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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 19 records

Thermal Behavior During the Selective Laser Melting Process of Ti-6Al-4V Powder in the Point Exposure Scan Pattern

Currently, there are two main scan patterns, including the continuous exposure scan pattern and the point exposure scan pattern, during the selective laser melting (SLM) process. The point exposure scan pattern allows a three-dimensional (3-D) printer to build finer detail features as a static molten pool that is more stable than a dynamic one. However, there has been limited theoretical research on the thermal behavior characteristics during the process in the point exposure scan pattern. Therefore, in this study, the simulation of thermal behavior during SLM of Ti-6Al-4V powder in the point exposure scan pattern was performed. The temperature evolution behavior of different positions and the effects of exposure time on the temperature evolution behavior of different positions, temperature distributions, and dimensions of the molten pool were investigated. The results showed that the direct exposure position and unexposed position had significantly different temperature evolution behaviors under a given condition, and the changed exposure time had the greatest influence on the direct exposure position compared with unexposed position. Moreover, the thermal accumulation effect of a former exposure point on a later one decreased with increasing exposure time. In addition, with the increase of exposure time, the maximum temperature of the molten pool was enhanced and the surface morphology of the molten pool changed from an approximate ellipse to an approximate circle. Besides, the molten pool dimensions were found to increase with exposure time, which indicated that the exposure time played an important role in the stability of the molten pool and the metallurgical bonding in the process. Furthermore, the dimensions of the molten pool and metallurgical bonding in the cross-sectional view were obtained through experiments. Good agreement was obtained when comparing the simulated results with the experimental ones.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Effects of curved approach paths and advanced displays on pilot scan patterns

The effect on pilot scan behavior of both advanced cockpit and advanced manuevers was assessed. A series of straight-in and curved landing approaches were performed in the Terminal Configured Vehicle (TCV) simulator. Two comparisons of pilot scan behavior were made: (1) pilot scan behavior for straight-in approaches compared with scan behavior previously obtained in a conventionally equipped simulator, and (2) pilot scan behavior for straight-in approaches compared with scan behavior for curved approaches. The results indicate very similar scanning patterns during the straight-in approaches in the conventional and advanced cockpits. However, for the curved approaches pilot attention shifted to the electronic horizontal situation display (moving map), and a new eye scan path appeared between the map and the airspeed indicator. The very high dwell percentage and dwell times on the electronic displays in the TCV simulator during the final portions of the approaches suggest that the electronic attitude direction indicator was well designed for these landing approaches.

Harris, R. L., Sr.↗

Island scanning pattern optimization for residual deformation mitigation in laser powder bed fusion via sequential inherent strain method and sensitivity analysis

Laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) has emerged as one of the mainstream additive manufacturing approaches for fabricating metal parts with complex geometries and intricate internal structures. However, large deformation associated with rapid heating and cooling can lead to build failure and requires post-processing which may increase manufacturing cost and prolong the production period. Here in this work, an island scanning pattern design method is proposed to optimize the scanning direction of each island in order to reduce part deformation after cutting off the build platform. The objective of this optimization is to minimize the upward bending of the part after sectioning, which allows the part deformation to satisfy the tolerance requirement or reduce the post heat treatment time. Inherent strain method is employed in the sequential finite element analysis consisting of layer-by-layer activations and sectioning for fast residual distortion prediction. Full sequential sensitivity analysis for the formulated optimization is provided to update the island scanning directions. To show the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed method, the scanning patterns of a block structure and a connecting rod were designed and parts were fabricated using an open architecture L-PBF machine. The fabrication experiments demonstrated that the residual deformation of both parts fabricated by optimized scanning pattern can be reduced by over 50% compared to the initial scanning patterns, which demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Radar sensitivity and antenna scan pattern study for a satellite-based Radar Wind Sounder (RAWS)

