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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 775 records · Page 43

The effect of perturbation of convective energy transport on the luminosity and radius of the sun

The response of solar models to perturbations of the efficiency of convective energy transport is studied. Such perturbations primarily affect the shallow superadiabatic layer of the convective envelope. Independent of the details of the perturbation scheme, the resulting change in the solar radius is always very small compared to the change in luminosity. This appears to be true for any physical mechanism of solar variability which operates in the outer layers of the convection zone. Changes of the solar radius have been inferred from historical observations of solar eclipses in 1715 and 1925. Considering the constraints on concurrent luminosity changes, this type of solar variability must be indicative of changes in the solar structure at substantial depths below the superadiabatic layer of the convective envelope.

Endal, A. S.↗

Analysis and design of a standardized control module for switching regulators

Three basic switching regulators: buck, boost, and buck/boost, employing a multiloop standardized control module (SCM) were characterized by a common small signal block diagram. Employing the unified model, regulator performances such as stability, audiosusceptibility, output impedance, and step load transient are analyzed and key performance indexes are expressed in simple analytical forms. More importantly, the performance characteristics of all three regulators are shown to enjoy common properties due to the unique SCM control scheme which nullifies the positive zero and provides adaptive compensation to the moving poles of the boost and buck/boost converters. This allows a simple unified design procedure to be devised for selecting the key SCM control parameters for an arbitrarily given power stage configuration and parameter values, such that all regulator performance specifications can be met and optimized concurrently in a single design attempt.

Lee, F. C.↗

The OSS-1/STS-3 mission

Integration, test, flight operations, program and science management, and experiment results from the OSS-1/STS-3 flight are reviewed. The experimental pallet, manufactured by ESA members, carried instrumentation for astronomy, space plasma studies, physics, planetology, solar physics, and life sciences. The ability of the equipment to operate in a worst-case Orbiter thermal environment was tested, as was the plasma environment around the Orbiter. The solar UV spectral irradiance monitor microprocessor was found to reset concurrently with start-up of the Shuttle hydraulic pumps. Degradations were also observed in one of the three solar flare X ray polarimeter modules, the thermal cannister experiment microprocessor, and the scientific data recorder no. 2. The Orbiter was determined to perform well during firing of an electron beam. A contamination monitor recorded matter accretion to be dependent on the solar orientation of the Orbiter. Finally, the distribution of the responsibilities and tasks for mission management are reviewed.

Kissin, K.↗

Seismicity and active tectonics of the Andes and the origin of the Altiplano

Large earthquakes and active deformation on the Andes were studied. Earthquakes on the east side of the Andes were generally found to reflect east-west crustal shortening. These earthquakes seem to occur throughout the crust and do not reflect a detachment and low angle thrusting of the sedimentary cover onto the Brazilian shield. Instead they imply deformation of the basement. The rate of shortening is compatible with construction of the Andes by crustal shortening since the late Cretaceous, and the surface geology, at least qualitatively, is considered to reflect this process. Andean margins are considered to be a result of crustal shortening. The crustal shortening in the sub-Andes occurs concurrently with normal faulting at high elevations in parts of the Andes. The normal faulting is associated with the buoyancy of the thick crust. Crustal shortening thickens the crust and work is done against gravity. When the crustal thickness and elevation reach limiting values, the range grows laterally by further thrusting on the margins.

Molnar, P.↗

Performance of differenced range data types in Voyager navigation

Voyager radio navigation made use of a differenced rage data type for both Saturn encounters because of the low declination singularity of Doppler data. Nearly simultaneous two-way range from two-station baselines was explicitly differenced to produce this data type. Concurrently, a differential VLBI data type (DDOR), utilizing doubly differenced quasar-spacecraft delays, with potentially higher precision was demonstrated. Performance of these data types is investigated on the Jupiter-to-Saturn leg of Voyager 2. The statistics of performance are presented in terms of actual data noise comparisons and sample orbit estimates. Use of DDOR as a primary data type for navigation to Uranus is discussed.

