SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “level sensor”

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.

SourceResearch connectionFrom yearThrough year

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 613 records · Page 34

All sources NASA NTRS DOE OSTI

NASA NTRS2003

Automated Rock Identification for Future Mars Exploration Missions

A key task for human or robotic explorers on the surface of Mars is choosing which particular rock or mineral samples should be selected for more intensive study. The usual challenges of such a task are compounded by the lack of sensory input available to a suited astronaut or the limited downlink bandwidth available to a rover. Additional challenges facing a human mission include limited surface time and the similarities in appearance of important minerals (e.g. carbonates, silicates, salts). Yet the choice of which sample to collect is critical. To address this challenge we are developing science analysis algorithms to interface with a Geologist's Field Assistant (GFA) device that will allow robotic or human remote explorers to better sense and explore their surroundings during limited surface excursions. We aim for our algorithms to interpret spectral and imaging data obtained by various sensors. The algorithms, for example, will identify key minerals, rocks, and sediments from mid-IR, Raman, and visible/near-IR spectra as well as from high resolution and microscopic images to help interpret data and to provide high-level advice to the remote explorer. A top-level system will consider multiple inputs from raw sensor data output by imagers and spectrometers (visible/near-IR, mid-IR, and Raman) as well as human opinion to identify rock and mineral samples.

Gulick, V. C.↗

DOE OSTI2018

Hydrogen Sensor for Parabolic Trough Expansion Tanks

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory and Acciona Energy North America are developing and implementing a process that addresses the issue of hydrogen buildup in parabolic trough power plants. We are pursuing a method that selectively removes hydrogen from the expansion tanks of the power plant to control hydrogen levels in the circulating heat-transfer fluid. As part of this effort, we are developing a sensor that measures hydrogen partial pressure in the expansion-tank headspace gas. During previous work, we demonstrated that our sensor design measures hydrogen levels over a wide partial pressure range from 1.33 mbar down to 0.003 mbar with an accuracy of +/-20%. We acquired these results under limited conditions because we measured hydrogen partial pressure in gas mixtures of hydrogen and nitrogen only. In this paper, we report our most recent results in which we measured hydrogen partial pressures in gas mixtures that contain hydrogen, nitrogen, biphenyl, and diphenylether. Our results for this gas mixture were essentially the same as those obtained for the hydrogen/nitrogen mixture only, and they also had the same accuracy of +/-20%. This level of accuracy is sufficient to evaluate the performance of a hydrogen mitigation process because hydrogen partial pressure in the expansion tank decreases more than an order of magnitude when the mitigation process is operating. We examined the palladium/silver membrane after completing these measurements and did not observe any signs of membrane deterioration or contamination due to exposure to biphenyl and diphenylether at 405 degrees C. The membrane for these tests was 25 um thick. For the next sensor design that we are developing in 2018, we are using a membrane that is 127 um thick. This thickness is required for the membrane to withstand the 150 psi pressure drop across the membrane when exposed to actual headspace gas from the expansion tank. We performed initial tests in which we exposed a 127-um-thick palladium alloy membrane to 400 degrees C and 150 psi pressure drop and observed no signs of failure or gas leakage. Finally, we developed a transient model that accounts for hydrogen transport mechanisms within the sensor when measurements are made. Our model accounted for hydrogen diffusion through the boundary layer that is adjacent to the membrane and for hydrogen permeation across the membrane and into the permeate volume. Our modeling results agreed very closely with our experimental data when we assumed a boundary-layer thickness of 0.2 cm. This thickness is within the range of expected thicknesses for this gas composition, temperature, and pressure at minimum flowrate. Our model results showed that hydrogen diffusion through the boundary layer adjacent to the membrane is the rate-determining step for the transient pressure response when measuring hydrogen partial pressure.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

