Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “Component”

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 541 records · Page 30

Ceramic component development for the AGT101 gas turbine engine

Under DOE/NASA sponsorship, a team is developing the AGT101, a highly efficient gas turbine engine for automotive application. The regenerated engine will operate at a maximum of 1370 C (2500 F) and 100,000 rpm, and will utilize a variety of Si3N4, SiC, lithium aluminum silicate and ceramic fiber insulation components. Engine design has been performed to consider the fabrication and material characteristics of these ceramic materials for both the static and rotating hot section components. Component fabrication has been performed, components have been screened in thermal and mechanical tests, and initial engine testing has been performed.

Carruthers, W. D.↗

Three component plasma electron distribution in the intermediate ionized coma of Comet Giacobini-Zinner

The observation of three distinct components of the electron distribution function measured in the intermediate ionized coma (IIC) and plasma tail of Comet Giacobini-Zinner is reported. It is believed that the cold component represents electrons produced close to the comet nucleus by ionization of cometary matter and subsequent cooling by Coulomb collisions. The second component also appears to be composed of electrons produced by photoionization of cometary neutrals, but sufficiently far from the nucleus that the distributions are largely unaffected by Coulomb interactions. The hot component is probably a population of electrons originating in the solar wind. Throughout the IIC, the electrostatic potential of the spacecraft was very low (less than 0.8 eV), implying that ICE generated very little impact-produced plasma during its passage.

Zwickl, R. D.↗

Aspects of the design and performance of a 3-component LDV system

A conventional two color, two component Laser Doppler Velocimeter (LDV) has been converted into one capable of measuring all three components of velocity simultaneously in low-speed flows. All the Reynolds stresses and higher-order products can then be evaluated. The approach followed is to split one of the two colors and to focus a third pair of beams from an off axis direction. The third velocity component is computed from the known geometry of the system. This paper contains details of the system design with emphasis on the additional problems that are encountered through the introduction of the third component. Some preliminary measurements obtained in a vortex/mixing layer interaction are presented and compared directly with those obtained with a cross-wire system.

Bell, J. H.↗

Flight service evaluation of composite helicopter components

This report presents an assessment of composite helicopter tail rotor spars and horizontal stabilizers, exposed to the effects of the environment, after up to five and a half years of commercial service. This evaluation is supported by test results of helicopter components and panels which have been exposed to outdoor environmental effects since September 1979. Full scale static and fatigue tests have been conducted on graphite/epoxy and Kevlar/epoxy composite components obtained from Sikorsky Model S-76 helicopters in commercial operations in the Gulf Coast region of Louisiana. Small scale static and fatigue tests are being conducted on coupons obtained from panels under exposure to outdoor conditions in Stratford, Connecticut and West Palm, Florida. The panel layups are representative of the S-76 components. Additionally, this report discusses the results of moisture absorption evaluations and strength tests on the S-76 components and composite panels with up to five years of outdoor exposure.

Mardoian, G. H.↗

Analytical and experimental studies of flow-induced vibration of SSME components

Components of the Space Shuttle Main Engines (SSMEs) are subjected to a severe environment that includes high-temperature, high-velocity flows. Such flows represent a source of energy that can induce and sustain large-amplitude vibratory stresses and/or result in fluidelastic instabilities. Three components are already known to have experienced failures in evaluation tests as a result of flow-induced structural motion. These components include the liquid-oxygen (LOX) posts, the fuel turbine bellows shield, and the internal inlet tee splitter vane. Researchers considered the dynamic behavior of each of these components with varying degrees of effort: (1) a theoretical and experimental study of LOX post vibration excited by a fluid flow; (2) an assessment of the internal inlet tee splitter vane vibration (referred to as the 4000-Hz vibration problem); and (3) a preliminary consideration of the bellows shield problem. Efforts to resolve flow-induced vibration problems associated with the SSMEs are summarized.

Chen, S. S.↗

Component variations and their effects on bipolar nickel-hydrogen cell performance

A 50 cell bipolar nickel-hydrogen battery was assembled to demonstrate the feasibility of constructing a high voltage stack of cells. Various component combinations were tested in this battery. The battery had approximately 1 ampere-hour of capacity and was constructed from components with an active area of 2" X 2". The components were parametrically varied to give a comparison of nickel electrodes, hydrogen electrodes, separators, fill procedures and electrolyte reservoir plate thicknesses. Groups of five cells were constructed using the same components; ten combinations were tested in all. The battery was thoroughly characterized at various change and discharge rates as well as with various pulse patterns and rates. Over a period of 1400 40% DOD LEO cycles some of the groups began to exhibit performance differences. In general, only separator variations had a significant effect on cell performance. It also appears that shunt currents may have been operating within the stack, resulting in electrolyte transfer from one cell to another, thus contributing to cell performance variations.

