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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 271 records · Page 15
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2001

Estimation of Aircraft Unsteady Aerodynamic Parameters from Dynamic Wind Tunnel Testing

Improved aerodynamic mathematical models, for use in aircraft simulation or flight control design, are required when representing nonlinear unsteady aerodynamics. A key limitation of conventional aerodynamic models is the inability to map frequency and amplitude dependent data into the equations of motion directly. In an effort to obtain a more general formulation of the aerodynamic model, researchers have been led to a parallel requirement for more general testing methods. Testing for a more comprehensive model can lead to a very time consuming number of tests especially if traditional single frequency harmonic testing is attempted. This paper presents an alternative to traditional single frequency forced-oscillation testing by utilizing Schroeder sweeps to efficiently obtain the frequency response of the unsteady aerodynamic model. Schroeder inputs provide signals with a flat power spectrum over a specified frequency band. For comparison, experimental results using the traditional single-frequency inputs are also considered. A method for data analysis to determine an adequate unsteady aerodynamic model is presented. Discussion of associated issues that arise during this type of analysis and comparison of results using traditional single frequency analysis are provided.

Murphy, Patrick C.↗
NASA NTRS1972

RF quantity gauging system

The modifications, calibration, and tests of the RF liquid mass gaging system, Benedix Type X1625027, are given. Also given are test methods, test results, and optimum performance of the system.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1983

A fundamental approach to the sticking of insect residues to aircraft wings

The sticking of insect residues to aircraft wings is investigated. The major topics of this review are: Experimentally tested methods, testing techniques, the effect of surface roughness height on aerodynamic drag, materials tested and, the adhesive properties of insect body fluids are reviewed.

Eiss, N. S., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Cryogenic surface distortion and hysteresis of a 50 cm diameter fused silica mirror cooled to 77 K

A 50 cm diameter, lightweight, Amersil TO8E, fused-natural-quartz mirror with a single arch cross section was tested at the NASA/Ames Research Center Cryogenic Optics Test Facility to measure cryogenic distortion and hysteresis. The mirror was cooled to 77 K in four serial tests and the mirror figure was measured with a phase-measuring interferometer. On the basis of the repeatability of room temperature and cryogenic optical measurements, it was determined that the Single Arch Mirror had no measurable hysteresis and displayed repeatable cryogenic distortion. The Cryogenic Optics Test Facility, optical and thermal test methods, test results, and measurement accuracy are described.

Young, Jeffrey A.↗
NASA NTRS2000

JANNAF 25Th Airbreathing Propulsion Subcommittee, 37Th Combustion Subcommittee and 1St Modeling and Simulation Subcommittee Joint Meeting

Contents include the following: 1. Hyper-X program: Propulsion development and verification. 2. GTX program: Airbreathing launch vehicles. 3. Hypersonic technology development: Technology program overviews. Ramjet/scramjet research. 4. Hypersonic test methods: Test medium effects. 5. Advanced propulsion: RBCC engine design and performance assessments. Advanced and combined cycle engine technology.

Fry, Ronald S.↗
NASA NTRS2006

Measuring Core/Facesheet Bond Toughness in Honeycomb Sandwich Structures

This study examines two test methods to evaluate the peel toughness of the skin to core debond of sandwich panels. The methods tested were the climbing drum (CD) peel test and the double cantilever beam (DCB) test. While the CD peel test is only intended for qualitative measurements, it is shown in this study that qualitative measurements can be performed and compare well with DCB test data. It is also shown that artificially stiffening the facesheets of a DCB specimen can cause the test to behave more like a flatwise tensile test than a peel test.

Nettles, A. T.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Standard Methods for Bolt-Bearing Testing of Textile Composites

The response of three 2-D braided materials to bolt bearing loading was evaluated using data generated by Boeing Defense and Space Group in Philadelphia, PA. Three test methods, stabilized single shear, unstabilized single shear, and double shear, were compared. In general, these textile composites were found to be sensitive to bolt bearing test methods. The stabilized single shear method yielded higher strengths than the unstabilized single shear method in all cases. The double shear test method always produced the highest strengths but these results may be somewhat misleading. It is therefore recommended that standard material comparisons be made using the stabilized single shear test method. The effects of two geometric parameters, W/D and e/D, were also studied. An evaluation of the effect of the specimen width (W) to hole diameter (D) ratio concluded that bolt bearing responses were consistent with open hole tension results. A W/D ratio of 6 or greater should be maintained. The proximity of the hole to the specimen edge significantly affected strength. In all cases, strength was improved by increasing the ratio of the distance from the hole center to the specimen edge (e) to the hole diameter (D) above 2. An e/D ratio of 3 or greater is recommended.

