About the use of an 'analog' Electronic Pressure Regulator to increase the flexibility and versatility of Electric, Cold Gas and Chemical Propulsion Systems

摘要

So far Pressure Regulators used on satellites for on board propulsion application (Electrical, Chemical and Cold Gas) have been based on Mechanical Pressure Regulators or on Electronic Pressure Regulators of the "Bang-Bang" type. The paper presents an Electronic Pressure Regulator where the pressure reduction/regulation is achieved by using an "analog actuation" flow throttling device (High Pressure Regulation & Insulation Valve) ), directly interfaced to the high pressure node, and operated in closed loop control with a Low Pressure Transducer ("sensing element" of the control). The paper addresses the main components of the proposed regulation system, the associated features, the preliminary architectural design, and overviews the performances obtained from the accomplished laboratory test campaign. The High Pressure Regulation & Insulation valve, has been successfully submitted to the first part of qualification tests mechanical and thermal tests). In addition, possible applications areas within Electric, Chemical and Cold Gas Propulsion systems are highlighted. The preliminary configuration and operating parameters associated to an experiment, proposed to ESA, for the "analog" Electronic Pressure Regulator concept "In-Orbit Validation" are provided in the last part of the paper.