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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 757 records · Page 42

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NASA NTRS1981

Gas-laser power monitor

Device attaches simply to front of laser housing for continuous monitoring of power output. Monitor is calibrated to read either total output or power generated in test volume. It is fabricated from four black-anodized aluminum parts; crown glass positioned at Brewster angle reflects 0.33 percent of beam onto photodiode calibrated for electrical output proportional to laser power. Unlike conventional calorimeter, monitor does not interrupt laser beams, and fast-response diode allows instantaneous tracking of power fluctuations.

Russ, C. E., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS2012

Magnetic Materials Suitable for Fission Power Conversion in Space Missions

Terrestrial fission reactors use combinations of shielding and distance to protect power conversion components from elevated temperature and radiation. Space mission systems are necessarily compact and must minimize shielding and distance to enhance system level efficiencies. Technology development efforts to support fission power generation scenarios for future space missions include studying the radiation tolerance of component materials. The fundamental principles of material magnetism are reviewed and used to interpret existing material radiation effects data for expected fission power conversion components for target space missions. Suitable materials for the Fission Power System (FPS) Project are available and guidelines are presented for bounding the elevated temperature/radiation tolerance envelope for candidate magnetic materials.

Bowman, Cheryl L.↗

NASA NTRS1972

Integrated engine-generator for aircraft secondary power.

The integrated engine-generator concept consists of an electric generator located inside a turbojet or turbofan engine and both concentric with and driven by one of the main engine shafts. The electric power-conversion equipment and generator controls are conveniently located in the aircraft. When properly rated, the generator serves as an engine starter as well as a source of electric power. The available generating capacity permits use of electrically driven engine accessories. This reduces or eliminates the need for an external gearbox on the engine, thereby simplifying the engine and nacelle assembly and increasing aircraft design flexibility. The nacelle diameter can then be decreased, resulting in less aerodynamic drag and reduced takeoff gross weight.

Secunde, R. R.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Low concentration ratio solar array structural configuration

The design and structural properties of a low concentration ratio solar array are discussed. The assembled module consists of six interconnected containers which are compactly stowed in a volume of 3.24 m(3) for delivery to orbit by the shuttle. The containers deploy in accordian fashion into a rectangular area of 19.4 x 68 meters and can be attached to the user spacecraft along the longitudinal centerline of the end container housing. Five rotary incremental actuators requiring about 8 watts each will execute the 180-degree rotation at each joint. Deployable masts (three per side) are used to extend endcaps from the housing in both directions. Each direction is extended by three masts requiring about 780 watts for about 27 minutes. Concentrator elements are extended by the endcaps and are supported by cable systems that are connected between the housings and endcaps. These power generating elements contain reflector panels which concentrate light onto the solar panels consisting of an aluminum radiator with solar cells positioned within the element base formed by the reflectors. A flat wire harness collects the power output of individual elements for transfer to the module container housing harnesses.

Nalbandian, S. J.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Pressure-Letdown Machine for a Coal Reactor

Pumps operating in reverse generate power. Conceptual pressure-letdown machine for coal-liquefaction system extracts energy from expansion of product fluid. Mud pumps, originally intended for use in oil drilling, operated in reverse so their motors act as generators. Several pumps operated in alternating phase to obtain multiple stages of letdown from inlet pressure to outlet pressure. About 75 percent of work generates inlet pressure recoverable as electrical energy.

Perkins, G. S.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Analyzing Solar-Power Options For Spacecraft

Solar Space Power Analysis Code, SOSPAC, developed to examine solar-thermal and photovoltaic power-generation options available for satellite or spacecraft in low orbit around Earth. Is software tool for preliminary analysis of systems and enables engineer to compare areas, weights, and costs of several candidate electric- and thermal-power systems. Configurations studied include photovoltaic arrays and paraboloidal-dish systems to produce electricity only and in various combinations to provide both thermal and electric power. Written in FORTRAN IV.

