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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 343 records · Page 19

Self-organization of the protocell was a forward process

Yockey's (1981) interpretation of information theory relative to concepts of self-organization in the origin of life is criticized on the ground that it assumes that each amino acid residue type in a given sequence is an unaided information carrier throughout evolution. It is argued that more than one amino acid residue can act as a unit information carrier, and that this was the case in prebiotic protein evolution. Forward-extrapolation should be used to study prebiotic evolution, not backward-extrapolation. Transposing the near-random internal order of modern proteins to primitive proteins, as Yockey has done, is an unsupported assumption and disagrees with the results of experimental models of the primordial type. Studies indicate that early primary information carriers in evolution were mixtures of free alpha amino acids which necessarily had the capability of sequencing themselves.

Fox, S. W.↗

Study of LANDSAT-D thematic mapper performance as applied to hydrocarbon exploration

Activities in support of thematic mapper "A'-tape analysis, field work in the Cement-Velma, Oklahoma areas, and continued interpretation and assessment of imagery of various test sites are reported. The objectives of the A-tape analysis are: (1) to examine the radiometric loss of data quality introduced by resampling to P-tape format; (2) to seek a better distriping of the image by replacing the NASA matching of radiometry to on-board calibration data with an EarthSat matching of the histograms for each of the sixteen detectors, processing separately for forward and backward scanner sweeps; and (3) to produce an image with improved appearance and improved radiometeric qualities.

Source record↗

Numerical modeling of turbulent flow in a channel

Two-dimensional incompressible turbulent flow in a channel with a backward-facing step was studied numerically by Chorin's Random Vortex Method (RVM), an algorithm capable of tracing the action of elementary turbulent eddies and their cumulative effects without imposing any restrictions upon their motions. The step occurs in one side of a channel with otherwise flat, parallel walls; its height equals 1/3, 1/4 or 1/5 the width of the channel downstream. The main objective was to investigate the behavior of the large-scale turbulent eddies in a flow and the flow characteristics in the separated shear layer, the reattached zone, and the rebuilding boundary layer after reattachment. The unsteady vorticity field and the distribution of time-averaged turbulent statistics were obtained. The effects of expansion step height and initial boundary layer state were also studied. Comparisons were made with the available experimental results. The agreement is satisfactory in the velocity profiles and in the reattachment length, and fairly good in the turbulence profiles. Also a mechanism of the development of the reattaching turbulent flow was suggested by the numerical results.

Dai, Y. W.↗

NASTRAN flutter analysis of advanced turbopropellers

An existing capability developed to conduct modal flutter analysis of tuned bladed-shrouded discs in NASTRAN was modified and applied to investigate the subsonic unstalled flutter characteristics of advanced turbopropellers. The modifications pertain to the inclusion of oscillatory modal aerodynamic loads of blades with large (backward and forward) variable sweep. The two dimensional subsonic cascade unsteady aerodynamic theory was applied in a strip theory manner with appropriate modifications for the sweep effects. Each strip is associated with a chord selected normal to any spanwise reference curve such as the blade leading edge. The stability of three operating conditions of a 10-bladed propeller is analyzed. Each of these operating conditions is iterated once to determine the flutter boundary. A 5-bladed propeller is also analyzed at one operating condition to investigate stability. Analytical results obtained are in very good agreement with those from wind tunnel tests.

Elchuri, V.↗

NASTRAN documentation for flutter analysis of advanced turbopropellers

An existing capability developed to conduct modal flutter analysis of tuned bladed-shrouded discs was modified to facilitate investigation of the subsonic unstalled flutter characteristics of advanced turbopropellers. The modifications pertain to the inclusion of oscillatory modal aerodynamic loads of blades with large (backward and forward) varying sweep.

Elchuri, V.↗

Digital computer program for generating dynamic turbofan engine models (DIGTEM)

This report describes DIGTEM, a digital computer program that simulates two spool, two-stream turbofan engines. The turbofan engine model in DIGTEM contains steady-state performance maps for all of the components and has control volumes where continuity and energy balances are maintained. Rotor dynamics and duct momentum dynamics are also included. Altogether there are 16 state variables and state equations. DIGTEM features a backward-differnce integration scheme for integrating stiff systems. It trims the model equations to match a prescribed design point by calculating correction coefficients that balance out the dynamic equations. It uses the same coefficients at off-design points and iterates to a balanced engine condition. Transients can also be run. They are generated by defining controls as a function of time (open-loop control) in a user-written subroutine (TMRSP). DIGTEM has run on the IBM 370/3033 computer using implicit integration with time steps ranging from 1.0 msec to 1.0 sec. DIGTEM is generalized in the aerothermodynamic treatment of components.

