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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

The quasi-inertial and wide-deadband modes as backup attitude options for the Skylab mission

The quasi-inertial (QI) and wide deadband (WDB) modes were investigated as alternatives to the solar inertial (SI) mode in case two control moment gyros fail during the Skylab mission. Both modes provide a substantial reduction in propellant requirements from the solar interial hold requirement with either the orbital assembly/thruster attitude control system or service module reaction control system. Spacecraft motion in the QI mode is produced by a command rate and results in a small amplitude oscillation (17 deg, maximum) about the SI orientation. In the WDB mode a somewhat similar, but larger amplitude motion (35 deg maximum) about the SI orientation is developed by appropriate choice of controller deadbands and switch line slopes.

Elrod, B. D.↗

The generation of gravitational waves. 1. Weak-field sources: A plug-in-and-grind formalism

A plug-in-and-grind formalism is derived for calculating the gravitational waves emitted by any system with weak internal gravitational fields. If the internal fields have negligible influence on the system's motions, then the formalism reduces to standard linearized theory. Whether or not gravity affects the motions, if the motions are slow and internal stresses are weak, then the new formalism reduces to the standard quadrupole-moment formalism. In the general case the new formalism expresses the radiation in terms of a retarded Green's function for slightly curved spacetime, and then breaks the Green's-function integral into five easily understood pieces: direct radiation, produced directly by the motions of the sources; whump radiation, produced by the the gravitational stresses of the source; transition radiation, produced by a time-changing time delay (Shapiro effect) in the propagation of the nonradiative, 1/r field of the source; focussing radiation produced when one portion of the source focusses, in a time-dependent way, the nonradiative field of another portion of the source, and tail radiation, produced by backscatter of the nonradiative field in regions of focussing.

Thorne, K. S.↗

Acoustical theory of turbulence

Fluid functions are expanded in a series of functions constituting a complete and orthogonal system of wave solutions of the linearized Navier-Stokes system. The motion of characteristic waves is described by Hamiltonian equations of ray acoustics. Amplitude of the waves is described with the aid of nonlinear interaction terms. The distribution functions (squares of amplitudes) satisfy Boltzmann-type equations and completely describe the mean turbulence properties.

Kentzer, C. P.↗

The generation of gravitational waves. I - Weak-field sources

This paper derives and summarizes a 'plug-in-and-grind' formalism for calculating the gravitational waves emitted by any system with weak internal gravitational fields. If the internal fields have negligible influence on the system's motions, the formalism reduces to standard 'linearized theory'. Independent of the effects of gravity on the motions, the formalism reduces to the standard 'quadrupole-moment formalism' if the motions are slow and internal stresses are weak. In the general case, the formalism expresses the radiation in terms of a retarded Green's function for slightly curved spacetime and breaks the Green's function integral into five easily understood pieces: direct radiation, produced directly by the motions of the source; whump radiation, produced by the 'gravitational stresses' of the source; transition radiation, produced by a time-changing time delay ('Shapiro effect') in the propagation of the nonradiative 1/r field of the source; focusing radiation, produced when one portion of the source focuses, in a time-dependent way, the nonradiative field of another portion of the source; and tail radiation, produced by 'back-scatter' of the nonradiative field in regions of focusing.

Thorne, K. S.↗

Linearization of dynamical systems using integrals of the motion

A method is presented which transforms certain nonlinear differential equations of dynamics into linear equations by introducing an independent variable and utilizing the integrals of motion. As examples of special interest, the linearizations of unperturbed and perturbed Keplerian motions are discussed.

Szebehely, V.↗

Two-dimensional oscillating airfoil test apparatus

A two-dimensional oscillating airfoil test apparatus is presented as a method of measuring unsteady aerodynamic forces on an airfoil or rotor blade section. The oscillating airfoil test rig, which was built for use in NASA Ames Research Center's 11x11-foot Transonic Wind Tunnel (speed range M = 0.4 - 1.4), allows determination of unsteady loadings and detailed pressure distributions on representative airfoil sections undergoing simulated pitching and flapping motions. The design details of the motion generating system and supporting structure are presented.

Gibson, F. L.↗

A model of V356 Sagittarii

It is pointed out that V356 Sgr is an abnormal member of the Algol class of binaries. According to Popper (1955), the primary component is of spectral type B3V and is rotating rapidly, while the secondary is of type A2II and is rotating at least approximately in synchronism with the orbital motion. The system is either semidetached or quite near to being semidetached. The main anomalies are related to the ratio of eclipse depths, the very small reflection effect of the light curves, differences between the duration of the primary and the secondary eclipse, and the unusual characteristics of the primary eclipse. It is concluded that the lack of agreement between theory and observation can be due only to an important attribute of the binary which has not yet been incorporated into the theory. The peculiarities can most reasonably be explained in terms of a geometrically and optically thick disk which surrounds the primary component.

