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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 235 records · Page 13

Thermodynamic analysis of turbulent combustion in a spark ignition engine. Experimental evidence

A method independent of physical modeling assumptions is presented to analyze high speed flame photography and cylinder pressure measurements from a transparent piston spark ignition research engine. The method involves defining characteristic quantities of the phenomena of flame propagation and combustion, and estimating their values from the experimental information. Using only the pressure information, the mass fraction curves are examined. An empirical burning law is presented which simulates such curves. Statistical data for the characteristics delay and burning angles which show that cycle to cycle fractional variations are of the same order of magnitude for both angles are discussed. The enflamed and burnt mass fractions are compared as are the rates of entrainment and burning.

Beretta, G. P.↗

SPS market analysis

A market analysis task included personal interviews by GE personnel and supplemental mail surveys to acquire statistical data and to identify and measure attitudes, reactions and intentions of prospective small solar thermal power systems (SPS) users. Over 500 firms were contacted, including three ownership classes of electric utilities, industrial firms in the top SIC codes for energy consumption, and design engineering firms. A market demand model was developed which utilizes the data base developed by personal interviews and surveys, and projected energy price and consumption data to perform sensitivity analyses and estimate potential markets for SPS.

Goff, H. C.↗

Characterization of lightning return stroke electric and magnetic fields from simultaneous two-station measurements

The paper presents a characterization of Florida lightning return stroke electric and magnetic fields derived from simultaneous measurements of the fields at two separate stations, one station being within 15 km of the lightning, the other at either about 50 or 200 km from the lightning. Also presented are: (1) examples of correlated wave forms, (2) typical first and subsequent stroke wave forms over the distance range 1.0-200 km, and (3) the following statistical data from which the typical wave forms were derived: for electric field, rise time, initial peak value, ramp starting time, ramp slope, value at 170 microsec, ratio of value at 170 microsec to initial peak, zero-crossing time for 50 and 200 km wave forms; for magnetic fields, time of hump following initial peak, ratio of hump value to initial peak value, zero-crossing time for 50 and 200 km wave forms. Return stroke electric and magnetic field characteristics appear to be independent of location in Florida.

Lin, Y. T.↗

Wind profiles for Space Shuttle loads analysis

The small scale wind velocity perturbations in vertical wind profiles at Cape Kennedy, Florida were analyzed in order to derive information for simulations of space shuttle ascent through the perturbed atmosphere. The available statistical data does not permit specification of various aspects of idealized singularities and wavelike perturbations with a reasonable degree of confidence. The information developed as a result of the analysis described in Section 3 of this report is suitable for the further development of idealized models. The term perturbation is used instead of the more common term, gust. According to the conventional approach, a gust profile is calculated by applying a high pass digital filter to a Jimsphere profile; all the speeds in the filtered profile are defined as gusts. The high pass filtered profile is defined as a residual profile and the maximum residual in the vicinity of a specified reference height is defined as the gust. Gusts defined in this manner represent the perturbation peaks. A detailed discussion of the calculation of residual profiles and gusts is given. The meteorological coordinate system, the data sample, and Jimsphere profiles are also described. Recommendations and conclusions are presented.

Adelfang, S. I.↗

Crop-phenology and LANDSAT-based irrigated lands inventory in the high plains

Optimal LANDSAT image dates for 1980 were identified based on the weekly crop-weather reports for Colorado, New Mexico, South Dakota, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, and Wyoming. The 1979 agricultural statistics data were entered into computer files and a revised questionnaire was developed and mailed to ASCS county agents. A set of computer programs was developed to allow the preparation of computer-assisted graphic displays of much of the collected data.

Martinko, E. A.↗

Atmospheric microwave refractivity and refraction

The atmospheric refractivity can be expressed as a function of temperature, pressure, water vapor content, and operating frequency. Based on twenty-year meteorological data, statistics of the atmospheric refractivity were obtained. These statistics were used to estimate the variation of dispersion, attenuation, and refraction effects on microwave and millimeter wave signals propagating along atmospheric paths. Bending angle, elevation angle error, and range error were also developed for an exponentially tapered, spherical atmosphere.

