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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 433 records · Page 24
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NASA NTRS1976

Comparison of candidate solar array maximum power utilization approaches

A study was made of five potential approaches that can be utilized to detect the maximum power point of a solar array while sustaining operations at or near maximum power and without endangering stability or causing array voltage collapse. The approaches studied included: (1) dynamic impedance comparator, (2) reference array measurement, (3) onset of solar array voltage collapse detection, (4) parallel tracker, and (5) direct measurement. The study analyzed the feasibility and adaptability of these approaches to a future solar electric propulsion (SEP) mission, and, specifically, to a comet rendezvous mission. Such missions presented the most challenging requirements to a spacecraft power subsystem in terms of power management over large solar intensity ranges of 1.0 to 3.5 AU. The dynamic impedance approach was found to have the highest figure of merit, and the reference array approach followed closely behind. The results are applicable to terrestrial solar power systems as well as to other than SEP space missions.

Costogue, E. N.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Infrared studies of star formation

Infrared observations at wavelengths of a few microns to 1 mm are reviewed which pertain to the problem of star formation. The data considered include observations of large gas and dust clouds within which stars may be forming and detailed studies of individual objects within these clouds. Stages of star formation are outlined, the IR luminosity of forming stars is examined, and criteria for selecting interstellar regions for IR studies are discussed along with the importance of dust in the IR energy distributions of star-formation regions. Detailed results, including IR maps, are evaluated for the Orion Molecular Cloud 1 (OMC-1), W3, OMC-2, Mon R2, RCW 57, M17, CRL 2591, and NGC 7538. Some general properties of star-formation regions are summarized, and observational techniques for IR astronomy are described. It is noted that the discovery of possible pre-main-sequence (PMS) objects in the densest central portions of larger clouds supports the generally accepted premise of gravitational collapse as the driving mechanism for the star-formation process and that the observed properties of possible PMS objects agree qualitatively with the predictions of detailed models based on gravitational collapse.

Werner, M. W.↗
NASA NTRS1970

Emergency space-suit helmet

A frusto-conically shaped distensible component is described which inflates to encircle a portion of the wearer's head and carries a collapsible member which automatically extends over the remaining portion of the head. A pulley arrangement secured between the walls of the distensible component automatically extends and retracts the collapsible member. When deflated, the unit is carried on the back of the wearer so as to provide an automatic emergency space suit helmet.

Smith, H. A.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Protogalaxy interactions in newly formed clusters - Galaxy luminosities, colors, and intergalactic gas

The role of protogalaxy interactions in galactic evolution is studied during the formation of galaxy clusters. In the early stages of the collapse, coalescent encounters of protogalaxies lead to the development of a galactic luminosity function. Once galaxies acquire appreciable random motions, mutual collisions between galaxies in rich clusters will trigger the collapse of interstellar clouds to form stars. This provides both a source for enriched intracluster gas and an interpretation of the correlation between luminosity and color for cluster elliptical galaxies. Other observational consequences that are considered include optical, X-ray, and diffuse nonthermal radio emission from newly formed clusters of galaxies.

Silk, J.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Thermal limit for spherical accretion and X-ray bursts

A mechanism is described whereby the rate of spherical accretion on a collapsed object and the resulting X-ray luminosity can be limited by thermal heating and evaporation of the accreting gas. The luminosity limit can be a factor of the order of 100 below the corresponding Eddington limit. Steady accretion flow is not possible within a range above this limit, and X-ray bursts can be produced by accretion surges resulting from the cooling and collapse of a heated gas shell above a critical optical depth. The luminosity and approximate recurrence rate of the bursts from NGC 6624 and other burst sources may then be understood. A general model for bursters is proposed in which massive (about 10 to 100 solar masses) black holes, from massive stars and the cores of disrupted globular clusters, undergo supercritical spherical accretion in interstellar clouds. Both X-ray and gamma-ray bursts are predicted to have similar hard X-ray (about 200 keV) spectra, though high average accretion rates and central optical depths also yield a comparable luminosity at around 5 keV from a Comptonized blackbody spectrum in the X-ray bursts and associated steady sources.