Manzo, Michelle A.↗

Design component method for sensitivity analysis of built-up structures

A 'design component method' that provides a unified and systematic organization of design sensitivity analysis for built-up structures is developed and implemented. Both conventional design variables, such as thickness and cross-sectional area, and shape design variables of components of built-up structures are considered. It is shown that design of components of built-up structures can be characterized and system design sensitivity expressions obtained by simply adding contributions from each component. The method leads to a systematic organization of computations for design sensitivity analysis that is similar to the way in which computations are organized within a finite element code.

Choi, Kyung K.↗

Evaluation of composite components on the Bell 206L and Sikorsky S-76 helicopter

A development flight testing status evaluation is presented for composite material structural components used in the Bell 206L and Sikorsky S-76 commercial helicopters, encompassing litter doors, baggage doors, forward fairings, and vertical fins. These flight tests have been conducted in various climatic conditions. The materials used in the fabrication of these components are also undergoing a separate exposure and testing program. Attention is given to results of 73,000 hrs of accumulated flight time on 206L components and 50,000 hrs on S-76 components.

Baker, Donald J.↗

The effects of magnetic B(y) component on geomagnetic tail equilibria

A two-dimensional linear magnetohydrostatic model of the magnetotail is developed here in order to investigate the effects of a significant B(y) component on the configuration of magnetotail equilibria. It is concluded that the enhanced B(y) values must be an essential part of the quiet magnetotail and do not result from a simple intrusion of the IMF. The B(y) field consists of a constant background component plus a nonuniform field existing only in the plasma sheet, where it is dependent on the plasma paramater beta and the strength of the magnetic B(z) component. B(y) is strongest at the neutral sheet and decreases monotonically in the + or - z direction, reaching a constant tail lobe value at the plasma sheet boundaries. The presence of a significant positive B(y) component produces currents, including field-aligned currents, that flow through the equatorial plane and toward and away from earth in the northern and southern halves of the plasma sheet, respectively.

Hilmer, Robert V.↗

Shape optimization of three-dimensional stamped and solid automotive components

The shape optimization of realistic, 3-D automotive components is discussed. The integration of the major parts of the total process: modeling, mesh generation, finite element and sensitivity analysis, and optimization are stressed. Stamped components and solid components are treated separately. For stamped parts a highly automated capability was developed. The problem description is based upon a parameterized boundary design element concept for the definition of the geometry. Automatic triangulation and adaptive mesh refinement are used to provide an automated analysis capability which requires only boundary data and takes into account sensitivity of the solution accuracy to boundary shape. For solid components a general extension of the 2-D boundary design element concept has not been achieved. In this case, the parameterized surface shape is provided using a generic modeling concept based upon isoparametric mapping patches which also serves as the mesh generator. Emphasis is placed upon the coupling of optimization with a commercially available finite element program. To do this it is necessary to modularize the program architecture and obtain shape design sensitivities using the material derivative approach so that only boundary solution data is needed.

Botkin, M. E.↗

Power components for the space station 20-kHz power distribution system

Since 1984, NASA Lewis Research Center was developing high power, high frequency space power components as part of The Space Station Advanced Development program. The purpose of The Advanced Development program was to accelerate existing component programs to ensure their availability for use on the Space Station. These components include a rotary power transfer device, remote power controllers, remote bus isolators, high power semiconductor, a high power semiconductor package, high frequency-high power cable, high frequency-high power connectors, and high frequency-high power transformers. All the components were developed to the prototype level and will be installed in the Lewis Research Center Space Station power system test bed.

Renz, David D.↗

Immunofluorescence localization of dissociation supernatant and extracellular matrix components in Lytechinus pictus sectioned embryos

Indirect immunofluorescence was used to localize specific extracellular components in embryos of the sea urchin Lytechinus pictus. Hyalin and S2 (a group of components found in the disaggregation supernatant from Strongylocentrotus purpuratus blastulae) were uniformly present at all stages (unfertilized up to 32 hr) except hyalin could not be detected at the 12 hour early blastula stage. Laminin was found in 16 cell, 32 cell, 6 hour, 18 hour, 24 hour, and 32 hour stages, with especially bright fluorescence at 18 hours. Collagen I was present at all stages (freshly fertilized up to 32 hour) except little was detected at 12 hours. Fibronectin was uniformly present in blastocoelar fibers stained with anto-collagen I and anti-fibronectin. These results were compared with those for S. purpuratus to produce an overview of the localization of specific extracellular matrix components during development of two species of sea urchins. The results set the stage for future studies that will examine the function of these components at the various developmental stages.

Garciaflack, Ana Leticia↗

Component variations and their effects on bipolar nickel-hydrogen cell performance

A 50 cell bipolar nickel-hydrogen battery was assembled to demonstrate the feasibility of constructing a high voltage stack of cells. Various component combinations were tested in this battery. The battery had approximately 1 ampere-hour of capacity and was constructed from components with an active area of 2 x 2 inches. The components were parametrically varied to give a comparison of nickel electrodes, hydrogen electrodes, separators, fill procedures and electrolyte reservoir plate thicknesses. Groups of five cells were constructed using the same components; ten combinations were tested in all. The battery was thoroughly characterized at various change and discharge rates as well as with various pulse patterns and rates. Over a period of 1400 40-percent DOD LEO cycles some of the groups began to exhibit performance differences. In general, only separator variations had a significant effect on cell performance. It also appears that shunt currents may have been operating within the stack, resulting in electrolyte transfer from one cell to another, thus contributing to cell performance variations.

