Technical Paper
A New Orbital Disconnect Support for Cryogen Tanks
1994-06-01
941482
A novel orbital disconnect support (ODS) for cryogen tanks is described which makes use of the change of length of a “shape memory alloy (SMA)” element located at the warm end of a strap-type support. At room temperature the SMA-element is at its extended length with the support strap in disconnected condition. Upon heating the SMA-element to approximately 9O°C, it contracts such that it gets in contact with the support strap and provides the strap tensioning force. During testing of a breadboard ODS a ratio of up to 6,4 between the connected and disconnted heat flux via the ODS was demonstrated.
