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Technology Advancements for Channel Wall Nozzle Manufacturing In Liquid Rocket Engines

A regeneratively-cooled or dump-cooled nozzle is a critical component for expansion of hot gases to enable high temperature and performance in liquid rocket engines systems. Regeneratively-cooled channel wall nozzles are a design solution used across the propulsion industry as a simplified method to fabricate the nozzle structure with internal coolant passages. The scale and complexity of the channel wall nozzle (CWN) design can be challenging to fabricate which results in extended lead times and higher costs. Some of these challenges include: 1) Unique and high temperature materials, 2) Tight tolerances on large parts during manufacturing and assembly to contain high pressure propellants, 3) Thin-walled features to maintain adequate wall temperatures, and 4) Unique manufacturing process operations and complex tooling. The United States (U.S.) National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and U.S. specialty manufacturing vendors are maturing modern fabrication techniques to reduce complexity and decrease costs associated with channel wall nozzle manufacturing technology. Additive Manufacturing (AM) is one of the key technology advancements under evaluation for channel wall nozzles. Much of additive manufacturing for propulsion components has focused on laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF), but the scale is not yet feasible for application to large scale nozzles. NASA is evolving directed energy deposition (DED) techniques for nozzles including arc-based deposition, blown powder deposition, and Laser Wire Direct Closeout (LWDC). There are different approaches being considered for fabrication of the nozzle, and each of these DED processes offer unique process steps for rapid fabrication. The arc-based and blown powder deposition techniques are used for the forming of the CWN liner. A variety of materials are being demonstrated including Inconel 625, Haynes 230, JBK-75, and NASA HR-1. The blown powder DED process is also being demonstrated for forming an integral channel nozzle in a single operation in similar materials. The LWDC process is a method for closing out the channels within the liner and forming the structural jacket using a localized laser wire deposition technique. Identical materials mentioned above have been used for this process in addition to bimetallic closeout (C-18150–SS347, and C-18150–Inconel 625). NASA has completed process development, material characterization, and hot-fire testing on a variety of these channel wall nozzle fabrication technique. This publication presents an overview of the various channel wall nozzle manufacturing processes and materials under evaluation including results from the hot-fire testing. Future development and technology focus areas is also discussed relative to channel wall nozzle manufacturing.

Additive manufacturing

Performance of Several Method-of-Characteristics Exhaust Nozzles

Nozzle performance data were obtained with three "method-of-characteristics" nozzles and a 150 conical nozzle at pressure ratios up to 130. Each basic configuration was cut off and tested at expansion ratios of 25, 20, 15, and 10. Unheated dry air was used at nozzle inlet pressures up to 22,000 pounds per square foot absolute. Nozzle thrust data were extrapolated to infinite pressure ratio (zero discharge pressure). As much as 1-percent increase in thrust with no increase in nozzle surface area (weight), can be obtained by using a method-of-characteristics, nozzle instead of a 15 conical nozzle when operating with a nozzle expansion ratio of 25 and nozzle pressure ratios from 200 to infinity. Conversely, for the same thrust, reductions in nozzle divergent surface area in the order of 25 percent are possible. The thrust performance of the method-of-characteristics nozzle was not as good as that of the 150 conical nozzle when operating at pressure ratios considerably below design (below 100 for the expansion ratio 25 nozzles). Theoretical and measured nozzle momentum coefficients agreed within about 0.6 percent. This is the order of accuracy of both the measured and theoretical values.

Farley, John M.

