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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 73 records · Page 4
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1972

Effects of body shape on the aerodynamic characteristics of an all-body hypersonic aircraft configuration at Mach numbers from 0.65 to 10.6

An experimental investigation was conducted to determine the effects of several variations in body shape on the aerodynamic characteristics of an all-body hypersonic aircraft configuration. The basic configuration had a delta planform with an elliptic cone forebody and an afterbody of elliptic cross section terminating in a straight-line trailing edge. Variations in body shape included the ratio of maximum cross-sectional to body planform area, body leading-edge sweep, and forebody length ratio. In addition, the effects of a thin wing mounted on one of the bodies was investigated, and the aerodynamic characteristics of just the forebodies of two of the configurations were determined. The models had no stabilizing surfaces or propulsion system packages. Ranges of angle of attack (-4 deg to +15 deg) and angle of sideslip (-4 deg to +8 deg) were investigated. Of the four complete bodies, the configuration with the lowest ratio of cross-sectional to body planform area had the highest maximum lift-drag ratio and the greatest level of longitudinal stability at most Mach numbers. All the configurations had positive longitudinal stability near maximum lift-drag ratio at most Mach numbers. With exception of the lowest subsonic Mach numbers, changes in body sweep angle and in forebody length ratio had only minor effects on maximum lift-drag ratio.

Nelms, W. P., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS2011

Thermal Integration of a Liquid Acquisition Device into a Cryogenic Feed System

Primary objectives of this effort were to define the following: (1) Approaches for quantification of the accumulation of thermal energy within a capillary screen liquid acquisition device (LAD) for a lunar lander upper stage during periods of up to 210 days on the lunar surface, (2) techniques for mitigating heat entrapment, and (3) perform initial testing, data evaluation. The technical effort was divided into the following categories: (1) Detailed thermal modeling of the LAD/feed system interactions using both COMSOL computational fluid device and standard codes, (2) FLOW-3D modeling of bulk liquid to provide interfacing conditions for the LAD thermal modeling, (3) condensation conditioning of capillary screens to stabilize surface tension retention capability, and (4) subscale testing of an integrated LAD/feed system. Substantial progress was achieved in the following technical areas: (1) Thermal modeling and experimental approaches for evaluating integrated cryogen LAD/feed systems, at both the system and component levels, (2) reduced gravity pressure control analyses, (3) analytical modeling and testing for capillary screen conditioning using condensation and wicking, and (4) development of rapid turnaround testing techniques for evaluating LAD/feed system thermal and fluid integration. A comprehensive effort, participants included a diverse cross section of representatives from academia, contractors, and multiple Marshall Space Flight Center organizations.

Hastings, L. J.↗
NASA NTRS2007

Development of Training Programs to Optimize Planetary Ambulation

Astronauts experience disturbances in functional mobility following their return to Earth due to adaptive responses that occur during exposure to the microgravity conditions of space flight. Despite significant time spent performing in-flight exercise routines, these training programs have not been able to mitigate postflight alterations in postural and locomotor function. Therefore, the goal of our two inter-related projects (NSBRI-ground based and ISS flight study, "Mobility") is to develop and test gait training programs that will serve to optimize functional mobility during the adaptation period immediately following space flight, thereby improving the safety and efficiency of planetary ambulation. The gait training program entails manipulating the sensory conditions of treadmill exercise to systematically challenge the balance and gait control system. This enhances the overall adaptability of locomotor function enabling rapid reorganization of gait control to respond to ambulation in different gravitational environments. To develop the training program, we are conducting a series of ground-based studies evaluating the training efficacy associated with variation in visual flow, body loading, and support surface stability during treadmill walking. We will also determine the optimal method to present training stimuli within and across training sessions to maximize both the efficacy and efficiency of the training procedure. Results indicate that variations in both visual flow and body unloading during treadmill walking leads to modification in locomotor control and can be used as effective training modalities. Additionally, the composition and timing of sensory challenges experienced during each training session has significant impact on the ability to rapidly reorganize locomotor function when exposed to a novel sensory environment. We have developed the capability of producing support surface variation during gait training by mounting a treadmill on a six-degree-of-freedom motion device. This hardware development will allow us to evaluate the efficacy of this type of training in conjunction with variation in visual flow and body unloading.

Bloomberg, J. J.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Investigation of chord ratio, stagger, decalage angle, and flap angle for dual wing configurations

Aerodynamical closely coupled dual wing configurations of unequal chords are investigated for medium speed general aviation applications. Vortex panel and momentum boundary layer analysis are utilized for the two-dimensional predictions. A multi-surface vortex lattice method is used for the three-dimensional predictions. In the process of searching for the highest lift to drag ratio upper airfoil to lower airfoil chord ratios, both greater than and less than one, are investigated in terms of stagger, decalage angle, and gap. With the optimum chord ratio, at the optimum stagger and gap, proper spanwise decalage distribution is shown to yield the lowest two dimensional drag results. Various wing taper ratios and wing twists are investigated to increase wing efficiency. Comparisons are made between optimized dual and optimized single wing configurations both with the same fuselage, stabilator surfaces, engines, payload, and fuel. The dual wing configuration is shown to have significantly less drag and hence longer range than the conventional single wing configuration.

