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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

DARHT Axis 1 Bremsstrahlung Dose Measurements

he Dual-Axis Radiographic Hydrodynamic Test (DARHT) facility provides flash radiography ca pabilities using two electron Linear Induction Accelerators (LIA’s). Axis-1 of DARHT produces, nominally, a 20-MeV, 1.5-kA, 80-ns-Full Width at Half Max (FWHM) electron beam. The elec tron beam is focused on to a tantalum target to produce a Bremsstrahlung x-ray dose for flash radiography of dynamic systems. This paper will describe and compare a variety of techniques for determining the x-ray dose for two different beam currents produced by a 55mm and 70mm diameter cathode. The data was taken in November of 2022 on DARHT Axis 1. The experimen tal measurement techniques include a platinum calorimeter, a diamond radiation detector (DRD), and a Compton diode (CD). Gafchromic EBT3 self-developing dosimetry film was also used, but no useful results were obtained. Beam charge and energy were recorded and dose was calculated with this information using xtr with Dosecalcx, and simple dose charge-energy scaling. In this pa per, we will discuss the target geometry and experimental layout, the methods of measuring dose, dose diagnostics and measurement of beam charge and energy, and the comparisons of data and calculations.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

SAND - System for on-Axis Neutrino Detection - in the DUNE Near Detector Complex

The DUNE experiment aims to precisely measure the long baseline neutrino oscillation parameters. The DUNE Far Detector consists of four liquid argon time-projection chambers (total LAr mass of 17 kton for each cryostat), that will be installed at the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF) in South Dakota, 1300 km from the proton beam target. The Near Detector complex, located at Fermilab, is fundamental for limiting the systematic uncertainties, due to the neutrino/antineutrino flux and to the cross-section. It comprises three complementary detectors: ND-Lar, ND-Gar and SAND (System for on-Axis Neutrino Detection). ND-Lar and ND-Gar can move off-axis, while SAND is the only detector permanently on-axis, whose primary goal is to monitor the beam and to measure the flux. In this talk, the SAND design and the expected performances will be described together with its role within the Near Detector complex for the DUNE physics program.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Vertical-Axis Wind Turbine Steady and Unsteady Aerodynamics for Curved Deforming Blades

Vertical-axis wind turbines’ simpler design and low center of gravity make them ideal for floating wind applications. However, efficient design optimization of floating systems requires fast and accurate models. Low-fidelity vertical-axis turbine aerodynamic models, including double multiple streamtube and actuator cylinder theory, were created during the 1980s. Commercial development of vertical-axis turbines all but ceased in the 1990s until around 2010 when interest resurged for floating applications. Despite the age of these models, the original assumptions (2-D, rigid, steady, straight bladed) have not been revisited in full. When the current low-fidelity formulations are applied to modern turbines in the unsteady domain, aerodynamic load errors nearing 50% are found, consistent with prior literature. However, a set of steady and unsteady modifications that remove the majority of error is identified, limiting it near 5%. This paper shows how to reformulate the steady models to allow for unsteady inputs including turbulence, deforming blades, and variable rotational speed. A new unsteady approximation that increases numerical speed by 5–10× is also presented. Combined, these modifications enable full-turbine unsteady simulations with accuracy comparable to higher-fidelity vortex methods, but over 5000× faster.

17 WIND ENERGY↗

Holographic measurement of wave propagation in axi-symmetric shells

The report deals with the use of pulsed, double-exposure holographic interferometry to record the propagation of transverse waves in thin-walled axi-symmetric shells. The report is subdivided into sections dealing with: (1) wave propagation in circular cylindrical shells, (2) wave propagation past cut-outs and stiffeners, and (3) wave propagation in conical shells. Several interferograms are presented herein which show the waves reflecting from the shell boundaries, from cut-outs, and from stiffening rings. The initial response of the shell was nearly axi-symmetric in all cases, but nonsymmetric modes soon appeared in the radial response. This result suggests that the axi-symmetric response of the shell may be dynamically unstable, and thus may preferentially excite certain circumferential harmonics through parametric excitation. Attempts were made throughout to correlate the experimental data with analysis. For the most part, good agreement between theory and experiment was obtained. Occasional differences were attributed primarily to simplifying assumptions used in the analysis. From the standpoint of engineering applications, it is clear that pulsed laser holography can be used to obtain quantitative engineering data. Areas of dynamic stress concentration, stress concentration factors, local anomalies, etc., can be readily determined by holography.

Evensen, D. A.↗

Eigenvalue properties of structural mean-axis systems

The authors review some of the properties of the pseudoinverse and oblique pseudoinverse of a linear transformation T from one finite-dimensional inner-product space into another, and then use these properties and a theorem of Milne (1968), which states that the oblique pseudoinverse can be expressed in terms of a weak generalized inverse and two projection operators, in order to compute a mean-axis influence coefficient matrix for the dynamic analysis of an elastic body. Some eigenvalue invariance properties of the mean-axis structural dynamics equations are demonstrated, and on the simple example of a uniform beam, it is shown that the finite frequencies and mode shapes of the mean axis structural system are identical to the nonzero frequencies and mode shapes of the free structure.

