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At least 865 records · Page 48

Vehicle test report: Electric Vehicle Associates electric conversion of an AMC Pacer

Tests were performed to characterize certain parameters of the EVA Pacer and to provide baseline data that can be used for the comparison of improved batteries that may be incorporated into the vehicle at a later time. The vehicle tests were concentrated on the electrical drive subsystem; i.e., the batteries, controller and motor. The tests included coastdowns to characterize the road load, and range evaluations for both cyclic and constant speed conditions. A qualitative evaluation of the vehicle's performance was made by comparing its constant speed range performance with other electric and hybrid vehicles. The Pacer performance was approximately equal to the majority of those vehicles assessed in 1977.

Price, T. W.↗

Smoothing filter for digital to analog conversion

An electronic filter comprised of three active filter sections to smooth the stepped signal from a digital to analog converter is described. The first section has a noninverting low pass filter transfer function, and the second has an inverting transfer function designed to pass a narrow frequency band centered at the step frequency of the stepped output signal with sharp cutoff of either side of that narrow band. The third section adds the noninverted output of the first section to the inverted output of the second section. This third section has a lead-lag transfer function designed to reduce the phase angle between the signal at its output terminal and the stepped signal at the input of the first section.

Wagner, C. A.↗

Direct conversion of light to radio frequency energy

A description is presented of the test results obtained with the latest models of the phototron. The phototron was conceived as a replacement for the high voltage solar cell-high power klystron combination for the solar power satellite concept. Physically, the phototron is a cylindrical evacuated glass tube with a photocathode, two grids, and a reflector electrode in a planar configuration. The phototron can be operated either in a biased mode where a low voltage is used to accelerate the electron beam produced by the photocathode or in an unbiased mode referred to as self-oscillation. The device is easily modulated by light input or voltage to broadcast in AM or FM. The range of operation of the present test model phototrons is from 2 to 200 MHz.

Freeman, J. W.↗

Conversion of acoustic energy by lossless liners

The Blokhintzev acoustic energy equation is applied to a two-dimensional duct containing a uniform flow with a finite length lining. It is shown that the difference of the incident and outgoing acoustic energy differs in general from the energy dissipated in the liner, the difference being related to the displacements at the liner's edges. It is shown that in the case of a locally reacting lossless liner for frequencies below the first cut-off frequency and for low Mach number acoustic energy is generated if the flow and the incident sound wave are in the same direction and is absorbed if these two directions are opposite unless special edge conditions are met. Furthermore it is shown under the same conditions that the ratio of the reflection coefficient at finite flow velocity to the reflection coefficient at vanishing velocity is to first order in Mach number independent of the liner characteristics. A numerical calculation confirms these predictions at least for mass-like linear admittance.

Moehring, W.↗

A discrete gust model for use in the design of wind energy conversion systems

A discrete gust model has been designed which includes an expression for the number of times per unit time thy wind exceeds a specific value. This expression, based on Rice's (1944, 1945) number-of-crossings model, assumes that the yearly mean wind speed is averaged over a period of 10 minutes to 1 (one) hour. Vertical and lateral coherence functions are the basis for a mathematical filter which isolates atmospheric disturbances of a characteristic size (e. g., those which would completely engulf a rotor). Predictions are calculated usising the given definition of cut-off frequency, then they are compared with actual data, showing that the model is reliable. The expression is provided in a format such that it may be used for engineering design calculations.

Frost, W.↗

Organic Rankine power conversion subsystem development for the small community solar thermal power system

The development and preliminary test results for an air-cooled, hermetically sealed 20 kW sub E organic Rankine cycle engine/alternator unit for use with point focussing distributed receiver solar thermal power system. A 750 F toluene is the working fluid and the system features a high speed, single-stage axial flow turbine direct-coupled to a permanent magnet alternator. Good performance was achieved with the unit in preliminary tests.

Barber, R. E.↗

Experimental program for the evaluation of turbofan/turboshaft c conversion technology

A TF34 turbofan engine is being modified to produce shaft power from an output coupling on the fan disk when variable inlet guide vanes are closed to reduce fan airflow. The engine, called a convertible engine, could be used on advanced rotorcraft such as X-wing, ABC (Advanced Blade Concept), and Folding Tilt Rotor, and on V/STOL craft in which two engines are cross-coupled. The engine will be tested on an outdoor static test stand at NASA Lewis Research Center. Steady-state tests will be made to measure performance in turbofan, turboshaft, and combined power output modes. Transient tests will be made to determine the response to the engine and a new digital engine control system for several types of rapid changes in thrust and shaft loads. The paper describes the engine modifications, the test facility equipment, proposed testing techniques for several types of tests, and typical test results predicted from engine performance computer programs.

