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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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NASA NTRS1982

Automatic Control of Silicon Melt Level

A new circuit, when combined with melt-replenishment system and melt level sensor, offers continuous closed-loop automatic control of melt-level during web growth. Installed on silicon-web furnace, circuit controls melt-level to within 0.1 mm for as long as 8 hours. Circuit affords greater area growth rate and higher web quality, automatic melt-level control also allows semiautomatic growth of web over long periods which can greatly reduce costs.

Duncan, C. S.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Spacelab flight simulated by two monkeys at CERMA

A semiautomatic module for two monkeys was designed. The module shelters two Rhesus monkeys seated side by side in a compartment, reducing the emotional stresses caused by isolation. Food pellets, water, and air are supplied and body wastes are automatically removed. Physiological and environmental parameters are continually monitored, making possible the performance of experiments concerning the pathophysiological mechanisms of the disorders of weightlessness. A ten day flight of the module in Spacelab was simulated.

Langereux, P.↗

NASA NTRS1981

An integrated exhaust gas analysis system with self-contained data processing and automatic calibration

An integrated gas analysis system designed to operate in automatic, semiautomatic, and manual modes from a remote control panel is described. The system measures the carbon monoxide, oxygen, water vapor, total hydrocarbons, carbon dioxide, and oxides of nitrogen. A pull through design provides increased reliability and eliminates the need for manual flow rate adjustment and pressure correction. The system contains two microprocessors to range the analyzers, calibrate the system, process the raw data to units of concentration, and provides information to the facility research computer and to the operator through terminal and the control panels. After initial setup, the system operates for several hours without significant operator attention.

Anderson, R. C.↗

NASA NTRS1980

A large-aperture space telescope for infrared and submillimeter astronomy

The Large Aperture Telescope (LAT), which will have a diameter of 10-30 m and will operate in the 2-1000 micron wavelength range, is described. It is noted that the LAT could be carried into orbit with a single launch of the Space Transportation System and semiautomatically deployed as a free flyer with a nominal 10-yr mission duration. Servicing and instrument changes would be made at 2-yr intervals. It is pointed out that the LAT would have to be placed above the earth's atmosphere to avoid both the absorption that occurs through much of the infrared and submillimeter and the turbulence which limits spatial resolution. Important technical considerations for the LAT are discussed; they include the telescope optical form, the primary mirror material, figure control techniques, the deployment techniques, and thermal control. The science objectives and rationale for the LAT are discussed and various hardware techniques and concepts for its implementation are described.

Murphy, J. P.↗

NASA NTRS1978

SEC sensor parametric test and evaluation system

This system provides the necessary automated hardware required to carry out, in conjunction with the existing 70 mm SEC television camera, the sensor evaluation tests which are described in detail. The Parametric Test Set (PTS) was completed and is used in a semiautomatic data acquisition and control mode to test the development of the 70 mm SEC sensor, WX 32193. Data analysis of raw data is performed on the Princeton IBM 360-91 computer.

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NASA NTRS1981

Develop and test fuel cell powered on-site integrated total energy system. Phase 3: Full-scale power plant development

An integrated 5 kW power system based upon methanol fuel and a phosphoric acid fuel cell operating at about 473 K is described. Description includes test results of advanced fuel cell catalysts, a semiautomatic acid replenishment system and a completed 5 kW methanol/system reformer. The results of a preliminary system test on a reformer/stack/inverter combination are reported. An initial design for a 25 kW stack is presented. Experimental plans are outlined for data acquisition necessary for design of a 50 kW methanol/steam reformer. Activities related to complete mathematical modelling of the integrated power system, including wasteheat utilization, are described.

Kaufman, A.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Develop and test fuel cell powered on-site integrated total energy systems. Phase 3: Full-scale power plant development

A schematic and physical layout is given for the 5kW integrated system and the development status of individual components is described. The results of using a one dimensional mathematical model of the 5kW reformer are presented. Plans for a single-tube reformer test unit for the acquisition of temperature profile data are described. Tentative specifications for a 50kW dc-to-ac inverter are listed. Performance data are given on two 3-cell stacks incorporating semiautomatic acid replenishment systems and improved electrocatalysts. A qualification test on methanol/steam reforming catalyst T2107RS is reported, including a portion in which the catalyst was deliberately poisoned with 800 ppm ethanol in the feed.

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NASA NTRS1980

The operational use of Landsat for lake quality assessment

A cooperative program between the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the University of Wisconsin for the assessment, with Landsat data, of the trophic status of all the significant inland lakes in Wisconsin is described. The analysis technique is a semiautomatic data acquisition and handling system which, in conjunction with an analytical categorization scheme, can be used for classifying inland lakes into one of seven categories of eutrophication and one of four problem types.