Wilson, R. E.↗

Two-dimensional oscillating airfoil test apparatus

A two dimensional oscillating airfoil test apparatus is presented as a method of measuring unsteady aerodynamic forces on an airfoil or rotor blade section. The oscillating airfoil test rig, which is being built for use in an 11 X 11-foot transonic wind tunnel (speed range M = 0.4 - 1.4), will allow determination of unsteady loadings and detailed pressure distributions on representative airfoil sections undergoing simulated pitching and flapping motions. The design details of the motion generating system and supporting structure are presented. This apparatus is now in the construction phase.

Gibson, F. L.↗

Four-Degree-of-Freedom Platform

Hydraulic actuators make a new motion control system more compact and more efficient than previous designs that use gimbals. System moves a platform in four degrees of freedom--simultaneous pitch, roll, yaw, and displacement. Developed for flight simulators, kinematic concept may also be useful in stabilizing platforms for shipboard equipment, material-handling machinery, and construction equipment.

Chou, R. C.↗

Sled Control and Safety System

Computerized system for controlling motion of linear-track accelerator applied to other automated equipment, such as numerically-controlled machine tools and robot manipulators on assembly lines. System controls motions of sled with sine-wave signal created digitally by microprocessor. Dynamic parameters of sled motion are monitored so sled may be stopped safely if malfunction occurs. Sled is capable of sinusoidal accelerations up to 0.5 g with 125-kg load.

Forrest, L. J.↗

Dynamic behavior of continuous cantilevered pipes conveying fluid near critical velocities

The plane motion of a cantilevered pipe conveying fluid is examined when the flow velocity is in the neighborhood of that generating flutter. In contrast to previous studies, the flow velocity is not prescribed as a constant, but is determined from the laws of motion. A system of two nonlinear partial differential equations which are coupled through the nonlinear terms is thereby obtained. The solution is found by the use of the Krylov-Bogoliubov averaging method and the results are discussed indicating the effect of nonlinearities.

Rousselet, J.↗

PDSS/IMC qualification test software acceptance procedures

Tests to be performed for qualifying the payload development support system image motion compensator (IMC) are identified. The performance of these tests will verify the IMC interfaces and thereby verify the qualification test software.

Source record↗

Preadapting to Weightlessness

Report discusses physiological and physical concepts of proposed training system to precondition astronauts to weightless environment. System prevents motion sickness, often experienced during early part of orbital flight. Also helps prevent seasickness and other forms of terrestrial motion sickness, often experienced during early part of orbital flight. Training affects subject's perception of inner-ear signals, visual signals, and kinesthetic motion perception. Changed perception resembles that of astronauts who spent many days in space and adapted to weightlessness.

Reschke, M. F.↗

Star field simulator

A Star Field Simulator has been developed to serve as a source of radiation for the ASTRO Star Tracker. The star tracker and simulator are components of a motion compensation test facility located at Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. Preflight tests and simulations using various levels of guide stars are performed in the test facility to establish performance of the motion compensation system before being used in a flight environment. The ASTRO Star Tracker operates over a wide dynamic range of irradiance corresponding to visual stellar magnitudes of -0.8 to 8. A minimum of three simulated guide stars with variable magnitudes are needed to fully test the Star Tracker performance under simulated mission conditions.

Source record↗

Whirl and whip: Rotor/bearing stability problems

A mathematical model of a symmetric rotor supported by one rigid and one fluid lubricated bearing is proposed. The rotor model is represented by generalized (modal) parameters of its first bending mode. The rotational character of the bearing fluid force is taken into account. The model yields synchronous vibrations due to rotor unbalance as a particular solution of the equations of motion, rotor/bearing system natural frequencies and corresponding self-excited vibrations known as oil whirl and oil whip. The stability analysis yields rotative speed threshold of stability. The model also gives the evaluation of stability of the rotor synchronous vibrations. In the first balance resonance speed region two more thresholds of stability are yielded. The width of this stability region is directly related to the amount of rotor unbalance. The results of the analysis based on this model stand with very good agreement with field observations of rotor dynamic behavior and the experimental results.

Muszynska, A.↗

Three-dimensional unsteady Euler solutions for propfans and counter-rotating propfans in transonic flow

An Euler code designed for computing the unsteady, three-dimensional, transonic flow about single-rotating and counter-rotating propfans using dynamic blocked-grids is presented. The algorithm is a finite volume, flux-split, upwind, implicit scheme and solves the equations which have been written in a time-dependent curvilinear coordinate system. Relative motion of the blades for counter-rotating configurations is handled by requiring that grid lines be aligned after each discrete rotation of fore and aft rotor grid blocks. The method by which information is passed across block interfaces, as well as how downstream characteristic outflow boundary conditions which enforce simple radial equilibrium are implemented, is discussed. Comparisons of computed flow-field parameters and propfan performance with experimental data indicate good overall agreement between predictions and measurements.

Whitfield, D. L.↗