Manzo, Michelle A.↗

Experimental component mode synthesis of structures with sloppy joints

The accuracy of component mode synthesis is investigated experimentally for substructures coupled by nonideal joints. The work is based upon a segmented experimental beam for which free-interface frequency response matrices are measured for each segment. These measurements are used directly in component mode synthesis to predict the behavior of the assembled structure; the segments are then physically joined, and the resulting frequency response of the superstructure is compared to the prediction. Rotational freeplay is then introduced into the connecting joint, and the new superstructure frequency response is compared to the original linear component mode synthesis prediction. The level of accuracy to be expected in component mode synthesis is discussed in terms of the degree of nonlinearity in the joints, mode number, and mode shapes.

Blackwood, Gary H.↗

Identification of high performance and component technology for space electrical power systems for use beyond the year 2000

Addressed are some of the space electrical power system technologies that should be developed for the U.S. space program to remain competitive in the 21st century. A brief historical overview of some U.S. manned/unmanned spacecraft power systems is discussed to establish the fact that electrical systems are and will continue to become more sophisticated as the power levels appoach those on the ground. Adaptive/Expert power systems that can function in an extraterrestrial environment will be required to take an appropriate action during electrical faults so that the impact is minimal. Manhours can be reduced significantly by relinquishing tedious routine system component maintenance to the adaptive/expert system. By cataloging component signatures over time this system can set a flag for a premature component failure and thus possibly avoid a major fault. High frequency operation is important if the electrical power system mass is to be cut significantly. High power semiconductor or vacuum switching components will be required to meet future power demands. System mass tradeoffs have been investigated in terms of operating at high temperature, efficiency, voltage regulation, and system reliability. High temperature semiconductors will be required. Silicon carbide materials will operate at a temperature around 1000 K and the diamond material up to 1300 K. The driver for elevated temperature operation is that radiator mass is reduced significantly because of inverse temperature to the fourth power.

Maisel, James E.↗

The anomalous cosmic-ray component

This brief report is intended to update the anomalous component section of the summary report of the galactic cosmic-ray working group (Mewaldt et al., 1987), which was drafted at the March 1987 Workshop on the Interplanetary Charged Particle Environment at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The description of the spectrum of the anomalous cosmic-ray component is contained in section 3.3 of that report. That description is based on data analyzed through day 310 of 1986, and in it we proposed that the energy spectrum of the various species of the anomalous component could be derived by scaling from two generic spectra. Two generic spectra were required because the energy spectrum of the anomalous component changed shape near the time of the solar magnetic field reversal in 1980. These two generic spectra are shown in Figure 2 of the summary report.

Cummings, A. C.↗

Gradients of galactic cosmic rays and anomalous components

Measurements of radial and latitudinal gradients of galactic cosmic rays and anomalous components now cover radii from 0.3 to 40 AU from the sun and latitudes up to 30 deg above the ecliptic plane for particle energies from approx. 10 MeV/n up to relativistic energies. The most accurate measurements cover the period 1972 through 1987, which includes more than one full 11 year cycle of solar activity. Radial gradients for glactic cosmic rays of all energies and species are small (similar to less than 10 percent AU), and variable in time, reaching a minimum of near 0 percent AU out to 30 AU for some species at solar maximum. Gradients for anomalous components are larger, of order 15 percent AU, may show similar time variability, and are relatively independent of particle species and energy. For the period 1985 through 1986 the intensity decreased away from the ecliptic for all species and energies. For galactic cosmic rays, the measured gradients are approx. 0.5 percent/degree near 20 AU, while for anomalous components the gradients are larger, ranging from 3 to 6 percent/degree. Comparison with a similar measurement for anomalous helium in 1975 through 1976 suggests that the latitude gradients for anomalous components have changed sign between 1975 and 1985. For galactic cosmic rays, the available evidence suggests no change in sign of the latitudinal gradient for relativistic particles.

Mckibben, R. B.↗

Power components for the Space Station 20-kHz power distribution system

Since 1984, NASA Lewis Research Center was developing high power, high frequency space power components as part of The Space Station Advanced Development program. The purpose of the Advanced Development program was to accelerate existing component programs to ensure their availability for use on the Space Station. These components include a rotary power transfer device, remote power controllers, remote bus isolators, high power semiconductor, a high power semiconductor package, high frequency-high power cable, high frequency-high power connectors, and high frequency-high power transformers. All the components were developed to the prototype level and will be installed in the Lewis Research Center Space Station power system test bed.

Renz, David D.↗