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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 NTRS1972

Effect of limited amplitude and rate of flap motion on vane-controlled gust alleviation system

An airplane (light transport type) is assumed to be in level flight (no pitching) through atmospheric turbulence which has a mean-square vertical gust intensity of 9.3 (m/sec)sq. The power spectral density of the vertical acceleration due to gusts is examined with and without a gust-alleviation system in operation. The gust-alleviation system consisted of wing flaps that were used in conjunction with a vane mounted ahead of the airplane to sense the vertical gust velocity. The primary purpose of this study was to examine the change in the effectiveness of the gust-alleviation system when the flap motion is limited in amplitude and rate. The alleviation system was very effective if no restrictions were placed on flap motion (rate and amplitude). Restricting the flap amplitude to 0.5 radian did not appreciably change the effectiveness. However, restricting the flap rate did reduce the gust alleviation, and restricting the flap rate to 0.25 rad/sec actually caused the alleviation system to increase the vertical acceleration above that for the no-alleviation situation. Based upon this analysis, rate limiting appears to be rather significant in gust-alleviation systems designed for passenger comfort.

Barker, L. K.↗
NASA NTRS1970

Optimization of a fluidic temperature control device

Refinements are described to an existing fluidic temperature control system developed under a prior study which modulated temperature at the inlet to the liquid-cooled garment by using existing liquid supply and return lines to transmit signals to a fluidic controller located in the spacecraft. This earlier system produced a limited range of garment inlet temperatures, requiring some bypassing of flow around the suit to make the astronaut comfortable at rest conditions. Refinements were based on a flow visualization study of the key element in the fluidic controller: the fluidic mixing valve. The valve's mixing-ratio range was achieved by making five key changes: (1) geometrical changes to the valve; (2) attenuation of noise generated in proportional amplifier cascades; (3) elimination of vortices at the exit of the fluidic mixing valve; (4) reduction of internal heat transfer; and (5) flow balancing through venting. As a result, the refined system is capable of modulating garment inlet temperature from 45 F to 70 F with a single manual control valve in series with the garment. This control valve signals without changing or bypassing flow through the garment.

Zabsky, J. M.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Space station ventilation study

A ventilation system design and selection method which is applicable to any manned vehicle were developed. The method was used to generate design options for the NASA 33-foot diameter space station, all of which meet the ventilation system design requirements. System characteristics such as weight, volume, and power were normalized to dollar costs for each option. Total system costs for the various options ranged from a worst case $8 million to a group of four which were all approximately $2 million. A system design was then chosen from the $2 million group and is presented in detail. A ventilation system layout was designed for the MSFC space station mockup which provided comfortable, efficient ventilation of the mockup. A conditioned air distribution system design for the 14-foot diameter modular space station, using the same techniques, is also presented. The tradeoff study resulted in the selection of a system which costs $1.9 million, as compared to the alternate configuration which would have cost $2.6 million.

Colombo, G. V.↗
NASA NTRS1971

Future needs for biomedical transducers

In summary there are three major classes of transducer improvements required: improvements in existing transducers, needs for unexploited physical science phenomena in transducer design, and needs for unutilized physiological phenomena in transducer design. During the next decade, increasing emphasis will be placed on noninvasive measurement in all of these areas. Patient safety, patient comfort, and the need for efficient utilization of the time of both patient and physician requires that noninvasive methods of monitoring be developed.

Wooten, F. T.↗
NASA NTRS1972

A method for the measurement and analysis of ride vibrations of transportation systems

The measurement and recording of ride vibrations which affect passenger comfort in transportation systems and the subsequent data-reduction methods necessary for interpreting the data present exceptional instrumentation requirements and necessitate the use of computers for specialized analysis techniques. A method is presented for both measuring and analyzing ride vibrations of the type encountered in ground and air transportation systems. A portable system for measuring and recording low-frequency, low-amplitude accelerations and specialized data-reduction procedures are described. Sample vibration measurements in the form of statistical parameters representative of typical transportation systems are also presented to demonstrate the utility of the techniques.

