Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “flat”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,729 records · Page 96
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1981

High resolution X-ray scattering measurements for Advanced X-ray Astrophysics Facility /AXAF/

The Advanced X-ray Astrophysics Facility (AXAF) is to be an orbiting X-ray observatory with high resolution imaging capabilities. Specific goals of 0.5 arcsecond resolution, and an encircled energy of 60% within a 1.0 arcsecond diameter circle at 2.5 keV have been established for AXAF. Imaging X-ray optics are primarily limited by scattering of the X-rays from the mirror surfaces. To ensure that the AXAF goals can be met, comprehensive X-ray scattering measurements are being conducted on a large number of flat samples. Sub-arcsecond resolution is achieved in these measurements through use of the MSFC 1000 ft X-ray calibration facility and a high spatial resolution X-ray detector. Flats of various materials, various coatings, and a range of rms surface roughness are being evaluated. Direct evaluation of surface microroughness is also provided by a variety of optical and non-optical means. This paper describes the scattering measurement program, the instrumentation used to obtain the measurements and preliminary results of measurements on several of the sample flats.

Zombeck, M. V.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Reflectance differences between Target and Torch rape cultivars

Spectroradiometric reflectance measurements were made on Target and Torch plants (four and five leaves, respectively) that were growing in 0.09 m2 soil-containing flats. Torch's spectrophotometric single leaf reflectance was consistently lower than Target's at the 650-nm chlorophyll absorption band because Torch's chlorophyll concentration was larger than Target's, which caused more red light absorption. Spectroradiometric measurements indicate that: wet soil strongly absorbs visible light (500 to 700 nm) so that Target's soil-containing flat with 60% plant cover has less reflectance than Torch's soil-containing flat with 75% plant cover; Torch (most foiliage) has higher near-infrared (750 to 1,350 nm) reflectance than Target (least foliage); and the 2,200-nm wavelength is a candidate band to distinguish Target from Torch. The difference in chlorophyll concentrations between Target and Torch, compared with leaf structural differences, is apparently the most important factor that would affect the infrared color film's tonal response to vegetation in the photographic sensitive region (500 to 900 nm).

Gausman, H. W.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Testing of the Kuiper Airborne Observatory 91-CM telescope

The 91 cm telescope of the Kuiper Airborne Observatory was tested for optical figure errors in the surface of the mirrors and misalignment of the optical components. When the present set of optical components are installed in the telescope in proper alignment, the telescope produces an image with 80% of the energy in a circle of 1.50 arc seconds in diameter; that is, a 0.11 mm spot diameter in the focal plane. The primary mirror, an f/2 parabola, was tested against a flat and has a quality that puts 80% of the energy in a 0.51 arc second diameter spot. Two principal sources account for the residual error: the tertiary folding flat and the chopping secondary. It appears that the method of mounting the folding flat causes some distortion and that the secondary mirror has some residual spherical aberration in its figure.

Parks, R. E.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Escalator design features evaluation

Escalators are available with design features such as dual speed (90 and 120 fpm), mat operation and flat steps. These design features were evaluated based on the impact of each on capital and operating costs, traffic flow, and safety. A human factors engineering model was developed to analyze the need for flat steps at various speeds. Mat operation of escalators was found to be cost effective in terms of energy savings. Dual speed operation of escalators with the higher speed used during peak hours allows for efficient operation. A minimum number of flat steps required as a function of escalator speed was developed to ensure safety for the elderly.

Zimmerman, W. F.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Turbulent boundary layer heat transfer experiments - A separate effects study on a convexly-curved wall

Surface heat transfer rates have been measured for several different flows on an isothermal, convexly curved surface. The freestream velocity, boundary layer thickness, acceleration parameter, and unheated starting length were varied systematically, and both turbulent and transitional boundary layers were studied. The effect of convex curvature on heat transfer rates is significant with Stanton numbers reduced 20-25% below flat wall values for the same enthalpy thickness Reynolds number. Heat transfer rates recovered slowly on a flat wall downstream of the curved wall, and after 60 cm, the Stanton numbers were still 15-20% below flat wall values. The behavior of the boundary layer suggests the existence of an asymptotic condition. Boundary layer thickness, freestream velocity, and boundary layer maturity affect the initial response to the introduction of curvature and the rate at which the asymptotic state is approached. Convex curvature appears to increase the boundary layer's sensitivity to acceleration; it also delays and retards transition. Near-laminar or early-transitional boundary layers recover from curvature rapidly, whereas late-transitional and mature boundary layers recover slowly.

