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At least 667 records · Page 37

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NASA NTRS1979

DUMAND Summer Workshop, University of California, La Jolla, Calif., July 24-September 2, 1978, Proceedings. Volume 3 - Oceanographic and ocean engineering studies

The DUMAND (Deep Underwater Muon and Neutrino Detector) array, a hexagon 800 m on a side, 673 m high, and consisting of 22,698 sensor modules, is designed to detect neutrinos in the TeV range, hadronic cascades, muons and Cerenkov radiation. Its engineering, signal processing, and logistic aspects are considered, as are its optical detection (photomultiplier tubes) system and electronics. Geological and bottom current surveys were made at two proposed sites for the array (the Maui and Keahole Point basins of Hawaii), and a study of the steady-state response of a sensor string to current drag forces is reported. Biological interference with the DUMAND array, including mechanical entanglement by large animals, bioluminescence, and especially biofouling are considered, as well as the deployment, implantment and maintenance of the array.

Wilkins, G.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Visible and ultraviolet /800-130 nm/ extinction of vapor-condensed silicate, carbon, and silicon carbide smokes and the interstellar extinction curve

The extinction curves from 800 to 130 nm (1.25-7.7/micron) of amorphous silicate smokes nominally of olivine and pyroxene composition, carbon smokes, and crystalline SiC smokes are presented. The SiC smoke occurred in the low-temperature (beta) cubic structural form. The SiC smoke showed an absorption edge which occurred at significantly longer wavelengths than the calculated extinction profile of the hexagonal SiC form previously used to calculate the interstellar extinction profile. Neither SiC nor amorphous silicates show an extinction band similar to the observed 6.6/micron astronomical extinction band. The infrared absorption peaks for the silicate and SiC samples near 10 microns and 11-13 microns, respectively, were also measured. The ultraviolet to infrared extinction ratio for the amorphous silicate samples is similar to the observed astronomical extinction ratio. The measured extinction ratios for SiC smokes are significantly below the interstellar extinction ratio. The extinction peak of the carbon smokes occurred at 4.0 and 4.25/micron, for samples of mean radii 13 and 6 nm, respectively. The extinction profile is distinctly different from that predicted for graphite grains of the same size, and is similar to that predicted for glassy carbon grains.

Stephens, J. R.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Dish Antenna Would Deploy From a Canister

37-tile portable microwave antenna is composed of hexagonal tiles supported by a truss. Skewed connecting struts are hinged at their ends, and rotated during storage and deployment. Proposed microwave antenna would be stored compactly in a canister and deployed onsite.

Finley, L. A.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Deployable and erectable concepts for large spacecraft

Computerized structural sizing techniques were used to determine structural proportions of minimum mass tetrahedral truss platforms designed for low Earth and geosynchronous orbit. Optimum (minimum mass) deployable and erectable, hexagonal shaped spacecraft are sized to satisfy multiple design requirements and constraints. Strut dimensions characterizing minimum mass designs are found to be significantly more slender than those conventionally used for structural applications. Comparison studies show that mass characteristics of deployable and erectable platforms are approximately equal and that the shuttle flights required by deployable trusses become excessive above certain critical stiffness values. Recent investigations of eractable strut assembly are reviewed. Initial erectable structure assembly experiments show that a pair of astronauts can achieve EVA assembly times of 2-5 min/strut and studies indicate that an automated assembler can achieve times of less than 1 min/strut for around the clock operation.

Bush, H. G.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Microstructure of Al2O3 scales formed on NiCrAl alloys

The structure of transient scales formed on pure and Y or Zr-doped Ni-15Cr-13Al alloys oxidized for 0.1 hr at 1100 C was studied by the use of transmission electron microscopy. Crystallographically oriented scales were found on all three alloys, but especially for the Zr-doped NiCrAl. The oriented scales consisted of alpha-(Al,Cr)2O3, Ni(Al,Cr)2O4 and gamma-Al2O3. They were often found in intimate contact with each other such that the close-packed planes and directions of one oxide phase were aligned with those of another. The prominent structural features of the oriented scales were approximately equal to micrometer subgrains; voids, antiphase domain boundaries and aligned precipitates were also prevalent. Randomly oriented alpha-Al2O3 was also found and was the only oxide ever observed at the immediate oxide metal interface. These approximately 0.15 micrometer grains were populated by intragranular voids which decreased in size and number towards the oxide metal interface. A sequence of oxidation was proposed in which the composition of the growing scale changed from oriented oxides rich in Ni and Cr to oriented oxides rich in Al. At the same time the structure changed from cubic spinels to hexagonal corundums with apparent precipitates of one phase in the matrix of the other. Eventually randomly oriented pure alpha-Al2O3 formed as the stable oxide with an abrupt transition: there was no gradual loss of orientation, no gradual compositional change or no gradual decrease in precipitate density.