Taylor, T. H.↗

Direct comparison of Viking 2.3-GHz signal phase fluctuation and columnar electron density between 2 and 160 solar radii

The relationship between solar wind induced signal phase fluctuation and solar wind columnar electron density has been the subject of intensive analysis during the last two decades. In this article, a sizeable volume of 2.3-GHz signal phase fluctuation and columnar electron density measurements separately and concurrently inferred from Viking spacecraft signals are compared as a function of solar geometry. These data demonstrate that signal phase fluctuation and columnar electron density are proportional over a very wide span of solar elongation angle. A radially dependent electron density model which provides a good fit to the columnar electron density measurements and, when appropriately scaled, to the signal phase fluctuation measurements, is given. This model is also in good agreement with K-coronameter observations at 2 solar radii (2r0), with pulsar time delay measurements at 10r0, and with spacecraft in situ electron density measurements at 1 AU.

Berman, A. L.↗

Rangeland biomass estimation demonstration

Because of their sensitivity to chlorophyll density, green leaf density, and leaf water density, two hand-held radiometers which have sensor bands coinciding with thematic mapper bands 3, 4, and 5 were used to calibrate green biomass to LANDSAT spectral ratios as a step towards using portable radiometers to speed up ground data acquisition. Two field reflectance panels monitored incoming radiation concurrently with sampling. Software routines were developed and used to extract data from uncorrected tapes of MSS data provided in NASA LANDSAT universal format. A LANDSAT biomass calibration curve estimated the range biomass over a four scene area and displayed this information spatially as a product in a format of use to ranchers. The regional biomass contour map is discussed.

Newton, R. W.↗

Flight service evaluation of composite components on Bell 206L and Sikorsky S-76 helicopters

Progress on two programs to evaluate composite structural components in flight service on commercial helicopters is described. Thirty-six ship sets of composite components that include the litter door, baggage door, forward fairing, and vertical fin were installed on Bell Model 206L helicopters that are operating in widely different climatic areas. Four horizontal stabilizers and ten tail rotor spars that are production components on the S-76 helicopter were tested after prescribed periods of service to determine the effects of the operating environment on their performance. Concurrent with the flight evaluation, specimens from materials used to fabricate the components were exposed in ground racks and tested at specified intervals to determine the effects of outdoor environments. Results achieved from 14,000 hours of accumulated service on the 206L components, tests on a S-76 horizontal stabilizer after 1600 hours of service, tests on a S-76 tail rotor spar after 2300 hours service, and two years of ground based exposure of material coupons are reported.

Baker, D. J.↗

Structural optimization by multilevel decomposition

A method is described for decomposing an optimization problem into a set of subproblems and a coordination problem which preserves coupling between the subproblems. The method is introduced as a special case of multilevel, multidisciplinary system optimization and its algorithm is fully described for two level optimization for structures assembled of finite elements of arbitrary type. Numerical results are given for an example of a framework to show that the decomposition method converges and yields results comparable to those obtained without decomposition. It is pointed out that optimization by decomposition should reduce the design time by allowing groups of engineers, using different computers to work concurrently on the same large problem.

Sobieszczanski-Sobieski, J.↗

The NASA computer science research program plan

A taxonomy of computer science is included, one state of the art of each of the major computer science categories is summarized. A functional breakdown of NASA programs under Aeronautics R and D, space R and T, and institutional support is also included. These areas were assessed against the computer science categories. Concurrent processing, highly reliable computing, and information management are identified.

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Integration of environmental and spectral data for sunflower stress determination

Stress in sunflowers was assessed in western and northwestern Minnesota. Weekly ground observations (acquired in 1980 and 1981) were analyzed in concert with large scale aerial photography and concurrent LANDSAT data. Using multidate supervised and unsupervised classification procedures, it was found that all crops grown in association with sunflowers in the study area are spectrally separable from one another. Under conditions of extreme drought, severely stressed plants were differentiable from those not severely stressed, but between-crop separation was not possible. Initial regression analyses to estimate sunflower seed yield showed a sensitivity to environmental stress during the flowering and seed development stages. One of the most important biological factors related to sunflower production in the Red River Valley area was found to be the extent and severity of insect infestations.

