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At least 271 records · Page 15

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NASA NTRS1984

High pressure cosmochemistry applied to major planetary interiors: Experimental studies

Progress is reported on a project to determine the properties and boundaries of high pressure phases of the H2-He-H2O-NH3-CH4 system that are needed to constrain theoretical models of the interiors of the major planets. This project is one of the first attempts to measure phase equilibria in binary fluid-solid systems in diamond anvil cells. Vibrational spectroscopy, direct visual observations, and X-ray diffraction crystallography of materials confined in externally heated cells are the primary experimental probes. Adiabats of these materials are also measured in order to constrain models of heat flow in these bodies and to detect phase transitions by thermal anomalies. Initial efforts involve the NH3-H2O binary. This system is especially relevant to models for surface reconstruction of the icy satellites of Jupiter and Saturn. Thermal analysis experiments were completed for the P-X space, p4GPa:0 or = 0.50, near room temperature. The cryostat, sample handling equipment, and optics needed to extend the optical P-T-X work below room temperature was completed.

Nicol, M. F.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Rail accelerator technology and applications

Rail accelerators offer a viable means of launching ton-size payloads from the Earth's surface to space. The results of two mission studies which indicate that an Earth-to-Space Rail Launcher (ESRL) system is not only technically feasible but also economically beneficial, particularly when large amounts of bulk cago are to be delivered to space are given. An in-house experimental program at the Lewis Research Center (LeRC) was conducted in parallel with the mission studies with the objective of examining technical feasibility issues. A 1 m long - 12.5 by 12.5 mm bore rail accelerator as designed with clear polycarbonate sidewalls to visually observe the plasma armature acceleration. The general character of plasma/projectile dynamics is described for a typical test firing.

Zana, L. M.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Experimental determination of systems suitable for study as monotectic binary metallic alloy solidification models

Transparent binary metallic alloy solidification models are important in attempts to understand the processes causing liquid-liquid and solid-liquid phase transformations in metallic alloy systems. These models permit visual observation of the phase transformation and the processes proceding solidification. The number of these transparent monotectic binary models needs to be expanded to distinguish between the unique and general phenomena observed. The expansion of the number of accurately determined monotectic phase diagrams of model systems, and contribution to a data base for eventual use with UNIFAC group contribution methods is examined.

Smith, J. E., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS1985

High pressure cosmochemistry applied to major planetary interiors: Experimental studies

The measurement of equilibria in binary fluid-solid systems in diamond anvil cells, represents a major advance of the art of high-pressure experimentation. Vibrational spectroscopy, direct visual observations, and X-ray diffraction crystallography of materials confined in externally heated cells are the primary experimental probes being used. Adiabats in these systems are being measured in order to constrain models of heat flow in these bodies and to detect phase transitions by thermal anomalies. Other studies are directed toward interpreting high pressure reactions in these systems that are suggested by shockwave measurements, and developing methods for reaching high temperatures and high pressures of planetary interest in diamond cells. The overall objective of this project is to determine the properties of the H2-He-H2O-HN3-CH4 system and related small-molecule systems that are needed to constrain theoretical models of the interiors of the major planets.

Nicol, M. F.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Flutter and Vibration Animation Program

Flutter and Vibration Animation (FLUVIAN) program produces animated picture of structure as it vibrates at constant amplitude. Permits visual observation of fluttering motion of components as they oscillate in combination of modes. Animated display provides insight into local deflection patterns induced in structure, overlooked if modal deflection patterns were separately examined and combined mentally. FLUVIAN program written in FORTRAN 77 for interactive execution.

Tischner, R. L.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Combustor flame flashback

A stainless steel, two-dimensional (rectangular), center-dump, premixed-prevaporized combustor with quartz window sidewalls for visual access was designed, built, and used to study flashback. A parametric study revealed that the flashback equivalence ratio decreased slightly as the inlet air temperature increased. It also indicated that the average premixer velocity and premixer wall temperature were not governing parameters of flashback. The steady-state velocity balance concept as the flashback mechanism was not supported. From visual observation several stages of burning were identified. High speed photography verified upstream flame propagation with the leading edge of the flame front near the premixer wall. Combustion instabilities (spontaneous pressure oscillations) were discovered during combustion at the dump plane and during flashback. The pressure oscillation frequency ranged from 40 to 80 Hz. The peak-to-peak amplitude (up to 1.4 psi) increased as the fuel/air equivalence ratio was increased attaining a maximum value just before flashback. The amplitude suddenly decreased when the flame stabilized in the premixer. The pressure oscillations were large enough to cause a local flow reversal. A simple test using ceramic fiber tufts indicated flow reversals existed at the premixer exit during flickering. It is suspected that flashback occurs through the premixer wall boundary layer flow reversal caused by combustion instability. A theoretical analysis of periodic flow in the premixing channel has been made. The theory supports the flow reversal mechanism.

