Results for “operational limits” — Page 21

NASA NTRS1984

Mathematical Modelling of High-speed Ribbbon Systems: a Case Study of Edge-defined Film-fed Growth

Finite element numerical analysis was used to solve the coupled problem of heat transfer and capillarity to describe low and high speed silicon sheet growth in meniscus defined systems. Heat transfer models which neglect the details of convective heat flow in the melt are used to establish operating limits for an EFG system in terms of the growth rate, die temperature and the static head acting on the meniscus. It is shown that convective heat transfer in the melt becomes important only at high growth rates or for materials with low thermal conductivities.

Ettouney, H. M.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Propellant transfer: Tethered depot

Spacebasing of orbital transfer vehicles at a space station requires a depot that safely and efficiently stores and transfers the resupply propellants. In order to transfer propellants, a method effectively acquire only liquid and vent only gas must exist. A method that produces a low gravity to settle propellants would bypass these weaknesses, while allowing ground-like operations. This low gravity can be passively produced using gravity gradient techniques. A satellite with a large length to diameter ratio, such as a depot attached to a space station with a tether, stabilizes along on Earth radial because of an outward acceleration proportional to the distance from the satellite's center of gravity. Analysis indicates that liquid can be setteled with relatively short tether lengths. The feasibility, design requirements, and operational limitations of a tethered refueling depot were investigated with special emphasis on slosh control.

Kroll, K.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Operational fitness of box truss antennas in response to dynamic slewing

A parametric study was performed to define slewing capability of large satellites along with associated system changes or subsystem weight and complexity impacts. The satellite configuration and structural arrangement from the Earth Observation Spacecraft (EOS) study was used as the baseline spacecraft. Varying slew rates, settling times, damping, maneuver frequencies, and attitude hold times provided the data required to establish applicability to a wide range of potential missions. The key elements of the study are: (1) determine the dynamic transient response of the antenna system; (2) calculate the system errors produced by the dynamic response; (3) determine if the antenna has exceeded operational requirements at completion of the slew, and if so; (4) determine when the antenna has settled to the operational requirements. The slew event is not considered complete until the antenna is within operational limits.

Bachtell, E. E.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Performance capabilities of the 12-centimeter Xenon ion thruster

The 8- and 12-cm mercury ion thruster systems were developed primarily to provide N-S station keeping of satellites with masses up to about 1800 to 3600 kg respectively. The on-orbit propulsion requirements of recently proposed Large Space Systems (LSS) are beyond the thrust capabilities of the baseline 8- and 12-cm thruster systems. This paper presents a characterization of the performance capabilities of the 12-cm Xenon ion thruster to enable an evaluation of its application to LSS auxiliary propulsion requirements. With minor thruster modifications and simplifications the thrust was increased to 64 mN, a factor of six over the baseline 12-cm mercury thruster performance. The thruster was operated over a range of specific impulse of about 2000 to 4000 seconds and at total efficiencies up to 68.0 percent. The operating levels reached in this study were found to be close to the operating limits of the thruster design in terms of perveance, grid breakdown voltage and thruster component temperatures such as those of the magnets and cathode baffle.

Mantenieks, M.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Development of the VOLT-A shuttle experiment

The NASA Lewis Research Center (LeRC) is investigating potential problems associated with the operation of high voltage solar cell arrays in the space plasma environment. At high voltages, interactions between the solar array and the space plasma could result in unacceptable levels of electrical discharge (arcing) and/or parasitic losses (current drains from the array to the plasma). The objective of the Voltage Operating Limit Tests (VOLT-A) Shuttle bay experiment is to characterize space plasma/solar cell panel interactions in low earth orbit. VOLT-A consists of an experiment plate subassembly which contains four solar panels, an electronics subassembly and a Langmuir probe subassembly mounted on an MPESS carrier. During a given 8.25 hour data taking period (5-1/2 continuous orbits), the solar panels, which represent state-of-the-art solar cell technologies, will be sequentially subjected to bias voltages in steps ranging from minus 626 V to plus 313 V. Appropriate measurements will be made at each voltage to characterize arcing and parasitic losses. Corresponding measurements of the plasma environment (plasma density, electron temperature and neutral density) will also be made. Data will be recorded on an on-board tape recorder for subsequent data reduction and analysis.

Bifano, W. J.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Fundamental studies on a heat driven lamp

A detailed theoretical study of a heat-driven lamp has been performed. This lamp uses a plasma produced in a thermionic diode. The light is produced by the resonance transition of cesium. An important result of this study is that up to 30% of the input heat is predicted to be converted to light in this device. This is a major improvement over ordinary thermionic energy converters in which only approx. 1% is converted to resonance radiation. Efficiencies and optimum inter-electrode spacings have been found as a function of cathode temperature and the radiative escape factor. The theory developed explains the operating limits of the device.

