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At least 271 records · Page 15

Flight Flutter Testing of Rotary Wing Aircraft Using a Control System Oscillation Technique

A flight flutter testing technique is described in which the rotor controls are oscillated by series actuators to excite the rotor and airframe modes of interest, which are then allowed to decay. The moving block technique is then used to determine the damped frequency and damping variation with rotor speed. The method proved useful for tracking the stability of relatively well damped modes. The results of recently completed flight tests of an experimental soft-in-plane rotor are used to illustrate the technique. Included is a discussion of the application of this technique to investigation of the propeller whirl flutter stability characteristics of the NASA/Army XV-15 VTOL tilt rotor research aircraft.

Yen, J. G.↗

Evaluation of change detection techniques for monitoring coastal zone environments

The author has identified the following significant results. Four change detection techniques were designed and implemented for evaluation: (1) post classification comparison change detection, (2) delta data change detection, (3) spectral/temporal change classification, and (4) layered spectral/temporal change classification. The post classification comparison technique reliably identified areas of change and was used as the standard for qualitatively evaluating the other three techniques. The layered spectral/temporal change classification and the delta data change detection results generally agreed with the post classification comparison technique results; however, many small areas of change were not identified. Major discrepancies existed between the post classification comparison and spectral/temporal change detection results.

Weismiller, R. A.↗

A comparative study of three techniques for using the spectral matrix in wave analysis

Three techniques - power spectral analysis, coherency analysis, and wave analysis - for studying ULF waves in the magnetosphere are described. These techniques, while mathematically dissimilar, are all based on the assumption that, at any single frequency, a single plane wave, propagating along the normal to the plane, is present. Wave polarization parameters provided by these techniques are important in the development of models of wave generation. A comparative study of the three techniques was carried out using simulated data involving known wave and noise properties and real ULF event data from ATS 1 and 6.

Arthur, C. W.↗

Evaluation of change detection techniques for monitoring coastal zone environments

Development of satisfactory techniques for detecting change in coastal zone environments is required before operational monitoring procedures can be established. In an effort to meet this need a study was directed toward developing and evaluating different types of change detection techniques, based upon computer aided analysis of LANDSAT multispectral scanner (MSS) data, to monitor these environments. The Matagorda Bay estuarine system along the Texas coast was selected as the study area. Four change detection techniques were designed and implemented for evaluation: (1) post classification comparison change detection, (2) delta data change detection, (3) spectral/temporal change classification, and (4) layered spectral/temporal change classification. Each of the four techniques was used to analyze a LANDSAT MSS temporal data set to detect areas of change of the Matagorda Bay region.

Weismiller, R. A.↗

Some programming techniques for increasing program versatility and efficiency on CDC equipment

Five programming techniques used to decrease core and increase program versatility and efficiency are explained. The techniques are: (1) dynamic storage allocation, (2) automatic core-sizing and core-resizing, (3) matrix partitioning, (4) free field alphanumeric reads, and (5) incorporation of a data complex. The advantages of these techniques and the basic methods for employing them are explained and illustrated. Several actual program applications which utilize these techniques are described as examples.

Tiffany, S. H.↗

Analytical techniques for the study of some parameters of multispectral scanner systems for remote sensing

The author has identified the following significant results. The concept of average mutual information in the received spectral random process about the spectral scene was developed. Techniques amenable to implementation on a digital computer were also developed to make the required average mutual information calculations. These techniques required identification of models for the spectral response process of scenes. Stochastic modeling techniques were adapted for use. These techniques were demonstrated on empirical data from wheat and vegetation scenes.

Wiswell, E. R.↗

Aerodynamic derivatives for an oblique wing aircraft estimated from flight data by using a maximum likelihood technique

There are several practical problems in using current techniques with five degree of freedom equations to estimate the stability and control derivatives of oblique wing aircraft from flight data. A technique was developed to estimate these derivatives by separating the analysis of the longitudinal and lateral directional motion without neglecting cross coupling effects. Although previously applied to symmetrical aircraft, the technique was not expected to be adequate for oblique wing vehicles. The application of the technique to flight data from a remotely piloted oblique wing aircraft is described. The aircraft instrumentation and data processing were reviewed, with particular emphasis on the digital filtering of the data. A complete set of flight determined stability and control derivative estimates is presented and compared with predictions. The results demonstrated that the relatively simple approach developed was adequate to obtain high quality estimates of the aerodynamic derivatives of such aircraft.

