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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 775 records · Page 43
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1983

New approaches to planetary exploration - Spacecraft and information systems design

Approaches are recommended for use by the NASA Solar System Exploration Committee (SSEC) in lowering the costs of planetary missions. The inclusion of off-the-shelf hardware, i.e., configurations currently in use for earth orbits and constructed on a nearly assembly-line basis, is suggested. Alterations would be necessary for the thermal control, power supply, telecommunications equipment, and attitude sensing in order to be serviceable as a planetary observer spacecraft. New technology can be developed only when cost reduction for the entire mission would be realized. The employment of lower-cost boost motors, or even integrated boost motors, for the transfer out of earth orbit is indicated, as is the development of instruments that do not redundantly gather the same data as previous planetary missions. Missions under consideration include a Mars geoscience climatology Orbiter, a lunar geoscience Orbiter, a near-earth asteroid rendezvous, a Mars aeronomy Orbiter, and a Venus atmospheric probe.

Diaz, A. V.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Marshall Amateur Club experiment (MARCE)

The integration of the Get Away Special (GAS) payload for the space shuttle is discussed in terms of systems design. In addition to the primary power, control, and distribution networks to electrically integrate the spaceborne experiments, an instrument measuring system, a data system, and a radio frequency downlink system were designed. A brief review of these systems is given.

Stluka, E. F.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Wind turbine generator interaction with conventional diesel generators on Block Island, Rhode Island. Volume 1: Executive summary

Primary results are summarized for a three-part study involving the effects of connecting a MOD-OA wind turbine generator to an isolated diesel power system. The MOD-OA installation considered was the third of four experimental nominal 200 kW wind turbines connected to various utilities under the Federal Wind Energy Program and was characterized by the highest wind energy penetration levels of four sites. The study analyses address: fuel displacement, dynamic interaction, and three modes of reactive power control. These analyses all have as their basis the results of the data acquisition program conducted on Block Island, Rhode Island.

Wilreker, V. F.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Wind turbine generator interaction with conventional diesel generators on Block Island, Rhode Island. Volume 2: Data analysis

Assessing the performance of a MOD-OA horizontal axis wind turbine connected to an isolated diesel utility, a comprehensive data measurement program was conducted on the Block Island Power Company installation on Block Island, Rhode Island. The detailed results of that program focusing on three principal areas of (1) fuel displacement (savings), (2) dynamic interaction between the diesel utility and the wind turbine, (3) effects of three models of wind turbine reactive power control are presented. The approximate two month duration of the data acquisition program conducted in the winter months (February into April 1982) revealed performance during periods of highest wind energy penetration and hence severity of operation. Even under such conditions fuel savings were significant resulting in a fuel reduction of 6.7% while the MOD-OA was generating 10.7% of the total electrical energy. Also, electrical disturbance and interactive effects were of an acceptable level.

Wilreker, V. F.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Design of a digital ride quality augmentation system for a commuter aircraft

Commuter aircraft with low wing loading that operate at low altitudes are particularly susceptible to unwanted accelerations caused by atmospheric gusts. This paper describes the design and analysis of a longitudinal digital Ride Quality Augmentation System (RQAS). The RQAS designs were conducted for a Cessna 402B aircraft using the flaps and the elevator as the control surfaces. The designs are generated using linear quadratic Gaussian theory and analyzed in both the time and frequency domains. Nominal designs are presented at five flight conditions that cover a total mission. Trade-off studies are conducted to investigate the effect of sample time, computational delay time, servo bandwidth and control power.

Hammond, T. A.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Cryogenic Fluid Management Facility

The Cryogenic Fluid Management Facility (CFMF) is a reusable test bed which is designed to be carried into space in the Shuttle cargo bay to investigate systems and technologies required to efficiently and effectively manage cryogens in space. The facility hardware is configured to provide low-g verification of fluid and thermal models of cryogenic storage, transfer concepts and processes. Significant design data and criteria for future subcritical cryogenic storage and transfer systems will be obtained. Future applications include space-based and ground-based orbit transfer vehicles (OTV), space station life support, attitude control, power and fuel depot supply, resupply tankers, external tank (ET) propellant scavenging, space-based weapon systems and space-based orbit maneuvering vehicles (OMV). This paper describes the facility and discusses the cryogenic fluid management technology to be investigated. A brief discussion of the integration issues involved in loading and transporting liquid hydrogen within the Shuttle cargo bay is also included.

