Sample records for tangible pendulum-based sonic

  1. Parametric pendulum based wave energy converter

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yurchenko, Daniil; Alevras, Panagiotis

    2018-01-01

    The paper investigates the dynamics of a novel wave energy converter based on the parametrically excited pendulum. The herein developed concept of the parametric pendulum allows reducing the influence of the gravity force thereby significantly improving the device performance at a regular sea state, which could not be achieved in the earlier proposed original point-absorber design. The suggested design of a wave energy converter achieves a dominant rotational motion without any additional mechanisms, like a gearbox, or any active control involvement. Presented numerical results of deterministic and stochastic modeling clearly reflect the advantage of the proposed design. A set of experimental results confirms the numerical findings and validates the new design of a parametric pendulum based wave energy converter. Power harvesting potential of the novel device is also presented.

  2. Optical Kapitza pendulum

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jones, Philip H.; Smart, Thomas J.; Richards, Christopher J.; Cubero, David

    2016-09-01

    The Kapitza pendulum is the paradigm for the phenomenon of dynamical stabilization, whereby an otherwise unstable system achieves a stability that is induced by fast modulation of a control parameter. In the classic, macroscopic Kapitza pendulum, a rigid pendulum is stabilized in the upright, inverted pendulum using a particle confined in a ring-shaped optical trap, subject to a drag force via fluid flow and driven via oscillating the potential in a direction parallel to the fluid flow. In the regime of vanishing Reynold's number with high-frequency driving the inverted pendulum is no longer stable, but new equilibrium positions appear that depend on the amplitude of driving. As the driving frequency is decreased a yet different behavior emerges where stability of the pendulum depends also on the details of the pendulum hydrodynamics. We present a theory for the observed induced stability of the overdamped pendulum based on the separation of timescales in the pendulum motion as formulated by Kapitza, but with the addition of a viscous drag. Excellent agreement is found between the predicted behavior from the analytical theory and the experimental results across the range of pendulum driving frequencies. We complement these results with Brownian motion simulations, and we characterize the stabilized pendulum by both time- and frequency-domain analyses of the pendulum Brownian motion.

  3. A new class of compact high sensitive tiltmeter based on the UNISA folded pendulum mechanical architecture

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Barone, Fabrizio; Giordano, Gerardo

    2018-02-01

    We present the Extended Folded Pendulum Model (EFPM), a model developed for a quantitative description of the dynamical behavior of a folded pendulum generically oriented in space. This model, based on the Tait-Bryan angular reference system, highlights the relationship between the folded pendulum orientation in the gravitational field and its natural resonance frequency. Tis model validated by tests performed with a monolithic UNISA Folded Pendulum, highlights a new technique of implementation of folded pendulum based tiltmeters.

  4. Robust hopping based on virtual pendulum posture control.

    PubMed

    Sharbafi, Maziar A; Maufroy, Christophe; Ahmadabadi, Majid Nili; Yazdanpanah, Mohammad J; Seyfarth, Andre

    2013-09-01

    A new control approach to achieve robust hopping against perturbations in the sagittal plane is presented in this paper. In perturbed hopping, vertical body alignment has a significant role for stability. Our approach is based on the virtual pendulum concept, recently proposed, based on experimental findings in human and animal locomotion. In this concept, the ground reaction forces are pointed to a virtual support point, named virtual pivot point (VPP), during motion. This concept is employed in designing the controller to balance the trunk during the stance phase. New strategies for leg angle and length adjustment besides the virtual pendulum posture control are proposed as a unified controller. This method is investigated by applying it on an extension of the spring loaded inverted pendulum (SLIP) model. Trunk, leg mass and damping are added to the SLIP model in order to make the model more realistic. The stability is analyzed by Poincaré map analysis. With fixed VPP position, stability, disturbance rejection and moderate robustness are achieved, but with a low convergence speed. To improve the performance and attain higher robustness, an event-based control of the VPP position is introduced, using feedback of the system states at apexes. Discrete linear quartic regulator is used to design the feedback controller. Considerable enhancements with respect to stability, convergence speed and robustness against perturbations and parameter changes are achieved.

  5. Tangible imaging systems

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ferwerda, James A.

    2013-03-01

    We are developing tangible imaging systems1-4 that enable natural interaction with virtual objects. Tangible imaging systems are based on consumer mobile devices that incorporate electronic displays, graphics hardware, accelerometers, gyroscopes, and digital cameras, in laptop or tablet-shaped form-factors. Custom software allows the orientation of a device and the position of the observer to be tracked in real-time. Using this information, realistic images of threedimensional objects with complex textures and material properties are rendered to the screen, and tilting or moving in front of the device produces realistic changes in surface lighting and material appearance. Tangible imaging systems thus allow virtual objects to be observed and manipulated as naturally as real ones with the added benefit that object properties can be modified under user control. In this paper we describe four tangible imaging systems we have developed: the tangiBook - our first implementation on a laptop computer; tangiView - a more refined implementation on a tablet device; tangiPaint - a tangible digital painting application; and phantoView - an application that takes the tangible imaging concept into stereoscopic 3D.

  6. Interactive Internet Based Pendulum for Learning Mechatronics

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sethson, Magnus R.

    2003-01-01

    This paper describes an Internet based remote experimental setup of a double lined pendulum mechanism for students experiments at the M. Sc. Level. Some of the first year experience using this web-based setup in classes is referred. In most of the courses given at the division of mechanical engineering systems at Linkoeping Institute of Technology we provide experimental setups to enhance the teaching Of M.Sc. students. Many of these experimental setups involve mechatronical systems. Disciplines like fluid power, electronics, and mechanics and also software technologies are used in each experiment. As our campus has recently been split into two different cities some new concepts for distance learning have been studied. The one described here tries to implement remotely controlled mechatronic setups for teaching basic programming of real-time operating systems and analysis of the dynamics of mechanical systems. The students control the regulators for the pendulum through a web interface and get measurement results and a movie back through their email. The present setup uses a double linked pendulum that is controlled by a DC-motor and monitored through both camera and angular position sensors. All software needed is hosted on a double-processor PC running the RedHat 7.1. distribution complemented with real-time scheduling using DIAPM-RTAI 1.7. The Internet site is presented to the students using PHP, Apache and MySQL. All of the used software originates from the open source domain. The experience from integrating these technologies and security issues is discussed together with the web-camera interface. One of the important experiences from this project so far is the need for a good visual feedback. This is both in terms of video speed but also in resolution. It has been noticed that when the students makes misstates and wants to search the failure they want clear, large images with high resolution to support their personal believes in the cause of the failure. Even

  7. Broadband pendulum energy harvester

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Liang, Changwei; Wu, You; Zuo, Lei

    2016-09-01

    A novel electromagnetic pendulum energy harvester with mechanical motion rectifier (MMR) is proposed and investigated in this paper. MMR is a mechanism which rectifies the bidirectional swing motion of the pendulum into unidirectional rotation of the generator by using two one-way clutches in the gear system. In this paper, two prototypes of pendulum energy harvester with MMR and without MMR are designed and fabricated. The dynamic model of the proposed MMR pendulum energy harvester is established by considering the engagement and disengagement of the one way clutches. The simulation results show that the proposed MMR pendulum energy harvester has a larger output power at high frequencies comparing with non-MMR pendulum energy harvester which benefits from the disengagement of one-way clutch during pendulum vibration. Moreover, the proposed MMR pendulum energy harvester is broadband compare with non-MMR pendulum energy harvester, especially when the equivalent inertia is large. An experiment is also conducted to compare the energy harvesting performance of these two prototypes. A flywheel is attached at the end of the generator to make the disengagement more significant. The experiment results also verify that MMR pendulum energy harvester is broadband and has a larger output power at high frequency over the non-MMR pendulum energy harvester.

  8. Experiment with Conical Pendulum

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Tongaonkar, S. S.; Khadse, V. R.

    2011-01-01

    Conical pendulum is similar to simple pendulum with the difference that the bob, instead of moving back and forth, swings around in a horizontal circle. Thus, in a conical pendulum the bob moves at a constant speed in a circle with the string tracing out a cone. This paper describes an experiment with conical pendulum, with determination of g from…

  9. A Novel Real-Time Data Acquisition Using an Excel Spreadsheet in Pendulum Experiment Tool with Light-Based Timer

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Adhitama, Egy; Fauzi, Ahmad

    2018-01-01

    In this study, a pendulum experimental tool with a light-based timer has been developed to measure the period of a simple pendulum. The obtained data was automatically recorded in an Excel spreadsheet. The intensity of monochromatic light, sensed by a 3DU5C phototransistor, dynamically changes as the pendulum swings. The changed intensity varies…

  10. Complex pendulum biomass sensor

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Hoskinson, Reed L.; Kenney, Kevin L.; Perrenoud, Ben C.

    A complex pendulum system biomass sensor having a plurality of pendulums. The plurality of pendulums allow the system to detect a biomass height and density. Each pendulum has an angular deflection sensor and a deflector at a unique height. The pendulums are passed through the biomass and readings from the angular deflection sensors are fed into a control system. The control system determines whether adjustment of machine settings is appropriate and either displays an output to the operator, or adjusts automatically adjusts the machine settings, such as the speed, at which the pendulums are passed through the biomass. In anmore » alternate embodiment, an entanglement sensor is also passed through the biomass to determine the amount of biomass entanglement. This measure of entanglement is also fed into the control system.« less

  11. Measuring g with a classroom pendulum using changes in the pendulum string length

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Oliveira, V.

    2016-11-01

    This frontline presents a simple apparatus for measuring the acceleration of gravity using a classroom pendulum. Instead of the traditional method where the pendulum period is measured as a function of its length, here the period is measured as a function of changes in the pendulum string length. The major advantage of this method is that students can measure these changes with a greater accuracy than measuring the total pendulum length.

  12. Development of Gravity Acceleration Measurement Using Simple Harmonic Motion Pendulum Method Based on Digital Technology and Photogate Sensor

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yulkifli; Afandi, Zurian; Yohandri

    2018-04-01

    Development of gravitation acceleration measurement using simple harmonic motion pendulum method, digital technology and photogate sensor has been done. Digital technology is more practical and optimizes the time of experimentation. The pendulum method is a method of calculating the acceleration of gravity using a solid ball that connected to a rope attached to a stative pole. The pendulum is swung at a small angle resulted a simple harmonic motion. The measurement system consists of a power supply, Photogate sensors, Arduino pro mini and seven segments. The Arduino pro mini receives digital data from the photogate sensor and processes the digital data into the timing data of the pendulum oscillation. The calculation result of the pendulum oscillation time is displayed on seven segments. Based on measured data, the accuracy and precision of the experiment system are 98.76% and 99.81%, respectively. Based on experiment data, the system can be operated in physics experiment especially in determination of the gravity acceleration.

  13. A novel real-time data acquisition using an Excel spreadsheet in pendulum experiment tool with light-based timer

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Adhitama, Egy; Fauzi, Ahmad

    2018-05-01

    In this study, a pendulum experimental tool with a light-based timer has been developed to measure the period of a simple pendulum. The obtained data was automatically recorded in an Excel spreadsheet. The intensity of monochromatic light, sensed by a 3DU5C phototransistor, dynamically changes as the pendulum swings. The changed intensity varies the resistance value and was processed by the microcontroller, ATMega328, to obtain a signal period as a function of time and brightness when the pendulum crosses the light. Through the experiment, using calculated average periods, the gravitational acceleration value has been accurately and precisely determined.

  14. Tangible Multimedia: A Case Study for Bringing Tangibility into Multimedia Learning

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Tsong, Chau Kien; Chong, Toh Seong; Samsudin, Zarina

    2012-01-01

    Multimedia augmented with tangible objects is an area that has not been explored. Current multimedia systems lack the natural elements that allow young children to learn tangibly and intuitively. In view of this, we propose a research to merge tangible objects with multimedia for preschoolers, and propose to term it as "tangible…

  15. The influences of load mass changing on inverted pendulum stability based on simulation study

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pangaribuan, Timbang; Nasruddin, M. N.; Marlianto, Eddy; Sigiro, Mula

    2017-09-01

    An inverted pendulum has nonlinear dynamic, so it is not easy to do in analysis to see its behavior. From many observations which have been made, there are two things that need to be added on the perfection of inverted pendulum. Firstly, when the pendulum has a large mass, and the second when the pendulum is given a load mass much larger than mass of the inverted pendulum. There are some question, first, how big the load mass can be given so that the movement of the inverted pendulum stay stable is. Second, how weight the changes and moves of load mass which can be given. For all the changes, it hopes the inverted pendulum is stay stable. Finally, the final result is still expected to be as stable, it must need conclude what kind of controller is capable of carrying such a mass burden, and how large the mass load limit can be given.

  16. False-positive tangible outcomes of functional analyses.

    PubMed

    Rooker, Griffin W; Iwata, Brian A; Harper, Jill M; Fahmie, Tara A; Camp, Erin M

    2011-01-01

    Functional analysis (FA) methodology is the most precise method for identifying variables that maintain problem behavior. Occasionally, however, results of an FA may be influenced by idiosyncratic sensitivity to aspects of the assessment conditions. For example, data from several studies suggest that inclusion of a tangible condition during an FA may be prone to a false-positive outcome, although the extent to which tangible reinforcement routinely produces such outcomes is unknown. We examined susceptibility to tangible reinforcement by determining whether a new response was acquired more readily when exposed to a tangible contingency relative to others commonly used in an FA (Study 1), and whether problem behavior known not to have a social function nevertheless emerged when exposed to tangible reinforcement (Study 2). Results indicated that inclusion of items in the tangible condition should be done with care and that selection should be based on those items typically found in the individual's environment.

  17. Thrust Measurements in Ballistic Pendulum Ablative Laser Propulsion Experiments

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Brazolin, H.; Rodrigues, N. A. S.; Minucci, M. A. S.

    This paper describes a setup for thrust measurement in ablative laser propulsion experiments, based on a simple ballistic pendulum associated to an imaging system, which is being assembled at IEAv. A light aluminium pendulum holding samples is placed inside a 100 liters vacuum chamber with two optical windows: the first (in ZnSe) for the laser beam and the second (in fused quartz) for the pendulum visualization. A TEA-CO{sub 2} laser beam is focused to the samples providing ablation and transferring linear moment to the pendulum as a whole. A CCD video camera captures the oscillatory movement of the pendulum andmore » the its trajectory is obtained by image processing. By fitting the trajectory of the pendulum to a dumped sinusoidal curve is possible to obtain the amplitude of the movement which is directly related to the momentum transfered to the sample.« less

  18. Anticipation by basketball defenders: an explanation based on the three-dimensional inverted pendulum model.

    PubMed

    Fujii, Keisuke; Shinya, Masahiro; Yamashita, Daichi; Kouzaki, Motoki; Oda, Shingo

    2014-01-01

    We previously estimated the timing when ball game defenders detect relevant information through visual input for reacting to an attacker's running direction after a cutting manoeuvre, called cue timing. The purpose of this study was to investigate what specific information is relevant for defenders, and how defenders process this information to decide on their opponents' running direction. In this study, we hypothesised that defenders extract information regarding the position and velocity of the attackers' centre of mass (CoM) and the contact foot. We used a model which simulates the future trajectory of the opponent's CoM based upon an inverted pendulum movement. The hypothesis was tested by comparing observed defender's cue timing, model-estimated cue timing using the inverted pendulum model (IPM cue timing) and cue timing using only the current CoM position (CoM cue timing). The IPM cue timing was defined as the time when the simulated pendulum falls leftward or rightward given the initial values for position and velocity of the CoM and the contact foot at the time. The model-estimated IPM cue timing and the empirically observed defender's cue timing were comparable in median value and were significantly correlated, whereas the CoM cue timing was significantly more delayed than the IPM and the defender's cue timings. Based on these results, we discuss the possibility that defenders may be able to anticipate the future direction of an attacker by forwardly simulating inverted pendulum movement.

  19. The Pendulum Equation

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Fay, Temple H.

    2002-01-01

    We investigate the pendulum equation [theta] + [lambda][squared] sin [theta] = 0 and two approximations for it. On the one hand, we suggest that the third and fifth-order Taylor series approximations for sin [theta] do not yield very good differential equations to approximate the solution of the pendulum equation unless the initial conditions are…

  20. Swinging into Pendulums with a Background.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Barrow, Lloyd H.; Cook, Julie

    1993-01-01

    Explains reasons why students have misconceptions concerning pendulum swings. Presents a series of 10 pendulum task cards to provide middle-school students with a solid mental scaffolding upon which to build their knowledge of kinetic energy and pendulums. (PR)

  1. A Comprehensive Analytical Solution of the Nonlinear Pendulum

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Ochs, Karlheinz

    2011-01-01

    In this paper, an analytical solution for the differential equation of the simple but nonlinear pendulum is derived. This solution is valid for any time and is not limited to any special initial instance or initial values. Moreover, this solution holds if the pendulum swings over or not. The method of approach is based on Jacobi elliptic functions…

  2. Pendulum and modified pendulum appliances for maxillary molar distalization in Class II malocclusion - a systematic review.

    PubMed

    Al-Thomali, Yousef; Basha, Sakeenabi; Mohamed, Roshan Noor

    2017-08-01

    The main purpose of the present systematic review was to evaluate the quantitative effects of the pendulum appliance and modified pendulum appliances for maxillary molar distalization in Class II malocclusion. Our systematic search included MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsychINFO, Scopus and key journals and review articles; the date of the last search was 30 January 2017. We graded the methodological quality of the studies by means of the Quality Assessment Tool for Quantitative Studies, developed for the Effective Public Health Practice Project (EPHPP). In total, 203 studies were identified for screening, and 25 studies were eligible. The quality assessment rated four (16%) of the study as being of strong quality and 21 (84%) of these studies as being of moderate quality. The pendulum appliances showed mean molar distalization of 2-6.4 mm, distal tipping of molars from 6.67° to 14.50° and anchorage loss with mean premolar and incisor mesial movement of 1.63-3.6 mm and 0.9-6.5 mm, respectively. The bone anchored pendulum appliances (BAPAs) showed mean molar distalization of 4.8-6.4 mm, distal tipping of molars from 9° to 11.3° and mean premolar distalization of 2.7-5.4 mm. Pendulum and modified pendulum appliances are effective in molar distalization. Pendulum appliance with K-loop modification, implant supported pendulum appliance and BAPA significantly reduced anchorage loss of the anterior teeth and distal tipping of the molar teeth.

  3. Learning topography with Tangible Landscape games

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Petrasova, A.; Tabrizian, P.; Harmon, B. A.; Petras, V.; Millar, G.; Mitasova, H.; Meentemeyer, R. K.

    2017-12-01

    Understanding topography and its representations is crucial for correct interpretation and modeling of surface processes. However, novice earth science and landscape architecture students often find reading topographic maps challenging. As a result, many students struggle to comprehend more complex spatial concepts and processes such as flow accumulation or sediment transport.We developed and tested a new method for teaching hydrology, geomorphology, and grading using Tangible Landscape—a tangible interface for geospatial modeling. Tangible Landscape couples a physical and digital model of a landscape through a real-time cycle of hands-on modeling, 3D scanning, geospatial computation, and projection. With Tangible Landscape students can sculpt a projection-augmented topographic model of a landscape with their hands and use a variety of tangible objects to immediately see how they are changing geospatial analytics such as contours, profiles, water flow, or landform types. By feeling and manipulating the shape of the topography, while seeing projected geospatial analytics, students can intuitively learn about 3D topographic form, its representations, and how topography controls physical processes. Tangible Landscape is powered by GRASS GIS, an open source geospatial platform with extensive libraries for geospatial modeling and analysis. As such, Tangible Landscape can be used to design a wide range of learning experiences across a large number of geoscience disciplines.As part of a graduate level course that teaches grading, 16 students participated in a series of workshops, which were developed as serious games to encourage learning through structured play. These serious games included 1) diverting rain water to a specified location with minimal changes to landscape, 2) building different combinations of landforms, and 3) reconstructing landscapes based on projected contour information with feedback.In this poster, we will introduce Tangible Landscape, and

  4. Introduction to the Treatment of Non-Linear Effects Using a Gravitational Pendulum

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Weltner, Klaus; Esperidiao, Antonio Sergio C.; Miranda, Paulo

    2004-01-01

    We show that the treatment of pendulum movement, other than the linear approximation,may be an instructive experimentally based introduction to the physics of non-linear effects. Firstly the natural frequency of a gravitational pendulum is measured as function of its amplitude. Secondly forced oscillations of a gravitational pendulum are…

  5. Neural network-based motion control of an underactuated wheeled inverted pendulum model.

    PubMed

    Yang, Chenguang; Li, Zhijun; Cui, Rongxin; Xu, Bugong

    2014-11-01

    In this paper, automatic motion control is investigated for one of wheeled inverted pendulum (WIP) models, which have been widely applied for modeling of a large range of two wheeled modern vehicles. First, the underactuated WIP model is decomposed into a fully actuated second order subsystem Σa consisting of planar movement of vehicle forward and yaw angular motions, and a nonactuated first order subsystem Σb of pendulum motion. Due to the unknown dynamics of subsystem Σa and the universal approximation ability of neural network (NN), an adaptive NN scheme has been employed for motion control of subsystem Σa . The model reference approach has been used whereas the reference model is optimized by the finite time linear quadratic regulation technique. The pendulum motion in the passive subsystem Σb is indirectly controlled using the dynamic coupling with planar forward motion of subsystem Σa , such that satisfactory tracking of a set pendulum tilt angle can be guaranteed. Rigours theoretic analysis has been established, and simulation studies have been performed to demonstrate the developed method.

  6. A biomechanical model of the craniomandibular complex and cervical spine based on the inverted pendulum.

    PubMed

    Gillies, G T; Broaddus, W C; Stenger, J M; Taylor, A G

    1998-01-01

    The head and neck constitute an inverted pendulum that is stabilized during consciousness by neuromuscular restoring forces. An analysis of the dynamics of this inverted pendulum suggests that the mechanics of the mandible and temporomandibular joint might couple into those of the pendulum's stabilization process. In this article, physical principles of the inverted pendulum model as these apply to the head and neck are explored, and the authors describe implications of mandibular mechanics for the forces acting on the head and neck at equilibrium. This novel application of the inverted pendulum model predicts that alteration or pathology of temporomandibular mechanics would lead to perturbations of the normal forces acting in the head and neck. Under certain circumstances, these perturbations could be expected to contribute to symptoms and result in additional or accelerated degenerative effects.

  7. A Wave Power Device with Pendulum Based on Ocean Monitoring Buoy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chai, Hui; Guan, Wanchun; Wan, Xiaozheng; Li, Xuanqun; Zhao, Qiang; Liu, Shixuan

    2018-01-01

    The ocean monitoring buoy usually exploits solar energy for power supply. In order to improve power supply capacity, this paper proposes a wave power device according to the structure and moving character of buoy. The wave power device composes of pendulum mechanism that converts wave energy into mechanical energy and energy storage mechanism where the mechanical energy is transferred quantitatively to generator. The hydrodynamic equation for the motion of buoy system with generator devise is established based on the potential flow theory, and then the characteristics of pendulum motion and energy conversion properties are analysed. The results of this research show that the proposed wave power devise is able to efficiently and periodically convert wave energy into power, and increasing the stiffness of energy storage spring is benefit for enhancing the power supply capacity of the buoy. This study provides a theory reference for the development of technology on wave power generator for ocean monitoring buoy.

  8. Dynamic characteristics of rotor blades with pendulum absorbers

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Murthy, V. R.; Goglia, G. L.

    1977-01-01

    The point transmission matrix for a vertical plane pendulum on a rotating blade undergoing combined flapwise bending, and chordwise bending and torsion is derived. The equilibrium equation of the pendulum is linearized for small oscillations about the steady state. A FORTRAN program was written for the case of a vertical plane pendulum attached to a uniform blade with flapwise bending degree of freedom for cantilever boundary conditions. The frequency has a singular value right at the uncoupled pendulum natural frequency and thus introduces two frequencies corresponding to the nearest natural frequency of the blade without pendulum. In both of these modes it was observed that the pendulum deflection is large. One frequency can be thought of as a coupled pendulum frequency and the other as a coupled bending and pendulum frequency.

  9. Conical Pendulum--Linearization Analyses

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Dean, Kevin; Mathew, Jyothi

    2016-01-01

    A theoretical analysis is presented, showing the derivations of seven different linearization equations for the conical pendulum period "T", as a function of radial and angular parameters. Experimental data obtained over a large range of fixed conical pendulum lengths (0.435 m-2.130 m) are plotted with the theoretical lines and…

  10. A Concise History of School-Based Smoking Prevention Research: A Pendulum Effect Case Study

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Sussman, Steve; Black, David S.; Rohrbach, Louise A.

    2010-01-01

    School-based cigarette smoking prevention was initiated shortly after the first Surgeon General's Report in 1964. This article highlights a sequence of events by which school-based tobacco use prevention research developed as a science, and illustrates a pendulum effect, with confidence in tobacco use prevention increasing and decreasing at…

  11. Pendulums, Pedagogy, and Matter: Lessons from the Editing of Newton's Principia

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Biener, Zvi; Smeenk, Chris

    Teaching Newtonian physics involves the replacement of students'' ideas about physical situations with precise concepts appropriate for mathematical applications. This paper focuses on the concepts of `matter'' and `mass''. We suggest that students, like some pre-Newtonian scientists we examine, use these terms in a way that conflicts with their Newtonian meaning. Specifically, `matter''and `mass'' indicate to them the sorts of things that are tangible,bulky, and take up space. In Newtonian mechanics, however, the terms are defined by Newton's Second Law: `mass'' is simply a measure of the acceleration generated by an impressed force. We examine the relationship between these conceptions as it was discussed by Newton and his editor, Roger Cotes, when analyzing a series of pendulum experiments. We suggest that these experiments, as well as more sophisticated computer simulations, can be used in the classroom to sufficiently differentiate the colloquial and precise meaning of these terms.

  12. Piaget and the Pendulum

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bond, Trevor G.

    Piaget's investigations into children's understanding of the laws governing the movement of a simple pendulum were first reported in 1955 as part of a report into how children's knowledge of the physical world changes during development. Chapter 4 of Inhelder & Piaget (1955/1958) entitled `The Oscillation of a Pendulum and the Operations of Exclusion'' demonstrated how adolescents could construct the experimental strategies necessary to isolate each of the variables, exclude the irrelevant factors and conclude concerning the causal role of length. This became one of the most easily replicable tasks from the Genevan school and was used in a number of important investigations to detect the onset of formal operational thinking. While it seems that the pendulum investigation fits nicely into Piaget's sequence of studies of concepts such as time, distance and speed suggested to him by Einstein, more recent research (Bond 2001) shows Inhelder to be directly responsible for the investigations into children's induction of physical laws. The inter-relationship between the pendulum problem, developing thought and scientific method is revealed in a number of Genevan and post-Piagetian investigations.

  13. Seismic cross-coupling noise in torsion pendulums

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Shimoda, Tomofumi; Aritomi, Naoki; Shoda, Ayaka; Michimura, Yuta; Ando, Masaki

    2018-05-01

    Detection of low-frequency gravitational waves around 0.1 Hz is one of the important targets for future gravitational wave observation. One of the main sources of the expected signals is gravitational waves from binary intermediate-mass black hole coalescences which is proposed as one of the formation scenarios of supermassive black holes. By using a torsion pendulum, which can have a resonance frequency of a few millihertz, such signals can be measured on the ground since its rotational motion can act as a free mass down to 0.01 Hz. However, sensitivity of a realistic torsion pendulum will suffer from torsional displacement noise introduced from translational ground motion in the main frequency band of interest. Such noise is called seismic cross-coupling noise, and there has been little research on it. In this paper, systematic investigation is performed to identify routes of cross-coupling transfer for standard torsion pendulums. Based on the results, this paper also proposes reduction schemes of cross-coupling noise, and they were demonstrated experimentally in agreement with theory. This result establishes a basic way to reduce seismic noise in torsion pendulums for the most significant coupling routes.

  14. The Doppler Pendulum Experiment

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Lee, C. K.; Wong, H. K.

    2011-01-01

    An experiment to verify the Doppler effect of sound waves is described. An ultrasonic source is mounted at the end of a simple pendulum. As the pendulum swings, the rapid change of frequency can be recorded by a stationary receiver using a simple frequency-to-voltage converter. The experimental results are in close agreement with the Doppler…

  15. Stabilization and tracking control of X-Z inverted pendulum with sliding-mode control.

    PubMed

    Wang, Jia-Jun

    2012-11-01

    X-Z inverted pendulum is a new kind of inverted pendulum which can move with the combination of the vertical and horizontal forces. Through a new transformation, the X-Z inverted pendulum is decomposed into three simple models. Based on the simple models, sliding-mode control is applied to stabilization and tracking control of the inverted pendulum. The performance of the sliding mode control is compared with that of the PID control. Simulation results show that the design scheme of sliding-mode control is effective for the stabilization and tracking control of the X-Z inverted pendulum. Copyright © 2012 ISA. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  16. Segmented Hoop as a Physical Pendulum

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Layton, William; Rodriguez, Nuria

    2013-01-01

    An interesting demonstration with a surprising result is to suspend a hoop from a point near its edge and set it swinging in a vertical plane as a pendulum. If a simple pendulum of length equal to the diameter of the hoop is set oscillating at the same time, the two will have nearly the same period. However, the real surprise is if the pendulum is…

  17. University of Florida Torsion Pendulum for Testing Key LISA Technology

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Apple, Stephen; Chilton, Andrew; Olatunde, Taiwo Janet; Hillsberry, Daniel; Parry, Samantha; Ciani, Giacomo; Wass, Peter; Mueller, Guido; Conklin, John

    2018-01-01

    This presentation will describe the design and performance of a new torsion pendulum at the University of Florida used for testing inertial sensors and associated technologies for use in space – based gravitational wave observatories and geodesy missions. In particular this new torsion pendulum facility is testing inertial sensors and associated technology for the upcoming LISA (laser interferometer space antenna) space-based gravitational wave observatory mission. The torsion pendulum apparatus is comprised of a suspended cross bar assembly that has LISA test mass mockups at each of its ends. Two of the test mass mockups are enclosed by capacitive sensors which provide actuation and position sensing. The entire assembly is housed in a vacuum chamber. The pendulum cross-bar converts rotational motion of the test masses about the suspension fiber axis into translational motion. The 22 cm cross bar arm length along with the extremely small torsional spring constant of the suspension fiber results in a near free fall condition in the translational degree-of-freedom orthogonal to both the member and the suspension fiber. The test masses are electrically isolated from the pendulum assembly and their charge is controlled via photoemission using fiber coupled UV LEDS. Position of the test masses is measured using both capacitive and interferometric readout. The broadband sensitivity of the capacitive readout and laser interferometer readout is 30 nm/√Hz and 0.5 nm/√Hz respectively. The performance of the pendulum measured in equivalent acceleration noise acting on a LISA test mass is approximately 3 × 10-13 ms-2/√Hz at 2 mHz. This presentation will also discuss the design and fabrication of a flight-like gravitational reference sensor that will soon be integrated into the torsion pendulum facility. This flight-like GRS will allow for noise performance measurements in a more LISA-like configuration.

  18. Sonic boom acceptability studies

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Shepherd, Kevin P.; Sullivan, Brenda M.; Leatherwood, Jack D.; Mccurdy, David A.

    1992-01-01

    The determination of the magnitude of sonic boom exposure which would be acceptable to the general population requires, as a starting point, a method to assess and compare individual sonic booms. There is no consensus within the scientific and regulatory communities regarding an appropriate sonic boom assessment metric. Loudness, being a fundamental and well-understood attribute of human hearing was chosen as a means of comparing sonic booms of differing shapes and amplitudes. The figure illustrates the basic steps which yield a calculated value of loudness. Based upon the aircraft configuration and its operating conditions, the sonic boom pressure signature which reaches the ground is calculated. This pressure-time history is transformed to the frequency domain and converted into a one-third octave band spectrum. The essence of the loudness method is to account for the frequency response and integration characteristics of the auditory system. The result of the calculation procedure is a numerical description (perceived level, dB) which represents the loudness of the sonic boom waveform.

  19. Sonic Booms in Atmospheric Turbulence (SonicBAT) Ground Measurements in a Hot Desert Climate

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Haering, Edward A., Jr.

    2017-01-01

    The Sonic Booms in Atmospheric Turbulence (SonicBAT) Project flew a series of 20 F-18 flights with 69 supersonic passes at Edwards Air Force Base in July 2016 to quantify the effect of atmospheric turbulence on sonic booms. Most of the passes were at a pressure altitude of 32,000 feet and a Mach number of 1.4, yielding a nominal sonic boom overpressure of 1.6 pounds per square foot. Atmospheric sensors such as GPS sondeballoons, Sonic Detection and Ranging (SODAR) acoustic sounders, and ultrasonic anemometers were used to characterize the turbulence state of the atmosphere for each flight. Spiked signatures in excess of 7 pounds per square foot were measured at some locations, as well as rounded sonic-boom signatures with levels much lower than the nominal. This presentation will quantify the range of overpressure and Perceived Level of the sonic boom as a function of turbulence parameters, and also present the spatial variation of these quantities over the array. Comparison with historical data will also be shown.

  20. Inverting the Pendulum Using Fuzzy Control (Center Director's Discretionary Fund (Project 93-02)

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Kissel, R. R.; Sutherland, W. T.

    1997-01-01

    A single pendulum was simulated in software and then built on a rotary base. A fuzzy controller was used to show its advantages as a nonlinear controller since bringing the pendulum inverted is extremely nonlinear. The controller was implemented in a Motorola 6811 microcontroller. A double pendulum was simulated and fuzzy control was used to hold it in a vertical position. The double pendulum was not built into hardware for lack of time. This project was for training and to show advantages of fuzzy control.

  1. ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY VERIFICATION REPORT; ULTRASONIC AQUEOUS CLEANING SYSTEMS, SMART SONIC CORPORATION, SMART SONIC

    EPA Science Inventory

    This report is a product of the U.S. EPA's Environmental Technoloy Verification (ETV) Program and is focused on the Smart Sonics Ultrasonic Aqueous Cleaning Systems. The verification is based on three main objectives. (1) The Smart Sonic Aqueous Cleaning Systems, Model 2000 and...

  2. A contribution to calculation of the mathematical pendulum

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Anakhaev, K. N.

    2014-11-01

    In this work, as a continuation of rigorous solutions of the mathematical pendulum theory, calculated dependences were obtained in elementary functions (with construction of plots) for a complete description of the oscillatory motion of the pendulum with determination of its parameters, such as the oscillation period, deviation angles, time of motion, angular velocity and acceleration, and strains in the pendulum rod (maximum, minimum, zero, and gravitational). The results of calculations according to the proposed dependences closely (≪1%) coincide with the exact tabulated data for individual points. The conditions of ascending at which the angular velocity, angular acceleration, and strains in the pendulum rod reach their limiting values equal to and 5 m 1 g, respectively, are shown. It was revealed that the angular acceleration does not depend on the pendulum oscillation amplitude; the pendulum rod strain equal to the gravitation force of the pendulum R s = m 1 g at the time instant is also independent on the amplitude. The dependences presented in this work can also be invoked for describing oscillations of a physical pendulum, mass on a spring, electric circuit, etc.

  3. Pendulum Underwater - An Approach for Quantifying Viscosity

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Leme, José Costa; Oliveira, Agostinho

    2017-12-01

    The purpose of the experiment presented in this paper is to quantify the viscosity of a liquid. Viscous effects are important in the flow of fluids in pipes, in the bloodstream, in the lubrication of engine parts, and in many other situations. In the present paper, the authors explore the oscillations of a physical pendulum in the form of a long and lightweight wire that carries a ball at its lower end, which is totally immersed in water, so as to determine the water viscosity. The system used represents a viscous damped pendulum and we tried different theoretical models to describe it. The experimental part of the present paper is based on a very simple and low-cost image capturing apparatus that can easily be replicated in a physics classroom. Data on the pendulum's amplitude as a function of time were acquired using digital video analysis with the open source software Tracker.

  4. A Tangible Approach to Concept Mapping

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tanenbaum, Karen; Antle, Alissa N.

    2009-05-01

    The Tangible Concept Mapping project investigates using a tangible user interface to engage learners in concept map creation. This paper describes a prototype implementation of the system, presents some preliminary analysis of its ease of use and effectiveness, and discusses how elements of tangible interaction support concept mapping by helping users organize and structure their knowledge about a domain. The role of physical engagement and embodiment in supporting the mental activity of creating the concept map is explored as one of the benefits of a tangible approach to learning.

  5. An inexpensive, multipurpose physical pendulum

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Schultz, David

    2012-10-01

    The pendulum is a highly versatile tool for teaching physics. Many special purpose pendula for student experiments have been described.1-4 In this paper, I describe an inexpensive, multipurpose physical pendulum that can function as both a variable gravity and ballistic pendulum. I designed the apparatus for use in a rotational dynamics unit of the AP Physics C mechanics course. The use of a bike wheel hub pivot allows for low-friction, rugged operation that yields results commensurate with those obtained with much more expensive pendula available on the market (typically 500 per unit5), placing these types of experiments within reach of the teacher on a restricted budget.

  6. Sonic Booms And Building Vibration Revisited

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sutherland, Louis C.; Kryter, Karl D.; Czech, Joseph

    2006-05-01

    Lessons learned from the 1960's sonic boom tests at St. Louis, Oklahoma City and at Edwards Air Force Base (EAFB) and more recently in communities near EAFB and Nellis AFB are briefly reviewed from the standpoint of building vibration and rattle response induced by the sonic boom signature. Available data on the vibro-acoustic threshold of rattle are considered along with the principal sonic boom signature parameters, peak overpressure and duration, which drive the low frequency vibration response of buildings to sonic booms. Implications for the current effort to develop an acceptable sonic boom signature are considered with this overview of current understanding of building vibration response to sonic booms. Possible gaps in this current knowledge for current technology boom signatures are considered.

  7. Ground-based sensors for the SR-71 sonic boom propagation experiment

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Norris, Stephen R.; Haering, Edward A., Jr.; Murray, James E.

    1995-01-01

    This paper describes ground-level measurements of sonic boom signatures made as part of the SR-71 sonic boom propagation experiment recently completed at NASA Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, California. Ground level measurements were the final stage of this experiment which also included airborne measurements at near and intermediate distances from an SR-71 research aircraft. Three types of sensors were deployed to three station locations near the aircraft ground track. Pressure data were collected for flight conditions from Mach 1.25 to Mach 1.60 at altitudes from 30,000 to 48,000 ft. Ground-level measurement techniques, comparisons of data sets from different ground sensors, and sensor system strengths and weaknesses are discussed. The well-known N-wave structure dominated the sonic boom signatures generated by the SR-71 aircraft at most of these conditions. Variations in boom shape caused by atmospheric turbulence, focusing effects, or both were observed for several flights. Peak pressure and boom event duration showed some dependence on aircraft gross weight. The sonic boom signatures collected in this experiment are being compiled in a data base for distribution in support of the High Speed Research Program.

  8. The Pendulum and the Calculus.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Sworder, Steven C.

    A pair of experiments, appropriate for the lower division fourth semester calculus or differential equations course, are presented. The second order differential equation representing the equation of motion of a simple pendulum is derived. The period of oscillation for a particular pendulum can be predicted from the solution to this equation. As a…

  9. Analytical study of the critical behavior of the nonlinear pendulum

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lima, F. M. S.

    2010-11-01

    The dynamics of a simple pendulum consisting of a small bob and a massless rigid rod has three possible regimes depending on its total energy E: Oscillatory (when E is not enough for the pendulum to reach the top position), "perpetual ascent" when E is exactly the energy needed to reach the top, and nonoscillatory for greater energies. In the latter regime, the pendulum rotates periodically without velocity inversions. In contrast to the oscillatory regime, for which an exact analytic solution is known, the other two regimes are usually studied by solving the equation of motion numerically. By applying conservation of energy, I derive exact analytical solutions to both the perpetual ascent and nonoscillatory regimes and an exact expression for the pendulum period in the nonoscillatory regime. Based on Cromer's approximation for the large-angle pendulum period, I find a simple approximate expression for the decrease of the period with the initial velocity in the nonoscillatory regime, valid near the critical velocity. This expression is used to study the critical slowing down, which is observed near the transition between the oscillatory and nonoscillatory regimes.

  10. Control of Torsional Vibrations by Pendulum Masses

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Stieglitz, Albert

    1942-01-01

    Various versions of pendulum masses have been developed abroad within the past few years by means of which resonant vibrations of rotating shafts can be eliminated at a given tuning. They are already successfully employed on radial engines in the form of pendulous counterweights. Compared with the commonly known torsional vibration dampers, the pendulum masses have the advantage of being structurally very simple, requiring no internal damping and being capable of completely eliminating certain vibrations. Unexplained, so far, remains the problem of behavior of pendulum masses in other critical zones to which they are not tuned, their dynamic behavior at some tuning other than in resonance, and their effect within a compound vibration system and at simultaneous application of several differently tuned pendulous masses. These problems are analyzed in the present report. The results constitute an enlargement of the scope of application of pendulum masses, especially for in-line engines. Among other things it is found that the natural frequency of a system can be raised by means of a correspondingly tuned pendulum mass. The formulas necessary for the design of any practical version are developed, and a pendulum mass having two different natural frequencies simultaneously is described.

  11. Ratchet baryogenesis and an analogy with the forced pendulum

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bamba, Kazuharu; Barrie, Neil D.; Sugamoto, Akio; Takeuchi, Tatsu; Yamashita, Kimiko

    2018-06-01

    A new scenario of baryogenesis via the ratchet mechanism is proposed based on an analogy with the forced pendulum. The oscillation of the inflaton field during the reheating epoch after inflation plays the role of the driving force, while the phase 𝜃 of a scalar baryon field (a complex scalar field with baryon number) plays the role of the angle of the pendulum. When the inflaton is coupled to the scalar baryon, the behavior of the phase 𝜃 can be analogous to that of the angle of the forced pendulum. If the oscillation of the driving force is adjusted to the pendulum’s motion, a directed rotation of the pendulum is obtained with a nonvanishing value of 𝜃˙, which models successful baryogenesis since 𝜃˙ is proportional to the baryon number density. Similar ratchet models which lead to directed motion have been used in the study of molecular motors in biology. There, the driving force is supplied by chemical reactions, while in our scenario this role is played by the inflaton during the reheating epoch.

  12. Sonic Booms on Big Structures (SonicBOBS) Phase I Database; NASA Dryden Sensors

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Haering, Edward A., Jr.; Arnac, Sarah Renee

    2010-01-01

    This DVD contains 13 channels of microphone and up to 22 channels of pressure transducer data collected in September, 2009 around several buildings located at Edwards Air Force Base. These data were recorded by NASA Dryden. Not included are data taken by NASA Langley and Gulfstream. Each day's data is in a separate folder and each pass is in a file beginning with "SonicBOBS_" (for microphone data) or "SonicBOBSBB_" (for BADS and BASS data) followed by the month, day, year as two digits each, followed by the hour, minute, sec after midnight GMT. The filename time given is for the END time of the raw recording file. In the case of the microphone data, this time may be several minutes after the sonic boom, and is according to the PC's uncalibrated clock. The Matlab data files have the actual time as provided by a GPS-based IRIG-B signal recorded concurrently with the data. Microphone data is given for 5 seconds prior to 20 seconds after the sonic boom. BADS and BASS data is given for the full recording, 6 seconds for the BADS and 10 seconds for the BASS. As an example of the naming convention, file "SonicBOBS_091209154618.mat" is from September 12, 2009 at 15:46:18 GMT. Note that data taken on September 12, 2009 prior to 01:00:00 GMT was of the Space Shuttle Discovery (a sonic boom of opportunity), which was on September 11, 2009 in local Pacific Daylight Time.

  13. Vibration analysis of rotor blades with pendulum absorbers

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Murthy, V. R.; Hammond, C. E.

    1979-01-01

    A comprehensive vibration analysis of rotor blades with spherical pendulum absorbers is presented. Linearized equations of motion for small oscillations about the steady-state deflection of a spherical pendulum on elastic rotor blades undergoing coupled flapwise bending, chordwise bending, and torsional vibrations are obtained. A transmission matrix formulation is given to determine the natural vibrational characteristics of rotor blades with spherical or simple flapping pendulum absorbers. The natural frequencies and mode shapes of a hingeless rotor blade with a spherical pendulum are computed.

  14. Lyapunov stability analysis for the generalized Kapitza pendulum

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Druzhinina, O. V.; Sevastianov, L. A.; Vasilyev, S. A.; Vasilyeva, D. G.

    2017-12-01

    In this work generalization of Kapitza pendulum whose suspension point moves in the vertical and horizontal planes is made. Lyapunov stability analysis of the motion for this pendulum subjected to excitation of periodic driving forces and stochastic driving forces that act in the vertical and horizontal planes has been studied. The numerical study of the random motion for generalized Kapitza pendulum under stochastic driving forces has made. It is shown the existence of stable quasi-periodic motion for this pendulum.

  15. The joint effect of tangible and non-tangible rewards on healthy food choices in children.

    PubMed

    Grubliauskiene, Aiste; Verhoeven, Maxime; Dewitte, Siegfried

    2012-10-01

    This study investigated how a combination of tangible and non-tangible rewards can alter health-related decisions made by children. Children chose between an unhealthy food option (a bowl of potato crisps) and a healthy food option (a bowl of grapes) on two occasions. In the first round, we manipulated the expected tangible reward and praise. The tangible reward was manipulated by means of a game that the child received upon choosing the healthy product, and the praise was manipulated by means of the teacher's applause and smiles if the child selected the healthy option. The second trial occurred three days after the first trial using the same food item options. Neither tangible rewards nor praise influenced the children's choices by themselves, but combining the two substantially increased the children's likelihood of selecting the healthy food choice. The data were consistent with a reattribution process akin to social labelling. Although initially externally motivated to select the healthy option, the children who received praise appeared to interpret their choice as internally motivated and therefore continued to select the healthy option even in the absence of reward. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  16. Sonic Booms in Atmospheric Turbulence (SonicBAT) Testing

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2017-08-23

    A motorized glider prepares to take off from the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Flying with its engine off, the glider will be positioned above the 14,000-foot level to measure sonic booms created by agency F-18 jets to measure the effects of sonic booms. Several flights a day have been taking place the week of Aug. 21, 2017 as part of NASA's Sonic Booms in Atmospheric Turbulence, or SonicBAT II Program. NASA at Kennedy is partnering with the agency's Armstrong Flight Research Center in California, Langley Research Center in Virginia, and Space Florida for a program in which F-18 jets will take off from the Shuttle Landing Facility and fly at supersonic speeds while agency researchers measure the effects of low-altitude turbulence caused by sonic booms.

  17. Sonic Booms in Atmospheric Turbulence (SonicBAT) Testing

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2017-08-23

    A motorized glider has taken off from the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Flying with its engine off, the glider will be positioned above the 14,000-foot level to measure sonic booms created by agency F-18 jets to measure the effects of sonic booms. Several flights a day have been taking place the week of Aug. 21, 2017 as part of NASA's Sonic Booms in Atmospheric Turbulence, or SonicBAT II Program. NASA at Kennedy is partnering with the agency's Armstrong Flight Research Center in California, Langley Research Center in Virginia, and Space Florida for a program in which F-18 jets will take off from the Shuttle Landing Facility and fly at supersonic speeds while agency researchers measure the effects of low-altitude turbulence caused by sonic booms.

  18. SonicBAT Testing

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2017-08-24

    Teams from NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center in California, and Langley Research Center in Virginia, are conducting supersonic flight tests to study the ways sonic booms travel. The Sonic Booms in Atmospheric Turbulence flight series, or SonicBAT, features a F/A-18 research aircraft to create sonic booms, flying at supersonic speeds just off the coast of Florida. In order to understand how atmospheric turbulence in a humic climate impacts how sonic booms travel, NASA is flying a TG-14 motorized glider to obtain data on sonic booms before they travel through atmospheric turbulence. That data is compared with similar data captured by two microphone arrays on the ground that hear sonic booms that have traveled through atmospheric turbulence.

  19. Tangible Reinforcers: Bonuses or Bribes?

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    O'Leary, K. Daniel; And Others

    1972-01-01

    Objections to the use of tangible reinforcers, such as prizes, candy, cigarettes, and money, are discussed. Treatment programs using tangible reinforcers are recommended as powerful modifers of behavior to be implemented only after less powerful means of modification have been tried. (Author)

  20. Quantifying Spasticity With Limited Swinging Cycles Using Pendulum Test Based on Phase Amplitude Coupling.

    PubMed

    Yeh, Chien Hung; Young, Hsu Wen Vincent; Wang, Cheng Yen; Wang, Yung Hung; Lee, Po Lei; Kang, Jiunn Horng; Lo, Men Tzung

    2016-10-01

    Parameters derived from the goniometer measures in the Pendulum test are insufficient in describing the function of abnormal muscle activity in the spasticity. To explore a quantitative evaluation of muscle activation-movement interaction, we propose a novel index based on phase amplitude coupling (PAC) analysis with the consideration of the relations between movement and surface electromyography (SEMG) activity among 22 hemiplegic stroke patients. To take off trend and noise, we use the empirical mode decomposition (EMD) to obtain intrinsic mode functions (IMFs) of the angular velocity due to its superior decomposing ability in nonlinear oscillations. Shannon entropy based on angular velocity (phase)-envelope of EMG (amplitude) distribution was calculated to demonstrate characteristics of the coupling between SEMG activity and joint movement. We also compare our results with those from traditional methods such as the normalized relaxation index derived from the Pendulum test and the mean root mean square (RMS) of the SEMG signals in the study. Our results show effective discrimination ability between spastic and nonaffected limbs using our method . This study indicates the feasibility of using the novel indices based on the PAC in evaluation the spasticity among the hemiplegic stroke patients with less than three swinging cycles.

  1. Helicopter vibration suppression using simple pendulum absorbers on the rotor blade

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Pierce, G. A.; Hanouva, M. N. H.

    1982-01-01

    A comprehensive anaytical design procedure for the installation of simple pendulums on the blades of a helicopter rotor to suppress the root reactions is presented. A frequency response anaysis is conducted of typical rotor blades excited by a harmonic variation of spanwise airload distributions as well as a concentrated load at the tip. The results presented included the effect of pendulum tuning on the minimization of the hub reactions. It is found that a properly designed flapping pendulum attenuates the root out-of-plane force and moment whereas the optimum designed lead-lag pendulum attenuates the root in-plane reactions. For optimum pendulum tuning the parameters to be determined are the pendulum uncoupled natural frequency, the pendulum spanwise location and its mass. It is found that the optimum pendulum frequency is in the vicinity of the excitation frequency. For the optimum pendulum a parametric study is conducted. The parameters varied include prepitch, pretwist, precone and pendulum hinge offset.

  2. Pendulum Motion in Main Parachute Clusters

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Ray, Eric S.; Machin, Ricardo A.

    2015-01-01

    The coupled dynamics of a cluster of parachutes to a payload are notoriously difficult to predict. Often the payload is designed to be insensitive to the range of attitude and rates that might occur, but spacecraft generally do not have the mass and volume budgeted for this robust of a design. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Orion Capsule Parachute Assembly System (CPAS) implements a cluster of three mains for landing. During testing of the Engineering Development Unit (EDU) design, it was discovered that with a cluster of two mains (a fault tolerance required for human rating) the capsule coupled to the parachute cluster could get into a limit cycle pendulum motion which would exceed the spacecraft landing capability. This pendulum phenomenon could not be predicted with the existing models and simulations. A three phased effort has been undertaken to understand the consequence of the pendulum motion observed, and explore potential design changes that would mitigate this phenomenon. This paper will review the early analysis that was performed of the pendulum motion observed during EDU testing, summarize the analysis ongoing to understand the root cause of the pendulum phenomenon, and discuss the modeling and testing that is being pursued to identify design changes that would mitigate the risk.

  3. Ask the pendulum: personality predictors of ideomotor performance.

    PubMed

    Olson, Jay A; Jeyanesan, Ewalina; Raz, Amir

    2017-01-01

    For centuries, people have asked questions to hand-held pendulums and interpreted their movements as responses from the divine. These movements occur due to the ideomotor effect, wherein priming or thinking of a motion causes muscle movements that end up swinging the pendulum. By associating particular swinging movements with "yes" and "no" responses, we investigated whether pendulums can aid decision-making and which personality traits correlate with this performance. Participants ( N = 80 ) completed a visual detection task in which they searched for a target letter among rapidly presented characters. In the verbal condition, participants stated whether they saw the target in each trial. In the pendulum condition, participants instead mentally "asked" a hand-held pendulum whether the target was present; particular motions signified "yes" and "no". We measured the accuracy of their responses as well as their sensitivity and bias using signal detection theory. We also assessed four personality measures: locus of control (feelings of control over one's life), transliminality (sensitivity to subtle stimuli), need for cognition (preference for analytical thinking), and faith in intuition (preference for intuitive thinking). Overall, locus of control predicted verbal performance and transliminality predicted pendulum performance. Accuracy was low in both conditions (verbal: 57%, pendulum: 53%), but bias was higher in the verbal condition ( d = 1.10 ). We confirmed this bias difference in a second study ( d = 0.47 , N = 40 ). Our results suggest that people have different decision strategies when using a pendulum compared to conscious guessing. These findings may help explain why some people can answer questions more accurately with pendulums and Ouija boards. More broadly, identifying the differences between ideomotor and verbal responses could lead to practical ways to improve decision-making.

  4. Ask the pendulum: personality predictors of ideomotor performance

    PubMed Central

    Olson, Jay A; Jeyanesan, Ewalina; Raz, Amir

    2017-01-01

    Abstract For centuries, people have asked questions to hand-held pendulums and interpreted their movements as responses from the divine. These movements occur due to the ideomotor effect, wherein priming or thinking of a motion causes muscle movements that end up swinging the pendulum. By associating particular swinging movements with “yes” and “no” responses, we investigated whether pendulums can aid decision-making and which personality traits correlate with this performance. Participants (N=80) completed a visual detection task in which they searched for a target letter among rapidly presented characters. In the verbal condition, participants stated whether they saw the target in each trial. In the pendulum condition, participants instead mentally “asked” a hand-held pendulum whether the target was present; particular motions signified “yes” and “no”. We measured the accuracy of their responses as well as their sensitivity and bias using signal detection theory. We also assessed four personality measures: locus of control (feelings of control over one’s life), transliminality (sensitivity to subtle stimuli), need for cognition (preference for analytical thinking), and faith in intuition (preference for intuitive thinking). Overall, locus of control predicted verbal performance and transliminality predicted pendulum performance. Accuracy was low in both conditions (verbal: 57%, pendulum: 53%), but bias was higher in the verbal condition (d=1.10). We confirmed this bias difference in a second study (d=0.47, N=40). Our results suggest that people have different decision strategies when using a pendulum compared to conscious guessing. These findings may help explain why some people can answer questions more accurately with pendulums and Ouija boards. More broadly, identifying the differences between ideomotor and verbal responses could lead to practical ways to improve decision-making. PMID:29877514

  5. Pendulums in the Physics Education Literature: A Bibliography

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Gauld, Colin

    2004-01-01

    Articles about the pendulum in four journals devoted to the teaching of physics and one general science teaching journal (along with other miscellaneous articles from other journals) are listed in three broad categories--types of pendulums, the contexts in which these pendulums are used in physics teaching at secondary or tertiary levels and a…

  6. Radial forcing and Edgar Allan Poe's lengthening pendulum

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    McMillan, Matthew; Blasing, David; Whitney, Heather M.

    2013-09-01

    Inspired by Edgar Allan Poe's The Pit and the Pendulum, we investigate a radially driven, lengthening pendulum. We first show that increasing the length of an undriven pendulum at a uniform rate does not amplify the oscillations in a manner consistent with the behavior of the scythe in Poe's story. We discuss parametric amplification and the transfer of energy (through the parameter of the pendulum's length) to the oscillating part of the system. In this manner, radial driving can easily and intuitively be understood, and the fundamental concept applied in many other areas. We propose and show by a numerical model that appropriately timed radial forcing can increase the oscillation amplitude in a manner consistent with Poe's story. Our analysis contributes a computational exploration of the complex harmonic motion that can result from radially driving a pendulum and sheds light on a mechanism by which oscillations can be amplified parametrically. These insights should prove especially valuable in the undergraduate physics classroom, where investigations into pendulums and oscillations are commonplace.

