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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 289 records · Page 16

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NASA NTRS1975

Zinc depolarized electrochemical CO2 concentration

Two zinc depolarized electrochemical carbon dioxide concentrator concepts were analytically and experimentally evaluated for portable life support system carbon dioxide (CO2) removal application. The first concept, referred to as the zinc hydrogen generator electrochemical depolarized CO2 concentrator, uses a ZHG to generate hydrogen for direct use in an EDC. The second concept, referred to as the zinc/electrochemical depolarized concentrator, uses a standard EDC cell construction modified for use with the Zn anode. The Zn anode is consumed and subsequently regenerated, thereby eliminating the need to supply H2 to the EDC for the CO2 removal process. The evaluation was based primarily on an analytical evaluation of the two ZnDCs at projected end item performance and hardware design levels. Both ZnDC concepts for PLSS CO2 removal application were found to be noncompetitive in both total equivalent launch weight and individual extravehicular activity mission volume when compared to other candidate regenerable PLSS CO2 scrubbers.

Woods, R. R.↗

NASA NTRS1976

Cost as a technology driver

Cost managment as a guiding factor in optimum development of technology, and proper timing of cost-saving programs in the development of a system or technology with payoffs in development and operational advances are discussed and illustrated. Advances enhancing the performance of hardware or software advances raising productivity or reducing cost, are outlined, with examples drawn from: thermochemical thrust maximization, development of cryogenic storage tanks, improvements in fuel cells for Space Shuttle, design of a spacecraft pyrotechnic initiator, cost cutting by reduction in the number of parts to be joined, and cost cutting by dramatic reductions in circuit component number with small-scale double-diffused integrated circuitry. Program-focused supporting research and technology models are devised to aid judicious timing of cost-conscious research programs.

Fitzgerald, P. E., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Solar-cell array design handbook

Twelve-chapter two-volume compilation of solar cell design data is written from industrial, university, and governmental sources. Volumes contain tutorial descriptions of analytical methods, solar-cell characteristics, and cell material properties widely used in specifying solar-cell array performance and hardware design, as well as analysis, fabrication, and test methods.

Rauschenbach, H. S.↗

NASA NTRS1976

Design of a digital compression technique for shuttle television

The determination of the performance and hardware complexity of data compression algorithms applicable to color television signals, were studied to assess the feasibility of digital compression techniques for shuttle communications applications. For return link communications, it is shown that a nonadaptive two dimensional DPCM technique compresses the bandwidth of field-sequential color TV to about 13 MBPS and requires less than 60 watts of secondary power. For forward link communications, a facsimile coding technique is recommended which provides high resolution slow scan television on a 144 KBPS channel. The onboard decoder requires about 19 watts of secondary power.

Habibi, A.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Solar-heating system

Report describes solar modular domestic-hot-water and space-heating system intended for use in small single family dwelling where roof-mounted collectors are not feasible. Contents include design, performance, and hardware specifications for assembly, installation, operation, and maintenance of system.

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NASA NTRS1978

Normal shock and restart controls for a supersonic airbreathing propulsion system

Results of experimental investigations to control a supersonic mixed-compression inlet coupled to a turbojet engine are presented. Special instrumentation and servoactuators were developed to have sufficiently fast dynamic response so that basic propulsion system dynamics were the main limitation to controllability. In some cases servoactuator input signals were electronically limited to simulate moderate performance flight hardware.

Neiner, G. H.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Design data brochure: SIMS prototype system 3

A closed hydronic solar system is reported for space and hot water heating. Design, performance, and hardware specifications are presented sufficient for architectural engineers and contractors to procure, install, operate, and maintain a similar solar application.

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NASA NTRS1978

A decoding procedure for the Reed-Solomon codes

A decoding procedure is described for the (n,k) t-error-correcting Reed-Solomon (RS) code, and an implementation of the (31,15) RS code for the I4-TENEX central system. This code can be used for error correction in large archival memory systems. The principal features of the decoder are a Galois field arithmetic unit implemented by microprogramming a microprocessor, and syndrome calculation by using the g(x) encoding shift register. Complete decoding of the (31,15) code is expected to take less than 500 microsecs. The syndrome calculation is performed by hardware using the encoding shift register and a modified Chien search. The error location polynomial is computed by using Lin's table, which is an interpretation of Berlekamp's iterative algorithm. The error location numbers are calculated by using the Chien search. Finally, the error values are computed by using Forney's method.

Lim, R. S.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Design package for a solar-heating system

Report contains sufficient information to assemble complete tested residential flat-plate solar heating system. Descriptive material provides design, performance, and hardware specifications for utilization by architectural engineers, and contractors in procurement, installation, operation, and maintenance of similar solar applications.

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NASA NTRS1979

Modular solar-heating system - design package

Compilation contains design, performance, and hardware specifications in sufficient detail to fabricate or procure materials and install, operate, and maintain complete modular solar heating and hot water system for single family size dwellings.

Sinton, D. S.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Bosch - An alternate CO2 reduction technology

The Bosch process is the most promising CO2 reduction concept for future prolonged space missions. The paper presents the design of a three-person-capacity preprototype B-CRS (Bosch-based CO2 Reduction Subsystem). It is sized to reduce 3.0 kg/d CO2 generated by the crew and to supply the product water to an O2 generation subsystem to obtain O2. The design supports future development of the B-CRS as an alternative CO2 reduction subsystem to the Sabatier-based process presently under test at NASA. The discussion covers the Bosch CO2 reduction concept, process and hardware description, performance parameters, design specifications, subsystem schematic and operation, mechanical subsystem summary, control/monitor instrumentation, and subsystem packaging. A B-CRS with a proven technological base is an attractive CO2 reduction subsystem that eliminates overboard venting.

