Supporting Space Flight History with the Space Launch System
Supporting Space Flight History with the Space Launch System
Technetics Group is a proud supplier to NASA, Boeing and Aerojet Rocketdyne, and proved instrumental in working with these organizations on the development of NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS).
The SLS is an advanced, heavy-lift launch vehicle that will send astronauts into deep space and open up the possibility for missions to neighboring planets. The program is enabling humans to travel further into space than ever before and paving the way for new scientific discoveries and knowledge that was once out of reach.
Technetics has worked closely with program design teams for critical applications for the Core Stage and Upper Stage on the SLS. Specifically, a number of precision sealing solutions and fluid management components were needed for Aerojet Rocketdyne’s RS-25 and RL10 engines to ensure the integrity of the overall system. By working closely with engineers at Boeing and Aerojet Rocketdyne, the Technetics team designed, tested, and implemented custom solutions to solve the critical sealing needs within the engines. Within the Core Stage on the RS-25 engines as well as the Upper Stage on the RL10 engines, solutions included custom metal seals, NAFLEX and K-Port seals, carbon face seals, BELFAB® edge-welded metal bellows, and accumulators.
Because of the ongoing commitment Technetics has to Boeing and Aerojet Rocketdyne, both organizations have recognized Technetics for their excellent supplier contribution to the SLS program.
Boeing representatives held a supplier recognition presentation for the Technetics team members, citing outstanding performance in providing hydraulic accumulators and reservoirs for the Thrust Vector Control hydraulic system located within the Core Stage of the rocket. Technetics was one of the first suppliers on the program to have provided all Flight 1 requirements and subsystem test units.
Aerojet Rocketdyne also recognized Technetics and stated that Technetics “has gone above and beyond to produce quality hardware and support aggressive schedules” and that “Technetics efforts and those of Technetics employees have not gone unnoticed.” To express their appreciation, Aerojet Rocketdyne representatives visited the Technetics Deland, FL facility to present an appreciation letter for the contributions Technetics made in support of Aerojet Rocketdyne’s RS-25 High-Pressure Turbomachinery team.
The SLS program is ongoing, and Technetics continues to work closely alongside the teams at NASA, Boeing, and Aerojet Rocketdyne to develop custom-engineered sealing and component solutions that provide safety, performance, and reliability while subjected to the harsh environments of deep space. Technetics is honored to be a part of the history-making SLS program and is eagerly awaiting upcoming launches.
Non-Contacting Lift-Off Seal
Non-Contacting Lift-Off Seal
SLS Case Study
SLS Case Study
Technetics Group is a proud supplier to NASA, Boeing and Aerojet Rocketdyne, and proved instrumental in working with these organizations on the development of NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS).
An Aerospace Spin on Non-contacting Seal Technology
Non-Contacting Sealing Technology Reduces Wear, Heat, Increases Life Expectancy
Design features in the face of the mating ring force fluid (air, gas) into a converging gap in the sealing face. As the pressure builds, the faces separate.
Failure Is Not An Option On-Demand Webinar
Failure is Not an Option On-Demand Webinar, Static Metal Seals for Space Applications
Learn why static seals play such a vital role in critical applications, including the space industry. Our Technetics engineers work directly with our customers to create the ideal sealing solution.
Webinar Highlights
Key Takeaways:
- Why you need a metal seal
- How metal seals work
- What is a metal seal
- Groove design considerations
- Application Conditions
- Leak rate discussion
- Question & answer session
Learn about the basics of metal seals and their importance in this training presented by, Technetics Group Design Engineers, Michael Shealy, and Steven Henning, as well as Senior Project Engineer, Jason Adams.
Qualiseal® Radial Shaft Seal
Qualiseal® Radial Shaft Seal
In certain extreme applications, a part made of individual segments may meet your critical performance requirements better than a single-piece unit.
QUALISEAL® CONTROLLED GAP/BUSHING
Really two pieces in one, Qualiseal® Controlled Gap/Bushing seals are the best solution when pressure is an issue.
Controlled gap or bushing seals are comprised of a carbon insert that is shrink-fitted into a separate retaining band. This floating circumferential ring assembly grows at a rate similar to that of the shaft when exposed to elevated temperatures.
Under normal operating conditions, the pressure on the airside is higher than the pressure on the oil side. This creates some air leakage through the controlled gap between the carbon ring and shaft. The differential air pressure, along with the spring load, provide the closing force necessary to maintain contact between the carbon and housing secondary sealing face. Meanwhile, the shaft turns freely within the carbon ring.
The seal design also features a unique stabilizer ring with fins which minimize stress on the carbon ring, thereby maintaining the roundness of the circumferential ring assembly. The dimensional tolerance of the critical inside diameter of the bushing ring is tightly controlled to minimize leakage variations.
Product Applications
- Aerospace Industry
- Industrial Industry
Ideal For:
- High-pressure applications
- Also suitable for sealing low-pressure liquids
Features & Benefits
Benefits:
- Minimal leakage in an exceptionally wide temperature range
- Tolerance to unlimited shaft axial movement
- Very long life
- Very low heat generation
Features:
- Rides on a buffer that centers the ring and minimizes seal-to-shaft contact
- Available in a wide variety of materials suitable to a broad range of applications
- Often paired with other seals to create sealing systems that meet demanding requirements
Design Configurations:
- Single seal for dual pressure conditions
- Spring-loaded double back-to-back seal
- Separable designs to facilitate replacement and/or rework of internal components
- Double tandem seal arrangement for sealing a combination of liquids and gases
- Multiple labyrinth ring assemblies
- Housing for mounting directly onto equipment case
QUALISEAL® SEGMENTED SEALS
Segmented seals ride directly along the shaft and are primarily used in low-pressure applications.
These seals contain a series of segmented carbon rings which contact the shaft or rotor. Segments inside the seal housing are kept in the proper location by anti-rotation keys or pins. A secondary seal is formed by the axial spring loading of the seal rings against the internal surface of the housing face. During movement, a continuous seal is always in contact with either the primary or secondary sealing surfaces.
Product Applications
- Aerospace Industry
- Industrial Industry
Ideal For:
- Gas seals and for sealing low-pressure liquids
Features & Benefits
Benefits:
- Tolerance to unlimited shaft axial movement
- Prevents oil and contaminant migration into the process gas side
- Leakage rates remain constant over the life of the seal
Features:
- Rides directly along the shaft
- Special gap segments permit the seal to adjust dimensionally for minimal leakage
- Compression and garter springs ensure that segments remain in contact with mating surfaces during low delta pressure and shutdown conditions
Design Configurations:
- Various seal ring segment configurations
- Pressure-balanced segments
- Fractured rings
- Multiple seal labyrinth
- Internally pressurized seal
- Internally vented seal
Specifications
Resources
Getting Technetical: What Will the Commercial Space Market Look Like in 2022?
The pandemic may have halted many industries from growing, but that is not the case for the commercial space market. Jason Riggs, Director of Strategy at Technetics, discussed the market’s future for 2022.
Manufacturing in Space
Manufacturing in Space. It’s a thing and there are several companies now working to figure out the complexities and solve the challenges of manufacturing and assembling products in low-earth orbit and beyond.
How a Metal Seal Works
How a Metal Seal Works
The Awe and Engineering of Space Exploration
The Awe and Engineering of Space Exploration
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