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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 109 records · Page 6

In-orbit experimentation with the Small Expendable-Tether Deployment System

The Small Expendable-Tether Deployment System (SEDS) is a light-weight deployer capable of deploying instrumented packages and other tethered payloads up to a distance of 20 km. The system is simple and inexpensive because it does not retrieve the tethered payloads. The deployer is attached to the second stage of a Delta II which acts as a stabilized platform for the deployment of tethered payloads. SEDS is particularly suitable for complementing the Tethered Satellite missions by providing a flexible system for experimenting with the tether-in-space technology. SEDS can also provide a convenient way for testing instruments and/or procedures which require the use of long tethers.

Lorenzini, Enrico C.↗

En route noise test preliminary results

Preliminary results are reported from ground measurements of noise emitted by a full-scale advanced single-rotation turbofan model mounted on the wing of the NASA Lewis Propfan Test Assessment aircraft during test flights in October 1987. The procedures and instruments employed in the test program are described, and the data are presented in tables. The repeatability of the measurements is shown to be good within one test day, with day-to-day variations attributed to cross-wind convection. Fair agreement is found between these measurements and the predictions of ray-tracing models.

Willshire, William L., Jr.↗

Diffraction of impulsive sounds by a curved obstruction - A time-domain study

The diffraction of spark-discharge-produced sound waves produced by a half circular cylinder covered with absorbing material is investigated theoretically and experimentally. The test bench setup and the measurement instrumentation and procedure are described; the derivation of an analytical model on the basis of the matched asymptotic expansion theory of Pierce (1981) is outlined; and the results are compared in graphs. Good general agreement is obtained, except in the deep shadow of the obstacle, where the theory underpredicts the magnitude of the received pulse. This discrepancy is tentatively attributed to the creeping-wave mechanism described by Pierce.

Berthelot, Yves H.↗

Measurement of self-broadening of the ozone nu(3) transitions

Self-broadening coefficients have been measured for a number of rovibrational lines in the nu(3) band of ozone, in the frequency range 1015-1058/cm, with J values between 0 and 27, and over a range of K(a) values. A multiparameter nonlinear least-squares fitting procedure is used to reduce the data, and the sensitivity of the procedure to instrument line width, weak satellite features, and absolute intensity has been examined. The retrieved coefficients are compared with millimeter-wave broadening coefficients, direclty measured rotational relaxation times, and recently suggested empirical representations.

Flannery, C.↗

Cryogenic performance of the SIRTF prototype secondary mirror assembly

Results are presented of the first liquid helium temperature testing of the Space Infrared Telescope Facility (SIRTF) prototype Secondary Mirror Assembly (PSMA). Attention is given to the key requirements of PSMA, its design, and the test instrumentation and procedures. Results of preliminary tests completed to date showed that the design of the PSMA forms a very strong basis for meeting the SIRTF requirements.

Stier, M. T.↗

The Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS)

AVIRIS is a facility consisting of a flight system, a ground data system, a calibration facility, and a full-time operations team. The facility was developed by JPL under funding from NASA. NASA also provides funding for operations and maintenance. The flight system is a whisk-broom imager that acquires data in 224 narrow, contiguous spectral bands covering the solar reflected portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. It is flown aboard the NASA high altitude ER-2 research aircraft. The ground data system is a facility dedicated to the processing and distribution of data acquired by AVIRIS. It operates year round at JPL. The calibration facility consists of a calibration laboratory at JPL and a suite of field instruments and procedures for performing inflight calibration of AVIRIS. A small team of engineers, technicians, and scientists supports a yearly operations schedule that includes 6 months of flight operations, 6 months of routine ground maintenance of the flight system, and year-round data processing and distribution. Details of the AVIRIS system, its performance history, and future plans are described.

Vane, Gregg↗

Flight-determined engine exhaust characteristics of an F404 engine in an F-18 airplane

The exhaust characteristics of the F-18 aircraft with an F404 engine are examined with reference to the results of an acoustic flight testing program. The discussion covers an overview of the flight test planning, instrumentation, test procedures, data analysis, engine modeling codes, and results. In addition, the paper presents the exhaust velocity and Mach number data for the climb-to-cruise, Aircraft Noise Prediction Program validation, and ground tests.

