Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “Ford”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 55 records · Page 3
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1978

Evaluation of advanced regenerator systems

The major considerations are discussed which will affect the selection of a ceramic regenerative heat exchanger for an improved 100 HP automotive gas turbine engine. The regenerator considered for this application is about 36cm in diameter. Regenerator comparisons are made on the basis of material, method of fabrication, cost, and performance. A regenerator inlet temperature of 1000 C is assumed for performance comparisons, and laboratory test results are discussed for material comparisons at 1100 and 1200 C. Engine test results using the Ford 707 industrial gas turbine engine are also discussed.

Cook, J. A.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Gas flow in the barred spiral galaxy NGC 5383

Line-of-sight gas velocities calculated from a numerical hydrodynamical model of a barred spiral galaxy are compared with the observations and models made by Peterson, Rubin, Ford, and Thonnard of the gas flow in NGC 5383. The hydrodynamical model provides a somewhat better fit to the observations of NGC 5383 than does their symmetric, warped-disk model. It is argued that the basic model appropriate to understanding the gas motions in barred spiral galaxies is not circular rotation but rather a characteristic elliptical pattern of flow.

Huntley, J. M.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Isophotometry of the nuclei of M31 and M51

Isophotic contour maps derived from blue plates confirm the change in position angle as a function of distance from the center of M31 in the red region reported by Peterson, Ford, and Rubin (1977). The techniques used for M31 were then applied to a study of M51, for which similar results were obtained for the nuclear region. The spiral arms of M51 were traced for an additional half turn near the center of the galaxy.

Feibelman, W. A.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Design tradeoff studies and sensitivity analysis, appendix B

Further work was performed on the Near Term Hybrid Passenger Vehicle Development Program. Fuel economy on the order of 2 to 3 times that of a conventional vehicle, with a comparable life cycle cost, is possible. The two most significant factors in keeping the life cycle cost down are the retail price increment and the ratio of battery replacement cost to battery life. Both factors can be reduced by reducing the power rating of the electric drive portion of the system relative to the system power requirements. The type of battery most suitable for the hybrid, from the point of view of minimizing life cycle cost, is nickel-iron. The hybrid is much less sensitive than a conventional vehicle is, in terms of the reduction in total fuel consumption and resultant decreases in operating expense, to reductions in vehicle weight, tire rolling resistance, etc., and to propulsion system and drivetrain improvements designed to improve the brake specific fuel consumption of the engine under low road load conditions. It is concluded that modifications to package the propulsion system and battery pack can be easily accommodated within the confines of a modified carryover body such as the Ford Ltd.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1980

Electrochemical energy storage systems for solar thermal applications

Existing and advanced electrochemical storage and inversion/conversion systems that may be used with terrestrial solar-thermal power systems are evaluated. The status, cost and performance of existing storage systems are assessed, and the cost, performance, and availability of advanced systems are projected. A prime consideration is the cost of delivered energy from plants utilizing electrochemical storage. Results indicate that the five most attractive electrochemical storage systems are the: iron-chromium redox (NASA LeRC), zinc-bromine (Exxon), sodium-sulfur (Ford), sodium-sulfur (Dow), and zinc-chlorine (EDA).

Krauthamer, S.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Ceramic regenerator systems development program

The DOE/NASA Ceramic Regenerator Design and Reliability Program aims to develop ceramic regenerator cores that can be used in passenger car and industrial/truck gas turbine engines. The major cause of failure of early gas turbine regenerators was found to be chemical attack of the ceramic material. Improved materials and design concepts aimed at reducing or eliminating chemical attack were placed on durability test in Ford 707 industrial gas turbine engines late in 1974. Results of 53,065 hours of turbine engine durability testing are described. Two materials, aluminum silicate and magnesium aluminum silicate, show promise. Five aluminum silicate cores attained the durability objective of 10,000 hours at 800 C (1472 F). Another aluminum silicate core shows minimal evidence of chemical attack after 8071 hours at 982 C (1800 F). Results obtained in ceramic material screening tests, aerothermodynamic performance tests, stress analysis, cost studies, and material specifications are included.

