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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 109 records · Page 6
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2000

Flow Quality Measurements in the NASA Ames Upgraded 11-by 11-Foot Transonic Wind Tunnel

Among the many upgrades designed and implemented in the NASA Ames 11-by 11-Foot Transonic Wind Tunnel over the past few years, several directly affect flow quality in the test section: a turbulence reduction system with a honeycomb and two screens, a flow smoothing system in the back leg diffusers, an improved drive motor control system, and a full replacement set of composite blades for the compressor. Prior to the shut-down of the tunnel for construction activities, an 8-foot span rake populated with flow instrumentation was traversed in the test section to fully document the flow quality and establish a baseline against which the upgrades could be characterized. A similar set of measurements was performed during the recent integrated system test trials, but the scope was somewhat limited in accordance with the primary objective of such tests, namely to return the tunnel to a fully operational status. These measurements clearly revealed substantial improvements in flow angularity and significant reductions in turbulence level for both full-span and semi-span testing configurations, thus making the flow quality of the tunnel one of the best among existing transonic facilities.

Amaya, Max A.↗
NASA NTRS2007

Aerodynamic Effects of a 24-Foot, Multisegmented Telescoping Nose Boom on an F-15B Airplane

An experimental multisegmented telescoping nose boom has been installed on an F-15B airplane to be tested in a flight environment. The experimental nose boom is representative of one that could be used to tailor the sonic boom signature of an airplane such as a supersonic business jet. The nose boom consists of multiple sections and could be extended during flight to a length of 24 ft. The preliminary analyses indicated that the addition of the experimental nose boom could adversely affect vehicle flight characteristics and air data systems. Before the boom was added, a series of flights was flown to update the aerodynamic model and characterize the air data systems of the baseline airplane. The baseline results have been used in conjunction with estimates of the nose boom s influence to prepare for a series of research flights conducted with the nose boom installed. Data from these flights indicate that the presence of the experimental boom reduced the static pitch and yaw stability of the airplane. The boom also adversely affected the static-position error of the airplane but did not significantly affect angle-of-attack or angle-of-sideslip measurements. The research flight series has been successfully completed.

Cumming, Stephen B.↗
NASA NTRS2008

Aerodynamic Effects of a 24-foot Multisegmented Telescoping Nose Boom on an F-15B Airplane

An experimental multisegmented telescoping nose boom has been installed on an F-15B airplane to be tested in a flight environment. The experimental nose boom is representative of one that could be used to tailor the sonic boom signature of an airplane such as a supersonic business jet. The nose boom consists of multiple sections and could be extended during flight to a length of 24 ft. The preliminary analyses indicate that the addition of the experimental nose boom could adversely affect vehicle flight characteristics and air data systems. Before the boom was added, a series of flights was conducted to update the aerodynamic model and characterize the air data systems of the baseline airplane. The baseline results have been used in conjunction with estimates of the nose boom's influence to prepare for a series of research flights conducted with the nose boom installed. Data from these flights indicate that the presence of the experimental boom reduced the static pitch and yaw stability of the airplane. The boom also adversely affected the static-position error of the airplane but did not significantly affect angle-of-attack or angle-of-sideslip measurements. The research flight series has been successfully completed.

Cumming, Stephen B.↗
NASA NTRS2010

Optimization of Stimulus Characteristics for Vestibular Stochastic Resonance to Improve Balance Function

