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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 1,027 records · Page 57

Dry film lubricants

The Space Age has necessitated accelerated development of many technologies which have direct application to commercial, earthbound hardware. One striking example is dry film lubrication. The stimulus for the development of dry film lubricants was provided by the unsatisfactory condition created when commercial liquid lubricants were exposed to the multiple environs of space. In the search for a satisfactory solution to lubrication in space, dry films were investigated. The dry film lubrication concept has proven most desirable for space, and a natural fallout is the potential shown by such films for consumer item application. On the acceptance that the coefficient of friction of dry films is not equivalent to that of a liquid lubricant under ideal conditions, this paper discusses how the ideal condition for liquid lubrication is rarely achieved in practical applications. Comparisons are made between the performance of dry film and liquid lubricants as a function of temperature, environmental pressure, and life. Furthermore, consideration is given to the comparative costs of liquid versus dry film lubricants to show the practicality and desirability of dry film lubrication to consumer items. Although no data on the performance of consumer items lubricated with dry films are presented, the comparisons clearly establish the potential of dry film lubricants in a competitive consumer market.

SOLID LUBRICANT↗

Development of superconductive magnets

Survey of superconductive magnets considers - stabilization problems, advances in materials and their uses, and design evolution. Uses of superconducting magnets in particle accelerators and bubble chambers, as well as possible applications in magnetohydrodynamic and thermonuclear power generation and levitation are discussed.

Laurence, J. C.↗

High voltage electrical insulation coating for refractory materials

Formula and process have been developed for coating refractory metal surfaces with high voltage electrical insulation for use at temperatures to 600 C. Coatings were specifically developed as an insulation for the surface of a perforated, molybdenum, ion-accelerator grid, but are not limited to this application.

Lent, W. E.↗

Acoustic fatigue and sound transmission characteristics of a ram composite panel design

An experimental study to determine the acoustic fatigue characteristics of a flat multi-layered structural panel is described. The test panel represented a proposed design for the outer skin of a research application module to be housed within the space shuttle orbiter vehicle. The test specimen was mounted in one wall of the Wyle 100,000 cu ft reverberation room and exposed to a broadband acoustic environment having an overall level of 145 db. The test panel was exposed to nine separate applications of the acoustic environment, each application consisting of 250 seconds duration. Upon completion of the ninth test run, the specimen was exposed to a simulated micrometeoroid impact near the panel center. One additional test run of 250 seconds duration was then performed to complete the overall simulation of 50 flight missions. The experimental results show that no significant fatigue damage occurred until the test specimen was exposed to a simulated micrometeoroid impact. The intermediate foam layer forming the core of the test specimen suffered considerable damage due to this impact, causing a marked variation in the dynamic characteristics of the overall test panel. During the final application of the acoustic environment, the strain and acceleration response spectra showed considerable variation from those spectra obtained prior to impact of the panel. Fatigue damage from acoustic loading however, was limited to partial de-bonding around the edges of the composite panel.

Cockburn, J. A.↗

Analytical study of laser supported combustion waves in hydrogen

A one-dimensional energy equation, with constant pressure and area, was used to model the LSC wave. This equation balances convection, conduction, laser energy absorption, radiation energy loss and radiation energy transport. Solutions of this energy equation were obtained to give profiles of temperature and other properties, as well as the relation between laser intensity and mass flux through the wave. The flow through the LSC wave was then conducted through a variable pressure, variable area streamtube to accelerate it to high speed, with the propulsion application in mind. A numerical method for coupling the LSC wave model to the streamtube flow was developed, and a sample calculation was performed. The result shows that 42% of the laser power has been radiated away by the time the gas reaches the throat. It was concluded that in the radially confined flows of interest for propulsion applications, transverse velocities would be less important than in the unconfined flows where air experiments have been conducted.

