VACCO Surface Tension Elements / Propellant Management Devices (PMD)
VACCO Industries
Wintec fine-mesh surface tension elements that separate free gas from liquid propellant for zero-gravity propellant management devices in satellite fuel tanks.
Technical specifications
- Technology
- Wintec fine woven metal mesh surface tension elements (STE)
- Function
- Gas/liquid separation for propellant management devices (PMD) in zero gravity
- Applications
- Satellite propellant tank PMDs, cruise missile fuel systems
- Reference platform
- Tomahawk Block IV cruise missile fuel system
About
VACCO’s Wintec metal-mesh surface tension elements (STEs) are used to separate free gas from liquids, exploiting the phenomenon that a fine-pore material wetted with liquid allows free liquid flow while resisting gas flow: the liquid forms a film across the pore openings that a gas bubble must break through to pass. Because VACCO’s fine screen material provides hundreds of thousands of very small openings, it is ideal for surface tension elements used in propellant management devices (PMDs). Applications include controlling the flow of liquid propellant from satellite fuel tanks under zero-gravity conditions, ensuring gas-free liquid delivery to thrusters. VACCO’s surface tension screen technology also has heritage in cruise missile fuel systems, including the Tomahawk Block IV.
Documentation
No public datasheet yet — request the datasheet / ICD from the supplier.
