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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
NASA NTRS1988

The alpha-effect generated by standing Alfven waves

The mean electromotive force generated by nonlinear standing Alfven waves propagating along the mean magnetic field is investigated. It is shown that the alpha-effect can exist owing to the interaction between oppositely propagating two waves, provided that the initial fields have nonzero helicity. The result is discussed in the context of field-aligned currents and periodic particle flux variations in the earth's magnetosphere.

Namikawa, Tomikazu↗
NASA NTRS1994

High-Temperature, Oxidation-Resistant Thermocouples

Aluminum substituted for rhodium, which is scarce and expensive. Electromotive force increases with aluminum content in Pt/Al leg of Pt(Pt/Al) thermocouple. Wires baked longer in aluminizing bed produce larger voltages. Thermocouples containing platinum/aluminum legs used instead of thermocouples of type R in furnaces, heat engines, and chemical reactors. Expecially suited to high-velocity oxidizing environments. Constructed as thin-film sensors on turbine blades and vanes, where pre-oxidation provides insulating film needed between thermocouple legs. Because aluminum content slowly depleted by oxidation, long-term use recommended only where maximum temperature is 1,200 degrees C or less.

Smialek, James L.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Role of inductive electric fields in substorm development

A study discussing and investigating the role of inductive electric fields in substorm development is presented. It is common to use the scalar potential phi to calculate the electrostatic field E(sup ES)-(inverted Delta)(phi). However, vector potential A has not been extensively used to analyze results by the relation for the inductive electric field E(sup IND)-delta A/delta t. Because of the weak dependence in distance (1/r) these potentials show the effect of distant sources, unlike MHD (Magnetohydrodynamic) theory which is strictly local. The two can be separated by the choice of the Coulomb (transverse) gauge. It is proper to consider that the plasma polarizes to counteract the activation of the inductive electric field; this is a matter of cause and effect. However, such polarization produces a curl free electrostatic field and thus cannot alter the electromotive force due to induction. This idea has some interesting consequences for plasma physics, including violations of MHD theory, creation of the substorm current diversion, and a fresh look at dayside merging via plasma transfer events.

Heikkila, Walter J.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Electrodynamics of disk-accreting magnetic neutron stars

We have investigated the electrodynamics of magnetic neutron stars accreting from Keplerian disks and the implications for particle acceleration and gamma-ray emission by such systems. We argue that the particle density in the magnetospheres of such stars is larger by orders of magnitude than the Goldreich-Julian density, so that the formation of vacuum gaps is unlikely. We show that even if the star rotates slowly, electromotive forces (EMFs) of order 10(exp 15) V are produced by the interaction of plasma in the accretion disk with the magnetic field of the neutron star. The resistance of the disk-magnetosphere-star circuit is small, and hence these EMFs drive very large conduction currents. Such large currents are likely to produce magnetospheric instabilities, such as relativistic double layers and reconnection events, that can accelerate electrons or ions to very high energies.

Miller, M. Coleman↗
NASA NTRS1994

Disk-accreting magnetic neutron stars as high-energy particle accelerators

Interaction of an accretion disk with the magnetic field of a neutron star produces large electromotive forces, which drive large conduction currents in the disk-magnetosphere-star circuit. Here we argue that such large conduction currents will cause microscopic and macroscopic instabilities in the magnetosphere. If the minimum plasma density in the magnetosphere is relatively low is less than or aproximately 10(exp 9)/cu cm, current-driven micro-instabilities may cause relativistic double layers to form, producing voltage differences in excess of 10(exp 12) V and accelerating charged particles to very high energies. If instead the plasma density is higher (is greater than or approximately = 10(exp 9)/cu cm, twisting of the stellar magnetic field is likely to cause magnetic field reconnection. This reconnection will be relativistic, accelerating plasma in the magnetosphere to relativistic speeds and a small fraction of particles to very high energies. Interaction of these high-energy particles with X-rays, gamma-rays, and accreting plasma may produce detectable high-energy radiation.