Smialek, J. L.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Non-noble catalysts and catalyst supports for phosphoric acid fuel cells

Tungsten carbide, which is known to be active for hydrogen oxidation and CO tolerant has a hexagonal structure. Titanium carbide is inactive and has a cubic structure. Four different samples of the cubic alloys Wx-1TixC were prepared and found to be active and CO tolerant. These alloys are of interest as possible phosphoric acid fuel cell catalysts. They also are of interest as opportunities to study the activity of W in a different crystalline environment and to correlate the activities of the surface sites with surface composition.

Mcalister, A. J.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Summary of LSST systems analysis and integration task for SPS flight test articles

The structural and equipment requirements for two solar power satellite (SPS) test articles are defined. The first SPS concept uses a hexagonal frame structure to stabilize the array of primary tension cables configured to support a Mills Cross antenna containing 17,925 subarrays composed of dipole radiating elements and solid state power amplifier modules. The second test article consists of a microwave antenna and its power source, a 20 by 200 m array of solar cell blankets, both of which are supported by the solar blanket array support structure. The test article structure, a ladder, is comprised of two longitudinal beams (215 m long) spaced 10 m apart and interconnected by six lateral beams. The system control module structure and bridge fitting provide bending and torsional stiffness, and supplement the in plane Vierendeel structure behavior. Mission descriptions, construction, and structure interfaces are addressed.

Greenberg, H. S.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Modular reflector concept study

A study was conducted to evaluate the feasibility of space erecting a 100 meter paraboloidal radio frequency reflector by joining a number of individually deployed structural modules. Three module design concepts were considered: (1) the deployable cell module (DCM); (2) the modular paraboloidal erectable truss antenna (Mod-PETA); and (3) the modular erectable truss antenna (META). With the space shuttle (STS) as the launch system, the methodology of packaging and stowing in the orbiter, and of dispensing, deploying and joining, in orbit, were studied and the necessary support equipment identified. The structural performance of the completed reflectors was evaluated and their overall operational capability and feasibility were evaluated and compared. The potential of the three concepts to maintain stable shape in the space environment was determined. Their ability to operate at radio frequencies of 1 GHz and higher was assessed assuming the reflector surface to consist of a number of flat, hexagonal facets. A parametric study was performed to determine figure degradation as a function of reflector size, flat facet size, and f/D ratio.

Vaughan, D. H.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Space fabrication - The key to future large space systems

Construction techniques for large space structures are discussed. It is pointed out that in contrast to assembly in orbit and the deployment technique space fabrication offers favorable densities (transporting structural materials on reels) and can be adapted to automated construction. A space fabrication machine containing reels of flat sheet material and sets of rollers or dies is described, as is a machine for fabricating composite material (which must be heated for forming and then cooled to achieve structural strength). The use of fabrication machines to build such structures as space platforms, microwave radiometers, and satellite power systems is discussed. The versatility of the machine when operated in conjunction with the Space Shuttle and a set of jigs is illustrated by showing how large square solar panels and large hexagonal structures could be constructed. The need for a flight demonstration of the fabrication machine is stressed.

Savage, M.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Adapting magnetoelectrostatic containment to inert gas thrusters

Two different types of 12 cm magnetoelectrostatic containment (MESC) ion thrusters have been adapted to argon-xenon operation. Discharge chamber optimization produced excellent performance with both the hexagonal and hemispherical shaped thrusters. The hemispherical thruster design yielded the best performance, ionizing 75 to 96 percent of the xenon propellant with a discharge energy consumption rate of 185 to 320 eV/ion. Argon operation of the same thruster achieved 60 to 80 percent propellant ionization at 215 to 370 eV/ion.

