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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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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1983

Spaceborne radar research in the 1980's

The SEASAT SAR and Shuttle Imaging Radar SIR-A experiments demonstrated that spaceborne synthetic aperture radars provide synoptic images of land and ocean features. Radar images clearly show geologic structures, morphologic features, clear cutting, subsurface features (in very arid regions), agricultural and urban land use, ocean surface waves, current boundaries, internal waves, ice floes and numerous other ocean features which affect the surface roughness.

Elachi, C.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Dynamics of the magnetic shearing instability and magnetohydrodynamic turbulence in accretion disks. 1: Vertical magnetic field

Recently, the magnetic shearing instability (MSI) has been proposed as a dynamical mechanism for angular momentum transport in accretion disks (Balbus & Hawley 1991; Hawley & Balbus 1991). In this paper, the nonlinear dynamics of MSI modes in the presence of a vertical magnetic field B(sub 0) is discussed. In particular, the saturation levels of the fluctuating fields, the angular momentum flux, and the energy dissipation mechanism, are examined in detail. It is shown that MSI induces strong magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) turbulence in a range of wavenumbers 1/H is less than K is less than or equal to Omega/V(sub A)(sub 0)), where H is the thickness, Omega is the rotation frequency of the disk, and V(sub A)(sub 0) is the Alfven velocity. Despite the fact that the linear growth rate of MSI is maximal at small-scale (i.e., k is approximately Omega/V(sub A(sub 0)), angular momentum transport due to MSI turbulence is dominated by the magnetic Reynolds stress driven by large-scale modes (k is approximately 1/H). It is shown that the amplitude of low k(sub r) MSI eddies is limited primarily by subscale shear flow instability. Thus, dominant MSI cells are quasi-isotropic. In a stationary state, the effective Shakura-Sunyaev 'alpha' value is predicted to be of order V(sub A)(sub 0)0/C(sub s). In addition, the veritcal magnetic-field-induced MSI cells convert vertical magnetic field B(sub 0) into azimuthal magnetic field B(sub theta) in the disk. The generation of azimuthal magnetic field in turn introduces new physical processes, such as dynamo activity and azimuthal MSI turbulence. We conclude that it is not possible to decouple vertical MSI saturation from azimuthal MSI evolution. Low-frequency MSI cells are shown to co-exist with high-frequency radial buoyancy or internal waves. We show that modulational interaction between waves on these two frequency ranges is usually weak in the case when mean magnetic field is vertical. Thus, MSI and internal wave dynamics must be treated on an equal footing.

Zhang, W.↗
NASA NTRS1986

The relation of gravity waves and turbulence in the mesosphere

Since researchers couldn't prove that the mesospheric turbulence layers are generated by the simultaneously existing short-period gravity waves, they invoked other generation mechanisms than wave breaking. Possible mechanisms like lateral convection (Rottger 1980a), quasi-geostrophic flows at mesoscales (Lilly, 1983) or vortical modes of motion as seen in the ocean (Muller and Pujalet, 1984) could be candidates. Researchers are inclined to see a connection of these layers or laminae with very-long-period internal waves because of the periodicity in their vertical structure and their long mean persistency. Rottger (1980b) had proposed that such structures are due the modulation of the me an temperature and wind profiles by internal waves. The superposition of random or short-term wave-induced wind and temperature fluctuations with the background profile, modulated by very-long-period waves (quasi-inertia waves) then would yield the observed effects, and could explain the vertical periodicity, the long-term mean persistency as well as some short-term variability of their intensity.

Rottger, J.↗
NASA NTRS1968

Internal acoustic gravity waves.

Dispersion relation of internal acoustic gravity wave motion in compressible nonviscous and nonheatconducting atmosphere

Mclellan, A., IV↗
NASA NTRS1984

The investigation of selected oceanographic applications of spaceborne synthetic-aperture radar

Synthetic aperture radar images obtained from Seasat and SIR-A showed that a number of oceanographic features were imaged in considerable detail, like internal waves, large ocean waves, bathymetric features, eddies, and slicks. the imaging mechanisms however, are not well understood, and for both SEASAT and SIR-A there are few supporting sea surface measurements to assist in the study of these imaging mechanisms. The SIR-B will conduct three separate experiments to provide a better understanding of the use of spaceborne SAR for imaging: (1) internal waves; (2) ocean surface waves, and (3) shallow water bathymetry. These experiments are chosen because they lead to possible applications for microwave remote sensing of the ocean surface and give a better understanding of the microwave/sea surface imaging mechanism.

