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At least 523 records · Page 29

Fluid management systems technology summaries

A summarization and categorization of the pertinent literature associated with fluid management systems technology having potential application to in-orbit fluid transfer and/or associated storage are presented. A literature search was conducted to obtain pertinent documents for review. Reports determined to be of primary significance were summarized in the following manner: (1) report identification, (2) objective(s) of the work, (3) description of pertinent work performed, (4) major results, and (5) comments of the reviewer. Pertinent figures are presented on a single facing page separate from the text. Specific areas covered are: fluid line dynamics and thermodynamics, low-g mass gauging, other instrumentation, stratification/pressurization, low-g vent systems, fluid mixing refrigeration and reliquefaction, and low-g interface control and liquid acquisition systems. Reports which were reviewed and not summarized, along with reasons for not summarizing, are also listed.

Stark, J. A.↗

Development and fabrication of S-band chip varactor parametric amplifier

A noncryogenic, S-band parametric amplifier operating in the 2.2 to 2.3 GHz band and having an average input noise temperature of less than 30 K was built and tested. The parametric amplifier module occupies a volume of less than 1-1/4 cubic feet and weighs less than 60 pounds. The module is designed for use in various NASA ground stations to replace larger, more complex cryogenic units which require considerably more maintenance because of the cryogenic refrigeration system employed. The amplifier can be located up to 15 feet from the power supply unit. Optimum performance was achieved through the use of high-quality unpackaged (chip) varactors in the amplifier design.

Kramer, E.↗

Flight operations and performance of Skylab life support and environmental control systems

The design and performance of the Skylab thermal and environmental control systems is considered. The Orbital Workshop had a combined active and passive thermal control system. The refrigeration system was designed to store food and biomedical samples and to cool drinking water. The atmosphere control system included active humidity control, molecular sieves and charcoal canisters to control carbon dioxide, odor, and contaminants, and the gas supply system. Mission support preparation, including instrumentation, ground data system, system troubleshooting, and training, is surveyed. Major in-flight anomalies occurred with the thermal control system when the meteoroid shield was lost during SL-1 ascent and when the Airlock Module coolant loop malfunctioned during SL-2 manned operations. The atmosphere control system performed without major anomaly throughout the manned missions.

Hopson, G. D.↗

Self-contained heat rejection module for future spacecraft

This paper discusses development of a Self-Contained Heat Rejection Module (SHRM) which can be used on a wide variety of future spacecraft launched by the space shuttle orbiter. The SHRM contains radiators which are deployed by a scissor-mechanism and the flow equipment including pumps, accumulator, by-pass valves, and controllers necessary to reject heat from those radiators. Heat transfer between SHRM and the parent vehicle is effected by a contact heat exchanger. This device provides heat transfer between two separate flow loops through a mechanical connection. This approach reduces the time required to attach the SHRM to the payload, and increases the reliability of the SHRM flow loop since breaking into the fluid system in the field is not required. The SHRM concept also includes a refrigeration system to increase heat rejection capacity in adverse environments, or to provide for a lower return temperature, down to -23 C.

Fleming, M. L.↗

Meal system for the elderly

Packaged meals require no refrigeration and are nutritionally balanced. Single-serving portions are delivered in multiunit packs and are conveniently prepared in the home.

Primeaux, G. R.↗

Development of a solar-powered residential air conditioner

The initial objective of the program was the optimization (in terms of cost and performance) of a Rankine cycle mechanical refrigeration system which utilizes thermal energy from a flat solar collector for air conditioning residential buildings. However, feasibility investigations of the adsorption process revealed that a dessicant-type air conditioner offers many significant advantages. As a result, limited efforts were expended toward the optimization of such a system.

Source record↗

Advanced space system concepts and their orbital support needs (1980 - 2000). Volume 2: Final report

The results are presented of a study which identifies over 100 new and highly capable space systems for the 1980-2000 time period: civilian systems which could bring benefits to large numbers of average citizens in everyday life, much enhance the kinds and levels of public services, increase the economic motivation for industrial investment in space, expand scientific horizons; and, in the military area, systems which could materially alter current concepts of tactical and strategic engagements. The requirements for space transportation, orbital support, and technology for these systems are derived, and those requirements likely to be shared between NASA and the DoD in the time period identified. The high leverage technologies for the time period are identified as very large microwave antennas and optics, high energy power subsystems, high precision and high power lasers, microelectronic circuit complexes and data processors, mosaic solid state sensing devices, and long-life cryogenic refrigerators.

Bekey, I.↗

Fluid property measurements study

Fluid properties of refrigerant-21 were investigated at temperatures from the freezing point to 423 Kelvin and at pressures to 1.38 x 10 to the 8th power N/sq m (20,000 psia). The fluid properties included were: density, vapor pressure, viscosity, specific heat, thermal conductivity, thermal expansion coefficient, freezing point and bulk modulus. Tables of smooth values are reported.

Devaney, W. E.↗

Chlorofluoromethanes in the stratosphere and some possible consequences for ozone

Inert chlorofluoromethanes are used by man as refrigerants and aerosol propellants. These substances eventually escape and diffuse upward into the stratosphere. At great enough heights, UV sunlight can photodissociate these chlorofluorocarbons into chlorine atoms which will catalytically destroy ozone molecules. Chlorofluoromethane production has been increasing steadily in recent years to its present level of about a megaton per year, and chlorofluorocarbon usage will probably continue to grow in the future. Calculations with a one-dimensional time-dependent atmospheric model suggests that, if projected increases in chlorofluoromethane use materialize and there is no tropospheric destruction mechanism for these gases, the total global abundance of ozone may be reduced by more than 20 per cent over the next 50 years. If the residence times for these fluorocarbons in the troposphere are in the range of 10-30 years, however, predicted ozone depletions would be significantly smaller.

