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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

Model Correlation and Thermal Analysis of xEMU Boot at Lunar South Pole Temperatures

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Artemis program plans to send astronauts to the lunar south pole, a region of the moon that is colder than previous lunar missions and low earth orbit operations. The spacesuit boots that will be used on these missions will be directly impacted by these extremely cold temperatures (down to ~50 K). To assess the performance of the Exploration Extravehicular Mobility Unit (xEMU) lunar boot in these extreme temperatures, the boot was tested at the Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL) in the Cryogenic Ice Transfer, Acquisition Development, and Excavation Laboratory (CITADEL) thermal vacuum (TVAC) chamber. This data was used to correlate thermal models to predict operational performance of the boots on the lunar south pole. This paper documents the data analysis, thermal boot model correlation, and operational predictions conducted using data from the xEMU TVAC test. Data from the test series was used to determine expected thermal conductances within the boot and between the boot and environment. These conductances were used to correlate a Thermal Desktop model of the xEMU boot across 10 different test points which varied external temperature, internal boot ventilation flowrate, and contact pressure. The correlated model was then used to predict operational performance in the lunar south pole. While the predictions indicate promising evidence for performance of the boots at the 100K test point, there is still substantial uncertainty in performance, particularly at the 48K test point. The results of this test series and model correlation stress the importance of improved testing for characterizing the expected thermal resistance between the outside of the boot and the lunar surface.

xEMU↗

Model Correlation and Thermal Analysis of xEMU Boot at Lunar South Pole Temperatures

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Artemis program plans to send astronauts to the lunar south pole, a region of the moon that is colder than previous lunar missions and low earth orbit operations. The spacesuit boots that will be used on these missions will be directly impacted by these extremely cold temperatures (down to ~50 K). To assess the performance of the Exploration Extravehicular Mobility Unit (xEMU) lunar boot in these extreme temperatures, the boot was tested at the Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL) in the Cryogenic Ice Transfer, Acquisition Development, and Excavation Laboratory (CITADEL) thermal vacuum (TVAC) chamber. This data was used to correlate thermal models to predict operational performance of the boots on the lunar south pole. This paper documents the data analysis, thermal boot model correlation, and operational predictions conducted using data from the xEMU TVAC test. Data from the test series was used to determine expected thermal conductances within the boot and between the boot and environment. These conductances were used to correlate a Thermal Desktop model of the xEMU boot across 10 different test points which varied external temperature, internal boot ventilation flowrate, and contact pressure. The correlated model was then used to predict operational performance in the lunar south pole. While the predictions indicate promising evidence for performance of the boots at the 100K test point, there is still substantial uncertainty in performance, particularly at the 48K test point. The results of this test series and model correlation stress the importance of improved testing for characterizing the expected thermal resistance between the outside of the boot and the lunar surface.

thermal analysis↗

Integrated Modeling Tools for Thermal Analysis and Applications

Integrated modeling of spacecraft systems is a rapidly evolving area in which multidisciplinary models are developed to design and analyze spacecraft configurations. These models are especially important in the early design stages where rapid trades between subsystems can substantially impact design decisions. Integrated modeling is one of the cornerstones of two of NASA's planned missions in the Origins Program -- the Next Generation Space Telescope (NGST) and the Space Interferometry Mission (SIM). Common modeling tools for control design and opto-mechanical analysis have recently emerged and are becoming increasingly widely used. A discipline that has been somewhat less integrated, but is nevertheless of critical concern for high precision optical instruments, is thermal analysis and design. A major factor contributing to this mild estrangement is that the modeling philosophies and objectives for structural and thermal systems typically do not coincide. Consequently the tools that are used in these discplines suffer a degree of incompatibility, each having developed along their own evolutionary path. Although standard thermal tools have worked relatively well in the past. integration with other disciplines requires revisiting modeling assumptions and solution methods. Over the past several years we have been developing a MATLAB based integrated modeling tool called IMOS (Integrated Modeling of Optical Systems) which integrates many aspects of structural, optical, control and dynamical analysis disciplines. Recent efforts have included developing a thermal modeling and analysis capability, which is the subject of this article. Currently, the IMOS thermal suite contains steady state and transient heat equation solvers, and the ability to set up the linear conduction network from an IMOS finite element model. The IMOS code generates linear conduction elements associated with plates and beams/rods of the thermal network directly from the finite element structural model. Conductances for temperature varying materials are accommodated. This capability both streamlines the process of developing the thermal model from the finite element model, and also makes the structural and thermal models compatible in the sense that each structural node is associated with a thermal node. This is particularly useful when the purpose of the analysis is to predict structural deformations due to thermal loads. The steady state solver uses a restricted step size Newton method, and the transient solver is an adaptive step size implicit method applicable to general differential algebraic systems. Temperature dependent conductances and capacitances are accommodated by the solvers. In addition to discussing the modeling and solution methods. applications where the thermal modeling is "in the loop" with sensitivity analysis, optimization and optical performance drawn from our experiences with the Space Interferometry Mission (SIM), and the Next Generation Space Telescope (NGST) are presented.

