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At least 1,243 records · Page 69

LaNi5 hydride cryogenic refrigerator test results

A complete LaNi5 hydrogen absorption cryogenic refrigerator system was developed. The system uses low temperature waste heat of approximately 100 C as a power source, and has no moving parts other than self operating valves. The cycle continues automatically by an electronic sequencing timing mechanism for the three compressors which are phased such that a constant supply of high pressure hydrogen gas is provided. It is indicated that with a fully clean hydrogen system, hundreds of thousand cycles should be attainable, even though some degradation may eventually occur. Simple vacuum reactivation of the hydride of moving parts, other than self operating, long life valves, the refrigerators predicted life is extremely long.

Jones, J. A.↗

NSI-1 Squib adapter development and final test report for usage on space shuttle gas sampler valve/bottle assembly 3270

The possibility of utilizing the NSI-1 squib in place cartridge assembly 2270 for the function of both events required for the Space Shuttle Gas Sampler Valve/Bottle Assembly 3270 was determined. Additionally, it was a requirement that the closure disk of the NSI-1 squib and explosive residue therefrom be retained from the valve cavity in so far as possible to prevent any significant particulate from scratching the valve bore and causing sample leakage following the postfire 2 event.

Siebel, J. E.↗

Growth of crystals from solutions in low gravity (A0139A)

The objective of the low gravity crystal growth experiments is to develop a novel solute diffusion method for growing single crystals. The experiments will utilize specially designed reactors with three or more compartments separated by valves to keep the reactant solutions and solvent separated until the apparatus reaches low gravity. There will be a mechanism for opening the valves automatically to initiate the diffusion and growth processes. The reactant reservoirs will be large enough to take advantage of the time provided by the Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) flight. An array of several reactors will be mounted in a 12-in.-deep end center tray located on the Earth-facing end of the LDEF. Several reactors operating simultaneously will allow experimentation with more than one crystal growth system and/or variations of conditions for each. The reactors will be enclosed in a vacuum tight container and will be surrounded by thermal insulation. The temperature (approximately 35 deg C) will be regulated and any departures from the desired temperature will be recorded. Power requirements will be provided by LiSO2 batteries.

Lind, M. D.↗

Diesel engine catalytic combustor system

A low compression turbocharged diesel engine is provided in which the turbocharger can be operated independently of the engine to power auxiliary equipment. Fuel and air are burned in a catalytic combustor to drive the turbine wheel of turbine section which is initially caused to rotate by starter motor. By opening a flapper value, compressed air from the blower section is directed to catalytic combustor when it is heated and expanded, serving to drive the turbine wheel and also to heat the catalytic element. To start, engine valve is closed, combustion is terminated in catalytic combustor, and the valve is then opened to utilize air from the blower for the air driven motor. When the engine starts, the constituents in its exhaust gas react in the catalytic element and the heat generated provides additional energy for the turbine section.

Ream, L. W.↗

Life test results of hydride compressors for cryogenic refrigerators

A development status assessment is made, from the viewpoint of system durability, for the hydride compressors used in such cryogenic refrigerators as that of the JPL, which has operated at 29 K for 500 hours and at lower temperatures for over 1000. Attention is given to a novel hydride compressor unit which has operated through 35,000 cycles and exhibits negligible degradation of check valves, hydride particle size, and expansion valves. The power requirement for liquid hydrogen cooling can be halved through the use of recuperative hot water heating methods, making this system comparable in power use to liquid hydrogen refrigeration systems operating on electricity. Due to the lack of moving parts in hydride refrigerator designs, potential service lifetimes of many years, and perhaps decades, are being projected.

Jones, J. A.↗

Quasi-Porous Plug With Vortex Chamber

Pressure-letdown valve combines quasi-porous-plug and vortex-chamber in one controllable unit. Valve useful in fossil-energy plants for reducing pressures in such erosive two-phase process streams as steam/water, coal slurries, or combustion gases with entrained particles. Quasi-Porous Plug consists of plenums separated by perforated plates. Number or size of perforations increases with each succeeding stage to compensate for expansion. In Vortex Chamber, control flow varies to control swirl and therefore difference between inlet and outlet pressures.

Walsh, J. V.↗

Measuring Moisture in Sealed Electronic Enclosures

Instrument checks trace amounts accurately. Moisture in hermeticallysealed electronic equipment measured by instrument designed for field use. Instrument also measures pressure, volume, and contaminants of gas in sealed enclosure. Plumbing for instrument uses vacuum-tight valves so any portion of instrument cleansed by opening certain valves to vacuum source. To ensure accuracy, manifolds are of minimal volume, each comprising only volume within cross-shaped tubing fittings.

Krieg, Herman C., Jr.↗

Wide-Brightness-Range Video Camera

Television camera selectively attenuates bright areas in scene without affecting dim areas. Camera views scenes containing extremes of light and dark without overexposing light areas and underexposing dark ones. Camera uses liquid-crystal light valve for selective attenuation. Feedback cathoderay tube locally alters reflection characteristics of liquid-crystal light valve. Results in point-to-point optoelectronic automatic gain control to enable viewing of both dark and very bright areas within scene.

Craig, G. D.↗

Advanced Vapor-Supply Manifold

Advanced vapor-supply manifold solves problem of manifold purging. Design virtually eliminates dead gas volumes in manifold system. System incorporates special valve into manifold in way that leaks and contamination problems of previous systems, which use tees and three-port valves, are minimized or eliminated in both main manifold line and in supply line. Of considerable use in gas manifold systems where even small amounts of gaseous impurities constitute problem or where more than one gaseous material used in single system.

