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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 253 records · Page 14

Thermal Interface Evaluation of Heat Transfer from a Pumped Loop to Titanium-Water Thermosyphons

Titanium-water thermosyphons are being considered for use in the heat rejection system for lunar outpost fission surface power. Key to their use is heat transfer between a closed loop heat source and the heat pipe evaporators. This work describes laboratory testing of several interfaces that were evaluated for their thermal performance characteristics, in the temperature range of 350 to 400 K, utilizing a water closed loop heat source and multiple thermosyphon evaporator geometries. A gas gap calorimeter was used to measure heat flow at steady state. Thermocouples in the closed loop heat source and on the evaporator were used to measure thermal conductance. The interfaces were in two generic categories, those immersed in the water closed loop heat source and those clamped to the water closed loop heat source with differing thermal conductive agents. In general, immersed evaporators showed better overall performance than their clamped counterparts. Selected clamped evaporator geometries offered promise.

Jaworske, Donald A.↗

Closed-Loop Control of Vortex Formation in Separated Flows

In order to phase lock the flow at the desired shedding cycle, particularly at Phi,best, We designed a feedback compensator. (Even though the open-loop forcing at Wf below Wn can lead to phase-locked limit cycles with a high average lift,) This feedback controller resulted in the phase-locked limit cycles that the open-loop control could not achieve for alpha=30 and 40 Particularly for alpha=40, the feedback was able to stabilize the limit cycle that was not stable with any of the open-loop periodic forcing. This results in stable phase-locked limit cycles for a larger range of forcing frequencies than the open-loop control. Also, it was shown that the feedback achieved the high-lift unsteady flow states that open-loop control could not sustain even after the states have been achieved for a long period of time.

Colonius, Tim↗

Design and Evaluation of a Water Recirculation Loop Maintenance Device for the Advanced Spacesuit Water Membrane Evaporator

A dual-bed device to maintain the water quality of the Advanced Spacesuit Water Membrane Evaporation (SWME) water recirculation loop has been designed and is undergoing testing. The SWME is a heat rejection device under development at the NASA Johnson Space Center to perform thermal control for advanced spacesuits. One advantage to this technology is the potential for a significantly greater degree of tolerance to contamination when compared to the existing Sublimator technology. The driver for the development of a water recirculation maintenance device is to further enhance this advantage through the leveraging of fluid loop management lessons-learned from the International Space Station (ISS). A bed design that was developed for a Hamilton Sundstrand military application, and considered for a potential ISS application with the Urine Processor Assembly, provides a low pressure drop means for water maintenance in a recirculation loop. The bed design is coupled with high capacity ion exchange resins, organic adsorbents, and a cyclic methodology developed for the Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) Transport Water loop. The bed design further leverages a sorbent developed for ISS that introduces a biocide in a microgravity-compatible manner for the Internal Active Thermal Control System (IATCS). The leveraging of these water maintenance technologies to the SWME recirculation loop is a clear demonstration of applying the valuable lessons learned on the ISS to the next generation of manned spaceflight Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) hardware.

Steele, John W.↗

Design and Evaluation of a Water Recirculation Loop Maintenance Device for the Advanced Spacesuit Water Membrane Evaporator

A dual-bed device to maintain the water quality of the Advanced Spacesuit Water Membrane Evaporation (SWME) water recirculation loop has been designed and is undergoing testing. The SWME is a heat rejection device under development at the NASA Johnson Space Center to perform thermal control for advanced spacesuits. One advantage to this technology is the potential for a significantly greater degree of tolerance to contamination when compared to the existing sublimator technology. The driver for the development of a water recirculation maintenance device is to further enhance this advantage through the leveraging of fluid loop management lessons learned from the International Space Station (ISS). A bed design that was developed for a Hamilton Sundstrand military application, and considered for a potential ISS application with the Urine Processor Assembly, provides a low pressure drop means for water maintenance in a recirculation loop. The bed design is coupled with high-capacity ion exchange resins, organic adsorbents, and a cyclic methodology developed for the Extravehicular Mobility Unit Transport Water Loop. The bed design further leverages a sorbent developed for the ISS that introduces a biocide in a microgravity-compatible manner for the Internal Active Thermal Control System. The leveraging of these water maintenance technologies to the SWME recirculation loop is a unique demonstration of applying the valuable lessons learned on the ISS to the next generation of crewed spaceflight Environmental Control and Life Support System hardware.

