{"id":12920,"date":"2013-12-18T00:42:25","date_gmt":"2013-12-18T00:42:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/216.166.82.47\/?page_id=12920"},"modified":"2016-11-14T19:45:52","modified_gmt":"2016-11-14T19:45:52","slug":"research-and-development","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/rocketfuelpump.com\/technology\/research-and-development\/","title":{"rendered":"Research and development to date"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\"><p>[vc_row margin_top=&#8221;0&#8243; margin_bottom=&#8221;30&#8243; padding_left=&#8221;40&#8243; padding_right=&#8221;40&#8243; bg_position=&#8221;top&#8221; bg_repeat=&#8221;no-repeat&#8221; bg_cover=&#8221;false&#8221; bg_attachment=&#8221;false&#8221; padding_top=&#8221;40&#8243; padding_bottom=&#8221;40&#8243; parallax_speed=&#8221;0.1&#8243;][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/1&#8243;][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<h5 style=\"text-align: center;\">The pistonless rocket fuel pump has had several tests to validate the proof of concept. These tests include liquid nitrogen tests, a proof of concept test with an Atlas Vernier engine, testing with cryogenic fluid for a lunar module application, and a rocket engine zero gee test.<\/h5>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/1&#8243;][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<h3>Pistonless Pump Technology Demonstrator by University of Colorado Boulder<\/h3>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text]<div class=\"gap\" style=\"line-height: 15px; height: 15px;\"><\/div>[vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<p>The Pistonless Pump system design was licensed to the University of Colorado Boulder to assist with the Pistonless Pump Technology Demonstrator project. The Pistonless Pump Technology Demonstrator is a NASA funded project that aims to demonstrate pistonless pump technology for both launch vehicle and in-space applications. Through cooperation between academia, industry, and NASA, a pistonless pump experimental test bed is being developed for experimentation in a relevant operational environment. Pending final experiment configuration approval, the NASA Flight Opportunities Program will manifest the payload on Virgin Galactic\u2019s SpaceShipTwo reusable sub-orbital launch vehicle for in-space testing. The experiment features a small pistonless pump system, with saturated water at ambient temperature and approximately 3.5 kPa as the working fluid (cryogenic stimulant). Initial ground tests have shown that this configuration is feasible. Development is expected to continue through 2013, and the payload itself will be in a flight-ready state before the beginning of SRLV operating flights in 2014.<\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;]<style type=\"text\/css\" data-type=\"the7_shortcodes-inline-css\">.shortcode-single-image-wrap.shortcode-single-image-74ba2fe3f2a8afd0582e7f8bcbf96a81.enable-bg-rollover .rollover i,\n.shortcode-single-image-wrap.shortcode-single-image-74ba2fe3f2a8afd0582e7f8bcbf96a81.enable-bg-rollover .rollover-video i {\n  background: -webkit-linear-gradient();\n  background: linear-gradient();\n}\n.shortcode-single-image-wrap.shortcode-single-image-74ba2fe3f2a8afd0582e7f8bcbf96a81 .rollover-icon {\n  font-size: 32px;\n  color: #ffffff;\n  min-width: 44px;\n  min-height: 44px;\n  line-height: 44px;\n  border-radius: 100px;\n  border-style: solid;\n  border-width: 0px;\n}\n.dt-icon-bg-on.shortcode-single-image-wrap.shortcode-single-image-74ba2fe3f2a8afd0582e7f8bcbf96a81 .rollover-icon {\n  background: rgba(255,255,255,0.3);\n  box-shadow: none;\n}\n<\/style><div class=\"shortcode-single-image-wrap shortcode-single-image-74ba2fe3f2a8afd0582e7f8bcbf96a81 alignright fade-in  enable-bg-rollover dt-icon-bg-off\" style=\"margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:0px; margin-right:0px; width:400px;\"><div class=\"shortcode-single-image\"><div class=\"fancy-media-wrap\" style=\"\"><a class=\"layzr-bg rollover rollover-zoom dt-pswp-item pswp-image\" href=\"https:\/\/rocketfuelpump.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/uc-zero-gee-pump-lg.jpg\" title=\"\" data-dt-img-description=\"\" data-large_image_width=\"400\" data-large_image_height = \"0\"  style=\"\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy-load\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg xmlns%3D&#039;http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg&#039; viewBox%3D&#039;0 0 400 0&#039;%2F%3E\" width=\"400\" dt-data-location=\"https:\/\/rocketfuelpump.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/uc-zero-gee-pump-lg.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/rocketfuelpump.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/uc-zero-gee-pump-lg.jpg 400w\" data-src=\"https:\/\/rocketfuelpump.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/uc-zero-gee-pump-lg.jpg\" \/><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"gap\" style=\"line-height: 15px; height: 15px;\"><\/div>[vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<p><em>University of Colorado pistonless pump prototype undergoing a recent operation\/automation test.