Fucinari, C. A.↗
NASA NTRS1981

The small community solar thermal power experiment

Contractors were asked to develop a preferred system concept, to perform sensitivity analyses, and to outline recommended approaches for the follow-on design program of a one-megawatt solar thermal demonstration plant. The systems recommended by the contractors in each of the categories were: (1) McDonnell-Douglas Astronautics Company: Central tower with field of south-facing heliostats; (2) General Electric Company: Field of parabolic dishes with steam piped to a central turbine-generator unit; and (3) Ford Aerospace and Communications Corporation: Field of parabolic dishes with a Stirling cycle engine/generator unit at the focus of each dish. A description of each of the proposed experimental plants is given.

Kiceniuk, T.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Advanced Gas Turbine (AGT) powertrain system initial development report

The powertrain consists of a single shaft regenerated gas turbine engine utilizing ceramic hot section components, coupled to a slit differential gearbox with an available variable stator torque converter and an available Ford intergral overdrive four-speed automatic transmission. Predicted fuel economy using gasoline fuel over the combined federal driving cycle (CFDC) is 15.3 km/1, which represents a 59% improvement over the spark-ignition-powered baseline vehicle. Using DF2 fuel, CFDC mileage estimates are 17.43 km/1. Zero to 96.6 km/hr acceleration time is 11.9 seconds with a four-second accleration distance of 21.0 m. The ceramic radial turbine rotor is discussed along with the control system for the powertrain.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1980

Advanced Gas Turbine (AGT) powertrain system development for automotive applications

Progress in the development of a gas turbine engine to improve fuel economy, reduce gaseous emissions and particulate levels, and compatible with a variety of alternate fuels is reported. The powertrain is designated AGT101 and consists of a regenerated single shaft gas turbine engine, a split differential gearbox and a Ford Automatic Overdrive production transmission. The powertrain is controlled by an electronic digital microprocessor and associated actuators, instrumentation, and sensors. Standard automotive accessories are driven by engine power provided by an accessory pad on the gearbox. Component/subsystem development progress is reported in the following areas: compressor, turbine, combustion system, regenerator, gearbox/transmission, structures, ceramic components, foil gas bearing, bearings and seals, rotor dynamics, and controls and accessories.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1981

The AGT101 technology - An automotive alternative

The Advanced Gas Turbine Powertrain System Development Project is oriented at providing the United States automotive industry the technology base necessary to produce gas turbine powertrains for automotive applications that will have: (1) reduced fuel consumption, (2) the ability to use a variety of fuels, (3) low emissions, and (4) competitive cost/performance. The AGT101 powertrain being developed consists of a regenerated single-shaft gas turbine engine flat rated at 74.6 kW (100 hp) coupled to a split-differential gearbox and a Ford automatic overdrive production transmission. Performance predictions for the AGT101 powertrain represent a 59-percent improvement in mileage estimates over a 1985 conventionally-powered automobile for the combined federal driving cycle.

Rackley, R. A.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Garrett solar Brayton engine/generator status

The solar advanced gas turbine (SAGT-1) is being developed by the Garrett Turbine Engine Company, for use in a Brayton cycle power conversion module. The engine is derived from the advanced gas turbine (AGT101) now being developd by Garrett and Ford Motor Company for automotive use. The SAGT Program is presently funded for the design, fabrication and test of one engine at Garrett's Phoenix facility. The engine when mated with a solar receiver is called a power conversion module (PCU). The PCU is scheduled to be tested on JPL's test bed concentrator under a follow on phase of the program. Approximately 20 kw of electrical power will be generated.

Anson, B.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Application of electrochemical energy storage in solar thermal electric generation systems

This paper assesses the status, cost, and performance of existing electrochemical energy storage systems, and projects the cost, performance, and availability of advanced storage systems for application in terrestrial solar thermal electric generation. A 10 MWe solar plant with five hours of storage is considered and the cost of delivered energy is computed for sixteen different storage systems. The results indicate that the five most attractive electrochemical storage systems use the following battery types: zinc-bromine (Exxon), iron-chromium redox (NASA/Lewis Research Center, LeRC), sodium-sulfur (Ford), sodium-sulfur (Dow), and zinc-chlorine (Energy Development Associates, EDA).

Das, R.↗
NASA NTRS1984

The 20 x 20 high speed microwave switches

Tests were conducted at NASA Lewis Research Center to characterize the proof-of-concept matrix switches built under NASA contract by Ford Aerospace and Aeronautics Corporation at Palo Alto, California, and the General Electric Company at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. The contract requirements and goals are tabulated along with the results of the NASA tests. Characteristics examined are bandwidth, insertion loss, ripple, switching speed, isolation, standing wave ratio (input and output), deviation from linear phase, noise figure, reconfiguration rates, spurious responses, gain compression, and third order intermodulation distortion. A brief description of the testing method and a statistical analysis of the test results for each of the switches are provided.

