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Overhead View of Apollo Fuel Cell Group
Transport Cover Installed
Fuel Cell Simulator
Obverse View (1)
View of Fuel Cell Stack - Up through Base
Overhead View
Label Plate
Label Plate
Electrical and LOX/LOH Connectors
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3 of these cells were employed to generate primary power and and potable water for the Command Module. This sub-collection of Fuel Cell, is comprised of operational (production representaive units) delivered for the Apollo Command Service module and one Simulator (identified as Serial Number 1 on its label plate), which has been modified to support ground simulation testing; outside the addition of the simulator interface, it is identical to production models employed on the CSM. Each of the assemblies measures 44 inches high, 22 inches in diameter, and weighs 245 pounds; and were designed for installation in Sector (Bay) 4 of the SM. Primarily constructed of titanium, stainless steel, and nickel, the Fuel Cells are rated at 27 to 31 volts under normal loads. There are 31 separate cells in a stack, each producing 1 volt, with potassium hydroxide and water as electrolyte. Each cell consists of a hydrogen and an oxygen electrode, a hydrogen and an oxygen gas compartment and the electrolyte. Each gas reacts independently to produce a flow of electrons. The fuel cells are nonregenerative. They are normally operated at 400 degrees F with limits of 385 and 500 degrees. Water-glycol is used for temperature control. The fuel cells use hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen under regulated pressure to produce power and, as a by-product, water. Detailed discussion of functionality is addressed in the following paragraphs. The Bacon-type fuel cell powerplant, was configured in a cluster of 3 systems to comprise the CSM power plant; each cell individually coupled to a heat rejection (radiator) system, the hydrogen and oxygen cryogenic storage systems, a water storage system, and a power distribution system. The powerplants generate dc power on demand through an exothermic chemical reaction. A byproduct of this chemical reaction is water, which is fed to a potable water storage tank in the Command Module (CM) where it is used for astronaut consumption and for cooling purposes in the environmental control subsystem. The amount of water produced is proportional to the ampere-hours.
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Rear Assembly
Close View (1)
Lateral View
Lateral View
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Operator Interface
Lateral View/NAA Label Plate
Rear View
CSM (Block I) Panel 201
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Lateral View
Inlet/Outlet Ports
Tag Data
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Valve Assembly Lateral View 1
Lateral View 2
Tag Data
CSM BLOCK II PANEL 303
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The motor-operated valve is manually controlled by the back-up mode control knob. Rotational movement from H to C is approximately ½ turn with the dual valve on a single shaft permitting water-glycol flow to route to the heat exchanger. Rotation toward H (heat) position results in proportional increase in cabin temperature by directing warm water-glycol to the cabin heat-exchanger. Rotation towards C (cool) position results in proportional decrease in cabin temperature by directing cool water-glycol to the cabin heat exchanger. |
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Matched Ground and Service Module Oxygen Vent Line Couplers
Mated Ground and Service Module Oxygen Vent Couplers
Service Module Oxygen Fill Coupler Data Tag
Ground Hydrogen Vent Coupler Stamped Data
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O2 Regulator Assembly Top View
O2 Regulator Assembly Bottom View
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An Apollo Command Module Oxygen (O2) Redundant Main Regulator; date of production assessed as 1973 which likely affiliates this component as a flight ready spare for the Apollo-Skylab Command Modules - Spacecrafts AS116 through AS118 or the ATSP/Skylab Rescue vehicle (AS119). The main regulator reduces the O2 supply pressure to 100 + 10 psig for use by subsystem components. The regulator assembly is a dual unit which is normally operated in parallel. Selector valves at the inlet to the assembly provide a means of isolating either of the units in case of failure, or for shutting them both off. Integral relief valves limit the downstream pressure to 140 psig maximum.
