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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
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1990

The composite load spectra project

Probabilistic methods and generic load models capable of simulating the load spectra that are induced in space propulsion system components are being developed. Four engine component types (the transfer ducts, the turbine blades, the liquid oxygen posts and the turbopump oxidizer discharge duct) were selected as representative hardware examples. The composite load spectra that simulate the probabilistic loads for these components are typically used as the input loads for a probabilistic structural analysis. The knowledge-based system approach used for the composite load spectra project provides an ideal environment for incremental development. The intelligent database paradigm employed in developing the expert system provides a smooth coupling between the numerical processing and the symbolic (information) processing. Large volumes of engine load information and engineering data are stored in database format and managed by a database management system. Numerical procedures for probabilistic load simulation and database management functions are controlled by rule modules. Rules were hard-wired as decision trees into rule modules to perform process control tasks. There are modules to retrieve load information and models. There are modules to select loads and models to carry out quick load calculations or make an input file for full duty-cycle time dependent load simulation. The composite load spectra load expert system implemented today is capable of performing intelligent rocket engine load spectra simulation. Further development of the expert system will provide tutorial capability for users to learn from it.

Newell, J. F.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Automation in the Space Station module power management and distribution Breadboard

The Space Station Module Power Management and Distribution (SSM/PMAD) Breadboard, located at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) in Huntsville, Alabama, models the power distribution within a Space Station Freedom Habitation or Laboratory module. Originally designed for 20 kHz ac power, the system is now being converted to high voltage dc power with power levels on a par with those expected for a space station module. In addition to the power distribution hardware, the system includes computer control through a hierarchy of processes. The lowest level process consists of fast, simple (from a computing standpoint) switchgear, capable of quickly safing the system. The next level consists of local load center processors called Lowest Level Processors (LLP's). These LLP's execute load scheduling, perform redundant switching, and shed loads which use more than scheduled power. The level above the LLP's contains a Communication and Algorithmic Controller (CAC) which coordinates communications with the highest level. Finally, at this highest level, three cooperating Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems manage load prioritization, load scheduling, load shedding, and fault recovery and management. The system provides an excellent venue for developing and examining advanced automation techniques. The current system and the plans for its future are examined.

Walls, Bryan↗
NASA NTRS1991

Planning and Resource Management in an Intelligent Automated Power Management System

Power system management is a process of guiding a power system towards the objective of continuous supply of electrical power to a set of loads. Spacecraft power system management requires planning and scheduling, since electrical power is a scarce resource in space. The automation of power system management for future spacecraft has been recognized as an important R&D goal. Several automation technologies have emerged including the use of expert systems for automating human problem solving capabilities such as rule based expert system for fault diagnosis and load scheduling. It is questionable whether current generation expert system technology is applicable for power system management in space. The objective of the ADEPTS (ADvanced Electrical Power management Techniques for Space systems) is to study new techniques for power management automation. These techniques involve integrating current expert system technology with that of parallel and distributed computing, as well as a distributed, object-oriented approach to software design. The focus of the current study is the integration of new procedures for automatically planning and scheduling loads with procedures for performing fault diagnosis and control. The objective is the concurrent execution of both sets of tasks on separate transputer processors, thus adding parallelism to the overall management process.

Morris, Robert A.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Energy management analysis of lunar oxygen production

Energy load models in the process of hydrogen reduction of ilmenite for lunar oxygen production are being developed. The load models will be used as a first step to ultimately determine the optimal energy system needed to supply the power requirements for the process. The goal is to determine the energy requirements in the process of hydrogen reduction of ilmenite to produce oxygen. The general approach is shown, and the objectives are to determine the energy loads of the processes in the system. Subsequent energy management studies will be made to minimize the system losses (irreversibilities) and to design optimal energy system power requirements. A number of processes are being proposed as possible candidates for lunar application and some detailed experimental efforts are being conducted within this project at the University of Arizona. Priorities are directed toward developing the energy models for each of the proposed processes being considered. The immediate goals are to identify the variables that would impact energy requirements and energy sources of supply.

Fazzolari, R.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Implementation strategies for load center automation on the space station module/power management and distribution testbed

The Space Station Module/Power Management and Distribution (SSM/PMAD) testbed was developed to study the tertiary power management on modules in large spacecraft. The main goal was to study automation techniques, not necessarily develop flight ready systems. Because of the confidence gained in many of automation strategies investigated, it is appropriate to study, in more detail, implementation strategies in order to find better trade-offs for nearer to flight ready systems. These trade-offs particularly concern the weight, volume, power consumption, and performance of the automation system. These systems, in their present implementation are described.

