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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 415 records · Page 23

Effects of low frequency vibration of a limb

Low frequency oscillations were applied on the ankle joint in plantarflexion/dorsiflexion rotation using a torque motor. The torque, the angular rotation and the evoked electromyogram from the gastronemius soleus and the anterior tibial muscles were recorded. Significant nonlinearities were observed in the angular rotation from 8 to 12 Hz. The following methods are used for data analysis: (1) Two cycle averaged response; (2) Fourier transform; and (3) Fourier analysis at the driving frequency. Important observations are: (1) resonance near 6 to 8 Hz; (2) slowly increasing amplitudes of oscillation near resonance; (3) self sustaining oscillations after the motor is turned off, particularly in the fatigued limb; and (4) distortion of angular rotation during which there are spontaneous recurrences of oscillation at the driving frequency.

Agarwal, G. C.↗

Observation and Interpretation of Lunar Occultations

The importance of timings and high resolution astrometry in occultation observations is discussed as well as the occultation process itself. The design and operation of the telescope, photodetector, and data acquisition systems are described. Methods are presented for data analysis and model fitting. Observations of beta Capricorni and Uranus occultations are examined. General conclusions concerning occultation observations are explored and future activities at Prairie Observatory are discussed.

Radick, R. R.↗

Development of a facility for large-scale testing of multistory buildings

Current experimental research pertaining to response of structures subjected to lateral loads such as strong winds or earthquake motions is limited to either tests of single structural components or small scale multistory structures. The feasibility of developing a facility where large scale multistory structures could be loaded to failure is discussed. The test facility would consist of a series of hydraulic actuators mounted on reaction frames currently in use at the Marshall Space Flight Center for structural testing of spacecraft components. The actuators would be controlled from signals computed by an on-line analysis of measured data. This method of loading could be used to simulate inertial forces resisted by a structure behaving in the non linear range of response subjected to motion at the base or to impulses along the height as would occur during a strong earthquake or wind.

Abrams, D. P.↗

Thermal conductivity of Rene 41 honeycomb panels

Effective thermal conductivities of Rene 41 panels suitable for advanced space transportation vehicle structures were determined analytically and experimentally for temperature ranges between 20.4K (423 F) and 1186K (1675 F). The cryogenic data were obtained using a cryostat whereas the high temperature data were measured using a heat flow meter and a comparative thermal conductivity instrument respectively. Comparisons were made between analysis and experimental data. Analytical methods appear to provide reasonable definition of the honeycomb panel effective thermal conductivities.

Deriugin, V.↗

Further results of natural laminar flow flight test experiments

Flight test experiments were conducted to measure the extent and nature of natural laminar flow on a smoothed test region of a swept-wing business jet wing. Surface hot film anemometry and sublimating chemicals were used for transition detection. Surface pressure distributions were measured using pressure belts. Engine noise was monitored by a microphone attached to the wing surface to study possible acoustic effects on stability of the laminar boundary layer. Side-slip conditions were flown to simulate changes in effective wing sweep. Flight instrumentation and ground data analysis techniques and a method for measuring intermittency of turbulence are described. Correlation was obtained between the hot film gage signals and chemicals for transition detection. Cross-flow vortices were observed for some flight conditions. Results of spectral and statistical analysis of the hot film signals for various flight test conditions are presented.

Wentz, W. H., Jr.↗

Monthly mean global climatology of temperature, wind, geopotential height, and pressure for 0 - 120 km

A monthly mean climatology is presented of temperature, wind, and geopotential height with nearly pole-to-pole coverage (80 S to 80 N) for 0 to 210 km, which can be used as a function of altitude and pressure. The purpose is to provide a reference for various atmospheric research and analysis activities. Data sources and methods of computation are described; in general, hydrostatic and thermal wind balance are maintained at all levels and latitudes. As observed in a series of cross-sectional plots, this climatology accurately reproduces most of the characteristic features of the atmosphere such as equatorial wind and the general structure of the tropopause, stratopause, and mesopause. A series of zonal wind profiles is also represented comparing this climatological wind with monthly mean climatological direct wind measurements in the upper mesosphere and lower thermosphere. The temperature and zonal wind climatology at stratospheric levels is compared with corresponding data from the National Meteorological Center, and general agreement is observed between the two data sets. Tables of the climatological values as a function of latitude and height for each month are contained in Appendix B, and are also available in floppy disk.

