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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 595 records · Page 33
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1976

Theoretical analysis of the EWEC report

This analytic investigation shows how the electromagnetic wave energy conversion (EWEC) device, as used for solar-to-electric power conversion, is significantly different from solar cells, with respect to principles of operation. An optimistic estimate of efficiency is about 80% for a full-wave rectifying configuration with solar radiation normally incident. This compares favorably with the theoretical maximum for a CdTe solar cell (23.5%), as well as with the efficiencies of more familiar cells: Si (19.5%), InP (21.5%), and GaAs (23%). Some key technological issues that must be resolved before the EWEC device can be realized are identified. Those issues include: the fabrication of a pn semi-conductor junction with no permittivity resonances in the optical band; and the efficient channeling of the power received by countless microscopic horn antennas through a relatively few number of wires.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1977

Polymeric membrane systems of potential use for battery separators

Two membrane systems were investigated that may have potential use as alkaline battery separators. One system comprises two miscible polymers: a support polymer (e.g., polyvinyl formal) and an ion conductor such as polyacrylic acid. The other system involves a film composed of two immiscible polymers: a conducting polymer (e.g., calcium polyacrylate) suspended in an inert polymer support matrix, polyphenylene oxide. Resistivities in 45-percent potassium hydroxide and qualitative mechanical properties are presented for films comprising various proportions of conducting and support polymers. In terms of these parameters, the results are encouraging for optimum ratios of conducting to support polymers.

Philipp, W. H.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Charged-particle absorption by Io

The electrostatic field associated with the rotation of Jupiter, relative to the rest frame of Io, would be distorted if the satellite were an electrical conductor. An idealized two-dimensional model of the distorted electric-field configuration, in the limit of a perfectly conducting satellite or satellite ionosphere, has been constructed and used to trace the adiabatic guiding-center trajectories of energetic protons and electrons across Jupiter's magnetic field lines, which are taken as rectilinear. The adiabatic trajectories of very low-energy particles (cold plasma) are found to avoid the satellite and escape absorption. In the limit of very high particle energies, the adiabatic trajectories are undistorted, and absorption proceeds as if Io were an insulator. The interpolation between these limits is monotonic for protons, such that Io sweeps out a drift shell half as wide as the satellite for first invariants of the order of 1 GeV per gauss. The situation for electrons is more complicated, and no absorption from adiabatic trajectories is found at first invariants not exceeding 46 GeV per gauss. Electrons having first invariants of at least 50 GeV per gauss are typically swept out of drift shells wider than the satellite itself. However, electrons can impact only a portion of Io's exposed hemisphere for first invariants of 50-200 GeV per gauss. Thus, the particle-absorbing characteristics of an electrically conducting Jovian satellite are found to depend on both the species and the energy of the incident particle, and the satellite's particle-absorbing cross section differs systematically from its geometric cross section.

Schulz, M.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Laser wire stripping

Bench-mounted and hand-held laser units cut insulation from wires without nipping or scraping conductor. Process eliminates quality control problems and is fast, clean, precise, and repeatable.

Heisman, R. M.↗
NASA NTRS1978

High-power RF switch

Switch designed for vacuum environments can handle 5 kilowatts of microwave power. Arcing between conductors is prevented by filling gaps with Teflon rather than with inert gas as in conventional switches. Thus, switch is not susceptible to gas leakage, problem faced by conventional switches in high-vacuum applications. Compact three-port switch, developed for microwave radar transmitters aboard spacecraft, is operated by depressing spring-mounted insulating pins that can be remotely actuated by relay. When pin is depressed, it routes microwave signals to selected output port.

Caro, E. R.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Splicing shielded cables

Simple repair technique retains cable characteristic impedance. Shielded-Cable Splicing Technique retains cable characteristic impedance. Procedure involves splicing inner conductors in staggered pattern, installing jumper braid by heat-shrinking two solder sleeves, and placing insulation sleeve over repaired section and heat-shrinking it. Two possible insulation materials are modified polyvinylidene fluoride and polytetrafluoroethylene.

Lind, W. P.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Low partial discharge vacuum feedthrough

Relatively discharge free vacuum feedthrough uses silver-plated copper conductor jacketed by carbon filled silicon semiconductor to reduce concentrated electric fields and minimize occurrence of partial discharge.

Benham, J. W.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Sail GTS ground system analysis: Avionics system engineering

A comparison of two different concepts for the guidance, navigation and control test set signal ground system is presented. The first is a concept utilizing a ground plate to which crew station, avionics racks, electrical power distribution system, master electrical common connection assembly and marshall mated elements system grounds are connected by 4/0 welding cable. An alternate approach has an aluminum sheet interconnecting the signal ground reference points between the crew station and avionics racks. The comparison analysis quantifies the differences between the two concepts in terms of dc resistance, ac resistance and inductive reactance. These parameters are figures of merit for ground system conductors in that the system with the lowest impedance is the most effective in minimizing noise voltage. Although the welding cable system is probably adequate, the aluminum sheet system provides a higher probability of a successful system design.

Lawton, R. M.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Voltages and currents induced on wiring

Aircraft lightning strikes were investigated in regard to their effects on voltages and currents in aircraft wiring. An electrical conductor's response to magnetic fields and electric fields was examined as part of the voltage and current calculations. The wiring system of the space shuttle was briefly considered as an example.

Franklin A Fisher↗
NASA NTRS1977

Effects of shields on cables

Aircraft wiring subjected to rapidly changing electromagnetic fields was considered. The ways in which shielded cables reduce surge voltages were studied along with the ways in which common practice regarding the use of shields may be at variance with the use required for the control of lightning effects. Courses in which this apparent conflict of use may be resolved were suggested. Noise currents flowing on shields of cables related to the noise signals coupled onto signal conductors were also investigated.

