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A Shape-Memory Actuated Valve for Space

Propulsion Systems

Conference Paper May 2010

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Jacques-Eric Bidaux
University of Applied Sciences and Arts West
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Proc. of the International Conference on Shape-Memory and Superelastic Technologies, SMST 2010, Pacific Grove, CA USA, May 16-20, 2010

A shape-memory alloy actuated valve for space propulsion systems

J.-E. Bidaux
University of Applied Sciences Western Switzerland, CH-1950 Sion, Switzerland

G. Paciotti
APCO Technologies, CH-1860 Aigle, Switzerland

C. Hunter
ESA-ESTEC, Keplerlaan 1, 2200AG Noordwijk ZH, The Netherlands

Introduction Upon application of an electrical current, the wire contracts,

pulling the slider, which opens the valve. To prevent
Pyrotechnic actuators are currently used for valve actuation in overheating and minimise energy consumption, the actuator
space propulsion systems because of their fast response, high includes a mechanism which, as soon as the specified stroke is
reliability, and low weight to actuation force ratio. However, achieved, automatically switches off the current and locks the
pyrotechnic actuators are single-use, they are hazardous, and valve in the open position. After allowing enough time for
their operation generates shocks and pressure waves that cooling the wire, the valve can be closed manually by
affect other components. Moreover, gases produced in the releasing the locking mechanism. The SMA wire is reset and
combustion chamber might contaminate the propellant flow the valve is ready for a new activation.
passage. To solve these problems, shape-memory actuators
appear promising. Their response is smooth and slow, which
here is an advantage. In combination with a bias spring, they
can form multiple-use actuators. Additional advantages are
their simplicity, cleanliness, good vibration and shock
resistance and high power to weight ratio. The present paper
reports on the development of a multiple-use, manually
resettable, shape-memory based valve used to open the flow
of liquid or gas propellant in spacecraft.

Actuator design and operation Figure 2: CAD cut view of the actuator

A first demonstrator of the shape-memory alloy (SMA) Shape-memory wire testing

actuated valve is shown in Fig. 1. The valve is composed of an
SMA actuator attached to an already existing and used-in-
The SMA wire is a trained NT-H7-TTR NiTiCu wire with
space design, normally closed, poppet valve module requiring
nominal 0.5 mm diameter supplied by Furukawa (Japan). This
40N of opening force and 1 mm of stroke.
alloy was selected for its high cycling stability and low
hysteresis.

Shape-memory properties:

Classical thermal cycling under constant load tests were

performed to characterise the shape memory effect and
measure the transformation temperatures. In this test, the wire
is subjected to a weight and heated in an oven. The strain is
measured as a function of temperature using an LVDT
transducer. The tests were carried out for three loads: 0N, to
measure the factory pre-strain and the spontaneous two way
shape-memory strain, 27 N (138 MPa) which, according to
Figure 1: Photograph of the SMA actuated valve design, is the load necessary to reset the SMA, 50N (254
MPa), which is the maximum applied load to which the SMA
Fig. 2 shows a CAD cut of the actuator. The design is based is subjected in the valve in service. As shown in Fig. 3, shape-
on a SMA wire acting against a bias-spring, both connected to memory strains in the range of 5% are observed both at 27N
a slider. The slider moves the command rod of the valve and 50N. The tests confirm proper reset of the SMA at 27N.
module. The SMA wire is bent over a half-pulley to increase The transformation temperatures for the different load cases
the available force and simplify the electrical connections.
Proc. of the International Conference on Shape-Memory and Superelastic Technologies, SMST 2010, Pacific Grove, CA USA, May 16-20, 2010

are shown in Table 1. This data can be used to determine the

maximum operating temperatures for the valve. Cycling stability was tested over 220 cycles according to
3 specifications for various loads. A typical result is shown in
2 50 N Fig. 4. For clarity, only the 3 first and 3 last measuring cycles
1
are shown. Although the stress is high, here 254 MPa, the
27 N wire is surprisingly stable upon cycling. The wire is able to
0
fulfil the requirements of 220 cycles with minor change of the
Strain (%)

-1
time of response. Activation time is about 8s for the first cycle
-2 and then about 5 s. Deactivation time is about 5 to 6 s. Recent
-3 tests indicate that the wire is far away from its maximum
ON
-4 capabilities.
-5
-6 Shape-memory valve testing results
0 50 100 150
Temperature (C)
The SMA actuated valve prototype (fig. 1) was tested at room
Figure 3: Thermal cycling under load test for 3 different loads temperature and in air using water as a test fluid. Tests
0 N, 27 N and 50 N corresponding to 0 MPa, 138 MPa and included vibration tests, shock tests, leak tests and life-cycle
254 MPa respectively tests.
The results are the followings:
Table 1: Transformation temperatures as derived from - Opening time: 6 sec
thermal cycling under load test using the tangent method - Closing possible after 11 sec
- Number of cycles: 55 certif. with a factor of fatigue of 4
Stress Ms Mf As Af acc. to ECSS-E-30 part A
(MPa) (C) (C) (C) (C) - Self actuation temperature: 74C
15 47 42 59 65 - Leak tightness: 8.3 10-7 mbar l/s
138 64 59 76 83 - Flow rate: 0.9 l/min
254 80 74 91 99 - The stability of force and the time of response were
excellent over the 220 specified cycles before and after
Cycling stability test: vibration tests.

Cycling stability tests were performed using a measuring Conclusions

device similar to that used by Zadno et al [1]. This apparatus
allowed testing the wire in strain-limited conditions, i.e. in A multiple-use, manually resettable, shape-memory actuated
conditions very close to those of the valve application. In this valve has been successfully developed and tested. The valve
test, the wire is attached to a weight. A mechanical stop is has shown high reliability, in particular regarding cycling
placed under the weight. The wire is actuated electrically. As stability, vibration and leak tightness. In response to a number
soon as the required displacement is achieved, the current is of spacecraft failures in which pyrovalves are suspected, a
switched off. The weight returns in contact with the stop and first step in the direction of finding alternatives to these
is ready for a new actuation cycle. devices has been accomplished. Further development towards
a flight model is foreseen.
0

-0.5
Acknowledgments
Strain (%)
Strain (%)

-1 Heating The financial support of the European Space Agency under

-1.5
contract ESA/ESTEC No. 17710/05/NL/CP is greatly
acknowledged.
-2
cycle 220
-2.5
cycle 1
References
0 10 20 30 2420 2430 2440 2450
Time (s)
Time (s) [1] Zadno, R. et al., Stability in cycling of Ni-Ti-Cu actuator
(a) (b) wire, Proc. of the First International Conference on
Shape memory and Superelastic Technologies, Asilomar,
Figure 4: Strain-limited thermal cycling test. Load 50N, strain Pacific Grove, California, USA (1994) SMST
-2%, heating power 1V / 1.1 A (a) first 3 cycles (b) last 3 International, pp. 317-321
cycles