Rocket burn rate testing device

Claim 1

In a device for measuring burning rates, the improvement comprising: a pressure chamber for containing a sample material, an end plug adapted to be screwed into one end of said chamber for sealing said chamber, an adjustable plug adapted to be screwed into one end of said chamber for adjusting the volume thereof, igniter means protruding into said chamber for igniting said sample material, pressure-measuring means extending into said chamber for measuring the pressure during the burning of a sample material, recording means, sensing wires connected to said recording means and extending into said chamber, said wires being adapted to be embedded in respective selected parts of said sample material whereby a signal may be forwarded to said recording means when a sensing wire in a selected part of said sample is burned, said recording means including pressure and time recording means for providing data for the calculation of burning rates, a metal support tube within said chamber and concentric therewith, a layer of epoxy potting compound interposed between said metal support tube and said sample material to prevent flame travel along the outside of said sample material an to confine the burning thereof to selected parts, parts of said sensing wires extending from said selected parts of said sample material being embedded in said epoxy potting compound to prevent premature burn-through of said wires, the strength of said support tube and the sealing characteristics of said epoxy potting compound being such that flame travel is prevented and the burning of said sample material is progressive and at a linear rate.