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At least 217 records · Page 12

Overview of the manufacturing sequence of the Advanced Solid Rocket Motor

The manufacturing sequence of NASA's new Advanced Solid Rocket Motor, developed as a replacement of the Space Shuttle's existing Redesigned Solid Rocket Motor, is overviewed. Special attention is given to the case preparation, the propellant mix/cast, the nondestructuve evaluation, the motor finishing, and the refurbishment. The fabrication sequences of the case, the nozzle, and the igniter are described.

Chapman, John S.↗

Space Shuttle filament wound case compressive strength study. I - Testing

Immediately before liftoff, ignition of the Space Shuttle main engines places a significant bending moment on the filament wound cases of the solid rocket booster motors. This results in substantial compressive loading of the aft end of the composite case which, because of attachment requirements, has a complicated design including inserted broadgoods and helical ply dropoffs. To investigate the performance of the filament wound cases during the prelaunch load environment, a comprehensive study was initiated which included both testing and analysis. The results of the test program, which included testing of several full-scale and over three hundred subscale articles, will be described. The test program began with a short development effort to establish appropriate subscale test specimens for determining the material compressive strengths. Once these were established, a more comprehensive test program was initiated to determine the effects on strength of both processing and design changes. Full-scale cases were tested in a simulated prelaunch bending environment in order to validate the analysis predictions. In all tests, special attention was given to observation of the failure sequence which involved a complex process of load transfer from the region of helical ply dropoffs to the broadgood termination region.

Madsen, C. B.↗

Molecular motors and their functions in plants

Molecular motors that hydrolyze ATP and use the derived energy to generate force are involved in a variety of diverse cellular functions. Genetic, biochemical, and cellular localization data have implicated motors in a variety of functions such as vesicle and organelle transport, cytoskeleton dynamics, morphogenesis, polarized growth, cell movements, spindle formation, chromosome movement, nuclear fusion, and signal transduction. In non-plant systems three families of molecular motors (kinesins, dyneins, and myosins) have been well characterized. These motors use microtubules (in the case of kinesines and dyneins) or actin filaments (in the case of myosins) as tracks to transport cargo materials intracellularly. During the last decade tremendous progress has been made in understanding the structure and function of various motors in animals. These studies are yielding interesting insights into the functions of molecular motors and the origin of different families of motors. Furthermore, the paradigm that motors bind cargo and move along cytoskeletal tracks does not explain the functions of some of the motors. Relatively little is known about the molecular motors and their roles in plants. In recent years, by using biochemical, cell biological, molecular, and genetic approaches a few molecular motors have been isolated and characterized from plants. These studies indicate that some of the motors in plants have novel features and regulatory mechanisms. The role of molecular motors in plant cell division, cell expansion, cytoplasmic streaming, cell-to-cell communication, membrane trafficking, and morphogenesis is beginning to be understood. Analyses of the Arabidopsis genome sequence database (51% of genome) with conserved motor domains of kinesin and myosin families indicates the presence of a large number (about 40) of molecular motors and the functions of many of these motors remain to be discovered. It is likely that many more motors with novel regulatory mechanisms that perform plant-specific functions are yet to be discovered. Although the identification of motors in plants, especially in Arabidopsis, is progressing at a rapid pace because of the ongoing plant genome sequencing projects, only a few plant motors have been characterized in any detail. Elucidation of function and regulation of this multitude of motors in a given species is going to be a challenging and exciting area of research in plant cell biology. Structural features of some plant motors suggest calcium, through calmodulin, is likely to play a key role in regulating the function of both microtubule- and actin-based motors in plants.

Non-NASA Center↗

Magnification of starting torques of dc motors by maximum power point trackers in photovoltaic systems

Direct current (dc) motors are used in terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) systems such as in water-pumping systems for irrigation and water supply. Direct current motors may also be used for space applications. Simple and low weight systems including dc motors may be of special interest in space where the motors are directly coupled to the solar cell array (with no storage). The system will operate only during times when sufficient insolation is available. An important performance characteristic of electric motors is the starting to rated torque ratio. Different types of dc motors have different starting torque ratios. These ratios are dictated by the size of solar cell array, and the developed motor torque may not be sufficient to overcome the load starting torque. By including a maximum power point tracker (MPPT) in the PV system, the starting to rated torque ratio will increase, the amount of which depends on the motor type. The starting torque ratio is calculated for the permanent magnet, series and shunt excited dc motors when powered by solar cell arrays for two cases: with and without MPPT's. Defining a motor torque magnification by the ratio of the motor torque with an MPPT to the motor torque without an MPPT, a magnification of 3 was obtained for the permanent magnet motor and a magnification of 7 for both the series and shunt motors. The effect of the variation of solar insolation on the motor starting torque was covered. All motor types are less sensitive to insolation variation in systems including MPPT's as compared to systems with MPPT's. The analysis of this paper will assist the PV system designed to determine whether or not to include an MPPT in the system for a specific motor type.

