Title:
Flexible Thermal Protection System Physics-Based Modeling
for Temperature Profile Predictions
Flexible Thermal Protection System Physics-Based Modeling
for Temperature Profile Predictions
Author(s)
Rossman, Grant A.
Advisor(s)
Braun, Robert D.
Editor(s)
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Abstract
Candidate material testing was performed on various Flexible Thermal Protection
Systems (FTPS) layup configurations in an arc-jet ground test facility. A physics-based
thermal model was created to predict the thermal-material response of each FTPS layup
under arc-jet induced thermal loading. Initial thermal model temperature predictions of
embedded thermocouples for FTPS test articles showed an unsatisfactory correlation to arc jet test data. The Levenberg-Marquardt (LM) inverse parameter estimation technique was
implemented to reduce discrepancies between thermal model temperature predictions and
experimental thermocouple temperature measurements by iteratively modifying FTPS
thermal parameters within the model, such as thermal conductivity and specific heat. A
formal parameter estimation methodology, previously applied for ablative TPS, is applied to
this FTPS problem to improve understanding estimation behavior and LM error minimization. Nominal, uncertainty, sensitivity, and inverse analysis are performed on
scaled thermal inputs to provide insight on solution uniqueness and stability. This error minimization technique is demonstrated on a previously flown FTPS layup configuration
consisting of two outer fabric layers, two insulation layers, and one gas barrier layer. Results
show that the LM method is a viable technique for inverse parameter estimation of FTPS
thermal modeling problems.
Sponsor
Date Issued
2013-12-03
Extent
Resource Type
Text
Resource Subtype
Masters Project
Rights Statement
Unless otherwise noted, all materials are protected under U.S. Copyright Law and all rights are reserved