Steele, John W.↗

Enthalpy-Based Thermal Evolution of Loops: III. Comparison of Zero-Dimensional Models

Zero dimensional (0D) hydrodynamic models, provide a simple and quick way to study the thermal evolution of coronal loops subjected to time-dependent heating. This paper presents a comparison of a number of 0D models that have been published in the past and is intended to provide a guide for those interested in either using the old models or developing new ones. The principal difference between the models is the way the exchange of mass and energy between corona, transition region and chromosphere is treated, as plasma cycles into and out of a loop during a heating-cooling cycle. It is shown that models based on the principles of mass and energy conservation can give satisfactory results at some, or, in the case of the Enthalpy Based Thermal Evolution of Loops (EBTEL) model, all stages of the loop evolution. Empirical models can lead to low coronal densities, spurious delays between the peak density and temperature, and, for short heating pulses, overly short loop lifetimes.

Cargill, P. J.↗

Efforts to Reduce International Space Station Crew Maintenance Time in the Management of the Extravehicular Mobility Unit Transport Loop Water Quality

The EMU (Extravehicular Mobility Unit) contains a semi-closed-loop re-circulating water circuit (Transport Loop) to absorb heat into a LCVG (Liquid Coolant and Ventilation Garment) worn by the astronaut. A second, single-pass water circuit (Feed-water Loop) provides water to a cooling device (Sublimator) containing porous plates, and that water sublimates through the porous plates to space vacuum. The cooling effect from the sublimation of this water translates to a cooling of the LCVG water that circulates through the Sublimator. The quality of the EMU Transport Loop water is maintained through the use of a water processing kit (ALCLR - Airlock Cooling Loop Remediation) that is used to periodically clean and disinfect the water circuit. Opportunities to reduce crew time associated with ALCLR operations include a detailed review of the historical water quality data for evidence to support an extension to the implementation cycle. Furthermore, an EMU returned after 2-years of use on the ISS (International Space Station) is being used as a test bed to evaluate the results of extended and repeated ALCLR implementation cycles. Finally, design, use and on-orbit location enhancements to the ALCLR kit components are being considered to allow the implementation cycle to occur in parallel with other EMU maintenance and check-out activities, and to extend the life of the ALCLR kit components. These efforts are undertaken to reduce the crew-time and logistics burdens for the EMU, while ensuring the long-term health of the EMU water circuits for a post- Shuttle 6-year service life.

Etter,David↗

Discovery of a Pulsar Wind Nebula Candidate in the Cygnus Loop

We report on a discovery of a diffuse nebula containing a point-like source in the southern blowout region of the Cygnus Loop supernova remnant, based on Suzaku and XMM-Newton observations. The X-ray spectra from the nebula and the point-like source are well represented by an absorbed power-law model with photon indices of 2.2+/-0.1 and 1.6+/-0.2, respectively. The photon indices as well as the flux ratio of F(sub nebula)/F(sub point-like) approx. 4 lead us to propose that the system is a pulsar wind nebula, although pulsations have not yet been detected. If we attribute its origin to the Cygnus Loop supernova, then the 0.5-8 keV luminosity of the nebula is computed to be 2.1x10(exp 31)(d/540pc)(exp 2)ergss/2, where d is the distance to the Loop. This implies a spin-down loss-energy E approx. 2.6x10(exp 35)(d/540pc)(exp 2)ergs/s. The location of the neutron star candidate, approx.2deg away from the geometric center of the Loop, implies a high transverse velocity of approx.1850(theta/2deg)(d/540pc)(t/10kyr)/k/s assuming the currently accepted age of the Cygnus Loop.

Katsuda, Satoru↗

Efforts to Reduce International Space Station Crew Maintenance for the Management of the Extravehicular Mobility Unit Transport Loop Water Quality

The EMU (Extravehicular Mobility Unit) contains a semi-closed-loop re-circulating water circuit (Transport Loop) to absorb heat into a LCVG (Liquid Coolant and Ventilation Garment) worn by the astronaut. A second, single-pass water circuit (Feed-water Loop) provides water to a cooling device (Sublimator) containing porous plates, and that water sublimates through the porous plates to space vacuum. The cooling effect from the sublimation of this water translates to a cooling of the LCVG water that circulates through the Sublimator. The quality of the EMU Transport Loop water is maintained through the use of a water processing kit (ALCLR Airlock Cooling Loop Remediation) that is used to periodically clean and disinfect the water circuit. Opportunities to reduce crew time associated with on-orbit ALCLR operations include a detailed review of the historical water quality data for evidence to support an extension to the implementation cycle. Furthermore, an EMU returned after 2-years of use on the ISS (International Space Station) is being used as a test bed to evaluate the results of extended and repeated ALCLR implementation cycles. Finally, design, use and on-orbit location enhancements to the ALCLR kit components are being considered to allow the implementation cycle to occur in parallel with other EMU maintenance and check-out activities, and to extend the life of the ALCLR kit components. These efforts are undertaken to reduce the crew-time and logistics burdens for the EMU, while ensuring the long-term health of the EMU water circuits for a post-Shuttle 6-year service life.

