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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
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NASA NTRS1973

Combustion detector

A device has been developed for generating a rapid response signal upon the radiation-emitting combustion reaction of certain gases in order to provide a means for the detection and identification of such reaction and concurrently discriminate against spurious signals. This combustion might be the first stage of a coal mine explosion process, and thereby this device could provide a warning of the impending explosion in time to initiate quenching action. This device has the capability of distinguishing between the light emitted from a combustion reaction and the light emitted by miners' lamps, electric lamps, welding sparks or other spurious events so that the quenching mechanism is triggered only when an explosion-initiating combustion occurs.

Trimpi, R. L.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Space shuttle atmospheric revitalization subsystem/active thermal control subsystem computer program (users manual)

A shuttle (ARS) atmosphere revitalization subsystem active thermal control subsystem (ATCS) performance routine was developed. This computer program is adapted from the Shuttle EC/LSS Design Computer Program. The program was upgraded in three noteworthy areas: (1) The functional ARS/ATCS schematic has been revised to accurately synthesize the shuttle baseline system definition. (2) The program logic has been improved to provide a more accurate prediction of the integrated ARS/ATCS system performance. Additionally, the logic has been expanded to model all components and thermal loads in the ARS/ATCS system. (3) The program is designed to be used on the NASA JSC crew system division's programmable calculator system. As written the new computer routine has an average running time of five minutes. The use of desk top type calculation equipment, and the rapid response of the program provides the NASA with an analytical tool for trade studies to refine the system definition, and for test support of the RSECS or integrated Shuttle ARS/ATCS test programs.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1973

SEC vidicon testing

Results obtained from several basic measurements of the performance of an SEC vidicon camera head are presented. The measurements or tests are patterned around the sensor requirements which exist for a rapid response coronagraph. Following a brief description of the SEC vidicon camera head, test set-up, and operating procedures, results are presented for five basic tests. These tests include: (1) Input-output, or transfer, characteristics; (2) modulation transfer function; (3) signal-to-noise ratio; (4) photocathode sensitivity; and (5) target gain. The input-output characteristics and photocathode sensitivity measurements were obtained for three bandpasses centered about 4000, 5250, and 6200 A. Results are also given for the variation of photocathode sensitivity with position on the cathode surface.

Johnson, D. S., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Measurements of solar wind helium in the lunar atmosphere

Measurements of lunar atmospheric helium during 1973 from the Apollo 17 surface mass spectrometer are presented. The average helium abundance is shown to be about 70% of the theoretical model value, suggesting that the solar wind helium flux in 1973, during sunspot minimum, was substantially less than the expected average flux. Large-amplitude transients in the helium data indicate rapid response of the lunar atmosphere to changes in solar wind. The atmospheric helium abundance is shown to be correlated with the geomagnetic index Kp.

Hodges, R. R., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Operational calm and the optimum regulation of human working capacity

Muscle hardness measurements in a squeezing dynamometer test are interpreted for expressions of adjustment effects of the central nervous system in rapid response to a starting signal. It is shown that preliminary muscle tension leads to the transmission of inhibiting proprioceptive impulses to the nervous system centers and that the degree of pre-working changes depends on the individual's typological personality characteristics. Concentration of attention during the pre-working adjustment is considered the primary emotional factor that controls sensorimotor performance.

Ilin, Y. P.↗
NASA NTRS1975

IMAGE 100: The interactive multispectral image processing system

The need for rapid, cost-effective extraction of useful information from vast quantities of multispectral imagery available from aircraft or spacecraft has resulted in the design, implementation and application of a state-of-the-art processing system known as IMAGE 100. Operating on the general principle that all objects or materials possess unique spectral characteristics or signatures, the system uses this signature uniqueness to identify similar features in an image by simultaneously analyzing signatures in multiple frequency bands. Pseudo-colors, or themes, are assigned to features having identical spectral characteristics. These themes are displayed on a color CRT, and may be recorded on tape, film, or other media. The system was designed to incorporate key features such as interactive operation, user-oriented displays and controls, and rapid-response machine processing. Owing to these features, the user can readily control and/or modify the analysis process based on his knowledge of the input imagery. Effective use can be made of conventional photographic interpretation skills and state-of-the-art machine analysis techniques in the extraction of useful information from multispectral imagery. This approach results in highly accurate multitheme classification of imagery in seconds or minutes rather than the hours often involved in processing using other means.

