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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 1,351 records · Page 75
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1985

Probabilistic Structural Analysis of SSME Turbopump Blades: Probabilistic Geometry Effects

A probabilistic study was initiated to evaluate the precisions of the geometric and material properties tolerances on the structural response of turbopump blades. To complete this study, a number of important probabilistic variables were identified which are conceived to affect the structural response of the blade. In addition, a methodology was developed to statistically quantify the influence of these probabilistic variables in an optimized way. The identified variables include random geometric and material properties perturbations, different loadings and a probabilistic combination of these loadings. Influences of these probabilistic variables are planned to be quantified by evaluating the blade structural response. Studies of the geometric perturbations were conducted for a flat plate geometry as well as for a space shuttle main engine blade geometry using a special purpose code which uses the finite element approach. Analyses indicate that the variances of the perturbations about given mean values have significant influence on the response.

Nagpal, V. K.↗
NASA NTRS2012

Probabilistic Simulation of Multi-Scale Composite Behavior

A methodology is developed to computationally assess the non-deterministic composite response at all composite scales (from micro to structural) due to the uncertainties in the constituent (fiber and matrix) properties, in the fabrication process and in structural variables (primitive variables). The methodology is computationally efficient for simulating the probability distributions of composite behavior, such as material properties, laminate and structural responses. Bi-products of the methodology are probabilistic sensitivities of the composite primitive variables. The methodology has been implemented into the computer codes PICAN (Probabilistic Integrated Composite ANalyzer) and IPACS (Integrated Probabilistic Assessment of Composite Structures). The accuracy and efficiency of this methodology are demonstrated by simulating the uncertainties in composite typical laminates and comparing the results with the Monte Carlo simulation method. Available experimental data of composite laminate behavior at all scales fall within the scatters predicted by PICAN. Multi-scaling is extended to simulate probabilistic thermo-mechanical fatigue and to simulate the probabilistic design of a composite redome in order to illustrate its versatility. Results show that probabilistic fatigue can be simulated for different temperature amplitudes and for different cyclic stress magnitudes. Results also show that laminate configurations can be selected to increase the redome reliability by several orders of magnitude without increasing the laminate thickness--a unique feature of structural composites. The old reference denotes that nothing fundamental has been done since that time.

Chamis, Christos C.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Dynamic mechanical properties of N-phenylnadimide modified PMR polyimide composites

Temperature-frequency dependence of alpha, beta, and gamma transitions was determined using a Rheometrics dynamic spectrometer on a series of unidirectional Celion 6000/N-phenylnadimide (PN) modified PMR polyimide composites. The objective was to see if any correlations exist between crosslinked network structure and dynamic mechanical properties. Variation in crosslinked network structures was achieved by altering the polyimide formulation through addition of various quantities of PN into the standard PMR-15 composition. As a control, PMR-15 composite system exhibited well-defined alpha, beta, and gamma transitions in the regions of 360, 100, and -120 C, respectively. Their activation energies were estimated to be 232, 60, and 14 kcal/mole, respectively. Increasing the amount of PN concentration caused lowering of the activation energies of the three relaxations, a decrease of the glass transition temperature, and increasing intensities of the three damping peaks, compared to the control PMR-15 counterpart. These dynamic mechanical responses were in agreement with formation of a more flexible copolymer from PN and PMR-15 prepolymer.

Pater, Ruth H.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Asteroseismic Inversions of Mixed Acoustic-Gravity Modes to Probe the Stellar Core Structure

The discovery of mixed acoustic-gravity modes of oscillations of moderate mass stars opens a unique opportunity to infer the structure of the inner energy-generating cores and thus test the stellar evolution theory. The mixed modes have properties of internal gravity waves (g-modes) in the convectively stable helium core and properties of acoustic modes outside the core. We select several sets of the oscillation mode frequencies in the mass range from about 1.3 to 1.6 solar masses from the Kepler Legacy database, and apply the optimally localized averaging inversion technique previously developed for low-degree helioseismology. The inversion technique takes into account the uncertainties in the determination of the mass and radius of the stars, as well as the surface effects. The methodology provides sensitivity kernels for various structure properties, including the sound speed, density, and Ledoux parameter of convective stability, and, thus, the direct relationship between the stellar properties and the deviation of observed frequencies from the reference models. The inversion results reveal significant deviations in the core structure from the reference models calculated using the MESA evolutionary code for the stellar parameters obtained by the asteroseismic model grid fitting. Our analysis shows that the best resolution of the inner helium core and surrounding shell is achieved in inversions for the Ledoux parameter.

