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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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NASA NTRS1973

Lunar rocks as meteoroid detectors

About 5000 microcraters on seven lunar rocks recovered during the Apollo 12 mission have been systematically studied using a stereomicroscope. Based on comparisons with laboratory cratering experiments, at least 95 percent of all millimeter sized craters observed were formed by impacts in which the impact velocity exceeded 10 km/s. The dynamics of particle motion near the moon and the distribution of microcraters on the rocks require an extralunar origin for these impacting particles. The microcrater population on at least one side of all rocks studied was in equilibrium for millimeter sized craters; i.e., statistically, craters a few millimeters in diameter and smaller were being removed by the superposition of new craters at the same rate new craters were being formed. The population of craters on such a surface is directly related to the total population of particles impacting that surface. Crater size distribution data together with an experimentally determined relationship between the crater size and the physical parameters of the impacting particle, yield the mass distribution of interplanetary dust at 1 AU.

Hartung, J. B.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Composition dependent effects in gas chromatography

Fundamantal concepts are developed which are required to optimize a gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer chemical analysis system suitable for use on an unmanned roving vehicle for Mars exploration. Prior efforts have developed simulation models for the chromatograph which were compared with data obtained from a test facility. Representation of binary systems by superposition was shown to be a first-order approximation and in certain cases large discrepencies were noted. This subtask has as its objective generation of additional binary data and analysis of the observed nonlinear effects.

Lavoie, R. C.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Diffraction by a perfectly conducting rectangular cylinder which is illuminated by an array of line sources

The geometrical theory of diffraction (GTD) is employed to analyze the radiation from a perfectly-conducting rectangular cylinder illuminated by an array of line sources. The excitation of the cylinder by a single electric or magnetic current line source is considered first, and a solution which includes contributions from the geometrical optics rays and all singly- and doubly-diffracted rays is obtained. A new diffraction coefficient valid in the transition regions of the shadow and reflection boundaries is employed to obtain a continuous total field, except for negligible discontinuities in the doubly-diffracted field at its shadow boundaries. Patterns calculated by the GTD method are found to be in excellent agreement with those calculated from an integral equation formulation. Using superposition the solution for array or aperture excitation of the rectangular cylinder is obtained. A computer program for this solution is included.

Kouyoumjian, R. G.↗
NASA NTRS1974

A modified Newton-Raphson analysis of flight measurements of the trailing vortices of a heavy jet transport

A modified Newton-Raphson method has been used to determine the parameters in equations describing the vortex flow to obtain a best match with flight measurements of the flow behind the C-5A airplane. The flight measurements were made using a specially instrumented T-33 airplane which passed as closely as possible to the centers of the trailing vortices at several distances behind the C-5A airplane. The flight measurements were transformed to flow velocity relative to an inertial frame of reference. The assumed form of the flow consisted of the superposition of two counterrotating, finite core vortices. The positions of the vortex centers, their total circulation, the effective eddy viscosity and measurement bias were the parameters adjusted. The assumed form of vortex flow fit well the measured velocities for the numerous sets of data, both flaps up and down for the C-5A airplane. The resulting values of total circulation, however, were about two-thirds that expected of a wing with an elliptical loading. A partial explanation of the less than expected circulation is a dip in the spanwise lift distribution at the airplane's center line. The distance between the trailing vortices at the smallest times encountered is somewhat less than that expected for an elliptical wing loading.

Taylor, L. W., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Turbulent transport of heat and momentum in a boundary layer subject to deceleration, suction and variable wall temperature

The relationship between the turbulent transport of heat and momentum in an adverse pressure gradient boundary layer was studied. An experimental study was conducted of turbulent boundary layers subject to strong adverse pressure gradients with suction. Near-equilibrium flows were attained, evidenced by outer-region similarity in terms of defect temperature and defect velocity profiles. The relationship between Stanton number and enthalpy thickness was shown to be the same as for a flat plate flow both for constant wall temperature boundary conditions and for steps in wall temperature. The superposition principle used with the step-wall-temperature experimental result was shown to accurately predict the Stanton number variation for two cases of arbitrarily varying wall temperature. The Reynolds stress tensor components were measured for strong adverse pressure gradient conditions and different suction rates. Two peaks of turbulence intensity were found: one in the inner and one in the outer regions. The outer peak is shown to be displaced outward by an adverse pressure gradient and suppressed by suction.

Orlando, A. F.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Two-dimensional Gaussian processes applied to the determination of contact between lubricated rolling surfaces

The effectiveness of a lubricant film preventing metallic contact between two rolling surfaces (such as in ball bearings) as a function of surface roughness parameters was investigated. The parameters considered are the spectral moments of the two-dimensional surface obtained by superposition of the two rolling surfaces. The peak height distribution, estimation of one-dimensional profile spectral moments, and the estimation of two-dimensional surface moments from several profile measurements were considered. Also given is an asymptotic relation between the mean film thickness and contact occurrences.

