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Engineering topics

Johnson, J. L.

Publications and source records attributed to Johnson, J. L..

14 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2001

New Concepts and Perspectives on Micro-Rotorcraft and Small Autonomous Rotary-Wing Vehicles

A key part of the strategic vision for rotorcraft research as identified by senior technologists within the Army/NASA Rotorcraft Division at NASA Ames Research Center is the development and use of small autonomous rotorcraft. Small autonomous rotorcraft are defined for the purposes of this paper to be a class of vehicles that range in size from rotary-wing micro air vehicles (MAVs) to larger, more conventionally sized, rotorcraft uninhabited aerial vehicles (UAVs) - i.e. vehicle gross weights ranging from hundreds of grams to thousands of kilograms. The development of small autonomous rotorcraft represents both a technology challenge and a potential new vehicle class that will have substantial societal impact for: national security, personal transport, planetary science, and public service.

Young, Larry A.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Translating Canard

Longitudinal trim control augmented when landing flaps deployed. Translating canard provides automatic pitch trim for wing-flap system while maintaining stable pitch break.

Yip, L. P.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Sonic levitation apparatus

A sonic levitation apparatus is disclosed which includes a sonic transducer which generates acoustical energy responsive to the level of an electrical amplifier. A duct communicates with an acoustical chamber to deliver an oscillatory motion of air to a plenum section which contains a collimated hole structure having a plurality of parallel orifices. The collimated hole structure converts the motion of the air to a pulsed. Unidirectional stream providing enough force to levitate a material specimen. Particular application to the production of microballoons in low gravity environment is discussed.

Dunn, S. A.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Interstitial Collimating Holes for Gas-Levitation Microfurnace

Spaces between small rods direct gas flow. Wires for thin rods clamped in square array in precise square gooove. Spaces between wires are long, thin, parallel channels that direct flow of gas. Technique extended to such hard-to-machine refractory metals as tungsten and molybdenum.

Dunn, E. G.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Sonic-Pump Levitator

Audiospeaker drives gas and rapidly responds to corrective signals. Audiospeaker drives gas through plate opening and columnar outlets to levitate sphere. Exhaust flow dominated by gas momentum and essentially parallel to axis of outlets. With appropriate scaling up of hardware, sonic pump can function as levitator for containerless processing of more massive specimens of higher densities and of different materials.

Dunn, S. A.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Continuously-Variable Positive-Mesh Power Transmission

Proposed transmission with continuously-variable speed ratio couples two mechanical trigonometric-function generators. Transmission is expected to handle higher loads than conventional variable-pulley drives; and, unlike variable pulley, positive traction through entire drive train with no reliance on friction to transmit power. Able to vary speed continuously through zero and into reverse. Possible applications in instrumentation where drive-train slippage cannot be tolerated.

Johnson, J. L.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Gas-Jet Levitation Furnace

Gas jet levitates solid and viscous liquid spheroids at high temperatures in new contactless processing system. System can be used to observe high temperature transformations (for example, crystallization without contact with another solid surface) or in containerless studies to eliminate contamination by crucible.

Ethridge, E. C.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Improved acoustic levitation apparatus

Concave driver and reflector enhance and shape levitation forces in acoustic resonance system. Single-mode standing-wave pattern is focused by ring element situated between driver and reflector. Concave surfaces increase levitating forces up to factor of 6 as opposed to conventional flat surfaces, making it possible to suspend heavier objects.

Berge, L. H.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Space nuclear system thermoelectric NaK pump development

The engineering, design, fabrication, and test history of the dual-throat thermoelectric NaK development pump is summarized, along with the engineering and design status of a similar prototype pump intended for use on the 5-kwe reactor thermoelectric system. The history of dc pump development and testing on previous programs is also summarized.

Johnson, J. L.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Thermoelectric pump performance analysis computer code

A computer program is presented that was used to analyze and design dual-throat electromagnetic dc conduction pumps for the 5-kwe ZrH reactor thermoelectric system. In addition to a listing of the code and corresponding identification of symbols, the bases for this analytical model are provided.

Johnson, J. L.↗
NASA NTRS1973

NaK loop testing of thermoelectric converter modules (SNAP program)

The history of testing of compact tubular modules in flowing NaK loops is summarized. Test procedures, data handling, and instrument calibration are discussed. Also included is descriptive information of the test facilities, operational problems encountered, and some recommendations for testing.

Johnson, J. L.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Preliminary design of a Primary Loop Pump Assembly (PLPA), using electromagnetic pumps

A preliminary design study of flight-type dc conduction-permanent magnetic, ac helical induction, and ac linear induction pumps for circulating 883 K (1130 F) NaK at 9.1 kg/sec (20 lb/sec) is described. Various electromagnetic pump geometrics are evaluated against hydraulic performance, and the effects of multiple windings and numbers of pumps per assembly on overall reliability were determined. The methods used in the electrical-hydraulic, stress, and thermal analysis are discussed, and the high temperature electrical materials selected for the application are listed.

Moss, T. A.↗