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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.
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The suggestion that latent heat of water controls Jovian meteorology is reviewed, and predictions are made for the other outer planets. The observed slow variation and two-dimensional character of motions at cloud-top level is explained. It depends on (1) the thermal structure between water-cloud level and the level of emission to space being closely adiabatic and (2) the large static stability of the emission layer.
An analytical method was developed to predict pilot ratings for highly elastic aircraft subject to severe mode interactions between rigid body and elastic dynamics. An extension of the standard optimal control model of pilot response was made to include the hypothesis that the pilot controls the system with an internal model consisting of the slowly varying part of the aircraft dynamics. This modified optimal control model was analytically evaluated for a longitudinal pitch tracking task on a large flexible aircraft. Parametric variations in the undamped natural frequencies of two symmetric elastic modes were made to induce varying amounts of mode interaction. The model proved successful in discriminating when the pilot can or cannot visually separate rigid from elastic pitch response in the turbulence excited tracking task. This method shows considerable promise in making it possible to investigate such mode interaction effects on handling qualities in the preliminary design stage of new aircraft.
A precision Bridgman-type apparatus is described which was designed and constructed for the investigation of relationships between crystal growth parameters and the properties of GaAs crystals. Several key features of the system are highlighted, such as the use of a heat pipe for precise arsenic vapor pressure control and seeding without the presence of a viewing window. Pertinent growth parameters, such as arsenic source temperature, thermal gradients in the growing crystal and in the melt, and the macroscopic growth velocity can be independently controlled. During operation, thermal stability better than + or - 0.02 C is realized; thermal gradients can be varied up to 30 C/cm in the crystal region, and up to 20 C/cm in the melt region; the macroscopic growth velocity can be varied from 50 microns/hr to 6.0 cm/hr. It was found that the density of dislocations depends critically on As partial pressure; and essentially dislocation-free, undoped, crystals were grown under As pressure precisely controlled by an As source maintained at 617 C. The free carrier concentration varied with As pressure variations. This variation in free carrier concentration was found to be associated with variations in the compensation ratio rather than with standard segregation phenomena.
The potential of the transportable laser ranging system for monitoring the ground deformation around satellite ranging stations and other geodetic control points was examined with emphasis on testing the usefulness of the relative alteration technique. The temporal variation of the ratio of the length of each survey line to the mean length of all survey lines in a given area is directly related to the mean shear strain rate for the area. The data from a series of experimental measurements taken over the Los Angeles basin from a TLRS station at Mt. Wilson show that such ratios can be determined to an accuracy of one part in 10 million with a measurement program lasting for three days and without using any corrections for variations in atmospheric conditions. A numerical experiment using a set of hypothetical data indicates that reasonable estimates of the present shear strain rate and the direction of the principal axes in southern California can be deduced from such measurements over an interval of one to two years.
The simplest orbiting tethered system demands for stability that the mass centers of two end bodies be displaced above and below the position of zero acceleration. Therefore, the contents of the end bodies are subjected necessarily to acceleration fields or artificial gravity whose magnitudes depend on the dimensions and masses of the system. If the length of the tether changes, so do the fields. Even for a fixed tether length, the acceleration field at a location in the system may be somewhat variable unless special means are employed to maintain a constant value. These fundamental properties of a tethered system can be used to advantage if small or variable acceleration fields are desired for experimental or operational reasons. This potential use involves a few expressions from a formulation of tether system dynamics. Some of these formulae were collected for convenient use. Two and three body tethered equilibrium equations are explained. A special application of acceleration field control using a tether system is attainment of near-zero gravity. In this applicaition, even small variations about zero become a critical matter.
