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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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Hollow rotating shaft operates like a heat pipe, with a small, sealed-in inventory of fluid that transfers heat by vaporizing at the hot end and condensing at the cold end. This heat pipe utilizes large centrifugal forces for pumping the condensate, and rotation to enforce liquid-vapor separation.
Dynamics of deployable space structures stiffened by centrifugal forces due to spin, discussing LF radio telescope
Fluid dynamic simulation of gas core nuclear rocket chamber for separating light and heavy gas via centrifugal force produced by MHD-driven rotational flow
Reducing the mass of the rolling elements in ball bearings causes a reduction of centrifugal forces and thereby extends bearing fatigue life. Ball mass is reduced by drilling a concentric hole through each ball. Concentricity and finish of the drilled hole can be closely controlled and the balls accurately balanced.
Dynamics of deployable space structures stiffened by centrifugal forces due to spin, discussing LF radio telescope
Artificial gravity field produced by rotating spacecraft in earth orbit, examining astronaut physical responses and centrifugal force effects on work tasks
Four different structural problems are solved to gain familiarity with the NASTRAN computer program. The problems are: (1) a simply-supported beam subjected to lateral loads, (2) a rotating filamentary composite bar under the action of centrifugal forces, (3) a missile body with aerodynamic, gravitational, and inertial forces, and (4) a square simply-supported plate with in-plane temperature changes capable of buckling the plate. Input and output data are given for each problem. The results are compared with those obtained by other methods. However, except for the examples employing beam elements in which the agreement is excellent, the element breakup chosen for convenience in obtaining program familiarity is too coarse to draw conclusions regarding the program accuracy. The example problems disclosed errors in the plotting and thermal-buckling routines of the program.
Extensive numerical calculations have been carried out to determine the structure of the primitive solar nebula. The resulting structure shows a dominance of the radial pressure gradient near the center, and a dominance of the centrifugal forces throughout most of the outer region. Thermal convection and Eddington-Sweet circulation currents can be expected to cause a rapid dissipation of the disk, requiring only a few centuries. It is therefore postulated that the planets were formed in an exceedingly hot initial state due to their rapid rates of accumulation. Beyond one or two astronomical units from the center, the original interstellar grains should not be completely destroyed during the formation of the disk, and these will form the nuclei for subsequent chemical condensations and chemical accumulation. Inside this distance, nucleation of condensed materials must occur within the nebular gases.
A space vehicle adapted to provide an artificial gravity and earthlike atmospheric environment for occupants is disclosed. The vehicle comprises a cylindrically shaped, hollow pressure-tight body, one end of which is tapered from the largest diameter of the body, the other end is flat and transparent to sunlight. The vehicle is provided with thrust means which rotates the body about its longitudinal axis, generating an artificial gravity effect upon the interior walls of the body due to centrifugal forces. The walls of the tapered end of the body are maintained at a temperature below the dew point of water vapor in the body and lower than the temperature near the transparent end of the body. The controlled environment and sunlight permits an earth like environment to be maintained wherein the CO2/O2 is balanced, and food for the travelers is supplied through a natural system of plant life grown on spacecraft walls where soil is located.
Analysis of the plasma processes and the hydromagnetic aspects involved in the evolution of the solar system. In order to reduce the speculative element as far as possible, the present analysis tries to connect the cosmogonic processes as directly as possible to laboratory plasma physics and to space phenomena actually observed today. Models of the Laplacian type have been made obsolete by magnetohydrodynamics. Furthermore they are in conflict with observations. A new model is suggested. A plasma surrounding a rotating central body may attain a state of partial corotation which is determined by the balance between gravitation and the centrifugal force acting on a plasma in a dipole field. Condensation from a partially corotating plasma results in grains orbiting in ellipses with e = 1/3 and finally accreting to bodies at 2/3 of the central distance of the point of condensation. An application of the theory of the Saturnian rings and to the asteroidal belt shows that the fall-down ratio 2/3 (derived from the geometry of a dipole field) is essential for the understanding of their structure. The structure of the groups of planets and satellites is also discussed, but only in a preliminary way.