Appelbaum, Joseph↗

QM-8 final performance evaluation report: SEALS, volume 4

The Space Shuttle Redesigned Solid Rocket Motor (RSRM) static test of Qualification Motor-8 (QM-8) was conducted. The QM-8 test article was the fifth full-scale, full-duration test, and the third qualification motor to incorporate the redesigned case field joint and nozzle-to-case joint. This was the second static test conducted in the T-97 test facility, which is equipped with actuators for inducing external side loads to a 360 degree external tank (ET) attach ring during test motor operation, and permits heating/cooling of an entire motor. The QM-8 motor was cooled to a temperature which ensured that the maximum propellant mean bulk temperature (PMBT) of 40 F was achieved at firing. All test results are not included, but rather, the performance of the metal case, field joints, and nozzle-to-case joint is addressed. The involvement is studied of the Structural Applications and Structural Design Groups with the QM-8 test which includes: assembly procedures of the field and nozzle-to-case joints, joint leak check results, structural test results, and post-test inspection evaluations.

Nelsen, L. V.↗

Complex three-dimensional internal flows in the ASRM and RSRM aft end segments

Results from computational fluid dynamic analyses for complex three dimensional flows in the Advanced Solid Rocket Motor (ASRM) and Redesigned Solid Rocket Motor (RSRM) are presented. In particular, a parametric study for the case of a gimballed nozzle in these motors at various burn times and gimbal angles is presented. The resultant pressure fields are used to determine the location of the center of pressure and hinge moments due to the internal flow of these geometries.

Reske, Edward J.↗

Improved Multiple-DOF SAW Piezoelectric Motors

Surface-acoustic-wave (SAW) piezoelectric motors of a proposed type would be capable of operating in multiple degrees of freedom (DOFs) simultaneously and would be amenable to integration into diverse structures and mechanisms. These motors would be compact and structurally simple and would not contain bearings or lead screws. One example of a particularly useful motor of this type would be a two-dimensional- translation stage. Another such example would be a self-actuated spherical joint that could be made to undergo controlled, simultaneous rotations about two orthogonal axes: Such a motor could serve as a mechanism for aiming an "eyeball" camera or as a compact transducer in, and an integral part of, a joint in a robot arm. The multiple-DOF SAW piezoelectric motors as now proposed would be successors to the ones reported in "Multiple-DOF Surface-Acoustic-Wave Piezoelectric Motors" (NPO-20735), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 24, No. 12 (December 2000), page 5b. The basic principle of operation of a multiple-DOF SAW piezoelectric motor is a straightforward extension of that of single-DOF SAW piezoelectric motors, which have been reported in several previous NASA Tech Briefs articles: For example, in the case of a linear SAW piezoelectric motor, piezoelectric transducers at opposite ends of a stator excite surface acoustic waves that travel along the surface of the stator. An object (denoted the slider) is pressed against the stator with sufficient pressure (in practice .300 MPa) that it remains in frictional contact with the stator at all times. The slider rides the crests of the waves and is thereby made to move along the surface of the stator. The direction of motion (forward or backward) is controlled by selecting the relative phase of waves generated by the two piezoelectric transducers. The speed increases with the amplitude of the waves and thus with the magnitude of the voltage applied to the transducers.

Bar-Cohen, Yoseph↗

O-ring sealing verification for the space shuttle redesign solid rocket motor

As a part of the redesign of the Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Motor, the field and nozzle-to-case joints were redesigned to minimize the dynamic flexure caused by internal motor pressurization during ignition. The O-ring seals and glands for the joints were designed to accommodate both structural deflections and to promote pressure assistance. A test program was conducted to determine if a fluorocarbon elastomeric O-ring could meet this criteria in the redesigned gland. Resiliency tests were used to investigate the O-ring response to gap motion while static seal tests were used to verify design criteria of pressure assistance for sealing. All tests were conducted in face seal fixtures mounted in servo-hydraulic test machines. The resiliency of the O-ring was found to be extremely sensitive to the effects of temperature. The External Tank/Solid Rocket Booster attach strut loads had a negligible affect on the ability of the O-ring to track the simulated SRB field joint deflection. In the static pressure-assisted seal tests, as long as physical contact was maintained between the O-ring and the gland sealing surface, pressure assistance induced instantaneous sealing.