Sidik, S. M.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Quasi-static extension of a tensile crack contained in a viscoelastic-plastic solid

Final stretch criterion of failure is applied to the problem of quasi-static extension of a crack embedded in an elastic-plastic or viscoelastic-plastic matrix. The slow growth under subcritical conditions in a rate-sensitive Tresca solid is shown to be a superposition of creep rupture and McClintock's ductile growth. This type of growth occurs at subcritical magnitude of the imposed K-factor and can be accounted for only through a recognition of inelastic properties of solids. In the subcritical range there is no unique value for K sub c independent of geometrical configuration and flaw size. Not only the produced states of stress and strain are dependent on the loading path, but also the material resistance to fracture turns out to be a function of the history of loading that precedes catastrophic failure. A nonlinear integro-differential equation of motion is derived for a crack progressing through a viscoelastic medium with some limited ability to plastic flow. Examples of numerical integration are given incorporating both monotonic and cyclic loading programs.

Wnuk, M. P.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Backlund transformation for solutions of the Korteweg-de Vries equation

We present a Backlund transformation operating on solutions of the Korteweg-de Vries equation. It provides a unifying approach to the theory of solitary waves (solutions). Recursive application of the transformation to any solution of the Korteweg-de Vries equation generates a hierarchy of solutions for which an algebraic recursion relation is obtained. Every such hierarchy (one of which is the known family of pure multisoliton solutions) thus admits a nonlinear superposition principle.

Wahlquist, H. D.↗
NASA NTRS1974

The global distribution of natural and man-made ionospheric electric fields at 200 kHz and 540 kHz as observed by Ogo 6

An experiment on the polar-orbiting Ogo 6 spacecraft yielded real-time analog data in several broadband channels and essentially continuous tape-recorded data from two narrow-band (200-Hz) receivers operating at 200 and 540 kHz. The results show that the worldwide distributions of signals at 200 and 540 kHz falls into a number of different categories: (1) naturally generated broadband (auroral) hiss at polar latitudes with typical 200-kHz intensities of around 0.1 microvolt per meter per Hz to the 1/2 power, maximum intensities of up to several microvolt per meter per Hz to the 1/2 power, and generally lower intensities at 540 kHz; (2) nighttime midlatitude enhancements of a few microvolts per meter, which probably result either from a superposition of signals from a number of 200- and 540-kHz stations or from interference from intense signals of much higher frequencies; (3) well-defined signal peaks associated with individual ground stations operating at 200 kHz; (4) striking signal enhancements in the conjugate region of a low-latitude 200-kHz station (Ashkhabad), suggesting propagation in the whistler mode to the opposite hemisphere; and (5) occasional signal enhancements at the magnetic equator.

Laaspere, T.↗
NASA NTRS1974

The day side mid-latitude plasma trough

Above 2500 km the electrostatic probe experiment aboard the Isis 1 satellite detects a persistent dayside midlatitude plasma trough. The superposition of measurements taken over two-week intervals at noon is used to illustrate the form and location of the quiet time trough within each season. These measurement results contrast with those observations of a less prominent dayside trough at altitudes below 2500 km. Associated with the trough above 2500 km is an electron temperature maximum of about 6000 K that is sharp at midnight and broad at noon. In spring and summer a second noontime temperature maximum often appears poleward of 70-deg invariant latitude accompanied by an enhancement in the ionization. When it is assumed that the geophysical processes producing a plasmasphere act most directly upon the light ions, one factor contributing to the distinction between the plasma trough and the equatorial plasmapause is the increasing influence of O(+) on total plasma behavior at lower altitudes. Other factors are the local processes, such as dayside F region photoionization by energetic cusp particles that produce enhancements in plasma density and electron temperature.

Miller, N.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Two-dimensional Gaussian processes applied to the determination of contact between lubricated rolling surfaces

Theoretical investigation of how effectively a lubricant film prevents metallic contact between two rolling surfaces (such as in ball bearings) as a function of surface roughness parameters. The parameters considered are the spectral moments of the two-dimensional surface obtained by superposition of the two rolling surfaces. We consider the peak height distribution, estimation of one-dimensional profile spectral moments, and the estimation of two-dimensional surface moments from several profile measurements are taken into account. Also given is an asymptotic relation between the mean film thickness and contact occurrences.

