OUR VALVES

ValveTech has developed flapper check valves for a wide range of applications from the International Space Station to the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle. These valves are manufactured from various materials including stainless steels, aluminum and thermoplastics and have been used in cryogenic and high temperature applications. Using proprietary manufacturing techniques, ValveTech is capable of providing these components with exceptional leakage characteristics and very low cracking pressures.

ValveTech part number 11115 is a cryogenic oxygen check valve designed for operation on the MHI H-IIA launch vehicle. It is capable of high-flow performance at over 450 psig with leak-tight operation. The valve body is manufactured from Inconel and the seat from oxygen batch-tested Vespel SP-21. An Inconel 718 machined spring loads the valve poppet. The 3-inch diameter valve is in-line flange mounted.

Part number 12142-3 is a 2-way, normally closed solenoid valve developed for use with liquid hydrogen. All wetted surfaces are Inconel. The seat is Vespel SP-21. The static seals are ValveTech designed cryogenic seals that are reusable and provide external leakages of less than 1×10⁻⁵ sccs helium under all pressure conditions. The valve is pressure balanced and uses an Inconel bellows for dynamic sealing and pressure balancing. Inlet and outlet ports are per MS33649-06.

Part number 12142-5 is a 2-way, normally closed solenoid valve designed for a dual mode, "green" rocket engine. The valve is designed to flow ethanol and cryogenic oxygen. All wetted surfaces are Inconel. The seat is Teflon. The static seals are ValveTech designed cryogenic seals providing external leakages of less than 1×10⁻⁵ sccs helium. The valve is pressure balanced and uses an Inconel edge-welded bellows for dynamic sealing. Inlet and outlet ports are per AS33649-10.

ValveTech has qualified and flown a number of propellant control valves for small, monopropellant rocket engines in the 0.1 to 5.0 LBf range. The valve design uses an AF-E-411 elastomeric puck for exceptional sealing capability. ValveTech center guide and common bore technology have allowed the valve to be qualified to 1,000,000 dry cycles and an additional 1,000,000 wet cycles.

Part number 15027 is a dual seat propellant control valve qualified for thrusts from 50 to 100 LBf. Developed for the Space Station Freedom Long Life Monopropellant Thrusters, it demonstrated a throughput of over 6,400 pounds of hydrazine over 100,000 valve cycles. Derivative designs fly on VEGA, Mars Science Laboratory, and other U.S. Government Programs using ValveTech's patented Center Guide Technology.

ValveTech has developed and qualified dual seat and single seat solenoid operated Teflon-seated valves for use in bi-propellant Bang-Bang pressure regulation systems. Compatible with both fuels and oxidizers, the valve is qualified to 4,800 psig and capable of pressures in excess of 6,000 psig. Internal leakage rates are better than 1×10⁻³ sccs helium per seat. The valve has flown on GeoLite, Orbital Express, and MiTEx satellites.

ValveTech has developed a line of no sliding fit dual seat propellant control valves for small monopropellant thrusters from 0.1 to 5.0 LBf. The valve has demonstrated consistent performance characteristics for over 12,000,000 dry cycles with no particle generation. The valve uses an AF-E-411 elastomeric puck for exceptional sealing capability. There are no press fits in the valve assembly.

Part number 11022-2 is a nitrogen relief valve utilizing a 316 CRES poppet on a Kel-F seat. The valve cracks between 406 to 430 psig and reseats by 354 psid minimum. A fitting end per MS33656-6E is provided on the inlet end and a MS33649-08 port on the outlet end. The valve is 2.900 inches long by 1.00 inch diameter. Designed and qualified for a United States Government aircraft program.

Part number 11069 is a cryogenic, direct operated, poppet relief valve. The valve uses a Vespel SP-21 poppet on a 304 CRES seat. The external leak path is sealed via a Vespel crush seal. The valve uses 0.625 inch Gamah fittings on both inlet and outlet. Designed for the Leading Edge Active Cooling System (LEACS).

Part number 11075 is a low-pressure relief valve. The body is constructed from aluminum with a stainless-steel poppet and poppet guide. The valve seat is sealed by a fluorosilicone o-ring. The equivalent square edged orifice diameter is 1.660 inch. The rated operating pressure is 0 to 115 psig and the valve cracks at 5 psig minimum. Inlet and outlet connections are 2.5 inch Hydraflow fittings.

Part number 12178 is a 6,000 psig, 2-way solenoid valve designed and qualified for the X-38 Crew Return Vehicle. This pressure balanced poppet valve is capable of bi-directional operation with a flow rate of 1.2 lbm/sec of gaseous nitrogen at 200 psid. Internal leak rates are better than 2.5 sccm in either direction. Filtered inlet and outlet ports are per MS33649-10. The valve is 6.25 inches tall and about 2.72 inches square.

Part number 12085-5 is used on the International Space Station in the Hydrogen Vent Assembly and Major Constituent Analyzer in the Environmental Control and Life Support System. Wetted materials are Inconel and 316 stainless steel for hydrogen compatibility. The valve is totally pressure balanced using edge-welded Inconel bellows. It operates from 2×10⁻⁴ to 100 psia with a minimum 0.5 inch diameter flow path. The valve uses a 30-watt pull-in coil and is electrically latched via a 5-watt hold-in coil. Includes a manual override for EVA gloved hand use and redundant switch position indication.

ValveTech high-performance static seals provide exceptional leakage at low cost. A metal spring element, machined from solid bar stock, loads a soft, replaceable sealing element. All parts are reusable but the inexpensive sealing element can easily be replaced when worn or damaged. ValveTech seals specify explicit external leakage rates that can exceed 5×10⁻⁵ sccs helium as measured on a helium mass spectrometer. The seal is especially suited for cryogenic applications and is designed for multiple uses — only the sealing element may need replacement.

ValveTech has developed and qualified a wide range of manually operated valves for a variety of applications. These include components operated by manual means only and solenoid operated devices with optional manual controls. Component types include both positive shutoff and metering control of flow. Operator types include common hand tools such as wrenches and square drives, and special tools to prevent unauthorized operation. Special operators for use with an astronaut's EVA gloved hand have also been produced.

ValveTech offers build-to-print and manufacturing services. ValveTech has produced components for missiles, aircraft, and undersea vehicles. This includes manufacturing of precision parts, processing, and complete assembly and acceptance testing in accordance with customer's documentation. ValveTech has also refurbished components that are no longer supported by the original manufacturer, rebuilt to like-new condition with 100% acceptance testing. Full valve performance, material traceability, and qualification heritage is maintained.