SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “support structure”

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.

SourceResearch connectionFrom yearThrough year

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

At least 505 records · Page 28

All sources NASA NTRS DOE OSTI

NASA NTRS1978

Evaluation available encapsulation materials for low-cost long-life silicon photovoltaic arrays

Experimental evaluation of selected encapsulation designs and materials based on an earlier study which have potential for use in low cost, long-life photovoltaic arrays are reported. The performance of candidate materials and encapsulated cells were evaluated principally for three types of encapsulation designs based on their potentially low materials and processing costs: (1) polymeric coatings, transparent conformal coatings over the cell with a structural-support substrate; (2) polymeric film lamination, cells laminated between two films or sheets of polymeric materials; and (3) glass-covered systems, cells adhesively bonded to a glass cover (superstrate) with a polymeric pottant and a glass or other substrate material. Several other design types, including those utilizing polymer sheet and pottant materials, were also included in the investigation.

Carmichael, D. C.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Experiment definition and integration study for the accommodation of giant, passive detector of Exotic Particles In the Cosmic Rays (EPIC) payload on shuttle/spacelab missions

The feasibility of the design, construction, launch and retrieval of a hinged 15 ft by 110 ft the platform containing an array of interleaved CR-39 and Lexan track-recording detectors to be placed into circular orbit by space shuttle is assessed. The total weight of the detector assembly plus supporting structure and accessories is 32,000 pounds. The modular construction permits as little as one fourth of the payload to be exposed at one time. The CR-39 detector has sensitivity adequate to detect and study cosmic rays ranging from minimum ionizing iron-group nuclei to the heaviest elements. The detectors will survive a one year exposure to trapped protons without losing their high resolution. Advantages include low cost, huge collecting power (approximately 150 sq m) as well as the high resolution previously attainable only with electronic detectors.

Price, P. B.↗

NASA NTRS1976

Integral glass sheet encapsulation for terrestrial panel applications

Concepts for integral glass sheet encapsulation of terrestrial solar cell modules using techniques based upon electrostatic bonding are being developed. It is possible for the glass to provide hermetic encapsulation, the structural support, and a vehicle for integral interconnection of the solar cells. Anticipated capabilities, present status, and cost projections for large scale terrestrial utilization are discussed.

Minnucci, J. A.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Flexible sliding seal

Circular seal both slides and flexes to accomodate relative motion between two sealed members. Originally developed for Space Shuttle orbiter, it contains sliding seal to accommodate engine gimbaling and flexible seal that absorbs forward motion at high thrust of engine heat shield relative to airframe. Other possible applications are in support structures of heavy machinery and vehicle engines. Flexible sliding seal is ring about 7 feet in diameter and can withstand temperatures up to 1,600 F.

Wallenhorst, E. L.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Process for the preparation of calcium superoxide

Calcium superoxide is prepared in high yields by spreading a quantity of calcium peroxide diperoxyhydrate on the surface of a container, positioning said container in a vacuum chamber on a support structure through which a coolant fluid can be circulated, partially evacuating said vacuum chamber, allowing the temperature of the diperoxyhydrate to reach the range of about 0 to about 40 C; maintaining the temperature selected for a period of time sufficient to complete the disproproriation of the diperoxyhydrate to calcium superoxide, calcium hydroxide, oxygen, and water; constantly and systematically removing the water as it is formed by sweeping the reacting material with a current of dry inert gas and/or by condensation of said water on a cold surface; backfilling the chamber with a dry inert gas; and finally, recovering the calcium superoxide produced.

Ballou, E. V.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Feasibility Study of Graphite Epoxy Antenna for a Microwave Limb Sounder Radiometer (MLSR)

Results are presented of a feasibility study to design graphite epoxy antenna reflectors for a jet propulsion laboratory microwave limb sounder instrument (MLSR). Two general configurations of the offset elliptic parabolic reflectors are presented that will meet the requirements on geometry and reflector accuracy. The designs consist of sandwich construction for the primary reflectors, secondary reflector support structure and cross-tie members between reflector pairs. Graphite epoxy materials of 3 and 6 plies are used in the facesheets of the sandwich. An aluminum honeycomb is used for the core. A built-in adjustment system is proposed to reduce surface distortions during assembly. The manufacturing and environmental effects are expected to result in surface distortions less than .0015 inch and pointing errors less than .002 degree.

Source record↗

NASA NTRS1977

Two-dimensional oscillating airfoil test apparatus

A two dimensional oscillating airfoil test apparatus is presented as a method of measuring unsteady aerodynamic forces on an airfoil or rotor blade section. The oscillating airfoil test rig, which is being built for use in an 11 X 11-foot transonic wind tunnel (speed range M = 0.4 - 1.4), will allow determination of unsteady loadings and detailed pressure distributions on representative airfoil sections undergoing simulated pitching and flapping motions. The design details of the motion generating system and supporting structure are presented. This apparatus is now in the construction phase.

Gibson, F. L.↗

NASA NTRS1974

Pilot cryo tunnel: Attachments, seals, and insulation

Several different tests are described which simulated the actual configuration of a cryogenic wind tunnel operating at pressures up to 5 atmospheres (507 kPa) and temperatures from -320 F (78K) to 120 F (322K) in order to determine compatible bolting, adequate sealing, and effective insulating materials. The evaluation of flange attachments (continuous threaded studs) considered bolting based on compatible flanges, attachment materials, and prescribed bolt elongations. Various types of seals and seal configurations were studied to determine suitability and reusability under the imposed pressure and temperature loadings. The temperature profile was established for several materials used for structural supports.

