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At least 1,747 records · Page 97

The reliability of the daily quick look solar wind velocities as indicators of interplanetary activity

It is shown that the daily quick look solar wind velocities based on the Ames Research Center solar wind plasma data obtained on the Pioneer spacecraft are surprisingly reliable indicators of interplanetary activity. These velocities can appropriately be used in correlation studies with an average accuracy of plus or minus 5%. This accuracy reflects the 'jitter' in the solar wind velocity during quiescent intervals and across high-speed streams.

Intriligator, D. S.↗

A directional microphone array for acoustic studies of wind tunnel models

An end-fire microphone array that utilizes a digital time delay system has been designed and evaluated for measuring noise in wind tunnels. The directional response of both a four- and eight-element linear array of microphones has enabled substantial rejection of background noise and reverberations in the NASA Ames 40- by 80-foot wind tunnel. In addition, it is estimated that four- and eight-element arrays reject 6 and 9 dB, respectively, of microphone wind noise, as compared with a conventional omnidirectional microphone with nose cone. Array response to two types of jet engine models in the wind tunnel is presented. Comparisons of array response to loudspeakers in the wind tunnel and in free field are made.

Soderman, P. T.↗

Aeroelastic-stability characteristics of a V/STOL tilt-rotor aircraft with hingeless blades - Correlation of analysis and test

The potential aeroelastic problems of a tilt rotor aircraft are described. The type of mathematical model required to predict such behavior is discussed and results of a design study on a specific configuration are presented. The sensitivity of the results to variation of the structural parameters is evaluated. The methodology used for analytical studies is shown to predict accurately the behavior of a full-scale rotor-pylon-wing system tested in the NASA-Ames 40- by 80-foot wind tunnel. It is concluded that there is no impediment from an aeroelastic viewpoint in designing and flying a tilt-rotor aircraft using a soft-in-plane hingeless rotor.

Alexander, H. R.↗

Experimental and analytical studies in tilt-rotor aeroelasticity

An overview of an experimental and analytical research program for studying the aeroelastic and dynamic characteristics of tilt-rotor VTOL aircraft is presented. Selected results from several investigations of scaled models in the Langley transonic dynamics tunnel as well as some results from a test of a flight-worthy prop rotor in the NASA Ames full-scale wind tunnel are shown and discussed with a view toward delineating various aspects of dynamic behavior peculiar to prop rotor aircraft. Included are such items as prop rotor pylon stability, whirl flutter, gust response, and blade flapping. Theoretical predictions, based on analyses developed at Langley, are shown to be in agreement with the measured stability and response behavior.

Kvaternik, R. G.↗

A parametric analysis of transport aircraft system weights and costs

In determining unit and operating costs for advanced aircraft, it has been found that by having first-order weight and performance approximations for the aircraft systems and structural components, a step increase in cost prediction accuracy results. This paper presents first-order approximation equations for these systems and components. These equations were developed from data for most current jet transports, and they have been ordered to use a minimum number of performance parameters such as aircraft style, number of passengers, empty and gross weight, cargo load, and operating range. A NASA Ames Research Center aircraft cost program has been used to compare calculated and actual weights for the same aircraft. Good aircraft cost correlation is shown to exist between calculated first-order and actual aircraft weight data.

Anderson, J. L.↗

Image selection system

An image selection (ISS) was developed for the NASA-Ames Research Center Earth Resources Aircraft Project. The ISS is an interactive, graphics oriented, computer retrieval system for aerial imagery. An analysis of user coverage requests and retrieval strategies is presented, followed by a complete system description. Data base structure, retrieval processors, command language, interactive display options, file structures, and the system's capability to manage sets of selected imagery are described. A detailed example of an area coverage request is graphically presented.

Knutson, M. A.↗

Airoscope telemetry system

The AIROscope (Ames Infrared Observatory telescope) telemetry system is described from signal conditioning on the gondola to display and storage at the ground station. All analog and digital data from the systems and experiments on the gondola go to a PCM encoder which formats the data into 10-bit words. Therefore, 0.1-percent resolution is inherently available for experimental data. The coded bit stream directly modulates the carrier of the FM transmitter. To insure reliable transmission over a 650-km range an 11-watt FM transmitter operating at 1483.5 MHz is used on the gondola. Modulation is narrow band FM with a maximum deviation of plus or minus 500 kHz. The maximum modulation frequency is determined by the data bit rate which could be as high as 500 kbps. Presently, a rate of 20.48 kbps is used. The ground station receiving system includes a steerable antenna (19-db gain), preamplifier (21-db gain) and receiver. All data are recorded on a tape recorder. The recorded signal then can be played back through the PCM decommutator unit at a later time for detailed data analysis by the experimenter.

