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At least 703 records · Page 39

Conceptual Spacer Design for the ATR GEN I Target for Pu-238 Production in the Advanced Test Reactor at Idaho National Laboratory

The initial target design used for Pu-238 production at Idaho National Laboratory was designed by Oak Ridge National Laboratory to optimize the production of Pu-238 in the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) and are referred to as HFIR GEN II targets. To take advantage of the Advanced Test Reactor’s (ATR) taller active core region a redesign of the HFIR GEN II targets was needed. It was proposed to stack two HFIR GEN II targets nose to nose about the core center line; however, this resulted in excessive neutron and photon heating in the pellets located in the center. This peak heating was not desirable so three alternative designs were investigated for the ATR GEN I targets. The python-based code, MCNP to ORIGEN2 in Python (MOPY), was used to calculate the heating rates after 40 days of irradiation to capture the effects of each configuration. The purpose of this paper is to document the details of these conceptual design calculations and comparisons for the ATR GEN I targets.

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗

Time resolved in-situ small angle X-ray scattering clarifies the competition between continuous and discontinuous precipitation in U-6wt%Nb

In-situ high energy x-ray scattering experiments enable high temporal resolution investigations of precipitation kinetics; Continuous and discontinuous precipitation are competitive near the TTT nose (~525°C); The incubation time for discontinuous precipitation increases significantly at temperatures below the TTT nose; Additional evidence for the divergent interlamellar spacing was observed at 434°C and 466°C

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

ANALYSIS OF QUARTZ AND TEFLON SHIELDS FOR A PARTICULAR RE-ENTRY MISSION

The transient performance of ablation type heat protection shields is treated herein for the surface of a vehicle returning from outer space to the earth. The vehicle weighs 8640 kg, has a ballistic factor of 500 lb/ft2, re-enters with a speed of 11 km/sec at 120 km altitude, has a lift over drag ratio of -0.5, and is subjected to a maximum deceleration of 7.7 times the gravity constant. By use of well-known equations for the heat transfer and the mass transfer at a heated surface, a numerical calculation method is derived which, for the investigated ablation processes, yields exact transient solutions of the fundamental system of partial differential equations. The method is applied to various quartz shields and to one Teflon shield, which all evaporate so readily under the conditions of the problem at hand that practically no flow of molten shield material exists. The solutions also show comparatively small temperature changes parallel to the surface. The results show that the nose of the vehicle is cooled predominantly by the evaporation of the quartz or the Teflon; the rest of the vehicle's surface is cooled by radiation of the quartz or evaporation of the Teflon. The large mass transfer effects on the nose of the vehicle are detrimental since the resulting low surface temperatures prevent the radiative heat transfer out of the shield, which does not involve any mass loss, from being the desirable governing cooling factor.

ABLATING MATERIAL↗

Transonic aerodynamic investigation of tension shell and blunted 100 deg conical shapes for unmanned entry vehicles

An experimental investigation of a spherically blunted 100° cone and two tension shell configurations with varying nose-bluntness ratios for use in unmanned entry into low -density planetary atmospheres has been conducted by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration at Mach numbers from 0.30 to 1.20 and at angles of attack from approximately O° to 40°. The results show that the models were longitudinally stable, with centers of pressure located rearward of the base at all test conditions. The tension shell configurations exhibited substantially higher axial-force coefficients than the 100° cone although the variation of axial-force coefficient with Mach number at zero angle of attack was similar for all configurations. An increase in tension shell body length resulted in a reduction of the axial-force coefficients and a more forward center-of-pressure location. Variation in nose bluntness had no significant effect on the longitudinal aerodynamic characteristics of the tension shell configurations.

TRANSONIC SPEED↗

Free-Flight Skin Temperature and Pressure Measurements on a Slightly Blunted 25 Deg Cone-Cylinder-Flare Configuration to a Mach Number of 9.89

