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At least 631 records · Page 35

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NASA NTRS1976

Magnetohydrodynamic and gasdynamic aspects of solar-wind flow around terrestrial planets: A critical review

Problems in space physics are discussed whose models, in simplified form, reduce to a supersonic flow scheme with a detached shock wave, namely: (1) solar wind interaction with an intrinsic planetary magnetic field; (2) solar wind interaction with the ionized component of the atmosphere of a comet; and (3) solar wind interaction with the ionosphere of a planet which does not possess its own magnetic field. The numerical study of the above problems is performed with the use of magnetogasdynamic equations for an ideal single fluid model. From the physical veiwpoint, the problems are solved in terms of as simple phenomena as possible; the principal objective is to make recently developed methods of numerical analysis of mixed flows applicable to space physics problems.

Spreiter, J. R.↗

NASA NTRS1976

Historical evolution of vortex-lattice methods

A review of the beginning and some orientation of the vortex-lattice method were given. The historical course of this method was followed in conjunction with its field of computational fluid dynamics, spanning the period from L.F. Richardson's paper in 1910 to 1975. The following landmarks were pointed out: numerical analysis of partial differential equations, lifting-line theory, finite-difference method, 1/4-3/4 rule, block relaxation technique, application of electronic computers, and advanced panel methods.

Deyoung, J.↗

NASA NTRS1976

Determination of the cosmological rate of change of G and the tidal accelerations of earth and moon from ancient and modern astronomical data

The theory and numerical analysis of ancient astronomical observations (1374 to 1715) are combined with modern data in a simultaneous solution for: the tidal acceleration of the lunar longitude; the observed apparent acceleration of the earth's rotation; the true nontidal geophysical part of this acceleration; and the rate of change in the gravitational constant. Provided are three independent determinations of a rate of change of G consistent with the Hubble Constant and a near zero nontidal rotational acceleration of the earth. The tidal accelerations are shown to have remained constant during the historical period within uncertainties. Ancient and modern solar system data, and extragalactic observations provided a completely consistent astronomical and cosmological scheme.

Muller, P. M.↗

NASA NTRS1977

On the hydrodynamic expansion of a relativistic gas

An exact solution to the one-dimensional relativistic Euler equations is presented which is not of a self-similar nature and which satisfies certain initial conditions found to be appropriate in describing high-energy cosmic-ray collisions and models of radio galaxies. A full numerical analysis is performed to demonstrate the temporal behavior of all relevant thermodynamic quantities at any given point in the expansion. The results indicate that the motion is self-similar at the very beginning of free expansion, that this description ceases to be valid when the entire bulk of fluid is in motion, and that with the passage of time, the nonsimilar solution prevails over more and more of the fluid except for a small region near the leading edge where the fluid borders on the vacuum. The very bulk of the expansion is shown to become nonsimilar because the leading edge of the self-similar solution moves into the vacuum at the speed of light while that of the nonsimilar solution approaches c only asymptotically. The relativistic expansion of a gaseous disk is analyzed as an example.

Canuto, V.↗

NASA NTRS1977

The deficiency of siderophile elements in the moon

An attempt is made to reconcile a plausible origin of the moon with the observed deficiency of siderophile elements in the moon. A numerical analysis is performed which indicates that at least 1% metal was needed to extract nickel successfully from the moon and that the deficiency of lunar siderophiles can be explained on the basis of a fission hypothesis. It is suggested that leaching by liquid metallic iron caused the lunar deficiency and that the leaching took place in the protoearth from which the moon subsequently formed by fission.

Okeefe, J. A.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Performance limitations of silicon solar cells

This paper discusses the performance limitations of silicon solar cells which have been identified and investigated using a detailed numerical analysis of solar cell operation. Efficiency limitations are discussed as related to doping densities, minority carrier lifetimes, widths of solar cell regions, surface recombination, antireflecting layers, and ohmic contact stripes. Areas in which improvements can be expected in performance are identified and discussed.

