Location
Cocoa Beach, Florida
Start Date
3-4-1967 12:00 AM
Description
This paper describes the analysis, design and mechanization of a ground support system for application during the captive testing of high chamberpressure propulsion systems and components. A dual-piston intensifier concept is employed to transform pneumatic control pressures into corresponding propellant supply pressures at the inlet to the thrust chamber assembly under test; a mechanical pressure amplification ratio of over 5 to 1 is achieved in the intensifier design . High speed gas pressurization valves are servo con- · trolled to establish and maintain the desired propellant feed pressures during both transient and steady-state TCA operational phases . Transient control has been satisfactorily implemented at pressure rise rates of up to 10,000 psi/second.
The mechanical intensifier assembly can be characterized as a dual-piston pressure amplification device, capable of transforming a relatively low pressure gas driving medium into a corresponding high pressure propellant supply . The intensifier assemblies illustrated in Figs. (1) and (2 ) were designed to generate propellant pressures of over 6000 psi; because of the 5.2:1 design piston area ratio, the corresponding inlet gas pressure required was slightly less than 1200 psi. Hence, the intensifier concept provides the high pressure propellant environment necessary for the static testing of high-Pc propulsion systems, but eliminates the need for expensive high pressure propellant tankage and gas reservoir capabilities.
Both fuel and oxidizer intensifiers of Figs. (1) and (2) were identical in design; the dualpiston assembly stroke was approximately 110 inches, while the gas and liquid side cavity volumes were 622 and 120 gallons respectively. Although storable propellants were involved in the test program described in this paper, the intensifier concept applies also to cryogenic and advanced slurry-type propellants .
Ground Testing of High Chamber-Pressure Propulsion Systems
Cocoa Beach, Florida
This paper describes the analysis, design and mechanization of a ground support system for application during the captive testing of high chamberpressure propulsion systems and components. A dual-piston intensifier concept is employed to transform pneumatic control pressures into corresponding propellant supply pressures at the inlet to the thrust chamber assembly under test; a mechanical pressure amplification ratio of over 5 to 1 is achieved in the intensifier design . High speed gas pressurization valves are servo con- · trolled to establish and maintain the desired propellant feed pressures during both transient and steady-state TCA operational phases . Transient control has been satisfactorily implemented at pressure rise rates of up to 10,000 psi/second.
The mechanical intensifier assembly can be characterized as a dual-piston pressure amplification device, capable of transforming a relatively low pressure gas driving medium into a corresponding high pressure propellant supply . The intensifier assemblies illustrated in Figs. (1) and (2 ) were designed to generate propellant pressures of over 6000 psi; because of the 5.2:1 design piston area ratio, the corresponding inlet gas pressure required was slightly less than 1200 psi. Hence, the intensifier concept provides the high pressure propellant environment necessary for the static testing of high-Pc propulsion systems, but eliminates the need for expensive high pressure propellant tankage and gas reservoir capabilities.
Both fuel and oxidizer intensifiers of Figs. (1) and (2) were identical in design; the dualpiston assembly stroke was approximately 110 inches, while the gas and liquid side cavity volumes were 622 and 120 gallons respectively. Although storable propellants were involved in the test program described in this paper, the intensifier concept applies also to cryogenic and advanced slurry-type propellants .
