Research and Development of Anti-G Life Support Systems. Part 4. Engineering Test and Evaluation of Six Anti-G Valves

摘要

Six anti-G valves (i.e., valves designed to rapidly deliver output pressures proportional to + Gz forces acting upon valve control elements) were evaluated for performance under conditions simulating the spectrum of Gz-onset conditions likely to be encountered by pilots of current U.S. Air Force high-performance aircraft. This Engineering Test and Evaluation Task was conducted on-site at Brooks Air Force Base, Texas, using the School of Aerospace Medicine (USAFSAM) human centrifuge facility. One objective was validation of uniform testing procedures for evaluation of anti-G valves under controlled conditions of: acceleration, source pressure, valve angles, and simulated anti-G suit volumes. A second objective was measurement of actual dynamic performance of the standard ALAR High-flow Ready-pressure; ALAR High-flow; Garrett Electronic/Pneumatic; Hymatic VAG-110-022; and AAMRL Electropneumatic ('Bang Bang'). The battery of test conditions employed was divided into three phases: Phase I-Maximum Flow Capacity Testing; Phase II - Dynamic Response Testing; and Phase III-Complex Dynamic Response Testing. Results of testing under all conditions are presented for each valve and the performance characteristics of all six valves are compared. (AW)