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Results for “non-idealities”

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 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1979

Analysis of Viking infrared thermal mapping data of Mars. The effects of non-ideal surfaces on the derived thermal properties of Mars

The thermal interia of the surface of Mars varies spatially by a factor of eight. This is attributable to changes in the average particle size of the fine material, the surface elevation, the atmospheric opacity due to dust, and the fraction of the surface covered by rocks and fine material. The effects of these non-ideal properties on the surface temperatures and derived thermal inertias are modeled, along with the the effects of slopes, CO2 condensed onto the surface, and layering of fine material upon solid rock. The non-ideal models are capable of producing thermal behavior similar to that observed by the Viking Infrared Thermal Mapper, including a morning delay in the post-dawn temperature rise and an enhanced cooling in the afternoon relative to any ideal, homogeneous model. The enhanced afternoon cooling observed at the Viking-1 landing site is reproduced by the non-ideal models while that atop Arsia Mons volcano is not, but may be attributed to the observing geometry.

Muhleman, D. O.↗
NASA NTRS1971

Thermal contact resistance in a non-ideal joint

The contact of two rough, wavy surfaces; the contact of two rough but nominally flat plates pressed together over a concentrated area; and the contact of two rough but nominally flat plates bolted together are considered. In each case the pressure distribution is calculated as a function of the surface properties. In the case of wavy surfaces it is found that all necessary information for any combination of parameters can be reduced to one master graph. In the other two cases one such graph is needed for each geometry used. The resulting pressure distributions are used in a specific heat transfer example and the total joint resistance versus roughness is presented. A method for decreasing the resistance by increasing the roughness is shown.

Roca, R. T.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Thermal contact resistance in a non-ideal joint

Analysis has been conducted to determine thermal contact resistance at interface of two heat conductors and effect of roughness of mating surfaces on pressure distribution. Investigation reveals how heat transfer resistance may be decreased or increased by changing surface properties of particular interface being considered.

Roca, R. T.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Modeling of heavy-gas effects on airfoil flows

Thermodynamic models were constructed for a calorically imperfect gas and for a non-ideal gas. These were incorporated into a quasi one dimensional flow solver to develop an understanding of the differences in flow behavior between the new models and the perfect gas model. The models were also incorporated into a two dimensional flow solver to investigate their effects on transonic airfoil flows. Specifically, the calculations simulated airfoil testing in a proposed high Reynolds number heavy gas test facility. The results indicate that the non-idealities caused significant differences in the flow field, but that matching of an appropriate non-dimensional parameter led to flows similar to those in air.

Drela, Mark↗
NASA NTRS1972

Comparison of two gas chromatograph models and analysis of binary data

The overall objective of the gas chromatograph system studies is to generate fundamental design criteria and techniques to be used in the optimum design of the system. The particular tasks currently being undertaken are the comparison of two mathematical models of the chromatograph and the analysis of binary system data. The predictions of two mathematical models, an equilibrium absorption model and a non-equilibrium absorption model exhibit the same weaknesses in their inability to predict chromatogram spreading for certain systems. The analysis of binary data using the equilibrium absorption model confirms that, for the systems considered, superposition of predicted single component behaviors is a first order representation of actual binary data. Composition effects produce non-idealities which limit the rigorous validity of superposition.

Keba, P. S.↗
NASA NTRS1976

A three-dimensional, time-dependent model of Mobile Bay

A three-dimensional, time-variant mathematical model for momentum and mass transport in estuaries was developed and its solution implemented on a digital computer. The mathematical model is based on state and conservation equations applied to turbulent flow of a two-component, incompressible fluid having a free surface. Thus, bouyancy effects caused by density differences between the fresh and salt water, inertia from thare river and tidal currents, and differences in hydrostatic head are taken into account. The conservation equations, which are partial differential equations, are solved numerically by an explicit, one-step finite difference scheme and the solutions displayed numerically and graphically. To test the validity of the model, a specific estuary for which scaled model and experimental field data are available, Mobile Bay, was simulated. Comparisons of velocity, salinity and water level data show that the model is valid and a viable means of simulating the hydrodynamics and mass transport in non-idealized estuaries.

Pitts, F. H.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Balancing techniques for high-speed flexible rotors

Ideal and non-ideal conditions for multiplane balancing are addressed. Methodology and procedures for identifying optimum balancing configurations and for assessing, quantitatively, the penalties associated with non-optimum configurations were developed and demonstrated. The problems introduced when vibration sensors are supported on flexible mounts were assessed experimentally, and the effects of flexural asymmetry in the rotor on balancing were investigated. A general purpose method for predicting the threshold of instability of an asymmetric rotor was developed, and its predictions are compared with measurements under different degrees of asymmetry.

Smalley, A. J.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Preliminary analytical results using surface current integration for predicting effects of surface pillows on RF performance

An overview of the fast integral RF evaluation (FIRE) program is presented. This program uses surface current integration to evaluate RF performance of antenna systems. It requires modeling of surfaces in X, Y, Z coordinates along equally spaced X and Y grids with Z in the focal directon. The far field contribution of each surface point includes the effects of the Z-component of surface current which is not included in the aperture integration technique. Because of this, surface current integration is the most effective and inclusive technique for predicting RF performance on non-ideal reflectors. Results obtained from use of the FIRE program and an aperture integration program to predict RF performance of a LSS antenna concept are presented.