DOE OSTI2018

Results from the CBC3 readout ASIC for CMS 2S-modules

The CBC3 is the latest version of the CMS Binary Chip for readout of the outer radial region of the upgraded CMS Tracker at the High Luminosity LHC. This 254-channel, 130 nm CMOS ASIC is designed to be bump-bonded to a substrate to which sensors will be wire-bonded. It will instrument double-layer 2S-modules, containing two overlaid silicon microstrip sensors, aligned with a parallel orientation. On-chip logic identifies Level-1 trigger primitives from high transverse-momentum tracks by selecting correlated clusters in the two sensors. The CBC3 was delivered in late 2016; wafer probing and performance tests have been carried out. Several prototype modules using the CBC3 have been produced and tested in the lab and in different beams. The results show that the CBC3 satisfies CMS requirements and only small corrections are needed for the final version of the chip for production.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

DOE OSTI2021

Continuous sensor suite measurements of weather, energy, soil and flux at four PumpHouse sites at the East River, Colorado

The purpose of this package is to monitor energy and water fluxes using a comprehensive set of sensors integrated on a tripod set up at 4 locations at the East River watershed in Colorado in the Upper Colorado River Basin as part of the Scientific Focus Area (SFA) research led by the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab (LBNL). This is a continuous sensor suite measurements of weather, energy, soil and flux at four East River pumphouse sites (ER-PHS1, ER-PHS2, ER-PHS3 and ER-PHS4) include: (1) soil CO2 concentration, CO2 flux and heat flux from soil surface; (2) photosynthetic active radiation flux at 1 m; (3) incoming/outcoming short and long wave radiation at 1 m, and user calculated net short and long wave radiation; (4) oxygen concentration and surface infrared temperature; (5) soil volumetric water content, temperature, and electrical conductivity at 10, 30, 60, 115 cm depth 115 cm depth; (6) soil matric potential and temperature at 30 cm depth; (7) incoming short wave radiation at 3 m height; (8) rainfall precipitation; (9) lightning strikes and strike distances; (10) wind direction and speed, maximum wind gust at 3 m; (11) air temperature, vapor pressure and barometric pressure at 3 m; (12) X _axis_level and Y_axis_level_(degree), tilt of the ATMOS 41 sensor; (13) maximum rainfall rate; (14) relative humidity sensor temperature at 3 m; (15) internally calculated vapor pressure deficit at 3 m with vapor pressure, relative humidity and sensor temperature measurements; (16) user calculated vapor pressure.These datasets contain data from Oct 11 2019 to March 20, 2020, and new datasets will be updated on annual basis. Files uploaded in Excel and Word, with copies in csv and pdf format.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

NASA NTRS1984

Impact of Thematic Mapper Sensor Characteristics on Classification Accuracy

A three factor (spectral, spatial, and radiometric resolution), two level (TM and MSS) analysis of variance (ANOVA) approach allowed evaluation of the effects of each factor individually and in all possible combinations. Digital classification accuracy was used as the figure of merit. Nine study sites in Washington, D.C. each of approximately 256 x 256 TM pixels, were randomly selected from the full scene for analysis. These results strongly suggest that the quantization level improvements and the addition of new spectral bands in the visible and middle IR regions (both afforded by the TM sensor design) can result in improved capabilities to accurately delineate land cover categories using a per point Gaussian maximum likelihood classifier. On the other hand, results indicate that the increase in spatial resolution to 30m does not significantly enhance classification accuracy. The spatial result points to an inherent limitation of a per point classifier and to the need to improve data analysis techniques to handle high spatial resolution data.

Williams, D. L.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Impact of thematic mapper sensor characteristics on classification accuracy

A three factor (spectral, spatial, and radiometric resolution), two level (TM and MSS) analysis of variance (ANOVA) approach allowed evaluation of the effects of each factor individually and in all possible combinations. Digital classification accuracy was used as the figure of merit. Nine study sites in Washington, DC, each of approximately 256 x 256 TM pixels, were randomly selected from the full scene for analysis. These results strongly suggest that the quantization level improvements and the addition of new spectral bands in the visible and middle IR regions (both afforded by the TM sensor design) can result in improved capabilities to accurately delineate land cover categories using a per point Gaussian maximum likelihood classifier. On the other hand, results indicate that the increase in spatial resolution to 30 m does not significantly enhance classification accuracy. The spatial result points to an inherent limitation of a per point classifier and to the need to improve data analysis techniques to handle high spatial resolution data.