Schaller, E. S.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Skylab simulator visual displays and training for joint observing programs

The complexity of the Skylab Apollo Telescope Mount (ATM) experiment operations necessitated the use of high fidelity simulations of the onboard visual displays and pointing system for crew training. The displays which were simulated included the H-alpha displays, XUV monitor display, XUV/slit/white light display, X-ray image display, and the white light coronagraph display. The pointing simulation was achieved by projecting film sequences which were subsequently viewed by TV cameras. An optical system in front of the vidicons simulated the pointing, roll, and zoom capabilities of the ATM and sensing systems. The simulation enabled the Skylab crewmen to obtain valuable integrated training combining such tasks as target recognition and status assessment, complex and the time dependent pointing operations, malfunction analyses, and rapid responses to flare and other transient events.

Holt, A. C.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Wide-band observations of LF hiss at Frobisher Bay /L = 14.6/

Temporal and spectral characteristics of LF hiss recorded at Frobisher Bay from October 30 to November 18, 1972 and from June 27, 1974 to June 26, 1975 using a wide-band (0-100 kHz) receiver are reported and discussed. The hiss occurs in bursts of about 1 to 30 min duration with a bandwidth of at least 30 kHz centered in the 20-30 kHz range. Its frequency may extend downward below 10 kHz with decreasing intensity and upward to 100 kHz with increasing intensity. There is a strong diurnal peak of occurrence centered on 21 hours LMT. Some events simultaneously recorded by a 30-MHz rapid response riometer directly follow LF hiss bursts. Apparently some electron precipitation events produce hiss bursts only, others produce hiss and then a riometer event as the precipitation flux hardens, and others, too hard to produce hiss, produce riometer events only. An examination of the present data together with previous results (Jorgensen et al., 1962; Laaspere et al., 1976) leads to the conclusion that the precipitating electrons causing ground-observed LF hiss are more energetic and have smaller pitch angles than most auroral hiss observed in the topside atmosphere with an electric dipole antenna.

Morgan, M. G.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Surface crystalline carbon temperature sensor

The described sensor has been used to measure small temperature changes in investigations related to the study of the properties of superfluid helium under zero-gravity conditions. The sensor requirements included high sensitivity, rapid response, small size, reproducibility, and ease of application to a test surface. In the preparation of the sensor a thin film of a commercially available carbon colloidal suspension is deposited on a substrate which must be electrically insulated or be covered with an insulating layer.

Petrac, D.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Sensor for distinguishing liquid-vapor phases of superfluid helium

A small, high-accuracy, rapid-response, low-power-dissipation sensor used in determining the distribution of the liquid and vapor phases of helium in a rocket-borne cryogenic cooler is described. The device, which consists of a 6 mm constantan wire coated for about two-thirds of its length with a superconductor alloy, operates on the basis of the coating's alternation between superconductivity (during immersion in the fluid) and a normal resistive state (during immersion in the vapor). The sensor's response time upon shift from one environment to the other is found to be less than 10 milliseconds. Details of design criteria, and installation of an array of sensors in a flight dewar are also given.

Petrac, D.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Cloud volume studies

A time history of cloud growth for the Titan 3 launch was obtained by using optical data provided by three Askania trackers (position of the cloud) and three Hasselblad cameras (cloud volume). Two quasi-independent measurements of ground cloud volume as a function of time were obtained. Aircraft time in the cloud, as measured by the rapid response nephelometer onboard the aircraft, was used for determining cloud volume. Cloud volume from aircraft measurements for the entire operation is summarized.

Bendura, R. J.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Coronal observations from the SMM satellite

The scientific purpose, coronal observations, and the instrument design and control of the Coronagraph/Polarimeter aboard the Solar Maximum Mission (SMM) satellite are discussed. The instruments were made with an optical design using an achromatic objective lens providing a 10 arcsec resolution in imaging and an SEC vidicon detector allowing integration on the low light levels of the corona. The computer control assures flexibility in the observing program to optimize observations of changing solar phenomena and allows rapid response to SMM or ground-commanded solar flare alerts.

