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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 37 records · Page 2

A mercury flow meter for ion thruster testing

The theory of operation of the thermal flow meter is presented, and a theoretical model is used to determine design parameters for a device capable of measuring mercury flows in the range of 0 to 5 gm/hr. Flow meter construction is described. Tests performed using a positive displacement mercury pump as well as those performed with the device in the feed line of an operating thruster are discussed. A flow meter response time of about a minute and a sensitivity of about 10 mv/gm/hr are demonstrated. Additional work to relieve a sensitivity of the device to variations in ambient temperature is indicated to improve its quantitative performance.

Wilbur, P. J.↗

Care, feeding, and use of charge-coupled device /CCD/ imagers at Palomar observatory

The paper describes the optical, mechanical, and electronic properties of the TI and RCA CCDs which have been applied to two-dimensional photometry and spectroscopy at Palomar. The drive, processing, and recording techniques are also discussed, and consideration is given to a focal conversion optical system, the Prime Focus Universal Extragalactic Instrument (PFUEI), which is used to more optimally match the Hale 5 meter plate scale. Calibration and data analysis are also examined.

Gunn, J. E.↗

The dielectric-filled parabola - A new millimeter/submillimeter wavelength receiver/transmitter front end

A design is presented for a semi-integrated millimeter/submillimeter wavelength receiver/transmitter front end incorporating a planar antenna and a solid-state device in an efficient feed structure which can be matched directly to high f-number optical systems. The feed system combines the simplicity and robustness of a dielectric substrate lens with the high gain of a parabolic reflector in a single structure that is termed a dielectric-filled parabola. The same fundamental unit can be configured as either a heterodyne or direct detection mode receiver, a power transmitter or a frequency multiplier by changing out the solid-state device and/or the integrated antenna. The structure can also be used with a small integrated antenna array in a multibeam or imaging arrangement. Design and fabrication details for the feed system are given. These are followed by beam pattern and impedance measurements taken on a microwave model when dipole, bow-tie, log-periodic, and log-spiral antennas are used as the integrated feed elements.

Siegel, Peter H.↗

Design and testing of an electromagnetic coupling

Hostile environments such as the hard vacuum of space, and exposure to water or caustic fluids have fostered the development of devices which allow mechanical rotary feed throughs with positive sealing without the use of conventional dynamic seals. One such device is an electromagnetic coupling which transfers motion across a hermetic seal by means of a rotating magnetic field. Static pull-out torque and dynamic heat build-up and pull-out torque tests of a synchronous reluctance homopolar coupling are reported herein. Coupling efficiencies are estimated for a range of speeds and torques.

Anderson, William J.↗

Spillage detector for liquid chromatography systems

A spillage detector device for use in conjunction with fractionation of liquid chromatography systems which includes a spillage recieving enclosure beneath the fractionation area is described. A sensing device having a plurality of electrodes of alternating polarity is mounted within the spillage recieving enclosure. Detection circuitry, responsive to conductivity between electrodes, is operatively connected to the sensing device. The detection circuitry feeds into the output circuitry. The output circuit has relaying and switching circuitry directed to a solenoid, an alarm system and a pump. The solenoid is connected to the pliable conduit of the chromatography system. The alarm system comprises an audio alarm and a visual signal. A 115-volt power system interconnected with the pump, the solenoid, the sensing device, and the detection and output circuitry.

Jarvis, M. J.↗

Functionally graded coatings and claddings

A shear assisted extrusion process for producing cladded materials wherein a cladding material and a material to be cladded are placed in sequence with the cladded material positioned to contact a rotating scroll face first and the material to be cladded second. The two materials are fed through a shear assisted extrusion device at a preselected feed rate and impacted by a rotating scroll face to generate a cladded extrusion product. This process allows for increased through wall strength and decreases the brittleness in formed structures as compared to the prior art.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Shear assisted extrusion process

A shear assisted extrusion process for producing cladded materials wherein a cladding material and a material to be cladded are placed in sequence with the cladded material positioned to contact a rotating scroll face first and the material to be cladded second. The two materials are fed through a shear assisted extrusion device at a preselected feed rate and impacted by a rotating scroll face to generate a cladded extrusion product. This process allows for increased through wall strength and decreases the brittleness in formed structures as compared to the prior art.

