• Journal of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.125-130
• /
• 2018

The technology development of a high performance upper stage engine for a GEO(GEostationary Orbit) KSLV(Korea Space Launch Vehicle) is undergoing in Korea Aerospace Research Institute. KSLV is composed of an open cycle engine with gas generator, which is for a low orbit launch vehicle. However the future GEO launch vehicle requires a high performance upper stage engine with a high specific impulse. The staged combustion cycle engine is necessary for this mission. In this paper, current progress and future plan for staged combustion cycle engine development is described.

• Journal of Aerospace System Engineering
• /
• v.15 no.5
• /
• pp.43-49
• /
• 2021

This research shows how is designed, and its performance is evaluated on the ground for the VTOL drone before the flight test initiates. The targeted drone weight is approximately 45 kg including battery packs, and 4 motors are utilized to produce thrust and control directions. 30 min flight schedules were simulated to estimate the total power consumptions which result in 2.4 kWh. Then, two packs of 13-cells lithium-polymer battery with operating voltage ranging between 54 V and 44 V with up to 4 C-rate were fabricated to safely operate a VTOL drone. Moreover, the battery management system was installed to prevent over and under-voltage and over-current while running a battery system. To finally verify battery's performance, we conducted a ground evaluation for discharging battery tests at -10 ℃, 25 ℃ and 40 ℃, resulting in satisfying simulated power consumption conditions for flight schedules.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers
• /
• v.22 no.6
• /
• pp.11-18
• /
• 2018

A pulse detonation engine (PDE) requires high operating frequency greater than 100 Hz to get meaning thrust as a propulsion devise. Thus a PDE needs an ignition circuit operating precisely at high operating frequencies. In this paper AC(alternating current) and DC(direct current) types of ignition circuits were designed and compared. Each circuit was tested at operating frequencies from 16.66 to 100.00 Hz by measuring the input signal of each circuit and the voltage change in the primary coil of the transformer. Results show that the DC power circuit can attain a maximum error rate of 5.15% at higher operating frequencies, whereas the AC power circuit displays a negligible agreement with the operating signal at frequencies greater than 33.33 Hz. Therefore it is confirmed that DC-powered ignition circuit is preferable for the PDE operating at high frequencies.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers
• /
• v.23 no.1
• /
• pp.33-45
• /
• 2019

In this study, numerical simulations were performed to investigate the steady-state characteristics of a symmetric pintle nozzle by varying the position of the pintle and the altitude. The pintle nozzle shape was used in a linear pintle nozzle that had been analyzed prior to the study, and the boundary conditions of the chamber were considered to be according to the propellant burn-back characteristics. A software was used to perform a verification analysis of the square nozzle, pintle nozzle, and high-altitude conditions with an appropriate analytical technique. The pintle position had three different nozzle throat area conditions-: fully closed, half open, and fully open, and the altitude was set at 0, 5, and 20 km. The study compared the thrust, pintle drive load, and static stability at each condition.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers
• /
• v.22 no.3
• /
• pp.109-118
• /
• 2018

Korea Aerospace Research Institute has developed a staged combustion cycle rocket (SCCR) engine with high specific impulse to send a 3-ton class satellite into geostationary orbit while conducting a Korean Space Launch Vehicle (KSLV) II project. The SCCR engine is different from the KSLV-II engine, which is an open cycle engine using a gas-generator. The SCCR engine with a closed cycle engine is composed of a pre-burner, a turbo pump, and a main combustor. The technology demonstration model (TDM0) was assembled and tested in the 7ton-class engine combustion test facility of Naro Space Center, and the combustion test was successfully conducted.

• Journal of Aerospace System Engineering
• /
• v.11 no.6
• /
• pp.10-16
• /
• 2017

In order to improve the safety of the multi-copter, Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) performed a wind-tunnel test using an octocopter with the maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of 28 kg. The wind-tunnel test was performed with three different RPM ranges, 3,500, 4,500 and 5,500 rpm, and three different wind speeds, 3.5, 5 and 7 m/sec. The tested range of the angle of attacks was $-40^{\circ}$ to $20^{\circ}degree$ and ${\pm}90^{\circ}degree$. Vortex ring state (VRS) of the tested multi-copter was located around the vertical descending speed of 6 m/sec and the decrement of thrust was about 13 % at the time of testing. Compared with the single propeller wind-tunnel test result, the propeller efficiency of the octocopter dropped to 10 to 15% depending on the propeller RPM. It is hypothesized that the obtained aerodynamic characteristics by the wind-tunnel test will be used to improve the performance and wind resistance of the multi-copter.