SMD↗
NASA NTRS2007

Composite Elastic Skins for Shape-Changing Structures

Composite elastic skins having tailorable mechanical properties have been invented for covering shape-changing ( morphable ) structures. These skins are intended especially for use on advanced aircraft that change shapes in order to assume different aerodynamic properties. Many of the proposals for aircraft that could perform large aerodynamic shape changes require flexible skins that could follow shape changes of internal structures driven by actuators. Examples of such shape changes can include growth or shrinkage of bumps, conformal changes in wing planforms, cambers, twists, and bending of integrated leading- and trailing-edge flaps. Prior to this invention, there was no way of providing smooth aerodynamic surfaces capable of large deflections while maintaining smoothness and sufficient rigidity. Although latex rubber, silicone rubber, and similar conventional materials can be made into smooth coverings, they are not suitable for this purpose because, in order to impart required stiffness against out-of-plane bending, it would be necessary to make the coverings excessively thick, thereby necessitating the use of impractically large actuation forces. The basic idea of the invention is that of smoothly wrapping an underlying variable structure with a smooth skin that can be stretched or otherwise warped with low actuation force in one or both in-plane direction(s) and is relatively stiff against out-of-plane bending. It is envisioned that a skin according to the invention could be stretched as much as 20 percent in a desired direction. Because this basic idea admits of numerous variations, the following description is necessarily oversimplified for the sake of brevity.

Cagle, Christopher M.↗
NASA NTRS1991

The properties of and analytical methods for detection of LiOH and Li2CO3

Lithium hydroxide (LiOH) is used as a CO2 absorbent in the Shuttle Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) Portable Life Support System (PLSS). The first objective was to survey parameters that may be used to indicate conversion of LiOH to Li2CO3, and compile a list of all possible properties, including physical, chemical, structural, and electrical, that may serve to indicate the occurrence of reaction. These properties were compiled for the reactant (LiOH), the intermediate monohydrate compound (LiOH.H2O), and the final product (Li2CO3). The second objective was to survey measurement and analytical techniques which may be used in conjunction with each of the properties identified above, to determine the extent of conversion of LiOH to Li2CO3. Both real-time and post-run techniques were of interest. The techniques were also evaluated in terms of complexity, technology readiness, materials/equipment availability, and cost, where possible.

Selvaduray, Guna↗
NASA NTRS2005

The features of self-assembling organic bilayers important to the formation of anisotropic inorganic materials in microgravity conditions

Materials with directional properties are opening new horizons in a variety of applications including chemistry, electronics, and optics. Structural, optical, and electrical properties can be greatly augmented by the fabrication of composite materials with anisotropic microstructures or with anisotropic particles uniformly dispersed in an isotropic matrix. Examples include structural composites, magnetic and optical recording media, photographic film, certain metal and ceramic alloys, and display technologies including flat panel displays. The new applications and the need for model particles in scientific investigations are rapidly out-distancing the ability to synthesize anisotropic particles with specific chemistries and narrowly distributed physical characteristics (e.g. size distribution, shape, and aspect ratio).

Talham, Daniel R.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Additive Manufacture of Novel Tungsten Wicking and Heat Transfer Structures

Additive manufacturing (AM) is utilized for fabricating complex geometries from refractory metals, such as tungsten and molybdenum. In this study, plates with ultra-fine and fine lattice structures were manufactured from tungsten to demonstrate printability and the component fabrication advantages of AM. Previous work was completed on individual tungsten lattice structures; this work demonstrates the advantages of printing these structures on tubing and first-wall materials. Initial work using stainless steel demonstrated increased heat transfer properties promoted by these lattice structures. Applications for these structures include wicking structures, heat pipes, and first-wall materials in fusion devices. A major advantage of these designs is the capability to produce a monolithic component with tailored heat transfer and wicking properties. This research helps promote the ability to use liquid lithium in fusion devices since these lattice structures manufactured from tungsten could act as a high temperature first-wall or divertor material and as a wicking structure for liquid lithium. Different lattice structures with varying unit cell sizes and strut thicknesses were printed and the effects of these structures on heat transfer properties were measured. Abrasion resistance of these structures was also investigated. This presentation will discuss the results of these experiments and their implications related to heat transfer applications. This work will help inform the development and implementation of complex geometries made from tungsten for future heat pipe and fusion first-wall or divertor component designs.

