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At least 55 records · Page 3

All sources NASA NTRS DOE OSTI

DOE OSTI2022

Experimental investigation of beam-ion losses induced by magnetic perturbations using the light ion beam probe technique in the ASDEX Upgrade tokamak

The impact of externally applied magnetic perturbations (MPs) on fast-ion losses has been investigated by means of the light ion beam probe (LIBP) technique in the ASDEX Upgrade tokamak. The LIBP technique allows to experimentally infer the fast-ion orbit displacement induced by MPs via first-orbit losses using scintillator based fast-ion loss detector (FILD) measurements. The fast-ion orbit displacement against different applied MP spectra has been studied. These shots were conducted in ELM mitigated H-mode plasmas. A rigid rotation of the MP coils was applied with a frequency of 1 Hz, with an n = 2 configuration and changing the differential phase between the upper and lower set of coils (ΔΦ ul ) on a shot-to-shot basis. Beam sources Q7 (tangential) and Q8 (radial) were used to probe different fast-ion orbits with FILD1. The measured fast-ion orbit displacement ranges from 3 to 20 mm approximately, and no qualitative difference is observed between ions from beam sources Q7 and Q8. The minimum is found for a ΔΦ ul ~ 50°, which is shifted with respect to the minimum of the plasma boundary displacement, found at ΔΦ ul ~ 0°. A first attempt to validate the orbit following code ASCOT—including the plasma response calculated with the MARS-F code—against these experimental measurements is performed. Finally, while the dependence of the first-orbit fast-ion displacement with ΔΦ ul does not match the experimental measurements, these simulations do capture other features such as the order of magnitude of the orbit displacement and the importance of the toroidal spectrum of the applied perturbation.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

NASA NTRS1990

Heat tube device

The present invention discloses a heat tube device through which a working fluid can be circulated to transfer heat to air in a conventional air conditioning system. The heat tube device is disposable about a conventional cooling coil of the air conditioning system and includes a plurality of substantially U-shaped tubes connected to a support structure. The support structure includes members for allowing the heat tube device to be readily positioned about the cooling coil. An actuatable adjustment device is connected to the U-shaped tubes for allowing, upon actuation thereof, for the heat tubes to be simultaneously rotated relative to the cooling coil for allowing the heat transfer from the heat tube device to air in the air conditioning system to be selectively varied.

Khattar, Mukesh K.↗

NASA NTRS1983

A Feasibility Study of Electromagnetic De-Spin System for Earth Orbiting Satellites

This investigation is a feasibility study of electromagnetic satellite de-spin systems based on induced eddy-currents in the satellite by an external dc magnetic field. Two concepts have been investigated: (1) one based on a large diameter coil positioned around the satellite such that the axis of the satellite rotation is in the plane of the coil; and (2) a magnet, either permanent or electromagnet, positioned close to the satellite by the orbiter RMS. A comparison is made of the two concepts by varying the appropriate parameters with a view to reduce the de-spin time to a reasonable value. Design parameters for the magnets and the coil are indicated.

Prasad K Kadaba↗

NASA NTRS1980

On the swelling of rolled up vortex surfaces and the breakdown of the vortex core for slender wings

Simplified models of the vortex distribution over cylindrical surfaces are developed. The effect of a change of vortex strength was analyzed quantitatively by menas of potential theory. The considerable bulging of the cylindrical vortex sheet as a consequence of the change of the vortex strength is discussed. The coiling-up of the vortices rotation in opposite directions over the cylindrical surface renders the condition for instability and the subsequent large spreading of the vortex core. These processes occur without a positive pressure gradient being necessary in the field of flow surrounding the coiled up vortex sheet.

Das, A.↗

DOE OSTI2021

Belt structures for rotary electrical contact device

Technologies pertaining to a rotary electrical contact device are described herein. A rotary electrical contact device comprises a first sheave that is disposed about a first axis and a second sheave that rotates about the first axis or a second axis that is parallel to the first axis. The device further includes two planetary sheaves that revolve around the first and second sheaves, and a belt that makes contact with each of the sheaves, the belt comprising a co-wound inner helical coil and outer helical coil. As the first sheave rotates, the planetary sheaves revolve about the first and second sheaves and cause the belt to deform and roll along the second sheave. The belt makes rolling contact with the four sheaves. The belt is electrically conductive such that as the belt rolls along the sheaves, the belt maintains electrical contact between the first sheave and the second sheave.