Watson, Karen↗
DOE OSTI2025

Forecasting EV Charging Demand on the Distribution System

The U.S. transportation and electricity sectors have historically operated independently, but the growth of electric vehicles (EVs) is driving their convergence. After decades of stagnant demand, utilities must prepare for rising load growth, driven in part by transportation electrification. Utilities must anticipate when and where these new loads will materialize to effectively manage EV growth and maintain grid reliability. This presentation outlines NREL's approach to developing high-resolution EV load datasets for distribution planning, with insights from the Multi-State Transportation Electrification Impact Study on EV and load forecasting, infrastructure requirements, and managed charging strategies.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
NASA NTRS2024

Intermountain West Wildland Fires: Mapping Tree Mortality and Burn Patches using NASA Earth Observations to Determine Fire Risk and Inform Fire Management Practices

Within the intermountain west, monitoring fuel loads is a major concern for wildland fire management efforts. To address this concern, we partnered with the U.S. Forest Service to inform the agency which forested areas should be prioritized for prescribed burning and fuel reduction near human communities in the Bridger-Teton National Forest, Wyoming. We created burn maps, fuel load maps, and a tutorial document to identify forest impact trends and provide the partner with the tools to replicate project methods for expansion to other wildfire crisis strategy sites. These end products were made using two NASA Earth observations: Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager and Shuttle Radar Topography Mission. Based on our random forest analysis, our maps identified 998 acres within the Wildland Urban Interface that are predicted to have high fuel loading and high burn severity within the Bridger-Teton National Forest. Forested areas closer to heavily populated areas such as Jackson, Kelly, Moran, New Forks Lake, and Star Valley Ranch should be prioritized for fuel reduction. However, our random forest model analysis was limited to using vegetation and topographical indices with no field data for model validation. Therefore, future studies should use field data for model validation to improve model accuracy and additionally incorporate Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation data into models to create better predictions of forested areas with high fuel load and high burn severity.

Remote Sensing↗
DOE OSTI2026

Laboratory Evaluation of Federated, Hierarchical Controls for Distribution Power System Management: Preprint

The connection of more loads and distributed energy resources (DERs) to the distribution power system brings both challenges and opportunities to system operators. There are opportunities to aggregate flexible loads and DERs to provide transmission grid services, but the coordinated actions of DERs being managed by independent, third-party DER aggregators to support transmission system operations can present challenges. We developed a federated DER management architecture and control framework that aims to manage heterogeneous DERs to deliver reliable transmission grid services while respecting distribution system constraints. The controls include stochastic day-ahead optimization, model predictive control, and a simple real-time management scheme. We present simulation results obtained from a realistic laboratory test bed of federated controls managing DERs within a substation service area to make the substation net power follow the optimal net power determined by the day-ahead optimization based on cost and limiting reverse power flow.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
NASA NTRS1991

Test and evaluation of load converter topologies used in the Space Station Freedom Power Management and distribution DC test bed

Power components hardware in support of the Space Station Freedom dc Electrical Power System were tested. One type of breadboard hardware tested is the dc Load Converter Unit, which constitutes the power interface between the electric power system and the actual load. These units are dc to dc converters that provide the final system regulation before power is delivered to the load. Three load converters were tested: a series resonant converter, a series inductor switchmode converter, and a switching full-bridge forward converter. The topology, operation principles, and tests results are described, in general. A comparative analysis of the three units is given with respect to efficiency, regulation, short circuit behavior (protection), and transient characteristics.

Lebron, Ramon C.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Test and evaluation of load converter topologies used in the Space Station Freedom power management and distribution dc test bed

Power components hardware in support of the Space Station freedom dc Electric Power System were tested. One type of breadboard hardware tested is the dc Load Converter Unit, which constitutes the power interface between the electric power system and the actual load. These units are dc to dc converters that provide the final system regulation before power is delivered to the load. Three load converters were tested: a series resonant converter, a series inductor switch-mode converter, and a switching full-bridge forward converter. The topology, operation principles, and test results are described, in general. A comparative analysis of the three units is given with respect to efficiency, regulation, short circuit behavior (protection), and transient characteristics.

