Rapid Prototyping of a combined Channel/Pump Structure for liquid metal actuators used as angular momentum storage device for picosatellites

Paper number

IAC-15,C2,9,4,x29670

Author

Mr. Sebastian Grau, Technische Universität Berlin, Germany

Coauthor

Mr. Daniel Noack, Technische Universität Berlin, Germany

Coauthor

Prof. Klaus Brieß, Technische Universität Berlin, Germany

Year

2015

Abstract

Liquid metal actuators--used as angular momentum storage devices--require a ring-like channel to conduct the liquid metal, and a housing for an electromagnetic pumping unit. Due to the small scale required for Cubesat application, rapid prototyping technologies are used to produce an integrated channel/pump element.

Selective laser sintering enables hollowed channel structures with an inner cross-section in the milimeter area. At the same time, all structural features required for housing the pumping unit can be added to the channel.

Sintered structures are currently used in laboratory models of liquid metal actuators. This paper describes the design process of the channel/pump element, powder removal from the channel, and surface treatment of the inner walls of channel and pump.

Abstract document

IAC-15,C2,9,4,x29670.brief.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-15,C2,9,4,x29670.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.