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At least 19 records

Magnetic pumping by magnetosonic waves in the presence of noncompressive electromagnetic fluctuations

Numerical simulations of the damping of magnetosonic waves via magnetic pumping in the presence of electromagnetic fluctuations that can pitch-angle scatter the plasma particles are presented. From the first simulation it is found that the magnetosonic-wave energy is transferred to high-energy particles. In the second type of simulation, magnetosonic waves produce a hot surface layer on the plasma that is ablated by the wave energy. Solution of a Fokker-Planck equation for the magnetic-pumping process is found to adequately represent magnetic pumping by small-amplitude magnetosonic waves.

Borovsky, Joseph E.

Magnetic pumping of particles in the outer Jovian magnetosphere

The mechanism of magnetic pumping consists of two processes, the adiabatic motion of charged particles in a time varying magnetic field and their pitch-angle diffusion. The result is a systematic increase in the energy of charged particles trapped in mirror (and particularly, magnetospheric) magnetic fields. A numerical model of the mechanism is constructed, compared with analytic theory where possible, and, through elementary exercises, is used to predict the consequences of the process for cases that are not tractable by analytical means. For energy dependent pitch angle diffusion rates, characteristic 'two temperature' distributions are produced. Application of the model to the outer Jovian magnetosphere shows that beyond 20 Jupiter radii in the outer magnetosphere, particles may be magnetically pumped to energies of the order of 1 - 2 MeV. Two temperature distribution functions with "break points" at 1 - 4 KeV for electrons and 8 - 35 KeV for ions are predicted.

Borovsky, J. E.

Magnetic pumping of particles in the outer Jovian magnetosphere

The mechanism of magnetic pumping consists of two processes, the adiabatic motion of charged particles in a time-varying magnetic field and their pitch angle diffusion. The result is a systematic increase in the energy of charged particles trapped in mirror (and particularly, magnetospheric) magnetic fields. A numerical model of the mechanism is constructed, compared with analytic theory where possible, and, is used to predict the consequences of the process for cases that are not tractable by analytical means. The model is applied to the outer Jovian magnetosphere for two purposes; to find magnetospheric regions in which the mechanism may energize trapped particles, and to generate distribution functions involving pitch angle diffusion caused by wave-particle interactions. Beyond 20 Jupiter radii in the outer magnetosphere particles may be magnetically pumped to energies of the order of 1-2 MeV and two-temperature distribution functions with 'break points' at 1-4 keV for electrons and 8-35 keV for ions are predicted.

Borovsky, J. E.

Characterization of a turbomolecular-pumped magnetic sector mass spectrometer

A Perkin Elmer MGA-1200, turbomolecular-pumped, magnetic sector, multiple gas analyzer mass spectrometer with modified inlet for fast response was characterized for the analysis of hydrogen, helium, oxygen and argon in nitrogen and helium background gases. This instrument was specially modified for the Vanderberg AFB SLC-6 Hydrogen Disposal Test Program, as a part of the Hydrogen Sampling System (H2S2). Linearity, precision, drift, detection limits and accuracy among other analytical parameters for each of the background gas were studied to evaluate the performance of the instrument. The result demonstrates that H2S2 mass spectrometer is a stable instrument and can be utilized for the quantitative analytical determination of hydrogen, helium, oxygen and argon in nitrogen and helium background gases.

Mehta, Narinder K.

Exploration of Anomalous Gravity Effects by rf-Pumped Magnetized High-T(c) Superconducting Oxides

