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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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At least 1,711 records · Page 95

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NASA NTRS1972

Ultraprecision tool positioner

A linear actuator was designed with a range of several centimeters plus. Two independently functioning devices were combined to form a tool positioner, which could be used for the generation of optical elements in highly stable materials or to actively control the figure of a lightweight astronomical mirror. The advantages of the positioner over other displacement actuators are: simplicity of construction, large displacement range, bidirectional displacement, and the ability to work against opposing forces. An engineering model positioner was manufactured and tested. The system includes an electronic switching circuit and a laser interferometer gage. It was demonstrated that, by combining a holding and a driving mechanism, the capabilities of a limited positioning device are extended.

Schmidt, E. E.↗

NASA NTRS1973

Laser scanning methods and a phase comparison, modulated laser range finder for terrain sensing on a Mars roving vehicle

Two areas of a laser range finder for a Mars roving vehicle are investigated: (1) laser scanning systems, and (2) range finder methods and implementation. Several ways of rapidly scanning a laser are studied. Two digital deflectors and a matrix of laser diodes, are found to be acceptable. A complete range finder scanning system of high accuracy is proposed. The problem of incident laser spot distortion on the terrain is discussed. The instrumentation for a phase comparison, modulated laser range finder is developed and sections of it are tested.

Herb, G. T.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Electro-optic and holographic measurement techniques for the atmospheric sciences

A comprehensive examination is made of recent advanced research directions in the applications of electro-optical and holographic instrumentations and methods to atmospheric sciences problems. In addition, an overview is given of the in-house research program for environmental and atmospheric measurements with emphasis on particulates systems. Special treatment is made of the instrument methods and applications work in the areas of laser scattering spectrometers and pulsed holography sizing systems. Selected engineering tests data on space simulation chamber programs are discussed.

Moore, W. W., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Photocurrent Imaging Detects Solar-Module Defects

Raster-scanned laser beam excites photocurrents in thin-film amorphous silicon devices. Solar-cell laser scanner uses two galvanometer-driven mirrors to scan laser-beam spot over surface of module or cell under test. Position signals from scan controllers used to index storage of photocurrent signal data in scan-converter image memory. Stored image displayed on television monitor.

Kim, Q.↗

NASA NTRS1985

A tomographic technique for aerodynamics at transonic speeds

Computer aided tomography (CAT) provides a means of noninvasively measuring the air density distribution around an aerodynamic model. This technique is global in that a large portion of the flow field can be measured. A test of the applicability of CAT to transonic velocities was studied. A hemispherical-nose cylinder afterbody model was tested at a Mach number of 0.8 with a new laser holographic interferometer at the 2- by 2-Foot Transonic Wind Tunnel. Holograms of the flow field were taken and were reconstructed into interferograms. The fringe distribution (a measure of the local densities) was digitized for subsequent data reduction. A computer program based on the Fourier-transform technique was developed to convert the fringe distribution into three-dimensional densities around the model. Theoretical aerodynamic densities were calculated for evaluating and assessing the accuracy of the data obtained from the tomographic method.

Lee, G.↗

NASA NTRS1985

A tomographic technique for aerodynamics at transonic speeds

Lee, G.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Optical strain measurement system development

A laser speckle, differential strain measurement system has been built and tested for future applications in hostile environments. One-dimensional electronic correlation of speckle pattern movement allows a quasi-real time measure of strain. The system has been used successfully to measure uniaxial strain reaching into plastic deformation of a test specimen, at temperatures ranging to 450 C. A resolution of 16 microstrain is given by the photodiode array sensor pitch and the specimen to sensor separation. The strain measurement error is estimated to be +/-18 microstrain +/-3 percent of the strain reading. The upper temperature limit of the gauge is determined by air density perturbations causing decorrelation of the reference and shifted speckle patterns, and may be improved by limiting convective flow in the immediate vicinity of the test specimen.

Lant, Christian T.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Fiber optics wavelength division multiplexing(components)

The long term objectives are to develop optical multiplexers/demultiplexers, different wavelength and modulation stable semiconductor lasers and high data rate transceivers, as well as to test and evaluate fiber optic networks applicable to the Space Station. Progress in each of the above areas is briefly discussed.

Hendricks, Herbert D.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Comments on Lambeck and Coleman - 'The earth's shape and gravity field: A report of progress from 1958 to 1982'

The accuracy and validation of global gravity models based on satellite data are discussed, responding to the statistical analysis of Lambeck and Coleman (1983) (LC). Included are an evaluation of the LC error spectra, a summary of independent-observation calibrations of the error estimates of the Goddard Earth Models (GEM) 9 and L2 (Lerch et al., 1977, 1979, 1982, 1983, and 1985), a comparison of GEM-L2 with GRIM-3B (Reigber et al., 1983), a comparison of recent models with LAGEOS laser ranging, and a summary of resonant-orbit model tests. It is concluded that the accuracy of GEMs 9, 10, and L2 is much higher than claimed by LC, that the GEMs are in good agreement with independent observations and with GRIM-3B, and that the GEM calibrations were adequate. In a reply by LC, a number of specific questions regarding the error estimates are addressed, and it is pointed out that the intermodel discrepancies of the greatest geophysical interest are those in the higher-order coefficients, not discussed in the present comment. It is argued that the differences among the geoid heights of even the most recent models are large enough to call for considerable improvements.

Lerch, F. J.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Space Station communications and tracking system

A comprehensive description of the existing Space Station communications and tracking system requirements, architecture, and design concepts is provided. Areas which will require innovative solutions to provide cost-effective flight systems are emphasized. Among these are the space-to-space links, the differential global positioning system for determining relative position with free-flying vehicles, multitarget radar, packet/isochronous signal processing, and laser docking systems. In addition, the importance of advanced development, tests, and analyses is summarized.

