Cryogenic Hydraulically Actuated Isolation Valve

Researchers at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center have developed a cryogenic isolation valve that utilizes the upstream line pressure of cryogenic fluids for actuation. Previously, the use of cryogenic fluids for actuation systems had been too difficult to control and resulted in unsafe operating conditions due to the cryogenic fluid used for actuation being separated from the main body of the valve. Once separated, the cryogenic fluid would heat too quickly and vaporize, resulting in high volatile pressures.