Orbit Transfer Vehicle Engine Technology Program Task B-6 High Speed Turbopump Bearings

Abstract

Bearing types were evaluated for use on the OTV high pressure fuel pump. The high speed, high load, and long bearing life requirements dictated selection of hydrostatic bearings as the logical candidate for this engine. Design and fabrication of a bearing tester to evaluate these cryogenic hydrostatic bearings was then conducted. Detailed analysis, evaluation of bearing materials, and design of the hydrostatic bearings were completed resulting in fabrication of Carbon P5N and Kentanium hydrostatic bearings. Rotordynamic analyses determined the exact bearing geometry chosen. Instrumentation was evaluated and data acquisition methods were determined for monitoring shaft motion up to speeds in excess of 200,000 RPM in a cryogenic atmosphere. Fabrication of all hardware was completed, but assembly and testing was conducted outside of this contract. Rocket Engine, Hydrostatic, Bearings, Cryogenic, Turbopump, Rotordynamic.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1992
Accession Number
ADA255767

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Detection
  • Engineering
  • Fabrication
  • Fluid Flow
  • Friction
  • Heat Transfer
  • Insensitive Explosives
  • Materials Laboratories
  • Materials Processing
  • Materials Science
  • Mechanical Working
  • Modulus Of Elasticity
  • Pressure Distribution
  • Resonant Frequency
  • Rocket Engines
  • Test And Evaluation
  • Test Facilities

Readers

  • Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) Technology.
  • Systems Analysis and Design
  • Tribology (the study of the boundary interaction between sliding surfaces, lubrication, wear and friction).

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Satellites