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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 253 records · Page 14
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1986

Radiative transfer in a sphere illuminated by a parallel beam - An integral equation approach

The problem of multiple scattering of nonpolarized light in a planetary body of arbitrary shape illuminated by a parallel beam is formulated using the integral equation approach. There exists a simple functional whose stationarity condition is equivalent to solving the equation of radiative transfer and whose value at the stationary point is proportional to the differential cross section. The analysis reveals a direct relation between the microscopic symmetry of the phase function for each scattering event and the macroscopic symmetry of the differential cross section for the entire planetary body, and the interconnection of these symmetry relations and the variational principle. The case of a homogeneous sphere containing isotropic scatterers is investigated in detail. It is shown that the solution can be expanded in a multipole series such that the general spherical problem is reduced to solving a set of decoupled integral equations in one dimension. Computations have been performed for a range of parameters of interest, and illustrative examples of applications to planetary problems as provided.

Shia, R.-L.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Minimization of the vibration energy of thin-plate structure

An optimization method is proposed to reduce the vibration of thin plate structures. The method is based on a finite element shell analysis, a modal analysis, and a structural optimization method. In the finite element analysis, a triangular shell element with 18 dof is used. In the optimization, the overall vibration energy of the structure is adopted as the objective function, and it is minimized at the given exciting frequency by varying the thickness of the elements. The technique of modal analysis is used to derive the sensitivity of the vibration energy with respect to the design variables. The sensitivity is represented by the sensitivities of both eigenvalues and eigenvectors. The optimum value is computed by the gradient projection method and a unidimensional search procedure under the constraint condition of constant weight. A computer code, based on the proposed method, is developed and is applied to design problems using a beam and a plate as test cases. It is confirmed that the vibration energy is reduced at the given exciting frequency. For the beam excited by a frequency slightly less than the fundamental natural frequency, the optimized shape is close to the beam of uniform strength.

Inoue, Katsumi↗
NASA NTRS1973

An approximate solution for the free vibrations of rotating uniform cantilever beams

Approximate solutions are obtained for the uncoupled frequencies and modes of rotating uniform cantilever beams. The frequency approximations for flab bending, lead-lag bending, and torsion are simple expressions having errors of less than a few percent over the entire frequency range. These expressions provide a simple way of determining the relations between mass and stiffness parameters and the resultant frequencies and mode shapes of rotating uniform beams.

Peters, D. A.↗
NASA NTRS2024

DNA Break Clustering as a Predictor of Cell Death across Various Radiation Qualities: Influence of Cell Size, Cell Asymmetry, and Beam Orientation

Cosmic radiation, composed of high charge and energy (HZE) particles, causes cellular DNA damage that can result in cell death or mutation that can evolve into cancer. In this work, a cell death model is applied to several cell lines exposed to HZE ions spanning a broad range of linear energy transfer (LET) values. We hypothesize that chromatin movement leads to the clustering of multiple double strand breaks (DSB) within one radiation-induced foci (RIF). The survival probability of a cell population is determined by averaging the survival probabilities of individual cells, which is function of the number of pairwise DSB interactions within RIF. The simulation code RITCARD was used to compute DSB. Two clustering approaches were applied to determine the number of RIF per cell. RITCARD outputs were combined with experimental data from four normal human cell lines to derive the model parameters and expand its predictions in response to ions with LET ranging from ∼0.2keV/μmto∼3000keV/μm. Spherical and ellipsoidal nuclear shapes and two ion beam orientations were modeled to assess the impact of geometrical properties on cell death. The calculated average number of RIF per cell reproduces the saturation trend for high doses and high-LET values that is usually experimentally observed. The cell survival model generates the recognizable bell shape of LET dependence for the relative biological effectiveness (RBE). At low LET, smaller nuclei have lower survival due to increased DNA density and DSB clustering. At high LET, nuclei with a smaller irradiation area either because of a smaller size or a change in beam orientation have a higher survival rate due to a change in the distribution of DSB/RIF per cell. If confirmed experimentally, the geometric characteristics of cells would become a significant factor in predicting radiation-induced biological effects.

cell survival↗
NASA NTRS1984

Section 1. Method of determining mode shapes and natural frequencies of the NASA unmodified test structure. Section 2. Continuous beam closed from solution to the NASA-LSS astromast torsional vibration, appendix E

The methods used to determine the lower natural frequencies and their corresponding mode shapes of the NASA-LSS Astromast (Unmodified Test Structure), and the mass integrals associated with the mode shapes are illustrated. The test structure is modeled as a cantilever beam with 91 lumped masses and without the tip mass on the free end of the bram. This uncouples the torsion and bending modes and allows for them to be determined separately. The frequency range was limited to an upper bound of 100 rad/sec (15.92 Hz.). In this range from 0.-100. rad/sec, three bending frequencies and one torsion frequency was found.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1967

Integrating Matrix Method for Determining the Natural Vibrations of a Rotating, Unsymmetrical Beam with Application to Twisted Propeller Blades

A numerical method is Presented for determining the natural vibration frequencies, and the corresponding mode shapes, of a rotating cantilever beam which has a nonuniform, unsymmetrical cross section. Two coupled fourth-order differential equations of motion with variable coefficients are derived which govern the motion of such a beam having deformations in two directions. Through the development and utilization of the integrating matrix, the solution of the differential equations is obtained in the form of an eigenvalue problem. The solutions to the eigenvalue problem are determined by an iteration method based upon a special orthogonality relationship which is derived. Numerical examples, including an application to a twisted propeller blade, are presented with the results of the integrating matrix solutions being compared to exact solutions and experimental data.