Skin temperatures and surface pressures have been measured on a slightly blunted cone-cylinder-flare configuration to a maximum Mach number of 9.89 with a rocket-propelled model. The cone had a t o t a l angle of 25 deg and the flare had a 10 deg half-angle. Temperature data were obtained at eight cone locations, four cylinder locations, and seven flare locations; pressures were measured at one cone location, one cylinder location, and three flare locations. Four stages of propulsion were utilized and a reentry type of trajectory was employed in which the high-speed portion of flight was obtained by firing the last two stages during the descent of the model from a peak altitude of 99,400 feet. The Reynolds number at peak Mach number was 1.2 x 10(exp 6) per foot of model length. The model length was 6.68 feet. During the higher speed portions of flight, temperature measurements along one element of the nose cone indicated that the boundary layer was probably laminar, whereas on the opposite side of the nose the measurements indicated transitional or turbulent flow. Temperature distributions along one meridian of the model showed the flare to have the highest temperatures and the cylinder generally to have the lowest. A maximum temperature of 970 F was measured on the cone element showing the transitional or turbulent flow; along the opposite side of the model, the maximum temperatures of the cone, cylinder, and flare were 545 F, 340 F, and 680 F, respectively, at the corresponding time.

Bond, Aleck C.↗

Electrostatic-probe measurements of plasma parameters for two reentry flight experiments at 25000 feet per second

Unique plasma diagnostic measurements at high altitudes from two geometrically similar blunt body reentry spacecraft using electrostatic probe rakes are presented. The probes measured the positive ion density profiles (shape and magnitude) during the two flights. The probe measurements were made at eight discrete points (1 cm to 7 cm) from the vehicle surface in the aft flow field of the spacecraft over the altitude range of 85.3 to 53.3 km (280,000 to 175,000 ft) with measured densities of 10 to the 8th power to 10 to the 12th power electrons/cu cm, respectively. Maximum reentry velocity for each spacecraft was approximately 7620 meters/second (25,000 ft/sec). In the first flight experiment, water was periodically injected into a flow field which was contaminated by ablation products from the spacecraft nose region. The nonablative nose of the second spacecraft thereby minimized flow field contamination. Comparisons of the probe measured density profiles with theoretical calculations are presented with discussion as to the probable cause of significant disagreement. Also discussed are the correlation of probe measurements with vehicle angle of attack motions and the good high altitude agreement between electron densities inferred from the probe measurements, VHF antenna measurements, and microwave reflectometer diagnostic measurements.

Jones, W. L., Jr.↗

Flight test of carbon-phenolic on a spacecraft launched by the pacemaker vehicle system

Carbon-phenolic material consisting of 50 percent carbon fibers and 50 percent phenolic resin was flight tested on a recoverable spacecraft launched by the Pacemaker vehicle system. The heat shield of the spacecraft was fabricated so that the carbon fibers in the ablator material had different orientations over several areas of the spacecraft. The environment in which the spacecraft was tested produced heating rates on the hemispherical nose up to 13.6 MW/sq m (1200 Btu/sq ft/sec) and stagnation-point pressures up to 1.27 MN/sq m (12.5 atm). The experimental results are presented. Due to high heating rates and possible spallation and mechanical char removal the greatest mass loss occurred in the nose region. Essentially uniform surface recession and char thickness were observed on the conical section of the spacecraft. A comparison of measured heating rates with computed turbulent and laminar heating rates, as well as measurements of sound-pressure fluctuations in the boundary layer obtained with acoustic sensors, indicated that the boundary layer underwent transition. The acoustic sensor provides an interesting new data form for the general study of boundary-layer transition for free-flight investigations.

Walton, T. E., Jr.↗

A viscous starter solution for shuttle flow field computations

A time dependent numerical procedure that calculates the viscous flow in the shock layer around the shuttle nose has been developed. It has been applied to the free stream conditions that may be encountered in the shuttle flight trajectory and found to be efficient and in satisfactory agreement with other steady and unsteady techniques. Two features associated with the present formulation are responsible for its successful applications. The first is that the flow field computation is made within the shock layer; the second is that the mapping of the computational region places proportionately more mesh points in the vicinity of the wall than in the remaining computational region. The numerical results may be used for low altitude flight to determine the edge conditions for a thin boundary layer, to provide initial boundary layer profiles for downstream boundary layer calculations, and to start supersonic computations. For high altitude flight, it may be used to determine the complete flow field in the nose region and also provide a starter solution for subsequent supersonic flow computations.

