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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

Fabrication of cermet bearings for the control system of a high temperature lithium cooled nuclear reactor

The techniques used to fabricate cermet bearings for the fueled control drums of a liquid metal cooled reference-design reactor concept are presented. The bearings were designed for operation in lithium for as long as 5 years at temperatures to 1205 C. Two sets of bearings were fabricated from a hafnium carbide - 8-wt. % molybdenum - 2-wt. % niobium carbide cermet, and two sets were fabricated from a hafnium nitride - 10-wt. % tungsten cermet. Procedures were developed for synthesizing the material in high purity inert-atmosphere glove boxes to minimize oxygen content in order to enhance corrosion resistance. Techniques were developed for pressing cylindrical billets to conserve materials and to reduce machining requirements. Finishing was accomplished by a combination of diamond grinding, electrodischarge machining, and diamond lapping. Samples were characterized in respect to composition, impurity level, lattice parameter, microstructure and density.

Yacobucci, H. G.↗

Oil-air mist lubrication as an emergency system and as a primary lubrication system

The feasibility of an emergency aspirator once-through lubrication system was demonstrated as a viable survivability concept for Army helicopter mainshaft engine bearings for periods as long as 30 minutes. It was also shown in an experimental study using a 46-mm bore bearing test machine that an oil-air mist once-through system with auxiliary air cooling is an effective primary lubrication system at speeds up to 2,500,000 DN for extended operating periods of at least 50 hours.

Loomis, W. R.↗

Assessment of the impact of dipped guideways on urban rail transit systems: Ventilation and safety requirements

The ventilation and fire safety requirements for subway tunnels with dipped profiles between stations as compared to subway tunnels with level profiles were evaluated. This evaluation is based upon computer simulations of a train fire emergency condition. Each of the tunnel configurations evaluated was developed from characteristics that are representative of modern transit systems. The results of the study indicate that: (1) The level tunnel system required about 10% more station cooling than dipped tunnel systems in order to meet design requirements; and (2) The emergency ventilation requirements are greater with dipped tunnel systems than with level tunnel systems.

Source record↗

Electric propulsion and its applications to space missions

Consideration is given the NASA, Air Force and European electric propulsion programs, the characteristics of primary electric propulsion systems, nuclear electric orbit transfer vehicles, and such topics in the fundamental processes of electrostatic thrusters as sputtering in mercury ion thrusters, the screen hole plasma sheath of an ion accelerator system, and the modelling of ion beam neutralization and nitrogen chemisorption. Also considered are electrostatic thruster components and systems, electromagnetic thrusters such as MPD and RIT systems, electric rail guns and mass drivers, power sources which include solar and nuclear alternatives, power conversion systems and their cooling apparatus, and the environmental interactions between spacecraft and their electric propulsion systems.

Finke, R. C.↗

Determination of blade-to-coolant heat-transfer coefficients on a forced-convection, water-cooled, single-stage turbine

Blade-to-coolant convective heat-transfer coefficients were obtained on a forced-convection water-cooled single-stage turbine over a large laminar flow range and over a portion of the transition range between laminar and turbulent flow. The convective coefficients were correlated by the general relation for forced-convection heat transfer with laminar flow. Natural-convection heat transfer was negligible for this turbine over the Grashof number range investigated. Comparison of turbine data with stationary tube data for the laminar flow of heated liquids showed good agreement. Calculated average midspan blade temperatures using theoretical gas-to-blade coefficients and blade-to-coolant coefficients from stationary-tube data resulted in close agreement with experimental data.

COOLING - GAS TURBINE SYSTEMS↗

Blade-to-coolant heat-transfer results and operating data from a natural-convection water-cooled single-stage turbine

Blade-to-coolant heat-transfer data and operating data were obtained with a natural-convection water-cooled turbine over range of turbine speeds and inlet-gas temperatures. The convective coefficients were correlated by the general relation for natural-convection heat transfer. The turbine data were displaced from a theoretical equation for natural convection heat transfer in the turbulent region and from natural-convection data obtained with vertical cylinders and plates; possible disruption of natural convection circulation within the blade coolant passages was thus indicated. Comparison of non dimensional temperature-ratio parameters for the blade leading edge, midchord, and trailing edge indicated that the blade cooling effectiveness is greatest at the midchord and least at the trailing edge.

COOLING - GAS TURBINE SYSTEMS↗

Wire Cloth as Porous Material for Transpiration-cooled Walls

The permeability characteristics and tensile strength of a porous material developed from stainless-steel corduroy wire cloth for use in transpiration-cooled walls where the primary stresses are in one direction were investigated. The results of this investigation are presented and compared with similar results obtained with porous sintered metal compacts. A much wider range of permeabilities is obtainable with the wire cloth than with the porous metal compacts considered and the ultimate tensile strength in the direction of the primary stresses for porous materials produced from three mesh sizes of wire cloth are from two to three times the ultimate tensile strengths of the porous metal compacts.

MATERIALS - TYPES↗

Experimental investigation of free-convection heat transfer in vertical tube at large Grashof numbers / E. R. G. Eckert, A. J. Diaguila

Local free-convection heat-transfer coefficients and temperature fields in the turbulent flow range were obtained within a vertical, stationary tube closed at the boom, heated along its walls, and having a length-to-diameter ratio of 5. Convective heat-transfer coefficients were correlated by the general relations for free-convection heat transfer. These coefficients, converted to dimensionless Nusselt numbers were 35 percent below known relations for vertical flat plates. Air temperature measurements within the tube indicated a thin boundary layer along the heated wall surface and unstable conditions in the air flow.

