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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 577 records · Page 32

Microphysical Characterization of Ice in Hurricane Erin for Wideband Passive Microwave Comparisons

In order to better understand the characteristics of frozen hydrometeors in hurricane systems, computed brightness temperatures were compared with observations of Hurricane Erin from CAMEX-4 radiometers on the ER-2 aircraft. These wideband observations ranged from 10.7 to 183 plus or minus 10 GHz. In order to initialize the cloud profiles used in the radiative transfer calculations, radar reflectivities from an ER-2 instrument were converted to mass contents at specified height levels. Dropsonde data from the ER-2 and modeled Hurricane Andrew data were used to generate profiles of temperature, pressure, and relative humidity and to provide surface wind speed and ocean temperature. Four different ice (size and density) parameterizations were used to compute brightness temperature values. The comparisons between the calculated and observed brightness temperatures show that in general the Grenfell and Warren particle size distribution does the best job of matching the observations for most of the high frequencies. These high frequencies (greater than or equal to 85 GHz) are particularly sensitive to frozen particles. The Sehkon and Srivastava particle size distribution produced brightness temperatures that were too cold in most cases. On the other hand, the fluffy snow particle parameterizations with and without a melting layer produced brightness temperatures that were much warmer than the observations at these high frequencies. All low frequency calculations track the observations well except in the eye of Hurricane Erin where the surface wind speed and/or near surface temperatures were not properly adjusted to warm the brightness temperature calculations to values closer to the observations. Overall, this work shows that selecting a proper ice particle parameterization can be difficult and additional in situ measurements are needed to define appropriate parameterizations.

Skofronick-Jackson, G.↗

Validation of Cardiovascular Parameters During NASA's Functional Task Test

Microgravity-induced physiological changes, including cardiovascular deconditioning may impair crewmembers f capabilities during exploration missions on the Moon and Mars. The Functional Task Test (FTT), which will be used to assess task performance in short and long duration astronauts, consists of 7 functional tests to evaluate crewmembers f ability to perform activities to be conducted in a partial-gravity environment or following an emergency landing on Earth. The Recovery from Fall/Stand Test (RFST) tests both the subject fs ability to get up from a prone position and orthostatic intolerance. PURPOSE: Crewmembers have never become presyncopal in the first 3 min of quiet stand, yet it is unknown whether 3 min is long enough to cause similar heart rate fluctuations to a 5-min stand. The purpose of this study was to validate and test the reliability of heart rate variability (HRV) analysis of a 3-min quiet stand. METHODS: To determine the validity of using 3 vs. 5-min of standing to assess HRV, 7 healthy subjects remained in a prone position for 2 min, stood up quickly and stood quietly for 6 min. ECG and continuous blood pressure data were recorded. Mean R-R interval and spectral HRV were measured in minutes 0-3 and 0-5 following the heart rate transient due to standing. Significant differences between the segments were determined by a paired t-test. To determine the reliability of the 3-min stand test, 13 healthy subjects completed 3 trials of the complete FTT on separate days, including the RFST with a 3-min stand test. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed on the HRV measures. RESULTS: Spectral HRV measures reflecting autonomic activity were not different (p>0.05) during the 0-3 and 0-5 min segment (mean R-R interval: 738+/-74 ms, 728+/-69 ms; low frequency to high frequency ratio: 6.5+/-2.2, 7.7+/-2.7; normalized high frequency: 0.19+/-0.03, 0.18+/-0.04). The average coefficient of variation for mean R-R interval, systolic and diastolic blood pressures in the prone position and stand test were less than 8% for the test sessions. ANOVA results yielded a greater inter-subject variability (p.0.006) than inter-session variability (p>0.05) for HRV in the stand test. CONCLUSION: These studies show that a 3 minute stand delivers repeatable cardiovascular heart rate and BP data in the context of this larger series of tests such as the FTT.

