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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 397 records · Page 22
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1971

The electrical power subsystem of the Pioneer F/G spacecraft.

The Pioneer F/G spacecraft is the first to use radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTG's) for a long duration interplanetary mission. This paper describes the design of the spacecraft power subsystem which meets the unique requirements of such a mission. The primary power source consists of four SNAP 19 RTG's. The 4.2 volt dc outputs of the RTG's are inverted to higher voltage ac by four inverters which are connected in parallel at their outputs. A power control unit (PCU) regulates the ac output of the inverters such that the RTG's are operated at near maximum power voltage throughout the mission. The PCU also contains charge and discharge controls for a silver cadmium battery which supplements the RTG's if load requirements temporarily exceed RTG power output. Battery reliability is enhanced by overcharge and cell reversal protection electronics which are provided for each cell. Multiple, low voltage, regulated dc outputs which supply power to the spacecraft subsystems are provided by a central transformer-rectifier-filter unit (CTRF). The CTRF operates directly from the regulated ac bus.

Reppucci, G. M.↗
NASA NTRS1971

Mapping sea-surface roughness using microwave radiometry.

Microwave radiometry data (1.55 cm) taken by aircraft over the Salton Sea have been corrected for viewing angle and atmospheric effects, rectified, and mapped. No fetch-limited conditions are observed along the upwind shore despite a 15 m/sec wind, which indicates that the radiometer is sensitive to the short wavelength surface roughness but not to the longer wavelengths. The brightness temperature field can be represented as a nearly linear function of the surface wind speed.

Strong, A. E.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Impulse commutating circuit with transformer to limit reapplied voltage

Silicon controlled rectifier opens circuit with currents flowing up to values of 30 amperes. Switching concept halves both current and voltage in middle of commutating cycle thereby lowering size and weight requirements. Commutating circuit can be turned on or off by command and will remain on in absence of load due to continuous gate.

Mcconville, J. H.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Design and material selection for inverter transformer cores

Report is announced which studied magnetic properties of candidate materials for use in spacecraft transformers, static inverters, converters, and transformer-rectifier power supplies. Included are material characteristics for available alloy compositions in tabular form, including: trade names, saturated flux density, dc coercive force, loop squareness, material density, and watts per pound at 3 KHz.

Mclyman, W. T.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Compact 20-kiloampere pulse-forming-network capacitor bank

Bank uses commercially available high-energy-density capacitors for energy storage and silicon-controlled rectifiers for switching. Low voltage design employing solid-state switching is utilized in lieu of conventional gas discharge switching.

Posta, S. J.↗
NASA NTRS1973

SRC seal testing

Small venthole drilled in semisealed silicon-controlled rectifier (SCR) cavity eliminates entrapped helium. Although these devices show slightly greater leak than those before lead installation, it is now possible to distinguish device with good hermetic seal from defective one.

Miller, E. D.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Development of a multikilowatt ion thruster power processor

A feasibility study was made of the application of silicon-controlled, rectifier series, resonant inverter, power conditioning technology to electric propulsion power processing operating from a 200 to 400 Vdc solar array bus. A power system block diagram was generated to meet the electrical requirements of a 20 CM hollow cathode, mercury bombardment, ion engine. The SCR series resonant inverter was developed as a primary means of power switching and conversion, and the analog signal-to-discrete-time-interval converter control system was applied to achieve good regulation. A complete breadboard was designed, fabricated, and tested with a resistive load bank, and critical power processor areas relating to efficiency, weight, and part count were identified.

Schoenfeld, A. D.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Cartographic evaluation of ERTS orbit and attitude data

The author has identified the following significant results. Return beam vidicon corrected (bulk) images have been precisely enlarged and rectified to control at a scale of 1:500,000. The results closely approach National Map Accuracy Standards. A MSS scene corrected (precision) image has been prepared and printed by color lithography. This Lake Tahoe area scene is the first cartographic product from ERTS that was available for economical distribution to the public in large numbers.

Mcewen, R. B.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Fundamental Consideration of Noise radiation by rotary wings

An historical review of progress in understanding of rotor noise is presented. Initial work was principally on propellers, but has many obvious applications to noise from rotary wings. Current understanding of rotor noise radiation is then reviewed in some detail. The principal noise sources appear to be: (1) discrete frequency due to distorted inflow; (2) low frequency broadband due to turbulent inflow, and (3) high frequency broadband due to tip effects. On a helicopter rotor each of these sources seems to be intimately connected with the shed vortex wakes. Tip modifications offer one method for controlling the effects. The implications for the designer are discussed. Rotor subjective noise levels appear to obey a velocity to the eighth power law, independent of thrust. Experiments to rectify some of the present deficiencies in knowledge are suggested.

Lowson, M. V.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Photogrammetry using Apollo 16 orbital photography, part B

Discussion is made of the Apollo 15 and 16 metric and panoramic cameras which provided photographs for accurate topographic portrayal of the lunar surface using photogrammetric methods. Nine stereoscopic models of Apollo 16 metric photographs and three models of panoramic photographs were evaluated photogrammetrically in support of the Apollo 16 geologic investigations. Four of the models were used to collect profile data for crater morphology studies; three models were used to collect evaluation data for the frequency distributions of lunar slopes; one model was used to prepare a map of the Apollo 16 traverse area; and one model was used to determine elevations of the Cayley Formation. The remaining three models were used to test photogrammetric techniques using oblique metric and panoramic camera photographs. Two preliminary contour maps were compiled and a high-oblique metric photograph was rectified.

