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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 91 records · Page 5
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1973

Bragg crystal spectrometer for HEAO-B X-ray astronomy experiment

The X-ray astronomy experiment for the HEAO mission is described. The instrument to be flown on the satellite consists of two Bragg crystal spectrometers designed to make measurements with high spectral resolution in the energy range from 0.1 to 10 keV. No sharp spectroscopic features were detected directly in X-ray astronomy except emission lines in the sun; therefore, the objectives and design criteria of this instrument are based on the theoretical models of the different types of extra solar X-ray sources. From the point of view of instrumental techniques it is convenient to divide these into point or stellar sources, whose radiation is parallel, and diffuse sources, and to consider the possible spectral features in each type.

Angel, J. R. P.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Stoichiometric gas turbines - Development problems.

Detroit Diesel Allison has been active in demonstrating the feasibility of stoichiometric gas turbine engines for many years. Results of this program are presented with emphasis placed on areas requiring additional development work. Cooling air usage, the effect of cooling air on turbine efficiency, fabrication (materials) methods, and control (instrumentation) techniques are the areas discussed and illustrated. Lamilloy, a pseudo-transpiring material developed by Allison, is discussed in detail.

Helms, H. E.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Bone mineral measurement from Apollo experiment M-078

Loss of mineral from bone during periods of immobilization, recumbency, or weightlessness is examined. This report describes the instrumentation, technique, and bone mineral changes observed preflight and postflight for the Apollo 14, 15, and 16 missions. The bone mineral changes documented during the Apollo Program are reviewed, and their relevance to future missions is discussed.

Vogel, J. M.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Lightning instrumentation for warning and measurement

A presentation of instrumentation techniques used at Kennedy Space Center for assessing the hazards of lightning, measure lightning currents, induced voltage effects and assess the probability of lightning strikes to launch structures. The electric field and sferics are measured to determine the lightning hazard from the clouds. Measurements are made on launch structures to determine the magnitude of lightning currents and the induced voltages. Photographs are taken to ascertain the location of lightning strikes. Data is analyzed and presented on operations personnel and the Weather Office for assessment of impact on launch critical electromechanical systems and industrial operations.

Wojtasinski, R. J.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Very long baseline interferometry /VLBI/ applications to secular geodynamics and earth strain measurement

An instrumental technique from radio astronomy known as very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) offers significant promise for the solution of the problem of accurate long-distance, three-dimensional surveying and determination of whole earth geodynamical phenomena. The methods of VLBI make it possible for receiving stations to be independently operated at arbitrary separations using extragalactic radio sources as their frame of time-invariant angular reference. Feasibility demonstrations at S-band (13 cm) wavelengths have been performed, and accuracies of a few centimeters for three-dimensional surveying over a short distance (16 km) have been demonstrated. VLBI operation on longer baselines (8400 km) has been performed between Goldstone, California, and Madrid, Spain, in order to develop the capability for determination of universal time variations, in addition to the measurements of this intercontinental baseline. Systems analysis indicates that necessary calibrations can be developed so as to make possible the implementation of a transportable radio interferometer station concept.

Macdoran, P. F.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Mass spectrometry

Review of the present status of mass spectrometry in the light of pertinent recent publications spanning the period from December 1971 to January 1974. Following an initial survey of techniques, instruments, and computer applications, a sharp distinction is made between the chemistry of organic (radical-)ions and analytical applications in biorganic chemistry and medicine. The emphasis is on the chemistry of organic (radical-)ions at the expense of inorganic, organometallic, and surface ion chemistry. Biochemistry and medicine are chosen because of their contemporary importance and because of the stupendous contributions of mass spectroscopy to these fields in the past two years. In the review of gas-phase organic ion chemistry, special attention is given to studies making significant contributions to the understanding of ion chemistry.

Burlingame, A. L.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Baseline measurement of the noise generated by a short-to-medium range jet transport flying standard ILS approaches and level flyovers

The results of baseline noise flight tests are presented. Data are given for a point 1.85 kilometers (1.0 nautical mile) from the runway threshold, and experimental results of level flyover noise at altitudes of 122 meters (400 feet) and 610 meters (2,000 feet) are also shown for several different power levels. The experimental data are compared with data from other sources and reasonable agreement is noted. A description of the test technique, instrumentation, and data analysis methods is included.

Hastings, E. C., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Douglas Experience in Flight Flutter Testing

Douglas Aircraft Company experience in flight flutter testing is reviewed briefly, with comments on state-of-the-art excitation and instrumentation techniques used up to the present time. The limitations of previous techniques are discussed with emphasis on the problem of: (1) establishing a flutter margin of safety for predicted marginal flutter modes; (2) resolving instances of flutter not predicted by theoretical calculations in advance; and (3) delaying the airplane demonstration by time consumed in acquisition and reduction of flutter data. Current Douglas philosophy in flight flutter testing is presented and a description given of steady-state vane excitation system development, automatic data handling system, and the potential application of automatic computing methods for increasing flutter data yield.

Philbrick, J.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Results of an analytical study of spacecraft deposition contamination by internal reflection spectroscopy

Outgassing, deposition, and desorption kinetics of silicone compounds, are examined as examples of optical surface contaminants of spacecraft windows. Their behavior in a space environment after exposure to ultraviolet radiation is also examined. The use of internal reflection spectroscopy is shown to provide a viable means of real-time, in-situ identification of contaminants of orbiting spacecraft. The instrumental techniques are proposed as the basis of further investigations and the development of flight hardware.

