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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 145 records · Page 8

Pyroelectric Sandwich Thermal Energy Harvesters

Systems, methods, and devices of the various embodiments provide pyroelectric sandwich thermal energy harvesters. In the various embodiment pyroelectric sandwich thermal energy harvesters, generated electrical energy may be stored in a super-capacitor/battery as soon as it is generated. The various embodiment pyroelectric sandwich thermal energy harvesters may harvest electrical energy from any environment where temperature variations occur. The various embodiment pyroelectric sandwich thermal energy harvesters may be power sources for space equipment and vehicles in space and/or on earth, as well as the for wireless sensor networks, such as health monitoring systems of oil pipes, aircraft, bridges, and buildings.

Xu, Tian-Bing↗

Evaluation of Strain Measurement Devices for Inflatable Structures

Inflatable structures provide a significant volume savings for future NASA deep space missions. The complexity of these structures, however, provides difficulty for engineers in designing, analyzing, and testing. Common strain measurement systems for metallic parts cannot be used directly on fabrics. New technologies must be developed and tested to accuractly measure the strain of inflatable structures. This paper documents the testing of six candidate strain measurement devices for use on fabrics. The resistance devices tested showed significant hysteresis during creep and cyclic testing. The capacitive device, however, showed excellent results and little-to-no hysteresis. Because of this issue, only two out of the six proposed devices will continue in development. The resulting data and lessons learned from this effort provides direction for continued work to produce a structural health monitoring system for inflatable habitats.

Litteken, Douglas A.↗

Evaluation of Strain Measurement Devices for Inflatable Structures

Inflatable structures provide a significant volume savings for future NASA deep space missions. The complexity of these structures, however, provides difficulty for engineers in designing, analyzing, and testing. Common strain measurement systems for metallic parts cannot be used directly on fabrics. New technologies must be developed and tested to accurately measure the strain of inflatable structures. This paper documents the testing of six candidate strain measurement devices for use on fabrics. The resistance devices tested showed significant hysteresis during creep and cyclic testing. The capacitive device, however, showed excellent results and little-to-no hysteresis. Because of this issue, only two out of the six proposed devices will continue in development. The resulting data and lessons learned from this effort provides direction for continued work to produce a structural health monitoring system for inflatable habitats.

Litteken, Doug↗

X-ray spectroscopy of the SSME plume

In order to examine the potential of using SSME exhaust plume radiation in the soft X-ray spectrum as an early warning system of imminent engine failure, a low cost, low risk experiment was devised. An approach was established, equipment was leased, the system was installed and checked out, and data were successfully acquired demonstrating the proof-of-concept. One spectrum measurement of the SSME plume was acquired during a 300 second burn on the A-1 Test Stand. This spectrum showed a prominent, line emission feature at about 34.5 KeV, a result which was not expected, nor can it be explained at this time. If X-ray spectra are to be useful as a means of monitoring nominal engine operation, it will be necessary to explore this region of the EM spectrum in greater detail. The presence of structure in the spectrum indicates that this technology may prove to be useful as an engine health monitoring system.

Olive, Dan F.↗

Advanced Earth-to-orbit propulsion technology program overview: Impact of civil space technology initiative

The NASA Earth-to-Orbit (ETO) Propulsion Technology Program is dedicated to advancing rocket engine technologies for the development of fully reusable engine systems that will enable space transportation systems to achieve low cost, routine access to space. The program addresses technology advancements in the areas of engine life extension/prediction, performance enhancements, reduced ground operations costs, and in-flight fault tolerant engine operations. The primary objective is to acquire increased knowledge and understanding of rocket engine chemical and physical processes in order to evolve more realistic analytical simulations of engine internal environments, to derive more accurate predictions of steady and unsteady loads, and using improved structural analyses, to more accurately predict component life and performance, and finally to identify and verify more durable advanced design concepts. In addition, efforts were focused on engine diagnostic needs and advances that would allow integrated health monitoring systems to be developed for enhanced maintainability, automated servicing, inspection, and checkout, and ultimately, in-flight fault tolerant engine operations.

