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System measures unidirectional force without interference from other directional forces. The measuring apparatus is mounted so that it only moves vertically and is constrained from horizontal and rotational movement. This system can be used to accurately measure small forces in one direction, or as an analytic balance.
Force-measuring device both sensitive and rugged. Load-cell assembly placed between manipulator and object being manipulated. Load cells measure forces on object almost directly, without interference by intervening manipulator forces. Developed for use with remote manipulator that bends cryogenic ducts. Device rugged and functions over wide range, having applications in automatic testing equipment, industrial robots, and force-measuring equipment.
An instrumented task board, used for measuring forces applied by the Protoflight Manipulator Arm (PFMA) to the task board, was fabricated and delivered to Marshall Space Flight Center. SRS Technologies phased out the existing IBM compatible data acquisition system, used with a instrumented task board, and integrated the force measuring electronic hardware in with the Macintosh II data acquisition system. The purpose of this change was to acquire all data with the same time tag, allowing easier and more accurate data reduction in addition to real-time graphics. A three-dimensional optical position sensing system for determining the location of the PFMA's end effect or in reference to the center of the instrumented task board was also designed and delivered under. An improved task board was fabricated which included an improved instrumented beam design. The modified design of the task board improved the force/torque measurement system by increasing the sensitivity, reliability, load range and ease of maintenance. A calibration panel for the optical position system was also designed and fabricated. The calibration method developed for the position sensors enhanced the performance of the sensors as well as simplified the installation and calibration procedures required. The modifications made under this effort expanded the capabilities of the task board system. The system developed determines the arm's position relative to the task board and measures the signals to the joints resulting from the operator's control signals in addition to the task board forces. The software and hardware required to calculate and record the position of the PFMA during the performance of tasks with the instrumented task board were defined, designed and delivered to MSFC. PFMA joint input signals can be measured from a breakout box to evaluate the sensitivity or response of the arm operation to control commands. The data processing system provides the capability for post processing of time-history graphics and plots of the PFMA positions, the operator's actions, and the PFMA servo reactions in addition to realtime force and position sensor data presentation.
A load-cell-instrumented treadmill mated to a Kistler force plate was used to investigate two methods of force measurement instrumentation during treadmill ambulation in zero g, created by parabolic flight on NASA's KC-135 aircraft. Current spaceflight treadmills do not have adequate instrumentation to determine the resultant foot impact force applied during restrained ambulation. Accurate measurement of foot-ground reaction forces is critical in attaining proper one-g loading, therefore ensuring proper musculoskeletal conditioning. Treadmill instrumentation and force plate measurements were compared for frequency response and linearity. Locomotion impact data were also collected under one-g laboratory settings and in Keplerian flight. The first resonant frequency for both techniques was found to be well above the primary frequency content of the locomotive forces. Peak impact forces measured by the two systems compared to within 10 percent.
Proposed computer mouse measures force of contact applied by user. Adds another dimension to two-dimensional-position-measuring capability of conventional computer mouse; force measurement designated to represent any desired continuously variable function of time and position, such as control force, acceleration, velocity, or position along axis perpendicular to computer video display. Proposed mouse enhances sense of realism and intuition in interaction between operator and computer. Useful in such applications as three-dimensional computer graphics, computer games, and mathematical modeling of dynamics.
Experiments were conducted to examine in detail the influence of surface tension gradient induced flow, the Marangoni effect. One set of studies provided visual results that demonstrated the occurrence and magnitude of the Marangoni effect. Another portion of the work was directed to bubble force measurements. These studies used in deflection of a very fine cantilevered wire with an attached bubble as a means of measuring force with and without temperature gradients. The experimental force data were found to check existing theoretical predictions reasonably well except for the case where the test fluid had a sizeable vapor pressure. In this situation the thermophoretic force on the bubble was much higher than predicted.
This paper presents the results of a study to develop an analytical model capable of predicting the forces acting on a tank caused by large-amplitude propellant motion. This effort contributed to an analysis of the influence of propellant dynamics on separation of the External Tank from the space shuttle orbiter. This paper is concerned with an experimental investigation that aided in development and verification of the analytical model. A scaling approach was developed that allowed the liquid motion to be simulated in subscale tanks. Liquid reorientation forces were measured using two test systems. One operated in the low-gravity environment produced in a drop tower and the second operated aboard the KC-135 'zero-g' test aircraft. The manner of liquid motion, influence of various factors, and the measured forces are discussed.