Hamilton, Russell J.↗
NASA NTRS2005

Advanced Controller Developed for the Free-Piston Stirling Convertor

A free-piston Stirling power convertor is being considered as an advanced power-conversion technology for future NASA deep-space missions requiring long-life radioisotope power systems. The NASA Glenn Research Center has identified key areas where advanced technologies can enhance the capability of Stirling energy-conversion systems. One of these is power electronic controls. Current power-conversion technology for Glenn-tested Stirling systems consists of an engine-driven linear alternator generating an alternating-current voltage controlled by a tuning-capacitor-based alternating-current peak voltage load controller. The tuning capacitor keeps the internal alternator electromotive force (EMF) in phase with its respective current (i.e., passive power factor correction). The alternator EMF is related to the piston velocity, which must be kept in phase with the alternator current in order to achieve stable operation. This tuning capacitor, which adds volume and mass to the overall Stirling convertor, can be eliminated if the controller can actively drive the magnitude and phase of the alternator current.

Gerber, Scott S.↗
NASA NTRS2007

Intermediate Temperature Fluids Life Tests - Experiments

There are a number of different applications that could use heat pipes or loop heat pipes (LHPs) in the intermediate temperature range of 450 to 725 K (170 to 450 C), including space nuclear power system radiators, fuel cells, and high temperature electronics cooling. Historically, water has been used in heat pipes at temperatures up to about 425 K (150 C). Recent life tests, updated below, demonstrate that titanium/water and Monel/water heat pipes can be used at temperatures up to 550 K (277 C), due to water's favorable transport properties. At temperatures above roughly 570 K (300 C), water is no longer a suitable fluid, due to high vapor pressure and low surface tension as the critical point is approached. At higher temperatures, another working fluid/envelope combination is required, either an organic or halide working fluid. An electromotive force method was used to predict the compatibility of halide working fluids with envelope materials. This procedure was used to reject aluminum and aluminum alloys as envelope materials, due to their high decomposition potential. Titanium and three corrosion resistant superalloys were chosen as envelope materials. Life tests were conducted with these envelopes and six different working fluids: AlBr3, GaCl3, SnCl4, TiCl4, TiBr4, and eutectic diphenyl/diphenyl oxide (Therminol VP-1/Dowtherm A). All of the life tests except for the GaCl3 are ongoing; the GaCl3 was incompatible. As the temperature approaches 725 K (450 C), cesium is a potential heat pipe working fluid. Life tests results are also presented for cesium/Monel 400 and cesium/70-30 copper/nickel heat pipes operating near 750 K (477 C). These materials are not suitable for long term operation, due to copper transport from the condenser to the evaporator.

Anderson, William G.↗
NASA NTRS2008

Intermediate Temperature Fluids Life Tests - Theory

There are a number of different applications that could use heat pipes or loop heat pipes (LHPs) in the intermediate temperature range of 450 to 750 K, including space nuclear power system radiators, and high temperature electronics cooling. Potential working fluids include organic fluids, elements, and halides, with halides being the least understood, with only a few life tests conducted. Potential envelope materials for halide working fluids include pure aluminum, aluminum alloys, commercially pure (CP) titanium, titanium alloys, and corrosion resistant superalloys. Life tests were conducted with three halides (AlBr3, SbBr3, and TiCl4) and water in three different envelopes: two aluminum alloys (Al-5052, Al-6061) and Cp-2 titanium. The AlBr3 attacked the grain boundaries in the aluminum envelopes, and formed TiAl compounds in the titanium. The SbBr3 was incompatible with the only envelope material that it was tested with, Al-6061. TiCl4 and water were both compatible with CP2-titanium. A theoretical model was developed that uses electromotive force differences to predict the compatibility of halide working fluids with envelope materials. This theory predicts that iron, nickel, and molybdenum are good envelope materials, while aluminum and titanium halides are good working fluids. The model is in good agreement with results form previous life tests, as well as the current life tests.

