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Results for “RLC CIRCUIT”

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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11 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1980

Transient solution for megajoule energy release in a lumped-parameter series RLC circuit

A method is developed for optimizing the energy release from a megajoule capacitive discharge in a series RLC circuit with an RL load. Both the resistance and inductance of the load are represented by effective values that characterize their behavior during the discharge. Using Kirchhoff's laws, equations utilizing the load impedance and the external circuit impedance are derived for determining the instantaneous load voltage and energy characteristics. A program (ERES) computes and displays the load characteristics and the circuit current. Use of the ERES program allows a designer to perturbate values of the circuit elements in order to produce the desired time distribution for the load energy input.

Barnes, G.↗
NASA NTRS1990

CMOS output buffer wave shaper

As the switching speeds and densities of Digital CMOS integrated circuits continue to increase, output switching noise becomes more of a problem. A design technique which aids in the reduction of switching noise is reported. The output driver stage is analyzed through the use of an equivalent RLC circuit. The results of the analysis are used in the design of an output driver stage. A test circuit based on these techniques is being submitted to MOSIS for fabrication.

Albertson, L.↗
DOE OSTI2026

Tradeoffs in single stage drift step recovery diode generator design

A high-voltage generator of nanosecond pulses utilizing a drift step recovery diode (DSRD) as an opening switch in the compression section is designed to operate at peak voltages of 4 kV and repetition rates of 2 MHz in burst mode at reduced voltages. The generator is used to perform empirical studies on the output metrics of a DSRD generator with a focus on matching the circuit of the reverse current loop parameters and DSRD to the load. The dynamic impedance introduced by nonlinear elements in the DSRD was investigated with respect to the driving circuit by varying the number of DSRDs connected in series. Experimental results indicate that optimization of the driving circuit for the DSRD is key to minimizing losses and achieving optimal pulse compression. Furthermore, the results also indicate trends in DSRD performance as larger storage inductances and longer pumping times are used, limiting the pulse compression capabilities of a single stage DSRD generator.

Electrical properties and parameters↗
DOE OSTI2025

Study of the Design and Characteristics of a Modified Pulsed Plasma Thruster with Graphite and Tungsten Trigger Electrodes

The paper presents experimental results for a modified pulsed plasma thruster (PPT) with solid propellant, using a coaxial anode–cathode design. Graphite from pencil leads served as propellant, and a tungsten trigger electrode was tested to reduce carbonization effects. Experiments were performed in a vacuum chamber at 0.001 Pa, employing diagnostics such as discharge current/voltage recording, power measurement, ballistic pendulum, time-of-flight (TOF) method, and a Faraday cup. Current and voltage waveforms matched an oscillatory RLC circuit with variable plasma channel resistance. Key discharge parameters were measured, including current pulse duration/amplitude and plasma channel formation/decay dynamics. Impulse bit values, obtained with a ballistic pendulum, reached up to 8.5 μN·s. Increasing trigger capacitor capacitance reduced thrust due to unstable “pre-plasma” formation and partial pre-discharge energy loss. Using TOF and Faraday cup diagnostics, plasma front velocity, ion current amplitude, current density, and ion concentration were determined. Tungsten electrodes produced lower charged particle concentrations than graphite but offered better adhesion resistance, minimal carbonization, and stable long-term performance. The findings support optimizing trigger electrode materials and PPT operating modes to extend lifetime and stabilize thrust output.

Faraday cup↗
NASA NTRS1965

Voltage variable oscillator has high phase stability

Two or more series RLC circuits are used with a negative feedback amplifier to make a voltage variable oscillator. This combination results in high phase stability and optimum frequency modulation.

