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At least 775 records · Page 43

Technological development of cylindrical and flat shaped high energy density capacitors

Cylindrical wound metallized film capacitors rated 2 micron F 500 VDC that had an energy density greater than 0.3 J/g, and flat flexible metallized film capacitors rated at 2 micron F 500 VDC that had an energy density greater than 0.1 J/g were developed. Polysulfone, polycarbonate, and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVF2) were investigated as dielectrics for the cylindrical units. PVF2 in 6.0 micron m thickness was employed in the final components of both types. Capacitance and dissipation factor measurements were made over the range 25 C to 100 C, and 10 Hz to 10 kHz. No pre-life-test burning was performed, and six of ten cylindrical units survived a 2500 hour AC plus DC lift test. Three of the four failures were infant mortality. All but two of the flat components survived 400 hours. Finished energy densities were 0.104 J/g at 500 V and 0.200 J/g at 700 V, the energy density being limited by the availability of thin PVF2 films.

Zelik, J. A.↗

CTOL concepts and technology development

Various developments in the Aircraft Energy Efficiency (ACEE) program are discussed. Terminal-area operations are considered with emphasis on the Terminal Configured Vehicle program. Consideration is also given to aircraft systems studies and economics (including noise reduction programs), coal-derived fuels for aviation systems (including LH2-fueled aircraft), and transport-aircraft concepts (including laminar flow control).

Conner, D. W.↗

LOX cooled thrust chamber technology developments

An experimental LOX heat-transfer study and a LOX-cooled thrust-chamber demonstration program are summarized. Heat transfer to supercritical oxygen was investigated at 17 to 34.5 MPa (2460 to 5000 psia), and heat fluxes up to 90 MW/sq m (55 Btu/sq in.-sec). Experimental data obtained previously were correlated along with these recent data, and a design equation was derived which correlates 95% of the data within + or - 30%. Liquid-oxygen-cooled thrust chambers have been designed using this correlation and are currently being fabricated. A test program is planned for evaluating the LOX-cooled design concept using NASA test facilities. The purpose of these tests is to verify the LOX cooling correlation in a high-pressure liquid rocket engine and to determine the effects of a LOX coolant leak.

Spencer, R. G.↗

Technology development for phosphoric acid fuel cell powerplant, phase 2

Component development has resulted in routine molding of 12 in. by 17 in. bipolar plates with 80 percent acceptance. A 5 C per hour post-cure heating cycle for these plates was found to give blister free materials. Lowering the resin in a bipolar plate content from 32 percent to 22 percent decreases the resistivity more than 50 percent. Evaluation of the corrosion resistance of Novolak and Resol resins at 185 C in phosphoric acid indicates a slow etch. aerosol modified phenolics, however, decompose rapidly. Estimates of acid loss by the use of analytical expressions known as Margule, van Laar, and Wilson equations were not satisfactory. Experimental evaluation of the P4O10 vapor concentration of 103 wt percent acid at 191 C provided a value of 2 ppm. This value is based on a single experiment.

Christner, L.↗

Technology development for phosphoric acid fuel cell powerplant, phase 2

A technique for producing an acid inventory control member by spraying FEP onto a partially screened carbon paper backing is discussed. Theoretical analysis of the acid management indicates that the vapor composition of 103% H3PO4 is approximately 1.0 ppm P4O10. An SEM evaluation of corrosion resistance of phenolic resins and graphite/phenolic resin composites in H3PO4 at 185 C shows specific surface etching. Carbonization of graphite/phenolic bipolar plates is achieved without blistering.

Christner, L.↗

A summary of lighter-than-air technology development and applications in the United States

Recent studies indicate the promise of advanced LTA vehicles that can carry heavy loads and be capable of vertical takeoff and landing. Such airships may be combinations of aerostats and helicopters or modern versions of more conventional aircraft. These latter types would not be competitive with high speed modern jet air transports on established routes, but they would have a role in special situations and as long-endurance Naval and coastal surveillance aircraft. The most attractive and immediate market for modern airships in the field of short-range and heavy lift.

Mayer, N. J.↗

Control technology development

Static and dynamic control design approaches were developed for distributed parameter systems. A hardware flexible beam facility was constructed to demonstrate and verify the theoretical control concepts. Efforts were made in the area of model order estimation for control systems with uncertain or time varying parameters.

