Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “wave parameter”

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 523 records · Page 29

Model-Data Assimilation of Internal Waves during ASIAEX-2001

In recent Asian Seas International Acoustics Experiment (ASIAEX), extensive moorings have been deployed around the continental shelf break area in the northeast of South China Sea in May 2001. Simultaneous RADARSAT SAR images have been collected during the field test to integrate with the in-situ measurements from moorings, ship-board sensors, and CTD casts. Besides it provides synoptic information, satellite imagery is very useful for tracking the internal waves, and locating surface fronts and mesoscale features. During ASIAEX in May 2001, many large internal waves were observed at the test area and were the major oceanic features for acoustic volume interaction. Based on the internal wave distribution maps compiled from satellite data, the wave crest can be as long as 200 km with amplitude of 100 m. Environmental parameters have been calculated based on extensive CTD casts data near the ASIAEX area. Nonlinear internal wave models have been applied to integrate and assimilate both SAR and mooring data. Using SAR data in deep water as an initial condition, numerical simulations produce the wave evolution on the continental shelf and compared reasonably well with the mooring measurements at the downstream station. The shoaling, turning, and dissipation of large internal waves on the shelf break, elevation solitons, and wave-wave interaction have been studied and are very important issues for acoustic propagation. The internal wave effects on acoustic modal coupling has been implicated and discussed.

Liu, Antony↗

Properties of the Binary Black Hole Merger GW150914

On September 14, 2015, the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) detected a gravitational-wave transient (GW150914); we characterize the properties of the source and its parameters. The data around the time of the event were analyzed coherently across the LIGO network using a suite of accurate waveform models that describe gravitational waves from a compact binary system in general relativity. GW150914 was produced by a nearly equal mass binary black hole of masses 36(+5/-4) solar mass and 29(+4/-4) solar mass; for each parameter we report the median value and the range of the 90% credible interval. The dimensionless spin magnitude of the more massive black hole is bound to be less than 0.7 (at 90% probability). The luminosity distance to the source is 410(+160/-180) Mpc, corresponding to a redshift 0.09(+0.03/−0.04) assuming standard cosmology. The source location is constrained to an annulus section of 610 sq deg, primarily in the southern hemisphere. The binary merges into a black hole of mass 62(+4/−4) solar mass and spin 0.67(+0.05/−0.07). This black hole is significantly more massive than any other inferred from electromagnetic observations in the stellar-mass regime.

Abbott, B. P.↗

Computing unsteady shock waves for aeroacoustic applications

The computation of unsteady shock waves, which contribute significantly to noise generation in supersonic jet flows, is investigated. This paper focuses on the difficulties of computing slowly moving shock waves. Numerical error is found to manifest itself principally as a spurious entropy wave. Calculations presented are performed using a third order essentially nonoscillatory scheme. The effect of stencil biasing parameters and of two versions of numerical flux formulas on the magnitude of spurious entropy are investigated. The level of numerical error introduced in the calculation in quantified as a function of shock pressure ratio, shock speed, Courant number, and mesh density. The spurious entropy relative to the entropy jump across a static shock decreases with increasing shock strength and shock velocity relative to the grid, but is insensitive to Courant number. The structure of the spurious entropy wave is affected by the choice of flux formulas and algorithm biasing parameters. The effect of the spurious numerical waves on the calculation of sound amplification by a shock wave is investigated. For this class of problem, the acoustic pressure waves are relatively unaffected by the spurious numerical phenomena.

Meadows,, Kristine r.↗

Assessment of Axial Wave Number and Mean Flow Uncertainty on Acoustic Liner Impedance Education

A key parameter in designing and assessing advanced broadband acoustic liners to achieve the current and future noise reduction goals is the acoustic impedance presented by the liner. This parameter, intrinsic to a specific liner configuration, is dependent on sound pressure level and grazing flow velocity. Current impedance eduction approaches have, in general, provided excellent results and continue to be employed throughout the acoustic liner community. However, some recent applications have indicated a possible dependence of the educed impedance on the direction of incident waves relative to the mean flow. The purpose of the current study is to investigate this unexpected behavior for various impedance eduction methods based on the Pridmore-Brown and convected Helmholtz equations. Specifically, the effects of flow profile and axial wavenumber uncertainties on educed impedances for upstream and downstream sources are investigated. The uniform flow results demonstrate the importance of setting a correct Mach number value in obtaining consistent educed impedances for upstream and downstream sources. In fact, the consistency of results over the two source locations was greatly improved by a slight modification of the uniform flow Mach number. In addition, uncertainty in educed axial wavenumber was also illustrated to correlate well with differences in the educed impedances, even with modified uniform flow Mach number. Finally, while less straightforward than in the uniform flow case, it appears that modification of the mean flow profile may also improve consistency of results for upstream and downstream results when shear flow is included.

