Off~cia1 Publication of Na1i,onal Aeronautics and Space Administration Volume 14 Number 7

124 Pages·2012·61.06 MB·English

https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=20110004263 2019-04-04T04:35:37+00:00Z
Off~cia1 Publication of
Na1i,onal Aeronautics and
Space Administration
Volume 14 Number 7
Applications and Instruments ...
Perfectly atched
CONSTRUCTION SITE PRINTING PLANT
..
MANUFACTURING FACILITY CHEMICAL PLANT
~~~~,-~~
$43
NB1-CAIN-316G-12:A7
Thermocouple Assembly
For More Specific Product Information,
(203) 359·1660
Dial
Find the Right
Instrument For Your
A lication in This
F E Handbook!!
IMPORTANT! !
NEW! FREE! Fascinating
Hardcover Handbook ...
For Your Technical Library!
"'" Over 1000 Full Color Pages
"'" All P.rices Listed
V' Thousands of Products
"'" Complete with Technical Data
"'" Fast "Off-The-Shelf" Delivery
In a Hurry for Your FREE Handbooks?
DIAL _EiIlIlW~
For Handbook Qualification Form,
Circle Reader Action No. 522
"We're More Than Just Temperature."
OMEGA's Brand New 6 Volume Set Includes
Temperature • Pressure, Strain and Force • Flow and Level
pH and Conductivity • Data Acquisition • Electric Heaters
CT485RS-110V-W:A7
Temperature/Humidity Recorder
$525
NEW! Model HHM1:A7 OMEGASAYS®Very
High Performance Talking Multimeter/
Thermometer, $349 (SDX-HHM1:A7
handle/probe, sold separately, $35)
Circle Reader Action No. 518
NEW! Industrial Thermocouple Assemblies
Hundreds Of Styles In Stock!
Circle Reader Action No. 521
NEW! 88000 Series Surface Probes,
From $110
Circle Reader Action No. 519
NEW! CT485RS Series Temperature/
Humidity Recorder, From $497
(High/low alarm model now available!)
Circle Reader Action No. 520
We Take Great Ideas. .. & Make Them Even Better™
.n:o
..
I .
15 ;III OMEG;I Tec!"lIologles Co-If.IIY
One Omega Drive, Box 4047, Stamford, CT 06907
Telex 996404 Cable OMEGA FAX [phone]
Patented CCOPVRIGHT 1990. OMEGA ENGINEERING. INC ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Change is constant.
Depend on it.
Our world is evolving beyond imagination. Toward the
hope of global freedom and security. Toward preserving
our unique and fragile planet. Toward future exploration
of our earth, the moon and Mars.
The aerospace industry is evolving also. Redirecting
strategies and resources. Forming new alliances. And
sharing knowledge to create new opportunities.
For the thousands of men and women at Ford
Aerospace, our company is evolving, too. We are ready
for the challenge. Managing our diversified programs
in space systems, satellite and ground communications,
information systems and electronics. Leveraging
technologies to provide real value where it counts.
Continuously improving.
Our name may change, but the fundamentals will
remain the same. The depth and breadth of our talent.
The quality of our work. The long-term commitment
to our customers. The dedication to the future.
Depend on it.
• • • Ford Aerospace
THE CHALLENGE:
"MACHINE HIGHLY COMPLEX
AEROSPACE COMPONENTS WITH PRECISE REPEATABIUTY.
AND REDUCE COSTS SlGNIRCANTLY."
We were able to meet this challenge Howmet's Winsted Machining IMPOSSIBLE? CHALLENGE US.
because at Howmet we work Center, in Winsted, CT, special At Howmet, we employ the most
closely with our customer-partners. izes in small to medium airfoils. advanced technologies to meet
Our engineer-to-engineer Our state-of-the-art encapsula the strict requirements of our cus
approach allows us to take charge tion system and CNC continuous tomer-partners. We will work closely
from concept through prototype dress creep feed grinders triple with you, engineer to engineer, to
to finished product and provide the removal rates while improving
our customers with capabilities our accuracy and throughput.
competitors can't match. At Whitehall, MI, our Whitehall
Machining Division specializes in
medium to large airfoils and inte
gral nozzles and rotors. We also
run small lots and prototype work,
offering fast turn time and low
cost for special needs. Our creep
feed grinders reduce machining These retainer plates are typical of our
precision-machined hardware.
time while increasing precision
and flexibility.
bring your product cost-effectively
from prototype work into pro
duction. For more information on
our machining capabilities, write
our Sales Department, Howmet
GREATER DESIGN FREEDOM Corporation, 475 Steamboat
AND COST EFFECTIVENESS. Road, Greenwich, CT 06836-1960.
