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At least 163 records · Page 9

Calculation of Pressure Distribution on Airship Hulls

These calculations were based on the shape of the ZR III, with the following simplifications: cars, fins, and rudders removed; all cross sections replaced by equivalent circular cross sections. Under these assumptions the pressure distribution was calculated for the following cases: symmetrical case, or flow parallel to the axis; unsymmetrical case, or flow at an angle to the axis. In both cases the simple potential flow first forms the basis for the determination of the pressure distribution.

Von Karman, Theodor↗

A Complete Tank Test of a Model of a Flying-Boat Hull - N.A.C.A. Model No.11

This note discusses the limitations of the conventional tank test of a seaplane model. The advantages of a complete test, giving the characteristics of the model at all speeds, loads, and trim angles in the useful range are pointed out. The data on N.A.C.A. Model No.11, obtained from a complete test, are presented and discussed. The results are analyzed to determine the best trim angle for each speed and load. The data for the best angles are reduced to non-dimensional form for ease of comparison and application. A practical problem using the characteristics of model no.11 is presented to show the method of calculating the take-off time and run of a seaplane from these data.

Shoemaker, James M.↗

The Inertia Coefficients of an Airship in a Frictionless Fluid

The apparent inertia of an airship hull is examined. The exact solution of the aerodynamical problem is studied for hulls of various shapes with special attention given to the case of an ellipsoidal hull. So that the results for the ellipsoidal hull may be readily adapted to other cases, they are expressed in terms of the area and perimeter of the largest cross section perpendicular to the direction of motion by means of a formula involving a coefficient kappa which varies only slowly when the shape of the hull is changed, being 0.637 for a circular or elliptic disk, 0.5 for a sphere, and about 0.25 for a spheroid of fineness ratio. The case of rotation of an airship hull is investigated and a coefficient is defined with the same advantages as the corresponding coefficient for rectilinear motion.

Bateman, H.↗

The Inertial Coefficients of an Airship in a Frictionless Fluid

This report deals with the investigation of the apparent inertia of an airship hull. The exact solution of the aerodynamical problem has been studied for hulls of various shapes and special attention has been given to the case of an ellipsoidal hull. In order that the results for this last case may be readily adapted to other cases, they are expressed in terms of the area and perimeter of the largest cross section perpendicular to the direction motion by means of a formula involving a coefficient K which varies only slowly when the shape of the hull is changed, being 0.637 for a circular or elliptic disk, 0.5 for a sphere, and about 0.25 for a spheroid of fineness ratio 7. For rough purposes it is sufficient to employ the coefficients, originally found for ellipsoids, for hulls otherwise shaped. When more exact values of the inertia are needed, estimates may be based on a study of the way in which K varies with different characteristics and for such a study the new coefficient possesses some advantage over one which is defined with reference to the volume of fluid displaced. The case of rotation of an airship hull has been investigated also and a coefficient has been defined with the same advantages as the corresponding coefficient for rectilinear motion.

Bateman, H↗

Preliminary Investigation of Impact on Multiple-Sheet Structures and an Evaluation of the Meteoroid Hazard to Space Vehicles

Small pyrex glass spheres, representative of stoney meteoroids, were fired into 2024-T3 aluminum alclad multiple-sheet structures at velocities to 11,000 feet per second to evaluate the effectiveness of multisheet hull construction as a means of increasing the resistance of a spacecraft to meteoroid penetrations. The results of these tests indicate that increasing the number of sheets in a structure while keeping the total sheet thickness constant and increasing the spacing between sheets both tend to increase the penetration resistance of a structure of constant weight per unit area. In addition, filling the space between the sheets with a light filler material was found to substantially increase structure penetration resistance with a small increase in weight. An evaluation of the meteoroid hazard to space vehicles is presented in the form of an illustrative-example for two specific lunar mission vehicles, a single-sheet, monocoque hull vehicle and a glass-wool filled, double-sheet hull vehicle. The evaluation is presented in terms of the "best" and the "worst" conditions that might be expected as determined from astronomical and satellite measurements, high-speed impact data, and hypothesized meteoroid structures and compositions. It was observed that the vehicle flight time without penetration can be increased significantly by use of multiple-sheet rather than single-sheet hull construction with no increase in hull weight. Nevertheless, it is evident that a meteoroid hazard exists, even for the vehicle with the selected multiple-sheet hull.

Nysmith, C. Robert↗

Automatic continuum analysis of reflectance spectra

A continuum algorithm based on a Segmented Upper Hull method (SUH) is described. An upper hull is performed on segments of a spectrum defined by local minima and maxima. The segments making a complete spectrum are then combined. The definition of the upper hull allows the continuum to be both concave and/or convex, adapting to the shape of the spectrum. The method performs multiple passes on a spectrum by segmenting each local maximum to minimum and performing an upper hull. The algorithm naturally adapts to the widths of absorption features, so that all features are found, including the nature of doublets, triplets, etc. The algorithm is also reasonably fast on common minicomputers so that it might be applied to the large data sets from imaging spectrometers.