Sidik, S. M.↗
NASA NTRS1974

A study of the diffusional behavior of a two-phase metal matrix composite exposed to a high temperature environment

The progress of diffusion-controlled filament-matrix interaction in a metal matrix composite where the filaments and matrix comprise a two-phase binary alloy system was studied by mathematically modeling compositional changes resulting from prolonged elevated temperature exposure. The analysis treats a finite, diffusion-controlled, two-phase moving-interface problem by means of a variable-grid finite-difference technique. The Ni-W system was selected as an example system. Modeling was carried out for the 1000 to 1200 C temperature range for unidirectional composites containing from 6 to 40 volume percent tungsten filaments in a Ni matrix. The results are displayed to show both the change in filament diameter and matrix composition as a function of exposure time. Compositional profiles produced between first and second nearest neighbor filaments were calculated by superposition of finite-difference solutions of the diffusion equations.

Tenney, D. R.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Observations of discrete gamma ray sources with SAS-2

Compact gamma ray sources centered on the Crab nebula and the Vela X supernova remnant are considered. An excess in the galactic radiation was observed in both regions. Data indicate that a large fraction of this flux is pulsed. The excess from the Vela region could reflect either a large-scale galactic feature, such as a superposition of spiral arm segments, or it could be associated with the Vela supernova remnant. Low-energy gamma ray bursts were observed in the SAS-2 anticoincidence shielding.

Thompson, D. J.↗
NASA NTRS1975

A triangular thin shell finite element: Nonlinear analysis

Aspects of the formulation of a triangular thin shell finite element which pertain to geometrically nonlinear (small strain, finite displacement) behavior are described. The procedure for solution of the resulting nonlinear algebraic equations combines a one-step incremental (tangent stiffness) approach with one iteration in the Newton-Raphson mode. A method is presented which permits a rational estimation of step size in this procedure. Limit points are calculated by means of a superposition scheme coupled to the incremental side of the solution procedure while bifurcation points are calculated through a process of interpolation of the determinants of the tangent-stiffness matrix. Numerical results are obtained for a flat plate and two curved shell problems and are compared with alternative solutions.

Thomas, G. R.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Procedures for the design of low-pitching-moment airfoils

The pitching moment of a given airfoil is decreased by specifying appropriate modifications to its pressure distribution; by prescribing parameters in a special formula for the Theodorsen epsilon-function; and with superposition of a thickness distribution and subsequent tailoring. Advantages and disadvantages of the three methods are discussed.

Barger, R. L.↗
NASA NTRS1974

On the e-process - Its components and their neutron excesses

The pattern of abundances within the iron-abundance peak of the solar system is analyzed for various Cr, Fe, and Ni abundances, and a method is developed for finding the best fit to a given set of abundances with a chosen number of zones, i.e., mass contributions characterized by differing values of eta. This material can be synthesized by a superposition of e-process compositions in a low-eta region (eta = 0.003) and a high-eta region (eta = 0.065 -0.080) with at least 85% coming from the low-eta region. Addition of a third eta zone is unproductive. The applicability of the particle-poor freeze out is discussed in the light of these abundances, and the results of employing different numbers and types of zones are interpreted as an indication of the relative abundances themselves. Ejection of the low-eta zones is of great interest in gamma-ray astronomy and for empirical testing of theories of nucleosynthesis. The distribution of high zones should give important information about the formation of collapsed remnants.

Hainebach, K. L.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Normal-mode approach to wave propagation in the turbulent atmosphere

Recent studies have used the superposition principle (extended Huygens-Fresnel principle) to characterize completely the statistics of a field that has propagated through a thick slab of turbulent air in terms of the statistics for spherical-wave sources. In this paper, we consider the normal-mode decomposition associated with this linear system propagation model. In particular, we use the statistics of the atmospheric impulse response (Green's function) to show that the atmospheric mode decomposition exhibits far-field and near-field regimes very similar to those of free-space propagation. The significance of these results for optical communication through the atmosphere is briefly discussed.

Shapiro, J. H.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Two-dimensional radiative equilibrium of a gray medium in a plane layer bounded by gray nonisothermal walls

Radiative equilibrium temperature and surface heat flux distributions are calculated for an absorbing-emitting gray medium in an infinite plane layer bounded by gray diffuse walls with arbitrary temperature distributions. Superposition is used to obtain the solution for the differential approximation, which yields good accuracy for the optically thick medium. To also obtain accurate results for optically thin and intermediate regimes, the differential approximation is subsequently improved by a number of geometrical parameters, which are derived from the exact expression for the intensity. As an example, the case of constant temperature at the upper wall and a temperature step at the lower wall without heat generation in the medium is presented. Comparison with other available results shows excellent agreement.

Modest, M. F.↗