Propellant Feed System Leak Detection - Lessons Learned from the Linear Aerospike SR-71 Experiment (LASRE). Meeting Paper AIAA-1999-4850, Research Engineering, NASA Dryden Flight Research Center

Hass, Neal and Mizukami, Masashi and Neal, Brad and St. John, Clinton and Beil, Bob and Griffin, Tim (1999) Propellant Feed System Leak Detection - Lessons Learned from the Linear Aerospike SR-71 Experiment (LASRE). Meeting Paper AIAA-1999-4850, Research Engineering, NASA Dryden Flight Research Center.

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Abstract

This paper presents pertinent results and assessment of propellant feed system leak detection as applied to the Linear Aerospike SR-71 Experiment (LASRE) program flown at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, California. The LASRE was a flight test of an aerospike rocket engine using liquid oxygen and high-pressure gaseous hydrogen as propellants. The flight safety of the crew and the experiment demanded proven technologies and techniques that could detect leaks and assess the integrity of hazardous propellant feed systems. Point source detection and systematic detection were used. Point source detection was adequate for catching gross leakage from components of the propellant feed systems, but insufficient for clearing LASRE to levels of acceptability. Systematic detection, which used high-resolution instrumentation to evaluate the health of the system within a closed volume, provided a better means for assessing leak hazards. Oxygen sensors detected a leak rate of approximately 0.04 cubic inches per second of liquid oxygen. Pressure sensor data revealed speculated cryogenic boiloff through the fittings of the oxygen system, but location of the source(s) was indeterminable. Ultimately, LASRE was canceled because leak detection techniques were unable to verify that oxygen levels could be maintained below flammability limits.

EPrint Type:	Other
Keywords:	SR-71 aircraft
Subjects:	Aircraft/Project: SR-71 Blackbird
ID Code:	1277
Deposited On:	06 Febuary 2007
Additional Information:	33 pages. American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics 9th International Space Planes and Hypersonic Systems and Technologies Conference, Norfolk, Virginia, November 1-5, 1999.