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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 109 records · Page 6

Reusable Reentry Satellite (RRS) system design study. Phase B, appendix E: Attitude control system study

A study which consisted of a series of design analyses for an Attitude Control System (ACS) to be incorporated into the Re-usable Re-entry Satellite (RRS) was performed. The main thrust of the study was associated with defining the control laws and estimating the mass and power requirements of the ACS needed to meet the specified performance goals. The analyses concentrated on the different on-orbit control modes which start immediately after the separation of the RRS from the launch vehicle. The three distinct on-orbit modes considered for these analyses are as follows: (1) Mode 1 - A Gravity Gradient (GG) three-axis stabilized spacecraft with active magnetic control; (2) Mode 2 - A GG stabilized mode with a controlled yaw rotation rate ('rotisserie') using three-axis magnetic control and also incorporating a 10 N-m-s momentum wheel along the (Z) yaw axis; and (3) Mode 3 - A spin stabilized mode of operation with the spin about the pitch (Y) axis, incorporating a 20 N-m-s momentum wheel along the pitch (Y) axis and attitude control via thrusters. To investigate the capabilities of the different controllers in these various operational modes, a series of computer simulations and trade-off analyses have been made to evaluate the achievable performance levels, and the necessary mass and power requirements.

Source record↗

Interplanetary Magnetic Field Control of the Entry of Solar Energetic Particles into the Magnetosphere

We have investigated the entry of energetic ions of solar origin into the magnetosphere as a function of the interplanetary magnetic field orientation. We have modeled this entry by following high energy particles (protons and 3 He ions) ranging from 0.1 to 50 MeV in electric and magnetic fields from a global magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) model of the magnetosphere and its interaction with the solar wind. For the most part these particles entered the magnetosphere on or near open field lines except for some above 10 MeV that could enter directly by crossing field lines due to their large gyroradii. The MHD simulation was driven by a series of idealized solar wind and interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) conditions. It was found that the flux of particles in the magnetosphere and transport into the inner magnetosphere varied widely according to the IMF orientation for a constant upstream particle source, with the most efficient entry occurring under southward IMF conditions. The flux inside the magnetosphere could approach that in the solar wind implying that SEPs can contribute significantly to the magnetospheric energetic particle population during typical SEP events depending on the state of the magnetosphere.

Richard, R. L.↗

The magnetic attitude control of the Atmosphere Explorer-E spacecraft

The Atmosphere Explorer-E spacecraft was launched in November 1975, as the last of the Atmosphere Explorer series. It is a dual spin satellite and has on-board magnetic coils to maintain the spin axis of the spacecraft within 2 degrees of orbit normal. There is a constraint on the total angular momentum to keep it at a constant level, at around 1200 in-lb-sec +/-10 percent. On the previous AE satellites, the attitude and momentum were controlled separately, with dipoles mounted parallel to the spin axis for pure attitude control, and with coils in the spin plane to desaturate the momentum wheel. Due to the near-equatorial orbit of the AE-E spacecraft, spin axis coils would be inefficient, because the dipoles would have been closely aligned with the geomagnetic field vector. For this reason it was decided to control both attitude and momentum magnitude with dipoles in the spin plane. However, for spin plane coils the attitude and momentum control are strongly coupled, which required a special control theory to be worked out.

Grell, M. G.↗

The Mars Crustal Magnetic Field Control of Plasma Boundary Locations and Atmospheric Loss: MHD Prediction and Comparison with MAVEN

We present results from a global Mars time-dependent MHD simulation under constant solar wind and solar radiation impact considering inherent magnetic field variations due to continuous planetary rotation. We calculate the 3-D shapes and locations of the bow shock (BS) and the induced magnetospheric boundary (IMB) and then examine their dynamic changes with time. We develop a physics-based, empirical algorithm to effectively summarize the multidimensional crustal field distribution. It is found that by organizing the model results using this new approach, the Mars crustal field shows a clear, significant influence on both the IMB and the BS. Specifically, quantitative relationships have been established between the field distribution and the mean boundary distances and the cross-section areas in the terminator plane for both of the boundaries. The model-predicted relationships are further verified by the observations from the NASA Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) mission. Our analysis shows that the boundaries are collectively affected by the global crustal field distribution, which, however, cannot be simply parameterized by a local parameter like the widely used subsolar longitude. Our calculations show that the variability of the intrinsic crustal field distribution in Mars-centered Solar Orbital itself may account for approx.60% of the variation in total atmospheric loss, when external drivers are static. It is found that the crustal field has not only a shielding effect for atmospheric loss but also an escape-fostering effect by positively affecting the transterminator ion flow cross-section area.

Global↗

Stability of the Tilt Modes of an Actively Controlled Flywheel Analyzed

Applications of strongly gyroscopic rotors are becoming important, including flywheels for terrestrial and space energy storage and various attitude control devices for spacecraft. Some of these applications, especially the higher speed ones for energy storage, will have actively controlled magnetic bearings. These bearings will be required where speeds are too high for conventional bearings, where adequate lubrication is undesirable or impossible, or where bearing losses must be minimized for efficient energy storage. Flywheel rotors are highly gyroscopic, and above some speed that depends on the bandwidth of the feedback system, they always become unstable in an actively controlled magnetic bearing system. To assess ways to prevent instability until speeds well above the desired operating range, researchers at the NASA Lewis Research Center used a commercial controls code to calculate the eigenvalues of the tilt modes of a rigid gyroscopic rotor supported by active magnetic bearings. The real part of the eigenvalue is the negative of the damping of the mode, and the imaginary part is approximately equal to the mode s frequency.

