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At least 289 records · Page 16

The accuracy of the narrow seal approximation in analyzing radial face seals

The accuracy of the narrow seal approximation which enables closed form analytical solutions for radial face seals is examined in this paper. Both hydrostatic and hydrodynamic effects in a flat, misaligned seal are considered. Analytical results obtained from a simplified Reynolds equation, based on the neglect of circumferential pressure gradient and seal curvature, are compared with accurate results from numerical solution of the complete Reynolds equation. The agreement between the approximate and accurate solutions is quite reasonable over a wide range of a seal's inner-to-outer radius ratio. For radius ratios greater than 0.8, the accuracy of the narrow seal approximation is better than 1 percent over most of the range of angular misalignment.

Etsion, I.↗

Squeeze effects in radial face seals

Squeeze effects in a liquid lubricated radial face seal are analyzed. The analysis considers face misalignment with both axial and angular vibrations of the primary seal ring. Translational, rotational, and cross-coupled damping coefficients of the fluid film are derived analytically from a solution of the Reynolds equation utilizing the narrow seal approximation. Results are given for a wide range of practical radius ratios. At each radius ratio, the complete range of angular misalignment - from parallel faces to touch down - is covered. It is shown that squeeze effects in face seals are usually larger than the more familiar hydrodynamic effects. These effects play an important role in the seal's mechanism of operation and therefore have to be considered in any realistic seal model.

Etsion, I.↗

Influence of alignment and surface defects on the performance of X-ray telescopes

The effects of misalignment and surface deformations on the image quality of a grazing incidence telescope with six nested subsystems are investigated. The axial rms-spot size serves as a measure for the image quality. The surface deformations are simulated by ellipsoidal and sinusoidal deviations from the ideal surface. Misalignments are tilts, decenters, and despaces of the individual elements. The effects of each type of defect are analyzed in a single two-element system. The full nested system is then analyzed in the presence of all possible defects on all 12 elements, whereby the magnitude of the defects is randomized within a given upper limit.

Korsch, D.↗

Comparison of correlations of Shuttle boundary-layer transition due to distributed roughness

The transition criteria for the windward surface of the Shuttle Orbiter, which is composed of a large number of thermal protection tiles, must include the effect of distributed roughness arising from joints and possible tile misalignments. Theoretical flow-field parameters and heat-transfer distributions were used to analyze boundary-layer transition data. Data were obtained for Mach numbers from 8 to 12 over a Reynolds number range from 1.8 million to 17.6 million with surface temperatures from 0.114 to 0.435 T sub t. The transition correlations were approximately the same both for the misaligned-tile models and for the grit-roughened model. The incipient value Re sub K, tr was 15, the critical value was 85, the effective value was 190.

Bertin, J. J.↗

In-flight estimation of spacecraft attitude sensor accuracies and alignments

A simple estimator is developed for determining in flight the accuracies of vector attitude sensors. The estimator is unbiased and independent of the configuration of the sensors. In addition, the estimator requires neither an a priori estimate of sensor accuracies nor an estimate of the spacecraft attitude. A covariance analysis of the estimator is given. Data from the Magsat mission is analyzed as a example. A simple algorithm for estimating attitude sensor misalignments, which is independent of any knowledge of the spacecraft attitude, is also presented. This misalignment estimator is applied to in-flight data from the Solar Maximum Mission.

Schuster, M. D.↗

Aspects of Coulomb damping in rotors supported on hydrodynamic bearings

The paper is concerned with the effect of friction in drive couplings on the non-sychronous whirling of a shaft. A simplified model is used to demonstrate the effect of large coupling misalignments on the stability of the system. It is concluded that provided these misalignments are large enough, the system becomes totally stable provided the shaft is supported on bearings exhibiting a viscous damping capacity.

