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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 1,135 records · Page 63
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1989

Model and simulation development for turbopump health monitoring by parameter estimation

The nonlinear equations describing the flow, pressure and temperature dynamics of the High Pressure Fuel Turbopump of the Space Shuttle Main Engine are summarized and implemented in a digital simulation. Some closed form approximations to the operating curves of the turbopump are made so that closed form derivatives exist. These equations and approximations are then used to develop an extended Kalman filter that estimates the dynamic states of the turbopump and a parameter that can reflect turbopump degradation. The filter is implemented as a digital computer program and applied to data generated by the digital simulation of the turbopump with substantial noise added to the output signals. The results indicate that the parameter estimate converges quickly and accurately. This suggests that the parameter estimate can be used to monitor for turbopump degradations affecting its value.

Walker, Bruce K.↗
NASA NTRS1989

A technology demonstrator vehicle for advanced launch systems

The development of the Consort space launch vehicle concept, which uses the Space Shuttle main engines and recovers the boost phase engines individually, is discussed. The technology developed for the Consort concept is reviewed and the technical questions which must be addressed for the development of the concept are presented. The construction of a technology demonstrator vehicle for testing advanced launch systems is examined. The configurations of the demonstrator vehicle and the Consort vehicles are illustrated.

Davis, Hubert P.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Vibration analysis of rotor systems using reduced subsystem models

A general impedance method using reduced submodels has been developed for the linear dynamic analysis of rotor systems. Formulated in terms of either modal or physical coordinates of the subsystems, the method enables imbalance responses at specific locations of the rotor systems to be efficiently determined from a small number of 'master' degrees of freedom. To demonstrate the capability of this impedance approach, the Space Shuttle Main Engine high-pressure oxygen turbopump has been investigated to determine the bearing loads due to imbalance. Based on the same formulation, an eigenvalue analysis has been performed to study the system stability. A small 5-DOF model has been utilized to illustrate the application of the method to eigenvalue analysis. Because of its inherent characteristics of allowing formulation of reduced submodels, the impedance method can significantly increase the computational speed.

Fan, Uei-Jiun↗
NASA NTRS1990

Static Pressure-Assisted Seal For Helium

Two-piece, all-metal, pressure-assisted static flange seal holds in pressurized helium satisfactorily at temperature of negative 80 degree F (negative 62 degree C). Installed between two flanges, then bolted together. New version includes one pressure-assisted metal sealing element held in place by metal plate and flanges. Certified for use in flight on helium joints of Space Shuttle main engine. Likely terrestrial applications include laboratory and industrial gas-distribution systems.

Stuck, Donald E.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Hot Wax Sweeps Debris From Narrow Passages

Safe and effective technique for removal of debris and contaminants from narrow passages involves entrainment of undesired material in thermoplastic casting material. Semisolid wax slightly below melting temperature pushed along passage by pressurized nitrogen to remove debris. Devised to clean out fuel passages in main combustion chamber of Space Shuttle main engine. Also applied to narrow, intricate passages in internal-combustion-engine blocks, carburetors, injection molds, and other complicated parts.

Ricklefs, Steven K.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Dual-Head Robotic Welder

Robotic welder uses two welding heads simultaneously. Developed for assembly of "hot dog" shell on main injector for Space Shuttle main engine, concept applicable to other, similarly rounded or contoured workpieces. Opposed heads reduce distortion and stress in opposed weld joints and speed up welding operations.

Beard, Gary S.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Computing Flows In Turbine End Bearings

Computer program implements mathematical model of flow through turbine and bearings of high-pressure-oxygen turbopump of Space Shuttle main engine. Intended to determine rate of flow and margin before vaporization in these bearings for various types of geometries. Effects of hydrostatic damper and/or back-pressure seal included. Modified for application to other turbomachines and fluids other than oxygen.

Smith, Tyn S.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Washing Off Polyurethane Foam Insulation

Jet of hot water removes material quickly and safely. Simple, environmentally sound technique found to remove polyurethane foam insulation from metal parts. Developed for (but not limited to) use during rebuilding of fuel system of Space Shuttle main engine, during which insulation must be removed for penetrant inspection of metal parts.

