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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 37 records · Page 2

System requirements and design features of Space Station Remote Manipulator System mechanisms

The Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS) is a long robotic arm for handling large objects/payloads on the International Space Station Freedom. The mechanical components of the SSRMS include seven joints, two latching end effectors (LEEs), and two boom assemblies. The joints and LEEs are complex aerospace mechanisms. The system requirements and design features of these mechanisms are presented. All seven joints of the SSRMS have identical functional performance. The two LEES are identical. This feature allows either end of the SSRMS to be used as tip or base. As compared to the end effector of the Shuttle Remote Manipulator System, the LEE has a latch and umbilical mechanism in addition to the snare and rigidize mechanisms. The latches increase the interface preload and allow large payloads (up to 116,000 Kg) to be handled. The umbilical connectors provide power, data, and video signal transfer capability to/from the SSRMS.

Kumar, Rajnish↗

Operationally efficient propulsion system study (OEPSS) data book: Launch Operations Index (LOI) Design Features and Options - Volume 7

A design tool of figure of merit was developed that allows the operability of a propulsion system design to be measured. This Launch Operations Index (LOI) relates Operations Efficiency to System Complexity. The figure of Merit can be used by conceptual designers to compare different propulsion system designs based on their impact on launch operations. The LOI will improve the design process by making sure direct launch operations experience is a necessary feedback to the design process.

Ziese, James M.↗

Design features and results from fatigue reliability research machines.

The design, fabrication, development, operation, calibration and results from reversed bending combined with steady torque fatigue research machines are presented. Fifteen-centimeter long, notched, SAE 4340 steel specimens are subjected to various combinations of these stresses and cycled to failure. Failure occurs when the crack in the notch passes through the specimen automatically shutting down the test machine. These cycles-to-failure data are statistically analyzed to develop a probabilistic S-N diagram. These diagrams have many uses; a rotating component design example given in the literature shows that minimum size and weight for a specified number of cycles and reliability can be calculated using these diagrams.

Lalli, V. R.↗

AiResearch QCGAT engine, airplane, and nacelle design features

The quiet, clean, general aviation turbofan engine and nacelle system was designed and tested. The engine utilized the core of the AiResearch model TFE731-3 engine and incorporated several unique noise- and emissions-reduction features. Components that were successfully adapted to this core include the fan, gearbox, combustor, low-pressure turbine, and associated structure. A highly versatile workhorse nacelle incorporating interchangeable acoustic and hardwall duct liners, showed that large-engine attenuation technology could be applied to small propulsion engines. The application of the mixer compound nozzle demonstrated both performance and noise advantages on the engine. Major performance, emissions, and noise goals were demonstrated.

Heldenbrand, R. W.↗

NASA Engineering and Safety Center Technical Bulletin No. 23-01: Including Key Design Features in Safety-Critical Pyrotechnic Firing Circuits

Pyrotechnic systems often fall into a unique category in that inadvertent activation of these systems resulting from a fault and/or lack of safe margins can lead directly to loss of crew. For example, untimely activation of pyrotechnics used for a flight termination system could override an abort capability. Over the years, NASA and the military have learned lessons about safe pyrotechnic circuit design and test, many of which are codified. However, with NASA’s recent efforts to move toward a development model than leans more heavily on Commercial Partners these requirements have not always been directly levied on projects and in some cases been misinterpreted. This bulletin describes key safety features of pyrotechnic firing circuit design and provides rationale for inclusion of each feature.

Pyrotechnic Firing Curcuits↗

An analysis of strake vortex breakdown characteristics in relation to design features

This paper describes a water tunnel study of the vortex breakdown characteristics of a large number of analytically designed vortex strakes tested in combination with a moderate aspect ratio trapezoidal wing. A wide range of strake sizes and slenderness ratios are covered, and examples of the effects of the primary design parameters of size, span, and slenderness on the vortex breakdown characteristics are presented and analyzed in relation to the leading-edge suction distributions. Several examples of detailed planform shaping on strakes of the same general size and slenderness are shown from which it can be concluded that, consistent with the design criterion, those with leading-edge suction distributions which increase more rapidly near, and have a higher value at, the spanwise tip of the strake produce a more stable vortex.

