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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 127 records · Page 7

Man-vehicle systems research facility: Design and operating characteristics

The Man-Vehicle Systems Research Facility (MVSRF) provides the capability of simulating aircraft (two with full crews), en route and terminal air traffic control and aircrew interactions, and advanced cockpit (1995) display representative of future generations of aircraft, all within the full mission context. The characteristics of this facility derive from research, addressing critical human factors issues that pertain to: (1) information requirements for the utilization and integration of advanced electronic display systems, (2) the interaction and distribution of responsibilities between aircrews and ground controllers, and (3) the automation of aircrew functions. This research has emphasized the need for high fidelity in simulations and for the capability to conduct full mission simulations of relevant aircraft operations. This report briefly describes the MVSRF design and operating characteristics.

Source record↗

Masking of photovoltaic system performance problems by inverter clipping and other design and operational practices

We describe how performance problems can be “masked,” or not readily evident by several causes: by photovoltaic (PV) system configuration (such as the size of the PV array capacity relative to the size of the inverter and the resultant clipped operating mode); by instrumentation design, installation, and maintenance (such as a misaligned or dirty pyranometer); by contract clauses (when operational availability is transformed to contractual availability, which excludes many factors); and by identified management and operational practices (such as reporting on a portfolio of plants rather than individually). A simple method based on a duration curve is introduced to overcome shortcomings of Performance Ratio based on nameplate capacity and Performance Index based on hourly simulation when quantifying masking effects, and inverter clipping and pyranometer soiling are presented as two examples of the new method. With a better understanding of the non-transparency of masking issues, stakeholders can better interpret performance data and deliver improved AC and DC plant conditions through PV system operation and maintenance (O&M) for improved performance, reduced O&M costs, and a more consistently delivered, and reduced, levelized cost of energy (LCOE).

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Roman Space Telescope Coronagraph Engineering Design and Operating Concept

NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope (formerly known as WFIRST) is a flagship astrophysics mission planned for launch in 2025. The coronagraph instrument (CGI) on Roman will demonstrate the technology for direct imaging and spectroscopy of exoplanets around nearby stars. It will work with the obscured 2.4 meter diameter telescope and demonstrate starlight suppression that is up to 3 orders of magnitude deeper than the preceding space-based and ground-based coronagraphs by using active wavefront control in space with deformable mirrors. CGI has passed its Preliminary Design Review (PDR) in September 2019 and is working toward the instrument Critical Design Review (CDR) in the spring of 2021. We will describe the flow down of key and driving CGI requirements from high level performance to the instrument hardware and software, current instrument configuration and engineering design, operational concept planned for CGI observations, integrated modeling status, and performance predictions.

Tanga, Hong↗

Occupant-Centric key performance indicators to inform building design and operations

Building performance indicators are widely used to guide building design and track and benchmark operational performance. Traditional building performance indicators mostly focus on the energy efficiency perspective. As occupants are the primary building service recipients in residential and most commercial buildings, their comfort and wellbeing are crucial. As such, this study first identified significant attributes of occupant-centric key performance indicators (KPIs) and analyzed the diverse factors that should be considered in formulating an occupant-centric KPI. Then a suite of occupant-centric KPIs were synthesized from the review and enhancement of existing occupant-related performance metrics. The proposed occupant KPIs represent the occupant lens on three integrative aspects of building performance: resource use (including energy and water), indoor environmental quality, and human–building interactions. A simulation-based case study was conducted to demonstrate how occupant-centric KPIs can be used to quantify the impacts of building operation changes from the occupants’ point of view. Highlights: Occupant-centric metrics are currently ad hoc and limited, yet crucial to inform building design and operations. Literature was reviewed to reveal the state-of-the-art and gaps of occupant-centric metrics. A suite of occupant-centric key performance indicators (KPIs) covering five groups of building services were synthesized. Proposed occupant KPIs represent three aspects of performance: resource use and demand, occupant comfort and health, and human–building interactions. A case study using whole building simulation was conducted to demonstrate the use of occupant-centric KPIs in evaluating building operations during a power outage.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

Rejection of low-molecular weight neutral organics is highly sensitive to reverse osmosis system design and operation

A computational model was developed to investigate the significance of system design and operating conditions on the rejection of neutral, low-MW organics by reverse osmosis for potable reuse. Here, the model demonstrated that the decrease in local rejection as net driving pressure decreases is substantially greater for moderately rejected compounds than for highly rejected compounds. At recovery values less than 70%, the local permeate concentration can exceed the pressure vessel feed concentration for moderately rejected compounds. System-level rejection of moderately rejected compounds is likewise substantially more sensitive to operating conditions than highly rejected compounds. The findings highlight a drawback of relying on rejection results from bench-scale testing that operates at low recovery, which invariably has higher rejection than full-scale systems operating at similar pressure. The analysis demonstrates a trade-off in which the low-pressure, high-recovery operation desired for potable reuse systems can be detrimental to the removal of low-MW neutral organics. The removal of low-MW neutral organics can be improved if organics rejection is explicitly evaluated during the design process.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Lunar NTR vehicle design and operations study

The results of a lunar nuclear thermal rocket (NTR) vehicle design and operations study are presented in text and graphic form. The objectives of the study were to evaluate the potential applications of a specific NTR design to past and current (First Lunar Outpost) mission profiles for piloted and cargo lunar missions, and to assess the applicability of utilizing lunar vehicle design concepts for Mars missions.

