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At least 235 records · Page 13

Design considerations for AIRES, an airborne infrared echelle spectrometer for SOFIA

The airborne infrared echelle spectrometer (AIRES) was proposed as a facility instrument for the stratospheric observatory for infrared astronomy (SOFIA) project. The preliminary AIRES design uses multiple two dimensional detector arrays and a 1.2 m long, 76 deg blaze angle echelle to combine high spectral resolution with diffraction limited imaging in the cross-dispersion direction. A preliminary optical design and the mechanical architecture are presented together with the analysis and prototyping of lightweight aluminum echelles. Instrument efficiencies are calculated and compared for different gratings, and the associated mechanical design tradeoffs are discussed.

Haas, Michael R.↗

Design considerations of a proposed UK VHF radar

The major features of a proposed UK VHF radar for meso-, strato-, and tropospheric studies are discussed. The research interests of potential users which were considered in the design analysis are listed.

Hall, A. J.↗

Design Considerations for Heavily-Doped Cryogenic Schottky Diode Varactor Multipliers

Diode modeling for Schottky varactor frequency multipliers above 500 GHz is presented with special emphasis placed on simple models and fitted equations for rapid circuit design. Temperature- and doping-dependent mobility, resistivity, and avalanche current multiplication and breakdown are presented. Next is a discussion of static junction current, including the effects of tunneling as well as thermionic emission. These results have been compared to detailed measurements made down to 80 K on diodes fabricated at JPL, followed by a discussion of the effect on multiplier efficiency. Finally, a simple model of current saturation in the undepleted active layer suitable for inclusion in harmonic balance simulators is derived.

Schlecht, E.↗

Availability and redundancy design considerations for Electron-Ion Collider cooling water systems and components

The Electron-Ion Collider (EIC) is composed of several large-scale systems, which all require highly available cooling systems based on the Conceptual Design Report. Since the overall EIC availability goal is 85%, all the subsystems will contribute. Availability is defined by the time that a component or system is functional given a required or scheduled run time. The focus of the project was to determine if redundant or extra cooling water and deionized water pumps were needed in a subsystem to increase the overall EIC availability. The largest subsystem in the ring is the 10 o’clock cooling system, so this was used for redundancy analysis. Relationships between the components were defined as parallel, series, or m-out-of-n for the cooling towers, valves, pumps and heat exchangers to perform calculations. A comparison between an original system versus a redundant one was then done using component availability from industry standards. Cost analysis was also performed to see how much the availability and cost would decrease if the redundancy application was not chosen. The Collider-Accelerator Department (CAD) also has a calculation in place for the Relativistic-Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC), so cooling water failure data was collected from their operational log and analyzed for real-life component availability. A comparison of component availability from the CAD data to the industry standards was made through the 10 o’clock cooling system layout. The results showed that the subsystems need to have over a 98% availability for an 85% goal, and that the CAD data is very close to the industry component standards. The cost differential is miniscule compared to the potential availability increase. Therefore, redundant systems can increase the overall EIC availability by a sizable amount and are worth implementing.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Interface design considerations for terrestrial solar cell modules

The need for increased solar array electrical efficiency and reliability in the achievement of future large-scale system cost goals is discussed. The relative performance of various array module designs currently on the market is evaluated, and further design improvements are suggested. The subjects of module efficiency, temperature control, and series/parallel reliability are analyzed. Applications for various combinations of array characteristics are considered.

Ross, R. G., Jr.↗

Orbital Replacement Units (ORUs) design considerations

The packaging of avionics and mechanisms in containers, called orbital replacement units, which permits in-orbit repair and replacement is the key to man's expanded ventures into space with increasingly costly assets. In designing ORUs, the designer must accommodate the environments of launch and space. The subjects of ORU attachment, thermal, electrical connectors, and size and configuration, are addressed.

Edward Falkenhayn↗

Design Consideration on the ACTS T1-VSAT

The Advanced Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS) was developed by NASA as an experimental platform to demonstrate to industry the high risk technologies need for the next generation of communication satellites. The ACTS contains many state-of-the-art technologies including time division multiple accessing, adaptive error correction coding, multiple electronically steerable hopping beam antennas, spectrally efficient SMSK modulation, demand assignment multiple access protocol and on-board baseband circuit switching. An integral part of this testbed is the ACTS T1-very small aperture terminal (VSAT). The requirements imposed on the T1-VSAT demanded numerous design tradeoffs; balancing risk, cost, and implementation. Some of these considerations include: the method used for determining link quality, the development of a low cost and reliable Ka-band high power amplifier, the integration and testing environment for use in development and production and the low cost signal processing solution to high rate burst data. This paper discusses the tradeoffs considered in the selected implementation and the results obtained over the past two years of operation. Recommendations for improvements are also included.