Lillesand, T.↗

Large space systems auxiliary propulsion requirements

To meet the needs of a variety of civilian and military missions objectives large space systems (LSS) will become a greater percentage of our orbiting hardware. These LSS's will be transported to low Earth orbit (LEO) by the space transportation system (STS Shuttle). Concurrently, for LSS missions to orbit higher than LEO, the predominant mission scenario is that the LSS will be deployed or assembled in LEO and then transferred to a higher orbit. In support of the LSS concepts, the Office of Aeronautics and Space Technology (OAST) has sponsored studies to determine LSS mission propulsion requirements. Since the fall of 1979, the Boeing Aerospace Company, under contract to NASA and Lewis Research Center, has been studying the disturbance forces and torques that will be experienced by LSS, and they have identified some of the associated auxiliary propulsion systems (APS) requirements. This presentation provides an insight into the results of some of the APS studies, focusing primarily on the APS requirements of single Shuttle launchable LSS's.

Maloy, J. E.↗

Method for milling and drilling glass

A process for machining glass by placing a rotating carbide working surface under minimum pressure against an area of glass to be worked is described. Concurrently the region between the working surface and the area of glass is wet with a lubricant consisting essentially of a petroleum carrier, a complex mixture of esters and a complex mixture of naturally occurring aromatic oils.

Rice, S. H.↗

Design tradeoffs for a Multispectral Linear Array (MLA) instrument

The heart of the multispectral linear array (MLA) design problem is to develop an instrument concept which concurrently provides a wide field-of-view with high resolution, spectral separation with precise band-to band registration, and excellent radiometric accuracy. Often, these requirements have conflicting design implications which can only be resolved by careful tradeoffs that consider performance, cost, fabrication feasibility and development risk. The key design tradeoffs for an MLA instrument are addressed, and elements of a baseline instrument concept are presented.

Mika, A. M.↗

Magnetic heat pumping

The method employs ferromagnetic or ferromagnetic elements, preferably of rare-earth based material, for example gadolinium, and preferably employs a regenerator. The steps comprise controlling the temperature and applied magnetic field of the element to cause the state of the element as represented on a temperature-magnetic entropy diagram repeatedly to traverse a loop. The loop may have a first portion of concurrent substantially isothermal or constant temperature and increasing applied magnetic field, a second portion of lowering temperature and constant applied magnetic field, a third portion of isothermal and decreasing applied magnetic field, and a fourth portion of increasing temperature and constant applied magnetic field. Other loops may be four sided, with, for example, two isotherms and two adiabats (constant entropy portions.

Brown, G. V.↗

Nacelle Aerodynamic and Inertial Loads (NAIL) project. Appendix B

The testing was conducted on the Boeing-owned 747 RA001 test bed airplane during the concurrent 767/JT9D-7R4 engine development program. Following a functional check flight conducted from Boeing Field International (BFI) on 3 October 1980, the airplane and test personnel were ferried to Valley Industrial Park (GSG) near Glasgow, Montana, on 7 October 1980. The combined NAL and 7670JT9D-7R4 test flights were conducted at the Glasgow remote test site, and the airplane was returned to Seattle on 26 October 1980.

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Integrated resource inventory for southcentral Alaska (INTRISCA)

The Integrated Resource Inventory for Southcentral Alaska (INTRISCA) Project comprised an integrated set of activities related to the land use planning and resource management requirements of the participating agencies within the southcentral region of Alaska. One subproject involved generating a region-wide land cover inventory of use to all participating agencies. Toward this end, participants first obtained a broad overview of the entire region and identified reasonable expectations of a LANDSAT-based land cover inventory through evaluation of an earlier classification generated during the Alaska Water Level B Study. Classification of more recent LANDSAT data was then undertaken by INTRISCA participants. The latter classification produced a land cover data set that was more specifically related to individual agency needs, concurrently providing a comprehensive training experience for Alaska agency personnel. Other subprojects employed multi-level analysis techniques ranging from refinement of the region-wide classification and photointerpretation, to digital edge enhancement and integration of land cover data into a geographic information system (GIS).

Burns, T.↗

Evaluating software development by analysis of changes: The data from the software engineering laboratory

An effective data collection methodology for evaluating software development methodologies was applied to four different software development projects. Goals of the data collection included characterizing changes and errors, characterizing projects and programmers, identifying effective error detection and correction techniques, and investigating ripple effects. The data collected consisted of changes (including error corrections) made to the software after code was written and baselined, but before testing began. Data collection and validation were concurrent with software development. Changes reported were verified by interviews with programmers.

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