PAGE CONTENTS
Objectives
Nearly all current telecommunications platforms use mechanical pressure regulators (MPR) for Helium control in their chemical propulsion system. However, such MPRs have significant drawbacks inherent to their design: fixed set point, high internal leak rate and high minimum operating inlet pressure. An alternative method is electronic regulation. Such bang-bang regulators have been frequently used in Electric Propulsion systems for regulating low-flow, low-pressure Xenon applications. The objective of this work is to demonstrate that using electronic regulators can also be applied to high-flow and high-pressure pressurant gas applications, such as for large (420N) bipropellant thrusters typical of telecommunications platforms. The name given to the resulting product is HEPR: Helium Electronic Pressure Regulator.
Challenges
N/A
Plan
Preliminary system level assessments are first conducted on the implementation of a HEPR in a chemical propulsion system and the performance impacts are quantified. A breadboard aimed at demonstrating the HEPR concept is then designed, assembled and tested. The initial estimates, design trade-offs and simulation results are eventually discussed and compared with regards to the outcome of the breadboard campaign.
Current Status
A breadboard aimed at demonstrating the HEPR concept has been designed, assembled and tested. The initial estimates and design trade-offs have been validated through this breadboard campaign, showing promising results.
