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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

Robot, computer problem solving system

The development of a computer problem solving system is reported that considers physical problems faced by an artificial robot moving around in a complex environment. Fundamental interaction constraints with a real environment are simulated for the robot by visual scan and creation of an internal environmental model. The programming system used in constructing the problem solving system for the simulated robot and its simulated world environment is outlined together with the task that the system is capable of performing. A very general framework for understanding the relationship between an observed behavior and an adequate description of that behavior is included.

Becker, J. D.↗
NASA NTRS1972

TDRS multimode transponder program. Phase 1: Design

The use of geosynchronous tracking and data relay satellites (TDRS) which can serve both low data rate users at VHF and high data rate users at other frequencies is considered. The effects of radio frequency interference from the earth and of multipath propagation due to reflections from the earth are expected to pose problems for the TDRS system at VHF. Investigations suggest several modulation techniques that offer promise to overcome these problems. This report provides a complete design of a VHF/UHF multimode transponder and its associated ground support equipment. The transponder is designed for installation aboard an aircraft and will demonstrate candidate modulation techniques to provide the required information for the design of an eventual VHF/UHF transponder suitable for installation in a user satellite, capable of operating as part of a TDRS system.

Cnossen, R. S.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Reliability inputs to Mariner 9 data explosion

This paper describes the prelaunch and post-launch reliability functions which contributed to the success of the Mariner 9 spacecraft. Examples are included to illustrate how each reliability activity was a vital part of each phase of the project. Prelaunch reliability functions included: (1) establishing, negotiating, and monitoring system and subsystem requirements, (2) participating in spacecraft system and subsystem design/hardware reviews, (3) monitoring preparation of failure mode effects and criticality analyses (FMECA), (4) establishing and managing a problem failure reporting (PFR) system for the spacecraft and its support equipment, (5) monitoring electronic parts activities, and (6) participating in spacecraft reviews. Particular emphasis is placed on mission operations reliability assurance activities, which included: (1) spacecraft problem/failure reporting, (2) managing an integrating failure reporting system which covered all mission operations activities, (3) real-time analysis of spacecraft anomalies, and (4) risk assessment.

Macgregor, D. S.↗
NASA NTRS1974

A varistor technique to reduce the hazards of electrostatics to electroexplosive devices

Inherent to the design and construction of electroexplosive devices is a vulnerability to inadvertent initiation from electrostatic discharges. The small spacing (approx. 1 mm) between the bridgewire circuits and the body and between bridgewire circuits afford easy breakdown paths for electrostatic voltages. In some cases where metallic component pyrotechnic materials are loaded onto the bridgewire circuits the susceptability to inadvertant initiation is increased. An approach to solving this problem is reported based on the application of a new varistor (nonlinear resistor) material. Certain formulations of metal oxides normally have electrically nonconductive characteristics. However, at selective potentials they become conductive. By proper design and incorporation into electroexplosive devices a variety of breakdown potentials can be achieved. The breakdown potential of the varistor element can be adjusted to meet the requirements of the particular electroexplosive device. The varistor element can also be incorporated in an area isolated from the explosive or pyrotechnic material. Adaptation of this technique to a specific electroexplosive device and the resulting test data are presented.

Menichelli, V. J.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Skylab program. Earth resources experiment package. Sensor performance report. Volume 7 (S190B): SL2, SL3 and SL4 evaluations

The S190B Earth Terrain Camera (ETC) operated acceptably for all of its scheduled EREP passes throughout the SL2 mission. The crew reported no problems in unstowing the camera, changing filters, installing the ETC window in the SAL, or installing the camera onto the window. The ETC was operated for a total of seven times with no failures. The clock on the ETC was checked on DOY 170 (June 19, 1973) and was found to be 30 min. and 58 sec. slower than GMT. The change in time was expected since a similar circumstance was experienced during ETC qualification testing for launch vibration. A leak existed in the seal of the spare magazine to the camera vacuum interface. For EREP passes 08 and 10, black-and-white film EK 3414 (roll no. 82) was installed in this spare magazine. Since there was an audible hiss, the vacuum hose was not connected to the camera. This caused the vacuum platen to be inoperable, resulting in some degradation in resolution for this roll of film. The vegetation of the South American jungle areas proved to be much darker than vegetation found in the United States, and was consequently about 1/2 stop underexposed in all cases.

