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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
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2021

Large Vessel Activity and Low-Frequency Underwater Sound Benchmarks in United States Waters

Chronic low-frequency noise from commercial shipping is a worldwide threat to marine animals that rely on sound for essential life functions. Although the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recognizes the potential negative impacts of shipping noise in marine environments, there are currently no standard metrics to monitor and quantify shipping noise in U.S. marine waters. However, one-third octave band acoustic measurements centered at 63 and 125 Hz are used as international (European Union Marine Strategy Framework Directive) indicators for underwater ambient noise levels driven by shipping activity. We apply these metrics to passive acoustic monitoring data collected over 20 months in 2016–2017 at five dispersed sites throughout the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone: Alaskan Arctic, Hawaii, Gulf of Mexico, Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument (Northwest Atlantic), and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary (Northeast Pacific). To verify the relationship between shipping activity and underwater sound levels, vessel movement data from the Automatic Identification System (AIS) were paired to each passive acoustic monitoring site. Daily average sound levels were consistently near to or higher than 100 dB re 1 μPa in both the 63 and 125 Hz one-third octave bands at sites with high levels of shipping traffic (Gulf of Mexico, Northeast Canyons and Seamounts, and Cordell Bank). Where cargo vessels were less common (the Arctic and Hawaii), daily average sound levels were comparatively lower. Specifically, sound levels were ~20 dB lower year-round in Hawaii and ~10-20 dB lower in the Alaskan Arctic, depending on the season. Although these band-level measurements can only generally facilitate differentiation of sound sources, these results demonstrate that international acoustic indicators of commercial shipping can be applied to data collected in U.S. waters as a unified metric to approximate the influence of shipping as a driver of ambient noise levels, provide critical information to managers and policy makers about the status of marine environments, and to identify places and times for more detailed investigation regarding environmental impacts.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS1974

Locating underwater objects

Underwater search operations are considered to be engineering and operational problems. A process for proper definition of the problem and selection of instrumentation and operational procedures is described. An outline of underwater search instrumentation and techniques is given.

Grice, C. F.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Model task for the dynamics of an underwater two-legged walker

A model task of two-legged underwater walking was examined. Characteristics of the walking were established. The underwater walking device is a substantial sphere, which moves on dual-member legs. The dynamics of the device were investigated with the calculation of the buoyancy of Archimedes, and the force of hydrodynamic resistance.

Beletskiy, V. V.↗
NASA NTRS1984

On the detection of underwater bottom topography by imaging radars

A theoretical model which explains basic properties of radar imaging of underwater bottom topography in tidal channels is presented. The surface roughness modulation is described by weak hydrodynamic interaction theory in the relaxation time approximation. In contrast to previous theories on short wave modulation by long ocean waves, a different approximation is used to describe short wave modulation by tidal flow over underwater bottom topography. The modulation depth is proportional to the relaxation time of the Bragg waves. The large modulation of radar reflectivity observed in SEASAT-SAR imagery of sand banks in the Southern Bight of the North Sea are explained by assuming that the relaxation time of 34 cm Bragg waves is of the order of 30-40 seconds.

Alpers, W.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Underwater measurements of muon intensity

Experimental measurements of cosmic ray muon intensity deep underwater aimed at determining a muon absorption curve are of considerable interest, as they allow to reproduce independently the muon energy spectrum at sea level. The comparison of the muon absorption curve in sea water with that in rock makes it possible to determine muon energy losses caused by nuclear interactions. The data available on muon absorption in water and that in rock are not equivalent. Underground measurements are numerous and have been carried out down to the depth of approx. 15km w.e., whereas underwater muon intensity have been measured twice and only down to approx. 3km deep.

