Thermo-mechanical analysis of first-stage-adjustment thruster propelled by explosive pressure

Abstract

A lateral jet thruster operates at high temperature and high pressure, which causes ablation at the nozzle neck and malfunction of the nozzle system. The function of the solid propulsion system's nozzle is to provide thrust to the system by effectively utilising the high temperature gas that is generated in the combustion chamber. The requirements of the lateral propulsion system have to be taken into account in nozzle design, as well as the structural safety of the nozzle itself. An accurate stress analysis therefore needs to be conducted beforehand, simultaneously taking into account the thermal stress caused by the heat transfer between the high temperature gas and the wall, and the mechanical stress resulting from the pressure in the flow path. This study examined nozzle safety according to thruster operating time, where high temperature and high pressure combustion gas explodes to propel the prototype lateral thruster.