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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 235 records · Page 13
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1989

The physics of positively biased conductors surrounded by dielectrics in contact with a plasma

The physics of a positively biased conductor surrounded by dielectrics in contact with plasma is investigated. It is shown that because of the presence of secondary emission from the surrounding dielectrics, the voltage of the surfaces near the conductor has three solutions. The high- and low-voltage solutions are stable, while the intermediate-voltage solution is unstable. This theory is applied to explain the snapover effect observed on high-voltage solar arrays that involve the use of highly biased surfaces in contact with the space environment.

Hastings, Daniel E.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Electromagnetic Meissner-Effect Launcher

Proposed electromagnetic Meissner-effect launching apparatus differs from previous electromagnetic launchers; no need for electromagnet coil on projectile. Result, no need for brush contacts and high-voltage commutation equipment to supply current directly to projectile coil, or for pulse circuitry to induce current in projectile coil if brush contacts not used. Compresses magnetic field surrounding rear surface of projectile, creating gradient of magnetic pressure pushing projectile forward.

Robertson, Glen A.↗
NASA NTRS1989

LEO high voltage solar array arcing response model, continuation 5

The modeling of the Debye Approximation electron sheaths in the edge and strip geometries was completed. Electrostatic potentials in these sheaths were compared to NASCAP/LEO solutions for similar geometries. Velocity fields, charge densities and particle fluxes to the biased surfaces were calculated for all cases. The major conclusion to be drawn from the comparisons of our Debye Approximation calculations with NASCAP-LEO output is that, where comparable biased structures can be defined and sufficient resolution obtained, these results are in general agreement. Numerical models for the Child-Langmuir, high-voltage electron sheaths in the edge and strip geometries were constructed. Electrostatic potentials were calculated for several cases in each of both geometries. Velocity fields and particle fluxes were calculated. The self-consistent solution process was carried through one cycle and output electrostatic potentials compared to NASCAP-type input potentials.

Metz, Roger N.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Photovoltaic array space power plus diagnostics experiment

The objective of the Photovoltaic Array Space Power Plus Diagnostics (PASP Plus) experiment is to measure the effects of the interaction of the low- to mid-altitude space environment on the performance of a diverse set of small solar-cell arrays (planar and concentrator, representative of present and future military technologies) under differing conditions of velocity-vector orientation and simulated (by biasing) high-voltage operation. Solar arrays to be tested include Si and GaAs planar arrays and several types of GaAs concentrator arrays. Diagnostics (a Langmuir probe and a pressure gauge) and a transient pulse monitor (to measure radiated and conducted EMI during arcing) will be used to determine the impact of the environment on array operation to help verify various interactions models. Results from a successful PASP Plus flight will furnish answers to important interactions questions and provide inputs for design and test standards for photovoltaic space-power subsystems.

Guidice, Donald A.↗
NASA NTRS1988

High altitude current-voltage measurement of GaAs/Ge solar cells

Measurements of high-voltage (Voc of 1.2 V) gallium arsenide on germanium tandem junction solar cells at air mass 0.22 showed that the insolation in the red portion of the solar spectrum is insufficient to obtain high fill factor. On the basis of measurements in the LeRC X-25L solar simulator, these cells were believed to be as efficient as 21.68 percent AM0. Solar simulator spectrum errors in the red end allowed the fill factor to be as high as 78.7 percent. When a similar cell's current-voltage characteristic was measured at high altitude in the NASA Lear Jet Facility, a loss of 15 percentage points in fill factor was observed. This decrease was caused by insufficient current in the germanium bottom cell of the tandem stack.

Hart, Russell E., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Ion drag for a negatively biased solar array in low earth orbit

Highly biased solar arrays in the space environment are found to have a number of significant interactions with the space environment. The enhanced drag suffered by highly biased solar arrays is studied with the particle-in-cell code. The results are compared to recent numerical work. The drag calculations contain the effect of having the conductor surrounded by dielectrics as well as the charging of the dielectric by electrons. The results are used to calculate the attitude change expected on the high-voltage solar array of the Japanese Space Flyer Unit.

