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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 163 records · Page 9
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2013

Passivation of Flexible YBCO Superconducting Current Lead With Amorphous SiO2 Layer

Adiabatic demagnetization refrigerators (ADR) are operated in space to cool detectors of cosmic radiation to a few 10s of mK. A key element of the ADR is a superconducting magnet operating at about 0.3 K that is continually energized and de-energized in synchronism with a thermal switch, such that a piece of paramagnetic salt is alternately warm in a high magnetic field and cold in zero magnetic field. This causes the salt pill or refrigerant to cool, and it is able to suck heat from an object, e.g., the sensor, to be cooled. Current has to be fed into and out of the magnets from a dissipative power supply at the ambient temperature of the spacecraft. The current leads that link the magnets to the power supply inevitably conduct a significant amount of heat into the colder regions of the supporting cryostat, resulting in the need for larger, heavier, and more powerful supporting refrigerators. The aim of this project was to design and construct high-temperature superconductor (HTS) leads from YBCO (yttrium barium copper oxide) composite conductors to reduce the heat load significantly in the temperature regime below the critical temperature of YBCO. The magnet lead does not have to support current in the event that the YBCO ceases to be superconducting. Cus - tomarily, a normal metal conductor in parallel with the YBCO is a necessary part of the lead structure to allow for this upset condition; however, for this application, the normal metal can be dispensed with. Amorphous silicon dioxide is deposited directly onto the surface of YBCO, which resides on a flexible substrate. The silicon dioxide protects the YBCO from chemically reacting with atmospheric water and carbon dioxide, thus preserving the superconducting properties of the YBCO. The customary protective coating for flexible YBCO conductors is silver or a silver/gold alloy, which conducts heat many orders of magnitude better than SiO2 and so limits the use of such a composite conductor for passing current across a thermal gradient with as little flow of heat as possible to make an efficient current lead. By protecting YBCO on a flexible substrate of low thermal conductivity with SiO2, a thermally efficient and flexible current lead can be fabricated. The technology is also applicable to current leads for 4 K superconducting electronics current biasing. A commercially available thin-film YBCO composite tape conductor is first stripped of its protective silver coating. It is then mounted on a jig that holds the sample flat and acts as a heat sink. Silicon dioxide is then deposited onto the YBCO to a thickness of about 1 micron using PECVD (plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition), without heating the YBCO to the point where degradation occurs. Since SiO2 can have good high-frequency electrical properties, it can be used to coat YBCO cable structures used to feed RF signals across temperature gradients. The prime embodiment concerns the conduction of DC current across the cryogenic temperature gradient. The coating is hard and electrically insulating, but flexible.

Johannes, Daniel↗
NASA NTRS2016

Spacecraft Charging Current Balance Model Applied to High Voltage Solar Array Operations

Spacecraft charging induced by high voltage solar arrays can result in power losses and degradation of spacecraft surfaces. In some cases, it can even present safety issues for astronauts performing extravehicular activities. An understanding of the dominant processes contributing to spacecraft charging induced by solar arrays is important to current space missions, such as the International Space Station, and to any future space missions that may employ high voltage solar arrays. A common method of analyzing the factors contributing to spacecraft charging is the current balance model. Current balance models are based on the simple idea that the spacecraft will float to a potential such that the current collecting to the surfaces equals the current lost from the surfaces. However, when solar arrays are involved, these currents are dependent on so many factors that the equation becomes quite complicated. In order for a current balance model to be applied to solar array operations, it must incorporate the time dependent nature of the charging of dielectric surfaces in the vicinity of conductors1-3. This poster will present the factors which must be considered when developing a current balance model for high voltage solar array operations and will compare results of a current balance model with data from the Floating Potential Measurement Unit4 on board the International Space Station.

Willis, Emily M.↗
NASA NTRS2021

Australian tidal currents – assessment of a barotropic model (COMPAS v1.3.0 rev6631) with an unstructured grid

