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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 NTRS1974

Aerodynamic design of a rotor blade for minimum noise radiation

An analysis of the aerodynamic design of a hovering rotor blade for obtaining minimum aerodynamic rotor noise has been carried out. In this analysis, which is based on both acoustical and aerodynamic considerations, attention is given only to the rotational noise due to the pressure fluctuations on the blade surfaces. The lift distribution obtained in this analysis has different characteristics from those of the conventional distribution. The present distribution shows negative lift values over a quarter of the span from the blade tip, and a maximum lift at about the midspan. Results are presented to show that the noise field is considerably affected by the shape of the lift distribution along the blade and that noise reduction of about 5 dB may be obtained by designing the rotor blade to yield minimum noise.

Karamcheti, K.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Trimmed noncoplanar planforms with minimum vortex drag

Vortex-lattice subsonic method determines mean camber surface for trimmed noncoplanar planforms with minimum vortex drag. Multiple surfaces can be designed together to yield trimmed configuration with minimum induced drag at some specified lift coefficient. Program is applicable to isolated wings, wing-canard configuration, tandem wing, and wing-winglet configuration.

Lamar, J. E.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Propellers of Minimum Induced Loss, and Water Tunnel Tests of Such a Propeller

The fundamental vortex theory for a single rotation propeller with a finite number of blades is reviewed. The theory leads to the specification of a radial distribution of bound circulation on each blade for minimum induced loss, analogous to the elliptic spanwise distribution of bound circulation on a wing for minimum induced drag. A propeller designed in accord with this theory has been tested in a water tunnel where it exhibited high efficiency in spite of localized cavitating flow. A knowledge of the flow field for an optimum propeller is of value to the airframe designer seeking to maximize the performance of the airplane-propeller combination.

Larrabee, E. E.↗
NASA NTRS1950

The spanwise distribution of lift for minimum induced drag of wings having a given lift and a given bending moment

The problem of the minimum induced drag of wings having a given lift and a given span is extended to include cases in which the bending moment to be supported by the wing is also given. The theory is limited to lifting surfaces traveling at subsonic speeds. It is found that the required shape of the downwash distribution can be obtained in an elementary way which is applicable to a variety of such problems. Expressions for the minimum drag and the corresponding spanwise load distributions are also given for the case in which the lift and the bending moment about the wing root are fixed while the span is allowed to vary. The results show a 15-percent reduction of the induced drag with a 15-percent increase in span as compared with results for an elliptically loaded wing having the same total lift and bending moment.

Jones, R. T.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Minimum wave drag for arbitrary arrangements of wings and bodies

Various arrangements of wings and bodies designed to provide favorable wave interference at supersonic speeds lead to the problem of determining the minimum possible value of the wave resistance obtainable by any disposition of the elements of an aircraft within a definitely prescribed region. Under the assumptions that the total lift and the total volume of the aircraft are given, conditions that must be satisfied if the drag is to be a minimum are found. The report concludes with a discussion of recent developments of the theory which lead to an improved understanding of the drag associated with the production of lift.

Jones, R. T.↗
NASA NTRS1976

A vortex-lattice method for the mean camber shapes of trimmed noncoplanar planforms with minimum vortex drag

A new subsonic method has been developed by which the mean camber surface can be determined for trimmed noncoplanar planforms with minimum vortex drag. This method uses a vortex lattice and overcomes previous difficulties with chord loading specification. A Trefftz plane analysis is utilized to determine the optimum span loading for minimum drag, then solved for the mean camber surface of the wing, which provides the required loading. Sensitivity studies, comparisons with other theories, and applications to configurations which include a tandem wing and a wing winglet combination have been made and are presented.

