Abstract: A field of feeding propellant gas to ion thrusters, and in particular a method of feeding an ion thruster with propellant gas coming from a pressurized tank via a feed circuit including an on/off valve and, in succession downstream from the on/off valve, a high pressure restrictor, a buffer tank, and at least one low pressure restrictor. The method includes the steps of calculating a pressure setpoint for the buffer tank as a function of a flow rate setpoint, calculating the difference between the pressure setpoint for the buffer tank and a pressure measured in the buffer tank, calculating a setpoint for the opening time of the on/off valve as a function of the difference and of a pressure inside the pressurized tank, and opening the on/off valve in compliance with the opening time setpoint.

Abstract: Method for controlling a hydraulic pumping system that is stationary while in operation, the pumping system comprising a fuel-driven drive with a motor for a pump, a heating device for heating the motor and an accumulator with a charge control, the method comprising the steps of: detecting at least a first operating value, determining a current and an expected operating mode, and influencing at least a second operating value. Further, a control device for a hydraulic pumping system that is stationary while in operation, and a hydraulic pumping system that is stationary while in operation are also provided.

Abstract: Method for controlling a hydraulic pumping system that is stationary while in operation, the pumping system comprising a fuel-driven drive with a motor for a pump, a heating device for heating the motor and an accumulator with a charge control, the method comprising the steps of: detecting at least a first operating value, determining a current and an expected operating mode, and influencing at least a second operating value. Further, a control device for a hydraulic pumping system that is stationary while in operation, and a hydraulic pumping system that is stationary while in operation are also provided.

Abstract: A field of pneumatically-actuated regulator valves, and more specifically a regulator valve for regulating a flow of gas from an upstream duct to a downstream duct. The regulator valve has a passage to enable the upstream duct to communicate with the downstream duct, a movable member arranged to vary a flow section of the passage, and an actuator with an internal chamber in communication with an exhaust duct and an admission duct to connect to the upstream duct, the actuator being arranged to move the movable member. For control purposes, the regulator valve has a control unit incorporating at least one state observer to estimate at least one pressure that exists in the internal chamber from a measured position of the movable member and from a measured upstream pressure, and from an opening value for at least one valve installed in the admission duct and/or the exhaust duct.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of rocket engines, and in particular to a method and a circuit for regulating a rocket engine (1) comprising at least one combustion chamber (3) and a first liquid propellant feed circuit (10) with a first pump (12) for pumping a first liquid propellant and a first turbine (14) for actuating the first pump (12), a first feed valve (15), and a regulator device for regulating the first turbine (14). In the regulation method and circuit, an opening command (DVCH) for opening the first feed valve (15) is calculated from an external command (Cext) in application of an open loop control relationship; a command for the regulator device of the first turbine (14) is calculated on the basis of said external command (Cext) and at least one feedback value, in application of a closed loop control relationship; and the first feed valve (15) and the regulator device of the first turbine (14) are controlled in application of the respective commands.

Abstract: A field of feeding propellant gas to ion thrusters, and in particular a method of feeding an ion thruster with propellant gas coming from a pressurized tank via a feed circuit including an on/off valve and, in succession downstream from the on/off valve, a high pressure restrictor, a buffer tank, and at least one low pressure restrictor. The method includes the steps of calculating a pressure setpoint for the buffer tank as a function of a flow rate setpoint, calculating the difference between the pressure setpoint for the buffer tank and a pressure measured in the buffer tank, calculating a setpoint for the opening time of the on/off valve as a function of the difference and of a pressure inside the pressurized tank, and opening the on/off valve in compliance with the opening time setpoint.