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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 55 records · Page 3

Food packing optimization

The development of a universal closure lid for the space shuttle food package is reported. The revised lid needs a folded configuration which, when unfolded, fully conforms to the interior surfaces of the food cup. Experimental thermoform molds were fabricated and test lids formed. The lid material not in contact with the food conformed to the cup interior without wrinkles, permitting full nesting of the cups. The final lid design was established and thermoform tooling designed and fabricated. Lids formed on these molds were tested for strength. The heating elements were replaced and repositioned to eliminate any hot spots which may cause warpage.

Source record↗

Integrated propulsion for near-Earth space missions. Volume 2: Technical

The calculation approach is described for parametric analysis of candidate electric propulsion systems employed in LEO to GEO missions. Occultation relations, atmospheric density effects, and natural radiation effects are presented. A solar cell cover glass tradeoff is performed to determine optimum glass thickness. Solar array and spacecraft pointing strategies are described for low altitude flight and for optimum array illumination during ascent. Mass ratio tradeoffs versus transfer time provide direction for thruster technology improvements. Integrated electric propulsion analysis is performed for orbit boosting, inclination change, attitude control, stationkeeping, repositioning, and disposal functions as well as power sharing with payload on orbit. Comparison with chemical auxiliary propulsion is made to quantify the advantages of integrated propulsion in terms of weight savings and concomittant launch cost savings.

Dailey, C. L.↗

Adaptively pointing spaceborne radar for precipitation measurements

An auxiliary concept of adaptive pointing is presented as an aid to space-based measurements of precipitation using microwave radar. It is recommended that the instantaneous field of view (IFOV) be limited to cloudy regions of possible precipitation rather than scanning clear-sky areas of no interest. A microwave imager is proposed for scanning ahead of the satellite in order to identify areas of precipitation, and then an on-board antenna controller can reposition the scanning antenna to obtain reflectivities for use in rainfall-reflectivity relationships. The precursor beam could delineate the storm boundaries and determine points of peak intensity which can then be selectively sampled to find the rainfall rate distribution for the storm. The adaptive-beam system is suggested to be implementable using an IR sensor on-board geosynchronous satellites.

Atlas, D.↗

Shuttle ground turnaround and launch projections

An analysis of factors in the Turnaround Improvement Program intended is presented as a basis for launch rate projections. Noting that a second Shuttle processing facility is in preparation at Kennedy Space Center, details of the initial reprocessing phase, the refurbishing of the SRBs, which are jettisoned about 2 min after lift-off, are described. Until STS-7, Orbiter turnaround begins by configuring the vehicle for flight to KSC on board a 747. The Orbiter Processing Facility at KSC features two identical bays for unloading, inspection, repair, analysis, testing, and preparing for the succeeding flight. The SRBs are repositioned first, then the external tank, and then the Orbiter is fitted back in place. Parallel processing of two Orbiters will begin with STS-5 turnaround, and optimized times are expected to be achieved with the STS-30 flight, with significant test reduction coming with STS-14.

Smith, R. G.↗

Tool Support Ring

Tool support ring requires only single repositioning to give broaching tool access to series of 66 holes located on circle. Permits use of tools designed for hand-held use (such as electric drill) where less portable setup (such as milling machine) otherwise required.

Smith, D. F.↗

Interactive aircraft flight control and aeroelastic stabilization

An analytical model has been used to study the problem of integrated control system/structural dynamic design. This model utilizes the traditional typical section lifting surface with a control surface attached in 2-D unsteady incompressible flow. The studies have as their purpose the examination of the use of the location of the elastic axis of the airfoil as a design variable in the search for an actively controlled configuration that has a specified flutter margin. Items of interest include the determination of flutter speed and divergence speed as functions of a nondimensional parameter, a sub c, that measures the location (in semi-chords) of the elastic axis with respect to the airfoil midchord. All other parameters are fixed. The behavior of velocity root locus curves with changes in a sub c is illustrated. Also shown is an example of the use of sensitivity derivatives to reposition poles of the open loop system. The behavior of the actively controlled or closed loop system is also discussed. A set of examples are presented to indicate how the shear center parameter, a sub c, affects the design of the controlled system.

