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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

Magnetic suspension systems for space applications

An overview of techniques is presented used in the described magnetic suspension systems. Also a review is presented of the systems already developed, which demonstrate the usefulness, applicability, and flight readiness of magnetic suspension to a broad range of payloads and environments. The following subject areas are covered: programs overview; key concepts; magnetic suspension as an isolator and as a pointer; pointing and isolation systems; magnetic actuator control techniques; and test data.

Havenhill, Douglas G.↗

Initial development of a high-pressure crystal growth facility: Center director's discretionary fund

A low-cost, flexible, high-pressure (600 psi) system for crystal growth and related thermophysical properties measurements was designed, assembled, and tested. The furnace system includes a magnetically coupled translation mechanism that eliminates the need for a high-pressure mechanical feedthru. The system is currently being used for continuing crystal growth experiments and thermophysical properties measurements on several material systems including Hg(1-x)Cd(x)Te, Hg(1-x)Zn(x)Te, and Hg(1-x)Zn(x)Se.

Szofran, F. R.↗

Ultra-low magnetic field apparatus for a cryogenic gyroscope

An ultralow magnetic field apparatus for earth-based testing of a cryogenic gyroscope system designed for a satellite test of general relativity is described. The magnetic field apparatus makes use of a superconducting lead shield while also maintaining sufficient mechanical stability to obtain a gyroscope readout sensitivity of one arcsec over a limited range. A gyroscope environment of 2.3 times 10 to the minus seventh power gauss has been attained with the magnetic field shielding technique. The magnetic field apparatus is to be used with a three-axis London moment readout system.

Cabrera, B.↗

Magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) Engineering Test Facility (ETF) 200 MWe power plant. Conceptual Design Engineering Report (CDER) supplement. Magnet system special investigations

The results of magnet system special investigations listed below are summarized: 4 Tesla Magnet Alternate Design Study; 6 Tesla Magnet Manufacturability Study. The conceptual design for a 4 Tesla superconducting magnet system for use with an alternate (supersonic) ETF power train is described, and estimated schedule and cost are identified. The magnet design is scaled from the ETF 6 T Tesla design. Results of a manufacturability study and a revised schedule and cost estimate for the ETF 6 T magnet are reported. Both investigations are extensions of the conceptual design of a 6 T magnet system performed earlier as a part of the overall MED-ETF conceptual design described in Conceptual Design Engineering Report (CDER) Vol. V, System Design Description (SDD) 503 dated September, 1981, DOE/NASA/0224-1; NASA CR-165/52.

Source record↗

Design, Prototyping, Fabrication and Test of the Mu2e AC-Dipole Magnet

Fermilab Magnet Systems is building three High-frequency AC-Dipole Magnets for the Mu2e experiment at Fermilab. These magnets are composed of three single-loop one-meter-long ferrite loaded segments. The excitation consists of a copper tube, which is also used as a means for its cooling with the inherited challenges of Voltage and Frequency uncoupling. These magnets are designed to operate either at 300 kHz or 4.4 MHz via resonance tuning. Following the completion of the design, prototyping, and analysis phases, all ferrites and other components were procured, and the magnets were fabricated to meet vacuum compatibility requirements using strict procedures. Each magnet undergoes thorough baking and testing before being installed in the experiment. This paper discusses the magnets' role in proton background suppression as it represents a unique and essential device for the Mu2e experiment at Fermilab. We present the magnet design choices, modeling approach, and the challenges encountered during fabrication. Additionally, we outline the power supply driving mechanism, the testing that was performed, and our results.

Elementi, Luciano [Fermilab] (ORCID:00000002766372↗

Implementation of a decoupled controller for a magnetic suspension system using electromagnets mounted in a planar array

An implementation of a decoupled, single-input/single-output control approach for a large angle magnetic suspension test fixture is described. Numerical and experimental results are presented. The experimental system is a laboratory model large gap magnetic suspension system which provides five degree-of-freedom control of a cylindrical suspended element. The suspended element contains a core composed of permanent magnet material and is levitated above five electromagnets mounted in a planar array.

Cox, D. E.↗

A Review of the Generic Grid-Forming Model Used by the System Operator in Chile

The objective in this project is to verify the applicability of using generic electro-magnetic transient domain models of GFM technology through a wide range of tests and system conditions proposed by subject matter experts of GFM technology through a wide range of tests and system conditions proposed by subject matter experts. For this study, we used the generic GFM electro-magnetic transient model available in the EMTP (Electromagnetic Transient Program) software library, and we assessed the model’s various GFM capabilities through 12 tests. In this report, we compare the performance of the model with that of an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) GFM model. We also share the key insights and lessons learned from this work.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Parameter Design and Optimal Control of an Open Core Flywheel Energy Storage System