Lilley, Richard D.↗

Design considerations of GeoSAR

The primary purpose of GeoSAR is to demonstrate the feasibility of interferometric topographic mapping through foliage penetration. GeoSAR should become a commercially viable instrument after the feasibibility demonstration. To satisfy both requirements, we have designed a dual frequency (UHF- and X-band) interferometric radar. For foliage penetration, a lower frequency (UHF)radar is used. To obtain better height accuracy for low backscatter areas, we proposed a high frequency (X-band) interferometric system. In this paper, we present a possible GeoSAR system configuration and associated performance estimation.

GeoSAR↗

Design considerations for a Digital Twin built to improve nitrification performance at a water resource recovery facility

A Digital Twin built around Activated Sludge Model No. 1 was deployed at a full-scale water resource recovery facility. Its design included a waste rate recommender system based on automatic scenario analyses, where influent loads and waste rates are varied to determine their impact on nitrification. At the same frequency as these scenario analyses, scheduled auto-calibrations allow for nitrifier maximum specific growth rate (μmax-NITO) soft sensing, the only kinetic parameter shown to require adjustment if the objective is aeration tank effluent ammonia forecasting accuracy. By integrating temperature forecasting over the next three sludge ages, this Digital Twin approach creates opportunities for advancing waste rate decisions in anticipation of seasonal temperature changes, optimizing ammonia control authority under varying influent loads, and furnishing valuable insights for future capital projects requiring nitrifier kinetic understanding and modelling.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Design considerations of the national transonic facility

The inability of existing wind tunnels to provide aerodynamic test data at transonic speeds and flight Reynolds numbers was examined. The proposed transonic facility is a high Reynolds number transonic wind tunnel designed to meet the research and development needs of industry, and the scientific community. The facility employs the cryogenic approach to achieve high transonic Reynolds numbers at acceptable model loads and tunnel power. By using temperature as a test variable, a unique capability to separate scale effects from model aeroelastic effects is provided. The performance envelope of the facility is shown to provide a ten fold increase in transonic Reynolds number capability compared to currently available facilities.

Baals, D. D.↗

Design Considerations for Human Rating of Liquid Rocket Engines

I.Human-rating is specific to each engine; a. Context of program/project must be understood. b. Engine cannot be discussed independently from vehicle and mission. II. Utilize a logical combination of design, manufacturing, and test approaches a. Design 1) It is crucial to know the potential ways a system can fail, and how a failure can propagate; 2) Fault avoidance, fault tolerance, DFMR, caution and warning all have roles to play. b. Manufacturing and Assembly; 1) As-built vs. as-designed; 2) Review procedures for assembly and maintenance periodically; and 3) Keep personnel trained and certified. c. There is no substitute for test: 1) Analytical tools are constantly advancing, but still need test data for anchoring assumptions; 2) Demonstrate robustness and explore sensitivities; 3) Ideally, flight will be encompassed by ground test experience. III. Consistency and repeatability is key in production a. Maintain robust processes and procedures for inspection and quality control based upon development and qualification experience; b. Establish methods to "spot check" quality and consistency in parts: 1) Dedicated ground test engines; 2) Random components pulled from the line/lot to go through "enhanced" testing.

Parkinson, Douglas↗

Multi-modal tomographic imaging system for poolside characterization of nuclear test fuels: Design considerations and studies

Testing and qualification of advanced nuclear fuels involves an iterative process of prototyping, in-pile irradiation testing, and in-situ or ex-situ examination. Fuel restructuring and fission product migration during burnup are among the most important aspects of fuel evolution that affect several important performance characteristics such as heat removal, accident tolerance, and fission product retention. Pool-side non-destructive characterization techniques provide fuel developers with tools to understand fuel evolution at different points of burnup. A design for a compact, submersible, and multi-modal gamma-ray tomography system for imaging irradiated nuclear fuel is presented here. Detector selection, collimator geometry and fabrication, mechanical design, imaging protocol and acquisition speed are discussed. Modeling calculations show that sub-millimeter resolution can be achieved in both transmission computed tomography images as well as in emission computed tomography images in a matter of hours. Several design compromises and fabrication challenges are discussed which should be taken into consideration for future submersible gamma-ray tomography instruments.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Buckling Behavior of Conical-Cylindrical Shells and Design Considerations for Launch-Vehicle Applications

Traditionally, launch vehicles are constructed with a series of buckling-prone thin-walled cylindrical and conical shells, in which the buckling behavior of these shells has been well studied and buckling design guidance exists. Conical-cylindrical shell geometry is now being utilized for launch-vehicle stage adapters and payload adapters due to advances in manufacturing and numerical techniques, but there is no available buckling design guidance for this nontraditional combined geometry. In order to provide design recommendations, the buckling behavior and imperfection sensitivity of conical-cylindrical shells and how it differs from the conical and cylindrical components needs to be better understood. From this premise, it is possible to investigate whether or not the buckling knockdown factor guidelines for conical and cylindrical shells outlined in NASA SP-8019 and NASA SP-8007, respectively, are still applicable. The results in this paper will show that the current recommendations are not appropriate in some cases. In addition, it was observed that the large rotations and displacements near the transition between the cone and cylinder can have a larger effect on the buckling load than the presence of radial imperfections for conical-cylindrical shells, which is different than conical and cylindrical shells. More interesting is the fact that design modifications to increase the buckling capability of a conical-cylindrical shell such as adding reinforcement, which may add mass, will make the shell more sensitive to imperfections. The increased imperfection sensitivity may negate the increase in buckling capability that was thought to be achievable. In the end, it may be more beneficial to design a conical-cylindrical shell in which the buckling behavior is dominated by the more predictable geometric nonlinearity, which may lead to an overall lower buckling load, but a lower knockdown factor may be possible since it will not be as sensitive to the less-known radial imperfections.

