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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 145 records · Page 8
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2002

Nulling Infrared Radiometer for Measuring Temperature

A nulling, self-calibrating infrared radiometer is being developed for use in noncontact measurement of temperature in any of a variety of industrial and scientific applications. This instrument is expected to be especially well-suited to measurement of ambient or near-ambient temperature and, even more specifically, for measuring the surface temperature of a natural body of water. Although this radiometer would utilize the long-wavelength infrared (LWIR) portion of the spectrum (wavelengths of 8 to 12 ?m), its basic principle of operation could also be applied to other spectral bands (corresponding to other temperature ranges) in which the atmosphere is transparent and in which design requirements for sensitivity and temperature-measurement accuracy could be satisfied.

Ryan, Robert↗
NASA NTRS2004

Design and Analysis of FKSI Nulling Interferometry Testbed

The Fourier Kelvin Stellar Interferometer is a space borne mission whose purpose is to validate the existence of previously detected Extra Solar Giant Planets (EGP's) and determine the age and primary atmospheric constituents of these EGP's. It consists of 2 collecting telescopes followed by a Mach Zehnder interferometer working in a wavelength range of 3-8 microns. To support this concept, a testbed is being built at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center to demonstrate feasibility of achieving the required nulling ratio (10e-4) across the waveband. This paper describes the design and performance analysis of the testbed. Considerations such as polarization, pupil overlap, and optical path length control are discussed.

Wilson, Mark↗
NASA NTRS2004

Nulling Infrared Radiometer for Measuring Temperature

A nulling, self-calibrating infrared radiometer is being developed for use in noncontact measurement of temperature in any of a variety of industrial and scientific applications. This instrument is expected to be especially well-suited to measurement of ambient or near-ambient temperature and, even more specifically, for measuring the surface temperature of a natural body of water. Although this radiometer would utilize the long-wavelength infrared (LWIR) portion of the spectrum (wavelengths of 8 to 12 m), its basic principle of operation could also be applied to other spectral bands (corresponding to other temperature ranges) in which the atmosphere is transparent and in which design requirements for sensitivity and temperature-measurement accuracy could be satisfied.

Ryan, Robert↗
NASA NTRS2004

Deep Flaw Detection with Giant Magnetoresistive (GMR) Based Self-Nulling Probe

In this paper a design modification to the Very-Low Frequency GMR Based Self-Nulling Probe has been presented to enable improved signal to noise ratio for deeply buried flaws. The design change consists of incorporating a feedback coil in the center of the flux focusing lens. The use of the feedback coil enables cancellation of the leakage fields in the center of the probe and biasing of the GMR sensor to a location of high magnetic field sensitivity. The effect of the feedback on the probe output was examined, and experimental results for deep flaw detection were presented. The experimental results show that the modified probe is capable of clearly identifying flaws up to 1 cm deep in aluminum alloy structures.

Wincheski, Buzz↗
NASA NTRS2002

Drosophila atonal fully rescues the phenotype of Math1 null mice: new functions evolve in new cellular contexts

Many genes share sequence similarity between species, but their properties often change significantly during evolution. For example, the Drosophila genes engrailed and orthodenticle and the onychophoran gene Ultrabithorax only partially substitute for their mouse or Drosophila homologs. We have been analyzing the relationship between atonal (ato) in the fruit fly and its mouse homolog, Math1. In flies, ato acts as a proneural gene that governs the development of chordotonal organs (CHOs), which serve as stretch receptors in the body wall and joints and as auditory organs in the antennae. In the fly CNS, ato is important not for specification but for axonal arborization. Math1, in contrast, is required for the specification of cells in both the CNS and the PNS. Furthermore, Math1 serves a role in the development of secretory lineage cells in the gut, a function that does not parallel any known to be served by ato. We wondered whether ato and Math1 might be more functionally homologous than they appear, so we expressed Math1 in ato mutant flies and ato in Math1 null mice. To our surprise, the two proteins are functionally interchangeable.

Non-NASA Center↗
NASA NTRS1998

Development of Very Low Frequency Self-Nulling Probe for Inspection of Thick Layered Aluminum Structures

It is clear from simple skin depth considerations that steady state electromagnetic inspection of thick multi-layered conductors requires low frequency excitation. Conventional pickup sensors, however, lose sensitivity at lower frequencies. Giant magneto resistive materials offer a unique alternative for very low frequency electromagnetic NDE due to their high sensitivity to low frequency fields, small size, ease of use, and low cost. This paper outlines the development and testing of a Very Low Frequency Self-Nulling Probe incorporating a GMR sensor. The initial test results show flaw detectability at depths up to 1 cm in aluminum 2024. Optimization of the probe design based upon finite element modeling and GMR sensor characteristics (including hysteresis, linearity and saturation) is under way.

Wincheski, Buzz↗
NASA NTRS1994

Self-Nulling Eddy Current Probe for Surface and Subsurface Flaw Detection

An eddy current probe which provides a null-signal in the presence of unflawed material without the need for any balancing circuitry has been developed at NASA Langley Research Center. Such a unique capability of the probe reduces set-up time, eliminates tester configuration errors, and decreases instrumentation requirements. The probe is highly sensitive to surface breaking fatigue cracks, and shows excellent resolution for the measurement of material thickness, including material loss due to corrosion damage. The presence of flaws in the material under test causes an increase in the extremely stable and reproducible output voltage of the probe. The design of the probe and some examples illustrating its flaw detection capabilities are presented.

