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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 19 records

Thermal Testing and Analysis Techniques for Wires and Wire Bundles

Determining wire and wire bundle amperage capacity (i.e., “ampacity”) currently relies on the use of standards to derate wire ampacity when in a bundle configuration. The feasibility of developing physics-based and regression thermal models of single wires and wire bundles to determine ampacity using a customized test apparatus was investigated during a pathfinder study. A wire bundle test apparatus was developed for measuring the temperatures of single wires and wire bundles and collected wire conductor temperature data under high vacuum and atmospheric conditions and varying environmental temperatures and currents for the two most common wire types used on spacecraft.

Thermal↗

Studies of friction and wear characteristics of various wires for wire-brush skids

The friction and wear characteristics of 22 types and sizes of wires for potential use in wire-brush skids were studied. These characteristics were determined by placing brushes made from candidate wires on a belt sander whose moving belt simulated landing roll-out distance. At the same time, the drag force and wear behavior were monitored. Data were obtained over distances up to 3048 m (10,000 ft) at preselected bearing pressures of 172 to 1034 kPa (25 to 150 psi). In general, the friction coefficient developed by the candidate wires was found to be independent of bearing pressure and ranged between 0.4 and 0.6 under the test conditions of this investigation. The friction coefficient was not degraded when the surface was wetted and appears to be independent of wire diameter except perhaps when wire size is relatively large compared with the surface asperities. Generally, the high friction demonstrated by the soft materials was accompanied by high wear rates; conversely, the hard materials provided greater wear resistance but offered lower friction. For all test wires, the wear was shown to increase with increasing bearing pressure, in general, for the same bearing pressure, wear increased with increasing wire diameter and decreased when the surface was wetted.

Dreher, R. C.↗

Effects of Wire Diameter and Filament Size on the Processing Window of Bi-2212 Round Wire

High engineering critical current density (J E of 1300 A/mm 2 at 4.2 K and 15 T) in Bi-2212 round wire has been achieved through a partial melt, overpressure heat treatment process. J E varies strongly with processing conditions, particularly the maximum heat treatment temperature (T max ). Increasing T max results in longer time in the melt (defined as the time between when Bi-2212 melts on heating and when Bi-2212 begins to form on cooling), more bridging between the filaments, lower J E , and higher ac losses. A wide processing window with a large range of T max that has a nearly constant J E is desired for processing large coils with large thermal mass and significant thermal time constants that may make precise control over the desired temperature – time profiles uncertain. Accordingly, we wanted to explore broadening the T max window by controlling the Bi-2212 powder melting or wire architecture design. In this work, we report on studies of the performance variation with T max for two production wires with a filling factor of about 20% and 85 × 18 filaments where filament size was varied by changing the wire diameter, a process which also shortens the distance between filaments. We found that wires with smaller filament diameter (9 to 11 μm) showed a peak J E at the low end of T max and also a J E that was more sensitive to T max . A J E – T max plot showed a plateau J E (4.2 K, 5 T) of ~1100 A/mm 2 between T max of 886 and 894 °C for 1.0 and 1.2 mm wires, where J E is less sensitive to the wire diameter and T max . This J E plateau range is a preferred processing window for achieving high J E in coils.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Thermal Testing and Analysis Techniques for Wires and Wire Bundles

Determining wire and wire bundle amperage capacity (i.e., “ampacity”) currently relies on the use of standards to derate wire ampacity when in a bundle configuration. The feasibility of developing physics-based and regression thermal models of single wires and wire bundles to determine ampacity using a customized test apparatus was investigated during a pathfinder study. A test facility was developed and various wire and wire bundle articles were tested under a variety of temperature and pressure conditions using an efficient test matrix formulated using Design of Experiments (DOE) techniques. Physics-based models were developed and correlated to the test results. Regression models were formulated and compared to test results and standards.

Thermal↗

Laser scattering by submicron droplets formed during the electrical explosion of thin metal wires

Abstract This paper presents the results of studying dispersed media formation during the electrical explosion of thin metal wires in vacuum by using low-current generators (~1–10 kA). Particular attention is paid to the analysis of the composition and structure of the corresponding explosion products as well as to the problem of their visualization using simultaneous laser interferometry and shadow imaging at two wavelengths (1.064 µ m and 0.532 µ m). Our findings indicate the important role in the visualization of the explosion products that belongs to multiple scattering by submicron droplets of dense condensed matter, which are mixed with metal vapor. The hypothesis on the existence of submicron droplets in the products of exploding metal wires correlates with the results obtained by soft x-ray radiography combined with a laser probing technique. Taking into account the multiple scattering by submicron droplets, it is possible to significantly clarify the parameters of the explosion products visualized via laser probing techniques as well as to gain a deeper insight into the physics behind the electrical wire explosion.