Grindlay, J. E.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Physics of the primitive solar accretion disk

The theory of viscous accretion disks developed by Lynden-Bell and Pringle (1974) has been applied to the evolution of the primitive solar nebula. The additional physical input needed to determine the structure of the disk is described. A series of calculations was carried out using a steady flow approximation to explore the effects on the disk properties of variations in such parameters as the angular momentum and accretion rate of the infalling material from a collapsing interstellar cloud fragment. The more detailed evolutionary calculations involved five cases with various combinations of parameters. It was concluded that the late stages of evolution of the disks would be dominated by the effects of mass loss from the expansion of a hot disk corona into space, and the effects of this were included in the evolutionary calculations. A new theory of comet formation is formulated upon these results. The most important result is the conclusion that the primitive solar accretion disk was repeatedly unstable against axisymmetric perturbations, in which rings would form and collapse upon themselves, with the subsequent formation of giant gaseous protoplanets.

Cameron, A. G. W.↗
NASA NTRS1965

Hypervelocity gun

A velocity amplifier system which uses both electric and chemical energy for projectile propulsion is provided in a compact hypervelocity gun suitable for laboratory use. A relatively heavy layer of a tamping material such as concrete encloses a loop of an electrically conductive material. An explosive charge at least partially surrounding the loop is adapted to collapse the loop upon detonation of the charge. A source of electricity charges the loop through two leads, and an electric switch which is activated by the charge explosive charge, disconnects the leads from the source of electricity and short circuits them. An opening in the tamping material extends to the loop and forms a barrel. The loop, necked down in the opening, forms the sabot on which the projectile is located. When the loop is electrically charged and the explosive detonated, the loop is short circuited and collapsed thus building up a magnetic field which acts as a sabot catcher. The sabot is detached from the loop and the sabot and projectile are accelerated to hypervelocity.

Ford, F. C.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Aerodynamic and acoustic investigation of inverted velocity profile coannular exhaust nozzle models and development of aerodynamic and acoustic prediction procedures

Five co-annular nozzle models, covering a systematic variation of nozzle geometry, were tested statically over a range of exhaust conditions including inverted velocity profile (IVP) (fan to primary stream velocity ratio 1) and non IVP profiles. Fan nozzle pressure ratio (FNPR) was varied from 1.3 to 4.1 at primary nozzle pressure ratios (PNPR) of 1.53 and 2.0. Fan stream temperatures of 700 K (1260 deg R) and 1089 K(1960 deg R) were tested with primary stream temperatures of 700 K (1260 deg R), 811 K (1460 deg R), and 1089 K (1960 deg R). At fan and primary stream velocities of 610 and 427 m/sec (2000 and 1400 ft/sec), respectively, increasing fan radius ratio from 0.69 to 0.83 reduced peak perceived noise level (PNL) 3 dB, and an increase in primary radius ratio from 0 to 0.81 (fan radius ratio constant at 0.83) reduced peak PNL an additional 1.0 dB. There were no noise reductions at a fan stream velocity of 853 m/sec (2800 ft/sec). Increasing fan radius ratio from 0.69 to 0.83 reduced nozzle thrust coefficient 1.2 to 1.5% at a PNPR of 1.53, and 1.7 to 2.0% at a PNPR of 2.0. The developed acoustic prediction procedure collapsed the existing data with standard deviation varying from + or - 8 dB to + or - 7 dB. The aerodynamic performance prediction procedure collapsed thrust coefficient measurements to within + or - .004 at a FNPR of 4.0 and a PNPR of 2.0.

