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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 271 records · Page 15

Performance characteristics of rotating wickless heat pipes

A theoretical model was derived for laminar film condensation on the inside of a rotating, truncated cone which includes the effects of vapor shear and vapor pressure drop. Results are compared to those of previous investigations. Experimental data are presented for rotational speeds of 700, 1,400, 2,100, and 2,800 rpm using water, ethyl alcohol, and Freon 113 as working fluids. Agreement between theory and experiment is within + or - 20 percent.

Marto, P. J.↗

Performance characteristics of a diesel engine using low- and medium-energy gases as a fuel supplement (fumigation)

The use of low- and medium-energy gases derived from solid waste is investigated. Gases that simulate those gases that could be derived from refuse were injected into the air inlet of a 298-kilowatt (400 horsepower) diesel engine as a fuel supplement. This process is called fumigation. Three different gases with thermal-energy contents of 6.11 MJ/cu m (164 Btu/cu ft), 18.1 MJ/cu m (485 Btu/cu ft), and 18.8 MJ/cu m (505 Btu/cu ft, respectively, were used at rates ranging as high as 20 percent of the normal fuel oil energy at four different engine load points. The test results indicated approximately 100 percent gas energy utilization with no observable deleterious effect on the engine.

Monford, L. G.↗

Toward a second generation fuel efficient supersonic cruise aircraft performance characteristics and benefits

The need for greatly improved fuel efficiency and off-design subsonic characteristics is discussed. Engine-airframe matching studies are presented which show the benefits of a configuration designed for much lower supersonic drag levels (blended wing-fuselage) and how well this airframe matches with the new advanced variable-cycle engines. The benefits of advanced takeoff procedures and systems together with the co-annular noise effect in achieving low noise levels with a small cruise-sized engine are discussed. It is concluded that the technology advances when carefully integrated through detailed engine-airframe matching studies on a validated baseline airplane lead to a much improved supersonic cruise aircraft, i.e., more range, less fuel consumption, noise flexibility and satisfactory off-design characteristics.

Vachal, J. D.↗

Performance characteristics of a three-axis superconducting rock magnetometer

A series of measurements are carried out with the purpose of quantitatively determining the characteristics of a commercial 6.8 cm access superconducting rock magnetometer located in the magnetic properties laboratory at the Goddard Space Flight Center. The measurements show that although a considerable improvement in measurement speed and signal to noise ratios can be obtained using such an instrument, a number of precautions are necessary to obtain accuracies comparable with more conventional magnetometers. These include careful calibration of the sensor outputs, optimum positioning of the sample within the detection region and quantitatively establishing the degree of cross-coupling between the detector coils. In order to examine the uniformity of response for each detector, the responses are mapped as a function of position, using a small dipole.

Lienert, B. R.↗

Performance characteristics of three-phase induction motors

An investigation into the characteristics of three phase, 400 Hz, induction motors of the general type used on aircraft and spacecraft is summarized. Results of laboratory tests are presented and compared with results from a computer program. Representative motors were both tested and simulated under nominal conditions as well as off nominal conditions of temperature, frequency, voltage magnitude, and voltage balance. Good correlation was achieved between simulated and laboratory results. The primary purpose of the program was to verify the simulation accuracy of the computer program, which in turn will be used as an analytical tool to support the shuttle orbiter.

Wood, M. E.↗

Stability and performance characteristics of a fixed arrow wing supersonic transport configuration (SCAT 15F-9898) at Mach numbers from 0.60 to 1.20

Tests on a 0.015 scale model of a supersonic transport were conducted at Mach numbers from 0.60 to 1.20. Tests of the complete model with three wing planforms, two different leading-edge radii, and various combinations of component parts, including both leading- and trailing-edge flaps, were made over an angle-of-attack range from about -6 deg to 13 deg and at sideslip angles of 0 deg and 2 deg.

Decker, J. P.↗

Performance characteristics of high-conductivity channel electron multipliers

The paper describes a new type of continuous channel multiplier (CEM) fabricated from a low-resistance glass to produce a high-conductivity channel section and thereby obtain a high count-rate capability. The flat-cone cathode configuration of the CEM is specifically designed for the detection of astigmatic exit images from grazing-incidence spectrometers at the optimum angle of illumination for high detection efficiencies at XUV wavelengths. Typical operating voltages are in the range of 2500-2900 V with stable counting plateau slopes in the range 3-6% per 100-V increment. The modal gain at 2800 V was typically in the range (50-80) million. The modal gain falls off at count rates in excess of about 20,000 per sec. The detection efficiency remains essentially constant to count rates in excess of 2 million per sec. Higher detection efficiencies (better than 20%) are obtained by coating the CEM with MgF2. In life tests of coated CEMs, no measurable change in detection efficiency was measured to a total accumulated signal of 2 times 10 to the 11th power counts.