Nark, Douglas M.↗

Nonlinear Internal Waves in the South China Sea During ASIAEX

Internal wave distribution maps have been compiled from more than one hundred ERS-1/2, RADARSAT and Space Shuttle SAR images in the South China Sea (SCS) from 1993 to 2000. Based on these distribution maps, most of internal waves in the northeast part of SCS were propagating westward. The wave crest can be as long as 200 km with amplitude of 100 m, due to strong current from the Kuroshio branching out into the SCS. In recent Asian Seas International Acoustics Experiment (ASIAEX), moorings have been deployed in April 2000 and May 2001. Simultaneous RADARSAT ScanSAR images have been collected during the field test to integrate with the model and the in-situ measurements in the SCS. During ASIAEX in May 2001, many large internal waves were observed at the test area and were the major features for acoustic volume interaction. The environmental parameters have been calculated based on extensive CTD castings and mooring data. Nonlinear internal wave models have been applied to simulate the wave evolution on the continental shelf and the results compare reasonably with mooring measurements. The evolution and dissipation of huge internal waves on the shelf break, mode-two waves, elevation waves, and wave-wave interaction are very important issues for acoustic propagation. The implication of internal wave effects on acoustic propagation will also be discussed.

ACOUSTIC PROPAGATION↗

On oscillatory flow over topography in a rotating fluid

Quasi-geostrophic beta-plane motion of a homogeneous liquid over topography is considered for situations in which there is a time-periodic forcing of a zonal current. Such an oscillatory current generates a topographic Rossby wave response that has a complicated, but periodic, temporal structure. The linear solution grows resonances at all integer values of the beta-parameter. The nonlinear analysis demonstrates that for weak friction and forcing, the resonances are bent and multiple equilibria of the time-dependent Rossby wave states are possible in certain parameter ranges. While the basic forced flow in the absence of topography has no time-mean, the nonlinear amplitude equations show that a mean retrograde (westward) Eulerian zonal flow is generated in the interactions of the forced flow with the topography.

Hart, J. E.↗

Study of internal gravity waves in the meteor zone

An important component of the dynamical regime of the atmosphere at heights near 100 km are internal gravity waves (IGW) with periods from about 5 min to about 17.5 hrs which propagate from the lower atmospheric layers and are generated in the uppermost region of the atmosphere. As IGW propagate upwards, their amplitudes increase and they have a considerable effect on upper atmospheric processes: (1) they provide heat flux divergences comparable with solar heating; (2) they influence the gaseous composition and produce wave variations of the concentrations of gaseous components and emissions of the upper atmosphere; and (3) they cause considerable acceleration of the mean stream. It was concluded that the periods, wavelengths, amplitudes and velocities of IGW propagation in the meteor zone are now measured quite reliably. However, for estimating the influence of IGW on the thermal regime and the circulation of the upper atmosphere these parameters are not as important as the values of wave fluxes of energy, heat, moment and mass.

Gavrilov, N. M.↗

Viscous stability theory for thermally stratified flow - Discontinuous jets and shear layers.

The method used by Drazin to investigate the stability of unbounded, viscous, homogeneous, parallel shear flow to small wavenumber disturbances is extended to study the effect of thermal stratification on the stability of unbounded jets and shear layers. By this method the stability characteristics of continuous profiles are inferred from the stability characteristics of discontinuous profiles. The characteristic value problem for discontinuous jet and shear layers is posed by the requirement that the solutions of the governing differential equation satisfy the matching conditions and boundedness conditions for layers that extend to infinity. The analysis leads to a characteristic determinant which is required to vanish for the characteristic values of the parameters: the Reynolds number, the wavenumber, and the wave speed. The stabilizing effect of the thermal stratification as parameterized by the Richardson number was found to be most stabilizing for small wavenumber (large-scale) disturbances.

Gage, K. S.↗

The MAT project - Atmospheric turbulence measurements with emphasis on long wavelengths

The significant aspects of the NASA MAT (measurement of atmospheric turbulence) program are described. A principal objective of the project is to determine if the Von Karman equation is appropriate for clear-air turbulence in various meteorological conditions, and if so, to define the appropriate L-values in the equation. The current work is primarily a status report describing the measurement system and analysis procedure, some meteorological aspects, and several preliminary results. Measurements of gust velocity will be made over a wide altitude range and in different meteorological conditions. Power spectral density values will be obtained for the three components of gust velocity to wavelengths of 30,000 ft and greater. Principal meteorological parameters of interest include the jet stream, mountain waves, and flight at low altitude (or in the earth's boundary layer).

Murrow, H. N.↗

Interplanetary magnetic fields

The paper reviews the following studies on interplanetary magnetic fields: (1) the relation of the interplanetary field to the sun and to solar-wind streams; (2) radial gradients in the solar wind and interplanetary field; (3) shocks, hydromagnetic waves and discontinuities; (4) variations of interplanetary field parameters over the solar cycle; (5) the relation between the interplanetary field and the terrestrial magnetosphere; (6) the internal dynamics of the magnetic field and solar wind plasma; and (7) the transport, acceleration, and modulation of energetic particles, including cosmic rays. It is noted that further studies will relate to the complex relations between the interplanetary field and solar structure.

