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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 73 records · Page 4

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NASA NTRS1973

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.↗

NASA NTRS1972

Hybrid TE panel test results.

Test results are presented for a nine couple (3 x 3 array) thermoelectric panel of hybrid thermocouples. In the hybrid couple, a hollow cylinder of p-type Si-Ge is used to encapsulate a segmented PbTe/Si-Ge n-leg. The hybrid couple is predicted to offer a 10 to 15% improvement in performance relative to all Si-Ge couples. The efficiency, output power, and internal resistance of the panel, as well as the resistances of the individual hybrid couples, are presented as a function of test time covering a period of more than 2600 hours. Initial test results indicated hybrid couple performance consistent with design predictions. However, the 10 to 15% improvement over all-Si-Ge couples demonstrated initially by the hybrid couple was offset by the high resistance that developed following a thermal cycle due to heater failure after 600 hours of testing.

Bifano, W. J.↗

NASA NTRS1975

Description and initial operating performance of the Langley 6-inch expansion tube using heated helium driver gas

A general description of the Langley 6-inch expansion tube is presented along with discussion of the basic components, internal resistance heater, arc-discharge assemblies, instrumentation, and operating procedure. Preliminary results using unheated and resistance-heated helium as the driver gas are presented. The driver-gas pressure ranged from approximately 17 to 59 MPa and its temperature ranged from 300 to 510 K. Interface velocities of approximately 3.8 to 6.7 km/sec were generated between the test gas and the acceleration gas using air as the test gas and helium as the acceleration gas. Test flow quality and comparison of measured and predicted expansion-tube flow quantities are discussed.

Moore, J. A.↗

NASA NTRS1975

Progress in the development of the hollow fiber sodium-sulfur secondary cell

This report describes the development and status of the sodium-sulfur secondary cell which uses fine hollow glass fibers as the electrolyte. Laboratory size cells containing up to 7000 fibers and having capacities up to 5 ampere-hours have been built and operated. These cells have been run at various cycle depths up to 95% of capacity. Lifetime does not depend on depth of discharge up to at least 50% depth and possibly deeper. Rates of charge and discharge of the nominally one hour cells have been varied from three times the design rate to 0.05 times the design rate. Smaller cells operate with essentially no internal resistance increase during their lifetimes of over four months on continuous charge/discharge at the one hour rate. Larger cells assembled with somewhat different mechanical assembly techniques have shorter lives. Two types of failure modes are observed: progressive weakening and breaking of the fibers inside the cell assembly, and fiber breakage at the fiber/tube sheet interface.

Levine, C. A.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Voltage regulator for solar panels

Shunt voltage regulators for solar panels uses internal resistance of panel to control its output voltage. Regulator can be scaled up for high-current solar panels by adding more transistors.

Casad, T. A.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Solid Polymer Electrolyte (SPE) fuel cell technology program

Many previously demonstrated improved fuel cell features were consolidated to (1) obtain a better understanding of the observed characteristics of the operating laboratory-sized cells; (2) evaluate appropriate improved fuel cell features in 0.7 sq ft cell hardware; and (3) study the resultant fuel cell capability and determine its impact on various potential fuel cell space missions. The observed performance characteristics of the fuel cell at high temperatures and high current densities were matched with a theoretical model based on the change in Gibbs free energy voltage with respect to temperature and internal resistance change with current density. Excellent agreement between the observed and model performance was obtained. The observed performance decay with operational time on cells with very low noble metal loadings (0.05 mg/sq cm) were shown to be related to loss in surface area. Cells with the baseline amount of noble catalyst electrode loading demonstrated over 40,000 hours of stable performance.

Source record↗

NASA NTRS1978

Electrodynamics of long metallic tethers in the ionospheric plasma

A study is presented of the electrodynamic interactions of long metallic tethers (lengths up to 100 km) with the ionospheric plasma. The study, which is of interest in view of possible future experiments using long tethers in space, includes the derivation of current and potential distribution along the tether, taking also the effects of internal resistance into account. Electrostatic and electrodynamic drag forces are computed and compared with aerodynamic drag.

Dobrowolny, M.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Dual membrane hollow fiber fuel cell and method of operating same

A gaseous fuel cell is described which includes a pair of electrodes formed by open-ended, ion-exchange hollow fibers, each having a layer of metal catalyst deposited on the inner surface and large surface area current collectors such as braided metal mesh in contact with the metal catalyst layer. A fuel cell results when the electrodes are immersed in electrolytes and electrically connected. As hydrogen and oxygen flow through the bore of the fibers, oxidation and reduction reactions develop an electrical potential. Since the hollow fiber configuration provides large electrode area per unit volume and intimate contact between fuel and oxidizer at the interface, and due to the low internal resistance of the electrolyte, high power densities can be obtained.

Ingham, J. D.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Technology development for phosphoric acid fuel cell powerplant (phase 2)

Progress is reported in the development of material, cell components, and reformers for on site integrated energy systems. Internal resistance and contact resistance were improved. Dissolved gases (O2, N2, and CO2) were found to have no effect on the electrochemical corrosion of phenolic composites. Stack performance was increased by 100 mV over the average 1979 level.

Christner, L.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Preparation and characterization of electrodes for the NASA Redox storage system

Electrodes for the Redox energy storage system based on iron and chromium chloride reactants is discussed. The physical properties of several lots of felt were determined. Procedures were developed for evaluating electrode performance in lab scale cells. Experimental procedures for evaluating electrodes by cyclic voltammetry are described which minimize the IR losses due to the high internal resistance in the felt (distributed resistance). Methods to prepare electrodes which reduced the coevolution of hydrogen at the chromium electrode and eleminate the drop in voltage on discharge occasionally seen with previous electrodes were discussed. Single cells of 0.3329 ft area with improved membranes and electrodes are operating at over 80% voltage efficiency and coulombic efficiencies of over 98% at current densities of 16 to 20 amp % ft.

