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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 127 records · Page 7

Design of a three-phase, 15-kilovolt-ampere static inverter for motor-starting a Brayton space power system

The design of a three-phase, 400-Hz, 15-kVA static inverter for motor-starting the 2- to 15-kWe Brayton electrical space power system is described. The inverter operates from a nominal 56-V dc source to provide a 28-V, rms, quasi-square-wave output. The inverter is capable of supplying a 200-A peak current. Integrated circuitry is used to generate the three-phase, 400-Hz reference signals. Performance data for a drive stage that improves switching speed and provides efficient operation over a range of output current and drive supply voltage are presented. A transformerless, transistor output stage is used.

Frye, R. J.↗

The hard start phenomena in hypergolic engines. Volume 1: Bibliography

A bibliography of reports pertaining to the hard start phenomenon in attitude control rocket engines on Apollo spacecraft is presented. Some of the subjects discussed are; (1) combustion of hydrazine, (2) one dimensional theory of liquid fuel rocket combustion, (3) preignition phenomena in small pulsed rocket engines, (4) experimental and theoretical investigation of the fluid dynamics of rocket combustion, and (5) nonequilibrium combustion and nozzle flow in propellant performance.

Miron, Y.↗

The hard start phenomena in hypergolic engines. Volume 2: Combustion characteristics of propellants and propellant combinations

The combustion characteristics of hypergolic propellants are described. A research project was conducted to determine if the reaction control system engine propellants on Apollo spacecraft undergo explosive reaction when subjected to conditions present in the engine at the time of ignition. Combustion characteristics pertinent to the hard-start phenomenon are considered. The thermal stability of frozen mixtures of hydrazine-based fuels with nitrogen tetroxide was analyzed. Results of the tests are presented in the form of tables and graphs.

Miron, Y.↗

Development of a long wavelength spectrometer for the 24-channel multispectral scanner: Instructions for installation, start-up, and adjustment

The basic information is presented, which is required for start-up and operation of two long-wavelength focal-plane and cooler assemblies, including the amplifiers and temperature control systems. The focal plane systems, referred to as the long wavelength spectrometer (LWS) were developed for direct replacement of Arrays 3 and 4 into the multispectral scanner presently being operated by the NASA Manned Spacecraft Center Facility, and Laboratory Support Branch. The equipment is comprised of two major sub-assemblies: Array 3 with three indium antimonide detector channels and Array 4 with seven mercury doped Germanium detector channels. Each array is mounted on a cryogenic cooler and includes the vacuum housings, mounting hardware (x, y, z translation and rotation stages) and detector signal conditioning, temperature control and monitoring electronics. The two arrays were designed to operate independently and do not share common equipment (viz power supplies, housings, mounts, etc.).

Source record↗

Investigation of the starting transients of high performance solid-propellant motors

The starting transients of solid propellant engines were investigated to develop design principles for predicting transients in high performance igniter and engine configurations. Research and diagnosis were conducted on the processes affecting ignition transients, such as heat flux, igniter, flame spreading over the surface, and nonsteady combustion gas dynamics. Abstracts of published reports related to this research are presented. Topics discussed include: development of an analytical model, analytical prediction of the entire ignition transient, transient behavior of pressure and regression rate during reignition after shut-down, and problems associated with restarting hybrid rocket engines.

Summerfield, M.↗

The hard start phenomena in hypergolic engines. Volume 3: Physical and combustion characteristics of engine residuals

An investigation was conducted to determine the cause of starting problems in the hypergolic rocket engines of the Apollo reaction control (RCS) engines. The scope of the investigation was as follows: (1) to establish that chemical reactions occurred during the preignition and post combustion periods, (2) to identify the chemical species of the products of preignition and post combustion reaction, and (3) to determine the explosive nature of the identified species. The methods used in identifying the chemical products are described species. The infrared spectra, X-ray spectra, and other signatures of the compounds are presented. The physical and explosion characteristics of various hypergolic agents are reported.

Miron, Y.↗

The hard start phenomena in hypergolic engines. Volume 4: The chemistry of hydrazine fuels and nitrogen tetroxide propellant systems

The various chemical reactions that occur and that could possibly occur in the RCS engines utilizing hydrazine-type fuel/nitrogen tetroxide propellant systems, prior to ignition (preignition), during combustion, and after combustion (postcombustion), and endeavors to relate the hard-start phenomenon to some of these reactions are discussed. The discussion is based on studies utilizing a variety of experimental techniques and apparatus as well as current theories of chemical reactions and reaction kinetics. The chemical reactions were studied in low pressure gas flow reactors, low temperature homogeneous- and heterogeneous-phase reactors, simulated two-dimensional (2-D) engines, and scaled and full size engines.