At our New England Aircraft Or phone the Sales Manager at
Products Division, in Farmington, New England Aircraft Products
CT, we produce airfoils up to 14" Division, [phone], Whitehall
in length by electrochemical Machining Division, [phone],
machining (ECM). As a "stress or Winsted Machining Center,
free" process, ECM permits thin [phone].
ner, more complex shapes which 1::1
are otherwise extremely costly or CNC-controlled YAG laser performs
impossible to manufacture. And cutting, welding and drilling. HOWMET CORPORATION
our CAD/CAM technology permits
Partners. Challenge by Challenge.
your design to be duplicated
precisely. With no final polishing
New England Aircraft Products Division,
required and a low scrap rate,
Farmington, CT
manufacturing costs are reduced Whitehall Machining Division, Whitehall, MI
as much as 10%. Winsted Machining Center, Winsted, CT
ECM'd fan and compressor
blades for P&W jet engines.
Broad Advance.
In-depth support.
ARINC 404, 600, MIL-600. modification. And both deliver
consistent performance and
Just the right selection.
outstanding reliability.
Right when you need it
Our modular inserts - in a com
plete range of sizes and configura
tions - incorporate mechanical
Our complete line of intermateable, ramps engineered for simple, true
interchangeable connector assem position field replacement, without
blies and contacts qualifies to all positioning tooling.
relevant ARINC and MIL specs. And we back you with seasoned
And we come through with fast support. Our dedicated ARINC Total
delivery, in-depth support, and Quality Management Team builds
significant advantages that stretch on the strength of a corporate-wide
from production line to field. formal quality program now in its
Our low-mating-force signal tenth year.
contacts and coax contacts both use Call us at 1-800-522-6752. We'll
crimp termination (and existing come through, fast. AMP Aerospace
tooling) for productivity gains on & Government Systems Sector,
the line and easier on-site repair or Harrisburg, PA 17105-3608.
AMP
THIS IS AMP 7ODAY.
Circle Reader Action No. 657
ARINC is a trademark of Aeronautical Radio, Inc.
NI\S/\T ech Briefs
Transferring Technology to
American Industry and Government
JULY 1990
Volume 14 Number 7
SPECIAL FEATURE
NASA's ACT Program:
Creating Advanced Composites
illustratIon courtesy NASA
For Tomorrow's Aircraft ............... 10 High-energyaerobraking will reduce fuel consumption and
permit larger payloads on future Mars exploration missions.
Seepage 78.
DEPARTMENTS
TECHNICAL SECTION
New on the
On The Cover: Polarizing
microscopy reveals minute Market 114
~J New Product Ideas ............. 14 defects in a plastic rack.
In the Advanced Composites
~ NASA TU Services ............. 16 Technology program (page New
~ Electronic Components t1r0a)c, tNoArsS aAr ea ndedv itesl ocpoinn g Literature 117
_ and Circuits ......................... 18 improved material forms,
fabrication techniques,
~ Electronic Systems ............. 35 and analytical methodolo Advertisers
~~ Physi.c al Sci.e nces ............... 46 gnieews cthlaast sc oouf lhdig rhe-ssutlrte inng at h Index ........ 122
" Materials ............................. 54 plastics. (Photo courtesy Carl
Zeiss, Inc., Thornwood, NY)
o Computer Programs ........... 60
A NASA-industry
o Mechanics ........................... 63 research team is in
vestigating the
Machinery ........................... 75 application of
advanced compos
j5I Fabrication Technology ....... 79
ite materials to the
tj fuselage and wing
Mathematics and
structures of future
~ ~ Information Sciences 107 transport aircraft.
Turn to page 10.
o~ Life Sciences..................... 113
Illustration courtesy NASA
Subject Index ................... 119 MP WBPA
This document was prepared under the sponsorshIp of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Neither Associated Business Publications Co .• Ltd. nor anyone
acting on behalf of Associated Business Publications Co., Ltd. nor the United States Government nor any person acting on behalf of the United States Government
assumes any liability resulting from the use of the information contained in this document, or warrants that such use will be free from privately owned rights. The U.S.
Government does not endorse any commercIal product, process, or activity identified in this publication.