Lebron, Ramon C.↗
DOE OSTI2024

Bounding Pressure and Flammability Evaluations of Aluminum-Clad Spent Nuclear Fuel Department of Energy Standard Canisters

This paper presents bounding pressure and flammability evaluations for DOE Standard Canister loaded with DOE-managed aluminum-clad spent nuclear fuel (ASNF). The objective of these evaluations is to gain confidence in the safety and feasibility of possible loading configurations for extended (>50 years) periods of dry storage, with particular focus on the dry storage canister pressures and potential for formation of a flammable atmosphere. The primary concern about the extended dry storage of ASNF is radiolytic gas generation. The aluminum cladding of these materials tends to corrode, and these corrosion products—typically aluminum oxides, such as boehmite, bayerite, or gibbsite—could carry water. This makes ASNF dry storage canisters difficult to dry. The gamma radiation field in dry storage environments could cause a radiolytic breakdown of residual water, forming chemical species such as molecular hydrogen (H2). The release of these species could increase the canister pressure and lead to the generation of a flammable canister atmosphere. The bounding evaluations presented within this study surmise conservative, but credible, conditions and processes. This includes the assumption of a full breakdown of a large quantity of free, physisorbed, and chemisorbed water (bound in a trihydrate, i.e., Al2O3 • 3H2O, layer). The considered dry storage configurations include a ~3 m (10 ft) long, ~46 cm (18 in) diameter (10 x 18) DOE Standard Canister loaded with 32 Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) ASNF elements, and a ~3 m (10 ft) long, ~61 cm (24 in) (10 x 24) diameter DOE Standard Canister loaded with 40 ATR ASNF elements. While the results of this study indicate the possibility of atmospheric hydrogen concentrations above the lower flammability limit, insufficient concentrations of oxygen will prevent the formation of flammable atmospheres. The maximum credible pressures remain well within the structural limits of the DOE Standard Canister.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
NASA NTRS2007

Estimation of Forest Fuel Load from Radar Remote Sensing

Understanding fire behavior characteristics and planning for fire management require maps showing the distribution of wildfire fuel loads at medium to fine spatial resolution across large landscapes. Radar sensors from airborne or spaceborne platforms have the potential of providing quantitative information about the forest structure and biomass components that can be readily translated to meaningful fuel load estimates for fire management. In this paper, we used multifrequency polarimetric synthetic aperture radar imagery acquired over a large area of the Yellowstone National Park (YNP) by the AIRSAR sensor, to estimate the distribution of forest biomass and canopy fuel loads. Semi-empirical algorithms were developed to estimate crown and stem biomass and three major fuel load parameters, canopy fuel weight, canopy bulk density, and foliage moisture content. These estimates when compared directly to measurements made at plot and stand levels, provided more than 70% accuracy, and when partitioned into fuel load classes, provided more than 85% accuracy. Specifically, the radar generated fuel parameters were in good agreement with the field-based fuel measurements, resulting in coefficients of determination of R(sup 2) = 85 for the canopy fuel weight, R(sup 2)=.84 for canopy bulk density and R(sup 2) = 0.78 for the foliage biomass.

Saatchi, Sassan↗
NASA NTRS2019

Why You Might Feel Drained at the End of the Day: Workload and the Anesthesiologist

Anesthesiology is a medical specialty with one of the highest workloads and stress levels compared to all others. It is critical that anesthesiologists understand and develop effective strategies for managing their workload to avoid professional burnout. In this presentation, I will first provide an overview and definition of concepts related to workload, including task load, multitasking, concurrent task management, and interleaving tasks, and will discuss common assumptions (that are typically incorrect) relative to workload and task management. I will review common ways that anesthesiologists might unwittingly "sabotage" their attempts to manage their workload and will briefly discuss workload management techniques and strategies that they can implement to more effectively manage their tasks.

anesthesiology↗
DOE OSTI2025

High-Power Electric Vehicle Charging Hub Integration Platform (eCHIP): Site Energy Management System Platform Development

A site energy management system is a critical component of future high-power EV charging hubs. It monitors and supervises all inter-hub operations, coordinates grid interactions, and implements energy management strategies and load-sharing controls at various levels and time scales. This report provides a comprehensive high-level overview and guidelines on the essential elements of such energy management systems. These elements primarily focus on the core functions, architecture, and monitoring aspects of site energy management. The core functions define the grid services and operational objectives that a charging hub is expected to provide and achieve. The architectural section investigates the coordination between hub assets, different control schemes, and their potential benefits and drawbacks. Lastly, the report discusses the needs, types, and functionalities of a monitoring and visualization system.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
NASA NTRS2013

Method to Increase Performance of Foil Bearings Through Passive Thermal Management