Eberhardt, R. N.↗
NASA NTRS1985

A remotely controlled orbiting retriever

A preliminary design effort was recently carried out to investigate methods of removing a certain class of space objects from Shuttle type orbits. Specifically, expired satellites, upper stages, and other objects of potential danger to the Shuttle are the targets of the study. The Trash Remover and Satellite Hauler (TRASH-1) design effort was broken into several disciplines: mission analysis, systems engineering, dynamics and control, power, thermal, and propulsion. A basic requirements is that TRASH-1 go up in the Shuttle. It must be reusable and capable of disposing of more than one item per mission for cost effectiveness. These requirements imply TRASH-1 should use current technology, be modular in design, and be relatively maneuverable. In order to maximize utility, it should be able to both capture and deorbit objects. The design was a basic bus with attachable modules which can either capture or deorbit, depending on the module.

Kaplan, M. H.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Alternatives for jet engine control

The technical progress of researches Alternatives for Jet Engine Control is reported. A numerical study employing feedback tensors for optimal control of nonlinear systems was completed. It is believed that these studies are the first of their kind. State regulation, with a decrease in control power is demonstrated. A detailed treatment follows.

Sain, M. K.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Study on using a digital ride quality augmentation system to trim an engine-out in a Cessna 402B

A linear model of the Cessna 402B was used to determine if the control power available to a Ride Quality Augmentation System was adequate to trim an engine-out. Two simulations were completed: one using a steady state model, and the other using a state matrix model. The amount of rudder available was not sufficient in all cases to completely trim the airplane, but it was enough to give the pilot valuable reaction time. The system would be an added measure of safety for only a relatively small amount of development.

Donaldson, K. E.↗
NASA NTRS1985

RSRA flight development test in the airplane configuration

The Rotor Systems Research Aircraft (RSRA) was flown in the airplane configuration. Eleven successful flights were made from May 8 to October 3, 1984. The takeoff and landing method was demonstrated and the resultant parameters were obtained. Control power data were obtained. In addition, main rotor hub drag, airplane configuration acoustics data, and aircraft stability data were obtained. Hub drag, acoustics, and stability will be separately reported in more detail. The tail rotor was installed for all tests.

Erickson, R. E.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Cryogenic Fluid Management Facility

The Cryogenic Fluid Management Facility is a reusable test bed which is designed to be carried within the Shuttle cargo bay to investigate the systems and technologies associated with the efficient management of cryogens in space. Cryogenic fluid management consists of the systems and technologies for: (1) liquid storage and supply, including capillary acquisition/expulsion systems which provide single-phase liquid to the user system, (2) both passive and active thermal control systems, and (3) fluid transfer/resupply systems, including transfer lines and receiver tanks. The facility contains a storage and supply tank, a transfer line and a receiver tank, configured to provide low-g verification of fluid and thermal models of cryogenic storage and transfer processes. The facility will provide design data and criteria for future subcritical cryogenic storage and transfer system applications, such as Space Station life support, attitude control, power and fuel depot supply, resupply tankers, external tank (ET) propellant scavenging, and ground-based and space-based orbit transfer vehicles (OTV).

Eberhardt, R. N.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Development of Deployable Truss Concept for Space Station

A single-fold, automatically deployable and retractable, square-shaped truss concept that is a candidate for the strongback of NASA's Space Station was developed. Compact stowage within a square-shaped housing is achieved by using folded longerons and telescoping diagonal members. Deployment or retraction is accomplished, bay by bay, in a controlled manner with root strength maintained at all times. Control is accomplished by motor-driven jack-screws operated by a controller. Power, data, and fluid utility lines can be integrated onto trays that unfold with the truss. To verify performance a kinematically representative ground test article version is used.

Greenberg, H. S.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Design of an Advanced Wood Composite Rotor and Development of Wood Composite Blade Technology

In support of a program to advance wood composite wind turbine blade technology, a design was completed for a prototype, 90-foot diameter, two-bladed, one-piece rotor, with all wood/epoxy composite structure. The rotor was sized for compatibility with a generator having a maximum power rating of 4000 kilowatts. Innovative features of the rotor include: a teetering hub to minimize the effects of gust loads, untwisted blades to promote rotor power control through stall, joining of blades to the hub structure via an adhesive bonded structural joint, and a blade structural design which was simplified relative to earlier efforts. The prototype rotor was designed to allow flexibility for configuring the rotor upwind or downwind of the tower, for evaluating various types of teeter dampers and/or elastomeric stops, and with variable delta-three angle settings of the teeter shaft axis. The prototype rotor was also designed with provisions for installing pressure tap and angle of attack instrumentation in one blade. A production version rotor cost analysis was conducted. Included in the program were efforts directed at developing advanced load take-off stud designs for subsequent evaluation testing by NASA, development of aerodynamic tip brake concepts, exploratory testing of a wood/epoxy/graphite concept, and compression testing of wood/epoxy laminate, with scarf-jointed plies.