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/1&#8243;]<div class=\"gap\" style=\"line-height: 30px; height: 30px;\"><\/div>[vc_separator][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner]<div class=\"gap\" style=\"line-height: 15px; height: 15px;\"><\/div>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/1&#8243;][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<h3>Pistonless Zero-Gee Pump System<\/h3>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text]<div class=\"gap\" style=\"line-height: 15px; height: 15px;\"><\/div>[vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<p>A model of the pump was designed, built and tested to show how the pump works under zero gravity. For successful zero gravity operation, the pump must be filled and emptied of propellant without dispensing any bubbles. Initial testing was done with water in a small pump chamber as a secondary experiment run at the Microgravity University at JSC. The pump test system used an on-board air compressor, tank and regulator to supply air to a pressurized \u2018propellant\u2019 tank and the pump chamber. The pump chamber included electrodes to measure the fluid level. The water had 5% vinegar added to it to make it electrically conductive without leaving any residue. The pump system waited until the acceleration was less than 0.2g before it started cycling. The experiment involved observing the behavior of water in a clear acrylic chamber as it cycled through pumping and venting stages. A small high definition video camera recorded the process to investigate the effect of zero G on the fluid being pump. The experiment worked well.<\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;]<style type=\"text\/css\" data-type=\"the7_shortcodes-inline-css\">.shortcode-single-image-wrap.shortcode-single-image-d42a0b26c622393200c482f2e0e650d5.enable-bg-rollover .rollover i,\n.shortcode-single-image-wrap.shortcode-single-image-d42a0b26c622393200c482f2e0e650d5.enable-bg-rollover .rollover-video i {\n  background: -webkit-linear-gradient();\n  background: linear-gradient();\n}\n.shortcode-single-image-wrap.shortcode-single-image-d42a0b26c622393200c482f2e0e650d5 .rollover-icon {\n  font-size: 32px;\n  color: #ffffff;\n  min-width: 44px;\n  min-height: 44px;\n  line-height: 44px;\n  border-radius: 100px;\n  border-style: solid;\n  border-width: 0px;\n}\n.dt-icon-bg-on.shortcode-single-image-wrap.shortcode-single-image-d42a0b26c622393200c482f2e0e650d5 .rollover-icon {\n  background: rgba(255,255,255,0.3);\n  box-shadow: none;\n}\n<\/style><div class=\"shortcode-single-image-wrap shortcode-single-image-d42a0b26c622393200c482f2e0e650d5 alignleft fade-in  enable-bg-rollover dt-icon-bg-off\" style=\"margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:0px; margin-right:0px; width:500px;\"><div class=\"shortcode-single-image\"><div class=\"fancy-media-wrap\" style=\"\"><a class=\"layzr-bg rollover rollover-zoom dt-pswp-item pswp-image\" href=\"https:\/\/rocketfuelpump.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/zero-gee-rocket-fuel-pump-testing2.jpg\" title=\"\" data-dt-img-description=\"\" data-large_image_width=\"500\" data-large_image_height = \"0\"  style=\"\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy-load\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg xmlns%3D&#039;http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg&#039; viewBox%3D&#039;0 0 500 0&#039;%2F%3E\" width=\"500\" dt-data-location=\"https:\/\/rocketfuelpump.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/zero-gee-rocket-fuel-pump-testing2.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/rocketfuelpump.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/zero-gee-rocket-fuel-pump-testing2.jpg 500w\" data-src=\"https:\/\/rocketfuelpump.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/zero-gee-rocket-fuel-pump-testing2.jpg\" \/><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"gap\" style=\"line-height: 15px; height: 15px;\"><\/div>[vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<p><em>Initial testing of the pistonless zero-gee pump system at the Microgravity University at JSC.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][vc_video title=&#8221;Watch video&#8221; link=&#8221;http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=RYXDvxtozB8&#8243;][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/1&#8243;]<div class=\"gap\" style=\"line-height: 30px; height: 30px;\"><\/div>[vc_separator][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner]<div class=\"gap\" style=\"line-height: 15px; height: 15px;\"><\/div>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/1&#8243;][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<h3>Liquid Nitrogen Test<\/h3>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text]<div class=\"gap\" style=\"line-height: 15px; height: 15px;\"><\/div>[vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<p>A dual chamber pistonless pump was designed and tested for NASA to validate pistonless pumps for in-space propulsion, exploration and nanosat launch vehicles.