Cavin, R. K., III↗

Mechanical behavior and fracture characteristics of off-axis fiber composites. 1: Experimental investigation

The mechanical behavior, fracture surfaces, and fracture modes of unidirectional high-modulus graphite-fiber/epoxy composites subjected to off-axis tensile loads were investigated experimentally. The investigation included the generation of stress-strain-to-fracture data and scanning electron microscope studies of the fractured surfaces. The results led to the identification of fracture modes and distinct fracture surface characteristics for off-axis tensile loading. The results also led to the formulation of critical for identifying and characterizing these fracture modes and their associated fracture surfaces. The results presented and discussed herein were used in the theoretical investigation and comparisons described in Part 2. These results should also provide a good foundation for identifying, characterizing, and quantifying fracture modes in both off-axis and angle-plied laminates.

Sinclair, J. H.↗

Postural illusions experienced during Z-axis recumbent rotation and their dependence upon somatosensory stimulation of the body surface

A blindfolded recumbent subject experiences a variety of postural illusions when rotated about his Z axis. Initially, during the acceleratory phase of rotation, turning about his Z axis is experienced; but, as rotary velocity increases, a spiraling of the body outward in the direction opposite to true rotation is experienced as well. Above 15-20 rpm, only orbital motion of the body is experienced, with the subject feeling that he is always facing in the same direction. One cycle of the apparent orbit is completed each time the subject actually rotates 360 deg. The reverse sequence of illusory motion is experienced during deceleration. The illusory motion all subjects experience during Z-axis recumbent rotation is shown to depend upon the touch and pressure stimulation of the body surface generated by contact forces of support.

Lackner, J. R.↗

The proto-type wrist joint assembly TACPAW (Triple Axis Common Pivot Arm Wrist), phase 2

A wrist joint assembly is described for use with a mechanical manipulator arm for finely positioning an end-effector carried by the wrist joint on the terminal end of the manipulator arm. The wrist joint assembly is pivotable about a first axis to produce a yaw motion, a second axis to produce a pitch motion, and a third axis to produce a roll motion. The performance of the wrist configuration is indicative of the capability to produce the 15 ft lb torque in either one of the three motions and the smoothness of operation is notable.

Kersten, L.↗

Preliminary characterization of a one-axis acoustic system

The acoustic fields and levitation forces produced along the axis of a single-axis resonance system were measured. The system consisted of a St. Clair generator and a planar reflector. The levitation force was measured for bodies of various sizes and geometries (i.e., spheres, cylinders, and discs). The force was found to be roughly proportional to the volume of the body until the characteristic body radius reaches approximately 2/k (k = wave number). The acoustic pressures along the axis were modeled using Huygens principle and a method of imaging to approximate multiple reflections. The modeled pressures were found to be in reasonable agreement with those measured with a calibrated microphone.

Oran, W. A.↗

Aeroelastic stability and response of horizontal axis wind turbine blades

The coupled flap-lag-torsion equations of motion of an isolated horizontal axis wind turbine blade are formulated. Quasi-steady blade-element strip theory was applied to derive the aerodynamic operator which includes boundary layer type gradient winds. The final equations which have periodic coefficients were solved in order to obtain the aeroelastic response and stability of large horizontal axis wind turbine blade. A new method of generating an appropriate time-dependent equilibrium position (required for the stability analysis) has been implemented. Representative steady-state responses and stability boundaries, applicable mainly to an existing blade design (NASA/-ERDA MOD-0), are presented. The results indicate that the MOD-0 configuration is a basically stable design and that blade stability is not sensitive to offsets between blade elastic axis and aerodynamic center. Blade stability appears to be sensitive to precone. The tower shadow (or wake) has a considerable effect on the flap response but leaves blade stability unchanged. Finally, it was found that non linear terms in the equations of motion can significantly affect the linearized stability boundaries, however, these terms have a negligible effect on blade response at operating conditions.

Kottapalli, S. B. R.↗

Determination of the orientation symmetry axis of graphite specimens

A technique is described for determining the true orientation symmetry axis of graphite specimens from conventional X-ray diffraction data. The technique, although developed for graphite, is applicable to any material exhibiting crystalline orientation which is symmetric about some axis. The requisite equations are derived for applying the procedure to both Bacon transmission data and rotating specimen reflection data. Results are presented which show that the symmetry axis of eleven molded graphites tested differed significantly from their nominal pressing directions.

