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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

Effects of space environment on composites: An analytical study of critical experimental parameters

A generalized methodology currently employed at JPL, was used to develop an analytical model for effects of high-energy electrons and interactions between electron and ultraviolet effects. Chemical kinetic concepts were applied in defining quantifiable parameters; the need for determining short-lived transient species and their concentration was demonstrated. The results demonstrates a systematic and cost-effective means of addressing the issues and show qualitative and quantitative, applicable relationships between space radiation and simulation parameters. An equally important result is identification of critical initial experiments necessary to further clarify the relationships. Topics discussed include facility and test design; rastered vs. diffuse continuous e-beam; valid acceleration level; simultaneous vs. sequential exposure to different types of radiation; and interruption of test continuity.

Gupta, A.↗

Forecast of Future Aviation Fuels. Part 1: Scenarios

A preliminary set of scenarios is described for depicting the air transport industry as it grows and changes, up to the year 2025. This provides the background for predicting the needs for future aviation fuels to meet the requirements of the industry as new basic sources, such as oil shale and coal, which are utilized to supplement petroleum. Five scenarios are written to encompass a range of futures from a serious resource-constrained economy to a continuous and optimistic economic growth. A unique feature is the choice of one immediate range scenario which is based on a serious interruption of economic growth occasioned by an energy shortfall. This is presumed to occur due to lags in starting a synfuels program.

English, J. M.↗

A catalog of jovian decameter-wave radio observations from 1957 - 1978

Data from over 200,000 hours of observation of Jupiter radio emission in the decameter-wavelength band, were collected from 13 observing sites and are available on magnetic tape. Observations were made at 14 fixed frequencies from 5 to 30 MHz. The characteristics of the tape recording technique and the data format are described. The combination of overlapping data from observing sites scattered world-wide lessens the effect of the earth's daily interruption of the ground-received signal. A power spectral analysis of the data shows no evidence of periodicities within the data other than the well-known influences of Jupiter, Io, and the earth. The dependence of the occurrence probability of emission on System 3 longitude and the phase of Io varies smoothly with frequency down to 15 MHz and then appears quite different at 10 MHz. The morphology of the radio sources is both complex and stable for periods of at least months and probably much longer.

Thieman, J. R.↗

Nitric oxide mixing ratios near the stratopause measured by a rocket-borne chemiluminescent detector

The nitric oxide mixing ratio between 43 km and 61 km was directly measured with a rocket-borne chemiluminescent detector. The ozone-generated background signal was monitored throughout the flight (in 1976) by periodically interrupting the atmospheric sample flow with a pure-N2 bias-supply gas. An error analysis of the 1976 results showed the need to correct results obtained from an earlier flight (in 1975). The corrected 1975 results are reported and compared with the 1976 results.

Horvath, J. J.↗

Contribution of tidal dissipation to lunar thermal history

Possible contributions of tidal heating to the thermal history of the moon are investigated, and conditions under which such heating would have been an important factor in the evolution of the moon are defined as precisely as possible within the bounds of the uncertainties. The tidal dissipation is defined as a function of position in the moon and of the earth-moon separation for a homogeneous incompressible moon. Results for the dissipation are given for eccentricities of zero and 0.055 as well as for the lunar obliquity as determined by the equilibrium Cassini states. Possible orbital resonances which interrupt the assumed simplified expansion of the lunar orbit are considered, along with radial variations in rigidity. The dissipation in a two-layer model moon with a molten inner core and an outer mantle with the moon's present rigidity is determined, and implications of the results for the role of tidal heating in the history of the moon are discussed.

Peale, S. J.↗

Single frequency RF powered ECG telemetry system

It has been demonstrated that a radio frequency magnetic field can be used to power implanted electronic circuitry for short range telemetry to replace batteries. A substantial reduction in implanted volume can be achieved by using only one RF tank circuit for receiving the RF power and transmitting the telemetered information. A single channel telemetry system of this type, using time sharing techniques, was developed and employed to transmit the ECG signal from Rhesus monkeys in primate chairs. The signal from the implant is received during the period when the RF powering radiation is interrupted. The ECG signal is carried by 20-microsec pulse position modulated pulses, referred to the trailing edge of the RF powering pulse. Satisfactory results have been obtained with this single frequency system. The concept and the design presented may be useful for short-range long-term implant telemetry systems.

