Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “FEED Studies”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 163 records · Page 9

Human-Robot Interaction

Human-robot interaction (HRI) is a discipline investigating the factors affecting the interactions between humans and robots. It is important to evaluate how the design of interfaces affect the human's ability to perform tasks effectively and efficiently when working with a robot. By understanding the effects of interface design on human performance, workload, and situation awareness, interfaces can be developed to appropriately support the human in performing tasks with minimal errors and with appropriate interaction time and effort. Thus, the results of research on human-robot interfaces have direct implications for the design of robotic systems. For efficient and effective remote navigation of a rover, a human operator needs to be aware of the robot's environment. However, during teleoperation, operators may get information about the environment only through a robot's front-mounted camera causing a keyhole effect. The keyhole effect reduces situation awareness which may manifest in navigation issues such as higher number of collisions, missing critical aspects of the environment, or reduced speed. One way to compensate for the keyhole effect and the ambiguities operators experience when they teleoperate a robot is adding multiple cameras and including the robot chassis in the camera view. Augmented reality, such as overlays, can also enhance the way a person sees objects in the environment or in camera views by making them more visible. Scenes can be augmented with integrated telemetry, procedures, or map information. Furthermore, the addition of an exocentric (i.e., third-person) field of view from a camera placed in the robot's environment may provide operators with the additional information needed to gain spatial awareness of the robot. Two research studies investigated possible mitigation approaches to address the keyhole effect: 1) combining the inclusion of the robot chassis in the camera view with augmented reality overlays, and 2) modifying the camera frame of reference. The first study investigated the effects of inclusion and exclusion of the robot chassis along with superimposing a simple arrow overlay onto the video feed of operator task performance during teleoperation of a mobile robot in a driving task. In this study, the front half of the robot chassis was made visible through the use of three cameras, two side-facing and one forward-facing. The purpose of the second study was to compare operator performance when teleoperating a robot from an egocentric-only and combined (egocentric plus exocentric camera) view. Camera view parameters that are found to be beneficial in these laboratory experiments can be implemented on NASA rovers and tested in a real-world driving and navigation scenario on-site at the Johnson Space Center.

Sandor, Aniko↗

Computational Study of Combustor-Turbine Interactions

The Open National Combustion Code (OpenNCC) is applied to the simulation of a realisticcombustor configuration (Energy Efficient Engine (E3)) in order to investigate the unsteady flow fields inside the combustor and around the first stage stator of a high pressure turbine (HPT). We consider one-twelfth (24 degrees) of the full annular E3 combustor with three different geometries of the combustor exit: one without the vane, and two others with the vane set at different relative positions in relation to the fuel nozzle (clocking). Although it is common to take the exit flow profiles obtained by separately simulating the combustor and then feed it as the inflow profile when modeling the HPT, our studies show that the unsteady flow fields are influenced by the presence of the vane as well as clocking. More importantly, the characteristics (e.g., distribution and strength) of the high temperature spots (i.e., hot-streaks) appearing on the vane significantly alters. This indicates the importance of simultaneously modeling both the combustor and the HPT to understand the mechanics of the unsteady formulation of hot-streaks.

turbines↗

Computational Study of Combustor-Turbine Interactions

The Open National Combustion Code (OpenNCC) is applied to the simulation of a realisticcombustor configuration [Energy Efficient Engine (E(exp. 3))] in order to investigate the unsteady flow fields inside the combustor and around the first stage stator of a high pressure turbine (HPT). We consider one-twelfth (24 degrees) of the full annular E(exp. 3) combustor with three different geometries of the combustor exit: one without the vane, and two others with the vane set at different relative positions in relation to the fuel nozzle (clocking). Although it is common to take the exit flow profiles obtained by separately simulating the combustor and then feed it as the inflow profile when modeling the HPT, our studies show that the unsteady flow fields are influenced by the presence of the vane as well as clocking. More importantly, the characteristics (e.g., distribution and strength) of the high temperature spots (i.e., hot-streaks) appearing on the vane significantly alters. This indicates the importance of simultaneously modeling both the combustor and the HPT to understand the mechanics of the unsteady formulation of hot-streaks.

turbines↗

Low noise microwave receiving systems on a 64 m antenna.

