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Price, H. G.

Publications and source records attributed to Price, H. G..

Liquid oxygen cooling of high pressure LOX/hydrocarbon rocket thrust chambers

An experimental program using liquid oxygen (LOX) and RP-1 as the propellants and supercritical LOX as the coolant was conducted at 4.14, 8.27, and 13.79 MN/sq m (600, 1200, and 2000 psia) chamber pressure. The objectives of this program were to evaluate the cooling characteristics of LOX with the LOX/RP-1 propellants, the buildup of the soot on the hot-gas-side chamber wall, and the effect of an internal LOX leak on the structural integrity of the combustor. Five thrust chambers with throat diameters of 6.6 cm (2.5 in.) were tested successfully. The first three were tested at 4.14 MN/sq m (600 psia) chamber pressure over a mixture ratio range of 2.25 to 2.92. One of these three was tested for over 22 cyclic tests after the first through crack from the coolant channel to the combustion zone was observed with no apparent metal burning or distress. The fourth chamber was tested at 8.27 MN/sq m (1200 psia) chamber pressure over a mixture range of 1.93 to 2.98. The fourth and fifth chambers were tested at 13.79 MN/sq m (2000 psia) chamber pressure over a mixture ratio range of 1.79 to 2.68.

Price, H. G.

Proven, long-life hydrogen/oxygen thrust chambers for space station propulsion

The development of the manned space station has necessitated the development of technology related to an onboard auxiliary propulsion system (APS) required to provide for various space station attitude control, orbit positioning, and docking maneuvers. A key component of this onboard APS is the thrust chamber design. To develop the required thrust chamber technology to support the Space Station Program, the NASA Lewis Research Center has sponsored development programs under contracts with Aerojet TechSystems Company and with Bell Aerospace Textron Division of Textron, Inc. During the NASA Lewis sponsored program with Aerojet TechSystems, a 25 lb sub f hydrogen/oxygen thruster has been developed and proven as a viable candidate to meet the needs of the Space Station Program. Likewise, during the development program with Bell Aerospace, a 50 lb sub f hydrogen/oxygen Thrust Chamber has been developed and has demonstrated reliable, long-life expectancy at anticipated space station operating conditions. Both these thrust chambers were based on design criteria developed in previous thruster programs and successfully verified in experimental test programs. Extensive thermal analyses and models were used to design the thrusters to achieve total impulse goals of 2 x 10 to the 6th power lb sub f-sec. Test data for each thruster will be compared to the analytical predictions for the performance and heat transfer characteristics. Also, the results of thrust chamber life verification tests will be presented.

Richter, G. P.

Cooling of high pressure rocket thrust chambers with liquid oxygen

An experimental program using hydrogen and oxygen as the propellants and supercritical liquid oxygen (LOX) as the coolant was conducted at 4.14 and 8.274 MN/sq m chamber pressure. It was aimed to demonstrate the effect of LOX leaking into the combustion region through small cracks in the chamber wall, and to verify the supercritical oxygen heat transfer correlation developed from heated tube experiments. Four thrust chambers with throat diameters of 0.066 m were tested; three of these were cyclically tested to 4.14 MM/sq m chamber pressure until a crack developed; the fourth chamber was operated at 8.274 MM/sq m pressure to obtain steady state heat transfer data. Wall temperature measurements confirmed the heat transfer correlation.

Price, H. G.

Cooling of High Pressure Rocket Thrust Chambers with Liquid Oxygen

An experimental program using hydrogen and oxygen as the propellants and supercritical liquid oxygen (LOX) as the coolant was conducted at 4.14 and 8.274 MN/square meters (600 and 1200 psia) chamber pressure. Data on the following are presented: the effect of LOX leaking into the combustion region through small cracks in the chamber wall; and verification of the supercritical oxygen heat transfer correlation developed from heated tube experiments; A total of four thrust chambers with throat diameters of 0.066 m were tested. Of these, three were cyclically tested to 4.14 MN/square meters (600 psia) chamber pressure until a crack developed. One had 23 additional hot cycles accumulated with no apparent metal burning or distress. The fourth chamber was operated at 8.274 MN/square meters (1200 psia) pressure to obtain steady state heat transfer data. Wall temperature measurements confirmed the heat transfer correlation.

Price, H. G.

LOX cooled thrust chamber technology developments

An experimental LOX heat-transfer study and a LOX-cooled thrust-chamber demonstration program are summarized. Heat transfer to supercritical oxygen was investigated at 17 to 34.5 MPa (2460 to 5000 psia), and heat fluxes up to 90 MW/sq m (55 Btu/sq in.-sec). Experimental data obtained previously were correlated along with these recent data, and a design equation was derived which correlates 95% of the data within + or - 30%. Liquid-oxygen-cooled thrust chambers have been designed using this correlation and are currently being fabricated. A test program is planned for evaluating the LOX-cooled design concept using NASA test facilities. The purpose of these tests is to verify the LOX cooling correlation in a high-pressure liquid rocket engine and to determine the effects of a LOX coolant leak.

Spencer, R. G.