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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 1,801 records · Page 100
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1978

Solar power satellites: The Engineering Challenges

Certain elements of solar power satellite design and system engineering studies are reviewed analyzing solar power satellites as a potential baseload electric power source. The complete system concept concept includes not only the satellites and their ground stations, but also the space transportation for delivery of the satellites, piece by piece, into space, and the factories for their construction in space. Issues related to carrying the solar power satellite concept from the present design study phase through implementation of actual hardware are considered. The first issue category is environmental aspects of the SPS systems. The second category of issues is the technology risks associated with achieving the necessary component and subsystem performances. The third category includes the engineering issues associated with carrying out such a large scale project. The fourth issue category is financial: the funding required to bring such a project into being and the costs of the satellites and resulting cost of the power produced as compared to potential alternative energy sources.

Woodcock, G. R.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Design description of a microprocessor based Engine Monitoring and Control unit (EMAC) for small turboshaft

Research programs have demonstrated that digital electronic controls are more suitable for advanced aircraft/rotorcraft turbine engine systems than hydromechanical controls. Commercially available microprocessors are believed to have the speed and computational capability required for implementing advanced digital control algorithms. Thus, it is desirable to demonstrate that off-the-shelf microprocessors are indeed capable of performing real time control of advanced gas turbine engines. The engine monitoring and control (EMAC) unit was designed and fabricated specifically to meet the requirements of an advanced gas turbine engine control system. The EMAC unit is fully operational in the Army/NASA small turboshaft engine digital research program.

Baez, A. N.↗
DOE OSTI2021

High performance protonic ceramic fuel cell systems for distributed power generation

The technology landscape around distributed generation continues to evolve in response to increasing demand for high-efficiency, low-emission, low-cost power generation. While emerging distributed power technologies, such as solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), continue to advance, they still face challenges due to their high capital costs, and shorter lifetimes that typically arise from electrochemical stack performance degradation at high operating temperatures (>750 °C). Recent advancements in protonic ceramic fuel cells (PCFCs) offer the potential to mitigate drawbacks of their higher temperature SOFC counterparts by enabling lower operating temperatures (550 °C–600 °C) with acceptable power densities. Here the present work leverages the recent progress in protonic ceramic cell and stack technology development to generate viable system configurations and evaluate the energetic performance potential of PCFC-based systems for stationary power generation. Process system engineering of two water-neutral system concepts, which provide 25 kW of electric power and process hot water, are presented and evaluated through sensitivity studies. Stack design parameters are altered and used to gauge the effect on system performance characteristics, including fuel cell stack and balance-of-plant sizing requirements, and electric and cogeneration efficiencies. The study finds that the potentially high per-pass fuel utilization capability of PCFC stacks could enable unprecedented electric efficiencies approaching 70% without hybridization with other prime movers.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Coprecipitation of Fe/Cr Hydroxides at Organic–Water Interfaces: Functional Group Richness and (De)protonation Control Amounts and Compositions of Coprecipitates

Iron/chromium hydroxide coprecipitation controls the fate and transport of toxic chromium (Cr) in many natural and engineered systems. Organic coatings on soil and engineered surfaces are ubiquitous; however, mechanistic controls of these organic coatings over Fe/Cr hydroxide coprecipitation are poorly understood. Here, Fe/Cr hydroxide coprecipitation was conducted on model organic coatings of humic acid (HA), sodium alginate (SA), and bovine serum albumin (BSA). The organics bonded with SiO 2 through ligand exchange with carboxyl (-COOH), and the adsorbed amounts and pK(a) values of -COOH controlled surface charges of coatings. The adsorbed organic films also had different complexation capacities with Fe/Cr ions and Fe/Cr hydroxide particles, resulting in significant differences in both the amount (on HA > SA(-COOH) >> BSA(-NH 2 )) and composition (Cr/Fe molar ratio: on BSA(-NH2) >> HA > SA(-COOH)) of heterogeneous precipitates. Negatively charged -COOH attracted more Fe ions and oligomers of hydrolyzed Fe/Cr species and subsequently promoted heterogeneous precipitation of Fe/Cr hydroxide nanoparticles. Organic coatings containing -NH 2 were positively charged at acidic pH because of the high pK(a) value of the functional group, limiting cation adsorption and formation of coprecipitates. Meanwhile, the higher local pH near the -NH 2 coatings promoted the formation of Cr(OH) 3 . Finally, this study advances fundamental understanding of heterogeneous Fe/Cr hydroxide coprecipitation on organics, which is essential for successful Cr remediation and removal in both natural and engineered settings, as well as the synthesis of Cr-doped iron (oxy)hydroxides for material applications.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
NASA NTRS1973

Systems concepts: Lectures on contemporary approaches to systems.

