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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 523 records · Page 29
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1976

Test plane uniformity analysis for the MSFC solar simulator lamp array

A preliminary analysis was made on the solar simulator lamp array. It is an array of 405 tungsten halogen lamps with Fresnel lenses to achieve the required spectral distribution and collimation. A computer program was developed to analyze lamp array performance at the test plane. Measurements were made on individual lamp lens combinations to obtain data for the computer analysis. The analysis indicated that the performance of the lamp array was about as expected, except for a need to position the test plane within 2.7 m of the lamp array to achieve the desired 7 percent uniformity of illumination tolerance.

Griner, D. B.↗
NASA NTRS1976

System tests with electric thruster beam and accelerator directly powered from laboratory solar arrays

Laboratory high voltage solar arrays were operated directly connected to power the beam and accelerator loads of an 8-centimeter ion thruster. The beam array comprised conventional 2 by 2 centimeter solar cells; the accelerator array comprised multiple junction edge-illuminated solar cells. Conventional laboratory power supplies powered the thruster's other loads. Tests were made to evaluate thruster performance and to investigate possible electrical interactions between the solar arrays and the thruster. Thruster performance was the same as with conventional laboratory beam and accelerator power supplies. Most of the thruster beam short circuits that occurred during solar array operation were cleared spontaneously without automatic or manual intervention. No spontaneous clearing occurred during conventional power supply operation.

Stover, J. B.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Research in large adaptive antenna arrays

The feasibility of microwave holographic imaging of targets near the earth using a large random conformal array on the earth's surface and illumination by a CW source on a geostationary satellite is investigated. A geometrical formulation for the illuminator-target-array relationship is applied to the calculation of signal levels resulting from L-band illumination supplied by a satellite similar to ATS-6. The relations between direct and reflected signals are analyzed and the composite resultant signal seen at each antenna element is described. Processing techniques for developing directional beam formation as well as SNR enhancement are developed. The angular resolution and focusing characteristics of a large array covering an approximately circular area on the ground are determined. The necessary relations are developed between the achievable SNR and the size and number of elements in the array. Numerical results are presented for possible air traffic surveillance system. Finally, a simple phase correlation experiment is defined that can establish how large an array may be constructed.

Berkowitz, R. S.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Solar array drive system

A solar array drive system consisting of a solar array drive mechanism and the corresponding solar array drive electronics is being developed. The principal feature of the solar array drive mechanism is its bidirectional capability which enables its use in mechanical redundancy. The solar array drive system is of a widely applicable design. This configuration will be tested to determine its acceptability for generic mission sets. Foremost of the testing to be performed is the testing for extended duration.

Berkopec, F. D.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Series-parallel method of direct solar array regulation

A 40 watt experimental solar array was directly regulated by shorting out appropriate combinations of series and parallel segments of a solar array. Regulation switches were employed to control the array at various set-point voltages between 25 and 40 volts. Regulation to within + or - 0.5 volt was obtained over a range of solar array temperatures and illumination levels as an active load was varied from open circuit to maximum available power. A fourfold reduction in regulation switch power dissipation was achieved with series-parallel regulation as compared to the usual series-only switching for direct solar array regulation.

Gooder, S. T.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Free-vibration characteristics of a large split-blanket solar array in a 1-g field

Two methods for studying the free vibration characteristics of a large split blanket solar array in both a 0-g and a 1-g cantilevered configuration are presented. The 0-g configuration corresponds to an in-orbit configuration of the array; the 1-g configuration is a typical ground test configuration. The first method applies the equations of continuum mechanics to determine the mode shapes and frequencies of the array; the second method uses the Rayleigh-Ritz approach. In the Rayleigh-Ritz method the array displacements are represented by string modes and cantilevered beam modes. The results of this investigation are summarized by a series of graphs illustrating the effects of various array parameters on the mode shapes and frequencies of the system. The results of the two methods are also compared in tabular form.

Shaker, F. J.↗
NASA NTRS1976

SEP solar array technology development

A technology development program is in progress to define a detail design of a lightweight 25 KW solar array for Solar Electric Propulsion (SEP) and to demonstrate technology readiness for fabrication, testing and flight of the large area solar array system. The requirements and baseline design for the 66 W/kg are discussed. The requirement for operation at 0.3 to 6.0 AU heliocentric distance presents a wide range of temperature environments as well as severe combined thermal/vacuum/UV radiation environments. The specific technology deficient areas are defined and the technology development program is presented. The program includes design and design evaluation testing on a component level followed by the fabrication and test of a developmental full-scale solar array wing. The results of the design studies and test program underway are presented. The test program covers the areas of fabrication testing, design support evaluation testing, zero-gravity array fold-up testing, full-scale array wing testing, and NDT development testing.

