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At least 217 records · Page 12

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NASA NTRS1988

Minimum weight design of rectangular and tapered helicopter rotor blades with frequency constraints

The minimum weight design of a helicopter rotor blade subject to constraints on coupled flap-lag natural frequencies has been studied. A constraint has also been imposed on the minimum value of the autorotational inertia of the blade in order to ensure that it has sufficient inertia to aurorotate in the case of engine failure. The program CAMRAD is used for the blade modal analysis and CONMIN is used for the optimization. In addition, a linear approximation analysis involving Taylor series expansion has been used to reduce the analysis effort. The procedure contains a sensitivity analysis which consists of analytical derivatives of the objective function and the autorotational inertia constraint and central finite difference derivatives of the frequency constraints. Optimum designs have been obtained for both rectangular and tapered blades. Design variables include taper ratio, segment weights, and box beam dimensions. It is shown that even when starting with an acceptable baseline design, a significant amount of weight reduction is possible while satisfying all the constraints for both rectangular and tapered blades.

Chattopadhyay, Aditi↗

NASA NTRS1989

Dynamic-Range Compression For Infrared Imagery

Photorefractive crystals covering detectors prevent saturation. To make full use of information in image, desirable to compress dynamic range of input intensity to within region of approximately linear response of detector. Dynamic-range compression exhibited by measurements of attenuation in photorefractive GaAs. Effective dynamic-range-compressor plate, film, or coating reduces apparent contrast of scene imaged on detector plane to within dynamic range of detectors; original image contrast or intensity data recovered subsequently in electronic image processing because range-compression function and inverse known.

Cheng, Li-Jen↗

NASA NTRS1988

The near-infrared polarization and color of Comet Halley: What can we learn about the grains

The near infrared polarization and JHK colors of light scattered by dust grains in comet Halley were measured over a wide range in phase angle and heliocentric distance. Colors were redder than solar with no statistically significant variation with phase angle, heliocentric distance, or pre- and post-perihelion. This suggests that the grain population did not change drastically over time and that the data may be combined and modeled. However, short term variations in visible polarization and dust albedo were seen in Halley. Also, near infrared colors became systematically bluer after the observations were completed. The near infrared colors of Halley fall in the range of those of other comets. The near infrared polarization is similar to the visible polarization of Halley and other comets in showing a negative branch at small phase angles and an approximately linear rise toward positive values at larger phase angles. Mie theory calculations and a size distribution based on spacecraft data were used to model the near infrared polarization and color of comet Halley. Numerous lines of evidence point to the presence of dark, absorbing, probably carbonaceous materials in comets.

Brooke, Timothy Y.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Ignition characteristics of the iron-based alloy UNS S66286 in pressurized oxygen

The development of ignition and combustion in pressurized oxygen atmospheres was studied for the iron based alloy UNS S66286. Ignition of the alloy was achieved by heating the top surface of a cylindrical specimen with a continuous-wave CO2 laser. Two heating procedures were used. In the first, laser power was adjusted to maintain an approximately linear increase in surface temperature. In the second, laser power was periodically increased until autoheating (self-heating) was established. It was found that the alloy would autoheat to destruction from temperatures below the solidus temperature. In addition endothermic events occurred as the alloy was heated, many at reproducible temperatures. Many endothermic events occurred prior to abrupt increases in surface temperature and appeared to accelerate the rate of increase in specimen temperature to rates greater than what would be expected from increased temperature alone. It is suggested that the source of these endotherms may increase the oxidation rate of the alloy. Ignition parameters are defined and the temperatures at which these parameters occur are given for the oxygen pressure range of 1.72 to 13.8 MPa (25 to 2000 psia).

