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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 631 records · Page 35

Determination of nonlinear resistance voltage-current relationships by measuring harmonics

Test configuration measures harmonic signal amplitudes generated in nonlinear resistance. Vacuum-type voltmeter measures low frequency sinusoidal input signal amplitude and wave-analyzer measures amplitude of harmonic signals generated in junction. Input signal harmonics amplitude must not exceed that of harmonics generated in nonlinear resistance.

Stafford, J. M.↗

Persistent neural activity in head direction cells

Many neurons throughout the rat limbic system discharge in relation to the animal's directional heading with respect to its environment. These so-called head direction (HD) cells exhibit characteristics of persistent neural activity. This article summarizes where HD cells are found, their major properties, and some of the important experiments that have been conducted to elucidate how this signal is generated. The number of HD and angular head velocity cells was estimated for several brain areas involved in the generation of the HD signal, including the postsubiculum, anterior dorsal thalamus, lateral mammillary nuclei and dorsal tegmental nucleus. The HD cell signal has many features in common with what is known about how neural integration is accomplished in the oculomotor system. The nature of the HD cell signal makes it an attractive candidate for using neural network models to elucidate the signal's underlying mechanisms. The conditions that any network model must satisfy in order to accurately represent how the nervous system generates this signal are highlighted and areas where key information is missing are discussed.

Non-NASA Center↗

Stepper motor control that adjusts to motor loading

A system and method are provided for controlling a stepper motor having a rotor and a multi-phase stator. Sinusoidal command signals define a commanded position of the motor's rotor. An actual position of the rotor is sensed as a function of an electrical angle between the actual position and the commanded position. The actual position is defined by sinusoidal position signals. An adjustment signal is generated using the sinusoidal command signals and sinusoidal position signals. The adjustment signal is defined as a function of the cosine of the electrical angle. The adjustment signal is multiplied by each sinusoidal command signal to generate a corresponding set of excitation signals, each of which is applied to a corresponding phase of the multi-phase stator.

Howard, David E.↗

Supervisory-level control system demand control of an HVAC system

A supervisory-level control system is provided and includes a summation unit receptive of first and second signals, an HVAC system to generate the second signal according to first set-point signals and to a second set-point signal and a supervisory controller. The supervisory controller includes a control unit, a set-point scheduler and a zone level set-point distribution unit. The control unit is receptive of an error signal representing a difference between the first and second signals from the summation unit. The set-point scheduler is receptive of a demand signal generated by the control unit according to the error signal. The set-point scheduler generates a set-point command signal and the second set-point signal according to the demand signal. The zone level set-point distribution unit is configured to generate the first set-point signals in accordance with the set-point command signal.

Adetola, Veronica↗

Automatic lightning detection and photographic system

A system is presented for monitoring and recording lightning strokes within a predetermined area with a camera having an electrically operated shutter with means for advancing the film in the camera after activating the shutter. The system includes an antenna for sensing lightning strikes which, in turn, generates a signal that is fed to an electronic circuit which generates signals for operating the shutter of the camera. Circuitry is provided for preventing activation of the shutter as the film in the camera is being advanced.

Wojtasinski, R. J.↗

Pulse code modulated signal synchronizer

A bit synchronizer for a split phase PCM transmission is reported that includes three loop circuits which receive incoming phase coded PCM signals. In the first loop, called a Q-loop, a generated, phase coded, PCM signal is multiplied with the incoming signals, and the frequency and phase of the generated signal are nulled to that of the incoming subcarrier signal. In the second loop, called a B-loop, a circuit multiplies a generated signal with incoming signals to null the phase of the generated signal in a bit phase locked relationship to the incoming signal. In a third loop, called the I-loop, a phase coded PCM signal is multiplied with the incoming signals for decoding the bit information from the PCM signal. A counter means is used for timing of the generated signals and timing of sample intervals for each bit period.

Kobayashi, H. S.↗

Harmonic generation under small signal conditions in a traveling wave tube

In a klystron, charge overtaking of electrons leads to an infinity of AC current. The harmonic content therein can be calculated exactly, with or without space charge effects. This paper extends the klystron theory to a traveling wave tube (TWT). We assume that the electron motion is described by linear theory. The crowding of these linear orbits may lead to harmonic generation, as in a klystron. We calculate the buildup of harmonic content as a function of distance from the input, and compare these analytic results with the CHRISTINE code. Reasonable agreement was found. A dimensionless “bunching parameter” for TWT, 2 /( ) X P PC = in b , is identified, which characterizes the harmonic content in the AC current, where Pin is the power of the inputsignal, Pb is the DC beam power, and C is Pierce’s gain parameter.

