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At least 433 records · Page 24

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NASA NTRS1976

Effects of horizontal refractivity gradients on the accuracy of laser ranging to satellites

Numerous formulas have been developed to partially correct laser ranging data for the effects of atmospheric refraction. All the formulas assume the atmospheric refractivity profile is spherically symmetric. The effects of horizontal refractivity gradients are investigated by ray tracing through spherically symmetric and three-dimensional refractivity profiles. The profiles are constructed from radiosonde data. The results indicate that the horizontal gradients introduce an rms error of approximately 3 cm when the satellite is near 10 deg elevation. The error decreases to a few millimeters near zenith.

Gardner, C. S.↗

NASA NTRS1977

On coronal temperatures, temperature gradients and compositions

Average solar wind properties at 1 AU either alone or together with the electron density distribution are used to obtain or review some results that relate coronal temperatures, temperature gradients, and compositions. Measured values of the temperature (T) and the temperature gradient parameter are used to find compositions that satisfy the equations used to obtain the results. The total energy equation may be satisfied if the thermal conductivity is reduced by considerable depletions of H(+) in the corona. The hydrostatic approximation (momentum equation) for the electron density distribution appears to require considerable depletions of H(+) in the corona.

Nakada, M. P.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Correction of laser tracking data for the effects of horizontal refractivity gradients

Pulsed laser ranging systems are being used to measure accurately the distance from the earth to retroreflector equipped satellites. At the lower elevation angles horizontal refractivity gradients can introduce centimeter level errors into the range measurements. A correction formula which compensates for the gradient effects is developed and evaluated using typical meteorological data obtained from weather stations located near Washington, D.C.

Gardner, C. S.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Impurity gradients and high efficiency solar cells

One potential means of improving the efficiency of solar cells especially after space irradiation is to incorporate built-in fields into the device through the use of impurity doping gradients. A detailed numerical calculation of solar cell performance has been used to study various types of doping gradients. In general, the predicted improvements in performance have been less than previously reported due to various device effects such as, high injection and the dependence of lifetime on doping density.

Fang, C. R.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Shape optimization of pressure gradient microphones

Recently developed finite element computer programs were utilized to investigate the influence of the shape of a body on its scattering field with the aim of determining the optimal shape for a Pressure Gradient Microphone (PGM). Circular cylinders of various aspect ratios were evaluated to choose the length to diameter ratio best suited for a dual element PGM application. Alterations of the basic cylindrical shape by rounding the edges and recessing at the centerline were also studied. It was found that for a + or - 1 db deviation from a linear pressure gradient response, a circular cylinder of aspect ratio near 0.5 was most suitable, yielding a useful upper frequency corresponding to ka = 1.8. The maximum increase in this upper frequency limit obtained through a number of shape alterations was only about 20 percent. An initial experimental evaluation of a single element cylindrical PGM of aspect ratio 0.18 utilizing a piezoresistive type sensor was also performed and is compared to the analytical results.

Norum, T. D.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Numerical solution of the compressible Navier-Stokes equations using density gradients as additional dependent variables

Numerical solution of two dimensional, time dependent, compressible viscous Navier-Stokes equations about arbitrary bodies was treated using density gradients as additional dependent variables. Thus, six dependent variables were computed with the SOR iteration method. Besides formulation for pressure gradient terms, a formulation for computing the body density was presented. To approximate the governing equations, an implicit finite difference method was employed. In computing the solution for the flow about a circular cylinder, a problem arose near the wall at both stagnation points. Thus, computations with various conditions were tried to examine the problem. Also, computations with and without formulations are compared. The flow variables were computed on 37 by 40 field first, then on an 81 by 40 field.

Kwon, J. H.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Reynolds number and pressure gradient effects on compressible turbulent boundary layers

A detailed investigation of attached supersonic turbulent boundary layers over an extensive range of Reynolds numbers (12 x 10 to the 6th to 314 x 10 to the 6th) is presented. Experimental measurements were obtained for adverse pressure gradients ranging in magnitude from those of previous investigations to those approaching separation. The measurements include mean values of surface pressure and skin-friction, mean-flow profiles, and profiles of the three turbulent velocity fluctuation components and turbulent shear stress. Numerical solutions, employing three turbulence models of various degrees of complexity have been compared with the details of the measured flow fields. Generally, it was found that the more sophisticated turbulence models are superior to a mixing length model for predicting the Reynolds number and pressure gradient effects. However, some details of the turbulent fluctuations as well as the exact Reynolds number trends indicated by the data were not accurately predicted with any of the turbulence models considered.

