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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 1,621 records · Page 90
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1985

Solutal Convection and Its Effects on Crystal Growth and Segregation in Binary and Pseudo-Binary System with Large Liquidus-Solidus Separation

This research program is composed of theoretical and experimental studies of solutal convection and its effects on crystal growth and segregation in binary and pseudo-binary systems with large liquidus-solidus separation. The theoretical program has resulted in the development of a transient simulation of the growth of concentrated alloys in microgravity and has been used to study the dynamics of GeSi, PbSnTe, HgCdTe growth. Finite element analysis has also been developed for studying the interactions of buoyancy-driven convection in the melt caused by temperature and concentration variations with melt-solid interface morphology and alloy segregation in the grown crystal. These calculations are being compared directly to experimental measurements of segregation and interface shape for GeSi growth and GaGe growth. The results for SiGe indicate that careful design of the thermal system can result in almost diffusion-controlled growth on Earth because of the stablizing influence of the concentration gradient ahead of the solidification front.

Brown, R. A.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Advanced electric propulsion and space plasma contactor research

A series of experiments performed on an 8 cm dia. ring cusp magnetic field ion thruster are described. The results show the effects of anode and cathode position and size, ring cusp axial location and discharge chamber length on plasma ion energy cost and extracted ion fraction. Thruster performance is shown to be improved substantially when optimum values of these parameters are used. Investigations into the basic plasma phenomena associated with the process of plasma contacting are described. The results show the process of electron collection from a background plasma to a hollow cathode plasma contactor exhibits a higher impedance than the process of electron emission from the hollow cathode. The importance of having cold ions present to facilitate the plasma contacting process is shown. Results of experiments into the behavior of hollow cathodes operating at high interelectrode pressures (up to approx. 100 Torr) on nitrogen and ammonia are presented. They suggest that diffuse emission from the insert of a hollow cathode can be sustained at high interelectrode pressures if the cathode is made of non-conducting material and the cathode internal pressure is reduced by evacuating the cathode interior. A theoretical model of discharge chamber operation developed for inert gas thrusters is extended so it can be used to evaluste the performance of mercury ion thrusters. Predictions of the model are compared to experimental results obtained on two 30 cm dia. thrusters.

Wilbur, P. J.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Study of helicopterroll control effectiveness criteria

A study of helicopter roll control effectiveness based on closed-loop task performance measurement and modeling is presented. Roll control critieria are based on task margin, the excess of vehicle task performance capability over the pilot's task performance demand. Appropriate helicopter roll axis dynamic models are defined for use with analytic models for task performance. Both near-earth and up-and-away large-amplitude maneuvering phases are considered. The results of in-flight and moving-base simulation measurements are presented to support the roll control effectiveness criteria offered. This Volume contains the theoretical analysis, simulation results and criteria development.

Heffley, Robert K.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Sound propagation over uneven ground and irregular topography

Theoretical, computational, and experimental techniques were developed for predicting the effects of irregular topography on long range sound propagation in the atmosphere. Irregular topography is understood to imply a ground surface that: (1) is not idealizable as being perfectly flat, or (2) that is not idealizable as having a constant specific acoustic impedance. The focus is on circumstances where the propagation is similar to what might be expected for noise from low altitude air vehicles flying over suburban or rural terrain, such that rays from the source arrive at angles close to grazing incidence.

Berthelot, Yves H.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Wind profile estimation from point to point laser distortion data

The author's results on the problem of using laser distortion data to estimate the wind profile along the path of the beam are presented. A new model for the dynamics of the index of refraction in a non-constant wind is developed. The model agrees qualitatively with theoretical predictions for the index of refraction statistics in linear wind shear, and is approximated by the predictions of Taylor's hypothesis in constant wind. A framework for a potential in-flight experiment is presented, and the estimation problem is discussed in a maximum likelihood context.

Leland, Robert↗
NASA NTRS1990

Modeling the pressure-strain correlation of turbulence: An invariant dynamical systems approach

The modeling of the pressure-strain correlation of turbulence is examined from a basic theoretical standpoint with a view toward developing improved second-order closure models. Invariance considerations along with elementary dynamical systems theory are used in the analysis of the standard hierarchy of closure models. In these commonly used models, the pressure-strain correlation is assumed to be a linear function of the mean velocity gradients with coefficients that depend algebraically on the anisotropy tensor. It is proven that for plane homogeneous turbulent flows the equilibrium structure of this hierarchy of models is encapsulated by a relatively simple model which is only quadratically nonlinear in the anisotropy tensor. This new quadratic model - the SSG model - is shown to outperform the Launder, Reece, and Rodi model (as well as more recent models that have a considerably more complex nonlinear structure) in a variety of homogeneous turbulent flows. Some deficiencies still remain for the description of rotating turbulent shear flows that are intrinsic to this general hierarchy of models and, hence, cannot be overcome by the mere introduction of more complex nonlinearities. It is thus argued that the recent trend of adding substantially more complex nonlinear terms containing the anisotropy tensor may be of questionable value in the modeling of the pressure-strain correlation. Possible alternative approaches are discussed briefly.