Frink, N. T.↗

The rationale and design features for the 40 by 80/80 by 120 foot wind tunnel

A substantial increase in the test capability of full scale wind tunnels is considered. In order to determine the most cost effective means for providing this desired increase in test capability, a series of design studies were conducted of various new facilities as well as of major modifications to the existing 40- by 80-foot wind tunnel. The most effective trade between test capability and facility cost was provided by repowering the existing 40 by 80 foot wind tunnel to increase the maximum speed from 200 knots to 300 knots and by the addition of a new 80- by 120-foot test section having a 110 knot maximum speed. The design of the facility is described with special emphasis on the unique features, such as the drive system which absorbs nearly four times the power without an increase in noise, and the large flow diversion devices required to interface the two test sections to a single drive.

Mort, K. W.↗

Design features and operational characteristics of the Langley 0.3-meter transonic cryogenic tunnel

Experience with the Langley 0.3 meter transonic cryogenic tunnel, which is fan driven, indicated that such a tunnel presents no unusual design difficulties and is simple to operate. Purging, cooldown, and warmup times were acceptable and were predicted with good accuracy. Cooling with liquid nitrogen was practical over a wide range of operating conditions at power levels required for transonic testing, and good temperature distributions were obtained by using a simple liquid nitrogen injection system. To take full advantage of the unique Reynolds number capabilities of the 0.3 meter transonic tunnel, it was designed to accommodate test sections other than the original, octagonal, three dimensional test section. A 20- by 60-cm two dimensional test section was recently installed and is being calibrated. A two dimensional test section with self-streamlining walls and a test section incorporating a magnetic suspension and balance system are being considered.

Kilgore, R. A.↗

An integrated database with system optimization and design features

A customized, mission-specific relational database package was developed to allow researchers working on the Mars oxygen manufacturing plant to enter physical description, engineering, and connectivity data through a uniform, graphical interface and to store the data in formats compatible with other software also developed as part of the project. These latter components include an optimization program to maximize or minimize various criteria as the system evolves into its final design; programs to simulate the behavior of various parts of the plant in Martian conditions; an animation program which, in different modes, provides visual feedback to designers and researchers about the location of and temperature distribution among components as well as heat, mass, and data flow through the plant as it operates in different scenarios; and a control program to investigate the stability and response of the system under different disturbance conditions. All components of the system are interconnected so that changes entered through one component are reflected in the others.

Arabyan, A.↗

Innovative Structural Design Features for a 10 m Solar Sail Demonstrator

The successful development of sail architectures will require careful attention to a number of key issues including but not limited to material strength issues, stress conditions for the membrane, load interactions between membrane and structure, and membrane material planarity. Along with the inherent challenges of fabricating and handling very large membrane structures these issues will pose real challenges for the near-term development of practical sail technologies. SRS has developed innovative technologies that deal directly with the challenges of developing very large sail membranes. Some of these technologies include edge reinforcements and innovative reinforcement attachment techniques, production of flight durable sail materials of less than 2.5 micron thicknesses and large scale fabrication techniques. SRS has employed these technologies in several large 10 m demonstrators that have been delivered to LaRC for solar vacuum testing. Details of the design of this system will be discussed.

Laue, G.↗

Miniaturized, 9-12 micron heterodyne spectrometer with space qualifiable design features

A demonstration-prototype CO2-laser heterodyne spectrometer operating at 9-12 microns and suitable for long-term space missions is described and illustrated with extensive diagrams, drawings, photographs, and graphs of test performance data. The spectrometer has total volume 0.63 cu m, mass 30 kg, and power requirement 60-70 W, compatible with miniature-class Space Shuttle experiment payload specifications. It comprises three modules: (1) an optical front end with reflecting optics, a 2-GHz BW HgCdTe photomixer, and a 0-2-GHz 40-dB RF preamplifier; (2) a local oscillator with an RF-excited waveguide CO2 laser, a 75-percent-efficiency RF amplifier, a stepper-driven grating mode selector, and an etalon stabilized for over 30,000 h of use; and (3) an RF-filter-bank spectral-line receiver with a 25-MHz RF channel, 1.6-GHz IF spectral coverage, onboard instrument control, a serial link to the host computer, and highly integrated design.

Glenar, D. A.↗

Aircraft-crash-locating transmitter features design improvements

Crash locater is automatically ejected from aircraft at time of crash and begins transmitting at emergency radio frequencies monitored by all airports and airport control towers. Advantages are smaller size, simpler design and installation, extended transmitting range and life, greater deployment reliability and increased crash resistance.

Manoli, R.↗