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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 NTRS1979

Definition of mutually optimum NDI and proof test criteria for 2219 aluminum pressure vessels. Volume 1: Methods

The requirements for proof testing and nondestructive inspection of aluminum pressure vessels were discussed. The following conclusions are (1) lack-of-fusion weld defects are sufficiently tight in the as-welded condition to be considered undetectable; (2) proof-level loads are required to fully open lack-of-fusion weld defects; (3) significant crack opening occurs at subproof levels so that an inspection enhancement loading treatment designed to avoid catastrophic failure is feasible; (4) currently used proof levels for 2219 pressure vessels are adequate for postproof inspection; (5) quantification of defect size and location using collimated ultrasonic pitch-catch techniques appears sufficiently feasible for tankage to warrant developmental work; (6) for short-time single-cycle pressure-vessel applications, postproof inspection is desirable; and (7) for long-term multiple-cycle pressure-vessel applications, postproof inspection is essential for life assurance.

Schwartzberg, F. R.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Study of turboprop systems reliability and maintenance costs

The overall reliability and maintenance costs (R&MC's) of past and current turboprop systems were examined. Maintenance cost drivers were found to be scheduled overhaul (40%), lack of modularity particularly in the propeller and reduction gearbox, and lack of inherent durability (reliability) of some parts. Comparisons were made between the 501-D13/54H60 turboprop system and the widely used JT8D turbofan. It was found that the total maintenance cost per flight hour of the turboprop was 75% higher than that of the JT8D turbofan. Part of this difference was due to propeller and gearbox costs being higher than those of the fan and reverser, but most of the difference was in the engine core where the older technology turboprop core maintenance costs were nearly 70 percent higher than for the turbofan. The estimated maintenance cost of both the advanced turboprop and advanced turbofan were less than the JT8D. The conclusion was that an advanced turboprop and an advanced turbofan, using similar cores, will have very competitive maintenance costs per flight hour.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1981

An airport wind shear detection and warning system using Doppler radar: A feasibility study

A feasibility study was conducted to determine whether ground based Doppler radar could measure the wind along the path of an approaching aircraft with sufficient accuracy to predict aircraft performance. Forty-three PAR approaches were conducted, with 16 examined in detail. In each, Doppler derived longitudinal winds were compared to aircraft measured winds; in approximately 75 percent of the cases, the Doppler and aircraft winds were in acceptable agreement. In the remaining cases, errors may have been due to a lack of Doppler resolution, a lack of co-location of the two sampling volumes, the presence of eddy or vortex like disturbances within the pulse volume, or the presence of point targets in antenna side lobes. It was further concluded that shrouding techniques would have reduced the side lobe problem. A ground based Doppler radar operating in the optically clear air, provides the appropriate longitudinal winds along an aircraft's intended flight path.

Mccarthy, J.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Summary of flight tests of an airborne lighting locator system and comparison with ground-based measurements of precipitation and turbulence

Data from an airborne lightning locator system and data relating to storm intensity obtained by ground-based Doppler radars and the S-band research radar are presented. When comparing lightning locations from the airborne lightning locator system with ground-based Doppler radar measurements of reflectivity and spectrum width, the lightning locations tended to be further from the aircraft position than the Doppler radar contours, but at the same relative bearing from the aircraft as the Doppler contours. The results also show that convective storms generate little or no lightning for a significant part of their life cycle, but can produce at least moderate turbulence. Therefore, it is concluded that a lack of lightning activity cannot be accepted as an inference of a corresponding lack of other hazards to the flight of aircraft through convective storms.

Fisher, B. D.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Spectrophotometry of Pluto from 3500 to 7350 A

Spectra of Pluto have been obtained on six nights during February 1979 by the use of the Cassegrain Digicon spectrograph on the 2.1-m Struve reflector and the IDS spectrograph on the 2.7-m reflector of McDonald Observatory. These spectra, with nominal resolution of 6-7 A, have been reduced to relative fluxes. Relative albedos were then calculated using the solar irradiances of Arvesen et al. (1969). The spectra taken in the blue show no indication of the upturn in albedo at wavelengths less than 3800 A previously reported by Fix, et al. (1970). The lack of a UV upturn cannot be interpreted in terms of a Rayleigh scattering atmosphere unless the albedo of the underlying surface is known. From the lack of methane absorption at the wavelength of the 6190- or 7270-A methane bands, an upper limit of 1-3 m-am of gaseous CH4 is derived. The albedo curve has a constant slope between 3500 and 7300 A. The only other solar system body which has this feature is an S-type asteroid.

