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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 1,189 records · Page 66
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2024

Ultrafast Annealing Improves SNR and Long-Term Stability of a Highly Multiplexed Line-by-Line FBG Array Inscribed by Femtosecond Laser in a Coreless Fiber for Extreme-Temperature Applications

This study reports the fabrication of a fourth-order line-by-line fiber Bragg grating (FBG) array using femtosecond laser inscription within a highly multimode coreless optical fiber, with a particular focus on achieving substantial multiplexing capabilities. An ultrafast annealing procedure is employed, resulting in an impressive enhancement of the FBG sensor’s fringe visibility by approximately 13 dB, signifying a notable improvement of approximately ~4 dB. This substantial enhancement contributes to the long-term stability and performance of the multiplexed FBG array in extreme-temperature conditions. The systematic fabrication approach employed for the multiplexed FBG array guarantees a high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for each individual FBG within the array. This FBG array is intended for extreme-temperature applications, addressing limitations associated with traditional FBGs based on doped optical fibers, including SNR degradation and temperature-induced fringe drift. Testing at temperatures up to 1120 °C demonstrates the FBG array’s stability without fluctuations in readings. Furthermore, it endures seven heat cycles, spanning from 500 °C to 1120 °C, over 60 h, exhibiting outstanding thermal stability. Furthermore, this highly multiplexed FBG array with an ultrafast annealing approach holds promise for extreme-temperature environments, such as steelmaking, where precise and reliable distributed temperature monitoring is imperative.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2021

Standoff Detection of Oil and Powder Mixtures at 12 Meters Using a Tunable Quantum Cascade Laser-Based System with a Close Focus Telescope and Uncooled Infrared Detector

We have designed and demonstrated a quantum cascade laser (QCL) based standoff system that utilizes an uncooled mercury cadmium telluride (MCT) detector with lock-in signal processing for chemical identification at a distance of 12.5 meters in indoor ambient light conditions. In the system, a tunable quad-QCL operating (1 MHz) in quasi-continuous wave mode between 8.45 and 10.03 μm (~1182 to 1000 cm –1 ) serves as the active mid-infrared source for remotely interrogating mineral, powder, and thin film oil samples including powder mixtures (6, 12.5, 25, and 50%) of crystalline quartz (SiO 2 ) in KBr. Light as reflected from a given sample is collected using a 10-inch (25.4 cm) Dall Kirkham telescope and coupled with ZnSe optics to an uncooled MCT detector. Furthermore, the mixture dependence of the highly transparent KBr and strongly absorbing quartz was found to fit a modified version of the Schatz reflectance model for compacted powder mixtures. All reflectance spectra reported are relative to an Au-coated diffuse reflector. A NIST traceable polystyrene standard reflector was also used to determine the QCL wavelength tuning range and calibration.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2023

Power Solitons in Inverter-based Electric Energy Systems: Observation, Analysis and Implications

The discovery of an unfamiliar class of nonlinear energy waves in electric energy systems with dominating coupled inverter-based energy resources has been reported in a recent research project. Whenever there are slight but persistent differences among the reference signals used by inverters in pulse-width modulation, i.e., a weak group modulation instability condition, the unfamiliar energy waves appear, which contain not only the familiar frequency components present in electric power systems but also self-organized components in the ultra-high frequency region of the energy spectrum. These components are found to be exploding solitary waves with concentrated energy masses, hence we call them power solitons. This paper explains the work of the discovery reported, and the implications of the presence of power solitons for grid integration of inverter-based resources and power system protection.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
NASA NTRS1964

Analog device simulates physiological waveforms

An analog physiological simulator generates representative waveforms for a wide range of physiological conditions. Direct comparison of these waveforms with those from telemetric inputs permits quick detection of signal parameter degradation.

Hickman, D. M.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Investigation of factors affecting the heater wire method of calibrating fine wire thermocouples

An analytical investigation was made of a transient method of calibrating fine wire thermocouples. The system consisted of a 10 mil diameter standard thermocouple (Pt, Pt-13% Rh) and an 0.8 mil diameter chromel-alumel thermocouple attached to a 20 mil diameter electrically heated platinum wire. The calibration procedure consisted of electrically heating the wire to approximately 2500 F within about a seven-second period in an environment approximating atmospheric conditions at 120,000 feet. Rapid periodic readout of the standard and fine wire thermocouple signals permitted a comparison of the two temperature indications. An analysis was performed which indicated that the temperature distortion at the heater wire produced by the thermocouple junctions appears to be of negligible magnitude. Consequently, the calibration technique appears to be basically sound, although several practical changes which appear desirable are presented and discussed. Additional investigation is warranted to evaluate radiation effects and transient response characteristics.

