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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 NTRS1987

NASA Systems Autonomy Demonstration Project - Development of Space Station automation technology

A 1984 Congressional expansion of the 1958 National Aeronautics and Space Act mandated that NASA conduct programs, as part of the Space Station program, which will yield the U.S. material benefits, particularly in the areas of advanced automation and robotics systems. Demonstration programs are scheduled for automated systems such as the thermal control, expert system coordination of Station subsystems, and automation of multiple subsystems. The programs focus the R&D efforts and provide a gateway for transfer of technology to industry. The NASA Office of Aeronautics and Space Technology is responsible for directing, funding and evaluating the Systems Autonomy Demonstration Project, which will include simulated interactions between novice personnel and astronauts and several automated, expert subsystems to explore the effectiveness of the man-machine interface being developed. Features and progress on the TEXSYS prototype thermal control system expert system are outlined.

Bull, John S.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Automated satellite control in Ada

The Advanced Ground Segment, a prototype satellite/payload operations control center workstation, which represents an evolutionary effort to improve the automation of control centers while improving software practices and supporting distributed control center functions, is described. Multiple levels of automation are supported through a rule-based control strategy. The architecture provides the necessary interfaces and modularity for future inclusion of more sophisticated control strategies.

Jaworski, Allan↗
DOE OSTI2023

Development of a DC Distribution Testbed for High-Power EV Charging

This paper explores the design and implementation of a power hardware-in-the-loop (P-HIL) setup for DC distribution infrastructure integrated with high-power charging (HPC) of electric vehicles (EVs), DC loads, and sources. The utilization of DC distribution holds significant potential for enhancing the operation of a HPC station architecture. However, there are challenges establishing a DC charging hub including interoperability, commoditization, distributed energy resource integration, stability, DC protection, and lack of common system level controllers. To address these challenges, a testing setup is required that accommodates commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) products to evaluate different use cases at rated power and voltage levels. The developed P-HIL setup features a dedicated DC charging hub, DC-coupled chargers, DC loads/sources, DC protection, and a communication architecture. The integrated P-HIL system provides a versatile testing environment to address technology and interoperability gaps and implements a smart energy management system (SEMS). This platform enables comprehensive and robust testing of COTS devices, charger prototypes, SEMS controllers and protection schemes, which together will accelerate transition to EVs at scale. The setup is tested for various use-cases at full-scale, integrating 950 V DC bus voltage, 660 kW grid-tied inverter, 150 kW COTS charger, and 100 kW energy storage system within an open-source SEMS platform.

ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS,POWER TRANSMISSION AND↗
NASA NTRS2002

Ultralightweight Space Deployable Primary Reflector Demonstrator

A concept has been developed and analyzed and several generational prototypes built for a gossamer-class deployable truss for a mirror or reflector with many smaller precisely-figured solid elements attached will, for at least the next several decades, minimize the mass of a large primary mirror assembly while still providing the high image quality essential for planet-finding and cosmological astronomical missions. Primary mirror segments are mounted in turn on ultralightweight thermally-formed plastic panels that hold clusters of mirror segments in rigid arrays whose tip/tilt and piston would be corrected over the scale of the plastic panels by the control segments. Prototype panels developed under this program are 45 cm wide and fabricated from commercially available Kaplan sheets. A three-strut octahedral tensegrity is the basis for the overall support structure. Each fundamental is composed of two such octahedrons, rotated oppositely about a common triangular face. Adjacent modules are joined at the nodes of the upper and lower triangles to form a deployable structure that could be made arbitrarily large. A seven-module dowel-and-wire prototype has been constructed. Deployment techniques based on the use of collapsing toggled struts with diagonal tensional elements allows an assembly of tensegrities to be fully collapsed and redeployed. The prototype designs will be described and results of a test program for measuring strength and deformation will be presented.

