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SINGLE PHASE SPACE LAUNDRY

Award Information
Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Branch: N/A
Contract: N/A
Agency Tracking Number: 10605
Amount: $492,390.00
Phase: Phase II
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: N/A
Solicitation Number: N/A
Timeline
Solicitation Year: N/A
Award Year: 1990
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): N/A
Award End Date (Contract End Date): N/A
Small Business Information
Po Box 791
Myrtle Creek, OR 97457
United States
DUNS: N/A
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Gerald V Colombo
 () -
Business Contact
Phone: () -
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

THE BASELINE DESIGN OF NASA'S SPACE STATION INCLUDES A CLOTHES LAUNDRY FACILITY. FOAMING AND AIR ENTRAINMENT IN THE MICROGRAVITY OF SPACE CAUSE SERIOUS MATERIALS HANDLING PROBLEMS. ANTIFOAMS ADD CONTAMINANTS THAT MUST BE REMOVED IN THE WATER RECLAMATION SYSTEM. PHASE SEPARATORS ADD ADDITIONAL WEIGHT AND POWER. THE DEVELOPMENT OF A SINGLE PHASE LAUNDERING APPARATUS WILL ALLEVIATE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR PHASE SEPARATION AND THE PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH FOAMING. CLOTHES DRYING SHOULD BE ACCOMPLISHED IN THE SAME UNIT TO MINIMIZE WEIGHT AND SPACE REQUIREMENTS OF THE LAUNDERING FACILITY. THE DESIGNS PRESENTED IN THIS PROPOSAL INCLUDE CLOTHES DRYING CAPABILITY. POWER CONSUMPTION OF A CLOTHES DRYING APPARATUS IS OF PRIME CONCERN. ENERGY CONSUMPTION OF THE DRYING CYCLE WILL BE MINIMIZED BY USE OF MICROWAVE ENERGY TRANSFER TO THE WET CLOTHING. MICROWAVE DRYING HAS BEEN DEMONSTRATED TO OFFER SEVERAL ADVANTAGES: 1) LOW POWER CONSUMPTION, 2) LOW LINT PRODUCTION, AND 3) STERILIZATION OFCLOTHES.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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