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At least 1,513 records · Page 84

Data storage, image tube type

Method and apparatus for the storage of digital or analog electrical signals are provided by a memory storage system employing a conventional vidicon tube. At the beginning of an operating cycle, the vidicon is conditioned to accept electrical data input by exposing its photosensitive target to a short, high intensity light flash. A first electron beam scan of the photosensitive surface then sets up a charge pattern on the photosensitive target. A second electron beam scan of the photosensitive surface by an unmodulated electron beam then develops an output signal across an output resistor by using capacitive currents. The conditioning and scanning steps are operated repetitively at high speed using conventional television camera scan, sync, and power supply circuitry to provide a low cost data storage system.

Lipoma, P. C.↗

Energy storage by compressed air

The feasibility of windpower energy storage by compressed air is considered. The system is comprised of a compressor, a motor, and a pump turbine to store air in caverns or aquifiers. It is proposed that storage of several days worth of compressed air up to 650 pounds per square inch can be used to push the aquifier up closer to the container dome and thus initiate piston action by simply compressing air more and more. More energy can be put into it by pressure increase or pushing back the water in the aquifier. This storage system concept has reheat flexibility and lowest cost effectiveness.

Szego, G. C.↗

A lower limit to the altitude of coronal particle storage regions deduced from solar proton energy spectra

The spectrum of low energy protons observed at 1 AU following solar flares shows little or no evidence of energy degradation down to approximately 0.3 MeV. Such observations may be used to set a lower limit on the altitude of hypothetical coronal particle storage regions, ranging from 2 to 7 R sub s. It is pointed out that closed coronal magnetic loop structures are observed to extend to 2R sub s, so that long-term storage of low energy protons does not take place in the immediate vicinity of the sun. It is further suggested that in the few cases where the proton spectrum appears to be degraded at low energies, the energy loss may be due to adiabatic deceleration in the expanding solar wind. The alternative of continual acceleration is suggested as a plausible substitute for the particle storage hypothesis.

Krimigis, S. M.↗

Flexible bulb large storage box hydrogen maser

The principal limitation on the accuracy of the hydrogen maser as a primary frequency standard has been the irreproducibility of the frequency shift caused by collisions of the radiating atoms with the walls of the vessel containing them. The flexible bulb-large storage box hydrogen maser allows correction for this wall shift within a single device, sidestepping the reproducibility problem, and reducing the frequency error from the wall shift to the level imposed by the device's stability. The principles of the device are discussed including the flexible bulb technique and the complications caused by a multiple region storage bulb. The stability of the device is discussed including a comparison with an ordinary hydrogen maser. Data is presented from a working flexible bulb-large storage box hydrogen maser demonstrating the feasibility of the device and showing some of its operating characteristics. The flexibility of the device is demonstrated by showing how the device's added degrees of freedom allow measurement of parameters unmeasurable in an ordinary hydrogen maser.

Reinhardt, V.↗

Design and evaluation of thermodynamic vent/screen baffle cryogenic storage system

A comprehensive analytical program was performed to compare an integrated thermodynamic vent/screen baffle orbital cryogenic propellant storage and transfer system with other concepts. The screen systems were found to be 20% to 29% lighter in weight than a propulsively accelerated Tug-scale LH2/LO2 resupply module. The screen systems were compared with small-scale supercritical storage systems for the space shuttle fuel cell reactant and life support system fluid supply and were lighter by up to 556 kg (1225 lb) for the extended 30-day mission. When compared with high-pressure gas storage for the spacelab atmosphere supply, the screen system saved 79% of the inert system weight for the 30-day mission. An experimental program found that heat flux rates up to 9,450 watts/sq m (3,000 Btu/hr-sq ft) degraded the LH2 bubble point performance of eight screens by a maximum of 12.5%. No effects of helium pressurant, screen material, or LH2 superheat were observed.

Cady, E. C.↗

Improved thermal storage material for portable life support systems

The availability of thermal storage materials that have heat absorption capabilities substantially greater than water-ice in the same temperature range would permit significant improvements in performance of projected portable thermal storage cooling systems. A method for providing increased heat absorption by the combined use of the heat of solution of certain salts and the heat of fusion of water-ice was investigated. This work has indicated that a 30 percent solution of potassium bifluoride (KHF2) in water can absorb approximately 52 percent more heat than an equal weight of water-ice, and approximately 79 percent more heat than an equal volume of water-ice. The thermal storage material can be regenerated easily by freezing, however, a lower temperature must be used, 261 K as compared to 273 K for water-ice. This work was conducted by the United Aircraft Research Laboratories as part of a program at Hamilton Standard Division of United Aircraft Corporation under contract to NASA Ames Research Center.

Kellner, J. D.↗

Fraction-storage unit for drug-identification system

Device, connecting outputs of all gas chromatographs to single, relatively inexpensive IR spectrometer, reduces costs of system. Storage unit provides buffer storage of samples until infrared spectrometer is ready to accept them. Storage unit can be used to separate overlapping peaks.

Campen, C. F.↗

Cost and size estimates for an electrochemical bulk energy storage concept

Preliminary capital cost and size estimates were made for an electrochemical bulk energy storage concept for a redox-flow-cell system. Preliminary calculations showed that the redox-flow-cell system has great promise as a bulk energy storage system for power load leveling. The size of the system was estimated to be less than 2 percent of the size of a comparable pumped hydroelectric storage plant.

