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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 217 records · Page 12
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1974

Mariner Mars 1971 attitude control subsystem

The Mariner Mars 1971 attitude control subsystem (ACS) is discussed. It is comprised of a sun sensor set, a Canopus tracker, an inertial reference unit, two cold gas reaction control assemblies, two rocket engine gimbal actuators, and an attitude control electronics unit. The subsystem has the following eight operating modes: (1) launch, (2) sun acquisition, (3) roll search, (4) celestial cruise, (5) all-axes inertial, (6) roll inertial, (7) commanded turn, and (8) thrust vector control. In the celestial cruise mode, the position control is held to plus or minus 0.25 deg. Commanded turn rates are plus or minus 0.18 deg/s. The attitude control logic in conjunction with command inputs from other spacecraft subsystems establishes the ACS operating mode. The logic utilizes Sun and Canopus acquisition signals generated within the ACS to perform automatic mode switching so that dependence of ground control is minimized when operating in the sun acquisition, roll search, and celestial cruise modes. The total ACS weight is 65.7 lb, and includes 5.4 lb of nitrogen gas. Total power requirements vary from 9 W for the celestial cruise mode to 54 W for the commanded turn mode.

Edmunds, R. S.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Instrumentation and control system for an F-15 stall/spin

An instrumentation and control system is described that was used for radio-controlled F-15 airplane model stall/spin research at the NASA-Langley Research Center. This stall/spin research technique, using scale model aircraft, provides information on the post-stall and spin-entry characteristics of full-scale aircraft. The instrumentation described provides measurements of flight parameters such as angle of attack and sideslip, airspeed, control-surface position, and three-axis rotation rates; these data are recorded on an onboard magnetic tape recorder. The proportional radio control system, which utilizes analog potentiometric signals generated from ground-based pilot inputs, and the ground-based system used in the flight operation are also described.

Pitts, F. L.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Full-color hybrid display

System presents realistic and properly proportioned image of runway with its associated lights as it appears at dusk or at night. Display employs high resolution cathode ray tube and color wheel to produce colored lights from computer generated signals. Lights are then superimposed on conventional television display of runway.

Chase, W. D.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Impact dynamics research facility for full-scale aircraft crash testing

An impact dynamics research facility (IDRF) was developed to crash test full-scale general aviation aircraft under free-flight test conditions. The aircraft are crashed into the impact surface as free bodies; a pendulum swing method is used to obtain desired flight paths and velocities. Flight paths up to -60 deg and aircraft velocities along the flight paths up to about 27.0 m/s can be obtained with a combination of swing-cable lengths and release heights made available by a large gantry. Seven twin engine, 2721-kg aircraft were successfully crash tested at the facility, and all systems functioned properly. Acquisition of data from signals generated by accelerometers on board the aircraft and from external and onboard camera coverage was successful in spite of the amount of damage which occurred during each crash. Test parameters at the IDRF are controllable with flight path angles accurate within 8 percent, aircraft velocity accurate within 6 percent, pitch angles accurate to 4.25 deg, and roll and yaw angles acceptable under wind velocities up to 4.5 m/s.

Vaughan, V. L. J.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Frequency allocations for passive use of the radio spectrum to make scientific studies

The paper examines the legal implications of frequency allocations for passive use of the radio spectrum, which refer to receive-only radio services. Such receive-only services refer to the reception of radio signals generated by nonhuman agencies as in radio astronomy or in the search for extraterrestrial intelligence. Juridical interpretations of the public interest and of necessity are applied to these passive services.

Stull, M. A.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Full color hybrid display for aircraft simulators

A full spectrum color monitor, connected to the camera and lens system of a television camera supported by a gantry frame over a terrain model simulating an aircraft landing zone, projects the monitor image onto a lens or screen visually accessible to a trainee in the simulator. A digital computer produces a pattern corresponding to the lights associated with the landing strip onto a monochromatic display, and an optical system projects the calligraphic image onto the same lens so that it is superposed on the video representation of the landing field. The optical system includes a four-color wheel which is rotated between the calligraphic display and the lens, and an apparatus for synchronizing the generation of a calligraphic pattern with the color segments on the color wheel. A servo feedback system responsive to the servo motors on the gantry frame produces an input to the computer so that the calligraphically generated signal corresponds in shape, size and location to the video signal.

Chase, W. D.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Three-channel integrating analog-to-digital converter

A three-channel integrating analog-to-digital converter was added to the complex mixer system to accept the baseband, complex signals generated by the complex mixers and output binary data to the digital demodulator for further processing and recording. The converter was first used for processing multistation data in radar experiments in the spring of 1977.

Stevens, G. L.↗
NASA NTRS1978

The design and demonstration of an advanced data collection/position locating system, addendum

The theoretical background for a coherent demodulator for minimum shift keying signals generated by the advanced data collection/position locating system breadboard is presented along with a discussion of the design concept. Various tests and test results, obtained with the breadboard system described, include evaluation of bit-error rate performance, acquisition time, clock recovery, recycle time, frequency measurement accuracy, and mutual interference.

