The evolution of a release-engage mechanism for use on the orbiter

The Release-Engage Mechanism (REM) is designed to secure a deployable payload in the orbiter during launch and to enable the payload to be released, deployed, and reattached for re-entry. This paper presents the following: (1) the initial design concepts of the Release-Engage Mechanism; (2) the problems encountered during assembly, (3) the abnormalities that occurred during vibration testing, (4) the incompatibility of the Remote Manipulator System and REM operation, and (5) the resulting modifications to the REM that assured its successful performance on two Shuttle flights

Redundant motor drive system

A drive system characterized by a base supporting a pair of pillars arranged in spaced parallelism, a shaft extended between and supported by the pillars for rotation about the longitudinal axis thereof, a worm gear affixed to the shaft and supported in coaxial relation therewith is described. A bearing housing of a sleeve like configuration is concentrically related to the shaft and is supported thereby for free rotation. A first and a second quiescent drive train, alternatively activatable, is provided for imparting rotation into said bearing housing. Each of the drive trains is characterized by a selectively energizable motor connected to a spur gear

A polarimeter for the high resolution ultraviolet spectrometer/polarimeter

The design requirements of the polarimeter were established by the scientific optical objectives of the experiment to be launched aboard the Solar Max Mission which will study active solar regions. The polarization of the light is accomplished by a rotating magnesium fluoride quarter wave plate. The quarter wave plates are rotated in 22 1/2 degree steps about an axis coincidental with the light beam. As the light beam passes through the wave plate, the transformation that occurs can be expressed by mathematical equations. By having the wave plates calibrated, the data obtained from solar flares can be analyzed and meaningful information provided to the investigators. The polarimeter has two wave plates with different optical characteristics to provide both redundancy and versatility. A four mirror polarizer was added behind one wave plate to provide additional polarization. The mechanical design, testing, and operation of the polarimeter for the high resolution ultraviolet spectrometer/polarimeter are described

Ionic Sound Waves in Plasmas Final Report

Acoustic apparatus for study of acoustic wave pressure-disturbance propagation in plasm

Forensic flavour

Databases often receive an uninspired and uninterested response. The curriculum content of a database module generally involves the design of entity-relationship models, SQL programming, application development and advanced database applications such as data warehousing and data mining. These are often taught within the tired and relatively worn case studies of purchase order systems, retail or health care systems. However the current trend for crime scene investigation drama and the frequent stories in the news of personal tragedies involving incorrect data, missing data or data mix-up capture the attention of many. The truth is that crimes require data investigation and expert database witnesses to provide evidence and this requires database knowledge and skill. This project involved the introduction of a ‘forensic flavour’ to the teaching of databases as part of an undergraduate Computing Degree to students. The ‘forensic flavour’ involved introducing investigative and enquiry based learning techniques as well as selecting case studies based around real-life crimes and crime data. The learning objectives remained unchanged for the modules as did the curriculum content. The initial findings are that the students engaged on average 40% better and enjoyed the experience more

Modification and improvements to cooled blades Patent

Modification and improvement of turbine blades for maximum cooling efficienc

Stability and dynamics of rotating dielectrophoretic equilibria

Design of dielectrophoretic liquid orientation and expulsion systems for zero gravity environments with maximum electromechanical effects of imposed electric fiel

Digital 3D reconstruction of historical textile fragment

This paper presents a new methodology for reproducing historic fragment in 3D with realistic behaviour, providing users with a feel for the fragment detailing. The fragment piece originates from the English National Trust archive held in the collection at Claydon House. The aim is to utilize a combination of both 2D pattern software and state-of-the-art 3D technology to recreate a compelling and a highly realistic representation of historic fragment. The process starts with investigation of the textile construction. Textile fragments will be incomplete and/or have a level of deterioration therefore various recording techniques are to be explored. A combination of both photography and 3D scanning technology will be utilized throughout the methodology to accurately record the digital data. The equipment setting will be analyzed in order to produce an accurate working method. This paper forming part of a larger study, will specifically focus on the methodology for recording data from one fragment piece

Reclaiming Our Voices: Regaining Power Over Documentaries About Mental Health Issues

There have been many documentaries about mental health issues since the 1960’s. Topics have ranged from systemic issues in mental health institutions to individual stories about people who deal with a variety of conditions including schizophrenia and depression. This paper will document the different ways that mental health has been portrayed in documentary film, how that affects the mental health community and how that relates to my documentary, A Million Directions, a film about living with Adult ADD