The Digital Valve and Liquid Hydrogen Hydrostatic Bearings
Abstract
Phillips Laboratory and its industrial partners have invested considerable resources into the development of hydrostatic bearings and their applications to turbopump technologies. The hydrostatic bearing has a thin film of high pressure fluid as a layer between the turbopump shaft ad the hydrostatic bearing. This concept decreases the weight and increases the lifetime of the turbopump by eliminating friction between bearing surfaces. The liquid hydrogen hydrostatic bearing program at the Phillips Laboratory is a materials program in which the best material combinations between bearing and shaft will be determined. To accomplish this task, an effective turbopump simulation is required. To achieve this simulation, high speed software couple with servomechanisms are used. This paper will demonstrate how an Allen Bradley Programmable Logic Controller (PLC), a hydraulically actuated valve, and a multiorifice digital valve can effectively simulate a turbopump environment.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1996
- Accession Number
- ADA366929
Entities
People
- Adam P. Getchell
- Michael K. Rokaw