SEARCH · Search NASA
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.
Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.
Simple gage, used with template, can help inspectors determine whether three-dimensional curved surface has correct contour. Gage was developed as aid in explosive forming of Space Shuttle emergency-escape hatch. For even greater accuracy, wedge can be made of metal and calibrated by indexing machine.
Simple method determines either inside or outside radius of cylindrical segment when full diametrical section of material is not accessible for caliper measurement or if size, condition, or maneuverability of cylinder is not amenable to use of template or comparator-type devices. Method employs standard micrometer or depth gage with ball-end rod and fixed-length baseplate. Method is more adaptable in variety of situations than are existing methods, and measurements can be obtained under conditions that may be difficult if not impossible using other methods.
When the amplitude and timing biases are removed from the GEOS-3 Sample and Hold (S&H) gates, the mean return waveforms can be excellently fitted with a theoretical template which represents the convolution of: (1) the radar point target response; (2) the range noise (jitter) in the altimeter tracking loop; (3) the sea surface height distribution; and (4) the antenna pattern as a function of the range to mean sea level. Several techniques of varying complexity to remove the effect of the tracking loop jitter in computing the wave height are considered. They include: (1) realigning the S&H gates to their actual positions with respect to mean sea level before averaging; (2) using the observed standard deviation on the altitude measurement to remove the integrated effect of the tracking loop jitter, and (3) using a look-up table to correct for the expected value of range noise. Analysis of skewness in the GEOS return waveform demonstrates the potential of a satellite radar altimeter to determine the dominant wavelength of ocean waves.
The design for the online subsystem is detailed. Input template design and processing logic for all pr, contract, and CCA forms used by the Procurement Operations Office are discussed.
Robotic vision, involving the use of a vision system to control a process, is discussed. Design and selection of active sensors employing radiation of radio waves, sound waves, and laser light, respectively, to light up unobservable features in the scene are considered, as are design and selection of passive sensors, which rely on external sources of illumination. The segmentation technique by which an image is separated into different collections of contiguous picture elements having such common characteristics as color, brightness, or texture is examined, with emphasis on the edge detection technique. The IMFEX (image feature extractor) system performing edge detection and thresholding at 30 frames/sec television frame rates is described. The template matching and discrimination approach to recognize objects are noted. Applications of robotic vision in industry for tasks too monotonous or too dangerous for the workers are mentioned.
Simple handtool helps form contours and complex shapes from laminae of resin-impregnated fabric. Tool, which consists of yoke having ballpoint pen and spindle and gage, is placed so that it straddles model. As toll is moved, pen draws constant thickness focus that is used as template.
Techniques used in the ground based observations of pulsars are described, many of them applicable in a navigation scheme. The arrival times of the pulses intercepting Earth are measured at time intervals from a few days to a few months. Low noise, wide band receivers, amplify signals intercepted by 26 m, 34, and 64 m antennas. Digital recordings of total received signal power versus time are cross correlated with the appropriate pulse template.
A model is proposed for the intermediate stages of prebiotic evolution, based on the characteristics of the adsorption and condensation of amino acids and nucleotides on the surface area of clay minerals in a fluctuating environment. Template replication and translation of adsorbed oligonucleotides and catalytic effects by peptide products on further condensation are proposed, due to specific properties of hypohydrous clay surfaces as well as the biomolecules themselves. Experimental evidence supports some of the proposed interactions, and all of them can be tested experimentally.
Vacuum holddown fixtures hold photovoltaic solar cells during assembly into array. Tab attachment fixture holds single cell and interconnecting tabs during heat-lamp soldering. Array-layout fixture has computer-scribed layout template and holds cells (with attached tabs) while being placed in position and transferred to array-interconnection fixture, which holds cells during final soldering step. Group of heat lamps on trolley passes slowly over interconnection fixture to heat cells to soldering temperature.
New and refined mesurements of the pulse period of the X-ray pulsar in the supernova remnant MSH 15-52 are presented. The data were obtained with the Monitor proportional Counter on board the HEAO 2 observatory. The period measurements were obtained by analyzing pulse arrival times determined by cross-correlating sample pulse profiles with a master template. The period history for the source and a representative 0.15 s X-ray light curve are shown. The X-ray measurements alone lead to a refined value of the period derivative of (1.5382 + or -0.0024) x 10 to the -12th s/s, while including the results of more recent radio observations leads to a value of (1.54029 + or -0.00095) x 10 to the -12th s/s. These results indicate a hard-point source surrounded by diffuse nebular emission.
