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Development of an Air-Bearing Fan for Space Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Suit Ventilation
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Abstract
AiResearch has demonstrated a high-speed axial fan that can be used for space extravehicular activity (EVA) suit ventilation. The fan provides variable flow for the suit in a lightweight, compact design. It combines fine-scale aerodynamics with air bearings and a two-pole toothless permanent magnet motor. The fan has demonstrated quiet, vibration-free operation satisfying performance requirements in a small package: 0.31 l (18.9 cu in.) in volume, 7.8 cm (7 in.) in length, with a weight under 0.9 kg (1.98 lb).
This paper describes the fan and control design and discusses test results. The fan accommodates desired changes in the ventilation flow rate by allowing the astronaut to vary fan speed, achieving over a two-to-one range in flow rate. The development program tested the fan at flow rates ranging from 99 to 225 l/min (3.5 to 8 acfm) at operating pressures from 0.414 to 1.586 bar (6.0 to 23 psia) with pressure rises of 0.5 to 2.49 kPa (2.0 to 10 in. H2O). The input powers ranged form 12.4 to 42 W.
The air bearing fan was developed under Prime Contract NAS9 179000 from Johnson Space Center and Subcontract 0200122973 from Lockheed Engineering Sciences Company for the preprototype portable life support system ventilation loop.
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Fukumoto, P., Allen, N., and Stonesifer, G., "Development of an Air-Bearing Fan for Space Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Suit Ventilation," SAE Technical Paper 921297, 1992, https://doi.org/10.4271/921297.Also In
References
- Murry, Roger P. “An Air Bearing Fan for EVA Suit Ventilation,” SAE paper 901432 20th Intersociety Conference on Environmental Systems July 1990
- Campbell, W.B. Marriot, R.S. Revised Outgassing Data for Selecting Space Craft Materials NASA Reference Publication 1124 August 1987