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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 271 records · Page 15

Analysis of liquid rocket combustion chamber turbulence levels from diffusion data

The intensity of turbulence and the Lagrangian correlation coefficient in a liquid-rocket combustion chamber have been analytically determined from an analysis of experimental diffusion data obtained in a small rocket engine which operated at 300-psia chamber pressure and produced approximately 250 pounds thrust. Results of gas-sample measurements obtained by Orsat and gas-chromatograph techniques to determine helium-concentration profiles were analyzed on the basis of Taylor's (1921) turbulent diffusion theory to obtain turbulence flow-field parameters. The results of the analysis indicate that turbulent diffusion in a combustion chamber can be adequately modeled by the one-dimensional Taylor theory, which assumes that the intensity of turbulence is a function only of axial distance in the chamber and that the Lagrangian correlation coefficient is expressed by a power law. The results indicate a higher intensity of turbulence and lower correlation than previously expected.

Smith, L. O., Jr.↗

The 3.3K thrust chamber life prediction

The cause of low-cycle fatigue failure of the 3.3K Thrust Chamber was investigated. This thrust chamber typifies the current trend in rocket nozzle design which calls for high performance coupled with weight and volume limitations as well as the requirement of reusability. The analysis was performed with the BOPACE finite-element computer program which provides capability to determine viscoplastic response of a structure subjected to cyclic thermal and mechanical loading. Results are presented which show the critical region for low-cycle fatigue and the history of strain within that region for each thermo-mechanical loading cycle in the 3.3K thrust chamber. The predicted behavior was used to evaluate the low-cycle fatigue life near the throat plane of the chamber. The results show that BOPACE provides an extremely accurate prediction of structural behavior; the critical region was identified and the life determined from computed strains was within 154 cycles of the observed failure at 1013 cycles.

Armstrong, W. H.↗

Three dimensional thrust chamber life prediction

A study was performed to analytically determine the cyclic thermomechanical behavior and fatigue life of three configurations of a Plug Nozzle Thrust Chamber. This thrust chamber is a test model which represents the current trend in nozzle design calling for high performance coupled with weight and volume limitations as well as extended life for reusability. The study involved the use of different materials and material combinations to evaluate their application to the problem of low-cycle fatigue in the thrust chamber. The thermal and structural analyses were carried out on a three-dimensional basis. Results are presented which show plots of continuous temperature histories and temperature distributions at selected times during the operating cycle of the thrust chamber. Computed structural data show critical regions for low-cycle fatigue and the histories of strain within the regions for each operation cycle.

Armstrong, W. H.↗

Rocket engine thrust chamber wall temperature distribution calculation and analysis

An analytical computational concept is presented which predicts the temperature profiles along a regeneratively cooled thrust chamber wall on the hot gas side and on the coolant side, and also the coolant bulk temperature profile. The computational model is based upon a coupling of the boundary layer heat transfer process with the heat transfer process through the chamber wall and the coolant flow heat absorption. The calculation is started with approximate temperature distributions for the hot gas side wall and the coolant flow. The iteration process of the computer program is terminated when the total heat transfer rates from the hot gas boundary layer to the wall and from the wall to the coolant are equal. The computer program for the integration of regenerative cooling process to a thrust chamber is kept general such that this program can be used with any boundary layer analysis computer program for temperature profile and heat transfer studies. A sample application of this concept is shown by using a boundary layer analysis program for the RL10 rocket engine thrust chamber.

Saha, H.↗

Space shuttle orbit maneuvering engine reusable thrust chamber program

The feasibility of potential reusable thrust chamber concepts is studied. Propellant condidates were examined and analytically combined with potential cooling schemes. A data base of engine data which would assist in a configuration selection was produced. The data base verification was performed by the demonstration of a thrust chamber of a selected coolant scheme design. A full scale insulated columbium thrust chamber was used for propellant coolant configurations. Combustion stability of the injectors and a reduced size thrust chamber were experimentally verified as proof of concept demonstrations of the design and study results.

Senneff, J. M.↗

The JPL advanced propulsion module motor chamber

A Kevlar 49/epoxy chamber has been developed for the advanced propulsion module motor. This chamber was successfully designed, fabricated, and hydroproof-tested at 511.6 N/sq cm. The fabrication, interior dimensional inspection, and proof test are discussed, showing that the chamber will be capable of achieving the design burst pressure of 639.8 N/sq cm. The projected chamber growth at 448.2 N/sq cm is presented based on the strain gage and volumetric growth data collected in that proof test.

