The design, fabrication and testing of a prototype spacecraft helium dewar
By: Roy F. Walters
Series: Instrumentation papers -- no. 334; AFGL-TR -- 87-0272
Publisher: Aerospace Instrumentation Division, Air Force Geophysics Laboratory
Published: 1987
Place of publication: Hanscom AFB, MA
Language: eng
Number of pages: 17
Subjects: Space vehicles; Design and construction; Equipment and supplies; Testing; Liquid helium; Dewar flasks
Description: The objective of the Prototype Spacecraft Helium Dewar (PSHD) was to demonstrate a conversion of supercritical liquid helium (LHe) to superfluid LHe during a sounding rocket launch of 15 minute duration, by using the vacuum of space as a pump. The design was completed and the flight unit fabricated. Structural qualification tests were conducted on fiberglass/aluminum epoxy joints. Component tests of the Joule Thomson Expander and the counterflow heat exchanger were started, but terminated because of inconsistent results. The design and analysis of the Superfluid liquid helium conversion tank with its associated heat exchanger was completed. (jhd).
Notes: Cover title.

"6 October 1987."

"Project 7659."

Includes bibliographical references (p. 17)