Engineering topics

Martin, J. L.

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

10 records

NASA NTRS1999

Low-Cost, High-Performance Cryocoolers for In-Situ Propellant Production

A key feature of many In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) schemes is the production of rocket fuel and oxidizer from the Martian atmosphere. Many of the fuels under consideration will require cryogenic cooling for efficient long-term storage. Although significant research has been focused on the techniques for producing the fuels from Martian resources, little effort has been expended on the development of cryocoolers to efficiently liquefy these fuels. This paper describes the design of a pulse tube liquefier optimized for liquefying oxygen produced by an In-Situ Propellant Production (ISPP) plant on Mars.

Martin, J. L.↗

NASA NTRS1999

Low-Cost High-Performance Cryocoolers for In-Situ Propellant Production

Martin, J. L.↗

NASA NTRS1996

Interpolation Errors in Spectrum Analyzers

To obtain the proper measurement amplitude with a spectrum analyzer, the correct frequency-dependent transducer factor must be added to the voltage measured by the transducer. This report examines how entering transducer factors into a spectrum analyzer can cause significant errors in field amplitude due to the misunderstanding of the analyzer's interpolation methods. It also discusses how to reduce these errors to obtain a more accurate field amplitude reading.

Martin, J. L.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Flight evaluation of augmented controls for approach and landing of powered-lift aircraft

Flight experiments were conducted with Ames Research Center's Quiet Short-Haul Research Aircraft to evaluate the influence of highly augmented control modes on the ability of pilots to execute precision instrument flight operations in the terminal area, particularly approaches to and landings on a short runway. The aircraft is a powered-lift, short-takeoff and landing configuration that is equipped with a modern digital fly-by-wire flight control system, a head-up display, and a solar head-down display that make it possible to investigate control concepts and display format and content for full envelope, powered-lift operations. Considerable attention has been devoted in this flight program to assessing flightpath and airspeed command and stabilization modes developed using nonlinear, inverse model-following methods. The primary benefit of this control concept was realized when the pilot was required to execute a complex transition and approach under instrument conditions and in the presence of a wide range of wind and turbulence conditions.

Franklin, J. A.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Flight evaluation of a precision landing task for a powered-lift STOL aircraft

A flight research experiment was conducted with the NASA-Ames Research Center's Quiet Short-Haul Research Aircraft to determine the factors which influence the touchdown distribution for a powered-lift STOL aircraft. The pilots were given two tasks for each of a series of precision approaches flown using a microwave landing system (MLS) in simulated instrument meteorological conditions. They flew the aircraft, with forward vision obscured by a screen, to a 100-ft decision height using a flightpath-oriented, color electronic display and one of four levels of control augmentation. Approaches were flown along a nominal 6 deg glidepath, as well as to calibrated offsets at the decision height to establish a variety of initial conditions for the landing task. The screen was removed at the decision height and the pilot was briefed to land in a 200 foot touchdown zone of the STOLport with a sink rate less than 5 ft/sec. Statistical performance envelopes and pilot ratings are used to describe the results of this experiment. The data generated are expected to be useful for establishing STOL aircraft operating requirements and STOL MLS approach criteria.

Watson, D. M.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Powered-lift takeoff performance characteristics determined from flight test of the Quiet Short-haul Research Aircraft /QSRA/

A powered-lift, reduced thrust takeoff performance program utilizing quiet short-haul research aircraft has been conducted. It has been shown that the powered-lift upper surface blowing concept greatly enhances aircraft takeoff performance. The improvements include: (1) takeoff field lengths may be shortened by approximately 30%; (2) Air Force critical field lengths may be shortened by approximately 60%; (3) powered lift upper surface blowing aircraft have better handling and performance characteristics than comparable conventional aircraft; and (4) the low speeds associated with powered-lift takeoff enhance safety margins.

Riddle, D. W.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Powered-lift STOL aircraft shipboard operations - A comparison of simulation, land-based and sea trial results for the QSRA

A moving base carrier landing flight simulation using NASA's Quiet Short-Haul Research Aircraft (QSRA) was conducted during the design and fabrication of the QSRA. After completing its initial flight testing, the QSRA flew simulated carrier landings on land, followed by actual carrier landings at sea. This paper compares the simulated flight characteristics used in the flight simulation (using an aircraft math model based on wind tunnel data) with the aircraft flight characteristics obtained from flight test data. This paper also compares the results of the QSRA flight simulation carrier landings, the land based simulated carrier landings, and the actual carrier landings.

Stevens, V. C.↗

NASA NTRS1980

The Quiet Short-haul Research Aircraft (QSRA)

The Quiet Short-Haul Research Aircraft (QSRA) is to be used as a flight facility for advanced flight experiments in terminal area operations. The overall objective of the QSRA program is to expand the technology base of the upper surface blowing propulsive lift concept in order to establish design criteria for the aircraft industry and to establish criteria for advanced STOL aircraft.

Martin, J. L.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Shipboard trials of the Quiet Short-Haul Research Aircraft /QSRA/

The feasibility of the application of advanced state-of-the-art high lift STOL aircraft in the aircraft carrier environment was evaluated using the NASA Quiet Short-Haul Research Aircraft (QSRA). The QSRA made repeated unarrested landings and free deck takeoffs from the USS Kitty Hawk while being flown by three pilots of significant different backgrounds. The exercise demonstrated that the USB propulsive lift technology presents no unusual problems in the aircraft carrier environment. Optimum parameters for landing the QSRA were determined from the shore-based program; these proved satisfactory during operations aboard ship. Correlation of shipboard experience with shore-based data indicates that both free deck takeoffs and unarrested landings could be conducted with zero to 35 knots of wind across the deck of an aircraft carrier the size of the USS Kitty Hawk.

Martin, J. L.↗

NASA NTRS1979

The Quiet Short-Haul Research Aircraft /QSRA/

The Quiet Short-Haul Research Aircraft (QSRA), designed to expand the technology base of the upper-surface blowing propulsive-lift principle in order to establish criteria for the U.S. aircraft industry and for advanced STOL aircraft, is considered. The aircraft, which includes a three-axis, single channel, limited authority series type stability augmentation system, and a high-speed data system is described. Also discussed are STOL and acoustic performance, and handling qualities, particularly thrust effects. The QSRA has demonstrated its ability, even with the critical engine inoperative, to approach at 66 knots (wing loading of 83 lb/sq ft) and on a 9 degree glidepath; to maneuver in a 700-ft radius turn, and to land in an FAA field length of 1450 ft (over a 35-ft obstacle).

Martin, J. L.↗