Description of the liquid structure facility architecture and experimental demonstration of the diagnostic capabilities
Abstract
An overview of the Liquid Structure Facility (LSF) architecture, a multiuser multimission experimental facility capable of performing fluid sciences experiments related to surface tension, thermal behavior diffusion, concentration and surface deformation phenomena is given. The LSF was preliminary designed for a Spacelab mission, however, the design analysis takes into account the accommodation on future Columbus missions. The diagnostics fit in the facility is described from a theoretical and experimental point of view. Since the idea of a real multiuser facility dedicated to the fluid physics community has been initiated, the LSF has gone through an evolutive process which now can produce for the scientists a tool dedicated to its specific needs. This is achieved thanks to the modularity of its set of diagnosis tools and to the choice of a standard link to control and to monitor the intelligent cell module. The last development and technical choices related to the LSF made possible the experimental evaluation of the diagnosis performances in terms of feasibility, application range, accuracy, and sensitivity.
- Publication:
-
8th European Symposium on Materials and Fluid Sciences in Microgravity
- Pub Date:
- August 1992
- Bibcode:
- 1992mfsm.conf..325B
- Keywords:
-
- Fluid Dynamics;
- Liquid Surfaces;
- Payloads;
- Research Facilities;
- Spaceborne Experiments;
- Concentration (Composition);
- Data Management;
- Deformation;
- Interfacial Tension;
- Systems Engineering;
- Temperature Control;
- Thermal Diffusion;
- Thermography;
- Ground Support Systems and Facilities (Space)