Keshock, E. G.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Dynamic response of Mach 2.5 axisymmetric inlet with 40 percent supersonic internal area contraction

Results of experimental tests conducted on a supersonic, mixed compression, axisymmetric inlet are presented. The inlet is designed for operation at Mach 2.5 with a turbofan engine (TF-30). The inlet was terminated with either a choked-orifice plate or a long pipe with variable area choked exit plug. Frequency responses were obtained for selected static pressures in the diffuser. These pressures were selected as potential control signals for terminal shock control. Frequency responses were obtained for the Mach 2 and 2.5 conditions for different terminations. Responses also were obtained with and without cowl bleed. Internal disturbances were produced by sinusoidally varying the inlet overboard bypass doors at frequencies out to 100 hertz.

Baumbick, R. J.↗
NASA NTRS1975

System design of a rudder coordination system

The application of the parameter optimization computer program to the design of a rudder coordination system for the F-8 airplane is summarized. The flight condition was Mach 0.56 at 20,000 feet altitude. The system configuration selected consisted of signal paths that fed yaw rate and aileron signals to the rudder. The two signal paths were summed and then modified by a high pass filter to eliminate any steady state bias signal. The input axis of the yaw gyro was perpendicular to the aircraft zero lift line and the trim angle of attack was 7.75 degrees. The parameter optimization was used to design the complete system first, and then a root locus analysis of the individual component effects was made. The results are presented.

Whitaker, H. P.↗
NASA NTRS1978

A monolithic SAW-charge transfer device

Surface acoustic waves excited in a Si-SiO2-ZnO layered structure can produce a traveling electric field in the silicon substrate. Charges stored in the traveling potential wells can be transferred at high speed and density and with less complexity. The monolithic structure under investigation for the SAW-charge transfer device consists of a silicon substrate, a thin silicon dioxide insulating layer on top of which a ZnO piezoelectric film is deposited by sputtering. The surface acoustic waves are excited by interdigital transducers. The signal charge is injected into traveling potential wells that travel with the velocity of sound. Conditions for the transfer of the charges by the traveling wells are analyzed. A surface acoustic wave program was used to determine the optimum structure dimensions and transducer configuration which will produce the highest coupling in the excitation of the piezoelectric waves.

Papanicolaou, N. A.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Drift mirror mode waves in the distant (about 200 earth radii) magnetosheath

The physical mechanisms which produced large magnetic field magnitude changes beyond 60 earth radii during ISEE-3 passage are discussed in relation to interplanetary conditions. The ISEE-3 data were taken close to the time that IMP-8 data signaled an interplanetary shock and the crossing of the terrestrial magnetosheath. The ISEE detected decreases (10-50 percent) in field magnitude that the IMP did not. The electron temperature and density and magnetic field data made by the ISEE indicated the presence of drift mirror mode waves. The instabilities would have been triggered in the magnetosheath plasma by arrival of the driver gas of the solar wind detected by the IMP-8. The waves were especially prominent due to the relative quiescence of the usually turbulent magnetosheath when the shock arrived.

Tsurutani, B. T.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Observations of OH in comet Levy with the Nancay radio telescope

Due to extremely favorable excitation conditions, comet Levy (1990c) exhibited in August-September 1990 the strongest OH 18-cm signal ever recorded in a comet at the Nancay radio telescope. This unique opportunity was used to measure the OH satellite lines at 1612 and 1721 MHz, to perform extensive mapping of the OH radio emission and to make a sensitive evaluation of the cometary magnetic field, of the H2O outflow velocity and of the OH production rate.

Bockelee-Morvan, Dominique↗
NASA NTRS1991

Parameter trade-offs for imaging spectroscopy systems

With the advent of the EOS era and of configurable sensors, users of these instruments are faced with the twin problems of specifying data acquisition parameters and extracting desired information from the voluminous data. An application of a system model is made to explore system parameter trade-offs for a model sensor based on the High Resolution Imaging Spectrometer. Radiometric performance was studied, along with the effect on classification accuracy of several system parameters. Using a model scene based on typical agricultural reflectance and atmospheric conditions, the atmosphere and sensor are seen to have significant effects on the mean received signal and noise performance. The effect of random uncorrelated errors in the radiometric calibration of the detector array is seen to degrade system performance, especially in the spectral bands below 1 micron. Accurate pixel-to-pixel relative radiometric calibration and the use of the Image Motion Compensation option are seen to improve classification accuracy, especially at high solar zenith angles. Feature sets chosen from characteristics of the scene performed best overall, but ones chosen based on signal-to-noise ratios were seen to be more robust.

