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At least 307 records · Page 17

CFD Simulations for Arc-Jet Panel Testing Capability Development Using Semi-Elliptical Nozzles

This paper reports computational simulations in support of arc-jet panel testing capability development using semi-elliptical nozzles in a high enthalpy arc-jet facility at NASA Ames Research Center. Two different semi-elliptical nozzle configurations are proposed for testing panel test articles. Computational fluid dynamics simulations are performed to provide estimates of achievable panel surface conditions and useful test area for each configuration. The present analysis comprises three-dimensional simulations of the nonequilibrium flowfields in the semi-elliptical nozzles, test box and flowfield over the panel test articles. Computations show that useful test areas for the proposed two nozzle options are 20.32 centimeters by 20.32 centimeters (8 inches by 8 inches) and 43.18 centimeters by 43.18 centimeters (17 inches by 17 inches). Estimated values of the maximum cold-wall heat flux and surface pressure are 155 watts per centimeters squared and 39 kilopascals for the smaller panel test option, and 44 watts per centimeters squared and 7 kilopascals for the larger panel test option. Other important properties of the predicted flowfields are presented, and factors that limit the useful test area in the semi-free jet test configuration are discussed.

TPS↗

CFD Simulations for Arc-Jet Panel Testing Capability Development Using Semi-Elliptical Nozzles

This paper reports computational simulations in support of arc-jet panel testing capability development using semi-elliptical nozzles in a high enthalpy arc-jet facility at NASA Ames Research Center. Two different semi-elliptical nozzle configurations are proposed for testing panel test articles. Computational fluid dynamics simulations are performed to provide estimates of achievable panel surface conditions and useful test area for each configuration. The present analysis comprises three-dimensional simulations of the nonequilibrium flowfields in the semi-elliptical nozzles, test box and flowfield over the panel test articles. Computations show that useful test areas for the proposed two nozzle options are 20.32 centimeters by 20.32 centimeters (8 inches by 8 inches) and 43.18 centimeters by 43.18 centimeters (17 inches by 17 inches). Estimated values of the maximum cold-wall heat flux and surface pressure are 155 watts per centimeters squared and 39 kilopascals for the smaller panel test option, and 44 watts per centimeters squared and 7 kilopascals for the larger panel test option. Other important properties of the predicted flowfields are presented, and factors that limit the useful test area in the semi-free jet test configuration are discussed.

CFD↗

AIAA ASCEND 2023 Panel Session Proposal: Community Perspectives on Establishing a Government-Funded National Laboratory in a Commercially-Driven LEO Ecosystem

AIAA ASCEND 2023 Panel Session Proposal: Community Perspectives on Establishing a Government-Funded National Laboratory in a Commercially-Driven LEO Ecosystem Submitted by the NASA Office of Technology, Policy, and Strategy March 8, 2023 Session Format: Panel Session Topic: Expanding and Evolving the Space Economy Session Title: Community Perspectives on Establishing a Government-Funded National Laboratory in a Commercially-Driven LEO Ecosystem Short Session Description: NASA is preparing for the retirement of the ISS and transition of government-sponsored low-Earth orbit (LEO) activities to Commercial LEO Destinations (CLDs), which includes a government-funded national lab. This transition necessitates new models to connect government-funded users of the LEO environment to CLDs. This panel will highlight updates on what may constitute a national laboratory, share perspectives from members of LEO user communities, and open the discussion for additional comments. Requested Session Duration: 90 minutes Extended Session Description: NASA is preparing for the retirement of the ISS and transition of low-Earth orbit (LEO) activities to Commercial LEO Destinations (CLDs), including planning for a national laboratory. This transition necessitates new models for connecting government-funded users of the LEO environment to CLDs. NASA has made progress on models and a stepwise strategy to enable this national laboratory. This session will discuss guiding national strategies and highlight perspectives on what constitutes a national laboratory from current user communities. A NASA panel participant will introduce the rationale for continuing a national laboratory utilizing CLDs and speak on progress-to-date. This includes furthering national priorities to continue a space-based microgravity national laboratory. It also may include a brief overview of a study conducted by NASA which elucidates a trade space of models for a national laboratory and highlights from an interagency working group on microgravity for additional context. A moderator and five panelists representing diverse LEO user communities will then share perspectives on topics relating to this new dynamic ecosystem, expectations for models and activities, and other thoughts on NASA’s progress. Panelists may consist of members from the following communities: NASA, other U.S. government agencies, startups, small businesses, academia, and non-profits. The panel then plans to open discussion to the audience for questions, input, and additional feedback. Session Goal(s)/Outcome(s): By hosting a panel session, NASA aims to accomplish two goals. First, NASA wishes to update the community on progress towards establishing a national laboratory in low-Earth orbit. This includes sharing key perspectives heard from stakeholder communities. The second goal is to highlight the collaborative nature of such an undertaking and to facilitate additional discussion with other current and future users of the LEO community. Participants (not exhaustive): Erica Rodgers; Robyn Gatens

