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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 181 records · Page 10

All sources NASA NTRS DOE OSTI

NASA NTRS2003

Cable and Line Inspection Mechanism

An automated cable and line inspection mechanism visually scans the entire surface of a cable as the mechanism travels along the cable=s length. The mechanism includes a drive system, a video camera, a mirror assembly for providing the camera with a 360 degree view of the cable, and a laser micrometer for measuring the cable=s diameter. The drive system includes an electric motor and a plurality of drive wheels and tension wheels for engaging the cable or line to be inspected, and driving the mechanism along the cable. The mirror assembly includes mirrors that are positioned to project multiple images of the cable on the camera lens, each of which is of a different portion of the cable. A data transceiver and a video transmitter are preferably employed for transmission of video images, data and commands between the mechanism and a remote control station.

Terence J Ross↗

NASA NTRS2003

Cable and line inspection mechanism

Ross, Terence J.↗

NASA NTRS1965

Lightweight coaxial cable connector reduces signal loss

Connectors with milled interface surfaces for perfect electrical contact eliminate secondary- emission discharge and low signal loss in RF coaxial cables. the connectors which contain alignment and centering components for proper joint concentricity are used in communications systems designs.

Brejcha, A. G., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS1972

Cabling design for phased arrays

The ribbon-cabling system used for the AEGIS phased array which provides minimum cable bulk, complete EMI shielding, rugged mechanical design, repeatable electrical characteristics, and ease of assembly and maintenance is described. The ribbon cables are 0.040-inch thick, and in widths up to 2 1/2 inches. Their terminations are molded connectors that can be grouped in a three-tier arrangement, with cable branching accomplished by a matrix-welding technique.

Kruger, I. D.↗

NASA NTRS1973

Process for making RF shielded cable connector assemblies and the products formed thereby

A process for making RF shielded cable connector assemblies and the resulting structures is described. The process basically consists of potting wires of a shielded cable between the cable shield and a connector housing to fill in, support, regidize, and insulate the individual wires contained in the cable. The formed potting is coated with an electrically conductive material so as to form an entirely encompassing adhering conductive path between the cable shield and the metallic connector housing. A protective jacket is thereby formed over the conductive coating between the cable shield and the connector housing.

Fisher, A.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Fiber optic accelerometer

Low-cost, rugged lightweight accelerometer has been developed that converts mechanical motion into digitized optical outputs and is immune to electromagnetic and electrostatic interferences. Instrument can be placed in hostile environment, such as engine under test, and output led out through miscellany of electrical fields, high temperatures, etc., by optic fiber cables to benign environment of test panel. There, digitized optical signals can be converted to electrical signals for use in standard electrical equipment or used directly in optical devices, such as optical digital computer.

August, R. R.↗

NASA NTRS2015

Electron Beam Irradiated Intercalated CNT Yarns For Aerospace Applications

Multi-walled CNT yarns have been experimentally and commercially created to yield lightweight, high conductivity fibers with good tensile properties for application as electrical wiring and multifunctional tendons. Multifunctional tendons are needed as the cable structures in tensegrity robots for use in planetary exploration. These lightweight robust tendons can provide mechanical strength for movement of the robot in addition to power distribution and data transmission. In aerospace vehicles, such as Orion, electrical wiring and harnessing mass can approach half of the avionics mass. Use of CNT yarns as electrical power and data cables could reduce mass of the wiring by thirty to seventy percent. These fibers have been intercalated with mixed halogens to increase their specific electrical conductivity to that near copper. This conductivity, combined with the superior strength and fatigue resistance makes it an attractive alternative to copper for wiring and multifunctional tendon applications. Electron beam irradiation has been shown to increase mechanical strength in pristine CNT fibers through increased cross-linking. Both pristine and intercalated CNT yarns have been irradiated using a 5-megavolt electron beam for various durations and the conductivities and tensile properties will be discussed. Structural information obtained using a field emission scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and Raman spectroscopy will correlate microstructural details with bulk properties.

electrical wiring↗

NASA NTRS1994

A PC based time domain reflectometer for space station cable fault isolation

Significant problems are faced by astronauts on orbit in the Space Station when trying to locate electrical faults in multi-segment avionics and communication cables. These problems necessitate the development of an automated portable device that will detect and locate cable faults using the pulse-echo technique known as Time Domain Reflectometry. A breadboard time domain reflectometer (TDR) circuit board was designed and developed at the NASA-JSC. The TDR board works in conjunction with a GRiD lap-top computer to automate the fault detection and isolation process. A software program was written to automatically display the nature and location of any possible faults. The breadboard system can isolate open circuit and short circuit faults within two feet in a typical space station cable configuration. Follow-on efforts planned for 1994 will produce a compact, portable prototype Space Station TDR capable of automated switching in multi-conductor cables for high fidelity evaluation. This device has many possible commercial applications, including commercial and military aircraft avionics, cable TV, telephone, communication, information and computer network systems. This paper describes the principle of time domain reflectometry and the methodology for on-orbit avionics utility distribution system repair, utilizing the newly developed device called the Space Station Time Domain Reflectometer (SSTDR).