Stochastic resonance (SR) is a mechanism by which noise can assist and enhance the response of neural systems to relevant sensory signals. Recent studies have shown that applying imperceptible stochastic noise electrical stimulation to the vestibular system significantly improved balance and ocular motor responses. The goal of this study was to optimize the amplitude of the stochastic vestibular signals for balance performance during standing on an unstable surface. Subjects performed a standardized balance task of standing on a block of 10-cm-thick medium-density foam with their eyes closed. Balance performance was measured using a force plate under the foam block and using inertial motion sensors placed on the torso and head segments. Stochastic electrical stimulation was applied to the vestibular system through electrodes placed over the mastoid process. Subjects were tested at seven amplitudes in the 0.01-30Hz frequency range. The root mean square of the signal increased by 30 microamperes for each +/-100 microampere increment in the current range of 0 - +/-700 microampere. Six balance parameters were calculated to characterize the performance of subjects during the baseline and the stimulus periods for all seven amplitudes. Optimal stimulus amplitude was determined as the one at which the ratio of parameters from the stimulus period to the baseline period for any amplitude range was less than that for the no stimulus condition on a minimum of four of six parameters. Results from this study showed that balance performance at the optimal stimulus amplitude showed significant improvement with the application of the vestibular SR stimulation. The amplitude of optimal stimulus for improving balance performance in normal subjects was in the range of +/-100 - +/-300 microamps.

Mulavara, Ajitkumar↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Innovations in Continuous Ultrasonic Welding of Thermoplastic Composites and Evaluation for Space Applications

The goals of NASA’s Thermoplastic Development for Exploration Applications (TDEA) Project include and assessment of thermoplastic composite joints for space structures by developing and maturing design capabilities, analysis tools and techniques, and manufacturing processes for thermoplastic composites. Through this effort the TDEA project will expand NASA’s in-house thermoplastic composite manufacturing capabilities, develop an understanding of advanced thermoplastic joining techniques relevant to space environments, evaluate the feasibility of reconfigurable composite structures, and advance structural analysis capabilities, including failure prediction of thermoplastic composites including joints. This presentation will provide an overview of the materials and manufacturing effort within the TDEA project. Three semi-crystalline and one amorphous thermoplastic composite system were selected for initial screening and provided an opportunity to gain manufacturing experience across a range of processing temperatures, rheological behavior, and composite properties. Equivalency to the National Center for Advanced Materials Performance (NCAMP) test report for Toray’s TC1225 material was established to provide confidence in in-house manufacturing and material properties were generated through baseline mechanical tests for each material. Material characterization data was generated for a subset of materials to (1) provide data for analysis and model development and (2) generate thermal, rheological and conductivity data across relevant temperatures. A key objective of the TDEA project is evaluation of thermoplastic composite joining processes suitable for in-space operations. This presentation will outline the project’s progress in fusion bonding candidate materials by common welding techniques to assess the quality, reproducibility and strength of the bond, as well as identify limitations to in-space manufacturing. The feasibility of joint disassembly and reassembly will be discussed.

thermoplastic composite↗
NASA NTRS1987

High Temperature Properties of an Alumina Enhanced Thermal Barrier

The heatshield material requirements for future space vehicles (Aerobraking Orbital Transfer Vehicle & National Aerospace Plane) will depend upon the desired flight capability, configuration and location on the vehicle. These requirements will be more demanding and different from those derived for the materials used in the Shuttle Orbiter thermal protection system. Research was therefore initiated into improving the thermal efficiency of this class of materials by first characterizing their thermal and structural capabilities. Alternate material systems have been developed, tested, and compared with the baseline Shuttle system. This research resulted in the development of several very low density, high porosity (80-90%) materials with enhanced durability and temperature capability. One of the developments was a family of materials referred to as Fibrous Refractory Composite Insulation (FRCI) utilizing a mixture of fibers, each serving a unique purpose. One composition of the FRCI family with two fibers was adopted as a baseline material for use on the third and fourth Orbiters in selected areas due to its strength at a lower density compared to earlier materials. A further improvement in the FRCI family of materials is the Alumina Enhanced Thermal Barrier (AETB), a three-fiber composite. It has a higher temperature capability (composition dependent) than the baseline FRCI as proven by convective heating tests of one composition. AETB was studied to better characterize its performance at high temperature and the mechanisms by which its properties change. In conclusion, the shrinkage of AETB is a factor of six better than baseline FRCI at 1260 C (2300 F) with about a 20% improvement in mechanical properties. This improvement could translate into a 110 C (200 F) higher temperature capability in use as a heat shield material, but further testing in a convective heating environment is required to determine the actual improvement attainable.

