Comparison of half-bridge off-line, ZCS-QRC and ZVS-MRC

The performance of the half-bridge (HB) zero-current-switched (ZCS) quasi-resonant converter (QRC) and zero-voltage-switched (ZVS) multiresonant converter (MRC) is compared with respect to their efficiency, input voltage range, semiconductor stresses, power density, and reliability. The efficiency of the HB ZVS-MRC at a given nominal input is shown to be highly dependent on the range of the input voltage, and it suffers when the converter has to be designed to cover a wide range. However, this is not the case for the HB ZCS-QRC. Experimental versions of the HB ZCS-QRC and HB ZVS-MRC were designed for the input voltage range from 150 to 350 V and a maximum output power of 100 W, under the same constraints, to facilitate their comparison     

Gain-scheduled state feedback control design technique for flightvehicles

For multi-input, multi-output (MIMO) nonlinearly parameter dependent linear parameter-varying (LPV) systems with multiple parameters, a design method of gain-scheduled state feedback control using a minimum sensitivity eigenvalue assignment of the frozen parameter closed-loop system with quadratic stability checks is proposed. The proposed design method is applied to the bank-to-turn (BTT) control of a flight vehicle, and the nonlinear 6 degree of freedom (DOF) simulations are performed to show the usefulness as a gain-scheduled state feedback control scheme     

Image restoration of the asymmetric point spread function of a high-resolution remote sensing satellite with time-delayed integration

The calibration and validation team of the Korea Aerospace Research Institute has calibrated and validated the image data of the KOMPSAT-2 since the launch of KOMPSAT-2 on July 28, 2006. The asymmetric phenomenon of the point spread function of the KOMPSAT-2 image data is evident in both the along and the across direction, most likely because KOMPSAT-2 has a 1 m ground sample distance high-resolution camera with time-delayed integration. Furthermore, because KOMPSAT-2 is in space, the KOMPSAT-2 image data has been corrected with good results by means of modulation transfer function compensation.     

Day-to-day variability of equatorial anomaly in GPS-TEC during low solar activity period

The ionospheric total electron content (TEC) in the northern hemispheric equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA) crest region is investigated by using dual-frequency signals of the Global Positioning System (GPS) acquired from Rajkot (Geog. Lat. 22.29°N, Geog. Long. 70.74°E; Geom. Lat. 14.21°N, Geom. Long. 144.90°E), India. The day-to-day variability of EIA characteristics is examined during low solar activity period (F10.7∼83 sfu). It is found that the daily maximum TEC at EIA crest exhibits a day-to-day and strong semi-annual variability. The seasonal anomaly and equinoctial asymmetry in TEC at EIA is found non-existent and weaker, respectively. We found a moderate and positive correlation of daily magnitude of crest, Ic with daily F10.7 and EUV fluxes with a correlation coefficient of 0.43 and 0.33, respectively indicating an existence of a short-term relation between TEC at EIA and the solar radiation even during low solar activity period. The correlation of daily Ic with Dst index is also moderate (r = −0.35), whereas no correlation is found with the daily Kp index (r = 0.14) respectively. We found that the magnitude of EIA crest is moderately correlated with solar flux in all seasons except winter where it is weakly related (0.27). The magnitude of EIA crest is also found highly related with EEJ strength in spring (r = 0.69) and summer (r = 0.65) than autumn (0.5) and winter (r = 0.47), though EEJ is stronger in autumn than spring.     

