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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 793 records · Page 44
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1983

Hermetic edge sealing of photovoltaic modules

The edge sealing technique is accomplished by a combination of a chemical bond between glass and aluminum, formed by electrostatic bonding, and a metallurgical bond between aluminum and aluminum, formed by ultrasonic welding. Such a glass to metal seal promises to provide a low cost, long lifetime, highly effective hermetic seal which can protect module components from severe environments. Development of the sealing techniques and demonstration of their effectiveness by fabricating a small number of dummy modules, up to eight inches square in size, and testing them for hermeticity using helium leak testing methods are reviewed. Non-destructive test methods are investigated.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1983

A comparison of flow rates and pressure profiles for N-sequential inlets and three related seal configurations

Experimental and analytical results are presented for choked flows of fluid nitrogen over a range of reduced inlet stagnation temperatures (from 0.67 to ambient) and reduced inlet stagnation pressures to 2. Flow rate and pressure profile comparisons are made between N aligned sequential orifice inlets, a 33-tooth labyrinth seal, a 3-step seal, a cylindrical seals and the classic venturi. Seal effectiveness appears strongly dependent on upstream losses and geometry configuration.

Hendricks, R. C.↗
NASA NTRS1983

The SSME HPFTP interstage seals: Analysis and experiments for leakage and reaction-force coefficients

An improved theory for the prediction of the rotordynamic coefficients of turbulent annular seals was developed. Predictions from the theory are compared to the experimental results and an approach for the direct calculation of empirical turbulent coefficients from test data are introduced. An improved short seal solution is shown to do a better job of calculating effective stiffness and damping coefficients than either the original short seal solution or a finite length solution. However, the original short seal solution does a much better job of predicting equivalent added mass coefficient.

Childs, D. W.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Hermetic edge sealing of photovoltaic modules

The feasibility of using an electrostatic bonding (ESB) and ultrasonic welding process to produce hermetic edge seals on terrestrial solar cell modules was investigated. The fabrication sequence is to attach an aluminum foil "gasket' to the perimeter of a glass sheet. A cell circuit is next encapsulated inside the gasket, and its aluminum foil back cover is seam welded ultrasonically to the gasket. An ESB process for sealing aluminum to glass was developed in an ambient air atmosphere, which eliminates the requirement for a vacuum or pressure vessel. An ultrasonic seam welding process was also developed which did not degrade the quality of the ESB seal. Good quality welds with minimal deformation were produced. The effectiveness of the above described sealing techniques was tested by constructing 400 sq cm (8 x 8 s64 sq in) sample modules, and then subjecting them to nondestructive fine and gross leak tests. The gross leak tests identified several different causes of leaks which were then eliminated by modifying the assembly process.

Nowlan, M. J.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Comparison of seal materials for use in Stirling engines

In a dry, reciprocating sliding test, rods of 12 different surface materials rubbed against a glass filled PTFE gas seal. To simulate operation in a Stirling engine a gas (N2) pressure of 1 MPa differential pressure was applied across the seal. Gas leakage rates, rods surface temperatures, changes in the surface finish of the rod, surface hardness of the rod and wear rate of the seals were measured. The rod surface materials that produced the least seal were: plasma sprayed molybdenum (75 Mo 18 Ni 4 Cr), gas nitrided steel, and plasma sprayed aluminum oxide (94 Al2O3 6 TiO2). In contrast to almost all other mating surfaces, the surface roughness of the rods coated with Mo did not decrease during wear. This property is very important for the formation of a PTFE transfer film on the mating surface. The presence of a stable transfer film gives a low PTFE wear rate.

Lundholm, G.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Thermal and elastohydrodynamic analysis of reciprocating rod seals in the Stirling engine

Sliding seals and pumping rings for use in Stirling engines are analyzed from an elastohydrodynamic point of view. The oil film thickness and pressure distribution are found by a finite element method and then used to determine the operating temperature of sliding seals. Thermal aspects of dry seals (cap seals) are also discussed. A parametric study has been made and the results summarized in a set of curves.

