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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 307 records · Page 17

A conceptual design study of point focusing thin-film solar concentrators

Candidates for reflector panel design concepts, including materials and configurations, were identified. The large list of candidates was screened and reduced to the five most promising ones. Cost and technical factors were used in making the final choices for the panel conceptual design, which was a stiffened steel skin substrate with a bonded, acrylic overcoated, aluminized polyester film reflective surface. Computer simulations were run for the concentrator optics using the selected panel design, and experimentally determined specularity and reflectivity values. Intercept factor curves and energy to the aperture curves were produced. These curves indicate that surface errors of 2 mrad (milliradians) or less would be required to capture the desired energy for a Brayton cycle 816 C case. Two test panels were fabricated to demonstrate manufacturability and optically tested for surface error. Surface errors in the range of 1.75 mrad and 2.2 mrad were measured.

Source record↗

Toxicity of thermal degradation products of spacecraft materials

Three polymeric materials were evaluated for relative toxicity of their pyrolysis products to rats by inhalation: Y-7683 (LS 200), Y-7684 (Vonar 3 on Fiberglass), and Y-7685 (Vonar 3 on N W Polyester). Criteria employed for assessing relative toxicity were (1) lethality from in-chamber pyrolysis, (2) lethality from an outside-of-chamber pyrolysis MSTL Procedure, and (3) disruption of trained rats' shock-avoidance performance during sub-lethal exposures to in-chamber pyrolysis of the materials.

Lawrence, W. H.↗

Defect design of insulation systems for photovoltaic modules

A defect-design approach to sizing electrical insulation systems for terrestrial photovoltaic modules is presented. It consists of gathering voltage-breakdown statistics on various thicknesses of candidate insulation films where, for a designated voltage, module failure probabilities for enumerated thickness and number-of-layer film combinations are calculated. Cost analysis then selects the most economical insulation system. A manufacturing yield problem is solved to exemplify the technique. Results for unaged Mylar suggest using fewer layers of thicker films. Defect design incorporates effects of flaws in optimal insulation system selection, and obviates choosing a tolerable failure rate, since the optimization process accomplishes that. Exposure to weathering and voltage stress reduces the voltage-withstanding capability of module insulation films. Defect design, applied to aged polyester films, promises to yield reliable, cost-optimal insulation systems.

Mon, G. R.↗

Kinetics of the Humid Aging of Magnetic Recording Tape

The kinetics of the hydrolysis of polyester urethane binders of magnetic recording tape is described. Kinetic data were generated from measurements of acetone-extractable hydrolyzed binder products versus time for various humidity-temperature environments. These data can be described by a linear, single product, reversible rate equation. This equation, coupled with measurements on the effect of hydrolysis on recorded tape performance, is used to predict proper environmental storage conditions for magnetic tape.

Bertram, H. N.↗

Measuring Tension in Transistor Suspensions

Vibration analyis is nondestructive and noninvasive. Transistor isolated from heat (or cold) of surroundings by filament suspension. Filaments made of polyester are (0.005 in) 0.127 mm in diameter. Transistor lead wires are wrapped around certain filaments. Applicable for testing filament mounts too delicate for testing by tension probes.

Hubbard, W. P.↗

Light, Serviceable Insulation Blanket

Lightweight insulation blanket with aluminized, reinforced polyester facing resists crushing and weighs less than previous insulation blankets with textured stainless steel facing. New hook-and loop fasteners facilitate installation and removal. Useful in vehicle construction and other application in which low weight, easy removability for repairs, and long service life are important.

Swirsley, A. J.↗

Modelling of dimensional stability of fiber reinforced composite materials

Various methods of predicting the expansion and diffusion properties of composite laminates are reviewed. The prediction equations for continuous fiber composites can be applied to SMC composites as the effective fiber aspect ratio in the latter is large enough. The effect of hygrothermal expansion on the dimensional stability of composite laminates was demonstrated through the warping of unsymmetric graphite/epoxy laminates. The warping is very sensitive to the size of the panel, and to the moisture content which is in turn sensitive to the relative humidity in the environment. Thus, any long term creep test must be carried out in a humidity-controlled environment. Environmental effects in SMC composites and bulk polyester were studied under seven different environments. The SMC composites chosen are SMC-R25, SMC-R40, and SMC-R65.

