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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

Structural fatigue test results for large wind turbine blade sections

In order to provide quantitative information on the operating life capabilities of wind turbine rotor blade concepts for root-end load transfer, a series of cantilever beam fatigue tests was conducted. Fatigue tests were conducted on a laminated wood blade with bonded steel studs, a low cost steel spar (utility pole) with a welded flange, a utility pole with additional root-end thickness provided by a swaged collar, fiberglass spars with both bonded and nonbonded fittings, and, finally, an aluminum blade with a bolted steel fitting (Lockheed Mod-0 blade). Photographs, data, and conclusions for each of these tests are presented. In addition, the aluminum blade test results are compared to field failure information; these results provide evidence that the cantilever beam type of fatigue test is a satisfactory method for obtaining qualitative data on blade life expectancy and for identifying structurally underdesigned areas (hot spots).

Faddoul, J. R.↗

Clearcut mapping and forest type mapping in eastern forests with LANDSAT data

The development and use of signature packages which provide a forest type map and which identify clearcut areas is discussed. The type map divides the forest land into three categories: softwood, mixed wood, and hardwood. The user defines each of these categories and adjusts the signature package to fit his needs. Success in identifying clearcuts and their stage of regrowth was demonstrated in New Hampshire where clearcuts range in size from 5 to 100 acres with between 30 and 40 acres being the most common.

Sutherland, K.↗

Analytic determinations of single-folding optical potentials

A simple analytic method for calculating nucleon-nucleus optical potentials using a single folding of a Gaussian two body interaction with an arbitrary nuclear distribution is presented. When applied to proton-lead elastic scattering, the predicted real part of the Woods-Saxon potential is in substantial agreement with the experimentally determined phenomenological potential, although there are no adjustable parameters. In addition, the volume integrals of both real potentials are nearly identical.

Townsend, L. W.↗

Do oblique impacts produce Martian meteorites

It is pointed out that several achondritic meteorites, classified as shergottites, nakhlites, and chassignites, have a number of unusual characteristics. Following the suggestion of Wood and Ashwal (1981) these meteorites are collectively referred to as SNC meteorites. The major element compositions of the SNC meteorites are, in general, distinct from those of other meteorites and lunar samples, and similar to certain terrestrial rocks. The geochemical and geochronological characteristics of the SNC meteorites strongly imply that their parent body was on the order of lunar size or larger and geologically active. Serious attention must be given to the hypothesis of a Martian origin of the SNC meteorites and to dynamic processes capable of delivering Martian meteorites to earth. In connection with the present investigation, it is suggested that oblique impacts of large meteoroids can produce ejecta which is entrained with the ricocheting projectile and accelerated to velocities in excess of Martian escape velocity.

Nyquist, L. E.↗

Massive eclipsing binary candidates

New UBV data are provided for 63 southern OB stars which are either identified in the survey by Garrison, Hiltner, and Schild as having double lines or are known from Wood et al. to be eclipsing binaries. Twenty of the stars are known eclipsing variables. Four stars, not previously known as eclipsing, have both spectroscopic evidence of duplicity and significant photometric variations. Several additional stars have a marginally significant spread in V magnitude.

Garrison, R. F.↗

Elemental composition of arctic particulate matter

Measurements were made of the elemental composition of particulate matter collected in flights in the Arctic in spring 1983 as part of the Arctic Gas and Aerosol Sampling Program (AGASP). Ten samples of size-selected particles were analyzed by four nondestructive techniques at Davis. Concentrations were determined for H, C, N, and O by Forward Alpha Scattering Techniques (FAST) and for elements heavier than fluorine by Particle Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE). Total mass was measured gravimetrically, and optical absorption was measured using the Laser Integrating Plate Method (LIPM). Results of the analyses show dramatic differences in concentrations and elemental ratios from the Alaskan Arctic to the Norwegian Arctic, with indications of wood smoke and sulfuric acid in the arctic atmosphere.