Saunders, A.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Fatigue induced cracking in aluminum LN-2 shroud of 39 foot vacuum chamber

Fourteen years after completion of Ford's 39-foot space simulation chamber, leaks began to appear in its LN2 shroud. Although the shroud had been tight since its acceptance, cracks appeared in 1983 in some of the field welds of the one inch tubes which interconnect the LN2 panels. The resulting leaks were large enough to prevent pump down to high vacuum and could be heard easily when the chamber was at ambient conditions. New cracks appeared during each thermal cycle making it impossible to utilize the chamber for thermal vacuum testing. The analysis presented here implies that many, if not all, of the aluminum LN2 shrouds now in use may be in various stages of fatigue failure. The probability is high that fatigue cracks are working through the aluminum tubing in heat-affected zones of some field welds. The cracks may not be apparent yet, but after the shroud has experienced a certain number of thermal cycles these cracks will work through the material and become serious leaks. Fortunately, appropriate planning, analysis, and checking can, with a relatively small expenditure of money, help to avoid large and unexpected shroud failures and keep the chamber operational as long as it is needed.

Edwards, A. A.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Meteorite concentrations in Antarctica: How complete is the picture?

The importance of ice sheet flow as part of the process of concentrating meteorites in Antarctica is discussed. Ford and Tabor were the first to surmise that some type of ice sheet transport of Antarctic meteorites was likely considering that the Thiel Mountains pallasite was found on glacier ice without evidence of impact. It was found that meteorites were carried by the ice to regions of high ablation where they were periodically uncovered. Three models of concentration have been proposed to explain the phenomena of meteorite accumulations on blue ice fields. Model 1, is a general picture relating meteorite fall and accumulation to the entire Antarctic continent. Model 2 is based upon the petrographic examination of an 8m ice core from the Allan Hills Icefield and suggests a local origin of ice from the catchment basin. The third model is presented by Whillans and Cassidy who infer, by using conventional ice flow concepts, a path length as long as 1,000km from the sites of fall to recovery for Allan Hills specimens. Despite achievement of these working hypotheses, a number of questions must be resolved before a comprehensive model can be presented.

Annexstad, J. O.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Communication Platform Payload Definition (CPPD) study. Volume 1: Executive summary

This is Volume 1 (Executive Summary) of the Ford Aerospace & Communications Corporation Final Report for the Communication Platform Payload Definition (CPPD) Study program conducted for NASA Lewis Research Center under contract No. NAS3-24235. This report presents the results of the study effort leading to five potential platform payloads to service CONUS and WARC Region 2 traffic demand as projected to the year 2008. The report addresses establishing the data bases, developing service aggregation scenarios, selecting and developing 5 payload concepts, performing detailed definition of the 5 payloads, costing them, identifying critical technology, and finally comparing the payloads with each other and also with non-aggregated equivalent services.

Hunter, E. M.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Communication Platform Payload Definition (CPPD) study. Volume 2: Technical report

This is Volume 2 (Technical Report) of the Ford Aerospace & Communications Corporation Final Report for the Communication Platform Payload Definition (CPPD) Study program conducted for NASA Lewis Research Center under contract No. NAS3-24235. This report presents the results of the study effort leading to five potential platform payloads to service CONUS and WARC Region 2 traffic demand as projected to the year 2008. The report addresses establishing the data bases, developing service aggregation scenarios, selecting and developing 5 payload concepts, performing detailed definition of the 5 payloads, costing them, identifying critical technology, and finally comparing the payloads with each other and also with non-aggregated equivalent services.

Hunter, E. M.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Communication Platform Payload Definition (CPPD) study. Volume 3: Addendum

This is Volume 3 (Addendum) of the Ford Aerospace & Communications Corporation Final Report for the Communication Platform Payload Definition (CPPD) Study Program conducted for NASA Lewis Research Center under contract No. NAS3-24235. This report presents the results of the study effort leading to five potential platform payloads to service CONUS and WARC Region 2 traffic demand as projected to the year 2008. The report addresses establishing the data bases, developing service aggregation scenarios, selecting and developing 5 payload concepts, performing detailed definition of the 5 payloads, costing them, identifying critical technology, and finally comparing the payloads with each other and also with non-aggregated equivalent services.

Hunter, E. M.↗