Jensen, W. M.↗

Stability analysis of a liquid fuel annular combustion chamber

The problems of combustion instability in an annular combustion chamber are investigated. A modified Galerkin method was used to produce a set of modal amplitude equations from the general nonlinear partial differential acoustic wave equation. From these modal amplitude equations, the two variable perturbation method was used to develop a set of approximate equations of a given order of magnitude. These equations were modeled to show the effects of velocity sensitive combustion instabilities by evaluating the effects of certain parameters in the given set of equations. By evaluating these effects, parameters which cause instabilities to occur in the combustion chamber can be ascertained. It is assumed that in the annular combustion chamber, the liquid propellants are injected uniformly across the injector face, the combustion processes are distributed throughout the combustion chamber, and that no time delay occurs in the combustion processes.

Mcdonald, G. H.↗

Modification of a very large thermal-vacuum test chamber for ionosphere and plasmasphere simulation

No large-volume chamber existed which could simulate the ion and electron environment of near-earth space. A very large thermal-vacuum chamber was modified to provide for the manipulation of the test volume magnetic field and for the generation and monitoring of plasma. Plasma densities of 1 million particles per cu cm were generated in the chamber where a variable magnetic flux density of up to 0.00015 T (1.5 gauss) was produced. Plasma temperature, density, composition, and visual effects were monitored, and plasma containment and control were investigated. Initial operation of the modified chamber demonstrated a capability satisfactory for a wide variety of experiments and hardware tests which require an interaction with the plasma environment. Potential for improving the quality of the simulation exists.

Pearson, O. L.↗

Performance of a transpiration-regenerative cooled rocket thrust chamber

The analysis, design, fabrication, and testing of a liquid rocket engine thrust chamber which is gas transpiration cooled in the high heat flux convergent portion of the chamber and water jacket cooled (simulated regenerative) in the barrel and divergent sections of the chamber are described. The engine burns LOX-hydrogen propellants at a chamber pressure of 600 psia. Various transpiration coolant flow rates were tested with resultant local hot gas wall temperatures in the 800 F to 1400 F range. The feasibility of transpiration cooling with hydrogen and helium, and the use of photo-etched copper platelets for heat transfer and coolant metering was successfully demonstrated.

Valler, H. W.↗

Method for sequentially processing a multi-level interconnect circuit in a vacuum chamber

The processing of wafer devices to form multilevel interconnects for microelectronic circuits is described. The method is directed to performing the sequential steps of etching the via, removing the photo resist pattern, back sputtering the entire wafer surface and depositing the next layer of interconnect material under common vacuum conditions without exposure to atmospheric conditions. Apparatus for performing the method includes a vacuum system having a vacuum chamber in which wafers are processed on rotating turntables. The vacuum chamber is provided with an RF sputtering system and a DC magnetron sputtering system. A gas inlet is provided in the chamber for the introduction of various gases to the vacuum chamber and the creation of various gas plasma during the sputtering steps.

Routh, D. E.↗

Experimental investigation of the scattering effects of a sphere in a cylindrical resonant chamber

Resonance frequency, acoustic pressure, and quality factor measurements for transverse and longitudinal modes of a cylindrical chamber are presented as a function of the position of a sphere along the chamber axis. The tests were performed over a wide range of sample-to-chamber ratios, and formulations were devised of the resonance frequency shift as a function of the components of the volume ratios. Departures from linearity were explored for intermediate ratios. The results are considered significant for acoustic levitation operations in space, where the acoustic radiation may alter the acoustic properties of the chamber.

Barmatz, M.↗

Method for sequentially processing a multi-level interconnect circuit in a vacuum chamber

An apparatus is disclosed which includes a vacuum system having a vacuum chamber in which wafers are processed on rotating turntables. The vacuum chamber is provided with an RF sputtering system and a dc magnetron sputtering system. A gas inlet introduces various gases to the vacuum chamber and creates various gas plasma during the sputtering steps. The rotating turntables insure that the respective wafers are present under the sputtering guns for an average amount of time such that consistency in sputtering and deposition is achieved. By continuous and sequential processing of the wafers in a common vacuum chamber without removal, the adverse affects of exposure to atmospheric conditions are eliminated providing higher quality circuit contacts and functional device.

