Accession Number:

ADA235619

Title:

Two-Stage Igniter Test Results: Electrical Ignition of LGP 1846

Descriptive Note:

Final rept. Aug 1989-Sep 1990

Corporate Author:

ARMY BALLISTIC RESEARCH LAB ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND MD

Personal Author(s):

• DeSpirito, James
• Reeves, G. P.
• Knapton, John D.

Report Date:

1991-04-01

Pagination or Media Count:

27.0

Abstract:

Test results from a two-stage, electrical liquid propellant igniter are described. Two critical areas are identified relating to the operation of the igniter. The first is the confinement of the liquid propellant in the ignition cavity and the second is the interaction of the gases venting from the precombustion chamber with the liquid propellant booster charge in the antechamber. The design modifications made to ensure proper operation are presented. Typical electrode gap voltage and current values ranged from approximately 1,000-1,500 V and approximately 175-185 A, respectively. The energy dissipated into the igniter ranged from 21-30 J, with only 10-30 of this energy due to the arc phase of the discharge. Typical maximum pressures were 502 MPa in the precombustion chamber and 329 MPa in the antechamber. The results of five tests staging up to the maximum booster charge are also presented. The average test chamber pressure rise time in these five tests was 3.55 ms, or about 5.4 MPams in the test at maximum charge. A test successfully demonstrating arcless ignition is also presented. The performance with arcless ignition was comparable to that achieved in arc-based ignition tests.

Descriptors:

• *TEST AND EVALUATION
• CAVITIES
• ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
• GASES
• PRESSURE
• OPERATION
• LIQUID PROPELLANT ROCKET ENGINES
• LIQUID PROPELLANTS
• IGNITION
• CONFINEMENT(GENERAL)
• VALUE
• BOOSTER ROCKET ENGINES
• STAGING
• PROPELLING CHARGES
• BOOSTERS(EXPLOSIVES)
• IGNITERS
• ELECTRIC IGNITION
• VENTING

Subject Categories:

• Ammunition and Explosives
• Combustion and Ignition

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE