High Pressure In-line Flow Control Valve
ESA Proba-2.
A variant has now been developed to enable a MEOP of up to 120bar. As with the low pressure variant, it is a mono-stable solenoid, using a single coil to energise the movement of a suspended sealing armature. This assembly is located using a diaphragm spring to ensure a non-sliding fit. The armature to seat profiles have been designed to minimise flow discontinuities, thereby reducing the susceptibility to contamination induced failures.
The valve uses a flat faced seal to reduce the risk associated with valve internal leakage due to a high cycle life. When in the unpowered state, system pressure forces and a spring, work together to keep the armature held in the closed position. The inlet filter rating and mechanical interfaces can be customised to suit the customer requirements. The valve was used on the Proba 2 mission for ESA.
Operating Media
Xenon, GN2, GHe, CF4, Butane, Propane
Maximum Operating Pressure
120 bar
Proof Pressure
180 bar
Burst Pressure
300 bar
Flow Rate / Pressure Drop
>15 l/min GN2 at 6 bar ΔP
Internal Leakage
<1 x 10-3 scc/s GHe at 120 bar
External Leakage
<1 x 10-6 scc/s GHe at 120 bar
Opening Response
< 10 ms (at 24V and 120 bara)
Closing Response
< 10 ms (at 34V and 2 bara)
Coil Resistance
>41 Ω
Input Voltages
<20 Vdc
Operating Cycle Life
300,000 cycles
Filter Rating
25 µm absolute
Wetted Materials
AISI304L, Radiometal 4550, PTFE Grade 1 Type S
Hardware Mass
60 gram
Envelope
17.06 mm diameter
Electrical Interface
Flying leads
Fluidic Interface
The interfaces can be customised based on the customer needs.
Technology Readiness Level
TRL9
Status
The high pressure flow control valve is qualified and has flown on Proba 2.
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
