Leak-Free Pressurizing Valve

A leak-free valve has been proposed as a more reliable, less expensive, adaptable alternative to a one-time-opening, pyrotechnically actuated valve (pyrovalve). In the original intended application, the pyrovalve serves, before it is actuated, to isolate a pressurant gas (helium) from a propellant fluid aboard a spacecraft. Like a typical pyrovalve, the proposed valve would be triggered electrically, but unlike in the case of a pyrovalve, no pyrotechnic material would be present; all of the actuation energy would be supplied electrically and none pyrotechnically. Consequently, there would be no risk of premature detonation or of contamination of the pressurant gas by combustion products.