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At least 361 records · Page 20

Multidimensional Testing of Thermal Protection Materials in the Arcjet Test Facility

Many thermal protection system materials used for spacecraft heatshields have anisotropic thermal properties, causing them to display significantly different thermal characteristics in different directions, when subjected to a heating environment during flight or arcjet tests. The anisotropic effects are enhanced in the presence of sidewall heating. This paper investigates the effects of anisotropic thermal properties of thermal protection materials coupled with sidewall heating in the arcjet environment. Phenolic Impregnated Carbon Ablator (PICA) and LI-2200 materials (the insulation material of Shuttle tiles) were used for this study. First, conduction-based thermal response simulations were carried out, using the Marc.Mentat finite element solver, to study the effects of sidewall heating on PICA arcjet coupons. The simulation showed that sidewall heating plays a significant role in thermal response of these models. Arcjet tests at the Aerodynamic Heating Facility (AHF) at NASA Ames Research Center were performed later on instrumented coupons to obtain temperature history at sidewall and various radial locations. The details of instrumentation and experimental technique are the prime focus of this paper. The results obtained from testing confirmed that sidewall heating plays a significant role in thermal response of these models. The test results were later used to validate the two-dimensional ablation, thermal response, and sizing program, TITAN. The test data and model predictions were found to be in excellent agreement

Agrawal, Parul↗

Comparison of viscous shock layer and boundary layer reentry heating techniques for Orbiter nose cap

A comparison of two viscous shock layer methods and one boundary layer method for predicting the aerodynamic heating around the Orbiter nose cap during STS-5 entry is presented. The object of the study was to compare these methods with one another and with the measured Orbiter flight data for this trajectory. The nonequilibrium, chemically reacting viscous flow fields obtained by these methods are evaluated, and effects on heating rate of wall catalycity variation with time are presented. The effects of shock slip and combined wall/shock slip are considered at high altitudes (above 300,000 ft). Using the variable wall catalycity analysis, it is shown that heating rates can be predicted within a 5.7 percent flight data band for altitudes between 175,000 ft and 265,000 ft in this trajectory.

Ting, P. C.↗

Heat-Transfer Measurements on a 5.5- Inch-Diameter Hemispherical Concave Nose in Free Flight at Mach Numbers up to 6.6

The aerodynamic heat transfer to a hemispherical concave nose has been measured in free flight at Mach numbers from 3.5 to 6.6 with corresponding Reynolds numbers based on nose diameter from 7.4 x 10(exp 6) to 14 x 10(exp 6). Over the test Mach number range the heating on the cup nose, expressed as a ratio to the theoretical stagnation-point heating on a hemisphere nose of the same diameter, varied from 0.05 to 0.13 at the stagnation point of the cup, was approximately 0.1 at other locations within 40 deg of the stagnation point, and varied from 0.6 to 0.8 just inside the lip where the highest heating rates occurred. At a Mach number of 5 the total heat input integrated over the surface of the cup nose including the lip was 0.55 times the theoretical value for a hemisphere nose with laminar boundary layer and 0.76 times that for a flat face. The heating at the stagnation point was approximately 1/5 as great as steady-flow tunnel results. Extremely high heating rates at the stagnation point (on the order of 30 times the stagnation-point values of the present test), which have occurred in conjunction with unsteady oscillatory flow around cup noses in wind-tunnel tests at Mach and Reynolds numbers within the present test range, were not observed.

Levine, Jack↗

Atmospheric reentry of the in-core thermionic SP-100 reactor system

Presumed end-of-life atmospheric reentry of the GA SP-100 system was studied to assess dispersal feasibility and associated hazards. Reentry was studied by sequential use of an orbital trajectory and a heat analysis computer program. Two heating models were used. The first model assumed a thermal equilibrium condition between the stagnation point aerodynamic heating and the radiative cooling of the skin material surface. The second model allowed for infinite conductivity of the skin material. Four reentering configurations were studied representing stages of increased SP-100 breakup: (1) radiator, shield and reactor, (2) shield and reactor, (3) reactor with control drums, and (4) reactor without control drums. Each reentering configuration was started from a circular orbit at 116 km having an inertial velocity near Mach 25. The assumed failing criterion was the attainment of melting temperature of a critical system component. The reentry analysis revealed breakup of the vessel in the neighborhood of 61 km altitude and scattering of the fuel elements. Subsequent breakup of the fuel elements was not predicted. Oxidation of the niobium skin material was calculated to cause an increase in surface temperature of less than ten percent. The concept of thermite analogs for enhancing reactor reentry dispersal was assessed and found to be feasible in principle. A conservative worst-case hazards analysis was performed for radioactive and nonradioactive toxic SP-100 materials assumed to be dispersed during end-of-life reentry. The hazards associated with this phase of the SP-100 mission were calculated to be insignificant.