Proctor, M. P.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Faint photometry of edge-on spiral galaxies - A search for massive halos

Upper limits have been set to the luminosity from the massive halos of three late-type edge-on spiral galaxies: NGC 2683 (Sb), NGC 4244 (Scd), and NGC 5907 (Sc). The limits resulted from simultaneous photometry in the visual (V) and 2.2-micron (K) photometric bands which is sensitive to both luminosity and color changes along the minor axes of the three galaxies. The mass-to-light ratios for the halo of NGC 5907 are the largest ever recorded: M/L(V) greater than 2000 and M/L(K) greater than 64 in solar units. The results virtually eliminate the possibility that hydrogen-burning stars comprise more than a fraction of the halo masses. Variations of the V-K color along and perpendicular to the disks show no sign of population changes toward redder objects at large galactocentric radii. The nucleus of NGC 5907 contains an unresolved source less than 330 pc in size with a 2.2-micron luminosity of order 5 x 10 to the 9th solar luminosity and may be an example of a starburst galactic nucleus overlooked by visual observations.

Skrutskie, M. F.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Regional dust deposits on Mars - Physical properties, age, and history

This paper presents a description of the use of Viking infrared thermal mapper (IRTM), earth-based radar, and visual observations for the study of the existence of regional dust deposits. It is pointed out that these observations provide estimates of particle size, rock abundance, surface texture, thermal emissivity, and albedo. These estimates can be used to characterize surface deposits and to determine the degree of surface mantling. Attention is given to the regolith properties, atmospheric dust properties, and a model for formation of low-inertia regions. It is found that global dust storms deposit currently approximately 25 microns of material per year in the equatorial region. Over geologic time this value may vary from 0 to 250 microns due to variations in atmospheric conditions produced by orbital variations.

Christensen, P. R.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Fluid dynamic study in a femoral artery branch casting of man with upstream main lumen curvature for steady flow

An in-vitro, steady flow investigation was conducted in a hollow, transparent vascular replica of the profunda femoris branch of man for a range of physiological flow conditions. The replica casting tested was obtained from a human cadaver and indicated some plague formation along the main lumen and branch. The flow visualization observations and measured pressure distributions indicated the highly three-dimensional flow characteristics with arterial curvature and branching, and the important role of centrifugal effects in fluid transport mechanisms.

Cho, Y. I.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Characterization and measurement of polymer wear

Analytical tools which characterize the polymer wear process are discussed. The devices discussed include: visual observation of polymer wear with SEM, the quantification with surface profilometry and ellipsometry, to study the chemistry with AES, XPS and SIMS, to establish interfacial polymer orientation and accordingly bonding with QUARTIR, polymer state with Raman spectroscopy and stresses that develop in polymer films using a X-ray double crystal camera technique.

Buckley, D. H.↗

NASA NTRS1986

High pressure cosmochemistry applied to major planetary interiors: Experimental studies

The overall goal of this project is to determine properties of the H-He-C-N-O system, as represented by small molecules composed of these elements, that are needed to constrain theoretical models of the interiors of the major planets. Much of our work now concerns the H2O-NH3 system. This project is the first major effort to measure phase equilibria in binary fluid-solid systems in diamond anvil cells. Vibrational spectroscopy, direct visual observations, and X-ray crystallography of materials confined in externally heated cells are our primary experimental probes. We also are collaborating with the shockwave physics group at Lawrence Livermore Laboratory in studies of the equation of state of a synthetic Uranus fluid and molecular composition of this and other H-C-N-O materials under planetary conditions.

Nicol, M. F.↗

NASA NTRS1985

A study of severe storm electricity via storm intercept

Storm electricity data, radar data, and visual observations were used both to present a case study for a supercell thunderstorm that occurred in the Texas Panhandle on 19 June 1980 and to search for insight into how lightning to ground might be related to storm dynamics in the updraft/downdraft couplet in supercell storms. It was observed that two-thirds of the lightning ground-strike points in the developing and maturing stages of a supercell thunderstorm occurred within the region surrounding the wall cloud (a cloud feature often characteristic of a supercell updraft) and on the southern flank of the precipitation. Electrical activity in the 19 June 1980 storm was atypical in that it was a right-mover. Lightning to ground reached a peak rate of 18/min and intracloud flashes were as frequent as 176/min in the final stages of the storm's life.

Arnold, Roy T.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Adhesive evaluation of water-soluble LARC-TPI

The water-soluble polyimide, identified as TPI(MTC)/H2O, was evaluated as a high temperature thermoplastic adhesive for bonding Ti-6Al-4V and comparing those results primarily with results reported in earlier work with the polyamic-acid/diglyme material. The lap shear strength test was the primary test performed to evaluate the adhesive before (controls) and after thermal exposure in air at 204 C for up to 5000 hours and after a 72 hour water-boil exposure. Lap shear strengths were determined at RT, 177, 204, and 232 C. The adhesive was also characterized after fracture by determining the glass transition temperature as well as defining the mode of failure by visual observation. In general, the results indicate that the TPI(MTC)/H2O retains high lap shear strengths after thermal exposure but had reduced strengths after the water-boil exposure. All failures were cohesive. The TPI(MTC)/H2O compared very well with previous data reported for the standard polyamic-acid/diglyme LARC-TPI results, and therefore, shows promise as a water-soluble adhesive for use in various applications.