Wong, Patrick↗

Passively damped vibration welding system and method

A vibration welding system includes a controller, welding horn, an anvil, and a passive damping mechanism (PDM). The controller generates an input signal having a calibrated frequency. The horn vibrates in a desirable first direction at the calibrated frequency in response to the input signal to form a weld in a work piece. The PDM is positioned with respect to the system, and substantially damps or attenuates vibration in an undesirable second direction. A method includes connecting the PDM having calibrated properties and a natural frequency to an anvil of an ultrasonic welding system. Then, an input signal is generated using a weld controller. The method includes vibrating a welding horn in a desirable direction in response to the input signal, and passively damping vibration in an undesirable direction using the PDM.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Systems and methods for synchronizing converter modules

Various examples are directed to a converter system comprising first and second series-connected converter modules and a synchronization circuit. The synchronization circuit may modulate a reference signal onto a carrier signal to generate a synchronization current signal and the synchronization current signal to an output current of the converter system to generate an aggregated output current. A first converter module may receive the aggregated output current from a first current sensor and generate a first reproduced synchronization signal at least in part from the aggregated output current. A first switch control signal for switching at least one switch at the first converter may be generated based at least in part on the first reproduced synchronization signal.

Cox, Robert Williams↗

Development of Database of SFL2a Signals for Neutron Generator Techniques Proposed for Integration

The Next Generation Safeguards Initiative (NGSI), Office of Nonproliferation and International Security (NIS), National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has sponsored a multi-laboratory, university, international partner collaboration to (1) quantify the plutonium (Pu) mass of a spent fuel assembly, (2) detect partial defects in assemblies, and (3) verify the initial enrichment (IE), burnup (BU) and cooling time (CT) of an assembly. A wide variety of nondestructive assay (NDA) techniques were researched to achieve these goals [Ref. 1 and 2]. A subset of 5 NDA techniques involving passive counting and/or a neutron generator were researched for integration potential with the focus on the first of the three goals, quantifying Pu mass.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Ultra-High-Sensitivity Aerosol Spectrometer (UHSAS) Instrument Handbook

The Ultra-High-Sensitivity Aerosol Spectrometer (UHSAS) (Figure 1) is an optical-scattering, laser-based aerosol particle spectrometer system for sizing particles in the 60 to 1000 nanometer (nm) range [1–3]. The instrument counts particles in up to 100 user-specified sizing bins. The instrument’s laser illuminates particles, which scatter light. The system captures the peak light signals that are generated. These signals are used for particle sizing, since the amount of light scattered correlates strongly with particle size.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

aosuhsas (01)

The ultra-high-sensitivity aerosol spectrometer (UHSAS) is an optical-scattering, laser-based, aerosol particle spectrometer system for sizing particles in the 60 to 1000 nanometer (nm) range [1–3]. The instrument counts particles in up to 100 user-specified sizing bins. The instrument’s laser illuminates particles, which scatter light. The system captures the peak light signals that are generated. These signals are used for particle sizing, since the amount of light scattered correlates strongly with particle size. The UHSAS is part of the aerosol observing system (AOS).

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Controller arm for a remotely related slave arm

A segmented controller arm configured and dimensioned to form a miniature kinematic replica of a remotely related slave arm is disclosed. The arm includes: (1) a plurality of joints for affording segments of the arm simultaneous angular displacement about a plurality of pairs of intersecting axes, (2) a plurality of position sensing devices for providing electrical signals indicative of angular displacement imparted to corresponding segments of the controller shaft about the axes, and (3) a control signal circuit for generating control signals to be transmitted to the slave arm. The arm is characterized by a plurality of yokes, each being supported for angular displacement about a pair of orthogonally related axes and counterbalanced against gravitation by a cantilevered mass.

Salisbury, J. K., Jr.↗

Synchronizing A Stroboscope With A Video Camera

Circuit synchronizes flash of light from stroboscope with frame and field periods of video camera. Sync stripper sends vertical-synchronization signal to delay generator, which generates trigger signal. Flashlamp power supply accepts delayed trigger signal and sends pulse of power to flash lamp. Designed for use in making short-exposure images that "freeze" flow in wind tunnel. Also used for making longer-exposure images obtained by use of continuous intense illumination.

Rhodes, David B.↗

Improved Closed-Loop Carrier-Phase Synchronization In BPSK

Scheme motivated by maximum-likelihood approach offers advantages over other well-known schemes. Proposed signal-processing system generates error signal proportional to derivative of conditional probability density function with respect to estimated carrier phase. Signal serves as feedback signal in carrier-phase-tracking loop.

Simon, Marvin K.↗