HYDRAULIC SYSTEM

The hydraulic system performs engine positioning upon command from the IU. Major components are a J-2 engine-driven hydraulic pump, two hydraulic actuator assemblies, and an accumulator-reservoir assembly.

The electrically driven auxiliary hydraulic pump is started before vehicle liftoff to pressurize the hy­draulic system. Electric power for the pump is provided by a ground source. At liftoff, the pump is switched to stage battery power. Pressurization of the hydraulic system restrains the J-2 engine in a null position with relation to the third stage eenter-

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line, preventing pendulum-like shifting from forces encountered during liftoff and boost. During power­ed flight, the J-2 engine may be gimbaled up to 7° in a square pattern by the hydraulic system upon command from the IU.

Engine-Driven Hydraulic Pump

The engine-driven hydraulic pump is a variable dis­placement type pump capable of delivering hy­draulic fluid under continuous system pressure and varying volume as required for operation of the hy­draulic actuator assemblies. The pump is driven directly from the engine oxidizer turbopump. A thermal isolator in the system controls hydraulic – fluid temperature to ensure proper operation.

Auxiliary Hydraulic Pump

The auxiliary hydraulic pump is an electrically driven variable displacement pump which supplies a constant minimum supply of hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic system at all times. The pump is also used to perform preflight engine gimbaling check­outs, hydraulically lock the engine in the null posi­tion during boost phase, maintain system hydraulic – fluid at operating temperatures during other than the powered phase, and augment the engine-driven hydraulic pump during powered flight. It also pro­vides an emergency backup supply of fluid to the system.

Hydraulic Actuator Assemblies

Two hydraulic actuator assemblies are attached directly to the J-2 engine and the thrust structure and receive IU command signals to gimba! the en­gine. The actuator assemblies are identical and interchangeable.

Accumulator-Reservoir Assembly

The accumulator-reservoir assembly is an integral unit mounted on the thrust structure. The reservoir section is the storage area for hydraulic fluid; the accumulator section supplies peak system fluid re­quirements and dampens high-pressure surges with­in the system.