Kerekes, John P.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Providing hydrogen maser timing stability to orbiting VLBI radio telescope observations by post-measurement compensation of linked frequency standard imperfections

Orbiting VLBI (OVLBI) astronomical observations are based upon measurements acquired simultaneously from ground-based and earth-orbiting radio telescopes. By the mid-1990s, two orbiting VLBI observatories, Russia's Radioastron and Japan's VSOP, will augment the worldwide VLBI network, providing baselines to earth radio telescopes as large as 80,000 km. The challenge for OVLBI is to effectuate space to ground radio telescope data cross-correlation (the observation) to a level of integrity currently achieved between ground radio telescopes. VLBI radio telescopes require ultrastable frequency and timing references in order that long term observations may be made without serious cross-correlation loss due to frequency source drift and phase noise. For this reason, such instruments make use of hydrogen maser frequency standards. Unfortunately, space-qualified hydrogen maser oscillators are currently not available for use on OVLBI satellites. Thus, the necessary long-term stability needed by the orbiting radio telescope may only be obtained by microwave uplinking a ground-based hydrogen maser derived frequency to the satellite. Although the idea of uplinking the frequency standard intrinsically seems simple, there are many 'contaminations' which degrade both the long and short term stability of the transmitted reference. Factors which corrupt frequency and timing accuracy include additive radio and electronic circuit thermal noise, slow or systematic phase migration due to changes of electronic circuit temporal operating conditions (especially temperature), ionosphere and troposphere induced scintillations, residual Doppler-incited components, and microwave signal multipath propagation. What is important, though, is to realize that ultimate stability does not have to be achieved in real-time. Instead, information needed to produce a high degree of coherence in the subsequent cross-correlation operation may be derived from a two-way coherent radio link, recorded and later introduced as compensations adjunct to the VLBI correlation process. Accordingly, this paper examines the technique for stable frequency/time transfer within the OVLBI system, together with a critique of the types of link degradation components which must be compensated, and the figures of merit known as coherence factors.

Springett, James C.↗
NASA NTRS1997

Unsteady Flow Field in a Multistage Axial Flow Compressor

The flow field in a multistage compressor is three-dimensional, unsteady, and turbulent with substantial viscous effects. Some of the specific phenomena that has eluded designers include the effects of rotor-stator and rotor-rotor interactions and the physics of mixing of velocity, pressure, temperature and velocity fields. An attempt was made, to resolve experimentally, the unsteady pressure and temperature fields downstream of the second stator of a multistage axial flow compressor which will provide information on rotor-stator interaction effects and the nature of the unsteadiness in an embedded stator of a three stage axial flow compressor. Detailed area traverse measurements using pneumatic five hole probe, thermocouple probe, semi-conductor total pressure probe (Kulite) and an aspirating probe downstream of the second stator were conducted at the peak efficiency operating condition. The unsteady data was then reduced through an ensemble averaging technique which splits the signal into deterministic and unresolved components. Auto and cross correlation techniques were used to correlate the deterministic total temperature and velocity components (acquired using a slanted hot-film probe at the same measurement locations) and the gradients, distributions and relative weights of each of the terms of the average passage equation were then determined. Based on these measurements it was observed that the stator wakes, hub leakage flow region, casing endwall suction surface corner region, and the casing endwall region away from the blade surfaces were the regions of highest losses in total pressure, lowest efficiency and highest levels of unresolved unsteadiness. The deterministic unsteadiness was found to be high in the hub and casing endwall regions as well as on the pressure side of the stator wake. The spectral distribution of hot-wire and kulite voltages shows that at least eight harmonics of all three rotor blade passing frequencies are present at this measurement location. In addition to the basic three rotor blade passing frequencies (R1, R2 and R3) and their harmonics, various difference frequencies such as (2R1 -R2) and (2R3-R2) and their harmonics are also observed. These difference frequencies are due to viscous and potential interactions between rotors 1, 2 and 3 which are sensed by both the total pressure and aspirating probes at this location. Significant changes occur to the stator exit flow features with passage of the rotor upstream of the stator. Because of higher convection speeds of the rotor wake on the suction surface of the downstream stator than on the pressure side, the chopped rotor wake was found to be arriving at different times on either side of the stator wake. As the rotor passes across the stator.

Suryavamshi, N.↗
NASA NTRS1958

Flight Investigation of a Normal-Acceleration Automatic Longitudinal Control System in a Fighter Airplane

A flight investigation was made to obtain experimental information on the handling qualities of a normal-acceleration type of automatic longitudinal control system. The control system was installed in a subsonic fighter-type airplane. In hands-off (stick-free) flight the normal-acceleration control system attempted to regulate the normal acceleration to a constant value which is dependent on the automatic-control-system trim setting. In maneuvering flight a given pilot's stick deflection produced a proportional change in normal acceleration, the change in acceleration being independent of flight condition. A small side-located controller stick was used by the pilot to introduce signals into the automatic control system. In the flight program emphasis was placed on the acceleration-limiting capabilities of the control system. The handling qualities were investigated in maneuvers such as slow and rapid pull-ups and turns and also in flight operations such as cruising, stalls, landings, aerobatics, and air-to-air tracking. Good acceleration limiting was obtained with the normal-acceleration control system by limiting the magnitude of the input signal that the pilot could introduce into the control system. The same values of control-system gain settings could be used from an acceleration-limiting stand-point at both 10,000 and 30,000 feet for the complete speed range of the airplane. The response characteristics of the airplane-control system combination were also satisfactory at both high and low altitude with these same values of control-system gain setting. In the pilot's opinion, the normal-acceleration control system provided good stability and control characteristics in flight operations such as cruising, stalls, landings, aerobatics, and air-to-air tracking.