Turco, R. P.↗

Absorption generator for solar-powered air-conditioner

Device passes solar-heated water through coils. Hot lithium Bromide/Water solution leaves through central stand-pipe, and water vapor leaves through refrigerant outlet at top. Matching generation temperature to collector efficiency helps cut costs.

Lowen, D. J.↗

Radioactive-gas separation technique

Cryogenic technique recovers gases inexpensively. Method uses differences in vapor pressures, melting points, and boiling points of components in gaseous mixture. Series of temperature and pressure variations converts gases independently to solid and liquid states, thereby simplifying separation. Apparatus uses readily available cryogen and does not require expensive refrigeration equipment.

Haney, R.↗

Continuous-flow electrophoretic separator for biologicals

In the near absence of gravity, a continuous-flow type of electrophoretic separator can be operated with a much thicker separation chamber than is possible under 1 g conditions. This should permit either better resolution or shorter separation time per unit of sample. An apparatus to perform experiments on sounding rockets is under development and will be described. The electrophoresis cell is 5 mm thick by 5 cm wide with 10 cm long electrodes. It is supplied with buffer, sample, and coolant at about 4 C through the use of a passive refrigerant system. UV sample detection and provision for recovery and cold storage of up to 50 sample fractions are now being added to the basic unit. A wide range of operating conditions are electronically programmable into the unit, even up to a short time before flight, and a further range of some parameters can be achieved by exchanging power supplies and by changing gears in the motor drive units of the pump. The preliminary results of some separation studies on various biological products using a commercially available electrophoretic separator are also presented.

Mccreight, L. R.↗

Low-noise receivers: Microwave maser development

An S-Band traveling-wave maser with a 2260- to 2400-MHz tuning capability has been built and installed on the 26-m antenna. The traveling-wave maser closed cycle refrigerator package was assembled within a limited time schedule and at low cost to meet the requirements of the very long baseline interferometry validation task. The maser uses a superconducting magnet with a field staggering coil for gain/bandwidth adjustment. The maser pump source is a Gunn effect oscillator with the capability of continuous tuning throughout the entire maser tuning range. The package was assembled from surplus components that have been used previously in the Deep Space Network in a variety of applications.

Quinn, R.↗

Tubular sublimatory evaporator heat sink

An evaporative refrigerator or cooler comprising a bundle of spaced, porous walled tubes closed at one of their ends and vented to a vacuum at the other end is disclosed. The tube bundle is surrounded by a water jacket having a hot water inlet distribution manifold and a cooled water outlet through a plenum chamber. Hot water is pumped into the jacket to circulate around the tubes, and when this water meets the vacuum existing inside the tubes, it evaporates thereby cooling the water in the jacket. If cooling proceeds to the point where water penetrating or surrounding all or part of the tubes freezes, operation continues with local sublimation of the ice on the tubes while the circulating water attempts to melt the ice. Both sublimation and evaporation may take place simultaneously in different regions of the device.

Webbon, B. W.↗

Status of Goldstone solar energy system study of the first Goldstone energy project

The results reached by the DSN engineering section and private consultants in the review of the initial plan of the Golstone Energy Project are summarized. The main objectives were in the areas of energy conservation and the application of solar-driven systems for power and hydrogen generation. This summary will provide background data for management planning decisions both to the DSN engineering section and other organizations planning a similar program. The review showed that an add-on solar driven absorption refrigeration unit with its associated changes to the existing system was not cost-effective, having a payback period of 29 years. Similar economically unattractive results were found for both a solar-hydrogen and a wind-hydrogen generation plant. However, cutting the hydrogen generation linkage from this plant improved its economic feasibility.

Lansing, F. L.↗

Joule-Thomson expander and heat exchanger

The Joule-Thomson Expander and Heat Exchanger Program was initiated to develop an assembly (JTX) which consists of an inlet filter, counterflow heat exchanger, Joule-Thomson expansion device, and a low pressure jacket. The program objective was to develop a JTX which, when coupled to an open cycle supercritical helium refrigerating system (storage vessel), would supply superfluid helium (He II) at 2 K or less for cooling infrared detectors.

Norman, R. H.↗

Sulfur poisoning of hydrocarbon oxidation by palladium

Using a differential bed recycle reactor the oxidation of ethane and diethyl ketone by a Pd catalyst was studied at the 0-30 ppm level in air. In both cases first order kinetics were observed. The ethane oxidation rate was characterized n the Arrhenius form by a pre-exponential of 1.0 x 10 to the 8th power cm/sec and an E sub a of 27 kcal/mole. The diethyl ketone oxidation rate was characterized by a pre-exponential of 5.7 x -1000 cm/sec and E sub a of 14 kcal/mole. Poisoning of ethan oxidation was also investigated by hydrogen sulfide and to a smaller extent by the refrigerants Freon 22 and Gentron 142-B. Poisoning by Gentron 142-B was much more severe than by hydrogen sulfide. Kinetic experiments indicated that only the pre-exponential was changing.

Baumgartner, A. J.↗

In-flight medical support system

The In-flight Medical Support System for Skylab was designed to provide the onboard Crew Physician or Scientist Pilot (or other crewmember if the Scientist Pilot was unable to act) with information adequate to make diagnostic assessment of those injuries or illnesses most likely to occur in the Skylab environment. The necessary diagnostic, therapeutic, and laboratory equipment needed to diagnose and to render first aid, resuscitative or supportive measures was stored in the Skylab Orbital Workshop. The resupply kit containing refrigerated laboratory and drug resupply items was stored in the Command Module.

Chassay, C.↗