Sensitivity analysis of Pogo suppression element on liquid propellant engine natural frequency

Pogo phenomenon is one of the low frequency instabilities in heavy liquid propellant launch vehicles at the system level of design. This instability produced from frequency interaction between structure and propulsion systems. In order to suppression or prevention of occurrence of this phenomenon in vehicles, designers use a device, to separate or remove the effects of frequency interaction of these systems. This element is famed to Pogo oscillation damper or Accumulator in penumahydraulic maps of liquid propellant engines. In this paper by using of dynamic modeling of engine elements (propellant tank, main feed line, accumulator, discharge line, pump assembly and thrust chamber) considering of connection between engine and structure in tank and pump assembly points, discussed about the effects of accumulator on the natural frequency of propulsion system and it’s considerations of location and performance for being in the main feed line of propulsion system is explained. Also sensitive analysis of accumulator's parameters on the natural frequency of propulsion system evaluated and results show that installing an accumulator in suction line and close to the pump assembly can decrease natural frequency of propulsion system, which can improve the stability of vehicle system. The influence of accumulator on the natural frequency becomes more significant due to increases of accumulator’s compliance and inertance. According to the matching the sensitive analysis’s results with experimental data in presence and absence of accumulator, it can be said that presentation of primary model for determination of position and size of accumulator is one the research achievements.