Hastings, Daniel E.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Automated power distribution system hardware

An automated power distribution system testbed for the space station common modules has been developed. It incorporates automated control and monitoring of a utility-type power system. Automated power system switchgear, control and sensor hardware requirements, hardware design, test results, and potential applications are discussed. The system is designed so that the automated control and monitoring of the power system is compatible with both a 208-V, 20-kHz single-phase AC system and a high-voltage (120 to 150 V) DC system.

Anderson, Paul M.↗
NASA NTRS1990

NASCAP/LEO calculations of current collection

NASCAP/LEO is a 3-dimensional computer code for calculating the interaction of a high-voltage spacecraft with the cold dense plasma found in Low Earth Orbit. Although based on a cubic grid structure, NASCAP/LEO accepts object definition input from standard computer aided design (CAD) programs so that a model may be correctly proportioned and important features resolved. The potential around the model is calculated by solving the finite element formulation of Poisson's equation with an analytic space charge function. Five previously published NASCAP/LEO calculations for three ground test experiments and two space flight experiments are presented. The three ground test experiments are a large simulated panel, a simulated pinhole, and a 2-slit experiment with overlapping sheaths. The two space flight experiments are a solar panel biased up to 1000 volts, and a rocket-mounted sphere biased up to 46 kilovolts. In all cases, the authors find good agreement between calculation and measurement.

Mandell, Myron J.↗
NASA NTRS1991

GaInP2/GaAs tandem cells for space applications

The monolithic, tunnel-junction-interconnected tandem combination of a GaInP2 top cell and a GaAs bottom cell has achieved a one-sun, AM1.5 efficiency of 27.3 percent. With proper design of the top cell, air mass zero (AM0) efficiencies greater than 25 percent are possible. A description and the advantages of this device for space applications are presented and discussed. The advantages include high-voltage, low-current, two-terminal operation for simple panel fabrication, and high conversion efficiency with low-temperature coefficient. Also, because the active regions of the device are Al-free, the growth of high efficiency devices is not affected by trace levels of O2 or H2O in the MOCVD growth system.

Olson, J. M.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Threshold voltage for arcing on negatively biased solar arrays

The arcing that has been found to occur when negatively biased high-voltage solar arrays in LEO lie at a critical voltage with respect to the plasma environment is presently proposed to be due to a breakdown of gas emitted under electron bombardment from the solar cells' cover-glass. The elements of the model for this phenomenon include an electron current flow from the interconnect to a neighboring cover-glass, which desorbs neutral molecules under the electron bombardment. The neutral molecules form a gas over the interconnect, and this gas breaks down when the voltage over the interconnect is sufficiently high. Specific scaling predictions are made on the basis of the geometric structure and gas in question.

Hastings, Daniel E.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Environmental interactions on Space Station

This paper describes the key environment/system interactions associated with the Space Station and its companion polar platform and defines the range of test environments that will need to be simulated. These environments include the neutral atmosphere, the ionospheric plasma, natural and man-made particulates, the ambient magnetic field, the South Atlantic Anomaly, and the ram/wake environment. The system/environment interactions include glow, oxygen erosion, drag, radiation effects, induced electric fields, high-voltage solar-array effects, and EMC/EMI associated with plasma/neutral gas operations. The Space Station and its associated systems pose unique demands on the ability to simulate these effects; synergistic effects require multiple environments to be simulated simultaneously, and the long life requirements require proper scaling of the exposure time. The analysis of specific effects and the calibration or improvement of ground test techniques will likely require in situ evaluation. Qualification and acceptance testing, because of cost and the impractically of extensive on-orbit analysis/modification, will likely remain ground test objectives except in very rare cases.

Garrett, Henry B.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Fault analysis of multichannel spacecraft power systems

The NASA Marshall Space Flight Center proposes to implement computer-controlled fault injection into an electrical power system breadboard to study the reactions of the various control elements of this breadboard. Elements under study include the remote power controllers, the algorithms in the control computers, and the artificially intelligent control programs resident in this breadboard. To this end, a study of electrical power system faults is being performed to yield a list of the most common power system faults. The results of this study will be applied to a multichannel high-voltage DC spacecraft power system called the large autonomous spacecraft electrical power system (LASEPS) breadboard. The results of the power system fault study and the planned implementation of these faults into the LASEPS breadboard are described.

