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At least 685 records · Page 38

Radiation, optical, power flow, and electrical diagnostics at the Z facility: Layout and techniques utilized to operate in the harsh environment

The Z machine is a current driver producing up to 30 MA in 100 ns that utilizes a wide range of diagnostics to assess accelerator performance and target behavior conduct experiments that use the Z target as a source of radiation or high pressures. Here, we review the existing suite of diagnostic systems, including their locations and primary configurations. The diagnostics are grouped in the following categories: pulsed power diagnostics, x-ray power and energy, x-ray spectroscopy, x-ray imaging (including backlighting, power flow, and velocimetry), and nuclear detectors (including neutron activation). We will also briefly summarize the primary imaging detectors we use at Z: image plates, x-ray and visible film, microchannel plates, and the ultrafast x-ray imager. The Z shot produces a harsh environment that interferes with diagnostic operation and data retrieval. We term these detrimental processes “threats” of which only partial quantifications and precise sources are known. Finally, we summarize the threats and describe techniques utilized in many of the systems to reduce noise and backgrounds.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

A cryocooler for applications requiring low magnetic and mechanical interference

A very low-power, low-interference Stirling cryocooler is being developed based on principles and techniques described in several previous publications over the last four years. It differs in several important details from those built previously. It uses a tapered displacer based upon an analytical optimization procedure. The displacer is driven by an auxiliary piston and cylinder (rather than by mechanical linkage) using some of the working fluid itself to provide the driving force. This provides smooth, vibration-free motion, and, more importantly, allows complete mechanical and spatial separation of the cryostat from the pressure-wave generator. Either of two different pressure-wave generators can be used. One is a non-contaminating, unlubricated ceramic piston and cylinder. The other is a compressed-air-operated rubber diaphragm with motor-driven valves to cycle the pressure between appropriate limits.

Zimmerman, J. E.↗

SSME single crystal turbine blade dynamics

A study was performed to determine the dynamic characteristics of the Space Shuttle main engine high pressure fuel turbopump (HPFTP) blades made of single crystal (SC) material. The first and second stage drive turbine blades of HPFTP were examined. The nonrotating natural frequencies were determined experimentally and analytically. The experimental results of the SC second stage blade were used to verify the analytical procedures. The analytical study examined the SC first stage blade natural frequencies with respect to crystal orientation at typical operating conditions. The SC blade dynamic response was predicted to be less than the directionally solidified blade. Crystal axis orientation optimization indicated the third mode interference will exist in any SC orientation.

Moss, Larry A.↗

SSME single-crystal turbine blade dynamics

A study was performrd to determine the dynamic characteristics of the Space Shuttle Main Engine high pressure fuel turbopump (HPFTP) blades made of single crystal (SC) material. The first and second stage drive turbine blades of HPFTP were examined. The nonrotating natural frequencies were determined experimentally and analytically. The experimental results of the SC second stage blade were used to verify the analytical procedures. The study examined the SC first stage blade natural frequencies with respect to crystal orientation at typical operating conditions. The SC blade dynamic response was predicted to be less than the directionally solidified base. Crystal axis orientation optimization indicated that the third mode interference will exist in any SC orientation.

Moss, Larry A.↗

8-PSK Signaling over non-linear satellite channels

Space agencies are under pressure to utilize better bandwidth-efficient communication methods due to the actual allocated frequency bands becoming more congested. Also budget reductions is another problem that the space agencies must deal with. This budget constraint results in simpler spacecraft carrying less communication capabilities and also the reduction in staff to capture data in the earth stations. It is then imperative that the most bandwidth efficient communication methods be utilized. This thesis presents a study of 8-ary Phase Shift Keying (8PSK) modulation with respect to bandwidth, power efficiency, spurious emissions and interference susceptibility over a non-linear satellite channel.

Horan, Sheila B.↗

A Wall Correction Program Based on Classical Methods for the National Transonic Facility (Solid Wall or Slotted Wall) and the 14x22-Ft Subsonic Tunnel at NASA LaRC

A Fortran subroutine CMWALL is described, which is an implementation of the collective information from classical methods-based wall corrections. These methods use established closed-form expressions which were developed based on simple linear potential-based methods. This is a simple and rapid tool to calculate corrections due to wall interference in the National Transonic Facility (Solid Wall or Slotted Wall) or the 14x22-Ft Subsonic Tunnel at NASA LaRC. It is designed to be easily implemented in the existing tunnel data reduction programs, either as real-time or post-point. It is however important to realize that the method is based on the simplifying assumptions of linearity, small model and attached flow. The computed results are thus to be viewed as first-cut estimates, to be refined further using more complex methods based on measured wall pressures (known as wall signature methods).

