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At least 19 records

Study of free-piston Stirling engine driven linear alternators

The analysis, design and operation of single phase, single slot tubular permanent magnet linear alternator is presented. Included is the no-load and on-load magnetic field investigation, permanent magnet's leakage field analysis, parameter identification, design guidelines and an optimal design of a permanent magnet linear alternator. For analysis of the magnetic field, a simplified magnetic circuit is utilized. The analysis accounts for saturation, leakage and armature reaction.

Nasar, S. A.↗

Magnetoresistive Flux Focusing Eddy Current Flaw Detection

A giant magnetoresistive flux focusing eddy current device effectively detects deep flaws in thick multilayer conductive materials. The probe uses an excitation coil to induce eddy currents in conducting material perpendicularly oriented to the coil s longitudinal axis. A giant magnetoresistive (GMR) sensor, surrounded by the excitation coil, is used to detect generated fields. Between the excitation coil and GMR sensor is a highly permeable flux focusing lens which magnetically separates the GMR sensor and excitation coil and produces high flux density at the outer edge of the GMR sensor. The use of feedback inside the flux focusing lens enables complete cancellation of the leakage fields at the GMR sensor location and biasing of the GMR sensor to a location of high magnetic field sensitivity. In an alternate embodiment, a permanent magnet is positioned adjacent to the GMR sensor to accomplish the biasing. Experimental results have demonstrated identification of flaws up to 1 cm deep in aluminum alloy structures. To detect deep flaws about circular fasteners or inhomogeneities in thick multi-layer conductive materials, the device is mounted in a hand-held rotating probe assembly that is connected to a computer for system control, data acquisition, processing and storage.

Russell A Wincheski↗

Magnetoresistive flux focusing eddy current flaw detection

A giant magnetoresistive flux focusing eddy current device effectively detects deep flaws in thick multilayer conductive materials. The probe uses an excitation coil to induce eddy currents in conducting material perpendicularly oriented to the coil's longitudinal axis. A giant magnetoresistive (GMR) sensor, surrounded by the excitation coil, is used to detect generated fields. Between the excitation coil and GMR sensor is a highly permeable flux focusing lens which magnetically separates the GMR sensor and excitation coil and produces high flux density at the outer edge of the GMR sensor. The use of feedback inside the flux focusing lens enables complete cancellation of the leakage fields at the GMR sensor location and biasing of the GMR sensor to a location of high magnetic field sensitivity. In an alternate embodiment, a permanent magnet is positioned adjacent to the GMR sensor to accomplish the biasing. Experimental results have demonstrated identification of flaws up to 1 cm deep in aluminum alloy structures. To detect deep flaws about circular fasteners or inhomogeneities in thick multilayer conductive materials, the device is mounted in a hand-held rotating probe assembly that is connected to a computer for system control, data acquisition, processing and storage.

Wincheski, Russell A.↗

Observations of significant magnetosheath antisolar energy flow

Results from the Imp 7 satellite reveal antisolar magnetosheath ion flows of 10 to the 18th to 10 to the 20th ergs/sec when they are integrated over the observed flow cross-sectional area. These results extend, in energy and spatial regions sampled, the earlier work of West and Buck (1976). The results show the existence of energized protons in the downstream magnetosheath which at energies above 50 keV carry an energy flow of the same magnitude as the extrapolated (above 1 keV) results of Baker and Stone (1977). Possible sources of the energy flow include dissipation processes due to a magnetopause electric field, leakage of magnetospheric particles through the magnetopause into the magnetosheath, bow shock acceleration, and magnetosheath acceleration.

Williams, D. J.↗

Deep Flaw Detection with Giant Magnetoresistive (GMR) Based Self-Nulling Probe

In this paper a design modification to the Very-Low Frequency GMR Based Self-Nulling Probe has been presented to enable improved signal to noise ratio for deeply buried flaws. The design change consists of incorporating a feedback coil in the center of the flux focusing lens. The use of the feedback coil enables cancellation of the leakage fields in the center of the probe and biasing of the GMR sensor to a location of high magnetic field sensitivity. The effect of the feedback on the probe output was examined, and experimental results for deep flaw detection were presented. The experimental results show that the modified probe is capable of clearly identifying flaws up to 1 cm deep in aluminum alloy structures.