Collection of papers dealing with the application of systems concepts to a wide range of disciplines. The topics include systems definitions and designs, models for systems engineering, the evolution of the JPL, systems concepts in lunar and planetary projects, civil systems projects, and Apollo program evaluation. Individual items are announced in this issue.

Miles, R. F., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1978

System considerations

Closing remarks and a general summary of the Alternative Energy Systems Seminar are presented. It was concluded from the seminar that the DOE programs described were focused on trying to make a commercial market develop for the various systems. The question addressed is how this is going to happen. To address this question, social, economical, political and technical aspects are considered with major emphasis placed on systems engineering to provide low cost efficient systems.

Alper, M. E.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Controlled Ecological Life Support System: Research and Development Guidelines

Results of a workshop designed to provide a base for initiating a program of research and development of controlled ecological life support systems (CELSS) are summarized. Included are an evaluation of a ground based manned demonstration as a milestone in CELSS development, and a discussion of development requirements for a successful ground based CELSS demonstration. Research recommendations are presented concerning the following topics: nutrition and food processing, food production, waste processing, systems engineering and modelling, and ecology-systems safety.

Mason, R. M.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Automotive Stirling Engine Development Program

Activities performed on Mod I engine testing and test results; the manufacture, assembly, and test of a Mod I engine in the United States; design initiation of the Mod I-A engine system; transient performance testing; Stirling reference engine manufacturing and reduced size studies; components and subsystems; and the study and test of low cost alloys are summarized.

Nightingale, N.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Automotive Stirling Engine Development Program

Program status and plans are discussed for component and technology development; reference engine system design, the upgraded Mod 1 engine; industry test and evaluation; and product assurance. Four current Mod 1 engines reached a total of 2523 operational hours, while two upgraded engines accumulated 166 hours.

Nightingale, N.↗
NASA NTRS1982

The Voyager mission to Jupiter and Saturn

This paper presents a description of the Voyager mission, in which two United States spacecraft flew by and made scientific observations of Jupiter and Saturn and their satellites. The design of the mission, including mission objectives, trajectory characteristics, and navigation system are depicted, and the spacecraft engineering systems and subsystems are described. The complement of science instruments, the command system, and the tracking and data acquisition systems, are also summarized. Finally, some of the results of the mission are presented.

Gates, C. R.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Performance improvements of an F-15 airplane with an integrated engine-flight control system

An integrated flight and propulsion control system has been developed and flight demonstrated on the NASA Ames-Dryden F-15 research aircraft. The highly integrated digital control (HIDEC) system provides additional engine thrust by increasing engine pressure ratio (EPR) at intermediate and afterburning power. The amount of EPR uptrim is modulated based on airplane maneuver requirements, flight conditions, and engine information. Engine thrust was increased as much as 10.5 percent at subsonic flight conditions by uptrimming EPR. The additional thrust significantly improved aircraft performance. Rate of climb was increased 14 percent at 40,000 ft and the time to climb from 10,000 to 40,000 ft was reduced 13 percent. A 14 and 24 percent increase in acceleration was obtained at intermediate and maximum power, respectively. The HIDEC logic performed fault free. No engine anomalies were encountered for EPR increases up to 12 percent and for angles of attack and sideslip of 32 and 11 degrees, respectively.

