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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 865 records · Page 48
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1974

An empirical analysis of the quantitative effect of data when fitting quadratic and cubic polynomials

A study is made of the extent to which the size of the sample affects the accuracy of a quadratic or a cubic polynomial approximation of an experimentally observed quantity, and the trend with regard to improvement in the accuracy of the approximation as a function of sample size is established. The task is made possible through a simulated analysis carried out by the Monte Carlo method in which data are simulated by using several transcendental or algebraic functions as models. Contaminated data of varying amounts are fitted to either quadratic or cubic polynomials, and the behavior of the mean-squared error of the residual variance is determined as a function of sample size. Results indicate that the effect of the size of the sample is significant only for relatively small sizes and diminishes drastically for moderate and large amounts of experimental data.

Canavos, G. C.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Calculation of autoionization of He and H/-/ using the projection-operator formalism

Improved calculations are reported for the first several autoionization states of the lower symmetries of He and H(-). Unshifted energies are calculated by diagonalizing QHQ using a Hylleraes basis with more terms than previously used; shifts, widths, and photoabsorption shape parameters are obtained with the additional use of exchange-approximate nonresonant continuum functions. Previous calculations of H(-) resonances are reviewed and slightly augmented by applying various nonresonant continua and correcting small errors. A comparison is made between the calculations and experimental results and is found to be very satisfactory except for the lowest 1P autoionization state of He, which is shown to need a more accurate experimental determination.

Bhatia, A. K.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Finite element computation of a viscous compressible free shear flow governed by the time dependent Navier-Stokes equations

A finite element algorithm for solution of fluid flow problems characterized by the two-dimensional compressible Navier-Stokes equations was developed. The program is intended for viscous compressible high speed flow; hence, primitive variables are utilized. The physical solution was approximated by trial functions which at a fixed time are piecewise cubic on triangular elements. The Galerkin technique was employed to determine the finite-element model equations. A leapfrog time integration is used for marching asymptotically from initial to steady state, with iterated integrals evaluated by numerical quadratures. The nonsymmetric linear systems of equations governing time transition from step-to-step are solved using a rather economical block iterative triangular decomposition scheme. The concept was applied to the numerical computation of a free shear flow. Numerical results of the finite-element method are in excellent agreement with those obtained from a finite difference solution of the same problem.

Cooke, C. H.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Rock failure analysis by combined thermal weakening and water jet impact

The influence of preheating on the initiation of fracture in rocks subjected to the impingement of a continuous water jet is studied. Preheating the rock is assumed to degrade its mechanical properties and strength in accordance with existing experimental data. The water jet is assumed to place a quasi-static loading on the surface of the rock. The loading is approximated by elementary functions which permit analytic computation of the induced stresses in a rock half-space. The resulting stresses are subsequently coupled with the Griffith criteria for tensile failure to estimate the change, due to heating, in the critical stagnation pressure and velocity of the water jet required to cause failure in the rock.

Nayfeh, A. H.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Core noise source diagnostics on a turbofan engine using correlation and coherence techniques

Fluctuating pressure measurements at several locations within the core of a turbofan engine were made simultaneously with far field acoustic measurements. Correlation and coherence techniques were used to determine the relative amplitude and phase relationships between core pressures at these various locations and between the core pressures and far field acoustic pressure. The combustor is a low frequency source region for acoustic propagation through the core nozzle and out to the far field. The relation between source pressure and the resulting sound pressure involves a 180 degree phase shift and an amplitude transfer function which varies approximately as frequency squared. This is consistent with a simplified model using fluctuating entropy as a source term.

Karchmer, A. M.↗
NASA NTRS1977

A dual-loop model of the human controller in single-axis tracking tasks

A dual loop model of the human controller in single axis compensatory tracking tasks is introduced. This model possesses an inner-loop closure which involves feeding back that portion of the controlled element output rate which is due to control activity. The sensory inputs to the human controller are assumed to be system error and control force. The former is assumed to be sensed via visual, aural, or tactile displays while the latter is assumed to be sensed in kinesthetic fashion. A nonlinear form of the model is briefly discussed. This model is then linearized and parameterized. A set of general adaptive characteristics for the parameterized model is hypothesized. These characteristics describe the manner in which the parameters in the linearized model will vary with such things as display quality. It is demonstrated that the parameterized model can produce controller describing functions which closely approximate those measured in laboratory tracking tasks for a wide variety of controlled elements.

