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At least 145 records · Page 8

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NASA NTRS1980

Low-pass interference filters for submillimeter astronomy

Low-pass (long-wave transmitting) interference filters, suitable for broadband photometric observations, previously have been constructed from series of capacitive grids stretched on thin Mylar. These filters have the desired optical properties of high transmission, sharp cut-ons, and good blocking at short wavelengths. Their designs, however, do not scale from one wavelength to another and their performance can deteriorate at low temperatures due to differential contraction of the dielectric backing and the supporting structure. The deviation of these early filters from the predicted scaling was due primarily to the difference in refractive index between the backing material and the medium between the grids. In the present paper, filters are described in which dielectric spacers are used, instead of air, as the medium between the grids. This technique has improved the scaling and has reduced the distortion from differential contraction.

Whitcomb, S. E.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Reduction of intensity variations on a photovoltaic array with compound parabolic concentrators

The reduction of nonuniformities in the intensity distribution of light focused on a photovoltaic array by a compound parabolic concentrator is investigated. The introduction of small distortions into the surfaces of the reflector in order to diffuse the incident collimated light to fill the angular acceptance of the concentrator is calculated by means of ray tracing to decrease the irradiance nonuniformity at the cost of a lowered effective concentration of the concentrator. Measurements of the intensity distribution on a scale test model in terrestrial sunlight with corrugated aluminized mylar reflectors are shown to be in good agreement with the ray tracing results. A two-stage concentrator consisting of a focusing primary and a nonimaging secondary is also shown to result in a fairly uniform intensity distribution except in the case of a 4-deg incidence angle, which may be corrected by the introduction of distortions into one or both concentration stages.

Greenman, P.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Grid polarizers for infrared Fourier spectrometers

Infrared grid polarizers consisting of copper lines with a 3.6-micron grid constant on a 4-micron-thick Mylar polyester substrate have been prepared by the techniques of photolithography and sputter-etching. Their polarization properties have been measured and found to be suitable for use at infrared frequencies below 700/cm. The polarizers have been used to extend the useful frequency range of a Martin-Puplett polarizing interferometer designed for Fourier transform spectroscopy. The efficiency of the interferometer has been measured over a frequency range from 50 to 700/cm and compared to that of a conventional Michelson interferometer. The results are shown to be consistent with the measured properties of the polarizers. Methods are suggested for improving the efficiency of a Martin-Puplett interferometer which employs these polarizers.

Challener, W. A.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Identifying and locating land irrigated by center-pivot irrigation systems using satellite imagery

A methodology for using Landsat imagery for the identification and location of land irrigated by center-pivot irrigation systems is presented. The procedure involves the use of sets of Landsat band 5 imagery taken separated in time by about three weeks during the irrigation season, a zoom transfer scope and mylar base maps to record the locations of center pivots. Further computer processing of the data has been used to obtain plots of center-pivot irrigation systems and tables indicating the distribution and growth of systems by county for the state of Nebraska, and has been found to be in 95% agreement with current high-altitude IR photography. The information obtainable can be used for models of ground-water aquifers or resource planning.

Hoffman, R. O.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Electron beam charging and ARC discharging of spacecraft insulating materials

The properties of the arc discharges which are caused by the laboratory exposure of dielectric materials to electron beams are examined, the intent being to simulate conditions on synchronous-orbit spacecraft. Extensive experimental studies are reported for planar dielectrics (Teflon, Kapton, Mylar) on the subjects of incident-flux scaling of discharge properties and the effects of high-energy broad-spectrum electron irradiation from a radioisotpe source. In addition a preliminary evaluation is made of the discharge susceptibility of fiber optic waveguides.

Balmain, K. G.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Water-deuterium oxide exchange in polymers used in spacecraft applications

The replacement of water (H2O) by deuterium oxide (D2O) and the exchange between atmospheric water and adsorbed or absorbed D2O were investigated for the polymeric materials Kapton and Mylar using thermal gravimetric analysis and infrared spectroscopy. Replacement of H2O by D2O is easily accomplished. However, exposure of D2O samples to the ambient atmosphere or gases containing H2O results in rapid proton and deuteron exchange between H2O vapor and adsorbed D2O. Replacement of H2O by D2O would not be a practical solution to alleviate spectral interferences that would result from water outgassing in spacecraft orbital environments. Maintaining the materials of interest in a dehydrated state is a more reasonable approach.

