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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 1,657 records · Page 92

Device Access Abstractions for Resilient Information Architecture Platform for Smart Grid

An open application platform distributes the intelligence and control capability to local endpoints (or nodes) reducing total network traffic, improving speed of local actions by avoiding latency, and improving reliability by reducing dependencies on numerous devices and communication interfaces. The platform must be multi-tasking and able to host multiple applications running simultaneously. Given such a system, the core functions of power grid control systems include grid state determination, low level control, fault intelligence and reconfiguration, outage intelligence, power quality measurement, remote asset monitoring, configuration management, power and energy management (including local distributed energy resources, such as wind, solar and energy storage) can be eventually distributed. However, making this move requires extensive regression testing of systems to prove out new technologies, such as phasor measurement units (PMU). Additionally, as the complexity of the systems increase with the inclusion of new functionality (especially at the distribution and consumer levels), hidden coupling issues becomes a challenge with possible N-way interactions known and not known by device and application developers. Therefore, it is very important to provide core abstractions that ensure uniform operational semantics across such interactions. Here in this paper, we describe the pattern for abstracting device interactions we have developed for the RIAPS platform in the context of a microgrid control application we have developed.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Electrolytic silver ion cell sterilizes water supply

Electrolytic water sterilizer controls microbial contamination in manned spacecraft. Individual sterilizer cells are self-contained and require no external power or control. The sterilizer generates silver ions which do not impart an unpleasant taste to water.

Albright, C. F.↗

Flight elements subpanel

A summary of findings of the Flight Elements Subpanel is given in viewgraph form. Topics covered include advanced avionics architecture; processors; integrated Global Positioning System and guidance, navigation and control; displays and controls; telemetry; sensors and instrumentation; fault detection and management; electrical power distribution and control; spacecraft power supplies; and in-flight crew training.

Keckler, Claude R.↗

Large space structures and systems in the space station era: A bibliography with indexes (supplement 03)

Bibliographies and abstracts are listed for 1221 reports, articles, and other documents introduced into the NASA scientific and technical information system between January 1, 1991 and June 30, 1991. Topics covered include large space structures and systems, space stations, extravehicular activity, thermal environments and control, tethering, spacecraft power supplies, structural concepts and control systems, electronics, advanced materials, propulsion, policies and international cooperation, vibration and dynamic controls, robotics and remote operations, data and communication systems, electric power generation, space commercialization, orbital transfer, and human factors engineering.

Source record↗

A programmable heater control circuit for spacecraft

Spacecraft thermal control is accomplished for many components through use of multilayer insulation systems, electrical heaters, and radiator systems. The heaters are commanded to maintain component temperatures within design specifications. The programmable heater control circuit (PHCC) was designed to obtain an effective and efficient means of spacecraft thermal control. The hybrid circuit provides use of control instrumentation as temperature data, available to the spacecraft central data system, reprogramming capability of the local microprocessor during the spacecraft's mission, and the elimination of significant spacecraft wiring. The hybrid integrated circuit has a temperature sensing and conditioning circuit, a microprocessor, and a heater power and control circuit. The device is miniature and housed in a volume which allows physical integration with the component to be controlled. Applications might include alternate battery-powered logic-circuit configurations. A prototype unit with appropriate physical and functional interfaces was procured for testing. The physical functionality and the feasibility of fabrication of the hybrid integrated circuit were successfully verified. The remaining work to develop a flight-qualified device includes fabrication and testing of a Mil-certified part. An option for completing the PHCC flight qualification testing is to enter into a joint venture with industry.

