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At least 559 records · Page 31

Analytic model approach to the inversion of scattering data

An analytic model approach is applied to several simple atmospheric inversion problems. This method gives a sharp determination of aerosol size distribution parameters. It is shown that this analytic approach, together with ground level point sampling data measurements, can be used to infer information on the tropospheric ozone profile.

Green, A. E. S.↗

Crustal evolution inferred from Apollo magnetic measurements

Magnetic field and solar wind plasma density measurements were analyzed to determine the scale size characteristics of remanent fields at the Apollo 12, 15, and 16 landing sites. Theoretical model calculations of the field-plasma interaction, involving diffusion of the remanent field into the solar plasma, were compared to the data. The information provided by all these experiments shows that remanent fields over most of the lunar surface are characterized by spatial variations as small as a few kilometers. Large regions (50 to 100 km) of the lunar crust were probably uniformly magnetized during early crustal evolution. Bombardment and subsequent gardening of the upper layers of these magnetized regions left randomly oriented, smaller scale (5 to 10 km) magnetic sources close to the surface. The larger scale size fields of magnitude approximately 0.1 gammas are measured by the orbiting subsatellite experiments and the small scale sized remanent fields of magnitude approximately 100 gammas are measured by the surface experiments.

Dyal, P.↗

Noble gas evidence for the depositional and irradiational history of 60010-60009 core soils

Isotopic abundances of the noble gases have been determined in grain size separates of eleven soils from different depths in the 60010-60009 double drive tube and in magnetic and plagioclase separates from a few of these soils. Data for the 60010 core are presented here. The entire core was deposited a maximum of approximately 125 m.y. ago as deduced from the Ar-38 cosmic ray exposure age of soil 60009,457. Soils in the topmost 12 cm of the core show loss of cosmogenic He-3 and Ne-21 and gain of trapped solar gases in proportion to the degree of surface reworking by micrometeorites as deduced from FMR data. A variety of compositional and irradiational evidence suggests that soils in the core were formed by mixing of three or more components during or immediately prior to core deposition less than about 125 m.y. ago. Based on cosmogenic noble gases and a variety of other data soils 60009,457 and 60010,3107 are similar (and possibly identical) to two of the end member soils which formed the mixture. More mature soils in the core, however, could not have matured in situ from these two soils because of significant differences in noble gas abundances and chemical composition.

Bogard, D. D.↗

Probable distribution of large impact basins on Venus - Comparison with Mercury and the moon

The reported study is based on the 12.5 cm wavelength data of Rumsey et al. (1974). The considered low resolution (80 km) radar image covers an area equivalent to 19% of the surface of Venus. The study had the objective to map potential large impact structures and relate their size frequency distribution to those of Mercury and the moon. The Venus radar map was analyzed using a color television film density slicer system for enhancement of subtle changes and gross patterns of contrasting radar reflectivity. Analysis by this technique permitted the recognition of 12 possible basins with diameters exceeding 600 km on about 8% of the total surface area of the planet. The preliminary basin size frequency distribution determined for Venus from these low resolution data suggests that the cloud-covered planet could be more cratered per unit area by basins than either the moon or Mercury.

Schaber, G. G.↗

Effects of flameholder blockage on emissions and performance of lean premixed-prevaporized combustors

Results from a parametric study are presented. Tests were on conducted at inlet air pressure of 300,000 and 500,000 pascals, inlet air temperatures of 600K, 700K and 800K, reference velocites from 20 to 35 meters per second, and equivalent ratios from the lean stability limit to 0.7 using Jet A fuel. The tests were conducted in a closed duct test facility. Results from the test support the theory that flameholder blockage is one of the major determinants of the size and shape of the recirculation zone. The test data show that higher blockage with its larger recirculation zone provides more residence time which leads to more NOx formation.

Duerr, R. A.↗

Discovery of polarized light scattered by dust around Alpha Orionis

Following the suggestion by Jura and Jacoby (1976), linearly polarized blue continuum starlight scattered by the dust shell around the M2 Iab star Alpha Orionis (Betelgeuse) has been discovered. The polarization has been traced in the NE, NW, SE, and SW directions and has positive (tangential) orientation. Some asymmetry of the optical depth in the shell exists 15 and 30 arcsec from the star. In the NE direction the polarization was measured as far as 90 arcsec (17,000 AU) from the star. The dependence of the average intensity of the scattered light from the nebula on angular distance from the star is more consistent with an inverse-square density law than with inverse 1.5 or inverse-cube laws. Assuming that the density is proportional to the inverse square of distance from the star, the scattering optical depth in blue light along a radius of 0.03 arcsec is no more than 0.15 + or - 0.05. Future observations of the wavelength dependence of polarization will allow a determination of grain size.