Staats, Jr., Wayne Lawrence↗

DOE OSTI2024

Active control of Alfvén eigenmodes by external magnetic perturbations with different spatial spectra

Alfvén eigenmodes have been suppressed and excited in tokamak plasmas by (just) modifying the poloidal spectra of externally applied static magnetic perturbations. This effect is observed experimentally when toroidal spectra of n = 2, n = 4 as well as a mixed spectrum of n = 2 and n = 4 is applied. Under the n = 2 magnetic perturbations, the modes are excited or suppressed by modifying the coil phasing between the upper and the lower set of coils. Regardless of the absolute rotation, an even parity for the n = 4 perturbation is observed to reduce the amplitude of the Alfvénic instabilities, while an odd parity amplifies it. To combine the stabilizing (and destabilizing) effect of n = 2 and n = 4, a mixed spectrum is applied, finding similar reduction (and amplification) trends. However, the impact on the mode amplitude is more subtle, due to the reduced coil current required for a mixed spectrum. The signal level on the fast-ion loss detector is sensitive to the applied poloidal spectrum, which is consistent with Hamiltonian full-orbit modelling of an edge resonant transport layer activated by the 3D perturbative fields. An internal redistribution of the fast-ion population is induced, modifying the phase-space gradients driving the Alfvénic instabilities, and ultimately determining their existence. The calculated edge resonant layers for both n = 2 and n = 4 toroidal spectra are consistent with the observed suppressed and excited phases. Moreover, hybrid kinetic-magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations reveal that this edge resonant transport layer overlaps in phase-space with the population responsible for the fast-ion drive. The results presented here may help to control fast-ion driven Alfvénic instabilities in future burning plasmas with a significant fusion born alpha particle population.

Alfvén waves↗

NASA NTRS1987

Rotary stepping device with memory metal actuator

A rotary stepping device includes a rotatable shaft which is driven by means of a coiled spring clutch which is alternately tightened to grip and rotate the shaft and released to return it to a resting position. An actuator formed of a memory metal is used to pull the spring clutch to tighten it and rotate the shaft. The actuator is activated by heating it above its critical temperature and is returned to an elongated configuration by means of the force of the spring cloth.

Jamieson, Robert S.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Method and apparatus for deflection measurements using eddy current effects

A method and apparatus for inserting and moving a sensing assembly with a mechanical positioning assembly to a desired remote location of a surface of a specimen under test and measuring angle and/or deflection by sensing the change in the impedance of at least one sensor coil located in a base plate which has a rotatable conductive plate pivotally mounted thereon so as to uncover the sensor coil(s) whose impedance changes as a function of deflection away from the center line of the base plate in response to the movement of the rotator plate when contacting the surface of the specimen under test is presented. The apparatus includes the combination of a system controller, a sensing assembly, an eddy current impedance measuring apparatus, and a mechanical positioning assembly driven by the impedance measuring apparatus to position the sensing assembly at a desired location of the specimen.

Chern, Engmin J.↗

DOE OSTI2025

Including the vacuum energy in stellarator coil design

Being three-dimensional, stellarators have the advantage that plasma currents are not essential for creating rotational-transform; however, the external current-carrying coils in stellarators can have strong geometrical shaping, which can complicate the construction. Reducing the inter-coil electromagnetic forces acting on strongly shaped 3D coils and the stress on the support structure while preserving the favorable properties of the magnetic field is a design challenge. In this work, we recognize that the inter-coil forces are the gradient of the vacuum magnetic energy. We introduce an objective functional built on the usual quadratic flux on a prescribed target surface together with a weighed penalty on the vacuum energy. The Euler–Lagrange equation for stationary states is derived, and numerical illustrations are computed using a modern stellarator optimization framework. A study of the effect of the energy functional on the inter-coil forces is conducted and the energy is shown to be a promising quantity in producing coils with low forces.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

DOE OSTI2024

Electron transport barrier and high confinement in configurations with internal islands close to the plasma edge of W7-X