Yu, E.↗

NASA/FAA flight-test investigation of helicopter microwave landing system approaches

The helicopter Microwave Landing System flight-test investigations, conducted by a joint NASA/FAA effort in order to gather statistical data for establishing terminal instrument procedures criteria, and to provide a performance data base for developing advanced MLS guidance concepts, are presented. The specific flight-test objectives were to: (1) develop acceptable angle-only MLS approach profiles; (2) determine tracking errors; (3) determine altitude loss during missed approach; (4) evaluate guidance display sensitivities; and (5) evaluate pilot acceptability. Fourteen pilots flew 140 manual (without stability augmentation) dual-pilot simulated instrument approaches in a UH-1H helicopter. The flight profiles flown included 3-, 6-, and 9-degree glideslope, centerline approaches to decision heights of 50, 100, and 150 ft, respectively. The angular guidance display sensitivities and the data acquisition system are also described. Eight major conclusions are made, and include the following: (1) the use of pitch attitude to control airspeed and collective to control glideslope was the preferred pilot technique for the steep glideslope approaches, and (2) angular guidance deviation indicator sensitivity requirements for helicopter MLS approaches to STOLports and heliports have been found to be significantly different from standard ILS sensitivities.

Peach, I. L., Jr.↗

Solar particle fluxes and the ancient sun

The implications of the statistical data on solar flare particle fluxes, for the present and the ancient sun, considering modern data from the past two solar cycles, C-14 data from the past 7000 years, and Al-26 and Mn-53 data in lunar samples for the last 10-million years are reviewed. All of these records suggest that there is a maximum proton fluence (greater than 10 MeV) from a solar flare on the order of 10 to the 10th p/sq cm, above which the size-frequency distribution steepens sharply. From this it is extremely unlikely that energetic particles from solar flares could have contributed to extinction catastrophes in the fossil record.

Lingenfelter, R. E.↗

Effects off system factors on the economics of and demand for small solar thermal power systems

Market penetration as a function time, SPS performance factors, and market/economic considerations was estimated, and commercialization strategies were formulated. A market analysis task included personal interviews and supplemental mail surveys to acquire statistical data and to identify and measure attitudes, reactions and intentions of prospective SPS users. Interviews encompassed three ownership classes of electric utilities and industrial firms in the SIC codes for energy consumption. A market demand model was developed which utilized the data base developed, and projected energy price and consumption data to perform sensitivity analyses and estimate potential market for SPS.

Source record↗

Goldstone radio spectrum signal identification, March 1980 - March 1982

The signal identification process is described. The Goldstone radio spectrum environment contains signals that are a potential source of electromagnetic interference to the Goldstone tracking receivers. The identification of these signals is accomplished by the use of signal parameters and environment parameters. Statistical data on the Goldstone radio spectrum environment from 2285 to 2305 MHz are provided.

Gaudian, B. A.↗

Development of a systems theoretical procedure for evaluation of the work organization of the cockpit crew of a civil transport airplane

To achieve optimum design for the man machine interface with aircraft, a description of the interaction and work organization of the cockpit crew is needed. The development of system procedure to evaluate the work organization of pilots while structuring the work process is examined. Statistical data are needed to simulate sequences of pilot actions on the computer. Investigations of computer simulation and applicability for evaluation of crew concepts are discussed.

Fricke, M.↗

Analysis of normalized radar cross section (sigma-O) signature of Amazon rain forest using SEASAT scatterometer data

The normalized radar cross section (NRCS) signature of the Amazon rain forest was SEASAT scatterometer data. Statistics of the measured (NRCS) values were determined from multiple orbit passes for three local time periods. Plots of mean normalized radar cross section, dB against incidence angle as a function of beam and polarization show that less than 0.3 dB relative bias exists between all beams over a range of incidence angle from 30 deg to 53 deg. The backscattered measurements analyzed show the Amazon rain forest to be relatively homogeneous, azimuthally isotropic and insensitive to polarization. The return from the rain forest target appears relatively consistent and stable, except for the small diurnal variation (0.75 dB) that occurs at sunrise. Because of the relative stability of the rain forest target and the scatterometer instrument, the response of versus incidence angle was able to detect errors in the estimated yaw altitude angle. Also, small instrument gain biases in some of the processing channels were detected. This led to the development of an improved NRCS algorithm, which uses a more accurate method for estimating the system noise power.

