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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 NTRS1979

Investigation of reliability attributes and accelerated stress factors on terrestrial solar cells

The results of accelerated stress testing of four different types of silicon terrestrial solar cells are discussed. The accelerated stress tests used included bias-temperature tests, bias-temperature-humidity tests, thermal cycle and thermal shock tests, and power cycle tests. Characterization of the cells was performed before stress testing and at periodic down-times, using electrical measurement, visual inspection, and metal adherence pull tests. Electrical parameters measured included short-circuit current, open circuit voltage, and output power, voltage, and current at the maximum power point. Incorporated in the report are the distributions of the prestress electrical data for all cell types. Data were also obtained on cell series and shunt resistance.

Prince, J. L.↗
NASA NTRS2001

Nonvolatile Memory Solution for Near-Term NASA Missions

Nonvolatile memory (NVM) system that could reliably function in extreme environments is one of the most critical components for many spacecrafts being developed for NASA missions to be launched in next four to seven years. NVM supports the computer system in saving and updating critical state data required for a warm restart after power cycling or in case of a power bus failure. It also provides a power independent mass storage capacity for the scientific data gathered by the instruments. In some cases the window for gathering such data is very small and occurs only once in a given mission. Commercially popular and fully developed Flash NVM technology is inappropriate for many reasons such as the limited read write cycles with slower access speeds, radiation intolerance, higher Single Event Upsets (SEU) rates, etc. It is desirable to have an NVM system based upon a robust cell technology making it immune to the SEUs and with sufficient radiation hardness. Availability of such NVM system seems to be still 5 to 10 years in the future. Meanwhile, it is possible to provide an interim hybrid solution by combining the existing rad-hard technologies. Additional information is contained in the original extended abstract.

Patel, J. U.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Parametric analysis of closed cycle magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) power plants

A parametric analysis of closed cycle MHD power plants was performed which studied the technical feasibility, associated capital cost, and cost of electricity for the direct combustion of coal or coal derived fuel. Three reference plants, differing primarily in the method of coal conversion utilized, were defined. Reference Plant 1 used direct coal fired combustion while Reference Plants 2 and 3 employed on site integrated gasifiers. Reference Plant 2 used a pressurized gasifier while Reference Plant 3 used a ""state of the art' atmospheric gasifier. Thirty plant configurations were considered by using parametric variations from the Reference Plants. Parametric variations include the type of coal (Montana Rosebud or Illinois No. 6), clean up systems (hot or cold gas clean up), on or two stage atmospheric or pressurized direct fired coal combustors, and six different gasifier systems. Plant sizes ranged from 100 to 1000 MWe. Overall plant performance was calculated using two methodologies. In one task, the channel performance was assumed and the MHD topping cycle efficiencies were based on the assumed values. A second task involved rigorous calculations of channel performance (enthalpy extraction, isentropic efficiency and generator output) that verified the original (task one) assumptions. Closed cycle MHD capital costs were estimated for the task one plants; task two cost estimates were made for the channel and magnet only.

Owens, W.↗
NASA NTRS1971

A parametric study of motor starting for a 2- to 10-kilowatt Brayton power system

A study of the motor starting of a Brayton cycle power system was conducted to provide estimates of system sensitivity to several controllable parameters. These sensitivity estimates were used as a basis for selection of an optimum motor-start scheme to be implemented on the 2- to 10-kilowatt Brayton power system designed and presently under test. The studies were conducted with an analog simulation of the Brayton power system and covered a range of frequencies from 400 Hz (33 percent design) to 1200 Hz (design), voltage-to-frequency ratios of 0.050 (50 percent design) to 0.100 (design), turbine-inlet temperatures of 800 K (1440 R, 70 percent design) to 1140 K (2060 deg R, design), and prestart pressure levels of 14.5 psia to 29.0 psia. These studies have shown the effect of selected system variables on motor starting. The final selection of motor-start variables can therefore be made on the basis of motor-start inverter complexity, battery size and weight, desired steady-state pressure level after startup, and other operational limitations. In general, the study showed the time required for motor starting to be inversely proportional to motor frequency, voltage, turbine-inlet temperature, and pressure level. An increase in any of these parameters decreases startup time.

