Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “parallel planes”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 451 records · Page 25

Structure and orientations of solar-wind interaction fronts - Pioneer 6.

An analysis is given of five stream-stream interaction events observed in the Pioneer 6 plasma and field data. That the time profiles of all the parameters are consistent among the events and with previous descriptions given in the literature substantiates the notion of a common interaction type. The velocity variations in four of the events tend to lie in planes approximately parallel to the corotation spiral; thus it is implied that the events are reasonably stationary in time in the corotating frame. The data are interpreted in terms of a corotating interaction front, which is a ridge of high pressure parallel to a corotating spiral. The increased pressure is due to radial compression of the streams. The east-west (zonal) flow directions also occur in the front and are shown to be produced by the zonal pressure gradient of the pressure ridge.

Siscoe, G. L.↗

The fine structure of slip lines in disordered Cu3Au.

The fine structure of the slip bands observed on the surface of a deformed Cu3Au single crystal is examined. The separation distance determined between the resolved individual slip lines is used to examine the calculations of other authors relating the passing stress of a dislocation past a dislocation pileup on a nearby parallel glide plane.

Salama, K.↗

Measurements of field-aligned currents in a multiple auroral arc system

A rocket-borne experiment to study the currents associated with a system of multiple auroral arcs was conducted at Poker Flat, Alaska, at 1122 UT on Feb. 2, 1972. The magnetic field in the vicinity of the auroral system was measured with a cesium vector magnetometer. Possible configurations were inferred by constructing model current systems that reproduced the magnetic field variations measured along the flight path. The data are interpreted in terms of a model current system consisting of two eastward electrojets and one westward electrojet and three pairs of oppositely directed Birkeland sheet currents, all lying in a plane approximately parallel to the auroral arcs. Sheet thicknesses ranged from 20 to 60 km and current densities from 10 to 45 microampere/sq m; the electrojet currents ranged from 1000 to 2000 A. A possible alternate model consisted of four pairs of sheets whose thicknesses range from 10 to 40 km with current densities from 10 to 90 microampere/sq m. There was quite good agreement between the locations of the visual arcs and the upward current sheets. The overall current configuration is discussed in view of the theoretical models constructed by Atkinson and Sato and Holzer and of other observations.

Sesiano, J.↗

Multispacecraft observations of microscale fluctuations in the solar wind

Data from the Explorer 33 and 35 satellites were used to study Alfvenic fluctuations (i.e., fluctuations with a high correlation between perturbation in velocity and magnetic field) in the solar wind. It was found that the average minimum variance method does not give a good estimate of the phase front direction of these fluctuations. There is a distinct class of Alfvenic fluctuations with phase planes nearly parallel to the mean field B sub 0. The characteristic length of the phase fronts of the fluctuations is probably significantly greater than 50 R-E. It is concluded that since tangential discontinuities and possibly other types of static structures appear in Alfvenic fluctuations, these fluctuations are not solely Alfven waves.

Denskat, K. U.↗

Design, fabrication and testing of a multibeam forming network

A concept for a multiple beam forming network to route signals from eight input ports to twenty-one output ports so as to form eight independent seven-element cluster radiators was designed, fabricated, and tested. The operating frequency band is 2.226 to 2.254 GHz and the maximum power to any input port is two watts. The network consists of eight seven-way power dividers connected to twenty-one seven-way power combiners. The network utilizes barline circuits between parallel ground planes for the power distribution and collection. Interconnections are made with short rigid co-axial lines built into the network. The concept, general design procedures, mechanical configuration, and electrical performance are described. It appears that the network is quite satisfactory for demonstrating practical feasibility of the technical concept.