Erica Marie Rodgers Heusinkveld↗

Towards low-carbon low-energy concrete alternatives: Life cycle assessment of carbonated cementitious material-based precast panels

Cement is responsible for 22 % of all global CO 2 emissions from industrial processes. Technological innovation for developing and deploying of alternative materials will be required to decarbonize the cement industry. Carbonated cementitious materials (CCMs) are building materials that rely on carbon mineralization for their strength. A process-based cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment (LCA) was conducted to evaluate the global warming potential (GWP), cumulative energy demand, and water consumption of a lab-scale CCM-based precast panel compared to a conventional precast concrete panel. Since the CCM process is currently a lab-scale early-stage process, the CCM panel showed higher environmental impacts compared to the conventional panel. However, scenario analyses include mature production process scenarios. In conclusion, a sensitivity analysis revealed that the GWP of CCM can be lowered to below that of the conventional panel using polymers, fillers, low-carbon electricity sources, and optimized carbonation parameters.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Tracking Performance of Upgraded "Polished Panel" Optical Receiver on NASA's 34 Meter Research Antenna

There has been considerable interest in developing and demonstrating a hybrid "polished panel" optical receiver concept that would replace the microwave panels on the Deep Space Network's (DSN) 34 meter antennas with highly polished aluminum panels, thus enabling simultaneous opticaland microwave reception. A test setup has been installed on the 34 meter research antenna at DSS-13 (Deep Space Station 13) at NASA's Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex in California in order to assess the feasibility of this concept. Here we describe the results of a recent effort todramatically reduce the dimensions of the point-spread function (PSF) generated by a custom polished panel, thus enabling improved optical communications performance. The latest results are compared to the previous configuration in terms of quantifiable PSF improvement. In addition, the performance of acquisition and tracking algorithms designed specifically for the polished panel PSF are evaluated and compared, based on data obtained from real-time tracking of planets and bright stars with the 34 meter research antenna at DSS-13.

optima↗

Increased panel height enhances cooling for photovoltaic solar farms

We report solar photovoltaic (PV) systems suffer substantial efficiency loss due to environmental and internal heating. However, increasing the canopy height of these systems promotes surface heat transfer and boosts production. This work represents the first wind tunnel experiments to explore this concept in terms of array flow behavior and relative convective heat transfer, comparing model solar arrays of varied height arrangements - a nominal height, extended height, and a staggered height configuration. Analyses of surface thermocouple data show average Nusselt number (Nu) to increase with array elevation, where panel convection at double height improved up to 1.88 times that of the nominal case. This behavior is an effect of sub-array entrainment of high velocity flow and panel interactions as evidenced through flow statistics and mean kinetic energy budgets on particle image velocimetry (PIV) data. The staggered height arrangement encourages faster sub-panel flow than in the nominal array. Despite sub-array blockage due to the lower panel interaction, heat shedding at panel surfaces promotes improvements on over 1.3 times that of the nominal height case.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Optimal planning of the joint placement of photovoltaic panels and green roofs under climate change uncertainty

Photovoltaic (PV) panels directly convert sunlight into electricity; but, sunlight also heats the panels, negatively impacting their efficiency. Green roofs are vegetative layers grown on rooftops, mainly to provide added insulation on the roof to save energy. Green roofs also cool near-surface air temperature. Hence, the joint installation of PV panels and green roofs may potentially lead to higher efficiency of PV panels in certain climates. We develop a two-stage stochastic programming model to optimally place PV panels and green roofs under climate change uncertainty to maximize the overall profit from energy generated and saved. We calibrate the model using the literature, industry reports, and the data from different, at times conflicting, climate projections. We then conduct a case study for a mid-size city in the U.S., perform extensive sensitivity and robustness analyses and provide insights.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

The Interactions Between Shading and Organic Fertilizer Application on Dry-farmed Tomato Grown Between Photovoltaic Panels

