Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “continuous symmetries”

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.

At least 37 records · Page 2

Infrared, Submillimeter, and RadioAstronomy Program Astophysics Division

The object of my research for the NASA grant NAGW-4769 was to observe infrared spectra of molecular ions with special astrophysical interest in plasmas both in the laboratory and in space. Progress made during the period from September 1995 to September 1996 is summarized in the following: 1. Detection of Interstellar H3(+) The discovery of interstellar H3(+) through its mid-infrared absorption spectrum was by far the most inspiring development during this fiscal year. H3(+), the simplest stable polyatomic system, has been postulated to play the central role in the ion-neutral reaction scheme of interstellar chemistry, but its presence had not been directly observed in spite of intensive searches by several groups. 2. Observation of High Revibrational States of H3(+). The initial discovery of H3(+) in the Jovian aurora region was made through the identification of the 2(nu)(sub 2)(sup 2) approaches O overtone band indicating the population of H3(+) in high revibration state. 3. Observation of Ortho-Para H3(+) selection rules in plasma chemistry. Celection rules that relate quantum states before and ufter various processes are fascinating subject based on the symmetry argument. 4. Spectroscopy of other ions. Spectroscopy of carbocations ch3(+), CH2(+), C2H3(+) and C2H2(+) has been continued.

Oka, Takeshi↗

Scattering by spheres with nonisotropic refractive indices

Experimental scattering results using a microwave analog technique are described. Artificially constructed axially symmetric spheres with a graphite-like fine-layered composite structure and anisotropic refractive indices were employed to aid high-precision measurements of forward scattering under stable conditions (temperature, physical dimensions, electronic conditions) and to facilitate studies of the extinction and polarization of light by graphite particles in interstellar space. A theoretical approximation utilizing Mie theory for spheres with suitable orientation-dependent refractive indices is applied to account for changes in the complex forward-scattering amplitudes and phase in response to target orientation. The methods are extended to the full range of scattering angles, from the forward direction continuously to about 165 deg and at 180 deg. Agreement between experiment and prediction is close when the symmetry axis is parallel to the polarization.

Wang, R. T.↗

Asymptotic freedom in solids - A theorem

A cusp theorem is proved that relates the zero-separation value and slope of two-particle position correlation functions in quantum many-body systems with Coulombic interactions. The theorem is independent of the particle type and symmetry of the wave function. Its proof uses only the integral form of the Schroedinger equation and the continuity and exponential decay of the wave function. It is used to derive a sum rule for the electron-gas structure factor and an exact statement about the screening of point charges. Applications to atomic-orbital-based calculations for H2 and metallic H are described.

Carlsson, A. E.↗

The scaling of secondary craters

Secondary craters are common features around fresh planetary-scale primary impact craters throughout most of the Solar System. They derive from the ejection phase of crater formation, thus secondary scaling relations provide constraints on parameters affecting ejection processes. Secondary crater fields typically begin at the edge of the continuous ejecta blankets (CEB) and extend out several crater radii. Secondaries tend to have rounded rims and bilateral symmetry about an axis through the primary crater's center. Prominent secondary chains can extend inward across the CEB close to the rim. A simple method for comparing secondary crater fields was employed: averaging the diameters and ranges from the center of the primary crater of the five largest craters in a secondary crater field. While not as much information is obtained about individual crater fields by this method as in more complete secondary field mapping, it facilitates rapid comparison of many secondary fields. Also, by quantifying a few specific aspects of the secondary crater field, this method can be used to construct scaling relations for secondary craters.

Croft, Steven K.↗

Stochastic estimation of coherent structures in turbulent boundary layers

The stochastic estimation technique is described as well as its extension to two-point and space-time conditional estimates. Based on the experimental data of Guezennec (1985), a comparison is made between the stochastic estimates and the conventional ensemble averaging results. As only the normal velocity and streamwise components were measured at each point on the sampling grid, the assumption of statistical symmetry in the spanwise direction about the centerline was used and the spanwise velocity component was reconstructed by integrating the continuity equation from the centerline outward.

Guezennec, Y. G.↗

Static and dynamic characteristics of large deployable space reflectors

A linear numerical model of the structural characteristics of deployable reflectors was developed. Due to cyclic symmetry of the reflector structure about its axis, only one of many segments is modeled using finite elements. The succeeding segments satisfy continuity of displacement and slope at the interface between consecutive segments. This process leads to (N/2+1) static or dynamic problems of smaller order and bandwidth where N is the number of segments. The solution of each reduced problem leads to motions having a distinct circumferential wave number. The dynamic coupling to the feed support structure is studied adopting modal synthesis.