Clark, Roger N.↗

Simulation of Heavy Lift Airship dynamics over large ranges of incidence and speed

A nonlinear, multibody, six-degrees-of-freedom digital simulation has been developed to study generic Heavy Lift Airship (HLA) dynamics and control. The basic aerodynamic functions developed to model the hull, tail, and rotor loads continuously over all incidence ranges are reviewed and applied to a Quadrotor HLA with a low fineness ratio hull and a small vee-tail. Trim calculations for a test vehicle suggest control power deficiencies in crosswind stationkeeping for the unloaded vehicle. Gust responses show the importance of correctly calculating loads due to accelerated relative motion of air and hull. Numerically linearized dynamics for the test vehicle show the existence of a divergent yaw mode, and an oscillatory pitch mode whose stability characteristics are sensitive to flight speed. A considerable improvement in the vehicle's stability and response results from a simple multi-axis closed-loop control system operating on the rotors and propeller blades.

Tischler, M. B.↗

Theory and application of calibration techniques for an NDBC directional wave measurements buoy

The National Data Buoy Center (NDBC) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) deployed a 10-m-diameter discus-type hull in the Pacific Ocean some 185 km southwest of Los Angeles, CA, in April 1984. Aboard this hull was an electronic system capable of acquiring, processing, and transmitting to shore directional wave measurements. For this system to produce accurate data, a number of factors had to be taken into account. These factors included noise, amplitude and phase alterations due to mechanical and electrical components, and magnetic fields arising from the hull. Comprehensive calibration and verification techniques were developed and applied to ensure data quality. The system configuration is described with emphasis on the methods used in the data processing to correct for the various factors. Examples of the resulting corrected data are given.

Steele, K. E.↗

Flight Tests on U.S.S. Los Angeles. Part II : Stress and Strength Determination

The tests described in this report furnished data on the actual aerodynamic forces, and the resulting stresses and bending moments in the hull of the U. S. S. "Los Angeles" during as severe still-air maneuvers as the airship would normally be subjected to, and in straight flight during as rough air as is likely to occur in service, short of squall or storm conditions. The maximum stresses were found to be within the limits provided for in accepted practice in airship design. Normal flight in rough air was shown to produce forces and stresses about twice as great as the most severe still-air maneuvers. No light was thrown upon the forces which might occur in extreme or exceptional conditions, such as the storm which destroyed the "Shenandoah". The transverse aerodynamic forces on the hull proper were found to be small and irregular. Owing to the necessity of conserving helium, it was impossible to fly the airship in a condition of large excess of buoyancy or weight in order to determine the air pressure distribution at a fixed angle of pitch. However, there is every reason to believe that in that condition the forces on the actual airship are as close to the wind-tunnel results as can be determined by present type of pressure measuring apparatus. It is considered that most important data obtained are the coefficients of tail-surface forces and hull-bending moments. These are tabulated in this report.

Burgess, C P↗

Multiphase complete exchange: A theoretical analysis

Complete Exchange requires each of N processors to send a unique message to each of the remaining N-1 processors. For a circuit switched hypercube with N = 2(sub d) processors, the Direct and Standard algorithms for Complete Exchange are optimal for very large and very small message sizes, respectively. For intermediate sizes, a hybrid Multiphase algorithm is better. This carries out Direct exchanges on a set of subcubes whose dimensions are a partition of the integer d. The best such algorithm for a given message size m could hitherto only be found by enumerating all partitions of d. The Multiphase algorithm is analyzed assuming a high performance communication network. It is proved that only algorithms corresponding to equipartitions of d (partitions in which the maximum and minimum elements differ by at most 1) can possibly be optimal. The run times of these algorithms plotted against m form a hull of optimality. It is proved that, although there is an exponential number of partitions, (1) the number of faces on this hull is Theta(square root of d), (2) the hull can be found in theta(square root of d) time, and (3) once it has been found, the optimal algorithm for any given m can be found in Theta(log d) time. These results provide a very fast technique for minimizing communication overhead in many important applications, such as matrix transpose, Fast Fourier transform, and ADI.

Bokhari, Shahid H.↗

Safer Pleasure Boats

'Flamarest' coating developed by Avco Corporation for NASA to protect fuel lines and tanks is sprayed on the interior of polyester boat hull in commercial application. About 30 mils of the coating prevented structural damage to hull during test in which a 13 minute interior gasoline fire was started. An unprotected hull would begin to burn in 30 seconds. Same material applied as tape to wrap fuel lines effectively insulates hose when charred while also reducing spread of flame.

