Propellant Decontamination Module for Spacecraft Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Propellants in spacecraft are exposed to harsh environments and contaminants, making complete removal of contaminants challenging, especially during storage and in microgravity, which can lead to system failures and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a reservoir, decontamination module, flow management system, and control system that allows for controlled removal and prevention of contaminants in propellants, enabling the propellant to be used effectively in electrospray emission devices without exposure to contaminants, and maintaining a stable flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If propellant is stored in spacecraft during mission, then propellant must be exposed to harsh space environment and contaminants, but complete removal of contaminants cannot be ensured and propellant continues to absorb contaminants
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the propellant storage and delivery into separate sealed modules: a propellant reservoir sealed from contaminants, a decontamination chamber for processing, and a delivery system. This segmentation isolates the propellant from harmful environmental factors while maintaining cleanliness throughout storage and operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs decontamination processing before propellant is delivered to the electrospray emission device. The decontamination chamber removes contaminants from propellant that has been exposed to the space environment, ensuring cleanliness at the point of use despite prior exposure to harsh conditions.
2Reliability
If decontamination processing is implemented, then propellant can be cleaned of contaminants, but system complexity increases with additional modules
Solution Approach 1:
The system combines multiple functions into integrated modules: the decontamination chamber serves both as a processing vessel and a sealed storage component, while the flow management system handles both propellant delivery and decontamination operations. This merging reduces overall system complexity compared to having completely separate systems for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The decontamination chamber is designed to serve multiple purposes: it acts as a sealed storage container for propellant, a processing chamber for removing contaminants, and a transition zone between the sealed reservoir and the delivery system. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed.
3Reliability
If sealed reservoir is used to prevent contaminant absorption, then propellant remains clean during storage, but controlled delivery and decontamination capabilities are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamic flow management with controllable valves and pumps that can adjust propellant delivery rates, switch between storage and decontamination modes, and respond to operational requirements. This dynamic control allows the sealed system to adapt to different mission phases while maintaining propellant cleanliness.
Data Source
AI summary
A system can include a reservoir configured to hold working material, a decontamination module configured to remove contaminants from the working material, a flow control mechanism configured to regulate working material flow between the reservoir and the decontamination module, and a manifold fluidly connecting the reservoir to the decontamination module.