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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
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1976

An engineering procedure for calculating compressive strength of isogrid cylindrical shells with buckled skin

An engineering procedure is presented for calculating the compressive buckling strength of isogrid cylinders using shell of revolution techniques and accounting for loading beyond the material proportional limit and/or local buckling of the skin prior to general buckling. A general nondimensional chart is presented which can be used in conjunction with formulas based on simple deformation plasticity theory to calculate postbuckling stiffnesses of the skin. The stiffening grid system is treated as an equivalent isotropic grid layer. Stiffnesses are determined for this grid layer, when loaded beyond the proportional limit, by the same plasticity theory used for the skin and a nonlinear stress-strain curve constructed from simple isogrid-handbook formulas and standard-reference-manual stress-strain curves for the material involved. Comparison of prebuckling strains and buckling results obtained by this procedure with data from a large isogrid-cylinder test is excellent with the calculated buckling load no more than 4 percent greater than the test value.

Heard, W. L., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Water quality indicators obtainable from aircraft and Landsat images and their use in classifying lakes

Equations describing the interaction of sunlight and skylight with the surface of a lake, particles in the water to the depth where light is extinguished, and lake bottom are presented, and the use of aircraft and Landsat images to derive water quality indicators on the basis of these interactions is discussed. A very clear, deep lake with a backscatter signal similar to that of distilled water is used as a reference standard. The degree of turbidity of other target lakes is determined by comparing their residual radiance with the clear lake standard and with the residual radiance of a lake whose turbidity has been determined from water samples. The relative and absolute strengths of residual radiance are used to determine the type and concentration of suspended material, respectively. Oil slicks are characterized by an increased specular reflectance component, decreased signal from the underlying water, and added backscatter signal from the oil volume.

Scherz, J. P.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Results of the 1974 through 1977 NASA/JPL balloon flight solar cell calibration program

From 1974 through 1977, seven solar cell calibration flights and two R&D flights with a spectroradiometer as a payload were attempted. There were two R&D flights, and one calibration flight that failed. Each calibration flight balloon was designed to carry its payload to an altitude of 36.6 km (120 kft). The R&D flight balloons were designed for a payload altitude of 47.5 km (150 kft). At the end of the flight period, the upper (solar cell calibration system) and lower (consolidated instrument package (DIP) payloads were separated from the balloon and descend via parachutes. The calibrated solar cells recovered in this manner were used as primary intensity reference standards during solar simulator testing of solar cells and solar arrays with similar spectral response characteristics. This method of calibration has become the most widely accepted technique for developing space standard solar cells.

Sidwell, L. B.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Measuring transmissivity of solar-cell covers

Apparatus uses simulated solar point source refracted by condensing lens to determine ratio of transmissivity of solar cell cover material to that of standard reference specimen.

Laue, E. G.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Accuracy assessment: The statistical approach to performance evaluation in LACIE

A statistical methodology was developed to check the accuracy of the products of the experimental operations throughout crop growth and to determine whether the procedures are adequate to accomplish the desired accuracy and reliability goals. It has allowed the identification and isolation of key problems in wheat area yield estimation, some of which have been corrected and some of which remain to be resolved. The major unresolved problem in accuracy assessment is that of precisely estimating the bias of the LACIE production estimator. Topics covered include: (1) evaluation techniques; (2) variance and bias estimation for the wheat production estimate; (3) the 90/90 evaluation; (4) comparison of the LACIE estimate with reference standards; and (5) first and second order error source investigations.

Houston, A. G.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Results of the 1980 NASA/JPL balloon flight solar cell calibration program

Thirty-eight modules were carried to an altitude of about 36 kilometers. In addition to the cell calibration program, an experiment to evaluate the calibration error versus altitude was performed. The calibrated cells can be used as reference standards in simulator testing of cells and arrays.

Seaman, C. H.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Performance tests of a gas blending system based on mass-flow controllers

The system provides many of the gas mixtures required for calibrating analytical instruments used in engine exhaust gas analysis and is capable of blending from one to four additive gases with either of two carrier gases in concentrations from 20 ppm to 50%. Two mixtures can be flowing simultaneously. Performance tests were made to determine the stability accuracy of the system while it was in limited use for a period of 2 years. The accuracy of the blender was measured by comparing binary mixtures from the blender with National Bureau of Standards standard reference materials. Analytical instruments were used to make these comparisons. The expected accuracy of 2% was obtained in some of the tests, by the majority showed a systematic biAs of -5%. Although these tests revealed subtle instabilities in the flow controllers that contributed to the random scatter of data, the accuracy of wet test meters and bubble flowmeters used for calibration is marginal for this purpose. A simple procedure is recommended that should enable the full potential of the system to be realized.

Evans, A., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Explosive materials equivalency, test methods and evaluation

Attention is given to concepts of explosive equivalency of energetic materials based on specific airblast parameters. A description is provided of a wide bandwidth high accuracy instrumentation system which has been used extensively in obtaining pressure time profiles of energetic materials. The object of the considered test method is to determine the maximum output from the detonation of explosive materials in terms of airblast overpressure and positive impulse. The measured pressure and impulse values are compared with known characteristics of hemispherical TNT data to determine the equivalency of the test material in relation to TNT. An investigation shows that meaningful comparisons between various explosives and a standard reference material such as TNT should be based upon the same parameters. The tests should be conducted under the same conditions.

