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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 451 records · Page 25

Transverse-displacement stabilizer for passive magnetic bearing systems

The invention provides a way re-center a rotor's central longitudinal rotational axis with a desired system longitudinal axis. A pair of planar semicircular permanent magnets are pieced together to form a circle. The flux from each magnet is pointed in in opposite directions that are both parallel with the rotational axis. A stationary shorted circular winding the plane of which is perpendicular to the system longitudinal axis and the center of curvature of the circular winding is positioned on the system longitudinal axis. Upon rotation of the rotor, when a transverse displacement of the rotational axis occurs relative to the system longitudinal axis, the winding will experience a time-varying magnetic flux such that an alternating current that is proportional to the displacement will flow in the winding. Such time-varying magnetic flux will provide a force that will bring the rotor back to its centered position about the desired axis.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Relaxation time estimation in surface NMR

NMR relaxation time estimation methods and corresponding apparatus generate two or more alternating current transmit pulses with arbitrary amplitudes, time delays, and relative phases; apply a surface NMR acquisition scheme in which initial preparatory pulses, the properties of which may be fixed across a set of multiple acquisition sequence, are transmitted at the start of each acquisition sequence and are followed by one or more depth sensitive pulses, the pulse moments of which are varied across the set of multiple acquisition sequences; and apply processing techniques in which recorded NMR response data are used to estimate NMR properties and the relaxation times T.sub.1 and T.sub.2* as a function of position as well as one-dimensional and two-dimension distributions of T.sub.1 versus T.sub.2* as a function of subsurface position.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Quality Assurance Framework for Mini-Grids

To address the root challenges of providing quality power to remote consumers through financially viable mini-grids, the Global Lighting and Energy Access Partnership (Global LEAP) initiative of the Clean Energy Ministerial and the U.S. Department of Energy teamed with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and Power Africa to develop a Quality Assurance Framework (QAF) for isolated mini-grids. The framework addresses both alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) mini-grids, and is applicable to renewable, fossil-fuel, and hybrid systems.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Photovoltaic system with improved AC connections and method of making same

An alternating current (AC) harness for a photovoltaic (PV) system includes a wire assembly having a first end and a second end, the wire assembly having a plurality of lead wires, and at least one AC connection module positioned at a location along a length of the wire assembly between the first end and the second end. Further, the at least one AC connection module includes a first connection terminal electrically coupled to the plurality of lead wires of the wire assembly and constructed to electrically couple the wire assembly with an output of a first PV module of the PV system. The at least one AC connection module also includes a second connection terminal electrically coupled to the plurality of lead wires of the wire assembly and constructed to electrically couple the wire assembly with an output of a second PV module of the PV system.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Integration of microinverter with photovoltaic module

Various technologies for integrating a microinverter with a photovoltaic module are disclosed. An alternating current photovoltaic (ACPV) module includes a photovoltaic module having a frame and a junction box including a direct current (DC) output connector, and a microinverter having a housing coupled to the frame and a DC input connector electrically mated with the DC output connector of the photovoltaic module.

Gilchrist, Phil↗

Method and apparatus for precision phasor measurements through a medium-voltage distribution transformer

A means and method for measuring precise voltage phasors on medium-voltage alternating current (AC) distribution grids, using existing distribution transformers as voltage sensors. The errors introduced by the distribution transformers are minimized by taking into account the transformer's vector impedance, combined with measuring the transformer secondary current phasor. The invention includes a means and a method of measuring the distribution transformer's vector impedance.

McEachern, Alexander↗

Non-contact monitoring of biofilms and corrosion on submerged surfaces with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy

Systems and methods for monitoring microorganisms on a surface are provided. In particular, a flat, patterned sensing electrode can be positioned proximate a surface in non-contact relationship with the surface. The sensing electrode can include a working electrode and a counter electrode. The surface and the sensing electrode can be submerged in an aqueous medium. An alternating current signal can be applied at the working electrode. The signal can propagate through the aqueous medium and can be measured at the counter electrode. The presence of microorganisms on the surface can cause changes in the signal as the signal propagates through the aqueous medium. Such changes in the signal can be used to determine impedance parameters, which can correspond to microbial characteristics associated with the surface. For instance, the microbial characteristics can be associated with a biofilm, corrosion and/or bio-corrosion on the surface.