Fleming, Eric L.↗

The lunar swirls - Distribution and possible origins

Correlative data analysis and theoretical modeling methods are used to evaluate models involving both meteoroid and cometary impact processes which can explain the correlation in location of the strongest lunar magnetic anomalies with swirl-like high-albedo and low-albedo markings of the Reiner Gamma class. The results indicate that the relatively strong magnetization of basin antipode zones may have favored the formation of swirls in the same regions. The solar wind deflection model is tested by calculating the trajectories of simulated solar wind ions deflected by the Lorentz force in the presence of model crustal magnetic fields.

Hood, L. L.↗

Airborne measurements of stratospheric constituents over Antarctica in the austral spring 1987. I - Method and ozone observations

A Fourier transform spectrometer was flown aboard a DC-8 on 10 flights over Antarctica during August and September, 1987, as part of the Airborne Antarctic Ozone Experiment (AAOE). Observing the sun at infrared wavelengths, it was possible to determine the integrated column amount above the flight altitude for ozone and a number of other chemical species that are believed to be important in the perturbed chemistry of the 'ozone hole'. The paper describes the method, the observations, the data analysis procedure, and the ozone results. During the observation period, ozone developed a steep gradient near the edge of the polar vortex; deep within the vortex, the average ozone column decreased by about 1.6 percent per day during September.

Mankin, William G.↗

Remote sensing and numerical modeling of suspended sediment in Laguna de Terminos, Campeche, Mexico

It is necessary to understand the complex physical processes at work in coastal lagoons in order to manage them effectively. Improved methods of data collection and analysis must be found to provide synoptic, timely hydrodynamic information because of the sheer size of some lagoons and the difficulty of acquiring in situ data (particularly in the tropics). This paper summarizes research to model salinity and suspended sediment distributions in Laguna de Terminos, Mexico, using (1) a coupled hydrodynamic and dispersion model and (2) analysis of two Landsat Thematic Mapper images collected on November 25, 1984 and April 24, 1987. Atmospherically corrected chromaticity data derived from Thermatic Mapper data were significantly correlated with modeled total suspended sediment concentrations for the two dates. Comparison between numerically modeled and remotely sensed suspended sediment maps at 1.5 x 1.5 km resolution yielded a covariation map useful for identifying areas of discrepancy between the remotely sensed data and model output.

Jensen, John R.↗

Laser annealing of amorphous/poly: Silicon solar cell material flight experiment

The preliminary design proposed for the microelectronics materials processing equipment is presented. An overall mission profile, description of all processing steps, analysis methods and measurement techniques, data acquisition and storage, and a preview of the experimental hardware are included. The goal of the project is to investigate the viability of material processing of semiconductor microelectronics materials in a micro-gravity environment. The two key processes are examined: (1) Rapid Thermal Annealing (RTA) of semiconductor thin films and damaged solar cells, and (2) thin film deposition using a filament evaporator. The RTA process will be used to obtain higher quality crystalline properties from amorphous/poly-silicon films. RTA methods can also be used to repair radiation-damaged solar cells. On earth this technique is commonly used to anneal semiconductor films after ion-implantation. The damage to the crystal lattice is similar to the defects found in solar cells which have been exposed to high-energy particle bombardment.

Cole, Eric E.↗

Automation for deep space vehicle monitoring

Information on automation for deep space vehicle monitoring is given in viewgraph form. Information is given on automation goals and strategy; the Monitor Analyzer of Real-time Voyager Engineering Link (MARVEL); intelligent input data management; decision theory for making tradeoffs; dynamic tradeoff evaluation; evaluation of anomaly detection results; evaluation of data management methods; system level analysis with cooperating expert systems; the distributed architecture of multiple expert systems; and event driven response.

Schwuttke, Ursula M.↗

Transient loads analysis for space flight applications

A significant part of the flight readiness verification process involves transient analysis of the coupled Shuttle-payload system to determine the low frequency transient loads. This paper describes a methodology for transient loads analysis and its implementation for the Spacelab Life Sciences Mission. The analysis is carried out using two major software tools - NASTRAN and an external FORTRAN code called EZTRAN. This approach is adopted to overcome some of the limitations of NASTRAN's standard transient analysis capabilities. The method uses Data Recovery Matrices (DRM) to improve computational efficiency. The mode acceleration method is fully implemented in the DRM formulation to recover accurate displacements, stresses, and forces. The advantages of the method are demonstrated through a numerical example.

