PFMI Flyer.cdr

STS-111
5 June 2002
Marshall Space Flight Center
Microgravity Science
& Applications
Department
PFMI
(Pore Formation and Mobility Investigation)
Aluminum heat
exchangers (6 total)
Lintec translation stage
for gradient zone
Five (5) aircraft-style
pop-out circuit breakers
Sample Ampoule
Assembly (SAA) inserted
into right side of
the thermal chamber
Six SAA
thermocouple wires
Rheostat to adjust
backlight intensity
inside chamber
Two Cohu 3812
video cameras
(installed on-orbit)
Lintec translation stage
for cameras is underneath
camera mount bracket
PFMI Furnace Capabilities
! Type Of Processing: Bridgman
! Thermal Gradient: 10 to 50°C/cm depending on sample
material and configuration
! Gradient Zone Length: 2.5 to 0.5 cm selectable
! Maximum Sample OD: 10.0 mm
! Maximum Sample Length 23 cm
! Sample Processed Length: Up to 10 cm depending on
sample material and configuration
! Max Temperature: 130°C
! Cold Zone Min Temperature: 5°C
! Heater Stability Control: +/- 1°C
! Translation Velocity: 0.5 micrometers/sec to 100
micrometers/sec
! Translation Stability: +/- 5%
! Ampoule Dimensions: OD 12.75 mm, Length 28 cm
! Sample Instrumentation: Up to 6 Type K Thermocouples
inside the sample
! Temperature Data Recording Rate: up to 1/sec
! Video: S Video with two camera views, Recording rate
30fps, Zoom 22:1
! Commanding: Remote commanding capability of all
processing parameters as well as camera zoom and focus
PFMI is a microgravity experiment that will promote our
understanding of detrimental porosity formation and its
behavior during controlled directional solidification in a
microgravity environment with the overall intent of
improving processing techniques and sample uniformity.
The generation and inclusion of detrimental porosity, e.g,
"pipes" and "rattails" can occur during controlled directional
solidification processing. By conducting controlled
experiments on a model material in microgravity, PFMI will
promote our understanding of detrimental porosity and
lead to improvements in the solidification of metals and
metallic alloys on earth.
The PFMI furnace was designed to operate inside the
Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG) which is a facility
currently operating aboard the International Space Station.
Dow Corning 7052
Borosilicate Glass
Kovar Piston
SS Spring
SS Clips
Kovar
SS Cartridge Head
Lintec translation stage for
gradient zone, driven by
Animatics SmartMotor 2320
(0.5 - 100 µm/sec capability,
planned ops = 3.02 - 5.75 µm/sec)
Electronics bay
Heat zone set at
60 - 130 C (±1C)
Sample ampoule
inserted here
(thermocouple wires
not shown)
ITO Electrode
Brush (+ current)
ITO Electrode
Brush (- current)
Thermal gradient zone
( 10 - 50 C/cm)
ITO = Indium
Tin Oxide
Cold zone with Thermal
Electric Devices (TEDs)
set at 20 - 28 C.
Camera motor
(Animatics
SmartMotor 2320)
Lintec translation stage
for Cohu 3812 camera system
Marshall Space Flight Center POC:
Tec-Masters, Inc. POC:
Linda Jeter
(256) 544-7392
Reggie Spivey
(256) 830-4000