Ennix, Kimberly A.↗

Flight-determined engine exhaust characteristics of an F404 engine in an F-18 airplane

Personnel at the NASA Langley Research Center (NASA-Langley) and the NASA Dryden Flight Research Facility (NASA-Dryden) recently completed a joint acoustic flight test program. Several types of aircraft with high nozzle pressure ratio engines were flown to satisfy a twofold objective. First, assessments were made of subsonic climb-to-cruise noise from flights conducted at varying altitudes in a Mach 0.30 to 0.90 range. Second, using data from flights conducted at constant altitude in a Mach 0.30 to 0.95 range, engineers obtained a high quality noise database. This database was desired to validate the Aircraft Noise Prediction Program and other system noise prediction codes. NASA-Dryden personnel analyzed the engine data from several aircraft that were flown in the test program to determine the exhaust characteristics. The analysis of the exhaust characteristics from the F-18 aircraft are reported. An overview of the flight test planning, instrumentation, test procedures, data analysis, engine modeling codes, and results are presented.

Ennix, Kimberly A.↗

The measurement and analysis of leaf spectral reflectance of two stands of loblolly pine populations

My research was conducted under the mentorship of Dr. Jeff Luvall. I worked at Marshall from June 1 through August 6, 1993. My proposal is titled 'The Measurement and Analysis of Leaf Spectral Reflectance of Two Stands of Loblolly Pine Populations.' The populations for this study were chosen from a larger population of 31 families managed by the International Forest Seed Company, Odenville, Alabama. The technology for mobile ground base spectral detecting is new and therefore the majority of time, June 2 through July 9, was spent on learning the techniques of the Spectrometer 2 spectroradiometer used in the gathering of spectra information. The activities included in the learning process were as follows: calibration of the equipment, programming the associated computer for data management, operation of the spectral devices, and input and output of data. From July 12 through August 3 the time was spent on learning the 'STATGRAP' computer software. This software will be used in the analysis of the data retrieved by the Spectrometer 2 spectroradiometer. Dr. Greg Carter, at Stennis, a colleague of Dr. Luvall, has been conducting similar work with different instruments and procedures and has agreed to host us for a training session on data gathering and analysis. This visit, which has previously planned for July 9, 1993, but had to be postponed because of schedule conflicts, is now confirmed for August 18-22, 1993. This trip to Stennis will provide the knowledge for conducting the field operations in my study, i.e., gathering of data and file conversions.

Paul, Anthony D.↗

Women in Flight Research at NASA Dryden Flight Research Center from 1946 to 1995: Monographs in Aerospace History - Number 6

This monograph discusses the working and living environment of women involved with flight research at NASA Dryden Flight Research Center during the late 1940s and early 1950s. The women engineers, their work and the airplanes they worked on from 1960 to December 1995 are highlighted. The labor intensive data gathering and analysis procedures and instrumentation used before the age of digital computers are explained by showing and describing typical instrumentation found on the X-series aircraft from the X-1 through the X-15. The data reduction technique used to obtain the Mach number position error curve for the X-1 aircraft and which documents the historic first flight to exceed the speed of sound is described and a Mach number and altitude plot from an X-15 flight is shown.

Powers, Sheryll Goecke↗

MAVRIC Flutter Model Transonic Limit Cycle Oscillation Test

The Models for Aeroelastic Validation Research Involving Computation semi-span wind-tunnel model (MAVRIC-I), a business jet wing-fuselage flutter model, was tested in NASA Langley's Transonic Dynamics Tunnel with the goal of obtaining experimental data suitable for Computational Aeroelasticity code validation at transonic separation onset conditions. This research model is notable for its inexpensive construction and instrumentation installation procedures. Unsteady pressures and wing responses were obtained for three wingtip configurations clean, tipstore, and winglet. Traditional flutter boundaries were measured over the range of M = 0.6 to 0.9 and maps of Limit Cycle Oscillation (LCO) behavior were made in the range of M = 0.85 to 0.95. Effects of dynamic pressure and angle-of-attack were measured. Testing in both R134a heavy gas and air provided unique data on Reynolds number, transition effects, and the effect of speed of sound on LCO behavior. The data set provides excellent code validation test cases for the important class of flow conditions involving shock-induced transonic flow separation onset at low wing angles, including Limit Cycle Oscillation behavior.