Kenney, G. P.↗
NASA NTRS1975

The use of subjective expert opinions in cost optimum design of aerospace structures

The results of two questionnaires sent to engineering experts are statistically analyzed and compared with objective data from Saturn V design and testing. Engineers were asked how likely it was for structural failure to occur at load increments above and below analysts' stress limit predictions. They were requested to estimate the relative probabilities of different failure causes, and of failure at each load increment given a specific cause. Three mathematical models are constructed based on the experts' assessment of causes. The experts' overall assessment of prediction strength fits the Saturn V data better than the models do, but a model test option (T-3) based on the overall assessment gives more design change likelihood to overstrength structures than does an older standard test option. T-3 compares unfavorably with the standard option in a cost optimum structural design problem. The report reflects a need for subjective data when objective data are unavailable.

Thomas, J. M.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Stratospheric ozone destruction by aircraft-induced nitrogen oxides

The preliminary results from a three-dimensional dynamic-chemical model applied to the SST-NOx (NO + NO2) problem are reported. Simulations indicate that a depletion of about 12 per cent in total stratospheric O3 would be realized for a continuous NOx injection rate of 1.8 x 10 to the sixth power metric tons per year from a hypothetical fleet of SST's flying at an altitude of 20 km in the midlatitudes of the Northern Hemisphere. Sixteen per cent of the existing O3 would be destroyed on an annual basis. The model assumes a fleet of about 500 aircraft of the now-canceled American Boeing 2707 type; if only present Anglo-French and Russian SST models, which fly at lower, less harmful altitudes, are built, it will take a fleet of a few thousand such craft to attain an effective injection rate equal to the one above.

Alyea, F. N.↗
NASA NTRS1975

An inundation study of the Lower Magdalena-Cauca River Basin

Annual floodings affect about 35,000 sq km of the Lower Magdalena-Cauca River Basin in the northern part of Colombia. Efforts made to determine the effects of inundation extension and complex factors involved in the flooding problem are reported. An integrated survey was made of the entire river basin with the object of land reclamation in the lower part and determining the effects of inundation extension and other complex factors on flooding. Modern remote sensing techniques were for the study.

Vanes, E.↗
NASA NTRS1975

A preliminary study of the statistical analyses and sampling strategies associated with the integration of remote sensing capabilities into the current agricultural crop forecasting system

Extending the crop survey application of remote sensing from small experimental regions to state and national levels requires that a sample of agricultural fields be chosen for remote sensing of crop acreage, and that a statistical estimate be formulated with measurable characteristics. The critical requirements for the success of the application are reviewed in this report. The problem of sampling in the presence of cloud cover is discussed. Integration of remotely sensed information about crops into current agricultural crop forecasting systems is treated on the basis of the USDA multiple frame survey concepts, with an assumed addition of a new frame derived from remote sensing. Evolution of a crop forecasting system which utilizes LANDSAT and future remote sensing systems is projected for the 1975-1990 time frame.

Sand, F.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Recent developments in analysis of crack propagation and fracture of practical materials

The limitations of linear elastic fracture mechanics in aircraft design and in the study of fatigue crack propagation in aircraft structures are discussed. NASA-Langley research to extend the capabilities of fracture mechanics to predict the maximum load that can be carried by a cracked part and to deal with aircraft design problems are reported. Achievements include: (1) improved stress intensity solutions for laboratory specimens; (2) fracture criterion for practical materials; (3) crack propagation predictions that account for mean stress and high maximum stress effects; (4) crack propagation predictions for variable amplitude loading; and (5) the prediction of crack growth and residual stress in built-up structural assemblies. These capabilities are incorporated into a first generation computerized analysis that allows for damage tolerance and tradeoffs with other disciplines to produce efficient designs that meet current airworthiness requirements.