Distributed Exhaust Nozzles for Jet Noise Reduction

The main objective of this study is to validate the jet noise reduction potential of a concept associated with distributed exhaust nozzles. Under this concept the propulsive thrust is generated by a larger number of discrete plumes issuing from an array of small or mini-nozzles. The potential of noise reduction of this concept stems from the fact that a large number of small jets will produce very high frequency noise and also, if spaced suitably, they will coalesce at a smaller velocity to produce low amplitude, low frequency noise. This is accomplished through detailed acoustic and fluid measurements along with a Computational Fluidic Dynamic (CFD) solution of the mean (DE) Distributed Exhaust nozzle flowfield performed by Northrop-Grumman. The acoustic performance is quantified in an anechoic chamber. Farfield acoustic data is acquired for a DE nozzle as well as a round nozzle of the same area. Both these types of nozzles are assessed numerically using Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) techniques. The CFD analysis ensures that both nozzles issued the same amount of airflow for a given nozzle pressure ratio. Data at a variety of nozzle pressure ratios are acquired at a range of polar and azimuthal angles. Flow visualization of the DE nozzle is used to assess the fluid dynamics of the small jet interactions. Results show that at high subsonic jet velocities, the DE nozzle shifts its frequency of peak amplitude to a higher frequency relative to a round nozzle of equivalent area (from a S(sub tD) = 0.24 to 1. 3). Furthermore, the DE nozzle shows reduced sound pressure levels (as much as 4 - 8 dB) in the low frequency part of the spectrum (less than S(sub tD) = 0.24 ) compared to the round nozzle. At supersonic jet velocities, the DE nozzle does not exhibit the jet screech and the shock-associated broadband noise is reduced by as much as 12 dB.

Ahuja, K. K.

A Parametric Investigation of Nozzle Planform and Internal/External Geometry at Transonic Speeds

An experimental investigation of multidisciplinary (scarfed trailing edge) nozzle divergent flap geometry was conducted at transonic speeds in the NASA Langley 16-Foot Transonic Tunnel. The geometric parameters investigated include nozzle planform, nozzle contouring location (internal and/or external), and nozzle area ratio (area ratio 1.2 and 2.0). Data were acquired over a range of Mach Numbers from 0.6 to 1.2, angle-of-attack from 0.0 degrees to 9.6 degrees and nozzle pressure ratios from 1.0 to 20.0. Results showed that increasing the rate of change internal divergence angle across the width of the nozzle or increasing internal contouring will decrease static, aeropropulsive and thrust removed drag performance regardless of the speed regime. Also, increasing the rate of change in boattail angle across the width of the nozzle or increasing external contouring will provide the lowest thrust removed drag. Scarfing of the nozzle trailing edges reduces the aeropropulsive performance for the most part and adversely affects the nozzle plume shape at higher nozzle pressure ratios thus increasing the thrust removed drag. The effects of contouring were primary in nature and the effects of planform were secondary in nature. Larger losses occur supersonically than subsonically when scarfing of nozzle trailing edges occurs. The single sawtooth nozzle almost always provided lower thrust removed drag than the double sawtooth nozzles regardless the speed regime. If internal contouring is required, the double sawtooth nozzle planform provides better static and aeropropulsive performance than the single sawtooth nozzle and if no internal contouring is required the single sawtooth provides the highest static and aeropropulsive performance.

Cler, Daniel L.

Performance of Single-Stage Turbine of Mark 25 Torpedo Power Plant with Two Special Nozzles: Efficiency with Standard Rotor Blades - III

A Mark 25 torpedo power plant modified to operate as a single-stage turbine was investigated to determine the performance with two nozzle designs and a standard first-stage rotor having 0.40-inch blades with a 17O met-air angle. Both nozzles had smaller port cross-sectional areas than those nozzles of similar design, which were previously investigated. The performance of the two nozzles was compared on the basis of blade, rotor, and brake efficiencies as a function of blade-jet speed ratio for pressure ratios of 8, 15 (design), and 20. At pressure ratios of 15 and 20, the blade efficiency obtained with the nozzle having circular passages (K) was higher than that obtained with the nozzle having rectangular passages (J). At a pressure ratio of 8, the efficiencies obtained with the two nozzles were comparable for blade-jet speed ratios of less than 0.260. For blade-jet speed ratios exceeding this value, nozzle K yielded slightly higher efficiencies. The maximum blade efficiency of 0.569 was obtained with nozzle K at a pressure ratio of 8 and a blade-jet speed ratio of 0.295. At design speed and pressure ratio, nozzle K yielded a maximum blade efficiency of 0.534, an increase of 0.031 over that obtained with nozzle J. When the blade efficiencies of the two nozzles were compared with those of four other nozzles previously investigated, the maximum difference for the six nozzles with this rotor was 0.050. From, this comparison, no specific effect of nozzles size or shape on over-all performance was discernible.