Clark, I. O.↗

Pumped, Two-Phase Heat-Transfer Loop

Two-phase heat-transfer system delivers coolant to equipment as liquid and removes it as vapor. Alternatively, system heats equipment by delivering vapor and removing condensed liquid. Two-phase scheme effective for heat transfer over long distances. Heat-transfer plates remove heat from or supply heat to equipment. If temperature of plate is high, valve opens liquid-supply line to plate, and cooling results. If plate temperature is low, valve opens liquid-suction line to plate, and heating ensues.

Edelstein, F.↗

Orbital Maneuvering system design evolution

Preliminary design considerations and changes made in the baseline space shuttle orbital maneuvering system (OMS) to reduce cost and weight are detailed. The definition of initial subsystem requirements, trade studies, and design approaches are considered. Design features of the engine, its injector, combustion chamber, nozzle extension and bipropellant valve are illustrated and discussed. The current OMS consists of two identical pods that use nitrogen tetroxide (NTO) and monomethylhydrazine (MMH) propellants to provide 1000 ft/sec of delta velocity for a payload of 65,000 pounds. Major systems are pressurant gas storage and control, propellant storage supply and quantity measurement, and the rocket engine, which includes a bipropellant valve, an injector/thrust chamber, and a nozzle. The subsystem provides orbit insertion, circularization, and on orbit and deorbit capability for the shuttle orbiter.

Gibson, C.↗

Modeling the internal combustion engine

A flexible and computationally economical model of the internal combustion engine was developed for use on large digital computer systems. It is based on a system of ordinary differential equations for cylinder-averaged properties. The computer program is capable of multicycle calculations, with some parameters varying from cycle to cycle, and has restart capabilities. It can accommodate a broad spectrum of reactants, permits changes in physical properties, and offers a wide selection of alternative modeling functions without any reprogramming. It readily adapts to the amount of information available in a particular case because the model is in fact a hierarchy of five models. The models range from a simple model requiring only thermodynamic properties to a complex model demanding full combustion kinetics, transport properties, and poppet valve flow characteristics. Among its many features the model includes heat transfer, valve timing, supercharging, motoring, finite burning rates, cycle-to-cycle variations in air-fuel ratio, humid air, residual and recirculated exhaust gas, and full combustion kinetics.

Zeleznik, F. J.↗

Moisture content and gas sampling device

An apparatus is described for measuring minute quantities of moisture and other contaminants within sealed enclosures such as electronic assemblies which may be subject to large external atmospheric pressure variations. An array of vacuum quality valves is arranged to permit cleansing of the test apparatus of residual atmospheric components from a vacuum source. This purging operation evacuates a gas sample bottle, which is then connected by valve settings to provide the drive for withdrawing a gas sample from the sealed enclosure under test into the sample bottle through a colometric detector tube (Drager tube) which indicates moisture content. The sample bottle may be disconnected and its contents (drawn from the test enclosure) separately subjected to mass spectrograph analysis.

Krieg, H. C., Jr.↗

Spray applicator for spraying coatings and other fluids in space

A self contained spray application is developed for one handed operation in a zero gravity vacuum environment by a free flying astronaut not attached to any spacecraft. This spray applicator eliminates contamination of the operator by back spray. This applicator includes a rigid accumulator containment of a fluid within a flexible bladder the fluid being urged out of the accumulator under pressure through a spray gun. The spray gun includes a spring loaded lockable trigger which controls a valve. When in an open position, the fluid passes through the valve into the ambient environment in the form of a spray. A spray shield is provided which directs the flow of the spray from the applicator by trapping errant particles of spray yet allowing the passage of escaping gases through its material.

Kuminecz, J. F.↗

Variable-Displacement Hydraulic Drive Unit

Hydraulic power controlled through multiple feedback loops. In hydraulic drive unit, power closely matched to demand, thereby saving energy. Hydraulic flow to and from motor adjusted by motor-control valve connected to wobbler. Wobbler angle determines motor-control-valve position, which in turn determines motor displacement. Concept applicable to machine tools, aircraft controls, and marine controls.

Lang, D. J.↗

Optical stereo video signal processor

An otpical video signal processor is described which produces a two-dimensional cross-correlation in real time of images received by a stereo camera system. The optical image of each camera is projected on respective liquid crystal light valves. The images on the liquid crystal valves modulate light produced by an extended light source. This modulated light output becomes the two-dimensional cross-correlation when focused onto a video detector and is a function of the range of a target with respect to the stereo camera. Alternate embodiments utilize the two-dimensional cross-correlation to determine target movement and target identification.

Craig, G. D.↗

Remotely controllable mixing system

This invention relates to a remotely controllable mixing system in which a plurality of mixing assemblies are arranged in an annular configuration, and wherein each assembly employs a central chamber and two outer, upper and lower chambers. Valves are positioned between chambers, and these valves for a given mixing assembly are operated by upper and lower control rotors, which in turn are driven by upper and lower drive rotors. Additionally, a hoop is compressed around upper control rotors and a hoop is compressed around lower control rotors to thus insure constant frictional engagement between all control rotors and drive rotors. The drive rollers are driven by a motor.

Belew, R. R.↗

Air-Powered Projectile Launcher

Air-powered launcher fires plastic projectiles without using explosive propellants. Does not generate high temperatures. Launcher developed for combat training for U.S. Army. With reservoir pressurized, air launcher ready to fire. When pilot valve opened, sleeve (main valve) moves to rear. Projectile rapidly propelled through barrel, pushed by air from reservoir. Potential applications in seismic measurements, avalanche control, and testing impact resistance of windshields on vehicles.

Andrews, T.↗