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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 667 records · Page 37
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2003

Development of a Cryogen-Free Continuous ADR for the Constellation-X Mission

Constellation-X is a multi-satellite x-ray astronomy mission presently being planned for launch in the 2010 time frame. Each of 4 identical satellites will contain a telescope and instruments for imaging and spectroscopic analysis of both hard and soft x-rays. The X- ray Microcalorimeter Spectrometer (XMS) instrument will use arrays of microcalorimeters to detect X-rays with energies from 0.2 to 6 keV. The technologies under development for this instrument include Transition-Edge Sensors (TES) with multiplexed SQUID readouts and NTD-Ge detectors with JFET readouts. Both will be operated at temperatures in the 50-60 mK range and both have a projected cooling power requirement of approximately 5 microwatts. In addition, in order to meet the lifetime requirement of 6 years (with a goal of 10 years), a mechanical cryocooler will be used to provide a heat sink for the low temperature cooler. The required performance is 20 mW at 6 K, with a goal of 4 K operation. In this paper we present the development status of an adiabatic demagnetization refigerator (ADR) that meets the cooling requirements of the X M S instrument. At present we have demonstrated a 4-stage ADR that operates continuously at 50 mK using a 4.2 K helium bath as a heat sink. The cooling power is 21 microwatts at 100 mK and 6 microwatts at 50 mK. Its efficiency when operating at 50 mK is 1 1 % of Carnot (accounting for all dissipation at 4.2 K and below, but not including power dissipation in the room temperature electronics), but this is expected to rise to 25% in the next generation system in which active gas-gap heat switches are replaced with passive devices. This will reduce the peak heat rejection rate of the ADR to less than 7 mW at 6 K. Details of the ADR s design and operation, as well as the development program leading up to a flight-qualified instrument, will be discussed.

Shirron, Peter↗
NASA NTRS1997

Reliable Breakdown Obtained in Silicon Carbide Rectifiers

The High Temperature Integrated Electronics and Sensor (HTIES) Program at the NASA Lewis Research Center is currently developing silicon carbide (SiC) for use in harsh conditions where silicon, the semiconductor used in nearly all of today's electronics, cannot function. Silicon carbide's demonstrated ability to function under extreme high-temperature, high-power, and/or high-radiation conditions will enable significant improvements to a far-ranging variety of applications and systems. These range from improved high-voltage switching for energy savings in public electric power distribution and electric vehicles, to more powerful microwave electronics for radar and cellular communications, to sensor and controls for cleaner-burning, more fuel-efficient jet aircraft and automobile engines.

Neudeck, Philip G.↗
NASA NTRS2005

Laser Incident in the NASA Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel

A viewgraph presentation describing the laser incident in the NASA Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel (UPWT) is shown. The topics include: 1) Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel (UPWT); 2) UPWT 11' x 11' Transonic Wind Tunnel; 3) UPWT 9' x 7' Supersonic Wind Tunnel; 4) 3D Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV); 5) PIV System in 11' x 11' Transonic Test Section; 6) PIV installation in 11' x 11' TWT; 7) 3% Space Shuttle Ascent Configuration Test in UPWT 9' x 7' Test Section; 8) PIV installation in 9' x 7' SWT; 9) PIV Laser System in 9' x 7' SWT; 10) PIV Laser System Access Window; 11) Cooling Water Leak at Rear of Power Supply; 12) PIV Laser Safety Interlock System; 13) Safety Interlock Cable; 14) Q-Switch located on top of 9' x 7' Test Section; 15) Investigation Findings and Recommendations; and 16) PIV Results for 3% Space Shuttle Model in UPWT 9' x 7'.

George, Michael W.↗
NASA NTRS2004

Reproducible Growth of High-Quality Cubic-SiC Layers

Semiconductor electronic devices and circuits based on silicon carbide (SiC) are being developed for use in high-temperature, high-power, and/or high-radiation conditions under which devices made from conventional semiconductors cannot adequately perform. The ability of SiC-based devices to function under such extreme conditions is expected to enable significant improvements in a variety of applications and systems. These include greatly improved high-voltage switching for saving energy in public electric power distribution and electric motor drives; more powerful microwave electronic circuits for radar and communications; and sensors and controls for cleaner-burning, more fuel-efficient jet aircraft and automobile engines.

Neudeck, Philip G.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Demand Assignment in the ACTS LBR System

On the Advanced Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS) being developed at NASA Lewis, low-burst-rate (LBR) traffic stations will access the ACTS multibeam package via two hopping beams that can be directed at certain areas in the continental U.S. An onboard baseband processor (BBP) demodulates uplink traffic, switches it between uplink and downlink beams at baseband, and then remodulates it for retransmission at 20 GHz. This study describes the demand-assigned operation of the ACTS LBR system, where the onboard switch is remote from both traffic stations and master control station (MCS). Network control uses inbound and outbound orderwire channels and a BBP control channel, allowing the MCS to coordinate assignment of individual 64-kb/s spacecraft channels. Models are developed to simulate the dynamics of the assignment process and verify the call blocking behavior, to predict control channel loads, and to evaluate algorithms for burst time plan rearrangement.