Stroebel, Thomas↗
NASA NTRS1988

MARCE data evaluation

The Get Away Special (GAS) 007 Project Explorer Experiment data recorded and radio downlinked by the Marshall Amateur Radio Club Experiment (MARCE), the first GAS radio experiment, are compared and evaluated. A compatibility assessment, of the student experiments and the MARCE power, control and data systems, during the STS-61C Columbia flight in January 1986 is presented. Analysis of the GAS container's thermal environment, located near the center of the GAS Bridge is discussed.

Stluka, Edward F.↗
NASA NTRS1986

A statistical rain attenuation prediction model with application to the advanced communication technology satellite project. 1: Theoretical development and application to yearly predictions for selected cities in the United States

A rain attenuation prediction model is described for use in calculating satellite communication link availability for any specific location in the world that is characterized by an extended record of rainfall. Such a formalism is necessary for the accurate assessment of such availability predictions in the case of the small user-terminal concept of the Advanced Communication Technology Satellite (ACTS) Project. The model employs the theory of extreme value statistics to generate the necessary statistical rainrate parameters from rain data in the form compiled by the National Weather Service. These location dependent rain statistics are then applied to a rain attenuation model to obtain a yearly prediction of the occurrence of attenuation on any satellite link at that location. The predictions of this model are compared to those of the Crane Two-Component Rain Model and some empirical data and found to be very good. The model is then used to calculate rain attenuation statistics at 59 locations in the United States (including Alaska and Hawaii) for the 20 GHz downlinks and 30 GHz uplinks of the proposed ACTS system. The flexibility of this modeling formalism is such that it allows a complete and unified treatment of the temporal aspects of rain attenuation that leads to the design of an optimum stochastic power control algorithm, the purpose of which is to efficiently counter such rain fades on a satellite link.

Manning, Robert M.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Super magnets for large tunnels

The development and use of a large Magnetic Suspension and Balance System (MSBS) in wind tunnels is examined, discussing NASA-sponsored research to develop a large MSBS, and the 2 MSBS already in use. The MSBS holds the model in an arbitrary position in the wind tunnel test section and measures the forces and moments acting on the model. Technologies for building a large MSBS have been developed, and research is being done to reduce building costs. Magnetic suspension is advantageous because it completely eliminates interference from mechanical support systems such as stings or struts and it allows for easy rotation and translation of the model. Advances allowing operation at higher temperatures, probably using liquid nitrogen instead of liquid helium may reduce the cost of MSBS operation. A large MSBS would require power controllers with capacity up to 10 MW, efficiency approaching 98 percent and the ability to reverse the sign of both voltage and current. Technologies include the electro-magnetic position sensor, model positioning sensing, digital controller, and a precalibrated resistance strain-gage balance.

Boyden, Richmond P.↗
NASA NTRS1988

An application of eigenspace methods to symmetric flutter suppression

An eigenspace assignment approach to the design of parameter insensitive control laws for linear multivariable systems is presented. The control design scheme utilizes constrained optimization techniques to exploit the flexibility in eigenvector assignments to reduce control system sensitivity to changes in system parameters while maintaining performance requirements; it thus provides a systematic approach for choosing values for eigensystem design variables. The methods involve use of the singular value decomposition to provide an exact description of allowable eigenvectors in terms of a minimum number of design parameters. In a design example, the methods are applied to the problem of symmetric flutter suppression in an aeroelastic vehicle. In this example the flutter mode is sensitive to changes in dynamic pressure and eigenspace methods are used to enhance the performance of a stabilizing minimum energy/linear quadratic regulator controller and associated observer. Numerical results indicate that the methods provide feedback control laws that make the stability of the nominal closed loop systems less sensitive to changes in dynamic pressure, while maintaining acceptable control power and robustness constraints.

Fennell, Robert E.↗