Cahill, T. A.↗

Cumulus clouds - Interactions between laboratory experiments and observations as foundations for models

Early Woods Hole cumulus observations conducted with the aid of an aircraft suggested that buoyancy dilution by entrainment was a major brake upon tropical cumulus growth. The mechanism by which entrainment occurred, however, was not well understood. Ludlam and Scorer (1953) postulated that buoyant bubbles were the building blocks of cumulus clouds and that it was aerodynamic drag which caused the tops to cease rising. The present investigation is concerned with laboratory experiments and analyses which have been conducted to clarify remaining questions. Attention is given to bubbles in water of uniform density, bubbles released into stably stratified fluids, bubbles released into a two-layer fluid, some observational questions, and buoyant plumes and thermals. The considered experiments provide some insight concerning the mechanism involved in the conversion of buoyancy into motion, taking into account a simpler fluid situation.

Simpson, J.↗

Supporting Structures for Flat Solar-Cell Arrays

Strong supporting structures for flat solar photovoltaic arrays built with such commonly available materials as wood and galvanized steel sheet. Structures resist expected static loads from snow and ice as well as dynamic loads from winds and even Earthquake vibrations. Supporting structure uses inexpensive materials. Parts prefabricated to minimize assembly work in field.

Wilson, A. H.↗

Detailed measurements of the flowfield in the vicinity of an airfoil with glaze ice

An experimental study has been conducted in the OSU subsonic tunnel to measure the characteristics of the separation bubble on an airfoil with glaze ice. A measured glaze ice accretion on a NACA 0012 airfoil was simulated in wood for this dry tunnel test. The 21 inch chord model was pressure belted and the ice shape internally tapped to obtain surface pressures, lift and moment coefficients. A wake survey probe was used to obtain airfoil drag. The separation bubble was explored by measuring the time averaged velocities using a split film probe. The probe was positioned using a computer controlled two-dimensional traversing system. In this paper, airfoil lift, drag, and moment coefficient data are compared for the airfoil with and without glaze ice. Velocity profiles in the separation bubble are presented for several chordwise stations at three angles of attack. The ice shape caused a severe lift and drag penalty. The velocity profiles show clearly the large bubble geometry, regions of reversed flow, and bubble reattachment.

Bragg, M. B.↗

Advanced multi-megawatt wind turbine design for utility application

A NASA/DOE program to develop a utility class multimegawatt wind turbine, the MOD-5A, is described. The MOD-5A features a 400 foot diameter rotor which is teetered and positioned upwind of the tower; a 7.3 megawatt power rating with a variable speed electric generating system; and a redundant rotor support and torque transmission structure. The rotor blades were fabricated from an epoxy-bonded wood laminate material which was a successful outgrowth of the MOD-OA airfoil design. Preliminary data from operational tests carried out at the NASA Plumbrook test facility are presented.

Pijawka, W. C.↗

Multipurpose Scribing and Drawing Tool

Two-part tool reconfigured for variety of jobs. Tool performs several functions useful in layout. Lines, curves, and angles made visible as either bright scribe marks or as dark pencil (or ink) marks. Multipurpose tool speeds up laying out of patterns on sheet metal, wood, plastic, or paper. Tool is carried in pocket, then quickly assembled for service as height gauge, pair of dividers, protractor, surface gauge, or square.

Ellis, J. M.↗

A direct time series comparison between the La Jolla and Belfast radiocarbon records

For many years it has been widely assumed that the variations in the level of atmospheric carbon-14 were due to statistical fluctuations arising from experimental error. This is understandable since the signal/noise ratio is very low and the time sequences representing the variations are strongly stochastic. Interlaboratory comparisons show that baseline variations in the absolute value of the carbon-14 concentration do exist. However, assuming linearity, the delta 14C values are independent of these. The importance of assessing the quantitive reality of the delta 14C values is based upon their expression of the interplanetary cosmic ray source function, because in the range of 100 to 1000 year periods, there appears to be no evidence that the Earth's magnetic field is the source modulating function. Therefore the modulation is either due to changes in the solar atmosphere propagated out into the solar wind, or extra-heliospheric pressure effects, but these appear to be unlikely for the periods noted here. The recent availability of the new high quality Belfast time sequence of delta 14C now permits a simple mutual assessment of the several sequences which are available. Since the La Jolla record has been a standard for many years , these two were chosen for a simple comparison. Although differences exist, the close agreement between these two sequences, one carried out on White mountain Bristlecone pines, and the other done using Irish peat bog wood, is striking. This correlation between the two strongly reinforces the statistical view that the delta 14C record is that of real interplanetary modulation of the cosmic ray source leading to the generation of atmospheric 14C.

