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At least 1,153 records · Page 64

System and method for smoothing a salient rotor in electrical machines

An electrical machine exhibiting reduced friction and windage losses is disclosed. The electrical machine includes a stator and a rotor assembly configured to rotate relative to the stator, wherein the rotor assembly comprises a rotor core including a plurality of salient rotor poles that are spaced apart from one another around an inner hub such that an interpolar gap is formed between each adjacent pair of salient rotor poles, with an opening being defined by the rotor core in each interpolar gap. Electrically non-conductive and non-magnetic inserts are positioned in the gaps formed between the salient rotor poles, with each of the inserts including a mating feature formed an axially inner edge thereof that is configured to mate with a respective opening being defined by the rotor core, so as to secure the insert to the rotor core against centrifugal force experienced during rotation of the rotor assembly.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Observation and characterisation of trapped electron modes in Wendelstein 7-X

In the past, quasi coherent (QC) modes were reported for nearly all tokamaks. The general definition describes modes as QC when the magnitude squared coherence is in the range of 0.3 to 0.6. QC modes are observed in the plasma core as well as in the plasma edge and can have quite different physical origins. The one in the core are observed in plasmas with low collisionality, where the electron temperature exceeds the ion temperature in the plasma core. This is the case for electron cyclotron heating in general. The origin of these modes are electrons trapped within a magnetic mirror, as reported in the past from various fusion devices. The so-called trapped-electron modes (TEMs) belong to drift wave instabilities and can be destabilized by electron-temperature gradients in the plasma core. From the diagnostic point of view, QC modes appear as fluctuations in electron density and temperature. Therefore, the microwave reflectometer is very well suited to monitor these modes. This paper describes experiments, conducted at the Wendelstein 7-X stellarator (W7-X), which aim at detecting QC modes at low wave numbers. A poloidal correlation reflectometer installed at W7-X, is able to measure low wave numbers ($k_\perp\unicode{x2A7D}{3.5}\,\textrm{cm}^{-1}$). For medium line-averaged densities ($\int n_\textrm{e}\unicode{x2A7D}{6 \times10^{19}}\,\textrm{m}^{-2}$) the plasma core is accessible for this diagnostic. For different magnetic configurations and plasma parameters, broad QC structures are observed in the coherence spectra. From the analysis of the rotation and the poloidal structure, these QC modes show the properties of electron-temperature-gradient driven TEMs. A linear relation between the mode velocity and the rotation frequency is found. The relation is uniform and confirms the nature of QC-mode observation as TEM in tokamaks, too.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Location of γ -ray emission and magnetic field strengths in OJ 287

We report the γ-ray BL Lac object OJ 287 is known to exhibit inner-parsec “jet-wobbling”, high degrees of variability at all wavelengths and quasi-stationary features, including an apparent (≈100°) position-angle change in projection on the sky plane. Sub-50 micro-arcsecond resolution 86 GHz observations with the global mm-VLBI array (GMVA) supplement ongoing multi-frequency VLBI blazar monitoring at lower frequencies. Using these maps, together with cm/mm total intensity and γ-ray observations from Fermi-LAT from 2008-2014, we aim to Observations with the GMVA offer approximately double the angular resolution compared with 43 GHz VLBA observations and enable us to observe above the synchrotron self-absorption peak frequency. Fermi-LAT γ-ray data were reduced and analysed. The jet was spectrally decomposed at multiple locations along the jet. From this, we could derive estimates of the magnetic field using equipartition and synchrotron self-absorption arguments. How the field decreases down the jet provided an estimate of the distance to the jet apex and an estimate of the magnetic field strength at the jet apex and in the broad line region. Combined with accurate kinematics, we attempt to locate the site of γ-ray activity, radio flares, and spectral changes. Strong γ-ray flares appeared to originate from either the so-called core region, a downstream stationary feature, or both, with γ-ray activity significantly correlated with radio flaring in the downstream quasi-stationary feature. Magnetic field estimates were determined at multiple locations along the jet, with the magnetic field found to be ≥1.6 G in the core and ≤0.4 G in the downstream quasi-stationary feature. Finally, we therefore found upper limits on the location of the VLBI core as ≲6.0 pc from the jet apex and determined an upper limit on the magnetic field near the jet base of the order of thousands of Gauss.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