Schum, Harold J.

Aerodynamic performance of flared fan nozzles used as inlets

Tests were conducted in a low speed wind tunnel to determine the aerodynamic performance of several flared fan nozzles. Each of the flared nozzles was a downstream-facing inlet to a model fan that was used to simulate a variable pitch fan during reverse thrust operation. The total pressure recovery of each of the flared nozzles as well as that of an unflared nozzle and a serrated flare nozzle was obtained for comparison. The aerodynamic performance of a selected flared nozzle was considered in further detail. The nozzle surface pressures for a flared nozzle were also determined. Results indicated that the differences in aerodynamic performance among the nozzles were most apparent at the wind-tunnel-off condition. A nonzero free stream velocity significantly reduced the perforamnce of all the nozzles, and crosswind flow (free stream flow perpendicular to the model axis) further reduced the performance of the nozzles. The unflared nozzle and the serrated flare nozzle had reduced aerodynamic performance compared to a solid surface flared nozzle.

Dietrich, D. A.

Ground test of the D shaped vented thrust vectoring nozzle

Static ground tests of a large scale lift/cruise thrust vectoring nozzle were conducted to establish: (1) vectoring performance 'in' and 'out' of ground effect; (2) thrust spoilage capability; (3) compatibility of the nozzle with a turbotip fan; and (4) the nozzle structural temperature distribution. Vectoring performance of a short coupled, vented nozzle design on a large scale, (60%) basis was compared with small scale (4.5%) test nozzle results. The test nozzle was a "boilerplate" model of the MCAIR "D" vented nozzle configured for operation with the LF336/J85 turbotip lift fan system. Calibration of the LF336/J85 test fan with a simple convergent nozzle was performed with four different nozzle exit areas to establish reference thrust, nozzle pressure ratio, and nozzle corrected flow characteristics for comparison with the thrust vectoring nozzle data. Thrust vectoring tests with the 'D' vented nozzle were conducted over the range of vector angles between 0 and 117 deg for several different nozzle exit areas.

Esker, D. W.

Parametric investigation of single-expansion-ramp nozzles at Mach numbers from 0.60 to 1.20

An investigation was conducted in the Langley 16-Foot Transonic Tunnel to determine the effects of varying six nozzle geometric parameters on the internal and aeropropulsive performance characteristics of single-expansion-ramp nozzles. This investigation was conducted at Mach numbers from 0.60 to 1.20, nozzle pressure ratios from 1.5 to 12, and angles of attack of 0 deg +/- 6 deg. Maximum aeropropulsive performance at a particular Mach number was highly dependent on the operating nozzle pressure ratio. For example, as the nozzle upper ramp length or angle increased, some nozzles had higher performance at a Mach number of 0.90 because of the nozzle design pressure was the same as the operating pressure ratio. Thus, selection of the various nozzle geometric parameters should be based on the mission requirements of the aircraft. A combination of large upper ramp and large lower flap boattail angles produced greater nozzle drag coefficients at Mach number greater than 0.80, primarily from shock-induced separation on the lower flap of the nozzle. A static conditions, the convergent nozzle had high and nearly constant values of resultant thrust ratio over the entire range of nozzle pressure ratios tested. However, these nozzles had much lower aeropropulsive performance than the convergent-divergent nozzle at Mach number greater than 0.60.

Capone, Francis J.