Lawless, J. L.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Development of the VOLT-A Shuttle experiment

The NASA Lewis Research Center (LeRC) is investigating potential problems associated with the operation of high voltage solar cell arrays in the space plasma environment. At high voltages, interactions between the solar array and the space plasma could result in unacceptable levels of electrical discharge (arcing) and/or parasitic losses (current drains from the array to the plasma). The objective of the Voltage Operating Limit Tests (VOLT-A) Shuttle bay experiment is to characterize space plasma/solar cell panel interactions in low earth orbit. VOLT-A consists of an experiment plate subassembly which contains four solar panels, an electronics subassembly and a Langmuir probe subassembly mounted on an MPESS carrier. During a given 8.25 hour data taking period (5-1/2 continuous orbits), the solar panels, which represent state-of-the-art solar cell technologies, will be sequentially subjected to bias voltages in steps ranging from minus 626 V to plus 313 V. Appropriate measurements will be made at each voltage to characterize arcing and parasitic losses. Corresponding measurements of the plasma environment (plasma density, electron temperature and neutral density) will also be made. Data will be recorded on an on-board tape recorder for subsequent data reduction and analysis.

Bifano, William J.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Carbon deposition characteristics of LO2/HC propellants

The generation and deposition of carbon have been studied using subscale hardware with LO2/RP-1, LO2/propane, and LO2/methane at low mixture ratio conditions. The deposition of carbon on the turbine simulator tubes was evaluated at mixture ratios of 0.20 to 0.60, and at chamber pressures from 720 to 1650 psia. The carbon-deposition rate is a strong function of mixture ratio and a weak function of chamber pressure. There is a mixture ratio that will minimize deposition for LO2/RP-1; a threshold mixture ratio for LO2/propane; and no deposition for LO2/methane at any mixture ratio tested. The turbine drive operating limits were defined for each fuel tested.

Hernandez, Rosemary↗

NASA NTRS1988

Computer-Graphical Simulation Of Robotic Welding

Computer program ROBOSIM, developed to simulate operations of robots, applied to preliminary design of robotic arc-welding operation. Limitations on equipment investigated in advance to prevent expensive mistakes. Computer makes drawing of robotic welder and workpiece on positioning table. Such numerical simulation used to perform rapid, safe experiments in computer-aided design or manufacturing.

Fernandez, Ken↗

NASA NTRS1986

Boundary layer flow visualization for flight testing

Flow visualization is used extensively in flight testing to determine aerodynamic characteristics such as surface flow direction and boundary layer state. Several visualization techniques are available to the aerodynamicist. Two of the most popular are oil flows and sublimating chemicals. Oil is used to visualize boundary layer transition, shock wave location, regions of separated flow, and surface flow direction. Boundary layer transition can also be visualized with sublimating chemicals. A summary of these two techniques is discussed, and the use of sublimating chemicals is examined in some detail. The different modes of boundary layer transition are characterized by different patterns in the sublimating chemical coating. The discussion includes interpretation of these chemical patterns and the temperature and velocity operating limitations of the chemical substances. Information for selection of appropriate chemicals for a desired set of flight conditions is provided.

Obara, Clifford J.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Apollo scientific exploration of the moon

The fundamental dichotomy of space exploration, unmanned versus manned projects, is discussed from an historical perspective. The integration of science into Apollo operations is examined with attention given to landing sites, extending the missions, and crew selection. A Science Working Group composed of scientists and Manned Spacecraft Center flight planners was formed in an attempt to produce the most scientific information possible within those operational limits that were considered absolutely inviolable.

Compton, W. D.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Thermal evaluation of advanced solar dynamic heat receiver performance

The thermal performance of a variety of concepts for thermal energy storage as applied to solar dynamic applications is discussed. It is recognized that designs providing large thermal gradients or large temperature swings during orbit are susceptible to early mechanical failure. Concepts incorporating heat pipe technology may encounter operational limitations over sufficiently large ranges. By reviewing the thermal performance of basic designs, the relative merits of the basic concepts are compared. In addition the effect of thermal enhancement and metal utilization as applied to each design provides a partial characterization of the performance improvements to be achieved by developing these technologies.

Crane, Roger A.↗

NASA NTRS1988

A signal filter with zero phase lag

Rotorcraft and rotorcraft models are tested at the NASA Ames National Full-Scale Aerodynamics Complex (NFAC). The models tested in the NFAC wind tunnels are controlled by a remote control console located in a control room. Certain critical information must be displayed on the control console to monitor the rotor to insure that the rotor is within operational limits. The signal for these parameters is complex (with ac and dc components) and is derived from pitch and flapping transducers on the rotor head. The pitch and flapping cyclics are derived from resolver circuits that indicate the magnitude and phase of the cyclics. Conventional filter circuits used to separate the ac and dc components have a phase lag on the ac component, which will introduce an error in the cyclic vector. To overcome this error, a filter with zero phase lag needed to be developed. This paper discusses a rotorcraft circuit that was designed to have an ac/dc filter with zero phase lag over the frequency range.