El-Raheb, M.↗

Stratospheric circulation in the southern summer/northern winter 1980-81 - Behavior of zonal waves 1-10

Daily global grids of high quality, satellite-borne microwave measurements have been used to study the behavior of stratospheric waves during November 1980-March 1981. The primary motivation was to investigate, by comparing with earlier analyses, the interannual variation of recently reported medium-scale wave domination of Southern Hemisphere (SH) summer circulation. Zonal means, as well as time-mean and transient zonal waves 1-10, are studied. In addition, space-time spectra are determined from the 138-day record. Prominent medium-scale features are found to occur in 1980-81, although wave 4 is strongest, in contrast to the Global Weather Experiment period (1978-79), when wave 5 dominated the SH summer circulation. The same highly continuous, regular eastward phase movement of SH medium-scale waves is found in 1980-81 as in 1978-79. A second noteworthy observation is that of strong, time-mean waves 3-4 with symmetry about the equator, with positive temperature perturbations over the western Pacific and Atlantic equatorial regions, and negative anomalies over South America, Africa, and Indonesia. Confidence in the SH spectral results is enhanced by good agreement between our Northern Hemisphere (NH) medium-scale analyses and recent geopotential height studies by other investigators. These results serve to bring into sharper focus the question of why, in contrast with the more wellknown NH, the SH circulation evidences such robust and highly continuous medium-scale eddies in summer.

Yu, W.-B.↗

Periodic orbits in the Planar General Three-Body Problem

The article contains a numerical study of periodic solutions of the Planar General Three-Body Problem. Several new periodic solutions have been discovered and are described. In particular, there is a continuous family with variable masses, extending all the way from the elliptic restricted problem to the general problem with three equal masses. All our examples have special symmetry properties which are described in detail. Finally we also suggest some important applications to the natural satellites of the solar system.

Broucke, R.↗

On the solution topologies of polytropic winds

Steady polytropic wind flows are studied by examining their solution topologies. The problem of whether the degeneracy of the continuous and standing shocked solutions in the isothermal case persist in the more general case of a polytropic expanding atmosphere is addressed. The effects of departures from spherical symmetry and nonthermal momentum addition are considered within the context of the new class of magnetospheric models proposed by Low and Tsinganos (1985). The flow near the boundary of a polar coronal hole is considered for the specific case of a magnetosphere in which this boundary asymptotically approaches the equator at large heliocentric distances.

Bailyn, C.↗

Comparison of four stable numerical methods for Abel's integral equation

The 3-D image reconstruction from cone-beam projections in computerized tomography leads naturally, in the case of radial symmetry, to the study of Abel-type integral equations. If the experimental information is obtained from measured data, on a discrete set of points, special methods are needed in order to restore continuity with respect to the data. A new combined Regularized-Adjoint-Conjugate Gradient algorithm, together with two different implementations of the Mollification Method (one based on a data filtering technique and the other on the mollification of the kernal function) and a regularization by truncation method (initially proposed for 2-D ray sample schemes and more recently extended to 3-D cone-beam image reconstruction) are extensively tested and compared for accuracy and numerical stability as functions of the level of noise in the data.

Murio, Diego A.↗

General design method for three-dimensional potential flow fields. 1: Theory

A general design method was developed for steady, three dimensional, potential, incompressible or subsonic-compressible flow. In this design method, the flow field, including the shape of its boundary, was determined for arbitrarily specified, continuous distributions of velocity as a function of arc length along the boundary streamlines. The method applied to the design of both internal and external flow fields, including, in both cases, fields with planar symmetry. The analytic problems associated with stagnation points, closure of bodies in external flow fields, and prediction of turning angles in three dimensional ducts were reviewed.

Stanitz, J. D.↗

The computational treatment of supersonic wake flows in INCOREL

Supersonic wake flows are computed in both conical and three-dimensional full potential flows by modeling the wake as a planar cut with a potential discontinuity. Continuity of pressure is satisfied exactly on the wake cut by computing the necessary potential jump at each wake cut grid point. In the conical wake problem, the jump in potential vanishes in the crossflow symmetry plane. Generally, good correlation is achieved for fully three-dimensional wake flows with the planar wake approximation. Matching pressures in the isolated wake flow leads to small variations in the spanwise jump in potential. On the other hand, a small variation in the jump in potential near the wing tip flow can lead to a significant loading in the wake flow if the pressures are not matched.

