Summary

Description

<p>The objective of the Variable Oxygen Regulator Element is to develop an oxygen-rated, contaminant-tolerant oxygen regulator to control suit pressure with a significantly increased number of pressure set points as compared to the state-of-the-art. Using a motor-driven actuator, it allows for continuous control of suit pressure over the range of 0-8.4 psid, compared to only 2 setpoints for the state of the art (<strong>~</strong>0.9 & 4.3).  The enhanced performance will facilitate and improve EVA operations and prebreathe protocols, allow regulation of suit pressure to match different vehicle pressures including integration with suit ports, allow for in-suit decompression sickness treatment, minimize or eliminate prebreathe durations prior to an EVA, and provide the flexibility to run variable pressure profiles during an EVA.</p><p>Significant accomplishments since the beginning of the project include:</p><ul><li>Design and fabrication of second generation hardware (VOR 2.0). A total of three units were completed.</li><li>Integration of two VOR 2.0 test articles as part of the Primary and Secondary Oxygen Assemblies of the Portable Life Support System (PLSS) 2.0 test article and initiation of performance testing as part of integrated tests. The VOR is expected to be at a TRL of 5 at the completion of this testing.</li><li>Completion of oxygen and contaminant compatibility testing at NASA's White Sands Test Facility (WSTF). The regulator used for this test was cleaned and refurbished and is being used for simulated flight environments testing (vibration, vacuum, gravity orientation, etc.) which will advance the maturity of the hardware toward TRL 6.</li><li>Design of third generation (VOR 3.0) hardware. Differences between VOR 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 are given in the table below. Fabrication of two VOR 3.0 test articles are expected to be completed during the first part of 2015. This hardware will be delivered to our NASA customer, the Advanced Exploration Systems Advanced Space Suit Project for integration into PLSS 2.5 and later test articles. The technology will be considered at TRL 6 when integrated testing has been completed.</li></ul><p><strong>Table:  Comparison of first (1.0), second (2.0) and third (3.0) generation variable oxygen regulator hardware.</strong></p><p><strong>VOR 1.0                                                   VOR </strong><strong>2.0                                              VOR </strong><strong>3.0</strong></p><p>•  Aluminum Body                                     • Monel Body                                      • Monel Body, improved design</p><p>• Bench-top prototype                               • Improved packaging and size          • Flight-like unit</p><p>• Rated for nitrogen or air                          • Rated for 100% oxygen                   • Rated for 100% oxygen</p><p>                                                                  • Contamination tolerant                    • Contamination tolerant</p><p>• COTS components                                 • Improved components                    • Flight qualifiable components</p><p>                                                                                                                            • Improved controller w/interlocks</p><p>• Vacuum/ambient environment                • Relevant environment                    • Relevant environment</p><p>• TRL 4                                                      • TRL 5-6                                          • TRL 6</p>