LOCAL SIMULATIONS OF INSTABILITIES DRIVEN BY COMPOSITION GRADIENTS IN THE ICM

The distribution of helium in the intracluster medium (ICM) permeating galaxy clusters is not well constrained due to the very high plasma temperature. Therefore, the plasma is often assumed to be homogeneous. A nonuniform helium distribution can, however, lead to biases when measuring key cluster parameters. This has motivated one-dimensional models that evolve the ICM composition assuming that the effects of magnetic fields can be parameterized or ignored. Such models for nonisothermal clusters show that helium can sediment in the cluster core, leading to a peak in concentration offset from the cluster center. The resulting profiles have recently been shown to be linearly unstable when the weakly collisional character of the magnetized plasma is considered. In this paper, we present a modified version of the MHD code Athena, which makes it possible to evolve a weakly collisional plasma subject to a gravitational field and stratified in both temperature and composition. We thoroughly test our implementation and confirm excellent agreement against several analytical results. In order to isolate the effects of composition, in this initial study we focus our attention on isothermal plasmas. We show that plasma instabilities, feeding off gradients in composition, can induce turbulent mixing and saturate by rearranging magnetic field lines and alleviating the composition gradient. Composition profiles that increase with radius lead to instabilities that saturate by driving the average magnetic field inclination to roughly 45°. We speculate that this effect may alleviate the core insulation observed in homogeneous settings, with potential consequences for the associated cooling flow problem.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Constraining Numerical Geodynamo Modeling with Surface Observations

Numerical dynamo solutions have traditionally been generated entirely by a set of self-consistent differential equations that govern the spatial-temporal variation of the magnetic field, velocity field and other fields related to dynamo processes. In particular, those solutions are obtained with parameters very different from those appropriate for the Earth s core. Geophysical application of the numerical results therefore depends on correct understanding of the differences (errors) between the model outputs and the true states (truth) in the outer core. Part of the truth can be observed at the surface in the form of poloidal magnetic field. To understand these differences, or errors, we generate new initial model state (analysis) by assimilating sequentially the model outputs with the surface geomagnetic observations using an optimal interpolation scheme. The time evolution of the core state is then controlled by our MoSST core dynamics model. The final outputs (forecasts) are then compared with the surface observations as a means to test the success of the assimilation. We use the surface geomagnetic data back to year 1900 for our studies, with 5-year forecast and 20-year analysis periods. We intend to use the result; to understand time variation of the errors with the assimilation sequences, and the impact of the assimilation on other unobservable quantities, such as the toroidal field and the fluid velocity in the core.

Kuang, Weijia↗

A Flaring Magnetar in FRB 121102?

The persistent radio counterpart of fast radio burst (FRB) 121102 is estimated to have N∼10{sup 52} particles, energy E{sub N}∼10{sup 48} erg, and size R∼10{sup 17} cm. The source can be nebula inflated and heated by an intermittent outflow from a magnetar—a neutron star powered by its magnetic (rather than rotational) energy. The object is young and frequently liberating energy in magnetic flares driven by accelerated ambipolar diffusion in the neutron star core, feeding the nebula and producing bright millisecond bursts. The particle number in the nebula is consistent with ion ejecta from giant flares. The nebula may also contain the freeze-out of electron–positron pairs N{sub ±}∼10{sup 51} created months after the neutron star birth; the same mechanism offers an explanation for N{sub ±} in the Crab Nebula. The persistent source around FRB 121102 is likely heated by magnetic dissipation and internal waves excited by the magnetar ejecta. The volumetric heating by waves explains the nebula’s enormous efficiency in producing radio emission. The repeating radio bursts are suggested to occur much closer to the magnetar, as a result of ultrarelativistic internal shocks in the magnetar wind, which are launched by the magnetospheric flares. The shocks are mediated by Larmor rotation, which forms a GHz maser with the observed ms duration. Furthermore, the flare ejecta can become charge-starved and then convert to electromagnetic waves.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Spin Transitions and Compressibility of ε-Fe 7 N 3 and γ'-Fe 4 N: Implications for Iron Alloys in Terrestrial Planet Cores