  7. Sonic flow distortion experiment

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Peters, Gerhard; Kirtzel, Hans-Jürgen; Radke, Jürgen

    2017-04-01

    We will present results from a field experiment with multiple sonic anemometers, and will address the question about residual errors of wind tunnel based calibrations that are transferred to atmospheric measurements. Ultrasonic anemometers have become standard components of high quality in-situ instrumentations, because of the long term calibration stability, fast response, wide dynamic range, and various options of built in quality control. On the downside of this technology is the fact that the sound transducers and the carrying structure represent obstacles in the flow causing systematic deviations of the measured flow from the free flow. Usually, the correction schemes are based on wind tunnel observations of the sonic-response as function of angle of attack under stationary conditions. Since the natural atmospheric flow shows turbulence intensities and scales, which cannot be mimicked in a wind tunnel, it is suspected that the wind-tunnel based corrections may be not (fully) applicable to field data. The wide spread use of sonic anemometers in eddy flux instrumentations for example in the frame of EuroFlux, AmeriFlux or other international observation programs has therefore prompted a - still controversial - discussion of the significance of residual flow errors. In an attempt to quantify the flow distortion in free field conditions, 12 identical 3-component sonics with 120 degree head symmetry were operated at the north margin of an abandoned airfield. The sonics were installed in a straight line in WE-direction at 2.6 m height with a mutual distance of 3 meters and with an azimuth increment of the individual sonics of 11 degrees. Synchronous raw data were recorded with 20 Hz sample rate. Data of about 12 hours with southerly winds (from the relatively flat airfield) were analyzed. Statistical homogeneity of the wind field in the range of the instruments line was assumed, but a variable finite turbulent decay constant was accounted for, which was estimated

  8. Sonic Booms in Atmospheric Turbulence (SonicBAT) Testing

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2017-08-22

    NASA F-18 jets prepare for takeoff from the agency's Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Several flights a day have been taking place the week of Aug. 21, 2017 to measure the effects of sonic booms. It is part of NASA's Sonic Booms in Atmospheric Turbulence, or SonicBAT II Program. NASA at Kennedy is partnering with the agency's Armstrong Flight Research Center in California, Langley Research Center in Virginia, and Space Florida for a program in which F-18 jets will take off from the Shuttle Landing Facility and fly at supersonic speeds while agency researchers measure the effects of low-altitude turbulence caused by sonic booms.

  9. Sonic Booms in Atmospheric Turbulence (SonicBAT) Testing

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2017-08-22

    An engineer in a control trailer at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida monitors data before flights of agency F-18 jets to measure the effects of sonic booms. Several flights a day have been taking place the week of Aug. 21, 2017 as part of NASA's Sonic Booms in Atmospheric Turbulence, or SonicBAT II Program. NASA at Kennedy is partnering with the agency's Armstrong Flight Research Center in California, Langley Research Center in Virginia, and Space Florida for a program in which F-18 jets will take off from the Shuttle Landing Facility and fly at supersonic speeds while agency researchers measure the effects of low-altitude turbulence caused by sonic booms.

  10. Sonic Booms in Atmospheric Turbulence (SonicBAT) Testing

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2017-08-22

    NASA pilots board an F-18 jet prior to take off from the agency's Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Several flights a day have been taking place the week of Aug. 21, 2017 to measure the effects of sonic booms. It is part of NASA's Sonic Booms in Atmospheric Turbulence, or SonicBAT II Program. NASA at Kennedy is partnering with the agency's Armstrong Flight Research Center in California, Langley Research Center in Virginia, and Space Florida for a program in which F-18 jets will take off from the Shuttle Landing Facility and fly at supersonic speeds while agency researchers measure the effects of low-altitude turbulence caused by sonic booms.

  11. Sonic Booms in Atmospheric Turbulence (SonicBAT) Testing

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2017-08-22

    A NASA F-18 jet is prepared for takeoff from the agency's Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Several flights a day have been taking place the week of Aug. 21, 2017 to measure the effects of sonic booms. It is part of NASA's Sonic Booms in Atmospheric Turbulence, or SonicBAT II Program. NASA at Kennedy is partnering with the agency's Armstrong Flight Research Center in California, Langley Research Center in Virginia, and Space Florida for a program in which F-18 jets will take off from the Shuttle Landing Facility and fly at supersonic speeds while agency researchers measure the effects of low-altitude turbulence caused by sonic booms.

  12. Sonic Booms in Atmospheric Turbulence (SonicBAT) Testing

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2017-08-22

    A NASA F-18 jet takes off from the agency's Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Several flights a day have been taking place the week of Aug. 21, 2017 to measure the effects of sonic booms. It is part of NASA's Sonic Booms in Atmospheric Turbulence, or SonicBAT II Program. NASA at Kennedy is partnering with the agency's Armstrong Flight Research Center in California, Langley Research Center in Virginia, and Space Florida for a program in which F-18 jets will take off from the Shuttle Landing Facility and fly at supersonic speeds while agency researchers measure the effects of low-altitude turbulence caused by sonic booms.

  13. Sonic Booms in Atmospheric Turbulence (SonicBAT) Testing

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2017-08-22

    A NASA pilot boards an F-18 jet prior to take off from the agency's Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Several flights a day have been taking place the week of Aug. 21, 2017 to measure the effects of sonic booms. It is part of NASA's Sonic Booms in Atmospheric Turbulence, or SonicBAT II Program. NASA at Kennedy is partnering with the agency's Armstrong Flight Research Center in California, Langley Research Center in Virginia, and Space Florida for a program in which F-18 jets will take off from the Shuttle Landing Facility and fly at supersonic speeds while agency researchers measure the effects of low-altitude turbulence caused by sonic booms.

  14. Response of pendulums to complex input ground motion

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Graizer, V.; Kalkan, E.

    2008-01-01

    Dynamic response of most seismological instruments and many engineering structures to ground shaking can be represented via response of a pendulum (single-degree-of-freedom oscillator). In most studies, pendulum response is simplified by considering the input from uni-axial translational motion alone. Complete ground motion however, includes not only translational components but also rotations (tilt and torsion). In this paper, complete equations of motion for three following types of pendulum are described: (i) conventional (mass-on-rod), (ii) mass-on-spring type, and (iii) inverted (astatic), then their response sensitivities to each component of complex ground motion are examined. The results of this study show that a horizontal pendulum similar to an accelerometer used in strong motion measurements is practically sensitive to translational motion and tilt only, while inverted pendulum commonly utilized to idealize multi-degree-of-freedom systems is sensitive not only to translational components, but also to angular accelerations and tilt. For better understanding of the inverted pendulum's dynamic behavior under complex ground excitation, relative contribution of each component of motion on response variants is carefully isolated. The systematically applied loading protocols indicate that vertical component of motion may create time-dependent variations on pendulum's oscillation period; yet most dramatic impact on response is produced by the tilting (rocking) component. ?? 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  15. A composite controller for trajectory tracking applied to the Furuta pendulum.

    PubMed

    Aguilar-Avelar, Carlos; Moreno-Valenzuela, Javier

    2015-07-01

    In this paper, a new composite scheme is proposed, where the total control action is composed of the sum of a feedback-linearization-based controller and an energy-based compensation. This new proposition is applied to the rotary inverted pendulum or Furuta pendulum. The Furuta pendulum is a well-known underactuated mechanical system with two degrees of freedom. The control objective in this case is the tracking of a desired periodic trajectory in the actuated joint, while the unactuated link is regulated at the upward position. The closed-loop system is analyzed showing uniformly ultimately boundedness of the error trajectories. The design procedure is shown in a constructive form, such that it may be applied to other underactuated mechanical systems, with the proper definitions of the output function and the energy function. Numerical simulations and real-time experiments show the practical viability of the controller. Finally, the proposed algorithm is compared with a tracking controller previously reported in the literature. The new algorithm shows better performance in both arm trajectory tracking and pendulum regulation. Copyright © 2015 ISA. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  16. Experiments with a Magnetically Controlled Pendulum

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Kraftmakher, Yaakov

    2007-01-01

    A magnetically controlled pendulum is used for observing free and forced oscillations, including nonlinear oscillations and chaotic motion. A data-acquisition system stores the data and displays time series of the oscillations and related phase plane plots, Poincare maps, Fourier spectra and histograms. The decay constant of the pendulum can be…

  17. Tangible display systems: direct interfaces for computer-based studies of surface appearance

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Darling, Benjamin A.; Ferwerda, James A.

    2010-02-01

    When evaluating the surface appearance of real objects, observers engage in complex behaviors involving active manipulation and dynamic viewpoint changes that allow them to observe the changing patterns of surface reflections. We are developing a class of tangible display systems to provide these natural modes of interaction in computer-based studies of material perception. A first-generation tangible display was created from an off-the-shelf laptop computer containing an accelerometer and webcam as standard components. Using these devices, custom software estimated the orientation of the display and the user's viewing position. This information was integrated with a 3D rendering module so that rotating the display or moving in front of the screen would produce realistic changes in the appearance of virtual objects. In this paper, we consider the design of a second-generation system to improve the fidelity of the virtual surfaces rendered to the screen. With a high-quality display screen and enhanced tracking and rendering capabilities, a secondgeneration system will be better able to support a range of appearance perception applications.

  18. Predictor-based control for an inverted pendulum subject to networked time delay.

    PubMed

    Ghommam, J; Mnif, F

    2017-03-01

    The inverted pendulum is considered as a special class of underactuated mechanical systems with two degrees of freedom and a single control input. This mechanical configuration allows to transform the underactuated system into a nonlinear system that is referred to as the normal form, whose control design techniques for stabilization are well known. In the presence of time delays, these control techniques may result in inadequate behavior and may even cause finite escape time in the controlled system. In this paper, a constructive method is presented to design a controller for an inverted pendulum characterized by a time-delayed balance control. First, the partial feedback linearization control for the inverted pendulum is modified and coupled with a state predictor to compensate for the delay. Several coordinate transformations are processed to transform the estimated partial linearized system into an upper-triangular form. Second, nested saturation and backstepping techniques are combined to derive the control law of the transformed system that would complete the design of the whole control input. The effectiveness of the proposed technique is illustrated by numerical simulations. Copyright © 2017 ISA. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  19. A simple pendulum borehole tiltmeter based on a triaxial optical-fibre displacement sensor

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chawah, P.; Chéry, J.; Boudin, F.; Cattoen, M.; Seat, H. C.; Plantier, G.; Lizion, F.; Sourice, A.; Bernard, P.; Brunet, C.; Boyer, D.; Gaffet, S.

    2015-11-01

    Sensitive instruments like strainmeters and tiltmeters are necessary for measuring slowly varying low amplitude Earth deformations. Nonetheless, laser and fibre interferometers are particularly suitable for interrogating such instruments due to their extreme precision and accuracy. In this paper, a practical design of a simple pendulum borehole tiltmeter based on laser fibre interferometric displacement sensors is presented. A prototype instrument has been constructed using welded borosilicate with a pendulum length of 0.85 m resulting in a main resonance frequency of 0.6 Hz. By implementing three coplanar extrinsic fibre Fabry-Perot interferometric probes and appropriate signal filtering, our instrument provides tilt measurements that are insensitive to parasitic deformations caused by temperature and pressure variations. This prototype has been installed in an underground facility (Rustrel, France) where results show accurate measurements of Earth strains derived from Earth and ocean tides, local hydrologic effects, as well as local and remote earthquakes. The large dynamic range and the high sensitivity of this tiltmeter render it an invaluable tool for numerous geophysical applications such as transient fault motion, volcanic strain and reservoir monitoring.

  20. Sonic spectrometer and treatment system

    DOEpatents

    Slomka, Bogdan J.

    1997-06-03

    A novel system and method for treating an object with sonic waveforms. A traveling broad-band sonic waveform containing a broad-band of sonic frequencies is radiated at the object. A traveling reflected sonic waveform containing sonic frequencies reflected by the object is received in response to the traveling broad-band sonic waveform. A traveling transmitted sonic waveform containing sonic frequencies transmitted through the object is also received in response to the traveling broad-band sonic waveform. In a resonance mode, the frequency spectra of the broad-band and reflected sonic waveforms is analyzed so as to select one or more sonic frequencies that cause the object to resonate. An electrical resonance treatment sonic waveform containing the sonic frequencies that cause the object to resonate is then radiated at the object so as to treat the object. In an absorption mode, the frequency spectra of the electrical broad-band, reflected, and transmitted sonic waveforms is compared so as to select one or more sonic frequencies that are absorbed by the object. An electrical absorption treatment sonic waveform containing the sonic frequencies that are absorbed by the object is then radiated at the object so as to treat the object.

  1. Response of Pendulums to Translational and Rotational Components of Ground Motion

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Graizer, V.; Kalkan, E.

    2008-12-01

    Dynamic response of most seismological instruments and many engineering structures to ground shaking can be represented via response of a pendulum (single-degree-of-freedom oscillator). Pendulum response is usually simplified by considering the input from uni-axial translational motion only. Complete ground motion however, includes not only translational components but also rotations (tilt and torsion). We consider complete equations of motion for three following types of pendulum: (i) conventional mass-on-rod, (ii) mass- on-spring type, and (iii) inverted (astatic), then their response sensitivities to each component of complex ground motion are examined. Inverted pendulums are used in seismology for more than 100 years, for example, classical Wiechert's horizontal seismograph built around 1905 and still used at some seismological observatories, and recent Guralp's horizontal seismometers CMG-40T and CMG-3T. Inverted pendulums also have significant importance for engineering applications where they are often used to simulate the dynamic response of various structural systems. The results of this study show that a horizontal pendulum similar to a modern accelerometer used in strong motion measurements is practically sensitive to translational motion and tilt only, while inverted pendulum is sensitive not only to translational components, but also to angular accelerations and tilt. For better understanding of the inverted pendulum's dynamic behavior under complex ground excitation, relative contribution of each component of motion on response variants is carefully isolated. The responses of pendulums are calculated in time-domain using close-form solution Duhamel's integral with complex input forcing functions. As compared to a common horizontal pendulum, response of an inverted pendulum is sensitive to acceleration of gravity and vertical acceleration when it reaches the level close to 1.0 g. Gravity effect introduces nonlinearity into the differential equation of

  2. Sonic spectrometer and treatment system

    DOEpatents

    Slomka, B.J.

    1997-06-03

    A novel system and method is developed for treating an object with sonic waveforms. A traveling broad-band sonic waveform containing a broad-band of sonic frequencies is radiated at the object. A traveling reflected sonic waveform containing sonic frequencies reflected by the object is received in response to the traveling broad-band sonic waveform. A traveling transmitted sonic waveform containing sonic frequencies transmitted through the object is also received in response to the traveling broad-band sonic waveform. In a resonance mode, the frequency spectra of the broad-band and reflected sonic waveforms is analyzed so as to select one or more sonic frequencies that cause the object to resonate. An electrical resonance treatment sonic waveform containing the sonic frequencies that cause the object to resonate is then radiated at the object so as to treat the object. In an absorption mode, the frequency spectra of the electrical broad-band, reflected, and transmitted sonic waveforms is compared so as to select one or more sonic frequencies that are absorbed by the object. An electrical absorption treatment sonic waveform containing the sonic frequencies that are absorbed by the object is then radiated at the object so as to treat the object. 1 fig.

  3. Foot trajectory approximation using the pendulum model of walking.

    PubMed

    Fang, Juan; Vuckovic, Aleksandra; Galen, Sujay; Conway, Bernard A; Hunt, Kenneth J

    2014-01-01

    Generating a natural foot trajectory is an important objective in robotic systems for rehabilitation of walking. Human walking has pendular properties, so the pendulum model of walking has been used in bipedal robots which produce rhythmic gait patterns. Whether natural foot trajectories can be produced by the pendulum model needs to be addressed as a first step towards applying the pendulum concept in gait orthosis design. This study investigated circle approximation of the foot trajectories, with focus on the geometry of the pendulum model of walking. Three able-bodied subjects walked overground at various speeds, and foot trajectories relative to the hip were analysed. Four circle approximation approaches were developed, and best-fit circle algorithms were derived to fit the trajectories of the ankle, heel and toe. The study confirmed that the ankle and heel trajectories during stance and the toe trajectory in both the stance and the swing phases during walking at various speeds could be well modelled by a rigid pendulum. All the pendulum models were centred around the hip with pendular lengths approximately equal to the segment distances from the hip. This observation provides a new approach for using the pendulum model of walking in gait orthosis design.

  4. Simple pendulum for blind students

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Goncalves, A. M. B.; Cena, C. R.; Alves, D. C. B.; Errobidart, N. C. G.; Jardim, M. I. A.; Queiros, W. P.

    2017-09-01

    Faced with the need to teach physics to the visually impaired, in this paper we propose a way to demonstrate the dependence of distance and time in a pendulum experiment to blind students. The periodic oscillation of the pendulum is translated, by an Arduino and an ultrasonic sensor, in a periodic variation of frequency in a speaker. The main advantage of this proposal is the possibility that a blind student understands the movement without necessity of touching it.

  5. Pendulum motions of extended lunar space elevator

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Burov, A. A.; Kosenko, I. I.

    2014-09-01

    In the usual everyday life, it is well known that the inverted pendulum is unstable and is ready to fall to "all four sides," to the left and to the right, forward and backward. The theoretical studies and the lunar experience of moon robots and astronauts also confirms this property. The question arises: Is this property preserved if the pendulum is "very, very long"? It turns out that the answer is negative; namely, if the pendulum length significantly exceeds the Moon radius, then the radial equilibria at which the pendulum is located along the straight line connecting the Earth and Moon centers are Lyapunov stable and the pendulum does not fall in any direction at all. Moreover, if the pendulum goes beyond the collinear libration points, then it can be extended and manufactured from cables. This property was noted by F. A. Tsander and underlies the so-called lunar space elevator (e.g., see [1]). In the plane of the Earth and Moon orbits, there are some other equilibria which turn out to be unstable. The question is, Are there equilibria at which the pendulum is located outside the orbital plane? In this paper, we show that the answer is positive, but such equilibria are unstable in the secular sense. We also study necessary conditions for the stability of lunar pendulum oscillations in the plane of the lunar orbit. It was numerically discovered that stable and unstable equilibria alternate depending on the oscillation amplitude and the angular velocity of rotation. The study of the lunar elevator dynamics originates in [2]. The concept of lunar elevator was developed in detail in [3, 4]. Several classes of equilibria with the finiteness of the Moon size taken into account were studied in [5]. The possibility of location of an orbital station fixed to the Moon surface by a pair of tethers was investigated in [6]. The problem of orientation of the terminal station of the lunar space elevator was studied in [7]. The influence of the tether length variations on the

  6. Electromagnetic energy harvesting from a dual-mass pendulum oscillator

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wang, Hongyan; Tang, Jiong

    2016-04-01

    This paper presents the analysis of a type of vibration energy harvester composed of an electromagnetic pendulum oscillator combined to an elastic main structure. In this study, the elastic main structure connected to the base is considered as a single degree-of-freedom (DOF) spring-mass-damper subsystem. The electromagnetic pendulum oscillator is considered as a dual-mass two-frequency subsystem, which is composed of a hollow bar with a tip winded coil and a magnetic mass with a spring located in the hollow bar. As the pendulum swings, the magnetic mass can move along the axial direction of the bar. Thus, the relative motion between the magnet and the coil induces a wire current. A mathematical model of the coupled system is established. The system dynamics a 1:2:1 internal resonance. Parametric analysis is carried out to demonstrate the effect of the excitation acceleration, excitation frequency, load resistance, and frequency tuning parameters on system performance.

  7. Tangible display systems: bringing virtual surfaces into the real world

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ferwerda, James A.

    2012-03-01

    We are developing tangible display systems that enable natural interaction with virtual surfaces. Tangible display systems are based on modern mobile devices that incorporate electronic image displays, graphics hardware, tracking systems, and digital cameras. Custom software allows the orientation of a device and the position of the observer to be tracked in real-time. Using this information, realistic images of surfaces with complex textures and material properties illuminated by environment-mapped lighting, can be rendered to the screen at interactive rates. Tilting or moving in front of the device produces realistic changes in surface lighting and material appearance. In this way, tangible displays allow virtual surfaces to be observed and manipulated as naturally as real ones, with the added benefit that surface geometry and material properties can be modified in real-time. We demonstrate the utility of tangible display systems in four application areas: material appearance research; computer-aided appearance design; enhanced access to digital library and museum collections; and new tools for digital artists.

  8. The TangibleK Robotics Program: Applied Computational Thinking for Young Children

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Bers, Marina U.

    2010-01-01

    This article describes the TangibleK robotics program for young children. Based on over a decade of research, this program is grounded on the belief that teaching children about the human-made world, the realm of technology and engineering, is as important as teaching them about the natural world, numbers, and letters. The TangibleK program uses…

  9. Pendulum Mass Affects the Measurement of Articular Friction Coefficient

    PubMed Central

    Akelman, Matthew R.; Teeple, Erin; Machan, Jason T.; Crisco, Joseph J.; Jay, Gregory D.; Fleming, Braden C.

    2012-01-01

    Friction measurements of articular cartilage are important to determine the relative tribologic contributions made by synovial fluid or cartilage, and to assess the efficacy of therapies for preventing the development of post-traumatic osteoarthritis. Stanton’s equation is the most frequently used formula for estimating the whole joint friction coefficient (μ) of an articular pendulum, and assumes pendulum energy loss through a mass-independent mechanism. This study examines if articular pendulum energy loss is indeed mass independent, and compares Stanton’s model to an alternative model, which incorporates viscous damping, for calculating μ. Ten loads (25-100% body weight) were applied in a random order to an articular pendulum using the knees of adult male Hartley guinea pigs (n = 4) as the fulcrum. Motion of the decaying pendulum was recorded and μ was estimated using two models: Stanton’s equation, and an exponential decay function incorporating a viscous damping coefficient. μ estimates decreased as mass increased for both models. Exponential decay model fit error values were 82% less than the Stanton model. These results indicate that μ decreases with increasing mass, and that an exponential decay model provides a better fit for articular pendulum data at all mass values. In conclusion, inter-study comparisons of articular pendulum μ values should not be made without recognizing the loads used, as μ values are mass dependent. PMID:23122223

  10. Pendulum mass affects the measurement of articular friction coefficient.

    PubMed

    Akelman, Matthew R; Teeple, Erin; Machan, Jason T; Crisco, Joseph J; Jay, Gregory D; Fleming, Braden C

    2013-02-01

    Friction measurements of articular cartilage are important to determine the relative tribologic contributions made by synovial fluid or cartilage, and to assess the efficacy of therapies for preventing the development of post-traumatic osteoarthritis. Stanton's equation is the most frequently used formula for estimating the whole joint friction coefficient (μ) of an articular pendulum, and assumes pendulum energy loss through a mass-independent mechanism. This study examines if articular pendulum energy loss is indeed mass independent, and compares Stanton's model to an alternative model, which incorporates viscous damping, for calculating μ. Ten loads (25-100% body weight) were applied in a random order to an articular pendulum using the knees of adult male Hartley guinea pigs (n=4) as the fulcrum. Motion of the decaying pendulum was recorded and μ was estimated using two models: Stanton's equation, and an exponential decay function incorporating a viscous damping coefficient. μ estimates decreased as mass increased for both models. Exponential decay model fit error values were 82% less than the Stanton model. These results indicate that μ decreases with increasing mass, and that an exponential decay model provides a better fit for articular pendulum data at all mass values. In conclusion, inter-study comparisons of articular pendulum μ values should not be made without recognizing the loads used, as μ values are mass dependent. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  11. [Evaluation of pendulum testing of spasticity].

    PubMed

    Le Cavorzin, P; Hernot, X; Bartier, O; Carrault, G; Chagneau, F; Gallien, P; Allain, H; Rochcongar, P

    2002-11-01

    To identify valid measurements of spasticity derived from the pendulum test of the leg in a representative population of spastic patients. Pendulum testing was performed in 15 spastic and 10 matched healthy subjects. The reflex-mediated torque evoked in quadriceps femoris, as well as muscle mechanical parameters (viscosity and elasticity), were calculated using mathematical modelling. Correlation with the two main measures derived from the pendulum test reported in the literature (the Relaxation Index and the area under the curve) was calculated in order to select the most valid. Among mechanical parameters, only viscosity was found to be significantly higher in the spastic group. As expected, the computed integral of the reflex-mediated torque was found to be larger in spastics than in healthy subjects. A significant non-linear (logarithmic) correlation was found between the clinically-assessed muscle spasticity (Ashworth grading) and the computed reflex-mediated torque, emphasising the non-linear behaviour of this scale. Among measurements derived from the pendulum test which are proposed in the literature for routine estimation of spasticity, the Relaxation Index exhibited an unsuitable U-shaped pattern of variation with increasing reflex-mediated torque. On the opposite, the area under the curve revealed a linear regression, which is more convenient for routine estimation of spasticity. The pendulum test of the leg is a simple technique for the assessment of spastic hypertonia. However, the measurement generally used in the literature (the Relaxation Index) exhibits serious limitations, and would benefit to be replaced by more valid measures, such as the area under the goniometric curve, especially for the assessment of therapeutics.

  12. Frozen Pendulum?

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Barker, Bernard

    2012-01-01

    This article examines the New Labour legacy in education, reviews the arguments of "The Pendulum Swings" in the light of contributions to this themed issue, examines early Coalition policymaking, and recommends four principles that should guide the search for a new approach to school improvement. Recent initiatives are found to be a…

  13. Pendulum Exercises After Hip Arthroscopy: A Video Technique.

    PubMed

    Sauber, Ryan; Saborio, George; Nickel, Beth M; Kivlan, Benjamin R; Christoforetti, John J

    2016-08-01

    Advanced hip joint-preserving arthroscopic techniques have been shown to improve patient-reported functional outcomes with low rates of postoperative complications. Prior work has shown that formation of adhesive scar is a potential source of persistent pain and cause for revision surgery. As resources for postoperative in-studio physical therapy become scarce, a home-based strategy to avoid scar formation without adding formal therapy cost may be beneficial. The purpose of this technical note is to introduce a patient-centered educational video technique for home-caregiver delivery of manual hip pendulum exercises in the postoperative setting. This video technique offers access to our method for pendulum exercise as part of early recovery after advanced hip arthroscopy.

  14. Adjoint-Based Mesh Adaptation for the Sonic Boom Signature Loudness

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Rallabhandi, Sriram K.; Park, Michael A.

    2017-01-01

    The mesh adaptation functionality of FUN3D is utilized to obtain a mesh optimized to calculate sonic boom ground signature loudness. During this process, the coupling between the discrete-adjoints of the computational fluid dynamics tool FUN3D and the atmospheric propagation tool sBOOM is exploited to form the error estimate. This new mesh adaptation methodology will allow generation of suitable meshes adapted to reduce the estimated errors in the ground loudness, which is an optimization metric employed in supersonic aircraft design. This new output-based adaptation could allow new insights into meshing for sonic boom analysis and design, and complements existing output-based adaptation techniques such as adaptation to reduce estimated errors in off-body pressure functional. This effort could also have implications for other coupled multidisciplinary adjoint capabilities (e.g., aeroelasticity) as well as inclusion of propagation specific parameters such as prevailing winds or non-standard atmospheric conditions. Results are discussed in the context of existing methods and appropriate conclusions are drawn as to the efficacy and efficiency of the developed capability.

  15. Precessional Periods of Long and Short Foucault Pendulums

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Soga, Michitoshi

    1978-01-01

    Derives the precessional period of a Foucault pendulum without using small oscillation amplitudes. Shows that if the path of the pendulum passes through the origin, the periods for differing amplitudes are essentially the same. (GA)

  16. SonicBAT News Conference

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2017-08-17

    In the Kennedy Space Center's Press Site auditorium, Larry Cliatt, SonicBAT Fluid Mechanics at Armstrong Flight Research Center in California, speaks to members of the media at a news conference to discuss upcoming flight tests to study the effects of sonic booms. Kennedy is partnering with Armstrong, Langley and Space Florida for a program called SonicBAT for Sonic Booms in Atmospheric Turbulence. Starting in August, NASA F-18 jets will take off from the Shuttle Landing Facility and fly at supersonic speeds while agency researchers on the ground measure the effects of low-altitude turbulence on sonic booms. The study could lead to technology mitigating the annoying sonic booms making possible supersonic flights over populated areas.

  17. SonicBAT News Conference

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2017-08-17

    In the Kennedy Space Center's Press Site auditorium, Peter Coen, SonicBAT Mission Analysis at NASA’s Langley Research Center in Virginia, speaks to members of the media at a news conference to discuss upcoming flight tests to study the effects of sonic booms. Kennedy is partnering with Armstrong, Langley and Space Florida for a program called SonicBAT for Sonic Booms in Atmospheric Turbulence. Starting in August, NASA F-18 jets will take off from the Shuttle Landing Facility and fly at supersonic speeds while agency researchers on the ground measure the effects of low-altitude turbulence on sonic booms. The study could lead to technology mitigating the annoying sonic booms making possible supersonic flights over populated areas.

  18. The Multiple Pendulum Problem via Maple[R

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Salisbury, K. L.; Knight, D. G.

    2002-01-01

    The way in which computer algebra systems, such as Maple, have made the study of physical problems of some considerable complexity accessible to mathematicians and scientists with modest computational skills is illustrated by solving the multiple pendulum problem. A solution is obtained for four pendulums with no restriction on the size of the…

  19. Morphological evolution of spiders predicted by pendulum mechanics.

    PubMed

    Moya-Laraño, Jordi; Vinković, Dejan; De Mas, Eva; Corcobado, Guadalupe; Moreno, Eulalia

    2008-03-26

    Animals have been hypothesized to benefit from pendulum mechanics during suspensory locomotion, in which the potential energy of gravity is converted into kinetic energy according to the energy-conservation principle. However, no convincing evidence has been found so far. Demonstrating that morphological evolution follows pendulum mechanics is important from a biomechanical point of view because during suspensory locomotion some morphological traits could be decoupled from gravity, thus allowing independent adaptive morphological evolution of these two traits when compared to animals that move standing on their legs; i.e., as inverted pendulums. If the evolution of body shape matches simple pendulum mechanics, animals that move suspending their bodies should evolve relatively longer legs which must confer high moving capabilities. We tested this hypothesis in spiders, a group of diverse terrestrial generalist predators in which suspensory locomotion has been lost and gained a few times independently during their evolutionary history. In spiders that hang upside-down from their webs, their legs have evolved disproportionately longer relative to their body sizes when compared to spiders that move standing on their legs. In addition, we show how disproportionately longer legs allow spiders to run faster during suspensory locomotion and how these same spiders run at a slower speed on the ground (i.e., as inverted pendulums). Finally, when suspensory spiders are induced to run on the ground, there is a clear trend in which larger suspensory spiders tend to run much more slowly than similar-size spiders that normally move as inverted pendulums (i.e., wandering spiders). Several lines of evidence support the hypothesis that spiders have evolved according to the predictions of pendulum mechanics. These findings have potentially important ecological and evolutionary implications since they could partially explain the occurrence of foraging plasticity and dispersal

  20. The Sound of Stigmatization: Sonic Habitus, Sonic Styles, and Boundary Work in an Urban Slum.

    PubMed

    Schwarz, Ori

    2015-07-01

    Based on focus groups and interviews with student renters in an Israeli slum, the article explores the contributions of differences in sonic styles and sensibilities to boundary work, social categorization, and evaluation. Alongside visual cues such as broken windows, bad neighborhoods are characterized by sonic cues, such as shouts from windows. Students understand "being ghetto" as being loud in a particular way and use loudness as a central resource in their boundary work. Loudness is read as a performative index of class and ethnicity, and the performance of middle-class studentship entails being appalled by stigmatized sonic practices and participating in their exoticization. However, the sonic is not merely yet another resource of boundary work. Paying sociological attention to senses other than vision reveals complex interactions between structures anchored in the body, structures anchored in language, and actors' identification strategies, which may refine theorizations of the body and the senses in social theory.

  1. Light rays and the tidal gravitational pendulum

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Farley, A. N. St J.

    2018-05-01

    Null geodesic deviation in classical general relativity is expressed in terms of a scalar function, defined as the invariant magnitude of the connecting vector between neighbouring light rays in a null geodesic congruence projected onto a two-dimensional screen space orthogonal to the rays, where λ is an affine parameter along the rays. We demonstrate that η satisfies a harmonic oscillator-like equation with a λ-dependent frequency, which comprises terms accounting for local matter affecting the congruence and tidal gravitational effects from distant matter or gravitational waves passing through the congruence, represented by the amplitude, of a complex Weyl driving term. Oscillating solutions for η imply the presence of conjugate or focal points along the rays. A polarisation angle, is introduced comprising the orientation of the connecting vector on the screen space and the phase, of the Weyl driving term. Interpreting β as the polarisation of a gravitational wave encountering the light rays, we consider linearly polarised waves in the first instance. A highly non-linear, second-order ordinary differential equation, (the tidal pendulum equation), is then derived, so-called due to its analogy with the equation describing a non-linear, variable-length pendulum oscillating under gravity. The variable pendulum length is represented by the connecting vector magnitude, whilst the acceleration due to gravity in the familiar pendulum formulation is effectively replaced by . A tidal torque interpretation is also developed, where the torque is expressed as a coupling between the moment of inertia of the pendulum and the tidal gravitational field. Precessional effects are briefly discussed. A solution to the tidal pendulum equation in terms of familiar gravitational lensing variables is presented. The potential emergence of chaos in general relativity is discussed in the context of circularly, elliptically or randomly polarised gravitational waves encountering the null

  2. Changes in stature following plyometric drop-jump and pendulum exercises.

    PubMed

    Fowler, N E; Lees, A; Reilly, T

    1997-12-01

    The aim of this study was to compare the changes in stature following the performance of plyometric exercises using drop-jumps and a pendulum swing. Eight male participants aged 21.7 +/- 1.8 years with experience of plyometric training gave their informed consent to act as participants. Participants undertook two exercise regimens and a 15-min standing test in a random order. The exercises entailed the performance of 50 drop-jumps from a height of 0.28 m or 50 pendulum rebounds. Participants were instructed to perform maximal jumps or rebounds using a 'bounce' style. Measurements of stature were performed after a 20-min period of standing (pre-exercise), 2-min after exercise (post-exercise) and after a 20-min standing recovery (recovery). Back pain and muscle soreness were assessed using an analogue-visual scale, at each of the above times and also 24 and 36 h after the test. Peak torque during isokinetic knee extension at 1.04 rads-1 was measured immediately before and after the exercise bouts, to assess the degree of muscular fatigue. Ground/wall reaction force data were recorded using a Kistler force platform mounted in the floor for drop-jumps and vertically on the rebound wall for pendulum exercises. Drop-jumps resulted in the greatest (p < 0.05) change in stature (-2.71 +/- 0.8 mm), compared to pendulum exercises (-1.77 +/- 0.7 mm) and standing (-0.39 +/- 0.2 mm). Both exercise regimens resulted in a significant (p < 0.01) decrease in stature when compared to the standing condition. Drop-jumps resulted in significantly greater peak impact forces (p < 0.05) than pendulum exercises (drop-jumps = 3.2 +/- 0.5 x body weight, pendulum = 2.6 +/- 0.5 x body weight). The two exercise conditions both invoked a small degree of muscle soreness but there were no significant differences between conditions. Both exercise regimens resulted in a non-significant decrease in peak torque indicating a similar degree of muscular fatigue. Based on the lower shrinkage resulted and

  3. Segmented Hoop as a Physical Pendulum

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Layton, William; Rodriguez, Nuria

    2013-10-01

    An interesting demonstration with a surprising result is to suspend a hoop from a point near its edge and set it swinging in a vertical plane as a pendulum. If a simple pendulum of length equal to the diameter of the hoop is set oscillating at the same time, the two will have nearly the same period. However, the real surprise is if the pendulum is segmented horizontally (as illustrated in Fig. 1) into smaller pieces that are symmetrical about the point of suspension, each smaller segment will also have the same period. Constructing such a demonstration can be difficult, but thanks to a suggestion from a fellow physics teacher a dissectible hula hoop can be purchased that serves well in this demonstration.2 A setup that has been repeated many times at various physics teacher meetings in Southern California is illustrated below.

  4. Locally resonant sonic materials

    PubMed

    Liu; Zhang; Mao; Zhu; Yang; Chan; Sheng

    2000-09-08

    We have fabricated sonic crystals, based on the idea of localized resonant structures, that exhibit spectral gaps with a lattice constant two orders of magnitude smaller than the relevant wavelength. Disordered composites made from such localized resonant structures behave as a material with effective negative elastic constants and a total wave reflector within certain tunable sonic frequency ranges. A 2-centimeter slab of this composite material is shown to break the conventional mass-density law of sound transmission by one or more orders of magnitude at 400 hertz.

  5. A novel pendulum test for measuring roller chain efficiency

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wragge-Morley, R.; Yon, J.; Lock, R.; Alexander, B.; Burgess, S.

    2018-07-01

    This paper describes a novel pendulum decay test for determining the transmission efficiency of chain drives. The test involves releasing a pendulum with an initial potential energy and measuring its decaying oscillations: under controlled conditions the decay reveals the losses in the transmission to a high degree of accuracy. The main advantage over motorised rigs is that there are significantly fewer sources of friction and inertia and hence measurement error. The pendulum rigs have an accuracy around 0.6% for the measurement of the coefficient of friction, giving an accuracy of transmission efficiency measurement around 0.012%. A theoretical model of chain friction combined with the equations of motion enables the coefficient of friction to be determined from the decay rate of pendulum velocity. The pendulum rigs operate at relatively low speeds. However, they allow an accurate determination of the coefficient of friction to estimate transmission efficiency at higher speeds. The pendulum rig revealed a previously undetected rocking behaviour in the chain links at very small articulation angles. In this regime, the link interfaces were observed to roll against one another rather than slide. This observation indicates that a very high-efficiency transmission can be achieved if the articulation angle is very low.

  6. Benefits of a Tangible Interface for Collaborative Learning and Interaction

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Schneider, Bertrand; Jermann, Patrick; Zufferey, Guillaume; Dillenbourg, Pierre

    2011-01-01

    We investigated the role that tangibility plays in a problem-solving task by observing logistic apprentices using either a multitouch or a tangible interface. Results showed that tangibility helped them perform the task better and achieve a higher learning gain. In addition, groups using the tangible interface collaborated better, explored more…

  7. Virtual Character Animation Based on Affordable Motion Capture and Reconfigurable Tangible Interfaces.

    PubMed

    Lamberti, Fabrizio; Paravati, Gianluca; Gatteschi, Valentina; Cannavo, Alberto; Montuschi, Paolo

    2018-05-01

    Software for computer animation is generally characterized by a steep learning curve, due to the entanglement of both sophisticated techniques and interaction methods required to control 3D geometries. This paper proposes a tool designed to support computer animation production processes by leveraging the affordances offered by articulated tangible user interfaces and motion capture retargeting solutions. To this aim, orientations of an instrumented prop are recorded together with animator's motion in the 3D space and used to quickly pose characters in the virtual environment. High-level functionalities of the animation software are made accessible via a speech interface, thus letting the user control the animation pipeline via voice commands while focusing on his or her hands and body motion. The proposed solution exploits both off-the-shelf hardware components (like the Lego Mindstorms EV3 bricks and the Microsoft Kinect, used for building the tangible device and tracking animator's skeleton) and free open-source software (like the Blender animation tool), thus representing an interesting solution also for beginners approaching the world of digital animation for the first time. Experimental results in different usage scenarios show the benefits offered by the designed interaction strategy with respect to a mouse & keyboard-based interface both for expert and non-expert users.

  8. Turning Points of the Spherical Pendulum and the Golden Ratio

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Essen, Hanno; Apazidis, Nicholas

    2009-01-01

    We study the turning point problem of a spherical pendulum. The special cases of the simple pendulum and the conical pendulum are noted. For simple initial conditions the solution to this problem involves the golden ratio, also called the golden section, or the golden number. This number often appears in mathematics where you least expect it. To…

  9. A simple pendulum laser interferometer for determining the gravitational constant

    PubMed Central

    Parks, Harold V.; Faller, James E.

    2014-01-01

    We present a detailed account of our 2004 experiment to measure the Newtonian constant of gravitation with a suspended laser interferometer. The apparatus consists of two simple pendulums hanging from a common support. Each pendulum has a length of 72 cm and their separation is 34 cm. A mirror is embedded in each pendulum bob, which then in combination form a Fabry–Perot cavity. A laser locked to the cavity measures the change in pendulum separation as the gravitational field is modulated due to the displacement of four 120 kg tungsten masses. PMID:25201994

  10. SonicBAT News Conference

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2017-08-17

    In the Kennedy Space Center's Press Site auditorium, NASA and other government leaders speak to members of the media at a news conference to discuss upcoming flight tests to study the effects of sonic booms. Participants from left are: Matthew Kamlet of NASA Communications at the Armstrong Flight Research Center in California; Peter Coen, SonicBAT Mission Analysis at NASA’s Langley Research Center in Virginia; Larry Cliatt, SonicBAT Fluid Mechanics at Armstrong; Dale Ketcham chief of Strategic Alliances for Space Florida; and Laura Henning, public information officer for the Canaveral National Seashore. Kennedy is partnering with Armstrong, Langley and Space Florida for a program called SonicBAT for Sonic Booms in Atmospheric Turbulence. Starting in August, NASA F-18 jets will take off from the Shuttle Landing Facility and fly at supersonic speeds while agency researchers on the ground measure the effects of low-altitude turbulence on sonic booms. The study could lead to technology mitigating the annoying sonic booms making possible supersonic flights over populated areas.

  11. How Short and Light Can a Simple Pendulum Be for Classroom Use?

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Oliveira, V.

    2014-01-01

    We compare the period of oscillation of an ideal simple pendulum with the period of a more "real" pendulum constituted of a rigid sphere and a rigid slender rod. We determine the relative error in the calculation of the local acceleration of gravity if the period of the ideal pendulum is used instead of the period of this real pendulum.

  12. How short and light can a simple pendulum be for classroom use?

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Oliveira, V.

    2014-07-01

    We compare the period of oscillation of an ideal simple pendulum with the period of a more ‘real’ pendulum constituted of a rigid sphere and a rigid slender rod. We determine the relative error in the calculation of the local acceleration of gravity if the period of the ideal pendulum is used instead of the period of this real pendulum.

  13. Quadriceps femoris spasticity in children with cerebral palsy: measurement with the pendulum test and relationship with gait abnormalities.

    PubMed

    Szopa, Andrzej; Domagalska-Szopa, Małgorzata; Kidoń, Zenon; Syczewska, Małgorzata

    2014-12-16

    Development of a reliable and objective test of spasticity is important for assessment and treatment of children with cerebral palsy. The pendulum test has been reported to yield reliable measurements of spasticity and to be sensitive to variations in spasticity in these children. However, the relationship between the pendulum test scores and other objective measures of spasticity has not been studied. The present study aimed to assess the effectiveness of an accelerometer-based pendulum test as a measurement of spasticity in CP, and to explore the correlation between the measurements of this test and the global index of deviation from normal gait in in children with cerebral palsy. We studied thirty-six children with cerebral palsy, including 18 with spastic hemiplegia and 18 with spastic diplegia, and a group of 18 typically-developing children. Knee extensor spasticity was assessed bilaterally using the accelerometer-based pendulum test and three-dimensional gait analysis. The Gillette Gait Index was calculated from the results of the gait analysis. The data from the accelerometer-based pendulum test could be used to distinguish between able-bodied children and children with cerebral palsy. Additionally, two of the measurements, first swing excursion and relaxation index, could be used to differentiate the degree of knee extensor spasticity in the children with cerebral palsy. Only a few moderate correlations were found between the Gillette Gait Index and the pendulum test data. This study demonstrates that the pendulum test can be used to discriminate between typically developing children and children with CP, as well as between various degrees of spasticity, such as spastic hemiplegia and spastic diplegia, in the knee extensor muscle of children with CP. Deviations from normal gait in children with CP were not correlated with the results of the pendulum test.

  14. SonicBAT News Conference

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2017-08-17

    In the Kennedy Space Center's Press Site auditorium, Dale Ketcham chief of Strategic Alliances for Space Florida, speaks to members of the media at a news conference to discuss upcoming flight tests to study the effects of sonic booms. Kennedy is partnering with Armstrong, Langley and Space Florida for a program called SonicBAT for Sonic Booms in Atmospheric Turbulence. Starting in August, NASA F-18 jets will take off from the Shuttle Landing Facility and fly at supersonic speeds while agency researchers on the ground measure the effects of low-altitude turbulence on sonic booms. The study could lead to technology mitigating the annoying sonic booms making possible supersonic flights over populated areas.

  15. SonicBAT News Conference

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2017-08-17

    In the Kennedy Space Center's Press Site auditorium, Laura Henning, public information officer for the Canaveral National Seashore, speaks to members of the media at a news conference to discuss upcoming flight tests to study the effects of sonic booms. Kennedy is partnering with Armstrong, Langley and Space Florida for a program called SonicBAT for Sonic Booms in Atmospheric Turbulence. Starting in August, NASA F-18 jets will take off from the Shuttle Landing Facility and fly at supersonic speeds while agency researchers on the ground measure the effects of low-altitude turbulence on sonic booms. The study could lead to technology mitigating the annoying sonic booms making possible supersonic flights over populated areas.

  16. SonicBAT News Conference

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2017-08-17

    In the Kennedy Space Center's Press Site auditorium, Matthew Kamlet of NASA Communications at the Armstrong Flight Research Center in California, speaks to members of the media at a news conference to discuss upcoming flight tests to study the effects of sonic booms. Kennedy is partnering with Armstrong, Langley and Space Florida for a program called SonicBAT for Sonic Booms in Atmospheric Turbulence. Starting in August, NASA F-18 jets will take off from the Shuttle Landing Facility and fly at supersonic speeds while agency researchers on the ground measure the effects of low-altitude turbulence on sonic booms. The study could lead to technology mitigating the annoying sonic booms making possible supersonic flights over populated areas.

  17. A simple pendulum laser interferometer for determining the gravitational constant.

    PubMed

    Parks, Harold V; Faller, James E

    2014-10-13

    We present a detailed account of our 2004 experiment to measure the Newtonian constant of gravitation with a suspended laser interferometer. The apparatus consists of two simple pendulums hanging from a common support. Each pendulum has a length of 72 cm and their separation is 34 cm. A mirror is embedded in each pendulum bob, which then in combination form a Fabry-Perot cavity. A laser locked to the cavity measures the change in pendulum separation as the gravitational field is modulated due to the displacement of four 120 kg tungsten masses. © 2014 The Author(s) Published by the Royal Society. All rights reserved.

  18. Intelligent clutch control with incremental encoder to improve wear issues of an intercept pendulum in real time

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jalba, C. K.; Diekmann, R.; Epple, S.

    2017-01-01

    A pendulum impact tester is a technical device which is used to perform plasticity characterizations of metallic materials. Results are calculated based on fracture behavior under pendulum impact loadings according to DIN 50115, DIN 51222/EN 10045. The material is held at the two ends and gets struck in the middle. A mechanical Problem occurs when testing materials with a very high impact toughness. These specimen often do not break when hit by the pendulum. To return the pendulum to its initial position, the operator presses a service button. After a delay of approximately 2 seconds a clutch is activated which connects the arm of the pendulum with an electric motor to return it back upright in start position. At the moment of clutch activation, the pendulum can still swing or bounce with any speed in any direction at any different position. Due to the lack of synchronization between pendulum speed and constant engine speed, the clutch suffers heavy wear of friction. This disadvantage results in considerable service and repair costs for the customer. As a solution to this problem this article presents a customized technical device to significantly increase the lifetime of the clutch. It was accomplished by a precisely controlled activation of the clutch at a point of time when pendulum and motor are at synchronized speed and direction using incremental encoders.

  19. LISA technology development using the UF precision torsion pendulum

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Apple, Stephen; Chilton, Andrew; Olatunde, Taiwo; Ciani, Giacomo; Mueller, Guido; Conklin, John

    2015-04-01

    LISA will directly observe low-frequency gravitational waves emitted by sources ranging from super-massive black hole mergers to compact galactic binaries. A laser interferometer will measure picometer changes in the distances between free falling test masses separated by millions of kilometers. A test mass and its associated sensing, actuation, charge control and caging subsystems are referred to as a gravitational reference sensor (GRS). The demanding acceleration noise requirement for the LISA GRS has motivated a rigorous testing campaign in Europe and a dedicated technology mission, LISA Pathfinder, scheduled for launch in the fall of 2015. At the University of Florida we are developing a nearly thermally noise limited torsion pendulum for testing GRS technology enhancements that may improve the performance and/or reduce the cost of the LISA GRS. This experimental facility is based on the design of a similar facility at the University of Trento, and consists of a vacuum enclosed torsion pendulum that suspends mock-ups of the LISA test masses, surrounded by electrode housings. Some of the technologies that will be demonstrated by this facility include a novel TM charge control scheme based on ultraviolet LEDs, an all-optical TM position and attitude sensor, and drift mode operation. This presentation will describe the design of the torsion pendulum facility, its current acceleration noise performance, and the status of the GRS technologies under development.

  20. Steady States of the Parametric Rotator and Pendulum

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Bouzas, Antonio O.

    2010-01-01

    We discuss several steady-state rotation and oscillation modes of the planar parametric rotator and pendulum with damping. We consider a general elliptic trajectory of the suspension point for both rotator and pendulum, for the latter at an arbitrary angle with gravity, with linear and circular trajectories as particular cases. We treat the…

  1. Balancing a simulated inverted pendulum through motor imagery: an EEG-based real-time control paradigm.

    PubMed

    Yue, Jingwei; Zhou, Zongtan; Jiang, Jun; Liu, Yadong; Hu, Dewen

    2012-08-30

    Most brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) are non-time-restraint systems. However, the method used to design a real-time BCI paradigm for controlling unstable devices is still a challenging problem. This paper presents a real-time feedback BCI paradigm for controlling an inverted pendulum on a cart (IPC). In this paradigm, sensorimotor rhythms (SMRs) were recorded using 15 active electrodes placed on the surface of the subject's scalp. Subsequently, common spatial pattern (CSP) was used as the basic filter to extract spatial patterns. Finally, linear discriminant analysis (LDA) was used to translate the patterns into control commands that could stabilize the simulated inverted pendulum. Offline trainings were employed to teach the subjects to execute corresponding mental tasks, such as left/right hand motor imagery. Five subjects could successfully balance the online inverted pendulum for more than 35s. The results demonstrated that BCIs are able to control nonlinear unstable devices. Furthermore, the demonstration and extension of real-time continuous control might be useful for the real-life application and generalization of BCI. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

  2. Square-Wave Model for a Pendulum with Oscillating Suspension

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Yorke, Ellen D.

    1978-01-01

    Demonstrates that if a sinusoidal oscillation of the point of support of a pendulum is approximated by a square wave, a matrix method may be used to discuss parametric resonance and the stability of the inverted pendulum. (Author/SL)

  3. Sonication-Induced Modification of Carbon Nanotubes: Effect on the Rheological and Thermo-Oxidative Behaviour of Polymer-Based Nanocomposites.

    PubMed

    Arrigo, Rossella; Teresi, Rosalia; Gambarotti, Cristian; Parisi, Filippo; Lazzara, Giuseppe; Dintcheva, Nadka Tzankova

    2018-03-05

    The aim of this work is the investigation of the effect of ultrasound treatment on the structural characteristics of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and the consequent influence that the shortening induced by sonication exerts on the morphology, rheological behaviour and thermo-oxidative resistance of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE)-based nanocomposites. First, CNTs have been subjected to sonication for different time intervals and the performed spectroscopic and morphological analyses reveal that a dramatic decrease of the CNT's original length occurs with increased sonication time. The reduction of the initial length of CNTs strongly affects the nanocomposite rheological behaviour, which progressively changes from solid-like to liquid-like as the CNT sonication time increases. The study of the thermo-oxidative behaviour of the investigated nanocomposites reveals that the CNT sonication has a detrimental effect on the thermo-oxidative stability of nanocomposites, especially for long exposure times. The worsening of the thermo-oxidative resistance of sonicated CNT-containing nanocomposites could be attributed to the lower thermal conductivity of low-aspect-ratio CNTs, which causes the increase of the local temperature at the polymer/nanofillers interphase, with the consequent acceleration of the degradative phenomena.

  4. Sonication-Induced Modification of Carbon Nanotubes: Effect on the Rheological and Thermo-Oxidative Behaviour of Polymer-Based Nanocomposites

    PubMed Central

    Teresi, Rosalia; Gambarotti, Cristian; Dintcheva, Nadka Tzankova

    2018-01-01

    The aim of this work is the investigation of the effect of ultrasound treatment on the structural characteristics of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and the consequent influence that the shortening induced by sonication exerts on the morphology, rheological behaviour and thermo-oxidative resistance of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE)-based nanocomposites. First, CNTs have been subjected to sonication for different time intervals and the performed spectroscopic and morphological analyses reveal that a dramatic decrease of the CNT’s original length occurs with increased sonication time. The reduction of the initial length of CNTs strongly affects the nanocomposite rheological behaviour, which progressively changes from solid-like to liquid-like as the CNT sonication time increases. The study of the thermo-oxidative behaviour of the investigated nanocomposites reveals that the CNT sonication has a detrimental effect on the thermo-oxidative stability of nanocomposites, especially for long exposure times. The worsening of the thermo-oxidative resistance of sonicated CNT-containing nanocomposites could be attributed to the lower thermal conductivity of low-aspect-ratio CNTs, which causes the increase of the local temperature at the polymer/nanofillers interphase, with the consequent acceleration of the degradative phenomena. PMID:29510595

  5. A Simple Method to Measure the Trajectory of a Spherical Pendulum

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Yang, Hujiang; Xiao, Jinghua; Yang, Tianyu; Qiu, Chen

    2011-01-01

    Compared with a single gravity pendulum, the spherical pendulum behaves more complicatedly in experiments, which makes it difficult to measure. In this paper, we present a method to visualize the trajectories of a spherical pendulum by employing a gravity ball with a lit LED and a digital camera. This new measurement is inexpensive and easy to…

  6. On periodic solutions of an Atwood's pendulum

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mittleman, Donald

    1987-05-01

    An Atwood's pendulum is defined as an Atwood's machine in which one of two masses is allowed to swing as a pendulum while the other remains constrained to move only in the vertical direction. The pendulum motion of the one mass induces a varying tension in the connecting wire; this, in turn, produces motion in the second mass. It is shown that this motion can be made periodic if the ratio of the two masses and the dependency of this ratio on the initial conditions are chosen as prescribed in this report. If this condition is not met, the motion consists of the superposition of two motions. The first is motion in a constant gravitational field where the effective gravity is kg; the factor k is determined explicitly. The second is the periodic motion that is the central theme of this report. During the course of the analysis, the fundamental frequency of the periodic motion is determined. It is shown to be slightly higher than the frequency of a pendulum of comparable length swinging in the Earth's gravitational field; the factor is given explicitly. This work is restricted to the extent that small approximations are introduced initially for trigonometric functions.

  7. 12 CFR 567.9 - Tangible capital requirement.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... capital, a savings association must deduct from assets, and, thus, from capital: (1) Intangible assets (as defined in § 567.1) except for mortgage servicing assets to the extent they are includable in tangible... maintain tangible capital in an amount equal to at least 1.5% of adjusted total assets. (b) The following...

  8. Soup-Can Pendulum

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Peters, Randall D.

    2004-01-01

    In these studies, a vegetable can containing fluid was swung as a pendulum by supporting its end-lips with a pair of knife edges. The motion was measured with a capacitive sensor and the logarithmic decrement in free decay was estimated from computer-collected records. Measurements performed with nine different homogeneous liquids, distributed…

  9. 47 CFR 36.161 - Tangible assets-Account 2680.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 47 Telecommunication 2 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Tangible assets-Account 2680. 36.161 Section 36.161 Telecommunication FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION (CONTINUED) COMMON CARRIER SERVICES... costs of capital leases are apportioned among the operations based on similar plant owned or by analysis...