A number of anomalous gravitational effects have been reported in the scientific literature during recent years, but there has been no independent confirmation with regard to any of these claims. Therefore, the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, in response to the propulsion challenges specified by NASA's Breakthrough Propulsion Physics (BPP) program, proposed to explore the possibility of observing anomalous gravitation behavior through the manipulation of Josephson junction effects in magnetized high-Tc superconducting oxides. The technical goal was to critically test this revolutionary physical claim and provide a rigorous, independent, empirical confirmation (or refutation) of anomalous effects related to the manipulation of gravity by radio frequency (rf)-pumped magnetized type-2 superconductors. Because the current empirical evidence for gravity modification is anecdotal, our objective was to design, construct, and meticulously implement a discriminating experiment, which would put these observations on a more firm footing within the scientific community. Our approach is unique in that we advocate the construction of an extremely sensitive torsion balance with which to measure gravity modification effects by rf-pumped type-2 superconductor test masses. This paper reviews the anecdotal evidence for anomalous gravity effects, describes the design and development of a simplified torsion balance experiment for empirically investigating these claims, and presents the results of preliminary experiments.

Robertson, Tony

The magnetic pumping of plasmas with sawtooth waveforms

The pumping of plasmas by sawtooth-waveform magnetic induction variations is studied theoretically and by means of computer simulations. A sawtooth is a cycle waveform that is characterized by a slow increase in the magnetic induction followed by a rapid drop in the induction. Two types of sawtooth pumping are analyzed, and the types classified as to whether or not the first adiabatic invariants of the plasma particles are conserved during the rapid drops in the magnetic induction. When the invariants are conserved, the sawtooth waveforms are found to be less efficient than square waves for pumping plasmas. When the adiabatic invariations are not conserved, the pumping efficiency is found to be a slight improvement over square waves. Both types of pumping are applied to a hypothetical tokamak plasma and it is concluded that neither type of sawtooth pumping is practical for heating magnetically confined fusion plasmas.

Borovsky, Joseph E.

Coronal heating by stochastic magnetic pumping

Recent observational data cast serious doubt on the widely held view that the Sun's corona is heated by traveling waves (acoustic or magnetohydrodynamic). It is proposed that the energy responsible for heating the corona is derived from the free energy of the coronal magnetic field derived from motion of the 'feet' of magnetic field lines in the photosphere. Stochastic motion of the feet of magnetic field lines leads, on the average, to a linear increase of magnetic free energy with time. This rate of energy input is calculated for a simple model of a single thin flux tube. The model appears to agree well with observational data if the magnetic flux originates in small regions of high magnetic field strength. On combining this energy input with estimates of energy loss by radiation and of energy redistribution by thermal conduction, we obtain scaling laws for density and temperature in terms of length and coronal magnetic field strength.

Sturrock, P. A.

Coronal heating by stochastic magnetic pumping

Recent observational data cast serious doubt on the widely held view that the sun's corona is heated by traveling waves (acoustic or magnetohydrodynamic). It is here proposed that the energy responsible for heating the corona is derived from the free energy of the coronal magnetic field derived from motion of the 'feet' of magnetic field lines in the photosphere. Stochastic motion of the feet of magnetic field lines leads, on the average, to a linear increase of magnetic free energy with time. This rate of energy input is calculated for a simple model of a single thin flux tube. The model appears to agree well with observational data if the magnetic flux originates in small regions of high magnetic field strength as proposed by Tarbell et al. (1979). On combining this energy input with estimates of energy loss by radiation and of energy redistribution by thermal conduction, scaling laws are obtained for density and temperature in terms of length and coronal magnetic field strength.

Sturrock, P. A.

Magnetic-flux pump

A magnetic flux pump is described for increasing the intensity of a magnetic field by transferring flux from one location to the magnetic field. The device includes a pair of communicating cavities formed in a block of superconducting material, and a piston for displacing the trapped magnetic flux into the secondary cavity producing a field having an intense flux density.

Hildebrandt, A. F.

Practical and efficient magnetic heat pump

Method for pumping heat magnetically at room temperature is more economical than existing refrigeration systems. Method uses natural magneto-thermal effect of gadolinium metal to establish temperature gradient across length of tube. Regenerative cyclic process in which gadolinium sample is magnetized and gives off heat at one end of tube, and then is demagnetized at other end to absorb heat has established temperature gradients of 144 degrees F in experiments near room temperature. Other materials with large magnetothermal effects can be used below room temperature. Possible commercial applications include freeze-drying and food processing, cold storage, and heating and cooling of buildings, plants, and ships.

