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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 397 records · Page 22

Rare Earth Permanent Magnets: Supply Chain Deep Dive Assessment

The report “America’s Strategy to Secure the Supply Chain for a Robust Clean Energy Transition” lays out the challenges and opportunities faced by the United States in the energy supply chain as well as the federal government plans to address these challenges and opportunities. It is accompanied by several issue-specific deep dive assessments, including this one, in response to Executive Order 14017 “America’s Supply Chains,” which directs the Secretary of Energy to submit a report on supply chains for the energy sector industrial base. The Executive Order is helping the federal government to build more secure and diverse U.S. supply chains, including energy supply chains. This report focuses on the supply chain for rare earth permanent magnets, specifically sintered neodymiumiron-boron (NdFeB) magnets, used in clean energy technologies. Sintered NdFeB magnets are the strongest magnets commercially available and provide a host of benefits to wide-ranging applications in consumer and industrial electronics, especially in advanced motor and drive systems. Within the Energy Sector Industrial Base, and clean energy in particular, NdFeB magnets are key intermediate components of permanent magnet synchronous (direct drive) generators in wind turbines (especially for offshore turbines) and electric synchronous traction motors for propulsion systems in battery and hybrid electric vehicles.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗

Non-Rare Earth Magnesium Bumper Beams

Magna will team with the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) to develop Shear Assisted Processing and Extrusion (ShAPE™) of rectangular and multi-zoned extrusion profiles using non-RE Mg. It is envisioned that the ShAPE™ process, developed during this project for non-circular profiles, will serve as the foundation for fabrication of full-scale bumper beams of the future where near net-shapes are extruded directly from castings in a single step, without the need for costly rare earth additives. In this project, the ShAPE™ process will be developed for a rectangular profile measuring 1” x 2” with a 0.06” wall thickness. Successful extrusion of rectangular cross sections is a critical step along the path toward profiles with multiple zones. With the process established for a rectangular profile, the project will then make advancements toward multi-zoned cross sections. A magnesium alloy bumper beam offers a 35% weight savings compared to aluminum alloys and 60% compared to high strength steels. The bumper beam was chosen as the first component to target because the geometry can have a fairly simple 0.6-0.12 inch wall/web thickness, generally compatible with PNNL’s knowledge base and equipment capability surrounding ShAPE™. The bumper component offers commercial value by providing mass reduction in the front of the vehicle along with ride and handling benefit. PNNL has demonstrated the ability to ShAPE™ process non-RE Mg tubing with high strength, ductility and energy absorption. It has been shown that ShAPE™ extruded ZK60 and Mg2Si tubing with 0.30 inch diameter and 0.03 inch wall thickness have similar energy absorption to AA6061-T6. This is due to significant grain refinement, breakdown and dispersion of second phases, and the ability to eliminate anisotropy in compressive/tensile strength by aligning texture 45 degrees to the extrusion axis. Scalability of the ShAPE™ process has been demonstrated in ZK60 by fabricating 2.0 inch diameter tubing with 0.06 and 0.12 inch wall thicknesses having concentricity as tight as 1.3%. These tubes exhibit an ultimate tensile strength of 260-300 MPa and room temperature ductility of >20% parallel, perpendicular and 45 degrees to the extrusion axis. Aluminum bumpers represent approximately 54% of the NA light vehicle market. If the research effort is successful, providing a 30% mass reduction at equal cost relative to aluminum bumpers, it is anticipated that 25% market penetration would be realized over the next 5 year and 50% market share by 2030. 100% of the aluminum automotive bumpers are sourced from the tier network, providing resourcing opportunity based on equal performance, reduced mass and cost equivalent lower than aluminum bumpers. Due to the relatively low vehicle content, magnesium components are currently shredded and 100% recycled with aluminum content in the US, presenting a positive life cycle impact.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Numerical Optimization of Spray-Guided Spark Assistance for Cold Idle Operation in a Heavy-Duty Gasoline Compression Ignition Engine

This article describes the results of a response surface model (RSM)-based numerical optimization campaign for spray-guided spark assistance at cold operations in a heavy-duty gasoline compression ignition (GCI) engine. On the basis of an earlier work on spark-assisted GCI cold combustion, a space-filling design of experiments (DoE) method was first undertaken to investigate a multitude of hardware design variables and engine operating parameters. The main design variables included the number of injector nozzles, fuel split quantities and injection timings, and spark timing. The objective variables were engine combustion efficiency (ŋ c ), maximum pressure rise rate (MPRR), and engine-out nitrogen oxide (NO x ) emissions. A total of 150 design candidates were automatically generated using the Sobol sequence method provided by the commercial software package, CAESES. Then, closed-cycle computational fluid dynamic (CFD) spark-assisted GCI simulations under cold idling operations were performed. The outcomes from the CFD-DoE design campaign were utilized to construct high-fidelity RSMs that allowed for further design optimization of the spark plug- and fuel injector-related design variables, along with fuel injection strategy parameters. A merit function with respect to objective variables was formulated with an appropriate weight assignment on each objective variable. Finally, the best design candidate was identified from the RSM-based optimization process and further validated in the CFD analysis. The best design candidate showed the potential to significantly improve combustion efficiency (ŋ c > 90%) over the baseline at cold idle while satisfying MPRR and NOx emissions constraints (MPRR < 5 bar/CAD and NO x < 4.5 g/kWh).

