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Development of a Device to Deploy Fluid Droplets in MicrogravityA free-floating droplet in microgravity is ideal for scientific observation since it is free of confounding factors such as wetting and nonsymmetrical heat transfer introduced by contact with surfaces. However, the technology to reliably deploy in microgravity has not yet been developed. In some recent fluid deployment experiments, droplets are either shaken off the dispenser or the dispenser is quickly retracted from the droplet. These solutions impart random residual motion to deployed droplet, which can be undesirable for certain investigations. In the present study, two new types of droplet injectors were built and tested. Testing of the droplet injectors consisted of neutral buoyancy tank tests, 5-sec drop tower tests at the NASA Lewis Zero Gravity Facility, and DC-9 tests. One type, the concentric injector, worked well in the neutral buoyancy tank but did not do well in low-gravity. However, it appeared that it makes a fine apparatus for constructing bubbles in low-gravity conditions. The other type, the T-injector, showed the most promise for future development. In both neutral buoyancy and DC-9 tests, water droplets were formed and deployed with some control and repeatability, although in low-gravity the residual velocities were higher than desirable. Based on our observations, further refinements are suggested for future development work.
Document ID
19970034948
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Technical Memorandum (TM)
Authors
Robinson, David W. (NASA Lewis Research Center Cleveland, OH United States)
Chai, An-Ti (NASA Lewis Research Center Cleveland, OH United States)
Date Acquired
September 6, 2013
Publication Date
July 1, 1997
Subject Category
Fluid Mechanics And Heat Transfer
Report/Patent Number
NASA-TM-107460
NAS 1.15:107460
E-10746
Accession Number
97N30164
Funding Number(s)
PROJECT: RTOP 963-25-0H
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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