Patent — available for licensing
Ball Valve Assembly Yields Linear Flowrate Control
A NASA invention available to explore as a licensing opportunity.
About this technology
Overview
Innovators at NASA Johnson Space Center have developed an adjustable thermal control ball valve (TCBV) assembly which utilizes a unique geometric ball valve design to facilitate precise thermal control within a spacesuit. The technology meters the coolant flow going to the cooling and ventilation garment, worn by an astronaut in the next generation space suit, that expels waste heat during extra vehicular activities (EVAs) or spacewalks. In testing, the TCBV demonstrated solutions to shortcomings of previous thermal control valve iterations such as internal leakage, valve mechanism sticking, and lack of linear flowrate control. The technology could have multiple commercial applications where precise fluid flow control is desired. Examples may be in food and beverage processing, water and chemical treatment, petroleum, energy, manufacturing, and medical industries. The thermal control ball valve has a technology readiness level (TRL) 5 (component and/or breadboard validation in relevant environment ) and is now available for patent licensing. Please note that NASA does not manufacture products itself for commercial sale.