Ramsey, W. D.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Near millimeter wave bandpass filters

The properties of bandpass filters for broadband photometry are reported in the 3-12/cm frequency range. The filters are based on a combination of capacitive grids deposited on thick Mylar substrates and are designed to have very high out-of-band rejection. Low frequencies are blocked by a thick grill that consists of a hexagonal grid of circular holes in a thick metal plate.

Timusk, T.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Polygon patterns on Europa

The formation of polygon patterns in the development of crack networks in cooling basalt flows and similar contracting systems, and under natural conditions in an essentially unbounded basalt flow, are analyzed, and the characteristics of hexagonal and pentagonal patterns in isotropic stress fields are discussed.

Smalley, I. J.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Unusual weathering products of oldhamite parentage in the Norton County enstatite achondrite

Oldhamite, CaS, is found only in enstatite chondrites and enstatite achondrites. During the course of a comprehensive study of Norton County, oldhamite was found in several polished thin sections of enstatite achondrite. Inspection of thousands of specimens of Norton County showed that occasionally white, pale-yellow and brown specks, generally a few millimeters in size, occur on their surfaces. X-ray powder analysis of these materials shows that they contain portlandite, Ca(OH)2, vaterite (CaCO3, hexagonal), calcite (CaCO3, trigonal), bassanite (CaSO4 1/2 H2O) and one unknown species. It is suggested that these minerals were produced by terrestrial weathering of oldhamite.

Okada, A.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Lightweight Thermal-Protection System

Hexagonal honeycomb panels secured by Y-shaped plates form lightweight, easily-maintained thermal-protection system. Honeycomb outer panel and fastener materials are selected to match local heating rates. Typical materials include composites, titanium, superalloys, and refractory metals. Advantages include complete symmetry of components--there are no left- or right-hand parts and no asymmetry in thermal expansion.

Macconochie, I. O.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Quick-Connect, Self-Alining Latch

Sturdy latch tolerates 10 degrees of angular mismatch in joining structural elements. Hexagonal passive plate nests in active plate, guided by capture plates and alinement keys and grooves. Center hole in both active and passive plates is 1 meter in diameter. Latch has possible uses a pipe joint, connector for parts of portable structures, and fitting for marine risers on offshore drilling rigs.

Burns, G. C.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Padded Allen Wrench Grips Fastener

Addition of PTFE pressure pad increases utility of hexagonal socket wrench. Pad presses against opposing inside socket walls, causing frictional force that retains socket-head screw against gravitational and handling forces. Developed for spacecraft repairs, tool is useful wherever tight clearance prevents insertion or removal of screw by hand.

Salisbury, M. K.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Modular antenna design study

The mechanical design of a modular antenna concept was developed sufficiently to allow manufacture of a working demonstration model of a module, to predict mass properties, and to make performance estimates for antenna reflectors composed of these modules. The primary features of this concept are: (1) each module is an autonomous structural element which can be attached to adjacent modules through a three point connection; (2) the upper surface is a folding hexagonal truss plate mechanism which serves as the supporting structure for a reflective surface; and (3) the entire truss and surface can be folded into a cylindrical envelope in which all truss elements are essentially parallel. The kinematic studies and engineering demonstration model fully verified the deployment kinematics, stowing philosophy, and deployment sequencing for large antenna modules. It was established that such modules can be stowed in packages as small as 25 cm in diameter, using 1.27 cm diameter structural tubes. The development activity indicates that this deployable modular approach towards building large structures in space will support erection of 450 m apertures for operation up to 3 GHz with a single space shuttle flight.

Ribble, J. W.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Integrated residential photovoltaic array development

An advanced, universally-mountable, integrated residential photovoltaic array concept was defined based upon an in-depth formulation and evaluation of three candidate approaches which were synthesized from existing or proposed residential array concepts. The impact of module circuitry and process sequence is considered and technology gaps and performance drivers associated with residential photovoltaic array concepts are identified. The actual learning experience gained from the comparison of the problem areas of the hexagonal shingle design with the rectangular module design led to what is considered an advanced array concept. Building the laboratory mockup provided actual experience and the opportunity to uncover additional technology gaps.

Shepard, N. F., Jr.↗