Lach, Cynthia L.↗

Obtaining cryogenic molecular transport data for analysis

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has a primary mirror, made of 18 segments, and a secondary mirror (SM) that are used to direct the light of desired targets. While on orbit, the secondary mirror assembly (SMA) was stowed for approximately 10 days and was subject to molecular contamination outgassing from the cavity of the secondary mirror support structure (SMSS) in-board hinge (IBH) which contains cables, motors, resolvers, and coatings. The main concern during this period before SMA deployment is the accumulation of ice due to the lack of a heater on the SMA. The temperature differentials between the IBH surfaces and SMA could cause redistribution of contaminants. To address this concern, single layer insulation (SLI) was used to create adequate venting and path redirection of outgassing from the IBH. Two separate thermal vacuum tests were performed to quantify this contamination: one Z307 ASTM E 1559 materials test of the radiator paint used on the motor of the IBH and a separate test on a primary mirror backplane assembly (PMBA) qualification engineering test unit (ETU) of the IBH. These tests approximately followed the predicted SMA pre-deployment thermal environment. To quantify source rates in case of a leak, the motor and resolver sides were separated and quartz crystal microbalances (QCM) were used to measure the deposition of water. The SLI redesign and implementation and outgassing measurements to understand leak effects from the IBH were essential to mitigate the deposition of contamination on the SMA.

James Webb Space Telescope, contamination, cleanro↗

Obtaining Cryogenic Molecular Transport Data for Analysis

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has a primary mirror, made of 18 segments, and a secondary mirror (SM) that are used to direct the light of desired targets. While on orbit, the secondary mirror assembly (SMA) was stowed for approximately 10 days and was subject to molecular contamination outgassing from the cavity of the secondary mirror support structure (SMSS) in-board hinge (IBH) which contains cables, motors, resolvers, and coatings. The main concern during this period before SMA deployment is the accumulation of ice due to the lack of a heater on the SMA. The temperature differentials between the IBH surfaces and SMA could cause redistribution of contaminants. To address this concern, single layer insulation (SLI) was used to create adequate venting and path redirection of outgassing from the IBH. Two separate thermal vacuum tests were performed to quantify this contamination: one Z307 ASTM E 1559 materials test of the radiator paint used on the motor of the IBH and a separate test on a primary mirror backplane assembly (PMBA) qualification engineering test unit (ETU) of the IBH. These tests approximately followed the predicted SMA pre-deployment thermal environment. To quantify source rates in case of a leak, the motor and resolver sides were separated and quartz crystal microbalances (QCM) were used to measure the deposition of water. The SLI redesign and implementation and outgassing measurements to understand leak effects from the IBH were essential to mitigate the deposition of contamination on the SMA. "

James Webb Space Telescope↗

Bondable Stainless Surface Coats Protect Against Rust

Report describes tests conducted to assess use of bondable stainless surface (BOSS) coating materials to protect steel cases of solid-fuel rocket motors against corrosion and to provide surface microstructure and chemistry suitable for bonding to insulating material. Eliminates need to cover cases with grease to prevent corrosion and degreasing immediately prior to use.

Davis, G. D.↗

Utilizing Code Generation from Models for Electric Aircraft Motor Controller Flight Software

The processes followed to develop and test safety-critical flight software significantly increase development effort and overhead in comparison to both non-safety-critical and non-flight software. Generating code from models can be used to reduce development effort; however, the processes for using code generation to develop flight software are relatively immature. This work presents an approach for developing safety-critical flight software utilizing code generation from models to reduce development time and effort. The presented use-case is of electric aircraft motor control software developed for NASA's X-57 Maxwell aircraft.

flight software↗

Qualification of the RSRM field joint CF case-to-insulation bondline inspection using the Thiokol Corporation ultrasonic RSRM bondline inspection system