Heppner, D. B.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Distributed microprocessors in a tactical universal modem

The distributed microprocessor system associated with a wideband signal conversion unit (WBSCU) is described. Multiple embedded 8086 and 2901 microprocessors, supported by dedicated hardware modules, perform the required real time operations for both transmit and receive functions. Commands from a host computer determine the configuration of the WBSCU via the IEEE 488 bus. Each of the four WBSCU channels is assigned to process a specified IF waveform; each channel configures its own resources and, in some cases, borrows resources from other channels. The processed waveform data is communicated from individual channels to redundant global memories. Data flow between the user community and global memories occurs via redundant 1553 buses through intelligent Bus Interface Units. Each WBSCU channel contains one 2901 bit slice machine and one 8086 microprocessor. The 2901 provides high speed processing capability for the most time critical operations. The 8086 is used for lower speed processing tasks where its high level language capability can be better exploited. Each 8086 has a global bus for wideband interprocessor communication, and a local bus for 8086/2901, master/slave communication. Software architecture consists of a control and communications structure governing mode dependent signal processing tasks.

Gray, D. M.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Test results and description of a 1-kW free-piston Stirling engine with a dashpot load

A 1 kW (1.33 hp) single cylinder free piston Stirling engine was installed in the test facilities at the Lewis laboratory. The engine was designed specifically for research of the dynamics of its operation. A more complete description of the engine and its instrumentation is provided in a prior NASA paper TM-82999 by J. G. Schreiber. Initial tests at Lewis showed the power level and efficiency of the engine to be below design level. Tests were performed to help determine the specific problems in the engine causing the below design level performance. Modifications to engine hardware and to the facility where performed in an effort to bring the power output and efficiency to their design values. As finally configured the engine generated more than 1250 watts of output power at an engine efficiency greater than 32 percent. This report presents the tests performed to help determine the specific problems, the results if the problem was eliminated, the fix performed to the hardware, and the test results after the engine was tested. In cases where the fix did not cause the anticipated effects, a possible explanation is given.

Schreiber, J.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Alternate thermal control coolant fluid investigation for the NASA Space Transportation System

Although Freon 21 has been assumed to be the coolant fluid for both the Space Shuttle Orbiter's primary heat rejection system and Spacelab's pallet heat transport loop, the fluid's supplier has considered stopping its production. This fact, together with the recent determination that maximum allowable toxicity levels must be reduced by a factor of 100, has prompted NASA's present investigation of a Freon 21 replacement which would provide comparable heat transport/rejection capability without requiring the redesign of existing hardware. Systems performance was analytically evaluated for many fluids, together with tests establishing material compatibility with alternate fluids and the character of any synergistic effects. Test results have indicated that Freon 114 is a viable alternative for some of the systems in question.

Hueter, U.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Regenerative Hydrogen-oxygen Fuel Cell-electrolyzer Systems for Orbital Energy Storage

Fuel cells have found application in space since Gemini. Over the years technology advances have been factored into the mainstream hardware programs. Performance levels and service lives have been gradually improving. More recently, the storage application for fuel cell-electrolyzer combinations are receiving considerable emphasis. The regenerative system application described here is part of a NASA Fuel Cell Program which was developed to advance the fuel cell and electrolyzer technology required to satisfy the identified power generation and energy storage need of the Agency for space transportation and orbital applications to the year 2000.

Sheibley, D. W.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Test results and description of a 1 kW free-piston Stirling engine with a dashpot load

Schreiber, J.↗

NASA NTRS1983

The use of Ada in distributed simulations

The increasing need for detailed information about systems of continually growing complexity enhances steadily the demands regarding the employed models. The present investigation is concerned with work related to the development of high-performance computer hardware intended for the support of the real-time simulation of jet engines. The hardware is structured in the form of a network of communicating microprocessors running in parallel. The need for a higher-order language capability for programming such a network has led to the research considered in this study. Attention is given to the hardware which is being developed, an abstract model, programming language considerations, research considerations, research objectives, Ada tasks, Ada packages, the Ada model, the mapping of the model to the hardware, a precompiler example, and the advantages of Ada.

Collins, W. R.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Cryogenic optical systems and instruments; Proceedings of the Meeting, San Diego, CA, August 23, 24, 1984

Systems considerations for the Shuttle Infrared Telescope Facility (SIRTF) are discussed, taking into account SIRTF telescope engineering and trade studies, implications of orbital inclination for SIRTF design and operations, the approaching of the natural background limit with the SIRTF, a long life feasibility study for SIRTF, and the impact of chopping on image quality in the SIRTF telescope. Cryogenic systems and coolers for space missions are considered, giving attention to the Infrared Astronomical Satellite (IRAS) hardware flight performance, the design of the superfluid helium dewar for the Cosmic Background Explorer (COBE), Infrared Telescope (IRT) system cryogenic performance, the solidification of a cryogen by pumping, the production of superfluid helium using a Joule-Thomson Expander, and open cycle He-3 cooling to 0.18 K for space operation. Other topics explored are related to cryogenic optical instruments, facilities, and components, and to supporting technology for cryogenic infrared telescopes in space.

Melugin, R. K.↗