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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

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NASA NTRS1974

Balancing of high speed interconnect shafting for operation above multiple bending critical speeds

The present work first reviews the key elements of rotating system dynamics which are crucial to the control of lateral vibration levels for supercritical shafting of the type which is considered for use in advanced aircraft applications. Then the results of an analytical investigation of procedures for balancing flexible shafts designed for critical operation are discussed. Some of the conclusions made were: (1) even in undamped configuration, reasonably low vibration levels can be achieved through a sequential multiplane-multispeed balancing process; and (2) combination of analytical response and balancing prediction procedures yields a powerful tool for the dynamic analysis and design of advanced shaft-bearing systems.

Badgley, R. H.↗

NASA NTRS1975

Mineral and nitrogen balance study - Results of metabolic observations on Skylab II 28-day orbital mission

The prediction that various stresses of flight, particularly weightlessness, would bring about significant derangements in the metabolism of the musculoskeletal system has been based on various balance-study observations of long-term immobilized or inactive bed rest. The three astronauts of Skylab II consumed a planned dietary intake of major metabolic elements in mixed foods and beverages and provided virtually complete collections of excreta for 31 days preflight, 28 days inflight, and 17 days postflight. Analyses showed that, in varying degree among the crewmen, urinary calcium increased gradually during flight in a pattern similar to that observed in bed-rest studies. Fecal calcium excretion did not change significantly, but calcium balance, owing to the urinary calcium rise, became either negative or less positive than in preflight measurement. Increased excretion and negative nitrogen and phosphorus balances inflight indicated appreciable loss of muscle tissue in all three crewmen. Significant losses also occurred inflight in potassium, sodium, and magnesium. Based on the similarity in pattern and degree between these observations of calcium, phosphorus, and nitrogen loss, musculoskeletal integrity would not be threatened in space flights of up to at least 3 months. However, if similar changes occur in the planed Skylab flights for considerably more than 28 days, concern for capable musculoskeletal function should be serious for flights of very many months' duration.

Whedon, G. D.↗

NASA NTRS1976

Theoretical study of self-balancing missiles

A theoretical study based on linear theory is presented for two types of 'self-balancing' missiles, designed to accelerate vertically or laterally without pitching or yawing. One type of missile had a variable-incidence wing and the other type had wing flaps to provide acceleration. The main objective of this investigation is to compare the maximum available acceleration for these self-balancing missiles with that of conventional pitching-type missiles. Ten different configurations were considered. The results indicate that self-balancing missiles with either variable wing incidence or wing flaps are feasible, but that the maximum available acceleration for these missiles is less than for a conventional pitching-type missile having the same wing and tail surfaces.

Hopkins, E. J.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Application of digital control to a magnetic model suspension and balance model

The feasibility of using a digital computer for performing the automatic control functions for a magnetic suspension and balance system (MSBS) for use with wind tunnel models was investigated. Modeling was done using both a prototype MSBS and a one dimensional magnetic balance. A microcomputer using the Intel 8080 microprocessor is described and results are given using this microprocessor to control the one dimensional balance. Hybrid simulations for one degree of freedom of the MSBS were also performed and are reported. It is concluded that use of a digital computer to control the MSBS is eminently feasible and should extend both the accuracy and utility of the system.

Luh, P. B.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Balancing techniques for high-speed flexible rotors

Ideal and non-ideal conditions for multiplane balancing are addressed. Methodology and procedures for identifying optimum balancing configurations and for assessing, quantitatively, the penalties associated with non-optimum configurations were developed and demonstrated. The problems introduced when vibration sensors are supported on flexible mounts were assessed experimentally, and the effects of flexural asymmetry in the rotor on balancing were investigated. A general purpose method for predicting the threshold of instability of an asymmetric rotor was developed, and its predictions are compared with measurements under different degrees of asymmetry.

Smalley, A. J.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Albedo enhancement and perturbation of radiation balance due to stratospheric aerosols

The effect of stratospheric aerosols on the earth's monthly zonal radiation balance is investigated using a model layer consisting of 75% H2SO4, which is the primary constituent of the background aerosol layer. The reduction in solar energy absorbed by the earth-atmosphere system is determined through the albedo sensitivity, defined here as the change in albedo per unit mid-visible optical depth of the aerosol layer. The optically thin approximation is used in conjunction with the Henyey-Greenstein phase function for scattering to simplify computations. Satellite derived planetary albedos are used as the frame of reference about which the change in albedo is computed. An infrared radiative transfer model is used to estimate the increased greenhouse effect attributed to the aerosol layer. The infrared heating tends to compensate for the albedo effect in altering the radiation balance. The results indicate that the dominant influence of the thin model stratospheric aerosol layer is an increased reflection of solar energy all over the globe except for the polar-winter region, but the change in the radiation balance is seen to be uniform and small equatorwards of 50%.

