Proof-of-concept reusable origami bladder for cryogenic propellant acquisition

Propellant management devices (PMDs) enable cryogenic propellant storage and transfer in the reduced gravity of space by transferring single-phase liquid propellant from a source tank to a receiver tank or engine. At cryogenic temperatures, bladder PMDs are an attractive alternative to traditional surface tension based PMDs: bladders may handle higher propellant flow rates exiting the tank, reduce operational complexity, and thermally insulate the propellant from environmental heat leaks. Cryogenic bladders were historically not a viable technology due to the propensity of the bladder material to rip. But, by building the bladder from an origami bellows, a compliant mechanism, there is significant potential to increase the reusability of bladders. This proposal is to construct a proof-of-concept origami bladder, and to demonstrate that it can store and expel liquid hydrogen. Subjecting this bladder to different pressure gradients will determine the maximum flow rate the bladder can sustain before failing, which can be compared with flow-rates achievable by surface-tension PMDs. To determine the reusability of the bladder, origami bellows will be fatigue-tested (linearly actuated) at 77 K. Successful completion of all research objectives will progress origami bladder technology to technology readiness level 4.

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