Description: The proposal is in response to NASA SBIR Phase I H3.12 for a quiet and efficient fan for spacecraft cabin ventilation system. The proposed fan design method and process employs mature and reliable design/analysis tools for both aerodynamics and acoustics. Coupled with the extensive real-world fan design experience of the proposal team, which is accumulated from multiple industrial design, build and test projects, the proposed work can produce a successful design that meets or exceeds both efficiency and noise goals. The proposal discusses using analytical tools and computational fluid dynamics to benchmark the current ventilation fan system and design a quieter and more efficient fan. The benchmark proves as a verification in accuracy in modeling methods. Analytical tools (XROTOR and DFDC) and medium fidelity CFD (FlightStream), will also be used in the design process of the fan. This gives the capability to run a wide range of case studies in fan blade geometry, number and chord and twist distribution before simulating the fan in a higher fidelity CFD model (STAR-CCM+). The fan design needs to be capable of a mass flow of 150.3 cfm, an efficiency of 75% or better and an overall sounds pressure level decrease of 5 dB from 66 dB. The target market is not limited to the aerospace industry including NASA Centers such as JSC and GRC, as well as NASA partners such as Blue Origin, Sierra Space, Nanoracks, Voyager Space, Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman. DARcorporation will also market to aviation industry for aircraft cabin usage and use the experience gained to offer improved services in ventilation fan design for other industries. IT will also be marketed towards the automotive, energy, agricultural industries. From car ventilation systems, irrigation systems to server farm cooling.

Benefits: Potential NASA applications for this technology include ISS, Orion, Gateway, Human Landing System (HLS), and Commercial LEO Destination Program (CLDP), including Commercial Destination Free-flyer (CDFF) and Commercial Destination ISS (CDISS) programs. This technology can also be used for lunar and Mars surface habitats, as well as the Mars Transfer Vehicle, and Lunar/Mars Pressurized Rovers. Successful operations from 14.7 psia to 8.2 psia, in exploration atmospheres, would provide extensibility to vehicles and habitats of the cislunar and Mars transit architecture. Potential non-NASA customers for this technology include all commercial partners of NASA, such as Blue Origin, Sierra Space, Nanoracks, Voyager Space, Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman. The fan can be installed in any habitat where it can function at a similar design point as that stated in the original requirements. DARcorporation will also use the experience gained to offer improved services in ventilation fan design for other design points and applications.