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At least 721 records · Page 40

Advanced Refrigerator/Freezer Technology Development. Technology Assessment

The NASA Lewis Research Center, through contract with Oceaneering Space Systems, is engaged in a project to develop advanced refrigerator/freezer (R/F) technologies for future Life and Biomedical Sciences space flight missions. The first phase of this project, a technology assessment, has been completed to identify the advanced R/F technologies needed and best suited to meet the requirements for the five R/F classifications specified by Life and Biomedical Science researchers. Additional objectives of the technology assessment were to rank those technologies based on benefit and risk, and to recommend technology development activities that can be accomplished within this project. This report presents the basis, the methodology, and results of the R/F technology assessment, along with technology development recommendations.

Gaseor, Thomas↗

Power processing technology for spacecraft primary ion propulsion

Advanced technologies developed in support of Ion Propulsion power processing, including the power circuitry portion of the Series L-C Resonant Inverter, Beam Supply, power components, packaging and heat pipe cooling of the 30 cm Ion Engine Power Processor are described. Both the transistorized and SCR versions of the Series L-C Resonant Inverter Beam Supply are discussed. A BIMOD Ion Thruster/Power Processor Prototype Assembly is undergoing environmental and life testing. These advanced technologies can be applied advantageously to other applications of future high power space power processing equipment.

Biess, J. J.↗

Enabling Additive Manufacturing Technologies for Advanced Aero Propulsion Materials & Components

Additive manufacturing (AM) technologies are enabling for advanced high performance, propulsion component designs in electric motors1-2 and turbine engine systems in future electrified aircraft. AM offers significant benefits over conventional manufacturing to fabricate components that are more compact, lighter weight, geometrically complex, innovatively cooled, integrated, multi-material, and multifunctional. For turbine engine applications, silicon carbide (SiC) based composites are being pursued using binder jetting and laminated object manufacturing (LOM) for components such as shrouds, vanes, and recuperators. For electric motor applications, additive processes are being applied toward optimized component designs to include the housing, rotor, and stators with 3-D printing and wire imbedded coils and with direct printed 3-phase coils. The electrical conductivity of silver conductor coils optimized by evaluating alternate sintering methods and additions of graphene and carbon nanostructures will be presented. Potential benefits of new electric motor components in improving temperature capability, efficiency, and power density for reductions in energy consumption and emissions will be discussed.

Halbig, Michael C.↗

Advanced Air Transport Technology (AATT)

The NASA Advanced Air Transport Technology (AATT) Project is advancing commercial subsonic technologies to meet future aviation economic and environmental goals. Part of the portfolio is focused on podded and integrated fan technology advancement. The AATT is discussing potential collaboration opportunities in the fan technology area with DLR (German Aerospace Center). This presentation will be used to facilitate these discussions.

Wadel, Mary↗

Aerospace Engineering Systems and the Advanced Design Technologies Testbed Experience

Continuous improvement of aerospace product development processes is a driving requirement across much of the aerospace community. As up to 90% of the cost of an aerospace product is committed during the first 10% of the development cycle, there is a strong emphasis on capturing, creating, and communicating better information (both requirements and performance) early in the product development process. The community has responded by pursuing the development of computer-based systems designed to enhance the decision-making capabilities of product development individuals and teams. Recently, the historical foci on sharing the geometrical representation and on configuration management are being augmented: 1) Physics-based analysis tools for filling the design space database; 2) Distributed computational resources to reduce response time and cost; 3) Web-based technologies to relieve machine-dependence; and 4) Artificial intelligence technologies to accelerate processes and reduce process variability. The Advanced Design Technologies Testbed (ADTT) activity at NASA Ames Research Center was initiated to study the strengths and weaknesses of the technologies supporting each of these trends, as well as the overall impact of the combination of these trends on a product development event. Lessons learned and recommendations for future activities are reported.

VanDalsem, William R.↗

Advanced Supersonic Technology concept AST-100 characteristics developed in a baseline-update study

The advanced supersonic technology configuration, AST-100, is described. The combination of wing thickness reduction, nacelle recontouring for minimum drag at cruise, and the use of the horizontal tail to produce lift during climb and cruise resulted in an increase in maximum lift-to-drag ratio. Lighter engines and lower fuel weight associated with this resizing result in a six percent reduction in takeoff gross weight. The AST-100 takeoff maximum effective perceived noise at the runway centerline and sideline measurement stations was 114.4 decibels. Since 1.5-decibels tradeoff is available from the approach noise, the required engine noise supression is 4.9 decibels. The AST-100 largest maximum overpressure would occur during transonic climb acceleration when the aircraft was at relatively low altitude. Calculated standard +8 C day range of the AST-100, with a 292 passenger payload, is 7348 km (3968 n.mi). Fuel price is the largest contributor to direct operating cost. However, if the AST-100 were flown subsonically (M = 0.9), direct operating costs would increase approximately 50 percent because of time related costs.

