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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 1,783 records · Page 99

A vectored-engine-over-wing propulsive-lift concept

An experimental investigation has been conducted to evaluate a unique engine-over-wing propulsive-life scheme for providing maneuver improvement in the subsonic-transonic speed regime. The concept combines the benefits of vectored thrust for added circulation and spanwise blowing for leading-edge-vortex augmentation so as to provide full angle-of-attack aerodynamic improvements. Results of a series of wind tunnel tests employing a powered research model illustrate the propulsive/aerodynamic features of the concept.

Bradley, R. G.↗

Improved radiant-heat oven

Greatly improved oven materially increases lamp life by using a new reflector arrangement. Entire unit uses less power, yet heats test articles to higher temperatures with lower cooling requirements than previous ovens. Improved design offers significant savings in costs and energy.

Beckerle, L. D.↗

Results of baseline tests of the Lucas Limousine

The Lucas Limousine, an electric vehicle, was tested to assess the state-of-the-art of electric vehicles. All tests were made without the regenerative braking system and were conducted at the gross vehicle weight of 7,700 pounds. Over a 30 mph stop and go driving cycle the vehicle went 48.4 miles. The vehicle was able to accelerate to 30 mph in about 15 seconds with a gradeability limit of 16.5 percent. As determined by coast down tests the road power and road energy consumption for the vehicle were 2.92 kilowatts and 0.146 kWh/mi, respectively, at 20 mph. At 40 mph the road power requirement was 11.12 kilowatts and the road energy requirement was 0.278 kWh/mi. The maximum energy economy measured 0.45 kilowatt hours per mile at 30 mph and increased to 0.76 kilowatt hours per mile at 50 mph. Over the 30 mph stop and go driving cycle the energy economy was 0.92 kilowatt hours per mile.

Soltis, R. F.↗

Research requirements for emergency power to permit hover-one-engine-inoperative helicopter operation

The research and technology demonstration requirements to achieve emergency-power capability for a civil helicopter are documented. The goal for emergency power is the ability to hover with one engine inoperative, transition to minimum-power forward flight, and continue to a safe landing where emergency power may or may not be required. The best method to obtain emergency power is to augment the basic engine power by increasing the engine's speed and turbine-inlet temperature, combined with water-alcohol injection at the engine inlet. Other methods, including turbine boost power and flywheel energy, offer potential for obtaining emergency power for minimum time durations. Costs and schedules are estimated for a research and development program to bring emergency power through a hardware-demonstration test. Interaction of engine emergency-power capability with other helicopter systems is examined.

Yost, J. H.↗

Advanced thermionic energy conversion: Joint highlights

A theoretical model was used to study the effects of structured electrodes on converter I-V characteristics and results are given. An auxiliary-ion-source triode operated as a plasmatron was used for studying the enhancement distribution and magnetic effects, and results are reported. Design features of the high current-zero power (ZEPO) converter tests are given.

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Free-flight wind-tunnel investigation of a four-engine sweptwing upper-surface blown transport configuration

The dynamic stability and control characteristics of a four-engine turbofan transport model having an upper-surface blown jet flap were investigated by means of the free-flight technique in the Langley full-scale tunnel. The flight characteristics of the model were investigated through a range of lift coefficients from 3 to 8 with all four engines operating and with one outboard engine not operating. Static characteristics were investigated by conventional power-on force tests over the flight-test angle-of-attack range and through the stall.

Parlett, L. P.↗

Efficient rectifying antenna

Rectifying antenna comprised of 17 subarrays positioned closely together to intercept microwave beam features low cost, high conversion efficiency, and high power handling capability. Tests demonstrate efficiency level of 82 percent in converting RF to dc.

Dickinson, R. M.↗

Wake characteristics of a tower for the DOE-NASA MOD-1 wind turbine

A 1/40th scale model of a tower concept designed for a MOD-1 wind power turbine was tested in a low speed wind tunnel. Wake wind speed profiles were measured, and from these were determined local values of wake minimum velocity ratio, average velocity ratio, and width over a range of tower elevations and wind approach angles. Comparison with results from two other all tubular models (MOD-0 and eight leg designs) tested earlier in the same tunnel indicated that wake width and flow blockage at the rotor plane of rotation were slightly larger for the MOD-1 tower than for the other two models. The differences in wake characteristics were attributed to differences in tower geometry and member dimensions.

Savino, J. M.↗

GEOS-3 coherent C-band tracking data reduction and analysis

The availability of a coherent C-Band transponder on an orbiting vehicle has permitted the development of calibration techniques for C-Band radars. Prior coherent tracking was limited to test vehicles in powered flight or skin tracking of orbiting spacecraft. The pulse Doppler range rate data available concurrently and independently with normal range and angle data provides an extremely useful data set for assessing the internal consistency of the radars measurements, particularly when coupled with a trajectory well constrained by orbit dynamics. In order to further assess the precision of the range rate data, a technique was developed to numerically integrate the rate measurements into a pseudo-range data set showing extremely low noise and high sensitivity to systematic radar errors. Evaluation of integrated range data led to improvements in calibration of both the rate and conventional range data. In particular, proper evaluation of the very sensitive integrated ranges required the development of a processing correction for beacon delay variation with signal strength, a significant error in the conventional ranging data.

Krabill, W. B.↗

EMI survey for maritime satellite 1535-1645-MHz shipboard terminal

A 15,690-ton commercial container ship was selected as lead ship for an onboard electromagnetic-interference (EMI) survey prior to installation of 1535-1645-MHz (L-Band) shipboard terminals for communication via a maritime satellite. In general, the EMI survey revealed tolerable interference levels on board ship. Radiometer measurements indicate antenna-noise temperatures less than 70 K at elevation angles of 5 deg and greater at 1559 MHz at the output terminals of the 1.2-m diameter parabolic-dish antenna for the L-band shipboard terminal. Other EMI measurements include field intensity from 3-cm and 10-cm wavelength pulse radars, and conducted-emission tests of primary power lines to both onboard radars.