Speziale, Charles G.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Fourier analysis and signal processing by use of the Moebius inversion formula

A novel Fourier technique for digital signal processing is developed. This approach to Fourier analysis is based on the number-theoretic method of the Moebius inversion of series. The Fourier transform method developed is shown also to yield the convolution of two signals. A computer simulation shows that this method for finding Fourier coefficients is quite suitable for digital signal processing. It competes with the classical FFT (fast Fourier transform) approach in terms of accuracy, complexity, and speed.

Reed, Irving S.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Design and operational features of low-disturbance wind tunnels at NASA Langley for Mach numbers from 3.5 to 18

The experimental and theoretical program at NASA Langley to develop high-speed low-disturbance wind tunnels for transition research is reviewed. Design and operational details of three new low-disturbance wind tunnels - the Mach-18 quiet helium, Mach-8 variable density, and Mach-3.5/Mach-6 high-speed low-disturbance tunnels, are presented. Focus is placed on the high-speed low-disturbance wind tunnel, which will have relatively large mass flows and run times from about 6 to 25 minutes. This facility is designed to provide direct simulation of low-disturbance flight conditions in the atmosphere. The Mach-8 facility will provide uniform flow conditions suitable for validation of aerodynamic codes, while the helium facility will be used for validation of boundary-layer and free shear-layer stability and transition prediction codes.

Beckwith, I. E.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Use of piezoelectric actuators in active vibration control of rotating machinery

Theoretical and test results for the development of piezoelectric-actuator-based active vibration control (AVC) are presented. The evolution of this technology starts with an ideal model of the actuator and progresses to a more sophisticated model where the pushers force the squirrel cage ball bearing supports of a rotating shaft. The piezoelectric pushers consist of a stack of piezoelectric ceramic disks that are arranged on top of one another and connected in parallel electrically. This model consists of a prescribed displacement that is proportional to the input voltage and a spring that represents the stiffness of the stack of piezoelectric disks. System tests were carried out to stabilize the AVC system, verify its effectiveness in controlling vibration, and confirm the theory presented.

Lin, Reng Rong↗
NASA NTRS1990

The development and analysis of geopotential coefficient models to spherical harmonic degree 360

Two new geopotential coefficient models to spherical harmonic degree 360 are developed using recent advances made in theoretical modeling methods, satellite gravitational models, and expanded and improved terrestrial data. The new models are based on the combination of a satellite potential coefficient model (GEM-T2) to degree 50 with 30-arc mean gravity anomalies, yielding an adjusted set of coefficients and gravity anomalies, which were then harmonically analyzed to yield a set of potential coefficients to degree 360. The models were verified in several ways including satellite orbit residual analysis, demonstrating a substantial improvement over previous high-degree expansions.

Rapp, Richard H.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Modelling the pressure-strain correlation of turbulence - An invariant dynamical systems approach

The modeling of the pressure-strain correlation of turbulence is examined from a basic theoretical standpoint with a view toward developing improved second-order closure models. Invariance considerations along with elementary dynamical systems theory are used in the analysis of the standard hierarchy of closure models. In these commonly used models, the pressure-strain correlation is assumed to be a linear function of the mean velocity gradients with coefficients that depend algebraically on the anisotropy tensor. It is proven that for plane homogeneous turbulent flows the equilibrium structure of this hierarchy of models is encapsulated by a relatively simple model which is only quadratically nonlinear in the anisotropy tensor. This new quadratic model - the SSG model - is shown to outperform the Launder, Reece, and Rodi model (as well as more recent models that have a considerably more complex nonlinear structure) in a variety of homogeneous turbulent flows. Some deficiencies still remain for the description of rotating turbulent shear flows that are intrinsic to this general hierarchy of models and, hence, cannot be overcome by the mere introduction of more complex nonlinearities. It is thus argued that the recent trend of adding substantially more complex nonlinear terms containing the anisotropy tensor may be of questionable value in the modeling of the pressure-strain correlation. Possible alternative approaches are discussed briefly.

