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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 613 records · Page 34

Sun tracking solar energy collector

A parabolic reflector is supported so that it can track the sun. The support for this reflector comprises an azimuth frame supported on two wheels and a central pivotal point which are positioned in a substantially triangular configuration. On top of the azimuth frame, there is provided an elevation frame. The reflector rides on wheels captured within curved rails. The wheels of the azimuth frame are driven by an azimuth actuator. The reflector structure is counterbalanced about its elevation axis by a pendulum cable system which is driven by a motor. At the focal point of the parabolic reflector, a heat engine or receiver is mounted independently on the reflector. Suitable means are provided for moving the reflector about its two axes.

Perkins, G. S.↗

Large space structures fabrication experiment

The fabrication machine used for the rolltrusion and on-orbit forming of graphite thermoplastic (CTP) strip material into structural sections is described. The basic process was analytically developed parallel with, and integrated into the conceptual design of, a flight experiment machine for producing a continuous triangular cross section truss. The machine and its associated ancillary equipment are mounted on a Space Lab pallet. Power, thermal control, and instrumentation connections are made during ground installation. Observation, monitoring, caution and warning, and control panels and displays are installed at the payload specialist station in the orbiter. The machine is primed before flight by initiation of beam forming, to include attachment of the first set of cross members and anchoring of the diagonal cords. Control of the experiment will be from the orbiter mission specialist station. Normal operation is by automatic processing control software. Machine operating data are displayed and recorded on the ground. Data is processed and formatted to show progress of the major experiment parameters including stable operation, physical symmetry, joint integrity, and structural properties.

Source record↗

Critical mass flux through short Borda type inlets of various cross sections

Mass flux measurements associated with chocked flows through four Borda type inlet geometries: circular, square, triangular and rectangular (two-dimensional) and two sharp edged geometries taken over a very wide range of inlet stagnation conditions. The measurements indicate that: (1) the mass flux is independent of the inlet cross-section geometry and (2) the mass flux is dependent only on the inlet stagnation conditions. Also by using choked flow results found in the literature, the reduced mass flux is independent of working fluid. Two implications are drawn which remain to be verified: (1) since seal leak rates are weakly dependent on geometry but pressure distribution is strongly dependent on geometry, seal design efforts should be directed more toward controlling the dynamics, and (2) high-L/D ducts of arbitrary cross section and Borda type inlets can possess free jets.

Hendricks, R. C.↗

X-ray investigation of molten crystal hydrates H2SO4(nH2O) and HNO3(nH2O)

Integral analysis of the intensity of the electron density distribution curve in molten crystal hydrates provided by X-ray analysis, permits the following conclusions on the structure of the complex SO and NO ions, and the short-range order in the structure of the solution. The SO4 ion in the solution has a tetrahedral structure with an S to O distance equal to 1.5 A. For the NO3 in the solution, a planar triangular shape is probable, with an N to O distance equal to 1.2 A. Preferential distances between each of the oxygens of the SO ion and the nearest molecules of water proved near to the corresponding distances in solid crystal hydrates. For an (H2SO4)(H2O) solution, the average number of water molecules surrounding each oxygen atom of the SO4 (--) ion was on the order of 1.3 molecules. Hence the preferential distances between the water molecules and the oxygen atoms of the SO ion, and the preference of their mutual position, correspond to the fixed position of these same elements of the structure in the solid crystal hydrate.

Romanova, A. V.↗

Development of a beam builder for automatic fabrication of large composite space structures

The composite material beam builder which will produce triangular beams from pre-consolidated graphite/glass/thermoplastic composite material through automated mechanical processes is presented, side member storage, feed and positioning, ultrasonic welding, and beam cutoff are formed. Each process lends itself to modular subsystem development. Initial development is concentrated on the key processes for roll forming and ultrasonic welding composite thermoplastic materials. The construction and test of an experimental roll forming machine and ultrasonic welding process control techniques are described.