Ko, W. H.↗

Weight control and restraint of laboratory rats

The use of restrained and confined rats in some procedures used in combustion toxicology introduces the problems of obtaining rats of the appropriate size for the apparatus, and of identifying any artifacts resulting from the use of restraint alone. Feeding studies indicate that controlled feeding of fast-growing strains such as the Sprague-Dawley can hold rat size essentially constant for significant periods of time. The undesirable aspects are the need to cage the animals individually, with resultant psychological as well as metabolic effects. Restraint studies of slow-growing strains such as the Fischer 344 indicate that denying access to food and water for periods of several hours at a time interrupts normal gain only temporarily.

Hilado, C. J.↗

Simulations of the monthly mean atmosphere for February 1976 with the GISS model

Three monthly mean simulations of the global atmosphere were computed for February 1976 with the GISS model from observed initial conditions on the first day of the month. In a replication experiment, two of these computations generated slightly different monthly mean states, apparently due to the schedule of interruptions on the computer. The root-mean-square errors of replication over the Northern Hemisphere were found to be about 2 mb, 20 m and 1 K for sea level pressure, 500 mb height and 850 mb temperature, respectively. The monthly mean 500 mb forecast results for February 1976 over the Northern Hemisphere are consistent with those from earlier GISS model experiments and again indicate some predictive skill at that level. Use of the observed monthly mean sea surface temperature (SST) field for February 1976 in place of the climatological SST field for February resulted in slightly improved simulations over the globe and Northern Hemisphere,

Spar, J.↗

Mineralogy, textures and mode of formation of a hibonite-bearing Allende inclusion

The origin of a Type A, hibonite-rich, coarse-grained inclusion is investigated with the electron microprobe and petrographic and scanning electron microscopes. The primary phases are hibonite, rhonite, Ti-Al-pyroxene, spinel, perovskite and melilite. Evidence for the crystallization of the bulk of the primary phases, hibonite and melilite, from a melt is lacking, suggesting that they may have condensed directly from a solar nebular gas instead. Primary phases were intensely altered during a later condensation event which deposited grossular, anorthite, nepheline and wollastonite in veins and cavities. Four or five condensate rims were deposited as successive layers on the outside of the inclusion. From inside to outside, they consist of perovskite + spinel, nepheline + anorthite, Ti-Al-pyroxene + diopside, hedenbergite + or - wollastonite + or - andradite and, finally, prisms of diopside and hedenbergite with wollastonite and andradite. Reverse zoning in melilite; alteration phases and rim phases, which are not stable condensates from a gas of solar composition; and details of the sequence of rim condensates all suggest that the entire condensation history of this inclusion was interrupted by changes in pressure and/or temperature and/or gas phase composition.

Allen, J. M.↗

Performance and economy of a fault-tolerant multiprocessor

The FTMP (Fault-Tolerant Multiprocessor) is one of two central aircraft fault-tolerant architectures now in the prototype phase under NASA sponsorship. The intended application of the computer includes such critical real-time tasks as 'fly-by-wire' active control and completely automatic Category III landings of commercial aircraft. The FTMP architecture is briefly described and it is shown that it is a viable solution to the multi-faceted problems of safety, speed, and cost. Three job dispatch strategies are described, and their results with respect to job-starting delay are presented. The first strategy is a simple First-Come-First-Serve (FCFS) job dispatch executive. The other two schedulers are an adaptive FCFS and an interrupt driven scheduler. Three failure modes are discussed, and the FTMP survival probability in the face of random hard failures is evaluated. It is noted that the hourly cost of operating two FTMPs in a transport aircraft can be as little as one-to-two percent of the total flight-hour cost of the aircraft.

