Subcritical Liquid Oxygen Storage and Supply System for Use in Weightless Environments
Report Number: AMRL TR 66-178
Author(s): Lundeen, H. Robert
Corporate Author(s): Bendix Corporation
Laboratory: Aerospace Medical Research Laboratories
Date of Publication: 1967-04
Pages: 69
Contract: AF 33(615)-2308
DoD Project: 6373
DoD Task: 637302
Identifier: AD0655359
Abstract:
A subcritical liquid oxygen storage and supply system for use in weightless environments was designed, combining the properties of the capillary-wick to displace gas phase from a two-phase mixture, thus assuring liquid phase delivery, with the dominant surface tension forces which cause liquid phase to accumulate at the periphery and gas phase to locate at the center of a spherical container in a weightless environment. A 10-liter prototype unit was fabricated based on these concepts. The complete system includes, in addition to the storage container, associated temperature, pressure, acceleration, and strain sensors to monitor system performance in weightless conditions. Liquid phase delivery from the pressure vessel has been demonstrated by the oxygen-nitrogen mixed gas test technique. The testing program conducted on the prototype unit gave every indication that the design concept is satisfactory for weightless operation.
Provenance: RAF Centre of Aviation Medicine
Author(s): Lundeen, H. Robert
Corporate Author(s): Bendix Corporation
Laboratory: Aerospace Medical Research Laboratories
Date of Publication: 1967-04
Pages: 69
Contract: AF 33(615)-2308
DoD Project: 6373
DoD Task: 637302
Identifier: AD0655359
Abstract:
A subcritical liquid oxygen storage and supply system for use in weightless environments was designed, combining the properties of the capillary-wick to displace gas phase from a two-phase mixture, thus assuring liquid phase delivery, with the dominant surface tension forces which cause liquid phase to accumulate at the periphery and gas phase to locate at the center of a spherical container in a weightless environment. A 10-liter prototype unit was fabricated based on these concepts. The complete system includes, in addition to the storage container, associated temperature, pressure, acceleration, and strain sensors to monitor system performance in weightless conditions. Liquid phase delivery from the pressure vessel has been demonstrated by the oxygen-nitrogen mixed gas test technique. The testing program conducted on the prototype unit gave every indication that the design concept is satisfactory for weightless operation.
Provenance: RAF Centre of Aviation Medicine