Burley, Richard K.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Independent Orbiter Assessment (IOA): Analysis of the orbiter main propulsion system

The results of the Independent Orbiter Assessment (IOA) of the Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) and Critical Items List (CIL) are presented. The IOA approach features a top-down analysis of the hardware to determine failure modes, criticality, and potential critical items (PCIs). To preserve independence, this analysis was accomplished without reliance upon the results contained within the NASA FMEA/CIL documentation. The independent analysis results for the Orbiter Main Propulsion System (MPS) hardware are documented. The Orbiter MPS consists of two subsystems: the Propellant Management Subsystem (PMS) and the Helium Subsystem. The PMS is a system of manifolds, distribution lines and valves by which the liquid propellants pass from the External Tank (ET) to the Space Shuttle Main Engines (SSMEs) and gaseous propellants pass from the SSMEs to the ET. The Helium Subsystem consists of a series of helium supply tanks and their associated regulators, check valves, distribution lines, and control valves. The Helium Subsystem supplies helium that is used within the SSMEs for inflight purges and provides pressure for actuation of SSME valves during emergency pneumatic shutdowns. The balance of the helium is used to provide pressure to operate the pneumatically actuated valves within the PMS. Each component was evaluated and analyzed for possible failure modes and effects. Criticalities were assigned based on the worst possible effect of each failure mode. Of the 690 failure modes analyzed, 349 were determined to be PCIs.

Mcnicoll, W. J.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Independent Orbiter Assessment (IOA): Assessment of the orbiter main propulsion system FMEA/CIL, volume 1

The results of the Independent Orbiter Assessment (IOA) of the Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) and Critical Items List (CIL) are presented. The IOA effort first completed an analysis of the Main Propulsion System (MPS) hardware, generating draft failure modes and potential critical items. To preserve independence, this analysis was accomplished without reliance upon the results contained within the NASA FMEA/CIL documentation. The IOA results were then compared to available data from the Rockwell Downey/NASA JSC FMEA/CIL review. The Orbiter MPS is composed of the Propellant Management Subsystem (PMS) consisting of the liquid oxygen (LO2) and liquid hydrogen (LH2) subsystems and the helium subsystem. The PMS is a system of manifolds, distribution lines, and valves by which the liquid propellants pass from the External Tank to the Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME). The helium subsystem consists of a series of helium supply tanks and their associated regulators, control valves, and distribution lines. Volume 1 contains the MPS description, assessment results, ground rules and assumptions, and some of the IOA worksheets.

Slaughter, B. C.↗
NASA NTRS1989

SSME structural dynamic model development

The high pressure fuel turbopump (HPFTP) is a major component of the Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) powerhead. The device is a three stage centrifugal pump that is directly driven by a two stage hot gas turbine. The purpose of the pump is to deliver fuel (liquid hydrogen) from the low pressure fuel turbopump (LPFTP) through the main fuel valve (MFV) to the thrust chamber coolant circuits. In doing so, the pump pressurizes the fuel from an inlet pressure of approximately 178 psi to a discharge pressure of over 6000 psi. At full power level (FPL), the pump rotates at a speed of over 37,000 rpm while generating approximately 77,000 horsepower. Obviously, a pump failure at these speeds and power levels could jeopardize the mission. Results are summarized for work in which the solutions obtained from analytical models of the fuel turbopump impellers are compared with the results obtained from dynamic tests.

Foley, Michael J.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Software development for avionics SSME control and diagnostics

A study was made of software to integrate data from about 500 sensors that monitor the Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) and to make decisions for real-time control. Such software is expected to be applicable to other distributed systems as well. This study investigated the use of pattern recognition and other techniques to detect trends that could lead to major damage to the SSME and which would allow an orderly shutdown of the SSME before such damage could occur.

Choudry, A.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Fluid flow analysis of the SSME high pressure fuel and oxidizer turbine coolant systems

The objective is to provide improved analysis capability for the Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) high pressure fuel and oxidizer turbine coolant systems. Each of the systems was analyzed to determine fluid flow rate and thermodynamic and transport properties at all key points in the systems. Existing computer codes were used as a baseline for these analyses. These codes were modified to provide improved analysis capability. The major areas of improvement are listed. A review of the drawings was performed, and pertinent geometry changes were included in the models. Improvements were made in the calculation of thermodynamic and transport properties for a mixture of hydrogen and steam. A one-dimensional turbine model for each system is included as a subroutine to each code. This provides a closed loop analysis with a minimum of required boundary conditions as input. An improved labyrinth seal model is included in the high pressure fuel turbine coolant model. The modifications and the analysis results are presented in detail.

