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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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NASA NTRS2004

Integrated Modeling Activities for the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST): Structural-Thermal-Optical Analysis

This is a continuation of a series of papers on modeling activities for JWST. The structural-thermal- optical, often referred to as "STOP", analysis process is used to predict the effect of thermal distortion on optical performance. The benchmark STOP analysis for JWST assesses the effect of an observatory slew on wavefront error. The paper begins an overview of multi-disciplinary engineering analysis, or integrated modeling, which is a critical element of the JWST mission. The STOP analysis process is then described. This process consists of the following steps: thermal analysis, structural analysis, and optical analysis. Temperatures predicted using geometric and thermal math models are mapped to the structural finite element model in order to predict thermally-induced deformations. Motions and deformations at optical surfaces are input to optical models and optical performance is predicted using either an optical ray trace or WFE estimation techniques based on prior ray traces or first order optics. Following the discussion of the analysis process, results based on models representing the design at the time of the System Requirements Review. In addition to baseline performance predictions, sensitivity studies are performed to assess modeling uncertainties. Of particular interest is the sensitivity of optical performance to uncertainties in temperature predictions and variations in metal properties. The paper concludes with a discussion of modeling uncertainty as it pertains to STOP analysis.

Johnston, John D.↗

NASA NTRS2006

Validation Database Based Thermal Analysis of an Advanced RPS Concept

Advanced RPS concepts can be conceived, designed and assessed using high-end computational analysis tools. These predictions may provide an initial insight into the potential performance of these models, but verification and validation are necessary and required steps to gain confidence in the numerical analysis results. This paper discusses the findings from a numerical validation exercise for a small advanced RPS concept, based on a thermal analysis methodology developed at JPL and on a validation database obtained from experiments performed at Oregon State University. Both the numerical and experimental configurations utilized a single GPHS module enabled design, resembling a Mod-RTG concept. The analysis focused on operating and environmental conditions during the storage phase only. This validation exercise helped to refine key thermal analysis and modeling parameters, such as heat transfer coefficients, and conductivity and radiation heat transfer values. Improved understanding of the Mod-RTG concept through validation of the thermal model allows for future improvements to this power system concept.

numerical model↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Harnessing the Digital Transformation for Development of Electrified Aircraft Propulsion Control Systems

Hybrid electric aircraft propulsion is an emerging technology that presents a variety of potential benefits along with technical integration challenges. Developing these new propulsion architectures with their complex control systems, and ultimately proving their benefit, is a multistep process that goes from concept, to analysis, to dynamic simulation, to hardware in the loop testing, to full scale testing and beyond. This effort is being revolutionized and indeed enabled by new digital tools that support the increasing technology readiness level throughout the maturation process. NASA has developed and made available a suite of digital tools that ease the path from concept to implementation. The three packages are the Toolbox for the Modeling and Analysis of Thermodynamic Systems (T-MATS), the Electrical Modeling and Thermal Analysis Toolbox (EMTAT), and the Thermal Systems Analysis Toolbox (TSAT). These tools are interactive, complementary, and compatible with each other. T-MATS is a modular thermodynamic modeling framework designed for creating custom component level models of jet engines. EMTAT is a modeling framework used to simulate a variety of power electronic devices, using both physics-based and power flow calculations. TSAT is a framework for modeling and analysis of dynamic heat transfer. These packages all consist of graphical, drag-and-drop, parameterizable building blocks representing various components of the system to be modeled, e.g., compressors, turbines, motors, energy storage devices, etc. They are designed to enable the user to model and simulate the end-to-end dynamic operation of a hybrid powertrain at the timescale of the turbomachinery, capturing mechanical, electrical, and thermal interactions. This paper will describe through multiple examples how these tools have been used successfully in several of the early stages of hybrid electric propulsion system development, from the initial system modeling to real-time interactive pilot-in-the-loop simulation to physical hardware-in-the-loop testing, each step bringing the technology closer to fruition.