Leiser, Daniel B.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Vehicle test report: Jet Industries Electra Van 600

The Electra Van 600, an electric vehicle, was tested. Tests were performed to characterize parameters of the Electra Van 600 and to provide baseline data to be used for comparison of improved batteries and to which will be incorporated into the vehicle. The vehicle tests concentrated on the electrical drive subsystem, the batteries, controller, and motor; coastdowns to characterize the road load and range evaluation for cyclic and constant speed conditions; and qualitative performance was evaluated. It is found that the Electra Van 600 range performance is approximately equal to the majority of the vehicles tested previously.

Price, T. W.↗
NASA NTRS2020

HabEx Baseline Telescope: Design & Predicted Performance

Habitable Exoplanet Observatory Mission (HabEx) will image & spectroscopically characterize planetary systems in the habitable zone around nearby sun-like stars. Additionally, HabEx will perform a broad range of general astrophysics science enabled by a 150 to 1700 nm spectral range and 3 x 3 arc-minute FOV. Critical to achieving the HabEx science goals is a large, ultra-stable telescope. The baseline HabEx telescope is a 4-m off-axis unobscured three-mirror-anastigmatic design with diffraction limited performance at 400 nm and wavefront stability of picometers per mK. These specifications are driven by science requirements. STOP (structural thermal optical performance) analysis predicts that the baseline telescope’s opto-mechanical design meets its specified performance tolerances.

Stahl, H. Philip↗
NASA NTRS1989

Predeployment validation of fault-tolerant systems through software-implemented fault insertion

Fault injection-based automated testing (FIAT) environment, which can be used to experimentally characterize and evaluate distributed realtime systems under fault-free and faulted conditions is described. A survey is presented of validation methodologies. The need for fault insertion based on validation methodologies is demonstrated. The origins and models of faults, and motivation for the FIAT concept are reviewed. FIAT employs a validation methodology which builds confidence in the system through first providing a baseline of fault-free performance data and then characterizing the behavior of the system with faults present. Fault insertion is accomplished through software and allows faults or the manifestation of faults to be inserted by either seeding faults into memory or triggering error detection mechanisms. FIAT is capable of emulating a variety of fault-tolerant strategies and architectures, can monitor system activity, and can automatically orchestrate experiments involving insertion of faults. There is a common system interface which allows ease of use to decrease experiment development and run time. Fault models chosen for experiments on FIAT have generated system responses which parallel those observed in real systems under faulty conditions. These capabilities are shown by two example experiments each using a different fault-tolerance strategy.

Czeck, Edward W.↗
NASA NTRS2003

Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Extruded Gamma Met PX

A gamma TiAl alloy with a high Nb content is being assessed as a compressor blade material. The microstructure and mechanical properties of extruded Ti-45Al-X(Nb,B,C) (at %) were evaluated in both an as-extruded condition and after a lamellar heat treatment. Tensile behavior of both as-extruded and lamellar heat treated specimens was studied in the temperature range of RT to 926 C. In general, the yield stress and ultimate tensile strength reached relatively high values at room temperature and decreased with increasing deformation temperature. The fatigue strength of both microstructures was characterized at 650 C and compared to a baseline TiAl alloy and to a Ni-base superalloy. Tensile and fatigue specimens were also exposed to 800 C for 200 h in air to evaluate the alloy's environmental resistance. A decrease in ductility was observed at room temperature due to the 800 C exposure but the 650 C fatigue properties were unaffected. Compressive and tensile creep testing between 727 and 1027 C revealed that the creep deformation was reproducible and predictable. Creep strengths reached superalloy-like levels at fast strain rates and lower temperatures but deformation at slower strain rates and/or higher temperature indicated significant weakening for the as-extruded condition. At high temperatures and low stresses, the lamellar microstructure had improved creep properties when compared to the as-extruded material. Microstructural evolution during heat treatment, identification of various phases, and the effect of microstructure on the tensile, fatigue, and creep behaviors is discussed.