Stephenson, Frank W., Jr.↗

NASA Glenn's Single-Stage Axial Compressor Facility Upgraded

NASA Glenn Research Center's Single-Stage Axial Compressor Facility was upgraded in fiscal year 2003 to expand and improve its research capabilities for testing high-speed fans and compressors. The old 3000-hp drive motor and gearbox were removed and replaced with a refurbished 7000-hp drive motor and gearbox, with a maximum output speed of 21,240 rpm. The higher horsepower rating permits testing of fans and compressors with higher pressure ratio or higher flow. A new inline torquemeter was installed to provide an alternate measurement of fan and compressor efficiency, along with the standard pressure and temperature measurements. A refurbished compressor bearing housing was also installed with bidirectional rotation capability, so that a variety of existing hardware could be tested. Four new lubrication modules with backup capability were installed for the motor, gearbox, torquemeter, and compressor bearing housing, so that in case the primary pump fails, the backup will prevent damage to the rotating hardware. The combustion air supply line for the facility inlet air system was activated to provide dry air for repeatable inlet conditions. New flow conditioning hardware was installed in the facility inlet plenum tank, which greatly reduced the inlet turbulence. The new inlet can also be easily modified to accommodate 20- or 22-in.-diameter fans and compressors, so a variety of existing hardware from other facilities (such as Glenn's 9- by 15-Foot Low-Speed Wind Tunnel) can be tested in the Single-Stage Axial Compressor Facility. An exhaust line was also installed to provide bleed capability to remove the inlet boundary layer. To improve the operation and control of the facility, a new programmable logic controller (PLC) was installed to upgrade from hardwired relay logic to software logic. The PLC also enabled the usage of human-machine interface software to allow for easier operation of the facility and easier reconfiguration of the facility controls when necessary. Finally, a new health-monitoring system was installed to measure shaft speed, shaft movement, and machine vibration on all of the rotating equipment. The system also provides automatic alarms and shutdown of the equipment when required. An integrated systems test for checkout of the facility was completed on June 17, 2003. Research testing resumed on June 30 with data obtained in support of the Ultra-Efficient Engine Technology Project's Compressor Casing Treatment Project.

Brokopp, Richard A.↗

High Temperature Monitoring the Height of Condensed Water in Steam Pipes

An in-service health monitoring system is needed for steam pipes to track through their wall the condensation of water. The system is required to measure the height of the condensed water inside the pipe while operating at temperatures that are as high as 250 deg. C. The system needs to be able to make real time measurements while accounting for the effects of cavitation and wavy water surface. For this purpose, ultrasonic wave in pulse-echo configuration was used and reflected signals were acquired and auto-correlated to remove noise from the data and determine the water height. Transmitting and receiving the waves is done by piezoelectric transducers having Curie temperature that is significantly higher than 250 deg. C. Measurements were made at temperatures as high as 250 deg. C and have shown the feasibility of the test method. This manuscript reports the results of this feasibility study.

fluid height monitoring↗

Wireless Monitoring of the Height of Condensed Water in Steam Pipes

A wireless health monitoring system has been developed for determining the height of water condensation in the steam pipes and the data acquisition is done remotely using a wireless network system. The developed system is designed to operate in the harsh environment encountered at manholes and the pipe high temperature of over 200 °C. The test method is an ultrasonic pulse-echo and the hardware includes a pulser, receiver and wireless modem for communication. Data acquisition and signal processing software were developed to determine the water height using adaptive signal processing and data communication that can be controlled while the hardware is installed in a manhole. A statistical decision-making tool is being developed based on the field test data to determine the height of in the condensed water under high noise conditions and other environmental factors.