In low earth orbit (LEO) satellite applications spacecraft power is provided by photovoltaic cells and batteries. To overcome battery shortcomings the University of Maryland, working in cooperation with NASA/GSFC and NASA/LeRC, has developed a magnetically suspended flywheel for energy storage applications. The system is referred to as an Open Core Composite Flywheel (OCCF) energy storage system. Successful application of flywheel energy storage requires integration of several technologies, viz. bearings, rotor design, motor/generator, power conditioning, and system control. In this paper we present a parameter design method which has been developed for analyzing the linear SISO model of the magnetic bearing controller for the OCCF. The objective of this continued research is to principally analyze the magnetic bearing system for nonlinear effects in order to increase the region of stability, as determined by high speed and large air gap control. This is achieved by four tasks: (1) physical modeling, design, prototyping, and testing of an improved magnetically suspended flywheel energy storage system, (2) identification of problems that limit performance and their corresponding solutions, (3) development of a design methodology for magnetic bearings, and (4) design of an optimal controller for future high speed applications. Both nonlinear SISO and MIMO models of the magnetic system were built to study limit cycle oscillations and power amplifier saturation phenomenon observed in experiments. The nonlinear models include the inductance of EM coils, the power amplifier saturation, and the physical limitation of the flywheel movement as discussed earlier. The control program EASY5 is used to study the nonlinear SISO and MIMO models. Our results have shown that the characteristics and frequency responses of the magnetic bearing system obtained from modeling are comparable to those obtained experimentally. Although magnetic saturation is shown in the bearings, there are good correlations between the theoretical model and experimental data. Both simulation and experiment confirm large variations of the magnetic bearing characteristics due to air gap growth. Therefore, the gap growth effect should be considered in the magnetic bearing system design. Additionally, the magnetic bearing control system will be compared to other design methods using not only parameter design but H-infinity optimal control and mu synthesis.

Pang, D.↗

Advancing 1D thermo-hydraulic tools for large cryogenic facilities

The Cryogenic Division at Fermilab develops large-scale cryogenic systems for particle accelerators and superconducting magnet test facilities. To support design and diagnostics, a Python-based code was created to calculate pressure drops in components such as valves and pipes. This paper presents recent enhancements to the code, including new heat transfer functions that improve the accuracy of thermal and hydraulic predictions. The first application models pressure and temperature changes in Proton Improvement Plant PIP-II relief pipes, aiding pipe sizing and protecting relief valves. The second example analyses heat load evolution in a pipe carrying sub-atmospheric helium, helping interpret temperature sensor data and understand gas return behavior to cold compressors. These improvements significantly expand the tool's capabilities, offering a practical resource for designing and troubleshooting cryogenic systems under dynamic thermal and flow conditions.

Beckwith, R. [Fermilab]↗

Feasibility Study for Implementing Magnetic Suspension in the Glenn Research Center 225 cm2 Supersonic Wind Tunnel for Testing the Dynamic Stability of Blunt Bodies

The implementation of a magnetic suspension system in the NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) 225 cm2 Supersonic Wind Tunnel would be a powerful test technique that could accurately determine the dynamic stability of blunt body entry vehicles with no sting interference. This paper explores initial design challenges to be evaluated before implementation, including defining the lowest possible operating dynamic pressure and corresponding model size, developing a compatible video analysis technique, and incorporating a retractable initial support sting.

dynamic stability↗

Design study of superconducting magnets for a combustion magnetohydrodynamic /MHD/ generator

Results are presented for a trade-off and preliminary design study on concepts of a superconducting magnet system for a combustion MHD generator test facility. The main objective is to gain insight into the magnitude of the project in terms of physical characteristics and cost. The net result of a first-phase evaluation of attractive design alternatives is to concentrate subsequent efforts on (1) a racetrack coil geometry with an operating temperature of 4.2 K, (2) a racetrack coil geometry with an operating temperature of 2.0 K, and (3) a rectangular saddle coil geometry with an operating temperature of 4.2 K. All three systems are to produce 8 T, and use NbTi superconductor and iron for field enhancement. Design characteristics of the three systems are described. It is shown that the racetrack and rectangular saddle coil geometries seem most suitable for this application, the former because of its simplicity and the latter because of its efficient use of material. Advantages of the rectangular saddle over the two other systems are stressed.

Thome, R. J.↗

The Gravity-Probe-B relativity gyroscope experiment - Development of the prototype flight instrument

The Gravity-Probe-B relativity gyroscope experiment (GP-B) will measure the geodetic and frame-dragging precession rates of gyroscopes in a 650 km high polar orbit about the earth. The goal is to measure these two effects, which are predicted by Einstein's General Theory of Relativity, to 0.01 percent (geodetic) and 1 percent (frame-dragging). This paper presents the development progress for full-size prototype flight hardware including the gyroscopes, gyro readout and magnetic shielding system, and an integrated ground test instrument.