Hahn, H. T.↗

Evaluation of high-contact-ratio spur gears with profile modification

Scoring tests, surface fatigue tests, and single-tooth bending fatigue tests were conducted with four sets of spur gears of standard design and three sets of spur gears of the new tooth form (NTF) design. Scoring tests were conducted in a gear test rig at a speed of 10,000 rpm using a synthetic polyester C5, C6, C7 substituted pentaerythritol oil. Surface fatigue tests were conducted in the same rig at a speed of 10,000 rpm and Hertz stresses of 173 x 10 to the 7th power and 143 x 10 to the 7th power Pa (250,000 and 214,000 psi). Single tooth bending fatigue tests were conducted on both the standard and NTF gears at an initial load that produced a 10.35 x 10 to the eight power Pa (150,000-psi) bending stress. The gears were load cycled to failure or for 3 x 10 to the 6th power cycles, whichever occurred first. The load was increased after test until failure occurred at 3 x 10 to the 6th power cycles or less. Both the standard and NTF gears scored at a gear bulk temperature of approximately 409 K (277 F). At this temperature the load on the NTF gears was 22 percent less than the load on the standard gears. The scoring failure was a function of gear bulk temperature, where for a given lubricant the temperature is a function of gear design, operating load, and speed.

Townsend, D. P.↗

A compliant, high failure strain, fibre-reinforced glass-matrix composite

A glass-matrix composite reinforced by discontinuous graphite fibers was produced by hot pressing glass-powder-impregnated two-dimensional arrays of in-plane randomly oriented graphite fibers held together by approximately 5-10% by weight of organic binder (generally polyester). The composite tensile behavior is characterized by a highly nonlinear stress-strain curve which differs markedly from that of either unreinforced glass or a similarly reinforced epoxy-matrix composite. By virtue of this nonlinearity, the composite is able to redistribute applied stresses to achieve a high load-carrying capacity. The fibrous microstructure and the low fiber-matrix bond provide a mechanism for achieving high fracture toughness and unusually high compliance. For a 96%-silica-matrix composite, the strength is retained to over 1000 C.

Prewo, K. M.↗

Progress report on the infrared astronomical satellite cryogenic system

The main cryogen tank is sized to hold 70 kg of superfluid helium with 12 percent ullage at a temperature of 1.8 K. The insulation system surrounds the main cryogen tank with four blankets of multilayer insulation spaced by means of three vapor-cooled shields. It is noted that the multilayer insulation is 6.4 micron double-aluminized Mylar separated by polyester net. The main shell provides the primary structural integrity of the system. In orbit the main shell is cooled to 170 K using insulation blankets on one side and second surface paint on the opposite side. The aperture cover subassembly is the vacuum seal for the main shell during operation on the ground. It is also a gas condensation trap before and during cooldown of the main cryogen tank during launch hold. It contains 6 kg of supercritical helium, which permits 14 days on orbit with a 48-hour launch pad hold.

Urbach, A. R.↗

Surface-Streamline Flow Visualization

Matrix of ink dots covers matte surface of polyester drafting film. Film placed against wind-tunnel wall. Layer of methyl salicylate (oil of wintergreen) sprayed over dotted area. Ink dot streaklines show several characteristics of flow, including primary saddle point of separations, primary horseshoe vortex and smaller vortex at cylinder/ endwall junction. Surface streamline flow visualization technique suitable for use in low-speed windtunnels or other low-speed gas flows.

Langston, L.↗

Flexible composite film for printed circuit board

A flexible printed circuit for a printed circuit board in which layers of reaction product composed of a combination of phenoxy resin - polyisocyanate - brominated epoxy resin, and in which the equivalent ratio of those functional groups is hydroxyl group: isocyanate group: epoxy group - 1 : 0.2 to 2 : 0.5 to 3 are laminated on at least one side of saturated polyester film is discussed.

Yabe, K.↗

Large inflated-antenna system

It is proposed that for inflatable antenna systems, technology feasibility can be demonstrated and parametric design and scalability (scale factor 10 to 20) can be validated with an experiment using a 16-m-diameter antenna attached to the Shuttle. The antenna configuration consists of a thin film cone and paraboloid held to proper shape by internal pressure and a self-rigidizing torus. The cone and paraboloid would be made using pie-shaped gores with the paraboloid being coated with aluminum to provide reflectivity. The torus would be constructed using an aluminum polyester composite that when inflated would erect to a smooth shell that can withstand loads without internal pressure.