Acharya, M.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Estimation of terrain iso-gradients from a stochastic range data measurement matrix

The problem of estimating terrain iso-gradients for an autonomous roving vehicle is complicated by the measurement error inherent in the range data matrix. In this paper, the in-path and cross-path slopes at each data point in the multivariable range matrix are expressed in terms of parameters at that data point and those at its surrounding points. The sensitivity in the change of these slopes - due to the errors in measurements in range, elevation angle and azimuth angle are formulated. These sensitivities are used to determine the appropriate statistics of the gradient, which are then used to describe the terrain with a known probability of accuracy.

Shen, C. N.↗

NASA NTRS1978

An evaluation of several compressible turbulent boundary-layer models Effects of pressure gradient and Reynolds number

Computations, employing several turbulence models, are compared with a series of attached supersonic turbulent boundary-layer experiments over an extensive range of Reynolds numbers (11.7 x 10 to the 6th to 314 x 10 to the 6th). These experiments included measurements of surface pressure and skin friction for adverse pressure gradients ranging in magnitude from those of previous investigations to an order of magnitude greater. The turbulence models evaluated include algebraic and two-equation eddy-viscosity models and two full Reynolds stress models. In general all the models tested performed well independently of the magnitude of the pressure gradient or Reynolds number and could predict the measured skin friction for most cases with sufficient accuracy for engineering purposes.

Horstman, C. C.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Insulator edge voltage gradient effects in spacecraft charging phenomena

Insulating surfaces on geosynchronous satellites were charged by geomagnetic substorms to a point where discharges occur. The electromagnetic pulses from these discharges couple into satellite electronic systems disrupting operations are examined. Laboratory tests conducted on insulator charging have indicated that discharges appear to be initiated at insulator edges where voltage gradients can exist. An experimental investigation was conducted to measure edge voltage gradients on silvered Teflon samples as they are charged by monoenergetic electron beams. It was found that the surface voltage at insulator edges can be approximated by an exponential expression based on an electron current density balance.

Stevens, N. J.↗

NASA NTRS1979

System noise analysis of the dumbbell tethered satellite for gravity-gradient measurements

An analysis of the dumbbell gravity gradiometer concept for measuring short wavelength variations in the earth's gravity gradient is presented. Variations in the gradient are recorded by measuring tension variations in a vertically stabilized satellite consisting of heavy masses connected by a long wire or rod. Tension noise arises from the excitation of various mechanical oscillations of the system. The principal noise sources that were identified are fluctuations in atmospheric drag heating and drag force resulting from density variations and winds. Approximate analytical expressions are presented for the tension noise as a function of the system design parameters for various possible configurations. Computer simulations using numerical integration were performed to study the tension noise for several sample cases. Three designs consistent with Shuttle launch capabilities are discussed.

Colombo, G.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Cosmic ray intensity gradients in the outer solar system measured by Pioneer 10 and 11

Earlier results are extended to include data from Pioneer 10 to a radial range of 11.3 AU, and from Pioneer 11 inward from 5 AU to 3.75 AU after Jupiter encounter, and to a maximum heliographic latitude of 17 deg. The data include the period from March 1972 through October 1976, during which time the neutron monitor cosmic ray intensity was, except for a few significant excursions, near solar minimum level. It is shown that the radial gradients of all particle species considered are small and positive throughout the period of study. On a shorter time scale, the data indicate transient decreases in the value of the differential gradient associated with major decreases in the cosmic ray intensity in the inner solar system. The observations are consistent with a modulating region whose radius is large compared to 11 AU. The 'anomalous' helium component, present since 1972 at earth orbit, is observed continuously at all radial distances.

