Electric propulsion motors have emerged as a promising solution to address greenhouse gas emissions from Internal Combustion Engines (ICEs). While electric propulsion motors offer numerous advantages over Internal Combustion Engines (ICEs), they also pose certain challenges. Electric motors are prone to high-frequency tonal noise, which can be annoying to customers and become a quality concern in noise-sensitive automotive applications. The ongoing effort to increase the speed of electric propulsion motors for enhanced power density can have an adverse impact on rotors. This is due to the fact that the stress induced in the rotor is quadratically proportional to its speed. This concern becomes particularly significant for motors that rely on air barriers and thin bridges to enhance their electromagnetic performance. The thesis makes a contribution to address these challenges. First, the acoustic noise mitigation methods at the transmission stage are investigated. Then, acoustical materials are experimentally validated for their capacity to mitigate acoustic noise at the transmission stage. Then, experimental modal analysis is conducted to find out the modal characteristics of a stator-housing assembly. The mode shapes and modal frequency are compared with finite element results to evaluate the fidelity of the finite element model. Then, an equivalent damage approach is used to employ accelerated fatigue analysis for a rotor using constant amplitude load cycles. Finally, a thermomechanical fatigue analysis workflow is developed for a rotor to overcome the limitations of the constant amplitude load cycle approach, with an additional computational cost. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

The present work proposes a methodology to define the electric propulsion system for PSVs. This methodology was applied to a case study: the conceptual design of a PSV for operation at the pre-salt fields at Santos basin. First, four different alternatives of electric propulsion systems for the PSV are presented and sized. The first one has induction motors as main propulsion motors, the second one has synchronous motors as main propulsion motors; the third and fourth alternatives are the same as the first and second, respectively, with a batteries bank connected to the main switchboard. Each of the four arrangements was contemplated with two options for Diesel generators: high speed and medium speed generator sets. The mass, volume, fuel consumption, exhaust gases emissions and reference capital costs for each arrangement are estimated and analyzed. Moreover, an economic analysis through the Net Present Value (NPV) is performed. The methodology ends with the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to support the decision making procedure. Some of the parameters obtained for each arrangement (mass, volume, fuel consumption, exhaust gases and NPV) are used as criteria and sub-criteria for selection. Two scenarios are evaluated, the first scenario gives more importance to the financial component of the design; the second scenario sets the exhaust gases emissions as the more significant parameter. The results were different, the arrangements 1 and 2 with medium speed Diesel generator sets appear as the most suitable option from the economical point of view; whereas the arrangements with batteries and high speed Diesel gensets are the best options to reduce the exhaust emissions. / O presente trabalho propôs uma metodologia para definir o sistema de propulsão elétrica para PSVs. A metodologia foi aplicada para um caso estudo: o projeto conceitual de um PSV para operar nos campos do pré-sal na Bacia de Santos. Primeiramente, as quatro diferentes alternativas de sistemas de propulsão elétrica para PSV são apresentadas e dimensionadas. A primeira alternativa tem motores de indução como motores de propulsão principal, a segunda alternativa tem motores síncronos como motores de propulsão principal; a terceira e quarta alternativas são as mesmas que a primeira e a segunda, respectivamente, com um banco de baterias conectado ao quadro principal. Cada um dos quatro arranjos foi considerado com duas opções para Diesel geradores: Diesel geradores de alta e média rotação. A massa, volumem, consumo de combustível, emissão de gases e os custos capitais de referência para cada arranjo são estimados e analisados. Adicionalmente, uma análise económica usando o Valor Presente Líquido (VPL) é feita. A metodologia finaliza com o Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) para apoiar o processo de escolha de alternativa. Alguns dos parâmetros obtidos para cada arranjo (massa, volumem, consumo de combustível, gases poluentes e o VPL) são utilizados como critérios de seleção. Dois cenários são avaliados, o primeiro cenário dá maior importância à parte financeira do projeto, o segundo cenário estabelece as emissões de gases poluentes como o parâmetro mais significativo. Os resultados foram diferentes, os arranjos 1 e 2 com Diesel geradores de média rotação se apresentam como a opção mais adequada desde o ponto de vista econômico; enquanto os arranjos com baterias e Diesel geradores de alta rotação são a melhor opção para reduzir as emissões de gases poluentes.

