SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “performance envelope”

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.

SourceResearch connectionFrom yearThrough year

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

At least 1,315 records · Page 73

All sources NASA NTRS DOE OSTI

NASA NTRS2018

Investigation of Bolt Preload Relaxation for JWST Thermal Heat Strap Assembly Joints with Aluminum-1100 and Indium Gaskets

Accurately predicting fastener preload relaxation in the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) heat strap assemblies is essential to insure adequate thermal performance during its mission lifecycle. The mechanisms for preload relaxation in the strap joints include Al-1100 material creep, indium gasket flow-out, and embedment of the joint faying surfaces. This report documents the results from a bolted joint relaxation test, including analysis and curve fitting of the test data for predicting preloads five years after initial torque application. The report also includes the derivation of a preload uncertainty factor enveloping both torque/preload application scatter and expected preload relaxation at the end of mission life.

Preload↗

DOE OSTI2023

ECAR-6076 Rev 0 MARVEL Reactor End of Life Enveloping Radiological Source Term

As part of the Microreactor Applications Research Validation and Evaluation Project (MARVEL) design effort, an enveloping end of life radiological source term for the reactor fuel and sodiumpotassium (NaK) eutectic coolant is calculated in support of the MARVEL preliminary hazard evaluation. The source term calculation assumes slightly more than two-years of uninterrupted operations at a power of about 120 kW for a total energy of 7,600,000 MJ which exceeds the planned two-year operation at 100 kW. The Reactor modeling was performed with MCNP6 Version 1.0 and the depletion was performed using the COUPLE and ORIGEN modules from the SCALE Version 6.2 code package.

21 - SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLAN↗

DOE OSTI2017

Pendulum Systems with Dynamical Symmetry

In this paper, we consider a class of oscillatory mechanical systems described by nonlinear second-order differential equations that contain parameters with variable dissipation and possess the property of dynamic symmetry. We study properties of mathematical models of such systems depending on parameters. Special attention is paid to bifurcations and reconstructions of phase portraits and the appearance and disappearance of cycles that envelope the phase cylinder or lie entirely on its covering. We present a complete parametric analysis of system with position-viscous friction and four parameters, where the force action linearly depends on the speed. The space of parameters is split into domains in which the topological behavior of the system is preserved. For some classes of pendulum systems whose right-hand sides depend on smooth functions, a qualitative analysis is performed, i.e., the space of systems considered is split into domains of different behavior of trajectories on the phase cylinder of quasi-velocities. We also perform a systematic analysis of the problem on an aerodynamic pendulum and detect periodic modes unknown earlier; these modes correspond to cycles in the mathematical model.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

DOE OSTI2017

Commercial Building Energy Asset Score

This software (Asset Scoring Tool) is designed to help building owners and managers to gain insight into the as-built efficiency of their buildings. It is a web tool where users can enter their building information and obtain an asset score report. The asset score report consists of modeled building energy use (by end use and by fuel type), building systems (envelope, lighting, heating, cooling, service hot water) evaluations, and recommended energy efficiency measures. The intended users are building owners and operators who have limited knowledge of building energy efficiency. The scoring tool collects minimum building data (~20 data entries) from users and build a full-scale energy model using the inference functionalities from Facility Energy Decision System (FEDS). The scoring tool runs real-time building energy simulation using EnergyPlus and performs life-cycle cost analysis using FEDS. An API is also under development to allow the third-party applications to exchange data with the web service of the scoring tool.