Barker, E. S.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Radiometry with nighttime DMSP images in digital form

The USAF Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) spacecraft sends images to earth in the form of numbers. It has been common practice to erase the only digital records, the magnetic tapes, for reuse, after films (resembling photographs) have been created from the numbers. While the DMSP images have been widely used, their application in research has been hindered by both the lack of digital data and the lack of an authoritative source of related technical information. The character of the digital form is considered. Each image is essentially a three-dimensional list (X,Y,Z) in which X and Y represent the position coordinates of a pixel and Z is its associated radiance. Only the value of Z is given and the X-Y position must be deduced from adjunct information. Each original scan composed of 1464 pixels represents an area on the earth's surface about 3 km wide and 3000 km long. Strengths and weaknesses of the system with respect to research applications are considered, and concepts for the design of a nocturnal imager are discussed.

Croft, T. A.↗
NASA NTRS1981

The Influence of Motion Cues on Driver-Vehicle Performance in a Simulator

Four different motion base configurations were studied on driving simulator. Differently responding vehicles were simulated on each motion configurations and the effects of the vehicle characteristics on driver vehicle system performance, driver control activity, and driver opinion ratings of vehicle performance during driving are compared for different motion configurations. Data show that: (1)) the effects of changes in vehicle characteristics on the different objective and subjective measures of driver vehicle performance are not disguised by the lack of physical motion; (2) fixed base simulator can be used to draw inferences despite the lack of motion; (3) the presence of motion tends to reduce path keeping errors and driver control activity; (4) roll and yaw motions are recommended because of their marked influence on driver vehicle performance (5) the importance of motion increases as the driving maneuvers become more extreme.

Repa, B. S.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Whatever happened to silicon carbide

The progress made in silicon carbide semiconductor devices in the 1955 to 1975 time frame is examined and reasons are given for the present lack of interest in the material. Its physical and chemical properties and methods of preparation are discussed. Fabrication techniques and the characteristics of silicon carbide devices are reviewed. It is concluded that a combination of economic factors and the lack of progress in fabrication techniques leaves no viable market for SiC devices in the near future.

Campbell, R. B.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Simulator study of a pictorial display for general aviation instrument flight

A simulation study of a computer drawn pictorial display involved a flight task that included an en route segment, terminal area maneuvering, a final approach, a missed approach, and a hold. The pictorial display consists of the drawing of boxes which either move along the desired path or are fixed at designated way points. Two boxes may be shown at all times, one related to the active way point and the other related to the standby way point. Ground tracks and vertical profiles of the flights, time histories of the final approach, and comments were obtained from time pilots. The results demonstrate the accuracy and consistency with which the segments of the flight are executed. The pilots found that the display is easy to learn and to use; that it provides good situation awareness, and that it could improve the safety of flight. The small size of the display, the lack of numerical information on pitch, roll, and heading angles, and the lack of definition of the boundaries of the conventional glide slope and localizer areas were criticized.

Adams, J. J.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Investigation of correlation between full-scale and fifth-scale wind tunnel tests of a Bell helicopter Textron Model 222

Reasons for lack of correlation between data from a fifth-scale wind tunnel test of the Bell Helicopter Textron Model 222 and a full-scale test of the model 222 prototype in the NASA Ames 40-by 80-foot tunnel were investigated. This investigation centered around a carefully designed fifth-scale wind tunnel test of an accurately contoured model of the Model 222 prototype mounted on a replica of the full-scale mounting system. The improvement in correlation for drag characteristics in pitch and yaw with the fifth-scale model mounted on the replica system is shown. Interference between the model and mounting system was identified as a significant effect and was concluded to be a primary cause of the lack of correlation in the earlier tests.

Squires, P. K.↗
NASA NTRS1981

The smothered coronae of T Tauri stars

Einstein IPC observations of 10 fields containing pre-main-sequence stars are presented. The detection of significant soft X-ray flux from eight cataloged T Tauri stars plus the optical identification of two new T Tauri-like stars associated with X-ray sources are reported. It is demonstrated than an inverse correlation between the H-alpha equivalent width and the detection of X-ray flux exists. This is interpreted in terms of a model wherein the X-ray emission arises in a corona similar to that of active late-type stars, which is small compared to the extent of the circumstellar envelope. It is postulated that the lack of correlation of X-ray flux (or H-alpha) with A(v) is due to a lack of grains in the envelopes of the more active T Tauri stars.

Walter, F. M.↗
NASA NTRS1982

We have just begun to create efficient transport aircraft

Factors affecting the cost-effectiveness and economics of the air transportation industry are reviewed. The delivery of more fuel-efficient aircraft and eventual total replacement in the 1990's by fleets of advanced aircraft are seen to offset rising fuel costs. Better airport operations are perceived to eliminate fuel-costly delays due to overcrowded runways, lack of available carriers, and maintenance of aircraft in holding patterns. Noise reduction research will lower the lawsuit costs from noise pollution, and the introduction of advanced turbofans for long, short, and medium range flights, advanced commuter planes, and advanced SSTs offering projected 50% increases in current aircraft efficiencies are seen to be limited only by the airlines' ability to provide purchase financing, rather than by a lack of available new technology.