Selberg, B. P.↗
NASA NTRS1958

Estimation of Directional Stability Derivatives at Small Angles and Subsonic and Supersonic Speeds

Methods are presented for estimating the directional stability derivative increments contributed by the stabilizing surfaces of subsonic and supersonic aircraft. These methods are strictly applicable at zero angle of attack and small angles of sideslip. The procedure of totaling the incremental coefficients to obtain an estimation of the total empennage side-force and yawing-moment coefficient derivatives is also shown, together with numerical examples. A correlation is presented between estimated and experimental incremental coefficients which indicates that the methods of this report generally estimate the increment of side force gained by the addition of a panel to within +/-10 percent of the experimental value while the yawing-moment increment is generally estimated to within +/-20 percent. This is true for both subsonic and supersonic Mach numbers. An example application of the methods to one of the problems in directional stability, that of minimizing the effect of Mach number on the side-force coefficient derivative of the empennage, is discussed.

Goodwin, Frederick K.↗
NASA NTRS1961

Static Stability and Control of Canard Configurations at Mach Numbers from 0.70 to 2.22 - Triangular Wing and Canard with Twin Vertical Tails

The static aerodynamic characteristics of a canard airplane configuration having twin vertical stabilizing surfaces are presented. The model consisted of a wing and canard both of triangular plan form and aspect ratio 2 mounted on a Sears-Haack body of fineness ratio 12.5 and two swept and tapered wing-mounted vertical tails of aspect ratio 1.35. Data are presented for Mach numbers from 0.70 to 2.22 and for angles of attack from -6 to +18 deg. at 0 and 5 deg. sideslip. Tests were made with the canard off and with the canard on. Nominal canard deflection angles ranged from 0 to 10 deg. The Reynolds number was 3.68 x 10(exp 6) based on the wing mean aerodynamic chord. Selected portions of the data obtained in this investigation are compared with previously published results for the same model having a single vertical tail instead of twin vertical tails. Without the canard, the directional stability at supersonic Mach numbers and high angles of attack was improved slightly by replacing the single tail with twin tails. However, at a Mach number of 0.70, the directional stability of the twin-tail model deteriorated rapidly with increasing angle of attack above 10 deg. and fell considerably below the level for the single-tail model. At subsonic speeds the directional stability of the twin-tail model with the canard was comparable to that for the single-tail model and at supersonic speed it was considerably greater at high angles of attack. Unlike the single-tail model, the twin-tail model at 50 sideslip exhibited an unstable break in the variation of pitching-moment coefficient with lift coefficient near 10 deg. angle of attack for 0.70 Mach number.

Peterson, Victor L.↗
NASA NTRS1976

NASA advanced control technology: An overview

NASA's current and projected advanced control technology programs for future transport aircraft include the design and verification of full flight envelope autopilots, the development and flight test of all-digital fly by wire systems, the evolution of low cost innovative avionics concepts such as split surface stability augmentation systems, the evaluation of integrated propulsion control and cooperative autopilot/propulsion control systems, the application of active control systems to short haul and long haul transports, and the demonstration of reconfigured active control aircraft. Key technical features and anticipated contributions of these technologies are outlined.

Peter R Kurzhals↗
NASA NTRS1978

Thermomechanical processing of HAYNES alloy No. 188 sheet to improve creep strength

Improvements in the low strain creep strength of HAYNES alloy No. 188 thin gauge sheet by means of thermomechanical processing were developed. Processing methods designed to develop a sheet with strong crystallographic texture after recrystallization and to optimize grain size were principally studied. The effects of thickness-to-grain diameter ratio and prestrain on low strain creep strength were also briefly examined. Results indicate that the most significant improvements were obtained in the sheets having a strong crystallographic texture. The low strain creep strength of the textured sheets was observed to be superior to that of standard production sheets in the 922 K to 1255 K temperature range. Tensile, stress rupture, fabricability, and surface stability properties of the experimental sheets were also measured and compared to property values reported for the baseline production sheets.

Klarstrom, D. L.↗
NASA NTRS1978

The effect of NaCl/g/ on the oxidation of NiAl

NaCl is ingested into operating gas turbines. The effect of this salt on the high temperature surface stability properties of turbine hardware is not well understood. The involvement of gaseous NaCl in the high temperature oxidation of NiAl, a principal component in many high temperature environmental coatings, is herein examined. The results of this work indicate that gaseous NaCl present in an oxidizing atmosphere affects the formation of Al2O3 whiskers on a dense Al2O3 layer. Such whisker growth, attributed to vapor transport processes through an otherwise dense Al2O3 scale, increases the aluminum depletion of the NiAl substrate.

