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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 1,279 records · Page 71

An analytical technique for the analysis of airplane spin entry and recovery

The dynamic equations of motion for a spinning airplane are simplified to facilitate the analysis of spin entry and recovery maneuvers. Solutions of a nonlinear, first order equation for spin rate enable calculation of spin entry and recovery times and control required for recovery. The analysis is applied to a light airplane for which both aerodynamic data, rotory balance wind tunnel tests, and spin flight test data have been obtained. A comparison of predicted and actual transient spin responses is made which supports the validity of the analytical approach taken but which also illustrates the difficulty in obtaining accurate aerodynamic data for spinning airplanes. Certain normalized parameters of the reduced state spin equation suggest criteria for assessing the transient spin characteristics of light airplanes.

Taylor, L. W., Jr.↗

Computer simulation of thermal modeling of primary lithium cells

The objective was to gain a better understanding of the safety problem of primary Li-SOCl2 and Li-SO2 cells by carrying out detailed thermal modeling work. In particular, the transient heat generation rates during moderate and extermely high discharge rate tests of Li-SOCl2 cells were predicted and compared with those from the electrochemical heating. The difference between the two may be attributed to the lithium corrosion and other chemical reactions. The present program was also tested for charging of Li-SO2. In addition, the present methodology should be applicable to other primary cylindrical cells as well as rechargeable battery analyses with minor modifications.

Young, I. Cho↗

Flight Balance For Skin-Friction Measurements

Skin-friction balance (flight balance) for use in flight on aircraft fuselage incorporates type-one, closed-loop control to make direct skin-friction force measurements. Curved surface element 2 in. (5.08 cm) in diameter used to sense tangential force of airstream passed over it. Linear electromagnetic force motor exerts restoring force that nulls position of sensing element. Applied skin-friction force measured by sensing amount of current through motor necessary to maintain null position. Unit is rugged, accurate, reliable, and easy to operate. Insensitivity of balance to background rectilinear vibrations and ability to sustain large transient loads during takeoffs and landings make it attractive for flight testing.

Tcheng, Ping↗

Equatorial waves simulated by the NCAR community climate model

The equatorial planetary waves simulated by the NCAR CCM1 general circulation model were investigated in terms of space-time spectral analysis (Kao, 1968; Hayashi, 1971, 1973) and energetic analysis (Hayashi, 1980). These analyses are particularly applied to grid-point data on latitude circles. In order to test some physical factors which may affect the generation of tropical transient planetary waves, three different model simulations with the CCM1 (the control, the no-mountain, and the no-cloud experiments) were analyzed.

Cheng, Xinhua↗

The development of power specific redlines for SSME safety monitoring

Over the past several years, there has been an increased awareness in the necessity for rocket engine health monitoring because of the cost and complexity of present and future systems. A current rocket engine system, the Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME), combines a limited redline system with closed-loop control of the engine's thrust level and mixture ratio. Despite these features, 27 tests of the SSME have resulted in major incidents. A SSME transient model was used to examine the effect of variations in high pressure turbopump performance on various engine parameters. Based on analysis of the responses, several new parameters are proposed for further investigation as power-level specific redlines.

Maul, William A.↗

Thermal design of the Wide Field/Planetary Camera

The Wide Field/Planetary Camera is an imaging system developed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory for the NASA Hubble Space Telescope currently scheduled to be launched in December 1989 aboard the space shuttle. The temperature control design of the instrument utilizes multilayered insulation, electric resistance heaters, aluminum/ammonia heat pipes, thermoelectric coolers, temperature control coatings, and space radiators. A feedback control system maintains stable sensor temperatures. Thermal capacitance maintains stable optics and electronics temperatures during transient conditions. Schedule slips and launch delays have allowed extensive thermal testing of the instrument. Six instrument thermal vacuum tests and a spacecraft thermal vacuum test were performed. Several modifications have been made to the instrument to correct icing and contamination problems that have been discovered during thermal vacuum testing. This paper describes the thermal design, last instrument thermal vacuum test, results, and thermal model correlation.