Agrivoltaic systems are mixed systems of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels and agricultural production, where shade from the panels can result in lower evapotranspiration for crops, which is of particular interest for dryland agriculture. Dry-farmed tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) production in the Willamette Valley of Oregon has lower total yields and higher rates of blossom-end rot (BER) than irrigated tomato production, resulting in reduced marketable yields. To determine how dry-farmed ‘Early Girl’ tomato performed in an agrivoltaics system, a trial was conducted at the Valley Creek Solar Project (Salem, OR, USA) in 2020, using three different amendment treatments and three levels of shading from the panels. Amendment treatments were 0N (receiving no fertilizer), 84N (receiving 84 kg·ha −1 N), and 168N (receiving 168 kg·ha −1 N), applied as processed chicken manure. Plants were estimated to receive an irradiance factor of 30%, 76%, and 89% for full-shade, partial-shade, and full-sun treatments respectively. There was an interaction between amendment treatments and shading treatments in their effects on unblemished yield (yield of fruit without BER or sunscald). The optimum fertilizer application for full-shade and partial-shade rows was 84N, the optimum for full-sun rows was 0N. Fertilizing these rows at these rates resulted in an unblemished yield for the aisle of 11.1 t·ha −1 , which was lower than unblemished yields reported in previous experiments and trials in open fields. However, these results are from a single location and a single year, and other solar sites may behave more similar to open-field conditions. Shading from the panels increased average fruit weight and decreased incidence of BER and sunscald, suggesting that crops were less drought stressed. This resulted in similar unblemished yields for the full-shade and full-sun plots at 84N and 168N. Applying fertilizer resulted in higher total yields, smaller average fruit weight, increased BER incidence, and decreased sunscald incidence. The results suggest a possible synergy between dry-farmed tomato production and agrivoltaics, although several concerns remain, including difficulties managing the vegetation under panels, rules restricting PVs on high-value agricultural soils, and the possibility of soil compaction during PV installation.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Data Analysis of X-ray Panels Used in X-ray CT Scientific Instruments

This report is a follow-up study on M. Skeate’s study on System Drift Detection for Health Monitoring (Skeate, 2023). The following report highlights analyses of the panel’s behavior with extended use. This includes effects of burn-in on the panel from over-use and bad pixels (defined in Methodology.) Using data-forward statistical analyses across a sequence of scans, and given that the other conditions present in the data can be replicated, this study show that overtime use of panels does not affect bad pixel count. Also, I present conclusive evidence of a direct relationship between the regions of the panel that are exposed to radiation and burn-in damage to that region overtime. Additionally, this study also highlights the effect of the duty cycle on the dark current change in the panel.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Manufacture, assembly, and delivery of beryllium test panels

Details of the fabrication and assembly of two 99 cm by 99 cm (39 in. by 39 in.) beryllium heat shield test panels are presented. Each panel consists of two hat-stiffened, formed skins which overlap a transverse slip joint at the center of the panel; clips join the two skins at the slip joint, and continuous standoffs are provided at the ends of the panel. The hat-stiffeners are joined to the skin by furnace-brazing, using the braze alloy BAg 18. The parts are generally 0.051 cm (0.020 in.) thick. Tools used to form the detail parts are shown, together with the results of preliminary forming and brazing trials to verify processing techniques. Problems encountered in the manufacture of the panels are discussed.

Source record↗

Random excitation of a panel-cavity system

An experimental investigation of the influence of random external sound field on cavity pressure and panel vibration is presented. The panel used was 10 in. x 20 in. x 0.05 in. aluminum alloy plate that was bonded onto a rectangular frame consisting of aluminum channel members welded together at their ends. By bonding the plate to the cavity in this way, a clamped edge boundary condition was approximated. A sealed cavity was constructed beneath the panel in such a way that the cavity depth could be varied in 2 in. increments from 12 in. to 2 in. deep. In order to vary the cavity depth, the cavity was built in sections. Each 2 in. section of the cavity was bolted to the other sections with rubber gaskets between them. The panel was excited acoustically by a Wolverine LS15, 20 watt loudspeaker driven by a B and K random noise generator, Type 1402. The external sound field was measured on the panel surface, using the 6 percent bandwidth of the frequency analyzer.

Gorman, G. F., III↗

A preliminary report on the effect of elevated temperature exposure on the mechanical properties of titanium-alloy honeycomb-core sandwich panels.

A study has been initiated to determine the effects of elevated-temperature exposure on the room-temperature mechanical properties of titanium honeycomb-core sandwich panels fabricated by brazing or spot diffusion bonding. Only flatwise tensile properties following exposure have been determined to date. Preliminary results indicate very little change in the flatwise tensile strength of sandwich panels fabricated by spot diffusion bonding following exposures of 10,000 hr at 600 and 800 F and 1000 hr at 1000 F. Titanium panels fabricated by using a Ti-Zr-Be braze alloy are susceptible to oxidation at elevated temperature and experience flatwise tensile strength degradation after continuous exposures of 7500 hr at 600 F, 1000 hr at 800 F, and less than 100 hr at 1000 F. It is possible that the exposure life of the brazed panels may be substantially increased if the panel edges are sealed to prevent oxidation of the braze alloy.

