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At least 127 records · Page 7

Hydrogen depolarized carbon dioxide concentrator performance improvements and cell pair structural tests

The investigations and testing associated with the CO2 removal efficiency and voltage degradation of a hydrogen depolarized carbon oxide concentrator are reported. Also discussed is the vibration testing of a water vapor electrolysis cell pair. Performance testing of various HDC cell pairs with Cs2CO3 electrolyte provided sufficient parametric and endurance data to size a six man space station prototype CO2 removal system as having 36 HDC cell pairs, and to verify a life capability exceeding six moths. Testing also demonstrated that tetramethylammonium carbonate is an acceptable HDC electrolyte for operating over the relative humidity range of 30 to 90 percent and over a temperature range of 50 to 80 F.

Huddleston, J. D.

Capability for aerothermal-structural tests of large-to-full-scale components of future space transportation systems

The design of viable, low-mass thermostructural concepts for future space transportation systems requires accurate definition of the localized heat flux, pressures, and flow-surface interaction parameters for complex flow regions of detailed areas of large vehicles, such as wing-elevon coves, thermal protection system tile gaps, and corrugated metallic surfaces. This paper discusses investigations recently conducted in and planned for two high-energy wind tunnels at the Langley Research Center - the 8-foot High-temperatures Tunnel and the Thermal Protection System Test Facility. The data obtained on large-to-full-scale vehicle components, comparisons of the experimental data with theory, and the large, reusable, generalized test apparatus available at or planned for these facilities are discussed.

Couch, L. M.

Status and future plans of the Drones for Aerodynamic and Structural Testing (DAST) program

Results from flight tests of the ARW-1 research wing are presented. Preliminary loads data and experiences with the active control system for flutter suppression are included along with comparative results of test and prediction for the flutter boundary of the supercritical research wing and on performance of the flutter suppression system. The status of the ARW-2 research wing is given.

Murrow, H. N.

Structural testing of the technology integration box beam

A full scale section of a transport aircraft wing box was designed, analyzed, fabricated, and tested. The wing box section, which was called the technology integration box beam, contained blade stiffened covers and T-stiffened channel spars constructed using graphite-epoxy materials. Covers, spars, and the aluminum ribs were assembled using mechanical fasteners. The box beam was statically tested for several loading conditions to verify the stiffness and strength characteristics of the composite wing design. Failure of the box beam occurred at 125 pct. of design limit load during the combined unbending and torsion ultimate design load test. It appears that the failure initiated at a stiffener runout location in the upper cover which resulted in rupture of the upper cover and portions of both spars.

Griffin, C. F.

Structural testing of the technology integration box beam

A full-scale section of a transport aircraft wing box was designed, analyzed, fabricated, and tested. The wing box section, which was called the technology integration box beam, contained blade stiffened covers and T-stiffened channel spars constructed using graphite/epoxy materials. Covers, spars, and the aluminum ribs were assembled using mechanical fasteners. The box beam was statically tested for several loading conditions to verify the stiffness and strength characteristics of the composite wing design. Failure of the box beam occurred at 125 percent of design limit load during the combined upbending and torsion ultimate design load test. It appears that the failure initiated at a stiffener runout location in the upper cover which resulted in rupture of the upper cover and portions of both spars.

Griffin, C. F.

Suggested Procedures for Installing Strain Gauges on Langley Research Center Wind Tunnel Balances, Custom Force Measuring Transducers, Metallic and Composite Structural Test Articles

The character of force and strain measurement testing at LaRC is such that the types of strain gauge installations, the materials upon which the strain gauges are applied, and the test environments encountered, require many varied approaches. In 1997, a NASA Technical Memorandum (NASA TM 110327) was generated to provide the strain gauge application specialist with a listing of recommended procedures for strain gauging various transducers and test articles at LaRC. The technical memorandum offered here is an effort to keep the strain gauge user informed of new technological enhancements in strain-gauging methodology while preserving the strain-gauging guidelines set forth in the 1997 TM. This document provides detailed recommendations for strain gauging LaRC-designed balances and custom transducers, composite materials, cryogenic and high-temperature test articles, and selected non-typical or unique materials or test conditions. Additionally, one section offers details for installing Bragg-Grating type fiber-optic strain sensors for non-typical test scenarios.

Moore, Thomas C., Sr.

Test Structures for Rapid Prototyping of Gas and Pressure Sensors

A multi-project ceramic substrate was used in developing a gas sensor and pressure sensor. The ceramic substrate cantained 36 chips with six variants including sensors, process control monitors, and an interconnect ship. Tha gas sensor is being developed as an air quality monitor and the pressure gauge as a barometer.

ceramics ceramic substrate gas sensor pressure sen

Structures Test Laboratory (STL). User Test Planning Guide

Test process, milestones and inputs are unknowns to first-time users of the STL. The User Test Planning Guide aids in establishing expectations for both NASA and non-NASA facility customers. The potential audience for this guide includes both internal and commercial spaceflight hardware/software developers. It is intended to assist their test engineering personnel in test planning and execution. Material covered includes a roadmap of the test process, roles and responsibilities of facility and user, major milestones, facility capabilities, and inputs required by the facility. Samples of deliverables, test article interfaces, and inputs necessary to define test scope, cost, and schedule are included as an appendix to the guide.

Zipay, John J.

PAF Structural Test Design/Analysis

The ET50 team was tasked with designing and analyzing various STE to support development and qualification tests for the Space Launch System (SLS) Payload Adapter Fitting (PAF). Axial, shear, and torsion load line assemblies are among the needed STE hardware. The product starts with a design concept with requirements by the customer.

Hao Hua

D-1A nose fairing separation fitting load test

Structural testing of the D-1A Centaur nose fairing was completed to determine the loads imposed during flight on the latch bolts of the fairing separation system. This testing was conducted to supplement and/or verify the analytic techniques used in calculating bolt loads for the D-1A, and to gain insight into the general structural behavior of separation latch systems. It was shown that the assumed bolt load magnification due to prying action of the latch fittings on the bolt does occur, but is strongly dependent on fairing shell stiffness.

Vanvleet, J. O.

Locating Small Leaks in Large Structures

Test tool for detecting minute leads in bimetal joints, welds, or other locations employs fine-control valve and hypodermic needle. Test item is connected in conventional manner to helium mass spectrometer tuned to read extremely small amounts of helium gas. Uniqueness of method is ability to detect tiny leaks, through surfaces, not discoverable by gross coverage of test structures by helium gas.

Lawler, W. F.

Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) structural verification test report

Structural load tests on the Long Duration Exposure Facility's (LDEF) primary structure were conducted. These tests had three purposes: (1) demonstrate structural adequacy of the assembled LDEF primary structure when subjected to anticipated flight loads; (2) verify analytical models and methods used in loads and stress analysis; and (3) perform tests to comply with the Space Transportation System (STS) requirements. Test loads were based on predicted limit loads which consider all flight events. Good agreement is shown between predicted and observed load, strain, and deflection data. Test data show that the LDEF structure was subjected to 1.2 times limit load to meet the STS requirements. The structural adequacy of the LDEF is demonstrated.

Jones, T. C.