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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
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1984

Theoretical model of the solar corona during sunspot minimum. I - Quasi-static approximation

The model of the solar corona (1.5 to 5 solar radius) during sunspot minimum is constructed. It is suggested that pole-equator asymmetry is caused by the interaction between global azimuthal electric currents in the corona and potential magnetic fields originated below. The asymmetry between the two hemispheres, which can be due to the magnetic quadrupole, is considered in detail. It is shown that an additional quadrupole term in the magnetic field representation affects the position of polar coronal hole boundaries differently in the two hemispheres. As a result, the outflow from the two polar regions is found to be different.

Osherovich, V. A.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Theoretical model of the solar corona during sunspot minimum. II - Dynamic approximation

The theoretical quasi-static model of the solar corona during sunspot minimum developed in an earlier paper (Osherovich et al., 1984) is extended to include a quasi-radial outflow. The requirement imposed in the above paper on a plasma flow is relaxed. The dynamic equation derived for the combination of a dipole-like and a radial field is used to calculate the electric current density around the sun in the region 1.5-5 solar radii. Comparison with the current density given by the quasi-static model shows that the outflow decreases the current density only slightly in the dynamic case. The dynamic coronal model with a magnetic quadrupole field is also considered, in relation to the north-south asymmetry in the solar corona.

Osherovich, V. A.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Synopsis of Magnetohydrodynamic Power Generation

Concise summary of magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) theory, history, and future trends presented in report. Worldwide research on MHD covered, and selected data from key research projects included. Magnetohydrodynamic generator produces electric current by passing fluid at high speed through strong magnetic field. Fluid ionized gas, plasma, or liquid metal. Magnetohydrodynamic generators offer potential for high efficiency, low power cost, and cleaner emissions.

Smith, J. L.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Magnetic spin reduction system for free spinning objects

A spinning Earth satellite is shown in which it is desired to reduce the rotation or spin to a level that the satellite may be secured or handled remotely from a spacecraft. This is accomplished by the spacecraft having a mast carrying an electrical current coil which encircles the satellite. The magnetic field of the coil is normal to the spin axis of the satellite which causes circular eddy current flow in the housing of the satellite. This generates magnetic force opposing the rotation. In another embodiment the magnetic field is generated by the use of an electromagnet on a remote manipulation arm.

Vontiesenhausen, G. F.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Experimental basis for a Titan probe organic analysis

The recent Voyager flyby of Titan produced evidence for at least nine organic compounds in that atmosphere that are heavier than methane. Several models of Titan's atmosphere, as well as laboratory simulations, suggest the presence of organics considerably more complex that those observed. To ensure that the in situ measurements are definitive with respect to Titan's atmosphere, experiment concepts, and the related instrumentation, must be carefully developed specifically for such a mission. To this end, the possible composition of the environment to be analyzed must be bracketed and model samples must be provided for instrumentation development studies. Laboratory studies to define the optimum flight experiment and sampling strategy for a Titan entry probe are currently being conducted. Titan mixtures are being subjected to a variety of energy sources including high voltage electron from a DC discharge, high current electric shock, and laser detonation. Gaseous and solid products are produced which are then analyzed. Samples from these experiements are also provided to candidate flight experiments as models for instrument development studies. Preliminary results show that existing theoretical models for chemistry in Titan's atmosphere cannot adequetely explain the presence and abundance of all trace gases observed in these experiments.

Mckay, C. P.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Accretion onto neutron stars with the presence of a double layer

It is known from laboratory experiments that double layers can form in plasmas, usually in the presence of an electric current. It is argued that a double layer may be present in the accretion column of a neutron star in a binary system. It is suggested that the double layer may be the predominant deceleration mechanism for the accreting ions, especially for sources with X-ray luminosities of less than about 10 to the 37th erg/s. Previous models have involved either a collisionless shock or an assumed gradual deceleration of the accreting ions to thermalize the energy of the infalling matter.

Williams, A. C.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Optical Welding Torch

Gas/tungsten-arc welding torch supports electrode at center while enabling viewing of weld area along torch axis. Gas torch accommodates lens and optical fibers, all part of vision system for welding robot. Welding torch includes spoked structure in central bore of optical body. Structure supports welding electrode, carries electric current to it, and takes heat away from it. Spokes formed by drilling six holes 60 degrees apart around center line of torch.

Richardson, R. W.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Electromagnetic Repulsive Deicer for Aircraft

Scheme for removing ice from airfoils in flight adds little weight and demands relatively small amount of energy. Employing electromagnetic repulsion of conductors embedded in rubber covering on airfoil, scheme breaks up layer of ice by snapping it in manner of snapping rug to remove dust. Layer of elastomer conforms to shape of airfoil in relaxed state. When carrying large electrical currents, conductive ribbons in elastomer repel each other, creating ridged surface on airfoil. Sheet of ice on airfoil broken up in sudden transition from relaxed state to energized state.

Haslim, Leonard A.↗
NASA NTRS1986

High voltage characteristics of the electrodynamic tether and the generation of power and propulsion

The Tethered Satellite System (TSS) will deploy and retrieve a satellite from the Space Shuttle orbiter with a tether of up to 100 km in length attached between the satellite and the orbiter. The characteristics of the TSS which are related to high voltages, electrical currents, energy storage, power, and the generation of plasma waves are described. A number of specific features of the tether system of importance in assessing the operational characteristics of the electrodynamic TSS are identified.