Selcuk, M. K.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Power and stability limitations of resonant tunneling diodes

Stability criteria for resonant tunneling diodes are investigated. Details of how extrinsic elements, such as series inductance and parallel capacitance, affect the stability are presented. A GaAs/AlAs/InGaAs/AlAs/GaAs double-barrier diode is investigated, showing the effect of different modes of low-frequency oscillation and the extrinsic circuit required for stabilization. The effect of device stabilization on high-frequency power generation is described. The main conclusions of the paper are: (1) stable resonant tunneling diode operation is difficult to obtain, and (2) the circuit and device conditions required for stable operation greatly reduce the amount of power that can be produced by these devices.

Kidner, C.↗

NASA NTRS2015

Advancements of the Lightweight Integrated Solar Array and Transceiver (LISA-T) Small Spacecraft System

This paper describes recent advancements of the Lightweight Integrated Solar Array and Transceiver (LISA-T) currently being developed at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center. The LISA-T array comprises a launch stowed, orbit deployed structure on which thin-film photovoltaic (PV) and antenna devices are embedded. The system provides significant electrical power generation at low weights, high stowage efficiency, and without the need for solar tracking. Leveraging high-volume terrestrial-market PVs also gives the potential for lower array costs. LISA-T is addressing the power starvation epidemic currently seen by many small-scale satellites while also enabling the application of deployable antenna arrays. Herein, an overview of the system and its applications are presented alongside sub-system development progress and environmental testing plans/initial results.

Russell, Tiffany↗

NASA NTRS2015

Advancements of the Lightweight Integrated Solar Array and Transceiver (LISA-T) Small Spacecraft System

Lockett, Tiffany Russell↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Thermophotovoltaics for In-Space Nuclear Power

In-space nuclear power systems are under consideration for missions that need lots of power. Recent work in Thermophotovoltaic (TPV) cells indicates that they may be a mass efficient option for converting a nuclear reactor’s thermal energy into electrical energy. This paper briefly trades TPV versus a Brayton Cycle in the context of a conceptual Earth-to-Mars transportation system. The selection of the heat engine primarily impacts the design of the nuclear reactor, power handling electronics, fluid loops, heat exchangers, and thermal radiator, so the impact to these subsystems is also considered. The mass and electrical power generation are the primary figures of merit compared between the two alternatives, and qualitative differences are discussed.

Nuclear↗

NASA NTRS1974

The MIST /MIUS Integration and Subsystems Test/ laboratory - A testbed for the MIUS /Modular Integrated Utility System/ program

The MIUS (Modular Integrated Utility System) concept is to be an energy-conserving, economically feasible, integrated community utility system to provide five necessary services: electricity generation, space heating and air conditioning, solid waste processing, liquid waste processing, and residential water purification. The MIST (MIUS Integration and Subsystem Test) integrated system testbed constructed at the Johnson Space Center in Houston includes subsystems for power generation, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), wastewater management, solid waste management, and control and monitoring. The key design issues under study include thermal integration and distribution techniques, thermal storage, integration of subsystems controls and displays, incinerator performance, effluent characteristics, and odor control.

Beckham, W. S., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Helical screw expander evaluation project

A one MW helical rotary screw expander power system for electric power generation from geothermal brine was evaluated. The technology explored in the testing is simple, potentially very efficient, and ideally suited to wellhead installations in moderate to high enthalpy, liquid dominated field. A functional one MW geothermal electric power plant that featured a helical screw expander was produced and then tested with a demonstrated average performance of approximately 45% machine efficiency over a wide range of test conditions in noncondensing, operation on two-phase geothermal fluids. The Project also produced a computer equipped data system, an instrumentation and control van, and a 1000 kW variable load bank, all integrated into a test array designed for operation at a variety of remote test sites. Data are presented for the Utah testing and for the noncondensing phases of the testing in Mexico. Test time logged was 437 hours during the Utah tests and 1101 hours during the Mexico tests.

