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An overview of advanced elastomeric seal development and testing capabilities at nasa glenn research center
| Content Provider | NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS) |
|---|---|
| Author | Dunlap, Patrick H. |
| Copyright Year | 2014 |
| Description | NASA is developing advanced space-rated elastomeric seals to support future space exploration missions to low Earth orbit, the Moon, near Earth asteroids, and other destinations. This includes seals for a new docking system and vehicle hatches. These seals must exhibit extremely low leak rates to ensure that astronauts have sufficient breathable air for extended missions. Seal compression loads must be below prescribed limits so as not to overload the mechanisms that compress them, and seal adhesion forces must be low to allow the sealed interface to be separated when required (e.g., during undocking or hatch opening). NASA Glenn Research Center has developed a number of unique test fixtures to measure the leak rates and compression and adhesion loads of candidate seal designs under simulated thermal, vacuum, and engagement conditions. Tests can be performed on full-scale seals with diameters on the order of 50 in., subscale seals that are about 12 in. in diameter, and smaller specimens such as O-rings. Test conditions include temperatures ranging from -238 to 662 F (-150 to 350 C), operational pressure gradients, and seal-on-seal or seal-on-flange mating configurations. Nominal and off-nominal conditions (e.g., incomplete seal compression) can also be simulated. This paper describes the main design features and capabilities of each type of test apparatus and provides an overview of advanced seal development activities at NASA Glenn. |
| File Size | 1814075 |
| Page Count | 24 |
| File Format | |
| Alternate Webpage(s) | http://archive.org/details/NASA_NTRS_Archive_20150002324 |
| Archival Resource Key | ark:/13960/t55f3tg8d |
| Language | English |
| Publisher Date | 2014-12-01 |
| Access Restriction | Open |
| Subject Keyword | Compression Tests Adhesion Tests Leakage Durability Seals Test Vacuum Low Earth Orbits O Ring Seals Compression Loads Elastomers Hatches Space Exploration Spacecraft Docking Adhesion Pressure Gradients Ntrs Nasa Technical Reports Server (ntrs) Nasa Technical Reports Server Aerodynamics Aircraft Aerospace Engineering Aerospace Aeronautic Space Science |
| Content Type | Text |
| Resource Type | Technical Report |
