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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 505 records · Page 28

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NASA NTRS1975

Idle efficiency and pollution results for two-row swirl-can combustors having 72 modules

Two 72-swirl-can-module combustors were investigated in a full annular combustor test facility at engine idle conditions typical of a 30:1 pressure-ratio engine. The effects of radial and circumferential fuel scheduling on combustion efficiency and gaseous pollutants levels were determined. Test conditions were inlet-air temperature, 452 K; inlet total pressure, 34.45 newtons per square centimeter; and reference velocity, 19.5 meters per second. A maximum combustion efficiency of 98.1 percent was achieved by radial scheduling of fuel to the inner row of swirl-can modules. Emission index values were 6.9 for unburned hydrocarbons and 50.6 for carbon monoxide at a fuel-air ratio of 0.0119. Circumferential fuel scheduling of two 90 degree sectors of the swirl-can arrays produced a maximum combustion efficiency of 97.3 percent. The emission index values were 12.0 for unburned hydrocarbons and 69.2 for carbon monoxide at a fuel-air ratio of 0.0130.

Biaglow, J. A.↗

NASA NTRS1975

High-efficiency graded band-gap Al/x/Ga/1-x/As-GaAs solar cell

A detailed theoretical analysis of an n-on-p graded band-gap Al(x)Ga(1-x)As-GaAs solar cell yields a maximum air mass zero power conversion efficiency of 17% compared to 9% for a similar GaAs cell. The analysis includes surface and bulk minority carrier recombination, junction recombination current, spectrally varying surface reflection, and series resistance loss. The maximum efficiency is determined for a surface recombination velocity of 10,000 cm/sec and hole and electron diffusion lengths of 2.1 and 7.6 microns, respectively. The improved efficiency is primarily due to a built-in electric field, caused by the band-gap gradation, accelerating photogenerated holes toward the p-n junction. This field reduces the surface and bulk recombination of the holes, and thereby enhances their collection.

Hutchby, J. A.↗

NASA NTRS1975

High efficiency graded band-gap Al/x/Ga/1-x/As-GaAs p-on-n solar cell

A theoretical analysis of p-on-n (p/n) graded band-gap Al/x/Ga/1-x/As-GaAs solar cells including all practical energy loss mechanisms predicts air mass zero efficiencies of 17.3%. The energy losses include those due to spectral reflection, surface, bulk and junction recombination currents, and series resistance. The device consists of a layer of p-type Al/x/Ga/1-x/As 3.5-micron thick on top of an n-type GaAs substrate. The graded band-gap is achieved by decreasing x from 0.35 at the surface to zero at the junction. The same structure without the graded Al concentration, no longer an optimum device, has an efficiency of 10.4%. The primary function of the graded band-gap material is the reduction of surface and bulk recombination losses in the surface layer by a built-in electric field. A comparison of the p/n structure with an optimized n/p structure indicates that the latter has a slightly higher efficiency (17.7%) for assumed minority carrier diffusion lengths and surface recombination velocity.

Hutchby, J. A.↗

NASA NTRS1976

Analytical structural efficiency studies of borsic/aluminum compression panels

Analytically determined mass-strength curves, strain-strength curves, and dimensions are presented for structurally efficient hat-stiffened panels, corrugation-stiffened panels, hat-stiffened honeycomb-core sandwich panels, open-section corrugation panels, and honeycomb-core sandwich panels. The panels were assumed to be fabricated from either titanium, borsic/aluminum, or a combination of these materials. Borsic/aluminum panels and titanium panels reinforced with borsic/aluminum were lighter and stiffer than comparably designed titanium panels. Reinforced titanium panels had the same extensional stiffness as comparably designed Borsic/aluminum panels. For a given load, the structural efficiency of the hat-stiffened honeycomb-core sandwich panel was higher than the structural efficiency of the other stiffened panels.

Mcwithey, R. R.↗

NASA NTRS1976

Toward a second generation fuel efficient supersonic cruise aircraft

Design changes that lead to improved aerodynamic and structural efficiency are presented. Practical design constraints and approaches for a blended wing-fuselage are discussed, as well as the integration of the configuration that leads to aerodynamic and structural efficiency. Highlighted are new approaches used to provide for structural efficiency, airline/passenger acceptance, passenger evacuation, and subsystem integration. Results of full-scale passenger cabin mock-up evaluations are presented showing the feasibility of the concept.