Scarpace, F. L.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Fabrication of advanced composites

Fabrication techniques for manufacturing advanced composite structures with continuous and short filaments in desired orientations and consolidation within the plies of the structure are described and analyzed. Attention is given to vacuum bag molding, autoclave molding, matched die consolidation of B/Al, B/epoxy, and graphite/epoxy composites, matched die molding of chopped fiber prepregs, thermal expansion molding, braiding, filament winding, sandwich fabrication, and pultrusions. Step-by-step preparation of resin-matrix composites is detailed, including automatic and semiautomatic lay-ups, and problems of quality control are discussed. The review is intended as an engineering aid for choices between competitive designs, and comprises factors other than technical features alone, such as cost effectiveness, ease of inspection, and economics of maintenance.

Meade, L. E. R.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Starting Silicon-Ribbon Growth Automatically

Semiautomatic system starts growth of silicon sheets more reliably than system with purely manual control. Control signals for starting sheetcrystal growth consist of ramps (during which signal changes linearly from one value to another over preset time interval) and soaks (during which signal remains constant). Ramps and soaks for best temperature and pulling speed determined by experimentation.

Mchugh, J. P.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Silicon-Web-Growing Machine

Silicon replenished automatically as web is withdrawn. Semiautomatic silicon-web-growing machine set down in detailed engineering drawings. Melt level sensed with He/Ne laser beam and melt-level error signal used to control motor-driven pellet feeder, speeding up when level is low. System reduces demand upon operator's time.

Duncan, C.↗

NASA NTRS1983

A conceptual study of automatic and semi-automatic quality assurance techniques for round image processing

This report summarizes the results of a study conducted by Engineering and Economics Research (EER), Inc. under NASA Contract Number NAS5-27513. The study involved the development of preliminary concepts for automatic and semiautomatic quality assurance (QA) techniques for ground image processing. A distinction is made between quality assessment and the more comprehensive quality assurance which includes decision making and system feedback control in response to quality assessment.

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NASA NTRS1983

Moving finite elements in 2-D

The mathematical background regarding the moving finite element (MFE) method of Miller and Miller (1981) is discussed, taking into account a general system of partial differential equations (PDE) and the amenability of the MFE method in two dimensions to code modularization and to semiautomatic user-construction of numerous PDE systems for both Dirichlet and zero-Neumann boundary conditions. A description of test problem results is presented, giving attention to aspects of single square wave propagation, and a solution of the heat equation.

Gelinas, R. J.↗

NASA NTRS1985

High-Temperature Hall-Effect Apparatus

Compact furnace minimizes thermal gradients and electrical noise. Semiautomatic Hall-effect apparatus takes measurements on refractory semiconductors at temperatures as high as 1,100 degrees C. Intended especially for use with samples of high conductivity and low chargecarrier mobility that exhibit low signal-to-noise ratios, apparatus carefully constructed to avoid spurious electromagnetic and thermoelectric effects that further degrade measurements.

Wood, C.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Pulling-Speed Control for Silicon-Web Growth

Proposed control system for dendritic-web growth of silicon ribbons varies ribbon speed according to melt temperature. System prevents too fast or too slow withdrawal of silicon web, which cause pullout of web or excessive web thickness, respectively. System also enables semiautomatic startup of web growth by automatically increasing web speed from zero to optimum value.

Richter, R.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Measurement of High Temperature Thermophysical Properties

Technique development and the application of electromagnetic levitation to thermophysical property measurement, including determining heats of fusion, heat capacities, and enthalpy increment functions for extremely refractory materials are discussed. Tungsten properties and the development of an apparatus employing electromagnetic levitation and electron beam heating capable of melting levitating tungsten high temperature heat content measurements by drop calorimetry are emphasized. The development of a prototype microcomputer data acquisition system suitable for controlling the ground based system, with consequent improvement in system handling, which can serve as a model for the system needed for flight experiments is described, which include the development of techniques for imaging pyrometry at temperatures above 3500 K, a semiautomatic calorimeter system capable of handling liquid tungsten, and development of a two color imaging pyrometer system.

Bonnell, D. W.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Molded Concrete Center Mine Wall

Proposed semiautomatic system forms concrete-foam wall along middle of coal-mine passage. Wall helps support roof and divides passage into two conduits needed for ventilation of coal face. Mobile mold and concrete-foam generator form sections of wall in place.

Lewis, E. V.↗

NASA NTRS1986

CCD scanning for asteroids and comets

A change coupled device (CCD) is used in a scanning mode to find new asteroids and recover known asteroids and comet nuclei. Current scientific programs include recovery of asteroids and comet nuclei requested by the Minor Planet Center (MPC), discovery of new asteroids in the main belt and of unusual orbital types, and follow-up astrometry of selected new asteroids discovered. The routine six sigma limiting visual magnitude is 19.6 and slightly more than a square degree is scanned three times every 90 minutes of observing time during the fortnight centered on New Moon. Semiautomatic software for detection of moving objects is in routine use; angular speeds as low as 11.0 arcseconds per hour were distinguished from the effects of the Earth's atmosphere on the field of view. A typical set of three 29-minute scans near the opposition point along the ecliptic typically nets at least 5 new main-belt asteroids down to magnitude 19.6. In 18 observing runs (months) 43 asteroids were recovered, astrometric and photometric data on 59 new asteroids were reported, 10 new asteroids with orbital elements were consolidated, and photometry and positions of 22 comets were reported.

Gehrels, T.↗