Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “initial performance”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 235 records · Page 13

Systems cost/performance analysis (study 2.3). Volume 3: Programmer's manual and user's guide

The systems cost/performance model was implemented as a digital computer program to perform initial program planning, cost/performance tradeoffs, and sensitivity analyses. The computer is described along with the operating environment in which the program was written and checked, the program specifications such as discussions of logic and computational flow, the different subsystem models involved in the design of the spacecraft, and routines involved in the nondesign area such as costing and scheduling of the design. Preliminary results for the DSCS-II design are also included.

Janz, R. F.↗

Single- and dual-carrier microwave noise abatement in the deep space network

The NASA/JPL Deep Space Network (DSN) microwave ground antenna systems are presented which simultaneously uplink very high power S-band signals while receiving very low level S- and X-band downlinks. Tertiary mechanisms associated with elements give rise to self-interference in the forms of broadband noise burst and coherent intermodulation products. A long-term program to reduce or eliminate both forms of interference is described in detail. Two DSN antennas were subjected to extensive interference testing and practical cleanup program; the initial performance, modification details, and final performance achieved at several planned stages are discussed. Test equipment and field procedures found useful in locating interference sources are discussed. Practices deemed necessary for interference-free operations in the DSN are described. Much of the specific information given is expected to be easily generalized for application in a variety of similar installations. Recommendations for future investigations and individual element design are given.

Bathker, D. A.↗

A photographic study of flow condensation in 1-g and zero-gravity environments

The test articles investigated include two full-scale radiator/condenser panels and a system of three parallel-connected fused quartz tubes. Testing was performed initially on the ground, with both horizontal and inclined flow passage orientations, and additionally in an aircraft flying 0-g trajectories. The photographic observations were made with two high speed cameras and a low speed camera. The flow regimes observed are compared with those predicted by the Baker chart (1954). The Baker chart is well in accord with physical reality in the annular flow region. However, a stratified-annular flow regime observed has no counterpart in the Baker categorization.

Keshock, E. G.↗

Evaluation of a microwave high-power reception-conversion array for wireless power transmission

Initial performance tests of a 24-sq m area array of rectenna elements are presented. The array is used as the receiving portion of a wireless microwave power transmission engineering verification test system. The transmitting antenna was located at a range of 1.54 km. Output dc voltage and power, input RF power, efficiency, and operating temperatures were obtained for a variety of dc load and RF incident power levels at 2388 MHz. Incident peak RF intensities of up to 170 mW/sq cm yielded up to 30.4 kW of dc output power. The highest derived collection-conversion efficiency of the array was greater than 80 percent.

Dickinson, R. M.↗

The Annular Suspension and Pointing System /ASPS/

The Annular Suspension and Pointing System (ASPS) may be attached to a carrier vehicle for orientation, mechanical isolation, and fine pointing purposes applicable to space experiments. It has subassemblies for both coarse and vernier pointing. A fourteen-degree-of-freedom simulation of the ASPS mounted on a Space Shuttle has yielded initial performance data. The simulation describes: the magnetic actuators, payload sensors, coarse gimbal assemblies, control algorithms, rigid body dynamic models of the payload and Shuttle, and a control system firing model.

Anderson, W. W.↗

Fatigue damage of notched boron/epoxy laminates under constant-amplitude loading

Fatigue damage in (0, plus or minus 45) and (0, plus or minus 45, 90) boron/epoxy laminates was studied with X-ray radiography and scanning electron microscopy. In addition, limited tests for residual strength and stiffness were performed. Initially, fatigue damage in both (0, plus or minus 45) and (0, plus or minus 45, 90) laminates occurred as intralaminar cracks around the edge of the hole. Then, whenever further damage developed, intralaminar cracks in the plus or minus 45-deg plies began to propagate from the edge of the hole. Finally, in both types of laminates, primarily plus or minus 45-deg fibers broke (prior to two-piece failure) where intralaminar cracks in the plus or minus 45-deg plies had occurred. In the (0, plus or minus 45) laminates, the 45-deg plies developed intralaminar and transthickness cracks along lines parallel to the loading axis and tangent to the hole in the test specimen. This damage, which was most pronounced under compressive loads, had little effect on either strength or stiffness. In contrast, in the (0, plus or minus 45, 90) laminates, the plus or minus 45-deg plies developed intralaminar cracks transverse to the loading axis.

