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At least 343 records · Page 19

MINIVER upgrade for the AVID system. Volume 1: LANMIN user's manual

The successful design of thermal protection systems for vehicles operating in atmosphere and near space environments requires accurate analyses of heating rate and temperature histories encountered along a trajectory. For preliminary design calculations, however, the requirement for accuracy must be tempered by the need for speed and versatility in computational tools used to determine thermal environments and structural thermal response. The MINIVER program has been found to provide the proper balance between versatility, speed and accuracy for an aerothermal prediction tool. The advancement in computer aided design concepts at Langley Research Center (LaRC) in the past few years has made it desirable to incorporate the MINIVER program into the LaRC Advanced Vehicle Integrated Design, AVID, system. In order to effectively incorporate MINIVER into the AVID system, several changes to MINIVER were made. The thermal conduction options in MINIVER were removed and a new Explicit Interactive Thermal Structures (EXITS) code was developed. Many upgrades to the MINIVER code were made and a new Langley version of MINIVER called LANMIN was created. The theoretical methods and subroutine functions used in LANMIN are described.

Engel, C. D.↗

MINIVER upgrade for the AVID system. Volume 3: EXITS user's and input guide

The successful design of thermal protection systems for vehicles operating in atmosphere and near-space environments requires accurate analyses of heating rate and temperature histories encountered along a trajectory. For preliminary design calculations, however, the requirement for accuracy must be tempered by the need for speed and versatility in computational tools used to determine thermal environments and structural thermal response. The MINIVER program was found to provide the proper balance between versatility, speed and accuracy for an aerothermal prediction tool. The advancement in computer aided design concepts at Langley Research Center (LaRC) in the past few years has made it desirable to incorporate the MINIVER program into the LaRC Advanced Vehicle Integrated Design, AVID, system. In order to effectively incorporate MINIVER into the AVID system, several changes to MINIVER were made. The thermal conduction options in MINIVER were removed and a new Explicit Interactive Thermal Structures (EXITS) code was developed. Many upgrades to the MINIVER code were made and a new Langley version of MINIVER called LANMIN was created.

Pond, J. E.↗

A study of space station needs, attributes and architectural options. Volume 2: Technical. Book 1: Mission requirements. Appendixes 1 and 2

The space station mission requirements data base consists of 149 attached and free-flying missions each of which is documented by a set of three interrelated documents: (1) NASA LaRC Data Sheets - with three sheets comprising a set for each payload element described. These sheets contain user payload element data necessary to drive Space Station architectural options. (2) GDC-derived operations descriptions that supplement the LaRC payload element data in the operations areas such as further descriptions of crew involvement, EVA, etc. (3) Payload elements synthesis sheets used by GDC to provide requirements traceability to data sources and to provide a narrative describing the basis for formulating the payload element requirements.

Source record↗

SMP: A solid modeling program

A prototype solid modeling program, SMP, developed by CSC for Langley Research Center (LaRC) is documented in this paper. The SMP software is employed by the System and Experiments Branch (SEB) of the Space Systems Division (SSD) for preliminary space station design, but is intended as a general purpose tool. The SMP document provides details concerning: the basic geometric modeling primitives and associated operators, the data representation scheme utilized to structure the geometric model, the available commands for both editing and displaying the solid model, the interactive user interface and the input/output interfaces to external software, and the utility of the package in the LaRC computing environment. The document is sufficiently detailed to serve both as a user's guide and reference manual.

Randall, D. P.↗

STPI/LARC: A 200 deg C polyimide adhesive

A copolyimide, STPI/LARC, was prepared from the reaction of 3,3'4'benzophenonetetracarboxylic dianhydride (BTDA), equimolar quantities of m-phenylenediamine and 4,4'-oxydianiline, and a small amount of phthalic anhydride to control the molecular weight. The processability and adhesive properties of STPI/LARC were compared to those of a commercially available form of LARC-TPI. LARC-TPI, a thermoplastic polyimide, from the reaction of BTDA and 3,3'-diaminobenzophenone, had previously shown promise as a high temperature structural adhesive. Lap shear specimens were fabricated using adhesive tape prepared from each of the two polymers. Lap shear tests were performed at room temperature, 177 C, and 204 C before and after exposure to a 72-hour water-boil and to aging at 204 C.

Progar, D. J.↗

Cooperative control - The interface challenge for men and automated machines

The research issues associated with the increasing autonomy and independence of machines and their evolving relationships to human beings are explored. The research, conducted by Langley Research Center (LaRC), will produce a new social work order in which the complementary attributes of robots and human beings, which include robots' greater strength and precision and humans' greater physical and intellectual dexterity, are necessary for systems of cooperation. Attention is given to the tools for performing the research, including the Intelligent Systems Research Laboratory (ISRL) and industrial manipulators, as well as to the research approaches taken by the Automation Technology Branch (ATB) of LaRC to achieve high automation levels. The ATB is focusing on artificial intelligence research through DAISIE, a system which tends to organize its environment into hierarchical controller/planner abstractions.