Lamar, J. E.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Minimum trim drag design for interfering lifting surfaces using vortex-lattice methodology

A new method has been developed by which the mean camber surface can be determined for trimmed noncoplanar planforms with minimum vortex drag under subsonic conditions. The method uses a vortex lattice and overcomes previous difficulties with chord loading specification; it uses a Trefftz plane analysis to determine the optimum span loading for minimum drag, then solves for the mean camber surface of the wing which will provide the required loading. Pitching-moment or root-bending-moment constraints can be employed as well at the design lift coefficient. Sensitivity studies of vortex-lattice arrangement have been made with this method and are presented. Comparisons with other theories show generally good agreement. The versatility of the method is demonstrated by applying it to (1) isolated wings, (2) wing-canard configurations, (3) a tandem wing, and (4) a wing-winglet configuration.

Lamar, J. E.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Minimum acquisition time detection

Two different methods of target detection when the return signal is contaminated with noise are discussed and compared. The first method uses Neyman-Pearson detection philosophy and selects the threshold level to give a desired false alarm probability. The maximum probability of false alarm is constrained by the target cross scan velocity component. The second method (minimum acquisition time detection), which is similar to the ideal observer, selects the threshold level to minimize the expected target acquisition time. The probabilities of false alarm and missed detection are selected so that the errors produced by these effects produce the minimum acquisition time. Three different scan techniques - linear, spiral and two-mode scan - are studied and compared.

Brock, H. I.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Long-range energy-state maneuvers for minimum time to specified terminal conditions

The calculus of variations and energy-state approximation are used to determine the optimum maneuvers in three-dimensional minimum-time aircraft flight paths to a specified final point or line. Constraints on thrust, Mach number, angle of attack, dynamic pressure, and load factor are included. It is shown that when the initial range is sufficiently large that the maximum velocity constraint is encountered en route, the calculation of minimum-time maneuvers can be greatly simplified by a separation of arcs into two two-parameter problems. Suboptimal paths along which the bank angle is restricted to three discrete values (negative maximum angle, 0, positive maximum angle) compare favorably with the optimum, continuous bank angle solutions for transonic speeds and below.

Parsons, M. G.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Structure of the solar chromosphere. II - The underlying photosphere and temperature-minimum region

The paper presents a non-LTE empirical model of the quiet solar photosphere and the temperature-minimum region. The continuous spectrum computed from this model is in good overall agreement with available disk-center observations throughout the wavelength range from 0.125 to 500 microns. It is found that (1) absolute-intensity measurements are needed in the range between 1 and 2 microns to establish the structure of the deepest observable layers; (2) absolute-intensity or flux measurements are needed in the range between 20 and 200 microns to determine whether the minimum solar temperature occurring between the photosphere and the chromosphere is as low as indicated by present observations or much higher, as recent theoretical predictions indicate; (3) studies of the far-ultraviolet spectrum based on the assumption of LTE can be substantially in error; and (4) line opacity seems to account for the 'missing opacity' in the ultraviolet.

Vernazza, J. E.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Solution of the minimum time-to-climb problem by matched asymptotic expansions

Application of singular perturbation techniques to trajectory optimization problems of flight mechanics is discussed. The method of matched asymptotic expansions is used to obtain an approximate solution to the aircraft minimum time-to-climb problem. Outer, boundary-layer, and composite solutions are obtained to zeroth and first orders. A stability criterion is derived for the zeroth-order boundary-layer solutions (the theory requires a form of boundary-layer stability). A numerical example is considered for which it is shown that the stability criterion is satisfied and a useful numerical solution is obtained. The zeroth-order solution proves to be a poor approximation, but the first-order solution gives a good approximation for both the trajectory and the minimum time-to-climb. The computational cost of the singular perturbation solution is considerably less than that of a steepest descent solution. Thus singular perturbation methods appear to be promising for the solution of optimal control problems.

