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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 181 records · Page 10

Testing, analysis, and code verification of aerodynamics and heat transfer related to turbomachinery

Discussed here are the writing of a data acquisition code and the installation and testing of new pressure and temperature instrumentation to be used in the testing and evaluation of miniature heat flux sensors. A brief summary of the problem which led to the need for these tests is presented as well as a proposed data acquisition program and the results of investigations of two measurement systems, the Omega OM-900 temperature sensing system and the Scani-Valve Hyscan pressure measurement system.

King, Paul I.↗

ATS-5 ranging receiver and L-band experiment, volume 1

The ATS-5 Ranging Receiver and L-band Experiment Final Report contains information describing the L-band ranging receiver and preliminary results of test data obtained in the Mojave station. Also covered is a brief program history and description of the installation and testing phase of the program at Mojave Ground Station. The ranging receiver was designed to utilize tone ranging techniques, with the tones being supplied from the station ATS ranging system. The receiver is used in conjunction with the station L-band transmit/receive system.

Source record↗

Summary of Testing Results for the Structural Heat Intercept, Insulation, and Vibration Evaluation Rig (SHIIVER)

Testing was completed on the Structural Heat Intercept, Insulation, and Vibration Evaluation Rig (SHIIVER) between August 2019 and January 2020. SHIIVER was designed to be a test bed for the scaling of cryogenic fluid management technologies as applied to large upper stages and long duration in-space stages. The baseline SHIIVER design consists of uninsulated structural skirts attached to a propellant tank insulated with polyurethane Spray-On Foam Insulation (SOFI). The initial testing of the SHIIVER hardware was with liquid hydrogen and sought to demonstrate the use of boil-off vapor to intercept heat on a structural skirt, multilayer insulation (MLI) on the tank domes, and the radio frequency mass gauge (RFMG). Testing was completed in four stages: a baseline thermal vacuum test prior to installation of the MLI on the tank domes, a thermal vacuum test after the MLI installation, a reverberant acoustic test, and a subsequent thermal vacuum test to verify that no damage occurred during the reverberant acoustic testing. Each thermal vacuum test with chamber wall at ambient temperature and vacuum level in the 10-6 torr range was conducted continuously between approximately 90% full and 25% full. Test results showed that the vapor cooling reduced the heat load to the tank by approximately 10%, but the boil-off by less than 3% at 50% full, with and without MLI installed on the domes. The MLI installed on the domes reduced the heat load to the tank by approximately 40% at all fill levels, but the boil-off by approximately 25% at 90% full and 45% below 65% full. The RFMG performed well over all fill ranges, and several RF tank modes were used to gauge the mass of fluid in the tank. SHIIVER was then exposed to an acoustic environment of 147 dB OASPL (overall sound pressure level) in a reverberant chamber. The acoustic environment envelopes the upper stage internal acoustic level of several different modern launch vehicles. No structural or thermal performance changes were observed after exposure to the acoustic environment. Final thermal vacuum testing after the acoustic testing showed no degradation to the MLI due to the acoustic environment as measured via system heat loads

SHIIVER↗

Overview of the Turbine Based Combined Cycle Discipline

The NASA Fundamental Aeronautics Hypersonics project is focused on technologies for combined cycle, airbreathing propulsions systems to enable reusable launch systems for access to space. Turbine Based Combined Cycle (TBCC) propulsion systems offer specific impulse (Isp) improvements over rocket-based propulsion systems in the subsonic takeoff and return mission segments and offer improved safety. The potential to realize more aircraft-like operations with expanded launch site capability and reduced system maintenance are additional benefits. The most critical TBCC enabling technologies as identified in the National Aeronautics Institute (NAI) study were: 1) mode transition from the low speed propulsion system to the high speed propulsion system, 2) high Mach turbine engine development, 3) transonic aero-propulsion performance, 4) low-Mach-number dual-mode scramjet operation, 5) innovative 3-D flowpath concepts and 6) innovative turbine based combined cycle integration. To address several of these key TBCC challenges, NASA s Hypersonics project (TBCC Discipline) initiated an experimental mode transition task that includes an analytic research endeavor to assess the state-of-the-art of propulsion system performance and design codes. This initiative includes inlet fluid and turbine performance codes and engineering-level algorithms. This effort has been focused on the Combined Cycle Engine Large-Scale Inlet Mode Transition Experiment (CCE LIMX) which is a fully integrated TBCC propulsion system with flow path sizing consistent with previous NASA and DoD proposed Hypersonic experimental flight test plans. This experiment is being tested in the NASA-GRC 10 x 10 Supersonic Wind Tunnel (SWT) Facility. The goal of this activity is to address key hypersonic combined-cycle-engine issues: (1) dual integrated inlet operability and performance issues unstart constraints, distortion constraints, bleed requirements, controls, and operability margins, (2) mode-transition constraints imposed by the turbine and the ramjet/scramjet flow paths (imposed variable geometry requirements), (3) turbine engine transients (and associated time scales) during transition, (4) high-altitude turbine engine re-light, and (5) the operating constraints of a Mach 3-7 combustor (specific to the TBCC). The model will be tested in several test phases to develop a unique TBCC database to assess and validate design and analysis tools and address operability, integration, and interaction issues for this class of advanced propulsion systems. The test article and all support equipment is complete and available at the facility. The test article installation and facility build-up in preparation for the inlet performance and operability characterization is near completion and testing is planned to commence in FY11.

