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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

Evaluation of aerosolized medications during parabolic flight maneuvers

The goal was to visually evaluate the effect gravity has on delivery of medications by the use of various aerosol devices. During parabolic flight the same four aerosols were retested as performed in studio ground tests. It appears that the Cetacaine spray and the Ventolin inhaler function without failure during all test. The pump spray (Nostril) appeared to function normally when the container was full, however it appeared to begin to fail to deliver a full mist with larger droplet size when the container was nearly empty. The simple hand spray bottle appeared to work when the container was full and performed progressively worse as the container was emptied. During Apollo flights, it was reported that standard spray bottles did not work well, however, they did not indicate why. It appears that we would also conclude that standard spray bottles do not function as well in zero gravity by failing to produce a normal mist spray. The standard spray bottle allowed the fluid to come out in a narrow fluid stream when held with the nozzle either level or slightly tilted upward.

Lloyd, Charles W.↗

Performance and optimization of a 'derated' ion thruster for auxiliary propulsion

This paper discusses the characteristics and implications of use of a derated ion thruster for north-south-stationkeeping (NSSK) propulsion. A derated thruster is a 30-cm diameter primary propulsion ion thruster operated at highly throttled conditions appropriate to NSSK functions. The performance characteristics of a 30-cm ion thruster are presented, emphasizing throttled operation at low specific impulse and high thrust-to-power ratio. Performance data and component erosion are compared to other NSSK ion thrusters. Operations benefits derived from the performance advantages of the derated approach are examined assuming an Intelsat VII-type spacecraft. Minimum ground test facility pumping capabilities required to maintain facility enhanced accelerator grid erosion at acceptable levels in a lifetest are quantified as a function of thruster operating condition. Novel approaches to reducing the derated thruster mass and volume are also discussed.

Patterson, Michael J.↗

STS-80 Flight Day 6

On this sixth day of the STS-80 mission, the flight crew, Cmdr. Kenneth D. Cockrell, Pilot Kent V. Rominger, Mission Specialists, Tamara E. Jernigan, Thomas D. Jones, and F. Story Musgrave, are awakened to news from Mission Control that the ORFEUS-SPAS astronomy satellite may be closing in on the Wake Shield Facility satellite slightly faster than originally predicted. The Orbiting and Retrievable Far and Extreme Ultraviolet Spectrometer, or ORFEUS-SPAS satellite, has conducted 77 different astronomical observations since being deployed on launch day. Jernigan reports that the VIEW-CAPL experiment, designed by students at the University of Maryland, is working well. The experiment tests capillary pumped loop technology that one day may be used for more reliable spacecraft cooling systems. The crew also sends down television pictures of the flight deck and address half a dozen questions posed via the NASA Shuttle Web on the Internet.

Source record↗

Antifuse FPGA for Space Applications

This paper presents viewgraphs of Antifuse FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) for Space Applications. The topics include: 1) A32140DX TID Test; 2) A1280XL Proton Test; 3) SEU (Single Event Upsets) Rate Calculation; 4) Recent Products Test; 5) A1460A TID (Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances) Test; 6) I100 Proton Test; 7) 100/RHI100 SEU Test; 8) I100/RH100 TID Test; 9) A1020S TID Test; 10) TID Charge Pump Failure; 11) Radiation Testing; and SEE (Single Event Effects) Test Setup.

Wang, Jih-Jong↗

Demonstrating the Viability and Affordability of Nuclear Surface Power Systems

A set of tasks have been identified to help demonstrate the viability, performance, and affordability of surface fission systems. Completion of these tasks will move surface fission systems closer to reality by demonstrating affordability and performance potential. Tasks include fabrication and test of a 19-pin section of a Surface Power Unit Demonstrator (SPUD); design, fabrication, and utilization of thermal simulators optimized for surface fission' applications; design, fabrication, and utilization of GPHS module thermal simulators; design, fabrication, and test of a fission surface power system shield; and work related to potential fission surface power fuel/clad systems. Work on the SPUD will feed directly into joint NASA MSFC/NASA GRC fabrication and test of a surface power plant Engineering Development Unit (EDU). The goal of the EDU will be to perform highly realistic thermal, structural, and electrical testing on an integrated fission surface power system. Fission thermal simulator work will help enable high fidelity non-nuclear testing of pumped NaK surface fission power systems. Radioisotope thermal simulator work will help enable design and development of higher power radioisotope systems (power ultimately limited by Pu-238 availability). Shield work is designed to assess the potential of using a water neutron shield on the surface of the moon. Fuels work is geared toward assessing the current potential of using fuels that have already flown in space.

Vandyke, Melissa K.↗

South Repeater Building (Swmu 121) Pilot Study Work Plan, Kennedy Space Center, Florida

This document is a Pilot Study Work Plan for a groundwater remediation system at the South Repeater Building (N6-1118) located at the John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC), Florida. Aqueous fire-fighting foam was applied near the building in the late 1990s during a wildfire. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are components of the foam. Sampling completed at and near the South Repeater Building identified PFAS in groundwater, surface water and soil. KSC is planning to design and install a groundwater remediation system to address the potential for off-Center migration of PFAS compounds in groundwater. This Pilot Study Work Plan outlines subsurface hydrogeologic data that will be collected to use in the construction of a groundwater flow model that will guide the design of a full-scale remediation system. This document was prepared by AECOM Technical Services, Inc., for NASA under Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity Contract 80KSC019D0010, Task Order 80KSC019F0096.

