First Mars outpost power systems

Research into potential power systems for the First Mars Outpost (FMO) was performed. The author examined a representative mission architecture which was developed by NASA to determine power system requirements. Power system options including nuclear, isotope, photovoltaic (PV), chemical heat engine, and regenerative fuel cell (RFC) concepts were identified for potential Mars surface applications. A top-level characterization study was conducted to determine power system mass and area for each application. It is seen that PV systems are generally not suited for Mars surface applications due to the large surface area required and higher mass than a closed Brayton cycle SP100 reactor system. A reactor is currently being considered by NASA Lewis Research Center to provide power for base architectures including an ISRU (in situ resource utilization). An oxygen/methane powered heat engine would provide 40 kWe of emergency power for the habitat. A dynamic isotope power system (DIPS) is the current choice for a long-duration pressurized rover due to the excessive size of a PV/RFC system and higher mass of a heat engine system. DIPS has advantages for other low power systems due to its neatly immediate availability and flexibility (night or day power; no recharging required)     

Silicon Solar Cell Performance at High Intensities

The theoretical and experimental work performed since 1960 in the area of high-intensity and high-temperature operation of silicon and gallium arsenide photovoltaic devices is reviewed. Test results for conventional 5-grid silicon cells, for specially designed 13-grid silicon cells, and for a GaAs cell are presented parametrically for the illumination intensity range from 0.07 to 2.8 W/cm2 and the temperature range from 30 to 1 50°C. The data cover the 3 points on the currentvoltage characteristic required to reconstruct the full characteristic in the power-generating quadrant. The 13-grid silicon cells showed much better performance than the GaAs cell.     

Italian low cost GNSS/INS system suitable for mobile mapping

The first studies for the mobile mapping and creation of a vehicle for this kind of research was carried out by Canadian Researchers in the 1980s. Since then, these vehicles have been widely employed in several applications (road cadastre maps, terrestrial photogrammetry, road sign recognition, etc.) for both commercial and research purposes throughout the world. Many GNSS/INS vehicles which can be equipped in different ways with one or more GPS, inertial sensors, and one or several cameras, have been realized. A characteristic shared by most of these devices concerns the high costs of the sensors, of the realization, and of the maintenance. For this reason, a GNSS/INS system, that is suitable for any vehicle, made up of low-cost devices (two GPS receivers, an INS, and a camera rigidly placed on a metallic bar), have been designed and built by our research group. Two tests run at different velocities have been carried out to evaluate the reliability of the system. After a presentation of the system, the differences that were witnessed during the application of these calibration methods are explained herein.     

Development of an Italian low cost GNSS/INS system universally suitable for mobile mapping

The first studies for the mobile mapping and creation of a vehicle for this kind of research was carried out by Canadian Researchers in the 1980s. Since then, these vehicles have been widely employed in several applications (road cadastre maps, terrestrial photogrammihetry, road sign recognition, etc.) for both commercial and research purposes throughout the world. Many GNSSIINS vehicles which can be equipped in different ways with one or more GPS, inertial sensors, and one or several cameras, have been realized. A characteristic shared by most of these devices concerns the high costs of the sensors, of the realization and of the maintenance. For this reason, a GNSSIINS system, that is suitable for any vehicle, made up of low cost devices (two GPS receivers, an INS, and a camera rigidly placed on a metallic bar), has been designed and built by our research group. Two tests run at different velocities have been carried out to evaluate the reliability of the system. After a presentation of the system, the differences that were witnessed during the application of these calibration methods are explained herein.     