Portanova, M. A.↗
NASA NTRS2011

Methods and instruments for materials testing

Methods and instruments for characterizing a material, such as the properties of bone in a living human subject, using a test probe constructed for insertion into the material and a reference probe aligned with the test probe in a housing. The housing is hand held or placed so that the reference probe contacts the surface of the material under pressure applied either by hand or by the weight of the housing. The test probe is inserted into the material to indent the material while maintaining the reference probe substantially under the hand pressure or weight of the housing allowing evaluation of a property of the material related to indentation of the material by the probe. Force can be generated by a voice coil in a magnet structure to the end of which the test probe is connected and supported in the magnet structure by a flexure, opposing flexures, a linear translation stage, or a linear bearing. Optionally, a measurement unit containing the test probe and reference probe is connected to a base unit with a wireless connection, allowing in the field material testing.

Hansma, Paul↗
NASA NTRS1972

Leak decay method of helium bombardment leak testing

Method for verifying hermetic seal quality of small components is described. Procedure for using helium bombardment and examination with mass spectrometer is described. Technique eliminates errors in seal quality determination and checks quality of seals without contaminating products.

Garton, W. P.↗
NASA NTRS1983

A new method for flight test determination of propulsive efficiency and drag coefficient

A flight test method is described from which propulsive efficiency as well as parasite and induced drag coefficients can be directly determined using relatively simple instrumentation and analysis techniques. The method uses information contained in the transient response in airspeed for a small power change in level flight in addition to the usual measurement of power required for level flight. Measurements of pitch angle and longitudinal and normal acceleration are eliminated. The theoretical basis for the method, the analytical techniques used, and the results of application of the method to flight test data are presented.

Bull, G.↗
NASA NTRS1987

On sine dwell or broadband methods for modal testing

For large, complex spacecraft structural systems, the objectives of the modal test are outlined. Based on these objectives, the comparison criteria for the modal test methods, namely, the broadband excitation and the sine dwell methods are established. Using the Galileo spacecraft modal test and the Centaur G Prime upper stage vehicle modal test as examples, the relative advantages or disadvantages of each method are examined. The usefulness or shortcoming of the methods are given from a practicing engineer's view point.

Chen, Jay-Chung↗
NASA NTRS1989

Comparison of sine dwell and broadband methods for modal testing

The objectives of modal tests for large complex spacecraft structural systems are outlined. The comparison criteria for the modal test methods, namely, the broadband excitation and the sine dwell methods, are established. Using the Galileo spacecraft modal test and the Centaur G Prime upper stage vehicle modal test as examples, the relative advantage or disadvantage of each method is examined. The usefulness or shortcomings of the methods are given from a practical engineering viewpoint.

Chen, Jay-Chung↗
NASA NTRS1981

Biaxial method for in-plane shear testing

Method for obtaining uniform shear deformation yields more accurate values for material mechanical properties than uniaxial picture frame techniques. Forces applied are one-half usual magnitude, reducing transmitted force and related pin deformations. Biaxial method installs square sandwich specimen in stiff frame with pinned corners. Frictional effects are negligible, and stiffening of honeycomb core is corrected for in results.

