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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

Advanced Integrated Power and Attitude Control System (IPACS) study

Integrated Power and Attitude Control System (IPACS) studies performed over a decade ago established the feasibility of simultaneously satisfying the demands of energy storage and attitude control through the use of rotating flywheels. It was demonstrated that, for a wide spectrum of applications, such a system possessed many advantages over contemporary energy storage and attitude control approaches. More recent technology advances in composite material rotors, magnetic suspension systems, and power control electronics have triggered new optimism regarding the applicability and merits of this concept. This study is undertaken to define an advanced IPACS and to evaluate its merits for a space station application. System and component designs are developed to establish the performance of this concept and system trade studies conducted to examine the viability of this approach relative to conventional candidate systems. It is clearly demonstrated that an advanced IPACS concept is not only feasible, but also offers substantial savings in mass and life-cycle cost for the space station mission.

Oglevie, R. E.↗

Space-based OTV boiloff disposition

The boiloff and chilldown problem associated with a reusable space-based orbital transfer vehicle (OTV) that uses the Space Station as a base of operations is considered. Various boiloff and chilldown gas disposal options are examined, and a recommended approach is defined on the basis of least life-cycle cost. In accordance with this approach, half of the gaseous hydrogen is used to generate 3.87 kW, while the remaining hydrogen and the resulting water are remotely vented using the Orbital Maneuvering Vehicle.

Wilkinson, C. L.↗

The space station assembly phase: Flight telerobotic servicer feasibility. Volume 2: Methodology and case study

A methodology is described for examining the feasibility of a Flight Telerobotic Servicer (FTS) using two assembly scenarios, defined at the EVA task level, for the 30 shuttle flights (beginning with MB-1) over a four-year period. Performing all EVA tasks by crew only is compared to a scenario in which crew EVA is augmented by FTS. A reference FTS concept is used as a technology baseline and life-cycle cost analysis is performed to highlight cost tradeoffs. The methodology, procedure, and data used to complete the analysis are documented in detail.

Smith, Jeffrey H.↗

Large-scale wind turbine structures

The purpose of this presentation is to show how structural technology was applied in the design of modern wind turbines, which were recently brought to an advanced stage of development as sources of renewable power. Wind turbine structures present many difficult problems because they are relatively slender and flexible; subject to vibration and aeroelastic instabilities; acted upon by loads which are often nondeterministic; operated continuously with little maintenance in all weather; and dominated by life-cycle cost considerations. Progress in horizontal-axis wind turbines (HAWT) development was paced by progress in the understanding of structural loads, modeling of structural dynamic response, and designing of innovative structural response. During the past 15 years a series of large HAWTs was developed. This has culminated in the recent completion of the world's largest operating wind turbine, the 3.2 MW Mod-5B power plane installed on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. Some of the applications of structures technology to wind turbine will be illustrated by referring to the Mod-5B design. First, a video overview will be presented to provide familiarization with the Mod-5B project and the important components of the wind turbine system. Next, the structural requirements for large-scale wind turbines will be discussed, emphasizing the difficult fatigue-life requirements. Finally, the procedures used to design the structure will be presented, including the use of the fracture mechanics approach for determining allowable fatigue stresses.

Spera, David A.↗

ATAM - Automated Trade Assessment Modeling

Automated Trade Assessment Modeling program, ATAM, one of software tools designed to assess candidate architectures for data-management system of Space Station. Designed to discriminate among candidates having equally acceptable performance and reliability characteristics. Utilizes data base, defined by user, containing information on candidate architecture. Assesses such trade factors of system as weight, power consumption, and life-cycle cost. Produces detailed parameter assessments as well as single figure of merit for candidate architecture. Written in Microsoft FORTRAN.

Vallone, Antonio↗

Advanced Manned Launch Systems

Advanced Manned Launch Systems (AMLS) studies underway at the NASA Langley Research Center are part of a broader effort examining options for the next U.S. manned space transportation system. AMLS study phases have focused on investigating mission needs and identifying technologies and technology levels, concepts, systems, operational requirements, and life-cycle costs. For near-term technologies and an operations-oriented approach, two-stage vertical-takeoff rocket vehicles with significant levels of reusability are shown to be cost-effective for moderate to high flight rates. All-hydrogen fuel vehicles are also preferred over methane boosted systems from both operational and cost considerations.

Talay, Theodore A.↗

Advanced manned launch systems

Advanced Manned Launch Systems (AMLS) studies underway at the NASA Langley Research Center are described. The AMLS studies have focused on investigating mission needs and identifying technologies, operational requirements, and life-cycle costs. Two-stage vertical take off rocket vehicles with significant levels of reusability are shown to be cost effective for moderate to high flight rates. All-hydrogen fuel vehicles are preferred over methane boosted systems for both operational and cost considerations. Drawings of possible AMLS design solutions are presented. Fully reusable, partially resusable, expendable stage and horizontal take off airbreather/rocket solutions are compared.

Talay, Theodore A.↗

Advanced tracking systems design and analysis

The results of an assessment of several types of high-accuracy tracking systems proposed to track the spacecraft in the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Advanced Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (ATDRSS) are summarized. Tracking systems based on the use of interferometry and ranging are investigated. For each system, the top-level system design and operations concept are provided. A comparative system assessment is presented in terms of orbit determination performance, ATDRSS impacts, life-cycle cost, and technological risk.

