Flight Qualification of Omnisafe Anti-Torque, Multi Mate/Demate Fitting

Abstract

A new multi mate/demate metal face seal fitting has recently been flight qualified at JPL. The Omnisafe fitting incorporates a torque elimination feature that prevents misalignment of components and damage to the sealing surfaces. This fitting which has been used for ten years in the semiconductor industry and at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories, has successfully maintained leak integrity after flight qualification testing. Following ten mate/demate cycles, this qualification included exposure to shock & vibration, thermal cycling, and pressure cycling that simulate flight conditions. Fluid delivery applications in xenon gas propulsion and liquid Freon cooling service have been proposed for this fitting. This robust, reusable fitting enables flight subsystems to be built and tested independently and in parallel. Fittings also facilitate late integration of fluid system components, unlike most welded systems. This reusable coupler can be used to modularize flight systems and reduce integration costs.

Leak Mitigation in Mechanically Pumped Fluid Loops for Long Duration Space Missions

“…The Omnisafe® fitting had been successfully implemented on the DAWN spacecraft in the Xenon gas delivery system for the Ion engines 16 and now on MSL.…”