Briefs: Robotics, Automation & Control

Adaptive Performance Optimization of Transport Aircraft

Adaptive performance optimization (APO) is an approach for improving aircraft performance without the need for extensive modifications of hardware. In this approach, one exploits...

Briefs: Physical Sciences

Improving Distributions of Flux in Solar Thermal Receivers

A modification of design has been proposed to extend the longevity of cavity-type solar thermal receivers by improving the distribution of radiant solar flux in the cavities. A...

Briefs: Electronics & Computers

Dual-Channel Precision Signal-to-Noise Ratio Generator

During the development and testing of signal processing systems, it is useful to generate test signals in the laboratory in order to quantify system parameters such as dynamic range,...

Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping

Vertical Centrifugal Investment-Casting Machine

The need for improved investment castings at Marshall Space Flight Center's Rapid Prototyping Lab has led to the development of a simple machine for centrifugal investment casting of shells....

Briefs: Information Technology

Training of Neural Networks by Modified Taguchi Techniques

Modified Taguchi techniques of robust design optimization are used in an innovative method of training artificial neural networks — for example the network shown in the figure. As...

Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping

Two-Sided Tools for Layup of Composite Sandwich Panels

A simple change in the design of tools used in manufacturing laminated-composite-material sandwich panels reduces the floor area needed to store the tools. To give meaning to a...

Briefs: Physical Sciences

Convex-Grating Spectrometer With Two Spherical Mirrors

The figure shows the basic optical configuration of an improved all-reflecting imaging spectrometer. This spectrometer would differ from older spectrometers in several respects, one...

Briefs: Robotics, Automation & Control

Using a Jet Pump To Alter the Inlet Swirl of a Turbopump

An analysis of empirical data on low-frequency oscillations in the inlet flow of a turbopump has led to the conclusion that these oscillations could be reduced or eliminated with...

Briefs: Materials

Alumina/Ethanol Colloidal Suspensions for Seeding Hot Flows

The alumina for making a suspension according to this concept must be in the form of a highly pure (preferably >99.99 percent) powder with a suitable particle-size distribution...

Briefs: Physical Sciences

Silicon Heat Exchanger for Use at Low Temperatures

A heat exchanger made largely from pieces of single-crystal silicon has been designed for use as a recuperator in a reverse-Brayton-cycle cryocooler. Its design is optimized for transferring...

Briefs: Electronics & Computers

Lightweight Dual-Beam Reflector Antenna

The figure illustrates a lightweight composite-material dual-beam reflector antenna for the SeaWinds spaceborne scatterometer instrument, which operates in the K_u band and is designed to...

Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping

Fabrication of Thin-Film Type-S Thermocouples

Processes for fabricating thin-film type-S thermocouples on metal and silicon nitride substrates (see figure) have been developed. (A type-S thermocouple comprises one leg made of platinum and...

Briefs: Information Technology

Improved Design of Adaptive Feedforward Tracking Systems

An improved method of analysis and design offers the potential to enhance the performances of adaptive feedforward tracking systems. The method can, in principle, make it possible to...

Briefs: Electronics & Computers

Sight-to-Touch Translator

The sight-to-touch translator (ST³) is a conceptual electronic apparatus that would generate a tactile representation of visible objects in its vicinity. The ST³ would be worn by a blind...

Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

Gas Buffer Seal

The figure presents a simplified view of a shaft seal that provides a small flow of neutral buffer gas to prevent contact between different gases contained in two adjacent regions along the shaft. In the original application,...

Briefs: Electronics & Computers

Optical Horizontal-Displacement Sensors for Crane Payloads

Sensors made largely of commercially available optical and electronic components are being developed for use in measuring small horizontal displacements of payloads suspended below...

Briefs: Physical Sciences

Equations of State for Fluid Mixtures at High Pressures

A method that includes the use of modified equations of state has been developed to enable noniterative, efficient computation of the thermodynamic behaviors of gases and liquids at...

Briefs: Materials

Coating SiC Fiber Tows With Polymer/Silicon Slurries

The figure schematically illustrates an apparatus and process in which a continuous tow of silicon carbide fibers is coated and infiltrated with a polymer/silicon slurry. A compact of such...

Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping

Removable Fillers for VPS Fabrication of Closed Channels

An improved process has been devised for making closed channels (e.g., coolant channels) in a heat-exchanger liner or a similar metal object. The process involves the following steps:...

Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

Latch-Release Pin Puller With Shape-Memory-Alloy Actuator

The figure illustrates one of several related pin-puller mechanisms that harness the recovery characteristics of a shape-memory alloy (SMA). Like some other SMA-actuated mechanisms...

Briefs: Electronics & Computers

Coplanar-Stripline Transition and Band-Stop Filters

Three coplanar-stripline circuits have been designed to perform coupling and filtering functions in microwave systems. These circuits could be incorporated into feed networks for microwave...

Briefs: Electronics & Computers

Transmitting Data Signals via Fiber-Optic Power Lines

Data signals can be transmitted via the same optical fibers that are used to transmit power from base stations to remote stations containing sensors and associated circuitry. [A prototype...

Briefs: Physical Sciences

Oscillating-Flow Heat-Transfer and Pressure-Drop Test Rig

The figure illustrates an apparatus for measuring heat-transfer and pressure-drop characteristics of porous plug specimens in oscillating flows. The apparatus is built around an...