Simon, T. W.↗
NASA NTRS1981

An integrated control panel utilizing a programmable varistor-multiplexed dichroic liquid crystal display

Due to the conflicting demands of modern aircraft for increased systems/sensors and the decrease in cockpit panel size, weight, volume, and power, conventional discrete/dedicated methods of display and control are fast becoming obsolete. A means is sought to integrate the control and display into multifunctional programmable devices, thus giving the ability to increase system functions and yet conserve panel space. A potential solution to the control portion of the problem has come to be known as the Integrated Control Panel (ICP) approach. Flat panel display technology and controls using programmable flat panel displays with transparent capacitive touch control overlays offer the largest potential advantages. The flat panel display made of varistor-multiplexed dichroic liquid crystal (LCD) developed by GE in recent years appears to offer the ideal monochrome solution.

Whitton, I. J.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Solid particle impingement erosion characteristics of cylindrical surfaces, pre-existing holes and slits

The erosion characteristics of aluminum cylinders sand-blasted with both spherical and angular erodent particles were studied and compared with results from previously studied flat surfaces. The cylindrical results are discussed with respect to impact conditions. The relationship between erosion rate and pit morphology (width, depth, and width to depth ratio) is established. The aspects of (1) erosion rate versus time curves on cylindrical surfaces; (2) long-term exposures; and (3) erosion rate versus time curves with spherical and angular particles are presented. The erosion morphology and characteristics of aluminum surfaces with pre-existing circular cylindrical and conical holes of different sizes were examined using weight loss measurements, scanning electron microscopy, a profilometer, and a depth gage. The morphological features (radial and concentric rings) are discussed with reference to flat surfaces, and the erosion features with spherical microglass beads. The similarities and differences of erosion and morphological features are highlighted. The erosion versus time curves of various shapes of holes are discussed and are compared with those of a flat surface. The erosion process at slits is considered.

Rao, P. V.↗
NASA NTRS1983

A non-spherically symmetric model for absorption regions near quasars

An approximate analytic solution of the radiative-transfer equation is used to estimate upper limits on the fraction of sky covered (Omega/4pi) by absorption regions near broad absorption-line quasars. The resonance scattering of line radiation tends to 'fill in' absorption troughs, and regions with large Omega/4pi produce troughs that are severely 'filled in'. PHL 5200 and several other broad absorption line quasars have absorption troughs that are flat-bottomed and deep. It is noted that these quasars probably have small Omega/4pi. Simple solutions are obtained for the case of large optical depth and a point central source using a two-stream model for the radiation field. It is shown that the scattered radiation can produce flat-bottomed absorption troughs if the logarithmic velocity derivative in the outflow is constant. For a large class of models, Omega/4pi is approximately less than the residual intensity (the fraction left after absorption) in a deep flat-bottomed absorption trough.

Junkkarinen, V. T.↗
NASA NTRS1983

New method of determining the onset of ring cracking

A technique is developed for the detection of the onset of circumferential ring cracks in a flat brittle piece of an electrically insulating material. Thin metal films were deposited on both the insulating indentor (diamond) and the insulating brittle flat. The initiation of a ring crack was signified by a step in the monitored electrical contact resistance between the indentor and flat metal films versus the applied force. It was determined by tests performed on polished glass slides using diamond indentors that this technique is both sensitive and reproducible. The onset of crack formation as observed by optical means was found to occur at the same time as the step in the contact resistance when both experiments were carried out simultaneously.

