In-Situ Contamination Sampler for Inaccessible Spacecraft Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current industry methods for contamination monitoring in aerospace systems are limited by inaccessible surfaces, as facility air cleanliness monitoring may not accurately represent contaminant levels on sensitive hardware, particularly due to geometry constraints.
Innovation Solution
A multi-purpose in-situ contamination sampler with a silicon window on each side, allowing simultaneous collection of both particulate and molecular contamination, minimizing cross-contamination during handling and enabling flexible mounting on various hardware configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If facility air cleanliness monitoring is used to assess contaminant levels, then monitoring coverage is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates for inaccessible surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The witness plate is divided into multiple separately accessible surfaces, each capable of independently collecting contamination data. This segmentation allows selective placement of surfaces in different locations within the facility, enabling comprehensive coverage while maintaining precise measurement capability for each individual surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The witness plate serves as an intermediary object that indirectly measures contamination levels on inaccessible surfaces. By placing witness surfaces in accessible locations that represent the contamination environment of inaccessible areas, the system transfers the measurement function from directly inaccessible surfaces to accessible proxy surfaces.
2Measurement precision
If multiple witness surfaces are used to monitor different orientations, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple witness surfaces oriented in different directions are merged into a single integrated witness plate assembly. This consolidation allows the collection of contamination data from multiple orientations and locations while managing complexity through a unified structure rather than separate devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The witness plate is designed as a multi-functional device that simultaneously performs contamination collection from multiple orientations, protects embedded sensors, and provides a standardized interface for installation. This universality reduces the need for multiple separate monitoring devices.
3Reliability
If sensitive surfaces are placed behind covers, then system reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates for contamination monitoring
Solution Approach 1:
The witness plate incorporates embedded sensors and witness surfaces within a protective cover structure, creating a nested configuration where sensitive elements are sheltered inside. This nesting provides protection while maintaining the functional capability of contamination collection through apertures or exposed portions of the witness surfaces.
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-purpose in-situ contamination sampler includes an inner frame surrounded by a plurality of removable or attachable pieces, each of which include of a single witness surface configured to collect both particulate and molecular contamination within an environment on a payload or a spacecraft.