Vapor-Pressure Driven Pump as Propellant Supply Tank in Space/Vacuum Environments
Purdue University researchers have developed a gravity-free pump with self-regulated, low head pressure for reliably supplying propellant in micropropulsion systems used in space and vacuum environments.
The manipulation of liquid in space and other vacuum environments has been a challenge. Any advancement in this field would be a breakthrough that could lead to further discovery in spacecraft propulsion.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a method of manipulating liquid fluids in low pressure, gravity-free environments. This technology is a gravity-free pump with a self-regulated, low head pressure that can be used as a propellant supply tank for micropropulsion systems operating in space or other vacuum environments. It has been tested in a vacuum chamber to replicate the nominal operating procedure.
Advantages:
-Manipulates fluids in low pressure, gravity-free environments
-Self-regulated, low head pressure
Potential Applications:
-Micropropulsion systems
-Space or other vacuum environment
TRL: 3
Intellectual Property:
Provisional-Patent, 2018-10-04, United States | Utility Patent, 2019-10-04, United States