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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.

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At least 199 records · Page 11
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2004

Towards a Three-Dimensional Near-Real Time Cloud Product for Aviation Safety and Weather Diagnoses

Satellite data have long been used for determining the extent of cloud cover and for estimating the properties at the cloud tops. The derived properties can also be used to estimate aircraft icing potential to improve the safety of air traffic in the region. Currently, cloud properties and icing potential are derived in near-real time over the United States of America (USA) from the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite GOES) imagers at 75 W and 135 W. Traditionally, the results have been given in two dimensions because of the lack of knowledge about the vertical extent of clouds and the occurrence of overlapping clouds. Aircraft fly in a three-dimensional space and require vertical as well as horizontal information about clouds, their intensity, and their potential for icing. To improve the vertical component of the derived cloud and icing parameters, this paper explores various methods and datasets for filling in the three-dimensional space over the USA with cloud water.

Minnis, Patrick↗
NASA NTRS2018

Remote Sensing of Antarctic Sea Ice with Coordinated Aircraft and Satellite Data Acquisitions

Remote sensing of Antarctic sea ice is required to characterize properties of the vast sea ice cover to understand its long-term increase in contrast to the decrease of Arctic sea ice. For this objective, the OIB/TanDEM-X Coordinated Science Campaign (OTASC) was successfully conducted in 2017 to obtain contemporaneous and collocated remote sensing data from NASA's Operation IceBridge (OIB) and the German Aerospace Center (DLR) TanDEM-X Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) system at X-band together with Sentinel-1 and RADARSAT-2 SARs at C-band in conjunction with WorldView satellite spectral sensors, surface measurements, and field observations. The Weddell Sea and the Ross Sea were two primary regions while SAR data were also collected over six other regions in the Southern Ocean. Satellite SAR data included both polarimetric and interferometric capabilities to infer snow and sea ice information in three dimensions (3D), while OIB/P-3 aircraft data include snow radar together with altimeter data for snow and sea ice observations in 3D over the Weddell Sea. Across the Ross Sea, IcePOD and AntNZ/York-University flights were carried out together with satellite SAR data acquisitions.

OIB↗
NASA NTRS1993

Low-power millimeter-wave radar observations of the atmosphere

Historically, cloud structures, dynamics, and precipitation processes have been observed and measured with sensors from two different spatial resolutions. Laser-based sensors have volume resolutions on the order of 10(exp -4) to 10(exp -2) cubic meters for a 1-s sample. Radar systems operating at wavelengths between 1 and 10 cm have resolutions on the order of 10(exp 4) to 10(exp 7) cubic meters. The resolutions of micro-wave systems depend primarily on the system RF bandwidth and antenna bandwidth. Both resolution regimes were useful in the study of cloud structures and processes - the former for determining resolution on the individual cloud particle scale and the latter for studying the coarse characteristics of cloud dynamics and structure. There are, however, cloud processes and structures that occur on scales that lie between these two regimes: the process of entrainment, where outside air is brought within the cloud boundaries; the mixing of in-cloud particles with different histories; cloud particle coalescence; and ice formation. The use of mm-wave (30- to 300-GHz) radars offers an opportunity to observe cloud processes at these scales and determine their influence on precipitation development, cloud albedos, cloud lifetimes, chemical cycling of tract substances, aircraft icing, and other meteorological phenomena. To determine the usefulness of a 35-GHz radar for observing these precipitation and cloud processes, a research program was initiated. The objectives of this program are to develop a 35-GHz radar, to measure scattering from precipitation and clouds, and to develop a model to compute scattering from clouds using the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) technique.

Ronnau, James F.↗
NASA NTRS1996

Laser Sheet Flow Visualization Developed for Lewis' Icing Research Tunnel

A new flow-visualization technique has been developed for use in the NASA Lewis Research Center's Icing Research Tunnel (IRT). This technique uses a sheet of light shining across the wind tunnel to illuminate a mist of water droplets in the air and display any organized flow patterns. Since the IRT already has the special water spray system required for aircraft icing experiments, no special visualization seeding material is required. The system has been used to visualize the changes in tip and leading edge vortices caused by ice accretion. Because the IRT's icing spray is used as part of the visualization technique, changes in the flow patterns about a wing can be observed and measured during the ice accretion process.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS2006