\u00a0 The dual chamber pump provides continuous, uninterrupted flow and was designed to show how two pumps chambers could be installed within the propellant tank. The pump chambers were constructed from stainless steel sanitary pump fittings and the pressurize and vent lines were insulated to prevent heating of the LN2 in the tank by the pressurized helium. The dual chamber pump was tested with cryogenic medium (LN2) and pressurized with helium. The pump was tested by flowing the output through an orifice with a turbine meter upstream to measure flow rate. The test yielded an average pressure output of 401 psi over a time period of 25 seconds. The standard deviation over this same time period was 4.52 psi.<\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;]<style type=\"text\/css\" data-type=\"the7_shortcodes-inline-css\">.shortcode-single-image-wrap.shortcode-single-image-1e435b8750ca5c0149c816fdff2ffe22.enable-bg-rollover .rollover i,\n.shortcode-single-image-wrap.shortcode-single-image-1e435b8750ca5c0149c816fdff2ffe22.enable-bg-rollover .rollover-video i {\n  background: -webkit-linear-gradient();\n  background: linear-gradient();\n}\n.shortcode-single-image-wrap.shortcode-single-image-1e435b8750ca5c0149c816fdff2ffe22 .rollover-icon {\n  font-size: 32px;\n  color: #ffffff;\n  min-width: 44px;\n  min-height: 44px;\n  line-height: 44px;\n  border-radius: 100px;\n  border-style: solid;\n  border-width: 0px;\n}\n.dt-icon-bg-on.shortcode-single-image-wrap.shortcode-single-image-1e435b8750ca5c0149c816fdff2ffe22 .rollover-icon {\n  background: rgba(255,255,255,0.3);\n  box-shadow: none;\n}\n<\/style><div class=\"shortcode-single-image-wrap shortcode-single-image-1e435b8750ca5c0149c816fdff2ffe22 alignleft fade-in  enable-bg-rollover dt-icon-bg-off\" style=\"margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:0px; margin-right:0px; width:500px;\"><div class=\"shortcode-single-image\"><div class=\"fancy-media-wrap\" style=\"\"><a class=\"layzr-bg rollover rollover-zoom dt-pswp-item pswp-image\" href=\"https:\/\/rocketfuelpump.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/ln2-testing.jpg\" title=\"\" data-dt-img-description=\"\" data-large_image_width=\"500\" data-large_image_height = \"0\"  style=\"\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy-load\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg xmlns%3D&#039;http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg&#039; viewBox%3D&#039;0 0 500 0&#039;%2F%3E\" width=\"500\" dt-data-location=\"https:\/\/rocketfuelpump.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/ln2-testing.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/rocketfuelpump.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/ln2-testing.jpg 500w\" data-src=\"https:\/\/rocketfuelpump.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/ln2-testing.jpg\" \/><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"gap\" style=\"line-height: 15px; height: 15px;\"><\/div>[vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<p><em>Flometrics pistonless pump inside of the tank during a liquid Nitrogen test.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][vc_video title=&#8221;Watch video&#8221; link=&#8221;http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=LLedT5UapjQ&#8221;][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/1&#8243;]<div class=\"gap\" style=\"line-height: 30px; height: 30px;\"><\/div>[\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=&#8221;4&#8243; margin_top=&#8221;20&#8243; margin_bottom=&#8221;30&#8243; padding_left=&#8221;40&#8243; padding_right=&#8221;40&#8243; bg_position=&#8221;top&#8221; bg_repeat=&#8221;no-repeat&#8221; bg_cover=&#8221;true&#8221; bg_attachment=&#8221;false&#8221; padding_top=&#8221;40&#8243; padding_bottom=&#8221;40&#8243; parallax_speed=&#8221;0.1&#8243; bg_image=&#8221;http:\/\/216.166.82.47\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/rocket-slice4flip.jpg&#8221;][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/1&#8243;][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">Flometrics Pistonless pump Articles and Patents<\/h2>\n<h5 style=\"text-align: center;\">To learn more about the technology and space craft systems please view the following articles and patents.<\/h5>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text]<div class=\"gap\" style=\"line-height: 25px; height: 25px;\"><\/div>[vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<p><a title=\"View PDF\" href=\"https:\/\/rocketfuelpump.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/RocketPumpJPC2003.pdf\"><strong>Pistonless Dual Chamber Rocket Fuel Pump<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text]<div class=\"gap\" style=\"line-height: 10px; height: 10px;\"><\/div><a href=\"https:\/\/rocketfuelpump.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/RocketPumpJPC2003.pdf\" class=\"btn-shortcode dt-btn-s dt-btn default-btn-color default-btn-hover-color default-btn-bg-color default-btn-bg-hover-color\" target=\"_blank\" id=\"dt-btn-1\" rel=\"noopener\"><span>View PDF<\/span><\/a>[\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<p><a title=\"View PDF\" href=\"https:\/\/rocketfuelpump.