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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
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1985

Incident beam polarization for laser Doppler velocimetry employing a sapphire cylindrical window

For laser Doppler velocimetry studies employing sapphire windows as optical access ports, the birefringency of sapphire produces an extra beam intersection volume which serves to effectively smear the acquired velocity flow field data. It is shown that for a cylindrical window geometry, the extra beam intersection volume may be eliminated with minimal decrease in the fringe visibility of the remaining intersection volume by suitably orienting the polarizations of the initial laser beams. For horizontally incident beams, these polarizations were measured at three intersection locations within the cylinder. It was found that the measured polarization angles agreed with the theoretical predictions.

Lock, J. A.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Incident beam polarization for laser Doppler velocimetry employing a sapphire cylindrical window

For laser Doppler velocimetry studies employing sapphire windows as optical access ports, the birefringency of sapphire produces an extra beam intersection volume which serves to effectively smear the acquired velocity flow field data. It is shown that for a cylindrical window geometry, the extra beam intersection volume may be eliminated with minimal decrease in the fringe visibility of the remaining intersection volume by suitably orienting the polarizations of the initial laser beams. For horizontally incident beams, these polarizations were measured at three intersection locations within the cylinder. It was found that the measured polarization angles agreed with the theoretical predictions.

Lock, J. A.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Convergence acceleration of iterative solutions of Euler equations for transonic flow computations

In this paper, two acceleration techniques for Euler calculations are investigated. The first technique is an extrapolation procedure based on the Power Method; it is applicable when the iterative matrix has dominant eigenvalues. Both real and complex conjugate roots are allowed. The second technique is a generalization of the Minimal Residual Method, where the extrapolation step consists of a weighted combination of the corrections at different iteration levels and the weights are chosen to minimize the Lz norm of the residual. Numerical results, using Jameson's Runge-Kutta Multigrid Code, are presented. The extra computational work to apply either technique is negligible and the extra storage is not a problem on current supercomputers.

Hafez, M.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Semiclassical instability of compactification

It is shown that several schemes for compactification of the extra dimensions in Kaluza-Klein theories are unstable to a quantum gravitational process of barrier penetration: The universe can tunnel from a state with static extra dimensions to a de Sitter expansion of all dimensions. The tunneling rate is estimated, and it is found that the present state of the universe is probably long-lived (in good agreement with observation).

Frieman, J. A.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Simple Multiplexing Hand-Held Control Unit

Multiplexer consists of series of resistors, each shunted by single-pole, single-throw switch. User operates switches by pressing buttons or squeezing triggers. Prototype includes three switches operated successfully in over 200 hours of system operations. Number of switches accommodated determined by signal-to-noise ratio of current source, noise induced in control unit and cable, and number of bits in output of analog-to-digital converter. Because many computer-contolled robots have extra analog-to-digital channels, such multiplexer added at little extra cost.

Hannaford, Blake↗
NASA NTRS1988

Permo-Triassic vertebrate extinctions: A program

Since the time of the Authors' study on this subject, a great deal of new information has become available. Concepts of the nature of extinctions have changed materially. The Authors' conclusion that a catastrophic event was not responsible for the extinction of vertebrates has modified to the extent that hypotheses involving either the impact of a massive extra-terrestrial body or volcanism provide plausible but not currently fully testable hypotheses. Stated changes resulted in a rapid decrease in organic diversity, as the ratio of origins of taxa to extinctions shifted from strongly positive to negative, with momentary equilibrium being reached at about the Permo-Triassic boundary. The proximate causes of the changes in the terrestrial biota appear to lie in two primary factors: (1) strong climatic changes (global mean temperatures, temperature ranges, humidity) and (2) susceptibility of the dominant vertebrates (large dicynodonts) and the glossopteris flora to disruption of the equlibrium of the world ecosystem. The following proximate causes have been proposed: (1) rhythmic fluctuations in solar radiation, (2) tectonic events as Pangea assembled, altering land-ocean relationships, patterns of wind and water circulation and continental physiography, (3) volcanism, and (4) changes subsequent to impacts of one or more massive extra terrestrial objects, bodies or comets. These hypotheses are discussed.

Olson, E. C.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Simplified Dynamic Control Of Redundant Manipulators

Simplified scheme proposed for dynamic control of robotic manipulator having redundant joints; that is, extra degrees of freedom beyond needed to perform task, to position and orient end effector at specified position and/or move it along specified trajectory. Extra degrees of freedom used to perform simultaneous subtask. Scheme adaptive and based on observed performance of manipulator. Involves neither complicated mathematical model of dynamics of manipulator nor time-consuming inverse kinematic transformation.

Seraji, Homayoun↗
NASA NTRS1990

Proximity operations concept design study, task 6

The feasibility of using optical technology to perform the mission of the proximity operations communications subsystem on Space Station Freedom was determined. Proximity operations mission requirements are determined and the relationship to the overall operational environment of the space station is defined. From this information, the design requirements of the communication subsystem are derived. Based on these requirements, a preliminary design is developed and the feasibility of implementation determined. To support the Orbital Maneuvering Vehicle and National Space Transportation System, the optical system development is straightforward. The requirements on extra-vehicular activity are such as to allow large fields of uncertainty, thus exacerbating the acquisition problem; however, an approach is given that could mitigate this problem. In general, it is found that such a system could indeed perform the proximity operations mission requirement, with some development required to support extra-vehicular activity.