Wincheski, Buzz↗

Disturbance torque rejection properties of the NASA/JPL 70-meter antenna axis servos

Analytic methods for evaluating pointing errors caused by external disturbance torques are developed and applied to determine the effects of representative values of wind and friction torque. The expressions relating pointing errors to disturbance torques are shown to be strongly dependent upon the state estimator parameters, as well as upon the state feedback gain and the flow versus pressure characteristics of the hydraulic system. Under certain conditions, when control is derived from an uncorrected estimate of integral position error, the desired type 2 servo properties are not realized and finite steady-state position errors result. Methods for reducing these errors to negligible proportions through the proper selection of control gain and estimator correction parameters are demonstrated. The steady-state error produced by a disturbance torque is found to be directly proportional to the hydraulic internal leakage. This property can be exploited to provide a convenient method of determining system leakage from field measurements of estimator error, axis rate, and hydraulic differential pressure.

Hill, R. E.↗

Breakdown Degradation Associated with Elementary Screw Dislocations in 4H-SiC P(+)N Junction Rectifiers

It is well-known that SiC wafer quality deficiencies are delaying the realization of outstandingly superior 4H-SiC power electronics. While efforts to date have centered on eradicating micropipes (i.e., hollow core super-screw dislocations with Burgers vector greater than 2c), 4H-SiC wafers and epilayers also contain elementary screw dislocations (i.e., Burgers vector = lc with no hollow core) in densities on the order of thousands per sq cm, nearly 100-fold micropipe densities. This paper describes an initial study into the impact of elementary screw dislocations on the reverse-bias current-voltage (I-V) characteristics of 4H-SiC p(+)n diodes. First, Synchrotron White Beam X-ray Topography (SWBXT) was employed to map the exact locations of elementary screw dislocations within small-area 4H-SiC p(+)n mesa diodes. Then the high-field reverse leakage and breakdown properties of these diodes were subsequently characterized on a probing station outfitted with a dark box and video camera. Most devices without screw dislocations exhibited excellent characteristics, with no detectable leakage current prior to breakdown, a sharp breakdown I-V knee, and no visible concentration of breakdown current. In contrast devices that contained at least one elementary screw dislocation exhibited a 5% to 35% reduction in breakdown voltage, a softer breakdown I-V knee, and visible microplasmas in which highly localized breakdown current was concentrated. The locations of observed breakdown microplasmas corresponded exactly to the locations of elementary screw dislocations identified by SWBXT mapping. While not as detrimental to SiC device performance as micropipes, the undesirable breakdown characteristics of elementary screw dislocations could nevertheless adversely affect the performance and reliability of 4H-SiC power devices.

Neudeck, P. G.↗

Low noise electromagnetic flowmeter

Parasitic hum is removed by using an isophase magnetic field created within flowmeter and an enclosure which prevents leakage of flux field. Method prevents contamination of flow conduit and eliminates zero point drift.

Cushing, V. J.↗

Impact of Near-Angle Scatter on Exo-Earth Coronagraphy

Near-Angle Scatter ( of the host star’s light may limit the ability of a potential Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO) to detect and characterize an Earth-like planet around a Sun-like star via coronagraphy NAS from each optical surface produces an E-field across the dark hole that is coherent. These E-fields sum and could be as large or larger than the coronagraph mask leakage E-field. NAS E-fields contribute to the dark hole noise floor via both shot noise and heterodyne amplification of the wavefront instability. The amount of NAS is determined entirely by the statistical properties of the optical surface microroughness and the operating wavelength. Surface properties include not only the rms roughness, but also correlation length and the functional form of the distribution itself. We derive an expression that specifies the surface statistics required to achieve a given coronagraph error budget NAS throughput allocation.

H Philip Stahl↗

Impact of Near-Angle Scatter on Exo-Earth Coronagraphy

Near-Angle Scatter (NAS) of the host star’s light may limit the ability of a potential Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO) to detect and characterize an Earth-like planet around a Sun-like star via coronagraphy. NAS from each optical surface produces an E-field across the dark hole that is coherent. These E-fields sum and could be as large or larger than the coronagraph mask leakage E-field. NAS E-fields contribute to the dark hole noise floor via both shot noise and heterodyne amplification of the wavefront instability. The amount of NAS is determined entirely by the statistical properties of the optical surface microroughness and the operating wavelength. Surface properties include not only the rms roughness, but also correlation length and the functional form of the distribution itself. This paper derives an expression that specifies the surface statistics required to achieve a given coronagraph error budget NAS throughput allocation. Analysis does not include scatter from coating columnar structure, edges, contamination, micrometeoroid impacts, or polarization.

