Running the coolant through the core would allow the skin to which the ablative tiles are affixed to be directly cooled.That's where we need the chill factor.
The core would need to have major ventability and with the metal foam cell size at 10ppi I wonder whether that would allow a sufficient...
The water spray system is a cool idea.I worry about how one might contain the steam that would be generated.
Does the shuttle carry any reserve amount of liquid hydrogen upon its re-entry or is it jettisoned? Seems that it could be circulated through a metal foam sandwich panel that is brazed...
I would agree that the risk of shuttle skin failure is sufficient enough to make a design change the appropriate action?
One wonders if one could not dispense altogether with the ablative tiles and introduce a new skin design wherein the core is ventable and coolants (liquid hydrogen?) are...
Eureka!!
I have been pondering on the disadvantages of honeycomb in the aerospace industry.......closed cells....minimum bonding areas etc.
The main disadvantage of honeycomb type cores is that of delamination. This is caused primarily by the failure of the epoxy adhesives to maintain a bond...
Aluminum foam core is an extremely good solution in that it has the rough texture plus a far larger surface area which promotes a good bonding of the face sheets.
In terms of lightness of material it wins hands down, in so far that it has no glue required to add to the weight.
Ventable is a moot...
Hi David,
The problem encountered by the X33 was due mainly to cryo-pumping which could really only occur in a honeycomb, closed cell, core material...which of course is the current state of the art. I sense a touch of cynicism?
I personally feel that if engineers worth their salt could realise...
