Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “Integrally Formed”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 199 records · Page 11

Polarization compensator for optical communications

An optical data communication system is provided whereby two orthogonal polarization states of a light beam carrier correspond to digital states. In such a system, automatic polarization compensation is provided by applying a dither modulating voltage to a cell exhibiting the electro-optic effect. The cell controls the relative phase of electric field components of an input light beam enabling the dither frequency component of the difference of the instantaneous powers in the two polarization states to be coherently detected. A signal derived from the coherent detection process is fed back to the cell via an integrator to form polarization bias compensating servo loop ot Type 1.

Fitzmaurice, M. W.↗

Unsteady supersonic aerodynamic theory by the method of potential gradient

A generalized solution of the hyperbolic wave equation has been derived. The method used has been further developed to relate the velocity components at a field point to the potential gradient distribution in the dependence domain. Singular integrals have been evaluated in closed form, while numerical integration methods are suggested for treating more complex but analytic functions. Idealization of the lifting surfaces by trapezoidal elements with two sides parallel to the streamlines is computationally efficient because line integrations along the other two sides need only be considered. Furthermore, all the integrands vanish on the Mach cone and the need for determining the hyperbolic curves of intersection of the cone with the lifting surface is avoided. Generalized aerodynamic coefficients for three AGARD planforms have been calculated and compared with the available results.

Jones, W. P.↗

The planning and control of NASA programs and resources

The major management systems used to plan and control NASA programs and resources are described as well as their integration to form the agency's general management approach in carrying out its mission. Documents containing more detailed descriptions of the processes and techniques involved in the agency's major management systems are listed.

Source record↗

Thermal evaporation of spherical clouds - Effects of viscous stresses

The thermal evaporation of a cold spherical cloud embedded in hot gas is analyzed, including the effects of viscous stresses as well as 'saturation' of the conductive heat flux, for the case of equal electron and ion temperatures. The relevant transport properties for an H-He plasma are discussed, including the modification of these transport coefficients when temperature or velocity gradients become large. The fluid-dynamical equations for steady spherical evaporation are given and cast into dimensinless form. Numerical integration of these equations and the results are discussed, emphasizing the novel features of the viscous solutions, astrophysical implications, and uncertainties in the physics.

Giuliani, J. L., Jr.↗

A Shuttle free flyer qualification/acceptance program - Galileo

The next U.S. planetary mission, the Galileo Project, is to be launched in late spring 1986. Primary studies to be conducted are related to the chemical composition and physical state of Jupiter's atmosphere, the chemical composition and physical state of the Jovian satellites, and the structure and physical dynamics of the Jovian magnetosphere. The studies are to be performed with the aid of a planetary Orbiter and an atmospheric entry Probe. At launch and during the interplanetary cruise trip to Jupiter, the Orbiter and Probe will form an integrated spacecraft. The Shuttle will be employed in the launch of the spacecraft. A Centaur high energy upper stage is to transfer the spacecraft from the Shuttle parking orbit to the direct earth-to-Jupiter trajectory. Attention is given to Galileo environmental program special characteristics and major influencing factors.

Schlue, J. W.↗

On-Orbit System Identification

Information derived from accelerometer readings benefits important engineering and control functions. Report discusses methodology for detection, identification, and analysis of motions within space station. Techniques of vibration and rotation analyses, control theory, statistics, filter theory, and transform methods integrated to form system for generating models and model parameters that characterize total motion of complicated space station, with respect to both control-induced and random mechanical disturbances.

Mettler, E.↗

Lidar observations and modeling of cold air outbreaks during MASEX and GALE

As part of MASEX and GALE a number of research flights were carried out over the Marine Boundary Layer (MBL) during periods when extremely cold and dry continental air was flowing out over the warm coastal waters at the east coast of the U.S. Such periods, which are named cold air outbreaks are characterized by massive warming and moistening of the MBL resulting in rapid entrainment conditions. As the MBL deepens as a function of fetch over the ocean, clouds develop. The line of cloud formation typically follows the coast line closely as has been observed many times from satellite imagery. The backscatter data from the NASA Goddard airborne lidar, which was used to measure the depth of the MBL in great detail, is ideally suited to verify parametrized models of boundary layer growth rate. The data indicates that the deepening MBL gradually develops clouds at its top. Those clouds form an integral part of the MBL and exercise an important influence on the energy cycle within the MBL. It is suggested that the rapid entrainment observed during overcast conditions represent an increase in efficiency of conversion of available turbulence kinetic energy into entrainment energy.