Morton, P. G.↗

Evaluation of aperture cover tank vent nozzles for the IRAS spacecraft

The influence of coefficients for the three axes of the Infrared Astronomical Satellite (IRAS) were established to determine the maximum allowable thrust difference between the two vent nozzles of the aperture cover tank low thrust vent system and their maximum misalignment. Test data generated by flow and torque measurements permitted the selection of two nozzles whose thrust differential was within the limit of the attitude control capability. Based on thrust stand data, a thrust vector misalignment was indicated that was slightly higher than permissible for the worst case, i.e., considerable degradation of the torque capacity of the attitude control system combined with venting of helium at its upper limit. The probability of destabilizing the IRAS spacecraft by activating the venting system appeared to be very low. The selection and mounting of the nozzles have satisfied all the requirements for the safe venting of helium.

Richter, R.↗

Resistance-foil strain-gage technology as applied to composite materials

A general review of existing strain-gage technologies as applied to orthotropic-composite materials is given. The specific topics addressed are gage-bonding procedures, transverse-sensitivity effects, errors due to gage misalignment, and temperature-compensation methods. The discussion is supplemented by numerical examples where appropriate. It is shown that the orthotropic behavior of composites can result in experimental error which would not be expected based on practical experience with isotropic materials. In certain cases, the transverse sensitivity of strain gages and/or slight gage misalignment can result in strain-measurement errors exceeding 50 percent.

Tuttle, M. E.↗

Light Scattered from Polished Optical Surfaces: Wings of the Point Spread Function

Random figure errors from the polishing process plus particles on the main mirrors in a telescope cause an extended point spread function (PSF) declining approximately as the inverse square of the sine of the angle from a star from about 100 micro-rad to a right angle. The decline in at least one case, and probably in general, proceeds as the inverse cube at smaller angles where the usual focal plane aperture radius is chosen. The photometric error due to misalignment by one Airy ring spacing with an aperture of n rings depends on the net variance in the figure. It is approximately 60/(n+1)(3) when using the data of Kormendy (1973). A typical value is 6 x 10 to the -5th power per ring of misalignment with n = 100 rings. The encircled power may be modulated on a time scale of hours by parts per thousand in a wavelength dependent manner due to relative humidity effects on mirror dust. The scattering according to an inverse power law is due to a random walk in aberration height caused by a multitude of facets and slope errors left by the polishing process. A deviation from such a law at grazing emergence may permit monitoring the dust effects.

Kenknight, C. E.↗

Resistance fail strain gage technology as applied to composite materials

Existing strain gage technologies as applied to orthotropic composite materials are reviewed. The bonding procedures, transverse sensitivity effects, errors due to gage misalignment, and temperature compensation methods are addressed. Numerical examples are included where appropriate. It is shown that the orthotropic behavior of composites can result in experimental error which would not be expected based on practical experience with isotropic materials. In certain cases, the transverse sensitivity of strain gages and/or slight gage misalignment can result in strain measurement errors.

Tuttle, M. E.↗

Planetary-gear-support bearing test rig design

A test rig was designed to evaluate the performance of a spherical roller bearing with a geared outer ring operating under conditions similar to those of a planet bearing in a helicopter transmission. The configuration is an extension of the widely accepted four-square gearbox arrangement. It provides for testing of two bearings simultaneously with outer ring rotation, misalignment, diametrically opposed loading through the gear teeth, and under race lubrication. Instrumentation permits the measurement of inner and outer ring temperature, bearing drag torque, degree of misalignment, outer ring speed, cage speed, and applied load.

Rosenlieb, J. W.↗

Computer program for post-flight evaluation of a launch vehicle upper-stage on-off reaction control system

This report describes a FORTRAN IV coded computer program for post-flight evaluation of a launch vehicle upper stage on-off reaction control system. Aerodynamic and thrust misalignment disturbances are computed as well as the total disturbing moments in pitch, yaw, and roll. Effective thrust misalignment angle time histories of the rocket booster motor are calculated. Disturbing moments are integrated and used to estimate the required control system total inpulse. Effective control system specific inpulse is computed for the boost and coast phases using measured control fuel useage. This method has been used for more than fifteen years for analyzing the NASA Scout launch vehicle second and third-stage reaction control system performance. The computer program is set up in FORTRAN IV for a CDC CYBER 175 system. With slight modification it can be used on other machines having a FORTRAN compiler. The program has optional CALCOMP plotting output. With this option the program requires 19K words of memory and has 786 cards. Running time on a CDC CYBER 175 system is less than three (3) seconds for a typical problem.