Bransford, James W.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Simple robust control laws for robot manipulators. Part 2: Adaptive case

A new class of asymptotically stable adaptive control laws is introduced for application to the robotic manipulator. Unlike most applications of adaptive control theory to robotic manipulators, this analysis addresses the nonlinear dynamics directly without approximation, linearization, or ad hoc assumptions, and utilizes a parameterization based on physical (time-invariant) quantities. This approach is made possible by using energy-like Lyapunov functions which retain the nonlinear character and structure of the dynamics, rather than simple quadratic forms which are ubiquitous to the adaptive control literature, and which have bound the theory tightly to linear systems with unknown parameters. It is a unique feature of these results that the adaptive forms arise by straightforward certainty equivalence adaptation of their nonadaptive counterparts found in the companion to this paper (i.e., by replacing unknown quantities by their estimates) and that this simple approach leads to asymptotically stable closed-loop adaptive systems. Furthermore, it is emphasized that this approach does not require convergence of the parameter estimates (i.e., via persistent excitation), invertibility of the mass matrix estimate, or measurement of the joint accelerations.

Bayard, D. S.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Isotopic anomalies - Chemical memory of Galactic evolution

New mechanisms for the chemical memory of isotopic anomalies are proposed which are based on the temporal change during the chemical evolution of the Galaxy of the isotopic composition of the mean ejecta from stars. Because of the differing temporal evolution of primary and secondary products of nucleosynthesis, the isotopic composition of the bulk interstellar medium changes approximately linearly with time, and thus any dust component having an age different from that of average dust will be isotopically anomalous. Special attention is given to C, O, Mg, Si, and isotopically heavy average-stellar condensates of SiC.

Clayton, Donald D.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Theory for synthetic aperture radar imaging of the ocean surface - With application to the Tower Ocean Wave and Radar Dependence experiment on focus, resolution, and wave height spectra

A one-dimensional model for simulating azimuthal SAR imaging of the ocean surface is developed which can admit both the 'distributed surface' and 'velocity bunching' approaches. Computer simulations demonstrate that the time-dependent modulation patterns due to the radar cross section variation and the velocity bunching effects provide optimum focusing around half the phase velocity of the long wave. The results indicate that in the Tower Ocean Wave and Radar Dependence experiment, SAR imaging at L band is approximately linear.

Kasilingam, Dayalan P.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Global sensitivity analysis in control-augmented structural synthesis

In this paper, an integrated approach to structural/control design is proposed in which variables in both the passive (structural) and active (control) disciplines of an optimization process are changed simultaneously. The global sensitivity equation (GSE) method of Sobieszczanski-Sobieski (1988) is used to obtain the behavior sensitivity derivatives necessary for the linear approximations used in the parallel multidisciplinary synthesis problem. The GSE allows for the decoupling of large systems into smaller subsystems and thus makes it possible to determine the local sensitivities of each subsystem's outputs to its inputs and parameters. The advantages in using the GSE method are demonstrated using a finite-element representation of a truss structure equipped with active lateral displacement controllers, which is undergoing forced vibration.

Bloebaum, Christina L.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Relationships between sea surface temperature and outgoing longwave radiation over the tropical oceans

The spatial relationships between convection and SST at intraseasonal, seasonal, and interannual timescales over the tropical oceans are studied. The dependence of these local relationships on large-scale surface convergence/divergence is determined. The data used are day and night averaged NOAA outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) and Climate Analysis Center monthly SSTs based on in situ measurements. Below 28 C, the SST and OLR have an approximately linear relationship. Above 28 C, the relationship between the SST and convection may be much more complex.

Chan, Paul H.↗

NASA NTRS1990

VLSI Architecture For Viterbi Decoder

"Pipeline" architecture developed for very-large-scale integrated (VLSI) Viterbi decoding circuits for binary convolutional codes of large constraint lengths. In scheme, single sequential processor computes path metrics in trellis diagram (diagram in which paths and nodes represent possible sequences of code states and in which metrics indicate relative likelihoods of sequences). Systolic-array method used to store path information as well as to choose path with best metric. VLSI Viterbi-decoder architecture is compromise between speed and complexity. Size of decoding circuit increases approximately linearly with constraint length of code, and additional circuit chips added with moderate numbers of interconnections.