Neumann, F. D.↗

NASA NTRS1976

Efficient reanalysis of structures by a direct modification method

A procedure for the local stiffness modifications of large structures is described. It enables structural modifications without an a priori definition of the changes in the original structure and without loss of efficiency due to multiple loading conditions. The solution procedure, implemented in NASTRAN, involved the decomposed stiffness matrix and the displacement vectors of the original structure. It solves the modified structure exactly, irrespective of the magnitude of the stiffness changes. In order to investigate the efficiency of the present procedure and to test its applicability within a design environment, several real and large structures were solved. The results of the efficiency studies indicate that the break-even point of the procedure varies between 8% and 60% stiffness modifications, depending upon the structure's characteristics and the options employed.

Raibstein, A. I.↗

NASA NTRS1976

Research requirements for development of improved helicopter rotor efficiency

The research requirements for developing an improved-efficiency rotor for a civil helicopter are documented. The various design parameters affecting the hover and cruise efficiency of a rotor are surveyed, and the parameters capable of producing the greatest potential improvement are identified. Research and development programs to achieve these improvements are defined, and estimated costs and schedules are presented. Interaction of the improved efficiency rotor with other technological goals for an advanced civil helicopter is noted, including its impact on engine noise, hover and cruise performance, one-engine-inoperative hover capability, and maintenance and reliability.

Davis, S. J.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Efficiency enhancement of octave-bandwidth TWT's by the use of multistage depressed collectors

A small size two and four stage depressed collector was evaluated in conjunction with a 4.8 to 9.6 GHz traveling wave tube of 325 to 675 W power output. In spite of large fixed traveling wave tube losses, very significant efficiency enhancement was demonstrated with both the two and four stage multistage depressed collectors (MDC). The improvement in the overall efficiency ranged from a factor of 2.5 to 3.0 for the two stage MDC and a factor of 3.0 to 3.5 for the four stage MDC. An overall efficiency of 37.0 to 44.3 percent across the frequency band was demonstrated with the use of harmonic injection.

Ramins, P.↗

NASA NTRS1976

Air transportation energy efficiency - Alternatives and implications

Results from recent studies of air transportation energy efficiency alternatives are discussed, along with some of the implications of these alternatives. The fuel-saving alternatives considered include aircraft operation, aircraft modification, derivative aircraft, and new aircraft. In the near-term, energy efficiency improvements should be possible through small improvements in fuel-saving flight procedures, higher density seating, and higher load factors. Additional small near-term improvements could be obtained through aircraft modifications, such as the relatively inexpensive drag reduction modifications. Derivatives of existing aircraft could meet the requirements for new aircraft and provide energy improvements until advanced technology is available to justify the cost of a completely new design. In order to obtain significant improvements in energy efficiency, new aircraft must truly exploit advanced technology in such areas as aerodynamics, composite structures, active controls, and advanced propulsion.

Williams, L. J.↗

NASA NTRS1976

Stage efficiency in the analysis of thermochemical water decomposition processes

The procedure for analyzing thermochemical water-splitting processes using the figure of merit is expanded to include individual stage efficiencies and loss coefficients. The use of these quantities to establish the thermodynamic insufficiencies of each stage is shown. A number of processes are used to illustrate these concepts and procedures and to demonstrate the facility with which process steps contributing most to the cycle efficiency are found. The procedure allows attention to be directed to those steps of the process where the greatest increase in total cycle efficiency can be obtained.

Conger, W. L.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Small-size 81- to 83.5-percent efficient 2- and 4-stage depressed collectors for octave-bandwidth high-performance TWT's

In a joint USAF-NASA Program, Lewis Research Center is carrying out an efficiency improvement program on traveling wave tubes for use in electronic counter measures by applying multistage depressed collector (MDC) and spent beam refocusing techniques. In the analytic part of the effort, three-dimensional electron trajectories are computed throughout the TWT. On the experimental side, tube performance is evaluated first without the MDC; then, the spent beam is analyzed for symmetry, circularity, and velocity spread. The three-dimensional theory predicts a MDC-efficiency, at mid-band, of 81 per cent for a 2-stage MDC with symmetric, circular, and optimally refocused beams and 85.5 per cent for a 4-stage MDC. Experimental results to date have yielded MDC efficiencies of a minimum of 81 and 83 per cent for a 2- and 4-stage MDC, respectively, across a one-octave bandwidth of a 4.8 to 9.6 GHz 330-to-550-W TWT.