The current state of the theory of Jupiter's outer atmosphere is briefly reviewed. The similarities and dissimilarities between the terrestrial and Jovian upper atmospheres are discussed, including the interaction of the solar wind with the planetary magnetic fields. Estimates of Jovian parameters are given, including magnetosphere and auroral zone sizes, ionospheric conductivity, energy inputs, and solar wind parameters at Jupiter. The influence of the large centrifugal force on the cold plasma distribution is considered. The Jovian Van Allen belt is attributed to solar wind particles diffused in toward the planet by dynamo electric fields from ionospheric neutral winds, and the consequences of this theory are indicated.
Low mass bearing balls with hardened iron-plated surfaces can eliminate problems of low fatigue strength and flexure fatigue, and lead to increased life and reliability of high speed ball bearings. Low mass balls exert lower centrifugal forces on outer race of bearing thus eliminating detrimental effect of high speed operation.
The identification, analysis, and optimization of life support systems and subsystems have been investigated. For each system or subsystem that has been considered, the procedure involves the establishment of a set of system equations (or mathematical model) based on theory and experimental evidences; the analysis and simulation of the model; the optimization of the operation, control, and reliability; analysis of sensitivity of the system based on the model; and, if possible, experimental verification of the theoretical and computational results. Research activities include: (1) modeling of air flow in a confined space; (2) review of several different gas-liquid contactors utilizing centrifugal force: (3) review of carbon dioxide reduction contactors in space vehicles and other enclosed structures: (4) application of modern optimal control theory to environmental control of confined spaces; (5) optimal control of class of nonlinear diffusional distributed parameter systems: (6) optimization of system reliability of life support systems and sub-systems: (7) modeling, simulation and optimal control of the human thermal system: and (8) analysis and optimization of the water-vapor eletrolysis cell.
Problems of oscillations of linear systems are discussed, including systems with a fractional number of degrees of freedom as well as free oscillations of a cantilever in the field of centrifugal forces. Four methods of solving the problem of the action of periodic instantaneous impulses are presented. The Tacoma catastrophe is analyzed and used as an example of aeroelastic oscillations. Problems of nonlinear system oscillations include the vibration maintenance of rotation, the Sommerfeld effect, and self-oscillations of a quasi-system with dry friction.
Jupiter's magnetic field and its interaction with the magnetized solar wind were observed with the Pioneer 10 vector helium magnetometer. The magnetic dipole is directed opposite to that of the earth with an inclination of 15 deg lying in a system III meridian of 230 deg. The dipole is offset about 0.1 Jupiter radius north of the equatorial plane and about 0.2 Jupiter radius toward longitude 170 deg. There is severe stretching of the planetary field parallel to the equator throughout the outer magnetosphere, accompanied by a systematic departure from meridian planes. The field configuration implies substantial plasma effects inside the magnetosphere, such as thermal pressure, centrifugal forces, and differential rotation.
A presentation is made of the two main models of the radiation mechanism of pulsars: the light cylinder model and the polar cap model. They have to account for gamma radiation, radio and X-ray emission, and in the case of the Crab pulsar, optical radiation. It is hypothesized that pair creation is essential for radio emission. None of the models yields a theoretical pulse-width-period distribution or braking index that correlates well with observations. A revision of the polar cap model suggests that a glitch may be present in the magnetosphere, necessitating the presence of a large centrifugal force strong enough to tear open the magnetic field lines into a Y-type configuration. This model yields a braking index in line with observations.
The critical mass for stability against radial pulsations in rotating, homogeneous main-sequence stars is found to be greater than in the case of no rotation. Analytic and detailed numerical models show that the critical mass rises steeply with increasing concentration of angular momentum to the center of the star. For uniform rotation near breakup velocity at the star's equator the critical mass is about 850 solar masses if an electron-scattering opacity is used, or about 5000 solar masses if the opacities of Cox and Stewart are used. For nonuniform rotation with a constant ratio of centrifugal force to gravity in the star, the critical mass becomes 'infinite' long before breakup velocity is attained. The relevance of the present results to several observational problems is noted.
Centrifugal force created by rotating fan wheel separates moisture from gas. Lightweight portable unit can be worn with pressurized suit, where it will remove moisture that accumulates from breathing and perspiration.