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At least 127 records · Page 7

Modified pipe extension safely releases chain binders

Pipe, cut partly in half lengthwise, and cupped and notched at one end, safely releases tension in chain binders that cinch tiedown chains around truck loads. Device prevents binder-handle from being thrown violently during release.

Haw, D. W.↗

Application of aerial photography to water-related programs in Michigan

Aerial photography and information system technology were used to generate information required for the effective operation of three water-related programs in Michigan. Potential mosquito breeding sites were identified from specially acquired low altitude 70 mm color photography for the city of Lansing; the inventory identified 35% more surface water areas than indicated on existing field maps. A comprehensive inventory of surface water sources and potential access sites was prepared to assist fire departments in Antrim County with fire truck water-recharge operations. Remotely-sensed land cover/use data for Windsor Township, Eaton County, were integrated with other resource data into a computer-based information system for regional water quality studies. Eleven thematic maps focusing on landscape features affecting non-point water pollution and waste disposal were generated from analyses of a four-hectare grid-based data file containing land cover/use, soils, topographic and geologic (well-log) data.

Enslin, W. R.↗

Estimation of soil moisture with radar remote sensing

The radar response to soil moisture content was investigated using a truck-mounted 1-18 GHz (30-1.67 cm wavelength, respectively) active microwave spectrometer (MAS) system. The sensitivity to soil moisture content and the accuracy with which it could be estimated were evaluated for both bare and vegetation-covered fields. Bare field experiments were conducted to determine the optimum radar parameters (frequency, angle of incidence range, and polarization configuration) for minimizing the response to surface roughness while retaining strong sensitivity to moisture content. In the vegetation-covered case, the effects of crop type, crop height and row direction relative to the radar look direct were evaluated.

Batlivala, P. P.↗

Baseline tests of the AM General DJ-5E electruck electric delivery van

An electric quarter ton truck designed for use as a postal delivery vehicle was tested to characterize the state of the art of electric vehicles. Vehicle performance test results are presented. It is powered by a single-module, 54 volt industrial battery through a silicon controlled rectifier continuously adjustable controller with regenerative braking applied to a direct current compound wound motor.

Dustin, M. O.↗

Flight tests of a radio-controlled airplane mode with a free-wing, free-canard configuration

Flight characteristics, controllability, and potential operating problems were investigated in a radio-controlled airplane model in which the wing is so attached to the fuselage that it is free to pivot about a spanwise axis forward of its aerodynamic center and is subject only to aerodynamic pitching moments imposed by lift and drag forces and a control surface. A simple technique of flying the test vehicle in formation with a pickup truck was used to obtain trim data. The test vehicle was flown through a series of maneuvers designed to permit evaluation of certain characteristics by observation. The free-wing free-canard concept was determined to be workable. Stall/spin characteristics were considered to be excellent, and no effect on longitudinal stability was observed when center of gravity changes were made. Several problems were encountered during the early stages of flight testing, such as aerodynamic lockup of the free canard and excessive control sensitivity. Lack of onboard instrumentation precluded any conclusions about gust alleviation or ride qualities.

Gee, S. W.↗

Influence of central venous pressure upon sinus node responses to arterial baroreflex stimulation in man

Measurements were made of sinus node responses to arterial baroreceptor stimulation with phenylephrine injection or neck suction, before and during changes of central venous pressure provoked by lower body negative pressure or leg and lower truck elevation. Variations of central venous pressure between 1.1 and 9.0 mm Hg did not influence arterial baroreflex mediated bradycardia. Baroreflex sinus node responses were augmented by intravenous propranolol, but the level of responses after propranolol was comparable during the control state, lower body negative pressure, and leg and trunk elevation. Sinus node responses to very brief baroreceptor stimuli applied during the transitions of central venous pressure also were comparable in the three states. The authors conclude that physiological variations of central venous pressure do not influence sinus node responses to arterial baroreceptor stimulation in man.

Mark, A. L.↗

Passengers in containers

A futuristic vision of future passenger and cargo transport is presented. To speed up lengthy transit operations, passengers would be accomodated in comfortable, compartment-like containers. Several diagrams show how such containers can be accomodated aboard an aircraft or a helicopter, on a truck, or in a railroad car. A system would result in great economy in both cost and time. Of particular importance is such a system for cargo traffic.

Tarkhanovskiy, V.↗

Preliminary analysis of hub and spoke air freight distribution system

A brief analysis is made of the hub and spoke air freight distribution system which would employ less than 15 hub centers world wide with very large advanced distributed-load freighters providing the line-haul delivery between hubs. This system is compared to a more conventional network using conventionally-designed long-haul freighters which travel between numerous major airports. The analysis calculates all of the transportation costs, including handling charges and pickup and delivery costs. The results show that the economics of the hub/spoke system are severely compromised by the extensive use of feeder aircraft to deliver cargo into and from the large freighter terminals. Not only are the higher costs for the smaller feeder airplanes disadvantageous, but their use implies an additional exchange of cargo between modes compared to truck delivery. The conventional system uses far fewer feeder airplanes, and in many cases, none at all. When feeder aircraft are eliminated from the hub/spoke system, however, that system is universally more economical than any conventional system employing smaller line-haul aircraft.

Whitehead, A. H., Jr.↗

Effect of surface roughness on the microwave emission from soils

The effect of surface roughness on the brightness temperature of a moist terrain was studied through the modification of Fresnel reflection coefficient and using the radiative transfer equation. The modification involves introduction of a single parameter to characterize the roughness. It is shown that this parameter depends on both the surface height variance and the horizontal scale of the roughness. Model calculations are in good quantitative agreement with the observed dependence of the brightness temperature on the moisture content in the surface layer. Data from truck mounted and airborne radiometers are presented for comparison. The results indicate that the roughness effects are greatest for wet soils where the difference between smooth and rough surfaces can be as great as 50K.