Source record↗

Tank Tests of a Powered Model of a Compression Plane, NACA Model 171A-2

The compression plane is intended for operation on or close to the surface of the water, and has a hull with a concave bottom which forms the upper surface of a tunnel into which air is forced under pressure to support part of the load. The results of the tests made in Langley tank no. 1 include values of the horizontal forces, trimming moment, and static pressure in the tunnel for a wide range of loads and speeds and two power conditions, and are presented in the form of curves against speed with load as a parameter. The results are scaled up to 10 times the model size for three conditions at which the model is self-propelled at a steady speed. Lift is obtained from the static pressure of air in the tunnel. In general, the ratio of the gross load to the total resistance increases with increase in load and decrease in speed. This ratio varies between l-7 and 5.7 at high speeds and has a maximum value of 7. The total resistance is nearly the same for both power conditions except at low speeds and heavy loads. No abrupt change in forces on the hull or flow around the hull occurs in. the region of zero draft. The centers of pressure are generally far aft. At the most efficient trim (1.2'), considerable bow-up moment would be required for practicable operation. There is no abrupt transition from the air-borne to the water- borne condition.

Mottard, Elmo J.↗

Smooth Passage For The Jetfoil

The Flying Princess is a Boeing Jetfoil, one of a family of commercial waterjets built by Boeing Marine Systems, a division of The Boeing Company, Seattle, Washington. The new Jetfoil offers a number of advantages over earlier hydrofoils, a major one being a smooth ride in rough waters. NASA technology contributed to jolt-free passenger comfort. Hydrofoils skim the surface at speeds considerably greater than those of conventional ships because there is little friction between hull and water. Hulls are raised above the water by the lift of the foils, which resemble and function like an airplane wing. The foils are attached to the hull by rigid struts, which ordinarily cause a vessel operating in coastal seas to follow the contour of the waves. In wind-whipped waters, this makes for a rough ride. Seeking to increase passenger acceptance, Boeing Marine System engineers looked for ways to improve rough-water ride quality. Langley Research Center conducts continuing ride quality research. Initially, it was aimed at improving aircraft ride; it was later expanded to include all modes of transportation. Research includes studies of vibration, acceleration, temperature, humidity, passenger seats and posture, and the psychological aspects of passenger reaction to vehicle ride. As part of the program, Langley developed instrumentation, ride quality models and methods of data analysis.

Source record↗

Solving A Corrosion Problem

The corrosion problem, it turned out, stemmed from the process called electrolysis. When two different metals are in contact, an electrical potential is set up between them; when the metals are surrounded by an electrolyte, or a conducting medium, the resulting reaction causes corrosion, often very rapid corrosion. In this case the different metals were the copper grounding system and the ferry's aluminum hull; the dockside salt water in which the hull was resting served as the electrolyte. After identifying the source of the trouble, the Ames engineer provided a solution: a new wire-and-rod grounding system made of aluminum like the ferry's hull so there would no longer be dissimilar metals in contact. Ames research on the matter disclosed that the problem was not unique to the Golden Gate ferries. It is being experienced by many pleasure boat operators who are probably as puzzled about it as was the Golden Gate Transit Authority.

Source record↗

Utilizing Ocean Thermal Energy in a Submarine Robot

A proposed system would exploit the ocean thermal gradient for recharging the batteries in a battery-powered unmanned underwater vehicle [UUV (essentially, a small exploratory submarine robot)] of a type that has been deployed in large numbers in research pertaining to global warming. A UUV of this type travels between the ocean surface and depths, measuring temperature and salinity. The proposed system is related to, but not the same as, previously reported ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) systems that exploit the ocean thermal gradient but consist of stationary apparatuses that span large depth ranges. The system would include a turbine driven by working fluid subjected to a thermodynamic cycle. CO2 has been provisionally chosen as the working fluid because it has the requisite physical properties for use in the range of temperatures expected to be encountered in operation, is not flammable, and is much less toxic than are many other commercially available refrigerant fluids. The system would be housed in a pressurized central compartment in a UUV equipped with a double hull (see figure). The thermodynamic cycle would begin when the UUV was at maximum depth, where some of the CO2 would condense and be stored, at relatively low temperature and pressure, in the annular volume between the inner and outer hulls. The cycle would resume once the UUV had ascended to near the surface, where the ocean temperature is typically greater than or equals 20 C. At this temperature, the CO2 previously stored at depth in the annular volume between the inner and outer hulls would be pressurized to approx. equals 57 bar (5.7 MPa). The pressurized gaseous CO2 would flow through a check valve into a bladder inside the pressurized compartment, thereby storing energy of the relatively warm, pressurized CO2 for subsequent use after the next descent to maximum depth.

Jones, Jack↗

Description of CASCOMP Comprehensive Airship Sizing and Performance Computer Program, Volume 2

The computer program CASCOMP, which may be used in comparative design studies of lighter than air vehicles by rapidly providing airship size and mission performance data, was prepared and documented. The program can be used to define design requirements such as weight breakdown, required propulsive power, and physical dimensions of airships which are designed to meet specified mission requirements. The program is also useful in sensitivity studies involving both design trade-offs and performance trade-offs. The input to the program primarily consists of a series of single point values such as hull overall fineness ratio, number of engines, airship hull and empennage drag coefficients, description of the mission profile, and weights of fixed equipment, fixed useful load and payload. In order to minimize computation time, the program makes ample use of optional computation paths.

Davis, J.↗