Hemsch, Michael J.↗

Blade and airfoil damping configurations

The present embodiments set forth a blade including an airfoil, the airfoil including a tip cap, a pressure sidewall and a suction sidewall extending axially between corresponding leading and trailing edges and radially between the base and the tip cap. The blade, including the airfoil and base, being formed in at least two airfoil parts, each of the two airfoil parts including contacting edges engaging each other respective contacting edges, the contacting edges defining a joint for preloading each of the at least two parts with each other and with the base. The at least two airfoil parts forming the airfoil being retained to each other by an interference fit at the joint. The interference fit providing frictional damping of vibrations in the blade during blade operation.

Hart, Andrew Clifford↗

Radiation Monitoring for Volatilized Zinc Contamination Using Gamma-Ray Imaging and Spectroscopy

Gamma-ray imaging is a tool that has grown in importance in the applications of non-destructive assay (NDA) for radioactive survey and analysis of nuclear facilities. Imaging techniques have shown great promise in providing valuable information involving radioactive waste management and contamination prevention. For the application studied in this work, 65 Zn has been identified as a radioactive contaminant during tritium extraction. Due to the volatile nature of 65 Zn under the pressure and temperature changes during extraction operations, 65 Zn can easily travel through components of the extraction system as vapor, making it difficult to trap. Previous research involving the development of a filtration system showed that the 65 Zn can be trapped, mitigating product contamination. However, during the extraction process, direct analysis of the equipment to confirm that zinc contamination is trapped in the filter and has not spread to other components is impractical. Here, in this situation, the need to assay the location of the contamination with little-to-no interference with operations is vital. In this work, we demonstrate the use of a commercialized 3D position-sensitive CdZnTe (CZT) gamma-ray imaging spectrometer to provide analysis of the 65 Zn contamination. Onsite measurements during an extraction process are studied to assess the location and migration of the 65 Zn. The results obtained from real-time glovebox monitoring demonstrate the feasibility of gamma-ray imaging for localizing the contamination and providing a preliminary qualitative assessment that is intended to be used in future work quantifying the contamination build-up and activity over time.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Experimental Study of Instabilities in Hydrogen-Air Fueled Rotating Detonation Combustion Presentation

Conventional gas turbine engines rely on an idealized constant pressure combustion process that in reality produces a pressure decrease as a result of viscous and other non-reversible losses. An alternative approach is rotating detonation combustion (RDC) which is a form of pressure gain combustion in which one or more detonation waves propagate an annular channel resulting in an increase in pressure across, subsequently providing greater work availability compared to deflagration ultimately leading to opportunities for greater thermodynamic efficiency when used in gas turbine engines that conventionally relies on constant. Modern gas turbine engines often rely on pre-mixed reactants to limit NOx emissions, although this may result in greater susceptibility to instabilities such as flashback and thermoacoustic oscillation, particularly for applications that utilize hydrogen as the fuel. Research in RDC has focused on non-premixed reactants thus limiting the occurrence of flashback, and high frequency detonation wave propagation (kHz) may interfere with the occurrence of thermoacoustic oscillations. Thermal NOx emissions are controlled through rapid combustion and sudden expansion of the working fluid. Although RDC may not be susceptible to instabilities encountered in conventional state of the art gas turbine engine combustion, there may be other mechanisms occurring that support instabilities that could be detrimental to performance.

Weber, Justin↗

Orbital flight test shuttle external tank aerothermal flight evaluation, volume 3

This 3-volume report discusses the evaluation of aerothermal flight measurements made on the orbital flight test Space Shuttle External Tanks (ETs). Six ETs were instrumented to measure various quantities during flight; including heat transfer, pressure, and structural temperature. The flight data was reduced and analyzed against math models established from an extensive wind tunnel data base and empirical heat-transfer relationships. This analysis has supported the validity of the current aeroheating methodology and existing data base; and, has also identified some problem areas which require methodology modifications. Volume 1 is the Executive Summary. Volume 2 contains Appendix A (Aerothermal Comparisons), and Appendix B (Flight-Derived h sub 1/h sub u vs. M sub inf. Plots). This is Volume 3, containing Appendix C (Comparison of Interference Factors between OFT Flight, Prediction and 1H-97A Data), Appendix D (Freestream Stanton Number and Reynolds Number Correlation for Flight and Tunnel Data), and Appendix E (Flight-Derived h sub i/h sub u Tables).