Montgomery, Edward E., IV↗
NASA NTRS1990

Demonstrating artificial intelligence for space systems - Integration and project management issues

As part of its Systems Autonomy Demonstration Project (SADP), NASA has recently demonstrated the Thermal Expert System (TEXSYS). Advanced real-time expert system and human interface technology was successfully developed and integrated with conventional controllers of prototype space hardware to provide intelligent fault detection, isolation, and recovery capability. Many specialized skills were required, and responsibility for the various phases of the project therefore spanned multiple NASA centers, internal departments and contractor organizations. The test environment required communication among many types of hardware and software as well as between many people. The integration, testing, and configuration management tools and methodologies which were applied to the TEXSYS project to assure its safe and successful completion are detailed. The project demonstrated that artificial intelligence technology, including model-based reasoning, is capable of the monitoring and control of a large, complex system in real time.

Hack, Edmund C.↗
DOE OSTI2025

Latent space mapping: Revolutionizing predictive models for divertor plasma detachment control

The inherent complexity of boundary plasma, characterized by multi-scale and multi-physics challenges, has historically restricted high-fidelity simulations to scientific research due to their intensive computational demands. Consequently, routine applications such as discharge control and scenario development have relied on faster but less accurate empirical methods. This work introduces DivControlNN, a novel machine-learning-based surrogate model designed to address these limitations by enabling quasi-real-time predictions (i.e., ~ 0.2 ms) of boundary and divertor plasma behavior. Trained on over 70,000 2D UEDGE simulations from KSTAR tokamak equilibria, DivControlNN employs latent space mapping to efficiently represent complex divertor plasma states, achieving a computational speed-up of over 10 8 compared to traditional simulations while maintaining a relative error below 20% for key plasma property predictions. During the 2024 KSTAR experimental campaign, a prototype detachment control system powered by DivControlNN successfully demonstrated detachment control on its first attempt, even for a new tungsten divertor configuration and without any fine-tuning. These results highlight the transformative potential of DivControlNN in overcoming diagnostic challenges in future fusion reactors by providing fast, robust, and reliable predictions for advanced integrated control systems.

Artificial neural networks↗
NASA NTRS2023

Orion Cabin Lighting System: Filter Workaround for Maintaining Crew Circadian Entrainment

Introduction: Suboptimal crew circadian entrainment (CCE) is common and results in cumulative fatigue and reduced cognitive function. This may promote use of psychostimulants and hypnotics. The Orion Cabin Lighting System (OCLS) consists of 15 dimmable lamps circuited to several zones. The OCLS monochromatic white lamp design is insufficient for maintaining CCE. While blue light (480-nm) elicits peak wake-cycle response, it is a powerful disruptor of CCE. We propose OCLS lamp filters (OLFs) as a workaround for maintaining CCE. Methods: Preliminary OLFs testing utilized a tunable-white LED to serve as a baseline lamp in the NASA Lighting Lab’s controlled environment (prototype OCLS lamps were unavailable). Illuminance and spectral irradiances were measured with the NASA Lighting Lab’s spectroradiometer. ConOps is proposed for OLFs. Results: OLFs markedly attenuated 480-nm light and illumination with minimal mass/volume requirements. ConOps includes in-flight deployment of OLFs and reducing OCLS lamp intensity prior to bedtime. Pros: minimal mass/volume, no added power, and a simplistic design. Cons: manual twice-daily articulation of OLFs, undetermined frangibility/flammability/off-gassing and effects on thermal regulation, and untested task illumination or color fidelity in the Orion cabin. Discussion: While OLFs aptly attenuate 480-nm light from our tunable LED lamp in the Lighting Lab’s controlled environment, they remain untested within the Orion cabin on OCLS lamps. Future tests include Orion cabin illumination optimization for appropriate Lux delivery and ensuring task/color fidelity with OLFs deployed. Adequate OCLS cooling should be similarly assessed. Other safety testing includes OLF frangibility/flammability/off-gassing in an enriched-O 2 /hypobaric environment. Together, these data will demonstrate OLFs provide a viable workaround for maintaining CCE further ensuring mission safety and success.