PermissIons: Authorization to photocopy Items for internal or personal use. or the Internal or personal use of specific clients, is granted by Associated Business Publications, provided that
the flat fee of $3.00 per copy IS paid directly to the COPYright Clearance Center (21 Congress St.. Salem, MA 01970). For those organizations that have been granted a photocopy license by
CCC. a separate system of payment has been arranged. The fee code for users of the TransactIonal Reporting Service Is: ISSN 0145·319X190 $3.00+ .00
NASA Tech Briefs. ISSN 0145·319X, USPS 750·070. copyright (\: 1990 in U.S .• is published monthly by Associated BusIness Publications Co., Ltd .• 41 E. 42nd St., New York. NY 10017·5391.
The copyrighted information does not Include the IndIVIdual tech briefs whIch are supplied by NASA. Editorial, sales, production and circulation offices at 41 East 42nd Street. New York. NY
10017·5391 SubSCription for non·qualifled subSCribers In the U.S .• Panama Canal Zone, and Puerto Rico. $75.00 for t year: $125.00 for 2 years; $200.00 for 3 years. SIngle copies $10.00.
Remit by check. dra~. poslal or express orders. Other remIttances at sender's risk. Address all commurtlcations for subSCriptions or circulation to NASA Tech Briefs, 41 East 42nd Streel. New
York, NY t 0017·5391. Second-class postage paId at New York, NY and additional maliJng offIces.
POSTMASTER: please send address changes to NASA Tech Briefs, 41 E. 42nd Street, Suite 921, New York, NY 10017-5391.
6 NASA Tech Briefs, July 1990
THE WORLD'S BIGGEST SELECTION
OF HIGH - PERFORMANCE ALLOYS
ISN'T FAR ••• FROM ANYWHERE.
No matter where you are, there's .. - ." '~-' ~~ high-nickel alloy sheet, strip, rod,
'. '"._. I~·~ • I,,' ~\ ..~ "t:~
an Inco Alloys International Batavia, NY; Charlotte, NC; Cincinnati, Cleveland, bar, plate, tube, pipe, wire and
distributor close enough to bring Galion, OH; Dallas, Houston, TX; Detroit, Ml; Fairless companion welding products - in
Hills, Pittsburgh, PA; Fife, WA; Chicago, IL; Fresno,
you big savings on operating Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Francisco, Santa Clara, alloys to handle practically every
costs - along with the best San Diego, CA; Karuas City. MO; Milwaukee, WI; corrosive and/or high-temperature
PhoeniJ:, AZ; Salt Lake City, UT; Worcester, MA;
known nickel alloys in the world, Bettendorf,IA; Tulsa, OK; Wichita, KS; Bloomfield, CT application.
the MONEL, INCONEL, and Call your nearest Inco Alloys
~
INCOLOY series. Santa Fe Springs, CA; Dentler, CO; Windsor, CT; International distributor. He's just
Our four distributors are in Atlanta, GA; Chicago, lL; Baltimore, MD; Marlboro, down the road, ready to deliver the
MA; Midland, Ml; Kansas City. St. Louis, MO; Edison,
over 70 locations nationwide, so N/; Buffalo, Rochester, NY; Cleveland, OH; Tulsa, products - and the savings - you
you get fast, dependable delivery OK; Portland, OR; Philadillphia, PA; Mempl,is, TN; need. Inco Alloys International,
Bllaumont, Dallas, Freeport, Houston, TX; Salt Lake
that reduces your inventory costs, City, UT; Seattle, Spokane, WA Inc., Huntington, West Virginia
delivery costs, manpower and WIlliams ... Company, Inc. 25720.
equipment costs. BIInsalem, Pittsburgh, JlIl; Buffalo, NY; Cambridgr,
Distributor services include Cincinnati, Clet>eland, Columbus, Toledo, OH; MONEL, INCONEL and INCOLOY are trade
Charleston, WV; Dallas, TX; Louist'ille, KY; marks of the Inco family of companies.
shearing, plasma cutting, sawing, Nashville, TN
threading, leveling, slitting, edging
A
and deburring. You can order Atlanta,T~~:c~;I~~~n::o~~:;;:~::toll' l INCO ALLOYS
IN TE RN AT I 0 NA L
exactly what you need- TX; Los Angeles, CA; and 13 branch offices nationwide . .