Hodge, John↗

Past US studies and developments for planetary rovers

The history of planetary rovers in the U.S. space program is outlined in the context of the goals, mission and spacecraft designs, and operations designs. The American lunar rover work has had three main stages. In the early sixties, the capacity of Surveyor lunar landers to deliver rovers with a mass of about 50 kg to the Moon was exploited. Several such machines were built and tested beginning in 1964 but none went to the Moon. A manned 400 kg short range rover was then developed. Three of these operated on the Moon in 1971 and 1972 as part of the Apollo 15, 16 and 17 missions. Following these Apollo successes, attempts were made to provide two kinds of follow on models: automated or dual mode (human carrying or not) rovers in the few hundred kg size class, and multi-ton mobile habitats that could carry humans on extended traverses. With the closing of both Soviet and American lunar exploration in the seventies, neither of these proposals succeeded. In parallel with these lunar developments, a lengthy technology program on Martian roving has gone on in the U.S., sometimes coming close to preproject status and sometimes fading away, but never quite being abandoned. As a result it is possible today to contemplate a wide range of lunar and Martian roving missions that could be made practical within a few years. However, with today's funding constraints none of the well studied, larger mission concepts appear to fit. Therefore new efforts are being made toward developing much smaller rovers taking advantage of new miniature techniques, not only in mobility systems but also in the scientific instruments that a small rover can carry. Illustrations are included.

Burke, James D.↗

Orbital debris environment for spacecraft designed to operate in low Earth orbit

The orbital debris environment model is intended to be used by the spacecraft community for the design and operation of spacecraft in low Earth orbit. This environment, when combined with material-dependent impact tests and spacecraft failure analysis, is intended to be used to evaluate spacecraft vulnerability, reliability, and shielding requirements. The environment represents a compromise between existing data to measure the environment, modeling of this data to predict the future environment, the uncertainty in both measurements and modeling, and the need to describe the environment so that various options concerning spacecraft design and operations can be easily evaluated.

Kessler, Donald J.↗

Drive turbine system for 20-inch turbofan simulators. 2: Core turbine design

Drive-turbines for a given set of 20-inch turbo-fan simulators are described. The simulators had both single-stage and two-stage fans that had design pressure ratios as low as 1.25 and as high as 3.0. The desired objective of the study was to be able to drive all of the single-stage fans with one core turbine and to drive all of the two-stage fans with this same core turbine in combination with a duct turbine. The core turbine is described. Included are the design operating conditions, design velocity diagram and a power-speed envelope determined by an off-design performance procedure. Also discussed is the adaption and scaling of an existing turbine design to this particular application.

Whitney, W. J.↗

Design and operational features of the Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope flight and ground software

The NASA Office of Space Sciences and Applications is sponsoring a series of Space Shuttle missions named Astro-n which are dedicated to a variety of astronomical projects. These missions will be the first in which the Space Shuttle crew will be interactively operating an astronomical observatory which is fixed in the payload bay. The operation of an instrument in such an environment requires a considerable amount of software both on board and on the ground. The Spacelab Experiment Computer provides generalized interactive telemetry display and command processing services through the Experiment Computer Operating System. The experimenter must then design a software package for his Dedicated Experiment Processor which can provide complete control of his instrument as well as communicate with the Experiment Computer. This paper describes the design considerations and operational features of the Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope Dedicated Experiment Processor and Instrument Ground Support Equipment software.

Parise, R. A.↗

Effect of commercial and military performance requirements for transport category aircraft on space shuttle booster design and operation

The effect of two sets of performance requirements, commercial and military, on the design and operation of the space shuttle booster is evaluated. Critical thrust levels are established according to both sets of operating rules for the takeoff, cruise, and go-around flight modes, and the effect on engine requirements determined. Both flyback and ferry operations are considered. The impact of landing rules on potential shuttle flyback and ferry bases is evaluated. Factors affecting reserves are discussed, including winds, temperature, and nonstandard flight operations. Finally, a recommended set of operating rules is proposed for both flyback and ferry operations that allows adequate performance capability and safety margins without compromising design requirements for either flight phase.

Bithell, R. A.↗

Variable-Speed Pump Efficiency Calculation For Fluid Flow Systems with and without Static Head

To accurately calculate pump energy savings gained from implementing variable frequency drive (VFD) controls, the variation of pump efficiency must be considered when operating conditions transition from the design operating point to new operating points. Many software tools require users to specify the new pump efficiency, or it is assumed to be unchanged. Unfortunately, many users have challenges of estimating the pump efficiency at new operating points. This paper presents a simplified method of estimating centrifugal pump efficiency at new operating speeds when the pump is controlled by a VFD. This methodology applies to systems with and without static head when the system curve is not affected by the change, and also systems where the change in operation changes the system curve.A hypothetical fluid flow system and centrifugal pump were used to demonstrate the calculation process for these scenarios. For this hypothetical system, the pump’s efficiency at new operating points was up to 5.4% lower than the design operating point.

42 ENGINEERING↗

The design or operation of aircraft to minimize their sonic boom.

Means of reducing or eliminating the sonic boom through aerodynamic design or aircraft operation are discussed. These include designing aircraft to minimize or eliminate certain features of the overpressure signature, operating aircraft at slightly supersonic speeds so that the sonic boom does not reach the ground, and seeking reductions through the high altitude-high speed flight conditions of hypersonic transports. A simple computer program has been developed that determines the area development of the equivalent body of revolution required to minimize various sonic boom signature parameters.

Seebass, A. R.↗