Bales, T. T.↗

Random response of rectangular panels to the pressure field beneath a turbulent boundary layer in subsonic flows

The response of a rectangular panel under the excitation of a turbulent boundary layer with a zero longitudinal mean pressure gradient in a subsonic flow was studied in detail. The method of normal mode was used together with the technique of spectral analysis. Both simply supported and clamped edge conditions of a panel were considered, and the displacement power spectral density of the panel response was computed. The results for the clamped edge panel compare favorably with existing data. Charts of structural acceptance, which provide a framework for estimating the response of other rectangular panels, are presented, and the physical significances of structural acceptances discussed.

Chyu, W. J.↗

Response of panels to turbulence-induced, surface-pressure fluctuations and resulting acoustic radiation to the flow field.

The response of finite rectangular panels, excited by turbulent boundary layers and the resulting acoustical radiation into the flow field is studied. The method of normal modes and the technique of spectral analysis are used to compute the power spectra of the panel amplitude and strain response. Computed results are compared with the corresponding response measurements for panels exposed to attached and separated flows at supersonic speeds and attached flow at subsonic speeds. The thin plate and the convected wave equations are coupled through the boundary condition on the panel to give a formula for the radiation pressure power spectra. A formula for the acoustical damping ratio of the panel is obtained through the principle of virtual work.-

Chyu, W. J.↗

Flutter of panels on discrete flexible supports

The supersonic flutter of wide panels on discrete flexible supports is investigated for three different panel-support configurations. The first study examines the effect of support stiffness on the flutter behavior of a specific five-support configuration with leading-and trailing-edge overhangs; this configuration was recently under consideration for a heat shield on an entry body. The second study investigates the effect of support stiffness on flutter of panels with various numbers of equally spaced supports. The third study examines the effect of center-support location on the flutter of panels with three supports. Results are presented in nondimensional form. The analysis is based on wide-plate structural theory and Ackeret aerodynamics. Finite differences are employed to obtain solutions for flutter pressure. A computer program based on this analysis and including a direct solution technique is presented. The program can be used to find the flutter pressure of wide panels of variable thickness supported by any number of flexible supports.

Stein, M.↗

Flutter of elastically supported orthotropic panels including the effects of flow angle

A theoretical panel flutter analysis and computer program was developed which is capable of analyzing an orthotropic panel with in-plane loads, at various angles of cross flow and various edge-support conditions. The resulting modal analysis uses linear piston-theory aerodynamics and includes both aerodynamic and structural damping. Calculations made for typical panels with no in-plane forces show that large reductions in dynamic presure for flutter are possible with only small changes in flow angle. The reduction in dynamic pressure with flow angle is greater for elastically supported panels than for simply supported panels. Aerodynamic damping has a significant stabilizing effect at all flow angles except zero, whereas structural damping has negligible effect.

Sawyer, J. W.↗

Heat pipe thermal conditioning panel

Thermal control of electronic hardware and experiments on future space vehicles is critical to proper functioning and long life. Thermal conditioning panels (cold plates) are a baseline control technique in current conceptual studies. Heat generating components mounted on the panels are typically cooled by fluid flowing through integral channels within the panel. However, replacing the pumped fluid coolant loop within the panel with heat pipes offers attractive advantages in weight, reliability, and installation. This report describes the development and fabrication of two large 0.76 x 0.76 m heat pipe thermal conditioning panels to verify performance and establish the design concept.

Saaski, E. W.↗

Design and fabrication of Rene 41 advanced structural panels

The efficiency was investigated of curved elements in the design of lightweight structural panels under combined loads of axial compression, inplane shear, and bending. The application is described of technology generated in the initial aluminum program to the design and fabrication of Rene 41 panels for subsequent performance tests at elevated temperature. Optimum designs for two panel configurations are presented. The designs are applicable to hypersonic airplane wing structure, and are designed specifically for testing at elevated temperature in the hypersonic wing test structure located at the NASA Flight Research Center. Fabrication methods developed to produce the Rene panels are described, and test results of smaller structural element specimens are presented to verify the design and fabrication methods used. Predicted strengths of the panels under several proposed elevated temperature test load conditions are presented.

Greene, B. E.↗