Knauber, R. N.↗

Longitudinal compressive failure modes in fiber composites End attachment effects on IITRI type test specimens

The end-attachment effects on longitudinal compressive strength of IITRI type specimen unidirectional fiber composites are formally assessed using finite-element analysis (FEA) in conjunction with composite mechanics. Sixteen different cases were analyzed to evaluate end-attachment effects (such as degree of misalignment, type of misalignment, progressive end-tab debonding, and specimen thickness) on stress distribution, peak stresses, buckling loads, and buckling mode shapes. The results obtained from the FEA and comparisons with fractured specimens show that eccentricities induce bending-type stresses which peak near the end-tabs and cause flexural type fracture. Also, guidelines are included for placing back-to-back strain gages to measure the presence/absence of possible end-attachment and eccentricity effects.

Chamis, C. C.↗

Design and simulation of closed-loop ground alignment of inertial platforms with sway motion

This paper is concerned with the application of optimal estimation and control concepts to the ground alignment of inertial platforms subjected to random sway motion. A seventh-order Kalman filter has been designed for estimating the platform misalignments and sway motion. Using the linear quadratic optimal regulator techniques, feedback controller gains have been designed to drive the initial misalignments to a small value. A reconfiguration of the filter controller scheme has been proposed and verified by Monte Carlo simulation for improving the speed of alignment without changing the alignment accuracy.

Vathsal, S.↗

Mechanism Connects and Disconnects Lines Remotely

Misaligned, widely separated connector halves joined, then separated when necessary, while human operator remains at distance. Remote-connection mechanism accommodates large displacements and misalignments of plug and receptacle.

Strand, Victor↗

Flexible Coupling With Centering Device

Misaligned machine shafts operating at low speeds coupled with cheap, simple mechanism made in part from wire rope. Wire rope bends to accommodate angular and lateral misalignments and dampens vibrations that accompany, or caused by, rotation of shafts.

Kerley, James↗

DSN microwave antenna holography. Part 2: Data processing and display of high-resolution effective maps

The results of a recently completed computer graphic package for the process and display of holographically recorded data into effective aperture maps are presented. The term effective maps (labelled provisional on the holograms) signifies that the maps include contributions of surface mechanical errors as well as other electromagnetic factors (phase error due to feed/subreflector misalignment, linear phase error contribution due to pointing errors, subreflector flange diffraction effects, and strut diffraction shadows). While these maps do not show the true mechanical surface errors, they nevertheless show the equivalent errors, which are effective in determining overall antenna performance. Final steps to remove electromagnetic pointing and misalignment factors are now in progress. The processing and display of high-resolution effective maps of a 64m antenna (DSS 63) are presented.

Rochblatt, D. J.↗

Spur gears: Optimal geometry, methods for generation and Tooth Contact Analysis (TCA) program

The contents of this report include the following: (1) development of optimal geometry for crowned spur gears; (2) methods for their generation; and (3) tooth contact analysis (TCA) computer programs for the analysis of meshing and bearing contact on the crowned spur gears. The method developed for synthesis is used for the determination of the optimal geometry for crowned pinion surface and is directed to reduce the sensitivity of the gears to misalignment, localize the bearing contact, and guarantee the favorable shape and low level of the transmission errors. A new method for the generation of the crowned pinion surface has been proposed. This method is based on application of the tool with a surface of revolution that slightly deviates from a regular cone surface. The tool can be used as a grinding wheel or as a shaver. The crowned pinion surface can also be generated by a generating plane whose motion is provided by an automatic grinding machine controlled by a computer. The TCA program simulates the meshing and bearing contact of the misaligned gears. The transmission errors are also determined.

Litvin, Faydor L.↗