HARSHVARDHAN↗

NASA NTRS1979

Perturbation of the zonal radiation balance by a stratospheric aerosol layer

The effect of stratospheric aerosols on the earth's monthly zonal radiation balance is investigated using a model layer consisting of 75% H2SO4, the primary constituent of the background aerosol layer. The reduction in solar energy absorbed by the earth-atmosphere system is determined through the albedo sensitivity, and the optically thin approximation is used in conjunction with the Henyey-Greenstein phase function for scattering. An infrared radiative transfer model is used to estimate the increased greenhouse effect from the aerosol layer, and the infrared heating compensates for the albedo effect in altering the radiation balance. The results indicate that the dominant influence of the thin model stratospheric aerosol layer is an increased reflection of solar energy all over the globe except for the polar-winter region, but the change in the radiation balance is uniform and small equatorward of 50 deg.

Harshvardhan, MR.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Development of flexible rotor balancing criteria

Several studies in which analytical procedures were used to obtain balancing criteria for flexible rotors are described. General response data for a uniform rotor in damped flexible supports were first obtained for plain cylindrical bearings, tilting pad bearings, axial groove bearings, and partial arc bearings. These data formed the basis for the flexible rotor balance criteria presented. A procedure by which a practical rotor in bearings could be reduced to an equivalent uniform rotor was developed and tested. It was found that the equivalent rotor response always exceeded to practical rotor response by more than sixty percent for the cases tested. The equivalent rotor procedure was then tested against six practical rotor configurations for which data was available. It was found that the equivalent rotor method offered a procedure by which balance criteria could be selected for practical flexible rotors, using the charts given for the uniform rotor.

Walter, W. W.↗

NASA NTRS1979

The energy balance and pressure in the solar transition zone for network and active region features

The electron pressure and energy balance in the solar transition zone are determined for about 125 network and active region features on the basis of high spectral and spatial resolution extreme ultraviolet spectra. Si III line intensity ratios obtained from the Naval Research Laboratory high-resolution telescope and spectrograph during a rocket flight are used as diagnostics of electron density and pressure for solar features near 3.5 x 10 to the 4th K. Observed ratios are compared with the calculated dependence of the 1301 A/1312 A and 1301 A/1296 A line intensity ratios on electron density, temperature and pressure. Electron densities ranging from 2 x 10 to the 10th/cu cm to 10 to the 12th/cu cm and active region pressures from 3 x 10 to the 15th to 10 to the 16th/cu cm K are obtained. Energy balance calculations reveal the balance of the divergence of the conductive flux and turbulent energy dissipation by radiative energy losses in a plane-parallel homogeneous transition zone (fill factor of 1), and an energy source requirement for a cylindrical zone geometry (fill factor less than 0.04).

Nicolas, K. R.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Force instrumentation for cryogenic wind tunnels using one-piece strain-gage balances

The use of cryogenic temperatures in wind tunnels to achieve high Reynolds numbers has imposed a harsh operating environment on the force balance. Laboratory tests were conducted to study the effect cryogenic temperatures have on balance materials, gages, wiring, solder, adhesives, and moisture proofing. Wind tunnel tests were conducted using a one piece three component balance to verify laboratory results. These initial studies indicate that satisfactory force data can be obtained under steady state conditions.

Ferris, A. T.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Radiation balances and the solar constant

The radiometric concepts are defined in order to consider various types of radiation balances and relate them to the diabetic form of the energy balance. Variability in space and time of the components of the radiation field are presented. A specific concept for sweeping which is tailored to the requirements is proposed. Finally, after establishing the truncated character of the present knowledge of the radiation balance. The results of the last observations of the solar constant are given. Ground and satellite measurement techniques are discussed.