Mcmillan, R. S.↗

Noble gases in Luna 24 core soils

Isotopic abundances of the noble gases have been determined in grain size separates of six soils from different depths in the Luna 24 core. Concentrations of cosmogenic Ne-21 in these soils show a complex pattern as a function of soil depth, and are inconsistent with a single stage, in situ production in a static regolith or with a simple model of slow accumulation of previously unirradiated soils followed by a static period. All soils have apparently had a complex pre-irradiation history. Some soils show significant differences in the concentration of cosmogenic Ne-21 between different grain sizes, which is consistent with suggestions that they formed as a mixture of soils with different maturities. The exact subsurface depth relationships of the soils are not known, and several possibilities are discussed. Because of this factor and the complex nature of the soils, the cosmogenic Ne data do not define the depositional-irradiational history of the core. Luna 24 core soils may have been deposited any time during the past 300 million years.

Bogard, D. D.↗

Multiband microstrip antenna

Compact antenna transmits and receives elliptically and circularly polarized radiation. Antenna consists of layers of elliptical disks separated by dielectric substrates. Each disk operates at frequency determined by its size and dielectric constant of substrate. Individual frequency bands can be made to overlap, to yield single broadband antenna. Standard microstrip techniques are used to build it.

Yu, I.↗

Thermal storage experience at the MSSTF and plans for the future

The background of thermal storage development at the Midtemperature Solar Systems Test Facility is reviewed. The problems which were encountered are discussed and a course of action for resolving the problems is outlined. Scaling effects of going from laboratory models to full-size applications were determined and applied to thermal storage needs in near-term solar projects.

Harrison, T. D.↗

A computer program to calculate radiation properties of reflector antennas

A computer program to calculate the radiation properties of the reflector antennas is presented. It can be used for paraboloidal, spherical, or ellipsoidal reflector surfaces and is easily modified to handle any surface that can be expressed analytically. The program is general enough to allow any arbitrary location and pointing angle for the feed antenna. The effect of blockage due to the feed horn is also included in the computations. The computer program is based upon the technique of tracing the rays from the feed antenna to the reflector to an aperture plane. The far field radiation properties are then calculated by performing a double integration over the field points in the aperture plane. To facilitate the computation of double intergral, the field points are first aligned along the equispaced straight lines in the aperture plane. The computation time is relatively insensitive to the absolute size of the aperture and even though no limits on the largest reflector size have been determined, the program was used for reflector diameters of 1000 wavelenghts.

Agrawal, P. K.↗

Multiple band circularly polarized microstrip antenna

A multiple antenna assembly for communicating electromagnetic radiation is disclosed. An antenna element stack is constructed of a plurality of elliptical lamina antenna elements mutally separated by layers of dielectric material, and separated from a ground plane by dielectric material. The antenna assembly is coupled through a feed line in contact with the top antenna element. A conductor joins the remaining antenna elements to the ground plane. Each individual antenna element is operable for communication reception and transmission within a frequency band determined by the size of the particular antenna element. The sizes of the antenna elements may be selected to provide electromagnetic radiation communication over several distinct frequency bands, or to connect the individual bands into a broad band.

Yu, I. P.↗

Investigation of passive shock wave-boundary layer control for transonic airfoil drag reduction

The passive drag control concept, consisting of a porous surface with a cavity beneath it, was investigated with a 12-percent-thick circular arc and a 14-percent-thick supercritical airfoil mounted on the test section bottom wall. The porous surface was positioned in the shock wave/boundary layer interaction region. The flow circulating through the porous surface, from the downstream to the upstream of the terminating shock wave location, produced a lambda shock wave system and a pressure decrease in the downstream region minimizing the flow separation. The wake impact pressure data show an appreciably drag reduction with the porous surface at transonic speeds. To determine the optimum size of porosity and cavity, tunnel tests were conducted with different airfoil porosities, cavities and flow Mach numbers. A higher drag reduction was obtained by the 2.5 percent porosity and the 1/4-inch deep cavity.