PFAS↗

Sub-scale Waterflow Cavitation and Dynamic Transfer Function Testing of an Oxidizer Turbo-Pump Combined Inducer and Impeller

In 2009 and 2010, Concepts NREC prepared for and performed a series of tests on a 52% scale of a version of the Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne J-2X Oxidizer Turbopump under a Phase III SBIR with NASA MSFC. The test article was a combined inducer and impeller, tested as a unit. This paper presents an overview of the test rig and facility, instrumentation, signal conditioning, data acquisition systems, testing approach, measurement developments, and lessons learned. Results from these tests were presented in the form of two papers at the previous JANNAF joint propulsion conference, in December of 2011.

Karon, D. M.↗

Investigation of hydrogen and helium pumping by sputter ion pumps for Jupiter and outer planets mass spectrometer

The phenomena of ion pumping is reviewed with emphasis on the pumping mechanism for hydrogen and helium. The experimental tests measure the performance of a small, flight proven ion pump which has a nominal four liter/second pumping speed for air. The speed of this pump for hydrogen and helium, and for hydrogen/helium mixes, is presented with particular detail regarding the time dependence. Pump test results are related to anticipated performance of the mass spectrometer by the pumping speeds for the gases to the partial pressure in the ion source. From this analysis, the pump specifications are quantified in terms of mission goals and in terms of observed pumping speeds for the various gases, load levels, and time periods.

Scott, B. W.↗

Solar-pumped gas laser development

The direct conversion of solar radiation into an inverted population for extraction in an optical cavity holds promise as a relatively simple system design. Broad-band photoabsorption in the visible or near-UV range is required to excite large volumes of gas and to ensure good solar absorption efficiency. The state excited must be a metastable state which is not quenched by the parent gas. The emission bandwidth must be less than approximately 10 A. The system should show chemical reversibility and an insensitivity to increasing temperature. Other properties such as good quantum efficiency and kinetic efficiency are also implied. A search of electronic-vibrational transitions in diatomic molecules satisfying these conditions is now in progress. A photodissociation-pumped atomic iodine laser is now being tested under solar pumping conditions. Photodissociation studies for thallium spin-flip metastable formation will begin in the near future.

Wilson, J. W.↗

Effect of Viscosity on Fuel Leakage Between Lapped Plungers and Sleeves and on the Discharge from a Pump-Injection System

Test data and analysis show that the rate of fuel leakage between a lapped plunger and sleeve varies directly with the density of the fuel, the diameter of the plunger, the pressure producing the leakage, and the cube of the mean clearance between the plunger and sleeve. The rate varies inversely as the length of the lapped fit and the viscosity of the fuel. With a mean clearance between the plunger and sleeve of 0.0001 inch the leakage amounts to approximately 0.2 percent of the fuel injected with gasoline and as low as 0.01 percent with diesel fuel oils. With this mean clearance an effective seal is obtained when the length of the lap is three times the diameter of the lap. The deformation of the sleeve and plunger under pressure is sufficient to change the rate of leakage appreciably from that which would be obtained if the clearance was constant under pressure.

Rothrock, A M↗

Development and Certification of Pratt and Whitney's Fuel and LOX Pumps

The development testing of the Pratt & Whitney's SSME Fuel and Lox Turbopumps has proven to be extremely valuable in preparation for Certification and Flight Readiness. Design 'lessons learned' from this program highlights the importance of overall systems engineering, including aerodynamic, thermal, mechanical, and materials systems.

Mitchell, William S.↗

Alkali metal propellants for MPD thrusters

Experiments performed in the United States in the 1960s and early 1970s and in the Soviet Union with alkali metal-fuelled MPD thrusters indicate performance levels substantially better than those achieved with gaseous propellants. Cathode wear appears to be less in engines with alkali metal propellants also. A critical review of the available data indicates that the data are consistent and reliable. An analysis of testing and systems-level considerations shows that pumping requirements for testing are substantially decreased and reductions in tankage fraction can be expected. In addition, while care must be exercised in handling the alkali metals, it is not prohibitively difficult or hazardous. The greatest disadvantage seems to be the potential for spacecraft contamination, but there appear to be viable strategies for minimizing the impact of propellant deposition on spacecraft surfaces. Renewed examination of alkali metal-fuelled MPD thrusters for ambitious SEI missions is recommended.

Polk, J. E.↗

Active magnetic bearings: As applied to centrifugal pumps

Application of magnetic bearings to boiler feed pumps presents various attractive features, such as longer bearing life, lower maintenance costs, and improved operability through control of the rotordynamics. Magnetic bearings were fitted to an eight-stage, 600 hp boiler feed pump, which generates 2600 ft of heat at 680 gpm and 3560 rpm. In addition to the varied and severe operating environment in steady state operation of this pump in a power plant, it is also subjected to transient loads during frequent starts and stops. These loads can now be measured by the in-built instrumentation of the magnetic bearings. Following site installation, a follow-up bearing tune-up was performed, and pump transient response testing was conducted. The bearing response was completely satisfactory, ensuring trouble-free pump operation even in the range of reduced load. The experience gained so far through design and testing proves feasibility of magnetic bearings for boiler feed pumps, which sets the stage for application of even higher energy centrifugal pumps equipped with magnetic bearings.

Lev Nelik↗