Grzybowski, T. A.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Transducers for ultrasonic limb plethysmography

The design, construction, and performance characteristics of ultasonic transducers suitable for limb plethysmography are presented. Both 3-mm-diameter flat-plate and 12-mm-diameter hemispheric ceramic transducers operating at 2 MHz were fitted in 1-mm thick epoxy-resin lens/acoustic-coupling structures and mounted in exercie-EKG electrode housings for placement on the calf using adhesive collars. The effects of transducer directional characteristics on performance under off-axis rotation and the electrical impedances of the transducers were measured: The flat transducer was found to be sensitive to rotation and have an impedance of 800 ohms; the hemispheric transducer, to be unaffected by rotation and have an impedance of 80 ohms. The use of hemispheric transducers as both transmitter and receiver, or of a flat transducer as transmitter and a hemispheric transducer as receiver, was found to produce adequate dimensional measurements, with minimum care in transducer placement, in short-term physiological experiments and long-term (up to 7-day) attachment tests.

Nickell, W. T.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Large numbers hypothesis. IV - The cosmological constant and quantum physics

In standard physics quantum field theory is based on a flat vacuum space-time. This quantum field theory predicts a nonzero cosmological constant. Hence the gravitational field equations do not admit a flat vacuum space-time. This dilemma is resolved using the units covariant gravitational field equations. This paper shows that the field equations admit a flat vacuum space-time with nonzero cosmological constant if and only if the canonical LNH is valid. This allows an interpretation of the LNH phenomena in terms of a time-dependent vacuum state. If this is correct then the cosmological constant must be positive.

Adams, P. J.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Machining of Silicon-Ribbon-Forming Dies

Carbon extension for dies used in forming silicon ribbon crystals machined precisely with help of special tool. Die extension has edges beveled toward narrow flats at top, with slot precisely oriented and centered between flats and bevels. Cutting tool assembled from standard angle cutter and circular saw or saws. Angle cutters cuts bevels while slot saw cuts slot between them. In alternative version, custom-ground edges or additional circular saws also cut flats simultaneously.

Menna, A. A.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Aerodynamic characteristics of a Sparrow 3 missile model in the flow field of a generalized parent body at Mach 2.86

Longitudinal aerodynamic characteristics of a Sparrow 3 wing control missile model were measured through a range of separation distances relative to a flat plate surface that represented the parent-body configuration. Measurements were obtained with and without two dimensional circular arc protuberances attached to the flat plate surface. The tests were conducted at a Mach number of 2.86 and a Reynolds number per meter of 6.56 million. The behavior of these longitudinal characteristics with varying separation distance in the flow field created by the flat plate and protuberance was generally as would be expected on the basis of flow field boundaries determined from the second order approximation of Friedrich. In general, varying roll angle from 0 deg to 45 deg caused no significant effect on the store separation characteristics.

Stallings, R. L., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Investigation of the effects of pressure gradient, temperature and wall temperature ratio on the stagnation point heat transfer for circular cylinders and gas turbine vanes

Low and high pressure shock tubes were designed and constructed for the purpose of obtaining heat transfer data over a temperature range of 390 to 2500 K, pressures of 0.3 to 42 atm, and Mach numbers of 0.15 to 1.5 with and without pressure gradient. A square test section with adjustable top and bottom walls was constructed to produce the favorable and adverse pressure gradient over the flat plate with heat gages. A water cooled gas turbine nozzle cascade which is attached to the high pressure shock tube was obtained to measuse the heat flux over pressure and suction surfaces. Thin-film platinum heat gages with a response time of a few microseconds were developed and used to measure the heat flux for laminar, transition, and turbulent boundary layers. The laminar boundary heat flux on the shock tube wall agreed with Mirel's flat plate theory. Stagnation point heat transfer for circular cylinders at low temperature compared with the theoretical prediction, but for a gas temperature of 922 K the heat fluxes were higher than the predicted values. Preliminary flat plate heat transfer data were measured for laminar, transition, and turbulent boundary layers with and without pressure gradients for free-stream temperatures of 350 to 2575 K and flow Mach numbers of 0.11 to 1.9. The experimental heat flux data were correlated with the laminar and turbulent theories and the agreement was good at low temperatures which was not the case for higher temperatures.

