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At least 1,675 records · Page 93

Tangential mode combustion instability of solid propellant rocket motors. 2: Pressure, frequency, and burning rate histories

The relationships among excursions of mean chamber pressure, high frequency pressure oscillations and accelerations associated with tangential mode combustion instability are considered. A data reduction procedure was devised to utilize the precise pressure time data as input to a numerical solution of the chamber mass balance relationships. The results indicate that both elevated burning rate induced by the tangential wave motions and variable nozzle blockage due to passage of vortical flow through the nozzle throat must act together to generate the large mean pressure peaks observed in the tests. There is strong correlation between the amplitude of wave motions and the level of mean pressure rise. Evidence for the presence of traveling tangential waves at the time of the D.C. shift was found by use of dual Kistler pressure transducers mounted at the head end of the burner. A very unusual frequency history was found to accompany the high amplitude disturbances. This was consistent from test to test and may represent an additional source of information regarding the complicated flow combustion interactions within the propellant burning zone.

Flandro, G. A.↗

Unusual properties of particle events associated with solar flare gamma ray events

An attempt to establish a link between gamma rays observed at the earth with solar flare areas highly enriched with electrons is presented. Two hour averages of the counting rates of 5-100 MeV electrons and 25-145 MeV protons performed on the ISEE-3 spacecraft were correlated with solar flares with a maximum intensity of 6-11 MeV electrons and 25-44 MeV protons recorded by other observers. The coverage was part of the Solar Maximum Mission, which attained a 50 percent coverage. Gamma ray associated events showed high ratios of electrons to protons, about 0.2, and electrons with energies greater than 80 MeV were observed, which are values high enough to produce the highest gamma rays observed, 40 MeV. The available data for electron, proton, and rare isotope fluxes and the time histories of the fluxes are noted to provide a data base for further information on solar flares and particle acceleration mechanisms.

Evenson, P.↗

Shock and statistical acceleration of energetic particles in the interplanetary medium

Definite evidence for particle acceleration in the solar wind came around a decade ago. Two likely sources are known to exist: particles may be accelerated by the turbulence resulting from the superposition of Alfven and Magnetosonic waves (Statistical Acceleration) or they may be accelerated directly at shock fronts formed by the interaction of fast and slow solar wind (CIR's) or by traveling shocks due to sporadic coronal mass ejections. Naurally both mechanisms may be operative. In this work the acceleration problem was tackled numerically using Helios 1 and 2 data to create a realistic representation of the Heliospheric plasma. Two 24 hour samples were used: one where there are only wave like fluctuations of the field (Day 90 Helios 1) and another with a shock present in it (Day 92 of Helios 2) both in 1976 during the STIP 2 interval. Transport coefficients in energy space have been calculated for particles injected in each sample and the effect of the shock studied in detail.

Valdes-Galicia, J. F.↗

A novel method of calculating far-field patterns of large aperture antennas

A method is described for calculation of the radiation pattern of large aperture antennas. A piece-wise linear approximation of the aperture field using overlapping pyramidal basis functions allows the radiation pattern of an aperture antenna to be calculated as though it were a two-dimensional array. The calculation of radiation pattern data versus theta and phi, suitable for 3-D or contour plot algorithms, is achieved by locating the array in the yz-plane and performing a summation over the aperture field data sampled on a square grid. A FORTRAN subroutine is provided for performing radiation pattern calculations. Numerical results are included to demonstrate the accuracy and convergence of the method. These numerical results indicate that typical accuracies of + or - 0.1 dB for Directivity, + or - dB for the 1st Sidelobe Level, and + - 2dB for the 2nd Sidelobe Level can be obtained with an aperture grid of 45x45 points and requires approximately 0.02 seconds CPU time per far-field data point on a VAX 11/750 with a floating point accelerator.

Bailey, M. C.↗

Using the boundary-layer equations in three-dimensional viscous flow simulation

A simple and computationally efficient algorithm for solving the unsteady three dimensional boundary layer equations in a time accurate or relaxation mode is presented. The algorithm is used to compute the separated flow over a 6:1 ellipsoid at angle of attack and the transonic flow over a finite wing with shock induced separation. These results are compared to available experimental data. A method of using the boundary layer algorithm to accelerate a Navier-Stokes computation is also presented. Example computations indicate that a boundary layer algorithm can be used to improve both the accuracy and efficiency of a Navier-Stokes algorithm.

