Addressing the Complexity of Space-Grade Check Valves with 3-D and 1-D Analytical Methods

Spacecraft environmental and thermal control systems often include ventilation loops with redundant fans. A check valve is usually used downstream of the fans to prevent system bypass flow through the non-operating fan. The need for check valves to operate under a variety of conditions (flow rates, gas density), acceleration environments (1-g, 0-g, partial g), and orientations can make the design challenging. Furthermore, check valve behavior is challenging to predict because it involves force and moment balances between mechanical and aerodynamic forces, it is dynamic, and it can be affected by pneumatic interactions with the fan and ventilation circuit. This paper introduces a novel computational approach for analyzing the performance of a check valve used in space exploration. Employing a combination of 3-D and 1-D analyses, we present methods that enhance the accuracy and reliability of predicting valve performance in extreme conditions.