Source record↗

DOE OSTI2016

A MULTIWAVELENGTH CHARACTERIZATION OF PROTO-BROWN-DWARF CANDIDATES IN SERPENS

We present results from a deep submillimeter survey in the Serpens Main and Serpens/G3–G6 clusters, conducted with the Submillimetre Common-User Bolometer Array (SCUBA-2) at the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope. We have combined near- and mid-infrared spectroscopy, Herschel PACS far-infrared photometry, submillimeter continuum, and molecular gas line observations, with the aim of conducting a detailed multiwavelength characterization of “proto-brown-dwarf” (proto-BD) candidates in Serpens. We have performed continuum and line radiative transfer modeling and have considered various classification schemes to understand the structure and the evolutionary stage of the system. We have identified four proto-BD candidates, of which the lowest-luminosity source has an L {sub bol} ∼ 0.05 L {sub ☉}. Two of these candidates show characteristics consistent with Stage 0/I systems, while the other two are Stage I-T/Class Flat systems with tenuous envelopes. Our work has also revealed a ∼20% fraction of misidentified Class 0/I/Flat sources that show characteristics consistent with Class II edge-on disk systems. We have set constraints on the mass of the central object using the measured bolometric luminosities and numerical simulations of stellar evolution. Considering the available gas+dust mass reservoir and the current mass of the central source, three of these candidates are likely to evolve into BDs.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

NASA NTRS1996

The Spectral Energy Distribution of HH 100 IRS

Recent progress in the modeling of the radiative transfer in star forming regions has lead to improved dusty envelope models. Such models can now explain in great detail the observed infrared spectrum. The success of such models suggests that input parameters correspond to the true physical situation of the environment of the young stellar object. However, so far only minor attention has been given to models which include the spectroscopic signature of ice bands. Such models are applied to the Herbig-Haro energy source HH100 IRS. Calculations have been performed to interpret the spectral energy distribution as a function of dust parameters such as the grain size, the ice volume fraction, and the 'fluffiness' of the particles. The infrared spectrum together with the strength of the water ice band of HH 100 IRS is successfully reproduced if an upper limit of the grain size below 1 micron is used. Comet-like grains, with sizes above 1 micron, result in a poor fit of the observations.

Siebenmorgen, Ralf↗

NASA NTRS2003

Quantifying Astronaut Tasks: Robotic Technology and Future Space Suit Design

The primary aim of this research effort was to advance the current understanding of astronauts' capabilities and limitations in space-suited EVA by developing models of the constitutive and compatibility relations of a space suit, based on experimental data gained from human test subjects as well as a 12 degree-of-freedom human-sized robot, and utilizing these fundamental relations to estimate a human factors performance metric for space suited EVA work. The three specific objectives are to: 1) Compile a detailed database of torques required to bend the joints of a space suit, using realistic, multi- joint human motions. 2) Develop a mathematical model of the constitutive relations between space suit joint torques and joint angular positions, based on experimental data and compare other investigators' physics-based models to experimental data. 3) Estimate the work envelope of a space suited astronaut, using the constitutive and compatibility relations of the space suit. The body of work that makes up this report includes experimentation, empirical and physics-based modeling, and model applications. A detailed space suit joint torque-angle database was compiled with a novel experimental approach that used space-suited human test subjects to generate realistic, multi-joint motions and an instrumented robot to measure the torques required to accomplish these motions in a space suit. Based on the experimental data, a mathematical model is developed to predict joint torque from the joint angle history. Two physics-based models of pressurized fabric cylinder bending are compared to experimental data, yielding design insights. The mathematical model is applied to EVA operations in an inverse kinematic analysis coupled to the space suit model to calculate the volume in which space-suited astronauts can work with their hands, demonstrating that operational human factors metrics can be predicted from fundamental space suit information.

