Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “Sensor technology”

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 379 records · Page 21
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2018

A Hyphenated Preconcentrator-Infrared-Hollow-Waveguide Sensor System for N 2 O Sensing

Following the Kyoto protocol, all signatory countries must provide an annual inventory of greenhouse-gas emission including N 2 O. This fact associated with the wide variety of sources for N 2 O emissions requires appropriate sensor technologies facilitating in-situ monitoring, compact dimensions, ease of operation, and sufficient sensitivity for addressing such emission scenarios. In this contribution, we therefore describe an innovative portable mid-infrared chemical sensor system for quantifying gaseous N 2 O via coupling a substrate-integrated hollow waveguide (iHWG) simultaneously serving as highly miniaturized mid-infrared photon conduit and gas cell to a custom-made preconcentrator. N 2 O was collected onto a solid sorbent material packed into the preconcentrator unit, and then released via thermal desorption into the iHWG-MIR sensor utilizing a compact Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer for molecularly selective spectroscopic detection with a limit of detection (LOD) at 5 ppbv. Highlighting the device flexibility in terms of sampling time, flow-rate, and iHWG design facilitates tailoring the developed preconcentrator-iHWG device towards a wide variety of application scenarios ranging from soil and aquatic emission monitoring and drone- or unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-mounted monitoring systems to clinical/medical analysis scenarios.

Science & Technology - Other Topics↗
NASA NTRS1992

Engineering a visual system for seeing through fog

We examine the requirements for on-board aircraft sensor systems that would allow pilots to 'see through' poor weather, especially fog, and land and rollout aircraft under conditions that currently cause flight cancellations and airport closures. Three visual aspects of landing and rollout are distinguished: guidance, hazard detection and hazard recognition. The visual features which support the tasks are discussed. Three broad categories of sensor technology are examined: passive millimeter wave (PMMW), imaging radar, and passive infrared (IR). PMMW and imaging radar exhibit good weather penetration, but poor spatial and temporal resolution. Imaging radar exhibits good weather penetration, but typically relies on a flat-earth assumption which can lead to interpretive errors. PMMW systems have a narrow field of view. IR has poorer weather penetration but good spatial resolution. We recommend using both millimeter-wave and infrared sensor systems, blending the images using multiresolution digital-image pyramid-processing technology, and fusing the resulting real-time images with stored database imagery of the same scene.

Larimer, J.↗
DOE OSTI2018

Instrumentation and Control Selection for the 12 GeV Hall-B Magnets at Jefferson Lab

Here, as part of the Jefferson Lab 12 GeV accelerator upgrade, the Experimental Physics Hall B detector system requires two superconducting magnets – a Torus and a Solenoid. The specifications required maximum space for the detectors which led to the choice of conduction cooling for each magnet. The Torus consists of 6 trapezoidal 'race-track'-type coils connected in series with an operating current of 3770 A. The Solenoid is an actively shielded 5 Tesla magnet consisting of 5 coils connected in series operating at 2416 A. Within the hall the two magnets are located in close proximity to each other and are surrounded by particle detectors. We describe the philosophy behind the instrumentation selection and control design that accounts for this proximity and other challenging working conditions. We describe the choice of sensor technologies, as well as the control and data acquisition methods. The magnet power and cryogenic control sub-systems are implemented using Allen Bradley Control Logix 1756-L72 Programmable Logic Controllers. Sensor instrumentation read-backs are routed into the PLC via National Instruments cRIO hardware (Field Programmable Gate Arrays or FPGA/RT application) using Jefferson Lab designed FPGA-based multi-sensor-excitation-chassis. Configuration, monitoring, and alarm handlers for the magnet systems are provided via an Experimental Physics Instrumentation & Control System interface (EPICS). Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) and the requirement to monitor critical parameters during operation guided the selection of instrumentation and associated hardware. The design of the quench protection and voltage tap sub-systems was driven by the anticipated level of voltages developed during a magnet quench. The primary hard-wired quench detection and protection sub-system together with the secondary PLC-based protection sub-system is also discussed. The successful commissioning and subsequent performance of these magnets demonstrates the robustness of the design and implementation approach that was adopted by the Jefferson Lab team and serves as an excellent 'How To' guide for future projects of this size and complexity.