V.M. Fedorov↗
NASA NTRS1988

Performance of multimirror quartzline lamps in a high-pressure, underwater environment

Multimirror Quartzline Lamps are extremely versatile and effective for nonconventional imaging requirements such as high-speed photo and video instrumentation and high-magnification imaging. The lamps' versatility though, is not limited to conventional environments. Many research experiments and projects require a high pressure environment. Continuous photographic data acquisition in a high-pressure vessel requires wall penetrations and creates design problems as well as potential failure sites. Underwater photography adds the extra consideration of a liquid. This report expands upon the basic research presented in, Performance of Multimirror Quartzline Lamps in High-Pressure Environments, (NASA-TM-83793, Ernie Walker and Howard Slater, 1984). The report provides information to professional industrial, scientific, and technical photographers as well as research personnel on the survivability of lighting a multimirror quartzline lamp in a nonconventional high-pressure underwater environment. Test results of lighted ELH 300 W multimirror quartzline lamps under high-pressure conditions are documented and general information on the lamps' intensity (footcandle output), cone of light coverage, approximate color temperature is provided. Continuous lighting considerations in liquids are also discussed.

Slater, Howard A.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Evaluation of lens distortion errors using an underwater camera system for video-based motion analysis

Video-based motion analysis systems are widely employed to study human movement, using computers to capture, store, process, and analyze video data. This data can be collected in any environment where cameras can be located. One of the NASA facilities where human performance research is conducted is the Weightless Environment Training Facility (WETF), a pool of water which simulates zero-gravity with neutral buoyance. Underwater video collection in the WETF poses some unique problems. This project evaluates the error caused by the lens distortion of the WETF cameras. A grid of points of known dimensions was constructed and videotaped using a video vault underwater system. Recorded images were played back on a VCR and a personal computer grabbed and stored the images on disk. These images were then digitized to give calculated coordinates for the grid points. Errors were calculated as the distance from the known coordinates of the points to the calculated coordinates. It was demonstrated that errors from lens distortion could be as high as 8 percent. By avoiding the outermost regions of a wide-angle lens, the error can be kept smaller.

Poliner, Jeffrey↗
NASA NTRS1961

Preliminary Investigation of an Underwater Ramjet Powered by Compressed Air

Part I contains the results of a preliminary experimental investigation of a particular design of an underwater ramjet or hydroduct powered by compressed air. The hydroduct is a propulsion device in which the energy of an expanding gas imparts additional momentum to a stream of water through mixing. The hydroduct model had a fineness ratio of 5.9, a maximum diameter of 3.2 inches, and a ratio of inlet area to frontal area of 0.32. The model was towed at a depth of 1 inch at forward speeds between 20 and 60 feet per second for airflow rates from 0.1 to 0.3 pound per second. Longitudinal force and pressures at the inlet and in the mixing chamber were determined. The hydroduct produced a positive thrust-minus-drag force at every test speed. The force and pressure coefficients were functions primarily of the ratio of weight airflow to free-stream velocity. The maximum propulsive efficiency based on the net internal thrust and an isothermal expansion of the air was approximately 53 percent at a thrust coefficient of 0.10. The performance of the test model may have been influenced by choking of the exit flow. Part II is a theoretical development of an underwater ramjet using air as "fuel." The basic assumption of the theoretical analysis is that a mixture of water and air can be treated as a compressible gas. More information on the properties of air-water mixtures is required to confirm this assumption or to suggest another approach. A method is suggested from which a more complete theoretical development, with the effects of choking included, may be obtained. An exploratory computation, in which this suggested method was used, indicated that the effect of choked flow on the thrust coefficient was minor.