Turick, Charles E.↗

Method and system for estimating a rotor position with a notch filter

A motor has a rotor that rotates in response to one or more alternating current input signals. A position sensor is adapted to generate a substantially saw-tooth waveform indicative of a position of the rotor. A primary processing module or data processor is capable of providing position data and speed data for the rotor based on the substantially saw-tooth waveform. A notch filter can reject one or more selected frequency components in the substantially saw-tooth waveform to reduce distortion off the substantially saw-tooth waveform that would otherwise tend to cause inaccuracy in the provided position data and speed data.

Li, Dan↗

Gapless core reactor

A gapless core reactor includes a saturable magnetic core having reactor legs without air gaps and multiple windings. The windings are each wound around a common leg, spaced apart from each other and connected in counter series. The windings are configured such that a magnetic flux generated from an alternating current flowing through the windings generates a plurality of substantially equal and counter magnetic fluxes flowing through two or more separate magnetic circuits.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

Integration of microinverter with photovoltaic module

Various technologies for integrating a microinverter with a photovoltaic module are disclosed. An alternating current photovoltaic (ACPV) module includes a photovoltaic module having a frame and a junction box including a direct current (DC) output connector, and a microinverter having a housing coupled to the frame and a DC input connector electrically mated with the DC output connector of the photovoltaic module.

Gilchrist, Phil↗

Method of improved performance in metal electrodes for batteries

Disclosed are methods for pre-conditioning or pre-treating the surface of a metal (e.g., lithium) electrode such that the cycle life and efficiency of the electrode within an electrochemical cell are improved through the prevention of dendrite growth. The pretreatment process includes the use of an alternating current to modify the surface properties of the metal electrode, such that a more uniform flux of metal ions is transferred across the electrode-electrolyte Interface in subsequent electrodeposition and electrodissolution processes. As a result, an electrode treated with such a process exhibits improved performance and durability, including markedly lower overpotentials and largely improved metal (e.g., lithium) retention in strip plate tests as compared with untreated electrodes.

Dasgupta, Neil P.↗

Soft-switching, high performance single-phase AC-DC converter

A soft-switching, high-performance single-phase alternating current (AC)-direct current (DC) converter is provided. The AC-DC converter described herein provides a new circuit topology for single-stage, single-phase or multi-phase AC-DC power conversion with power factor correction (PFC) and galvanic isolation using a high-frequency isolation transformer. The AC-DC converter improves power conversion efficiency and power density—two of the most important metrics for a power converter. It achieves soft switching for high frequency switches in the circuit, leading to higher efficiency and lower electromagnetic interference (EMI).

Ayyanar, Rajapandian↗

Time Lapse Charged Wellbore Casing Controlled Source Electromagnetic Surveys for Monitoring Injected Carbon Dioxide

Carbon dioxide (CO2) injection for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) and long-term carbon storage extends the life of an oil field while keeping CO2 out of the atmosphere. Monitoring CO2 migration during EOR operations is critical to maximizing production and detecting unexpected CO2 migration quickly. In this project, we monitor CO2 migration using time-lapse charged well casing controlled source electromagnetics (CSEM) at an active EOR site undergoing CO2 injection. Since the electrical conductivity of the reservoir changes as CO2 displaces other fluids, this novel survey technique aims to monitor CO2 injection effectively and unobtrusively from the surface via electromagnetic field measurements. Of four time-lapse field campaigns spaced over two years, we have completed two. Each campaign consists of a CSEM survey supplemented by magnetotelluric and time-domain electromagnetic surveys. In the CSEM survey, a transmitter delivers alternating current to the subsurface at frequencies from 0.125 Hz to 16 Hz using steel well casings as electrodes. Charged well casing surveys detect deeper conductivity contrasts than surveys that use only surface electrodes, allowing CO2 movement at the depth of the reservoir to be imaged more clearly. We transmit on two well pairs. One pair is oriented in the east-west direction, and the other is oriented in the northeast-southwest direction. Receiver stations measure orthogonal components of the electric and magnetic fields. The measurements are repeated at the same locations in each field campaign. Data differences between campaigns provide information about changes in the electrical conductivity of the subsurface. We present the latest results from this ongoing project, including modeling, survey design, data processing techniques, and preliminary results from the field campaigns.