Hess, R. A.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Simplified unsteady aerodynamic concepts, with application to parameter estimation

A simplified aerodynamic force model based on the physical principle of Prandtl's lifting line theory and trailing vortex concept has been developed to account for unsteadiness in the aircraft dynamics. The wake is assumed to be compressed to a single shed vortex element of appropriate strength moving downstream at a speed sufficient to approximate the Wagner function. Results are presented illustrating the ability of the simplified theory to duplicate exact solutions in unsteady aerodynamics. Further, consideration is given to the utility of the model in a parameter identification application.

Wells, W. R.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Core noise source diagnostics on a turbofan engine using correlation and coherence techniques

Fluctuating pressure measurements at several locations within the core of a turbofan engine were made simultaneously with far-field acoustic measurements. Correlation and coherence techniques were used to determine the relative amplitude and phase relationships between core pressures at these various locations and between the core pressures and far-field acoustic pressure. The results indicate that the combustor is a low-frequency source region for acoustic propagation through the core nozzle and out to the far-field. Specifically, it was found that the relation between source pressure and the resulting sound pressure involves a 180 deg phase shift and an amplitude transfer function which varies approximately as frequency squared. This is shown to be consistent with a simplified model using fluctuating entropy as a source term.

Karchmer, A.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Dual-loop model of the human controller

A dual-loop model of the human controller in single-axis compensatory tracking tasks is introduced. This model possesses an inner-loop closure that involves feeding back that portion of controlled element output rate that is due to control activity. A novel feature of the model is the explicit appearance of the human's internal representation of the manipulator-controlled element dynamics in the inner loop. The sensor inputs to the human controller are assumed to be system error and control force. The former can be sensed via visual, aural, or tactile displays, whereas the latter is assumed to be sensed in kinesthetic fashion. A set of general adaptive characteristics for the model is hypothesized, including a method for selecting simplified internal models of the manipulator-controlled element dynamics. It is demonstrated that the model can produce controller describing functions that closely approximate those measured in four laboratory tracking tasks in which the controlled element dynamics vary considerably in terms of ease of control. An empirically derived expression for the normalized injected error remnant spectrum is introduced.

Hess, R. A.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Multivariate approximation methods and applications to geophysics and geodesy

The first report in a series is presented which is intended to be written by the author with the purpose of treating a class of approximation methods of functions in one and several variables and ways of applying them to geophysics and geodesy. The first report is divided in three parts and is devoted to the presentation of the mathematical theory and formulas. Various optimal ways of representing functions in one and several variables and the associated error when information is had about the function such as satellite data of different kinds are discussed. The framework chosen is Hilbert spaces. Experiments were performed on satellite altimeter data and on satellite to satellite tracking data.

Munteanu, M. J.↗
NASA NTRS1979

On the optimality of the MAP estimation loop for carrier phase tracking BPSK and QPSK signals

Starting with MAP estimation theory as a basis for optimally estimating carrier phase of BPSK and QPSK modulations, it is shown in this paper that the closed loop phase trackers, which are motivated by this approach, are indeed closed loop optimum in the minimum mean-square phase tracking jitter sense. The corresponding squaring loss performance of these so-called MAP estimation loops is compared with that of more practical implementations wherein the hyperbolic tangent nonlinearity is approximated by simpler functions.

Simon, M. K.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Discrete Tchebycheff orthonormal polynomials and applications

Discrete Tchebycheff orthonormal polynomials offer a convenient way to make least squares polynomial fits of uniformly spaced discrete data. Computer programs to do so are simple and fast, and appear to be less affected by computer roundoff error, for the higher order fits, than conventional least squares programs. They are useful for any application of polynomial least squares fits: approximation of mathematical functions, noise analysis of radar data, and real time smoothing of noisy data, to name a few.

Lear, W. M.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Mixed models and reduced/selective integration displacement models for nonlinear analysis of curved beams

Simple mixed models are developed for use in the geometrically nonlinear analysis of deep arches. A total Lagrangian description of the arch deformation is used, the analytical formulation being based on a form of the nonlinear deep arch theory with the effects of transverse shear deformation included. The fundamental unknowns comprise the six internal forces and generalized displacements of the arch, and the element characteristic arrays are obtained by using Hellinger-Reissner mixed variational principle. The polynomial interpolation functions employed in approximating the forces are one degree lower than those used in approximating the displacements, and the forces are discontinuous at the interelement boundaries. Attention is given to the equivalence between the mixed models developed herein and displacement models based on reduced integration of both the transverse shear and extensional energy terms. The advantages of mixed models over equivalent displacement models are summarized. Numerical results are presented to demonstrate the high accuracy and effectiveness of the mixed models developed and to permit a comparison of their performance with that of other mixed models reported in the literature.