Larson, R. S.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Conference on Protostars and Planets, University of Arizona, Tucson, Ariz., January 3-7, 1978, Proceedings

These papers deal with star formation, the origin of the solar system, and the possible formation of planets associated with other stars. Specific topics include chemical and isotopic anomalies in meteorites, laboratory analogs of interstellar dust, properties of dark globules, locations of newly formed stars in molecular clouds, O-star formation, observations of star-formation regions near supernova remnant W44, and equilibrium condensation of supernova ejecta. Other contributions discuss radio observations of molecular clouds associated with T Tauri stars, rotational velocities of pre-main-sequence stars, observational studies of star formation, characteristics of a possible preplanetary disk around the pre-main-sequence star MWC 349, calculations of the collapse of a rotating dusty protostellar cloud, a theory on the dynamics of dust particles in an incompressible turbulent fluid, and an analysis of the dynamical collapse of a model presolar nebula.

Gehrels, T.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Relationship between proton motive force and potassium ion transport in Halobacterium halobium envelope vesicles

The permeability of Halobacterium halobium vesicle membranes to potassium ions was investigated, and possible mechanisms for the regulation of the gradient of protons by the transmembrane movement of these ions were studied. The lack of a potassium ion diffusion potential in the absence of valinomycin, light-induced electrical potentials in excess of the chemical potential difference for potassium ions, and direct measurements of potassium ion influx during illumination show that the membranes are relatively impermeable to these ions. As a result of sodium ion extrusion during illumination, chlorine ions and water must be lost and the vesicles collapse. The light-induced collapse of vesicles is diminished only if the influx of potassium ions is increased.

Lanyi, J. K.↗
NASA NTRS1979

The growth of aspherical structure in the universe - Is the Local Supercluster an unusual system

The growth and subsequent collapse of homogeneous ellipsoidal perturbations in a uniform expanding background is considered as a simple model for the formation of large-scale aspherical structures in the observed universe. Numerical calculations of the evolution of such perturbations turn out to be well described by an approximate analytic solution of the equations of motion, and simple relationships are found between the initial shape of a perturbation and its shape and kinematic properties at the time of collapse. Perturbations do not change their shape significantly until they reach a density contrast of order unity. As a result, structures with the kinematic properties of the Local Supercluster should form much more commonly in a low-density universe than in a flat universe. The homogeneity of the local Hubble flow, the motion of the Milky Way with respect to the microwave background, and the flattening of the Local Supercluster can be successfully accounted for by these models, provided that the initial perturbation is sufficiently flattened. Viable models are obtained only if the ratio of the lengths of the two smaller axes of the initial perturbation is at least 3:1 in an Einstein-de Sitter universe or at least 1.8:1 in a universe for which the density parameter (Omega) is of order 0.1, when the protocluster pancakes.

White, S. D. M.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Phase change in liquid face seals. II - Isothermal and adiabatic bounds with real fluids

Analytical studies of phase change effects in parallel and tapered liquid face seals are presented. An isothermal and adiabatic model of low Reynolds number flow are considered by numerical integration of the descriptive equations for a real fluid, and its thermodynamic properties are calculated for each step, using a computer program for the steam tables or fluid thermodynamic properties. It was shown that for low leakage rate the isothermal model is more accurate and for high leakage rates the adiabatic model is more accurate; that both models yield the same conclusions regarding stability; and that the transient of collapse is described by the adiabatic model which predicts a catastrophic collapse and then either failure or explosive return to a larger film thickness value. Finally, it is shown that converging seals may become unstable and the mass leakage rate is reduced significantly below the all liquid value when boiling occurs.

Hughes, W. F.↗
NASA NTRS1979

The hydrodynamics of off-center explosions

The behavior of off-center supernova explosions is investigated using a two-dimensional hydrodynamic code. An important application of these calculations is the possible formation of high-velocity pulsars. The dependence of the final velocity of the collapsed remnant on the location and energy of the explosion is computed. The largest remnant velocities result from explosions located at a mass fraction of 0.5. An explosion energy 50% greater than the binding energy of the star ejects 0.51 solar masses, producing a 1.4 solar mass remnant with a velocity of 400 km/s. However, this energy must be generated in a very small region of the star in order to create the required asymmetry in the explosion. Because of this, a specific energy of about 10 to the 20th ergs/g is needed. Nuclear reactions can produce no more than about 5 x 10 to the 17th erg/g, and it is unclear how the energy produced in gravitational collapse models can be sufficiently localized. Unless a supernova mechanism can be found which can produce enough energy in a small region of the star, off-center explosions do not provide a satisfactory explanation for high-velocity pulsars.