Mckibben, R. B.↗

NASA NTRS1979

The latitudinal gradient of nitric oxide in the thermosphere

Theoretical calculations of nitric oxide altitude profiles are made at five different latitudes by using neutral temperatures and composition primarily from the MSIS (mass spectrometer and incoherent scatter) model. The nitric oxide calculated for an altitude of 105 km remains nearly constant with increasing latitude. Observations made by the ultraviolet nitric oxide instrument on the Atmosphere Explorer C satellite show that at low magnetic activity (Ap value of approximately 4), the NO density at 105 km agrees with the theory; however, at moderate levels of activity it increases with latitude. This discrepancy between the theoretical and observed latitudinal gradients of nitric oxide suggests the transport of NO from a high latitude source to lower latitudes. At 200 km the theoretical and observed latitudinal gradients are in reasonable agreement, an indication that the knowledge of the local composition and temperature is sufficient to model nitric oxide at this altitude.

Cravens, T. E.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Turbulent convection within rapidly rotating superadiabatic fluids with horizontal temperature gradients

A model is developed for small scale thermally driven turbulent convection in rapidly rotating systems. The Boussinesq equations of adiabatic and inviscid flow are perturbed about a basic state which is superadiabatic and which contains a horizontal temperature gradient balanced by a geostrophic wind. The growth rates and length scales of the most unstable modes are determined. It is found that these modes are either zonally or latitudinally symmetric, depending on the latitude and the horizontal temperature gradient. The transports of heat and momentum by the modes are computed. The linear amplitudes are assumed to be limited by shear instability. The model predicts a latitude dependent eddy diffusivity. The applicability of the model to astrophysical and planetary bodies is briefly discussed.

Flasar, F. M.↗

NASA NTRS1980

The development of an elastic reverse gradient garment to be used as a countermeasure for cardiovascular deconditioning

Using a new nomex lycra elastic fabric and individualized garment engineering techniques, reverse gradient garments (RGG's) were designed, constructed, and tested for effectiveness as a countermeasure against cardiovascular deconditioning. By combining torso compensated positive pressure breathing with a distally diminishing gradient of counterpressure supplied by the elastic fabric on the limbs, the RGG acts to pool blood in the extremities of recumbent persons much as though they were standing erect in 1 g. The RGG stresses the vasculature in a fashion similar to that experienced by the normally active man, hence preventing or limiting the development of post weightlessness orthostatic intolerance and related conditions. Four male, college age subjects received daily treatments with the RGG during a 15 day bedrest study. Four additional subjects also underwent the bedrest, but received no treatments; they served as controls. The preliminary indication was that the RGG was somewhat effective in limiting the deconditioning process.

Annis, J. F.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Effect of pressure gradients on Gortler instability

Gortler instability for boundary-layer flows over generally curved walls is considered. The full linearized disturbance equations are obtained in an orthogonal curvilinear coordinate system. A perturbation procedure to account for second-order effects is used to determine the effects of the displacement thickness and the variation of the streamline curvature on the neutral stability of the Blasius flow. The pressure gradient in the mean flow is accounted for by solving the nonsimilar boundary-layer equations. Growth rates are obtained for the actual mean flow and the Falkner-Skan flows. The results demonstrate the strong influence of the pressure gradient and the nonsimilarity of the basic flow on the stability characteristics.

Ragab, S. A.↗

NASA NTRS1980

The influence of a high pressure gradient on unsteady velocity perturbations in the case of a turbulent supersonic flow

The amplification or reduction of unsteady velocity perturbations under the influence of strong flow acceleration or deceleration was studied. Supersonic flows with large velocity, pressure gradients, and the conditions in which the velocity fluctuations depend on the action of the average gradients of pressure and velocity rather than turbulence, are described. Results are analyzed statistically and interpreted as a return to laminar process. It is shown that this return to laminar implies negative values in the turbulence production terms for kinetic energy. A simple geometrical representation of the Reynolds stress production is given.

Dussauge, J. P.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Gravity gradient determination with tethered systems

A detailed investigation of the Earth's gravity field is needed for application to modern solid earth and oceanic investigations. The use of gravity gradiometers presents a technique to measure the intermediate wavelength components of the gravity field. One configuration of a gradiometer involves a tethered pair of masses orbiting the Earth and stabilized by vertical gravity gradient of the earth. A mesurement of the tension in such a system, called the DUMBBELL system is described. It allows the determination of the vertical gradient of the anomalous component of the Earth's gravtiy field. Preliminary analysis of the dynamics, mechanization, expected signal levels and noise environment indicates that the Dumbbell system is feasible.

Kalaghan, P. M.↗