Comparison of Balloonsonde and Remote Sensing Atmospheric Measurements

As part of its aircraft icing research program, the NASA Glenn Research Center is conducting a program to develop technologies for the remote sensing of atmospheric conditions. A suite of instruments, currently ground-based, are used to identify a region of supercooled liquid water which is labeled as hazardous if its liquid water content is sufficiently high. During the recently completed Alliance Icing Research Study (AIRS II), these instruments were deployed in conjunction with those of other U.S. and Canadian researchers at the Mirabel Airport near Montreal. As part of the study, balloonsondes were employed to provide in-situ measurement of the atmospheric conditions that were being concurrently remotely sensed. Balloonsonde launches occurred daily at 1200 GMT to provide AIRS forecasters with local data and additionally when research aircraft were present in the airspace. In this paper, we compare the processed data from the NASA remote sensing instruments, which included an X-band radar, lidar and two radiometers, to the data gathered from the 70 soundings conducted while the NASA instruments were active. Among the parameters compared are cloud upper and lower boundaries, temperature and humidity profiles and freezing levels.

Brinker, David J.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Combustion and Emissions Analysis of Alternatives

NASA’s Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate requested an analysis of alternatives (AoA) study on the following three competencies in 2020: subsonic transport acoustics, combustion and emissions, and aircraft icing. This presentation will address details specific to the combustion and emissions analysis of alternatives study. The basic process used for during the AoA study in shown in Figure 1. Figure 1. Flow chart of the Analysis of Alternative process used in this study. The combustion study team was multidisciplinary, including a wide range perspectives and areas of expertise. Inputs were collected from within NASA and a wide range of external stakeholders, including aircraft engine companies, aircraft airframe companies and other government agencies. Eight future realities for aviation were developed in preparation for the applying the AoA process, such as future realities with increased or decrease airline traffic, greater emissions stringency, or a revolution in energy infrastructure (such as hydrogen usage). Based on the inputs collected, over seventy technical elements applicable to combustion and emissions research were developed. To rank the importance of these technical elements for each future reality, a set of evaluation criterion were developed that can be generally characterized as environmental impacts, technologies enabling reduced fuel burn, and elements requiring significant NASA involvement or having significant industry pull. Using in-house codes to apply the TOPSIS (Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution) methodology, as well performing consistency checks and other analysis by the study team, a ranked set of technical elements was generated. Several research needs were identified and analyzed to determine the highest priorities for potential research by NASA in the combustion and emissions area. Results from the study will be presented.

combustion↗
NASA NTRS2016

Polarized View of Supercooled Liquid Water Clouds

Supercooled liquid water (SLW) clouds, where liquid droplets exist at temperatures below 0 C present a well known aviation hazard through aircraft icing, in which SLW accretes on the airframe. SLW clouds are common over the Southern Ocean, and climate-induced changes in their occurrence is thought to constitute a strong cloud feedback on global climate. The two recent NASA field campaigns POlarimeter Definition EXperiment (PODEX, based in Palmdale, California, January-February 2013) and Studies of Emissions and Atmospheric Composition, Clouds and Climate Coupling by Regional Surveys (SEAC4RS, based in Houston, Texas in August- September 2013) provided a unique opportunity to observe SLW clouds from the high-altitude airborne platform of NASA's ER-2 aircraft. We present an analysis of measurements made by the Research Scanning Polarimeter (RSP) during these experiments accompanied by correlative retrievals from other sensors. The RSP measures both polarized and total reflectance in 9 spectral channels with wavelengths ranging from 410 to 2250 nm. It is a scanning sensor taking samples at 0.8deg intervals within 60deg from nadir in both forward and backward directions. This unique angular resolution allows for characterization of liquid water droplet size using the rainbow structure observed in the polarized reflectances in the scattering angle range between 135deg and 165deg. Simple parametric fitting algorithms applied to the polarized reflectance provide retrievals of the droplet effective radius and variance assuming a prescribed size distribution shape (gamma distribution). In addition to this, we use a non-parametric method, Rainbow Fourier Transform (RFT),which allows retrieval of the droplet size distribution without assuming a size distribution shape. We present an overview of the RSP campaign datasets available from the NASA GISS website, as well as two detailed examples of the retrievals. In these case studies we focus on cloud fields with spatial features varying between glaciated and liquid phases at altitudes as high as 10 km, which correspond to temperatures close to the homogeneous freezing temperature of pure water drops (about -35 C or colder). The multimodal droplet size distributions retrieved from RSP data in these cases are consistent with the multi-layer cloud structure observed by correlative Cloud Physics Lidar (CPL) measurements.

