In-situ solid rocket motor propellant grain aging using hydraulically actuated bladder
AssigneeGoodrich Corporation
InventorsJoshua David Carter, Kevin Mueller
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for non-destructively determining a mechanical property of a solid rocket motor propellant grain may comprise applying a force to a surface of the solid rocket motor propellant grain, wherein a deformation is formed on the surface of the solid rocket motor propellant grain in response to the applying, and calculating a value of the mechanical property of the solid rocket motor propellant grain based on the deformation. This process may be performed over time to determine a lifespan of the propellant grain.
Claims19
A method for non-destructively aging a solid rocket motor propellant grain, wherein the solid rocket motor propellant grain comprises a solid mass with an exposed inner surface area defining a perforation in the interior of the solid rocket motor propellant grain, the method comprising:
- disposing a bladder into the perforation;
- moving a liquid into the bladder;
- applying a force to a surface of the solid rocket motor propellant grain via the liquid, wherein a deformation is formed on the surface of the solid rocket motor propellant grain in response to the application of the force;
- and
- measuring at least one of a pressure of the liquid or a volume of the liquid.
A method for non-destructively surveilling a mechanical property of a solid rocket motor propellant grain, comprising:
- applying a first force to a surface of the solid rocket motor propellant grain at a first time, wherein a first deformation is formed on the surface of the solid rocket motor propellant grain in response to the applying the first force;
- measuring a first value of a relaxation modulus of the solid rocket motor propellant grain based on the first deformation;
- applying a second force to the surface of the solid rocket motor propellant grain at a second time, wherein a second deformation is formed on the surface of the solid rocket motor propellant grain in response to the applying the second force;
- and
- measuring a second value of the relaxation modulus of the solid rocket motor propellant grain based on the second deformation,
- wherein at least one of the first force or the second force is applied to the surface by moving a liquid into a bladder disposed at least partially within a perforation of the solid rocket motor propellant grain.
A solid rocket motor propellant grain arrangement, comprising:
- a case;
- a propellant grain disposed within the case;
- a perforation extending through the propellant grain;
- and
- a bladder disposed within the perforation,
- wherein the bladder is configured to:
- receive a pre-determined volume of a liquid;
- expand in response to receiving the pre-determined volume of the liquid;
- and
- deform a surface of the propellant grain in response to the expanding.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.