Weisshaar, T. A.↗

Mars Planimetric Mapping

The 1:5,000,000 scale shaded relief maps of Mars originally compiled from Mariner 9 pictures are being upgraded by adding details visible on Viking Orbiter images. This work is done by modifying the original airbrush drawings; no attempt is made to reposition features according to the latest control nets. Thirteen of these maps have been published to date, two are in compilation, and two are in press. A hard cover atlas containing reduced scale versions of all Mars cartographic products will be published upon completion of the revisions of the 1:5,000,000 scale maps, the 1:2,000,000 scale photomosaics, and Mars color albedo mapping tasks. This atlas will supersede the existing Atlas of Mars prepared by Batson and others.

Batson, R. M.↗

Air-Bearing Table for Machine Shops

Frequent workpiece repositioning made easier. Air-bearing table facilitates movement of heavy workpiece during machining or between repeated operations at different positions. Table assembly consists of workpiece supporting fixture riding on air bearing. Table especially useful for inertia welding, in which ease of mobility is important.

Ambrisco, D.↗

Spectral slicing X-ray telescope with variable magnification

A telescope for viewing high frequency radiation (soft X-ray, extreme ultraviolet) is described. This telescope has a long focal length with a selection of magnifications despite a short housing. Light enters the telescope and is reflected by the telescope's primary optical system to one of several secondary mirrors at different locations on a movable frame. The secondary mirrors have varying degrees of magnification and select narrow spectral slices of the incident radiation. Thus, both the magnification and effective focal length field of view and wavelength can be altered by repositioning the moving frame. Configurations for spaceborne applications are discussed.

Hoover, R. B.↗

Preventing Cracks in Silicon-Reactor Liners

Correct placement helps prevent contamination while eliminating crack-causing deposits. Repositioning quartz liner in silicon fluidized-bed reactor prevents cracking of liner when cools. Liner protects stainless-steel walls of reactor from abrasion by particles in fluidized bed. Prevents contamination of newly formed silicon by material abraded from wall and ensures high-quality product.

Lutwack, R.↗

Making Double-Bevel End Cuts on Tubes

Fixture for power saw saves time, eliminates waste, and ensures precision. Positions tube for 45 degrees end cut, then repositions for cut at 90 degrees to first cut. Roller chain holds tube in place for both cuts.

Cardenas, Joseph R.↗

Tool For Tinning Integrated-Circuit Leads

As many as eight flatpacks held. Tool made of fiberglass boards. Clamps row of flatpacks by their leads so leads on opposite side of packages dipped. After dipping, nuts on boards loosened, flatpacks turned around, nuts retightened, and untinned leads dipped. Strips of magnetic material grip leads of flatpacks (made of Kovar, magnetic iron/nickel/cobalt alloy) while boards repositioned. Micrometerlike screw used to adjust exposed width of magnetic strip to suit dimensions of flatpacks. Holds flatpack integrated circuits so leads tinned. Accommodates several flatpacks for simultaneous dipping of leads in molten solder. Adjusts to accept flatpacks in range of sizes.

Prosser, Gregory N.↗

Research investigation of helicopter main rotor/tail rotor interaction noise

Acoustic measurements were obtained in a Langley 14 x 22 foot Subsonic Wind Tunnel to study the aeroacoustic interaction of 1/5th scale main rotor, tail rotor, and fuselage models. An extensive aeroacoustic data base was acquired for main rotor, tail rotor, fuselage aerodynamic interaction for moderate forward speed flight conditions. The details of the rotor models, experimental design and procedure, aerodynamic and acoustic data acquisition and reduction are presented. The model was initially operated in trim for selected fuselage angle of attack, main rotor tip-path-plane angle, and main rotor thrust combinations. The effects of repositioning the tail rotor in the main rotor wake and the corresponding tail rotor countertorque requirements were determined. Each rotor was subsequently tested in isolation at the thrust and angle of attack combinations for trim. The acoustic data indicated that the noise was primarily dominated by the main rotor, especially for moderate speed main rotor blade-vortex interaction conditions. The tail rotor noise increased when the main rotor was removed indicating that tail rotor inflow was improved with the main rotor present.