Nguyen, D. D.↗

Load power device, system and method of load control and management employing load identification

A load power device includes a power input, at least one power output for at least one load, a plurality of sensors structured to sense voltage and current at the at least one power output, and a processor. The processor provides: (a) load identification based upon the sensed voltage and current, and (b) load control and management based upon the load identification.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Potential reductions in fine particulate matter and premature mortality following implementation of air pollution controls on coal-fired power plants in India

Coal-fired power plants (CFPPs) account for > 70% of electricity generation in India, but < 5% of facilities have installed technologies for sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ) and nitrogen oxide (NO X ) removal. Emissions of these pollutants lead to the formation of fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) and an increased risk of premature mortality for exposed populations. Here, we use a nested version of the GEOS-Chem global chemical transport model (0.5° × 0.625° resolution) for India to estimate reductions in PM 2.5 concentrations that could have been achieved by implementing existing emission control technologies like flue-gas desulfurization (FGD) and/or selective catalytic reduction (SCR). We quantify the associated burden of disease using the integrated exposure response (IER) and global exposure mortality model (GEMM) functions and compare the costs of premature mortality to those for FGD installation. Model simulations for 2010 suggest installation of FGD would have reduced mean annual PM 2.5 concentrations across India by 8%, compared to 3% with SCR installation, and 11% with both FGD and SCR. A 7–28% reduction in PM 2.5 was simulated for local communities closest to CFPPs (same model grid cell), leading to up to 17% reduction in annual premature mortality. Overall, more than 0.21–0.48 million premature deaths would have been avoided over a 10-year period if FGD had been implemented on all CFPPs, compared to 0.09–0.21 million with SCR and 0.22–0.72 million with both FGD and SCR. Benefits associated with such actions are approximately $\$18.1$–$\$604$ billion USD per year, which is equivalent to ~ 0.44 to 10% of India’s GDP. These results suggest that monetary benefits from avoided premature mortality far outweigh the capital and operational costs of FGD and/or SCR installation of $\$19.5$ billion and/or $\$32.8$ billion per year, respectively. This information is essential because the high costs of installation and operation are often given as reasons for delaying installation and commissioning. Finally, we conclude that policy actions to control air pollution from CFPPs are economically justifiable.

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTAN↗

Artificial Intelligence and Spacecraft Power Systems

This talk will present the work which has been done at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center involving the use of Artificial Intelligence to control the power system in a spacecraft. The presentation will include a brief history of power system automation, and some basic definitions of the types of artificial intelligence which have been investigated at MSFC for power system automation. A video tape of one of our autonomous power systems using co-operating expert systems, and advanced hardware will be presented.

Dugel-Whitehead, Norma R.↗

Engineering aspects of a thermal control subsystem for the 25 kW power module

The paper presents the key trade study results, analysis results, and the recommended thermal control approach for the 25 kW power module defined by NASA. Power conversion inefficiencies and component heat dissipation results in a minimum heat rejection requirement of 9 kW to maintain the power module equipment at desired temperature levels. Additionally, some cooling capacity should be provided for user payloads in the sortie and free-flying modes. The baseline thermal control subsystem includes a dual-loop-pumped Freon-21 coolant with the heat rejected from deployable existing orbiter radiators. Thermal analysis included an assessment of spacecraft orientations, radiator shapes and locations, and comparison of hybrid heat pipe and all liquid panels.

Schroeder, P. E.↗

Interoperable, Inverter - Based Distributed Energy Resources Enable 100% Renewable and Resilient Utility Microgrids

As microgrids transition away from use of conventional generating resources and increasingly rely on renewable resources towards decarbonization goals, it is crucial to evaluate the capability inverter-based resources to provide microgrid stability and resilience. Particularly, microgrids with a high contribution of intermittent solar photo voltaic generation and higher load variability present unique challenges requiring fast voltage and frequency support. At the San Diego Gas & Electric Company(R) (SDG&E(R)) Borrego Springs Microgrid, a battery inverter was upgraded with grid-forming (GFM) capability to serve as island leader, transitioning responsibility away from diesel generators. An interoperable microgrid control scheme was developed, coordinating GFM and grid-following (GFL) inverters. Hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulations using relevant power and controller HIL interfaces between real-time simulators and field equipment are being conducted to de-risk field deployment.

battery energy storage↗

Space Solar Power Multi-body Dynamics and Controls, Concepts for the Integrated Symmetrical Concentrator Configuration

