Low-pressure combustion studies
Low pressure combustion instability tests on solid propellants, and pressure oscillation rate of depressurization
SOLID PROPELLANT↗
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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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Compilation of rocket spin data. Volume 1 - Acceleration test facilities Final report
Spin and centrifuge test facilities for testing solid rocket propellant engines - annotated bibliography
Manda, L. J.↗
Failure criteria for viscoelastic materials
Crack propagation theory and testing of solid propellant and viscoelastic materials
Knauss, W. G.↗
Lateral vibration characteristics of the 1/10 scale Apollo/Saturn 5 replica model
Lateral vibration characteristics of 1/10 scale Apollo/Saturn 5 replica model tested with simulated propellant loadings
Leadbetter, S. A.↗
Refractory composite materials for spacecraft thrust chambers Final report, 23 Jul. 1968 - 22 Feb. 1970
Hot firing tests with FLOX/methane propellants for evaluating pyrolytic refractory composite materials for thrust chambers
Campbell, J. G.↗
Design, fabrication, and test of omnidirectional flexible seals for thrust vector control of large solid rocket motors Final report
Omnidirectional flexible, rubber-steel seal design, fabrication, and performance testing for solid propellant rocket engine thrust vector control
Wong, E. Y.↗
Aerodynamic characteristics of the Grumman H-33 orbiter mated to a three segment solid propellant booster
Experimental aerodynamic investigations were conducted on a .003366-scale model of the Grumman space shuttle configuration mounted to a three (3) segmented solid propellant booster. These tests were conducted in the MSFC 14-inch trisonic wind tunnel over a Mach number range of 0.6 to 4.96. The purpose of the test was to determine the aerodynamic characteristics of this configuration. Aerodynamic data was taken over a nominal angle of attack and angle of sideslip of -10 degrees to 10 degrees at zero degrees beta and alpha respectively. In addition, data was obtained for the H-33 orbiter alone to supplement data from TWT 502 and TWT 503.
Sims, F.↗
Radioactive nondestructive test method
Various radioisotope techniques were used as diagnostic tools for determining the performance of spacecraft propulsion feed system elements. Applications were studied in four tasks. The first two required experimental testing involving the propellant liquid oxygen difluoride (OF2): the neutron activation analysis of dissolved or suspended metals, and the use of radioactive tracers to evaluate the probability of constrictions in passive components (orifices and filters) becoming clogged by matter dissolved or suspended in the OF2. The other tasks were an appraisal of the applicability of radioisotope techniques to problems arising from the exposure of components to liquid/gas combinations, and an assessment of the applicability of the techniques to other propellants.
Obrien, J. R.↗
Experimental investigation of combustor effects on rocket thrust chamber performance
A design and experimental program to develop special instrumentation systems, design engine hardware, and conduct tests using LOX/GH2 propellants in which the propellant flow stratification was controlled is described. The mixture ratio was varied from 4.6 to 6 overall. The mixture ratios in the core and outer zone were varied from 3.5 to 6 and 5 to 8, respectively. The range in boundary layer coolant was from 0 to 10 percent of the fuel. The nominal chamber pressure and thrust were 225 psia and 7000 pounds, respectively. Pressure and heat flux profiles as well as gas sampling of the exhaust products were obtained. Specific impulse efficiencies of approximately 94 percent and characteristic velocity efficiencies of approximately 97 percent were obtained during the experiments.
Source record↗
Durability tests of a five-centimeter diameter ion thruster system.
A modified Hughes SIT-5 system is being tested for durability at the Lewis Research Center. As of Oct. 1, 1972, the thruster subsystem has logged over 8000 hours of operation. The initial 2023 hours were run with a translating screen thrust vector grid. The thruster is currently operating with an electrostatic type vector grid. Profiles and maps taken at widely separated intervals show that performance and operating characteristics have remained essentially constant. Overall efficiency is about 32 per cent and power to thrust ratio is 170 watts per millipound at a specific impulse of 2500 seconds. Telescopic examination of the vector grid shows some sputtering erosion due to charge exchange and direct impingement ions. An independent test of the propellant storage and cathode-isolator-vaporizer subsystem has demonstrated good reliability under simulated thruster operating conditions.
Nakanishi, S.↗
Demonstration of a pulsing liquid hydrogen/liquid oxygen thruster
The development of an injector/thruster concept capable of pulsing a liquid hydrogen/liquid oxygen attitude control propulsion system thruster over thrust and chamber-pressure ranges of 625 to 1250 lbF and 250 to 500 psia, respectively, is discussed. It is shown how continuing search for a simple light-weight, high-performance reaction control system concept led to successful operation tests at cryogenic propellant temperatures (150 and 45 degrees Rankine for oxygen and hydrogen, respectively). The analytical and experimental phases of the liquid/liquid thruster technology efforts are examined.
