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At least 235 records · Page 13

Nonlinear interaction between two electrostatic harmonics in a plasma

The problem of harmonic and subharmonic generation of electrostatic waves in a general collisionless plasma is treated using coupled-mode theory based on two time scales. A novel feature is that one of the two interacting waves may be a negative-energy wave. Since the model describing the medium need not be specified, only a general linear and nonlinear conductivity or an equivalent description is required. Just by invoking wave-energy conservation, the coupled-mode equations are obtained in such a way that unequivocal conclusions can be drawn. When both waves have positive energy, they exchange part of it in a periodic fashion, provided that both have some energy initially. If initially all the energy is in the fundamental, all of it will eventually end up (irreversibly) in the second harmonic. If all the energy is in the harmonic initially, no generation of the fundamental (or subharmonic) will take place. If one of the two waves is a negative-energy wave, an explosive instability develops, regardless of initial values. For comparable conditions, the instability time depends on whether the negative-energy wave is in the fundamental or in the upper harmonic.

Verheest, F.↗

Ion cyclotron harmonic resonances driven by ion ring-beam distributions

Enhanced magnetic fluctuations with frequencies peaking at the ion cyclotron frequency and its harmonics have been observed at Comet Halley and also in the upstream regions of planetary bow shocks. It is thought that these waves are generated at comets by pickup ions that are unstable to the generation of waves at harmonics of the ion cyclotron wave number. In the spacecraft frame of reference these waves are observed as harmonics of the ion cyclotron frequency. In this report, it is shown that the ring-beam distributions of pickup ions observed in the cometary environment are capable of generating these waves if the beam speed component of the distribution (parallel to the ambient magnetic field) is much larger than the ring speed (perpendicular to the magnetic field). As the ring speed increases relative to the beam speed, other instabilities occur at the same wave number which have even larger growth rates. These additional instabilities do not lead to generation of harmonics.

Wong, H. K.↗

Sound measurements and observations of the MOD-OA wind turbine generator

Sound measurements are reported for a wind velocity of about 5 m/s and a power output of about 70 kW. Both broadband and narrowband data were obtained for a range of distances and azimuth angles from the machine. Both discrete frequency and broadband components were identified. Loading harmonics at multiples of the blade passage frequency and electrical generator harmonics at multiples of the shaft speed dominated the spectrum below 100 Hz. The 10,000 Hz peak is believed to be of mechanical origin in the nacelle and the other arises from blade aerodynamic sources. Aural detection distances of about 525 m upwind and 850 downwind were observed.

Shepherd, K. P.↗

Propagation of high amplitude higher order sounds in slightly soft rectangular ducts, carrying mean flow

The resonance expansion method, developed to study the propagation of sound in rigid rectangular ducts is applied to the case of slightly soft ducts. Expressions for the generation and decay of various harmonics are obtained. The effect of wall admittance is seen through a dissipation function in the system of nonlinear differential equations, governing the generation of harmonics. As the wall admittance increases, the resonance is reduced. For a given wall admittance this phenomenon is stronger at higher input intensities. Both the first and second order solutions are obtained and the results are extended to the case of ducts having mean flow.

Wang, K. S.↗

Certain characteristics and capture regions of nonlinear vibrating systems

Free vibrations of a system and vibrations which are multiples of them in frequency are discussed. The corresponding periodic forced vibrations of the type n/m (n is the number of periods of disturbance between periods of movement and m is the number of periods of movement in one period of disturbance), generated by a harmonic or close to harmonic disturbance, are propagated close to the corresponding curves of the free vibrations and their frequency multiples. It has been proposed that investigation of transitional modes of motion and capture regions be carried out by precise methods in phase space, with the least number of coordinates. Thus, for example, for nonautonomous second order equations (for example, the Duffing equations), in place of three variables (coordinates, velocity, phases), it is proposed to use two: velocity during transition of the coordinate through zero and phase.

