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At least 487 records · Page 27

Engineering data compendium. Human perception and performance, volume 3

The concept underlying the Engineering Data Compendium was the product of a research and development program (Integrated Perceptual Information for Designers project) aimed at facilitating the application of basic research findings in human performance to the design of military crew systems. The principal objective was to develop a workable strategy for: (1) identifying and distilling information of potential value to system design from existing research literature, and (2) presenting this technical information in a way that would aid its accessibility, interpretability, and applicability by system designers. The present four volumes of the Engineering Data Compendium represent the first implementation of this strategy. This is Volume 3, containing sections on Human Language Processing, Operator Motion Control, Effects of Environmental Stressors, Display Interfaces, and Control Interfaces (Real/Virtual).

Boff, Kenneth R.↗

Status of the Space Station water reclamation and management subsystem design concept

A development status report is presented for the NASA Space Station's water reclamation and management (WRM) system, for which the candidate phase change-employing processing technologies are an air evaporation subsystem, a thermoelectric integrated membrane evaporation subsystem, and the vapor compression distillation subsystem. These WRM candidates employ evaporation to effect water removal from contaminants, but differ in their control of the vapor/liquid interface in zero-gravity and in the recovery of the latent heat of vaporization.

Bagdigian, R. M.↗

Deformation and fracture of single-crystal and sintered polycrystalline silicon carbide produced by cavitation

An investigation was conducted to examine the deformation and fracture behavior of single-crystal and sintered polycrystalline SiC surfaces exposed to cavitation. Cavitation erosion experiments were conducted in distilled water at 25 C by using a magnetostrictive oscillator in close proximity (1 mm) to the surface of SiC. The horn frequency was 20 kHz, and the double amplitude of the vibrating disk was 50 microns. The results of the investigation indicate that the SiC (0001) surface could be deformed in a plastic manner during cavitation. Dislocation etch pits were formed when the surface was chemically etched. The number of defects, including dislocations in SiC (0001) surface, increased with increasing exposure time to cavitation. The presence of intrinsic defects such as voids in the surficial layers of the sintered polycrystalline SiC determined the zones at which fractured grains and fracture pits (pores) were generated. Single-crystal SiC had superior erosion resistance to that of sintered polycrystalline SiC.

Miyoshi, Kazuhisa↗

Refurbishment of one-person regenerative air revitalization system

Regenerative processes for the revitalization of spacecraft atmospheres and reclamation of waste waters are essential for making long-term manned space missions a reality. Processes studied include: static feed water electrolysis for oxygen generation, Bosch carbon dioxide reduction, electrochemical carbon dioxide concentration, vapor compression distillation water recovery, and iodine monitoring. The objectives were to: provide engineering support to Marshall Space Flight Center personnel throughout all phases of the test program, e.g., planning through data analysis; fabricate, test, and deliver to Marshall Space Flight Center an electrochemical carbon dioxide module and test stand; fabricate and deliver an iodine monitor; evaluate the electrochemical carbon dioxide concentrator subsystem configuration and its ability to ensure safe utilization of hydrogen gas; evaluate techniques for recovering oxygen from a product oxygen and carbon dioxide stream; and evaluate the performance of an electrochemical carbon dioxide concentrator module to operate without hydrogen as a method of safe haven operation. Each of the tasks were related in that all focused on providing a better understanding of the function, operation, and performance of developmental pieces of environmental control and life support system hardware.

Powell, Ferolyn T.↗

The role of computerized modeling and simulation in the development of life support system technologies

Computerized modeling and simulation (CMAS) is a tool that can greatly reduce both the time and cost of technology development. CMAS refers to computer methods for correlating, storing, and retrieving property data for chemical species and for solving the phenomenological equations of physical/chemical processes. Furthermore, process conditions based on properties of materials, mass, and energy balances; equipment sizing based on rate processes; and the governing equations for unit operations can be determined using CMAS. CMAS systems can be used to evaluate an LSS process with minimal requirements for laboratory experimentation. A CMAS model is presented for a vapor compression distillation system(VCD) for reclaiming water from urine.

