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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 1,171 records · Page 65

Space station contamination control study: Internal combustion, phase 1

Contamination inside Space Station modules was studied to determine the best methods of controlling contamination. The work was conducted in five tasks that identified existing contamination control requirements, analyzed contamination levels, developed outgassing specification for materials, wrote a contamination control plan, and evaluated current materials of offgassing tests used by NASA. It is concluded that current contamination control methods can be made to function on the Space Station for up to 1000 days, but that current methods are deficient for periods longer than about 1000 days.

Ruggeri, Robert T.↗

Methods for combined control-structure optimization

This paper outlines the development of methods for the combined control-structure optimization of physical systems encountered in the technology of large space structures. The objective of the approach taken in this paper is not to produce the 'best' optimized design, but rather to efficiently produce a family of design options so as to asist in early trade studies, typically before hard design constraints are imposed. The philosophy is that these are candidate designs to be passed on for further consideration, and their function is more to guide the development of the system design rather than to represent the ultimate product. A homotopy approach involving multi-objective functions is developed for this purpose, and a numerical example is presented.

Milman, M.↗

Advanced Reactor Control Systems Authentication Methods and Recommendations

In the dynamic landscape of Operational Technology (OT), and specifically the emerging landscape for Advanced Reactors, the establishment of trust between digital assets emerges as a challenge for cybersecurity modernization. This report reviews existing approaches to authentication in Enterprise environments, and proposed methods for authentication in OT, and analyzes each for its applicability to future Advanced Reactor digital networks. Principles of authentication ranging from underlying cryptographic mechanisms to trust authorities are evaluated through the lens of OT. These facets emphasize the importance of mutual authentication in real-time environments, enabling a paradigm shift from the current approach of strong boundaries to a more malleable network that allows for flexible operation. This work finds that there is a need for evaluation and decision making by industry stakeholders, but current technologies and approaches can be adapted to fit needs and risk tolerances.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

A method of numerically controlled machine part programming

Computer program is designed for automatically programmed tools. Preprocessor computes desired tool path and postprocessor computes actual commands causing machine tool to follow specific path. It is used on a Cincinnati ATC-430 numerically controlled machine tool.

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Development of methods for fracture control of space shuttle structures

The technology with respect to fracture control requirements of the shuttle is considered. The current state-of-the-art does permit an approach based on linear elastic fracture mechanics concepts. Development and implementation of a fracture control plan should recognize deficiencies and provide adequate resources for the extensive empirical test data which are required. With respect to the cost impact of such tests, recent experiences involving advanced aircraft systems have seen unit cost increases of from 200 to 500 percent.

Smith, G. T.↗

A method for attitude control of a satellite in circular orbit by actively varying its inertia.

Equations are developed for a vehicle consisting of a system of particles which move in a generally prescribed fashion. These equations are then specialized to apply to a rigid vehicle with a constant amount of fluid contained in tanks and flowing through interconnecting lines. Various simplifications and specialized forms of the equations are derived, and relationships between mass and inertia that result from the fluid transfer logic and the physical constraints of the configuration are formulated. A tank arrangement and fluid transfer logic are devised which permit each vehicle product of inertia to be varied without varying the remaining elements of the inertia matrix or shifting the center of mass. Vehicle control is achieved by sensing angular rate and the local vertical and by transferring fluid as a function of these variables.

Clarke, W. D.↗

On the application of deterministic optimization methods to stochastic control problems.

A technique is presented by which one can apply the Minimum Principle of Pontryagin to stochastic optimal control problems formulated around linear systems with Gaussian noises and general cost criteria. Using this technique, the stochastic nature of the problem is suppressed but for two expectation operations, the optimization being essentially deterministic. The technique is applied to systems with quadratic and non-quadratic costs to illustrate its use.

Kramer, L. C.↗

An adaptive precision gradient method for optimal control.

This paper presents a gradient algorithm for unconstrained optimal control problems. The algorithm is stated in terms of numerical integration formulas, the precision of which is controlled adaptively by a test that ensures convergence. Empirical results show that this algorithm is considerably faster than its fixed precision counterpart.-

Klessig, R.↗

Traffic control system and method

Frequency of carrier received by aircraft is measured and compared with reference to indicate magnitude of Doppler shift. One Doppler frequency range is selected and indicated by digital signal. Difference between frequency is offset of apparent carrier frequency transmitted by aircraft.

Laughlin, C. R.↗

Fluid technology (selected components, devices, and systems): A compilation

Developments in fluid technology and hydraulic equipment are presented. The subjects considered are: (1) the use of fluids in the operation of switches, amplifiers, and servo devices, (2) devices and data for laboratory use in the study of fluid dynamics, and (3) the use of fluids as controls and certain methods of controlling fluids.

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