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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 631 records · Page 35

Performance Assessment of Photovoltaic Panels Using Impedance Spectroscopy

The goal of this project was to develop a technique for measuring internal characteristics of a PV module using light modulation under a fixed voltage bias while measuring the resulting alternating current. This technique, light-intensity modulated impedance spectroscopy (LIMIS), has the promise of detecting early signs of panel aging and degradation that could be used for example by solar farm operators to have early warnings to repair or replace panels to maintain reliability of the overall PV array. LIMIS would be complementary with the previously developed electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), which uses an alternating voltage applied electrically to a solar cell with a similar alternating current measurement. EIS has mostly been developed for individual PV cells rather than whole modules. The project was intended to assess what different information could be revealed by LIMIS, which may in some cases be more scalable to larger modules and potentially more practical to apply in field measurements without needing to electrically disconnect PV modules. We began with small 10 W PV modules and built a testbed capable of oscillating the light intensity with frequencies up to 50 kHz. In parallel, we built a large testbed for testing large 250 W PV modules. Meanwhile, we developed procedures for established measurement techniques: current–voltage (I–V), EIS, and electroluminescence (EL) imaging, where panels are subjected to forward bias while their infrared emission is recorded using a camera modified to be sensitive to IR wavelengths. In addition, we developed protocols for accelerated aging of PV modules in two ways. Thermal cycling from –40°C to +90°C simulates the diurnal temperature cycles on a rooftop. Mechanical stress by dropping a 227 g ball from a height of 1 m simulates damage such as that due to hail impacts.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Cable-Driven Parallel Robot (CDPR) for Panelized Envelope Retrofits: Feasible Workspace Analysis

Recent decades have seen remarkable progress in the field of robotic-assisted construction. Cable-driven parallel robots (CDPRs) emerge as promising tools for automating construction processes, due to their advantageous features such as scalability, reconfigurability, compact design, and high payload-to-weight ratio. This paper uses a simple static model to determine the feasibility of a CDPR for overclad panel installation in building envelope retrofits. Given that the building facade needs to be a subset of the CDPR’s wrench-feasible workspace, we focus on the sensitivity of the workspace concerning various cable arrangements and CDPR frame sizes (e.g., height and width extensions). Our analysis indicates that no cable arrangement satisfies the requirement of complete facade coverage and avoids cable-to-panel collisions. Thus, frame extension is needed to enhance coverage. However, in densely populated areas where width extension is limited by space constraints, height extension alone is insufficient to guarantee full facade coverage. This paper pioneers the investigation of CDPRs for panelized envelope retrofits, showcasing their advantages and limitations and paving the way for further research and development.

Liu, Yifang↗

Mylar film eliminates silk screening of equipment panels

Equipment panel designs and nomenclature are photographed on clear Mylar film to permit fast and inexpensive panel redesigns and revisions and to eliminate the silk screen process. The film is coated with an adhesive and impressed on the panel. For revisions, the film is easily peeled off and replaced.

Conger, D. R.↗

Lightweight, self-evacuated insulation panels

Multilayer insulation of prefabricated panels is developed for cryogenic storage tanks. System utilizes panels of aluminized Mylar separated by sheets of low conductivity polyurethane foam. Panels are self-evacuated by cryopumping of gaseous carbon dioxide at time of use.

Dengler, R. P.↗

Thermoelastic damping and its effect on flutter of stressed panels situated in a supersonic airflow

The effects of material damping on flutter of stressed rectangular panels are studied within the context of linear thermoelasticity theory. The closed-form expression for the thermoelastic (material) damping coefficient is obtained as a function of frequency, panel temperature and dimensions, and material properties. The solution of the stability boundary value problem is obtained by use of a generalized Galerkin method in the cross stream direction which reduces the governing partial differential equations to a system of ordinary differential equations in the streamwise direction. These equations are then solved exactly. Numerical results are given for the thermoelastic damping coefficients and for the flutter speeds of partially and fully clamped panels subjected to midplane stress.

