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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 415 records · Page 23

Space fusion energy conversion using a field reversed configuration reactor: A new technical approach for space propulsion and power

The fusion energy conversion design approach, the Field Reversed Configuration (FRC) - when burning deuterium and helium-3, offers a new method and concept for space transportation with high energy demanding programs, like the Manned Mars Mission and planetary science outpost missions require. FRC's will increase safety, reduce costs, and enable new missions by providing a high specific power propulsion system from a high performance fusion engine system that can be optimally designed. By using spacecraft powered by FRC's the space program can fulfill High Energy Space Missions (HESM) in a manner not otherwise possible. FRC's can potentially enable the attainment of high payload mass fractions while doing so within shorter flight times.

Schulze, Norman R.↗

Cryogenic liquid hydrogen reorientation activated by constant reverse gravity acceleration of geyser initiation

A key objective for cryogenic fluid management in a spacecraft propulsion system is development of the technology necessary for acquisition or positioning of liquid outflow or vapor venting. Numerical simulation of positive liquid acquisition is attempted by introducing a reverse gravity acceleration from the propulsive thrust of auxiliary engines which exceeds critical value for the initiation of a geyser. Based on the computer simulation of flow fields during the course of fluid reorientation, six dimensionless parameters resulted. These parameters hold near-constant values through the entire range of liquid filled levels, from 30 to 80 percent, during the course of fluid reorientation.

Hung, R. J.↗

Equilibrium constant for the reversible reaction ClO + O2 - ClO-O2

It is shown here that the equilibrium constant for the reversible reaction ClO + O2 - ClO-O2 at stratospheric temperatures must be at least three orders of magnitude less than the current NASA upper limit. The new upper limit greatly diminishes the possible role of ClO-O2 in the chlorine-photosensitized decomposition of O3. Nevertheless, it does not preclude the possibility that it is a significant reservoir of ClO, as well as a possible reactant, at low temperatures characteristic of polar vortices.

Demore, W. B.↗

Time-reversibility and particle sedimentation

This paper studies an ODE model, called the Stokeslet model, and describes sedimentation of small clusters of particles in a highly viscous fluid. This model has a trivial solution in which the n particles arrange themselves at the vertices of a regular n-sided polygon. When n = 3, Hocking and Caflisch et al. (1988) proved the existence of periodic motion (in the frame moving with the center of gravity in the cluster) in which the particles form an isosceles triangle. Here, the study of periodic and quasi-periodic solutions of the Stokeslet model is continued, with emphasis on the spatial and time-reversal symmetry of the model. For three particles, the existence of a second family of periodic solutions and a family of quasi-periodic solutions is proved. It is also indicated how the methods generalize to the case of n particles.

Golubitsky, Martin↗

Demagnetization effects on forward and reverse thresholds of M-R memory elements

A refinement in the way hard-axis demagnetizing effects are treated in multilayer M-R memory elements brings experimental and calculated results into agreement for both the forward and reverse switching thresholds. In the improved model, the nonuniform rotation of the magnetization in the elements because of edge pinning is taken into account. The demagnetizing fields are treated as corrections to the hard-axis word field rather than an addition to the anisotropy constant.

Pohm, A. V.↗

Flow visualization and computational studies of a reverse flow circular combustor

The development of a reverse-flow circular combustor is described in terms of the visualization techniques that are employed to optimize the flow and mixing of fuel and air. The Fluent computer program is used in conjunction with flow visualization studies to investigate the performance of the combustor. The combustor has multiple mini-combustion zones (MCZs) and fuel injection nozzles along its circular geometry, and the fuel injection design is modeled to determine temperature distribution, including the performance at the combustor exit. The yellow dye smoke used in the visualization demonstrated desirable flow patterns with rapid circulation patterns within the MCZs and extensive interaction between the channel flow and the MCZs. The results are similar to those of CFD models, and the main conclusions are that fuel atomization can be further optimized and that the fuel injector nozzle can control swirls, fuel spray angle, and jet penetration.