Mcardle, J. G.↗

The phototron: A light to RF energy conversion device

The phototron, a photoelectric device that converts light to radio frequency energy, is described. It is a vacuum tube, free electron, device that is mechanically similar to a reflex klystron with the hot filament cathode replaced by a large area photocathode. The device can operate either with an external voltage source used to accelerate the photoelectrons or with zero bias voltage; in which case the photokinetic energy of the electrons sustains the R.F. oscillations in the tuned R.F. circuit. One basic design of the phototron was tested. Frequencies as high as about 1 GHz and an overall efficiency of about 1% in the biased mode were obtained. In the unbiased mode, the frequencies of operation and efficiences are considerably lower. Success with test model suggests that considerable improvements are possible through design refinements. One such design refinement is the reduction of the length of the electron flight path.

Freeman, J. W.↗

Vehicle test report: Electric Vehicle Associates electric conversion of an AMC Pacer

The change of pace, an electric vehicle was tested. These tests were performed to characterize certain parameters of the electric vehicle pacer and to provide baseline data that can be used for the comparison of improved batteries that may be incorporated into the vehicle at a later time. The vehicle tests were concentrated on the electrical drive subsystem, the batteries, controller and motor. Coastdowns to characterize the road load, and range evaluations for both cyclic and constant speed conditions were performed. The vehicle's performance was evaluated by comparing its constant speed range performance with described vehicles. It is found that the pacer performance is approximately equal to the majority of the vehicles tested in the 1977 assessment.

Price, T. W.↗

Monitoring land conversions from forest/wetland to agriculture

The utility of LANDSAT data in monitoring largescale land clearance and drainage activities in a forest/wetland environment in northern Minnesota was investigated. LANDSAT tapes from 1973, 1978 and 1980 were used in a multitemporal unsupervised land cover classification of the 9 x 15 mile site. Results show quite clearly and in a cost-effective manner, where the greatest activity occurred. It was also possible to integrate the LANDSAT data with other data available through the Land Management Information Center's geographic information system.

Dudding, M. L.↗

Materials for high-temperature thermoelectric conversion

High boron materials of high efficiency for thermoelectric power generation and capable of prolonged operation at temperatures over 1200 C are discussed. Background theoretical studies indicated that the low carrier mobility of materials with beta boron and related structures is probably associated with the high density of traps. Experimental work was mainly concerned with silicon borides in view of promising data from European laboratories. A systematic study using structure determination and lattice constant measurements failed to confirm the existence of an SiBn phase. Only SiB6 and a solid solution of silicon in beta boron with a maximum solid solubility of 5.5-6 at % at 1650 C were found.

Feigelson, R. S.↗

ECUT: Energy Conversion and Utilization Technologies program biocatalysis research activity. Potential membrane applications to biocatalyzed processes: Assessment of concentration polarization and membrane fouling

Separation and purification of the products of biocatalyzed fermentation processes, such as ethanol or butanol, consumes most of the process energy required. Since membrane systems require substantially less energy for separation than most alternatives (e.g., distillation) they have been suggested for separation or concentration of fermentation products. This report is a review of the effects of concentration polarization and membrane fouling for the principal membrane processes: microfiltration, ultrafiltration, reverse osmosis, and electrodialysis including a discussion of potential problems relevant to separation of fermentation products. It was concluded that advanced membrane systems may result in significantly decreased energy consumption. However, because of the need to separate large amounts of water from much smaller amounts of product that may be more volatile than wate, it is not clear that membrane separations will necessarily be more efficient than alternative processes.

Ingham, J. D.↗

ECUT: Energy Conversion and utilization Technologies program biocatalysis research activity. Generation of chemical intermediates by catalytic oxidative decarboxylation of dilute organic acids

A rhodium-based catalyst was prepared and preliminary experiments were completed where the catalyst appeared to decarboxylate dilute acids at concentrations of 1 to 10 vol%. Electron spin resonance spectroscoy was used to characterize the catalyst as a first step leading toward modeling and optimization of rhodium catalysts. Also, a hybrid chemical/biological process for the production of hydrocarbons has been assessed. These types of catalysts could greatly increase energy efficiency of this process.

Distefano, S.↗

Advantage of resonant power conversion in aerospace applications

An ultrasonic, sinusoidal aerospace power distribution system is shown to have many advantages over other candidate power systems. These advantages include light weight, ease of fault clearing, versatility in handling many loads including motors, and the capability of production within the limits of present technology. References are cited that demonstrate the state of resonant converter technology and support these conclusions.

Hansen, I. G.↗

Conversion of positions and proper motions from B1950.0 to the IAU system at J2000.0

The complete transformation of positions and proper motions from B1950.0 to J2000.0 on the basis of IAU recommendations including the transition from FK4 to FK5 equinox may be rigorously accomplished with a simple vector equation. The equation is first presented in this paper and then subsequently derived. The transformation of the FK4 to FK5 system described by functions f(alpha, delta, m) is in preparation in Heidelberg.

Standish, E. M., Jr.↗