Mottard, Elmo J.↗
NASA NTRS2007

Advanced Systems for Monitoring Underwater Sounds

The term "Passive Acoustic Monitoring System" (PAMS) describes a developmental sensing-and-data-acquisition system for recording underwater sounds. The sounds (more precisely, digitized and preprocessed versions from acoustic transducers) are subsequently analyzed by a combination of data processing and interpretation to identify and/or, in some cases, to locate the sources of those sounds. PAMS was originally designed to locate the sources such as fish of species that one knows or seeks to identify. The PAMS unit could also be used to locate other sources, for example, marine life, human divers, and/or vessels. The underlying principles of passive acoustic sensing and analyzing acoustic-signal data in conjunction with temperature and salinity data are not new and not unique to PAMS. Part of the uniqueness of the PAMS design is that it is the first deep-sea instrumentation design to provide a capability for studying soniferous marine animals (especially fish) over the wide depth range described below. The uniqueness of PAMS also lies partly in a synergistic combination of advanced sensing, packaging, and data-processing design features with features adapted from proven marine instrumentation systems. This combination affords a versatility that enables adaptation to a variety of undersea missions using a variety of sensors. The interpretation of acoustic data can include visual inspection of power-spectrum plots for identification of spectral signatures of known biological species or artificial sources. Alternatively or in addition, data analysis could include determination of relative times of arrival of signals at different acoustic sensors arrayed at known locations. From these times of arrival, locations of acoustic sources (and errors in those locations) can be estimated. Estimates of relative locations of sources and sensors can be refined through analysis of the attenuation of sound in the intervening water in combination with water-temperature and salinity data acquired by instrumentation systems other than PAMS. A PAMS is packaged as a battery-powered unit, mated with external sensors, that can operate in the ocean at any depth from 2 m to 1 km. A PAMS includes a pressure housing, a deep-sea battery, a hydrophone (which is one of the mating external sensors), and an external monitor and keyboard box. In addition to acoustic transducers, external sensors can include temperature probes and, potentially, underwater cameras. The pressure housing contains a computer that includes a hard drive, DC-to- DC power converters, a post-amplifier board, a sound card, and a universal serial bus (USB) 4-port hub.

Lane, Michael↗
NASA NTRS2011

NBL Pistol Grip Tool for Underwater Training of Astronauts

A document discusses a lightweight, functional mockup of the Pistol Grip Tool for use during underwater astronaut training. Previous training tools have caused shoulder injuries. This new version is more than 50 percent lighter [in water, weight is 2.4 lb (=1.1 kg)], and can operate for a six-hour training session after 30 minutes of prep for submersion. Innovations in the design include the use of lightweight materials (aluminum and Delrin(Registered TradeMark)), creating a thinner housing, and the optimization of internal space with the removal of as much excess material as possible. This reduces tool weight and maximizes buoyancy. Another innovation for this tool is the application of a vacuum that seats the Orings in place and has shown to be reliable in allowing underwater usage for up to six hours.

Liszka, Michael↗
NASA NTRS2017

Assessment of Suited Reach Envelope in an Underwater Environment

Predicting the performance of a crewmember in an extravehicular activity (EVA) space suit presents unique challenges. The kinematic patterns of suited motions are difficult to reproduce in gravity. Additionally, 3-D suited kinematics have been practically and technically difficult to quantify in an underwater environment, in which crewmembers are commonly trained and assessed for performance. The goal of this study is to develop a hardware and software system to predictively evaluate the kinematic mobility of suited crewmembers, by measuring the 3-D reach envelope of the suit in an underwater environment. This work is ultimately aimed at developing quantitative metrics to compare the mobility of the existing Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) to newly developed space suit, such as the Z-2. The EMU has been extensively used at NASA since 1981 for EVA outside the Space Shuttle and International Space Station. The Z-2 suit is NASA's newest prototype space suit. The suit is comprised of new upper torso and lower torso architectures, which were designed to improve test subject mobility.

Kim, Han↗
DOE OSTI2025

Approaches to attributing underwater noise to a wave energy converter

Radiated noise from marine energy harvesting is of environmental and engineering interest. Here, drifting hydrophones measure underwater noise in the vicinity of a relatively small wave energy converter. A statistical approach is demonstrated for attributing range-dependent, commonly occurring sounds in the frequency band from 90 to 600 Hz. Time-delay-of-arrival localization is then demonstrated for attribution of individual acoustic events likely associated with the power takeoff and wave-hull interactions. Because the radiated noise from the wave energy converter falls below ambient levels at a range of approximately 150 m, it is unlikely to substantially affect marine life at greater distance.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗
DOE OSTI2022

Extracting energy from ocean thermal and salinity gradients to power unmanned underwater vehicles: State of the art, current limitations, and future outlook

