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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 577 records · Page 32
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1977

Advanced high efficiency wraparound contact solar cell

A significant advancement in the development of thin high efficiency wraparound contact silicon solar cells has been made by coupling space and terrestrial processing procedures. Although this new method for fabricating cells has not been completely reduced to practice, some of the initial cells have delivered over 20 mW/sq cm when tested at 25 C under AMO intensity. This approach not only yields high efficiency devices, but shows promise of allowing complete freedom of choice in both the location and size of the wraparound contact pad area

Scott-Monck, J. A.↗
NASA NTRS1976

A study of the efficiency of hydrogen liquefaction

The search for an environmentally acceptable fuel to eventually replace petroleum-based fuels for long-range jet aircraft has singled out liquid hydrogen as an outstanding candidate. Hydrogen liquefaction is discussed, along with the effect of several operating parameters on process efficiency. A feasible large-scale commercial hydrogen liquefaction facility based on the results of the efficiency study is described. Potential future improvements in hydrogen liquefaction are noted.

Baker, C. R.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Efficiency and cost advantages of an advanced-technology nuclear electrolytic hydrogen-energy production facility

The concept of an advanced-technology (viz., 1985 technology) nuclear-electrolytic water electrolysis facility was assessed for hydrogen production cost and efficiency expectations. The facility integrates (1) a high-temperature gas-cooled nuclear reactor (HTGR) operating a binary work cycle, (2) direct-current (d-c) electricity generation via acyclic generators, and (3) high-current-density, high-pressure electrolyzers using a solid polymer electrolyte (SPE). All subsystems are close-coupled and optimally interfaced for hydrogen production alone (i.e., without separate production of electrical power). Pipeline-pressure hydrogen and oxygen are produced at 6900 kPa (1000 psi). We found that this advanced facility would produce hydrogen at costs that were approximately half those associated with contemporary-technology nuclear electrolysis: $5.36 versus $10.86/million Btu, respectively. The nuclear-heat-to-hydrogen-energy conversion efficiency for the advanced system was estimated as 43%, versus 25% for the contemporary system.

Donakowski, T. D.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Design and performance of energy efficient propellers for Mach 0.8 cruise

It is believed that a fuel saving of 14 to 40 percent may be realized by the use of an advanced high-speed turboprop. This turboprop must be capable of high efficiency at Mach 0.8 cruise above 9.144 km altitude if it is to compete with turbofan powered commercial aircraft. Several advanced aerodynamic concepts were investigated in recent wind tunnel tests under NASA sponsorship on two propeller models. These concepts included aerodynamically integrated propeller/nacelles, area-ruling, blade sweep, reduced blade thickness and power (disk) loadings several times higher than conventional designs. The aerodynamic design methodology for these models is discussed in this paper. In addition, some of the preliminary test results are presented which indicate that propeller net efficiencies near 80 percent were obtained for high disk loading propellers operating at Mach 0.8.

Mikkelson, D. C.↗
NASA NTRS1977

The aircraft energy efficiency active controls technology program

Broad outlines of the NASA Aircraft Energy Efficiency Program for expediting the application of active controls technology to civil transport aircraft are presented. Advances in propulsion and airframe technology to cut down on fuel consumption and fuel costs, a program for an energy-efficient transport, and integrated analysis and design technology in aerodynamics, structures, and active controls are envisaged. Fault-tolerant computer systems and fault-tolerant flight control system architectures are under study. Contracts with leading manufacturers for research and development work on wing-tip extensions and winglets for the B-747, a wing load alleviation system, elastic mode suppression, maneuver-load control, and gust alleviation are mentioned.

Hood, R. V., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Pump efficiency in solar-energy systems

Study investigates characteristics of typical off-the-shelf pumping systems that might be used in solar systems. Report includes discussion of difficulties in predicting pump efficiency from manufacturers' data. Sample calculations are given. Peak efficiencies, flow-rate control, and noise levels are investigated. Review or theory of pumps types and operating characteristics is presented.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1979

Efficient rectifying antenna

Rectifying antenna comprised of 17 subarrays positioned closely together to intercept microwave beam features low cost, high conversion efficiency, and high power handling capability. Tests demonstrate efficiency level of 82 percent in converting RF to dc.

Dickinson, R. M.↗
NASA NTRS1977

The Goddard Space Flight Center high efficiency cell development and evaluation program

Laboratory tests and flight experiments showed that solar cells can be produced in quantity, that they are suitable for space flight applications, and that the power produced ranged from 20 to 35% more than that of conventional cells. In a benign flight environment, the cells degraded at approximately the same rate as conventional cells. In synchronous orbit, the rate exceeded that of conventional cells, but high efficiency cells still showed significant power advantage after two years. Irradiation test results showed the voltage-temperature coefficients to be comparable to conventional cells. However, current-temperature coefficients were not only higher initially, but also increased significantly with irradiation. Although thin cells with good performance characteristics were made, significant problem areas pertinent to production were disclosed, particularly for cells with thickness of 0.100 mm or less. The overall program led to the use of advanced high efficiency cells on the International Sun-Earth Explorer solar panels.

