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At least 109 records · Page 6

Non-flammable polyimide materials for aircraft and spacecraft applications

Recent developments in polyimide chemistry show promise for producing materials with very low flammability and a wide range of mechanical properties. Polyimide foams can be synthesized to provide fire safety without detectable formation of smoke or toxic byproducts below 204 C (400 F), thus avoiding an environment which is lethal to human habitation. This work has been and is currently being performed under development programs, the objective of which is to provide cost effective processes for producing thermally stable, polyimide flexible resilient foams, thermal-acoustical insulating materials, rigid low density foam panels, and high strength foam structures. The chemical and physical properties demonstrated by these materials represent a technological advancement in the art of thermally stable polyimide polymers which are expected to insure fire protection of structures and components used in air transportation and space exploration. Data compiled to date on thermal, physical and functional properties of these materials are presented.

Gagliani, J.

The 1977 emissions inventory for southeastern Virginia

Regional tropospheric air pollution modeling and data compilation to simulate the time variation of species concentrations in and around an urban area is discussed. The methods used to compile an emissions inventory are outlined. Emissions factors for vehicular travel in the urban area are presented along with an analysis of the emission gases. Emission sources other than vehicular including industrial wastes, residential solid waste disposal, aircraft emissions, and emissions from the railroads are investigated.

Brewer, D. A.

A study of the longevity and operational reliability of Goddard Spacecraft, 1960-1980

Compiled data regarding the design lives and lifetimes actually achieved by 104 orbiting satellites launched by the Goddard Spaceflight Center between the years 1960 and 1980 is analyzed. Historical trends over the entire 21 year period are reviewed, and the more recent data is subjected to an examination of several key parameters. An empirical reliability function is derived, and compared with various mathematical models. Data from related studies is also discussed. The results provide insight into the reliability history of Goddard spacecraft an guidance for estimating the reliability of future programs.

Shockey, E. F.

The mineralogy of global magnetic anomalies

Progress is reported in developing predictive abilities to evaluate the potential stabilities of magnetic minerals in the Earth crust and mantle by: (1) computing oxidation state profiling as a function of temperature and pressure; (2) compiling data on basalts to establish validity of the oxidation state profiles; (3) determining Fe-Ni alloys in association with magnetitie as a function of temperature and oxidation state; and (4) acquiring large chemical data banks on the mineral ilmenite which decomposes to mineral spinel in the presence of high sulfur or carbonate environments in the lower crust upper mantle. In addition to acquiring these data which are related to constraining Curie isotherm depths, an excellent correlation was found between MAGSAT anomaly data and the geology of West Africa.

Haggerty, S. E.

Solar pond power plant feasibility study for Davis, California

The feasibility of constructing a solar pond power plant at Davis, California was studied. Site visits, weather data compilation, soil and water analyses, conceptual system design and analyses, a material and equipment market survey, conceptual site layout, and a preliminary cost estimate were studied. It was concluded that a solar pond power plant is technically feasible, but economically unattractive. The relatively small scale of the proposed plant and the high cost of importing salt resulted in a disproportionately high capital investment with respect to the annual energy production capacity of the plant. Cycle optimization and increased plant size would increase the economical attractiveness of the proposed concept.

Wu, Y. C.

Documentation for the machine-readable version of the Bright Star Catalogue

The machine-readable version of The Bright Star Catalogue, 4th edition, is described. In addition to the large number of newly determined fundamental data, such as photoelectric magnitudes, MK spectral types, parallaxes, and radial velocities, the new version contains data and information not included in the third edition such as the identification of IR sources, U-B and R-I colors, radial velocity comments (indication and identification of spectroscopic and occultation binaries), and projected rotational velocities. The equatorial coordinates for equinoxes 1900 and 2000 are recorded to greater precision details concerning variability, spectral characteristics, duplicity, and group membership are included. Data compiled through 1979, some information and variable-star designations found through 1981 are considered.

Warren, W. H., Jr.