The low magnetic shear in the Wendelstein 7-X (W7-X) stellarator makes it feasible to shape the separatrix by the large islands constituting an island-divertor, and this can be exploited to access various magnetic configurations, including samples of different internal island sizes and locations. To investigate the configuration effects on the plasma confinement, a configuration scan was performed by changing the coil currents to vary the rotational transform between values 5/4 and 5/6 at the plasma boundary with different power levels (2, 4, 6 MW) of electron cyclotron resonance heating (ECRH) at a maximum plasma density of 8 × 10 19 m -2 . neutral beam injection (NBI) heating was also applied during some configurations of the scan to create a density ramp and access high densities beyond the X2 ECRH cutoff. For the magnetic configurations, where the 5/5 and 5/6 island chains were moved closer to separatrix but remaining inside the last closed flux surface, the electron cyclotron emission shows that an electron temperature, T e , pedestal develops already during ECRH heated plasma buildup phase indicating a transport barrier, and the barrier sustains irrespective of changed plasma heating conditions such as NBI in the later part of discharge. The transport barrier is broken by subsequent fast crashes, observed with multiple plasma diagnostics with characteristics such as tokamak edge localized modes, and the corresponding crash amplitude and frequency vary with plasma pressure. The impact of the transport barrier on plasma confinement can be seen through the increased core T e profile, which could be responsible for the overall increase in the stored diamagnetic energy by approximately 10% for these configurations. After the plasma heating is terminated, a backwards transition to a degraded confinement state is also observed. These observations indicate a configuration triggered high confinement mode in low shear W7-X. This work focuses on the occurrence of this transport barrier for different magnetic configurations and its relation to internal magnetic islands.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

NASA NTRS1989

Cryogenic Shutter Mechanism

Electromagnetic shutter mechanism operates at ambient and cryogenic temperatures to shield optical element, such as mirror, filter, polarizer, beam splitter, or detector, from external light and radiation in cryogenic Dewar equipped with window for optical evaluation. Shutter mechanism in Dewar container alternately shields and exposes optical element as paddle rotates between mechanical stops. Mounted on cold plate of liquid-helium reservoir. Paddle, shaft, and magnet constitutes assembly rotated by electromagnetic field on coil.

Barney, Richard D.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Eddy-Current Measurement Of Turning Or Curvature

Rotatable conductive plate covers sensing coil to varying degree. Curvature of pipe at remote or otherwise inaccessible location inside pipe measured using relatively simple angular-displacement eddy-current probe. Crawler and sensor assemblies move along inside of pipe on wheels. Conductive plate pivots to follow curvature of pipe, partly covering one of eddy-current coils to degree depending on local curvature on pipe.

Chern, Engmin J.↗

DOE OSTI2026

Test of Harmonic Coil Accuracy Using a Multi Vertex Probe

Magnets are integral components of particle accelerators, with different multipoles used to perform various beam conditioning functions, like steering and focusing. Testing accelerator magnets to ensure compliance with specification is a crucial step of fabrication. One of the most popular techniques for verifying magnetic field strength and integrity is the harmonic coil probe. Harmonic coil probes are comprised of passive loops that are rotated around the aperture of a magnet and are used to measure magnetic flux. Oftentimes the measurements of the harmonic coil probe are affected by transverse vibrations along the axis of rotation and torsional vibrations of the position closure sensor, both causing spurious harmonics. To make matters challenging, it is difficult to distinguish between the real harmonics of the magnet and the spurious harmonics during analysis. This research explores the use of a novel configuration of harmonic coil probe, Multi-Vertex Probe (MVP), to address multiple factors that affect the accuracy and repeatability of harmonic coil probe measurement. Most of the results are based on simulation data, in which artificial torsional distortions are introduced and removed with the proposed processing method. In addition to implementing torsional vibration removal in simulation, laboratory analysis regarding the source of vibrations was performed using a pre-fabricated MVP. More specifically, various mechanical conditions were used to explore the standard deviation of main harmonic’s flux amplitude. The conditions included: coupling type (rigid or soft), rotation speed, probe starting position within magnetic field, and cabling location inside the magnetic field. Along with this, the MVP’s measured noise floor in and outside a magnetic field was quantified.

Lofquist, Claire [Northern Illinois U.]↗

DOE OSTI2024

Modeling of frequency-sweeping Alfvén modes in the TJ-II stellarator

Alfvénic activity has been observed in the TJ-II stellarator which resembles the frequency sweeping demonstrated by Alfvén cascade modes in tokamaks. A numerical validation study was conducted using a reduced magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) model to show that such modes could only have been observed in discharges where the rotational transform profile was non-monotonic. During experiments, coil current was varied which resulted in shifting of the minimum value of the rotational transform profile. To mimic this effect, we study the Alfvénic activity predicted by the reduced MHD model for a set of input rotational transform profiles with varying minima. A mode is found whose toroidal and poloidal mode numbers match those predicted in experiments which sweeps downward/upward in frequency as the minimum value of the rotational transform profile is increased/decreased. The results serve as a demonstration of the validity and utility of MHD spectroscopy.