Garcia, R. D.↗

The development of power specific redlines for SSME safety monitoring

Over the past several years, there has been an increased awareness in the necessity for rocket engine health monitoring because of the cost and complexity of present and future systems. A current rocket engine system, the Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME), combines a limited redline system with closed-loop control of the engine's thrust level and mixture ratio. Despite these features, 27 tests of the SSME have resulted in major incidents. An SSME transient model was used to examine the effect of variations in high pressure turbopump performance on various engine parameters. Based on analysis of the responses, several new parameters are proposed for further investigation as power-level specific redlines.

Maul, William A.↗

Transient particle acceleration associated with solar flares

Mechanisms that apply to solar flares are discussed, and their applicability to other astrophysical sites, where transient X-ray and gamma-ray bursts occur, is tested. Two different approaches are used to determine the characteristics of the charged particles, accelerated in association with solar flares: (1) measurement of the energy spectra and composition of charged particles observed in space and believed to be associated with a specific solar flare; and (2) recording of electromagnetic emissions in the visible, ultraviolet, soft X-ray, hard X-ray, and gamma-ray spectral regions, and also high-energy neutrons produced in the solar atmosphere by the particles accelerated in association with the solar flare. It is suggested that, at the present level of knowledge, regions where particle acceleration and interactions occur are unlikely to be specified.

Chupp, E. L.↗

A strategy for residual acceleration data reduction and dissemination

A data reduction plan is being developed to efficiently process residual acceleration data from orbiting space laboratories. Implementation of the reduction plan will result in a useful, manageable accelerometer data base which can be readily employed by principal investigators during post-flight analysis of experimental results. The data reduction plan will also assist in the characterization of the acceleration environment of orbiters, which is important for the planning of future experimental missions. Prototype versions of the reduction plan are being tested using accelerometer data recorded during the Spacelab 3 (SL3) mission. Transient disturbances caused by shuttle and experiment operations and crew activities are being cataloged. The magnitudes of such disturbances can be as much as 0.01 g, but are rarely sustained for more than a fraction of a second and tend to vary greatly in orientation. It is found that the recorded frequency components of the SL3 disturbances do not exceed tolerance limits determined from modeling for a selected experiment set.

Rogers, Melissa J. B.↗

Interpretation of Trace Gas Data Using Inverse Methods and Global Chemical Transport Models

This is a theoretical research project aimed at: (1) development, testing, and refining of inverse methods for determining regional and global transient source and sink strengths for long lived gases important in ozone depletion and climate forcing, (2) utilization of inverse methods to determine these source/sink strengths which use the NCAR/Boulder CCM2-T42 3-D model and a global 3-D Model for Atmospheric Transport and Chemistry (MATCH) which is based on analyzed observed wind fields (developed in collaboration by MIT and NCAR/Boulder), (3) determination of global (and perhaps regional) average hydroxyl radical concentrations using inverse methods with multiple titrating gases, and, (4) computation of the lifetimes and spatially resolved destruction rates of trace gases using 3-D models. Important goals include determination of regional source strengths of methane, nitrous oxide, and other climatically and chemically important biogenic trace gases and also of halocarbons restricted by the Montreal Protocol and its follow-on agreements and hydrohalocarbons used as alternatives to the restricted halocarbons.

Prinn, Ronald G.↗

[Global Atmospheric Chemistry/Transport Modeling and Data-Analysis]

This grant supported a global atmospheric chemistry/transport modeling and data- analysis project devoted to: (a) development, testing, and refining of inverse methods for determining regional and global transient source and sink strengths for trace gases; (b) utilization of these inverse methods which use either the Model for Atmospheric Chemistry and Transport (MATCH) which is based on analyzed observed winds or back- trajectories calculated from these same winds for determining regional and global source and sink strengths for long-lived trace gases important in ozone depletion and the greenhouse effect; (c) determination of global (and perhaps regional) average hydroxyl radical concentrations using inverse methods with multiple "titrating" gases; and (d) computation of the lifetimes and spatially resolved destruction rates of trace gases using 3D models. Important ultimate goals included determination of regional source strengths of important biogenic/anthropogenic trace gases and also of halocarbons restricted by the Montreal Protocol and its follow-on agreements, and hydrohalocarbons now used as alternatives to the above restricted halocarbons.

