Applications of Micro System Technology (MST) in propulsion, activities at TNO Prins Maurits Laboratory
conference paper
MST offers the opportunity to make propulsion systems smaller, more effective and at lower costs. At the TNO Prins Maurits Laboratory (TNO-PML) several activities are underway to apply MST in both macro and micro propulsion systems. TNO-PML is active in three areas. It has developed software for analyses of injection, mixing, combustion and heat transfer and has established the conditions under which these tools can be used for micro rocket motors. At present, TNO-PML is part of a European Consortium that aims to develop a micro bi-propellant rocket motor. Secondly TNO-PML is working on micro solid propellant cool gas generators. These generators produce pure nitrogen, oxygen, hydrogen or methane that can be used among other applications as propellants for propulsion systems. A demonstration system has been developed and has shown that these generators can be miniaturized to a volume of 1 cm3 for use in small propulsion systems. Thirdly, together with other TNO institutes TNO-PML is developing a demonstration micro sensor system. In this system, different sensors, intelligence and wireless communication and power supply are integrated in a volume of 1 cm3. Applications in the space field are performance, and health monitoring sensors in both solid and liquid propulsion systems. Space applications of these sensors will be further studied within the Dutch MicroNed program.
TNO Identifier
183462
Source title
Proceedings of the 4th Round Table for Micro and Nano Techologies in Space, 2003
Pages
1-8
Files
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