The mercury propellant tank system developed for use with solar electric propulsion was studied to analytically determine the resonant frequencies of the tank system and compare them with the anticipated control natural frequency of the spacecraft. The system consisted of a stainless steel spherical shell and a hemispherical elastomeric diaphram which separates the mercury propellant and the gaseous nitrogen pressurant. The major analytical tool used was the NASTRAN program. Six mathematical models, which represent various amounts of mercury in the tank system were developed. Resonant frequencies for six harmonics were obtained for each of the six models considered. The results show that the lowest resonant frequency for the tank system is about an order of magnitude greater than the anticipated control frequency of the spacecraft.


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    Title :

    Constrained sloshing of liquid mercury in a flexible spherical tank


    Contributors:
    Lestingi, J. (author) / Zavesky, R. (author)

    Conference:

    International Electric Propulsion Conference ; 1978 ; San Diego, CA, US


    Publication date :

    1978-04-01


    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English








    LIQUID SLOSHING IN SPHERICAL TANKS

    ABRAMSON, H. N. / CHU, W. / GARZA, L. R. | AIAA | 1963