Roderick, G. L.↗

Quiet, Short-Haul Research Aircraft - Current status and future plans

The Quiet Short-Haul Research Aircraft (QSRA) is a new research aircraft which NASA will use as a flight-test facility for advanced flight experiments in terminal area operations. The data resulting from the QSRA flight research program will be used by the U.S. aircraft industry to establish design criteria and by regulatory agencies to establish certification criteria for advanced STOL aircraft. The total funding for the QSRA was established at $29 million in January 1974. Attention is given to an aircraft description, wind-tunnel results, simulation, predicted aircraft performance, initial airworthiness flight tests, design configuration studies, and training studies.

Cochrane, J. A.↗

Safety and abuse testing

A series of abuse tests on large lithium thionyl chloride cells was initiated. Performance data obtained in testing rectangular 2,000 and 10,000 ampere-hour cells are discussed and graphically presented.

Younger, G.↗

Solar cells for solar power satellites

The concept of a solar-cell array for a solar power satellite is developed to permit evaluation of its economic feasibility for generating power for delivery to public utilities on earth. Gallium arsenide solar cells were considered but it could not be assured that the world gallium resources could support constructions of two solar power satellites per year. Therefore, for preliminary design an array blanket made from 5 by 10 cm silicon solar cells, 50 microns thick, and electrostatically bonded between borosilicate glass sheets was adopted. In annealing experiments, a radiated 50 microns thick cell was restored to its initial performance in a 500 C. Solar-cell efficiency effects significantly the solar power satellite mass, which varies from 90,000 metric tons for 20 percent cells to 120,000 metric tons for 12 percent cells. The anticipated cost of delivered power, based on 1977 dollars, varies from 4 cents per kWh with 18 percent cells, to 5 cents per kWh for 12 percent efficient cells.

Oman, H.↗

The modular power subsystem for the multimission modular spacecraft

The block diagram, subsystems, and components of the modular power subsystem for the multimission modular spacecraft (MMS) are described. The basic design studies were guided by considerations of cost, efficiency, simplicity, and flexibility to serve a variety of missions. Components discussed are the power regulator unit, the power control unit, the signal conditioning assembly, bus protection assembly, and the 20 Ah and 50 Ah batteries. The plan for the modular power subsystem protoflight module tests is shown. The testing has four phases: (1) component level tests, (2) subsystem integration and initial performance test, (3) subsystem protoflight environmental tests, and (4) subsystem final performance tests, qualification/acceptance review and delivery.

Harris, D. W.↗

Collector testing in the MSFC simulator

The Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) Sun simulator and collector testing techniques are described herein. Details of simulator construction are given along with actual measured simulation performance characteristics. Initial comparative performance data from selected air and liquid collector tests are presented for both indoor simulator tests and outdoor tests. These data indicate exceptionally good collector efficiency correlations between the two tests. Comparisons prove sufficiently the validity of using the MSFC simulator for nonconcentration flat plate collector configuration performance evaluations.

Humphries, W. S.↗

Radiation from a localized Langmuir oscillation in a uniformly magnetized plasma

The electromagnetic radiation at the first and second harmonics of the electron plasma frequency from a localized Langmuir perturbation is computed for the case of a uniformly magnetized plasma. It is assumed that the localized perturbations in both the electrostatic field and plasma density have cylindrical symmetry about the direction of the ambient magnetic field. The analysis is initially performed for such an arbitrary localized perturbation, and then applied to treat the case of a quasi-planar Langmuir soliton propagating in the direction of the magnetic field. An extensive numerical study of the angular dependence of the radiation spectrum as a function of the ratio of the electron plasma and cyclotron frequencies is described.