Franklin A Fisher↗
NASA NTRS1977

CAVE: A computer code for two-dimensional transient heating analysis of conceptual thermal protection systems for hypersonic vehicles

A digital computer code CAVE (Conduction Analysis Via Eigenvalues), which finds application in the analysis of two dimensional transient heating of hypersonic vehicles is described. The CAVE is written in FORTRAN 4 and is operational on both IBM 360-67 and CDC 6600 computers. The method of solution is a hybrid analytical numerical technique that is inherently stable permitting large time steps even with the best of conductors having the finest of mesh size. The aerodynamic heating boundary conditions are calculated by the code based on the input flight trajectory or can optionally be calculated external to the code and then entered as input data. The code computes the network conduction and convection links, as well as capacitance values, given basic geometrical and mesh sizes, for four generations (leading edges, cooled panels, X-24C structure and slabs). Input and output formats are presented and explained. Sample problems are included. A brief summary of the hybrid analytical-numerical technique, which utilizes eigenvalues (thermal frequencies) and eigenvectors (thermal mode vectors) is given along with aerodynamic heating equations that have been incorporated in the code and flow charts.

Rathjen, K. A.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Laser drilling of vias in dielectric for high density multilayer LSHI thick film circuits

A design analysis of a high density multilevel thick film digital microcircuit used for large scale integration is presented. The circuit employs 4 mil lines, 4 mil spaces and requires 4 mil diameter vias. Present screened and fired thick film technology is limited on a production basis to 16 mil square vias. A process whereby 4 mil diameter vias can be fabricated in production using laser technology was described along with a process to produce 4 mil diameter vias for conductor patterns which have 4 mil lines and 4 mil spacings.

Cocca, T.↗
NASA NTRS1978

CAVE3: A general transient heat transfer computer code utilizing eigenvectors and eigenvalues

The method of solution is a hybrid analytical numerical technique which utilizes eigenvalues and eigenvectors. The method is inherently stable, permitting large time steps even with the best of conductors with the finest of mesh sizes which can provide a factor of five reduction in machine time compared to conventional explicit finite difference methods when structures with small time constants are analyzed over long time periods. This code will find utility in analyzing hypersonic missile and aircraft structures which fall naturally into this class. The code is a completely general one in that problems involving any geometry, boundary conditions and materials can be analyzed. This is made possible by requiring the user to establish the thermal network conductances between nodes. Dynamic storage allocation is used to minimize core storage requirements. This report is primarily a user's manual for CAVE3 code. Input and output formats are presented and explained. Sample problems are included which illustrate the usage of the code as well as establish the validity and accuracy of the method.

Palmieri, J. V.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Thermal radiation analysis system (TRASYS 2), programmer's manual

TRASYS, the Thermal Radiation Analysis System, is a digital computer software system with a generalized capability to solve the radiation-related aspects of thermal analysis problems. When used in conjunction with a generalized thermal analysis program such as the Systems Improved Numerical Differencing Analyzer (SINDA) program, any thermal problem that can be expressed in terms of a lumped parameter, radiation conductor thermal network can be solved. The function of TRASYS is twofold. It provides: 1) Internode radiation interchange data; 2) Incident and absorbed heat rate data from environmental radiant heat sources. Data of both types are provided in a format directly usable by the thermal analyzer programs.

Connor, R. J.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Field effect transistor and method of construction thereof

A field effect transistor is constructed by placing a semi-conductor layer on an insulating substrate so that the gate region is separated from source and drain regions. The gate electrode and gate region of the layer are of generally reduced length, the gate region being of greatest length on its surface closest to the gate electrode. This is accomplished by initially creating a relatively large gate region of one polarity, and then reversing the polarity of a central portion of this gate region by ion bombardment, thus achieving a narrower final gate region of the stated configuration.

Fletner, W. R.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Application of thick-film technology to solar cell fabrication

Several uses of thick-film technology in solar cell fabrication are discussed. Wrap-around contacts are obtained by first printing and firing a dielectric over the edge and subsequently applying a low-firing temperature conductor. Interconnection of cells into arrays can be achieved by printing and co-firing thick-film pastes, soldering, or with heat-curing conductive epoxies on low-cost substrates. Despite ongoing research, printed (thick) film vitreous protective coatings do not yet offer sufficient optical uniformity and transparency for use on silicon. Ohmic contacts on n- and p-type silicon are considered.

Field, M. B.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Learning to build large structures in space

The paper examines some of the key technologies and forms of construction know-how that will have to be developed and tested for eventual application to building large structures in space. Construction of a shuttle-tended space construction/demonstration platform would comprehensively demonstrate large structure technology, develop construction capability, and furnish a construction platform for a variety of operational large structures. Completion of this platform would lead to demonstrations of the Satellite Power System (SPS) concept, including microwave transmission, fabrication of 20-m-deep beams, conductor installation, rotary joint installation, and solar blanket installation.

Hagler, T.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Phase equilibria and crystal chemistry of rubidium niobates and rubidium tantalates

The phase equilibria relations and crystal chemistry of portions of the Rb2O-Nb2O5 and Rb2O-Ta2O5 systems were investigated for structures potentially useful as ionic conductors. A hexagonal tungsten bronze-type (HTB) structure was found in both systems as well as three hexagonal phases with mixed HTB-pyrochlore type structures. Ion exchange experiments between various alkali ions are described for several phases. Unit cell dimensions and X-ray diffraction powder patterns are reported.

Minor, D. B.↗