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Combustion stability remains a technical issue in some solid rocket motor development programs because techniques to characterize propellant and motor during a development program either do not exist or are inadequate. Moreover, the situation will remain uncertain until one or more stability related diagnostics that are routine, inexpensive, introduce no risk, and 'industrial strength' are qualified and accepted by the Department of Defense (DoD) and commercial customers. This paper describes an empirical diagnostic technique--passive motor diagnostics--with this potential and illustrates some of its characteristics. This methodology will provide customers with a level of confidence, after early development firing, that does not exist today.

Passive motor stability diagnostics require high s/n measurements of low level (60 to 80 db below mean pressure) oscillatory pressures in environments with large and varying DC pressures. Three approaches are briefly examined relative to passive diagnostic demands. Although the high pass filter approach has been demonstrated by Hessler, the 'short time constant' approach is recommended because it enables the use of sensitive p-ducers (resolutions approx. 10(exp -4) psi). Pieso-electric transducers are described and a methodology for using high sensitivity designs for passive diagnostics measurements is presented.

An empirical response function model was developed for ammonium perchlorate propellants to supplant T-burner testing at the preliminary design stage. The model was developed by fitting a limited T-burner data base, in terms of oxidizer size and concentration, to an analytical two parameter response function expression. Multiple peaks are predicted, but the primary effect is of a single peak for most formulations, with notable bulges for the various AP size fractions. The model was extended to velocity coupling with the assumption that dynamic response was controlled primarily by the solid phase described by the two parameter model. The magnitude of velocity coupling was then scaled using an erosive burning law. Routine use of the model for stability predictions on a number of propulsion units indicates that the model tends to overpredict propellant response. It is concluded that the model represents a generally conservative prediction tool, suited especially for the preliminary design stage when T-burner data may not be readily available. The model work included development of a rigorous summation technique for pseudopropellant properties and of a concept for modeling ordered packing of particulates.

A methodology is outlined for predicting the amplitude of forced vibrations in the acoustic cavity of a solid rocket motor. The equation for forced vibration of the motor cavity acoustic system is written by parallel with the acoustic mechanical analogy. Acoustic and aeroacoustic theory are used to predict the frequency and intensity of vortex systems or turbulence created by passage of the mean flow over geometric discontinuities in the motor port. Approximate methods are presented for coupling the acoustic field due to the flow noise with the chamber acoustics and for summing the effect upon the multiple acoustic modes.