Image storage requirements for several encoding methods are investigated and the use of quadtrees with multigray level or multicolor images are explored. The results of encoding a variety of images having up to 256 gray levels using three schemes (full raster, runlength and quadtree) are presented. Although there is considerable literature on the use of quadtrees to store and manipulate binary images, their application to multilevel images is relatively undeveloped. The potential advantage of quadtree encoding is that an entire area with a uniform gray level may be encoded as a unit. A pointerless quadtree encoding scheme is described. Data are presented on the size of the quadtree required to encode selected images and on the relative storage requirements of the three encoding schemes. A segmentation scheme based on the statistical variation of gray levels within a quadtree quadrant is described. This parametric scheme may be used to control the storage required by an encoded image and to preprocess a scene for feature identification. Several sets of black and white and pseudocolor images obtained by varying the segmentation parameter are shown.
The vortex unwinding method is used as a tool in performing vortex cancellation in a turbulent boundary layer. Sufficient reduction in the isotach variation was achieved to verify the usefulness of this technique, for the cases of both wall turbulence control and horseshoe vortex alleviation. More detailed measurements of vortex strength and position improve the optimization process and increase the amount of vortex unwinding.
A self-adaptive grid procedure for efficient computation of three-dimensional complex flow fields is described. The method is based on variational principles to minimize the energy of a spring system analogy which redistributes the grid points. Grid control parameters are determined by specifying maximum and minimum grid spacing. Multidirectional adaptation is achieved by splitting the procedure into a sequence of successive applications of a unidirectional adaptation. One-sided, two-directional constraints for orthogonality and smoothness are used to enhance the efficiency of the method. Feasibility of the scheme is demonstrated by application to a multinozzle, afterbody, plume flow field. Application of the algorithm for initial grid generation is illustrated by constructing a three-dimensional grid about a bump-like geometry.
The rarefied-flow aerodynamics measurement experiment, which is expected to measure the rarefied-flow flight regime with an accelerometer on the aeroassist flight experiment, is discussed. The experiment concept and mission plans are examined and the experiment configuration is illustrated. The experiment plans include flight measurements of aerodynamic force and moment coefficients throughout the rarefied regime to verify ground-to-flight extrapolation techniques. In addition, the experiment includes the study of acceleration rates and the effects of attitude variation. The experiment is also expected to evaluate the determination of vehicle mass properties to study robust control theory formulations which are applicable to special return aeroassisted orbital transfer vehicle payloads.
A self-adaptive grid procedure for efficient computation of three-dimensional complex flow fields is described. The method is based on variational principles to minimize the energy of a spring system analogy which redistributes the grid points. Grid control parameters are determined by specifying maximum and minimum grid spacing. Multidirectional adaptation is achieved by splitting the procedure into a sequence of successive applications of a unidirectional adaptation. One-sided, two-directional constraints for orthogonality and smoothness are used to enhance the efficiency of the method. Feasibility of the scheme is demonstrated by application to a multinozzle, afterbody, plume flow field. Application of the algorithm for initial grid generation is illustrated by constructing a three-dimensional grid about a bump-like geometry.
The objective of the Gross Motion Control project is to study alternative control approaches that will provide payload invariant high speed trajectory tracking for nonrepetitive motions in free space. The research has concentrated on modifications to the model-based control structure. Development and evaluation is being actively pursued of both adaptive primary (inner loop) and robust secondary (output loop) controllers. In-house developments are compared and contrasted to the techniques proposed by other researchers. The case study for the evaluation is the first three links of a PUMA-560. Incorporating the principals of multiple model adaptive estimation, artificial neural networks, and Lyapunov theory into the model based paradigm has shown the potential for enhanced tracking. Secondary controllers based on Quantitative Feedback Theory, or augmented with auxiliary inputs, significantly improve the robustness to payload variations and unmodeled drive system dynamics. An overview is presented of the different concepts under investigation and a sample is provided of the latest experimental results.
Sufficient conditions for a weak relative minimum of a form of the Bolza problem of variational calculus are derived. The variational problem considered includes arbitrary numbers of constraints on the initial and terminal points, but assumes no control constraints or interior point constraints. Testing of the second-order conditions requires the backward integration of fewer matrix elements than in the case of previously published sets of conditions. The derivation, though lengthy, is felt to be simpler in concept than previous derivations. The application of these conditions is demonstrated in the context of a simple geometric problem.