Williams, D. L.↗

DOE OSTI2024

Hot, cold, or just right? An infrared biometric sensor to improve occupant comfort and reduce overcooling in buildings via closed-loop control

To improve occupant comfort and save energy in buildings, we have developed a closed-loop air conditioning (AC) sensor-controller that predicts occupant thermal sensation from the thermographic measurement of skin temperature distribution, then uses this information to reduce overcooling (cooling-energy overuse that discomforts occupants) by regulating AC output. Taking measures to protect privacy, it combines thermal-infrared (TIR) and color (visible spectrum) cameras with machine vision to measure the skin-surface temperature profile. Since the human thermoregulation system uses skin blood flow to maintain thermoneutrality, the distribution of skin temperature can be used to predict warm, neutral, and cool thermal states. We conducted a series of human-subject thermal-sensation trials in cold-to-hot environments, measuring skin temperatures and recording thermal sensation votes. We then trained random-forest classification machine-learning models (classifiers) to estimate thermal sensation from skin temperatures or skin-temperature differences. The estimated thermal sensation was input to a proportional integral (PI) control algorithm for the AC, targeting a sensation level between neutral and warm. Our sensor-controller includes a sensor assembly, server software, and client software. The server software orients the cameras and transmits images to the client software, which in turn assesses occupant skin temperature distribution, estimates occupant thermal sensation, and controls AC operation. A demonstration conducted in a conference room in an office building near Houston, TX showed that our system reduced overcooling, decreasing AC load by 42% when the room was occupied while improving occupant comfort (fraction of “comfortable” votes) by 15 percentage points.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

DOE OSTI2024

SPIDARman: System-Level Physics-Informed Detection of Anomalies in Reactor Collected Data Considering Human Errors

In nuclear power plants (NPPs), anomalies arising from sensors or human errors (HEs) can undermine the performance and reliability of plant operations. Anomaly detection models can be employed to detect sensor errors and HEs. Additionally, physics-informed machine learning models can utilize the known physics of the system, as described by mathematical equations, to ensure that sensor values are consistent with physical laws. Hence, we propose SPIDARman: System-level Physics-Informed Detection of Anomalies in Reactor Collected Data Considering Human Errors, a holistic physics-informed anomaly detection approach based on generative adversarial networks (GANs) to detect anomalies in both automatically collected sensor data and manually collected surveillance data. Here we test our approach on data collected from a flow loop testbed, showcasing its potential to detect anomalies. Results demonstrate that the proposed model performs better than the baseline GAN-based models in detecting sensor and surveillance anomalies, suggesting the potential of physics-informed anomaly detection GAN models in NPPs.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

NASA NTRS2011

Remote Sensing and Quantization of Analog Sensors

This method enables sensing and quantization of analog strain gauges. By manufacturing a piezoelectric sensor stack in parallel (physical) with a piezoelectric actuator stack, the capacitance of the sensor stack varies in exact proportion to the exertion applied by the actuator stack. This, in turn, varies the output frequency of the local sensor oscillator. The output, F(sub out), is fed to a phase detector, which is driven by a stable reference, F(sub ref). The output of the phase detector is a square waveform, D(sub out), whose duty cycle, t(sub W), varies in exact proportion according to whether F(sub out) is higher or lower than F(sub ref). In this design, should F(sub out) be precisely equal to F(sub ref), then the waveform has an exact 50/50 duty cycle. The waveform, D(sub out), is of generally very low frequency suitable for safe transmission over long distances without corruption. The active portion of the waveform, t(sub W), gates a remotely located counter, which is driven by a stable oscillator (source) of such frequency as to give sufficient digitization of t(sub W) to the resolution required by the application. The advantage to this scheme is that it negates the most-common, present method of sending either very low level signals (viz. direct output from the sensors) across great distances (anything over one-half meter) or the need to transmit widely varying higher frequencies over significant distances thereby eliminating interference [both in terms of beat frequency generation and in-situ EMI (electromagnetic interference)] caused by ineffective shielding. It also results in a significant reduction in shielding mass.