While the variations of tidal range are large and fairly well known across Australia (less than 1 m near Perth but more than 14 m in King Sound), the properties of the tidal currents are not. We describe a new regional model of Australian tides and assess it against a validation dataset comprising tidal height and velocity constituents at 615 tide gauge sites and 95 current meter sites. The model is a barotropic implementation of COMPAS, an unstructured-grid primitive-equation model that is forced at the open boundaries by TPXO9v1. The mean absolute error (MAE) of the modelled M2 height amplitude is 8.8 cm, or 12 % of the 73 cm mean observed amplitude. The MAE of phase (10°), however, is significant, so the M2 mean magnitude of vector error (MMVE, 18.2 cm) is significantly greater. The root sum square over the eight major constituents is 26 % of the observed amplitude. We conclude that while the model has skill at height in all regions, there is definitely room for improvement (especially at some specific locations). For the M2 major axis velocity amplitude, the MAE across the 95 current meter sites, where the observed amplitude ranges from 0.1 to 156 cm s −1 , is 6.9 cm s −1 , or 22 % of the 31.7 cm s −1 observed mean. This nationwide average result is encouraging, but it conceals a very large regional variation. Relative errors of the tidal current amplitudes on the narrow shelves of New South Wales (NSW) and Western Australia exceed 100 %, but tidal currents are weak and negligible there compared to non-tidal currents, so the tidal errors are of little practical significance. Looking nationwide, we show that the model has predictive value for much of the 79 % of Australia's shelf seas where tides are a major component of the total velocity variability. In descending order this includes the Bass Strait, the Kimberley to Arnhem Land, and southern Great Barrier Reef regions. There is limited observational evidence to confirm that the model is also valuable for currents in other regions across northern Australia. We plan to commence publishing “unofficial” tidal current predictions for chosen regions in the near future based on both our COMPAS model and the validation dataset we have assembled.

Tidal currents↗
NASA NTRS1971

Rocket-based measurement of Birkeland currents related to an auroral arc and electrojet.

A rocket-borne experiment performed to study currents associated with a quiet auroral arc is discussed. The magnetic field in the vicinity of the arc was measured with a vector magnetometer, while the orientation of the payload was determined with a lunar-aspect sensor. Possible current configurations were inferred by constructing model current systems that reproduced the magnetic field variations measured along the flight path. The data are interpreted in terms of a model current system consisting of a northwestward electrojet and two oppositely directed Birkeland sheet currents, all lying in planes approximately parallel to the auroral arc. The current density integrated through the 16-km thickness of each Birkeland current sheet was found to be roughly 0.16 A/m. The electrojet current was roughly 6000 A.

Park, R. J.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Current to a moving cylindrical electrostatic probe

The current collection characteristics of a moving cylindrical Langmuir probe are evaluated for a range of probe speeds and potentials which are applicable to earth and planetary measurements. The current expressions derived include the cases of the general accelerated current, sheath area limited current, orbital motion limited current, and retarded current. For the orbital motion limited current, a simple algebraic expression is obtained which includes and generalizes the Mott-Smith and Langmuir expressions for both a stationary probe and a rapidly moving probe. For a rapidly moving probe a single formula adequately represents both the accelerated and the retarded current.

Hoegy, W. R.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Current to a moving cylindrical electrostatic probe

The current collection characteristics of a moving cylindrical Langmuir probe are evaluated for a range of probe speeds and potentials which are applicable to earth and planetary measurements. The current expressions derived include the cases of the general accelerated current, sheath area limited current, orbital motion limited current, and retarded current. For the orbital motion limited current, a simple algebric expression is obtained which includes and generalizes the Mott-Smith and Langmuir expressions for both a stationary probe and a rapidly moving probe. For a rapidly moving probe, a single formula adequately represents both the accelerated and the retarded current.

Hoegy, W. R.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Auroral particle precipitation and Birkeland currents

Correlated measurements that provide information on Birkeland (field aligned) currents are reviewed. Because of the obvious importance of field-aligned electric fields with regard to Birkeland currents, the last section of the paper is devoted to a presentation of recent data on the observations of field-aligned auroral electron fluxes and monoenergetic peaks in the spectrum. Experimental data cannot yet define the overall magnetospheric pattern of the Birkeland current system. The largest body of data regarding these currents comes from polar-orbiting satellites. These data indicate that current sheets are associated with auroral displays and that field-aligned electron fluxes on the order of 1-keV energy are significant charge carriers for the conventional current out of the atmosphere. Rocket observations verify that electrons responsible for the production of auroral forms carry a significant fraction of the current necessary to produce local magnetic effects that require Birkeland currents for their explanations.

Arnoldy, R. L.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Hollow cathode characteristics in high current discharges

Current and potential distributions have been measured in various large hollow cathodes for currents from 0.9 to 7 kA and mass flows from 0.001 to 16 g/sec. For a variety of cavity diameters and shapes, all operated at 7 kA and 4 g/sec, the cathode current attaches over 0.6 cm of the cavity near the open end, where the electric field is less than 10 V/cm. However, for a fixed cathode configuration, the current conduction pattern is sensitive to both the current and the mass flows. For a given current, a range of mass flows is determined for maximum current penetration into the cavity, with the extent of penetration increasing as current decreases. Spectroscopic and photographic studies of AII radiance and electron densities within the cavity indicate a corresponding distribution of highly conducting plasma.