Keyte, G. E.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Atmospheric density variations related to internal gravity waves

Report describes method for estimating gravity-wave density variation from wind speed profile between 60 and 100 km. Single profile is inadequate for valid determination of mean or background values and ensemble averaging over several related profiles is recommended.

Miller, E. B.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Propagation and selective transmission of internal gravity waves in a sudden warming

Longitudinally asymmetric features of gravity wave propagation in a sudden warming are examined theoretically, using observed geostrophic wind fields in the stratosphere for three days of winter 1979. It is shown that the wind patterns accompanying a sudden warming act to reduce, but not eliminate, quasi-stationary gravity wave propagation to the mesosphere. The onset of large-amplitude planetary waves leads to the formation of propagating zones and forbidden zones for gravity waves of intermediate horizontal scale (50-200 km). Lateral ray movement and horizontal refraction are secondary but observable effects for these waves. To the extent that these waves are excited isotropically in the troposphere, it is possible to evaluate the direction and magnitude of the average wavevector reaching the mesosphere as follows. Stationary waves with wavevector orthogonal to the local mean flow are selectively absorbed in the stratosphere, implying that for these waves the average wavevector transmitted to the mesosphere is antiparallel to the average of the mean flow orientation extrema in the underlying stratosphere.

Dunkerton, T. J.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Horizontal wind perturbations and their relation to transient internal gravity waves

Horizontal winds as measured with the Saskatoon MF radar exhibit wind fluctuations which have preferred directions toward north or south in the period range 0 to 60 min at heights between about 60 and 110 km. Longer period perturbations (approx 1-6 h) tend to have an additional maximum of direction frequencies in the E-W sector.The polarization effect analyzed for more than 6 years shows regular changes with season. The main features of the seasonal variations of the direction distributions can be explained by directional filtering of vertically propagating nonstationary gravity waves and appropriate changes of the wave source strength and position in the troposphere. The N-S polarization of the gravity-wave field appears to result in meridional wind reversals with height above the mesopause.

Ebel, A.↗
NASA NTRS1987

A study of the mechanism of internal gravity wave generation by quasigeostrophic meteorological motions

Numerous experiments on the detection of atmospheric waves in the frequency range from acoustic to planetary at meteor heights have revealed that important wave sources are meteorological processes in the troposphere (cyclones, atmospheric fronts, jet streams, etc.). A dynamical theory based on the others work include describing the adaptation of meteorological fields to the geostropic equilibrium state. According to this theory, wave motions appear as a result of constant competition between the maladjustment of the wind and pressure fields due to nonlinear effects and the tendency of the atmosphere to establish a quasi-geostrophic equilibrium of these fields. These meteorological fields are discussed.

Medvedev, A. S.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Internal gravity waves in the meteor zone in the Tbilisi Region

The study of wave disturbances (WD) in the upper part of the meteor zone (90 to 110 km) was made in the Tbilisi region. Observations were conducted using three ionospheric vertical sounders located at the corners of a triangle spaced from each other at a distance of 50 km, a four azimuth electrophotometer by the method of space reception with a small distance and a recording unit. These disturbances are measured and the results are given.

Sharadze, Z. S.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Preliminary assessment of combustion modes for internal combustion wave rotors

Combustion within the channels of a wave rotor is examined as a means of obtaining pressure gain during heat addition in a gas turbine engine. Several modes of combustion are considered and the factors that determine the applicability of three modes are evaluated in detail; premixed autoignition/detonation, premixed deflagration, and non-premixed compression ignition. The last two will require strong turbulence for completion of combustion in a reasonable time in the wave rotor. The compression/autoignition modes will require inlet temperatures in excess of 1500 R for reliable ignition with most hydrocarbon fuels; otherwise, a supplementary ignition method must be provided. Examples of combustion mode selection are presented for two core engine applications that had been previously designed with equivalent 4-port wave rotor topping cycles using external combustion.

Nalim, M. Razi↗