Engineering PapersSearch

Engineering topics

Riebling, R. W.

Publications and source records attributed to Riebling, R. W..

At least 19 records

Overview of NASA battery technology program

Highlights of NASA's technology program in batteries for space applications are presented. Program elements include: (1) advanced ambient temperature alkaline secondaries, which are primarily nickel-cadmium cells in batteries; (2) a toroidal nickel cadmium secondaries with multi-kilowatt-hour storage capacity primarily for lower orbital applications; (3) ambient temperature lithium batteries, both primary and secondaries, primarily silver hydrogen and high-capacity nickel hydrogen.

Riebling, R. W.

Unmanned planetary spacecraft chemical rocket propulsion.

Review of some chemical propulsion technology advances suitable for future unmanned spacecraft applications. Discussed system varieties include liquid space-storable propulsion systems, advanced liquid monopropellant systems, liquid systems for rendezvous and landing applications, and low-thrust high-performance solid-propellant systems, as well as hybrid space-storable systems. To optimize the performance and operational characteristics of an unmanned interplanetary spacecraft for a particular mission, and to achieve high cost effectiveness of the entire system, it is shown to be essential that the type of spacecraft propulsion system to be used matches, as closely as possible the various requirements and constraints. The systems discussed are deemed to be the most promising candidates for some of the anticipated interplanetary missions.

Burlage, H., Jr.

Experimental evaluation of high-thrust, throttleable, monopropellant hydrazine reactors

Throttleable monopropellant hydrazine catalytic reactors of a size applicable to a planetary landing vehicle were designed, fabricated, and tested. An experimental evaluation of two 2670-N reactor designs was conducted. The steady state and dynamic characteristics of the thruster/valve combinations were determined. The results of the testing, including the engine characteristic velocity, smoothness of combustion, insensitivity to heat sterilization, and response during various simulated duty cycles are presented and discussed. No problems of a fundamental nature were encountered as a result of rapid dynamic throttling of these large hydrazine reactors.

Riebling, R. W.

Liquid-fuel valve with precise throttling control

Prototype liquid-fuel valve performs on-off and throttling functions in vacuum without component cold-welding or excessive leakage. Valve design enables simple and rapid disassembly and parts replacement and operates with short working stroke, providing maximum throttling sensitivity commensurate with good control.

Mcdougal, A. R.

Hydraulic characteristics of flow through miniature slits

Hydraulic characteristics of micro-orifices arrayed in close proximity across the face of a liquid fuel injector are studied. Effects of geometry and flow variables on discharge coefficients and flow regimes are determined, as well as visible characteristics of the emerging liquid streams.

Powell, W. B.

Two-fluid, impinging-sheet injector

Two-fluid, impinging-sheet propellant injector reduces the severe erosion found to occur when ejector elements are directly exposed during throttling without the benefits of a cooling flow of the propellant liquids. It greatly improves combustion efficiency by venting the secondary stream of combustion gases generated by backspray reaction.

Riebling, R. W.