Iron nitrides are possible constituents of the cores of Earth and other terrestrial planets. Pressure-induced magnetic changes in iron nitrides and effects on compressibility remain poorly understood. In this work, we report synchrotron X-ray emission spectroscopy (XES) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) results for ε-Fe 7 N 3 and γ'-Fe 4 N up to 60 GPa at 300 K. The XES spectra reveal completion of high- to low-spin transition in ε-Fe 7 N 3 and γ'-Fe 4 N at 43 and 34 GPa, respectively. The completion of the spin transition induces stiffening in bulk modulus of ε-Fe 7 N 3 by 22% at ~40 GPa, but has no resolvable effect on the compression behavior of γ'-Fe 4 N. Fitting pressure-volume data to the Birch-Murnaghan equation of state yields V 0 = 83.29 ± 0.03 (Å 3 ), K 0 = 232 ± 9 GPa, K 0 ' = 4.1 ± 0.5 for nonmagnetic ε-Fe 7 N 3 above the spin transition completion pressure, and V 0 = 54.82 ± 0.02 (Å 3 ), K 0 = 152 ± 2 GPa, K 0 ' = 4.0 ± 0.1 for γ'-Fe 4 N over the studied pressure range. By reexamining evidence for spin transition and effects on compressibility of other candidate components of terrestrial planet cores, Fe 3 S, Fe 3 P, Fe 7 C 3 , and Fe 3 C based on previous XES and XRD measurements, we located the completion of high- to low-spin transition at ~67, 38, 50, and 30 GPa at 300 K, respectively. The completion of spin transitions of Fe 3 S, Fe 3 P, and Fe 3 C induces elastic stiffening, whereas that of Fe 7 C 3 induces elastic softening. Changes in compressibility at completion of spin transitions in iron-light element alloys may influence the properties of Earth's and planetary cores.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Room Temperature Characterization of a Magnetic Bearing for Turbomachinery

Open loop, experimental force and power measurements of a three-axis, radial, heteropolar magnetic bearing at room temperature for rotor speeds up to 20,000 RPM are presented in this paper. The bearing, NASA Glenn Research Center's and Texas A&M's third generation high temperature magnetic bearing, was designed to operate in a 1000 F (540 C) environment and was primarily optimized for maximum load capacity. The experimentally measured force produced by one C-core of this bearing was 630 lb. (2.8 kN) at 16 A, while a load of 650 lbs (2.89 kN) was predicted at 16 A using 1D circuit analysis. The maximum predicted radial load for one of the three axes is 1,440 lbs (6.41 kN) at room temperature. The maximum measured load of an axis was 1050 lbs. (4.73 kN). Results of test under rotating conditions showed that rotor speed has a negligible effect on the bearing's load capacity. A single C-core required approximately 70 W of power to generate 300 lb (1.34 kN) of magnetic force. The room temperature data presented was measured after three thermal cycles up to 1000 F (540 C), totaling six hours at elevated temperatures.

Montague, Gerald↗

Reverse Polarity Magnetized Melt Rocks from the Cretaceous/Tertiary Chicxulub Structure, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

We report paleomagnetic results for core samples of the breccia and andesitic rocks recovered from the Yucatan-6 Petrolcos Mexicanos exploratory well within the Chicxulub structure (about 60 km SSW from its center), northern Yucatan, Mexico. A previous study has shown that the rocks studied contain high iridium levels and shocked breccia clasts and an Ar/Ar date of 65.2 +/- 0.4 Ma. Andesitic rocks are characterized by stable single-component magnetizations with a mean inclination of -42.6 deg +/- 2.4 deg. Breccias present a complex paleomagnetic record characterized by multivectorial magnetizations with widely different initial NRM inclinations. However, after alternating field demagnetization, well defined characteristic components with upward inclinations are defined. IRM acquisition experiments, comparison of IRM and NRM coercivity spectra and the single component magnetization of the andesitic rocks indicate the occurrence of iron-rich titanomagnetites of single or pseudo-single domain states as the dominant magnetic carriers. Mean inclinations from the andesitic rocks and most of the breccia samples give a mean inclination of about -40 deg to -45 deg, indicating a reverse polarity for the characteristic magnetization that is consistent with geomagnetic chron 29R, which spans the Cretaceous/Tertiary (K/T) boundary. The inclination is also consistent with the expected value (and corresponding paleolatitude) for the site estimated from the reference polar wander curve for North America. We suggest that the characteristic magnetizations for the andesitic and breccia rocks are the result of shock heating at the time of formation of the impact structure and that the age, polarity and pateolatitude are consistent with a time at the K/T boundary.