Hybrid electric propulsion↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Harnessing the Digital Transformation for Development of Hybrid Electric Aircraft Propulsion Control Systems

Electrified Propulsion↗

NASA NTRS2023

Harnessing the Digital Transformation for Development of Electrified Aircraft Propulsion Control Systems

Hybrid electric aircraft propulsion is an emerging technology that presents a variety of potential benefits along with technical integration challenges. Developing these new propulsion architectures with their complex control systems, and ultimately proving their benefit, is a multistep process. This process includes concept development and analysis, dynamic simulation, hardware-in-the-loop testing, full-scale testing, and so on. This effort is being revolutionized and indeed enabled by new digital tools that support increasing the technology readiness level throughout the maturation process. As part of this Digital Transformation, NASA has developed a suite of publicly available digital tools that facilitate the path from concept to implementation. This paper describes the NASA-developed tools and puts them in the context of control system development for hybrid electric aircraft propulsion. The three MATLAB®-based software packages are the Toolbox for the Modeling and Analysis of Thermodynamic Systems (T-MATS), the Electrical Modeling and Thermal Analysis Toolbox (EMTAT), and the Thermal Systems Analysis Toolbox (TSAT). These tools are interactive, complementary, and compatible with each other. T-MATS is a modular thermodynamic modeling framework designed for creating custom component level models of jet engines. EMTAT is a modeling framework used to simulate a variety of power electronic devices, using both physics-based and power flow calculations. TSAT is a framework for modeling and analysis of dynamic heat transfer. These packages all consist of graphical, drag-and-drop, parameterizable building blocks representing various components of the system to be modeled, e.g., compressors, turbines, motors, energy storage devices, etc. They are designed to enable the user to model and simulate the end-to-end dynamic operation of a hybrid electric gas turbine engine powertrain at the timescale of the turbomachinery, capturing mechanical, electrical, and thermal interactions. This paper demonstrates through multiple examples how these tools have been used successfully in a variety of applications, including several of the early stages of hybrid electric gas turbine engine propulsion system development, from the initial system modeling to real-time interactive pilot-in-the-loop simulation to physical hardware-in-the-loop testing, each step bringing the technology closer to fruition.

hybrid electric propulsion↗

NASA NTRS2014

Structural-Thermal-Optical-Performance (STOP) Model Development and Analysis of a Field-widened Michelson Interferometer

An integrated Structural-Thermal-Optical-Performance (STOP) model was developed for a field-widened Michelson interferometer which is being built and tested for the High Spectral Resolution Lidar (HSRL) project at NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC). The performance of the interferometer is highly sensitive to thermal expansion, changes in refractive index with temperature, temperature gradients, and deformation due to mounting stresses. Hand calculations can only predict system performance for uniform temperature changes, under the assumption that coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) mismatch effects are negligible. An integrated STOP model was developed to investigate the effects of design modifications on the performance of the interferometer in detail, including CTE mismatch, and other three- dimensional effects. The model will be used to improve the design for a future spaceflight version of the interferometer. The STOP model was developed using the Comet SimApp'TM' Authoring Workspace which performs automated integration between Pro-Engineer®, Thermal Desktop®, MSC Nastran'TM', SigFit'TM', Code V'TM', and MATLAB®. This is the first flight project for which LaRC has utilized Comet, and it allows a larger trade space to be studied in a shorter time than would be possible in a traditional STOP analysis. This paper describes the development of the STOP model, presents a comparison of STOP results for simple cases with hand calculations, and presents results of the correlation effort to bench-top testing of the interferometer. A trade study conducted with the STOP model which demonstrates a few simple design changes that can improve the performance seen in the lab is also presented.

Scola, Salvatore J.↗

NASA NTRS2024

Revolutionary Vertical Lift Technology Lift + Cruise Concept Vehicle Powertrain Dynamic Model

The Lift + Cruise (L+C) is one of several Revolutionary Vertical Lift Technology (RVLT) concept aircraft identified by NASA to investigate Urban Air Mobility (UAM) requirements. This six-passenger vehicle has a conventional tube-and-wing configuration, but with eight lift rotors (four on each wing) and a pusher rotor on the tail. This arrangement allows it to take off and land vertically as well as fly like an airplane. This report presents a novel dynamic model of the L+C powertrain built using the Toolbox for the Modeling and Analysis of Thermodynamic Systems (T-MATS) and the Electrical Modeling and Thermal Analysis Toolbox (EMTAT), both of which are NASA-developed toolboxes, and together are capable of modeling hybrid-electric powertrain architectures. This research effort models the complex behavior of the powertrain at the mechanical timescale (15 to 20 ms). The model consists of a turboshaft engine, generator, direct current bus, energy storage management system, gearboxes, and electric propulsor systems coupled together to create a dynamic model that mimics the operation of the multidomain powertrain. Two control algorithms, designed to equalize the power consumed to the power produced, are compared to assess their practicality: (1) independent proportional-integral (PI) control and (2) linear quadratic integral regulator (LQIR) control. Simulation results highlight the key features present in the model and demonstrate its operation under the two control schemes.