Prinn, Ronald G.↗

Studies of Trace Gas Chemical Cycles Using Inverse Methods and Global Chemical Transport Models

We report progress in the first year, and summarize proposed work for the second year of the three-year dynamical-chemical modeling project devoted to: (a) development, testing, and refining of inverse methods for determining regional and global transient source and sink strengths for long lived gases important in ozone depletion and climate forcing, (b) utilization of inverse methods to determine these source/sink strengths using either MATCH (Model for Atmospheric Transport and Chemistry) which is based on analyzed observed wind fields or back-trajectories computed from these wind fields, (c) determination of global (and perhaps regional) average hydroxyl radical concentrations using inverse methods with multiple titrating gases, and (d) computation of the lifetimes and spatially resolved destruction rates of trace gases using 3D models. Important goals include determination of regional source strengths of methane, nitrous oxide, methyl bromide, and other climatically and chemically important biogenic/anthropogenic trace gases and also of halocarbons restricted by the Montreal protocol and its follow-on agreements and hydrohalocarbons now used as alternatives to the restricted halocarbons.

Prinn, Ronald G.↗

Non-nuclear Testing of Reactor Systems in the Early Flight Fission Test Facilities (EFF-TF)

The Early Flight Fission-Test Facility (EFF-TF) can assist in the &sign and development of systems through highly effective non-nuclear testing of nuclear systems when technical issues associated with near-term space fission systems are "non-nuclear" in nature (e.g. system s nuclear operations are understood). For many systems. thermal simulators can he used to closely mimic fission heat deposition. Axial power profile, radial power profile. and fuel pin thermal conductivity can be matched. In addition to component and subsystem testing, operational and lifetime issues associated with the steady state and transient performance of the integrated reactor module can be investigated. Instrumentation at the EFF-TF allows accurate measurement of temperature, pressure, strain, and bulk core deformation (useful for accurately simulating nuclear behavior). Ongoing research at the EFF-TF is geared towards facilitating research, development, system integration, and system utilization via cooperative efforts with DOE laboratories, industry, universities, and other NASA centers. This paper describes the current efforts for the latter portion of 2003 and beginning of 2004.

VanDyke, Melissa↗

A Summary of the Development of a Nominal Land Landing Airbag Impact Attenuation System for the Orion Crew Module

Airborne Systems North America (formally Irvin Aerospace Inc) has developed an Airbag Landing System for the Orion Crew Module of the Crew Exploration Vehicle. This work is in support of the NASA Langley Research Center Landing System Advanced Development Project. Orion is part of the Constellation Program to send human explorers back to the moon, and then onwards to Mars and other destinations in the Solar System. A component of the Vision for Space Exploration, Orion is being developed to also enable access to space following the retirement of the Space Shuttle in the next decade. This paper documents the development of a conceptual design, fabrication of prototype assemblies, component level testing and two generations of airbag landing system testing. The airbag system has been designed and analyzed using the transient dynamic finite element code LS-DYNA(RegisteredTradeMark). The landing system consists of six airbag assemblies; each assembly comprising a primary impact venting airbag and a non-venting anti-bottoming airbag. The anti-bottoming airbag provides ground clearance following the initial impact attenuation sequence. Incorporated into each primary impact airbag is an active vent that allows the entrapped gas to exit the control volume. The size of the vent is tailored to control the flow-rate of the exiting gas. An internal shaping structure is utilized to control the shape of the primary or main airbags prior to ground impact; this significantly improves stroke efficiency and performance.

Tutt, Ben↗

Interfacial thermodynamics of cryogenic fluids: The effect on non-condensable gas on fluid storage

