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At least 109 records · Page 6

Design considerations for high-altitude, long-endurance, microwave-powered aircraft

The sizing and performance analyses have been conducted in the design of long-endurance, high-altitude airplanes. These airplanes receive power either continuously beamed from a phased array transmitter or intermittently beamed from a dish transmitter. Results are presented for the cases of flight in zero wind speed and nonzero wind speed. Sensitivity studies indicate that the vehicle size is relatively insensitive to changes in the transmitter size. Cost estimates were made using models that excluded the airplane cost. Using a reference payload, results obtained from array and dish configurations were compared. Comparisons showed savings in cost as well as smaller vehicle sizes when an array transmitter was used.

Nguyen, H. Q.↗

Performance and endurance testing of a prototype carbon dioxide and humidity control system for Space Shuttle extended mission capability

An advanced flight prototype regenerable CO2 and humidity control system was delivered to NASA-JSC in February 1980. It is pointed out that this system offers substantial weight savings compared with the Shuttle Orbiter expendable lithium hydroxide CO2 removal system for extended duration missions. The present paper provides a brief description of the 4- to 10-man regenerable CO2 and humidity control system. The potential advantages which can be realized for an extended duration Shuttle mission are considered along with the results of extensive testing conducted at JSC. The performance evaluation and endurance tests show that the system is capable of long-term operation (up to 60 days) without maintenance.

Lin, C. H.↗

A 2000-hour cyclic endurance test of a laboratory model multipropellant resistojet

The technological readiness of a long-life multipropellant resistojet for space station auxiliary propulsion is demonstrated. A laboratory model resistojet made from grain-stabilized platinum served as a test bed to evaluate the design characteristics, fabrication methods, and operating strategies for an engineering model multipropellant resistojet developed under contract by the Rocketdyne Division of Rockwell International and Technion Incorporated. The laboratory model thruster was subjected to a 2000-hr, 2400-thermal-cycle endurance test using carbon dioxide propellant. Maximum thruster temperatures were approximately 1400 C. The post-test analyses of the laboratory model thruster included an investigation of component microstructures. Significant observations from the laboratory model thruster are discussed as they relate to the design of the engineering model thruster.

Morren, W. Earl↗

Advanced technology for extended endurance alkaline fuel cells

Advanced components have been developed for alkaline fuel cells with a view to the satisfaction of NASA Space Station design requirements for extended endurance. The components include a platinum-on-carbon catalyst anode, a potassium titanate-bonded electrolyte matrix, a lightweight graphite electrolyte reservoir plate, a gold-plated nickel-perforated foil electrode substrate, a polyphenylene sulfide cell edge frame material, and a nonmagnesium cooler concept. When incorporated into the alkaline fuel cell unit, these components are expected to yield regenerative operation in a low earth orbit Space Station with a design life greater than 5 years.

Sheibley, D. W.↗

2000-hour cyclic endurance test of a laboratory model multipropellant resistojet

The technological readiness of a long-life multipropellant resistojet for space station auxiliary propulsion is demonstrated. A laboratory model resistojet made from grain-stabilized platinum served as a test bed to evaluate the design characteristics, fabrication methods, and operating strategies for an engineering model multipropellant resistojet developed under contract by the Rocketdyne Division of Rockwell International and Technion Incorporated. The laboratory model thruster was subjected to a 2000-hr, 2400-thermal-cycle endurance test using carbon dioxide propellant. Maximum thruster temperatures were approximately 1400 C. The post-test analyses of the laboratory model thruster included an investigation of component microstructures. Significant observations from the laboratory model thruster are discussed as they relate to the design of the engineering model thruster.

Morren, W. Earl↗

Development of a micro-computer based integrated design system for high altitude long endurance aircraft

A microcomputer-based integration of aircraft design disciplines has been applied theoretically to sailplane, microwave-powered aircraft, and High Altitude Long-Endurance (HALE) aircraft configurational definition efforts. Attention is presently given to the further development of such integrated-disciplines approaches through the incorporation of AI techniques; these are then applied to the aforementioned case of the HALE. The 'windFrame' language used, which is based on HyperTalk, will allow designers to write programs using a highly graphical, user interface-oriented environment.