Mookherji, T.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Performance tests of two precision attitude determination systems

Results of laboratory performance tests of two satellite attitude determination systems are given. One system employed a strapdown star tracker and gyro assembly, the other a single axis, gimballed star tracker and a gyro assembly. The laboratory tests simulated those orbit conditions which would be experienced on a three axis stabilized, earth pointed satellite in geosynchronous orbit. A ground-fixed laboratory test was performed in which system axes remained stationary in the laboratory coordinates while revolving star beams stimulated the star trackers. The laboratory instrumentation techniques used to meet the stringent accuracy requirements are described. Results are presented which show both systems met the performance goal of 3.6 arc seconds. Comparative analyses of both systems are also discussed.

Mcaloon, K. J.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Impact of new instrumentation on advanced turbine research

The progression of experimental programs is discussed from the simplest two-dimensional stationary geometry to the highly complex three-dimensional flow in a rotating blade row. Experimental methods and instrumentation techniques are described. Emphasis is placed on rotating blade row measurements.

Graham, R. W.↗
NASA NTRS1982

The effect of personal equation on measurements of the solar semi-diameter by transit circle observers

Cape Observatory transit circle measurements of systematic trends in the semi-diameter of the sun (1834, 1861-1871, 1884-1892) are considered, and an analysis of Washington six inch observations (1899-1903, 1911-1918, 1956-1971, 1975-1981) is given. A discordance between horizontal and vertical results in Cape measurements implies that these measurements are inaccurate due to the use of personal equations. The Washington measurements consider observational corrections and instrumental techniques, and it is thus concluded that no secular change in solar diameter has occurred.

Smith, C.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Opportunities for research in aerothermodynamics

"Aerothermodynamics' involves the disciplines of chemistry, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics and heat transfer which have collaborative importance in propulsion systems. There are growing opportunities for the further application of these disciplines to improve the methodology for the design of advanced gas turbines; particularly, the combustor and turbine. Design procedures follow empirical or cut and try guidelines. The tremendous advances in computational analysis and in instrumentation techniques hold promise for research answers to complex physical processes that are currently not well understood. The transfer of basic research understanding to engineering design should result in shorter, less expensive development commitments for engines. The status and anticipated opportunities in research topics relevant to combustors and turbines is reviewed.

Graham, R. W.↗
NASA NTRS1983

An assessment of flow-field simulation and measurement

The effectiveness of the instrumentation, techniques, and wind tunnel flow characterizations in the U.S. large scale wind tunnels for accuracy in making increasingly finer drag measurements on airfoils is assessed. The more reliable measurement is necessary due to refined designs of airfoils and the need to continue to improve the economic performance of commercial aircraft. Consequently, the effects of flows in wind tunnels, compared with those in the freestream environment, have become a critical factor. Dynamic flow properties in individual wind tunnels have to be documented in order to assure reproducible results. Laser velocimetry is a suitable tool for nonintrusive measurement of the mean velocity, turbulence intensity, and the shear stress in wind tunnel flowfields. It is suggested that future wind tunnel studies be designed to remain within the diagnostic capabilities available at the site.

Owen, F. K.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Composition of the Venus atmosphere

After giving an historical account of the development of Venus atmospheric composition explorations and the various instrumental techniques used in them, attention is given to recommended values for the mixing ratios of gases at altitudes below 100 km. Together with the various constituent groups of gases, their observations, and related processes and models, the mathematical background for current one-dimensional photochemical and transport models is given. Excited species are then discussed, and references to upper limits for the abundances of unobserved gases are listed. Available data on isotopic abundances are assessed, and questions pertinent to the further investigation of the Venus atmosphere's origin and evolution are formulated.

Von Zahn, U.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Earth-Based Planetary Data

NASA sponsors Earth-based planetary astronomy to provide data needed for: planning future missions; supporting missions already in progress; and enhanching the scientific analysis of data returned by past missions. Such data complement spacecraft data by providing observational coverage of important planetary phenomena at epochs before and after spacecraft encounters, with time scales longer than a spacecraft encounter, and at wavelengths and spectral resolutions not covered by spacecraft instruments. Earth-based planetary data are defined here as: observations made with ground based telescopes, balloon-borne instruments, rocket-borne instruments, and Earth-orbiting spacecraft. Data in the last category differ somewhat in nature and availability from the other three. In all categories, planetary data are only a subset of the total astronomical observations on record. As a result part of the task is to identify and extract (or separately catalog) those observations which are planetary. The data cover wavelengths in the ultraviolet, the visual, and the infrared. The instrumental techniques addressed are: imaging, polarimetry, photometry, spectrophotometry, and spectroscopy.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1984

Natural laminar flow flight experiments on a swept-wing business jet

Flight test experiments have been conducted to measure the extent and nature of laminar flow on a smoothed test region of a swept-wing business jet. Surface hot film anemometers and sublimating chemicals were used for transition detection. Surface pressure distributions were measured using pressure belts. Instrumentation techniques and problems are presented. Correlation was obtained between the hot film and sublimating chemicals for transition detection. Taylor-Goertler vortices were observed for some flight conditions. Boundary layer stability analysis is being conducted using measured pressure distributions to determine the correlation possible for transition prediction on swept wings.

Wentz, W. H., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Ultrasonic Inspection Near Small Bores

Portable ultrasonic probe makes it possible to inspect for hidden cracks near insides of narrow tubes. Using pulse-echo technique, instrument detects cracks as small as 0.015-in. (0.38-mm) deep. Used for nondestructive inspection of other hard-to-reach places where conventional large transducers will not fit or where difficult to apply coupling liquid for contact ultrasonic testing. Inspects bore of tubelike fitting. Instrument makes it unnecessary to disassemble fitting to check for cracks. Precise orientation of transducer with respect to part not necessary for detecting cracks.

Parent, R. G.↗