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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 37 records · Page 2

Three Dimensional Instantaneous Spray Measurements of Additively Manufactured Candidate Injector Schemes at Varying Pressure Drops

Additively manufactured (AM) injectors have the potential to improve upon the combustion performance achieved using traditionally manufactured (TM) injectors. Traditionally manufactured injector combustion performance decreases greatly in off-design conditions. Additively manufactured injectors hold the potential to sustain high combustion performance over a broader range of operating conditions than currently seen in TM injectors. Additively manufactured injectors promise to offer higher resistances to instability and achieve better overall propellant mixing and atomization for all types of combustion devices. This study expands upon previous studies that used 2-D imaging techniques to characterize the injector spray pattern of candidate AM injector elements. In this study, 3-D instantaneous measurements of the injector spray pattern are taken, allowing for deeper insight into the liquid spray breakup, an inherently 3-D phenomena. Stereo imaging is used for three dimensional analysis, which utilizes two cameras at different angles to reconstruct a three dimensional reconstruction. With this information, AM injectors can be designed to improve propellant mixing and atomization and reduce breakup length. As part of this work, a high-pressure, cold flow experimental spray facility was modified to measure each injector’s spray characteristics in terms of 𝑅𝑒 𝐿 and 𝑊𝑒 𝑔 . This facility is operated to capture instantaneous stereo photographic images, mass flow rates, and injector element thrust for pressure drop across the injector face ranging from 100 to 200 psig at a stiffness ratio of 1.0.

Murphy Mitchell↗

Design Process of a Pressure Transducer Vibration Fixture

This paper details the iterative design cycle of a fixture used to mount two types of pressure transducers for vibration testing which allows for functional testing without the removal of the transducers. The objective of the fixture is to prove that the pressure transducers can survive vibrations induced during launch. This would increase the Technology Readiness Level of the pressure transducers which is a requirement for the Lunar Advanced Volatile Analysis subsystem preliminary design review. During the design process, additive manufacturing is considered as a manufacturing method of the fixture as a way to investigate the use of additive manufacturing for the final flight version of the Fluid Sub System manifold. It is ultimately shown that the added ability to perform functional testing and optimization for additive manufacturing made the fixture less than ideal for vibration testing. It is determined that the best option is to design and manufacture a traditional vibration fixture without the ability to perform functional testing of components while attached and a separate part to investigate the application of additive manufacturing to the Fluid Subsystem manifold.

Gilstrap, Andrew↗

Evaluation of Superalloy 718 Additively Manufactured Lattice Blocks

Lattice block structures made up of high temperature superalloys could offer advantages in density, efficiency, and tailored properties. Three candidate lattice designs were screened through additive manufacturing of superalloy 718. Laser powder bed fusion was applied with 718 powder to produce lattice blocks for three-dimensional octahedral unit cell designs of three heights. As-designed versus additively manufactured 718 lattices were compared, including structural dimensions, densities, defects, grain structures, crystallographic texture, and surface residual stresses. Manufactured lattice I diverged the most from its design, with both corner and center nodes merged into continuous columns. Manufactured lattice III came closest to its design, though the actual nodes and struts were still larger in cross section than in the design. Only modest grain coarsening and negligible chemical segregation were observed for all three designs, suggesting uniform thermo-physical and mechanical properties are possible. Significant tensile residual stresses were present at the surface of the manufactured blocks, with highest stresses in the building direction. Current findings indicate this concept could produce useful superalloy structures for high-temperature-capable static components requiring tailored density, and thermo-physical/mechanical properties.

super alloys↗

On The Incorporation of Both Function-Driven Requirements and Topology Optimization in The Development of Lunar Launch & Landing Pads