Freund, H. P.↗

Numerical trials of HISSE

The mathematical description and implementation of the statistical estimation procedure known as the Houston integrated spatial/spectral estimator (HISSE) is discussed. HISSE is based on a normal mixture model and is designed to take advantage of spectral and spatial information of LANDSAT data pixels, utilizing the initial classification and clustering information provided by the AMOEBA algorithm. The HISSE calculates parametric estimates of class proportions which reduce the error inherent in estimates derived from typical classify and count procedures common to nonparametric clustering algorithms. It also singles out spatial groupings of pixels which are most suitable for labeling classes. These calculations are designed to aid the analyst/interpreter in labeling patches with a crop class label. Finally, HISSE's initial performance on an actual LANDSAT agricultural ground truth data set is reported.

Peters, C.↗

High temperature solar receiver

The development of a high temperature solar thermal receiver is described. A prototype receiver and associated test support (auxiliary) hardware was fabricated. Shakedown and initial performance tests of the prototype receiver were performed. Maximum outlet temperatures of 1600 F were achieved at 100% solar (70-75 kW) input power with 900 F inlet temperatures and a subsequent testing was concluded by a 2550 F outlet run. The window retaining assembly was modified to improve its tolerance for thermal distortion of the flanges. It is shown that cost effective receiver designs can be implemented within the framework of present materials technology.

Source record↗

Space experiments with particle accelerators

The purpose of space experiments with particle accelerators (SEPAC) is to carry out active and interactive experiments on and in the Earth's ionosphere and magnetosphere. It is also intended to make an initial performance test for an overall program of Spacelab/SEPAC experiments. The instruments to be used are an electron beam accelerator, magnetoplasma dynamic arcjet, and associated diagnostic equipment. The accelerators are installed on the pallet, with monitoring and diagnostic observations being made by the gas plume release, beam-monitor TV, and particle-wave measuring instruments also mounted on the pallet. Command and display systems are installed in the module. Three major classes of investigations to be performed are vehicle charge neutralization, beam plasma physics, and beam atmosphere interactions. The first two are mainly onboard plasma physics experiments to measure the effect of phenomena in the vicinity of Spacelab. The last one is concerned with atmospheric modification and is supported by other Spacelab 1 investigations as well as by ground-based, remote sensing observations.

Obayashi, T.↗

Delineation of soil temperature regimes from HCMM data

Supplementary data including photographs as well as topographic, geologic, and soil maps were obtained and evaluated for ground truth purposes and control point selection. A study area (approximately 450 by 450 pixels) was subset from LANDSAT scene No. 2477-17142. Geometric corrections and scaling were performed. Initial enhancement techniques were initiated to aid control point selection and soils interpretation. The SUBSET program was modified to read HCMM tapes and HCMM data were reformated so that they are compatible with the ORSER system. Initial NMAP products of geometrically corrected and scaled raw data tapes (unregistered) of the study were produced.

Day, R. L.↗

CIRSS vertical data integration, San Bernardino study

The creation and use of a vertically integrated data base, including LANDSAT data, for local planning purposes in a portion of San Bernardino County, California are described. The project illustrates that a vertically integrated approach can benefit local users, can be used to identify and rectify discrepancies in various data sources, and that the LANDSAT component can be effectively used to identify change, perform initial capability/suitability modeling, update existing data, and refine existing data in a geographic information system. Local analyses were developed which produced data of value to planners in the San Bernardino County Planning Department and the San Bernardino National Forest staff.

Hodson, W.↗

The MOD-OA 200 kilowatt wind turbine generator design and analysis report

The project requirements, approach, system description, design requirements, design, analysis, system tests, installation safety considerations, failure modes and effects analysis, data acquisition, and initial performance for the MOD-OA 200 kw wind turbine generator are discussed. The components, the rotor, driven train, nacelle equipment, yaw drive mechanism and brake, tower, foundation, electrical system, and control systems are presented. The rotor includes the blades, hub and pitch change mechanism. The drive train includes the low speed shaft, speed increaser, high speed shaft, and rotor brake. The electrical system includes the generator, switchgear, transformer, and utility connection. The control systems are the blade pitch, yaw, and generator control, and the safety system. Manual, automatic, and remote control and Dynamic loads and fatigue are analyzed.

Andersen, T. S.↗