White, Lawrence W.↗
NASA NTRS1983

The mobile Sousy-Doppler radar: Technical design and first results

A mobile VHF Doppler system was developed. The electronic part is installed in a 20 ft container and tested using a special log periodic aerial to illuminate the 300 m dish. The system was extended by designing a mobile phased antenna array with finally 576 Yagi elements. The grouping of the single Yagis, the system of transmission lines, the phase shifters, the power splitters and the T/R switch are described. Results from the first two campaigns and a survey of future programs demonstrating the flexibility of this mobile system are summarized.

Czechowsky, P.↗
NASA NTRS1972

A new device for communication systems

A communication device and modulation capability were developed for the transmission of digital data or voices from point to point. This device is a fast-switching phase coherent frequency synthesizer. When this synthesizer is appropriately incorporated in a communication system it can provide interference resistance, multiple-user capability, user identification, ranging, navigation, Doppler correction, and digitized communication (voice and data). The application of this device to aircraft/airport complex and law enforcement communications is discussed.

Beck, R. R.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Application of superconducting technology to earth-to-orbit electromagnetic launch systems

Benefits may occur by incorporating superconductors, both existing and those currently under development, in one or more parts of a large-scale electromagnetic launch (EML) system that is capable of delivering payloads from the surface of the Earth to space. The use of superconductors for many of the EML components results in lower system losses; consequently, reductions in the size and number of energy storage devices are possible. Applied high-temperature superconductivity may eventually enable novel design concepts for energy distribution and switching. All of these technical improvements have the potential to reduce system complexity and lower payload launch costs.

Hull, J. R.↗
NASA NTRS2017

Switching State-Feedback LPV Control with Uncertain Scheduling Parameters

This paper presents a new method to design Robust Switching State-Feedback Gain-Scheduling (RSSFGS) controllers for Linear Parameter Varying (LPV) systems with uncertain scheduling parameters. The domain of scheduling parameters are divided into several overlapped subregions to undergo hysteresis switching among a family of simultaneously designed LPV controllers over the corresponding subregion with the guaranteed H-infinity performance. The synthesis conditions are given in terms of Parameterized Linear Matrix Inequalities that guarantee both stability and performance at each subregion and associated switching surfaces. The switching stability is ensured by descent parameter-dependent Lyapunov function on switching surfaces. By solving the optimization problem, RSSFGS controller can be obtained for each subregion. A numerical example is given to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach over the non-switching controllers.

Switching LPV control↗
NASA NTRS1982

Baseband processor development for the Advanced Communications Satellite Program

An onboard-baseband-processor concept for a satellite-switched time-division-multiple-access (SS-TDMA) communication system was developed for NASA Lewis Research Center. The baseband processor routes and controls traffic on an individual message basis while providing significant advantages in improved link margins and system flexibility. Key technology developments required to prove the flight readiness of the baseband-processor design are being verified in a baseband-processor proof-of-concept model. These technology developments include serial MSK modems, Clos-type baseband routing switch, a single-chip CMOS maximum-likelihood convolutional decoder, and custom LSL implementation of high-speed, low-power ECL building blocks.

Moat, D.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Local area network with fault-checking, priorities, and redundant backup

This invention is a redundant error detecting and correcting local area networked computer system having a plurality of nodes each including a network connector board within the node for connecting to an interfacing transceiver operably attached to a network cable. There is a first network cable disposed along a path to interconnect the nodes. The first network cable includes a plurality of first interfacing transceivers attached thereto. A second network cable is disposed in parallel with the first cable and, in like manner, includes a plurality of second interfacing transceivers attached thereto. There are a plurality of three position switches each having a signal input, three outputs for individual selective connection to the input, and a control input for receiving signals designating which of the outputs is to be connected to the signal input. Each of the switches includes means for designating a response address for responding to addressed signals appearing at the control input and each of the switches further has its signal input connected to a respective one of the input/output lines from the nodes. Also, one of the three outputs is connected to a repective one of the plurality of first interfacing transceivers. There is master switch control means having an output connected to the control inputs of the plurality of three position switches and an input for receiving directive signals for outputting addressed switch position signals to the three position switches as well as monitor and control computer means having a pair of network connector boards therein connected to respective ones of one of the first interfacing transceivers and one of the second interfacing transceivers and an output connected to the input of the master switch means for monitoring the status of the networked computer system by sending messages to the nodes and receiving and verifying messages therefrom and for sending control signals to the master switch to cause the master switch to cause respective ones of the nodes to use a desired one of the first and second cables for transmitting and receiving messages and for disconnecting desired ones of the nodes from both cables.

Morales, Sergio↗
NASA NTRS1989

Analysis of the 60-Hz power system at KSC: The Orsino substation

An analysis of the Orsino Substation, a component (50 percent) of the 60-Hertz electric power system at the Kennedy Space Center, is presented. Presented here are separate single-line diagrams of the sixteen feeder circuits to permit easy access to information on the individual feeders for future planning. The load condition of each feeder and load break switch are presented and a heuristic reliability analysis of the system is performed. Information is given about the system fashion useful for decision making purposes. The beauty of it is in the simplified manner by which information about the system can be obtained.

