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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 55 records · Page 3

Recent experimental measurements of space platform charging at LEO altitudes

The paper discusses some of the results of vehicle electrical potential from recent sounding rocket experiments involving charging of a space platform by both electron beam emission and by the application of differential bias between elements of the platform. Conclusions are presented that are applicable to the experimental parameters of the CHARGE-2 and SPEAR-1 payloads. The currents collected by HV biased collectors in the sphere show strong magnetic limiting and are close to the values predicted by Parker and Murphy (1967). No volume breakdown was observed above 100 km altitude by exposing voltages up to 45 kV to the ionosphere in the SPEAR-1 payload. The release of gas at flow rates typical of ACS systems can provide sufficient plasma to electronically neutralize space platforms biased at either positive or negative potentials.

Raitt, W. J.↗

Experimental measurement and calculation of losses in planar radial magnetic bearings

The loss mechanisms associated with magnetic bearings have yet to be adequately characterized or modeled analytically and thus pose a problem for the designer of magnetic bearings. This problem is particularly important for aerospace applications where low power consumption of components is critical. Also, losses are expected to be large for high speed operation. The iron losses in magnetic bearings can be divided into eddy current losses and hysteresis losses. While theoretical models for these losses exist for transformer and electric motor applications, they have not been verified for magnetic bearings. This paper presents the results from a low speed experimental test rig and compares them to calculated values from existing theory. Experimental data was taken over a range of 90 to 2,800 rpm for several bias currents and two different pole configurations. With certain assumptions agreement between measured and calculated power losses was within 16 percent for a number of test configurations.

Kasarda, M. E. F.↗

Experimental measurements on an oscillating 70-degree delta wing in subsonic flow

A series of low-speed wind tunnel tests on a 70-degree sharp leading-edged delta wing at both static and dynamic conditions were performed to investigate the aerodynamic forces and moments. Forces and moments were obtained from a six component internal strain gauge balance. Static results compared well with the previous experimental findings. Large amplitude dynamic motion was produced by sinusoidally oscillating the model over a range of reduced frequencies. Substantial force and moment overshoots, a delay in dynamic stall, and hysteresis loops between the values of aerodynamnic loads in upstroke and downstroke motion were observed, all of which were strong functions of the reduced frequency. The aerodynamic forces and moments were influenced by the Reynolds number. Asymmetrical vortex bursting produced by nonzero sideslip angle created a complex rolling moment variations with angle of attack.

Soltani, M. R.↗

Three-Dimensional Structure and Modeling of a Normal Bifurcated Shock Train from Experimental Measurements

An asymmetric, bifurcated normal shock train in a Mach 2 constant area, rectangular duct is investigated in the University of Michigan Direct Connect Isolator facility. High-speed schlieren imaging, wall static pressure measurements, surface oil flow visualization, and particle image velocimetry of a shock train are synthesized into a three-dimensional representation of shock train structure. This visualization is then used to inform the underlying flow physics of the distributed fluid dynamical processes along the structure. The detailed, three-dimensional morphology of the flow profile entering the shock train is shown to have a significant impact on the separated flow morphology of the shock train. This results in skewed supersonic core flow with alternating separation bubbles in the surrounding boundary layers. Finally, the efficacy of the prevailing pseudo-shock models in the literature is analyzed with the support of the available flow measurements. None are found to simultaneously model both the pressure and streamwise Mach number profile of the UMDCI pseudo-shock.

Hypersonics↗

Experimental measurements of hydrodynamic stiffness matrices for a centrifugal pump impeller

The objective of the Rotor Force Test Facility at the California Institute of Technology is to artificially orbit the center of rotation of an impeller enclosed within a volute over a range of frequencies from zero to synchronous and to measure the resulting forces on the impeller. Preliminary data from the first stage experiments in which the shaft is orbited at low frequency is reported. Steady volute forces along with stiffness matrices due to the change in position of the rotor center are measured. Static pressure taps around the volute are used to obtain volute pressure distributions for various fixed positions of the impeller center and for various flow rates. Static pressure forces are calculated from these pressure distributions allowing a more complete analysis of the components of the impeller forces. Comparison is made with various existing theoretical and experimental results.

Chamieh, D. S.↗

Experimental Measurements of Heat Transfer through a Lunar Regolith Simulant in a Vibro-Fluidized Reactor Oven

Extraction of mission consumable resources such as water and oxygen from the planetary environment provides valuable reduction in launch-mass and potentially extends the mission duration. Processing of lunar regolith for resource extraction necessarily involves heating and chemical reaction of solid material with processing gases. Vibrofluidization is known to produce effective mixing and control of flow within granular media. In this study we present experimental results for vibrofluidized heat transfer in lunar regolith simulants (JSC-1 and JSC-1A) heated up to 900 C. The results show that the simulant bed height has a significant influence on the vibration induced flow field and heat transfer rates. A taller bed height leads to a two-cell circulation pattern whereas a single-cell circulation was observed for a shorter height. Lessons learned from these test results should provide insight into efficient design of future robotic missions involving In-Situ Resource Utilization.

