Engineering PapersSearch

Engineering topics

Hendricks, J. B.

Publications and source records attributed to Hendricks, J. B..

Superconducting gyroscope research

Four basic areas of research and development of superconducting gyroscopes are studied. Chapter 1 studies the analysis of a SQUID readout for a superconducting gyroscope. Chapter 2 studies the dependence of spin-up torque on channel and gas properties. Chapter 3 studies the theory of super fluid plug operation. And chapter 4 studies the gyro rotor and housing manufacture.

Hendricks, J. B.

Infrared telescope

The development of the Infrared Telescope for Spacelab 2 is discussed. The design, development, and testing required to interface a stationary superfluid helium dewar with a scanning cryostate capable of operating in the zero-g environment in the space shuttle bay is described.

Karr, G. R.

Design and performance of transfer assembly for the infrared telescope for Space Lab 2

The cryogenic design features employed in the case of the Infrared Telescope (IRT) for Spacelab 2 are unique. They involve the delivery of helium gas at a temperature of 2 K to the IR detectors from a superfluid supply dewar which is separate from the telescope/detector unit. This design has the advantage that thermal and mechanical vibration disturbances in the liquid helium bath are decoupled from the IR detector. The interfacing of the storage dewar with the IRT telescope/detector unit (called cryostat) is the function of the subsystem which is called the transfer assembly (TA). The TA design is discussed, taking into account the porous plug module, the plumbing module, the helix module, and the dewar heat exchanger units. Aspects of transfer assembly performance are also considered.

Karr, G. R.

Spacelab 2 infrared telescope cryogenic system

The paper discusses the development of a cryogenic helium system to provide cooling to a scanning infrared telescope for the Spacelab 2 mission. The infrared optical/detector system and related electronics are being developed by the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory and the University of Arizona. A superfluid helium dewar and porous plug phase separator permit gas cooling of the infrared focal plane assembly to about 2.5 K, and of the two telescope sections to 8 K and 60 K. The design of the cryogenic system,including a commandable vacuum cover, and the prelaunch liquid helium servicing and maintenance approach were discussed. It is concluded that the system will satisfy the Infrared Telescope requirements, and the superfluid helium system shall be capable of satisfying cryogenic helium cooled requirements for the next several years.

Urban, E. W.

A cryogenic helium II system for Spacelab

A description is presented of a helium II storage and gas delivery system which is to provide refrigeration to a scanning infrared telescope experiment which will be flown in space in 1981 aboard the Spacelab 2 mission. Instead of submerging the infrared apparatus within a large, specially constructed helium dewar, which has been the usual approach to space cryogenics, it was decided to separate the cooled infrared optical system from the storage dewar. As a result of this decision the cryogenic supply system will be able to deliver gaseous or liquid helium cooling to other types of experiments on later Spacelab missions.

Urban, E. W.

Working model of the London moment readout system

The operating characteristics of a porous plug which has liquid helium on one side and which is pumped on under vacuum on the other side are discussed. The system investigated consists of a container of liquid helium which is well isolated, and the only means for mass flow out of the container is through a plug mode of porous material. The plug was assumed to have liquid helium on the container side while the other side of the plug is evacuated. Three cases were considered: (1) perfect evacuation with zero pressure, (2) evacuation through a chocked orifice, and (3) evacuation through a long, small diameter pipe with heating. Mass flow rates were determined along with mass flow at temperature above the lambda point temperature. Solutions were obtained for normal and superfluid velocity.

Hendricks, J. B.

A SQUID readout system for a superconducting gyroscope

A design of a read out system for a superconducting gyroscope to be used in an orbiting gyroscope relativity experiment is discussed. The 'London Moment' of the superconducting rotor, which lies along the spin axis of the rotor, will be measured with a SQUID-type magnetometer. The SQUID will be built around the gyro rotor, with a very close spacing to give an inductance between 10 millionths and 1 millionth Hy. A SQUID of this design should resolve 2.07 times 10 to the minus 19th weber. The angular resolution of the gyroscope will then be 0.0035 arc-second, which is sufficient for the intended experiment.

Hendricks, J. B.