Overexpanded Performance of Conical Nozzles with Area Ratios of 6 and 9 With and Without Supersonic External Flow

An investigation of the thrust characteristics and internal pressure distributions of two convergent-divergent 15 deg. half-angle exhaust nozzles having area ratios of 6 and 9 was made in the NASA Lewis 10- by 10-foot supersonic wind tunnel. The tests were conducted at free-stream Mach numbers of 0, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, and 3.5 over a range of nozzle pressure ratios from 3 to 105. Attempts were made to induce separation of the overexpanded nozzle flow using secondary airflow and a wedge. Nozzle flow expansion under all free-stream conditions followed one-dimensional theory until separation from the nozzle wall occurred. In quiescent air the nozzle flow expanded to a pressure approximately one-half the base pressure before separation. When the nozzles were tested with supersonic external flow at the same effective pressure ratios, the nozzle flow separated with negligible expansion below the base pressure. The effect of a supersonic stream on internal nozzle flow separation characteristics was well defined only at a free-stream Mach number of 2.0. Thrust data at supersonic free-stream conditions indicate that only a small percentage of the ideal nozzle thrust will be available at nozzle pressure ratios below design. However, the overexpanded primary nozzle thrust loss was decreased by injecting large quantities of secondary air near the nozzle exit. In most cases no net gain in thrust resulted from secondary-air injection when the nozzle thrust was compared with the ideal thrust of both the primary and secondary airflows.

Musial, Norman T.

Conceptual Design Method Developed for Advanced Propulsion Nozzles

As part of a contract with the NASA Lewis Research Center, a simple, accurate method of predicting the performance characteristics of a nozzle design has been developed for use in conceptual design studies. The Nozzle Performance Analysis Code (NPAC) can predict the on- and off-design performance of axisymmetric or two-dimensional convergent and convergent-divergent nozzle geometries. NPAC accounts for the effects of overexpansion or underexpansion, flow divergence, wall friction, heat transfer, and small mass addition or loss across surfaces when the nozzle gross thrust and gross thrust coefficient are being computed. NPAC can be used to predict the performance of a given nozzle design or to develop a preliminary nozzle system design for subsequent analysis. The input required by NPAC consists of a simple geometry definition of the nozzle surfaces, the location of key nozzle stations (entrance, throat, exit), and the nozzle entrance flow properties. NPAC performs three analysis "passes" on the nozzle geometry. First, an isentropic control volume analysis is performed to determine the gross thrust and gross thrust coefficient of the nozzle. During the second analysis pass, the skin friction and heat transfer losses are computed. The third analysis pass couples the effects of wall shear and heat transfer with the initial internal nozzle flow solutions to produce a system of equations that is solved at steps along the nozzle geometry. Small mass additions or losses, such as those resulting from leakage or bleed flow, can be included in the model at specified geometric sections. A final correction is made to account for divergence losses that are incurred if the nozzle exit flow is not purely axial.