Mckay, R.↗

NASA NTRS1997

2 kWe Solar Dynamic Ground Test Demonstration Project: Executive Summary - Volume 1

The Solar Dynamic Ground Test Demonstration (SDGTD) successfully demonstrated a solar-powered closed Brayton cycle system in a relevant space thermal environment. In addition to meeting technical requirements the project was completed 4 months ahead of schedule and under budget. The following conclusions can be supported: 1. The component technology for solar dynamic closed Brayton cycle technology has clearly been demonstrated. 2. The thermal, optical, control, and electrical integration aspects of systems integration have also been successfully demonstrated. Physical integration aspects were not attempted as these tend to be driven primarily by mission-specific requirements. 3. System efficiency of greater than 15 percent (all losses fully accounted for) was demonstrated using equipment and designs which were not optimized. Some preexisting hardware was used to minimize cost and schedule. 4. Power generation of 2 kWe. 5. A NASA/industry team was developed that successfully worked together to accomplish project goals. The material presented in this report will show that the technology necessary to design and fabricate solar dynamic electrical power systems for space has been successfully developed and demonstrated. The data will further show that achieved results compare well with pretest predictions. The next step in the development of solar dynamic space power will be a flight test.

Alexander, Dennis↗

NASA NTRS2005

High-efficiency L-band T/R Module: Development Results

Future interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) systems require electronically scanned phased-array antennas, where the transmit/receive (T/R) module is a key component. The T/R module efficiency is a critical figure of merit and has direct implications on the power dissipation and power generation requirements of the system. Significant improvements in the efficiency of the T/R module will make SAR missions more feasible and affordable. The results of two high-efficiency T/R modules are presented, each based on different power amplifier technologies. One module uses a 30W GaAs Class-AlB power amplifier and the second module uses a 70W LD-MOS Class-ElF power amplifier, where both modules use a common low power section. Each module operates over an 80MHz bandwidth at L-band (1.2GHz) with an overall module efficiency greater than 58%. We will present the results of these two T/R modules that have been designed, built and tested.

synthetic aperture radar↗

NASA NTRS2012

Advanced Lithium Ion Venus Explorer (ALIVE)

The COncurrent Multidisciplinary Preliminary Assessment of Space Systems (COMPASS) Team partnered with the Applied Research Laboratory to perform a NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) Program study to evaluate chemical based power systems for keeping a Venus lander alive (power and cooling) and functional for a period of days. The mission class targeted was either a Discovery ($500M) or New Frontiers ($750M to $780M) class mission. Historic Soviet Venus landers have only lasted on the order of 2 hours in the extreme Venus environment:temperatures of 460 degrees Centigrade and pressures of 93 bar. Longer duration missions have been studied using plutonium powered systems to operate and cool landers for up to a year. However, the plutonium load is very large. This NIAC study sought to still provide power and cooling but without the plutonium. Batteries are far too heavy but a system which uses the atmosphere (primarily carbon dioxide) and on on-board fuel to power a power generation and cooling system was sought. The resuling design was the Advanced Long-Life Lander Investigating the Venus Environment (ALIVE) Spacecraft (S/C) which burns lithium (Li) with the CO2 atmosphere to heat a Duplex Stirling to power and cool the lander for a 5-day duration (until the Li is exhausted). While it does not last years a chemical powered system surviving days eliminates the cost associated with utilizing a flyby relay S/C and allows a continuous low data rate direct to earth (DTE) link in this instance from the Ovda Regio of Venus. The five-day collection time provided by the chemical power systems also enables science personnel on earth to interact and retarget science - something not possible with an approximately 2-hour spacecraft lifetime. It also allows for contingency operations directed by the ground (reduced risk). The science package was based on that envisioned by the Venus Intrepid Tessera Lander (VITaL) Decadal Survey Study. The Li Burner within the long duration power system creates approximately 14000 W of heat. This 1300 degree Centigrade heat using Li in the bottom "ballast" tank is melted to liquid by the Venus temperature, drawn into a furnace by a wick and burned with atmospheric CO2. The Li carbonate exhaust is liquid at 1300 degrees Centigrade and being denser than Li drains into the the Li tank and solidifies. Since the exhaust product is a dense liquid no "chimney" is required which conserves the heat for the stirling power convertor. The Duplex Stirling provides about 300 W of power and removes about 300 W of heat from the avionics and heat that leaks into the 1-bar-insulated payload pressure vessel kept at 25 degrees Centigrade. The Na K radiator is run to the top of the drag flap.The ALIVE vehicle is carried to Venus via an Atlas 411 launch vehicle (LV) with a C3 of 7 km2/s2. An Aeroshell, derived from the Genesis mission, enables a direct entry into the atmosphere of Venus (-10 degrees Centigrade, 40 g max) and 6 m/s for landing (44 g) using a drag ring. For surface science and communication, a 100 WRF (WebEx Recording Format), X-Band 0.6-meter pointable DTE (Direct-to-Earth) antenna provides 2 kbps (kilobits per second) to DSN (Deep-Space Network) 34-meter antenna clusters.Table 1.1 summarizes the top-level details of each subsystem that was incorporated into the design. Cost estimates of the ALIVE mission show it at approximately $760M which puts it into the New Frontiers class.The ALIVE landed duration is only limited by the amount of Li which can be carried by the lander. Further studies are needed to investigate how additional mass can be carried, perhaps by a larger launcher and larger aeroshell.