revolutionary vertical lift technology↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Reduced-order Modeling for Spacecraft Thermal-structural Applications

Leveraging the speed of reduced-order models (ROMs), thermal analysis teams have previously had access to rapid optimization, sensitivity studies, rapid model correlation, and uncertainty quantification, to name a few. An advantage of the developed approach is its relative robustness, which enabled expansion to include structural models in addition to thermal models leading to both rapid thermal-structural and rapid structural-only analyses. This method was tested for a sample thermal-structural application and showed good performance. It was then applied to a complex NASA mission and showed how ROMs could be used to quickly evaluate system uncertainties. Finally, these methods were applied to a structural-only application and used to better optimize and understand the structural design.

Derek Hengeveld↗

NASA NTRS2014

Passive Thermal Control for the Low Density Supersonic Decelerator (LDSD) Test Vehicle Spin Motors Sub-System

Future missions to Mars will require improved entry, descent, and landing (EDL) technology over the Viking-heritage systems which recently landed the largest payload to date, the 900 kg Mars Science Laboratory. As a result, NASA's Low Density Supersonic Decelerator (LDSD) project is working to advance the state of the art in Mars EDL systems by developing and testing three key technologies which will enable heavier payloads and higher altitude landing sites on the red planet. These technologies consist of a large 33.5 m diameter Supersonic Disk Sail (SSDS) parachute and two different Supersonic Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerator (SIAD) devices - a robotic class that inflates to a 6 m diameter torus (SIAD-R), and an exploration class that inflates to an 8 m diameter isotensoid (SIADE). All three technologies will be demonstrated on test vehicles at high earth altitudes in order to simulate the Mars EDL environment. Each vehicle will be carried to altitude by a large helium balloon, released, spun up using spin motors to stabilize the vehicle's trajectory, and accelerated to supersonic speeds using a large solid rocket motor. The vehicle will then be spun down using another set of spin motors, and will deploy either the SIAD-R or SIAD-E, followed by the SSDS parachute until the vehicle lands in the ocean. Component level testing and bounding analysis are used to ensure the survival of system components in extreme thermal environments and predict temperatures throughout the flight. This paper presents a general description of the thermal testing, model correlation, and analysis of the spin motor passive thermal control sub-system to maintain spin motor performance, prescribed vehicle trajectory, and structural integrity of the test vehicle. The spin motor subsystem is predicted to meet its requirements with margin.

thermal analysis↗

NASA NTRS2017

Development of NASA's Sample Cartridge Assembly: Summary of GEDS Design, Development Testing, and Thermal Analyses

Outline: Background of ISS (International Space Station) Material Science Research Rack; NASA SCA (Sample Cartridge Assembly) Design; GEDS (Gravitational Effects in Distortion in Sintering) Experiment Ampoule Design; Development Testing Summary; Thermal Modeling and Analysis. Summary: GEDS design development challenging (GEDS Ampoule design developed through MUGS (Microgravity) testing; Short duration transient sample processing; Unable to measure sample temperatures); MUGS Development testing used to gather data (Actual LGF (Low Gradient Furnace)-like furnace response; Provided sample for sintering evaluation); Transient thermal model integral to successful GEDS experiment (Development testing provided furnace response; PI (Performance Indicator) evaluation of sintering anchored model evaluation of processing durations; Thermal transient model used to determine flight SCA sample processing profiles).

