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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 127 records · Page 7

A high accuracy gyroscope readout test facility for the relativity gyroscope experiment

An apparatus is under construction for ground-based testing of a gyroscope system to be used in a satellite test of general relativity. The immediate goal is a readout capable of measuring the direction of the gyroscope spin axis to an angular resolution of one arcsecond over a limited range. A combination of SQUID magnetometers and persistent current loops are used to measure the London moment of the spinning superconducting rotor levitated electrostatically. To obtain a trapped flux signal in the gyroscope sufficiently smaller than the London moment signal, the apparatus makes use of a new magnetic field shielding technique for obtaining large superconductor shielded regions below 0.1 millionth of a Gauss.

Cabrera, B.↗

Interaction of hydrogen chloride with alumina

The influence of temperature, pressure, and outgas conditions on the absorption of hydrogen chloride and water vapor on both alpha and gamma alumina was studied. Characterization of the adsorbents was performed using X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), low temperature nitrogen adsorption desorption measurements, BET nitrogen surface area measurements and electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA). Water vapor adsorption isotherms at 30, 40, and 50 C were measured on alpha and gamma alumina after outgassing at 80, 200, and 400 C. Both outgas temperature and adsorption temperature influenced the adsorption of water vapor on the aluminas. The water vapor adsorption was completely reversible. Alpha alumina absorbed more water per unit area than gamma alumina. Differences in the adsorption capacity for water vapor of the two aluminas were explained on the basis of ideal surface models of alpha and gamma alumina. Isosteric heats of adsorption for water vapor on the aluminas were determined over a limited range of surface coverage.

Bailey, R. R.↗

Ultra-low magnetic field apparatus for a cryogenic gyroscope

An ultralow magnetic field apparatus for earth-based testing of a cryogenic gyroscope system designed for a satellite test of general relativity is described. The magnetic field apparatus makes use of a superconducting lead shield while also maintaining sufficient mechanical stability to obtain a gyroscope readout sensitivity of one arcsec over a limited range. A gyroscope environment of 2.3 times 10 to the minus seventh power gauss has been attained with the magnetic field shielding technique. The magnetic field apparatus is to be used with a three-axis London moment readout system.

Cabrera, B.↗

Shatter cones - An outstanding problem in shock mechanics

Shatter cone characteristics are surveyed. Shatter cones, a form of rock fracture in impact structures, apparently form as a shock front interacts with inhomogeneities or discontinuities in the rock. Topics discussed include morphology, conditions of formation, shock pressure of formation, and theories of formation. It is thought that shatter cones are produced within a limited range of shock pressures extending from about 20 to perhaps 250 kbar. Apical angles range from less than 70 deg to over 120 deg. Tentative hypotheses concerning the physical process of shock coning are considered. The range in shock pressures which produce shatter cones might correspond to the range in which shock waves decompose into elastic and deformational fronts.

Milton, D. J.↗

Determination of volume fraction in multiphase systems using incomplete pole figures

The determination of the volume fraction of a second phase in a multiphase sample by X-ray diffraction becomes more difficult if the diffracting planes have a preferred orientation. Lopata and Kula have described a method of treating this problem using complete pole figures for each of the phases. With some samples, it is not always possible or convenient to obtain data over the full hemisphere. Equations and an example are given which require X-ray data over a limited range of approximately 0 to 75 deg. This can be obtained by reflection without a specially cut sample or transmission data. A series of Legendre polynomials are fitted to data collected while spinning the sample about its normal. An extrapolation is made possible by introducing two conditions on the end points which must be satisfied if the extrapolation functions are to be valid.

Houska, C. R.↗

Diagnostics of wear in aeronautical systems

The use of appropriate diagnostic tools for aircraft oil wetted components is reviewed, noting that it can reduce direct operating costs through reduced unscheduled maintenance, particularly in helicopter engine and transmission systems where bearing failures are a significant cost factor. Engine and transmission wear modes are described, and diagnostic methods for oil and wet particle analysis, the spectrometric oil analysis program, chip detectors, ferrography, in-line oil monitor and radioactive isotope tagging are discussed, noting that they are effective over a limited range of particle sizes but compliment each other if used in parallel. Fine filtration can potentially increase time between overhauls, but reduces the effectiveness of conventional oil monitoring techniques so that alternative diagnostic techniques must be used. It is concluded that the development of a diagnostic system should be parallel and integral with the development of a mechanical system.