Csoeke-Poeckh, A.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Protein synthesis rates in atrophied gastrocnemius muscles after limb immobilization

Noting that protein synthesis declines in the gastrocnemius 6 hr after immobilization, the study sought to detect an increase of protein synthesis when the limb was freed, and to examine the effects of exercise on the rate of increase. Rats were used as subjects, with their hind legs in plaster of Paris in plantar flexion to eliminate strain on the gastrocnemius. Periods of immobilization were varied and samples of blood from the muscle were taken to track protein synthesis rates for different groups in immobilization and exercise regimens (running and weightlifting). Synthesis rates declined 3.6% during time in the cast, then increased 6.3%/day after the casts were removed. Both running and weightlifting were found to increase the fractional rate of protein formation in the gastrocnemius muscle when compared with contralateral muscles that were not exercised and were used as controls, suggesting that the mechanism controlling protein synthesis in skeletal muscles is rapidly responsive to changes in muscular contractile activity.

Tucker, K. R.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Displaying Geographically-Based Domestic Statistics

Decision Information Display System (DIDS) is rapid-response information-retrieval and color-graphics display system. DIDS transforms tables of geographically-based domestic statistics (such as population or unemployment by county, energy usage by county, or air-quality figures) into high-resolution, color-coded maps on television display screen.

Quann, J.↗
NASA NTRS1981

North Wind 4kW passive control system design

An overview of a mechanical rotor control design is presented. Operation at constant RPM and rapid response are obtained by using blade pitch moments for both sensing control need and blade pitch actuation. The basic concept, static or equilibrium design, and dynamic analysis are briefly presented.

Currin, H.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Introductory aerothermodynamics of advanced space transportation systems

An assessment is made of the severity of the physical phenomena affecting the aerothermodynamics of advanced space transportation system hypervelocity flights at low ambient density, and flight domains corresponding to these phenomena are mapped. The development of advanced computational codes that will be needed when approximate conceptual studies have defined advantageous configurations is discussed. The advanced space transportation systems considered are an aeroassisted orbital transfer vehicle and a small, rapid response maneuverable craft which is launched either from earth or a conventional aircraft, assumes near-earth orbit, and finally reenters with lift and cross range capability to land on an airstrip.

Howe, J. T.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Materials properties data base computerization

Material property data plays a key role in the design of jet engine components. Consistency, accuracy and efficient use of material property data is of prime importance to the engineering community. The system conception, development, implementation, and future plans for computer software that captures the Material Properties Handbook into a scientific data base are described. The engineering community is given access to raw data and property curves, display of multiple curves for material evaluation and selection, direct access by design analysis computer programs, display of the material specification, and a historical repository for the material evolution. The impact of this activity includes significant productivity gains and cost reductions; all users have access to the same information nd provides consistent, rapid response to the needs of the engineering community. Future plans include incorporating the materials properties data base into a network environment to access information from other data bases and download information to engineering work stations.

Baur, R. G.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Oxidation behavior of a thermal barrier coating

Thermal barrier coatings, consisting of a plasma sprayed calcium silicate ceramic layer and a CoCrAlY or NiCrAlY bond coat, were applied on B-1900 coupons and cycled hourly in air in a rapid-response furnace to maximum temperatures of 1030, 1100, or 1160 C. Eight specimens were tested for each of the six conditions of bond-coat composition and temperature. Specimens were removed from test at the onset of failure, which was taken to be the formation of a fine surface crack visible at 10X magnification. Specimens were weighed periodically, and plots of weight gain vs time indicate that weight is gained at a parabolic rate after an initial period where weight was gained at a much greater rate. The high initial oxidation rate is thought to arise from the initially high surface area in the porous bond coat. Specimen life (time to first crack) was found to be a strong function of temperature. However, while test lives varied greatly with time, the weight gain at the time of specimen failure was quite insensitive to temperature. This indicates that there is a critical weight gain at which the coating fails when subjected to this test.

Miller, R. A.↗