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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 685 records · Page 38

Space station systems analysis study. Part 2, Volume 3: Appendixes, Book 1. Program requirements documentation

The objective elements representative of the kinds of space activities that will be supported by the space construction base (SCB) are discussed in (1) a brief mission overview including the primary purpose and general objectives; (2) descriptions of the processes involved (where applicable), the mission hardware, the principal activities to be undertaken, the test requirements, and the principal tests; and (3) the SCB requirements including such items as special devices (e.g., fabrication modules, assembly or construction fixtures, cranes, and airlocks), power, data management and communications, waste management, environmental control, safety, and logistics. Each program option is then described in terms of the objective elements it supports, its orbit, the general makeup of the SCB, the transportation approach, and the program schedule goals. The specific requirements that are imposed on the SCB in order to support program option L are given.

Source record↗

Analysis of shear test method for composite laminates

An elastic plane stress finite element analysis of the stress distributions in four flat test specimens for in-plane shear response of composite materials subjected to mechanical or thermal loads is presented. The shear test specimens investigated include: slotted coupon, cross beam, losipescu, and rail shear. Results are presented in the form of normalized shear contour plots for all three in-plane stess components. It is shown that the cross beam, losipescu, and rail shear specimens have stress distributions which are more than adequate for determining linear shear behavior of composite materials. Laminate properties, core effects, and fixture configurations are among the factors which were found to influence the stress distributions.

Bergner, H. W., Jr.↗

An evaluation of reaction wheel emitted vibrations for space telescope

Emitted forces and moments characteristics of the Space Telescope Reaction Wheel Assembly (ST RWA) were measured under room temperature and pressure, thermal extremes, and vibratory conditions. The RWA/Emitted Vibration Measurement Fixture was calibrated statically and dynamically, and background noise was measured with ST RWA not operating. A base line set of forces and moments of the ST RWA along and about three mutually perpendicular axes were recorded at room ambient. The temperature vibration sensitivites shown are those which were concluded to be a function of rotor unbalance changes and not associated with either spin motor nor rotor electronic changes.

Source record↗

Evaluating of NASA-Langley Research Center explosion seam welding

An explosion bonding technique to meet current fabrication requirements was demonstrated. A test program was conducted on explosion bonded joints, compared to fusion joints in 6061-T6 aluminum. The comparison was made in required fixtures, non-destructive testing, static strength and fatigue strength.

Otto, H. E.↗

Design and fabrication of graphite-epoxy bolted wing skin splice specimens

Graphite-epoxy bolted joint specimens were designed and fabricated. These specimens were to be representative of a side-of-body wing skin splice with a 20-year life expectancy in a commercial transport environment. Preliminary tests were performed to determine design values of bearing and net tension stresses. Based upon the information developed, a three-fastener-wide representative wing skin splice was designed for a load of 2627 KN/m (15,000 lbf/in.). One joint specimen was fabricated and tested at NASA. The wing skin splice failed at 106 percent of design ultimate load. This joint design achieved all static load objectives. Fabrication of six specimens, together with their loading fixtures, was completed, and the specimens were delivered to NASA-LRC.

Johnson, R. W.↗

Specification of pyro shock tests

Specifications of pyro shock tests are treated as the interconnection between raw measurements (or estimates) of the environment and the various test methods available. After a definition of the environment, various aspects of test method specification are discussed including one-sided pulses, test simulation parameters, and the effects of Q. Different test configurations are considered including rigid fixture tests, pseudo-real structure, and real structure.

Trummel, M.↗

Simplified tooling for spray masking

Tooling technique involves positioning tiles within acrylic plastic masking frames that attach magnetically to holding fixture. Plastics are "magnetized" with adhesive mangetic-rubber strips. Technique is simpler and less expensive than conventional methods. L-shaped masks are easily cut and altered.

Dinbar, B. J.↗

Improved transformer-winding method

Proposed technique using special bobbin and fixture to wind copper wire directly on core eliminates need core cut prior to assembly. Application of technique could result in production of quieter core with increased permeability and no localized heating.

Mclyman, W. T.↗

Quick locking/unlocking retainer

Spring clip retainer may prove more convenient than clamps or wingnut and stud combination when holding two small parts together in test fixtures and other applications where parts must be frequently moved or changed.

Okamoto, G.↗

"Gentle" holder for brittle ceramics

Fixture uses commercially available flexible refractory fabric to gently hold brittle ceramic specimens for alignment during high temperature tests up to 2000 F and above. Assembly is held at both ends by water cooled straps that keep fabric/fixture bond area cold during tests.

Stevens, E. G.↗

Fabrication and test of a variable conductance heat pipe

A variable conductance heat pipe (VCHP) with feedback control was fabricated with a reservoir-condenser volume ratio of 10 and an axially grooved action section. Tests of the heat transport capability were greater than or equal to the analytical predictions for the no gas case. When gas was added, the pipe performance degraded by 18% at zero tilt as was expected. The placement of the reservoir heater and the test fixture cooling fins are believed to have caused a superheated vapor condition in the reservoir. Erroneously high reservoir temperature indications resulted from this condition. The observed temperature gradients in the reservoir lend support to this theory. The net result was higher than predicted reservoir temperatures. Also, significant increases in minimum heat load resulted for controller set point temperatures higher than 0 C. At 30 C, control within the tolerance band was maintained, but high reservoir heater power was required. Analyses showed that control is not possible for reasonably low reservoir heater power. This is supported by the observation of a significant reservoir heat leak through the condenser.