Thomas, Scott R.↗

Modal Testing of Seven Shuttle Cargo Elements for Space Station

From December 1996 to May 2001, the Modal and Control Dynamics Team at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) conducted modal tests on seven large elements of the International Space Station. Each of these elements has been or will be launched as a Space Shuttle payload for transport to the International Space Station (ISS). Like other Shuttle payloads, modal testing of these elements was required for verification of the finite element models used in coupled loads analyses for launch and landing. The seven modal tests included three modules - Node, Laboratory, and Airlock, and four truss segments - P6, P3/P4, S1/P1, and P5. Each element was installed and tested in the Shuttle Payload Modal Test Bed at MSFC. This unique facility can accommodate any Shuttle cargo element for modal test qualification. Flexure assemblies were utilized at each Shuttle-to-payload interface to simulate a constrained boundary in the load carrying degrees of freedom. For each element, multiple-input, multiple-output burst random modal testing was the primary approach with controlled input sine sweeps for linearity assessments. The accelerometer channel counts ranged from 252 channels to 1251 channels. An overview of these tests, as well as some lessons learned, will be provided in this paper.

Kappus, Kathy O.↗

Installed nacelle drag-improvement tests of an M = 0.8 turboprop transport configuration

An unpowered semispan model of a representative turboprop configuration was tested to determine the effect of configuration modifications on the the nonmetric body and wing juncture. It is indicated that the jet off nacelle-installation drag can be approximately 25% of the cruise drag. However, the losses can be reduced to 17% by changes to the wing leading edge and nacelle intersection. Comparison of test results from a semispan nonmetric fuselage model with those from a full span metric fuselage show differences in angles of attack produced the same lift. It is found that the constant lift drag rise of the semispan model is higher because of the increased angle of attack to achieve the same lift.

Levin, A. D.↗

Shadowgraph techniques in transonic tests with powered nacelles

Shadowgraph photography techniques in transonic wind tunnel tests are described. The system was used in tests with powered nacelle rings to visualize the shock wave pattern in the exhaust flow. The technique is also used for installed nacelle tests on a floor mounted half model with a turbine powered fan engine simulator.

Hutton, P. G.↗

Mach number and flow-field calibration at the advanced design propeller location on the JetStar airplane

Advanced design propellers on a JetStar aircraft were tested at NASA Ames Research Center's Dryden Flight Research Facility. A calibration of the flow field at the test location to obtain local Mach number and flow direction was performed. A pitot-static probe and flow direction vane installation was installed and tested at Mach 0.3 to 0.8 and altitudes from 3000 m (10,000 ft) to 9100 m (30,000 ft). Local Mach number and flow direction relationships were obtained and related to their noseboom counterparts. Effects of varying angles of sideslip to + or - 3 deg. were investigated.

Webb, L. D.↗

Development of a Multi-Stage Filter System for Cabin Ventilation Systems on the ISS and Future Deep Space Missions

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA's) deep space exploration missions will be of significant duration requiring long-life and reliably performing spacecraft cabin ventilation filters. A particulate filter system is being developed at NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) to meet the challenges of these remote and long duration missions. The capabilities and features of the filter system are expected to expand the life and reduce the maintenance requirements over that of the current ISS (International Space Station) filter by providing pre-filtration stages with novel self-cleaning and regenerable techniques. The filter provides two regenerable pre-filtration stages using a screen mesh media and an impactor collection system, and also provides intermediate stage filtration employing self-replacing filter media. The filter system is also designed to be compatible with the interfaces and performance requirements of the ISS distributed ventilation architecture in the US modules to facilitate testing on ISS type test or mock up platforms. Currently, a prototype of the filter system is undergoing tests in a custom configured filter test stand at the NASA GRC. The test stand provides the same range of flow rates produced on the ISS distributed architecture, and is equipped and instrumented to perform filter tests based on industrial test standards. The test stand has been used successfully to perform filter and flow performance test on returned ISS Bacterial Filter Elements. Similar test protocols were used to characterize the performance of the current filter system. Different performing grades of filter media will be installed and tested on the filter system, and different test particle standards will be used to simulate the range of particulate matter particles and debris the filter will see during a mission. This paper will present results and analysis of the test data to guide and provide input to the next generation filter system.

