Abstract: Devices for protecting an edge weld of a thin metal bladder, which is positioned within a rigid walled tank, against a cavitation-induced collapse where the configuration of the interior surface of the bladder at the edge weld is in the structural form of a cavity which is horn-like in shape. One such device is a backing made of hard and ductile material which is interposed between and is in contact with the exterior surface of the bladder and the interior surface of the rigid walled tank at a location adjacent to the edge weld of the bladder. Another is a T-shaped ring disposed internal of the bladder, with the normally vertical leg of the T-shaped ring inserted into the horn-like cavity, and with the normally horizontal leg of the T-shaped ring positioned across the cavity ad in contact with the interior surface of the bladder at a location adjacent to the cavity. Even further, a hard material is fixedly positioned in the horn-like shaped cavity, thereby filling the cavity.

Abstract: A controllable fluid damper 14 for a fluid-containing tank 10 in a space vehicle comprising a hollow sphere 14. The wall of the sphere 14 is a honeycomb structure of six-sided cells 24 arranged with respect to the sphere 14 so that the open ends of the cells 24 lie along the radii of the sphere 14. The flat sides of the cells 24 contain small holes 26 which present some resistance to the flow of fluid therethrough. The outer surface of the sphere 14 lies adjacent the inner surface of the tank wall 12. A number of spaced brake pads are located in the tank wall 12 so that the surfaces of the pads are co-planar with the inner surface of the tank wall 12. One of the brake pads, 16, is radially movable in the inward direction; the remainder, 18, are fixed in position. The sphere 10 can rotate with the fluid when a maneuver of the vehicle is started and, then, rotation of the damper 14 can be arrested by moving the movable brake pad 16 into pressure contact with the outer surface of the damper 14.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting failure of a surface tension screen disposed between a holding chamber and a main chamber of a tank includes a fixture for supporting the tank in desired test orientations, a drive mechanism on the fixture for rotating the tank and an ultrasonic transducer used in making a measurement with respect to the position of an interface between liquid and gas contained in the holding chamber of the tank. The holding and main chambers are tandemly arranged along a longitudinal axis of the tank and are each substantially filled by a liquid propellant with respective volumes of gas contained in each chamber. The fixture supports the tank in a first orientation with a nose of the tank pointing downwardly and tank longitudinal axis extending approximately 60.degree. above horizontal and to the right of vertical and in a second orientation with the tank nose pointing upwardly and tank longitudinal axis extending approximately 60.degree. above horizontal and to the left of vertical.

Abstract: Methods of protecting an edge weld of a thin metal bladder, which is positioned within a rigid walled tank, against a cavitation-induced collapse where the configuration of the interior surface of the bladder at the edge weld is in the structural form of a cavity which is horn-like in shape. One of the inventive devices is a backing made of hard and ductile material (such as an epoxy, or a brazing compound, or the like) which is interposed between and is in contact with the exterior surface of the bladder and the interior surface of the rigid walled tank in which the bladder is positioned, at a location adjacent to the edge weld of the bladder. Another of the inventive devices is a T-shaped ring disposed internal of the bladder, with the normally vertical leg of the T-shaped ring inserted into the horn-like cavity, and with the normally horizontal leg of the T-shaped ring positioned across the cavity and in contact with the interior surface of the bladder at a location adjacent to the cavity.