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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

Capacitance Probe for Fluid Flow and Volume Measurements

Method and apparatus for making measurements on fluids are disclosed, including the use of a capacitive probe for measuring the flow volume of a material within a flow stream. The capacitance probe has at least two elongate electrodes and, in a specific embodiment of the invention, has three parallel elongate electrodes with the center electrode being an extension of the center conductor of a co-axial cable. A conductance probe is also provided to provide more accurate flow volume data in response to conductivity of the material within the flow stream. A preferred embodiment of the present invention provides for a gas flow stream through a micro-gravity environment that allows for monitoring a flow volume of a fluid sample, such as a urine sample, that is entrained within the gas flow stream.

Arndt, G. Dickey↗

A wire/extensometer method for measuring small displacements

A method has been developed for making precise point-to-point displacement measurements on critical structures under structural, thermal, or gravity loading. The technique consists of attaching the gauge to the structure at one point, and connecting it to a second point on the structure by a thin (0.25 mm) tungsten wire. The wire provides a dual function: in addition to physically connecting the gauge to a remote point, it provides a calibrating function. Tests have demonstrated that measurements can be made within a micron over a length of a meter or two, even in the presence of severe thermal shock, such as exposure to a sun gun or to a refrigerant spray.

Wilson, M. W.↗

Method for measuring pollutant formation

Diagnostic methods for determining an instantaneous rate of pollutant formation in a combustion system are based on measurement of chemiluminescence intensity generated simultaneously with the formation of the pollutant. The chemiluminescent signal is generated by an analog reaction which occurs in parallel with a key step in the formation of a specific pollutant of interest. The connection between the analog reaction and the pollution reaction is such that the chemiluminescent signal indicates the local, instantaneous formation rate of the pollutant of interest.

Annen, Kurt↗

Comparison of three methods for measuring acoustic properties of bulk materials

Three methods for measuring the acoustic properties of bulk materials have been evaluated. The methods differ from one another in their practical implementation and reliability. The two more convenient methods exploit changes in surface impedance of test samples resulting from a change in the test sample geometry or boundary conditions. The results from these surface methods are compared with that obtained using Scott's method. In Scott's method the propagation constant is obtained by a 'direct' measurement inside the test material by means of a probe tube. The comparisons suggest that the surface methods will provide reliable and accurate results when the test sample behaves as a rigid porous structure.

Smith, C. D.↗

Absolute Thickness Measurements on Coatings Without Prior Knowledge of Material Properties Using Terahertz Energy

This study investigates the applicability of a novel noncontact single-sided terahertz electromagnetic measurement method for measuring thickness in dielectric coating systems having either dielectric or conductive substrate materials. The method does not require knowledge of the velocity of terahertz waves in the coating material. The dielectric coatings ranged from approximately 300 to 1400 m in thickness. First, the terahertz method was validated on a bulk dielectric sample to determine its ability to precisely measure thickness and density variation. Then, the method was studied on simulated coating systems. One simulated coating consisted of layered thin paper samples of varying thicknesses on a ceramic substrate. Another simulated coating system consisted of adhesive-backed Teflon adhered to conducting and dielectric substrates. Alumina samples that were coated with a ceramic adhesive layer were also investigated. Finally, the method was studied for thickness measurement of actual thermal barrier coatings (TBC) on ceramic substrates. The unique aspects and limitations of this method for thickness measurements are discussed.

Nondestructive evaluation↗

Josephson frequency meter for millimeter and submillimeter wavelengths

Frequency measurements of electromagnetic oscillations of millimeter and submillimeter wavebands with frequency growth due to a number of reasons become more and more difficult. First, these frequencies are considered to be cutoffs for semiconductor converting devices and one has to use optical measurement methods instead of traditional ones with frequency transfer. Second, resonance measurement methods are characterized by using relatively narrow bands and optical ones are limited in frequency and time resolution due to the limited range and velocity of movement of their mechanical elements as well as the efficiency of these optical techniques decrease with the increase of wavelength due to diffraction losses. That requires a priori information on the radiation frequency band of the source involved. Method of measuring frequency of harmonic microwave signals in millimeter and submillimeter wavebands based on the ac Josephson effect in superconducting contacts is devoid of all the above drawbacks. This approach offers a number of major advantages over the more traditional measurement methods, that is one based on frequency conversion, resonance and interferometric techniques. It can be characterized by high potential accuracy, wide range of frequencies measured, prompt measurement and the opportunity to obtain a panoramic display of the results as well as full automation of the measuring process.