Wu, S. S. C.↗
NASA NTRS1973

An objective technique to estimate percentage of an ERTS-1 water boundary resolution element covered by water

The author has identified the following significant results. An objective technique was developed to measure the surface area of water bodies. Nineteen water bodies in the Houston and Galveston, Texas area were selected as a basis for the technique development. The actual surface area of each body was determined from rectified and enlarged NASA aircraft photography. A clustering algorithm was used to produce classification maps of the region from ERTS-1 data. Certain classes were identified as being 100% water. Other classes were identified as being mixtures of water with land or vegetation. The number of picture elements falling on each water body and its boundary were counted. A linear regression analysis was performed to relate the total number of picture elements and boundary elements counted to the actual surface area. The standard error of the estimate was 6.7 acres. The absolute error was not a function of the actual surface area of the water body.

Erb, R. B.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Analysis of usefulness of ERTS-1 MSS data in detecting and measuring coastal marshes

The author has identified the following significant results. The usefulness of ERTS-1 data in detecting and measuring coastal marshes has been analyzed. The data chosen for study was taken over the Houston Area Test Site on August 29, 1972. A study site was selected which contained marshes of varying size. Using a computerized clustering algorithm which groups areas of spectral homogeneity, it was possible to distinguish twenty-five classes or features. To determine the total acreage of the marshes, the pure picture elements were counted. Using a technique developed by the team, the boundary picture elements were also counted. Ground truth was provided from rectified, enlarged, and scaled high altitude aircraft photography acquired during the same time frame. Comparison of the ground truth coverage depicted by the aircraft photography to the clustering acreage displayed from the ERTS-1 data showed a percentage of accuracy ranging from 89% to 99% for determining areal extent of coastal marshes.

Erb, R. B.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Water/glycol temperature control circuit failed in the automatic mode: Apollo 16

An anomaly report concerning failure of the water/glycol temperature control circuit during the Apollo 16 flight is presented. The anomaly is described and diagrams of the system are presented. The malfunction was caused by cracked semiconductor chips in the output silicon-controlled rectifier. Surface contamination in the crack allowed the device to self-gate on and remain on, resulting in a secondary failure of the feedback capacitor.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1973

Electromagnetic wave energy converter

Electromagnetic wave energy is converted into electric power with an array of mutually insulated electromagnetic wave absorber elements each responsive to an electric field component of the wave as it impinges thereon. Each element includes a portion tapered in the direction of wave propagation to provide a relatively wideband response spectrum. Each element includes an output for deriving a voltage replica of the electric field variations intercepted by it. Adjacent elements are positioned relative to each other so that an electric field subsists between adjacent elements in response to the impinging wave. The electric field results in a voltage difference between adjacent elements that is fed to a rectifier to derive dc output power.

Bailey, R. L.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Magnetic materials selection for static inverter and converter transformers

A program to study magnetic materials is described for use in spacecraft transformers used in static inverters, converters, and transformer-rectifier supplies. Different magnetic alloys best suited for high-frequency and high-efficiency applications were comparatively investigated together with an investigation of each alloy's inherent characteristics. The materials evaluated were the magnetic alloys: (1) 50% Ni, 50% Fe; (2) 79% Ni, 17% Fe, 4% Mo; (3) 48% Ni, 52% Fe; (4) 78% Ni, 17% Fe, 5% Mo; and (5) 3% Si, 97% Fe. Investigations led to the design of a transformer with a very low residual flux. Tests were performed to determine the dc and ac magnetic properties at 2400 Hz using square-wave excitation. These tests were performed on uncut cores, which were then cut for comparison of the gapped and ungapped magnetic properties. When the data of many transformers in many configurations were compiled the optimum transformer was found to be that with the lowest residual flux and a small amount of air gap in the magnetic material. The data obtained from these tests are described, and the potential uses for the materials are discussed.

Mclyman, W. T.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Power supply for carbon dioxide lasers

An improved ac power supply for a CO2 laser which eliminates the need for ballast resistors to excite a stable discharge is disclosed. The method involves the connection of an inductance in front of the rectifier. This procedure provides a nondissapative positive resistance effect for cancelling the negative differential resistance exhibited by the tube at frequencies below 2 KHz. Such an inductance setup also increases the efficiency of the system.

Schiffner, G.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Preliminary albedo map of the south polar region

A preliminary albedo map of the Martian south polar region in stereographic projection was prepared mainly from mission test video system (MTVS) prints before rectified and gridded prints were received, but some adjustments were made to conform with a semi-controlled photomosaic. Wherever possible, use also was made of crater coordinates. Two versions of the map are presented: one with a coordinate grid overlay and one without it. The precision of the coordinates is generally within 1 deg in latitude and the corresponding are in longitude. The maps show both the albedo markings and, with subdued contrast, the craters and topographic features that are necessary to locate the former. The map covers the range of latitudes from - 65 deg to the south pole.

Devaucouleurs, G.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Martian surface coordinates

Methods and results are presented for primary and secondary triangulation of the Martian surface. The primary network is based on multiphotograph stereophotogrammetry in which the pictures are rotated around fixed centers; these centers are provided as spacecraft stations from the tracking data. The computations use the latest Mars spin axis determined by Mariner 9 experiments and the new first meridian passing through a small crater, Airy-O, seen on Mariner 9 imagery. The secondary triangulation is performed in the map plane using rectified pictures as map fragments, assumed to be of correct shape. Primary positions are given.

Davies, M. E.↗