Sjoberg, S. A.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Theoretical Study of the Effect of an AlGaAs Double Heterostructure on Metal-Semiconductor-Metal Photodetector Performance

The impulse and square-wave input response of different GaAs metal-semiconductor-metal photodetector (MSM) designs are theoretically examined using a two dimensional drift- diffusion numerical calculation with a thermionic-field emission boundary condition model for the heterojunctions. The rise time and the fall time of the output signal current are calculated for a simple GaAs, epitaxially grown, MSM device as well as for various double-heterostructure barrier devices. The double heterostructure devices consist of an AlGaAs layer sandwiched between the top GaAs active, absorption layer and the bottom GaAs substrate. The effect of the depth of the AlGaAs layer on the speed and responsivity of the MSM devices is examined. It is found that there is an optimal depth, at fixed applied bias, of the AlGaAs layer within the structure that provides maximum responsivity at minimal compromise in speed.

Salem, Ali F.↗
NASA NTRS2003

Flux-Based Deadbeat Control of Induction-Motor Torque

An improved method and prior methods of deadbeat direct torque control involve the use of pulse-width modulation (PWM) of applied voltages. The prior methods are based on the use of stator flux and stator current as state variables, leading to mathematical solutions of control equations in forms that do not lend themselves to clear visualization of solution spaces. In contrast, the use of rotor and stator fluxes as the state variables in the present improved method lends itself to graphical representations that aid in understanding possible solutions under various operating conditions. In addition, the present improved method incorporates the superposition of high-frequency carrier signals for use in a motor-self-sensing technique for estimating the rotor shaft angle at any speed (including low or even zero speed) without need for additional shaft-angle-measuring sensors.

Kenny, Barbara H.↗
NASA NTRS2012

Spatial Distribution of Accuracy of Aerosol Retrievals from Multiple Satellite Sensors

Remote sensing of aerosols from space has been a subject of extensive research, with multiple sensors retrieving aerosol properties globally on a daily or weekly basis. The diverse algorithms used for these retrievals operate on different types of reflected signals based on different assumptions about the underlying physical phenomena. Depending on the actual retrieval conditions and especially on the geographical location of the sensed aerosol parcels, the combination of these factors might be advantageous for one or more of the sensors and unfavorable for others, resulting in disagreements between similar aerosol parameters retrieved from different sensors. In this presentation, we will demonstrate the use of the Multi-sensor Aerosol Products Sampling System (MAPSS) to analyze and intercompare aerosol retrievals from multiple spaceborne sensors, including MODIS (on Terra and Aqua), MISR, OMI, POLDER, CALIOP, and SeaWiFS. Based on this intercomparison, we are determining geographical locations where these products provide the greatest accuracy of the retrievals and identifying the products that are the most suitable for retrieval at these locations. The analyses are performed by comparing quality-screened satellite aerosol products to available collocated ground-based aerosol observations from the Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) stations, during the period of 2006-2010 when all the satellite sensors were operating concurrently. Furthermore, we will discuss results of a statistical approach that is applied to the collocated data to detect and remove potential data outliers that can bias the results of the analysis.

Petrenko, Maksym↗
NASA NTRS2011

Accelerated Aging Experiments for Prognostics of Damage Growth in Composite Materials

Composite structures are gaining importance for use in the aerospace industry. Compared to metallic structures their behavior is less well understood. This lack of understanding may pose constraints on their use. One possible way to deal with some of the risks associated with potential failure is to perform in-situ monitoring to detect precursors of failures. Prognostic algorithms can be used to predict impending failures. They require large amounts of training data to build and tune damage model for making useful predictions. One of the key aspects is to get confirmatory feedback from data as damage progresses. These kinds of data are rarely available from actual systems. The next possible resource to collect such data is an accelerated aging platform. To that end this paper describes a fatigue cycling experiment with the goal to stress carbon-carbon composite coupons with various layups. Piezoelectric disc sensors were used to periodically interrogate the system. Analysis showed distinct differences in the signatures of growing failures between data collected at conditions. Periodic X-radiographs were taken to assess the damage ground truth. Results after signal processing showed clear trends of damage growth that were correlated to damage assessed from the X-ray images.

composites↗