A parallel-plate system collects data used to determine viscosity. A first plate is coupled to a translator so that the first plate can be moved along a first direction. A second plate has a pendulum device coupled thereto such that the second plate is suspended above and parallel to the first plate. The pendulum device constrains movement of the second plate to a second direction that is aligned with the first direction and is substantially parallel thereto. A force measuring device is coupled to the second plate for measuring force along the second direction caused by movement of the second plate.
Measurements of thermochemical properties in molten salt electrolytes with mixtures of cations and anions are difficult to interpret. Electromotive force measurements of salts containing common anions were driven by the least stable anion compound (e.g., LiCl in LiCl-KCl), while measurements in common cation salts were driven by the most noble anion half-cell reaction (e.g., F − /F 2 in LiCl-LiF). Measurements in mixed cation and anion salts were driven by the least stable anion compound for the most noble anion half-cell reaction (e.g., KF in KCl-LiF). These guidelines enable quantification of the activity of electroactive species in salts containing multiple cations or anions.
The growth rate of climate forcing by measured greenhouse gases peaked near 1980 at almost 5 W/sq m per century. This growth rate has since declined to approximately equal to 3 W/sq m per century, largely because of cooperative international actions. We argue that trends can be reduced to the level needed for the moderate "alternative" climate scenario (approximately equal to 2 W/M2 per century for the next 50 years) by means of concerted actions that have other benefits, but the forcing reductions are not automatic "co-benefits" of actions that slow CO2 emissions. Current trends of climate forcings by aerosols remain very uncertain. Nevertheless, practical constraints on changes in emission levels suggest that global warming at a rate + 0.15 +/- 0.05 C per decade will occur over the next several decades.
In a wind tunnel facility, the direct measurement of forces and moments induced on the model are performed by a force measurement balance. The measurement balance is a precision-machined device that has strain gages at strategic locations to measure the strain (i.e., deformations) due to applied forces and moments. The strain gages convert the strain (and hence the applied force) to an electrical voltage that is measured by external instruments. To address the problem of thermal gradients on the force measurement balance NASA-LaRC has initiated a research program called TIGER - Thermally-Induced Gradients Effects Research. The ultimate goals of the TIGER program are to: (a) understand the physics of the thermally-induced strain and its subsequent impact on load measurements and (b) develop a robust thermal gradient compensation technique. This paper will discuss the impact of thermal gradients on force measurement balances, specific aspects of the TIGER program (the design of a special-purpose balance, data acquisition and data analysis challenges), and give an overall summary.
Two-component microbalance for measuring forces on ion-bombarded surfaces
Force transducer for skin friction measurements on wind tunnels
Indirect force measurement technique estimates unsteady forces acting on elastic model during wind tunnel tests. Measurement of forces is practically insensitive to errors in aeroelastic scaling between model and full-scale structure, simplifying design, fabrication and dynamic calibration.
Development of two force component measuring device
Direct measurements of forces and moments are some of the most important data acquired during aerodynamic testing. This paper deals with the force and strain measurement capabilities at the Langley Research Center (LaRC). It begins with a progressive history of LaRC force measurement developments beginning in the 1940's and ends with the center's current capabilities. Various types of force and moment transducers used at LaRC are discussed including six-component sting mounted balances, semi-span balances, hinge moment balances, flow-through balances, rotor balances, and many other unique transducers. Also discussed are some unique strain-gage applications, such as those used in extreme environments. The final topics deal with the LaRC's ability to perform custom calibrations and our current levels of effort in the area of force and strain measurement.
Apparatus for temperature and pressure drop measurements of forced convection condensing potassium heat transfer
Bolts instrumented with strain gauges used to measure shear forces. Bolts installed in multiple-bolt lap joints to obtain data on distribution of stresses and deformations in and around joints. Strain gauges indicate share of applied load borne by each individual bolt. In original application, bolted panels made of advanced refractory composite materials designed to withstand use at temperatures up to 4,000 degrees F. Also applicable to other joint materials and measurement of shear loads in other connections such as, shear loads on shafts in pulleys or gears.