Oxidizer Nozzle Tool for On-Orbit Satellite Refueling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Satellites often face premature decommissioning due to propellant depletion, with non-cooperative Fill and Drain Valves (FDVs) posing challenges for on-orbit refueling, especially when dealing with corrosive media like Nitrogen Tetroxide oxidizer propellant, which can react with materials and cause ignition or damage.
Innovation Solution
The oxidizer nozzle tool (ONT) and quick disconnect (QD) system, operated remotely through robotic actuation, provides a compatible and adaptable solution to interface with legacy satellites' FDVs, using rotary and linear drives to establish seals, transfer propellant, and accommodate different satellite interfaces, while ensuring material integrity and safety through O-ring packaging and filtration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If a robotic refueling system is designed to interface with legacy satellite Fill and Drain Valves, then the system can extend satellite operational life through on-orbit refueling, but the system must accommodate non-cooperative interfaces that were not designed for servicing
Solution Approach 1:
The Quick Disconnect tool is designed with a universal interface that can accommodate multiple satellite FDV types. The tool incorporates adaptable sealing mechanisms and positioning features that work with various non-cooperative valve interfaces, allowing a single tool design to service multiple satellite types without modification.
Solution Approach 2:
The Quick Disconnect tool acts as an intermediary device between the robotic servicer and the legacy satellite FDV. It provides a cooperative interface on one end (for robotic actuation) while presenting a compatible interface to the non-cooperative valve on the other end, mediating the connection and enabling refueling of satellites not originally designed for servicing.
2Reliability
If the refueling system uses materials compatible with corrosive Nitrogen Tetroxide propellant, then material integrity is maintained, but the selection of materials is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The refueling system employs composite material construction, combining NTO-compatible materials (such as certain metals and coatings) with standard spacecraft materials. This allows the system to maintain material integrity where it contacts the corrosive propellant while using more versatile materials in other components, effectively resolving the limitation in material selection.
3Reliability
If the Quick Disconnect tool is designed for precise sealing and actuation, then reliable propellant transfer is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The Quick Disconnect tool is segmented into distinct functional modules: a sealing mechanism, an actuation mechanism, and a connection interface. Each module performs a specific function independently, which simplifies the design of individual components while achieving reliable overall performance. The segmentation also facilitates easier assembly, testing, and replacement of individual modules.
4Measurement precision
If the system provides visual feedback for remote robotic operations, then operational precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates visual feedback mechanisms that utilize color changes or optical indicators to communicate the state of the Quick Disconnect tool and FDV connection to remote operators. This provides intuitive operational status information (such as sealed, open, closed states) without requiring complex electronic feedback systems, thereby improving operational precision while minimizing added complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a system including an oxidizer nozzle tool having a first end, a rotary drive and a linear drive mechanism. A component, such as a quick disconnect valve, is attached to the first end of the oxidizer nozzle. The rotary drive actuates the component to engage and seal to a drain valve on a device (such as a satellite) such that the component can open and close the drain value while maintaining the seal, wherein the linear drive mechanism is operable to lock and release the component from the oxidizer nozzle tool. A hose is mated to the oxidizer nozzle tool, wherein upon actuation, fluid flows through the hose to the oxidizer nozzle tool and through the component into the drain valve.