Physics↗

Investigation of factors affecting the heater wire method of calibrating fine wire thermocouples

An analytical investigation was made of a transient method of calibrating fine wire thermocouples. The system consisted of a 10 mil diameter standard thermocouple (Pt, Pt-13% Rh) and an 0.8 mil diameter chromel-alumel thermocouple attached to a 20 mil diameter electrically heated platinum wire. The calibration procedure consisted of electrically heating the wire to approximately 2500 F within about a seven-second period in an environment approximating atmospheric conditions at 120,000 feet. Rapid periodic readout of the standard and fine wire thermocouple signals permitted a comparison of the two temperature indications. An analysis was performed which indicated that the temperature distortion at the heater wire produced by the thermocouple junctions appears to be of negligible magnitude. Consequently, the calibration technique appears to be basically sound, although several practical changes which appear desirable are presented and discussed. Additional investigation is warranted to evaluate radiation effects and transient response characteristics.

Keshock, E. G.↗

An operando synchrotron study on the effect of wire melting state on solidification microstructures of Inconel 718 in wire-laser directed energy deposition

Directed energy deposition (DED) with a coaxial wire-laser configuration has gained significant attention in recent years for the production of large-scale metallic components because of its low directional dependence, fast deposition rate, high feedstock efficiency, and low manufacturing costs. This work studies the coaxial wire-laser DED process of Inconel 718 alloy under a stable deposition condition with a relatively low input volumetric energy density (55.5J/mm 3 ). Post characterization reveals a cluster of refined grains at the center-bottom region of the as-printed track. Operando high-energy synchrotron X-ray experiments and multi-physics modeling are applied innovatively to study the fundamental mechanism responsible for the formation of this microstructure. The X-ray diffraction experiment provides direct evidence, which is supported by the simulation, that the feeding wire can reach the melt pool bottom and release solid particles (primarily carbides) near the mushy zone owing to insufficient melting. Consequently, these sub-micron sized particles suppress the growth of large columnar grains and cause the formation of unique microstructural heterogeneity. In conclusion, this discovery offers new opportunities for tailoring the solidification microstructure by controlling the melting state of the feedstock wire in DED process, in addition to commonly known factors such as the thermal gradient and solidification velocity.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Copper carbon composite wire with a uniform carbon dispersion made by friction extrusion

Copper-carbon composites are a group of materials with excellent mechanical, electrical, thermal, and tribological properties. However, bulk size copper-carbon composites made by the traditional manufacturing processes, like rolling or extrusion, fall short of reaching some of these properties predicted by theory or demonstrated only by samples at centimeter scale or smaller. The two main challenges to the successful scaling-up are: 1) to uniformly disperse carbon in the metal matrix; 2) to avoid degradation due to oxidation or reaction from overheating. In this work, we first demonstrate friction extrusion as a new method to make bulk-size void-free copper-carbon composite wires with homogenized carbon dispersion. Three different carbon varieties, graphite powder, graphene nanopowder, and carbon nanotubes, were added to the copper matrix with the concentration ranging from 0.5 wt% to 15 wt%. Special tooling, processing parameters, and procedures were developed, especially for high carbon content samples. Ten-fold reductions of both copper grain size and carbon particle size were achieved and attributed to the high shear deformation. Energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry indicates the carbon powder was refined to a sub-micron level and uniformly dispersed in the copper matrix. Compared with that of pure copper, the thermal capacity of the composite wire increases by 30 % while density reduces by 29 %.

Friction extrusion, Metal matrix composite, Graphe↗

Metering Wheel-Wire Track Wire Boom Deployment Mechanism

The NASA MMS Spin Plane Double Probe (SDP) Deployer utilizes a helical path, rotating Metering Wheel and a spring loaded Wire "Holding" Track to pay out a "fixed end" 57 meter x 1.5 mm diameter Wire Boom stored between concentric storage cylinders. Unlike rotating spool type storage devices, the storage cylinders remain stationary, and the boom wire is uncoiled along the length of the cylinder via the rotation of the Metering Wheel. This uncoiling action avoids the need for slip-ring contacts since the ends of the wire can remain stationary. Conventional fixed electrical connectors (Micro-D type) are used to terminate to operational electronics.