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗

Performance of turbine-type flowmeters in liquid hydrogen

Tests using commercially available flowmeters provide information on the constancy in water of the calibration factor /pulses per unit volume/, on the maximum deviation of the factor from its mean value, and on the probability of predicting the calibration factor of a meter in liquid hydrogen at full scale.

Source record↗

Cyclic oxidation of cobalt-chromium-aluminum-yttrium and aluminide coatings on IN-100 and VIA alloys in high velocity gases

Embedded-alumina-particle aluminide (EAPA) coated and CoCrAlY coated IN-100 and NASA-TRW-VIA specimens were cyclically oxidation tested in a high velocity (approximately Mach 1) gas flame at 1093 C (2000 F). The EAPA coatings on both alloys performed very similarly to commercial pack aluminide coatings with respect to weight change and thermal fatigue cracking. The CoCrAlY coating on IN-100 had weight changes similar to commercial pack aluminide coatings but no thermal fatigue cracks appeared at 300 hours. The CoCrAlY coating on VIA performed significantly better than the commercial aluminide coatings, providing oxidation protection (based on weight change) to 450 hours and thermal fatigue crack prevention to at least 600 hours.

Deadmore, D. L.↗

The employment of a spoken language computer applied to an air traffic control task.

Assessment of the merits of a limited spoken language (56 words) computer in a simulated air traffic control (ATC) task. An airport zone approximately 60 miles in diameter with a traffic flow simulation ranging from single-engine to commercial jet aircraft provided the workload for the controllers. This research determined that, under the circumstances of the experiments carried out, the use of a spoken-language computer would not improve the controller performance.

Laveson, J. I.↗

An advanced concept that promises ecological and economic viability

The actuality of supersonic commercial service being provided by Concorde is demonstrating to the world the advantages offered by supersonic travel for both business and recreation. Public acceptance will gradually and persistently stimulate interest to proceed with a second generation design that meets updated economic and ecological standards. It is estimated that this concept could operate profitably on world-wide routes with a revenue structure based upon economy fares. Airplanes will meet all present day ecological requirements regarding noise and emissions.

Wright, B. R.↗

Implantable acoustic-beacon automatic fish-tracking system

A portable automatic fish tracking system was developed for monitoring the two dimensional movements of small fish within fixed areas of estuarine waters and lakes. By using the miniature pinger previously developed for this application, prototype tests of the system were conducted in the York River near the Virginia Institute of Marine Science with two underwater listening stations. Results from these tests showed that the tracking system could position the miniature pinger signals to within + or - 2.5 deg and + or - 135 m at ranges up to 2.5 km. The pingers were implanted in small fish and were successfully tracked at comparable ranges. No changes in either fish behavior or pinger performance were observed as a result of the implantation. Based on results from these prototype tests, it is concluded that the now commercially available system provides an effective approach to underwater tracking of small fish within a fixed area of interest.

Mayhue, R. J.↗

Mass spectrometer calibration standard

Inert perfluorinated alkane and alkyl ethers mixture is used to calibrate mass spectrometer. Noncontaminating, commercially-available liquid provides series of reproducible reference peaks over broad mass spectrum that ranges over mass numbers from 1 to 200.

Ross, D. S.↗

Requirements for company-wide management

Computing system requirements were developed for company-wide management of information and computer programs in an engineering data processing environment. The requirements are essential to the successful implementation of a computer-based engineering data management system; they exceed the capabilities provided by the commercially available data base management systems. These requirements were derived from a study entitled The Design Process, which was prepared by design engineers experienced in development of aerospace products.

Southall, J. W.↗

Definition, analysis and development of an optical data distribution network for integrated avionics and control systems. Part 2: Component development and system integration

Fiber optic transmission is emerging as an attractive concept in data distribution onboard civil aircraft. Development of an Optical Data Distribution Network for Integrated Avionics and Control Systems for commercial aircraft will provide a data distribution network that gives freedom from EMI-RFI and ground loop problems, eliminates crosstalk and short circuits, provides protection and immunity from lightning induced transients and give a large bandwidth data transmission capability. In addition there is a potential for significantly reducing the weight and increasing the reliability over conventional data distribution networks. Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) is a candidate method for data communication between the various avionic subsystems. With WDM all systems could conceptually communicate with each other without time sharing and requiring complicated coding schemes for each computer and subsystem to recognize a message. However, the state of the art of optical technology limits the application of fiber optics in advanced integrated avionics and control systems. Therefore, it is necessary to address the architecture for a fiber optics data distribution system for integrated avionics and control systems as well as develop prototype components and systems.