ISS↗

Fiber Optic Repair and Maintainability (FORM) Program Progresses

Advanced aircraft will employ fiber-optic interconnection components to transmit information from airframe and propulsion sensors to the flight control computers. Although these optical interconnects have been rigorously tested under laboratory conditions to determine their operating and environmental limits, there is concern as to their repairability and maintainability when placed in actual service. The Fiber Optic Repair and Maintainability (FORM) flight test program will provide data to enable designers to improve these fiber-optic interconnection systems for the next generation of aircraft. FORM is identifying critical problems in installing, maintaining, testing, and repairing fiber-optic interconnection systems in an operational avionics environment. This program is a cooperative Government/industry effort to evaluate optical component acceptability and installation techniques for aircraft.

Source record↗

Transonic wind tunnel test of a supersonic nozzle installation

The design of the propulsion system installation affects strongly the total drag and overall performance of an aircraft, and the concept, placement, and integration details of the exhaust nozzle are major considerations in the configuration definition. As part of the NASA Supersonic Cruise Research (SCR) program, a wind tunnel test program has been conducted to investigate exhaust nozzle-airframe interactions at transonic speeds. First phase testing is to establish guidelines for follow-on testing. A summary is provided of the results of first phase testing, taking into account the test approach, the effect of nozzle closure on aircraft aerodynamic characteristics, nozzle installation effects and nacelle interference drag, and an analytical study of the effects of nozzle closure on the aircraft.

Yetter, J. A.↗

A research program to reduce interior noise in general aviation airplanes: Investigation of the characteristics of an acoustic panel test facility

Sound pressure levels in the test facility were studied that are caused by varying: (1) microphone positions; (2) equalizer setting; and (3) panel clamping forces. Measurements were done by using a Beranek tube or this Beranek tube in combinations with an extension tube and a special test section. In all configurations tests were executed with and without a test panel installed. The influence of the speaker back panel and the back panel of the Beranek tube on the sound pressure levels inside the test tube were also investigated. It is shown that the definition of noise reduction is more useful in relation to this test facility than transmission loss.

Grosveld, F.↗

NASA rotor systems research aircraft: Fixed-wing configuration flight-test results

The fixed-wing, airplane configuration flight-test results of the Rotor System Research Aircraft (RSRA), NASA 740, at Ames/Dryden Flight Research Center are documented. Fourteen taxi and flight tests were performed from December 1983 to October 1984. This was the first time the RSRA was flown with the main rotor removed; the tail rotor was installed. These tests confirmed that the RSRA is operable as a fixed-wing aircraft. Data were obtained for various takeoff and landing distances, control sensitivity, trim and dynamics stability characteristics, performance rotor-hub drag, and acoustics signature. Stability data were obtained with the rotor hub both installed and removed. The speed envelope was developed to 261 knots true airspeed (KTAS), 226 knots calibrated airspeed (KCAS) at 10,000 ft density altitude. The airplane was configured at 5 deg. wing incidence with 5 deg. wing flaps as a normal configuration. Level-flight data were acquired at 167 KCAS for wing incidence from 0 to 10 deg. Step inputs and doublet inputs of various magnitudes were utilized to acquire dynamic stability and control sensitivity data. Sine-wave inputs of constantly increasing frequency were used to generate parameter identification data. The maximum load factor attained was 2.34 g at 206 KCAS.

Erickson, R. E.↗

Flex Circuitry for Confined Spaces

To facilitate installation of electronic equipment in confined spaces, circuitry preassembled on flexible wiring. Mother boards, large bypass capacitors, and interface connectors mounted on flexible wiring and tested before installation. Flexible circuits eliminate need for in-place hardwiring and allow smaller enclosures to be used.

Fitzpatrick, J. B.↗

Space Shuttle: Static pressure distribution on Chrysler Corporation Space Division SERV booster configuration

A dual purpose test was conducted in the propulsion wind tunnel (PWT) to evaluate the performance of an aerospike engine, in the presence of a booster, and obtain forebody and base pressure distributions on the booster in which it is installed. The test item was a 2.5 percent scaled replica of the SERV booster employing a 5 percent spike length aerospike engine installed in the base region of the model. Cold flow air was used to simulate engine jet operation. Two booster configurations were investigated, one on which reentry aerospike engine thermal protection doors were installed, and another where the doors were removed. The data presented are representative of the latter configuration for a Mach number range of 0 to 1.25 at angles of attack of 0 and 8 degrees and 0 degrees angle of sideslip.