Hinson, W. F.↗

Polymer thick-film conductors and dielectrics for membrane switches and flexible circuitry

The fabrication and operation of membrane switches are discussed. The membrane switch functions as a normally open, momentary contact, low-voltage pressure-sensitive device. Its design is a three-layer sandwich usually constructed of polyester film. Conductive patterns are deposited onto the inner side of top and bottom sheets by silk screening. The center spacer is then placed between the two circuit layers to form a sandwich, generally held together by an adhesive. When pressure is applied to the top layer, it flexes through the punched openings of the spacer to establish electrical contact between conductive pads of the upper and lower sheets, momentarily closing the circuit. Upon release of force the top sheet springs back to its normal open position. The membrane touch switch is being used in a rapidly expanding range of applications, including instrumentation, appliances, electronic games and keyboards. Its board acceptance results from its low cost, durability, ease of manufacture, cosmetic appeal and design flexibility. The principal electronic components in the membrane switch are the conductor and dielectric.

Nazarenko, N.↗

Topics in electrochemical degradation of photovoltaic modules

Electrochemical degradation of photovoltaic modules was examined. It is found that the extent of electrochemical damage is dependent on the integrated leakage current. The PV electrochemical degradation mechanisms in the two polarities are different: (1) degradation rates in the two polarities are of the same order of magnitude; (2) center tapped grounded arrays are a preferred system configuration to minimize electrochemical degradation. The use of thicker pottant layers and polymer substrate films to reduce equilibrium leakage current values is suggested. A metallized substrate layer, if used, should be isolated from the pottant and the frame by polyester layers, and EVA modules appear to be consistent with 30 year life allocation levels for electrochemical damage. Temperature acceleration factors are well behaved and moderately well understood; humidity acceleration factors vary radically with module construction and materials and require additional research.

Mon, G. R.↗

Hygrothermomechanical evaluation of transverse filament tape epoxy/polyester fiberglass composites

Transverse filament tape (TFT) fiberglass/epoxy and TFT polyester composites intended for low cost wind turbine blade fabrication have been subjected to static and cyclic load behavior tests whose results are presently evaluated on the basis of an integrated hygrothermomechanical response theory. Laminate testing employed simulated filament winding procedures. The results obtained show that the predicted hygrothermomechanical environmental effects on TFT composites are in good agreement with measured data for various properties, including fatigue at different R-ratio values.

Lark, R. F.↗

Initial Investigation of Cryogenic Wind Tunnel Model Filler Materials

Filler materials are used for surface flaws, instrumentation grooves, and fastener holes in wind tunnel models. More stringent surface quality requirements and the more demanding test environment encountered by cryogenic wind tunnels eliminate filler materials such as polyester resins, plaster, and waxes used on conventional wind tunnel models. To provide a material data base for cryogenic models, various filler materials are investigated. Surface quality requirements and test temperature extremes require matching of coefficients of thermal expansion or interfacing materials. Microstrain versus temperature curves are generated for several candidate filler materials for comparison with cryogenically acceptable materials. Matches have been achieved for aluminum alloys and austenitic steels. Simulated model surfaces are filled with candidate filler materials to determine finishing characteristics, adhesion and stability when subjected to cryogenic cycling. Filler material systems are identified which meet requirements for usage with aluminum model components.

Firth, G. C.↗

Analysis of TQCM surface contamination adsorbed during the Spacelab I Mission

The Temperature-Controlled Quartz Crystal Microbalance (TQCM) system was flown on the Spacelab I Mission as part of the Induced Environment Contamination Monitor to monitor surface contamination (SC) in the payload bay. SC on the five sensors of the TQCM was analyzed by means of IR spectroscopy, scanning electron spectroscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence. The amount of SC ranged from 1.4 micrograms/sq cm for the -Z sensor to 39.9 micrograms/sq cm for the +X sensor. The IR analysis showed strong CH2, CH3, and carbonyl absorption bands, indicative of ester and polyester compounds found in adhesives, plasticizers, and tape. The particulates (mostly ranging from 1 micron to 20 microns in size) were mainly composed of Mg, Al, Al2O3, and Si, and probably originated in the solid rocket firings.

Mckeown, D.↗