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At least 289 records · Page 16

Gas Trap Plug Design, Function and Performance

The cooling loops of the Internal Active Thermal Control System (IATCS) on the Node 3, Node 2 and US Laboratory (USL) Modules of the International Space Station (ISS) have been serviced by Gas Traps (GTs) since the onset of operations. These traps serve to protect the pumping function of the cooling loops by eliminating free gas that would otherwise impact the impellers and cause a loop shutdown. Gas Trap Plug Assemblies (GTPAs) have been designed, manufactured and tested, to permit function of the IATCS in the event of a loss of cabin atmosphere and long term decrew event. The GTPA also serve to give the crew additional time to evacuate the United States Operating Segment (USOS) in the unlikely event of an Ammonia breach of an Interface Heat Exchanger (IFHX). These GTPAs have been installed on the ISS IATCS since May 2019. This paper will address purpose, design and testing of the GTPA. The paper will also provide analyses showing residual trapping capability and free gas elimination of the GTs even while tightly plugged, for both the GTs and the Alternate Gas Trap Assemblies (AGTAs) ground spares.

Gas Trap Plugs↗

Full-Scale Wind-Tunnel Study of the Effect of Nacelle Shape on Cooling Drag

Tests were made in the Ames 40 by 80 ft Wind Tunnel of a semispan wing with a nacelle (no propeller) from a typical, general aviation twin-engine aircraft. Measurements were made of the effect on drag of the flow of cooling air through the nacelle. Internal and external nacelle pressures were measured. It was found that the cooling airflow accounts for about 13% of the total estimated airplane drag during both cruise and climb. The now of cooling air through the nacelle accounts for 30% of the airflow drag component during cruise and 42% during climb; the balance, in both cruise and climb, is attributed to [he external shape of the nacelle. It was suggested that improvements could possibly be made by relocating both the inlet and the outlet for the cooling air.

Corsiglia, Victor R.↗

Self-Deployable Membrane Structures

Currently existing approaches for deployment of large, ultra-lightweight gossamer structures in space rely typically upon electromechanical mechanisms and mechanically expandable or inflatable booms for deployment and to maintain them in a fully deployed, operational configuration. These support structures, with the associated deployment mechanisms, launch restraints, inflation systems, and controls, can comprise more than 90 percent of the total mass budget. In addition, they significantly increase the stowage volume, cost, and complexity. A CHEM (cold hibernated elastic memory) membrane structure without any deployable mechanism and support booms/structure is deployed by using shape memory and elastic recovery. The use of CHEM micro-foams reinforced with carbon nanotubes is considered for thin-membrane structure applications. In this advanced structural concept, the CHEM membrane structure is warmed up to allow packaging and stowing prior to launch, and then cooled to induce hibernation of the internal restoring forces. In space, the membrane remembers its original shape and size when warmed up. After the internal restoring forces deploy the structure, it is then cooled to achieve rigidization. For this type of structure, the solar radiation could be utilized as the heat energy used for deployment and space ambient temperature for rigidization. The overall simplicity of the CHEM self-deployable membrane is one of its greatest assets. In present approaches to space-deployable structures, the stow age and deployment are difficult and challenging, and introduce a significant risk, heavy mass, and high cost. Simple procedures provided by CHEM membrane greatly simplify the overall end-to-end process for designing, fabricating, deploying, and rigidizing large structures. The CHEM membrane avoids the complexities associated with other methods for deploying and rigidizing structures by eliminating deployable booms, deployment mechanisms, and inflation and control systems that can use up the majority of the mass budget

Sokolowski, Witold M.↗

Internal combustion engine with dual-channel cylinder liner cooling

A cylinder liner is provided that includes a cylinder bore capable of housing a piston, a top end having an annular flange, a first cylindrical section, a second cylindrical section, and an annular ridge that separates the first cylindrical section and the second cylindrical section. When employed in an a liner bore of an engine bock, the cylinder liner provides for two channels that allow for coolant to be supplied to the cylinder liner.

