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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

Experimental combustor study program

Advanced combustor concepts are evaluated as a means of accommodating possible future broad specification fuels. The three advanced double annular combustor concepts consisted of (1) a concept employing high pressure drop fuel nozzles for improved atomization, (2) a concept with premixing tubes in the main stage, and (3) a concept with the pilot stage on the inside and the main stage on the sideout, which is the reverse of the other two concepts. All of the advanced concepts show promise for reduced sensitivity to fuel hydrogen content. Some hardware problems were encountered, but these problems could be quickly resolved if refinement tests were conducted. The design with the premixing main stage was selected for a parametric test because of its low NOx emissions level, carbon free dome, and very low dome temperatures which were essentially independent of fuel type. The other advanced designs also had low done temperatures. The premixing dome design liner temperatures exhibited less sensitivity to fuel type than did the base-line combustor, although more sensitivity than observed for concept 1. The inner liner hot spot and the observed smoke results for the premixing design suggest that the fuel-air mixture was not as uniform as desired.

Kasper, J. M.↗

Preprototype nitrogen supply subsystem development

The design and development of a test stand for the Nitrogen Generation Module (NGM) and a series of tests which verified its operation and performance capability are described. Over 900 hours of parametric testing were achieved. The results from this testing were then used to design an advanced NGM and a self contained, preprototype Nitrogen Supply Subsystem. The NGM consists of three major components: nitrogen generation module, pressure controller and hydrazine storage tank and ancillary components. The most important improvement is the elimination of all sealing surfaces, achieved with a total welded or brazed construction. Additionally, performance was improved by increasing hydrogen separating capability by 20% with no increase in overall packaging size.

Heppner, D. B.↗

Endurance Test and Evaluation of Alkaline Water Electrolysis Cells

The overall objective of this program is to assess the state of alkaline water electrolysis cell technology and its potential as part of a Regenerative Fuel Cell System (RFCS) of a multikilowatt orbiting powerplant. The program evaluates the endurance capabilities of alkaline electrolyte water electrolysis cells under various operating conditions, including constant condition testing, cyclic testing and high pressure testing. The RFCS demanded the scale-up of existing cell hardware from 0.1 sq ft active electrode area to 1.0 sq ft active electrode area. A single water electrolysis cell and two six-cell modules of 1.0 sq ft active electrode area were designed and fabricated. The two six-cell 1.0 sq ft modules incorporate 1.0 sq ft utilized cores, which allow for minimization of module assembly complexity and increased tolerance to pressure differential. A water electrolysis subsystem was designed and fabricated to allow testing of the six-cell modules. After completing checkout, shakedown, design verification and parametric testing, a module was incorporated into the Regenerative Fuel Cell System Breadboard (RFCSB) for testing at Life Systems, Inc., and at NASA JSC.

Kovach, Andrew J.↗

Evaluations of uranium-nitride fueled converters.

Evaluation of two uranium-nitride (UN) fueled converters was initiated at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory to investigate the effect of fuel on the converter performance while being operated out-of-core. The initial tests were performed with the dynamic data acquisition system that was developed at the Laboratory. Parametric tests of these converters were to obtain: (1) static volt-ampere curves, (2) dynamic volt-ampere curves, and (3) the electrode work functions. The power outputs were 9.3 W/sq cm for the rhenium converter and 3.8 W/sq cm for the tungsten converter at 0.6 V when the emitter surface temperature was 2000 K, according to the static volt-ampere curves.

Shimada, K.↗

Computational wing optimization and wind tunnel test of semi-span model

A computational transonic wing design procedure has been developed and verified by a wind tunnel test of a variable camber semi-span wing model. The Bailey-Ballhaus transonic potential flow analysis code linked to Vanderplaat's constrained minimization routine was used to optimize test configurations at 0.9 Mach number. Based on wind tunnel test results, computationally optimized designs were as efficient as the best configurations determined by previous parametric testing and performed better at off-design points. Wind tunnel wing pressures agreed well with predictions from the improved Bailey-Ballhaus code at moderate CL's. Computational optimization was shown to be an effective transonic wing design tool.

Haney, H. P.↗

Progress toward the analysis of complex propulsion installation flow phenomenon

A trend toward replacement of parametric model testing with parametric analysis for the design of aircraft is driven by the rapidly escalating cost of wind tunnel testing, the increasing availability of large fast computers, and powerful numerical flow algorithms. In connection with the complex flow phenomena characteristic of propulsion installations, it is now necessary to employ both parametric analysis and testing for design procedures. Powerful flow analysis techniques are available to predict local flow phenomena. However, the employment of these techniques is very expensive. It is, therefore, necessary to link these analyses with less powerful and less expensive procedures for an accurate analysis of propulsion installation flowfields. However, the interfacing and coupling processes needed are not available. The present investigation is concerned with progress made regarding the development of suitable linking methods. Attention is given to methods of analysis for predicting the flow around a nacelle coupled to a highly swept wing.