Arzeno, N. M.↗

Effects of noise frequency on performance and annoyance

Using a complex psychomotor task performed for 50 minutes in the presence of low frequency noise, high frequency noise, or ambient noise, annoyance ratings were obtained for noises of various frequencies by the method of magnitude estimation. The results suggest that high frequency noise affects female performance to a greater extent than male performance. Contrasted to these performance effects, the sexes did not differ in their annoyance ratings. A monotonically increasing relationship between annoyance and noise frequency was found (except for a decrease in annoyance at 8,000 Hz). It is concluded that both performance and annoyance responses may need to be assessed in certain situations to adequately describe human reaction to noise.

Key, K. F.↗

Finite element modeling of electromagnetic fields and waves using NASTRAN

The various formulations of Maxwell's equations are reviewed with emphasis on those formulations which most readily form analogies with Navier's equations. Analogies involving scalar and vector potentials and electric and magnetic field components are presented. Formulations allowing for media with dielectric and conducting properties are emphasized. It is demonstrated that many problems in electromagnetism can be solved using the NASTRAN finite element code. Several fundamental problems involving time harmonic solutions of Maxwell's equations with known analytic solutions are solved using NASTRAN to demonstrate convergence and mesh requirements. Mesh requirements are studied as a function of frequency, conductivity, and dielectric properties. Applications in both low frequency and high frequency are highlighted. The low frequency problems demonstrate the ability to solve problems involving media inhomogeneity and unbounded domains. The high frequency applications demonstrate the ability to handle problems with large boundary to wavelength ratios.

Moyer, E. Thomas, Jr.↗

Dynamic behavior of an unsteady trubulent boundary layer

Experiments on an unsteady turbulent boundary layer are reported in which the upstream portion of the flow is steady (in the mean) and in the downstream region, the boundary layer sees a linearly decreasing free stream velocity. This velocity gradient oscillates in time, at frequencies ranging from zero to approximately the bursting frequency. For the small amplitude, the mean velocity and mean turbulence intensity profiles are unaffected by the oscillations. The amplitude of the periodic velocity component, although as much as 70% greater than that in the free stream for very low frequencies, becomes equal to that in the free stream at higher frequencies. At high frequencies, both the boundary layer thickness and the Reynolds stress distribution across the boundary layer become frozen. The behavior at higher amplitude is quite similar. At sufficiently high frequencies, the boundary layer thickness remains frozen at the mean value over the oscillation cycle, even though flow reverses near the wall during a part of the cycle.

Parikh, P. G.↗

Dynamic behavior of an unsteady turbulent boundary layer

Experiments on an unsteady turbulent boundary layer are reported in which the upstream portion of the flow is steady (in the mean) and in the downstream region, the boundary layer sees a linearly decreasing free stream velocity. This velocity gradient oscillates in time, at frequencies ranging from zero to approximately the bursting frequency. For the small amplitude, the mean velocity and mean turbulence intensity profiles are unaffected by the oscillations. The amplitude of the periodic velocity component, although as much as 70 percent greater than that in the free stream for very low frequencies, becomes equal to that in the free stream at higher frequencies. At high frequencies, both the boundary layer thickness and the Reynolds stress distribution across the boundary layer become frozen. The behavior at higher amplitude is quite similar. At sufficiently high frequencies, the boundary layer thickness remains frozen at the mean value over the oscillation cycle, even though flow reverses near the wall during a part of the cycle. Previously announced in STAR as N81-28392

Parikh, P. G.↗

Wave generation by contaminant ions near a large spacecraft

Measurements from the space shuttle flights have revealed that a large spacecraft in a low earth orbit is accompanied by an extensive gas cloud which is primarily made up of water. The charge exchange between the water molecule and the ionospheric O(+) ions produces a water ion beam traversing downstream of the spacecraft. In this report we present results from a study on the generation of plasma waves by the interaction of the water ion beams with the ionospheric plasma. Since velocity distribution function is key to the understanding of the wave generation process, we have performed a test particle simulation to determine the nature of H2O(+) ions velocity distribution function. The simulations show that at the time scales shorter than the ion cyclotron period tau(sub c), the distribution function can be described by a beam. On the other hand, when the time scales are larger than tau(sub c), a ring distribution forms. A brief description of the linear instabilities driven by an ion beam streaming across a magnetic field in a plasma is presented. We have identified two types of instabilities occurring in low and high frequency bands; the low-frequency instability occurs over the frequency band from zero to about the lower hybrid frequency for a sufficiently low beam density. As the beam density increases, the linear instability occurs at decreasing frequencies below the lower-hybrid frequency. The high frequency instability occurs near the electron cyclotron frequency and its harmonics.