Anischenko, S. E.↗

Rarefied piezometric uptake apparatus and method for measuring gaseous uptake

A rarefied piezometric uptake apparatus and method for measuring gaseous uptake for large solid samples with little or no sample preparation. Past systems and methods require extensive sample preparation. The method includes providing a rarefied piezometric uptake apparatus having a dosing chamber and uptake chamber in an improved selective fluid communication. The apparatus and method improve the measurement of gaseous uptake into solid samples resulting in improved prediction of gas migration through solid samples such as geologic formations.

Paul, Matthew J.↗

CO, O3, and aerosol measurements from NASA Global Tropospheric Experiment - Test flights 1981

A series of four instrument test flights was conducted during July 1981 in preparation for the NASA Global Tropospheric Experiment. The purpose of the flights was to demonstrate the feasibility and value of simultaneously measuring several specific atmospheric pollutants over a 25 deg latitudinal range. Carbon monoxide and methane grab samples were obtained simultaneously with nearly continuous in situ ozone and remote ozone and aerosol optical radar measurements. The sampling platform was a NASA Electra, a four engine turboprop aircraft. Attention is given to CO and CH4 sample collection and analysis, ozone measurement methods, the aerosol measurement method, an interpretation of the optical radar display, and a synergistic consideration of results.

Hinton, R. R.↗

Energy Distribution among Reaction Products. III: The Method of Measured Relaxation Applied to H + Cl2

The method of measured relaxation is described for the determination of initial vibrational energy distribution in the products of exothermic reaction. Hydrogen atoms coming from an orifice were diffused into flowing chlorine gas. Measurements were made of the resultant ir chemiluminescence at successive points along the line of flow. The concurrent processes of reaction, diffusion, flow, radiation, and deactivation were analyzed in some detail on a computer. A variety of relaxation models were used in an attempt to place limits on k(nu prime), the rate constant for reaction to form HCl in specified vibrational energy levels: H+Cl2 yields (sup K(nu prime) HCl(sub nu prime) + Cl. The set of k(?) obtained from this work is in satisfactory agreement with those obtained by another experimental method (the method of arrested relaxation described in Parts IV and V of the present series.

Pacey, P. D.↗

Method of measuring thermal conductivity of high performance insulation

Method accurately measures the thermal conductivity of high-performance sheet insulation as a discrete function of temperature. It permits measurements to be made at temperature drops of approximately 10 degrees F across the insulation and ensures measurement accuracy by minimizing longitudinal heat losses in the system.

Hyde, E. H.↗

Measurements of Temperature Variations in the Atmosphere near the Tropopause with Reference to Airspeed Calibration by the Temperature Method

Measurements of temperature variations in the atmosphere near the tropopause over land in the vicinity of Langley Field, Va., are presented. This investigation was made for the purpose of obtaining information on the accuracy of the temperature method(NACA TN 2046) of airspeed calibration over the range of Mach number from 0.6 to .08. The temperature surveys and the description of a specially designed thermometer are also presented.

INSTRUMENTS, METEOROLOGICAL↗

A sensitive method for measuring atmospheric concentrations of sulfur dioxide

A new method for measuring tropospheric sulfur dioxide concentrations is proposed which is based on the mist chamber sampling method. At the present stage of development, the detection limit of the method is approximately 20 parts per trillion for a 45-min sampling time, with lower concentrations detectable with lower precision. The overall reproducibility of the method (+/-95 percent confidence intervals) is estimated at +/-10 percent. The technique is relatively simple, inexpensive, and lightweight, making it ideally suited for numerous field applications in atmospheric chemistry and biogeochemical studies from both ground-based and airborne platforms.

Klemm, O.↗