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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

Identifying and analyzing methods for reducing the energy consumption of helicopters

Reductions in helicopter energy consumption can be accomplished through the use of advanced technology in the areas of powerplant design, improved rotor efficiency, reduced parasite drag, and reduced structural empty weight. Baseline helicopters incorporating technology were designed for a short range (200 n mi) and a very short haul (100 n mi) mission scenario. Parametric analyses were then conducted to determine the impact of technology improvement. Many of the parameters varied are interrelated. A summary of such interactions is presented, and some additional sensitivity values were added so that energy reduction and DOC as affected by the major technological factors or operational modes are clearly defined.

Davis, S. J.↗

An Evaluation of Performance Metrics for High Efficiency Tube-and-Wing Aircraft Entering Service in 2030 to 2035

An analysis of basic vehicle characteristics required to meet the Fundamental Aeronautics Program s 70 percent energy consumption reduction goal for commercial airliners in the 2030 to 2035 timeframe was conducted. A total of 29 combinations of vehicle parasitic drag coefficient, vehicle induced drag coefficient, vehicle empty weight and engine Specific Fuel Consumption were used to create sized tube-and-wing vehicle models. The mission fuel burn for each of these sized vehicles was then compared to a baseline current technology vehicle. A response surface equation was generated of fuel burn reduction as a function of the four basic vehicle performance metrics, so that any values of the performance metrics up to a 50 percent reduction could be used to estimate fuel burn reduction of tube-and-wing aircraft for future studies.

Perkins, H. Douglas↗

Efficient civil helicopters - The payoff of directed research

Studies have been performed to identify the key areas and cost of research that will reduce the cost of operation of helicopters through reduction of energy consumption, increased performance, and reduction of maintenance. The basic analyses were made for a large passenger helicopter, with subsequent studies considering applicability to all sizes. These study results were then applied to the existing and projected U.S./Canada helicopter fleet to compare the cost of research to the dollars saved as a result of that research. These comparisons show that research costs to reduce energy and lower maintenance have payback periods of less than one year, either as higher return to the operator or as lower rental price to the customer.

Wiesner, W.↗

Sensitivity of Mission Energy Consumption to Turboelectric Distributed Propulsion Design Assumptions on the N3-X Hybrid Wing Body Aircraft

In a previous study by the authors it was shown that the N3-X, a 300 passenger hybrid wing body (HWB) aircraft with a turboelectric distributed propulsion (TeDP) system, was able to meet the NASA Subsonic Fixed Wing (SFW) project goal for N+3 generation aircraft of at least a 60% reduction in total energy consumption as compared to the best in class current generation aircraft. This previous study combined technology assumptions that represented the highest anticipated values that could be matured to technology readiness level (TRL) 4-6 by 2030. This paper presents the results of a sensitivity analysis of the total mission energy consumption to reductions in each key technology assumption. Of the parameters examined, the mission total energy consumption was most sensitive to changes to total pressure loss in the propulsor inlet. The baseline inlet internal pressure loss is assumed to be an optimistic 0.5%. An inlet pressure loss of 3% increases the total energy consumption 9%. However changes to reduce inlet pressure loss can result in additional distortion to the fan which can reduce fan efficiency or vice versa. It is very important that the inlet and fan be analyzed and optimized as a single unit. The turboshaft hot section is assumed to be made of ceramic matrix composite (CMC) with a 3000 F maximum material temperature. Reducing the maximum material temperature to 2700 F increases the mission energy consumption by only 1.5%. Thus achieving a 3000 F temperature in CMCs is important but not central to achieving the energy consumption objective of the N3-X/TeDP. A key parameter in the efficiency of superconducting motors and generators is the size of the superconducting filaments in the stator. The size of the superconducting filaments in the baseline model is assumed to be 10 microns. A 40 micron filament, which represents current technology, results in a 200% increase in AC losses in the motor and generator stators. This analysis shows that for a system with 40 micron filaments the higher stator losses plus the added weight and power of larger cryocoolers results in a 4% increase in mission energy consumption. If liquid hydrogen is used to cool the superconductors the 40 micron fibers results in a 200% increase in hydrogen required for cooling. Each pound of hydrogen used as fuel displaces 3 pounds of jet fuel. For the N3-X on the reference mission the additional hydrogen due to the increase stator losses reduces the total fuel weight 10%. The lighter fuel load and attendant vehicle resizing reduces the total energy consumption more than the higher stator losses increase it. As a result with hydrogen cooling there is a slight reduction in mission energy consumption with increasing stator losses. This counter intuitive result highlights the need to consider the full system impact of changes rather than just at the component or subsystem level.

