Engineering topics
Publications and source records attributed to Elkins, W..
Components of the advanced extravehicular mobility unit (suit) are described. Design considerations for radiation protection, extravehicular operational pressure, mobility effects, tool/glove/effector, anthropometric definition, lighting, and equipment turnaround are addressed.
Design of a portable personal cooling system to reduce physiological stress in high-temperature, high-humidity conditions is discussed. The system, based on technology used in the thermal controls of space suits, employs a combination of head and thoracic insulation and cooling through a heat sink unit. Average metabolic rates, heart rates, rectal temperature increase and sweat loss were monitored for test subjects wearing various configurations of the cooling system, as well as for a control group. The various arrangements of the cooling garment were found to provide significant physiological benefits; however, increases in heat transfer rate of the cooling unit and more effective insulation are suggested to improve the system's function.
A device for enhancing the detection of malignant tissue in the breasts of a woman was described. A brassiere-like garment which is fitted with a pair of liquid-perfused cooling panels which completely and compliantly cover the breasts and upper torso was studied. The garment is connected by plastic tubing to a liquid cooling system comprising a fluid pump, a solenoid control valve for controlling the flow of fluid to either the cooling unit or the heating unit, a fluid reservoir, a temperature sensor in the reservoir, and a restrictor valve to control the pressure in the garment inlet cooling line.
A pair of pressure and thermal insulating overgloves to be used with an Extravehicular (EV) suit assembly was designed, developed, fabricated, and tested. The design features extensive use of Nomex felt materials in lieu of the multiple layer insulation formerly used with the Apollo thermal glove. The glove theoretically satisfies all of the thermal requirements. The presence of the thermal glove does not degrade pressure glove tactility by more than the acceptable 10% value. On the other hand, the thermal glove generally degrades pressure glove mobility by more than the acceptable 10% value, primarily in the area of the fingers. Life cycling tests were completed with minimal problems. The thermal glove/pressure glove ensemble was also tested for comfort; the test subjects found no problems with the thermal glove although they did report difficulties with pressure points on the pressure glove which were independent of the thermal glove.
The feasibility of providing a high pressure, very mobile and reliable space suit glove system is demonstrated. A 'soft' toroidal wrist joint assembly was developed. A representative Kevlar and steel wrist section was tested and proved the useful lifetime to be in excess of 1,000,000 cycles. Improved comfort was accomplished by increasing the first finger metacarpal dimensions. Recommendations concern design refinements, and EVA configuration.
Liner acts as coolant tubing, manifold, and supporting structures. Fabric of waffle-design is made of several integrated channels (or capillaries) through which coolant liquid can flow. Thin and light-weight liner can be incorporated into any type of helmet or head gear.
The heat transfer characteristics, design, fabrication, and current and anticipated applications of a new liquid transport garment (LTG) are discussed. The new LTG is being constructed from highly efficient liquid transport modules which have been developed to replace the current tygon tubing networks for applications in Apollo and other liquid cooling garment designs.
Description of the current status and design features of the advanced highly mobile 8-psig-pressure Phase-I and Phase-II gloves. Advantages and shortcomings of the Phase-I glove are reviewed. The Phase-II glove is expected to provide the nearly optimum mobility and tactility required for an effective extravehicular-activity system.
The High Pressure Space Suit Glove Program yielded one prototype glove assembly with an operating pressure of 8.0 psi. The following developments are reported: (1) A new layup technique for incorporation of the mini-convolute systems; (2) modification in the mini-convolute construction to assure cycle life at 8.0 psi in excess of 100,000 cycles; (3) the development of a unique non-orthogonal low torque wrist joint; (4) the development of a low torque single axis joint for use in the thumb and finger first metacarpal joints; and (5) a number of approaches to 1st metacarpal joints were fabricated and tested to establish the joint technqiues.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Fabric, made of nylon ripstop coated with Neoprene, provides expansive and contractive mobility along posterior surface of glove fingers allowing maximum digital dexterity and tactility.