Lehtinen, A. M.↗

A highly accurate method for the determination of mass and center of mass of a spacecraft

An extremely accurate method for the measurement of mass and the lateral center of mass of a spacecraft has been developed. The method was needed for the Voyager spacecraft mission requirement which limited the uncertainty in the knowledge of lateral center of mass of the spacecraft system weighing 750 kg to be less than 1.0 mm (0.04 in.). The method consists of using three load cells symmetrically located at 120 deg apart on a turntable with respect to the vertical axis of the spacecraft and making six measurements for each load cell. These six measurements are taken by cyclic rotations of the load cell turntable and of the spacecraft, about the vertical axis of the measurement fixture. This method eliminates all alignment, leveling, and load cell calibration errors for the lateral center of mass determination, and permits a statistical best fit of the measurement data. An associated data reduction computer program called MASCM has been written to implement this method and has been used for the Voyager spacecraft.

Chow, E. Y.↗

Radial bearing measurements of the 64-m antenna, DSS 14

The inspection fixtures and methods used to determine the extent of the aximuth radial bearing deformation at the 64 m DSS 14 are described. An annular separation developed between the circular steel runner and the grout, suggesting either failure of the grout or, as the case appears to be, stretching of the circular steel runner due to the formation of rust on the runner at the grout interface.

Gale, G.↗

Fiber reinforced PMR polyimide composites

Commercially obtained PMR-15 polyimide prepregs with S-glass and graphite fiber reinforcements were evaluated along with in-house prepared glass and graphite cloth PMR 2 materials. A novel autoclave approach was conceived and used to demonstrate that both the PMR systems respond to 1.4 MPa (200 psi) autoclave pressures to produce void free composites equivalent to die molded laminates. Isothermal gravimetric analysis and subsequent mechanical property tests indicated that the PMR 2 system was significantly superior in thermo-oxidative stability, and that S-glass reinforcements may contribute to the accelerated degradation of composites at 316 C (600 F) when compared to graphite fiber reinforced composites. Fully reversed bending fatigue experiments were conducted with a type of fixture unused for organic matrix composites. These studies indicated that the graphite fiber composites were clearly superior in fatigue resistance to the glass fiber reinforced material and that PMR matrix composite systems yield performance of the same order as composite materials employing other families of matrices.

Cavano, P. J.↗

Weld peaking on heavy aluminum structures

Weld peaking is usually undesirable in any welded structure. In heavy structures, the forces involved in the welding process become very large and difficult to handle. With the shuttle's solid rocket booster, the weld peaking resulted in two major problems: (1) reduced mechanical properties across the weld joint, and (2) fit-up difficulties in subsequent assembly operation. Peaking from the weld shrinkage forces can be fairly well predicted in simple structures; however, in welding complicated assemblies, the amount of peaking is unpredictable because of unknown stresses from machining and forming, stresses induced by the fixturing, and stresses from welds in other parts of the assembly. When excessive peaking is encountered, it can be corrected using the shrinkage forces resulting from the welding process. Application of these forces is discussed in this report.

Bayless, E.↗

Preliminary Solar Sail Design and Fabrication Assessment: Spinning Sail Blade, Square Sail Sheet

Blade design aspects most affecting producibility and means of measurement and control of length, scallop, fullness and straightness requirements and tolerances were extensively considered. Alternate designs of the panel seams and edge reinforcing members are believed to offer advantages of seam integrity, producibility, reliability, cost and weight. Approaches to and requirements for highly specialized metalizing methods, processes and equipment were studied and identified. Alternate methods of sail blade fabrication and related special machinery, tooling, fixtures and trade offs were examined. A preferred and recommended approach is also described. Quality control plans, inspection procedures, flow charts and special test equipment associated with the preferred manufacturing method were analyzed and are discussed.

Daniels, J. B.↗

Considerations for acoustic emission monitoring of spherical Kevlar/epoxy composite pressure vessels

We are continuing to research the applications of acoustic emission testing for predicting burst pressure of filament-wound Kevlar 49/epoxy pressure vessels. This study has focused on three specific areas. The first area involves development of an experimental technique and the proper instrumentation to measure the energy given off by the acoustic emission transducer per acoustic emission burst. The second area concerns the design of a test fixture in which to mount the composite vessel so that the acoustic emission transducers are held against the outer surface of the composite. Included in this study area is the calibration of the entire test setup including couplant, transducer, electronics, and the instrument measuring the energy per burst. In the third and final area of this study, we consider the number, location, and sensitivity of the acoustic emission transducers used for proof testing composite pressure vessels.

Hamstad, M. A.↗