Hsu, In-Shek↗

NASA NTRS1990

On the instability of hypersonic flow past a flat plate

The instability of hypersonic boundary-layer flows over flat plates is considered. The viscosity of the fluid is taken to be governed by Sutherland's law, which gives a much more accurate representation of the temperature dependence of fluid viscosity at hypersonic speeds than Chapman's approximate linear law; although at lower speeds the temperature variation of the mean state is less pronounced so that the Chapman law can be used with some confidence. Attention is focussed on the so-called (vorticity) mode of instability of the viscous hypersonic boundary layer. This is thought to be the fastest growing inviscid disturbance at hypersonic speeds; it is also believed to have an asymptotically larger growth rate than any viscous or centrifugal instability. As a starting point the instability of the hypersonic boundary layer which exists far downstream from the leading edge of the plate is investigated. In this regime the shock that is attached to the leading edge of the plate plays no role, so that the basic boundary layer is non-interactive. It is shown that the vorticity mode of instability of this flow operates on a significantly different lengthscale than that obtained if a Chapman viscosity law is assumed. In particular, it is found that the growth rate predicted by a linear viscosity law overestimates the size of the growth rate by O(M(exp 2). Next, the development of the vorticity mode as the wavenumber decreases is described, and it is shown that acoustic modes emerge when the wavenumber has decreased from it's O(1) initial value to O(M (exp -3/2). Finally, the inviscid instability of the boundary layer near the leading edge in the interaction zone is discussed and particular attention is focussed on the strong interaction region which occurs sufficiently close to the leading edge. It is found that the vorticity mode in this regime is again unstable, and that it is concentrated in the transition layer at the edge of the boundary layer where the temperature adjusts from its large, O(M(exp 2), value in the viscous boundary layer, to its O(1) free stream value. The existence of the shock indirectly, but significantly, influences the instability problem by modifying the basic flow structure in this layer.

Blackaby, Nicholas↗

NASA NTRS1990

Geometric effects in applied-field MPD thrusters

Three applied-field magnetoplasmadynamic (MPD) thruster geometries were tested with argon propellant to establish the influence of electrode geometry on thruster performance. The thrust increased approximately linearly with anode radius, while the discharge and electrode fall voltages increased quadratically with anode radius. All these parameters increased linearly with applied-field strength. Thrust efficiency, on the other hand, was not significantly influenced by changes in geometry over the operating range studied, though both thrust and thermal efficiencies increased monotonically with applied field strength. The best performance, 1820 sec I(sub sp) at 20 percent efficiency, was obtained with the largest radius anode at the highest discharge current (1500 amps) and applied field strength (0.4 Tesla).

Myers, R. M.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Minimum weight design of helicopter rotor blades with frequency constraints

The minimum weight design of helicopter rotor blades subject to constraints on fundamental coupled flap-lag natural frequencies has been studied in this paper. A constraint has also been imposed on the minimum value of the blade autorotational inertia to ensure that the blade has sufficient inertia to autorotate in case of an engine failure. The program CAMRAD has been used for the blade modal analysis and the program CONMIN has been used for the optimization. In addition, a linear approximation analysis involving Taylor series expansion has been used to reduce the analysis effort. The procedure contains a sensitivity analysis which consists of analytical derivatives of the objective function and the autorotational inertia constraint and central finite difference derivatives of the frequency constraints. Optimum designs have been obtained for blades in vacuum with both rectangular and tapered box beam structures. Design variables include taper ratio, nonstructural segment weights and box beam dimensions. The paper shows that even when starting with an acceptable baseline design, a significant amount of weight reduction is possible while satisfying all the constraints for blades with rectangular and tapered box beams.

