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At least 379 records · Page 21

An evaluation of several different classification schemes - Their parameters and performance

The overall objective of this study was to apply and evaluate several of the currently available classification schemes for crop identification. The approaches examined were: (1) a per point Gaussian maximum likelihood classifier, (2) a per point sum of normal densities classifier, (3) a per point linear classifier, (4) a per point Gaussian maximum likelihood decision tree classifier, and (5) a texture sensitive per field Gaussian maximum likelihood classifier. Three agricultural data sets were used in the study: areas from Fayette County, Illinois, and Pottawattamie and Shelby Counties in Iowa. The segments were located in two distinct regions of the Corn Belt to sample variability in soils, climate, and agricultural practices.

Scholz, D.↗

Forebody and base region real-gas flow in severe planetary entry by a factored implicit numerical method. I - Computational fluid dynamics

A new code for the simulation of full (forebody and base region) flowfields about bluff bodies in the hypersonic regime of severe planetary entry is described. The present 'maximally conservative, maximally differenced' formulation of the unsteady compressible Navier-Stokes equations for 2-D axisymmetric 3-D flow is contrasted for stability with previous formulations of Viviand, Kutler, et al, and Thomas and Lombard. Discrete metric relations peculiar to the axisymmetric finite volume formulation are presented along with a general discussion of their relations to and consequences of failure to close computational cells. A computational mesh of curvilinear coordinate topology singular in the flow regime is presented that permits aligned capturing of the major physical features of the complex flowfield.

Lombard, C. K.↗

On the simultaneous analysis of several complete samples - The V/Vmax and Ve/Va variables, with applications to quasars

Methods are derived for applying the V/Vmax variable when several complete samples are analyzed simultaneously. A new, related, variable, V(e)/V(a), which is superior to V/Vmax when sufficient observational data are available, is introduced. It is shown how statistically independent complete samples can be generated from partially overlapping samples such that each observed object appears only once in the analysis. These methods make it possible to combine the information from different complete samples, and to make an efficient use of all available data. Illustrative examples for quasars are given. It is shown how the generalized V/Vmax and V(e)/V(a) can be used to find the amount of cosmological evolution of quasars and its associated range of uncertainty.

Avni, Y.↗

Comparison of several inflow control devices for flight simulation of fan tone noise using a JT15D-1 engine

The paper describes the tests of four devices intended to reduce inflow disturbances and turbulences using a JT15D-1 turbofan engine. The tests were made to simulate the in-flight fan tone noise; the inflow control devices (ICD's) consisted of honeycomb/screen structures mounted over the engine inlet. The ICD's ranged from 1.6 to 4 fan diameters in size, and were made with several fabrication methods. All the ICD's significantly reduced the BPF tone in the far-field directivity patterns, but the smallest ICD's introduced propagating modes which could be recognized by additional lobes in the patterns. The JT15D-1 engine had a tone source which generated a strong propagating mode at fan speeds corresponding to 'approach' power and higher. Data from a typical transducer showed that the unsteady inflow distortion modes were eliminated or reduced when either of the ICD's was installed.

Mcardie, J. G.↗

Moisture convergence using satellite-derived wind fields - A severe local storm case study

Five-minute interval 1-km resolution SMS visible channel data were used to derive low-level wind fields by tracking small cumulus clouds on NASA's Atmospheric and Oceanographic Information Processing System. The satellite-derived wind fields were combined with surface mixing ratios to derive horizontal moisture convergence in the prestorm environment of April 24, 1975. Storms began developing in an area extending from southwest Oklahoma to eastern Tennessee 2 h subsequent to the time of the derived fields. The maximum moisture convergence was computed to be 0.0022 g/kg per sec and areas of low-level convergence of moisture were in general indicative of regions of severe storm genesis. The resultant moisture convergence fields derived from two wind sets 20 min apart were spatially consistent and reflected the mesoscale forcing of ensuing storm development. Results are discussed with regard to possible limitations in quantifying the relationship between low-level flow and between low-level flow and satellite-derived cumulus motion in an antecedent storm environment.

Negri, A. J.↗

Wallops severe storms measurement capability

Some of the instrumentation system used in support of NASA'S Storm Hazards Program are described. These systems include the Radar Atmospheric Research Facility (RARF) with its Space Range Radar and a near real time display from the National Weather Service WSR-57 radar, a lightning detection and ranging system (LDAR), and a Ryan Stormscope. The RARF system can detect, track, and quantify the properties of severe storms. Simultaneous measurements in the UHF (70 cm), S (10 cm), and C (5 cm) bands can be made of clouds and precipitation to deduce particle size and characteristics, including quantitive cross sections of individual hailstones and raindrops. Relative attenuation at these wavelenghts can be used to calculate path integrated rainfall and water content. The track of an instrument aircraft can be displayed on S-band reflectivity map of the individual storm cells. The LDAR system can determine the location of lightning discharges in real time and measure and record the electric field waveform for further study. The Ryan Stormscope can detect and range lightning out to 320 kilometers.