Brown, Gerald V.↗

Active magnetic bearing control loop modeling for a finite element rotordynamics code

A mathematical model of an active electromagnetic bearing which includes the actuator, the sensor and the control system is developed and implemented in a specialized finite element code for rotordynamic analysis. The element formulation and its incorporation in the model of the machine are described in detail. A solution procedure, based on a modal approach in which the number of retained modes is controlled by the user, is then shown together with other procedures for computing the steady-state response to both static and unbalance forces. An example of application shows the numerical results obtained on a model of an electric motor suspended on a five active-axis magnetic suspension. The comparison of some of these results with the experimental characteristics of the actual system shows the ability of the present model to predict its performance.

Genta, Giancarlo↗

Force analysis of magnetic bearings with power-saving controls

Most magnetic bearing control schemes use a bias current with a superimposed control current to linearize the relationship between the control current and the force it delivers. For most operating conditions, the existence of the bias current requires more power than alternative methods that do not use conventional bias. Two such methods are examined which diminish or eliminate bias current. In the typical bias control scheme it is found that for a harmonic control force command into a voltage limited transconductance amplifier, the desired force output is obtained only up to certain combinations of force amplitude and frequency. Above these values, the force amplitude is reduced and a phase lag occurs. The power saving alternative control schemes typically exhibit such deficiencies at even lower command frequencies and amplitudes. To assess the severity of these effects, a time history analysis of the force output is performed for the bias method and the alternative methods. Results of the analysis show that the alternative approaches may be viable. The various control methods examined were mathematically modeled using nondimensionalized variables to facilitate comparison of the various methods.

Johnson, Dexter↗

Magnetic field controls carbon arc tail flame

Polarity of two electromagnets placed near the exhaust flue cancels out a high carbon-arc field. The arc tail flame is correctly drawn to the exhaust flue and contamination is diverted. This device should reduce maintenance cycles on any arc-powered illuminator.

Source record↗

An elementary magnetic attitude control system

A three-axis closed-loop attitude-control system for earth-observatory momentum-bias spacecraft is proposed. A horizon scanner and magnetometer are employed to measure attitude errors; no yaw sensor is required. Appropriate control signals are generated and used to command variable-strength electromagnets, which interact with the geomagnetic field to reduce observed errors. This system provides for initial acquisition, precession control, nutation damping, and pitch-axis momentum control. All functions are performed autonomously - no ground-station interaction is required. Analytical expressions predicting system response are compared with numerical solutions of the governing equations, and with the results of the application of Floquet Theory.-

Stickler, A. C.↗

Magnetic attitude control system for dual-spin satellites

A closed-loop control law is developed for a dual-spin satellite control system which utilizes the interaction of the geomagnetic field with the satellite dipole parallel to the spin axis. The control law consists of the linear combination of the pitch axis component of the rate of change of the geomagnetic field and the product of the roll angle and roll axis component of the geomagnetic field. Application of the method of multiple time scales yields approximate solutions for the feedback gains in terms of the system parameters. Approximate solutions are also obtained for the response of the system to disturbance torques. A comparison of the approximate solutions and numerical solutions obtained by numerical integration of the exact equations of motion is then given.

Alfriend, K. T.↗

White light and radio studies of the coronal transient of 14-15 September 1973. I - Material motions and magnetic field

Observations of a coronal transient event were obtained in white light by the Skylab coronagraph and at metric wavelengths by the radioheliograph and spectrograph at Culgoora, Australia, and the spectrograph-interferometer at Boulder, Colo. The continuum radio burst was found to originate above the outward-moving white-light loop, a region of compressed material headed by a bow wave. The computed density in the region of radio emission, based on either gyrosynchrotron or harmonic plasma radiation mechanisms, was approximately 10 times the ambient coronal density; this is compatible with the density deduced from the white-light observations. The magnetic-energy density derived from the radio observations was greater than 10 times the thermal energy density, marginally larger than the kinetic energy density in the fastest-moving portion of the transient, and considerably larger in most other regions. The ambient medium, the white-light front, the compression region, the loop, and the slower massive flow of material behind are each examined. It is found that the plasma was magnetically controlled throughout and that magnetic forces provided the principal mechanism for acceleration of the transient material from the sun.

Dulk, G. A.↗

Magnetic field control

A torque control for an electromechanical torquing device of a type where a variable clearance occurs between a rotor and field is described. A Hall effect device senses the field present, which would vary as a function of spacing between field and rotor. The output of the Hall effect device controls the power applied to the field so as to provide a well defined field and thus a controlled torque to the rotor which is well defined.

Haeussermann, W.↗

Magnetic Bearing With Radial and Angular Control

Active magnetic bearing stably levitates rotor against radial (lateral) and axial motion and points rotor axis in controllable direction, yet allows rotor to turn freely about own axis. Rotor only moving part, and absence of mechanical contact between rotor and stator assures long life. Active magnetic bearing includes electromagnet coils tilting rotor clockwise or counterclockwise, or move it right or left. Feedback control system maintains rotor at equilibrium radial and angular positions in response to signals from position sensors. No active control needed to maintain equilibrium axial position. Adjustable magnetic bearing useful in high-speed rotating devices, robotic joints, and supports for optical elements.

Studer, P. A.↗

A compact magnetic bearing for gimballed momentum wheel

A three axis controlled magnetic bearing and its application to a momentum wheel are described. The four divided stators provide a momentum wheel with high reliability, low weight, large angular momentum storage capacity, and gimbal control. Those characteristics are desirable for spacecraft attitude control.

Yabu-Uchi, K.↗

Magnetic fluid readily controlled in zero gravity environment

Colloid composed of finely ground iron oxide in a fluid such as heptane, is controlled and directed magnetically in a zero gravity environment. It will not separate on standing for long periods or after exposure to magnetic or centrifugal forces. Because of its low density and low viscosity, it is easily pumped.

Papell, S. S.↗