H Philip Stahl↗

Mirror Surface Contamination Specification Derived from Coronagraphy Scatter Error Budget Allocation

Near-Angle Scatter (NAS) of the host star’s light may limit the ability of a potential Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO) to detect and characterize an Earth-like planet around a Sun-like star via coronagraphy. NAS from each optical surface before the coronagraph’s focal plane mask produces an E-field across the dark hole that is coherent. These E-fields sum and could be as large or larger than the coronagraph mask leakage E-field. This paper assumes an error budget allocation for scatter of 20 ppt. NAS E-fields contribute to the dark hole noise floor via both shot noise and heterodyne amplification of the wavefront instability. While previous papers have developed specifications for scatter from surface scatter, this paper develops specifications for scatter from surface contamination and micrometeoroid impacts. The development process utilizes an expression that predicts scatter throughput into the dark hole based on surface BRDF. Analysis does not include scatter from coating columnar structure, edges, contamination, micrometeoroid impacts, or polarization.

near angle scatter↗

Analysis of Two-Phase Flow in Damper Seals for Cryogenic Turbopumps

Cryogenic damper seals operating close to the liquid-vapor region (near the critical point or slightly su-cooled) are likely to present two-phase flow conditions. Under single phase flow conditions the mechanical energy conveyed to the fluid increases its temperature and causes a phase change when the fluid temperature reaches the saturation value. A bulk-flow analysis for the prediction of the dynamic force response of damper seals operating under two-phase conditions is presented as: all-liquid, liquid-vapor, and all-vapor, i.e. a 'continuous vaporization' model. The two phase region is considered as a homogeneous saturated mixture in thermodynamic equilibrium. Th flow in each region is described by continuity, momentum and energy transport equations. The interdependency of fluid temperatures and pressure in the two-phase region (saturated mixture) does not allow the use of an energy equation in terms of fluid temperature. Instead, the energy transport is expressed in terms of fluid enthalpy. Temperature in the single phase regions, or mixture composition in the two phase region are determined based on the fluid enthalpy. The flow is also regarded as adiabatic since the large axial velocities typical of the seal application determine small levels of heat conduction to the walls as compared to the heat carried by fluid advection. Static and dynamic force characteristics for the seal are obtained from a perturbation analysis of the governing equations. The solution expressed in terms of zeroth and first order fields provide the static (leakage, torque, velocity, pressure, temperature, and mixture composition fields) and dynamic (rotordynamic force coefficients) seal parameters. Theoretical predictions show good agreement with experimental leakage pressure profiles, available from a Nitrogen at cryogenic temperatures. Force coefficient predictions for two phase flow conditions show significant fluid compressibility effects, particularly for mixtures with low mass content of vapor. Under these conditions, an increase on direct stiffness and reduction of whirl frequency ratio are shown to occur. Prediction of such important effects will motivate experimental studies as well as a more judicious selection of the operating conditions for seals used in cryogenic turbomachinery.

Arauz, Grigory L.↗

Investigation of Field Emitter Array Vacuum Microtriodes for Space Electronics Applications

Research into processing techniques for fabrication of vacuum microelectronic devices has been carried out, with special emphasis being given to the growth of silicon dioxide thin films. Oxide films ranging from 30 nm to approximately 2 micrometers have been grown on single crystal silicon wafers. Metal-oxide-semiconductor capacitor test structures have been made from some of these oxide films, and current-versus-voltage plots for these structures have been measured. It has been observed that the rate of applied voltage across the oxide films produces marked differences in measured leakage current. Breakdown fields across two of the thinnest oxide films have been measured and are comparable with highest values reported in literature. Several silicon wafers were processed to make field- emitter array diodes, and were delivered to collaborators at NASA-Lewis Research Center for final fabrication steps and testing.

Smith, Mark A.↗

Analyzing Carbon Dioxide and Methane Emissions in California Using Airborne Measurements and Model Simulations

Greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations have increased over the past decades and are linked to global temperature increases and climate change. These changes in climate have been suggested to have varying effects, and uncertain consequences, on agriculture, water supply, weather, sea-level rise, the economy, and energy. To counteract the trend of increasing atmospheric concentrations of GHGs, the state of California has passed the California Global Warming Act of 2006 (AB-32). This requires that by the year 2020, GHG (e.g., carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4)) emissions will be reduced to 1990 levels. To quantify GHG fluxes, emission inventories are routinely compiled for the State of California (e.g., CH4 emissions from the California Greenhouse Gas Emissions Measurement (CALGEM) Project). The major sources of CO2 and CH4 in the state of California are: transportation, electricity production, oil and gas extraction, cement plants, agriculture, landfills/waste, livestock, and wetlands. However, uncertainties remain in these emission inventories because many factors contributing to these processes are poorly quantified. To alleviate these uncertainties, a synergistic approach of applying air-borne measurements and chemical transport modeling (CTM) efforts to provide a method of quantifying local and regional GHG emissions will be performed during this study. Additionally, in order to further understand the temporal and spatial distributions of GHG fluxes in California and the impact these species have on regional climate, CTM simulations of daily variations and seasonality of total column CO2 and CH4 will be analyzed. To assess the magnitude and spatial variation of GHG emissions and to identify local “hot spots”, airborne measurements of CH4 and CO2 were made by the Alpha Jet Atmospheric eXperiment (AJAX) over the San Francisco Bay Area (SFBA) and San Joaquin Valley (SJV) in January and February 2013 during the Discover-AQ-CA study. High mixing ratios of GHGs were observed in-flight with a high degree of spatial variability. To provide an additional method to quantify GHG emissions, and analyze AJAX measurement data, the GEOS-Chem CTM is used to simulate SFBA/SJV GHG measurements. A nested-grid version of GEOS-Chem will be applied and utilizes varying emission inventories and model parameterizations to simulate GHG fluxes/emissions. The model considers CO2 fluxes from fossil fuel use, biomass/biofuel burning, terrestrial and oceanic biosphere exchanges, shipping and aviation, and production from the oxidation of carbon monoxide, CH4, and non-methane volatile organic carbons. The major sources of CH4 simulated in GEOS-Chem are domesticated animals, rice fields, natural gas leakage, natural gas venting/flaring (oil production), coal mining, wetlands, and biomass burning. Preliminary results from the comparison between available observations (e.g., AJAX and CALGEM CH4 emission maps) and GEOS-Chem results will be presented, along with a discussion of CO2 and CH4 source apportionment and the use of the GEOS-Chem-adjoint to perform inverse GHG modeling.

Johnson, Matthew S.↗

Investigation of Turbulent Tip Leakage Vortex in an Axial Water Jet Pump with Large Eddy Simulation

Detailed steady and unsteady numerical studies were performed to investigate tip clearance flow in an axial water jet pump. The primary objective is to understand physics of unsteady tip clearance flow, unsteady tip leakage vortex, and cavitation inception in an axial water jet pump. Steady pressure field and resulting steady tip leakage vortex from a steady flow analysis do not seem to explain measured cavitation inception correctly. The measured flow field near the tip is unsteady and measured cavitation inception is highly transient. Flow visualization with cavitation bubbles shows that the leakage vortex is oscillating significantly and many intermittent vortex ropes are present between the suction side of the blade and the tip leakage core vortex. Although the flow field is highly transient, the overall flow structure is stable and a characteristic frequency seems to exist. To capture relevant flow physics as much as possible, a Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) calculation and a Large Eddy Simulation (LES) were applied for the current investigation. The present study reveals that several vortices from the tip leakage vortex system cross the tip gap of the adjacent blade periodically. Sudden changes in local pressure field inside tip gap due to these vortices create vortex ropes. The instantaneous pressure filed inside the tip gap is drastically different from that of the steady flow simulation. Unsteady flow simulation which can calculate unsteady vortex motion is necessary to calculate cavitation inception accurately even at design flow condition in such a water jet pump.

Hah, Chunill↗

Mapping the magnetosheath field between the magnetopause and the bow shock - Implications for magnetospheric particle leakage

An approximate picture of the volumes occupied by particles that originate in the vicinity of the magnetopause is obtained by mapping magnetosheath magnetic field lines which drape over the magnetopause through the bow shock. Subsets of these field lines that connect to potential sites of magnetic merging on the magnetopause are also traced in the event that the particle leakage occurs preferentially where normal components of the field are present across that boundary. The results of this modeling exercise suggest that energetic magnetospheric particles which are not scattered by magnetosheath magnetic fluctuations are likely to exit the magnetosheath in the region of the quasi-parallel shock.

Luhmann, J. G.↗

An explanation for both the large inclination and eccentricity of the dipole-like field of Uranus and Neptune

It is shown that the offset tilted dipole model of Uranus and Neptune, deduced from the spherical harmonic analysis of the Voyager magnetic field observation, can be represented fairly well by the combined field of an axial and an auxiliary dipole; the latter is roughly oriented in the east-west direction and is located near the surface of the core in low latitude. The present dynamo theories of planetary magnetism consider an axial dipolar field as an essential element, since the planetary rotation plays a vital role in the dynamo process. On the other hand, the auxiliary dipoles may be a result of leakage of the toroidal field, like a pair of sunspots on the photosphere, which is also an essential part of the dynamo process.

Akasofu, S.-I.↗