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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 91 records · Page 5

Theoretical analysis of the electrical aspects of the basic electro-impulse problem in aircraft de-icing applications

A method of modelling a system consisting of a cylindrical coil with its axis perpendicular to a metal plate of finite thickness, and a simple electrical circuit for producing a transient current in the coil, is discussed in the context of using such a system for de-icing aircraft surfaces. A transmission line model of the coil and metal plate is developed as the heart of the system model. It is shown that this transmission model is central to calculation of the coil impedance, the coil current, the magnetic fields established on the surfaces of the metal plate, and the resultant total force between the coil and the plate. FORTRAN algorithms were developed for numerical calculation of each of these quantities, and the algorithms were applied to an experimental prototype system in which these quantities had been measured. Good agreement is seen to exist between the predicted and measured results.

Henderson, Robert A.↗

Integrated Orbit and Attitude Control for a Nanosatellite with Power Constraints

HokieSat is a NASA Goddard sponsored spacecraft currently being built by students at Virginia Tech. HokieSat is part of the Ionospheric Observation Nanosatellite Formation (ION-F) project. The project involves spacecraft built by three schools: Virginia Tech (VT), Utah State University (USU), and University of Washington (UW). The three spacecraft are similar in design and will perform formation flying demonstrations, and make ionospheric measurements. HokieSat uses Pulsed Plasma Thrusters (PPTs) to maintain its position in the formation. There are two pairs of PPTs on HokieSat; their position on HokieSat's hexagonal cross-section is shown. Thrusters T(sub 2) and T(sub 3) provide translation control, and Thrusters TI and T4 can provide yaw steering. Any thruster can be fired individually. However because they share a capacitor, thrusters T(sub 1) and T(sub 2) or thrusters T(sub 3) and T(sub 4) cannot be fired simultaneously. Thrusters T(sub 2) T(sub 3) can be fired simultaneously, as well as thrusters T(sub 1) and T(sub 4). Each thruster provides an impulse-bit of 56 micronN-s and fires at a rate of 1 Hz. For translation control thrusters T2 and T3 are fired together providing an impulse-bit of 112 micronN-s. All four thrusters are positioned slightly above the center of mass, and therefore exert a torque on the spacecraft. Because there are no thrusters in the zenith-nadir directions, and the communication system requires that the spacecraft remain nadir-pointing, there is no way to thrust in the radial direction. The attitude of HokieSat is controlled by 3 orthogonal magnetic torque coils. Attitude control is achieved by forcing a current through the torque coils, which interacts with the Earth's magnetic field and creates a torque. Due to magnetic field interactions between the coils and PPTs, the two actuator systems cannot be used simultaneously, and any attitude or orbit control must be performed in a piecewise fashion. Power limitations place an additional constraint on the HokieSat control subsystem. When the spacecraft is in eclipse, the power subsystem can provide only enough power to operate vital spacecraft functions.

Berry, Matthew M.↗

SQUID With Integral Flux Concentrator

In improved superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID), change in size and shape of superconducting ring improves coupling to external signal coil and eases coil-positioning tolerances. More rugged and easier to manufacture than conventional SQUID's with comparable electrical characteristics. Thin-film superconducting flux concentrator utilizes Meissner effect to deflect magnetic field of signal coil into central hole of SQUID. Used in magnetometers, ammeters, analog-to-digital converters, and related electronic applications in which high signal-to-noise ratios required.

Peters, Palmer N.↗

MAGESTIC: Magnetically Enabled Structures Using Interacting Coils

In our NIAC Phase I study, awarded September 2011, the MIT Space Systems Lab (MIT SSL) began investigating a new structural and mechanical technique aimed at reducing the mass and increasing the stowed-to-deployed ratio of spacecraft systems. This technique uses the magnetic fields from current passing through coils of high temperature superconductors (HTSs) to support spacecraft structures and deploy them to operational configurations from their positions as stowed inside a launch vehicle fairing. These electromagnetic coils are tethered or hinged together in such a way that their motion in some directions or around some axes is constrained, as in Figure 1. Our Phase II study,awarded in Fall 2012, continued this work on electromagnetic structures, with an added focus on developing a new thermal system, investigating additional, non-structural electromagnet functions, and creating a maturation roadmap and plan for addressing barriers to feasibility of the technology. We now call the project MAGESTIC, or Magnetically Enabled STructures using Interacting Coils.

