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At least 199 records · Page 11

Comparison of analysis and experiment for self-acting seals for liquid-oxygen turbopumps

Two LOX turbopump applications were analyzed over ranges of pressure differential and speed. Predictions were compared with test results. A small seal was analyzed up to 141 m/sec and 310 N/sq cm differential and a larger seal up to 147 m/sec and 448 N/sq cm. Tests confirmed analytical predictions of operation without rubbing contact. The seals evidently operated with mostly liquid in the pads and mostly gas across the dam although the best prediction of trends was based on assuming gas throughout the entire seal.

Allen, G. P.↗

Centaur liquid oxygen boost pump vibration test

The Centaur LOX boost pump was subjected to both the simulated Titan Centaur proof flight and confidence demonstration vibration test levels. For each test level, both sinusoidal and random vibration tests were conducted along each of the three orthogonal axes of the pump and turbine assembly. In addition to these tests, low frequency longitudinal vibration tests for both levels were conducted. All tests were successfully completed without damage to the boost pump.

Tang, H. M.↗

Turbulence in a gaseous hydrogen-liquid oxygen rocket combustion chamber

The intensity of turbulence and the Lagrangian correlation coefficient for a LOX-GH2 rocket combustion chamber was determined from experimental measurements of tracer gas diffusion. A combination of Taylor's turbulent diffusion theory and a numerical method for solving the conservation equations of fluid mechanics was used to calculate these quantities. Taylor's theory was extended to consider the inhomogeneity of the turbulence field in the axial direction of the combustion chamber, and an exponential function was used to represent the Lagrangian correlation coefficient. The results indicate that the value of the intensity of turbulence reaches a maximum of 14% at a location about 7" downstream from the injector. The Lagrangian correlation coefficient associated with this value is given by the above exponential expression where alpha = 10,000/sec.

Lebas, J.↗

Liquid-oxygen compatible, flame-resistant coating.

Polychloroprene rubber composition, using commercially available components, exhibits superior extrusion and durability and is highly flame and corrosion resistant. Material experiences major applications in fields of aeronautics and safety.

Bright, C. W.↗

Small, high-pressure, liquid oxygen turbopump

A small, high-pressure, LOX turbopump was designed, fabricated, and tested. The pump was of a single-stage, centrifugal type; power to the pump was supplied by a single-stage, partial-admission, axial-impulse turbine. Design conditions included an operating speed of 7330 rad/sec (70,000 rpm) pump discharge pressure of 2977 N/sq cm (4318 psia), and a pump flowrate of 16.4 kg/s (36.21 lb/sec). The turbine was propelled by LOX/LH2 combustion products at 1041 K (1874 R) inlet temperature, and at a design pressure ratio of 1.424. Test data obtained with the turbopump are presented and mechanical performance is discussed.

Csomor, A.↗

Evaluation of SSME high pressure liquid oxygen turbopump bearings

Examination of the bearings produced conclusive evidence that a very high axial load was applied to bearing 8517903 during a significant portion of the service time. The high loads caused serious ball and race wear and surface fatigue pitting. In all likelihood, continued operation of this bearing with the high axial load would have caused increasing deterioration and catastrophic failure. In contrast, bearing 8517900 showed much less deterioration and probably had experienced only the axial loads deliberately applied by the preload spring. Bearing 8517900 represents the best-case operation with the loads controlled to the levels intended in the design. Fatigue life calculations on bearing 8517903 with an axial load of 27,000 N showed the intolerance of the bearing to such load levels.

Dufrane, K. F.↗

Liquid oxygen turbopump technology

A small, high-pressure, LOX turbopump was designed, fabricated and tested. The pump is a single-stage centrifugal type with power to the pump supplied by a single-stage partial-admission axial-impulse turbine. Design conditions included an operating speed of 7330 rad/s (70,000 rpm), pump discharge pressure of 2977 N/sqcm (4318 psia), and a pump flowrate of 16.4 Kg/s (36.21 lb/s). The turbopump contains a self-compensating axial thrust balance piston to eliminate axial thrust loads on the bearings during steady-state operation. Testing of the turbopump was achieved usng a gaseous hydrogen high-pressure flow to drive the turbine, which generally is propelled by LOX/LH2 combustion products, at 1041K (1874 R) inlet temperature and at a design pressure ratio of 1.424. Test data obtained with the turbopump are presented which include head-flow-efficiency performance, suction performance, balance piston performance and LOX seal performance. Mechanical performance of the turbopump is also discussed.

Nielson, C. E.↗

Liquid oxygen cooled bearing ignition potential assessment

Space Shuttle Main Engine High Pressure Oxygen Turbopump bearings have shown evidence of heavy oxidation on the surfaces of the balls and races. Extensive analyses were performed to assess the ignition potential in the bearing system during normal and off-nominal operation. Test programs and analyses were used to determine the bearing thermal condition and bearing material ignition characteristics.

Page, Arthur T.↗

An evaluation of the liquid oxygen mechanical impact test

This study was conducted to evaluate the repeatability of the ambient LO2 mechanical impact test used by NASA to screen materials for oxygen service (NHB 8060.1B Test 12 Part 1, which is based on the ASTM method). Four materials were tested: Teflon, Vespel SP-21, Viton A, and nylon 6/6. Each test material was subjected to several series of tests that were conducted at different impact energy levels. The results show that the variability from series to series in the reaction threshold energy level is within the precision statement of the ASTM method. However, this precision is considerably broader than the reaction threshold implied by the NHB 8060.1B test criteria.

Moffett, Gary E.↗

Performance effects resulting from plugged liquid oxygen posts of the Space Shuttle Main Engine Injector

The paper discusses the performance effects resulting from plugged LOX posts of the Space Shuttle Main Engine Injector. The simulation was performed with the REFLEQS 2-D code. Analysis was performed axisymmetrically and injector surface was divided into several regions to account for the mixture ratio variation on the injector surface. The reduction of vaccum specific impulse was approximately 0.01 second per plugged LOX post. This reduction is an order of magnitude higher than the result of Space Shuttle flight reconstruction data. It is presumed that this overprediction is due to the axisymmetric simulation that smears local effects.

Kim, S.↗