  10. 47 CFR 36.161 - Tangible assets-Account 2680.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... 47 Telecommunication 2 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Tangible assets-Account 2680. 36.161 Section 36.161 Telecommunication FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION (CONTINUED) COMMON CARRIER SERVICES... costs of capital leases are apportioned among the operations based on similar plant owned or by analysis...

  11. A Laboratory Experiment on Coupled Non-Identical Pendulums

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Li, Ang; Zeng, Jingyi; Yang, Hujiang; Xiao, Jinghua

    2011-01-01

    In this paper, coupled pendulums with different lengths are studied. Through steel magnets, each pendulum is coupled with others, and a stepping motor is used to drive the whole system. To record the data automatically, we designed a data acquisition system with a CCD camera connected to a computer. The coupled system shows in-phase, locked-phase…

  12. Dynamic modelling of a double-pendulum gantry crane system incorporating payload

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Ismail, R. M. T. Raja; Ahmad, M. A.; Ramli, M. S.

    The natural sway of crane payloads is detrimental to safe and efficient operation. Under certain conditions, the problem is complicated when the payloads create a double pendulum effect. This paper presents dynamic modelling of a double-pendulum gantry crane system based on closed-form equations of motion. The Lagrangian method is used to derive the dynamic model of the system. A dynamic model of the system incorporating payload is developed and the effects of payload on the response of the system are discussed. Extensive results that validate the theoretical derivation are presented in the time and frequency domains.

  13. Analyzing spring pendulum phenomena with a smart-phone acceleration sensor

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kuhn, Jochen; Vogt, Patrik

    2012-11-01

    This paper describes two further pendulum experiments using the acceleration sensor of a smartphone in this column (for earlier contributions concerning this topic, including the description of the operation and use of the acceleration sensor, see Refs. 1 and 2). In this paper we focus on analyzing spring pendulum phenomena. Therefore two spring pendulum experiments will be described in which a smartphone is used as a pendulum body and SPARKvue3 software is used in conjunction with an iPhone or an iPod touch, or the Accelogger4 app for an Android device.1,2 As described in Ref. 1, the values measured by the smartphone are subsequently exported to a spreadsheet application (e.g., MS Excel) for analysis.

  14. Pendulum Phenomena and the Assessment of Scientific Inquiry Capabilities

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Zachos, Paul

    2004-01-01

    Phenomena associated with the "pendulum" present numerous opportunities for assessing higher order human capabilities related to "scientific inquiry" and the "discovery" of natural law. This paper illustrates how systematic "assessment of scientific inquiry capabilities", using "pendulum" phenomena, can provide a useful tool for classroom teachers…

  15. Development of a software-hardware complex for studying the process of grinding by a pendulum deformer

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Borisov, A. P.

    2018-01-01

    The article is devoted to the development of a software and hardware complex for investigating the grinding process on a pendulum deformer. The hardware part of this complex is the Raspberry Pi model 2B platform, to which a contactless angle sensor is connected, which allows to obtain data on the angle of deviation of the pendulum surface, usb-cameras, which allow to obtain grain images before and after grinding, and stepping motors allowing lifting of the pendulum surface and adjust the clearance between the pendulum and the supporting surfaces. The program part of the complex is written in C # and allows receiving data from the sensor and usb-cameras, processing the received data, and also controlling the synchronous-step motors in manual and automatic mode. The conducted studies show that the rational mode is the deviation of the pendulum surface by an angle of 400, and the location of the grain in the central zone of the support surface, regardless of the orientation of the grain in space. Also, due to the non-contact angle sensor, energy consumption for grinding, speed and acceleration of the pendulum surface, as well as vitreousness of grain and the energy consumption are calculated. With the help of photographs obtained from usb cameras, the work of a pendulum deformer based on the Rebinder formula and calculation of the grain area before and after grinding is determined.

  16. Sonication reduces the attachment of Salmonella Typhimurium ATCC 14028 cells to bacterial cellulose-based plant cell wall models and cut plant material.

    PubMed

    Tan, Michelle S F; Rahman, Sadequr; Dykes, Gary A

    2017-04-01

    This study investigated the removal of bacterial surface structures, particularly flagella, using sonication, and examined its effect on the attachment of Salmonella Typhimurium ATCC 14028 cells to plant cell walls. S. Typhimurium ATCC 14028 cells were subjected to sonication at 20 kHz to remove surface structures without affecting cell viability. Effective removal of flagella was determined by staining flagella of sonicated cells with Ryu's stain and enumerating the flagella remaining by direct microscopic counting. The attachment of sonicated S. Typhimurium cells to bacterial cellulose-based plant cell wall models and cut plant material (potato, apple, lettuce) was then evaluated. Varying concentrations of pectin and/or xyloglucan were used to produce a range of bacterial cellulose-based plant cell wall models. As compared to the non-sonicated controls, sonicated S. Typhimurium cells attached in significantly lower numbers (between 0.5 and 1.0 log CFU/cm 2 ) to all surfaces except to the bacterial cellulose-only composite without pectin and xyloglucan. Since attachment of S. Typhimurium to the bacterial cellulose-only composite was not affected by sonication, this suggests that bacterial surface structures, particularly flagella, could have specific interactions with pectin and xyloglucan. This study indicates that sonication may have potential applications for reducing Salmonella attachment during the processing of fresh produce. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  17. Measure synchronization in a Huygens's non-dissipative two-pendulum clocks system

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tian, Jing; Chen, ZiChen; Qiu, HaiBo; Xi, XiaoQiang

    2018-01-01

    In this paper, we characterize measure synchronization (MS) in a four-degrees-of-freedom Huygens's two-pendulum clocks system. The two-pendulum clocks are connected by a massless spring with stiffness constant k. We find that with the stiffness constant k increasing, the coupled pendulums system achieves MS above a threshold value of k c . The energy characteristics of measure synchronization have been discussed, it is found that averaged energy of each pendulum system provide us an easy way to characterize MS transition. Furthermore, we discuss the dependence of the critical value for MS transition on initial conditions and the characteristic parameters of the system.

  18. Recent Progress on Sonic Boom Research at NASA

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Loubeau, Alexandra

    2012-01-01

    Sonic boom research conducted at NASA through the Supersonics Project of the Fundamental Aeronautics Program is oriented toward understanding the potential impact of sonic boom noise on communities from new low-boom supersonic aircraft designs. Encompassing research in atmospheric propagation, structural response, and human response, NASA research contributes to knowledge in key areas needed to support development of a new noise-based standard for supersonic aircraft certification. Partnerships with several industry, government, and academic institutions have enabled the recent execution of several acoustic field studies on sonic booms. An overview of recent activities funded by NASA includes: focus boom model development and experimental validation, field experiments of structural transmission of sonic booms into large buildings, and low boom community response testing.

  19. Figuring the Acceleration of the Simple Pendulum

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lieberherr, Martin

    2011-12-01

    The centripetal acceleration has been known since Huygens' (1659) and Newton's (1684) time.1,2 The physics to calculate the acceleration of a simple pendulum has been around for more than 300 years, and a fairly complete treatise has been given by C. Schwarz in this journal.3 But sentences like "the acceleration is always directed towards the equilibrium position" beside the picture of a swing on a circular arc can still be found in textbooks, as e.g. in Ref. 4. Vectors have been invented by Grassmann (1844)5 and are conveniently used to describe the acceleration in curved orbits, but acceleration is more often treated as a scalar with or without sign, as the words acceleration/deceleration suggest. The component tangential to the orbit is enough to deduce the period of the simple pendulum, but it is not enough to discuss the forces on the pendulum, as has been pointed out by Santos-Benito and A. Gras-Marti.6 A suitable way to address this problem is a nice figure with a catch for classroom discussions or homework. When I plotted the acceleration vectors of the simple pendulum in their proper positions, pictures as in Fig. 1 appeared on the screen. The endpoints of the acceleration vectors, if properly scaled, seemed to lie on a curve with a familiar shape: a cardioid. Is this true or just an illusion?

  20. Pendulum migration and healthcare in border área.

    PubMed

    Zaslavsky, Ricardo; Goulart, Bárbara Niegia Garcia de

    2017-12-01

    This article aims to reflect about the importance and the potential impact of pendulum migration in the pursuance for healthcare, and, specifically, about the peculiarity of this kind of mobility in border areas. It describes the context in which the pendulum migration is inserted for the modification of the urban space in the 20th century, makes initial comments about legal aspects of the theme in health sector, and describes the reality of the Brazil-Argentina-Paraguay triple border as an important location of pendulum migration for the pursuance of healthcare as an illustrative fact. In this way, hypotheses are formulated about the causes of the pendulum migration impact on patient's health like the effect of the distance covered from home to healthcare facilities, and organizational aspects related to healthcare like the uncertainty about having or not health assistance due to international mobility. It concludes that this kind of mobility is very common in the pursuance of healthcare despite the traditional approach to the theme mentioning only work or study. Besides that, it is very important to study its impact on health and to include this theme on the cross border healthcare debate.

  1. Tangible Landscape: Cognitively Grasping the Flow of Water

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Harmon, B. A.; Petrasova, A.; Petras, V.; Mitasova, H.; Meentemeyer, R. K.

    2016-06-01

    Complex spatial forms like topography can be challenging to understand, much less intentionally shape, given the heavy cognitive load of visualizing and manipulating 3D form. Spatiotemporal processes like the flow of water over a landscape are even more challenging to understand and intentionally direct as they are dependent upon their context and require the simulation of forces like gravity and momentum. This cognitive work can be offloaded onto computers through 3D geospatial modeling, analysis, and simulation. Interacting with computers, however, can also be challenging, often requiring training and highly abstract thinking. Tangible computing - an emerging paradigm of human-computer interaction in which data is physically manifested so that users can feel it and directly manipulate it - aims to offload this added cognitive work onto the body. We have designed Tangible Landscape, a tangible interface powered by an open source geographic information system (GRASS GIS), so that users can naturally shape topography and interact with simulated processes with their hands in order to make observations, generate and test hypotheses, and make inferences about scientific phenomena in a rapid, iterative process. Conceptually Tangible Landscape couples a malleable physical model with a digital model of a landscape through a continuous cycle of 3D scanning, geospatial modeling, and projection. We ran a flow modeling experiment to test whether tangible interfaces like this can effectively enhance spatial performance by offloading cognitive processes onto computers and our bodies. We used hydrological simulations and statistics to quantitatively assess spatial performance. We found that Tangible Landscape enhanced 3D spatial performance and helped users understand water flow.

  2. Instability dynamics and breather formation in a horizontally shaken pendulum chain.

    PubMed

    Xu, Y; Alexander, T J; Sidhu, H; Kevrekidis, P G

    2014-10-01

    Inspired by the experimental results of Cuevas et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 102, 224101 (2009)], we consider theoretically the behavior of a chain of planar rigid pendulums suspended in a uniform gravitational field and subjected to a horizontal periodic driving force applied to the pendulum pivots. We characterize the motion of a single pendulum, finding bistability near the fundamental resonance and near the period-3 subharmonic resonance. We examine the development of modulational instability in a driven pendulum chain and find both a critical chain length and a critical frequency for the appearance of the instability. We study the breather solutions and show their connection to the single-pendulum dynamics and extend our analysis to consider multifrequency breathers connected to the period-3 periodic solution, showing also the possibility of stability in these breather states. Finally we examine the problem of breather generation and demonstrate a robust scheme for generation of on-site and off-site breathers.

  3. The Reproduction of Scientific Understanding about Pendulum Motion in the Public

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Manabu, Sumida

    This paper describes life-span development of understanding about pendulum motion and effects of school science. The subjects were 2,766 people ranging from kindergartners up to 88 years senior citizens. The conflict and consensus between children and their parent's understanding of pendulum motion were also analyzed. The kindergartner's understanding, mostly non-scientific, made a marked developmental change to another type of non-scientific understanding by the time they reach G 4. Parents with scientific understanding do not presumably nurture scientifically minded children,even though about half of them can apply scientific conceptions that shorter pendulums swing faster, and the amplitude and speed of pendulum motion do not depend on its weight. There seems to be another type of developmental change from scientific understanding to non-scientific understanding around their fifties. Itis suggested that the scientific understanding in the public about pendulum motion become predominant due to the educational intervention through school science.

  4. Shuttle sonic boom - Technology and predictions. [environmental impact

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Holloway, P. F.; Wilhold, G. A.; Jones, J. H.; Garcia, F., Jr.; Hicks, R. M.

    1973-01-01

    Because the shuttle differs significantly in both geometric and operational characteristics from conventional supersonic aircraft, estimation of sonic boom characteristics required a new technology base. The prediction procedures thus developed are reviewed. Flight measurements obtained for both the ascent and entry phases of the Apollo 15 and 16 and for the ascent phase only of the Apollo 17 missions are presented which verify the techniques established for application to shuttle. Results of extensive analysis of the sonic boom overpressure characteristics completed to date are presented which indicate that this factor of the shuttle's environmental impact is predictable, localized, of short duration and acceptable. Efforts are continuing to define the shuttle sonic boom characteristics to a fine level of detail based on the final system design.

  5. Quantum dynamics of a plane pendulum

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Leibscher, Monika; Schmidt, Burkhard

    A semianalytical approach to the quantum dynamics of a plane pendulum is developed, based on Mathieu functions which appear as stationary wave functions. The time-dependent Schroedinger equation is solved for pendular analogs of coherent and squeezed states of a harmonic oscillator, induced by instantaneous changes of the periodic potential energy function. Coherent pendular states are discussed between the harmonic limit for small displacements and the inverted pendulum limit, while squeezed pendular states are shown to interpolate between vibrational and free rotational motion. In the latter case, full and fractional revivals as well as spatiotemporal structures in the time evolution ofmore » the probability densities (quantum carpets) are quantitatively analyzed. Corresponding expressions for the mean orientation are derived in terms of Mathieu functions in time. For periodic double well potentials, different revival schemes, and different quantum carpets are found for the even and odd initial states forming the ground tunneling doublet. Time evolution of the mean alignment allows the separation of states with different parity. Implications for external (rotational) and internal (torsional) motion of molecules induced by intense laser fields are discussed.« less

  6. TangibleCubes — Implementation of Tangible User Interfaces through the Usage of Microcontroller and Sensor Technology

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Setscheny, Stephan

    The interaction between human beings and technology builds a central aspect in human life. The most common form of this human-technology interface is the graphical user interface which is controlled through the mouse and the keyboard. In consequence of continuous miniaturization and the increasing performance of microcontrollers and sensors for the detection of human interactions, developers receive new possibilities for realising innovative interfaces. As far as this movement is concerned, the relevance of computers in the common sense and graphical user interfaces is decreasing. Especially in the area of ubiquitous computing and the interaction through tangible user interfaces a highly impact of this technical evolution can be seen. Apart from this, tangible and experience able interaction offers users the possibility of an interactive and intuitive method for controlling technical objects. The implementation of microcontrollers for control functions and sensors enables the realisation of these experience able interfaces. Besides the theories about tangible user interfaces, the consideration about sensors and the Arduino platform builds a main aspect of this work.

  7. Changes consequent to maxillary molar distalization with the bone-anchored pendulum appliance.

    PubMed

    Cambiano, Aldo Otazú; Janson, Guilherme; Fuziy, Acácio; Garib, Daniela Gamba; Lorenzoni, Diego Coelho

    2017-01-01

    This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the dentoalveolar, skeletal, and soft tissue effects obtained with bone-anchored pendulum appliance in patients with Class II malocclusion. A total of 18 patients (4 male, 14 female) at a mean pretreatment age of 14.0 years (+1.08) were enrolled in this study. All patients were treated with the bone-anchored pendulum appliance for an average duration of 4.8 months. Only the active distalization period was evaluated with predistalization and postdistalization lateral cephalograms. Skeletal, dentoalveolar, and soft tissue variables were obtained. Based on these variables, the treatment effects were evaluated with dependent t -test. Correction of Class II molar relationship resulted from distal movement of 3.45 mm and tipping of 11.24° of the first maxillary molars. The premolars were distalized accompanying the molars. The bone-anchored pendulum appliance proved to be an effective method for distalization of maxillary molars in cases that require maximum anchorage, avoiding reciprocal mesial movement of premolars and incisors.

  8. What Makes the Foucault Pendulum Move among the Stars?

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Phillips, Norman

    2004-01-01

    Foucault's pendulum exhibition in 1851 occurred in an era now known by development of the theorems of Coriolis and the formulation of dynamical meteorology by Ferrel. Yet today the behavior of the pendulum is often misunderstood. The existence of a horizontal component of Newtonian gravitation is essential for understanding the behavior with…

  9. Optical pendulum effect in one-dimensional diffraction-thick porous silicon based photonic crystals

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Novikov, V. B., E-mail: vb.novikov@physics.msu.ru; Svyakhovskiy, S. E.; Maydykovskiy, A. I.

    We present the realization of the multiperiodic optical pendulum effect in 1D porous silicon photonic crystals (PhCs) under dynamical Bragg diffraction in the Laue scheme. The diffraction-thick PhC contained 360 spatial periods with a large variation of the refractive index of adjacent layers of 0.4. The experiments reveal switching of the light leaving the PhC between the two spatial directions, which correspond to Laue diffraction maxima, as the fundamental wavelength or polarization of the incident light is varied. A similar effect can be achieved when the temperature of the sample or the intensity of the additional laser beam illuminating themore » crystal are changed. We show that in our PhC structures, the spectral period of the pendulum effect is down to 5 nm, while the thermal period is about 10 °C.« less

  10. Optical pendulum generator based on photomechanical liquid-crystalline actuators.

    PubMed

    Tang, Rong; Liu, Ziyi; Xu, Dandan; Liu, Jian; Yu, Li; Yu, Haifeng

    2015-04-29

    For converting light energy into electricity, an optical pendulum generator was designed by combining photomechanical movement of liquid-crystalline actuator (LCA) with Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction. Bilayer cantilever actuators were first fabricated with LDPE and LCA. Their photomechanical movement drove the attached copper coils to cut magnetic line of force generating electricity. The output electricity was proportional to the changing rate of the magnetic flux, which was greatly influenced by light intensity, film thickness, and sample size. Continuous electrical output was also achieved. This simple strategy may expand applications of photoactive materials in the capture and storage of light energy.

  11. Assessment of energy harvesting and vibration mitigation of a pendulum dynamic absorber

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kecik, Krzysztof

    2018-06-01

    The paper presents a novel system for simultaneous energy harvesting and vibration mitigation. The system consists of two main parts: an autoparametric pendulum vibration absorber and an energy harvester device. The recovered energy is from oscillation of a levitating magnet in a coil. The energy harvesting system is mounted in a pendulum structure. The system allows energy recovery from a semi-trivial solution (pendulum in rest) or/and swinging of a pendulum. The influence of harvester parameters on the system response and energy harvesting in a parametric resonance is studied in detail. The harvester device does not decrease vibration reduction effectiveness.

  12. Oscillations of a Simple Pendulum with Extremely Large Amplitudes

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Butikov, Eugene I.

    2012-01-01

    Large oscillations of a simple rigid pendulum with amplitudes close to 180[degrees] are treated on the basis of a physically justified approach in which the cycle of oscillation is divided into several stages. The major part of the almost closed circular path of the pendulum is approximated by the limiting motion, while the motion in the vicinity…

  13. Working Model of a Foucault Pendulum at Intermediate Latitudes

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Sears, Francis W.

    1969-01-01

    Describes a working model of a Foucault pendulum at intermediate latitudes constructed of a steel drill rod with a steel ball attached at one end. The rod makes an angle of 45 degrees with the rotation axis of a horizontal turntable. The vibrating system is the same as that which led Foucault to construct his first gravity pendulum. (LC)

  14. Sonic Boom Modeling Technical Challenge

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Sullivan, Brenda M.

    2007-01-01

    This viewgraph presentation reviews the technical challenges in modeling sonic booms. The goal of this program is to develop knowledge, capabilities and technologies to enable overland supersonic flight. The specific objectives of the modeling are: (1) Develop and validate sonic boom propagation model through realistic atmospheres, including effects of turbulence (2) Develop methods enabling prediction of response of and acoustic transmission into structures impacted by sonic booms (3) Develop and validate psychoacoustic model of human response to sonic booms under both indoor and outdoor listening conditions, using simulators.

  15. Pendulum Therapy of Molar Distalization in Mixed Dentition.

    PubMed

    Patil, Raju Umaji; Prakash, Amit; Agarwal, Anshu

    2016-01-01

    Early and timely pedo-orthodontic treatment is aimed at eliminating the disturbances of skeletal or dentoalveolar development, to harmonize the stomatognathic system before the full eruption of all permanent teeth. The advantages of pendulum appliance are its minimal dependence on patient's compliance (child cooperation), ease of fabrication, onetime activation and adjustment of the springs if necessary to correct minor transverse and vertical molar positions. This article reports a successful treatment method of class II malocclusion with pendulum appliance in mixed dentition phase. Distalization of maxillary molar was done, followed by guidance of canine impaction orthodontically and other dental correction using 0.022 MBT appliances. Posttreatment results were stable and remarkable. How to cite this article: Patil RU, Prakash A, Agarwal A. Pendulum Therapy of Molar Distalization in Mixed Dentition. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2016;9(1):67-73.

  16. Pendulum Therapy of Molar Distalization in Mixed Dentition

    PubMed Central

    Prakash, Amit; Agarwal, Anshu

    2016-01-01

    ABSTRACT Early and timely pedo-orthodontic treatment is aimed at eliminating the disturbances of skeletal or dentoalveolar development, to harmonize the stomatognathic system before the full eruption of all permanent teeth. The advantages of pendulum appliance are its minimal dependence on patient’s compliance (child cooperation), ease of fabrication, onetime activation and adjustment of the springs if necessary to correct minor transverse and vertical molar positions. This article reports a successful treatment method of class II malocclusion with pendulum appliance in mixed dentition phase. Distalization of maxillary molar was done, followed by guidance of canine impaction orthodontically and other dental correction using 0.022 MBT appliances. Posttreatment results were stable and remarkable. How to cite this article: Patil RU, Prakash A, Agarwal A. Pendulum Therapy of Molar Distalization in Mixed Dentition. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2016;9(1):67-73. PMID:27274159

  17. Dynamic Modeling and Simulation of a Rotational Inverted Pendulum

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Duart, J. L.; Montero, B.; Ospina, P. A.; González, E.

    2017-01-01

    This paper presents an alternative way to the dynamic modeling of a rotational inverted pendulum using the classic mechanics known as Euler-Lagrange allows to find motion equations that describe our model. It also has a design of the basic model of the system in SolidWorks software, which based on the material and dimensions of the model provides some physical variables necessary for modeling. In order to verify the theoretical results, It was made a contrast between the solutions obtained by simulation SimMechanics-Matlab and the system of equations Euler-Lagrange, solved through ODE23tb method included in Matlab bookstores for solving equations systems of the type and order obtained. This article comprises a pendulum trajectory analysis by a phase space diagram that allows the identification of stable and unstable regions of the system.

  18. Mathematic study of the rotor motion with a pendulum selfbalancing device

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ivkina, O. P.; Ziyakaev, G. R.; Pashkov, E. N.

    2016-09-01

    The rotary machines used in manufacturing may become unbalanced leading to vibration. In some cases, the problem may be solved by installing self-balancing devices (SBDs). Certain factors, however, exhibit a pronounced effect on the efficiency of these devices. The objective of the research comprised of establishing the most beneficial spatial position of pendulums to minimize the necessary time to repair the rotor unbalance. The mathematical research of the motion of a rotor with pendulum SBDs in the situation of their misalignment was undertaken. This objective was achieved by using the Lagrange equations of the second type. The analysis identified limiting cases of location of the rotor unbalance vector and the vector of housing's unbalance relative to each other, as well as the minimum capacity of the pendulum. When determining pendulums ’ parameters during the SBD design process, it is necessary to take into account the rotor unbalance and the unbalance of the machine body, which is caused by the misalignment of rotor axis and pendulum's axis of rotation.

  19. Comparisons of Methods for Predicting Community Annoyance Due to Sonic Booms

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Hubbard, Harvey H.; Shepherd, Kevin P.

    1996-01-01

    Two approaches to the prediction of community response to sonic boom exposure are examined and compared. The first approach is based on the wealth of data concerning community response to common transportation noises coupled with results of a sonic boom/aircraft noise comparison study. The second approach is based on limited field studies of community response to sonic booms. Substantial differences between indoor and outdoor listening conditions are observed. Reasonable agreement is observed between predicted community responses and available measured responses.

  20. Note: A 1-m Foucault pendulum rolling on a ball.

    PubMed

    Salva, H R; Benavides, R E; Venturino, J A; Cuscueta, D J; Ghilarducci, A A

    2013-10-01

    We have built a short Foucault pendulum of 1-m length. The aim of this work was to increase the sensitivity to elliptical trajectories from other longer pendula. The design was a semi-rigid pendulum that rolls over a small ball. The measurements of the movements (azimuth and elliptical trajectory) were done by an optical method. The resulting pendulum works in a medium satisfactory way due to problems of the correct choice of the mass of the bob together with the diameter of the supporting ball. It is also important to keep the rolling surface very clean.

  1. Foucault pendulum with eddy-current damping of the elliptical motion

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mastner, G.; Vokurka, V.; Maschek, M.; Vogt, E.; Kaufmann, H. P.

    1984-10-01

    A newly designed Foucault pendulum is described in which the mechanical Charron ring, used throughout in previous designs for damping of the elliptical motion of the pendulum, is replaced by an electromagnetic eddy-current brake, consisting of a permanent magnet attached to the bottom of the bob and a metallic ring. This damping device is very efficient, as it is self-aligning, symmetrical in the damping effect, and never wears out. The permanent magnet is also used, together with a coil assembly and an electronic circuitry, for the dipole-torque drive of the pendulum as well as for accurate stabilization of the amplitude of the swing. A latched time display, controlled by Hall probes activated by the magnet, is used to visualize the Foucault rotation. The pendulum system and its associated electronic circuitry are described in detail. The optimizing of the drive mode is discussed. Measurements of deviations from theoretical value of the Foucault rotation velocity made automatically in a continuous run show a reproducible accuracy of ±1% or better in individual 360° rotations during the summer months. The quality factor of the pendulum as mechanical resonator was measured as a function of the amplitude in the presence of the eddy-current damping ring.

  2. High Speed Research Program Sonic Fatigue

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Rizzi, Stephen A. (Technical Monitor); Beier, Theodor H.; Heaton, Paul

    2005-01-01

    The objective of this sonic fatigue summary is to provide major findings and technical results of studies, initiated in 1994, to assess sonic fatigue behavior of structure that is being considered for the High Speed Civil Transport (HSCT). High Speed Research (HSR) program objectives in the area of sonic fatigue were to predict inlet, exhaust and boundary layer acoustic loads; measure high cycle fatigue data for materials developed during the HSR program; develop advanced sonic fatigue calculation methods to reduce required conservatism in airframe designs; develop damping techniques for sonic fatigue reduction where weight effective; develop wing and fuselage sonic fatigue design requirements; and perform sonic fatigue analyses on HSCT structural concepts to provide guidance to design teams. All goals were partially achieved, but none were completed due to the premature conclusion of the HSR program. A summary of major program findings and recommendations for continued effort are included in the report.

  3. Design-Based Research on the Use of a Tangible User Interface for Geometry Teaching in an Inclusive Classroom

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Starcic, Andreja Istenic; Cotic, Mara; Zajc, Matej

    2013-01-01

    This design-based research study was conducted to identify what importance of a tangible user interface (TUI) can add to teaching and learning. Over a 2-year period, teachers ("n"?=?39) and students ("n"?=?145) participated in the study. The identified problem for investigation was how students, including those with low fine…

  4. New Approaches to Data Acquisitions in a Torsion Pendulum Experiment

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Jiang, Daya; Xiao, Jinghua; Li, Haihong; Dai, Qionglin

    2007-01-01

    In this paper, two simple non-contact and cost-effective methods to acquire data in the student laboratory are applied to investigate the motion of a torsion pendulum. The first method is based on a Hall sensor, while the second makes use of an optical mouse.

  5. State of the art of sonic boom modeling

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Plotkin, Kenneth J.

    2002-01-01

    Based on fundamental theory developed through the 1950s and 1960s, sonic boom modeling has evolved into practical tools. Over the past decade, there have been requirements for design tools for an advanced supersonic transport, and for tools for environmental assessment of various military and aerospace activities. This has resulted in a number of advances in the understanding of the physics of sonic booms, including shock wave rise times, propagation through turbulence, and blending sonic boom theory with modern computational fluid dynamics (CFD) aerodynamic design methods. This article reviews the early fundamental theory, recent advances in theory, and the application of these advances to practical models.

  6. State of the art of sonic boom modeling.

    PubMed

    Plotkin, Kenneth J

    2002-01-01

    Based on fundamental theory developed through the 1950s and 1960s, sonic boom modeling has evolved into practical tools. Over the past decade, there have been requirements for design tools for an advanced supersonic transport, and for tools for environmental assessment of various military and aerospace activities. This has resulted in a number of advances in the understanding of the physics of sonic booms, including shock wave rise times, propagation through turbulence, and blending sonic boom theory with modern computational fluid dynamics (CFD) aerodynamic design methods. This article reviews the early fundamental theory, recent advances in theory, and the application of these advances to practical models.

  7. Development of a two-dimensional dual pendulum thrust stand for Hall thrusters.

    PubMed

    Nagao, N; Yokota, S; Komurasaki, K; Arakawa, Y

    2007-11-01

    A two-dimensional dual pendulum thrust stand was developed to measure thrust vectors [axial and horizontal (transverse) direction thrusts] of a Hall thruster. A thruster with a steering mechanism is mounted on the inner pendulum, and thrust is measured from the displacement between inner and outer pendulums, by which a thermal drift effect is canceled out. Two crossover knife-edges support each pendulum arm: one is set on the other at a right angle. They enable the pendulums to swing in two directions. Thrust calibration using a pulley and weight system showed that the measurement errors were less than 0.25 mN (1.4%) in the main thrust direction and 0.09 mN (1.4%) in its transverse direction. The thrust angle of the thrust vector was measured with the stand using the thruster. Consequently, a vector deviation from the main thrust direction of +/-2.3 degrees was measured with the error of +/-0.2 degrees under the typical operating conditions for the thruster.

  8. Equilibrium and Stability of a Pendulum in an Orbiting Spaceship.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Blitzer, Leon

    1979-01-01

    Investigates the behavior of a simple pendulum attached to a fixed point inside a satellite moving in a circular orbit about the earth. It is found that the number of equilibrium positions depends on the length of the pendulum and the location of the point of attachment. (HM)

  9. A new torsion pendulum for gravitational reference sensor technology development.

    PubMed

    Ciani, Giacomo; Chilton, Andrew; Apple, Stephen; Olatunde, Taiwo; Aitken, Michael; Mueller, Guido; Conklin, John W

    2017-06-01

    We report on the design and sensitivity of a new torsion pendulum for measuring the performance of ultra-precise inertial sensors and for the development of associated technologies for space-based gravitational wave observatories and geodesy missions. The apparatus comprises a 1 m-long, 50 μm-diameter tungsten fiber that supports an inertial member inside a vacuum system. The inertial member is an aluminum crossbar with four hollow cubic test masses at each end. This structure converts the rotation of the torsion pendulum into translation of the test masses. Two test masses are enclosed in capacitive sensors which provide readout and actuation. These test masses are electrically insulated from the rest of the crossbar and their electrical charge is controlled by photoemission using fiber-coupled ultraviolet light emitting diodes. The capacitive readout measures the test mass displacement with a broadband sensitivity of 30 nm∕Hz and is complemented by a laser interferometer with a sensitivity of about 0.5 nm∕Hz. The performance of the pendulum, as determined by the measured residual torque noise and expressed in terms of equivalent force acting on a single test mass, is roughly 200 fN∕Hz around 2 mHz, which is about a factor of 20 above the thermal noise limit of the fiber.

  10. Prediction of sonic boom from experimental near-field overpressure data. Volume 2: Data base construction

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Glatt, C. R.; Reiners, S. J.; Hague, D. S.

    1975-01-01

    A computerized method for storing, updating and augmenting experimentally determined overpressure signatures has been developed. A data base of pressure signatures for a shuttle type vehicle has been stored. The data base has been used for the prediction of sonic boom with the program described in Volume I.

  11. Measurement method of magnetic field for the wire suspended micro-pendulum accelerometer.

    PubMed

    Lu, Yongle; Li, Leilei; Hu, Ning; Pan, Yingjun; Ren, Chunhua

    2015-04-13

    Force producer is one of the core components of a Wire Suspended Micro-Pendulum Accelerometer; and the stability of permanent magnet in the force producer determines the consistency of the acceleration sensor's scale factor. For an assembled accelerometer; direct measurement of magnetic field strength is not a feasible option; as the magnetometer probe cannot be laid inside the micro-space of the sensor. This paper proposed an indirect measurement method of the remnant magnetization of Micro-Pendulum Accelerometer. The measurement is based on the working principle of the accelerometer; using the current output at several different scenarios to resolve the remnant magnetization of the permanent magnet. Iterative Least Squares algorithm was used for the adjustment of the data due to nonlinearity of this problem. The calculated remnant magnetization was 1.035 T. Compared to the true value; the error was less than 0.001 T. The proposed method provides an effective theoretical guidance for measuring the magnetic field of the Wire Suspended Micro-Pendulum Accelerometer; correcting the scale factor and temperature influence coefficients; etc.

  12. Changes consequent to maxillary molar distalization with the bone-anchored pendulum appliance

    PubMed Central

    Cambiano, Aldo Otazú; Janson, Guilherme; Fuziy, Acácio; Garib, Daniela Gamba; Lorenzoni, Diego Coelho

    2017-01-01

    OBJECTIVES: This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the dentoalveolar, skeletal, and soft tissue effects obtained with bone-anchored pendulum appliance in patients with Class II malocclusion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 18 patients (4 male, 14 female) at a mean pretreatment age of 14.0 years (+1.08) were enrolled in this study. All patients were treated with the bone-anchored pendulum appliance for an average duration of 4.8 months. Only the active distalization period was evaluated with predistalization and postdistalization lateral cephalograms. Skeletal, dentoalveolar, and soft tissue variables were obtained. Based on these variables, the treatment effects were evaluated with dependent t-test. RESULTS: Correction of Class II molar relationship resulted from distal movement of 3.45 mm and tipping of 11.24° of the first maxillary molars. The premolars were distalized accompanying the molars. CONCLUSIONS: The bone-anchored pendulum appliance proved to be an effective method for distalization of maxillary molars in cases that require maximum anchorage, avoiding reciprocal mesial movement of premolars and incisors. PMID:29119095

  13. Multi-directional energy harvesting by piezoelectric cantilever-pendulum with internal resonance

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Xu, J.; Tang, J., E-mail: jtang@engr.uconn.edu

    This letter reports a piezoelectric cantilever-pendulum design for multi-directional energy harvesting. A pendulum is attached to the tip of a piezoelectric cantilever-type energy harvester. This design aims at taking advantage of the nonlinear coupling between the pendulum motion in 3-dimensional space and the beam bending vibration at resonances. Experimental studies indicate that, under properly chosen parameters, 1:2 internal resonance can be induced, which enables the multi-directional energy harvesting with a single cantilever. The advantages of the design with respect to traditional piezoelectric cantilever are examined.

  14. Explicit Analytical Solution of a Pendulum with Periodically Varying Length

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Yang, Tianzhi; Fang, Bo; Li, Song; Huang, Wenhu

    2010-01-01

    A pendulum with periodically varying length is an interesting physical system. It has been studied by some researchers using traditional perturbation methods (for example, the averaging method). But due to the limitation of the conventional perturbation methods, the solutions are not valid for long-term prediction of the pendulum. In this paper,…

  15. Idealisation and Galileo's Pendulum Discoveries: Historical, Philosophical and Pedagogical Considerations

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Matthews, Michael R.

    2004-01-01

    Galileo's discovery of the properties of pendulum motion depended on his adoption of the novel methodology of idealisation. Galileo's laws of pendulum motion could not be accepted until the empiricist methodological constraints placed on science by Aristotle, and by common sense, were overturned. As long as scientific claims were judged by how the…

  16. Review of sonic fatigue technology

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Clarkson, B. L.

    1994-01-01

    From the early-1960s until the mid-1980s, there was very little theoretical development for sonic fatigue prediction. Design nomographs based on simple theoretical models and results of specially designed tests were developed for most common aircraft structures. The use of advanced composites in the 1980s, however, generated an increased interest in development of more sophisticated theoretical models because of the possibilities for a much wider range of structural designs. The purpose of this report is to review sonic fatigue technology and, in particular, to assess recent developments. It also suggests a plan for a coordinated program of theoretical and experimental work to meet the anticipated needs of future aerospace vehicles.

  17. The sympathy of two pendulum clocks: beyond Huygens' observations.

    PubMed

    Peña Ramirez, Jonatan; Olvera, Luis Alberto; Nijmeijer, Henk; Alvarez, Joaquin

    2016-03-29

    This paper introduces a modern version of the classical Huygens' experiment on synchronization of pendulum clocks. The version presented here consists of two monumental pendulum clocks--ad hoc designed and fabricated--which are coupled through a wooden structure. It is demonstrated that the coupled clocks exhibit 'sympathetic' motion, i.e. the pendula of the clocks oscillate in consonance and in the same direction. Interestingly, when the clocks are synchronized, the common oscillation frequency decreases, i.e. the clocks become slow and inaccurate. In order to rigorously explain these findings, a mathematical model for the coupled clocks is obtained by using well-established physical and mechanical laws and likewise, a theoretical analysis is conducted. Ultimately, the sympathy of two monumental pendulum clocks, interacting via a flexible coupling structure, is experimentally, numerically, and analytically demonstrated.

  18. Dynamics of quiet human stance: computer simulations of a triple inverted pendulum model.

    PubMed

    Günther, Michael; Wagner, Heiko

    2016-01-01

    For decades, the biomechanical description of quiet human stance has been dominated by the single inverted pendulum (SIP) paradigm. However, in the past few years, the SIP model family has been falsified as an explanatory approach. Double inverted pendulum models have recently proven to be inappropriate. Human topology with three major leg joints suggests in a natural way to examine triple inverted pendulum (TIP) models as an appropriate approach. In this study, we focused on formulating a TIP model that can synthesise stable balancing attractors based on minimalistic sensor information and actuation complexity. The simulated TIP oscillation amplitudes are realistic in vertical direction. Along with the horizontal ankle, knee and hip positions, though, all simulated joint angle amplitudes still exceed the measured ones about threefold. It is likely that they could be eventually brought down to the physiological range by using more sensor information. The TIP systems' eigenfrequency spectra come out as another major result. The eigenfrequencies spread across about 0.1 Hz...20 Hz. Our main result is that joint stiffnesses can be reduced even below statically required values by using an active hip torque balancing strategy. When reducing mono- and bi-articular stiffnesses further down to levels threatening dynamic stability, the spectra indicate a change from torus-like (stable) to strange (chaotic) attractors. Spectra of measured ground reaction forces appear to be strange-attractor-like. We would conclude that TIP models are a suitable starting point to examine more deeply the dynamic character of and the essential structural properties behind quiet human stance. Abbreviations and technical terms Inverted pendulum body exposed to gravity and pivoting in a joint around position of unstable equilibrium (operating point) SIP single inverted pendulum: one rigid body pivoting around fixation to the ground (external joint) DIP double inverted pendulum: two bodies

  19. USAF Flight Test Investigation of Focused Sonic Booms: Project Have Bears

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Downing, Micah; Zamot, Noel; Moss, Chris; Morin, Daniel; Wolski, Ed; Chung, Sukhwan; Plotkin, Kenneth; Maglieri, Domenic

    1996-01-01

    Supersonic operations from military aircraft generate sonic booms that can affect people, animals and structures. A substantial experimental data base exists on sonic booms for aircraft in steady flight and confidence in the predictive techniques has been established. All the focus sonic boom data that are in existence today were collected during the 60's and 70's as part of the information base to the US Supersonic Transport program and the French Jericho studies for the Concorde. These experiments formed the data base to develop sonic boom propagation and prediction theories for focusing. There is a renewed interest in high-speed transports for civilian application. Moreover, today's fighter aircraft have better performance capabilities, and supersonic flights ars more common during air combat maneuvers. Most of the existing data on focus booms are related to high-speed civil operations such as transitional linear accelerations and mild turns. However, military aircraft operating in training areas perform more drastic maneuvers such as dives and high-g turns. An update and confirmation of USAF prediction capabilities is required to demonstrate the ability to predict and control sonic boom impacts, especially those produced by air combat maneuvers.

  20. Influence of ultrasonic and sonic activation of epoxy-amine resin-based sealer on penetration of sealer into lateral canals.

    PubMed

    Arslan, Hakan; Abbas, Aneesh; Karatas, Ertugrul

    2016-11-01

    The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of sonic and ultrasonic activation of epoxy-amine resin-based root canal sealer (2Seal; VDW GmbH, München, Germany) on penetration of the sealer into lateral canals compared to non-activated filling. Thirty-six single-rooted human anterior teeth were decoronated and prepared, using the ProTaper rotary system (Dentsply Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland) to F4. After the completion of the clearing procedures, lateral canals were created at 2, 4, and 6 mm from the working length. The specimens were randomly divided into a control group (non-activated sealer application) and two experimental groups that received a sealer application with either sonic or ultrasonic activation. The root canals were filled using cold lateral compaction and images were obtained from each lateral canals at 40× magnification using a stereomicroscope. The sealer penetration was evaluated using a four-grade scoring system. The data were evaluated statistically using the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests with a 95 % confidence level (P = 0.05). The ultrasonic activation resulted in a better sealer penetration compared with the non-activated and sonically activated groups (P < 0.001). Sonic activation also resulted in better sealer penetration compared to the non-activated group (P < 0.001). The use of the ultrasonic activation of an epoxy-amine resin-based sealer promoted greater sealer penetration into the lateral canals. Sonic activation was not effective as ultrasonic activation, but was more effective than the non-activated group. The ultrasonic activation of an epoxy-amine resin-based sealer could be beneficial in filling procedures.

  1. A simple, low-cost, data logging pendulum built from a computer mouse

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Gintautas, Vadas; Hubler, Alfred

    Lessons and homework problems involving a pendulum are often a big part of introductory physics classes and laboratory courses from high school to undergraduate levels. Although laboratory equipment for pendulum experiments is commercially available, it is often expensive and may not be affordable for teachers on fixed budgets, particularly in developing countries. We present a low-cost, easy-to-build rotary sensor pendulum using the existing hardware in a ball-type computer mouse. We demonstrate how this apparatus may be used to measure both the frequency and coefficient of damping of a simple physical pendulum. This easily constructed laboratory equipment makes it possible formore » all students to have hands-on experience with one of the most important simple physical systems.« less

  2. Idealisation and Galileo's Pendulum Discoveries: Historical, Philosophical and Pedagogical Considerations

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Matthews, Michael R.

    2004-11-01

    Galileo's discovery of the properties of pendulum motion depended on his adoption of the novel methodology of idealisation. Galileo's laws of pendulum motion could not be accepted until the empiricist methodological constraints placed on science by Aristotle, and by common sense, were overturned. As long as scientific claims were judged by how the world was immediately seen to behave, and as long as mathematics and physics were kept separate, then Galileo's pendulum claims could not be substantiated; the evidence was against them. Proof of the laws required not just a new science, but a new way of doing science, a new way of handling evidence, a new methodology of science. This was Galileo's method of idealisatioin. It was the foundation of the Galilean-Newtonian Paradigm which characterised the Scientific Revolution of the 17th century, and the subsequent centuries of modern science. As the pendulum was central to Galileo's and Newton's physics, appreciating the role of idealisation in their work is an instructive way to learn about the nature of science.

  3. Development of a two-dimensional dual pendulum thrust stand for Hall thrusters

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Nagao, N.; Yokota, S.; Komurasaki, K.

    A two-dimensional dual pendulum thrust stand was developed to measure thrust vectors (axial and horizontal (transverse) direction thrusts) of a Hall thruster. A thruster with a steering mechanism is mounted on the inner pendulum, and thrust is measured from the displacement between inner and outer pendulums, by which a thermal drift effect is canceled out. Two crossover knife-edges support each pendulum arm: one is set on the other at a right angle. They enable the pendulums to swing in two directions. Thrust calibration using a pulley and weight system showed that the measurement errors were less than 0.25 mN (1.4%)more » in the main thrust direction and 0.09 mN (1.4%) in its transverse direction. The thrust angle of the thrust vector was measured with the stand using the thruster. Consequently, a vector deviation from the main thrust direction of {+-}2.3 deg. was measured with the error of {+-}0.2 deg. under the typical operating conditions for the thruster.« less

  4. Sonic horizon formation for oscillating Bose-Einstein condensates in isotropic harmonic potential

    PubMed Central

    Wang, Ying; Zhou, Yu; Zhou, Shuyu

    2016-01-01

    We study the sonic horizon phenomena of the oscillating Bose-Einstein condensates in isotropic harmonic potential. Based on the Gross-Pitaevskii equation model and variational method, we derive the original analytical formula for the criteria and lifetime of the formation of the sonic horizon, demonstrating pictorially the interaction parameter dependence for the occur- rence of the sonic horizon and damping effect of the system distribution width. Our analytical results corroborate quantitatively the particular features of the sonic horizon reported in previous numerical study. PMID:27922129

  5. The Pendulum in the 21st Century-Relic or Trendsetter

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Peters, Randall D.

    2004-01-01

    When identifying instruments that have had great influence on the history of physics, none comes to mind more quickly than the pendulum. Though first treated scientifically by Galileo in the 16th century, and in some respects nearly "dead" by the middle of the 20th century; the pendulum experienced "rebirth" by becoming an archetype of chaos. With…

  6. Low speed and angle of attack effects on sonic and near-sonic inlets

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Hickcox, T. E.; Lawrence, R. L.; Syberg, J.; Wiley, D. R.

    1975-01-01

    Tests of the Quiet, Clean Short-Haul Experimental Engine (QCSEE) were conducted to determine the effects of forward velocity and angle of attack on sonic and near-sonic inlet aerodynamic performance penalties and acoustic suppression characteristics. The tests demonstrate that translating centerbody and radial vane sonic inlets, and QCSEE high throat Mach number inlets, can be designed to operate effectively at forward speed and moderate angle of attack with good performance and noise suppression capability. The test equipment and procedures used in conducting the evaluation are described. Results of the tests are presented in tabular form.

  7. A method for the determination of the coefficient of rolling friction using cycloidal pendulum

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ciornei, M. C.; Alaci, S.; Ciornei, F. C.; Romanu, I. C.

    2017-08-01

    The paper presents a method for experimental finding of coefficient of rolling friction appropriate for biomedical applications based on the theory of cycloidal pendulum. When a mobile circle rolls over a fixed straight line, the points from the circle describe trajectories called normal cycloids. To materialize this model, it is sufficient that a small region from boundary surfaces of a moving rigid body is spherical. Assuming pure rolling motion, the equation of motion of the cycloidal pendulum is obtained - an ordinary nonlinear differential equation. The experimental device is composed by two interconnected balls rolling over the material to be studied. The inertial characteristics of the pendulum can be adjusted via weights placed on a rod. A laser spot oscillates together to the pendulum and provides the amplitude of oscillations. After finding the experimental parameters necessary in differential equation of motion, it can be integrated using the Runge-Kutta of fourth order method. The equation was integrated for several materials and found values of rolling friction coefficients. Two main conclusions are drawn: the coefficient of rolling friction influenced significantly the amplitude of oscillation but the effect upon the period of oscillation is practically imperceptible. A methodology is proposed for finding the rolling friction coefficient and the pure rolling condition is verified.

  8. The sympathy of two pendulum clocks: beyond Huygens’ observations

    PubMed Central

    Peña Ramirez, Jonatan; Olvera, Luis Alberto; Nijmeijer, Henk; Alvarez, Joaquin

    2016-01-01

    This paper introduces a modern version of the classical Huygens’ experiment on synchronization of pendulum clocks. The version presented here consists of two monumental pendulum clocks—ad hoc designed and fabricated—which are coupled through a wooden structure. It is demonstrated that the coupled clocks exhibit ‘sympathetic’ motion, i.e. the pendula of the clocks oscillate in consonance and in the same direction. Interestingly, when the clocks are synchronized, the common oscillation frequency decreases, i.e. the clocks become slow and inaccurate. In order to rigorously explain these findings, a mathematical model for the coupled clocks is obtained by using well-established physical and mechanical laws and likewise, a theoretical analysis is conducted. Ultimately, the sympathy of two monumental pendulum clocks, interacting via a flexible coupling structure, is experimentally, numerically, and analytically demonstrated. PMID:27020903

  9. Sonic and Supersonic Jet Plumes

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Venkatapathy, E.; Naughton, J. W.; Flethcher, D. G.; Edwards, Thomas A. (Technical Monitor)

    1994-01-01

    Study of sonic and supersonic jet plumes are relevant to understanding such phenomenon as jet-noise, plume signatures, and rocket base-heating and radiation. Jet plumes are simple to simulate and yet, have complex flow structures such as Mach disks, triple points, shear-layers, barrel shocks, shock- shear- layer interaction, etc. Experimental and computational simulation of sonic and supersonic jet plumes have been performed for under- and over-expanded, axisymmetric plume conditions. The computational simulation compare very well with the experimental observations of schlieren pictures. Experimental data such as temperature measurements with hot-wire probes are yet to be measured and will be compared with computed values. Extensive analysis of the computational simulations presents a clear picture of how the complex flow structure develops and the conditions under which self-similar flow structures evolve. From the computations, the plume structure can be further classified into many sub-groups. In the proposed paper, detail results from the experimental and computational simulations for single, axisymmetric, under- and over-expanded, sonic and supersonic plumes will be compared and the fluid dynamic aspects of flow structures will be discussed.

  10. Lyapunov optimal feedback control of a nonlinear inverted pendulum

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Grantham, W. J.; Anderson, M. J.

    1989-01-01

    Liapunov optimal feedback control is applied to a nonlinear inverted pendulum in which the control torque was constrained to be less than the nonlinear gravity torque in the model. This necessitates a control algorithm which 'rocks' the pendulum out of its potential wells, in order to stabilize it at a unique vertical position. Simulation results indicate that a preliminary Liapunov feedback controller can successfully overcome the nonlinearity and bring almost all trajectories to the target.

  11. Autonomous navigation system. [gyroscopic pendulum for air navigation

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Merhav, S. J. (Inventor)

    1981-01-01

    An inertial navigation system utilizing a servo-controlled two degree of freedom pendulum to obtain specific force components in the locally level coordinate system is described. The pendulum includes a leveling gyroscope and an azimuth gyroscope supported on a two gimbal system. The specific force components in the locally level coordinate system are converted to components in the geographical coordinate system by means of a single Euler transformation. The standard navigation equations are solved to determine longitudinal and lateral velocities. Finally, vehicle position is determined by a further integration.

  12. High-Quality Seismic Observations of Sonic Booms

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Wurman, Gilead; Haering, Edward A., Jr.; Price, Michael J.

    2011-01-01

    The SonicBREWS project (Sonic Boom Resistant Earthquake Warning Systems) is a collaborative effort between Seismic Warning Systems, Inc. and NASA Dryden Flight Research Center. This project aims to evaluate the effects of sonic booms on Earthquake Warning Systems in order to prevent such systems from experiencing false alarms due to sonic booms. The airspace above the Antelope Valley, California includes the High Altitude Supersonic Corridor and the Black Mountain Supersonic Corridor. These corridors are among the few places in the US where supersonic flight is permitted, and sonic booms are commonplace in the Antelope Valley. One result of this project is a rich dataset of high-quality accelerometer records of sonic booms which can shed light on the interaction between these atmospheric phenomena and the solid earth. Nearly 100 sonic booms were recorded with low-noise triaxial MEMS accelerometers recording 1000 samples per second. The sonic booms had peak overpressures ranging up to approximately 10 psf and were recorded in three flight series in 2010 and 2011. Each boom was recorded with up to four accelerometers in various array configurations up to 100 meter baseline lengths, both in the built environment and the free field. All sonic booms were also recorded by nearby microphones. We present the results of the project in terms of the potential for sonic-boom-induced false alarms in Earthquake Warning Systems, and highlight some of the interesting features of the dataset.

  13. Subjective Response to Simulated Sonic Booms in Homes

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    McCurdy, David A.; Brown, Sherilyn A.

    1996-01-01

    One of the environmental issues affecting the development of a second-generation supersonic commercial transport is the impact of sonic booms on people. Aircraft designers are attempting to design the transport to produce sonic boom signatures that will have minimum impact on the public. Current supersonic commercial aircraft produce an 'N-wave' sonic boom pressure signature that is considered unacceptable by the public. This has resulted in first-generation supersonic transports being banned from flying supersonic over land in the United States, a severe economic constraint. By tailoring aircraft volume and lift distributions, designers hope to produce sonic boom signatures having specific shapes other than 'N-wave' that may be more acceptable to the public. As part of the effort to develop a second-generation supersonic commercial transport, Langley Research Center is conducting research to study people's subjective response to sonic booms. As part of that research, a system was developed for performing studies of the subjective response of people to the occurrence of simulated sonic booms in their homes. The In-Home Noise Generation/Response System (IHONORS) provides a degree of situational realism not available in the laboratory and a degree of control over the noise exposure not found in community surveys. The computer-controlled audio system generates the simulated sonic booms, measures the noise levels, and records the subjects' ratings and can be placed and operated in individual homes for extended periods of time. The system was used to conduct an in-home study of subjective response to simulated sonic booms. The primary objective of the study was to determine the effect on annoyance of the number of sonic boom occurrences in a realistic environment. The effects on annoyance of several other parameters were also examined. Initially, data analyses were based on all the data collected. However, further analyser found that test subjects adapted to the sonic

  14. Linear active disturbance rejection control of underactuated systems: the case of the Furuta pendulum.

    PubMed

    Ramírez-Neria, M; Sira-Ramírez, H; Garrido-Moctezuma, R; Luviano-Juárez, A

    2014-07-01

    An Active Disturbance Rejection Control (ADRC) scheme is proposed for a trajectory tracking problem defined on a nonfeedback linearizable Furuta Pendulum example. A desired rest to rest angular position reference trajectory is to be tracked by the horizontal arm while the unactuated vertical pendulum arm stays around its unstable vertical position without falling down during the entire maneuver and long after it concludes. A linear observer-based linear controller of the ADRC type is designed on the basis of the flat tangent linearization of the system around an arbitrary equilibrium. The advantageous combination of flatness and the ADRC method makes it possible to on-line estimate and cancels the undesirable effects of the higher order nonlinearities disregarded by the linearization. These effects are triggered by fast horizontal arm tracking maneuvers driving the pendulum substantially away from the initial equilibrium point. Convincing experimental results, including a comparative test with a sliding mode controller, are presented. © 2013 ISA. Published by ISA. All rights reserved.

  15. Ultrasonic/Sonic Impacting Penetrators

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Bao, Xiaoqi; Bar-Cohen, Yoseph; Chang, Zensheu; Sherrit, Stewart; Stark, Randall A.

    2008-01-01

    Ultrasonic/sonic impacting penetrators (USIPs) are recent additions to the series of apparatuses based on ultrasonic/sonic drill corers (USDCs). A USIP enables a rod probe to penetrate packed soil or another substance of similar consistency, without need to apply a large axial force that could result in buckling of the probe or in damage to some buried objects. USIPs were conceived for use in probing and analyzing soil to depths of tens of centimeters in the vicinity of buried barrels containing toxic waste, without causing rupture of the barrels. USIPs could also be used for other purposes, including, for example, searching for pipes, barrels, or other hard objects buried in soil; and detecting land mines. USDCs and other apparatuses based on USDCs have been described in numerous previous NASA Tech Briefs articles. The ones reported previously were designed, variously, for boring into, and/or acquiring samples of, rock or other hard, brittle materials of geological interest. To recapitulate: A USDC can be characterized as a lightweight, low-power, piezoelectrically driven jackhammer in which ultrasonic and sonic vibrations are generated and coupled to a tool bit. As shown in the figure, a basic USDC includes a piezoelectric stack, a backing and a horn connected to the stack, a free mass (free in the sense that it can slide axially a short distance between the horn and the shoulder of tool bit), and a tool bit, i.e., probe for USIP. The piezoelectric stack is driven at the resonance frequency of the stack/horn/backing assembly to create ultrasonic vibrations that are mechanically amplified by the horn. To prevent fracture during operation, the piezoelectric stack is held in compression by a bolt. The bouncing of the free mass between the horn and the tool bit at sonic frequencies generates hammering actions to the bit that are more effective for drilling than is the microhammering action of ultrasonic vibrations in ordinary ultrasonic drills. The hammering actions

  16. Electronic system for the complex measurement of a Wilberforce pendulum

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kos, B.; Grodzicki, M.; Wasielewski, R.