Modeling global atmospheric circulations and forecasting the weather would improve greatly if worldwide information on winds aloft were available. Recognition of this led to the inclusion of the LAser Wind Sounder (LAWS) system to measure Doppler shifts from aerosols in the planned for Earth Observation System (EOS). However, gaps will exist in LAWS coverage where heavy clouds are present. The RAdar Wind Sensor (RAWS) is an instrument that could fill these gaps by measuring Doppler shifts from clouds and rain. Previous studies conducted at the University of Kansas show RAWS as a feasible instrument. This thesis pertains to the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) sensitivity, transmit waveform, and limitations to the antenna scan pattern of the RAWS system. A dop-size distribution model is selected and applied to the radar range equation for the sensitivity analysis. Six frequencies are used in computing the SNR for several cloud types to determine the optimal transmit frequency. the results show the use of two frequencies, one higher (94 GHz) to obtain sensitivity for thinner cloud, and a lower frequency (24 GHz) to obtain sensitivity for thinner cloud, and a lower frequency (24 GHz) for better penetration in rain, provide ample SNR. The waveform design supports covariance estimation processing. This estimator eliminates the Doppler ambiguities compounded by the selection of such high transmit frequencies, while providing an estimate of the mean frequency. the unambiguous range and velocity computation shows them to be within acceptable limits. The design goal for the RAWS system is to limit the wind-speed error to less than 1 ms(exp -1). Due to linear dependence between vectors for a three-vector scan pattern, a reasonable wind-speed error is unattainable. Only the two-vector scan pattern falls within the wind-error limits for azimuth angles between 16 deg to 70 deg. However, this scan only allows two components of the wind to be determined. As a result, a technique is then shown, based on the Z-R-V relationships, that permit the vertical component (i.e., rain) to be computed. Thus the horizontal wind components may be obtained form the covariance estimator and the vertical component from the reflectivity factor. Finally, a new candidate system is introduced which summarizes the parameters taken from previous RAWS studies, or those modified in this thesis.

Stuart, Michael A.↗

Scan patterns and accuracy of a Radar Wind Sensor (RAWS)

The Radar Wind Sensor (RAWS) was proposed as a complement to laser wind sensors, allowing coverage in cloudy regions excluded from laser coverage. Previous University of Kansas studies showed the feasibility of the wind measurement at various levels in the atmosphere and indicated that RAWS can also measure rain rates and ocean-surface winds. Here we discuss measurement of the wind vector in terms of the scan patterns for a conically scanned antenna. By using many measurements from cells about 66 km square and 132 km square, a least-squares algorithm gives results that are reasonable for insertion into global atmospheric models. For RAWS to be used successfully as a complement to a laser wind sensor, the design of the two sensors should be integrated and radial velocity measurements in a given atmospheric cell should be combined to get the most accurate results.

Song, Shuxian↗

Pilot scanning patterns while viewing cockpit displays of traffic information

Scanning eye movements of airline pilots were recorded while they judged air traffic situations displayed on cockpit displays of traffic information (CDTI). The observed 1st order transition patterns between points of interest on the display showed reliable deviation from those patterns predicted by the assumption of statistical independence. However, both patterns of transitions correlated quite well with each other. Accordingly, the assumption of independence provided a surprisingly good model of the results. Nevertheless, the deviation between the observed patterns of transition and that based on the assumption of independence was for all subjects in the direction of increased determinism. Thus, the results provide objective evidence consistent with the existence of "scanpaths" in the data.

Ellis, S. R.↗

Projections of scan patterns on human retina

Fundus camera tracks eye movements by using camera optics with the aid of an inverted system. Camera provides a flying-spot circular scanning light source in the normal film plane and a broadband photodetector in position normally occupied by light source.

Kelly, D. H.↗

Preliminary report on airline pilot scan patterns during simulated ILS approach

A series of ILS approaches using seven airline-rated Boeing 737 pilots in an FAA qualified simulator have been conducted. The test matrix included both manual and coupled approaches with and without atmospheric turbulence in Category II weather. A nonintrusive oculometer system was used to track the pilot's eye-point-of-regard throughout the approach. The results indicate that, in general, the pilots use a different scan technique for the manual and coupled conditions; however, the introduction of atmospheric turbulence does not greatly affect the scan behavior in either case. A comparison is made between the objective measures of the instrument scan (oculometer data) and the pilots' opinions of their instrument use. The data show a high degree of consistency among pilots for both the quantitative data and the qualitative data (pilots' opinions). However, there is a slightly lower agreement between the quantitative and qualitative measures.

Spady, A. A., Jr.↗

Airline pilot scan patterns during simulated ILS approaches

A series of instrument landing system approaches were conducted using seven airline-rated Boeing 737 pilots in a Federal Aviation Administration qualified simulator. The test matrix included both manual and coupled approaches with and without atmospheric turbulence in Category II visibility conditions. A nonintrusive oculometer system was used to track the pilot eye-point-of-regard throughout the approach. The results indicate that, in general, the pilots use different scan techniques for the manual and coupled conditions and that the introduction of atmospheric turbulence does not greatly affect the scan behavior in either case. The pilots consistently ranked the instruments in terms of most used to least used. The ranking obtained from the oculometer data agrees with the pilot ranking for the flight director and airspeed, the most important instruments. However, the pilots apparently ranked the other instruments in terms of their concern for information rather than according to their actual scanning behavior.