Nagamatsu, H. T.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Interference drag in a simulated wing-fuselage juncture

The interference drag in a wing fuselage juncture as simulated by a flat plate and a body of constant thickness having a 1.5:1 elliptical leading edge is evaluated experimentally. The experimental measurements consist of mean velocity data taken with a hot wire at a streamwise location corresponding to 16 body widths downstream of the body leading edge. From these data, the interference drag is determined by calculating the total momentum deficit (momentum area) in the juncture and also in the two dimensional turbulent boundary layers on the flat plate and body at locations sufficiently far from the juncture flow effect. The interference drag caused by the juncture drag as measured at this particular streamwise station is -3% of the total drag due to the flat plate and body boundary layers in isolation. If the body is considered to be a wing having a chord and span equal to 16 body widths, the interference drag due to the juncture is only -1% of the frictional drag of one surface of such a wing.

Kubendran, L. R.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Wall mass transfer and pressure gradient effects on turbulent skin friction

The effects of mass injection and pressure gradients on the drag of surfaces were studied theoretically with the aid of boundary-layer and Navier-Stokes codes. The present investigation is concerned with the effects of spatially varying the injection in the case of flat-plate drag. Effects of suction and injection on wavy wall surfaces are also explored. Calculations were performed for 1.2 m long surfaces, one flat and the other sinusoidal with a wavelength of 30.5 cm. Attention is given to the study of the effect of various spatial blowing variations on flat-plate skin friction reduction, local skin friction coefficient calculated by finite difference boundary-layer code and Navier-Stokes code, and the effect of phase-shifting sinusoidal mass transfer on the drag of a sinusoidal surface.

Watson, R. D.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Downwash in the plane of symmetry of an elliptically loaded wing

A closed-form solution for the downwash in the plane of symmetry of an elliptically loaded line is given. This theoretical result is derived from Prandtl's lifting-line theory and assumes that: (1) a three-dimensional wing can be replaced by a straight lifting line, (2) this line is elliptically loaded, and (3) the trailing wake is a flat-sheet which does not roll up. The first assumption is reasonable for distances greater than about 1 chord from the wing aerodynamic center. The second assumption is satisfied by any combination of wing twist, spanwise camber variation, or planform that approximates elliptic loading. The third assumption is justified only for high-aspect-ratio wings at low lift coefficients and downstream distances less than about 1 span from the aerodynamic center. It is shown, however, that assuming the wake to be fully rolled up gives downwash values reasonably close to those of the flat-sheet solution derived in this paper. The wing can therefore be modeled as a single horseshoe vortex with the same lift and total circulation as the equivalent ellipticity loaded line, and the predicted downwash will be a close approximation independent of aspect ratio and lift coefficient. The flat-sheet equation and the fully rolled up wake equation are both one-line formulas that predict the upwash field in front of the wing, as well as the downwash field behind it. These formulas are useful for preliminary estimates of the complex aerodynamic interaction between two wings (i.e., canard, tandem wing, and conventional aircraft) including the effects of gap and stagger.

Phillips, J. D.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Monitoring of the tidal dynamics of the Dutch Waddensea by SIR-B

The potential of LANDSAT data, covering the entire tidal flats at a certain, known, tidal situation, was assessed. It was discovered that the data cannot be used for systematic survey because of the long interval between subsequent passes, weather conditions often interfere with recording, and of the lack of correlation between passes and the tidal situation. The objective is to overcome the problems by using: (1) the synoptic view obtained by SIR-B, which has the potential of surveying large areas of the flats simultaneously; (2) the all-weather capability of the microwave system; (3) the recording during consecutive days, which results in a straightforeward correlation with the tidal cycle and the picturing of different tidal stages; and (4) the multiangle incidence of SIR-B to analyze the bottom configuration of submerged parts of the flats. The use of a weather independent monitoring device, such as radar, an improvement in the monitoring technique of tidal coastal areas.

Koopmans, B. N.↗