Ragulskene, V. L.↗

Unsteady transonic flow in cascades

There is a need for methods to predict the unsteady air loads associated with flutter of turbomachinery blading at transonic speeds. The results of such an analysis in which the steady relative flow approaching a cascade of thin airfoils is assumed to be transonic, irrotational, and isentropic is presented. The blades in the cascade are allowed to undergo a small amplitude harmonic oscillation which generates a small unsteady flow superimposed on the existing steady flow. The blades are assumed to oscillate with a prescribed motion of constant amplitude and interblade phase angle. The equations of motion are obtained by linearizing about a uniform flow the inviscid nonheat conducting continuity and momentum equations. The resulting equations are solved by employing the Weiner Hopf technique. The solution yields the unsteady aerodynamic forces acting on the cascade at Mach number equal to 1. Making use of an unsteady transonic similarity law, these results are compared with the results obtained from linear unsteady subsonic and supersonic cascade theories. A parametric study is conducted to find the effects of reduced frequency, solidity, stagger angle, and position of pitching axis on the flutter.

Surampudi, S. P.↗

Unsteady transonic flow in cascades

There is a need for methods to predict the unsteady air loads associated with flutter of turbomachinery blading at transonic speeds. The results of such an analysis in which the steady relative flow approaching a cascade of thin airfoils is assumed to be transonic, irrotational, and isentropic is presented. The blades in the cascade are allowed to undergo a small amplitude harmonic oscillation which generates a small unsteady flow superimposed on the existing steady flow. The blades are assumed to oscillate with a prescribed motion of constant amplitude and interblade phase angle. The equations of motion are obtained by linearizing about a uniform flow the inviscid nonheat conducting continuity and momentum equations. The resulting equations are solved by employing the Weiner Hopf technique. The solution yields the unsteady aerodynamic forces acting on the cascade at Mach number equal to 1. Making use of an unsteady transonic similarity law, these results are compared with the results obtained from linear unsteady subsonic and supersonic cascade theories. A parametric study is conducted to find the effects of reduced frequency, solidity, stagger angle, and position of pitching axis on the flutter.

Surampudi, S. P.↗

Non linear evolution of a second mode wave in supersonic boundary layers

Presented here are several direct simulations of one 2-D second mode perturbation wave, superimposed upon a prescribed mean flow. Periodicity is assumed in the streamwise direction (Fourier) and the variables are expanded in Chebyshev series in the direction normal to the flat plate. The code is fully explicit and is time advanced with a 3rd order Runge-Kutta scheme. The second mode wave (R delta prime = 8000), interacts with itself to generate higher streamwise harmonics. Physical parameters are chosen to maximize the linear growth rate at the prescribed Reynolds number. Initial results indicate that the nonlinear processes begin in the critical layer region and are the result of the cubic interactions in the momentum equations, rather than due to the higher streamwise harmonics. Analysis of the various terms in the momentum equations combined with numerical experiments in which various modes are artificially suppressed, lead to the conclusion that asymptotic methods will produce the saturated state in one or two order of magnitude less computer time than that required by the direct numerical simulations.

Erlebacher, Gordon↗

Synthesizing Diacetylenes With Nonlinear Optical Properties

Diacetylene compounds being investigated to determine whether they have nonlinear optical properties making them useful for four-wave mixing, generation of third harmonics, phase conjugation, and like. Diacetylene monomers synthesized by sequences of chemical reactions. Monomers polymerized by ultraviolet light, forming potentially useful nonlinear optical materials.