12 GeV↗
NASA NTRS2003

Applications of UAVs for Remote Sensing of Critical Infrastructure

The surveillance of critical facilities and national infrastructure such as waterways, roadways, pipelines and utilities requires advanced technological tools to provide timely, up to date information on structure status and integrity. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are uniquely suited for these tasks, having large payload and long duration capabilities. UAVs also have the capability to fly dangerous and dull missions, orbiting for 24 hours over a particular area or facility providing around the clock surveillance with no personnel onboard. New UAV platforms and systems are becoming available for commercial use. High altitude platforms are being tested for use in communications, remote sensing, agriculture, forestry and disaster management. New payloads are being built and demonstrated onboard the UAVs in support of these applications. Smaller, lighter, lower power consumption imaging systems are currently being tested over coffee fields to determine yield and over fires to detect fire fronts and hotspots. Communication systems that relay video, meteorological and chemical data via satellite to users on the ground in real-time have also been demonstrated. Interest in this technology for infrastructure characterization and mapping has increased dramatically in the past year. Many of the UAV technological developments required for resource and disaster monitoring are being used for the infrastructure and facility mapping activity. This paper documents the unique contributions from NASA;s Environmental Research Aircraft and Sensor Technology (ERAST) program to these applications. ERAST is a UAV technology development effort by a consortium of private aeronautical companies and NASA. Details of demonstrations of UAV capabilities currently underway are also presented.

Wegener, Steve↗
NASA NTRS2013

Unique Offerings of the ISS as an Earth Observing Platform

The International Space Station offers unique capabilities for earth remote sensing. An established Earth orbiting platform with abundant power, data and commanding infrastructure, the ISS has been in operation for twelve years as a crew occupied science laboratory and offers low cost and expedited concept-to-operation paths for new sensing technologies. Plug in modularity on external platforms equipped with structural, power and data interfaces standardizes and streamlines integration and minimizes risk and start up difficulties. Data dissemination is also standardized. Emerging sensor technologies and instruments tailored for sensing of regional dynamics may not be worthy of dedicated platforms and launch vehicles, but may well be worthy of ISS deployment, hitching a ride on one of a variety of government or commercial visiting vehicles. As global acceptance of the urgent need for understanding Climate Change continues to grow, the value of ISS, orbiting in Low Earth Orbit, in complementing airborne, sun synchronous polar, geosynchronous and other platform remote sensing will also grow.

Cooley, Victor M.↗
DOE OSTI2020

Ultra-Low SWaP CO 2 Sensing for Demand Control Ventilation (Final Report)

In this project PARC and Energy ETC aimed to develop an ultra-low cost, size, weight, and power (SWaP) printed CO 2 sensor system for occupancy detection to enable Demand Control Ventilation (DCV) on a per-room basis. The CO 2 sensor technology is based on the temperature variation when CO 2 reversibly physisorbs to a highly conductive and high surface area sorbent surface, and is compatible with integration with PARC innovations in printed sensors and flexible electronics, for which PARC is a globally leading research center. The printed CO 2 sensor itself is designed to be compatible with PARC’s “peel-and-stick” platform of ultra-low power, low-cost, distributed sensors, and to facilitate real-time DCV based on overall indoor air quality (IAQ). Previously, PARC has developed flexible hybrid electronics (FHE) compatible materials to measure humidity, temperature, light, strain, and gases such as carbon monoxide, methane, ammonia, and hydrogen sulfide. Through this project, PARC developed FHE-compatible materials to measure CO 2 . Thus, with one <$15 FHE “peel-and-stick” based sensor node, a building management system (BMS) will be able to capture a complete picture of the indoor environment. This includes IAQ, light, temperature, and other comfort factors that impact building operations. Combined with optimized DCV, this low-cost sensor capability can be a key enabler of annual primary energy savings of ~ 0.3-0.4 Quad in commercial buildings while ensuring healthy IAQ. Energy ETC is a leader in supplier-agnostic BMS deployments and will design the commissioning and deployment procedures to maximize system interoperability.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
NASA NTRS2006