Praharaj, Sarat C.↗

Orbital flight test shuttle external tank aerothermal flight evaluation, volume 2

This 3-volume report discusses the evaluation of aerothermal flight measurements made on the orbital flight test Space Shuttle External Tanks (ETs). Six ETs were instrumented to measure various quantities during flight; including heat transfer, pressure, and structural temperature. The flight data was reduced and analyzed against math models established from an extensive wind tunnel data base and empirical heat-transfer relationships. This analysis has supported the validity of the current aeroheating methodology and existing data base; and, has also identified some problem areas which require methodology modifications. Volume 1 is the Executive Summary. This is volume 2, containing Appendix A (Aerothermal Comparisons), and Appendix B (Flight-Derived h sub i/h sub u vs. M sub inf. Plots). Volume 3 contains Appendix C (Comparison of Interference Factors between OFT Flight, Prediction and 1H-97A Data), Appendix D (Freestream Stanton Number and Reynolds Number Correlation for Flight and Tunnel Data), and Appendix E (Flight-Derived h sub i/h sub u Tables).

Praharaj, Sarat C.↗

Static performance of a multiaxis thrust vectoring cruciform nozzle

A multiaxis thrust vectoring nozzle designed to have equal flow turning capability in pitch and yaw is investigated, and methods for obtaining large multiaxis thrust vector angles without physical vectoring flap interference are studied. These methods include restricting the pitch flaps from the path of the yaw flaps, and shifting the flow path at the throat off the nozzle centerline in order to permit larger pitch flap deflections without interfering with operation of the yaw flaps. The results obtained show that unvectored performance of the cruciform nozzle is only slightly lower (0.5 to 1.0 percent) than that of previously tested axisymmetric and nonaxisymmetric nozzles, despite the complex internal geometry. The shifted-throat nozzle design has larger thrust vector angles at the nozzle pressure ratio of peak resultant thrust efficiency, but has 1 to 2 percent lower peak thrust performance than the restricted-flap nozzle design.

Wing, David J.↗

Long-life, space-maintainable nuclear stage regulators and shutoff valves

The six most promising valve, regulator, and remote coupling concepts, representing the more radical designs from twenty concepts generated, were investigated. Of the three valves, one has no moving parts because shutoff sealing is accomplished by an electromagnetic field which ionized the flowing fluid. Another valve uses liquid metal to obtain sealing. In the third valve, high sealing forces are generated by heating and expanding trapped hydrogen. The pressure regulator is an electronically controlled, electromechanically operated, single state valve. Its complexity is in electronic circuitry, and the design results in less weight, increased reliability and performance flexibility, and multipurpose application. The two remote couplings feature the minimization of weight and mechanical complexity. One concept uses a low melting temperature metal alloy which is injected into the joint cavity; upon solidification, the alloy provides a seal and a structural joint. The second concept is based on the differential thermal expansion of the coupling mating parts. At thermal equilibrium there is a predetermined interference between the parts, and sealing is achieved by interference loading.

Source record↗

Microwave bistatic reflectivity dependence on the moisture content and matric potential of bare soil

Results are presented of an experimental program to determine the functional dependence of the microwave reflectivity of nonvegetated soil surfaces upon volumetric soil moisture and matric potential. A combination evaporation-drainage field experiment was conducted on a bare Captina slit loam with reflectivity, soil moisture content, and matric potential monitored for extended time periods. Results show that for a restricted pressure range (approximately -0.05 to -0.75 bar) there is excellent linear correlation between the log of bistatic reflectivity and both volumetric moisture content and matric potential. Layering effects due to steep moisture content (and matric potential) gradients in the profile are demonstrated to have two distinct and significant effects on the reflectivity response. At near saturation of rough surfaces a very thin dry surface layer appears to modify the effective roughness. This leads to a saturation of reflectivity at high moisture contents. As the surface proceeds to dry further, deeper layers produce coherent interference patterns in the reflectivity response, particularly at the higher frequencies.