High Temperatures↗

NASA Tech Briefs, May 2009

Topics covered include: Valve-"Health"-Monitoring System; Microstrip Antenna for Remote Sensing of Soil Moisture and Sea Surface Salinity; Biomedical Wireless Ambulatory Crew Monitor; Wireless Avionics Packet to Support Fault Tolerance for Flight Applications; Aerobot Autonomy Architecture; Submillimeter Confocal Imaging Active Module; Traveling-Wave Maser for 32 GHz; System Synchronizes Recordings from Separated Video Cameras; Piecewise-Planar Parabolic Reflectarray Antenna; Reducing Interference in ATC Voice Communication; EOS MLS Level 1B Data Processing, Version 2.2; Auto-Generated Semantic Processing Services; Geospatial Authentication; Maneuver Automation Software; Event Driven Messaging with Role-Based Subscriptions; Estimating Relative Positions of Outer-Space Structures; Fabricating PFPE Membranes for Capillary Electrophoresis; Linear Actuator Has Long Stroke and High Resolution; Installing a Test Tap on a Metal Battery Case; Fabricating PFPE Membranes for Microfluidic Valves and Pumps; Room-Temperature-Cured Copolymers for Lithium Battery Gel Electrolytes; Catalysts for Efficient Production of Carbon Nanotubes; Amorphous Silk Fibroin Membranes for Separation of CO2; "Zero-Mass" Noninvasive Pressure Transducers; Radial-Electric-Field Piezoelectric Diaphragm Pumps; Ejector-Enhanced, Pulsed, Pressure-Gain Combustor; Suppressing Ghost Diffraction in E-Beam-Written Gratings; Target-Tracking Camera for a Metrology System; Polarimetric Imaging using Two Photoelastic Modulators; Miniature Wide-Angle Lens for Small-Pixel Electronic Camera; Modal Filters for Infrared Interferometry; Mo(3)Sb(7-x)Te(x) for Thermoelectric Power Generation; Two-Dimensional Quantum Model of a Nanotransistor; Scanning Miniature Microscopes without Lenses; Manipulating Neutral Atoms in Chip-Based Magnetic Traps; Expansion Compression Contacts for Thermoelectric Legs; Processing Electromyographic Signals to Recognize Words; Physical Principle for Generation of Randomness; DSN Beowulf Cluster-Based VLBI Correlator; Hybrid NN/SVM Computational System for Optimizing Designs; Criteria for Modeling in LES of Multicomponent Fuel Flow; Computerized Machine for Cutting Space Shuttle Thermal Tiles; Orbiting Depot and Reusable Lander for Lunar Transportation; FPGA-Based Networked Phasemeter for a Heterodyne Interferometer; Aquarius Digital Processing Unit; Three-Dimensional Optical Coherence Tomography; Benchtop Antigen Detection Technique using Nanofiltration and Fluorescent Dyes; Isolation of Precursor Cells from Waste Solid Fat Tissue; Identification of Bacteria and Determination of Biological Indicators; Further Development of Scaffolds for Regeneration of Nerves; Chemically Assisted Photocatalytic Oxidation System; Use of Atomic Oxygen for Increased Water Contact Angles of Various Polymers for Biomedical Applications; Crashworthy Seats Would Afford Superior Protection; Open-Access, Low-Magnetic-Field MRI System for Lung Research; Microfluidic Mixing Technology for a Universal Health Sensor; Microfluidic Extraction of Biomarkers using Water as Solvent; Microwell Arrays for Studying Many Individual Cells; Droplet-Based Production of Liposomes; and Identifying and Inactivating Bacterial Spores

Source record↗

Aerojet advanced engine concept

The future orbit transfer vehicle (OTV) requirements which dictate the need for a highly versatile, highly reliable, reusable propulsion module are discussed. To attain maximum operational economy, space-basing is essential. This requires a reusable, maintenance free engine. The design features of this space based engine are defined. A new engine cycle and its advantages allow all the maintenance goals to be attained. Rubbing contact and interpropellant seals and purges are eliminated when GO2 is used to drive the LO2 pump. The TPA design has only one moving part. The use of both GH2 and GO2 to drive the turbines lowers the turbine temperatures in addition lower GH2 temperatures and pressures improve chamber cooling and longer life. The use of GO2 as a turbine drive fluid is addressed. Space based engines require an integrated control and health monitoring system to improve system reliability and eliminate all scheduled maintenance. It is concluded that all OTV propulsion requirements can be fulfilled with a single engine. The technological developments required to demonstrate that engine are outlined.

Schoenman, L.↗

Miniature multiple-function probe for OTV turbopump health monitoring

A miniature multifunction rotating machinery shaft displacement sensor designed for a turbopump health monitoring system is described. The sensor probe tip has three independent sensing electrodes running in a groove made in the shaft of the machine. One of these electrodes, situated at the tip of the sensor, measures the radial displacement of the shaft, while the two side electrodes measure the axial displacements of the sides of the groove. The displacement sensor is also used to measure speed, by providing a notch in the side of the groove facing one sensor electrode. Results obtained with experimental sensors demonstrated that multifunction capacitive sensing is practical and reduces instrumentation penetration into rotating machinery housings.

Bickford, R. L.↗

Technology readiness assessment of advanced space engine integrated controls and health monitoring

An evaluation is given for an integrated control and health monitoring system (ICHM) system that is designed to be used with hydrogen-oxygen rocket engines. The minimum required ICHM functions, system elements, technology readiness, and system cost are assessed for a system which permits the operation of H-O engines that are space-based, reusable, and descent throttleable. Based on the evaluation of the H-O ICHM, it is estimated that the minimum system requirements for demonstration on an engine system testbed will require an investment of 30 to 45 million dollars over six years.