Smeggil, J. G.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Annular wing

An annular wing particularly suited for use in supporting in flight an aircraft characterized by the absence of directional stabilizing surfaces is described. The wing comprises a rigid annular body of a substantially uniformly symmetrical configuration characterized by an annular positive lifting surface and cord line coincident with the segment of a line radiating along the surface of an inverted truncated cone. A decalage is established for the leading and trailing semicircular portions of the body, relative to instantaneous line of flight, and a dihedral for the laterally opposed semicircular portions of the body, relative to the line of flight. The direction of flight and climb angle or glide slope angle are established by selectively positioning the center of gravity of the wing ahead of the aerodynamic center along the radius coincident with an axis for a selected line of flight.

Walker, H. J.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Elevated temperature properties of aligned ferrous eutectics

Iron base alloys containing aluminum and chromium together with smaller amounts of yttrium and silicon are of interest for high temperature applications. Strengthening an inherently weak but oxidation resistant solid solution matrix with aligned in situ chromium carbides represents an attractive approach to achieving both surface stability and creep resistance at elevated temperatures. Aligned microstructures were produced in alloys of approximately 30 wt % (Cr + Mn), about 3 wt % C and the balance Fe consisting of a gamma matrix and the hexagonal carbide (Cr, Mn, Fe)7C3. The tensile and stress rupture strength to 2000 F of aligned Fe-20 w/t % Cr-10 wt % Mn-3.2 wt % C measured parallel to the carbide reinforcement exceeded those of the strongest iron-nickel superalloys, e.g., CRM-6D developed by Chrysler for automotive turbine application. The cyclic oxidation and sulfidation response of these alloys at elevated temperatures can be markedly improved by aluminum additions.

Lemkey, F. D.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Development of cast ferrous alloys for Stirling engine application

Low cost cast ferrous base alloys that can be used for cylinder and regenerator housing components of the Stirling engine were investigated. The alloys must meet the requirements of high strength and thermal fatigue resistance to approximately 1500 F, compatibility and low permeability with hydrogen, good elevated temperature oxidation/corrosion resistance, and contain a minimum of strategic elements. The phase constituents of over twenty alloy iterations were examined by X-ray diffraction. These alloy candidates were further screened for their tensile and stress rupture strength and surface stability in air at 1450 and 1600 F, respectively. Two alloys, NASAUT 1G (Fe-10Mn-20Cr-1.5C-1.0Si) and NASAUT 4G (Fe-15Mn-12Cr-3Mo-1.5C-1.0Si-1.0Nb), were chosen for more extensive elevated temperature testing. These alloys were found to exhibit nearly equivalent elevated temperature creep strength and oxidation resistance. Silicon present in these alloys at the 1 w/o level permitted the achievement of oxide scale adherence to 1600 F without loss of strength (or ductility) as was noted for equivalent additions of aluminum.

Lemkey, F. D.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Distributed control of large space antennas

A systematic way to choose control design parameters and to evaluate performance for large space antennas is presented. The structural dynamics and control properties for a Hoop and Column Antenna and a Wrap-Rib Antenna are characterized. Some results of the effects of model parameter uncertainties to the stability, surface accuracy, and pointing errors are presented. Critical dynamics and control problems for these antenna configurations are identified and potential solutions are discussed. It was concluded that structural uncertainties and model error can cause serious performance deterioration and can even destabilize the controllers. For the hoop and column antenna, large hoop and long meat and the lack of stiffness between the two substructures result in low structural frequencies. Performance can be improved if this design can be strengthened. The two-site control system is more robust than either single-site control systems for the hoop and column antenna.

Cameron, J. M.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Scattering from coated structures and antenna pattern control using impedance surfaces, part A/B

The scattering from coated, conducting structures, specifically the coated dihedral corner reflector configuration and the coated strip/plate configuration is examined. The formulation uses impedance-wedge Uniform Theory of Diffraction scattering coefficients to calculate the diffracted fields. A finite-thickness coating is approximated using the impedance boundary condition to arrive at an equivalent impedance for the coating. The formulation of the impedance wedge coefficients is outlined. Far-field, perfectly conducting approximations are discussed. Problems with the present dihedral corner reflector model for certain angles of incidence and observation are discussed along with a potentially rectifying modification. Also, the capacity to measure the electromagnetic properties of lossy materials was developed. The effects of using multiple material coatings on the radiation pattern of the horn antenna were studied. Numerous computations were devoted toward the inverse problem of synthesizing desired radiation patterns using the impedance surfaces. Stabilizing the equivalent sheet impedance using the linear control condition was attempted, and it was found to be a very difficult task.

Balanis, Constantine A.↗