Spady, A. A., Jr.↗

Advanced transport operation effects on pilot scan patterns

Long straight-in and close-in, curved, descending instrument approaches were made in NASA's fixed-base Terminal Configured Vehicle simulator. The pilot either manually controlled the simulator or monitored the automatic system control of the simulated aircraft during the approach. Tests were performed with or without the display of traffic. The results indicate that the pilots' use of the Electronic Horizontal Situation Indicator (EHSI) increased appreciably for the close-in, curved, descending approach compared to the conventional straight-in approach. When operating as a monitor of the autopilot system, the pilot scanned around more with less attention devoted to the Electronic Attitude Direction Indicator (EADI). The pilots preferred the manual mode because it kept them in the control loop. The addition of displayed traffic to the EHSI increased the pilots' use of the EHSI with a corresponding reduction in his use of the EADI. Also, the pilot's pupil diameter increased during the landing flare indicating a higher stress level even though the tests were conducted in a fixed-base simulator.

Harris, R. L., Sr.↗

A Novel Laser-Aided Machining and Polishing Process for Additive Manufacturing Materials with Multiple Endmill Emulating Scan Patterns

In additive manufacturing (AM), the surface roughness of the deposited parts remains significantly higher than the admissible range for most applications. Additionally, the surface topography of AM parts exhibits waviness profiles between tracks and layers. Therefore, post-processing is indispensable to improve surface quality. Laser-aided machining and polishing can be effective surface improvement processes that can be used due to their availability as the primary energy sources in many metal AM processes. While the initial roughness and waviness of the surface of most AM parts are very high, to achieve dimensional accuracy and minimize roughness, a high input energy density is required during machining and polishing processes although such high energy density may induce process defects and escalate the phenomenon of wavelength asperities. In this paper, we propose a systematic approach to eliminate waviness and reduce surface roughness with the combination of laser-aided machining, macro-polishing, and micro-polishing processes. While machining reduces the initial waviness, low energy density during polishing can minimize this further. The average roughness (Ra=1.11μm) achieved in this study with optimized process parameters for both machining and polishing demonstrates a greater than 97% reduction in roughness when compared to the as-built part.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Integration of Optical Coherence Tomography Scan Patterns to Augment Clinical Data Suite

Vision changes identified in long duration spaceflight astronauts has led Space Medicine at NASA to adopt a more comprehensive clinical monitoring protocol. Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) was recently implemented at NASA, including on board the International Space Station in 2013. NASA is collaborating with Heidelberg Engineering to increase the fidelity of the current OCT data set by integrating the traditional circumpapillary OCT image with radial and horizontal block images at the optic nerve head. The retinal nerve fiber layer was segmented by two experienced individuals. Intra-rater (N=4 subjects and 70 images) and inter-rater (N=4 subjects and 221 images) agreement was performed. The results of this analysis and the potential benefits will be presented.

Mason, S.↗

Estimating regional heat flux from scanning radiometer data

Method using matrix approach to determine best linear estimate of total flux consistent with condition of minimum variance proves useful in meteorological studies. It is useful for researchers studying options in scanner design such as scan pattern, scan rate, and radiometer field-of-view.

Bess, T. D.↗

Goldstone field test activities: Sky survey

The goals are to conduct a research and development program aimed at determining the most effective way to do SETI within the constraints of current technology and estimated budgets. The general search strategy adopted is that which is recommended by the SETI Science Working Group. The strategy for an all sky survey for SETI was further developed over the last year. Scan patterns, scan rates, and signal detection algorithms were developed. Spectral power measurement instrumentation was tested at the Venus Station of the Goldstone Deep Space Communication Complex. A specially designed radio frequency interference (RFI) measurement system was built and installed at the Venus Station. A data base management system for storage and retrieval of the RFI data was partially implemented on a VAX 750 computer at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

Gulkis, S.↗

Electronic scanning of 2-channel monopulse patterns

Scanning method involves separation of scanning capability into two independent degrees of freedom. One degree of freedom corresponds to azimuthal scanning and other to elevation scanning on spiral coordinate axes. Scanning of both prime-feed and mirrored patterns is accomplished with reduction of mechanical vibration damage to large antennas.

Schmidt, R. F.↗