Bush, H. G.↗
NASA NTRS2000

Modal Survey Test of the SOTV 2X3 Meter Off-Axis Inflatable Concentrator

NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center has had several projects involving inflatable space structures. Projects in solar thermal propulsion have had the most involvement, primarily inflatable concentrators. A flight project called Shooting Star Experiment initiated the first detailed design, analysis and testing effort involving an inflatable concentrator that supported a Fresnel lens. The lens was to concentrate the sun's rays to provide an extremely large heat transfer for an experimental solar propulsion engine. Since the conclusion of this experiment, research and development activities for solar propulsion at Marshall Space Flight Center have continued both in the solar propulsion engine technology as well as inflatable space structures. Experience gained in conducting modal survey tests of inflatable structures for the Shooting Star Experiment has been used by dynamic test engineers at Marshall Space Flight Center to conduct a modal survey test on a Solar Orbital Transfer Vehicle (SOTV) off-axis inflatable concentrator. This paper describes how both previously learned test methods and new test methods that address the unique test requirements for inflatable structures were used. Effects of the inherent nonlinear response of the inflatable concentrator on test methods and test results are noted as well. Nine analytical mode shapes were successfully correlated to test mode shapes. The paper concludes with several "lessons learned" applicable to future dynamics testing and shows how Marshall Space Flight Center has utilized traditional and new methods for modal survey testing of inflatable space structures.

Engberg, Robert C.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Multiple boundary condition test (MBCT) - Identification with mode shapes

The multiple boundary condition test (MBCT) approach is a ground test method to test a class of large flexible structures which cannot be ground tested by state-of-the-art test methods due to the adverse terrestrial environment. The ultimate objective of a ground test is considered to be the validation and update of a mathematical model of the structure. The research to date has indicated the MBCT does work on numerical simulations and on experimental laboratory hardware. To date only the eigenvalue has been used in the model correlation/update by inclusion of the information in the nonlinear terms resulting from the difference between the analytical and measured eigenvectors. This paper presents the results of utilizing additional information, namely the difference in the analytical and the test eigenvectors, in the validation and update of the mathematical model.

Kuo, C. P.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Transverse flexural tests as a tool for assessing damage to PMR-15 composites from isothermal aging in air at elevated temperatures

To date, the effect of thermo-oxidative aging on unidirectional composite mechanical properties has been monitored by the measurement of interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) and either three or four point longitudinal flexural strength (LFS) of the composites being tested. Both results are affected by the fiber-to-matrix bonding, the former being dependent on the shear resistance of the interface and the latter on the degree of load sharing by the fibers through the fiber/matrix interface. Recently, fiber/matrix interfacial bond strengths have been monitored using a transverse flexural strength (TFS) test method. This test method was used to evaluate the effect of fiber surface treatment on the fiber/matrix bond. The interface bonding was varied in these tests using Hercules A-fibers with three-types of surfaces that produce bonds of poor, better, and good quality. The TFS was found not only to be sensitive to the bonding, but also to the aging time of unidirectional A-fiber/PMR-15 composites. This relationship reflects the mechanism by which the PMR-15 degrades during thermal aging.

Bowles, Kenneth J.↗
NASA NTRS2016

Below Ambient and Cryogenic Thermal Testing

Methods and apparatus for the testing of below-ambient temperature thermal insulation systems have been developed based on boiloff calorimetry. Boiloff calorimetry provides a direct measure of heat flow for below-ambient temperature conditions. The effective thermal conductivity (ke) and heat flux (q) of a test specimen are calculated for a fixed environmental condition (warm boundary temperature; cold boundary temperature; ambient or vacuum pressure). Through its heat of vaporization, liquid nitrogen (LN2) serves as the energy meter. Different apparatus have been built for flat-plate, cylindrical, and pipeline test specimens. Boundary temperatures can range from 353 K down to 77 K (80 C to -196 C). By interposing different insulation layers on the cold boundary, the cryogenic boiloff method is suitable for a wide range of below-ambient temperature applications. A cylindrical apparatus, Cryostat-100, as well as the pipeline test apparatus, Cryostat-P100, are thermally guarded and directly measure absolute thermal performance in watts. Pipe insulation systems can be mechanical, double-walled, or vacuum-jacketed including materials such as foams, cellular glass, aerogel blankets, clam-shell panels, and multilayer insulation. Two test pipelines, 12-meter-long, are mounted between two cold box assemblies. The test pipeline diameter is from 25-mm to 76-mm while the maximum outside diameter including insulation is up to 204-mm. The cold pipe tester design and test methods are discussed, as well as results for select thermal insulation materials. Progress toward a comparative type, bench-top cold pipe tester (Cryostat-P200) is also discussed.

Fesmire, James E.↗