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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 19 records

NASA's Virtual Product Laboratory Overview

The Virtual Product Laboratory (VPL) developed at Stennis Space Center is a tool that enables design and verification of remote sensing systems within a software (virtual) environment. The VPL can serve NASA's industry, government, and university partners by providing a means to conduct system trade studies, visual modeling, and data product simulations entirely in a virtual environment. The VPL can serve as a complete end-to-end simulation tool capable of producing system-level compatability assessments, performance characterizations, and simulated data products. In this paper, we present an overview of the VPL's current functions and planned capabilities. The VPL functional areas include Requirements, Design and Analysis, Simulation, Project Management, and Knowledge Base. A description of each function, along with the tools and techniques used to accomplish these functions, is provided.

Gasser, Gerald↗

Flight Dynamics Laboratory overview

The Flight Dynamics Laboratory (FDL) is one of four Air Force Wright Aeronautical Laboratories (AFWAL) and part of the Aeronautical Systems Division located at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. The FDL is responsible for the planning and execution of research and development programs in the areas of structures and dynamics, flight controls, vehicle equipment/subsystems, and aeromechanics. Some of the areas being researched in the four FDL divisions are as follows: large space structures (LSS) materials and controls; advanced cockpit designs; bird-strike-tolerant windshields; and hypersonic interceptor system studies. Two of the FDL divisions are actively involved in programs that deal directly with LSS control/structures interaction: the Flight Controls Division and the Structures and Dynamics Division.

Sandford, Thaddeus↗

Mars Science Laboratory Overview and MSL EDL Challenges

An overview of Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) Entry, Descent and Landing (EDL) challenges is presented. The topics include: 1) MSL Project Overview; 2) Mars Science Laboratory Top Level Schedule (Single Launch); 3) EDL Challenges; 4) MSL Surface System; 5) Mars Rover Wheel Family Tree; 6) Gusev Comparisons; 7) Mars Surface Accessibility; 8) Atlas V 401 Launch Performance; 9) Parachute Deployment Altitude Variation with Time of Year and Latitude; 10) Dust Storms and Winds; 11) Nominal MSL EDL Timeline; and 12) Specific EDL Challenges.

Umland, Jeffrey W.↗

Hybrid-Electric Aero-Propulsion Controls Laboratory: Overview and Capability

A hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) laboratory is developed to investigate control technologies for electrified aircraft propulsion (EAP). The laboratory emulates a propulsion system by reproducing the mechanical shaft interface to the electrical power system in hardware. The experimental electric power system includes supercapacitor energy storage and a dynamically variable electrical load. A novel method of scaling power and inertia is provided in software to accurately reproduce the transient, off-design turbomachinery performance dynamics without including actual turbomachinery. An overview of how the HIL system can accommodate a broad range of EAP architectures, including power extraction and insertion, with capability for transient energy management is described. The real-time system operates in the 100kW power class and is instrumented to emulate turbomachinery – power system interactions. The platform is an agile, flexible laboratory for low-cost, risk-reduction development and testing of propulsion control, operability, and energy management technologies.

Controls↗

Hybrid-Electric Aero-Propulsion Controls Laboratory: Overview and Capability

A hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) laboratory is developed to investigate control technologies for electrified aircraft propulsion (EAP). The laboratory emulates a propulsion system by reproducing the mechanical shaft interface to the electrical power system in hardware. The experimental electric power system includes supercapacitor energy storage and a dynamically variable electrical load. A novel method of scaling power and inertia is provided in software to accurately reproduce the transient, off-design turbomachinery performance dynamics without including actual turbomachinery. An overview of how the HIL system can accommodate a broad range of EAP architectures, including power extraction and insertion, with capability for transient energy management is described. The real-time system operates in the 100kW power class and is instrumented to emulate turbomachinery – power system interactions. The platform is an agile, flexible laboratory for low-cost, risk-reduction development and testing of propulsion control, operability, and energy management technologies.

controls↗

Solar thermal power storage applications lead laboratory overview

The implementation of the applications elements of the thermal energy storage for Solar Thermal Applications program is described. The program includes the accelerated development of thermal storage technologies matched to solar thermal power system requirements and scheduled milestones. The program concentrates on storage development in the FY80 to 85 time period with emphasis on the more near-term solar thermal power system application.