Nadell, Shari-Beth

Design of a Nozzle for the Spyder 2nd Stage Solid Rocket Motor

During the 2019 summer term, the author worked with a group of four interns to complete the preliminary design of a 2nd stage solid rocket motor for Up Aerospace’s Spyder Launch Vehicle. The Spyder vehicle is a four stage, solid fuel rocket designed as part of collaboration between NASA and Up Aerospace to develop a vehicle capable of delivering a 10 kg, 6U CubeSat into a 350 km, circular, low Earth orbit. As part of the agreement, NASA is tasked with designing high performance 2nd, 3rd, and 4th stages while Up Aerospace will provide the 1st stage, derived from the first stage of the company’s sub-orbital Spaceloft XL vehicle. Previous intern teams have designed the 3rd and 4th stages, which left the preliminary design of the 2nd stage motor to be completed this summer. The purpose of this report is to highlight a trade study which the author conducted to determine the nozzle geometry which would most benefit the performance of the 2nd stage motor. In this study, various nozzle parameters such as throat radius (RSI), expansion ratio, mass and their effects on the Isp and Delta V of the 2nd Stage were investigated. From this study, a nozzle geometry providing the necessary performance was chosen and implemented as part of the preliminary design of the 2nd stage motor. To mature the 2nd stage motor design, a trade space was needed to determine the nozzle configuration which would most benefit the performance of the 2nd stage. The trade space established did not only evaluate different expansion ratios for the same throat radius, but also investigated the possible performance gained from decreasing the throat radius to increase the expansion ratio and Isp capable of being delivered by the nozzle. Decreasing the throat radius would cause the chamber pressure to increase, consequently increasing the case and insulation mass required to safely operate a motor at higher pressures. To account for this factor, accurate estimates of inert mass first needed to be established. After doing so, the effects of varying nozzle expansion ratios, exit half angles, and subsequently length and mass were evaluated against motor and nozzle performance factors such as delta V and Isp. For this study, four throat radii ranging from 1.75” to 2.375” and consequently four different chamber pressures ranging 550 psia to 1200 psia were investigated. BACKGROUND To launch into Low Earth Orbit, a payload needs to be accelerated to the orbital velocity necessary to keep it from falling back to Earth. The change in velocity required between launch and orbital insertion is known as Delta V. The Delta V which a rocket or stage can deliver can be calculated using the Ideal Rocket equation, 𝛥𝑉=−𝑔0∗𝐼𝑠𝑝∗ln(𝑀𝑓𝑀𝑖) (3) Where 𝑔0 is the acceleration due to gravity at the earth’s surface, 𝐼𝑠𝑝 is the specific impulse of the rocket, 𝑀𝑖 is the initial mass of the rocket, and 𝑀𝑓 is the final mass of the rocket after burnout. From preliminary calculations beyond the scope of this paper, it was determined that 30500 ft/s of delta V would be required for a payload to be inserted into a 350 km circular orbit around the Earth. Using the known masses and Isp values of the 1st, 3rd, and 4th stages and equation 3, the delta V of each stage was calculated. The delta V required by the 2nd stage could then be found by taking the difference between the total delta V required and the delta V of the 1st, 3rd, and 4th stages. From this, the required delta V of the 2nd Stage was calculated to be 7340 ft/s. Specific impulse is an efficiency factor of the nozzle which defines the impulse delivered by the motor per unit of propellant weight. The main variables of a nozzle’s specific impulse investigated in this trade were exit cone half angle, throat radius, and expansion ratio which is affected by the throat radius. The expansion ratio, ε, of a nozzle is defined as the ratio between the nozzle exit area and throat area, and can be calculated using the equation, ε=𝑅𝑒𝑥𝑖𝑡2𝑅𝑠𝑖2 (2) Where 𝑅𝑒𝑥𝑖𝑡 is the radius of the nozzle’s exit and 𝑅𝑠𝑖 is the radius of the nozzle’s throat. A larger expansion ratio and smaller exit half angle will increase the Isp of a nozzle by allowing the gas to expand more and by allowing more of the exhaust gas to produce thrust in the direction of the motor’s central axis. A cross section view of the 2nd Stage motor with the major components annotated is provided in figure 1.

Bennett, Daniel

Computational Fluid Dynamic Optimization of an Experimental Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine Nozzle

A parametric optimization study is performed on the nozzle of a laboratory rotating detonation rocket engine (RDRE) using a three-dimensional computational fluid dynamic simulation. The primary optimization objective is maximum nozzle thrust. The basic nozzle configuration is a shrouded, truncated plug. The fluid in the RDRE chamber leading to the nozzle is choked at its exit so that its cyclic behavior is unaffected by any changes to the nozzle design. Optimization is performed for a single operating point. Parameters varied are the overall nozzle area expansion ratio and the fraction of the expansion area that is provided by the shroud. These two parameters indirectly affect the angle of the plug nozzle cone, and the bluff body area associated with its truncation. Nozzle thrust is evaluated as the difference between the thrust of the RDRE chamber-plus-nozzle combination and that of the chamber alone. The nozzle produces approximately 20% of the total engine thrust. The baseline nozzle is found to perform well, yielding 58.1% of the thrust calculated for a notional ideal RDRE nozzle which can instantaneously change shape to allow isentropic expansion of every fluid element. Optimization improves the performance, bringing the nozzle thrust to 70.0% of the notional ideal, and total engine thrust (chamber-plus-nozzle) to 94% of the ideal.

detonation

Computational Fluid Dynamic Optimization of an Experimental Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine Nozzle