Buckling↗

A manned lunar outpost. Design considerations for three key elements in an initial manned lunar outpost

The Initial Manned Lunar Outpost (IMLO) is proposed as the initial permanent base for manned activities on the Moon. The study concentrated on identifying the equipment, support systems, and initial base configuration necessary to accomplish the various science, industrial and exploration activities planned. The primary concepts of the MLO were the use of hard modules for habitation areas creating a flexible, modular transportation system; designing a multi-functional vehicle; and using an overhead radiation protection system. The transportation system, dubbed the Lunar Mobile Surface Transport System (LMSTS), carries the hard modules to the surface of the moon and provides a method to move them to the desired location through the use of interchangeable pallets. The avionics pallets are changed-out with wheel and hitch pallets, transforming the LMSTS into a "tractor trailer" used with the Multi-Functional Vehicle (MFV). The modules are placed under the Regolith Support Structure (RSS) which provides a stable environment and radiation protection for the entire base. The overhead structure was chosen over simply burying the modules to provide a study on the advantages and disadvantages of this type of system. The advantages include easy access to the exterior of the modules, providing a protected area for vehicles and equipment used in EVA, and creating an area of constant temperature. Disadvantages include a need for prefabrication of structural components, including the preconstruction and construction phases of the initial MLO. The design approach taken considered existing and near-term materials and technology only, without the consideration of possible future building technologies.

Bell, Larry↗

Small UAV Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System Design Considerations and Flight Test Results

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Armstrong Flight Research Center Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (SUAV) Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System (Auto GCAS) project demonstrated several important collision avoidance technologies. First, the SUAV Auto GCAS design included capabilities to take advantage of terrain avoidance maneuvers flying turns to either side as well as straight over terrain. Second, the design also included innovative digital elevation model (DEM) scanning methods. The combination of multi-trajectory options and new scanning methods demonstrated the ability to reduce the nuisance potential of the SUAV while maintaining robust terrain avoidance. Third, the Auto GCAS algorithms were hosted on the processor inside a smartphone, providing a lightweight hardware configuration for use in either the ground control station or on board the test aircraft. Finally, compression of DEM data for the entire Earth and successful hosting of that data on the smartphone was demonstrated. The SUAV Auto GCAS project demonstrated that together these methods and technologies have the potential to dramatically reduce the number of controlled flight into terrain mishaps across a wide range of aviation platforms with similar capabilities including UAVs, general aviation aircraft, helicopters, and model aircraft.

Sorokowski, Paul↗

Design considerations for a GaAs nipi doping superlattice solar cell

A new GaAs nipi doping superlattice solar cell structure is presented, which holds promise for high efficiency coupled with very high radiation tolerance. The structure has all contacts on the unilluminated side. Design constraints are presented which this structure must satisfy in order to exhibit high efficiency and high radiation tolerance. The results of self-consistent quantum mechanical calculations are presented which show that a viable design of this cell would include relatively thick n and p layers which are fairly heavily doped.

Clark, Ralph↗

Design considerations for advanced battery concepts

A mathematical representation for the charge and discharge of a sodium-sulfur cell is developed. These equations are then used as the basis for a computerized model to examine the effects of cell arrangement in the design of a large multi-kilowatt battery from a group of hypothetical individual cells with known variations in their ampere hour capacity and internal resistance. The cycling characteristics of 216 individual cells arranged in six different configurations are evaluated with the view towards minimizing the adverse effects that are introduced due to the stoichastic aspects of groupings of cells, as well as the possibility of cell failures in both the open and shorted mode. Although battery systems based on sodium-sulfur cells are described in this example, any of the newer electrochemical systems can be fitted into this framework by making appropriate modifications to the basic equations.

Leibecki, H. F.↗

Design considerations for advanced battery concepts

A mathematical representation for the charge and discharge of a sodium-sulfur cell is developed. These equations are then used as the basis for a computerized model to examine the effects of cell arrangement in the design of a large multi-kilowatt battery from a group of hypothetical individual cells with known variations in their ampere hour capacity and internal resistance. The cycling characteristics of 216 individual cells arranged in six different configurations are evaluated with the view towards minimizing the adverse effects that are introduced due to the stochastic aspects of groupings of cells, as well as the possibility of cell failures in both the open and shorted mode. Although battery systems based on sodium-sulfur cells are described in this example, any of the newer electrochemical systems can be fitted into this framework by making appropriate modifications to the basic equations.

Leibecki, H. F.↗