This invention is a new approach to designing foil bearings to increase their load capacity and improve their reliability through passive thermal management. In the present case, the bearing is designed in such a way as to prevent the carryover of lubricant from the exit of one sector to the inlet of the ensuing sector of the foil bearing. When such passive thermal management techniques are used, bearing load capacity is improved by multiples, and reliability is enhanced when compared to current foil bearings. This concept has recently been tested and validated, and shows that load capacity performance of foil bearings can be improved by a factor of two at relatively low speeds with potentially greater relative improvements at higher speeds. Such improvements in performance with respect to speed are typical of foil bearings. Additionally, operation of these newly conceived bearings shows much more reliability and repeatable performance. This trait can be exploited in machine design to enhance safety, reliability, and overall performance. Finally, lower frictional torque has been demonstrated when operating at lower (non-load capacity) loads, thus providing another improvement above the current state of the art. The objective of the invention is to incorporate features into a foil bearing that both enhance passive thermal management and temperature control, while at the same time improve the hydrodynamic (load capacity) performance of the foil bearing. Foil bearings are unique antifriction devices that can utilize the working fluid of a machine as a lubricant (typically air for turbines and motors, liquids for pumps), and as a coolant to remove excess energy due to frictional heating. The current state of the art of foil bearings utilizes forced cooling of the bearing and shaft, which represents poor efficiency and poor reliability. This invention embodies features that utilize the bearing geometry in such a manner as to both support load and provide an inherent and passive cooling mechanism. This cooling mechanism functions in such a way as to prevent used (higher temperature) lubricant from being carried over from the exit of one sector into the entry of the next sector of the foil bearing. The disclosed innovation is an improved foil bearing design that reduces or eliminates the need for force cooling of the bearing, while at the same time improving the load capacity of the bearing by at least a factor of two. These improvements are due to the elimination of lubricant carryover from the trailing edge of one sector into the leading edge of the next, and the mixing of used lubricant with the surrounding ambient fluid.

Bruckner, Robert↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

The Influence of Material Characterization on Thermal Loads Development and Flight Vehicle Design

The thermal management team faces a significant challenge to meet the aggressive thermal loading associated with hypersonic flight. Design strategies require the involvement of many engineering disciplines, as each must design their respective subsystem and then interface with all remaining subsystems to successfully close the vehicle design space. High fidelity thermal solid models will capture the variation in material properties and the effects of chemical reactions associated with hypersonic flight. Selection of the best materials for the mission will be based upon computational fluid dynamics and thermal modeling results. To enhance the probability for success, it is recommended that frequent communication occur between the thermal modeler and the materials scientist regarding design strategies and modeling assumptions. Early in the design process, lower fidelity modeling will be used to narrow the trade space. As promising designs are found, greater fidelity in the modeling process will be required to address more of the flowfield challenges and the material performance under the prescribed flight profile. The end goal is to select the most technically sound and physically advantageous material for the mission while avoiding overdesigning the vehicle due to modeling or material uncertainties. This presentation seeks to give an overview of the key thermal parameters that are affected through materials engineering, the interactions between a thermal engineer and other disciplines, and an example of the thermal design process, the X-43.

hypersonic↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Tailored Arrival Manager Plan for ecoD 2020

TAM is an automated approach to ensuring safe separation while maximizing throughput and efficiency; as currently conceived, it would serve as an ATC tool. TAM relies on NASA’s Autoresolver technology to compute trajectory-based arrival solutions that provide separation assurance while maximizing airspace and airport capacity utilization. In addition, TAM enables optimized profile descents that minimize altitude level offs and speed interruptions. Importantly, TAM trajectory clearances are intended for delivery to the flight deck through datacomm rather than voice-based communications. Once received on the flight deck, TAM solutions can be auto-loaded into a Flight Management System (FMS) for precision guidance and control along the intended arrival trajectory.

Richard A Coppenbarger↗
DOE OSTI2025

Adoption of AI in the Utility T&D Sector: Use Cases, Consequence, Assessment and Benefits

Digital transformation and utilization of artificial intelligence (AI) in the electric grid are fundamentally changing the industry’s approach to common problems and enabling a broader paradigm shift in grid planning and operations. The change in approach is circularly both enabling and driving modernization, with load growth and reliable management of data center and AI infrastructure shifting away from planning approaches with relatively predictable behaviors and toward a mix of consumer and industrial choices that surpass human cognitive abilities to process. This movement has potential to condition humans to not understand the system on which the AI depends, while requiring it for development of the necessary infrastructure. Approaches which would address most likely grid conditions and events, such as faults, aging of equipment, and weather, now must also account for large loads which shift not based upon weather or time of day, but the computational load. Quantifying computational load is independent of the traditional grid forecasting variables, where a data center’s aggregate load is determined by user and AI system behavior and decoupled from normal grid planning and operations. AI is both the cause and solution for these challenges, with new grid planning tools integrating massive amounts of decisions into frameworks.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