Hankins, W. W., III↗

Explosive Tube-to-fitting Joining of Small-diameter Tubes

An effort is currently under way by NASA Marshall Space Flight Center to upgrade the space shuttle main engine through the use of improved materials and processes. Under consideration is the use of the Langley Research Center explosive seam welding process. The objective is to demonstrate the feasibility of joining space shuttle main engine tube to fitting components in an oxygen heat exchanger, using the NASA LaRC explosive seam welding process. It was concluded that LaRC explosive joining is viable for this application; that there is no incompatability of materials; that ultrasonic inspection is the best nondestructive testing method; and that the .500 DIA joint experiences interface problems.

Bement, L. J.↗

Characterization of Polyimide Matrix Resins and Prepregs

Graphite/polyimide composite materials are attractive candidates for a wide range of aerospace applications. They have many of the virtues of graphite/epoxies, i.e., high specific strengths and stiffness, and also outstanding thermal/oxidative stability. Yet they are not widely used in the aerospace industry due to problems of procesability. By their nature, modern addition polyimide (PI) resins and prepregs are more complex than epoxies; the key to processing lies in characterizing and understanding the materials. Chemical and rheological characterizations are carried out on several addition polyimide resins and graphite reinforced prepregs, including those based on PMR-15, LARC 160 (AP 22), LARC 160 (Curithane 103) and V378A. The use of a high range torque transducer with a Rheometrics mechanical spectrometer allows rheological data to be generated on prepreg materials as well as neat resins. The use of prepreg samples instead of neat resins eliminates the need for preimidization of the samples and the data correlates well with processing behavior found in the shop. Rheological characterization of the resins and prepregs finds significant differences not readily detected by conventional chemical characterization techniques.

Maximovich, M. G.↗

Magnetic tape user guide

This User Guide provides a general introduction to the structure, use, and handling of magnetic tapes at Langley Research Center (LaRC). The topics covered are tape terminology, physical characteristics, error prevention and detection, and creating, using, and maintaining tapes. Supplementary documentation is referenced where it might be helpful. The documentation is included for the tape utility programs, BLOCK, UNBLOCK, and TAPEDMP, which are available at the Central Scientific Computing Complex at LaRC.

Evans, A. B.↗

CID-720 aircraft Langley Research Center preflight hardware tests: Development, flight acceptance and qualification

The testing conducted on LaRC-developed hardware for the controlled impact demonstration transport aircraft is discussed. To properly develop flight qualified crash systems, two environments were considered: the aircraft flight environment with the focus on vibration and temperature effects, and the crash environment with the long pulse shock effects. Also with the large quantity of fuel in the wing tanks the possibility of fire was considered to be a threat to data retrieval and thus fire tests were included in the development test process. The aircraft test successfully demonstrated the performance of the LaRC developed heat shields. Good telemetered data (S-band) was received during the impact and slide-out phase, and even after the aircraft came to rest. The two onboard DAS tape recorders were protected from the intense fire and high quality tape data was recovered. The complete photographic system performed as planned throughout the 40.0 sec of film supply. The four photo power distribution pallets remained in good condition and all ten onboard 16 mm high speed (400 frames/sec) cameras produced good film data.

Pride, J. D.↗

Evaluation of high temperature structural adhesives for extended service

The preliminary evaluation of crosslinked polyphenyl quinoxaline (X-PPQ), LARC-TPI, ethyl terminated polysulfone (ETPS), and crosslinked polyimide (X-PI) as adhesives is presented. Lap shear strength stability under thermal, combined thermal/humidity, and stressed and unstressed Skydrol exposure was determined. The X-PPQ, LARC-TPI, and X-PI exhibited good adhesive performance at 505K (450 F) after 1000 hours at 505K. These three polymers also performed well after exposure to combined elevated temperature/high humidity, as well as, to Skydrol while under stress. The ETPS exhibited good ambient temperature adhesive properties, but performed poorly under all other exposure conditions, presumably due to inadequate chain extension and crosslinking.

Hendricks, C. L.↗

Considerations in the design and development of a space station scale model

Preliminary work at Langley Research Center (LaRC) related to the design, analysis and testing of a space station scale model is reviewed. Included are some rationale for focusing the scale model program on space station and the utilization of the model to achieve the program objectives. In addition, some considerations involved in designing a dynamics scale model, such as ground test facilities, sub-scale component fabrication and model replication vs. simulation are presented. Finally, some related research areas currently ongoing at LaRC in support of scale model development are discussed.