Review of the performance capability at S-, X- and K-band of the NASA/JPL 64-m Cassegrain antenna at Goldstone, California. The multiple feed system allows X- and K-band atmospheric research studies to be conducted simultaneously with mission directed S-band spacecraft tracking. A description of the antenna system and its multiple operation is followed by gain and efficiency comparisons at the three frequencies. The total operating system temperature and its frequency dependence are discussed. Antenna gain and efficiency, and zenith system operating temperature are summarized at S- and X-band, respectively, by 62 dB, 63%, 16K; and 72 dB, 52%, 24K. Preliminary measurements for K-band are 76 dB, 39%, 29K.

Reid, M. S.↗

The 1981 NASA ASEE Summer Faculty Fellowship Program, volume 1

A review of NASA research programs related to developing and improving space flight technology is presented. Technical report topics summarized include: space flight feeding; aerospace medicine; reusable spacecraft; satellite soil, vegetation, and climate studies; microwave landing systems; anthropometric studies; satellite antennas; and space shuttle fuel cells.

Robertson, N. G.↗

The technology

The technology development needed to support the satellite system conceptual design is amplified. Activities connected to RF, control, and structure of the MSAT UHF antenna are addressed. The antenna RF activities are considered, and two studies related to the reflector surface tolerance and the microstrip feed technology are described. The software and hardware needed to implement the attitude control conceptual design are reviewed. Antenna structure development for the reflector and the deployable supporting mast is discussed. UHF feed located electronics are addressed.

Source record↗

Hoop/column antenna RF verification model. Volume 2: Analysis and correlation

As part of the Large Space System Technology Program, the theoretical and experimental results of the RF characteristic of a hoop/column, quad aperture antenna using an RF verification model are presented. To satisfy the primary purposes of the model, experimental pattern data is provided for the quad aperture configuration at different reflector edge illumination levels, from which the geometry and edge effects can be assessed, and experimental data which can be compared with calculations using various theoretical reflector scattering formulae are provided. It also experimentally determines the effects upon secondary patterns of scale model quartz cables, as used in the hoop/column design, upon secondary patterns in order to assess the importance of developing a scattering theory to predict such effects. In addition, a comprehensive theoretical study and the experimental pattern results of quad aperture antenna feeds, a discussion of the fundamental affect of parasitic side lobes, their amplitude, and location in space.

Croswell, W. F.↗

Hoop/Column Antenna: RF Verification Model. Volume 1: Test Results

As part of the Large Space System Technology Program, this report, in two volumes, presents the theoretical and experimental results of the RF characteristic of a hoop/column, quad aperture antenna using an RF verification model. To satisfy the primary purposes of the model it provides experimental pattern data for the quad aperture configuration at different reflector edge illumination levels, from which the geometry and edge effects can be assessed, and provides experimental data which can be compared with calculations using various theoretical reflector scattering formulae. It also experimentally determines the effects upon secondary patterns of scale model quartz cables, as used in the hoop/column design, upon secondary patterns in order to assess the importance of developing a scattering theory to predict such effects. In addition, this report contains a comprehensive theoretical study and the experimental pattern results of quad aperture antenna feeds, a discussion of the fundamental affect of parasitic side lobes, their amplitude, and location in space.

Croswell, W. F.↗

Parametric trade studies on a Shuttle 2 launch system architecture

A series of trade studies are presented on a complementary architecture of launch vehicles as a part of a study often referred to as Shuttle-2. The results of the trade studies performed on the vehicles of a reference Shuttle-2 mixed fleet architecture have provided an increased understanding of the relative importance of each of the major vehicle parameters. As a result of trades on the reference booster-orbiter configuration with a methane booster, the study showed that 60 percent of the total liftoff thrust should be on the booster and 40 percent on the orbiter. It was also found that the liftoff thrust to weight ratio (T/W) on the booster-orbiter should be 1.3. This leads to a low dry weight and still provides enough thrust to allow the design of a heavy lift architecture. As a result of another trade study, the dry weight of the reference booster-orbiter was chosen for a variety of operational considerations. Other trade studies on the booster-orbiter demonstrate that the cross feeding of propellant during boost phase is desirable and that engine-out capability from launch to orbit is worth the performance penalty. Technology assumptions made during the Shuttle-2 design were shown to be approx. equivalent to a 25 percent across the board weight reduction over the Space Shuttle technology. The vehicles of the Shuttle-2 architecture were also sized for a wide variety of payloads and missions to different orbits. Many of these same parametric trades were also performed on completely liquid hydrogen fueled fully reusable concepts. If a booster-orbiter is designed using liquid hydrogen engines on both the booster and orbiter, the total vehicle dry weight is only 3.0 percent higher than the reference dual-fuel booster-orbiter, and the gross weight is 3.8 percent less. For this booster-orbiter vehicle, a liftoff T/W of 1.3, a thrust of about 60 percent on the booster, and a Mach staging number of 3 all proved to be desirable. This modest dry weight increase for a liquid hydrogen fueled Shuttle-2 system should be more than offset by the elimination of the entire hydrocarbon engine development program and the savings in operation cost realized by the elimination of an entire fuel type.

