• Journal of the Korean Society for Aviation and Aeronautics
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.58-63
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• 2012

An altitude chamber, also known as a hypobaric chamber, is a device used during aerospace or high terrestrial altitude research or training to simulate the effects of high altitude on the human body. Although data from altitude chamber researches using experimental animals have been accumulated, studies in the humans exposed to hypobaric conditions are seldomly reported. Despite the importance of altitude chamber flight training in the field of aviation physiology, the hematological analysis of post-flight physiological changes has rarely been performed. The aims of the present study were to investigate the alterations in blood components during altitude chamber flight and to determine whether the differences between pre- and post-flight values are significant. Sixty experienced pilots in the Republic of Korea Air Force were enrolled in the altitude chamber flight training. Venous blood samples were obtained before and immediately after the flight. Compared with the pre-flight values($6.32{\times}10^3/mm^3$, $5.02{\times}10^6/mm^3$, 15.61 g/dL, respectively), white blood cell count, red blood cell count and hemoglobin level were significantly increased after the flight($6.77{\times}10^3/mm^3$, $5.44{\times}10^6/mm^3$, 16.26 g/dL; p=0.006, p=0.012, p<0.001, respectively). These alterations may be attributable to the exposure to hypobaric hypoxia, 100% oxygen supply for denitrogenation, considerable rise and fall in altitude and psychophysical stress due to these factors. In further studies, experimental groups and methods should be individualized to ensure objectivity and diversification. In addition, multiple time-frame analyses regarding the changing pattern of each blood component are also required to elucidate the physiological process for adapting to the high terrestrial altitude exposure.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
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• v.38 no.12
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• pp.1195-1201
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• 2010

Performance tests of a supersonic exhaust diffuser were conducted by using a liquid rocket engine for simulating high-altitude environment. The experimental setup consisted of a combustion chamber, a vacuum chamber and a diffuser. The combustion tests for simulating high-altitude environment were carried out at three cases by chamber pressure variation(26, 29, 32barg). The test results showed that the diffuser was started at all case and vacuum chamber pressures were approximately 140torr. The starting pressure using combustion gas was similar with that of cold gas, but the vacuum chamber pressure was relatively high because of high temperature in the vacuum chamber. The results of this test can be used as an essential database for the design of real-scale high-altitude simulation test facility in the future.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Military Science and Technology
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• v.7 no.4 s.19
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• pp.133-137
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• 2004

A simplified test rig to simulate high-altitude environments was designed by analyzing the AEDC (Arnolds Engineering Development Center) report regarding simulated altitude testing. The test rig consists of a vacuum chamber, a supersonic nozzle connected to a cold-gas supplier and a diffuser. The preliminary tests were conducted to validate the AEDC design concepts. The test results showed that sub-atmospheric pressure(1.0psia) environments were realized inside the vacuum chamber and the design concepts were confirmed.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers Conference
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• 2009.11a
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• pp.403-406
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• 2009

This research is based on the altitude temperature, pressure and humidity, as defined by MIL-HDBK-310 standard and modifies this conditions to conform to the new standard MIL-STD-810F and test procedure given in AIAA-2466 from this fundamental guideline optimal design and sizing of test section, inlet, exhauster duct, temperature and humidity control was performed.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers Conference
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• 2007.11a
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• pp.31-34
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• 2007

Performance tests of supersonic exhaust diffuser were conducted by using hot combustion gas for simulating high-altitude environment. The test rig consists of a combustion chamber, a vacuum chamber, water cooling ring and diffuser. Before combustion experiments, the preliminary leak tests were carried out on the liquid rocket engine and diffuser by using high pressure nitrogen(30barg) and a vacuum pump. The leak test results showed that there was no leaks at high pressure and vacuum pressure conditions.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.16-23
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• 2008

Theoretical and numerical approaches were conducted in order to study supersonic exhaust diffusers to simulate high altitude performance of rockets on the ground. A physical model of concern includes a rocket motor, vacuum chamber, and diffuser, which have axisymmetric configurations. An analysis was conducted to investigate operation characteristics of supersonic exhaust diffusers from a flow-development point of view. Emphasis was placed on theoretical formulation to predict the starting pressure of diffusers, the effect of the vacuum chamber size, and the minimum starting pressure of the rocket motor to start the diffuser.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers Conference
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• 2017.05a
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• pp.112-115
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• 2017

We analyzed the rocket engine flow to check whether the possibility of the ground test and the equipment safety problems in the high altitude engine test facility. The test condition is that the vacuum chamber is open and the coolant water is injected into the supersonic diffuser. The analysis uses two-dimensional axisymmetry with a mixture of plume, air, and cooling water. As a result, the ground test was possible up to the cooling water flow rate of 200 kg/sec. However, due to the back flow of the initial plume, the vacuum chamber is exposed to high temperature, and at the same time, the inside of the vacuum chamber is contaminated due to the reverse flow of the cooling water. Therefore, sufficient insulation measures and work for pollution avoidance should be preceded.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.87-95
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• 2016

A study on the effect of altitude-compensation and the possibility of throttling is performed by designing an E-D nozzle that is a type of altitude-compensation nozzles. In order to examine the effect of the altitude-compensation, a CFD analysis is conducted by using three kinds (sea level, altitude at 10 km and 16 km) of the atmosphere condition while maintaining the chamber pressure. Results show that the effective nozzle exit area is also gradually increased when the altitude get increased. Understanding the possibility of throttling, a CFD analysis is conducted by moving the location of the pintle. Just as same as a general pintle thruster, the chamber pressure and thrust are increased when the nozzle throat area get decreased.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers Conference
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• 2012.05a
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• pp.475-478
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• 2012

In this study, preliminary design of a high-altitude test facility (HATF) was performed to simulate the high-altitude environment using a rocket engine that liquid oxygen and kerosene were used as the propellant. Experimental facility consists of vacuum chamber, supersonic exhaust diffuser, heat exchanger, ejector and gas generator. The vacuum chamber was simulated and maintained high-altitude environmental pressure by supersonic exhaust diffuser. Combustion gas of the rocket engine was cooled by water at heat exchanger after that the mixed gas was emitted to the air by ejector. The ejector which was operated by the steam generator using 75% ethanol and liquid oxygen as propellants and water for steam maintains a vacuum condition.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Military Science and Technology
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• v.7 no.4 s.19
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• pp.138-145
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• 2004

Experimental study was conducted on cylindrical supersonic diffuser in order to investigate the effects of the ratios of diffuser area to nozzle throat area (Ad/At), diffuser area to nozzle exit area (Ad/Ae), nozzle exit area to its throat area (Ae/At), and diffuser length to its diameter (L/D), the free volume of vacuum chamber, and the relative distance between nozzle exit and diffuser inlet on the diffuser performance. The study showed that the minimum diffuser starting pressure (Po/Pa)st increased monotonically with increase in (Ad/At) as predicted by the normal shock and momentum theory models and the volume of vacuum chamber affected vacuum pressure level during diffuser operation at lower value of (Ad/Ae). The results of this investigation will be utilized in the design of real-scale high-altitude simulation test facility.