    2018-05-01

    The authors present a novel application of a micro-electro-mechanical measurement system to the description of basic physical phenomena in a model Wilberforce pendulum. The composition of the kit includes a tripod with a mounted spring with freely hanging bob, a module GY-521 on the MPU 6050 coupled with an Arduino Uno, which in conjunction with a PC acts as measuring set. The system allows one to observe the swing of the pendulum in real time. Obtained data stays in good agreement with both theoretical predictions and previous works. The aim of this article is to introduce the study of a Wilberforce pendulum to the canon of physical laboratory exercises due to its interesting properties and multifaceted method of measurement.

  17. The Sonic Altimeter for Aircraft

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Draper, C S

    1937-01-01

    Discussed here are results already achieved with sonic altimeters in light of the theoretical possibilities of such instruments. From the information gained in this investigation, a procedure is outlined to determine whether or not a further development program is justified by the value of the sonic altimeter as an aircraft instrument. The information available in the literature is reviewed and condensed into a summary of sonic altimeter developments. Various methods of receiving the echo and timing the interval between the signal and the echo are considered. A theoretical discussion is given of sonic altimeter errors due to uncertainties in timing, variations in sound velocity, aircraft speed, location of the sending and receiving units, and inclinations of the flight path with respect to the ground surface. Plots are included which summarize the results in each case. An analysis is given of the effect of an inclined flight path on the frequency of the echo. A brief study of the acoustical phases of the sonic altimeter problem is carried through. The results of this analysis are used to predict approximately the maximum operating altitudes of a reasonably designed sonic altimeter under very good and very bad conditions. A final comparison is made between the estimated and experimental maximum operating altitudes which shows good agreement where quantitative information is available.

  18. Subjective response of people to simulated sonic booms in their homes

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    McCurdy, David A.; Brown, Sherilyn A.; Hilliard, R. David

    2004-01-01

    In order to determine the effect of the number of sonic boom occurrences on annoyance, a computer-based system was developed for studying the subjective response of people to the occurrence of simulated sonic booms in their homes. The system provided a degree of control over the noise exposure not found in community surveys and a degree of situational realism not available in the laboratory. A system was deployed for eight weeks in each of 33 homes. Each day from 4 to 63 sonic booms were played as the test subject went about his or her normal activities. At the end of the day, the test subjects rated their annoyance to the sonic booms heard during the day. The sonic booms consisted of different combinations of waveforms, levels, and occurrence rates. The experiment confirmed that the increase in annoyance resulting from multiple occurrences can be modeled by the addition of the term "10 * log(number of occurrences)" to the sonic boom level. Of several noise metrics considered, perceived level was the best annoyance predictor. Comparisons of the subjective responses to the different sonic boom waveforms found no differences that were not accounted for by the noise metrics.

  19. Vibration Penalty Estimates for Indoor Annoyance Caused by Sonic Boom

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Rathsam, Jonathan; Klos, Jacob

    2016-01-01

    Commercial supersonic flight is currently forbidden over land because sonic booms have historically caused unacceptable annoyance levels in overflown communities. NASA is providing data and expertise to noise regulators as they consider relaxing the ban for future quiet supersonic aircraft. One key objective is a predictive model for indoor annoyance based on factors such as noise and indoor vibration levels. The current study quantified the increment in indoor sonic boom annoyance when sonic booms can be felt directly through structural vibrations in addition to being heard. A shaker mounted below each chair in the sonic boom simulator emulated vibrations transmitting through the structure to that chair. The vibration amplitudes were determined from numeric models of a large range of residential structures excited by the same sonic boom waveforms used in the experiment. The analysis yielded vibration penalties, which are the increments in sound level needed to increase annoyance as much as the vibration does. For sonic booms at acoustic levels from 75 to 84 dB Perceived Level, vibration signals with lower amplitudes (+1 sigma) yielded penalties from 0 to 5 dB, and vibration signals with higher amplitudes (+3 sigma) yielded penalties from 6 to 10 dB.

  20. Two-Pendulum Model of Propellant Slosh in Europa Clipper PMD Tank

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Ng, Wanyi; Benson, David

    2017-01-01

    The objective of this fluids analysis is to model propellant slosh for the Europa Clipper mission using a two-pendulum model, such that controls engineers can predict slosh behavior during the mission. Propellant slosh causes shifts in center of mass and exerts forces and torques on the spacecraft which, if not adequately controlled, can lead to mission failure. The two-pendulum model provides a computationally simple model that can be used to predict slosh for the Europa Clipper tank geometry. The Europa Clipper tank is cylindrical with a domed top and bottom and includes a propellant management device (PMD). Due to the lack of experimental data in low gravity environments, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation results were used as 'real' slosh behavior for two propellants at three fill fractions. Key pendulum parameters were derived that allow the pendulum model's center of mass, forces, and moments to closely match the CFD data. The parameter trends were examined as a function of tank fill fraction and compared with solutions to analytic equations that describe the frequency of slosh in tanks with simple geometries. The trends were monotonic as expected, and parameters resembled analytical predictions; any differences could be explained by the specific differences in the geometry of the tank. This paper summarizes the new method developed at Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) for deriving pendulum parameters for two-pendulum equivalent sloshing models. It presents the results of this method and discusses the validity of the results. This analysis is at a completed stage and will be applied in the immediate future to the evolving tank geometry as Europa Clipper moves past its preliminary design review (PDR) phase.

  1. Sonic boom (human response and atmospheric effects) outdoor-to-indoor response to minimized sonic booms

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Brown, David; Sutherland, Louis C.

    1992-01-01

    The preferred descriptor to define the spectral content of sonic booms is the Sound Exposure Spectrum Level, LE(f). This descriptor represents the spectral content of the basic noise descriptors used for describing any single event--the Sound Exposure Level, LE. The latter is equal to ten times the logarithms, to the base ten, of the integral, over the duration of the event, of the square of the instantaneous acoustic pressure, divided by the square of the reference pressure, 20 micro-Pa. When applied to the evaluation of community response to sonic booms, it is customary to use the so-called C-Weighted Sound Exposure Level, LCE, for which the frequency content of the instantaneous acoustic pressure is modified by the C-Weighting curve.

  2. Review of current sonic boom studies.

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Kane, E. J.

    1973-01-01

    Several aspects of the sonic boom phenomena are currently under investigation at The Boeing Co. This work, supported by the NASA and the FAA, includes an in-depth analysis of sonic boom measurements recorded at the BREN tower, a summary and evaluation of sonic boom investigations done in the last decade and a half, and configuration studies to determine practical lower bound sonic boom limits. The BREN tower test program yielded unique and valuable data because it was the first time that vertical profile measurements were made through caustics produced by maneuvers and atmospheric refraction. The objective of the second effort is to compile in a single reference an annotated abstract, including significant results, for each published sonic boom study and to provide a comprehensive review of the current state of the art to aid future researchers. The configuration work is devoted toward determining the feasibility of supersonic transport type airplanes with a primary design goal of acceptable sonic boom characteristics. Each of these investigations is briefly reviewed and significant results are discussed.

  3. Analysis of the linearity of half periods of the Lorentz pendulum

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wickramasinghe, T.; Ochoa, R.

    2005-05-01

    We analyze the motion of the Lorentz pendulum, a simple pendulum whose length is changed at a constant rate k. We show both analytically and numerically that the half period Tn, the time between half oscillations as measured from midpoint to midpoint, increases linearly with the oscillation number n such that Tn+1-Tn≈kπ2/2g, where g is the acceleration due to gravity. A video camera is used to record the motion of the oscillating bob of the pendulum and verify the linearity of Tn with oscillation number. The theory and the experiment are suitable for an advanced undergraduate laboratory.

  4. The Reproduction of Scientific Understanding about Pendulum Motion in the Public

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Manabu, Sumida

    2004-01-01

    This paper describes life-span development of understanding about pendulum motion and effects of school science. The subjects were 2,766 people ranging from kindergartners up to 88 years senior citizens. The conflict and consensus between children and their parent's understanding of pendulum motion were also analyzed. The kindergartner's…

  5. Comparison of strain rates of dart impacted plaques and pendulum impacted bumpers

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Scammell, K.L.

    1987-01-01

    The difference in strain rates prevailing during pendulum impact of bumpers versus high speed dart impact of plaques was investigated. Uni-axial strain gages were applied to the tension side of the plaques and bumpers directly opposite the point of impact. The plaques were impacted with an instrumented high rate dart impact tester and the bumpers impacted with a full scale bumper pendulum impact tester. Theoretical calculations and actual strain rate data support the conclusion that the strain rate of a plaque during dart impact significantly exceeds that of bumper strain rate during pendulum impact.

  6. Sonic-boom research: Selected bibliography with annotation

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Hubbard, H. H.; Maglieri, D. J.; Stephens, D. G.

    1986-01-01

    Citations of selected documents are included which represent the state of the art of technology in each of the following subject areas: prediction, measurement, and minimization of steady-flight sonic booms; prediction and measurement of accelerating-flight sonic booms; sonic-boom propagation; the effects of sonic booms on people, communities, structures, animals, birds, and terrain; and sonic-boom simulator technology. Documents are listed in chronological order in each section of the paper, with key documents and associated annotation listed first. The sources are given along with acquisition numbers, when available, to expedite the acquisition of copies of the documents.

  7. Pendulum impact tests of wooden and steel highway guardrail posts

    Treesearch

    Charles J. Gatchell; Jarvis D. Michie

    1974-01-01

    Impact strength characteristics of southern pine, red oak, and steel highway guardrail posts were evaluated in destructive impact testing with a 4,000-pound pendulum at the Southwest Research Institute. Effects were recorded with high-speed motion-picture equipment. Comparisons were based on reactions to the point of major post failure. Major comparisons of 6x6-inch...

  8. [Study on molecular recognition technology in active constituents extracted and isolated from Aconitum pendulum].

    PubMed

    Ma, Xue-Qin; Li, Guo-Shan; Fu, Xue-Yan; Ma, Jing-Zu

    2011-03-01

    To investigate CD molecular recognition technology applied in active constituents extracted and isolated from traditional Chinese medicine--Aconitum pendulum. The inclusion constant and form probability of the inclusion complex of Aconitum pendulum with p-CD was calculated by UV spectra method. The active constituents of Aconitum pendulum were extracted and isolated by molecular recognition technology. The inclusion complex was identified by UV. The chemical constituents of Aconitum pendulum and inclusion complex was determined by HPLC. The analgesic effects of inclusion complex was investigated by experiment of intraperitoneal injection of acetic acid in rats. The inclusion complex was identified and confirmed by UV spectra method, the chemical components of inclusion complex were simple, and the content of active constituents increased significantly, the analgesic effects of inclusion complex was well. The molecular recognition technology can be used for extracting and isolating active constituents of Aconitum pendulum, and the effects are obvious.

  9. Measuring g Using a Magnetic Pendulum and Telephone Pickup

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sinacore, J.; Takai, H.

    2010-10-01

    The simple pendulum has long been used to measure g, the acceleration due to gravity, with a precision of a few percent. Achieving agreement with the accepted value of less than 1% is feasible in the high school laboratory, though it requires some care. The precision of the measurement is bound by how accurately the period and the pendulum length are determined. To improve on the period measurement, we have developed a simple and inexpensive method using a magnet and telephone pickup.2

  10. The anisosphere as a new tool for interpreting Foucault pendulum experiments. Part I: harmonic oscillators

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Verreault, René

    2017-08-01

    In an attempt to explain the tendency of Foucault pendula to develop elliptical orbits, Kamerlingh Onnes derived equations of motion that suggest the use of great circles on a spherical surface as a graphical illustration for an anisotropic bi-dimensional harmonic oscillator, although he did not himself exploit the idea any further. The concept of anisosphere is introduced in this work as a new means of interpreting pendulum motion. It can be generalized to the case of any two-dimensional (2-D) oscillating system, linear or nonlinear, including the case where coupling between the 2 degrees of freedom is present. Earlier pendulum experiments in the literature are revisited and reanalyzed as a test for the anisosphere approach. While that graphical method can be applied to strongly nonlinear cases with great simplicity, this part I is illustrated through a revisit of Kamerlingh Onnes' dissertation, where a high performance pendulum skillfully emulates a 2-D harmonic oscillator. Anisotropy due to damping is also described. A novel experiment strategy based on the anisosphere approach is proposed. Finally, recent original results with a long pendulum using an electronic recording alidade are presented. A gain in precision over traditional methods by 2-3 orders of magnitude is achieved.

  11. Einstein versus the Simple Pendulum Formula: Does Gravity Slow All Clocks?

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Puri, Avinash

    2015-01-01

    According to the Newtonian formula for a simple pendulum, the period of a pendulum is inversely proportional to the square root of "g", the gravitational field strength. Einstein's theory of general relativity leads to the result that time slows down where gravity is intense. The two claims look contradictory and can muddle student and…

  12. An Apparatus to Demonstrate Linear and Nonlinear Oscillations of a Pendulum

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Mayer, V. V.; Varaksina, E. I.

    2016-01-01

    A physical pendulum with a magnetic load is proposed for comparison of linear and nonlinear oscillations. The magnetic load is repelled by permanent magnets which are disposed symmetrically relative to the load. It is established that positions of the pendulum and the magnets determine the dependence of restoring force on displacement of the load.…

  13. Micro-sonicator for spore lysis

    DOEpatents

    Miles, Robin R.; Belgrader, Phillip; Nasarabadi, Shanavaz L.

    2000-01-01

    A micro-sonicator for spore lysis. Using micromachining technology, the micro-sonicator uses ultrasonic excitation of spores to perform spore and cell lysis. The micro-sonicator comprises a container with a cavity therein for retaining the sample in an ultrasonic transmission medium, the cavity being closed by a silicon membrane to which an electrode and piezoelectric material are attached, with the electrode and piezoelectric material being electrically connected to an AC signal generator which causes the membrane to flex and vibrate at the frequency of the applied voltage.

  14. Maxillary molar distalization: Pendulum and Fast-Back, comparison between two approaches for Class II malocclusion.

    PubMed

    Caprioglio, Alberto; Beretta, Matteo; Lanteri, Claudio

    2011-01-01

    To compare the dento-alveolar and skeletal effects produced by two different molar intraoral distalization appliances, Pendulum and Fast-Back, both followed by fixed appliances, in the treatment of Class II malocclusion. 41 patients for Pendulum (18 males and 23 females) and 35 for Fast-Back (14 males and 21 females) were selected, with a mean age at the start of treatment of 12.11 years in the Pendulum group and 13.3 for in the Fast-Back group. The durations of the distalization phase were 8 months in the Pendulum group and 9 months in the Fast-Back group, and the durations of the second phase of treatment with fixed appliances were 19 months in the Pendulum group and 20 months in the Fast-Back group. Lateral cephalograms were analyzed at 3 observation times: before treatment, after distalization and after comprehensive orthodontic treatment. During molar distalization the Pendulum subjects showed greater distal molar movement and less anchorage loss at both the premolars and maxillary incisors than the Fast-Back subjects. Pendulum and Fast-Back produced similar amounts of distal molar movement and overcorrection of molar relationship at the end of distalization though the Fast-Back induced a more bodily movement. Very little change occurred in the inclination of the mandibular plane at the end of the 2-phase treatment in both groups. At the end of treatment the maxillary first molars were on average 1mm more distal in the Pendulum group compared to the Fast-Back group, while the total molar correction was 3.2mm with 3.9° of distal inclination for the Pendulum and 2mm with 1.1° of mesial inclination for the Fast-Back. Both appliance were equally effective in inducing a satisfactory Class I relationship in 97.2% of the cases. The Pendulum and the Fast-Back induce similar dentoskeletal effects. The use of the two distalization devices, therefore, can be considered clinically equivalent. Copyright © 2011 Società Italiana di Ortodonzia SIDO. Published by Elsevier

  15. A simple pendulum-based measurement of g with a smartphone light sensor

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pili, Unofre; Violanda, Renante

    2018-07-01

    A quick and very accessible method for the measurement of acceleration due to gravity is presented. The experimental set-up employs a smartphone ambient light sensor as the motion timer for measuring the period of a simple pendulum. This allowed us to obtain an experimental value, 9.72  +  0.05 m s‑2, for the gravitational acceleration which is in good agreement with the local theoretical value of 9.78 m s‑2.

  16. Analysis of Pendulum Period with an iPod Touch/iPhone

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Briggle, Justin

    2013-01-01

    We describe the use of Apple's iPod touch/iPhone, acting as the pendulum bob, as a means of measuring pendulum period, making use of the device's three-axis digital accelerometer and the freely available SPARKvue app from PASCO scientific. The method can be readily incorporated into an introductory physics laboratory experiment.…

  17. The Bravais Pendulum: The Distinct Charm of an Almost Forgotten Experiment

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Babovic, V. M.; Mekic, S.

    2011-01-01

    In the year 1851 in Paris, the apparent change of the plane of oscillation of a linear pendulum was observed by Leon Foucault. In the same year, at the same place, the unequal duration of the oscillations of a right- and left-handed conical pendulum was observed by Bravais. Today, the Foucault pendula are common at universities, the Bravais…

  18. Roles of Abductive Reasoning and Prior Belief in Children's Generation of Hypotheses about Pendulum Motion

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Kwon, Yong-Ju; Jeong, Jin-Su; Park, Yun-Bok

    2006-01-01

    The purpose of the present study was to test the hypothesis that student's abductive reasoning skills play an important role in the generation of hypotheses on pendulum motion tasks. To test the hypothesis, a hypothesis-generating test on pendulum motion, and a prior-belief test about pendulum motion were developed and administered to a sample of…

  19. Strange mechanics of the neutrino flavor pendulum

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Johns, Lucas; Fuller, George M.

    2018-01-01

    We identify in the flavor transformation of astrophysical neutrinos a new class of phenomena, a common outcome of which is the suppression of flavor conversion. Appealing to the equivalence between a bipolar neutrino system and a gyroscopic pendulum, we find that these phenomena have rather striking interpretations in the mechanical picture: in one instance, the gyroscopic pendulum initially precesses in one direction, then comes to a halt and begins to precess in the opposite direction—a counterintuitive behavior that we analogize to the motion of a toy known as a rattleback. We analyze these behaviors in the early Universe, wherein a chance connection to sterile neutrino dark matter emerges, and we briefly suggest how they might manifest in compact-object environments.

  20. Pendulum Motion and Differential Equations

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Reid, Thomas F.; King, Stephen C.

    2009-01-01

    A common example of real-world motion that can be modeled by a differential equation, and one easily understood by the student, is the simple pendulum. Simplifying assumptions are necessary for closed-form solutions to exist, and frequently there is little discussion of the impact if those assumptions are not met. This article presents a…

  1. Integrating Virtual Worlds with Tangible User Interfaces for Teaching Mathematics: A Pilot Study.

    PubMed

    Guerrero, Graciela; Ayala, Andrés; Mateu, Juan; Casades, Laura; Alamán, Xavier

    2016-10-25

    This article presents a pilot study of the use of two new tangible interfaces and virtual worlds for teaching geometry in a secondary school. The first tangible device allows the user to control a virtual object in six degrees of freedom. The second tangible device is used to modify virtual objects, changing attributes such as position, size, rotation and color. A pilot study on using these devices was carried out at the "Florida Secundaria" high school. A virtual world was built where students used the tangible interfaces to manipulate geometrical figures in order to learn different geometrical concepts. The pilot experiment results suggest that the use of tangible interfaces and virtual worlds allowed a more meaningful learning (concepts learnt were more durable).

  2. Integrating Virtual Worlds with Tangible User Interfaces for Teaching Mathematics: A Pilot Study

    PubMed Central

    Guerrero, Graciela; Ayala, Andrés; Mateu, Juan; Casades, Laura; Alamán, Xavier

    2016-01-01

    This article presents a pilot study of the use of two new tangible interfaces and virtual worlds for teaching geometry in a secondary school. The first tangible device allows the user to control a virtual object in six degrees of freedom. The second tangible device is used to modify virtual objects, changing attributes such as position, size, rotation and color. A pilot study on using these devices was carried out at the “Florida Secundaria” high school. A virtual world was built where students used the tangible interfaces to manipulate geometrical figures in order to learn different geometrical concepts. The pilot experiment results suggest that the use of tangible interfaces and virtual worlds allowed a more meaningful learning (concepts learnt were more durable). PMID:27792132

  3. Development of the sonic pump levitation

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Dunn, S. A.

    1984-01-01

    A prototype levitating/positioning device termed the Sonic Pump Levitator was designed, built and successfully tested in full gravity and in the reduced gravity of the parabolic flight regime of the KC-135. Positioning is achieved by timely and appropriate application of gas momentum from one or more of six sonic pumps. The sonic pumps, which are arranged orthogonally in opposed pairs about the levitation region, are activated by an electro-optical, computer controlled, feedback system. The sonic pump is a transducer which is capable of converting sound energy into a directed flow of gas. It consists of a loudspeaker whose face is sealed by a closure perforated by one or more orifices. The diaphragm of the loudspeaker is the only moving part of the sonic pump, no valves being needed. This very low inertia electromechanical device was developed to provide the short response time necessary to keep pace with the demands of computerized position keeping.

  4. Ultrasonic/Sonic Jackhammer

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Bar-Cohen, Yoseph; Sherrit, Stewart; Herz, Jack

    2005-01-01

    An ultrasonic/sonic jackhammer (USJ) is the latest in a series of related devices. Each of these devices cuts into a brittle material by means of hammering and chiseling actions of a tool bit excited with a combination of ultrasonic and sonic vibrations. A small-scale prototype of the USJ has been demonstrated. A fully developed, full-scale version of the USJ would be used for cutting through concrete, rocks, hard asphalt, and other materials to which conventional pneumatic jackhammers are applied, but the USJ would offer several advantages over conventional pneumatic jackhammers.

  5. Sonic levitation apparatus

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Dunn, S. A.; Pomplum, A. R.; Paquette, E. G.; Ethridge, E. C.; Johnson, J. L. (Inventor)

    1984-01-01

    A sonic levitation apparatus is disclosed which includes a sonic transducer which generates acoustical energy responsive to the level of an electrical amplifier. A duct communicates with an acoustical chamber to deliver an oscillatory motion of air to a plenum section which contains a collimated hole structure having a plurality of parallel orifices. The collimated hole structure converts the motion of the air to a pulsed. Unidirectional stream providing enough force to levitate a material specimen. Particular application to the production of microballoons in low gravity environment is discussed.

  6. Innovation & evaluation of tangible direct manipulation digital drawing pens for children.

    PubMed

    Lee, Tai-Hua; Wu, Fong-Gong; Chen, Huei-Tsz

    2017-04-01

    Focusing on the theme of direct manipulation, in this study, we proposed a new and innovative tangible user interface (TUI) design concept for a manipulative digital drawing pen. Based on interviews with focus groups brainstorming and experts and the results of a field survey, we selected the most suitable tangible user interface for children between 4 and 7 years of age. Using the new tangible user interface, children could choose between the brush tools after touching and feeling the various patterns. The thickness of the brush could be adjusted by changing the tilt angle. In a subsequent experimental process we compared the differences in performance and subjective user satisfaction. A total of sixteen children, aged 4-7 years participated in the experiment. Two operating system experiments (the new designed tangible digital drawing pen and traditional visual interface-icon-clicking digital drawing pens) were performed at random and in turns. We assessed their manipulation performance, accuracy, brush stroke richness and subjective evaluations. During the experimental process we found that operating functions using the direct manipulation method, and adding shapes and semantic models to explain the purpose of each function, enabled the children to perform stroke switches relatively smoothly. By using direct manipulation digital pens, the children could improve their stroke-switching performance for digital drawing. Additionally, by using various patterns to represent different brushes or tools, the children were able to make selections using their sense of touch, thereby reducing the time required to move along the drawing pens and select icons (The significant differences (p = 0.000, p < 0.01) existed in the manipulation times for drawing thick lines using the crayon function of the two (new and old) drawing pens (new 5.8750 < old 10.7500)). The addition of direct manipulation movements to drawing operations enhanced the drawing results, thereby

  7. A measurement of G with a cryogenic torsion pendulum.

    PubMed

    Newman, Riley; Bantel, Michael; Berg, Eric; Cross, William

    2014-10-13

    A measurement of Newton's gravitational constant G has been made with a cryogenic torsion pendulum operating below 4 K in a dynamic mode in which G is determined from the change in torsional period when a field source mass is moved between two orientations. The source mass was a pair of copper rings that produced an extremely uniform gravitational field gradient, whereas the pendulum was a thin fused silica plate, a combination that minimized the measurement's sensitivity to error in pendulum placement. The measurement was made using an as-drawn CuBe torsion fibre, a heat-treated CuBe fibre, and an as-drawn Al5056 fibre. The pendulum operated with a set of different large torsional amplitudes. The three fibres yielded high Q-values: 82 000, 120 000 and 164 000, minimizing experimental bias from fibre anelasticity. G-values found with the three fibres are, respectively: {6.67435(10),6.67408(15),6.67455(13)}×10(-11) m(3) kg(-1) s(-2), with corresponding uncertainties 14, 22 and 20 ppm. Relative to the CODATA2010 G-value, these are higher by 77, 37 and 107 ppm, respectively. The unweighted average of the three G-values, with the unweighted average of their uncertainties, is 6.67433(13)×10(-11) m(3) kg(-1) s(-2) (19 ppm). © 2014 The Author(s) Published by the Royal Society. All rights reserved.

  8. NASA Ames Sonic Boom Testing

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Durston, Donald A.; Kmak, Francis J.

    2009-01-01

    Multiple sonic boom wind tunnel models were tested in the NASA Ames Research Center 9-by 7-Foot Supersonic Wind Tunnel to reestablish related test techniques in this facility. The goal of the testing was to acquire higher fidelity sonic boom signatures with instrumentation that is significantly more sensitive than that used during previous wind tunnel entries and to compare old and new data from established models. Another objective was to perform tunnel-to-tunnel comparisons of data from a Gulfstream sonic boom model tested at the NASA Langley Research Center 4-foot by 4-foot Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel.

  9. On the Stable Limit Cycle of a Weight-Driven Pendulum Clock

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Llibre, J; Teixeira, M. A.

    2010-01-01

    In a recent paper (Denny 2002 Eur. J. Phys. 23 449-58), entitled "The pendulum clock: a venerable dynamical system", Denny showed that in a first approximation the steady-state motion of a weight-driven pendulum clock is shown to be a stable limit cycle. He placed the problem in a historical context and obtained an approximate solution using the…

  10. Evaluation of human response to structural vibrations induced by sonic booms

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Sutherland, Louis C.; Czech, J.

    1992-01-01

    The topic is addressed of building vibration response to sonic boom and the evaluation of the associated human response to this vibration. An attempt is made to reexamine some of the issues addressed previously and to offer fresh insight that may assist in reassessing the potential impact of sonic boom over populated areas. Human response to vibration is reviewed first and a new human vibration response criterion curve is developed as a function of frequency. The difference between response to steady state versus impulsive vibration is addressed and a 'vibration exposure' or 'vibration energy' descriptor is suggested as one possible way to evaluate duration effects on response to transient vibration from sonic booms. New data on the acoustic signature of rattling objects are presented along with a review of existing data on the occurrence of rattle. Structural response to sonic boom is reviewed and a new descriptor, 'Acceleration Exposure Level' is suggested which can be easily determined from the Fourier Spectrum of a sonic boom. A preliminary assessment of potential impact from sonic booms is provided in terms of human response to vibration and detection of rattle based on a synthesis of the preceding material.

  11. Status of sonic boom methodology and understanding

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Darden, Christine M.; Powell, Clemans A.; Hayes, Wallace D.; George, Albert R.; Pierce, Allan D.

    1989-01-01

    In January 1988, approximately 60 representatives of industry, academia, government, and the military gathered at NASA-Langley for a 2 day workshop on the state-of-the-art of sonic boom physics, methodology, and understanding. The purpose of the workshop was to assess the sonic boom area, to determine areas where additional sonic boom research is needed, and to establish some strategies and priorities in this sonic boom research. Attendees included many internationally recognized sonic boom experts who had been very active in the Supersonic Transport (SST) and Supersonic Cruise Aircraft Research Programs of the 60's and 70's. Summaries of the assessed state-of-the-art and the research needs in theory, minimization, atmospheric effects during propagation, and human response are given.

  12. Self-excited electrostatic pendulum showing electrohydrodynamic-force-induced oscillation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Stephan, Karl D.; Hernandez Guerrero, José M.

    2017-12-01

    The electrohydrodynamic (EHD) effect ("ion wind") associated with corona discharges in air has been extensively investigated and modeled. We present a simple experiment that shows how both the magnitude and direction of EHD forces can change in such a way as to impart energy continuously to an oscillating electrostatic pendulum. The amplitude of oscillations of an electrostatic pendulum subject to EHD forces can grow approximately exponentially over a period of minutes, and we describe a qualitative theory to account for this effect, along with implications of these experiments for theories of ball lightning.

  13. Adaptive Neural Network Control for the Trajectory Tracking of the Furuta Pendulum.

    PubMed

    Moreno-Valenzuela, Javier; Aguilar-Avelar, Carlos; Puga-Guzman, Sergio A; Santibanez, Victor

    2016-12-01

    The purpose of this paper is to introduce a novel adaptive neural network-based control scheme for the Furuta pendulum, which is a two degree-of-freedom underactuated system. Adaptation laws for the input and output weights are also provided. The proposed controller is able to guarantee tracking of a reference signal for the arm while the pendulum remains in the upright position. The key aspect of the derivation of the controller is the definition of an output function that depends on the position and velocity errors. The internal and external dynamics are rigorously analyzed, thereby proving the uniform ultimate boundedness of the error trajectories. By using real-time experiments, the new scheme is compared with other control methodologies, therein demonstrating the improved performance of the proposed adaptive algorithm.

  14. Unstructured grids for sonic-boom analysis

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Fouladi, Kamran

    1993-01-01

    A fast and efficient unstructured grid scheme is evaluated for sonic-boom applications. The scheme is used to predict the near-field pressure signatures of a body of revolution at several body lengths below the configuration, and those results are compared with experimental data. The introduction of the 'sonic-boom grid topology' to this scheme make it well suited for sonic-boom applications, thus providing an alternative to conventional multiblock structured grid schemes.

  15. Tangible and Intangible Student Success

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Johnson, Marc A.

    2015-01-01

    The value that honors programs hold for universities lies in the tangibles. Honors programs help an institution pinpoint and cultivate the talents of its finest students. They help these students achieve undergraduate research and encourage them to seek further inquiry and creative endeavor. They provide the counsel, advising, and encouragement…

  16. Viscous-pendulum damper suppresses structural vibrations

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Reed, W. H., III

    1964-01-01

    The viscous pendulum damper consists of a cylinder containing round trays on which round lead slugs rest. When assembled, the container is filled with a viscous liquid and attached, with axis vertical, to the structure. The device permits varying the damping of structural vibrations.

  17. A Simple, Low-Cost, Data-Logging Pendulum Built from a Computer Mouse

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Gintautas, Vadas; Hubler, Alfred

    2009-01-01

    Lessons and homework problems involving a pendulum are often a big part of introductory physics classes and laboratory courses from high school to undergraduate levels. Although laboratory equipment for pendulum experiments is commercially available, it is often expensive and may not be affordable for teachers on fixed budgets, particularly in…

  18. High precision UTDR measurements by sonic velocity compensation with reference transducer.

    PubMed

    Stade, Sam; Kallioinen, Mari; Mänttäri, Mika; Tuuva, Tuure

    2014-07-02

    An ultrasonic sensor design with sonic velocity compensation is developed to improve the accuracy of distance measurement in membrane modules. High accuracy real-time distance measurements are needed in membrane fouling and compaction studies. The benefits of the sonic velocity compensation with a reference transducer are compared to the sonic velocity calculated with the measured temperature and pressure using the model by Belogol'skii, Sekoyan et al. In the experiments the temperature was changed from 25 to 60 °C at pressures of 0.1, 0.3 and 0.5 MPa. The set measurement distance was 17.8 mm. Distance measurements with sonic velocity compensation were over ten times more accurate than the ones calculated based on the model. Using the reference transducer measured sonic velocity, the standard deviations for the distance measurements varied from 0.6 to 2.0 µm, while using the calculated sonic velocity the standard deviations were 21-39 µm. In industrial liquors, not only the temperature and the pressure, which were studied in this paper, but also the properties of the filtered solution, such as solute concentration, density, viscosity, etc., may vary greatly, leading to inaccuracy in the use of the Belogol'skii, Sekoyan et al. model. Therefore, calibration of the sonic velocity with reference transducers is needed for accurate distance measurements.

  19. Comparison of the effects produced by headgear and pendulum appliances followed by fixed orthodontic treatment.

    PubMed

    Angelieri, Fernanda; de Almeida, Renato Rodrigues; Janson, Guilherme; Castanha Henriques, José Fernando; Pinzan, Arnaldo

    2008-12-01

    This study compared the effects produced by two different molar distalizers, namely cervical headgear (CHG) and the intraoral pendulum appliance, associated with fixed orthodontic appliances. The headgear group comprised 30 patients (19 females, 11 males), with an initial age of 13.07 years [standard deviation (SD) = 1.3], treated with CHG and fixed orthodontic appliances for a mean period of 3.28 years, and the pendulum group 22 patients (15 females, 7 males), with initial age of 13.75 years (SD = 1.86), treated with the pendulum appliance followed by fixed orthodontic appliances for a mean period of 4.12 years. Lateral cephalograms were taken at the start (T1) and on completion (T2) of orthodontic treatment. The pendulum and CHG groups were similar as to initial age, severity of the Class II malocclusion, gender distribution, initial cephalometric characteristics, and initial and final treatment priority index (TPI). Only treatment time was not similar between the groups, with a need for annualization for data for the pendulum group. The data were compared with independent t-tests. There was significantly greater restriction of maxillary forward growth and improvement of the skeletal maxillomandibular relationship in the CHG group (P < 0.05). The maxillary molars were more mesially tipped and extruded and the mandibular molars more uprighted in the CHG group compared with the pendulum group (P < 0.05). There was more labial tipping of the mandibular incisors and greater overbite reduction in the pendulum group. The pendulum appliance produced only dentoalveolar effects, different from the CHG appliance, which restricted maxillary forward displacement, thus improving the skeletal maxillomandibular relationship.

  20. High-Speed Research: Sonic Boom, volume 1

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Darden, Christine M. (Compiler)

    1992-01-01

    A High-Speed Sonic Boom Workshop was held at LaRC of Feb. 25-27, 1992. The purpose was to make presentations on current research activities and accomplishments and to assess progress in the area of sonic boom since the program was initiated in FY-90. Twenty-nine papers were presented during the 2-1/2 day workshop. Attendees included representatives from academia, industry, and government who are actively involved in sonic-boom research. Volume 1 contains papers related to atmospheric effects on the sonic-boom signature during propagation and on acceptability studies.

  1. Design and analysis of a torsion braid pendulum displacement transducer

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Rind, E.; Bryant, E. L.

    1981-01-01

    The dynamic properties at various temperatures of braids impregnated with polymer can be measured by using the braid as the suspension of a torsion pendulum. This report describes the electronic and mechanical design of a torsional braid pendulum displacement transducer which is an advance in the state of the art. The transducer uses a unique optical design consisting of refracting quartz windows used in conjunction with a differential photocell to produce a null signal. The release mechanism for initiating free torsional oscillation of the pendulum has also been improved. Analysis of the precision and accuracy of the transducer indicated that the maximum relative error in measuring torsional amplitude was approximately 0. A serious problem inherent in all instruments which use a torsional suspension was analyzed: misalignment of the physical and torsional axes of the torsional member which results in modulation of the amplitude of the free oscillation.

  2. Technical strategy of triple jump: differences of inverted pendulum model between hop-dominated and balance techniques.

    PubMed

    Fujibayashi, Nobuaki; Otsuka, Mitsuo; Yoshioka, Shinsuke; Isaka, Tadao

    2017-10-24

    The present study aims to cross-sectionally clarify the characteristics of the motions of an inverted pendulum model, a stance leg, a swing leg and arms in different triple-jumping techniques to understand whether or not hop displacement is relatively longer rather than step and jump displacements. Eighteen male athletes performed the triple jump with a full run-up. Based on the technique of the jumpers, they were classified as hop-dominated (n = 10) or balance (n = 8) jumpers. The kinematic data were calculated using motion capture and compared between the two techniques using the inverted pendulum model. The hop-dominated jumpers had a significantly longer hop displacement and faster vertical centre-of-mass (COM) velocity of their whole body at hop take-off, which was generated by faster rotation behaviours of inverted pendulum model and faster swinging behaviours of arms. Conversely, balance jumpers had a significantly longer jump displacement and faster horizontal COM velocity of their whole body at take-off, which was generated by a stiffer inverted pendulum model and stance leg. The results demonstrate that hop-dominated and balance jumpers enhanced each dominated-jump displacement using different swing- and stance-leg motions. This information may help to enhance the actual displacement of triple jumpers using different jumping techniques.

  3. High-Speed Research: Sonic Boom, Volume 1

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Edwards, Thomas A. (Editor)

    1994-01-01

    The second High-Speed Research Program Sonic Boom Workshop was held at NASA Ames Research Center May 12-14, 1993. The workshop was organized into three sessions dealing with atmospheric propagation, acceptability, and configuration design. Volume 1 includes papers on atmospheric propagation and acceptability studies. Significant progress is noted in these areas in the time since the previous workshop a year earlier. In particular, several papers demonstrate an improved capability to model the effect of atmospheric turbulence on sonic booms. This is a key issue in determining the stability and acceptability of shaped sonic booms. In the area of acceptability, the PLdB metric has withstood considerable scrutiny and is validated as a loudness metric for a wide variety of sonic boom shapes. The differential loudness of asymmetric sonic booms is better understood, too.

  4. Human Subject Effects on Torsion Pendulum Oscillations: Further Evidence of Mediation by Convection Currents.

    PubMed

    Hammerschlag, Richard; Linda Baldwin, Ann; Schwartz, Gary E

    When a human subject sits beneath a wire mesh, hemispheric torsion pendulum (TP) a rapid-onset series of oscillations at frequencies both higher and lower than the fundamental frequency of the TP have been consistently observed. This study was designed to replicate and extend prior findings that suggest the human subject effect on TP behavior is due to subject-generated, heat-induced convection currents. Effects on pendulum behavior were tested after draping an aluminized "space blanket" over the subject and by replacing the subject with a thermal mattress pad shaped to approximate the human form. Experiments were performed in a basic science university research laboratory. Real-time recordings and Fast Fourier Transform frequency spectra of pendulum oscillatory movement. The space blanket blocked, while the mattress pad mimicked, the human subject induced complex array of pendulum oscillations. Our findings support and strengthen previous results that suggest the effects of human subjects on behavior of a torsion pendulum are mediated by body-heat-induced air convection rather than an unknown type of biofield. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  5. Field intercomparison of prevailing sonic anemometers

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mauder, Matthias; Zeeman, Matthias J.

    2018-01-01

    Three-dimensional sonic anemometers are the core component of eddy covariance systems, which are widely used for micrometeorological and ecological research. In order to characterize the measurement uncertainty of these instruments we present and analyse the results from a field intercomparison experiment of six commonly used sonic anemometer models from four major manufacturers. These models include Campbell CSAT3, Gill HS-50 and R3, METEK uSonic-3 Omni, R. M. Young 81000 and 81000RE. The experiment was conducted over a meadow at the TERENO/ICOS site DE-Fen in southern Germany over a period of 16 days in June of 2016 as part of the ScaleX campaign. The measurement height was 3 m for all sensors, which were separated by 9 m from each other, each on its own tripod, in order to limit contamination of the turbulence measurements by adjacent structures as much as possible. Moreover, the high-frequency data from all instruments were treated with the same post-processing algorithm. In this study, we compare the results for various turbulence statistics, which include mean horizontal wind speed, standard deviations of vertical wind velocity and sonic temperature, friction velocity, and the buoyancy flux. Quantitative measures of uncertainty, such as bias and comparability, are derived from these results. We find that biases are generally very small for all sensors and all computed variables, except for the sonic temperature measurements of the two Gill sonic anemometers (HS and R3), confirming a known transducer-temperature dependence of the sonic temperature measurement. The best overall agreement between the different instruments was found for the mean wind speed and the buoyancy flux.

  6. Chemistry and the Pendulum--What Have They to Do with Each Other?

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    De Berg, K. C.

    2006-01-01

    Physicists have known for some time that pendulum motion is a useful analogy for other physical processes. Chemists have played with the idea from time to time but the strength of the analogy between pendulum motion and chemical processes has only received prominent published recognition since about 1980, although there are details of the analogy…

  7. Effects of tangible social support and depression on diabetes self-efficacy.

    PubMed

    Coffman, Maren J

    2008-04-01

    Although social support has been found to promote health and decrease depression in individuals with diabetes, little research has examined the kinds and sources of support. This descriptive correlational study examined the effects of diabetes-related tangible social support and depression on diabetes self-efficacy in Hispanic older adults. Participants were predominantly Puerto Rican, and many were depressed. Primary support needs included transportation and communication; family was the primary source of support. Variables associated with diabetes self-efficacy included tangible support and education. Understanding the relationship between diabetes tangible support, depression, and diabetes self-efficacy will help nurses adapt their care.

  8. Magnetic effect in the test of the weak equivalence principle using a rotating torsion pendulum

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhu, Lin; Liu, Qi; Zhao, Hui-Hui; Yang, Shan-Qing; Luo, Pengshun; Shao, Cheng-Gang; Luo, Jun

    2018-04-01

    The high precision test of the weak equivalence principle (WEP) using a rotating torsion pendulum requires thorough analysis of systematic effects. Here we investigate one of the main systematic effects, the coupling of the ambient magnetic field to the pendulum. It is shown that the dominant term, the interaction between the average magnetic field and the magnetic dipole of the pendulum, is decreased by a factor of 1.1 × 104 with multi-layer magnetic shield shells. The shield shells reduce the magnetic field to 1.9 × 10-9 T in the transverse direction so that the dipole-interaction limited WEP test is expected at η ≲ 10-14 for a pendulum dipole less than 10-9 A m2. The high-order effect, the coupling of the magnetic field gradient to the magnetic quadrupole of the pendulum, would also contribute to the systematic errors for a test precision down to η ˜ 10-14.

  9. Magnetic effect in the test of the weak equivalence principle using a rotating torsion pendulum.

    PubMed

    Zhu, Lin; Liu, Qi; Zhao, Hui-Hui; Yang, Shan-Qing; Luo, Pengshun; Shao, Cheng-Gang; Luo, Jun

    2018-04-01

    The high precision test of the weak equivalence principle (WEP) using a rotating torsion pendulum requires thorough analysis of systematic effects. Here we investigate one of the main systematic effects, the coupling of the ambient magnetic field to the pendulum. It is shown that the dominant term, the interaction between the average magnetic field and the magnetic dipole of the pendulum, is decreased by a factor of 1.1 × 10 4 with multi-layer magnetic shield shells. The shield shells reduce the magnetic field to 1.9 × 10 -9 T in the transverse direction so that the dipole-interaction limited WEP test is expected at η ≲ 10 -14 for a pendulum dipole less than 10 -9 A m 2 . The high-order effect, the coupling of the magnetic field gradient to the magnetic quadrupole of the pendulum, would also contribute to the systematic errors for a test precision down to η ∼ 10 -14 .

  10. High-Speed Research: Sonic Boom, volume 2

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Darden, Christine M. (Compiler)

    1992-01-01

    A High-Speed Sonic Boom Workshop was held at NASA Langley Research Center on February 25-27, 1992. The purpose of the workshop was to make presentations on current research activities and accomplishments and to assess progress in the area of sonic boom since the program was initiated in FY-90. Twenty-nine papers were presented during the 2-1/2 day workshop. Attendees included representatives from academia, industry, and government who are actively involved in sonic-boom research. Volume 2 contains papers related to low sonic-boom design and analysis using both linear theory and higher order computational fluid dynamics (CFD) methods.

  11. NASA Test Flights Examine Effect of Atmospheric Turbulence on Sonic Booms

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2016-07-20

    One of three microphone arrays positioned strategically along the ground at Edwards Air Force Base, California, sits ready to collect sound signatures from sonic booms created by a NASA F/A-18 during the SonicBAT flight series. The arrays collected the sound signatures of booms that had traveled through atmospheric turbulence before reaching the ground.

  12. Experimental Control of Simple Pendulum Model

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Medina, C.

    2004-01-01

    This paper conveys information about a Physics laboratory experiment for students with some theoretical knowledge about oscillatory motion. Students construct a simple pendulum that behaves as an ideal one, and analyze model assumption incidence on its period. The following aspects are quantitatively analyzed: vanishing friction, small amplitude,…

  13. Non-extraction treatment of severe crowding with pendulum appliance.

    PubMed

    Gandikota, Chandrasekhar; Venkata, Yudhister Palla; Challa, Padmalatha; Juvvadi, Shubhaker Rao

    2013-07-01

    An extraction case was planned for non-extraction treatment using pendulum appliance and the effect of appliance was evaluated in a 14-year-old girl with a severe maxillary and mandibular crowding followed by non-extraction fixed appliance preadjusted edgewise appliance mechanotherapy. Total treatment time was for 22 months. The obtuse nasolabial angle was maintained intact. Correction of crowding, co-ordinated arch forms was achieved with molar distalization. The impetus on soft-tissue paradigm is stressed in this case report and pendulum appliance can indeed boost our clinical acumen and swing our priorities toward non-extraction treatment.

  14. What Makes the Foucault Pendulum Move among the Stars?

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Phillips, Norman

    2004-11-01

    Foucault's pendulum exhibition in 1851 occurred in an era now known by development of the theorems of Coriolis and the formulation of dynamical meteorology by Ferrel. Yet today the behavior of the pendulum is often misunderstood. The existence of a horizontal component of Newtonian gravitation is essential for understanding the behavior with respect to the stars. Two simple mechanical principles describe why the path of oscillation is fixed only at the poles; the principle of centripetal acceleration and the principle of conservation of angular momentum. A sky map is used to describe the elegant path among the stars produced by these principles.

  15. A Field Study of a Standardized Tangible Symbol System for Learners Who Are Visually Impaired and Have Multiple Disabilities

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Trief, Ellen; Cascella, Paul W.; Bruce, Susan M.

    2013-01-01

    Introduction: The study reported in this article tracked the learning rate of 43 children with multiple disabilities and visual impairments who had limited to no verbal language across seven months of classroom-based intervention using a standardized set of tangible symbols. Methods: The participants were introduced to tangible symbols on a daily…

  16. Sonicated Diagnostic Immunoblot for Bartonellosis

    PubMed Central

    Mallqui, Vania; Speelmon, Emily C.; Verástegui, Manuela; Maguiña-Vargas, Ciro; Pinell-Salles, Paula; Lavarello, Rosa; Delgado, Jose; Kosek, Margaret; Romero, Sofia; Arana, Yanina; Gilman, Robert H.

    2000-01-01

    Two simple Bartonella bacilliformis immunoblot preparation methods were developed. Antigen was prepared by two different methods: sonication of whole organisms or glycine extraction. Both methods were then tested for sensitivity and specificity. Well-defined control sera were utilized in the development of these diagnostic immunoblots, and possible cross-reactions were thoroughly examined. Sera investigated for cross-reaction with these diagnostic antigens were drawn from patients with brucellosis, chlamydiosis, Q fever, and cat scratch disease, all of whom were from regions where bartonellosis is not endemic. While both immunoblots yielded reasonable sensitivity and high specificity, we recommend the use of the sonicated immunoblot, which has a higher sensitivity when used to detect acute disease and produces fewer cross-reactions. The sonicated immunoblot reported here is 94% sensitive to chronic bartonellosis and 70% sensitive to acute bartonellosis. In a healthy group, it is 100% specific. This immunoblot preparation requires a simple sonication protocol for the harvesting of B. bacilliformis antigens and is well suited for use in regions of endemicity. PMID:10618267

  17. Analysis of the Pendular and Pitch Motions of a Driven Three-Dimensional Pendulum

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Findley, T.; Yoshida, S.; Norwood, D. P.

    2007-01-01

    A three-dimensional pendulum, modelled after the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory's suspended optics, was constructed to investigate the pendulum's dynamics due to suspension point motion. In particular, we were interested in studying the pendular-pitch energy coupling. Determination of the pendular's Q value (the quality factor…

  18. A Study of Reflected Sonic Booms Using Airborne Measurements

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Kantor, Samuel R.; Cliatt, Larry J., II

    2017-01-01

    In support of ongoing efforts to bring commercial supersonic flight to the public, the Sonic Booms in Atmospheric Turbulence (SonicBAT) flight test was conducted at NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center. During this test, airborne sonic boom measurements were made using an instrumented TG-14 motor glider, called the Airborne Acoustic Measurement Platform (AAMP).During the flight program, the AAMP was consistently able to measure the sonic boom wave that was reflected off of the ground, in addition to the incident wave, resulting in the creation of a completely unique data set of airborne sonic boom reflection measurements. This paper focuses on using this unique data set to investigate the ability of sonic boom modeling software to calculate sonic boom reflections. Because the algorithms used to model sonic boom reflections are also used to model the secondary carpet and over the top booms, the use of actual flight data is vital to improving the understanding of the effects of sonic booms outside of the primary carpet. Understanding these effects becomes especially important as the return of commercial supersonic approaches, as well as ensuring the accuracy of mission planning for future experiments.

  19. Trypsin inhibitors from Capsicum baccatum var. pendulum leaves involved in Pepper yellow mosaic virus resistance.

    PubMed

    Moulin, M M; Rodrigues, R; Ribeiro, S F F; Gonçalves, L S A; Bento, C S; Sudré, C P; Vasconcelos, I M; Gomes, V M

    2014-11-07

    Several plant organs contain proteinase inhibitors, which are produced during normal plant development or are induced upon pathogen attack to suppress the enzymatic activity of phytopathogenic microorganisms. In this study, we examined the presence of proteinase inhibitors, specifically trypsin inhibitors, in the leaf extract of Capsicum baccatum var. pendulum inoculated with PepYMV (Pepper yellow mosaic virus). Leaf extract from plants with the accession number UENF 1624, which is resistant to PepYMV, was collected at 7 different times (0, 24, 48, 72, 96, 120, and 144 h). Seedlings inoculated with PepYMV and control seedlings were grown in a growth chamber. Protein extract from leaf samples was partially purified by reversed-phase chromatography using a C2/C18 column. Residual trypsin activity was assayed to detect inhibitors followed by Tricine-SDS-PAGE analysis to determine the N-terminal peptide sequence. Based on trypsin inhibitor assays, trypsin inhibitors are likely constitutively synthesized in C. baccatum var. pendulum leaf tissue. These inhibitors are likely a defense mechanism for the C. baccatum var. pendulum- PepYMV pathosystem.

  20. Algorithmic Bricks: A Tangible Robot Programming Tool for Elementary School Students

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Kwon, D.-Y.; Kim, H.-S.; Shim, J.-K.; Lee, W.-G.

    2012-01-01

    Tangible programming tools enable children to easily learn the programming process, previously considered to be difficult for them. While various tangible programming tools have been developed, there is still a lack of available tools to help students experience the general programming process. This study therefore developed a tool called…

  1. Helicopter vibration suppression using simple pendulum absorbers on the rotor blade

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Hamouda, M.-N. H.; Pierce, G. A.

    1981-01-01

    A design procedure is presented for the installation of simple pendulums on the blades of a helicopter rotor to suppress the root reactions. The procedure consists of a frequency response analysis for a hingeless rotor blade excited by a harmonic variation of spanwise airload distributions during forward flight, as well as a concentrated load at the tip. The structural modeling of the blade provides for elastic degrees of freedom in flap and lead-lag bending plus torsion. Simple flap and lead-lag pendulums are considered individually. Using a rational order scheme, the general nonlinear equations of motion are linearized. A quasi-steady aerodynamic representation is used in the formation of the airloads. The solution of the system equations derives from their representation as a transfer matrix. The results include the effect of pendulum tuning on the minimization of the hub reactions.

  2. Two-Pendulum Model of Propellant Slosh in Europa Clipper PMD Tank

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Ng, Wanyi; Benson, David

    2017-01-01

    Model propellant slosh for Europa Clipper using two pendulums such that controls engineers can predict slosh behavior during the mission. Importance of predicting propellant slosh; (1) Sloshing changes CM (center of mass) of spacecraft and exerts forces and torques on spacecraft. (2) Avoid natural frequencies of structures. (3) Size ACS (Attitude Control Systems) thrusters to counteract forces and torques. Can model sloshing fluid as two pendulums with specific parameters (mass, length, damping),

  3. Changing Preference from Tangible to Social Activities through an Observation Procedure

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Leaf, Justin B.; Oppenheim-Leaf, Misty L.; Townley-Cochran, Donna; Leaf, Jeremy A.; Alcalay, Aditt; Milne, Christine; Kassardjian, Alyne; Tsuji, Kathleen; Dale, Stephanie; Leaf, Ronald; Taubman, Mitchell; McEachin, John

    2016-01-01

    Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have qualitative impairments in social interaction and often prefer food or tangible reinforcement to social reinforcement. Thus, therapists who work with children with ASD often use food or tangible items as reinforcers to increase appropriate behaviors or decrease problem behaviors. The goal of the…

  4. The Effect of Sonic Booms on Earthquake Warning Systems

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Wurman, Gilead; Haering, Edward A, Jr.; Price, Michael J.

    2011-01-01

    Several aerospace companies are designing quiet supersonic business jets for service over the United States. These aircraft have the potential to increase the occurrence of mild sonic booms across the country. This leads to interest among earthquake warning (EQW) developers and the general seismological community in characterizing the effect of sonic booms on seismic sensors in the field, their potential impact on EQW systems, and means of discriminating their signatures from those of earthquakes. The SonicBREWS project (Sonic Boom Resistant Earthquake Warning Systems) is a collaborative effort between Seismic Warning Systems, Inc. (SWS) and NASA Dryden Flight Research Center. This project aims to evaluate the effects of sonic booms on EQW sensors. The study consists of exposing high-sample-rate (1000 sps) triaxial accelerometers to sonic booms with overpressures ranging from 10 to 600 Pa in the free field and the built environment. The accelerometers record the coupling of the sonic boom to the ground and surrounding structures, while microphones record the acoustic wave above ground near the sensor. Sonic booms are broadband signals with more high-frequency content than earthquakes. Even a 1000 sps accelerometer will produce a significantly aliased record. Thus the observed peak ground velocity is strongly dependent on the sampling rate, and increases as the sampling rate is reduced. At 1000 sps we observe ground velocities that exceed those of P-waves from ML 3 earthquakes at local distances, suggesting that sonic booms are not negligible for EQW applications. We present the results of several experiments conducted under SonicBREWS showing the effects of typical-case low amplitude sonic booms and worst-case high amplitude booms. We show the effects of various sensor placements and sensor array geometries. Finally, we suggest possible avenues for discriminating sonic booms from earthquakes for the purposes of EQW.

  5. Improvements in the Approximate Formulae for the Period of the Simple Pendulum

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Turkyilmazoglu, M.

    2010-01-01

    This paper is concerned with improvements in some exact formulae for the period of the simple pendulum problem. Two recently presented formulae are re-examined and refined rationally, yielding more accurate approximate periods. Based on the improved expressions here, a particular new formula is proposed for the period. It is shown that the derived…

  6. Motion of a pendulum with damping and vibrating axis of suspension at unconventional values of parameters

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Demidov, Ivan; Sorokin, Vladislav

    2018-05-01

    Motion of a pendulum with damping and vibrating axis of suspension is considered at unconventional values of parameters. Case when the frequency of external loading and the natural frequency of the pendulum in the absence of this loading are of the same order is studied. Vibration intensity is assumed to be relatively low. In this case, the corresponding equation of the pendulum's motions doesn't involve an explicit small parameter. To solve the equation a new modification of the method of direct separation of motions is used. As the result, stability conditions of the pendulum inverted position are determined. Effects of damping on these conditions are discussed.

