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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 145 records · Page 8

Characteristics of primary electric propulsion systems

The use of advanced electric propulsion systems is expected to provide cost and performance benefits for future energetic space missions. A methodology to predict the characteristics of advanced electric propulsion systems was developed and programmed for computer calculations to allow evaluation of a broad set of technology and mission assumptions. The impact on overall thrust system characteristics was assessed for variations of propellant type, total accelerating voltage, thruster area, specific impulse, and power system approach. The data may be used both to provide direction to technology emphasis and allow for preliminary estimates of electric propulsion system properties for a wide variety of applications.

Byers, D. C.↗

An intelligent value-driven scheduling system for Space Station Freedom with special emphasis on the electric power system

The Electric Power Control System (EPCS) created by Decision-Science Applications, Inc. (DSA) for the Lewis Research Center is discussed. This system makes decisions on what to schedule and when to schedule it, including making choices among various options or ways of performing a task. The system is goal-directed and seeks to shape resource usage in an optimal manner using a value-driven approach. Discussed here are considerations governing what makes a good schedule, how to design a value function to find the best schedule, and how to design the algorithm that finds the schedule that maximizes this value function. Results are shown which demonstrate the usefulness of the techniques employed.

Krupp, Joseph C.↗

Survey of aircraft electrical power systems

Areas investigated include: (1) load analysis; (2) power distribution, conversion techniques and generation; (3) design criteria and performance capabilities of hydraulic and pneumatic systems; (4) system control and protection methods; (5) component and heat transfer systems cooling; and (6) electrical system reliability.

Lee, C. H.↗

Applications of nuclear reactor power systems to electric propulsion missions.

The performance of nuclear electric propulsion systems (NEP) has been evaluated for a wide variety of missions in an attempt to establish the commonality of NEP system requirements. Emphasis was given to those requirements and system characteristics that serve as guidelines for current technology development programs. Various interactions and tradeoffs between NEP system and mission parameters are described. The results show that the most significant factors in selecting NEP system size are launch mode (direct or spiral escape) and, to a weaker extent, launch vehicle capability. Other factors such as mission, payload, and thrust time constraints, have little influence, thus allowing one NEP system to be used for many missions. The results indicated that a 100 kWe NEP would be suitable for most direct escape missions and a 250 kWe NEP system would be suitable for more demanding missions that use the spiral escape mode.

Schaupp, R. W.↗

A second generation expert system for checking and diagnosing AXAF's electric power system

AXAF - Advanced X-ray Astrophysics Facility - is a third NASA's great space observatory. Each of these observatories is intended to cover different parts of the electromagnetic spectrum (x-ray for AXAF) and to provide high resolution images of celestial sources in our universe. While the spacecraft is in orbit, the electric power system (EPS) performance is monitored via sensors measuring voltages, currents, pressures, and temperatures. The sensor data are sent from the spacecraft to the ground station as telemetry and analyzed on arrival. Monitoring, diagnosis and maintenance of such EPS is an arduous task which requires expertise and constant attention of the ground personnel. To help the ground crew in this task, much of it should be automated and delegated to expert systems, which draw engineer's attention to possible malfunctions and allows him to review the telemetry to determine the source of the trouble, diagnose the suspected fault and to propose a corrective action. Those systems are built on assumptions such as: (1) domain knowledge is available and can be represented as a set of rules; (2) domain knowledge is circumscribed, static, and monotonic; and (3) expert decision making can be emulated by a logical inference mechanism.

Bykat, Alex↗

Assessment of environmental effects on Space Station Freedom Electrical Power System

Analyses of EPS (electrical power system) interactions with the LEO (low earth orbit) environment are described. The results of these analyses will support EPS design so as to be compatible with the natural and induced environments and to meet power, lifetime, and performance requirements. The environmental impacts to the Space Station Freedom EPS include aerodynamic drag, atomic oxygen erosion, ultraviolet degradation, VXB effect, ionizing radiation dose and single event effects, electromagnetic interference, electrostatic discharge, plasma interactions (ion sputtering, arcing, and leakage current), meteoroid and orbital debris threats, thermal cycling effects, induced current and voltage potential differences in the SSF due to induced electric field, and contamination degradation.

Lu, Cheng-Yi↗

Low speed, long term tracking electric drive system has zero backlash

Electric drive system provides low speed, long term tracking of targets that move at a sidereal rate. It utilizes eddy-current energized actuators that are free from radio frequency interference generation and a solid state feedback amplifier with provisions for antibacklash biasing.

Richter, H. L.↗

Electromagnetic emission experiences using electric propulsion systems: A survey

As electric propulsion systems become ready to integrate with spacecraft systems, the impact of propulsion system radiated emissions are of significant interest. Radiated emissions from electromagnetic, electrostatic, and electrothermal systems have been characterized and results synopsized from the literature describing 21 space flight programs. Electromagnetic radiated emission results from ground tests and flight experiences are presented with particular attention paid to the performance of spacecraft subsystems and payloads during thruster operations. The impacts to transmission of radio frequency signals through plasma plumes are also reviewed.

Sovey, James S.↗

Electromagnetic emission experiences using electric propulsion systems - A survey

As electric propulsion systems become ready to integrate with spacecraft systems, the impact of propulsion system radiated emissions are of significant interest. Radiated emissions from electromagnetic, electrostatic, and electrothermal systems have been characterized and results synopsized from the literature describing 21 space flight programs. Electromagnetic radiated emission results from ground tests and flight experiences are presented with particular attention paid to the performance of spacecraft subsystems and payloads during thruster operations. The impacts to transmission of radio frequency signals through plasma plumes are also reviewed.

Sovey, James S.↗

Finger recording electrode system for electrical impedance plethysmograph

System facilitates location of recording electrodes of impedance plethysmograph that is used for measuring flow of blood in finger segment; electrodes can be relocated accurately and volume of finger segment under study can be determined precisely. System minimizes movement artifacts in plethysmograph trace because finger segment is held firmly.

Montgomery, L. D.↗