Slifer, L. W.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Advanced high efficiency wraparound contact solar cell

A significant advancement in the development of thin high efficiency wraparound contact silicon solar cells has been made by coupling space and terrestrial processing procedures. Although this new method for fabricating cells has not been completely reduced to practice, some of the initial cells have delivered over 20 mW/sq cm when tested at 25 C under AMO intensity. This approach not only yields high efficiency devices, but shows promise of allowing complete freedom of choice in both the location and size of the wraparound contact pad area.

Scott-Monck, J. A.↗
NASA NTRS1977

High efficiency GaAs solar cells

The present status of the GaAlAs/GaAs heteroface solar cell program is reported. Studies have been concentrated on GaAlAs/GaAs heteroface solar cells; however, some research has been conducted on thin junction, diffused GaAs solar cells. Emphasis has been on obtaining high efficiency (18% to 20%) GaAs solar cells. Two problems that have limited the efficiency of GaAs solar cells are the high recombination velocity of carriers near the surface and the low minority carrier diffusion length in n-GaAs.

Walker, G. H.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Air transportation energy efficiency

The energy efficiency of air transportation, results of the recently completed RECAT studies on improvement alternatives, and the NASA Aircraft Energy Efficiency Research Program to develop the technology for significant improvements in future aircraft were reviewed.

Williams, L. J.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Design approaches to more energy efficient engines

The status of NASA's Energy Efficient Engine Project, a comparative government-industry effort aimed at advancing the technology base for the next generation of large turbofan engines for civil aircraft transports is summarized. Results of recently completed studies are reviewed. These studies involved selection of engine cycles and configurations that offer potential for at least 12% lower fuel consumption than current engines and also are economically attractive and environmentally acceptable. Emphasis is on the advancements required in component technologies and systems design concepts to permit future development of these more energy efficient engines.

Saunders, N. T.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Buckling and structural efficiency of sandwich-blade stiffened composite compression panels

The minimum mass structural efficiency curve was determined for sandwich blade stiffened composite compression panels subjected to buckling and strength constraints. High structural efficiencies are attainable for this type of construction. A method of analysis is presented for the buckling of panels of this configuration which shows that buckling of such panels is strongly dependent on the through-the-thickness transverse shearing of the stiffener. Experimental results are presented and compared with theory.

Stein, M.↗
NASA NTRS1978

An efficient, direct finite difference method for computing sound propagation in arbitrarily shaped two-dimensional and axisymmetric ducts without flow

An efficient, direct finite difference method is presented for computing sound propagation in non-stepped two-dimensional and axisymmetric ducts of arbitrarily varying cross section without mean flow. The method is not restricted by axial variation of acoustic impedance of the duct wall linings. The non-uniform two-dimensional or axisymmetric duct is conformally mapped numerically into a rectangular or cylindrical computational domain using a new procedure based on a method of fast direct solution of the Cauchy-Riemann equations. The resulting Helmholtz equation in the computational domain is separable. The solution to the governing equation and boundary conditions is expressed as a linear combination of fundamental solutions. The fundamental solutions are computed only once for each duct shape by means of the fast direct cyclic reduction method for the discrete solution of separable elliptic equations. Numerical results for several examples are presented to show the applicability and efficiency of the method.

Chakravarthy, S.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Spectrally efficient modulation

Spectrally efficient modulation, involving the maximization of the transmitted data rate through a specified bandwidth, may aid in alleviating the problem of spectral congestion in the electromagnetic spectrum. Attention is given to pulse-shaping and nonbinary modulation, and particularly to combined amplitude- and phase-modulation. Theoretical performance limits, such as Shannon's bound, are used to assess the effectiveness of the systems described. Consideration is also allotted to spectrally efficient modulation for terrestrial microwave systems, required to provide 1000 voice channels in the 4- and 6-GHz band.

Smith, J. G.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Limitation of 3547 to 1182 A conversion efficiency in Xe

It is found that the 3547 to 1182 A conversion efficiency in Xe-Ar mixtures is limited to about 0.9% by Kerr-induced dispersion. The primary effect is felt to be produced by a mixed-frequency Kerr nonlinearity which changes the index of refraction at 1182 A in the presence of large power densities at 3547 A, affecting phase matching. It is suggested that a Xe-Mg-Ar mixture compensates for the Kerr-induced dispersion and permits increased efficiencies.

Zych, L. J.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Energy Efficient Engine Preliminary Design and Integration Studies

The technology and configurational requirements of an all new 1990's energy efficient turbofan engine having a twin spool arrangement with a directly coupled fan and low-pressure turbine, a mixed exhaust nacelle, and a high 38.6:1 overall pressure ratio were studied. Major advanced technology design features required to provide the overall benefits were a high pressure ratio compression system, a thermally actuated advanced clearance control system, lightweight shroudless fan blades, a low maintenance cost one-stage high pressure turbine, a short efficient mixer and structurally integrated engine and nacelle. A conceptual design analysis was followed by integration and performance analyses of geared and direct-drive fan engines with separate or mixed exhaust nacelles to refine previously designed engine cycles. Preliminary design and more detailed engine-aircraft integration analysis were then conducted on the more promising configurations. Engine and aircraft sizing, fuel burned, and airframe noise studies on projected 1990's domestic and international aircraft produced sufficient definition of configurational and advanced technology requirements to allow immediate initiation of component technology development.

Gray, D. E.↗