Screening procedures complete emptying of a tank of propellant and propellant and propellant management on board a satellite.

摘要

Method for detecting complete emptying of at least one tank (1, 2) of liquid propellant surface tension of an artificial satellite, in particular a geosynchronous satellite (geostationary), wherein said tank (1, 2) of propellant is connected, by a conduit (3, 4) casting on which a valve (5, 6) flush tank is mounted, at least one duct (7, 8, 9) for feeding a nozzle or plurality of nozzles (12, 13), attitude control and / or orbit of a propulsion system of the satellite, and on which a valve (10, 11) of feed nozzle (s) controlled by intermittent opening is mounted and closing to drive intermittently said nozzle or plurality of nozzles (12, 13), comprising at least the steps of, using at least one sensor (14, 15, 16) mounted pressure on the conduit (3, 4) or drain (7, 8, 9) between said supply valves (5, 6) will ted and (10, 11) for feeding, to detect waves pressure fluctuations (pressure surges) resulting from the opening and closing of said valve (10, 11) for feeding and running through the ducts (7, 8, 9 ) supply and (3, 4) drain valve (10, 11) for feeding downstream, towards said reservoir (1, 2) upstream, then detect, following an order of said valve (10, 11) feeding damping at least partially (if not disappearance) of said waves of pressure oscillations are test step transition between ergol liquid and a gas pressurization ergol the level sensor (14, 15, 16) pressure, and therefore complete emptying of the reservoir (1, 2).