Draper, S. L.↗
NASA NTRS2003

Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Extruded Gamma Microstructure Met PX

A gamma TiAl alloy with a high Nb content is being assessed as a compressor blade material. The microstructure and mechanical properties of extruded Ti-45Al-X(Nb,B,C) (at.%) were evaluated in both an as-extruded condition and after a lamellar heat treatment. Tensile behavior of both as-extruded and lamellar heat treated specimens was studied in the temperature range of RT to 926 C. In general, the yield stress and ultimate tensile strength reached relatively high values at room temperature and decreased with increasing deformation temperature. The fatigue strength of both microstructures was characterized at 650 C and compared to a baseline TiAl alloy and to a Ni-base superalloy. Tensile and fatigue specimens were also exposed to 800 C for 200 h in air to evaluate the alloy's environmental resistance. A decrease in ductility was observed at room temperature due to the 800 C. exposure but the 650 C fatigue properties were unaffected. Compressive and tensile creep testing between 727 and 1027 C revealed that the creep deformation was reproducible and predictable. Creep strengths reached superalloy-like levels at fast strain rates and lower temperatures but deformation at slower strain rates and/or higher temperature indicated significant weakening for the as-extruded condition. At high temperatures and low stresses, the lamellar microstructure had improved creep properties when compared to the as-extruded material. Microstructural evolution during heat treatment, identification of various phases, and the effect of microstructure on the tensile, fatigue, and creep behaviors is discussed.

Draper, S. L.↗
NASA NTRS2005

Surface Sampling System for Low-Gravity Missions

SpaceWorks has identified several sampling missions that could benefit from the technology developed under this project. Requirements were established for the surface sampling system. SpaceWorks teamed with Virginia Tech to identify and select a baseline adhesive suitable for the surface sampling system. SpaceWorks identified Solimide foam as the baseline substrate material. SpaceWorks conducted extensive testing to characterize the performance of the substrate/adhesive combination. A prototype version of the sampler head was designed and built by SpaceWorks.

Preble, Jeffrey C.↗
NASA NTRS2018

HabEx Space Telescope Optical System Overview: General Astrophysics Instruments

The HabEx (Habitable Exoplanet) concept study is defining a future space telescope with the primary mission of detecting and characterizing planetary systems around nearby stars. The telescope baseline design includes a high-contrast coronagraph and a starshade to enable the direct optical detection of exoplanets as close as 70 mas to their star. In addition to the study of exoplanets, HabEx carries two dedicated instruments for general astrophysics. The first instrument is a camera enabling imaging on a 3 arc minute field of view in two bands stretching from the UV at 150 nm to the near infrared at 1800 nm. The same instrument can also be operated as a multi-object spectrograph, with resolution of 2000. The second instrument is a high-resolution UV spectrograph operating from 300 nm down to 115 nm with up to 60,0000 resolution. HabEx would provide the highest resolution UV/optical images ever obtained. Diffraction limited at 0.4 µm, it would outperform all current and approved facilities, including the 30 m class ground-based extremely large telescopes (ELTs), which will achieve ~0.01 arcsecond resolution at near-infrared (IR) wavelengths with adaptive optics, but will be seeing-limited at optical wavelengths. HabEx would observe wavelengths inaccessible from the ground, including the UV and in optical/near-IR atmospheric absorption bands. Operating at L2, far above the Earth’s atmosphere and free from the large thermal swings inherent to HST’s low-Earth orbit, HabEx would provide an ultra-stable platform that will enable science ranging from precision astrometry to the most sensitive weak lensing maps ever obtained. Here we discuss the design concepts of the general astrophysics optical instruments for the proposed observatory.

Nissen, Joel↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Characterization of Novel Spacecraft Materials Under High Energy Electron and Atomic Oxygen Exposure

The harsh space environment imposes stringent requirements upon spacecraft materials, especially those located on exterior surfaces of space objects in low Earth orbit (LEO). As humankind moves from space exploration to space commercialization, these polymers may have to last for 15–20 years without considerable degradation of their material properties. Hence, we must understand the effects of the space environment on materials currently in use as well as on untested materials. In the presented study authors exposed several space-relevant polymers to the simulated space weather comprised by electrons and atomic oxygen irradiation. First, materials were thoroughly characterized in their pristine state to create a baseline for the ground- and space-based experiments. Next, alteration of optical, surface, and charge transport properties of the same materials were studied under space-simulated environment.