Carr, R. E.↗

Evaluation of several corrosion protective coating systems on aluminum

A study of several protective coating systems for use on aluminum in seawater/seacoast environments was conducted to review the developments made on protective coatings since early in the Space Shuttle program and to perform comparative studies on these coatings to determine their effectiveness for providing corrosion protection during exposure to seawater/seacoast environments. Panels of 2219-T87 aluminum were coated with 21 different systems and exposed to a 5 percent salt spray for 4000 hr. Application properties, adhesion measurements, heat resistance and corrosion protection were evaluated. For comparative studies, the presently specified Bostik epoxy system used on the SRB structures was included. Results of these tests indicate four systems with outstanding performance and four additional systems with protection almost as good. These systems are based on a chromated pretreatment, a chromate epoxy primer, and a polyurethane topcoat. Consideration for one of these systems should be included for those applications where superior corrosion protection for aluminum surfaces is required.

Higgins, R. H.↗

Ar-40/Ar-39 dating, Ar diffusion properties, and cooling rate determinations of severely shocked chondrites

The ages of Ar-40/Ar-39 chondrites were computed to be 4.29 to 1.0 Gyr, with degassing times of 0.5 to 1.0 Gyr. The values of the diffusion parameter for Ar in Arrhenius plots show linear relationships which correspond to the degassing of different mineral phases with distinct K/Ca ratios and different average temperatures for Ar release. The experimental values of the diffusion parameter for the high-temperature phase of severely shocked chondrites are 10 to the -7th to 10 to the -5th/s for the shock-heating temperatures in the 950-1200 C range; the inferred reheating temperatures and the fraction of the Ar-40 loss during the reheating event suggest post-shock cooling rates and burial depths of 0.01-0.0001 C/s and 0.5-2m, respectively.

Bogard, D. D.↗

Evaluation of several schemes for classification of remotely sensed data

Various numerical analysis schemes for the classification of remotely sensed data are evaluated with respect to their capabilities for crop identification. A per point Gaussian maximum likelihood classifier, per point sum-of-normal-densities classifier, per point linear classifier, per point Gaussian maximum likelihood decision tree classifier and a texture-sensitive per field Gaussian maximum likelihood classifier were applied to seven sets of Landsat MSS data on several crop types and regions. The results of the implementation of the classifiers indicate that, given a representative set of training statistics, the choice of classification algorithm of the differentiation of corn and soybeans from one another and from other crop types made relatively little difference in accuracy, whereas the use of a different training method affected the accuracy significantly. In addition, the linear classifier is found to be the easiest for the analyst to use and to cost least in computer time per classification.

Hixson, M.↗

Elevated temperature mechanical properties and residual tensile properties of two cast superalloys and several nickel-base oxide dispersion strengthened alloys

The elevated temperature tensile, stress-rupture and creep properties and residual tensile properties after creep straining have been determined for two cast superalloys and several wrought Ni-16Cr-4Al-yttria oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) alloys. The creep behavior of the ODS alloys is similar to that of previously studied ODS nickel alloys. In general, the longitudinal direction is stronger than the long transverse direction, and creep is at least partially due to a diffusional creep mechanism as dispersoid-free zones were observed after creep-rupture testing. The tensile properties of the nickel-base superalloy B-1900 and cobalt-base superalloy MAR-M509 are not degraded by prior elevated temperature creep straining (at least up to 1 pct) between 1144 and 1366 K. On the other hand, the room temperature tensile properties of ODS nickel-base alloys can be reduced by prior creep strains of 0.5 pct or less between 1144 and 1477 K, with the long transverse direction being more susceptible to degradation than the longitudinal direction.

Whittenberger, J. D.↗

Experimental Droplet Impingement on Several Two-Dimensional Airfoils with Thickness Ratios of 6 to 16 Percent

The rate and area of cloud droplet impingement on several two-dimensional swept and unswept airfoils were obtained experimentally in the NACA Lewis icing tunnel with a dye-tracer technique. Airfoil thickness ratios of 6 to 16 percent; angles of attack from 0 deg to 12 deg, and chord sizes from 13 to 96 inches were included in the study. The data were obtained at 152 knots and are extended to other conditions by dimensionless impingement parameters. In general, the data show that the total and local collection efficiencies and impingement limits are primary functions of the modified inertia parameter (in which airspeed, droplet size, and body size are the most significant variables) and the airfoil thickness ratio. Local collection efficiencies and impingement limits also depend on angle of attack. Secondary factors affecting impingement characteristics are airfoil shape, camber, and sweep angle. The impingement characteristics obtained experimentally for the airfoils were within +/-10 percent on the average of the characteristics calculated from theoretical trajectories. Over the range of conditions studied, the experimental data demonstrate that a specific method can be used to predict the impingement characteristics of swept airfoils with large aspect ratios from the data for unswept airfoils of the same series.