Tarau, Calin↗
NASA NTRS2009

Very High Output Thermoelectric Devices Based on ITO Nanocomposites

A material having useful thermoelectric properties was synthesized by combining indium-tin-oxide (ITO) with a NiCoCrAlY alloy/alumina cermet. This material had a very large Seebeck coefficient with electromotive-force-versustemperature behavior that is considered to be excellent with respect to utility in thermocouples and other thermoelectric devices. When deposited in thin-film form, ceramic thermocouples offer advantages over precious-metal (based, variously, on platinum or rhodium) thermocouples that are typically used in gas turbines. Ceramic thermocouples exhibit high melting temperatures, chemical stability at high temperatures, and little or no electromigration. Oxide ceramics also resist oxidation better than metal thermocouples, cost substantially less than precious-metal thermocouples, and, unlike precious-metal thermocouples, do not exert catalytic effects.

Fralick, Gustave↗
NASA NTRS2006

Correction for Thermal EMFs in Thermocouple Feedthroughs

A straightforward measurement technique provides for correction of thermal-electromotive-force (thermal-EMF) errors introduced by temperature gradients along the pins of non-thermocouple-alloy hermetic feedthrough connectors for thermocouple extension wires that must pass through bulkheads. This technique is an alternative to the traditional technique in which the thermal-EMF errors are eliminated by use of custom-made multipin hermetic feedthrough connectors that contain pins made of the same alloys as those of the thermocouple extension wires. One disadvantage of the traditional technique is that it is expensive and time-consuming to fabricate multipin custom thermocouple connectors. In addition, the thermocouple-alloy pins in these connectors tend to corrode easily and/or tend to be less rugged compared to the non-thermocouple-alloy pins of ordinary connectors. As the number of thermocouples (and thus pins) is increased in a given setup, the magnitude of these disadvantages increases accordingly. The present technique is implemented by means of a little additional hardware and software, the cost of which is more than offset by the savings incurred through the use of ordinary instead of thermocouple connectors. The figure schematically depicts a typical measurement setup to which the technique is applied. The additional hardware includes an isothermal block (made of copper) instrumented with a reference thermocouple and a compensation thermocouple. The reference thermocouple is connected to an external data-acquisition system (DAS) through a two-pin thermocouple-alloy hermetic feedthrough connector, but this is the only such connector in the apparatus. The compensation thermocouple is connected to the DAS through two pins of the same ordinary multipin connector that connects the measurement thermocouples to the DAS.

Ziemke, Robert A.↗
NASA NTRS2006

Magnetic-Field-Response Measurement-Acquisition System

A measurement-acquisition system uses magnetic fields to power sensors and to acquire measurements from sensors. The system alleviates many shortcomings of traditional measurement-acquisition systems, which include a finite number of measurement channels, weight penalty associated with wires, use limited to a single type of measurement, wire degradation due to wear or chemical decay, and the logistics needed to add new sensors. Eliminating wiring for acquiring measurements can alleviate potential hazards associated with wires, such as damaged wires becoming ignition sources due to arcing. The sensors are designed as electrically passive inductive-capacitive or passive inductive-capacitive-resistive circuits that produce magnetic-field-responses. One or more electrical parameters (inductance, capacitance, and resistance) of each sensor can be variable and corresponds to a measured physical state of interest. The magnetic-field- response attributes (frequency, amplitude, and bandwidth) of the inductor correspond to the states of physical properties for which each sensor measures. For each sensor, the measurement-acquisition system produces a series of increasing magnetic-field harmonics within a frequency range dedicated to that sensor. For each harmonic, an antenna electrically coupled to an oscillating current (the frequency of which is that of the harmonic) produces an oscillating magnetic field. Faraday induction via the harmonic magnetic fields produces an electromotive force and therefore a current in the sensor. Once electrically active, the sensor produces its own harmonic magnetic field as the inductor stores and releases magnetic energy. The antenna of the measurement- acquisition system is switched from a transmitting to a receiving mode to acquire the magnetic-field response of the sensor. The rectified amplitude of the received response is compared to previous responses to prior transmitted harmonics, to ascertain if the measurement system has detected a response inflection. The "transmit-receive-compare" of sequential harmonics is repeated until the inflection is identified. The harmonic producing the amplitude inflection is the sensor resonant frequency. Resonant frequency and response amplitude are stored and then correlated to calibration data.