Wedeven, L. D.↗

An experimental investigation of two large annular diffusers with swirling and distorted inflow

Two annular diffusers downstream of a nacelle-mounted fan were tested for aerodynamic performance, measured in terms of two static pressure recovery parameters (one near the diffuser exit plane and one about three diameters downstream in the settling duct) in the presence of several inflow conditions. The two diffusers each had an inlet diameter of 1.84 m, an area ratio of 2.3, and an equivalent cone angle of 11.5, but were distinguished by centerbodies of different lengths. The dependence of diffuser performance on various combinations of swirling, radially distorted, and/or azimuthally distorted inflow was examined. Swirling flow and distortions in the axial velocity profile in the annulus upstream of the diffuser inlet were caused by the intrinsic flow patterns downstream of a fan in a duct and by artificial intensification of the distortions. Azimuthal distortions or defects were generated by the addition of four artificial devices (screens and fences). Pressure recovery data indicated beneficial effects of both radial distortion (for a limited range of distortion levels) and inflow swirl. Small amounts of azimuthal distortion created by the artificial devices produced only small effects on diffuser performance. A large artificial distortion device was required to produce enough azimuthal flow distortion to significantly degrade the diffuser static pressure recovery.

Eckert, W. T.↗

Flow oscillations of spike-tipped bodies

The oscillating flow field around a spike-tipped body has been simulated by the numerical solution of the 3-D compressible Navier-Stokes equations at a Mach number of 3.0 and a nominal Reynolds number of 7.87 x 10 to the 6th/m. Computations were performed using a vectorized 3-D Navier-Stokes program on the STAR 100 computer. Numerical solutions confirmed the experimental result that the self-sustained oscillation occurs within a limited range of the protruded spike length to shoulder height ratio. The numerical result predicted correctly the discrete frequency range as well as the rms pressure intensity. The detailed flow structure is also presented and discussed.

Shang, J. S.↗

The planet Mars as seen at the end of the Viking mission

The paper presents a summary of new knowledge about Mars obtained from Mariner and Viking missions. Specific subjects include Martian geologic features, composition of the surface, the atmosphere, and the polar caps, and Martian meteorology, including temperatures, pressures, tides, dust storms, and atmospheric water vapor. The program of further Mars exploration is outlined. The major element of the program will be a sample return mission, utilizing orbiters and limited-range rovers with enough instrumentation to identify, acquire, and return well documented samples from two or more sites.

Snyder, C. W.↗

Noise suppression due to annulus shaping of a conventional coaxial nozzle

Previous studies have shown that increasing the annulus width of a conventional coaxial nozzle with constant bypass velocity will lower the noise level. In the present model-scale study, the annulus was shaped by an eccentric mounting of the annular nozzle with respect to the conical core nozzle. Acoustic measurements were made in the flyover plane below the widest portion of the annulus and at 90 deg and 180 deg from this point. The model-scale spectra are scaled up to engine size (1.07 m diameter) and the perceived noise levels for the eccentric and concentric coaxial nozzles are compared over a limited range of operating conditions. The implications of the acoustic benefits derived from the eccentric nozzle to practical applications are discussed.

Von Glahn, U.↗

IUE observations of WZ Sagittae in outburst

Preliminary results of the analysis of the low resolution spectra from the recurring nova WZ Sagittae are discussed with reference to the similarity between WZ Sge and dwarf novae and the applicability of accretion disk models. It is found that the spectrum observed on Dec. 1, 1978, is in very good agreement with a simple steady-state disk model of Lynden-Bell (1969) which predicts a power law spectrum over a limited range of frequency. Analysis of the observations within the framework of this model gives a value of the mass of the white dwarf larger than that estimated by Robinson et al (1978).

Holm, A. V.↗

The reverse laser drilling of transparent materials

Within a limited range of incident laser-beam intensities, laser drilling of a sapphire wafer initiates on the surface of the wafer where the laser beam exits and proceeds upstream in the laser beam to the surface where the laser beam enters the wafer. This reverse laser drilling is the result of the constructive interference between the laser beam and its reflected component on the exit face of the wafer. Constructive interference occurs only at the exit face of the sapphire wafer because the internally reflected laser beam suffers no phase change there. A model describing reverse laser drilling predicts the ranges of incident laser-beam intensity where no drilling, reverse laser drilling, and forward laser drilling can be expected in various materials. The application of reverse laser drilling in fabricating feed-through conductors in silicon-on-sapphire wafers for a massively parallel processer is described.

Anthony, T. R.↗

Effect of a semi-annular thermal acoustic shield on jet exhaust noise

The effect of a semi-annular acoustic shield on jet exhaust noise is investigated with the rationale that such a configuration would reduce or eliminate the multiple reflection mechanism. A limited range of flow conditions for one nozzle/shield configuration were studied at model scale. Noise measurements for a 10 cm conical nozzle with a semi-annular acoustical shield are presented in terms of lossless free field data at various angular locations with respect to the nozzle. Measurements were made on both the shielded and unshielded sides of the nozzle. Model scale overall sound pressure level directivity patterns and comparisons of model scale spectral data are provided. The results show that a semi-annular thermal acoustic shield consisting of a low velocity, high temperature gas stream partially surrounding a central jet exhibits lower noise levels than when the central jet is operated alone. The results are presented parametrically, showing the effects of various shield and central system velocities and temperatures.

