A study of laser ignition for hybrid propulsion systems
Abstract/Contents
- Abstract
- Hybrid propulsion systems have historically been precluded from finding application due to the extensive development and heritage of liquid and solid alternatives. However, an emerging market for small-satellites and a corresponding need for high performance micro-propulsion systems presents a unique opportunity for the development of small-scale hybrids capable of providing advanced maneuverability to these spacecraft both in Earth orbit and for interplanetary exploration. To that end, this thesis focuses on the development of a novel laser ignition system for these motors that can perform numerous motor restarts while minimizing system mass and volume. This research has pursued two primary goals. The first is in the development and verification of a theory that describes the laser-driven ignition process. This verification has been accomplished through high-speed imaging of the ignition process within an optically accessible combustion chamber. The second goal has involved the demonstration of this laser igniter as a restart-capable device, initially using a laboratory-scale hybrid motor and later with a flight-like hybrid motor in a vacuum chamber. Experimental investigations in the optically accessible combustion chamber resulted in the first images showing laser ignition of hybrid propellants. Restart ignition tests in representative hybrid motor geometries demonstrated the reliability of this technique
Description
| Type of resource | text |
|---|---|
| Form | electronic resource; remote; computer; online resource |
| Extent | 1 online resource |
| Place | California |
| Place | [Stanford, California] |
| Publisher | [Stanford University] |
| Copyright date | 2020; ©2020 |
| Publication date | 2020; 2020 |
| Issuance | monographic |
| Language | English |
Creators/Contributors
| Author | Dyrda, David Michael |
|---|---|
| Degree supervisor | Cantwell, Brian |
| Thesis advisor | Cantwell, Brian |
| Thesis advisor | Senesky, Debbie |
| Thesis advisor | Wang, Hai, 1962- |
| Degree committee member | Senesky, Debbie |
| Degree committee member | Wang, Hai, 1962- |
| Associated with | Stanford University, Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics. |
Subjects
| Genre | Theses |
|---|---|
| Genre | Text |
Bibliographic information
| Statement of responsibility | David M. Dyrda |
|---|---|
| Note | Submitted to the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics |
| Thesis | Thesis Ph.D. Stanford University 2020 |
| Location | electronic resource |
Access conditions
- Copyright
- © 2020 by David Michael Dyrda
- License
- This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 3.0 Unported license (CC BY-NC).
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