Orbiting space solar power systems are currently being investigated for possible flight in the time frame of 2015-2020 and later. Such space solar power (SSP) satellites are required to be extremely large in order to make practical the process of collection, conversion to microwave radiation, and reconversion to electrical power at earth stations or at remote locations in space. These large structures are expected to be very flexible presenting unique problems associated with their dynamics and control. The purpose of this project is to apply the expanded TREETOPS multi-body dynamics analysis computer simulation program (with expanded capabilities developed in the previous activity) to investigate the control problems associated with the integrated symmetrical concentrator (ISC) conceptual SSP system. SSP satellites are, as noted, large orbital systems having many bodies (perhaps hundreds) with flexible arrays operating in an orbiting environment where the non-uniform gravitational forces may be the major load producers on the structure so that a high fidelity gravity model is required. The current activity arises from our NRA8-23 SERT proposal. Funding, as a supplemental selection, has been provided by NASA with reduced scope from that originally proposed.

Glaese, John R.↗

A concept study of a remotely piloted vehicle for Mars exploration

Candidate configurations are discussed for shuttle-transported, spacecraft-deployed remotely piloted vehicles having individual aeroshells, parachutes, and scientific payloads for Mars exploration. Topics covered include aerodynamics; powerplants; structural materials; deployment and descent interface systems; payloads; secondary power; thermal control; navigation, guidance and control, communications, weight and center of gravity; performance; and flight testing. The advantages of the recommended electric-powered cruiser/lander configuration are summarized.

Source record↗

The systems impact of a concentrated solar array on a Jupiter orbiter

Results of a study are presented suggesting that a Galileo Jupiter orbiting mission could be performed with a concentrated solar array power source. A baseline spacecraft design using concentrated arrays is given, and the overall spacecraft implications for attitude control, propulsion, power conditioning and the resultant spacecraft mass are examined. It is noted that while the concentrated array concept still requires extensive development effort, no insurmountable system level barriers preclude the use of a concentrated solar array on this difficult mission, with its stressing radiation environment, its lengthy periods of spacecraft shadowing as it passes behind Jupiter, and, finally, its large delta v burn required for orbital insertion.

Rockey, D. E.↗

IPACS Attitude Control Technology Considerations

Larger facilities or the Space Station and its evolutionary versions are considered for the control bandwidth which will evolve to lower values, probably in the 0.01 to 0.1 hertz range. An integrated power attitude control systems (IPACS) unit that incorporates conventional mechanical bearings to have a bandwidth of 4-10 hertz is expected. If the IPACS unit incorporates the advanced technology magnetic bearing, a bandwidth of 1.2 hertz is expected. It is found that for the Space Station or even the Space Platform, either of the above IPACS concepts are adequate.

Brandon, L.↗

Large-gap magnetic suspension systems

The classification of magnetic suspension devices into small-gap and large-gap categories is addressed. The relative problems of position sensing, control systems, power supplies, electromagnets, and magnetic field or force analysis are discussed. The similarity of all systems from a controls standpoint is qualified. Some applications where large-gap technology is being applied to systems with a physically small air-gap are mentioned. Finally, the applicability of some other suspension approaches, such as electrodynamic or superconducting are briefly addressed.

Britcher, Colin P.↗

Nonlinear controller for nonlinear wave energy converters

The present invention is directed to a nonlinear controller for nonlinear wave energy converters (WECs). As an example of the invention, a nonlinear dynamic model is developed for a geometrically right-circular cylinder WEC design for the heave-only motion, or a single degree-of-freedom (DOF). The linear stiffness term is replaced by a nonlinear cubic hardening spring term to demonstrate the performance of a nonlinear WEC as compared to an optimized linear WEC. By exploiting the nonlinear physics in the nonlinear controller, equivalent power and energy capture, as well as simplified operational performance is observed for the nonlinear cubic hardening spring controller when compared to an optimized linear controller.

Wilson, David G.↗