Assessment of Intravenous Fluid Delivery Systems for a Microgravity Environment
- Paper number
IAC-04-G.2.11
- Author
Mr. Dylan K. Spaulding, UC Berkeley, United States
- Year
2004
- Abstract
Several kinds of spacecraft design problems such as the service life of in-flight refueling tanks and damping oscillations of folding structures may be solved by means of advanced magnetic powder seals and dampers. A suitable magnetic powder has been recently developed in the Dnipropetrovs’k National University as continuing the investigations that were formerly begun in the Moscow aviation institute. Each particle of the powder has spherical shape and diameter no more 10 µm. It consists of a magnetized metal core and a polymeric envelope (V. Yemets et al., Magnetohydrodynamics, 43, 2007). The behaviour of the powder in magnetic fields is similar to the behaviours of the well-known ferrofluids and ferro-suspensions but the new distinguish features of the powder are suitability to use in cryogenic environment, no separation into phases and no adhesion to non-magnetic surfaces.
One of the powder possible applications is sealing the piston, which pushes out fuel from a cylindrical tank. The tank may be used for space stations to achieve greater refueling repetition factor as against the conventional tanks equipped with diaphragms or bellows. Such pistons may be also used to displace fuel from small tanks by mechanical means (pusher, screw) instead of conventional gas pressure-feed systems. Other possible application of the magnetic powder is the permanent magnet dampers integrated with the hinges of the folding structures such as solar batteries or aerials to suppress shocks and oscillations caused by their unfolding.
Experimental investigating the laboratory models of magnetic powder seals and damper (including cryogenic test) showed high damping ability and no entrainment of the powder from the sealing gap between a moving piston and a cylinder.
The design versions of the possible magnetic powder devices as well the experimental results will be presented and illustrated with pictures and photographs to have a discussion and seek collaborators. The video record of coating metal dust particles with polyethylene envelopes will be also presented.
Author certifies that the paper was not presented at a previous meeting and that financing and attendance of the author at the respective IAC at Glasgow to present the paper is assured.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-04-G.2.11.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
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