Project Team
Students
Devin Thomas
Aerosapce Engineering
Penn State University Park
Faculty Mentors
Sven Bilen
Penn State University Park
School of Engineering Design, Technology, and Professional Programs
Project
Project Video
Project Abstract
A vacuum chamber can be used to study plasma effects and interactions related to hypersonic flight. Proper characterization of the chambers is necessary to understand the range of conditions in which the chamber can be used. In the hypersonic vacuum chamber we are developing, a plasma torch is planned to be inserted in the chamber to create the plasma environment. However, adding a flow rate into a vacuum system increases the lowest pressure, also known as the ultimate pressure, that the system can achieve. Testing was carried out to characterize what pressures the chamber would be able to achieve as mass flow rates similar to those as if the plasma torch were running. This information is valuable for further testing and construction of the chamber.
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