Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “Power Development”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 325 records · Page 18

Powering the Blue Economy Foundational Research & Development Topics Reliability for Marine Energy Power Systems

Ocean observing platforms are deployed across the world’s oceans to collect meteorological and oceanographic data. Current technology makes use of solar panels and battery banks to provide power to these platforms, which can be challenging at high latitudes due to lack of solar insolation and cold temperatures. Marine renewable energy (MRE) generation offers a potential improvement in consistent power generation throughout the year for this use on ocean observation buoys. This report analyzes existing reliability of high latitude coastal weather buoys and tsunami detection buoys to determine performance standards that MRE generation sources must meet to become viable power sources for these remote systems. Using measurements recorded from the U.S. National Data Buoy Center’s coastal weather buoys and tsunami detection buoys, the analysis calculated the historic data availability – or the percentage of time a measurement is recorded – to evaluate the reliability of ocean observation buoys. The results show that coastal weather buoys operate at 74% data availability and the tsunami detection systems operate at an average 72% data availability. The results describe the total reliability of the system, including many different types of failures not associated with the power system such as mooring failures or equipment failures caused by extreme weather. Power system outages may only account for a small portion of the system failures. Reliability is an important design criterion for the power system of ocean observation platforms. Future power systems that would be designed for these buoys, such as an MRE generator, need to have a minimum reliability of 72% and 74% to meet the overall performance of the weather buoys and tsunami buoys, respectively. However, power system reliability likely needs to be much higher than overall system reliability, so that power system outages do not negatively impact the overall performance of the buoy.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Development of Wireless Power Technology for Use in Electrochromic Window Retrofit Applications

Electrochromic (EC) windows, often referred to as smart windows, have the ability to adjust their tint in response to electrical signals, thereby controlling the amount of sunlight and heat entering a building. This dynamic modulation can lead to significant energy savings by reducing the reliance on artificial lighting and minimizing the load on heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. However, the widespread adoption of electrochromic window technology, especially in existing buildings, faces challenges, particularly concerning the installation cost associated with the need for electrical wiring to power and control the EC glass (tinting). In this project, GuRu Wireless demonstrated that it’s mmWave-based wireless power energy transfer technology can provide the necessary power for operation of electrochromic windows, wirelessly, and address the wiring challenges of electrochromic windows in retrofit applications.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Development of automated power system management techniques

The basic approach in the automated power system management (APSM) implementation is to use one central microprocessor for the overall power system supervision and several local microprocessors dedicated to one or more major subassemblies to perform simple monitoring and control functions. Communication between the central and each local processor is through a dedicated two-wire network employing serial data transfer. The block diagrams of the processors, the data bus characteristics, and the software functions and organization are presented.

Imamura, M. S.↗

Solar cell development for the Power Extension Package

The Power Extension Package (PEP), a 32-kilowatt, flexible-substrate, retrievable solar array system for use on the Space Shuttle, is described. It is noted that solar cell costs will be reduced by increasing cell area and simplifying cell and coverglass fabrication processes and specifications. The tests that have been carried out on the cells are described, among them a unique radiation damage test and a side-by-side comparison of candidate cell types with pre- and post-irradiation airplane calibration of outer space short-circuit current

Baraona, C. R.↗

Sound radiation from annular ducts/nozzles using modal decomposition of in-duct acoustic power

Using a refined acoustic impulse technique, an experimental program was carried out to determine the proper procedure for measuring the acoustic power for both incident and reflected sound fields for annular ducts with and without nozzles at various flow conditions. Several radial and azimuthal pressure measurements were made, and using these complex pressure data, the modal content of the pressure field was determined. A mathematical approach for the modal decomposition of annular duct acoustic power was developed. The acoustic power due to each individual mode and also their total sum were derived. The acoustic characteristics of annular duct-nozzle systems were studied at various flow conditions. The results derived from the experiments include the termination reflection coefficient, the normalized transmission coefficients, the power transfer functions and the power imbalance.