Mathematical models used in the software package developed for use at the 1983 Regional Administrative Radio Conference on broadcasting satellites. The models described are those used in the Spectrum Orbit Utilization Program (SOUP) analysis. The geometric relationships necessary to model broadcasting satellite systems are discussed. Antenna models represent copolarized and cross polarized performance as functions of the off axis angle. The protection ratio is modelled as a co-channel value and a template representing systems with frequency offsets.
Methods and devices for installing in a tubular shaft multiple strain gages are disclosed with focus on a method and a device for pneumatically forcing strain gages into seated engagement with the internal surfaces of a tubular shaft in an installation of multiple strain gages in a tubular shaft. The strain gages or other electron devices are seated in a template-like component which is wrapped about a pneumatically expansible body. The component is inserted into a shaft and the body is pneumatically expanded after a suitable adhesive was applied to the surfaces.
Sensors combined with logic and memory circuitry. Cross-correlation of two inputs accomplished by transversal filter. Position of image taken to point where image and template data yield maximum value correlation function. Circuit used for controlling robots, medical-image analysis, automatic vehicle guidance, and precise pointing of scientific cameras.
Clays have been implicated in the origin of terrestrial life since the 1950's. Originally they were considered agents which aid in selecting, concentrating and promoting oligomerization of the organic monomeric substituents of cellular life forms. However, more recently, it has been suggested that minerals, with particular emphasis on clays, may have played a yet more fundamental role. It has been suggested that clays are prototypic life forms in themselves and that they served as a template which directed the self-assembly of cellular life. If the clay-life theory is to have other than conceptual credibility, clays must be shown by experiment to execute the operations of cellular life, not only individually, but also in a sufficiently concerted manner as to produce some semblance of the functional attributes of living cells. Current studies are focussed on the ability of clays to absorb, store and transfer energy under plausible prebiotic conditions and to use this energy to drive chemistry of prebiotic relevance. Conclusions of the work are applicable to the role of clays either as substrates for organic chemistry, or in fueling their own life-mimetic processes.
The underlying engineering and mathematical models as well as the computational methods used by the Spectrum Orbit Utilization Program 5 (SOUP5) analysis programs are described. Included are the algorithms used to calculate the technical parameters, and references to the technical literature. The organization, capabilities, processing sequences, and processing and data options of the SOUP5 system are described. The details of the geometric calculations are given. Also discussed are the various antenna gain algorithms; rain attenuation and depolarization calculations; calculations of transmitter power and received power flux density; channelization options, interference categories, and protection ratio calculation; generation of aggregrate interference and margins; equivalent gain calculations; and how to enter a protection ratio template.
The appendixes of the user manual are presented. Input forms which may be used to prepare data for the SOUP5V3.4 of the R2BCSAT-83 data base are given. The IBM job control language which can be used to run the SOUP5 system from a magnetic tape is described. Copies of a run using the delivered tape and IBM OS/MVS Job Control Language card deck are illustrated. Numerical limits on scenario data requests are listed. Error handling, error messages and editing procedures are also listed. Instructions as to how to enter a protection ratio template are given. And relation between PARC prameter, channelization, channel families, and interference categories are also listed.
The purpose of the ORACLE interface is to enable the DAVID program to submit queries and transactions to databases running under the ORACLE DBMS. The interface package is made up of several modules. The progress of these modules is described below. The two approaches used in implementing the interface are also discussed. Detailed discussion of the design of the templates is shown and concluding remarks are presented.
A paradigm for the specification of robotic behavior is proposed, based on a template of control and data elements replicated in a hierarchical lattice. Considerations from physiological psychology are proposed as control elements for the model. The resulting model allows freedom in implementational details within a symmetrical design, and should also provide a framework for evolving robotic behavior from relatively primitive to extremely complex. The model's implications for realizing learning capabilities in robotic systems are discussed, and its implementation and demonstration are described.