Hauser, J. R.↗

NASA NTRS1977

A block iterative LU solver for weakly coupled linear systems

A hybrid technique, called the block iterative LU solver, is proposed for solving the linear equations resulting from a finite element numerical analysis of certain fluid dynamics problems where the equations are weakly coupled between distinct sets of variables. Either the block Jacobi iterative method or the block Gauss-Seidel iterative solver is combined with LU decomposition.

Cooke, C. H.↗

NASA NTRS1976

Survey of computer programs for prediction of crash response and of its experimental validation

The author seeks to critically assess the potentialities of the mathematical and hybrid simulators which predict post-impact response of transportation vehicles. A strict rigorous numerical analysis of a complex phenomenon like crash may leave a lot to be desired with regard to the fidelity of mathematical simulation. Hybrid simulations on the other hand which exploit experimentally observed features of deformations appear to hold a lot of promise. MARC, ANSYS, NONSAP, DYCAST, ACTION, WHAM II and KRASH are among some of the simulators examined for their capabilities with regard to prediction of post impact response of vehicles. A review of these simulators reveals that much more by way of an analysis capability may be desirable than what is currently available. NASA's crashworthiness testing program in conjunction with similar programs of various other agencies, besides generating a large data base, will be equally useful in the validation of new mathematical concepts of nonlinear analysis and in the successful extension of other techniques in crashworthiness.

Kamat, M. P.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Temperature distributions and thermal stresses in a graded zirconia/metal gas path seal system for aircraft gas turbine engines

A ceramic/metallic aircraft gas turbine outer gas path seal designed for improved engine performance was studied. Transient temperature and stress profiles in a test seal geometry were determined by numerical analysis. During a simulated engine deceleration cycle from sea-level takeoff to idle conditions, the maximum seal temperature occurred below the seal surface, therefore the top layer of the seal was probably subjected to tensile stresses exceeding the modulus of rupture. In the stress analysis both two- and three-dimensional finite element computer programs were used. Predicted trends of the simpler and more easily usable two-dimensional element programs were borne out by the three-dimensional finite element program results.

Taylor, C. M.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Computational flow development for unsteady viscous flows: Foundation of the numerical method

A procedure is presented for effective consideration of viscous effects in computational development of high Reynolds number flows. The procedure is based on the interpretation of the Navier-Stokes equations as vorticity transport equations. The physics of the flow was represented in a form suitable for numerical analysis. Lighthill's concept for flow development for computational purposes was adapted. The vorticity transport equations were cast in a form convenient for computation. A statement for these equations was written using the method of weighted residuals and applying the Galerkin criterion. An integral representation of the induced velocity was applied on the basis of the Biot-Savart law. Distribution of new vorticity, produced at wing surfaces over small computational time intervals, was assumed to be confined to a thin region around the wing surfaces.

Bratanow, T.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Model for premixed turbulent flames

Flame speed and mean degree of reaction profiles are determined for an ensemble mean one-dimensional premixed turbulent flame. Elementary closure models are employed to treat turbulence closure problems arising from the nonlinear convective and chemical reaction rate terms in the time-dependent fuel conservation equation; a constant eddy diffusivity is useed to model correlation terms derived from the convective term. An expression developed for fuel consumption is solved to obtain the turbulent flame speed and the variation of mean fuel mass fraction across the flame. Comparison of the numerical analysis with experimental data indicates the importance of the quenching of the combustion reaction in high-wavenumber eddies.

Gouldin, F. C.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Ignition of magnesium powders in shock wave induced flows

Ignition of magnesium powders, resulting from an interaction with incident shock wave-induced flows, has been studied. A numerical analysis of particle dynamics and heating is presented and compared with experimental measurements. The induction period is strongly dependent on convective heat transfer and not on chemical reaction rate. Experimentally observed ignition delays were on the order of 100 microns and were inversely dependent on shock strength and initial pressure, directly dependent on particle size and cloud concentration, and independent of oxygen concentration down to 2.3 percent oxygen. Good agreement between experiment and theory was realized.

