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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 37 records · Page 2

An exploratory study of a zirconium-modified, precipitation-strengthened nickel-30 copper alloy

A precipitation-strengthened alloy has been produced through minor additions of zirconium to a base Ni-30Cu alloy. The results of this exploratory study indicate that thermomechanical processing of a solution-treated Ni-30Cu-0.2Zr alloy produced a dispersion of precipitates. The precipitates have been tentatively identified as a Ni5Zr compound. Comparison of the mechanical properties, as determined by testing in air, of the Zr-modified alloy to those of a Ni-30Cu alloy reveals that the precipitation-strengthened alloy has improved tensile properties to 1200 K and improved stress-rupture properties to 1100 K. The oxidation characteristics of the modified alloy appeared to be equivalent to those of the base Ni-30Cu alloy.

Whittenberger, J. D.↗

Exploratory study of transient upstart phenomena in a three-dimensional fixed-geometry scramjet engine

The structural and thermal design of a hydrogen fueled regeneratively cooled three dimensional fixed geometry scramjet was examined. An exploratory study was conducted at Mach 5.3 in the 7-inch Mach 7 pilot tunnel to investigate the unstart phenomena and to provide the experimental data base required to predict the design pressure loads. The test results indicate that the peak pressures occurred during the transient unstart and not during steady state started or unstarted flow conditions. The local peak pressures can be conservatively predicted by normal shock wave theory as the peak approaches the pressure that would exist behind a stationary normal shock with an upstream Mach number equal to the area weighted local Mach number for the normal started condition.

Wieting, A. R.↗

An exploratory study to determine the integrated technological air transportation system ground requirements of liquid-hydrogen-fueled subsonic, long-haul civil air transports

An exploratory study was conducted to evaluate the feasibility and cost impact of implementing a liquid-hydrogen-fueled (LHz), air transport support system at Chicago-O’Hare International Airport. The study assumed an available supply of hydrogen to the airport boundary. It also assumed that the present widebody fleet at O’Hare was replaced by 400 passenger, LH2-fueled aircraft operating on the current frequency schedule and route network. The LH2 aircraft configurations used in this study were developed during a previous NASA-sponsored study. A baseline air terminal concept was developed which permitted airlines and the airport to operate JP- or LH2-fueled aircraft at common terminal gates. The concept included installation of a hydrogen liquefaction and storage facility on airport property, as well as the fuel distribution system. The capital investment and hydrogen-related operating costs to the airlines were estimated. The study concluded that the system would be technically and operationally feasible at O’Hare, and that economics would be a prime factor in future decisions regarding the use of LH2 as an air transport fuel. Research and technology recommendations were made to improve component efficiency/reliability. The study also concluded that additional investigation should be conducted on the implementation of a nationwide or worldwide LH2 air transportation system, to understand fully the operational and economic implications of the total system, before decisions could be made relative to committing to this option.

Hydrogen↗

Results from an exploratory study of airframe noise on a small-scale model of a supersonic transport concept

An exploratory study of airframe noise on a small-scale model of a supersonic transport concept was made. The model was a 0.015 scale version without landing gear of Langley's Advanced Supersonic Technology configuration concept, AST-110. Noise measurements were made at positions corresponding to directly beneath the model and at 30 deg - sideline, for both cruise and the approch flaps configurations, at velocities up to 34 m/s. In general, results showed the cruise noise to be about 3dB above the background flow noise and the approach noise to be about 11 dB above. Overall sound pressure levels and spectral shapes agreed with state of the art predictive techniques.

Preisser, J. S.↗

An Exploratory Investigation of the Effect of Plastic Coating on the Profile Drag of a Practical-Metal-Construction Sailplane Airfoil

An exploratory investigation was performed in the Langley low-turbulence pressure tunnel to determine the effect of a plastic coating on the profile drage of a practical-metal-construction sailplaine airfoil. The mode was tested with three surface configurations: (1) filled, painted, and sanded smooth; (2) rough bare metal; and (3) plastic-coated. The investigation was conducted at Reynolds numbers based on airfoil chord of 1,100,000, 2,200,000, and 3,300,000 at a constant Mach number of 0.10. The results indicate that, at all three Reynolds numbers, the order of the drag values of the three surface configurations, starting with the highest drag, was: filled, painted, and sanded smooth; rough bare metal; and plastic-coated.

Somers, D. M.↗

An exploratory survey of noise levels associated with a 100 kW wind turbine

During performance tests of a 125-foot diameter, 100 kW wind turbine at the NASA Plum Brook Station near Sandusky, Ohio, the opportunity arose to make exploratory noise measurements and results of those surveys are presented. The data include measurements as functions of distance from the turbine, and directivity angle, and cover a frequency range from 1 Hz to several kHz. Potential community impact is discussed in terms of A-weighted noise levels relative to background levels, and the infrasonic spectral content. Finally, the change in the sound power spectrum associated with a change in the rotor speed is described. The acoustic impact of this size wind turbine is judged to be minimal.