Kern, P. R. A.↗

Use of the Charge/Discharge (C/D) ratio to aument voltage limit (V sub T) charge control in the ERBS spacecraft

A 50-ampere hour nickel cadmium cell test pack was operated in a power profile simulating the orbit of the Earth Radiation Budget Satellite (ERBS). The objective was to determine the ability of the temperature compensated voltage limit (V sub T) charge control system to maintain energy balance in the half sine wave-type current profile expected of this mission. The four-cell pack (50 E) was tested at the Naval Weapons Support Center (NWSC) at Crane, Indiana. The ERBS evaluation test consisted of two distinct operating sequences, each having a specific purpose. The first phase was a parametric test involving the effect of V sub T level, temperature, and Beta angle on the charge/discharge (C/D) ratio, an indicator of the amount of overcharge. The second phase of testing made use of the C/D ratio limit to augment the V sub T charge limit control. When the C/D limit was reached, the current was switched from the taper mode to a C/67 (0.75 A) trickle charge. The use of an ampere hour integrator limiting the overcharge to a C/67 rate provided a fine tuning of the charge control technique which eliminated the sensitivity problems noted in the initial operating sequence.

Halpert, G.↗

Contact dynamics testing of automated three-point docking mechanism

An evaluation of an OMV docking mechanism, based on an adaptation of the Shuttle Flight Support System Pallet Berthing Mechanism was completed. The mechanism uses automatically actuated motorized latches to engage towel bars on the target satellite. LED sensors establish the towel bar position within the capture envelope and the latch capture commands are issued. Then, locking pawls engage the bar, locking and pre-loading the mechanism. Two series of tests were conducted to test nominal and failure mode captures and to evaluate design parameters such as LED sensor locations, automatic closure algorithms, latch closure velocity, position/velocity entry envelopes, and closure method. The first test series involved single latch testing on the Flat Floor Facility, the 6 DOF Facility, and an analytic simulation model. The intent was to compare results in order to validate the various facilities. Reasonably good agreement was achieved. The second test series repeated the single latch testing on the refurbished 6 DOF Facility to validate the facility modifications. The individual latches were tested under free-drift conditions for functionality and performance. Next, the three-latch configuration underwent parametric testing. Test results validated the improved fidelity of the 6 DOF Facility and verified successful docking at the required entry velocity. The tests determined the 'best' design parameter definitions and concluded that the locking pawls should not lock until all three latches completely close.

Rourke, Kenneth H.↗

Automation Hooks Architecture Trade Study for Flexible Test Orchestration

We describe the conclusions of a technology and communities survey supported by concurrent and follow-on proof-of-concept prototyping to evaluate feasibility of defining a durable, versatile, reliable, visible software interface to support strategic modularization of test software development. The objective is that test sets and support software with diverse origins, ages, and abilities can be reliably integrated into test configurations that assemble and tear down and reassemble with scalable complexity in order to conduct both parametric tests and monitored trial runs. The resulting approach is based on integration of three recognized technologies that are currently gaining acceptance within the test industry and when combined provide a simple, open and scalable test orchestration architecture that addresses the objectives of the Automation Hooks task. The technologies are automated discovery using multicast DNS Zero Configuration Networking (zeroconf), commanding and data retrieval using resource-oriented Restful Web Services, and XML data transfer formats based on Automatic Test Markup Language (ATML). This open-source standards-based approach provides direct integration with existing commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) analysis software tools.

Lansdowne, Chatwin A.↗

Transistor step stress program for JANTX2N4150

Reliability analysis of the transistor JANTX2N4150 manufactured by General Semiconductor and Transitron is reported. The discrete devices were subjected to power and temperature step stress tests and then to electrical tests after completing the power/temperature step stress point. Control sample units were maintained for verification of the electrical parametric testing. Results are presented.

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Diode step stress program for JANTX1N645-1

The diode JANTX1N645-1 manufactured by Semtech and Micro Semiconductor was subjected to power/temperature step stress in order to assess its reliability. All test samples were subjected to electrical tests after completing the power/temperature step stress point. Control sample units were maintained for verification of the electrical parametric testing. Results are presented in tabular form.

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Exhaust Simulation Testing of a Hypersonic Airbreathing Model at Transonic Speeds