Ardema, M. D.↗
NASA NTRS1976

On the minimum variance direction of magnetic field fluctuations in the azimuthal velocity structure of the solar wind

The paper examines the properties of microscale magnetic field fluctuations for diverse classes of large-scale azimuthal velocity structures in the solar wind, with particular reference to the orientation of the wave normal vector for MHD waves in the interplanetary medium. It is shown that the direction of minimum variance does not exhibit any characteristic refraction pattern with respect to large-scale velocity structures in the solar wind. It is suggested that the direction of minimum variance is not indicative of the wave normal vector directions. The determination of the wave normal vector directions for the predominantly transverse MHD waves in the interplanetary medium is presently beyond the capability of single spacecraft observations.

Solodyna, C. V.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Optimization of the space shuttle entry guidance lateral deadband, minimum bank angle logic

The lateral deadband and minimum bank angle schedule were studied. Results used by the analytic drag control entry guidance system are presented. Lateral deadband limits and configuration were investigated and possible changes in the minimum bank angle schedule to improve crossrange control and drag acceleration control for entry were examined. The study recommends a 12.5 deg lateral deadband to accommodate low dispersions of up to 23%.

Bump, P. B.↗
NASA NTRS1977

A comparison of solar wind streams and coronal structure near solar minimum

Solar wind data from the MIT detectors on the IMP 7 and 8 satellites and the SOLRAD 11B satellite for the solar-minimum period September-December, 1976, were compared with X-ray images of the solar corona taken by rocket-borne telescopes on September 16 and November 17, 1976. There was no compelling evidence that a coronal hole was the source of any high speed stream. Thus it is possible that either coronal holes were not the sources of all recurrent high-speed solar wind streams during the declining phase of the solar cycle, as might be inferred from the Skylab period, or there was a change in the appearance of some magnetic field regions near the time of solar minimum.

Nolte, J. T.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Minimum induced drag configurations with jet interaction

A theoretical method is presented for determining the optimum camber shape and twist distribution for the minimum induced drag in the wing-alone case without prescribing the span loading shape. The same method was applied to find the corresponding minimum induced drag configuration with the upper-surface-blowing jet. Lan's quasi-vortex-lattice method and his wing-jet interaction theory was used. Comparison of the predicted results with another theoretical method shows good agreement for configurations without the flowing jet. More applicable experimental data with blowing jets are needed to establish the accuracy of the theory.

Pao, J. L.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Atomic hydrogen on Mars - Measurements at solar minimum

The Copernicus Orbiting Astronomical Observatory was used to obtain measurements of Mars Lyman-alpha (1215.671-angstrom) emission at the solar minimum, which has resulted in the first information on atomic hydrogen concentrations in the upper atmosphere of Mars at the solar minimum. The Copernicus measurements, coupled with the Viking in situ measurements of the temperature (170 plus or minus 30 K) of the upper atmosphere of Mars, indicate that the atomic hydrogen number density at the exobase of Mars (250 kilometers) is about 60 times greater than that deduced from Mariner 6 and 7 Lyman-alpha measurements obtained during a period of high solar activity. The Copernicus results are consistent with Hunten's hypothesis of the diffusion-limited escape of atomic hydrogen from Mars.

Levine, J. S.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Interpolation and extrapolation of creep rupture data by the minimum commitment method. II - Oblique translation

An outline is presented of a new procedure, termed the oblique translation method, which emerged in the development of the focal point convergence method. Approaches for implementing the oblique translation method are discussed. It is shown that the new method is essentially a minimum commitment method when manually-graphically implemented, in the sense that the form of the functions involved are not forced into particular analytical forms. The individual constants and functions are independently determined. The minimum commitment concept is extended to the analysis of creep rupture data wherein each isothermal is to be generated by an oblique translation of the 'master curve' when plotted. Attention is given to a manual-graphical analysis, the preassessment of data, and an analysis by computer code.

Manson, S. S.↗
NASA NTRS1978

A finite-state, finite-memory minimum principle

A class of finite-state, finite-memory stochastic control problems is considered. A minimum principle is derived. Signaling strategies are defined and related to the necessary conditions of the minimum principle. Min-H algorithms for the problem are described.

Sandell, N. R., Jr.↗