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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

Advanced manufacturing development of a composite empennage component for l-1011 aircraft

Tooling concepts were developed which would permit co-couring of the hat stiffeners to the skin to form the cover assembly in a single autoclave cycle. These tooling concepts include the use of solid rubber mandrels, foam mandrels, and formed elastometric bladders. A simplification of the root end design of the cover hat stiffeners was accomplished in order to facilitate fabrication. The conversion of the 3D NASTRAN model from level 15 to level 16 was completed and a successful check run accomplished. A detailed analysis of the thermal load requirement for the environmental chambers was carried out. Based on the thermal analysis, best function requirements, load inputs and ease of access, a system involving four chambers, two for the covers containing 6 and 4 specimens, respectively, and two for the spares containing 6 and 4 specimens, respectively, evolved.

Source record↗

Space station common module thermal management: Design and construction of a test bed

In this project, a thermal test bed was designed, simulated, and planned for construction. The thermal system features interior and exterior thermal loads and interfacing with the central-radiator thermal bus. Components of the test bed include body mounted radiator loop with interface heat exchangers (600 Btu/hr); an internal loop with cabin air-conditioning and cold plates (3400 Btu/hr); interface heat exchangers to the central bus (13,000 Btu/hr); and provisions for new technology including advanced radiators, thermal storage, and refrigeration. The apparatus will be mounted in a chamber, heated with lamps, and tested in a vacuum chamber with LN2-cooled walls. Simulation of the test bed was accomplished using a DEC PRO 350 computer and the software package TK! olver. Key input variables were absorbed solar radiation and cold plate loads. The results indicate temperatures on the two loops will be nominal when the radiation and cold plate loads are in the range of 25% to 75% of peak loads. If all loads fall to zero, except the cabin air system which was fixed, the radiator fluid will drop below -100 F and may cause excessive pressure drop. If all loads reach 100%, the cabin air temperature could rise to 96 F.

Barile, R. G.↗

Sizing-tube-fin space radiators

Temperature and size considerations of the tube fin space radiator were characterized by charts and equations. An approach of accurately assessing rejection capability commensurate with a phase A/B level output is reviewed. A computer program, based on Mackey's equations, is also presented which sizes the rejection area for a given thermal load. The program also handles the flow and thermal considerations of the film coefficient.

Peoples, J. A.↗

Thermal-structural analysis of large space structures - An assessment of recent advances

Recent advances in modeling, analyzing, and understanding the thermal-structural responses of large space structures are reviewed, and uncertainties in the thermal-structural analysis are identified. Typical heat-load, thermal, and structural analyses requirements for large space structures are discussed using a design for a future large spacecraft as an example. The current status of heating, thermal, and structural analyses is then reviewed, and computer programs used in research and design are discussed. The need to develop efficient methods for integrating the interdisciplinary analyses is emphasized.

Thornton, E. A.↗

Composite load spectra for select space propulsion structural components

The objective of this program is to develop generic load models with multiple levels of progressive sophistication to simulate the composite load spectra that are induced in space propulsion system components, representative of Space Shuttle Main Engines (SSME), such as transfer ducts, turbine blades, and liquid oxygen (LOX) posts and system ducting. These models will be developed using two independent approaches. The first approach consists of using state-of-the-art probabilistic methods to describe the individual loading conditions and combinations of these loading conditions to synthesize the composite load spectra simulation. The methodology required to combine the various individual load simulation models (hot-gas dynamic, vibrations, instantaneous position, centrifugal field, etc.) into composite load spectra simulation models will be developed under this program. A computer code incorporating the various individual and composite load spectra models will be developed to construct the specific load model desired. The second approach, which is covered under the options portion of the contract, will consist of developing coupled models for composite load spectra simulation which combine the (deterministic) models for composite load dynamic, acoustic, high-pressure and high rotational speed, etc., load simulation using statistically varying coefficients. These coefficients will then be determined using advanced probabilistic simulation methods with and without strategically selected experimental data. This report covers the efforts of the third year of the contract. The overall program status is that the turbine blade loads have been completed and implemented. The transfer duct loads are defined and are being implemented. The thermal loads for all components are defined and coding is being developed. A dynamic pressure load model is under development. The parallel work on the probabilistic methodology is essentially completed. The overall effort is being integrated in an expert system code specifically developed for this project.