Cantoni, D. A.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Development of Stirling Convertors for Radioisotope and Fission Power Systems

NASA has been developing free-piston Stirling-cycle power convertors over the past 22 years for use in nuclear power systems that would provide electricity for space science missions to dark, dusty, or distant destinations where solar power is not practical. These nuclear power systems would generate heat from either the radioactive decay of isotopes or fission nuclear reactors. That heat would be converted to usable electricity using highly efficient Stirling convertors for a wide range of power needs needing 10s of watts to 50 kWe. NASA’s Radioisotope Power Systems (RPS) Program is maturing advanced thermoelectric and dynamic conversion technologies that would increase the system efficiency beyond what is currently possible using heritage systems to enable a larger number of robotic missions or higher power missions to solar system bodies of interest. The Dynamic Radioisotope Power Systems (DRPS) Project has matured prototype Stirling convertors to sufficiently increase the technology readiness level for infusion into flight development. Flexure and gas-bearing free-piston Stirling convertors were developed under contract by commercial partners and delivered to enable government evaluation. Gas-bearing designs have met performance and robustness requirements and were selected for flight development. This paper provides the status of SRSC test campaign and maturity level.

Dynamic↗
NASA NTRS2023

Development of Stirling Convertors for Radioisotope and Fission Power Systems

NASA has been developing free-piston Stirling-cycle power convertors over the past 22 years for use in nuclear power systems that would provide electricity for space science missions to dark, dusty, or distant destinations where solar power is not practical. These nuclear power systems would generate heat from either the radioactive decay of isotopes or fission nuclear reactors. That heat would be converted to usable electricity using highly efficient Stirling convertors for a wide range of power needs needing 10s of watts to 50 kWe. NASA’s Radioisotope Power Systems (RPS) Program is maturing advanced thermoelectric and dynamic conversion technologies that would increase the system efficiency beyond what is currently possible using heritage systems to enable a larger number of robotic missions or higher power missions to solar system bodies of interest. The Dynamic Radioisotope Power Systems (DRPS) Project has matured prototype Stirling convertors to sufficiently increase the technology readiness level for infusion into flight development. Flexure and gas-bearing free-piston Stirling convertors were developed under contract by commercial partners and delivered to enable government evaluation. Gas-bearing designs have met performance and robustness requirements and were selected for flight development. This paper provides the status of SRSC test campaign and maturity level.

Dynamic↗
NASA NTRS1989

Numerical model of solar dynamic radiator for parametric analysis

Growth power requirements for Space Station Freedom will be met through addition of 25 kW solar dynamic (SD) power modules. Extensive thermal and power cycle modeling capabilities have been developed which are powerful tools in Station design and analysis, but which prove cumbersome and costly for simple component preliminary design studies. In order to aid in refining the SD radiator to the mature design stage, a simple and flexible numerical model was developed. The model simulates heat transfer and fluid flow performance of the radiator and calculates area mass and impact survivability for many combinations of flow tube and panel configurations, fluid and material properties, and environmental and cycle variations.

Rhatigan, Jennifer L.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Low-thrust chemical propulsion

Results from investigations leading to the definition of low thrust chemical engine concepts are described. From the thrust chamber cooling analyses, regenerative/radiation-cooled LO2/H2 thrust chambers offered the largest thrust and chamber pressure operational envelope primarily due to the superior cooling capability of hydrogen and its low critical pressure. Regenerative/radiation-cooled LO2/CH4 offered the next largest operational envelope. The maximum chamber pressure for film/radiation-cooling was significantly lower than for regenerative/radiation-cooling. As in regeneration-cooling, LO2/H2 thrust chambers achieved the highest maximum chamber pressure, LO2/CH4 film/radiation-cooling was found not feasible and LO2/RP-1 film/radiation-cooling was extremely limited. In the engine cycle/configuration evaluation, the engine cycle matrix was defined through the incorporation of the heat transfer results. Engine cycle limits were established with the fuel-cell power cycle achieving the highest chamber pressure; however, the fuel cell system weights were excessive. The staged combustion cycle achieved the next highest chamber pressure but the preburner operational feasibility was in question.

Shoji, J. M.↗