Carre, D. J.↗

NASA NTRS1981

An assessment of buffer strips for improving damage tolerance

Graphite/epoxy panels with buffer strips were tested in tension to measure their residual strength with crack-like damage. Panels were made with 45/0/-45/90(2S) and 45/0/450(2S) layups. The buffer strips were parallel to the loading directions. They were made by replacing narrow strips of the 0 deg graphite plies with strips of either 0 deg S-Glass/epoxy or Kevlar-49/epoxy on either a one for one or a two for one basis. In a third case, O deg graphite/epoxy was used as the buffer material and thin, perforated Mylar strips were placed between the 0 deg piles and the cross-plies to weaken the interfaces and thus to isolate the 0 deg plies. Some panels were made with buffer strips of different widths and spacings. The buffer strips arrested the cracks and increased the residual strengths significantly over those plain laminates without buffer strips. A shear-lag type stress analysis correctly predicted the effects of layups, buffer material, buffer strip width and spacing, and the number of plies of buffer material.

Poe, C. C., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Super miniaturization of film capacitor dielectrics

The alignment of the stable electrical characteristics of film capacitors in the physical dimensions of ceramic and tantalum capacitors are discussed. The reliability of polycarbonate and mylar capacitors are described with respect to their compatibility with military specifications. Graphic illustrations are presented which show electrical and physical comparisons of film, ceramic, and tantalum capacitors. The major focus is on volumetric efficiency, weight reduction, and electrical stability.

Lavene, B.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Increased fracture toughness of graphite-epoxy composites through intermittent interlaminar bonding

The objective of this study was to increase the fracture toughness of multilayer continuous-filament graphite-epoxy composites. The method used is intermittent interlaminar bonding which can lead to a large increase in the fracture surface area. Intermittent bonding was achieved through introduction of thin perforated Mylar between the layers of the composite. For the optimum condition, fracture toughness was increased from about 100 kJ/sq m for untreated specimens to an average of about 500 kJ/sq m, while tensile strength dropped from 500 MPa to 400 MPa, and elastic modulus remained the same at about 75 GPa. An approximate analysis is presented to explain the improvement in toughness.

Jea, L.-C.↗

NASA NTRS1980

An assessment of buffer strips for improving damage tolerance of composite laminates

Graphite/epoxy panels with buffer strips were tested in tension to measure their residual strength with crack-like damage. Panels were made with (45/0/-45/90)2S and (45/0/-45/0)2S layups. The buffer strips were parallel to the loading direction. They were made by replacing narrow strips of the 0 deg graphite plies with strips of either 0 deg S-Glass/epoxy or Kevlar-90/epoxy on either a one-for-one or a two-for-one basis. In a third case, 0 deg graphite/epoxy was used as the buffer material and thin, perforated Mylar strips were placed between the 0 deg plies and the cross-plies to weaken the interfaces and thus to isolate the 0 deg plies. Some panels were made with buffer strips of different width and spacings. The buffer strips arrested the cracks and increased the residual strengths significantly over those of plain laminates without buffer strips. A shear-lag type stress analysis correctly predicted the effects of layup, buffer material, buffer strip width and spacing, and the number of plies of buffer material

Poe, C. C., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Near millimeter wave bandpass filters

The properties of bandpass filters for broadband photometry are reported in the 3-12/cm frequency range. The filters are based on a combination of capacitive grids deposited on thick Mylar substrates and are designed to have very high out-of-band rejection. Low frequencies are blocked by a thick grill that consists of a hexagonal grid of circular holes in a thick metal plate.

Timusk, T.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Sun powered aircraft design

Two piloted aircraft have been developed and flown powered solely by photovoltaic cells in a program sponsored by the DuPont Company. The 30.8-kg (68-lb), 21.6-m (71-ft) span, Gossamer Penguin was used as a solar test bed, making a 2.6-km (1.6-mile) flight in August 1980. The 88.1-kg (194-lb), 14.3-m (47-ft) span Solar Challenger was developed for long flights in normal turbulence. Stressed to +9 G, it utilizes Kevlar, Nomex honeycomb-graphite sandwich wall tubes, expanded polystyrene foam ribs, and Mylar skin. With a 54.9-kg (121-lb) airframe, 33.1-kg (73-lb) propulsion system, and a 45.4-kg (100-lb) pilot, it flies on 1400 watts. In summer, the projected maximum climb is 1.0 m/s (200 ft/min) at 9,150 m (30,000 ft). Sixty purely solar-powered flights were made during winter 1980-1981. Using thermals, 1,070 m (3,500 ft) was reached with 115-minute duration.

