Engineering topics
Publications and source records attributed to Sauers, D. G..
Article discusses fire-resistant water-based paints made by adding intumescing agents to fluorocarbon coatings. Since these paints are water-based, they do not pollute atmosphere as they dry and can be used in closed-loop air-recirculation system in spacecraft and submarines.
Cross-layered woven or unwoven yarns are used to provide an active thermal control mechanism for spacecraft use. One set of yarns is composed of flexible electrically conductive metal fibers which are capable of being resistance heated by the application of voltage. Another set of yarns, nonconductive and flexible, provides mechanical strength and precludes the passage of electrical current between the metal yarns by virtue of the spacing between them. A lightweight, electrically nonconductive film is bonded to the cross-layered yarns to protect the metal yarns from the elements (minimize electrical shorts from moisture such as rain), to provide additional strength to the fabric, and to prevent conductive loss of heat in nonvacuum applications. The nonconductive film is metalized on its obverse side to provide a more uniform heat load distribution.
Lightweight flexible laminate of interwoven conducting and insulating yarns, designed to provide localized controlled heating for propellant tanks on space vehicles, is useful for nonspace applications where weight, bulk, and flexibility are critical concerns.
The question is posed whether forced air flow should be incorporated into flammability tests as a relevant variable. A test apparatus is described which permits tests to be conducted on small test specimens in a forced flow which is (continuously) variable over flow velocities from zero to 300 feet per minute (1.52 m/s). The effects of air-flow rate and oxygen concentration on flame propagation rate, maximum smoke density, and pyrolytic product toxicity were measured for a single material and were statistically evaluated. Regression analysis was used to graph the resulting relationships. It is concluded that air velocity is an important variable for laboratory flammability testing.
Flexible container, filled with liquid, provides supportive device which conforms to patient's anatomy. Uniform cushion pressure prevents formation of decubitus ulcers, while the porous sponge substructure damps fluid movement through cushion response so that patient is not dumped when his weight shifts.
The development and characteristics of flame resistant polymers and composite materials for use in spacecraft structures are discussed. The requirement for the material to be nonflammable in the oxygen enriched atmosphere of the spacecraft is examined. The properties of various materials are tabulated and compared. Specific applications of various materials are presented.
The tests performed to determine the flammability of materials used in spacecraft structures are described. The purposes of the tests and the expected results are examined. The effects of various atmospheres on flammability are discussed. The test equipment used in conducting various tests are illustrated and explained.
Expulsion and measuring device for determining quantity of liquid in tank under conditions of weightlessness