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At least 1,783 records · Page 99

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NASA NTRS1984

Enhanced vibration controllability by minor structural modifications

A procedure for checking whether small changes in a structure have the potential for significant enhancements of its vibration control system is described. The first step in the procedure consists of the calculation of the sensitivity of the required strength of the control system to small changes in structural parameters. The second step consists of the optimization of the structural parameters to produce maximal reduction in required control system strength with minimal change in the structure. The procedure has been demonstrated for a flexible beam supported by four cables and controlled by a rate feedback single-colocated force-actuator velocity-sensor pair. Large changes in control strength requirement were obtained with small structural modifications. Analytical predictions of such effects have also been validated experimentally.

Haftka, R. T.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Oceanographic biooptical profiling system

A new oceanographic instrument to measure underwater optical, biological, and physical properties has been designed, built, and used extensively at sea. The new instrument system is a significant advance that permits optimum sampling strategies using ship, aircraft, and satellite optical sensors for ocean research. The design criteria for the biooptical profiling system included the rapid acquisition of data to accommodate shipboard synoptic sampling; the measurement of the necessary parameters for providing appropriate contemporaneous surface data for remote sensors; the compatibility of the data acquisition system with conventional conductivity temperature depth-type cables and winches on the oceanographic fleet; the capability of real-time display of data along with rapid preliminary data reduction at sea. The primary instrument package in this profiling system is a new microprocessor controlled multiwavelength spectroradiometer. A description of the instrument and examples of data are presented.

Smith, R. C.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Service Modules for Coal Extraction

Service train follows group of mining machines, paying out utility lines as machines progress into coal face. Service train for four mining machines removes gases and coal and provides water and electricity. Flexible, coiling armored carriers protect cables and hoses. High coal production attained by arraying row of machines across face, working side by side.

Gangal, M. D.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Electronic/Hydraulic Level Gage

System for checking levelness of machines and structures requires less time and labor than conventional optical systems. Measures differences in elevation to within 0.002 in. (0.05 mm). Floats at opposite ends of structure determine positions of cores in linear variable-differential transformers. Outputs of LVDT's carried by cables to control console, where displayed to operator as difference in core levels and therfore of ends of structure.

Hanninen, B.↗

NASA NTRS1984

The real world: The user

Satellite communication is by far the most advanced of all commercial applications of space technology. The past, present, and some future possibilities for the field of public communications are considered. Some serious concerns that are becoming apparent to the user of this technology are examined. Among the specific topics mentioned are digital television, electronic mail, cable television, and systems security.

Kitchell, J.↗

NASA NTRS1985

A Lagrange-D'Alembert formulation of the equations of motion of a helicopter carrying an externally suspended load

The exact nonlinear equations of motion are derived for a helicopter with an extenal load suspended by fore and aft, rigid-link cables. Lagrange's form of D'Alembert's principle is used. Ten degrees of freedom are necessary to represent the motion of this system in an inertial reference frame: six for the helicopter relative to inertial space and four for the load relative to the helicopter.

Weber, J. M.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Galileo internal electrostatic discharge program

The Galileo spacecraft which will orbit Jupiter in 1988 will encounter a very harsh environment of energetic electrons. These electrons will have sufficient energy to penetrate the spacecraft shielding, consequently depositing charges in the dielectric insulating materials or ungrounded conductors. The resulting electric field could exceed the breakdown strength of the insulating materials, producing discharges. The transients produced from these Internal Electrostatic Discharges (IESD) could, depending on their relative location, be coupled to nearby cables and circuits. These transients could change the state of logic circuits or degrade or even damage spacecraft components, consequently disrupting the operation of subsystems and systems of the Galileo spacecraft during its expected mission life. An extensive testing program was initiated for the purpose of understanding the potential threats associated with these IESD events. Data obtained from these tests were used to define design guidelines.

Leung, P. L.↗

NASA NTRS1985

An optimization study to minimize surface distortions of a hoop-column antenna

An automated procedure to lessen the tedium of manual approach currently used to minimize surface distortions in a hoop/column antenna is studied. Three fundamental elements are used for the study: (1) The finite element analysis program is used to calculate the antenna surface distortions due to externally applied loads; (2) a general purpose optimization program is used to determine the set of control cable tensions which minimize the antenna surface distortions; and (3) another program is used to calculate the best fit parabola passing through a distorted antenna shape and to calculate the RMS distortion error. The interim results of this feasibility study are given.

Wrenn, G. A.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Structural dynamics analysis

Dynamic analysis of large space antenna systems must treat the deployment as well as vibration and control of the deployed antenna. Candidate computer programs for deployment dynamics, and issues and needs for future program developments are reviewed. Some results for mast and hoop deployment are also presented. Modeling of complex antenna geometry with conventional finite element methods and with repetitive exact elements is considered. Analytical comparisons with experimental results for a 15 meter hoop/column antenna revealed the importance of accurate structural properties including nonlinear joints. Slackening of cables in this antenna is also a consideration. The technology of designing actively damped structures through analytical optimization is discussed and results are presented.

Housner, J. M.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Hubble space telescope: Pointing error effects on nonlinear ball joints

The Hubble Space Telescope pointing error produced by optical benches mounted on free ball joints is examined. Spacecraft cable connections are assumed to produce translational and rotational damping and restoring forces which act through the optical bench center of mass. The nonlinear dynamics are modeled and then implemented using an existing computer program for simulating the vehicle dynamics and pointing control system algorithm. Results are presented for the test case which indicate acceptable performance.