Reid, M. A.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Transmission line model of the interaction of a long metal wire with the ionosphere

An equivalent electric circuit model is used to study the electrodynamic interactions of long orbiting metallic tethers with the ionospheric plasma and, in particular, to derive current and potential profiles along bare metallic tethers. In contrast with other models, this approach is dynamic, enabling both the transient behavior of the wire and its final equilibrium state to be derived. A comparison with the results of other models indicates the advantage of the present approach, especially in those cases where the internal resistance of the tether plays a major role in determining the current and potential distributions.

Arnold, D. A.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Electrodynamic Tethers. 1: Power Generator in LEO. 2: Thrust for Propulsion and Power Storage

An electrodynamic tether consists of a long insulated wire in space whose orbital motion cuts across lines of magnetic flux to produce an induce voltage that in typical low orbits averages about 200 v/km. Such a system should be capable of generating substantial electrical power, at the expense of IXB drag acting on its orbital energy. If a reverse current is driven against the induced voltage, the system should act as a motor producing IXB thrust. A reference system was designed, capable of generating 20 KW of power into an electrical load located anywhere along the wire at the expense of 2.6N (20,000 J/sec) drag on the wire. In an ideal system, the conversion between mechanical and electrical energy would reach 100% efficiency. In the actual system part of the 20 KW is lost to internal resistance of the wire, plasma and ionosphere, while the drag force is increased by residual air drag. The 20 KW PMG system as designed is estimated to provide 18.7 KW net power to the load at total drag loss of 20.4 KJ/sec, or an overall efficiency of 92%. Similar systems using heavier wire appear capable of producing power levels in excess of 1 Megawatt at voltages of 2-4 KV, with conversion efficiency between mechanical and electrical power better than 95%. The hollow cathode based system should be readily reversible from generator to motor operation by driving a reverse current using onboard power.

Mccoy, J. E.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Design considerations for advanced battery concepts

A mathematical representation for the charge and discharge of a sodium-sulfur cell is developed. These equations are then used as the basis for a computerized model to examine the effects of cell arrangement in the design of a large multi-kilowatt battery from a group of hypothetical individual cells with known variations in their ampere hour capacity and internal resistance. The cycling characteristics of 216 individual cells arranged in six different configurations are evaluated with the view towards minimizing the adverse effects that are introduced due to the stoichastic aspects of groupings of cells, as well as the possibility of cell failures in both the open and shorted mode. Although battery systems based on sodium-sulfur cells are described in this example, any of the newer electrochemical systems can be fitted into this framework by making appropriate modifications to the basic equations.

Leibecki, H. F.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Design considerations for advanced battery concepts

A mathematical representation for the charge and discharge of a sodium-sulfur cell is developed. These equations are then used as the basis for a computerized model to examine the effects of cell arrangement in the design of a large multi-kilowatt battery from a group of hypothetical individual cells with known variations in their ampere hour capacity and internal resistance. The cycling characteristics of 216 individual cells arranged in six different configurations are evaluated with the view towards minimizing the adverse effects that are introduced due to the stochastic aspects of groupings of cells, as well as the possibility of cell failures in both the open and shorted mode. Although battery systems based on sodium-sulfur cells are described in this example, any of the newer electrochemical systems can be fitted into this framework by making appropriate modifications to the basic equations.

Leibecki, H. F.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Galileo Li/SO sub 2 battery modules program update

In order to meet the power needs of NASA's Galileo Probe, the Li/SO2 high rate D cells used in the battery modules have undergone some design changes, as upgrading of hardware quality requirements, and significant testing. A description of the design changes and the cell test data that are of a general nature is presented here. This data includes capacities, open circuit voltages, and internal resistance comparisons. A significant data base was built up over the years and continues to grow.

Smith, R. A.↗

NASA NTRS1988

High output paraffin actuators: Utilization in aerospace mechanisms

High Output Paraffin (HOP) thermal actuators were developed to provide an alternative to conventional aerospace actuators: HOP actuators directly convert temperature changes to useful mechanical work. When fabricated with internal resistance heating elements, they provide an electric linear motor. For applications in which slower response times are acceptable or preferred, HOP actuators have distinct advantages over conventional approaches.

Tibbitts, Scott↗

NASA NTRS1989

Electrodes For Alkali-Metal Thermoelectric Converters

Combination of thin, porous electrode and overlying collector grid reduces internal resistance of alkali-metal thermoelectric converter cell. Low resistance of new electrode and grid boosts power density nearly to 1 W/cm2 of electrode area at typical operating temperatures of 1,000 to 1,300 K. Conductive grid encircles electrode film on alumina tube. Bus wire runs along tube to collect electrical current from grid. Such converters used to transform solar, nuclear, and waste heat into electric power.

Williams, Roger M.↗

NASA NTRS1991

High-pressure promoted combustion chamber

In the preferred embodiment of the promoted combusiton chamber disclosed herein, a thick-walled tubular body that is capable of withstanding extreme pressures is arranged with removable upper and lower end closures to provide access to the chamber for dependently supporting a test sample of a material being evaluated in the chamber. To facilitate the real-time analysis of a test sample, several pressure-tight viewing ports capable of withstanding the simulated environmental conditions are arranged in the walls of the tubular body for observing the test sample during the course of the test. A replaceable heat-resistant tubular member and replaceable flame-resistant internal liners are arranged to be fitted inside of the chamber for protecting the interior wall surfaces of the combustion chamber during the evaluation tests. Inlet and outlet ports are provided for admitting high-pressure gases into the chamber as needed for performing dynamic analyses of the test sample during the course of an evaluation test.

Rucker, Michelle A.↗