Daniele, C. J.↗

Ladder supported ring bar circuit

An improved slow wave circuit especially useful in backward wave oscillators includes a slow wave circuit in a waveguide. The slow wave circuit is comprised of rings disposed between and attached to respective stubs. The stubs are attached to opposing sidewalls of the waveguide. To the end that opposed, interacting magnetic fields will be established to provide a very high coupling impedance for the slow wave structure, axially orientated bars are connected between rings in alternate spaces and adjacent to the attachment points of stubs. Similarly, axial bars are connected between rings in the spaces which do not include bars and at points adjacent to the attachment of bars.

Kosmahl, H. G.↗

Improved finite-difference vibration analysis of pretwisted, tapered beams

An improved finite difference procedure based upon second order central differences is developed. Several difficulties encountered in earlier works with fictitious stations that arise in using second order central differences, are eliminated by developing certain recursive relations. The need for forward or backward differences at the beam boundaries or other similar procedures is eliminated in the present theory. By using this improved theory, the vibration characteristics of pretwisted and tapered blades are calculated. Results of the second order theory are compared with published theoretical and experimental results and are found to be in good agreement. The present method generally produces close lower bound solutions and shows fast convergence. Thus, extrapolation procedures that are customary with first order finite-difference methods are unnecessary. Furthermore, the computational time and effort needed for this improved method are almost the same as required for the conventional first order finite-difference approach.

Subrahmanyam, K. B.↗

Turbulent transport models for scramjet flowfields

Turbulence modeling approaches were examined from the standpoint of their capability to predict the complex flowfield features observed in scramjet combustions. Thus, for example, the accuracy of each turbulence model, with respect to the prediction of recirculating flows, was examined. It was observed that for large diameter ratio axisymmetric sudden expansion flows, a choice of turbulence model was not critical because of the domination of their flowfields by pressure forces. For low diameter ratio axisymmetric sudden expansions and planar backward-facing steps flows, where turbulent shear stresses are of greater significance, the algebraic Reynolds stress approach, modified to increase its sensitivity to streamline curvature, was found to provide the best results. Results of the study also showed that strongly swirling flows provide a stringent test of turbulence model assumptions. Thus, although flows with very high swirl are not of great practical interest, they are useful for turbulence model development. Finally, it was also noted that numerical flowfields solution techniques have a strong interrelation with turbulence models, particularly with the turbulent transport models which involve source-dominated transport equations.

Sindir, M. M.↗

Application of a fractional-step method to incompressible Navier-Stokes equation

A numerical method for computing three dimensional, time dependent incompressible flows is presented. The method is based on a fractional step, or time-splitting, scheme in conjunction with the approximate-factorization technique. The use of velocity boundary conditions for the intermediate velocity field leads to inconsistent numerical solutions. Appropriate boundary conditions for the intermediate velocity field are derived and tested. Numerical solutions for flow inside a driven cavity and over a backward-facing step are presented and compared with experimenal data and other numerical results.

Kim, J.↗

Geomorphic clues to the Martian volatile inventory: Landslides

Eight landslide locales were selected in Valles Marineris for preliminary geomorphological mapping. Four main suites of morphological features were identified. In four order outward from the head scarp they are: (1) large ridges in head area, transverse to movement direction, probably slump blocks or pieces of wall that fell or toppled, possibly backward rotated; (2) smaller ridges, convex toward distal edge of slides, many with lobate pattern, some possibly step like scarps rather than ridges; (3) thin, sheet like debris cover, forms discrete fan shaped lobe with edge scarps unconfined; and (4) low transverse, continuous ridges (possibly folds) found at distal edge of slides, where debris appears to have encountered obstructions (e.g., opposing canyon walls), but not all confined slides exhibit this feature. Any one landslide can possess all or some of these features. Slides in the western Valles Marineris are more complex and show more variety than those in the eastern part.

