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At least 91 records · Page 5

FASTER 3: A generalized-geometry Monte Carlo computer program for the transport of neutrons and gamma rays. Volume 1: Summary report

The theory used in FASTER-III, a Monte Carlo computer program for the transport of neutrons and gamma rays in complex geometries, is outlined. The program includes the treatment of geometric regions bounded by quadratic and quadric surfaces with multiple radiation sources which have specified space, angle, and energy dependence. The program calculates, using importance sampling, the resulting number and energy fluxes at specified point, surface, and volume detectors. It can also calculate minimum weight shield configuration meeting a specified dose rate constraint. Results are presented for sample problems involving primary neutron, and primary and secondary photon, transport in a spherical reactor shield configuration.

Jordan, T. M.↗

FORTRAN optical lens design program

Computer program uses the principles of geometrical optics to design optical systems containing up to 100 planes, conic or polynomial aspheric surfaces, 7 object points, 6 colors, and 200 rays. This program can be used for the automatic design of optical systems or for the evaluation of existing optical systems.

Firnett, P. J.↗

MPT Prediction of Aircraft-Engine Fan Noise

A collection of computer programs has been developed that implements a procedure for predicting multiple-pure-tone (MPT) noise generated by fan blades of an aircraft engine (e.g., a turbofan engine). MPT noise arises when the fan is operating with supersonic relative tip Mach No. Under this flow condition, there is a strong upstream running shock. The strength and position of this shock are very sensitive to blade geometry variations. For a fan where all the blades are identical, the primary tone observed upstream of the fan will be the blade passing frequency. If there are small variations in geometry between blades, then tones below the blade passing frequency arise MPTs. Stagger angle differences as small as 0.1 can give rise to significant MPT. It is also noted that MPT noise is more pronounced when the fan is operating in an unstarted mode. Computational results using a three-dimensional flow solver to compute the complete annulus flow with non-uniform fans indicate that MPT noise can be estimated in a relatively simple way. Hence, once the effect of a typical geometry variation of one blade in an otherwise uniform blade row is known, the effect of all the blades being different can be quickly computed via superposition. Two computer programs that were developed as part of this work are used in conjunction with a user s computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code to predict MPT spectra for a fan with a specified set of geometric variations: (1) The first program ROTBLD reads the users CFD solution files for a single blade passage via an API (Application Program Interface). There are options to replicate and perturb the geometry with typical variations stagger, camber, thickness, and pitch. The multi-passage CFD solution files are then written in the user s file format using the API. (2) The second program SUPERPOSE requires two input files: the first is the circumferential upstream pressure distribution extracted from the CFD solution on the multi-passage mesh, the second file defines the geometry variations of each blade in a complete fan. Superposition is used to predict the spectra resulting from the geometric variations.

Connell, Stuart D.↗

Investigation of tidal displacements of the Earth's surface by laser ranging to GEOS-3

An analysis of laser ranging data from three stations was carried out in an attempt to measure the geometric Earth tide. Two different approaches to the problem were investigated. The dynamic method computes pass to pass apparent movements in stations height relative to short arcs fitted to several passes of data from the same station by the program GEODYNE. The quasi-geometric method reduces the dependence on unmodelled satellite dynamics to a knowledge of only the radial position of the satellite by considering two station simultaneous ranging at the precise time that the satellite passes through the plane defined by two stations and the center of mass of the Earth.

Bower, D. R.↗

The nasa geodetic satellite program.

NASA geodetic satellite program, including Earth gravitational field determination, geometric surveying and triangulation net improvement

GEODETIC SURVEYING↗

Complementary variational principle and duality in mathematical programming.

The relationship between the complementary variational principle and duality in mathematical programming is demonstrated through a geometric approach in a Hilbert space setting. A necessary and sufficient condition for the existence of such a principle is given in the case of a convex functional constrained by linear dynamics. Its relationship to the Kuhn-Tucker saddle point theory is indicated. Applications to various programming and control problems are discussed.

Chan, W. L.↗

PCSYS: The optimal design integration system picture drawing system with hidden line algorithm capability for aerospace vehicle configurations

A vehicle geometric definition based upon quadrilateral surface elements to produce realistic pictures of an aerospace vehicle. The PCSYS programs can be used to visually check geometric data input, monitor geometric perturbations, and to visualize the complex spatial inter-relationships between the internal and external vehicle components. PCSYS has two major component programs. The between program, IMAGE, draws a complex aerospace vehicle pictorial representation based on either an approximate but rapid hidden line algorithm or without any hidden line algorithm. The second program, HIDDEN, draws a vehicle representation using an accurate but time consuming hidden line algorithm.

Hague, D. S.↗

A computer program for obtaining airplane configuration plots from digital Datcom input data

A computer program is described which reads the input file for the Stability and Control Digital Datcom program and generates plots from the aircraft configuration data. These plots can be used to verify the geometric input data to the Digital Datcom program. The program described interfaces with utilities available for plotting aircraft configurations by creating a file from the Digital Datcom input data.

