Low-Noise High-Efficiency Spacecraft Ventilation Fan

This proposal targets the quieting of the NASA Quiet Spacecraft Fan (QSF) by 5 dB while achieving same or better fan aerodynamic performance at the same design point. The team of AVEC and Techsburg proposes to address the solicitation requirements by applying a suite of modern technologies drawn from our experience in designing quiet, high-efficiency fans and propellers for many applications both military and commercial. To this end, a hierarchy of aerodynamic and acoustic computational tools will be used for guiding the fan design from conceptual design trade studies through high fidelity analysis for risk assessments prior to fabrication and testing. This effort differs from previous design approach in that both aerodynamic and acoustic tools will be used concurrently in the quieting of the QSF unit.

The quieting of spacecraft ventilation fans is one of the key challenges for satisfactory acoustic environments in future space missions. Excessive and persistent high noise levels have many adverse effects such as hearing loss, annoyance, high blood pressure, speech interference, sleep disruption, and lost productivity. It is of paramount importance for NASA to develop ventilation fans that are quiet, efficient, compact and light weight. The key goal is to reduce the noise at the source to minimize the need for additional bulky and heavy noise controls such as mufflers. The quieting technologies and approaches planned in this proposal are general and have application in both NASA space and aeronautical fields. The use of ventilation fans is ubiquitous in modern society. They are used to improve the air quality, remove contaminants, and to control the temperature and humidity in occupied areas in virtually all residential, commercial and industrial habitats. The key market opportunity is in the development of a software tool for the analysis and design of quiet ventilation fans. The integration of analysis and design tools (primarily first-order/empirical types) used/developed under this SBIR project into a user-friendly computational software will result in a valuable product. A tool for the analysis and design of quiet ventilation fans does not currently exist in the market and, thus, it is a fertile and profitable opportunity. The team of AVEC and Techsburg has already provided services for the design of quiet ventilation fans, in particular for the mining industry. This SBIR will allow the team to grow our customer base in this critical area.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 2) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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