Granoff, Mark S.↗

Effects of weave path parameters on the geometry of wire arc additive manufactured features

Here, the present work investigates the effect of process parameters on the geometry of wire arc additive manufactured parts. The geometric accuracy of features produced with a weaving strategy is compared to what can be accomplished with a typical overlapping bead strategy. In this work, single-layer and multi-layer geometries were deposited under varying process and path parameters. The wavelength, amplitude, and torch speed of the weaving path were varied, while the power, wire feed speed, and contact tip to work distance remained constant. The geometric deposition efficiencies of several samples produced with a weave strategy are directly compared to samples generated with two parallel overlapping beads with torch speeds defined to match the deposition rate of the weave samples. Feature geometries were characterized using optical microscopy and laser scanning data. The results indicate that implementing a weave path strategy can improve the geometric accuracy of wire arc additive features, thus increasing the effective volumetric deposition rate of the process. It is shown that the most consistent improvements resulted from the combination of low wavelength and high amplitude, which correlate to wider and taller printed layers.

GMAW↗

Constant-temperature hot-wire anemometer practice in supersonic flows. II - The inclined wire

The performance of a constant-temperature inclined hot-wire in a supersonic flow is critically examined. It is shown that calibration techniques applicable to subsonic flow, such as the cosine cooling law cannot be used when the flow is supersonic. Calibration and measurement procedures appropriate to supersonic flow are suggested, together with the possible limits on their validity. Experimental results for different wires indicate that the sensitivities do not seem to depend on flow direction according to any simple correlation. When the sensitivity exhibits a strong dependence on flow direction, the wire should be discarded to avoid errors due to nonlinear effects.

Smits, A. J.↗

Use of reinforced inorganic cement materials for spark wire and drift chamber wire frames

The results of a survey, materials test, and analysis study directed toward the development of an inorganic glass-fiber reinforced cement material for use in the construction of space qualified spark wire frames and drift chamber frames are presented. The purpose for this research was to evaluate the feasibility of using glass fiber reinforced cement (GFRC) for large dimensioned structural frames for supporting a number of precisely located spark wires in multiple planes. A survey of the current state of the art in fiber reinforced cement materials was made; material sample mixes were made and tested to determine their laboratory performances. Tests conducted on sample materials showed that compressive and flexural strengths of this material could approach values which would enable fabrication of structural spark wire frames.

Source record↗

Comparison of Analysis, Simulation, and Measurement of Wire-to-Wire Crosstalk

In this investigation, we compare crosstalk analysis, simulation, and measurement results for electrically short configurations. Methods include hand calculations, PSPICE simulations, Microstripes transient field solver, and empirical measurement. In total, four representative physical configurations are examined, including a single wire over a ground plane, a twisted pair over a ground plane, generator plus receptor wires inside a cylindrical conduit, and a single receptor wire inside a cylindrical conduit. Part 1 addresses the first two cases, and Part 2 addresses the final two. Agreement between the analysis, simulation, and test data is shown to be very good.

Bradley, Arthur T.↗

Comparison of Analysis, Simulation, and Measurement of Wire-to-Wire Crosstalk

In this investigation, we compare crosstalk analysis, simulation, and measurement results for electrically short configurations. Methods include hand calculations, PSPICE simulations, Microstripes transient field solver, and empirical measurement. In total, four representative physical configurations are examined, including a single wire over a ground plane, a twisted pair over a ground plane, generator plus receptor wires inside a cylindrical conduit, and a single receptor wire inside a cylindrical conduit. Part 1 addresses the first two cases, and Part 2 addresses the final two. Agreement between the analysis methods and test data is shown to be very good.

Bradley, Arthur T.↗

Resistance of The Flex-Wire Windings

In this paper, an analysis of the flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) windings is performed. A one-dimensional model of the flex-wire winding is introduced and an equation for the FPCB ac winding resistance is derived. Experimental verification of derived equations is performed, i.e., impedance and power loss measurements.

Wojda, Rafal↗