Stamatelatos, M. G.↗

Pressure and heat-transfer distributions in a simulated wing-elevon cove with variable leakage at a free-stream Mach number of 6.9

An experimental aerodynamic heating investigation was conducted to determine effects of hot boundary-layer ingestion into the cove on the windward surface between a wing and elevon for cove seal leak areas nominally between 0 and 100 percent of cove entrance area. Pressure and heating-rate distributions were obtained on the wing and elevon surfaces and on the cove walls of a full-scale model that represented a section of the cove region on the space shuttle orbiter. Data were obtained for both attached and separated turbulent boundary layers upstream of the unswept cove entrance. Average free-stream Mach number was 6.9, average free-stream unit Reynolds numbers were 1.31 x 10 to the 6th power and 4.40 x 10 to the 6th power per meter (0.40 x 10 to the 6th power and 1.34 x 10 to the 6th power per foot), and average total temperature was 1888 K (3400 R). Cove pressures and heating rates varied as a function of seal leak area independent of leak aspect ratio. Although cove heating rates for attached flow did not appear intolerable, it was postulated that convective heating in the cove may increase with time. For separated flow, the cove environment was considered too severe for unprotected interior structures of control surfaces.

Deveikis, W. D.↗

Preflight reentry heat transfer analysis of Space Shuttle

Preflight predictions of the structural temperature distributions during entry are compared with data from the initial Shuttle flight. Finite element thermal analysis programming was used to model the heat flow on Shuttle structures and actual gas properties of air were employed in the analyses of aerodynamic heating. Laminar, separated, and turbulent heat fluxes were calculated for varying locations on the craft using velocity-attitude and angle-of-attack projections taken from the nominal STS-1 trajectory. Temperature time histories of the first flight are compared with laminar and turbulent flow assumptions and an unpredicted rapid cooling 1800 sec into entry is credited to inaccurate assumptions of structural heat dissipative properties or flow conditions in that time phase of the flight; additional discrepancies in descriptions of heating of the upper fuselage are attributed to a lack of knowledge of the complex flow patterns existing over that area of the Shuttle body.

Ko, W. L.↗

A review of high-speed, convective, heat-transfer computation methods

Formulations useful for engineering formulations are sought, with a view to a clearer physical understanding, of the phenomena that govern convective aerodynamic heating at the elevated speeds encountered in atmospheric missile trajectories. After discussing cold-wall laminar boundary layer heating, the complex boundary layer transition phenomenon and cold-wall turbulent boundary layer heating are treated. The current understanding of separated flow-region and shock-interaction heating is presented, together with an evaluation of heat-protection methods and a characterization of the influence of mass addition on laminar and turbulent boundary layers. Finite-difference method-based CFD code results are evaluated.

Tauber, Michael E.↗

A review of high-speed, convective, heat-transfer computation methods

The objective is to provide useful engineering formulations and to instill a modest degree of physical understanding of the phenomena governing convective aerodynamic heating at high flight speeds. Some physical insight is not only essential to the application of the information presented here, but also to the effective use of computer codes which may be available to the reader. Given first is a discussion of cold-wall, laminar boundary layer heating. A brief presentation of the complex boundary layer transition phenomenon follows. Next, cold-wall turbulent boundary layer heating is discussed. This topic is followed by a brief coverage of separated flow-region and shock-interaction heating. A review of heat protection methods follows, including the influence of mass addition on laminar and turbulent boundary layers. Next is a discussion of finite-difference computer codes and a comparison of some results from these codes. An extensive list of references is also provided from sources such as the various AIAA journals and NASA reports which are available in the open literature.

Tauber, Michael E.↗

Heat transfer tests of the McDonnell-Douglas delta wing orbiter mated with -17A booster at Mach number 8

A wind tunnel test program to determine aerodynamic heat transfer distributions on the McDonnell-Douglas configurations is reported. The tests were conducted at the Arnold Engineering Development Center (AEDC) in Tunnel B of the von Karman Gas Dynamics Facility (VKF). Heat-transfer rates were determined by the phase-change paint technique on 0.011-scale Stycast models using Tempilaq as the surface temperature indicator. The nominal test conditions were; Mach 8, freestream unit Reynolds numbers of 0.8 x one million, 2.5 x one million, and 3.7 x one million, and angles of attack of -5 deg, 0 deg, +5deg. Model details, test conditions, phase-change paint photographs and reduced heat-transfer coefficients are presented.

Matthews, R. K.↗

Results of phase change paint heat transfer test utilizing 0.040-scale 50% forebody models (no. 82-0) of the Rockwell International Space Shuttle Orbiter in AEDC VKF hypersonic tunnel B (test OH54B)

Aerodynamic heating phase change paint tests for the space shuttle orbiter are reported. The model was a 0.040 scale representation of the forward 50% of the orbiter. Surface roughness effects on boundary layer transition were investigated. The roughness was simulated by steel balls 0.020 and 0.025 inch in diameter and a 0.25 in. diameter hole simulating the forward ET attach socket. A nominal Mach number of was tested with unit Reynolds number varying from 0.75 x 1 million ft through 3.5x 1 million ft. Angle of attack was varied from 20 degrees to 40 degrees.

