A IAA-8 2-0 077

A Cryogenic Valve for Spacecraft Applications

L.J. Salerno, NASA Ames Research Center,
Moffett Field, CA; and A.L. Spivak, Transbay
Downloaded by University of Michigan - Duderstadt Center on April 3, 2017 | http://arc.aiaa.org | DOI: 10.2514/6.1982-77

Electronics, Richmond, CA

,
AlAA 20th Aerospace
Sciences Meeting
ihn~e~~leb-i January 11-1 4, 1982/0rlando, Florida

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 A CRYOGENIC VALVE FOR SPACECRAFT APPLICATIONS
L . J. Salerno"
Ames Research Center, NASA, Moffett Field, California
and
A . L. Spivakk
Transbay Electronics, I n c . , Richmond, California
Abstract
With the current interest in infrared astron-
omy and the number of proposed orbiting cryogeni-
cally cooled infrared telescopes, n requirement has
developed for cryogenic valves to operate between
room and liquid helium temperatures.
Downloaded by University of Michigan - Duderstadt Center on April 3, 2017 | http://arc.aiaa.org | DOI: 10.2514/6.1982-77
A remotely controllable cryogenic v a l v e is
described which employs commercially available
components. The bellows-type stainless-steel
valve is operated by n miniature dc motor and
integral gearset. Coupled to a power transmission,
an overall gear ratio of nearly 3 5 0 0 : l is realized
assuring reliability of operation at low
temperatures.
Valve performance (leak rate) data are pre-
sented at LN2, LHe, and S f H e temperatures with
torque as a parameter for valve closing torques of
18 N-m, 27 N-m, 31 N-m, and 35 N-m. With a clos-
ing torque of 31 N-rn, a leak rate of
2.8 x s c c / s e c was achieved at 2 K, while with
n torque o f 18 N-m, the leak rate at 300 K was
less than 3 x 1 0 O s c c i s e c .
Introduction
With the current interest in infrared astron-
omy and the advent of superfluid helium cooling
systems for orbiting astronomical telescopes,
requirements have developed f o r space-compatible
cryogenic valves to operate at both room and
liquid helium temperatures.
In a spacecraft system it is advantageous to
have the Dewar completely filled with superfluid
helium below atmospheric pressure and valved off.
There are two reasons why this is desirable.
First, if the Dewar is filled at atmospheric p r e s -
sure and subsequently evacuated in orbit, there is
some cryogen lost through boil-off. Additionally,
the density of liquid helium at superfluid tempera-
tures is Significantly greater than at 4 . 2 K.
Combined, these factors can produce a cryogen loss
of approximately 1/3. Since cryogen lifetime is
an important consideration in a space mission,
loss must be minimized. A cryogenic valve pro-
vides an effective solution to the problem of
containing superfluid helium in a flight Dewar.
At least one cryogenic valve exists in the liter-
ature,' but to date, v a l v e s of the Size and con-
figuration described here have not been reported,
although one manufacturer is working on such a
design (R. Hopkins, Ball Aerospace Systems Divi-
sion, Boulder, Colorado, private communication).
*Research Scientist. Member AIAA.
.:Research Technician.
This paper is declared a work of the US.Government and
therefore is in the public domain.
1
The approach described here employs a remote1.y
controllable cryogenic valve which was fabricated
using commercia1l.y available components. The
objective was to develop an inexpensivc ve1.v~whi.ch
could meet project specifications. The present
valve configuration lends itself to applications
in such projects a s Cosmic Background Explorer
(COBE), Shuttle Infrared Telescope Facility
(SIRTF) , German Infrared Laboratory (GIRL), and
Gravity Probe B (GPB), all of which require
cryogenic systems.
A standard cryogenic angle valve was used as
the major component. The valve body was machined
to reduce its weight, and the valve seat material
was changed to copper. The valve was equipped
with a motor and integral planetary gearset. In
addition, a powcr transmission for the valve
assembly provided further g e a r reduction e n s u r i n g
reliable seating and sufficient operating torque
at cryogenic temperatures. The valve assembly
w a s housed in an evacuated test Dewar which allowed
cooling to liquid helium temperatures.
A small computer was employed to automate
valve testing and assure consistency in data acqui-
sition. valve performance was evaluated on the
basis of reliability of operation and of leak rate
data at room temperature, liquid nitrogen tempera-
ture, liquid helium temperature, and superfluid
helium temperature. Since the currently proposed
projects have no set requirement for leak rate
performance, criteria set forth in th IRnS (Infra-
red Astronomical Satellite) project were chosen
to evaluate the valve. These criteria call f o r a
leak r3tc o f less t h a n 5 x 10-* s c c s at room tem-
perature and 0.3 sccs at superfluid helium temper-
ature. Mechanical considerations such as weight
and volumc were of secondary importance.
Apparatus
Figure 1 shows the cryogenic valve assembly as
installed in the Dewar before testing. The motor,
with integral gearset ( 4 8 5 : 1 ) , operates from a
nominal voltage of 28 Vdc. The power transmission
provides a further reduction of 7.2:l resulting in
an overall gear ratio of nearly 3500:l. This ratio
was selected on the basis of testing, to provide
for uniform and consistent operation at cryogenic
temperatures. An earlier prototype with lower
torque had w o r ~ eleak rate performance due to
insufficient torque. The present gear ratio pro-
vided an effective solution.
The valve itself is a bellows-type d o u b l e
sealed angle valve. Seating is accomplished by
means of an actuator employing Acme power trans-
mission threads. A copper valve seat was
+Nupro SSBUW, Nupro Company, Willoughby, Ohio.