Forsyth, T. J.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Rubbing Between Rotors And Stators

Report describes experimental and numerical-simulation studies of dynamical effects of rubbing between rotors and stators in turbomachinery. Purpose of study to gain improved understanding of such rubbing phenomena, with view toward: contributing to techniques for diagnosis of rubbing (e.g., via analysis of vibrations); predicting more accurately limiting operating conditions; and improving design criteria to prevent rubbing damage in high-performance rotating machinery.

Muszynska, Agnes↗

NASA NTRS1990

Thermal/structural analyses of several hydrogen-cooled leading-edge concepts for hypersonic flight vehicles

The aerodynamic heating at high flight Mach numbers, when shock interference heating is included, can be extremely high and can exceed the capability of most conventional metallic and potential ceramic materials available. Numerical analyses of the heat transfer and thermal stresses are performed on three actively cooled leading-edge geometries (models) made of three different materials to address the issue of survivability in a hostile environment. These analyses show a mixture of results from one configuration to the next. Results for each configuration are presented and discussed. Combinations of enhanced internal film coefficients and high material thermal conductivity of copper and tungsten are predicted to maintain the maximum wall temperature for each concept within acceptable operating limits. The exception is the TD nickel material which is predicted to melt for most cases. The wide range of internal impingement film coefficients (based on correlations) for these conditions can lead to a significant uncertainty in expected leading-edge wall temperatures. The equivalent plastic strain, inherent in each configuration which results from the high thermal gradients, indicates a need for further cyclic analysis to determine component life.

Gladden, Herbert J.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Evolution and use of combined mechanical and thermal codes for cryogenic turbopump bearings

Shaft bearing system analysis codes were developed, improved, and used to investigate Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) Liquid Oxygen (LOX) turbopump bearing problems, and to support the Marshall Space Flight Center Bearing and Seal Materials Test (BSMT) program. Thermal network modeling uses the SINDA thermal code, and the modeling of bearing quasi-dynamic characteristics uses the SHABERTH bearing/shaft code. These codes are solved concurrently for a bearing/shaft system using software developed for this purpose. Simulation of the SSME LOX turbopump turbine and pump end bearings and the MSFC BSMT operating in liquid nitrogen (LN sub 2) and LOX was done. The thermal network models include the bearing components, bearing carriers, shaft, housing, frictional heat, and viscous fluid energy. A cage model was included to account for heat generation between the cage and rolling elements. Since most bearing surfaces operate at temperatures well above the coolant saturation temperature, and move at high speed relative to the coolant, forced convection boiling is the dominant mechanism for heat removal. Improved modeling of forced convection film boiling was incorporated to take into account the local vapor generation at the high temperature surfaces. Rearing preloads in the pump and tester are provided by preload springs. As bearing operating clearances and contact angles change due to thermal effects and loading, the bearing preload changes with these varying conditions. These characteristics were modeled and are included in the overall system models. Results from these models indicate an operational limit which, if exceeded, predicts a thermal excursion.

Cody, Joe C.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Thermal/structural analyses of several hydrogen-cooled leading-edge concepts for hypersonic flight vehicles

The aerodynamic heating at high flight Mach numbers, when shock interference heating is included, can be extremely high and can exceed the capability of most conventional metallic and potential ceramic materials available. Numerical analyses of the heat transfer and thermal stresses are performed on three actively cooled leading-edge geometries (models) made of three different materials to address the issue of survivability in a hostile environment. These analyses show a mixture of results from one configuration to the next. Results for each configuration are presented and discussed. Combinations of enhanced internal film coefficients and high material thermal conductivity of copper and tungsten are predicted to maintain the maximum wall temperature for each concept within acceptable operating limits. The exception is the TD nickel material which is predicted to melt for most cases. The wide range of internal impingement film coefficients (based on correlations) for these conditions can lead to a significant uncertainty in expected leading-edge wall temperatures. The equivalent plastic strain, inherent in each configuration which results from the high thermal gradients, indicates a need for further cyclic analysis to determine component life.

Gladden, Herbert J.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Analysis and application of a velocity command motor as a reaction mass actuator

A commercially available linear stepper motor is applied as a reaction mass (RM) actuator. With the actuator operating in the (RM) relative-velocity command mode, open-loop and closed-loop testing is performed to determine operational limits. With the actuator mounted on a simple beam structure, root strain, RM acceleration, or beam acceleration is used in the feedback loop to augment the structural damping. The RM relative position is also used as feedback to ensure that the RM remains centered.

Sulla, Jeffrey L.↗