Felder, James L.↗

Documenting helicopter operations from an energy standpoint

Results are presented of a study of the relative and absolute energy consumption of helicopters, including limited comparisons with fixed-wing aircraft, and selected surface transportation vehicles. Additional comparisons were made to determine the level of reduction in energy consumption expected from the application of advanced technologies to the helicopter design and sizing process. It was found that improvements in helicopter consumption characteristics can be accomplished through the utilization of advanced technology to reduce drag, structures weight, and powerplant fuel consumption.

Davis, S. J.↗

Application of fuel cells with heat recovery for integrated utility systems

This paper presents the results of a study of fuel cell powerplants with heat recovery for use in an integrated utility system. Such a design provides for a low pollution, noise-free, highly efficient integrated utility. Use of the waste heat from the fuel cell powerplant in an integrated utility system for the village center complex of a new community results in a reduction in resource consumption of 42 percent compared to conventional methods. In addition, the system has the potential of operating on fuels produced from waste materials (pyrolysis and digester gases); this would provide further reduction in energy consumption.

Shields, V.↗

Enabling Additive Manufacturing Technologies for Advanced Aero Propulsion Materials & Components

Additive manufacturing (AM) technologies are enabling for advanced high performance, propulsion component designs in electric motors1-2 and turbine engine systems in future electrified aircraft. AM offers significant benefits over conventional manufacturing to fabricate components that are more compact, lighter weight, geometrically complex, innovatively cooled, integrated, multi-material, and multifunctional. For turbine engine applications, silicon carbide (SiC) based composites are being pursued using binder jetting and laminated object manufacturing (LOM) for components such as shrouds, vanes, and recuperators. For electric motor applications, additive processes are being applied toward optimized component designs to include the housing, rotor, and stators with 3-D printing and wire imbedded coils and with direct printed 3-phase coils. The electrical conductivity of silver conductor coils optimized by evaluating alternate sintering methods and additions of graphene and carbon nanostructures will be presented. Potential benefits of new electric motor components in improving temperature capability, efficiency, and power density for reductions in energy consumption and emissions will be discussed.

Halbig, Michael C.↗

Whirl Flutter and the Development of the NASA X-57 Maxwell

The X-57 Maxwell is NASA’s all-electric demonstration vehicle. The primary demonstration objective of this flight test program is to show a factor of five reduction in energy consumption. The vehicle includes two large wing tip propellers designed to provide propul- sion at cruise conditions and twelve leading edge propellers designed to operate at high lift conditions. The first configuration of the vehicle that will be flight tested has the large wing tip propellers relocated to an inboard wing station. A simplified structural dynamic model of the propulsion system has been generated and coupled with a beam model of the vehicle. Whirl flutter analyses have been performed, examining the stability of the isolated propulsion system and coupled to the beam model of the vehicle. Trimmed flight scenarios for the vehicle include straight and level flight and zero power windmilling conditions. The whirl flutter analyses for this configuration indicate that the configuration will be free of whirl flutter within the required flight envelope.

