Engineering topics

Weilbach, A. O.

Publications and source records attributed to Weilbach, A. O..

3 records

NASA NTRS1981

Multi-channel chopper system for a total ozone mapping spectrometer

A multi-channel chopper system designed and built to stringent specifications is providing an excellent performance for a total ozone mapping spectrometer (TOMS). State of the art machining technology, suitable material selection, and a way to hold and position the slit plate resulted in the instrument's better than expected performance. A shutter method used for internal calibration allows compensation for the occurrence of an unlikely wavelength shift during testing, launch, or during the orbiting life of the instrument. The TOMS is part of a payload on Nimbus 7 launched on October 24, 1978.

Krueger, A. J.↗

NASA NTRS1976

Viking GC/MS mechanisms design and performance

The Viking Lander gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer will analyze pyrolyzed samples of the Martian surface for organic content. The surface-sample loader and pyrolyzer assembly (SSPLA) is described, along with the major problems encountered during design and testing. Three mechanisms were developed to implement the required SSLPA functions: (1) a soil loader that forces soil from a filled rotating funnel into each of three ovens located on a carriage, (2) a Geneva drive for rotating and precisely indexing the ovens to receive sample, and (3) a toggle-clamp mechanism for sealing the ovens by forcing circular double knife edges into gold sealing surfaces.

Chase, C. P.↗

NASA NTRS1972

Rotary shutter mechanism contains optical elements

Two cylindrical shutter mechanisms having fixed outer sleeves and rotating inner sleeves use single stepping motor and Geneva mechanism to sequentially move optical components into path of ultraviolet monochromator for output control to photomultiplier. Photometric and wavelength calibration sources insure shutter positions according to operational phases.

Weilbach, A. O.↗