Hall, David W.↗

Endurance Tests Of Amorphous-Silicon Photovoltaic Modules

Failure mechanisms in high-power service studied. Report discusses factors affecting endurance of amorphous-silicon solar cells. Based on field tests and accelerated aging of photovoltaic modules. Concludes that aggressive research needed if amorphous-silicon modules to attain 10-year life - value U.S. Department of Energy established as goal for photovoltaic modules in commercial energy-generating plants.

Ross, Ronald G., Jr.↗

Development of a microcomputer based integrated design system for high altitude long endurance aircraft

A microcomputer-based integration of aircraft design disciplines has been applied theoretically to sailplane, microwave-powered aircraft, and High Altitude Long-Endurance (HALE) aircraft configurational definition efforts. Attention is presently given to the further development of such integrated-discipline approaches through the incorporation of AI techniques; these are then applied to the aforementioned case of the HALE. The windFrame language used, which is based on HyperTalk, will allow designers to write programs using a highly graphical, user interface-oriented environment.

Hall, David W.↗

The design of an airfoil for a high-altitude, long-endurance remotely piloted vehicle

Airfoil design efforts are studied. The importance of integrating airfoil and aircraft designs was demonstrated. Realistic airfoil data was provided to aid future high altitude, long endurance aircraft preliminary design. Test cases were developed for further validation of the Eppler program. Boundary layer, not pressure distribution or shape, was designed. Substantial improvement was achieved in vehicle performance through mission specific airfoil designed utilizing the multipoint capability of the Eppler program.

Maughmer, Mark D.↗

Muscle strength and endurance following lowerlimb suspension in man

The effect of lower-limb suspension on the muscle strength and muscle endurance was investigated in six men subjected to four weeks of unilateral unloading of a lower limb (using of a harness attached to a modified shoe), followed by seven weeks of weight-bearing recovery. Results showed a decrease in the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the thigh muscle and in the average peak torque (APT) during three bouts of 30 concentric knee extensions. While the the thigh muscle CSA returned to normal after seven weeks of recovery, the APT recovery was still reduced by 11 percent, suggesting that muscle metabolic function was severely affected by unloading and was not restored by ambulation.

Tesch, Per A.↗

Results of a 1462 hour ammonia arcjet endurance test

A total of 1462 hours of operaton were demonstrated in an endurance test of a 30 kWe-class ammonia arcjet operated at 10 kWe. The propellant flow rate was 0.170 g/s, and the measured performance increased from approximately 650 s specific impulse at 36 percent efficiency at the beginning of the test to 675 s at 39 percent near the end. The voltage increased and the current dropped slightly over the first 400 hours, and then remained approximately constant for the remainder of the test. The test, scheduled for 1500 hours, was terminated after an insulator in the rear of the engine failed. Post-test examination of the electrodes revealed only minimal damage. Although there was evidence of a number of mass transport processes occurring in the discharge chamber, the primary life-limiting wear mechanisms appear to be cathode tip erosion and constrictor melting.

Polk, J. E.↗

Ammonia arcjet engine behavior in a cyclic endurance test at 10 kW

The behavior of a 30 kWe-class ammonia arcjet operated at 10 kWe during the 707 successful cycles of an endurance test is described. The propellant flow rate was 0.170 g/s, and the measured performance was about 630 s specific impulse at an efficiency of 0.34. Data obtained indicate that the terminal voltage increased over the first 300 cycles, and then remained approximately constant for the remainder of the test, which suggests that the cathode eroded initially and then reached a stable geometry. No major changes were observed in thruster performance. The test was terminated by a series of external arcs.

Polk, J. E.↗

A vacuum (10 exp -9 torr) friction apparatus for determining friction and endurance life of MoS(x) films

An ultrahigh-vacuum tribometer for use in a ball-on-disk configuration was specially designed for measuring the friction and endurance life of magnetron-sputtered solid lubricating MoS(x) films deposited on sputter-cleaned 400 C stainless-steel disks, when slid against a 6-mm-diameter 440 C stainless-steel ball. The results of tests showed that the tribometer performs satisfactorily in unidirectional rotation in vacuum at a pressure of 10 exp -7 Pa, 10 exp -9 torr. Similarities are observed in the life cycle friction behavior and the coefficient of friction as a function of the number of disk revolutions, for MoS(x) films at average Hertzian contact from 0.33 to 0.69 GPa.

Miyoshi, Kazuhisa↗

Aviation engines in the endurance contest

The contest for engines of great endurance had entries of 13 types by the following firms: Breguet, Farman, Fiat, Hispano-Suiza, Lorraine-Dietrich, Panhard-Levassor, Peugeot, Renault, and Salmson.

