Polymerizable disilanols having in-chain perfluoroalkyl groups

Disilanols containing in-chain perfluoroalkyl and aromatic groups and the process by which they were prepared are discussed. The disilanols, when reacted with a diaminosilane and cured, produce polymeric material resistant to hydrocarbon fuels and stable at elevated temperatures

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

Performance and optimization of a derated ion thruster for auxiliary propulsion

The characteristics and implications of use of a derated ion thruster for north-south stationkeeping (NSSK) propulsion are discussed. A derated thruster is a 30 cm diameter primary propulsion ion thruster operated at highly throttled conditions appropriate to NSSK functions. The performance characteristics of a 30 cm ion thruster are presented, emphasizing throttled operation at low specific impulse and high thrust-to-power ratio. Performance data and component erosion are compared to other NSSK ion thrusters. Operations benefits derived from the performance advantages of the derated approach are examined assuming an INTELSAt 7-type spacecraft. Minimum ground test facility pumping capabilities required to maintain facility enhanced accelerator grid erosion at acceptable levels in a lifetest are quantified as a function of thruster operating condition. Approaches to reducing the derated thruster mass and volume are also discussed

A study of parameter identification

A set of definitions for deterministic parameter identification ability were proposed. Deterministic parameter identificability properties are presented based on four system characteristics: direct parameter recoverability, properties of the system transfer function, properties of output distinguishability, and uniqueness properties of a quadratic cost functional. Stochastic parameter identifiability was defined in terms of the existence of an estimation sequence for the unknown parameters which is consistent in probability. Stochastic parameter identifiability properties are presented based on the following characteristics: convergence properties of the maximum likelihood estimate, properties of the joint probability density functions of the observations, and properties of the information matrix

A Remarkable Example of Bubble Nucleation Suppression

Suppression of cavitation is a relatively common goal of fluid engineers and therefore examples of bubble nucleation suppression in other technological contexts are useful in suggesting ways in which such suppression might be achieved. In this paper we describe a remarkable example of bubble nucleation suppression achieved by a combination of the elimination of nucleation sites and the reduction of bubble growth time. The context is the invention of a device that allows the injection of aqueous solutions highly supersaturated with oxygen into the bloodstream without the formation of significant gaseous oxygen bubbles

Injection of Highly Supersaturated Oxygen Solutions without Nucleation

It is possible to inject highly supersaturated aqueous solutions of gas through a small capillary into an aqueous environment without the formation of significant gas bubbles. Such a technique has considerable potential therapeutic value in the treatment, for example, of heart attacks and strokes. The present paper is the second in a series (see Brereton et al. [1]) investigating the basic phenomenon behind this surprising effect. Recent experiments clearly demonstrate that the nucleation, when it does occur, results from heterogeneous nucleation on the interior surface of the distal end of the capillary. This paper describes the effects of the treatment of this interior surface on the nucleation processes and the results of high speed video observations of the phenomena. A heterogeneous nucleation model is presented which is in accord with the experimental observations

Chemical Analysis of Surfaces Using Alpha Particles

Chemical analysis of surfaces using alpha particle interactions in instruments incorporating curium 242 alpha sources and semiconductor silicon detector

The chemical analysis experiment for the Surveyor lunar mission

Alpha particle detector experiment for chemical analysis of lunar surface by Surveyor spacecraf