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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
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2012

Performance of an Advanced Stirling Convertor Based on Heat Flux Sensor Measurements

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company (LMSSC) have been developing the Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generator (ASRG) for use as a power system for space science missions. This generator would use two high-efficiency Advanced Stirling Convertors (ASCs), developed by Sunpower, Inc., and NASA Glenn Research Center. The ASCs convert thermal energy from a radioisotope heat source into electricity. As part of ground testing of these ASCs, different operating conditions are used to simulate expected mission conditions. These conditions require achieving a particular operating frequency, hot-end and cold-end temperatures, and specified electrical power output for a given heat input. It is difficult to measure heat input to Stirling convertors due to the complex geometries of the hot components, temperature limits of sensor materials, and invasive integration of sensors. A thin-film heat flux sensor was used to directly measure heat input to an ASC. The effort succeeded in designing and fabricating unique sensors, which were integrated into a Stirling convertor ground test and exposed to test temperatures exceeding 700 C in air for 10,000 hr. Sensor measurements were used to calculate thermal efficiency for ASC-E (Engineering Unit) #1 and #4. The post-disassembly condition of the sensors is also discussed.

Wilson, Scott D.↗
NASA NTRS2017

Thermophysical Properties of Cold and Vacuum Plasma Sprayed Cu-Cr-X Alloys, NiAl and NiCrAlY Coatings: Electrical and Thermal Conductivity, Thermal Diffusivity, and Total Hemispherical Emissivity - Part 1

This two-part paper reports the thermophysical properties of several cold and vacuum plasma sprayed monolithic Cu and Ni-based alloy coatings. Part I presents the electrical and thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity, and total hemispherical emissivity data while Part II reports the specific heat capacity data for these coatings. Metallic copper alloys, stoichiometric NiAl and NiCrAlY coatings were fabricated by either the cold sprayed or the vacuum plasma spray deposition processes for thermal property measurements between 77 and 1223 K. The temperature dependencies of the thermal conductivities, thermal diffusivities, electrical conductivities and total hemispherical emissivities of these cold and vacuum sprayed monolithic coatings are reported in this paper. The electrical and thermal conductivity data correlate reasonably well for Cu-8%Cr-1%Al, Cu-23%Cr-5%Al and NiAl in accordance with the Wiedemann-Franz (WF) law although a better fit is obtained using the Smith-Palmer relationship. The Lorentz numbers determined from the WF law are close to the theoretical value.

Raj, S. V.↗
NASA NTRS1992

NASA program planning on nuclear electric propulsion

As part of the focused technology planning for future NASA space science and exploration missions, NASA has initiated a focused technology program to develop the technologies for nuclear electric propulsion and nuclear thermal propulsion. Beginning in 1990, NASA began a series of interagency planning workshops and meetings to identify key technologies and program priorities for nuclear propulsion. The high-priority, near-term technologies that must be developed to make NEP operational for space exploration include scaling thrusters to higher power, developing high-temperature power processing units, and developing high power, low-mass, long-lived nuclear reactors.

Bennett, Gary L.↗
NASA NTRS2020

Recommendations on Use of Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical (EEE) Parts for NASA Missions

The NASA Electronic Parts & Packaging Program Manager, requested a NASA Engineering and Safety Center independent assessment to summarize Commercial Crew Program and NASA Centers’ current and best practices, and lessons learned, on use of commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) for all mission risk classifications, and provide recommendations that could lead to future NASA Electronic Parts and Packaging Program and/or Agency guidance on COTS parts. This document contains the outcome of the assessment.

Commercial-Off-The-Shelf↗
NASA NTRS2023

Assessment of Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical (EEE) Parts Copper Wire Bonds for Space Programs

The NASA Electronic Parts and Packaging Program co-manager, requested the NASA Engineering and Safety Center (NESC) to compile a body of publicly available knowledge on copper (Cu) wire bonds and perform reliability testing and analysis on these bonds, including environment tests, sample destructive physical analysis, and bond pull/shear tests during environment test intervals. The goal was to understand the risks of using Cu wire bonds for space applications and develop guidelines on Cu bond pull/shear limits for NASA applications. This document contains the results of the NESC assessment.

Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical↗
DOE OSTI2024

Single channel PICOSEC Micromegas detector with improved time resolution

This paper presents design guidelines and the experimental verification of a single-channel PICOSEC Micromegas (MM) detector with an improved time resolution. The design encompasses the detector board, vessel, auxiliary mechanical parts, and electrical connectivity for high voltage (HV) and signals, focusing on improving the stability, reducing noise, and ensuring signal integrity to optimize timing performance. A notable feature is the simple and fast reassembly procedure, facilitating quick replacement of the detector internal components that allows for an efficient measurement strategy involving different detector components. The paper also examines the influence of parasitic capacitance and inductance on the output signal integrity. To validate the design, a prototype assembly and three interchangeable detector boards with varying readout pad diameters were manufactured. Detectors were initially tested in the laboratory. Finally, the timing performance of the detectors with different pad sizes was verified using 150 GeV muons. Notably, a record time resolution for a PICOSEC Micromegas detector technology with a CsI photocathode of 12.5 ± 0.8 ps was achieved for a detector with 10 mm diameter readout pad size.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2021

Substituted ALPO-5 Zeolites as Promising O 2 Sorption Pump Materials: A Density Functional Theory Study

Many chemical processes depend on having an environment that is low in oxygen partial pressure (P O2 < 100 Pa); sorption pumps are a promising route to establishing that environment by either oxygen pumping or oxygen separation from an inert gas. Near ambient sorption-based processes rely on either pressure or thermal swings, requiring no moving parts, no electricity, and neither very high nor very low temperatures. In this work, we use ab initio calculations to explore zeolites as a class of materials for sorption based oxygen pumping/separation. Our calculations indicate that while the neat ALPO-5 zeolite does not adsorb O 2 , O 2 does adsorb on zeolites selectively substituted with transition metals and metalloids and hence, can enable separation and pumping. ALPO-5 substituted with Si, Ge, Sn, Pd, Pt, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Zr, Mo, Hf, W, Ce, and Pr provides adsorption energies ranging from -0.19 to -3.92 eV, (-) indicates exothermic process. Additionally, we provide a comprehensive understanding of what controls the adsorption energy: 1) the substi-tutions must be able to adopt an oxidation state that is more positive than the cation it replaces, and 2) the size of the pore into which the O 2 adsorbs to the wall. Additionally, we conduct a ther-modynamic analysis of a thermal swing cycle to approximate the optimal O 2 binding energy for 2 low energy O 2 pumping/separation. We find that the minimum energy cost likely occurs when the adsorption energy is in the range of 0.75 – 1.00 eV (72 – 97 kJ·mol -1 ), which corresponds to Ge, V, Pt, or Ce substituted ALPO-5.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Simulation of an inductively coupled plasma with a two-dimensional Darwin particle-in-cell code

A two-dimensional particle-in-cell code for the simulation of low-frequency electromagnetic processes in laboratory plasmas has been developed. The code uses the Darwin method omitting the electromagnetic wave propagation. The Darwin method separates the electric field into solenoidal and irrotational parts. The solenoidal electric field is calculated with a new algorithm based on the equation for the electric field vorticity. The system of linear equations in the new algorithm is readily solved using a standard iterative method. The irrotational electric field is the electrostatic field calculated with the direct implicit algorithm. The code is verified by reproducing the two-stream instability, electron electromagnetic waves, and shear Alfvén waves. The code is applied to simulate an inductively coupled plasma with the driving current flowing around the plasma region. In this simulation, a ring of dense plasma forms at the initial stage but then the density becomes maximal in the center and decays monotonically toward the walls. The skin effect is in the transitional mode between local and non-local, and the electron velocity distribution function is non-Maxwellian.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
NASA NTRS1976

Advanced inlet duct noise reduction concepts

A progress report is given on the implications of inlet noise reduction on aircraft direct operating costs (DOC). It considers treated inlet rings, various other inlet noise reduction concepts, and forward-speed effects. The report was limited to relatively well-established approaches to inlet noise reduction, such as acoustic liners and fixed-geometry/high-subsonic-speed inlets which are the focus of considerable current research activity. All of the concepts discussed are of a "passive" nature, i.e., no moving parts or electrical feedback systems.

Chestnutt, D.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Differential-Coil Eddy-Current Material Sorter

Small metal or other electrically conductive parts of same shape but different composition quickly sorted with differential-coil eddy-current sorter. Developed to distinguish between turbine blades of different alloys, hardnesses, and residual stress, sorter generally applicable to parts of simple and complex shape.

Nummelin, J.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Mechanically Oriented, Low-Curie-Temperature Materials

Proposed fabrication process produces permanent magnets of greater flux density, intended for use at temperatures far below room temperature. Such magnets parts of electrical motors and other electromechanical actuators operating in cryogenic systems. Performances of actuators increase with flux densities available from their magnets. Based on use of mechanical metallurgical techniques to make oriented magnets of Dy3Al2, because these techniques produce alignments above Curie temperature.