Wincheski, B.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Application of Self Nulling Eddy Current Probe Technique to the Detection of Fatigue Crack Initiation and Control of Test Procedures

A major part of fracture mechanics is concerned with studying the initiation and propagation of fatigue cracks. This typically requires constant monitoring of crack growth during fatigue cycles and the knowledge of the precise location of the crack tip at any given time. One technique currently available for measuring fatigue crack length is the Potential Drop method. The method, however, may be inaccurate if the direction of crack growth deviates considerably from what was assumed initially or the curvature of the crack becomes significant. Another popular approach is to optically view the crack using a high magnification microscope, but this entails a person constantly monitoring it. The present proposed technique uses an automated scheme, in order to eliminate the need for a person to constantly monitor the experiment. Another technique under development elsewhere is to digitize an optical image of the test specimen surface and then apply a pattern recognition algorithm to locate the crack tip. A previous publication showed that the self nulling eddy current probe successfully tracked a simulated crack in an aluminum sample. This was the impetus to develop an online real time crack monitoring system. An automated system has been developed which includes a two axis scanner mounted on the tensile testing machine, the probe and its instrumentation and a personal computer (PC) to communicate and control all the parameters. The system software controls the testing parameters as well as monitoring the fatigue crack as it propagates. This paper will discuss the experimental setup in detail and demonstrate its capabilities. A three dimensional finite element model is utilized to model the magnetic field distribution due to the probe and how the probe voltage changes as it scans the crack. Experimental data of the probe for different samples under zero load, static load and high cycle fatigue load will be discussed. The final section summarizes the major accomplishments of the present work, the elements of the future R&D needs and the advantages and disadvantages of using this system in the laboratory and field.

Namkung, M.↗
NASA NTRS2004

High Precision Metrology on the Ultra-Lightweight W 50.8 cm f/1.25 Parabolic SHARPI Primary Mirror using a CGH Null Lens

For potential use on the SHARPI mission, Eastman Kodak has delivered a 50.8cm CA f/1.25 ultra-lightweight UV parabolic mirror with a surface figure error requirement of 6nm RMS. We address the challenges involved in verifying and mapping the surface error of this large lightweight mirror to +/-3nm using a diffractive CGH null lens. Of main concern is removal of large systematic errors resulting from surface deflections of the mirror due to gravity as well as smaller contributions from system misalignment and reference optic errors. We present our efforts to characterize these errors and remove their wavefront error contribution in post-processing as well as minimizing the uncertainty these calculations introduce. Data from Kodak and preliminary measurements from NASA Goddard will be included.

Antonille, Scott↗
NASA NTRS2001

Fully symmetric nulling beam combiners

A simple method of nulling broadband light is presented. A mirror-symmetric pair of right-angle periscopes is first used to introduce a geometric field flip between two incident light beams,after which the light is combined by means of one of a number of constructive two-beam interferometers.

Aerospace instrumentation astronomical instruments↗
NASA NTRS2005

Long Baseline Nulling Interferometry with the Keck Telescopes: A Progress Report

The Keck Interferometer Nuller (KIN) is one of the major scientific and technical precursors to the Terrestrial Planet Finder Interferometer (TPF-I) mission. KIN's primary objective is to measure the level of exo-zodiacal mid-infrared emission around nearby main sequence stars, which requires deep broad-band nulling of astronomical sources of a few Janskys at 10 microns. A number of new capabilities are needed in order to reach that goal with the Keck telescopes: mid-infrared coherent recombination, interferometric operation in 'split pupil' mode, N-band optical path stabilization using K-band fringe tracking and internal metrology, and eventually, active atmospheric dispersion correction. We report here on the progress made implementing these new functionalities, and discuss the initial levels of extinction achieved on the sky.

instrumentation↗
NASA NTRS2004

Recent New Ideas and Directions for Space-Based Nulling Interferometry

This document is composed of two viewgraph presentations. The first is entitled "Recent New Ideas and Directions for Space-Based Nulling Interferometry." It reviews our understanding of interferometry compared to a year or so ago: (1) Simpler options identified, (2) A degree of flexibility is possible, allowing switching (or degradation) between some options, (3) Not necessary to define every component to the exclusion of all other possibilities and (4) MIR fibers are becoming a reality. The second, entitled "The Fiber Nuller," reviews the idea of Combining beams in a fiber instead of at a beamsplitter.

interferometry↗
NASA NTRS2008

Optical nulling apparatus and method for testing an optical surface

An optical nulling apparatus for testing an optical surface includes an aspheric mirror having a reflecting surface for imaging light near or onto the optical surface under test, where the aspheric mirror is configured to reduce spherical aberration of the optical surface under test. The apparatus includes a light source for emitting light toward the aspheric mirror, the light source longitudinally aligned with the aspheric mirror and the optical surface under test. The aspheric mirror is disposed between the light source and the optical surface under test, and the emitted light is reflected off the reflecting surface of the aspheric mirror and imaged near or onto the optical surface under test. An optical measuring device is disposed between the light source and the aspheric mirror, where light reflected from the optical surface under test enters the optical measuring device. An imaging mirror is disposed longitudinally between the light source and the aspheric mirror, and the imaging mirror is configured to again reflect light, which is first reflected from the reflecting surface of the aspheric mirror, onto the optical surface under test.

Olczak, Eugene↗