Farrell, C. E.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Review of solar fuel-producing quantum conversion processes

The status and potential of fuel-producing solar photochemical processes are discussed. Research focused on splitting water to produce dihydrogen and is at a relatively early stage of development. Current emphasis is primarily directed toward understanding the basic chemistry underlying such quantum conversion processes. Theoretical analyses by various investigators predict a limiting thermodynamic efficiency of 31% for devices with a single photosystem operating with unfocused sunlight at 300 K. When non-idealities are included, it appears unlikely that actual devices will have efficiencies greater than 12 to 15%. Observed efficiencies are well below theoretical limits. Cyclic homogeneous photochemical processes for splitting water have efficiencies considerably less than 1%. Efficiency can be significantly increased by addition of a sacrificial reagent; however, such systems are no longer cyclic and it is doubtful that they would be economical on a commercial scale. The observed efficiencies for photoelectrochemical processes are also low but such systems appear more promising than homogeneous photochemical systems. Operating and systems options, including operation at elevated temperature and hybrid and coupled quantum-thermal conversion processes, are also considered.

Peterson, D. B.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Incompressible boundary-layer stability analysis of LFC experimental data for sub-critical Mach numbers

An incompressible boundary-layer stability analysis of Laminar Flow Control (LFC) experimental data was completed and the results are presented. This analysis was undertaken for three reasons: to study laminar boundary-layer stability on a modern swept LFC airfoil; to calculate incompressible design limits of linear stability theory as applied to a modern airfoil at high subsonic speeds; and to verify the use of linear stability theory as a design tool. The experimental data were taken from the slotted LFC experiment recently completed in the NASA Langley 8-Foot Transonic Pressure Tunnel. Linear stability theory was applied and the results were compared with transition data to arrive at correlated n-factors. Results of the analysis showed that for the configuration and cases studied, Tollmien-Schlichting (TS) amplification was the dominating disturbance influencing transition. For these cases, incompressible linear stability theory correlated with an n-factor for TS waves of approximately 10 at transition. The n-factor method correlated rather consistently to this value despite a number of non-ideal conditions which indicates the method is useful as a design tool for advanced laminar flow airfoils.

Berry, S. A.↗
NASA NTRS1985

A preliminary study of the modified Ericsson for space power

Simple modifications of the Ericsson cycle are analyzed for their application as high power, compact and reliable space power systems. They use the same components as the technologically advanced and reliable Brayton system. These modifications approximate the Ericsson cycle's isothermal expansion by several stages of expansion with reheat and the isothermal compression by several compression stages with intercooling. Preliminary cycle analysis including non-ideal components indicates potential advantages in both power per unit area and efficiency over the Brayton system. Evaluation of the system mass indicates a significant mass and radiator area advantage of a Modified Ericsson cycle using one reheat and one expansion stage when a high temperature titanium radiator is used. Whereas the configuration using one reheat and one intercooling with two stages of compression and expansion provided the lowest mass per unit power using a lower temperature aluminum radiator.

Berner, J.↗
NASA NTRS1988

An error floor in tone calibrated transmission

Use of a low level pilot tone has been shown to eliminate the error floor in fading channels. This paper demonstrates that non-idealities in the receiver's pilot tone filter cause reappearance of the error floor. It also presents the bit error rate (BER) in closed form, in contrast to the multidimensional numerical integration of previous work.

Cavers, James K.↗
NASA NTRS1988

A new code for Galileo

Over the past six to eight years, an extensive research effort was conducted to investigate advanced coding techniques which promised to yield more coding gain than is available with current NASA standard codes. The delay in Galileo's launch due to the temporary suspension of the shuttle program provided the Galileo project with an opportunity to evaluate the possibility of including some version of the advanced codes as a mission enhancement option. A study was initiated last summer to determine if substantial coding gain was feasible for Galileo and, is so, to recommend a suitable experimental code for use as a switchable alternative to the current NASA-standard code. The Galileo experimental code study resulted in the selection of a code with constant length 15 and rate 1/4. The code parameters were chosen to optimize performance within cost and risk constraints consistent with retrofitting the new code into the existing Galileo system design and launch schedule. The particular code was recommended after a very limited search among good codes with the chosen parameters. It will theoretically yield about 1.5 dB enhancement under idealizing assumptions relative to the current NASA-standard code at Galileo's desired bit error rates. This ideal predicted gain includes enough cushion to meet the project's target of at least 1 dB enhancement under real, non-ideal conditions.

Dolinar, S.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Experiments with metallic and ceramic porous media

Work in the area of mechano-caloric phenomena was initiated during 1988 with startup in the Summer 1988 period. The ideal system utilizing He-II super-phenomena is modeled readily, within the frame of thermodynamics energetics, using the concept of an ideal superleak. The real system however uses porous media of non-ideal pore-grain ingredients. The early phase of experimental and related modeling studies is outlined for the time period from Summer 1988 to the end of 1988.

Frederking, T. H. K.↗
NASA NTRS1989

A linear shock cell model for jets of arbitrary exit geometry

The shock cell structures of single supersonic non-ideally expanded jets with arbitrary exit geometry are studied. Both vortex sheets and realistic mean profiles are considered for the jet shear layer. The boundary element method is used to predict the shock spacing and screech tones in a vortex sheet model of a single jet. This formulation enables the calculations to be performed only on the vortex sheet. This permits the efficient and convenient study of complicated jet geometries. Results are given for circular, elliptic and rectangular jets and the results are compared with analysis and experiment. The agreement between the predictions and measurements is very good but depends on the assumptions made to predict the geometry of the fully expanded jet. A finite diffference technique is used to examine the effect of finite mixing layer thickness for a single jet. The finite thickness of the mixing layer is found to decrease the shock spacing by approximately 20 percent over the length of the jet potential core.

Morris, P. J.↗