Miron, Y.↗

Some self starting integrators for x Prime equals f (x, t)

The integration is discussed of the vector differential equation X = F(x, t) from time t sub i to t sub (i = 1) where only the values of x sub i are available for the the integration. No previous values of x or x prime are used. Using an orbit integration problem, comparisons are made between Taylor series integrators and various types and orders of Runge-Kutta integrators. A fourth order Runge-Kutta type integrator for orbital work is presented, and approximate (there may be no exact) fifth order Runge-Kutta integrators are discussed. Also discussed and compared is a self starting integrator ising delta f/delta x. A numerical method for controlling the accuracy of integration is given, and the special equations for accurately integrating accelerometer data are shown.

Lear, W. M.↗

A finite-difference analysis of the nozzle starting process in an expansion tunnel

A suitable finite-difference method for computing the quasi-one-dimensional unsteady flow in an expansion tunnel nozzle was identified. The difference equations are presented along with the appropriate stability limits. A parametric study of the starting process in an expansion tunnel nozzle is made, and acceptable operating conditions were determined.

Weilmuenster, K. J.↗

Time development of the flow about an impulsively started cylinder

A method is developed to determine the time-dependent flowfield about an impulsively started circular cylinder. An outer potential flow model is interfaced with an inner viscous flow region. The wake is described by a set of elementary point vortices. The position at which the point vortices are shed from the cylinder is obtained from a solution to the unsteady incompressible laminar boundary-layer equations. A rear shear-layer is postulated to account for backflow induced vorticity. Wake development is detailed from the initial formation of the two symmetric vortices to subsequent asymmetry and eventual alternate shedding. Unsteady pressure distributions, lift and drag forces, and Strouhal number are calculated and compared with experiment.

Deffenbaugh, F. D.↗

A numerical method for the exact calculation of airloads associated with impulsively started wings

A numerical method is developed to calculate three-dimensional potential flows due to the steady and impulsive motion of isolated wing and wing-wing interaction problems. The velocity potential is represented by a discrete set of constant-doublet quadrilaterals on wing and wake surfaces. The exact surface boundary condition is enforced, and the solution is obtained in a step-by-step fashion, configurations being impulsively started from rest. Free-wake geometries are generated for each time step with Rankine or Lamb viscous vortex segments used in wake-velocity calculations. Sample results include calculated performance to steady state for a thick wing and indicial lift of a wing-wing interaction problem.

Summa, J. M.↗

Start up system for hydrogen generator used with an internal combustion engine

A hydrogen generator provides hydrogen rich product gases which are mixed with the fuel being supplied to an internal combustion engine for the purpose of enabling a very lean mixture of that fuel to be used, whereby nitrous oxides emitted by the engine are minimized. The hydrogen generator contains a catalyst which must be heated to a pre-determined temperature before it can react properly. To simplify the process of heating up the catalyst at start-up time, either some of the energy produced by the engine such as engine exhaust gas, or electrical energy produced by the engine, or the engine exhaust gas may be used to heat up air which is then used to heat the catalyst.

Houseman, J.↗

Theory of bubble dynamics in condensed explosive during start-up transient

Test firings with experimental liquid propellant gun systems indicate that the main concern standing in the way of practical application of LPG's is the possibility of unexpected explosions during start up when pressure is rapidly applied to the liquid monopropellant in the chamber. The phenomenon of many collapse-rebound cycles of imploding bubbles is theorized as the probable cause of explosions in LP systems. It may be concluded that LPG safety would be enhanced by choosing an LP with low bulk modulus, as well as low decomposition reaction rate, and that a benign looking DTA trace is not a sufficient quarantee of insensitivity to a pressure induced explosion. It is also shown that pre-pressurizing an LP charge, thus pre-compressing the bubbles near-isothermally, makes the system relatively insensitive to such pressure induced explosions. The applicability of this analysis to the question of acceleration induced explosion of explosive filled warheads is indicated.

Benreuven, M.↗

An investigation of the lag between the start of research and the development of new technology

The lag which occurs between the start of NASA-sponsored research and the development of new technology is addressed. A possible common gestation period is examined. The lags vary from one to zero years. The observed lag as it relates to patent applications is shorter than the lag as it relates to invention disclosures. The sequential hypothesis testing showed that invention disclosures correlated better to the measures of research effort used then did patent applications.

Glass, S. E.↗