O'Connor, Brian↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Coupling a Computational Fluid Dynamics Model to a Spacecraft Thermal System Model for the DraMS Instrument Thermal Analysis

The Dragonfly Mass Spectrometer (DraMS) is an instrument on the Dragonfly mission, which will spend 7 years in deep space cruise before landing and operating on the surface of Titan. Vacuum thermal analyses are required for deep space cruise, and convection analyses are required for the Titan surface operations. Model exchanges across multiple thermal teams are needed for all phases of the mission. For DraMS, Thermal Desktop® (TD) has been the main thermal analytical tool of choice due to its capability in modeling complex thermal systems with relatively low computational power and for its availability across thermal teams. However, TD does not have computational fluid dynamics (CFD) capability and struggles to accurately capture complex convective behavior. DraMS has fans operating in tandem and gas flow behaviors are not easily predicted due to its complex flow paths. CFD software, such as Fluent, can model and predict such complex flow behaviors, but CFD models are computationally expensive, and its workflow processes are not tailored towards simulating large and complex systems. Therefore, a coupled modeling approach was chosen for DraMS: A TD model was used for simulating all the conductive, radiative, and source terms, while a Fluent CFD model was added on, as needed, to the TD model to provide the convective boundary conditions using the System Coupling software. The coupling software allows the TD and Fluent models to communicate data and arrive at a co-solved and co-converged solution. Furthermore, Thermal Iso-value Exchange (TIE) method was developed to facilitate and improve the TD-Fluent data exchange process. This paper will discuss the analytical studies that were done to verify the accuracy and usability of the coupled approach and the challenges associated, which lead to the development of the TIE approach. DraMS thermal design and co-solved analysis results will also be discussed.

Heat transfer↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Coupling a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Model to a Spacecraft Thermal System Model for the DraMS Instrument Thermal Analysis

The Dragonfly Mass Spectrometer (DraMS) is an instrument on the Dragonfly mission, which will spend 7 years in deep space cruise before landing and operating on the surface of Titan. Vacuum thermal analyses are required for deep space cruise, and convection analyses are required for the Titan surface operations. Model exchanges across multiple thermal teams are needed for all phases of the mission. For DraMS, Thermal Desktop (TD) has been the main thermal analytical tool of choice due to its capability in modeling complex thermal systems with relatively low computational power and for its availability across thermal teams. However, TD does not have computational fluid dynamics (CFD) capability and struggles to accurately capture complex convective behavior. DraMS has fans operating in tandem and gas flow behaviors are not easily predicted due to its complex flow paths. CFD software, such as Fluent, can model and predict such complex flow behaviors, but CFD models are computationally expensive, and its workflow processes are not tailored towards simulating large and complex systems. Therefore, a coupled modeling approach was chosen for DraMS: A TD model was used for simulating all the conductive, radiative, and source terms, while a Fluent CFD model was added on, as needed, to the TD model to provide the convective boundary conditions using the System Coupling software. The coupling software allows the TD and Fluent models to communicate data and arrive at a co-solved and co-converged solution. Furthermore, Thermal Iso-value Exchange (TIE) method was developed to facilitate and improve the TD-Fluent data exchange process. This paper will discuss the analytical studies that were done to verify the accuracy and usability of the coupled approach and the challenges associated, which lead to the development of the TIE approach. DraMS thermal design and co-solved analysis results will also be discussed.

heat transfer↗

NASA NTRS1984

Development of a thermal and structural model for a NASTRAN finite-element analysis of a hypersonic wing test structure

The development of a thermal and structural model for a hypersonic wing test structure using the NASTRAN finite-element method as its primary analytical tool is described. A detailed analysis was defined to obtain the temperature and thermal stress distribution in the whole wing as well as the five upper and lower root panels. During the development of the models, it was found that the thermal application of NASTRAN and the VIEW program, used for the generation of the radiation exchange coefficients, were definicent. Although for most of these deficiencies solutions could be found, the existence of one particular deficiency in the current thermal model prevented the final computation of the temperature distributions. A SPAR analysis of a single bay of the wing, using data converted from the original NASTRAN model, indicates that local temperature-time distributions can be obtained with good agreement with the test data. The conversion of the NASTRAN thermal model into a SPAR model is recommended to meet the immediate goal of obtaining an accurate thermal stress distribution.