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NASA NTRS1980

Broadband electrostatic acoustic transducer for liquids

Capacitive electrostatic transducer (ESAT) measures absolute displacement amplitudes of ultrasonic waves in liquids, and may be used as calibrator for other transducers or as probe for nondestructive study and characterization of materials. ESAT consists of thin conductive membrane stretched over metallic housing. Ultrasonic waves incident on membrane cause it to vibrate and generate signal proportional to wave amplitude. Entire assembly is sealed for immersion in liquid.

Cantrell, J. H.↗
NASA NTRS1980

RAM-Based frame synchronizer

Frame synchronizer for serial telemetry is rapidly reconfigured for changing formats. Synchronizer generates signals marking data-word boundaries, beginning of each frame, and beginning of each paragraph. Also derived are search, check, and lock status signals. Existing unit is assembled from standard random-access memory elements and MOS and low-power-Schottky logic.

Niswander, J. K.↗
NASA NTRS1981

CADAT integrated circuit artwork program

Versatile, ready-to-use program (ARTWORK) converts artwork data into mask patterns. ARTWORK generates signals for controlling mask-fabricating equipment. Extensive utility package enables user to create new pattern libraries, develop and incorporate new cells, and perform systems orientation functions. Program is written in FORTRAN IV.

Kvelthau, R. L.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Detection of the transitional layer between laminar and turbulent flow areas on a wing surface

A system is disclosed for detecting the laminar to turbulent boundary layer transition on a surface while simultaneously taking pressure measurements. The system uses an accelerometer for producing electrical signals proportional to the noise levels along the surface and a transducer for producing electrical signals proportional to pressure along the surface. The signals generated by the accelerometer and transducer are sent to a data reduction system for interpretation and storage.

Hood, W. R.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Apparatus for sensor failure detection and correction in a gas turbine engine control system

A gas turbine engine control system maintains a selected level of engine performance despite the failure or abnormal operation of one or more engine parameter sensors. The control system employs a continuously updated engine model which simulates engine performance and generates signals representing real time estimates of the engine parameter sensor signals. The estimate signals are transmitted to a control computational unit which utilizes them in lieu of the actual engine parameter sensor signals to control the operation of the engine. The estimate signals are also compared with the corresponding actual engine parameter sensor signals and the resulting difference signals are utilized to update the engine model. If a particular difference signal exceeds specific tolerance limits, the difference signal is inhibited from updating the model and a sensor failure indication is provided to the engine operator.

Spang, H. A., III↗
NASA NTRS1980

Experimental image alignment system

A microcomputer-based instrument for image alignment with respect to a reference image is described which uses the DEFT sensor (Direct Electronic Fourier Transform) for image sensing and preprocessing. The instrument alignment algorithm which uses the two-dimensional Fourier transform as input is also described. It generates signals used to steer the stage carrying the test image into the correct orientation. This algorithm has computational advantages over algorithms which use image intensity data as input and is suitable for a microcomputer-based instrument since the two-dimensional Fourier transform is provided by the DEFT sensor.

Moyer, A. L.↗
NASA NTRS1981

SAR calibration technology review

Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) calibration technology including a general description of the primary calibration techniques and some of the factors which affect the performance of calibrated SAR systems are reviewed. The use of reference reflectors for measurement of the total system transfer function along with an on-board calibration signal generator for monitoring the temporal variations of the receiver to processor output is a practical approach for SAR calibration. However, preliminary error analysis and previous experimental measurements indicate that reflectivity measurement accuracies of better than 3 dB will be difficult to achieve. This is not adequate for many applications and, therefore, improved end-to-end SAR calibration techniques are required.

Walker, J. L.↗
NASA NTRS1979

A tactual display aid for primary flight training

A means of flight instruction is discussed. In addition to verbal assistance, control feedback was continously presented via a nonvisual means utilizing touch. A kinesthetic-tactile (KT) display was used as a readout and tracking device for a computer generated signal of desired angle of attack during the approach and landing. Airspeed and glide path information was presented via KT or visual heads up display techniques. Performance with the heads up display of pitch information was shown to be significantly better than performance with the KT pitch display. Testing without the displays showed that novice pilots who had received tactile pitch error information performed both pitch and throttle control tasks significantly better than those who had received the same information from the visual heads up display of pitch during the test series of approaches to landing.

Gilson, R. D.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Implantable electrical device

A fully implantable and self contained device is disclosed composed of a flexible electrode array for surrounding damaged nerves and a signal generator for driving the electrode array with periodic electrical impulses of nanoampere magnitude to induce regeneration of the damaged nerves.

Jhabvala, M. D.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Beta experiment

A focused laser doppler velocimeter (LDV) system was developed for the measurement of atmospheric backscatter (beta) from aerosols at infrared wavelengths. A Doppler signal generator was used in mapping the coherent sensitive focal volume of a focused LDV system. System calibration data was analyzed during the flight test activity scheduled for the Beta system. These analyses were performed to determine the acceptability of the Beta measurement system's performance.

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