Fill & Drain Valves

Whether you’re designing a launch vehicle, spacecraft, or satellite, Lee Fill and Drain Valves make it easy to preserve the integrity of your fuel supply and maximize the longevity of your mission.

In satellite systems, fill and drain valves play a critical role in helping to load or purge fluids like propellants, pressurants, and coolants from the tank prior to launch. They are also useful during testing procedures that involve multiple fluids – for example, when proof testing using nitrogen before adding propellant.

Lee Fill and Drain Valves are built under aerospace quality standard AS9100 to ensure the precise transfer of volatile fluids during ground operations and pre-launch sequences. A variety of material options are available, making this valve  compatible with a wide range of fluids. Lee Fill and Drain Valves offer exceptional external leak rates (under 10⁻⁷ sccs of helium at 4000 psid with cap and gasket installed), helping to preserve the integrity of your mission. Unlike traditional valves with integrated actuators that add weight, our design utilizes a separate pilot tool that is used to open the valve prior to launch. This means that valve’s in-flight configuration is extremely small – with a weight as low as 38 grams.

We offer two standard system integration options: a traditional aerospace standard threaded boss mount or a tube stub that can be welded on to provide a leak-tight seal. For either selection, the pilot tool can be used to mechanically open the check valve to drain the system. Custom interfaces are also available to meet your unique needs.