Baber, H. T., Jr.↗

Perspectives on Advanced Learning Technologies and Learning Networks and Future Aerospace Workforce Environments

An overview of the advanced learning technologies is given in this presentation along with a brief description of their impact on future aerospace workforce development. The presentation is divided into five parts (see Figure 1). In the first part, a brief historical account of the evolution of learning technologies is given. The second part describes the current learning activities. The third part describes some of the future aerospace systems, as examples of high-tech engineering systems, and lists their enabling technologies. The fourth part focuses on future aerospace research, learning and design environments. The fifth part lists the objectives of the workshop and some of the sources of information on learning technologies and learning networks.

Noor, Ahmed K.↗

NASA/industry advanced turboprop technology program

Experimental and analytical effort shows that use of advanced turboprop (propfan) propulsion instead of conventional turbofans in the older narrow-body airline fleet could reduce fuel consumption for this type of aircraft by up to 50 percent. The NASA Advanced Turboprop (ATP) program was formulated to address the key technologies required for these thin, swept-blade propeller concepts. A NASA, industry, and university team was assembled to develop and validate applicable design codes and prove by ground and flight test the viability of these propeller concepts. Some of the history of the ATP project, an overview of some of the issues, and a summary of the technology developed to make advanced propellers viable in the high-subsonic cruise speed application are presented. The ATP program was awarded the prestigious Robert J. Collier Trophy for the greatest achievement in aeronautics and astronautics in America in 1987.

Ziemianski, Joseph A.↗

NASA/industry advanced turboprop technology program

Experimental and analytical effort shows that use of advanced turboprop (propfan) propulsion instead of conventional turbofans in the older narrow-body airline fleet could reduce fuel consumption for this type of aircraft by up to 50 percent. The NASA Advanced Turboprop (ATP) program was formulated to address the key technologies required for these thin, swept-blade propeller concepts. A NASA, industry, and university team was assembled to develop and validate applicable design codes and prove by ground and flight test the viability of these propeller concepts. Some of the history of the ATP Project, an overview of some of the issues, and a summary of the technology developed to make advanced propellers viable in the high-subsonic cruise speed application are presented. The ATP program was awarded the prestigious Robert J. Collier Trophy for the greatest achievement in aeronautics and astronautics in America in 1987.

Ziemianski, Joseph A.↗

Proceedings of the Twentieth NASA Propagation Experimenters Meeting (NAPEX XX) and the Advanced Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS) Propagation Studies Miniworkshop

The NASA Propagation Experimenters (NAPEX) Meeting and associated Advanced Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS) Propagation Studies Miniworkshop convene yearly to discuss studies supported by the NASA Propagation Program. Representatives from the satellite communications (satcom)industry, academia, and government with an interest in space-ground radio wave propagation have peer discussion of work in progress, disseminate propagation results, and interact with the satcom industry. NAPEX XX, in Fairbanks, Alaska, June 4-5, 1996, had three sessions: (1) "ACTS Propagation Study: Background, Objectives, and Outcomes," covered results from thirteen station-years of Ka-band experiments; (2) "Propagation Studies for Mobile and Personal Satellite Applications," provided the latest developments in measurement, modeling, and dissemination of propagation phenomena of interest to the mobile, personal, and aeronautical satcom industry; and (3)"Propagation Research Topics," covered a range of topics including space/ground optical propagation experiments, propagation databases, the NASA Propagation Web Site, and revision plans for the NASA propagation effects handbooks. The ACTS Miniworkshop, June 6, 1996, covered ACTS status, engineering support for ACTS propagation terminals, and the ACTS Propagation Data Center. A plenary session made specific recommendations for the future direction of the program.

Golshan, Nassar↗

Advanced Mirror Technology Development (AMTD) II Modal Test of A 1.5 m Glass Slumped Mirror

The Advanced Mirror Technology Development (AMTD) project is in Phase 2 of a multiyear effort initiated in Fiscal Year 2012 to mature toward the next technology readiness level critical technologies required to enable 4-m-or-larger monolithic or segmented ultraviolet, optical, and infrared (UVOIR) space telescope primary-mirror assemblies for general astrophysics and ultra-high-contrast observations of exoplanets. As part of AMTD II, a free-free modal test was performed of a light weighted slumped 1.5 m mirror made of Corning Ultra Low Expansion (ULE®) material. The test article and support structure were suspended via bungee to simulate a free-free environment. Modes were excited by roaming an instrumented modal test hammer and responses were measured. Predicted and measured frequencies are presented as well as Modal Assurance Criteria (MAC) results to compare the mode shapes. The finite element mirror model used for pre-test predictions and posttest comparisons was provided by the mirror vendor, Harris Corporation. The mirror FEM included deformations of the ribs that were a result of the slumping process. Modal test frequencies matched predictions within the 5% target with the exception of one mode and that pair differed by 5.2%. Of the seven modes measured and predicted, four had MAC values meeting the target of ≥ 0.90, one was just under and two were notably below the target.

