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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 487 records · Page 27
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1975

Comparative evaluation of predicted and measured performance of a 68-cubic meter truncated reverberant noise chamber

The performance of a medium size, truncated reverberation chamber is evaluated in detail. Chamber performance parameters are predicted, using classical acoustic theory, and are compared to results from actual chamber measurements. Discrepancies are discussed in relation to several available empirical corrections developed by other researchers. Of more practical interest is the confirmation of a recent theory stating that the present guide for the ratio of specimen volume to test chamber volume, approximately 10 percent, is overly conservative, and can be increased by a factor of at least 2 and possibly 3. Results and theoretical justification of these findings are presented.

Cyphers, H. D.↗
NASA NTRS1975

DOT/NASA comparative assessment of Brayton engines for guideway vehicle and buses. Volume 1: Summary

The Department of Transportation requested that the NASA Office of Aeronautics and Space Technology evaluate and assess the potential of several types of gas turbine engines and fuels for the on-board power and propulsion of a future heavy-duty ground transportation system. The purpose of the investigation was threefold: (1) to provide a definition of the potential for turbine engines to minimize pollution, energy consumption, and noise; (2) to provide a useful means of comparison of the types of engine based on consistent assumptions and a common analytical approach; and (3) to provide a compendium of comparative performance data that would serve as the technical basis for future planning. Emphasis was on establishing comparison trends rather than on absolute values and a definitive engine selection. The primary value of this study is intended to be usefulness of the results to provide a quantitative basis for future judgement.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1975

DOT/NASA comparative assessment of Brayton engines for guideway vehicles and busses. Volume 2: Analysis and results

Gas turbine engines were assessed for application to hear duty transportation. A summary of the assumptions, applications, and methods of analysis is included along with a discussion of the approach taken, the technical program flow chart, and weighting criteria used for performance evaluation. The various engines are compared on the bases of weight, performance, emissions and noise, technology status, and growth potential. The results of the engine screening phase and the conceptual design phase are presented.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1975

Four methods of attitude determination for spin-stabilized spacecraft with applications and comparative results

The attitude of a spacecraft is determined by specifying independent parameters which relate the spacecraft axes to an inertial coordinate system. Sensors which measure angles between spin axis and other vectors directed to objects or fields external to the spacecraft are discussed. For the spin-stabilized spacecraft considered, the spin axis is constant over at least an orbit, but separate solutions based on sensor angle measurements are different due to propagation of errors. Sensor-angle solution methods are described which minimize the propagated errors by making use of least squares techniques over many sensor angle measurements and by solving explicitly (in closed form) for the spin axis coordinates. These methods are compared with star observation solutions to determine if satisfactory accuracy is obtained by each method.

Smith, G. A.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Vibration-translation energy transfer in anharmonic diatomic molecules. I - A comparative evaluation of the semiclassical approximation

The semiclassical approximation (quantum oscillator, classical path) is applied to anharmonic diatomic oscillators in excited initial states. Multistate numerical solutions giving the vibrational transition probabilities for collinear collisions with an inert atom are compared with equivalent, exact quantum-mechanical calculations. Several symmetrization methods are shown to correlate accurately the predictions of both theories for all initial states, transitions, and molecular types tested, but only if coupling of the oscillator motion and the classical trajectory of the incident particle is considered. In anharmonic heteronuclear molecules, the customary semiclassical method of computing the classical trajectory independently leads to transition probabilities with anomalous low-energy resonances. Proper accounting of the effects of oscillator compression and recoil on the incident particle trajectory removes the anomalies and restores the applicability of the semiclassical approximation.

Mckenzie, R. L.↗
NASA NTRS1975

An interactive graphics program to retrieve, display, compare, manipulate, curve fit, difference and cross plot wind tunnel data

The Aerodynamic Data Analysis and Integration System (ADAIS), developed as a highly interactive computer graphics program capable of manipulating large quantities of data such that addressable elements of a data base can be called up for graphic display, compared, curve fit, stored, retrieved, differenced, etc., was described. The general nature of the system is evidenced by the fact that limited usage has already occurred with data bases consisting of thermodynamic, basic loads, and flight dynamics data. Productivity using ADAIS of five times that for conventional manual methods of wind tunnel data analysis is routinely achieved. In wind tunnel data analysis, data from one or more runs of a particular test may be called up and displayed along with data from one or more runs of a different test. Curves may be faired through the data points by any of four methods, including cubic spline and least squares polynomial fit up to seventh order.

Elliott, R. D.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Comparative utility of LANDSAT-1 and Skylab data for coastal wetland mapping and ecological studies

Skylab 190-A photography and LANDSAT-1 analog data have been analyzed to determine coastal wetland mapping potential as a near term substitute for aircraft data and as a long term monitoring tool. The level of detail and accuracy of each was compared. Skylab data provides more accurate classification of wetland types, better delineation of freshwater marshes and more detailed analysis of drainage patterns. LANDSAT-1 analog data is useful for general classification, boundary definition and monitoring of human impact in wetlands.

