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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 235 records · Page 13
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1988

Ray tracing optical analysis of offset solar collector for space station solar dynamic system

OFFSET, a detailed ray tracing computer code, was developed at NASA Lewis Research Center to model the offset solar collector for the Space Station solar dynamic electric power system. This model traces rays from 50 points on the face of the Sun to 10 points on each of the 456 collector facets. The triangular facets are modeled with spherical, parabolic, or toroidal reflective surface contour and surface slope errors. The rays are then traced through the receiver aperture to the walls of the receiver. Images of the collector and of the Sun within the receiver produced by this code provide insight into the collector receiver interface. Flux distribution on the receiver walls, plotted by this code, is improved by a combination of changes to aperture location and receiver tilt angle. Power loss by spillage at the receiver aperture is computed and is considerably reduced by using toroidal facets.

Jefferies, Kent S.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Ray tracing optical analysis of offset solar collector for Space Station solar dynamic system

OFFSET, a detailed ray tracing computer code, was developed at NASA Lewis Research Center to model the offset solar collector for the Space Station solar dynamic electric power system. This model traces rays from 50 points on the face of the sun to 10 points on each of the 456 collector facets. The triangular facets are modeled with spherical, parabolic, or toroidal reflective surface contour and surface slope errors. The rays are then traced through the receiver aperture to the walls of the receiver. Images of the collector and of the sun within the receiver produced by this code provide insight into the collector receiver interface. Flux distribution on the receiver walls, plotted by this code, is improved by a combination of changes to aperture location and receiver tilt angle. Power loss by spillage at the receiver aperture is computed and is considerably reduced by using toroidal facets.

Jefferies, Kent S.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Proton irradiation on materials

A computer code is developed by utilizing a radiation transport code developed at NASA Langley Research Center to study the proton radiation effects on materials which have potential application in NASA's future space missions. The code covers the proton energy from 0.01 Mev to 100 Gev and is sufficient for energetic protons encountered in both low earth and geosynchronous orbits. With some modification, the code can be extended for particles heavier than proton as the radiation source. The code is capable of calculating the range, stopping power, exit energy, energy deposition coefficients, dose, and cumulative dose along the path of the proton in a target material. The target material can be any combination of the elements with atomic number ranging from 1 to 92, or any compound with known chemical composition. The generated cross section for a material is stored and is reused in future to save computer time. This information can be utilized to calculate the proton dose a material would receive in an orbit when the radiation environment is known. It can also be used to determine, in the laboratory, the parameters such as beam current of proton and irradiation time to attain the desired dosage for accelerated ground testing of any material. It is hoped that the present work be extended to include polymeric and composite materials which are prime candidates for use as coating, electronic components, and structure building. It is also desirable to determine, for ground testing these materials, the laboratory parameters in order to simulate the dose they would receive in space environments. A sample print-out for water subject to 1.5 Mev proton is included as a reference.

Chang, C. Ken↗
NASA NTRS1998

Progressive Failure And Life Prediction of Ceramic and Textile Composites

An engineering approach to predict the fatigue life and progressive failure of multilayered composite and textile laminates is presented. Analytical models which account for matrix cracking, statistical fiber failures and nonlinear stress-strain behavior have been developed for both composites and textiles. The analysis method is based on a combined micromechanics, fracture mechanics and failure statistics analysis. Experimentally derived empirical coefficients are used to account for the interface of fiber and matrix, fiber strength, and fiber-matrix stiffness reductions. Similar approaches were applied to textiles using Repeating Unit Cells. In composite fatigue analysis, Walker's equation is applied for matrix fatigue cracking and Heywood's formulation is used for fiber strength fatigue degradation. The analysis has been compared with experiment with good agreement. Comparisons were made with Graphite-Epoxy, C/SiC and Nicalon/CAS composite materials. For textile materials, comparisons were made with triaxial braided and plain weave materials under biaxial or uniaxial tension. Fatigue predictions were compared with test data obtained from plain weave C/SiC materials tested at AS&M. Computer codes were developed to perform the analysis. Composite Progressive Failure Analysis for Laminates is contained in the code CPFail. Micromechanics Analysis for Textile Composites is contained in the code MicroTex. Both codes were adapted to run as subroutines for the finite element code ABAQUS and CPFail-ABAQUS and MicroTex-ABAQUS. Graphic user interface (GUI) was developed to connect CPFail and MicroTex with ABAQUS.