Kemp, N. H.↗

The computation of isentropic atmospheric trajectories using a 'discrete model' formulation

An explicit technique for calculating atmospheric trajectories is presented as an alternative method to the standard implicit scheme of Danielsen (1961). The technique uses the inviscid equations of motion and the discrete model formulation derived by Greenspan (1972, 1973) to compute trajectories on isentropic surfaces, assuming adiabatic flow. The discrete model formulation is designed specifically for a Lagrangian system and objectively accounts for the geostrophic departures, local psi-tendencies, and the subsequent accelerations along the entire length of the trajectory. Application of the discrete formulation to a diagnostic case study yielded favorable results.

Petersen, R. A.↗

Operational factors affecting microgravity levels in orbit

Microgravity levels desired for proposed materials processing payloads are fundamental considerations in the design of future space platforms. Disturbance sources, such as aerodynamic drag, attitude control torques, crew motion and orbital dynamics, influence the microgravity levels attainable in orbit. The nature of these effects are assessed relative to platform design parameters such as orbital altitude and configuration geometry, and examples are presented for a representative spacecraft configuration. The possible applications of control techniques to provide extremely low acceleration levels are also discussed.

Olsen, R. E.↗

Theory of bubble dynamics in condensed explosive during start-up transient

Test firings with experimental liquid propellant gun systems indicate that the main concern standing in the way of practical application of LPG's is the possibility of unexpected explosions during start up when pressure is rapidly applied to the liquid monopropellant in the chamber. The phenomenon of many collapse-rebound cycles of imploding bubbles is theorized as the probable cause of explosions in LP systems. It may be concluded that LPG safety would be enhanced by choosing an LP with low bulk modulus, as well as low decomposition reaction rate, and that a benign looking DTA trace is not a sufficient quarantee of insensitivity to a pressure induced explosion. It is also shown that pre-pressurizing an LP charge, thus pre-compressing the bubbles near-isothermally, makes the system relatively insensitive to such pressure induced explosions. The applicability of this analysis to the question of acceleration induced explosion of explosive filled warheads is indicated.

Benreuven, M.↗

Multiple-gridding of the Euler equations with an implicit scheme

The multiple-grid scheme of Ni (1981) for the solution of the unsteady Euler equations for quasi-one-dimensional transonic flow problems is analyzed according to its ability to accelerate convergence to a steady state solution, its applicability to an implicit scheme, its accuracy, and its stability limits. This scheme is applied successfully to McCormack's (1981) implicit method of solving quasi-one-dimensional transonic flow problems for CFL numbers significantly greater than unity. It is determined that the second order accuracy of this implicit method is preserved by employing the multiple gridding. However, stability limitations that are flow dependent are introduced into the implicit method by the use of the multiple-grid scheme which will curtail its use under certain flow conditions. A scaling modification for the multiple grid scheme is developed which further improves its performance when used with explicit and artificially-damped implicit methods without any increase in computational work.

Stubbs, R. M.↗

Fate of very low-mass secondaries in accreting binaries and the 1.5-ms pulsar

It is shown analytically that the canonical stability postulate for low-mass binaries can be inaccurate when the secondary component mass is less than 0.02 solar mass. The adjustable evolutionary parameter h is demonstrated to have a value (in terms of the mass flow effects) of 2/3, less than which catastrophic instability and tidal disruption of the secondary might occur. The disrupted secondary would be reduced to a remnant significantly smaller in mass than the earth, and not be observable visually. Additionally, close passage by another star could accelerate or initiate the process. The model is applicable to the pulsar binary PSR1937+214, and is noted not to conflict with spin-up theories.

Ruderman, M. A.↗

FTIR analysis of aviation fuel deposits

Five modes of operation of the Nicolet 7199 Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrophotometer have been evaluated for application in analysis of the chemical structure of accelerated storage/thermal deposits produced by jet fuels. Using primarily the absorption and emission modes, the effects of fuel type, stress temperature, stress time, type of spiking agent, spiking agent concentration, fuel flow, and post-depositional treatment on the chemical nature of fuel deposits have been determined.

