{"id":38462,"date":"2024-03-26T16:38:35","date_gmt":"2024-03-26T16:38:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.alicat.com\/?post_type=article&p=38462"},"modified":"2026-02-04T17:55:20","modified_gmt":"2026-02-04T17:55:20","slug":"alicats-sorgen-fur-genauigkeit-und-wiederholbarkeit-bei-der-ventilprufung-in-der-weltraumforschung","status":"publish","type":"support","link":"https:\/\/www.alicat.com\/de\/support\/alicats-provide-accuracy-and-repeatability-to-valve-testing-in-space-exploration\/","title":{"rendered":"Genauigkeit und Wiederholbarkeit von Ventildichtheitspr\u00fcfst\u00e4nden sind der Schl\u00fcssel zur Weltraumforschung"},"content":{"rendered":"\n[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_heading title=”Accuracy and repeatability in valve leak test stands are key to space exploration” _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]Alicat has the opportunity to work with all kinds of engineers and scientists pushing the boundaries of science and technology in aerospace<\/a> applications. Projects include improving pilot safety, putting satellites into space, launching rockets, and much more.\n\nOur goal is to understand each customer\u2019s distinct application requirements and find the perfect mass flow or pressure solution to keep important projects moving quickly and smoothly. In this article, we discuss an application where a customer-developed leak test stands for rocket engines.\n

Challenge: Valve leak test stands and characterization for rocket engines<\/h2>\nLeak testing takes place in a lab environment on Earth, designed to simulate conditions in space. These test stands must detect even the smallest of leak rates, requiring high-accuracy mass flow and pressure instrumentation.\n\nOne challenge encountered when selecting test stand equipment is the high operating pressures. Because testing rockets requires such high operating pressures, it can be challenging to find suitable equipment.\n\nA standard pressure controller is unlikely to meet these pressure requirements. Dome-loaded regulators can handle high pressures and high flow rates and are therefore often used to control pressure in testing rocket components. However, these dome-loaded regulators experience significant hysteresis which can result in a non-repeatable process.\n

Solution: Repeatable pressure control and near-atmospheric flow measurement<\/h2>\nTo avoid hysteresis and guarantee repeatability, the team used high-pressure-rated dual valve pressure controllers<\/a> (PCDs). These repeatably control pressures up to 3,000 PSI with a proportional control valve optimized using onboard PID tuning<\/a>. The pressure controllers were additionally paired with Whisper low pressure drop flow meters<\/a>.\n\nThe PCD was used to control pressure at the inlet port of the valve under test, and the flow meter was installed downstream to measure the leak rate through the valve. This setup enabled the detection of even the smallest of leaks\u00a0at near-atmospheric pressures.\n\n