Electrically Actuated Valve for Propulsion Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Propulsion systems face challenges in preventing propellant leakage and uncontrolled flow during storage and launch due to environmental changes, leading to potential device failure and short circuits.
Innovation Solution
An electrically-actuated valve with through holes that are initially non-wettable by the propellant, which becomes wettable upon application of a voltage potential, allowing controlled flow from the propellant reservoir to the thruster, utilizing a substrate with insulating and hydrophobic layers to prevent unintended wetting and ensure reliable operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the valve through holes are initially non-wettable to prevent propellant leakage during storage and launch, then reliability is improved, but the valve cannot allow propellant flow when needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a voltage potential to change the surface energy parameters of the valve material, transforming it from a low-surface-energy (hydrophobic) state that prevents wetting to a high-surface-energy state that promotes wetting. This parameter change allows the same valve structure to perform both leakage prevention during storage and controlled flow during operation
Solution Approach 2:
The valve transitions from a static hydrophobic surface to a dynamically controllable surface through electrical actuation. The application of voltage potential dynamically changes the surface properties, enabling the valve to switch between closed (non-wettable) and open (wettable) states as needed
2Reliability
If a hydrophobic layer is applied to the substrate to prevent unintended wetting, then reliability is improved, but the valve structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite structure consisting of a substrate with integrated hydrophobic and insulating layers. This composite material approach combines multiple functions (structural support, hydrophobicity, electrical insulation) into a single integrated component, preventing unintended wetting while managing the complexity through material integration rather than separate mechanical components
3Reliability
If an insulating layer is disposed on the through holes to prevent short circuits, then reliability is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The insulating layer is deposited to line the porous through holes of the valve substrate. This approach utilizes the existing porous structure to guide the insulating material deposition, ensuring complete coverage of conductive surfaces while maintaining manufacturability. The porous structure naturally provides pathways for uniform coating application
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively isolates the propellant during storage and launch, preventing leakage and ensuring reliable thruster operation by allowing controlled propellant flow only when needed, thus enhancing the reliability and longevity of propulsion systems.
Implementation Method 1
a first power source applies a voltage potential to the at least one valve relative to the propellant to wet the first plurality of through holes of the at least one valve with the propellant
Implementation Method 2
a hydrophobic layer disposed on at least an upstream surface of the substrate
Implementation Method 3
an insulating layer disposed on a surface of the substrate and disposed on a surface of the through-holes
Data Source
AI summary
Propulsion systems, such as electrospray thrusters, may include an electrically actuated valve to permit a selective flow of propellant to a thruster. The valve may be located and arranged such that it physically separates a propellant, such as a source of ions, from a thruster of the propulsion system. In some embodiments, the application of a voltage potential to the valve may wet a plurality of through holes formed in the valve with the propellant such that the propellant flows through the valve to the thruster. After the valve has been opened, the propulsion system may be operated normally.