A micromachined cantilever beam accelerometer is described in which beam deflection is determined optically. A diving board structure is anisotropically etched into a silicon wafer. This diving board structure is patterned from the wafer backside so as to leave a small gap between the tip of the diving board and the opposite fixed edge on the front side of the wafer. In order to sense a realistic range of accelerations, a foot mass incorporated onto the end of the beam is found to provide design flexibility. A silicon nitride optical waveguide is then deposited by low pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD) onto the sample. Beam deflection is measured by the decrease of light coupled across the gap between the waveguide sections. In order to investigate sensor response and simulate deflection of the beam, we utilized a separate beam and waveguide section which could be displaced from one another in a precisely controlled manner. Measurements were performed on samples with gaps of 4.0, 6.0, and 8.0 micron and the variation of the fraction of light coupled across the gap as a function of displacement and gap spacing was found to agree with overlap integral calculations.
Thermal control paints, anodized aluminum, and beta cloth samples were flown on STS-46 as part of the Evaluation of Oxygen Interaction with Materials Experiment (EOIM-3). The thermal control paints flown on EOIM-3 include ceramic and polyurethane-based paints. Passively exposed samples are compared to actively heated samples and controlled exposure samples. Optical property measurements of absorptivity, emissivity, and spectrofluorescence are presented for each paint. Several variations of anodized aluminum, including chromic acid anodize, sulfuric acid anodize, and boric/sulfuric acid anodize were flown on the actively heated trays and the passive exposure trays. The post-flight optical properties are within tolerances for these materials. Also flown were two samples of yellow anodized aluminum. The yellow anodized aluminum samples darkened noticeably. Samples of aluminized and unaluminized beta cloth, a fiberglass woven mat impregnated with TFE Teflon, were flown with passive exposure to the space environment. Data from this part of the experiment is correlated to observations from LDEF and erosion of the Teflon thin film samples also flown on EOIM-3 and LDEF.
An investigation has been conducted in the NASA Langley 14- by 22-Foot Subsonic Tunnel in order to further the development of semi-span testing capabilities. A twin engine, energy efficient transport (EET) model with a four-element wing in a takeoff configuration was used for this investigation. Initially a full span configuration was tested and force and moment data, wing and fuselage surface pressure data, and fuselage boundary layer measurements were obtained as a baseline data set. The semi-span configurations were then mounted on the wind tunnel floor, and the effects of fuselage standoff height and shape as well as the effects of the tunnel floor boundary layer height were investigated. The effectiveness of tangential blowing at the standoff/floor juncture as an active boundary-layer control technique was also studied. Results indicate that the semi-span configuration was more sensitive to variations in standoff height than to variations in floor boundary layer height. A standoff height equivalent to 30 percent of the fuselage radius resulted in better correlation with full span data than no standoff or the larger standoff configurations investigated. Undercut standoff leading edges or the use of tangential blowing in the standoff/ floor juncture improved correlation of semi-span data with full span data in the region of maximum lift coefficient.
To improve nanotube production, we developed a novel optical control technique, based on the shape of the visible plasma zone created between the anode and the cathode in the direct current (DC) arc process. For a given inert gas, we adjust the anode to cathode distance (ACD) in order to obtain strong visible vortices around the cathode. This enhance anode vaporization, which improve nanotubes formation. In light of our experimental results, we focus our discussion on the relationship between plasma parameters and nanotube growth. Plasma temperature control during arc process is achieved using argon, helium, and their mixtures as a buffer gases. The variation of the gas mixture from pure argon to pure helium changes plasma temperature. As a consequence, the microscopic characteristics of nanotubes as diameter distribution is changed moving from smaller values for argon to higher diameters for helium. We also observe a dependence of the macroscopic characteristics of the final products as Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area.