Dugal-Whitehead, Norma R.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Ultra-high-power plasma switch INPIS for pulse power systems

A novel plasma switch, the inverse pinch switch (IN-PIS), with a combination geometry based on an inverse-pinch mechanism, has been tested and shown to alleviate the shortcomings of conventional spark gaps. The INPIS switch or INPIStron is currently being upscaled for high-voltage (approximately 1 MV) operation with a multigap arrangement similar to Sandia's rimfire electrodes used for ultra-high-voltage hold off. Preliminary results of the multigap INPIS tests at 230 kV and plasma-puff initiation methods are presented, and an application to compact pulser systems is discussed.

Lee, Ja H.↗
NASA NTRS1990

A fiber-optic current sensor for aerospace applications

A robust, accurate, broadband, alternating current sensor using fiber optics is being developed for space applications at power frequencies as high as 20 kHz. It can also be used in low- and high-voltage 60-Hz terrestrial power systems and in 400-Hz aircraft systems. It is intrinsically EMI (electromagnetic interference) immune and has the added benefit of excellent isolation. The sensor uses the Faraday effect in optical fiber and standard polarimetric measurements to sense electrical current. The primary component of the sensor is a specially treated coil of single-mode optical fiber, through which the current carrying conductor passes. Improved precision is accomplished by temperature compensation by means of signals from a fiber-optic temperature sensor embedded in the sensing head. The authors report on the technology contained in the sensor and also relate the results of precision tests conducted at various temperatures within the wide operating range. The results of early EMI tests are shown.

Patterson, Richard L.↗
NASA NTRS1990

The effects of extraterrestrial environments on high voltage distribution

The problems encountered in the transmission of high-power (kilowatts to megawatts) in extraterrestrial environments are reviewed. A summary of the work at Auburn University in the study of these problems is presented. These studies include high-voltage breakdown in the space environment as influenced by gas contamination and thermal stress, the modeling of lunar transmission lines, particle contamination, and material degradation by the hypervelocity impact of microparticles.

Gordon, Lloyd B.↗
NASA NTRS1991

SIGHT - A balloon borne hard X-ray telescope

The authors report on progress toward developing a large-area, high-pressure xenon gas scintillator for use in hard X-ray astrophysics. Proof test results for a low-mass pressure vessel are presented. The design of a high-voltage multiplier board operating inside the scintillation chamber is discussed. The development of tetrakis-dimethylamine-thylene (TMAE)-based proportional tubes for detecting primary scintillation in the xenon is described. Finally, Monte Carlo tests of a scheme to use conventional photomultiplier tubes are discussed.

Wilkerson, J.↗
NASA NTRS1991

PASP, a high voltage array/plasma interaction experiment

The author discusses the photovoltaic array space power (PASP) experiment, which is designed to obtain data on the interaction between high-voltage photovoltaic arrays and the polar, low-earth plasma environment. Up to six small test arrays (three each of planar and concentrator designs) can be voltage biased over a range of +/- 500 V. During the bias voltage sequence, the array current leakage is measured and array arc events are monitored. If any arcing occurs the arc characteristics will be measured by a transient pulse monitor. An emitter is included to allow voltage bias to be applied to a plasma-charged or uncharged spacecraft. Similarly, the frames of the concentrator arrays can be left floating or can be tied to the negative array terminal. An environmental data scan is made before each bias voltage sequence. This scan collects information on the plasma, array-current-versus-voltage curves, and neutral particle partial pressure. The requirement for high voltages created problems which were met by circuit isolation and logical fault protection.

Burger, Dale R.↗
NASA NTRS1991

The Solar Array Module Plasma Interactions Experiment (SAMPIE) - A Shuttle-based plasma interactions experiment

The Solar Array Module Plasma Interactions Experiment (SAMPIE), an approved Shuttle space flight experiment with a tentative launch date in July 1993, is intended to investigate plasma interactions of high-voltage space power systems. Solar cell modules, representing several technologies, will be biased to high voltages to characterize both arcing (negative potential) and current collection (positive potential). Other solar modules, specially modified in accordance with current theories of arcing and breakdown, will demonstrate the possibility of arc suppression. Finally, several additional test specimens will be included to study the basic nature of these interactions. The authors describe the rationale for the space flight experiment, the measurements to be made, the significance of the expected results, and the current design status of the flight hardware.

Wald, Lawrence W.↗