Developments in space power components for power management and distribution

Advanced power electronic components development for space applications is discussed. The components described include transformers, inductors, semiconductor devices such as transistors and diodes, remote power controllers, and transmission lines

High-current, high-frequency capacitors

The NASA Lewis high-current, high-frequency capacitor development program was conducted under a contract with Maxwell Laboratories, Inc., San Diego, California. The program was started to develop power components for space power systems. One of the components lacking was a high-power, high-frequency capacitor. Some of the technology developed in this program may be directly usable in an all-electric airplane. The materials used in the capacitor included the following: the film is polypropylene, the impregnant is monoisopropyl biphenyl, the conductive epoxy is Emerson and Cuming Stycast 2850 KT, the foil is aluminum, the case is stainless steel (304), and the electrode is a modified copper-ceramic

Multi-hundred kilowatt roll ring assembly evaluation results

NASA Lewis Research Center has been evaluating low loss multi-hundred-kilowatt Roll Ring assemblies (an 8 circuit and a 4 circuit) for use on Space Station as the rotating joint power transfer device. In this device ac or dc power is transferred across the rotating joint through compressed rotating flexures. Results and conclusions of the evaluation program are presented

Power components for the space station 20-kHz power distribution system

Since 1984, NASA Lewis Research Center was developing high power, high frequency space power components as part of The Space Station Advanced Development program. The purpose of The Advanced Development program was to accelerate existing component programs to ensure their availability for use on the Space Station. These components include a rotary power transfer device, remote power controllers, remote bus isolators, high power semiconductor, a high power semiconductor package, high frequency-high power cable, high frequency-high power connectors, and high frequency-high power transformers. All the components were developed to the prototype level and will be installed in the Lewis Research Center Space Station power system test bed

Parametric analysis of hollow conductor parallel and coaxial transmission lines for high frequency space power distribution

A parametric analysis was performed of transmission cables for transmitting electrical power at high voltage (up to 1000 V) and high frequency (10 to 30 kHz) for high power (100 kW or more) space missions. Large diameter (5 to 30 mm) hollow conductors were considered in closely spaced coaxial configurations and in parallel lines. Formulas were derived to calculate inductance and resistance for these conductors. Curves of cable conductance, mass, inductance, capacitance, resistance, power loss, and temperature were plotted for various conductor diameters, conductor thickness, and alternating current frequencies. An example 5 mm diameter coaxial cable with 0.5 mm conductor thickness was calculated to transmit 100 kW at 1000 Vac, 50 m with a power loss of 1900 W, an inductance of 1.45 micron and a capacitance of 0.07 micron-F. The computer programs written for this analysis are listed in the appendix

Very high voltage latching relay

Relay consists of high voltage reed switch actuated by rotating permanent magnet mounted on stepper motor shaft, with actuation assembly isolated from high voltage circuit. Unit can be modified for use as double pole or double pole double throw latching relay and can be used in either air or vacuum

Інтерактивний контроль при формоутворенні багатогабаритних деталей

Physical phenomenon of warping (springing) can be observed as a technological heritage after large-dimensional articles forming or curing and consequent cooling of composite articles. This phenomenon can be seen as gaps between ready article contour and forming jig contour. Deviation degree of ready article surface from theoretical contour and article dimensions has to be controlled during manufacturing. Application of auxiliary controlling jig leads to expenses and labor-manufacturability increasing. Possibility of application forming jig with inserted jet gages is considered for articles shape controlling. Such gages and realization of acoustic methods allow to control not only final article shape but also geometry on intermediate stages of manufacturing.Після формоутворення багатогабаритних листових деталей з листових механічних заготовок або полімеризації і охолодження деталей з композитних матеріалів проявляється технологічна спадковість у вигляді викривлення (пружнення). Це спостерігається у вигляді неприлягання готової деталі до формозадаючої поверхні технологічного оснащення. При контролі якості формозміни необхідно вимірювати ступінь порушення форми і розмірів. Застосування контрольної оснастки дорого і складно. Розглянуто можливість використання для контролю формозадаючої оснастки з встановленими в ній повітряними струминними датчиками. Такі датчики і застосування акустичних методів дозволяють контролювати не тільки кінцеву форму заготовки, а й форму заготовки на попередваріантних етапах формозміни

High voltage-high power components for large space power distribution systems

Space power components including a family of bipolar power switching transistors, fast switching power diodes, heat pipe cooled high frequency transformers and inductors, high frequency conduction cooled transformers, high power-high frequency capacitors, remote power controllers and rotary power transfer devices were developed. Many of these components such as the power switching transistors, power diodes and the high frequency capacitor are commercially available. All the other components were developed to the prototype level. The dc/dc series resonant converters were built to the 25 kW level

Design considerations for large space electric power systems

As power levels of spacecraft rise to the 50 to 100 kW range, it becomes apparent that low voltage (28 V) dc power distribution and management systems will not operate efficiently at these higher power levels. The concept of transforming a solar array voltage at 150 V dc into a 1000 V ac distribution system operating at 20 kHz is examined. The transformation is accomplished with series-resonant inverter by using a rotary transformer to isolate the solar array from the spacecraft. The power can then be distributed in any desired method such as three phase delta to delta. The distribution voltage can be easily transformed to any desired load voltage and operating frequency. The reasons for the voltage limitations on the solar array due to plasma interactions and the many advantages of a high voltage, high frequency at distribution system are discussed

Random Coding Bounds for DNA Codes Based on Fibonacci Ensembles of DNA Sequences

We consider DNA codes based on the concept of a weighted 2-stem similarity measure which reflects the ”hybridization potential” of two DNA sequences. A random coding bound on the rate of DNA codes with respect to a thermodynamic motivated similarity measure is proved. Ensembles of DNA strands whose sequence composition is restricted in a manner similar to the restrictions in binary Fibonacci sequences are introduced to obtain the bound