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Completed TRL 6 (started at 4, targeting 6)
To prove this technology for future exploration, a unique fan/blade combination will be co-developed for use in the ISS crew quarters. Although RotoSub's current state-of-the-art technology is successful in reducing the overall radiated noise by 10 dB or more, its capability is limited to reducing narrow-band tones using feedback control via a single modulation loop. Technical advancements to this state-of-the-art technology led by NASA will target improvements in fan blade movement by introducing a second modulation loop, and exploring the use of stiff/lightweight fan blade materials. Two crew quarter fans will be developed, and this technology will be used to investigate beat-frequency issues as well as overall noise reduction. Measurements within a Crew Quarter mockup and fan sound power testing will be used to quantify the decrease in acoustic emissions. Proving this technology in a space analog will be the first step in future flight hardware integration. Future studies could focus on demonstrating this technology in one of the ISS crew quarter's to further advance this technology for integration into the flight hardware that we will use to send humans to Mars and deep space.
Fan noise in space vehicles and habitats is something NASA has dealt with using massive & bulky passive treatments such as extra ducting, internal liners, and mufflers. An innovative quiet fan technology recently developed by RotoSub AB allows for the global minimization of fan noise using an active noise control technology embedded in the fans themselves. In space environments this would equate to a significant reduction in the acoustic burden from fans and would result in considerable mass and volume savings from reduced noise control treatments. This technology is now being incorporated into limited commercial applications, but has yet to be developed and implemented in the space industry. This research specifically supports the NASA TA06 ECLS SMT Roadmap for the development of quiet fans (6.1.4.4) adaptive intelligent noise control systems (6.1.4.3), and lightweight crew quarters (6.1.4.7). HAT Technology Need Reference 6.3.e-E
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