Maine, R. E.↗

New technique for single-scan T1 measurements using solid echoes

A simple technique for single-scan T1 measurements in solids is proposed and analyzed for single exponential spin-lattice relaxation. In this technique, the direct spin heating caused by the sampling process is significantly reduced in comparison with conventional techniques by utilizing the 'solid echo' to refocus the magnetization. The applicability of this technique to both the solid and liquid phases is demonstrated.

Burum, D. P.↗

Materials and techniques for spacecraft static charge control 2

Results of exploratory development on the design, fabrication and testing of transparent conductive coatings, conductive bulk materials and grounding techniques for application to high resistivity spacecraft dielectric materials to obtain control of static charge buildup are presented. Deposition techniques for application of indium oxide, indium/tin oxide and other metal oxide films on Kapton, FEP Teflon, OSR and solar cell coverglasses discussed include RF and Magnetron sputtering and vapor deposition. Development, fabrication and testing of conductive glass tiles for OSR and solar cell coverglass applications is discussed. Several grounding techniques for rapid charge dissipation from the conductively coated polymer and glass dielectrics which were developed and tested in thermal cycled and electron plasma environments are described. The optical and electrical characterization and aging effects of these coatings, bulk materials and grounding techniques are reviewed as they apply to the performance of their design functions in a geosynchronous orbit environment.

Schmidt, R. E.↗

A digital scene matching technique for geometric image correction and autonomous navigation

A technique is described for precise registration of two images of the same area, taken under different conditions. The technique, called AUTO-MATCH, involves digital preprocessing of the images to extract edge contours, followed by a correlation of corresponding edge end points. The availability of an array of endpoints makes possible subpixed registration accuracy. The technique is applied to a system for assessment of geometric image quality, to be installed at NASA-Goddard. This system measures the registration vectors over an array of window pairs from LANDSAT images, so as to determine the distortion between them. Similar measurements could be used to infer relative positioning of the spacecraft. The technique is considered for updating the inertial navigation systems of missiles or aircraft. Scene matching between an image obtained aboard the vehicle and a stored reference can eliminate the drift of an inertial platform in order to demonstrate this capability in real time. A laboratory demonstration of AUTO-MATCH is described.

Tisdale, G. E.↗

Atmospheric studies and applications with infrared heterodyne detection techniques

With the advent of stable, cw infrared lasers with moderate output power capabilities in the mid 1960's came the idea of using heterodyne detection, a mature radio frequency technique, in the infrared. This technique was first applied in radar and communications applications; however, it became apparent that infrared lasers and heterodyne detection techniques would be useful in a number of atmospheric measurement applications. The level to which these techniques are being put to use in field measurements is shown using two developed flight instruments as examples.

Menzies, R. T.↗

An analysis of short pulse and dual frequency radar techniques for measuring ocean wave spectra from satellites

Scanning beam microwave radars were used to measure ocean wave directional spectra from satellites. In principle, surface wave spectral resolution in wave number can be obtained using either short pulse (SP) or dual frequency (DF) techniques; in either case, directional resolution obtains naturally as a consequence of a Bragg-like wave front matching. A four frequency moment characterization of backscatter from the near vertical using physical optics in the high frequency limit was applied to an analysis of the SP and DF measurement techniques. The intrinsic electromagnetic modulation spectrum was to the first order in wave steepness proportional to the large wave directional slope spectrum. Harmonic distortion was small and was a minimum near 10 deg incidence. NonGaussian wave statistics can have an effect comparable to that in the second order of scattering from a normally distributed sea surface. The SP technique is superior to the DF technique in terms of measurement signal to noise ratio and contrast ratio.

Jackson, F. C.↗

New technique for the direct measurement of core noise from aircraft engines

A new technique is presented for directly measuring the core noise levels from gas turbine aircraft engines. The technique requires that fluctuating pressures be measured in the far-field and at two locations within the engine core. The cross-spectra of these measurements are used to determine the levels of the far-field noise that propagated from the engine core. The technique makes it possible to measure core noise levels even when other noise sources dominate. The technique was applied to signals measured from an AVCO Lycoming YF102 turbofan engine. Core noise levels as a function of frequency and radiation angle were measured and are presented over a range of power settings.

