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Strange, M. G.

Publications and source records attributed to Strange, M. G..

9 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1988

Cloud absorption radiometer

The Cloud Absorption Radiometer (CAR) was developed to measure spectrally how light is scattered by clouds and to determine the single scattering albedo, important to meteorology and climate studies, with unprecedented accuracy. This measurement is based on ratios of downwelling to upwelling radiation within clouds, and so is not strongly dependent upon absolute radiometric calibration of the instrument. The CAR has a 5-inch aperture and 1 degree IFOV, and spatially scans in a plane orthogonal to the flight vector from the zenith to nadir at 1.7 revolutions per second. Incoming light is measured in 13 spectral bands, using silicon, germanium, and indium-antimonide detectors. Data from each channel is digitally recorded in flight with 10-bit (0.1 percent) resolution. The instrument incorporates several novel features. These features are briefly detailed.

Strange, M. G.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Solar infrared photometer

A sun photometer which operates at five wavelengths in the near infrared between 1.0 and 4.0 microns has been developed. The instrument is a manually operated, filter wheel design and has principal applications for atmospheric aerosol studies. The wavelength filters were selected at bands with minimal gaseous absorption. A modified Langley analysis which accounts for residual gaseous absorption is employed for the instrument calibration. Calibration and stability results for the instrument are presented.

Spinhirne, J. D.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Precision voltage division without precision parts

Active voltage divider applies different logic signals to field-effect transistor switches to generate various voltage levels at output. Circuit is compact and reduces errors from drifting component values.

Strange, M. G.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Self-regulating proportionally controlled heating apparatus and technique

A self-regulating proportionally controlled heating apparatus and technique is provided wherein a single electrical resistance heating element having a temperature coefficient of resistance serves simultaneously as a heater and temperature sensor. The heating element is current-driven and the voltage drop across the heating element is monitored and a component extracted which is attributable to a change in actual temperature of the heating element from a desired reference temperature, so as to produce a resulting error signal. The error signal is utilized to control the level of the heater drive current and the actual heater temperature in a direction to reduce the noted temperature difference. The continuous nature of the process for deriving the error signal feedback information results in true proportional control of the heating element without the necessity for current-switching which may interfere with nearby sensitive circuits, and with no cyclical variation in the controlled temperature.

Strange, M. G.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Implementation of a self-controlling heater: A concept

Proposed heater uses its own temperature coefficient for sensing function. Heating power is supplied from current source, heater voltage containing temperature information. Dynamic stability is very high since there is no thermal lag as would exist with separate heater and sensor.

Strange, M. G.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Implementation of a self-controlling heater

Temperature control of radiation sensors, targets, and other critical components is a common requirement in modern scientific instruments. Conventional control systems use a heater and a temperature sensor mounted on the body to be controlled. For proportional control, the sensor provides feedback to circuitry which drives the heater with an amount of power proportional to the temperature error. It is impractical or undesirable to mount both a heater and a sensor on certain components such as ultra-small parts or thin filaments. In principle, a variable current through the element is used for heating, and the change in voltage drop due to the element's temperature coefficient is separated and used to monitor or control its own temperature. Since there are no thermal propagation delays between heater and sensor, such control systems are exceptionally stable.

Strange, M. G.↗