Boers, R.↗

Algebra and topology for applications to physics

The principal concepts of algebra and topology are examined with emphasis on applications to physics. In particular, attention is given to sets and mapping; topological spaces and continuous mapping; manifolds; and topological groups and Lie groups. The discussion also covers the tangential spaces of the differential manifolds, including Lie algebras, vector fields, and differential forms, properties of differential forms, mapping of tangential spaces, and integration of differential forms.

Rozhkov, S. S.↗

Dynamic reasoning in a knowledge-based system

Any space based system, whether it is a robot arm assembling parts in space or an onboard system monitoring the space station, has to react to changes which cannot be foreseen. As a result, apart from having domain-specific knowledge as in current expert systems, a space based AI system should also have general principles of change. This paper presents a modal logic which can not only represent change but also reason with it. Three primitive operations, expansion, contraction and revision are introduced and axioms which specify how the knowledge base should change when the external world changes are also specified. Accordingly the notion of dynamic reasoning is introduced, which unlike the existing forms of reasoning, provide general principles of change. Dynamic reasoning is based on two main principles, namely minimize change and maximize coherence. A possible-world semantics which incorporates the above two principles is also discussed. The paper concludes by discussing how the dynamic reasoning system can be used to specify actions and hence form an integral part of an autonomous reasoning and planning system.

Rao, Anand S.↗

Multipoint measurements of upstream waves

Two-wave MHD populations are seen at collisionless shocks: precursor waves standing in the shock ramp which form an integral part of the shock and upstream waves which are usually attempting to propagate upstream but are carried back toward the shock by the solar wind flow. Both types of waves are observed at interplanetary shocks and planetary bow shocks. The difficulty in studying interplanetary shocks is that the shock normal is hard to determine accurately but multiple spacecraft measurements are of some assistance in this regard. Two types of multispacecraft studies have been used, closely spaced ones such as with ISEE-1 and -2 and more distantly separated ones such as with ISEE and UKS. These studies suggest that the paradigm proposed here for the evolution of large amplitude or 'fully developed' turbulence needs some revision.

Russell, C. T.↗

Analytically reduced form for the class of integrals containing multicenter products of 1s hydrogenic orbitals, Coulomb or Yukawa potentials, and plane waves

The class of integrals containing the product of N 1s hydrogenic orbitals and M Coulomb or Yukawa potentials with m plane waves is investigated analytically. The results obtained by Straton (1989) are extended and generalized. It is shown that the dimensionality of the entire class can be reduced from 3m to M+N-1.

Straton, Jack C.↗

Miniaturization of flight deflection measurement system

A flight deflection measurement system is disclosed including a hybrid microchip of a receiver/decoder. The hybrid microchip decoder is mounted piggy back on the miniaturized receiver and forms an integral unit therewith. The flight deflection measurement system employing the miniaturized receiver/decoder can be used in a wind tunnel. In particular, the miniaturized receiver/decoder can be employed in a spin measurement system due to its small size and can retain already established control surface actuation functions.

Fodale, Robert↗

Launch packaging options for the PV power module cargo element

NASA recently embarked on the Space Station Freedom program, which will utilize the Shuttle Orbiter for transportation to orbit. Each flight is unique in terms of the hardware that is manifested and the method by which it is integrated to form viable cargo elements. Various constraints determine the packaging options for the three PV power module combined assemblies. Several packaging options for the PV power module cargo element are presented. These options are discussed in terms of their impact on the overall flight hardware manifest as determined by the various constraints.