Chattopadhyay, Aditi↗

NASA NTRS1989

Hyperfine magnetic field on Cd-111 in Heusler alloys Co2MnZ (Z = Si, Ga, Ge, Sn)

The time differential perturbed angular correlation method has been used to measure, as a function of temperature, the hyperfine magnetic field at Cd sites in the Heusler alloys Co2MnZ (Z = Si, Ga, Ge, Sn). The hyperfine fields, normalized to the total magnetic moment per formula unit, show an approximately linear trend toward more positive values with increasing lattice parameter.

Jha, S.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Geometric effects in applied-field MPD thrusters

Three applied-field magnetoplasmadynamic (MPD) thruster geometries were tested with argon propellant to establish the influence of electrode geometry on thruster performance. The thrust increased approximately linearly with anode radius, while the discharge and electrode fall voltages increased quadratically with anode radius. All these parameters increased linearly with applied-field strength. Thrust efficiency, on the other hand, was not significantly influenced by changes in geometry over the operating range studied, though both thrust and thermal efficiencies increased monotonically with applied field strength. The best performance, 1820 sec I (sub sp) at 20 percent efficiency, was obtained with the largest radius anode at the highest discharge current (1500 amps) and applied field strength (0.4 Tesla).

Myers, R. M.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Low-Loss Coupler For Microwave Laser-Diode Modulation

Elimination of series resistor reduces loss of radio-frequency power. Quarter-wavelength matching section connected to transmission line eliminates need for resistor near laser diode and extends frequency response of system. Concept significantly extends relatively flat frequency response of laser diode or similar component, while simplifying design of its package, increasing amplitude of output signal, and reducing dissipation of heat by eliminating resistance. Phase characteristics approximately linear and any digital information transmitted not significantly altered.

Toda, Minoru↗

NASA NTRS1991

Correlating DSC and X-Ray Measurements Of Crystallinity

Experiment demonstrated approximate linear correlation between degree of crystallinity of multiphase polymer (as calculated from x-ray diffraction measurements) and heat of fusion of polymer (as calculated from differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements). Correlation basis of simple new technique for estimating degree of crystallinity of specimens of polymer from DSC measurements alone.

Yen, Shiao-Ping S.↗

NASA NTRS1991

An experimental analysis of critical factors involved in the breakdown process of leading edge vortex flows

Experimental crosswire measurements of the flowfield above a 70 and 75 degree flat plate delta wing were performed at a Reynolds number of 250,000. Survey grids were taken normal to the platform at a series of chordwise locations for angles of attack of 20 and 30 degrees. Axial and azimuthal vorticity distributions were derived from the velocity fields. The dependence of circulation on distance from the vortex core as well as on chordwise location was examined. The effects of nondimensionalization in comparison with other experimental data was made. The circulation distribution scales with the local semispan and grows approximately linearly in the chordwise direction. For regions of the flow outside of the vortex subcore, the circulation at any chordwise station was observed to vary logarithmically with distance from the vortex axis. The circulation was also found to increase linearly with angle of incidence at a given chordwise station. A reduction in the local circulation about the vortex axis occurred at breakdown. The spanwise distribution of axial vorticity was severely altered through the breakdown region and the spanwise distribution of axial vorticity present appeared to reach a maximum immediately preceding breakdown. The local concentration of axial vorticity about the vortex axis was reduced while the magnitude of the azimuthal vorticity decreased throughout the breakdown zone. The axial vorticity components with a negative sense, found in the secondary vortex, remained unaffected by changes in wing sweep or angle of attack, in direct contrast to the positive components. The inclusion of the local wing geometry into a previously derived correlation parameter indicated that the circulation of growing leading edge vortex flows were similar at corresponding radii from the vortex axis. It was concluded that the flow over a delta wing, upstream of the breakdown regions and away from the apex and trailing edge regions, is conical. In addition, the dominating factors leading to the onset of breakdown are felt to be the local circulation of the vortex and the accompanying pressure field.

Visser, Kenneth D.↗