Thermal Protection System Testing in High Enthalpy Facility

Richard French

Vitaliy Grigoryev

November 17, 2005

Team HEaTT

Progress Report #4

Summary

• Schedule Update

• Testing Update

• Improvements

• Preliminary Lessons Learned

• Immediate Needs

Schedule

Testing Overview - Ongoing

• Fully Characterize HETF

- Test Section Temperature Profile

- Mounting Stand Conduction

- Wall Temperature

• Axial Temperature Probe

Axial Temperature Probe

• 1 meter Uni-strut

• 7 J-type thermocouples

• Variable Test-to-Test Flame Temperature

- Raise and lower on pulley system

Testing Overview - Planned

• Establish Effective Operating Procedures

- Wire Harness Protection

- Measurement Confidence

- Test Duration Limits

• Shuttle Tile Sample Test

Improvements

• High temperature thermal cement for thermocouple interface

• Better wire harness shielding

• Pitot Probe re-positioned to rear, with thermocouple installed

Preliminary Lessons

• Steady state measurements difficult to obtain

- Temperature fluctuations due to non- uniform flow

• Thermal inertia of Test Stand, Axial Probe may affect measurements

Immediate Needs

• High temp thermocouple for measuring flame temp

• Verify thermocouple calibration

• Digital Data Acquisition System

• K-thermocouple wire to make better use of analog equipment

• Space Shuttle Tile!!!

Thanks

QUESTIONS?