US-12622551-B2 - Neutral buoyancy solid waste capture test method

Abstract

A commode test system for use in Earth's gravity field at Earth's surface is provided. The commode test system includes a commode disposed at Earth's surface, a blower to generate airflow into the commode, a gas-filled bolus having a neutral buoyancy in Earth's gravity field at Earth's surface and recording devices to record movements of the gas-filled bolus in the airflow relative to the commode.

Inventors

• Ashley Rose Himmelmann Schuster
• Thao Hoang
• Timothy Monson

Assignees

• HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND SPACE SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC.

Dates

Publication Date

20260512

Application Date

20240109

Claims (20)

1. 1 . A commode test system for use in Earth's gravity field at Earth's surface, the commode test system comprising: a commode disposed at Earth's surface; a blower to generate airflow into the commode; a gas-filled bolus having a neutral buoyancy in Earth's gravity field at Earth's surface; and recording devices to record movements of the gas-filled bolus in the airflow relative to the commode.
2. 2 . The commode test system according to claim 1 , wherein the gas-filled bolus comprises an inflatable material and gas that inflates the inflatable material.
3. 3 . The commode test system according to claim 2 , wherein the inflatable material is provided as a balloon and the gas comprises helium.
4. 4 . The commode test system according to claim 1 , wherein the gas-filled bolus further comprises a coating to mimic a texture of a fecal deposit.
5. 5 . The commode test system according to claim 1 , wherein the gas-filled bolus is configured to mimic one or more predefined types of fecal deposits.
6. 6 . The commode test system according to claim 1 , further comprising an injection apparatus to inject the gas-filled bolus into the airflow.
7. 7 . The commode test system according to claim 6 , wherein the injection apparatus has a variable injection velocity for injecting the gas-filled bolus into the airflow.
8. 8 . The commode test system according to claim 6 , wherein the injection apparatus has a human body geometry.
9. 9 . A method of testing a commode in Earth's gravity field at Earth's surface, the method comprising: generating an airflow into a commode disposed at Earth's surface; positioning, in the airflow, a gas-filled bolus having a neutral buoyancy in Earth's gravity field at Earth's surface; and recording movements of the gas-filled bolus in the airflow relative to the commode.
10. 10 . The method according to claim 9 , further comprising forming the gas-filled bolus by inflating inflatable material with gas.
11. 11 . The method according to claim 10 , wherein the inflatable material is provided as a balloon and the gas comprises helium.
12. 12 . The method according to claim 9 , further comprising coating the gas-filled bolus with a coating to mimic a texture of a fecal deposit.
13. 13 . The method according to claim 9 , further comprising configuring the gas-filled bolus to mimic one or more predefined types of fecal deposits.
14. 14 . The method according to claim 9 , wherein the positioning of the gas-filled bolus in the airflow comprises injecting the gas-filled bolus into the airflow.
15. 15 . The method according to claim 14 , further comprising varying an injection velocity of the injecting of the gas-filled bolus into the airflow.
16. 16 . The method according to claim 14 , wherein the injecting of the gas-filled bolus into the airflow comprises injecting the gas-filled bolus from an injection apparatus having a human body geometry.
17. 17 . A method of testing a commode in Earth's gravity field at Earth's surface, the method comprising: forming a gas-filled bolus by inflating inflatable material with gas to have a neutral buoyancy in Earth's gravity field at Earth's surface; generating an airflow into a commode disposed at Earth's surface; injecting the gas-filled bolus into the airflow from an injection apparatus having a human body geometry; and recording movements of the gas-filled bolus in the airflow relative to the commode.
18. 18 . The method according to claim 17 , wherein the inflatable material is provided as a balloon and the gas comprises helium.
19. 19 . The method according to claim 17 , further comprising: coating the gas-filled bolus with a coating to mimic a texture of a fecal deposit; and configuring the gas-filled bolus to mimic one or more predefined types of fecal deposits.
20. 20 . The method according to claim 17 , further comprising varying an injection velocity of the injecting of the gas-filled bolus into the airflow.