Joshi, Vineet V.↗

3D Printing of Functional Hydrogel Devices for Screenings of Membrane Permeability and Selectivity

Developing a fundamental understanding of the effects of varying ligand chemistries on mass transport rates is key to designing membranes with solute-specific selectivity. While permeation cells offer a robust method to characterize membrane performance, they are limited to assessing a single membrane chemistry or salt solution per test. As a result, investigating the effects of varying ligand chemistries on membrane performance can be a tedious process, involving both the preparation of multiple samples and numerous, time-consuming permeation tests. This study uses digital light processing (DLP) 3D printing to fabricate a millifluidic flow-based permeation device made from a hydrogel active ester network that can be easily functionalized with ion-selective ligands. Without the need for bonding or assembly steps, ligands can be introduced and tested in the permeation device by simply injecting a small volume of a ligand solution. Various salt concentrations and molecular species can be cycled through a single device by switching the solution feeding into the salt reservoir, thereby reducing the number of samples needed for permeability and selectivity screenings. This research sets the groundwork for formulation development and postprocessing methods to 3D-print functional millifluidic devices capable of assessing solute selectivity in membranes and polymer adsorbents for aqueous separations. In this work, comparable salt permeability trends were observed with both 3D-printed devices and traditional assays. Devices were functionalized with an imidazole ligand to investigate salt permeability and selectivity of monovalent and divalent salts. Measurements showed increasing permeability for monovalent salts (NaCl) relative to divalent salts (MgCl 2 , CuCl 2 ) in functionalized membranes, with higher monovalent/divalent selectivity at increasing imidazole grafting densities. Here, the methods and findings described here represent a step toward developing higher-throughput methods with 3D-printed devices for screening the effects of ligand chemistry on mass transport rates in membrane materials.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Design of propellant acquisition systems for advanced cryogenic space propulsion systems

This paper presents results of work conducted to expand the technology base and evolve practical propellant surface tension acquisition system designs for future cryogenic space vehicles. Surface tension screen device channel flow analysis and supporting tests showed that reasonable mesh sizes could provide the required retention performance. Integrated subsystem studies and development showed that practical and effective screen surface tension acquisition devices could be designed for typical applications, but that other interfacing feed subsystems are often constrained by the design of the particular acquisition device. These constraints may dominate the total feed system performance.

Burge, G. W.↗

Overview 1993: Chemical propulsion at CSTAR

Chemical Propulsion at CSTAR continues to expand its activities and areas of interest. Several new initiatives are being developed which are extensions of, or replacements for, earlier projects. One current focus is on reassessing promising engine cycles and the enabling technologies for implementing them. These engine cycles which include advanced hybrids, and staged combustion cycles have the use of oxygen as a working fluid and coolant in common. Oxygen is used as a turbine drive gas, tank pressurant and as a cooling medium for combustion devices. CSTAR has interest in the propellant feed systems for advanced rocket engines, including propellant conditioning and tank pressurization, gas generators, and turbomachinery. CSTAR's interests also include propellant injection into the main chamber. These aspects of rocket propulsion embody a diverse range of technical disciplines and technologies, critical to the pursuit of low cost space access. The chemical propulsion program at CSTAR includes active projects investigating hybrid rocket engine oxygen feed systems, hybrid rocket injectors, gas fed hybrid rocket combustion, elements of main injectors for staged combustion devices. CSTAR is actively seeking industrial partners interested in joint participation in one or more phases of the analyses, design, development and application of propulsion technologies and related technical disciplines.

Knuth, William H.↗

Continuous Fly-Through High-Temperature Synthesis of Nanocatalysts

Conventional thermal treatment system, such as muffle and tube furnaces, typically feature low ramping and cooling rates, which lead to steep thermal gradients during bulk material synthesis that generate inefficient, non-uniform reaction conditions and result in nanoparticle aggregation. Herein, we demonstrate a continuous fly-through material synthesis approach using a novel high-temperature reactor design based on the emerging thermal-shock technology. By facing two sheets of carbon paper with a small distance apart (1–3 mm), we are able to generate uniform, ultra-high temperatures that can reach up to 3200 K within 50 ms by simply applying a voltage of 15 V. We can control this high-temperature to enable ultrafast chemical reactions by continuously feeding raw materials through the device from one end to the other, allowing the final products to be rapidly collected. As a proof-of-concept demonstration, we synthesized Pt nanocatalysts ~4 nm in size anchored to carbon black via this fly-through high-temperature reactor at ~1400 K. Furthermore, we find these supported Pt nanoparticles feature excellent electrocatalytic activities toward methanol oxidation reaction. Compared to existing heating methods, this continuous fly-through high temperature reactor offers a new and highly efficient platform for the synthesis of nanomaterials at high temperatures.

