A DIELECTROPHORETIC LIQUID OXYGEN CONVERTER FOR OPERATION IN WEIGHTLESS ENVIRONMENTS.
Abstract
Analyses, experiments, and designs were executed to establish the performance characteristics, optimum weight, and safety of a dielectrophoretic liquid oxygen converter. A theory was developed for electric field gradient stabilization of liquid/vapor systems. Laboratory liquid-liquid experiments and KC-135 zero-g tests corroborated the theoretical performance. Vibration tests demonstrated the structural integrity of typical electrodes and their supports. Also experiments were conducted to determine the electrical breakdown strength of cryogenic oxygen. These tests demonstrate the compatibility and safety of typical electrode and support structures under intense electric fields and even under electrical arcs having orders of magnitude more energy than could be experienced in practice. A computer and analysis was used to determine minimum weight system designs based on experimentally verified performance equations, structure weight formulas, and safety criteria. The total weight of the dielectrophoretic electrodes, supports, power supply, and tank feedthrough to orient the liquid in a 25-liter oxygen converter subject to randomly directed accelerations up to 0.001 g is 7 lbs. The operating voltage is 21 kv. A preliminary design is presented for a 25-liter converter system for orbital flight testing. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1968
- Accession Number
- AD0674616
Entities
People
- John R. Blutt
- Mathew Hurwitz