Farmer, J. E.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Akeno 20 km (2) air shower array (Akeno Branch)

As the first stage of the future huge array, the Akeno air shower array was expanded to about 20 sq. km. by adding 19 scintillation detectors of 2.25 sq m area outside the present 1 sq. km. Akeno array with a new data collection system. These detectors are spaced about 1km from each other and connected by two optical fiber cables. This array has been in partial operation from 8th, Sep. 1984 and full operation from 20th, Dec. 1984. 20 sq m muon stations are planned to be set with 2km separation and one of them is now under construction. The origin of the highest energy cosmic rays is studied.

Teshima, M.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Results of tests of Insta-Foam Thermal Protection System (TPS) material for protection of equipment inside the SRB aft skirt

The objective of these tests was to determine whether Insta-Foam can be used successfully to protect items inside the solid rocket booster aft skirt during reentry. On some of the early Space Shuttle flights the aft skirt heat shield curtain failed during reentry. This allowed the hot gases to damage some of the equipment, etc., inside the skirt. For example, some of the propellant lines were overheated and ruptured and some of the NSI (nozzle severance) cables were damaged. It was suggested that the Insta-Foam thermal protection system be sprayed over these lines, etc., to protect them during future flights in case of a curtain failure. The tests presented were devised and run to check out the feasibility of this idea.

Dean, W. G.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Transonic test of a forward swept wing configuration exhibiting Body Freedom Flutter

The aeroelastic dynamic instability designated Body Freedom Flutter (BFF) involves aircraft pitch and wing bending motions characteristic of forward swept wing (FSW) aircraft. Attention is presently given to the results of tests conducted on a 1/2-scale cable-mounted FSW wind tunnel model, with and without relaxed static stability (RSS) control conditions. BFF instability boundaries were found to occur at significantly lower air speeds than those associated with aeroelastic wing divergence on the same model. Servoaeroelastic stability analyses have been conducted which proved capable of predicting the measured onset of BFF, in both the statically stable and RSS configurations tested.

Chipman, R.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Advances and trends in structures and dynamics; Proceedings of the Symposium, Washington, DC, October 22-25, 1984

Among the topics discussed are developments in structural engineering hardware and software, computation for fracture mechanics, trends in numerical analysis and parallel algorithms, mechanics of materials, advances in finite element methods, composite materials and structures, determinations of random motion and dynamic response, optimization theory, automotive tire modeling methods and contact problems, the damping and control of aircraft structures, and advanced structural applications. Specific topics covered include structural design expert systems, the evaluation of finite element system architectures, systolic arrays for finite element analyses, nonlinear finite element computations, hierarchical boundary elements, adaptive substructuring techniques in elastoplastic finite element analyses, automatic tracking of crack propagation, a theory of rate-dependent plasticity, the torsional stability of nonlinear eccentric structures, a computation method for fluid-structure interaction, the seismic analysis of three-dimensional soil-structure interaction, a stress analysis for a composite sandwich panel, toughness criterion identification for unidirectional composite laminates, the modeling of submerged cable dynamics, and damping synthesis for flexible spacecraft structures.

Noor, A. K.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Carbon Shields for Intercalated Fiber Conductors

Stability in air increased by depositing amorphous carbon. Initially graphite fibers intercalated (insertion of atoms or molecules between graphite layers). Next, conductor coated with diamondlike amorphous carbon. Coating applied in same chamber as intercalation reaction or alternate deposichamber is used. Deposition of carbon accomplished by any number of techniques. tion Ion-beam sputter-deposition and RF plasma techniques have been used, but dc plasma and others work also. Potential uses include conductive epoxy composites, tether conductors, signal wire, and power cables.

Banks, B. A.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Non-Back-Drivable, Freewheeling Coupling

Cables reeled in and out with less risk of tangling. Opposing teeth engage with clockwise rotation and disengage with clockwise rotation of crank. Driving plate moves axially with respect to driven plate on ball points to engage and disengage. Clutch developed for reeling and unreeling tether line used to link astronaut to space vehicle. Allows line pulled out freely and helps to prevent line from tangling in reel housing when crank is turned backward. New clutch concept also applicable to fishing reels, toys, and safety-line mechanisms.

Llewellin, W.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Hydraulic Shutdown Monitor

Adding switch allows inappropriate control actions to be overridden. Four-pole, double-throw switch added to front panel of controller to disable tracking-error and endpoint-error circuitry yet still retain overload-detection capability. Previously, it was necessary to use adjustable-voltage-level detection equipment connected with cables to hydraulic "dump" or shutdown circuitry in controller.

Fleming, S. T.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Low-Flammability PTFE for High-Oxygen Environments

Modified forming process removes volatile combustible materials. Flammability of cable-wrapping tape reduced by altering tape-manufacturing process. In new manufacturing process, tape formed by proprietary process of screw extrusion, followed by washing in solvent and drying. Tape then wrapped as before. Spectrogram taken after extrusion, washing, and drying shows lower hydrocarbon content. PTFE formed by new process suited to oxygen-rich environments. Safe in liquid oxygen of Space Shuttle tank and in medical uses; thin-wall shrinkable tubing in hospital test equipment, surgical instruments, and implants.

Walle, E.↗