Superconductors↗

Development of practical high temperature superconducting wire for electric power application

The technology of high temperature superconductivity has gone from beyond mere scientific curiousity into the manufacturing environment. Single lengths of multifilamentary wire are now produced that are over 200 meters long and that carry over 13 amperes at 77 K. Short-sample critical current densities approach 5 x 104 A/sq cm at 77 K. Conductor requirements such as high critical current density in a magnetic field, strain-tolerant sheathing materials, and other engineering properties are addressed. A new process for fabricating round BSCCO-2212 wire has produced wires with critical current densities as high as 165,000 A/sq cm at 4.2 K and 53,000 A/sq cm at 40 K. This process eliminates the costly, multiple pressing and rolling steps that are commonly used to develop texture in the wires. New multifilamentary wires with strengthened sheathing materials have shown improved yield strengths up to a factor of five better than those made with pure silver. Many electric power devices require the wire to be formed into coils for production of strong magnetic fields. Requirements for coils and magnets for electric power applications are described.

Hawsey, Robert A.↗

IMP 8. Volume 1: EM field experiment

The electromagnetic fields experiment on IMP-J used two electric dipole antennas and a triaxial search coil magnetic antenna to sense the electric and magnetic field of plasma waves in space. The electric dipole antennas consisted of a fine wire, 0.021 inches in diameter, with a nominal extended tip-to-tip length of 400 ft. The outermost 50 ft. of each element was conducting and the rest of the antenna was covered with an insulating coating. The search coil antennas each consisted of a high mu core with two separate windings of 40,000 turns each to sense ac magnetic fields. The search coils had a length of 18 inches tip-to-tip and are mounted on the end of a boom. The axes of the x prime and y prime search coil antennas were parallel to the x prime and y prime electric antenna axes.

Source record↗

The Influence of Current Density and Magnetic Field Topography in Optimizing the Performance, Divergence, and Plasma Oscillations of High Specific Impulse Hall Thrusters

Recent studies of xenon Hall thrusters have shown peak efficiencies at specific impulses of less than 3000 s. This was a consequence of modern Hall thruster magnetic field topographies, which have been optimized for 300 V discharges. On-going research at the NASA Glenn Research Center is investigating this behavior and methods to enhance thruster performance. To conduct these studies, a laboratory model Hall thruster that uses a pair of trim coils to tailor the magnetic field topography for high specific impulse operation has been developed. The thruster-the NASA-173Mv2 was tested to determine how current density and magnetic field topography affect performance, divergence, and plasma oscillations at voltages up to 1000 V. Test results showed there was a minimum current density and optimum magnetic field topography at which efficiency monotonically increased with voltage. At 1000 V, 10 milligrams per second the total specific impulse was 3390 s and the total efficiency was 60.8%. Plume divergence decreased at 400-1000 V, but increased at 300-400 V as the result of plasma oscillations. The dominant oscillation frequency steadily increased with voltage, from 14.5 kHz at 300 V, to 22 kHz at 1000 V. An additional oscillatory mode in the 80-90 kHz frequency range began to appear above 500 V. The use of trim coils to modify the magnetic field improved performance while decreasing plume divergence and the frequency and magnitude of plasma oscillations.

Hofer, Richard R.↗

Characteristics and performance of a superconducting bumpy-torus magnet facility for plasma research

The NASA Lewis bumpy-torus facility consists of 12 superconducting coils, each 19 cm i.d. and capable of 3.0 T on its axis. The coils are equally spaced around a toroidal array with a major diameter of 1.52 m; they are mounted with the major axis of the torus vertical in a single vacuum tank 2.6 m in diameter. Tests of the facility mapped out its magnetic, cryogenic, vacuum, mechanical, and electrical performance. The design value of the maximum magnetic field on the magnetic axis, 3.0 T, was reached and exceeded. A maximum magnetic field of 3.23 T was held for a period of 60 minutes. When the coils were charged to a maximum magnetic field of 3.35 T, the coil system went normal without apparent damage or degradation of performance.