Advances in high voltage power switching with GTOs

A high-voltage opening switch that uses gate-turnoff thyristors (GTOs) in series and successfully operates at voltages higher than the rated voltage of the individual devices has been demonstrated. The switch design and construction are described, and experimental results are given. The demonstration system is rated at 5 kV and uses 1-kV devices. A larger 24-kV system is under design and will use 4.5-kV devices. In order to design the 24-kV switch, the safe operating area of the large devices must be thoroughly known     

2m×2m超声速风洞测量系统与运行管理系统研制

2m×2m超声速风洞测量系统采用NI公司的嵌入式实时控制器及GE公司的反射内存技术构建实时网络,选用NI公司的数据采集卡实现数据采集,选用PSI 8400DTC系统实现模型表面压力测量。运行管理系统包括运行操作系统软件和状态监控系统软件,主要完成风洞试验运行、操作、控制以及风洞试验状态监控。系统软件应用NI公司的LabVIEW 8.6.1图形化开发环境进行开发。介绍了系统研制内容、技术指标、研制方案、关键技术问题及其解决途径。该系统具有功能完善,技术指标先进,操作界面友好,使用维护方便的特点。     

Ultra-reliable real-time control systems-future trends

Today's aircraft use ultra-reliable real-time controls for demanding functions such as Fly-By-Wire (FBW) flight control. Future aircraft, spacecraft and other vehicles will require greater use of these types of controls for functions that currently are allowed to fail, fail to degraded operation, or require human intervention in response to failure. Fully automated and autonomous functions will require ultra-reliable control. But ultra-reliable systems are very expensive to design and require large amounts of on-board equipment. This paper will discuss how the use of low-cost sensors with digital outputs, digitally commanded fault-tolerant actuation devices and interconnecting networks of low-cost data buses offer the promise of more affordable ultra-reliable systems. Specific technologies and concepts to be discussed include low-cost automotive and industrial data buses, “smart” actuation devices with integral fault masking capabilities, management of redundant sensors, and the fault detection and diagnosis of the data network. The advantages of integrating the control and distribution of electrical power with the control system will be illustrated. The design, installation, and upgrade flexibility benefits provided by an all-digital and shared network approach will be presented. The economic benefits of systems that can operate following failure and without immediate repair will be reviewed. The inherent ability of these redundant systems to provide effective built-in test and self-diagnostics capabilities will be described. The challenges associated with developing ultra-reliable software for these systems and the difficulties associated with exhaustive verification testing will be presented as will additional development hurdles that must be overcome     

Space power by ground-based laser illumination

Reducing energy storage requirements of space power systems by illuminating the photovoltaic arrays with a remotely located laser system is addressed. It is proposed that large lasers be located on cloud-free sites at one or more ground locations and that large lenses or mirrors with adaptive optical correction be used to reduce the beam spread due to diffraction or atmospheric turbulence. During the eclipse periods or lunar night, the lasers illuminate the solar arrays to a level sufficient to provide operating power. Two applications are discussed: illumination of geosynchronous orbit satellites and illumination of a moonbase power system. Issues for photovoltaic receivers for such a system are discussed     

光纤pH值传感器

综述了光纤ｐＨ值传感器,详细阐述和分析比较了光吸收式、荧光特性式及折射率波动式三大类ｐＨ值传感器的工作原理及其各自的优点。还介绍了光纤ｐＨ值传感器作为一种新型传感技术,在生物工程、医学、环境监测及工业过程控制中的应用前景。     

Architectures and algorithms for track association and fusion

Target tracking using multiple sensors can provide better performance than using a single sensor. One approach to multiple target tracking with multiple sensors is to first perform single sensor tracking and then fuse the tracks from the different sensors. Two processing architectures for track fusion are presented: sensor to sensor track fusion, and sensor to system track fusion. Technical issues related to the statistical correlation between track estimation errors are discussed. Approaches for associating the tracks and combining the track state estimates of associated tracks that account for this correlation are described and compared by both theoretical analysis and Monte Carlo simulations     

Research progress of space non-pyrotechnic low-shock connection and separation technology (SNLT): A review