Newell, J. F.↗

Ultrasonic Attenuation Results of Thermoplastic Resin Composites Undergoing Thermal and Fatigue Loading

As part of an effort to obtain the required information about new composites for aviation use, materials and NDE researchers at NASA are jointly performing mechanical and NDE measurements on new composite materials. The materials testing laboratory at NASA is equipped with environmental chambers mounted on load frames that can expose composite materials to thermal and loading cycles representative of flight protocols. Applying both temperature and load simultaneously will help to highlight temperature and load interactions during the aging of these composite materials. This report highlights our initial ultrasonic attenuation results from thermoplastic composite samples that have undergone over 4000 flight cycles to date. Ultrasonic attenuation measurements are a standard method used to assess the effects of material degradation. Recently, researchers have shown that they could obtain adequate contrast in the evaluation of thermal degradation in thermoplastic composites by using frequencies of ultrasound on the order of 24 MHz. In this study, we address the relationship of attenuation measured at lower frequencies in thermoplastic composites undergoing both thermal and mechanical loading. We also compare these thermoplastic results with some data from thermoset composites undergoing similar protocols. The composite s attenuation is reported as the slope of attenuation with respect to frequency, defined as b = Da(f)/Df. The slope of attenuation is an attractive parameter since it is quantitative, yet does not require interface corrections like conventional quantitative attenuation measurements. This latter feature is a consequence of the assumption that interface correction terms are frequency independent. Uncertainty in those correction terms can compromise the value of conventional quantitative attenuation data. Furthermore, the slope of the attenuation more directly utilizes the bandwidth information and in addition, the bandwidth can be adjusted in the post processing stage to compensate for the loss of dynamic range of the signal as the composites age.

Madaras, Eric I.↗

Thermal-structural combined loads design criteria study

A study was conducted to determine methodology for combining thermal structural loads and assessing the effects of the combined loads on the design of a thermal protection system and a hot structure of a high cross range delta wing space shuttle orbiter vehicle. The study presents guidelines for establishing a basis for predicting thermal and pressure environments and for determining limit and ultimate design loads on the vehicle during reentry. Limit trajectories were determined by using dispersions on a representative nominal mission and system parameters expected during the life of the vehicle. Nine chosen locations on the vehicle surface having TPS or hot structures were examined, and weight sensitivity analyses were performed for each location.

Deriugin, V.↗

Evaluation of thermal and mechanical loading effects on the structural behavior of a SIC/titanium composite

Composite specimens of titanium-15-3 matrix reinforced with continuous SCS-6 silicon carbide fibers were tested under a variety of thermal and mechanical loadings. A combined experimental/finite element approach was used to estimate the effective in situ modulus of the matrix material and to evaluate changes in modulus due to the applied loads. Several fiber orientations were tested. Results indicate that the effect of thermal loads on composite stiffness varies with fiber orientation. Applications of this method to test specimens damaged by uniaxial tension, thermal cycling, and isothermal fatigue loadings are used to illustrate that by monitoring overall structural behavior, changes in stiffness caused by thermomechanical loading can be detected.

Grady, J. E.↗

Validation of 3D MHD simulations of Ne/D 2 mixed shattered pellet injection in JET