Steele, John W.↗

Performance of a Water Recirculation Loop Maintenance Device and Process for the Advanced Spacesuit Water Membrane Evaporator

A dual-bed device to maintain the water quality of the Advanced Spacesuit Water Membrane Evaporation (SWME) water recirculation loop has been designed and is undergoing testing. The SWME is a heat rejection device under development at the NASA Johnson Space Center to perform thermal control for advanced spacesuits. One advantage to this technology is the potential for a significantly greater degree of tolerance to contamination when compared to the existing Sublimator technology. The driver for the development of a water recirculation maintenance device is to further enhance this advantage through the leveraging of fluid loop management lessons-learned from the International Space Station (ISS). A bed design that was developed for a Hamilton Sundstrand military application, and considered for a potential ISS application with the Urine Processor Assembly, provides a low pressure drop means for water maintenance in a recirculation loop. The bed design is coupled with high capacity ion exchange resins, organic adsorbents, and a cyclic methodology developed for the Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) Transport Water loop. The bed design further leverages a sorbent developed for ISS that introduces a biocide in a microgravity-compatible manner for the Internal Active Thermal Control System (IATCS). The leveraging of these water maintenance technologies to the SWME recirculation loop is a unique demonstration of applying the valuable lessons learned on the ISS to the next generation of manned spaceflight Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) hardware.

Steele, John W.↗

Slow Magnetosonic Waves and Fast Flows in Active Region Loops

Recent extreme ultraviolet spectroscopic observations indicate that slow magnetosonic waves are present in active region (AR) loops. Some of the spectral data were also interpreted as evidence of fast (approx 100-300 km/s) quasiperiodic flows. We have performed three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic (3D MHD) modeling of a bipolar AR that contains impulsively generated waves and flows in coronal loops. The model AR is initiated with a dipole magnetic field and gravitationally stratified density, with an upflow-driven steadily or periodically in localized regions at the footpoints of magnetic loops. The resulting flows along the magnetic field lines of the AR produce higher density loops compared to the surrounding plasma by injection of material into the flux tubes and the establishment of siphon flow.We find that the impulsive onset of flows with subsonic speeds result in the excitation of damped slow magnetosonic waves that propagate along the loops and coupled nonlinearly driven fast-mode waves. The phase speed of the slow magnetosonic waves is close to the coronal sound speed. When the amplitude of the driving pulses is increased we find that slow shock-like wave trains are produced. When the upflows are driven periodically, undamped oscillations are produced with periods determined by the periodicity of the upflows. Based on the results of the 3D MHD model we suggest that the observed slow magnetosonic waves and persistent upflows may be produced by the same impulsive events at the bases of ARs.

Magnetohydrodynamics-Sun Activity↗

MHD Modeling of Coronal Loops: the Transition Region Throat

Context. The expansion of coronal loops in the transition region may considerably influence the diagnostics of the plasma emission measure. The cross-sectional area of the loops is expected to depend on the temperature and pressure, and might be sensitive to the heating rate. Aims. The approach here is to study the area response to slow changes in the coronal heating rate, and check the current interpretation in terms of steady heating models. Methods. We study the area response with a time-dependent 2D magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) loop model, including the description of the expanding magnetic field, coronal heating and losses by thermal conduction, and radiation from optically thin plasma. We run a simulation for a loop 50 Mm long and quasi-statically heated to about 4 millikelvin. Results. We find that the area can change substantially with the quasi-steady heating rate, e.g., by approx. 40% at 0.5 millikelvin as the loop temperature varies between 1 millikelvin and 4 millikelvin, and, therefore, affects the interpretation of the differential emission measure vs. temperature (DEM(T)) curves.