Carly J. Romnes↗
NASA NTRS2002

Laminar Soot Processes (LSP)

This is the final report of a research program considering the structure and the soot surface reaction properties of laminar nonpremixed (diffusion) flames. The study was limited to ground-based measurements of buoyant laminar jet diffusion flames at pressures of 0.1-1.0 atm. The motivation for the research is that soot formation in flames is a major unresolved problem of combustion science that influences the pollutant emissions, durability and performance of power and propulsion systems, as well as the potential for developing computational combustion. The investigation was divided into two phases considering the structure of laminar soot-containing diffusion flames and the soot surface reaction properties (soot surface growth and oxidation) of these flames, in turn. The first phase of the research addressed flame and soot structure properties of buoyant laminar jet diffusion flames at various pressures. The measurements showed that H, OH and O radical concentrations were generally in superequilibrium concentrations at atmospheric pressure but tended toward subequilibrium concentrations as pressures decreased. The measurements indicated that the original fuel decomposed into more robust compounds at elevated temperatures, such as acetylene (unless the original fuel was acetylene) and H, which are the major reactants for soot surface growth, and that the main effect of the parent fuel on soot surface growth involved its yield of acetylene and H for present test conditions. The second phase of the research addressed soot surface reaction properties, e.g., soot surface growth and surface oxidation. It was found that soot surface growth rates in both laminar premixed and diffusion flames were in good agreement, that these rates were relatively independent of fuel type, and that these rates could be correlated by the Hydrogen-Abstraction/Carbon-Addition (HACA) mechanisms of Colket and Hall (1994), Frenklach et al. (1990,1994), and Kazakov et al. (1995). It was also found that soot surface oxidation rates were relatively independent of fuel type, were not correlated with O2, CO2, H2O and O collision rates but were correlated with the collision rates of OH with a collision efficiency of 0.14, in agreement with the early measurements in premixed flames of Neoh et al. (1980), after allowing for oxidation by O2 via the classical rate expression of Nagle and Strickland-Constable (1962).

Dai, Z.↗
NASA NTRS1990

The effect of thermal damage on the mechanical properties of polymer regrinds

Reprocessed polymers are subjected to high processing temperatures that result in the breakdown of molecular chains and changes in the molecular structures. These phenomena are reflected in the mechanical properties of materials. Practically every regrind is seen as a new material. These experiments deal with the molding, regrinding, and reprocessing of test specimens for the study of their mechanical properties. The comparative test data from each recycled material would give students an insight of the molecular structures and property degradation. Three important rheological and mechanical properties such as melt flow, impact strength, and flexural strength are to be determined. These properties play key roles in the selection of engineering materials. The material selected for demonstration was Makrolon 3000L, a polycarbonate thermoplastic from Bayer AG. The thermal degradation due to repeated processing is reflected in the decrease in molecular weight and breakdown of molecular chains causing increase in melt flow. The Izod-impact resistance and the flexural strength deteriorate gradually.

Kundu, Nikhil K.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Dispersion, damping and confinement of propagating pulses in large space structures

Pulse propagations in large space structures caused by repeated pulse excitations are studied analytically (by using the Z-transforms) and numerically. It is found that resonance regimes can be generated not only by periodical, but also by non-periodical repeated pulses; the conditions for such regimes are derived. Special attention is paid to the dispersion of propagating pulses due to structural irregularities, to damping of pulses due to appropriate combination of elastic and viscous properties of joints between structural members, and to the protection of certain areas of Large Space Structures (LSS) from impacts provided by a pulse trapping effect.

Zak, Michail↗
NASA NTRS2000

Considerations Concerning the Development and Testing of In-situ Materials for Martian Exploration

Natural Martian surface materials are evaluated for their potential use as radiation shields for manned Mars missions. The modified radiation fluences behind various kinds of Martian rocks and regolith are determined by solving the Boltzmann equation using NASA Langley s HZETRN code along with the 1977 Solar Minimum galactic cosmic ray environmental model. To make structural shielding composite materials from constituents of the Mars atmosphere and from Martian regolith for Martian surface habitats, schemes for synthesizing polyimide from the Mars atmosphere and for processing Martian regolith/polyimide composites are proposed. Theoretical predictions of the shielding properties of these composites are computed to assess their shielding effectiveness. Adding high-performance polymer binders to Martian regolith to enhance structural properties enhances the shielding properties of these composites because of the added hydrogenous constituents. Laboratory testing of regolith simulant/polyimide composites is planned to validate this prediction.

