Results for “support structure” — Page 63

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Multicriterion Design Methods for Aerospace Systems

An efficient method is presented for multi-criterion preliminary design and demonstrated for a tetrahedral truss platform. The present method requires minimal analysis effort and permits rapid estimation of optimized truss behavior for preliminary design. A 14-m-diameter, 3-ring truss platform represents a candidate reflector support structure for space-based science spacecraft. The truss members are divided into 9 groups by truss ring and position. Design variables are the cross-sectional area of all members in a group, and are either 1, 3 or 5 times the minimum member area. Non-structural mass represents the node and joint hardware used to assemble the truss structure. Taguchi methods are used to efficiently identify key points in the set of Pareto-optimal truss designs. Key points identified using Taguchi methods are the maximum frequency, minimum mass, and maximum frequency-to-mass ratio truss designs. Low-order polynomial curve fits through these points are used to approximate the behavior of the full set of Pareto-optimal designs. The resulting Pareto-optimal design curve is used to predict frequency and mass for optimized trusses. Performance improvements are plotted in frequency-mass (criterion) space and compared to results for uniform trusses. Application of constraints to frequency and mass and sensitivity to constraint variation are demonstrated.

taguchi methods↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Discovering Digital Engineering Needs Through Human-Centered Approaches

Digital engineering has the power to transform organizations in profound ways, but digitizing legacy workflows and infusing new technologies into existing practices may not yield the intended results or address the underlying problems or bottlenecks. This paper describes the human-centered approaches used to understand stakeholder challenges and identify digital engineering needs during the design-build-test portion of the systems development lifecycle. Through a series of interactive stakeholder workshops and need-finding activities, key stakeholder needs were identified to help guide the integration of digital engineering technologies. The overarching need was for downstream system development steps to be considered further upstream in the project lifecycle in a manner that allows for proactive and interactive co-constructive idea exploration, problem resolution, and requirements considerations in a collective engagement with engineers and technicians from multiple disciplines to increase efficiency and reduce risks while offering opportunities to improve the final engineered system. Supporting this need was a wide-ranging desire from stakeholders for digital and non-digital support structures for efficient rapid iteration during system development. This work yielded several improvements for system development processes and for digital engineering infusion.

Human-centered Design↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Discovering Digital Engineering Needs Through Human-Centered Approaches

Digital engineering has the power to transform organizations in profound ways, but digitizing legacy workflows and infusing new technologies into existing practices may not yield the intended results or address the underlying problems or bottlenecks. This paper describes the human-centered approaches used to understand stakeholder challenges and identify digital engineering needs during the design-build-test portion of the systems development lifecycle. Through a series of interactive stakeholder workshops and need-finding activities, key stakeholder needs were identified to help guide the integration of digital engineering technologies. The overarching need was for downstream system development steps to be considered further upstream in the project lifecycle in a manner that allows for proactive and interactive co-constructive idea exploration, problem resolution, and requirements considerations in a collective engagement with engineers and technicians from multiple disciplines to increase efficiency and reduce risks while offering opportunities to improve the final engineered system. Supporting this need was a wide-ranging desire from stakeholders for digital and non-digital support structures for efficient rapid iteration during system development. This work yielded several improvements for system development processes and for digital engineering infusion.

Design Science↗

NASA NTRS2026

Evaluating Energy Absorption Methods for Integrated Composite Seat Designs

Composite materials have become ubiquitous in the aerospace industry due to their exceptionally light weight and high strength characteristics, as well as their unique ability to be engineered and tailored to meet specific loading conditions and performance requirements. These advanced materials offer superior strength-to-weight ratios compared to traditional metallic materials, making them particularly valuable in weight-critical aerospace applications where every pound saved translates to improved efficiency and performance. In currently operating fleets of commercial and military aircraft, composite materials have been successfully applied to critical structural components, including primary load-bearing elements such as the fuselage sections and flooring structures, which must withstand significant in-flight loads and provide passenger safety. Additionally, these materials have been specifically tailored and optimized for aerodynamic components such as wings and tail assemblies, where their ability to be molded into complex shapes while maintaining structural integrity is particularly advantageous. The application of composite materials extends beyond primary structural elements into the realm of internal cabin components, most notably in innovative seat designs where weight reduction and structural integration are paramount concerns. Modern composite seat structures can be designed to integrate multiple functions, including structural support, comfort features, and safety systems, all while maintaining the lightweight characteristics essential for aircraft performance.

