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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 91 records · Page 5
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2022

Development of Cast Valve Bodies For High Temperature Service

Gen 3 Concentrating Solar-Thermal Power (CSP) system components are required to operate at 750°C - 800°C to achieve the Sunshot target of 6 cents/kWh. Haynes ® 282 and IN ® 740H are preferred alloys for the construction of these components due to their high tensile and creep strengths for service at temperatures greater than 750°C. There is significant motivation to lower the cost of materials and components so that the capital costs can be minimized. One approach to reduce costs is to fabricate castings at the lowest possible cost. To obtain the lowest cost in castings, there is a significant need to maximize yields in castings by decreasing rejects due to casting defects and to minimize wastage in material lost in the gating systems. However, very little work has been performed to develop cast products using Haynes ® 282. Although preliminary work has established the feasibility of casting Haynes ® 282 using investment and sand casting, there are no commercial cast components available. In particular, there is significant interest in the development of casting design and process technology for the fabrication of components such as valve bodies using Haynes ® 282.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
NASA NTRS1973

Preparation of composite materials in space. Volume 1: Executive summary

The reported objectives were to define promising materials, to obtain significant processing criteria and the related processing techniques and apparatus for the preparation of composites in space, and to establish a program for zero-g experiments and the required developmental efforts. Preparation was studied of the following composite types: (1) metal-base fiber and particle composites, including cemented compacts, (2) controlled density metals, comprising plain and reinforced metal foams, and (3) unidirectionally solidified eutectic alloys. The zero-g environment of orbital operations offers the capability to produce metal-base composite materials and castings which exhibit properties and, particularly, unique combinations of properties that cannot be achieved in terrestrial production.

Steurer, W. H.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Electrically Conductive Polyimide Films Containing Gold Surface

Polyimide films exhibiting high thermo-oxidative stability and including electrically conductive surface layers containing gold made by casting process. Many variations of basic process conditions, ingredients, and sequence of operations possible, and not all resulting versions of process yield electrically conductive films. Gold-containing layer formed on film surface during cure. These metallic gold-containing polyimides used in film and coating applications requiring electrical conductivity, high reflectivity, exceptional thermal stability, and/or mechanical integrity. They also find commercial potential in areas ranging from thin films for satellite antennas to decorative coatings and packaging.

Caplan, Maggie L.↗
NASA NTRS1947

Investigation of Turbine of Mark 25 Torpedo Power Plant with Five Nozzle Designs

Efficiency investigations were made on the two-stage turbine from a Mark 25 aerial torpedo to determine the performance of the unit with five different turbine nozzles. The output of the turbine blades was computed by analyzing the windage and mechanical-friction losses of the unit. A method was developed for measuring the change in turbine clearances with changed operating conditions. The turbine was found to be most efficient with a cast nozzle having a sharp-edged inlet to the nine nozzle ports.

Hoyt, Jack W.↗
NASA NTRS2003

Durability of Membrane Electrode Assemblies (MEAs) in PEM Fuel Cells Operated on Pure Hydrogen and Oxygen

Proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells are energy sources that have the potential to replace alkaline fuel cells for space programs. Broad power ranges, high peak-to-nominal power capabilities, low maintenance costs, and the promise of increased life are the major advantages of PEM technology in comparison to alkaline technology. The probability of PEM fuel cells replacing alkaline fuel cells for space applications will increase if the promise of increased life is verified by achieving a minimum of 10,000 hours of operating life. Durability plays an important role in the process of evaluation and selection of MEAs for Teledyne s Phase I contract with the NASA Glenn Research Center entitled Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel cell (PEMFC) Power Plant Technology Development for 2nd Generation Reusable Launch Vehicles (RLVs). For this contract, MEAs that are typically used for H2/air operation were selected as potential candidates for H2/O2 PEM fuel cells because their catalysts have properties suitable for O2 operation. They were purchased from several well-established MEA manufacturers who are world leaders in the manufacturing of diverse products and have committed extensive resources in an attempt to develop and fully commercialize MEA technology. A total of twelve MEAs used in H2/air operation were initially identified from these manufacturers. Based on the manufacturers specifications, nine of these were selected for evaluation. Since 10,000 hours is almost equivalent to 14 months, it was not possible to perform continuous testing with each MEA selected during Phase I of the contract. Because of the lack of time, a screening test on each MEA was performed for 400 hours under accelerated test conditions. The major criterion for an MEA pass or fail of the screening test was the gas crossover rate. If the gas crossover rate was higher than the membrane intrinsic permeability after 400 hours of testing, it was considered that the MEA had failed the test. Three types of MEAs out of the nine total membranes failed the test. The evaluation results showed that fuel cell operating conditions (current, pressure, stoichiometric flow rates) were the parameters that influenced the durability of MEAs. In addition, the durability test results indicated that the type of membrane was also an important parameter for MEA durability. At accelerated test conditions, the MEAs with casted membranes failed during the 400 hour test. However, the MEAs prepared from the casted membrane with support as well as extruded membranes, both passed the 400h durability test at accelerated operating test conditions. As a result of the MEA accelerated durability tests, four MEAs were selected for further endurance testing. These tests are being carried out with four-cell stacks under nominal fuel cell operating conditions.

Stanic, Vesna↗
NASA NTRS1984

Process Research of Polycrystalline Silicon Material (PROPSM)

A passivation process (hydrogenation) that will improve the power generation of solar cells fabricated from presently produced, large grain, cast polycrystalline silicon (Semix), a potentially low cost material are developed. The first objective is to verify the operation of a DC plasma hydrogenation system and to investigate the effect of hydrogen on the electrical performance of a variety of polycrystalline silicon solar cells. The second objective is to parameterize and optimize a hydrogenation process for cast polycrystalline silicon, and will include a process sensitivity analysis. The sample preparation for the first phase is outlined. The hydrogenation system is described, and some early results that were obtained using the hydrogenation system without a plasma are summarized. Light beam induced current (LBIC) measurements of minicell samples, and their correlation to dark current voltage characteristics, are discussed.

Culik, J. S.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Development of heat flux sensors for turbine airfoils and combustor liners

The design of durable turbine airfoils that use a minimum amount of cooling air requires knowledge of the heat loads on the airfoils during engine operation. Measurement of these heat loads will permit the verification or modification of the analytical models used in the design process and will improve the ability to predict and confirm the thermal performance of turbine airfoil designs. Heat flux sensors for turbine blades and vanes must be compatible with the cast nickel-base and cobalt-base materials used in their fabrication and will need to operate in a hostile environment with regard to temperature, pressure and thermal cycling. There is also a need to miniaturize the sensors to obtain measurements without perturbing the heat flows that are to be measured.

Atkinson, W. H.↗
DOE OSTI2021

Precipitate Phase Stability and Mechanical Properties of Alloy 263 and Variants in Wrought or Cast Form

Alloy 263 is a candidate Ni-based superalloy for use in advanced ultra-supercritical (AUSC) power plants that are targeted to operate above 700 °C. Exposure times in this type of environment are considerable with target creep properties specified at 100,000 h making phase stability an important parameter in the alloy selection process. In this investigation, the microstructure of alloy 263 and two modified compositions in both cast and cast/wrought forms were investigated after exposure at 800 °C for various times ranging from 1,000 h to 10,000 h. Tension and creep properties were assessed for all alloys in both forms. Modification to the Ti and Al concentrations successfully slowed down the γ' to η transformation while doubling the γ' fraction. Thin elongated η needles or platelets formed in the wrought products while thicker, plate-like, η precipitates were found in the castings. The effect of the various microstructures on the creep properties were determined using isothermally aged specimens aged at 800 °C for 3,000 h and 10,000 h prior to creep screening. Strong precipitation of the η phase was found to considerably decrease creep life and increase minimum creep rate. By modifying the Ti and Al content, the creep life and ductility of the new formulation tested on specimens isothermally aged for 3,000 and 10,000 h were near that of the nominal alloy in its standard aged condition.