Downloaded by University of Michigan - Duderstadt Center on April 3, 2017 | http://arc.aiaa.org | DOI: 10.2514/6.1982-77
Fig. 1 Cryogenic valve assembly.
installed for the testing reported here. The
valve was modified for low-temperature operation
by disassembly and lubrication with molybdenum
disulfide, after removal of existing petroleum-
based lubricants, which become glassy at low
temperatures. The Acme threads were burnished
'J with Teflon.
Silicon diode temperature SenSOKS were
installed on the valve body, cold plate, and motor.
TO minimize heating of the valve assembly, the
motor and gearset were thermally anchored to the
cold plate by a copper braid, and the frame was
anchored by additional thermal straps. A s well,
the valve inlet and outlet lines were coiled and
thermally anchored to the cold plate a s was the
valve body itself. Indium was used between all
joints for maximum heat transfer.
0-50 psi ABSOLUTE
PRESSURE GAUGE
DEWAR
r;\ WALL
PRESSURE
REGULATOR
I 77K,SHlELD
SOLENOID
VALVE
VALVE
DC
HEAT SINK TO
COLD PLATE
-
A Hewlett-Packard 9825 calculator was employed
to cycle the valve, take data from the temperature
sensors, and record the leak rate as well as per-
forming secondary functions necessary to system
operations.
Figure 2 shows the test setup for the cryogenic
valve system. The helium gas supplied for testing
helium was gaseous technical 99.0% pure, Navy
Grade A. A pressure regulator maintained a constant
pressure of 760 torr (14.7 psia). Electric solenoid
valves were installed in the entrance and exit lines
of the test Dewar with manual valves for backup
during adjustments. A 0-50 sccm flowmeter monitored
the leak rate with the ability of installing a
conventional mass spectrometer-type le& detector if
warranted. A vacuum vessel was connected to a two-
stage rotary-type mechanical pump to ensure that no
a i r could enter the system due to cryopumping of the
test Dewar and plug the lines.
Experimental Procedure
The valve was leak checked at 300 K and flushed
with gaseous helium. The Dewar was then evacuated
to 5 x lo-' torr and cooled to 7 1 K. The valve was
cycled several times to ensure uniformity of opera-
tion, and the leak rate measurement cycle was ini-
tiated. The cycle began by closing the cryogenic
valve and allowing it to seat. Seating torque was
set by limited presetting of the power supply cur-
rent drawn by the motor. This stall current was
maintained at the end of the cycle for 1 sec thereby
assuring valve seating. A variety of motor currents
was selected as part of the test program. At each
temperature, the goal was to test the valve at motor
currents of 1.0, 1.5, 1.75, and 2.0 A (corresponding
to delivered torques of 1 8 , 2 7 , 31, and 35 N-m,
respectively) to determine the effect of closing
torque on leak rate.
After valve seating, the leak rate was moni-
tored. When the change i n successive (GO-sec
intervals) leak rate measurements dropped to less
than 0.05 sccm, the leak rate was assumed to have
stabilized, the test was concluded, and data were
recorded. By closing the solenoid valves after
each run. a trapped volume of gas remained within
DEWAR
WALL
VACUUM
VESSEL
A
MECHANICAL
PUMP
HEAT SINK TO
COLD PLATE
2
 the cryogenic valve assuring further cooling, an
important considefation at superfluid temperatures.
Testing was performed at 77 K 4.2 K, and 2 K. Tem-
perature determination below 4 . 2 K was made not
only with the silicon diode temperature Sensors but
also by monitoring the test Dewar helium pressure.
After the runs were completed, the sensor mounted
on the valve body was checked and, if necessary,
recalibrated against vapor pressure data to assure
accuracy of the results obtained.
Results and Discussion
Figure 3 shows leak rate data obtained as a
function of temperature with closing torque a s a
parameter. Lines connecting the data points are
intended as an aid to the eye and should not be
construed as representing actual or interpolated
Downloaded by University of Michigan - Duderstadt Center on April 3, 2017 | http://arc.aiaa.org | DOI: 10.2514/6.1982-77
In examining Fig. 3 more closely, it is appar-
ent that a closing torque of 18 N-m is insufficient
to meet the established performance requirements
whereas raising the torque to 31 N-m exceeds the
requirement by an order of magnitude. Addition- b
ally, down to 4 . 2 K, the 31 N-m and 35 N-m data are,
for a l l purposes, indistinguishable within the
range of values obtained while the 2 1 N-m data is
only slightly less desirable. This is significant,
since power requirements in particular space mis-
sions may dictate selection of specific motorlgear-
set combinations and different gearsets which would
affect the time required for opening and closure.
In these cases, satisfactory operation could still
be provided while power consumption was maintained
at an acceptable level, an important consideration
in long duration missions. As a final note, the
use of Navy Grade A helium for leak rate measure-
ments poses an interesting consideration. The dis-