Exploration↗

NASA NTRS2019

Implementation of Cross-Agency Nuclear Applications

The Radioisotope Power System (RPS) Program was established in 2009 to manage RPS investments for NASA to ensure the availability of RPS for the exploration of the solar system in environments where conventional solar or chemical power generation is impractical or impossible. The RPS Program is a multi-center and multi-agency program. NASA is in partnership with the Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Nuclear Energy to provide technologically robust nuclear power system solutions to robotic spacecraft and exploration missions. During the last decade, the RPS Program and DOE have supported missions, developed technologies and initiated new power system developments. These technical areas, as all technical areas, have challenges and standard engineering solutions; however, clearing the path to enable the technical work requires agreements to be established. This paper describes a process by which two governmental agencies have established a successful basis to accomplish the needed work.

Zakrajsek, June F.↗

NASA NTRS2023

Kankakee Water Resources: Monitoring Temperature and Vegetation to Detect River Flow Impediments at Energy Intake Structures

In recent years, unpredictable grassing events have occurred at the Dresden Generating Station, located on the Kankakee River in northern Illinois. Grassing events are characterized by large mats of aquatic vegetation that accumulate downstream, resulting in the clogging of water intake structures and leading to major disruptions in power generation. Currently, employees at the Dresden Generating Station are responsible for reactively responding to each grassing event individually. This project, in partnership with Constellation Nuclear and the United States Geological Survey (USGS), assessed the feasibility of using Earth observations (Landsat 9 OLI-2, Landsat 8 OLI, Sentinel-2 MSI, DOVE PlanetScope, WorldView-3, and GPM IMERG) to detect floating aquatic vegetation within the Kankakee River and identify predictive factors that trigger grassing events, as doing so will provide the Dresden Generating Station the ability to anticipate future grassing events and enhance general hydrologic modeling efforts held by the USGS. The results of this study illustrated that, while aquatic vegetation can be detected by satellites with up to moderate spatial resolution (30 m), temporal resolution is a major limiting factor for tracking movements in floating aquatic vegetation and identifying predictive measures for these events. In addition, correlation results suggest a possible negative relationship between grassing events and river discharge (-0.875 correlation coefficient). In the future, pairing these results with ground control surveys and sensors with higher temporal capabilities would allow our project partners to predict and proactively address future grassing events, ensuring the reliable operation of the Dresden Generating Station.

Marisa Smedsrud↗

NASA NTRS2017

Environmental Testing of Tritium-Phosphor Glass Vials for Use in Long-Life Radioisotope Power Conversion Units

Power generation in extreme environments, such as the outer solar system, the night side of planets, or other low-illumination environments, currently presents a technology gap that challenges NASA's ambitious scientific goals. We are developing a radioisotope power cell (RPC) that utilizes commercially available tritium light sources and standard 1.85 eV InGaP2 photovoltaic cells to convert beta particle energy to electric energy. In the test program described here, we perform environmental tests on commercially available borosilicate glass vials internally coated with a ZnS luminescent phosphor that are designed to contain gaseous tritium in our proposed power source. Such testing is necessary to ensure that the glass containing the radioactive tritium is capable of withstanding the extreme environments of launch and space for extended periods of time.

Zemcov, Michael↗