An experimental study was performed to examine jet-effects for an airframe-integrated, scramjet-rocket combined-cycle vehicle configuration at transonic test conditions. This investigation was performed by testing an existing exhaust simulation wind tunnel model, known as Model 5B, in the NASA Langley 16-Ft. Transonic Tunnel. Tests were conducted at freestream Mach numbers from 0.7 to 1.2, at angles of attack from 2 to +14 degrees, and at up to seven nozzle static pressure ratio values for a set of horizontal-tail and body-flap deflections. The model aftbody, horizontal tails, and body flaps were extensively pressure instrumented to provide an understanding of jet-effects and control-surface/plume interactions, as well as for the development of analytical methodologies and calibration of computational fluid dynamic codes to predict this type of flow phenomenon. At all transonic test conditions examined, the exhaust flow at the exit of the internal nozzle was over-expanded, generating an exhaust plume that turned toward the aftbody. Pressure contour plots for the aftbody of Model 5B are presented for freestream transonic Mach numbers of 0.70, 0.95, and 1.20. These pressure data, along with shadowgraph images, indicated the impingement of an internal plume shock and at least one reflected shock onto the aftbody for all transonic conditions tested. These results also provided evidence of the highly three-dimensional nature of the aftbody exhaust flowfield. Parametric testing showed that angle-of-attack, static nozzle pressure ratio, and freestream Mach number all affected the exhaust-plume size, exhaust-flowfield shock structure, and the aftbody-pressure distribution, with Mach number having the largest effect. Integration of the aftbody pressure data showed large variations in the pitching moment throughout the transonic regime.

Huebner, Lawrence D.↗

Remote Optical Recession Measurement of Orion Thermal Protection System

For the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV) project, NASA is minimizing the use of onboard diagnostics, especially external sensors that penetrate the structure. Nonetheless, there is a desire to measure the Thermal Protection System (TPS) recession during reentry. One noninvasive technique currently under investigation is the insertion of indicator metals into the heatshield at varied depths and spatial locations. A remote (airborne) spectrometer detects the emissions from the ionized metal to reveal the time (thus depth) of the metal release. Innovative processing enables the emission features from trace amounts of the selected metals to be reliably detected against the complex and structured spectral background of the shock layer and ablated TPS material. The con-cept has been proven viable through ground testing at NASA HyMETS and AHF arc jet facilities using the Orion TPS material (Avcoat). This presentation highlights the parametric testing that was conducted to select the optimal indicator metals and to assess the accuracy of remote recession measurements using this technique. The CONOPS for integrating the technique into the Orion flight tests is also presented. This includes the onboard indicator metal "seeded plugs" and the offboard airborne sensor platform that would be deployed.

Scriven, Gordon↗

Autoignition of fuels

An autoignition test section and a premixing fuel injector developed to determine the autoignition characteristics of a variety of aircraft fuels are described. Parametric tests to map the ignition delay characteristics of Jet-A fuel were conducted at pressures of 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 atm, inlet air temperatures up to 900K and fuel-air equivalence ratios of 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, and 1.0. Residence times in the range of 1 to 50 msec were obtained by interchanging spool pieces to create six different mixer/vaporizer lengths (6, 23, 53, 84, 99, and 130 cm) and by testing at two different airflow rates (0.5 and 1.0 kg/sec). The resulting free-stream velocities were in the range 20 to 100 m/sec. As expected, the results indicate that the ignition delay times decrease with increasing air temperature and pressure. Also, the data show that, for lean mixtures, ignition delay times decrease with increasing equivalence ratios.

Spadaccini, L. J.↗

Electrical Characterization of Hughes HCMP 1853D and RCA CDP1853D N-bit, CMOS, 1-of-8 Decoder Microcircuits

Electrical characterization tests were performed on two different manufactured types of integrated circuits. The devices were subjected to functional and AC and DC parametric tests at ambient temperatures of -55 C, -20 C, 25 C, 85 C, and 125 C. The data were analyzed and tabulated to show the effect of operating conditions on performance and to indicate parameter deviations among devices in each group. Accuracy was given precedence over test time efficiency where practical, and tests were designed to measure worst case performance.

Stokes, R. L.↗

Diode step stress program, JANTX1N5614

The reliability of switching diode JANTX1N5614 was tested. The effect of power/temperature step stress on the diode was determined. Control sample units were maintained for verification of the electrical parametric testing. Results are reported.

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Upper surface blowing noise of the NASA-Ames quiet short-haul research aircraft

An experimental study of the propulsive-lift noise of the NASA-Ames quiet short-haul research aircraft (QSRA) is described. Comparisons are made of measured QSRA flyover noise and model propulsive-lift noise data available in references. Developmental tests of trailing-edge treatments were conducted using sawtooth-shaped and porous USB flap trailing-edge extensions. Small scale parametric tests were conducted to determine noise reduction/design relationships. Full-scale static tests were conducted with the QSRA preparatory to the selection of edge treatment designs for flight testing. QSRA flight and published model propulsive-lift noise data have similar characteristics. Noise reductions of 2 to 3 dB were achieved over a wide range of frequency and directivity angles in static tests of the QSRA. These noise reductions are expected to be achieved or surpassed in flight tests planned by NASA in 1980.

Bohn, A. J.↗

Nickel metal hydride LEO cycle testing

The George C. Marshall Space Flight Center is working to characterize aerospace AB5 Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) cells. The cells are being evaluated in terms of storage, low earth orbit (LEO) cycling, and response to parametric testing (high rate charge and discharge, charge retention, pulse current ability, etc.). Cells manufactured by Eagle Picher are the subjects of the evaluation. There is speculation that NiMH cells may become direct replacements for current Nickel Cadmium cells in the near future.

Lowery, Eric↗