Crommelynck, D.↗

NASA NTRS1982

An evaluation of vertical drag and ground effect using the RSRA rotor balance system

A flight test program utilizing the Rotor Systems Research Aircraft (RSRA) main rotor balance system was conducted to obtain data for the helicopter configuration. The test program is discussed along with the employed data reduction methods, and the results. NASA 740, the RSRA used for the vertical drag test, was in the standard helicopter configuration. The 31-foot radius blades have a linear twist of eight degrees and NACA 0012 airfoil sections. Aspects of instrumentation are considered, taking into account the data recording system, the static calibration facility, and aspects of data calibration and processing. Attention is given to the test procedure, data analysis methods, balance measurements, the ground effect, and vertical drag. It is found that the RSRA rotor balance system is capable of providing high quality performance data. The vertical drag of the RSRA is 4%, compared to 2.9% predicted.

Flemming, R. J.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Strain gage balances and buffet gages

One-piece strain gage force balances were developed for use in the National Transonic Facility (NTF). This was accomplished by studying the effects of the cryogenic environment on materials, strain gages, cements, solders, and moisture proofing agents, and selecting those that minimized strain gage output changes due to temperature. In addition, because of the higher loads that may be imposed by the NTF, these balances are designed to carry a larger load for a given diameter than conventional balances. Full cryogenic calibrations were accomplished, and wind tunnel results that were obtained from the Langley 0-3-Meter Transonic Cryogenic Tunnel were used to verify laboratory test results.

Ferris, A. T.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Force balance in the magnetospheres of Jupiter and Saturn

Spacecraft measurements of the plasma populations and magnetic fields near Jupiter and Saturn have revealed that large magnetospheres surround both planets. Magnetic field measurements have indicated closed field line topologies in the dayside magnetospheres of both planets while plasma instruments have shown these regions to be populated by both hot and cold plasma components convected azimuthally in the sense of planetary rotation. By using published data from the Voyager Plasma Science (PLS), Low Energy Charged Particle (LECP), and Magnetometer (MAG) instruments, it is possible to investigate the validity of the time stationary MHD momentum equation in the middle magnetospheres of Jupiter and Saturn. At Saturn, the hot plasma population is negligible in the dynamic sense and the centrifugal force of the cold rotating plasma appears to balance the Lorentz force. At Jupiter, the centrifugal force balances about 25 percent of the Lorentz force. The remaining inward Lorentz force is balanced by pessure gradients in the hot, high-beta plasma of the Jovian magnetodisk.

Mcnutt, R. L., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Thermal-Balance Strip for Fluted LFC Panels

Waviness of less than 0.004 inch achieved using titanium strips. Process uses titanium balancing strips to keep waviness within 0.004inch limit. Balancing strips reduce thermal bonding stresses on lower fiberglass fluted sections and placed so fiberglass ends up sandwiched between porous titanium skin and titanium balance strip. Method requires less skill and less labor intensive than composite-wrapped-mandrel method.

Bono, P.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Energy balance and the composition of weight loss during prolonged space flight

Integrated metabolic balance analysis, Skylab integrated metabolic balance analysis and computer simulation of fluid-electrolyte responses to zero-g, overall mission weight and tissue losses, energy balance, diet and exercise, continuous changes, electrolyte losses, caloric and exercise requirements, and body composition are discussed.

Leonard, J. I.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Greenland Ice Sheet Mass Balance

Mass balance equation for glaciers; areal distribution and ice volumes; estimates of actual mass balance; loss by calving of icebergs; hydrological budget for Greenland; and temporal variations of Greenland mass balance are examined.

Reeh, N.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Thermal balance of the atmospheres of Jupiter and Uranus

Two-dimensional, radiative-convective-dynamical models of the visible atmospheres of Jupiter and Uranus are presented. Zonally-averaged temperatures and heat fluxes are calculated numerically as functions of pressure and latitude. In addition to radiative heat fluxes, the dynamical heat flux due to large-scale baroclinic eddies is included and is parametrized using a mixing length theory which gives heat fluxes similar to those of Stone. The results for Jupiter indicate that the internal heat flow is non-uniform in latitude and nearly balances the net radiative flux leaving the atmosphere. The thermal emission is found to be uniform in latitude in agreement with Pioneer and Voyager observations. Baroclinic eddies are calculated to transport only a small amount of the meridional heat flow necessary to account for the uniformity of thermal emission with latitude. The bulk of the meridional heat transfer is found to occur very deep in the stable interior of Jupiter as originally proposed by Ingersoll and Porco. The relative importance of baroclinic eddies vs. internal heat flow in the thermal balance of Uranus depends on the ratio of emitted thermal power to absorbed solar power. The thermal balance of Uranus is compared to that of Jupiter for different values of this ratio.

Friedson, A. J.↗