Herr, P. N.↗
The NASA high-speed turboprop program
Technology readiness for Mach 0.7 to 0.8 turboprop powered aircraft with the potential for fuel savings and DOC reductions of up to 30 and 15 percent respectively relative to current in-service aircraft is addressed. The areas of propeller aeroacoustics, propeller structures, turboprop installed performance, aircraft cabin environment, and turboprop engine and aircraft studies are emphasized. Large scale propeller characteristics and high speed propeller flight research tests using a modified testbed aircraft are also considered.
Dugan, J. F.↗
The NASA high-speed turboprop program
NASA's Advanced Turboprop Project is a three-phase effort initiated in 1978 to provide technology readiness for Mach 0.7 to 0.8 turboprop-powered aircraft; with the potential for fuel savings and DOC reductions of up to 30 and 15%, respectively, relative to current in-service aircraft. This paper reviews the status of Phase I in the areas of propeller aeroacoustics, propeller structures, turboprop installed performance, aircraft cabin environment, and turboprop engine and aircraft studies. Current plans to establish large-scale propeller characteristics and to conduct high-speed propeller flight research tests using a modified testbed aircraft are also presented.
Dugan, J. F.↗
Large Horizontal-Axis Wind Turbines
The proceedings of a workshop held in Cleveland, July 28-30, 1981 are described. The workshop emphasized recent experience in building and testing large propeller-type wind turbines, expanding upon the proceedings of three previous DOE/NASA workshops at which design and analysis topics were considered. A total of 41 papers were presented on the following subjects: current and advanced large wind turbine systems, rotor blade design and manufacture, electric utility activities, research and supporting technology, meteorological characteristics for design and operation, and wind resources assessments for siting.
Thresher, R. W.↗
Development of a reusable, flight-weight cryogenic foam insulation system
Attention is given to a light weight foam insulation system applicable to reusable cryogenic propellant tankage for hypersonic aircraft and space launch vehicles. The insulation system consists of nominally sized blocks of a high temperature-resistant polymethacrylimide foam that is wrapped with a vapor-impermeable membrane of Kapton-aluminum-Kapton laminate, which is adhesively bonded to the outer propellant tank wall. Test results are presented which indicate that this insulation system is capable of enduring a Mach 5 service environment without structural cracking, deterioration, or loss of performance.
Mcauliffe, P. S.↗
Experiments on a repetitively pulsed electrothermal thruster
This paper presents experimental results from an investigation of a pulsed electrothermal (PET) thruster using water propellant. The PET thruster is operated on a calibrated thrust stand, and produces a thrust to power ratio of T/P = 0.07 + or - 0.01 N/kW. The discharge conditions are inferred from a numerical model which predicts pressure and temperature levels of 300-500 atm and 20,000 K, respectively. These values in turn correctly predict the measured values of impulse bit and discharge resistance. The inferred ideal exhaust velocity from these conditions is 17 km/sec, but the injection of water propellant produces a test tank background pressure of 10-20 Torr, which reduces the exhaust velocity to 14 km/sec. This value corresponds to a thrust efficiency of 54 + or - 7 percent when all experimental errors are taken into account.
Burton, R. L.↗
Return of the turboprops
Recent advances in propfan development for commercial aircraft cruising at high transonic speeds are discussed in a series of brief overviews and illustrated with photographs and diagrams. The efficiency and performance advantages and the problem of noise are examined; the history of turboprop design since the 1950s is recalled; NASA, DOT, FAA, and DOD turboprop projects are described; and the results of wind-tunnel and flight tests on particular propeller models are reviewed. Current trends in aircraft reconfiguration and acoustic redesign to reduce cabin noise levels are also surveyed.
Facey, John R.↗
Geometric effects in applied-field MPD thrusters
Three applied-field magnetoplasmadynamic (MPD) thruster geometries were tested with argon propellant to establish the influence of electrode geometry on thruster performance. The thrust increased approximately linearly with anode radius, while the discharge and electrode fall voltages increased quadratically with anode radius. All these parameters increased linearly with applied-field strength. Thrust efficiency, on the other hand, was not significantly influenced by changes in geometry over the operating range studied, though both thrust and thermal efficiencies increased monotonically with applied field strength. The best performance, 1820 sec I(sub sp) at 20 percent efficiency, was obtained with the largest radius anode at the highest discharge current (1500 amps) and applied field strength (0.4 Tesla).
Myers, R. M.↗