Nayagam, Vedha↗

Effect of Pt Doping on Nucleation and Crystallization in Li2O.2SiO2 Glass: Experimental Measurements and Computer Modeling

Heterogeneous nucleation and its effects on the crystallization of lithium disilicate glass containing small amounts of Pt are investigated. Measurements of the nucleation frequencies and induction times with and without Pt are shown to be consistent with predictions based on the classical nucleation theory. A realistic computer model for the transformation is presented. Computed differential thermal analysis data (such as crystallization rates as a function of time and temperature) are shown to be in good agreement with experimental results. This modeling provides a new, more quantitative method for analyzing calorimetric data.

Narayan, K. Lakshmi↗

Experimental measurements of the Space Shuttle main engine fuel and oxygen turbopump vibration characteristics

The vibration characteristics of the SSME (Space Shuttle main engine) are dealt with. The Space Shuttle engine consists of a main rocket nozzle and attached to it are high pressure fuel and oxygen pumps. Various vibration problems have been encountered with both the hydrogen and oxygen pumps. The vibration spectrum of the hydrogen and oxygen pumps has been analyzed by various techniques using synchronous tracking filters and FFT analyzers. The experimental data has been correlated to theoretical predictions of resonance frequencies.

Gunter, E. J.↗

Experimental measurement of passive material and structural damping for flexible space structures

Among the design objectives for large space structures are the maintenance of tight dimensional tolerance and the reduction of settling time after disturbance input. Two options are under consideration for the design of flexible structures to meet these objectives, including an active control option and a passive control option. In connection with both options, it is necessary to include material and structural damping in the design. A description is presented of the results of an experimental investigation of the damping of metallic and fibrous composite materials, taking into account also the analytical modeling and experimental verification of frictional damping schemes. To demonstrate how material and frictional damping can be combined, a simple structural optimization is performed, indicating the potential for significant savings in mass by the addition of frictional dampers.

Crawley, E. F.↗

Experimental measurement of the plasma conductivity of Z93 and Z93P thermal control paint

Two samples each of Z93 and Z93P thermal control paint were exposed to a simulated space environment in a plasma chamber. The samples were biased through a series of voltages ranging from -200 volts to +300 volts and electron and ion currents measured. By comparing the currents to those of pure metal samples of the same size and shape, the conductivity of the samples was calculated. Measured conductivity was dependent on the bias potential in all cases. For Z93P, conductivity was approximately constant over much of the bias range and we find a value of 0.5 micro-mhos per square meter for both electron and ion current. For Z93, the dependence on bias was much more pronounced but conductivity can be said to be approximately one order of magnitude larger. In addition to presenting these results, this report documents all of the experimental data as well as the statistical analyses performed.

Hillard, G. Barry↗

Experimental Measurement of Frozen and Partially Melted Water Droplet Impact Dynamics

High-speed video of single frozen water droplets impacting a surface was acquired. The droplets diameter ranged from 0.4 mm to 0.9 mm and impacted at velocities ranging from 140 m/sec to 309 m/sec. The techniques used to freeze the droplets and launch the particles against the surfaces is described in this paper. High-speed video was used to quantify the ice accretion area to the surface for varying impact angles (30 deg, 45 deg, 60 deg), impacting velocities, and break-up angles. An oxygen /acetylene cross-flow flame used to ensure partial melting of the traveling frozen droplets is also discussed. A linear relationship between impact angle and ice accretion is identified for fully frozen particles. The slope of the relationship is affected by impact speed. Perpendicular impacts, i.e. 30 deg, exhibited small differences in ice accretion for varying velocities, while an increase of 60% in velocity from 161 m/sec to 259 m/sec, provided an increase on ice accretion area of 96% at an impact angle of 60 deg. The increase accretion area highlights the importance of impact angle and velocity on the ice accretion process of ice crystals. It was experimentally observed that partial melting was not required for ice accretion at the tested velocities when high impact angles were used (45 and 60 deg). Partially melted droplets doubled the ice accretion areas on the impacting surface when 0.0023 Joules were applied to the particle. The partially melted state of the droplets and a method to quantify the percentage increase in ice accretion area is also described in the paper.

Impact Dynamics↗