HEAT TRANSFER↗

Cryogenic System for the Origins Space Telescope: Cooling a Large Space Telescope to 4K with Today's Technology

The Origins Space Telescope (OST) concept is one of four NASA Science Mission Directorate, Astrophysics Division, observatory concepts being studied for launch in the mid 2030's. OST's wavelength coverage will be from the midinfrared to the sub-millimeter, 6-600 microns. To enable observations at the zodiacal background limit the telescope must be cooled to about 4 K. Combined with the telescope size (currently the primary is 9 m in diameter) this appears to be a daunting task. However, simple calculations and thermal modeling have shown the cooling power required is met with several currently developed cryocoolers. Further, the telescope thermal architecture is greatly simplified, allowing simpler models, more thermal margin, and higher confidence in the final performance values than previous cold observatories. We will describe design principles to simplify modeling and verification. We will argue that the OST architecture and design principles lower its integration and test time and reduce its ultimate cost.

telescopes↗

Select Variables Affecting Thermal System Design of a Liquid-Cooled Stator

NASA Glenn Researchers have endeavored to create a high-power-density, efficient electric motor called the High Efficiency Megawatt Motor (HEMM) with a goal of exceeding 98% efficiency and 1.46 MW of power. These aggressive goals were set because increasing the power density and efficiency of electric machines (motors and generators) is integral to bringing electrified aircraft (EA) to commercial realization. Resistive losses in the stator windings are by far the largest (34%) contributor to this design’s total energy losses. Previous testing of a HEMM-like stator test article (statorette) showed good agreement between measured performance and model predictions. Therefore, a foundation was provided to test other engineering parameters that are encountered when designing an electric machine. Of particular interest are the effects of changes to the thickness of the epoxy from the potting process, changes in the fluid volume/flow path around the end windings, and changes in the viscosity of the cooling fluid on the overall thermal performance of the unit. The impact of those parameters as revealed through a third-generation build, test, and finite element model analysis of a statorette test section is the focus of this paper.

EAP↗

Design of a GRCop-42 Regeneratively Cooled Thrust Chamber Assembly and Feed System

An additively manufactured thrust chamber assembly was designed and printed using laser powder bed fusion. The NASA-developed material GRCop-42 was used for its high strength and high temperature characteristics. The combustion chamber and nozzle utilize regenerative coolant channels to achieve long duration hot fire tests. Design for additive manufacturing was used to create geometries not easily attainable with traditional machining. The thrust chamber assembly was post processed to ensure print quality and verify for testing. A feed system – encompassing all propellant lines, valves, sensors, and tanks – was designed and built to enable steady state, pressure regulated testing. Pressure transducers, thermocouples, and load cells were placed to enable measurements of the propellant properties and engine performance. Venturis and orifices were used throughout the system to control the flow rates to the thrust chamber. Aside from providing propellants, the feed system provides pressure using nitrogen, and purges the lines during shutdown. The design process for this testing platform is described. A testing campaign on the hardware will be conducted by the Akronauts Rocket Design Team at the University of Akron in Spring 2023.

Dillon M. Petty↗

Design of a GRCop-42 Regeneratively Cooled Thrust Chamber Assembly and Feed System

An additively manufactured thrust chamber assembly was designed and printed using laser powder bed fusion. The NASA-developed material GRCop-42 was used for its high strength and high temperature characteristics. The combustion chamber and nozzle utilize regenerative coolant channels to achieve long duration hot fire tests. Design for additive manufacturing was used to create geometries not easily attainable with traditional machining. The thrust chamber assembly was post processed to ensure print quality and verify for testing. A feed system – encompassing all propellant lines, valves, sensors, and tanks – was designed and built to enable steady state, pressure regulated testing. Pressure transducers, thermocouples, and load cells were placed to enable measurements of the propellant properties and engine performance. Venturis and orifices were used throughout the system to control the flow rates to the thrust chamber. Aside from providing propellants, the feed system provides pressure using nitrogen, and purges the lines during shutdown. The design process for this testing platform is described. A testing campaign on the hardware will be conducted by the Akronauts Rocket Design Team at the University of Akron in Spring 2023.

Dillon M. Petty↗

Engine management during NTRE start up

The topics are presented in viewgraph form and include the following: total engine system management critical to successful nuclear thermal rocket engine (NTRE) start up; NERVA type engine start windows; reactor power control; heterogeneous reactor cooling; propellant feed system dynamics; integrated NTRE start sequence; moderator cooling loop and efficient NTRE starting; analytical simulation and low risk engine development; accurate simulation through dynamic coupling of physical processes; and integrated NTRE and mission performance.

Bulman, Mel↗

Continuous Sub-Kelvin Cooling from an Adiabatic Demagnetization Refrigerator

We present the current state of development for a continuous magnetic refrigeration system capable of cooling a detector array or other payload to temperatures below 50 mK. This adiabatic demagnetization refrigerator contains four-stages that are cycling continuously yet present a constant ultra-low temperature heat sink at one physical location within the refrigerator. Two different configurations of essentially the same cooler will be presented where the difference is in the physical layout of the stages and the type of heat sink used for the refrigerator's heat rejection.

Magnetic Cooling↗

Broad Area Cooler Concepts for Cryogenic Propellant Tanks

Numerous studies and ground tests have shown that broad area cooling (also known as distributed cooling) can reduce or eliminate cryogenic propellant boil-off and enable long duration storage in space. Various combinations of cryocoolers, circulators, heat exchangers and other hardware could be used to build the system. In this study, several configurations of broad area cooling systems were compared by weighing hardware combinations, input power requirements, component availability, and Technical Readiness Level (TRL). The preferred system has a high TRL and can be scaled up to provide cooling capacities on the order of 150W at 90K

Christie, R. J.↗