Mcgowan, Paul E.↗

Initial adhesive screening of novel polyamide-imides and their copolymers

Continued interest by the research community in thermally stable, tough, high temperature adhesives has resulted in the investigation by Langley Research Center of two linear aromatic polyamide-imide (PAI) homopolymers and two linear aromatic PAI copolymers. The homopolymers were made with either 3,3'=DABA or 4,4'-DABA and BTDA. The two polymers were prepared with a monomer ratio of 0.75 DABP:0.25 DABA:1.00 BTDA. These aromatic PAIs possess high thermal stability because of intermolecular hydrogen bonding and chain stiffness. Lap shear strength (LSS) was the main criteria used to evaluate the polymers as adhesives. LSS of bonded Ti-6Al-4V was determined at room temperature (RT), 177, 204 and 232 C. The glass transition temperature and the type of bond failure were also determined. The best LSS values of the four adhesive systems investigated were obtained with the PAI copolymer identified in the report as LARC-TPI (25 percent 3,3'-DABA); however, it did not produce LSSs nearly as high as LARC-TPI. The poor flow properties observed appear to be due to a combination of high molecular weight and the increased interchain electronic interactions associated with the amide group.

Donald J Progar↗

High temperature polyimide blends

In a continuing effort to synthesize polymers that are readily processable and that exhibit state-of-the-art characteristics, LARC-TPI (Mitsui) and polyimidesulfone (PISO2) were blended and subjected to a limited melt flow and thermal properties characterization. Mitsui Toatsu of Japan, working under a licensing agreement with NASA, synthesized an imidized version of LARC-TPI molding powder that exhibited an extraordinarily high level of softening when heated to 300 C. Subsequently, a study of the calorimetric and rheological properties was accomplished by NASA-Langley on that material. The thermoplastic polyimidesulfone that possesses processability similar to polysulfones and the solvent resistance of the polyimides was synthesized and characterized at NASA-Langley in the early 1980's.

Burks, Harold D.↗

Investigation of a moving-model technique for measuring ground effect

A ground-based testing technique is under development for the measurement of dynamic or time-dependent ground effects which may be present during aircraft approach and landing. The technique utilizes a model moving horizontally over an upwardly-inclined ground plane to simulate rate of descent. Results were obtained in the Langley Research Center (LaRC) Vortex Research Facility (VRF) for a generic 60 delta wing and for an F-18 configuration, both with and without thrust reversing, at forward speeds up to 100 ft/sec. These same models and support hardware were also tested in the LaRC 14 by 22 Foot Subsonic Tunnel at identical conditions (but without rate of descent) with and without a moving-belt ground plane to obtain data for comparison.

Kemmerly, Guy T.↗

Overview of Dynamics Integration Research (DIR) program at Langley Research Center

Research goals and objectives for an ongoing activity at Langley Research Center (LaRC) are described. The activity is aimed principally at dynamics optimization for aircraft. The effort involves active participation by the Flight Systems, Structures, and Electronics directorates at LaRC. The Functional Integration Technology (FIT) team has been pursuing related goals since 1985. A prime goal has been the integration and optimization of vehicle dynamics through collaboration at the basic principles or equation level. Some significant technical progress has been accomplished since then and is reflected here. An augmentation for this activity, Dynamics Integration Research (DIR), has been proposed to NASA Headquarters and is being considered for funding in FY 1990 or FY 1991.

Sliwa, Steven M.↗

Polyimide Matrix composites: Polyimidesulfone/LARC-TPI (1:1) blend

Polyimide matrix composites were fabricated from unidirectional unsized AS-4 carbon fiber and a doped 1:1 blend of two polyimides: benzophenone dianhydride-3,3'-diamino diphenylsulfone (PISO2) and benzophenone dianhydride-3,3'-diamino benzophenone (LARC-TPI). To enhance melt flow properties, the molecular weight of the PISO2 was controlled by end-capping with phthalic anhydride and addition of 5 percent by weight p-phenylene diamine-phthalic anhydride bisamic acid dopant. Prepreg was drum-wound using a diglyme slurry comprised of the soluble polyamideacid of PISO2, the soluble bisamideacid of the dopant, and the insoluble imidized LARC-TPI powder. Melt flow studies with a rotary rheometer and parallel plate plastometer on neat resin and prepreg helped develop an optimum cure cycle. Composite mechanical properties at room and elevated temperatures, dry and moisture-saturated, were evaluated, including short beam shear strength and flexure, tensile, shear, and compression properties. Two 18 in. x 24 in. skin-stringer panels were fabricated, one of which was tested in compression to failure.

Johnston, Norman J.↗

Adhesive properties of a semi-crystalline polyimide

Adhesive and film properties of a new semi-crystalline polyimide, designated LARC-CPI, having a glass transition temperature of 222 C and a crystalline melt temperature of 350 C are presented. The films exhibited excellent resistance to solvents and strong base. Compact tension specimens from LARC-CPI moldings displayed a fracture energy of 37.8 lb/sq in. Titanium tensile shear specimens gave strengths of 6250 psi initially at 25 C, 7120 psi at 25 C after 1000 hours at 232 C, 2800 psi at 232 C after annealing for 5 hours at 300 C, and 3670 psi at 232 C after 100 hours at 316 C in air.

Hergenrother, P. M.↗