Dietz, Reinhold H.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Combustor-diffuser interaction program

A collection of empirical and analytical design methodology on combustor-diffuser systems was completed. A fully elliptic code was selected for analyzing the combustor-diffuser interaction. Analytical model predictions were obtained for all flow conditions at which Phase 2 tests will be conducted. These results will be compared with laser doppler velocimeter data. Furthermore, a generalized nonorthogonal grid system is being developed to accurately simulate complex wall shapes.

Srinivasan, R.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Radarclinometry - Bootstrapping the radar reflectance function from the image pixel-signal frequency distribution and an altimetry profile

A method for determining the dependence of radar backscatter on incidence angle that is applicable to the region corresponding to a particular radar image is derived. The method is based on enforcing mathematical consistency between the frequency distribution of the images' pixel signals and a one-dimensional frequency distribution of slope component, which is obtained from a radar or laser altimetry profile in or near the imaged area. To test the resulting algorithm, an arbitrarily selected reflectance function is used to generate an artificial radar image from a digitized topographic map of the Lake Champlain West quadrangle in the Adirondack Mountains, U.S. It is found that, for 99 percent of the data, the maximum error is 1 degree.

Wildey, Robert L.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Optical strain measurement system development

A laser speckle, differential strain measurement system has been built and tested for future applications in hostile environments. One-dimensional electronic correlation of speckle pattern movement allows a quasi-real time measure of strain. The system has been used successfully to measure uniaxial strain reaching into plastic deformation of a test specimen, at temperatures ranging to 450 C. A resolution of 126 microstrain is given by the photodiode array sensor pitch and the specimen to sensor separation. The strain measurement error is estimated to be +/-18 microstrain +/-3 percent of the strain reading. The upper temperature limit of the gauge is determined by air density perturbations causing decorrelation of the reference and shifted speckle patterns, and may be improved by limiting convective flow in the immediate vicinity of the test specimen.

Lant, Christian T.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Systems report for payload G-652: Project origins

Experiments conducted to investigate possible hardware configurations and methodologies for a Get Away Special payload designated G-652 are discussed. Test data collected from the operation of a free electron laser wiggler using simulated ram glow phenomenon are described. Results of an experiment to synthesize organic compounds within a primordial atmosphere using a laser induced plasma are discussed. An experiment is described which utilized neutron bombardment to assess the risk of genetic alterations in embyros in space.

Bellina, J.↗

NASA NTRS1990

The determination of the orbit of the Japanese satellite Ajisai and the GEM-T1 and GEM-T2 gravity field models

The Japanese Experimental Geodetic Satellite Ajisai was launched on August 12, 1986. In response to the TOPEX-POSEIDON mission requirements, the GSFC Space Geodesy Branch and its associates are producing improved models of the Earth's gravitational field. With the launch of Ajisai, precise laser data is now available which can be used to test many current gravity models. The testing of the various gravity field models show improvements of more than 70 percent in the orbital fits when using GEM-T1 and GEM-T2 relative to results obtained with the earlier GEM-10B model. The GEM-T2 orbital fits are at the 13-cm level (RMS). The results of the tests with the various versions of the GEM-T1 model indicate that the addition of satellite altimetry and surface gravity anomalies as additional data types should improve future gravity field models.

Sanchez, Braulio V.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Beta measurements

The second year's results of the BETA project research are presented. The program is divided into two areas, aerosol modification and climatology in the trade wind region and the climatology of BETA (CO2) on remote mountain top locations. Limited data is available on the aerosol climatology of the marine free troposphere (MFT) in the trade wind region. In order to study the effects of cumulus convection on the MFT values of BETA, a cloud model was developed to simulate the evolution of a typical Pacific trade wind cumulus cloud. The stages involved in this development are outlined. The assembly of the major optical components of the lidar was made. Tests were run of the spectral bandwidth of the Synrad laser when a portion of the beam is mixed with a component which has traveled 450 meters corresponding to a delay of 1.5 microsecs. The bandwidth of the beat signal was measured to be 3 KHz. The data processing system based on a parallel processing filter bank analyzer using true time squaring detectors at each filter was completed.

Schotland, R. M.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Spectrally resolved Rayleigh scattering diagnostic for hydrogen-oxygen rocket plume studies

A Rayleigh scattering diagnostic has been developed to measure gas density, temperature, and velocity in the exhaust plume of 100 N thrust class hydrogen-oxygen rockets. The spectrum of argon-ion laser light scattered by the gas molecules in the plume (predominantly water vapor) is measured with a scanning Fabry-Perot interferometer. The gas density is determined from the total scattered power, the gas temperature from the spectral width, and the velocity from the shift in the peak of the spectrum from the frequency of the incident laser light. The diagnostic has been demonstrated in a rocket test cell and a discussion of results is given.

Seasholtz, R. G.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Extension and validation of an unsteady wake model for rotors

A new three-dimensional, finite-state induced-flow model is extended to treat nonlinearities associated with the mass flow induced through the rotor plane. This new theory is then applied to the correlation of a recent set of unsteady, hover laser Doppler velocimetry inflow measurements conducted in the Aeroelastic Rotor Test Chamber at Georgia Institute of Technology. Although the model is intended primarily as a representation of unsteady aerodynamics for aeroelasticity applications, the results show that it has an excellent capability in predicting the inflow distribution in hover except near the root and tip. In addition, the computed unsteady spanwise lift distribution of a rotor is compared with that from an unsteady vortex lattice method for pitch oscillations at various frequencies. The new model is shown to be capable of prediction of unsteady loads typical of aeroelastic response.

Su, AY↗