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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 361 records · Page 20

PAET entry heating and heat protection experiment.

A description is given of the thermal characterization of two low-density (270 and 450 kg/cu cm) elastomeric silicone ablators determined during the entry of the NASA Ames Planetary Atmosphere Experiments Test (PAET) vehicle into the earth's atmosphere. The spacecraft configuration, entry parameters, and associated trajectory variables are presented. Measurements of both the surface convective heat transfer rate and pressure on the beryllium nose cap are shown to be within 5% of theory. The predicted and measured internal temperatures are compared at various depths in the forebody and afterbody heat shields. Significant differences observed between experiment and theory for the afterbody thermal response are examined in relation to existing laboratory data.

Vojvodich, N. S.↗

The effect of gravity induced free convection upon the melting phenomena of a finite paraffin slab for thermal control

Two theoretical models were developed to predict the thermal response of the phase change material to a given hot plate temperature. A two-dimensional pure conduction model was developed to predict the melting of the phase change material when heat transfer was a function of conduction. A combined conduction-convection model, also two-dimensional, was developed to predict the phase change phenomena when heat transfer was a function of conduction and gravity-induced free convection. Both models were solved using explicit finite difference approximations on a digital computer. The experimental equipment consisted of a rectangular cell utilizing a heat chamber, an expansion chamber, and a test chamber; a sixteen channel multipoint recorder, and a fluid flow system. The recorder monitered hot and cold plate temperatures and interior node temperatures at two second intervals. A comparison of theoretical temperature profiles and experimental temperature profiles is presented for six runs at various angles of inclination of the test cell with respect to the horizontal direction. A detailed discussion of results is presented.

Bain, R. L.↗

Silica Reusable Surface Insulation Improvement Research

Fiber characterization, fabrication processes, physical properties, and thermal responses are investigated to improve silica reusable surface insulation tiles. Criteria for fiber selection on the basis of chemical composition, shrinkage, and devitrification have been defined and a simple process for fabricating silica surface insulation materials has been developed that produces only 5% shrinkage and no devitrification of tiles at 1533 K in ten hours. Anisotropic tile with improved weak direction strength has been fabricated using conventional molding techniques.

Goldstein, H. E.↗

Cyclic arc plasma tests of RSI materials using a preheater

The results of a test program are reported in which a preheater was used with an arc plasma stream to study the thermal response of samples of candidate reusable surface insulation materials for the space shuttle. The preheater simulated the shuttle temperature history during the first and last portions of the test cycle, which could not be simulated by the air arc plasma flow. Pre- and post-test data taken for each of the materials included magnified views, optical properties, and chemical analyses. The test results indicate that the mullite base samples experience higher surface temperatures than the other materials at heating rates greater than 225 kw/sq m. The ceramic fibrous mullite and silica coatings show noncatalytic wall behavior. Internal temperature response data for the materials are compared and correlated with analytical predictions.

Stewart, D. A.↗

Graphite oxidation at low temperature in subsonic air.

Coupled mass loss and heat transfer was studied experimentally for thin two inch diameter graphite disks heated as high as 2800 F in a flow of ambient air at velocities of 97 to 717 ft/sec. Oxidation was predominately reaction rate controlled with rate constants which were determined experimentally for POCO AXF 5Q, ATJ, ATJS, and an AVCO 3D Orthogonal material. The specimen thermal response was used with an energy balance to obtain the influence of mass loss and chemical reactions on the heat transfer. Specimen heating due to exothermic reactions correlates qualitatively with an approximate theory.

Knight, D. D.↗

Thin-film temperature sensor.

A new device has been developed for sensing small and rapid temperature changes accompanying biochemical reactions. The active element consists of an evaporated thin-film capacitor having a relatively strong temperature dependence. This dependence is derived from electron trapping effects in the thin amorphous dielectric film. A voltage output of at least 50 mV/deg can be obtained prior to amplification by using a resonant ac bridge circuit operating at 100 kHz. The corresponding noise output for a 10 kHz bandwidth can with an optimum circuit be as low as 4 microvolts. Therefore, the minimum detectable temperature change would be 80 microdegrees at 10 kHz. Rapid thermal response is assured by supporting the thin-film capacitor on a thin anodic tantalum oxide film suspended across an electrolytically etched window in a tantalum foil.

