Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “Drives”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 127 records · Page 7
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1984

An advanced pitch change mechanism incorporating a hybrid traction drive

A design of a propeller pitch control mechanism is described that meets the demanding requirements of a high-power, advanced turboprop. In this application, blade twisting moment torque can be comparable to that of the main reduction gearbox output: precise pitch control, reliability and compactness are all at a premium. A key element in the design is a compact, high-ratio hybrid traction drive which offers low torque ripple and high torsional stiffness. The traction drive couples a high speed electric motor/alternator unit to a ball screw that actuates the blade control links. The technical merits of this arrangement and the performance characteristics of the traction drive are discussed.

Steinetz, B. M.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Dynamic Effects of Internal Spur-Gear Drives

Set of computer programs developed for studying dynamic effects of internal spur-gear drives. New analysis procedure used for gear combinations leading up to and exceeding "very high contact ratio" (VHCR) of three. Parametric studies with new computer programs revealed impressive list of advantages of internal spur-gear drives over external spur-gear drives.

Printz, A.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Evaluation of half wave induction motor drive for use in passenger vehicles

Research performed at the University of Missouri-Columbia to devise and design a lower cost inverter induction motor drive for electrical propulsion of passenger vehicles is described. A two phase inverter motor system is recommended. The new design is predicted to provide comparable vehicle performance, improved reliability and a cost advantage for a high production vehicle, decreased total rating of the power semiconductor switches, and a somewhat simpler control hardware compared to the conventional three phase bridge inverter motor drive system. The major disadvantages of the two phase inverter motor drive are that it is larger and more expensive than a three phase machine, the design of snubbers for the power leakage inductances produce higher transient voltages, and the torque pulsations are relatively large because of the necessity to limit the inverter switching frequency to achieve high efficiency.

Hoft, R. G.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Inversion for the driving forces of plate tectonics

Inverse modeling techniques have been applied to the problem of determining the roles of various forces that may drive and resist plate tectonic motions. Separate linear inverse problems have been solved to find the best fitting pole of rotation for finite element grid point velocities and to find the best combination of force models to fit the observed relative plate velocities for the earth's twelve major plates using the generalized inverse operator. Variance-covariance data on plate motion have also been included. Results emphasize the relative importance of ridge push forces in the driving mechanism. Convergent margin forces are smaller by at least a factor of two, and perhaps by as much as a factor of twenty. Slab pull, apparently, is poorly transmitted to the surface plate as a driving force. Drag forces at the base of the plate are smaller than ridge push forces, although the sign of the force remains in question.

Richardson, R. M.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Chemistry and petrology of Apollo 12 drive tube 12027

Papike et al. (1982) have provided a summary of previous petrologic and chemical studies of the lunar regolith, taking into account samples from all of the Apollo and Luna sites. On the basis of these studies, an understanding is obtained of the processes which form and characterize the lunar regolith. It is found that comminution of local lithologies by meteorite impact and soil mixing are the most important regolith-forming processes. On the basis of grain size studies of Apollo 14 surface, trench, and drive tube soils, Simin et al. (1982) and Laul et al. (1982) concluded that comminution of local lithologies and vertical soil mixing processes are most important in the formation of the soils at that site. In the present investigation, this study of chemistry and petrology of lunar soils is extended to the Apollo 12 drive tube 12027. This drive tube provides an opportunity to study lunar soil from a depositional environment involving a location at the rim of a crater. The chemical and petrologic data are found to be consistent and suggest three stratigraphic units in the 12027 core.

Smith, M. R.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Rotary Drive Mechanism Accepts Two Inputs

Mechanism connects two drives to single output shaft without clutches or planetary gears. More reliable than clutch-based two-drive mechanism and less bulky than planetary mechanism. Moreover, designed for any ratio of output to input speed, including an 1:1 ratio, unlike planetary gears. Drives operate simultaneously or separately.

Webster, Larry D.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Magnetic drive coupling

The driving and driven members of a magnetic drive are separated by en enlarged gap to provide clearance for a conduit or other member. Flux pins in the gap maintain the torque transmitting capability of the drive. The spacing between two of the flux pins is increased to provide space for the conduit.