Rodriguez, G.↗

The technology development methodology for a class of large diameter spaceborne deployable antennas

The application of thermally stable graphite epoxy materials in flexure is discussed and deployment mechanism designs that are adaptable to both the proof of concept and the full scale 100 meter system with no modification to the basic concept are presented. The ground deployment test techniques and mechanisms developed for ground demonstration and evaluation of large size antenna structures are presented to illustrate the complexities involved in supporting antenna structural elements in excess of 25 meters in length.

Wade, W. D.↗

Technology development for phosphoric acid fuel cell powerplant (phase 2)

Progress is reported in the development of material, cell components, and reformers for on site integrated energy systems. Internal resistance and contact resistance were improved. Dissolved gases (O2, N2, and CO2) were found to have no effect on the electrochemical corrosion of phenolic composites. Stack performance was increased by 100 mV over the average 1979 level.

Christner, L.↗

Research and technology developments in aeronautics, atmospheric and oceanographic measurements, radar applications, and remote sensing of insects using radar

Highlights of the year's activities and accomplishments are reported in the areas of aircraft safety, scientific ballooning, mid-air payload retrieval, and the design of a microwave power reception and conversion system for on use on a high altitude powered platform. The development and application of an agro-environmental system to provide crop management advisory information to Virginia farmers, and the radar tracking of insects are described. Aircraft systems, developed for measuring atmospheric ozone and nitric acid were used to sample emissions from Mount St. Helens. Investigations of the reliability and precision of the U.S. standard meteorological rocketsonde, applications of the microwave altimeter and airborne lidar system in oceanography, and the development of a multibeam altimeter concept are also summarized.

Oberholtzer, J. D.↗

Photographic technology development project: Timber typing in the Tahoe Basin using high altitude panoramic photography

Procedures were developed and tested for using KA-80A optical bar camera panoramic photography for timber typing forest land and classifying nonforest land. The study area was the south half of the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit. Final products from this study include four timber type map overlays on 1:24,000 orthophoto maps. The following conclusions can be drawn from this study: (1) established conventional timber typing procedures can be used on panoramic photography if the necessary equipment is available, (2) The classification and consistency results warrant further study in using panoramic photography for timber typing; and (3) timber type mapping can be done as fast or faster with panoramic photography than with resource photography while maintaining comparable accuracy.

Ward, J. F.↗

Current LTA technology developments

Lighter-than-air aircraft (LTA) developments and research in the United States and other countries are reviewed. The emphasis in the U.S. is on VTOL airships capable of heavy lift, and on long endurance types for coastal maritime patrol. Design concepts include hybrids which combine heavier-than-air and LTA components and characteristics. Research programs are concentrated on aerodynamics, flight dynamics, and control of hybrid types.

Mayer, N. J.↗

Technology development for phosphoric acid fuel cell powerplant, phase 2

The development of materials, cell components, and reformers for on site integrated energy systems is described. Progress includes: (1) heat-treatment of 25 sq cm, 350 sq cm and 1200 sq cm cell test hardware was accomplished. Performance of fuel cells is improved by using this material; (2) electrochemical and chemical corrosion rates of heat-treated and as-molded graphite/phenolic resin composites in phosphoric acid were determined; (3) three cell, 5 in. x 15 in. stacks operated for up to 10,000 hours and 12 in. x 17 in. five cell stacks were tested for 5,000 hours; (4) a three cell 5 in. x 15 in. stack with 0.12 mg Pt/sq cm anodes and 0.25 mg Pt/sq cm cathodes was operated for 4,500 hours; and (5) an ERC proprietary high bubble pressure matrix, MAT-1, was tested for up to 10,000 hours.

Christner, L.↗

Systems identification technology development for large space systems

A methodology for synthesizinng systems identification, both parameter and state, estimation and related control schemes for flexible aerospace structures is developed with emphasis on the Maypole hoop column antenna as a real world application. Modeling studies of the Maypole cable hoop membrane type antenna are conducted using a transfer matrix numerical analysis approach. This methodology was chosen as particularly well suited for handling a large number of antenna configurations of a generic type. A dedicated transfer matrix analysis, both by virtue of its specialization and the inherently easy compartmentalization of the formulation and numerical procedures, is significantly more efficient not only in computer time required but, more importantly, in the time needed to review and interpret the results.

Armstrong, E. S.↗

Spacecraft drag-free technology development: On-board estimation and control synthesis

Estimation and control methods for a Drag-Free spacecraft are discussed. The functional and analytical synthesis of on-board estimators and controllers for an integrated attitude and translation control system is represented. The framework for detail definition and design of the baseline drag-free system is created. The techniques for solution of self-gravity and electrostatic charging problems are applicable generally, as is the control system development.

Key, R. W.↗