Engineering Commons^™

Thermodynamic Analysis Of An Autogenous Pressurization System, Samuel H. Smith

Masters Theses

Pressurized gas feed systems have been vital to spacecraft where a pump-fed design would prove too large, heavy, or complicated to be effective. This project investigates autogenous pressurization – a pressurized feed system where the intentional vaporization of liquid propellant to fill the ever-increasing ullage space with its own warm, low-density gas. Motivation for this research originates from the University of Tennessee Space Institute’s (UTSI) contract with Gloyer-Taylor Laboratories (GTL) to assist the development of an innovative pressurization system.

While other pressurization systems have been studied and used extensively, modeling of an autogenous system is less established. Despite the relative …

Investigation Of The Rupture Initiation And Mechanical Performance Of Alumina Port Covers For Integrated Rocket Ramjet Systems, Haley R. Goldston

Masters Theses

Hypersonic flight is widely considered essential to ensure a competitive defensive capability in the United States. In hypersonic air breathing propulsion, cruise vehicles are a priority research and development area given the ease to which they can be implemented with existing DoD infrastructure. Advancements in ramjet engine systems, including integrated rocket ramjets, play a considerable role in military and space access hypersonic vehicle designs. By design, ramjets cannot produce static thrust. They first need to be brought to operational speeds with the help of a rocket booster. An integrated rocket ramjet (IRR) combines the booster phase and the ramjet phase …

Temperature Sensitive Paint Investigation Of A Cylinder Induced Shockwave Boundary Layer Interaction, Caleb Bell

Masters Theses

A urethane based temperature sensitive paint was employed to measure the surface temperature characteristics of both a cylinder perpendicular to a Mach 2.3 flow and the floor of the tunnel with varying gaps between the base of the cylinder and the tunnel floor. The first goal of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a temperature sensitive paint at providing quantitative and qualitative temperature data on supersonic flow interactions in a standard supersonic blow down wind tunnel. The second goal was to determine the heat transfer and surface temperature of the cylinder and the areas of the tunnel wall …

Multiple-Site Fatigue Cracking Methodology To Assess Structural Integrity Of Aircraft Riveted Panels, Haroldo Chacon

Masters Theses

“Multiple Site Damage (MSD) is the most common source of Widespread Fatigue Damage (WFD) affecting structural integrity of aging aircraft fleets. Therefore, an understanding of its progression, the development of methods to prevent the onset, and the maintenance procedures precluding WFD are important to improve aircraft fleet longevity. A reliable and efficient numerical methodology to perform detailed Multiple Site Damage assessment in riveted structural joints was developed. A probabilistic methodology was employed in conjunction with Monte Carlo simulation technique; the fatigue initiation life at every potential crack initiation site was determined and initial damage scenarios were generated. Probabilistic crack growth …

Composite-Based Additive Manufacturing Applications In The Polymer Injection Molding Cycle, Cody Bivens

Masters Theses

“The experimental method utilized in this research was the application of composite-based additive manufacturing (CBAM) mold plates in the injection molding process. The mold plates comprised carbon fibers and polyether ether ketone (PEEK) matrix. Modifications were made to the mold plates post manufacturing in order to properly adapt to the rest of the injection molding die. A custom cooling system was engineered and integrated into the injection molding machine for the CBAM mold plates. The polymer processed in the injection molding cycle for this study was Lustran 348 acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). The result of the trials conducted in this …