Maserjian, J.↗

Development and Design Application of Rigidized Surface Insulation Thermal Protection Systems, Volume 1

Materials and design technology of the all-silica LI-900 rigid surface insulation (RSI) thermal protection system (TPS) concept for the shuttle spacecraft is presented. All results of contract development efforts are documented. Engineering design and analysis of RSI strain arrestor plate material selections, sizing, and weight studies are reported. A shuttle prototype test panel was designed, analyzed, fabricated, and delivered. Thermophysical and mechanical properties of LI-900 were experimentally established and reported. Environmental tests, including simulations of shuttle loads represented by thermal response, turbulent duct, convective cycling, and chemical tolerance tests are described and results reported. Descriptions of material test samples and panels fabricated for testing are included. Descriptions of analytical sizing and design procedures are presented in a manner formulated to allow competent engineering organizations to perform rational design studies. Results of parametric studies involving material and system variables are reported. Material performance and design data are also delineated.

Source record↗

Characterization of heat transfer in nutrient materials, part 1

The principles involved in food heating are discussed. The food heating system for Skylab is described. Thermal models of nutrient materials are analyzed including models in zero-g and low pressure conditions. Results are presented of parametric studies to establish the effect of individual parameters on the thermal response of the system.

Cox, J. E.↗

Sealing technology for aircraft gas turbine engines

Experimental evaluation under simulated engine conditions revealed that conventional mainshaft seals have disadvantages of high gas leakage rates and wear. An advanced seal concept, the self-acting face seal, has a much lower gas leakage rate and greater pressure and speed capability. In endurance tests (150 hr) to 43 200 rpm the self-acting seal wear was not measurable, indicating noncontact sealing operation was maintained even at this high rotative speed. A review of published data revealed that the leakage through gas path seals has a significant effect on TSFC, stall margin and engine maintenance. Reducing leakages by reducing seal clearances results in rubbing contact, and then the seal thermal response and wear determines the final seal clearances. The control of clearances requires a material with the proper combination of rub tolerance (abradability) and erosion resistance. Increased rub tolerance is usually gained at the expense of reduced erosion resistance and vice versa.

Ludwig, L. P.↗

Outer planet probe entry thermal protection. II - Heat shielding requirements

Solutions are presented for the material thermal response for heat shields of blunt probes entering Saturn and Uranus. Both monolithic and sandwich concepts were considered having exposed charring ablative or reflective materials. The solutions show that (1) Teflon heat shields are sized by mass loss considerations, other materials (unless entering the Uranus cold-dense atmosphere) by heat soak considerations, (2) steeper entries require less heat shield mass, (3) sizing requirements vary little about the bodies for heat soak dominated materials, and (4) carbon-phenolic appears superior overall, but silica is superior for the steeper entries and the high helium content atmospheres.

Nicolet, W. E.↗

Analytic model for assessing thermal performance of SCUBA divers

To assist design of adequate protective clothing, mathematical model of man's thermoregulatory system has been developed so that body thermal responses under immersed conditions can be predicted accurately. Experimental data encompassed wide range of water temperatures, protective clothing, breathing-gas mixtures, and durations of immersion.

Montgomery, L. D.↗

Self-sterilization of bodies during outer planet entry

A body encountering the atmosphere of an outer planet is subjected to heat loads which could result in high temperature conditions that render terrestrial organisms on or within the body nonviable. To determine whether an irregularly shaped entering body, consisting of several different materials, would be sterilized during inadvertent entry at high velocity, the thermal response of a typical outer planet spacecraft instrument was studied. The results indicate that the Teflon insulated cable and electronic circuit boards may not experience sterilizing temperatures during a Jupiter, Saturn, or Titan entry. Another conclusion of the study is that small plastic particles entering Saturn from outer space have wider survival corridors than do those at Jupiter.

