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Littles, J. W.

Publications and source records attributed to Littles, J. W..

16 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1981

Effects of the specular Orbiter forward radiators on a typical Spacelab payload thermal environment

Orbiter radiators, having a specular reflection, must be considered when determining the design environment for payloads which can view the forward deployed radiators. Unlike most surfaces on the Orbiter, which reflect energy diffusely, the radiators are covered with a highly specular silverized Teflon material, with high emissivity, and have a concave contour, producing a local concentration of reflected energy towards the region of angle incidence. The combined effects of radiator specularity and geometry were analyzed using the Thermal Radiation Analysis System (TRASYS II), a specialized ray trace program, and a generalized Monte-Carlo-based thermal radiation program. Data given for a 0 deg payload inclination angle at orbital noon at 3.454 m indicate that the maximum total flux and average flux can increase 173% and 63%, respectively, when compared to diffuse radiators.

Turner, L. D.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Design and development of a trace contaminant removal canister for Spacelab

The paper describes the overall approach used by NASA-MSFC to design and develop a trace contaminant removal canister for Spacelab. The elements of this approach include the establishment of a trace contaminant load model, analysis and testing to define a preliminary design, development testing to verify the adequacy of the selected design, and testing to define a suitable canister location in the transfer tunnel ventilation system. The canister utilizes a catalyst material which is effective in removing carbon monoxide at room temperature, as well as plain and acid treated charcoal. The canister alone will control all contaminants in the load model below their maximum allowable concentration (MAC) levels without assistance from the baseline environmental control system (ECS) except for methyl alcohol and ammonia.

Ray, C. D.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Design and operation of a solar heating and cooling system for a residential size building

The first year of operation of solar house is discussed. Selected design information, together with a brief system description is included. The house was equipped with an integrated solar heating and cooling system which uses fully automated state-of-the art. Evaluation of the data indicate that the solar house heating and cooling system is capable of supplying nearly 100 percent of the thermal energy required for heating and approximately 50 percent of the thermal energy required to operate the absorption cycle air conditioner.

Littles, J. W.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Considerations for performance evaluation of solar heating and cooling systems

One of the many factors which must be considered in performance evaluation of solar energy systems is the relative merit of a given solar energy system when compared to a standard conventional system. Although initial and operational costs will be dominant factors in the comparison of the two types of systems and will be given prime consideration in system selection, sufficient data are not yet available for a definitive treatment of these variables. It is possible, however, to formulate relationships between the nonsolar energy requirements of the solar energy systems and the energy requirements of a conventional system in terms of the primary performance parameters of the systems. Derivations of such relationships, some parametric data for selected ranges of the performance parameters, and data with respect to limiting conditions are presented.

Littles, J. W.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Zero-G experiments in two-phase fluids flow regimes

The two-phase flows studied were liquid and gas mixtures in a straight flow channel of circular cross-section. Boundaries between flow regimes have been defined for normogravity on coordinates of gas quality and total mass velocity; and, when combined with boundary expressions having a Froude number term, an analytical model was derived predicting boundary shifts with changes in gravity level. Experiments with air and water were performed, first in the normogravity environment of a ground laboratory and then in 'zero gravity' aboard a KC-135 aircraft flying parabolic trajectories. Data reduction confirmed regime boundary shifts in the direction predicted, although the magnitude was a little less than predicted. Pressure drop measurements showed significant increases for the low gravity condition.

Heppner, D. B.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Flight operations and performance of Skylab life support and environmental control systems

The design and performance of the Skylab thermal and environmental control systems is considered. The Orbital Workshop had a combined active and passive thermal control system. The refrigeration system was designed to store food and biomedical samples and to cool drinking water. The atmosphere control system included active humidity control, molecular sieves and charcoal canisters to control carbon dioxide, odor, and contaminants, and the gas supply system. Mission support preparation, including instrumentation, ground data system, system troubleshooting, and training, is surveyed. Major in-flight anomalies occurred with the thermal control system when the meteoroid shield was lost during SL-1 ascent and when the Airlock Module coolant loop malfunctioned during SL-2 manned operations. The atmosphere control system performed without major anomaly throughout the manned missions.

Hopson, G. D.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Design and performance of Skylab thermal/environmental control system

The function of the thermal/environmental control systems was to provide a comfortable thermal environment for the crew, to cool electronic components, to supply a controlled oxygen/nitrogen atmosphere, and to remove moisture, carbon dioxide, odors, and trace contaminants from the atmosphere. A separate refrigeration system was used to chill and freeze food and biomedical samples and to provide cold water for drinking. This paper describes system design and compares in-flight performance to preflight predictions. A discussion of in-flight anomalies and corrective actions is also included.

Hopson, G. D.↗
NASA NTRS1974

MSFC Skylab thermal and environmental control system mission evaluation

An evaluation of the performance of the Skylab thermal and environmental control system is presented. Actual performance is compared to design and functional requirements and anomalies and discrepancies and their resolution are discussed. The thermal and environmental control systems performed their intended role. Based on the experience gained in design, development and flight, recommendations are provided which may be beneficial to future system designs.

Hopson, G. D.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Boiling heat transfer to LN2 and LH2 - Influence of surface orientation and reduced body forces

The quantitative determination of the influence of heater surface orientation and gravity on nucleate pool boiling of liquid nitrogen and liquid hydrogen is described. A transient calorimeter technique, well suited for obtaining pool boiling data under reduced gravity and used earlier by Clark and Merte (1963), was employed after being adapted to flat a surface whose orientation could be varied. The obtained determination results are reviewed.

Merte, H., Jr.↗