NASA Solar Array Demonstrates Commercial Potential

A state-of-the-art solar-panel array demonstration site at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center provides a unique opportunity for studying the latest in high-efficiency solar photovoltaic cells. This five-kilowatt solar-array site (see Figure 1) is a technology-transfer and commercialization success for NASA. Among the solar cells at this site are cells of a type that was developed in Dryden Flight Research Center s Environmental Research Aircraft and Sensor Technology (ERAST) program for use in NASA s Helios solar-powered airplane. This cell type, now denoted as A-300, has since been transferred to SunPower Corporation of Sunnyvale, California, enabling mass production of the cells for the commercial market. High efficiency separates these advanced cells from typical previously commercially available solar cells: Whereas typical previously commercially available cells are 12 to 15 percent efficient at converting sunlight to electricity, these advanced cells exhibit efficiencies approaching 23 percent. The increase in efficiency is due largely to the routing of electrical connections behind the cells (see Figure 2). This approach to increasing efficiency originated as a solution to the problem of maximizing the degree of utilization of the limited space available atop the wing of the Helios airplane. In retrospect, the solar cells in use at this site could be used on Helios, but the best cells otherwise commercially available could not be so used, because of their lower efficiencies. Historically, solar cells have been fabricated by use of methods that are common in the semiconductor industry. One of these methods includes the use of photolithography to define the rear electrical-contact features - diffusions, contact openings, and fingers. SunPower uses these methods to produce the advanced cells. To reduce fabrication costs, SunPower continues to explore new methods to define the rear electrical-contact features. The equipment at the demonstration site includes two fixed-angle solar arrays and one single-axis Sun-tracking array. One of the fixed arrays contains typical less-efficient commercial solar cells and is being used as a baseline for comparison of the other fixed array, which contains the advanced cells. The Sun-tracking array tilts to follow the Sun, using an advanced, real-time tracking device rather than customary pre-programmed mechanisms. Part of the purpose served by the demonstration is to enable determination of any potential advantage of a tracking array over a fixed array. The arrays are monitored remotely on a computer that displays pertinent information regarding the functioning of the arrays.

Creech, Gray↗
NASA NTRS2007

Propulsion Technology Needs for Exploration

The objectives of currently planned exploration efforts, as well as those further in the future, require significant advancements in propulsion technologies. The current Lunar exploration architecture has set goals and mission objectives that necessitate the use of new systems and the extension of existing technologies beyond present applications. In the near term, the majority of these technologies are the result of a need to apply high performing cryogenic propulsion systems to long duration in-space applications. Advancement of cryogenic propulsion to these applications is crucial to provide higher performing propulsion systems that reduce the vehicle masses; enhance the safety of vehicle systems and ground operations; and provide a path for In-situ Resource Utilization (ISRU).Use of a LOX/LH2 main propulsion system for Lunar Lander Descent is a top priority because more conventional storable propellants are far from meeting the performance needs of the current architecture. While LOX/LH2 pump feed engines have been used in flight applications for many years, these engines have limited throttle capabilities. Engines that are capable of much greater throttling while still meeting high performance goals are a necessity to achieving exploration goals. Applications of LOX/CH4 propulsion to Lander ascent propulsion systems and reaction control systems are also if interest because of desirable performance and operations improvements over conventional storable systems while being more suitable for use of in-situ produced propellants. Within the current lunar architecture, use of cryogenic propulsion for the Earth Departure Stage and Lunar Lander elements also necessitate the need for advanced Cryogenic Fluid Management technologies. These technologies include long duration propellant storage/distribution, low-gravity propellant management, cryogenic couplings and disconnects, light weight composite tanks and support structure, and subsystem integration. In addition to the propulsive and fluid management system technologies described, many component level technologies are also required to enable to the success if the integrated systems. The components include, but are not limited to, variable/throttling valves, variable position actuators, leak detectors, light weight cryogenic fluid pumps, sensor technology and others. NASA, partnering with the Aerospace Industry must endeavor to develop these, and other promising propulsion technologies, to enable the implements of the country's goals in exploration of the Moon, Mars and beyond.

Brown, Thomas↗
DOE OSTI2017

Emerging and existing sensing technologies for small modular reactors and advanced reactors - 191

The development of small modular reactors (SMRs) and Generation-IV advanced reactor designs represents a promising future for nuclear energy. These next-generation reactors can support new applications for nuclear energy like hydrogen production, industrial heat generation, and water desalination in addition to electricity generation. Furthermore, SMRs and advanced reactors enable load-following operations, offer improved passive safety features, support lengthened refueling cycles, and provide spent fuel management capabilities. To date, there are no SMRs operating or under construction in the United States, but commercial operation of the first integral Pressurized Water Reactor (iPWR) SMR is expected by the mid-2020's with Generation-IV advanced reactors to follow a decade or two later. To facilitate the development and deployment of SMRs and advanced reactors, key instrumentation and control (I and C) system challenges must be addressed and existing nuclear grade I and C sensors will need to be adapted or new sensors developed. For example, traditional measurement techniques and maintenance strategies used in the current generation of light water reactors (LWRs) will be challenged by the inherent design characteristics of the iPWR. For Generation-IV reactors, conventional I and C sensors will not withstand prolonged exposure to the harsh environmental conditions of advanced reactors (e.g. elevated temperatures, corrosive coolants, increased radiation). This paper discusses the challenges associated with making primary system process measurements in next-generation reactors and includes a summary of work performed to evaluate existing and emerging sensor technologies for these systems. As importantly, the paper presents the initial test results of a prototype temperature sensor developed by Analysis and Measurement Services Corporation (AMS) for use in SMRs and advanced reactors. (authors)

