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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 541 records · Page 30
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1973

Research of the sonic-boom problem

Wind tunnel tests were conducted to determine the characteristics of sonic booms. A theoretical examination of nonlinear effects in near and far flow fields, as well as sonic boom shock strength, is reported. A study of the Mach lines and bicharacteristics in three dimensional flow was pursued. The direction derivatives if the bicharacteristics were calculated in a general three dimensional flow field. A second order theory for supersonic flow past slender bodies was developed. Formulas relating flow deflections to the Whitham F-function were derived, which permitted determination of the sonic boom strength from wind tunnel measurements fairly close to the body.

Drougge, G.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Quaternion wave equations in curved space-time

The quaternion formulation of relativistic quantum theory is extended to include curvilinear coordinates and curved space-time in order to provide a framework for a unified quantum/gravity theory. Six basic quaternion fields are identified in curved space-time, the four-vector basis quaternions are identified, and the necessary covariant derivatives are obtained. Invariant field equations are derived, and a general invertable coordinate transformation is developed. The results yield a way of writing quaternion wave equations in curvilinear coordinates and curved space-time as well as a natural framework for solving the problem of second quantization for gravity.

Edmonds, J. D., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Status of the Electroforming Shield Design (ESD) project

The utilization of a digital computer to augment electrodeposition/electroforming processes in which nonconducting shielding controls local cathodic current distribution is reported. The primary underlying philosophy of the physics of electrodeposition was presented. The technical approach taken to analytically simulate electrolytic tank variables was also included. A FORTRAN computer program has been developed and implemented. The program utilized finite element techniques and electrostatic theory to simulate electropotential fields and ionic transport.

Fletcher, R. E.↗
NASA NTRS1977

A study of the sonic-boom characteristics of a blunt body at a Mach number of 4.14

An experimental and theoretical study has shown that the applicability of far-field sonic-boom theory previously demonstrated for more slender shapes may now be extended to bodies with ratios of diameter to length as great as 2 and to Mach numbers at least as high as 4.14. This finding is of special significance in view of the limitations to the use of existing methods for the extrapolation of close-in experimental data.

Carlson, H. W.↗
NASA NTRS1976

On flares, substorms, and the theory of impulsive flux transfer events

Solar flares and magnetospheric substorms are discussed in the context of a general theory of impulsive flux transfer events (IFTE). IFTE theory, derived from laboratory observations in the Double Inverse Pinch Device (DIPD), provides a quantitative extension of 'neutral sheet' theories to include nonsteady field line reconnection. Current flow along the reconnection line increases with magnetic flux storage. When flux build-up exceeds the level corresponding to a critical limit on the current, instabilities induce a sudden transition in the mode of conduction. The resulting IFTE, indifferent to the specific modes and instabilities involved, is the more energetic, the lower the initial resistivity. It is the more violent, the greater the resulting resistivity increase and the faster its growth. Violent events can develop very large voltage transients along the reconnection line. Persistent build-up promoting conditions produce relaxation oscillations in the quantity of flux and energy stored (build-up-IFTE cycles). It is difficult to avoid the conclusion: flares and substorms are examples of IFTE.

Bratenahl, A.↗
NASA NTRS1978

The role of atmospheric shear, turbulence and a ground plane on the dissipation of aircraft vortex wakes

Enhanced dispersion of two-dimensional trailed vortex pairs within simplified neutral atmospheric backgrounds is studied numerically for three conditions: when the pair is imbedded in a constant turbulent bath (constant dissipation); when the pair is subjected to a mean cross-wind shear; and when the pair is near the ground. Turbulent transport is modeled using second-order closure turbulent transport theory. The turbulent background fields are constructed using a superequilibrium approximation. The computed results allow several general conclusions to be drawn with regard to the reduction in circulation of the vortex pair and the rolling moment induced on a following aircraft: (1) the rate of decay of a vortex pair increases with increasing background dissipation rate; (2) cross-wind shear disperses the vortex whose vorticity is opposite to the background; and (3) the proximity of a ground plane reduces the hazard of the pair by scrubbing. The phenomenon of vortex bounce is explained in terms of secondary vorticity produced at the ground plane. Qualitative comparisons are made with available experimental data, and inferences of these results upon the persistence of aircraft trailing vortices are discussed.

