Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “SHADING”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 109 records · Page 6
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2015

Reduction of front-metallization grid shading in concentrator cells through laser micro-grooved cover glass

Concentrator solar cell front-grid metallizations are designed so that the trade-off between series resistance and shading factor (SF) is optimized for a particular irradiance. High concentrator photovoltaics (CPV) typically requires a metallic electrode pattern that covers up to 10% of the cell surface. The shading effect produced by this front electrode results in a significant reduction in short-circuit current (I{sub SC}) and hence, in a significant efficiency loss. In this work we present a cover glass (originally meant to protect the cell surface) that is laser-grooved with a micrometric pattern that redirects the incident solar light towards interfinger regions and away from the metallic electrodes, where they would be wasted in terms of photovoltaic generation. Quantum efficiency (QE) and current (I)-voltage (V) characterization under concentration validate the proof-of-concept, showing great potential for CPV applications.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2017

Calculating the Effect of External Shading on the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient of Windows

Current prescriptive building codes have limited ways to account for the effect of solar shading, such as overhangs and awnings, on window solar heat gains. We propose two new indicators, the adjusted Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (aSHGC) which accounts for external shading while calculating the SHGC of a window, and a weighted SHGC (SHGCw) which provides a seasonal SHGC weighted by solar intensity. We demonstrate a method to calculate these indices using existing tools combined with additional calculations. The method is demonstrated by calculating the effect of an awning on a clear double glazing in New Delhi.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2024

DIY Affordable Window Shading

This document shows how you can easily and affordably shade your windows to keep your home from getting too hot on sunny days. This phenomenon (what researchers call “solar heat gain”) can threaten occupant comfort and safety, especially during heatwaves. Still, many homes lack adequate protection. All of these solutions can be implemented inexpensively using common household items or items that can easily be purchased online. Additionally, you don’t need specialized tools or expertise to install them. Note that these are ideally temporary fixes, so households with sufficient means should still pursue permanent ones (e.g.,shades—preferably on the outside—or specialized windows or films). In their absence, the stopgap measures described below can help protect you and your loved ones during heatwaves and other exceptional events.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2023

The Impact of Operated Window Shading on Visual Comfort, Non-Visual Health, and Energy Demand from Electric Lighting

This paper introduces a simulation-based workflow to assess annual circadian lighting performance, glare risk and energy demand for an array of seated view positions under operated shading and electric lighting conditions. This workflow uses a combination of 9-band and 81-band simulations to represent daylight and electric lighting respectively. Annual daylight-driven calculations rely on a python-based code provided in the LARK simulation engine which was used to run 180-degree high dynamic range (HDR) renderings with 9-bands of spectral resolution. The results reveal the impact of shading systems on equivalent melanopic lux (EML) and daylight glare probability (DGP) over time and the energy demand (kWh) from electric lighting systems to supplement eye-level recommendations from the WELL v2 Building Standard.

Rockcastle, Siobhan↗
NASA NTRS1977

Prediction of large negative shaded-side spacecraft potentials

A calculation by Knott, for the floating potential of a spherically symmetric synchronous-altitude satellite in eclipse, was adapted to provide simple calculations of upper bounds on negative potentials which may be achieved by electrically isolated shaded surfaces on spacecraft in sunlight. Large (approximately 60 percent) increases in predicted negative shaded-side potentials are obtained. To investigate effective potential barrier or angular momentum selection effects due to the presence of less negative sunlit-side or adjacent surface potentials, these expressions were replaced by the ion random current, which is a lower bound for convex surfaces when such effects become very severe. Further large increases in predicted negative potentials were obtained, amounting to a doubling in some cases.

Prokopenko, S. M. L.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Surface-Shading Program

Surface Shading computer program, SURF, developed in support of work of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). Part of CFD graphics software. Accepts input in form of grid and solution files otherwise normally fed to Ames Research Center's version of PLOT3D software from "flow solver" programs. Interactively creates wire-frame, shaded, and function-map parts viewed and then transferred to Ames Research Graphic (ARCGRAPH) standard files, animated with GAS (COSMIC Program ARC-12379). Written in C programming language and requires Silicon Graphics "include" files (e.g., stdio.h, gl.h).