data. Data for room-temperature operation are not
presented since with 1 A of motor current (18 N-m
torque), the leak rate at 300 K was less than
3 x IO-' s c c l s e c (below the limit of the leak
detector). At 2 K, data were taken with a motor
current of 1.15 A (31 N-m torque) only since resid-
u a l friction in the motor assembly prevented smooth
operation at currents less than this value. At
2.0 A , the life cycle of the motor was consider-
ably shortened, a consequence of operating at
nearly double the manufacturer's published stall
current rating. At this high Current, brush
damage due to heat buildup and binder outgassing
limited motor lifetime to 10-15 cycles. While this
may seem of concern at first glance, it should be
noted that the motor employed was a standard, com-
mercially available item, and in actual practice,
stringent low-temperature performance specifica-
tions would require that motor selection be based
on established test results at 2 K. Different
brush materials or treatment, as well as special
lubrication techniques, would be needed to assure
motor reliability.
tributor of the particular gas employed verified
that the sample contained impurities of 6 ppm N 2 ,
2 ppm 0 2 , 1.5 ppm H20 vapor, and 0 . 5 ppm unspeci-
fied impurities. A liquid nitrogen trap between
the helium supply and the cryogenic valve inlet
served to remove the oxygen and water vapor, but
nitrogen and other possible impurities such as
hydrogen may have entered the valve and could pos-
sibly have augmented leak rate performance at 2 K.
Clearly, additional testing is warranted to deter-
mine what, if any, effect these impurities have on
leak rate values. It is suggested that boil-off
gas from a helium supply Dewar be used for testing
to assure high purity. A special grade high purity
bottled helium gas could be employed; however, over
a large number of cycles, this could prove expen-
sive since a significant volume of gas is passed
through the valve during each cycle to assure that
seating occurs while there is a flow through the
valve.
u
Conclusion

LEGEND The data reported indicate that a motorized

0 18 N-m valve can be designed to operate in a cryogenic
System over a temperature range from 300 K to 2 K
V 27 N-m
with acceptable 1.eak rate characteristics.
0 31 N-m
A35 N-m Applications in future space projects may dic-
tate extended performance requirements as well as
0 different configurations. AS more sophisticated
5 optical systems are developed, specifically infra-

.
x
5 100 - red telescopes for deep space operation, remotely
controlled cryogenic valves will offer a method of
Y maximizing cryogen lifetime and mission effective-
n ness. I n addition to operation in the main cryogen
c
VI
r3 - systems, these valves can be utilized in support
equipment such a s helium dilution refrigerators,
c
U cryostats, and adiabatic demagnetization
a refrigeration.
Y
2
A
Reference
10 :
'Roach. P. R.. Ketterson. T. B.. and Kuchnir.
- M., "Hydraulically Actuated Valve for Very Low
. Temperatures," Review of Scientific Instruments,
41 d I Vol. 4 3 , No. 6, June 1972, pp. 898-899.
1 10 100
TEMPERATURE, K

Fig. 3 Temperature dependence of leak rate with

closing torque as B parameter. Error bars denote
the range of values achieved.