Waite, W. P.↗

Impact of moderate pump–Stokes chirp on femtosecond coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering spectra

The effects of inducing moderate chirp in the pump and Stokes beams in chirped-probe-pulse femtosecond coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) spectroscopy are discussed. This is an important issue for measurements in high-pressure systems where the CARS beams must be transmitted through glass of significant thickness to reach the probe volume of interest. The effects were investigated both experimentally, by inserting disks of SF-11 glass into the pump and Stokes beam paths, and theoretically, by incorporating pulse chirp into our time-dependent density matrix (TDDM) simulations. Experimentally, we found that inducing moderate pump and Stokes chirp produced significant spectral narrowing of the nonresonant four-wave mixing contribution to the CARS signal, and this allowed us to control the resonant excitation bandwidth to eliminate interferences from neighboring species. The temperature measurement accuracy and precision were essentially unchanged with respect to the unchirped pump and Stokes case. The effect of moderate pump and Stokes chirp on the narrowing of the Raman excitation efficiency envelope was investigated by solving the full set of TDDM through direct numerical integration. The numerical efficiency of the solutions was enhanced dramatically by developing a parallel version of the TDDM code. The calculated Raman excitation efficiency profile was incorporated in our phenomenological spectral fitting codes.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Stage Separation Wind Tunnel Tests of a Generic Two-Stage-to-Orbit Launch Vehicle

In support of NASA s Space Launch Initiative Program, stage separation wind tunnel tests of a generic two-stage-to-orbit (TSTO) launch vehicle were conducted to determine the interference aerodynamic forces and moments and to determine the proximity flow environment. The tests were conducted in the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center s Aerodynamic Research Facility using a manual separation fixture for a Mach number range of 2.74 to 4.96 and separation distances up to 80 percent and 35 percent of the body length in the vehicle X and Z coordinates, respectively. For the TSTO bimese, winged-body vehicle configuration, both wing-to-wing and wing-to-fuselage configurations were tested. Individual-body force and moment, schlieren, and surface pressure data were acquired. The results showed that the proximity aerodynamics were dominated by complex bow shock interactions, and that he booster was statically unstable at several separation positions. As compared to the isolated body, the proximity normal force change with pitch angle was found to be nearly the same, and the proximity axial force increased, in general, by 3% for both bodies.

Bordelon, Wayne J., Jr.↗

Investigation of the interference effects of mixed flow long duct nacelles on a DC-10 wing

Wind tunnel test results utilizing a 4.7 percent scale semispan model in the 11 foot transonic wind tunnel are presented. A low drag long duct nacelle installation for the DC-10 jet transport was developed. A long duct nacelle representative of a CF6-50 mixed flow configuration was investigated on the DC-10-30. The results showed that the long duct nacelle installation located in the same position as the current short duct nacelle and with the current production symmetrical pylon is a relatively low risk installation for the DC-10 aircraft. Tuft observations and analytical boundary layer analysis confirmed that the flow on the nacelle afterbody was attached. A small pylon fairing was evaluated and found to reduce channel peak suction pressures, which resulted in a small drag improvement. The test also confirmed that the optimum nacelle incidence angle is the same as for the short duct nacelle, thus the same engine mount as for the production short duct nacelle can be used for the long duct nacelle installation. Comparison of the inboard wing pylon nacelle channel pressure distributions, with flow through and powered long duct nacelles showed that the power effects did not change the flow mechanism; hence, power effects can be considered negligible.

Patel, S. P.↗

Meteorological results from the surface of Mars - Viking 1 and 2

The meteorology equipment carried by the Viking landers was intended to measure atmospheric temperature, wind speed, wind direction, and pressure. During the summer months, the winds were a few meters per second, with a complex hodograph and the Lander-1 site, dominated by counterclockwise turning of the wind, and a simpler hodograph at the Lander-2 site, marked by clockwise turning of the wind. With advancing season, the repetitive wind pattern began to break down, and protracted northeasterly winds were recorded on several occasions (some of which are associated with lower than normal temperatures). Examples are given of wind and temperature traces over short periods, illustrating the effects of convection, static stability, and lander interference. A theoretical argument, based on the horizontal scale dictated by heating of slopes and on vertical mixing of momentum, is presented to explain the different sense of wind rotation at the two lander sites.

Hess, S. L.↗