Source record↗

Adsorption of O2, SO2, and SO3 on nickel oxide. Mechanism for sulfate formation

Calculations based on the atom superposition and electron delocalization molecular orbital (ASED-MO) technique suggest that O2 will adsorb perferentially end-on at an angle 45 deg from normal on a nickel cation site on the (100) surface of NiO. SO2 adsorption is also stronger on the nickel site; SO2 bonds through the sulfur atom is a plane perpendicular to the surface. Adsorption energies for SO3 on the nickel and oxygen sites are comparable in the perferred orientation in which the SO3 plane is parallel to the surface. On activation, SO3 adsorbed to an O2(-) site forms a trigonal pyramidal SO4 species which yields, with a low barrier, a tetrahedral sulfate anion. Subsequently the anion reorients on the surface. Possibilities for alternative mechanisms which require the formation of Ni3(+) or O2(-) are discussed. NiSO4 thus formed leads to the corrosion of Ni at high temperatures in the SO2+O2/SO3 The SO2+O2/SO3 atmosphere, as discussed in the experimental literature.

Mehandru, S. P.↗

Silicon carbide filaments - Microstructure

The microstructure of chemically vapor deposited silicon carbide filaments has been examined using transmission electron microscopy. The filament bulk consisted of heavily faulted columnar subgrains of beta-SiC which were preferentially oriented such that 1 1 1 planes were parallel to the surface of the carbon fiber substrate. The protective coating on the filament surface was characterized by several microstructurally distinct layers, all of which consisted primarily of carbon. The first layers of the coating contained small crystallites of SiC in addition to turbostratic carbon, while the outer layers showed no evidence of SiC. Implications of the filament microstructure with respect to mechanical properties are discussed.

Nutt, S. R.↗

Adsorption of O2, SO2, and SO3, on nickel oxide - Mechanism for sulfate formation

Calculations based on the atom superposition and electron delocalization molecular orbital technique suggest that O2 will adsorb preferentially end-on at an angle 45 deg from normal on a nickel cation site on the (100) surface of NiO. SO2 adsorption is also stronger on the nickel site; SO2 bonds through the sulfur atom in a plane perpendicular to the surface. Adsorption energies for SO3 on the nickel and oxygen sites are comparable in the preferred orientation in which the SO3 plane is parallel to the surface. The calculations suggest that the strength of adsorption varies as O2 greater than SO2 greater than SO3. On activation, SO3 adsorbed to an O(2-) site forms a trigonal pyramidal SO4 species which yields, with a low barrier, a tetrahedral sulfate anion. Subsequently the anion reorients on the surface. Alternative mechanisms which require the formation of Ni(3+) or O(-) are discussed. NiSO4 thus formed may play a passivating role for the corrosion of Ni at low temperatures in the SO2 + O2 + SO3 atmospheres and an active role at high temperatures, as discussed in the experimental literature.

Mehandru, S. P.↗

Study of diamond film growth and properties

The objective was to study diamond film growth and its properties in order to enhance the laser damage threshold of substrate materials. Calculations were performed to evaluate laser induced thermal stress parameter, R(sub T) of diamond. It is found that diamond has several orders of magnitude higher in value for R(sub T) compared to other materials. Thus, the laser induced damage threshold (LIDT) of diamond is much higher. Diamond films were grown using a microwave plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (MPECVD) system at various conditions of gas composition, pressure, temperature, and substrate materials. A 0.5 percent CH4 in H2 at 20 torr were ideal conditions for growing of high quality diamond films on substrates maintained at 900 C. The diamond films were polycrystalline which were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Raman scattering spectroscopy. The top surface of the growing film is always rough due to the facets of polycrystalline film while the back surface of the film replicates the substrate surface. An analytical model based on two dimensional periodic heat flow was developed to calculate the effective in-plane (face parallel) diffusivity of a two layer system. The effective diffusivity of diamond/silicon samples was measured using a laser pulse technique. The thermal conductivity of the films was measured to be 13.5 W/cm K, which is better than that of a type Ia natural diamond. Laser induced damage experiments were performed on bare Si substrates, diamond film coated Si, and diamond film windows. Significant improvements in the LIDT were obtained for diamond film coated Si compared to the bare Si.