Siclari, M. J.↗

Ranger and other impact craters photographed by Apollo 16, part J

The Apollo 16 crew photographed an unusual variety of impact craters, including the two craters produced by the impacts of Ranger 7 and 9 spacecraft, small craters produced by boulders as they bounced downslope, craters with marked bilateral symmetry, and primary craters with a wide range of morphologies and sizes. Ranger impact craters and examples of other craters are briefly discussed. This photography has supplied important new data on craters in the lunar surface. Continued study of these craters and use of the metrical capabilities of the metric and panoramic camera photography will yield additional scientific results on lunar craters.

Moore, H. J.↗

Mechanical properties of composite materials

A composite material incorporates high strength, high modulus fibers in a matrix (polymer, metal, or ceramic). The fibers may be oriented in a manner to give varying in-plane properties (longitudinal, transverse-stress, strain, and modulus of elasticity). The lay-up of the composite laminates is such that a center line of symmetry and no bending moment exist through the thickness. The laminates are tabbed, with either aluminum or fiberglass, and are ready for tensile testing. The determination of the tensile properties of resin matrix composites, reinforced by continuous fibers, is outlined in ASTM standard D 3039, Tensile Properties of Oriented Fiber Composites. The tabbed flat tensile coupons are placed into the grips of a tensile machine and load-deformation curves plotted. The load-deformation data are translated into stress-strain curves for determination of mechanical properties (ultimate tensile strength and modulus of elasticity).

Thornton, H. Richard↗

Theoretical Calculation of the Power Spectra of the Rolling and Yawing Moments on a Wing in Random Turbulence

The correlation functions and power spectra of the rolling and yawing moments on an airplane wing due to the three components of continuous random turbulence are calculated. The rolling moments to the longitudinal (horizontal) and normal (vertical) components depend on the spanwise distributions of instantaneous gust intensity, which are taken into account by using the inherent properties of symmetry of isotropic turbulence. The results consist of expressions for correlation functions or spectra of the rolling moment in terms of the point correlation functions of the two components of turbulence. Specific numerical calculations are made for a pair of correlation functions given by simple analytic expressions which fit available experimental data quite well. Calculations are made for four lift distributions. Comparison is made with the results of previous analyses which assumed random turbulence along the flight path and linear variations of gust velocity across the span.

Eggleston, John M↗

Transfer matrix approach to layered systems with axial symmetry

The stress and displacement distribution in a layered medium is found by means of transfer matrices. The surface loading exhibits axial symmetry, and each layer is of infinite extent in the horizontal direction, of constant depth, and is considered to be linearly elastic, homogeneous, and isotropic. The method developed has the built-in advantage of enforcing interface continuity conditions automatically. Its application to layered composites shows the flexibility with which it predicts the local as well as the global response of the medium.

Bahar, L. Y.↗

SSME structural dynamic model development, phase 2

A set of test correlated mathematical models of the SSME High Pressure Oxygen Turbopump (HPOTP) housing and rotor assembly was produced. New analysis methods within the EISI/EAL and SPAR systems were investigated and runstreams for future use were developed. The LOX pump models have undergone extensive modification since the first phase of this effort was completed. The rotor assembly from the original model was abandoned and a new, more detailed model constructed. A description of the new rotor math model is presented. Also, the pump housing model was continually modified as additional test data have become available. This model is documented along with measured test results. Many of the more advanced features of the EAL/SPAR finite element analysis system were exercised. These included the cyclic symmetry option, the macro-element procedures, and the fluid analysis capability. In addition, a new tool was developed that allows an automated analysis of a disjoint structure in terms of its component modes. A complete description of the implementation of the Craig-Bampton method is given along with two worked examples.

Foley, M. J.↗

Fast simulation techniques for switching converters

Techniques for simulating a switching converter are examined. The state equations for the equivalent circuits, which represent the switching converter, are presented and explained. The uses of the Newton-Raphson iteration, low ripple approximation, half-cycle symmetry, and discrete time equations to compute the interval durations are described. An example is presented in which these methods are illustrated by applying them to a parallel-loaded resonant inverter with three equivalent circuits for its continuous mode of operation.

King, Roger J.↗