The present work proposes a methodology to define the electric propulsion system for PSVs. This methodology was applied to a case study: the conceptual design of a PSV for operation at the pre-salt fields at Santos basin. First, four different alternatives of electric propulsion systems for the PSV are presented and sized. The first one has induction motors as main propulsion motors, the second one has synchronous motors as main propulsion motors; the third and fourth alternatives are the same as the first and second, respectively, with a batteries bank connected to the main switchboard. Each of the four arrangements was contemplated with two options for Diesel generators: high speed and medium speed generator sets. The mass, volume, fuel consumption, exhaust gases emissions and reference capital costs for each arrangement are estimated and analyzed. Moreover, an economic analysis through the Net Present Value (NPV) is performed. The methodology ends with the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to support the decision making procedure. Some of the parameters obtained for each arrangement (mass, volume, fuel consumption, exhaust gases and NPV) are used as criteria and sub-criteria for selection. Two scenarios are evaluated, the first scenario gives more importance to the financial component of the design; the second scenario sets the exhaust gases emissions as the more significant parameter. The results were different, the arrangements 1 and 2 with medium speed Diesel generator sets appear as the most suitable option from the economical point of view; whereas the arrangements with batteries and high speed Diesel gensets are the best options to reduce the exhaust emissions. / O presente trabalho propôs uma metodologia para definir o sistema de propulsão elétrica para PSVs. A metodologia foi aplicada para um caso estudo: o projeto conceitual de um PSV para operar nos campos do pré-sal na Bacia de Santos. Primeiramente, as quatro diferentes alternativas de sistemas de propulsão elétrica para PSV são apresentadas e dimensionadas. A primeira alternativa tem motores de indução como motores de propulsão principal, a segunda alternativa tem motores síncronos como motores de propulsão principal; a terceira e quarta alternativas são as mesmas que a primeira e a segunda, respectivamente, com um banco de baterias conectado ao quadro principal. Cada um dos quatro arranjos foi considerado com duas opções para Diesel geradores: Diesel geradores de alta e média rotação. A massa, volumem, consumo de combustível, emissão de gases e os custos capitais de referência para cada arranjo são estimados e analisados. Adicionalmente, uma análise económica usando o Valor Presente Líquido (VPL) é feita. A metodologia finaliza com o Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) para apoiar o processo de escolha de alternativa. Alguns dos parâmetros obtidos para cada arranjo (massa, volumem, consumo de combustível, gases poluentes e o VPL) são utilizados como critérios de seleção. Dois cenários são avaliados, o primeiro cenário dá maior importância à parte financeira do projeto, o segundo cenário estabelece as emissões de gases poluentes como o parâmetro mais significativo. Os resultados foram diferentes, os arranjos 1 e 2 com Diesel geradores de média rotação se apresentam como a opção mais adequada desde o ponto de vista econômico; enquanto os arranjos com baterias e Diesel geradores de alta rotação são a melhor opção para reduzir as emissões de gases poluentes.

Approved for public release, distribution is unlimited / Thermophotovoltaic energy conversion offers a means of efficiently converting heat into electrical power. This has potential benefits for space nuclear reactor power systems currently in development. The primary obstacle to space operation of thermophotovoltaic devices appears to be the low heat rejection temperatures which necessitate large radiator areas. A study of the tradespace between efficiency and radiator size indicates that feasible multi-junction TPV efficiencies result in substantial overall system mass reduction with manageable radiator area. The appendices introduce the endothermodynamic model of a TPV cell and briefly assess the utility of advanced carbon-carbon heat pipe radiator concepts. / Lieutenant, United States Navy