Fryxell, B. A.↗
NASA NTRS1979

On the origin of asteroids

A general scenario is described for the early history of the solar system. The primitive solar nebula is formed from the infall of gas from a collapsing interstellar cloud fragment. It becomes repeatedly unstable against collapse to form giant gaseous protoplanets. In the course of protoplanet evolution the center of the protoplanet enters a thermodynamic regime in which common rocky minerals become liquids; convection brings solids to the central region where a substantial fraction of them rain out to form a protoplanetary core. In the inner solar system protoplanetary envelopes are tidally stripped away, thus injecting into the solar nebula large equantities of chondrules and inclusions. Late in the development of the solar nebula, after most of the gas has disappeared, turbulence dies out and the small solids settle into a thin layer at midplane of the nebula. Gravitational instabilities in this layer form asteroidal and cometary bodies. Some further consequences of this scenario are discussed.

Cameron, A. G. W.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Presupernova models and supernovae

The present status of theories of presupernova stellar evolution and the triggering mechanisms of supernova explosions are reviewed. The validity of the single-star approximation for stellar core evolution is considered, and the central density and temperature of the stellar core are discussed. Attention is then given to the results of numerical models of supernova explosions by carbon deflagration of an intermediate mass star, resulting in the total disruption of the star; the photodissociation of iron nuclei in a massive star, resulting in neutron star or black hole formation; and stellar core collapse triggered by electron capture in stars of mass ranging between those of the intermediate mass and massive stars, resulting in neutron star formation despite oxygen deflagration. Helium and carbon combustion and detonation in accreting white dwarfs and the gravitational collapse triggered by electron-pair creation in supermassive stars are also discussed, and problems requiring future investigation are indicated.

Sugimoto, D.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Protostellar formation in rotating interstellar clouds. I - Numerical methods and tests

Attention is given to numerical methods and tests of a series of gravitational hydrodynamics computer codes constructed in order to numerically follow the dynamic collapse of spherically symmetric (1-D), axisymmetric (2-D), and non-axisymmetric (3-D) isothermal interstellar clouds. A spherical harmonic expansion is used to solve the Poisson equation for the gravitational potential. It is shown that the use of explicit donor-cell hydrodynamics on a moving spherical coordinate grid ensures mass and momentum conservation and allows the grid to follow the collapse of the fluid. Finally, the performance of the codes is examined.

Boss, A. P.↗
NASA NTRS1980

On the role of a supernova in the formation of the solar system

Four possible scenarios relating the proto-solar cloud to the 'last-minute' supernova presumed responsible for the isotopic anomalies in Allende and other meteorites are considered. The probability that a chance supernova occurred close enough to an already-collapsing proto-solar cloud to inject sufficient matter is extremely small, even if the sun formed in a region of enhanced supernova activity such as Orion OB1. The ambient level of Al-26 inside a molecular cloud in Orion is also apparently too low to account for the meteorite data, unless the supernova ejecta accumulates at the edges of the cloud and star formation occurs there preferentially. Two modes of supernova-induced star formation are discussed. In one, the supernova shock collapses a preexisting cloud; in the other, stars form within the snowplow shell of the supernova. Canis Major R1 and Monoceros R1 are possible present-day examples of such star formation regions.

Herbst, W.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Fragmentation in a rotating protostar - A comparison of two three-dimensional computer codes

The collapse of an isothermal protostellar cloud with pressure, gravity, and rotation included is followed with two independent computer codes. For the initial condition, a nonaxisymmetric perturbation of mode m = 2 and 50% amplitude is introduced into a cloud of 1 solar mass with a mean density of 1.44 x 10 to the -17g/cu cm and a uniform angular velocity of 1.6 x 10 to the -12 rad/sec. The collapse is followed through an increase in density of over four orders of magnitude to the point where a binary protostar forms. The agreement between the results of the two calculations is good.

Boss, A. P.↗