In the design of additively manufactured structures, there can be a constant battle between focusing on function-driven design and topology optimization in an attempt to improve a products ability to meet all requirements. Function-driven optimization is defined as the process of identifying the best design parameters that satisfy project functionality requirements. Function-driven optimization is typically implemented by a designer(s) who, instead of computational limitations, has human bias for the input or inputs determined. On the other hand, topology optimization is defined as a mathematical method that optimizes material layout within a given design space, for a given set of loads, boundary conditions, and constraints with the goal of maximizing the performance of the system. In topology optimization, the work is defined by the limited mathematical inputs and computationally available goals/restraints. If not evaluated simultaneously, these two approaches can result in fundamentally different design concepts meant to address the same requirements. NASA’s Artemis program includes the development of a base camp near the lunar South Pole. After site selection is made, one of the first infrastructure elements needed will be a launch and landing pad (LLP). The construction of such a pad will prevent damage to nearby structures from plume-surface interaction (PSI) while also providing a stable platform for the lander. These benefits reduce the required distance between the established landing zones and other settlement infrastructure. In this paper, the authors evaluate the requirements associated with lunar LLP development, application of both functional and topological optimization techniques, methodologies to combine the two techniques, and potential impacts on final design of such a pad.

In-situ↗

Additive Manufacturing for Propulsion Systems

Additive Manufacturing (AM) has become a prominent technology of interest for manufacturing propulsion components and gaining attention across the aerospace industry. AM is maturing at a rapid pace and providing new design opportunities, novel materials, new industries and supply chains resulting in programmatic and technical performance improvements. The successful use of AM requires a methodical and intentional approach to understanding the concept to utilization lifecycle for AM. This course will provide an overview of the various steps in AM process trades, design, build process, post-processing, certification and infusion of AM. This will provide various lessons learned and experiences that were captured in a recent AIAA textbook titled "Metal Additive Manufacturing for Propulsion Applications" by the session chairs and industry colleagues. This course will include specific liquid rocket engine component examples and that went through the AM lifecycle including hot-fire testing.

Additive Manufacturing↗

A Review Towards the Design Optimization of High Performance Additively Manufactured Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine Injectors

Rotating Detonation Rocket Engines (RDRE) have been marketed primarily for their higher specific impulse potential over constant pressure (CP) liquid rocket engines. However, several other performance advantages exist with RDREs over CP engines such as heat transfer advantages for gas expander cycle, increased completeness of combustion at low chamber L*, compact engine design, reduced coolant channel pressure drop potential, and improved injector C* performance. NASA has paved the way for liquid engine system performance enhancement since the Apollo program and continues to do so with metal additive manufacturing (AM), super-alloy materials, and advanced propulsion concepts. A team of propulsion development engineers at NASA are in the process of developing high-performance 7K lbf class RDRE hardware for their potential use in lander, upper stage, and even launch vehicle applications. Clear advantages have been demonstrated with AM including program cost and schedule reductions of up to 50%. It is well known that injector performance is integrally linked to the global performance of a combustion device. This is especially the case for RDREs since detonation stability is heavily dependent on the mixedness of propellants. A major program goal is to rapidly produce ultra-high-performance AM injectors. This paper reviews the available literature on liquid rocket injector design optimization as well as the experimental work conducted to date on injectors tested in RDREs. Major lessons learned are document and suggestions given towards the design of high-performance liquid RDRE injectors. In addition, the integration of metal AM into the design of liquid RDRE injector schemes is discussed. Finally, several candidate AM RDRE injector elements were produced to obtain their diodicity and cold flow characteristics.

rotating detonation engine↗

Additive Manufacturing of Low Cost Upper Stage Propulsion Components

NASA is currently developing Additive Manufacturing (AM) technologies and design tools aimed at reducing the costs and manufacturing time of regeneratively cooled rocket engine components. These Low Cost Upper Stage Propulsion (LCUSP) tasks are funded through NASA's Game Changing Development Program in the Space Technology Mission Directorate. The LCUSP project will develop a copper alloy additive manufacturing design process and develop and optimize the Electron Beam Freeform Fabrication (EBF3) manufacturing process to direct deposit a nickel alloy structural jacket and manifolds onto an SLM manufactured GRCop chamber and Ni-alloy nozzle. In order to develop these processes, the project will characterize both the microstructural and mechanical properties of the SLMproduced GRCop-84, and will explore and document novel design techniques specific to AM combustion devices components. These manufacturing technologies will be used to build a 25K-class regenerative chamber and nozzle (to be used with tested DMLS injectors) that will be tested individually and as a system in hot fire tests to demonstrate the applicability of the technologies. These tasks are expected to bring costs and manufacturing time down as spacecraft propulsion systems typically comprise more than 70% of the total vehicle cost and account for a significant portion of the development schedule. Additionally, high pressure/high temperature combustion chambers and nozzles must be regeneratively cooled to survive their operating environment, causing their design to be time consuming and costly to build. LCUSP presents an opportunity to develop and demonstrate a process that can infuse these technologies into industry, build competition, and drive down costs of future engines.