Hunter, William F.↗
NASA NTRS2009

Applications of Ko Displacement Theory to the Deformed Shape Predictions of the Doubly-Tapered Ikhana Wing

The Ko displacement theory, formulated for weak nonuniform (slowly changing cross sections) cantilever beams, was applied to the deformed shape analysis of the doubly-tapered wings of the Ikhana unmanned aircraft. The two-line strain-sensing system (along the wingspan) was used for sensing the bending strains needed for the wing-deformed shapes (deflections and cross-sectional twist) analysis. The deflection equation for each strain-sensing line was expressed in terms of the bending strains evaluated at multiple numbers of strain-sensing stations equally spaced along the strain-sensing line. For the preflight shape analysis of the Ikhana wing, the strain data needed for input to the displacement equations for the shape analysis were obtained from the nodal-stress output of the finite-element analysis. The wing deflections and cross-sectional twist angles calculated from the displacement equations were then compared with those computed from the finite-element computer program. The Ko displacement theory formulated for weak nonlinear cantilever beams was found to be highly accurate in the deformed shape predictions of the doubly-tapered Ikhana wing.

Ko, William L.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Experimental investigation of a throttlable 15 cm hollow cathode ion thruster

The use of dished high perveance grids on a 15 cm modified SERT 2 thruster is shown to facilitate throttled operation over a beam current range from 60 to 600 mA. Effects of increasing the radial component of the magnetic field in the main discharge chamber and decreasing the dimensions of the cathode discharge region are examined and found to degrade performance to the extent that primary electrons are forced in toward the center-line of the thruster. Studies of the baffle aperture region of two thrusters indicate that the electric potential gradient vector is perpendicular to the local magnetic field lines when the thruster is operating properly. The correlation between the shape of the ion beam current density and that of the ion density at the screen grid within the thruster is shown to be 94%. Additional experimental studies on maximum propellant utilization, plasma ion production cost, neutral density in the cathode discharge region, double ion production in hollow cathode thrusters and thermal flow meter performance are discussed.

Wilbur, P. J.↗
DOE OSTI2024

Compensating slice emittance growth in high brightness photoinjectors using sacrificial charge

Achieving maximum electron beam brightness in photoinjectors requires detailed control of the 3D bunch shape and precise tuning of the beam focusing. Even in state-of-the-art designs, slice emittance growth due to nonlinear space charge forces and partial nonlaminarity often remains non-negligible. In this work, we introduce a new means to linearize the transverse slice phase space: a sacrificial portion of the bunch’s own charge distribution, formed into a wavebroken shock front by highly nonlinear space charge forces within the gun, whose downstream purpose is to dynamically linearize the desired bunch core. We show that linearization of an appropriately prepared bunch can be achieved via strongly nonlaminar focusing of the sacrificial shock front, while the inner core focuses laminarly. This leads to a natural spatial separation of the two distributions: a dense core surrounded by a diffuse halo of sacrificial charge that can be collimated. Multiobjective genetic algorithm optimizations of the ultracompact x-ray free electron laser injector employ this concept, and we interpret it with an analytic model that agrees well with the simulations. In simulation, we demonstrate a final bunch charge of 100 pC, peak current ∼ 30 A, and a sacrificial charge of 150 pC (250 pC total emitted from cathode) with normalized emittance growth of < 20 nm rad due to space charge. This implies a maximum achievable brightness approximately an order of magnitude greater than existing free electron laser injector designs. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
NASA NTRS1981

Experimental demonstration of static shape control

Results of a microprocessor-controlled implementation of static shape control using a specially constructed flexible beam facility are presented. The discussion covers the development of shape control algorithms, adaptation of the algorithms for use with finite element models, construction of a flexible beam, characterization and calibration of the facility, development of a finite element model for the beam, and the development of computer hardware and software. It is shown that feedback control yields better results than open-loop control, and that the use of more than two sensors in the control loop has little effect on the system performance.

Eldred, D.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Oscillation of laser-beam intensity as observed with beam splitters

Characteristics of nearly perfectly flat beam splitter for observing laser pulse shapes are discussed. Disadvantages of conventional instruments for observing properties of laser beams are described. Effects of high frequency noise on accuracy of measurement are reported.