Nonlinear 3D magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) modeling of shattered pellet injection (SPI) in JET tokamak plasmas is performed with the JOREK code. The study focuses on the validation of simulation result with respect to experimental observations, addressing in particular figures of merit for the efficiency of the SPI, as a technique to mitigate thermal loads by injecting radiative impurities like neon during the thermal quench (TQ) phase of disruptions. A set of JET pulses with neon/deuterium atomic mixture ratio in the shattered pellet varying from 10% to 100% provides the experimental data to be compared with. Simulations using different models for the ablation of solid fragments and the radiation of neon impurities are considered. Synthetic diagnostics are employed for a direct quantitative comparison with key JET diagnostic systems providing in particular radiation, electron temperature and density, and magnetic measurements. 3D radiation structures from MHD simulations are analyzed to estimate the toroidal asymmetry of radiation, which is difficult to measure in JET due to the presence of only two toroidally displaced multi-channel bolometry systems. JOREK simulations show that, before the TQ, the bulk of the radiation is concentrated in a toroidal region enclosing the radiating fragments that is missed by both multi-channel bolometers, suggesting a possible underestimation of the total radiation by such diagnostic systems in the pre-TQ phase. On the other hand, JOREK predicts that during the TQ the radiation becomes more toroidally symmetric, with positive implications for the heat load to plasma facing components.

JOREK↗

Evaluation of thermal and mechanical loading effects on the structural behavior of a SiC/titanium composite

Composite specimens of titanium-15-3 matrix reinforced with continuous SCS-6 silicon carbide fibers were tested under a variety of thermal and mechanical loadings. A combined experimental/finite element approach was used to estimate the effective in-situ modulus of the matrix material and to evaluate changes in modulus due to the applied loads. Several fiber orientations were tested. Results indicate that the effect of the thermal loads on composite stiffness varies with fiber orientation. Applications of this method to test specimens damaged by uniaxial tension, thermal cycling, and isothermal fatigue loadings are used to illustrate that by monitoring overall structural behavior, changes in stiffness caused by thermomechanical loading can be detected.

Grady, Joseph E.↗

FEM Analysis of Hybrid LTS/HTS Cos-Theta Dipole Magnet

After the recent results on Bi-2212 superconductive magnets realized and tested in canted cosine-theta and solenoid designs, respectively, at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) and NHMFL, the first Bi-2212 stress-managed cosine-theta insert magnet is in the assembly phase at Fermilab. This insert will be part of the first hybrid cosine-theta magnet made of Nb3Sn outer layers within the US-MDP effort to reach 20 T bore field. This paper reports the analytical analysis of the cosine-theta Nb3Sn/Bi-2212 hybrid magnet. As an introduction, it shows the validation of the finalized HTS coils' design optimized using the ROXIE code. Subsequently, it reports the parameters, logic, and implementation method of the 2D electromagnetic and mechanical FEM analysis of the LTS/HTS hybrid magnet. Results from the ANSYS detailed model made with sub-modeling geometry are compared with the homogeneous model implemented in the past. Moreover, a Python code was implemented to simulate the current degradation due to stresses in the detail-modeled conductor areas. The current degradation is introduced in the simulation dynamics for both conductors as an iteration process during the energization load step only after applying pre-stress and thermal loads. The numerical and graphic results of the 2D cosine-theta LTS/HTS magnet cross-section will be described and analyzed.

D'Agliano, A.↗

Thrust Stand for Electric Propulsion Performance Evaluation

An electric propulsion thrust stand capable of supporting thrusters with total mass of up to 125 kg and 1 mN to 1 N thrust levels has been developed and tested. The mechanical design features a conventional hanging pendulum arm attached to a balance mechanism that transforms horizontal motion into amplified vertical motion, with accommodation for variable displacement sensitivity. Unlike conventional hanging pendulum thrust stands, the deflection is independent of the length of the pendulum arm, and no reference structure is required at the end of the pendulum. Displacement is measured using a non-contact, optical linear gap displacement transducer. Mechanical oscillations are attenuated using a passive, eddy current damper. An on-board microprocessor-based level control system, which includes a two axis accelerometer and two linear-displacement stepper motors, continuously maintains the level of the balance mechanism - counteracting mechanical %era drift during thruster testing. A thermal control system, which includes heat exchange panels, thermocouples, and a programmable recirculating water chiller, continuously adjusts to varying thermal loads to maintain the balance mechanism temperature, to counteract thermal drifts. An in-situ calibration rig allows for steady state calibration both prior to and during thruster testing. Thrust measurements were carried out on a well-characterized 1 kW Hall thruster; the thrust stand was shown to produce repeatable results consistent with previously published performance data.