Detrois, Martin↗
NASA NTRS1997

On the Multilevel Solution Algorithm for Markov Chains

We discuss the recently introduced multilevel algorithm for the steady-state solution of Markov chains. The method is based on an aggregation principle which is well established in the literature and features a multiplicative coarse-level correction. Recursive application of the aggregation principle, which uses an operator-dependent coarsening, yields a multi-level method which has been shown experimentally to give results significantly faster than the typical methods currently in use. When cast as a multigrid-like method, the algorithm is seen to be a Galerkin-Full Approximation Scheme with a solution-dependent prolongation operator. Special properties of this prolongation lead to the cancellation of the computationally intensive terms of the coarse-level equations.

Horton, Graham↗
NASA NTRS1979

Composites for Advanced Space Transportation Systems (CASTS)

A summary is given of the in-house and contract work accomplished under the CASTS Project. In July 1975 the CASTS Project was initiated to develop graphite fiber/polyimide matrix (GR/PI) composite structures with 589K (600 F) operational capability for application to aerospace vehicles. Major tasks include: (1) screening composites and adhesives, (2) developing fabrication procedures and specifications, (3) developing design allowables test methods and data, and (4) design and test of structural elements and construction of an aft body flap for the Space Shuttle Orbiter Vehicle which will be ground tested. Portions of the information are from ongoing research and must be considered preliminary. The CASTS Project is scheduled to be completed in September 1983.

Davis, J. G., Jr.↗
DOE OSTI2024

Measuring thermal profiles in high explosives using neural networks

We present a new method for calculating the temperature profile of high explosive (HE) material using a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN). To train/test the CNN, we have developed a hybrid experiment/simulation method for collecting acoustic and temperature data. We experimentally heat cylindrical containers of HE material until detonation/deflagration, where we continuously measure the acoustic bursts through the HE using multiple acoustic transducers lined around the exterior container circumference. However, measuring the temperature profile in the HE in an experiment would require inserting a large number of thermal probes, which would disrupt the heating process. Thus, we use two thermal probes, one at the HE center and one at the wall. We then use numerical simulation of the heating process to calculate the temperature distribution and correct the simulated temperatures based on the experimental center and wall temperatures. We calculate temperature errors on the order of 15 °C, which is ∼12% of the range of temperatures in the experiment. We also investigate how the algorithm’s accuracy is affected by the number of acoustic receivers used to collect each measurement and the resolution of the temperature prediction. This work provides a means of assessing the safety status of HE material, which cannot be achieved using existing temperature measurement methods. In addition, it has implications for a range of other applications where internal temperature profile measurements would provide critical information. These applications include detecting chemical reactions, observing thermodynamic processes such as combustion, monitoring metal or plastic casting, determining the energy density in thermal storage capsules, and identifying abnormal battery operations.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2024

Measuring thermal profiles in high explosives using neural networks

We present a new method for calculating the temperature profile of high explosive (HE) material using a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN). To train/test the CNN, we have developed a hybrid experiment/simulation method for collecting acoustic and temperature data. We experimentally heat cylindrical containers of HE material until detonation/deflagration, where we continuously measure the acoustic bursts through the HE using multiple acoustic transducers lined around the exterior container circumference. However, measuring the temperature profile in the HE in an experiment would require inserting a large number of thermal probes, which would disrupt the heating process. Thus, we use two thermal probes, one at the HE center and one at the wall. We then use numerical simulation of the heating process to calculate the temperature distribution and correct the simulated temperatures based on the experimental center and wall temperatures. We calculate temperature errors on the order of 15 °C, which is ~12% of the range of temperatures in the experiment. We also investigate how the algorithm’s accuracy is affected by the number of acoustic receivers used to collect each measurement and the resolution of the temperature prediction. This work provides a means of assessing the safety status of HE material, which cannot be achieved using existing temperature measurement methods. In addition, it has implications for a range of other applications where internal temperature profile measurements would provide critical information. These applications include detecting chemical reactions, observing thermodynamic processes such as combustion, monitoring metal or plastic casting, determining the energy density in thermal storage capsules, and identifying abnormal battery operations.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
NASA NTRS1979

