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French, R. L.

Publications and source records attributed to French, R. L..

13 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1987

Space telerobotics technology demonstration program

The paper reports the ongoing development of a telerobot demonstrator. The demonstrator is implemented as a laboratory-based research testbed, and will show proof-of-concept for supervised automation of space assembly, servicing, and repair operations. The demonstrator system features a hierarchically layered intelligent control architecture which enables automated planning and run-time sequencing of complex tasks by a supervisory human operator. The demonstrator also provides a full bilateral force-reflecting hand control teleroperations capability. The operator may switch smoothly between the automated and teleroperated tasking modes in run-time, either on a preplanned or operator-designated basis.

Szirmay, S. Z.↗
NASA NTRS1987

The NASA telerobot technology demonstrator

The ongoing development of a telerobot technology demonstrator is reported. The demonstrator is implemented as a laboratory-based research testbed, and will show proof-of-concept for supervised automation of space assembly, servicing, and repair operations. The demonstrator system features a hierarchically layered intelligent control architecture which enables automated planning and run-time sequencing of complex tasks by a supervisory human operator. The demonstrator also provides a full bilateral force-reflecting hand control teleoperations capability. The operator may switch smoothly between the automated and teleoperated tasking modes in run-time, either on a preplanned or operator-designated basis.

Schenker, P. S.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Site-Specific Research Conducted in Support of the Salton Sea Solar Pond Project - FY 1982 Report

The design and operation of a salt-gradient solar pond power plant at the Salton Sea presents problems not encountered at small research ponds that were built in the United States. The specific characteristics of the Salton Sea site and the desire to construct the pond using the local clay as a sealant represent major deviations from previous solar pond experience. The site-specific research in support of the plant design is described. The research activity included validation of the spectrophotometric light transmission measurement technique, a search for options for clarifying the turbid and colored water of the Salton Sea, development of water clarification specifications in terms common to industry practice, quantification of gas production from microbiological reactions in the ground, a determination of the combined effects of temperature and salinity on the permeation of the local clays, and a preliminary evaluation of material corrosion.

French, R. L.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Material Selection Considerations for Solar Ponds

Among the various candidate materials tested, stainless steel shows the best potential for applications as heat exchanger components in solar ponds. Even stainless steel may lead to pitting type of corrosion. Weight loss measurements are probably unsatisfactory for corrosion evaluation in solar pond situations. Also included are the results from the potentiodynamic anodic polarization analysis, corrosion rate calculation via corrosion behavior diagrams, and immersion weight loss measurements.

Sastri, S.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Solar Pond Overview

The term solar pond is used to refer specifically to a salt-gradient solar pond. A technology assessment was done consisting of thermal performance; maintenance; applications; and economics. Research needs and recommendations were also included.

French, R. L.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Solar-Assisted Solution-Mining Concept

Brine heated in solar pond dissolves minerals from deposits. In proposed solution-mining process, hot brine is pumped down one well and recovered at one or more other wells. Emerging brine is rich in desired mineral. Brine is evaporated in solar ponds to recover mineral.

Dowler, W. L.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Benefit assessment of solar-augmented natural gas systems

Report details how solar-energy-augmented system can reduce natural gas consumption by 40% to 70%. Applications discussed include: domestic hot water system, solar-assisted gas heat pumps, direct heating from storage tank. Industrial uses, solar-assisted appliances, and economic factors are discussed.

Davis, E. S.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Salton Sea solar pond project

The feasibility of constructing salt gradient solar ponds within the Salton Sea is being studied. These ponds would serve a dual purpose: (1) become a depository for unwanted salt and (2) supply thermal energy for driving turbine electric power systems. Under present circumstances, the rise in salinity is expected to eliminate fish life and create other unfavorable conditions. The proposed concept would have a power generation potential of 600 MWe.

French, R. L.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Salton Sea Project

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

French, R. L.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Solar energy for process heat: Design/cost studies of four industrial retrofit applications

Five specific California plants with potentially attractive solar applications were identified in a process heat survey. These five plants were visited, process requirements evaluated, and conceptual solar system designs were generated. Four DOE (ERDA) sponsored solar energy system demonstration projects were also reviewed and compared to the design/cost cases included in this report. In four of the five cases investigated, retrofit installations providing significant amounts of thermal energy were found to be feasible. The fifth was rejected because of the condition of the building involved, but the process (soap making) appears to be an attractive potential solar application. Costs, however, tend to be high. Several potential areas for cost reduction were identified including larger collector modules and higher duty cycles.

French, R. L.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Building application of solar energy. Study no. 4: Scenarios for the utilization of solar energy in southern California buildings, change 1

Plausible future market scenarios for solar heating and cooling systems into buildings in the area served by the Southern California Edison Company. A range of plausible estimates for the number of solar systems which might be installed and the electrical energy which might be displaced by energy from these systems are provided. The effect on peak electrical load was not explicitly calculated but preliminary conclusions concerning peak load can be inferred from the estimates presented. Two markets are investigated: the single family market and the large power commercial market.

Davis, E. S.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Mariner 9 propulsion subsystem performance during interplanetary cruise and Mars orbit insertion

On 14 November 1971 the Mariner 9 1334-N-(300-lbf)-thrust rocket engine was fired for just over 15 min to place the first man-made satellite into orbit about Mars. Propulsion subsystem data gathered during the 5-month interplanetary cruise and orbit insertion are of significance to future missions of this type. Specific results related to performance predictability, zero g heat transfer, and nitrogen permeation, diffusion, and solubility values are presented.

Cork, M. J.↗