Lala, J. H.↗

High-acceleration mass drivers

High-acceleration mass drivers are discussed including the MD2 model of axial geometry, with individually powered drive coils of 13.1 cm diameter. Timing is derived through the interruption of light beams by the moving armature (bucket). Electric power is provided by the resonant discharge of sector capacitor banks through silicon-controlled rectifiers in a two-phase, quadrature circuit. The bucket flies in vacuum, guided by passive dynamic eddy-current magnetic forces, those currents flowing in strip conductors lining the inside of a nonconducting vacuum pipe. Quantitative measurements are obtained with a solid bucket carrying two superconducting coils with a current density of 25 kA/sq cm. A cryogenic station for cooling the bucket to liquid helium temperature is connected to the vacuum pipe.

Oneill, G. K.↗

Simple circuit monitors "third wire" in ac lines

Device detects interruption of ground connection in three-wire electrical equipment and shuts off ac power to prevent shock hazard. Silicon-controlled rectifiers detect floating ground, and deenergize optoelectric relays thereby breaking power connections. Circuit could be incorporated into hand tools, appliances, and other electrical equipment.

Kojima, T. T.↗

Input/output interface module

Module detects level changes in any of its 16 inputs, transfers changes to its outputs, and generates interrupts when changes are detected. Up to four changes-in-state per line are stored for later retrieval by controlling computer. Using standard TTL logic, module fits 19-inch rack-mounted console.

Ozyazici, E. M.↗

Gas-laser power monitor

Device attaches simply to front of laser housing for continuous monitoring of power output. Monitor is calibrated to read either total output or power generated in test volume. It is fabricated from four black-anodized aluminum parts; crown glass positioned at Brewster angle reflects 0.33 percent of beam onto photodiode calibrated for electrical output proportional to laser power. Unlike conventional calorimeter, monitor does not interrupt laser beams, and fast-response diode allows instantaneous tracking of power fluctuations.

Russ, C. E., Jr.↗

Application of queueing models to multiprogrammed computer systems operating in a time-critical environment

A model of a central processor (CPU) which services background applications in the presence of time critical activity is presented. The CPU is viewed as an M/M/1 queueing system subject to periodic interrupts by deterministic, time critical process. The Laplace transform of the distribution of service times for the background applications is developed. The use of state of the art queueing models for studying the background processing capability of time critical computer systems is discussed and the results of a model validation study which support this application of queueing models are presented.

Eckhardt, D. E., Jr.↗

Study on the neuronal circuits implicated in postural tremor and hypokinesia

The effect of various tegmentary lesions at the level of the pontomesenchphalon in monkeys on motor function was observed. The importance of the monoaminergic mechanisms of the brainstem is discussed. The results also show the importance of the descending tegmentary rubral system and the rubroolivocerebellar circuit in controlling peripheral motor activity. The destruction of the sensory motor cortex proves to be a more effective way of eliminating spontaneous or harmaline induced tremor than the complete interruption of the pyramidal system on the level of the cerebral peduncle.

Poirier, L. J.↗

Solar hot water system installed at Quality Inn, Key West, Florida

The solar energy hot water system installed in the Quality Inn, Key West, Florida, which consists of four buildings is described. Three buildings are low-rise, two-story buildings containing 100 rooms. The fourth is a four-story building with 48 rooms. The solar system was designed to provide approximately 50 percent of the energy required for the domestic hot water system. The solar system consists of approximately 1400 square feet of flat plate collector, two 500 gallon storage tanks, a circulating pump, and a controller. Operation of the system was begun in April 1978, and has continued to date with only three minor interruptions for pump repair. In the first year of operation, it was determined that the use of the solar facility resulted in forty percent fuel savings.

Source record↗

A miniaturized digital telemetry system for physiological data transmission

A physiological date telemetry system, consisting basically of a portable unit and a ground base station was designed, built, and tested. The portable unit to be worn by the subject is composed of a single crystal controlled transmitter with AM transmission of digital data and narrowband FM transmission of voice; a crystal controlled FM receiver; thirteen input channels follwed by a PCM encoder (three of these channels are designed for ECG data); a calibration unit; and a transponder control system. The ground base station consists of a standard telemetry reciever, a decoder, and an FM transmitter for transmission of voice and transponder signals to the portable unit. The ground base station has complete control of power to all subsystems in the portable unit. The phase-locked loop circuit which is used to decode the data, remains in operation even when the signal from the portable unit is interrupted.

Portnoy, W. M.↗