Magnetic and electrical methods, Geomagnetic induc↗

Three-phase differential mode converter

A system for charging a battery includes three sub-modules, each receiving a respective phase of a three-phase alternating current (AC) signal. The three sub-modules cooperate to transform the respective phases of the three-phase AC signal to a direct current (DC) signal by passing the respective phases of the three-phase AC signal through a respective semiconductor device configured to discontinuously modulate the respective phase of the three-phase AC signal to convert it to a DC signal provided to the battery to charge the battery.

Mazumder, Sudip K.↗

SHASTA-HELP: Hydrogen Estimator for Logistical Planning Tool

Underground reservoirs offer a promising option for medium- and long-term hydrogen storage that could potentially be safer and more cost-effective than surface alternatives. Currently, there are three underground hydrogen storage (UHS) facilities in the United States, which operate solely in salt caverns and store hydrogen primarily for industrial purposes. Salt formations favorable for geologic storage are geographically limited in the U.S. If a hydrogen economy is to develop, expansion of UHS to other geologic formations such as depleted gas fields and saline aquifers will be necessary to increase the availability of hydrogen storage. While research into the feasibility of storing hydrogen in these formations is ongoing, tools and methodologies are needed for characterizing the hydrogen storage potential in these reservoirs. We introduce the Hydrogen Estimator for Logistical Planning (HELP) tool from the Subsurface Hydrogen Assessment, Storage, and Technology Acceleration (SHASTA) project (https://edx.netl.doe.gov/shasta). SHASTA-HELP is a suite of web-based tools that have numerous capabilities for UHS project planning.

Haeri, Foad↗

PSI/J: A Portable Interface for Submitting, Monitoring, and Managing Jobs

It is generally desirable for high-performance computing (HPC) applications to be portable between HPC systems, for example to make use of more performant hardware, make effective use of allocations, and to co-locate compute jobs with large datasets. Unfortunately, moving scientific applications between HPC systems is challenging for various reasons, most notably that HPC systems have different HPC schedulers. We introduce PSI/J, a job management abstraction API intended to simplify the construction of software components and applications that are portable over various HPC scheduler implementations. We argue that such a system is both necessary and that no viable alternative currently exists. We analyze similar notable APIs and attempt to determine the factors that influenced their evolution and adoption by the HPC community. We base the design of PSI/J on that analysis. We describe how PSI/J has been integrated in three workflow systems and one application, and also show via experiments that PSI/J imposes minimal overhead.

Hategan, Mihael↗

Monte Carlo Estimates of Eigenvalue Sensitivity to System Dimensions using Kernel Density Estimators

In the last decade there has been an increasing interest in calculating sensitivity coefficients in order to quantify the impact of uncertainty in material properties and system parameters on quantities of interest. Extensive work has been done developing Monte Carlo methods to estimate eigenvalue sensitivity to material properties. While deterministic methods exist for determining the eigenvalue sensitivity to system dimensions, the use of Monte Carlo methods to efficiently calculate eigenvalue sensitivity coefficients to system dimensions is still an open topic. Current Monte Carlo methods for calculating eigenvalue sensitivity coefficients to system dimensions are inefficient. Direct Monte Carlo perturbations require two additional simulations of high statistical precision in order to determine the eigenvalue sensitivity to the location of a single boundary. If the sensitivity to the location of multiple surfaces are desired, two additional simulations must be run for each surface. Kiedrowski and Favorite extended continuous energy Monte Carlo methods for sensitivities of nuclear cross sections to calculate sensitivities to interface boundaries or system dimensions to create the only current alternative to direct Monte Carlo calculations. However this method relies on the simulation of additional random walks launched at each surface crossing event. The present method extends upon Kiedrowski's work and eliminates the inefficient portions of the calculation through the use of Kernel Density Estimators (KDEs). The new method efficiently estimates eigenvalue sensitivities to the uniform expansion or contraction of material interface boundaries or system dimensions, negligibly impacting the runtime performance of the Monte Carlo code. The new estimator is tested on bare and reflected critical configurations in spherical geometry and is compared to estimates obtained from direct Monte Carlo perturbations.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Three-phase differential mode converter

A system for charging a battery includes three sub-modules, each receiving a respective phase of a three-phase alternating current (AC) signal. The three sub-modules cooperate to transform the respective phases of the three-phase AC signal to a direct current (DC) signal by passing the respective phases of the three-phase AC signal through a respective semiconductor device configured to discontinuously modulate the respective phase of the three-phase AC signal to convert it to a DC signal provided to the battery to charge the battery.

Mazumder, Sudip K.↗