Shuttle active thermal control system development testing. Volume 2: Modular radiator system tests

Tests were designed to investigate the validity of the "modular" approach to space radiator system design for space shuttle and future applications by gathering performance data on various systems comprised of different numbers of identical panels, subject to nominal and extreme heat loads and environments. Both one-sided and two-sided radiation was tested, and engineering data was gathered on simulated low a/e coatings and system response to changes in outlet temperature control point. The results of the testing showed system stability throughout nominal orbital transients, unrealistically skewed environments, freeze-thaw transients, and rapid changes in outlet temperature control point. Various alternative panel plumbing arrangements were tested with no significant changes in performance being observed. With the MRS panels arranged to represent the shuttle baseline system, a maximum heat rejection of 76,600 Btu/hr was obtained in segmented tests under the expected worst case design environments. Testing of an alternate smaller two-sided radiation configuration yielded a maximum heat rejection of 52,931 Btu/hr under the maximum design environments

Control in technological systems and physical intelligence: an emerging theory

The transduction and processing of physical information is becoming important in a range of research fields, from the design of materials and virtual environments to the dynamics of cellular microenvironments. Previous approaches such as morphological computation/soft robotics, neuromechanics, and embodiment have provided valuable insight. This work approaches haptic, proprioception, and physical sensing as all part of the same subject. In this presentation, three design criteria for applying physical intelligence to engineering applications will be presented. These criteria have several properties in common, which inspires two types of end-effector model: stochastic (based on a spring) and deterministic (based on a piezomechanical array). The generalized behavior and output dynamics of these models can be described as three findings summarized from previous work. In conclusion, future directions for modeling neural control using a neuromorphic approach will be discussed

High Temperature Electronics Design for Aero Engine Controls and Health Monitoring

There is a growing desire to install electronic power and control systems in high temperature harsh environments to improve the accuracy of critical measurements, reduce the amount of cabling and to eliminate cooling systems. Typical target applications include electronics for energy exploration, power generation and control systems. Technical topics presented in this book include:• High temperature electronics market• High temperature devices, materials and assembly processes• Design, manufacture and testing of multi-sensor data acquisition system for aero-engine control• Future applications for high temperature electronicsHigh Temperature Electronics Design for Aero Engine Controls and Health Monitoring contains details of state of the art design and manufacture of electronics targeted towards a high temperature aero-engine application. High Temperature Electronics Design for Aero Engine Controls and Health Monitoring is ideal for design, manufacturing and test personnel in the aerospace and other harsh environment industries as well as academic staff and master/research students in electronics engineering, materials science and aerospace engineering

Digital Systems Teaching and Research (DSTR) Robot: A Flexible Platform for Education and Applied Research

The DSTR (pronounced “Disaster”) robot has a strong history of being adaptable to different user’s needs, and there are many opportunities ahead that indicate that the sky, quite literally, is not the limit for this robust platform. This paper provides a historical perspective on the development of the DSTR robot as a collaborative design developed by the Mobile Integrated Solutions Laboratory (MISL) at Texas A&M University and ASEP 4X4 Inc. Texas Instruments has been a major partner in the integration of the control electronics, and Texas Space Technology Applications and Research (T STAR) LLC has played a significant role in the propagation of the DSTR robot as an adaptable applied research/education/STEM outreach platform. The paper will present examples of the strong industry-academic relationships that allow the DSTR robot to be utilized in a multitude of experiential learning environments. In addition to a number of STEM outreach activities, the DSTR robots are being used in the Introduction to Engineering course at Blinn College and in the Freshman Engineering curriculum at Texas A&M University. DSTRs have also been selected by NASA scientists as a low-cost lunar sample collector. The paper will also discuss the newly developed DSTR-E (DSTR Engineering) unit which requires students to perform several engineering tasks during the build process. The paper will also include the lessons learned from initial design through its transfer to the private sector for commercialization and future plans.Cockrell School of Engineerin

High Temperature Electronics Design for Aero Engine Controls and Health Monitoring

There is a growing desire to install electronic power and control systems in high temperature harsh environments to improve the accuracy of critical measurements, reduce the amount of cabling and to eliminate cooling systems. Typical target applications include electronics for energy exploration, power generation and control systems. Technical topics presented in this book include:• High temperature electronics market• High temperature devices, materials and assembly processes• Design, manufacture and testing of multi-sensor data acquisition system for aero-engine control• Future applications for high temperature electronicsHigh Temperature Electronics Design for Aero Engine Controls and Health Monitoring contains details of state of the art design and manufacture of electronics targeted towards a high temperature aero-engine application. High Temperature Electronics Design for Aero Engine Controls and Health Monitoring is ideal for design, manufacturing and test personnel in the aerospace and other harsh environment industries as well as academic staff and master/research students in electronics engineering, materials science and aerospace engineering

Fibrous smart material: adaptive, low–energy, real–time responsive interior environments