Urrutia-Fucugauchi, J.↗

The Limit of Free Magnetic Energy in Active Regions

By measuring from active-region magnetograms a proxy of the free energy in the active region fs magnetic field, it has been found previously that (1) there is an abrupt upper limit to the free energy the field can hold that increases with the amount of magnetic field in the active region, the active region fs magnetic flux content, and (2) the free energy is usually near its limit when the field explodes in a CME/flare eruption. That is, explosive active regions are concentrated in a main-sequence path bordering the free-energy ]limit line in (flux content, free-energy proxy) phase space. Here, from measurement of Marshall Space Flight Center vector magnetograms, we find the magnetic condition that underlies the free ]energy limit and the accompanying main sequence of explosive active regions. Using a suitable free ]energy proxy measured from vector magnetograms of 44 active regions, we find that (1) in active regions at and near their free ]energy limit, the ratio of magnetic-shear free energy to the non ]free magnetic energy the potential field would have is approximately 1 in the core field, the field rooted along the neutral line, and (2) this ratio is progressively less in active regions progressively farther below their free ]energy limit. This shows that most active regions in which this core-field energy ratio is much less than 1 cannot be triggered to explode; as this ratio approaches 1, most active regions become capable of exploding; and when this ratio is 1 or greater, most active regions are compelled to explode. From these results we surmise the magnetic condition that determines the free ]energy limit is the ratio of the free magnetic energy to the non-free energy the active region fs field would have were it completely relaxed to its potential ]field configuration, and that this ratio is approximately 1 at the free-energy limit and in the main sequence of explosive active regions.

Moore, Ron↗

An efficient technique for magnetic equilibrium reconstruction with q profile constraints and its application on the EAST tokamak

An efficient technique for building plasma equilibria with preset or constrained q profiles by solving the nonlinear Grad–Shafranov equation iteratively is proposed. Here, the technique uses a set of dynamic virtual poloidal field probes in the plasma core region. Numerical examples are shown for monotonic q profiles and negative central magnetic shear equilibria which are obtained with this technique. As a proof of principle, the technique is applied on the EAST tokamak, to constrain the plasma equilibrium reconstruction with the experimental q = 1 surface information from the ECE diagnostic in addition to the external magnetic measurements.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Variable Permeability Magnetometer Systems and Methods for Aerospace Applications

A magnetometer configured to measure low field strength magnetic fields is provided. Certain embodiments of the magnetometer include a cylindrical coil assembly having a variable permeability core and terminals disposed at both ends. A current source circuit may be operably connected to the terminals and configured to apply a voltage controlled current across the terminals. A voltage readout circuit may be operably connected to the terminals and configured to measure a voltage across the terminals due to the applied current from the current source. An inductance of the coil assembly directly varies as an ambient magnetic field strength varies a permeability of the variable permeability core, and a voltage across the terminals varies directly with the inductance such that the measured voltage across the terminals is a direct measure of the ambient magnetic field strength.

Shams, Qamar A.↗

Insufficient Energy From MgO Exsolution to Power Early Geodynamo

The origin of Earth's ancient magnetic field is an outstanding problem. It has recently been proposed that exsolution of MgO from the core may provide sufficient energy to drive an early geodynamo. Here, in this work, we present new experiments on Mg partitioning between iron-rich liquids and silicate/oxide melts. Our results indicate that Mg partitioning depends strongly on the oxygen content in the iron-rich liquid, in contrast to previous findings that it depends only on temperature. Consequently, MgO exsolution during core cooling is drastically reduced and insufficient to drive an early geodynamo alone. Using the new experimental data, our thermal model predicts inner core nucleation at ~850 Ma and a nearly constant paleointensity.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

3% Silicon Steel Core Material (Grain Oriented Electrical Steel) (Rev.01)

3% (Grain-Oriented) Silicon Steel is a soft magnetic material that is best used in electrical power transformers and inductors. It has a silicon content up to 3.2 mass %, which increases the electrical resistivity and reduces eddy current losses. The magnetic properties can be enhanced during a cold rolling stage (along the length) to produce textured sheets, known as grain-oriented electrical steel. Due to its preferred crystallographic orientation, it is used primarily for non-rotating applications, i.e. transformers and inductors. Typical operating frequency of 3% Silicon Steel is 50-60 Hz (hertz). A variety of forms can be manufactured, including lamination, toroidal and C-cores, as well as glued block cores of various shapes by cutting or pressing.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

A solar origin for the large lunar magnetic field at 4.0 billion yr ago

A new method (Shaw, 1974) for paleointensity determination has been applied to three subsamples of one polymict breccia, 72215 (of age 4.0 billion yr) to yield an average paleointensity of 0.41 Oe at the Taurus-Littrow region of the moon around the time of breccia formation. Of the present models for lunar magnetism, only the Sonett and Runcorn (1974) model of a central iron core dynamo can explain the presence of such a large field in early lunar history. However, because of the similarity in size of this field and that for the early solar system deduced from carbonaceous chondrites, we draw attention to an apparently little-considered possibility: that the large magnetic field in early lunar history was external and solar in origin, and emanated from a pre-main sequence T-Tauri stage sun. Therefore, there should be no record of such a large magnetic field in lunar rocks younger than approximately 4.0 billion yr.