Catherines, J. J.↗
NASA NTRS1971

System safety engineering in the development of advanced surface transportation vehicles

Applications of system safety engineering to the development of advanced surface transportation vehicles are described. As a pertinent example, the paper describes a safety engineering efforts tailored to the particular design and test requirements of the Tracked Air Cushion Research Vehicle (TACRV). The test results obtained from this unique research vehicle provide significant design data directly applicable to the development of future tracked air cushion vehicles that will carry passengers in comfort and safety at speeds up to 300 miles per hour.

Harry E. Arnzen↗
NASA NTRS1972

Prospects for low wing-loading STOL transports with ride smoothing.

Airplanes with low wing-loadings provide STOL capability without reliance on auxiliary propulsion or augmented lift, but require a ride smoothing control system to provide acceptable passenger comfort. A parametric study produced a configuration having a .35 thrust-to-weight ratio and a 50 psf wing loading, and which satisfied specified mission requirements and airworthiness standards. A ride-smoothing control system (RCS) synthesis was then performed which consisted of ride quality criteria definition, RCS concept trades, and analysis of RCS performance benefits at significant flight conditions. Within the limitations of the study it is concluded that this is a viable approach to STOL airplane design.

Holloway, R. B.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Cold sea survival.

Two prototype three-man life rafts were evaluated during the winter months in Arctic waters off Kodiak Island, Alaska, to assess potential survival problems and determine tolerance limits. Each raft incorporated thermal characteristics specifically designed for cold water. Water and air temperatures varied from 0 to +2 C and -5 to +4 C respectively. All subjects were removed upon reaching subjective tolerance. The results showed that none of the clothing assemblies was adequate to maintain a person in comfort even with dry boarding. No significant biochemical shifts in the blood or urine were found. The TUL raft was found to be superior in its thermal characteristics and afforded better subject protection. General tolerance for cold water immersion, wet and dry, and cold water raft exposures are depicted graphically, based on previously reported data.

Veghte, J. H.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Integral aircraft passenger seat

Human-engineering approach was used to design integral seat which provides all the safety, comfort, and protective features that can possibly be afforded airline passengers. Results of dynamic impact testing indicated that seat can withstand and attenuate gravity loads of 21-g horizontal and 45-g vertical; by design, seat will withstand lateral g's as well.

Kubokawa, C. C.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Flexible temperature probe for biological systems

Probe is sufficiently flexible so that it can be worn comfortably for long periods of time, but relatively rigid to permit easy insertion. Body and electrical leads of small thermistor are imbedded in flexible fluorosilicone matrix contained in vinyl plastic tubing.

Haro, P. J.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Ride quality overview

An analysis of the factors which affect riding comfort in various modes of transportation is presented. The subjects discussed are: (1) human factor elements in ride quality, (2) current knowledge of flight dynamics and relation to passenger acceptance, (3) study requirements for human factors in ride quality, and (4) possible criteria for human factor in ride quality.

Stone, R. W., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Ride Quality Criteria for Large Commercial Helicopters

A review of major ride-quality criteria used in the design of commercial helicopters, some of the limitations of these criteria, research programs conducted to better define these criteria, and some recommended research programs is presented. Primary emphasis is given to the question of noise and vibration criteria for passenger acceptance and comfort.

Schlegel, R. G.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Ride evaluation in aerospace and surface vehicles

The vibration environment in a wide range of aerospace and surface vehicles is examined, and definitions related to ride evaluation are reviewed. Three provinces of research and application of ride data are recognized: (1) ride affecting passenger and operator comfort; (2) ride affecting human efficiency; and (3) ride affecting the health and safety of occupants occupationally or repeatedly exposed. Specific reference is made to the proposed ISO guide on human exposure to whole-body vibration. The applications as well as the advantages and limitations of this guide for evaluating vehicle ride are discussed. The derivation of the limits is reviewed with regard to the supporting data and the compromises necessary for wide applicability. Special discussions are included of the frequency and time dependence of these limits and approaches in progress for adjusting them according to different criteria of application.