Vandalsem, William R.↗

Latitudinal gradient of energetic particles in the outer hemisphere during 1985-1986

A measurement of a sustained latitudinal gradient of 70-MeV galactic cosmic ray protons is reported using data from the interplanetary probes Voyager 1 and 2 and the earth-orbiting satellite IMP 8 during a 1-year period from mid-1985 to mid-1986. Starting in early 1985, the intensity of cosmic rays at Voyager 2 began increasing faster than that at Voyager 1. By mid-1985, the intensity at Voyager 2 exceeded and remained higher than that at Voyager 1 for at least 14 solar rotations. Using the Voyager 2-IMP 8 data to correct for the radial gradient, an average latitudinal gradient during this period of about -53 percent/deg or about -38 percent/deg was determined. In addition, Voyager data at very low ion energies which are associated with acceleration at corotating shocks are presented.

Decker, R. B.↗

The over-the-limb hard X-ray events

Over-the-limb hard X-ray events offer a uniquely direct view of the hard X-ray emission from the solar corona during a major flare. Limb occultation at angles greater than about 10 deg (an arbitrary definition of this class of events) excludes any confusion with brighter chromospheric sources. Published observations of seven over-the-limb events, beginning with the prototype flare of March 30, 1969, are reviewed. The hard X-ray spectra appear to fall into two classes: hard events, with power-law index of about 2.0; and soft events, with power-law index about 5.4. This tendency towards bimodality is only significant at the 90-percent confidence level due to the smallness of the number of events observed to date. If borne out by future data, the bimodality would suggest the existence of two different acceleration mechanisms.

Hudson, H. S.↗

Solar gradual hard X-ray bursts - Observations and an interpretation

A recent study of solar gradual hard X-ray bursts is summarized. The data are interpreted in terms of a model involving the acceleration and trapping of electrons in post flare loop systems following coronal mass ejections. A controversy about the classification of the metric continuum that typically accompanies gradual hard X-ray events is addressed.

Cliver, E. W.↗

Vibration responses of two house structures during the Edwards Air Force Base phase of the national sonic boom program

The data are reproduced from NSBEO-1-67, which contains some preliminary results of the test program, and from NASA-Langley working papers 259 and 288 which are now out of print. Included are sample acceleration and strain recordings from F-104, B-58, and XB-70 sonic boom exposures, along with tabulations of the maximum acceleration and strain values measured for each one of about 130 flight tests. These data are compared with similar measurements for engine noise exposures of the building during simulated landing approaches and takeoffs of KC-135 aircraft.

Hubbard, Harvey H.↗

Vorticity, turbulence production, and turbulence induced accelerations in a rectangular jet as measured using 3-D LDA

The flow field of a rectangular jet with a 4:1 aspect ratio (50.4 x 12.7 mm) was studied at a Reynolds number of 100,000 (Mach number 0.09) using a 3-D laser Doppler anemometer system. Measurements were performed along the major and minor axis planes and at various downstream cross-sections of the jet. The mean velocity vector and entire Reynolds stress tensor were measured and presented in a previous publication. The present work presents the vorticity vector, turbulence production, and turbulence induced acceleration vector distributions which were calculated from the previously presented data.

Morrison, Gerald L.↗

An experimental study of the turbulent boundary layer on a transport wing in subsonic and transonic flow

The upper surface boundary layer on a transport wing model was extensively surveyed with miniature yaw probes at a subsonic and a transonic cruise condition. Additional data were obtained at a second transonic test condition, for which a separated region was present at mid-semispan, aft of mid-chord. Significant variation in flow direction with distance from the surface was observed near the trailing edge except at the wing root and tip. The data collected at the transonic cruise condition show boundary layer growth associated with shock wave/boundary layer interaction, followed by recovery of the boundary layer downstream of the shock. Measurements of fluctuating surface pressure and wingtip acceleration were also obtained. The influence of flow field unsteadiness on the boundary layer data is discussed. Comparisons among the data and predictions from a variety of computational methods are presented. The computed predictions are in reasonable agreement with the experimental data in the outboard regions where 3-D effects are moderate and adverse pressure gradients are mild. In the more highly loaded mid-span region near the trailing edge, displacement thickness growth was significantly underpredicted, except when unrealistically severe adverse pressure gradients associated with inviscid calculations were used to perform boundary layer calculations.

Spaid, Frank W.↗

Calibration of the ER-2 meteorological measurement system

The Meteorological Measurement System (MMS) on the high altitude ER-2 aircraft was developed specifically for atmospheric research. The MMS provides accurate measurements of pressure, temperature, wind vector, position (longitude, latitude, altitude), pitch, roll, heading, angle of attack, angle of sideslip, true airspeed, aircraft eastward velocity, northward velocity, vertical acceleration, and time, at a sample rate of 5/s. MMS data products are presented in the form of either 5 or 1 Hz time series. The 1 Hz data stream, generally used by ER-2 investigators, is obtained from the 5 Hz data stream by filtering and desampling. The method of measurement of the meteorological parameters is given and the results of their analyses are discussed.

