Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “Current Controllers”

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 361 records · Page 20

Impact of K-factor on Short Circuit Program Convergence for Inverter-Based Resources during Faults

Classical short-circuit programs that linearize the power network are no longer applicable for inverter based resources (IBRs), necessitating an iterative approach. Phasor domain programs can model the IBRs using an iterative approach considering nonlinear fault responses. In phasor domain models, the IBR can be modeled as a voltage controlled current source (VCCS) in tabular form with positive, negative, and zero sequence information for balanced and unbalance short-circuit faults. In the VCCS modeling of the IBR, positive and negative incremental reactive current, also known as the k-factor, plays an important role in short circuit program convergence. In this work, a few approaches: conventional VCCS modeling with a k-factor of 2, conventional VCCS modeling with a k-factor of 2 with modified pre-fault voltages, VCCS characteristics based on the power flow solution with a k-factor of 2, and VCCS characteristics based on the power flow solution with a k-factor of 1 are investigated for short circuit program convergence under higher IBR penetration. The IEEE 39 bus New England Test System is taken as the test system, and simulations are carried out in PSS®CAPE 15.0.26 simulation software. Simulation results demonstrate that IBR penetration is higher for the VCCS model, which corresponds to the power flow solution with k-factor 1, compared to other approaches.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Scattering of radio frequency waves by cylindrical filaments with general orientation relative to the magnetic field

Radio frequency waves are routinely used in tokamak fusion plasmas for plasma heating, current control, as well as in diagnostics. These waves are excited by antenna structures placed near the tokamak's wall and they have to propagate through a turbulent layer known as scrape-off layer, before reaching the core plasma (which is their target). This layer exhibits coherent density fluctuations in the form of filaments and blobs. The scattering processes of RF plane waves by single filament is studied with the assumption that the filament has cylindrical shape and infinite length. Furthermore, besides the major toroidal component of the externally imposed magnetic field, there is also a small poloidal magnetic field component. Considering also that the cylindrical filament's axis is not necessarily aligned with the toroidal direction, the total magnetic field is in general neither aligned with the axis of the cylinder nor with the toroidal direction. The investigation concerns the case of Electron Cyclotron (EC) waves (of frequency 170 GHz) for tokamak applications. The study covers a variety of density contrasts between the filament and the ambient plasma, different magnetic field inclinations with respect to the cylinder axis (for the same magnitude of magnetic induction B=4.5 T) and a wide range of filament radii.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Power torque wrench concept for precision torque application

Precision electromechanical power wrench applies a given amount of torque to a series of fasteners. It uses a commercially available dc permanent magnet torque motor with a current-controllable torque output and torque value indicator designed to the principles of human engineering.

Peters, G. A.↗

Power Matching of an Ion Thruster to Solar Cell Power Output

A 20-cm-diam thruster was operated over a 2:1 range of output power, allowing for continuous matching of thruster power to a varying solar cell output level. The technique of matching power by varying either the ion beam current or the net accelerating voltage is described. Ion beam current control, implemented in thruster control loops, utilized existing laboratory hardware. Stable thruster operation was achieved over a range of 1000 to 2000 W. Bistable values of mercury propellant flow at the same discharge chamber and ion beam conditions were also observed.

Pawlik, Eugene V.↗

Solid-state ac-to-dc converter

Converter uses solid-state ac-to-dc rectification circuitry, filter circuitry, a tuned transformer, ac chopper circuitry, and an automatic current-control network. It has a dc power source which operates from 5 to 100 percent load at a 72 to 94 input to output efficiency.

Monroe, C. M.↗

Precision calibration and reference voltage source for data acquisition systems

Hybrid integrated circuit operational amplifiers, which have inherent characteristics of low quiescent power dissipation and extended operational lifetime with high reliability, are source for digital systems. Amplifiers are coupled to Zener reference diode in current control and buffer configuration.

Source record↗

Improved magnetic suspension technique

Technique combines electromagnetic coil with polarized permanent magnets. This reduces power consumption of electromagnetic units and improves response of magnetic suspension systems, by increasing their sensitivity to changes in current controlling electromagnet.

Studer, P. A.↗

The SNS Josephson junction with a third terminal

Discussion of the operating characteristics of a three-terminal thin-film SNS Josephson junction whose diameter is much greater than the electron pair coherence length in the N metal. It is shown that a junction of this type is essentially a two-terminal device even though the third terminal of the junction supplies the control current. The mechanism underlying this finding is discussed.

Prans, G. P.↗

Nonlinear analysis of a family of LC tuned inverters

A family of four dc-to-square-wave LC tuned inverters are analyzed using singular point. Limit cycles and waveshape characteristics are given for three modes of oscillation: quasi-harmonic, relaxation, and discontinuous. An inverter in which the avalanche breakdown of the transistor emitter-to-base junction occurs is discussed and the starting characteristics of this family of inverters are presented. The LC tuned inverters are shown to belong to a family of inverters with a common equivalent circuit consisting of only three 'series' elements: a five-segment piecewise-linear current-controlled resistor, linear inductor, and linear capacitor.

Lee, F. C. Y.↗

Design and implementation of a medium speed communications interface and protocol for a low cost, refreshed display computer

The design and implementation of hardware and software systems involved in using a 40,000 bit/second communication line as the connecting link between an IMLAC PDS 1-D display computer and a Univac 1108 computer system were described. The IMLAC consists of two independent processors sharing a common memory. The display processor generates the deflection and beam control currents as it interprets a program contained in the memory; the minicomputer has a general instruction set and is responsible for starting and stopping the display processor and for communicating with the outside world through the keyboard, teletype, light pen, and communication line. The processing time associated with each data byte was minimized by designing the input and output processes as finite state machines which automatically sequence from each state to the next. Several tests of the communication link and the IMLAC software were made using a special low capacity computer grade cable between the IMLAC and the Univac.