Koger, D. M.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Fabrication division ultrasonic inspection specification for critically stressed components

An ultrasonic inspection specification which incorporates existing industry practices for straight beam modes with a new approach to the angle beam reference standard was developed. The method employs a commercially available letter "I" die stamp to impress a controlled shape ultrasonic reflector using common hand tools. The specification is designed to produce very stringent inspections and is primarily intended for utilization in the grading of material used in high load-low safety factor applications, such as cryogenic wind tunnel models and support hardware.

Berry, R. F., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Results of the 1982 NASA/JPL balloon flight solar cell calibration program

The 1982 solar cell calibration balloon flight was successfully completed on July 21, meeting all objectives of the program. Twenty-eight modules were carried to an altitude of 36.0 kilometers. The calibrated cells can now be used as reference standards in simulator testing of cells and arrays.

Downing, R. G.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Current status of visibility sensors for aviation

The development of a new increased range higher visibility was investigated. The visibility sensor that is currently is the Transmissometer. Current transmissometer technology provides only a factor of 10 dynamic range with a single base line. The FAA is preparing to install automated weather observing systems (AWOS) at many locations. These systems require visibilities up to approximately 5 miles. To use a transmissometer for this type of measurement, the base line must be about 1,000 feet; where alignment becomes very difficult to maintain. New technologies were developd for measuring visibility. Improved transmissometers, forward-scatter meters and back-scatter meters have become available. A current practical issue for visibility sensors is how to specify one that is good enough to meet the needs of aviation. The first question is what performance is required; how accurately must the sensor measure? Visibility sensors do not actually measure the visibility directly. The purpose of measuring the visibility is to predict what the pilot will see a considerable distance away from the sensor location. The atmosphere introduces considerable variation in the measurement and the basic sensor accuracy needed is difficult to define. The second question for high visibilities is what to use as the standard reference sensor. The third question pertains to the competitive procurement of visibility sensors, which is mandated at present. Two acceptance test procedures to be used to insure satisfactory sensor performance is examined.

David C. Burnham↗
NASA NTRS1983

A FMCW Radar Ranging Device for the Teleoperator Maneuvering System

A frequency-modulated continuous wave radar system is under development in the Communications Systems Branch of the Information and Electronic Systems Laboratory at Marshall Space Flight Center. The radar unit is being designed for use on the teleoperator maneuvering system. Its function is to provide millimeter-level accuracy in range and range rate measurements out to a range of thirty meters. This will facilitate soft docking with accuracy. This report is an updating of previous developments reported on this system. An innovation in the system is the utilization of a standard reference signal generated by shunting a portion of the radar energy into a shorted coaxial delay line. The regular radar target return signal is constantly compared with the reference signal to provide internal error compensation. Within a five meter range, a limit imposed by present laboratory dimensions, the radar system exhibits reliable accuracy with range error less than 0.2%.

Mcdonald, M. W.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Results of the 1983 NASA/JPL balloon flight solar cell calibration program

The 1983 solar cell calibration balloon flight was successfully completed and met all objectives of the program. Thirty-four modules were carried to an altitude of 36.0 kilometers. The calibrated cells can now be used as reference standards in simulator testing of cells and arrays. Cell calibration data are tabulated as well as the repeatability of standard solar cell BFS-17A (35 flights over a 21-year period).

Downing, R. G.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Data distribution in the NBS Automated Manufacturing Research Facility

The Automated Manufacturing Research Facility (AMRF) at the National Bureau of Standards was constructed as a testbed for research in the automation of small batch maufacturing, in particular for systems producing machined parts in lots of 1000 or less. Potential standard interfaces between existing and future components of small batch of factory floor metrology in an automated environment, delivering proven measurement techniques and standard reference materails industry to are identified. Commercially available product are used to construct the facility to expedite transfer of research results into the private sector.

Mitchell, M. J.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Advanced photovoltaic experiment (S0014)

The advanced photovoltaics-related experiments for investigating a portion of the solar spectrum and the effect of the space environment on photovoltaics. The information will be used to provide correlation between space and ground testing and also to provide for more accurate performance measurement in the laboratory. Specific objectives of these experiments are to provide information on the performance and endurance of advanced and conventional solar cells, to improve reference standards for photovoltaic measurements, and to measure the energy distribution in the extraterrestrial solar spectrum. Data to be obtained will include temperatures and short-circuit current of the samples. Six-point current-voltage (I-V) characteristics will be obtained for selected samples. These data will be recorded once a day during the flight. Orbit data will be correlated with preflight and postflight measurement of the samples.

Bradhorst, H. W., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Results of the 1984 NASA/JPL balloon flight solar cell calibration program

The 1984 solar cell calibration balloon flight was successfully completed on July 19, meeting all objectives of the program. Thirty-six modules were carried to an altitude of 36.0 kilometers. The calibrated cells can now be used as reference standards in simulator testing of cells and arrays.

Downing, R. G.↗
NASA NTRS1985

A finding list for the multiplet tables of NSRDS-NBS3, Sections 1-10

The preparation of a magnetic-tape finding list for the first 10 sections of the U.S. National Bureau of Standards Reference Data System (NSRDS-NBS3) tables of optical multiplets of astrophysical interest (Moore, 1965-1983) is reported. The format of the list is described, and a sample page is provided.

Adelman, C. J.↗