Radosevich, L. G.↗

NASA's Virtual Product Laboratory: An Overview

The Virtual Product Laboratory (VPL) developed by NASA's Commercial Remote Sensing Program at the John C. Stennis Space Center is a tool that enables simulation, design, and verification of remote sensing systems within a software (virtual) environment. The VPL can serve industry, government, and university communities by providing a means to conduct system trade studies, optimization, visual modeling, and data product simulations entirely in a virtual environment. The VPL can serve as a complete end-to-end simulation tool capable of producing system and subsystem performance characterizations, system optimization, and simulated data products or as a means of evaluating any one component of a remote sensing system. In this paper, we present an overview of the VPL capabilities. The VPL functional areas include Requirements, Design & Analysis, Simulation, Project Management, Knowledge Base, and Help. A description of each function along with the tools and techniques used to accomplish these functions will be provided. When possible, sample VPL displays and products will be used in the presentation.

Gasser, Jerry↗

Stanford Aerospace Research Laboratory research overview

Over the last ten years, the Stanford Aerospace Robotics Laboratory (ARL) has developed a hardware facility in which a number of space robotics issues have been, and continue to be, addressed. This paper reviews two of the current ARL research areas: navigation and control of free flying space robots, and modelling and control of extremely flexible space structures. The ARL has designed and built several semi-autonomous free-flying robots that perform numerous tasks in a zero-gravity, drag-free, two-dimensional environment. It is envisioned that future generations of these robots will be part of a human-robot team, in which the robots will operate under the task-level commands of astronauts. To make this possible, the ARL has developed a graphical user interface (GUI) with an intuitive object-level motion-direction capability. Using this interface, the ARL has demonstrated autonomous navigation, intercept and capture of moving and spinning objects, object transport, multiple-robot cooperative manipulation, and simple assemblies from both free-flying and fixed bases. The ARL has also built a number of experimental test beds on which the modelling and control of flexible manipulators has been studied. Early ARL experiments in this arena demonstrated for the first time the capability to control the end-point position of both single-link and multi-link flexible manipulators using end-point sensing. Building on these accomplishments, the ARL has been able to control payloads with unknown dynamics at the end of a flexible manipulator, and to achieve high-performance control of a multi-link flexible manipulator.

Ballhaus, W. L.↗

Planetary stations and Abyssal Benthic Laboratories: An overview of parallel approaches for long-term investigation in extreme environments

In spite of the apparent great differences between deep ocean and space environment, significant similarities can be recognized when considering the possible solutions and technologies enabling the development of remote automatic stations supporting the execution of scientific activities. In this sense it is believed that mutual benefits shall be derived from the exchange of experiences and results between people and organizations involved in research and engineering activities for hostile environments, such as space, deep sea, and polar areas. A significant example of possible technology transfer and common systematic approach is given, which describes in some detail how the solutions and the enabling technologies identified for an Abyssal Benthic Laboratory can be applied for the case of a lunar or planetary station.

Dipippo, S.↗

Air Force Phillips Laboratory Battery Program overview

Battery development and testing efforts at Phillips Laboratory fall into three main categories: nickel hydrogen, sodium sulfur, and solid state batteries. Nickel hydrogen work is broken down into a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Life Test Program, a LEO Pulse Test Program, and a Hydrogen Embrittlement Investigation. Sodium sulfur work is broken down into a Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO) Battery Flight Test and a Hot Launch Evaluation. Solid state polymer battery work consists of a GEO Battery Development Program, a Pulse Power Battery Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR), and an in-house evaluation of current generation laboratory cells. An overview of the program is presented.

House, Shaun↗