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗
NASA NTRS1998

Reusable Cryogenic Tank VHM Using Fiber Optic Distributed Sensing Technology

The reusable oxygen and hydrogen tanks are key systems for both the X-33 (sub-scale, sub-orbital technology demonstrator) and the commercial Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV). The backbone of the X-33 Reusable Cryogenic Tank Vehicle Health Management (VHM) system lies in the optical network of distributed strain temperature and hydrogen sensors. This network of fiber sensors will create a global strain and temperature map for monitoring the health of the tank structure, cryogenic insulation, and Thermal Protection System. Lockheed Martin (Sanders and LMMSS) and NASA Langley have developed this sensor technology for the X-33 and have addressed several technical issues such as fiber bonding and laser performance in this harsh environment.

Bodan-Sanders, Patricia↗
DOE OSTI2019

An Acoustic Quench Detection Method for CICC Conductor Operating in Gas or Liquid

Here, a method using micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) acoustic sensor technology to detect a quench and abnormal behavior of a superconductor is discussed. MEMS of microphone chips are installed along the coolant space of a superconducting conductor to monitor the coolant condition. By arranging the acoustic sensor array in a coolant flow channel, it is possible to quickly detect a change in the local condition of the coolant with precise spatial resolution. This method is useful for monitoring superconducting magnets and power cables, especially those made with a cable-in-conduit-conductor (CICC) configuration. The methodology described in this work will also be very useful for a high temperature superconducting (HTS) conductor, such as REBCO tape conductors.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2021

An Acoustic Quench Detection Method for CICC Conductor Operating in Gas or Liquid

A method using micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) acoustic sensor technology to detect a quench and abnormal behavior of a superconductor is discussed. MEMS of microphone chips are installed along the coolant space of a superconducting conductor to monitor the coolant condition. By arranging the acoustic sensor array in a coolant flow channel, it is possible to quickly detect a change in the local condition of the coolant with precise spatial resolution. This method is useful for monitoring superconducting magnets and power cables, especially those made with a cable-in-conduit-conductor (CICC) configuration. The methodology described in this work will also be very useful for a high temperature superconducting (HTS) conductor, such as REBCO tape conductors.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
NASA NTRS1997

A Single Chip CMOS APS Digital Camera

A complete programmable digital camera-on-a-chip based on low power active pixel sensor technology is implemented as a single CMOS integrated circuit.

imaging sensor camera-on-a-chip digital camera↗
NASA NTRS1988

Integrated control and health management. Orbit transfer rocket engine technology program

To insure controllability of the baseline design for a 7500 pound thrust, 10:1 throttleable, dual expanded cycle, Hydrogen-Oxygen, orbit transfer rocket engine, an Integrated Controls and Health Monitoring concept was developed. This included: (1) Dynamic engine simulations using a TUTSIM derived computer code; (2) analysis of various control methods; (3) Failure Modes Analysis to identify critical sensors; (4) Survey of applicable sensors technology; and, (5) Study of Health Monitoring philosophies. The engine design was found to be controllable over the full throttling range by using 13 valves, including an oxygen turbine bypass valve to control mixture ratio, and a hydrogen turbine bypass valve, used in conjunction with the oxygen bypass to control thrust. Classic feedback control methods are proposed along with specific requirements for valves, sensors, and the controller. Expanding on the control system, a Health Monitoring system is proposed including suggested computing methods and the following recommended sensors: (1) Fiber optic and silicon bearing deflectometers; (2) Capacitive shaft displacement sensors; and (3) Hot spot thermocouple arrays. Further work is needed to refine and verify the dynamic simulations and control algorithms, to advance sensor capabilities, and to develop the Health Monitoring computational methods.

Holzmann, Wilfried A.↗
DOE OSTI2019

Final Report – Cooperative Research and Development Agreement between National Energy Technology Laboratory and Applied Spectra, Inc.

Groundwater resources can be contaminated by a variety of surface and subsurface sources. For instance, metals can be leached from surface dumps (e.g. landfills, etc.) and reach groundwater supplies by percolation though the soil. Additionally, subsurface activities such as geologic carbon storage (GCS) could result in contamination. In the event of CO2 leakage, freshwater above the injection site can potentially be contaminated with metals either originating from the formation fluids or leached from formation rocks by CO2 acidification. Detection of these contaminating metals is critical for maintaining water safety and providing an early warning of a containment breach. Therefore, a compact, subsurface capable laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) based sensor has been developed for groundwater quality monitoring applications. LIBS sensor technology has been advanced from benchtop feasibility studies to a custom fabricated, watertight prototype. The all optical sensor head is built using a low cost passively Q-switched (PQSW) laser, which is fiber coupled to a control unit containing the pump laser and a gated spectrometer. Separating the LIBS excitation laser from the pump and spectrometer allows the expensive and fragile components to remain in a safe, central location while only the sensor head needs to enter the subsurface. Testing of the prototype sensors show Limits of Detection (LODs) comparable to benchtop, actively Q-switched systems and has verified that the fiber coupling and triggering schemes perform as desired.