Clouds↗
NASA NTRS2008

Near-Real Time Cloud Retrievals from Operational and Research Meteorological Satellites

A set of cloud retrieval algorithms developed for CERES and applied to MODIS data have been adapted to analyze other satellite imager data in near-real time. The cloud products, including single-layer cloud amount, top and base height, optical depth, phase, effective particle size, and liquid and ice water paths, are being retrieved from GOES- 10/11/12, MTSAT-1R, FY-2C, and Meteosat imager data as well as from MODIS. A comprehensive system to normalize the calibrations to MODIS has been implemented to maximize consistency in the products across platforms. Estimates of surface and top-of-atmosphere broadband radiative fluxes are also provided. Multilayered cloud properties are retrieved from GOES-12, Meteosat, and MODIS data. Native pixel resolution analyses are performed over selected domains, while reduced sampling is used for full-disk retrievals. Tools have been developed for matching the pixel-level results with instrumented surface sites and active sensor satellites. The calibrations, methods, examples of the products, and comparisons with the ICESat GLAS lidar are discussed. These products are currently being used for aircraft icing diagnoses, numerical weather modeling assimilation, and atmospheric radiation research and have potential for use in many other applications.

Minnis, Patrick↗
NASA NTRS1978

Single pilot IFR operating problems determined from accidental data analysis

The accident reports examined were restricted to instrument rated pilots flying in IFR weather. A brief examination was made of accidents which occurred during all phases of flight and which were due to all causes. A detailed examination was made of those accidents which involved a single pilot which occurred during the landing phases of flight, and were due to pilot error. Problem areas found include: (1) landing phase operations especially final approach, (2) pilot weather briefings, (3) night approaches in low IFR weather, (4) below minimum approaches, (5) aircraft icing, (6) imprecise navigation, (7) descending below minimum IFR altitudes, (8) fuel mismanagement, (9) pilot overconfidence, and (10) high pilot workload especially in twins. Some suggested areas of research included: (1) low cost deicing systems, (2) standardized navigation displays, (3) low cost low-altitude warning systems, (4) improved fuel management systems, (5) improved ATC communications, (6) more effective pilot training and experience acquisition methods, and (7) better weather data dissemination techniques.

Forsyth, D. L.↗
NASA NTRS1982

A similarity analysis of the droplet trajectory equation

A procedure is established to reduce the number of similarity parameters in the trajectory equation for particles in a moving fluid. This is accomplished by the use of an approximate sphere drag law to derive a new trajectory scaling parameter. The modified inertia parameter proposed by Langmuir specifically for the aircraft icing problem is analyzed and for the first time a closed-form solution is obtained. Both experimental and analytical results are presented to verify this new trajectory scaling parameter.

Bragg, M. B.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Experimental, water droplet impingement data on two-dimensional airfoils, axisymmetric inlet and Boeing 737-300 engine inlet

An experimental method has been developed to determine the droplet impingement characteristics on two- and three-dimensional bodies. The experimental results provide the essential droplet impingement data required to validate particle trajectory codes, used in aircraft icing analyses and engine inlet particle separator analyses. A body whose water droplet impingement characteristics are required is covered at strategic locations by thin strips of moisture absorbing (blotter) paper, and then exposed to an air stream containing a dyed-water spray cloud. Water droplet impingement data are extracted from the dyed blotter strips, by measuring the optical reflectance of the dye deposit on the strips, using an automated reflectometer. Impingement efficiency data obtained for a NACA 65(2)015 airfoil section, a supercritical airfoil section, and Being 737-300 and axisymmetric inlet models are presented in this paper.

Papadakis, M.↗
NASA NTRS1987

An experimental investigation of air-assist non-swirl atomizer sprays

Detailed measurements and comparisons were made of air-assist nonswirl atomizer sprays currently being used in aircraft icing research. The critical liquid to air mass flowrate ratio to achieve a good quality of atomization and the most suitable mean dropsize correlation equation has been determined. Two of the most sophisticated and effective instruments, the Laser Diffraction particle sizer (Malvern) and Phase/Doppler particle analyzer (Aerometrics), have been successfully employed in spray characterization over a wide range of operating conditions. Results obtained by line-of-sight measurements using the Laser Diffraction sizer are compared with point measurements obtained by using the Phase/Doppler analyzer as well as with photographs. The accuracy and limitations of using the various instruments for spray characterization are discussed.