Milman, Mark H.↗

Comparing the Electrical Modeling and Thermal Analysis Toolbox Simulation Data to Electrified Aircraft Propulsion Test Hardware Data

The Electrical Modeling and Thermal Analysis Toolbox (EMTAT), a National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)-developed Simulink™ model block library of electrical components developed with the goal of facilitating system-level control design and analysis, has two levels of fidelity depending on the test needs. The Physics Based model blocks are designed to use physical component characteristics to more accurately model real hardware, including power losses, efficiency, thermal effects, electromagnetic losses, voltage drops and current requirements. These blocks model electrical dynamics that occur at the millisecond turbomachinery time scale which allows for faster-than-real-time electrified turbomachinery simulations. A model was developed to mirror the Hybrid Propulsion Emulation Rig (HyPER) hardware, a laboratory focused on Electrified Aircraft Propulsion (EAP) hardware tests. The present hardware setup supports Turbine Electrified Energy Management (TEEM) testing. The outputs of the model were compared to the results of several tests on the HyPER laboratory motor-generator setup with the goal of matching the steady state simulation data to steady state hardware data within 5% of full scale. The objective of this paper is to present the background, setup, testing and results of this comparison. It will describe some of the adjustments that were necessary to match the system hardware, as well as next steps in verification and validation.

Hyper↗

An Overview of Thermal Distortion Modeling, Analysis, and Model Validation for the JWST ISIM Structure

This paper describes thermal distortion modeling, analysis, and model validation activities completed in support of the design and qualification of the JWST ISIM Structure. An overview of the building blocks approach utilized to develop the structural design and modeling capabilities to meet thermal distortion performance requirements will be provided. This effort culminated in a cryogenic (35 K) distortion test of the flight ISIM Structure hardware, the Cryoset Test that both verified the thermal distortion performance and provided data for validation of the structural models. An overview of the modeling, analysis, and model validation development effort will be discussed, and the results of the Cryoset Test and the subsequent model validation will be described.

Johnston, John↗

An Electrical Modeling and Thermal Analysis Toolbox for Electrified Aircraft Propulsion Simulation

A simulation toolbox has been developed to model the electrical portions of Electrified Aircraft Propulsion (EAP) systems, including self-heating of electrical systems. Dynamic models of EAP systems often include turbomachinery, an electrical power system, and a thermal management system. These portions of the propulsion system can operate on timescales covering six orders of magnitude, which poses a challenging modeling task. Assumptions and approximations are made in an effort to capture the dynamics relevant to engine, electrical system, and thermal system interactions, while still allowing for fast simulations. These assumptions and approximations enable the electrical component models to run at the time scale of the turbomachinery, neglecting the very high frequency electrical dynamics, while demonstrating representative behavior of the end-to-end system. Thus the models execute in an acceptable time frame for what would otherwise be an extremely stiff simulation. The resulting simulations of EAP systems are appropriate for system-level control design and analysis. The objective of this paper is to present an overview of the Electrical Modeling and Thermal Analysis Toolbox (EMTAT). It will describe some of the approximations made to accommodate rapid execution, and some of the design tools that allow matching the model to component specifications. This paper will also provide some examples of EAP system modeling using EMTAT.

Mark E Bell↗

An Electrical Modeling and Thermal Analysis Toolbox for Electrified Aircraft Propulsion Simulation

A simulation toolbox has been developed to model the electrical portions of Electrified Aircraft Propulsion (EAP) systems, including self-heating of electrical systems. Dynamic models of EAP systems often include turbomachinery, an electrical power system, and a thermal management system. These portions of the propulsion system can operate on timescales covering six orders of magnitude, which poses a challenging modeling task. Assumptions and approximations are made in an effort to capture the dynamics relevant to engine, electrical system, and thermal system interactions, while still allowing for fast simulations. These assumptions and approximations enable the electrical component models to run at the time scale of the turbomachinery, neglecting the very high frequency electrical dynamics, while demonstrating representative behavior of the end-to-end system. Thus the models execute in an acceptable time frame for what would otherwise be an extremely stiff simulation. The resulting simulations of EAP systems are appropriate for system-level control design and analysis. The objective of this paper is to present an overview of the Electrical Modeling and Thermal Analysis Toolbox (EMTAT). It will describe some of the approximations made to accommodate rapid execution, and some of the design tools that allow matching the model to component specifications. This paper will also provide some examples of EAP system modeling using EMTAT.