Fitzgerald, J.↗

Advanced satellite servicing facility studies

A NASA-sponsored systems analysis designed to identify and recommend advanced subsystems and technologies specifically for a manned Sun-synchronous platform for satellite management is discussed. An overview of system design, manned and unmanned servicing facilities, and representative mission scenarios are given. Mission areas discussed include facility based satellite assembly, checkout, deployment, refueling, repair, and systems upgrade. The ferrying of materials and consumables to and from manufacturing platforms, deorbit, removal, repositioning, or salvage of satellites and debris, and crew rescue of any other manned vehicles are also examined. Impacted subsytems discussed include guidance navigation and control, propulsion, data management, power, thermal control, structures, life support, and radiation management. In addition, technology issues which would have significant impacts on the system design are discussed.

Qualls, Garry D.↗

Cleanly Burning Squib

Ignition wire repositioned to suppress unburned particles. In new configuration, ignition coil located near top of combustion chamber. As charge burns, unburned portion held at bottom of chamber. Little or no unburned charge ejected. Nearly uniform pressure generated, and only gases ejected from combustion chamber.

Bickler, Donald B.↗

Don/doff support stand for use with rear entry space suits

A don/doff support stand for use with rear entry space suits is disclosed. The support stand is designed for use in one-g environments; however, certain features of the stand can be used on future spacecraft, lunar, or planetary bases. The present invention has a retainer which receives a protrucing lug fixed on the torso section of the space suit. When the lug is locked in the retainer, the space suit is held in a generally upright position. In a one-g environment a portable ladder is positioned adjacent to the rear entry of the space suit supported by the stand. The astronaut climbs up the ladder and grasps a hand bar assembly positioned above the rear entry. The astronaut then slips his legs through the open rear entry and down into the abdominal portion of the suite. The astronaut then lowers himself fully into the suit. The portable ladder is then removed and the astronaut can close the rear entry door. The lug is then disengaged from the retainer and the astronaut is free to engage in training exercises in the suit. When suit use is over, the astronaut returns to the stand and inserts the lug into the retainer. A technician repositions the ladder. The astronaut opens the rear entry door, grasps the hand bar assembly and does a chin-up to extricate himself from the suit. The astronaut climbs down the movable ladder while the suit is supported by the stand.

Kosmo, Joseph J.↗

Controlled sample orientation and rotation in an acoustic levitator

A system is described for use with acoustic levitators, which can prevent rotation of a levitated object or control its orientation and/or rotation. The acoustic field is made nonsymmetrical about the axis of the levitator, to produce an orienting torque that resists sample rotation. In one system, a perturbating reflector is located on one side of the axis of the levitator, at a location near the levitated object. In another system, the main reflector surface towards which incoming acoustic waves are directed is nonsymmetrically curved about the axis of the levitator. The levitated object can be reoriented or rotated in a controlled manner by repositioning the reflector producing the nonsymmetry.

Martin B Barmatz↗

Flowfield measurements in the NASA Lewis Research Center 9- by 15-foot low-speed wind tunnel

An experimental investigation was conducted in the NASA Lewis 9- by 15-Foot Low-Speed Wind Tunnel to determine the flow characteristics in the test section during wind tunnel operation. In the investigation, a 20-probe horizontally-mounted Pitot-static flow survey rake was used to obtain cross-sectional total and static pressure surveys at four axial locations in the test section. At each axial location, the cross-sectional flowfield surveys were made by repositioning the Pitot-static flow survey rake vertically. In addition, a calibration of the new wind tunnel rake instrumentation, used to determine the wind tunnel operating conditions, was performed. Boundary laser surveys were made at three axial locations in the test section. The investigation was conducted at tunnel Mach numbers 0.20, 0.15, 0.10, and 0.05. The test section profile results from the investigation indicate that fairly uniform total pressure profiles (outside the test section boundary layer) and fairly uniform static pressure and Mach number profiles (away from the test section walls and downstream of the test section entrance) exist throughout in the wind tunnel test section.

Hughes, Christopher E.↗