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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 739 records · Page 41

Evolutionary growth for Space Station Freedom electrical power system

Over an operational lifetime of at least 30 yr, Space Station Freedom will encounter increased space station user requirements and advancing technologies. The space station electrical power system is designed with the flexibility to accommodate these emerging technologies and expert systems and is being designed with the necessary software hooks and hardware scars to accommodate increased growth demand. The electrical power system is planned to grow from the initial 75 kW up to 300 kW. The Phase 1 station will utilize photovoltaic arrays to produce the electrical power; however, for growth to 300 kW, solar dynamic power modules will be utilized. Pairs of 25 kW solar dynamic power modules will be added to the station to reach the power growth level. The addition of solar dynamic power in the growth phase places constraints in the initial space station systems such as guidance navigation and control, external thermal, truss structural stiffness, computational capabilities and storage which must be planned-in in order to facilitate the addition of the solar dynamic modules.

Marshall, Matthew F.↗

Evolutionary growth for Space Station Freedom electrical power system

Over an operational lifetime of at least 30 yr, Space Station Freedom will encounter increased Space Station user requirements and advancing technologies. The Space Station electrical power system is designed with the flexibility to accommodate these emerging technologies and expert systems and is being designed with the necessary software hooks and hardware scars to accommodate increased growth demand. The electrical power system is planned to grow from the initial 75 kW up to 300 kW. The Phase 1 station will utilize photovoltaic arrays to produce the electrical power; however, for growth to 300 kW, solar dynamic power modules will be utilized. Pairs of 25 kW solar dynamic power modules will be added to the station to reach the power growth level. The addition of solar dynamic power in the growth phase places constraints in the initial Space Station systems such as guidance, navigation, and control, external thermal, truss structural stiffness, computational capabilities and storage, which must be planned-in, in order to facilitate the addition of the solar dynamic modules.

Marshall, Matthew Fisk↗

Application of small-signal modeling and measurement techniques to the stability analysis of an integrated switching-mode power system

Small-signal modeling techniques are used in a system stability analysis of a breadboard version of a complete functional electrical power system. The system consists of a regulated switching dc-to-dc converter, a solar-cell-array simulator, a solar-array EMI filter, battery chargers and linear shunt regulators. Loss mechanisms in the converter power stage, including switching-time effects in the semiconductor elements, are incorporated into the modeling procedure to provide an accurate representation of the system without requiring frequency-domain measurements to determine the damping factor. The small-signal system model is validated by the use of special measurement techniques which are adapted to the poor signal-to-noise ratio encountered in switching-mode systems. The complete electrical power system with the solar-array EMI filter is shown to be stable over the intended range of operation.

Wong, R. C.↗

Model-based reasoning for power system management using KATE and the SSM/PMAD

The overall goal of this research effort has been the development of a software system which automates tasks related to monitoring and controlling electrical power distribution in spacecraft electrical power systems. The resulting software system is called the Intelligent Power Controller (IPC). The specific tasks performed by the IPC include continuous monitoring of the flow of power from a source to a set of loads, fast detection of anomalous behavior indicating a fault to one of the components of the distribution systems, generation of diagnosis (explanation) of anomalous behavior, isolation of faulty object from remainder of system, and maintenance of flow of power to critical loads and systems (e.g. life-support) despite fault conditions being present (recovery). The IPC system has evolved out of KATE (Knowledge-based Autonomous Test Engineer), developed at NASA-KSC. KATE consists of a set of software tools for developing and applying structure and behavior models to monitoring, diagnostic, and control applications.

Morris, Robert A.↗

Space radiator trade studies for the 25 kW Power System

Advanced radiator designs which will survive the meteoroid hazard of near earth orbit for five years are evaluated for the 25 kW Power System. Weight comparisons of heat pipe radiators and pumped fluid radiators incorporating meteoroid bumpers are presented for the initial 25 kW Power System and growth versions to 250 kW. The heat pipe concept is enhanced by a new design of the thermal interface between the heat pipe and coolant loop. The results show small weight differences between the advanced heat pipe and pumped fluid concepts for heat loads up to about 50 kW. The heat pipe panels have a weight advantage for larger heat loads.