A parametric optimization study is performed on the nozzle of a laboratory rotating detonation rocket engine (RDRE) using a three-dimensional computational fluid dynamic simulation. The primary optimization objective is maximum nozzle thrust. The basic nozzle configuration is a shrouded, truncated plug. The fluid in the RDRE chamber leading to the nozzle is choked at its exit so that its cyclic behavior is unaffected by any changes to the nozzle design. Optimization is performed for a single operating point. Parameters varied are the overall nozzle area expansion ratio and the fraction of the expansion area that is provided by the shroud. These two parameters indirectly affect the angle of the plug nozzle cone, and the bluff body area associated with its truncation. Nozzle thrust is evaluated as the difference between the thrust of the RDRE chamber-plus-nozzle combination and that of the chamber alone. The nozzle produces approximately 20% of the total engine thrust. The baseline nozzle is found to perform well, yielding 58.1% of the thrust calculated for a notional ideal RDRE nozzle which can instantaneously change shape to allow isentropic expansion of every fluid element. Optimization improves the performance, bringing the nozzle thrust to 70.0% of the notional ideal, and total engine thrust (chamber-plus-nozzle) to 94% of the ideal.

detonation

Effects of nozzle design on the noise from supersonic jets

The aeroacoustic supersonic performance of various internal nozzle geometries is evaluated for shock noise content over a wide range of nozzle pressure ratios. The noise emission of a Mach 1.5 and 2.0 convergent-divergent (C-D) nozzle is measured and compared to convergent nozzles. Comparisons are also made for a Mach 1.5 conical C-D nozzle and a porous plug nozzle. The Mach 1.5 conical C-D nozzle shows a small reduction in shock noise relative to the shock free case of the Mach 1.5 C-D nozzle. The Mach 1.5 C-D nozzle is found to have a wide operating nozzle pressure ratio range around its design point where shock noise remains unimportant compared to the jet mixing noise component. However it is found that the Mach 2 C-D nozzle shows no significant acoustic benefit relative to the convergent nozzle. Results from the porous plug nozzle indicate that shock noise may be completely eliminated, and the jet mixing noise reduced.

Seiner, J. M.

Exhaust Nozzles for Propulsion Systems with Emphasis on Supersonic Cruise Aircraft

This compendium summarizes the contributions of the NASA-Lewis and its contractors to supersonic exhaust nozzle research from 1963 to 1985. Two major research and technology efforts sponsored this nozzle research work; the U.S. Supersonic Transport (SST) Program and the follow-on Supersonic Cruise Research (SCR) Program. They account for two generations of nozzle technology: the first from 1963 to 1971, and the second from 1971 to 1985. First, the equations used to calculate nozzle thrust are introduced. Then the general types of nozzles are presented, followed by a discussion of those types proposed for supersonic aircraft. Next, the first-generation nozzles designed specifically for the Boeing SST and the second-generation nozzles designed under the SCR program are separately reviewed and then compared. A chapter on throttle-dependent afterbody drag is included, since drag has a major effect on the off-design performance of supersonic nozzles. A chapter on the performance of supersonic dash nozzles follows, since these nozzles have similar design problems, Finally, the nozzle test facilities used at NASA-Lewis during this nozzle research effort are identified and discussed. These facilities include static test stands, a transonic wind tunnel, and a flying testbed aircraft. A concluding section points to the future: a third generation of nozzles designed for a new era of high speed civil transports to produce even greater advances in performance, to meet new noise rules, and to ensure the continuity of over two decades of NASA research.

Stitt, Leonard E.

