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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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46 records · Page 3

Joints in deployable space truss structures

Since the response of deployable structural concepts being considered for the Large Deployable Reflector (LDR) backup structure will be dominated by the response of joints, the joint characteristics are significant. An overview is given of the research activities at LaRC on the static behavior of joints for deployable space truss structures. Since a pin-clevis-type joint will be utilized in deployable structures, an experimental research program to characterize the joint parameters which affect stiffness was conducted. An experimental research program was conducted on a second type of joint, referred to as a near-center latch joint. It was used in the center of members on the deployable truss structure for the Control of Flexible Structures (COFS) flight experiment. The test results of the near-center latch joint and the member with the joints indicated that the stiffness of the near-center joint is linear and stiffer than the stiffness of the total member, and that non-linearities in the stiffness characteristics of the total member were due to bending introduced at the ends of the member. The resulting data indicates that stiff linear folding joints can be designed and that bending load paths should be avoided whenever possible. In summary, for deployable structures, special attention to the joint and the structure design is required to minimize the undesirable structural non-linearities.

Rhodes, M.↗

Integrated controls-structures optimization of a large space structure

General-purpose control and structural codes are applied to a large detailed structural model including objective and constraint functions derived from actual design specifications. The approach is to divide the problem into a controls optimization step, a structural optimization step, and a system level coordination step. The objective is to minimize mass and power consumption with constraints on vibration characteristics, strength, and damping. This decomposition and optimization approach significantly enhances the design of a structure based on the COFS-I Mast Flight System, which is selected as a demonstration problem.

Pasula, S. L.↗

Spacecraft on-board propulsion

The topics presented are covered in viewgraph form and include the following: (1) planetary dual mode; and (2) space station H/O and H2O/gas resistojet. The major benefits identified by users are: (1) 280 kG payload for MMII CRAF class mission; and (2) eliminate orbiter/year and N2H4 COF.

Byers, D.↗

XPS analysis of 440C steel surfaces lubricated with perfluoropolyethers under sliding conditions in high vacuum

This work presents the results of the X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) analysis of AISI 440C ball surfaces lubricated with perfluoropolyether (PFPE) oils after friction experiments under sliding conditions at high load in air and vacuum environments. The PFPE lubricants tested were Demnum S100, Fomblin Z-25, and Krytox 143AB. It was found that all the PFPE lubricants were degraded by sliding contact causing the formation of inorganic fluorides on the metallic surfaces and a layer of organic decomposition products. KRYTOX 143AB was the least reactive of the three lubricants tested. It was also found that metal fluoride formed at off-scar areas. This suggests the formation of reactive species, such as COF2 or R(sub f)COF, during sliding experiments, which can diffuse through the lubricant film and react with the metallic surfaces away from the contact region. Comparison of reference specimens before sliding with those that had undergone the sliding tests showed that the amount of non-degraded PFPE remaining on the surface of the balls after the sliding experiments was greater than that of the balls without sliding.

Herrera-Fierro, Pilar↗

Budget estimates: Fiscal year 1994. Volume 2: Construction of facilities

The Construction of Facilities (CoF) appropriation provides contractual services for the repair, rehabilitation, and modification of existing facilities; the construction of new facilities and the acquisition of related collateral equipment; the acquisition or condemnation of real property; environmental compliance and restoration activities; the design of facilities projects; and advanced planning related to future facilities needs. Fiscal year 1994 budget estimates are broken down according to facility location of project and by purpose.

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Langley Research Center's Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel: Testing Capabilities and Recent Modernization Activities

Description, capabilities, initiatives, and utilization of the NASA Langley Research Center's Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel are presented. A brief overview of the facility's operational capabilities and testing techniques is provided. A recent Construction of Facilities (CoF) project to improve facility productivity and efficiency through facility automation has been completed and is discussed. Several new and maturing thrusts are underway that include systematic efforts to provide credible assessment for data quality, modifications to the new automation control system for increased compatibility with the Modern Design Of Experiments (MDOE) testing methodology, and process improvements for better test coordination, planning, and execution.

