Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-94fs2 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-02T21:54:35.518Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Irradiated Single Crystals for High Temperature Measurements in Space Applications

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 February 2011

Alex A. Volinsky
Affiliation:
University of South Florida, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tampa FL 33620USA, [email protected]; http://www.eng.usf.edu/~volinsky
V. A. Nikolaenko
Affiliation:
Russian Research Center “Kurchatov Institute”, Moscow, Russia 123182
V. A. Morozov
Affiliation:
Russian Research Center “Kurchatov Institute”, Moscow, Russia 123182
V. P. Timoshenko
Affiliation:
Molniya-T, Moscow, Russia 123459
Get access

Abstract

While spacecrafts experience temperatures from -120 to 110°C on the orbit, their surface reaches extremely high temperatures, well above 1000 °C, during descent into the atmosphere due to aerodynamic heating. Sophisticated insulation systems are designed for thermal protection. One of the steps in designing a protection system is experimental temperature measurements.

Neutron flux induces point defects formation and accumulation in diamond and SiC single crystals, which causes overall lattice expansion. During thermal annealing this process is reversed, so the annealing temperature and time result in the “reduced” lattice parameter (measured by X-Ray diffraction), which allows determining the maximum temperature, if the exposure time is known. This paper describes the use of irradiated single crystal high temperature sensors for measuring temperatures in thermal protection systems during spacecraft descent, as well as other space applications. These additional applications include measuring the furnace temperature during single crystal growth in space at zero gravity, and measuring the rocket combustion chamber turbo pump temperature.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2005

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

1. Saltvold, I.K., A Survey of Temperature Measurement, (Pinowa, Manitobe, Atomic Energy of Canada Limited-AECL-5394, 1967), p. 51.Google Scholar
2. Nikolaenko, V.A., Morozov, V.A., Kasianov, N.I., A Crystal Maximum Temperature Measurer for Special Applications, -Rev. Int. Htes Temp. et Refract. 1976, vol. 13, pp. 1720.Google Scholar
3. Nikolaenko, V.A., Karpuhin, V.I., Measuring Temperature with Irradiated Materials, “Izmerenie Temperaturi s Pomoschiu Obluchennih Materialov” (Energoatomizdat, Moscow, 1986).Google Scholar
4. Lozino-Lozinsky, G.E., Timoshenko, V.P., Lessons Learned From the BOR Flight Campaign, Proceedings of the 3rd European Symposium on Aerothermodynamics for Space Vehicles, 1998, ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, ESA SP-426, pp 675683, 1998.Google Scholar
5. Timoshenko, V.P., Design and Experimental Development of the BURAN Thermal Protection, in Aerospace Systems: Book of Technical Papers, edited by Lozino-Lozinsky, G.E. and Bratukhin, A.G. (Moscow: Publishing House of Moscow Aviation Institute, 1997), p. 123.Google Scholar
6. Merzhanov, A.G., Advances in Space Research 29 (4), p. 487, (2002).Google Scholar
7. Volinsky, A.A., Ginzbursky, L.G., Morozov, V.A., Crystal Temperature Sensor. Technology Status and Future Research, 2003 ASME Mechanics and Materials Conference book of abstracts, June 2003, Scottsdale AZ, 10 (2003).Google Scholar
8. Volinsky, A.A., Ginzbursky, L., Mat. Res. Soc. Symp. Proc. Vol. 792, R5.3, (2003).Google Scholar