Fan Performance Testing and Oxygen Compatibility Assessment Results for Future Space Suit Life Support Systems

An advanced Portable Life Support System for a future space suit will require a small, robust, and energy-efficient system to transport ventilation gas through the space suit for lunar Extravehicular Activity (EVA) operations. A trade study identified and compared ventilation transport technologies in commercial, military, and space applications to determine which technologies could be adapted for EVA use. Based on these trade study results, five commercially available, 24-V fans were selected for performance testing at various pressures and flow rates. Measured fan parameters included: fan delta-pressures, input voltages, input electrical currents, and, in some cases, motor windings electrical voltages and currents. A follow-on trade study was also performed to identify oxygen compatibility issues and assess their impact on fan design. This paper outlines the results of the fan performance characterization testing, as well as the results from the oxygen compatibility assessment.