NASA Tech Briefs’ Machinery and Automation Web page features design innovations in robotics, automated systems, industrial controls, motion control, machines and tools, as published in NASA Tech Briefs magazine. Many of the Tech Briefs below are correlated to a Technical Support Package (TSP) or White that can be downloaded free of charge.
Feb 2007
Self-Regulating Water-Separator System for Fuel Cells
This system would not depend on hydrophobic or hydrophilic surfaces.
A proposed system would perform multiple coordinated functions in regulating the pressure of the oxidant gas (usually, pure oxygen) flowing to a fuel-cell stack and in removing excess product water that is generated in the normal fuel-cell operation. The system could function in the presence ...
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Spiral Orbit Tribometer
Friction and lubricant degradation rate can be quantified rapidly.
The spiral orbit tribometer (SOT) bridges the gap between full-scale life testing and typically unrealistic accelerated life testing of ball-bearing lubricants in conjunction with bearing ball and race materials. The SOT operates under realistic conditions and ...
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Dec 2006
Oct 2006
System for Continuous Deaeration of Hydraulic OilSpacecraft Escape Capsule
Aug 2006
Mobile Robot for Exploring Cold Liquid/Solid EnvironmentsSystem Would Acquire Core and Powder Samples of Rocks
Producing Quantum Dots by Spray Pyrolysis
Jul 2006
Ultrasonically Actuated Tools for Abrading Rock SurfacesActive Struts With Variable Spring Stiffness and Damping
Apr 2006
Modification of a Limbed Robot to Favor ClimbingControlling Herds of Cooperative Robots
Mar 2006
Cargo-Positioning System for Next-Generation SpacecraftJan 2006
System Would Detect Foreign-Object Damage in Turbofan EngineRecovering Residual Xenon Propellant for an Ion Propulsion System
Dec 2005
Mechanically Biased, Hinged Pairs of Piezoelectric BendersOscillating-Linear-Drive Vacuum Compressor for CO2
Rotating Vessels for Growing Protein Crystals
Oct 2005
System Regulates the Water Contents of Fuel-Cell StreamsFive-Axis, Three-Magnetic-Bearing Dynamic Spin Rig
Jul 2005
Magnetically Attached Multifunction Maintenance RoverMay 2005
Ultrasonic/Sonic JackhammerVortobots
Apr 2005
Nanoactuators Based on Electrostatic Forces on DielectricsMar 2005
Synthetic Bursae for RobotsRobot Forearm and Dexterous Hand
Feb 2005
Gifford-McMahon/Joule-Thomson Refrigerator Cools to 2.5 KImproving Control in a Joule-Thomson Refrigerator
High-Temperature, High-Load-Capacity Radial Magnetic Bearing
Jan 2005
Powder-Collection System for Ultrasonic/Sonic Drill/CorerSemiautomated, Reproducible Batch Processing of Soy
Dec 2004
Thermal and Compressed-Air Storage System Provides Alternative to UPS BatteriesCarbon-Fiber Brush Heat Exchangers
Nov 2004
Miniature Linear Actuator for Small SpacecraftSecond-Generation Six-Limbed Experimental Robot
Development of Biomorphic Flyers
Oct 2004
Miniature Robotic Submarine for Exploring Harsh EnvironmentsLightweight Exoskeletons With Controllable Actuators
Sep 2004
Demonstration of a Pyrotechnic Bolt-Retractor SystemAug 2004
Centrifugal Adsorption SystemUltrasonic Apparatus for Pulverizing Brittle Material
Liquid-Metal-Fed Pulsed Plasma Thrusters
Attitude Control for a Solar-Sail Spacecraft
Jun 2004
Farm Equipment Manufacturer Shortens Design Cycle With Analysis SoftwareMar 2004
Blade-Pitch Control for Quieting Tilt-Rotor AircraftSolar Array Panels With Dust-Removal Capability
Feb 2004
Miniature Robotic Spacecraft for Inspecting Other SpacecraftMiniature Ring-Shaped Perisaltic Pump
Jan 2004
Miniature Blimps for Surveillance and Collection of SamplesHybrid Automotive Engine Using Ethanol-Burning Miller Cycle
Sep 2003
Ultrasonic/Sonic Mechanisms for Drilling and CoringAdvances in Thrust-Based Emergency Control of an Airplane
Jul 2003
Analysis of Designs of Space LaboratoriesMay 2003
Bio-Inspired Engineering of Exploration SystemsApr 2003
Touchdown Ball-Bearing System for Magnetic BearingsFlux-Based Deadbeat Control of Induction-Motor Torque
Mar 2003
Accurate Spring TestingCompliant Gripper for a Robotic Manipulator
Hybrid Aerial/Rover Vehicle
Feb 2003
High-Temperature Switched-Reluctance Electric MotorJan 2003
Miniature Gas-Turbine Power GeneratorPneumatically Actuated Miniature Peristaltic Vacuum Pumps
Dec 2002
Optimization of Orientations of Spacecraft Reaction WheelsOct 2001
Actuated Ball-and-Socket JointsSep 2001
Variable-Specific-Impulse Magnetoplasma RocketSep 2000
Compact, Recuperated, Binary-Fluid Rankine-Cycle EngineSep 1999
Hybrisol Rocket EnginesJun 1999
Improved Inlets for T-38 AirplaneApr 1999
High-Altitude Flight Test of the Perseus B AirplaneMar 1999
Stable, Soft-Opening/Soft-Closing Pressure-Relief ValvesJul 1998
Laser Anemometer Measures Flow in a Centrifugal CompressorJun 1998
Pulse-tube Refrigerator UnitJan 1998
Improved Lifetime for Stirling Cryogenic Coolers