Mcmanus, Samuel P.↗

Study of nonlinear MHD equations governing the wave propagation in twisted coronal loops

The solar corona, modelled by a low beta, resistive plasma slab, sustains MHD wave propagations due to shearing footpoint motions in the photosphere. By using a numerical algorithm the excitation and nonlinear development of MHD waves in twisted coronal loops are studied. The plasma responds to the footpoint motion by sausage waves if there is no twist. The twist in the magnetic field of the loop destroys initially developed sausage-like wave modes and they become kinks. The transition from sausage to kink modes is analyzed. The twist brings about mode degradation producing high harmonics and this generates more complex fine structures. This can be attributed to several local extrema in the perturbed velocity profiles. The Alfven wave produces remnants of the ideal 1/x singularity both for zero and non-zero twist and this pseudo-singularity becomes less pronounced for larger twist. The effect of nonlinearity is clearly observed by changing the amplitude of the driver by one order of magnitude. The magnetosonic waves also exhibit smoothed remnants of ideal logarithmic singularities when the frequency of the driver is correctly chosen. This pseudo-singularity for fast waves is absent when the coronal loop does not undergo any twist but becomes pronounced when twist is included. On the contrary, it is observed for slow waves even if there is no twist. Increasing the twist leads to a higher heating rate of the loop. The larger twist shifts somewhat uniformly distributed heating to layers inside the slab corresponding to peaks in the magnetic field strength.

Parhi, S.↗

Mechanism for generation of 2-3 kHz radiation in the outer heliosphere

The question of how low-frequency non-thermal radio emissions at the boundary of the heliosphere might be generated is considered. The mechanism consists of two steps. First, the beam of energetic electrons generates a high level of electrostatic Langmuir plasma waves. Second, electromagnetic radiation results from the non-linear interaction between Langmuir waves. Intensity of radio emissions at 2 to 3 kHz detected by the Voyager plasma wave instrument in the outer heliosphere can be explained provided that the electron beams generating Langmuir waves exist also in the postshock plasma due to secondary shocks in the compressed solar wind beyond the termination shock. Modification of the heliospheric shocks by the cosmic ray pressure is also taken into account. The field strengths of Langmuir waves required to generate the second harmonic emissions are of 50 to 100 microvolts per meter. These waves may be observed in situ by Voyager 1 and 2 in the near future.

Macek, W. M.↗

Shear Stabilization of a Solidifying Front

The manufacturing of multi-component single crystals with uniform material properties is frequently hampered by the presence of morphological instabilities during the solidification. We discuss the influence of shear flows on the linear and nonlinear stability of the solid/liquid interface during the directional solidification of binary alloys. The flows are generated by nonplanar harmonic translations of the crystal parallel to the mean interface position. Oscillations with physically realizable amplitudes and frequencies are found useful for stabilization purposes.

Davis, Stephen H.↗

Waves: Internal Tides

Oceanic internal tides are internal waves with tidal periodicities. They are ubiquitous throughout the ocean, although generally more pronounced near large bathymetric features such as mid-ocean ridges and continental slopes. The internal vertical displacements associated with these waves can be extraordinarily large. Near some shelf breaks where the surface tides are strong, internal displacements (e.g., of an isothermal surface) can exceed 200 meters. Displacements of 10 meters in the open ocean are not uncommon. The associated current velocities are usually comparable to or larger than the currents of the surface tide. On continental shelves internal tides can occasionally generate packets of internal solitons, which are detectable in remote sensing imagery. Other common nonlinear features are generation of higher harmonics (e.g., 6-hr waves) and wave breaking. Internal tides are known to be an important energy source for mixing of shelf waters. Recent research suggests that they may also be a significant energy source for deep-ocean mixing.