Newman, Dava↗

NASA NTRS2007

Flight Test of the F/A-18 Active Aeroelastic Wing Airplane

A viewgraph presentation of flight tests performed on the F/A active aeroelastic wing airplane is shown. The topics include: 1) F/A-18 AAW Airplane; 2) F/A-18 AAW Control Surfaces; 3) Flight Test Background; 4) Roll Control Effectiveness Regions; 5) AAW Design Test Points; 6) AAW Phase I Test Maneuvers; 7) OBES Pitch Doublets; 8) OBES Roll Doublets; 9) AAW Aileron Flexibility; 10) Phase I - Lessons Learned; 11) Control Law Development and Verification & Validation Testing; 12) AAW Phase II RFCS Envelopes; 13) AAW 1-g Phase II Flight Test; 14) Region I - Subsonic 1-g Rolls; 15) Region I - Subsonic 1-g 360 Roll; 16) Region II - Supersonic 1-g Rolls; 17) Region II - Supersonic 1-g 360 Roll; 18) Region III - Subsonic 1-g Rolls; 19) Roll Axis HOS/LOS Comparison Region II - Supersonic (open-loop); 20) Roll Axis HOS/LOS Comparison Region II - Supersonic (closed-loop); 21) AAW Phase II Elevated-g Flight Test; 22) Region I - Subsonic 4-g RPO; and 23) Phase II - Lessons Learned

Voracek, David↗

NASA NTRS2011

Space Shuttle Ascent Flight Design Process: Evolution and Lessons Learned

The Space Shuttle Ascent Flight Design team is responsible for defining a launch to orbit trajectory profile that satisfies all programmatic mission objectives and defines the ground and onboard reconfiguration requirements for this high-speed and demanding flight phase. This design, verification and reconfiguration process ensures that all applicable mission scenarios are enveloped within integrated vehicle and spacecraft certification constraints and criteria, and includes the design of the nominal ascent profile and trajectory profiles for both uphill and ground-to-ground aborts. The team also develops a wide array of associated training, avionics flight software verification, onboard crew and operations facility products. These key ground and onboard products provide the ultimate users and operators the necessary insight and situational awareness for trajectory dynamics, performance and event sequences, abort mode boundaries and moding, flight performance and impact predictions for launch vehicle stages for use in range safety, and flight software performance. These products also provide the necessary insight to or reconfiguration of communications and tracking systems, launch collision avoidance requirements, and day of launch crew targeting and onboard guidance, navigation and flight control updates that incorporate the final vehicle configuration and environment conditions for the mission. Over the course of the Space Shuttle Program, ascent trajectory design and mission planning has evolved in order to improve program flexibility and reduce cost, while maintaining outstanding data quality. Along the way, the team has implemented innovative solutions and technologies in order to overcome significant challenges. A number of these solutions may have applicability to future human spaceflight programs.

Picka, Bret A.↗

DOE OSTI2014

Technology Case Studies: Retrofit Integrated Space and Water Heating - Field Assessment

Better insulation and tighter envelopes are reducing space heating loads for new and existing homes. For many homes, decreased space heating loads make it possible for both space and domestic water heating loads to be provided with a single heating plant. This project analyzed combined condensing water heaters or boilers and hydronic air coils to provide high efficiency domestic hot water and forced air space heating. Called 'Combi' systems, they provided similar space and water heating performance less expensively than installing two condensing appliances. These systems can also eliminate safety issues associated with natural draft appliances through the use of one common sealed combustion vent.

boiler based combi systems↗

DOE OSTI2014

Building America Case Study: Performance of a Hot-Dry Climate Whole House Retrofit, Stockton, California (Fact Sheet)

The Stockton house retrofit is a two-story tudor style single family deep retrofit in the hot-dry climate of Stockton, CA. The home is representative of a deep retrofit option of the scaled home energy upgrade packages offered to targeted neighborhoods under the pilot Large-Scale Retrofit Program (LSRP) administered by the Alliance for Residential Building Innovation (ARBI). Deep retrofit packages expand on the standard package by adding HVAC, water heater and window upgrades to the ducting, attic and floor insulation, domestic hot water insulation, envelope sealing, lighting and ventilation upgrades. Site energy savings with the deep retrofit were 23% compared to the pre-retrofit case, and 15% higher than the savings estimated for the standard retrofit package. Energy savings were largely a result of the water heater upgrade, and a combination of the envelope sealing, insulation and HVAC upgrade. The HVAC system was of higher efficiency than the building code standard. Overall the financed retrofit would have been more cost effective had a less expensive HVAC system been selected and barriers to wall insulation remedied. The homeowner experienced improved comfort throughout the monitored period and was satisfied with the resulting utility bill savings.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

