HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND SPACE SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC.

Phase separator systems may include a condenser configured to convert humid air into a two-phase fluid having a gaseous portion and a liquid portion. A directing conduit is arranged downstream from the condenser and configured to direct the two-phase fluid through a narrowing path defined by the directing conduit. A separator is arranged downstream from the directing conduit and configured to interact with the two-phase fluid to capture the liquid portion and permit the gaseous portion to bypass the separator and flow downstream therefrom as a reduced moisture content airflow. A condensate director is arranged between the condenser and the separator and includes a plurality of collector elements arranged to capture liquid droplets and direct said liquid droplets along the plurality of collector elements. Each collector element has a free distal end at a downstream end thereof and arranged to direct the liquid droplets toward the separator.

In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a life support system (LSS) for a spacecraft includes a gas accumulator configured to store a gas, the gas accumulator including a non-metallic inner lining. A fluid processor is fluidly connected to the gas accumulator configured to produce one or more life sustaining fluids from at least the gas. A supply conduit can be fluidly connected to the fluid processor configured to supply the one or more life sustaining fluids to one or more portions of the spacecraft.

A heat and mass exchanger is provided. The heat and mass exchanger includes a parting sheet, a first bed disposed on a first side of the parting sheet and including an amine immobilized in sheet form and a second bed disposed on a second side of the parting sheet opposite the first side and including an amine immobilized in sheet form or a parting sheet, a first bed disposed on a first side of the parting sheet and including a porous layer with an amine embedded therein and a second bed disposed on a second side of the parting sheet opposite the first side and including a porous layer with an amine embedded therein.

Phase separator systems may include a condenser configured to receive humid air, the condenser configured to convert the humid air into a two-phase fluid having a gaseous portion and a liquid portion. A transition duct is arranged downstream from the condenser and configured to direct the two-phase fluid through a narrowing path defined by the transition duct. A separator is arranged downstream from the transition duct and configured to interact with the two-phase fluid that exits the transition duct and capture the liquid portion and permit the gaseous portion to bypass the separator and flow downstream therefrom as a reduced moisture content airflow. A condensate dispersion element is arranged between the condenser and the separator and includes a dispersion structure arranged to break up liquid droplets of the liquid portion of the two-phase fluid and direct said liquid droplets to the separator.

A space based vehicle includes a controller configured to generate a pulse width modulation (PWM) control signal and output the PWM control signal at a control signal output. A self-correcting frequency controlled current limiter is connected to the control signal output. The self-correcting frequency current limiter provides a current limited control signal output and a buffered feedback loop output connected to a feedback input of the controller. A direct current (DC) motor includes a control input connected to the current limited control signal output and an instantaneous input current sensor.

A space-based vehicle includes at least one electrical system. The space-based vehicle also includes a cooling system having a coolant loop, a motor driven pump for driving a coolant through the coolant loop, and a radiator through which the coolant loop passes. A temperature sensor is disposed proximate the coolant loop and outputs an electrical signal, wherein a parameter of the electrical signal is dependent on a temperature of the coolant loop at the temperature sensor. An analog motor speed control circuit includes an input connected to the temperature sensor and an output connected to a motor speed regulator of a motor within the motor driven pump, and wherein the analog motor speed control circuit provides a motor control signal from the output and wherein characteristics of the motor speed control circuit depend on a magnitude of a signal received at the input connected to the temperature sensor.

A human waste collection system, for zero-gravity conditions, the collection system having: a basin having a lower end that defines a lower plane and configured for being positioned against a floor and an upper end that is spaced apart from the lower end and displaced further from the plane than the lower end; a seat positioned at the upper end of the basin, the seat having a lid pivotally connected to the seat; a bag cassette disposed under the seat; and a compression ring that is movable within the basin to automatically pull an unused bag segment from the bag cassette, and push down used bags.

Oxygen generation systems for use in low-gravity environments include a cell stack with an anode-side phase separator and a cathode-side phase separator fluidly coupled to outlets of the cell stack. An anode-side flow controller and a cathode-side flow controller are arranged downstream from the respective phase separators. A pressure differential is induced upstream of the anode-side flow controller that is greater in pressure than a downstream side thereof. A pressure differential is induced upstream of the cathode-side flow controller that is greater in pressure than a downstream side thereof. An input flow controller is arranged upstream from the stack inlet, the input flow controller configured to cause a pressure differential such that an upstream side of the input flow controller is greater than a downstream side of the input flow controller.

In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a system includes a liquid-gas separator. The liquid-gas separator includes: a substantially planar body configured to be seated in a fluid flow to separate a flow of liquid from the fluid flow, one or more apertures disposed in the body configured collect the flow of liquid, and one or more diverters integrally formed on or in the body configured divert the flow of liquid towards the one or more apertures. In certain embodiments, the planar body can be additively manufactured.

Water generation systems include a first stage defining a processing chamber, a heating element operably coupled to the first stage and configured to cause a temperature of the processing chamber to reach at least 350° C. to perform a gasification operation on solid waste deposited within the processing chamber to release gaseous hydrogen, and a second stage defining a reaction chamber that includes a reacting catalyst arranged within the reaction chamber, the reacting catalyst configured to catalyze gaseous hydrogen released from the solid waste and carbon dioxide to generate water and methane.