Boltich, Edward B.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Stacking Oxygen-Separation Cells

Simplified configuration and procedure developed for assembly of stacks of solid-electrolyte cells separating oxygen from air electrochemically. Reduces number of components and thus reduces probability of such failures as gas leaks, breakdown of sensitive parts, and electrical open or short circuits. Previous, more complicated version of cell described in "Improved Zirconia Oxygen-Separation Cell" (NPO-16161).

Schroeder, James E.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Performance experiments with alternative advanced teleoperator control modes for a simulated solar maximum satellite repair

Experiments are described which were conducted at the JPL Advanced Teleoperator Lab to demonstrate and evaluate the effectiveness of various teleoperator control modes in the performance of a simulated Solar Max Satellite Repair (SMSR) task. THe SMSR was selected as a test because it is very rich in performance capability requirements and it actually has been performed by two EVA astronauts in the Space Shuttle Bay in 1984. The main subtasks are: thermal blanket removal; installation of a hinge attachment for electrical panel opening; opening of electrical panel; removal of electrical connectors; relining of cable bundles; replacement of electrical panel; securing parts and cables; re-mate electrical connectors; closing of electrical panel; and reinstating thermal blanket. The current performance experiments are limited to thermal blanket cutting, electrical panel unbolting and handling electrical bundles and connectors. In one formal experiment even different control modes were applied to the unbolting and reinsertion of electrical panel screws subtasks. The seven control modes are alternative combinations of manual position and rate control with force feedback and remote compliance referenced to force-torque sensor information. Force-torque sensor and end effector position data and task completion times were recorded for analysis and quantification of operator performance.

Das, H.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Internal dynamics of a plasma propelled across a magnetic field

When a plasma is pushed across a magnetic field by some nonelectromagnetic force, ions and electrons get turned in opposite directions by the magnetic field. An exact analysis of that process is presented here for the internal region of the plasma. The energy provided by the initial push is used, in part, to create the electric field and in part to create some gyrations inside the plasma. When the rest energy density of the plasma exceeds twice the magnetic energy density (or when the Alfven speed is less than c), there will be enough energy to spare for the plasma to continue across the magnetic field at half its initial momentum. Two cases are considered: an impulsive start and a gentle push such as provided by gravity. The amplitude of the resulting internal gyrations becomes small in the second case. The frequencies of the gyrations are those of extraordinary modes of very long spatial wavelength.

Buneman, Oscar↗
NASA NTRS1920

Heat energy of various ignition sparks

This report describes a method developed at the Bureau of Standards for measuring the total energy liberated as heat in a spark gap by an ignition system. Since this heat energy is obtained from the electromagnetic energy stored in the windings of the magneto or coil, it is a measure of the effectiveness of the device as an electric generator. Part 2 gives the results of measurements in absolute units of the total heat supplied to a spark gap by ignition systems of different types operating at various speeds, under conditions substantially equivalent to those in the cylinder of a high-compression aviation engine.

Silsbee, F B↗
NASA NTRS2004

Volume and Mass Estimation of Three-Phase High Power Transformers for Space Applications

Spacecraft historically have had sub-1kW(sub e), electrical requirements for GN&C, science, and communications: Galileo at 600W(sub e), and Cassini at 900W(sub e), for example. Because most missions have had the same order of magnitude power requirements, the Power Distribution Systems (PDS) use existing, space-qualified technology and are DC. As science payload and mission duration requirements increase, however, the required electrical power increases. Subsequently, this requires a change from a passive energy conversion (solar arrays and batteries) to dynamic (alternator, solar dynamic, etc.), because dynamic conversion has higher thermal and conversion efficiencies, has higher power densities, and scales more readily to higher power levels. Furthermore, increased power requirements and physical distribution lengths are best served with high-voltage, multi-phase AC to maintain distribution efficiency and minimize voltage drops. The generated AC-voltage must be stepped-up (or down) to interface with various subsystems or electrical hardware. Part of the trade-space design for AC distribution systems is volume and mass estimation of high-power transformers. The volume and mass are functions of the power rating, operating frequency, the ambient and allowable temperature rise, the types and amount of heat transfer available, the core material and shape, the required flux density in a core, the maximum current density, etc. McLyman has tabulated the performance of a number of transformers cores and derived a "cookbook" methodology to determine the volume of transformers, whereas Schawrze had derived an empirical method to estimate the mass of single-phase transformers. Based on the work of McLyman and Schwarze, it is the intent herein to derive an empirical solution to the volume and mass estimation of three-phase, laminated EI-core power transformers, having radiated and conducted heat transfer mechanisms available. Estimation of the mounting hardware, connectors, etc. is not included.

Kimnach, Greg L.↗