Ray, Richard D.↗

Long-Life, Lightweight, Multi-Roller Traction Drives for Planetary Vehicle Surface Exploration

NASA s initiative for Lunar and Martian exploration will require long lived, robust drive systems for manned vehicles that must operate in hostile environments. The operation of these mechanical drives will pose a problem because of the existing extreme operating conditions. Some of these extreme conditions include operating at a very high or very cold temperature, operating over a wide range of temperatures, operating in very dusty environments, operating in a very high radiation environment, and operating in possibly corrosive environments. Current drive systems use gears with various configurations of teeth. These gears must be lubricated with oil (or grease) and must have some sort of a lubricant resupply system. For drive systems, oil poses problems such as evaporation, becoming too viscous and eventually freezing at cold temperatures, being too thin to lubricate at high temperatures, being degraded by the radiation environment, being contaminated by the regolith (soil), and if vaporized (and not sealed), it will contaminate the regolith. Thus, it may not be advisable or even possible to use oil because of these limitations. An oil-less, compact traction vehicle drive is a drive designed for use in hostile environments like those that will be encountered on planetary surfaces. Initially, traction roller tests in vacuum were conducted to obtain traction and endurance data needed for designing the drives. From that data, a traction drive was designed that would fit into a prototype lunar rover vehicle, and this design data was used to construct several traction drives. These drives were then tested in air to determine their performance characteristics, and if any final corrections to the designs were necessary. A limitation with current speed reducer systems such as planetary gears and harmonic drives is the high-contact stresses that occur at tooth engagement and in the harmonic drive wave generator interface. These high stresses induce high wear of solid lubricant coatings, thus necessitating the use of liquid lubricants for long life.

Klein, Richard C.↗

Driving an Active Vibration Balancer to Minimize Vibrations at the Fundamental and Harmonic Frequencies

Vibrations of a principal machine are reduced at the fundamental and harmonic frequencies by driving the drive motor of an active balancer with balancing signals at the fundamental and selected harmonics. Vibrations are sensed to provide a signal representing the mechanical vibrations. A balancing signal generator for the fundamental and for each selected harmonic processes the sensed vibration signal with adaptive filter algorithms of adaptive filters for each frequency to generate a balancing signal for each frequency. Reference inputs for each frequency are applied to the adaptive filter algorithms of each balancing signal generator at the frequency assigned to the generator. The harmonic balancing signals for all of the frequencies are summed and applied to drive the drive motor. The harmonic balancing signals drive the drive motor with a drive voltage component in opposition to the vibration at each frequency.

Holliday, Ezekiel S.↗

Observations concerning the generation and propagation of Type III solar bursts

A number of Type III bursts were observed during the Helios missions in which the burst exciter passed over the spacecraft, as evidenced by strong electric field fluctuations near the plasma frequency. Six of these were suitable for detailed study. Of the six events, one was ambiguous, one showed what is interpreted as a switchover from harmonic to fundamental, and the rest all generated fundamental at onset. This would be expected if both fundamental and harmonic are generated, as, at a fixed frequency, the fundamental will be generated earlier. For the event which seems to show both fundamental and harmonic emission, the frequency ratio is not exactly 2. This is explained in terms of a time delay of the fundamental, due to scattering and diffusion in the source region. A time delay of the order of 600 seconds at 1 AU and 20 kHz, and inversely proportional to frequency, is required to explain the observations. Crude estimates show that delay times at least this long may be attributed to trapping and scattering.

Kellogg, P. J.↗

Stress and vibraton analyses of anisotropic shells of revolution

An efficient computational strategy is presented for reducing the cost of the stress and free vibration analyses of laminated anisotropic shells of revolution. The analytical formulation is based on a form of the Sanders-Budiansky shell theory including the effects of both the transverse shear deformation and the laminated anisotropic material response. The fundamental unknowns consist of the eight strain components, the eight stress resultants and the five generalized displacements of the shell. Each of the shell variables is expressed in terms of trigonometric functions (Fourier series) in the circumferential co-ordinate, and a three-field mixed finite element model is used for the discretization in the meridional direction. The shell response associated with a range of Fourier harmonics is approximated by a linear combination of a few global approximation vectors, which are generated at a particular value of the Fourier harmonic, within that range. The full equations of the finite element model are solved for only a single Fourier harmonic, and the response corresponding to the other Fourier harmonics is generated using a reduced system of equations with considerably fewer degrees of freedom.

Noor, Ahmed K.↗