Smith, E. J.↗

Improved test methods for determining lightning-induced voltages in aircraft

A lumped parameter transmission line with a surge impedance matching that of the aircraft and its return lines was evaluated as a replacement for earlier current generators. Various test circuit parameters were evaluated using a 1/10 scale relative geometric model. Induced voltage response was evaluated by taking measurements on the NASA-Dryden Digital Fly by Wire F-8 aircraft. Return conductor arrangements as well as other circuit changes were also evaluated, with all induced voltage measurements being made on the same circuit for comparison purposes. The lumped parameter transmission line generates a concave front current wave with the peak di/dt near the peak of the current wave which is more representative of lightning. However, the induced voltage measurements when scaled by appropriate scale factors (peak current or di/dt) resulting from both techniques yield comparable results.

Crouch, K. E.↗

Mesospheric heating due to convectively excited gravity waves - A case study

A series of at least daily rocket soundings of the mesosphere at Wallops Island, Virginia (37 deg 50 min N, 75 deg 29 min W), in August and September 1976 reveal near simultaneity between rapid temperature rises and tropospheric convection in the form of squall lines. A multilevel numerical model is developed to test the hypothesis that the convection and warmings are related via internal gravity waves. Some features of the model are (1) the wave energy source is expressed in terms of cloud-base mass flux, plume diameter and buoyant updraft velocity; (2) the turbulent-viscous gravity wave dissipation is limited to above 55 km and is parameterized on the basis of findings by Hines (1965). Significant findings are: (1) mesospheric heating rates of the same order as those observed result for reasonable values of the convective parameters and in situ dissipation time scales; (2) only gravity waves confined to a well-defined wavelength and frequency interval are able to propagate upward to mesospheric altitudes; (3) heating rates are strongly dependent on plume diameter and updraft velocity; and (4) for a given cloud-base mass flux, heating rates are optimized for a plume updraft velocity of 10 m/s.

Clark, J. H. E.↗

Scatter of elastic waves by a thin flat elliptical inhomogeneity

Elastodynamic fields of a single, flat, elliptical inhomogeneity embedded in an infinite elastic medium subjected to plane time harmonic waves are studied. Scattered displacement amplitudes and stress intensities are obtained in series form for an incident wave in an arbitrary direction. The cases of a penny shaped crack and an elliptical crack are given as examples. The analysis is valid for alpha a up to about two, where alpha is longitudinal wave number and a is a typical geometric parameter.

Fu, L. S.↗

Multiple scattering of electromagnetic waves by rain

As the operating frequencies of communications systems move higher into the millimeter wave region, the effects of multiple scattering in precipitation media become more significant. In this paper, general formulations are presented for single, first-order multiple, and complete multiple scattering. Included specifically are distributions of particle size, shape, and orientation angle, as well as variation in the medium density along the direction of wave propagation. Calculations are performed for rain. It is shown that the effects of higher-order scattering are not noticeable in either attenuation or channel isolation on a dual-polarized system until frequencies of about 30 GHz are reached. The complete multiple-scattering formulation presented gives accurate results at high millimeter wave frequencies as well as including realistic medium parameter distributions. Furthermore, it is numerically efficient.

Tsolakis, A.↗

Perturbations of the Richardson number field by gravity waves

An analytic solution is presented for a stratified fluid of arbitrary constant Richardson number. By computer aided analysis the perturbation fields, including that of the Richardson number can be calculated. The results of the linear analytic model were compared with nonlinear simulations, leading to the following conclusions: (1) the perturbations in the Richardson number field, when small, are produced primarily by the perturbations of the shear; (2) perturbations of in the Richardson number field, even when small, are not symmetric, the increase being significantly larger than the decrease (the linear analytic solution and the nonlinear simulations both confirm this result); (3) as the perturbations grow, this asymmetry increases, but more so in the nonlinear simulations than in the linear analysis; (4) for large perturbations of the shear flow, the static stability, as represented by N2, is the dominating mechanism, becoming zero or negative, and producing convective overturning; and (5) the convectional measure of linearity in lee wave theory, NH/U, is no longer the critical parameter (it is suggested that (H/u sub 0) (du sub 0/dz) takes on this role in a shearing flow).

Wurtele, M. G.↗

A two-scale Bragg scattering model for microwave backscatter from wind generated waves

A model for the wavenumber spectrum for fully developed seas is derived as a function of the mean wind gradient. The high wavenumber part of the spectrum, which defines the Bragg wavenumbers, is an equilibrium spectrum in balance by a wind forcing term determined by viscous dissipation, which is a strong function of water temperature, and dissipation by breaking and microbreaking. The low wavenumber spectrum, constructed from surface elevation observations of gravity waves, is merged with the high wavenumber spectrum. Parameters are adjusted to fit circle flight data for Ku-band. The full spectrum is used in the two-scale Bragg scattering theory, plus specular reflection, to compute backscatter as a function of wind speed, direction, incidence angle, and water temperature (which determines viscosity) for Ku-band.

Donelan, M. A.↗