Krishnan, M.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Field-aligned currents observed by the OGO 5 and Triad satellites

The existence of field-aligned currents in the polar cap boundary layer as a permanent feature of the magnetosphere is investigated. Magnetic field observations from Triad at 800 km altitude and from OGO 5 in the high-altitude magnetosphere are examined. Results indicate that in the morning half of the boundary layer, currents flow into the ionosphere, and that the current direction is reversed in the afternoon half of the layer. The Triad data further indicate that the net current is a maximum near 1500 MLT and that there may be a secondary maximum during early morning hours. According to the Isis 2 electron observations, the locations of these maximums of field-aligned net current roughly match those of two maximums in the isointensity contours for 150 ev electrons. It is proposed that the polar cap boundary current is driven by a current generator in the magnetotail, or ultimately in the solar wind. It is suggested that the large scale field-aligned currents in the polar cap boundary layer are associated with the dominance of protons on the morning side and of electrons on the afternoon side near the poleward edge of the precipitation zone along the auroral oval.

Sugiura, M.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Measurement of auroral Birkeland currents

Results are presented for measurements of the auroral current made with a rocket-borne experiment over Fort Churchill, Canada, during the February-May period in 1968. On the upward leg of the rocket flight there were detected a westward auroral current of 10,000 A near 96 km altitude and two oppositely directed Birkeland currents of about 0.00005 A per sq m at about 160 km altitude. On the downward leg there were revealed a westward filament of current of about 0.0008 A per sq m at about 220 km altitude, two oppositely directed Birkeland sheet currents of about 0.00014 A per sq m at about 230 km altitude, and two oppositely directed Birkeland currents of about 0.00007 A per sq m which fed a westward auroral electrojet of about 0.0010 A per sq m at about 100 km altitude and were associated with a bright rayed arc. A reversal in the Birkeland current system near midnight was also observed. These observations are probably manifestations of the complex nature of small-scale currents associated with complicated auroral forms.

Ifedili, S. O.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Observations of wind-generated waves on variable current

Laboratory measurements utilizing a laser probe are made for the slopes of wind waves generated on both positive and negative currents at different values of fetch. The data are then processed electronically to yield an average wave-slope spectrum in frequency space with 128 degrees of freedom. These spectra are used to obtain the growth of the spectral components at various frequency bands for increasing wind and different values of fetch and current. The results indicate that the growth of these components is not monotonic with the frictional wind speed, but rather exhibits an 'overshoot' phenomena at lower values of frictional wind speed, and in addition, displays a significant effect due to current. The peak location and spectral intensity of the spectra also show strong influence by the current condition. This results in the rms surface slope value increasing with negative current and decreasing with positive current. The results agree qualitatively with some theoretical predictions. The potential use of the current-induced effects as a means for remote sensing of ocean current is also briefly discussed.

Long, S. R.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Chatanika radar observations of ionospheric and field-aligned currents

A method for estimating field-aligned current densities from ground-based measurements of the horizontal ionospheric currents at two or more latitudes using the Chatanika incoherent scatter radar is presented. It is assumed that the one-dimensional divergence of the horizontal currents approximates the current density of a field-aligned current sheet. The field-aligned current densities found via radar data agree with those given by simultaneous magnetic observations by the Triad satellite. It is noted that downward or upward field-aligned currents having densities of 10 to the -6th to 10 to the -5th A/sq m are achieved in the evening or morning sector. The densities are further increased during periods of increased geomagnetic activity and when current directions are reversed. This reversal generally occurs during auroral oval expansion.

Kamide, Y.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Lagrangian drifter design for the determination of surface currents by remote sensing

In estuaries, the interaction of wind, tidal current, and mixing of fresh and saline water produces a variable depth profile of current, with foam lines and convergence zones between water types. Careful measurement of surface currents via Lagrangian drifters requires a drifter design appropriate to both the depth of current to be measured and the tide and wind conditions of interest. The use of remote sensing to track drifters contributes additional constraints on drifter design. Several designs of biodegradable drifters which emit uranine dye plumes, resolvable in aerial imagery to 1:60,000 scale, were tested for wind drag in field conditions against data from calibrated current meters. A 20 cm-vaned wooden drifter and a window shade drifter set to 1.5 m depth had negligible wind drag in winds to 8 m/sec. Prediction of oil slick trajectories using surface current data and a wind factor should be approached cautiously, as surface current data may be wind-contaminated, while the usual 3.5% wind factor is appropriate only for currents measured at depth.