Protz, Christopher↗

A Fully Non-Metallic Gas Turbine Engine Enabled by Additive Manufacturing

The Non-Metallic Gas Turbine Engine project, funded by NASA Aeronautics Research Institute, represents the first comprehensive evaluation of emerging materials and manufacturing technologies that will enable fully nonmetallic gas turbine engines. This will be achieved by assessing the feasibility of using additive manufacturing technologies to fabricate polymer matrix composite and ceramic matrix composite turbine engine components. The benefits include: 50 weight reduction compared to metallic parts, reduced manufacturing costs, reduced part count and rapid design iterations. Two high payoff metallic components have been identified for replacement with PMCs and will be fabricated using fused deposition modeling (FDM) with high temperature polymer filaments. The CMC effort uses a binder jet process to fabricate silicon carbide test coupons and demonstration articles. Microstructural analysis and mechanical testing will be conducted on the PMC and CMC materials. System studies will assess the benefits of fully nonmetallic gas turbine engine in terms of fuel burn, emissions, reduction of part count, and cost. The research project includes a multidisciplinary, multiorganization NASA - industry team that includes experts in ceramic materials and CMCs, polymers and PMCs, structural engineering, additive manufacturing, engine design and analysis, and system analysis.

Ceramics↗

A Fully Non-metallic Gas Turbine Engine Enabled by Additive Manufacturing

The Non-Metallic Gas Turbine Engine project, funded by NASA Aeronautics Research Institute (NARI), represents the first comprehensive evaluation of emerging materials and manufacturing technologies that will enable fully nonmetallic gas turbine engines. This will be achieved by assessing the feasibility of using additive manufacturing technologies for fabricating polymer matrix composite (PMC) and ceramic matrix composite (CMC) gas turbine engine components. The benefits of the proposed effort include: 50 weight reduction compared to metallic parts, reduced manufacturing costs due to less machining and no tooling requirements, reduced part count due to net shape single component fabrication, and rapid design change and production iterations. Two high payoff metallic components have been identified for replacement with PMCs and will be fabricated using fused deposition modeling (FDM) with high temperature capable polymer filaments. The first component is an acoustic panel treatment with a honeycomb structure with an integrated back sheet and perforated front sheet. The second component is a compressor inlet guide vane. The CMC effort, which is starting at a lower technology readiness level, will use a binder jet process to fabricate silicon carbide test coupons and demonstration articles. The polymer and ceramic additive manufacturing efforts will advance from monolithic materials toward silicon carbide and carbon fiber reinforced composites for improved properties. Microstructural analysis and mechanical testing will be conducted on the PMC and CMC materials. System studies will assess the benefits of fully nonmetallic gas turbine engine in terms of fuel burn, emissions, reduction of part count, and cost. The proposed effort will be focused on a small 7000 lbf gas turbine engine. However, the concepts are equally applicable to large gas turbine engines. The proposed effort includes a multidisciplinary, multiorganization NASA - industry team that includes experts in ceramic materials and CMCs, polymers and PMCs, structural engineering, additive manufacturing, engine design and analysis, and system analysis.

manufacturing↗

Systems and Methods for Designing and Fabricating Support Structures for Overhang Geometries of Parts in Additive Manufacturing

Systems and methods are provided for designing and fabricating contact-free support structures for overhang geometries of parts fabricated using electron beam additive manufacturing. One or more layers of un-melted metallic powder are disposed in an elongate gap between an upper horizontal surface of the support structure and a lower surface of the overhang geometry. The powder conducts heat from the overhang geometry to the support structure. The support structure acts as a heat sink to enhance heat transfer and reduce the temperature and severe thermal gradients due to poor thermal conductivity of metallic powders underneath the overhang. Because the support structure is minimally or not connected to the part, the support structure can be removed with minimal or no post-processing step.

Chou, Yuag-Shan↗