Elena A. Plis↗
NASA NTRS1981

Vehicle test report: Electric Vehicle Associates electric conversion of an AMC Pacer

Tests were performed to characterize certain parameters of the EVA Pacer and to provide baseline data that can be used for the comparison of improved batteries that may be incorporated into the vehicle at a later time. The vehicle tests were concentrated on the electrical drive subsystem; i.e., the batteries, controller and motor. The tests included coastdowns to characterize the road load, and range evaluations for both cyclic and constant speed conditions. A qualitative evaluation of the vehicle's performance was made by comparing its constant speed range performance with other electric and hybrid vehicles. The Pacer performance was approximately equal to the majority of those vehicles assessed in 1977.

Price, T. W.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

ASTM International Conference on Additive Manufacturing – 2022

The In-Situ Project: Correlating In-situ monitoring data and Non-Destructive Evaluation (NDE) methods to characterize defect populations in Laser Powder Bed Fusion (L-PBF) material NDE is critical to enable the safe use of additive manufactured (AM) parts in aerospace applications. However, traditional NDE methods are not fully adaptable to complex AM geometries to appropriately screen for critical defects, and L-PBF processes inherently generate defects. In-situ monitoring techniques can give information about the quality of the build process and indicate process variations that could potentially create defects. Proven, causal correlations between in-situ monitoring indications and resulting defects are needed to inform about the final quality of the part. Thus, the development of a new approach is necessary. NASA started a two-phase study that would investigate techniques for characterizing defect populations in L-PBF material, first in material with induced defects, then in a nominal L-PBF process, by correlating in-situ, NDE, and serial sectioning data. Objectives also include the evaluation of seeded defect methodologies for realistic defect creation, creating a baseline of defect populations in a Qualified Material Process (QMP), characterizing the effect of heat treatment, and correlating defect populations with tensile and fatigue properties. By comparing computed tomography images, in-situ monitoring images, and metallography images, the team has been able to draw preliminary conclusions. They include a better understanding of the limitation of the NDE tools, learning about the “healing” of the samples observed during layer building and a comparison study on different laser power variation samples. Those preliminary conclusions will help dictate the follow-up work that will be presented at the conference.

additive manufacturing↗
NASA NTRS2019

HabEx Baseline Optical Telescope Assembly

The Habitable Exoplanet Observatory Mission (HabEx) will image and spectroscopically characterize planetary systems in the habitable zone around nearby sun-like stars. Additionally, HabEx will perform a broad range of general astrophysics science enabled by 100 to 2500 nm spectral range and 3 x 3 arc-minute FOV. Critical to achieving the HabEx science goals is a large, ultra-stable telescope. The baseline HabEx telescope is a 4-m off-axis unobscured three-mirror-anastigmatic design with diffraction limited performance at 400 nm and wavefront stability of picometers per mK. These specifications are driven by science requirements. STOP (structural thermal optical performance) analysis predicts that the baseline telescope’s opto-mechanical design meets its specified performance tolerances.

Stahl, H Philip↗
NASA NTRS1981

Vehicle test report: Electric Vehicle Associates electric conversion of an AMC Pacer

The change of pace, an electric vehicle was tested. These tests were performed to characterize certain parameters of the electric vehicle pacer and to provide baseline data that can be used for the comparison of improved batteries that may be incorporated into the vehicle at a later time. The vehicle tests were concentrated on the electrical drive subsystem, the batteries, controller and motor. Coastdowns to characterize the road load, and range evaluations for both cyclic and constant speed conditions were performed. The vehicle's performance was evaluated by comparing its constant speed range performance with described vehicles. It is found that the pacer performance is approximately equal to the majority of the vehicles tested in the 1977 assessment.

Price, T. W.↗