Stanley, Douglas O.↗

Acute Hemodynamic Effects of the Braslet-M Device on the International Space Station

The Braslet-M occlusion device is prescribed for cosmonauts as a countermeasure for early phases of spaceflight to temporarily alleviate symptoms associated with the cephalad fluid shift. Using a multipurpose ultrasound (US) device onboard, we assessed the acute hemodynamic effects of the Bracelet-M device on a long duration International Space Station (ISS) crewmember. Methods A combination of just-in-time training and real-time remote expert assistance was used to conduct the imaging procedures. An HDI-5000 imager (Philips, Bothell, WA) was used, provided by the ISS Human Research Facility. Superficial femoral artery (SFA), femoral vein (FV) flow spectra were obtained at mid-thigh level. Left ventricle was imaged through the apical 4-chamber view, with Color M-Mode to measure propagation velocity (V (p)). After 10 minutes of Bracelet-M use, data collection was repeated. All data were transmitted in DICOM format to ground for analysis. Results With Braslet-M, cardiac V(p) slope decreased (56ms to 42ms). A stagnation signature in the FV was seen suggesting impeded flow (rouleaux formation, too-low-to-measure velocity, and increase in diameter). Quadri-phasic flow in SFA was seen both before and after Braslet-M application. Velocities in the SFA decreased with Braslet-M (65cm/sec to 52cm/sec) and so did the time velocity integrals (16.97 to 12.4); the flow pattern spoke of resistivity increase in the vascular bed. Conclusion In the long duration ISS crewmember we observed effects of lower extremity venous occlusion through both central and peripheral indicators. A part of circulating volume transferred to peripheral potential vascular space. Impediment to venous outflow was demonstrated objectively, with a commensurate change in the flow pattern of the main feeding artery. Central volume reduction caused lower V(p). Additional studies are warranted to determine the time course of the changes and the dynamics in interstitial fluid sequestration, as well as the safe levels and duration of the compression forces.

Hamilton, Douglas R.↗

Liquid Propulsion: Propellant Feed System Design

The propellant feed system of a liquid rocket engine determines how the propellants are delivered from the tanks to the thrust chamber. They are generally classified as either pressure fed or pump fed. The pressure-fed system is simple and relies on tank pressures to feed the propellants into the thrust chamber. This type of system is typically used for space propulsion applications and auxiliary propulsion applications requiring low system pressures and small quantities of propellants. In contrast, the pump-fed system is used for high pressure, high performance applications. The selection of one propellant feed system over another is determined based on design trade studies at both the engine and vehicle levels. This chapter first provides a brief overview of the basic configurations of pressure-fed systems. Pump-fed systems are then discussed with greater detail given to the turbomachinery design. Selected design requirements and configurations are provided.

Cannon, James L.↗

Entry, Descent and Landing Systems Analysis: Exploration Feed Forward Internal Peer Review Slide Package

NASA senior management commissioned the Entry, Descent and Landing Systems Analysis (EDL-SA) Study in 2008 to identify and roadmap the Entry, Descent and Landing (EDL) technology investments that the agency needed to successfully land large payloads at Mars for both robotic and human-scale missions. Year 1 of the study focused on technologies required for Exploration-class missions to land payloads of 10 to 50 mt. Inflatable decelerators, rigid aeroshell and supersonic retro-propulsion emerged as the top candidate technologies. In Year 2 of the study, low TRL technologies identified in Year 1, inflatables aeroshells and supersonic retropropulsion, were combined to create a demonstration precursor robotic mission. This part of the EDL-SA Year 2 effort, called Exploration Feed Forward (EFF), took much of the systems analysis simulation and component model development from Year 1 to the next level of detail.

