Engineering topics
Publications and source records attributed to Wessling, F. C..
A GAS facility has been developed for carrying out low temperature experiments. The arrangement being used on CONCAP IV-01 is designed for thin film growth in microgravity and can process up to twelve samples per mission. The nonlinear optical oven hardware can also be made suitable for other low temperature applications, such as gradient freeze and solution growth of crystals.
Consort 1 was the first low gravity materials processing payload to be launched by a commercially licensed rocket in the U.S.A. It carried six experiments which operated as planned during approx. 7 min of suborbital, low gravity flight (10(-5) g) and were returned in excellent condition to the investigators within 4 h of launch. Nearly 150 physical samples supported by measurements and photographs made during the flight were obtained for analysis. In addition to the experimental data returned, the success of Consort 1 demonstrated the ability of industry, working with university centers and government agencies, to rapidly prepare and launch payloads. A brief description of the rocket flight and payload configuration is given. Experiment objectives and methods are described and preliminary results and conclusions are presented.
The Personnel Occupied Woven Envelope Robot (POWER) concept has evolved over the course of the study. The goal of the project was the development of methods and algorithms for solid modeling for the flexible robot arm.
The use of nonmetallic or fabric structures for space application is considered. The following structures are suggested: (1) unpressurized space hangars; (2) extendable tunnels for soft docking; and (3) manned habitat for space stations, storage facilities, and work structures. The uses of the tunnel as a passageway: for personnel and equipment, eliminating extravehicular activity, for access to a control cabin on a space crane and between free flyers and the space station are outlined. The personnal occupied woven envelope robot (POWER) device is shown. The woven envelope (tunnel) acts as part of the boom of a crane. Potential applications of POWER are outlined. Several possible deflection mechanisms and design criteria are determined.
An aluminum platform serves as a storage shelf for experiments transported on the space shuttle. This platform is attached to the shuttle storage area through several supports, each consisting of an attachment fitting, a monoball bearing, a clevis pin and a support strut. The experiments must be temperature controlled during and after launch. Consequently, heat loss through the plate, attachment fitting, monoball bearing, and strut are important. The overall conductance of the monoball bearing was determined by an experimental method of heating the outer ring with a nichrome resistance wire and cooling the inner ball with propylene glycol. Temperature differences across the bearing were measured for various heat fluxes. The overall conductance is 0.42 Watts/C (0.80 BTU/hr F), This yields a 16 watt loss for a 38 C temperature difference across the bearing.