Wang, Geng↗
NASA NTRS1988

Comparison of UNL laser imaging and sizing system and a phase/Doppler system for analyzing sprays from a NASA nozzle

Aerosol spray characterization was done using a P/DPA and a laser imaging/video processing system on a NASA MOD-1 air-assist nozzle being evaluated for use in aircraft icing research. Benchmark tests were performed on monodispersed particles and on the NASA MOD-1 nozzle under identical laboratory operating conditions. The laser imaging/video processing system and the P/DPA showed agreement on calibration tests in monodispersed aerosol sprays of + or - 2.6 microns with a standard deviation of + or - 2.6 microns. Tests were performed on the NASA MOD-1 nozzle on the centerline and radially at one-half inch increments to the outer edge of the spray plume at a distance two feet (0.61 m) downstream from the exit of the nozzle. Comparative results at two operating conditions of the nozzle are presented for the two instruments. For the first case, the deviation in arithmetic mean diameters determined by the two instruments was in a range of 0.1 to 2.8 microns, and the deviation in Sauter mean diameters varied from 0 to 2.2 microns. Operating conditions in the second case were more severe which resulted in the arithmetic mean diameter deviating from 1.4 to 7.1 microns and the deviation in the Sauter mean diameters ranging from 0.4 to 6.7 microns.

Alexander, Dennis R.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Investigation of air transportation technology at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1986

There were three areas of research sponsored in the Flight Transportation Lab. at MIT under the Joint University Research Program during 1986. The first was the completion of efforts investigating the possibility of using Loran-C for final approach guidance to a runway; the second is a preliminary exploration of the application of automated speech recognition in Air Traffic Control; the third is a continuation of a series of research topics into aircraft icing problems.

Simpson, Robert W.↗
NASA NTRS1989

An Experimental Method for Measuring Water Droplet Impingement Efficiency on Two- and Three-dimensional Bodies

An experimental method was developed to determine the droplet impingement characteristics on 2-D and 3-D bodies. The experimental results provide the essential droplet impingement data required to validate water droplet trajectory codes, which are used in the analysis of aircraft icing. A body, whose water droplet impingement characteristics are required, is covered at strategic locations by thin strips of moisture absorbing (blotter) paper, and is exposed to an air stream containing a water dye solution spray cloud. Water droplet impingement data are extracted from the dyed blotter strips by measuring the optical reflectance of the dye deposit on the strips, using an automated reflectometer. Models tested include a 4-inch diameter cylinder, a NACA 652015 airfoil section, a MS(1)-0317 supercritical airfoil section, three simulated ice shapes, an axisymmetric inlet and a Boeing 737-300 inlet model. Detailed descriptions of the dye tracer technique, instrumentation, data reduction method and the results obtained are presented. Analytical predictions of collection efficiency characteristics for most test configurations are included for comparison.

Trajectory code validation↗
NASA NTRS1990

Comparison of UNL laser imaging and sizing system and a phase Doppler system for analyzing sprays from a NASA nozzle

Research was conducted on characteristics of aerosol sprays using a P/DPA and a laser imaging/video processing system on a NASA MOD-1 air assist nozzle being evaluated for use in aircraft icing research. Benchmark tests were performed on monodispersed particles and on the NASA MOD-1 nozzle under identical lab operating conditions. The laser imaging/video processing system and the P/DPA showed agreement on a calibration tests in monodispersed aerosol sprays of + or - 2.6 micron with a standard deviation of + or - 2.6 micron. Benchmark tests were performed on the NASA MOD-1 nozzle on the centerline and radially at 0.5 inch increments to the outer edge of the spray plume at a distance 2 ft downstream from the exit nozzle. Comparative results at two operation conditions of the nozzle are presented for the two instruments. For the 1st case studied, the deviation in arithmetic mean diameters determined by the two instruments was in a range of 0.1 to 2.8 micron, and the deviation in Sauter mean diameters varied from 0 to 2.2 micron. Severe operating conditions in the 2nd case resulted in the arithmetic mean diameter deviating from 1.4 to 7.1 micron and the deviation in the Sauter mean diameters ranging from 0.4 to 6.7 micron.

Alexander, Dennis R.↗
NASA NTRS1982

The 1982 Aeronautics and Space Highlights

This video includes STS 3 & 4, Challenger completed, unmanned launches, the Hubble Space Telescope, Pioneers 8 & 9 encounter, Mars Pictures, Landsat 4, wind energy, ion-electric engines, solar powered medical system, medical image analysis, rotor systems research aircraft, XV-15, propfan research, aircraft icing studies, and Oshkosh Sirshow.

Source record↗