Xue, David Y.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Using neural networks to assist in OPAD data analysis

The space shuttle main engine (SSME) became the subject of plume emission spectroscopy in 1986 when researchers from NASA-Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC), Arnold Engineering Development Center (AEDC), and Rocketdyne went to the SSME test stands at the NASA-Stennis Space Center and at Rocketdyne's Santa Susan Field Laboratory to optically observe the plume. Since then, plume spectral acquisitions have recorded many nominal tests and the qualitative spectral features of the SSME plume are now well established. Significant discoveries made with both wide-band and narrow-band plume emission spectroscopy systems led MSFC to promote the Optical Plume Anomaly Detection (OPAD) program with a goal of instrumenting all SSME test stands with customized spectrometer systems. A prototype OPAD system is now installed on the SSME Technology Test Bed (TTB) at MSFC. The OPAD system instrumentation consists of a broad-band, optical multiple-channel analyzer (OMA) and a narrow-band device called a polychrometer. The OMA is a high-resolution (1.5-2.0 Angstroms) 'super-spectrometer' covering the near-ultraviolet to near-infrared waveband (2800-7400 Angstroms), providing two scans per second. The polychrometer consists of sixteen narrow-band radiometers: fourteen monitoring discrete wavelengths of health and condition monitoring elements and two dedicated to monitoring background emissions. All sixteen channels are capable of providing 500 samples per second. To date, the prototype OPAD system has been used during 43 SSME firings on the TTB, collecting well over 250 megabytes of plume spectral data. One goal of OPAD data analysis is to determine interatively with the help of a computer code, SPECTRA4, developed at AEDC. Experience has shown that iteration with SPECTRA4 is an incredibly labor intensive task and not one to be performed by band. What is really needed is the 'inverse' of SPECTRA4 but the mathematical model for this inverse mapping is tenuous at best. However, the robustness of PSECTRA4 run in the 'forward' direction means that accurate input/output mappings can be obtained. If the mappings were inverted (i.e., input becomes output and output becomes input) then an 'inverse' of SPECTRA4 would be at hand but the 'model' would be specific to the data utilized and would in no way be general. Building a generalized model based upon known input/output mappings while ignoring the details of the governing physical model is possible through the use of a neural network. The research investigation described involves the development of a neural network to provide a generalized 'inverse' of SPECTRA4. The objectives of the research were to design an appropriate neural network architecture, train the network, and then evaluate its performance.

Whitaker, Kevin W.↗
DOE OSTI2026

Partially Ionized Plasma Physics and Technological Applications

Partially ionized plasma physics has attracted increased attention recently due to numerous technological applications made possible by the increased sophistication of computer modelling, the depth of the theoretical analysis, and the technological applications to a vast field of manufacturing for computer components. Partially ionized plasma is characterized by a significant presence of neutral particles in contrast to the fully ionized plasma. The theoretical analysis is based upon solutions of the kinetic Boltzmann equation, yielding the non-Maxwellian electron energy distribution function (EEDF), thereby emphasizing the difference with a fully ionized plasma. The impact of the effect on discharges in inert and molecular gases is described in detail, yielding the complex nonlinear phenomena resulting in plasma selforganization. A few examples of such phenomena are given, including the non-monotonic EEDFs in the discharge afterglow in a mixture of argon with the molecular gas NF3; the explosive generation of cold electron populations in capacitive discharges, hysteresis of EEDF in inductively coupled plasmas. Recently, highly advanced computer codes were developed in order to address the outstanding challenges in plasma technology. These developments are briefly described in general terms.

non-Maxwellian electron energy distribution functi↗
NASA NTRS1973

PPUAS--photopeak unfolding and self-shielding program

Computer code was developed to determine radioactive emission rates of nuclear fuels. Code is basically written for two different source geometries; however, unfolding routine can be executed for other source geometries.

Taherzadeh, M.↗
NASA NTRS1973

System statistical reliability model and analysis

A digital computer code was developed to simulate the time-dependent behavior of the 5-kwe reactor thermoelectric system. The code was used to determine lifetime sensitivity coefficients for a number of system design parameters, such as thermoelectric module efficiency and degradation rate, radiator absorptivity and emissivity, fuel element barrier defect constant, beginning-of-life reactivity, etc. A probability distribution (mean and standard deviation) was estimated for each of these design parameters. Then, error analysis was used to obtain a probability distribution for the system lifetime (mean = 7.7 years, standard deviation = 1.1 years). From this, the probability that the system will achieve the design goal of 5 years lifetime is 0.993. This value represents an estimate of the degradation reliability of the system.

Lekach, V. S.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Thermodynamic properties of UF sub 6 measured with a ballistic piston compressor

From experiments performed with a ballistic piston compressor, certain thermodynamic properties of uranium hexafluoride were investigated. Difficulties presented by the nonideal processes encountered in ballistic compressors are discussed and a computer code BCCC (Ballistic Compressor Computer Code) is developed to analyze the experimental data. The BCCC unfolds the thermodynamic properties of uranium hexafluoride from the helium-uranium hexafluoride mixture used as the test gas in the ballistic compressor. The thermodynamic properties deduced include the specific heat at constant volume, the ratio of specific heats for UF6, and the viscous coupling constant of helium-uranium hexafluoride mixtures.

Sterritt, D. E.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Analysis of simultaneous Skylab and ground based flare observations

HeI and HeII resonance line data from Skylab were reduced, analyzed and compared with HeI D3 line intensities taken simultaneously from the Lockheed Rye Canyon Solar Observatory. Computer codes were developed for the calculation of total He line intensities and line profiles from model flare regions. These codes incorporate simultaneous solution of the line and continuum transport equations as needed together with the statistical equilibrium equations for a 30 level HeI, HeII, HeIII system. The energy level model consists of all terms through principal quantum number four. Interpretation of the observed data in terms of these parametric solutions and with simultaneous solution of the transport equations are discussed.