magnetohydrodynamics (MHD)↗

SimSup's Loop: A Control Theory Approach to Spacecraft Operator Training

Immersive simulation is a staple of training for many complex system operators, including astronauts and ground operators of spacecraft. However, while much has been written about simulators, simulation facilities, and operator certification programs, the topic of how one develops simulation scenarios to train a spacecraft operator is relatively understated in the literature. In this paper, an approach is presented for using control theory as the basis for developing the immersive simulation scenarios for a spacecraft operator training program. The operator is effectively modeled as a high level controller of lower level hardware and software control loops that affect a select set of system state variables. Simulation scenarios are derived from a STAMP-based hazard analysis of the operator's high and low level control loops. The immersive simulation aspect of the overall training program is characterized by selecting a set of scenarios that expose the operator to the various inadequate control actions that stem from control flaws and inadequate control executions in the different sections of the typical control loop. Results from the application of this approach to the Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer (LADEE) mission are provided through an analysis of the simulation scenarios used for operator training and the actual anomalies that occurred during the mission. The simulation scenarios and inflight anomalies are mapped to specific control flaws and inadequate control executions in the different sections of the typical control loop to illustrate the characteristics of anomalies arising from the different sections of the typical control loop (and why it is important for operators to have exposure to these characteristics). Additionally, similarities between the simulation scenarios and inflight anomalies are highlighted to make the case that the simulation scenarios prepared the operators for the mission.

LADEE↗

Hinode and SDO Observations of a Two-Sided-Loop Coronal Jet: Toward a General Picture for Jets

Most of the commonly discussed solar coronal jets are of the type consisting of a single spire extending approximately vertically from near the solar surface into the corona. Recent research of a substantial number of events shows that eruption of a miniature filament (minifilament) drives at least many such single-spire jets, and concurrently generates a miniflare at the eruption site. A different type of coronal jet, identified in X-ray images during the Yohkoh era, are two-sided-loop jets, which extend from a central excitation location in opposite directions, along two opposite low-lying coronal loops that are more-or-less horizontal to the surface. We observe such a two-sided-loop jet from the edge of active region (AR) 12473, using data from Hinode XRT and EIS, and SDO AIA and HMI. Similar to single-spire jets, this two-sided-loop jet results from eruption of a minifilament, which accelerates to over 140 km/s before abruptly stopping upon striking overlying nearly horizontal magnetic field at ∼30,000 km altitude and producing the two-sided-loop jet via interchange reconnection. Analysis of EIS raster scans show that a hot brightening, consistent with a small flare, develops in the aftermath of the eruption, and that Doppler motions (∼40 km/s) occur near the jet-formation region. As with many single-spire jets, the trigger of the eruption here is apparently magnetic flux cancelation, which occurs at a rate of ∼4×10^18 Mx/hr, comparable to the rate observed in some single-spire AR jets. This example of a two-sided jet, along with numerous examples of single-spire jets, supports that essentially all coronal jets result from eruptions of minifilaments, and frequently the eruption of the minifilament is triggered by magnetic flux cancelation. This work was supported by the NASA HGI program, and the MSFC Hinode project. (Details are in Sterling et al. 2019, ApJ, 871, 220.)

Sterling, Alphonse C.↗

A Two-sided-Loop X-Ray Solar Coronal Jet and a Sudden Photospheric Magnetic-field Change, Both Driven by a Minifilament Eruption

Most of the commonly discussed solar coronal jets are of the type consisting of a single spire extending approximately vertically from near the solar surface into the corona. Recent research of a substantial number of events shows that eruption of a miniature filament (minifilament) drives at least many such single-spire jets, and concurrently generates a miniflare at the eruption site. A different type of coronal jet, identified in X-ray images during the Yohkoh era, are two-sided-loop jets, which extend from a central excitation location in opposite directions, along two opposite low-lying coronal loops that are more-or-less horizontal to the surface. We observe such a two-sided-loop jet from the edge of active region (AR) 12473, using data from Hinode XRT and EIS, and SDO AIA and HMI. Similar to single-spire jets, this two-sided-loop jet results from eruption of a minifilament, which accelerates to over 140 km/s before abruptly stopping upon striking overlying nearlyhorizontal magnetic field at ∼30,000 km altitude and producing the two-sided-loop jet via interchange reconnection. Analysis of EIS raster scans show that a hot brightening, consistent with a small flare, develops in the aftermath of the eruption, and that Doppler motions (∼40 km/s) occur near the jet-formation region. As with many single-spire jets, the trigger of the eruption here is apparently magnetic flux cancelation, which occurs at a rate of ∼4×10^18 Mx/hr, comparable to the rate observed in some single-spire AR jets. This example of a two-sided jet, along with numerous examples of single-spire jets, supports that essentially all coronal jets result from eruptions of minifiaments, and frequently the eruption of the minifilment is triggered by magnetic flux cancelation. (Details are in Sterling et al. 2019, ApJ, 871, 220.)