Dwyer Cianciolo, Alicia M.↗

1KW Power Transmission Using Wireless Acoustic-Electric Feed-Through (WAEF)

A variety of space applications require the delivery of power into sealed structures. Since the structural integrity can be degraded by holes for cabling we present an alternative method of delivering power and information using stress waves to the internal space of a sealed structure. One particular application of this technology is in sample return missions where it is critical to preserve the sample integrity and to prevent earth contamination. Therefore, the container has to be hermetically sealed and the integrity of the seal must be monitored in order to insure to a high degree of reliability the integrity of the sample return vessel. In this study we investigated the use of piezoelectric acoustic-electric power feed-through devices to transfer electric power wirelessly through a solid wall by using elastic or acoustic waves. The technology is applicable to a range of space and terrestrial applications where power is required by electronic equipment inside sealed containers, vacuum or pressure vessels, etc., where holes in the wall are prohibitive or may result in significant structural performance degradation or unnecessarily complex designs. To meet requirements of higher power applications, the feasibility to transfer kilowatts level power was investigated. Pre-stressed longitudinal piezoelectric feed-through devices were analyzed by finite element models and an equivalent circuit model was developed to predict the power transfer characteristics to different electric loads. Based on the results of the analysis a prototype device was designed, fabricated and a demonstration of the transmission of electric power up to 1.068-kW was successfully conducted. Efficiencies in the 80-90% range were also demonstrated and methods to increase the efficiency further are currently being considered.

pressure vessels↗

Design of an offset fed scanning antenna for the shuttle imaging microwave system

A design study is described for a mechanically scanned offset fed parabolic torus reflector antenna having a 4m x 2m aperture for simultaneous use at eleven frequency channels from UHF to millimeter wavelengths. A design for the antenna is presented utilizing dipole and horn feeds at the low frequencies and a Gregorian aberration correcting subreflector system for feeding the torus at the high frequencies. The results and details of a theroetical study based on geometrical optics performed to evaluate the high frequency design and the results of an experimental study involving a one-tenth scale model for evaluation of the low-frequency behavior are given. Beam efficiencies, antenna patterns, beamwidths and cross polarization levels are presented and these results demonstrate that the antenna concept is viable for the Shuttle Imaging Microwave System requirement.

Gustincic, J. J.↗

Conical quadreflex antenna analytical study

A method for evaluating the performance of a four-reflection or quadreflex antenna is reported. Geometrical optics was used initially to determine the ideal feed pattern required to produce uniform illumination on the aperture of the conical reflector and the reverse problem of quickly finding the aperture illumination given an arbitrary feed pattern. The knowledge of the aperture illumination makes it possible to compute the antenna efficiency, which is useful for comparing antenna performance during tradeoff studies. Scattering calculations, using physical optics techniques, were then used to more accurately determine the performance of a specific design.

Cramer, P. W., Jr.↗

Rigorous analysis of a circular patch antenna excited by a microstrip transmission line

Boundary conditions are enforced on a portion of the microstrip feed line as well as the patch antenna. The integral equation for the unknown currents on the antenna and feed is solved by applying the Galerkin method of moments in the Fourier transform domain. The validity of the solution is tested by comparison of computed results with experimental data. The theoretical treatment proves to be applicable to the most common feeding arrangements, namely, the direct edge-feed and proximity coupling excitation. In the latter case, two-layer substrates having distinct dielectric constants are studied. The purpose of the study is to deduce, for a given overall substrate thickness, the smallest line-ground plane separation for which a match of the radiator to the feed line is still possible. The advantages of such a configuration are discussed.

Davidovitz, Marat↗

The Influence of Sound Cues on the Maintenance of Temporal Organization in the Sprague-Dawley Rat

Temporal organization is a fundamental property of living matter. From single cells to complex animals including man, most physiological systems undergo daily periodic changes in concert with environmental cues (e.g., light, temperature etc.). It is known that pulsed Environmental synchronizers, zeitgebers, (e.g. light) can modify rhythm parameters. Rhythm stability is a necessary requirement for most animal experiments. The extent to which sound can influence the circadian system of laboratory rats is poorly understood. This has implications to animal habitats in the novel environments of the Space-Laboratory or Space Station. A series of three white noise (88+/-0.82 db) zeitgeber experiments were conducted (n=6/experiment).The sound cue was introduced in the circadian free-running phase (DD-NQ) and in one additional case sound was added to the usual photoperiod (12L:12D) to determine masking effects. Circadian rhythm parameters of drinking frequency, feeding frequency, and gross locomotor activity were continuously monitored. Data analysis for these studies included macroscopic and microscopic methods. Raster plots to visually detect entrainment versus free-running period, were plotted for each animal, for all three parameters, during all sound perturbation tested. These data were processed through a series of detrending (robust locally weighted regression analyses) and complex demodulation analyses. In summary, these findings show that periodic "white" noise "influences" the rats circadian system but does not "entrain" the feeding, drinking or locomotor activity rhythms.

Winget, C. M.↗