Approved for public release, distribution is unlimited / Nuclear power is the next enabling technology in manned exploration of the solar system. Scientists and engineers continue to design multi-megawatt power systems, yet no power system in the 100 kilowatt, electric, range has been built and flown. Technology demonstrations and studies leave a myriad of systems from which decision makers can choose to build the first manned space nuclear power system. While many subsystem engineers plan in parallel, an accurate specific mass value becomes an important design specification, which is still uncertain. This thesis goes through the design features of the manned Mars mission, its power system requirements, their design attributes as well as their design faults. Specific mass is calculated statistically as well as empirically for 1-15MWe systems. Conclusions are presented on each subsystem as well as recommendations for decision makers on where development needs to begin today in order for the mission to launch in the future. / Lieutenant, United States Navy

This research seeks to increase the applicable range and sensitivity of Triple Langmuir Probes (TLPs) and Retarding Potential Analyzers (RPAs) in the characterization of sub-centimeter scale, unsteady plasmas found in micropropulsion and other non-propulsive applications. The validation of these plasma diagnostics is accomplished by their implementation in the plume of a Micro Liquid-fed Pulsed Thruster (MiLiPulT) prototype developed and MEMS fabricated by the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory. A current-mode TLP (CM-TLP) theory of operation for the thin-sheath and the transitional regimes is expanded to include the Orbital Motion Limited regime applicable to low density plasmas. An optimized CM-TLP bias circuit employing operational amplifiers in both a differential amplifier configuration as well as a voltage follower configuration has been developed to adequately amplify current signals in instances where traditional current measuring techniques are no longer valid. This research also encompasses novel sub-microampere signal amplification in the presence of substantial common-mode noise as well as several a priori electromagnetic interference elimination and filtering techniques. The CM-TLP wires used in the experiments were designed with a radius of 37.5 micron and a length of 5 mm. Measurements were taken in the plume of the MiLiPulT at 2.0 cm, 6.0 cm and 10.0 cm downstream of the exit using a linear translation stage. Reduced electron temperature and electron number density profiles for a set of filtered CM-TLP raw currents are presented. The results indicate increased accuracy due to successful amplification of CM-TLP current signals at the risk of op-amp saturation due to inherent electrical noise of the plasma source. This research also includes the experimental validation of two new and distinct collimating RPA design types. Specifically, these design improvements include a 406 micron diameter single channel bore and a multi-channel plate (MCP) consisting of sixty-four 2 micron diameter bores, respectively. Both of these collimators relax the Debye length constraints within the electrode series and increase the instrument's range while minimizing the presence of space charge limitations. The single channel needle also has the added advantage of providing a relatively small cross-section to the incident plasma, thus minimizing pressure gradients and shock effects inherent to bulkier instrumentation. Experimental results obtained in the plume of the MiLiPulT are benchmarked against those of a traditional gridded RPA (having a 650 micron grid wire gap) and are reduced using an iterative fuzzy logic algorithm. Modifications to the classical RPA current collection theory include a thorough treatment of geometrical flux limitations due to an electrically floating cylindrical channel of high diameter to length aspect ratio. The differences between true and effective RPA collimating channel transparencies in the presence of a Maxwellian plasma are also addressed.

Thesis. 1978. M.S.--Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Aeronautics and Astronautics. / This electronic version was submitted by the student author. The certified thesis is available in the Institute Archives and Special Collections. / MICROFICHE COPY AVAILABLE IN ARCHIVES AND AERONAUTICS. / Includes bibliographical references. / M.S.

This Master's Thesis handles prestudy work and early hardware development that resulted in architectural definitions and prototype hardware of electronic ground support equipment. This equipment is destined to emulate the electric power consumption of the PPS5000 Hall Effect Thruster (HET), for use in satellite end-to-end tests of the all-electric Geostationary Satellite Electra, developed at OHB Sweden AB. The Thruster Emulator (TEM) was defined through a resulting compilation of intricate interdependent components that interface the satellite power system and the thruster, which yielded an architecture development to support some basic predefined emulator requirements. This architecture was then analyzed to form a base-line conceptual function of the emulator system, which incorporates the entire HET functionality. Six primary HET impedances were defined, of which the three most complex impedances were investigated fully. For the primary thruster discharge, research is shown of the complexity of implementing advanced electronic load hardware directly to the satellite's 5kW power system with respect to the transient primary plasma discharge during thruster start up, and with limitations on the electronic load reducing emulator-thruster similarities. Additionally, a fully functional plasma ignition emulator prototype circuit board was built to be used in the final hardware of the TEM to emulate the external HET cathode start-up functionality. Finally, a feasibility study for designing a possible solution for the large PPS5000 electromagnet impedance was performed, resulting in the manufacture of two prototype inductors with unsatisfying performance results according to the design requirements.

