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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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