Chen, Allen Yao↗

1996 Coolant Flow Management Workshop

The following compilation of documents includes a list of the 66 attendees, a copy of the viewgraphs presented, and a summary of the discussions held after each session at the 1996 Coolant Flow Management Workshop held at the Ohio Aerospace Institute, adjacent to the NASA Lewis Research Center, Cleveland, Ohio on December 12-13, 1996. The workshop was organized by H. Joseph Gladden and Steven A. Hippensteele of NASA Lewis Research Center. Participants in this workshop included Coolant Flow Management team members from NASA Lewis, their support service contractors, the turbine engine companies, and the universities. The participants were involved with research projects, contracts and grants relating to: (1) details of turbine internal passages, (2) computational film cooling capabilities, and (3) the effects of heat transfer on both sides. The purpose of the workshop was to assemble the team members, along with others who work in gas turbine cooling research, to discuss needed research and recommend approaches that can be incorporated into the Center's Coolant Flow Management program. The workshop was divided into three sessions: (1) Internal Coolant Passage Presentations, (2) Film Cooling Presentations, and (3) Coolant Flow Integration and Optimization. Following each session there was a group discussion period.

Steven A. Hippensteele↗

Detection of lithium in the cool halo dwarfs Groombridge 1830 and HD 134439: Implications for internal stellar mixing and cosmology

Lithium abundances in halo stars, when interpreted correctly, hold the key to uncovering the primordial Li abundance Li(sub p). However, whereas standard stellar evolutionary models imply consistency in standard big bang nucleosynthesis (BBN), models with rotationally induced mixing imply a higher Li(sub p), possibly implying an inconsistency in standard BBN. We report here Li detections in two cool halo dwarfs, Gmb 1830 and HD 134439. These are the coolest and lowest Li detections in halo dwarfs to date, and are consistent with the metallicity dependence of Li depletion in published models. If the recent report of a beryllium deficiency in Gmb 1830 represents a real Be depletion, then the rotational models would be favored. We propose tests to reduce critical uncertainties.

Deliyannis, Constantine P.↗

Effects of forced and free convections on structural temperatures of Space Shuttle Orbiter during reentry flight

Structural performance and resizing (SPAR) finite-element thermal analysis computer program was used in the heat transfer analysis of the Space Shuttle Orbiter wing subjected to reentry aerodynamic heating. With sufficient external forced convective cooling near the end of the heating cycle, the calculated surface temperatures of the thermal protection system (TPS) agree favorably with the flight data for the entire flight profile. However, the effects of this external forced convective cooling on the structural temperatures were found to be negligible. Both free convection and forced convection elements were introduced to model the internal convection effect of the cool air entering the Shuttle interior. The introduction of the internal free convection effect decreased the calculated wing lower skin temperatures by 20 F at most, 1200 sec after touchdown. If the internal convection is treated as forced convection, the calculated wing lower skin temperatures after touchdown can be reduced to match the flight-measured data very closely. By reducing the TPS thicknesses to certain effective thickness to account for the TPs gap heating, the calculated wing lower skin temperatures prior to touchdown can be raised to agree with the flight data perfectly.

Ko, William L.↗

Development of a Pressure Box to Evaluate Reusable-Launch-Vehicle Cryogenic-Tank Panels

A cryogenic pressure-box test machine has been designed and is being developed to test full-scale reusable-launch-vehicle cryogenic-tank panels. This machine is equipped with an internal pressurization system, a cryogenic cooling system, and a heating system to simulate the mechanical and thermal loading conditions that are representative of a reusable-launch-vehicle mission profile. The cryogenic cooling system uses liquid helium and liquid nitrogen to simulate liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen tank internal temperatures. A quartz lamp heating system is used for heating the external surface of the test panels to simulate cryogenic-tank external surface temperatures during re-entry of the launch vehicle. The pressurization system uses gaseous helium and is designed to be controlled independently of the cooling system. The tensile loads in the axial direction of the test panel are simulated by means of hydraulic actuators and a load control system. The hoop loads in the test panel are reacted by load-calibrated turnbuckles attached to the skin and frame elements of the test panel. The load distribution in the skin and frames can be adjusted to correspond to the tank structure by using these turnbuckles. The seal between the test panel and the cryogenic pressure box is made from a reinforced Teflon material which can withstand pressures greater than 52 psig at cryogenic temperatures. Analytical results and tests on prototype test components indicate that most of the cryogenic-tank loading conditions that occur in flight can be simulated in the cryogenic pressure-box test machine.

