Wyatt:
This is a normally closed valve so only spring force is keeping it closed;
given the strong “organ pipe” longitudinal vibration in solids—which my
vibe table is not duplicating (it’s intended for vibrating mixed propellant
under vacuum)—I’m suspicious that spring force is simply not going to do
the job.
A ball valve with a solenoid actuator (on a lever) seems a better bet for
staying closed but adds complexity and cost. I’ll have to chew on it;
perhaps a ball valve with pyro activation would be simpler?
Bill
On Thu, Oct 8, 2020 at 2:06 PM Wyatt Rehder <wyatt.rehder@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
A simple solution might be to use a NO solenoid, as you might be able to
spice up the actuator a bit and get the electric closure force stronger
than the spring return force. That might be enough to keep the leaks away.
In a similar vein, are you able to change the orientation of the solenoid
to the vibration? Or is the vibration axis pretty random.
Next option (which I haven't tried) they do make rotary solenoid
actuators. Which you could pair with a ball valve. That should be pretty
immune to vibration. But I can't attest to how reliable they are.
-Wyatt
On Thu, Oct 8, 2020 at 9:59 AM William Claybaugh <wclaybaugh2@xxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
Testing shows that the Lake Axial Solenoid valve in my pneumatic payload
separation system is leaking at 125 psia despite a 1000 psia rating (two
valves tested, both leaked); the leak is through the valve and caused the
latchup of the payload to the vehicle to fail within an average of four
minutes. Additional testing on my vibe table showed latch failure in less
than one minute in ten tests.
Can anyone suggest a solenoid valve good for at least 250 psia and
unlikely to leak under vibration?
Alternative suggestions to using a solenoid valve are welcome.
Thanks,
Bill