  7. Sonic Fatigue Design Techniques for Advanced Composite Aircraft Structures

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1980-04-01

    AFWAL-TR-80.3019 AD A 090553 SONIC FATIGUE DESIGN TECHNIQUES FOR ADVANCED COMPOSITE AIRCRAFT STRUCTURES FINAL REPORT Ian Holehouse Rohr Industries...5 2. General Sonic Fatigue Theory .... ....... 7 3. Composite Laminate Analysis .. ....... ... 10 4. Preliminary Sonic Fatigue...overall sonic fatigue design guides. These existing desiyn methcds have been developed for metal structures. However, recent advanced composite

  8. Residents' reactions to long-term sonic boom exposure: Preliminary results

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Fields, James M.; Moulton, Carey; Baumgartner, Robert M.; Thomas, Jeff

    1994-01-01

    This presentation is about residents' reactions to sonic booms in a long-term sonic boom exposure environment. Although two phases of the data collection have been completed, the analysis of the data has only begun. The results are thus preliminary. The list of four authors reflects the complex multi-disciplinary character of any field study such as this one. Carey Moulton is responsible for Wyle Laboratories' acoustical data collection effort. Robert Baumgartner and Jeff Thomas of HBRS, a social science research firm, are responsible for social survey field work and data processing. The study is supported by the NASA Langley Research Center. The study has several objectives. The preliminary data addresses two of the primary objectives. The first objective is to describe the reactions to sonic booms of people who are living where sonic booms are a routine, recurring feature of the acoustical environment. The second objective is to compare these residents' reactions to the reactions of residents who hear conventional aircraft noise around airports. Here is an overview of the presentation. This study will first be placed in the context of previous community survey research on sonic booms. Next the noise measurement program will be briefly described and part of a social survey interview will be presented. Finally data will be presented on the residents' reactions and these reactions will be compared with reactions to conventional aircraft. Twelve community studies of residents' reactions to sonic booms were conducted in the United States and Europe in the 1960's and early 1970's. None of the 12 studies combined three essential ingredients that are found in the present study. Residents' long-term responses are related to a measured noise environment. Sonic booms are a permanent feature of the residential environment. The respondents' do not live on a military base. The present study is important because it provides the first dose/response relationship for sonic booms

  9. Handling Qualities Prediction of an F-16XL-Based Reduced Sonic Boom Aircraft

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Cogan, Bruce; Yoo, Seung

    2010-01-01

    A major goal of the Supersonics Project under NASA s Fundamental Aeronautics program is sonic boom reduction of supersonic aircraft. An important part of this effort is development and validation of sonic boom prediction tools used in aircraft design. NASA Dryden s F- 16XL was selected as a potential testbed aircraft to provide flight validation. Part of this task was predicting the handling qualities of the modified aircraft. Due to the high cost of modifying the existing F-16XL control laws, it was desirable to find modifications that reduced the aircraft sonic boom but did not degrade baseline aircraft handling qualities allowing for the potential of flight test without changing the current control laws. This was not a requirement for the initial modification design work, but an important consideration for proceeding to the flight test option. The primary objective of this work was to determine an aerodynamic and mass properties envelope of the F-16XL aircraft. The designers could use this envelope to determine the effect of proposed modifications on aircraft handling qualities.

  10. From Open Geographical Data to Tangible Maps: Improving the Accessibility of Maps for Visually Impaired People

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ducasse, J.; Macé, M.; Jouffrais, C.

    2015-08-01

    Visual maps must be transcribed into (interactive) raised-line maps to be accessible for visually impaired people. However, these tactile maps suffer from several shortcomings: they are long and expensive to produce, they cannot display a large amount of information, and they are not dynamically modifiable. A number of methods have been developed to automate the production of raised-line maps, but there is not yet any tactile map editor on the market. Tangible interactions proved to be an efficient way to help a visually impaired user manipulate spatial representations. Contrary to raised-line maps, tangible maps can be autonomously constructed and edited. In this paper, we present the scenarios and the main expected contributions of the AccessiMap project, which is based on the availability of many sources of open spatial data: 1/ facilitating the production of interactive tactile maps with the development of an open-source web-based editor; 2/ investigating the use of tangible interfaces for the autonomous construction and exploration of a map by a visually impaired user.

  11. Implementation of Push Recovery Strategy Using Triple Linear Inverted Pendulum Model in “T-FloW” Humanoid Robot

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Dimas Pristovani, R.; Raden Sanggar, D.; Dadet, Pramadihanto.

    2018-04-01

    Push recovery is one of humanbehaviorwhich is a strategy to defend the body from anexternal force in any environment. This paper describes push recovery strategy which usesMIMO decoupled control system method. The dynamics system uses aquasi-dynamic system based on triple linear inverted pendulum model (TLIPM). The analysis of TLIPMuses zero moment point (ZMP) calculation from ZMP simplification in last research. By using this simplification of dynamics system, the control design can be simplified into 3 serial SISOwith known and uncertain disturbance models in each inverted pendulum. Each pendulum has different plan to damp the external force effect. In this experiment, PID controller (closed- loop)is used to arrange the damp characteristic.The experiment result shows thatwhen using push recovery control strategy (closed-loop control) is about 85.71% whilewithout using push recovery control strategy (open-loop control) it is about 28.57%.

  12. Interpreting lateral dynamic weight shifts using a simple inverted pendulum model.

    PubMed

    Kennedy, Michael W; Bretl, Timothy; Schmiedeler, James P

    2014-01-01

    Seventy-five young, healthy adults completed a lateral weight-shifting activity in which each shifted his/her center of pressure (CoP) to visually displayed target locations with the aid of visual CoP feedback. Each subject's CoP data were modeled using a single-link inverted pendulum system with a spring-damper at the joint. This extends the simple inverted pendulum model of static balance in the sagittal plane to lateral weight-shifting balance. The model controlled pendulum angle using PD control and a ramp setpoint trajectory, and weight-shifting was characterized by both shift speed and a non-minimum phase (NMP) behavior metric. This NMP behavior metric examines the force magnitude at shift initiation and provides weight-shifting balance performance information that parallels the examination of peak ground reaction forces in gait analysis. Control parameters were optimized on a subject-by-subject basis to match balance metrics for modeled results to metric values calculated from experimental data. Overall, the model matches experimental data well (average percent error of 0.35% for shifting speed and 0.05% for NMP behavior). These results suggest that the single-link inverted pendulum model can be used effectively to capture lateral weight-shifting balance, as it has been shown to model static balance. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  13. Resonance: The science behind the art of sonic drilling

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lucon, Peter Andrew

    The research presented in this dissertation quantifies the system dynamics and the influence of control variables of a sonic drill system. The investigation began with an initial body of work funded by the Department of Energy under a Small Business Innovative Research Phase I Grant, grant number: DE-FG02-06ER84618, to investigate the feasibility of using sonic drills to drill micro well holes to depths of 1500 feet. The Department of Energy funding enabled feasibility testing using a 750 hp sonic drill owned by Jeffery Barrow, owner of Water Development Co. During the initial feasibility testing, data was measured and recorded at the sonic drill head while the sonic drill penetrated to a depth of 120 feet. To demonstrate feasibility, the system had to be well understood to show that testing of a larger sonic drill could simulate the results of drilling a micro well hole of 2.5 inch diameter. A first-order model of the system was developed that produced counter-intuitive findings that enabled the feasibility of using this method to drill deeper and produce micro-well holes to 1500 feet using sonic drills. Although funding was not continued, the project work continued. This continued work expanded on the sonic drill models by understanding the governing differential equation and solving the boundary value problem, finite difference methods, and finite element methods to determine the significance of the control variables that can affect the sonic drill. Using a design of experiment approach and commercially available software, the significance of the variables to the effectiveness of the drill system were determined. From the significant variables, as well as the real world testing, a control system schematic for a sonic drill was derived and is patent pending. The control system includes sensors, actuators, personal logic controllers, as well as a human machine interface. It was determined that the control system should control the resonant mode and the weight on

  14. A Study of Reflected Sonic Booms Using Airborne Measurements

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Kantor, Samuel R.; Cliatt, Larry J.

    2017-01-01

    In support of ongoing efforts to bring commercial supersonic flight to the public, the Sonic Booms in Atmospheric Turbulence (SonicBAT) flight test conducted at NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center. During this test, airborne sonic boom measurements were made using an instrumented TG-14 motor glider, called the Airborne Acoustic Measurement Platform (AAMP).During the flight program, the AAMP was consistently able to measure the sonic boom wave that was reflected off of the ground, in addition to the incident wave, resulting in the creation of a completely unique data set of airborne sonic boom reflection measurements.

  15. Extraordinary Oscillations of an Ordinary Forced Pendulum

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Butikov, Eugene I.

    2008-01-01

    Several well-known and newly discovered counterintuitive regular and chaotic modes of the sinusoidally driven rigid planar pendulum are discussed and illustrated by computer simulations. The software supporting the investigation offers many interesting predefined examples that demonstrate various peculiarities of this famous physical model.…

  16. A new torsion pendulum for testing enhancements to the LISA Gravitational Reference Sensor

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Conklin, John; Chilton, A.; Ciani, G.; Mueller, G.; Olatunde, T.; Shelley, R.

    2014-01-01

    The Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA), the most mature concept for observing gravitational waves from space, consists of three Sun-orbiting spacecraft that form a million km-scale equilateral triangle. Each spacecraft houses two free-floating test masses (TM), which are protected from disturbing forces so that they follow pure geodesics in spacetime. A single test mass together with its housing and associated components is referred to as a gravitational reference sensor (GRS). Laser interferometry is used to measure the minute variations in the distance between these free-falling TMs, caused by gravitational waves. The demanding acceleration noise requirement of 3E-15 m/sec^2Hz^1/2 for the LISA GRS has motivated a rigorous testing campaign in Europe and a dedicated technology mission, LISA Pathfinder, scheduled for launch in 2015. Recently, efforts have begun in the U.S. to design and assemble a new, nearly thermally noise limited torsion pendulum for testing GRS technology enhancements and for understanding the dozens of acceleration noise sources that affect the performance of the GRS. This experimental facility is based on the design of a similar facility at the University of Trento, and will consist of a vacuum enclosed torsion pendulum that suspends mock-ups of the LISA test masses, surrounded by electrode housings. The GRS technology enhancements under development include a novel TM charge control scheme based on ultraviolet LEDs, simplified capacitive readout electronics, and a six degree-of-freedom, all-optical TM sensor. This presentation will describe the design of the torsion pendulum facility, its expected performance, and the potential technology enhancements.

  17. 11. BUILDING NO. 620B. INTERIOR VIEW LOOKING NORTH, SHOWING PENDULUM ...

    Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

    11. BUILDING NO. 620-B. INTERIOR VIEW LOOKING NORTH, SHOWING PENDULUM AND FRAME IN FOREGROUND, SHIELD FOR OPERATORS IN BACKGROUND. FRICTION TEST IS OBSERVED FROM BEHIND BLAST SHIELD BY A SERIES OF MIRRORS. ANVIL IN CENTER OF PENDULUM FRAME HOLDS EXPLOSIVE WHOSE SENSITIVITY TO FRICTION IS TO BE TESTED. PANS ON EITHER SIDE CATCH ANY UNBURNT EXPLOSIVE SLUNG FROM ANVIL DURING TEST TO PREVENT EXPLOSIVE HAZARD. - Picatinny Arsenal, 600 Area, Test Areas District, State Route 15 near I-80, Dover, Morris County, NJ

  18. NASA Test Flights Examine Effect of Atmospheric Turbulence on Sonic Booms

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2016-07-20

    NASA’s SonicBAT team poses in front of the TG-14 motor glider and F/A-18 research aircraft, sitting side-by-side in front of Rogers Dry Lake prior to a SonicBAT flight at Armstrong Flight Research Center on Edwards Air Force Base, California. The TG-14 collected sound signatures of shockwaves created by the F/A-18, to compare with signatures collected on the ground.

  19. Hawking radiation in sonic black holes.

    PubMed

    Giovanazzi, S

    2005-02-18

    I present a microscopic description of Hawking radiation in sonic black holes. A one-dimensional Fermi-degenerate liquid squeezed by a smooth barrier forms a transonic flow, a sonic analog of a black hole. The quantum treatment of the noninteracting case establishes a close relationship between sonic Hawking radiation and quantum tunneling through the barrier. Quasiparticle excitations appear at the barrier and are then radiated with a thermal distribution in exact agreement with Hawking's formula. The signature of the radiation can be found in the dynamic structure factor, which can be measured in a scattering experiment. The possibility for experimental verification of this new transport phenomenon for ultracold atoms is discussed.

  20. Real-Time, Interactive Sonic Boom Display

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Haering, Jr., Edward A. (Inventor); Plotkin, Kenneth J. (Inventor)

    2012-01-01

    The present invention is an improved real-time, interactive sonic boom display for aircraft. By using physical properties obtained via various sensors and databases, the invention determines, in real-time, sonic boom impacts locations and intensities for aircraft traveling at supersonic speeds. The information is provided to a pilot via a display that lists a selectable set of maneuvers available to the pilot to mitigate sonic boom issues. Upon selection of a maneuver, the information as to the result of the maneuver is displayed and the pilot may proceed with making the maneuver, or provide new data to the system in order to calculate a different maneuver.

  1. Test of spatial isotropy using a cryogenic torsion pendulum

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Phillips, Peter R.

    1987-01-01

    Motion of the earth through the cosmic neutrino background, or through certain kinds of vacuum states, produces a term of the form g(sigma) x v in the energy of an electron. To search for such a term, a cryogenic torsion pendulum carrying a transversely polarized magnet was used. Superconducting shields reduced magnetic torques. A sigma x v term would produce a sinusoidal oscillation of the pendulum with a period of one sidereal day. Such an oscillation was not detected, and a new limit of 8.5 x 10 to the -18th eV has been set for the splitting of the spin states of an electron at rest on the earth.

  2. Display Provides Pilots with Real-Time Sonic-Boom Information

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Haering, Ed; Plotkin, Ken

    2013-01-01

    Supersonic aircraft generate shock waves that move outward and extend to the ground. As a cone of pressurized air spreads across the landscape along the flight path, it creates a continuous sonic boom along the flight track. Several factors can influence sonic booms: weight, size, and shape of the aircraft; its altitude and flight path; and weather and atmospheric conditions. This technology allows pilots to control the impact of sonic booms. A software system displays the location and intensity of shock waves caused by supersonic aircraft. This technology can be integrated into cockpits or flight control rooms to help pilots minimize sonic boom impact in populated areas. The system processes vehicle and flight parameters as well as data regarding current atmospheric conditions. The display provides real-time information regarding sonic boom location and intensity, enabling pilots to make the necessary flight adjustments to control the timing and location of sonic booms. This technology can be used on current-generation supersonic aircraft, which generate loud sonic booms, as well as future- generation, low-boom aircraft, anticipated to be quiet enough for populated areas.

  3. The Pendulum Weaves All Knots and Links

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Starrett, John

    2003-08-01

    From a topological point of view, periodic orbits of three dimensional dynamical systems are knots, that is, circles (S∧1) embedded in the three sphere (S∧3) or in R∧3. The ensemble of periodic orbits comprising the skeleton of a 3-D strange attractor form a link: a collection of (not necessarily linked) knots. Joan Birman and Robert Williams used a topological device known as the template, a branched two-manifold that results when the stable direction is collapsed out of an attractor, to analyze the knot and link types appearing in the geometric Lorenz attractor. More recently, Robert Ghrist has shown the existence of universal templates: templates that support all knot and link types. I show that the template constructed from the geometric attractor of a forced physical pendulum contains a universal template as a subtemplate, and therefore the orbit set of the pendulum contains every knot and link type.

  4. Realism Assessment of Sonic Boom Simulators

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Sullivan, Brenda M.; Davies, Patrica; Hodgdon, Kthleen K.; Salamone, Joseph A., III; Pilon, Anthony

    2008-01-01

    Developments in small supersonic aircraft design are predicted to result in low-intensity sonic booms. Booms generated by current aircraft are similar to those that led to the ban on commercial supersonic fli ght over the US, so are unsuitable for parametric studies of psychoac oustic response to low-intensity booms. Therefore, simulators have be en used to study the impact of predicted low-intensity sonic booms. H owever, simulators have been criticized because, when simulating conv entional-level booms, the sounds were observed to be unrealistic by p eople experienced in listening to sonic booms. Thus, two studies were conducted to measure the perceived realism of three sonic boom simul ators. Experienced listeners rated the realism of conventional sonic boom signatures when played in these simulators. The effects on percei ved realism of factors such as duration of post-boom noise, exclusion of very low frequency components, inclusion of ground reflections, a nd type of simulator were examined. Duration of post-boom noise was f ound to have a strong effect on perceived realism, while type of simu lator had a weak effect. It was determined that post-boom noise had t o be at least 1.5 seconds long for the sound to be rated very realist ic. Loudness level did not affect realism for the range of sounds pla yed in the tests (80-93 dB ASEL).

  5. Real-time physics-based 3D biped character animation using an inverted pendulum model.

    PubMed

    Tsai, Yao-Yang; Lin, Wen-Chieh; Cheng, Kuangyou B; Lee, Jehee; Lee, Tong-Yee

    2010-01-01

    We present a physics-based approach to generate 3D biped character animation that can react to dynamical environments in real time. Our approach utilizes an inverted pendulum model to online adjust the desired motion trajectory from the input motion capture data. This online adjustment produces a physically plausible motion trajectory adapted to dynamic environments, which is then used as the desired motion for the motion controllers to track in dynamics simulation. Rather than using Proportional-Derivative controllers whose parameters usually cannot be easily set, our motion tracking adopts a velocity-driven method which computes joint torques based on the desired joint angular velocities. Physically correct full-body motion of the 3D character is computed in dynamics simulation using the computed torques and dynamical model of the character. Our experiments demonstrate that tracking motion capture data with real-time response animation can be achieved easily. In addition, physically plausible motion style editing, automatic motion transition, and motion adaptation to different limb sizes can also be generated without difficulty.

  6. The Pendulum as a Vehicle for Transitioning from Classical to Quantum Physics: History, Quantum Concepts, and Educational Challenges

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Barnes, Marianne B.; Garner, James; Reid, David

    2004-01-01

    In this article we use the pendulum as the vehicle for discussing the transition from classical to quantum physics. Since student knowledge of the classical pendulum can be generalized to all harmonic oscillators, we propose that a quantum analysis of the pendulum can lead students into the unanticipated consequences of quantum phenomena at the…

  7. Coupled oscillators in identification of nonlinear damping of a real parametric pendulum

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Olejnik, Paweł; Awrejcewicz, Jan

    2018-01-01

    A damped parametric pendulum with friction is identified twice by means of its precise and imprecise mathematical model. A laboratory test stand designed for experimental investigations of nonlinear effects determined by a viscous resistance and the stick-slip phenomenon serves as the model mechanical system. An influence of accurateness of mathematical modeling on the time variability of the nonlinear damping coefficient of the oscillator is proved. A free decay response of a precisely and imprecisely modeled physical pendulum is dependent on two different time-varying coefficients of damping. The coefficients of the analyzed parametric oscillator are identified with the use of a new semi-empirical method based on a coupled oscillators approach, utilizing the fractional order derivative of the discrete measurement series treated as an input to the numerical model. Results of application of the proposed method of identification of the nonlinear coefficients of the damped parametric oscillator have been illustrated and extensively discussed.

  8. Propagation-invariant beams with quantum pendulum spectra: from Bessel beams to Gaussian beam-beams.

    PubMed

    Dennis, Mark R; Ring, James D

    2013-09-01

    We describe a new class of propagation-invariant light beams with Fourier transform given by an eigenfunction of the quantum mechanical pendulum. These beams, whose spectra (restricted to a circle) are doubly periodic Mathieu functions in azimuth, depend on a field strength parameter. When the parameter is zero, pendulum beams are Bessel beams, and as the parameter approaches infinity, they resemble transversely propagating one-dimensional Gaussian wave packets (Gaussian beam-beams). Pendulum beams are the eigenfunctions of an operator that interpolates between the squared angular momentum operator and the linear momentum operator. The analysis reveals connections with Mathieu beams, and insight into the paraxial approximation.

  9. Teaching from a Microgravity Environment: Harmonic Oscillator and Pendulum

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Benge, Raymond; Young, Charlotte; Davis, Shirley; Worley, Alan; Smith, Linda; Gell, Amber

    2009-04-01

    This presentation reports on an educational experiment flown in January 2009 as part of NASA's Microgravity University program. The experiment flown was an investigation into the properties of harmonic oscillators in reduced gravity. Harmonic oscillators are studied in every introductory physics class. The equation for the period of a harmonic oscillator does not include the acceleration due to gravity, so the period should be independent of gravity. However, the equation for the period of a pendulum does include the acceleration due to gravity, so the period of a pendulum should appear longer under reduced gravity (such as lunar or Martian gravity) and shorter under hyper-gravity. These environments can be simulated aboard an aircraft. Video of the experiments being performed aboard the aircraft is to be used in introductory physics classes. Students will be able to record information from watching the experiment performed aboard the aircraft in a similar manner to how they collect data in the laboratory. They can then determine if the experiment matches theory. Video and an experimental procedure are being prepared based upon this flight, and these materials will be available for download by faculty anywhere with access to the internet who wish to use the experiment in their own classrooms.

  10. 47 CFR 32.3400 - Accumulated amortization-tangible.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 47 Telecommunication 2 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Accumulated amortization-tangible. 32.3400 Section 32.3400 Telecommunication FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION (CONTINUED) COMMON CARRIER SERVICES UNIFORM SYSTEM OF ACCOUNTS FOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANIES Instructions for Balance Sheet Accounts § 32...

  11. Design methodology for a community response questionnaire on sonic boom exposure

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Farbry, John E., Jr.; Fields, James M.; Molino, John A.; Demiranda, Gwendolyn A.

    1991-01-01

    A preliminary draft questionnaire concerning community response to sonic booms was developed. Interviews were conducted in two communities that had experienced supersonic overflights of the SR-71 airplane for several years. Even though the overflights had ceased about 6 months prior to the interviews, people clearly remembered hearing sonic booms. A total of 22 people living in central Utah and 23 people living along Idaho/Washington state border took part in these interviews. The draft questionnaire was constantly modified during the study in order to evaluate different versions. Questions were developed which related to annoyance, startle, sleep disturbance, building vibration, and building damage. Based on the data collected, a proposed community response survey response instrument was developed for application in a full-scale sonic boom study.

  12. Design methodology for a community response questionnaire on sonic boom exposure

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Farbry, John E., Jr.; Fields, James M.; Molino, John A.; Demiranda, Gwendolyn A.

    1991-05-01

    A preliminary draft questionnaire concerning community response to sonic booms was developed. Interviews were conducted in two communities that had experienced supersonic overflights of the SR-71 airplane for several years. Even though the overflights had ceased about 6 months prior to the interviews, people clearly remembered hearing sonic booms. A total of 22 people living in central Utah and 23 people living along Idaho/Washington state border took part in these interviews. The draft questionnaire was constantly modified during the study in order to evaluate different versions. Questions were developed which related to annoyance, startle, sleep disturbance, building vibration, and building damage. Based on the data collected, a proposed community response survey response instrument was developed for application in a full-scale sonic boom study.

  13. Seismometer using a vertical long natural-period rotational pendulum with magnetic levitation

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Otake, Yuji; Araya, Akito; Hidano, Kazuo

    We have demonstrated a highly sensitive/wideband vertical-component seismometer using an astatic rotational pendulum to obtain a long natural period. This seismometer employs magnetic levitation for removing any parasitic resonances of a spring to support a weight due to gravity and the thermal dependence of the spring constant. The pendulum has a cylindrical plunger-type permanent magnet that has a weight at one side of its end edge. The plunger magnet is inserted into a uniform magnetic field generated by a window-frame-type permanent magnet, and attached to two crossed-leaf spring hinges as a rotational axis outside of the bore of the magnet.more » Magnetic forces applied to the plunger magnet counterbalance the gravitational force at the weight. To realize stable operation of the rotational pendulum without any unnecessary movements of the plunger magnet, a tilt of lines of the magnetic force in the bore of the window-frame magnet was compensated by a tilted magnetic-pole surface near to its opening. The field uniformity reached 10{sup -4} owing to this compensation. The thermal dependence of a magnetic field strength of about 10{sup -3}/K was also compensated by as much as 9x10{sup -5}/K by Ni-Fe metal having a negative permeability coefficient. The metal was attached along the sidewalls of the window-frame magnet. To determine the feedback control parameters for a feedback control seismometer, the natural period of a prototype rotational pendulum was measured. It was more than 8 s, and was able to be changed from 5 to 8 s by using an additional magnetic spring, similar to the voice coil actuator of a speaker. This change was in accordance with theoretical calculations, and showed that the pendulum movement did not include a big nonlinearity caused by the tilt of the lines of the magnetic force. No parasitic resonances were found during experiments. A velocity feedback-control circuit and a capacitance position detector to measure the weight position were

  14. Biped Robot Gait Planning Based on 3D Linear Inverted Pendulum Model

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yu, Guochen; Zhang, Jiapeng; Bo, Wu

    2018-01-01

    In order to optimize the biped robot’s gait, the biped robot’s walking motion is simplify to the 3D linear inverted pendulum motion mode. The Center of Mass (CoM) locus is determined from the relationship between CoM and the Zero Moment Point (ZMP) locus. The ZMP locus is planned in advance. Then, the forward gait and lateral gait are simplified as connecting rod structure. Swing leg trajectory using B-spline interpolation. And the stability of the walking process is discussed in conjunction with the ZMP equation. Finally the system simulation is carried out under the given conditions to verify the validity of the proposed planning method.

  15. Pilot Test of a Novel Method for Assessing Community Response to Low-Amplitude Sonic Booms

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Fidell, Sanford; Horonjeff, Richard D.; Harris, Michael

    2012-01-01

    A pilot test of a novel method for assessing residents annoyance to sonic booms was performed. During a two-week period, residents of the base housing area at Edwards Air Force Base provided data on their reactions to sonic booms using Smartphone-based interviews. Noise measurements were conducted at the same time. The report presents information about data collection methods and about test participants reactions to low-amplitude sonic booms. The latter information should not be viewed as definitive for several reasons. It may not be reliably generalized to the wider U.S. residential population (because it was not derived from a representative random sample) and the sample itself was not large.

  16. A sonic tool for spinal fusion.

    PubMed

    Weis, E B

    1977-01-01

    The application of sonic energy to bone cutting problems is reported. The basic principle of the resonant tool, its adaptation for surgery, the experimental results of its use in animals, and clinical experience are reported. This sonic tool is found to introduce no significant tissue destruction. It does have several desirable characteristics for routine use in orthopedics.

  17. Analysis of pendulum period with an iPod touch/iPhone

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Briggle, Justin

    2013-05-01

    We describe the use of Apple’s iPod touch/iPhone, acting as the pendulum bob, as a means of measuring pendulum period, making use of the device’s three-axis digital accelerometer and the freely available SPARKvue app from PASCO scientific. The method can be readily incorporated into an introductory physics laboratory experiment. Moreover, the principles described may be carried out with any number of smartphone devices containing an integrated accelerometer and paired with an appropriate application for collecting and sending accelerometer data as a comma-separated value file.

  18. Improving the sludge disintegration efficiency of sonication by combining with alkalization and thermal pre-treatment methods.

    PubMed

    Şahinkaya, S; Sevimli, M F; Aygün, A

    2012-01-01

    One of the most serious problems encountered in biological wastewater treatment processes is the production of waste activated sludge (WAS). Sonication, which is an energy-intensive process, is the most powerful sludge pre-treatment method. Due to lack of information about the combined pre-treatment methods of sonication, the combined pre-treatment methods were investigated and it was aimed to improve the disintegration efficiency of sonication by combining sonication with alkalization and thermal pre-treatment methods in this study. The process performances were evaluated based on the quantities of increases in soluble chemical oxygen demand (COD), protein and carbohydrate. The releases of soluble COD, carbohydrate and protein by the combined methods were higher than those by sonication, alkalization and thermal pre-treatment alone. Degrees of sludge disintegration in various options of sonication were in the following descending order: sono-alkalization > sono-thermal pre-treatment > sonication. Therefore, it was determined that combining sonication with alkalization significantly improved the sludge disintegration and decreased the required energy to reach the same yield by sonication. In addition, effects on sludge settleability and dewaterability and kinetic mathematical modelling of pre-treatment performances of these methods were investigated. It was proven that the proposed model accurately predicted the efficiencies of ultrasonic pre-treatment methods.

  19. Recurrence Effects in the Parametric Spring Pendulum.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Falk, Lars

    1978-01-01

    Gives a perturbation analysis to recurrence effects of the spring pendulum. The recurrence depends on two conservation laws which determine the motion in an intermediate region; oscillations outside this region are unstable and must return. Gives the relation to Fermi-Pasta-Ulam problem together with the explicit solution. (Author/GA)

  20. Ultrasonic/Sonic Jackhammer

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Bar-Cohen, Yoseph (Inventor); Herz, Jack L. (Inventor); Sherrit, Stewart (Inventor)

    2014-01-01

    The invention provides a novel jackhammer that utilizes ultrasonic and/or sonic vibrations as source of power. It is easy to operate and does not require extensive training, requiring substantially less physical capabilities from the user and thereby increasing the pool of potential operators. An important safety benefit is that it does not fracture resilient or compliant materials such as cable channels and conduits, tubing, plumbing, cabling and other embedded fixtures that may be encountered along the impact path. While the ultrasonic/sonic jackhammer of the invention is able to cut concrete and asphalt, it generates little back-propagated shocks or vibrations onto the mounting fixture, and can be operated from an automatic platform or robotic system. PNEUMATICS; ULTRASONICS; IMPACTORS; DRILLING; HAMMERS BRITTLE MATERIALS; DRILL BITS; PROTOTYPES; VIBRATION

  1. Combined input shaping and feedback control for double-pendulum systems

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mar, Robert; Goyal, Anurag; Nguyen, Vinh; Yang, Tianle; Singhose, William

    2017-02-01

    A control system combining input shaping and feedback is developed for double-pendulum systems subjected to external disturbances. The proposed control method achieves fast point-to-point response similar to open-loop input-shaping control. It also minimizes transient deflections during the motion of the system, and disturbance-induced residual swing using the feedback control. Effects of parameter variations such as the mass ratio of the double pendulum, the suspension length ratio, and the move distance were studied via numerical simulation. The most important results were also verified with experiments on a small-scale crane. The controller effectively suppresses the disturbances and is robust to modelling uncertainties and task variations.

  2. The Slinky Wilberforce pendulum: A simple coupled oscillator

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mewes, Matthew

    2014-03-01

    The Wilberforce pendulum is an effective classroom demonstration of coupled oscillations and the beat-like behavior that arises in weakly coupled tuned oscillators. We describe a simple and inexpensive version constructed from a Slinky spring toy and a soup can.

  3. Potential for Sonic Boom Reduction of the Boeing HSCT

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Haglund, George T.

    1999-01-01

    The HSR sonic boom technology program includes a goal of reducing the objectionable aspects of sonic boom. Earlier HSCT sonic boom studies considered achieving significant sonic boom reduction by the use of arrow-wing planforms and detailed shaping of the airplane to produce shaped waveforms (non N-waves) at the ground. While these design efforts were largely successful, the added risk and cost of the airplanes were judged to be unacceptable. The objective of the current work is to explore smaller configuration refinements that could lead to reduced sonic boom impact, within design and operational constraints. A somewhat modest target of 10% reduction in sonic boom maximum overpressure was selected to minimize the effect on the configuration performance. This work was a joint NASA/Industry effort, utilizing the respective strengths of team members at Boeing, NASA Langley, and NASA Ames. The approach used was to first explore a wide range of modifications and airplane characteristics for their effects on sonic boom and drag, using classical Modified Linear Theory (MLT) methods. CFD methods were then used to verify promising, modifications and to analyze modifications for which the MLT methods were not appropriate. The tea m produced a list of configuration changes with their effects on sonic boom and, in some cases, an estimate of the drag penalty. The most promising modifications were applied to produce a boom-softened derivative of the baseline Boeing High Speed Civil Transport (HSCT) configuration. This boom-softened configuration was analyzed in detail for the reduce sonic boom impact and also for the effect of the configuration modifications on drag, weight, and overall performance relative to the baseline.

  4. Approximate Expressions for the Period of a Simple Pendulum Using a Taylor Series Expansion

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Belendez, Augusto; Arribas, Enrique; Marquez, Andres; Ortuno, Manuel; Gallego, Sergi

    2011-01-01

    An approximate scheme for obtaining the period of a simple pendulum for large-amplitude oscillations is analysed and discussed. When students express the exact frequency or the period of a simple pendulum as a function of the oscillation amplitude, and they are told to expand this function in a Taylor series, they always do so using the…

  5. Robust Control Algorithm for a Two Cart System and an Inverted Pendulum

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Wilson, Chris L.; Capo-Lugo, Pedro

    2011-01-01

    The Rectilinear Control System can be used to simulate a launch vehicle during liftoff. Several control schemes have been developed that can control different dynamic models of the rectilinear plant. A robust control algorithm was developed that can control a pendulum to maintain an inverted position. A fluid slosh tank will be attached to the pendulum in order to test robustness in the presence of unknown slosh characteristics. The rectilinear plant consists of a DC motor and three carts mounted in series. Each cart s weight can be adjusted with brass masses and the carts can be coupled with springs. The pendulum is mounted on the first cart and an adjustable air damper can be attached to the third cart if desired. Each cart and the pendulum have a quadrature encoder to determine position. Full state feedback was implemented in order to develop the control algorithm along with a state estimator to determine the velocity states of the system. A MATLAB program was used to convert the state space matrices from continuous time to discrete time. This program also used a desired phase margin and damping ratio to determine the feedback gain matrix that would be used in the LabVIEW program. This experiment will allow engineers to gain a better understanding of liquid propellant slosh dynamics, therefore enabling them to develop more robust control algorithms for launch vehicle systems

  6. Assessment of Near-Field Sonic Boom Simulation Tools

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Casper, J. H.; Cliff, S. E.; Thomas, S. D.; Park, M. A.; McMullen, M. S.; Melton, J. E.; Durston, D. A.

    2008-01-01

    A recent study for the Supersonics Project, within the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, has been conducted to assess current in-house capabilities for the prediction of near-field sonic boom. Such capabilities are required to simulate the highly nonlinear flow near an aircraft, wherein a sonic-boom signature is generated. There are many available computational fluid dynamics codes that could be used to provide the near-field flow for a sonic boom calculation. However, such codes have typically been developed for applications involving aerodynamic configuration, for which an efficiently generated computational mesh is usually not optimum for a sonic boom prediction. Preliminary guidelines are suggested to characterize a state-of-the-art sonic boom prediction methodology. The available simulation tools that are best suited to incorporate into that methodology are identified; preliminary test cases are presented in support of the selection. During this phase of process definition and tool selection, parallel research was conducted in an attempt to establish criteria that link the properties of a computational mesh to the accuracy of a sonic boom prediction. Such properties include sufficient grid density near shocks and within the zone of influence, which are achieved by adaptation and mesh refinement strategies. Prediction accuracy is validated by comparison with wind tunnel data.

  7. Prediction of sonic boom at a focus

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Plotkin, K. J.; Cantril, J. M.

    1976-01-01

    The behavior of sonic boom at a focus has been reviewed for the purpose of extending present sonic boom computational methods to include focal zones. The geometry of a focal zone - whether a smooth caustic, a cusped caustic, or a perfect focus to a point - determines the character of focused signatures. The seeming contradiction of various experimental data can be resolved by noting these differences. A ray acoustic analysis has been developed for quantitative determination of caustic geometry. The only reliable theory presently available for signatures at a focus is for a smooth caustic. There has been some controversy between theoretical and experimental values of a constant in the scaling law for this case. It has been found that this discrepancy can be resolved by accounting for the finite thickness of real sonic boom shock waves. These findings have been incorporated into an existing sonic boom computer program.

  8. High-performance Sonitopia (Sonic Utopia): Hyper intelligent Material-based Architectural Systems for Acoustic Energy Harvesting

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Heidari, F.; Mahdavinejad, M.

    2017-08-01

    The rate of energy consumption in all over the world, based on reliable statistics of international institutions such as the International Energy Agency (IEA) shows significant increase in energy demand in recent years. Periodical recorded data shows a continuous increasing trend in energy consumption especially in developed countries as well as recently emerged developing economies such as China and India. While air pollution and water contamination as results of high consumption of fossil energy resources might be consider as menace to civic ideals such as livability, conviviality and people-oriented cities. In other hand, automobile dependency, cars oriented design and other noisy activities in urban spaces consider as threats to urban life. Thus contemporary urban design and planning concentrates on rethinking about ecology of sound, reorganizing the soundscape of neighborhoods, redesigning the sonic order of urban space. It seems that contemporary architecture and planning trends through soundscape mapping look for sonitopia (Sonic + Utopia) This paper is to propose some interactive hyper intelligent material-based architectural systems for acoustic energy harvesting. The proposed architectural design system may be result in high-performance architecture and planning strategies for future cities. The ultimate aim of research is to develop a comprehensive system for acoustic energy harvesting which cover the aim of noise reduction as well as being in harmony with architectural design. The research methodology is based on a literature review as well as experimental and quasi-experimental strategies according the paradigm of designedly ways of doing and knowing. While architectural design has solution-focused essence in problem-solving process, the proposed systems had better be hyper intelligent rather than predefined procedures. Therefore, the steps of the inference mechanism of the research include: 1- understanding sonic energy and noise potentials as energy

  9. Precision Measurement of Distribution of Film Thickness on Pendulum for Experiment of G

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Liu, Lin-Xia; Guan, Sheng-Guo; Liu, Qi; Zhang, Ya-Ting; Shao, Cheng-Gang; Luo, Jun

    2009-09-01

    Distribution of film thickness coated on the pendulum of measuring the Newton gravitational constant G is determined with a weighing method by means of a precision mass comparator. The experimental result shows that the gold film on the pendulum will contribute a correction of -24.3 ppm to our G measurement with an uncertainty of 4.3 ppm, which is significant for improving the G value with high precision.

  10. Sonic Boom: Six Decades of Research

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Maglieri, Domenic J.; Bobbitt, Percy J.; Plotkin, Kenneth J.; Shepherd, Kevin P.; Coen, Peter G.; Richwine, David M.

    2014-01-01

    Sonic booms generated by aircraft traveling at supersonic speeds have been the subject of extensive aeronautics research for over 60 years. Hundreds of papers have been published that document the experimental and analytical research conducted during this time period. The purpose of this publication is to assess and summarize this work and establish the state-of-the-art for researchers just entering the field, or for those interested in a particular aspect of the subject. This publication consists of ten chapters that cover the experimental and analytical aspects of sonic boom generation, propagation and prediction with summary remarks provided at the end of each chapter. Aircraft maneuvers, sonic boom minimization, simulation techniques and devices as well as human, structural, and other responses to sonic booms are also discussed. The geometry and boom characteristics of various low-boom concepts, both large civil transports and smaller business-jet concepts, are included. The final chapter presents an assessment of civilian supersonic overland flight and highlights the need for continued research and a low-boom demonstrator vehicle. Summary remarks are provided at the end of each chapter. The studies referenced in this publication have been drawn from over 500 references.

  11. Classroom Explorations: Pendulums, Mirrors, and Galileo's Drama

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Cavicchi, Elizabeth

    2011-01-01

    What do you see in a mirror when not looking at yourself? What goes on as a pendulum swings? Undergraduates in a science class supposed that these behaviors were obvious until their explorations exposed questions with no quick answers. While exploring materials, students researched Galileo, his trial, and its aftermath. Galileo came to life both…

  12. Figuring the Acceleration of the Simple Pendulum

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Lieberherr, Martin

    2011-01-01

    The centripetal acceleration has been known since Huygens' (1659) and Newton's (1684) time. The physics to calculate the acceleration of a simple pendulum has been around for more than 300 years, and a fairly complete treatise has been given by C. Schwarz in this journal. But sentences like "the acceleration is always directed towards the…

  13. The time-delayed inverted pendulum: Implications for human balance control

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Milton, John; Cabrera, Juan Luis; Ohira, Toru; Tajima, Shigeru; Tonosaki, Yukinori; Eurich, Christian W.; Campbell, Sue Ann

    2009-06-01

    The inverted pendulum is frequently used as a starting point for discussions of how human balance is maintained during standing and locomotion. Here we examine three experimental paradigms of time-delayed balance control: (1) mechanical inverted time-delayed pendulum, (2) stick balancing at the fingertip, and (3) human postural sway during quiet standing. Measurements of the transfer function (mechanical stick balancing) and the two-point correlation function (Hurst exponent) for the movements of the fingertip (real stick balancing) and the fluctuations in the center of pressure (postural sway) demonstrate that the upright fixed point is unstable in all three paradigms. These observations imply that the balanced state represents a more complex and bounded time-dependent state than a fixed-point attractor. Although mathematical models indicate that a sufficient condition for instability is for the time delay to make a corrective movement, τn, be greater than a critical delay τc that is proportional to the length of the pendulum, this condition is satisfied only in the case of human stick balancing at the fingertip. Thus it is suggested that a common cause of instability in all three paradigms stems from the difficulty of controlling both the angle of the inverted pendulum and the position of the controller simultaneously using time-delayed feedback. Considerations of the problematic nature of control in the presence of delay and random perturbations ("noise") suggest that neural control for the upright position likely resembles an adaptive-type controller in which the displacement angle is allowed to drift for small displacements with active corrections made only when θ exceeds a threshold. This mechanism draws attention to an overlooked type of passive control that arises from the interplay between retarded variables and noise.

  14. Decoupling the structure from the ground motion during earthquakes by employing friction pendulums

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gillich, G. R.; Iancu, V.; Gillich, N.; Korka, Z. I.; Chioncel, C. P.; Hatiegan, C.

    2018-01-01

    Avoiding dynamic loads on structures during earthquakes is an actual issue since seismic actions can harm or destroy the built environment. Several attempts to prevent this are possible, the essence being to decouple the structure from the ground motion during earthquakes and preventing in this way large deflections and high accelerations. A common approach is the use of friction pendulums, with cylindrical or spherical surfaces but not limited to that, inserted between the ground and the structure, respectively between the pillar and the superstructure. This type of bearings permits small pendulum motion and in this way, earthquake-induced displacements that occur in the bearings are not integrally transmitted to the structure. The consequence is that the structure is subject to greatly reduced lateral loads and shaking movements. In the experiments, conducted to prove the efficiency of the friction pendulums, we made use of an own designed and manufactured shaking table. Two types of sliding surfaces are analyzed, one polynomial of second order (i.e. circular) and one of a superior order. For both pendulum types, analytical models were developed. The results have shown that the structure is really decoupled from the ground motion and has a similar behaviour as that described by the analytic model.

  15. A New Fuzzy-Evidential Controller for Stabilization of the Planar Inverted Pendulum System

    PubMed Central

    Tang, Yongchuan; Zhou, Deyun

    2016-01-01

    In order to realize the stability control of the planar inverted pendulum system, which is a typical multi-variable and strong coupling system, a new fuzzy-evidential controller based on fuzzy inference and evidential reasoning is proposed. Firstly, for each axis, a fuzzy nine-point controller for the rod and a fuzzy nine-point controller for the cart are designed. Then, in order to coordinate these two controllers of each axis, a fuzzy-evidential coordinator is proposed. In this new fuzzy-evidential controller, the empirical knowledge for stabilization of the planar inverted pendulum system is expressed by fuzzy rules, while the coordinator of different control variables in each axis is built incorporated with the dynamic basic probability assignment (BPA) in the frame of fuzzy inference. The fuzzy-evidential coordinator makes the output of the control variable smoother, and the control effect of the new controller is better compared with some other work. The experiment in MATLAB shows the effectiveness and merit of the proposed method. PMID:27482707

  16. A New Fuzzy-Evidential Controller for Stabilization of the Planar Inverted Pendulum System.

    PubMed

    Tang, Yongchuan; Zhou, Deyun; Jiang, Wen

    2016-01-01

    In order to realize the stability control of the planar inverted pendulum system, which is a typical multi-variable and strong coupling system, a new fuzzy-evidential controller based on fuzzy inference and evidential reasoning is proposed. Firstly, for each axis, a fuzzy nine-point controller for the rod and a fuzzy nine-point controller for the cart are designed. Then, in order to coordinate these two controllers of each axis, a fuzzy-evidential coordinator is proposed. In this new fuzzy-evidential controller, the empirical knowledge for stabilization of the planar inverted pendulum system is expressed by fuzzy rules, while the coordinator of different control variables in each axis is built incorporated with the dynamic basic probability assignment (BPA) in the frame of fuzzy inference. The fuzzy-evidential coordinator makes the output of the control variable smoother, and the control effect of the new controller is better compared with some other work. The experiment in MATLAB shows the effectiveness and merit of the proposed method.

  17. Linear control of the flywheel inverted pendulum.

    PubMed

    Olivares, Manuel; Albertos, Pedro

    2014-09-01

    The flywheel inverted pendulum is an underactuated mechanical system with a nonlinear model but admitting a linear approximation around the unstable equilibrium point in the upper position. Although underactuated systems usually require nonlinear controllers, the easy tuning and understanding of linear controllers make them more attractive for designers and final users. In a recent paper, a simple PID controller was proposed by the authors, leading to an internally unstable controlled plant. To achieve global stability, two options are developed here: first by introducing an internal stabilizing controller and second by replacing the PID controller by an observer-based state feedback control. Simulation and experimental results show the effectiveness of the design. Copyright © 2013 ISA. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  18. Sonication improves kasturi lime (Citrus microcarpa) juice quality.

    PubMed

    Bhat, Rajeev; Kamaruddin, Nor Shuaidda Bt Che; Min-Tze, Liong; Karim, A A

    2011-11-01

    Freshly squeezed kasturi lime fruit juice was sonicated (for 0, 30 and 60min at 20°C, 25kHz frequency) to evaluate its impact on selected physico-chemical and antioxidant properties, such as pH, °Brix, titratable acidity, Hunter color values (L(∗), a(∗), b(∗)), ascorbic acid, DPPH radical scavenging activity, total phenolics, antioxidant capacity, flavonoids and flavonols. Additionally, the effect of sonication treatments on the microbial load (TPC, yeast and mold) were also evaluated. Sonication of juice samples for 60min showed enhancement in most of the bioactive compounds compared to samples treated for 30min and control samples (untreated). Significant reductions in the microbial load corresponding to sonication time were also recorded. Results of the present study indicate that sonication may be employed as a suitable technique for kasturi lime juice processing, where antioxidant and other bioactive compound retention or enhancement is desired, along with the achievement of safety and quality standards. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  19. An analytical approach to the external force-free motion of pendulums on surfaces of constant curvature

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rubio, Rafael M.; Salamanca, Juan J.

    2018-07-01

    The dynamics of external force free motion of pendulums on surfaces of constant Gaussian curvature is addressed when the pivot moves along a geodesic obtaining the Lagrangian of the system. As an application it is possible the study of elastic and quantum pendulums.

  20. Intermittent control with ankle, hip, and mixed strategies during quiet standing: a theoretical proposal based on a double inverted pendulum model.

    PubMed

    Suzuki, Yasuyuki; Nomura, Taishin; Casadio, Maura; Morasso, Pietro

    2012-10-07

    Human upright posture, as a mechanical system, is characterized by an instability of saddle type, involving both stable and unstable dynamic modes. The brain stabilizes such system by generating active joint torques, according to a time-delayed neural feedback control. What is still unsolved is a clear understanding of the control strategies and the control mechanisms that are used by the central nervous system in order to stabilize the unstable posture in a robust way while maintaining flexibility. Most studies in this direction have been limited to the single inverted pendulum model, which is useful for formalizing fundamental mechanical aspects but insufficient for addressing more general issues concerning neural control strategies. Here we consider a double inverted pendulum model in the sagittal plane with small passive viscoelasticity at the ankle and hip joints. Despite difficulties in stabilizing the double pendulum model in the presence of the large feedback delay, we show that robust and flexible stabilization of the upright posture can be established by an intermittent control mechanism that achieves the goal of stabilizing the body posture according to a "divide and conquer strategy", which switches among different controllers in different parts of the state space of the double inverted pendulum. Remarkably, it is shown that a global, robust stability is achieved even if the individual controllers are unstable and the information exploited for switching from one controller to another is severely delayed, as it happens in biological reality. Moreover, the intermittent controller can automatically resolve coordination among multiple active torques associated with the muscle synergy, leading to the emergence of distinct temporally coordinated active torque patterns, referred to as the intermittent ankle, hip, and mixed strategies during quiet standing, depending on the passive elasticity at the hip joint. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  1. Origins and Overview of the Shaped Sonic Boom Demonstration Program

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Pawlowski, Joseph W.; Graham, David H.; Boccadoro, Charles H.; Coen, Peter G.; Maglieri, Domenic J.

    2005-01-01

    The goal of the DARPA Shaped Sonic Boom Demonstration (SSBD) Program was to demonstrate for the first time in flight that sonic booms can be substantially reduced by incorporating specialized aircraft shaping techniques. Although mitigation of the sonic boom via specialized shaping techniques was theorized decades ago, until now, this theory had never been tested with a flight vehicle subjected to actual flight conditions in a real atmosphere. The demonstrative success, which occurred on 27 August 2003 with repeat flights in the supersonic corridor at Edwards Air Force Base, is a critical milestone in the development of next generation supersonic aircraft that could one day fly unrestricted over land and help usher in a new era of time-critical air transport. Pressure measurements obtained on the ground and in the air confirmed that the specific modifications made to a Northrop Grumman F-5E aircraft not only changed the shape of the shock wave signature emanating from the aircraft, but also produced a flat-top signature whose shape persisted, as predicted, as the pressure waves propagated through the atmosphere to the ground. This accomplishment represents a major advance towards reducing the startling and potentially damaging noise of a sonic boom. This paper describes the evolution of the SSBD program, including the rationale for test article selection, and provides an overview of the history making accomplishments achieved during the SSBD effort, as well as, the follow-on NASA Shaped Sonic Boom Experiment (SSBE) Program, whose goal was to further evaluate the characteristics and robustness of shaped boom signatures.

  2. Sonic-boom minimization.

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Seebass, R.; George, A. R.

    1972-01-01

    There have been many attempts to reduce or eliminate the sonic boom. Such attempts fall into two categories: (1) aerodynamic minimization and (2) exotic configurations. In the first category changes in the entropy and the Bernoulli constant are neglected and equivalent body shapes required to minimize the overpressure, the shock pressure rise and the impulse are deduced. These results include the beneficial effects of atmospheric stratification. In the second category, the effective length of the aircraft is increased or its base area decreased by modifying the Bernoulli constant a significant fraction of the flow past the aircraft. A figure of merit is introduced which makes it possible to judge the effectiveness of the latter schemes.

  3. Sonication-based isolation and enrichment of Chlorella protothecoides chloroplasts for illumina genome sequencing

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Angelova, Angelina; Park, Sang-Hycuk; Kyndt, John

    2013-09-01

    With the increasing world demand for biofuel, a number of oleaginous algal species are being considered as renewable sources of oil. Chlorella protothecoides Krüger synthesizes triacylglycerols (TAGs) as storage compounds that can be converted into renewable fuel utilizing an anabolic pathway that is poorly understood. The paucity of algal chloroplast genome sequences has been an important constraint to chloroplast transformation and for studying gene expression in TAGs pathways. In this study, the intact chloroplasts were released from algal cells using sonication followed by sucrose gradient centrifugation, resulting in a 2.36-fold enrichment of chloroplasts from C. protothecoides, based on qPCR analysis.more » The C. protothecoides chloroplast genome (cpDNA) was determined using the Illumina HiSeq 2000 sequencing platform and found to be 84,576 Kb in size (8.57 Kb) in size, with a GC content of 30.8 %. This is the first report of an optimized protocol that uses a sonication step, followed by sucrose gradient centrifugation, to release and enrich intact chloroplasts from a microalga (C. prototheocoides) of sufficient quality to permit chloroplast genome sequencing with high coverage, while minimizing nuclear genome contamination. The approach is expected to guide chloroplast isolation from other oleaginous algal species for a variety of uses that benefit from enrichment of chloroplasts, ranging from biochemical analysis to genomics studies.« less

  4. Power Series Solution to the Pendulum Equation

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Benacka, Jan

    2009-01-01

    This note gives a power series solution to the pendulum equation that enables to investigate the system in an analytical way only, i.e. to avoid numeric methods. A method of determining the number of the terms for getting a required relative error is presented that uses bigger and lesser geometric series. The solution is suitable for modelling the…

  5. Periodic solutions of a spring-pendulum system.

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Broucke, R.; Baxa, P. A.

    1973-01-01

    A study has been made of a dynamical system composed of a pendulum and a harmonic oscillator, in order to show the remarkable resemblance with many classical celestial mechanics problems, in particular, the restricted three-body problem. It is shown that the well-known investigations of periodic orbits can be applied to the present dynamics problem.

  6. Multidisciplinary design optimization for sonic boom mitigation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ozcer, Isik A.

    Automated, parallelized, time-efficient surface definition and grid generation and flow simulation methods are developed for sharp and accurate sonic boom signal computation in three dimensions in the near and mid-field of an aircraft using Euler/Full-Potential unstructured/structured computational fluid dynamics. The full-potential mid-field sonic boom prediction code is an accurate and efficient solver featuring automated grid generation, grid adaptation and shock fitting, and parallel processing. This program quickly marches the solution using a single nonlinear equation for large distances that cannot be covered with Euler solvers due to large memory and long computational time requirements. The solver takes into account variations in temperature and pressure with altitude. The far-field signal prediction is handled using the classical linear Thomas Waveform Parameter Method where the switching altitude from the nonlinear to linear prediction is determined by convergence of the ground signal pressure impulse value. This altitude is determined as r/L ≈ 10 from the source for a simple lifting wing, and r/L ≈ 40 for a real complex aircraft. Unstructured grid adaptation and shock fitting methodology developed for the near-field analysis employs an Hessian based anisotropic grid adaptation based on error equidistribution. A special field scalar is formulated to be used in the computation of the Hessian based error metric which enhances significantly the adaptation scheme for shocks. The entire cross-flow of a complex aircraft is resolved with high fidelity using only 500,000 grid nodes after only about 10 solution/adaptation cycles. Shock fitting is accomplished using Roe's Flux-Difference Splitting scheme which is an approximate Riemann type solver and by proper alignment of the cell faces with respect to shock surfaces. Simple to complex real aircraft geometries are handled with no user-interference required making the simulation methods suitable tools for

  7. Preparing for Future Learning with a Tangible User Interface: The Case of Neuroscience

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Schneider, B.; Wallace, J.; Blikstein, P.; Pea, R.

    2013-01-01

    In this paper, we describe the development and evaluation of a microworld-based learning environment for neuroscience. Our system, BrainExplorer, allows students to discover the way neural pathways work by interacting with a tangible user interface. By severing and reconfiguring connections, users can observe how the visual field is impaired and,…

  8. MMOC- MODIFIED METHOD OF CHARACTERISTICS SONIC BOOM EXTRAPOLATION

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Darden, C. M.