Edwards, John W.↗

MAVRIC Flutter Model Transonic Limit Cycle Oscillation Test

The Models for Aeroelastic Validation Research Involving Computation semi-span wind-tunnel model (MAVRIC-I), a business jet wing-fuselage flutter model, was tested in NASA Langley's Transonic Dynamics Tunnel with the goal of obtaining experimental data suitable for Computational Aeroelasticity code validation at transonic separation onset conditions. This research model is notable for its inexpensive construction and instrumentation installation procedures. Unsteady pressures and wing responses were obtained for three wingtip configurations of clean, tipstore, and winglet. Traditional flutter boundaries were measured over the range of M = 0.6 to 0.9 and maps of Limit Cycle Oscillation (LCO) behavior were made in the range of M = 0.85 to 0.95. Effects of dynamic pressure and angle-of-attack were measured. Testing in both R134a heavy gas and air provided unique data on Reynolds number, transition effects, and the effect of speed of sound on LCO behavior. The data set provides excellent code validation test cases for the important class of flow conditions involving shock-induced transonic flow separation onset at low wing angles, including LCO behavior.

Edwards, John W.↗

Preliminary Validation of the Small Aircraft Transportation System Higher Volume Operations (SATS HVO) Concept

This document provides a preliminary validation of the Small Aircraft Transportation System (SATS) Higher Volume Operations (HVO) concept for normal conditions. Initial results reveal that the concept provides reduced air traffic delays when compared to current operations without increasing pilot workload. Characteristic to the SATS HVO concept is the establishment of a newly defined area of flight operations called a Self-Controlled Area (SCA) which would be activated by air traffic control (ATC) around designated non-towered, non-radar airports. During periods of poor visibility, SATS pilots would take responsibility for separation assurance between their aircraft and other similarly equipped aircraft in the SCA. Using onboard equipment and simple instrument flight procedures, they would then be better able to approach and land at the airport or depart from it. This concept would also require a new, ground-based automation system, typically located at the airport that would provide appropriate sequencing information to the arriving aircraft. Further validation of the SATS HVO concept is required and is the subject of ongoing research and subsequent publications.

Williams, Daniel↗

Laboratory Measurement of Bidirectional Reflectance of Radiometric Tarps

This experiment measured the reflectance of tarps with ground instruments in order to check radiometric calibration, validate atmospheric correction, and predict at-sensor radiance for satellite instruments. The procedure of this experiment is as follows: 1) Assemble laboratory apparatus to duplicate ground reference measurement geometry and satellite measurement geometry; 2) Measure spectral radiance with Optronics OL 750 double monochromator/spectroradiometer; 3) Measure radiance of NIST-calibrated Spectralon panel irradiated by collimated light at incidence angle of calibrated reflectance (20 deg, 30 deg, 40 deg, or 50 deg), viewing normal to panel surface; 4) Measure radiance of Spectralon panel irradiated at incidence angle equal to solar zenith angle at time of overpass; 5) Calculate reflectance of Spectralon panel irradiated at solar zenith angle, viewing normal to panel surface (ground geometry).