Maccready, P. B.↗

NASA NTRS1982

IUS materials outgassing condensation effects on sensitive spacecraft surfaces

Four materials used on the inertial upper state (IUS) were subjected to vacuum conditions and heated to near-operational temperatures (93 to 316 C), releasing volatile materials. A fraction of the volatile materials were collected on 25 C solar cells, optical solar reflectors (OSR's) or aluminized Mylar. The contaminated surfaces were exposed to 26 equivalent sun hours of simulated solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Measurements of contamination deposit mass, structure, reflectance and effects on solar cell power output were made before and after UV irradiation. Standard total mass loss - volatile condensible materials (TML - VCM) tests were also performed. A 2500 A thick contaminant layer produced by EPDM rubber motor-case insulation outgassing increased the solar absorptance of the OSR's from 0.07 to 0.14, and to 0.18 after UV exposure. An 83,000 A layer caused an increase from 0.07 to 0.21, and then the 0.46 after UV exposure. The Kevlar-epoxy motor-case material outgassing condensation raised the absorptance from 0.07 to 0.13, but UV had no effect. Outgassing from multilayer insulation and carbon-carbon nozzle materials did not affect the solar absorptance of the OSR's.

Mullen, C. R.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Defect design of insulation systems for photovoltaic modules

A defect-design approach to sizing electrical insulation systems for terrestrial photovoltaic modules is presented. It consists of gathering voltage-breakdown statistics on various thicknesses of candidate insulation films where, for a designated voltage, module failure probabilities for enumerated thickness and number-of-layer film combinations are calculated. Cost analysis then selects the most economical insulation system. A manufacturing yield problem is solved to exemplify the technique. Results for unaged Mylar suggest using fewer layers of thicker films. Defect design incorporates effects of flaws in optimal insulation system selection, and obviates choosing a tolerable failure rate, since the optimization process accomplishes that. Exposure to weathering and voltage stress reduces the voltage-withstanding capability of module insulation films. Defect design, applied to aged polyester films, promises to yield reliable, cost-optimal insulation systems.

Mon, G. R.↗

NASA NTRS1982

A nonlinear structural concept for compliant walls

Two mechanisms of drag reduction for flow over flat plates were investigated. The first mechanism employs Bushnell's hypothesis that compliant walls produce drag reduction by interfering with the formation of the turbulent spots in a turbulent boundary layer. It is shown that the amplitudes and frequencies of compliant wall motions for drag reduction might be achieved by using slightly curved walls and the resulting large amplitude motions of snap buckling. A simple structural model of an arch is used in the analysis, and an asymptotic method is developed. The required wall motions can be obtained by using materials like mylar. In addition, the delay of transition from laminar to turbulent flow by driven walls was studied for Poiseuille channel flow. The walls are driven by a periodic traveling wave. A significant increase in the transitional Reynolds number is obtained by appropriately prescibing the wavelength and phase velocity of the wall motion. Previously developed asymptotic methods are used in the analysis.

Reiss, E. L.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Electron beam charging and arc discharging of spacecraft insulating materials

Samples of Mylar and Teflon film were exposed to combinations of monoenergetic electron and lithium ion fluxes in various ratios. The samples' discharge rates and strengths were found to diminish as the ion proportion increased. Various types of capacitors were exposed in air to beta irradiation from a 100 mCie Strontium-90 radioisotope source located at distances ranging from 2 cm to 5 cm from the capacitors. In these preliminary experiments, no evidence of spontaneous electrical breakdown was noted, nor was any change in RF impedance detectable using the available instrumentation. A decrease in DC resistance was noted, apparently due to radiation-induced conductivity. A cylindrical glass vacuum chamber is being assembled. Its inside dimensions are 44 cm diameter by 100 cm length. All necessary associated components and instruments have been acquired, including electron and ion guns, Trek surface potential probe and turbo-molecular pump. A mass-spectrometer detector for leaks and evolved gases will be ordered shortly.

Balmain, K. G.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Preliminary engineering study: Quick opening valve MSFC high Reynolds number wind tunnel

FluiDyne Engineering Corporation has conducted a preliminary engineering study of a quick-opening valve for the MSFC High Reynolds Number Wind Tunnel under NASA Contract NAS8-35056. The subject valve is intended to replace the Mylar diaphragm system as the flow initiation device for the tunnel. Only valves capable of opening within 0.05 sec. and providing a minimum of 11.4 square feet of flow area were considered. Also, the study focused on valves which combined the quick-opening and tight shutoff features in a single unit. A ring sleeve valve concept was chosen for refinement and pricing. Sealing for tight shutoff, ring sleeve closure release and sleeve actuation were considered. The resulting cost estimate includes the valve and requisite modifications to the facility to accommodate the valve as well as the associated design and development work.

Source record↗

NASA NTRS1982

Characteristics of RF resulting from dielectric discharges

This paper presents measurements of the electromagnetic radiation pulses and the replacement current pulses which result from the breakdown of Mylar and Kapton samples. The observed dependence of the characteristics of the replacement current pulse as a function of electron beam energy is discussed. The characteristics of the electromagnetic radiation pulses are also analyzed in the text of this paper. The source of the irradiating electrons is a monoenergetic electron beam whose energy was varied from 12.5 KeV to 25 KeV.

Leung, P.↗