Taylor, R. E.↗

Solar Cell Modules with Parallel Oriented Interconnections

Twenty-four solar modules, half of which were 48 cells in an all-series electrical configuration and half of a six parallel cells by eight series cells were provided. Upon delivery of environmentally tested modules, low power outputs were discovered. These low power modules were determined to have cracked cells which were thought to cause the low output power. The cracks tended to be linear or circular which were caused by different stressing mechanisms. These stressing mechanisms were fully explored. Efforts were undertaken to determine the causes of cell fracture. This resulted in module design and process modifications. The design and process changes were subsequently implemented in production.

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Flight performance of the High Energy Astronomy Observatory /HEAO 1/ power subsystem

The design and flight performance of the HEAO-1 power subsystem is described. Solar array power analysis and test data are compared to orbital performance. The batteries are described along with parametric cell tests which led to the temperature-compensated voltage limits used in the charge controls. Battery life test results, used for verification of battery charger temperature-compensated voltage limits, are compared with orbital performance. The control electronics are

Reppucci, G. M.↗

Optical digital techniques

Optical interface losses between transmitter-to-fiber interface, connector-to-connector interface, and fiber-to-receiver interface were studied. System effects such as pulse dispersion, risetimes of the sources and detectors, type of fibers used, output power of the sources, and detector sensitivity were considered. Data bus systems such as TEE, Star, and Hybrid were analyzed. The matter of single fiber versus bundle technologies for future avionics systems was considered. The existing data bus system on Space Shuttle was examined and an optical analog was derived for a fiber bundle system, along with the associated power margin. System tests were performed on a feasibility model of a 9-port Star data bus system including BER, star losses, connector losses, etc. The same system was subjected to EMI between the range of 200 Hz to 10 GHz at 20V/m levels. A lightning test was also performed which simulated the conditions similar to those on Space Shuttle. The data bus system was found to be EMI and lightning hard. It is concluded that an optical data bus system is feasible for shuttle orbiter type vehicles.

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Analysis of Mach number 0.8 turboprop slipstream wing/nacelle interactions

Data from wind tunnel tests of a powered propeller and nacelle mounted on a supercritical wing are analyzed. Installation of the nacelle significantly affected the wing flow and the flow on the upper surface of the wing is separated near the leading edge under powered conditions. Comparisons of various theories with the data indicated that the Neumann surface panel solution and the Jameson transonic solution gave results adequate for design purposes. A modified wing design was developed (Mod 3) which reduces the wing upper surface pressure coefficients and section lift coefficients at powered conditions to levels below those of the original wing without nacelle or power. A contoured over the wing nacelle that can be installed on the original wing without any appreciable interference to the wing upper surface pressure is described.

Welge, H. R.↗

An experimental investigation of the low Reynolds number performance of the Lissaman 7769 airfoil

A Lissaman 7769 airfoil, used on the Gossamer Condor and Gossamer Albatross human-powered aircraft, was tested in a low turbulence subsonic wind tunnel. Lift and drag data were collected at chord Reynolds numbers of 100,000, 150,000, 200,000, 250,000, and 300,000; at angles of attack from -10 to +20 deg by using an external strain gage force balance. Lift curves, drag curves, and drag polars were generated from both uncorrected data and data corrected for wind tunnel blockage effects. A flow visualization study was performed to correlate with the force data. The results of the investigation have shown that the airfoil exhibits a significant degradation in performance for chord Reynolds numbers below 150,000.

Conigliaro, P. E.↗

Recent Developments: PKI Square Dish for the Soleras Project

The Square Dish solar collectors are subjected to rigorous design attention regarding corrosion at the site, and certification of the collector structure. The microprocessor controls and tracking mechanisms are improved in the areas of fail safe operations, durability, and low parasitic power requirements. Prototype testing demonstrates performance efficiency of approximately 72% at 730 F outlet temperature. Studies are conducted that include developing formal engineering design studies, developing formal engineering design drawing and fabrication details, establishing subcontracts for fabrication of major components, and developing a rigorous quality control system. The improved design is more cost effective to product and the extensive manuals developed for assembly and operation/maintenance result in faster field assembly and ease of operation.

Rogers, W. E.↗

Extended atmospheres of outer planet satellites and comets

The lifetimes of hydrogen atoms in the environment of Saturn's magnetosphere can be expected to be quite long (approx. 10 to the 8th power s). Preliminary testing of a model of the Titan hydrogen torus for these long-lived orbits was begun. A draft of the paper describing the analysis of Pioneer Venus observations of Comet P/Encke was completed. Plans to analyze Comet P/Halley data, as well as the development of models for cometary carbon and oxygen, are also discussed.

Smyth, W. H.↗

Summary assessment of solar thermal parabolic dish technology for electrical power generation

An assessment is provided of solar thermal parabolic dish technology for electrical power generation. The assessment is based on the development program undertaken by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory for the U.S. Department of Energy and covers the period from the initiation of the program in 1976 through mid-1984. The program was founded on developing components and subsystems that are integrated into parabolic dish power modules for test and evaluation. The status of the project is summarized in terms of results obtained through testing of modules, and the implications of these findings are assessed in terms of techno-economic projections and market potential. The techno-economic projections are based on continuation of an evolutionary technological development program and are related to the accomplishments of the program as of mid-1984. The accomplishments of the development effort are summarized for each major subsystem including concentrators, receivers, and engines. The ramifications of these accomplishments are assessed in the context of developmental objectives and strategies.

Penda, P. L.↗