the code predictions and the experimental data over a wide range of engine operating conditions.
A method which has evolved in the laboratories for the past 20 yr is re-examined with the intent of improving its accuracy and simplicity of application to engineering problems. Several modifications are introduced both to the analytical formulation of the Damage Curve Approach, and to the procedure for modifying this approach to achieve a Double Linear Damage Rule formulation which immensely simplifies the calculation. Improvements are also introduced in the treatment of mean stress for determining fatigue life of the individual events that enter into a complex loading history. While the procedure is completely consistent with the results of numerous two level tests that have been conducted on many materials, it is still necessary to verify applicability to complex loading histories. Caution is expressed that certain phenomenon can also influence the applicability - for example, unusual deformation and fracture modes inherent in complex loading especially if stresses are multiaxial. Residual stresses at crack tips, and metallurgical factors are also important in creating departures from the cumulative damage theories; examples of departures are provided.
The direct simulation Monte Carlo method, including a real air model with thermal radiation, is applied to the flows associated with the two sets of measurements that are directly relevant to the projected aeroassisted orbital transfer vehicle. The first is a shock tube measurement of the radiation from a 10 km/s shock wave in air that was made at AVCO in 1962. The second is the flight data that was obtained from the Project Fire re-entry test vehicles in 1964. The calculations for both cases were made with a program that models the one-dimensional flow along a stagnation streamline. The shock standoff distance for the Fire vehicle was obtained from the theoretical studies that were associated with its launch. The simulation employed a partly phenomenological model for the nonequilibrium radiation. It was found that the results from the calculation were consistent with the measured radiation in each case, and also with the convective heat transfer data for the Fire vehicle. The uncertainties associated with the spectral absorptance and recombination probability at the surface appear to be as serious as those associated with the reaction rates.
The NASA Lewis Research Center has tested a 1 kW free-piston Stirling engine at the NASA Lewis test facilities. The tests performed over the past several years on the RE-1000 single cylinder engine are known as the sensitivity tests. This report presents an analysis of some of the data published in the sensitivity test report. A basic investigation into the measured forces acting on the unconstrained displacer of the engine is presented. These measured forces are then correlated with the values predicted by the NASA Lewis Stirling engine computer simulation. The results of the investigation are presented in the form of phasor diagrams. Possible future work resulting from this investigation is outlined.