Banerjee, S. K.↗

Composition and Maturity of Apollo 16 Regolith Core 60013/14

Samples from every half-centimeter dissection interval of double drive tube 60013/14 (sections 60013 and 60014) were analyzed by magnetic techniques for Fe concentration and surface maturity parameter I(sub s)/ Fe(O), and by neutron activation for concentrations of 25 lithophile and siderophile elements. Core 60013/14 is one of three regolith cores taken in a triangular array 40-50 m apart on the Cayley plains during Apollo 16 mission to the Moon. The core can be divided into three zones based both on I(sub s)/FeO and composition. Unit A (0-44 cm depth) is compositionally similar to other soils from the surface of the central region of the site and is mature throughout, although maturity decreases with depth. Unit B (44-59 cm) is submature and compositionally more feldspathic than Unit A. Regions of lowest maturity in Unit B are characterized by lower Sm/Sc ratios than any soil obtained from the Cayley plains as a result of some unidentified lithologic component with low surface maturity. The component is probably some type of mafic anorthosite that does not occur in such high abundance in any of the other returned soils. Unit C (59-62 cm) is more mature than Unit B and compositionally equivalent to an 87: 13 mixture of soil such as that from Unit A and plagioclase such as found in ferroan anorthosite. Similar soils, but containing greater abundances of anorthosite (plagioclase), are found at depth in the other two cores of the array. These units of immature to submature soil enriched to varying degrees (compared to the mature surface soil) in ferroan anorthosite consisting of approx. 99% plagioclase are the only compositionally distinct subsurface similarities among the three cores. Each of the cores contains other units that are compositionally dissimilar to any soil unit in the other two cores. These compositionally distinct units probably derive from local subsurface blocks deposited by the event(s) that formed the Cayley plains. The ferroan anorthosite with approx. 99% plagioclase, however, must represent some subsurface lithology that is significant on the scale of tens of meters. The compositional uniformity of the surface soil (0-10 cm depth) over distances of kilometers reflects the large-scale uniformity of the plains deposits; the fine- structure reflects small-scale nonuniformity and the inefficiency of the impact-mixing process at depths as shallow as even one meter.

Korotev, Randy T.↗

Induced Anisotropy in FeCo-Based Nanocrystalline Ferromagnetic Alloys (HITPERM) by Very High Field Annealing

Very high magnetic field annealing is shown to affect the magnetic anisotropy in FeCo-base nanocrystalline soft ferromagnetic alloys. Alloys of composition Fe(44.5)Co(44.5)Zr(7)B(4) were prepared by melt spinning into amorphous ribbons, then wound to form toroidal bobbin cores. One set of cores was crystallized in a zero field at 600 deg. C for 1 h, then, field annealed at 17 tesla (T) at 480 deg. C for 1 h. Another set was crystallized in a 17-T field at 480 deg. C for 1 h. Field orientation was transverse to the magnetic path of the toroidal cores. An induced anisotropy is indicated by a sheared hysteresis loop. Sensitive torque magnetometry measurements with a Si cantilever sensor indicated a strong, uniaxial, longitudinal easy axis in the zero-field-crystallized sample. The source is most likely magnetoelastic anisotropy, caused by the residual stress from nanocrystallization and the nonzero magnetostriction coefficient for this material. The magnetostrictive coefficient lambda(5) is measured to be 36 ppm by a strain gage technique. Field annealing reduces the magnitude of the induced anisotropy. Core loss measurements were made in the zero-field-crystallized, zero-field-crystallized- than-field-annealed, and field-crystallized states. Core loss is reduced 30%-50% (depending on frequency) by field annealing. X-ray diffraction reveals no evidence of crystalline texture or orientation that would cause the induced anisotropy. Diffusional pair ordering is thought to be the cause of the induced anisotropy. However, reannealing the samples in the absence of a magnetic field at 480 deg. C does not completely remove the induced anisotropy.

FERROMAGNETIC ALLOYS↗