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At least 1,045 records · Page 58

Design and development of pressure and repressurization purge system for reusable space shuttle multilayer insulation system

The manufacturing tasks for the program included the fabrication and assembly of an epoxy fiberglass purge bag to encapsulate an insulated cryogenic propellant tank. Purge, repressurization and venting hardware were procured and installed on the purge bag assembly in preparation for performance testing. The fabrication and installation of the superfloc multilayer insulation (MLI) on the cryogenic tank was accomplished as part of a continuing program. An abstraction of the results of the MLI fabrication task is included to describe the complete fabrication requirements for a reusable cryogenic propellant space storage system.

Source record↗

Analysis of gas flow through a multilayer insulation system.

A theoretical investigation of gas flow inside a multilayer insulation system has been made for the case of the broadside pumping process. A set of simultaneous first-order differential equations for the temperature and pressure of the gas mixture was obtained by considering the diffusion mechanism of the gas molecules through the perforations on the insulation layers. A modified Runge-Kutta method was used for numerical experiment. The numerical stability problem was investigated. It has been shown that when the relaxation time is small compared with the time period over which the gas properties change appreciably, the set of differential equations can be replaced by a set of algebraic equations for solution. Numerical examples were given and comparison with experimental data was made.

Lin, J. T.↗

Free vibrations of multilayered composite plates.

Summary of some of the results of a recent study of the reliability and range of validity of two-dimensional plate theories in application to low-frequency free vibration analysis of simply supported, bidirectional, multilayered plates consisting of a large number of layers. These results show that for composite plates the error in the predictions of the classical plate theory is strongly dependent on the number and stacking of the layers, in addition to the degree of orthotropy of the individual layers and the thickness ratio of the plate.

Noor, A. K.↗

Thermal performance of multilayer insulations

Experimental and analytical studies were conducted in order to extend previous knowledge of the thermal performance and gas evacuation characteristics of three selected multilayer insulation (MLI) composites. Flat plate calorimeter heat flux measurements were obtained for 20- and 80- shield specimens using three representative layer densities over boundary temperatures ranging from 39 K (70 R) to 389 K (700 R). Laboratory gas evacuation tests were performed on representative specimens of each MLI composite after initially purging them with helium, nitrogen, or argon gases. In these tests, the specimens were maintained at temperatures between 128 K (230 R) and 300 K (540 R). Based on the results of the laboratory-scale tests, a composite MLI system consisting of 112 unperforated, double-aluminized Mylar reflective shields and 113 water preconditioned silk net spacer pairs was fabricated and installed on a 1.22-m-(4-ft-) diameter calorimeter tank.

Keller, C. W.↗

On the dynamic stability of multilayer sandwich plates

Study of the dynamic stability of plates which are constructed of several alternating soft and hard layers and are subjected to time-dependent periodic in-plane loads. A theory that accounts for all of these effects is presented for multilayer sandwich plates. The plate thickness consists of (k - 1) orthotropic soft core layers sandwiched between k hard isotropic membrane layers, each of which may have a different thickness and elastic properties. It is assumed that the core layers carry only the transverse shear stresses, while the hard membrane layers carry the in-plane normal and shear stresses. The complementary variational principle for dynamics is used to derive the governing differential equations and the necessary boundary conditions for the dynamic stability of the sandwich plate. The equations governing the vibration of the plate and those governing its static stability are deduced from the more general equations for dynamic stability.

Salama, A. M.↗

Predicting spacecraft multilayer insulation performance from heat transfer measurements

Multilayer insulation (MLI) ideally consists of a series of radiation shields with low-conductivity spacers. When MLI blankets were installed on cryogenic tanks or spacecraft, a large discrepancy between the calorimeter measurements and the performance of the installed blankets was discovered. It was found that discontinuities such as exposed edges coupled with high lateral heat transfer created 'heat leaks' which overshadowed the basic heat transfer of the insulation. Approaches leading to improved performance predictions of MLI units are discussed.

Stimpson, L. D.↗

Study of multilayered insulation pipe penetration. Thermal acoustic oscillation

Tests were conducted to determine the net heat leak to a source of liquid nitrogen caused by a metal penetration through the blanket of multilayer insulation. The conditions under which the tests were conducted are described. A graph of the theoretical and experimental temperature distribution is developed for comparison. The variables involved in the computer program to process the data are defined. A study was conducted to develop analytical methods for predicting the effect and magnitudes of thermoacoustic oscillations on the penetration heat leak to cryogens. The oscillations develop as a result of large thermal gradients imposed on a compressible fluid. The predominant amplitudes and frequencies of the thermal acoustic oscillations were investigated.

Lovin, J. K.↗

Investigation of fatigue strength of multilayer advanced fiber composites

The analytical characterization of a multilayer fiber composite plate (without hole) was accomplished for both static and dynamic loading conditions using the finite difference technique. Thornel 300/5208 composites with and without holes were subjected to static and tensile fatigue testing. Five (5) fiber orientations were submitted to test. Tensile fatigue testing also included three (3) loading conditions and two (2) frequencies. The low-cycle test specimens demonstrated a shorter tensile fatigue life than the high-cycle test specimens. Failure surfaces demonstrated effect of testing conditions. Secondary failure mechanisms, such as: delamination, fiber breakage, and edge fiber delamination were present. Longitudinal delamination between plies also occurred in these specimens.

Thornton, H. R.↗

Multilayer insulative systems

One dimensional numerical analysis of transient thermal response multilayer insulative system determines temperature distribution through system consisting of one to four layers. Program based on this analysis will determine thickness of specified layer that will satisfy specified temperature-limit criterion at any point in insulative system.

