This paper presents a theoretical study of the gasdynamic behavior of the system used to vent methane gas from an open-cycle cryogenic cooler carried on the Nimbus F satellite. The flow of this gas from the cryogen tank to the vent-line exit takes place at very low Reynolds number, and is strongly affected by variations in the tube cross-sectional area, substantial heat addition, and important frictional effects. All three of these factors play a role in determining the choking mass flow. Finite-difference calculations are used to establish the mass flow rates for a range of cryogen temperatures. Finite-difference calculations are also used to determine the flowfield in the plume that results when the vented gas exits from the spacecraft. The momentum-flux distributions within the plume are then used to estimate the torques applied to the spacecraft when the plume impinges on several surfaces near the exit point. These torque estimates compare favorably with flight data.


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    Title :

    Gasdynamics of the cryogenic cooler of the Nimbus F spacecraft


    Contributors:
    Rae, W. J. (author) / Dunn, M. G. (author)


    Publication date :

    1976-12-01


    Type of media :

    Miscellaneous


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English





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