Effects of vortex valve geometry parameters on SRM thrust modulation

A series of researches were experimentally investigated to study the influences of vortex valve geometry parameters on thrust modulation. The experimental system of thrust modulation SRM based on vortex valve is established. The influences of diameter of the injection ring, height and diameter of the vortex chamber as well as area of the gas passage on thrust modulation performance are obtained. The experimental results show that the modulation performance of vortex valve can be improved by reducing the height of vortex chamber appropriately and by using larger area of the gas passage as well as by using greater diameter of the vortex chamber. Thus, thrust modulation performance of SRM can be improved through optimizing vortex valve geometry parameters.