Knowlton, Kelly↗

Crew and Display Concepts Evaluation for Synthetic / Enhanced Vision Systems

NASA s Synthetic Vision Systems (SVS) project is developing technologies with practical applications that strive to eliminate low-visibility conditions as a causal factor to civil aircraft accidents and replicate the operational benefits of clear day flight operations, regardless of the actual outside visibility condition. Enhanced Vision System (EVS) technologies are analogous and complementary in many respects to SVS, with the principle difference being that EVS is an imaging sensor presentation, as opposed to a database-derived image. The use of EVS in civil aircraft is projected to increase rapidly as the Federal Aviation Administration recently changed the aircraft operating rules under Part 91, revising the flight visibility requirements for conducting operations to civil airports. Operators conducting straight-in instrument approach procedures may now operate below the published approach minimums when using an approved EVS that shows the required visual references on the pilot s Head-Up Display. An experiment was conducted to evaluate the complementary use of SVS and EVS technologies, specifically focusing on new techniques for integration and/or fusion of synthetic and enhanced vision technologies and crew resource management while operating under the newly adopted FAA rules which provide operating credit for EVS. Overall, the experimental data showed that significant improvements in SA without concomitant increases in workload and display clutter could be provided by the integration and/or fusion of synthetic and enhanced vision technologies for the pilot-flying and the pilot-not-flying.

Bailey, Randall E.↗

Models of Wake-Vortex Spreading Mechanisms and Their Estimated Uncertainties

One of the primary constraints on the capacity of the nation's air transportation system is the landing capacity at its busiest airports. Many airports with nearly-simultaneous operations on closely-spaced parallel runways (i.e., as close as 750 ft (246m)) suffer a severe decrease in runway acceptance rate when weather conditions do not allow full utilization. The objective of a research program at NASA Ames Research Center is to develop the technologies needed for traffic management in the airport environment so that operations now allowed on closely-spaced parallel runways under Visual Meteorological Conditions can also be carried out under Instrument Meteorological Conditions. As part of this overall research objective, the study reported here has developed improved models for the various aerodynamic mechanisms that spread and transport wake vortices. The purpose of the study is to continue the development of relationships that increase the accuracy of estimates for the along-trail separation distances available before the vortex wake of a leading aircraft intrudes into the airspace of a following aircraft. Details of the models used and their uncertainties are presented in the appendices to the paper. Suggestions are made as to the theoretical and experimental research needed to increase the accuracy of and confidence level in the models presented and instrumentation required or more precise estimates of the motion and spread of vortex wakes. The improved wake models indicate that, if the following aircraft is upwind of the leading aircraft, the vortex wakes of the leading aircraft will not intrude into the airspace of the following aircraft for about 7s (based on pessimistic assumptions) for most atmospheric conditions. The wake-spreading models also indicate that longer time intervals before wake intrusion are available when atmospheric turbulence levels are mild or moderate. However, if the estimates for those time intervals are to be reliable, further study is necessary to develop the instrumentation and procedures needed to accurately define when the more benign atmospheric conditions exist.

Rossow, Vernon J.↗

Going Below Minimums: The Efficacy of Display Enhanced/Synthetic Vision Fusion for Go-Around Decisions during Non-Normal Operations

The use of enhanced vision systems in civil aircraft is projected to increase rapidly as the Federal Aviation Administration recently changed the aircraft operating rules under Part 91, revising the flight visibility requirements for conducting approach and landing operations. Operators conducting straight-in instrument approach procedures may now operate below the published approach minimums when using an approved enhanced flight vision system that shows the required visual references on the pilot's Head-Up Display. An experiment was conducted to evaluate the complementary use of synthetic vision systems and enhanced vision system technologies, focusing on new techniques for integration and/or fusion of synthetic and enhanced vision technologies and crew resource management while operating under these newly adopted rules. Experimental results specific to flight crew response to non-normal events using the fused synthetic/enhanced vision system are presented.

Prinzel, Lawrence J., III↗

Comparison of Intercooler Characteristics

A method is presented of comparing the performance, weight, and general dimensional characteristics of inter-coolers. The performance and dimensional characteristics covered in the comparisons are cooling effectiveness, pressure drops and weight flows of the charge and cooling air, power losses, volume, frontal area, and width. A method of presenting intercooler data is described in which two types of charts are plotted; (1) A performance chart setting forth all the important characteristics of a given intercooler and (2) a replot of these characteristics for a number of intercoolers intended to assist in making a selection to satisfy a given set of installation conditions. The characteristics of commercial intercoolers obtained from manufacturers' data and of some computed designs are presented on this basis. A standard test procedure and instrumentation are suggested whereby comparable data may be obtained by different testing organizations.

Reuter, J. George↗