Thrust Stand Mass Balance Measurements of Hybrid Motor Mass Flow (Preprint)

摘要

A novel diagnostic technique has been developed, utilizing the Thrust Stand Mass Balance, to directly measure a time accurate mass flow from a solid-fuel thruster for systems where the mass flow rate is of the same order as the experimental error. The mass flow measurement technique has been verified using an idealized numerical simulation. Two calibration experiments have been performed to assess the dynamic response of the mass balance. First, a set of calibration weights were placed on the mass balance and removed in order to properly characterize the mass balance motion. Second, a known mass flow rate of water was deposited onto the test stand. As a proof of concept experiment, a 3.81cm diameter PMMA/GOx hybrid thruster core was burned and the propellant mass flow was measured. Variations in the GOx flow rate resulted in corresponding variations in the total propellant mass flow as expected, showing the utility of the Thrust Stand Mass Balance as a mass flow measurement device.