Strauss, Karl F.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Absolute radiometric calibration of advanced remote sensing systems

The distinction between the uses of relative and absolute spectroradiometric calibration of remote sensing systems is discussed. The advantages of detector-based absolute calibration are described, and the categories of relative and absolute system calibrations are listed. The limitations and problems associated with three common methods used for the absolute calibration of remote sensing systems are addressed. Two methods are proposed for the in-flight absolute calibration of advanced multispectral linear array systems. One makes use of a sun-illuminated panel in front of the sensor, the radiance of which is monitored by a spectrally flat pyroelectric radiometer. The other uses a large, uniform, high-radiance reference ground surface. The ground and atmospheric measurements required as input to a radiative transfer program to predict the radiance level at the entrance pupil of the orbital sensor are discussed, and the ground instrumentation is described.

Slater, P. N.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Absolute radiometric calibration of advanced remote sensing systems

Slater, P. N.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Evaluation of Viking Lander barometric pressure sensor

Variable reluctance type pressure sensors were evaluated to determine their performance characteristics related to Viking Mission environment levels. Static calibrations were performed throughout the evaluation over the full range of the sensors using two point contact manometer standards. From the beginning of the evaluation to the end of the evaluation, the zero shift in the two sensors was within 0.5 percent, and the sensitivity shift was 0.05 percent. The maximum thermal zero coefficient exhibited by the sensors was 0.032 percent over the temperature range of -28.89 C to 71.11 C. The evaluation results indicated that the sensors are capable of making high accuracy pressure measurements while being exposed to the conditions mentioned.

Mitchell, M.↗

NASA NTRS2003

Fiber-Optic Ammonia Sensors

Reversible, colorimetric fiber-optic sensors are undergoing development for use in measuring concentrations of ammonia in air at levels relevant to human health [0 to 50 parts per million (ppm)]. A sensor of this type includes an optical fiber that has been modified by replacing a portion of its cladding with a polymer coat that contains a dye that reacts reversibly with ammonia and changes color when it does so. The change in color is measured as a change in the amount of light transmitted from one end of the fiber to the other. Responses are reversible and proportional to the concentration of ammonia over the range from 9 to 175 ppm and in some cases the range of reversibility extends up to 270 ppm. The characteristic time for the response of a sensor to rise from 10 to 90 percent of full scale is about 25 seconds. These sensors are fully operational in pure carbon dioxide and are not adversely affected by humidity. This work was done by Michael T. Carter

Carter, Michael T.↗

DOE OSTI2021

Modeling active control of resistive wall mode with power saturation and sensor noise on HL-2M

The resistive wall mode (RWM) control on the HL-2M tokamak is simulated with the MARS-F code (Liu et al 2000 Phys. Plasmas 7 3681), aiming at quantifying control current and voltage requirements when more realistic issues are taken into account, i.e. the control power saturation and the sensor signal noise. The fluid model predicts a narrow stability region for the n = 1 RWM without magnetic feedback, in the 2D parameter space of the plasma pressure versus the toroidal flow speed. Magnetic feedback can fully stabilize the RWM on HL-2M. Without considering the voltage limitation and the sensor signal noise, it is found that plasma flow helps active control of the mode, by reducing the required critical feedback gain for both flux-to-current and flux-to-voltage control schemes. In the absence of the sensor signal noise, the lowest control voltage saturation level, below which the RWM control is lost, is found to roughly satisfy a linear relation to the plasma flow frequency, indicating that subsonic plasma flow is effective in relaxing the control power requirement for the RWM feedback stabilization. The presence of the sensor signal noise substantially modifies the feedback results. A statistical study finds that the sensor signal noise, with the standard deviation of 0.1 G on HL-2M, roughly doubles the required control voltage for successful mode control. The synergistic stabilization effect due to plasma flow is somewhat weakened by the presence of the sensor signal noise. At a given rotation, the tolerable voltage limit generally increases with increasing feedback gain due to the sensor signal noise.

