Engineering topics
Bridges, P.
Publications and source records attributed to Bridges, P..
A new look at the Saturn system - The Voyager 2 images
Images of the Saturn system acquired by Voyager 2 in its encounter in August 1981 are presented and information gained from the imagery on the atmosphere, satellites, and rings of Saturn is discussed. The images have shown the Saturn atmosphere to contain persistent oval clouds similar to those of Jupiter, and small irregular features indicative of a pattern of zonal winds that is symmetric about the equator and appears to extend to great depths. The atmosphere of Titan is found to possess an upper haze layer above the main haze, a hemispherical brightness asymmetry, and a dark band in the north polar region. Other satellite observations included relatively high resolution coverage of Enceladus and Tethys, moderate resolution views of Hyperion and Iapetus, and the first observations of Phoebe, as well as views of the eight minor satellites associated with the orbits of Dione, Tethys and Mimas, and the F and A rings. Images of various ring structures were obtained, most notably the birth of a spoke and variable ringlet structures in the outer B ring. The observations may be used to deduce the collisional and thermal history of the rings and satellites.
Investigation of Flight Test Methods for measuring the performance of general aviation aircraft
A theoretical and experimental investigation of methods for measuring the performance of general aviation airplanes was conducted using relatively simple instrumentation currently available and data extraction techniques established from efforts in other disciplines. The possibilities of improving flight test data by use of improved modern instrumentation and digital data recording and data analysis were considered.
Full scale visualization of the wing tip vortices generated by a typical agricultural aircraft
The trajectories of the wing tip vortices of a typical agricultural aircraft were experimentally determined by flight test. A flow visualization method, similar to the vapor screen method used in wind tunnels, was used to obtain trajectory data for a range of flight speeds, airplane configurations, and wing loadings. Detailed measurements of the spanwise surface pressure distribution were made for all test points. Further, a powered 1/8 scale model of the aircraft was designed, built, and used to obtain tip vortex trajectory data under conditions similar to that of the full-scale test. The effects of light wind on the vortices were demonstrated, and the interaction of the flap vortex and the tip vortex was clearly shown in photographs and plotted trajectory data.