    1994-01-01

    The Modified Method of Characteristics Sonic Boom Extrapolation program (MMOC) is a sonic boom propagation method which includes shock coalescence and incorporates the effects of asymmetry due to volume and lift. MMOC numerically integrates nonlinear equations from data at a finite distance from an airplane configuration at flight altitude to yield the sonic boom pressure signature at ground level. MMOC accounts for variations in entropy, enthalpy, and gravity for nonlinear effects near the aircraft, allowing extrapolation to begin nearer the body than in previous methods. This feature permits wind tunnel sonic boom models of up to three feet in length, enabling more detailed, realistic models than the previous six-inch sizes. It has been shown that elongated airplanes flying at high altitude and high Mach numbers can produce an acceptably low sonic boom. Shock coalescence in MMOC includes three-dimensional effects. The method is based on an axisymmetric solution with asymmetric effects determined by circumferential derivatives of the standard shock equations. Bow shocks and embedded shocks can be included in the near-field. The method of characteristics approach in MMOC allows large computational steps in the radial direction without loss of accuracy. MMOC is a propagation method rather than a predictive program. Thus input data (the flow field on a cylindrical surface at approximately one body length from the axis) must be supplied from calculations or experimental results. The MMOC package contains a uniform atmosphere pressure field program and interpolation routines for computing the required flow field data. Other user supplied input to MMOC includes Mach number, flow angles, and temperature. MMOC output tabulates locations of bow shocks and embedded shocks. When the calculations reach ground level, the overpressure and distance are printed, allowing the user to plot the pressure signature. MMOC is written in FORTRAN IV for batch execution and has been

  9. Human balancing of an inverted pendulum: position control by small, ballistic-like, throw and catch movements

    PubMed Central

    Loram, Ian D; Lakie, Martin

    2002-01-01

    In standing, there are small sways of the body. Our interest is to use an artificial task to illuminate the mechanisms underlying the sways and to account for changes in their size. Using the ankle musculature, subjects balanced a large inverted pendulum. The equilibrium of the pendulum is unstable and quasi-regular sway was observed like that in quiet standing. By giving full attention to minimising sway subjects could systematically reduce pendulum movement. The pendulum position, the torque generated at each ankle and the soleus and tibialis anterior EMGs were recorded. Explanations about how the human inverted pendulum is balanced usually ignore the fact that balance is maintained over a range of angles and not just at one angle. Any resting equilibrium position of the pendulum is unstable and in practice temporary; movement to a different resting equilibrium position can only be accomplished by a biphasic ‘throw and catch’ pattern of torque and not by an elastic mechanism. Results showed that balance was achieved by the constant repetition of a neurally generated ballistic-like biphasic pattern of torque which can control both position and sway size. A decomposition technique revealed that there was a substantial contribution to changes in torque from intrinsic mechanical ankle stiffness; however, by itself this was insufficient to maintain balance or to control position. Minimisation of sway size was caused by improvement in the accuracy of the anticipatory torque impulses. We hypothesise that examination of centre of mass and centre of pressure data for quiet standing will duplicate these results. PMID:11986396

  10. Summary of the 2008 NASA Fundamental Aeronautics Program Sonic Boom Prediction Workshop

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Park, Michael A.; Aftosmis, Michael J.; Campbell, Richard L.; Carter, Melissa B.; Cliff, Susan; Nangert, Linda S.

    2013-01-01

    The Supersonics Project of the NASA Fundamental Aeronautics Program organized an internal sonic boom workshop to evaluate near- and mid-field sonic boom prediction capability at the Fundamental Aeronautics Annual Meeting in Atlanta, Georgia on October 8, 2008. Workshop participants computed sonic boom signatures for three non-lifting bodies and two lifting configurations. A cone-cylinder, parabolic, and quartic bodies of revolution comprised the non-lifting cases. The lifting configurations were a simple 69-degree delta wing body and a complete low-boom transport configuration designed during the High Speed Research Project in the 1990s with wing, body, tail, nacelle, and boundary layer diverter components. The AIRPLANE, Cart3D, FUN3D, and USM3D ow solvers were employed with the ANET signature propagation tool, output-based adaptation, and a priori adaptation based on freestream Mach number and angle of attack. Results were presented orally at the workshop. This article documents the workshop, results, and provides context on previously available and recently developed methods.

  11. Rendering the "Not-So-Simple" Pendulum Experimentally Accessible.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Jackson, David P.

    1996-01-01

    Presents three methods for obtaining experimental data related to acceleration of a simple pendulum. Two of the methods involve angular position measurements and the subsequent calculation of the acceleration while the third method involves a direct measurement of the acceleration. Compares these results with theoretical calculations and…

  12. Tuned mass damping system for a pendulum in gravity and microgravity fields

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Atour, Farah

    2016-07-01

    An electrodynamic tether is a simple idea, but one with an amazing number of uses. Electrodynamic tether is a long conductor wire that is attached to the satellite, which can act as a generator or motor, from its motion through the earth's magnetic field. And it has the potential to make space travel significantly cheaper. The lack of electrodynamic tether's widespread in common applications can be attributed to the variable Lorentz forces occuring on the tethers, which will cause them to oscillate and may go out of control, de-orbit the satellite and fall to Earth. A tuned mass damper system, for short refered as tilger, is suggested as damper of oscillations of tethers. A system composed of a tuned mass damper and a simple pendulum simulating the tether was therefore constructed. 350 sets of experimental trials were done on the system, while it was installed inside a drop tower capsule resting on the ground, in order to pick four optimum setup experiments that will undergo a series of microgravity experiments at the Bremen Drop Tower in Bremen, Germany. The GJU Bachelor Research students found that the oscillations of the simple pendulum will not be affected by the tilger during the free fall experiment, except if a feedback mechanism is installed between the simple pendulum and the tilger. In this case, the tilger will dampen the simple pendulum oscillations during free fall.

  13. A pendulum experiment on added mass and equivalence.

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Donnelly, Russell; Neill, Douglas; Livelybrooks, Dean

    2005-11-01

    The concept of added mass in fluid mechanics has been known for many years. A familiar example is the accelerated motion of a sphere through an inviscid fluid which has an added mass of one-half the mass of the fluid displaced. This result is widely used in quantum fluids; for example giving a finite mass to a trapped electron in superfluid helium-4, which is a free electron in a bubble about 36 Angstroms in diameter. A derivation of this result is contained in Landau-Lifshitz ``Fluid Mechanics'', Section 12. The period of oscillation of a simple pendulum in a vacuum is independent of the mass because of the principle of equivalence of gravitational and inertial masses. In a fluid however, both buoyancy and added mass enter the problem. We present results of experiments of simple pendulums of different materials oscillating in various fluids. The results agree closely with the results obtained for the added mass in inviscid fluids, as expected.

  14. False-Positive Tangible Outcomes of Functional Analyses

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Rooker, Griffin W.; Iwata, Brian A.; Harper, Jill M.; Fahmie, Tara A.; Camp, Erin M.

    2011-01-01

    Functional analysis (FA) methodology is the most precise method for identifying variables that maintain problem behavior. Occasionally, however, results of an FA may be influenced by idiosyncratic sensitivity to aspects of the assessment conditions. For example, data from several studies suggest that inclusion of a tangible condition during an FA…

  15. Stability of controlled inverted pendulum under permanent horizontal perturbations of the supporting point

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Aleksandrov, V. V.; Reyes-Romero, M.; Sidorenko, G. Yu.; Temoltzi-Auila, R.

    2010-04-01

    We consider the problem of choosing a test perturbation of a movable foundation of a single-link inverted pendulum so as to test a vestibular prosthesis prototype located at the top of this pendulum in an extreme situation. The obtained results permit concluding that the information transmitted from otolithic organs of the human vestibular system to muscles of the locomotor apparatus is very important and improves the quality of stabilization of the human vertical posture preventing the possible fall.

  16. Numerical Predictions of Sonic Boom Signatures for a Straight Line Segmented Leading Edge Model

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Elmiligui, Alaa A.; Wilcox, Floyd J.; Cliff, Susan; Thomas, Scott

    2012-01-01

    A sonic boom wind tunnel test was conducted on a straight-line segmented leading edge (SLSLE) model in the NASA Langley 4- by 4- Foot Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel (UPWT). The purpose of the test was to determine whether accurate sonic boom measurements could be obtained while continuously moving the SLSLE model past a conical pressure probe. Sonic boom signatures were also obtained using the conventional move-pause data acquisition method for comparison. The continuous data acquisition approach allows for accurate signatures approximately 15 times faster than a move-pause technique. These successful results provide an incentive for future testing with greatly increased efficiency using the continuous model translation technique with the single probe to measure sonic boom signatures. Two widely used NASA codes, USM3D (Navier-Stokes) and CART3D-AERO (Euler, adjoint-based adaptive mesh), were used to compute off-body sonic boom pressure signatures of the SLSLE model at several different altitudes below the model at Mach 2.0. The computed pressure signatures compared well with wind tunnel data. The effect of the different altitude for signature extraction was evaluated by extrapolating the near field signatures to the ground and comparing pressure signatures and sonic boom loudness levels.

  17. Human Response to Simulated Low-Intensity Sonic Booms

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Sullivan, Brenda M.

    2004-01-01

    NASA's High Speed Research (HSR ) program in the 1990s was intended to develop a technology base for a future High-Speed Civil Transport (HSCT). As part of this program, the NASA Langley Research Center sonic boom simulator (SBS) was built and used for a series of tests on subjective response to sonic booms. At the end of the HSR program, an HSCT was deemed impractical, but since then interest in supersonic flight has reawakened, this time focusing on a smaller aircraft suitable for a business jet. To respond to this interest, the Langley sonic boom simulator has been refurbished. The upgraded computer-controlled playback system is based on an SGI O2 computer, in place of the previous DEC MicroVAX. As the frequency response of the booth is not flat, an equalization filter is required. Because of the changes made during the renovation (new loudspeakers), the previous equalization filter no longer performed as well as before, so a new equalization filter has been designed. Booms to be presented in the booth are preprocessed using the filter. When the preprocessed signals are presented into the booth and measured with a microphone, the results are very similar to the intended shapes. Signals with short rise times and sharp "corners" are observed to have a small amount of "ringing" in the response. During the HSR program a considerable number of subjective tests were completed in the SBS. A summary of that research is given in Leatherwood et al. (Individual reports are available at http://techreports.larc.nasa.gov/ltrs/ltrs.html.) Topics of study included shaped sonic booms, asymmetrical booms, realistic (recorded) boom waveforms, indoor and outdoor booms shapes, among other factors. One conclusion of that research was that a loudness metric, like the Stevens Perceived Level (PL), predicted human reaction much more accurately than overpressure or unweighted sound pressure level. Structural vibration and rattle were not included in these studies.

  18. Sonic Thermometer for High-Altitude Balloons

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Bognar, John

    2012-01-01

    The sonic thermometer is a specialized application of well-known sonic anemometer technology. Adaptations have been made to the circuit, including the addition of supporting sensors, which enable its use in the high-altitude environment and in non-air gas mixtures. There is a need to measure gas temperatures inside and outside of superpressure balloons that are flown at high altitudes. These measurements will allow the performance of the balloon to be modeled more accurately, leading to better flight performance. Small thermistors (solid-state temperature sensors) have been used for this general purpose, and for temperature measurements on radiosondes. A disadvantage to thermistors and other physical (as distinct from sonic) temperature sensors is that they are subject to solar heating errors when they are exposed to the Sun, and this leads to issues with their use in a very high-altitude environment

  19. An energy-optimal solution for transportation control of cranes with double pendulum dynamics: Design and experiments

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sun, Ning; Wu, Yiming; Chen, He; Fang, Yongchun

    2018-03-01

    Underactuated cranes play an important role in modern industry. Specifically, in most situations of practical applications, crane systems exhibit significant double pendulum characteristics, which makes the control problem quite challenging. Moreover, most existing planners/controllers obtained with standard methods/techniques for double pendulum cranes cannot minimize the energy consumption when fulfilling the transportation tasks. Therefore, from a practical perspective, this paper proposes an energy-optimal solution for transportation control of double pendulum cranes. By applying the presented approach, the transportation objective, including fast trolley positioning and swing elimination, is achieved with minimized energy consumption, and the residual oscillations are suppressed effectively with all the state constrains being satisfied during the entire transportation process. As far as we know, this is the first energy-optimal solution for transportation control of underactuated double pendulum cranes with various state and control constraints. Hardware experimental results are included to verify the effectiveness of the proposed approach, whose superior performance is reflected by being experimentally compared with some comparative controllers.

  20. 48 CFR 9904.404 - Capitalization of tangible assets.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... assets. 9904.404 Section 9904.404 Federal Acquisition Regulations System COST ACCOUNTING STANDARDS BOARD, OFFICE OF FEDERAL PROCUREMENT POLICY, OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET PROCUREMENT PRACTICES AND COST ACCOUNTING STANDARDS COST ACCOUNTING STANDARDS 9904.404 Capitalization of tangible assets. ...

  1. Sounds of earthquakes in West Bohemia: analysis of sonic and infrasonic records

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Fischer, Tomáš; Vilhelm, Jan; Kuna, Václav; Chum, Jaroslav; Horálek, Josef

    2013-04-01

    Earthquake sounds are usually observed during the occurrence of small earthquakes. The observations of audible manifestations of earthquakes date back to the ancient age and have been recently analyzed in more detail based both on macroseismic observations and audio recordings. In most cases the earthquake sounds resemble low-frequency underground thundering that is generated by seismic-acoustic conversion of P and SV waves at the earth surface. This is also supported by the fact that earthquake sounds usually precede shaking caused by S-waves. The less frequent are explosion-type sounds whose origin remains unclear. We analyze the observations of sounds associating the occurrence of earthquake swarms in the area of West Bohemia/Vogtland, Central Europe. Macroseismic data include 250 reports of sounds with 90% thundering and 10% of explosions. Additional data consist of sonic and infrasonic records acquired by microphones and microbarographs at seismic stations in the area. All the sonic and infrasonic records correspond to sounds of the thunder type; no explosions were recorded. Comparison of these records enabled to determine the seismic wave - air pressure transfer function. The measurements using a 3D microphone array confirm that in the epicentral area the sonic wave is propagating subvertically. We also compared the coda of seismograms and sonic records. It turned out that additional to seismo-acoustic coupling, a later acoustic wave of thunder type arrives at the observation site whose arrival time corresponds to sonic propagation from the epicenter. We analyse the possible generation mechanisms of this type of sonic wave.

  2. Estimation of coefficient of rolling friction by the evolvent pendulum method

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Alaci, S.; Ciornei, F. C.; Ciogole, A.; Ciornei, M. C.

    2017-05-01

    The paper presents a method for finding the coefficient of rolling friction using an evolvent pendulum. The pendulum consists in a fixed cylindrical body and a mobile body presenting a plane surface in contact with a cylindrical surface. The mobile body is placed over the fixed one in an equilibrium state; after applying a small impulse, the mobile body oscillates. The motion of the body is video recorded and afterwards the movie is analyzed by frames and the decrease with time of angular amplitude of the pendulum is found. The equation of motion is established for oscillations of the mobile body. The equation of motion, differential nonlinear, is integrated by Runge-Kutta method. Imposing the same damping both to model’s solution and to theoretical model, the value of coefficient of rolling friction is obtained. The last part of the paper presents results for actual pairs of materials. The main advantage of the method is the fact that the dimensions of contact regions are small, of order a few millimeters, and thus is substantially reduced the possibility of variation of mechanical characteristic for the two surfaces.

  3. Measurement properties of a new wireless electrogoniometer for quantifying spasticity during the pendulum test in ARSACS patients.

    PubMed

    Bui, Hung Tien; Gagnon, Cynthia; Audet, Olivier; Mathieu, Jean; Leone, Mario

    2017-04-15

    Autosomal recessive spastic ataxia of Charlevoix/Saguenay (ARSACS) is a neuromuscular disorder that induces spasticity in lower limbs. The Wartenberg pendulum test is a classical method of assessing lower limb spasticity based on the dynamics of the pendular leg motion. However, in its original form, this test only provides subjective results and do not allow accurate assessment of spasticity. Thirteen ARSACS patients were assessed using a new wireless electrogoniometer to measure spasticity by quantifying oscillation amplitudes and relaxation indices during the Wartenburg pendulum test. The validity of the instrument was evaluated by comparing its measurements to a known precise goniometer whereas discriminant validity was evaluated by comparing healthy participants and ARSACS patients. Reliability was measured using intraclass correlation (ICC) between pendulum test scores obtained at different moments in time. Data from different tests show that the proposed device is accurate (standard error of measurement of 0.0005°), discriminates healthy and ARSACS patients (most variables have p=0.00) and provides repeatable results (significant ICC usually higher than 0.64 and p<0.05). The proposed tool allows the clinician to analyze pendulum oscillation amplitudes and ratios and thus, provide an index of spasticity for the patients affected by ARSACS. This is important as the original procedure is only evaluated visually and the progression cannot be detected until the condition changes drastically. Thus, the system proposed meets the requirements of being useful, precise and user-friendly in the evaluation of patients in a research as well as a clinical environment. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  4. A novel approach to periodic event-triggered control: Design and application to the inverted pendulum.

    PubMed

    Aranda-Escolástico, Ernesto; Guinaldo, María; Gordillo, Francisco; Dormido, Sebastián

    2016-11-01

    In this paper, periodic event-triggered controllers are proposed for the rotary inverted pendulum. The control strategy is divided in two steps: swing-up and stabilization. In both cases, the system is sampled periodically but the control actions are only computed at certain instances of time (based on events), which are a subset of the sampling times. For the stabilization control, the asymptotic stability is guaranteed applying the Lyapunov-Razumikhin theorem for systems with delays. This result is applicable to general linear systems and not only to the inverted pendulum. For the swing-up control, a trigger function is provided from the derivative of the Lyapunov function for the swing-up control law. Experimental results show a significant improvement with respect to periodic control in the number of control actions. Copyright © 2016 ISA. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  5. A low-frequency vibration insensitive pendulum bench based on translation-tilt compensation in measuring the performances of inertial sensors

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Liu, L.; Ye, X.; Wu, S. C.; Bai, Y. Z.; Zhou, Z. B.

    2015-10-01

    The performance test of precision space inertial sensors on the ground is inevitably affected by seismic noise. A traditional vibration isolation platform, generally with a resonance frequency of several Hz, cannot satisfy the requirements for testing an inertial sensor at low frequencies. In this paper, we present a pendulum bench for inertial sensor testing based on translation-tilt compensation. A theoretical analysis indicates that the seismic noise effect on inertial sensors located on this bench can be attenuated by more than 40 dB below 0.1 Hz, which is very significant for investigating the performance of high-precision inertial sensors. We demonstrate this attenuation with a dedicated experiment.

  6. Tangible and Intangible Rewards and Employee Creativity: The Mediating Role of Situational Extrinsic Motivation

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Yoon, Hye Jung; Sung, Sun Young; Choi, Jin Nam; Lee, Kyungmook; Kim, Seongsu

    2015-01-01

    This study examined the effects of tangible and intangible forms of creativity-contingent rewards on employee creativity. Situation-specific intrinsic and extrinsic motivations were proposed as mediators of the reward-creativity link. Based on data collected from 271 employees and their supervisors, results revealed the following: (a) intangible…

  7. Pendulum Underwater--An Approach for Quantifying Viscosity

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Leme, José Costa; Oliveira, Agostinho

    2017-01-01

    The purpose of the experiment presented in this paper is to quantify the viscosity of a liquid. Viscous effects are important in the flow of fluids in pipes, in the bloodstream, in the lubrication of engine parts, and in many other situations. In the present paper, the authors explore the oscillations of a physical pendulum in the form of a long…

  8. In plane oscillation of a bifilar pendulum

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hinrichsen, Peter F.

    2016-11-01

    The line tensions, the horizontal and vertical accelerations as well as the period of large angle oscillations parallel to the plane of a bifilar suspension are presented and have been experimentally investigated using strain gauges and a smart phone. This system has a number of advantages over the simple pendulum for studying large angle oscillations, and for measuring the acceleration due to gravity.

  9. Confidence Intervals for Laboratory Sonic Boom Annoyance Tests

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Rathsam, Jonathan; Christian, Andrew

    2016-01-01

    Commercial supersonic flight is currently forbidden over land because sonic booms have historically caused unacceptable annoyance levels in overflown communities. NASA is providing data and expertise to noise regulators as they consider relaxing the ban for future quiet supersonic aircraft. One deliverable NASA will provide is a predictive model for indoor annoyance to aid in setting an acceptable quiet sonic boom threshold. A laboratory study was conducted to determine how indoor vibrations caused by sonic booms affect annoyance judgments. The test method required finding the point of subjective equality (PSE) between sonic boom signals that cause vibrations and signals not causing vibrations played at various amplitudes. This presentation focuses on a few statistical techniques for estimating the interval around the PSE. The techniques examined are the Delta Method, Parametric and Nonparametric Bootstrapping, and Bayesian Posterior Estimation.

  10. A double pendulum swing experiment: In search of a better bat

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Cross, Rod

    2005-04-01

    Experimental results on the large-amplitude motion of a double pendulum are presented, with emphasis on the first half cycle. The initial part of the swing is reproducible and is of interest in modeling various human movement activities such as running, throwing, kicking, and the swing of a bat or racquet. Beyond this time, the motion is chaotic. The forces and torques acting on each pendulum segment are analyzed to explain its motion. The results show how a "perfect" bat could be designed where all the kinetic energy from the player's arms is transferred to the ball and none is retained in the arms or the bat after the impact.

  11. The influence of using sonicator type to produce alcohol in the glycerol degradation process

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kalla, Ruslan; Sumarno, S.; Mahfud., M.

    2017-05-01

    The last few years the energy crisis happens everywhere, not least in Indonesia. One reason is the need for fossil energy is increasing with the increasing population, in addition to the depletion of oil reserves on the Earth Indonesia. Therefore it takes a plant-based alternative energy, one of which is biodiesel. The transesterification process will produce primary products such as methyl ester and byproducts / waste in the form of about 10-15 % glycerol so that glycerol is quite abundant. This research aims to study the effect of the sonicator type (vibrating horn and cleaning bath) as well as the effect of γ-Al2O3 catalyst on the degradation of glycerol. The production process was conducted in a batch reactor equipped with an ultrasonic wave generator. Operating conditions of this study was the atmospheric pressure with mass ratio of glycerol water 1:10. The research variables were sonication temperature of 30 and 40 ° C, sonication time of 10, 30, 50, 70 and 90 minutes with and without the catalyst. Products of degradation were analyzed by Gas Chromatography (GC). The results showed that, the products of degradation product (methanol and allyl alcohol) using a sonicator vibrating horn type were greater compared to using cleaning bath type sonicator. The glycerol conversion was 63.21 % at sonication time of 90 minutes, a temperature of 40 °C using γ-Al2O3 catalyst. While the greatest product yield was 18.17 % methanol at sonication time of 90 minutes, a temperature of 40 °C with the use of vibrating horn sonicator type, with the addition of γ-Al2O3 catalyst.

  12. Sonic Boom Minimization Efforts on Boeing HSCT Baseline

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Cheung, Samson H.; Fouladi, Kamran; Haglund, George; Tu, Eugene

    1999-01-01

    A team was formed to tackle the sonic boom softening issues of the current Boeing HSCT design. The team consisted of personnel from NASA Ames, NASA Langley, and Boeing company. The work described in this paper was done when the first author was at NASA Ames Research Center. This paper presents the sonic boom softening work on two Boeing High Speed Civil Transport (HSCT) baseline configurations, Reference-H and Boeing-1122. This presentation can be divided into two parts: parametric studies and sonic boom minimization by CFD optimization routines.

  13. Experiments to evolve toward a tangible user interface for computer-aided design parts assembly

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Legardeur, Jeremy; Garreau, Ludovic; Couture, Nadine

    2004-05-01

    In this paper, we present the concepts of the ESKUA (Experimentation of a Kinesics System Usable for Assembly) platform that allows designers to carry out the assembly of mechanical CAD (Computer Aided Design) parts. This platform, based on tangible user interface lead taking into account assembly constraints from the beginning of the design phase and especially during the phase of CAD models manipulation. Our goal is to propose a working environment where the designer is confronted with real assembly constraints which are currently masked by existing CAD software functionalities. Thus, the platform is based on the handling of physical objects, called tangible interactors, which enable having a physical perception of the assembly constraints. In this goal, we have defined a typology of interactors based on concepts proposed in Design For Assembly methods. We present here the results of studies that led to the evolution of this first interactors set. One is concerning an experiment to evaluate the cognitive aspects of the use of interactors. The other is about an analysis of existing mechanical product and fasteners. We will show how these studies lead to the evolution of the interactors based on the functional surfaces use.

  14. Simple atmospheric perturbation models for sonic-boom-signature distortion studies

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Ehernberger, L. J.; Wurtele, Morton G.; Sharman, Robert D.

    1994-01-01

    Sonic-boom propagation from flight level to ground is influenced by wind and speed-of-sound variations resulting from temperature changes in both the mean atmospheric structure and small-scale perturbations. Meteorological behavior generally produces complex combinations of atmospheric perturbations in the form of turbulence, wind shears, up- and down-drafts and various wave behaviors. Differences between the speed of sound at the ground and at flight level will influence the threshold flight Mach number for which the sonic boom first reaches the ground as well as the width of the resulting sonic-boom carpet. Mean atmospheric temperature and wind structure as a function of altitude vary with location and time of year. These average properties of the atmosphere are well-documented and have been used in many sonic-boom propagation assessments. In contrast, smaller scale atmospheric perturbations are also known to modulate the shape and amplitude of sonic-boom signatures reaching the ground, but specific perturbation models have not been established for evaluating their effects on sonic-boom propagation. The purpose of this paper is to present simple examples of atmospheric vertical temperature gradients, wind shears, and wave motions that can guide preliminary assessments of nonturbulent atmospheric perturbation effects on sonic-boom propagation to the ground. The use of simple discrete atmospheric perturbation structures can facilitate the interpretation of the resulting sonic-boom propagation anomalies as well as intercomparisons among varied flight conditions and propagation models.

  15. Making Online Products More Tangible: The Effect of Product Presentation Formats on Product Evaluations.

    PubMed

    Verhagen, Tibert; Vonkeman, Charlotte; van Dolen, Willemijn

    2016-07-01

    Although several studies have looked at the effects of online product presentations on consumer decision making, no study thus far has considered a potential key factor in online product evaluations: tangibility. The present study aims at filling this gap by developing and testing a model that relates different online product presentation formats to the three-dimensional concept of product tangibility. We test how the three tangibility dimensions influence perceived diagnosticity and, eventually, online purchase intentions. A between-subjects lab experiment (n = 366) was used to test the hypothesized effects of three common online product presentation formats (pictures vs. 360 spin rotation vs. virtual mirror). The results showed that out of these formats, virtual mirrors were superior in providing a sense of product tangibility, followed by the 360-spin rotation format and static pictures. Furthermore, in terms of predictive validity, two of the three tangibility dimensions significantly increased perceived diagnosticity, which, in turn, positively and strongly affected purchase intentions. Overall, our results add to previous works studying the relationships between online product presentation formats and consumer decision making. Also, they hold value for online practitioners by highlighting the potential benefits of applying technologically advanced product presentation formats such as the virtual mirror.

  16. CFD Based Prediction of Discharge Coefficient of Sonic Nozzle with Surface Roughness

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bagaskara, Agastya; Agoes Moelyadi, Mochammad

    2018-04-01

    Due to its simplicity and accuracy, sonic nozzle is widely used in gas flow measurement, gas flow meter calibration standard, and flow control. The nozzle obtains mass flow rate by measuring temperature and pressure in the inlet during choked flow condition and calculate the flow rate using the one-dimensional isentropic flow equation multiplied by a discharge coefficient, which takes into account multiple non-isentropic effects, which causes the reduction in mass flow. Proper determination of discharge coefficient is crucial to ensure the accuracy of mass flow measurement by the nozzle. Available analytical solution for the prediction of discharge coefficient assumes that the nozzle wall is hydraulically smooth which causes disagreement with experimental results. In this paper, the discharge coefficient of sonic nozzle is determined using computational fluid dynamics method by taking into account the roughness of the wall. It is found that the result shows better agreement with the experiment data compared to the analytical result.

  17. Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle Solving and Mitigating the Two Main Cluster Pendulum Problem

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Ali, Yasmin; Sommer, Bruce; Troung, Tuan; Anderson, Brian; Madsen, Christopher

    2017-01-01

    The Orion Multi-purpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV) Orion spacecraft will return humans from beyond earth's orbit, including Mars and will be required to land 20,000 pounds of mass safely in the ocean. The parachute system nominally lands under 3 main parachutes, but the system is designed to be fault tolerant and land under 2 main parachutes. During several of the parachute development tests, it was observed that a pendulum, or swinging, motion could develop while the Crew Module (CM) was descending under two parachutes. This pendulum effect had not been previously predicted by modeling. Landing impact analysis showed that the landing loads would double in some places across the spacecraft. The CM structural design limits would be exceeded upon landing if this pendulum motion were to occur. The Orion descent and landing team was faced with potentially millions of dollars in structural modifications and a severe mass increase. A multidisciplinary team was formed to determine root cause, model the pendulum motion, study alternate canopy planforms and assess alternate operational vehicle controls & operations providing mitigation options resulting in a reliability level deemed safe for human spaceflight. The problem and solution is a balance of risk to a known solution versus a chance to improve the landing performance for the next human-rated spacecraft.

  18. Sonic boom signature data from cruciform microphone array experiments during the 1966-1967 EAFB national sonic boom evaluation program

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Hubbard, H. H.; Maglieri, D. J.

    1990-01-01

    Tables are provided of measured sonic boom signature data derived from supersonic flyover tests of the XB-70, B-58 and F-104 aircraft for ranges of altitude and Mach number. These tables represent a convenient hard copy version of available electronic files and complement preliminary information included in a reference National Sonic Boom Evaluation Office document.

  19. Review of sonic-boom simulation devices and techniques.

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Edge, P. M., Jr.; Hubbard, H. H.

    1972-01-01

    Research on aircraft-generated sonic booms has led to the development of special techniques to generate controlled sonic-boom-type disturbances without the complications and expense of supersonic flight operations. This paper contains brief descriptions of several of these techniques along with the significant hardware items involved and indicates the advantages and disadvantages of each in research applications. Included are wind tunnels, ballistic ranges, spark discharges, piston phones, shock tubes, high-speed valve systems, and shaped explosive charges. Specialized applications include sonic-boom generation and propagation studies and the responses of structures, terrain, people, and animals. Situations for which simulators are applicable are shown to include both small-scale and large-scale laboratory tests and full-scale field tests. Although no one approach to simulation is ideal, the various techniques available generally complement each other to provide desired capability for a broad range of sonic-boom studies.

  20. Frequency Shift During Mass Properties Testing Using Compound Pendulum Method

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Wolfe, David; Regan, Chris

    2012-01-01

    During mass properties testing on the X-48B Blended Wing Body aircraft (The Boeing Company, Chicago, Illinois) at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, California, large inertia measurement errors were observed in results from compound pendulum swings when compared to analytical models. By comparing periods of oscillations as measured from an average over the test period versus the period of each oscillation, it was noticed that the frequency of oscillation was shifting significantly throughout the test. This phenomenon was only noticed during compound pendulum swings, and not during bifilar pendulum swings. The frequency shift was only visible upon extensive data analysis of the frequency for each oscillation, and did not appear in averaged frequency data over the test period. Multiple test articles, test techniques, and hardware setups were used in attempts to eliminate or identify the cause of the frequency shift. Plotting the frequency of oscillation revealed a region of minimal shift that corresponded to a larger amplitude range. This region of minimal shift provided the most accurate results compared to a known test article; however, the amplitudes that produce accurate inertia measurements are amplitudes larger than those generally accepted in mass properties testing. This paper examines two case studies of the frequency shift, using mass properties testing performed on a dummy test article, and on the X-48B Blended Wing Body aircraft.

  1. Coated Fused Silica Fibers for Enhanced Sensitivity Torsion Pendulum

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Numata, Kenji; Horowitz, Jordan; Camp, Jordan

    2007-01-01

    In order to investigate the fundamental thermal noise limit of a torsion pendulum using a fused silica fiber, we systematically measured and modeled the mechanical losses of thin fused silica fibers coated by electrically conductive thin metal films. Our results indicate that it is possible to achieve a thermal noise limit for coated silica lower by a factor between 3 and 9, depending on the silica diameter, compared to the best tungsten fibers available. This will allow a corresponding increase in sensitivity of torsion pendula used for weak force measurements, including the gravitational constant measurement and ground-based force noise testing for the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) mission.

  2. Soup-can Pendulum

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Peters, Randall D.

    2004-11-01

    In these studies, a vegetable can containing fluidwas swung as a pendulum by supporting its end-lipswith a pair of knife edges. The motion was measuredwith a capacitive sensor and the logarithmic decrementin free decay was estimated from computer-collectedrecords. Measurements performed with nine differenthomogeneous liquids, distributed through six decadesin the viscosity η, showed that the damping ofthe system is dominated by η rather than externalforces from air or the knife edges. The log decrementwas found to be maximum (0.28) in the vicinity ofη = 0.7 Pa s and fell off more than 15 fold(below 2 × 10-2) for both small viscosity(η < 1 × 10-3 Pa s) and also for largeviscosity (η > 1 × 103 Pa s). A simple modelhas been formulated, which yields reasonable agreementbetween theory and experiment by approximating therelative rotation of can and liquid.

  3. Improved estimates of fixed reproducible tangible wealth, 1929-95

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    1997-05-01

    This article presents revised estimates of the value of fixed reproducible tangible wealth in the United States for 192995; these estimates incorporate the definitional and statistical : improvements introduced in last years comprehensive revis...

  4. Moving towards the Assessment of Collaborative Problem Solving Skills with a Tangible User Interface

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Ras, Eric; Krkovic, Katarina; Greiff, Samuel; Tobias, Eric; Maquil, Valérie

    2014-01-01

    The research on the assessment of collaborative problem solving (ColPS), as one crucial 21st Century Skill, is still in its beginnings. Using Tangible User Interfaces (TUI) for this purpose has only been marginally investigated in technology-based assessment. Our first empirical studies focused on light-weight performance measurements, usability,…

  5. On the "pendulum" of bioethics.

    PubMed

    Petrini, C

    According to a well-known philosopher, the life of ethics was saved, at the beginning of the 1970s, by medicine. The claim is based on the consideration that the questions then being posed by medicine were actual and dramatic, forcing ethicists and philosophers to abandon their mostly useless abstract speculations. Since the early years of the new century some authors have been harsh in their criticism of bioethics, accusing it not only of not "returning the favour" to medicine but also of seriously hindering medical practice and, above all, research, by subjecting them to unnecessary constraints. Some of the more restrictive and bureaucratic regulations have been relaxed over the years, to the extent that some authors suggest that the bioethics pendulum "is taking a swing to the permissive". There are nonetheless some fundamental principles and values that do not admit of concessions. Provided these are properly guaranteed, it is appropriate to simplify overly rigid regulations (such as those concerning consent to the use of health data) and allow research to achieve potentially useful results.

  6. Fractangi: A Tangible Learning Environment for Learning about Fractions with an Interactive Number Line

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Mpiladeri, Magda; Palaigeorgiou, George; Lemonidis, Charalampos

    2016-01-01

    Tangible user interfaces (TUIs) are frequently used to teach children abstract concepts, in science and mathematics. TUIs offer a natural and immediate form of interaction that promotes active and hands-on engagement and allows for exploration and reflection. Tangible objects are representational artifacts in their essence, and they increase the…

  7. Extension of sonic anemometry to high subsonic Mach number flows

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Otero, R.; Lowe, K. T.; Ng, W. F.

    2017-03-01

    In the literature, the application of sonic anemometry has been limited to low subsonic Mach number, near-incompressible flow conditions. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper represents the first time a sonic anemometry approach has been used to characterize flow velocity beyond Mach 0.3. Using a high speed jet, flow velocity was measured using a modified sonic anemometry technique in flow conditions up to Mach 0.83. A numerical study was conducted to identify the effects of microphone placement on the accuracy of the measured velocity. Based on estimated error strictly due to uncertainty in time-of-acoustic flight, a random error of +/- 4 m s-1 was identified for the configuration used in this experiment. Comparison with measurements from a Pitot probe indicated a velocity RMS error of +/- 9 m s-1. The discrepancy in error is attributed to a systematic error which may be calibrated out in future work. Overall, the experimental results from this preliminary study support the use of acoustics for high subsonic flow characterization.

  8. High-power, null-type, inverted pendulum thrust stand.

    PubMed

    Xu, Kunning G; Walker, Mitchell L R

    2009-05-01

    This article presents the theory and operation of a null-type, inverted pendulum thrust stand. The thrust stand design supports thrusters having a total mass up to 250 kg and measures thrust over a range of 1 mN to 5 N. The design uses a conventional inverted pendulum to increase sensitivity, coupled with a null-type feature to eliminate thrust alignment error due to deflection of thrust. The thrust stand position serves as the input to the null-circuit feedback control system and the output is the current to an electromagnetic actuator. Mechanical oscillations are actively damped with an electromagnetic damper. A closed-loop inclination system levels the stand while an active cooling system minimizes thermal effects. The thrust stand incorporates an in situ calibration rig. The thrust of a 3.4 kW Hall thruster is measured for thrust levels up to 230 mN. The uncertainty of the thrust measurements in this experiment is +/-0.6%, determined by examination of the hysteresis, drift of the zero offset and calibration slope variation.

  9. Towards the miniaturization of monolithic folded pendulums: a new approach to the implementation of small and light sensors for ground, space, and marine applications

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Barone, F.; Giordano, G.

    2018-03-01

    The UNISA Folded Pendulum technological platform is very promising for the implementation of high sensitive, large band miniaturized mechanical seismometers and accelerometers in different materials. In fact, the symmetry of its mechanical architecture allows to take full advantage of one of the most relevant properties of the folded pendulum, that is the scalability. This property is very useful for the design of folded pendulums of small size and weight, provided with a suitable combination of physical and geometrical parameters. Using a lagrangian simplified model of folded pendulum, we present and discuss this idea, showing different possible approaches that may lead to the miniaturization of a folded pendulum. Finally we present a first prototype of miniaturized folded pendulum, discussing its characteristics and limitations, in connection with scientific ground, marine and space applications.

  10. Design, optimization and numerical modelling of a novel floating pendulum wave energy converter with tide adaptation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yang, Jing; Zhang, Da-hai; Chen, Ying; Liang, Hui; Tan, Ming; Li, Wei; Ma, Xian-dong

    2017-10-01

    A novel floating pendulum wave energy converter (WEC) with the ability of tide adaptation is designed and presented in this paper. Aiming to a high efficiency, the buoy's hydrodynamic shape is optimized by enumeration and comparison. Furthermore, in order to keep the buoy's well-designed leading edge always facing the incoming wave straightly, a novel transmission mechanism is then adopted, which is called the tidal adaptation mechanism in this paper. Time domain numerical models of a floating pendulum WEC with or without tide adaptation mechanism are built to compare their performance on various water levels. When comparing these two WECs in terms of their average output based on the linear passive control strategy, the output power of WEC with the tide adaptation mechanism is much steadier with the change of the water level and always larger than that without the tide adaptation mechanism.

  11. Weakfish sonic muscle: influence of size, temperature and season.

    PubMed

    Connaughton, M A; Fine, M L; Taylor, M H

    2002-08-01

    The influence of temperature, size and season on the sounds produced by the sonic muscles of the weakfish Cynoscion regalis are categorized and used to formulate a hypothesis about the mechanism of sound generation by the sonic muscle and swimbladder. Sounds produced by male weakfish occur at the time and location of spawning and have been observed in courtship in captivity. Each call includes a series of 6-10 sound pulses, and each pulse expresses a damped, 2-3 cycle acoustic waveform generated by single simultaneous twitches of the bilateral sonic muscles. The sonic muscles triple in mass during the spawning season, and this hypertrophy is initiated by rising testosterone levels that trigger increases in myofibrillar and sarcoplasmic cross-sectional area of sonic muscle fibers. In response to increasing temperature, sound pressure level (SPL), dominant frequency and repetition rate increase, and pulse duration decreases. Likewise, SPL and pulse duration increase and dominant frequency decreases with fish size. Changes in acoustic parameters with fish size suggest the possibility that drumming sounds act as an 'honest' signal of male fitness during courtship. These parameters also correlate with seasonally increasing sonic muscle mass. We hypothesize that sonic muscle twitch duration rather than the resonant frequency of the swimbladder determines dominant frequency. The brief (3.5 ms), rapidly decaying acoustic pulses reflect a low-Q, broadly tuned resonator, suggesting that dominant frequency is determined by the forced response of the swimbladder to sonic muscle contractions. The changing dominant frequency with temperature in fish of the same size further suggests that frequency is not determined by the natural frequency of the bladder because temperature is unlikely to affect resonance. Finally, dominant frequency correlates with pulse duration (reflecting muscle twitch duration), and the inverse of the period of the second cycle of acoustic energy

  12. Spherical Pendulum Small Oscillations for Slewing Crane Motion

    PubMed Central

    Perig, Alexander V.; Stadnik, Alexander N.; Deriglazov, Alexander I.

    2014-01-01

    The present paper focuses on the Lagrange mechanics-based description of small oscillations of a spherical pendulum with a uniformly rotating suspension center. The analytical solution of the natural frequencies' problem has been derived for the case of uniform rotation of a crane boom. The payload paths have been found in the inertial reference frame fixed on earth and in the noninertial reference frame, which is connected with the rotating crane boom. The numerical amplitude-frequency characteristics of the relative payload motion have been found. The mechanical interpretation of the terms in Lagrange equations has been outlined. The analytical expression and numerical estimation for cable tension force have been proposed. The numerical computational results, which correlate very accurately with the experimental observations, have been shown. PMID:24526891

  13. Environmental Pollution: Noise Pollution - Sonic Boom

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1977-06-01

    UNCLASSIFIED AD-A041 400 DDC/BIB-77/06 ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION NOISE POLLUTION SONIC BOOM A DDC BIBLIOGRAPHY DDC-TAS Cameron Station Alexandria, Va...rn7Sttio 658S-A041 400 4 TITLE xand r.VuhtlVlia) 2 TA i b- 1iblog ra ph y ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION : --. Apr-l IM59-Jul, 7NOISE POLLUTION -SONIC BOOM. 1,976...BIBLIOGRAPHY SEARCH CONTROL NO. /2OM09 AD- 769 970 20/1 1/3 DEFENSE UOCUMENTATION CENTER ALEXANDRIA VA ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION : NOISE POLLUTION

  14. On the motion of one-dimensional double pendulum

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Burian, S. N.; Kalnitsky, V. S.

    2018-05-01

    A two-dimensional dynamic Lagrangian system of a double mathematical pendulum with one special constraint is considered. Configuration spaces for a given constraints (ellipses) are studied. The diagrams of paths and reactions in the course of motion along them are shown. The calculations of the transversal intersection case and in the case of tangency are given.

  15. The Pendulum: A Paradigm for the Linear Oscillator

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Newburgh, Ronald

    2004-01-01

    The simple pendulum is a model for the linear oscillator. The usual mathematical treatment of the problem begins with a differential equation that one solves with the techniques of the differential calculus, a formal process that tends to obscure the physics. In this paper we begin with a kinematic description of the motion obtained by experiment…

  16. Galileo and the Pendulum: Latching on to Time

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Machamer, Peter; Hepburn, Brian

    2004-01-01

    Galileo changed the very concepts or categories by which natural philosophy could deal with matter and motion. Central to these changes was his introduction of time as a fundamental concept. He worked with the pendulum and with the inclined plane to discover his new concept of motion. Both of these showed him that acceleration and time were…

  17. Using a Modified Simple Pendulum to Find the Variations in the Value of “g”

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Arnold, Jonathan P.; Efthimiou, C.

    2007-05-01

    The simple pendulum is one of the most known and studied system of Newtonian Mechanics. It also provides one of the most elegant and simple devices to measure the acceleration of gravity at any location. In this presentation we will revisit the problem of measuring the acceleration of gravity using a simple pendulum and will present a modification to the standard technique that increases the accuracy of the measurement.

  18. The differential effects of tangible rewards and praise on intrinsic motivation: A comparison of cognitive evaluation theory and operant theory.

    PubMed

    Carton, J S

    1996-01-01

    Substantial research indicates that tangible rewards, such as money, prizes, and tokens, decrease response rates by undermining intrinsic motivation. In contrast, praise appears to increase response rates by enhancing intrinsic motivation. Based on their interpretation of available evidence, many social-cognitive researchers warn not to use tangible rewards in applied settings and to use praise instead. Furthermore, they suggest that the differential effects of the two types of rewards on intrinsic motivation cannot be explained using principles of operant psychology. Cognitive evaluation theory provides one of the most recent and widely cited social-cognitive explanations for the different effects of the two types of rewards on intrinsic motivation (Deci & Ryan, 1985). However, a review of existing research found little support for the explanations based on this theory and revealed three potential confounding effects: (a) temporal contiguity, (b) the number of reward administrations, and (c) discriminative stimuli associated with reward availability. These three confounding factors provide explanations for the effects of tangible rewards and praise on intrinsic motivation that are consistent with principles of operant psychology.

  19. The differential effects of tangible rewards and praise on intrinsic motivation: A comparison of cognitive evaluation theory and operant theory

    PubMed Central

    Carton, John S.

    1996-01-01

    Substantial research indicates that tangible rewards, such as money, prizes, and tokens, decrease response rates by undermining intrinsic motivation. In contrast, praise appears to increase response rates by enhancing intrinsic motivation. Based on their interpretation of available evidence, many social-cognitive researchers warn not to use tangible rewards in applied settings and to use praise instead. Furthermore, they suggest that the differential effects of the two types of rewards on intrinsic motivation cannot be explained using principles of operant psychology. Cognitive evaluation theory provides one of the most recent and widely cited social-cognitive explanations for the different effects of the two types of rewards on intrinsic motivation (Deci & Ryan, 1985). However, a review of existing research found little support for the explanations based on this theory and revealed three potential confounding effects: (a) temporal contiguity, (b) the number of reward administrations, and (c) discriminative stimuli associated with reward availability. These three confounding factors provide explanations for the effects of tangible rewards and praise on intrinsic motivation that are consistent with principles of operant psychology. PMID:22478261

  20. Ultrasonic/Sonic Rotary-Hammer Drills

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Badescu, Mircea; Sherrit, Stewart; Bar-Cohen, Yoseph; Bao, Xiaoqi; Kassab, Steve

    2010-01-01

    Ultrasonic/sonic rotary-hammer drill (USRoHD) is a recent addition to the collection of apparatuses based on ultrasonic/sonic drill corer (USDC). As described below, the USRoHD has several features, not present in a basic USDC, that increase efficiency and provide some redundancy against partial failure. USDCs and related apparatuses were conceived for boring into, and/or acquiring samples of, rock or other hard, brittle materials of geological interest. They have been described in numerous previous NASA Tech Briefs articles. To recapitulate: A USDC can be characterized as a lightweight, lowpower, piezoelectrically driven jackhammer in which ultrasonic and sonic vibrations are generated and coupled to a tool bit. A basic USDC includes a piezoelectric stack, an ultrasonic transducer horn connected to the stack, a free mass ( free in the sense that it can bounce axially a short distance between hard stops on the horn and the bit), and a tool bit. The piezoelectric stack creates ultrasonic vibrations that are mechanically amplified by the horn. The bouncing of the free mass between the hard stops generates the sonic vibrations. The combination of ultrasonic and sonic vibrations gives rise to a hammering action (and a resulting chiseling action at the tip of the tool bit) that is more effective for drilling than is the microhammering action of ultrasonic vibrations alone. The hammering and chiseling actions are so effective that unlike in conventional twist drilling, little applied axial force is needed to make the apparatus advance into the material of interest. There are numerous potential applications for USDCs and related apparatuses in geological exploration on Earth and on remote planets. In early USDC experiments, it was observed that accumulation of cuttings in a drilled hole causes the rate of penetration of the USDC to decrease steeply with depth, and that the rate of penetration can be increased by removing the cuttings. The USRoHD concept provides for

  1. The experimental determination of the moments of inertia of airplanes by a simplified compound-pendulum method

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Gracey, William

    1948-01-01

    A simplified compound-pendulum method for the experimental determination of the moments of inertia of airplanes about the x and y axes is described. The method is developed as a modification of the standard pendulum method reported previously in NACA report, NACA-467. A brief review of the older method is included to form a basis for discussion of the simplified method. (author)

  2. [Changes of pulse rate caused by sonic bomms during sleep (author's transl)].

    PubMed

    Griefahn, B

    1975-12-05

    In two experimental series (19 resp. 53 nights, 2 different persons in each series, test-time 10.30 p.m. to 3.00 a.m.) pulse rate after sonic booms had been recorded during sleep. In the first 3 nights the subjects slept undisturbed by noise. In the following 11 resp. 30 nights sonic booms were applied alternately 2 or 4 times. In the main series after 10 more nights without any noise 4 nights with 8 and 16 sonic booms alternately followed. The last 6 undisturbed nights in both series were used as comparison phase. The interval between two sonic booms was 40 min in nights with 2 booms, 20 min in nights with 4 sonic booms and in the nights with 8 and 16 sonic booms 8.6 resp. 4.6 min. Sound level of the sonic booms ranged from 0.48 mbar to 1.45 mbar, 1 mbar [83.5 dB (A)] in the average. The first sonic boom was applied if one of the two subjects had entered the deepest stage of sleep. Sonic booms induced a biphasic reaction in pulse rate. After an initial increase in frequency with a maximum in the 4th sec pulse rate decreased below the value before sonic boom; it was followed by a slow increase towards the baseline value. This reaction was analysed with special regard to the following factors: 1. Intensity. Due to very fast increase of noise intensity there was no significant correlation between the intensity of sonic boom and the pulse reaction. 2. Exogenic variables. There is no significant connection between postboom pulse rate and noiseless time before the sonic boom, the duration of the test series and the ambient temperature. 3. Endogenic variables. No correlation could be found between the stage of sleep and the reaction. On the contrary a very significant correlation was found between the maximum of postboom increase of pulse rate and the pulse rate before boom. With increasing pulse rate the extent of reaction becomes smaller.

  3. Distalization of Maxillary First Permanent Molar by Pendulum Appliance in Mixed Dentition Period.

    PubMed

    Paranna, Sujatha; Shetty, Prakashchandra; Anandakrishna, Latha; Rawat, Anuradha

    2017-01-01

    Mesial drifting of molar teeth in maxillary arch is corrected by movement of the molars distally. In addition to traditional distal movement techniques, such as extraoral force application and removable appliances, various intra-arch devices have been introduced since 1980s. These intra-arch appliances have nearly eliminated the need for patient cooperation. The purpose of this paper is to report a case of 10-year-old male patient with loss of space in maxillary molar teeth treated by intra-arch appliance-pendulum appliance by distalization of maxillary first permanent molar teeth. Distaliza-tion of the permanent molar teeth helped in proper eruption of second premolar teeth without any extensive treatment procedures. In the present case report, the treatment of developing malocclusion was corrected by utilizing the concept of interceptive orthodontics. Hence, correction of space loss in mixed dentition period using pendulum appliance can eliminate the fixed orthodontic therapy. Paranna S, Shetty P, Anandakrishna L, Rawat A. Distalization of Maxillary First Permanent Molar by Pendulum Appliance in Mixed Dentition Period. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2017;10(3):299-301.

  4. Molar distalization with pendulum appliances in the mixed dentition: effects on the position of unerupted canines and premolars.

    PubMed

    Kinzinger, Gero S M; Wehrbein, Heinrich; Gross, Ulrich; Diedrich, Peter R

    2006-03-01

    The pendulum appliance allows for rapid molar distalization without the need for patient compliance. Its efficiency has been confirmed in a number of clinical studies. However, the potential interactions and positional changes between the deciduous molars used for dental anchorage and the erupted and unerupted permanent teeth have yet to be clarified when this appliance is used for molar distalization in the mixed dentition. Twenty-nine patients in the mixed dentition each received a modified pendulum appliance with a distal screw and a preactivated pendulum spring for bilateral distalization of the maxillary molars. The patients were divided into 4 groups based on dentition stages: patient group 1 (PG 1, n = 10) was in the early mixed dentition; patients had resorption of the distal root areas of the deciduous molars being used for dental anchorage, and the unerupted premolars were located at the distal margin of the deciduous molar root region. Based on radiographs taken before placement of the pendulum appliance, patient group 2 (PG 2, n = 10) was diagnosed as having a central location of the unerupted premolars. In the third group (PG 3, n = 4), the first premolars were already erupted and could be integrated into the dental anchorage, but the canines were not yet erupted. In the fourth group (PG 4, n = 5), the first premolars and both canines were fully erupted. Statistical analysis of the measured results showed significant differences in the side effects between PG 1 and PG 2. In patients being treated with pendulum appliances, the anchorage quality of the deciduous molars that were already partially resorbed in the distal root area was comparatively reduced. Consequently, the mesial drift of the deciduous molars and incisors was increased, without impairing the extent and quality of the molar distalization. Anchorage loss in the supporting area had no direct impact on the sagittal position of the unerupted premolars in the early mixed dentition. If

  5. Sonic morphology: Aesthetic dimensional auditory spatial awareness

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Whitehouse, Martha M.

    The sound and ceramic sculpture installation, " Skirting the Edge: Experiences in Sound & Form," is an integration of art and science demonstrating the concept of sonic morphology. "Sonic morphology" is herein defined as aesthetic three-dimensional auditory spatial awareness. The exhibition explicates my empirical phenomenal observations that sound has a three-dimensional form. Composed of ceramic sculptures that allude to different social and physical situations, coupled with sound compositions that enhance and create a three-dimensional auditory and visual aesthetic experience (see accompanying DVD), the exhibition supports the research question, "What is the relationship between sound and form?" Precisely how people aurally experience three-dimensional space involves an integration of spatial properties, auditory perception, individual history, and cultural mores. People also utilize environmental sound events as a guide in social situations and in remembering their personal history, as well as a guide in moving through space. Aesthetically, sound affects the fascination, meaning, and attention one has within a particular space. Sonic morphology brings art forms such as a movie, video, sound composition, and musical performance into the cognitive scope by generating meaning from the link between the visual and auditory senses. This research examined sonic morphology as an extension of musique concrete, sound as object, originating in Pierre Schaeffer's work in the 1940s. Pointing, as John Cage did, to the corporeal three-dimensional experience of "all sound," I composed works that took their total form only through the perceiver-participant's participation in the exhibition. While contemporary artist Alvin Lucier creates artworks that draw attention to making sound visible, "Skirting the Edge" engages the perceiver-participant visually and aurally, leading to recognition of sonic morphology.

  6. Quiet Sonic Booms: A NASA and Industry Progress Report

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Larson, David Nils; Martin, Roy; Haering, Edward A.

    2011-01-01

    The purpose of this Oral Presentation is to present a progress report on NASA and Industry efforts related to Quiet Sonic Boom Program activities. This presentation will review changes in aircraft shaping to produce quiet supersonic booms and associated supersonic flight test methods and results. In addition, new flight test profiles have been recently developed that have allowed for the generation of sonic booms of varying intensity. These new flight test profiles have allowed for ground testing of the response of various building structures to sonic booms and the associated public acceptability to various sonic boom intensities. The new flight test profiles and associated ground measurement test methods will be reviewed. Finally, this Oral Presentation will review the International Regulatory requirements that would be involved to change aviation regulation and allow for overland quiet supersonic flight.

  7. Human balancing of an inverted pendulum: is sway size controlled by ankle impedance?

    PubMed Central

    Loram, Ian D; Kelly, Sue M; Lakie, Martin

    2001-01-01

    Using the ankle musculature, subjects balanced a large inverted pendulum. The equilibrium of the pendulum is unstable and quasi-regular sway was observed like that in quiet standing. Two main questions were addressed. Can subjects systematically change sway size in response to instruction and availability of visual feedback? If so, do subjects decrease sway size by increasing ankle impedance or by some alternative mechanism? The position of the pendulum, the torque generated at each ankle and the soleus and tibialis anterior EMG were recorded. Results showed that subjects could significantly reduce the mean sway size of the pendulum by giving full attention to that goal. With visual feedback sway size could be minimised significantly more than without visual feedback. In changing sway size, the frequency of the sways was not changed. Results also revealed that ankle impedance and muscle co-contraction were not significantly changed when the sway size was decreased. As the ankle impedance and sway frequency do not change when the sway size is decreased, this implies no change in ankle stiffness or viscosity. Increasing ankle impedance, stiffness or viscosity are not the only methods by which sway size could be reduced. A reduction in torque noise or torque inaccuracy via a predictive process which provides active damping could reduce sway size without changing ankle impedance and is plausible given the data. Such a strategy involving motion recognition and generation of an accurate motor response may require higher levels of control than changing ankle impedance by altering reflex or feedforward gain. PMID:11313453

  8. In full swing? How do pendulum migrant labourers in Vietnam adjust their sexual perspectives to their rural-urban lives?