Roy, M. L.↗

A method for digital image registration using a mathematical programming technique

A new algorithm based on a nonlinear programming technique to correct the geometrical distortions of one digital image with respect to another is discussed. This algorithm promises to be superior to existing ones in that it is capable of treating localized differential scaling, translational and rotational errors over the whole image plane. A series of piece-wise 'rubber-sheet' approximations are used, constrained in such a manner that a smooth approximation over the entire image can be obtained. The theoretical derivation is included. The result of using the algorithm to register four channel S065 Apollo IX digitized photography over Imperial Valley, California, is discussed in detail.

Yao, S. S.↗

Practical application of HgI2 detectors to a space-flight scanning electron microscope

Mercuric iodide X-ray detectors have been undergoing tests in a prototype scanning electron microscope system being developed for unmanned space flight. The detector program addresses the issues of geometric configuration in the SEM, compact packaging that includes separate thermoelectric coolers for the detector and FET, X-ray transparent hermetic encapsulation and electrical contacts, and a clean vacuum environment.

Bradley, J. G.↗

Analysis and design of a flat central finned-tube radiator

Computer program based on fixed conductance parameter yields minimum weight design. Second program employs variable conductance parameter and variable ratio of fin length to tube outside radius, and is used for radiator designs with geometric limitations. Major outputs of the two programs are given.

Auer, B. M.↗

High-impact dynamic-response analysis of nonlinear structures

Program predicts expected deformations and stresses in nonlinear simple geometric structures subjected to high-impact loading. Technique is based on node-wise predictor-corrector approach and requires moderate computer storage and run time for most problems. Program extends to include physical and geometrical nonlinearities.

Gupta, K. K.↗

Prediction of sound radiated from different practical jet engine inlets

Existing computer codes for calculating the far field radiation patterns surrounding various practical jet engine inlet configurations under different excitation conditions were upgraded. The computer codes were refined and expanded so that they are now more efficient computationally by a factor of about three and they are now capable of producing accurate results up to nondimensional wave numbers of twenty. Computer programs were also developed to help generate accurate geometrical representations of the inlets to be investigated. This data is required as input for the computer programs which calculate the sound fields. This new geometry generating computer program considerably reduces the time required to generate the input data which was one of the most time consuming steps in the process. The results of sample runs using the NASA-Lewis QCSEE inlet are presented and comparison of run times and accuracy are made between the old and upgraded computer codes. The overall accuracy of the computations is determined by comparison of the results of the computations with simple source solutions.

Zinn, B. T.↗

ATS simultaneous and turnaround ranging experiments

This report explains the data reduction and spacecraft position determination used in conjunction with two ATS experiments - Trilateration and Turnaround Ranging - and describes in detail a multilateration program that is used for part of the data reduction process. The process described is for the determination of the inertial position of the satellite, and for formating input for related programs. In the trilateration procedure, a geometric determination of satellite position is made from near simultaneous range measurements made by three different tracking stations. Turnaround ranging involves two stations; one, the master station, transmits the signal to the satellite and the satellite retransmits the signal to the slave station which turns the signal around to the satellite which in turn retransmits the signal to the master station. The results of the satellite position computations using the multilateration program are compared to results of other position determination programs used at Goddard. All programs give nearly the same results which indicates that because of its simplicity and computational speed the trilateration technique is useful in obtaining spacecraft positions for near synchronous satellites.

Watson, J. S.↗

Noise characteristics of upper surface blown configurations. Experimental program and results

An experimental data base was developed from the model upper surface blowing (USB) propulsive lift system hardware. While the emphasis was on far field noise data, a considerable amount of relevant flow field data were also obtained. The data were derived from experiments in four different facilities resulting in: (1) small scale static flow field data; (2) small scale static noise data; (3) small scale simulated forward speed noise and load data; and (4) limited larger-scale static noise flow field and load data. All of the small scale tests used the same USB flap parts. Operational and geometrical variables covered in the test program included jet velocity, nozzle shape, nozzle area, nozzle impingement angle, nozzle vertical and horizontal location, flap length, flap deflection angle, and flap radius of curvature.

Brown, W. H.↗

Measurement of Precision Geometric Distances to Three Anchor Points in the Local Universe

Our program, funded by a NASA/SARA 3-yr grant, seeks to provide a much improved foundation of r the extra-galactic distance scale. The goal is to measure geometric distances with accuracies of 5% of better to several anchor points in the Local Universe. There are three objects that we are observing in order to attack this problem: NGC 4258, M 33, and Sgr A*. We plan to provide distance estimates, with a minimum of systematic uncertainty, that can be used to recalibrate several "standard candles," such as Cepheid and RR Lyrae variables. This will place the extragalactic distance scales on much firmer ground. The program will provide crucial, independent checks and calibrations of extragalactic distance measurements, and will contribute to the ultimate success and impact of the HST Key Project on Extragalactic Distances and any future NASA astrometric missions. Additionally, since distances are fundamental to astrophysics, our results will affect a large number of general projects on NASA facilities such s the HST, CXO, and JWST.

Reid, Mark J.↗