Singh, N.↗

High frequency-heated air turbojet

A description is given of a method to heat air coming from a turbojet compressor to a temperature necessary to produce required expansion without requiring fuel. This is done by high frequency heating, which heats the walls corresponding to the combustion chamber in existing jets, by mounting high frequency coils in them. The current transformer and high frequency generator to be used are discussed.

Miron, J. H. D.↗

High voltage-high power components for large space power distribution systems

Space power components including a family of bipolar power switching transistors, fast switching power diodes, heat pipe cooled high frequency transformers and inductors, high frequency conduction cooled transformers, high power-high frequency capacitors, remote power controllers and rotary power transfer devices were developed. Many of these components such as the power switching transistors, power diodes and the high frequency capacitor are commercially available. All the other components were developed to the prototype level. The dc/dc series resonant converters were built to the 25 kW level.

Renz, D. D.↗

High voltage-high power components for large space power distribution systems

Space power components including a family of bipolar power switching transistors, fast switching power diodes, heat pipe cooled high frequency transformers and inductors, high frequency conduction cooled transformers, high power-high frequency capacitors, remote power controllers and rotary power transfer devices were developed. Many of these components such as the power switching transistors, power diodes and the high frequency capacitor are commercially available. All the other components were developed to the prototype level. The dc/dc series resonant converters were built to the 25 kW level.

Renz, D. D.↗

Communications Transceivers for Venus Surface Missions

The high temperature of the surface of Venus poses many difficulties. Previous Venus landers have only operated for short durations before succumbing to the heat. NASA Glenn Research Center conducted a study on communications for long duration Venus surface missions. I report the findings in this presentation. Current technology allows production of communications transceivers that can operate on the surface of Venus, at temperatures above 450 C and pressures of over 90 atmospheres. While these transceivers would have to be relatively simple, without much of the advanced signal processing often used in modern transceivers, since current and near future integrated circuits cannot operate at such high temperatures, the transceivers will be able to meet the requirements of proposed Venus Surface mission. The communication bands of interest are High Frequency or Very High Frequency (HFNHF) for communication between Venus surface and airborne probes (including surface to surface and air to air), and Ultra High Frequency (UHF) to Microwave bands for communication to orbiters. For HFNHF, transceivers could use existing vacuum tube technology. The packaging of the vacuum tubes may need modification, but the internal operating structure already operates at high temperatures. Using metal vacuum structures instead of glass, allows operation at high pressure. Wide bandgap transistors and diodes may be able to replace some of the thermionic components. VHF communications would be useful for line-of- sight operations, while HF would be useful for short-wave type communications using the Venusian ionosphere. UHF and microwave communications use magnetically focused thermionic devices, such as traveling wave tubes (TWTs), magnetron (M-type) amplifiers, and klystrons for high power amplifiers, and backward wave oscillators (BWOs) and reflex klystrons for oscillators. Permanent magnets are already in use in industry that can operate at 500 C. These magnets could focus electron beam tubes on the surface of Venus. While microwave windows will need to be designed for the high pressure, diamond windows have already been demonstrated, so high-pressure microwave windows can be designed and built. Thus, all of these devices could be useful for Venus surface missions. Current electronic power conditioners to supply the high voltages used in these microwave devices cannot operate at high temperatures, but earlier electronic power conditioners that used vacuum tubes can be modified to work at high temperature. Evaluating the various devices in this study, the M-type traveling wave tube (where a traveling wave structure is used in a crossed-field device, similar to the Amplitron used on the Apollo missions) stood out for the high power amplifier since it requires a single high voltage, simplifying the power supply design. Since the receiver amplifier is a low power amplifier, the loss of efficiency in linear beam devices without a depressed collector (and thus needing a single high voltage) is not important; a low noise TWT is a possible solution. Before solid-state microwave amplifiers were available, such TWTs were built with a 1-2 dB noise figure. A microwave triode or transistor made from a wide bandgap material may be preferable, if available. Much of the development work needed for Venusian communication devices will need to focus on the packaging of the devices, and their connections, but the technology is available to build transceivers that can operate on the surface of Venus indefinitely.