Kosmahl, H. G.↗

NASA NTRS1976

Airframe technology for energy efficient transport aircraft

NASA has initiated a comprehensive Aircraft Energy Efficiency Program which is concerned with the development of approaches for reducing fuel consumption in new aircraft of the 1980-2000 time period. A review is presented of the airframe technologies selected for emphasis in the NASA program, taking into account an evaluation of their potential for reducing transport direct operating costs through fuel efficiency. Attention is given to the importance of fuel efficiency, the impact of advanced technology, advanced composite structures, the NASA composite primary structures program, advanced aerodynamics and active controls, supercritical wing geometry, active load and flutter control, and aspects of laminar flow control.

Leonard, R. W.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Efficiency calculations for Al/x/Ga/1-x/As-GaAs heteroface solar cells

A computer-assisted analysis of the Al(x)Ga(1-x)As-GaAs heteroface solar cell is done to find the dependence of cell efficiency on substrate doping level. Assumptions for carrier lifetime needed for the evaluation of efficiency are based on measurements of experimental Al(x)Ga(1-x)As-GaAs heteroface cells. The results show the doping range 10 to the 16th-17th power per cu cm to be the best for heteroface solar cells. Calculations based on a three-halves temperature dependence for lifetimes agree well with early experimental efficiency versus temperature measurements on GaAs cells, but conflict with earlier results for an Al(x)Ga(1-x)As-GaAs heteroface cell.

Sekela, A. M.↗

NASA NTRS1977

A theoretical study of the efficiency of the general circulation

The paper examines the problem of explaining the atmospheric efficiency, or equivalently, the rate of generation of available potential energy (APE) by diabatic heating. Attention is focused on determining the maximum possible rate of generation of APE and its accompanying temperature field, which does not require a knowledge of the atmospheric motions leading to temperature distribution. Qualitative and quantitative results indicate that the atmosphere may be operating within approximately a factor of 2 of its maximum efficiency. The general circulation may be operating at nearly its maximum efficiency.

Schulman, L. L.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Efficiency of electrically small antennas combined with matching networks

In applications where electrically small antennas are necessary and transmitter power is limited, the system efficiency may be a critical parameter in determining the feasibility of the system. The principle of conservation of energy is used to determine the efficiency of an antenna combined with a matching network composed of elements with finite quality factors. It is shown that conditions for maximum efficiency can be met by using a simple L section as the matching network. Illustrative examples concern a cryogenic loop antenna and a ferrite loaded loop antenna.

Smith, G. S.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Efficient numerical treatment of periodic systems with application to stability problems

Two efficient numerical methods for dealing with the stability of linear periodic systems are presented. Both methods combine the use of multivariable Floquet-Liapunov theory with an efficient numerical scheme for computing the transition matrix at the end of one period. The numerical properties of these methods are illustrated by applying them to the simple parametric excitation problem of a fixed end column. The practical value of these methods is shown by applying them to some helicopter rotor blade aeroelastic and structural dynamics problems. It is concluded that these methods are numerically efficient, general and practical for dealing with the stability of large periodic systems.

Friedmann, P.↗

NASA NTRS1977

An analysis of the Wheeler method for measuring the radiating efficiency of antennas

A model problem is formulated to evaluate the limitations imposed by the assumptions in the Wheeler or cap method for measuring the radiating efficiency of antennas. The antenna in the model is a circular loop and the radiation shield is a spherical metal shell. Calculated values of the actual efficiency of the antenna and the efficiency that would be measured using the Wheeler method are compared to determine the accuracy of the method and set guidelines for its application.

Smith, G. S.↗

NASA NTRS1977

High efficiency, long life terrestrial solar panel

The design of a high efficiency, long life terrestrial module was completed. It utilized 256 rectangular, high efficiency solar cells to achieve high packing density and electrical output. Tooling for the fabrication of solar cells was in house and evaluation of the cell performance was begun. Based on the power output analysis, the goal of a 13% efficiency module was achievable.

Chao, T.↗