Sonett, C. P.↗

Ubiquitous brecciation after metamorphism in equilibrated ordinary chondrites

Ten objects with aberrant Fe/(Fe + Mg) ratios have been found in apparently unbrecciated types 4-6 H and L chondrites. Since the Fe/(Fe + Mg) ratios of these objects are incompatible with the metamorphic history of the host chondrites, it is concluded that a high proportion of ordinary chondrites are breccias that were lithified after peak metamorphism. This is consistent with the results of Scott (1984), who concluded that most type three ordinary chondrites are breccias of materials with diverse thermal histories, even though they do not show prominent brecciation. It is found that the classification scheme of Van Schmus and Wood (1967) does not identify chondrites with similar thermal histories; the petrologic type of a chondrite is only a measure of the average thermal history of its ingredients. Chondrite and achondrite breccias are also compared in order to understand how brecciation of chondrites after metamorphism is so well camouflaged.

Scott, E. R. D.↗

Detection of a new X-ray burst source

Attention is given to the detection of a single X-ray burst from a new burst source, which is suggested to be either the bright bulge source GX13 + 1, or 1 N1812 - 182; these are respectively listed in the HEAO-1 Catalog of Wood (1984) as possessing equivalent strengths of about 165 and 29 UFU. Only the former of the two sources is listed in the 4 U Catalog, however, which gives it a maximum level of 400 UFU and a variability factor of 3.

Fleischmann, J. R.↗

Exact and approximate gas dynamics using the tangent gas

For the determination of aerodynamic characteristics such as lift, drag, and moment coefficients, it is crucial to compute the properties of steady flow past an airfoil. This investigation provides a set of flow dependent grid systems and initial flowfield guesses which substantially improve convergence rates when applied to the Euler equations for flows past an airfoil. The basic equations are examined, taking into account nonlinear equations which are difficult to solve. A good approximation to these equations under certain conditions can be obtained by introducing the so-called 'tangent gas approximation' considered by Woods (1961), in which the isentropic relation between rho and p is replaced by a tangent to a curve. Attention is given to the solution procedure, the analysis (direct) problem, and a comparison of the tangent gas solution with the converged Euler solution.

Daripa, P. K.↗

An inverse method for subcritical flows

An exact method is presented for two-dimensional subsonic flow within the limitations of the tangent gas approximation. While Woods (1961) studied these equations and proposed iterative methods for the solution of both the iterative and inverse problems, the inverse method here presented is noniterative and exact. It is shown that the direct Euler solution over the designed airfoil is very close to the input speed distribution, and that the constraints necessitated by upstream condition and closure requirements are easily incorporated.

Daripa, P. K.↗

Density-functional calculations of the surface tension of liquid Al and Na

Calculations of the surface tensions of liquid Al and Na are described using the full ionic density functional formalism of Wood and Stroud (1983). Surface tensions are in good agreement with experiment in both cases, with results substantially better for Al than those found previously in the gradient approximation. Preliminary minimization with respect to surface profile leads to an oscillatory profile superimposed on a nearly steplike ionic density disribution; the oscillations have a wavellength of about a hardsphere diameter.

Stroud, D.↗

Ground Measurements of the Shock-Wave Noise from Airplanes in Level Flight at Mach Numbers to 1.4 and at Altitudes to 45000 Feet

Time histories of noise pressures near ground level were measured during flight tests of fighter-type airplanes over fairly flat, partly wooded terrain in the e Mach number range between 1.13 and 1.4 and at altitudes from 25,000 to 45,000 feet. Atmospheric soundings and radar tracking studies were made for correlation with the measured noise data. The measured and calculated values of the pressure rise across the shock wave were generally in good agreement. There is a tendency for the theory to overestimate the pressure at locations remote from the track and to underestimate the pressures for conditions of high tailwind at altitude. The measured values of ground-reflection factor averaged about 1.8 f or the surface tested as compared to a theoretical value of 2.0. P o booms were measured in all cases. The observers also generally reported two booms; although, in some cases, only one boom was reported. The shock-wave noise associated with some of the flight tests was judged to be objectionable by ground observers, and in one case the cracking of a plate-glass store window was correlated in time with the passage of the airplane at an altitude of 25,000 feet.

Maglieri, Domenic J.↗