Bowen, Stuart W.↗

Fuselage shell and cavity response measurements on a DC-9 test section

A series of fuselage shell and cavity response measurements conducted on a DC-9 aircraft test section are described. The objectives of these measurements were to define the shell and cavity model characteristics of the fuselage, understand the structural-acoustic coupling characteristics of the fuselage, and measure the response of the fuselage to different types of acoustic and vibration excitation. The fuselage was excited with several combinations of acoustic and mechanical sources using interior and exterior loudspeakers and shakers, and the response to these inputs was measured with arrays of microphones and accelerometers. The data were analyzed to generate spatial plots of the shell acceleration and cabin acoustic pressure field, and corresponding acceleration and pressure wavenumber maps. Analysis and interpretation of the spatial plots and wavenumber maps provided the required information on modal characteristics, structural-acoustic coupling, and fuselage response.

Simpson, M. A.↗

Transient loads analysis for space flight applications

A significant part of the flight readiness verification process involves transient analysis of the coupled Shuttle-payload system to determine the low frequency transient loads. This paper describes a methodology for transient loads analysis and its implementation for the Spacelab Life Sciences Mission. The analysis is carried out using two major software tools - NASTRAN and an external FORTRAN code called EZTRAN. This approach is adopted to overcome some of the limitations of NASTRAN's standard transient analysis capabilities. The method uses Data Recovery Matrices (DRM) to improve computational efficiency. The mode acceleration method is fully implemented in the DRM formulation to recover accurate displacements, stresses, and forces. The advantages of the method are demonstrated through a numerical example.

Thampi, S. K.↗

INSPIRE - Premission

The Interactive NASA Space Physics Ionosphere Radio Experiment (INSPIRE) designed to assist in a Space Experiments with Particle Accelerators (SEPAC) project is discussed. INSPIRE is aimed at recording data from a large number of receivers on the ground to determine the exact propagation paths and absorption of radio waves at frequencies between 50 Hz and 7 kHz. It is indicated how to participate in the experiment that will involve high school classes, colleges, and amateur radio operators.

Taylor, William W. L.↗

Advances in high temperature components for AMTEC (Alkali Metal Thermal-to-Electric Converter)

The basic performance of Alkali Metal Thermal-to-Electric Converter (AMTEC) cells is well understood, and quantitative modeling of the electrode performance has been carried out. Tests have been carried out to evaluate the high temperature performance of critical AMTEC components. Progress made in understanding the relative performance of AMTEC components, such as electrodes, electrolytes, working fluids, and seals, as device operating temperature is varied is discussed. Most metallic components are especially subject to corrosion in hot liquid alkali metals containing dissolved oxides. Stability issues of AMTEC components may be addressed by life testing, accelerated testing, and modeling based on known kinetic and thermochemical data.

Williams, R. M.↗

The use of transition region characteristics to improve the numerical simulation of heat transfer in bypass transitional flows

A method is presented for improving the numerical prediction of bypass transition heat transfer on a flat plate in a high-disturbance environment with zero or favorable pressure gradient. The method utilizes low Reynolds number k-epsilon turbulence models in combination with the characteristic parameters of the transition region. The parameters representing the characteristics of the transition region used are the intermittency, transition length and turbulent spot properties. An analysis is made of the transition length in terms of turbulent spot variables. The nondimensional spot formation rate, required for the prediction of the transition length, is shown by the analysis to be a function of the spot spreading angle, the dimensionless spot velocity ratio and the dimensionless spot area ratio. The intermittency form of the k-epsilon equations were derived from conditionally averaged equations which have been shown to be an improvement over global-time-averaged equations for the numerical calculation of the transition region. The numerical predictions are in general good agreement with the experimental data and indicate the potential use of the method in accelerating flows. Turbulence models of the k-epsilon type are known to underpredict the transition length. The present work demonstrates how incorporating transition region characteristics improves the ability of two-equation turbulence models to simulate bypass transition for flat plates with potential application to turbine vanes and blades.

Simon, Frederick F.↗

Critical point of the solar wind by radio sounding data

Results of the close-to-Sun plasmas sounding at the transonic region of the solar wind, where the sub-to supersonic flow transition proceeds (at 10 to 40 solar radii from the Sun), are presented. Natural sources of two types were used, water vapour maser sources at 1.35 cm and guasars at 2.9 m wavelength. scattering observations cover the period of 1986 to 1993, Russian Academy of Sciences telescopes RT-22 and DCR-1000 were used, IPS index and scattering angle being the immediate results of observations. Extensive studies of the scintillation index and scattering angle radial profiles reveal a remarkable structural detail, 'transonic region forrunner'-narrow region of diminished scattering close to the internal border of the extended transonic region with its characteristic enhanced scattering. Comparisons of the scattering and plasma velocity profiles let it possible to determine the critical point positions by the comparatively simple scattering observations. This new possibility widely improves the process of the basic data accumulation in the fundamental problem of the solar wind acceleration mechanism.

Lotova, N. A.↗