Woodward, Stanley E.↗
NASA NTRS2012

Application of the NASCAP Spacecraft Simulation Tool to Investigate Electrodynamic Tether Current Collection in LEO

Recent interest in using electrodynamic tethers (EDTs) for orbital maneuvering in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) has prompted the development of the Marshall ElectroDynamic Tether Orbit Propagator (MEDTOP) model. The model is comprised of several modules which address various aspects of EDT propulsion, including calculation of state vectors using a standard orbit propagator (e.g., J2), an atmospheric drag model, realistic ionospheric and magnetic field models, space weather effects, and tether librations. The natural electromotive force (EMF) attained during a radially-aligned conductive tether results in electrons flowing down the tether and accumulating on the lower-altitude spacecraft. The energy that drives this EMF is sourced from the orbital energy of the system; thus, EDTs are often proposed as de-orbiting systems. However, when the current is reversed using satellite charged particle sources, then propulsion is possible. One of the most difficult challenges of the modeling effort is to ascertain the equivalent circuit between the spacecraft and the ionospheric plasma. The present study investigates the use of the NASA Charging Analyzer Program (NASCAP) to calculate currents to and from the tethered satellites and the ionospheric plasma. NASCAP is a sophisticated set of computational tools to model the surface charging of three-dimensional (3D) spacecraft surfaces in a time-varying space environment. The model's surface is tessellated into a collection of facets, and NASCAP calculates currents and potentials for each one. Additionally, NASCAP provides for the construction of one or more nested grids to calculate space potential and time-varying electric fields. This provides for the capability to track individual particles orbits, to model charged particle wakes, and to incorporate external charged particle sources. With this study, we have developed a model of calculating currents incident onto an electrodynamic tethered satellite system, and first results are shown here.

Adams, Mitzi↗
NASA NTRS2013

Friction Modifier Using Adherent Metallic Multilayered or Mixed Element Layer Conversion Coatings

A process for creating conversion coatings and spin, drawing, and extrusion finishes for surfaces, wherein the conversion coatings and spin, drawing, and extrusion finishes contain potassium, phosphorus, nitrogen, and one or more non-alkaline metals and/or one or more metalloids. The process comprises forming an aqueous solution of water, phosphoric acid or sulfuric acid, ammonium hydroxide, an alkali metal hydroxide, and one or more non-alkaline metals and/or one or more metalloids. The aqueous solution forms an anti-friction multilayer conversion and/or mixed element coating or a spin, drawing, and extrusion finish on a surface when applied to the surface, either directly without the use of applied external electromotive force, or as an additive in lubricating fluids.

Schramm, Harry F.↗
NASA NTRS2022

Development of a Loop Antenna Deployment System for TEM-Based Subsurface Mars Water Detection