Pitch angle distributions of geomagnetically trapped MeV helium ions during quiet times

It is noted that during geomagnetically quiet conditions, energetic radiation belt helium ion fluxes at MeV energies have been found to exhibit characteristic radial profiles and large pitch angle anisotropies. Compiling data from many experiments, a systematic dependence of this anisotropy with helium ion energy is deduced. Provided a certain approximation holds for the observed pitch angle distributions, an empirical relation is deduced involving the helium ion energy. The range of the total ion energy here is 0.59-9 MeV (148-2250 keV per nucleon). These values are obtained for L shells in the range where L is approximately 2 to 5. The results are compared with theoretical expectations, and a qualitative explanation for the observed trend is suggested.

Fritz, T. A.

Seismic properties of the crust and uppermost mantle of North America

Seismic refraction profiles for the North American continent were compiled. The crustal models compiled data on the upper mantle seismic velocity (P sub n), the crustal thickness (H sub c) and the average seismic velocity of the crystalline crust (V sub p). Compressional wave parameters were compared with shear wave data derived from surface wave dispersion models and indicate an average value for Poisson's ratio of 0.252 for the crust and of 0.273 for the uppermost mantle. Contour maps illustrate lateral variations in crustal thickness, upper mantle velocity and average seismic velocity of the crystalline crust. The distribution of seismic parameters are compared with a smoothed free air anomaly map of North America and indicate that a complidated mechanism of isostatic compensation exists for the North American continent. Several features on the seismic contour maps also correlate with regional magnetic anomalies.

Braile, L. W.

The path-length distribution for galactic cosmic-ray propagation - An energy-dependent depletion of short path lengths

It is shown that at low energies, the depletion of short path lengths in the interstellar cosmic-ray path-length distribution is a function of energy, decreasing in magnitude with increasing energy. The analysis leading to this conclusion is based on the comparison of compiled data for the B/C and sub-Fe/Fe ratios at 0.08-50 GeV per nucleon, with the results of detailed galactic propagation and solar modulation calculations, which include experimental values for the important nuclear cross sections. This energy dependence of the depletion resolves some of the conflicts between previous reports on the question of short path lengths and may be explained by models including a matter distribution around discrete sources or, possibly, by models invoking waves generated by particle-magnetic field interactions in the Galaxy.

Garcia-Munoz, M.

Photovoltaic performance models - A report card

Models for the analysis of photovoltaic (PV) systems' designs, implementation policies, and economic performance, have proliferated while keeping pace with rapid changes in basic PV technology and extensive empirical data compiled for such systems' performance. Attention is presently given to the results of a comparative assessment of ten well documented and widely used models, which range in complexity from first-order approximations of PV system performance to in-depth, circuit-level characterizations. The comparisons were made on the basis of the performance of their subsystem, as well as system, elements. The models fall into three categories in light of their degree of aggregation into subsystems: (1) simplified models for first-order calculation of system performance, with easily met input requirements but limited capability to address more than a small variety of design considerations; (2) models simulating PV systems in greater detail, encompassing types primarily intended for either concentrator-incorporating or flat plate collector PV systems; and (3) models not specifically designed for PV system performance modeling, but applicable to aspects of electrical system design. Models ignoring subsystem failure or degradation are noted to exclude operating and maintenance characteristics as well.

Smith, J. H.

Extensional tectonics on continents and the transport of heat and matter

Intracontinental zones of extensional tectonic style are commonly of finite width and length. Associated sedimentary troughs are fault-controlled. The evolution of those structures is accompanied by volcanic activity of variable intensity. The characteristic surface structures are usually underlaid by a lower crust of the transitional type while deeper subcustal areas show delayed travel times of seismic waves especially at young tectonic provinces. A correspondence between deep-seated processes and zones of continental extension appears obvious. A sequential order of mechanisms and their importance are discussed in the light of modern data compilations and quantitative kinematic and dynamic approaches. The Cenozoic exensional tectonics related with the Rhine River are discussed.

Neugebauer, H. J.

Radiation Effects on Polymer Properties

Report compiles data on effects of radiation on physical properties of synthetic organic materials. Emphasis on materials of interest to nuclear-equipment and nuclear-reactor designers. Data covers five categories of polymeric materials: Insulators, elastomeric seals and gaskets, lubricants, adhesives, and coatings. More than 250 materials represented.

Bouquet, F. L.