Bodle, J. G.↗

Investigation of aerodynamic characteristics of subsonic wings

An analytical strake design procedure is investigated. A numerical solution to the governing strake design equation is used to generate a series of strakes which are tested in a water tunnel to study their vortex breakdown characteristics. The strakes are scaled for use on a half-scale model of the NASA-LaRC general research fuselage with a 44 degrees trapezoidal wing. An analytical solution to the governing design equation is obtained. The strake design procedure relates the potential-flow leading-edge suction and pressure distributions to vortex stability. Several suction distributions are studied and those which are more triangular and peak near the tip generate strakes that reach higher angles of attack before vortex breakdown occurs at the wing trailing edge. For the same suction distribution, a conical rather than three dimensional pressure specification results in a better strake shape as judged from its vortex breakdown characteristics.

Dejarnette, F. R.↗

Shuttle demonstration of large space structure fabrication and assembly

This paper describes a program aimed at the early on-orbit demonstration of a large-space-structure fabrication and assembly capability. Requirements for the demonstration concept have been formulated. The concept selected to meet these requirements is a Large Space Structure Platform consisting of a triangular prism of 31.5 m length. Sensors can be mounted on this platform to perform earth-observation measurements from space. Structural elements of the platform are fabricated using an automated beam builder in the Shuttle Orbiter payload bay. Special fixtures are designed to assemble the structure with the aid of the remote manipulator system and two astroworkers in an EVA mode. Results of the platform preliminary design are presented in terms of a design layout with related structural, thermal, mass-properties, and control-dynamics data. The assembly scenario is described. Estimates of the total construction time and Orbiter support requirements are also presented.

Fleisig, R.↗

Reynolds number influence on leeside flowfields

Experimental results on the Reynolds number influence on the leeside flowfield of planar delta wings at supersonic speeds are presented. Wind tunnel experiments on two delta wing models with straight and sharp leading edges at freestream Mach number of 2.5 and 3.5 and angle of attack between 1 deg and 12.5 deg were carried out. The cross-sectional shape was triangular and the relative height was 0.25. The flow types investigated were to the left and right of the Stanbrook-Squire boundary. Under leading-edge separation conditions, the vortex position and intensity, and thus the suction pressure, vary with Re while the flow type remains nearly unchanged. In the region of separation with embedded shock, Re affects not only the shape of the separation bubble and pressure level near the leading edge but also the type of flow. At sufficiently high Re the flow type of separation with shock changes to one with shock-induced separation.

Szodruch, J.↗

Theoretical analysis of heat flow in horizontal ribbon growth from a melt

A theoretical heat flow analysis for horizontalribbon growth is presented. Equations are derived relating pull speed, ribbon thickness, thermal gradient in the melt, and melt temperature for limiting cases of heat removal by radiation only and isothermal heat removal from the solid surface over the melt. Geometrical cross sections of the growth zone are shown to be triangular and nearly parabolic for the two respective cases. Theoretical pull speed for silicon ribbon 0.01 cm thick, where the loss of latent heat of fusion is by radiation to ambient temperature (300 K) only, is shown to be 1 cm/sec for horizontal growth extending 2 cm over the melt and with no heat conduction either to or from the melt. Further enhancement of ribbon growth rate by placing cooling blocks adjacent to the top surface is shown to be theoretically possible.

Zoutendyk, J. A.↗

Elastic constants for superplastically formed/diffusion-bonded sandwich structures

Formulae and the associated graphs are presented for contrasting the effective elastic constants for a superplastically formed/diffusion-bonded (SPF/DB) corrugated sandwich core and a honeycomb sandwich core. The results used in the comparison of the structural properties of the two types of sandwich cores are under conditions of equal sandwich density. It was found that the stiffness in the thickness direction of the optimum SPF/DB corrugated core (i.e., triangular truss core) was lower than that of the honeycomb core, and that the former had higher transverse shear stiffness than the latter.

Ko, W. L.↗

Lunar KREEP volcanism - Geologic evidence for history and mode of emplacement

The history of KREEP basalt emplacement in the Fra Mauro and Imbrium basin regions was investigated on the basis of the petrologic and geochemical characteristics of Apollo 14 and 15 samples and data from photogeologic, site geology and remote sensing studies. Results suggest that KREEP emplacement began after the excavation of the South Imbrium basin more than 4.0 to 4.1 billion years ago, continued into early to mid-Imbrium, and was in part sychronous with mare volcanism. Surface KREEP activity appears to be concentrated in a triangular area bounded by the Apollo 15 site, southern Procellarum and the Aristarchus region. Most of the Apollo 15 igneous KREEP basalts are products of post-Imbrium KREEP volcanism within the Imbrium basis, whereas the Apollo 14 KREEP-rich breccias represent extensively reworked KREEP volcanics extruded prior to about 4.0 to 4.1 billion years ago.

