The most satisfactory method of judging the efficiencies of all-metal and composite fiber/metal pressure vessels of various configurations is to compare their basic parameters of operating pressure, internal volume and weight by means of a performance factor. Based on this factor, composite fiber/metal spheres offer highest performance, followed by all-metal spheres. However, with recent technological advances, the performance and weight of composite Kevlar/aluminum cylinders are approaching those of all-metal spheres. In addition,composite cylinders are less expensive, more available, and sometimes offer better packaging parameters than spheres. Therefore, composite cylinders should be considered for aerospace propulsion systems. They are already being used on the Space Shuttle Manned Maneuvering Unit.
Composite fiber/metal pressure vessels for propulsion systems
Faser/Metall-Verbundkessel fuer Antriebssysteme
AIAA-Papers ; 1-6
1983
6 Seiten, 12 Bilder
Conference paper
English