Plessel, Todd↗
NASA NTRS1992

Surface-Shading Program

Surface Shading program, SURF, developed to enable interactive input of grid and solution files from PLOT3D/AMES program; to use those files in interactive creation of wire-frame, shaded, and function-mapped images of parts to view; then to put out ARCGraph standard files animated by use of GAS (COSMIC Program ARC-12379). Written in C.

Plessel, Todd↗
NASA NTRS1992

Lunar radiator shade

An apparatus for rejecting waste heat from a system located on or near the lunar equator is presented. The system utilizes a reflective catenary shaped trough deployed about a vertical radiator to shade the radiator from heat emitted by the hot lunar surface. The catenary shaped trough is constructed from a film material and is aligned relative to the sun so that incoming solar energy is focused to a line just above the vertical radiator and can thereby isolate the radiator from the effects of direct sunlight. The film is in a collapsed position between side by side support rods, all of which are in a transport case. To deploy the film and support rods, a set of parallel tracks running perpendicular to length of the support rods are extended out from the transport case. After the support tracks are deployed, the support rods are positioned equidistant from each other along the length of the support tracks so that the flexible film shade between adjacent support rods is unfolded and hangs in a catenary shaped trough. A heat radiator is supported between each pair of support rods above each hanging reflective trough.

Ewert, Michael K.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Topography from shading and stereo

Methods exploiting photometric information in images that have been developed in machine vision can be applied to planetary imagery. Present techniques, however, focus on one visual cue, such as shading or binocular stereo, and produce results that are either not very accurate in an absolute sense or provide information only at few points on the surface. We plan to integrate shape from shading, binocular stereo and photometric stereo to yield a robust system for recovering detailed surface shape and surface reflectance information. Such a system will be useful in producing quantitative information from the vast volume of imagery being received, as well as in helping visualize the underlying surface. The work will be carried out on a popular computing platform so that it will be easily accessible to other workers.

Horn, Berthold P.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Topography from shading and stereo

Methods exploiting photometric information in images that have been developed in machine vision can be applied to planetary imagery. Present techniques, however, focus on one visual cue, such as shading or binocular stereo, and produce results that are either not very accurate in an absolute sense or provide information only at few points on the surface. We plan to integrate shape from shading, binocular stereo and photometric stereo to yield a robust system for recovering detailed surface shape and surface reflectance information. Such a system will be useful in producing quantitative information from the vast volume of imagery being received, as well as in helping visualize the underlying surface. The work will be carried out on a popular computing platform so that it will be easily accessible to other workers.

Horn, Berthold P.↗
NASA NTRS2005

Acclimation of Plant Populations to Shade: Photosynthesis, Respiration, and Carbon Use Efficiency

Cloudy days cause an abrupt reduction in daily photosynthetic photon flux (PPF), but we have a poor understanding of how plants acclimate to this change. We used a unique lo-chamber, steady-state, gas-exchange system to continuously measure daily photosynthesis and night respiration of populations of a starch accumulator [tomato (Lycopersicone scukntum Mill. cv. Micro-Tina)] and a sucrose accumulator [lettuce (Latuca sativa L ev. Grand Rapids)] over 42 days. AI1 measurements were done at elevated CO2, (1200micr-/mol) avoid any CO2 limitations and included both shoots and roots. We integrated photosynthesis and respiration measurements separately to determine daily net carbon gain and carbon use efficiency (CUE) as the ratio of daily net C gain to total day-time C fixed over the 42-day period. After 16 to 20 days of growth in constant PPF, plants in some chambers were subjected to an abrupt PPF reduction to simulate shade or a series of cloudy days. The immediate effect and the long term acclimation rate w'ere assessed from canopy quantum yield and carbon use efficiency. The effect of shade on carbon use efficiency and acclimation was much slower than predicted by widely used growth models. It took 12 days for tomato populations to recover their original CUE and lettuce CUE never completely acclimated. Tomatoes, the starch accumulator, acclimated to low light more rapidly than lettuce, the sucrose accumulator. Plant growth models should be modified to include the photosynthesis/respiration imbalance and resulting inefficiency of carbon gain associated with changing PIT conditions on cloudy days.