Bracalente, E. M.↗

Piloted simulation of an algorithm for onboard control of time-optimal intercept

A piloted simulation of algorithms for onboard computation of trajectories for time-optimal intercept of a moving target by an F-8 aircraft is described. The algorithms, use singular perturbation techniques, generate commands in the cockpit. By centering the horizontal and vertical needles, the pilot flies an approximation to a time-optimal intercept trajectory. Example simulations are shown and statistical data on the pilot's performance when presented with different display and computation modes are described.

Price, D. B.↗

Lead and uranium group abundances in cosmic rays

The importance of Lead and Uranium group abundances in cosmic rays is discussed in understanding their evolution and propagation. The electronic detectors can provide good charge resolution but poor data statistics. The plastic detectors can provide somewhat better statistics but charge resolution deteriorates. The extraterrestrial crystals can provide good statistics but with poor charge resolution. Recent studies of extraterrestrial crystals regarding their calibration to accelerated uranium ion beam and track etch kinetics are discussed. It is hoped that a charge resolution of two charge units can be achieved provided an additional parameter is taken into account. The prospects to study abundances of Lead group, Uranium group and superheavy element in extraterrestrial crystals are discussed, and usefulness of these studies in the light of studies with electronic and plastic detectors is assessed.

Yadav, J. S.↗

Physics through the 1990s: Elementary-particle physics

The volume begins with a non-mathematical discussion of the motivation behind, and basic ideas of, elementary-particle physics theory and experiment. The progress over the past two decades with the quark model and unification of the electromagnetic and weak interactions is reviewed. Existing theoretical problems in the field, such as the origin of mass and the unification of the fundamental forces, are detailed, along with experimental programs to test the new theories. Accelerators, instrumentation, and detectors are described for both current and future facilities. Interactions with other areas of both theoretical and applied physics are presented. The sociology of the field is examined regarding the education of graduate students, the organization necessary in large-scale experiments, and the decision-making process involved in high-cost experiments. Finally, conclusions and recommendations for maintaining US excellence in theory and experiment are given. Appendices list both current and planned accelerators, and present statistical data on the US elementary-particle physics program. A glossary is included.

Source record↗

The classification of wind shears from the point of view of aerodynamics and flight mechanics

A study of international statistical data shows that in about three quarters of all serious accidents which occurred with jet propelled airliners wind shear was either one of the main causes of the accident or represented a major contributory cause. Wind shear related problems are examined. The necessity of a use of different concepts, definitions, and divisions is explained, and the concepts and definitions required for the division of wind and wind shear into different categories is discussed. A description of the context between meteorological and aerodynamics-flight mechanics concepts, definitions, and divisions is also provided. Attention is given to wind and wind components, general characteristics of wind shear and the meteorological terms, the basic types of wind shear for aerodynamics-flight mechanics investigations, special types of wind shear for aerodynamics-flight mechanics investigations, and possibilities regarding a change of the wind component.

Seidler, Fritz↗

Quasars as indicators of galactic ages

Theoretical models of QSO evolution and their use in estimating the ages of galaxies containing QSOs are discussed, with a focus on the problems involved in extrapolating from statistical data on relatively nearby objects (z less than 2) to characterize distant objects. Graphs and histograms are provided, and it is concluded that the sharp decrease in the number of QSOs between z = 2 and z =3, if not the result of obscuration or some other selection effect, makes it probable that the galaxy-formation processes which led to the formation of the QSOs occurred at z greater than 5. In that case, the QSOs would be one of the only observational probes of these processes. Mechanisms which could account for the time delay between galaxy formation and QSO turn-on are considered.

Cavaliere, A.↗

Cyclic hardening mechanisms in Nimonic 80A

A nickel base superalloy was fatigued under constant plastic strain range control. The hardening response was investigated as a function of plastic strain range and particle size of the gamma prime phase. Hardening was found to be a function of the slip band spacing. Numerous measurements of the slip band spacing and other statistical data on the slip band structures were obtained. Interactions between intersecting slip systems were shown to influence hardening. A Petch-Hall model was found to describe best this relationship between the response stress and the slip band spacing.

Lerch, B. A.↗