Gordon, H. H.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Induced electric currents in the Alaska oil pipeline measured by gradient, fluxgate, and SQUID magnetometers

The field gradient method for observing the electric currents in the Alaska pipeline provided consistent values for both the fluxgate and SQUID method of observation. These currents were linearly related to the regularly measured electric and magnetic field changes. Determinations of pipeline current were consistent with values obtained by a direct connection, current shunt technique at a pipeline site about 9.6 km away. The gradient method has the distinct advantage of portability and buried- pipe capability. Field gradients due to the pipe magnetization, geological features, or ionospheric source currents do not seem to contribute a measurable error to such pipe current determination. The SQUID gradiometer is inherently sensitive enough to detect very small currents in a linear conductor at 10 meters, or conversely, to detect small currents of one amphere or more at relatively great distances. It is fairly straightforward to achieve imbalance less than one part in ten thousand, and with extreme care, one part in one million or better.

Campbell, W. H.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Equatorial disc and dawn-dusk currents in the frontside magnetosphere of Jupiter - Pioneer 10 and 11

Observations by Pioneer 10 and 11 show that the strongest azimuthal fields are observed near the dawn meridian (Pioneer 10) while the weakest occur near the noon meridian (Pioneer 11), suggesting a strong local time dependence for the corresponding radial current system. Modeling studies of the radial component of the field observed by both spacecraft suggest that the corresponding azimuthal current system must also be a strong function of local time. Both the azimuthal and the radial field component signatures exhibit sharp dips and reversals, requiring thin radial and azimuthal current systems. There is also a suggestion that these two current systems either are interacting or are due, at least in part, to the same current. It is suggested that a plausible current model consists of the superposition of a thin, local-time-independent azimuthal current system plus the equatorial portion of a tail-like current system that extends into the dayside magnetosphere.

Jones, D. E.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Relations between the Birkeland currents, the auroral electrojet indices and high latitude Joule heating

Field-aligned currents were postulated by Birkeland (1908) to explain the magnetic perturbations in the auroral zone. Theoretical models have been developed to examine the effect of these currents on the ionosphere. These models, in general, involve very extensive computer programs, and it is difficult to see how their very complicated boundary conditions and assumptions affect the relationships between the Birkeland currents and magnetic activity. In the present investigation, a simplified analysis is used to study the average behavior of the large-scale ionospheric current paths and to examine the interrelationships of various parameters. The relationship of the parameters of the current deposition regions to the magnetic indices is investigated along with the polar cap potential. Attention is given to the experimental values of coefficients, and relations between the Birkeland current densities, current intensities, currents, and the AL, AU, AE indices are discussed.

Nisbet, J. S.↗
NASA NTRS1982

A new theory of sources of Birkeland currents

An approach to collisionless plasma shows the existence of current orthogonal to B along the low latitude boundary layer of the magnetosphere driven by electric field which is orthogonal to both B and the layer. In this case relationship P perpendicular + (sq B/8 pi) - (sq epsilon E perpendicular/8 pi) = constant holds on a line orthogonal to B and the layer, where epsilon is the dielectric constant of the plasma for electric fields orthogonal to B. Across the geomagnetic tail there flows a current in the direction of the dawn-dusk electric field, and in this case a relationship P perpendicular + (sq B/8 pi) + (sq epsilon E perpendicular/8 pi = constant, holds aong a line orthogonal to E and B. Divergence of both these currents is shown to be a source of Birkeland currents. Some of the boundary layer current is continuous with current across the tail. Electric currents of physically similar origin flow in interplanetary space, and when the magnetosphere interrupts them, additional Birkeland currents are driven.

Cole, K. D.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Relationships between field-aligned currents, electric fields and particle precipitation as observed by dynamics Explorer-2

The relationships between field-aligned currents, electric fields, and particle fluxes are determined using observations from the polar orbiting low-altitude satellite Dynamics Explorer-2. It is shown that the north-south electric field and the east-west magnetic field components are usually highly correlated in the field-aligned current regions. This proportionality observationally proves that the field-aligned current equals the divergence of the height-integrated ionospheric Pedersen current in the meridional plane to a high degree of approximation. As a general rule, in the evening sector the upward field-aligned currents flow in the boundary plasma sheet region and the downward currents flow in the central plasma sheet region. The current densities determined independently from the plasma and magnetic field measurements are compared. Although the current densities deduced from the two methods are in general agreement, the degree and extent of the agreement vary in individual cases.

Sugiura, M.↗