Circle Reader Action No. 569
NI\5I\T ech Briefs
RealTime
Official Publication of
National Aeronautics and
Video
Space Administration
On
NASA Tech Briefs:
Workstation Published by ................... Assoclated BUllness Publications
Editor·in·ChieflPublisher .......................... Bill Schnlrrlng
Associate Publisher .............................. Frank Nothaft
Editor ................................... Joseph T. Pramberger
Displays
Managing Editor ...................................... R. J. Laer
Assistant Editor ............................... There .. M. Detko
Technical Advisor ...........•............ Dr. Robert E. Waterman
Production Manager ................................ Rita Nothaft
Traffic Manager ................................. James E. Cobb
Circulation Manager .............................. Cheryl Golden
Telecommunications Specialist ...................... Evelyn Mars
Reader Service Manager .................•........ Sylvla Valentin
Briefs & Supporting Wterature:
Provided to National Aeronautics and Space Administration by International
Computers & Telecommunications, Inc., NY, NY with aSSistance from
logical Technical Services, NY, NY
Technical/Managing Editor ........................... Ted Sellnsky
Art Director ..............................•....... Luis Martinez
Administrator .................................. Elizabeth Texeira
Chief Copy Editor .................................. Lorne Bullen
Staff WriterS/Editors .......... Dr. James Boyd, Dr. Larry Grunberger,
Dr. Theron Cole, Jordan RandJelovlch,
George Watson, Oden Browne
Graphics ...................................... Vernald Gillman,
Charles Semmartano
Editorial & Production ........•.•......... Bill UtIle, Ivonne Valdes,
Frank Ponce, SUSln Finelli
NASA:
RGB/View NASA Tech Briefs are provided by the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration, Technology Utilization Division, Washington, DC:
Administrator ................................... Richard H. Truly
The RGB lView'''' video display controller Assistant Administrator for Commercial Programs ..... James T. Rose
integrates real-time video with computer generated Deputy Assistant Administrator (Programs) ........... Henry J. Clarks
text and graphics on high resolution displays. Acting Director TU Division (Publications Manage~ .... Leonard A. Auit
Manager, Technology Utilization Office, NASA Scientific and
The RGB lView accepts composite video Technology Information Facility .............. Walter M. Helland
(NTSC or PAL) or RGB component signals
from 0 camera. tape recorder or video disc. Associated Business Publications
Full motion video is displayed as a window 41 East 42nd Street, Suite 921, New York, NY 10017.5391
on the workstation screen. (212) 490·3999 FAX (212) 986·7864
President ........................................ Bill Schnlrrlng
• Supports all displays from 768 x 1024 Executive Vice President ........................... Frank Nothaft
to 1280 x 1024 pixels Vice President ............................. Domenlc A. Mucchattl
Operations Manager ................................. Rita Nothaft
• Frame buffer independent
Controller ........................................ Felecla Lahey
• Output to the computer monitor
or to a high resolution projector Advertising:
• No processing burden on the computer New York Office: (212) 490·3999 FAX (212) 986·7864
Director of Advertising Sales ............... Domenlc A. Mucchettl
'100% software compatible Account Executive (NY, NJ) ......................... Brian Clerkin
• Full 24-blt color; highest quality video Image at (201) 285'()880
Account Executive 0IA, DC, MD, DE, WV) ............ John O. Floyd
• Text and graphics overlays on the video at [phone]
using a chroma keyer Account Executive .................. Debby Crane at (201) 967·9838
Account Executive (Midwest) .................... Paul Lasher, CBC
• Stondalone and board level
at (708) 501·4140
models available
Account Executive (Northwest) ..............•......... Bill Hague
• Mode In the USA at (206) 858·7575
Regional Sales Manager (South·Central) ............ Douglas Shaller
at (212) 490·3999
Account Executives (Eastern MA, NH, ME, RI) ........ Paul Gillespie
at (50S) 429·8907; Bill Doucette at (50S) 429·9861
Account Executives (Western MA, CT, VT) ...........• George Watts
or David Haggett at (413) 253·9881
Account Executives (Southeast) ................. Newton Collinson
or Jonathan Kiger or Lawrence Mlschlk at (404) 939·8391
Account Executives (Calif., AZ, NV, NM) ......................... .
for Area Codes 81812131805 - Robert D'Aleunder
SPECTRUM for Area Codes 4081415/916/209 - Elizabeth Cooper
2550 Ninth Street Berkeley, CA 94710 and lor Area Codes 619/714 - Karen Mock at (213) 372·2744
TEL: [phone] FAX: [phone]
NTBM·Research Center
Account Supervisor ........................... Lourdes Del Valle
Siggraph Booth# 462
8 Circle Reader Action No. 467
NASA Tech Briefs, July 1990