Mark E Bell↗

Comparing the Electrical Modeling and Thermal Analysis Toolbox Simulation Data to Electrified Aircraft Propulsion Test Hardware Data

A model using the Electrical Modeling and Thermal Analysis Toolbox (EMTAT), a National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)-developed Simulink® model block library of electrical components, was developed to mirror the Hybrid Propulsion Emulation Rig (HyPER) hardware, a laboratory focused on Electrified Aircraft Propulsion (EAP) hardware tests. The goal of the model was to demonstrate the utility of the library by comparing the accuracy of the library models to the performance of real hardware, with the primary metrics being the simulation outputs matching physical test hardware data within 5% of full scale.The objective of this paper is to present the background, setup, testing and results of this comparison. It describes some of the adjustments that were necessary to match the system hardware, as well as next steps in verification and validation. The outputs of the model were compared to the results of several tests in HyPER, and in the process captured an additional torque loss that is still being analyzed for the root cause but has been confirmed in the hardware. Across all the test series, only one key model parameter was outside the target 5% full scale matching, and nearly 70% were within 1%.

Mark E Bell↗

Comparing the Electrical Modeling and Thermal Analysis Toolbox Simulation Data to Electrified Aircraft Propulsion Test Hardware Data

A model using the Electrical Modeling and Thermal Analysis Toolbox (EMTAT), a National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)-developed Simulink® model block library of electrical components, was developed to mirror the Hybrid Propulsion Emulation Rig (HyPER) hardware, a laboratory focused on Electrified Aircraft Propulsion (EAP) hardware tests. The goal of the model was to demonstrate the utility of the library by comparing the accuracy of the library models to the performance of real hardware, with the primary metrics being the simulation outputs matching physical test hardware data within 5 percent of full scale. The objective of this paper is to present the background, setup, testing and results of this comparison. It describes some of the adjustments that were necessary to match the system hardware, as well as next steps in verification and validation. The outputs of the model were compared to the results of several tests in HyPER, and in the process captured an additional torque loss that is still being analyzed for the root cause but has been confirmed in the hardware. Across all the test series, only one key model parameter was outside the target 5 percent full scale matching, and nearly 70 percent were within 1 percent.

Mark E. Bell↗

Electrical Modeling and Thermal Analysis Toolbox (EMTAT) User’s Guide

A simulation toolbox has been developed to model the electrical portions of Electrified Aircraft Propulsion (EAP) systems, including self-heating of electrical systems. Dynamic models of EAP systems often include turbomachinery, an electrical power system, and a thermal management system. These portions of the propulsion system can operate on timescales covering six orders of magnitude, which poses a challenging modeling task. Assumptions and approximations are made in an effort to capture the dynamics relevant to engine, electrical system, and thermal system interactions, while still allowing for fast simulations. These assumptions and approximations enable the electrical component models to run at the time scale of the turbomachinery, neglecting the very high frequency electrical dynamics, while demonstrating representative behavior of the end-to-end system. Thus the models execute in an acceptable time frame for what would otherwise be an extremely stiff simulation. The resulting simulations of EAP systems are appropriate for system-level control design and analysis. The objective of this User's Guide is to present an overview of the usage of the Electrical Modeling and Thermal Analysis Toolbox (EMTAT). It will describe some of the approximations made to accommodate rapid execution, and some of the design tools that allow matching the model to component specifications. This paper will describe the basic usage of the software toolbox, and also provide an example of EAP system modeling using EMTAT.

Mark E. Bell↗

Thermal Performance of Composite Flexible Blanket Insulations for Hypersonic Aerospace Vehicles

This paper describes the thermal performance of a Composite Flexible Blanket Insulation (C.F.B.I.) considered for potential use as a thermal protection system or thermal insulation for future hypersonic vehicles such as the National Aerospace Plane (N.A.S.P.). Thermophysical properties for these insulations were also measured including the thermal conductivity at various temperatures and pressures and the emissivity of the fabrics used in the flexible insulations. The thermal response of these materials subjected to aeroconvective heating from a plasma arc is also described. Materials tested included two surface variations of the insulations, and similar insulations coated with a Protective Ceramic Coating (P.C.C.). Surface and backface temperatures were measured in the flexible insulations and on Fibrous Refractory Composite Insulation (F.R.C.I.) used as a calibration model. The uncoated flexible insulations exhibited good thermal performance up to 35 W/sq cm. The use of a P.C.C. to protect these insulations at higher heating rates is described. The results from a computerized thermal analysis model describing thermal response of those materials subjected to the plasma arc conditions are included. Thermal and optical properties were determined including thermal conductivity for the rigid and flexible insulations and emissivity for the insulation fabrics. These properties were utilized to calculate the thermal performance of the rigid and flexible insulations at the maximum heating rate.