The project is an inter-disciplinary initiative for the ‘designed engineering’ of heterogeneous fibres with variable material behaviors to create real-time responsive interior environments (furniture systems). These smart furniture systems will embody properties of real-time adaptive temperature control, real-time structural adaptability and real-time physiological support of the human body. These properties shall be fully self-regulated (devoid of external power sources) via engineering multi-layered fibre compositions, which can sense the forces exerted by the human body and accordingly alter their physical properties. The scale of operation is chosen deliberately, considering the time-span of one year within which we will produce a fully operational 1:1 physical prototype and scientific material-research guidelines. A research through design approach with 3 iterations shall be adopted in this research: working on the yarn (U Twente + EURECAT), textile (TUE) and product (TUD). Each iteration will consist of the development of a prototype, the creation of future usage scenarios + business possibilities, and a workshop to envision future requirements. In this project, prototypes and material output will be co-designed with material scientists, architects, textile and industrial designers and will be used to assess 1) design challenges, 2) business opportunities, and 3) technical feasibility of scalable multi-performative interior systems for applications such as healthcare and future office environments

Fibrous smart material: adaptive, low–energy, real–time responsive interior environments

The project is an inter-disciplinary initiative for the ‘designed engineering’ of heterogeneous fibres with variable material behaviors to create real-time responsive interior environments (furniture systems). These smart furniture systems will embody properties of real-time adaptive temperature control, real-time structural adaptability and real-time physiological support of the human body. These properties shall be fully self-regulated (devoid of external power sources) via engineering multi-layered fibre compositions, which can sense the forces exerted by the human body and accordingly alter their physical properties. The scale of operation is chosen deliberately, considering the time-span of one year within which we will produce a fully operational 1:1 physical prototype and scientific material-research guidelines. A research through design approach with 3 iterations shall be adopted in this research: working on the yarn (U Twente + EURECAT), textile (TUE) and product (TUD). Each iteration will consist of the development of a prototype, the creation of future usage scenarios + business possibilities, and a workshop to envision future requirements. In this project, prototypes and material output will be co-designed with material scientists, architects, textile and industrial designers and will be used to assess 1) design challenges, 2) business opportunities, and 3) technical feasibility of scalable multi-performative interior systems for applications such as healthcare and future office environments

Ultrasonic Tension Controller for Web Tensioning

Indiana University Purdue University IndianapolisThe design of the Ultrasonic Tension Control package provides an industrial package to a previously vulnerable product. The previous design utilized a microcontroller which took analog feedback from an ultrasonic sensor to control brake pressure to a tensioning system to wind or unwind different products. The system still uses an ultrasonic sensor but uses a programmable logic controller (PLC) and variable frequency drive (VFD) to control the winding and unwinding speed. By using more industrial components, the system is more durable and resistant to shock, temperature, or other extreme environments. The introduction of a touch screen is also favorable and provides a convenient interface for operators to run the full process or troubleshooting to be done on a screen that puts the system into a manual mode. Future design considerations include putting the design into a smaller footprint for further cost reduction. Also the ability to automatically detect the type of variable frequency drive connected would be beneficial to prevent the user from incorrectly entering data.Electrical Engineering Technolog

Space-Based Capstone: Public-Private-Academic Partnership in the Making

The Electronic Systems Engineering Technology (ESET) Program at Texas A&M University provides a recognized undergraduate program with an emphasis in electronics, communication, embedded systems, testing, instrumentation and control systems. The program combines engineering and industrial knowledge and methods to develop, design, and implement new innovative products through a two-semester long Senior Capstone Project. Capstone is designed to prepare future engineers by bridging the gap between the classroom and industry. Students are required to form teams of two to six members which allows them to develop the skills necessary to succeed in a diverse industry setting. Each team is required to use their knowledge and skills to design, develop, document, and deliver a real-world project equivalent to the assignments they will soon receive as professional engineers. Following NASA’s approval for funding the development of a research facility named Hermes, a Capstone team, named Microgravity Automated Research Systems (MARS), was sponsored by T STAR, a local space commercialization company, to develop the electronics portion of the facility. Hermes will reside on the International Space Station for five years in the hopes of streamlining the development of experiments that require extended periods of time in microgravity environments. The Hermes facility will host and manage up to four experiments at a time while allowing for the downlink of experiment data to an Earth station, and the uplink of commands to change experiment parameters. Experiments will adhere to a power budget and communication standard established by MARS so that experiments can be swapped out during the facility’s lifetime. MARS will work with the Mobile Integrated Solutions Laboratory (MISL), an undergraduate applied research lab, in order to prepare them to maintain support for Hermes in the future.Cockrell School of Engineerin

Embodied learning environments for graphing motion : a systematic literature review

Embodied learning environments have a substantial share in teaching interventions and research for enhancing learning in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. In these learning environments, students’ bodily experiences are an essential part of the learning activities and hence, of the learning. In this systematic review, we focused on embodied learning environments supporting students’ understanding of graphing change in the context of modeling motion. Our goal was to deepen the theoretical understanding of what aspects of these embodied learning environments are important for teaching and learning. We specified four embodied configurations by juxtaposing embodied learning environments on the degree of bodily involvement (own and others/objects’ motion) and immediacy (immediate and non-immediate) resulting in four classes of embodied learning environments. Our review included 44 articles (comprising 62 learning environments) and uncovered eight mediating factors, as described by the authors of the reviewed articles: real-world context, multimodality, linking motion to graph, multiple representations, semiotics, student control, attention capturing, and cognitive conflict. Different combinations of mediating factors were identified in each class of embodied learning environments. Additionally, we found that learning environments making use of students’ own motion immediately linked to its representation were most effective in terms of learning outcomes. Implications of this review for future research and the design of embodied learning environments are discussed.publishedVersionPaid Open Acces