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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

Acoustic Mechanical Feed-Throughs for Producing Work Across a Structure

An apparatus that passes vibrational energy across a mechanical structure lacking a perforation. The disclosed apparatus and method provide the ability to transfer work (rotary or linear motion) across pressure or thermal barriers or in a sterile environment without generating contaminants; the presence of reflectors in the solid barrier to enhance the efficiency of the energy/power transmission, and the ability to produce a bi-directional driving mechanism using a plurality of different mode resonances, such as a fundamental frequency resonance and a higher frequency resonance. In some instances, a plane within the mechanical structure lacking a perforation is a nodal plane of the vibrational energy field.

Sherril, Stewart↗

Precisely repeatable rotary mechanism

Precision-finished lead screw and a fitted mating nut member produce a linear translatory motion. This motion is transformed to a rotary movement of a pivotal platform member. The transformation is achieved by coupling the nut member and the platform member through a pair of opposed, taut, flex bands.

Johnson, K. G.↗

Radial Halbach Magnetic Bearings

Radial Halbach magnetic bearings have been investigated as part of an effort to develop increasingly reliable noncontact bearings for future high-speed rotary machines that may be used in such applications as aircraft, industrial, and land-vehicle power systems and in some medical and scientific instrumentation systems. Radial Halbach magnetic bearings are based on the same principle as that of axial Halbach magnetic bearings, differing in geometry as the names of these two types of bearings suggest. Both radial and axial Halbach magnetic bearings are passive in the sense that unlike most other magnetic bearings that have been developed in recent years, they effect stable magnetic levitation without need for complex active control. Axial Halbach magnetic bearings were described in Axial Halbach Magnetic Bearings (LEW-18066-1), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 32, No. 7 (July 2008), page 85. In the remainder of this article, the description of the principle of operation from the cited prior article is recapitulated and updated to incorporate the present radial geometry. In simplest terms, the basic principle of levitation in an axial or radial Halbach magnetic bearing is that of the repulsive electromagnetic force between (1) a moving permanent magnet and (2) an electric current induced in a stationary electrical conductor by the motion of the magnetic field. An axial or radial Halbach bearing includes multiple permanent magnets arranged in a Halbach array ("Halbach array" is defined below) in a rotor and multiple conductors in the form of wire coils in a stator, all arranged so the rotary motion produces an axial or radial repulsion that is sufficient to levitate the rotor. A basic Halbach array (see Figure 1) consists of a row of permanent magnets, each oriented so that its magnetic field is at a right angle to that of the adjacent magnet, and the right-angle turns are sequenced so as to maximize the magnitude of the magnetic flux density on one side of the row while minimizing it on the opposite side. The advantage of this configuration is that it makes it possible to approach the theoretical maximum force per unit area that could be exerted by a given amount of permanent-magnet material. The configuration is named after physicist Klaus Halbach, who conceived it for use in particle accelerators. Halbach arrays have also been studied for use in magnetic-levitation ("maglev") railroad trains. In a radial Halbach magnetic bearing, the basic Halbach arrangement is modified into a symmetrical arrangement of sector-shaped permanent magnets mounted on the outer cylindrical surface of a drum rotor (see Figure 2). The magnets are oriented to concentrate the magnetic field on their radially outermost surface. The stator coils are mounted in a stator shell surrounding the rotor.

Eichenberg, Dennis J.↗

Experimental determination of post-stall rotary derivatives for airplane-like configurations at several Reynolds numbers

Military and civilian airplane losses due to out-of-control spin motions are significant. Knowledge of rotary coefficients is necessary to understand the cause of spin entry and to devise proper recovery techniques. An exploratory wind-tunnel investigation has been conducted on simple airplane-like configurations on a rotary sting apparatus at rotation rates up to 10 rps. Rotary coefficients have been measured at unit Reynolds numbers from 2,000,000 to 24,600,000 per m and at angles of attack from 45 to 90 deg. Results show that the aerodynamic characteristics at steady spin rates are highly dependent on both spin rate and Reynolds number.

Clarkson, M. H.↗

Variable speed drive

A variable speed drive wherein a first embodiment is comprised of a pivotally mounted prime mover coupled to a rotary fluid output device, such as a fan or pump, through a variable and fixed pulley drive arrangement is described. The pivotal position of the prime mover and accordingly the pitch diameter of variable pulley means is controlled in accordance with fluid motor means coupled to the prime mover. This is actuated in response to a fluid feedback control signal derived from a sensed output of the rotary fluid output device. The pivotal motion of the prime mover imparts an arcuate motion to the variable pulley means which effects a speed variation of the rotary fluid output device in accordance with the variation of the pitch diameter ratio of opposing variable and fixed pulley means.