Yang, Y.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Low-Temperature Seal for Actuator Rod

Combination bearing and seal used on Space Shuttle functions reliably at temperatures as low as - 160 degrees F and as high as + 130 degrees F. Corrosion-resistant stainless-steel spacer separates secondary and primary seals in both old and new versions of seal assembly. In new version, combination of flexible sealing lip and bridge is less susceptible to cracking at low temperatures.

Lindfors, R. J.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Shaft Seal Compensates for Cold Flow

Seal components easy to install. Ring seal for rotating or reciprocating shafts spring-loaded to compensate for slow yielding (cold flow) of sealing material. New seal relatively easy to install because components preassembled, then installed in one piece.

Myers, W. N.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Analysis of dynamic characteristics of fluid force induced by labyrinth seal

Flow patterns of the labyrinth seal are experimentally investigated for making a mathematical model of labyrinth seal and to obtain the flow induced force of the seal. First, the flow patterns in the labyrinth chamber are studied on the circumferential flow using bubble and on the cross section of the seal chamber using aluminum powder as tracers. And next, the fluid force and its phase angle are obtained from the measured pressure distribution in the chamber and the fluid force coefficients are derived from the fluid force and the phase angle. Those are similar to the expression of oil film coefficients. As a result, it is found that the vortices exist in the labyrinth chambers and its center moves up and down periodically. The pressure drop is biggest in the first stage of chambers and next in the last stage of chambers.

Iwatsubo, T.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Identification of dynamic coefficients of annular turbulent seals

An identification procedure to determine dynamic coefficients of annular turbulent seals in turbopumps is presented. Measurements were carried out at a built test rig with two symmetrical arranged seals. A rigid rotating shaft is surrounded by an elastically supported housing, which is excited by impact forces. The relative radial motion between the rotating parts and the housing, respectively between the seal surfaces, is measured by displacement pick-ups and from the time signals complex frequency response functions can be calculated. Finally an analytical model, depending on the seal parameters, is fitted to the measured data, to find the dynamic coefficients.

Nordmann, R.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Oxidizing seal for a turbine tip gas path

The sealing of the gas path in a gas turbine engine at the blade tips is improved by maintaining a minimum clearance between the rotor blade tips and the gas path seal. This is accomplished by taking advantage of an increase in volume during controlled oxidation of certain intermetallic compounds which have high melting points. The increase in volume closes the clearance subsequent to a rub between the blades and the seal. Thus, these compounds re-form the tip seal surface to assure continued engine efficiency.

Cawley, J. D.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Thermal stress analysis of a new turbine shroud seal concept

The thermal stress field of a two piece turbine shroud seal concept was analyzed and results compared to one piece designs by finite element analysis. The two piece seal has independently formed structure (substrate) and ceramic components that are assembled at ambient conditions. The boundary conditions used for analysis were hot gas surface temperatures of 1370 and 1650 C (2500 and 3000 F) and cooled surface temperature of 700 C (1285 F). The resulting thermal stress field, of the two piece seal when compared to the one piece seals in the region of all ceramic material, was reduced substantially.

Handschuh, R. F.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Analysis and testing for rotordynamic coefficients of turbulent annular seals with different, directionally-homogeneous surface-roughness treatment for rotor and stator elements

A combined analytical-computational method has been developed to calculate the transient pressure field and rotordynamic coefficients for high-pressure annular seals. The solution procedure applies to constant-clearance or the convergent tapered geometries of multistage centrifugal pumps which may have different surface roughness conditions on the stator and rotor seal elements. In experimental calculations with the method, the turbulent equations of Hirs (1973) are modified slightly to account for different surface roughness conditions, and a perturbation analysis is employed to develop zeroth and first order perturbation equations. Zeroth equations are also used to define both the leakage and circumferential flow due to shear stresses around the stator and rotor surfaces. The solution to analytical equations for four different surface roughnesses confirm the predicted net damping for the seals. A round-holed stator pattern yielded the highest net damping and lowest leakage of all the seals tested.