Hawke, B. R.↗

The significance of wing end configuration in airfoil design for civil aviation aircraft

Lift-dependent induced drag in commercial aviation aircraft is discussed, with emphasis on the necessary compromises between wing and configuration modifications which better lift performance and the weight gains accompanying such modifications. Triangular, rectangular and elliptical configurations for wing ends are considered; attention is also given to airfoil designs incorporating winglets. Water tunnel tests of several configurations are reported. In addition, applications of wing and modifications to advanced technology commercial aviation aircraft and the Airbus A-300 are mentioned.

Zimmer, H.↗

Space fabrication: Graphite composite truss welding and cap forming subsystems

An automated beam builder for the fabrication of space structures is described. The beam builder forms a triangular truss 1.3 meters on a side. Flat strips of preconsolidated graphite fiber fabric in a polysulfone matrix are coiled in a storage canister. Heaters raise the material to forming temperature then the structural cap section is formed by a series of rollers. After cooling, cross members and diagonal tension cords are ultrasonically welded in place to complete the truss. The stability of fabricated structures and composite materials is also examined.

Jenkins, L. M.↗

Elastic constants for superplastically formed/diffusion-bonded corrugated sandwich core

Formulas and associated graphs for evaluating the effective elastic constants for a superplastically formed/diffusion bonded (SPF/DB) corrugated sandwich core, are presented. A comparison of structural stiffnesses of the sandwich core and a honeycomb core under conditions of equal sandwich core density was made. The stiffness in the thickness direction of the optimum SPF/DB corrugated core (that is, triangular truss core) is lower than that of the honeycomb core, and that the former has higher transverse shear stiffness than the latter.

Ko, W. L.↗

Influence of interorbit acceleration on the design of large space antennas

The characteristics of the acceleration-induced loading in structures consisting of triangular lattices are investigated and some initial quantitative results on the effect on the design mass and stowage volume are presented. The approach used defines the structural design that would be used if no interorbit acceleration were required and then determines what strengthening would be required to accommodate the loads due to acceleration. The basic zero acceleration design can be based on the stringent accuracy requirements placed on the antennas.

Hedgepeth, J. M.↗

Theoretical determination of nozzle admittances using a finite element method

A finite element method (FEM) is used to predict the admittances of axisymmetric nozzles. The flow in the nozzle is assumed to be isentropic and the disturbances are assumed to be small so that linear analyses apply. An approximate two dimensional compressible flow model is used to describe the steady flow in the nozzle. The propagation of acoustic disturbances is governed by the complete linear acoustic wave equation. This partial differential wave equation is transformed to an integral equation using Galerkin's method and Green's theorem is applied so that the acoustic boundary conditions can be introduced through the boundary residuals. A two dimensional finite element method using linear triangular elements is used to solve the integral acoustic equation. A one dimensional FEM is used to solve the reduced nozzle acoustic equation developed by Crocco and the solution is used to verify the sufficiency of the boundary residual formation. It is shown that agreement between predicted values of the admittance and experimental data is quite good.

Sigman, R. K.↗

Critical mass flux through short Borda type inlets of various cross sections

Mass flux measurements associated with choked flows through four Borda-type inlet geometries: circular, square, triangular, and rectangular (two-dimensional) and two sharp-edged geometries are discussed for a wide range of inlet stagnation conditions. The results obtained indicate that the mass flux is independent of the inlet cross-section geometry, while it is dependent on the inlet stagnation conditions. The results also suggest that parallel surfaces as found in seals, dampers, bearings, and heat exchanger tubes of rectangular cross section with Borda-type inlet configurations are subject to large forces. It is noted that the reduced mass flux is independent of working fluid.

Hendricks, R. C.↗