Speziale, Charles G.↗
NASA NTRS1991

MPD thruster research issues, activities, strategies

The following activities and plans in the MPD thruster development are summarized: (1) experimental and theoretical research (magnetic nozzles at present and high power levels, MPD thrusters with applied fields extending into the thrust chamber, and improved electrode performance); and (2) tools (MACH2 code for MPD and nozzle flow calculation, laser diagnostics and spectroscopy for non-intrusive measurements of flow conditions, and extension to higher power). National strategies are also outlined.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1991

Numerical methods for the analysis of sampled-data systems and for the computation of system zeros

MARSYAS is a computer aided control system design package for the simulation and analysis of open loop and closed loop dynamic systems. Outlined here is the numerical and theoretical basis of the MARSYAS functions developed during the summer of 1991. In particular, the numerical computation of the matrix exponential e(exp A) = I + A + A(exp 2)/2! + A(exp 3)/3! + ... and the numerical computation of the finite system zeros of a dynamic system (continuous time or discrete time) are presented.

Hodel, A. Scottedward↗
NASA NTRS1992

Analysis of a generalized dual reflector antenna system using physical optics

Reflector antennas are widely used in communication satellite systems because they provide high gain at low cost. Offset-fed single paraboloids and dual reflector offset Cassegrain and Gregorian antennas with multiple focal region feeds provide a simple, blockage-free means of forming multiple, shaped, and isolated beams with low sidelobes. Such antennas are applicable to communications satellite frequency reuse systems and earth stations requiring access to several satellites. While the single offset paraboloid has been the most extensively used configuration for the satellite multiple-beam antenna, the trend toward large apertures requiring minimum scanned beam degradation over the field of view 18 degrees for full earth coverage from geostationary orbit may lead to impractically long focal length and large feed arrays. Dual reflector antennas offer packaging advantages and more degrees of design freedom to improve beam scanning and cross-polarization properties. The Cassegrain and Gregorian antennas are the most commonly used dual reflector antennas. A computer program for calculating the secondary pattern and directivity of a generalized dual reflector antenna system was developed and implemented at LeRC. The theoretical foundation for this program is based on the use of physical optics methodology for describing the induced currents on the sub-reflector and main reflector. The resulting induced currents on the main reflector are integrated to obtain the antenna far-zone electric fields. The computer program is verified with other physical optics programs and with measured antenna patterns. The comparison shows good agreement in far-field sidelobe reproduction and directivity.

Acosta, Roberto J.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Real-time control of the MIT vehicle emulation system

The MIT vehicle emulation system (VES) is an experimental facility designed to facilitate the study of controlling robots fixed to nonstationary bases. This includes assembly and repair manipulators attached to space vehicles, or to the space shuttle arm, as well as manipulators fixed to the bed of moving ground vehicles. Controlling manipulators under these conditions for endpoint force and positioning tasks requires both the development of new theory, and the development of a testbed for verifying theoretical results through experimentation. A description is presented of the technical details of the real-time controller for the second generation VES system.

Durfee, William K.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Measuring Density Of Air By Ultraviolet Rayleigh Scattering

Report presents theoretical and experimental studies directed toward development of optoelectronic instrument to measure density of air at altitudes from 50 to 90 km and possibly beyond. Instrument mounted in Space Shuttle orbiter and operated during reentry into atmosphere. Data gathered by instrument needed because density of upper atmosphere highly variable in space and time and this variability affects aerodynamic behavior and trajectory of reentering Shuttle. Variations in density also meteorologically significant.

Mckenzie, Robert L.↗
NASA NTRS1993

A study of thin liquid sheet flows

This study was a theoretical and experimental investigation of thin liquid sheet flows in vacuum. A sheet flow created by a narrow slit of width, W, coalesces to a point at a distance, L, as a result of surface tension forces acting at the sheet edges. As the flow coalesces, the fluid accumulates in the sheet edges. The observed triangular shape of the sheet agrees with the calculated triangular result. Experimental results for L/W as a function of Weber number, We, agree with the calculated result, L/W = the sq. root of 8We. The edge cross sectional shape is found to oscillate from elliptic to 'cigar' like to 'peanut' like and then back to elliptic in the flow direction. A theoretical one-dimensional model was developed that yielded only elliptic solutions for the edge cross section. At the points where the elliptic shapes occur, there is agreement between theory and experiment.

Chubb, Donald L.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Proceedings of the Non-Linear Aero Prediction Requirements Workshop

The purpose of the Non-Linear Aero Prediction Requirements Workshop, held at NASA Langley Research Center on 8-9 Dec. 1993, was to identify and articulate requirements for non-linear aero prediction capabilities during conceptual/preliminary design. The attendees included engineers from industry, government, and academia in a variety of aerospace disciplines, such as advanced design, aerodynamic performance analysis, aero methods development, flight controls, and experimental and theoretical aerodynamics. Presentations by industry and government organizations were followed by panel discussions. This report contains copies of the presentations and the results of the panel discussions.

Logan, Michael J.↗