Ghorashi, B.↗

Static performance of a cruciform nozzle with multiaxis thrust-vectoring and reverse-thrust capabilities

A multiaxis thrust vectoring nozzle designed to have equal flow turning capability in pitch and yaw was conceived and experimentally tested for internal, static performance. The cruciform-shaped convergent-divergent nozzle turned the flow for thrust vectoring by deflecting the divergent surfaces of the nozzle, called flaps. Methods for eliminating physical interference between pitch and yaw flaps at the larger multiaxis deflection angles was studied. These methods included restricting the pitch flaps from the path of the yaw flaps and shifting the flow path at the throat off the nozzle centerline to permit larger pitch-flap deflections without interfering with the operation of the yaw flaps. Two flap widths were tested at both dry and afterburning settings. Vertical and reverse thrust configurations at dry power were also tested. Comparison with two dimensional convergent-divergent nozzles showed lower but still competitive thrust performance and thrust vectoring capability.

Wing, David J.↗

Leak detection of the Space Station Freedom U.S. Lab vacuum system using reverse flow leak detection methodology

A vacuum system leak detection technique (reverse flow leak detection) under development for use aboard Space Station Freedom is presented. The technique will be applied to the Vacuum System (VS) and Waste Gas Management Subsystem (WGMS) of the U.S. Lab Module. These two systems contain over 45.7 m of distributed vacuum tubing located in remote utility runs. Fluid flow calculations which utilize known system geometry and measured steady state pressure measurements from the VS and WGMS can be used to identify leak sites within +/- 38 cm. Exact leak position can then be pinpointed by conventional tracer gas leak detection in the identified region. Tests have been performed using a simple, unrestricted 12.8 m length of vacuum tubing with a calibrated air leak attached.

Moore, Jeffrey D.↗

Constant reverse thrust activated reorientation of liquid hydrogen with Geyser initiation

A key objective of the cryogenic fluid management of the spacecraft propulsion system is to develop the technology necessary for acquisition or positioning of liquid outflow or vapor venting. Numerical simulation of positive liquid acquisition is attempted by introducing reverse gravity acceleration, resulting from the propulsive thrust of auxiliary engines, which exceeds critical value for the initiation of geyser. Based on the computer simulation of flowfields during the course of fluid reorientation, six dimensionless parameters resulted in this study. It shows that these parameters hold near-constant values through the entire ranges of liquid filled levels, from 30-80 percent, during the course of fluid reorientation.

Hung, R. J.↗

Use of cyclic current reversal polarization voltammetry for investigating the relationship between corrosion resistance and heat-treatment induced variations in microstructures of 400 C martensitic stainless steels

Software for running a cyclic current reversal polarization voltammagram has been developed for use with a EG&G Princeton Applied Research Model 273 potentiostat/galvanostat system. The program, which controls the magnitude, direction and duration of an impressed galvanostatic current, will produce data in ASCII spreadsheets (Lotus, Quattro) for graphical representation of CCRPV voltammograms. The program was used to determine differences in corrosion resistance of 440 C martenstic stainless steel produced as a result of changes in microstructure effected by tempering. It was determined that tempering at all temperatures above 400 F resulted in increased polarizability of the material, with the increased likelihood that pitting would be initiated upon exposure to marine environments. These results will be used in development of remedial procedures for lowering the susceptibility of these alloys toward the stress corrosion cracking experienced in bearings used in high pressure oxygen turbopumps used in the main engines of space shuttle orbiters.

Ambrose, John R.↗

Excitation of slosh waves associated with low frequency impulsive reverse gravity acceleration of geyser initiation

The objective of the cryogenic fluid management of the spacecraft propulsion system is to develop the technology necessary for acquisition or positioning of liquid and vapor within a tank in reduced gravity to enable liquid outflow or vapor venting. The requirement to settle or to position liquid fuel over the outlet end of the spacecraft propellant tank prior to main engine restart poses a microgravity fluid behavior problem. The purpose of the present study is to investigate the stability of the most efficient technique for propellant resettling through the minimization of propellant usage and weight penalties. In this study slosh wave excitation induced by the resettling flow field activated by 0.1 Hz low frequency, impulsive reverse gravity acceleration, during reorientation with the initiation of geyser for liquid fill levels of 30, 50, 65, 70 and 80 percent, have been studied. Characteristics of slosh waves with various frequencies excited are discussed. Slosh wave excitation shift the fluid mass distribution in the container which impose time dependent variations in spacecraft moment of inertia. This information is important for the spacecraft control during the course of liquid reorientation.