Alfvén cascades↗

NASA NTRS1990

Thermophysical property measurements in electromagnetic levitators

Proper measurements of thermophysical properties of hot levitated liquid drops require the following: accurate temperature measurement (brightness measurement, emissivity measurement); precise drop shape measurements with submillisecond time resolution (density determination, rotational and vibrational shape information); precise control of drop shape (high symmetry variable gap levitators); accurate energy transfer measurements (direct measurements of energy transfer rates for defined gas flows over samples with quantitative measurements of energy transfer rates for defined flows over samples with known shapes); and precise measurements of repetitive sample motions (rapid repetitive shape measurements, frequency measurements with reflected laser light, measurements in the levitator and as a freely falling drop). Recent advances in coil design and control of sample rotation in an electromagnetic levitator are discussed with respect to the above requirements.

Hauge, Robert H.↗

NASA NTRS1998

Three-axis force actuator for a magnetic bearing

This invention features a three-axis force actuator that axially, radially and rotatably supports a bearing member for frictionless rotation about an axis of rotation generally coincident with a Z-axis. Also featured is a magnetic bearing having such an actuator. The actuator includes an inner member, a magnetic member and a pole assembly having a ring member and four pole extending therefrom. The poles are equi-angular spaced from each other and radially spaced about the Z-axis. The inner member extends along the Z-axis and is a highly magnetic permeable material. The magnetic member is formed about the inner member outer surface, extends along the Z-axis and is configured so one magnetic pole polarity is located at its outer surface and the other polarity pole is located at its inner surface. Preferably, the magnetic member is a radially magnetized permanent magnet. The inner surface of the ring member is magnetically coupled to the magnetic member and a face of each pole is coupled to the bearing member. The magnetic member, the pole assembly, the inner member and the bearing member cooperate to generate a magnetic field that radially and rotatably supports a rotating member secured to the bearing member. The actuator further includes a plurality of electromagnetic coils. Preferably, a coil is formed about each pole and at least 2 coils are formed about the inner member. When energized, the electromagnetic coils generate a modulated magnetic field that stabilizes the rotating member in the desired operational position.

Gondhalekar, Vijay↗

DOE OSTI2022

Direct computation of magnetic surfaces in Boozer coordinates and coil optimization for quasisymmetry

We propose a new method to compute magnetic surfaces that are parametrized in Boozer coordinates for vacuum magnetic fields. We also propose a measure for quasisymmetry on the computed surfaces and use it to design coils that generate a magnetic field that is quasisymmetric on those surfaces. The rotational transform of the field and complexity measures for the coils are also controlled in the design problem. Using an adjoint approach, we are able to obtain analytic derivatives for this optimization problem, yielding an efficient gradient-based algorithm. Starting from an initial coil set that presents nested magnetic surfaces for a large fraction of the volume, our method converges rapidly to coil systems generating fields with excellent quasisymmetry and low particle losses. In particular for low complexity coils, we are able to significantly improve the performance compared with coils obtained from the standard two-stage approach, e.g. reduce losses of fusion-produced alpha particles born at half-radius from $17.7\,\%$ to $6.6\,\%$ . We also demonstrate 16-coil configurations with alpha loss ${<}1\,\%$ and neoclassical transport magnitude $\epsilon _{\text {eff}}^{3/2}$ less than approximately $5\times 10^{-9}$ .

Physics↗

NASA NTRS2012

Solid State Welding Development at Marshall Space Flight Center

What is TSW and USW? TSW is a solid state weld process consisting of an induction coil heating source, a stir rod, and non-rotating containment plates Independent heating, stirring and forging controls Decouples the heating, stirring and forging process elements of FSW. USW is a solid state weld process consisting of an induction coil heating source, a stir rod, and a non-rotating containment plate; Ultrasonic energy integrated into non-rotating containment plate and stir rod; Independent heating, stirring and forging controls; Decouples the heating, stirring and forging process elements of FSW.

Ding, Robert J.↗