Micol, John R.↗

Measurements of Ion Energy and Ion Flux Distributions in Inductively Coupled Plasmas in CF4/O2/Ar Mixtures

We report mass spectrometric studies of energy distributions and absolute concentrations of ions generated in CF4/O2/Ar inductively coupled rf plasmas. The ions were collected through a 100 mm orifice in the grounded and water cooled lower electrode in a GEC cell configuration. The measurements were made at gas pressures in the 10-50 mTorr range and rf coil power in the 100-300 W range. The observed ions are CF3(+), CF2(+), CF(+), C(+), F(+), COF(+), CO(+), O2(+), and O(+). The relative abundance of these ions varies with pressure and rf power. The energy distribution and absolute concentrations are correlated with electron number density and floating plasma potential measured by a compensated Langmuir probe.

Rao, M. V. V. S.↗

An Overview of the NIRA Status

The NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) has been tasked by NASA JSC's ISS Payloads Office to perform the NIRA (Non-Isolated Rack Assessment) microgravity prediction analysis task for the International Space Station. Previously, the NIRA analysis task had been performed by Boeing/Houston. Boeing's last NIRA analysis was released in 1999 and was denoted as "NIRA 99." GRC is currently close to completing our first full-NIRA analysis (encompassing the frequency range from 0 to 50 Hz) to be released as "NIRA 2003." This presentation will focus on describing the NIRA analysis, the transition of this analysis task from Boeing to GRC, and the current status and schedule for release of the NIRA 2003 results. Additionally, the results obtained from a mini-NIRA analysis requested by ESA and completed by GRC in the Spring of 2003 will be shown. This mini-analysis focused solely on predicting the microgravity environment at the COF-EPF (Columbus Orbiting Facility - External Payload Facility).

Hughes, William↗

NASA Systems Engineering Handbook

This handbook is intended to provide general guidance and information on systems engineering that will be useful to the NASA community. It provides a generic description of Systems Engineering (SE) as it should be applied throughout NASA. A goal of the handbook is to increase awareness and consistency across the Agency and advance the practice of SE. This handbook provides perspectives relevant to NASA and data particular to NASA. The coverage in this handbook is limited to general concepts and generic descriptions of processes, tools, and techniques. It provides information on systems engineering best practices and pitfalls to avoid. There are many Center-specific handbooks and directives as well as textbooks that can be consulted for in-depth tutorials. This handbook describes systems engineering as it should be applied to the development and implementation of large and small NASA programs and projects. NASA has defined different life cycles that specifically address the major project categories, or product lines, which are: Flight Systems and Ground Support (FS&GS), Research and Technology (R&T), Construction of Facilities (CoF), and Environmental Compliance and Restoration (ECR). The technical content of the handbook provides systems engineering best practices that should be incorporated into all NASA product lines. (Check the NASA On-Line Directives Information System (NODIS) electronic document library for applicable NASA directives on topics such as product lines.) For simplicity this handbook uses the FS&GS product line as an example. The specifics of FS&GS can be seen in the description of the life cycle and the details of the milestone reviews. Each product line will vary in these two areas; therefore, the reader should refer to the applicable NASA procedural requirements for the specific requirements for their life cycle and reviews. The engineering of NASA systems requires a systematic and disciplined set of processes that are applied recursively and iteratively for the design, development, operation, maintenance, and closeout of systems throughout the life cycle of the programs and projects.

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High-Performance, Low-Temperature-Operating, Long-Lifetime Aerospace Lubricants

The synthesis and characterization of six new ionic liquids, with fluoroether moeties on the imidazolium ring, each with vapor pressures shown to be <10(exp -7 Torr at 25 C, have been demonstrated. Thermal stability of the ionic liquids up to 250 C was demonstrated. The ionic liquids had no measurable influence upon viscosity upon addition to perfluoropolyether (PFPE) base fluids. They also had no measureable influence upon corrosion on steel substrates upon addition to base fluids. In general, 13 to 34% lower COFs (coefficients of friction), and 30 to 80% higher OK load of base fluids upon addition of the ionic liquids was shown. The compound consists of a 1,3-disubstituted imidazolium cation. The substituents comprise perfluoroether groups. A bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl) imide anion counterbalances the charge. The fluorinated groups are intended to enhance dispersion of the ionic liquid in the PFPE base fluid. The presence of weak Van der Waals forces associated with fluorine atoms will limit interaction of the substituents on adjacent ions. The longer interionic distances will reduce the heat of melting and viscosity, and will increase dispersion capabilities.

Bergeron, Bryan↗