Krejsa, E. A.↗

Analytical techniques for the analysis of stall/spin flight test data

Analytical techniques for the analysis of stall/spin flight test data are reviewed by discussing (1) certain special flight instrumentation issues, (2) the mathematical modeling techniques, and (3) the analysis of post stall and spinning flight of general aviation airplanes. The angles of attack, sideslip, roll, pitch, and yaw are derived from measurements of angular velocity and linear acceleration. The key to the success of this approach is to simultaneously estimate both the biases in the instrumentation and the initial conditions. Techniques for determining stability derivatives from flight data are applied to angles of attack too high for stabilized flight. This practice greatly expands the range over which aerodynamic characteristics can be determined from flight test. Nonlinear terms in certain aerodynamic functions are shown to be valid by comparing them with the trends of results at different angles of attack. A very old technique of studying spins is extended and applied to some modern light airplanes. Airplanes for which the wing provides the dominant moments during spins, offer the possibility of linking spin characteristics to longitudinal data.

Taylor, L. W., Jr.↗

A Dye-Tracer Technique for Experimentally Obtaining Impingement Characteristics of Arbitrary Bodies and a Method for Determining Droplet Size Distribution

A dye-tracer technique has been developed whereby the quantity of dyed water collected on a blotter-wrapped body exposed to an air stream containing a dyed-water spray cloud can be colorimetrically determined in order to obtain local collection efficiencies, total collection efficiency, and rearward extent of impingement on the body. In addition, a method has been developed whereby the impingement characteristics obtained experimentally for a body can be related to theoretical impingement data for the same body in order to determine the droplet size distribution of the impinging cloud. Several cylinders, a ribbon, and an aspirating device to measure cloud liquid-water content were used in the studies presented herein for the purpose of evaluating the dye-tracer technique. Although the experimental techniques used in the dye-tracer technique require careful control, the methods presented herein should be applicable for any wind tunnel provided the humidity of the air stream can be maintained near saturation.

VonGlahn, Uwe H.↗

Liquid drop technique for generation of organic glass and metal shells

It was found that liquid drop techniques are very useful in several diverse areas. For producing very uniform metallic, organic, inorganic and, on particular, glassy shells, the liquid jet method is the most reproducible and exceptionally useful of all the techniques studied. The technique of capillary wave synchronization of the break-up of single and multiple component jets was utilized to produce uniform sized liquid drops and solid particles, and hollow liquid and solid shells. The technique was also used to encapsulate a number of liquids in impermeable spherical shells. Highly uniform glass shells were made by generating uniform drops of glass forming materials in an aqueous solution, subsequently evaporating the water, and then fusing and blowing the remaining solids in a high temperature vertical tube furnace. Experimental results are presented and the critical problems in further research in this field are discussed.

Hendricks, C. D.↗

A Piecewise Linear State Variable Technique for Real Time Propulsion System Simulation

The emphasis on increased aircraft and propulsion control system integration and piloted simulation has created a need for higher fidelity real time dynamic propulsion models. A real time propulsion system modeling technique which satisfies this need and which provides the capabilities needed to evaluate propulsion system performance and aircraft system interaction on manned flight simulators was developed and demonstrated using flight simulator facilities at NASA Ames. A piecewise linear state variable technique is used. This technique provides the system accuracy, stability and transient response required for integrated aircraft and propulsion control system studies. The real time dynamic model includes the detail and flexibility required for the evaluation of critical control parameters and propulsion component limits over a limited flight envelope. The model contains approximately 7.0 K bytes of in-line computational code and 14.7 K of block data. It has an 8.9 ms cycle time on a Xerox Sigma 9 computer. A Pegasus-Harrier propulsion system was used as a baseline for developing the mathematical modeling and simulation technique. A hydromechanical and water injection control system was also simulated. The model was programmed for interfacing with a Harrier aircraft simulation at NASA Ames. Descriptions of the real time methodology and model capabilities are presented.

Mihaloew, J. R.↗

Flight test experience with high-alpha control system techniques on the F-14 airplane

Improved handling qualities of fighter aircraft at high angles of attack can be provided by various stability and control augmentation techniques. NASA and the U.S. Navy are conducting a joint flight demonstration of these techniques on an F-14 airplane. This paper reports on the flight test experience with a newly designed lateral-directional control system which suppresses such high angle of attack handling qualities problems as roll reversal, wing rock, and directional divergence while simultaneously improving departure/spin resistance. The technique of integrating a piloted simulation into the flight program was used extensively in this program. This technique had not been applied previously to high angle of attack testing and required the development of a valid model to simulate the test airplane at extremely high angles of attack.

Gera, J.↗