Ambur, Damodar R.↗

Development of a Pressure Box to Evaluate Reusable-Launch-Vehicle Cryogenic-Tank Panels

A cryogenic pressure-box test machine has been designed and is being developed to test full-scale reusable launch vehicle cryogenic-tank panels. This machine is equipped with an internal pressurization system, a cryogenic cooling system, and a heating system to simulate the mechanical and thermal loading conditions that are representative of a reusable launch vehicle mission profile. The cryogenic cooling system uses liquid helium and liquid nitrogen to simulate liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen tank internal temperatures. A quartz lamp heating system is used for heating the external surface of the test panels to simulate cryogenic-tank external surface temperatures during re-entry of the launch vehicle. The pressurization system uses gaseous helium and is designed to be controlled independently of the cooling system. The tensile loads in the axial direction of the test panel are simulated by means of hydraulic actuators and a load control system. The hoop loads in the test panel are reacted by load-calibrated turnbuckles attached to the skin and frame elements of the test panel. The load distribution in the skin and frames can be adjusted to correspond to the tank structure by using these turnbuckles. The seal between the test panel and the cryogenic pressure box is made from a reinforced Teflon material which can withstand pressures greater than 52 psig at cryogenic temperatures. Analytical results and tests on prototype test components indicate that most of the cryogenic-tank loading conditions that occur in flight can be simulated in the cryogenic pressure-box test machine.

Ambur, Damodar R.↗

Multispecies Biofilm Development on Space Station Heat Exhanger Core Material

Investigations of microbial contamination of the cooling system aboard the International Space Station (ISS) suggested that there may be a relationship between heat exchanger (HX) materials and the degree of microbial colonization and biofilm formation. Experiments were undertaken to test the hypothesis that biofilm formation is influenced by the type and previous exposure of HX surfaces. Acidovorax delafieldii, Comamonas acidovorans, Hydrogenophaga pseudoflava, Pseudomonas stutzeri, Sphingomonas paucimobilis, and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, originally isolated from ISS cooling system fluid, were cultured on R2A agar and suspended separately in fresh filter-sterilized ISS cooling fluid, pH 8.3. Initial numbers in each suspension ranged from 10(exp 6)-10(exp 7) CFU/ml, and a mixture contained greater than 10(exp 7) CFU/ml. Coupons of ISS HX material, previously used on orbit (HXOO) or unused (HXUU), polycarbonate (PC) and 316L polished stainless steel (SS) were autoclaved, covered with multispecies suspension in sterile tubes and incubated in the dark at ambient (22-25 C). Original HX material contained greater than 90% Ni, 4.5% Si, and 3.2% B, with a borate buffer. For approximately 10 weeks, samples of fluid were plated on R2A agar, and surface colonization assessed by SYBR green or BacLight staining and microscopy. Suspension counts for the PC and SC samples remained steady at around 10(exp 7) CFU/ml. HXUU counts declined about 1 log in 21 d then remained steady, and HXOO counts declined 2 logs in 28 d, fluctuated and stabilized about 10(exp 3) CFU/ml from 47-54 d. Predominantly yellow S. paucimobilis predominated on plates from HXOO samples up to 26 d, then white or translucent colonies of other species appeared. All colony types were seen on plates from other samples throughout the trial. Epifluorescence microscopy indicated microbial growth on all surfaces by 21 d, followed by variable colonization. After 54 d, all but the HXOO samples had well-distributed live and dead cells; the HXOO samples had few cells and most were live by BacLight. The results suggest that HX materials themselves are inhibiting microbial growth on the surfaces. The HX exposed on orbit to cooling system fluid inhibited growth of some species originally isolated from the system, whereas the unused HX material had a moderate effect compared to no inhibition with PC or SS controls. It is possible that chemistry or microbiology of the ISS system increased deposition of inhibitory compounds on the HXOO coupon surfaces; these may inhibit inoculated species to differing degrees.