1025:1 Area Ratio Nozzle Evaluated at High Combustion Chamber Pressure

A recently completed experimental test program obtained performance data on an optimally contoured nozzle with an exit-to-throat area ratio of 1025:1 and on a truncated version of this nozzle with an area ratio of 440:1. The nozzles were tested with gaseous hydrogen and liquid oxygen propellants at combustion chamber pressures of 12.4 to 16.5 mPa (1800 to 2400 psia). Testing was conducted in the altitude test capsule at the NASA Lewis Research Center's Rocket Engine Test Facility (RETF), and results were compared with analytical performance predictions. This testing builds on previous work with this nozzle at Lewis, where testing was completed at nominal chamber pressure of 350 psia. High-area-ratio nozzles have long been sought as a means to increase the performance of spacebased rocket engines. However, as the area ratio increases, the physical size and weight of the nozzle also increase. As a result, engine and vehicle designers must make tradeoffs between nozzle size and performance enhancement. Until this test program, very little experimental data existed on the performance of the high-area-ratio nozzles used in rocket engine designs. The computer codes being used by rocket engine designers rely on data extrapolated from tests of low-area-ratio nozzles, and these extrapolations do not always provide the accuracy needed for a reliable design assessment. Therefore, we conducted this high-area-ratio nozzle testing program to provide performance data for use in rocket engine design and analysis computer codes. The nozzle had a nominal 2.54-cm- (1-in.-) diameter throat, an exit diameter of 81.3-cm (32.0-in.) at an exit-to-throat area ratio of 1025, and a length of 128.6 cm (50.6 in.). Testing was conducted in an altitude test capsule to simulate the static pressure at altitude by vacuum pumping. Data such as propellant mass flow, oxidizer-to-fuel mixture, and thrust were measured. These measurements were then used to calculate performance factors such as the thrust coefficient, the characteristic exhaust velocity efficiency, and the vacuum specific impulse. In addition, the nozzle temperature was measured to calculate the amount of heat transferred from the combustion gases to the nozzle.

Source record

Computer Graphic Design Using Auto-CAD and Plug Nozzle Research

The purpose of creating computer generated images varies widely. They can be use for computational fluid dynamics (CFD), or as a blueprint for designing parts. The schematic that I will be working on the summer will be used to create nozzles that are a part of a larger system. At this phase in the project, the nozzles needed for the systems have been fabricated. One part of my mission is to create both three dimensional and two dimensional models on Auto-CAD 2002 of the nozzles. The research on plug nozzles will allow me to have a better understanding of how they assist in the thrust need for a missile to take off. NASA and the United States military are working together to develop a new design concept. On most missiles a convergent-divergent nozzle is used to create thrust. However, the two are looking into different concepts for the nozzle. The standard convergent-divergent nozzle forces a mixture of combustible fluids and air through a smaller area in comparison to where the combination was mixed. Once it passes through the smaller area known as A8 it comes out the end of the nozzle which is larger the first or area A9. This creates enough thrust for the mechanism whether it is an F-18 fighter jet or a missile. The A9 section of the convergent-divergent nozzle has a mechanism that controls how large A9 can be. This is needed because the pressure of the air coming out nozzle must be equal to that of the ambient pressure other wise there will be a loss of performance in the machine. The plug nozzle however does not need to have an A9 that can vary. When the air flow comes out it can automatically sense what the ambient pressure is and will adjust accordingly. The objective of this design is to create a plug nozzle that is not as complicated mechanically as it counterpart the convergent-divergent nozzle.

Rogers, Rayna C.

Experimental Investigation of Shock-Cell Noise Reduction for Single Stream Nozzles in Simulated Flight

Seven single stream model nozzles were tested in the Anechoic Free-Jet Acoustic Test Facility to evaluate the effectiveness of convergent divergent (C-D) flowpaths in the reduction of shock-cell noise under both static and mulated flight conditions. The test nozzles included a baseline convergent circular nozzle, a C-D circular nozzle, a convergent annular plug nozzle, a C-D annular plug nozzle, a convergent multi-element suppressor plug nozzle, and a C-D multi-element suppressor plug nozzle. Diagnostic flow visualization with a shadowgraph and aerodynamic plume measurements with a laser velocimeter were performed with the test nozzles. A theory of shock-cell noise for annular plug nozzles with shock-cells in the vicinity of the plug was developed. The benefit of these C-D nozzles was observed over a broad range of pressure ratiosin the vicinity of their design conditions. At the C-D design condition, the C-D annual nozzle was found to be free of shock-cells on the plug.

Yamamoto, K.