Mitigation of Fuel Fire Threat to Large Rocket Motors by Venting
Abstract
Venting of a container such as a rocket motor or a warhead case is a well-recognized method to potentially reduce the violent response of the system to a fuel fire threat. There have been many proposed rocket motor or warhead venting systems. The thermally-initiated venting system (TIVS) on the AMRAAM rocket motor has been shown to reduce violent response, by cutting the case with a linear shaped-charge. Graham has demonstrated the ARCAPS system in which a small insert of secondary propellant having a lower temperature than the main propellant grain reacts to perforate the rocket motor case, reducing the system response in both fast and slow cookoff. In studying the response of a 120mm mortar in fast cookoff, a manufactured vent was filled with ionomer plastic that melted at a particular temperature leading to a mild reaction. There are many other designs that include stress-risers, thermite plugs or inserts, slotted overwrapped designs and so on.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2010
- Accession Number
- ADA532243
Entities
People
- Kenneth J. Graham
Organizations
- Air Force Research Laboratory