Howell, H. R.↗

The ATS-6 power system - Hardware implementation and orbital performance

The Applications Technology Satellite-6 has performed more than 20 communications, technological and scientific experiments in 2 years of highly successful operation. Contributing substantially to this success has been the flexibility of the power system that allows multiple operation of experiments. The power system, a shunt-boost configuration, uses partial shunt regulation of the solar array and a boost regulator for control of battery power. Regulation is provided for three different operating modes: shunt, charge, and boost. This configuration achieves the highest efficiency of power transfer from the solar array to the loads. The solar array degradation (18.5 percent) has been less than the predicted 20 percent in spite of extreme cycling from -160 C to 60 C. A unique battery cycling regime of discharges varying from 5 percent to 60 percent daily is being encountered. During the second year, noneclipse discharges have occurred twice a day to depths of 35 percent and 45 percent. Battery performance has been good with only a small decrease in end-of-discharge voltage.

Lavigna, T. A.↗

Space Station Power System

The strategies, reasoning, and planning guidelines used in the development of the United States Space Station Program are outlined. The power required to support Space Station missions and housekeeping loads is a key driver in overall Space Station design. conversely, Space Station requirements drive the power technology. Various power system technology options are discussed. The mission analysis studies resulting in the required Space Station capabilities are also discussed. An example of Space Station functions and a concept to provide them is presented. The weight, area, payload and altitude requirements on draft and mass requirements are described with a summary and status of key power systems technology requirements and issues.

Baraona, C. R.↗

Development of High Temperature Dissimilar Joint Technology for Fission Surface Power Systems

NASA is developing fission surface power (FSP) system technology as a potential option for use on the surface of the moon or Mars. The goal is to design a robust system that takes full advantage of existing materials data bases. One of the key components of the power conversion system is the hot-side Heat Exchanger (HX). One possible design for this heat exchanger requires a joint of the dissimilar metals 316L stainless steel and Inconel 718, which must sustain extended operation at high temperatures. This study compares two joining techniques, brazing and diffusion bonding, in the context of forming the requisite stainless steel to superalloy joint. The microstructures produced by brazing and diffusion bonding, the effect of brazing cycle on the mechanical tensile properties of the alloys, and the strength of several brazed joints will be discussed.

Locci, Ivan E.↗

Power systems for ocean regional cabled observatories

Development of power systems is the most challenging technical issue in the design of ocean regional cabled observatories. ARENA and NEPTUNE are two ocean regional cabled observatory networks with aims that are at least broadly similar. Yet the two designs are quite different in detail. This paper outlines the both systems and explores the reasons for the divergence of design, and shows that it arose because of differences in the priority of requirements.

cabled subsea observatory↗

Design of the Space Station Freedom power system

The design of Space Station Freedom's electric power system (EPS) is reviewed, highlighting the key design goals of performance, low cost, reliability and safety. Tradeoff study results that illustrate the competing factors responsible for many of the more important design decisions are discussed. When Freedom's EPS is compared with previous space power designs, two major differences stand out. The first is the size of the EPS, which is larger than any prior system. The second major difference between the EPS and other space power designs is the indefinite expected life of Freedom; 30 years has been used for life-cycle-cost calculations.

Thomas, Ronald L.↗

Satellite power system: Engineering and economic analysis summary

A system engineering and economic analysis was conducted to establish typical reference baselines for the photovoltaic, solar thermal, and nuclear satellite power systems. Tentative conclusions indicate that feasibility and economic viability are characteristic of the Satellite Power System. Anticipated technology related to manufacturing, construction, and maintenance operations is described. Fuel consumption, environmental effects, and orbital transfer are investigated. Space shuttles, local space transportation, and the heavy lift launch vehicle required are also discussed.

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