Space missions have become diversified in recent years, where connection and separation devices play a crucial role as key components of various spacecraft. Traditional pyrotechnic devices have the advantages of large carrying capacity, rapid motion and functional reliability. However, their shortcomings such as great release shock, poor safety, unrepeatability and other prominent defects make them unsuitable for new generation spacecraft such as microsatellites to separate at low shock or lock repeatedly, etc. Therefore, it is necessary to develop space non-pyrotechnic low-shock connection and separation devices (SNLD) which are required for advanced aerospace missions. In this paper, the progress of the research on space non-pyrotechnic low-shock connection and separation technology (SNLT) is summarized and reviewed. Proceed from the principle of reducing shock for non-pyrotechnic devices, present studies are classified from the perspective of actuating technology and systematic designing methods. For non-pyrotechnic actuating techniques, according to different driving sources, the separation devices are classified into several main categories: electric, magnetic, gas and thermal actuating devices. The actuation principle and application prospect of separation techniques are introduced and the working process, dimension and mechanical properties of typical devices are compared and evaluated. For the systematic designing method, the common mechanism types of SNLDs are summarized according to the designing concept of reducing shock. Then connection configurations are classified according to the structural forms of connection devices, of which the principles, bearing capacities and general applications are discussed. This paper systematically summarizes the key problems, puts forward the future development trend of SNLT, and points out the breakthrough direction for related scholars.     

强度型损伤自诊断智能结构中四点法布置的研究

介绍了一种能够实时大面积地进行复合材料损伤或大应变位置自诊断的智能结构系统 ,从理论及实验两方面对复合材料平板进行了应力分析 ,讨论了作为传感元件的电阻应变丝阵列在结构中的布置方案 ,提出了四点布置法的方案 ,还介绍了按此方案实际实现的实时损伤自诊断智能结构系统 ,该系统具有较高的自诊断成功率     

旋转式SINS的自标校技术研究

惯性器件常值及慢变误差是影响捷联惯导系统精度的主要因素之一,所以在捷联惯导系统出厂前需要对常值及慢变误差参数进行标定。但这些误差参数会随时间发生变化,对于高精度捷联惯导系统,每次启动后需要对惯性器件的误差参数进行重新标校。针对光纤惯导系统,建立了IMU误差模型,并根据提出的旋转式捷联惯导系统自标校转位方案原则设计出了一种8位置自标校方案,对惯性器件标定参数进行激励和辨识,并建立了Kalman滤波状态方程及量测方程,对惯导系统误差参数进行在线标定。实验结果表明,该方案对其惯性器件误差参数能进行准确估计,具有一定的参考价值。     

Robustness of Velocity Feedback Controllers for Flexible Spacecraft

The robustness properties of collocated velocity feedback controllers used for damping enhancement in large, flexible space structures are investigated. It is proved that the closed-loop system using such controllers is asymptotically stable in the large when: 1) unmodeled linear time-invariant dynamics (such as sensors/actuators) are present, provided that the phase angle of such dynamics is between -90° and 90°, 2) time-varying or invariant nonlinearities lying in the first and the third quadrant (i. e., belonging to the (0, ?) sector) are present, or 3) sector-type nonlinearities following first-order stable dynamics are present in the feedback loop.     

Surveillance system based on data fusion from image and acousticarray sensors

The present publication shows a model of a monitoring system of high benefit, based on two complementary sensorial systems (image+acoustics), which allows the information received to fuse, and to prioritize the computational resources toward the zones with considerable risk. The application uses components such as: active acoustic radar based on a phase array of microphones, with techniques of beamforming, and multibeam detection schemes; efficient compression algorithms and video transmission in real time. The system is composed of an arbitrary number of sensors (monitoring probes), distributed by the monitoring space, a data network and a central server (monitoring manager). The sensors consist of a microprocessor, with its memory and three main modules: (1) acoustic radar; (2) video capture card; and (3) network card. The flexibility of the system allows new modules to be added such as: personal detector card; sound card; cards for telecontrol; etc. The sensor microprocessor preprocesses the information received by the modules, packs and transmits it to the central server through a data network. The system uses IP protocol, and SNMPv2 for management     