Digital image correlation↗

DOE OSTI2020

Method for generating and dispensing a powdered release agent

A method for generating and dispensing a powdered release agent during an additive manufacturing build is disclosed. A solid body of release agent material is ground insitu by a grinder and dispensed on a surface of the part to prevent adhesion of an adjacent layer of a base material. With the addition of the powdered release agent, a support structure is easily separated from the base material when the part is complete, saving time and preventing the part from sustaining unintentional damage. Since no powdered release agent is actually loaded or stored in the apparatus, the potential for spillage, waste, inconsistent dispensing, inadvertent dispensing, and clumping due to humidity is eliminated.

42 ENGINEERING↗

DOE OSTI2020

Passive wireless pressure sensor for harsh environments

Methods and apparatuses for measuring static and dynamic pressures in harsh environments are disclosed. A pressure sensor according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a diaphragm constructed from materials designed to operate in harsh environments. A waveguide may be operably connected to the diaphragm, and an electromagnetic wave producing and receiving (e.g., sensing) device may be attached to the waveguide, opposite the diaphragm. A handle may be connected between the diaphragm and the waveguide to provide both structural support and electrical functionality for the sensor. A gap may be included between the handle and the diaphragm, allowing the diaphragm to move freely. An antenna and a ground plane may be formed on the diaphragm or the handle. Electromagnetic waves may be reflected off the antenna and detected to directly measure static and dynamic pressures applied to the diaphragm.

42 ENGINEERING↗

DOE OSTI2021

Electrochemical flow-cell for hydrogen production and nicotinamide dependent target reduction, and related methods and systems

Methods and systems for hydrogen production or production of a reduced target molecule are described, wherein a nicotinamide co-factor dependent membrane hydrogenase or a nicotinamide co-factor dependent membrane enzyme presented on a nanolipoprotein adsorbed onto an electrically conductive supporting structure, which can preferably be chemically inert, is contacted with protons or a target molecule to be reduced and nicotinamide cofactors in presence of an electric current and one or more electrically driven redox mediators. Methods and systems for production of hydrogen or a reduced target molecule are also described wherein a membrane-bound hydrogenase enzyme or enzyme capable or reducing a target molecule is contacted with protons or the target molecule, a nicotinamide co-factor and a nicotinamide co-factor dependent membrane hydrogenase presented on a nanolipoprotein particle for a time and under condition to allow hydrogen production or production of a reduced target molecule in presence of an electrical current and of an electrically driven redox mediator.

Hoeprich, Jr., Paul D.↗

DOE OSTI2021

Helical superconducting undulator for 3rd and 4th generation of synchrotron light source and FELs

A helical superconducting undulator includes a cylindrical magnetic core through which a bore hole allows the passage of charged particles. A single superconducting wire wraps the magnetic core guided by helical flights and cylindrical protrusions, to create interleaved helical windings on the magnetic core. An electrical current may be supplied to the superconducting wire to generate a periodic helical magnetic field in the bore. The helical superconducting undulator also includes a strong-back enclosure that acts as an epoxy mold during epoxy impregnation, a structural support to ensure straightness of the undulator after epoxy impregnation, and assists in cooling and thermal control of the magnetic core and superconducting wire during device operation.