Dye, W. H.↗

An Investigation of the Compatibility of Radiation and Convection Heat Flux Measurements

A method for determining time-resolved absorbed surface heat flux and surface temperature in radiation and convection environments is described. The method is useful for verification of aerodynamic, heat transfer and durability models. A practical heat flux gage fabrication procedure and a simple one-dimensional inverse heat conduction model and calculation procedure are incorporated in this method. The model provides an estimate of the temperature and heat flux gradient in the direction of heat transfer through the gage. This paper discusses several successful time-resolved tests of this method in hostile convective heating and cooling environments.

Liebert, Curt H.↗

Evaluation of dispersion strengthened nickel-base alloy heat shields for space shuttle application

The work reported constitutes the first phase of a two-phase program. Vehicle environments having critical effects on the thermal protection system are defined; TD Ni-20Cr material characteristics are reviewed and compared with TD Ni-20Cr produced in previous development efforts; cyclic load, temperature, and pressure effects on TD Ni-20Cr sheet material are investigated; the effects of braze reinforcement in improving the efficiency of spotwelded, diffusion-bonded, or seam-welded joints are evaluated through tests of simple lap-shear joint samples; parametric studies of metallic radiative thermal protection systems are reported; and the design, instrumentation, and testing of full-scale subsize heat shield panels are described. Tests of full-scale subsize panels included simulated meteoroid impact tests; simulated entry flight aerodynamic heating in an arc-heated plasma stream; programmed differential pressure loads and temperatures simulating mission conditions; and acoustic tests simulating sound levels experienced by heat shields during about boost flight. Test results are described, and the performances of two heat shield designs are compared and evaluated.

Johnson, R., Jr.↗

Design and fabrication of a radiative actively cooled honeycomb sandwich structural panel for a hypersonic aircraft

The panel assembly consisted of an external thermal protection system (metallic heat shields and insulation blankets) and an aluminum honeycomb structure. The structure was cooled to temperature 442K (300 F) by circulating a 60/40 mass solution of ethylene glycol and water through dee shaped coolant tubes nested in the honeycomb and adhesively bonded to the outer skin. Rene'41 heat shields were designed to sustain 5000 cycles of a uniform pressure of + or - 6.89kPa (+ or - 1.0 psi) and aerodynamic heating conditions equivalent to 136 kW sq m (12 Btu sq ft sec) to a 422K (300 F) surface temperature. High temperature flexible insulation blankets were encased in stainless steel foil to protect them from moisture and other potential contaminates. The aluminum actively cooled honeycomb sandwich structural panel was designed to sustain 5000 cycles of cyclic in-plane loading of + or - 210 kN/m (+ or - 1200 lbf/in.) combined with a uniform panel pressure of + or - 6.89 kPa (?1.0 psi).

Ellis, D. A.↗

Heat transfer investigation of Langley Research Center transition models at a Mach number of 8, volume 2

The results are presented of a wind tunnel test program to determine aerodynamic heat transfer distributions on delta body and straight body transition models of the space shuttle. Heat transfer rates were determined by the phase-change paint technique on Stycast and RTV models using Tempilag as the surface temperature indicator. The nominal test conditions were: Mach 8, length Reynolds numbers of 5 million and 7.4 million, and angles of attack of 20, 40, and 60 deg. Model details, test conditions, and reduced heat transfer data are included. Data reduction of the phase-change paint photographs was performed by utilizing a new technique.

Matthews, R. K.↗

Heat transfer distributions on the LMSC 040C and 040A-L4 delta wing orbiters (M equals 8)7

The results of a wind tunnel investigation are presented for measuring aerodynamic heat transfer distributions on the 040C and 040A-L4 space shuttle orbiter configurations. Heat transfer rates were determined by the phase change coating technique, using 0.012-scale Stycast models coated with Tempilaq. Data were obtained at a nominal free stream Mach number of 8, Reynolds numbers from 1.0 to 3.8 million per foot, and angles of attack from 20 to 60 deg.

Baker, R. C.↗

Results of phase change paint heat transfer tests utilizing 0.040 scale 50% forebody models (No. 82-0) of the Rockwell International space shuttle orbiter in AEDC VKF hypersonic tunnel B (test OH54A)

Results of aerodynamic heating tests conducted in October 1974 on a space shuttle orbiter model using the phase change paint technique are presented. The model was a 0.040 scale representation of the forward 50 percent of the orbiter. Surface roughness effects on boundary layer transition were investigated. Roughness was simulated by using steel balls varying in diameter from 0 (no balls) to 0.039 inch with 0.040 inch wide by 0.080 inch deep gaps. A nominal Mach number of 8 was tested with Reynolds number varying from 0.75 through 3.5 million per foot. Angle of attack was varied from 20 deg to 40 deg.

Dye, W. H.↗