Pitts, K. J.↗

Summary of the recent short-haul systems studies

The results of several NASA sponsored high density short haul air transportation systems studies are reported as well as analyzed. Included are the total STOL systems analysis approach, a companion STOL composites study conducted in conjunction with STOL systems studies, a STOL economic assessment study, an evaluation of STOL aircraft with and without externally blown flaps, an alternative STOL systems for the San Francisco Bay Area, and the quiet, clean experimental engine studies. Assumptions and results of these studies are summarized, their differences, analyzed, and the results compared with those in-house analyses performed by the Systems Studies Division of the NASA-Ames Research Center. Pertinent conclusions are developed and the more significant technology needs for the evaluation of a viable short haul transportation system are identified.

Savin, R. C.↗

Acoustic results from tests of a 36-inch (0.914 m) diameter statorless lift fan

A statorless, turbotip lift fan was tested statically outdoors to determine its acoustic characteristics. Spectral and directivity results are presented with comparison to data from the same family of lift fan designs having stator vanes. Modifications to the fan were tested to evaluate circular inlet guide vanes and exhaust treatment. A comparison was made of results obtained at General Electric Edwards Flight Test Center and NASA Ames Research Center with regards to test data and differences in site characteristics.

Stimpert, D. L.↗

Effects of selected design variables on three ramp, external compression inlet performance

Two inlet performance tests and one inlet/airframe drag test were conducted in 1969 at the NASA-Ames Research Center. The basic inlet system was two-dimensional, three ramp (overhead), external compression, with variable capture area. The data from these tests were analyzed to show the effects of selected design variables on the performance of this type of inlet system. The inlet design variables investigated include inlet bleed, bypass, operating mass flow ratio, inlet geometry, and variable capture area.

Kamman, J. H.↗

Evaluation of image quality in a Cassegrain-type telescope with an oscillating secondary mirror

A ray-trace analysis is described of aberrations and extreme rays of a Cassegrain-type telescope with a tilted secondary mirror. The work was motivated by the need to understand the factors limiting image quality and to assist in the design of secondary mirrors for three telescopes with oscillating secondary mirrors (OSM) used at Ames Research Center for high altitude infrared astronomy. The telescopes are a 31-cm-diameter Dall-Kirkham (elliptical primary, spherical secondary) flown aboard a Lear jet, a 71-cm balloon-borne Dall-Kirkham flown on the AIROscope gondola, and a 91-cm true Cassegrain (parabolic primary, hyperbolic secondary) flown aboard a C-141 jet transport. The optics for these telescopes were not designed specifically for OSM operation, but all have OSM's and all must be used with various detector configurations; therefore, a facility that evaluates the performance of a telescope for a given configuration is useful. The analytical expressions are summarized and results for the above systems are discussed. Details of the calculation and a discussion of the computer program are given in the appendices.

Erickson, E. F.↗

Apollo 12, 15, and 16 lunar surface magnetometer experiment data analysis

The polarization of magnetometer signals detected at the Apollo 15 Hadley site by the lunar surface magnetometer has been studied to determine the source of the signal anisotropy which is observed and caused by the polarization. Instrument and data chain malfunction (cross-talk) seems ruled out. The source appears real and apparently connected with the Imbrium basin using reasonable inferences regarding the electromagnetic structure of the Moon. A theory is developed using moons with holes and conducting caps where the Imbrium basin is; results of calculations are consistent, though not unique, in specifying an anomaly in the electrical conductivity underlying Mare Imbrium. Distinct differences are noted from plasma sheet and diamagnetic cavity transfer functions, but the lobes appear, as for all other data, not to be vacuum for study of the moon. A discussion is given of problems connected with transfer of data, software, and theoretical programs from NASA Ames Research Center to the University of Arizona, and a summary is given of the conversion from IBM to CDC formats.

