Stability and Control Study of a Small Rocket Lift Device

Abstract

A stability and control study of a Small Rocket Lift Device was performed employing analytic methods. Mathematical definition of the operator's control actuation logic and visual orientation sensing capabilities were formulated. These, together with the equations of motion of the system, were programmed for an IBM 704 digital computer and pitch plane trajectories were computed. Additionally, a yaw plane trajectory and a one degree of freedom roll dynamics program were run on an IBM 610 digital computer. The operator was assumed to appraise himself of his orientation through visual reference to the ground. Thrust direction and magnitude were controlled by the manipulation of hand levers. The linkage of these controls was varied to determine the effect on stability and control. It was determined that controllable flight could be achieved for the man-vehicle system studied. The effects of CG shift, wind, a severe body contortion, variation of flight rules, and temporary loss of thrust were investigated. The configuration which was considered consists of two pressure-fed liquid monopropellant motors mounted to a back pack which supports all vehicle components. A single throttle controls the propellant flow to both motors while a thrust differential between the motors is effected by employing a flow dividing valve. Thrust vectoring is affected through both gimballing of the nozzles and the use of a jetavator. Extensions of the pack structure on each side of the operator bring the hand controls to a position convenient to the operator.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 01, 1960
Accession Number
ADA063189

Entities

People

  • P. A. Sollow

Organizations

  • Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Cyber
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aerodynamic Forces
  • Angular Momentum
  • Angular Motion
  • Center Of Gravity
  • Control Systems
  • Digital Computers
  • Equations Of Motion
  • Flight
  • Flight Paths
  • Free Flight
  • Fuel Tanks
  • Geometry
  • Judgment
  • Moment Of Inertia
  • Orientation (Direction)
  • Trajectories
  • Two Dimensional

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Combustion and Flow Dynamics.
  • Control Systems Engineering.
  • Robotics and Automation.