• Clean Technology
• /
• v.25 no.3
• /
• pp.256-262
• /
• 2019

Hydroxylammonium nitrate (HAN)-based liquid propellants are attracting attention as environmentally friendly propellants because they are not carcinogens and the combustion gases have little toxicity. The catalyst used to decompose the HAN-based liquid propellant in a thruster must have both low temperature activity and high heat resistance. The objective of this study is to prepare an Ru/alumina/metal foam catalyst by supporting alumina slurry on the surface of NiCrAl metal foam using a washing coating method and then to support a ruthenium precursor thereon. The decomposition activity of a HAN aqueous solution of the Ru/alumina/metal foam catalyst was evaluated. The effect of the number of repetitive coatings of alumina slurry on the physical properties of the alumina/metal foam was analyzed. As the number of alumina wash coatings increased, mesopores with a diameter of about 7 nm were well-developed, thereby increasing the surface area and pore volume. It was optimal to repeat the wash coating alumina on the metal foam 12 times to maximize the surface area and pore volume of the alumina/metal foam. Mesopores were also well developed on the surface of the Ru/alumina/metal foam catalyst. It was found that the metal form itself without the active metal and alumina can promote the decomposition reaction of the HAN aqueous solution. In the case of the Ru/alumina/metal foam-550 catalyst, the decomposition onset temperature was significantly lowered compared with that of the thermal decomposition reaction, and ${\Delta}P$ could be greatly increased in the decomposition of the HAN aqueous solution. However, when the catalyst was calcined at $1,200^{\circ}C$, the catalytic activity was lowered inevitably because the surface area and pore volume of the catalyst were drastically reduced and Ru was sintered. Further research is needed to improve the heat resistance of Ru/alumina/metal foam catalysts.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
• /
• v.27 no.4
• /
• pp.397-401
• /
• 2016

A new solid oxidizer, pyridinium dinitramide (Py-DN) is a low toxic energetic material which can be utilized as a HPGP (high performance green propellant). In this work, Py-DN was synthesized using various starting materials including potassium sulfamate, pyridine hydrochloride, strong nitric acid and sulfuric acid. Physical and chemical properties of the Py-DN were characterized using UV-Vis, FT-IR and a thermal analyzer and their properties were compared to those of previously prepared salts including ammonium dinitramide[ADN, $NH_4N(NO_2)_2$] and guanidine dinitramide[GDN, $NH_2C(NH_2)NH_2N(NO_2)_2$] in our lab. Endothermic and exothermic decomposition temperatures of Py-DN were $77.4^{\circ}C$ and $144.7^{\circ}C$, respectively. The combustion caloric value was 1739 J/g, which is thermally more sensitive than that of conventional dinitramides. It may enable to lower the decomposition temperature, which can reduce preheating temperature required for satellite thruster applications.

• Journal of the Korean Geosynthetics Society
• /
• v.14 no.3
• /
• pp.1-12
• /
• 2015

During installing sheet piles for an impermeable wall or a retaining wall, vibratory hammers are widely used. Among vibratory hammers, a hydraulic hammer is used most commonly. However, a hydraulic hammer causes excessive vibration and noise due to resonance by change of natural frequency according to movements of eccentric shaft when the hammer starts and stops. In this study, new variable amplitude type hammer is developed in order to reduce the vibration and noise due to resonance produced in starting and stopping the hammer. By controlling horizontal angle in two pairs of eccentric body inside of the hammer, the amplitude and vibration of the new hammer can be controlled. The performance tests with the new hammer and existing hammers such as the hydraulic hammer and electric hammer are carried out, and the new hammer shows reduced vibration and noise results in comparison with existing hammers from performance tests. Also, this study shows that penetration rates of sheet pile using the new hammer increase due to impellent force of a backhoe in comparison with the electric hammer and penetration rate increase in comparison with a general hydraulic hammer, since the new hammer can control the amplitude during penetration of sheet pile according to soil condition.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
• /
• v.34 no.4
• /
• pp.447-456
• /
• 2010

The application of a reliable motion simulator can contribute effectively in the evaluation of the performance of a vehicle platform in the development stage of a small unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Therefore, the research on a reliable motion simulator can accelerate the development of UAV and decrease the relevant cost. In this paper, the design factors considered in the preliminary design stage of a 6 degree-of freedom motion simulator are defined and the motion range of the simulator is described on the basis of these design factors. The length, acceleration, and the required thrust of actuators with respect to the motion simulator under development are also predicted. The motion range can be increased and a suitable actuator can be selected and produced by applying these results in the manufacturing process of the motion simulator. Thus, the reliability of the motion simulators can be achieved during the actual design operation of the UAV.