High Response Control Valve

Potential NASA applications include extremely durable, high-performance, low cost RCS systems for manned space flight to support high performance propulsion requirements such as orbit transfer, descent, ascent and pulsing attitude control. The ability to throttle makes the control very effective, as the impulse bit can be adjusted from large to very small depending on the immediate requirement. This has the benefit of simplifying the control system due to the very small minimum impulse bit possible. These valves can also be used as propellant valves for small monopropellant and bipropellant thrusters. This is especially the case if throttling is desired in the thrusters.

The valve is applicable for propellant flow control to both cryogenic and non-cryogenic thrusters. We are already in discussions with a potential customer for application of the valve developed in the Phase 1 effort to gaseous RCS thrusters. The size, availability, reliability, low power consumption, and very high response rate are all features that have helped generate the interest in the valve. We are also examining the potential of increasing the flow rate through the valve to provide a wider range of applicability to the valve. These applications include the ability to act as a pressure and flow regulator, the ability to eliminate pressure regulators from a system due to the ability of the valve to throttle, and as a valve for cold gas thrusters where the rapid valve response allows the generation of very small impulse bits for precision control applications. More »