Modell, Michael↗

Test results on reuse of reclaimed shower water - A summary

Results are presented from tests to evaluate a microgravity whole body shower and waste water recovery system design for possible use on the Space Station. Several water recovery methods were tested, including phase change distillation, a thermoelectric hollow fiber membrane evaporation subsystem, and a reverse osmosis dynamic membrane system. Consideration is given to the test hardware, the types of soaps evaluated, the human response to showering with reclaimed water, chemical treatment for microbial control, the procedures for providing hygienic water, and the quality of water produced by the systems. All three of the waste water recovery systems tested successfully produced reclaimed water for reuse.

Verostko, Charles E.↗

A novel membrane-based water-reclamation posttreatment unit

This paper describes the development of an advanced membrane/sorption-bed hybrid subsystem to posttreat humidity condensate and phase-change distillate generated during space missions. Discussed are the design and construction of a breadboard hybrid subsystem, and data showing the performance of this subsystem operating for more than 90 days. The purpose of this program was to reduce the number of sorption beds required by this subsystem by using membranes to concentrate the contaminants. Tests show that the breadboard hybrid subsystem presented here uses 50 percent fewer sorption beds than a stand-alone multifiltration process.

Glenger, Jane Kucera↗

Physical/chemical closed-loop water-recycling

Water needs, water sources, and means for recycling water are examined in terms appropriate to the water quality requirements of a small crew and spacecraft intended for long duration exploration missions. Inorganic, organic, and biological hazards are estimated for waste water sources. Sensitivities to these hazards for human uses are estimated. The water recycling processes considered are humidity condensation, carbon dioxide reduction, waste oxidation, distillation, reverse osmosis, pervaporation, electrodialysis, ion exchange, carbon sorption, and electrochemical oxidation. Limitations and applications of these processes are evaluated in terms of water quality objectives. Computerized simulation of some of these chemical processes is examined. Recommendations are made for development of new water recycling technology and improvement of existing technology for near term application to life support systems for humans in space. The technological developments are equally applicable to water needs on Earth, in regions where extensive water recycling is needed or where advanced water treatment is essential to meet EPA health standards.

Herrmann, Cal C.↗

Oxygen production using solid-state zirconia electrolyte technology

High purity oxygen is required for a number of scientific, medical, and industrial applications. Traditionally, these needs have been met by cryogenic distillation or pressure swing adsorption systems designed to separate oxygen from air. Oxygen separation from air via solid-state zirconia electrolyte technology offers an alternative to these methods. The technology has several advantages over the traditional methods, including reliability, compactness, quiet operation, high purity output, and low power consumption.

Suitor, Jerry W.↗

The cost of unreliability in the avionics suite of a launch vehicle

The main objective of the Advanced Launch System (ALS) program is to realize a substantial reduction in recurring launch costs over present launch systems. A methodology is presented for assessing the impact of the reliability of the avionics suite on the recurring launch cost of the ALS. The methodology is illustrated by focusing on two architectures. The first is a distillation of a typical architecture for this type of application. The second is a simplified implementation of the Advanced Information Processing System (AIPS) technology developed at the Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc. Both architectures utilize redundancy of hardware to tolerate faults. the key contributors to the cost of unreliability are identified and modeled utilizing Markov modeling techniques for each of the two architectures. The results are presented along with the more traditional costs for these avionics suites.

Rosch, Gene↗

Physical/chemical closed-loop water-recycling for long-duration missions

Water needs, water sources, and means for recycling water are examined in terms appropriate to the water quality requirements of a small crew and spacecraft intended for long duration exploration missions. Inorganic, organic, and biological hazards are estimated for waste water sources. Sensitivities to these hazards for human uses are estimated. The water recycling processes considered are humidity condensation, carbon dioxide reduction, waste oxidation, distillation, reverse osmosis, pervaporation, electrodialysis, ion exchange, carbon sorption, and electrochemical oxidation. Limitations and applications of these processes are evaluated in terms of water quality objectives. Computerized simulation of some of these chemical processes is examined. Recommendations are made for development of new water recycling technology and improvement of existing technology for near term application to life support systems for humans in space. The technological developments are equally applicable to water needs on earth, in regions where extensive water ecycling is needed or where advanced water treatment is essential to meet EPA health standards.