Phyne, J. R.↗

A dual-amplifier hot-wire anemometer

The conceptual design of a dual-amplifier constant-temperature hot-wire anemometer is described. This hot-wire anemometer consists of three basic independent modules: a Wheatstone bridge in which the hot wire is one of its arms, an error-correction amplifier, and a voltage-controlled current source. The last two modules constitute the feedback network of this hot-wire anemometer. Thus the output voltage across the wire is a true function of the instantaneous changes in the wire resistance induced by the cooling effect of the flow. The dual-amplifier is capable of reaching relatively high frequency response through adequate selection of its active elements. Suitable gain of the error-correction amplifier and proper choice of the transfer function of the current source has yielded a frequency bandwidth up to 200 kHz.

Sadeh, W. Z.↗

Electromagnetic heating of minor planets in the early solar system

Electromagnetic processes occurring in the primordial solar system are likely to have significantly affected planetary evolution. In particular, electrical coupling of the kinetic energy of a dense T-Tauri-like solar wind into the interior of the smaller planets could have been a major driver of thermal metamorphism. Accordingly a grid of asteroid models of various sizes and solar distances was constructed using dc transverse magnetic induction theory. Plausible parameterizations with no requirement for a high environmental temperature led to complete melting for Vesta with no melting for Pallas and Ceres. High temperatures were reached in the Pallas model, perhaps implying nonmelting thermal metamorphosis as a cause of its anomalous spectrum. A reversal of this temperature sequence seems implausible, suggesting that the Ceres-Pallas-Vesta dichotomy is a natural outcome of the induction mechanism. Highly localized heating is expected to arise due to an instability in the temperature-controlled current distribution. Localized metamorphosis resulting from this effect may be relevant to the production and evolution of pallasites, the large presumed metal component of S object spectra, and the formation of the lunar magma ocean.

Herbert, F.↗

Development and flight evaluation of automatic flare laws with improved touchdown dispersion

The paper describes the development and flight testing of automatic landing flare laws with improved longitudinal touchdown dispersion. The major sources of touchdown dispersion in current control laws and design objectives of this equipment are discussed. A ground-speed adaptive sink-rate control law and a specified flare trajectory control law were selected for development; the performance of resulting flare laws was evaluated by simulations and flight testing on the NASA TCV B-737 aircraft. These flare laws showed substantial improvement in longitudinal touchdown dispersion, when compared to a more conventional flare law used previously.

Lambregts, A. A.↗

The Magsat precision vector magnetometer

This paper examines the Magsat precision vector magnetometer which is designed to measure projections of the ambient field in three orthogonal directions. The system contains a highly stable and linear triaxial fluxgate magnetometer with a dynamic range of + or - 2000 nT (1 nT = 10 to the -9 weber per sq m). The magnetometer electronics, analog-to-digital converter, and digitally controlled current sources are implemented with redundant designs to avoid a loss of data in case of failures. Measurements are carried out with an accuracy of + or - 1 part in 64,000 in magnitude and 5 arcsec in orientation (1 arcsec = 0.00028 deg).

Acuna, M. H.↗

The in-flight performance of the Solar Maximum Mission Electrical Power System

Circuitry, power handling, and operational characteristics and anomalies of the Electrical Power System (EPS) of the Solar Maximum Mission are discussed. The EPS is designed as a standard unit to be a candidate for use on future space missions. Blown, improperly derated fuses in the Attitude Control System and the Signal Conditioning Assembly have led to switching to magnetrons for solar angle, with a loss of accuracy, and a loss of one-half of telemetry data, respectively. In addition, reasons for an 11-14% degradation of solar array output are uncertain due to the loss of precise attitude control. Current surges to peak at 76.5 A (down from 94.5 A) at sunrise, stays for four to five minutes, then resumes nominal output for the remainder of the 61-68 daytime period. Eclipse varies between 28 and 35 minutes, with corresponding depth of discharge of 14%. The batteries charge at 20 A, and although an overcharge mode has been continuously sensed, operation has been normal and temperature sensors have not indicated overcharge; cell failure has also not been sensed. The system has a two year design life and a desired life of four years.

Broderick, R. J.↗

Feasibilty analyses of electroepitaxial research and development accommodations. Volume 2: Electroepitaxial growth of GaAs

The technique of electromigration, i.e., electric field induced forced convection, can be used to grow semiconductor material and other compounds from solution by passing electric current through the growth interface while the temperature of the system is maintained constant. Current controlled electromigration, referred to as electroepitaxy, was successfully applied to grow epitaxial layers of various semiconductors and garnets.

Source record↗

Fast pulsars with disks

The observed properties of the pulsar PSR1937+214 are compared with predictions of the disk model. It is assumed that an isolated magnetized rotating neutron star is ringed by a fluid disk with a 0.00001 solar mass, and relative rotations of the star and the disk produce potential differences across the disk. A Faraday disk dynamo is also formed between the disk and the star, and allows the polar cap current to return from the disk to the star through auroral arcing. Preferential regions of the star are recipients of a return current controlled by the surface magnetic field structure, which configures the pulsing emissions. The disk model predicts the average luminosity to be 10 to the 31st erg/sec, and an emission of 3 x 10 to the 30th erg/sec was detected. Only one-millionth of the output of the emissions is in the radio region, and the X and gamma ray emissions are in the normal range for pulsars. It is concluded that PSR1937+214 behaves within the predictions of the disk model and is not a new kind of object.

Michel, F. C.↗