DOE OSTI2018

Verifying and assessing the performance of the perturbation strategy in polynomial chaos ensemble forecasts of the circulation in the Gulf of Mexico

Here we present an analysis of two recent efforts aimed at quantifying the uncertainties in a 30-day HYbrid Coordinate Ocean Model forecast of the circulation in the Gulf of Mexico, with particular emphasis on the separation of Loop Current Eddy Franklin, using Polynomial Chaos methods. The analysis herein explores whether the model perturbations lead to realistic representation of the uncertainty in the Gulf Circulation. Comparisons of model output with Sea Surface Height and current mooring data show that the observational data generally falls within the envelope of the ensemble and that the modal decomposition delivers “realistic” perturbations in the Loop Current region. We use information theory metrics to quantify the information gain and the computational trade-offs between different wind and initial conditions perturbation modes. The relative entropy measures indicate that two modes for initial condition perturbations are enough, in our model configuration, to represent the uncertainty in the Loop Current region; while two modes for wind forcing perturbations are necessary in order to estimate the uncertainty in the coastal zone. The ensemble statistics are then explored using the Polynomial Chaos surrogate and the newly developed contour boxplot methods.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2013

Linear permittivity tapering in a Cerenkov microwave source with a pre-bunched beam

Cerenkov microwave sources use a dielectric-lined waveguide to reduce the velocity of the electromagnetic wave and provide efficient energy transfer between the wave and the driving electron beam. Tapering the permittivity of the dielectric to maintain synchronism between the beam and the wave as the beam loses energy can increase the efficiency of these devices. Here, we consider such a structure driven by an electron beam with a harmonic density perturbation. Particle-In-Cell (PIC) simulations and a macro-particle model based on the slowly varying envelope approximation are first used to examine an un-tapered baseline case. PIC simulations of the source with linear tapers over the entire amplifier length as well as over only a section of the amplifier where the beam executes synchrotron oscillations are examined. The efficiency for the baseline un-tapered source is 18%, while efficiencies up to approximately 48% are found using a taper in dielectric permittivity. Results of the best performing cases are presented. Detailed examination of longitudinal phase space, particle energy distributions, evolution of longitudinal wavenumber, and phase dynamics are presented from the PIC simulations.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

DOE OSTI2021

Regulation of Chloroplast Division and Compartment Size (Final Technical Report)

During leaf growth and development, chloroplasts numbers increase as cells expand to maximize energy capture and photosynthetic capacity. Chloroplasts proliferate by dividing in the middle, producing a large population of small organelles of similar size and shape. This process is orchestrated by macromolecular complexes located both inside and outside the chloroplast whose assembly and contractile activity across the two envelope membranes must be coordinated and spatially regulated. Through research supported by our DOE funding, and by exploiting the powerful model system Arabidopsis thaliana, we have significantly advanced our knowledge of how coordination of the division complexes is achieved and how division-site placement is spatially restricted to the middle of the chloroplast. Using chloroplast division mutants, we gained new understanding of how chloroplast size and shape influence chloroplast movement and photosynthetic performance. We identified a gene contributing to natural variation in chloroplast size. Major findings are highlighted.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2024

Retrofitting Buildings with Solar-Reflective Roofs and Walls and its Impact on Peak Power Demand

Buildings are a major consumer of electricity in the United States and a significant portion of the consumption comes from heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) applications. Passive cooling strategies in the building envelope help to reduce the energy consumption for HVAC as well as peak electricity demand. Although being one of the most cost-effective passive cooling strategies, modern reflective roofing and reflective exterior wall technology is not well documented for its impact on peak demand. This study utilized whole building energy simulations on residential and commercial building prototype models to quantify the impact of cool roofs and cool exterior walls. The analysis was performed in three climate zones with varying insulation levels and solar reflectances for roofs and exterior walls. For both the residential and commercial buildings, the baseline building had a roof solar reflectance value of 0.10 and an exterior wall solar reflectance value of 0.25. The results from the simulations show that roofs and exterior walls with higher reflectance values increase cooling energy savings but can also increase heating energy consumption. The impact of changes in solar reflectances was greater in buildings with low roof/wall insulation levels compared to roofs/walls with higher insulation levels. A baseline for the simulations was set with the roof and exterior wall solar reflectances set at 0.1 and 0.25, respectively and simulations having varying roof and exterior wall thermal resistances were compared to the baselines.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

