Tech Briefs Magazine - August 2022 - 39

Mechanical & Fluid Systems
Low Separation Force Quick Disconnect Device
A self-aligning, self-healing system for pneumatics and cryogenics with applications in aerospace.
NASA Kennedy Space Center, Merritt Island, FL
I
nnovators at the NASA Kennedy Space
Center (KSC) have developed the Low
Separation Force Quick Disconnect device
for transporting pneumatic and
cryogenic fluids.
Umbilical systems employ fluid connectors
known as quick disconnects to transfer
fluids into a vehicle. Traditional quick disconnect
systems have a separation force
directly proportional to the line pressure.
Pressurized
Volume
Pressurized
Volume
For systems with a high line pressure, large
separation forces are generated when disconnecting
the flow line which requires
the use of large, heavy support structures.
KSC's Low Separation Force Quick Disconnect
device eliminates this need for
heavy support structures by ensuring low
separation force regardless of line pressure,
which is advantageous for systems requiring
high line pressure.
Equal and opposite axial load applied by ΔP
across seals result in zero net separation load
Pressurized
Volume
Ground Half
Flight and Ground Halves Mated
This rendering illustrates how the Low Separation Force Quick Disconnect device enables easy line
mating. The device re-routes fluid to flow into the connected line perpendicular to the typical flow
path, and does so evenly around the circumference of the line for pressure balance. Thus, the disconnect
pressure is no longer a function of line pressure (i.e., the only disconnect force is now
supplied by the springs depicted in blue). (Image: NASA)
Flight Half
The Low Separation Force Quick Disconnect
device uses a seal arrangement and
flow path to eliminate separation force
from line pressure. A radial design ensures
a low separation force regardless of line
pressure. Ten holes around the internal
seal cancel loads due to balanced pressure;
thus, the central force exerted on the device
is due to the springs fixed internally.
The device also provides for additional
optional characteristics including a
self-aligning feature from a compliant
mount and a self-sealing mechanism that
keeps dust out of the device. It is designed
to transport pneumatics and
cryogenic fluid.
Due to the low separation force and
overall design, the system requires less
heavy and high-strength support structures
than conventional designs; the design permits
lighter retention systems and reduces
deflection variations.
Applications of this device include any
mechanism in which fluid is being transferred
from ground to a vehicle or another
system, especially where a high line pressure
is used. Companies that deal with fluid
connectors such as aerospace, satellites,
unmanned vehicles, as well as oil and gas
may find value in the invention.
Specific uses of the invention in the
aerospace industry include flight-toground
and flight-to-flight, as well as surface-system
applications.
NASA is actively seeking licensees to
commercialize this technology. Please
contact NASA's Licensing Concierge at
Agency-Patent-Licensing@mail.nasa.gov
or call us at 202-358-7432 to initiate licensing
discussions. For more information
visit, https://technology.nasa.gov/
patent/KSC-TOPS-63.
Tech Briefs, August 2022
www.techbriefs.com
39

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