Hearn, C. P.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Dynamic Discharge Arc Driver

A computer program using nonlinear RLC circuit analysis was developed to accurately model the electrical discharge performance of the Ames 1-MJ energy storage and arc-driver system. Solutions of circuit parameters are compared with experimental circuit data and related to shock speed measurements. Computer analysis led to the concept of a Dynamic Discharge Arc Driver (DDAD) capable of increasing the range of operation of shock-driven facilities. Utilization of mass addition of the driver gas offers a unique means of improving driver performance. Mass addition acts to increase the arc resistance, which results in better electrical circuit damping with more efficient Joule heating, producing stronger shock waves. Preliminary tests resulted in an increase in shock Mach number from 34 to 39 in air at an initial pressure of 2.5 torr.

Dannenberg, R. E.↗
NASA NTRS2012

Piezoelectric Vibration Damping Study for Rotating Composite Fan Blades

Resonant vibrations of aircraft engine blades cause blade fatigue problems in engines, which can lead to thicker and aerodynamically lower performing blade designs, increasing engine weight, fuel burn, and maintenance costs. In order to mitigate undesirable blade vibration levels, active piezoelectric vibration control has been investigated, potentially enabling thinner blade designs for higher performing blades and minimizing blade fatigue problems. While the piezoelectric damping idea has been investigated by other researchers over the years, very little study has been done including rotational effects. The present study attempts to fill this void. The particular objectives of this study were: (a) to develop and analyze a multiphysics piezoelectric finite element composite blade model for harmonic forced vibration response analysis coupled with a tuned RLC circuit for rotating engine blade conditions, (b) to validate a numerical model with experimental test data, and (c) to achieve a cost-effective numerical modeling capability which enables simulation of rotating blades within the NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) Dynamic Spin Rig Facility. A numerical and experimental study for rotating piezoelectric composite subscale fan blades was performed. It was also proved that the proposed numerical method is feasible and effective when applied to the rotating blade base excitation model. The experimental test and multiphysics finite element modeling technique described in this paper show that piezoelectric vibration damping can significantly reduce vibrations of aircraft engine composite fan blades.

Min, James B.↗
NASA NTRS2011

Characteristics of Radio-Frequency Circuits Utilizing Ferroelectric Capacitors

Ferroelectric capacitors, most commonly used in memory circuits and variable components, were studied in simple analog radio-frequency circuits such as the RLC resonator and Colpitts oscillator. The goal was to characterize the RF circuits in terms of frequency of oscillation, gain, etc, using ferroelectric capacitors. Frequencies of oscillation of both circuits were measured and studied a more accurate resonant frequency can be obtained using the ferroelectric capacitors. Many experiments were conducted and data collected. A model to simulate the experimental results will be developed. Discrepancies in gain and frequency in these RF circuits when conventional capacitors are replaced with ferroelectric ones were studied. These results will enable circuit designers to anticipate the effects of using ferroelectric components in their radio- frequency applications.

Eskridge, Michael↗
NASA NTRS1974

Relationships among classes of self-oscillating transistor parallel inverters

A procedure is developed for classifying dc-to-square-wave two-transistor parallel inverters used in power conditioning applications. The inverters are reduced to equivalent RLC networks and are then grouped with other inverters with the same basic equivalent circuit. Distinction between inverter classes is based on the topology characteristics of the equivalent circuits. Information about one class can then be extended to another class using the basic oscillation theory and the concept of duality. Oscillograms from test circuits confirm the validity of the procedure adopted.

Wilson, T. G.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Nonlinear analysis of a family of LC tuned inverters

Four widely used self-oscillating dc-to-square-wave parallel inverters which employ an inductor-capacitor tuned network to determine the oscillation frequency are reduced to a common equivalent RLC network, The techniques of singular-point analysis and state-plane interpretations are employed to describe the steady-state and transient behavior of these circuits and to elucidate the three possible modes of operation: quasi-harmonic, relaxation, and discontinuous. Design guidelines are provided through a study of the influence of circuit parameter variations on the characteristics of oscillation and on frequency stability. Several examples are provided to illustrate the usefulness of this analysis when studying such problems as transistor emitter-to-base junction breakdown during oscillations and the design of starting circuits to insure self-excited oscillations in these inverters.

Lee, F. C. Y.↗