Kuehn, D. M.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Development of a mass spectrometer system for the measurement of inert gases in meteorites

The study of the inert gases in meteorites has provided many clues as to the origin and evolution of the solar system. Particularly crucial and complex are the gases krypton and xenon. To accurately measure the isotopic compositions of these gases requires a mass spectrometer of high sensitivity and resolution. A previously unused and largely untested mass spectrometer system was brought to the point where it was ready for routine sample analyses. This involved, among other things, focusing the ion beam for optimal peak shape and sensitivity, documenting the instrument's response to a series of characteristic tests such as multplier gain checks, and interfacing the instrument to a computer to run the sample analyses. Following this testing and setting up, three iron meteorite samples were to be analyzed for argon, krypton, and xenon. The three samples were shown in prior work to possibly contain primordial heavy inert gases. Although these analyses have not yet been carried out, it is anticipated that they will be completed in the near future.

Palma, R. L.↗
NASA NTRS1989

A comparison of two trusses for the space station structure

The structural performance of two truss configurations, the orthogonal tetrahedral and a Warren-type, are compared using finite element models representing the November Reference Phase 1 Space Station. The truss torsional stiffness properties and fundamental torsion frequency are determined using cantilever truss-beam models. Frequencies, mode shapes, transient response, and truss strut compressive loads are compared for the two space station models. The performance benefit resulting from using a high modulus truss strut is also presented. Finally, assembly and logistics characteristics of the two truss configurations are evaluated.

Sutter, Thomas R.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Optical Isolators With Transverse Magnets

New design for isolator includes zigzag, forward-and-backward-pass beam path and use of transverse rather than longitudinal magnetic field. Design choices produce isolator with as large an aperture as desired using low-Verdet-constant glass rather than more expensive crystals. Uses commercially available permanent magnets in Faraday rotator. More compact and less expensive. Designed to transmit rectangular beam. Square cross section of beam extended to rectangular shape by increasing one dimension of glass without having to increase magnetic field. Potentially useful in laser systems involving slab lasers and amplifiers. Has applications to study of very-high-power lasers for fusion research.

Fan, Yuan X.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Comments on the statistical analysis of excess variance in the COBE differential microwave radiometer maps

Cosmic anisotrophy produces an excess variance sq sigma(sub sky) in the Delta maps produced by the Differential Microwave Radiometer (DMR) on cosmic background explorer (COBE) that is over and above the instrument noise. After smoothing to an effective resolution of 10 deg, this excess sigma(sub sky)(10 deg), provides an estimate for the amplitude of the primordial density perturbation power spectrum with a cosmic uncertainty of only 12%. We employ detailed Monte Carlo techniques to express the amplitude derived from this statistic in terms of the universal root mean square (rms) quadrupole amplitude, (Q sq/RMS)(exp 0.5). The effects of monopole and dipole subtraction and the non-Gaussian shape of the DMR beam cause the derived (Q sq/RMS)(exp 0.5) to be 5%-10% larger than would be derived using simplified analytic approximations. We also investigate the properties of two other map statistics: the actual quadrupole and the Boughn-Cottingham statistic. Both the sigma(sub sky)(10 deg) statistic and the Boughn-Cottingham statistic are consistent with the (Q sq/RMS)(exp 0.5) = 17 +/- 5 micro K reported by Smoot et al. (1992) and Wright et al. (1992).

Wright, E. L.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Nature and location of the source of plasma sheet boundary layer ion beams

Onsager et al. (1991) have put forward a model of the formation of the plasma sheet boundary layer (PSBL) which relies on a steady source of plasma from a spatially extended plasma sheet, together with steady equatorward and earthward ExB convection of field lines due to reconnection at a downtail neutral line. This model is a synthesis of earlier proposals and it explains such features as an electron layer exterior to the ion boundary layer, ion velocity dispersion, counter streaming beams, low-speed cutoffs in the beams. It also explains the apparent evolution of the ion beams through 'kidney bean' shaped velocity-space distributions toward quasi-isotropic shells without invoking pitch angle scattering or energy diffusion. In this paper we explore two ramifications of the model. In principle we can map, as a function of time, the downtail neutral line distance and establish whether or not it is retreating during substorm recovery. We can also reconstruct the plasma distribution function near the neutral line to see if it is most consistent with mantle or plasma sheet plasma. We perform this analysis using International Sun Earth Explorer (ISEE) Fast Plasma Experiment (FPE) data for two plasma sheet recovery events, one on March 1, 1978, and the other on April 18, 1978. On March 1, 1978, we find evidence for an initial retreat from around 110 to 160 R(sub E) in the first 15 min; little further retreat occurs thereafter. On April 18, 1978, the neutral line location ranges from as little as 40 R(sub E) tailward of the satellite to as much as 200 R(sub E), but there is no evidence for a systematic retreat. The reconstructed ion distributions for these events are most consistent with a plasma sheet origin for the March 1 case and possibly plasma mantle or low-latitude boundary layer for the April 18 case.

Elphic, R. C.↗