Thampi, S. K.↗

Comparison of several methods for obtaining the time response of linear systems to either a unit impulse or arbitrary input from frequency-response data

Several methods of obtaining the time response of Linear systems to either a unit impulse or an arbitrary input from frequency-response data are described and compared. Comparisons indicate that all the methods give good accuracy when applied to a second-order system; the main difference is the required computing time. The methods generally classified as inverse Laplace transform methods were found to be most effective in determining the response to a unit impulse from frequency-response data of higher order systems. Some discussion and examples are given of the use of such methods as flight-data-analysis techniques in predicting loads and motions of a flexible aircraft on the basis of simple calculations when the aircraft frequency response is known.

Donegan, James J↗

Multi-modal virtual environment research at Armstrong Laboratory

One mission of the Paul M. Fitts Human Engineering Division of Armstrong Laboratory is to improve the user interface for complex systems through user-centered exploratory development and research activities. In support of this goal, many current projects attempt to advance and exploit user-interface concepts made possible by virtual reality (VR) technologies. Virtual environments may be used as a general purpose interface medium, an alternative display/control method, a data visualization and analysis tool, or a graphically based performance assessment tool. An overview is given of research projects within the division on prototype interface hardware/software development, integrated interface concept development, interface design and evaluation tool development, and user and mission performance evaluation tool development.

Eggleston, Robert G.↗

A Model for Space Shuttle Orbiter Tire Side Forces Based on NASA Landing Systems Research Aircraft Test Results

Forces generated by the Space Shuttle orbiter tire under varying vertical load, slip angle, speed, and surface conditions were measured using the Landing System Research Aircraft (LSRA). Resulting data were used to calculate a mathematical model for predicting tire forces in orbiter simulations. Tire side and drag forces experienced by an orbiter tire are cataloged as a function of vertical load and slip angle. The mathematical model is compared to existing tire force models for the Space Shuttle orbiter. This report describes the LSRA and a typical test sequence. Testing methods, data reduction, and error analysis are presented. The LSRA testing was conducted on concrete and lakebed runways at the Edwards Air Force Flight Test Center and on concrete runways at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC). Wet runway tire force tests were performed on test strips made at the KSC using different surfacing techniques. Data were corrected for ply steer forces and conicity.

Carter, John F.↗

Prediction Capability for Transonic Nozzle Afterbodies Improved

Under the High Speed Research (HSR) Program, the NASA Lewis Research Center, the NASA Langley Research Center, and the aerospace industry have been developing exhaust nozzle concepts for a future High Speed Civil Transport (HSCT). For such an aircraft to be both economically viable and environmentally acceptable, the exhaust nozzles must combine highly efficient operation throughout the flight envelope with low noise levels at takeoff. A team composed of researchers from Lewis, Langley, and McDonnell Douglas created a two-dimensional data base using computational fluid dynamics. First, each group validated their computational fluid dynamics code against existing experimental data to gain confidence in the code's results. Next, the organizations analyzed several configurations, and the results were used to create the new data base. Then, the analysis methods were updated to account for the effects of two-dimensional nozzles. This will result in a more accurate analysis of the propulsion system for the High Speed Civil Transport.

Source record↗

Subscale and Full-Scale Testing of Buckling-Critical Launch Vehicle Shell Structures

New analysis-based shell buckling design factors (aka knockdown factors), along with associated design and analysis technologies, are being developed by NASA for the design of launch vehicle structures. Preliminary design studies indicate that implementation of these new knockdown factors can enable significant reductions in mass and mass-growth in these vehicles and can help mitigate some of NASA s launch vehicle development and performance risks by reducing the reliance on testing, providing high-fidelity estimates of structural performance, reliability, robustness, and enable increased payload capability. However, in order to validate any new analysis-based design data or methods, a series of carefully designed and executed structural tests are required at both the subscale and full-scale level. This paper describes recent buckling test efforts at NASA on two different orthogrid-stiffened metallic cylindrical shell test articles. One of the test articles was an 8-ft-diameter orthogrid-stiffened cylinder and was subjected to an axial compression load. The second test article was a 27.5-ft-diameter Space Shuttle External Tank-derived cylinder and was subjected to combined internal pressure and axial compression.

Hilburger, Mark W.↗