Fill and Drain Valve
ESA - SpaceBus Neo.
The Fill and Drain Valve was developed as a generic valve capable of sealing all propellant media and has been selected for use on a number of major international satellite programs, employing monopropellant, bipropellant and electric propulsion systems. The Flight Half Coupling consists of a Titanium alloy housing incorporating a stainless screw mechanism providing the primary seal. This seal is formed by a silicon nitride ball making point contact with the screw mechanism minimising friction and ensuring only axial movement is transmitted. The ball mates with a conical land in the housing that forms the seal. Redundant seals are located within the titanium alloy cap.
The FDV is operated using a dedicated Ground Half Coupling (GHC) which is screwed on to the flight half providing series seals to prevent external leakage. The internal screw mechanism is opened by applying a counter clockwise rotation to the actuating shaft of the GHC until the primary seal is fully open as indicated by the position indicator. After fueling or venting is complete the valve is closed by applying a clockwise rotation. The GHC may then be removed and the cap re-fitted and torqued closed.
Operating Media
GXe, GN2, GHe, NTO, MMH, N2H4
Maximum Operating Pressure
4,757 psi
Operational Temperature
-31°F to +162°F
Proof Pressure
9,514 psi
Burst Pressure
19,029 psi
Pressure Drop
Flowing 5.5mg/s GXe at 20°C
Internal Leakage
<<1 x 10-4 scc/s GHe
External Leakage
<1 x 10-6 scc/s GHe
Cycle Life
For qualification
Robustness
For qualification, mounting and disassembly of GHC to FHC
Wetted Materials
Titanium Alloy, Stainless Steel, PTFE, Silicon Nitride
Hardware Mass
For the flight half housing
Overall Length
For the flight half housing
Fluidic Interface
1/4” or 3/8” tube stub (weldable) or threaded AS4395 fitting
Options
Interface can be fully customised
Technology Readiness Level
Flight Qualified, TRL9
Status
The Nammo Space Fill and Drain Valves have flight heritage on the following platforms:
- SpaceBus 4000, Thales Alenia Space
- AlphaSat, EADS Astrium Satellites
- Vega Upper Stage AVUM, Avio S.p.A.
NAMMO CHELTENHAM
GENERAL CAPABILITIES
- Dedicated, skilled space engineering team
- Experienced Assembly Integration and Test team
- Program Management
QUALITY AND INSPECTION
- Certified to AS9100
- Inspection department including CMM and optical measuring equipment
- Laser part marking
- Complete traceability of inspection records
- Material traceability from original mill source to final components
CLEANROOM and ENVIRONMENTAL TESTING
- ISO Class 8 environment, with Class 5 laminar flow booths
- Large 1m diameter x 2m long Vacuum chamber
- Thermal vacuum chambers
- Thrust test facility
- Vacuum/leak testing and pressure testing.
- Air borne and liquid Particle measurement.
- Pressure Test facility to 1500 bar
- Computer controlled TIG and Orbital TIG weld facility