Choudhury, B. J.↗

Application of aerial photography to water-related programs in Michigan

The paper describes the use of aerial photography and information system technology in the provision of information required for the effective operation of three water-related programs in Michigan. Potential mosquito breeding sites were identified from specially acquired low altitude 70 mm color photography for the City of Lansing Vector Control Area. A comprehensive inventory of surface water sources and potential access sites was prepared to assist fire departments in Antrim County with fire truck water-recharge operations. Remotely-sensed land cover/use data for Windsor Township, Eaton County were integrated with other resource data into a computer-based information system for regional water quality studies. Eleven thematic maps specifically focussed on landscape features affecting non-point water pollution and waste disposal were generated from analyses of a four-hectare grid-based data file containing land cover/use, soils, topographic and geologic (well-log) data.

Enslin, W. R.↗

Microwave radiometry for soil moisture sensing

Investigations have been conducted with truck-mounted radiometers to study the variation of microwave emissivity from a soil. It was found that the longer wavelength radiometers, (21 cm), are preferable for the remote sensing of soil moisture. Aircraft observations indicated a nonlinear dependence of microwave brightness temperature on soil moisture. The dielectric constants of soils are considered along with the radiative transfer in soils, and soil water characteristics. A description is presented of test flights conducted with a NASA aircraft, taking into account soil moisture measurements and instrumentation. The obtained results show that the surface emissivity of a soil is determined by the dielectric properties of the surface soil layer a few tenths of a wavelength thick while the thermal sampling depths are much greater. The capability of the 21-cm radiometer to sense soil-moisture variations through a moderate vegetation canopy, and the promising Skylab results encourage consideration of a radiometer operating at this wavelength for routine soil moisture observations.

Schmugge, T.↗

Utilization of NASA Lewis mobile terminals for the Hermes satellite

The paper describes the portable earth terminal (PET) and the transportable earth terminal (TET) which enable two-way television and voice communication. Both terminals were developed by NASA and utilize the high power of the Hermes satellite. PET is a bus-type vehicle which has receiving equipment for full duplex color television and which can transmit programs originating in either the on-board PET studio or in nearby buildings. PET has a collapsible 2.4-m diameter parabolic antenna interfacing with a 500-watt 14-GHz wideband TV transmitter and a 12-GHz wideband TV receiver system. TET uses two parabolic reflector antennas, 3 m and 1.2 m in diameter, mounted on a flat trailer towed by a truck. TET can receive and relay color TV signals, and its narrowband transmitter can serve as a return audio link permitting a question-and-answer format. Also described are uplink and downlink performance characteristics, operation procedures, and field demonstrations which enabled personnel at several hospitals to participate in a distant medical conference.

Edelman, E. A.↗

Testing panels in shear and biaxial compression

Hydraulic jacks simultaneously apply torsion, axial compression, and lateral compression to structural panels. Jacks are suitable for testing large panels used in aircraft, lightweight trucks, and buses.

Neary, J. K.↗

Thermal seal for high and low temperatures

Composite seal remains flexible between -423 and +500 F. Due to wide temperature capability seal outperforms conventional elastometic seals used in industrial freezers, environmental chambers, refrigerated trucks and railcars, and aircraft doors.

Collipriest, J. E., Jr.↗

Cargo Logistics Airlift Systems Study (CLASS). Volume 3: Cross impact between the 1990 market and the air physical distribution systems, book 2

Book 2 of this volume is divided into the following sections: (1) commodities and system networks; (2) future mode choice decisions and commodity air eligibility; (3) comparative cargo transportation costs - air, truck, rail and water; (4) elasticities of demand; (5) operating cost; (6) operating profit, rate making, and returns; (7) importance of rate and service on future aircraft; (8) potential market demand for new aircraft; (9) scenario of events affecting system/market growth; and (10) future study and technology requirements.

Burby, R. J.↗

Constant lift rotor for a heavier than air craft

A rotor blade extended radially from a hub, characterized by an elongated spar and a plurality of axially aligned shells pivotally mounted on the spar is presented. Each has an aerodynamic center located in trailing relation with the spar and supported thereby for simultaneous axial and angular displacement as centrifugal forces are applied, a pitch controller plus a plurality of pivotal pitch limiting arms transversely related to the spar. A push-pull link interconnecting the arms is used for imparting simultaneous pivotal motion, whereby the angular relationship of the arms to the spar is varied for varying the motion of the trucks along the arms for thus limiting the pitch of the segments about the spar.

Stroub, R. H.↗

Preliminary results of passive microwave snow experiment during February and March 1978

The purpose of the experiment was to determine if remote microwave sensing of snowpack data could be used to predict runoff, thereby allowing more efficient management of the water supply. A four-frequency microwave radiometer system was attached to a truck-mounted aerial lift and was used to gather data on snowpacks at three different sites in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. Ground truth data measurements (density, temperature, grain size, hardness, and free-liquid water content) were taken at each site corresponding to each microwave scan.

Chang, A. T. C.↗

The 1990 system characteristics and requirements

Potential future developments that may occur in the air, truck, rail, and sea transportation industries were identified. Technological and operational developments were qualitatively evaluated for their potential effect upon the vehicle and institutional characteristics of the respective modes. Also identified were the multiplicity of cross impacts that must be considered when viewing air cargo as an integrated transport system.

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