This thesis project will evaluate which kind of electrical motor is best suited for aircraft propulsion and which parameters effect the efficiency. An economic analysis was conducted, comparing the fuel price (Jet A1) for a gas turbine and the electricity price for an electric motor of 1MW. The study was conducted by using analytical methods in MATLAB. Excel was used to compile and present the data. The data used in this thesis project were assumed with regards to similar studies or pre-determined values. The main losses for the Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM) were calculated to achieve a deeper understanding of the most important parameters and how these parameters need to improve to allow for future electric propulsion systems. The crucial parameters for the losses were concluded to be the temperature, voltage level, electrical frequency, magnetic flux density, size of the rotor and rotational speed. The three main losses of a PMSM was illustrated through the analytical equations used in MATLAB. The calculations present how the ohmic losses depend on the temperature (0-230°C) at different voltages (700V and 1000V), how the core losses depend on frequency (0-1000Hz) at different magnetic flux densities and how the windage losses depend on rotational speed (7000-10000 rpm). It could be concluded that at 8500 rpm an efficiency of 91,26% could be achieved at 700V, 1.5T and 90.4% at 1000V, 1.65T. The decrease in efficiency is a result of the increase in magnetic flux density. When looking at the economic viability of electrical integration the power to weight ratio and energy price was compared for the gas turbine and electrical motor including an inverter and battery. This resulted in a conclusion that a pure electrical system may not compete with a gas turbine in 30 years of time due to the low energy density of the battery. It was also concluded that the emissions during cruise could be lowered significantly. If the batteries were charged in Sweden the emissions would decrease from ~937 kg CO2 to ~31 kg CO2. If the batteries were charged in the Nordic region the emissions would decrease to ~119kg CO2. However, if the batteries were to be charged in the US the carbon dioxide emission would be ~1084 kg CO2, which is an increase in CO2 emission compared to the gas turbine.

Reservoir-type dispenser hollow cathodes are currently being developed for use on NASAs Prometheus 1 mission. In these cathodes, the reaction between a barium source material and tungsten powder contained in a cavity surrounding a porous tungsten emitter produces barium vapor which is crucial to operation of the cathode. The primary objective of this research was to investigate the reactions between tungsten and a commercial barium source material in a simulated reservoir hollow cath-ode environment. Mixtures of tungsten and a barium calcium aluminate material were sealed inside molybdenum capsules with porous tungsten closures and heated to 1000?1200?and 1300?or 100, 200, and 400 hours. Based on the reaction products, which were identified to be BaAl2O4 and Ba2CaWO6, a reaction was proposed for the barium calcium aluminate material with tungsten. The bottom pellets in the capsules were found to have reacted to a much further extent than the top pellets in all of the samples, possibly due to a temperature gradient or excessive moisture in the base of the capsules. Quantita-tive and semi-quantitative x-ray analysis results did not show a clear trend as to how the concentrations of BaAl2O4 and Ba2CaWO6 vary with time. Most of the barium source materials are hygroscopic, and hydration of the materi-als would substantially reduce the performance of the cathode. Therefore, the environ-mental stability of several barium compounds, 3BaO??2O3 (B3A), 6BaO????2O3 (612), 4BaO????O3 (411), Ba2.9Ca1.1Al2O7 (B4ASSL), and Ba3Sc4O9, were investi-gated in order to evaluate their suitability for use as barium source materials. A micro-balance was used to measure weight gain of the materials as they were exposed to dew points of ??C and 11?t room temperature. The results showed that B3A hydrated more extensively than any of the other materials tested in the low- and intermediate-humidity environments, while the 612, 411, and B4ASSL materials were all reasonably stable in the low-humidity environment. The Ba3Sc4O9 was extremely stable compared to the barium aluminates in the intermediate-humidity conditions.