Timothy, J. G.↗

Performance characteristics of the electrochemical concentration cell ozonesonde

A large number of electrochemical concentration cell (ECC) ozonesondes were calibrated in relation to a UV photometric absorption ozone instrument prior to using the ozonesondes in atmospheric soundings. The two methods of measuring ozone were in reasonable agreement on the average, but there was considerable variation from one ozonesonde to another. Averaging the individual linear regressions gives an ECC ozone concentration equal to 0 + or - 8 nbar plus (0.96 + or - 0.10) times the concentration determined with the UV instrument, where uncertainties represent 90% confidence limits. Applying individual calibration corrections to atmospheric sounding data reduced the mean difference between Dobson spectrophotometric measurements of total ozone overburdens and corresponding values obtained from ozonesonde data from -8.5 + or - 8.2 to -1.4 + or - 7.3% for a series of measurements carried out in 1977. Corresponding uncorrected and corrected differences averaged 3.2 + or - 9.7 and 1.9 + or - 10.6%, respectively, for soundings carried out in 1976.

Torres, A. L.↗

Thin silicon solar cell performance characteristics

Refined techniques for surface texturizing, back surface field and back surface reflector formation were evaluated for use with shallow junction, single-crystal silicon solar cells. Each process was characterized individually and collectively as a function of device thickness and bulk resistivity. Among the variables measured and reported are open circuit voltage, short circuit current and spectral response. Substantial improvements were obtained by the utilization of a low cost aluminum paste process to simultaneously remove the unwanted n(+) diffused region, form the back surface field and produce an ohmic contact metallization. The highly effective BSF which results from applying this process has allowed fabrication of cells 0.05 mm thick with initial outputs as high as 79.5 mW/4 sq cm (28 C, AM0) and superior electron radiation tolerance. Cells of 0.02 mm to 0.04 mm thickness have been fabricated with power to mass ratios well in excess of 2 watts per gram.

Gay, C. F.↗

Performance characteristics of an electric vehicle lead-acid battery pack at elevated temperatures

Discharge testing data electric car battery pack over initial electrolyte temperature variations between 27 and 55 C are presented. The tests were conducted under laboratory conditions and then compared to detailed electric vehicle simulation models. Battery discharge capacity increased with temperature for constant current discharges, and battery energy capacity increased with temperature for constant power discharges. Dynamometer tests of the electric test vehicle showed an increase in range of 25% for the higher electrolyte temperature.

Chapman, P.↗

Receiver design and performance characteristics

The basic design, principles of operation, and characteristics of deep space communications receivers are examined. In particular, the basic fundamentals of phase-locked loop and Costas loop receivers used for synchronization, tracking, and demodulation of phase-coherent signals in residual carrier and suppressed carrier systems are addressed.

Simon, M. K.↗

Testing and performance characteristics of a 1-kW free piston Stirling engine

A 1 kW single cylinder free piston Stirling engine, configured as a research engine, was tested with helium working gas. The engine features a posted displacer and dashpot load. The test results show the engine power output and efficiency to be lower than those observed during acceptance tests by the manufacturer. Engine tests results are presented for operation at the two heater head temperatures and with two regenerator porosities, along with flow test results for the heat exchangers.

Schreiber, J.↗

Performance characteristics of a battery charger and state-of-charge indicator

A battery charge/state of charge indicator (BC/SCI) system for electric vehicle use was developed. The original and subsequent objectives for the BC/SCI and the rationale for those objectives are described. The requirements generated from the objectives are listed and a description of the BC/SCI is provided. The power section problem, the tests, and the test results are discussed.

Edwards, D.↗

Rotor performance characteristics from an aeroacoustic helicopter wind-tunnel test program

An investigation of helicopter rotor noise at model scale was conducted in the Langley 4 by 7 meter tunnel. The program described was the first of a planned three-phase project whose purpose was to examine the characteristic noise mechanism involved in main rotor/tail rotor interaction noise. This first phase was conducted with a main rotor only, in order to identify the characteristic noise generated by only the main rotor. The aerodynamic operating conditions of the rotor system were defined during the test. The acoustic data were properly referenced.

Hoad, D. R.↗

Performance characteristics of an adaptive controller based on least-mean-square filters

A closed-loop, adaptive-control scheme that uses a least-mean-square filter as the controller model is presented, along with simulation results that demonstrate the excellent robustness of this scheme. It is shown that the scheme adapts very well to unknown plants, even those that are marginally stable, responds appropriately to changes in plant parameters, and is not unduly affected by additive noise. A heuristic argument for the conditions necessary for convergence is presented. Potential applications and extensions of the scheme are also discussed.

Mehta, R. S.↗