Kulander, J. L.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Vortex interactions and decay in aircraft wakes

The dynamic interaction of aircraft wake vortices was investigated using both inviscid and viscous models. For the viscous model, a computer code was developed using a second-order closure model of turbulent transport. The phenomenon of vortex merging which results in the rapid aging of a vortex wake was examined in detail. It was shown that the redistribution of vorticity during merging results from both convective and diffusive mechanisms.

Bilanin, A. J.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Numerical analysis of projectile impact in woven texile structures

Computer codes were developed for simulating the dynamic fracture and viscoelastic constitutive response due to stress wave interaction and reflections caused by ballistic impact on woven textiles. The method, which was developed for use in the design and analysis of protection devices for personnel armor, has potential for use in studies of rotor blade burst containment at high velocity. Alterations in coding required for burst containment problems are discussed.

Roylance, D.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Design study of wind turbines 50 kW to 3000 kW for electric utility applications. Volume 1: Summary report

Wind turbine configurations that would lead to generation of electrical power in a cost effective manner were considered. All possible overall system configurationss, operating modes, and sybsystem concepts were evaluated for both technical feasibility and compatibility with utility networks, as well as for economic attractiveness. A design optimization computer code was developed to determine the cost sensitivity of the various design features, and thus establish the configuration and design conditions that would minimize the generated energy costs. The preliminary designs of both a 500 kW unit and a 1500 kW unit operating in a 12 mph and 18 mph median wind speed respectively, were developed. The rationale employed and the key findings are summarized.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1976

Design study of wind turbines 50 kW to 3000 kW for electric utility applications. Volume 2: Analysis and design

All possible overall system configurations, operating modes, and subsystem concepts for a wind turbine configuration for cost effective generation of electrical power were evaluated for both technical feasibility and compatibility with utility networks, as well as for economic attractiveness. A design optimization computer code was developed to determine the cost sensitivity of the various design features, and thus establish the configuration and design conditions that would minimize the generated energy costs. The preliminary designs of both a 500 kW unit and a 1500 kW unit operating in a 12 mph and 18 mph median wind speed respectively, were developed. The various design features and components evaluated are described, and the rationale employed to select the final design configuration is given. All pertinent technical performance data and component cost data is included. The costs of all major subassemblies are estimated and the resultant energy costs for both the 500 kW and 1500 kW units are calculated.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1978

Numerical analyses for treating diffusion in single-, two- and three-phase binary alloy systems

Numerical solutions were applicable for planar, cylindrical, or spherical geometries with any diffusion-zone size and any continuous variation of the diffusion coefficient with concentration. Special techniques were included in the analyses to account for differences in molal volumes, initiation and growth of an intermediate phase, disappearance of a phase, and the presence of an initial composition profile in the specimen. A major improvement in solution accuracy was achieved in the two phase analysis by employing a mass conservation criterion to establish the location of the interface rather than the conventional interface-flux-balance criterion. In the three phase analysis, computation time was minimized without sacrificing solution accuracy by treating the three phase problem as a two phase problem when the thickness of the intermediate phase was less than a preset small value. Three computer codes were developed to perform these analyses.

Tenney, D. R.↗
NASA NTRS1978

A three-dimensional turbulent compressible flow model for ejector and fluted mixers

A three dimensional finite element computer code was developed to analyze ejector and axisymmetric fluted mixer systems whose flow fields are not significantly influenced by streamwise diffusion effects. A two equation turbulence model was used to make comparisons between theory and data for various flow fields which are components of the ejector system, i.e., (1) turbulent boundary layer in a duct; (2) rectangular nozzle (free jet); (3) axisymmetric nozzle (free jet); (4) hypermixing nozzle (free jet); and (5) plane wall jet. Likewise, comparisons of the code with analytical results and/or other numerical solutions were made for components of the axisymmetric fluted mixer system. These included: (1) developing pipe flow; (2) developing flow in an annular pipe; (3) developing flow in an axisymmetric pipe with conical center body and no fluting and (4) developing fluted pipe flow. Finally, two demonstration cases are presented which show the code's ability to analyze both the ejector and axisymmetric fluted mixers.

Rushmore, W. L.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Development of a model and computer code to describe solar grade silicon production processes

Mechanisms for the SiCl4/Na and SiF4/Na reaction systems were examined. Reaction schemes which include 25 elementary reactions were formulated for each system and run to test the sensitivity of the computed concentration and temperature profiles to the values given estimated rate coefficients. It was found that, for SiCl4/Na, the rate of production of free Si is largely mixing-limited for reasonable rate coefficient estimates. For the SiF4/Na system the results indicate that the endothermicities of many of the reactions involved in producing Si from SiF4/Na cause this system to be chemistry-limited rather than mixing-limited.

Gould, R. K.↗