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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 901 records · Page 50

The effect of concentrator field layout on the EE-1 small community solar power system

The point-focusing distributed receiver (PFDR) concept is employed by a number of solar thermal power systems currently under development. One type of PFDR system which shows particular promise incorporates distributed energy generation. According to this concept each parabolic dish collector is a self-contained power generation module, and a conventional electrical system is used to interconnect the modules. The concept is thus modular, and any number of power modules can be combined to achieve the required plant size. Given the benefits of mass production, it appears that this type of system can produce electricity at lower cost than is projected for conventional (fossil) power systems over the next decade. An employment of organic Rankine cycle heat engines is considered.

Pons, R. L.↗

Analysis of flow dynamics through small diameter gas sampling systems

The removal of gas material through a capillary opening in a surface is analyzed. The gas, from which the sample is removed, is moving past the surface at supersonic velocities. A variety of possible conditions of temperature, pressure and composition are discussed in an effort to emulate conditions that might be found at the surface of a vehicle traversing the altitude range 100-50 km, or might exist at the surface of a model in the stream of a high enthalpy wind tunnel. Aspects discussed include: (1) the throughput of the capillary for conditions of different lengths and different L/a (length/radius) ratios; (2) the total throughput when the surface in question contains many hundreds of these capillaries; (3) the effect of the capillaries upon the composition of the analyzed gas; (4) the effect of the capillary or capillaries upon the gas stream itself; and (5) the implications of the calculations upon the possible implementation of this type of device as an inlet for a mass spectrometer to be developed for analyzing the upper atmosphere.

Brown, K. G.↗

CPL Materials Life Cycle Test Facility

The Capillary Pumped Loop (CPL) Materials Life Cycle Test Facility at the Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) will identify the operational parameters controlling the performance of a CPL over an extended period of time. The primary purpose of the facility is to investigate the long-term chemical compatibility between the anhydrous ammonia working fluid and the CPL materials of construction. Chemical reactions occurring within the system may produce non-condensable gases or particulate debris that can lead to a degradation in system performance. Small liquid samples will be drawn from the system at specific time intervals and analyzed to check for the presence of non-condensable gases. Periodic maximum and minimum heat load tests will be performed on the CPL to monitor trends in the overall system performance.

Buchko, Matthew T.↗

Analysis of a Small Vigorous Mesoscale Convective System in a Low-Shear Environment: Formation, Echo Structure and Lightning Behavior - Pt. 1

The precipitation output was highly variable due to the transient nature of the intense convective elements. This result is attributed to the high Richardson number (175) of the environment, which is much higher than that of the typical MCS environment. The development of the stratiform precipitation was accomplished locally (in situ), and not be advection of from the convective region. In situ charging of the stratiform region is also supported by the observations.

Knupp, Kevin↗

A Small Angle Scattering Sensor System for the Characterization of Combustion Generated Particulate

One of the critical issues for the US space program is fire safety of the space station and future launch vehicles. A detailed understanding of the scattering signatures of particulate is essential for the development of a false alarm free fire detection system. This paper describes advanced optical instrumentation developed and applied for fire detection. The system is being designed to determine four important physical properties of disperse fractal aggregates and particulates including size distribution, number density, refractive indices, and fractal dimension. Combustion generated particulate are the primary detection target; however, in order to discriminate from other particulate, non-combustion generated particles should also be characterized. The angular scattering signature is measured and analyzed using two photon optical laser scattering. The Rayleigh-Debye-Gans (R-D-G) scattering theory for disperse fractal aggregates is utilized. The system consists of a pulsed laser module, detection module and data acquisition system and software to analyze the signals. The theory and applications are described.

Feikema, Douglas A.↗

Evaluation of ARCAM Deposited Ti-6Al-4V

A wide range of Metal Additive Manufacturing (MAM) technologies are becoming available. One of the challenges in using new technologies for aerospace systems is demonstrating that the process and system has the ability to manufacture components that meet the high quality requirements on a statistically significant basis. The widest-used system for small to medium sized components is the ARCAM system manufactured in Gothenburg, Sweden. This system features a 4kW electron-beam gun, and has a chamber volume of 250mm long x 250mm wide x 250mm to 400mm tall. This paper will describe the basis for the quality and consistency requirements, the experimental and evaluation procedures used for the evaluation, and an analysis of the results for Ti-6Al-4V.

Slattery, Kevin↗

A Model-Based Architecture for a Small Flexible Fault Protection System

In this paper we will give a brief overview of how different missions implemented the fault protection application and the improvements along the way. We will then propose an architecture that supports the direct implementation of state-chart models into flight code. These state-chart models can be used to formally and naturally specify the behavior of all the major fault protection components - monitors, fault protection engine, and fault responses. The goal is a flexible, light-weight implementation of a traditional fault protection software system that is inexpensive to implement, reliable and understandable for both system and software developers.

Watney, Garth↗

Measurement of wave-front aberration in a small telescope remote imaging system using scene-based wave-front sensing

Reference-free compensated imaging makes an estimation of the Fourier phase of a series of images of a target. The Fourier magnitude of the series of images is obtained by dividing the power spectral density of the series of images by an estimate of the power spectral density of atmospheric turbulence from a series of scene based wave front sensor (SBWFS) measurements of the target. A high-resolution image of the target is recovered from the Fourier phase and the Fourier magnitude.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Planetary Mission Capability of Small Low Power Solar Electric Propulsion Systems

Planetary mission performance is presented for small, low power Solar Electric Propulsion spacecraft launched on a Delta II (7925) launch vehicle. The planetary missions presented in this paper are those that appear most attractive for a small, low-cost, solar electric propulsion mission.

power comet rendevous asteroid belt rendevous↗

Evaluation of Routine Atmospheric Sounding Measurements using Unmanned Systems (ERASMUS)

The use of small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) with miniature sensor systems for atmospheric research is an important capability to develop. The Evaluation of Routine Atmospheric Sounding Measurements using Unmanned Systems (ERASMUS) project, lead by Dr. Gijs de Boer of the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES- a partnership of NOAA and CU-Boulder), is a significant milestone in realizing this new potential. This project has clearly demonstrated that the concept of sUAS utilization is valid, and miniature instrumentation can be used to further our understanding of the atmospheric boundary layer in the arctic.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