Herrmann, Cal C.↗

Computer Jet-Engine-Monitoring System

"Intelligent Computer Assistant for Engine Monitoring" (ICAEM), computer-based monitoring system intended to distill and display data on conditions of operation of two turbofan engines of F-18, is in preliminary state of development. System reduces burden on propulsion engineer by providing single display of summary information on statuses of engines and alerting engineer to anomalous conditions. Effective use of prior engine-monitoring system requires continuous attention to multiple displays.

Disbrow, James D.↗

IDEF3 formalization report

The Process Description Capture Method (IDEF3) is one of several Integrated Computer-Aided Manufacturing (ICAM) DEFinition methods developed by the Air Force to support systems engineering activities, and in particular, to support information systems development. These methods have evolved as a distillation of 'good practice' experience by information system developers and are designed to raise the performance level of the novice practitioner to one comparable with that of an expert. IDEF3 is meant to serve as a knowledge acquisition and requirements definition tool that structures the user's understanding of how a given process, event, or system works around process descriptions. A special purpose graphical language accompanying the method serves to highlight temporal precedence and causality relationships relative to the process or event being described.

Menzel, Christopher↗

Computer simulation of water reclamation processors

The development of detailed simulation models of water reclamation processors based on the ASPEN PLUS simulation program is discussed. Individual models have been developed for vapor compression distillation, vapor phase catalytic ammonia removal, and supercritical water oxidation. These models are used for predicting the process behavior. Particular attention is given to methodology which is used to complete this work, and the insights which are gained by this type of model development.

Fisher, John W.↗

Waste water processing technology for Space Station Freedom - Comparative test data analysis

Comparative tests were conducted to choose the optimum technology for waste water processing on SSF. A thermoelectric integrated membrane evaporation (TIMES) subsystem and a vapor compression distillation subsystem (VCD) were built and tested to compare urine processing capability. Water quality, performance, and specific energy were compared for conceptual designs intended to function as part of the water recovery and management system of SSF. The VCD is considered the most mature and efficient technology and was selected to replace the TIMES as the baseline urine processor for SSF.

Miernik, Janie H.↗

The use of membranes in life support systems for long-duration space missions

The use of membrane processes in a long-duration manned mission's regenerative environmental control and life-support system is presently discussed, in the cases of treatment for hygiene water, urine, humidity condensate, and phase-change distillate, as well as of water-vapor and CO2 removal from spacecraft air. Attention is given to the design of a tube-side-feed hollow-fiber module for membrane support and fluids-feed, as well as to the schematics for a membrane-based urine processor, an air recirculator, a potable-water producer, and a two-stage urine treater.

Mccray, S. B.↗

Atmospheric concentrations of submicron contact-freezing nuclei

Atmospheric concentrations of contact-freezing nuclei were measured using a technique primarily sensitive to submicron aerosol particles. Diffusion and phoretic forces were relied on for the capture of nuclei by supercooled drops of distilled water exposed to the sample air. Nucleus concentrations were deduced from the rate at which the drops were observed to freeze, interpreting that rate on the basis of a theoretical prediction of aerosol capture rate for different assumed sizes of the nuclei. Measurements at Laramie, Wyoming, yielded average concentrations of contact-freezing nuclei of 1.7/L at -15 C and 3.1/L at -18 C for an assumed radius of 0.01 micron for the nucleating particles.

Deshler, Terry↗

Multiple dopant injection system for small rocket engines

The Diagnostics Test Facility (DTF) at NASA's Stennis Space Center (SSC) was designed and built to provide a standard rocket engine exhaust plume for use in the research and development of engine health monitoring instrumentation. A 1000 lb thrust class liquid oxygen (LOX)-gaseous hydrogen (GH2) fueled rocket engine is used as the subscale plume source to simulate the SSME during experimentation and instrument development. The ability of the DTF to provide efficient, and low cost test operations makes it uniquely suited for plume diagnostic experimentation. The most unique feature of the DTF is the Multiple Dopant Injection System (MDIS) that is used to seed the exhaust plume with the desired element or metal alloy. The dopant injection takes place at the fuel injector, yielding a very uniform and homogeneous distribution of the seeding material in the exhaust plume. The MDIS allows during a single test firing of the DTF, the seeding of the exhaust plume with up to three different dopants and also provides distilled water base lines between the dopants. A number of plume diagnostic-related experiments have already utilized the unique capabilities of the DTF.

Sakala, G. G.↗