Carter, Edward L.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Traction-drive force transmission for telerobotic joints

A mechanism which meets the requirements of a teleoperated manipulator and those of an autonomous robot is discussed. The mechanism is a traction-drive differential that uses variable preload mechanisms. The differential provides compact design, with dextrous motion range and torque density similar to geared systems. The traction drive offers high stiffness to backlash for good robotic performance. The variable-loading mechanism (VLM) minimizes the drive-train friction for improved teleoperation. This combination provides a mechanism to allow advanced manipulation with either teleoperated control or autonomous robotic operation. The design principles of both major components of the joint mechanism are described.

Williams, D. M.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Focus drive mechanism for the International Ultraviolet Explorer

The mechanical design of the compact and robust focus drive apparatus developed for the IUE's scientific instrumentation is based on a novel planetary drive that converts the angular increments of a permanent magnet stepping motor into simultaneous linear displacements of three ball screws supporting the secondary mirror. Significant torque margins are thus produced while yielding exceptionally smooth and reliable operation. Attention is given to mechanical drive materials-selection criteria.

Schuster, Ludwig E.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Traction-drive force transmission for telerobotic joints

The U.S. Space Station Program is providing many technological developments to meet the increasing demands of designing such a facility. One of the key areas of research is that of telerobotics for space station assembly and maintenance. Initial implementation will be teleoperated, but long-term plans call for autonomous robotics. One of the essential components for making this transition successful is the manipulator joints mechanism. Historically, teleoperated manipulators and industrial robotics have had very different mechanisms for force transmission. This is because the design objectives are almost mutually exclusive. A teleoperator must have very low friction and inertia to minimize operator fatigue; backlash and stiffness are of secondary concern. A robot, however, must have minimum backlash, and high stiffness for accurate and rapid positioning. A joint mechanism has yet to be developed that can optimize these divergent performance objectives. A joint mechanism that approaches this optimal performance was developed for NASA Langley, Automation Technology Branch. It is a traction-drive differential that uses variable preload mechanisms. The differential provides compact, dexterous motion range with a torque density similar to geared systems. The traction drive offers high stiffness and zero backlash, for good robotic performance, and the variable loading mechanism (VLM) minimizes the drive-train friction, for improved teleoperation.

Kuban, D. P.↗
NASA NTRS1990

MHD simulations of coronal mass ejections - Importance of the driving mechanism

The importance of the form of the driving mechanism in MHD simulations of coronal mass ejections is investigated. A model simulation problem is devised, and it is found that the use of a simple form for the initial corona, with an upward moving parcel of cold, dense plasma as the driving mechanism, can produce results that are consistent with many of the features observed by coronagraphs. The results imply that the nature of the driving mechanism may play an important role in determining the dynamical evolution of mass ejections.

Linker, J. A.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Bidirectional Drive-And-Brake Mechanism

Vehicle that crawls along monorail combines features of both bicycle and railroad handcar. Bidirectional drive-and-brake mechanism includes selectable-pawl-and-ratchet overrunning clutch (drive mechanism) and mating stationary and rotating conical surfaces pressing against each other (brake mechanism). Operates similarly to bicycle drive-and-brake mechanism except limits rotation of sprocket in both directions and brakes at both limits. Conceived for use by astronaut traveling along structure in outer space, concept also applied on Earth to make very small railraod handcars or crawling vehicles for use on large structures, in pipelines under construction, or underwater.

Swan, Scott A.↗
NASA NTRS1991

An efficient supersonic wind tunnel drive system for Mach 2.5 flows

A novel efficient drive system has been developed which provides for the continuous operation of a pitot Mach 2.5 wind tunnel at compression ratios down to 0.625:1. The drive system does not require an overpressure to start, and no hysteresis has been observed. The general design of the proof-of-concept wind tunnel using the new drive system and its modifications are described.