Balombin, J. R.↗

Weather analysis and interpretation procedures developed for the US/Canada wheat and barley exploratory experiment

Procedures and techniques for providing analyses of meteorological conditions at segments during the growing season were developed for the U.S./Canada Wheat and Barley Exploratory Experiment. The main product and analysis tool is the segment-level climagraph which depicts temporally meteorological variables for the current year compared with climatological normals. The variable values for the segment are estimates derived through objective analysis of values obtained at first-order station in the region. The procedures and products documented represent a baseline for future Foreign Commodity Production Forecasting experiments.

Trenchard, M. H.↗

Exploratory models of the earth's thermal regime during segregation of the core

Some simple exploratory theoretical models of the thermal effects of core segregation have been investigated, assuming an initially homogeneous earth and including convective heat transport through a 'parameterized convection' approximation. The results indicate that either (1) mantle temperatures 30% or more above present values may have resulted from the gravitational energy released during core segregation, (2) the earth retained very little of its accretional energy, (3) core segregation lasted for one billion years or more, or (4) the earth accreted heterogeneously. Option 3 seems to be precluded by terrestrial lead isotope data, and the alternatives each raise substantial questions concerning the mechanics, chemistry, and petrology of the earth's early history. There is no recognized evidence for the early hot phase of option 1, and option 4 implies, among other things, an analogous early hot phase. Although it has not been favored, option 2 may be viable.

Davies, G. F.↗

US corn and soybeans exploratory experiment

The results from the U.S. corn/soybeans exploratory experiment which was completed during FY 1980 are summarized. The experiment consisted of two parts: the classification procedures verification test and the simulated aggregation test. Evaluations of labeling, proportion estimation, and aggregation procedures are presented.

Carnes, J. G.↗

Technical summary of accomplishments made in preparation for the USSR barley exploratory experiment

The highlights of the work accomplished under each subcomponent of the U.S.S.R. Barley Pilot Experiment, which is scheduled for completion in 1984, are summarized. A significant amount of developmental system implementation activity was in the final stages of preparation prior to the rescoping of project tasks. Unpublished materials which are significant to this exploratory experiment are incorporated into the appendixes.

Chapman, G. M.↗

The 1980 US/Canada wheat and barley exploratory experiment, volume 1

The results from the U.S./Canada Wheat and Barley Exploratory Experiment which was completed during FY 1980 are presented. The results indicate that the new crop identification procedures performed well for spring small grains and that they are conductive to automation. The performance of the machine processing techniques shows a significant improvement over previously evaluated technology. However, the crop calendars will require additional development and refinements prior to integration into automated area estimation technology. The evaluation showed the integrated technology to be capable of producing accurate and consistent spring small grains proportion estimates. However, barley proportion estimation technology was not satisfactorily evaluated. The low-density segments examined were judged not to give indicative or unequivocal results. It is concluded that, generally, the spring small grains technology is ready for evaluation in a pilot experiment focusing on sensitivity analyses to a variety of agricultural and meteorological conditions representative of the global environment. It is further concluded that a strong potential exists for establishing a highly efficient technology or spring small grains.

Bizzell, R. M.↗

The 1980 US/Canada wheat and barley exploratory experiment. Volume 2: Addenda

Three study areas supporting the U.S./Canada Wheat and Barley Exploratory Experiment are discussed including an evaluation of the experiment shakedown test analyst labeling results, an evaluation of the crop proportion estimate procedure 1A component, and the evaluation of spring wheat and barley crop calendar models for the 1979 crop year.

Bizzell, R. M.↗

An exploratory study of apex fence flaps on a 74 deg delta wing

An exploratory wind tunnel investigation was performed to observe the flow field effects produced by vertically deployed apex fences on a planar 74 degree delta wing. The delta shaped fences, each comprising approximately 3.375 percent of the wing area, were affixed along the first 25 percent of the wing leading edge in symmetric as well as asymmetric (i.e., fence on one side only) arrangements. The vortex flow field was visualized at angles of attack from 0 to 20 degrees using helium bubble and oil flow techniques; upper surface pressures were also measured along spanwise rows. The results were used to construct a preliminary description of the vortex patterns and induced pressures associated with vertical apex fence deployment. The objective was to obtain an initial evaluation of the potential of apex fences as vortex devices for subsonic lift modulation as well as lateral directional control of delta wing aircraft.

Wahls, R. A.↗

Exploratory investigation of deflectable forebody strakes for high angle of attack yaw control

A deflectable strake concept was investigated on a conical forebody to evaluate its yaw control potential at high angles of attack. In exploratory low-speed tunnel tests using a generic delta wing fighter configuration, antisymmetrically deflected strakes provided useful levels of yaw power at angles of attack when the conventional rudder became totally degraded. Symmetrical strakes prevented side force development at high angles of attack, and provided pitch control through symmetrical deflection. The strake performance was sensitive to its circumferential position on the forebody due to varying interaction of strake vortices with the wing and vertical tail. The low Reynolds number results of this study provided a favorable initial validation of the concept, subject to verification in regard to scale effects.

Rao, D. M.↗