Williams, A. N.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Sole means navigation and integrity through hybrid Loran-C and NAVSTAR GPS

A sole means navigation system does not only call for integrity, but also for coverage, reliability, availability and accuracy. Even though ground monitored GPS will provide integrity, availability is still not sufficient. One satellite outage can affect a large service area for several hours per day. The same holds for differential GPS; a total satellite outage cannot be corrected for. To obtain sufficient coverage, extra measurements are needed, either in the form of extra GPS satellites (expensive) or through redundant measurements from other systems. LORAN-C is available and will, hybridized with GPS, result in a system that has the potential to satisfy the requirements for a sole means navigation system for use in the continental United States. Assumptions are made about the qualification sole means, mainly based on current sole means systems such as VOR/DME. In order to allow for system design that will satisfy sole means requirements, it is recommended that a definition of a sole means navigation system be established. This definition must include requirements for availability, reliability, and integrity currently not specified. In addition to the definition of a sole means navigation system, certification requirements must be established for hybrid navigation systems. This will allow for design and production of a new generation of airborne navigation systems that will reduce overall system costs and simplify training procedures.

Vangraas, Frank↗
NASA NTRS1990

What we learn from eclipsing binaries in the ultraviolet

Recent results on stars and stellar physics from IUE (International Ultraviolet Explorer) observations of eclipsing binaries are discussed. Several case studies are presented, including V 444 Cyg, Aur stars, V 471 Tau and AR Lac. Topics include stellar winds and mass loss, stellar atmospheres, stellar dynamos, and surface activity. Studies of binary star dynamics and evolution are discussed. The progress made with IUE in understanding the complex dynamical and evolutionary processes taking place in W UMa-type binaries and Algol systems is highlighted. The initial results of intensive studies of the W UMa star VW Cep and three representative Algol-type binaries (in different stages of evolution) focused on gas flows and accretion, are included. The future prospects of eclipsing binary research are explored. Remaining problems are surveyed and the next challenges are presented. The roles that eclipsing binaries could play in studies of stellar evolution, cluster dynamics, galactic structure, mass luminosity relations for extra galactic systems, cosmology, and even possible detection of extra solar system planets using eclipsing binaries are discussed.

Guinan, Edward F.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Spectral methods for the Navier-Stokes equations with one infinite and two periodic directions

The time-dependent, 3D incompressible Navier-Stokes equations in (1) boundary layers, the semiinfinite domain, and (2) mixing layers or wakes, the fully infinite domain, are respectively solved by two numerical methods which employ rapidly decaying spectral basis functions to approximate the vertical dependence of the solutions. These functions are then combined with one, for method (1), and two, for method (2), slowly decaying 'extra functions' for each wave vector. Each extra function can exactly represent the solution's irrotational component at large distances. The two methods have been applied to extensive direct-numerical simulation of transition and turbulence.

Spalart, Philippe R.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Connectivity strategies for higher-order neural networks applied to pattern recognition

Different strategies for non-fully connected HONNs (higher-order neural networks) are discussed, showing that by using such strategies an input field of 128 x 128 pixels can be attained while still achieving in-plane rotation and translation-invariant recognition. These techniques allow HONNs to be used with the larger input scenes required for practical pattern-recognition applications. The number of interconnections that must be stored has been reduced by a factor of approximately 200,000 in a T/C case and about 2000 in a Space Shuttle/F-18 case by using regional connectivity. Third-order networks have been simulated using several connection strategies. The method found to work best is regional connectivity. The main advantages of this strategy are the following: (1) it considers features of various scales within the image and thus gets a better sample of what the image looks like; (2) it is invariant to shape-preserving geometric transformations, such as translation and rotation; (3) the connections are predetermined so that no extra computations are necessary during run time; and (4) it does not require any extra storage for recording which connections were formed.

Spirkovska, Lilly↗
NASA NTRS1992

Operability of Space Station Freedom's meteoroid/debris protection system

The design of Space Station Freedom's external structure must not only protect the spacecraft from the hazardous environment, but also must be compatible with the extra vehicular activity system for assembly and maintenance. The external procedures for module support are utility connections, external orbital replaceable unit changeout, and maintenance of the meteoroid/debris shields and multilayer insulation. All of these interfaces require proper man-machine engineering to be compatible with the extra vehicular activity and manipulator systems. This paper discusses design solutions, including those provided for human interface, to the Space Station Freedom meteoroid/debris protection system. The system advantages and current access capabilities are illustrated through analysis of its configuration over the Space Station Freedom resource nodes and common modules, with emphasis on the cylindrical sections and endcones.

