PARAMAGNETIC OXYGEN SENSOR STUDY.
Abstract
A 4-month theoretical study of the Pauling Paramagnetic Oxygen Sensor was conducted. The results were condensed into a design criteria report that proposed a specific tentative design for a breadboard aerospace paramagnetic oxygen sensor. The selected approach utilized a capacitance bridge position sensing technique combined with electrostatic null-balancing to provide an electrical output that is a stable and linear function of the sample partial pressure of oxygen. Finally, the breadboard sensor was fabricated and tested for compliance to theoretical predictions and to specific design goals. The breadboard paramagnetic sensor fully meets the three basic contract requirements. Specifically, it uses the paramagnetic principle; it is applicable to manned space vehicle operation surviving typical launch and reentry environments. The mechanisms of the technique are well understood. In addition, the sensor meets or exceeds all specific design goals except its weight of 5.7 pounds (5 pounds desired) and an extraneous thermal coefficient due to mechanical distortion of critical parts with thermal variations that was observed in the first test unit. However, a flight unit can be reduced in weight to less than 5 pounds, and it has been demonstrated that standard mechanical design approaches will eliminate the extraneous thermal effects. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1969
- Accession Number
- AD0688260
Entities
People
- Malbone W. Greene