Lameris, J.↗

NASA NTRS1977

Dynamic modeling and sensitivity analysis of solar thermal energy conversion systems

Since the energy input to solar thermal conversion systems is both time variant and probabilistic, it is unlikely that simple steady-state methods for estimating lifetime performance will provide satisfactory results. The work described here uses dynamic modeling to begin identifying what must be known about input radiation and system dynamic characteristics to estimate performance reliably. Daily operation of two conceptual solar energy systems was simulated under varying operating strategies with time-dependent radiation intensity ranging from smooth input of several magnitudes to input of constant total energy whose intensity oscillated with periods from 1/4 hour to 6 hours. Integrated daily system output and efficiency were functions of both level and dynamic characteristics of insolation. Sensitivity of output to changes in total input was greater than one.

Hamilton, C. L.↗

NASA NTRS2006

Minimum mass design of large-scale space trusses subjected to thermal gradients

Lightweight, deployable trusses are commonly used to support space-borne instruments including RF reflectors, radar panels, and telescope optics. While in orbit, these support structures are subjected to thermal gradients that vary with altitude, location in orbit, and self-shadowing. Since these instruments have tight dimensional-stability requirements, their truss members are often covered with multi-layer insulation (MLI) blankets to minimize thermal distortions. This paper develops a radiation heat transfer model to predict the thermal gradient experienced by a triangular truss supporting a long, linear radar panel in Medium Earth Orbit (MEO). The influence of self-shadowing effects of the radar panel are included in the analysis, and the influence of both MLI thickness and outer covers/coatings on the magnitude of the thermal gradient are formed into a simple, two-dimensional analysis. This thermal model is then used to size and estimate the structural mass of a triangular truss that meets a given set of structural requirements.

thermal truss analysis↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Final Thermal Design and Thermal Vacuum Testing of the StarBurst Instrument

The StarBurst Multimessenger Pioneer is a small satellite mission serving as a wide-field gamma-ray observatory designed to capture the initial emissions of short gamma-ray bursts, electromagnetic signatures of neutron star mergers. This paper presents the final thermal design and analysis of the StarBurst Instrument, comprising the bus-to-instrument interface plate, control electronics, and twelve crystal detector units, which form the core of the mission’s science capability. The passive thermal control system design requires consideration of restrictive keep-out zones, unknown orbital parameters, and narrow temperature limits of the detectors. Also summarized is the instrument level thermal vacuum cycle test, correlated model refinements, and updated model results. Following successful completion of the instrument test campaign, the hardware was integrated with the spacecraft bus for spacecraft level testing, including additional thermal vacuum testing. The results from the spacecraft level thermal vacuum test will further inform the instrument thermal model, ensuring accurate flight temperature predictions. StarBurst launches as a secondary payload in 2027 and has a mission duration of at least one year.

StarBurst↗

NASA NTRS2018

Thermal Analysis of Propulsion Components for the Europa Clipper Mission

This presentation describes the thermal analysis and model development that occurred for selected components on the propulsion module subsystem of the Europa Clipper mission, which will fly to Jupiter's icy moon Europa and collect science data from orbit. An overview of a bipropellant system is given, as well as a description of a typical thermal propulsion design. A comparison is also provided, describing the unique Europa Clipper thermal design, which is atypical in many respects. The engine thermal model development is also discussed, including hot-firing tests with nozzle convection correlation, as well as thermal vacuum tests to measure and correlate the emissivity of critical nozzle surfaces. A description of engine firing, as well as valve soak back, is also provided, including temperature maps and results of engine cases. A summary is also provided, of lessons learned regarding thermal propulsion considerations.

propulsion module subsystem↗

NASA NTRS1982

An analytical approach to thermal modeling of Bridgman-type crystal growth. I - One-dimensional analysis

A relatively simple one-dimensional thermal model of the Bridgman growth process has been developed which is applicable to the growth of small diameter samples with conductivities similar to those of metallic alloys. The heat flow in a translating rod is analyzed in a way that is applicable to Biot numbers less than unity. The model accommodates an adiabatic zone, different heat transfer coefficients in the hot and cold zones, and changes in sample material properties associated with phase change. The analysis is applied to several simplified cases. The effect of the rod's motion is studied in a three-zone furnace for a rod sufficiently long that end effects can be neglected; end effects are then investigated for a motionless rod. Finally, the addition of a fourth zone, an independently controlled booster heater between the main heater and the adiabatic zone, is evaluated for its ability to increase the gradient in the sample at the melt interface and to control the position of the interface.

Naumann, R. J.↗