Pham, Michael↗

NASA NTRS1974

Testing of a flat conductor cable baseboard system for residential and commercial wiring

The results of extensive testing (mechanical, electrical, chemical, environmental, thermal, and analytical) are reported for a flat conductor cable baseboard system for residential and commercial wiring. In all of the tests, Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Standards, UL Tentative Test Programs, or Accepted Engineering Practices were followed during test selection, test setup, and test accomplishment.

Hankins, J. D.↗

NASA NTRS2012

Online Cable Tester and Rerouter

Hardware and algorithms have been developed to transfer electrical power and data connectivity safely, efficiently, and automatically from an identified damaged/defective wire in a cable to an alternate wire path. The combination of online cable testing capabilities, along with intelligent signal rerouting algorithms, allows the user to overcome the inherent difficulty of maintaining system integrity and configuration control, while autonomously rerouting signals and functions without introducing new failure modes. The incorporation of this capability will increase the reliability of systems by ensuring system availability during operations.

Lewis, Mark↗

NASA NTRS1921

Causes of Cracking of Ignition Cable

The experiments described here show that the cracking at sharp bends, observed in the insulation of internal combustion engine high tension ignition wires after service, is due to a chemical attack upon the rubber by the ozone produced by the electric discharge that takes place at the surface of the cable. This cracking does not occur if the insulating material is not under tension, or if the cable is surrounded by some medium other than air. But it does occur even if the insulation is not subjected to electric stress, provided that the atmosphere near the cable contains ozone. The extent of this cracking varies greatly with the insulating material used. The cracking can be materially reduced by using braided cable and by avoiding sharp bends.

Silsbee, F B↗

NASA NTRS2012

Shielded-Twisted-Pair Cable Model for Chafe Fault Detection via Time-Domain Reflectometry

This report details the development, verification, and validation of an innovative physics-based model of electrical signal propagation through shielded-twisted-pair cable, which is commonly found on aircraft and offers an ideal proving ground for detection of small holes in a shield well before catastrophic damage occurs. The accuracy of this model is verified through numerical electromagnetic simulations using a commercially available software tool. The model is shown to be representative of more realistic (analytically intractable) cable configurations as well. A probabilistic framework is developed for validating the model accuracy with reflectometry data obtained from real aircraft-grade cables chafed in the laboratory.

Schuet, Stefan R.↗

NASA NTRS1981

High voltage cabling for high power spacecraft

Studies by NASA have shown that many of the space missions proposed for the time period 1980 to 2000 will require large spacecraft structures to be assembled in orbit. Large antennas and power systems up to 2.5 MW size are predicted to supply the electrical/electronic subsystems, solar electric subsystems, solar electric propulsion, and space processing for the near-term programs. Platforms of 100 meters/length for stable foundations, utility stations, and supports for these multi-antenna and electronic powered mechanisms are also being considered. This paper includes the findings of an analytic and conceptual design study for large spacecraft power distribution, and electrical loads and their influence on the cable and connector requirements for these proposed large spacecraft.

Dunbar, W. G.↗

NASA NTRS1971

Improved high-temperature metal-sheathed cables

Process prevents moist air degradation of cables insulated with magnesium oxide. Electrical-grade silicone oil is polymerized by heat application to produce water repellant surface coating. Insulation treated with this oil repels moisture.

Fox, H. A., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS1972

Testing methods and techniques: Testing electrical and electronic devices: A compilation

The methods, techniques, and devices used in testing various electrical and electronic apparatus are presented. The items described range from semiconductor package leak detectors to automatic circuit analyzer and antenna simulators for system checkout. In many cases the approaches can result in considerable cost savings and improved quality control. The testing of various electronic components, assemblies, and systems; the testing of various electrical devices; and the testing of cables and connectors are explained.

Source record↗

NASA NTRS1975

Broadband antenna systems for lightning magnetic fields

Broadband magnetic antenna systems suitable for recording submicrosecond field changes are described, and typical data from distant lightning are presented. Two types of systems are described, one with a high-impedance antenna loop connected to the integrator by a twisted pair of coaxial cables and another with the antenna loop and twisted signal loops formed from a single piece of coaxial cable. Data for correlated magnetic and electric field waveforms from lightning at a distance of 50 to 100 km are presented and are shown to be almost identical.

Krider, E. P.↗

NASA NTRS1980

The oblique wing-research aircraft

The AD-1 airplane was designed as a low cost, low speed manned research tool to evaluate the flying qualities of the oblique wing concept. The airplane is constructed primarily of foam and fiberglass and incorporates simplicity in terms of the onboard systems. There are no hydraulics, the control system is cable and torque tube, and the electrical systems consist of engine driven generators which power the battery for engine start, cockpit gages, trim motors, and the onboard data system. The propulsion systems consist of two Microturbo TRS-18 engines sea level trust rated at 220 pounds. The airplane weighs approximately 2100 pounds and has a performance potential in the range of 200 knots and an altitude of 15,000 feet.

Andrews, W. H.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Service Modules for Coal Extraction

Service train follows group of mining machines, paying out utility lines as machines progress into coal face. Service train for four mining machines removes gases and coal and provides water and electricity. Flexible, coiling armored carriers protect cables and hoses. High coal production attained by arraying row of machines across face, working side by side.

Gangal, M. D.↗