Albin, Sacharial↗

The energetic ion signature of an O-type neutral line in the geomagnetic tail

An energetic ion signature is presented which has the potential for remote sensing of an O-type neutral line embedded in a current sheet. A source plasma with a tailward flowing Kappa distribution yields a strongly non-Kappa distribution after interacting with the neutral line: sharp jumps, or ridges, occur in the velocity space distribution function f(nu-perpendicular, nu-parallel) associated with both increases and decreases in f. The jumps occur when orbits are reversed in the x-direction: a reversal causing initially earthward particles (low probability in the source distribution) to be observed results in a decrease in f, while a reversal causing initially tailward particles to be observed produces an increase in f. The reversals, and hence the jumps, occur at approximately constant values of perpendicular velocity in both the positive nu parallel and negative nu parallel half planes. The results were obtained using single particle simulations in a fixed magnetic field model.

Martin, R. F., Jr.↗

Planet-B: A Japanese Mars aeronomy observer

An introduction is given to a Japanese Mars mission (Planet-B) which is being planned at the Institute of Space and Aeronautical Science (ISAS), Japan. Planet-B aims to study the upper atmosphere of Mars and its interaction with the solar wind. The launch of Planet-B is planned for 1996 on a new launcher, M-L, which is being developed at ISAS. In addition to the interaction with the solar wind, the structure of the Martian upper atmosphere is thought to be controlled by the meteorological condition in the lower atmosphere. The orbit of Planet-B was chosen so that it will pass two important regions, the region where the solar wind interacts with the Martian upper atmosphere and the tail region where ion acceleration is taking place. Considering the drag due to the Martian atmosphere, the periapsis altitude of 150 km and apoapsis of 10 Martian radii are planned. The orbit plane will be nearly parallel to the ecliptic plane. The altitude of the spacecraft will be spin stabilized and its spin axis will be controlled to the point of the earth. The dry weight of the spacecraft will be about 250 kg, including the scientific payload which consists of a magnetometer, plasma instruments, HF sounder, UV imaging spectrometer, and lower atmosphere monitor.

Tsuruda, K.↗

Progress in HTS trapped field magnets: J(sub c), area, and applications

Progress in trapped field magnets is reported. Single YBCO grains with diameters of 2 cm are made in production quantities, while 3 cm, 4 1/2 cm and 6 cm diameters are being explored. For single grain tiles: J(sub c) is approximately 10,000 A/cm(exp 2) for melt textured grains; J(sub c) is approximately 40,000 A/cm2 for light ion irradiation; and J(sub c) is approximately 85,000 A/cm(exp 2) for heavy ion irradiation. Using 2 cm diameter tiles bombarded by light ions, we have fabricated a mini-magnet which trapped 2.25 Tesla at 77K, and 5.3 Tesla at 65K. A previous generation of tiles, 1 cm x 1 cm, was used to trap 7.0 Tesla at 55K. Unirradiated 2.0 cm tiles were used to provide 8 magnets for an axial gap generator, in a collaborative experiment with Emerson Electric Co. This generator delivered 100 Watts to a resistive load, at 2265 rpm. In this experiment activation of the TFMs was accomplished by a current pulse of 15 ms duration. Tiles have also been studied for application as a bumper-tether system for the soft docking of spacecraft. A method for optimizing tether forces, and mechanisms of energy dissipation are discussed. A bus bar was constructed by welding three crystals while melt-texturing, such that their a,b planes were parallel and interleaved. The bus bar, an area of approximately 2 cm(exp 2), carried a transport current of 1000 amps, the limit of the testing equipment available.