Obler, H. D.↗

Method and apparatus for ultra-high-sensitivity, incremental and absolute optical encoding

An absolute optical linear or rotary encoder which encodes the motion of an object (3) with increased resolution and encoding range and decreased sensitivity to damage to the scale includes a scale (5), which moves with the object and is illuminated by a light source (11). The scale carries a pattern (9) which is imaged by a microscope optical system (13) on a CCD array (17) in a camera head (15). The pattern includes both fiducial markings (31) which are identical for each period of the pattern and code areas (33) which include binary codings of numbers identifying the individual periods of the pattern. The image of the pattern formed on the CCD array is analyzed by an image processor (23) to locate the fiducial marking, decode the information encoded in the code area, and thereby determine the position of the object.

Leviton, Douglas B.↗

Rotary and Magnus balances

Two wind tunnel techniques for determining part of the aerodynamic information required to describe the dynamic bahavior of various types of vehicles in flight are described. Force and moment measurements are determined with a rotary-balance apparatus in a coning motion and with a Magnus balance in a high-speed spinning motion. Coning motion is pertinent to both aircraft and missiles, and spinning is important for spin stabilized missiles. Basic principles of both techniques are described, and specific examples of each type of apparatus are presented. Typical experimental results are also discussed.

Malcolm, G. N.↗

Toolpath considerations for 5-axis systems

There have been many studies that show how additive manufacturing (AM) has been able to improve the performance of a component, reduce manufacturing costs, or minimize lead times. As the adoption of AM significantly increased, so did the complexity of designs for AM. Many designs require advanced systems, and in response to this, there is an increasing number of systems now capable of additional degrees of motion. 5-axis systems, which include two rotary axes, are becoming more common in the additive manufacturing community. These systems are capable of depositing material on a nonplanar surface and lend themselves to many industrial applications, further extending the design space for AM. However, computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) for AM has been dominated by 3-axis slicing software that do not typically accomodate 5-axis motion. This chapter introduces 5-axis motion and presents the unique considerations that need to be accounted for when generating toolpath trajectories for 5-axis systems.

Feldhausen, Thomas↗

Monitoring Subsystem For Testing Bearings

Electronic monitoring subsystem designed to be used in conjunction with controlling subsystem described in article, "Stepping-Motion Motor-Control Subsystem For Testing Bearings" (GSC-13418). Gathers data used to evaluate performance of bearing motor or other rotary mechanism being tested by subjecting it to stepping motions like those in its intended application. Data gathered at rate high enough to characterize dynamic properties of mechanism.

Powers, Charles E.↗

Linear or Rotary Actuator Using Electromagnetic Driven Hammer as Prime Mover

We claim a hammer driven actuator that uses the fast-motion, low-force characteristics of an electro-magnetic or similar prime mover to develop kinetic energy that can be transformed via a friction interface to produce a higher-force, lower-speed linear or rotary actuator by using a hammering process to produce a series of individual steps. Such a system can be implemented using a voice-coil, electro-mechanical solenoid or similar prime mover. Where a typical actuator provides limited range of motion or low force, the range of motion of a linear or rotary impact driven motor can be configured to provide large displacements which are not limited by the characteristic dimensions of the prime mover.

Paine, Jeffrey S. N.↗

Relaxing USOS Solar Array Constraints for Russian Vehicle Undocking

With the retirement of Space Shuttle cargo delivery capability and the ten year life extension of the International Space Station (ISS) more emphasis is being put on preservation of the service life of ISS critical components. Current restrictions on the United States Orbital Segment (USOS) Solar Array (SA) positioning during Russian Vehicle (RV) departure from ISS nadir and zenith ports cause SA to be positioned in the plume field of Service Module thrusters and lead to degradation of SAs as well as potential damage to Sun tracking Beta Gimbal Assemblies (BGA). These restrictions are imposed because of the single fault tolerant RV Motion Control System (MCS), which does not meet ISS Safety requirements for catastrophic hazards and dictates 16 degree Solar Array Rotary Joint position, which ensures that ISS and RV relative motion post separation, does lead to collision. The purpose of this paper is to describe a methodology and the analysis that was performed to determine relative motion trajectories of the ISS and separating RV for nominal and contingency cases. Analysis was performed in three phases that included ISS free drift prior to Visiting Vehicle separation, ISS and Visiting Vehicle relative motion analysis and clearance analysis. First, the ISS free drift analysis determined the worst case attitude and attitude rate excursions prior to RV separation based on a series of different configurations and mass properties. Next, the relative motion analysis calculated the separation trajectories while varying the initial conditions, such as docking mechanism performance, Visiting Vehicle MCS failure, departure port location, ISS attitude and attitude rates at the time of separation, etc. The analysis employed both orbital mechanics and rigid body rotation calculations while accounting for various atmospheric conditions and gravity gradient effects. The resulting relative motion trajectories were then used to determine the worst case separation envelopes during the clearance analysis. Analytical models were developed individually for each stage and the results were used to build initial conditions for the following stages. In addition to the analysis approach, this paper also discusses the analysis results, showing worst case relative motion envelopes, the recommendations for ISS appendage positioning and the suggested approach for future analyses.