    PubMed

    Nguyen, Huong Ngoc; Hardesty, Melissa; Hong, Khuat Thu

    2011-11-01

    Having emerged only recently due to fast urbanisation and globalisation, pendulum migrant labourers in Vietnam are economically, culturally and socially difficult to locate - though they are estimated to number in their millions. Defined by their frequent migration between village and city, pendulum migrant labourers occupy an extended period of liminality. Are they traditional villagers or liberal city people when it comes to sex? Does city life radically change their views on sexuality? Starting with the premise that living environments play a key role in structuring the practical and symbolic realities of sex, this paper explores how extended periods of circular migration between the village and city - living environments that differ markedly in terms of socioeconomic and cultural conditions - affect the sexual views and perspectives of Vietnamese pendulum migrant labourers. Analysis from in-depth interviews with 23 married pendulum migrant labourers revealed that even though they had been living the pendulum life for several years, they continued to identify themselves, sexually, as traditional villagers. Among labourers the link between sexuality and living environment was a matter of pragmatism - matching 'suitable' sexual behaviour to social, even if imagined, location - and of privilege or 'leagues' - matching behaviour and comportment to social pedigree.

  9. Clinical usefulness of the pendulum test using a NK table to measure the spasticity of patients with brain lesions.

    PubMed

    Kim, Yong-Wook

    2013-10-01

    . [Purpose] The purpose of the present study was to investigate the clinical usefulness (reliability and validity) of the pendulum test using a Noland-Kuckhoff (NK) table with an attached electrogoniometer to measure the spasticity of patients with brain lesions. [Subjects] The subjects were 31 patients with stroke or traumatic brain injury. [Methods] The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to verify the test-retest reliability of spasticity measures obtained using the pendulum test. Pearson's product correlation coefficient was used to examine the validity of the pendulum test using the amplitude of the patellar tendon reflex (PTR) test, an objective and quantitative measure of spasticity. [Results] The test-retest reliability was high, reflecting a significant correlation between the test and the retest (ICCs = 0.95-0.97). A significant negative correlation was found between the amplitude of the PTR test and the four variables measured in the pendulum test (r = -0.77- -0.85). [Conclusion] The pendulum test using a NK table is an objective measure of spasticity and can be used in the clinical setting in place of more expensive and complicated equipment. Further studies are needed to investigate the therapeutic effect of this method on spasticity.

  10. A double pendulum model of tennis strokes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Cross, Rod

    2011-05-01

    The physics of swinging a tennis racquet is examined by modeling the forearm and the racquet as a double pendulum. We consider differences between a forehand and a serve, and show how they differ from the swing of a bat and a golf club. It is also shown that the swing speed of a racquet, like that of a bat or a club, depends primarily on its moment of inertia rather than on its mass.

  11. Apparatus for Teaching Physics: A Very Short, Portable Foucault Pendulum.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Kruglak, Haym

    1983-01-01

    Describes the construction of a small (portable), inexpensive, and easy to build Foucault pendulum. Includes photographs of the apparatus, a schematic of the electrical circuit used, and discussion of the amount of accuracy to be expected during classroom investigation. (JM)

  12. Control of the constrained planar simple inverted pendulum

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Bavarian, B.; Wyman, B. F.; Hemami, H.

    1983-01-01

    Control of a constrained planar inverted pendulum by eigenstructure assignment is considered. Linear feedback is used to stabilize and decouple the system in such a way that specified subspaces of the state space are invariant for the closed-loop system. The effectiveness of the feedback law is tested by digital computer simulation. Pre-compensation by an inverse plant is used to improve performance.

  13. Comparison of Two Methods for Calculating the Frictional Properties of Articular Cartilage Using a Simple Pendulum and Intact Mouse Knee Joints

    PubMed Central

    Drewniak, Elizabeth I.; Jay, Gregory D.; Fleming, Braden C.; Crisco, Joseph J.

    2009-01-01

    In attempts to better understand the etiology of osteoarthritis, a debilitating joint disease that results in the degeneration of articular cartilage in synovial joints, researchers have focused on joint tribology, the study of joint friction, lubrication, and wear. Several different approaches have been used to investigate the frictional properties of articular cartilage. In this study, we examined two analysis methods for calculating the coefficient of friction (μ) using a simple pendulum system and BL6 murine knee joints (n=10) as the fulcrum. A Stanton linear decay model (Lin μ) and an exponential model that accounts for viscous damping (Exp μ) were fit to the decaying pendulum oscillations. Root mean square error (RMSE), asymptotic standard error (ASE), and coefficient of variation (CV) were calculated to evaluate the fit and measurement precision of each model. This investigation demonstrated that while Lin μ was more repeatable, based on CV (5.0% for Lin μ; 18% for Exp μ), Exp μ provided a better fitting model, based on RMSE (0.165° for Exp μ; 0.391° for Lin μ) and ASE (0.033 for Exp μ; 0.185 for Lin μ), and had a significantly lower coefficient of friction value (0.022±0.007 for Exp μ; 0.042±0.016 for Lin μ) (p=0.001). This study details the use of a simple pendulum for examining cartilage properties in situ that will have applications investigating cartilage mechanics in a variety of species. The Exp μ model provided a more accurate fit to the experimental data for predicting the frictional properties of intact joints in pendulum systems. PMID:19632680

  14. The evolution of floral sonication, a pollen foraging behavior used by bees (Anthophila)

    PubMed Central

    Cardinal, Sophie; Buchmann, Stephen L.; Russell, Avery L.

    2018-01-01

    Abstract Over 22,000 species of biotically pollinated flowering plants, including some major agricultural crops, depend primarily on bees capable of floral sonication for pollination services. The ability to sonicate (“buzz”) flowers is widespread in bees but not ubiquitous. Despite the prevalence of this pollinator behavior and its importance to natural and agricultural systems, the evolutionary history of floral sonication in bees has not been previously studied. Here, we reconstruct the evolutionary history of floral sonication in bees by generating a time‐calibrated phylogeny and reconstructing ancestral states for this pollen extraction behavior. We also test the hypothesis that the ability to sonicate flowers and thereby efficiently access pollen from a diverse assemblage of plant species, led to increased diversification among sonicating bee taxa. We find that floral sonication evolved on average 45 times within bees, possibly first during the Early Cretaceous (100–145 million years ago) in the common ancestor of bees. We find that sonicating lineages are significantly more species rich than nonsonicating sister lineages when comparing sister clades, but a probabilistic structured rate permutation on phylogenies approach failed to support the hypothesis that floral sonication is a key driver of bee diversification. This study provides the evolutionary framework needed to further study how floral sonication by bees may have facilitated the spread and common evolution of angiosperm species with poricidal floral morphology. PMID:29392714

  15. An in-home study of subjective response to simulated sonic booms

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Mccurdy, David A.; Brown, Sherilyn A.; Hilliard, R. David

    1994-01-01

    The proposed development of a second-generation supersonic commercial transport has resulted in increased research efforts to provide an environmentally acceptable aircraft. One of the environmental issues is the impact of sonic booms on people. Aircraft designers are attempting to design the transport to produce sonic boom signatures that will have minimum impact on the public. Current supersonic commercial aircraft produce an 'N-wave' sonic boom pressure signature that is considered unacceptable by the public. This has resulted in first-generation supersonic transports being banned from flying supersonically over land in the United States, a severe economic constraint. By tailoring aircraft volume and lift distributions, designers hope to produce sonic boom signatures having specific shapes other than 'N-wave' that may be more acceptable to the public and could possibly permit overland supersonic flight. As part of the effort to develop a second-generation supersonic commercial transport, Langley Research Center is conducting research to study people's subjective response to sonic booms. As part of that research, a system was developed for performing studies of the subjective response of people to the occurrence of simulated sonic booms in their homes. The In-Home Noise Generation/Response System (IHONORS) provides a degree of situational realism not available in the laboratory and a degree of control over the noise exposure not found in community surveys. The computer-controlled audio system generates the simulated sonic booms, measures the noise levels, and records the subjects' rating and can be placed and operated in individuals' homes for extended periods of time. The system was used to conduct an in-home study of subjective response to simulated sonic booms. The primary objective of the study was to determine the effect on annoyance of the number of sonic boom occurrences in a realistic environment.

  16. Seeing & Feeling How Enzymes Work Using Tangible Models

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Lau, Kwok-chi

    2013-01-01

    This article presents a tangible model used to help students tackle some misconceptions about enzyme actions, particularly the induced-fit model, enzyme-substrate complementarity, and enzyme inhibition. The model can simulate how substrates induce a change in the shape of the active site and the role of attraction force during enzyme-substrate…

  17. Human balancing of an inverted pendulum with a compliant linkage: neural control by anticipatory intermittent bias

    PubMed Central

    Lakie, Martin; Caplan, Nicholas; Loram, Ian D

    2003-01-01

    These experiments were prompted by the recent discovery that the intrinsic stiffness of the ankle is inadequate to stabilise passively the body in standing. Our hope was that showing how a large inverted pendulum was manually balanced with low intrinsic stiffness would elucidate the active control of human standing. The results show that the pendulum can be satisfactorily stabilised when intrinsic stiffness is low. Analysis of sway size shows that intrinsic stiffness actually plays little part in stabilisation. The sway duration is also substantially independent of intrinsic stiffness. This suggests that the characteristic sway of the pendulum, rather than being dictated by stiffness and inertia, may result from the control pattern of hand movements. The key points revealed by these experiments are that with low intrinsic stiffness the hand provides pendulum stability by intermittently altering the bias of the spring and, on average, the hand moves in opposition to the load. The results lead to a new and testable hypothesis; namely that in standing, the calf muscle shortens as the body sways forward and lengthens as it sways backwards. These findings are difficult to reconcile with stretch reflex control of the pendulum and are of particular relevance to standing. They may also be relevant to postural maintenance in general whenever the CNS controls muscles which operate through compliant linkages. The results also suggest that in standing, rather than providing passive stability, the intrinsic stiffness acts as an energy efficient buffer which provides decoupling between muscle and body. PMID:12832494

  18. Determination of the Optimal Position of Pendulums of an Active Self-balancing Device

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ziyakaev, G. R.; Kazakova, O. A.; Yankov, V. V.; Ivkina, O. P.

    2017-04-01

    The demand of the modern manufacturing industry for machines with high motion speed leads to increased load and vibration activity of the main elements of rotor systems. Vibration reduces operating life of bearings, has adversary effects on human organism, and can cause accidents. One way to compensate for a rotating rotor's imbalance is the use of active self-balancing devices. The aim of this work is to determine the position of their pendulums, in which the imbalance is minimized. As a result of the study, a formula for determining the angle of the pendulums was obtained.

  19. Gravity field error analysis for pendulum formations by a semi-analytical approach

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Li, Huishu; Reubelt, Tilo; Antoni, Markus; Sneeuw, Nico

    2017-03-01

    Many geoscience disciplines push for ever higher requirements on accuracy, homogeneity and time- and space-resolution of the Earth's gravity field. Apart from better instruments or new observables, alternative satellite formations could improve the signal and error structure compared to Grace. One possibility to increase the sensitivity and isotropy by adding cross-track information is a pair of satellites flying in a pendulum formation. This formation contains two satellites which have different ascending nodes and arguments of latitude, but have the same orbital height and inclination. In this study, the semi-analytical approach for efficient pre-mission error assessment is presented, and the transfer coefficients of range, range-rate and range-acceleration gravitational perturbations are derived analytically for the pendulum formation considering a set of opening angles. The new challenge is the time variations of the opening angle and the range, leading to temporally variable transfer coefficients. This is solved by Fourier expansion of the sine/cosine of the opening angle and the central angle. The transfer coefficients are further applied to assess the error patterns which are caused by different orbital parameters. The simulation results indicate that a significant improvement in accuracy and isotropy is obtained for small and medium initial opening angles of single polar pendulums, compared to Grace. The optimal initial opening angles are 45° and 15° for accuracy and isotropy, respectively. For a Bender configuration, which is constituted by a polar Grace and an inclined pendulum in this paper, the behaviour of results is dependent on the inclination (prograde vs. retrograde) and on the relative baseline orientation (left or right leading). The simulation for a sun-synchronous orbit shows better results for the left leading case.

  20. Experimental and Computational Study of Sonic and Supersonic Jet Plumes

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Venkatapathy, E.; Naughton, J. W.; Fletcher, D. G.; Edwards, Thomas A. (Technical Monitor)

    1994-01-01

    Study of sonic and supersonic jet plumes are relevant to understanding such phenomenon as jet-noise, plume signatures, and rocket base-heating and radiation. Jet plumes are simple to simulate and yet, have complex flow structures such as Mach disks, triple points, shear-layers, barrel shocks, shock-shear-layer interaction, etc. Experimental and computational simulation of sonic and supersonic jet plumes have been performed for under- and over-expanded, axisymmetric plume conditions. The computational simulation compare very well with the experimental observations of schlieren pictures. Experimental data such as temperature measurements with hot-wire probes are yet to be measured and will be compared with computed values. Extensive analysis of the computational simulations presents a clear picture of how the complex flow structure develops and the conditions under which self-similar flow structures evolve. From the computations, the plume structure can be further classified into many sub-groups. In the proposed paper, detail results from the experimental and computational simulations for single, axisymmetric, under- and over-expanded, sonic and supersonic plumes will be compared and the fluid dynamic aspects of flow structures will be discussed.

  1. The Impact of Sonication on the Surface Quality of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes.

    PubMed

    Koh, Byumseok; Cheng, Wei

    2015-08-01

    Sonication process is regularly adopted for dispersing single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) in an aqueous medium. This can be achieved by either covalent functionalization of SWCNTs with strong acid or by noncovalent functionalization using dispersants that adsorb onto the surface of SWCNTs during dispersion. Because the dispersion process is usually performed using sonication, unintentional free radical formation during sonication process may induce covalent modification of SWCNT surface. Herein, we have systematically investigated the status of SWCNT surface modification under various sonication conditions using Raman spectroscopy. Comparing ID /IG (Raman intensities between D and G bands) ratio of SWCNTs under various sonication conditions suggests that typical sonication conditions (1-6 h bath sonication with sonication power between 3 and 80 W) in aqueous media do not induce covalent modification of SWCNT surface. In addition, we confirm that SWCNT dispersion with single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) involves noncovalent adsorption of ssDNA onto the surface of SWCNTs, but not covalent linkage between ssDNA and SWCNT surface. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association.

  2. Effects of conventional anchorage on premolar root development during treatment with a pendulum appliance.

    PubMed

    Kinzinger, Gero; Pantel, Cora; Ludwig, Björn; Gülden, Norbert; Glasl, Bettina; Lisson, Jörg

    2010-07-01

    By metrically analyzing orthopantomograms, we aimed in this study to retrospectively investigate whether maxillary premolars used as anchoring teeth during molar distalization with pendulum appliances would reveal inhibited root development. The upper molars were distalized with a modified pendulum appliance (Pendulum K) in 36 adolescents (14 males, 22 females, mean age 12.3 years). Mean treatment period was 19.5 weeks. Orthopantomograms of each patient were taken at the start (time point T1) and after completion of molar distalization (time point T2). The enlargement of the posterior region was ascertained individually quadrant by quadrant for each radiograph, followed by measurement of the vestibular tooth lengths of the premolars whose root development was for the most part not yet complete. To assess further root development in the premolar region, the differences were calculated between tooth lengths at the start and end of treatment. During treatment with the pendulum appliance a general increase in tooth lengths in the anchorage region was observed (1.37 +/- 1.70 mm, p<0.0001). Differentiated by dental age, we noted increases in tooth lengths of patients with second molars in the budding stage (patient group PG 1: 0.93 +/- 1.37 mm, p<0.0001) as well as of patients with fully-erupted second molars (patient group PG 2: 1.81 +/- 1.88 mm, p<0.0001). Both groups demonstrated greater increases in the second premolars than the first premolars; the increases group-wise were larger in PG 2 than PG 1. However, both the group comparison (PG 1 versus PG 2) and the side comparison (right versus left) (differentiated into first and second molars) showed no statistically relevant differences. Visual assessment of the radiographs revealed no evidence of treatment-related root deviations. A highly complex system of forces acts on the anchoring teeth during molar distalization with the conventionally-anchored Pendulum K. However, the Pendulum K appliance's specific

  3. Sound absorption enhancement of nonwoven felt by using coupled membrane - sonic crystal inclusion

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Fitriani, M. C.; Yahya, I.; Harjana; Ubaidillah; Aditya, F.; Siregar, Y.; Moeliono, M.; Sulaksono, S.

    2016-11-01

    The experimental results from laboratory test on the sound absorption performance of nonwoven felt with an array thin tubes and sonic crystal inclusions reported in this paper. The nonwoven felt sample was produced by a local company with 15 mm in its thickness and 900 gsm. The 6.4 mm diameter plastic straw was used to construct the thin tubes array while the sonic crystal is arranged in a 4 × 4 lattice crystal formation. It made from a PVC cylinder with 17 mm and 50 mm in diameter and length respectively. All cylinders have two holes positioned on 10 mm and 25 mm from the base. The results show that both treatments, array of thin tube and sonic crystal inclusions are effectively increased the sound absorption coefficient of the nonwoven felt significantly especially in the low frequency range starting from 200Hz.

  4. Stability of sonic boom metrics regarding signature distortions from atmospheric turbulence.

    PubMed

    Doebler, William J; Sparrow, Victor W

    2017-06-01

    The degree of insensitivity to atmospheric turbulence was evaluated for five metrics (A-, B-, E-weighted sound exposure level, Stevens Mark VII Perceived Level, and NASA's Indoor Sonic Boom Annoyance Predictor) that correlate to human annoyance from sonic booms. Eight N-wave shaped sonic booms from NASA's FaINT experiment and five simulated "low-boom" sonic booms were turbulized by Locey's ten atmospheric filter functions. The B-weighted sound exposure level value changed the least due to the turbulence filters for twelve of thirteen booms. This makes it the most turbulence stable metric which may be useful for quiet supersonic aircraft certification.

  5. Development of the sonic pump levitator

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Dunn, S. A.

    1985-01-01

    The process and mechanism involved in producing glass microballoons (GMBs) of acceptable quality for laser triggered inertial fusion through use of glass jet levitation and manipulation are considered. The gas jet levitation device, called sonic pumps, provides positioning by timely and appropriate application of gas mementum from one or more of six sonic pumps which are arranged orthogonally in opposed pairs about the levitation region and are activated by an electrooptical, computer controlled, feedback system. The levitation device was fabricated and its associated control systems were assembled into a package and tested in reduced gravity flight regime of the NASA KC-135 aircraft.

  6. Using Tangible Companions for Enhancing Learning English Conversation

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Wang, Yi Hsuan; Young, Shelley S.-C.; Jang, Jyh-Shing Roger

    2013-01-01

    In this study, the researchers attempted to extend the concept of learning companions from the virtual world to the real physical environment and made a breakthrough in technique development of tangible learning robots. The aim of this study was to explore an innovative way by combining the speech recognition technology with educational robots in…

  7. Novel Quantitative Autophagy Analysis by Organelle Flow Cytometry after Cell Sonication

    PubMed Central

    Degtyarev, Michael; Reichelt, Mike; Lin, Kui

    2014-01-01

    Autophagy is a dynamic process of bulk degradation of cellular proteins and organelles in lysosomes. Current methods of autophagy measurement include microscopy-based counting of autophagic vacuoles (AVs) in cells. We have developed a novel method to quantitatively analyze individual AVs using flow cytometry. This method, OFACS (organelle flow after cell sonication), takes advantage of efficient cell disruption with a brief sonication, generating cell homogenates with fluorescently labeled AVs that retain their integrity as confirmed with light and electron microscopy analysis. These AVs could be detected directly in the sonicated cell homogenates on a flow cytometer as a distinct population of expected organelle size on a cytometry plot. Treatment of cells with inhibitors of autophagic flux, such as chloroquine or lysosomal protease inhibitors, increased the number of particles in this population under autophagy inducing conditions, while inhibition of autophagy induction with 3-methyladenine or knockdown of ATG proteins prevented this accumulation. This assay can be easily performed in a high-throughput format and opens up previously unexplored avenues for autophagy analysis. PMID:24489953

  8. Consumer-driven health care: tangible employer actions.

    PubMed

    Beauregard, Thomas R

    2004-01-01

    In response to double-digit health care cost increases, leading employers are aiming aggressive strategies at changing participant and provider behaviors--strategies that go well beyond the narrow idea of a new cost-sharing design. This article describes the elements of a comprehensive consumer-driven health care strategy and provides examples of tangible consumer-driven health care initiatives in the areas of design, pricing, contracting, support and public policy.

  9. A method of measuring micro-impulse with torsion pendulum based on multi-beam laser heterodyne

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Li, Yan-Chao; Wang, Chun-Hui

    2012-02-01

    In this paper, we propose a novel method of multi-beam laser heterodyne measurement for micro-impulse. The measurement of the micro-impulse, which is converted into the measurement of the small tuning angle of the torsion pendulum, is realized by considering the interaction between pulse laser and working medium. Based on Doppler effect and heterodyne technology, the information regarding the small tuning angle is loaded to the frequency difference of the multi-beam laser heterodyne signal by the frequency modulation of the oscillating mirror, thereby obtaining many values of the small tuning angle after the multi-beam laser heterodyne signal demodulation simultaneously. Processing these values by weighted-average, the small tuning angle can be obtained accurately and the value of the micro-impulse can eventually be calculated. Using Polyvinylchlorid+2%C as a working medium, this novel method is used to simulate the value of the micro-impulse by MATLAB which is generated by considering the interaction between the pulse laser and the working medium, the obtained result shows that the relative error of this method is just 0.5%.

  10. An Experiment on a Physical Pendulum and Steiner's Theorem

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Russeva, G. B.; Tsutsumanova, G. G.; Russev, S. C.

    2010-01-01

    Introductory physics laboratory curricula usually include experiments on the moment of inertia, the centre of gravity, the harmonic motion of a physical pendulum, and Steiner's theorem. We present a simple experiment using very low cost equipment for investigating these subjects in the general case of an asymmetrical test body. (Contains 3 figures…

  11. The evolution of floral sonication, a pollen foraging behavior used by bees (Anthophila).

    PubMed

    Cardinal, Sophie; Buchmann, Stephen L; Russell, Avery L

    2018-03-01

    Over 22,000 species of biotically pollinated flowering plants, including some major agricultural crops, depend primarily on bees capable of floral sonication for pollination services. The ability to sonicate ("buzz") flowers is widespread in bees but not ubiquitous. Despite the prevalence of this pollinator behavior and its importance to natural and agricultural systems, the evolutionary history of floral sonication in bees has not been previously studied. Here, we reconstruct the evolutionary history of floral sonication in bees by generating a time-calibrated phylogeny and reconstructing ancestral states for this pollen extraction behavior. We also test the hypothesis that the ability to sonicate flowers and thereby efficiently access pollen from a diverse assemblage of plant species, led to increased diversification among sonicating bee taxa. We find that floral sonication evolved on average 45 times within bees, possibly first during the Early Cretaceous (100-145 million years ago) in the common ancestor of bees. We find that sonicating lineages are significantly more species rich than nonsonicating sister lineages when comparing sister clades, but a probabilistic structured rate permutation on phylogenies approach failed to support the hypothesis that floral sonication is a key driver of bee diversification. This study provides the evolutionary framework needed to further study how floral sonication by bees may have facilitated the spread and common evolution of angiosperm species with poricidal floral morphology. © 2018 The Author(s). Evolution published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of The Society for the Study of Evolution.

  12. Sonic CPT Probing in Support of DNAPL Characterization

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2000-11-21

    directed at developing advanced sensors for delivery by the cone penetrometer. To accommodate these new sensors , probe sizes have increased (from 1.44-in...capability of the CPT, a sonic vibratory system was integrated with conventional CPT to advance cone penetrometer sensor packages past currently attainable...Sonic, Cone Penetrometer, Site Characterization, Fluorescense, Sensor , Shock Hardened Sensors , Geoprobe• 17. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF REPORT

  13. Low sensitivity of implant sonication when screening for infection in revision surgery

    PubMed Central

    Van Diek, Floor M; Albers, Christiaan G M; Van Hooff, Miranda L; Meis, Jacques F; Goosen, Jon H M

    2017-01-01

    Background and purpose Prosthetic-joint infection (PJI) is the most serious complication of arthroplasty, and accurate identification of a potentially responsible microorganism is essential for successful antibiotic treatment. We therefore determined the diagnostic accuracy of sonication and compared it with tissue culture as a screening tool in detecting prosthetic joint infection in revision arthroplasty. Patients and methods 252 consecutive revision arthroplasty cases were enrolled. These cases were determined as being suspected or unsuspected of having infection according to standard criteria. Perioperatively, 6 periprosthetic interface tissue biopsies were obtained from each patient and the implants removed were sonicated. The sensitivity and specificity of periprosthetic tissue culture and sonication fluid cultures were determined. Results Preoperatively, 75 revision cases were classified as having PJI (33 early and 42 late) and 177 were unsuspected of having infection. Compared with tissue culture, the sensitivity of the sonication fluid analysis was low: 0.47 (95% CI: 0.35–0.59) for sonication as compared to 0.68 (95% CI: 0.56–0.78) for tissue culture. The specificity of the sonication fluid analysis was higher than that for tissue culture: 0.99 (95% CI: 0.96–1.0) as compared to 0.80 (95% CI: 0.74–0.86). Interpretation Sonication is a highly specific test for diagnosis of PJI. However, due to the low sensitivity, a negative sonication result does not rule out the presence of PJI. Thus, sonication is not of value for screening of microorganisms during revision surgery. PMID:28287012

  14. NASA Test Flights Examine Effect of Atmospheric Turbulence on Sonic Booms

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2016-07-20

    NASA pilot Nils Larson, and flight test engineer and pilot Wayne Ringelberg, head for a mission debrief after flying a NASA F/A-18 at Mach 1.38 to create sonic booms as part of the SonicBAT flight series at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in California, to study sonic boom signatures with and without the element of atmospheric turbulence.

  15. Robust and novel two degree of freedom fractional controller based on two-loop topology for inverted pendulum.

    PubMed

    Dwivedi, Prakash; Pandey, Sandeep; Junghare, A S

    2018-04-01

    A rotary single inverted pendulum (RSIP) typically represents a space booster rocket, Segway and similar systems with unstable equilibrium. This paper proposes a novel two degree of freedom (2-DOF) fractional control strategy based on 2-loop topology for RSIP system which can be extended to control the systems with unstable equilibrium. It comprises feedback and feed-forward paths. Primary controller relates the perturbation attenuation while the secondary controller is accountable for set point tracking. To tune the parameters of proposed fractional controller a simple graphical tuning method based on frequency response is used. The study will serve the outstanding experimental results for both, stabilization and trajectory tracking tasks. The study will also serve to present a comparison of the performance of the proposed controller with the 1-DOF FOPID controller and sliding mode controller (SMC) for the RSIP system. Further to confirm the usability of the proposed controller and to avoid the random perturbations sensitivity, robustness, and stability analysis through fractional root-locus and Bode-plot is investigated. Copyright © 2018 ISA. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  16. Enhancing antibacterial effect of sodium hypochlorite by low electric current-assisted sonic agitation

    PubMed Central

    Maden, Murat; Ertuğrul, İhsan Furkan; Erik, Cevat Emre; Yetiş, Ceylan Çağıl; Tuncer, Yasin; Kahriman, Mesud

    2017-01-01

    Background This research focused on the effects of low electric current (μE)-assisted sonic agitation of sodium hypochlorite on Enterococcus faecalis infected human root dentin. Methods Extracted human canine roots were instrumented, sterilized, and experimentally contaminated with E. faecalis. After incubation for 21 days, the presence of the biofilm was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (n = 3). Roots were randomly divided into seven groups according to decontamination procedures: G1: no treatment; G2: sterile saline; G3: 5.25% sodium hypochlorite; G4: passive ultrasonic irrigation; G5: EndoActivator (Dentsply Tulsa Dental Specialties, Tulsa, OK) agitation (EA); G6: μE agitation; and G7: μE-assisted sonic agitation. Fixed μE amperage and intensities were applied in G6 and G7. Following microbial sampling, bacterial colonies were counted using the direct plating method. Results Biofilm was not eradicated in any sample. The μE-assisted sonic agitation of sodium hypochlorite revealed the lowest cfu values (p<0.05), whereas there were no significant differences among the passive ultrasonic irrigation, EndoActivator and μE agitation alone (p>0.05). Conclusions Based on available evidence, the following conclusions were drawn: The μE-assisted sonic agitation increased the antibiofilm efficiency of sodium hypochlorite than passive ultrasonic irrigation and EndoActivator. The μE-assisted sonic agitation on 5.25% sodium hypochlorite is not capable to eradicate biofilms at 10mA energy level in 60s. PMID:28854274

  17. Enhancing antibacterial effect of sodium hypochlorite by low electric current-assisted sonic agitation.

    PubMed

    Maden, Murat; Ertuğrul, İhsan Furkan; Orhan, Ekim Onur; Erik, Cevat Emre; Yetiş, Ceylan Çağıl; Tuncer, Yasin; Kahriman, Mesud

    2017-01-01

    This research focused on the effects of low electric current (μE)-assisted sonic agitation of sodium hypochlorite on Enterococcus faecalis infected human root dentin. Extracted human canine roots were instrumented, sterilized, and experimentally contaminated with E. faecalis. After incubation for 21 days, the presence of the biofilm was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (n = 3). Roots were randomly divided into seven groups according to decontamination procedures: G1: no treatment; G2: sterile saline; G3: 5.25% sodium hypochlorite; G4: passive ultrasonic irrigation; G5: EndoActivator (Dentsply Tulsa Dental Specialties, Tulsa, OK) agitation (EA); G6: μE agitation; and G7: μE-assisted sonic agitation. Fixed μE amperage and intensities were applied in G6 and G7. Following microbial sampling, bacterial colonies were counted using the direct plating method. Biofilm was not eradicated in any sample. The μE-assisted sonic agitation of sodium hypochlorite revealed the lowest cfu values (p<0.05), whereas there were no significant differences among the passive ultrasonic irrigation, EndoActivator and μE agitation alone (p>0.05). Based on available evidence, the following conclusions were drawn: The μE-assisted sonic agitation increased the antibiofilm efficiency of sodium hypochlorite than passive ultrasonic irrigation and EndoActivator. The μE-assisted sonic agitation on 5.25% sodium hypochlorite is not capable to eradicate biofilms at 10mA energy level in 60s.

  18. Flight test measurements and analysis of sonic boom phenomena near the shock wave extremity

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Haglund, G. T.; Kane, E. J.

    1973-01-01

    The sonic boom flight test program conducted at Jackass Flats, Nevada, during the summer and fall of 1970 consisted of 121 sonic-boom-generating flights over the 1500 ft instrumented BREN tower. This test program was designed to provide information on several aspects of sonic boom, including caustics produced by longitudinal accelerations, caustics produced by steady flight near the threshold Mach number, sonic boom characteristics near lateral cutoff, and the vertical extent of shock waves attached to near-sonic airplanes. The measured test data, except for the near-sonic flight data, were analyzed in detail to determine sonic boom characteristics for these flight conditions and to determine the accuracy and the range of validity of linear sonic boom theory. The caustic phenomena observed during the threshold Mach number flights and during the transonic acceleration flights are documented and analyzed in detail. The theory of geometric acoustics is shown to be capable of predicting shock wave-ground intersections, and current methods for calculating sonic boom pressure signature away from caustics are shown to be reasonably accurate.

  19. Foldable Instrumented Bits for Ultrasonic/Sonic Penetrators

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Bar-Cohen, Yoseph; Badescu, Mircea; Iskenderian, Theodore; Sherrit, Stewart; Bao, Xiaoqi; Linderman, Randel

    2010-01-01

    Long tool bits are undergoing development that can be stowed compactly until used as rock- or ground-penetrating probes actuated by ultrasonic/sonic mechanisms. These bits are designed to be folded or rolled into compact form for transport to exploration sites, where they are to be connected to their ultrasonic/ sonic actuation mechanisms and unfolded or unrolled to their full lengths for penetrating ground or rock to relatively large depths. These bits can be designed to acquire rock or soil samples and/or to be equipped with sensors for measuring properties of rock or soil in situ. These bits can also be designed to be withdrawn from the ground, restowed, and transported for reuse at different exploration sites. Apparatuses based on the concept of a probe actuated by an ultrasonic/sonic mechanism have been described in numerous prior NASA Tech Briefs articles, the most recent and relevant being "Ultrasonic/ Sonic Impacting Penetrators" (NPO-41666) NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 32, No. 4 (April 2008), page 58. All of those apparatuses are variations on the basic theme of the earliest ones, denoted ultrasonic/sonic drill corers (USDCs). To recapitulate: An apparatus of this type includes a lightweight, low-power, piezoelectrically driven actuator in which ultrasonic and sonic vibrations are generated and coupled to a tool bit. The combination of ultrasonic and sonic vibrations gives rise to a hammering action (and a resulting chiseling action at the tip of the tool bit) that is more effective for drilling than is the microhammering action of ultrasonic vibrations alone. The hammering and chiseling actions are so effective that the size of the axial force needed to make the tool bit advance into soil, rock, or another material of interest is much smaller than in ordinary twist drilling, ordinary hammering, or ordinary steady pushing. Examples of properties that could be measured by use of an instrumented tool bit include electrical conductivity, permittivity, magnetic

  20. Comparison of two different methods of preoperative marking for toric intraocular lens implantation: bubble marker versus pendulum marker.

    PubMed

    Farooqui, Javed Hussain; Koul, Archana; Dutta, Ranjan; Shroff, Noshir Minoo

    2016-01-01

    To compare the accuracy of two different methods of preoperative marking for toric intraocular lens (IOL) implantation, bubble marker versus pendulum marker, as a means of establishing the reference point for the final alignment of the toric IOL to achieve an outcome as close as possible to emmetropia. Toric IOLs were implanted in 180 eyes of 110 patients. One group (55 patients) had preoperative marking of both eyes done with bubble marker (ASICO AE-2791TBL) and the other group (55 patients) with pendulum marker (Rumex(®)3-193). Reference marks were placed at 3-, 6-, and 9-o'clock positions on the limbus. Slit-lamp photographs were analyzed using Adobe Photoshop (version 7.0). Amount of alignment error (in degrees) induced in each group was measured. Mean absolute rotation error in the preoperative marking in the horizontal axis was 2.42±1.71 in the bubble marker group and 2.83±2.31in the pendulum marker group (P=0.501). Sixty percent of the pendulum group and 70% of the bubble group had rotation error ≤3 (P=0.589), and 90% eyes of the pendulum group and 96.7% of the bubble group had rotation error ≤5 (P=0.612). Both preoperative marking techniques result in approximately 3 of alignment error. Both marking techniques are simple, predictable, reproducible and easy to perform.

  1. A Compilation of Space Shuttle Sonic Boom Measurements

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Maglieri, Domenic J.; Henderson, Herbert R.; Massey, Steven J.; Stansbery, Eugene G.

    2011-01-01

    Sonic boom measurements have been obtained on 26 flights of the Space Shuttle system beginning with the launch of STS-1 on April 12, 1981, to the reentry-descent of STS-41 into EAFB on Oct. 10, 1990. A total of 23 boom measurements were acquired within the focus region off the Florida coast during 3 STS launch-ascents and 113 boom measurements were acquired during 23 STS reentry-descent to landing into Florida and California. Sonic boom measurements were made under, and lateral to, the vehicle ground track and cover the Mach-altitude range of about 1.3 to 23 and 54,000 feet to 243,000 feet, respectively. Vehicle operational data, flight profiles and weather data were also gathered during the flights. This STS boom database is contained in 26 documents, some are formal and referenceable but most internal documents. Another 38 documents, also non-referenceable, contain predicted sonic boom footprints for reentry-descent flights on which no measurements were made. The purpose of this report is to provide an overview of the STS sonic boom database and summarize the main findings.

  2. Sonic Boom Prediction and Minimization of the Douglas Reference OPT5 Configuration

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Siclari, Michael J.

    1999-01-01

    Conventional CFD methods and grids do not yield adequate resolution of the complex shock flow pattern generated by a real aircraft geometry. As a result, a unique grid topology and supersonic flow solver was developed at Northrop Grumman based on the characteristic behavior of supersonic wave patterns emanating from the aircraft. Using this approach, it was possible to compute flow fields with adequate resolution several body lengths below the aircraft. In this region, three-dimensional effects are diminished and conventional two-dimensional modified linear theory (MLT) can be applied to estimate ground pressure signatures or sonic booms. To accommodate real aircraft geometries and alleviate the burdensome grid generation task, an implicit marching multi-block, multi-grid finite-volume Euler code was developed as the basis for the sonic boom prediction methodology. The Thomas two-dimensional extrapolation method is built into the Euler code so that ground signatures can be obtained quickly and efficiently with minimum computational effort suitable to the aircraft design environment. The loudness levels of these signatures can then be determined using a NASA generated noise code. Since the Euler code is a three-dimensional flow field solver, the complete circumferential region below the aircraft is computed. The extrapolation of all this field data from a cylinder of constant radius leads to the definition of the entire boom corridor occurring directly below and off to the side of the aircraft's flight path yielding an estimate for the entire noise "annoyance" corridor in miles as well as its magnitude. An automated multidisciplinary sonic boom design optimization software system was developed during the latter part of HSR Phase 1. Using this system, it was found that sonic boom signatures could be reduced through optimization of a variety of geometric aircraft parameters. This system uses a gradient based nonlinear optimizer as the driver in conjunction with a

  3. 4 CFR 22.14 - Production of Documents, Electronically Stored Information, Other Tangible Things, or Entry Onto...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... Information, Other Tangible Things, or Entry Onto Land [Rule 14]. 22.14 Section 22.14 Accounts GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE GENERAL PROCEDURES RULES OF PROCEDURE OF THE GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE CONTRACT..., or Entry Onto Land [Rule 14]. (a) When documents, electronically stored information, other tangible...

  4. Clinical Usefulness of the Pendulum Test Using a NK Table to Measure the Spasticity of Patients with Brain Lesions

    PubMed Central

    Kim, Yong-Wook

    2013-01-01

    . [Purpose] The purpose of the present study was to investigate the clinical usefulness (reliability and validity) of the pendulum test using a Noland-Kuckhoff (NK) table with an attached electrogoniometer to measure the spasticity of patients with brain lesions. [Subjects] The subjects were 31 patients with stroke or traumatic brain injury. [Methods] The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to verify the test–retest reliability of spasticity measures obtained using the pendulum test. Pearson's product correlation coefficient was used to examine the validity of the pendulum test using the amplitude of the patellar tendon reflex (PTR) test, an objective and quantitative measure of spasticity. [Results] The test–retest reliability was high, reflecting a significant correlation between the test and the retest (ICCs = 0.95–0.97). A significant negative correlation was found between the amplitude of the PTR test and the four variables measured in the pendulum test (r = −0.77– −0.85). [Conclusion] The pendulum test using a NK table is an objective measure of spasticity and can be used in the clinical setting in place of more expensive and complicated equipment. Further studies are needed to investigate the therapeutic effect of this method on spasticity. PMID:24259775

  5. "Tangible as tissue": Arnold Gesell, infant behavior, and film analysis.

    PubMed

    Curtis, Scott

    2011-09-01

    From 1924 to 1948, developmental psychologist Arnold Gesell regularly used photographic and motion picture technologies to collect data on infant behavior. The film camera, he said, records behavior "in such coherent, authentic and measurable detail that ... the reaction patterns of infant and child become almost as tangible as tissue." This essay places his faith in the fidelity and tangibility of film, as well as his use of film as evidence, in the context of developmental psychology's professed need for legitimately scientific observational techniques. It also examines his use of these same films as educational material to promote his brand of scientific child rearing. But his analytic techniques - his methods of extracting data from the film frames - are the key to understanding the complex relationship between his theories of development and his chosen research technology.

  6. Distalization of Maxillary First Permanent Molar by Pendulum Appliance in Mixed Dentition Period

    PubMed Central

    Shetty, Prakashchandra; Anandakrishna, Latha; Rawat, Anuradha

    2017-01-01

    Introduction Mesial drifting of molar teeth in maxillary arch is corrected by movement of the molars distally. In addition to traditional distal movement techniques, such as extraoral force application and removable appliances, various intra-arch devices have been introduced since 1980s. These intra-arch appliances have nearly eliminated the need for patient cooperation. Case report The purpose of this paper is to report a case of 10-year-old male patient with loss of space in maxillary molar teeth treated by intra-arch appliance-pendulum appliance by distalization of maxillary first permanent molar teeth. Distaliza-tion of the permanent molar teeth helped in proper eruption of second premolar teeth without any extensive treatment procedures. Conclusion In the present case report, the treatment of developing malocclusion was corrected by utilizing the concept of interceptive orthodontics. Hence, correction of space loss in mixed dentition period using pendulum appliance can eliminate the fixed orthodontic therapy. How to cite this article Paranna S, Shetty P, Anandakrishna L, Rawat A. Distalization of Maxillary First Permanent Molar by Pendulum Appliance in Mixed Dentition Period. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2017;10(3):299-301. PMID:29104393

  7. The effect of sonication method on the mechanical properties of nanosilicon/epoxy composite

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Razali, Nur Zarifah; Abidin, Mohd Hanafiah; Romli, Ahmad Zafir

    2017-09-01

    An experimental work had been conducted to deeply understand the science of dispersion uniformity and mechanical properties exerted with the addition of nano-powder in composite system. The epoxy with nano-silicon contained between 1-5 wt% were utilized to investigate the mechanical behavior and identify the morphology changes and fracture by using optical micrograph images (in which will be discussed in the fractography section). Sonication method was utilized in distributing nano-silicon homogenously in the matrix and two type of devices opted were horn and bath sonicator. In this study, an in-direct sonication (bath) method which having a frequency of 42 kHz was introduced to the samples by using water as a medium and a comparison had been made between bath and horn sonicator efficiency. Non-destructive testing such as density and morphology testing like Optical micrograph was done as to identify the morphology changes in micro-level as well as to confirm the uniformity of nano-silicon distribution in the viscous epoxy. Whilst the destructive testing (i.e izod impact) was used to measure toughness and strength of composite sample. Result shows that Izod impact at velocity 2.0 ms-1 are 2.1kJ/m2 (for bath sonication) and 1.5kJ/m2 (for horn sonication) at velocity of 3.5 ms-1 are 2.8 kJ/m2 (for bath sonication) and 2.0kJ/m2 (for horn sonication). It can be concluded that bath sonication method give significant increment compared to horn sonication.

  8. Modified Linear Theory Aircraft Design Tools and Sonic Boom Minimization Strategy Applied to Signature Freezing via F-function Lobe Balancing

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jung, Timothy Paul

    Commercial supersonic travel has strong business potential; however, in order for the Federal Aviation Administration to lift its ban on supersonic flight overland, designers must reduce aircraft sonic boom strength to an acceptable level. An efficient methodology and associated tools for designing aircraft for minimized sonic booms are presented. The computer-based preliminary design tool, RapidF, based on modified linear theory, enables quick assessment of an aircraft's sonic boom with run times less than 30 seconds on a desktop computer. A unique feature of RapidF is that it tracks where on the aircraft each segment of the of the sonic boom came from, enabling precise modifications, speeding the design process. Sonic booms from RapidF are compared to flight test data, showing that it is capability of predicting a sonic boom duration, overpressure, and interior shock locations. After the preliminary design is complete, scaled flight tests should be conducted to validate the low boom design. When conducting such tests, it is insufficient to just scale the length; thus, equations to scale the weight and propagation distance are derived. Using RapidF, a conceptual supersonic business jet design is presented that uses F-function lobe balancing to create a frozen sonic boom using lifting surfaces. The leading shock is reduced from 1.4 to 0.83 psf, and the trailing shock from 1.2 to 0.87 psf, 41% and 28% reductions respectfully. By changing the incidence angle of the surfaces, different sonic boom shapes can be created, and allowing the lobes to be re-balanced for new flight conditions. Computational fluid dynamics is conducted to validate the sonic boom predictions. Off-design analysis is presented that varies weight, altitude, Mach number, and propagation angle, demonstrating that lobe-balance is robust. Finally, the Perceived Level of Loudness metric is analyzed, resulting in a modified design that incorporates other boom minimization techniques to further reduce

  9. Subjective response to sonic booms having different shapes, rise times, and durations

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Mccurdy, David A.

    1994-01-01

    Two laboratory experiments were conducted to quantify the subjective response of people to simulated outdoor sonic booms having different pressure signatures. The specific objectives of the experiments were to compare subjective response to sonic booms when described in terms of 'loudness' and 'annoyance'; to determine the ability of various noise metrics to predict subjective response to sonic booms; to determine the effects on subjective response of rise time, duration, and level; and to compare the subjective response to 'N-wave' sonic boom signatures with the subjective response to 'minimized' sonic boom signatures. The experiments were conducted in a computer-controlled, man-rated sonic boom simulator capable of reproducing user-specified pressure signatures for a wide range of sonic boom parameters. One hundred and fifty sonic booms representing different combinations of two wave shapes, four rise times, seven durations, and three peak overpressures were presented to 36 test subjects in each experiment. The test subjects in the first experiment made judgments of 'loudness' while the test subjects in the second experiment judged 'annoyance.' Subjective response to sonic booms was the same whether expressed in terms of loudness or in terms of annoyance. Analyses of several different noise metrics indicated that A-weighted sound exposure level and Perceived Level were the best predictors of subjective response. Further analyses indicated that, of these two noise metrics, only Perceived Level completely accounted for the effects of wave shape, rise time, and peak overpressure. Neither metric fully accounted for the effect of duration. However, the magnitude of the duration effect was small over the very wide range of durations considered.

  10. World Pendulum--A Distributed Remotely Controlled Laboratory (RCL) to Measure the Earth's Gravitational Acceleration Depending on Geographical Latitude

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Grober, S.; Vetter, M.; Eckert, B.; Jodl, H.-J.

    2007-01-01

    We suggest that different string pendulums are positioned at different locations on Earth and measure at each place the gravitational acceleration (accuracy [delta]g is approximately equal to 0.01 m s[superscript -2]). Each pendulum can be remotely controlled via the internet by a computer located somewhere on Earth. The theoretical part describes…

  11. Effects of precipitation on sonic anemometer measurements of turbulent fluxes in the atmospheric surface layer

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhang, Rongwang; Huang, Jian; Wang, Xin; Zhang, Jun A.; Huang, Fei

    2016-06-01

    Effects caused by precipitation on the measurements of three-dimensional sonic anemometer are analyzed based on a field observational experiment conducted in Maoming, Guangdong Province, China. Obvious fluctuations induced by precipitation are observed for the outputs of sonic anemometer-derived temperature and wind velocity components. A technique of turbulence spectra and cospectra normalized in the framework of similarity theory is utilized to validate the measured variables and calculated fluxes. It is found that the sensitivity of sonic anemometer-derived temperature to precipitation is significant, compared with that of the wind velocity components. The spectra of wind velocity and cospectra of momentum flux resemble the standard universal shape with the slopes of the spectra and cospectra at the inertial subrange, following the -2/3 and -4/3 power law, respectively, even under the condition of heavy rain. Contaminated by precipitation, however, the spectra of temperature and cospectra of sensible heat flux do not exhibit a universal shape and have obvious frequency loss at the inertial subrange. From the physical structure and working principle of sonic anemometer, a possible explanation is proposed to describe this difference, which is found to be related to the variations of precipitation particles. Corrections for errors of sonic anemometer-derived temperature under precipitation is needed, which is still under exploration.

  12. Measuring "g" Using a Magnetic Pendulum and Telephone Pickup

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Sinacore, J.; Takai, H.

    2010-01-01

    The simple pendulum has long been used to measure "g", the acceleration due to gravity, with a precision of a few percent. Achieving agreement with the accepted value of less than 1% is feasible in the high school laboratory, though it requires some care. The precision of the measurement is bound by how accurately the period and the pendulum…

  13. Precision Mass Property Measurements Using a Five-Wire Torsion Pendulum

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Swank, Aaron J.

    2012-01-01

    A method for measuring the moment of inertia of an object using a five-wire torsion pendulum design is described here. Typical moment of inertia measurement devices are capable of 1 part in 10(exp 3) accuracy and current state of the art techniques have capabilities of about one part in 10(exp 4). The five-wire apparatus design shows the prospect of improving on current state of the art. Current measurements using a laboratory prototype indicate a moment of inertia measurement precision better than a part in 10(exp 4). In addition, the apparatus is shown to be capable of measuring the mass center offset from the geometric center. Typical mass center measurement devices exhibit a measurement precision up to approximately 1 micrometer. Although the five-wire pendulum was not originally designed for mass center measurements, preliminary results indicate an apparatus with a similar design may have the potential of achieving state of the art precision.

  14. The Pendulum: From Constrained Fall to the Concept of Potential

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bevilacqua, Fabio; Falomo, Lidia; Fregonese, Lucio; Giannetto, Enrico; Giudice, Franco; Mascheretti, Paolo

    2006-08-01

    Kuhn underlined the relevance of Galileo’s gestalt switch in the interpretation of a swinging body from constrained fall to time metre. But the new interpretation did not eliminate the older one. The constrained fall, both in the motion of pendulums and along inclined planes, led Galileo to the law of free fall. Experimenting with physical pendulums and assuming the impossibility of perpetual motion Huygens obtained a law of conservation of vis viva at specific positions, beautifully commented by Mach. Daniel Bernoulli generalised Huygens results introducing the concept of potential and the related independence of the ‘work’ done from the trajectories (paths) followed: vis viva conservation at specific positions is now linked with the potential. Feynman’s modern way of teaching the subject shows striking similarities with Bernoulli’s approach. A number of animations and simulations can help to visualise and teach some of the pendulum’s interpretations related to what we now see as instances of energy conservation.

  15. The Treatment of the Motion of a Simple Pendulum in Some Early 18th Century Newtonian Textbooks

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Gauld, Colin

    2004-01-01

    The treatment of pendulum motion in early 18th century Newtonian textbooks is quite different to what we find in today's physics textbooks and is based on presuppositions and mathematical techniques which are not widely used today. In spite of a desire to present Newton's new philosophy of nature as found in his "Principia" 18th century textbook…

  16. The frequency of human, manual adjustments in balancing an inverted pendulum is constrained by intrinsic physiological factors

    PubMed Central

    Loram, Ian D; Gawthrop, Peter J; Lakie, Martin

    2006-01-01

    While standing naturally and when manually or pedally balancing an equivalent inverted pendulum, the load sways slowly (characteristic unidirectional duration ∼1 s) and the controller, calf muscles or hand, makes more frequent adjustments (characteristic unidirectional duration 400 ms). Here we test the hypothesis that these durations reflect load properties rather than some intrinsic property of the human neuromuscular system. Using a specialized set-up mechanically analogous to real standing, subjects manually balanced inverted pendulums with different moments of inertia through a compliant spring representing the Achilles tendon. The spring bias was controlled by a sensitive joystick via a servo motor and accurate visual feedback was provided on an oscilloscope. As moment of inertia decreased, inverted pendulum sway size increased and it became difficult to sustain successful balance. The mean duration of unidirectional balance adjustments did not change. Moreover, the mean duration of unidirectional inverted pendulum sway reduced only slightly, remaining around 1 s. The simplest explanation is that balance was maintained by a process of manual adjustments intrinsically limited to a mean frequency of two to three unidirectional adjustments per second corresponding to intermittent control observed in manual tracking experiments. Consequently the inverted pendulum sway duration, mechanically related to the bias duration, reflects an intrinsic constraint of the neuromuscular control system. Given the similar durations of sway and muscle adjustments observed in real standing, we postulate that the characteristic duration of unidirectional standing sway reflects intrinsic intermittent control rather than the inertial properties of the body. PMID:16973712

  17. Evaluation of human response to structural vibration induced by sonic boom

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Sutherland, L. C.; Czech, J.

    1992-01-01

    This paper addresses the topic of building vibration response to sonic boom and the evaluation of the associated human response to this vibration. The paper reexamines some of the issues addressed in the previous extensive coverage of the topic, primarily by NASA, and attempts to offer a fresh viewpoint for some of the problems that may assist in reassessing the potential impact of sonic boom over populated areas. The topics addressed are: (1) human response to vibration; (2) criteria for, and acoustic signature of rattle; (3) structural response to shaped booms, including definition of two new descriptors for assessing the structural response to sonic boom; and (4) a detailed review of the previous NASA/FAA Sonic Boom Test Program involving structural response measurements at Edwards AFB and an initial estimate of structural response to sonic booms from possible high speed civil transport configurations. Finally, these estimated vibration responses are shown to be substantially greater than the human response and rattle criteria developed earlier.

  18. Langley's Computational Efforts in Sonic-Boom Softening of the Boeing HSCT

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Fouladi, Kamran

    1999-01-01

    NASA Langley's computational efforts in the sonic-boom softening of the Boeing high-speed civil transport are discussed in this paper. In these efforts, an optimization process using a higher order Euler method for analysis was employed to reduce the sonic boom of a baseline configuration through fuselage camber and wing dihedral modifications. Fuselage modifications did not provide any improvements, but the dihedral modifications were shown to be an important tool for the softening process. The study also included aerodynamic and sonic-boom analyses of the baseline and some of the proposed "softened" configurations. Comparisons of two Euler methodologies and two propagation programs for sonic-boom predictions are also discussed in the present paper.

  19. Learning Molecular Structures in a Tangible Augmented Reality Environment

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Asai, Kikuo; Takase, Norio

    2011-01-01

    This article presents the characteristics of using a tangible table top environment produced by augmented reality (AR), aimed at improving the environment in which learners observe three-dimensional molecular structures. The authors perform two evaluation experiments. A performance test for a user interface demonstrates that learners with a…

  20. Assisted Sonication vs Conventional Transesterification Numerical Simulation and Sensitivity Study

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Janajreh, Isam; Noorul Hussain, Mohammed; El Samad, Tala

    2015-10-01

    Transeterification is known as slow reaction that can take over several hours to complete as the two immiscible liquid reactants combine to form biodiesel and the less favorable glycerol. The quest of finding the perfect catalyst, optimal operational conditions, and reactor configuration to accelerate the reaction in mere few minutes that ensures high quality biodiesel, in economically viable way is coming along with sonication. This drastic reduction is a key enabler for the development of a continuous processing that otherwise is fairly costly and low throughput using conventional method. The reaction kinetics of sonication assisted as inferred by several authors is several time faster and this work implements these rates in a high fidelity numerical simulation model. This flow model is based on Navier-Stokes equations coupled with energy equation for non-isothermal flow and the transport equations of the multiple reactive species. The model is initially validated against experimental data from previous work of the authors using an annular reactor configuration. Following the validation, comparison of the reaction rate is shown to gain more insight to the distribution of the reaction and its attained rates. The two models (conventional and sonication) then compared on the basis of their sensitivity to the methane to oil molar ratio as the most pronounced process parameter. Both the exit reactor yield and the distribution of the species are evaluated with favorable yield under sonication process. These results pave the way to build a more robust process intensified reactor having an integrated selective heterogeneous catalyst to steer the reaction. This can avoid the downstream cleaning processes, cutting reaction time, and render economic benefit to the process.

  1. Stability of sonicated aqueous suspensions of phospholipids under air.

    PubMed

    Almog, R; Forward, R; Samsonoff, C

    1991-12-01

    The stability of phospholipids in liposomal aqueous suspension against oxidative degradation in air was investigated using spectrophotometric indices, glutathione peroxidase reactivity and thin layer chromatography. Zwitterionic phospholipid was found to be susceptible to degradation via oxidation of polyunsaturated hydrocarbon chains and ester hydrolysis, producing oxidized lysophosphatide and free fatty acid derivatives. These products were characterized as hydroperoxides based on their reactivity with the selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase isolated from human erythrocytes. Lecithin in Tris buffer was more resistant to hydrolysis than in water. The sonication of 8.0 mM of soybean phosphatidylcholine (SB-PC) suspension in 0.1 M Tris (pH 7.5) in the presence of air produced relatively high concentration of conjugated diene hydroperoxide, but a small amount of hydrolyzed products. Anionic phospholipids, such as egg-phosphatidylglycerol (egg-PG), demonstrated higher resistance to air oxidation than the zwitterionic lecithin, but its oxidation was promoted by sonication.