Brinkley, K. L.↗

Multilayered models for electromagnetic reflection amplitudes

The remote sensing of snowpack characteristics with surface installations or with an airborne system could have important applications in water resource management and flood prediction. To derive some insight into such applications, the electromagnetic response of multilayer snow models is analyzed. Normally incident plane waves are assumed at frequencies ranging from 10 to the 6th power to 10 to the 10th power Hz, and amplitude reflection coefficients are calculated for models having various snow-layer combinations, including ice sheets. Layers are defined by a thickness, permittivity, and conductivity; the electrical parameters are constant or prescribed functions of frequency. To illustrate the effect of various layering combinations, results are given in the form of curves of amplitude reflection coefficients, versus frequency for a variety of models. Under simplifying assumptions, the snow thickness and effective dielectric constant can be estimated from the reflection coefficient variations as a function of frequency.

Linlor, W. I.↗

One-dimensional numerical analysis of the transient thermal response of multilayer insulative systems

A one-dimensional numerical analysis of the transient thermal response of multilayer insulative systems has been developed. The analysis can determine the temperature distribution through a system consisting of from one to four layers, one of which can be an air gap. Concentrated heat sinks at any interface can be included. The computer program based on the analysis will determine the thickness of a specified layer that will satisfy a temperature limit criterion at any point in the insulative system. The program will also automatically calculate the thickness at several points on a vehicle and determine total system mass.

Pittman, C. M.↗

Purging of multilayer insulation by gas diffusion

An experimental investigation was conducted to determine the time required to purge a multilayer insulation (MLI) panel with gaseous helium by means of gas diffusion to obtain a condensable (nitrogen) gas concentration of less than 1 percent within the panel. Two flat, rectangular MLI panel configurations, one incorporating a butt joint, were tested. The insulation panels consisted of 15 double-aluminized Mylar radiation shields separated by double silk net spacers. The test results indicated that the rate which the condensable gas concentration at the edge or at the butt joint of an MLI panel was reduced was a significant factor in the total time required to reduce the condensable gas concentration within the panel to less than 1 percent. The experimental data agreed well with analytical predictions made by using a simple, one-dimensional gas diffusion model in which the boundary conditions at the edge of the MLI panel were time dependent.

Sumner, I. E.↗

Prevention of thermal bending of multilayered beams and plates

By adding an extra layer to multilayer beams or plates of different isotropic materials, it is possible to prevent the thermal bending of these materials. With the proper selection of thermoelastic properties the curvature produced prior to this addition would be eliminated. Several numerical examples are presented for various temperature distributions. A simple experiment was conducted, involving the addition of a brass strip to a bimetallic strip made of aluminum and steel at room temperature. The trimetal strip was placed in a furnace and remained straight for varying temperatures.

Yang, J. C. S.↗

Purging of a multilayer insulation with dacron tuft spacer by gas diffusion

The time and purge gas usage required to purge a multilayer insulation (MLI) panel with gaseous helium by means of gas diffusion to obtain a condensable gas (nitrogen) concentration of less than 1 percent within the panel are stipulated. Two different, flat, rectangular MLI panels, one incorporating a butt joint, were constructed of of 11 double-aluminized Mylar (DAM) radiation shields separated by Dacron tuft spacers. The DAM/Dacron tuft concept is known commercially as Superfloc. The nitrogen gas concentration as a function of time within the MLI panel could be adequately predicted by using a simple, one dimensional gas diffusion model in which the boundary conditions at the edge of the MLI panel were time dependent. The time and purge gas usage required to achieve 1 percent nitrogen gas concentration within the MLI panel varied from 208 to 86 minutes and 34.1 to 56.5 MLI panel purge volumes, respectively, for gaseous helium purge rates from 10 to 40 MLI panel volumes per hour.

Sumner, I. E.↗

Purging of a tank-mounted multilayer insulation system by gas diffusion

The investigation was conducted on a multilayer insulation (MLI) system mounted on a spherical liquid hydrogen propellant tank. The MLI consisted of two blankets of insulation each containing 15 double-aluminized Mylar radiation shields separated by double silk net spacers. The gaseous nitrogen initially contained within the MLI system and vacuum chamber was purged with gaseous helium introduced both underneath the MLI and into the vacuum chamber. The MLI panels were assumed to be purged primarily by means of gas diffusion. Overall, test results indicated that nitrogen concentrations well below 1 percent could be achieved everywhere within the MLI system. Typical times to achieve 1 percent nitrogen concentration within the MLI panels ranged from 69 minutes at the top of the tank to 158 minutes at the bottom of the tank. Four space-hold thermal performance tests indicated no significant thermal degradation of the MLI system had occurred due to the purge tests conducted. The final measured heat input attributed to the MLI was 7.23 watts as compared to 7.18 watts for the initial baseline thermal performance test.

Sumner, I. E.↗

Users' instructions for the NASA/MSFC cloud-rise preprocessor program, version 6, and the NASA/MSFC multilayer diffusion program, version 6: Research version for Univac 1108 system

The cloud-rise preprocessor and multilayer diffusion computer programs were used by NASA in predicting concentrations and dosages downwind from normal and abnormal launches of rocket vehicles. These programs incorporated: (1) the latest data for the heat content and chemistry of rocket exhaust clouds; (2) provision for the automated calculation of surface water pH due to deposition of HCl from precipitation scavenging; (3) provision for automated calculation of concentration and dosage parameters at any level within the vertical grounds for which meteorological inputs have been specified; and (4) provision for execution of multiple cases of meteorological data. Procedures used to automatically calculate wind direction shear in a layer were updated.

Bjorklund, J. R.↗