Wolf, Stephen W. D.↗
NASA NTRS1991

An efficient tip jet drive

A reexamination is conducted of the ideal propulsive efficiency of helicopter main rotor tipjet drives, in view of reduced tip-speed and lower jet exhaust velocity possibilities afforded by more advanced rotor designs than those contemplated in the 1950s. Relative to a hot jet-drive design, the most efficient system presently formulated inproves ideal propulsive efficiency by 62 percent, actual propulsive efficiency by 45 percent, and overall fuel efficiency by 19 percent. This vehicle, with reduced rotor speed and ibcreased rotor solidity, will result in a lighter, quieter vehicle than a turboshaft rotor-drive system, up to a gross vehicle weight of 36,400 lbs.

Phillips, James D.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Development of a computer algorithm for the analysis of variable-frequency AC drives: Case studies included

The development of computer software for performance prediction and analysis of voltage-fed, variable-frequency AC drives for space power applications is discussed. The AC drives discussed include the pulse width modulated inverter (PWMI), a six-step inverter and the pulse density modulated inverter (PDMI), each individually connected to a wound-rotor induction motor. Various d-q transformation models of the induction motor are incorporated for user-selection of the most applicable model for the intended purpose. Simulation results of selected AC drives correlate satisfactorily with published results. Future additions to the algorithm are indicated. These improvements should enhance the applicability of the computer program to the design and analysis of space power systems.

Kankam, M. David↗
NASA NTRS1990

Effects of the driving mechanism in MHD simulations of coronal mass ejections

Results of time-dependent MHD simulations of mass ejections in the solar coronal are presented. Previous authors have shown that results from simulations using a thermal driving mechanism are consistent with the observations only if an elaborate model of the initial corona is used. The first simulation effort, using a simple model of a plasmoid as the driving mechanism and a simple model of the initial corona, produces results that are also consistent with many observational features, suggesting that the nature of the driving mechanism plays an important role in determining the subsequent evolution of mass ejections. First simulations are based on the assumption that mass ejections are driven by magnetic forces.

Linker, J. A.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Magnetostrictive Roller-Drive Stepping Motor

Proposed motor based on magnetostrictive effect provides stepped angular motion with angular increments of order of 100 microradians. Driven to repeat stepping cycle rapidly enough to achieve maximum speed of about 20 rpm, provides torque an order of magnitude greater than electric motors, and brakes itself when power turned off. Magnetostrictive rods in electromagnet coils push against drive plate, causing it to rotate slightly. This slight rotation jams conical rollers between cam surfaces on outer drive ring and split drum, so rollers transmit rotation to drum. Suitable for precise, high-torque, fail-safe-braking, direct drive of robot joint, without bulk and weight of additional brake mechanism and gear train.

Vranish, John M.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Mechanical Design Engineering Enabler Project wheel and wheel drives

Our group was assigned the responsibility of designing the wheel and wheel drive system for a proof-of-concept model of the lunar-based ENABLER. ENABLER is a multi-purpose, six wheeled vehicle designed to lift and transport heavy objects associated with the construction of a lunar base. The resulting design was based on the performance criteria of the ENABLER. The drive system was designed to enable the vehicle to achieve a speed of 7 mph on a level surface, climb a 30 percent grade, and surpass a one meter high object and one meter wide crevice. The wheel assemblies were designed to support the entire weight of the vehicle on two wheels. The wheels were designed to serve as the main component of the vehicle's suspension and will provide suitable traction for lunar-type surfaces. The expected performance of the drive system for the ENABLER was influenced by many mechanical factors. The expected top speed on a level sandy surface is 4 mph instead of the desired 7 mph. This is due to a lack of necessary power at the wheels. The lack of power resulted from dimension considerations that allowed only an eight horsepower engine and also from mechanical inefficiencies of the hydraulic system. However, the vehicle will be able to climb a 30 percent grade, surpass a one meter high object and one meter wide crevice. The wheel assemblies will be able to support the entire weight of the vehicle on two wheels. The wheels will also provide adequate suspension for the vehicle and sufficient traction for lunar-type surfaces.

Nutt, Richard E.↗