Description

BACKGROUND The present disclosure relates to space toilets and, more particularly, to a neutral buoyancy solid waste capture test method for space toilets. The International Space Station (ISS) is the largest modular space station in low Earth orbit. The station serves as a microgravity and space environment research laboratory in which scientific research is conducted in astrobiology, astronomy, meteorology, physics and other fields. The ISS is suited for testing spacecraft systems and equipment required for possible future long-duration missions to the Moon and Mars. The ISS is further suited for habitation by humans for prolonged durations and involves the use of multiple life support systems. Accordingly, there remains a need for improved life support systems on the ISS as well as on spacecraft. BRIEF DESCRIPTION According to an aspect of the disclosure, a commode test system for use in Earth's gravity field at Earth's surface is provided. The commode test system includes a commode disposed at Earth's surface, a blower to generate airflow into the commode, a gas-filled bolus having a neutral buoyancy in Earth's gravity field at Earth's surface and recording devices to record movements of the gas-filled bolus in the airflow relative to the commode. In accordance with additional or alternative embodiments, the gas-filled bolus includes an inflatable material and gas that inflates the inflatable material. In accordance with additional or alternative embodiments, the inflatable material is provided as a balloon and the gas includes helium. In accordance with additional or alternative embodiments, the gas-filled bolus further includes a coating to mimic a texture of a fecal deposit. In accordance with additional or alternative embodiments, the gas-filled bolus is configured to mimic one or more predefined types of fecal deposits. In accordance with additional or alternative embodiments, an injection apparatus injects the gas-filled bolus into the airflow. In accordance with additional or alternative embodiments, the injection apparatus has a variable injection velocity for injecting the gas-filled bolus into the airflow. In accordance with additional or alternative embodiments, the injection apparatus has a human body geometry. According to an aspect of the disclosure, a method of testing a commode in Earth's gravity field at Earth's surface is provided. The method includes generating an airflow into a commode disposed at Earth's surface, positioning, in the airflow, a gas-filled bolus having a neutral buoyancy in Earth's gravity field at Earth's surface and recording movements of the gas-filled bolus in the airflow relative to the commode. In accordance with additional or alternative embodiments, the method further includes forming the gas-filled bolus by inflating inflatable material with gas. In accordance with additional or alternative embodiments, the inflatable material is provided as a balloon and the gas includes helium. In accordance with additional or alternative embodiments, the method further includes coating the gas-filled bolus with a coating to mimic a texture of a fecal deposit. In accordance with additional or alternative embodiments, the method further includes configuring the gas-filled bolus to mimic one or more predefined types of fecal deposits. In accordance with additional or alternative embodiments, the positioning of the gas-filled bolus in the airflow includes injecting the gas-filled bolus into the airflow. In accordance with additional or alternative embodiments, the method further includes varying an injection velocity of the injecting of the gas-filled bolus into the airflow. In accordance with additional or alternative embodiments, the injecting of the gas-filled bolus into the airflow includes injecting the gas-filled bolus from an injection apparatus having a human body geometry. According to an aspect of the disclosure, a method of testing a commode in Earth's gravity field at Earth's surface is provided. The method includes forming a gas-filled bolus by inflating inflatable material with gas to have a neutral buoyancy in Earth's gravity field at Earth's surface, generating an airflow into a commode disposed at Earth's surface, injecting the gas-filled bolus into the airflow from an injection apparatus having a human body geometry and recording movements of the gas-filled bolus in the airflow relative to the commode. In accordance with additional or alternative embodiments, the inflatable material is provided as a balloon and the gas includes helium. In accordance with additional or alternative embodiments, the method further includes coating the gas-filled bolus with a coating to mimic a texture of a fecal deposit and configuring the gas-filled bolus to mimic one or more predefined types of fecal deposits. In accordance with additional or alternative embodiments, the method further includes varying an injection velocity of the injecting of the gas-filled bolus into the air