To control the flow of cryogenic propellants such as liquid oxygen, liquid hydrogen or liquid methane on launch vehicles, cryogenic valves are used within these rockets.
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Launch Vehicle Combustion Chamber
Category
Leakage Requirement
2 min
Description
The combustion chamber in a rocket engine is a main critical part since this area creates the thrust needed to propel the rocket or spacecraft. In order to function properly, this chamber needs to endure extreme temperatures and pressures as well as intense vibrations.
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Satellite Solar Panel Array Deployment System
Category
Precision Machining
2 min
Description
What provides energy to satellites? A common answer is the sun! Most satellites are equipped with solar panels that convert solar energy into electricity to power the intricate systems onboard. These panels can achieve about 34% efficiency versus the 15 to 20% from most commercial solar panels.
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Launch Vehicle Engine Turbopump
Category
Special Sizes & Shapes
3 min
Description
A launch vehicle uses a turbopump that is driven by a hot gas turbine. Due to high levels of horsepower, RPM, flow rates and pressures in this system, specific design features, materials, and fabrication methods must be used to ensure high performance as well as space flight levels of reliability. For static sealing applications in this area, metal seals are used to prevent leakage of a fluid through a joint that has no relative motion of the mating surfaces.
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Launch Vehicle Large Fuel Tank
Category
Special Sizes & Shapes
3 min
Description
Launch vehicles are most often propelled using fluids with liquid oxygen being the most common oxidizer and fuel being liquid hydrogen or kerosene and most recently liquid methane. All these fluids (except kerosene) are commonly stored at cryogenic temperatures.
Sealing is critical when liquid oxygen or hydrogen are involved since they are easily ignitable. Any small amount of leakage can create a hazardous situation, which can lead to a potential explosion of the whole launch system. Leakage requirements are therefore quite stringent.
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Launch Vehicle Fuel / Oxidizer Poppet Valve
Category
Leakage Requirement
3 min
Description
In order to handle all the fluids used on a launch vehicle such as in the propulsion system, many different type of valves are installed that also require radial and dynamic seals. Some are poppet valves, which are unique due to the reciprocating movement of the shaft leaving the seal unsupported.
As a flow control device, the valve allows the flow of pressurized fluid (liquid or gas) in one direction only. In normal operations, they are in shut-off position where sealing is secured by static seals that are designed to withstand any blowout.
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