Potash, R.↗

Dynamic systems-engineering process - The application of concurrent engineering

A system engineering methodology is described which enables users, particulary NASA and DOD, to accommodate changing needs; incorporate emerging technologies; identify, quantify, and manage system risks; manage evolving functional requirements; track the changing environment; and reduce system life-cycle costs. The approach is a concurrent, dynamic one which starts by constructing a performance model defining the required system functions and the interrelationships. A detailed probabilistic risk assessment of the system elements and their interrelationships is performed, and quantitative analysis of the reliability and maintainability of an engineering system allows its different technical and process failure modes to be identified and their probabilities to be computed. Decision makers can choose technical solutions that maximize an objective function and minimize the probability of failure under resource constraints.

Wiskerchen, Michael J.↗

Photovoltaic array reliability optimization

An overview of the photovoltaic array reliability problem is presented, and a high reliability/minimum cost approach to this problem is presented. Design areas covered are cell failure, interconnect fatigue, and electrical insulation breakdown, and three solution strategies are discussed. The first involves controlling component failures in the solar cell (cell cracking, cell interconnects) and at the module level (must be statistically treated). Second, a fault tolerant circuit is designed which reduces array degradation, improves module yield losses, and controls hot-spot heating. Third, cost optimum module replacement strategies are also effective in reducing array degradation. This can be achieved by minimizing the life-cycle energy cost of the photovoltaic system. The integration of these solutions is aimed at reducing the 0.01% failure rate.

Ross, R. G., Jr.↗

An assessment of the industrial cogeneration market for parabolic dish systems

The value analysis technique used is straightforward. Maximum allowable life-cycle system cost for the cogeneration system is determined as the sum of the present value of fuels displaced plus the present value of revenues from exported power. Each conventional fuel displaced is described by a unit cost in the first year, a uniform annual consumption rate, and a uniform annual escalation rate for unit cost. Exported energy flows are treated the same as displaced energy.

Doane, J. W.↗

Flat-plate photovoltaic array design optimization

An analysis is presented which integrates the results of specific studies in the areas of photovoltaic structural design optimization, optimization of array series/parallel circuit design, thermal design optimization, and optimization of environmental protection features. The analysis is based on minimizing the total photovoltaic system life-cycle energy cost including repair and replacement of failed cells and modules. This approach is shown to be a useful technique for array optimization, particularly when time-dependent parameters such as array degradation and maintenance are involved.

Ross, R. G., Jr.↗

CELCAP: A Computer Model for Cogeneration System Analysis

A description of the CELCAP cogeneration analysis program is presented. A detailed description of the methodology used by the Naval Civil Engineering Laboratory in developing the CELCAP code and the procedures for analyzing cogeneration systems for a given user are given. The four engines modeled in CELCAP are: gas turbine with exhaust heat boiler, diesel engine with waste heat boiler, single automatic-extraction steam turbine, and back-pressure steam turbine. Both the design point and part-load performances are taken into account in the engine models. The load model describes how the hourly electric and steam demand of the user is represented by 24 hourly profiles. The economic model describes how the annual and life-cycle operating costs that include the costs of fuel, purchased electricity, and operation and maintenance of engines and boilers are calculated. The CELCAP code structure and principal functions of the code are described to how the various components of the code are related to each other. Three examples of the application of the CELCAP code are given to illustrate the versatility of the code. The examples shown represent cases of system selection, system modification, and system optimization.

Source record↗

TDRSS and the STGT

A Second Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS) Ground Terminal (STGT) is envisioned as the next step in providing expanded support service for data transmission between spaceborne NASA and related missions, including Space Station and the earth-based user community. This need for expanded support service is projected to exist during the early to late 1990's time frame. This concept description reflects the current NASA requirements for a life-cycle cost-effective acquisition of the STGT. The significant features of this STGT configuration include autonomous subsystems, decentralized control processes and modular functional implementation. These features are expected to reduce acquisition risk and provide efficient manpower utilization during the operational years.

Chang, R.↗

Terrestrial central station array life-cycle analysis support study

Plant elements evaluated included designs for module, panel and array structures, as well as balance-of-plant systems. Installation and maintenance procedures and the impact of site environment were also evaluated. In terms of the cost of energy produced, the horizontal array configuration was found to be less expensive than the tandem array at latitudes less than 40 deg. Both of these configurations are less expensive than the rack design. However, the costs of energy for all three configurations are within approximately ?10 percent of each other. For flat plate panels, the seasonally adjusted and tracking array configurations are not economically attractive when compared to the three other designs. Balance-of-plant costs are approximately equal to (goal) module costs. The array structures and foundations are the most expensive items in the balance-of-plant costs.

Source record↗

Generalized shading analysis for paraboloidal collector fields

This paper presents the development and results of a generalized shading analysis for a field of point-focus parabolic dish concentrators. Shading of one concentrator by another with attendant loss of energy is a function of the position of the sun and the relative locations of the concentrators within the field. A method is presented for determining the annualized energy loss which includes a trade-off of system life-cycle energy as a function of concentrator spacing and field geometric layout. System energy output is computed on an annualized basis, employing 15 minute-increment environmental data tapes for the year 1976 at Barstow, California. For a land cost of $5000 per acre, lowest system energy cost occurs at about a 25 percent packing fraction (concentrator area/land area) for a typical 1-MWe dish-Stirling solar thermal power plant. Basic equations are given for computing the shading and concomitant energy loss as a function of concentrator center-to-center spacing, field layout site location.

Osborn, D. B.↗

Deep space network software cost estimation model

A parametric software cost estimation model prepared for Jet PRopulsion Laboratory (JPL) Deep Space Network (DSN) Data System implementation tasks is described. The resource estimation mdel modifies and combines a number of existing models. The model calibrates the task magnitude and difficulty, development environment, and software technology effects through prompted responses to a set of approximately 50 questions. Parameters in the model are adjusted to fit JPL software life-cycle statistics.

Tausworthe, R. C.↗