Engineering topics

Chuan, Raymond L.

Publications and source records attributed to Chuan, Raymond L..

6 records

NASA NTRS1997

High sensitivity real-time NVR monitor

A real time non-volatile residue (NVR) monitor, which utilizes surface acoustic wave (SAW) resonators to detect molecular contamination in a given environment. The SAW resonators operate at a resonant frequency of approximately 200 MHz-2,000 MHz which enables the NVR monitor to detect molecular contamination on the order of 10.sup.-11 g-cm.sup.-2 to 10.sup.-13 g-cm.sup.2. The NVR monitor utilizes active temperature control of (SAW) resonators to achieve a stable resonant frequency. The temperature control system of the NVR monitor is able to directly heat and cool the SAW resonators utilizing a thermoelectric element to maintain the resonators at a present temperature independent of the environmental conditions. In order to enable the direct heating and cooling of the SAW resonators, the SAW resonators are operatively mounted to a heat sink. In one embodiment, the heat sink is located in between the SAW resonators and an electronic circuit board which contains at least a portion of the SAW control electronics. The electrical leads of the SAW resonators are connected through the heat sink to the circuit board via an electronic path which prevents inaccurate frequency measurement.

Bowers, William D.↗

NASA NTRS1995

A Real-Time Nonvolatile Residue (NVR) Monitor

New development and application of device described in "Surface-Acoustic-Wave Piezoelectric Microbalance," (LAR-14476). Active sensing element of Real-Time NVR Monitor comprises pair of piezoelectric surface-acoustic-wave resonators resonating at frequency of 200 MHz. Bare, uncoated resonator exposed to atmosphere and directly in contact with airborne volatile and nonvolatile materials leaving residues on surface. Resonant frequency of exposed resonator decreases with increasing mass of adsorbed residue; resulting beat frequency between two resonators increases with mass and serves as sensitive real-time indication of airborne contaminants or non-volatile residue.

Bowers, William D.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Surface-Acoustic-Wave Piezoelectric Microbalance

Improved piezoelectric microbalances developed for use in measuring masses of volcanic, aerosol, and other small particles suspended in air. Sensitive microbalance used to analyze airborne particles in real time in environments as diverse as clean rooms or upper atmosphere. Surface-acoustic-wave resonator includes input and output sets of interdigitated electrodes and two passive conductive patterns acting as reflectors. Mechanical energy travels both ways out from middle and reflected back toward middle. Microbalance and associated circuitry fit in small package. Circuit draws only 80 mA at 5 V. Sensitivity more than 400 times that of bulk piezoelectric microbalance.

Chuan, Raymond L.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Aerosol characterization in smoke plumes from a wetlands fire

Results are presented from airborne measurements of aerosol mass loading, size distribution, and elemental composition obtained in a smoke plume from a fire at a Florida wildlife refuge. It is found that there was a high concentration of carbon-containing aerosols and salt crystals in the 0.1-0.2 micron size range; the composition and morphology of the aerosols differed with size. Aerosol mass concentrations are used in conjunction with those obtained for CO2 in order to calculate ratios of aerosol and CO2. The ratios are noted to be higher for the smoldering phase of the fire than for its flaming phase.

Woods, David C.↗

NASA NTRS1990

A non-optical real-time particle fallout monitor

The paper describes a size-selective fallout monitor that can be employed to assess the degradation of sensitive optical surfaces as well as facilitate the analysis of particle types. The device combines a vertical elutriator and a quartz crystal microbalance, and only particles greater than a specific size can pass through an upward laminar flow generated in the device. The larger particles cause a frequency shift in the crystal oscillator, thereby permitting the measurement of the fallout associated with the contamination of optical instruments.

Chuan, Raymond L.↗

NASA NTRS1990

A 200 MHz surface acoustic wave mass microbalance

The principle of operation of the surface acoustic wave (SAW) piezoelectric crystals used as microgravimetric sensors in mass microbalances is discussed. Special attention is given to a SAW 200-MHz crystal developed for measuring molecular deposition on spacecrafts, whose operating frequency does not depend on the thickness of the crystal. The frequency stability of the 200 MHz SAW device is better than 5 x 10 exp -9, which corresponds to a lower limit-of-detection of 3 x 10 exp -12 g for a signal-to-noise ratio of 3. A block diagram of the 200 MHz SAW mass microbalance and a schematic diagram of SAW resonator are presented together with performance data of this device.

Bowers, William D.↗