Hoffman, A. R.↗

High temperature electrically conducting ceramic heating element and control system

Improvements were made in both electrode technology and ceramic conductor quality to increase significantly the lifetime and thermal cycling capability of electrically conducting ceramic heater elements. These elements were operated in vacuum, inert and reducing environments as well as oxidizing atmospheres adding to the versatility of the conducting ceramic as an ohmic heater. Using stabilized zirconia conducting ceramic heater elements, a furnace was fabricated and demonstrated to have excellent thermal response and cycling capability. The furnace was used to melt platinum-20% rhodium alloy (melting point 1904 C) with an isothermal ceramic heating element having a nominal working cavity size of 2.5 cm diameter by 10.0 cm long. The furnace was operated to 1940 C with the isothermal ceramic heating element. The same furnace structure was fitted with a pair of main heater elements to provide axial gradient temperature control over a working cavity length of 17.8 cm.

Halbach, C. R.↗

Sealing technology for aircraft gas turbine engines

Experimental evaluation under simulated engine conditions revealed that conventional mainshaft seals have disadvantages of high gas leakage rates and wear. An advanced seal concept, the self-acting face seal, has a much lower gas leakage rate and greater pressure and speed capability. In endurance tests (150 hr) to 43,200 rpm the self-acting seal wear was not measurable, indicating that noncontact sealing operation was maintained even at this high rotative speed. A review of published data revealed that the leakage through gas path seals has a significant effect on thrust specific fuel consumption, stall margin, and engine maintenance. Reducing leakages by reducing seal clearances results in rubbing contact, and then the seal thermal response and wear determines the final seal clearances.

Ludwig, L. P.↗

Flare model chromospheres and photospheres

Homogeneous plane-parallel model atmospheres for solar flares have been constructed to approximately simulate observations of flares. The wings of the Ca II lines have been used to derive flare upper photosphere models, which indicate temperature increases of about 100 K over the temperature distribution in the pre-existing facula at a height of 300 km. In the case of flares covering sunspots the temperature rise seems to occur much higher in the atmosphere. We find that with increasing flare importance the heights of the upper chromosphere and transition region occur lower in the solar atmosphere, accounting for the factor of 60-600 increase in pressure in these regions relative to the quiet sun. The Ca II line profiles agree with observations only by assuming a macrovelocity distribution that increases with height. Also, the chromospheric parts of flares appear to be highly inhomogeneous. We show that shock and particle heated flare models do not agree with the observations and propose a thermal response model for flares. In particular, it appears that heating in the photosphere is an essential aspect of flares.

Machado, M. E.↗

Self sterilization of bodies during outer planet entry

As a body encounters the atmosphere of an outer planet, whether accidentally or by plan, it will be subjected to heat loads which could result in high temperature conditions that render terrestrial organisms on or within the body non-viable. To determine whether an irregularly shaped entering body, consisting of several different materials, would be sterilized during inadvertent entry at high velocity, the thermal response of a typical outer planet spacecraft instrument was studied. The results indicate that the Teflon-insulated cable and electronic circuit boards may not experience sterilizing temperatures during a Jupiter, Saturn, or Titan entry. Another conclusion of the study is that small plastic particles entering Saturn from outer space have wider survival corridors than do those at Jupiter.

Hoffman, A. R.↗

Helium heater design for the helium direct cycle component test facility

The paper describes a helium heater to be used to conduct non-nuclear demonstration tests of the complete power conversion loop for a direct-cycle gas-cooled nuclear reactor power plant. Requirements for the heater include: heating the helium to a 1500 F temperature, operating at a 1000 psia helium pressure, providing a thermal response capability and helium volume similar to that of the nuclear reactor, and a total heater system helium pressure drop of not more than 15 psi. The unique compact heater system design proposed consists of 18 heater modules; air preheaters, compressors, and compressor drive systems; an integral control system; piping; and auxiliary equipment. The heater modules incorporate the dual-concentric-tube 'Variflux' heat exchanger design which provides a controlled heat flux along the entire length of the tube element. The heater design as proposed will meet all system requirements. The heater uses pressurized combustion (50 psia) to provide intensive heat transfer, and to minimize furnace volume and heat storage mass.

Larson, V. R.↗

Multilayer insulative systems

One dimensional numerical analysis of transient thermal response multilayer insulative system determines temperature distribution through system consisting of one to four layers. Program based on this analysis will determine thickness of specified layer that will satisfy specified temperature-limit criterion at any point in insulative system.

Brinkley, K. L.↗