1st Place: Joe Taylor
Cryoloc - Low Leakage Cryogenic Quick Disconnect Design Concept by joe.taylor-25

Cryoloc - Low Leakage Cryogenic Quick Disconnect Design Concept

Strengths:
- Very high level 3D CAD model and animation. Fantastic modeling and presentation.
- Clean low part count and classic design. Similar to traditional cryo QDs.
- Innovative low leak welded design.
- Detailed design analysis and materials selection.
Weaknesses:
- Alignment could be problematic.
- Not dry break - some fluid is trapped in poppet at disconnect.
- Open leak path during mate/de-mate.
- Separation load when pressurized.

2nd Place: Ross Palatan
Phase-Change Memory Alloy Cryogenic Disconnect by ross.palatan-1

Phase-Change Memory Alloy Cryogenic Disconnect

Strengths:
- Innovative seal design - Liquid metal phase change sealing is very interesting. I would like to see how this works in reality. If it works as shown, it will be leak proof.
- Detailed analysis.
- Demonstrated good understanding of the problem.
- Compact design.
- Thread together collar creates a robust connection.
- Great modeling and analysis.
Weaknesses:
- Complex mechanism relies on multiple active motors (Mechanical complexity requiring a motorized thread coupling system).
- No motion animation so hard to visualize how it functions.

2nd Place: Mustafa ÇOBANOĞLU
BULUT Ø120x200 by mustafa.cobanoglu-5

BULUT Ø120x200

Strengths:
- Low part count efficient design.
- Simple reliable operation.
- Low mass and high Cv.
- Semi-dry break design.
- Simple models to show concept and function.
- Creative twist on the LFD, adding conical sealing surfaces.
Weaknesses:
- Alignment of sealing surfaces could be difficult with conical interfaces.
- Seals in the flow path could present challenges.
- Some parts are missing and some connection details omitted.
- No longer a pressure balanced design.
- Line pressure load must be reacted to hold halves together.
- Spring has to be high force and preloaded, as line pressure acts against it.

3rd Place: Marcelo Valderrey
Venturi Effect by marcelo.valderrey-1

Venturi Effect

Strengths:
- Clear 3D CAD model and animation
- Clean low part count reliable design
- Good fluid flow geometry
- Alignment features considered.
- Complete concept/design addressing many design aspects.
- Venturi concept reduces pressurized interface area, and separation force.
- Shape memory metal seals are interesting.
- Labyrinth secondary seal is interesting.
- Clear presentation of concepts made it easy to understand.
Weaknesses:
- Difficult features to fabricate numerous precise conical surfaces
- Conical surfaces on popets with no seals
- Ventury effect could cause cavitation
- Requires flow isolation prior to mating and de-mating.
- GIF with presentation moves fast and text details could not be read without doing a screen capture.

3rd Place: Nazarii Vareshchuk
Hot Kiss by nazarii.vareshchuk-1

Hot Kiss

Strengths:
- Innovative solder melting seal concept
- Melt-together seal is interesting.
- High level of design and effort put into this design.
Weaknesses:
- very complex high part count disconnect mechanism
- Likely high flow losses
- High power requirement for actuation and melt operations.
- Mechanically complex.
- Presentation could show concept a little better. It took me some time to grasp the whole thing.
- Melting for disconnect could require a lot of time after cryogenic flow.

3rd Place: Ebube Nwobodo
Permanent Magnetic Switch Cryogenic Disconnect for Space Exploration by ebube.nwobodo-1

Permanent Magnetic Switch Cryogenic Disconnect for Space Exploration

Strengths:
- Good design understanding and presentation.
- Good dust tolerance protects seals inside housing.
- The design is likely functional and mirrors the Low Force Disconnect (LFD).
Weaknesses:
- Likely high flow losses.
- Magnetic components are susceptible to attracting high iron lunar dust.
- Probe side static seal is missing.
- Mounting flange details are missing.
- Very similar to the NASA LFD concept.

We have updated our terms in order to better protect your hard work and keep our challenges running smoothly! To submit your challenge entry, please read and accept the new Challenge Terms and Conditions.

Save Cancel