Cosmic Ray Energetics And Mass for the International Space Station (ISS-CREAM)

The Cosmic Ray Energetics And Mass (CREAM) instrument is configured with a suite of particle detectors to measure TeV cosmic-ray elemental spectra from protons to iron nuclei over a wide energy range. The goal is to extend direct measurements of cosmic-ray composition to the highest energies practical, and thereby have enough overlap with ground based indirect measurements to answer questions on cosmic-ray origin, acceleration and propagation. The balloon-borne CREAM was flown successfully for about 161 days in six flights over Antarctica to measure elemental spectra of Z = 1–26 nuclei over the energy range 10¹⁰ to >10¹⁴ eV. Transforming the balloon instrument into ISS-CREAM involves identification and replacement of components that would be at risk in the International Space Station (ISS) environment, in addition to assessing safety and mission assurance concerns. The transformation process includes rigorous testing of components to reduce risks and increase survivability on the launch vehicle and operations on the ISS without negatively impacting the heritage of the successful CREAM design. The project status, including results from the ongoing analysis of existing data and, particularly, plans to increase the exposure factor by another order of magnitude utilizing the International Space Station are presented.     

Mechanical behavior and properties of fiber reinforced ceramic matrix composites for high temperature use

Ceramics can keep their mechanical characteristics up to 2 000℃ or higher.In this paper,A model to predict ultimate strength of continuous fiber-reinforced brittle matrix composites is developed.A statistical theory for the strength of a uni-axially fiber-reinforced brittle matrix composite is presented.Also a semi-empirical frictional heating method for estimating in-situ interfacial shear in fiber-reinforced ceramic matrix composites was improved.Local uneven fiber packing variation as well as uneven micro-damage during fatigue can be expected to have effects on the composites:generation of frictional heating,thermal gradients,and residual stresses around local fiber breaks.This study examined those engineering interests by the finite element method.      

航天器舷窗玻璃超高速撞击损伤与M/OD撞击风险评估

用北京卫星环境工程研究所的18mm口径二级轻气炮(TLGG)和20 J激光驱动微小飞片装置(LDFF-20)对用作航天器舷窗玻璃的熔融石英玻璃的超高速撞击损伤特性进行了实验研究和分析.其中,TLGG发射的球形铝弹丸直径分别为1 mm和3 mm,速度2～6.5 km/s;LDFF-20发射的圆柱形飞片厚度7 μm,直径1 mm,速度1～8.3 km/s.撞击结果为:对12 mm厚的熔融石英玻璃,直径为3mm的弹丸甚至在2.8 km/s的低速下就将其穿透,而直径为1 mm的弹丸在6.5km/s的高速下没有穿透,这说明弹丸直径对撞击损伤特性有很强的影响;LDFF-20发射的微小飞片的撞击仅在玻璃表面产生很浅的凹坑,没有裂纹产生,但微小飞片的累积撞击损伤明显地降低了玻璃的透光性.实验初步获得了侵彻深度PC、侵彻直径D1与弹丸撞击速度Vp、弹丸质量Mp之间的经验关系.依据实验结果和目前的微流星体/空间碎片(M/OD)环境工程模型,建议对于高度为400 km、轨道倾角42°、寿命为3年的典型航天器,其舷窗玻璃的临界安全(非穿透)厚度至少为12mm.     

An Introduction to Theory and Models of CMEs, Shocks, and Solar Energetic Particles

We present a brief introduction to the essential physics of coronal mass ejections as well as a review of theory and models of CME initiation, solar energetic particle (SEP) acceleration, and shock propagation. A brief review of the history of CME models demonstrates steady progress toward an understanding of CME initiation, but it is clear that the question of what initiates CMEs has still not been solved. For illustration, we focus on the flux cancellation model and the breakout model. We contrast the similarities and differences between these models, and we examine how their essential features compare with observations. We review the generation of shocks by CMEs. We also outline the theoretical ideas behind the origin of a gradual SEP event at the evolving CME-driven coronal/interplanetary shock and the origin of “impulsive” SEP events at flare sites of magnetic reconnection below CMEs. We argue that future developments in models require focused study of “campaign events” to best utilize the wealth of available CME and SEP observations.     

Disk Evolution and the Fate of Water

Space Science Reviews - We review the general theoretical concepts and observational constraints on the distribution and evolution of water vapor and ice in protoplanetary disks, with a focus on...