Gelder, Thomas F.↗

Investigation of severe lightning strike incidents to two USAF F-106A aircraft

The results of the inspection and analysis of two F-106A aircraft that were struck by separate lightning strikes within a few minutes of each other are presented. Each aircraft sustained severe lightning strikes to the pitot booms, resulting in extensive damage to the pitot heater power harness, number 8 ground wire, and lightning suppressors, but there was no damage to either aircraft's electrical or avionic systems. A simulated lightning current of 226 kA and 3.8 million A(2)*S was required to reproduce the damage to the ground wires in the radomes. Photographs and detailed assessments of the damage are included.

Plumer, J. A.↗

Mesoscale aspects of jet streak coupling and implications for the short term forecasting of severe convective storms

An analysis of a tornado outbreak in Wichita Falls, Texas was analyzed. The coupling of upper and lower tropospheric jet streaks, leading to severe storm outbreaks is illustrated. The high resolution SESAME data sets indicate that mass and momentum adjustments which couple upper and lower tropospheric jets occur within a 3 to 6 hr time frame over a 100 to 500 km domain, and establish the role of isallobaric forcing in the storm development. It is suggested that the output rate of data from the existing 12 hr network be increased to provide better temporal resolution of wind, mass and moisture data.

Uccellini, L. W.↗

VISSR Atmospheric Sounder (VAS) simulation experiment for a severe storm environment

Radiance fields were simulated for prethunderstorm environments in Oklahoma to demonstrate three points: (1) significant moisture gradients can be seen directly in images of the VISSIR Atmospheric Sounder (VAS) channels; (2) temperature and moisture profiles can be retrieved from VAS radiances with sufficient accuracy to be useful for mesoscale analysis of a severe storm environment; and (3) the quality of VAS mesoscale soundings improves with conditioning by local weather statistics. The results represent the optimum retrievability of mesoscale information from VAS radiance without the use of ancillary data. The simulations suggest that VAS data will yield the best soundings when a human being classifies the scene, picks relatively clear areas for retrieval, and applies a "local" statistical data base to resolve the ambiguities of satellite observations in favor of the most probable atmospheric structure.

Chesters, D.↗

Research study: Severe storms Doppler lidar signal processing

Four tasks related to the signal processing aspects of the severe-storms Doppler lidar program are discussed. The development of algorithms for windfield retrieval from Doppler lidar measurements are discussed. Signal processor installation on a CV-990 aircraft is discussed.

Lee, R. W.↗

Subsonic aerodynamic and flutter characteristics of several wings calculated by the SOUSSA P1.1 panel method

The SOUSSA (steady, oscillatory, and unsteady subsonic and supersonic aerodynamics) program is the computational implementation of a general potential flow analysis (by the Green's function method) that can generate pressure distributions on complete aircraft having arbitrary shapes, motions and deformations. Some applications of the initial release version of this program to several wings in steady and oscillatory motion, including flutter are presented. The results are validated by comparisons with other calculations and experiments. Experiences in using the program as well as some recent improvements are described.

Yates, E. C., Jr.↗

Impact of Advanced Propeller Technology on Aircraft/Mission Characteristics of Several General Aviation Aircraft

Studies of several General Aviation aircraft indicated that the application of advanced technologies to General Aviation propellers can reduce fuel consumption in future aircraft by a significant amount. Propeller blade weight reductions achieved through the use of composites, propeller efficiency and noise improvements achieved through the use of advanced concepts and improved propeller analytical design methods result in aircraft with lower operating cost, acquisition cost and gross weight.

Keiter, I. D.↗

Analysis of several glidepath and speed control autopilot concepts for a powered lift STOL aircraft

Longitudinal performance and control utilization data are compared for several different automatic approach autopilot implementations in a powered lift STOL aircraft. As few as two, to as many as four laws reflecting both backside and frontside control techniques. The data are developed from analysis and simulation, but represent configurations which were demonstrated in flight. Transient response characteristics from initial glidepath offsets are presented, along with system operation in turbulence. In furnishing quantitative data in controlled levels of simulated turbulence, these results provide a useful supplement to various flight investigations (including those employing manual control) that involved a comparison of control techniques in this type of aircraft.

Hindson, W. S.↗