Flow study of the nozzle region of the space shuttle solid rocket motor

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dc.contributor.authorSquire, Daniel E.en
dc.contributor.departmentAerospace Engineeringen
dc.date.accessioned2014-03-14T21:33:39Zen
dc.date.adate2010-04-12en
dc.date.available2014-03-14T21:33:39Zen
dc.date.issued1988en
dc.date.rdate2010-04-12en
dc.date.sdate2010-04-12en
dc.description.abstractA flow visualization study was conducted to analyze flow characteristics inside the solid rocket motor (SRM) used on the NASA space shuttle. The objective of this investigation was to determine whether the internal flow structure could adversely affect the nozzle/case joint and the surrounding casing. Also, it was hoped to learn more about causes of low level acoustic pressure oscillations observed during SRM test firings. The SRM was simulated by water flow through a plexiglas model mounted in a water tunnel. Dye and hydrogen bubble visualization techniques along with hot water analysis methods were used to detect flow patterns. Visual results recorded on video tape indicated strong circumferential and recirculation flows around the nozzle. Vortex formation near the nozzle inlet was also observed and was the prime focus of this investigation. Because the nozzle inlet geometry was very similar to an aircraft engine inlet operating close to the ground, vortices seen in this investigation were believed to behave like vortices seen around engine inlets. Based on the results from this investigation and the results of previous engine inlet vortex studies, it was concluded that the nozzle vortices could be the excitation source of SRM pressure oscillations.en
dc.description.degreeMaster of Scienceen
dc.format.extentvi, 62 leavesen
dc.format.mediumBTDen
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdfen
dc.identifier.otheretd-04122010-083741en
dc.identifier.sourceurlhttp://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-04122010-083741/en
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10919/42052en
dc.language.isoenen
dc.publisherVirginia Techen
dc.relation.haspartLD5655.V855_1988.S795.pdfen
dc.relation.isformatofOCLC# 18109239en
dc.rightsIn Copyrighten
dc.rights.urihttp://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/en
dc.subject.lccLD5655.V855 1988.S795en
dc.subject.lcshRockets (Aeronautics) -- Nozzlesen
dc.titleFlow study of the nozzle region of the space shuttle solid rocket motoren
dc.typeThesisen
dc.type.dcmitypeTexten
thesis.degree.disciplineAerospace Engineeringen
thesis.degree.grantorVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State Universityen
thesis.degree.levelmastersen
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Scienceen

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