Li, C. P.↗

Aerodynamic studies of delta-wing shuttle orbiters. Part 2: Hypersonics

An early version of an external hydrogen-oxygen tank orbiter was used as a baseline vehicle to experimentally evaluate: (1) nose shape and canopy effects on longitudinal, lateral, and directional stability and trim, and (2) yaw due to aerodynamic roll control at hypersonic speeds. Nose alterations were examined since that part of the vehicle may be subject to modifications because of internal packaging requirements, alleviation of potential high heating areas, and/or possible improvements in aerodynamic stability and control. There was also some concern about the effect of the rather high profile canopy on the aerodynamics; therefore its removal was examined. In addition, roll-yaw coupling was investigated because of its impact on the RCS fuel requirements for entry maneuvers.

Stone, H. W.↗

Supersonic and subsonic measurements of mesospheric ionization.

An Arcas rocket-parachute system was used at night to compare supersonic and subsonic ionization measurements below 75 km. A hemispherical nose-tip probe was used on ascent and a parachute-borne blunt probe on descent to measure polar conductivities, which were due entirely to positive and negative ions. The velocity of the supersonic probe was Mach 2.5 at 50 km and 1.75 at 70 km; the blunt probe was subsonic below 71 km. Between 65 and 75 km the ratio of negative to positive conductivities (and thus of mobilities) determined by the blunt probe was about 1.2, and it approached 1 below this altitude range. The ratio obtained by the nose-tip probe varied from 1.5 at 75 km to .6 at 65 km, thus indicating a rapid variation of the effects of the shock wave on the sampled ions. The absolute values of positive conductivity measured subsonically and supersonically were essentially identical from 60 to 75 km, indicating that the sampled ions were unchanged by the shock. However, below 60 km the shock apparently 'broke up' the positive ions, as indicated by higher measured conductivities.

Hale, L. C.↗

Comparison of the Effectiveness of Flares With That of Fins for Stabilizing Low Fineness Ratio Bodies at Mach Numbers From 0.6 to 5.8

An experimental and analytical investigation has been made of the effectiveness of flares and of fins for providing aerodynamic stability of low-fineness-ratio bodies near zero angle of attack. Wind-tunnel tests were performed at Mach numbers from 0.6 to 3.8 to measure the normal force, center of pressure, and drag of bodies consisting of conical noses in combination with cylindrical midsections and finned or flared aftersections. This study included an investigation of the effects of nose bluntness, midbody length, flare angle (from 0° to 20°), and fin leading-edge bluntness. The results showed that for the same plan-form area, flares were more effective than fins, but for the same drag, fins were more effective than flares. Flow separation, which occurred ahead of a flare at certain Mach numbers, resulted in an increase in the stabilizing effectiveness of the flare and a decrease in the drag. However, flow separation led to large undesirable shifts in the center of pressure. Blunt fins were found to be more effective than sharp fins, with the vertical as well as the horizontal fins contributing to the effectiveness. Comparisons of the analytical with the experimental results indicated that the analytical method employed gave good estimates of the stabilizing effectiveness of both fins and flares throughout the supersonic Mach number range.

Leland H Jorgensen↗

Study of radioisotope safety devices for electric propulsion system, Volume 1: Summary report

A new reference design was prepared for the 5 kW(e) thermionic power supply. The safety equipment in this design is a passive containment system which does not rely on the operation of any mechanisms such as a launch escape rocket or deployment of parachutes. It includes: (1) a blast shield to protect against the explosion of the launch vehicle; (2) a combination of refractory thermal insulation and heat storage material to protect against a sustained launch pad fire; (3) a reentry body with a spherical nose and a large conical flare at the aft end to stabilize the reentry attitude and lower the terminal velocity in air; (4) composite graphite thermal protection to sustain the reentry heat pulse; (5) crushable honeycomb behind the nose to limit the deceleration of the radioisotope source due to impact on land at terminal velocity; (6) a double-walled secondary containment vessel surrounding the isotopic capsules; (7) neutron shielding to reduce external dose rates; (8) an auxiliary cooling system employing redundant heat pipes to remove the radioactive decay heat from the heat source and reject it to the surroundings or to a forced convection loop.