Williamson, P. R.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Electrodynamics of the middle atmosphere: Superpressure balloon program

In this experiment a comprehensive set of electrical parameters were measured during eight long duration flights in the southern hemisphere stratosphere. These flight resulted in the largest data set ever collected from the stratosphere. The stratosphere has never been electrodynamically sampled in the systematic manner before. New discoveries include short term variability in the planetary scale electric current system, the unexpected observation of stratospheric conductivity variations over thunderstorms and the observation of direct stratospheric conductivity variations following a relatively small solar flare. Major statistical studies were conducted of the large scale current systems, the stratospheric conductivity and the neutral gravity waves (from pressure and temperature data) using the entire data set.

Holzworth, Robert H.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Accretion onto neutron stars with the presence of a double layer

It is known, from laboratory experiments, that double layers will form in plasmas, usually in the presence of an electric current. It is argued that a double layer may be present in the accretion column of a neutron star in a binary system. It is suggested that the double layer may be the predominant deceleration mechanism for the accreting ions, especially for sources with X-ray luminosities of less than about 10 to the 37th erg/s. Previous models have involved either a collisionless shock or an assumed gradual deceleration of the accreting ions to thermalize the energy of the infalling matter.

Williams, A. C.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Numerical simulation of flare energy build-up and release via Joule dissipation

A new numerical MHD model is developed to study the evolution of an active region due to photospheric converging motion, which leads to magnetic-energy buildup in the form of electric current. Because this new MHD model has incorporated finite conductivity, the energy conversion occurs from magnetic mode to thermal mode through Joule dissipation. In order to test the causality relationship between the occurrence of flare and photospheric motion, a multiple-pole configuration with neutral point is used. Using these results it is found that in addition to the converging motion, the initial magnetic-field configuration and the redistribution of the magnetic flux at photospheric level enhance the possibility for the development of a flare.

Wu, S. T.↗
NASA NTRS1988

A review of Magnetic Suspension and Balance Systems

This paper traces the development of Magnetic Suspension and Balance Systems (MSBSs) for use in wind tunnels. The expression MSBS implies a system that can both suspend a model and also measure the forces and moments acting on the model. This avoids the need for any mechanical support of the model. An MSBS uses electromagnets located outside the test section walls to create magnetic fields inside the test section. Measurement of the electrical current flowing in each of the electromagnets can be used to determine the forces and moments acting on the suspended model. An MSBS is capable of supporting a model with an internal magnetized core subject to gravity, aerodynamic, and inertial loads. The model must have a core made of either a permanent magnet, magnetized soft iron, or a solenoid. The position of the suspended body is inherently unstable. A closed-loop control system which includes a position sensing system has to control the position of the body by controlling the applied magnetic fields. This paper includes a discussion of all the known MSBSs and the outlook for larger systems.

Boyden, Richmond P.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Production and characterization of CdCl2 intercalated graphite fibers

Graphite fibers were intercalated using CdCl2 as a Cl source and Cl2 as carrier gas. Fibers were synthesized with a resistivity-density figure of merit comparable to that of copper. These fibers can withstand practical electrical current densities as high as 54,000 A/sq cm. Their thermal coefficient of resistivity is 0.0016 C, which is approximately 41 percent of those for copper and aluminum.

Gooden, Clarence E.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Magnetic fine structure of solar coronal loops

A numerical simulation of the effect of a random photospheric flow on the magnetic structure of a coronal loop is presented. An initially uniform field embedded in a perfectly conducting plasma is assumed, extending between two flat parallel plates representing the solar photosphere at both ends of the loop. The field is perturbed by a sequence of randomly phased, sinusoidal flow patterns applied at one of the boundary plates, and the corresponding sequence of force-free fields is determined. It is found that the electric currents generated by these flows develop a fine structure on a scale significantly smaller than the wavelength of the velocity patterns. This suggests that magnetic energy is transferred to smaller scale via a cascade process.

Van Ballegooijen, A. A.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Making More Efficient Use Of Battery-Plate Mass

Improved active material for positive plate of lead/acid electric storage battery made with additional porosity to give electrolyte access to larger plate-surface area. 65 to 68 percent of active mass of plate used to generate electric current. Batteries with new plate material offer extremely long cycle life.

Rowlette, John J.↗
NASA NTRS1990

A technique to measure the thermal diffusivity of high T(sub c) superconductors

High T(sub c) superconducting electrical current leads and ground straps will be used in cryogenic coolers in future NASA Goddard Space Flight Center missions. These superconducting samples will be long, thin leads with a typical diameter of two millimeters. A longitudinal method is being developed to measure the thermal diffusivity of candidate materials for this application. This technique will use a peltier junction to supply an oscillatory heat wave into one end of a sample and will use low mass thermocouples to follow the heat wave along the sample. The thermal diffusivity will be calculated using both the exponential decay of the heat wave and the phase shift of the wave. Measurements will be done in a cryostat between 10 K and room temperature.

Powers, Charles E.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Aerobrake plasmadynamics - Macroscopic effects

The flow around an aerobraking spacecraft (such as the Aeroassist Flight Experiment reentry vehicle) will contain a region of partially ionized gas, that is, a plasma. It is shown here by numerical simulation that macroscopic plasmadynamic effects (which are not included in standard aerothermodynamic simulations) will have a noticeable effect on the reentry flow field. In particular, there are thermoelectric phenomena which can have a major influence in flow dynamics at the front of an ionizing bowshock. These thermoelectric phenomena arise because of the presence of large density and temperature gradients at the front of a reentry bowshock, and they include strong local magnetic fields, electric currents, and ohmic heating. One important result is the dramatic increase in temperature (over the case where plasma effects are neglected) at a reentry shock front; the implication is that macroscopic plasmadynamic effects can no longer be neglected in simulations of hypersonic reentry flow fields.

Shebalin, John V.↗