Physics↗

DOE OSTI2019

Determining moisture content of Traditional Chinese Medicines using a near-infrared LED-based moisture content sensor with spectrum analysis

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), moisture content (MC) inspection using voltage level or a lock-in amplifier, with a features-based near-infrared light-emitting diode sensor is possible. Abundant absorption response in a wide frequency range and information in both the time-domain and frequency-domain can be obtained, with the square excitation method. However, planeness, heterogeneous particle sizes, and measurement noise negatively affect the time-domain feature during MC inspection. In this work, spectrum analysis (SA) for feature extraction is investigated, to precisely measure the MC of Dutong pills. The principal components for low and high frequencies, are aimed at counteracting the dimensional methods, which are used for supplying the lower dimensional features. The SA experimental results demonstrate that the low frequency components, ranging from the base to the 3rd harmonic components, have a high linear correlation with the MC. The calibration and validation experimental results reveal that the MC can be a monotonic function about the SA amplitudes or first principal component (PC1), with the proposed sensor. This method has the potential to be used for gauging automatic, in situ MCs, particularly for quality control and Process Analytical Technology in TCM. Future research opportunities include improving accuracy and application of the method under field conditions.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

DOE OSTI2023

Yakima River Basin Temporal Study: Sensor and Sample Data from Wenas Creek following the Evans Canyon Fire in Washington, USA

The Evans Canyon Fire occurred in Washington in August 2020 and burned 76,000 acres of the semi-arid shrub-steppe landscape at low to moderate severities. This fire burned across the Wenas Creek watershed, allowing for a sampling design that included a portion of the stream within the burned area and a reference site upstream of the burn. Monthly data was collected at an unburned (W10) and burned (W20) site from November 2020 to August 2022 for in situ hydrological and water chemistry sensor data, handheld sensor water chemistry data, general environmental context photos, and field metadata. This dataset is comprised of one folder with field photos and one main data folder containing (1) sensor and sample field protocols; (2) file-level metadata (flmd); (3) data dictionary (dd); (4) international geo-sample number (IGSN) mapping file; (5) field metadata; (6) readme; (7) methods codes; (8) dissolved organic carbon (DOC; measured as non-purgeable organic carbon; NPOC); (9) total nitrogen (TN); (10) total suspended solids (TSS); (11) sensor data (specific conductance, pH, total dissolved solids, temperature, pressure, dissolved oxygen, and turbidity) averages; and (12) sensor installation methods. All files are .csv, .jpg, .jpeg, or .pdf.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

NASA NTRS1971

Dynamic errors in strapdown inertial navigation systems

Motion-induced errors in strapdown inertial navigation systems are discussed. The errors generated in single-degree-of-freedom gyros and accelerometers are treated in great detail. These sensor errors are related to errors at the system level and common pulse rebalance techniques are compared. Since instrument single transmission characteristics are found to be important, describing function analysis is applied to nonlinear pulse torqued inertial sensor loops, and the results are compared with simulations. Two means for reducing motion-induced errors are explored: (1) selection of inertial sensor parameters, and (2) active error compensation by measuring the environment, computing the errors generated, and correcting for them.

Source record↗

NASA NTRS2015

Concept Demonstration of Dopant Selective Reactive Etching (DSRIE) in Silicon Carbide

Accurate quantification of combustor pressure dynamics for the primary purpose of experimental validation of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) codes requires the use of robust, reliable and sensitive pressure sensors that can resolve sub--pound-per-square-inch pressure levels in high temperature environments (i.e., combustor). The state of the art microfabricated piezoresistive silicon carbide (SiC) pressure sensors that we have developed are capable of operating reliably at 600 degrees Centigrade. This technology was used in support of the ARMD ISRP-ERA (NASA's Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate, Integrated System Research Project - Environmentally Responsible Aviation) program to quantify combustor thermoacoustic instabilities. The results showed that while the SiC pressure sensors survived the high temperature and measured instabilities, the diaphragm (force collector) was not thin enough to be sensitive in resolving sub-pound-per-square-inch pressures; 30 meters is the thinnest diaphragm achievable with conventional reactive ion etching (RIE) processes. Therefore, this precludes its use for sub-pound-per-square-inch pressure measurement with high fidelity. In order to effectively resolve sub-pound-per-square-inch pressures, a thinner more sensitive diaphragm (10 meters) is needed. To achieve this would require a new and innovative fabrication process technique.

static↗