Abstract :
After launch of the Space Shuttle, the Dewatering Set is used to expel the water from within a Solid Rocket Booster (SRB) casing to enable its being towed back to port for refurbishment. The SRB will be floating in a vertical or spar condition. It must assume a horizontal or log mode for towing. The Nozzle Plug of the dewatering system will dock and lock itself into the nozzle of the booster. The heart of the Nozzle Plug (NP) vehicle is its extremely lightweight, pressure-compensated electro/hydraulic power supply developed for the airline industry. The system utilizes two 15 hp motor-pump units to provide a total of 17 GPM at 2900 psi. Each motor-pump unit weighs only 44 pounds in air. The hydraulic system and its functions, such as thrusters, and locking arms are described. The controls used to operate this system and some of the unique subsystems developed such as the automatic heading device, are described.