Bilanin, A. J.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Comparisons of measured and calculated potential magnetic fields

Photospheric line-of-sight and transverse-magnetic-field data obtained, with a vector magnetograph system for an isolated sunspot are described. A study of the linear polarization patterns and of the calculated transverse field lines indicates that the magnetic field of the region is very nearly potential. The H-alpha fibril structures of this region as seen in high-resolution photographs corroborate this conclusion. Consequently, a potential-field calculation is described using the measured line-of-sight fields together with assumed Neumann boundary conditions; both are necessary and sufficient for a unique solution. The computed transverse fields are then compared with the measured transverse fields to verify the potential-field model and assumed boundary values. The implications of these comparisons for the validity of magnetic-field extrapolations using potential theory are discussed.

Hagyard, M. J.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Theory of global thermoremanent magnetization of planetary lithospheres in dipole fields of internal origin

A model is presented for the global thermoremanent magnetization of spherical lithospheres which cool in the presence of central dipole fields. Reversals and intensity variations of the field are incorporated in this model, which is applicable to bodies whose interiors have remained above the Curie point throughout their evolution. The model demonstrates that even considering Runcorn's (1975) magnetostatics theorems for spherical shells, a nonzero magnetic permeability and a finite cooling rate in the lithosphere permit the acquisition of a sizable global remanent dipole moment, which would be detectable by external measurements after the magnetizing field has disappeared. Preliminary application of this model to Mercury, Venus, and Mars suggests that only the combination of a nonreversing ancient source field with a surface value near 1 Oe plus a sizable concentration (about 1% by volume) of ferromagnetic material in their crusts could produce remanent planetary dipole fields as large as those measured by spacecraft. On the other hand, if ancient reversing dynamos existed in these planets, it is unlikely that large planetary-scale fields like those observed at Mercury could be due to remanence in their crusts, irrespective of their composition.

Srnka, L. J.↗
NASA NTRS1980

A study of the cleft region using synoptic ionospheric plasma data obtained by the polar orbiting satellites Aeros-B and Isis-2

The concentrations of O(+) and NO(+) in the dayside high-latitude cleft region of the ionosphere are investigated based on synoptic particle and plasma measurements obtained by the polar orbiting Aeros-B and Isis-2 satellites. At a time when the orbital planes of the satellites are almost at right angles to each other, three maxima in ion temperature are observed, with two of them accompanied by an increased electron temperature and electron density irregularities, and the density of the molecular ions NO(+) and O2(+) is found to increase at the expense of O(+) density. Results are discussed in terms of a theory relating perpendicular electric fields to oxygen atom reaction rates. Systematic analysis of the Aeros data base reveals 14 additional instances of O(+) to NO(+) conversion, with a large variety of forms and structures reflecting the complex structure and dynamics of the high-latitude dayside ionosphere.

Kist, R.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Measured pressure distributions, aerodynamic coefficients and shock shapes on blunt bodies at incidence in hypersonic air and CF4

Pressure distributions, aerodynamic coefficients, and shock shapes were measured on blunt bodies of revolution in Mach 6 CF4 and in Mach 6 and Mach 10 air. The angle of attack was varied from 0 deg to 20 deg in 4 deg increments. Configurations tested were a hyperboloid with an asymptotic angle of 45 deg, a sonic-corner paraboloid, a paraboloid with an angle of 27.6 deg at the base, a Viking aeroshell generated in a generalized orthogonal coordinate system, and a family of cones having a 45 deg half-angle with spherical, flattened, concave, and cusp nose shapes. Real-gas effects were simulated for the hperboloid and paraboloid models at Mach 6 by testing at a normal-shock density ratio of 5.3 in air and 12 CF4. Predictions from simple theories and numerical flow field programs are compared with measurement. It is anticipated that the data presented in this report will be useful for verification of analytical methods for predicting hypersonic flow fields about blunt bodies at incidence.

Miller, C. G., III↗
NASA NTRS1981

Wave-particle transport by weak electrostatic flow shear fluctuations

A description is presented of the first consistent theoretical treatment of transport due to weak electrostatic fluctuations from microinstabilities driven by a shear in plasma flow parallel to a uniform magnetic field. The model used considers electrostatic fluctuations in a Vlasov plasma with sheared bulk velocity parallel to a uniform magnetic field. The linear stability theory for the model has been studied by Gary and Schwartz (1980). In the current investigation, a calculation is performed of the wave-particle transport associated with the electrostatic flow shear instability.