Hung, R. J.↗

Development and application of a reverse Monte Carlo radiative transfer code for rocket plume base heating

A reverse Monte Carlo radiative transfer code to predict rocket plume base heating is presented. In this technique rays representing the radiation propagation are traced backwards in time from the receiving surface to the point of emission in the plume. This increases the computational efficiency relative to the forward Monte Carlo technique when calculating the radiation reaching a specific point, as only the rays that strike the receiving point are considered.

Everson, John↗

Reversible electron heating vs. wave-particle interactions in quasi-perpendicular shocks

The energy necessary to explain the electron heating in quasi-perpendicular collisionless shocks can be derived either from the electron acceleration in the d.c. cross shock electric potential, or by the interactions between the electrons and the waves existing in the shock. A Monte Carlo simulation has been performed to study the electron distribution function evolution through the shock structure, with and without particle diffusion on waves. This simulation has allowed us to clarify the relative importance of the two possible energy sources; in particular it has been shown that the electron parallel temperature is determined by the d.c. electromagnetic field and not by any wave-particle-induced heating. Wave particle interactions are effective in smoothing out the large gradients in phase space produced by the 'reversible' motion of the electrons, thus producing a 'cooling' of the electrons.

Veltri, P.↗

Effect of the Reversal of Air Flow upon the Discharge Coefficient of Durley Orifices

Experiments were conducted to obtain information on the relationship between the coefficients for flow in two directions through thin plate orifices at low velocities. The results indicate that the ratio of the orifice discharge coefficient from standard orifice C(sub s)(sup 1) to the discharge coefficient from the reverse flow C(sub s) is always less than unity with increasing ratio of box area to orifice area. Even for areas as low as twenty, the ratios of the coefficients are not much less than unity. It is probable, however, that when the ratio of box area is less than twenty, the ratio of discharge coefficients would be greatly reduced. Specific results are given for the case of an apparatus for the laboratory testing of superchargers.

Ware, Marsden↗

Combustion-engine Temperatures by the Sodium Line-reversal Method

The sodium line-reversal method has been used in some preliminary measurements of flame temperature. Improvements in the method involving a photographic recorder and a means of correcting for the dirtiness of the windows are described. The temperatures so obtained are compared with those calculated from pressure diagrams.

Brevoort, Maurice J↗

Charts for the Determination of Wing Torsional Stiffness Required for Specified Rolling Characteristics or Aileron Reversal Speed

A series of charts are presented by which the wing torsional stiffness required to meet a given standard of rolling effectiveness may be quickly determined. The charts may also be used to obtain quickly the aileron reversal speed and the variation of the loss in rolling effectiveness with airspeed. The charts apply to linearly tapered wings and elliptical wings of tubular-shell construction having various aspect ratios with aileron span and location of ailerons as variables. In the derivation of the charts, induced lift effects have been taken into account and the form of the wing-torsional-stiffness curve has been assumed.

Pearson, Henry A↗

Pressure distribution on wings in reversed flow

The series of pressure distribution measurements at three test sections on NACA airfoils 2212 and M6 within 170 to 210 angles of attack in reversed flow proved to be largely independent of the profile form. In contradiction to the pressure distribution in normal flow considerable negative pressure from the upper surface spills over onto the lower surface, and vice versa, even in the zone of sound flow. The results are presented as chord-wise pressure and load distribution. The spanwise lift distribution and the total lift coefficients of the wing obtained by integration manifest approximate agreement with the behavior of a diagonally disposed flat plate. By consideration of the ground effect (represented by a flat wall) the lower surface of the wing shows an increase in the low pressure.

Naumann, A↗

Bolted Structural Joint Sustains Reversing Shear Load

Bolted structural joint satisfies competing requirements to accommodate tolerances yet fits snugly to sustain reversing shear loads. Inner and outer eccentric bushings fit in shear block. Frictional force generated by bolt tension prevents rotation of bushings after assembly.

Mott, J. B.↗