McIntyre, Dustin↗
NASA NTRS2014

A New Ablative Heat Shield Sensor Suite Project

A new sensor suite is developed to measure performance of ablative thermal protection systems used in planetary entry vehicles for robotic and human exploration. The new sensor suite measures ablation of the thermal protection system under extreme heating encountered during planetary entry. The sensor technology is compatible with a variety of thermal protection materials, and is applicable over a wide range of entry conditions.

Thermal Protection↗
NASA NTRS1977

Corps of Engineers applications for remote sensing of the environment

An objective overview is presented of the application of remote sensing technology in the Corps of Engineers. Examples are given of attempts to use the current state of the art to achieve particular disciplinary or mission oriented goals. The Corps, presently engaged in both research and development and technology transfer, has encountered some interesting situations. Practical operational utilization depends not only on technology, but also economic benefit/cost factors and some unprecedented legal, political, and social issues. Yet, at a time when increased agency commitment to operational usage is being sought, an assessment of the state of the art reveals that sensor technology, data processing and analysis, and models still require further development. There is a challenge in synchronizing technology push with the demand pull of dimly perceived user needs. They should complement each other rather than oppose. The goal is to use the combined push-pull effect to lead to increased productivity and responsiveness by the Corps.

Kurtz, M. K., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS2010

Cast Glance Near Infrared Imaging Observations of the Space Shuttle During Hypersonic Re-Entry

High resolution calibrated infrared imagery of the Space Shuttle was obtained during hypervelocity atmospheric entries of the STS-119, STS-125 and STS128 missions and has provided information on the distribution of surface temperature and the state of the airflow over the windward surface of the Orbiter during descent. This data collect was initiated by NASA s Hypersonic Thermodynamic Infrared Measurements (HYTHIRM) team and incorporated the use of air- and land-based optical assets to image the Shuttle during atmospheric re-entry. The HYTHIRM objective is to develop and implement a set of mission planning tools designed to establish confidence in the ability of an existing optical asset to reliably acquire, track and return global quantitative surface temperatures of the Shuttle during entry. On Space Shuttle Discovery s STS-119 mission, NASA flew a specially modified thermal protection system tile and instrumentation package to monitor heating effects from boundary layer transition during re-entry. On STS-119, the windward airflow on the port wing was deliberately disrupted by a four-inch wide and quarter-inch tall protuberance built into the modified tile. In coordination with this flight experiment, a US Navy NP-3D Orion aircraft was flown 28 nautical miles below Discovery and remotely monitored surface temperature of the Orbiter at Mach 8.4 using a long-range infrared optical package referred to as Cast Glance. Approximately two months later, the same Navy Cast Glance aircraft successfully monitored the surface temperatures of the Orbiter Atlantis traveling at approximately Mach 14.3 during its return from the successful Hubble repair mission. In contrast to Discovery, Atlantis was not part of the Boundary Layer Transition (BLT) flight experiment, thus the vehicle was not configured with a protuberance on the port wing. In September 2009, Cast Glance was again successful in capturing infrared imagery and monitoring the surface temperatures on Discovery s next flight, STS-128. Again, NASA flew a specially modified thermal protection system tile and instrumentation package to monitor heating effects from boundary layer transition during re-entry. During this mission, Cast Glance was able to image laminar and turbulent flow phenomenology optimizing data collection for Mach 14.7. The purpose of this paper is to describe key elements associated with STS-119/125/128 mission planning and execution from the perspective of the Cast Glance flight crew that obtained the imagery. The paper will emphasize a human element of experience, expertise and adaptability seamlessly coupled with Cast Glance system and sensor technology required to manually collect the required imagery. Specific topics will include a near infrared (NIR) camera upgrade that was implemented just prior to the missions, how pre-flight radiance modeling was utilized to optimize the IR sensor configuration, communications, the development of aircraft test support positions based upon Shuttle trajectory information, support to contingencies such as Shuttle one orbit wave-offs/west coast diversions and then the Cast Glance perspective during an actual Shuttle imaging mission.

Tack, Steve↗