Roth, J. R.↗

(abstract) Electromagnetic Compatability Program to Accommodate a Spacecraft Magnetic Search Coil Experiment

A search coil is a very sensitive instrument that measures low frequency magnetic field radiation. In order for the search coil to achieve its objectives, an electromagnetic clean environment must be provided. On a spacecraft, there are many potential sources of low frequency magnetic field emitter. Consequently, a very stringent program is needed to control the emission from these sources. This paper describes the details of such a program.

systems electric motors enclosures shielding↗

Using Lunar Superconducting Magnetic Energy Storage (LSMES) for NASA Artemis Program

The development of High temperature Superconductors (HTS) with transition temperatures >91K allows for their application in the Permanently Shadowed Regions (PSRs) on the Moon, where temperatures range from ~40K-60K. These are well below the critical temperature, Tc for the YBa2Cu3O7-x HTS material. An HTS coil installed in a PSR would not require cooling to remain below Tc. The coil can be energized with solar panels during daylight and maintain a magnetic field during night. The coil can be loaded and unloaded in millisecond time scales. The long lifetime with minimal losses is an attractive option for NASA’s Artemis program to consider for energy management on the Moon.

High Temperature Superconductivity (HTS)↗

Preliminary Analysis of the Gradient Field Imploding Liner Fusion Propulsion Concept

NIAC Phase I study takes advantage of ground-based research in Magnetoinertial Fusion (MIF). Pulsed current in an external coil generates strong axial magnetic field, induces azimuthal current in target liner. Radial j (sub theta) B (sub z) Lorentz force implodes the liner to compress the target fuel. At maximum compression, pressure is balanced between the stagnating liner material, external magnetic field, trapped internal magnetic field, and fuel pressure. Multiple approaches: Z-pinch, theta-pinch, Liner-driven FRC, etc. Energy storage, resistive coil, pulse repetition all present challenges.

Fusion; Propulsion; Exploration↗

Investigation of system integration methods for bubble domain flight recorders

System integration methods for bubble domain flight records are investigated. Bubble memory module packaging and assembly, the control electronics design and construction, field coils, and permanent magnet bias structure design are studied. A small 60-k bit engineering model was built and tested to demonstrate the feasibility of the bubble recorder. Based on the various studies performed, a projection is made on a 50,000,000-bit prototype recorder. It is estimated that the recorder will occupy 190 cubic in., weigh 12 lb, and consume 12 w power when all of its four tracks are operated in parallel at 150 kHz data rate.

Chen, T. T.↗

Method of fabricating composite structures

A method of fabricating structures formed from composite materials by positioning the structure about a high coefficient of thermal expansion material, wrapping a graphite fiber overwrap about the structure, and thereafter heating the assembly to expand the high coefficient of thermal expansion material to forcibly compress the composite structure against the restraint provided by the graphite overwrap. The high coefficient of thermal expansion material is disposed about a mandrel with a release system therebetween, and with a release system between the material having the high coefficient of thermal expansion and the composite material, and between the graphite fibers and the composite structure. The heating may occur by inducing heat into the assembly by a magnetic field created by coils disposed about the assembly through which alternating current flows. The method permits structures to be formed without the use of an autoclave.

Sigur, W. A.↗

Method of fabricating composite structures

A method of fabricating structures formed from composite materials by positioning the structure about a high coefficient of thermal expansion material, wrapping a graphite fiber overwrap about the structure, and thereafter heating the assembly to expand the high coefficient of thermal expansion material to forcibly compress the composite structure against the restraint provided by the graphite overwrap. The high coefficient of thermal expansion material is disposed about a mandrel with a release system therebetween, and with a release system between the material having the high coefficient of thermal expansion and the composite material, and between the graphite fibers and the composite structure. The heating may occur by inducing heat into the assembly by a magnetic field created by coils disposed about the assembly through which alternating current flows. The method permits structures to be formed without the use of an autoclave.

Sigur, Wanda A.↗

Open-Access, Low-Magnetic-Field MRI System for Lung Research

An open-access magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system is being developed for use in research on orientational/gravitational effects on lung physiology and function. The open-access geometry enables study of human subjects in diverse orientations. This system operates at a magnetic flux density, considerably smaller than the flux densities of typical other MRI systems, that can be generated by resistive electromagnet coils (instead of the more-expensive superconducting coils of the other systems). The human subject inhales air containing He-3 or Xe-129 atoms, the nuclear spins of which have been polarized by use of a laser beam to obtain a magnetic resonance that enables high-resolution gas space imaging at the low applied magnetic field. The system includes a bi-planar, constant-current, four-coil electromagnet assembly and associated electronic circuitry to apply a static magnetic field of 6.5 mT throughout the lung volume; planar coils and associated circuitry to apply a pulsed magnetic-field-gradient for each spatial dimension; a single, detachable radio-frequency coil and associated circuitry for inducing and detecting MRI signals; a table for supporting a horizontal subject; and electromagnetic shielding surrounding the electromagnet coils.

Mair, Ross W.↗