Spacecraft Fluid Transfer System with Accumulator Tank
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid transfer systems in space are not 'clean' as they purge propellant into space, leading to contamination and thermal property alterations of spacecraft surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A fluid transfer system for spacecraft that includes a pressurant supply system, a fluid tank, transfer feedlines, an accumulator tank with a flexible separator, and a robotic arm, which allows for pressure adjustment without purging fluid into space, ensuring a 'clean' transfer process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If fluid is purged into space to adjust pressure in transfer systems, then pressure control is achieved, but contamination and thermal property alterations of spacecraft surfaces occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary fluid (such as nitrogen or carbon dioxide) that acts as a mediator between the pressurant gas and the transferred fluid. This intermediary fluid is introduced into the accumulator tank, mixes with the transferred fluid, and is then purged into space instead of the valuable transferred fluid, thereby preventing contamination and thermal property alterations of spacecraft surfaces while maintaining pressure control capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the composition parameter of the fluid in the accumulator tank by introducing an intermediary gas that is chemically inert and has different physical properties compared to the transferred fluid. This parameter change allows the system to purge the intermediary gas instead of the valuable transferred fluid, resolving the contradiction between pressure control and surface contamination
2Object-affected harmful factors
If an accumulator tank is introduced to separate pressurant supply from transfer feedlines, then fluid purging is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible diaphragm or membrane within the accumulator tank to separate the pressurant gas chamber from the transfer feedline chamber. This flexible barrier allows pressure transmission while preventing direct fluid mixing, achieving purging prevention with a relatively simple and elegant structure that adds minimal complexity to the system
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple functions into the accumulator tank: it serves as both a pressure buffer and a fluid separation chamber. By merging the pressure regulation function with the fluid isolation function in a single component, the system achieves purging prevention without proportionally increasing overall system complexity
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 system enables efficient and contamination-free fluid transfer between spacecraft by regulating pressure within the transfer feedlines, preventing fluid purging into space and maintaining a clean environment.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible separator arranged to separate the first portion and the second portion
Implementation Method 2
the pressurant supply system is arranged to supply pressurant gas to the first fluid tank for pressurising the first fluid tank and to supply pressurant gas to the first portion of the accumulator tank for pressurising the first portion of the accumulator tank
Implementation Method 3
the accumulator tank is configured such that a pressure of the second portion is adjusted by modifying a pressure of the first portion
Data Source
AI summary
A system for transferring a fluid from a first spacecraft to a second spacecraft. The first spacecraft includes a fluid transfer system comprising: a pressurant supply system, a first fluid tank to store a fluid to be transferred, one or more transfer feedlines to provide fluidic connection between the first fluid tank and the second spacecraft, a connector for connecting the first spacecraft to the second spacecraft, an accumulator tank comprising a first portion connected to the pressurant supply system, a second portion configured in fluidic communication with the one or more transfer feedlines, and a flexible separator to separate the first portion and the second portion. The pressurant supply system supplies pressurant gas to the first fluid tank for pressurising the first fluid tank and to supply pressurant gas to the first portion of the accumulator tank for pressurising the first portion of the accumulator tank.