Kim, M.-H. Y.↗
NASA NTRS2002

Rotationally Molded Liquid Crystalline Polymers

Rotational molding is a unique process for producing hollow plastic parts. Rotational molding offers advantages of low cost tooling and can produce very large parts with complicated shapes. Products made by rotational molding include water tanks with capacities up to 20,000 gallons, truck bed liners, playground equipment, air ducts, Nylon fuel tanks, pipes, toys, stretchers, kayaks, pallets, and many others. Thermotropic liquid crystalline polymers are an important class of engineering resins employed in a wide variety of applications. Thermotropic liquid crystalline polymers resins are composed of semi-rigid, nearly linear polymeric chains resulting in an ordered mesomorphic phase between the crystalline solid and the isotropic liquid. Ordering of the rigid rod-like polymers in the melt phase yields microfibrous, self-reinforcing polymer structures with outstanding mechanical and thermal properties. Rotational molding of liquid crystalline polymer resins results in high strength and high temperature hollow structures useful in a variety of applications. Various fillers and reinforcements can potentially be added to improve properties of the hollow structures. This paper focuses on the process and properties of rotationally molded liquid crystalline polymers.

Rogers, Martin↗
NASA NTRS2002

Rotationally Molded Liquid Crystalline Polymers

Rotational molding is a unique process for producing hollow plastic parts. Rotational molding offers low cost tooling and can produce very large parts with complicated shapes. Products made by rotational molding include water tanks with capacities up to 20,000 gallons, truck bed liners, playground equipment, air ducts, Nylon fuel tanks, pipes, toys, stretchers, kayaks, pallets, and many others. Thermotropic liquid crystalline polymers are an important class of engineering resins employed in a wide variety of applications. Thermotropic liquid crystalline polymers resins are composed of semirigid, nearly linear polymeric chains resulting in an ordered mesomorphic phase between the crystalline solid and the isotropic liquid. Ordering of the rigid rod-like polymers in the melt phase yields microfibrous, self-reinforcing polymer structures with outstanding mechanical and thermal properties. Rotational molding of liquid crystalline polymer resins results in high strength and high temperature hollow structures useful in a variety of applications. Various fillers and reinforcements can potentially be added to improve properties of the hollow structures. This paper focuses on the process and properties of rotationally molded liquid crystalline polymers. This paper will also highlight the interactions between academia and small businesses in developing new products and processes.

Rogers, Martin↗
NASA NTRS2004

Fabrication and Testing of Habitat Components Using In-Situ Materials for Martian Exploration

The development of Mars for human activity will require the utilization of Martian materials in building habitats and working structures. One approach is to use polymer binders with regolith to form structural elements. Not only can useful composite materials be produced in this way but the radiation protection properties are also increased. This is important since only modest protection from space radiation is provided by the Martian atmosphere. We have studied composites fabricated using Martian regolith simulant and polymers which can be synthesized from local Martian materials for their potential use as radiation shields for manned Mars missions. To validate shielding effectiveness, composites are irradiated with a 55 MeV proton beam and neutron beams up to 800 MeV. Shielding effects on microelectronic devices are measured by placing them behind samples of the composites during irradiation. To measure structural properties of the composites, preliminary characterization and mechanical testing are made for the composites.

Kim, M.-H. Y.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Reanalysis and design in structural dynamics

A unified efficient formulation for the static and dynamic reanalysis of locally modified structures is presented. The reanalysis problem is to find the structural responses when some of the element properties are adjusted as a result of design modifications or when additional structures are appended to the original system. The reanalysis problem is formulated as a problem of much lower order than the original system. This is achieved by utilizing the linearity property of the structure using the pseudoload concept together with the solution of the original system. The modifications to the structure are treated as displacement-dependent pseudoloads of the system. By expressing the modified system response as linear combinations of the response of the original system and a term depending on the pseudoload, a reduced set of response equations can be obtained. In the static and sinusoidal steady state analysis, this leads to a set of linear algebraic equations. For a free vibration analysis, this results in a reduced eigenvalue problem. Using these reduced equations, a design problem can be solved; that is, the magnitude of a specified local modification for given dynamic response characteristics can be calculated. Several examples are presented to illustrate the general formulations.

Wang, B. P.↗