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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 1,063 records · Page 59
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1987

Bidirectional control system for energy flow in solar powered flywheel

An energy storage system for a spacecraft is provided which employs a solar powered flywheel arrangement including a motor/generator which, in different operating modes, drives the flywheel and is driven thereby. A control circuit, including a threshold comparator, senses the output of a solar energy converter, and when a threshold voltage is exceeded thereby indicating the availability of solar power for the spacecraft loads, activates a speed control loop including the motor/generator so as to accelerate the flywheel to a constant speed and thereby store mechanical energy, while also supplying energy from the solar converter to the loads. Under circumstances where solar energy is not available and thus the threshold voltage is not exceeded, the control circuit deactivates the speed control loop and activates a voltage control loop that provides for operation of the motor as a generator so that mechanical energy from the flywheel is converted into electrical energy for supply to the spacecraft loads.

Nola, Frank J.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Tuning maps for setpoint changes and load disturbance upsets in a three capacity process under multivariable control

Tuning maps are an aid in the controller tuning process because they provide a convenient way for the plant operator to determine the consequences of adjusting different controller parameters. In this application the maps provide a graphical representation of the effect of varying the gains in the state feedback matrix on startup and load disturbance transients for a three capacity process. Nominally, the three tank system, represented in diagonal form, has a Proportional-Integral control on each loop. Cross coupling is then introduced between the loops by using non-zero off-diagonal proportional parameters. Changes in transient behavior due to setpoint and load changes are examined by varying the gains of the cross coupling terms.

Litt, Jonathan S.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Bearing/Bypass Material-Testing System

System developed to test specimens in compression as well as tension while maintaining constant bearing/bypass ration. Test specimen with centrally located hole is clamped between two bearing-guide plates using one bolt. Bearing-guide plates then secured to two bearing-load cells. Test specimen independently loaded at both ends, using two separate control systems identified as applied and bypass. If two end loads unequal, difference between them reacted as bolt-bearing load on specimen. Throughout test, two control systems synchronized by common input signal (increasing voltage). As result, loads remain proportional as they increase.

Crews, John H., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Power quality load management for large spacecraft electrical power systems

In December, 1986, a Center Director's Discretionary Fund (CDDF) proposal was granted to study power system control techniques in large space electrical power systems. Presented are the accomplishments in the area of power system control by power quality load management. In addition, information concerning the distortion problems in a 20 kHz ac power system is presented.

Lollar, Louis F.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Solid state power controllers

Solid state power controllers (SSPC's) are to be considered for use as replacements of electromechanical relays and circuit breakers in future spacecraft and aircraft. They satisfy the combined function of both the relay and circuit breaker and can be remotely controlled by small signals, typically 10 mA, 5 to 28 v(dc). They have the advantage over conventional relay/circuit breaker systems in that they can be located near the utilization equipment and the primary ac or dc bus. The low level control, trip indication and status signals can be circuited by small gauge wire for control, computer interface, logic, electrical multiplexing, onboard testing, power management, and distribution purposes. This results in increased system versatility at appreciable weight saving and increased reliability. Conventional systems require the heavy gage load wiring and the control wiring to be routed from the bus to the load to other remote relay contacts, switches, sensors, etc. and to the circuit breaker located in the flight engineer's compartment for purposes of manual reset.

Gibbs, R. S.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Road load simulator tests of the Gould phase 1 functional model silicon controlled rectifier ac motor controller for electric vehicles

The test results for a functional model ac motor controller for electric vehicles and a three-phase induction motor which were dynamically tested on the Lewis Research Center road load simulator are presented. Results show that the controller has the capability to meet the SAE-J227a D cycle test schedule and to accelerate a 1576-kg (3456-lb) simulated vehicle to a cruise speed of 88.5 km/hr (55 mph). Combined motor controller efficiency is 72 percent and the power inverter efficiency alone is 89 percent for the cruise region of the D cycle. Steady state test results for motoring, regeneration, and thermal data obtained by operating the simulator as a conventional dynamometer are in agreement with the contractor's previously reported data. The regeneration test results indicate that a reduction in energy requirements for urban driving cycles is attainable with regenerative braking. Test results and data in this report serve as a data base for further development of ac motor controllers and propulsion systems for electric vehicles. The controller uses state-of-the-art silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) power semiconductors and microprocessor-based logic and control circuitry. The controller was developed by Gould Laboratories under a Lewis contract for the Department of Energy's Electric and Hybrid Vehicle program.