Pieri, D.↗

Cosmogony as an extrapolation of magnetospheric research

A theory of the origin and evolution of the Solar System which considered electromagnetic forces and plasma effects is revised in light of information supplied by space research. In situ measurements in the magnetospheres and solar wind can be extrapolated outwards in space, to interstellar clouds, and backwards in time, to the formation of the solar system. The first extrapolation leads to a revision of cloud properties essential for the early phases in the formation of stars and solar nebulae. The latter extrapolation facilitates analysis of the cosmogonic processes by extrapolation of magnetospheric phenomena. Pioneer-Voyager observations of the Saturnian rings indicate that essential parts of their structure are fossils from cosmogonic times. By using detailed information from these space missions, it is possible to reconstruct events 4 to 5 billion years ago with an accuracy of a few percent.

Alfven, H.↗

Study of double wall panels for use in propeller driven aircraft

Propeller driven aircraft have exhibited high levels of interior noise. Most absorption materials are not effective at low frequencies where maximum noise levels occur. Two panels separated by an air gap are suggested as an alternative means of noise attenuation. This design produces an impedance mismatch where a sound wave travels backwards to the source. The higher the impedance, the higher the reflected soundwave intensity. Two aluminum panels with helium in between and two panels with one being perforated were investigated. Helium increases the transmission loss because of a greater impedance mismatch than air. The transmission loss of the unperforated panel is higher throughout the frequency range tested.

Atwal, M.↗

Navier-Stokes solution on the CYBER-203 by a pseudospectral technique

A three-level, time-split, mixed spectral/finite difference method for the numerical solution of the three-dimensional, compressible Navier-Stokes equations has been developed and implemented on the Control Data Corporation (CDC) CYBER-203. This method uses a spectral representation for the flow variables in the streamwise and spanwise coordinates, and central differences in the normal direction. The five dependent variables are interleaved one horizontal plane at a time and the array of their values at the grid points of each horizontal plane is a typical vector in the computation. The code is organized so as to require, per time step, a single forward-backward pass through the entire data base. The one-and two-dimensional Fast Fourier Transforms are performed using software especially developed for the CYBER-203.

Lambiotte, J. J.↗

A hot-wire method for high-intensity turbulent flows

A measuring technique for determing instantaneous, three-dimensional velocity vectors in highly turbulent flows by means of a 4-sensor hot-wire probe is described. As is well known, the hot-wire signal received in reversing flows cannot uniquely be interpreted. This difficulty is circumvented by tracking the thermal wake of a heated wire. Whenever the approximate flow direction is indicated by a temperature-sensitive wake detector, all components of the instantaneous velocity vector are evaluated by means of a digital data reduction method. Uniqueness of the solution derived from the triple-hot-wire response equations is examined. A first application of the proposed measuring technique in the recirculating flow downstream of a backward-facing step is described.

Mueller, U. R.↗

Thematic Mapper image quality - Registration, noise, and resolution

The Landsat-4 satellite has two new imaging radiometers, including the redesigned Multispectral Scanner (MSS) and the Thematic Mapper (TM). The present investigation is concerned with an assessment of TM image quality on the basis of a study of band-to-band registration, periodic noise, and spatial resolution. In the TM images analyzed, the band-to-band registration accuracy of the instrument is very good. A few imperfections were found. Once a stable misregistration is removed, the TM should also meet its registration specifications between focal planes. Spatial resolution analyses in terms of MTF were performed in comparison modes. The forward and backward scans were shown to have virtually identical MTFs.

Wrigley, R. C.↗

Thermal emission of nonspherical particles

The thermal emission of nonspherical particles is studied by applying the fluctuation dissipation theorem to calculate the Stokes' vector source terms in radiative transfer theory. Generally, all the four Stokes' parameters in the source term are nonzero and are proportional to the absorption coefficient in the backward direction. The measurements of active and passive remote sensing are related by showing that within the framework of radiative transfer theory, the emissivity of vertically and horizontally polarized waves can be expressed in terms of the bistatic scattering coefficients in the usual manner. In addition, the emissions of the third and fourth Stokes' parameters are also expressed in terms of bistatic scattering coefficients.

Tsang, L.↗