Superfluid helium tanker instrumentation

Abstract

An instrumentation system for a 1992 Space Shuttle flight demonstration of superfluid-helium tanker and transfer technology is presented. The system measures helium temperatures, pressures, flow rates and mass and the amount of liquid or vapor present. It consists of analog and digital portions which provide a fault-tolerant, compact, relatively lightweight, space-qualified electronics system. The data-processing hardware and software are ground-commandable, perform measurements asynchronously, and format telemetry for transmission to the ground. A novel heat-pulse mass gaging technique is described, and a new liquid/vapor sensor is presented. Flowmeters for superfluid helium are discussed, and the superfluid helium fountain effect pump is described. Results of tests to date are presented.<>