Knight, J. Brent↗

Oxygen/hydrogen component technology status.

The advanced technology applicable to oxygen/hydrogen systems for auxiliary propulsion systems and other high energy upper stage applications is being developed. Turbopump, propellant conditioner (gas generator and heat exchanger), thruster, igniter, valve, and flow controller components are being evaluated. A brief description of turbopump, conditioner, valve, and thruster experimental programs is presented. Design and hot-firing test data are discussed.

Fulton, D. L.↗

Material technology

Advanced high pressure O2/H2 propulsion systems as exemplified by the Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) create challenging operating environments for materials. Many components operate in either hydrogen or hydrogen-steam environments which may significantly degrade the performance of common alloys. The objective of the materials technology projects is to develop and evaluate candidate materials for application in advanced high pressure O2/H2 propulsion systems. These new and improved materials are to improve the durability or performance of the SSME or derivative engine. The program includes projects on the following topics: (1) Hydrogen Resistant Alloys; (2) High Pressure O2 Ignition and Burning; (3) Improved Turbine Blades; (4) Improved Turbine Disk Material; (5) Impact Reactivity in High Pressure O2; and Fiber Reinforced Superalloys.

Dreshfield, R. L.↗

Advances in SIS receiver technology

Significant advances in SIS receiver technology since the last Asilomar meeting include: superconductor materials, integrated inductive tuning elements, and planar mounting structures. The effect of these advances is to push the upper frequency operating limit from about 600 to 1500 GHz, and to enhance the feasibility of focal plane arrays of heterodyne receivers. A fundamental high frequency operating limit of SIS mixers is set by the superconducting energy gap. A practical limitation for high frequency operation of SIS junctions is their parasitic capacitance and resistance. The performance of the mixer will be degraded by the Resistor-Capacitor rolloff. Several designs were reported for inductive elements integrated on the same substrate as the SIS junctions to tune out the bulk junction capacitance. Most millimeter SIS-based heterodyne receivers have used waveguide coupling structures. Technology has advanced to the state where programs that have a high probability of success can be defined to produce arrays of SIS receivers for frequencies as high as 1500 GHz.

Frerking, M. A.↗

Conceptual study of an advanced supersonic technology transport (AST-107) for transpacific range using low-bypass-ratio turbofan engines

An advanced supersonic technology configuration concept designated the AST-107, using a low bypass ratio turbofan engine, is described and analyzed. The aircraft had provisions for 273 passengers arranged five abreast. The cruise Mach number was 2.62. The mission range for the AST-107 was 8.48 Mm (4576 n.mi.) and an average lift drag ratio of 9.15 during cruise was achieved. The available lateral control was not sufficient for the required 15.4 m/s (30 kt) crosswind landing condition, and a crosswind landing gear or a significant reduction in dihedral effect would be necessary to meet this requirement. The lowest computed noise levels, including a mechanical suppressor noise reduction of 3 EPNdB at the flyover and sideline monitoring stations, were 110.3 EPNdB (sideline noise), 113.1 EPNdB (centerline noise) and 110.5 EPNdB (approach noise).

Morris, S. J., Jr.↗

A program for advancing the technology of space concentrators

In 1985, the NASA Lewis Research Center formed a project, the Advanced Solar Dynamics Power Systems Project, for the purpose of advancing the technology of Solar Dynamic Power Systems for space applications beyond 2000. Since then, technology development activities have been initiated for the major components and subsystems such as the concentrator, heat receiver and engine, and radiator. Described here is a program for developing long lived (10 years or more), lighter weight, and more reflective space solar concentrators than is presently possible. The program is progressing along two parallel paths: one is concentrator concept development and the other is the resolution of those critical technology issues that will lead to durable, highly specular, and lightweight reflector elements. Outlined are the specific objectives, long term goals, approach, planned accomplishments for the future, and the present status of the various program elements.

Naujokas, Gerald J.↗

A program for advancing the technology of space concentrators

In 1985, the NASA Lewis Research Center formed a project, the Advanced Solar Dynamics Power Systems Project, for the purpose of advancing the technology of Solar Dynamic Power Systems for space applications beyond 2000. Since then, technology development activities have been initiated for the major components and subsystems such as the concentrator, heat receiver and engine, and radiator. Described here is a program for developing long lived (10 years or more), lighter weight, and more reflective space solar concentrators than is presently possible. The program is progressing along two parallel paths: one is concentrator concept development and the other is the resolution of those critical technology issues that will lead to durable, highly specular, and lightweight reflector elements. Outlined are the specific objectives, long-term goals, approach, planned accomplishments for the future, and the present status of the various program elements.

Naujokas, Gerald J.↗