Qiao, Yun↗

High Power K Sub a -band Transmitter for Planetary Radar and Spacecraft Uplink

A proposed conceptual design of a 400 kW continuous wave (CW)K sub a band transmitter and associated microwave components to be used for planetary radar and serve as a prototype for future spacecraft uplinks is discussed. System requirements for such a transmitter are presented. Performance of the proposed high-power millimeter wave tube, the gyroklystron is discussed. Parameters of the proposed power amplifier, beam supply, and monitor and control devices are also presented. Microwave transmission line components consisting of signal monitoring devices, signal filtering devices, and an overmoded corrugated feed are discussed. Finally, an assessment of the state of the art technology to meet the system requirements is given and possible areas of difficulty are summarized.

Bhanji, A. M.↗

High power Ka-band transmitter for planetary radar and spacecraft uplink

A proposed conceptual design of a 400 kW CW Ka-Band transmitter and associated microwave components to be used for planetary radar and serve as a prototype for feature spacecraft uplinks is discussed. System requirements for such a transmitter are presented. Performance of the proposed high power millimeter wave tube, the gyroklystron, is discussed. Parameters of the proposed power amplifier, beam supply, and monitor and control devices are also presented, Microwave transmission line components consisting of signal monitoring devices, signal filtering devices, and an overmoded corrugated feed are discussed. Finally, an assessment of the state of the art technology to meet the system requirements is given and possible areas of difficulty are summarized.

Bhanji, A.M.↗

Optical Detection Of Deformations Of An Antenna

Proposed control subsystem generates small aiming-bias signals to correct for deviations of 70-m-diameter reflector of microwave antenna from its ideal shape. Takes optical measurements to determine deformations produced by such environmental factors as wind, gravity, and thermal differentials. Using these measurements, subsystem estimates misalignment of radiation pattern caused by deformations. Signals to correct for estimated misalignment added to angle-command signals of main antenna-aiming system. To measure deviations laser ranging devices placed at base of feed on rigid intermediate reference structure, white retroreflectors placed on parts that deviate from assigned positions relative to intermediate reference structure.

Schumacher, L. L.↗

Bi-triaxial photoconductive switch module

Methods, systems, and devices describe bi-triaxial photoconductive switch modules that that eliminate the need for external DC blocking capacitors, while providing a highly compact structure that can produce bipolar output waveforms conducive to feeding to radio-frequency (RF) devices, such as antennas. Some implementations of the disclosed bi-triaxial photoconductive switch modules utilize unified cast-in-place capacitors that can be designed with an appropriate geometry, volume and orientation to provide desired energy storage capacity while eliminating or reducing parasitics.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Transverse Mode Electron Beam Microwave Generator

An electron beam microwave device having an evacuated interaction chamber to which are coupled a resonant cavity which has an opening between the resonant cavity and the evacuated interaction chamber and an electron gun which causes a narrow beam of electrons to traverse the evacuated interaction chamber. The device also contains a mechanism for feeding back a microwave electromagnetic field from the resonant cavity to the evacuated interaction chamber in such a way as to modulate the direction of propagation of the electron beam, thereby further amplifyjng the microwave electromagnetic field. Furthermore, provision is made for coupling the electromagnetic field out of the electron beam microwave device.

Wharton, Lawrence E.↗

Cavity-backed, micro-strip dipole antenna array

A flush-mounted antenna assembly includes a generally rectangular, conductive, box structure open along one face to form a cavity. Within the cavity a pair of mutually orthogonal dielectric plane surfaces in an "egg crate" arrangement are mounted normal to the plane of the open face, each diagonally within the cavity. Each dielectric plane supports a pair of printed circuit dipoles typically each fed from the opposite side of the dielectric plane by a printed "cone-shaped" feed line trace which also serve as an impedance matching device and functions as a balun connected from an unbalanced strip line external feed. The open face of the conductive cavity can be flush mounted with a randome thereover, the assembly thereby being flush with the skin of a aircraft or space vehicle.

Ellis, H., Jr.↗