Probabilistic estimation of fulfilling favorable conditions to realize the gravity-sensitive processes aboard a space laboratory

We consider a probabilistic estimation of microaccelerations being produced in the inboard environment of an orbital laboratory as a random process; based on this estimation we analyzed a probability of fulfilling the favorable conditions to realize gravity-sensitive processes. The approach suggested can be applied when designing a space laboratory to meet the requirements for the microaccelerations inside the working zone of technological equipment.     

To a problem of bending an orthotropic cylindrical shell by locally applied radial forces

The solution is constructed based on using the general theory of physically orthotropic shells generalizing the Vlasov equations. The numerical results demonstrating the orthotropy influence on the stress strain state are presented.     

Computational analysis of strength,stability, and durability for gas turbine engine exhaust frame

A computational technique, developed for analysis of strength, stability and low-cycle durability of GTE exhaust frame complex structure under operational and emergency loads is described. The presented technique, based on the ANSYS and STAR-CD engineering analysis software, and self-design software can improve the accuracy and efficiency of calculations, and reduce efforts on finite element mesh development, performing calculations and processing of results.     

Analysis of thin-walled stiffened rods using the beam theory

The stress-strain state of thin-walled aircraft structures such as a wing or fuselage made of composite materials is determined based on the beam theory. The laminated skin is orthotropic. The solution was obtained without using the centroidal principal section axes and subdividing the problem in shear and torsion. A calculation variant with skin discretization along the section contour was studied.     

Aerodynamic refinement of turbine cascades

Based on the experimental data, a dependence of the minimal friction losses in cascades was obtained. A turbine stage efficiency gain as a result of cascade improvement over the last three decades of the 20th century was estimated by this dependence.     

Modeling of landing of a helicopter with skid undercarriage with regard for the second landing impact

A technique is suggested for calculating the helicopter spatial motion and the stress-strain state of a skid landing gear in the course of landing with regard for the second landing impact; geometric, material and design nonlinearity of undercarriage springs deformation is taken into account. The comparison between the analysis results and experimental data is presented.     

Long-term changes in indices of geomagnetic activity at the auroral station Sodankylä

Here we compare the traditional analog measure of geomagnetic activity, Ak, with the more recent digital indices of IHV and Ah based on hourly mean data, and their derivatives at the auroral station Sodankylä. By this selection of indices we study the effects of (i) analog vs. digital technique, and (ii) full local-time vs. local night-time coverage on quantifying local geomagnetic activity. We find that all other indices are stronger than Ak during the low-activity cycles 15–16 suggesting an excess of very low scalings in Ak at this time. The full-day indices consistently depict stronger correlation with the interplanetary magnetic field strength, while the night-time indices have higher correlation with solar wind speed. The Ak index correlates better with the digital indices of full-day coverage than with any night-time index. However, Ak depicts somewhat higher activity levels than the digital full-day indices in the declining phase of the solar cycle, indicating that, due to their different sampling rates, the latter indices are less sensitive to high-frequency variations driven by the Alfvén waves in high-speed streams. On the other hand, the night-time indices have an even stronger response to solar wind speed than Ak. The results strongly indicate that at auroral latitudes, geomagnetic indices with different local time coverage reflect different current systems, which, by an appropriate choice of indices, allows studying the century-scale dynamics of these currents separately.     

Tolerance of wheat and lettuce plants grown on human mineralized waste to high temperature stress

The main objective of a life support system for space missions is to supply a crew with food, water and oxygen, and to eliminate their wastes. The ultimate goal is to achieve the highest degree of closure of the system using controlled processes offering a high level of reliability and flexibility. Enhancement of closure of a biological life support system (BLSS) that includes plants relies on increased regeneration of plant waste, and utilization of solid and liquid human wastes. Clearly, the robustness of a BLSS subjected to stress will be substantially determined by the robustness of the plant components of the phototrophic unit. The aim of the present work was to estimate the heat resistance of two plants (wheat and lettuce) grown on human wastes. Human exometabolites mineralized by hydrogen peroxide in an electromagnetic field were used to make a nutrient solution for the plants. We looked for a possible increase in the heat tolerance of the wheat plants using changes in photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) intensity during heat stress. At age 15 days, plants were subjected to a rise in air temperature (from 23 ± 1 °C to 44 ± 1 °С) under different PAR intensities for 4 h. The status of the photosynthetic apparatus of the plants was assessed by external СО₂ gas exchange and fluorescence measurements. The increased irradiance of the plants during the high temperature period demonstrated its protective action for both the photosynthetic apparatus of the leaves and subsequent plant growth and development. The productivity of the plants subjected to temperature changes at 250 W m⁻² of PAR did not differ from that of controls, whereas the productivity of the plants subjected to the same heat stress but in darkness was halved.     

Thermohydraulic calculation of channels with cylindrical grooves

In this paper, a model of heat exchange and resistance in the channels with cylindrical grooves on the walls is presented. We compare the calculated data with the experimental results and give some recommendations for designers of power plants.