Frantz, Jonathan M.↗
NASA NTRS2015

Exoplanet Coronagraph Shaped Pupil Masks and Laboratory Scale Star Shade Masks: Design, Fabrication and Characterization

Star light suppression technologies to find and characterize faint exoplanets include internal coronagraph instruments as well as external star shade occulters. Currently, the NASA WFIRST-AFTA mission study includes an internal coronagraph instrument to find and characterize exoplanets. Various types of masks could be employed to suppress the host star light to about 10 -9 level contrast over a broad spectrum to enable the coronagraph mission objectives. Such masks for high contrast internal coronagraphic imaging require various fabrication technologies to meet a wide range of specifications, including precise shapes, micron scale island features, ultra-low reflectivity regions, uniformity, wave front quality, achromaticity, etc. We present the approaches employed at JPL to produce pupil plane and image plane coronagraph masks by combining electron beam, deep reactive ion etching, and black silicon technologies with illustrative examples of each, highlighting milestone accomplishments from the High Contrast Imaging Testbed (HCIT) at JPL and from the High Contrast Imaging Lab (HCIL) at Princeton University. We also present briefly the technologies applied to fabricate laboratory scale star shade masks.

black silicon↗
DOE OSTI2019

Effect of Torque-Tube Parameters on Rear-Irradiance and Rear-Shading Loss for Bifacial PV Performance on Single-Axis Tracking Systems: Preprint

The emergence of cost-competitive bifacial PV modules has raised the question of the additional value of bifacial modules in 1-axis tracking arrays, in particular when considering rear-irradiance losses from the tracker system itself. In this work, the effect of different geometries and materials of torque tubes is evaluated and found to reduce rear-irradiance averages without any torque-tube shading by 0.1 to 12% for metallic and black absorptive torque tubes respectively for a clear-sky day. This paper will compare modeled to measured rear-irradiance profiles, and propose a recommended range of rear-shading loss factors for different geometry conditions. The effect of rear-irradiance distribution into electrical mismatch loss will also be explored.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2010

Analytically calculating shading in regular arrays of sun-pointing collectors

A method is presented for deriving an algorithm for analytically calculating shading of sun-pointing solar collectors by other identical collectors in the field. The method is particularly suited to regularly-spaced collectors, with convex aperture shapes. Using this method, an algorithm suitable for circular-aperture collectors is derived. The algorithm is validated against results obtained using an existing algorithm, and an example for usage of the algorithm as a tool for validating assumptions of an existing algorithm is presented. (author)

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2016

Recovery of inter-row shading losses using differential power-processing submodule DC–DC converters

Large commercial photovoltaic (PV) systems can experience regular and predictable energy loss due to both inter-row shading and reduced diffuse irradiance in tightly spaced arrays. This article investigates the advantages of replacing bypass diodes with submodule-integrated DC-DC converters (subMICs) to mitigate these losses. Yearly simulations of commercial-scale PV systems were conducted considering a range of row-to-row pitches. In the limit case of array spacing (unity ground coverage), subMICs can confer a 7% increase in annual energy output and peak energy density (kW h/m 2 ). Simulation results are based on efficiency assumptions experimentally confirmed by prototype submodule differential power-processing converters.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2022

Laboratory and Field Characterization of the Electrical Response of Modules Containing Configurable Current Cells (C3) Under Non-Optimal Conditions Such as Shading (Final Report)

This work is to be conducted in support of the American Made Challenges Solar Prize. The intent is to connect competitor teams with national laboratories that can help accelerate the development of innovative solutions and products. Teams who have won the Set! and Go! Contests are eligible to utilize vouchers at national laboratories to advance their ideas. Laboratory and field characterization of the electrical response of modules containing Configurable Current Cells (C3) under non-optimal conditions such as shading.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