Elms, R. V., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Comparison of candidate solar array maximum power utilization approaches

A study was made of five potential approaches that can be utilized to detect the maximum power point of a solar array while sustaining operations at or near maximum power and without endangering stability or causing array voltage collapse. The approaches studied included: (1) dynamic impedance comparator, (2) reference array measurement, (3) onset of solar array voltage collapse detection, (4) parallel tracker, and (5) direct measurement. The study analyzed the feasibility and adaptability of these approaches to a future solar electric propulsion (SEP) mission, and, specifically, to a comet rendezvous mission. Such missions presented the most challenging requirements to a spacecraft power subsystem in terms of power management over large solar intensity ranges of 1.0 to 3.5 AU. The dynamic impedance approach was found to have the highest figure of merit, and the reference array approach followed closely behind. The results are applicable to terrestrial solar power systems as well as to other than SEP space missions.

Costogue, E. N.↗
NASA NTRS1976

A source array for generating higher order acoustic modes in circular ducts

A unique source array has been developed for the generation of both spinning and non-spinning higher order modes in a circular duct. The array consists of two concentric rings of sources. Through individual control of the response of each element, the array provided phase and amplitude control in the radial as well as circumferential directions. Radial modes shapes were measured in a 12-inch diameter anechoically-terminated hollow duct. These modes could be generated at their cut-off frequency and throughout a frequency range extending to the cut-off frequency for the next higher order radial mode. Comparisons are given between theory and experiment for the generation of specific modes. The radial dependence of the measured mode shapes was enhanced considerably by the design of this array. The results indicate a significant improvement over previous mode generation mechanisms. The contamination of the generated mode by additional spurious modes is also considered for variations between individual elements within the source array.

Wyerman, B. R.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Design considerations of solar arrays for terrestrial applications

The primary objective of the Low-cost Silicon Solar Array (LSSA) Project, which forms a major part of a national photovoltaic program, is the timely development of low-cost commercial-quality photovoltaic arrays through an active program of industrial and academic involvement. The definition of future array requirements is considered as a necessary step toward meeting this objective. An overview of array requirement trends which begin to evolve from the various ERDA activities is presented. For present terrestrial arrays the primary requirement is to generate power for small, often remote electric-power applications. To meet an objective of increased energy independence requires that photovoltaics become economically viable for the large energy consumption of the future. Various developments needed to achieve such an economic viability are discussed.

Ross, R. G., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Large Active Retrodirective Arrays for Space Applications

An active retrodirective array (ARA) electronically points a microwave beam back at the apparent source of an incident pilot signal. Retrodirectivity is the result of phase conjugation of the pilot signal received by each element of the array. The problem of supplying the correct phase reference to the phase conjugation circuit (PCC) associated with each element of the array is solved by central phasing. By eliminating the need for structural rigidity, central phasing confers a decisive advantage on ARA's as large spaceborne antennas. A new form of central phasing suitable for very large arrays is described. ARA's may easily be modified to serve both as transmitting and receiving arrays simultaneously. Two new kinds of exact, frequency translating PCC's are described. Such PCC's provide the ARA with input-output isolation and freedom from squint. The pointing errors caused by the radial and transverse components of the ARA's velocity, by the propagation medium, and by multipath are discussed. A two element ARA breadboard was built and tested at JPL. Its performance is limited primarily by multipath induced errors.

Chernoff, R. C.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Study of SEP solar array modifications

The feasibility of modifying the solar electric propulsion (SEP) 66 watt/kilogram, 12.5 kilowatt solar array blanket design to incorporate ultra-low mass blanket technology and to generate conceptual design data by modifying the SEP solar array design to 17.5kW power output was performed. Five modified designs were developed, which substituted present SEP solar array design components with one or more of 50 micron thick solar cells, 75 micron cell coverglasses, and a different blanket substrate developed by GE. A parametric analysis was performed to determine the solar array mast least weight and blanket tension required to maintain a minimum natural frequency of 0.04 Hz. The solar array wing assembly weights and power outputs were calculated, and preliminary cost estimates for flight hardware development, fabrication and qualification were made for each case studied.