Sonett, C. P.↗

Experimental aerodynamic characteristics for a cylindrical body of revolution with side strakes and various noses at angles of attack from 0 degrees to 58 degrees and Mach numbers from 0.6 to 2.0

For a body of revolution with afterbody side strakes, an experimental investigation was conducted in the Ames 6- by 6-Foot Wind Tunnel to determine the effects on the aerodynamic characteristics of forebody geometry, nose strakes, body side strakes, Reynolds number, Mach number, and angle of attack. Aerodynamic force and moment characteristics were measured for the straked cylindrical afterbody (cylinder fineness ratio of 7) with tangent ogive noses of fineness ratio 2.5 to 5.0. In addition, the straked cylinder afterbody was tested with an ogive nose having a rounded tip and an ogive nose with two different nose strake arrangements. The data demonstrate that the aerodynamic characteristics for a body of revolution with side strakes can be significantly affected by changes in nose fineness ratio, nose bluntness, Reynolds number, Mach number, and, of course, angle of attack. Removing the strakes from the cylindrical aftersection greatly decreased the lift, but this removal hardly changed the maximum magnitudes of the undesirable side forces that developed at angles of attack greater than about 25 deg for subsonic Mach numbers.

Jorgensen, L. H.↗

Data link relay design

The data link for the Ames baseline probe as applied to the MJU spacecraft specifically with an entry at Uranus is analyzed. A frequency analysis, a trajectory analysis, and a discussion of the effects on the spacecraft design by the data link are presented. The possibilities of a two-way link are considered.

Parsons, P.↗

Feasibility study of the Boeing Small Research Module (BSRM) concept

The design, capabilities, and subsystem options for the Boeing Small Research Module (BSRM) are described. Specific scientific missions are defined based on NASA-Ames Research Center requirements and the BSRM capability to support these missions is discussed. Launch vehicle integration requirements and spacecraft operational features are also presented.

Source record↗

Testing of lift/cruise fan exhaust deflector

A lift/cruise exhaust deflector system for the LF336/A tip turbine lift fan was designed, built, and tested to determine the design and performance characteristics of a large-scale, single swivel nozzle thrust vectoring system. The exhaust deflector static testing was performed at the Ames Research Center outside static test stand facilities. The test hardware was installed on a hydraulic lift platform to permit both in and out of ground effect testing. The exhaust flow of the LF336/A lift fan was vectored from 0 degrees through 130 degrees during selected fan speeds to obtain performance at different operating conditions. The system was operated with and without flow vanes installed in the small radius bends to evaluate the system performance based on a proposed method of improving the internal flow losses. The program also included testing at different ground heights, to the nozzle exhaust plane, to obtain ground effect data, and the testing of two methods of thrust spoiling using a duct bypass door system and nozzle flap system.

Schlundt, D. W.↗

Experimental study of the effect on span loading on aircraft wakes

Measurements were made in the NASA-Ames 40- by 80-foot wind tunnel of the rolling moment induced on a following model in the wake 13.6 spans behind a subsonic transport model for a variety of trailing edge flap settings of the generator. It was found that the rolling moment on the following model was reduced substantially, compared to the conventional landing configuration, by reshaping the span loading on the generating model to approximate a span loading, found in earlier studies, which resulted in reduced wake velocities. This was accomplished by retracting the outboard trailing edge flaps. It was concluded, based on flow visualization conducted in the wind tunnel as well as in a water tow facility, that this flap arrangement redistributes the vorticity shed by the wing along the span to form three vortex pairs that interact to disperse the wake.

Corsiglia, V. R.↗

Wind tunnel measurements of forward speed effects on jet noise from suppressor nozzles and comparison with flight test data

The results of a test program conducted in the NASA Ames 40- by 80-Foot Wind Tunnel to determine the effect of forward speed on the noise levels emanating from a conical ejector nozzle, a 32-spoke suppressor nozzle, and a 104-elliptical-tube suppressor nozzle are reported. It is shown that noise levels are reduced as forward speed is increased and that, for one suppressor configuration, forward speed enhances suppression. Comparisons of noise measurements made in the wind tunnel with those obtained in flight tests show good agreement. It is concluded that wind tunnels provide an effective means of measuring the effect of forward speed on aircraft noise.

Atencio, A., Jr.↗