Gluskin, Efim↗

DOE OSTI2022

Flexible Financial Credit Agreements: Employer-Sponsored Solar Benefits

Flexible Financial Credit Agreements is a broad term used to describe a suite of solar products with innovative features not currently offered in traditional solar financing programs. This brief focuses on businesses providing financial and structural support to allow their employees the opportunity to benefit from solar PV generation.

community solar↗

DOE OSTI2021

Cartridge systems, capacitive pumps and multi-throw valves and pump-valve systems and applications of same

The invention relates to a cartridge of a fluidic device. The fluidic device includes a fluidic chip, a body having a first surface and an opposite, second surface, one or more channels formed in the body in fluidic communications with input ports and output ports for transferring one or more fluids between the input ports and the output ports, and a fluidic chip registration means formed on the first surface for aligning the fluidic chip with a support structure; and an actuator configured to engage with the one or more channels at the second surface of the body for selectively and individually transferring the one or more fluids through the one or more channels from at least one of the input ports to at least one of the output ports at desired flowrates.

Schaffer, David K.↗

DOE OSTI2022

Particle Physics Outreach to K-12 Schools and Opportunities in Undergraduate Education

To develop an increase in societal interest in the fundamental sciences of particle physics and particularly for maintaining the support structures needed to succeed in experiments that take several decades to develop and complete, requires strong educational back-grounding at all levels of the instructional system and notably at early stages in the process. While many (particularly young) students might show an early interest and aptitude for science and mathematics at the elementary level, the structures are not necessarily in place to capture, nurture and develop such nascent interests. To encourage and strengthen such interests, strong connections must be made at K-12 and Undergraduate levels. The paper discusses the on-going efforts and makes recommendations.

Bardeen, Marge G.↗

DOE OSTI2022

Scaffolding matrix with internal nanoparticles

A battery electrode composition is provided comprising composite particles, with each composite particle comprising active material and a scaffolding matrix. The active material is provided to store and release ions during battery operation. For certain active materials of interest, the storing and releasing of the ions causes a substantial change in volume of the active material. The scaffolding matrix is provided as a porous, electrically-conductive scaffolding matrix within which the active material is disposed. In this way, the scaffolding matrix structurally supports the active material, electrically interconnects the active material, and accommodates the changes in volume of the active material.

Yushin, Gleb↗

DOE OSTI2022

Techno-Economic Implications of Electrical Machine Scaling for Wave Energy Converters: Preprint

The sizing of an electrical machine for a Wave Energy Converter (WEC) can have a substantial impact on the overall sizing, cost, and rating of the device. An electrical generator is typically part of the power take-off (PTO) system, which is the mechanism by which the energy absorbed by the prime mover is transformed into useable electrical. For practically all WECs, the rate of change of actuation is predominantly determined by the wave resource (i.e., the wave height and frequency) and devices will see a sinusoidally varying velocity according to the wave conditions. The same can then be said for both directly and indirectly coupled PTOs with electrical generators. This techno-economic study investigates electrical machine scaling and associated cost implications through core machine design theory, manufacturer data, supporting literature, and the DOE sponsored Reference Model Project (RMP). The RMP was a partnered effort to develop open-source marine energy (ME) point designs as reference models (RMs) to benchmark ME technology performance and costs, methods for design and analysis of ME technologies, estimations for capital costs, operational costs, and levelized costs of energy (LCOE). The results from this study show torque is directly related to (1) the physical size of the machine required to increase the airgap sheer stresses, (2) the amount of active material, (3) the support structure, (4) bearing size and rating, and (5) offshore cable rating, all of which have a significant effect on overall system costs in terms of both CAPEX and OPEX. This paper aims to be a critical benchmark in helping determine an “optimal” nameplate rating for wave energy devices and their associated PTO. With an optimized rating and sizing process, WEC costs can be reduced, and overall performance can be improved.

cables↗

DOE OSTI2022

Techno-Economic Implications of Electrical Machine Scaling for Wave Energy Converters