Kalu, Alex O.↗
NASA NTRS2005

Support of NASA ADR/ Cross-Enterprise NRA Advanced Adiabatic Demagnetization Refrigerators for Continuous Cooling from 10K to 50mK, Development of a Heat Switch

Mechanical heat switches are used in conjunction with sorption refrigerators, adiabatic demagnetization refrigerators and for other cryogenic tasks including the pre-cooling cryogenic systems. They use a mechanical actuator which closes Au plated Cu jaws on an Au plated Cu bar. The thermal conductance in the closed position is essentially independent of the area of the jaws and proportional to the force applied. It varies linearly with T. It is approximately 10mW/K for 200 N at 1.5K. In some applications, the heat switch can be driven from outside the cryostat by a rotating rod and a screw. Such heat switches are available commercially from several sources. In other applications, including systems for space, it is desirable to drive the switch using a cold linear motor, or solenoid. Superconducting windings are used at temperatures s 4.2K to minimize power dissipation, but are not appropriate for pre-cooling a system at higher temperatures. This project was intended to improve the design of solenoid activated mechanical heat switches and to provide such switches as required to support the development of Advanced Adiabatic Demagnetization Refrigerators for Continuous Cooling from 10 K to 50 mK at GSFC. By the time funding began in 5/1/01, the immediate need for mechanical heat switches at GSFC had subsided but, at the same time, the opportunity had arisen to improve the design of mechanical heat switching by incorporating a "latching solenoid". In this device, the solenoid current is required only for changing the state of the switch and not during the whole time that the switch is closed.

Richards, Paul L.↗
NASA NTRS2004

Communications interface for wireless communications headset

A universal interface adapter circuit interfaces, for example, a wireless communications headset with any type of communications system, including those that require push-to-talk (PTT) signaling. The interface adapter is comprised of several main components, including an RF signaling receiver, a microcontroller and associated circuitry for decoding and processing the received signals, and programmable impedance matching and line interfacing circuitry for interfacing a wireless communications headset system base to a communications system. A signaling transmitter, which is preferably portable (e.g., handheld), is employed by the wireless headset user to send signals to the signaling receiver. In an embodiment of the invention directed specifically to push-to-talk (PTT) signaling, the wireless headset user presses a button on the signaling transmitter when they wish to speak. This sends a signal to the microcontroller which decodes the signal and recognizes the signal as being a PTT request. In response, the microcontroller generates a control signal that closes a switch to complete a voice connection between the headset system base and the communications system so that the user can communicate with the communications system. With this arrangement, the wireless headset can be interfaced to any communications system that requires PTT signaling, without modification of the headset device. In addition, the interface adapter can also be configured to respond to or deliver any other types of signals, such as dual-tone-multiple-frequency (DTMF) tones, and on/off hook signals. The present invention is also scalable, and permits multiple wireless users to operate independently in the same environment through use of a plurality of the interface adapters.

Seibert, Marc A.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Window-mounted auxiliary solar heater

System uses hot-air collectors, no thermal storage, and fan with thermostat switches. At cost of heating efficiency, unit could be manufactured and sold at price allowing immediate entry to market as auxiliary heating system. Its simplicity allows homeowner installation, and maintenance is minimal.

Anthony, K. G.↗
NASA NTRS1986

A new meaning to 'flying the desk'

A unique advanced transport flight station design is described. The various systems and displays of the design are described, including: the configuration; switches; tailored logic/artificial intelligence; primary flight controllers; front panel displays; primary flight/navigation display; engine power/status, approach charts, and weather display; the Advisory, Caution, and Warning System/Cockpit Display of Traffic Information display; checklist/functional systems display; head-up display; voice command and response system; Flight Management Computer system; and integrated communications/navigation system. The application of the flight station to military research is briefly discussed.

Sexton, G. A.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Silicon Micromachining in RF and Photonic Applications

Texas Instruments (TI) has developed membrane and micromirror devices since the late 1970s. An eggcrate space membrane was used as the spatial light modulator in the early years. Discrete micromirrors supported by cantilever beams created a new era for micromirror devices. Torsional micromirror and flexure-beam micromirror devices were promising for mass production because of their stable supports. TI's digital torsional micromirror device is an amplitude modulator (known as the digital micromirror device (DMD) and is in production development, discussed elsewhere. We also use a torsional device for a 4 x 4 fiber-optic crossbar switch in a 2 cm x 2 cm package. The flexure-beam micromirror device is an analog phase modulator and is considered more efficient than amplitude modulators for use in optical processing systems. TI also developed millimeter-sized membranes for integrated optical switches for telecommunication and network applications. Using a member in radio frequency (RF) switch applications is a rapidly growing area because of the micromechanical device performance in microsecond-switching characteristics. Our preliminary membrane RF switch test structure results indicate promising speed and RF switching performance. TI collaborated with MIT for modeling of metal-based micromachining.

Lin, Tsen-Hwang↗