The subsurface of Mars has the potential to harbor existing deposits of liquid water, which are of great interest both scientifically (in the search for life) and as resources for future astronauts living on the red planet. However, the depth to a potential subsurface aquifer may be kilometers deep, which is well beyond what current surface or orbital approaches can survey while also confirming the unique signature for liquid water. Inspired by critical technology for exploring deep aquifers on Earth, we are developing the Transient H2O Reconnaissance (TH2OR) instrument at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). TH2OR operates on the principle of transient electromagnetics (TEM), which leverages induction and electromotive force to induce a current in a subsurface water body using a loop-shaped antenna that provides both transmit and receive functions when placed on the surface. On Mars, TEM may be even more effective given the relative dryness of the subsurface compared to a more conductive, saline, liquid, water body on Earth. However, to probe deep within the subsurface (below 5 km) a large enclosed antenna is needed – specifically, a 100-m diameter effective loop or a shape with roughly equivalent area that can transmit at low frequencies (kHz-Hz). The deployment of a large-scale structure on the surface is complicated by the fact that the transmit wire must be both lightweight and robust to contact with the surface. Further, TH2OR may be delivered to the surface by a non-mobile vehicle, so it is desired that the deployment can be activated from a static location. This paper provides an overview of the deployment trade study, focusing on our current, favored approach, using a projectile wire launcher. Building on past approaches in the literature, we have developed and fielded an Earth-based, gas-projectile prototype for launching a triangle-shaped antenna onto analogue terrain. Our results compare simulated launch performance to actual field tests conducted under Earth gravity and pressure conditions. We discuss how Earth performance maps to a prospective Mars deployment under reduced gravity and pressure. We also provide lessons learned and next steps towards the development of an integrated TH2OR instrument for finding water on Mars.

Stamenkovic, Vlada↗
DOE OSTI2016

Diminishing detonator effectiveness through electromagnetic effects

An inductively coupled transmission line with distributed electromotive force source and an alternative coupling model based on empirical data and theory were developed to initiate bridge wire melt for a detonator with an open and a short circuit detonator load. In the latter technique, the model was developed to exploit incomplete knowledge of the open circuited detonator using tendencies common to all of the open circuit loads examined. Military, commercial, and improvised detonators were examined and modeled. Nichrome, copper, platinum, and tungsten are the detonator specific bridge wire materials studied. The improvised detonators were made typically made with tungsten wire and copper (.about.40 AWG wire strands) wire.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2019

Coupled-inductor DC-DC power converter

A DC-to-DC power converter device has a common magnetic core structure that serves the functions of both transformer device and output inductor by integrating each into the common core. The transformer device has primary and secondary windings integrated into a first leg structure of the magnetic core, and the output inductor device has an output inductor winding integrated into a second leg structure of the magnetic core, the inductor winding structure for delivering output current to a load when a periodically switched input voltage is applied across the primary winding structure. The winding polarities of the transformer secondary winding structure and of the output inductor winding structure provide oppositely oriented polarities of electromotive force (EMF) to substantially reduce an output current ripple to an output load when delivering power through the transformer, through the output inductor and into the output load. A third leg structure of the common magnetic core allows magnetic flux passing through the transformer leg structure to partially magnetically couple to flux passing through the inductor leg structure, thereby allowing adjustment of the output voltage at which output current ripple is minimized.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2024

Influence of Joule Heating on the Stability of High Temperature Irradiation Resistant Thermocouples

Development of in-core instrumentation is driven by the pursuit of safer and more economic energy production from both existing nuclear reactors and Generation IV reactor designs. Idaho National Laboratory (INL) has developed high temperature irradiation resistant thermocouples (HTIR-TCs) for temperature sensing inside Generation IV nuclear reactors. These thermocouples are composed of phosphorus-doped niobium (Nb-P) and lanthana-doped molybdenum (Mo-LaO) thermoelements, an alumina (Al2O3) insulation, and a niobium sheath. HTIR-TCs require an initial heat treatment exceeding the maximum service temperature to stabilize the generated electromotive force (EMF) signal; however, the mechanism behind this stabilization is not well understood. This work evaluates the impact of Joule heating on the thermoelements' microstructures, chemical stability, and mechanical properties to determine the mechanisms by which the EMF signal stabilization occurs. Accordingly, during the Joule heat treatment, a secondary Nb3P phase coarsened along the length of the Nb-P thermoelement, along with the formation of an interaction region at the Al2O3/niobium interface. The interaction between the alumina insulation and the Nb-P thermoelement was also observed within the Mo-LaO thermoelement. Joule heating induced stability within the generated EMF signal of HTIR-TCs through the formation of secondary phases within the Nb-P and the interaction of the alumina insulation with the thermoelements.

46 - INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AN↗