Abstract
A xenon micro flow control device (XMFCD) is the key component of a xenon feeding system, which controls the required micro flow xenon (µg/s–mg/s) to electric thrusters. Traditional XMFCDs usually have large volume and weight in order to achieve ultra-high fluid resistance and have a long producing cycle and high processing cost. This paper proposes a miniaturized, easy-processing, and inexpensive XMFCD, which is fabricated by low-temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) technology. The design of the proposed XMFCD based on complex three-dimensional (3D) microfluidic channels is described, and its fabrication process based on LTCC is illustrated. The microfluidic channels of the fabricated single (9 mm diameter and 1.4 mm thickness) and dual (9 mm diameter and 2.4 mm thickness) XMFCDs were both checked by X-ray, which proved the LTCC method’s feasibility. A mathematical model of flow characteristics is established with the help of finite element analysis, and the model is validated by the experimental results of the single and dual XMFCDs. Based on the mathematical model, the influence of the structure parameters (diameter of orifice and width of the groove) on flow characteristics is investigated, which can guide the optimized design of the proposed XMFCD.
Highlights
Compared with the traditional chemical propulsion system, the electric propulsion system has the advantages of higher specific impulse, simple composition, and no pollution [1]
This experiment setup is used to measure the steady flow of the proposed low-temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) xenon micro flow control device (XMFCD)
This work proposed a miniaturized, processed, and inexpensive XMFCD, which is based on 3D microfluidic channels and fabricated by LTCC
Summary
Compared with the traditional chemical propulsion system, the electric propulsion system has the advantages of higher specific impulse, simple composition, and no pollution [1]. It has broad application prospects in satellite attitude and orbit control, deep space exploration, interplanetary flight, and other fields. The xenon feeding system is responsible for the storage, pressure regulation, and flow control of the working medium. It is the key subsystem of the electric propulsion system and belongs to the field of high precision fluid control. The xenon micro flow control device (XMFCD) is the most important component of the xenon feeding system because its control accuracy of the micro xenon flow (μg/s–mg/s) determines the thrust accuracy, working efficiency, and service life of the electric thruster [3]
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