Force, Dale A.↗

On the origin of 1/f spectrum of magnetic fluctuations in the solar wind

Spacecraft measurements show that the spectrum of magnetic fluctuations in the solar wind can be divided into low- and high frequency parts. The low and high frequency parts are approximately self-similar (follow a power-law) but with different spectral exponents. (There is, in addition, a very low frequency range in which the spectrum is dominated by structures coming directly from the Sun and it is not self-similar.) For the wind coming from the south polar hole the boundary between the low- and high frequency parts is at about 1 hour near 1 AU. The observed exponent of the low-frequency part is approximately -1 . The high frequency spectrum is steeper with an exponent of about -5/3 . The high frequency spectrum is commonly believed to be the result of non-linear interactions of magnetic and velocity perturbations which lead to a turbulent cascade. However, for the low frequency fluctuations, the site of origin (on the Sun, in the solar corona or in the solar wind?) and mechanism of generation remain basically unknown. In this paper we consider the origin of the 1/f spectrum. The analysis of Ulysses data is compared with analysis of Helios data and the results are used to confront possible models of origin of the spectrum.

Ruzmaikin, A.↗

Towards a High Temporal Frequency Grass Canopy Thermal IR Model for Background Signatures

In this paper, we present our first results towards understanding high temporal frequency thermal infrared response from a dense plant canopy and compare the application of our model, driven both by slowly varying, time-averaged meteorological conditions and by high frequency measurements of local and within canopy profiles of relative humidity and wind speed, to high frequency thermal infrared observations. Previously, we have employed three-dimensional ray tracing to compute the intercepted and scattered radiation fluxes and for final scene rendering. For the turbulent fluxes, we employed simple resistance models for latent and sensible heat with one-dimensional profiles of relative humidity and wind speed. Our modeling approach has proven successful in capturing the directional and diurnal variation in background thermal infrared signatures. We hypothesize that at these scales, where the model is typically driven by time-averaged, local meteorological conditions, the primary source of thermal variance arises from the spatial distribution of sunlit and shaded foliage elements within the canopy and the associated radiative interactions. In recent experiments, we have begun to focus on the high temporal frequency response of plant canopies in the thermal infrared at 1 second to 5 minute intervals. At these scales, we hypothesize turbulent mixing plays a more dominant role. Our results indicate that in the high frequency domain, the vertical profile of temperature change is tightly coupled to the within canopy wind speed In the results reported here, the canopy cools from the top down with increased wind velocities and heats from the bottom up at low wind velocities. .

Ballard, Jerrell R., Jr.↗

Power components for the space station 20-kHz power distribution system

Since 1984, NASA Lewis Research Center was developing high power, high frequency space power components as part of The Space Station Advanced Development program. The purpose of The Advanced Development program was to accelerate existing component programs to ensure their availability for use on the Space Station. These components include a rotary power transfer device, remote power controllers, remote bus isolators, high power semiconductor, a high power semiconductor package, high frequency-high power cable, high frequency-high power connectors, and high frequency-high power transformers. All the components were developed to the prototype level and will be installed in the Lewis Research Center Space Station power system test bed.

Renz, David D.↗

Power components for the Space Station 20-kHz power distribution system

Since 1984, NASA Lewis Research Center was developing high power, high frequency space power components as part of The Space Station Advanced Development program. The purpose of the Advanced Development program was to accelerate existing component programs to ensure their availability for use on the Space Station. These components include a rotary power transfer device, remote power controllers, remote bus isolators, high power semiconductor, a high power semiconductor package, high frequency-high power cable, high frequency-high power connectors, and high frequency-high power transformers. All the components were developed to the prototype level and will be installed in the Lewis Research Center Space Station power system test bed.

Renz, David D.↗