Effects of Radiation on Capacitor Dielectrics

Data gathered on key design parameters. Report discusses study of electrical and mechanical properties of irradiated polymer dielectric materials. Data compiled for use by designers of high-energy-density capacitors that operate in presence of ionizing radiation. Study focused on polycarbonates, polyetheretherketones, polymethylpentenes, polyimides (including polyetherimide), polyolefins, polysulfones (including polyethersulfone and polyphenylsulfone), and polyvinylidene fluorides.

Bouquet, F. L.

Near-field testing of the 5-meter model of the tetrahedral truss antenna

This report documents the technical results from near-field testing of the General Dynamics 5-meter model of the tetrahedral truss antenna at the Martin Marietta Denver Aerospace facility. A 5-meter square side of the tetrahedral served as the perimeter of the antenna, and a mesh surface and extensive surface contouring cord network was used to create a parabolic aperture shape to within an rms accuracy of 30 mils or better. Pattern measurements were made with offset feed systems radiating at frequencies of 7.73, 11.60, 2.27, and 4.26 (all in GHz). This report discusses the method of collecting the data, system measurement accuracy, the test data compiled, and diagostics and isolation of causes of pattern results. The technique of using near-field phase for measuring surface mechanical tolerances is included. Detailed far field antenna patterns and their implications are provided for all tests conducted.

Kefauver, Neill

Large-scale fluctuations in the solar wind at 1 AU - 1978-1982

The large-scale fluctuations in the strength of the magnetic field B and the bulk speed V at 1 AU were investigated on the basis of hourly averages of IMP 8 and ISEE 3 data compiled by Couzens and King (1986). The power spectra of the intermediate frequency fluctuations in B at 1 AU had the form of a power law with exponent 1.92 + or - 0.06 during the 1978-1982 interval. The contributions of jumps to the spectra of the large-scale fluctuations in B and V were studied for the interval from days 226 to 365, 1978, which is representative of other such intervals. Of the jumps in B, 22 percent have the signature of a forward or reverse shock.

Burlaga, L. F.

Extratropical aspects of the 40-50 day oscillation in length-of-day and atmospheric angular momentum

The 40-50-d oscillation in length-of-day (LOD) and AAM is investigated using the 12-yr overlap between two records: AAM data, compiled from the NMC, and LOD variation from the JPL Kalman-filtered earth rotation series. The NMC records are analyzed by latitude belts, in the light of the UCLA GCM results, in order to identify possibly distinct sources of the AAM oscillation in the midlatitudes and the tropics. Results suggest that two intraseasonal oscillations exist in the earth-atmosphere system: a tropical 50-d oscillation associated with the convectively driven waves of the type first described by Madden and Julian (1971) and a midlatitude 40-d oscillation associated with the interaction of nonzonal flow with topography.

Dickey, J. O.

Methods for evaluating the predictive accuracy of structural dynamic models

Modeling uncertainty is defined in terms of the difference between predicted and measured eigenvalues and eigenvectors. Data compiled from 22 sets of analysis/test results was used to create statistical databases for large truss-type space structures and both pretest and posttest models of conventional satellite-type space structures. Modeling uncertainty is propagated through the model to produce intervals of uncertainty on frequency response functions, both amplitude and phase. This methodology was used successfully to evaluate the predictive accuracy of several structures, including the NASA CSI Evolutionary Structure tested at Langley Research Center. Test measurements for this structure were within + one-sigma intervals of predicted accuracy for the most part, demonstrating the validity of the methodology and computer code.

Hasselman, Timothy K.

Effect of thermal processing practices on the properties of superplastic Al-Li alloys

The effect of thermal processing on the mechanical properties of superplastically formed structural components fabricated from three aluminum-lithium alloys was evaluated. The starting materials consisted of 8090, 2090, and X2095 (Weldalite(TM) 049), in the form of commercial-grade superplastic sheet. The experimental test matrix was designed to assess the impact on mechanical properties of eliminating solution heat treatment and/or cold water quenching from post-forming thermal processing. The extensive hardness and tensile property data compiled are presented as a function of aging temperature, superplastic strain and temper/quench rate for each alloy. The tensile properties of the materials following superplastic forming in two T5-type tempers are compared with the baseline T6 temper. The implications for simplifying thermal processing without degradation in properties are discussed on the basis of the results.

Hales, Stephen J.