Weinstein, Roy↗

Progress in HTS Trapped Field Magnets: J(sub c), Area, and Applications

Progress in trapped field magnets is reported. Single YBCO grains with diameters of 2 cm are made in production quantities, while 3 cm, 4 1/2 cm and 6 cm diameters are being explored. For single grain tiles: J(sub c) - 10,000 A/sq cm for melt textured grains; J(sub c) - 40,000 A/sq cm for light ion irradiation; and J(sub c) - 85,000 A/J(sub c) for heavy ion irradiation. Using 2 cm diameter tiles bombarded by light ions, we have fabricated a mini-magnet which trapped 2.25 Tesla at 77K, and 5.3 Tesla at 65K. A previous generation of tiles, 1 cm x 1 cm, was used to trap 7.0 Tesla at 55K. Unirradiated 2.0 cm tiles were used to provide 8 magnets for an axial gap generator, in a collaborative experiment with Emerson Electric Co. This generator delivered 100 Watts to a resistive load, at 2265 rpm. In this experiment, activation of the TFMs was accomplished by a current pulse of 15 ms duration. Tiles have also been studied for application as a bumper-tether system for the soft docking of spacecraft. A method for optimizing tether forces, and mechanisms of energy dissipation are discussed. A bus bar was constructed by welding three crystals while melt-texturing, such that their a,b planes were parallel and interleaved. The bus bar, of area approx. 2 sq cm, carried a transport current of 1000 amps, the limit of the testing equipment available.

Weinstein, Roy↗

A Structured Light Sensor System for Tree Inventory

Tree Inventory is referred to measurement and estimation of marketable wood volume in a piece of land or forest for purposes such as investment or for loan applications. Exist techniques rely on trained surveyor conducting measurements manually using simple optical or mechanical devices, and hence are time consuming subjective and error prone. The advance of computer vision techniques makes it possible to conduct automatic measurements that are more efficient, objective and reliable. This paper describes 3D measurements of tree diameters using a uniquely designed ensemble of two line laser emitters rigidly mounted on a video camera. The proposed laser camera system relies on a fixed distance between two parallel laser planes and projections of laser lines to calculate tree diameters. Performance of the laser camera system is further enhanced by fusion of information induced from structured lighting and that contained in video images. Comparison will be made between the laser camera sensor system and a stereo vision system previously developed for measurements of tree diameters.

Chien, Chiun-Hong↗

Optical Design for CETUS a Wide-Field 1.5-m Aperture UV Payload Being Studied for a NASA Probe Class Mission Study

As part of a study funded by NASA headquarters, we are developing a probe-class mission concept called the Cosmic Evolution through UV Spectroscopy (CETUS). CETUS includes a 1.5-m aperture diameter telescope with a large field of view (FOV). CETUS includes three scientific instruments: a far ultraviolet (FUV) and near ultraviolet (NUV) imaging camera (CAM); a NUV multiobject spectrograph (MOS); and a dual-channel point/slit spectrograph (PSS) in the Lyman ultraviolet (LUV), FUV, and NUV spectral regions. The large FOV three-mirror anastigmatic (TMA) optical telescope assembly (OTA) simultaneously feeds the three separate scientific instruments. That is, the instruments view separate portions of the TMA image plane, enabling parallel operation by the three instruments. The field viewed by the MOS, whose design is based on an Offner-type spectrographic configuration to provide wide FOV correction, is actively configured to select and isolate numerous field sources using a next-generation micro-shutter array. The two-channel CAM design is also based on an Offner-like configuration. The PSS performs high spectral resolution spectroscopy on unresolved objects over the NUV region with spectral resolving power, R ~ 40,000, in an echelle mode. The PSS also performs long-slit imaging spectroscopy at R ~ 20,000 in the LUV and FUV spectral regions with two aberration-corrected, blazed, holographic gratings used in a Rowland-like configuration. The optical system also includes two fine guidance sensors, and wavefront sensors that sample numerous locations over the full OTA FOV. In-flight wavelength calibration is performed by a wavelength calibration system, and flat-fielding is also performed, both using in-flight calibration sources. We describe the current optical design of CETUS and the major trade studies leading to the design.