Hardrath, H. F.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Applications of remote sensing to hydrologic planning

The transfer of LANDSAT remote sensing technology from the research sector to user operational applications requires demonstration of the utility and accuracy of LANDSAT data in solving real problems. This report describes such a demonstration project in the area of water resources, specifically the estimation of non-point source pollutant loads. Non-point source pollutants were estimated from land cover data from LANDSAT images. Classification accuracies for three small watersheds were above 95%. Land cover was converted to pollutant loads for a fourth watershed through the use of coefficients relating significant pollutants to land use and storm runoff volume. These data were input into a simulator model which simulated runoff from average rainfall. The result was the estimation of monthly expected pollutant loads for the 17 subbasins comprising the Magothy watershed.

Loats, H., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Electric vehicle power train instrumentation - Some constraints and considerations

The application of pulse modulation control (choppers) to dc motors creates unique instrumentation problems. In particular, the high-harmonic components contained in the current waveforms require frequency-response accommodations not normally considered in dc instrumentation. In addition to current sensing, accurate power measurement not only requires adequate frequency response but also must address phase errors caused by the finite bandwidths and component characteristics involved. This paper discusses the implications of these problems and reports on the degree to which they have been solved at Lewis Research Center.

Triner, J. E.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Effect of misalignment on mechanical behavior of metals in creep

Application of the endochronic theory of viscoplasticity to creep, creep recovery, and stress relaxation at the small strain and short time range produced the following results: (1) The governing constitutive equations for constant-strain-rate stress-strain behavior, creep, creep recovery, and stress relaxation were derived by imposing appropriate constraints on the general constitutive equation of the endochronic theory. (2) A set of material constants was found which correlate strain-hardening, creep, creep recovery, and stress relaxation. (3) The theory predicts with reasonable accuracy the creep and creep recovery behaviors at short time. (4) The initial strain history prior to the creep stage affects the subsequent creep significantly. (5) A critical stress was established for creep recovery. A computer program, written for the misalignment problem is reported.

Wu, H. C.↗
NASA NTRS1979

A cubic extended interior penalty function for structural optimization

This paper describes an optimization procedure for the minimum weight design of complex structures. The procedure is based on a new cubic extended interior penalty function (CEIPF) used with the sequence of unconstrained minimization technique (SUMT) and Newton's method. The Hessian matrix of the penalty function is approximated using only constraints and their derivatives. The CEIPF is designed to minimize the error in the approximation of the Hessian matrix, and as a result the number of structural analyses required is small and independent of the number of design variables. Three example problems are reported. The number of structural analyses is reduced by as much as 50 per cent below previously reported results.

Prasad, B.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Preliminary regime diagram on a sphere with a simplified general circulation model

Numerical model studies useful design considerations and which can be accumulated to form the body of basic knowledge necessary for application of the atmospheric general circulation experiment (AGCE) data to understanding of atmospheric problems are reported. The most efficient way to obtain a computer model suitable for this objective is to modify an existing general circulation model (GCM) of the atmosphere rather than to develop such a model from first principles. The GCM and its modification is outlined.

Pitcher, E. J.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Dimensional stability considerations for cryogenic metals

Work performed as part of an effort to identify, and where possible separate out, some of the factors that contribute to dimensional stability in cryogenic wind tunnel models is reported. Initial problems were encountered with two dimensional models made of 15-5 PH stainless steel, which warped significantly after being subjected to cryogenic testing in the 0.3 Meter Transonic Cryogenic Tunnel. Subsequently, an effort was undertaken to investigate the mechanisms that could cause model warpage during cryogenic testing. The two basic mechanisms that can lead to warpage are (1) metallurgical structural instability in which one phase transforms partially or fully into a second phase which has a different crystal structure and volume, and (2) deformation due to the creation, or relief, of unbalanced induced or residual stresses. In the case of the 15-5 PH airfoils, it is highly probable that metallurgical instability was responsible for most of the observed warpage. A particular specimen configuration was established for use in the systematic evaluation of the factors influencing warpage. Preliminary studies of a specimen made of VASCOMAX 200 suggest the possibility of manipulating the stresses in the surface layers by appropriate combinations of milling and grinding steps. This opens up the possibility of correcting or establishing the required surface profile of an airfoil.

Wigley, D. A.↗