Schryer, D. R.↗

The orientation of the solar rotation axis from Doppler velocity observations

Mt. Wilson observations of solar velocity fields have been examined for evidence that the rotation axis of the nonmagnetic gas at the solar surface is oriented differently that the axis found by Carrington (1863) from sunspot observations. No difference is found with accuracy of 0.15 in the angle of inclination of the axis to the ecliptic.

Labonte, B. J.↗

Generation of off-axis aspherics

A method for precise generation of optical surfaces is described. The work is turned about one axis, while a grinding head or cutting tool is gradually moved across by an arm turning about a second axis. This geometry can be used to directly generate spherical surfaces or aspherical surfaces presently termed 'hulahoids'. The properties of these surfaces are analyzed to determine how well large paraboloids and their off-axis segments can be generated. Very close approximations are possible. For example, 1.5-m segments of a 10-m paraboloid differ by only 0.6 microns peak-to-peak from the best fit hulahoid when the focal ratio is f/2, and 60 microns when it is f/0.4. For accurate generation the cutting tool may need numerically controlled travel of 1 mm or less, with the position set as a function of the swing arm angle.

Angel, J. R. P.↗

Antenna Axis Drive Torques for the 70-meter Antenna

Antenna axis speeds versus wind speeds are given in terms of dish size, hydraulic motor size, and the number of servo valves. An increase in the dish diameter of antenna is usually accompanied by increases in the axis torques required to drive the antenna against wind. The proposed increase in the diameters of the 64-m antenna dishes to 70 m (plus a noise shield) does require increased axis torques. The increased dish diameter causes the maximum azimuth and elevation torques to increase 48% and 43% respectively.

Mcginness, H. D.↗

The determination of the direction of the optic axis of uniaxial crystalline materials

The birefringence of crystalline substances in general, and of sapphire in particular, is described. A test is described whose purpose is to determine the direction of the optic axis of a cylindrically machined single crystal of sapphire. This test was performed on the NASA Lewis sapphire cylinder and it was found that the optic axis made an angle of 18 deg with the axis of symmetry of the cylinder.

Lock, J. A.↗

Theoretical three-and four-axis gimbal robot wrists

In high-performance flight simulations, a four-axis gimbal system allows all possible rotations with acceptable gimbal angle rates while it avoids the so-callled 'gimbal lock' that occurs when gimbal rotational axes are colinear. In this paper, pertinent equations (including quaternions) are assembled for a hypothetical robot wrist, functionally equivalent to this four-axis gimbal system, and also for a true three-axis gimbal robot wrist. These equations are used to simulate the rotation of a robot hand by the robot wrist in response to operator rotational velocity commands to the robot hand. Near gimbal lock (wrist singularity), excessive rotational rates occur. Scaling the rates, which is necessary for the three-gimbal robot wrist to prevent rate limiting, introduces an undesirable time delay in the robot hand rotation with respect to the commanded rotation. However, the merit of the four-gimbal robot wrist is that the fourth gimbal angle keeps the robot wrist away from the singularity so that the robot hand moves exactly as commanded. It appears that in a 'worst-type' maneuver of the robot hand, the fourth gimbal angle can be defined so that none of the gimbal angle rates exceed about twice the commanded rates.

Barker, L. K.↗

Modified Denavit-Hartenberg parameters for better location of joint axis systems in robot arms

The Denavit-Hartenberg parameters define the relative location of successive joint axis systems in a robot arm. A recent justifiable criticism is that one of these parameters becomes extremely large when two successive joints have near-parallel rotational axes. Geometrically, this parameter then locates a joint axis system at an excessive distance from the robot arm and, computationally, leads to an ill-conditioned transformation matrix. In this paper, a simple modification (which results from constraining a transverse vector between successive joint rotational axes to be normal to one of the rotational axes, instead of both) overcomes this criticism and favorably locates the joint axis system. An example is given for near-parallel rotational axes of the elbow and shoulder joints in a robot arm. The regular and modified parameters are extracted by an algebraic method with simulated measurement data. Unlike the modified parameters, extracted values of the regular parameters are very sensitive to measurement accuracy.

Barker, L. K.↗

Straylight analysis of an aperture shade off-set from the SIRTF optical axis

Adoption of an aperture shade whose axis is offset from the optical axis of the SIRTF telescope has been proposed by Davis (1988). Moving the high side of the asymmetric (truncated) shade away from the optical axis can equalize the barrel baffle lengths illuminated by the aperture shade and reduce the dimensions of both the barrel baffle and aperture shade. The stray-light performance of this revised design is compared to that of the SIRTF baseline design, which uses a coaxial asymmetric aperture shade. Both designs incorporate a back focal distance of 100 cm and Davis's specifications for the primary and secondary cone baffles. Adoption of an offset aperture shade for SIRTF would slightly degrade its performance but would not violate any of the stray-light requirements. The SIRTF goal of natural-background-limited observations can be met with known blacks, Class 750 mirror contamination, and either aperture shade configuration.

Dinger, Ann St. Clair↗