Determination of Rocket-Motor Mass by Measurement of the Natural Frequency of a Mass-Spring System

Abstract

A system is described whereby the mass of a rocket motor being tested in a static test stand can be determined continuously while burning. The motor is mounted on springs and driven by the force of a rotating eccentric mass so as to oscillate at the natural frequency of the mass and spring system. Given the spring constant, the mass of the system can then be calculated from the frequency of oscillation. Given a required accuracy of 1 percent for the measurement of the mass of the motor, the specifications for the control system are determined. A control system is designed, analyzed, and shown to meet the requirements of the system with the expected input signals and external disturbances.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 15, 1961
Accession Number
AD0262056

Entities

People

  • Benjamin Glatt

Organizations

  • Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Accuracy
  • Air Force
  • Air Force Facilities
  • Control Systems
  • Dc Motors
  • Diagrams
  • Electrical Circuits
  • Frequency
  • Frequency Response
  • Measurement
  • Munitions
  • Oscillation
  • Resonant Frequency
  • Rocket Engines
  • Schematic Diagrams
  • Sine Waves
  • Test Stands

Fields of Study

  • Engineering
  • Physics

Readers

  • Control Systems Engineering.
  • Rocket Propulsion.