Anderson, R.↗
NASA NTRS1975

The intensities and profiles of XUV transition zone lines in a quiet sun region compared to a polar coronal hole

The intensities of XUV transition-zone lines from limb spectra of a quiet-sun region and a polar coronal hole are compared. The spectra were obtained with a slit spectrograph on Skylab and cover a region from -12 sec within the limb to 20 sec above it. The lines selected for comparison are formed at temperatures that range from 36,000 to 220,000 K. Lines of the higher-temperature ions, e.g. O v, are significantly less intense in the coronal hole, and lines of lower-temperature ions show little change. Profiles of selected optically thin transition-zone lines from the quiet-sun and coronal-hole spectra are also shown. The lines are broader than expected in ionization equilibrium, and bulk-motion velocities are deduced from the widths of the lines. There appears to be little, if any, statistically significant difference in the velocities obtained from the quiet-sun region and the coronal hole.

Feldman, U.↗
NASA NTRS1976

An experimental investigation of the flap-lag stability of a hingeless rotor with comparable levels of hub and blade stiffness in hovering flight

An experimental investigation of the flap-lag stability of a hingeless rotor in hovering flight is presented and discussed. The rotor blade and hub configuration were selected such that the hub and blade had comparable levels of bending stiffness. Experimental measurements of the lag damping were made for various values of rotor rotational speed and blade pitch angle. Specifically at a blade pitch angle of 8 deg at three-quarters radius, the lag damping was determined over a range of rotational speeds from 200 RPM to 320 RPM and also over a range of blade pitch angles from 0 deg to 8 deg.

Curtiss, H. C., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Advanced propulsion concepts study: Comparative study of solar electric propulsion and laser electric propulsion

Solar electric propulsion (SEP) and laser electric propulsion (LEP) was compared. The LEP system configuration consists of an 80 kW visible laser source on earth, transmitting via an 8 m diameter adaptively controlled phased array through the atmosphere to a 4 m diameter synchronous relay mirror that tracks the LEP spacecraft. The only significant change in the SEP spacecraft for an LEP mission is the replacement of the two 3.7 m by 33.5 m solar cell arrays with a single 8 m diameter laser photovoltaic array. The solar cell array weight is decreased from 320 kg to 120 kg for an increase in payload of 200 kg and a decrease in specific mass of the power system from 20.5 kg/kW to 7.8 kg/kW.

Forward, R. L.↗
NASA NTRS1977

An initial comparative assessment of orbital and terrestrial central power systems

A silicon photovoltaic orbital power system, which is constructed from an earth source of materials, is compared to likely terrestrial (fossil, nuclear, and solar) approaches to central power generation around the year 2000. A total social framework is used that considers not only the projection of commercial economics (direct or in internal costs), but also considers external impacts such as research and development investment, health impacts, resource requirements, environment effects, and other social costs.

Caputo, R.↗
NASA NTRS1976

A comparative study of three techniques for using the spectral matrix in wave analysis

Three techniques - power spectral analysis, coherency analysis, and wave analysis - for studying ULF waves in the magnetosphere are described. These techniques, while mathematically dissimilar, are all based on the assumption that, at any single frequency, a single plane wave, propagating along the normal to the plane, is present. Wave polarization parameters provided by these techniques are important in the development of models of wave generation. A comparative study of the three techniques was carried out using simulated data involving known wave and noise properties and real ULF event data from ATS 1 and 6.

Arthur, C. W.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Comparative performance of solar thermal power generation concepts

A performance comparison is made between the central receiver system (power tower) and a distributed system using either dishes or troughs and lines to transport fluids to the power station. These systems were analyzed at a rated capacity of 30 MW of thermal energy delivered in the form of superheated steam at 538 C (1000 F) and 68 atm (1000 psia), using consistent weather data, collector surface waviness, pointing error, and electric conversion efficiency. The comparisons include technical considerations for component requirements, land utilization, and annual thermal energy collection rates. The relative merits of different representative systems are dependent upon the overall conversion as expressed in the form of performance factors in this paper. These factors are essentially indices of the relative performance effectiveness for different concepts based upon unit collector area. These performance factors enable further economic tradeoff studies of systems to be made by comparing them with projected production costs for these systems.

Wen, L.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Comparative studies of Lunar, Martian, and Mercurian craters and plains

Lunar features provide a valuable interpretation data base for comparison with features on other planets which are believed to have been formed by the cratering process. The paper adopts the comparative approach by examining the smooth plains of the moon and Mercury, with special emphasis on crater degradation on the moon, Mercury, and Mars. A possible cause for the observed deficiency of craters with diameters no more than 50 km on certain areas of lunar uplands and on the entire uplands of Mercury and Mars is discussed. It is suggested that pertinent differences can be predicted on the basis of new concepts for production population and of effects of changes in planetary conditions on the secondary cratering process. It is concluded that the deficiency of craters with diameters no more than 50 km on parts of the lunar uplands and on the Mercurian and Martian uplands may be evidence for a deficiency in production of primary craters in this size range. Origin of the late heavy bombardment in the inner solar system is examined.

Oberbeck, V. R.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Asteroids and comparative planetology

The state of knowledge concerning the asteroids is reviewed and discussed in terms of the relationship of the asteroids with other solar system bodies. The data on spectral reflectances of asteroids are examined, and their implications for comparative planetology are discussed.

Matson, D. L.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Femtosecond time-domain phase comparator

Phase shift in test device is measured by summing output of mixer with ramp voltage and comparing time interval between zero crossings of summed signal and ramp reference frequency. Circuit can be used to test devices at other frequencies by changing only signal source, phase splitter, and mixer; divider and time-interval counter need not be driven by oscillator.

Donahoe, T.↗