基于预测电流控制的光伏并网系统最大功率点跟踪算法

针对光伏发电的突变性及昼发夜停特性提出一种新型的基于预测电流控制的光伏并网系统最大功率点跟踪(MPPT)算法。根据实际情况考虑光伏阵列的非线性特性,最大功率点周围光伏电压的振荡及逆变器、滤波器的设计等。为了确保系统采用控制算法的稳定性,MPPT的设计应运而生,在此基础上通过改进算法从光伏系统的电压与电流预测基准电流进而控制光伏并网系统。通过与传统的波动相关控制方法对比给出了仿真结果。仿真结果表明:在光照发生突变时,与传统的波动相关控制法相比,提出的改进算法的跟踪速度较之提升9.3%,并能够准确跟踪光伏并网系统最大功率点,且性能稳定可靠。     

MEMS技术在智能航空发动机中的应用研究现状及前景

利用MEMS(micro-electro-mechanical system)体积小、质量轻、集成度高等特点,将该技术用于航空发动机,可以更好地实现对发动机的流动、燃烧过程进行主动控制、对关键结构部件的损伤以及滑油系统健康状态进行监测等方面的功能,进而实现航空发动机的智能化.为了实现MEMS在航空发动机上的应用,一方面是提高MEMS自身适应航空发动机环境的能力;另外一方面则需要开展其和航空发动机的兼容性设计及研究.随着MEMS技术的不断发展,它必将是推动航空发动机发展的一个重要新技术.      

复合材料技术与大型飞机

 给出了先进复合材料在大型飞机上应用的历史和现状,特别是在B787和A380等机种上的近期应用。指出了应用是从小到大、从少到多、从弱到强,一步一步走过来的。分析了应用的技术基础,说明了复合材料是一个性能优异的新材料,这是前提基础;其次应用是各种预研计划认真执行的结果;低成本复合材料技术是应用的重要前提,包括低成本的设计技术、制造技术和材料技术;30多年来复合材料技术的进步是坚实的保障。指出了中国于复合材料技术领域存在的问题和差距,提出了发展中国大型飞机复合材料技术的相关建议。     

Motor drive technologies for the power-by-wire (PBW) program:options, trends and tradeoffs. I. Motors and controllers

The Power-By-Wire (PEW) program involves the replacement of hydraulic and pneumatic systems currently used in aircraft with an all-electric secondary power system. One of the largest loads of the all-electric secondary power system will be the motor loads which include pumps, compressors and Electrical Actuators (EAs). Issues of improved reliability, reduced maintenance and efficiency, among other advantages, are the motivation for replacing the existing aircraft actuators with electrical actuators. The EA system contains the motor, the power electronic converters, the actuator and the control system, including the sensors. This paper and a companion paper give a comparative literature review in motor drive technologies, with a focus on the trends and tradeoffs involved in the selection of a particular motor drive technology. The reported research comprises the induction motor (IM), the brushless dc motor (BLDCM) and the switched reluctance motor (SRM) drive technologies. Each of the three drives has the potential for application in the PEW program. Many issues remain to be investigated and compared between the three motor drives, using actual mechanical loads expected in the PBW program     

Efficient multisensor fusion using multidimensional dataassociation

We present the development of a multisensor fusion algorithm using multidimensional data association for multitarget tracking. The work is motivated by a large scale surveillance problem, where observations from multiple asynchronous sensors with time-varying sampling intervals (electronically scanned array (ESA) radars) are used for centralized fusion. The combination of multisensor fusion with multidimensional assignment is done so as to maximize the “time-depth” in addition to “sensor-width” for the number S of lists handled by the assignment algorithm. The standard procedure, which associates measurements from the most recently arrived S-1 frames to established tracks, can have, in the case of S sensors, a time-depth of zero. A new technique, which guarantees maximum effectiveness for an S-dimensional data association (S⩾3), i.e., maximum time-depth (S-1) for each sensor without sacrificing the fusion across sensors, is presented. Using a sliding window technique (of length S), the estimates are updated after each frame of measurements. The algorithm provides a systematic approach to automatic track formation, maintenance, and termination for multitarget tracking using multisensor fusion with multidimensional assignment for data association. Estimation results are presented for simulated data for a large scale air-to-ground target tracking problem