Yen, H. W.↗

Teleoperator Maneuvering System (TMS) mission applications and benefits

Studies conducted by NASA have shown that the operating range of the Shuttle can be substantially increased and cost of payload operation be decreased by making use of the Teleoperator Maneuvering System (TMS). The TMS is remotely controlled, free-flying, orbital mini-tug vehicle capable of performing a wide range of remote satellite services missions. It can operate out of the Shuttle cargo bay, from a space station, or on top of an upper stage like Centaur. For high energy missions up to and including geostationary orbit, the TMS propulsion stage will augment the Transfer Orbit Stage (TOS) recently proposed for commercial development in providing an effective low-cost second-stage system for delivering intermediate sized payloads to geosynchronous orbit (GEO). Attention is given to TMS capabilities for both long duration and short term orbital missions, taking into account also Space Station support operations.

Cramblit, D. C.↗

Commerce Lab: Mission analysis. Payload integration study

The objectives of the commerce lab mission analysis and payload integration study are discussed. A mission model which accommodates commercial users and provides a basic data base for future mission planning is described. The data bases developed under this study include: (1) user requirements; (2) apparatus capabilities and availabilities; and (3) carrier capabilities. These data bases are synthesized in a trades and analysis phase along with the STS flight opportunities. Optimum missions are identified.

Marvin, G. D.↗

Advanced emergency openings for commercial aircraft

Explosively actuated openings in composite panels are proposed to enhance passenger survivability within commercial aircraft by providing improvements in emergency openings, fuselage venting, and fuel dump. The concept is to embed a tiny, highly stable explosive cord in the periphery of a load-carrying composite panel; on initiation of the cord, the panel is fractured to create a well-defined opening. The panel would be installed in the sides of the fuselage for passenger egress, in the top of the fuselage for smoke venting, and in the bottoms of the fuel cells for fuel dump. Described are the concerns with the use of explosive systems, safety improvements, advantages, experimental results, and recommended approach to gain acceptance and develop this concept.

Bement, L. J.↗

Method and system for monitoring and displaying engine performance parameters

The invention is believed a major improvement that will have a broad application in governmental and commercial aviation. It provides a dynamic method and system for monitoring and simultaneously displaying in easily scanned form the available, predicted, and actual thrust of a jet aircraft engine under actual operating conditions. The available and predicted thrusts are based on the performance of a functional model of the aircraft engine under the same operating conditions. Other critical performance parameters of the aircraft engine and functional model are generated and compared, the differences in value being simultaneously displayed in conjunction with the displayed thrust values. Thus, the displayed information permits the pilot to make power adjustments directly while keeping him aware of total performance at a glance of a single display panel.

Abbott, Terence S.↗

The use of DFDR information in the analysis of a turbulence incident over Greenland

Digital flight data recorder (DFDR) tapes from commercial aircraft can provide useful information about the mesoscale environment of severe turbulence incidents. Air motion computations from these data and their errors are briefly described. An example of mesoscale meteorological information available from DFDR tapes is presented for a case of turbulence in mountain waves over the Greenland icecap.

Lester, Peter F.↗

Flight deck benefits of integrated data link communication

A fixed-base, piloted simulation study was conducted to determine the operational benefits that result when air traffic control (ATC) instructions are transmitted to the deck of a transport aircraft over a digital data link. The ATC instructions include altitude, airspeed, heading, radio frequency, and route assignment data. The interface between the flight deck and the data link was integrated with other subsystems of the airplane to facilitate data management. Data from the ATC instructions were distributed to the flight guidance and control system, the navigation system, and an automatically tuned communication radio. The co-pilot initiated the automation-assisted data distribution process. Digital communications and automated data distribution were compared with conventional voice radio communication and manual input of data into other subsystems of the simulated aircraft. Less time was required in the combined communication and data management process when data link ATC communication was integrated with the other subsystems. The test subjects, commercial airline pilots, provided favorable evaluations of both the digital communication and data management processes.

Waller, Marvin C.↗

Automatic Stabilization

This report lays more stress on the principles underlying automatic piloting than on the means of applications. Mechanical details of servomotors and the mechanical release device necessary to assure instantaneous return of the controls to the pilot in case of malfunction are not included. Descriptions are provided of various commercial systems.

Haus, FR↗