17,838 research outputs found
Apollo oxygen tank stratification analysis, volume 2
An analysis of flight performance of the Apollo 15 cryogenic oxygen tanks was conducted with the variable grid stratification math model developed earlier in the program. Flight conditions investigated were the CMP-EVA and one passive thermal control period which exhibited heater temperature characteristics not previously observed. Heater temperatures for these periods were simulated with the math model using flight acceleration data. Simulation results (heater temperature and tank pressure) compared favorably with the Apollo 15 flight data, and it was concluded that tank performance was nominal. Math model modifications were also made to improve the simulation accuracy. The modifications included the addition of the effects of the tank wall thermal mass and an improved system flow distribution model. The modifications improved the accuracy of simulated pressure response based on comparisons with flight data
Formulation/cure technology for ultrahigh molecular weight silphenylene-siloxane polymers
Molecular weights above one million were achieved for methylvinylsilphenylene-siloxane terpolymers using a two-stage polymerization technique which was successfully scaled up to 200 grams. The resulting polymer was vulcanized by two different formulations and compared to an identically formulated commercial methylvinyl silicone on the basis of ultimate strength, Young's modulus, percent elongation at failure, and tear strength. Relative thermal/oxidative stabilities of the elastomers were assessed by gradient and isothermal thermogravimetric analyses performed in both air and nitrogen. The experimental elastomer exhibited enhanced thermal/oxidative stability and possed equivalent or superior mechanical properties. The effect of variations in prepolymer molecular weight on mechanical properties was also investigated
Ultra-high molecular weight silphenylene-siloxane polymers
Silphenylene-siloxane copolymers with molecular weights above one million were prepared using a two stage polymerization technique. The technique was successfully scaled up to produce 50 grams of this high polymer in a single run. The reactive monomer approach was also investigated using the following aminosilanes: bis(dimethylamino)dimethylsilane, N,N-bis(pyrrolidinyl)dimethylsilane and N,N-bis(gamma-butyrolactam)dimethylsilane). Thermal analyses were performed in both air and nitrogen. The experimental polymers decomposed at 540 to 562 C, as opposed to 408 to 426 C for commercial silicones. Differential scanning calorimetry showed a glass transition (Tg) at -50 to -55 C for the silphenylene-siloxane copolymer while the commercial silicones had Tg's at -96 to -112 C
A fiber-optic current sensor for aerospace applications
A robust, accurate, broad-band, alternating current sensor using fiber optics is being developed for space applications at power frequencies as high as 20 kHz. It can also be used in low and high voltage 60 Hz terrestrial power systems and in 400 Hz aircraft systems. It is intrinsically electromagnetic interference (EMI) immune and has the added benefit of excellent isolation. The sensor uses the Faraday effect in optical fiber and standard polarimetric measurements to sense electrical current. The primary component of the sensor is a specially treated coil of single-mode optical fiber, through which the current carrying conductor passes. Improved precision is accomplished by temperature compensation by means of signals from a novel fiber-optic temperature sensor embedded in the sensing head. The technology contained in the sensor is examined and the results of precision tests conducted at various temperatures within the wide operating range are given. The results of early EMI tests are also given
Radial honeycomb core
Core alleviates many limitations of conventional nacelle construction methods. Radical core, made of metals or nonmetals, is fabricated either by joining nodes and then expanding, or by performing each layer and then joining nodes. Core may also be produced from ribbons or strips with joined nodes or ribbons oriented in longitudinal planes
Fiber-optic sensors for aerospace electrical measurements: An update
Fiber-optic sensors are being developed for electrical current, voltage, and power measurements in aerospace applications. These sensors are presently designed to cover ac frequencies from 60 Hz to 20 kHz. The current sensor, based on the Faraday effect in optical fiber, is in advanced development after some initial testing. Concentration is on packaging methods and ways to maintain consistent sensitivity with changes in temperature. The voltage sensor, utilizing the Pockels effect in a crystal, has excelled in temperature tests. This paper reports on the development of these sensors, the results of evaluation, improvements now in progress, and the future direction of the work
Optical and ROSAT X-ray observations of the dwarf nova OY Carinae in superoutburst and quiescence
We present ROSAT X-ray and optical light curves of the 1994 February
superoutburst of the eclipsing SU UMa dwarf nova OY Carinae. There is no
eclipse of the flux in the ROSAT HRI light curve. Contemporaneous `wide B' band
optical light curves show extensive superhump activity and dips at superhump
maximum. Eclipse mapping of these optical light curves reveals a disc with a
considerable physical flare, even three days into the superoutburst decline.
We include a later (1994 July) ROSAT PSPC observation of OY Car that allows
us to put constraints on the quiescent X-ray spectrum. We find that while there
is little to choose between OY Car and its fellow high inclination systems with
regard to the temperature of the emitting gas and the emission measure, we have
difficulties reconciling the column density found from our X-ray observation
with the column found in HST UV observations by Horne et al. (1994). The
obvious option is to invoke time variability.Comment: 16 pages, 14 figures, accepted for publication in MNRA
The Production of a Monoclonal Antibody That Blocks the Action of a Neurite Outgrowth-promoting Factor
How growing axons are guided to their targets has been the subject of much speculation. A popular hypothesis is that there are macromolecules in the extracellular matrix (ECM) or on the surfaces of other cells that form pathways for axon guidance. Such molecular signals could act via a number of different mechanisms. One way of directing neurite growth is by providing a very adhesive surface for growth cone attachment (Letourneau 1975). There are, however, more elaborate ways in which such molecules could function. For instance, the extracellular signals could be recognized by surface receptors on the axons, or be internalized where they could influence the rate or direction of neurite growth. Nerve growth factor (NGF), for instance, can act as a chemoattractive agent by binding to growing neurites (Gundersen and Barrett 1980; Claude et al. 1982). A variety of cells, both non-neuronal and neuronal, might synthesize guidance molecules. Clearly, all target cells are candidates for
synthesizing these factors, as was demonstrated for
NGF (Ebendal et al. 1980; Korsching and Thoenen
1983). If neurons were to secrete guidance or adhesion
molecules, and deposit them in an ECM along their axonal
length, then these factors would be ideally localized
for directing regrowth of neurites after axotomy.
In addition, there is evidence that neuronal surfaces
contain molecules that are adhesive for other neurites
or growth cones (Rutishauser et al. 1978; Bentley and
Keshishian 1982; Tagbert et al. 1982)
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