Sterling, Alphonse C.↗

Comparison of Type 2 versus Type 3 Carrier Tracking Loops under High Dynamic Signal Conditions

Virtually all deep-space missions today and in the past employed Type 2 tracking loops in their spacecraft receivers. This was acceptable since the uplink from a single ground antenna makes use of very accurate trajectory information where the radiated frequency is Doppler compensated. However, in the desire to conserve ground resources, the technique of Multiple Uplinks per Antenna (MUPA) is being considered when using a single ground antenna to uplink to a constellation of spacecraft within its beam. This single frequency technique requires the use of non-standard signal acquisition techniques since the constellation may realize different orbits and trajectories around a planetary body leading to varying Doppler offsets and dynamics at each member spacecraft. In such a case, a Type 2 tracking loop may not suffice. An earlier study discussed the various methods for acquiring signals in spacecraft receivers with uncompensated Doppler at the uplink station. In the earlier study, three methods of achieving acquisition and lock were discussed for signals with large Doppler frequency offsets as well as high dynamics; 1) a step-and-sweep signal search algorithm, 2) an FFT signal search algorithm, and, 3) on-board tuning of the signal using uploaded trajectory information or lookup tables. On-board tuning appeared a feasible solution given the trend towards utilizing software-defined radios (SDRs). In the absence of on-board tuning, a search algorithm (e.g., step-and-sweep or FFT) could be utilized in the SDR. One such consideration is in the design of the tracking loop filter, where a Type 3 loop may be more amenable to handling large uncompensated Doppler effects. This report presents an analysis of comparing performance of Type 2 versus Type 3 carrier tracking loops when acquiring and tracking signals with large Doppler dynamics.

Abraham, Douglas↗

Modeling of Condensations in Coronal Loops Produced by Nanoflares with Variable Frequency and Location

The presence of condensations in active regions has the potential to be an important diagnostic of coronal heating. We present the results of models of nanoflare heated coronal loops using the 1-D hydrodynamic ARGOS code. The nanoflares are modeled by discrete pulses of energy along the loop. We explore the occurrence of cold condensations due to the effective equivalent of thermal non-equilibrium (TNE) in loops with steady heating, and examine its dependence on nanoflare timing and intensity and also nanoflares location along the loop, including of randomized distributions of nanoflares. We find that randomizing nanoflare distributions, both in time/intensity and location, tends to diminish the likelihood of condensations compared to regularly occurring nanoflares with the same average properties, but that condensations can sometimes occur in regimes where regular nanoflares would not produce TNE. Also, the condensations stay in the loop for a shorter amount of time when the nanoflares distributions are random. These properties can be used in the future to investigate diagnostics of coronal heating mechanisms.

T A Kucera↗

A novel approach to RF power coupling in Radio-Frequency Quadrupole (RFQ) structures: built-in coaxial double-loop coupling port

Efficient and reliable RF power couplers in accelerating cavities require precise impedance matching and mechanical stability to ensure optimal beam energy transfer. In radio-frequency quadrupole (RFQ) accelerators, power is commonly delivered using waveguide iris or coaxial loop couplers. Iris couplers can handle high RF power but lack tunability, while coaxial loop couplers offer tuning flexibility but are limited in power handling and thermal performance. We propose a new RFQ power coupling concept utilizing a single input coaxial center-fed double-loop antenna built into a vane in an RFQ structure . The design integrates back-to-back loops into the RFQ vanes, fed by a TEM coaxial transmission line with standard 50-Ω characteristic impedance. The configuration can allow straightforward and easy ceramic window replacement without retuning, and coupling strength is adjusted with protruding tuning rods. Numerical simulations, performed with both a simplified RFQ model and the Spallation Neutron Source RFQ, demonstrate improved RF performance and reduced dipole mode excitation. The results establish the coaxial double-loop coupler as a practical alternative for high-power RFQ coupling applications.

Lee, Sung-Woo [ORNL] (ORCID:000000030915835X)↗

High temperature mechanically pumped fluid loop for space applications : working fluid selection

Mechanically pumped single-phase fluid loops are well suited for transporting and rejecting large amounts of waste heat from spacecraft electronics and power supplies. While past implementations of these loops on spacecraft have used moderate operating temperatures (less than 6OoC), higher operating temperatures would allow equivalent heat loads to be rejected by smaller and less massive radiators. A high temperature (100 to 15OOC) mechanically pumped fluid loop is currently being investigated at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory for use on future Mars missions. This paper details the trade study used to select the high temperature working fluid for the system and the initial development testing of loop components.

thermal control↗