Price, E. A.↗

Thermal Protection Systems Technology Transfer from Apollo and Space Shuttle to the Orion Program

This paper describes how the Orion program is utilizing the Thermal Protection System (TPS) experience from the Apollo and Space Shuttle programs to reduce program risk and improve affordability to meet NASA's future manned exploration missions. The Orion program successfully completed the Exploration Flight Test (EFT-1) mission in 2014 and is currently assembling, integrating, and testing the next spacecraft for the Exploration Mission (EM-1) to meet the flight test objectives of an unmanned orbital mission to the moon and return to earth in 2019. The Orion spacecraft production operations are located in the Neil Armstrong Operations and Checkout (O&C) facility at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) providing an affordable and seamless delivery approach of vehicles directly to the launch site eliminating spacecraft transportation and additional checkout testing. Innovative vehicle design, manufacturing and test operations approaches are maturing and evolving with each Orion vehicle build to support the challenging NASA exploration mission requirements beyond Low Earth Orbit (LEO) while reducing program cost and schedule impacts. An example of Orion's evolution is the incorporation of an improved heat shield design, assembly and testing approach to meet the higher re-entry velocities for a lunar return for the EM-1 mission. The EFT- 1 heat shield was based on the Apollo heat shield manufacturing processes and was assembled at a supplier location and then transported to KSC for final integration. The EM-1 heat shield is now manufactured, assembled, tested, and installed into the spacecraft at the O&C facility reducing program cost and production schedules. The transition of the Space Shuttle TPS capabilities has enabled Orion to provide a human rated capsule design using proven materials and processes established over years of orbiter re-entry missions. The Orion Crew Module (CM) TPS configuration is derived from the Apollo CM approach utilizing improved materials and processes developed from the Space Shuttle program. The Orion EFT-1 heat shield utilized the Avcoat ablative material from Apollo which was injected into a honeycomb substrate and has been updated for EM-1 incorporating a block configuration bonded to a composite shell structure. This approach utilizes the proven Avcoat material for the heat shield ablator and is utilizing derived bonding and inspection methods and techniques from the Space Shuttle tile experience. The Orion back shell TPS configuration is based on Space Shuttle tile designs using proven tile materials and coatings. The Orion forward bay cover utilizes the high temperature tiles similar to the back shell tiles and low temperature blankets derived from the Space Shuttle program reducing weight impacts. Space Shuttle Multi-Layer Insulation (MLI) is installed in the Orion capsule to control the interior temperature environment providing a light weight design. These TPS design approaches have performed successfully on the Orion first flight test on EFT-1 and are incorporated in the configuration for the next flight test for EM-1. Completion of these two flight tests will certify the TPS for the Orion program for human rated exploration missions and has reduced the development cost to the Orion program. In addition to transitioning the Space Shuttle TPS design configurations to Orion, the supporting manufacturing infrastructure, manufacturing processes, and inspection methods are also incorporated into the Orion assembly operations at KSC. This has avoided significant startup schedule and costs impacts of new capabilities and development of support operations necessary to fabricate, install, inspect, and validate the TPS installations for the Orion spacecraft. The Thermal Protection System Facility (TPSF) which supported the Space Shuttle program provides the heat shield Avcoat blocks and the back shell AETB-8 tiles for Orion program. Extending the existing Space Shuttle TPS operations at KSC provides onsite support to the Orion spacecraft assembly operations. A significant benefit to the Orion program is the transition of the Space Shuttle technician work force at KSC. This highly skilled workforce was able to transition to the Orion program and immediately support the TPS installation operations. They brought with them the human rated manufacturing and assembly operations culture that was critical to the Space Shuttle success avoiding the retraining cost and schedule impacts of a new workforce to Orion. The technician skills certification program from the Space Shuttle was found to be compatible with the Lockheed Martin technician certification programs enabling a seamless training process utilizing process similarity avoiding the cost of retraining the work force to Orion standards. The existing workforce is certificated for multiple processes enabling reassignment of technicians to other tasks in the Orion AI&P operations reducing the overall touch labor manpower requirements. Additional benefits of using the Space Shuttle workforce is the incorporation of the lessons learned from Space Shuttle processes to improve the Orion TPS processes. This has resulted in a continuous evolution of TPS processes to improve the producibility and reduce the program cost for the TPS for the Orion program. Transitioning the Apollo and Space Shuttle TPS designs, processes, and technician workforce has been instrumental in enabling Orion to successfully meet the program challenges for NASA's exploration missions of the future.

Stewart, Michael↗

Fabrication of a glycerol from CO2 reaction system, supplement

The fabrication, installation, and testing of a glycerol hydrogenation and a CO2 hydrogenation - CH4 partial oxidation units are reported. The glycerol system proved to be operational while the CO2 system was installed but not bought on operational steam.

Weiss, A. H.↗