Millis, Marc G.↗

Simulation of UV atomic radiation for application in exhaust plume spectrometry

Quantitative analysis of exhaust plume spectral data has long been a goal of developers of advanced engine health monitoring systems which incorporate optical measurements of rocket exhaust constituents. Discussed herein is the status of present efforts to model and predict atomic radiation spectra and infer free-atom densities from emission/absorption measurements as part of the Optical Plume Anomaly Detection (OPAD) program at Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC). A brief examination of the mathematical formalism is provided in the context of predicting radiation from the Mach disk region of the SSME exhaust flow at nominal conditions during ground level testing at MSFC. Computational results are provided for Chromium and Copper at selected transitions which indicate a strong dependence upon broadening parameter values determining the absorption-emission line shape. Representative plots of recent spectral data from the Stennis Space Center (SSC) Diagnostic Test Facility (DTF) rocket engine are presented and compared to numerical results from the present self-absorbing model; a comprehensive quantitative analysis will be reported at a later date.

Wallace, T. L.↗

GOES-8 and -9 mission launch and operations support overview

The new series of geosynchronous operational environmental satellite (GOES) missions, GOES-8 and GOES-9, provide greater instrument coverage flexibility and greater resolution than previous GOES spinners. This added flexibility and the three-axis stabilized operating mode results in control system of increased complexity: almost 5000 real-time commands are sent daily to the satellites compared to 200 commands per day for GOES-7. These advanced technologies present new challenges to the NASA operations support personnel. In order to prepare for launching, post-launch tests and in-orbit operations, a mission planning scheme was developed in order to assure the flight system command and the systems' health monitoring. The mission operations approaches are reviewed together with the associated philosophies and the operation tools developed to assist the personnel in performing complex routine and special operation tasks.

McCuistion, D.↗

Integrating Oil Debris and Vibration Gear Damage Detection Technologies Using Fuzzy Logic

A diagnostic tool for detecting damage to spur gears was developed. Two different measurement technologies, wear debris analysis and vibration, were integrated into a health monitoring system for detecting surface fatigue pitting damage on gears. This integrated system showed improved detection and decision-making capabilities as compared to using individual measurement technologies. This diagnostic tool was developed and evaluated experimentally by collecting vibration and oil debris data from fatigue tests performed in the NASA Glenn Spur Gear Fatigue Test Rig. Experimental data were collected during experiments performed in this test rig with and without pitting. Results show combining the two measurement technologies improves the detection of pitting damage on spur gears.

Dempsey, Paula J.↗

Sensors and Data Acquisition Development Efforts at KSC

This viewgraph presentation describes efforts at Kennedy Space Center (KSC) to develop spacecraft sensors and instruments which meet the expected needs of potential clients on a budget. Sensors are profiled, and the topics covered include systems health monitoring, smart structures, software algorithms, and testing.

Perotti, Jose M.↗

Spiral Bevel Gear Damage Detection Using Decision Fusion Analysis

A diagnostic tool for detecting damage to spiral bevel gears was developed. Two different monitoring technologies, oil debris analysis and vibration, were integrated using data fusion into a health monitoring system for detecting surface fatigue pitting damage on gears. This integrated system showed improved detection and decision-making capabilities as compared to using individual monitoring technologies. This diagnostic tool was evaluated by collecting vibration and oil debris data from fatigue tests performed in the NASA Glenn Spiral Bevel Gear Fatigue Rigs. Data was collected during experiments performed in this test rig when pitting damage occurred. Results show that combining the vibration and oil debris measurement technologies improves the detection of pitting damage on spiral bevel gears.

Dempsey, Paula J.↗

A Variational Principle for Reconstruction of Elastic Deformations in Shear Deformable Plates and Shells

A variational principle is formulated for the inverse problem of full-field reconstruction of three-dimensional plate/shell deformations from experimentally measured surface strains. The formulation is based upon the minimization of a least squares functional that uses the complete set of strain measures consistent with linear, first-order shear-deformation theory. The formulation, which accommodates for transverse shear deformation, is applicable for the analysis of thin and moderately thick plate and shell structures. The main benefit of the variational principle is that it is well suited for C(sup 0)-continuous displacement finite element discretizations, thus enabling the development of robust algorithms for application to complex civil and aeronautical structures. The methodology is especially aimed at the next generation of aerospace vehicles for use in real-time structural health monitoring systems.

Tessler, Alexander↗