Kahl, Maggie S.↗
NASA NTRS1992

An EVACS simulation with nested transactions

Documented here is the recent effort of the MISSION Kernel Team on an Extra-Vehicular Activity Control System (EVACS) simulation with nested transactions. The team has implemented the EVACS simulation along with a design for nested transactions. The EVACS simulation is a project wide aid to exploring Mission and Safety Critical (MASC) applications and their support software. For this effort it served as a trial scenario for demonstrating nested transactions and exercising the transaction support design. The EVACS simulation is a simulation of some aspects of the Extra-Vehicular Activity Control System, in particular, just the selection of communication frequencies. Its current definition is quite narrow, serving only as a starting point for prototyping purposes. (EVACS itself may be supplanted in a larger scenario of a lunar outpost with astronauts and a lunar rover.) Initially the simulation of frequency selection was written without consideration of nested transactions. This scenario was then modified to embed its processing in nested transactions. To simplify the prototyping effort, only two aspects of the general design for transaction support have been implemented: the basic architecture and state recovery. The simulation has been implemented in the programming language Smalltalk. It consists of three components: (1) a simulation support code which provides the framework for initiating, interacting and tracing the system; (2) the EVACS application code itself, including its calls upon nested transaction support; and (3) a transaction support code which implements the logic necessary for nested transactions. Each of these components deserves further description, but for now only the transaction support is discussed.

Auty, David↗
NASA NTRS1992

Mission and Safety Critical (MASC): An EVACS simulation with nested transactions

The Extra-Vehicular Activity Control System (EVACS) Simulation with Nested Transactions, a recent effort of the MISSION Kernel Team, is documented. The EVACS simulation is a simulation of some aspects of the Extra-Vehicular Activity Control System, in particular, just the selection of communication frequencies. The simulation is a tool to explore mission and safety critical (MASC) applications. For the purpose of this effort, its current definition is quite narrow serving only as a starting point for prototyping purposes. (Note that EVACS itself has been supplanted in a larger scenario of a lunar outpost with astronauts and a lunar rover). The frequency selection scenario was modified to embed its processing in nested transactions. Again as a first step, only two aspects of transaction support were implemented in this prototype: architecture and state recovery. Issues of concurrency and distribution are yet to be addressed.

Auty, David↗
NASA NTRS1994

Low Power Ground-Based Laser Illumination for Electric Propulsion Applications

A preliminary evaluation of low power, ground-based laser powered electric propulsion systems is presented. A review of available and near-term laser, photovoltaic, and adaptive optic systems indicates that approximately 5-kW of ground-based laser power can be delivered at an equivalent one-sun intensity to an orbit of approximately 2000 km. Laser illumination at the proper wavelength can double photovoltaic array conversion efficiencies compared to efficiencies obtained with solar illumination at the same intensity, allowing a reduction in array mass. The reduced array mass allows extra propellant to be carried with no penalty in total spacecraft mass. The extra propellant mass can extend the satellite life in orbit, allowing additional revenue to be generated. A trade study using realistic cost estimates and conservative ground station viewing capability was performed to estimate the number of communication satellites which must be illuminated to make a proliferated system of laser ground stations economically attractive. The required number of satellites is typically below that of proposed communication satellite constellations, indicating that low power ground-based laser beaming may be commercially viable. However, near-term advances in low specific mass solar arrays and high energy density batteries for LEO applications would render the ground-based laser system impracticable.

Lapointe, Michael R.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Status of MSBS study at NAL

Two Magnetic Suspension and Balance Systems (MSBS) at the National Aerospace Laboratory (NAL) in Japan are introduced. They are the 10 cm MSBS and the 60 cm MSBS. They have 10 cm x 10 cm and 60 cm x 60 cm test sections. The control of suspending a model at the 10 cm MSBS is six degrees of freedom including the rolling moment control. The model for the rolling moment control has two pairs of small extra permanent magnets at both its ends plus a main cylindrical magnet. The rolling moment is generated by the magnetic forces acting on the extra magnets by controlled current passing through the four side coils independently. Test results show the roll angle of the model is controlled in this way. The dynamic calibration test was carried out at the MSBS in five degrees of freedom without the rolling moment control. The model is a simple cylindrical magnet magnetized along its axis. The obtained results show that the dynamic calibration with measured magnetic field intensity is much superior to that with the coil currents. The 60 cm MSBS was designed with some data obtained at the 10 cm one. It is fundamentally proportional to the 10 cm one in size and coil positions. The measured magnetic field intensity is not so strong as expected at design. It was operated first in 1993. The control is three degrees of freedom in the longitudinal direction.

Sawada, Hideo↗
NASA NTRS1994

Hubble Space Telescope faint object spectrograph instrument handbook, version 5.0

This version of the FOS Instrument Handbook is for the refurbished telescope, which is affected by an increase in throughput, especially for the smaller apertures, a decrease in efficiency due to the extra reflections of the COSTAR optics, and a change in focal length. The improved PSF affects all exposure time calculations due to better aperture throughputs and increases the spectral resolution. The extra reflections of COSTAR decrease the efficiency by 10-20 percent. The change in focal length affects the aperture sizes as projected on the sky. The aperture designations that are already in use both in the exposure logsheets and in the project data base (PDB) have not been changed. Apertures are referred to here by their size, followed by the designation used on the exposure logsheet.

Kinney, A. L.↗