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/RocketPumpSpace2004.pdf\"><strong>Launch Vehicle and Spacecraft System Design Using the Pistonless Pump<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text]<div class=\"gap\" style=\"line-height: 10px; height: 10px;\"><\/div><a href=\"https:\/\/rocketfuelpump.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/RocketPumpSpace2004.pdf\" class=\"btn-shortcode dt-btn-s dt-btn default-btn-color default-btn-hover-color default-btn-bg-color default-btn-bg-hover-color\" target=\"_blank\" id=\"dt-btn-2\" rel=\"noopener\"><span>View PDF<\/span><\/a>[\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<p><a title=\"View PDF\" href=\"https:\/\/rocketfuelpump.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/AIAA-2010-7131-314.pdf\"><strong>Pistonless Pump System for Accelerated Development of a Heavy Lift LOX Hydrocarbon Engine<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text]<div class=\"gap\" style=\"line-height: 10px; height: 10px;\"><\/div><a href=\"https:\/\/rocketfuelpump.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/AIAA-2010-7131-314.pdf\" class=\"btn-shortcode dt-btn-s dt-btn default-btn-color default-btn-hover-color default-btn-bg-color default-btn-bg-hover-color\" target=\"_blank\" id=\"dt-btn-3\" rel=\"noopener\"><span>View PDF<\/span><\/a>[\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner]<div class=\"gap\" style=\"line-height: 15px; height: 15px;\"><\/div>[vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<p><a title=\"View PDF\" href=\"https:\/\/rocketfuelpump.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/AIAA-2010-8873-hiperfpistonless.pdf\"><strong>High Performance Lox Hydrogen Upper Stage with Pistonless Pump<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text]<div class=\"gap\" style=\"line-height: 10px; height: 10px;\"><\/div><a href=\"https:\/\/rocketfuelpump.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/AIAA-2010-8873-hiperfpistonless.pdf\" class=\"btn-shortcode dt-btn-s dt-btn default-btn-color default-btn-hover-color default-btn-bg-color default-btn-bg-hover-color\" target=\"_blank\" id=\"dt-btn-4\" rel=\"noopener\"><span>View PDF<\/span><\/a>[\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<p><a title=\"View PDF\" href=\"https:\/\/rocketfuelpump.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/US7007456.pdf\"><strong>US Patent 7,007,456 B2<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text]<div class=\"gap\" style=\"line-height: 10px; height: 10px;\"><\/div><a href=\"https:\/\/rocketfuelpump.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/US7007456.pdf\" class=\"btn-shortcode dt-btn-s dt-btn default-btn-color default-btn-hover-color default-btn-bg-color default-btn-bg-hover-color\" target=\"_blank\" id=\"dt-btn-5\" rel=\"noopener\"><span>View PDF<\/span><\/a>[\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<p><a title=\"View PDF\" href=\"https:\/\/rocketfuelpump.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/US7611333.pdf\"><strong>US Patent 7,611,33 B1<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text]<div class=\"gap\" style=\"line-height: 10px; height: 10px;\"><\/div><a href=\"https:\/\/rocketfuelpump.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/US7611333.pdf\" class=\"btn-shortcode dt-btn-s dt-btn default-btn-color default-btn-hover-color default-btn-bg-color default-btn-bg-hover-color\" target=\"_blank\" id=\"dt-btn-6\" rel=\"noopener\"><span>View PDF<\/span><\/a>[\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[vc_row margin_top=&#8221;0&#8243; margin_bottom=&#8221;30&#8243; padding_left=&#8221;40&#8243; padding_right=&#8221;40&#8243; bg_position=&#8221;top&#8221; bg_repeat=&#8221;no-repeat&#8221; bg_cover=&#8221;false&#8221; bg_attachment=&#8221;false&#8221; padding_top=&#8221;40&#8243; padding_bottom=&#8221;40&#8243; parallax_speed=&#8221;0.1&#8243;][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/1&#8243;][vc_column_text] The pistonless rocket fuel pump has had several tests to validate the proof of concept. These tests include liquid nitrogen tests, a proof of concept test with an Atlas Vernier engine, testing with cryogenic fluid for a lunar module application, and a&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":12903,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/rocketfuelpump.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/12920"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/rocketfuelpump.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/rocketfuelpump.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rocketfuelpump.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rocketfuelpump.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12920"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/rocketfuelpump.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/12920\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rocketfuelpump.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/12903"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/rocketfuelpump.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12920"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}