Heeg, Jennifer↗

Rating aircraft on energy

Questions concerning the energy efficiency of aircraft compared to ground transport are considered, taking into account as energy intensity the energy consumed per passenger statute mile. It is found that today's transport aircraft have an energy intensity potential comparable to that of ground modes. Possibilities for improving the energy density are also much better in the case of aircraft than in the case of ground transportation. Approaches for potential reductions in aircraft energy consumption are examined, giving attention to steps for increasing the efficiency of present aircraft and to reductions in energy intensity obtainable by the introduction of new aircraft utilizing an advanced technology. The use of supercritical aerodynamics is discussed along with the employment of composite structures, advances in propulsion systems, and the introduction of very large aircraft. Other improvements in fuel economy can be obtained by a reduction of skin-friction drag and a use of hydrogen fuel.

Maddalon, D. V.↗

Evaluation of options for process sequences

A methodology is being developed to ease the comparative evaluation of competing options in the process sequence for the manufacture of photovoltaic solar energy utilization systems. This evaluation will largely involve process economic analyses but will place equal emphasis on other characteristics, including energy consumption and environmental effects of the process options. Early analyses have been performed for the energy consumption in the arc furnace reduction of SiO2, for the costs and energy consumption in CZ crystal pulling and various slicing processes, and for the total energy consumption of process sequence through the completed module.

Wolf, M.↗

Evaluation of selected chemical processes for production of low-cost silicon

Plant construction costs and manufacturing costs were estimated for the production of solar-grade silicon by the reduction of silicon tetrachloride in a fluidized bed of seed particles, and several modifications of the iodide process using either thermal decomposition on heated filaments (rods) or hydrogen reduction in a fluidized bed of seed particles. Energy consumption data for the zinc reduction process and each of the iodide process options are given and all appear to be acceptable from the standpoint of energy pay back. Information is presented on the experimental zinc reduction of SiCl4 and electrolytic recovery of zinc from ZnCl2. All of the experimental work performed thus far has supported the initial assumption as to technical feasibility of producing semiconductor silicon by the zinc reduction or iodide processes proposed. The results of a more thorough thermodynamic evaluation of the iodination of silicon oxide/carbon mixtures are presented which explain apparent inconsistencies in an earlier cursory examination of the system.

Blocher, J. M., Jr.↗

Fuel Efficiencies Through Airframe Improvements

The factors of continuing strong growth in air traffic volume, the vital role of the air transport system on the economy, and concerns about the environmental impact of aviation have added focus to the National Aeronautics Research Policy. To address these concerns in the context of the National Policy, NASA has set aggressive goals in noise reduction, emissions, and energy consumption. With respect to the goal of reducing energy consumption in the fleet, the development of promising airframe technologies is required to realize the significant improvements that are desired. Furthermore, the combination of advances in materials and structures with aerodynamic technologies may lead to a paradigm shift in terms of potential configurations for the future. Some of these promising airframe technologies targeted at improved efficiency are highlighted.

Bezos-O'Connor, Gaudy M.↗

Impact of Thermochromic Coatings on Thermal Management for Human Spacecraft Applications

Thermochromic variable emittance coatings (VECs) allow for passive, dynamic thermal management of space vehicles due to their temperature dependent optical properties. Ideally, a thermochromic material should exhibit low mid-IR emissivity for lower temperatures and switch to high mid-IR emissivity for higher temperatures; one promising material that demonstrates these characteristics is Lanthanum Strontium Manganite (LSM). The transition temperatures of LSM are dependent on the Lanthanum-to-Strontium ratio x, La1-xSrxMnO3. La0.8Sr0.2MnO3, which has an emittance of 0.5 for < 270 K, then a linear increase in emittance to 0.8 over an increase of 70 K where it will saturate at ~340K, is commonly utilized but this is tunable by changing the Sr concentration. The tunability of the transition temperature range of LSM motivates a need to understand the optimal thermal transition range for human spacecraft. Additionally, LSM has high solar absorptance and to combat this issue the VEC will be micropatterned on top of a highly solar reflective layer of Barium Sulfate (BaSO4). Consequently, this work will elucidate the tradeoffs between solar absorptance and variable emittance for this technology since the micropattern adversely couples the solar absorptance to the mid-IR emittance. This work develops a computational model using Thermal Desktop to study the utility of VECs on human spacecraft, such as Orion, subjected to mission phases such as lunar transit and Gateway docking. The model considers both external heat loads, from solar irradiation and planetary IR, as well as vehicle heat loads, from avionics and crew, as an input into the body mounted thermochromic radiators. There are several design targets for VECs, i.e. achieving the largest change in emittance, finding the optimal temperature range for the transition, and achieving the highest emittance in the high temperature phase. This work prioritizes these design targets for LSM to achieve the optimal heat rejection for a human spacecraft. The VECs are compared with static emittance coatings and the efficiency gains are quantified. Thermochromic VECs will ultimately lead to simplifications of active cooling systems which synergistically correlates to mass reduction and less energy consumption for space vehicles.