Hoberecht, Mark A.↗

Direct simulation for the instability and breakup of laminar liquid jets

A direct numerical simulation method is described for predicting the deformation of laminar liquid jets. In the present nonlinear direct simulation, the convective term, which has been discarded in past linear analyses by Rayleigh and others, is included in the hydrodynamic equations. It is shown that only by maintaining full complexity of the nonlinear surface tension term accurate drop formation can be predicted. The continuity and momentum equations in the transient form are integrated on an adaptive grid, conforming the jet and surface wave shape. The equations, which are parabolic in time and elliptic in space, are solved by a TVD scheme with characteristic flux splitting. The results of the present work are discussed and compared with available measurements and other analyses. The comparison shows that among the predictions, the current 1-D direct simulation results agree best with the experimental data. Furthermore, the computer time requirements are much (an order of magnitude) smaller than those of previously reported multidimensional analyses.

Chuech, S. G.↗

Observing system simulation experiments for the laser atmospheric wind sounder using global spectral model

Fundamental to improving the understanding of the total Earth system are increased and improved observations. In the coming decade several spaceborne instrumented platforms will be constructed and implemented. These platforms will, in large, be housing the NASA Earth Observing System (EOS) instrument suite. One of the proposed instruments is a wind profiling system which is currently referred to as the Laser Atmospheric Wind Sounder (LAWS). This instrument will use a CO2 Doppler lidar wind profiler to give wind measurements with a vertical and horizontal resolution which has yet to be seen globally. The LAWS instrument is now a candidate for launch on a NASA EOS-B platform and is fundamental to increasing our understanding of Earth system science. The LAWS data sets will form an integral component of the temporally continuous data base needed for research of the coupled climate systems. This instrument's observations will aid in giving an improved description of the atmospheric circulation, including the transports of energy, momentum, moisture, trace gases, and aerosols. Also, the wind data will be assimilated and used as the initial state for many global forecast models at various operational centers. Results of system simulation experiments are discussed, and future experiments are described.

Rohaly, Gregg↗

Ultra-low-frequency magnetic pulsations in the earth's magnetosphere

Spacecraft observations have shown that geomagnetic pulsations originating in magnetospheric processes, in spite of their small amplitude on the ground, have amplitudes in space relative to the local magnetic field of 5-10 percent and occasionally up to about 50 percent. It is noted that by studying geomagnetic pulsations, a detailed comparison can be made between plasma physics theory and observations that are not possible in laboratory experiments. Also geomagnetic pulsations play a role in magnetospheric dynamics and energy transport, and their study forms an integral part of enhancing the knowledge of the magnetosphere. The importance of spacecraft observations are discussed and attention is given to such topics as waves in the magnetosphere, field-line resonances, the quantitative analysis of a dipole field, plasma instabilities, and energy flow.

Anderson, Brian J.↗

Modeling and simulation of the space platform power system

A comprehensive computer-aided modeling and simulation technique for the space platform power system is described. Large-signal and small-signal modeling is presented for the system components. The component models have been integrated to form the complete power system model. The system model is shown to be a powerful tool in simulating the behavior of the system with variation of illumination level and load. It can be used to study the bus regulation in each mode and to observe mode changes as the solar array is subjected to transitions from sunlight to eclipse and back to sunlight. System simulations show how the bus regulation is maintained by activating the shunt switching unit, the charger, or the discharger, depending on the available illumination level. The system model is suitable for verifying hardware results of for analyzing the performance of a proposed system where hardware testing is not feasible. The EASY5 dynamic analysis program is used as the host software for the modeling and simulation.

Patil, A. R.↗

Analysis of small-amplitude low gravity sloshing in axisymmetric tanks

The theory of linearized, low-gravity sloshing in axisymmetric tanks is developed in an integral minimization form that permits numerical solutions to be computed easily and that can be modified readily when better knowledge about the important surface physics phenomena becomes available from space experimentation. The slosh force and equivalent mechanical model are also derived, including the correction of errors in previous analyses. Several numerical examples are presented for spherical and cylindrical tanks. The contact angle used in the examples is 5 deg and a 'free' contact line is assumed. The results show that the nondimensional slosh frequency and slosh mass for a spherical tank are smaller for low gravity conditions than for normal gravity conditions, whereas they are larger for cylindrical tank.

Dodge, Franklin T.↗