Antonides, G. J.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Terrestrial central station array life-cycle analysis support study

Plant elements evaluated included designs for module, panel and array structures, as well as balance-of-plant systems. Installation and maintenance procedures and the impact of site environment were also evaluated. In terms of the cost of energy produced, the horizontal array configuration was found to be less expensive than the tandem array at latitudes less than 40 deg. Both of these configurations are less expensive than the rack design. However, the costs of energy for all three configurations are within approximately ?10 percent of each other. For flat plate panels, the seasonally adjusted and tracking array configurations are not economically attractive when compared to the three other designs. Balance-of-plant costs are approximately equal to (goal) module costs. The array structures and foundations are the most expensive items in the balance-of-plant costs.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1978

Modeling of thruster and solar array characteristics in the JPL low-thrust trajectory analysis

Recent advances in thruster and solar array technology have resulted in the possibility of performing many high energy space missions previously considered infeasible. This capability was demonstrated by an extensive study last year of a comet Halley rendezvous mission. In order to perform this extremely high energy mission, several advanced concepts in electric propulsion technology were investigated; notably the use of very high power, lightweight solar arrays which directly powered the beam supply of the electric propulsion thrusters, and the use of solar concentrators on the arrays together with conventional thrusters and power processors. These technology advances have directly impacted the modeling of the solar arrays and thrusters in the programs used in generating low-thrust trajectories. The intent of this paper is to discuss the modeling of the solar arrays and thrusters as employed in the trajectory programs presently being used in low-thrust mission studies at JPL.

Sauer, C. G., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Assessment study of infrared detector arrays for low-background astronomical research

The current state-of-the-art of infrared detector arrays employing charge coupled devices (CCD) or charge injection devices (CID) readout are assessed. The applicability, limitations and potentials of such arrays under the low-background astronomical observing conditions of interest for SIRFT (Shuttle Infrared Telescope Facility) are determined. The following are reviewed: (1) monolithic extrinsic arrays; (2) monolithic intrinsic arrays; (3) charge injection devices; and (4) hybrid arrays.

Ando, K. J.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Remote sensing using solid-state array technology

The paper describes the design features and capabilities of a remote sensor that uses solid-state linear arrays and operates in a 'pushbroom' scan mode to provide the required performance. Pushbroom scanning is a term describing the technique of using the forward motion of a satellite platform to sweep a linear array of detectors oriented perpendicular to the ground track across a scene being imaged. One array is typically used for each spectral channel. Satellite motion provides one direction of scan and electronic sampling of the detectors in the crosstrack dimension provides the orthogonal scan component to form an image. The detector array is sampled at the appropriate rate so that contiguous lines are produced. The performance of a pushbroom system is discussed relative to radiometric sensitivity, detector array geometric fidelity, and radiometric correction. System advantages are precision geometric positioning of the detectors, very high sensitivity and favorable SNR, low power consumption, and no moving optics.

Thompson, L. L.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Effects of plasma sheath on solar power satellite array

The structure of the plasma sheath and equilibrium voltage distribution of a high-power solar array governs various kinds of plasma-interaction phenomena and array losses. Sheath effects of a linearly-connected array are investigated for GEO. Although the array may be large, the thin-sheath-limit analysis may be invalid, necessitating numerical methods. Three-dimensional computer calculations show that potential barriers and over-lapping sheaths can occur, i.e., structures not predictable under the thin-sheath-limit analysis, but nevertheless controlling the distribution of plasma currents impacting on the array.

Parker, L. W.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Residential photovoltaic module and array requirements study

Design requirements for photovoltaic modules and arrays used in residential applications were identified. Building codes and referenced standards were reviewed for their applicability to residential photovoltaic array installations. Four installation types were identified - integral (replaces roofing), direct (mounted on top of roofing), stand-off (mounted away from roofing), and rack (for flat or low slope roofs, or ground mounted). Installation costs were developed for these mounting types as a function of panel/module size. Studies were performed to identify optimum module shapes and sizes and operating voltage cost drivers. It is concluded that there are no perceived major obstacles to the use of photovoltaic modules in residential arrays. However, there is no applicable building code category for residential photovoltaic modules and arrays and additional work with standards writing organizations is needed to develop residential module and array requirements.

Nearhoof, S. L.↗