Shieh, R. C.↗

An evaluation of random analysis methods for the determination of panel damping

An analysis is made of steady-state and non-steady-state methods for the measurement of panel damping. Particular emphasis is placed on the use of random process techniques in conjunction with digital data reduction methods. The steady-state methods considered use the response power spectral density, response autocorrelation, excitation-response crosspower spectral density, or single-sided Fourier transform (SSFT) of the response autocorrelation function. Non-steady-state methods are associated mainly with the use of rapid frequency sweep excitation. Problems associated with the practical application of each method are evaluated with specific reference to the case of a panel exposed to a turbulent airflow, and two methods, the power spectral density and the single-sided Fourier transform methods, are selected as being the most suitable. These two methods are demonstrated experimentally, and it is shown that the power spectral density method is satisfactory under most conditions, provided that appropriate corrections are applied to account for filter bandwidth and background noise errors. Thus, the response power spectral density method is recommended for the measurement of the damping of panels exposed to a moving airflow.

Bhat, W. V.↗

Fabrication of titanium thermal protection system panels by the NOR-Ti-bond process

A method for fabricating titanium thermal protection system panels is described. The method has the potential for producing wide faying surface bonds to minimize temperature gradients and thermal stresses resulting during service at elevated temperatures. Results of nondestructive tests of the panels are presented. Concepts for improving the panel quality and for improved economy in production are discussed.

Wells, R. R.↗

Low-cost fabrication and direct bond installation of flat, single-curvature and compound-curvature ablative heat shield panels

Procedures for low cost fabrication and direct bond installation of flat, single curved, and compound curvature ablative heat shields on a DC-3 aircraft are discussed. The panel sizes and attachment locations are identified. In addition to the bonding of the four contoured panels, two flat panels were bonded to the nearly flat, lower surface of the center wing section. The detailed requirements and objectives of the investigation are described.

Norwood, L. B.↗

Radiation resistance of a rectangular panel.

The radiation resistance corresponding to the natural modes of a finite rectangular panel is theoretically determined from the total energy radiated to the farfield. The panel is assumed to be simply supported in an infinite baffle. Asymptotic solutions for the low-frequency region are derived, and curves covering the entire frequency range for various mode shapes and aspect ratios are obtained through numerical integration. When the ratio of the acoustic wavenumber to the panel wavenumber is a constant much less than unity, the radiation resistance for all modes is a minimum if the intranodal area (the area between adjacent node lines) is square, and increases with the aspect ratio of the intranodal area.

Wallace, C. E.↗

Diffusion bonded columbium panels for the shuttle heat shield.

Work at North American Rockwell in the development of a satisfactory panel diffusion bonding method for Nb shuttle orbiter heat shield panel designs is reviewed. The topics include the diffusion bonding process, panel fabrication and quality control. A practicable Nb alloy diffusion bonding method, using a Ti foil interleaf, is described and is characterized as one providing a production basis at competitive cost.

Korb, L. J.↗

Flight service evaluation of PRD-49/epoxy composite panels in wide bodied commercial transport aircraft

L-1011 aircraft fairing panel configurations were selected as test parts to compare the fabrication, costs and service performance characteristics of PRD-49 and fiberglass. These parts are currently fiberglass reinforced structure and the purpose of this program is to evaluate the results of direct substitution of PRD-49 fabric for the fiberglass. Three ship sets of these panels have been fabricated for a five year flight service evaluation on three L-1011 commercial airlines operating in widely diverse route structures. The standard tools and machining techniques used for fiberglass parts are unacceptable for cutting, trimming, and drilling the tougher PRD-49 fibers. Therefore, a machining development study was undertaken to provide the necessary new tools and machining techniques. After incorporating these new developments in the fabrication and installation of the panels, a manufacturing cost study revealed that the labor hours were only increased by about 12.5 percent.

