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The developed assembly is a Water Controlled Pump Assembly (WCPA) consisting of a hydraulic pump with its mechanical (bearings, seals) and hydraulic fittings. This pump is driven with a brush-less DC motor and its Electronic Control Unit. The manufactured pump package has been made according to ESA specifications. The optimal combination of hydraulic and electro-mechanic is the key of the high overall efficiency: more than 30%.

This paper presents the final results of a technology contract initiated by ESA at the end of 1990 to develop a controlled pump unit for use on board spacecraft and space vehicles. The main features required for the CPA were the adaptability to any working environment (vacuum or pressurised compartment, operation in any mission phase) with a high degree of reliability and efficiency, the compatibility with a wide range of fluids and the usability as a component of both single phase and two phase cooling loops. The final design of the assembly is presented and discussed. The main part of the presentation is devoted to the description of the tests performed to qualify the design and to the presentation and discussion of their results.