Menkin, Evgeny↗

Linear analysis of poststall gyrations

The poststall gyrations of a high-performance aircraft are investigated by approximating the equations of motion with a linear mathematical model. Equilibrium poststall spin conditions are determined, which are not limited to small angles or spin rates and are used as reference conditions about which the linear model is developed. As a result, complete coupling between lateral and longitudinal motions is retained. Three aerodynamic models are evaluated using this linear analysis. These models include pure rotary derivatives obtained from VPI&SU stability tunnel, forced-oscillation data obtained from NASA tests, and a combination of the two which separates the unsteady and pure rotary derivatives. Results indicate that this last model gives better predictions of aircraft motion during poststall gyrations at high angles of attack and large sideslip angles. Comparisons are made with full-scale flight test results.

Hreha, M. A.↗

ISS Solar Array Alpha Rotary Joint (SARJ) Bearing Failure and Recovery: Technical and Project Management Lessons Learned

The photovoltaic solar panels on the International Space Station (ISS) track the Sun through continuous rotating motion enabled by large bearings on the main truss called solar array alpha rotary joints (SARJs). In late 2007, shortly after installation, the starboard SARJ had become hard to turn and had to be shut down after exceeding drive current safety limits. The port SARJ, of the same design, had been working well for over 2 years. An exhaustive failure investigation ensued that included multiple extravehicular activities to collect information and samples for engineering forensics, detailed structural and thermal analyses, and a careful review of the build records. The ultimate root cause was determined to be kinematic design vulnerability coupled with inadequate lubrication, and manufacturing flaws; this was corroborated through ground tests, metallurgical studies, and modeling. A highly successful recovery plan was developed and implemented that included replacing worn and damaged components in orbit and applying space-compatible grease to improve lubrication. Beyond the technical aspects, however, lie several key programmatic lessons learned. These lessons, such as running ground tests to intentional failure to experimentally verify failure modes, are reviewed and discussed so they can be applied to future projects to avoid such problems.

DellaCorte, Christopher↗

Fluid mass sensor for a zero gravity environment

A sensor for measuring the mass of fluids, is described which includes a housing having an inlet and outlet for receiving and dumping the fluid, a rotary impeller within the housing for imparting centrifugal motion to the fluid and a pressure sensitive transducer attached to the housing to sense the rotating fluid pressure. The fluid may be drawn into the housing by entrainment within a gas stream. The resulting mixture is then separated into two phases: gas and liquid. The gas is removed from the housing and the pressure of the liquid, under centrifugal motion, is sensed and correlated with the mass of the fluid.

Fogal, G. L.↗

Rotary Stirling-Cycle Engine And Generator

Proposed electric-power generator comprises three motor generators coordinated by microprocessor and driven by rotary Stirling-cycle heat engine. Combination offers thermodynamic efficiency of Stirling cycle, relatively low vibration, and automatic adjustment of operating parameters to suit changing load on generator. Rotary Stirling cycle engine converts heat to power via compression and expansion of working gas between three pairs of rotary pistons on three concentric shafts in phased motion. Three motor/generators each connected to one of concentric shafts, can alternately move and be moved by pistons. Microprocessor coordinates their operation, including switching between motor and generator modes at appropriate times during each cycle.

Chandler, Joseph A.↗

Modeling of large-amplitude high-angle-of-attack maneuvers

Results from a simulation study to characterize and model rapid, large-amplitude high-angle-of-attack maneuvers of high performance aircraft are summarized. There is concern that conventional aerodynamic math models combining static and small-amplitude demping data may be deficient in properly representing the associated aerodynamics to allow accurate prediction of these types of motion. The objectives of this investigation were: (1) to characterize these maneuvers in order to establish the aerodynamic modeling requirements, (2) to define refinements to address these requirements, and (3) to examine the impact of these refinements on the calculated motions. The results show that accurate modeling of the dynamic terms is vital due to the very high angular rates generated during these maneuvers. It was found that the addition of dynamic terms to include the lateral acceleration derivatives and the rotary aerodynamics can in some cases significantly affect the simulated flight motions.

Angle of attack↗

Numerical simulation of aircraft rotary aerodynamics

A potential-flow based panel method was used to compute the aerodynamic loads along a three-dimensional flight path. Comparisons were made with rotary rig tests of an airplane performing a coning motion and found to compare well with the main components of the aerodynamic forces. The effect of the sting-type wind tunnel mounting of the model on the measured loads was briefly investigated, and the possible benefits of using this method combined with wind tunnel experiments were highlighted.

Katz, Joseph↗