Bradshaw, G. B.↗

Thermal performance of 625-kg/cu m elastomeric ablative materials on spherically blunted 0.44-radian cones

Spherically blunted 0.44-radian (25 deg) half-angle conical models coated with elastomeric ablative materials were tested in supersonic arc-heated wind tunnels to evaluate performance of the ablators over a range of conditions typical of lifting entry. Four test conditions were combinations of stagnation point-heat transfer rates of 2.3 and 4.5 MW/m2 and stagnation pressures of 20 and 2kN/m2. Afterbody values of heat transfer rate and pressure were 0.05 to 0.20 of stagnation point values. Stagnation enthalpy varied from 4.4 to 25 MJ/kg (1900 to 11000 Btu/lbm) and free-stream Mach number was in a range from 3.5 to 4. Ablative materials retained the spherical nose shape throughout tests at the lower heat transfer level, but receded, assuming a flattened nose shape, during tests at the high heat transfer level. The residue layer that formed on the conical after-body was weak, friable, and extensively cracked. The reference ablative material, which contained phenolic microspheres, generally retained the conical shape on the model afterbody. However, a modified ablator, in which phenolic microspheres were replaced with silica microspheres, deformed and separated from the undegraded material, and thereby produced a very uneven surface. Substrate temperatures and ablator recession were in good agreement with values computed by a numerical analysis.

Champman, A. J.↗

Analysis of flight test transition and turbulent heating data. Part 1: Boundary layer transition results

The objective of the study was to provide a detailed post flight evaluation of ballistic vehicle flight test boundary layer transition data. A total of fifty-five vehicles were selected for analysis. These vehicles were chosen from a data sampling of roughly two hundred flights and the criteria for vehicle selection is delineated herein. The results of the analysis indicate that frustum transition of re-entry vehicles appears to be nose tip dominated. Frustum related parameters and materials apparently have a second order effect on transition. This implies that local viscous parameters on the frustum should not correlate flight test transition data, and in fact they do not. Specific parameters relative to the nose tip have been identified as the apparent dominant factors that characterize the transition phenomena and a correlation of flight test data is presented.

Martellucci, A.↗

Space shuttle auxiliary propulsion system design study. Phase C and E report: Storable propellants, RCS/OMS/APU integration study

Auxiliary propulsion concepts for application to the space shuttle are compared. Both monopropellant and bipropellant earth storable reaction control systems were evaluated. The fundamental concepts evaluated were: (1) monopropellant and bipropellant systems installed integrally within the vehicle, (2) fuel systems installed modularly in nose and wing tip pods, and (3) fuel systems installed modularly in nose and fuselage pods. Numerous design variations within these three concepts were evaluated. The system design analysis and methods for implementing each of the concepts are reported.

Anglim, D. D.↗

Computations of non-reacting and reacting viscous blunt body flows, volume 2

Computer programs for calculating the flow distribution in the nose region of a blunt body at arbitrary speed and altitude are discussed. The programs differ from each other in their ability to consider either thin shock or thick shock conditions and in the use of either ideal, equilibrium air, or nonequilibrium air chemistry. The application of the programs to analyzing the flow distribution around the nose of the shuttle orbiter during reentry is reported.

Li, C. P.↗

Model studies of crosswind landing-gear configurations for STOL aircraft

A dynamic model was used to directly compare four different crosswind landing gear mechanisms. The model was landed as a free body onto a laterally sloping runway used to simulate a crosswind side force. A radio control system was used for steering to oppose the side force as the model rolled to a stop. The configuration in which the landing gears are alined by the pilot and locked in the direction of motion prior to touchdown gave the smoothest runout behavior with the vehicle maintaining its crab angle throughout the landing roll. Nose wheel steering was confirmed to be better than steering with nose and main gears differentially or together. Testing is continuing to obtain quantitative data to establish an experimental data base for validation of an analytical program that will be capable of predicting full scale results.

Stubbs, S. M.↗

Wind tunnel test of the 0.019 (2A configuration) jet plume space shuttle integrated vehicle in the ARC 9- by 7-foot unitary wind tunnel (IA12B)

The wind tunnel test of the 0.019 jet plume space shuttle integrated vehicle in the Ames 9 ft by 7 ft unitary wind tunnel was conducted at Mach numbers of 1.55 and 2.0 over a Reynolds number range from 3.5 million to 4.1 million/ft. Data were obtained at angles of attack from minus 8 deg to plus 8 deg at 0 deg sideslip and at angles of sideslip from minus 9 deg to plus 8 deg at 0 deg angle of attack. The basic configuration tested was the 2A vehicle with the orbiter at 0 deg angle of incidence with respect to the external tank. The other deviations to the 2A configuration were the solid rocket motor shrouds, which were designed to vehicle '3' lines, and the tank nose, which consisted of the retro-package being removed and replaced by a 16.5 inch full scale radius nose.

Hardin, R. B.↗