NASA NTRS1982

A Piecewise Linear State Variable Technique for Real Time Propulsion System Simulation

The emphasis on increased aircraft and propulsion control system integration and piloted simulation has created a need for higher fidelity real time dynamic propulsion models. A real time propulsion system modeling technique which satisfies this need and which provides the capabilities needed to evaluate propulsion system performance and aircraft system interaction on manned flight simulators was developed and demonstrated using flight simulator facilities at NASA Ames. A piecewise linear state variable technique is used. This technique provides the system accuracy, stability and transient response required for integrated aircraft and propulsion control system studies. The real time dynamic model includes the detail and flexibility required for the evaluation of critical control parameters and propulsion component limits over a limited flight envelope. The model contains approximately 7.0 K bytes of in-line computational code and 14.7 K of block data. It has an 8.9 ms cycle time on a Xerox Sigma 9 computer. A Pegasus-Harrier propulsion system was used as a baseline for developing the mathematical modeling and simulation technique. A hydromechanical and water injection control system was also simulated. The model was programmed for interfacing with a Harrier aircraft simulation at NASA Ames. Descriptions of the real time methodology and model capabilities are presented.

Mihaloew, J. R.↗

NASA NTRS1982

A piecewise linear state variable technique for real time propulsion system simulation

Mihaloew, J. R.↗

NASA NTRS2017

The Lightweight Integrated Solar Array and anTenna (LISA-T) - Big Power for Small Spacecraft

NASA is developing a space power system using lightweight, flexible photovoltaic devices originally developed for use here on Earth to provide low cost power for spacecraft. The Lightweight Integrated Solar Array and anTenna (LISA-T) is a launch-stowed, orbit-deployed array on which thin-film photovoltaic and antenna elements are embedded. The LISA-T system is deployable, building upon NASA's expertise in developing thin-film deployable solar sails such the one being developed for the Near Earth Asteroid Scout project which will fly in 2018. One of the biggest challenges for the NEA Scout, and most other spacecraft, is power. There simply isn't enough of it available, thus limiting the range of operation of the spacecraft from the Sun (due to the small surface area available for using solar cells), the range of operation from the Earth (low available power with inherently small antenna sizes tightly constrain the bandwidth for communication), and the science (you can only power so many instruments with limited power). The LISA-T has the potential to mitigate each of these limitations. Inherently, small satellites are limited in surface area, volume, and mass allocation; driving competition between their need for power and robust communications with the requirements of the science or engineering payload they are developed to fly. LISA-T is addressing this issue, deploying large-area arrays from a reduced volume and mass envelope - greatly enhancing power generation and communications capabilities of small spacecraft and CubeSats. The problem is that these CubeSats can usually only generate between 7 watts and 50 watts of power. The power that can be generated by the LISA-T ranges from tens of watts to several hundred watts. A matrix of options are in development, including planar (pointed) and omnidirectional (non-pointed) arrays. The former is seeking the highest performance possible while the latter is seeking GN&C (Guidance, Navigation and Control) simplicity. In both cases, power generation ranges from tens of watts to several hundred with an expected specific power greater than 250 watts per kilogram and a stowed power density greater than 200 kilowatts per cubic meter. Options for leveraging both high performance, 'typical cost' triple junction thin-film solar cells as well as moderate performance, low cost cells are being developed. Alongside, both UHF (ultra high frequency) and S-band antennas are being integrated into the array to move their space claim away from the spacecraft and open the door for omnidirectional communications and electronically steered phase arrays.

Johnson, Les↗