Corona evaluation of spacecraft wires and connectors
Testing corona voltage in electric wires and connectors of spacecraft equipment
Dunbar, W. G.↗
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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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Continuity tester screens out faulty socket connections
A device, used before and after assembly, tests the continuity of an electrical circuit through each pin and socket of multiple connector sockets. Electrically insulated except at the contact area, a test probe is dimensioned to make contact only in properly formed sockets.
Golding, G.↗
SpaceWire Cable and Connector Variations. Session: SpaceWire Components
This viewgraph presentation reviews issues about SpaceWire cable and connectors. Discussion in the talk concerned connector specifications and cable specifications. The Connector Specification issues are: (1) Not impedance matched to the cable (2) Handling (Mechanical) issues (3) Need space-qualified matched impedance connector (4) alternative space-qualified connector and Electrical Issues (5) Only a single ground pin which does not pass through (6) Near-end Crosstalk (NEXT) at the SpaceWire connector Cable Specification issue concerns the use of larger gauge cable in non-standard applications or to meet tight specifications
Allen, Shaune S.↗
High-Speed Automated Tester for Vacuum Chamber Feedthrough Connectors and Cables
The Goddard Space Flight Center's thermal vacuum laboratory has developed a high-speed automated system for testing the integrity of 37-pin MIL-C-5015 cylindrical electrical feedthrough connectors used on penetration plates of thermal vacuum chambers. The system consists of a desktop PC driving a data acquisition front end. The latter measures the resistance through each pin of the connector and the resistance from each pin to all other pins and the connector shell. In addition to identifying unacceptable feedthroughs, the system is also used for testing cables. In the special case of Type T thermocouples (used almost exclusively at the lab), the difference in resistance between the copper and constantan wires provides positive proof of accidentally reversed connector wiring. Data acquisition time to completely test a cable or feedthrough connector is less than thirty seconds. The system provides a hardcopy printout of the resistance readings. Connectors or cables with fewer wires are tested using simple adapter cables. Initial tests indicate that the performance of a given feedthrough connector can be predicted on the basis of measured resistance readings, reducing ongoing cost of connector replacement. The opportunity to positively certify the integrity of cables, cable connectors and feedthroughs before the start of a thermal vacuum test minimizes the likelihood of a circuit problem that would require returning the chamber to ambient conditions for repair. This system has two principal advantages for the Goddard thermal vacuum laboratory. Its only significant cost was the labor to fabricate the test cable and shorting cable -- about 40 man-hours total. The system was built around a computer and data acquisition unit that were already on hand. The second advantage is that it very quickly tests both of the parameters that are essential.
Swope, Robert H.↗
Spline screw payload fastening system
A system for coupling an orbital replacement unit (ORU) to a space station structure via the actions of a robot and/or astronaut is described. This system provides mechanical and electrical connections both between the ORU and the space station structure and between the ORU and the ORU and the robot/astronaut hand tool. Alignment and timing features ensure safe, sure handling and precision coupling. This includes a first female type spline connector selectively located on the space station structure, a male type spline connector positioned on the orbital replacement unit so as to mate with and connect to the first female type spline connector, and a second female type spline connector located on the orbital replacement unit. A compliant drive rod interconnects the second female type spline connector and the male type spline connector. A robotic special end effector is used for mating with and driving the second female type spline connector. Also included are alignment tabs exteriorally located on the orbital replacement unit for berthing with the space station structure. The first and second female type spline connectors each include a threaded bolt member having a captured nut member located thereon which can translate up and down the bolt but are constrained from rotation thereabout, the nut member having a mounting surface with at least one first type electrical connector located on the mounting surface for translating with the nut member. At least one complementary second type electrical connector on the orbital replacement unit mates with at least one first type electrical connector on the mounting surface of the nut member. When the driver on the robotic end effector mates with the second female type spline connector and rotates, the male type spline connector and the first female type spline connector lock together, the driver and the second female type spline connector lock together, and the nut members translate up the threaded bolt members carrying the first type electrical connector up to the complementary second type connector for interconnection therewith.
Vranish, John M.↗
Reliable cabling for space vehicles.
Cabling material problems associated with military standard connectors for space vehicles, discussing reliability, fabrication, assembly and design
SPACECRAFT ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT↗
Gap welding processes and applications
Gap welding method and application to microcircuit interconnections
MICROCIRCUIT↗
Characteristics of soft metals for electrical connections.
Aerospace electrical and electronic equipment reliability requirements with reference to technology of miniature electrical connection devices
MINIATURE ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT↗
Flammability study of materials in oxygen environments
Report presents flame-propagation rates and flammability ratings of 780 specimens of commercially available plastics, elastomers, coatings, fabrics, and other sheet materials. Test results are also given for over 1970 samples of most commonly used electrical harnesses, connectors, and potting compounds.