Markusic, T. E.↗

Effects of static tensile load on the thermal expansion of Gr/PI composite material

The effect of static tensile load on the thermal expansion of Gr/PI composite material was measured for seven different laminate configurations. A computer program was developed which implements laminate theory in a piecewise linear fashion to predict the coupled nonlinear thermomechanical behavior. Static tensile load significantly affected the thermal expansion characteristics of the laminates tested. This effect is attributed to a fiber instability micromechanical behavior of the constituent materials. Analytical results correlated reasonably well with free thermal expansion tests (no load applied to the specimen). However, correlation was poor for tests with an applied load.

Farley, G. L.↗

The load-carrying and thermal characteristics of flat conductor cable

The load-carrying and thermal characteristics of flat conductor cable and round wire cables have been investigated with all conductors in each cable under varying loads in air and vacuum environments. The test procedure is described and results are presented in graphic form. Derating factors for both round wire and flat conductor cable are established for operation in a vacuum environment. Rating factors are established for flat conductor cable for use with round wire loading tables. The results of these tests show that single layer flat conductor size, or that the voltage drop across flat conductor cable will be lower than that of round cable under the same load.

Adams, G. D.↗

Nonlinear analyses of composite aerospace structures in sonic fatigue

The primary research effort of this project is the development of analytical methods for the prediction of nonlinear random response of composite aerospace structures subjected to combined acoustic and thermal loads. The progress, accomplishments, and future plans of three random response research topics are discussed, namely acoustics-structure interactions using boundary/finite element methods, nonlinear vibrations of beams and composite plates under harmonic and random excitations, and numerical simulation of the nonlinear response of composite plates under combined thermal and acoustic loading.

Mei, Chuh↗

Space Station thermal storage/refrigeration system research and development

Space Station thermal loading conditions represent an order of magnitude increase over current and previous spacecraft such as Skylab, Apollo, Pegasus III, Lunar Rover Vehicle, and Lockheed TRIDENT missiles. Thermal storage units (TSU's) were successfully used on these as well as many applications for ground based solar energy storage applications. It is desirable to store thermal energy during peak loading conditions as an alternative to providing increased radiator surface area which adds to the weight of the system. Basically, TSU's store heat by melting a phase change material (PCM) such as a paraffin. The physical property data for the PCM's used in the design of these TSU's is well defined in the literature. Design techniques are generally well established for the TSU's. However, the Space Station provides a new challenge in the application of these data and techniques because of three factors: the large size of the TSU required, the integration of the TSU for the Space Station thermal management concept with its diverse opportunities for storage application, and the TSU's interface with a two-phase (liquid/vapor) thermal bus/central heat rejection system. The objective in the thermal storage research and development task was to design, fabricate, and test a demonstration unit. One test article was to be a passive thermal storage unit capable of storing frozen food at -20 F for a minimum of 90 days. A second unit was to be capable of storing frozen biological samples at -94 F, again for a minimum of 90 days. The articles developed were compatible with shuttle mission conditions, including safety and handling by astronauts. Further, storage rack concepts were presented so that these units can be integrated into Space Station logistics module storage racks. The extreme sensitivity of spacecraft radiator systems design-to-heat rejection temperature requirements is well known. A large radiator area penalty is incurred if low temperatures are accommodated via a single centralized radiator system. As per the scope of work of this task, the applicability of refrigeration system tailored to meet the specialized requirements of storage of food and biological samples was investigated. The issues addressed were the anticipated power consumption and feasible designs and cycles for meeting specific storage requirements. Further, development issues were assessed related to the operation of vapor compression systems in micro-gravity addressing separation of vapor and liquid phases (via capillary systems).

Dean, W. G.↗

Determination of permissible applied load stress in structural elements

Graphic method is used to select allowable stresses in thermally loaded structures. Equations are used for determining the mode of failure for specific materials in order to plot a range of stress curves. Linear assumption and iterative calculations are eliminated resulting in comparatively high accuracy.

Loy, R. E.↗