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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 217 records · Page 12

Performance of finned thermal capacitors

The performance of typical thermal capacitors, both in earth and orbital environments, was investigated. Techniques which were used to make predictions of thermal behavior in a one-g earth environment are outlined. Orbital performance parameters are qualitatively discussed, and those effects expected to be important under zero-g conditions are outlined. A summary of thermal capacitor applications are documentated, along with significant problem areas and current configurations. An experimental program was conducted to determine typical one-g performance, and the physical significance of these data is discussed in detail. Numerical techniques were employed to allow comparison between analytical and experimental data.

Humphries, W. R.↗

Capacitor bonding techniques and reliability

The effect of thermal cycling on the mechanical failure of bonded ceramic chip capacitors mounted on alumina substrates is studied. It is shown that differential thermal expansion is responsible for the cumulative effects which lead to delayed failure of the capacitors. Harder or higher melting solders are found to be less susceptible to thermal cycling effects, although they are more likely to fail during initial processing operations.

Kinser, D. L.↗

Fast measurement of MOS capacitors

Method allows flatband voltage measurement of capacitors to be taken quickly and precisely while capacitor is subject to desired conditions.

Bates, E. T., Jr.↗

High frequency capacitor-diode voltage multiplier dc-dc converter development

A power conditioner was developed which used a capacitor diode voltage multiplier to provide a high voltage without the use of a step-up transformer. The power conditioner delivered 1200 Vdc at 100 watts and was operated from a 120 Vdc line. The efficiency was in excess of 90 percent. The component weight was 197 grams. A modified boost-add circuit was used for the regulation. A short circuit protection circuit was used which turns off the drive circuit upon a fault condition, and recovers within 5 ms after removal of the short. High energy density polysulfone capacitors and high speed diodes were used in the multiplier circuit.

Kisch, J. J.↗

Technological development of cylindrical and flat shaped high energy density capacitors

Cylindrical wound metallized film capacitors rated 2 micron F 500 VDC that had an energy density greater than 0.3 J/g, and flat flexible metallized film capacitors rated at 2 micron F 500 VDC that had an energy density greater than 0.1 J/g were developed. Polysulfone, polycarbonate, and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVF2) were investigated as dielectrics for the cylindrical units. PVF2 in 6.0 micron m thickness was employed in the final components of both types. Capacitance and dissipation factor measurements were made over the range 25 C to 100 C, and 10 Hz to 10 kHz. No pre-life-test burning was performed, and six of ten cylindrical units survived a 2500 hour AC plus DC lift test. Three of the four failures were infant mortality. All but two of the flat components survived 400 hours. Finished energy densities were 0.104 J/g at 500 V and 0.200 J/g at 700 V, the energy density being limited by the availability of thin PVF2 films.

Zelik, J. A.↗

Impedance characteristics of coaxial and planar magnetoplasma capacitors

A theory has been developed for the impedance of a homogeneous magnetoplasma enclosed between two specular reflecting coaxial electrodes, with a static magnetic field parallel to the electrode axes. The parallel-plate magnetoplasma capacitor is treated as a sub-case. Starting with the Vlasov equation, an integral equation is derived for the electric field. Solving this equation, and integrating to obtain the voltage, gives the capacitor impedance. This includes a capacitive component, and a resistive component expressing the Landau damping associated with the open orbits of electrons reflected at the electrodes. A direct numerical solution of the field integral equation has been carried out for a range of values of magnetic field, plasma density, and signal frequency. The values of impedance so obtained are compared with the predictions of macroscopic theory, and of an approximate microscopic theory in which open orbits are ignored and solutions are obtained using finite Fourier transform methods. The mathematical relations between these theories are demonstrated.

Harker, K. J.↗

A continuously pulsed copper halide laser with a cable-capacitor Blumlein discharge circuit

Experimental characteristics of a continuously pulsed copper halide laser with a cable-capacitor Blumlein discharge circuit are reported. Quartz laser tubes 1 m in length and 1.5 and 2.5 cm in diameter were employed to study the effects of the electrical circuit, lasant, and buffer gas on laser performance. Measured properties of the Blumlein circuit are compared with an analytic solution for an idealized circuit. Both CuCl and CuBr with neon and helium buffer gas were studied. A maximum average power of 12.5 W was obtained with a 1.5 nF capacitor charged to 8 kV and discharged at 31 kHz with CuCl and neon buffer gas at 0.7 kPa in a 2.5-cm-diam tube. A maximum efficiency of 0.72 percent was obtained at 9 W average power. Measurements of the radial distribution of the power in the laser beam and the variation of laser power at 510.6 and 578.2 nm with halide vapor density are also reported. Double and continuously pulsed laser characteristics are compared, and the role of copper metastable level atoms in limiting the laser pulse energy density is discussed.