Austin, J. G.↗
Interchangeable end effector tools utilized on the protoflight manipulator arm
A subset of teleoperator and effector tools was designed, fabricated, delivered and successfully demonstrated on the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) protoflight manipulator arm (PFMA). The tools delivered included a rotary power tool with interchangeable collets and two fluid coupling mate/demate tools; one for a Fairchild coupling and the other for a Purolator coupling. An electrical interface connector was also provided for the rotary power tool. A tool set, from which the subset was selected, for performing on-orbit satellite maintenance was identified and conceptionally designed. Maintenance requirements were synthesized, evaluated and prioritized to develop design requirements for a set of end effector tools representative of those needed to provide on-orbit maintenance of satellites to be flown in the 1986 to 2000 timeframe.
Source record↗
Metal Patch Antenna
Disclosed herein is a patch antenna comprises a planar conductive patch attached to a ground plane by a support member, and a probe connector in electrical communication with the conductive patch arranged to conduct electromagnetic energy to or from the conductive patch, wherein the conductive patch is disposed essentially parallel to the ground plane and is separated from the ground plane by a spacing distance; wherein the support member comprises a plurality of sides disposed about a central axis oriented perpendicular to the conductive patch and the ground plane; wherein the conductive patch is solely supported above the ground plane by the support member; and wherein the support member provides electrical communication between the planer conductive patch and the ground plane.
Chamberlain, Neil F.↗
Report on ZBook Barrel Connector
This memorandum serves to document the test results for mating and demating the barrel type power connector on the ZBook Laptop Computer.
Connector↗
Latching Mechanism for Umbilical Connectors
Electromechanical interface transfers electric power, data and coolant from one system to another. Motor-actuated jackscrew moves connector on active half of interface to mating connector on passive half. Originally suggested for spacecraft, concept adaptable to underwater connections.
Burns, G. C.↗
Investigation of cannon electric company type d-subminature connectors
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Source record↗
Prevention of damage to delicate connectors during mounting of heavy engines for testing
Air-bearing-pad principle, combined with monitoring system of the air-bearing force, prevents damage between electrical and mechanical connectors joining a large engine system to the test stand during remote mating. Pad provides a cushion between engine and test stand.
Hendrickson, R. J.↗
Apparatus for adapting an end effector device remotely controlled manipulator arm
Apparatus for adapting a general purpose and effector device to a special purpose and effector is disclosed which includes an adapter bracket assembly which provides a mechanical and electrical interface between the end effector devices. The adapter bracket assembly includes an adapter connector post which interlocks with a diamond shaped gripping channel formed in closed jaws of the general purpose end effector. The angularly intersecting surfaces of the connector post and gripping channel prevent any relative movement there between. Containment webs constrain the outer finger plates of the general purpose jaws to prevent pitch motion. Electrical interface is provided by conical, self aligning electrical connector components carried by respective ones of said end effectors.
Clark, K. H.↗
Testing
Testing is conducted to verify that the connectors will properly perform over time (reliability) per the application requirements. Testing by the manufacturer usually involves performance testing per the datasheet requirements. However, the customer may have applications that require performance under unique operational and environmental conditions. In general, electrical tests for connectors include dielectric withstanding voltage, low-signal-level contact resistance, insulation resistance, contact resistance, and standing wave ratio. Environmental tests include humidity, temperature, and contaminating conditions, as well as mechanical stress environments including vibration, mechanical shock, and durability cycling exposures.
Connectors, testing, Dielectric Withstanding Volta↗
Closed Brayton Cycle Power Conversion Unit for Fission Surface Power Phase I Final Report
A Closed Brayton cycle power conversion system has been developed to support the NASA fission surface power program. The goal is to provide electricity from a small nuclear reactor heat source for surface power production for lunar and Mars environments. The selected media for a heat source is NaK 78 with water as a cooling source. The closed Brayton cycle power was selected to be 12 kWe output from the generator terminals. A heat source NaK temperature of 850 K plus or minus 25 K was selected. The cold source water was selected at 375 K plus or minus 25 K. A vacuum radiation environment of 200 K is specified for environmental operation. The major components of the system are the power converter, the power controller, and the top level data acquisition and control unit. The power converter with associated sensors resides in the vacuum radiation environment. The power controller and data acquisition system reside in an ambient laboratory environment. Signals and power are supplied across the pressure boundary electrically with hermetic connectors installed on the vacuum vessel. System level analyses were performed on working fluids, cycle design parameters, heater and cooling temperatures, and heat exchanger options that best meet the needs of the power converter specification. The goal is to provide a cost effective system that has high thermal-to-electric efficiency in a compact, lightweight package.
Fuller, Robert L.↗