Progar, Donald J.↗

NASA NTRS1986

The ICQ photometric archive for P/Halley and other comets

The International Comet Quarterly (ICQ) archive is introduced. There is still no electronic (e.g., photoelectric photometers, CCDs) means for readily obtaining total visual magnitudes of comets when the coma diameters are greater than 20 arcsec and visual estimates of the total brightness are still the most abundant type of data for comets during the past 100 yr besides astrometric data. The ICQ published greater than 18,000 visual observations of comets made by 600 observers since 1940. What is available, what is accomplished thus far, and potentials and limitations inherent in the ICQ photometric data archive are discussed.

Green, Daniel W.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Atlas of Comet Halley 1910 II

With the impending return of Halley's Comet in 1986, a major effort began to collect the material obtained at its last appearance in 1910. This material displays the evolving coma and tail phenomena, and is useful for comparison with the present quantitative studies of spectroscopic and structural phenomena. Images in the atlas are arranged in chronological order by day. Days that have multiple images with varying scale are arranged in two sequences. Photographs showing tail phenomena are first, followed by photographs obtained with longer focus instruments showing the head or near-nuclear region. Drawings of Comet Halley, made from visual observations in 1835 and 1910, also are included.

Bertram Donn↗

NASA NTRS1987

Design and test of a prototype thermal bus evaporator reservoir aboard the KC-135 0-g aircraft

The Thermal Bus Zero-G Reservoir Demonstration Experiment (RDE) has currently undergone two flights on the NASA-JSC KC-135 Reduced Gravity Aircraft. The objective of the experiment, which uses a smaller version of the evaporator reservoirs being designed for the Prototype Thermal Bus for Space Station, is to demonstrate proper 0-g operation of the reservoir in terms of fluid positioning, draining, and filling. The KC-135 was chosen to provide a cost-effective and timely evaluation of 0-g design issues that would be difficult to predict analytically. A total of fifty 0-g parabolas have been flown, each providing approximately 25-30 seconds of 0-g time. While problems have been encountered, the experiment has provided valuable design data on the 0-g operation of the reservoir. This paper documents the design of the experiment; the results of both flights, based on the high-speed movies taken during the flight and the visual observations of the experimenters; and the design modifications made as a result of the first flight and planned as a result of the second flight.

Brown, Richard F.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Evaluation of transfer films of Salox M on 440C for HPOTP bearing cage applications, task 119

The objective of the task was to evaluate the suitability of a bronze-filled polytetra fluoroethylene (Salox M) as the cage material in Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) high pressure oxygen turbo pump (HPOTP) bearings. The role of the cage pocket material will be to provide a transferred lubricating interface at the ball-race contact region. A series of experiments was conducted which involved block-on-ring tests (the block was the polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) -filled material and the ring was through-hardened 440C steel) and high speed traction tests of two 440C disks with one disk rubbed with a PTFE block to generate a transfer film. Measurements included post test visual observations of the condition of the 440C, wear rate measurements of the blocks, and traction measurements between the disks. It was observed that both Salox M and glass-filled PTFE (Armalon) transferred PTFE to 440C at cryogenic temperatures. Bronze is also transferred to uncoated 440C from the Salox M. At room temperature no PTFE transfer was observed in the high speed disk tests due to severe frictional heating, although bronze transfer still occurred with the bronze-PTFE Salox M material. Since the bearing will operate at cryogenic temperature, transfer films are very probable. Salox M wore slightly, although probably tolerably, more than glass-filled PTFE against 440C. However, Salox M is clearly less abrasive to 440C than is the glass-filled material. When the surface layer of PTFE is depleted from the glass-filled material, the glass fibers tend to seriously abrade the steel. This problem does not occur with Salox M. The surface roughness studies indicate that smooth balls are quite reasonable for transfer films. No significant difference in wear rates of the candidate cage materials was observed when the 440C surface finish was increased from 0.025 micron to 0.1 micron cla. At higher levels of roughness, the wear rate increased. Two surface coatings (MoS2 and TiN) were tested. The surface coatings tended to reduce the Salox M wear rate and reduce bronze transfer. PTFE transfer at cryogenic temperatures still occurred with the surface coatings. Two cage design concepts are presented utilizing Salox M material. One design involves a metal-reinforced Salox M cage, while the second design uses Salox M inserts in a metal structure.

Barber, S. A.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Adhesive evaluation of water-soluble LARC-TPI

Progar, D. J.↗