Joseph Peoples↗

Liquid Cooling/Warming Garment

The NASA liquid cooling/ventilating garment (LCVG) currently in use was developed over 40 years ago. With the commencement of a greater number of extra-vehicular activity (EVA) procedures with the construction of the International Space Station, problems of astronaut comfort, as well as the reduction of the consumption of energy, became more salient. A shortened liquid cooling/warming garment (SLCWG) has been developed based on physiological principles comparing the efficacy of heat transfer of different body zones; the capability of blood to deliver heat; individual muscle and fat body composition as a basis for individual thermal profiles to customize the zonal sections of the garment; and the development of shunts to minimize or redirect the cooling/warming loop for different environmental conditions, physical activity levels, and emergency situations. The SLCWG has been designed and completed, based on extensive testing in rest, exercise, and antiorthostatic conditions. It is more energy efficient than the LCVG currently used by NASA. The total length of tubing in the SLCWG is approximately 35 percent less and the weight decreased by 20 percent compared to the LCVG. The novel features of the innovation are: 1. The efficiency of the SLCWG to maintain thermal status under extreme changes in body surface temperatures while using significantly less tubing than the LCVG. 2. The construction of the garment based on physiological principles of heat transfer. 3. The identification of the body areas that are most efficient in heat transfer. 4. The inclusion of a hood as part of the garment. 5. The lesser consumption of energy.

Koscheyev, Victor S.↗

Respiration, respiratory metabolism and energy consumption under weightless conditions

Changes in the physiological indices of respiration, respiratory metabolism and energy consumption in spacecrews under weightlessness conditions manifest themselves in increased metabolic rates, higher pulmonary ventilation volume, oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide elimination, energy consumption levels in proportion to reduction in neuroemotional and psychic stress, adaptation to weightlessness and work-rest cycles, and finally in a relative stabilization of metabolic processes due to hemodynamic shifts.

Kasyan, I. I.↗

Silicon solar cells by high-speed low-temperature processing

A new method for silicon solar cell fabrication is being developed around ion implantation and pulsed electron beam techniques. Cells are fabricated totally in a vacuum environment at room temperature. Major reductions result in the time, energy consumption, and waste material generation associated with solar cell production. Cells to date have exhibited air mass zero efficiencies exceeding 10 percent.

Kirkpatrick, A. R.↗

New technological developments for the remote detection of atmospheric hydroxyl radicals

New developments in the areas of narrowband tunable excimer lasers, high-resolution high-rejection optical filters, and wavelength measurement devices are considered for application to the remote sensing of atmospheric hydroxyl radicals. The conclusion is that an increase in the SNR of 10,000 could readily be gained through the use of these new devices. Also, considerable reductions in size and electrical energy consumption could be realized.

Mcdermid, I. S.↗

Protective coatings of metal surfaces by cold plasma treatment

The cold plasma techniques for deposition of various types of protective coatings are reviewed. The main advantage of these techniques for deposition of ceramic films is the lower process temperature, which enables heat treating of the metal prior to deposition. In the field of surface hardening of steel, significant reduction of treatment time and energy consumption were obtained. A simple model for the plasma - surface reactions in a cold plasma system is presented, and the plasma deposition techniques are discussed in view of this model.

Manory, R.↗