Qualification testing of Combustion Engineering's AMDATA Intraspect/98 Data Acquisition and Imaging System that applies to the redesigned solid rocket motor field joint capture feature case-to-insulation bondline inspection was performed. Testing was performed at M-111, the Thiokol Corp. Inert Parts Preparation Building. The purpose of the inspection was to verify the integrity of the capture feature area case-to-insulation bondline. The capture feature scanner was calibrated over an intentional 1.0 to 1.0 in. case-to-insulation unbond. The capture feature scanner was then used to scan 60 deg of a capture feature field joint. Calibration of the capture feature scanner was then rechecked over the intentional unbond to ensure that the calibration settings did not change during the case scan. This procedure was successfully performed five times to qualify the unbond detection capability of the capture feature scanner. The capture feature scanner qualified in this test contains many points of mechanical instability that can affect the overall ultrasonic signal response. A new generation scanner, designated the sigma scanner, should be implemented to replace the current configuration scanner. The sigma scanner eliminates the unstable connection points of the current scanner and has additional inspection capabilities.

Cook, M.↗

Full load testing in the platform module prior to tow-out: A case history of subsynchronous instability

An electric motor driven centrifugal compressor to supply gas for further compression and reinjection on a petroleum production platform in the North Sea was examined. The compressor design, raised concerns about susceptibility to subsynchronous instability. Log decrement, aerodynamic features, and the experience of other compressors with similar ratios of operating to critical speed ratio versus gas density led to the decision to full load test. Mixed hydrocarbon gas was chosen for the test to meet discharge temperature restrictions. The module was used as the test site. Subsynchronous vibrations made the compressor inoperable above approximately one-half the rated discharge pressure of 14500 kPa. Modifications, which includes shortening the bearing span, change of leakage inlet flow direction on the back to back labyrinth, and removal of the vaned diffusers on all stages were made simultaneously. The compressor is operating with satisfactory vibration levels.

Fulton, J. W.↗

Starting characteristics of direct current motors powered by solar cells

Direct current motors are used in photovoltaic systems. Important characteristics of electric motors are the starting to rated current and torque ratios. These ratios are dictated by the size of the solar cell array and are different for the various dc motor types. Discussed here is the calculation of the starting to rated current ratio and starting to rated torque ratio of the permanent magnet, and series and shunt excited motors when powered by solar cells for two cases: with and without a maximum-power-point-tracker (MPPT) included in the system. Comparing these two cases, one gets a torque magnification of about 3 for the permanent magnet motor and about 7 for other motor types. The calculation of the torques may assist the PV system designer to determine whether or not to include an MPPT in the system.

Singer, S.↗

RSRM Case Acceptance and Refurbishment Requirements

The RSRM (Reuseable Solid Rocket Motor) Program has been developed and implemented to support manned flight space travel. The Space Shuttle Vehicle utilizes two SRBs (Solid Rocket Boosters) to assist during the launch sequence and achieve the predefined orbit and mission objectives. A critical feature of this program involves post- flight SRB retrieval, disassembly and reuse of case structural components to manufacture future RSRM motors. To ensure these components can be safely reused, inspection criteria based on dimensional, structural and fracture requirements, has been established in the form of Engineering specifications and drawings. These criteria originated from actual hardware testing (both subscale and full scale) coupled with conventional Engineering hand calculations and computerized Finite Element Analyses (FEA). The intent of this paper is to provide an overview of the RSRM Case component refurbishment requirements and the associated case hardware inspection and evaluation processes that has been established to satisfy these requirements. Many of these processes have been recently upgraded to comply with environmental regulations, obsolescence concerns and technological advancements. Qualification of these process changes has been closely monitored and documented through test plans and reports.

Brinkerhoff, Gary Z.↗

Comparison of forward and inverse cam generation methods for the design of cam-linkage mechanisms

This paper presents a comparison between the forward and inverse cam generation methods applied to the design of a multi-lobed cam-rocker slider mechanism for function generation. In the forward method, the cam profile is specified directly and then the linkage output is determined using kinematics. In the inverse method, the trajectory of the output link is specified first and then the cam profile is determined using inverse linkage kinematics. First, the cam-linkage mechanism is introduced, and relevant kinematic equations are presented. Then, the cam generation methods are thoroughly explained. Here, the two cam generation methods are applied to a case study of a hydraulic motor using a multi-lobed cam and multiple linkage mechanisms. While the forward method has direct control of the cam shape, the inverse method has direct control of the linkage output and offers an advantage in calculation speed. For the mechanism selected, the cam designed with the inverse method achieved a reduction of at least 50.97% in the torque ripple when compared to the cam designed with the forward method.

42 ENGINEERING↗