Goodykoontz, J.↗

A parallel VLSI architecture for a digital filter of arbitrary length using Fermat number transforms

A parallel architecture for computation of the linear convolution of two sequences of arbitrary lengths using the Fermat number transform (FNT) is described. In particular a pipeline structure is designed to compute a 128-point FNT. In this FNT, only additions and bit rotations are required. A standard barrel shifter circuit is modified so that it performs the required bit rotation operation. The overlap-save method is generalized for the FNT to compute a linear convolution of arbitrary length. A parallel architecture is developed to realize this type of overlap-save method using one FNT and several inverse FNTs of 128 points. The generalized overlap save method alleviates the usual dynamic range limitation in FNTs of long transform lengths. Its architecture is regular, simple, and expandable, and therefore naturally suitable for VLSI implementation.

Truong, T. K.↗

Plasma observations near Saturn - Initial results from Voyager 2

Results of plasma measurements made by Voyager 2 in the vicinity of Saturn are discussed and compared with those made by Pioneer 11 and Voyager 1 in a more limited range of latitudes. The initial bow shock crossing on the inbound trajectory closely agreed with the shock position inferred from the external ram pressure in the solar wind, although boundaries on the outbound pass were much further out than expected. Magnetospheric plasma observations reveal the presence of (1) shocked solar wind plasma in the magnetosheath between 30 and 22 Saturn radii; (2) a variable density region between 17 Saturn radii and the magnetopause; (3) an extended thick plasma sheet between 17 and 7 Saturn radii; and (4) an inner plasma torus probably originating from local sources. The ratio of heavy to light ions was observed to vary with distance to the equatorial plane in the dayside magnetosphere, with the heavy ions, probably O(+), more closely confined to the equatorial plane. The plasma data also account for the observed inner boundary of the neutral hydrogen torus discovered by Voyager 1.

Bridge, H. S.↗

The ionization equilibrium inside the RHO Ophiuchi cloud

Observational technology is now reaching the point where optical absorption-line studies of dark interstellar clouds are becoming feasible. Such studies are of great interest. In particular, it will be important to discover the degree of depletion which has occurred in dark clouds. In order to assess depletions on the basis of observations of a limited range of ionization stages, it is necessary to analyze the ionization balance. The present investigation is concerned with such an analysis. The two key parameters necessary for deducing the ionization balance are the electron density and the radiation field intensity. A summary is provided regarding the existing data on the cloud density using data from the literature, and the radiation field intensity is derived from the observed H2 rotational excitation. The implications of both the density and radiation field data for the ionization balance of several species are discussed. It is found that for all species treated the first ion is dominant in the line of sight toward HD 147889.

Snow, T. P., Jr.↗

The cosmological evolution and luminosity function of X-ray selected active galactic nuclei

The cosmological evolution and the X-ray luminosity function of X-ray selected active galactic nuclei (AGNs) are derived and discussed. The sample used consists of 31 AGNs extracted from a fully identified sample of X-ray sources from the Einstein Observatory Medium Sensitivity Survey and is therefore exclusively defined by its X-ray properties. The distribution in space is found to be strongly nonuniform. The amount of cosmological evolution required by the X-ray data is derived in the framework of pure luminosity evolution and is found to be smaller than the amount determined from optically selected samples. The X-ray luminosity function is derived. It can be satisfactorily represented by a single power law only over a limited range of absolute luminosities. Evidence that the luminosity function flattens at low luminosity or steepens at high luminosity, or both, is presented and discussed.

Maccacaro, T.↗

Extrapolation of optimum design based on sensitivity derivatives

In many applications, it is useful to have information regarding the effect of the perturbations of the design problem constants (parameters) on the optimum solution of the problem. Sobieszczanski-Sobieski et al. (1981) have, therefore, proposed to utilize an optimum sensitivity analysis as a structural design tool to assess the parameter perturbation effects by extrapolations based on optimum sensitivity derivatives. The present investigation is concerned with an example of optimum sensitivity analysis involving a composite panel. The case was selected in connection with the nonlinearity of the constraints and, the tendency for a set of active constraints to change when the parameters are disturbed. Under these adverse conditions, sensitivity derivatives are used in linear extrapolations to extend optimization information over a limited range of variation for a typical parameter.

Barthelemy, J.-F. M.↗