Pyle, B. H.↗

Use of Internal Coolant as a Means of Permitting Increase in Engine Take-Off Power

Engine tests, together with estimates made at Langley Memorial Aeronautical Laboratory, indicate that a 25-percent increase in take-off power can be obtained with present-day aircraft engines without increasing either the knock limit of the fuel or the external cooling requirements of the engine. This increase in power with present fuels and present external cooling is made possible through the use of an internal coolant inducted through the inlet manifold. Estimates on aircraft indicate that this 25-percent increase in power will permit an approximate usable increase of 8.5 percent in the take-off load of existing military airplanes. This increase in load is equivalent to an increase in the weight of gasoline normally carried of between 30 and 65 percent.

FUELS, ANTIKNOCK↗

The temperature structure and pressure balance of magnetic loops in active regions

EUV observations show many active region loops in lines formed at temperatures between 10,000 and 2,000,000 K. The brightest loops are associated with flux tubes leading to the umbrae of sunspots. It is shown that the high visibility of certain loops in transition region lines is due principally to a sharp radial decrease of temperature to chromospheric values toward the loop axis. The plasma density of these cool loops is not significantly greater than in the hot gas immediately surrounding it. Consequently, the internal gas pressure of the cool material is clearly lower. The hot material immediately surrounding the cool loops is generally denser than the external corona by a factor 3-4. When the active region is examined in coronal lines, this hot high pressure plasma shows up as loops that are generally parallel to the cool loops but significantly displaced laterally.

Foukal, P.↗

Revolutionizing Turbine Cooling with Micro-Architectures Enabled by Direct Metal Laser Sintering

The objective of this research effort was to explore innovative cooling architectures enabled by additive manufacturing techniques for improved turbine cooling performance. The ability to create complex internal geometries was leveraged to better distribute coolant as well as to integrate inherently unstable flow devices to enhance internal and external heat transfer. This was accomplished with a multi-faceted approach including analytical, experimental, and computational components. This final report documents progress during the total 4.25 year effort that was extended (at no additional cost) from the original 3-year cooperative agreement. Prior to starting the project, significant effort was invested in investigating innovative cooling designs from the open literature. When the project started, we quickly down-selected to 4 configurations: impingement jet fluidic oscillators (for internal leading edge cooling), reverse film cooling (for pressure surface), sweeping film cooling jets (for suction surface), and trailing edge slot cooling with microchannels. During the 2nd year, the reverse film cooling design was shown to be sub-optimal and work on that topic was halted. The three remaining technologies were integrated into a large scale nozzle guide vane and installed into a low-speed linear cascade facility for further interrogation. Initial results showed the sweeping film cooling jets (on the suction surface) to be the most promising technology compared to a baseline diffusion shaped film hole (777 design). The benefit was particularly evident at high blowing ratios (>1.5) when the 777 coolant film separated from the downstream surface. Benefits were also evident at elevated freestream turbulence levels. The leading edge cooling with unsteady jets was less effective in terms of peak or average cooling – however it was superior to round hole impingement cooling in terms of spatial uniformity. Finally, the trailing edge cooling design with micro-channels was scrapped in favor of a pinned arrangement with centerbody. During the 3rd year, the same three technologies were integrated into a transonic linear cascade for an assessment of compressibility effects. Again, the sweeping film cooling jets proved superior at high blowing ratios while the unsteady leading edge impingement and trailing edge pin-fins with centerbody designs yielded mixed results. Finally, during the 4th and final year, these 3 technologies were integrated into a direct metal laser sintered (DMLS) nozzle guide vane for testing in a high temperature, transonic annular vane cascade. The facility matches the flow temperature, Mach number, and coolant pressure ratios of an actual gas turbine. Before doing this, an additional series of tests were completed to validate a redesigned trailing edge cooling architecture. This final design included a centerbody with triangular pins between the centerbody and the vane external skin. The majority of these triangular pins are fabricated with a 30% gap to the centerbody – reducing their pressure drop considerably while still providing excellent heat transfer augmentation. This additional test campaign required an additional 3-month extension request to complete testing in the high temperature NGV test facility (Turbine Reacting Flow Rig – TuRFR). Testing of the DMLS vane in TuRFR pitted the 3 innovative cooling technologies against more traditional technologies (shaped 777 film hole, round impingement jet, and full pin arrangement in the trailing edge. The sweeping film cooling jets (on the suction surface) showed approximately 15% improvement in overall effectiveness compared to the 777 film hole while the trailing edge showed up to 20% improvement. The leading edge impingement was disappointing with a substantially lower effectiveness than traditional direct impingement. In summary, the study was successful in demonstrating that DMLS-enabled cooling technologies can yield significant gains in cooling performance.