Turneaure, J. P.↗

Affordable Electro-Magnetic Interference (EMI) Testing on Large Space Vehicles

Objective: Perform System-Level EMI testing of the Orion Exploration Flight Test-1 (EFT-1) spacecraft in situ in the Kennedy Space Center's Neil Armstrong Operations & Checkout (O&C) Facility in 6 days. The only way to execute the system-level EMI testing and meet this schedule challenge was to perform the EMI testing in situ in the Final Assembly & System Test (FAST) Cell in a reverberant mode, not the direct illumination mode originally planned. This required the unplanned construction of a Faraday Cage around the vehicle and FAST Cell structure. The presence of massive steel platforms created many challenges to developing an efficient screen room to contain the RF energy and yield an effective reverberant chamber. An initial effectiveness test showed marginal performance, but improvements implemented afterward resulted in the final test performing surprisingly well! The paper will explain the design, the challenges, and the changes that made the difference in performance!

Aldridge, Edward↗

Reconfiguration of NASA GRC's Vacuum Facility 6 for Testing of Advanced Electric Propulsion System (AEPS) Hardware

The NASA Hall Effect Rocket with Magnetic Shielding (HERMeS) 12.5 kilowatt Hall thruster has been the subject of extensive technology maturation in preparation for development into a flight propulsion system. The HERMeS thruster is being developed and tested at NASA GRC and NASA JPL through support of the Space Technology Mission Directorate and is intended to be used as the electric propulsion system on the Power and Propulsion Element of the recently announced Deep Space Gateway. The Advanced Electric Propulsion System (AEPS) contract was awarded to Aerojet Rocketdyne to develop the HERMeS system into a flight system for use by NASA. To address the hardware test needs of the AEPS project, NASA GRC launched an effort to reconfigure Vacuum Facility 6 for high-power electric propulsion testing including upgrades and reconfigurations necessary to conduct performance, plasma plume, and system level integration testing. Results of the verification and validation testing with HERMeS Technology Demonstration Unit (TDU) 1 and TDU-3 Hall thrusters are also included.

ion engines↗

Reconfiguration of NASA GRC's Vacuum Facility 6 for Testing of Advanced Electric Propulsion System (AEPS) Hardware

The NASA Hall Effect Rocket with Magnetic Shielding (HERMeS) 12.5 kilowatt Hall thruster has been the subject of extensive technology maturation in preparation for development into a flight propulsion system. The HERMeS thruster is being developed and tested at NASA GRC and NASA JPL through support of the Space Technology Mission Directorate and is intended to be used as the electric propulsion system on the Power and Propulsion Element of the recently announced Deep Space Gateway. The Advanced Electric Propulsion System (AEPS) contract was awarded to Aerojet Rocketdyne to develop the HERMeS system into a flight system for use by NASA. To address the hardware test needs of the AEPS project, NASA GRC launched an effort to reconfigure Vacuum Facility 6 for high-power electric propulsion testing including upgrades and reconfigurations necessary to conduct performance, plasma plume, and system level integration testing. Results of the verification and validation testing with HERMeS Technology Demonstration Unit (TDU) 1 and TDU-3 Hall thrusters are also included.

life (durability)↗

Reconfiguration of NASA GRC's Vacuum Facility 6 for Testing of Advanced Electric Propulsion System (AEPS) Hardware

The NASA Hall Effect Rocket with Magnetic Shielding (HERMeS) 12.5 kW Hall thruster has been the subject of extensive technology maturation in preparation for development into a flight propulsion system. The HERMeS thruster is being developed and tested at NASA GRC and NASA JPL through support of the Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) and is intended to be used as the electric propulsion system on the Power and Propulsion Element (PPE) of the recently announced Deep Space Gateway (DSG). The Advanced Electric Propulsion System (AEPS) contract was awarded to Aerojet-Rocketdyne to develop the HERMeS system into a flight system for use by NASA. To address the hardware test needs of the AEPS project, NASA GRC launched an effort to reconfigure Vacuum Facility 6 (VF-6) for high-power electric propulsion testing including upgrades and reconfigurations necessary to conduct performance, plasma plume, and system level integration testing. Results of the verification and validation testing with HERMeS Technology Demonstration Unit (TDU)-1 and TDU-3 Hall thrusters are also included.

Peterson, Peter Y.↗

Follow-on cable coupling lightning test, volume 1

A redesigned solid rocket motor test article was subjected to simulated lightning strikes. This test was performed to evaluate the effects of lightning strike to the redesigned motor and Space Transportation System. The purpose of the test was to evaluate the performance of systems tunnel design changes when subjected to the lightning discharges. The goal of the design changes was to reduce lightning induced coupling to cables within the systems tunnel. The test article was subjected to several different amounts and kinds of discharges. Changes in coupling levels detected during the tests are recorded. The dominant mode of coupling appears to be caused by the diffusion of the magnetic fields through the system tunnel covers. The results from bond strap integrity testing showed that 16 of 18 bond straps survived. Design change evaluations showed that coupling reduction ranged from 0 to 36 decibels for each type of cable. The type of cable has less effect on coupling than does strike location and strike levels. Recommendations for design changes are made.

Danforth, Richard↗