10,439 research outputs found
Resistive Magnetohydrodynamic Equilibria in a Torus
It was recently demonstrated that static, resistive, magnetohydrodynamic
equilibria, in the presence of spatially-uniform electrical conductivity, do
not exist in a torus under a standard set of assumed symmetries and boundary
conditions. The difficulty, which goes away in the ``periodic straight cylinder
approximation,'' is associated with the necessarily non-vanishing character of
the curl of the Lorentz force, j x B. Here, we ask if there exists a spatial
profile of electrical conductivity that permits the existence of zero-flow,
axisymmetric r esistive equilibria in a torus, and answer the question in the
affirmative. However, the physical properties of the conductivity profile are
unusual (the conductivity cannot be constant on a magnetic surface, for
example) and whether such equilibria are to be considered physically possible
remains an open question.Comment: 17 pages, 4 figure
Dynamic alignment and selective decay in MHD
Under some circumstances, incompressible magnetohydrodynamic turbulence will evolve toward a state in which the velocity fields and magnetic fields are aligned or anti-aligned. We propose a mechanism for this effect and illustrate with numerical computations. Under some other circumstances, the energy appears to decay selectively toward a minimum energy state in which the kinetic energy has disappeared. It has not been possible so far to identify a boundary in the phase space which divides the two regimes
Toroidal Vortices in Resistive Magnetohydrodynamic Equilibria
Resistive steady states in toroidal magnetohydrodynamics (MHD), where Ohm's
law must be taken into account, differ considerably from ideal ones. Only for
special (and probably unphysical) resistivity profiles can the Lorentz force,
in the static force-balance equation, be expressed as the gradient of a scalar
and thus cancel the gradient of a scalar pressure. In general, the Lorentz
force has a curl directed so as to generate toroidal vorticity. Here, we
calculate, for a collisional, highly viscous magnetofluid, the flows that are
required for an axisymmetric toroidal steady state, assuming uniform scalar
resistivity and viscosity. The flows originate from paired toroidal vortices
(in what might be called a ``double smoke ring'' configuration), and are
thought likely to be ubiquitous in the interior of toroidally driven
magnetofluids of this type. The existence of such vortices is conjectured to
characterize magnetofluids beyond the high-viscosity limit in which they are
readily calculable.Comment: 17 pages, 4 figure
Design and analysis of the radiator structure for space power systems
The design, analysis, fabrication, and development of the 5-kWe radiator structure are shown. Thermal performance, meteoroid protection, structural capability during launch, development testing and space operation, material evaluation, and the configuration selection are described. The fin-tube development program depends on the relative values of the thermal coefficients of expansion. The initial selection of aluminum fins and Type 316 stainless-steel tubes was based on previous experience; however, the large differential in their expansion rates showed that an alternate, more compatible, combination was needed. Copper, stainless-steel-clad copper, boron-impregnated aluminum, and an independent radiator with a titanium structure were all considered as alternate materials. The final selection was Lockalloy fins with Type 304 stainless-steel D tubes
Apparent suppression of turbulent magnetic dynamo action by a dc magnetic field
Numerical studies of the effect of a dc magnetic field on dynamo action
(development of magnetic fields with large spatial scales), due to
helically-driven magnetohydrodynamic turbulence, are reported. The apparent
effect of the dc magnetic field is to suppress the dynamo action, above a
relatively low threshold. However, the possibility that the suppression results
from an improper combination of rectangular triply spatially-periodic boundary
conditions and a uniform dc magnetic field is addressed: heretofore a common
and convenient computational convention in turbulence investigations. Physical
reasons for the observed suppression are suggested. Other geometries and
boundary conditions are offered for which the dynamo action is expected not to
be suppressed by the presence of a dc magnetic field component.Comment: To appear in Physics of Plasma
Anisotropy in MHD turbulence due to a mean magnetic field
The development of anisotropy in an initially isotropic spectrum is studied numerically for two-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic turbulence. The anisotropy develops due to the combined effects of an externally imposed dc magnetic field and viscous and resistive dissipation at high wave numbers. The effect is most pronounced at high mechanical and magnetic Reynolds numbers. The anisotropy is greater at the higher wave numbers
Development of a prototype automatic controller for liquid cooling garment inlet temperature
The development of a computer control of a liquid cooled garment (LCG) inlet temperature is descirbed. An adaptive model of the LCG is used to predict the heat-removal rates for various inlet temperatures. An experimental system that contains a microcomputer was constructed. The LCG inlet and outlet temperatures and the heat exchanger outlet temperature form the inputs to the computer. The adaptive model prediction method of control is successful during tests where the inlet temperature is automatically chosen by the computer. It is concluded that the program can be implemented in a microprocessor of a size that is practical for a life support back-pack
Important factors in the maximum likelihood analysis of flight test maneuvers
The information presented is based on the experience in the past 12 years at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center of estimating stability and control derivatives from over 3500 maneuvers from 32 aircraft. The overall approach to the analysis of dynamic flight test data is outlined. General requirements for data and instrumentation are discussed and several examples of the types of problems that may be encountered are presented
Ocean services user needs assessment. Volume 1: Survey results, conclusions and recommendations
An interpretation of environmental information needs of marine users, derived from a direct contact survey of eight important sectors of the marine user community is presented. Findings of the survey and results and recommendations are reported. The findings consist of specific and quantized measurement and derived product needs for each sector and comparisons of these needs with current and planned NOAA data and services. The following supportive and reference material are examined: direct contact interviews with industry members, analyses of current NOAA data gathering and derived product capabilities, evaluations of new and emerging domestic and foreign satellite data gathering capabilities, and a special commercial fishing survey conducted by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)
The turbulent generation of outward traveling Alfvenic fluctuations in the solar wind
From an analysis of the incompressible MHD equations, it is concluded that the frequent observation of outward propagating Alfvenic fluctuations in the solar wind can arise from early stages of in situ turbulent evolution, and need not reflect coronal processes
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