Lehr, G↗

Endurance Test and Evaluation of Alkaline Water Electrolysis Cells

The overall objective of this program is to assess the state of alkaline water electrolysis cell technology and its potential as part of a Regenerative Fuel Cell System (RFCS) of a multikilowatt orbiting powerplant. The program evaluates the endurance capabilities of alkaline electrolyte water electrolysis cells under various operating conditions, including constant condition testing, cyclic testing and high pressure testing. The RFCS demanded the scale-up of existing cell hardware from 0.1 sq ft active electrode area to 1.0 sq ft active electrode area. A single water electrolysis cell and two six-cell modules of 1.0 sq ft active electrode area were designed and fabricated. The two six-cell 1.0 sq ft modules incorporate 1.0 sq ft utilized cores, which allow for minimization of module assembly complexity and increased tolerance to pressure differential. A water electrolysis subsystem was designed and fabricated to allow testing of the six-cell modules. After completing checkout, shakedown, design verification and parametric testing, a module was incorporated into the Regenerative Fuel Cell System Breadboard (RFCSB) for testing at Life Systems, Inc., and at NASA JSC.

Kovach, Andrew J.↗

Isokinetic Strength and Endurance During 30-day 6 deg Head-Down Bed Rest with Isotonic and Isokinetic Exercise Training

The purpose of our study was to determine if an intensive, intermittent, isokinetic, lower extremity exercise training program would attenuate or eliminate the decrease of muscular strength and endurance during prolonged bed rest (BR). The 19 male subjects (36 +/- 1 yr, 178 +/- 2 cm, 76.5 +/- 1.7 kg) were allocated into a no exercise (NOE) training group (N = 5), an isotonic (lower extremity cycle orgometer) exercise (ITE) training group (N = 7), and an isokinetic (isokinetic knee flexion-extension) exercise (IKE) training group (N = 7). Peak knee (flexion and extension) and shoulder (abduction-adduction) functions were measured weekly in all groups with one 5-repetition set. After BR, average knee extension total work decreased by 16% with NOE, increased by 27% with IKE, and was unchanged with ITE. Average knee flexion total work and peak torque (strength) responses were unchanged in all groups. Force production increased by 20% with IKE and was unchanged with NOE and ITE. Shoulder total work was unchanged in all groups, while gross average peak torque increased by 27% with ITE and by 22% with IKE, and was unchanged with NOE. Thus, while ITE training can maintain some isokinetic functions during BR, maximal intermittent IKE training can increase other functions above pre-BR control levels.

Greenleaf, J. E.↗

Blood Volume: Its Adaptation to Endurance Training

Expansion of blood volume (hypervolemia) has been well documented in both cross-sectional and longitudinal studies as a consequence of endurance exercise training. Plasma volume expansion can account for nearly all of the exercise-induced hypervolemia up to 2-4 wk; after this time expansion may be distributed equally between plasma and red cell volumes. The exercise stimulus for hypervolemia has both thermal and nonthermal components that increase total circulating plasma levels of electrolytes and proteins. Although protein and fluid shifts from the extravascular to intravascular space may provide a mechanism for rapid hypervolemia immediately after exercise, evidence supports the notion that chronic hypervolemia associated with exercise training represents a net expansion of total body water and solutes. This net increase of body fluids with exercise training is associated with increased water intake and decreased urine volume output. The mechanism of reduced urine output appears to be increased renal tubular reabsorption of sodium through a more sensitive aldosterone action in man. Exercise training-induced hypervolemia appears to be universal among most animal species, although the mechanisms may be quite different. The hypervolemia may provide advantages of greater body fluid for heat dissipation and thermoregulatory stability as well as larger vascular volume and filling pressure for greater cardiac stroke volume and lower heart rates during exercise.

Convertino, Victor A.↗

Effects of three day bed-rest on circulatory, metabolic and hormonal responses to oral glucose load in endurance trained athletes and untrained subjects

Endurance trained long distance runners and untrained individuals underwent three days of bed rest and oral glucose loading. Before and after bed rest, individuals were given glucose tolerance tests, and their heart rates, blood pressure, blood glucose levels, insulin levels, and catecholamine interactions were measured. Results indicated that glucose tolerance is more affected by bed rest-induced deconditioning in untrained individuals than in trained individuals.

NASA Discipline Regulatory Physiology↗