03 NATURAL GAS↗

Binder Jet Printing of H13 Tool Steel

ORNL and Carpenter worked on evaluating H13 powders with different powder size distributions for deposition via binder jet additive manufacturing (AM). Binder jet AM has the potential to be a costeffective technique for fabrication of near net shaped tools with complex geometries and internal features such as cooling channels that can improve the production efficiency of injection/compression molding tools. However, a critical challenge in binder jet AM is the densification of the said tool for it to be usable. Powder size distribution can affect the process settings required to deposit the material and the subsequent sintering behavior. In this collaborative effort ORNL and Carpenter demonstrated that the process variables depend on the powder size distribution while the carbon pickup during sintering depends on the binder burnout atmosphere and temperature. On the other hand, there was no noticeable difference in the microstructural evolution of H13 deposited using the different powder size distributions.

42 ENGINEERING↗

The magnetic fields of Mercury, Venus and Mars

Just as clearly as Mariner 10 established that Mercury has an intrinsic magnetic field, the Pioneer Venus orbiter has established that Venus has no significant intrinsic field. This is perhaps the opposite of what might be expected. Mercury, a small planet, might be expected to cool rapidly and its internal dynamo to cease, while Venus, which is almost as large as the earth, should not have lost much heat. On the contrary the source of energy of the Mercury dynamo appears to be extant whereas that of Venus appears to be extinct. The existence of a Martian magnetic field is controversial. No unambiguous signature of a Martian magnetic field has been reported. If the field on the nightside of Mars is of planetary rather than solar origin the Russian Mars spacecraft observations indicate the Martian dipole lies near the planetary equator rather than its pole.

Russell, C. T.↗

Progress in Protective Coatings for Aircraft Gas Turbines: A Review of NASA Sponsored Research

Problems associated with protective coatings for advanced aircraft gas turbines are reviewed. Metallic coatings for preventing titanium fires in compressors are identified. Coatings for turbine section are also considered, Ductile aluminide coatings for protecting internal turbine-blade cooling passage surface are also identified. Composite modified external overlay MCrAlY coatings deposited by low-pressure plasma spraying are found to be better in surface protection capability than vapor deposited MCrAlY coatings. Thermal barrier coating (TBC), studies are presented. The design of a turbine airfoil is integrated with a TBC, and computer-aided manufacturing technology is applied.

Merutka, J. P.↗

Experimental verification of corrosive vapor deposition rate theory in high velocity burner rigs

The ability to predict deposition rates is required to facilitate modelling of high temperature corrosion by fused salt condensates in turbine engines. A corrosive salt vapor deposition theory based on multicomponent chemically frozen boundary layers (CFBL) has been successfully verified by high velocity burner rig experiments. The experiments involved internally air-impingement cooled, both rotating full and stationary segmented cylindrical collectors located in the crossflow of sodium-seeded combustion gases. Excellent agreement is found between the CFBL theory an the experimental measurements for both the absolute amounts of Na2SO4 deposition rates and the behavior of deposition rate with respect to collector temperature, mass flowrate (velocity) and Na concentration.

Gokoglu, S. A.↗

Experimental verification of corrosive vapor deposition rate theory in high velocity burner rigs

The ability to predict deposition rates is required to facilitate modelling of high temperature corrosion by fused salt condensates in turbine engines. A corrosive salt vapor deposition theory based on multicomponent chemically frozen boundary layers (CFBL) has been successfully verified by high velocity burner rig experiments. The experiments involved internally air-impingement cooled, both rotating full and stationary segmented cylindrical collectors located in the crossflow of sodium-seeded combustion gases. Excellent agreement is found between the CFBL theory and the experimental measurements for both the absolute amounts of Na2SO4 deposition rates and the behavior of deposition rate with respect to collector temperature, mass flowrate (velocity) and Na concentration.

Gokoglu, Suleyman A.↗