Propellant tanks that contain cryogenic fluids (CFs) in low gravity conditions are usually pressurized with non-condensable (NC) gases for fast extraction. Unfortunately, the presence of NC gases causes CFs to exhibit higher boil-offs compared to pure CF systems. For optimal utilization of the cryogenic fuels, these higher boil-off rates must be minimized. Our goal is to quantify the effects NC gases have on the evaporation and condensation dynamics of CFs to develop strategies that mitigate the higher boil-offs. The hypothesis is that the NC gas accumulates around the CF’s liquid vapor interface in the Knudsen layer, creating a kinetic barrier for both evaporation and condensation. Testing this hypothesis with experimental methods is difficult due to the transient nature of the Knudsen layer, which is only a few nanometers thick. Furthermore, experimental capabilities are limited in low gravity conditions and extremely expensive. Accordingly, we approach this problem from a theoretical perspective. In this study, we employ molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to probe the interfacial mechanisms that affect CF’s evaporation and condensation at varying concentrations of NC gases. Specifically, we use nitrogen (N2) and oxygen (O2) as our CFs and neon (Ne) as our NC gas. Using MD simulations, we show that Ne accumulates at N2 liquid vapor interface across a wide range of Ne concentrations, thereby impeding mass transport of N2. Our simulations allow for direct computation of the molar flux as well as the mass accommodation coefficient (MAC) which can then be used as input parameters to continuum fluid dynamics (CFD) models for optimal storage tank design.

Michael Robert DeLyser↗

Transient aerodynamic forces on a fighter model during simulated approach and landing with thrust reversers

Previous wind tunnel tests of fighter configurations have shown that thrust reverser jets can induce large, unsteady aerodynamic forces and moments during operation in ground proximity. This is a concern for STOL configurations using partial reversing to spoil the thrust while keeping the engine output near military (MIL) power during landing approach. A novel test technique to simulate approach and landing was developed under a cooperative Northrop/NASA/USAF program. The NASA LaRC Vortex Research Facility was used for the experiments in which a 7-percent F-18 model was moved horizontally at speeds of up to 100 feet per second over a ramp simulating an aircraft to ground rate of closure similar to a no-flare STOL approach and landing. This paper presents an analysis of data showing the effect of reverser jet orientation and jet dynamic pressure ratio on the transient forces for different angles of attack, and flap and horizontal tail deflection. It was found, for reverser jets acting parallel to the plane of symmetry, that the jets interacted strongly with the ground, starting approximately half a span above the ground board. Unsteady rolling moment transients, large enough to cause the probable upset of an aircraft, and strong normal force and pitching moment transients were measured. For jets directed 40 degrees outboard, the transients were similar to the jet-off case, implying only minor interaction.

Humphreys, A. P.↗

Primordial or Secondary? Testing Models of Debris Disk Gas with ALMA

The origin and evolution of gas in debris disks are still not well understood. Secondary gas production from cometary material or a primordial origin have been proposed. So far, observations have mostly concentrated on CO, with only a few C observations available. We overview the C and CO content of debris disk gas and test the state of the-art models. We use new and archival Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) observations of CO and C I emission, complemented by C II data from Herschel, for a sample of 14 debris disks. This expands the number of disks with ALMA measurements of both CO and C I by 10 disks. We present new detections of C I emission toward three disks: HD 21997, HD 121191, and HD 121617. We use a simple disk model to derive gas masses and column densities. We find that current state-of-the-art models of secondary gas production overpredict the C 0 content of debris disk gas. This does not rule out a secondary origin, but might indicate that the models require an additional C removal process. Alternatively, the gas might be produced in transient events rather than a steady-state collisional cascade. We also test a primordial gas origin by comparing our results to a simplified thermochemical model. This yields promising results, but more detailed work is required before a conclusion can be reached. Our work demonstrates that the combination of C and CO data is a powerful tool to advance our understanding of debris disk gas.

Radiative transfer↗

Recent Applications of Higher-Order Spectral Analysis to Nonlinear Aeroelastic Phenomena

Recent applications of higher-order spectral (HOS) methods to nonlinear aeroelastic phenomena are presented. Applications include the analysis of data from a simulated nonlinear pitch and plunge apparatus and from F-18 flight flutter tests. A MATLAB model of the Texas A&MUniversity s Nonlinear Aeroelastic Testbed Apparatus (NATA) is used to generate aeroelastic transients at various conditions including limit cycle oscillations (LCO). The Gaussian or non-Gaussian nature of the transients is investigated, related to HOS methods, and used to identify levels of increasing nonlinear aeroelastic response. Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) F/A-18 flight flutter test data is presented and analyzed. The data includes high-quality measurements of forced responses and LCO phenomena. Standard power spectral density (PSD) techniques and HOS methods are applied to the data and presented. The goal of this research is to develop methods that can identify the onset of nonlinear aeroelastic phenomena, such as LCO, during flutter testing.

Silva, Walter A.↗