Composites for Advanced Space Transportation Systems - (CASTS)

The CASTS Project initiated to develop graphite fiber/polyimide matrix (GR/PI) composite structures with 589K operational capability for aerospace vehicles is described. Near term tasks include screening composites and adhesives for 589K service, developing fabrication procedures and specifications, developing design allowables test methods and data, design and test of structural elements, and construction of a full scale aft body flap for the space shuttle orbiter vehicle for ground testing. Far term tasks include research efforts directed at new materials, manufacturing procedures and design/analysis methodology. Specific results discussed include: (1) identification of four GR/PI composites and three PI adhesives with 589K service potential for periods ranging from 125 to 500 hours; (2) development of an adhesive formulation suitable for bonding reusable surface insulation (RSI) titles to 589K (GR/PI) substructure; (3) the capability to fabricate and nondestructively inspect laminates, hat section shaped stiffeners, honeycomb sandwich panels, and chopped fiber moldings; and (4) test methods for measuring design allowables at 117K.

Davis, J. G., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Nickel-hydrogen battery integration study for the Multimission Modular Spacecraft

A study has been performed to determine the feasibility of using nickel-hydrogen batteries as replacements for the nickel-cadmium batteries currently used for energy storage in the Multimission Modular Spacecraft under a contract with NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. The battery configuration was selected such that it meets volumetric and mounting constraints of the existing battery location, interfaces electrically with existing power conditioning and distribution equipment, and maintains acceptable cell operating temperatures. The battery contains 21, 50 ampere-hour cells in a cast aluminum structural frame. Cells used in the battery design are those developed under the Air Force's Aero Propulsion Laboratory funding and direction. Modifications of the thermal control system were necessary to increase the average output power capability of the Modular Power Subsystem.

Mueller, V. C.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Integrating matrix formulations for vibrations of rotating beams including the effects of concentrated masses

By expressing partial differential equations of motion in matrix notation, utilizing the integrating matrix as a spatial operator, and applying the boundary conditions, the resulting ordinary differential equations can be cast into standard eigenvalue form upon assumption of the usual time dependence. As originally developed, the technique was limited to beams having continuous mass and stiffness properties along their lengths. Integrating matrix methods are extended to treat the differential equations governing the flap, lag, or axial vibrations of rotating beams having concentrated masses. Inclusion of concentrated masses is shown to lead to the same kind of standard eigenvalue problem as before, but with slightly modified matrices.

Lakin, W. D.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Main results of CAST-10 airfoil tested in T2 cryogenic wind tunnel

The aim of this cooperative NASA/DFVLR/ONERA project was to examine the performance of the CAST-10 airfoil in the T2 cryogenic wind tunnel. Tests included general characteristics of the CAST-10 airfoil and fundamental studies on Reynold number effects. Good T2 cryogenic operation was observed. Improvements should be done for moisture elimination and for side wall boundary layer effects.

Blanchard, A.↗
NASA NTRS2011

Updates on CCMC Activities and GSFC Space Weather Services

In this presentation, we provide updates on CCMC modeling activities, CCMC metrics and validation studies, and other CCMC efforts. In addition, an overview of GSFC Space Weather Services (a sibling organization to the Community Coordinated Modeling Center) and its products/capabilities will be given. We show how some of the research grade models, if running in an operational mode, can help address NASA's space weather needs by providing forecasting/now casting capabilities of significant space weather events throughout the solar system.

Zhengm Y.↗