Routh, D. E.↗

Fatigue induced cracking in aluminum LN-2 shroud of 39 foot vacuum chamber

Fourteen years after completion of Ford's 39-foot space simulation chamber, leaks began to appear in its LN2 shroud. Although the shroud had been tight since its acceptance, cracks appeared in 1983 in some of the field welds of the one inch tubes which interconnect the LN2 panels. The resulting leaks were large enough to prevent pump down to high vacuum and could be heard easily when the chamber was at ambient conditions. New cracks appeared during each thermal cycle making it impossible to utilize the chamber for thermal vacuum testing. The analysis presented here implies that many, if not all, of the aluminum LN2 shrouds now in use may be in various stages of fatigue failure. The probability is high that fatigue cracks are working through the aluminum tubing in heat-affected zones of some field welds. The cracks may not be apparent yet, but after the shroud has experienced a certain number of thermal cycles these cracks will work through the material and become serious leaks. Fortunately, appropriate planning, analysis, and checking can, with a relatively small expenditure of money, help to avoid large and unexpected shroud failures and keep the chamber operational as long as it is needed.

Edwards, A. A.↗

Theoretical prediction of stationary positions in the rectangular chamber during asymmetric electroosmotic flow

Most microscopic cell electrophoretic work depends on the theortical prediction of stationary positions by Smoluchowski and Komagata. Their theoretical solutions are based on the assumption that the electroosmotic flow in a chamber is symmetric. Because experiences with the rectangular chamber indicate that symmetric flow occurs during less than 8% of the experiments, the existing theory for stationary position determination is expanded to include the more general case of asymmetric flow. Smoluchowski's equation for symmetric electroosmotic flow in a rectangular chamber having a width much smaller than its height or length is examined. Smoluchowski's approach is used to approximate stationary positions in rectangular chambers with height/width ratios greater than 40. Support for the theoretical prediction of stationary positions using is given by three types of experimental evidence.

Source record↗

Multifunction Vacuum Chamber for IC Metallization

Vacuum system chamber processing multilayer metallization on integrated circuits (IC's) performs four operations ordinarily done in separated equipment. Chamber etches holes, removes photoresist, cleans by sputter etching, and deposits final layer of metal. Combinedfunction chamber costs less than separate equipment. Chamber avoids exposing integrated circuits to room air and, to oxidation and dust, between steps. Eliminates time spent in transferring circuits from one apparatus to next.

Routh, D. E.↗

Design, construction, activation, and operation of a high intensity acoustic test chamber

The design philosophy, construction, integration, and activation of the high intensity acoustic test chamber for production acceptance testing of satellites are discussed. The 32,000 cubic-foot acoustic test cell consists of a steel reinforced concrete chamber with six electropneumatic noise generators. One of the innovative features of the chamber is a unique quarter horn assembly that acoustically couples the noise generators to the chamber. Design concepts, model testing, and evaluation results are presented. Considerations such as nitrogen versus compressed air source, digital closed loop spectrum control versus manual equalizers, and microprocessor based interlock systems are included. Construction difficulties, anomalies encountered, and their resolution are also discussed. Results of the readiness testing are highlighted.

Kamel, L. T.↗

Thrust chamber thermal barrier coating techniques

Methods for applying thermal barrier coatings to the hot-gas side wall of rocket thrust chambers in order to significantly reduce the heat transfer in high heat flux regions was the focus of technology efforts for many years. This paper describes a successful technique developed by the Lewis Research Center that starts with the coating of a mandrel and then builds the thrust chamber around it by electroforming appropriate materials. This results in a smooth coating with exceptional adherence, demonstrated in hot fire rig tests. The low cycle fatigue life of chambers with coatings applied in this manner was increased dramatically compared to uncoated chambers.

Quentmeyer, Richard J.↗

High-pressure calorimeter chamber tests for liquid oxygen/kerosene (LOX/RP-1) rocket combustion

An experimental program was conducted to investigate the rocket combustion and heat transfer characteristics of liquid oxygen/kerosene (LOX/RP-1) mixtures at high chamber pressures. Two water-cooled calorimeter chambers of different combustion lengths were tested using 37- and 61-element oxidizer-fuel-oxidizer triplet injectors. The tests were conducted at nominal chamber pressures of 4.1, 8.3, and 13.8 MPa abs (600, 1200, and 2000 psia). Heat flux Q/A data were obtained for the entire calorimeter length for oxygen/fuel mixture ratios of 1.8 to 3.3. Test data at 4.1 MPa abs compared favorably with previous test data from another source. Using an injector with a fuel-rich outer zone reduced the throat heat flux by 47 percent with only a 4.5 percent reduction in the characteristic exhaust velocity efficiency C* sub eff. The throat heat transfer coefficient was reduced approximately 40 percent because of carbon deposits on the chamber wall.

Masters, Philip A.↗