Carlos Rene Dostal↗
NASA NTRS1995

Performance and policy dimensions in internet routing

The Internet Routing Project, referred to in this report as the 'Highball Project', has been investigating architectures suitable for networks spanning large geographic areas and capable of very high data rates. The Highball network architecture is based on a high speed crossbar switch and an adaptive, distributed, TDMA scheduling algorithm. The scheduling algorithm controls the instantaneous configuration and swell time of the switch, one of which is attached to each node. In order to send a single burst or a multi-burst packet, a reservation request is sent to all nodes. The scheduling algorithm then configures the switches immediately prior to the arrival of each burst, so it can be relayed immediately without requiring local storage. Reservations and housekeeping information are sent using a special broadcast-spanning-tree schedule. Progress to date in the Highball Project includes the design and testing of a suite of scheduling algorithms, construction of software reservation/scheduling simulators, and construction of a strawman hardware and software implementation. A prototype switch controller and timestamp generator have been completed and are in test. Detailed documentation on the algorithms, protocols and experiments conducted are given in various reports and papers published. Abstracts of this literature are included in the bibliography at the end of this report, which serves as an extended executive summary.

Mills, David L.↗
NASA NTRS1976

A prototype carbon dioxide and humidity control system for Shuttle mission extension capability

This paper describes an advanced regenerable carbon dioxide (CO2) and humidity control system being developed for the NASA Johnson Space Center. The system offers substantial weight advantages in comparison with the baseline Shuttle Orbiter expendable, lithium hydroxide CO2 removal system for extended missions beyond the nominal design of 4 men for 7 days. The regenerable system offers a potential weight savings of 431 kg for a 7-man 30-day mission. A regenerable sorbent material designated as HS-C coadsorbs CO2 and water vapor from the cabin atmosphere and desorbs the CO2 and H2O vapor overboard when exposed to the space vacuum. In addition to a comparison of the regenerable system with the baseline Shuttle expendable system, HS-C mission simulation test results and the flight prototype regenerable system currently being fabricated are presented. The paper shows the integration of the system into the Shuttle Orbiter vehicle; exclusive of cryogenic fuel-cell power expendables, the available packaging envelope is sufficient to stow all expendables necessary for HS-C operation on 30-day extended missions.

Cusick, R. J.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Space station prototype Sabatier reactor design verification testing

A six-man, flight prototype carbon dioxide reduction subsystem for the SSP ETC/LSS (Space Station Prototype Environmental/Thermal Control and Life Support System) was developed and fabricated for the NASA-Johnson Space Center between February 1971 and October 1973. Component design verification testing was conducted on the Sabatier reactor covering design and off-design conditions as part of this development program. The reactor was designed to convert a minimum of 98 per cent hydrogen to water and methane for both six-man and two-man reactant flow conditions. Important design features of the reactor and test conditions are described. Reactor test results are presented that show design goals were achieved and off-design performance was stable.

Cusick, R. J.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Flight evaluation of configuration management system concepts during transition to the landing approach for a powered-lift STOL aircraft

Flight experiments were conducted to evaluate two control concepts for configuration management during the transition to landing approach for a powered-lift STOL aircraft. NASA Ames' augmentor wing research aircraft was used in the program. Transitions from nominal level-flight configurations at terminal area pattern speeds were conducted along straight and curved descending flightpaths. Stabilization and command augmentation for attitude and airspeed control were used in conjunction with a three-cue flight director that presented commands for pitch, roll, and throttle controls. A prototype microwave system provided landing guidance. Results of these flight experiments indicate that these configuration management concepts permit the successful performance of transitions and approaches along curved paths by powered-lift STOL aircraft. Flight director guidance was essential to accomplish the task.