Warshay, M.↗

Cryogenic Storage of Helium for Propellant Tank Pressurization

This paper has been prepared in response to many inquiries regarding the application of cryogenic helium storage to propellant tank pressurization systems. The high weight penalties associated with conventional helium storage systems have prompted the development of a Supercritical Helium Storage and Supply System for this application.

Tyler, J. S.↗

The Redox flow system for solar photovoltaic energy storage

A new method of storage was applied to a solar photovoltaic system. The storage method is a redox flow system which utilizes the oxidation-reduction capability of two soluble electrochemical redox couples for its storage capacity. The particular variant described separates the charging and discharging function of the system such that the electrochemical couples are simultaneously charged and discharged in separate parts of the system. The solar array had 12 solar cells; wired in order to give a range of voltages and currents. The system stored the solar energy so that a load could be run continually day and night. The main advantages of the redox system are that it can accept a charge in the low voltage range and produce a relatively constant output regardless of solar activity.

Odonnell, P.↗

Redox Bulk Energy Storage System Study, Volume 1

Opportunities were found for electrochemical energy storage devices in the U.S. electric utility industry. Application requirements for these devices were defined, including techno-economic factors. A new device, the Redox storage battery was analyzed. The Redox battery features a decoupling of energy storage and power conversion functions. General computer methods were developed to simulate Redox system operations. These studies showed that the Redox system is potentially attractive if certain performance goals can be achieved. Pathways for reducing the cost of the Redox system were identified.

Ciprios, G.↗

Photorefractive materials for optical storage and display

Real-time data storage and processing using optical techniques have been considered in recent years. Of particular interest are photosensitive electro-optic crystals which permit volume storage in the form of phase holograms, by means of a charge transfer process. A survey of the state of the art of such holographic memories is presented. The physical mechanism responsible for the formation of phase holograms in such crystals is discussed. Attention is focused on various aspects of materials characterization, development and utilization. Experimental reversible holographic read-write memory systems with fast random access and high storage capacity employing this new class of photosensitive materials have already been demonstrated.

Shah, R. R.↗

Flywheel energy storage. II - Magnetically suspended superflywheel

This article, the second of a two part paper, describes the general design requirements for a flywheel energy storage system. A new superflywheel energy storage system, using a spokeless, magnetically suspended, composite material pierced disk rotor is proposed. The new system is configured around a permanent magnet ('flux biased') magnetic suspension system with active control in the radial direction and passive control in the axial direction. The storage ring is used as a moving rotor and electronic commutation of stationary armature coils is proposed. There is no mechanical contact with the rotating ring and long life and low run down losses are projected. A discussion of major components for a 10 kwh system is presented.

Kirk, J. A.↗

Storage of solid propellants in space

A test program is described which determines the extent of physical property changes that result from extended space exposure. Primary emphasis was placed on determining the effects of space vacuum. Solid propellants were stored and their physical properties tested in a vacuum and in a dry environment. The storage caused significantly greater increases in the propellants' modulus and maximum tensile strength than occurred in parallel ambient stored samples. The data indicate that the loss of trace amounts of residual moisture from cured propellant is the apparent cause of the observed propellant property changes. Therefore, initial screening tests were carried out under dry storage conditions. Upon completion of the dry storage tests, appropriate propellant samples are exposed to an actual space environment using the Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF).

Udlock, D. E.↗

Parametric study of rock pile thermal storage for solar heating and cooling phase 1

The test data and an analysis were presented, of heat transfer characteristics of a solar thermal energy storage bed utilizing water filled cans as the energy storage medium. An attempt was made to optimize can size, can arrangement, and bed flow rates by experimental and analytical means. Liquid filled cans, as storage media, utilize benefits of both solids like rocks, and liquids like water. It was found that this combination of solid and liquid media shows unique heat transfer and heat content characteristics and is well suited for use with solar air systems for space and hot water heating. An extensive parametric study was made of heat transfer characteristics of rocks, of other solids, and of solid containers filled with liquids.

Saha, H.↗

Thermal energy storage

The general scope of study on thermal energy storage development includes: (1) survey and review possible concepts for storing thermal energy; (2) evaluate the potentials of the surveyed concepts for practical applications in the low and high temperature ranges for thermal control and storage, with particular emphasis on the low temperature range, and designate the most promising concepts; and (3) determine the nature of further studies required to expeditiously convert the most promising concept(s) to practical applications. Cryogenic temperature control by means of energy storage materials was also included.

Grodzka, P. G.↗

Large-scale thermal energy storage using sodium hydroxide /NaOH/

A technique employing NaOH phase change material for large-scale thermal energy storage to 900 F (482 C) is described; the concept consists of 12-foot diameter by 60-foot long cylindrical steel shell with closely spaced internal tubes similar to a shell and tube heat exchanger. The NaOH heat storage medium fills the space between the tubes and outer shell. To charge the system, superheated steam flowing through the tubes melts and raises the temperature of NaOH; for discharge, pressurized water flows through the same tube bundle. A technique for system design and cost estimation is shown. General technical and economic properties of the storage unit integrated into a solar power plant are discussed.

Turner, R. H.↗

Thermal storage technologies for solar industrial process heat applications

The state-of-the-art of thermal storage subsystems for the intermediate and high temperature (100 C to 600 C) solar industrial process heat generation is presented. Primary emphasis is focused on buffering and diurnal storage as well as total energy transport. In addition, advanced thermal storage concepts which appear promising for future solar industrial process heat applications are discussed.

Gordon, L. H.↗