Childs, D. W.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Convergent-tapered annular seals - Analysis and testing for rotordynamic coefficients

A combined analytical-computational method has been developed to calculate the pressure field and dynamic coefficients for tapered high-pressure annular seals. Completely developed turbulent flow is assumed in both the circumferential and axial directions, according to Hirs' (1973) bulk-flow turbulent-lubrication equations. In a numerical experiment with the method, a short bearing approximation is used to derive an analytical expression for the first-order (dynamic) pressure gradient. This expression is integrated numerically to define dynamic coefficients of the seal. Numerical results of the integration are compared with previous results for straight and tapered seals. It is found that direct stiffness and leakage coefficients increase in the present seal, while the remaining coefficients decrease. An optimal taper angle is shown to exist with respect to: (1) the direct stiffness and (2) the ratio of direct stiffness to leakage. On the basis of the optimal taper angle calculations, stiffness increases on the order of 40 to 50 percent are predicted. Experimental results for three taper angles are presented, and are found to be in good agreement with the theoretical predictions.

Childs, D. W.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Eccentricity and misalignment effects on the performance of high-pressure annular seals

Annular pressure seals act as powerful hydrostatic bearings and influence the dynamic characteristics of rotating machinery. This work, using the existing concentric seal theories, provides a simple approximate method for calculation of both seal leakage and the dynamic coefficients for short seals with large eccentricity and/or misalignment of the shaft. Rotation and surface roughness effects are included for leakage and dynamic force calculation. The leakage calculations for both laminar and turbulent flow are compared with experimental results. The dynamic coefficients are compared with analytical results. Excellent agreement between the present work and published results have been observed up to the eccentricitiy ratio of 0.8.

Chen, W. C.↗
NASA NTRS1984

A comparison of flow rates and pressure profiles for N-sequential inlets and three related seal configurations

Experimental and analytical results are presented for choked flows of fluid nitrogen over a range of reduced inlet stagnation temperatures (from 0.67 to ambient) and reduced inlet stagnation pressures to 2. Flow rate and pressure profile comparisons are made between N aligned sequential orifice inlets, a 33-tooth labyrinth seal, a 3-step seal, a cylindrical seal and the classic venturi. Seal effectiveness appears strongly dependent on upstream losses and geometry configuration.

Hendricks, R. C.↗
NASA NTRS1985

An experimental investigation of rubbing interaction in labyrinth seals at cryogenic temperature

An experimental program was carried out to address issues related to the observed cracking of the titanium knife edges on the labyrinth seals of the high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) in the Space Shuttle main engine (SSME). Thermal shock experiments were carried out using a jet specimen with geometry similar to the knife edge geometry. These tests demonstrate that cracking of the titanium alloy is possible in a situation involving repeated thermal cycles over a wide temperature range, as might be realized during a rub in the liquid hydrogen fuel pump. High speed rub interaction tests were conducted using a representative knife edge and seal geometry over a broad range of interaction rates. Alternative materials were also experimentally evaluated. These tests provide information which can be used to design improved labyrinth seals for the HPFP of the SSME. In particular, plasma-sprayed aluminum-graphite was found to be significantly better than aluminum alloy seals used at present from the standpoint of rub performance. Ion nitriding of the titanium alloy knife edges was also found to improve rub performance compared with the untreated baseline knife edge material.

Dolan, F. X.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Some new results concerning the dynamic behavior of annular turbulent seals

The dynamic characteristics of annular turbulent seals applied in high pressure turbopumps can be described by stiffness, damping, and inertia coefficients. An improved procedure is presented for determining these parameters by using measurements made with newly developed test equipment. The dynamic system seal, consisting of the fluid between the cylindrical surfaces of the rotating shaft and the housing, is excited by test forces (input), and the relative motion between the surfaces (output) is measured. Transformation of the input and output time signals into the frequency domain leads to frequency response functions. An analytical model, depending on the seal parameters, is fitted to the measured data in order to identify the dynamic coefficients. Some new results are reported that show the dependencies of these coefficients with respect to the axial and radial Reynolds numbers and the geometrical data of the seal.

Massmann, H.↗