Computed Tomography (CT) has proved to be of inestimable use in providing a rapid evaluation of a variety of samples from Mechanics of Granular Materials (MGM) to electronic materials (Ge-Si alloys) to space grown materials such as meteorites. The system at Kennedy Space Center (KSC), because of its convenient geographical location, is ideal for examining samples immediately after returning to Earth. It also has the advantage of the choice of fluxes, and in particular the use of a radioactive cobalt source, which is basically monochromatic. This permits a reasonable measurement of density to be made from which chemical composition can be determined. Due to the current dearth of long duration space grown materials, the CT instrument has been used to characterize materials in preparation for flight, to determine thermal expansion values, and to examine long duration space grown materials, i.e. meteorites. The work will first describe the establishment of the protocol for obtaining the optimum density readings for any material. This will include both the effects of the hardware or instrumental parameters that can be controlled, and the techniques used to process the CT data. Examples will be given of the compositional variation along single crystals of germanium-silicon alloys. Density variation with temperature has been measured in preparation for future materials science experiments; this involved the fabrication and installation of a single zone furnace incorporating a heat pipe to ensure of high temperature uniformity. At the time of writing the thermal expansion of lead has been measured from room temperature to 900 C. Three methods are available. Digital radiography enable length changes to be determined. Prior to melting the sample is small than the container and the diameter change can be measured. Most critical, however, is the density change in solid, through the melting region, and in the liquid state. These data are needed for engineering purposes to aid in the design of containment cartridges, and for enabling fluid flow calculations. A second sample, with the lead alloyed with antimony is ready for scanning. This corresponds to the planned composition of Dr. Poirier's flight experiment. Finally, three-dimensional results will be shown of the structure of a two-phase metallic meteorite of metal and sulfide, in which the iron-nickel phase has coarsened during slow cooling over hundreds of millions of years.
Tomography (CT) has proved to be of inestimable use in providing a rapid evaluation of a variety of samples from Mechanics of Granular Materials (MGM) to electronic materials (Ge-Si alloys) to space grown materials such as meteorites. The system at Kennedy Space Center (KSC), because of its convenient geographical location, is ideal for examining samples before launch and immediately after returning to Earth. It also has the advantage of the choice of fluxes, and in particular the use of a radioactive cobalt source, which is basically monochromatic. This permits a reasonable measurement of density to be made from which chemical composition can be determined. Due to the current dearth of long duration space grown materials, the CT instrument has been used: (1) to characterize materials in preparation for flight, (2) to determine thermal expansion values, and (3) to examine long duration space grown materials, i.e. meteorites. This work will first describe the establishment of the protocol for obtaining the optimum density readings for any material. Included will be the effects of the hardware or instrumental parameters that can be controlled, and the techniques used to process the CT data. Examples will be given of the compositional variation along a single crystal of Ge-Si alloy. Density variation with temperature has been measured in preparation for future materials science experiments; this involved the fabrication at MSFC and installation of a single zone furnace at KSC incorporating a heat pipe to ensure high temperature uniformity. At the time of writing the thermal expansion of lead (Pb) has been measured from room temperature to 900 C. Three methods are available. Digital radiography enables length changes to be determined. Prior to melting the sample is smaller than the container and the diameter change can be measured. Most critical, however, is the density change in solid, through the melting region, and in the liquid state. These data are needed for engineering purposes to aid in the design of containment cartridges, and for enabling fluid flow calculations. A second sample, with the Pb alloyed with Sb is ready for scanning. This corresponds to the planned composition of Dr. Poirier s flight experiment. Other materials pertinent to NASA programs such as Al-Cu (Trivedi), CdTe (Banish), HgCdTe (Lehoczky) will be examined below and above the melting point. Finally, three-dimensional results will be shown of the structure of a two-phase metallic meteorite of metal and sulfide, in which the Fe-Ni phase has coarsened during slow cooling over hundreds of millions of years.