Wooley, J. H.↗

Fatigue flaw growth behavior in stiffened and unstiffened panels loaded in biaxial tension

The effect was investigated of biaxial loading on the flaw growth rate of 2219-T87 aluminum alloy that would be typical of Space Shuttle cryogenic tankage design. The stress distribution and stress concentration factors for several integrally stiffened panels under various loading conditions were obtained. The flaw growth behavior of both stiffened and unstiffened panels under biaxial loading conditions was determined. The effect of a complex stress state was studied by introducing flaws in fillet areas of biaxially loaded stiffened panels.

Beck, E. J.↗

BUCLASP 3: A computer program for stresses and buckling of heated composite stiffened panels and other structures, user's manual

The use of the computer program BUCLASP3 is described. The code is intended for thermal stress and instability analyses of structures such as unidirectionally stiffened panels. There are two types of instability analyses that can be effected by PAINT; (1) thermal buckling, and (2) buckling due to a specified inplane biaxial loading. Any structure that has a constant cross section in one direction, that may be idealized as an assemblage of beam elements and laminated flat and curved plate strip-elements can be analyzed. The two parallel ends of the panel must be simply supported, whereas arbitrary elastic boundary conditions may be imposed along any one or both external longitudinal side. Any variation in the temperature rise (from ambient) through the cross section of a panel is considered in the analyses but it must be assumed that in the longitudinal direction the temperature field is constant. Load distributions for the externally applied inplane biaxial loads are similar in nature to the permissible temperature field.

Tripp, L. L.↗

Life testing of a nine-couple hybrid thermoelectric panel

Life test data are presented for a nine couple thermoelectric panel of hybrid couples tested at an average hot junction temperature of 840 C (1113 K). In the hybrid couple, a hollow cylinder of p-type Si-Ge is used to encapsulate a segmented PbTe/Si-Ge n-leg. The output power and internal resistance of the panel as well as the resistances of the individual hybrid couples are presented as functions of test time covering a period of more than 4200 hours. Test results indicated improved stability relative to hybrid couples tested at higher temperatures. Thermal cycling of the panel resulted in an order of magnitude increase in room temperature resistance. However, very little change in resistance at operating temperatures was noted following the thermal cycles.

Bifano, W. J.↗

Heat Pipe Thermal Conditioning Panel

The technology involved in designing and fabricating a heat pipe thermal conditioning panel to satisfy a broad range of thermal control system requirements on NASA spacecraft is discussed. The design specifications were developed for a 30 by 30 inch heat pipe panel. The fundamental constraint was a maximum of 15 gradient from source to sink at 300 watts input and a flux density of 2 watts per square inch. The results of the performance tests conducted on the panel are analyzed.

Saaski, E. W.↗

Experimental and analytical determination of vibration characteristics of corrugated, flexibly supported, heat-shield panels

Experimental and analytical natural frequencies, nodal patterns, and typical modal displacements for a corrugated, flexibly supported, heat-shield panel are discussed. Good correlation was found between the experimental data and NASTRAN analytical results for the corrugated panel over a relatively wide frequency spectrum covered in the investigation. Of the two experimental techniques used for mode shape and displacement measurements (a noncontacting displacement sensor system and a holographic technique using a helium-neon, continuous-wave laser), the holographic technique was found, in the present investigation, to be faster and better suited for determining a large number of complex nodal patterns of the corrugated panel.

Carden, H. D.↗

Investigation of the reactions of skin panels in relation to duration of acoustical loading

Certain characteristics of the reactions of typical skin panels of a passenger aircraft to acoustical loading are being investigated, for development of an objective method of diagnostics for skin condition, under the operations and maintenance sections of civil aviation. There are a number of difficulties connected with the solution of this problem. The reactions of skin panels exposed to the noises of the exhaust jets are dependent on the aircraft operating conditions, the geometric parameters and limiting conditions of the panels.

Kvitka, V. Y.↗