Salikuddin, M.↗

Advanced Gas Turbine (AGT): Power-train system development

Technical work on the design and effort leading to the testing of a 74.5 kW (100 hp) automotive gas turbine is described. The general effort was concentrated on building an engine for test starting in July. The buildup progressed with only routine problems and the engine was delivered to the test stand 9 July. In addition to the engine build effort, work continued in selected component areas. Ceramic turbine parts were built and tested. Burst tests of ceramic rotors show strengths are approaching that achieved in test bars; proof testing is required for acceptable strength ceramic vanes. Over 25 hours was accumulated on the combustor rig in three test modes: pilot nozzle only, start nozzle, and main nozzle operation. Satisfactory ignition was achieved for a wide range of starting speeds and the lean blowout limit was as low as 0.06 kg/b (0.14 lb/hr). Lean blowout was more a function of nozzle atomization than fuel/air ratio. A variety of cycle points were tested. Transition from start nozzle flow to main nozzle flow was done manually without difficulty. Regenerator parts were qualification tested without incident and the parts were assembled on schedule. Rig based performance matched first build requirements. Repeated failures in the harmonic drive gearbox during rig testing resulted in that concept being abandoned for an alternate scheme.

Helms, H. E.↗

Status of commercial phosphoric acid fuel cell power plant system development

A technology development and commercial feasibility evaluation is presented for phosphoric acid fuel cells (PAFCs) applicable to electric utility operations. The correction of identified design deficiencies in the control card and water treatment subsystems is projected to be able to substantially increase average powerplant availability from the 63 percent achieved in recent field tests of a PAFC system. Current development work is proceeding under NASA research contracts at the output levels of a multimegawatt facility for electric utility use, a multikilowatt on-site integrated energy generation facility, and advanced electrocatalysts applicable to PAFCs.

Warshay, M.↗

Gyrotron development for space power beaming

The use of a gyrotron for space power beaming, especially in the form of a lunar orbiting power station is discussed. The advantages of phased array power beaming, output power, and the design of a quasi-optical gyrotron are discussed.

Manheimer, Wallace M.↗

NASDA activities in space solar power system research, development and applications

NASDA activities in solar cell research, development, and applications are described. First, current technologies for space solar cells such as Si, GaAs, and InP are reviewed. Second, future space solar cell technologies intended to be used on satellites of 21st century are discussed. Next, the flight data of solar cell monitor on ETS-V is shown. Finally, establishing the universal space solar cell calibration system is proposed.

Matsuda, Sumio↗

InGaAs PV Device Development for TPV Power Systems

Indium gallium arsenide (InGaAs) photovoltaic devices have been fabricated with bandgaps ranging from 0.75 eV to 0.60 eV on Indium Phosphide (InP) substrates. Reported efficiencies have been as high as 11.2 percent (AMO) for the lattice matched 0.75 eV devices. The 0.75 eV cell demonstrated 14.8 percent efficiency under a 1500 K blackbody with a projected efficiency of 29.3 percent. The lattice mismatched devices (0.66 and 0.60 eV) demonstrated measured efficiencies of 8 percent and 6 percent respectively under similar conditions. Low long wavelength response and high dark currents are responsible for the poor performance of the mismatched devices. Temperature coefficients have been measured and are presented for all of the bandgaps tested.

Wilt, David M.↗

InGaAs PV device development for TPV power systems

Indium gallium arsenide (InGaAs) photovoltaic devices have been fabricated with bandgaps ranging from 0.75 eV to 0.60 on Indium phosphide (InP) substrates. Reported efficiencies have been as high as 11.2 percent (AMO) for the lattice matched 0.75 eV devices. The 0.75 eV cell demonstrated 14.8 percent efficiency under a 1500 K blackbody with a projected efficiency of 29.3 percent. The lattice mismatched devices (0.66 and 0.60 eV) demonstrated measured efficiencies of 8 percent and 6 percent respectively under similar conditions. Low long wavelength response and high rack currents are responsible for the poor performance of the mismatched devices. Temperature coefficients have been measured and are presented for all of the bandgaps tested.

Wilt, David M.↗