Nagamatsu, H. T.↗

Optical Studies of model binary miscibility gap system

In order to develop a better understanding of separation processes in binary miscibility gap metal alloys, model transparent fluid systems were studied. The system selected was diethylene glycol-ethyl salicylate which has convenient working temperatures (288 to 350 K), low toxicity, and is relatively easy to purify. The system is well characterized with respect to its phase diagram, density, surface and interfacial tensions, viscosity and other pertinent physical properties. Studies of migration of the dispersed phase in a thermal gradient were performed using conventional photomicroscopy. Velocities of the droplets of the dispersed phase were measured and compared to calculated rates which included both Stokes and thermal components. A holographic microscopy system was used to study growth, coalescence, and particle motions. Sequential holograms allowed determination of particle size distribution changes with respect to time and temperature. Holographic microscopy is capable of recording particle densities up to 10 to the 7th power particles/cu cm and is able to resolve particles of the order of 2 to 3 microns in diameter throughout the entire volume of the test cell. The reconstructed hologram produces a wavefront that is identical to the original wavefront as it existed when the hologram was made. The reconstructed wavefront is analyzed using a variety of conventional optical methods.

Lacy, L. L.↗

Primary lithium batteries, some consumer considerations

In order to determine whether larger size lithium batteries would be commercially marketable, the performance of several D size lithium batteries was compared with that of an equivalent alkaline manganese battery, and the relative costs of the different systems were compared. It is concluded that opportunities exist in the consumer market for the larger sizes of the low rate and moderate rate lithium batteries, and that the high rate lithium batteries need further improvements before they can be recommended for consumer applications.

Bro, P.↗

Energetic electrons in impulsive solar flares

A new analysis was made of a thermal flare model proposed by Brown, Melrose, and Spicer (1979) and Smith and Lilliequist (1979). They assumed the source of impulsive hard X-rays to be a plasma at a temperature of order 10 to the 8th power K, initially located at the apex of a coronal arch, and confined by ion-acoustic turbulence in a collisionless conduction front. Such a source would expand at approximately the ion-sound speed, C sub S = square root of (k T sub e/m sub i), until it filled the arch. Brown, Melrose, and Spicer and Smith and Brown (1980) argued that the source assumed in this model would not explain the simultaneous impulsive microwave emission. In contrast, the new results presented herein suggest that this model leads to the development of a quasi-Maxwellian distribution of electrons that explains both the hard X-ray and microwave emissions. This implies that the source sizes can be determined from observations of the optically-thick portions of microwave spectra and the temperatures obtained from associated hard X-ray observations. In this model, the burst emission would rise to a maximum in a time, t sub r, approximately equal to L/c sub s, where L is the half-length of the arch. New observations of these impulsive flare emissions were analyzed herein to test this prediction of the model. Observations made with the Solar Maximum Mission spacecraft and the Bern Radio Observatory are in good agreement with the model.

Batchelor, D. A.↗

A Nomographic Methodology for Use in Performance Trade-Off Studies of Parabolic Dish Solar Power Modules

A simple graphical method was developed to undertake technical design trade-off studies for individual parabolic dish models comprising a two-axis tracking parabolic dish with a cavity receiver and power conversion assembly at the focal point. The results of these technical studies are then used in performing the techno-economic analyses required for determining appropriate subsystem sizing. Selected graphs that characterize the performance of subsystems within the module were arranged in the form of a nomogram that would enable an investigator to carry out several design trade-off studies. Key performance parameters encompassed in the nomogram include receiver losses, intercept factor, engine rating, and engine efficiency. Design and operation parameters such as concentrator size, receiver type (open or windowed aperture), receiver aperture size, operating temperature of the receiver and engine, engine partial load characteristics, concentrator slope error, and the type of reflector surface, are also included in the graphical solution. Cost considerations are not included.

Selcuk, M. K.↗

Optical studies of a binary miscibility gap system

Model transparent fluids are being studied to develop a better understanding of phase separation processes in binary miscibility-gap metal alloys. The model selected for the reported work is diethylene glycol-ethyl salicylate. This system is well characterized with respect to its phase diagram, density, surface and interfacial tensions, viscosity, and other pertinent physical properties. Minority phase growth, coalescence, and droplet motions are observed using holographic microscopy which is capable of recording particle densities up to 10 to the 7th particles/cu cm and is able to resolve particles as small as 2 to 3 microns in diameter throughout the entire volume of the test cell. Sequential holograms allow determination of droplet size distribution changes throughout the total volume with respect to time and temperature. This allows a direct method for testing various theories of droplet growth and ripening phenomena.

Witherow, W. K.↗