  2. Detection and Assessment of Secondary Sonic Booms in New England.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1980-05-01

    MEASUREMENT DATA During the period May 3, 1979 to September 14, 1979, infra - sonic measurements were made at Malden MA, at six other sites in the Greater...D-AO8O 160 TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS CENTER CAMBRIDGE MA F/ 20/1 DETECTION AND ASSESSMENT OF SECONDARY SONIC BOOMS IN NEW ENGLAN--ETC(U) MAY 80 E J...CHART F AA-AEE-8O-22 DETECTION AND ASSESSMENT OF SECONDARY SONIC BOOMS IN NEW ENGLAND AD A088 160 MAY 1980 Q4 = Ci OF T R, 4 This document has been

  3. Extrapolation of sonic boom pressure signatures by the waveform parameter method

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Thomas, C. L.

    1972-01-01

    The waveform parameter method of sonic boom extrapolation is derived and shown to be equivalent to the F-function method. A computer program based on the waveform parameter method is presented and discussed, with a sample case demonstrating program input and output.

  4. Preliminary airborne measurements for the SR-71 sonic boom propagation experiment

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Haering, Edward A., Jr.; Ehernberger, L. J.; Whitmore, Stephen A.

    1995-01-01

    SR-71 sonic boom signatures were measured to validate sonic boom propagation prediction codes. An SR-71 aircraft generated sonic booms from Mach 1.25 to Mach 1.6, at altitudes of 31,000 to 48,000 ft, and at various gross weights. An F-16XL aircraft measured the SR-71 near-field shock waves from close to the aircraft to more than 8,000 ft below, gathering 105 signatures. A YO-3A aircraft measured the SR-71 sonic booms from 21,000 to 38,000 feet below, recording 17 passes. The sonic booms at ground level and atmospheric data were recorded for each flight. Data analysis is underway. Preliminary results show that shock wave patterns and coalescence vary with SR-71 gross weight, Mach number, and altitude. For example, noncoalesced shock wave signatures were measured by the YO-3A at 21,000 ft below the SR-71 aircraft while at a low gross weight, Mach 1.25, and 31,000-ft altitude. This paper describes the design and execution of the flight research experiment. Instrumentation and flight maneuvers of the SR-71, F-16XL, and YO-3A aircraft and sample sonic boom signatures are included.

  5. Comparison of two different methods of preoperative marking for toric intraocular lens implantation: bubble marker versus pendulum marker

    PubMed Central

    Farooqui, Javed Hussain; Koul, Archana; Dutta, Ranjan; Shroff, Noshir Minoo

    2016-01-01

    AIM To compare the accuracy of two different methods of preoperative marking for toric intraocular lens (IOL) implantation, bubble marker versus pendulum marker, as a means of establishing the reference point for the final alignment of the toric IOL to achieve an outcome as close as possible to emmetropia. METHODS Toric IOLs were implanted in 180 eyes of 110 patients. One group (55 patients) had preoperative marking of both eyes done with bubble marker (ASICO AE-2791TBL) and the other group (55 patients) with pendulum marker (Rumex®3-193). Reference marks were placed at 3-, 6-, and 9-o'clock positions on the limbus. Slit-lamp photographs were analyzed using Adobe Photoshop (version 7.0). Amount of alignment error (in degrees) induced in each group was measured. RESULTS Mean absolute rotation error in the preoperative marking in the horizontal axis was 2.42±1.71 in the bubble marker group and 2.83±2.31in the pendulum marker group (P=0.501). Sixty percent of the pendulum group and 70% of the bubble group had rotation error ≤3 (P=0.589), and 90% eyes of the pendulum group and 96.7% of the bubble group had rotation error ≤5 (P=0.612). CONCLUSION Both preoperative marking techniques result in approximately 3 of alignment error. Both marking techniques are simple, predictable, reproducible and easy to perform. PMID:27275425

  6. "I Want My Robot to Look for Food": Comparing Kindergartner's Programming Comprehension Using Tangible, Graphic, and Hybrid User Interfaces

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Strawhacker, Amanda; Bers, Marina U.

    2015-01-01

    In recent years, educational robotics has become an increasingly popular research area. However, limited studies have focused on differentiated learning outcomes based on type of programming interface. This study aims to explore how successfully young children master foundational programming concepts based on the robotics user interface (tangible,…

  7. A comparison of measured and theoretical predictions for STS ascent and entry sonic booms

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Garcia, F., Jr.; Jones, J. H.; Henderson, H. R.

    1983-01-01

    Sonic boom measurements have been obtained during the flights of STS-1 through 5. During STS-1, 2, and 4, entry sonic boom measurements were obtained and ascent measurements were made on STS-5. The objectives of this measurement program were (1) to define the sonic boom characteristics of the Space Transportation System (STS), (2) provide a realistic assessment of the validity of xisting theoretical prediction techniques, and (3) establish a level of confidence for predicting future STS configuration sonic boom environments. Detail evaluation and reporting of the results of this program are in progress. This paper will address only the significant results, mainly those data obtained during the entry of STS-1 at Edwards Air Force Base (EAFB), and the ascent of STS-5 from Kennedy Space Center (KSC). The theoretical prediction technique employed in this analysis is the so called Thomas Program. This prediction technique is a semi-empirical method that required definition of the near field signatures, detailed trajectory characteristics, and the prevailing meteorological characteristics as an input. This analytical procedure then extrapolates the near field signatures from the flight altitude to an altitude consistent with each measurement location.

  8. A loudness calculation procedure applied to shaped sonic booms

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Shepherd, Kevin P.; Sullivan, Brenda M.

    1991-01-01

    Described here is a procedure that can be used to calculate the loudness of sonic booms. The procedure is applied to a wide range of sonic booms, both classical N-waves and a variety of other shapes of booms. The loudness of N-waves is controlled by overpressure and the associated rise time. The loudness of shaped booms is highly dependent on the characteristics of the initial shock. A comparison of the calculated loudness values indicates that shaped booms may have significantly reduced loudness relative to N-waves having the same peak overpressure. This result implies that a supersonic transport designed to yield minimized sonic booms may be substantially more acceptable than an unconstrained design.

  9. Fixed reproducible tangible wealth in the United States, 1925-94

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    1999-08-01

    This volume presents estimates of fixed reproducible tangible wealth in the United States for 192594 that were prepared by the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA). It includes the investment series that were used to construct these estimates; for mo...

  10. The detectability of cracks using sonic IR

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Morbidini, Marco; Cawley, Peter

    2009-05-01

    This paper proposes a methodology to study the detectability of fatigue cracks in metals using sonic IR (also known as thermosonics). The method relies on the validation of simple finite-element thermal models of the cracks and specimens in which the thermal loads have been defined by means of a priori measurement of the additional damping introduced in the specimens by each crack. This estimate of crack damping is used in conjunction with a local measurement of the vibration strain during ultrasonic excitation to retrieve the power released at the crack; these functions are then input to the thermal model of the specimens to find the resulting temperature rises (sonic IR signals). The method was validated on mild steel beams with two-dimensional cracks obtained in the low-cycle fatigue regime as well as nickel-based superalloy beams with three-dimensional "thumbnail" cracks generated in the high-cycle fatigue regime. The equivalent 40kHz strain necessary to obtain a desired temperature rise was calculated for cracks in the nickel superalloy set, and the detectability of cracks as a function of length in the range of 1-5mm was discussed.

  11. Field intercomparison of six different three-dimensional sonic anemometers

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mauder, Matthias; Zeeman, Matthias

    2017-04-01

    Although sonic anemometers have been used extensively for several decades in micrometeorological and ecological research, there is still some scientific debate about the measurement uncertainty of these instruments. This is due to the fact that an absolute reference for the measurement of turbulent wind fluctuations in the free atmosphere does not exist. In view of this lack we have conducted a field intercomparison experiment of six commonly used sonic anemometers from four major manufacturers. The models included Campbell CSAT3, Gill HS-50 and R3, METEK uSonic-3 Omni, R.M. Young 81000 and 81000RE. The experiment was conducted over a meadow at the TERENO/ICOS site De-Fen in southern Germany over a period of 16 days in June of 2016 in preparation of the ScaleX campaign. The measurement height was 3 m for all sensors, which were separated by 9 m from each other, each on its own tripod, in order to limit contamination of the turbulence measurements by neighbouring structures as much as possible. Moreover, the data were filtered for potentially disturbed wind sectors, and the high-frequency data from all instruments were treated with the same post-processing algorithm. In this presentation, we compare the results for various turbulence statistics from all sensors. These include mean horizontal wind speed, standard deviations of vertical wind velocity and sonic temperature, friction velocity and the covariance between vertical wind velocity and sonic temperature. Quantitative measures of uncertainty were derived from these results. We find that biases and regression intercepts are generally very small for all sensors and all computed variables, except for the temperature measurements of the two Gill sonic anemometers (HS and R3), which are known to suffer from a transducer-temperature dependence of the sonic temperature measurement. The comparability of the instruments is not always as good, which means that there is some scatter but the errors compensate at least

  12. Reliability and validity of pendulum test measures of spasticity obtained with the Polhemus tracking system from patients with chronic stroke.

    PubMed

    Bohannon, Richard W; Harrison, Steven; Kinsella-Shaw, Jeffrey

    2009-07-30

    Spasticity is a common impairment accompanying stroke. Spasticity of the quadriceps femoris muscle can be quantified using the pendulum test. The measurement properties of pendular kinematics captured using a magnetic tracking system has not been studied among patients who have experienced a stroke. Therefore, this study describes the test-retest reliability and known groups and convergent validity of the pendulum test measures obtained with the Polhemus tracking system. Eight patients with chronic stroke underwent pendulum tests with their affected and unaffected lower limbs, with and without the addition of a 2.2 kg cuff weight at the ankle, using the Polhemus magnetic tracking system. Also measured bilaterally were knee resting angles, Ashworth scores (grades 0-4) of quadriceps femoris muscles, patellar tendon (knee jerk) reflexes (grades 0-4), and isometric knee extension force. Three measures obtained from pendular traces of the affected side were reliable (intraclass correlation coefficient > or = .844). Known groups validity was confirmed by demonstration of a significant difference in the measurements between sides. Convergent validity was supported by correlations > or = .57 between pendulum test measures and other measures reflective of spasticity. Pendulum test measures obtained with the Polhemus tracking system from the affected side of patients with stroke have good test-retest reliability and both known groups and convergent validity.

  13. Lateral spread of sonic boom measurements from US Air Force boomfile flight tests

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Downing, J. Micah

    1992-01-01

    A series of sonic boom flight tests were conducted by the US Air Force at Edwards AFB in 1987 with current supersonic DOD aircraft. These tests involved 43 flights by various aircraft at different Mach number and altitude combinations. The measured peak overpressures to predicted values as a function of lateral distance are compared. Some of the flights are combined into five groups because of the varying profiles and the limited number of sonic booms obtained during this study. The peak overpressures and the lateral distances are normalized with respect to the Carlson method predicted centerline overpressures and lateral cutoff distances, respectively, to facilitate comparisons between sonic boom data from similar flight profiles. It is demonstrated that the data agrees with sonic boom theory and previous studies and adds to the existing sonic boom database by including sonic boom signatures, tracking, and weather data in a digital format.

  14. Magnetic shielding in a low temperature torsion pendulum experiment. [superconducting cylinders for attenuation earth field

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Phillips, P. R.

    1979-01-01

    A new type of ether drift experiment searches for anomalous torques on a permanent magnet. A torsion pendulum is used at liquid helium temperature, so that superconducting cylinders can be used to shield magnetic fields. Lead shields attenuate the earth's field, while Nb-Sn shields fastened to the pendulum contain the fields of the magnet. The paper describes the technique by which the earth's field can be reduced below 0.0001 G while simultaneously the moment of the magnet can be reduced by a factor 7 x 10 to the 4th.

  15. An Approximate Solution to the Equation of Motion for Large-Angle Oscillations of the Simple Pendulum with Initial Velocity

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Johannessen, Kim

    2010-01-01

    An analytic approximation of the solution to the differential equation describing the oscillations of a simple pendulum at large angles and with initial velocity is discussed. In the derivation, a sinusoidal approximation has been applied, and an analytic formula for the large-angle period of the simple pendulum is obtained, which also includes…

  16. Control of somite patterning by Sonic hedgehog and its downstream signal response genes.

    PubMed

    Borycki, A G; Mendham, L; Emerson, C P

    1998-02-01

    In the avian embryo, previous work has demonstrated that the notochord provides inductive signals to activate myoD and pax1 regulatory genes, which are expressed in the dorsal and ventral somite cells that give rise to myotomal and sclerotomal lineages. Here, we present bead implantation and antisense inhibition experiments that show that Sonic hedgehog is both a sufficient and essential notochord signal molecule for myoD and pax1 activation in somites. Furthermore, we show that genes of the Sonic hedgehog signal response pathway, specifically patched, the Sonic hedgehog receptor, and gli and gli2/4, zinc-finger transcription factors, are activated in coordination with somite formation, establishing that Sonic hedgehog response genes play a regulatory role in coordinating the response of somites to the constitutive notochord Sonic hedgehog signal. Furthermore, the expression of patched, gli and gli2/4 is differentially patterned in the somite, providing mechanisms for differentially transducing the Sonic hedgehog signal to the myotomal and sclerotomal lineages. Finally, we show that the activation of gli2/4 is controlled by the process of somite formation and signals from the surface ectoderm, whereas upregulation of patched and activation of gli is controlled by the process of somite formation and a Sonic hedgehog signal. The Sonic hedgehog signal response genes, therefore, have important functions in regulating the initiation of the Sonic hedgehog response in newly forming somites and in regulating the patterned expression of myoD and pax1 in the myotomal and sclerotomal lineages following somite formation.

  17. An Intermediate in the evolution of superfast sonic muscles

    PubMed Central

    2011-01-01

    Background Intermediate forms in the evolution of new adaptations such as transitions from water to land and the evolution of flight are often poorly understood. Similarly, the evolution of superfast sonic muscles in fishes, often considered the fastest muscles in vertebrates, has been a mystery because slow bladder movement does not generate sound. Slow muscles that stretch the swimbladder and then produce sound during recoil have recently been discovered in ophidiiform fishes. Here we describe the disturbance call (produced when fish are held) and sonic mechanism in an unrelated perciform pearl perch (Glaucosomatidae) that represents an intermediate condition in the evolution of super-fast sonic muscles. Results The pearl perch disturbance call is a two-part sound produced by a fast sonic muscle that rapidly stretches the bladder and an antagonistic tendon-smooth muscle combination (part 1) causing the tendon and bladder to snap back (part 2) generating a higher-frequency and greater-amplitude pulse. The smooth muscle is confirmed by electron microscopy and protein analysis. To our knowledge smooth muscle attachment to a tendon is unknown in animals. Conclusion The pearl perch, an advanced perciform teleost unrelated to ophidiiform fishes, uses a slow type mechanism to produce the major portion of the sound pulse during recoil, but the swimbladder is stretched by a fast muscle. Similarities between the two unrelated lineages, suggest independent and convergent evolution of sonic muscles and indicate intermediate forms in the evolution of superfast muscles. PMID:22126599

  18. Dynamic Brazilian Test of Rock Under Intermediate Strain Rate: Pendulum Hammer-Driven SHPB Test and Numerical Simulation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhu, W. C.; Niu, L. L.; Li, S. H.; Xu, Z. H.

    2015-09-01

    The tensile strength of rock subjected to dynamic loading constitutes many engineering applications such as rock drilling and blasting. The dynamic Brazilian test of rock specimens was conducted with the split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) driven by pendulum hammer, in order to determine the indirect tensile strength of rock under an intermediate strain rate ranging from 5.2 to 12.9 s-1, which is achieved when the incident bar is impacted by pendulum hammer with different velocities. The incident wave excited by pendulum hammer is triangular in shape, featuring a long rising time, and it is considered to be helpful for achieving a constant strain rate in the rock specimen. The dynamic indirect tensile strength of rock increases with strain rate. Then, the numerical simulator RFPA-Dynamics, a well-recognized software for simulating the rock failure under dynamic loading, is validated by reproducing the Brazilian test of rock when the incident stress wave retrieved at the incident bar is input as the boundary condition, and then it is employed to study the Brazilian test of rock under the higher strain rate. Based on the numerical simulation, the strain-rate dependency of tensile strength and failure pattern of the Brazilian disc specimen under the intermediate strain rate are numerically simulated, and the associated failure mechanism is clarified. It is deemed that the material heterogeneity should be a reason for the strain-rate dependency of rock.

  19. Comparative evaluation of molar distalization therapy with erupted second molar: Segmented versus Quad Pendulum appliance.

    PubMed

    Caprioglio, Alberto; Cozzani, Mauro; Fontana, Mattia

    2014-01-01

    There are controversial opinions about the effect of erupted second molars on distalization of the first molars. Most of the distalizing devices are anchored on the first molars, without including second molars; so, differences between sequentially distalize maxillary molars (second molar followed by the first molar) or distalize second and first molars together are not clear. The aim of the study was to compare sequential versus simultaneous molar distalization therapy with erupted second molar using two different modified Pendulum appliances followed by fixed appliances. The treatment sample consisted of 35 class II malocclusion subjects, divided in two groups: group 1 consisted of 24 patients (13 males and 11 females) with a mean pre-treatment age of 12.9 years, treated with the Segmented Pendulum (SP) and fixed appliances; group 2 consisted of 11 patients (6 males and 5 females) with a mean pre-treatment age of 13.2 years, treated with the Quad Pendulum (QP) and fixed appliances. Lateral cephalograms were obtained before treatment (T1), at the end of distalization (T2), and at the end of orthodontic fixed appliance therapy (T3). A Student t test was used to identify significant between-group differences between T1 to T2, T2 to T3, and T1 to T3. QP and SP were equally effective in distalizing maxillary molars (3.5 and 4 mm, respectively) between T1 and T2; however, the maxillary first molar showed less distal tipping (4.6° vs. 9.6°) and more extrusion (1.1 vs. 0.2 mm) in the QP group than in the SP group, as well as the vertical facial dimension, which increased more in the QP group (1.2°) than in the SP group (0.7°). At T3, the QP group maintained greater increase in lower anterior facial height and molar extrusion and decrease in overbite than the SP group. Quad Pendulum seems to have greater increase in vertical dimension and molar extrusion than the Segmented Pendulum.

  20. PARTNER Project 8: Sonic boom mitigation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sparrow, Victor W.

    2005-09-01

    Current U.S. and international laws prohibit commercial supersonic flight over land due to the impact of conventional sonic boom noise. Aircraft manufacturers, however, now have modern computational fluid dynamics and optimization tools, unavailable when those laws were enacted, that will allow them to design and build aircraft with boom signatures that are substantially smoothed compared with traditional N-waves. One purpose of the FAA/NASA/Transport Canada PARTNER Center of Excellence Project 8 is to determine exactly which waveforms would be heard by the public if low-boom supersonic aircraft are put into service. Another purpose is to ascertain the acceptability of those waveforms. The project involves the following universities, government, and industry partners: Penn State, Purdue, Stanford, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Federal Aviation Administration, Boeing, Cessna, Gulfstream, Lockheed-Martin, and Wyle Laboratories. Some of the initial project work includes studies on the propagation of sonic booms through atmospheric turbulence, on the mutual reproducibility of three sonic boom simulators, and on the realism of those simulators as determined by expert listeners. The results of all the studies are intended to provide the FAA with new data to reassess current regulations. [Work supported by NASA, the FAA, and the PARTNER industrial partners.

  1. Pendulum test measure correlates with gait parameters in children with cerebral palsy.

    PubMed

    Lotfian, M; Mirbagheri, M M; Kharazi, M R; Dadashi, F; Nourian, R; Irani, A; Mirbagheri, A

    2016-08-01

    Individuals with cerebral palsy (CP) usually suffer from different impairments including gait impairment and spasticity. Spastic hypertonia is a defining feature of spasticity and manifests as a mechanical abnormality. The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between spastic hypertonia and gait impairments in spastic children with CP, addressing an important controversial issue. Spastic hypertonia was quantified using the pendulum test. The gait impairments were evaluated using the motion capture system in a gait laboratory. Our results showed significant correlations among gait parameters; i.e. walking speed, step length, and the pendulum test measures. This indicates that neuromuscular abnormalities are associated with spasticity and may contribute to gait impairments. The clinical implication is that the impaired gait in children with CP may be improved with the treatment of neuromuscular abnormalities.

  2. Loudness and annoyance response to simulated outdoor and indoor sonic booms

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Leatherwood, Jack D.; Sullivan, Brenda M.

    1993-01-01

    The sonic boom simulator of the Langley Research Center was used to quantify subjective loudness and annoyance response to simulated indoor and outdoor sonic boom signatures. The indoor signatures were derived from the outdoor signatures by application of house filters that approximated the noise reduction characteristics of a residential structure. Two indoor listening situations were simulated: one with the windows open and the other with the windows closed. Results were used to assess loudness and annoyance as sonic boom criterion measures and to evaluate several metrics as estimators of loudness and annoyance. The findings indicated that loudness and annoyance were equivalent criterion measures for outdoor booms but not for indoor booms. Annoyance scores for indoor booms were significantly higher than indoor loudness scores. Thus, annoyance was recommended as the criterion measure of choice for general use in assessing sonic boom subjective effects. Perceived level was determined to be the best estimator of annoyance for both indoor and outdoor booms, and of loudness for outdoor booms. It was recommended as the metric of choice for predicting sonic boom subjective effects.

  3. Reactions of Residents to Long-Term Sonic Boom Noise Environments

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Fields, James M.

    1997-01-01

    A combined social survey and noise measurement program has been completed in 14 communities in two regions of the western United States that have been regularly exposed to sonic booms for many years. A total of 1,573 interviews were completed. Three aspects of the sonic booms are most disturbing: being startled, noticing rattles or vibrations, and being concerned about the possibility of damage from the booms. Sonic boom annoyance is greater than that in a conventional aircraft environment with the same continuous equivalent noise exposure. The reactions in the two study regions differ in severity.

  4. Techniques with Tangibles; a Manual for Teaching the Blind.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Fulker, Wilber H.; Fulker, Mary

    The production and use of tangible aids for teaching complete mental concepts to the blind are discussed. The Thermoform vacuum duplicating machine which produces teaching aids simulating pictures or drawings used by sighted children is described; and examples of Thermoform masters are cited, including Mendel's law, the maze, four stages of cell…

  5. Inversion of Supramolecular Chirality by Sonication-Induced Organogelation

    PubMed Central

    Maity, Sibaprasad; Das, Priyadip; Reches, Meital

    2015-01-01

    Natural helical structures have inspired the formation of well-ordered peptide-based chiral nanostructures in vitro. These structures have drawn much attention owing to their diverse applications in the area of asymmetric catalysts, chiral photonic materials, and nanoplasmonics. The self-assembly of two enantiomeric fluorinated aromatic dipeptides into ordered chiral fibrillar nanostructures upon sonication is described. These fibrils form organogels. Our results clearly indicate that fluorine-fluorine interactions play an important role in self-assembly. Circular dichroism analysis revealed that both peptides (peptides 1 and 2), containing two fluorines, depicted opposite cotton effects in their monomeric form compared with their aggregated form. This shows that supramolecular chirality inversion took place during the stimuli-responsive self-aggregation process. Conversely, peptide 3, containing one fluorine, did not exhibit chirality inversion in sonication-induced organogelation. Therefore, our results clearly indicate that fluorination plays an important role in the organogelation process of these aromatic dipeptides. Our findings may have broad implications regarding the design of chiral nanostructures for possible applications such as chiroptical switches, asymmetric catalysis, and chiral recognitions. PMID:26553508

  6. Period of an Interrupted Pendulum

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Miller, Bradley E.

    2002-11-01

    While demonstrating a classic conservation-of-energy problem to my AP Physics students, I became curious about the periodic motion that ensued for certain initial conditions. The original problem consists of releasing a mass at the end of a string from an initial position horizontal to the plane of a table. The string comes in contact with a peg some distance below the point where the string is attached at the top. One is asked to find what minimum fraction of the string's length should the peg be placed to have the mass complete a circle about the peg. However, when the mass is released from much lower heights, the system undergoes periodic motion that can be thought of as an interrupted pendulum.

  7. Analysis of Nozzle Jet Plume Effects on Sonic Boom Signature

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Bui, Trong

    2010-01-01

    An axisymmetric full Navier-Stokes computational fluid dynamics (CFD) study was conducted to examine nozzle exhaust jet plume effects on the sonic boom signature of a supersonic aircraft. A simplified axisymmetric nozzle geometry, representative of the nozzle on the NASA Dryden NF-15B Lift and Nozzle Change Effects on Tail Shock (LaNCETS) research airplane, was considered. The highly underexpanded nozzle flow is found to provide significantly more reduction in the tail shock strength in the sonic boom N-wave pressure signature than perfectly expanded and overexpanded nozzle flows. A tail shock train in the sonic boom signature, similar to what was observed in the LaNCETS flight data, is observed for the highly underexpanded nozzle flow. The CFD results provide a detailed description of the nozzle flow physics involved in the LaNCETS nozzle at different nozzle expansion conditions and help in interpreting LaNCETS flight data as well as in the eventual CFD analysis of a full LaNCETS aircraft. The current study also provided important information on proper modeling of the LaNCETS aircraft nozzle. The primary objective of the current CFD research effort was to support the LaNCETS flight research data analysis effort by studying the detailed nozzle exhaust jet plume s imperfect expansion effects on the sonic boom signature of a supersonic aircraft. Figure 1 illustrates the primary flow physics present in the interaction between the exhaust jet plume shock and the sonic boom coming off of an axisymmetric body in supersonic flight. The steeper tail shock from highly expanded jet plume reduces the dip of the sonic boom N-wave signature. A structured finite-volume compressible full Navier-Stokes CFD code was used in the current study. This approach is not limited by the simplifying assumptions inherent in previous sonic boom analysis efforts. Also, this study was the first known jet plume sonic boom CFD study in which the full viscous nozzle flow field was modeled, without

  8. A study on locating the sonic source of sinusoidal magneto-acoustic signals using a vector method.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Shunqi; Zhou, Xiaoqing; Ma, Ren; Yin, Tao; Liu, Zhipeng

    2015-01-01

    Methods based on the magnetic-acoustic effect are of great significance in studying the electrical imaging properties of biological tissues and currents. The continuous wave method, which is commonly used, can only detect the current amplitude without the sound source position. Although the pulse mode adopted in magneto-acoustic imaging can locate the sonic source, the low measuring accuracy and low SNR has limited its application. In this study, a vector method was used to solve and analyze the magnetic-acoustic signal based on the continuous sine wave mode. This study includes theory modeling of the vector method, simulations to the line model, and experiments with wire samples to analyze magneto-acoustic (MA) signal characteristics. The results showed that the amplitude and phase of the MA signal contained the location information of the sonic source. The amplitude and phase obeyed the vector theory in the complex plane. This study sets a foundation for a new technique to locate sonic sources for biomedical imaging of tissue conductivity. It also aids in studying biological current detecting and reconstruction based on the magneto-acoustic effect.

  9. Sonic Boom Computations for a Mach 1.6 Cruise Low Boom Configuration and Comparisons with Wind Tunnel Data

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Elmiligui, Alaa A.; Cliff, Susan E.; Wilcox, Floyd; Nemec, Marian; Bangert, Linda; Aftosmis, Michael J.; Parlette, Edward

    2011-01-01

    Accurate analysis of sonic boom pressure signatures using computational fluid dynamics techniques remains quite challenging. Although CFD shows accurate predictions of flow around complex configurations, generating grids that can resolve the sonic boom signature far away from the body is a challenge. The test case chosen for this study corresponds to an experimental wind-tunnel test that was conducted to measure the sonic boom pressure signature of a low boom configuration designed by Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation. Two widely used NASA codes, USM3D and AERO, are examined for their ability to accurately capture sonic boom signature. Numerical simulations are conducted for a free-stream Mach number of 1.6, angle of attack of 0.3 and Reynolds number of 3.85x10(exp 6) based on model reference length. Flow around the low boom configuration in free air and inside the Langley Unitary plan wind tunnel are computed. Results from the numerical simulations are compared with wind tunnel data. The effects of viscous and turbulence modeling along with tunnel walls on the computed sonic boom signature are presented and discussed.

  10. Sensing and actuation system for the University of Florida Torsion Pendulum for LISA

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chilton, Andrew; Shelley, Ryan; Olatunde, Taiwo; Ciani, Giacomo; Conklin, John; Mueller, Guido

    2014-03-01

    Space-based gravitational wave detectors like LISA are a necessity for understanding the low-frequency portion of the gravitational universe. They use test masses (TMs) which are separated by Gm and are in free fall inside their respective spacecraft. Their relative distance is monitored with laser interferometry at the pm/rtHz level in the LISA band, ranging from 0.1 to 100 mHz. Each TM is enclosed in a housing that provides isolation, capacitive sensing, and electrostatic actuation capabilities. The electronics must both be sensitive at the 1 nm/rtHz level and not induce residual acceleration noise above the requirement for LISA Pathfinder (3*10-15 m/sec2Hz1/2at 3 mHz). Testing and developing this technology is one of the roles of the University of Florida Torsion Pendulum, the only US testbed for LISA-like gravitational reference sensor technology. Our implementation of the sensing system functions by biasing our hollow LISA-like TMs with a 100 kHz sine wave and coupling a pair surrounding electrodes as capacitors to a pair of preamps and a differential amplifier; all other processing is done digitally. Here we report on the design of, implementation of, and preliminary results from the UF Torsion Pendulum.

  11. Effect of ultrasound sonication on electroplating of iridium.

    PubMed

    Ohsaka, Takashi; Isaka, Motohiro; Hirano, Katsuhiko; Ohishi, Tomoji

    2008-04-01

    Effect of ultrasound sonication was examined on the electroplating of iridium in aqueous hexabromoiridate(III) solution. The electrodeposits were evaluated by observing the defects of the iridium deposits by means of voltammetry, in which the current-potential curves of the iridium deposits on copper were measured. Applying ultrasound sonication to the electroplating of iridium decreased the defects including the cracks in the deposit whenever the glycerol as the additives was contained or not in the electrolyte.

  12. Sonic-boom-induced building structure responses including damage.

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Clarkson, B. L.; Mayes, W. H.

    1972-01-01

    Concepts of sonic-boom pressure loading of building structures and the associated responses are reviewed, and results of pertinent theoretical and experimental research programs are summarized. The significance of sonic-boom load time histories, including waveshape effects, are illustrated with the aid of simple structural elements such as beams and plates. Also included are discussions of the significance of such other phenomena as three-dimensional loading effects, air cavity coupling, multimodal responses, and structural nonlinearities. Measured deflection, acceleration, and strain data from laboratory models and full-scale building tests are summarized, and these data are compared, where possible, with predicted values. Damage complaint and claim experience due both to controlled and uncontrolled supersonic flights over communities are summarized with particular reference to residential, commercial, and historic buildings. Sonic-boom-induced building responses are compared with those from other impulsive loadings due to natural and cultural events and from laboratory simulation tests.

  13. The 1995 NASA High-Speed Research Program Sonic Boom Workshop. Volume 1

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Baize, Daniel G. (Editor)

    1996-01-01

    The High-Speed Research Program and NASA Langley Research Center sponsored the NASA High-Speed Research Program Sonic Boom Workshop on September 12-13, 1995. The workshop was designed to bring together NASAs scientists and engineers and their counterparts in industry, other Government agencies, and academia working together in the sonic boom element of NASAs High-Speed Research Program. Specific objectives of this workshop were to (1) report the progress and status of research in sonic boom propagation, acceptability, and design; (2) promote and disseminate this technology within the appropriate technical communities; (3) help promote synergy among the scientists working in the Program; and (4) identify technology pacing the development of viable reduced-boom High-Speed Civil Transport concepts. The Workshop included these sessions: Session 1 - Sonic Boom Propagation (Theoretical); Session 2 - Sonic Boom Propagation (Experimental); and Session 3 - Acceptability Studies - Human and Animal.

  14. Amplitude loss of sonic waveform due to source coupling to the medium

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lee, Myung W.; Waite, William F.

    2007-03-01

    In contrast to hydrate-free sediments, sonic waveforms acquired in gas hydrate-bearing sediments indicate strong amplitude attenuation associated with a sonic velocity increase. The amplitude attenuation increase has been used to quantify pore-space hydrate content by attributing observed attenuation to the hydrate-bearing sediment's intrinsic attenuation. A second attenuation mechanism must be considered, however. Theoretically, energy radiation from sources inside fluid-filled boreholes strongly depends on the elastic parameters of materials surrounding the borehole. It is therefore plausible to interpret amplitude loss in terms of source coupling to the surrounding medium as well as to intrinsic attenuation. Analyses of sonic waveforms from the Mallik 5L-38 well, Northwest Territories, Canada, indicate a significant component of sonic waveform amplitude loss is due to source coupling. Accordingly, all sonic waveform amplitude analyses should include the effect of source coupling to accurately characterize a formation's intrinsic attenuation.

  15. Amplitude loss of sonic waveform due to source coupling to the medium

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Lee, Myung W.; Waite, William F.

    2007-01-01

    In contrast to hydrate-free sediments, sonic waveforms acquired in gas hydrate-bearing sediments indicate strong amplitude attenuation associated with a sonic velocity increase. The amplitude attenuation increase has been used to quantify pore-space hydrate content by attributing observed attenuation to the hydrate-bearing sediment's intrinsic attenuation. A second attenuation mechanism must be considered, however. Theoretically, energy radiation from sources inside fluid-filled boreholes strongly depends on the elastic parameters of materials surrounding the borehole. It is therefore plausible to interpret amplitude loss in terms of source coupling to the surrounding medium as well as to intrinsic attenuation. Analyses of sonic waveforms from the Mallik 5L-38 well, Northwest Territories, Canada, indicate a significant component of sonic waveform amplitude loss is due to source coupling. Accordingly, all sonic waveform amplitude analyses should include the effect of source coupling to accurately characterize a formation's intrinsic attenuation.

  16. Development of the ultrastructure of sonic muscles: a kind of neoteny?

    PubMed Central

    2014-01-01

    Background Drumming muscles of some sound-producing fish are ‘champions’ of contraction speed, their rate setting the fundamental frequency. In the piranha, contraction of these muscles at 150 Hz drives a sound at the same frequency. Drumming muscles of different not closely related species show evolutionary convergences. Interestingly, some characters of sonic muscles can also be found in the trunk muscles of newly hatched larvae that are able to maintain tail beat frequencies up to 100 Hz. The aim of this work was to study the development of sound production and sonic and epaxial muscles simultaneously in the red bellied piranhas (Pygocentrus nattereri) to seek for possible common characteristics. Results Call, pulse and period durations increased significantly with the fish size, but the call dominant frequencies decreased, and the number of pulses and the call amplitude formed a bell curve. In epaxial muscles, the fibre diameters of younger fish are first positioned in the graphical slope corresponding to sonic muscles, before diverging. The fibre diameter of older fish trunk muscles was bigger, and the area of the myofibrils was larger than in sonic muscles. Moreover, in two of the biggest fish, the sonic muscles were invaded by fat cells and the sonic muscle ultrastructure was similar to the epaxial one. These two fish were also unable to produce any sound, meaning they lost their ability to contract quickly. Conclusions The volume occupied by myofibrils determines the force of contraction, the volume of sarcoplasmic reticulum sets the contraction frequency, and the volume of mitochondria sets the level of sustained performance. The functional outcomes in muscles are all attributable to shifts in the proportions of those structures. A single delay in the development restricts the quantity of myofibrils, maintains a high proportion of space in the sarcoplasm and develops sarcoplasmic reticulum. High-speed sonic muscles could thus be skeletal muscles with

  17. Supersonic civil airplane study and design: Performance and sonic boom

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Cheung, Samson

    1995-01-01

    Since aircraft configuration plays an important role in aerodynamic performance and sonic boom shape, the configuration of the next generation supersonic civil transport has to be tailored to meet high aerodynamic performance and low sonic boom requirements. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) can be used to design airplanes to meet these dual objectives. The work and results in this report are used to support NASA's High Speed Research Program (HSRP). CFD tools and techniques have been developed for general usages of sonic boom propagation study and aerodynamic design. Parallel to the research effort on sonic boom extrapolation, CFD flow solvers have been coupled with a numeric optimization tool to form a design package for aircraft configuration. This CFD optimization package has been applied to configuration design on a low-boom concept and an oblique all-wing concept. A nonlinear unconstrained optimizer for Parallel Virtual Machine has been developed for aerodynamic design and study.

  18. Intermittent Feedback-Control Strategy for Stabilizing Inverted Pendulum on Manually Controlled Cart as Analogy to Human Stick Balancing

    PubMed Central

    Yoshikawa, Naoya; Suzuki, Yasuyuki; Kiyono, Ken; Nomura, Taishin

    2016-01-01

    The stabilization of an inverted pendulum on a manually controlled cart (cart-inverted-pendulum; CIP) in an upright position, which is analogous to balancing a stick on a fingertip, is considered in order to investigate how the human central nervous system (CNS) stabilizes unstable dynamics due to mechanical instability and time delays in neural feedback control. We explore the possibility that a type of intermittent time-delayed feedback control, which has been proposed for human postural control during quiet standing, is also a promising strategy for the CIP task and stick balancing on a fingertip. Such a strategy hypothesizes that the CNS exploits transient contracting dynamics along a stable manifold of a saddle-type unstable upright equilibrium of the inverted pendulum in the absence of control by inactivating neural feedback control intermittently for compensating delay-induced instability. To this end, the motions of a CIP stabilized by human subjects were experimentally acquired, and computational models of the system were employed to characterize the experimental behaviors. We first confirmed fat-tailed non-Gaussian temporal fluctuation in the acceleration distribution of the pendulum, as well as the power-law distributions of corrective cart movements for skilled subjects, which was previously reported for stick balancing. We then showed that the experimental behaviors could be better described by the models with an intermittent delayed feedback controller than by those with the conventional continuous delayed feedback controller, suggesting that the human CNS stabilizes the upright posture of the pendulum by utilizing the intermittent delayed feedback-control strategy. PMID:27148031

  19. Intermittent Feedback-Control Strategy for Stabilizing Inverted Pendulum on Manually Controlled Cart as Analogy to Human Stick Balancing.

    PubMed

    Yoshikawa, Naoya; Suzuki, Yasuyuki; Kiyono, Ken; Nomura, Taishin

    2016-01-01

    The stabilization of an inverted pendulum on a manually controlled cart (cart-inverted-pendulum; CIP) in an upright position, which is analogous to balancing a stick on a fingertip, is considered in order to investigate how the human central nervous system (CNS) stabilizes unstable dynamics due to mechanical instability and time delays in neural feedback control. We explore the possibility that a type of intermittent time-delayed feedback control, which has been proposed for human postural control during quiet standing, is also a promising strategy for the CIP task and stick balancing on a fingertip. Such a strategy hypothesizes that the CNS exploits transient contracting dynamics along a stable manifold of a saddle-type unstable upright equilibrium of the inverted pendulum in the absence of control by inactivating neural feedback control intermittently for compensating delay-induced instability. To this end, the motions of a CIP stabilized by human subjects were experimentally acquired, and computational models of the system were employed to characterize the experimental behaviors. We first confirmed fat-tailed non-Gaussian temporal fluctuation in the acceleration distribution of the pendulum, as well as the power-law distributions of corrective cart movements for skilled subjects, which was previously reported for stick balancing. We then showed that the experimental behaviors could be better described by the models with an intermittent delayed feedback controller than by those with the conventional continuous delayed feedback controller, suggesting that the human CNS stabilizes the upright posture of the pendulum by utilizing the intermittent delayed feedback-control strategy.

  20. Output-Adaptive Tetrahedral Cut-Cell Validation for Sonic Boom Prediction

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Park, Michael A.; Darmofal, David L.

    2008-01-01

    A cut-cell approach to Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) that utilizes the median dual of a tetrahedral background grid is described. The discrete adjoint is also calculated, which permits adaptation based on improving the calculation of a specified output (off-body pressure signature) in supersonic inviscid flow. These predicted signatures are compared to wind tunnel measurements on and off the configuration centerline 10 body lengths below the model to validate the method for sonic boom prediction. Accurate mid-field sonic boom pressure signatures are calculated with the Euler equations without the use of hybrid grid or signature propagation methods. Highly-refined, shock-aligned anisotropic grids were produced by this method from coarse isotropic grids created without prior knowledge of shock locations. A heuristic reconstruction limiter provided stable flow and adjoint solution schemes while producing similar signatures to Barth-Jespersen and Venkatakrishnan limiters. The use of cut-cells with an output-based adaptive scheme completely automated this accurate prediction capability after a triangular mesh is generated for the cut surface. This automation drastically reduces the manual intervention required by existing methods.

  1. Tuning the control system of a nonlinear inverted pendulum by means of the new method of Lyapunov exponents estimation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Balcerzak, Marek; Dąbrowski, Artur; Pikunov, Danylo

    2018-01-01

    This paper presents a practical application of a new, simplified method of Lyapunov exponents estimation. The method has been applied to optimization of a real, nonlinear inverted pendulum system. Authors presented how the algorithm of the Largest Lyapunov Exponent (LLE) estimation can be applied to evaluate control systems performance. The new LLE-based control performance index has been proposed. Equations of the inverted pendulum system of the fourth order have been found. The nonlinear friction of the regulation object has been identified by means of the nonlinear least squares method. Three different friction models have been tested: linear, cubic and Coulomb model. The Differential Evolution (DE) algorithm has been used to search for the best set of parameters of the general linear regulator. This work proves that proposed method is efficient and results in faster perturbation rejection, especially when disturbances are significant.

  2. Comparison of the amount of transportation when using a precurved instrument in a sonic handpiece vs. nickel-titanium rotary files.

    PubMed

    Spradley, James W; Eleazer, Paul D

    2010-01-01

    Three-dimensional cleaning of the root canal system along its basic shape is one of the main goals in endodontics. A sonic handpiece is a helpful adjunct that can aid in accomplishing this goal; however, its use has been limited due to the risk of transporting the apices' original position. Precurving sonic files may reduce transportation. For this study, 35 plastic blocks were randomly assigned to two groups, one of which (n = 16) was instrumented by nickel-titanium rotary files (to a size 40), while the second group (n = 18) was instrumented by a sonic handpiece with precurved files. Similar blocks were instrumented with noncurved sonic files and used as controls. Radiographs taken before and after instrumentation were compared. Of the 18 apices instrumented by the sonic handpiece with precurved files, seven were not transported. By comparison, 8 of the 16 apices instrumented by nickel-titanium files did not transport. When transportation did occur, it was less than 0.5 mm for either technique. The control blocks instrumented by the sonic handpiece with straight files were transported significantly. An ANOVA with a post hoc Tukey's test showed no statistically significant difference between the file systems. Based on the results, precurving sonic files to match the canal contour may allow for efficient cleaning without undue transportation.

  3. 21 CFR 888.4580 - Sonic surgical instrument and accessories/attachments.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Sonic surgical instrument and accessories/attachments. 888.4580 Section 888.4580 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES ORTHOPEDIC DEVICES Surgical Devices § 888.4580 Sonic surgical...

  4. 21 CFR 888.4580 - Sonic surgical instrument and accessories/attachments.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Sonic surgical instrument and accessories/attachments. 888.4580 Section 888.4580 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES ORTHOPEDIC DEVICES Surgical Devices § 888.4580 Sonic surgical...

  5. 21 CFR 888.4580 - Sonic surgical instrument and accessories/attachments.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Sonic surgical instrument and accessories/attachments. 888.4580 Section 888.4580 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES ORTHOPEDIC DEVICES Surgical Devices § 888.4580 Sonic surgical...

  6. 21 CFR 888.4580 - Sonic surgical instrument and accessories/attachments.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-04-01

    ... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Sonic surgical instrument and accessories/attachments. 888.4580 Section 888.4580 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES ORTHOPEDIC DEVICES Surgical Devices § 888.4580 Sonic surgical...

  7. 21 CFR 888.4580 - Sonic surgical instrument and accessories/attachments.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Sonic surgical instrument and accessories/attachments. 888.4580 Section 888.4580 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES ORTHOPEDIC DEVICES Surgical Devices § 888.4580 Sonic surgical...

  8. 9. BUILDING NO. 620B, FRICTION PENDULUM BUILDING. 29FOOT DROP TOWER ...

    Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

    9. BUILDING NO. 620-B, FRICTION PENDULUM BUILDING. 29-FOOT DROP TOWER SITS BEHIND BLAST SHIELD IN FRONT OF BUILDING. - Picatinny Arsenal, 600 Area, Test Areas District, State Route 15 near I-80, Dover, Morris County, NJ

  9. Sustainable Equity: Avoiding the Pendulum Effect in the Life Sciences

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Parker, Tatiana C. Tatum; Rosenthal, Rebecca

    2011-01-01

    In order to understand and resolve the disproportionate number of women in the sciences it is necessary to look at historical educational trends. Through the ages there is evidence of a "pendulum effect" where there have been major shifts focusing science education either on male or females. To be able to realistically establish sustainable equity…

  10. The Pendulum: From Constrained Fall to the Concept of Potential

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Bevilacqua, Fabio; Falomo, Lidia; Fregonese, Lucio; Giannetto, Enrico; Giudice, Franco; Mascheretti, Paolo

    2006-01-01

    Kuhn underlined the relevance of Galileo's gestalt switch in the interpretation of a swinging body from constrained fall to time metre. But the new interpretation did not eliminate the older one. The constrained fall, both in the motion of pendulums and along inclined planes, led Galileo to the law of free fall. Experimenting with physical…

  11. Application of the Homotopy Perturbation Method to the Nonlinear Pendulum

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Belendez, A.; Hernandez, A.; Belendez, T.; Marquez, A.

    2007-01-01

    The homotopy perturbation method is used to solve the nonlinear differential equation that governs the nonlinear oscillations of a simple pendulum, and an approximate expression for its period is obtained. Only one iteration leads to high accuracy of the solutions and the relative error for the approximate period is less than 2% for amplitudes as…

  12. Field Intercomparison of Six Sifferent Three-dimensional Sonic Anemometers

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zeeman, M. J.; Mauder, M.

    2016-12-01

    Although sonic anemometers have been used extensively for several decades in micrometeorological and ecological research, there is still some scientific debate about the measurement uncertainty of these instruments. This is due to the fact that an absolute reference for the measurement of turbulent wind fluctuations in the free atmosphere does not exist. In view of this lack we have conducted a field intercomparison experiment of six commonly used sonic anemometers from four major manufacturers. The models included Campbell CSAT3, Gill HS-50 and R3, METEK uSonic-3 Omni, R.M. Young 81000 and 81000RE. The experiment was conducted over a meadow at the TERENO/ICOS site De-Fen in southern Germany over a period of 16 days in June of 2016 in preparation of the ScaleX campaign. The measurement height was 3 m for all sensors, which were separated by 9 m from each other, each on its own tripod, in order to limit contamination of the turbulence measurements by neighbouring structures as much as possible. Moreover, the data were filtered for potentially disturbed wind sectors, and the high-frequency data from all instruments were treated with the same post-processing algorithm. In this presentation, we compare the results for various turbulence statistics from all sensors. These include mean horizontal wind speed, standard deviations of vertical wind velocity and sonic temperature, friction velocity and the covariance between vertical wind velocity and sonic temperature. Quantitative measures of uncertainty, such as bias and comparability are derived from these results.

  13. Segregation simulation of binary granular matter under horizontal pendulum vibrations

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ma, Xuedong; Zhang, Yanbing; Ran, Heli; Zhang, Qingying

    2016-08-01

    Segregation of binary granular matter with different densities under horizontal pendulum vibrations was investigated through numerical simulation using a 3D discrete element method (DEM). The particle segregation mechanism was theoretically analyzed using gap filling, momentum and kinetic energy. The effect of vibrator geometry on granular segregation was determined using the Lacey mixing index. This study shows that dynamic changes in particle gaps under periodic horizontal pendulum vibrations create a premise for particle segregation. The momentum of heavy particles is higher than that of light particles, which causes heavy particles to sink and light particles to float. With the same horizontal vibration parameters, segregation efficiency and stability, which are affected by the vibrator with a cylindrical convex geometry, are superior to that of the original vibrator and the vibrator with a cross-bar structure. Moreover, vibrator geometry influences the segregation speed of granular matter. Simulation results of granular segregation by using the DEM are consistent with the final experimental results, thereby confirming the accuracy of the simulation results and the reliability of the analysis.

  14. Reliability and validity of pendulum test measures of spasticity obtained with the Polhemus tracking system from patients with chronic stroke

    PubMed Central

    Bohannon, Richard W; Harrison, Steven; Kinsella-Shaw, Jeffrey

    2009-01-01

    Background Spasticity is a common impairment accompanying stroke. Spasticity of the quadriceps femoris muscle can be quantified using the pendulum test. The measurement properties of pendular kinematics captured using a magnetic tracking system has not been studied among patients who have experienced a stroke. Therefore, this study describes the test-retest reliability and known groups and convergent validity of the pendulum test measures obtained with the Polhemus tracking system. Methods Eight patients with chronic stroke underwent pendulum tests with their affected and unaffected lower limbs, with and without the addition of a 2.2 kg cuff weight at the ankle, using the Polhemus magnetic tracking system. Also measured bilaterally were knee resting angles, Ashworth scores (grades 0–4) of quadriceps femoris muscles, patellar tendon (knee jerk) reflexes (grades 0–4), and isometric knee extension force. Results Three measures obtained from pendular traces of the affected side were reliable (intraclass correlation coefficient ≥ .844). Known groups validity was confirmed by demonstration of a significant difference in the measurements between sides. Convergent validity was supported by correlations ≥ .57 between pendulum test measures and other measures reflective of spasticity. Conclusion Pendulum test measures obtained with the Polhemus tracking system from the affected side of patients with stroke have good test-retest reliability and both known groups and convergent validity. PMID:19642989

  15. Initial Results from the Variable Intensity Sonic Boom Database

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Haering, Edward A., Jr.; Cliatt, Larry J., II; Gabrielson, Thomas; Sparrow, Victor W.; Locey, Lance L.; Bunce, Thomas J.

    2008-01-01

    43 sonic booms generated (a few were evanescent waves) a) Overpressures of 0.08 to 2.20 lbf/sq ft; b) Rise-times of about 0.7 to 50 ms. Objectives: a) Structural response of a house of modern construction; b) Sonic boom propagation code validation. Approach: a) Measure shockwave directionality; b) Determine effect of height above ground on acoustic level; c) Generate atmospheric turbulence filter functions.

  16. Progress in modeling atmospheric propagation of sonic booms

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Pierce, Allan D.

    1994-01-01

    The improved simulation of sonic boom propagation through the real atmosphere requires greater understanding of how the transient acoustic pulses popularly termed sonic booms are affected by humidity and turbulence. A realistic atmosphere is invariably somewhat turbulent, and may be characterized by an ambient fluid velocity v and sound speed c that vary from point to point. The absolute humidity will also vary from point to point, although possibly not as irregularly. What is ideally desired is a relatively simple scheme for predicting the probable spreads in key sonic boom signature parameters. Such parameters could be peak amplitudes, rise times, or gross quantities obtainable by signal processing that correlate well with annoyance or damage potential. The practical desire for the prediction scheme is that it require a relatively small amount of knowledge, possibly of a statistical nature, concerning the atmosphere along, the propagation path from the aircraft to the ground. The impact of such a scheme, if developed, implemented, and verified, would be that it would give the persons who make planning decisions a tool for assessing the magnitude of environmental problems that might result from any given overflight or sequence of overflights. The technical approach that has been followed by the author and some of his colleagues is to formulate a hierarchy of simple approximate models based on fundamental physical principles and then to test these models against existing data. For propagation of sonic booms and of other types of acoustic pulses in nonturbulent model atmospheres, there exists a basic overall theoretical model that has evolved as an outgrowth of geometrical acoustics. This theoretical model depicts the sound as propagating within ray tubes in a manner analogous to sound in a waveguide of slowly varying cross-section. Propagation along the ray tube is quasi-one-dimensional, and a wave equation for unidirectional wave propagation is used. A nonlinear

  17. Improving the sensitivity of a torsion pendulum by using an optical spring method

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Wang Qinglan; Yeh Hsienchi; Zhou Zebing

    We present a scheme aiming at improving the sensitivity of a torsion pendulum by means of radiation-pressure-induced optical spring. Two partial-reflective mirrors are installed on the opposite sides of a torsion pendulum, and one high-reflective mirror is mounted at the end of the torsion beam so that two identical Fabry-Perot cavities can be formed and aligned in series. Due to the antisymmetric radiation pressures acting on the opposite sides of the torsion beam, a negative restoring coefficient can be generated within a certain dynamic range, such that both the resultant torsional rigidity and the resonant frequency of the torsion pendulummore » are reduced, and the minimum detectable response torque in high-frequency region can be reduced accordingly.« less

  18. Application of sonic-boom minimization concepts in supersonic transport design

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Carlson, H. W.; Barger, R. L.; Mack, R. J.

    1973-01-01

    The applicability of sonic boom minimization concepts in the design of large supersonic transport airplanes capable of a 2500-nautical-mile range at a cruise Mach number of 2.7 is considered. Aerodynamics, weight and balance, and mission performance as well as sonic boom factors, have been taken into account. The results indicate that shock-strength nominal values of somewhat less than 48 newtons/sq m during cruise are within the realm of possibility. Because many of the design features are in direct contradiction to presently accepted design practices, further study of qualified airplane design teams is required to ascertain sonic boom shock strength levels actually attainable for practical supersonic transports.

  19. Cavitation measurement during sonic and ultrasonic activated irrigation.

    PubMed

    Macedo, Ricardo; Verhaagen, Bram; Rivas, David Fernandez; Versluis, Michel; Wesselink, Paul; van der Sluis, Luc

    2014-04-01

    The aims of this study were to quantify and to visualize the possible occurrence of transient cavitation (bubble formation and implosion) during sonic and ultrasonic (UAI) activated irrigation. The amount of cavitation generated around several endodontic instruments was measured by sonochemiluminescence dosimetry inside 4 root canal models of human dimensions and varying complexity. Furthermore, the spatial distribution of the sonochemiluminescence in the root canal was visualized with long-exposure photography. Instrument oscillation frequency, ultrasonic power, and file taper influenced the occurrence and amount of cavitation. In UAI, cavitation was distributed between the file and the wall extending beyond the file and inside lateral canals/isthmuses. In sonic activated irrigation, no cavitation was detected. Cavitation was shown to occur in UAI at clinically relevant ultrasonic power settings in both straight and curved canals but not around sonically oscillating instruments, driven at their highest frequency. Copyright © 2014 American Association of Endodontists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  20. Gingival cell proliferation induced by use of a sonic toothbrush with warmed silicone rubber bristles.

    PubMed

    Tomofuji, Takaaki; Kusano, Hiroki; Azuma, Tetsuji; Ekuni, Daisuke; Yamamoto, Tatsuo; Watanabe, Tatsuo; Kishimoto, Takashi

    2004-12-01

    Toothbrushing promotes gingival cell proliferation, which may occur as the result of the physical stimulation of the gingiva. The present study evaluated the effects of temperature and silicone rubber bristles of a sonic toothbrush on gingival cell proliferation in dogs. During the 5-week experimental period, one quadrant in each of eight dogs received a different toothbrushing regimen: a manual toothbrush or a sonic toothbrush with 1) nylon, 2) silicone rubber, or 3) warmed silicone rubber bristles. The proliferative activity of gingival cells was evaluated based on expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). Use of the sonic toothbrushes produced a higher density of PCNA-positive and total fibroblasts than did use of a manual toothbrush. The warm silicone rubber bristles resulted in a higher density of PCNA-positive fibroblasts compared with the cooler silicone rubber bristle. The number of PCNA-positive basal cells in the junctional epithelium also increased following electric toothbrushing with warmed silicone rubber bristles. The sonic toothbrush with silicone rubber bristles induced gingival fibroblast proliferation to a greater degree than a manual toothbrush. Warming the silicone rubber bristles increased their stimulatory effects on the proliferative activity of gingival cells.