Franklin, J. A.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Prediction of the interior noise levels of high-speed propeller-driven aircraft

The theoretical basis for an analytical model developed to predict the interior noise levels of high-speed propeller-driven airplanes is presented. Particular emphasis is given to modeling the transmission of discrete tones through a fuselage element into a cavity, estimates for the mean and standard deviation of the acoustic power flow, the coupling between a non-homogeneous excitation and the fuselage vibration response, and the prediction of maximum interior noise levels. The model allows for convenient examination of the various roles of the excitation and fuselage structural characteristics on the fuselage vibration response and the interior noise levels, as is required for the design of model or prototype noise control validation tests.

Rennison, D. C.↗
NASA NTRS1981

NASA preprototype redox storage system for a photovoltaic stand-alone application

A 1-kW preprototype redox storage system that has undergone characterization tests and been operated as the storage device for a 5-kW (peak) photovoltaic array is described and performance data are presented. Loss mechanisms are discussed, and simple design changes leading to appreciable increases in efficiency are suggested. The effects on system performance of nonequilibrium between the predominant species of complexed chromic ion in the negative electrode reactant solution are summarized. It is noted that with the aid of the prototype system, control concepts have been shown to be valid and trouble free and some insight has been gained into interactions at the mutual interfaces of the redox system, the photovoltaic array, the load, and the control devices.

Hagedorn, N. H.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Magnetically suspended flywheel system study

A program to study the application of a graphite/epoxy, magnetically suspended, pierced disk flywheel for the combined function of spacecraft attitude control and energy storage (ACES) is described. Past achievements of the program include design and analysis computer codes for the flywheel rotor, a magnetically suspended flywheel model, and graphite/epoxy rotor rings that were successfully prestressed via interference assembly. All hardware successfully demonstrated operation of the necessary subsystems which form a complete ACES design. Areas of future work include additional rotor design research, system definition and control strategies, prototype development, and design/construction of a UM/GSFC spin test facility. The results of applying design and analysis computer codes to a magnetically suspended interference assembled rotor show specific energy densities of 42 Wh/lb (92.4 Wh/kg) are obtained for a 1.6 kWh system.

Kirk, J. A.↗
NASA NTRS1988

A CLIPS prototype for autonomous power system control

The model of the system assumes a constant power source and loads (experiments) whose power demands exceed the supply. Experiments are described by their name, power consumption, time for a complete run, present status and the state of the load. The power consumption of each load is set at a constant level but can be dynamically modified by the operator. The status specifies if the experiment is running, paused, completed or failed. The state compensates for the lack of actual feedback sensor data, by signifying the stability of the load. Experiments are scheduled to keep as many running as possible with the current system limitations. A graphics oriented user interface is embedded into the rule-based system to enable an operator to easily experiment with the system.

Vezina, James M.↗
NASA NTRS1991

A prototype closed aquaculture system for controlled ecological life support applications

Aquaculture has been proposed as a possible component of a life support system for extended duration space exploration. Atmospheric and hydrologic closure of an aquaculture system are necessary for this application and information on mass flows through such a system is important to integrating it as part of life support. A closed aquaculture system has been constructed and an extensive computer monitoring and control system and sampling protocol developed to provide this information. Preliminary tests indicate that the system has a negligible leak rate and can provide oxygen and carbon dioxide mass flow information.

Dreschel, T. W.↗
NASA NTRS1997

Development of a Production Ready Automated Wire Delivery System

The current development effort is a Phase 3 research study entitled "A Production Ready Automated Wire Delivery System", contract number NAS8-39933, awarded to Nichols Research Corporation (NRC). The goals of this research study were to production harden the existing Automated Wire Delivery (AWDS) motion and sensor hardware and test the modified AWDS in a range of welding applications. In addition, the prototype AWDS controller would be moved to the VME bus platform by designing, fabricating and testing a single board VME bus AWDS controller. This effort was to provide an AWDS that could transition from the laboratory environment to production operations. The project was performed in two development steps. Step 1 modified and tested an improved MWG. Step 2 developed and tested the AWDS single board VME bus controller. Step 3 installed the Wire Pilot in a Weld Controller with the imbedded VME bus controller.

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