Thermal gradient energy-generation technologies for powering unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) or autonomous sensing systems in the ocean are mainly in the research development phase or commercially available at a limited scale, and salinity-gradient energy-generation technologies have not been adequately researched yet. The demand for self-powered UUVs suitable for long-term deployments has been growing, and further research related to small-scale ocean gradient energy systems is needed. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive review about harvesting energy from ocean thermal or salinity gradients for powering UUVs, focusing on gliders and profiling floats. Thermal gradient energy systems for UUVs based on phase change materials (PCM) cannot provide the energy required for powering autonomous sensing systems because of the systems' low energy conversion efficiency. Besides reducing energy consumption by developing more efficient electrical-mechanical systems, enhancing the thermal conductivity of the PCMs may help address this challenge by increasing the power generation rate of the UUVs. Several other emerging technologies, such as thermoelectric generators, shape memory alloys, and small-scale thermodynamic cycle systems, have shown potential for powering UUVs, but they are still only at the laboratory testing or conceptual design phase. The most advanced power generation technologies based on salinity gradients, reverse electrodialysis and pressure-retarded osmosis, are still not economically viable for large-scale deployment, mainly because of the high cost of the components required to operate in harsh saline environments. Our feasibility evaluation showed that existing salinity gradient power generation technologies are not directly feasible for powering UUVs in the open ocean.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗
DOE OSTI2021

TEAMER: Electrically Engaged Undulation System for Unmanned Underwater Vehicles

This TEAMER RFTS 1 (Request for Technical Support) project supported the flume tank testing of a long range, high endurance unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) to monitor maritime space. Today, battery-powered remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) lack the duration to make persistent, wide-area data collection possible.The proposed solution, an Electrically Engaged UnduLation (EEL) drone, can sustain missions for longer duration through hydrodynamic energy harvesting. Power is provisioned via the piezoelectric effect, a material-led phenomenon that converts applied stress into electricity. The EEL subsystems include power, propulsion, navigation, ballast, telemetry, and instrumentation. By mimicking the gait of aquatic eels, EEL can counter currents during maneuvering and level-flight. The identified opportunity is in the future capability of extreme endurance UUVs in swarms. The specific goal for the EEL development is to expand the spatio-temporal coverage of the existing ocean observation mission by overcoming significant challenges of autonomous robotics. Some of the challenges presented include novel compliant mechanism for robust actuation, bio-inspired design to emulate efficient locomotion, smart material-based energy harvesting for sustained power, and swarming architecture through enabled autonomy.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗
DOE OSTI2024

Underwater Target Detection Software Demonstration on the RivGen Turbine

This repository contains data and processing scripts necessary to train the object detection models utilized in the underwater target detection software demonstration on the RivGen turbine project and to produce performance metrics (precision, recall, mAP50, mAP50-95). - Contents - Data consist of "images" and "labels". Each image has an associated label, both share the same time string in its file name (e.g., 2024_05_25_09_01_57.98.jpg and 2024_05_25_09_01_57.98.txt). Time strings have the format %yyyy_%mm_%dd_%HH_%MM_%SS.%3f. Images and labels were curated from 2021 and 2024 smolt outmigration periods at the project site in Igiugig, AK. Images are monochrome 8-bit images of objects (smolt, debris, and other) passing through the field of view of the deployed cameras during various operational stages of the RivGen turbine. Labels are text files indicating the class and bounding polygon of each object in an image. The provided labels use the "YOLO" label format. - Requirements - Python3.8+ is required to install and run the train and validation script. The README.md provides instruction for installing the requirements from the requirements.py file. - Instructions - The "example_train.py" file ingests the provided data, trains a model, and produces model performance metrics at completion. NOTE: model performance metrics will vary from run to run as a consequence of the random selection of training and validation data.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗
DOE OSTI2025

Filterbank Multicarrier Communications for High Mobility Underwater Acoustic Links

This paper presents a new method of designing prototype filters that are robust against time and frequency dispersive (i.e., doubly dispersive) underwater acoustic (UWA) channels. The proposed design uses a modified form of Slepian sequences as a basis set to arrive at a design that is maximally compact along both time and frequency/Doppler dimensions. This keeps the inter-symbol interference confined to a small number of adjacent data symbols, both across time and frequency dimensions. It also minimizes the ramp-up (at the beginning) and ramp-down (at the end) of each synthesized data packet. Here, we test our design by making use of the BELLHOP/VirTex channel simulator and compare its performance with that of the widely used orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) method. Our emphasis is on scenarios where the channel impulse response extends to a few hundreds of milli-seconds and the relative speed of communicating vehicles can be as large as 10 m/s. We find that while OFDM fails in majority of these scenarios, the proposed design continues to work well in all the scenarios that we simulate.

97 - MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