Maglieri, D. J.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Olivine clasts from mesosiderites and howardites - Clues to the nature of achondritic parent bodies

The compositional ranges of olivine clasts from mesosiderites and most clasts from howardites (FO90-55 and FO89-45 respectively) overlap. Only one clast in howardite Allan Hills A78006,9 (FO16) differs significantly. Differences in FeO/MnO in olivines from the two groups may be explained by different redox states of their source regions. Whether the two meteorite groups were derived from the same parent body is not clear, but the lack of Fe-rich eucritic clasts in mesosiderites together with the lack of tridymite-phosphate rich gabbros and basalts in howardites, suggests that different bodies are required since both meteorite groups are near-surface polymict breccias, which have probably sampled significant portions of their parent body surfaces.

Delaney, J. S.↗
NASA NTRS1981

On the procedure for deriving ozone variations from satellite observations

It is noted that for the years 1970-1972 global ozone may be calculated by using extrapolated values for polar night regions and then deriving direct daily averages. After 1972, regions larger than the polar night often lack data, increasing the error of extrapolation. It is shown that problems of this type can be overcome by using zonal averages, calculating the annual wave through harmonic analysis, and subtracting the annual wave so derived. Linear fits can then be employed to obtain long-term zonal changes and yearly zonal averages. Global results can be derived in the form of an area-weighted average of the zonal results. It is pointed out that no values need be assumed for ozone when data are lacking. The uncertainty from this procedure is estimated at + or - 0.4% of the yearly average. However, other uncertainties in the backscatter ultraviolet experiment may be larger.

Schlesinger, B. M.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Market assessment of photovoltaic power systems for agricultural applications worldwide

Agricultural sector PV market assessments conducted in the Phillippines, Nigeria, Mexico, Morocco, and Colombia are extrapolated worldwide. The types of applications evaluated are those requiring less than 15 kW of power and operate in a stand alone mode. The major conclusions were as follows: PV will be competitive in applications requiring 2 to 3 kW of power prior to 1983; by 1986 PV system competitiveness will extend to applications requiring 4 to 6 kW of power, due to capital constraints, the private sector market may be restricted to applications requiring less than about 2 kW of power; the ultimate purchase of larger systems will be governments, either through direct purchase or loans from development banks. Though fragmented, a significant agriculture sector market for PV exists; however, the market for PV in telecommunications, signalling, rural services, and TV will be larger. Major market related factors influencing the potential for U.S. PV Sales are: lack of awareness; high first costs; shortage of long term capital; competition from German, French and Japanese companies who have government support; and low fuel prices in capital surplus countries. Strategies that may aid in overcoming some of these problems are: setting up of a trade association aimed at overcoming problems due to lack of awareness, innovative financing schemes such as lease arrangements, and designing products to match current user needs as opposed to attempting to change consumer behavior.

Cabraal, A.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Preliminary rotor wake measurements with a laser velocimeter

A laser velocimeter (LV) was used to determine rotor wake characteristics. The effect of various fuselage widths and rotor-fuselage spacings on time averaged and detailed time dependent rotor wake velocity characteristics was defined. Definition of time dependent velocity characteristics was attempted with the LV by associating a rotor azimuth position with each velocity measurement. Results were discouraging in that no apparent time dependent velocity characteristics could be discerned from the LV measurements. Since the LV is a relatively new instrument in the rotor wake measurement field, the cause of this lack of periodicity is as important as the basic research objectives. An attempt was made to identify the problem by simulated acquisition of LV-type data for a predicted rotor wake velocity time history. Power spectral density and autocorrelation function estimation techniques were used to substantiate the conclusion that the primary cause of the lack of time dependent velocity characteristics was the nonstationary flow condition generated by the periodic turbulence level that currently exists in the open throat configuration of the wind tunnel.

Hoad, D. R.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Experiments using atmospheric forcing from a FGGE analysis to drive an upper ocean model

Results are presented of a series of numerical experiments in which an upper ocean model is driven by surface heat fluxes and stress fields derived from the FGGE SOP-1 GLAS analysis/forecast system (Halem, et al., 1982). The model results show that most changes in the mixed layer height and horizontal velocity occurs in the first days. On the other hand, changes in the temperature field take a longer time to develop. In the most realistic case (real initial conditions, instantaneous forcing fields from the atmospheric analysis), the resulting changes in temperature were larger than observed and the correlation between observed and predicted changes was poor. The deficiency in the forecast of SST changes may be due to several factors: lack of sufficient ocean resolution, improper initialization, lack of feedback between the ocean and the atmosphere and the absence of transports by the strong boundary currents, and perhaps unrealistic surface fluxes of heat and momentum. Unless these problems are alleviated it is not reasonable to perform coupled atmospheric ocean forecasts.

Camerlengo, A.↗