Teal, G. A.↗
NASA NTRS1990

New Atmospheric Turbulence Model for Shuttle Applications

An updated NASA atmospheric turbulence model, from 0 to 200 km altitude, which was developed to be more realistic and less conservative when applied to space shuttle reentry engineering simulation studies involving control system fuel expenditures is presented. The prior model used extreme turbulence (3 sigma) for all altitudes, whereas in reality severe turbulence is patchy within quiescent atmospheric zones. The updated turublence model presented is designed to be more realistic. The prior turbulence statistics (sigma and L) were updated and were modeled accordingly.

Justus, C. G.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Numerical prediction of axial turbine stage aerodynamics

A preliminary assessment is made of two NASA-developed unsteady turbine stage computer codes. The methodology and previous partial validation of the codes are briefly outlined. Application of these codes to a Space Shuttle main engine turbine for two sets of operating conditions is then described. Steady and unsteady, two and three-dimensional results are presented, compared, and discussed. These results include time-mean and instantaneous airfoil pressure distributions and pressure fluctuations, streamlines on the airfoil surfaces and endwalls, and relative total pressure contours at different axial locations in the rotor passage. Although not available at the time of this writing, experimental data for one of the operating conditions simulated is forthcoming and will be used to assess the accuracy of the unsteady, as well as, the steady predictions presented. Issues related to code usage and resource requirements of the two codes are also discussed.

Mcconnaughey, H. V.↗
NASA NTRS1989

A parametric heat transfer study for cryogenic ball bearings in SSME HPOTP

A numerical modeling is to examine the effects of coolant convective heat transfer coefficient and frictional heating on the local temperature characteristics of a ball element in Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) High Pressure Oxidizer Turbopump (HPOTP) bearing. The present modeling uses a control-volume based, finite-difference method to solve the non-dimensionalized heat conduction equation in spherical coordinate system. The dimensionless temperature is found as a function of Biot number, heat flux ratio between the two race contacts, and location in the ball. The current results show that, for a given cooling capability, the ball temperature generally increases almost linearly with the heat input from the race-contacts. This increase is always very high at one of the two contacts. An increase in heat transfer coefficient generally reduces the ball temperature and alleviates the temperature gradient, except for the regions very close to the race contacts. For a 10-fold increase of heat transfer coefficient, temperature decrease is 35 percent for the average over entire ball, and 10 percent at the inner-race contact. The corresponding change of temperature gradient displays opposing trends between the regions immediately adjacent to the contacts and the remaining portion of the ball. The average temperature gradient in the vicinity of both contacts increases approximately 70 to 100 percent. A higher temperature gradient produces excessive thermal stress locally which may be detrimental to the material integrity. This, however, is the only unfavorable issue for an increase of heat transfer coefficient.

Chyu, Mingking K.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Investigation of SSME alternate high pressure fuel turbopump lift-off seal fluid and structural dynamic interaction

The Space Shuttle main engine (SSME) alternate turbopump development program (ATD) high pressure fuel turbopump (HPFTP) design utilizes an innovative lift-off seal (LOS) design that is located in close proximity to the turbine end bearing. Cooling flow exiting the bearing passes through the lift-off seal during steady state operation. The potential for fluid excitation of lift-off seal structural resonances is investigated. No fluid excitation of LOS resonances is predicted. However, if predicted LOS natural frequencies are significantly lowered by the presence of the coolant, pressure oscillations caused by synchronous whirl of the HPFTP rotor may excite a resonance.

Elrod, David A.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Compendium of fracture mechanics problems

Fracture mechanics analysis results are presented from the following structures/components analyzed at Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) between 1982 and 1989: space shuttle main engine (SSME), Hubble Space Telescope (HST), external tank attach ring, B-1 stand LOX inner tank, and solid rocket booster (SRB). Results from the SSME high pressure fuel turbopump (HPFTP) second stage blade parametric analysis determine a critical flaw size for a wide variety of stress intensity values. The engine 0212 failure analysis was a time dependent fracture life assessment. Results indicated that the disk ruptured due to an overspeed condition. Results also indicated that very small flaws in the curvic coupling area could propagate and lead to failure under normal operating conditions. It was strongly recommended that a nondestructive evaluation inspection schedule be implemented. The main ring of the HST, scheduled to launch in 1990, was analyzed by safe-life and fail-safe analyses. First safe-life inspection criteria curves for the ring inner and outer skins and the fore and aft channels were derived. Afterwards the skins and channels were determined to be fail-safe by analysis. A conservative safe-life analysis was done on the 270 redesign external tank attach ring. Results from the analysis were used to determine the nondestructive evaluation technique required.

Stallworth, R.↗