Development of a pressure box to evaluate reusable-launch-vehicle cryogenic-tank panels

A cryogenic pressure-box test machine has been designed and is being developed to test full-scale reusable launch vehicle cryogenic-tank panels. This machine is equipped with an internal pressurization system, a cryogenic cooling system, and a heating system to simulate the mechanical and thermal loading conditions that are representative of a reusable launch vehicle mission profile. The cryogenic cooling system uses liquid helium and liquid nitrogen to simulate liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen tank internal temperatures. A quartz lamp heating system is used for heating the external surface of the test panels to simulate cryogenic-tank external surface temperatures during re-entry of the launch vehicle. The pressurization system uses gaseous helium and is designed to be controlled independently of the cooling system. The tensile loads in the axial direction of the test panel are simulated by means of hydraulic actuators and a load control system. The hoop loads in the test panel are reacted by load-calibrated turnbuckles attached to the skin and frame elements of the test panel. The load distribution in the skin and frames can be adjusted to correspond to the tank structure by using these turnbuckles. The seal between the test panel and the cryogenic pressure box is made from a reinforced Teflon material which can withstand pressures greater than 52 psig at cryogenic temperatures. Analytical results and tests on prototype test components indicate that most of the cryogenic-tank loading conditions that occur in flight can be simulated in the cryogenic pressure-box test machine.