The sizing of an electrical machine for a Wave Energy Converter (WEC) can have a substantial impact on the overall sizing, cost, and rating of the device. An electrical generator is typically part of the power take-off (PTO) system, which is the mechanism by which the energy absorbed by the prime mover is transformed into useable electrical. For practically all WECs, the rate of change of actuation is predominantly determined by the wave resource (i.e., the wave height and frequency) and devices will see a sinusoidally varying velocity according to the wave conditions. The same can then be said for both directly and indirectly coupled PTOs with electrical generators. This techno-economic study investigates electrical machine scaling and associated cost implications through core machine design theory, manufacturer data, supporting literature, and the DOE sponsored Reference Model Project (RMP). The RMP was a partnered effort to develop open-source marine energy (ME) point designs as reference models (RMs) to benchmark ME technology performance and costs, methods for design and analysis of ME technologies, estimations for capital costs, operational costs, and levelized costs of energy (LCOE). The results from this study show torque is directly related to (1) the physical size of the machine required to increase the airgap sheer stresses, (2) the amount of active material, (3) the support structure, (4) bearing size and rating, and (5) offshore cable rating, all of which have a significant effect on overall system costs in terms of both CAPEX and OPEX. This paper aims to be a critical benchmark in helping determine an “optimal” nameplate rating for wave energy devices and their associated PTO. With an optimized rating and sizing process, WEC costs can be reduced, and overall performance can be improved.

cables↗

DOE OSTI2023

A Novel Design for Improving the Control on the Stainless-Steel Vessel Welding Process for Superconducting Magnets

Stainless steel vessels see widespread use in superconducting magnets for particle accelerator applications. Their function varies in different magnet designs: they always provide the necessary liquid helium containment, but in some cases are also used to provide azimuthal prestress and can also be welded to the magnet end plate to provide additional longitudinal stiffness. A magnet designed with the bladder and key technology does not rely on the structural role of the vessel. They are structurally supported using azimuthally prestressed aluminum shells, and the longitudinal constraint by rods. In this case, the magnet designer would generally like to minimize the interaction between the magnet and the stainless-steel vessel and to minimize the coil stress variation due to the vessel. The stress state in the vessel and in the coil is a function of the circumferential interference, defined as the vessel azimuthal length minus the magnet circumference. The vessel and the magnet azimuthal length machining tolerances are relatively large resulting in significant stress variations in the superconducting coils. In this paper we introduce an interference control shim, which can significantly limit the stress variation of the coils for a given variation of the interference. The effectiveness of the interference-control shim is evaluated numerically on the MQXF, the low-β quadrupole for the High Luminosity LHC.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

DOE OSTI2022

Magnetic nanostructures and composites for millimeter wave absorption

A product includes a nanostructure having a core and a shell. The core has a coercive field of at least 3 kOe and the shell has a saturation magnetization of at least 50 emu per gram. A product includes a nanostructure having a core and a shell. The shell has a coercive field of at least 3 kOe and the core has a saturation magnetization of at least 50 emu per gram. A method includes forming core/shell nanostructures and forming millimeter wave absorbers including the core/shell nanostructures and a support structure.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗

DOE OSTI2022

Scaffolding matrix with internal nanoparticles

A battery electrode composition is provided comprising composite particles, with each composite particle comprising active material and a scaffolding matrix. The active material is provided to store and release ions during battery operation. For certain active materials of interest, the storing and releasing of the ions causes a substantial change in volume of the active material. The scaffolding matrix is provided as a porous, electrically-conductive scaffolding matrix within which the active material is disposed. In this way, the scaffolding matrix structurally supports the active material, electrically interconnects the active material, and accommodates the changes in volume of the active material.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

DOE OSTI2022

Cartridge systems, capacitive pumps and multi-throw valves and pump-valve systems and applications of same

In one aspect of the invention, the fluidic device includes a fluidic chip includes a body having a first surface and an opposite, second surface, one or more channels formed in the body in fluidic communications with input ports and output ports for transferring one or more fluids between the input ports and the output ports, and a fluidic chip registration means formed on the first surface for aligning the fluidic chip with a support structure; and an actuator configured to engage with the one or more channels at the second surface of the body for selectively and individually transferring the one or more fluids through the one or more channels from at least one of the input ports to at least one of the output ports at desired flowrates.

Schaffer, David K.↗