space sensors↗

Instrument for Measuring Temperature of Water

A pseudo-Brewster-angle infrared radiometer has been proposed for use in noncontact measurement of the surface temperature of a large body of water (e.g., a lake or ocean). This radiometer could be situated on a waterborne, airborne, or spaceborne platform. The design of the pseudo-Brewster-angle radiometer would exploit the spectral-emissivity and polarization characteristics of water to minimize errors attributable to the emissivity of water and to the reflection of downwelling (e.g., Solar and cloud-reflected) infrared radiation. The relevant emissivity and polarization characteristics are the following: . The Brewster angle is the angle at which light polarized parallel to the plane of incidence on a purely dielectric material is not reflected. The pseudo-Brewster angle, defined for a lossy dielectric (somewhat electrically conductive) material, is the angle for which the reflectivity for parallel-polarized light is minimized. For pure water, the reflectivity for parallel-polarized light is only 2.2 x 10(exp -4) at its pseudo- Brewster angle of 51deg. The reflectivity remains near zero, several degrees off from the 51deg optimum, allowing this angle of incidence requirement to be easily achieved. . The wavelength range of interest for measuring water temperatures is 8 to 12 microns. The emissivity of water for parallel- polarized light at the pseudo-Brewster angle is greater than 0.999 in this wavelength range. The radiometer would be sensitive in the wavelength range of 8 to 12 microns, would be equipped with a polarizer to discriminate against infrared light polarized perpendicular to the plane of incidence, and would be aimed toward a body of water at the pseudo- Brewster angle (see figure). Because the infrared radiation entering the radiometer would be polarized parallel to the plane of incidence and because very little downwelling parallel-polarized radiation would be reflected into the radiometer on account of the pseudo-Brewster arrangement, the radiation received by the radiometer would consist almost entirely of thermal emission from the surface of the water. Because the emissivity of the water would be very close to 1, the water could be regarded as a close approximation of a blackbody for the purpose of computing its surface temperature from the radiometer measurements by use of the Planck radiation law.

Ryan, Robert↗

Analysis of NiAlTa precipitates in beta-NiAl + 2 at. pct Ta alloy

Results are reported from experiments performed to identify the precipitates, and their orientation in the matrix, in a beta-NiAl alloy containing 2 at. pct. Ta after undergoing creep test at 1300 K. Test specimens formed by extruding hot powders were compressed at 1300 K for about 50 hr at a strain rate averaging 6/1 million per sec. The specimens were then thinned and examined under an electron microscope and by X-ray diffractometry. An intermetallic NiAlTa compound with a hexagonal Cl4 structure appeared as second phase precipitates in the samples, exhibiting plate-like shapes and a habit plane close to (012). The prism planes of the hexagonal NiAlTa precipitates paralleled the closest packed planes in the cubic beta-NiAl matrix.

Pathare, V.↗

Hydrostatic equilibrium of gas, extent of cosmic ray confinement, and radio emission in the Galaxy

A detailed study of the hydrostatic equilibrium of the gas-field system perpendicular to the galactic plane in the neighborhood of the sun, assuming that the magnetic field is parallel to the plane, has been carried out. It is found that the distribution of pressure due to cosmic rays and the magnetic field is different from that due to the gas. The observed radio spectrum in the direction of the galactic pole can be understood if one includes in the hydrostatic equilibrium the distribution of gas in the halo. The results of this analysis show that in the galactic plane, the cosmic-ray density is approximately 2 to 3 eV/cu cm with a magnetic-field strength of about 5 to 6 microgauss. It is inferred that cosmic rays are confined to a more extended volume in the Galaxy (with an equivalent thickness of at least 2 kpc in the solar neighborhood) than the gas disk, and the magnetic-field strength slowly decreases to a value of 1 microgauss only beyond about 5 kpc from the plane. Further, there is no evidence for a quasi-spherical radio halo, although the radio emission extends beyond the gas disk with scale height of at least 1 kpc. A lower limit of about 6 million years for the confinement of cosmic rays in the Galaxy has been set.

Badhwar, G. D.↗