Broderson, A. B.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Automatic Control of Personal Rapid Transit Vehicles

The requirements for automatic longitudinal control of a string of closely packed personal vehicles are outlined. Optimal control theory is used to design feedback controllers for strings of vehicles. An important modification of the usual optimal control scheme is the inclusion of jerk in the cost functional. While the inclusion of the jerk term was considered, the effect of its inclusion was not sufficiently studied. Adding the jerk term will increase passenger comfort.

Smith, P. D.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Protection Against Hearing Loss in General Aviation Operations, Phase II

An inflight evaluation of four aural protectors is presented. The hearing protection devices studied were ear muffs, plastic ear plugs, rubber ear plugs, and wax ear plugs. It is concluded that ear plugs are satisfactory for providing adequate sound attenuation in general aviation aircraft. However, two problems were found in the use of ear plugs; comfort and interference with cabin communications.

Parker, J. F., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1973

A review of the influence of physical condition parameters on a typical aerospace stress effect: Decompression sickness

The study examines data on episodes of decompression sickness, particularly from recent Navy work in which the event occurred under multiple stress conditions, to determine the extent to which decompression sickness might be predicted on the basis of personal characteristics such as age, weight, and physical condition. Such information should ultimately be useful for establishing medical selection criteria to screen individuals prior to participation inactivities involving extensive changes in ambient pressure, including those encountered in space operations. The main conclusions were as follows. There is a definite and positive relationship between increasing age and weight and the likelihood of decompression sickness. However, for predictive purposes, the relationship is low. To reduce the risk of bends, particularly for older individuals, strenuous exercise should be avoided immediately after ambient pressure changes. Temperatures should be kept at the low end of the comfort zone. For space activities, pressure changes of over 6-7 psi should be avoided. Prospective participants in future missions such as the Space Shuttle should not be excluded on the basis of age, certainly to age 60, if their general condition is reasonably good and they are not grossly obese. (Modified author abstract)

West, V. R.↗
NASA NTRS1973

A fixed-base simulation study of two STOL aircraft flying curved, descending instrument approach paths

A real-time, fixed-base simulation study has been conducted to determine the curved, descending approach paths (within passenger-comfort limits) that would be acceptable to pilots, the flight-director-system logic requirements for curved-flight-path guidance, and the paths which can be flown within proposed microwave landing system (MLS) coverage angles. Two STOL aircraft configurations were used in the study. Generally, no differences in the results between the two STOL configurations were found. The investigation showed that paths with a 1828.8 meter turn radius and a 1828.8 meter final-approach distance were acceptable without winds and with winds up to at least 15 knots for airspeeds from 75 to 100 knots. The altitude at roll-out from the final turn determined which final-approach distances were acceptable. Pilots preferred to have an initial straight leg of about 1 n. mi. after MLS guidance acquisition before turn intercept. The size of the azimuth coverage angle necessary to meet passenger and pilot criteria depends on the size of the turn angle: plus or minus 60 deg was adequate to cover all paths execpt ones with a 180 deg turn.

Benner, M. S.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Postponement of incipient collapse due to work-induced heat stress by limited cooling

Four subjects completed five treadmill training sessions under comfortable to cool conditions and were calibrated to find an optimum combination of speed and grade on the treadmill which would produce a metabolic rate of 2000 Btu-hr. Dressed in an Apollo liquid cooling garment, each man underwent a total of four experiments in which the rate of heat extraction from the liquid cooling garment was adjusted to an amount which would cause a storage within the body of 1000 Btu/hr. Physiological measurements included skin temperature at 9 locations, rectal and ear canal probes, and heart rate. The increases in tolerance time for the various subjects and the various methods of emergency cooling, ranged from a low of six minutes to a high of 48 minutes, or from 8 to 102% of the baseline tolerance times. The largest gains were achieved in a subject whose tolerance endpoint was atypical, and whose baseline heat tolerance was unsually low.

Blockley, W. V.↗