Nerheim, N. M.↗

High-energy-density flat flexible capacitors

Manufacturing technique produces flat flexible capacitors of energy density greater than 0.1 J/g. Exposure of some of metalized surface of each layer provides sufficient film surface to ensure good electrical connection to each layer of capacitor.

Parker, R. D.↗

Dynamic capacitor having a peripherally driven element and system incorporating the same

A capacitor in which one plate or electrode element is vibratable to achieve a variation in capacitance is described. The capacitor includes two spaced stationary elements. The third element is supported at its center and in the form of a thin diaphragm which is vibrated at its inherent mechanical resonant frequency to achieve a corresponding variation in capacitance between one of the stationary elements and the vibrating diaphragm.

Goldstein, C. S.↗

Capacitor Technologies, Applications and Reliability

Various aspects of capacitor technologies and applications are discussed. Major emphasis is placed on: the causes of failures; accelerated testing; screening tests; destructive physical analysis; applications techniques; and improvements in capacitor capabilities.

Source record↗

Radiation response and electrical properties of polymer energy storage capacitors: PVF2, Polysulfone, and Mylar

Efforts were made to develop a polymer film capacitor that is tolerant to radiation. The capacitors are to be utilized in a high voltage pulse discharge application. Radiation response data at high dose/dose rate levels are presented for polyvinylidene fluoride (PVF2), polysulfone, and Mylar. The results show that PVF2 is the most radiation tolerant while Mylar is the least tolerant. The data also show that the radiation response is quite dependent on operating electric stress.

Edwards, L. R.↗

Breakdown voltage of discrete capacitors under single-pulse conditions

For electrostatic capacitors the breakdown voltage is inherently related to the properties of the dielectric, with the important parameters being the dielectric field strength which is related to the dielectric constant and the dielectric thickness. These are not necessarily related to the capacitance value and the rated voltage, but generally the larger values of capacitance have lower breakdown voltages. Foil and wet slug electrolytics can withstand conduction currents pulses without apparent damage (in either direction for foil types). For solid tantalums, damage occurs whenever the capacitor charges to the forming voltage.

Domingos, H.↗

Internal fuse modules for solid tantalum capacitors

Miniature fuse modules were designed for and incorporated into two styles of solid tantalum capacitors. One is an epoxy molded, radial leaded, high frequency decoupling capacitor; the other is an hermetically sealed device with axial lead wires. The fusible element for both devices consists of a fine bimetallic wire which reacts exothermically upon reaching a critical temperature and then disintegrates. The desirability of having fused devices is discussed and design constraints, in particular those which minimize inductance and series resistance while optimizing fuse actuation characteristics, are reviewed. Factors affecting the amount of energy required to actuate the fuse and reliability of acuation are identified.

Dematos, H. V.↗

Monolithic ceramic capacitors for high reliability applications

Monolithic multi-layer ceramic dielectric capacitors are widely used in high reliability applications in spacecraft, launch vehicles, and military equipment. Their relatively low cost, wide range of values, and package styles are attractive features that result in high usage in electronic circuitry in these applications. Design and construction of monolithic ceramic dielectric capacitors, defects that can lead to failure, and methods for defect detection that are being incorporated in military specifications are discussed.

Thornley, E. B.↗

A comparison of screening techniques for ceramic capacitors

The techniques involved are ultrasonic scanning, neutron radiography, scanning laser acoustic microscopy, and voltage conditioning. The test capacitor, for this first phase, is a 0.47 uF, 50V capacitor style CKR06. Eighteen of 768 devices failed in voltage conditioning with elapsed times from 15 minutes to 1239 hours. Eleven of the failures were detected by ultrasonic scanning. Four failures were found by neutron radiography. Fourteen failures showed up in the acoustic microscopy test. Three failures in voltage conditioning were not detected by any of the techniques. Failures were confirmed by destructive physical analysis. There is no direct relationship between the size of the defect and electrical failure.

Kiernan, G. F.↗

High-frequency measurements of multilayer ceramic capacitors

A resonant coaxial transmission line, short circuited at one end and open circuited at the other, whose fundamental resonant frequency and Q factor are known, is perturbed with a test capacitor connected either in series at the shorted end of the line, or in shunt at the open end. Measuring the Q factor of the system with the delta f technique yields the effective series resistance, capacitance, and the Q factor of the test specimen. This method of measurement has the advantage that there are no adjustable elements to alter circuit conditions in an unprescribed way, the only variable is the frequency which can be measured with an uncertainty of less than 1 ppm, the loss of the line as a function of frequency is quite predictable, and the Q factor of the line can be made sufficiently high to support accurate measurements of low loss capacitors.

Lafferty, R. E.↗

High-Frequency, High-Power Capacitor

Capacitor increases efficiency of high-frequency circuits. High-powercapacitor design uses split foil and floating foil plus multiple coils to reduce voltage drop across film and increases lifetime (10 years). Capacitor reliably operates at high frequency in environments normally not hospitable to electronic components.

White, C. W.↗