Wilson, J. F.↗

NASA NTRS1975

Study of the application of hydrogen fuel to long-range subsonic transport aircraft. Volume 1: Summary

The feasibility of using liquid hydrogen as fuel in advanced designs of long range, subsonic transport aircraft is assessed. Both passenger and cargo type aircraft are investigated. Comparisons of physical, performance, and economic parameters of the LH2 fueled designs with conventionally fueled aircraft are presented. Design studies are conducted to determine appropriate characteristics for the hydrogen related systems required on board the aircraft. These studies included consideration of material, structural, and thermodynamic requirements of the cryogenic fuel tanks and fuel systems with the structural support and thermal protection systems.

Brewer, G. D.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Photovoltaic systems perspective

This paper summarizes the elements of photovoltaic power system and clarifies the terminology currently used. The relationship of system efficiency and cost is described particularly for the Balance of Photovoltaic System (BOPS) area. The current status of the BOPS development activity is described. The photovoltaic systems terminology is found to be on the road to standardization. Power conditioning, energy storage, and support structure are found to be BOPS cost and/or efficiency drivers. Although the current BOPS activity has identified low-cost/high-efficiency components, further development work is necessary.

Sutton, P. D.↗

NASA NTRS1979

A Microwave Radiometer Spacecraft, some control requirements and concepts

A general overview of a conceptual design for a Microwave Radiometer Spacecraft using a large passive reflector, microwave radiometers, and advanced control concepts is presented. The mission requirements, developed around high resolution, large area mapping of soil moisture for global crop forecasting, are reviewed. These mission requirements, along with system design requirements, dictate the need for a reflector in excess of 700 meters in diameter. Conceptual designs for supporting structures and subsystems, including attitude and surface control, are summarized.

Lovelace, U. M.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Solar-heated bank-Marks Mississippi

Report describes air solar-energy collectors which supply 60 percent of space heating load for full-service bank. Contemporary structure supports 468 square feet of flat-plate arrays, and features onsite temperature and power measurement readouts. Air-flow collectors minimize problems experienced with conventional liquid solar equipment and eliminate need for heat exchanger for space heating.

Source record↗

NASA NTRS1980

Offset weap rib concept and development

The applicability of the Wrap rib antenna design for offset feed configurations for antennas up to 300 m in diameter was assessed. The antenna design was defined for both symmetric and offset configurations in terms of surface quality, cost, weight, and mechanical complexity. A supporting deployable feed support structure was developed and characterized.

Woods, A. A., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Study of wrap-rib antenna design

The results of a parametric design study conducted to develop the significant characteristics and technology limitations of space deployable antenna systems with aperture sizes ranging from 50 up to 300 m and F/D ratios between 0.5 and 3.0 are presented. Wrap/rib type reflectors of both the prime and offset fed geometry and associated feed support structures were considered. The significant constraints investigated as limitations on achievable aperture were inherent manufacturability, orbit dynamic and thermal stability, antenna weight, and antenna stowed volume. A data base, resulting in the defined maximum achievable aperture size as a function of diameter, frequency and estimated cost, was formed.

Wade, W. D.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Magnetic suspension system for an Annular Momentum Control Device (AMCD)

A technique to control a rim suspended in a magnetic field was developed. A complete system was developed, incorporating a support structure, magnetic actuators, a rim drive mechanism, an emergency fail-safe system, servo control system, and control electronics. Open loop and closed loop response of the system at zero speed and at 500 revolutions per minute (r/min) of the rim was obtained and analyzed. The rim was then dynamically balanced and a rim speed of 725 r/min was achieved. An analog simulation of the hardware was developed and tested with the actual control electronics connected to the analog computer. The system under development is stable at rim speeds below 700 r/min. Test results indicate that the rim under test is not rigid. The rim has a warp and a number of binding modes which prevented achievement of higher speeds. Further development efforts are required to achieve higher rim speeds.

Source record↗

NASA NTRS1980

Parametric instabilities of rotor-support systems with application to industrial ventilators

Rotor support systems interaction with parametric excitation is considered for both unequal principal shaft stiffness (generators) and offset disc rotors (ventilators). Instability regions and types of instability are computed in the first case, and parametric resonances in the second case. Computed and experimental results are compared for laboratory machine models. A field case study of parametric vibrations in industrial ventilators is reported. Computed parametric resonances are confirmed in field measurements, and some industrial failures are explained. Also the dynamic influence and gyroscopic effect of supporting structures are shown and computed.

Parszewski, Z.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Low-pass interference filters for submillimeter astronomy

Low-pass (long-wave transmitting) interference filters, suitable for broadband photometric observations, previously have been constructed from series of capacitive grids stretched on thin Mylar. These filters have the desired optical properties of high transmission, sharp cut-ons, and good blocking at short wavelengths. Their designs, however, do not scale from one wavelength to another and their performance can deteriorate at low temperatures due to differential contraction of the dielectric backing and the supporting structure. The deviation of these early filters from the predicted scaling was due primarily to the difference in refractive index between the backing material and the medium between the grids. In the present paper, filters are described in which dielectric spacers are used, instead of air, as the medium between the grids. This technique has improved the scaling and has reduced the distortion from differential contraction.

Whitcomb, S. E.↗

NASA NTRS1980

The large-scale far-infrared structure of W3 and W4

The large-scale structure of the giant H II region complex W3/W4 has been mapped in two wavelength bands covering 60 to 120 microns at an angular resolution of 12 arc min. The only region of strong emission observed lies along a molecular ridge at an ionization/shock front in the sources. This structure supports the idea that a new generation of stars formed after neutral material ahead of the front became gravitationally unstable. These embedded stars are dominating the energetics of the molecular/infrared cloud, although the visible OCl 352 cluster in neighboring IC 1805 may supply much of the heating flux to the fainter regions. A simple model relating the far-infrared and CO emission is presented.

Thronson, H. A., Jr.↗