Gary, S. P.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Symmetric linear systems - An application of algebraic systems theory

Dynamical systems which contain several identical subsystems occur in a variety of applications ranging from command and control systems and discretization of partial differential equations, to the stability augmentation of pairs of helicopters lifting a large mass. Linear models for such systems display certain obvious symmetries. In this paper, we discuss how these symmetries can be incorporated into a mathematical model that utilizes the modern theory of algebraic systems. Such systems are inherently related to the representation theory of algebras over fields. We will show that any control scheme which respects the dynamical structure either implicitly or explicitly uses the underlying algebra.

Hazewinkel, M.↗
NASA NTRS1983

The aerodynamics of propellers and rotors using an acoustic formulation in the time domain

The aerodynamics of propellers and rotors is especially complicated because of the highly three-dimensional and compressible nature of the flow field. However, in linearized theory the problem is governed by the wave equation, and a numerically-efficient integral formulation can be derived. This reduces the problem from one in space to one over a surface. Many such formulations exist in the aeroacoustics literature, but these become singular integral equations if one naively tries to use them to predict surface pressures, i.e., for aerodynamics. The present paper illustrates how one must interpret these equations in order to obtain nonambiguous results. After the regularized form of the integral equation is derived, a method for solving it numerically is described. This preliminary computer code uses Legendre-Gaussian quadrature to solve the equation. Numerical results are compared to experimental results for ellipsoids, wings, and rotors, including effects due to lift. Compressibility and the farfield boundary conditions are satisfied automatically using this method.

Long, L. N.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Electron-cyclotron-resonance (ECR) plasma thruster research

An experimental apparatus to scientifically investigate the process of Electron-Cyclotron-Resonance (ECR) plasma acceleration has been tested. The apparatus consists of a vacuum facility, a 20 kW microwave power supply, and an argon ECR plasma thruster. Present instrumentation allows measurement of microwave input power, reflected power, propellant flow rate, and static pressure in the vacuum tank. In initial tests, an argon ECR plasma has been initiated repeatably at power levels ranging from 0.3 to 7.0 kW. The ECR plasma appears to diverge and separate from the applied magnetic field as predicted by theory. These tests suggest that the ECR plasma acceleration concept can be studied scientifically in the new apparatus.

Sercel, Joel C.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Optimal control techniques for active noise suppression

Active suppression of noise in a bounded enclosure is considered within the framework of optimal control theory. A sinusoidal pressure field due to exterior offending noise sources is assumed to be known in a neighborhood of interior sensors. The pressure field due to interior controlling sources is assumed to be governed by a nonhomogeneous wave equation within the enclosure and by a special boundary condition designed to accommodate frequency-dependent reflection properties of the enclosure boundary. The form of the controlling sources is determined by considering the steady-state behavior of the system, and it is established that the control strategy proposed is stable and asymptotically optimal.

Banks, H. T.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Constitutive parameter measurements of lossy materials

The electrical constitutive parameters of lossy materials are considered. A discussion of the NRL arch for lossy coatings is presented involving analytical analyses of the reflected field using the geometrical theory of diffraction (GTD) and physical optics (PO). The actual values for these parameters can be obtained through a traditional transmission technique which is examined from an error analysis standpoint. Alternate sample geometries are suggested for this technique to reduce sample tolerance requirements for accurate parameter determination. The performance for one alternate geometry is given.

Dominek, A.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Determining the properties of accretion-gap neutron stars

If neutron stars have radii as small as has been argued by some, observations of accretion-powered X-rays could verify the existence of innermost stable circular orbits (predicted by general relativity) around weakly magnetized neutron stars. This may be done by detecting X-ray emission from clumps of matter before and after they cross the gap (where matter cannot be supported by rotation) between the inner accretion disk and the stellar surface. Assuming the validity of general relativity, it would then be possible to determine the masses of such neutron stars independently of any knowledge of binary orbital parameters. If an accurate mass determination were already available through any of the methods conventionally used, the new mass determination method proposed here could then be used to quantitatively test strong field effects of gravitational theory.

Kluzniak, Wlodzimierz↗