ENGINE INTERFACE PANEL

The engine interface panel, mounted above the turbopump LOX and fuel inlets, provides the ve­hicle connect location for electrical connectors be­tween the engine and the vehicle. It also provides the attachment point for the vehicle flexible heat – resistant curtain. The panel is fabricated from heat – resistant stainless-steel casting made in three sec­tions and assembled by rivets and bolts.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The electrical system consists of flexible armored wiring harnesses for actuation of engine controls and the flight instrumentation harnesses.

HYDRAULIC CONTROL SYSTEM

The hydraulic control system operates the engine propellant valves during the start and cutoff se­quences. It consists of a hypergol manifold, a check­out valve, an engine control valve, and the related tubing and fittings.

Hypergol Manifold

The hypergol manifold directs hypergolic fluid to the separate igniter fuel system in the thrust cham­ber injector. It consists of a hypergol container, an ignition monitor valve, a position switch, and an igniter fuel valve. The hypergol container, position switch, and igniter fuel valve are internal parts of the hypergol manifold.

A spring-loaded, cam-lock mechanism incorporated in the hypergol manifold prevents actuation of the
ignition monitor valve until after the upstream hypergol cartridge diaphragm bursts. The same mechanism actuates a position switch that indicates when the hypergol cartridge is installed. The igniter fuel valve is a spring-loaded, cracking check valve that opens and allows fuel to flow into the hypergol container. The hypergol cartridge diaphragms are ruptured by the resultant pressure surge when the igniter fuel valve opens.

Ignition Monitor Valve

The ignition monitor valve is a pressure-actuated, three-way valve mounted on the hypergol mani­fold. It controls the opening of the fuel valves and permits them to open only after satisfactory com­bustion has been achieved in the thrust chamber.

When the hypergol cartridge is installed in the hypergol manifold, a cam-lock mechanism prevents the ignition monitor valve poppet from moving from the closed position. The ignition monitor valve has six ports: a control port, an inlet port, two outlet ports, a return port, and an atmospheric reference port. The control port receives pressure from the thrust chamber fuel manifold. The inlet port re­ceives hydraulic fuel pressure for opening the fuel valves. When the ignition monitor valve poppet is in the deactuated position, hydraulic fuel from the inlet port is stopped at the poppet seat. When the hypergol cartridge diaphragm bursts, the spring- loaded cam-lock retracts to permit the ignition moni­tor valve poppet unrestricted motion. When thrust chamber pressure (directed to the control port from the thrust chamber fuel manifold I increases, the ignition monitor valve poppet moves to the open (actuated) position and hydraulic fuel is directed through the outlet ports to the fuel valves.