Brown, G. V.

Magnetic Heat Pump Containing Flow Diverters

Proposed magnetic heat pump contains flow diverters for suppression of undesired flows. If left unchecked, undesired flows mix substantial amounts of partially heated and partially cooled portions of working fluid, effectively causing leakage of heat from heated side to cooled side. By reducing leakage of heat, flow diverters increase energy efficiency of magnetic heat pump, potentially offering efficiency greater than compressor-driven refrigerator.

Howard, Frank S.

Thermal Analysis of Magnetically-Coupled Pump for Cryogenic Applications

Magnetically-coupled pump is under evaluation at Kennedy Space Center for possible cryogenic applications. A major concern is the impact of low temperature fluid flows on the pump performance. As a first step toward addressing this and related issues, a computational fluid dynamics and heat transfer tool has been adopted in a pump geometry. The computational tool includes (i) a commercial grid generator to handle multiple grid blocks and complicated geometric definitions, and (ii) an in-house computational fluid dynamics and heat transfer software developed in the Principal Investigator's group at the University of Florida. Both pure-conduction and combined convection-conduction computations have been conducted. A pure-conduction analysis gives insufficient information about the overall thermal distribution. Combined convection-conduction analysis indicates the significant influence of the coolant over the entire flow path. Since 2-D simulation is of limited help, future work on full 3-D modeling of the pump using multi-materials is needed. A comprehensive and accurate model can be developed to take into account the effect of multi-phase flow in the cooling flow loop, and the magnetic interactions.

Senocak, Inanc

Magnetic heat pumping near room temperature

It is shown that magnetic heat pumping can be made practical at room temperature by using a ferromagnetic material with a Curie point at or near operating temperature and an appropriate regenerative thermodynamic cycle. Measurements are performed which show that gadolinium is a resonable working material and it is found that the application of a 7-T magnetic field to gadolinium at the Curie point (293 K) causes a heat release of 4 kJ/kg under isothermal conditions or a temperature rise of 14 K under adiabatic conditions. A regeneration technique can be used to lift the load of the lattice and electronic heat capacities off the magnetic system in order to span a reasonable temperature difference and to pump as much entropy per cycle as possible

Brown, G. V.

Study and development of an air conditioning system operating on a magnetic heat pump cycle (design and testing of flow directors)

This report describes the fabrication, design of flow director, fluid flow direction analysis and testing of flow director of a magnetic heat pump. The objectives of the project are: (1) to fabricate a demonstration magnetic heat pump prototype with flow directors installed; and (2) analysis and testing of flow director and to make sure working fluid loops flow through correct directions with minor mixing. The prototype was fabricated and tested at the Development Testing Laboratory of Kennedy Space Center. The magnetic heat pump uses rear earth metal plates rotate in and out of a magnetic field in a clear plastic housing with water flowing through the rotor plates to provide temperature lift. Obtaining the proper water flow direction has been a problem. Flow directors were installed as flow barriers between separating point of two parallel loops. Function of flow directors were proven to be excellent both analytically and experimentally.

Wang, Pao-Lien

Study and Development of an Air Conditioning System Operating on a Magnetic Heat Pump Cycle

This report describes the design of a laboratory scale demonstration prototype of an air conditioning system operating on a magnetic heat pump cycle. Design parameters were selected through studies performed by a Kennedy Space Center (KSC) System Simulation Computer Model. The heat pump consists of a rotor turning through four magnetic fields that are created by permanent magnets. Gadolinium was selected as the working material for this demonstration prototype. The rotor was designed to be constructed of flat parallel disks of gadolinium with very little space in between. The rotor rotates in an aluminum housing. The laboratory scale demonstration prototype is designed to provide a theoretical Carnot Cycle efficiency of 62 percent and a Coefficient of Performance of 16.55.

Wang, Pao-Lien