Noor, A. K.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Predicting aerodynamic sound utilizing a two-point, two-time turbulence theory

The feasibility of determining two-point, two-time turbulent velocity correlations based on extending closure models for one-point, one-time turbulence correlations is demonstrated. The procedure used is based on a spatial moment integral formulation of the governing equations using approximate, parameterized trial functions for the two-point, two-time velocity correlations. Solution of the equations is shown to give a set of anisotropic length scales and the separation-time-dependent decorrelation of the ensemble averaged turbulent velocities. The analysis is simplified using the assumption of homogeneous stationary turbulence and a constant shear, unidirectional mean flow. It is shown that the anisotropic behavior of measured turbulence correlations can be characterized through this technique.

Hecht, A. M.↗
NASA NTRS1982

The temperature of thermal X-ray and gamma-ray sources

The temperature of a source can be accurately measured, assuming that it is optically thin and exhibits a bremsstrahlung, on the basis of the shape of its spectral distribution. An explicit relation is derived for the temperature in terms of this slope, and as a sum of correction terms to the limiting form of the bremsstrahlung formula. The corrections can be evaluated easily in terms of simple, accurate asymptotic formulae. For the case where there is a distribution of temperatures in the plasma, an additional correction is derived in terms of the rms variation in the plasma temperature. Corrections due to a modified Bessel function, the Born approximation, plasma electron energy distribution and electron-electron bremsstrahlung are discussed

Gould, R. J.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Long Periodic Terms in the Solar System

The long period variations of the first eight planets in the solar system are studied. First, the Lagrangian solution is calculated and then the long period terms with fourth order eccentricities and inclinations are introduced into the perturbation function. A second approximation was made taking into account the short period terms' contribution, namely the perturbations of first order with respect to the masses. Special attention was paid to the determination of the integration constants. The relative importance of the different contributions is shown. It is useless, for example, to introduce the long period terms of fifth order if no account has been taken of the short period terms. Meanwhile, the terms that have been neglected would not introduce large changes in the integration constants. Even so, the calculation should be repeated with higher order short period terms and fifth order long periods.

Bretagnon, P.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Vaporization thermodynamics of K2S and K2SO3

The vaporization reactions, vapor pressures, and thermodynamics of potassium sulfide and potassium sulfite were studied for purposes of providing fundamental data for the seed cycle in magnetohydrodynamic electric power generation. Rate of effusion studies, supported by tube furnace experiments, X-ray powder diffraction, mass spectrometry and appropriate chemical analyses and tests, revealed that potassium sulfite disproportionates at high temperatures to form potassium sulfide and potassium sulfate. Potassium sulfide was observed to vaporize incongruently, the initial vapors beng predominantly potassium atoms, with minor species being S2 and various K-S molecules. The ratio of K/S2 in the vapor is very large initially and decreases steadily with prolonged heating. Several materials were evaluated for purposes of containing K2S/K2SO3 at temperatures or = 800 C: Pt, Mo, W, quartz, machinable glass, BN, high density graphite, pyrolytic coated graphite, and alumina. Of these, only alumina was observed to be chemically inert to both K2S but reacted with K2SO3. The other materials were not suitable for either substance. Thermodynamic calculations based on measured vapor pressures and approximate free energy functions are described. Results from isothermal total mass loss experiments and from thermogravimetric experiments are also included.

Bennet, J. E.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Convective thinning of the lithosphere - A mechanism for the initiation of continental rifting

A model of lithospheric thinning, in which heat is convected to the base and conducted within the lithosphere, is presented. An analytical equation for determinining the amount of thinning attainable on increasing the heat flux from the asthenosphere is derived, and a formula for lithosphere thickness approximations as a function of time is given. Initial and final equilibrium thicknesses, thermal diffusivity, transition temperature profile, and plume temperature profile are all factors considered for performing rate of thinning determinations. In addition, between initial and final equilibrium states, lithospheric thinning occurs at a rate which is inversely proportional to the square root of the time. Finally, uplift resulting from thermal expansion upon lithospheric thinning is on the order of 10 to the 2nd to 10 to the 3rd m.

Spohn, T.↗