Fox, T. W.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Spontaneous emission near the electron plasma frequency in a plasma with a runaway electron tail

Spontaneous emission of radiation with frequencies near the electron plasma frequency is studied for a plasma which consists of both thermal and runaway electrons. It is found that a substantial enhancement of the spontaneous radiation intensity can occur in this frequency regime via a Cherenkov resonance with the runaway electrons. Numerical analysis indicates that, for reasonable estimates of densities and energies, the plasma-frequency radiation can attain levels greater than the peak thermal emission at the second gyroharmonic.

Freund, H. P.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Transonic flow past swept wings

FLO-22 computer program aids in numerical analysis of transonic potential flow past lifting, swept wing. FLO-22 uses relaxation method to solve finite-difference approximation of full-potential equation for transonic flow past configuration consisting of wing or arbitrary planform and dihedral extending from symmetry plane or wall. Comparisons of FLO-22 calculated results with experimental data for both conventional and super-critical transport wings show good agreement.

Caughey, D. A.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Development of analytical orbit propagation technique with drag

Two orbit computation methods were used: (1) numerical method- The solution to the satellite differential equations were solved in a step-by-step manner, using a mathematical algorithm taken from numerical analysis; and (2) analytical method - The solution was expressed by explicit functions of the independent variable. Analytical drag modules, tesseral terms initialization module, second order and long period terms module, and verification testing of the ASOP program were also considered.

Source record↗

NASA NTRS1977

Design, fabrication, and evaluation of charge-coupled devices with aluminum-anodized-aluminum gates

A 4-phase, 49 1/2 bit CCD shift register was designed and fabricated using two levels of aluminum metallization with anodic Al2O3 insulation separating the layers. Test circuitry was also designed and constructed. A numerical analysis of an MOS-RC transmission line was made and results are given to characterize performance for various conductivities. The electrical design of the CCD included a low-noise dual-gate input and a balanced floating diffusion output circuit. Metallization was accomplished both by low voltage DC sputtering and thermal evaporation. The audization was according to published procedures using a buffered tartaric acid bath. Approximately 20 wafers were processed with 50 complete chips per wafer. All devices failed by shorting between the metal levels at some point. Experimental procedures eliminated temperature effects from sintering and drying, anodic oxide thickness, edge effects, photoresist stripping procedures, and metallization techniques as the primary causes of failure. It was believed from a study of SEM images that protuberances (hillocks) grow up from the first level metal through the oxide either causing a direct short or producing a weak, highly stressed insulation point which fails at low voltage. The cause of these hillocks is unknown; however, they have been observed to grow during temperature excursions to 470 C.

Gassaway, J. D.↗

NASA NTRS1979

An internal velocity study of the Rosette Nebula

Emission-line profiles of H-alpha were studied at about 700 points in the Rosette Nebula by using a multislit echelle spectrograph. Numerical analysis of the profiles indicates that variations in the line-of-sight velocity occur within the nebula, reaching about + or - 20 km/s in the inner regions. Evidence is presented that these highest velocities are more probably inward, favoring a model where the central cavity is due to a depletion resulting from rapid star formation

Fountain, W. F.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Recent progress in hybrid mode thermionic converter development

Thermionic research has been conducted to investigate a hybrid-mode thermionic converter as a candidate for reducing the barrier index. The hybrid-mode thermionic converter is designed to operate in a combination ignited mode and unignited mode by using a series of parallel grooves in the emitter. The emitter material is molybdenum and the non-grooved land area is thinly coated with rhenium metal. When the emitter is exposed to cesium vapor, as it is during the converter operation, the rhenium-coated land area achieves a lower work function than the grooved molybdenum surface by as much as 0.5 eV. The low work function land area provides a major portion of electron emission, and the high work function grooved area provides cesium ions required for efficient transport of electrons generated in adjacent land areas to the collector. Experimental results obtained from two different converters and a numerical analysis of converter characteristics are presented in this paper.

Shimada, K.↗