Microelectronic Thermal Valve
- Summary
- Researchers at Purdue University have developed a low-mass, low-power, self-contained attitude adjustment system that operates using the waste heat of the vehicle and produces fine thrust forces through the delivery of low volumes of gas and/or liquids. Through localized heating of the propulsion media and balancing of pressures created by the vehicle under normal operation, this technology can deliver lower, more specific quantities of thrust force than currently available technology.
- Technology Benefits
- Low-mass/low-power No moving parts Utilizes waste heat to operate
- Technology Application
- Propulsion/thrust Attitude adjustment
- Detailed Technology Description
- Alina AlexeenkoAlexeenko Research TeamPurdue Aeronautics and Astronautics
- Countries
- United States
- Application No.
- None
- *Abstract
-
- *Background
- Attitude adjustment for picosatellites (picosats) with low mass only necessitate a thrust force in micronewtons; however, common technology in industry is too bulky or does not allow for fine thrust control. The environment of operation limits the ability of refinement due to precise volumes of liquid or gas delivery in pressures existing in low gravity. Power limitations, which are apparent in any environment, require more stringent criteria for the design of new aeronautics technology.
- *IP Issue Date
- None
- *IP Type
- Provisional
- *Stage of Development
- Prototype testing
- *Web Links
- Purdue Office of Technology CommercializationPurdueInnovation and EntrepreneurshipAlina AlexeenkoAlexeenko Research TeamPurdue Aeronautics and Astronautics
- Country/Region
- USA
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