Kourtides, Demetrius A.↗

Transient Thermal Model and Analysis of the Lunar Surface and Regolith for Cryogenic Fluid Storage

A transient thermal model of the lunar surface and regolith was developed along with analytical techniques which will be used to evaluate the storage of cryogenic fluids at equatorial and polar landing sites. The model can provide lunar surface and subsurface temperatures as a function of latitude and time throughout the lunar cycle and season. It also accounts for the presence of or lack of the undisturbed fluff layer on the lunar surface. The model was validated with Apollo 15 and Clementine data and shows good agreement with other analytical models.

Christie, Robert J.↗

An Overview of Thermal Distortion Modeling, Analysis, and Model Validation for the JWST ISIM Structure

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is a large, infrared-optimized space telescope consisting of the following elements: (1) Optical telescope element (OTE) (2) Integrated science instrument module (ISIM) (3) Spacecraft (4) Sunshield The Integrated Science Instrument Module (ISIM) consists of the JWST science instruments (NIRCam, MIRI, NIRSpec), a fine guidance sensor (FGS), the ISIM Structure, and thermal and electrical subsystems. JWST's instruments are designed to work primarily in the infrared range of the electromagnetic spectrum, and the instruments and telescope operate at cryogenic temperatures (approximately 35 K for the instruments). The development and validation of a thermal distortion modeling and analysis capability for the JWST ISIM Structure was successfully completed. The modeling and analysis approach was grounded in initial constituent materials testing and benchmarked to test results at the composite bonded joint, subassembly, and fullscale flight hardware levels. Comparison of analysis predictions and test results from this series of incremental cryogenic thermal distortion tests demonstrates that the model validation goals are achieved.

Johnston, John↗

Saturn Ring Data Analysis and Thermal Modeling

CIRS, VIMS, UVIS, and ISS (Cassini's Composite Infrared Specrtometer, Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer, Ultra Violet Imaging Spectrometer and Imaging Science Subsystem, respectively), have each operated in a multidimensional observation space and have acquired scans of the lit and unlit rings at multiple phase angles. To better understand physical and dynamical ring particle parametric dependence, we co-registered profiles from these three instruments, taken at a wide range of wavelengths, from ultraviolet through the thermal infrared, to associate changes in ring particle temperature with changes in observed brightness, specifically with albedos inferred by ISS, UVIS and VIMS. We work in a parameter space where the solar elevation range is constrained to 12 deg - 14 deg and the chosen radial region is the B3 region of the B ring; this region is the most optically thick region in Saturn's rings. From this compilation of multiple wavelength data, we construct and fit phase curves and color ratios using independent dynamical thermal models for ring structure and overplot Saturn, Saturn ring, and Solar spectra. Analysis of phase curve construction and color ratios reveals thermal emission to fall within the extrema of the ISS bandwidth and a geometrical dependence of reddening on phase angle, respectively. Analysis of spectra reveals Cassini CIRS Saturn spectra dominate Cassini CIRS B3 Ring Spectra from 19 to 1000 microns, while Earth-based B Ring Spectrum dominates Earth-based Saturn Spectrum from 0.4 to 4 microns. From our fits we test out dynamical thermal models; from the phase curves we derive ring albedos and non-lambertian properties of the ring particle surfaces; and from the color ratios we examine multiple scattering within the regolith of ring particles.

Saturn's rings↗

Thermal Modeling and Analysis of a Cryogenic Tank Design Exposed to Extreme Heating Profiles

A cryogenic test article, the Generic Research Cryogenic Tank, was designed to qualitatively simulate the thermal response of transatmospheric vehicle fuel tanks exposed to the environment of hypersonic flight. One-dimensional and two-dimensional finite-difference thermal models were developed to simulate the thermal response and assist in the design of the Generic Research Cryogenic Tank. The one-dimensional thermal analysis determined the required insulation thickness to meet the thermal design criteria and located the purge jacket to eliminate the liquefaction of air. The two-dimensional thermal analysis predicted the temperature gradients developed within the pressure-vessel wall, estimated the cryogen boiloff, and showed the effects the ullage condition has on pressure-vessel temperatures. The degree of ullage mixing, location of the applied high-temperature profile, and the purge gas influence on insulation thermal conductivity had significant effects on the thermal behavior of the Generic Research Cryogenic Tank. In addition to analysis results, a description of the Generic Research Cryogenic Tank and the role it will play in future thermal structures and transatmospheric vehicle research at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Facility is presented.

Stephens, Craig A.↗