Helmick, L. S.↗

Space station automation study-satellite servicing. Volume 1: Executive summary

A plan for advancing the state of automation and robotics technology as an integral part of the U.S. space station development effort was studied. This study was undertaken: (1) to determine the benefits that will accrue from using automated systems onboard the space station in support of satellite servicing; (2) to define methods for increasing the capacity for, and effectiveness of satellite servicing while reducing demands on crew time and effort and on ground support; (3) to find optimum combinations of men/machine activities in the performance of servicing functions; and (4) project the evolution of automation technology needed to enhance or enable satellite servicing capabilities to match the evolutionary growth of the space station. A secondary intent is to accelerate growth and utilization of robotics in terrestrial applications as a spin-off from the space station program.

Source record↗

Exact Linearization For Control Of Robots

Equivalence of several theoretical approaches discussed. Report comments on application of geometric control theory (GCT), resolved-acceleration control (RAC), operational-space control (OSC), and nonlinear-decoupling theory (NDT) to remote manipulator consisting of multiple rigid links. Principal concern, search for nonlinear feedback law making end effector behave, for purposes of control, as though its dynamics linear and decoupled.

Kreutz, Kenneth K.↗

Control research in the NASA high-alpha technology program

NASA is conducting a focused technology program, known as the High-Angle-of-Attack Technology Program, to accelerate the development of flight-validated technology applicable to the design of fighters with superior stall and post-stall characteristics and agility. A carefully integrated effort is underway combining wind tunnel testing, analytical predictions, piloted simulation, and full-scale flight research. A modified F-18 aircraft has been extensively instrumented for use as the NASA High-Angle-of-Attack Research Vehicle used for flight verification of new methods and concepts. This program stresses the importance of providing improved aircraft control capabilities both by powered control (such as thrust-vectoring) and by innovative aerodynamic control concepts. The program is accomplishing extensive coordinated ground and flight testing to assess and improve available experimental and analytical methods and to develop new concepts for enhanced aerodynamics and for effective control, guidance, and cockpit displays essential for effective pilot utilization of the increased agility provided.

Gilbert, William P.↗

A nonlinear relaxation/quasi-Newton algorithm for the compressible Navier-Stokes equations

A highly efficient implicit method for the computation of steady, two-dimensional compressible Navier-Stokes flowfields is presented. The discretization of the governing equations is hybrid in nature, with flux-vector splitting utilized in the streamwise direction and central differences with flux-limited artificial dissipation used for the transverse fluxes. Line Jacobi relaxation is used to provide a suitable initial guess for a new nonlinear iteration strategy based on line Gauss-Seidel sweeps. The applicability of quasi-Newton methods as convergence accelerators for this and other line relaxation algorithms is discussed, and efficient implementations of such techniques are presented. Convergence histories and comparisons with experimental data are presented for supersonic flow over a flat plate and for several high-speed compression corner interactions. Results indicate a marked improvement in computational efficiency over more conventional upwind relaxation strategies, particularly for flowfields containing large pockets of streamwise subsonic flow.

Edwards, Jack R.↗

Controller modeling and evaluation for PCV electro-mechanical actuator

Hydraulic actuators are currently used to operate the propellant control valves (PCV) for the space shuttle main engine (SSME) and other rocket engines. These actuators are characterized by large power to weight ratios, large force capabilities, and rapid accelerations, which favor their use in control valve applications. However, hydraulic systems are also characterized by susceptibility to contamination, which leads to frequent maintenance requirements. The Control Mechanisms Branch (EP34) of the Component Development Division of the Propulsion Laboratory at the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) has been investigating the application of electromechanical actuators as replacements for the hydraulic units in PCV's over the last few years. This report deals with some testing and analysis of a PCV electromechanical actuator (EMA) designed and fabricated by HR Textron, Inc. This prototype actuator has undergone extensive testing by EP34 personnel since early 1993. At this time, the performance of the HR Textron PCV EMA does not meet requirements for position tracking.

Parker, Joey K.↗

Lorentz Force Accelerator Technology Investigated

The NASA Glenn Research Center is developing Lorenz force accelerators (LFAs) for a wide variety of space applications. These range from the precision control of formation-flying spacecraft to the primary propulsion system for very high power interplanetary spacecraft. The specific thruster technologies being addressed are pulsed plasma thrusters (PPT) and magnetoplasmadynamic (MPD) thrusters.

Pencil, Eric J.↗