Gourash, F.↗
DOE OSTI2024

A Hierarchical OPF Algorithm with Improved Gradient Evaluation in Three-Phase Networks

Linear approximation commonly used in solving alternating-current optimal power flow (AC-OPF) simplifies the system models but incurs accumulated voltage errors in large power networks. Such errors will make the primal-dual type gradient algorithms converge to solutions with voltage violation. In this paper, we improve a recent hierarchical OPF algorithm that rested on primal-dual gradients evaluated with a linearized distribution power flow model. Specifically, we propose a more accurate gradient evaluation method based on an unbalanced three-phase nonlinear distribution power flow model to mitigate the errors arising from linearization. The resultant gradients feature a blocked structure that enables our development of an improved hierarchical primal-dual algorithm to solve the OPF problem. Numerical results on the IEEE 123-bus test feeder and a 4,518-node test feeder show that the proposed method can enhance voltage safety at comparable computational efficiency with the linearized algorithm.

approximation algorithms↗
NASA NTRS1979

Power-switch dV/dt sensing

Simple means for controlling voltage risetime and powerline noise used three transistors and capacitive feedback. Rate of change of voltage across load is reduced and controlled by circuit. Circuit is useful in situations where large wire bundles are subject to noise and crosstalk due to rapid current switching.

Jones, R. L.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Mathematical analysis

Simple continuum models used in the design, analysis, and control of large space structures are examined. Particular emphasis is placed on boundary value problems associated with the Load Correction Method and control problems involving partial differential equations for the large space structure models. Partial differential equations will be used to model a large space structure, base the design of an optimal controller on this model, approximate the resulting optimal control model, and compare the results with data from other methods.

Donaldson, J. A.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Wing/store flutter with nonlinear pylon stiffness

Recent wind tunnel tests and analytical studies show that a store mounted on a pylon with soft pitch stiffness provides substantial increase in flutter speed of fighter aircraft and reduces dependency of flutter on mass and inertia of the store. This concept, termed the decoupler pylon, utilizes a low frequency control system to maintain pitch alignment of the store during maneuvers and changing flight conditions. Under rapidly changing transient loads, however, the alignment control system may allow the store to momentarily bottom against a relatively stiff backup structure in which case the pylon stiffness acts as a hardening nonlinear spring. Such structural nonlinearities are known to affect not only the flutter speed but also the basic behavior of the instability. The influence of pylon stiffness nonlinearities or the flutter characteristics of wing mounted external stores is examined.

Desmarais, R. N.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Wing/store flutter with nonlinear pylon stiffness

Recent wind tunnel tests and analytical studies show that a store mounted on a pylon with 'soft' pitch stiffness provides substantial increase in flutter speed of fighter aircraft and reduces dependency of flutter on mass and inertia of the store. This concept, termed the decoupler pylon, utilizes a low-frequency control system to maintain pitch alignment of the store during maneuvers and changing flight conditions. Under rapidly changing transient loads, however, the alignment control system may allow the store to momentarily bottom against a relatively stiff backup structure in which case the pylon stiffness acts as a hardening nonlinear spring. Such structural nonlinearities are known to affect not only the flutter speed but also the basic behavior of the instability. This paper examines the influence of pylon stiffness nonlinearities on the flutter characteristics of wing-mounted external stores.

Desmarais, R. N.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Remote Manipulator Has Relistic "Feel"

Computer aided remote manipulator does not transmit weight and inertia of its own joints and segments. Achieves load sensitivity by processing signals that move manipulator separately from those that apply reflective forces and torques on hand controller. Operator feels only load.

Bejczy, A. K.↗
DOE OSTI2020

Tuning of Nacelle Feedback Gains for Floating Wind Turbine Controllers Using a Two-DOF Model

Designing a collective blade pitch controller for floating offshore wind turbines (FOWTs) poses unique challenges due to the interaction of the controller with the dynamics of the platform. The controller must also handle the competing objectives of power production performance and fatigue load management. Existing solutions either detune the controller with the result of slowed response, make use of complicated tuning methods, or incorporate a nacelle velocity feedback gain. With the goal of developing a simple control tuning method for the general FOWT researcher that is easily extensible to a wide array of turbine and hull configurations, this last idea is built upon by proposing a simple tuning strategy for the feedback gain. This strategy uses a two degree-of-freedom (DoF) turbine model that considers tower-top fore-aft and rotor angular displacements. For evaluation, the nacelle velocity term is added to an existing gain scheduled proportional-integral controller as a proportional gain. The modified controller is then compared to baseline land-based and detuned controllers on an example system for several load cases. First-pass results are favorable, demonstrating how researchers can use the proposed tuning method to efficiently schedule gains for adequate controller performance as they investigate new FOWT configurations.

49 EE - Wind and Water Power Program - Wind (EE-4W↗
NASA NTRS1930

Determination of the Maximum Control Forces and Attainable Quickness in the Operation of Airplane Controls

This report is intended to furnish bases for load assumptions in the designing of airplane controls. The maximum control forces and quickness of operation are determined. The maximum forces for a strong pilot with normal arrangement of the controls is taken as 1.25 times the mean value obtained from tests with twelve persons. Tests with a number of persons were expected to show the maximum forces that a man of average strength can exert on the control stick in operating the elevator and ailerons and also on the rudder bar. The effect of fatigue, of duration and of the nature (static or dynamic) of the force, as also the condition of the test subject (with or without belt) were also considered.

