Distribution Valve Network
Solenoid + Manual Valve Network for Distribution Control
The distribution valve network is an assembly of twenty-four solenoid and manual isolation valves that regulates water delivery to settlement consumers and isolates pipe segments for maintenance. Fabricated from 316L stainless steel with bellows-sealed stems to eliminate shaft leakage, the 6 kg network achieves a 100 ms trip time with an operational power draw of 5 W. To withstand lunar operating conditions, the actuators are sealed against abrasive dust infiltration, while zero-hold-current latching solenoids minimize continuous electrical loads, supporting a 20-year lifetime and a 100,000-hour mean time between failures.
Network of solenoid + manual isolation valves controlling water flow to each consumer and enabling segment isolation for maintenance.
Purpose
Network of solenoid + manual isolation valves controlling water flow to each consumer and enabling segment isolation for maintenance.
Context
Child of L2-WTR-DIST in L1-WTR water processing chain
Principles
- ▸Latching solenoid valves (zero hold-current) reduce continuous power
- ▸Bellows seals avoid shaft-leak failure mode
- ▸Manual isolation valves at every branch for emergency manual override
- ▸Position-feedback contacts for state verification
- ▸Wide-temperature operation (-40 to +60 C)
Typical implementations
- ▸ISS internal water valves heritage
- ▸Industrial isolation valves (Swagelok, Parker)
- ▸Apollo/Shuttle water-system valves
Lunar considerations
- ▸Latching design minimises power in long-mission operation
- ▸Sealed actuators against dust
- ▸Robotic mate for replacement
Specifications
Functional
| primary function | Network of solenoid + manual isolation valves controlling water flow to each consumer and enabling segment isolation for maintenance. |
| valve count | 24 |
| trip time ms | 100 |
Physical
| mass kg | 6 |
| materials | 316L SS body, Bellows-sealed stem, Solenoid actuator |
| vacuum compatibility | True |
Operational
| power consumption w | 5 |
| thermal range c | -40, 70 |
| lifetime years | 20 |
| mtbf hours | 100000 |
Interfaces
Provides
- Controlled flow routing
Requires
- Solenoid trip pulses (~5 W during transition)
Cite this entry
Lunar Ark Codex. "Distribution Valve Network" (L3-WTR-DIST-VALVE). Retrieved 10 September 2026, from https://lunarark.com/entry/L3-WTR-DIST-VALVE
Licensed CC-BY-SA 4.0. You may reuse and adapt this entry with attribution, under the same licence.