Myers, Lawrence P.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Performance improvements of an F-15 airplane with an integrated engine-flight control system

An integrated flight and propulsion control system has been developed and flight demonstrated on the NASA Ames-Dryden F-15 research aircraft. The highly integrated digital control (HIDEC) system provides additional engine thrust by increasing engine pressure ratio (EPR) at intermediate and afterburning power. The amount of EPR uptrim is modulated based on airplane maneuver requirements, flight conditions, and engine information. Engine thrust was increased as much as 10.5 percent at subsonic flight conditions by uptrimming EPR. The additional thrust significantly improved aircraft performance. Rate of climb was increased 14 percent at 40,000 ft and the time to climb from 10,000 to 40,000 ft was reduced 13 percent. A 14 and 24 percent increase in acceleration was obtained at intermediate and maximum power, respectively. The HIDEC logic performed fault free. No engine anomalies were encountered for EPR increases up to 12 percent and for angles of attack and sideslip of 32 and 11 deg, respectively.

Myers, Lawrence P.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Technology for an intelligent, free-flying robot for crew and equipment retrieval in space

Crew rescue and equipment retrieval is a Space Station Freedom requirement. During Freedom's lifetime, there is a high probability that a number of objects will accidently become separated. Members of the crew, replacement units, and key tools are examples. Retrieval of these objects within a short time is essential. Systems engineering studies were conducted to identify system requirements and candidate approaches. One such approach, based on a voice-supervised, intelligent, free-flying robot was selected for further analysis. A ground-based technology demonstration, now in its second phase, was designed to provide an integrated robotic hardware and software testbed supporting design of a space-borne system. The ground system, known as the EVA Retriever, is examining the problem of autonomously planning and executing a target rendezvous, grapple, and return to base while avoiding stationary and moving obstacles. The current prototype is an anthropomorphic manipulator unit with dexterous arms and hands attached to a robot body and latched in a manned maneuvering unit. A precision air-bearing floor is used to simulate space. Sensor data include two vision systems and force/proximity/tactile sensors on the hands and arms. Planning for a shuttle file experiment is underway. A set of scenarios and strawman requirements were defined to support conceptual development. Initial design activities are expected to begin in late 1989 with the flight occurring in 1994. The flight hardware and software will be based on lessons learned from both the ground prototype and computer simulations.

Erickson, J. D.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Space fusion energy conversion using a field reversed configuration reactor: A new technical approach for space propulsion and power

The fusion energy conversion design approach, the Field Reversed Configuration (FRC) - when burning deuterium and helium-3, offers a new method and concept for space transportation with high energy demanding programs, like the Manned Mars Mission and planetary science outpost missions require. FRC's will increase safety, reduce costs, and enable new missions by providing a high specific power propulsion system from a high performance fusion engine system that can be optimally designed. By using spacecraft powered by FRC's the space program can fulfill High Energy Space Missions (HESM) in a manner not otherwise possible. FRC's can potentially enable the attainment of high payload mass fractions while doing so within shorter flight times.

Schulze, Norman R.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Coherent lightwave communications; Proceedings of the Meeting, Boston, MA, Sept. 7, 8, 1989

Various papers on coherent lightwave communications are presented. Individual topics addressed include: overview of coherent light wave communications, frequency stabilization techniques for coherent lightwave systems, characterization of laser diode intensity noise at microwave frequencies with high sensitivity, FP and DFB semiconductor lasers with arbitrary external optical feedback, birefringence-controlled phase-shifter, polarization diversity and scrambling techniques for coherent systems, polarization control scheme for coherent optical systems, simulation of IF filtering effects on the performance of coherent optical receivers. Also discussed are: performance of optical DPSK receivers in the presence of optical channel noise, optical heterodyne communications with polarization modulation, coherent fiber optical subcarrier multiplexed system, engineered rack-mounted coherent transmission system, technology aspects of a coherent optical MAN, broadband exchange by coherent multicarrier switching, generalized temporal CDMA for optical communications. Overviews are given of recent progress at individual companies.

Sunak, Harish R. D.↗
NASA NTRS1993

ALS engine propellant effector system

This report summarizes analysis, design, and experimental testing done on the propellant effector (valve plus electromechanical actuator) for the Advanced Launch System (ALS) main engine.

Faulkner, Colin↗
NASA NTRS1994

A database for propagation models

A database of various propagation phenomena models that can be used by telecommunications systems engineers to obtain parameter values for systems design is presented. This is an easy-to-use tool and is currently available for either a PC using Excel software under Windows environment or a Macintosh using Excel software for Macintosh. All the steps necessary to use the software are easy and many times self-explanatory; however, a sample run of the CCIR rain attenuation model is presented.

Kantak, Anil V.↗

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