Hertel, Heinrich↗
DOE OSTI2021

A Hardware Platform for Studying Naval Power Electronic Power Distribution Systems

Abstract – Future intelligent ship system designs will likely include electric propulsion, numerous highpower sensors, and directed energy weapons. Supply and control of these large nonlinear loads will require a networked, multi-converter power electronic power distribution system. This work presents a hardware platform to emulate a microgrid power system with multiple power converters and a power data communication network. The platform is reconfigurable and can include both AC and DC power distribution zones, representative of shipboard power systems. It also allows for the study of both power control actuation and power data communication delays. Since the platform is based on electric power hardware, spatial and temporal uncertainties are inherently embedded in the system. Specifically, this work examines the control actuation of multiple pulsed power loads in a single microgrid. Several pulse load levels and operating scenarios have been implemented and measured. A framework for control parameter quantification is presented, and various metrics are explored to capture pulse signal characteristics. The sensitivity of pulse load metric parameters is analyzed. Dynamic shipboard, mission-specific load profiles coupled with pulse loads can also be emulated in the hardware platform.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
NASA NTRS2018

Electric Motor Noise from Small Quadcopters: Source Characteristics - Part II

The increased interest in electric motors for propulsion systems has driven interest in quantifying the contribution of electric motor noise to the overall sound levels and possible human annoyance of the propulsion system. This work presents acoustic measurements of electric motors used for small quadcopters to quantify the sound produced by a number of outrunning motors with different types of controllers. Results are presented for loaded and unloaded motors as installed and uninstalled configurations. Motor resonance frequencies were measured and computed. Current probe measurements showed that the supply current from the controllers contained significant harmonic content for the conventional and sinewave controllers. Acoustic results showed motor noise is typically radiated at frequencies near the mode 2 vibration frequency at roughly 5000 Hz. Electric motor noise was evident in the spectra produced by many of the motor-controller combinations for motors loaded with propellers with levels often greater than those for the motor alone due to increase in the stator magnetic flux density with increased current. An installed configuration produced increases in acoustic radiation over that of the uninstalled motor in a frequency range near the mode 1 vibration frequency near 1200 Hz. A companion paper (Part I - Acoustic Measurements), focuses on source identification using a phased array and directivity characteristics for a baseline configuration.

Motor Resonance Frequencies↗
DOE OSTI2022

Lifetime fatigue response due to wake steering on a pair of utility-scale wind turbines

Quantifying the impacts on turbine loads during wind farm control is an important consideration in assessing power production benefits. Wake steering controls aim to improve total wind farm performance by coordinating the control actions of individual turbines, wherein an upstream turbine is intentionally yawed at an offset angle from the measured wind direction. Consequently, this redirects its wake for improved power production and potentially reduces fatigue loads of the downstream turbines. This paper studies the lifetime fatigue loads associated with wake steering by using utility-scale wind turbine experimental data to conduct an analysis on a pair of wind turbines. This study was part of a large field experiment in which a group of five GE 1.5-MW SLE CWE turbines were selected as targets for conducting wake steering research. A standard loads instrumentation package and data acquisition system were installed on two turbines within the cluster to measure turbine fundamental loads. The time-series databases were used to calculate loads statistics as well as short-term and lifetime damage equivalent loads. Fatigue calculations followed the guidance in Annex H of the International Electrotechnical Commission standard 61400-1, Edition 4. Lifetime fatigue calculation results are presented in this analysis; three methods of assessing lifetime fatigue were used to determine percent difference for blade root moments, main shaft moments, main shaft torque, and tower top torque. For all three fatigue treatments, some components’ lifetime fatigue increases for the controlled turbine; however, the downwind turbine experienced a reduction in lifetime fatigue and combined effect for the turbine pair results in a reduction of fatigue when wake steering controls are applied.

17 WIND ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2022

Molecular Alignment of a Meta-Aramid on Carbon Nanotubes by In Situ Interfacial Polymerization

Molecularly organized nanocomposites of polymers and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have great promise as high-performance materials; in particular, conformal deposition of polymers can control interfacial properties for mechanical load transfer, electrical or thermal transport, or electro/chemical transduction. However, controllability of polymer-CNT interaction remains a challenge with common processing methods that combine CNTs and polymers in melt or in solution, often leading to nonuniform polymer distribution and CNT aggregation. In this work, we demonstrate CNTs within net-shape sheets can be controllably coated with a conformal coating of meta-aramid by simultaneous capillary infiltration and interfacial polymerization. We determine that π-interaction between the polymer and CNTs results in chain alignment parallel to the CNT outer wall. Subsequent nucleation and growth of the precipitated aramid forms a smooth continuous layered sheath around the CNTs. These findings motivate future investigation of mechanical properties of the resulting composites, and adaptation of the in situ polymerization method to other substrates.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