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AEROJET Tag
Assembly Lateral View
Assembly Detail View
Apollo SPS Main Engine Functional Flow Diagram
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An Apollo Service Propulsion System (SPS) Primary Bipropellant Valve Pneumatic Control Assembly used to regulate the introduction of fuel and oxidizer into the Command Service Modules main engine. Manufactured by General Tire's AEROJET Liquid Rocket Operations Division (NASA Prime Contractor for the Apollo program Service Module propulsion system). Both a primary and secondary assembly were installed ontop the Apollo SPS thrust chamber; each assembly consisting of one each nitrogen pressure vessel, injector prevalve, nitrogen regulator, nitrogen relief valve, two solenoid control valve, and two actuators. Determination that this is the primary assembly is based on Regulator labeling (tag carries the "A" designation) and the 2 Solenoid Control valves which carry the "-1" and the "-2" designation respectively stamped on the exterior of each valve. A functional
diagram of the SPS MAIN ENGINE depicting the relationship of the Bipropellant valve assembly may be viewed by clicking here or on the image to the lower left; a detailed description of this assembly follows below.Nitrogen tanks are mounted on the bipropellant valve assembly to supply pressure to the injector prevalves. One tank is in the primary pneumatic control system (A) and the other tank is in the secondary pneumatic control system (B). The tanks each contain 5.8 cubic inches of nitrogenÄ enough to operate the valves 43 times with an initial nominal pressure of 2500 psi. The injector prevalves are two-position, solenoid operated valves, one for each pneumatic control system, and identified as A and B. The valve is energized open and spring-loaded closed. The prevalves, when energized open, allow nitrogen supply tank pressure to be directed through the regulator into a relief valve and to a pair of solenoid control valves. The single-stage regulator is installed in each pneumatic control system between the injector prevalves and the solenoid control valves. The regulator reduces the nitrogen pressure to 190-230 psi. The pressure relief valve is located downstream from the regulator to limit the pressure applied to the solenoid control valves in case a regulator malfunctions. The orifice between the injector prevalve and regulator restricts the flow of nitrogen and allows the relief valve to relieve the pressure overboard in the event the regulator malfunctions, preventing damage to the solenoid control valves and actuators. Four solenoid-operated, three-way, two-position control valves (from both the primary and secondary systems) are used for actuator control. Two solenoid control valves are located in each pneumatic control system. The solenoid control valves in the primary system are identified as l and 2 and the two in the secondary system are identified as 3 and 4. The solenoid control valves in the primary system control actuator and ball valves 1 and 2. The two solenoid control valves in the secondary system control actuator and ball valves 3 and 4. Four piston-type, pneumatically operated actuators control the eight propellant ball valves. Each actuator piston is mechanically connected to a pair of propellant ball valves, one fuel and one oxidizer. When the solenoid control valves are opened, pneumatic pressure is applied to the opening side of the actuators. The spring pressure on the closing side is overcome and the actuator piston moves. Utilizing a rack and pinion gear, linear motion of the actuator connecting arm is converted into rotary motion, which opens the propellant ball valves. When the engine firing signal is removed from the solenoid control valves, the solenoid control valves close, removing the pneumatic pressure source from the opening side of the actuators. The actuator spring pressure then forces the actuator piston to move in the opposite direction, causing the propellant ball valves to close. The piston movement forces the remaining nitrogen on the opening side of the actuator back through the solenoid control valves where it is vented overboard. Each actuator contains a pair of linear position transducers. One supplies information on the position of the ball valve to the main display console and the other information to telemetry.The eight propellant ball valves are used to distribute fuel and oxidizer to the engine injector assembly. | ||||
Top View
Label Plate
Lateral View - O2 Relief Assembly
Base View
System Tank Valve Module Component Diagram
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A System (Tank) Valve Module (Apollo Oxygen Hydrogen Service Module) manufactured by PARKER-HANNIFIN circa 1967-1971 used to provide overboard relief of elevated pressures within the stored LH2 (Liquid Hydrogen) and LO2 (Liquid Oxygen) tanks in the Apollo Command Service Module (CSM). This system also sensed LH2/LO2 tank pressures, regulated the tank heaters and controlled the tank destratification motors (motors used to execute the CRYO-STIR in the LOX/LH2 tanks for "slush" mitigation).
The modules were in-line between the LH2/LO2 cryogenic tanks and the CSM Fuel Cells. The Systems (Tank) Valve Modules for the hydrogen and oxygen systems are functionally identical. Each module contrains two relief valves, two pressure transducers, two pressure switches and one check valve.
The relief valves are a differential type designed to be unaffected by back pressure in the downstream plumbing, The valve has temperature compensation and a self-aligning valve seat. Relief crack pressure is 273 psig minimum for hydrogen tanks and 983 psig minimum for oxygen tanks. Full flow pressures (LO2) is 1010 psig (maximum) and for LH2 285 psig (maximum).
Module pressure switches are a double pole single throw absolute device. A positive reference pressure (less then atmospheric) is used to trim the mechanical trip mechanism to obtain the absolute switch actuation settings. Reference pressure is typically between 4 to 10 psia. The motor driven switch controls power to both the tank heaters and destratification motors.
The pressure transducers, are an absolute (vacuum reference) device. Each transducer consists of a silicon pickup comprised of four sensors mounted on a damped edge diaphragm and an integral signal conditioner. The unit senses tank pressure through the discharge line from the tank; signal conditioner output is 0-5 VDC analog output which is linearly proportioned to tank pressure.
The check valve, is designed to open at a differential pressure of approximately 1 psia. The single poppet is spring loaded and has a large area to prevent chattering during flow in the normal direction. This large area also helps in obtaining a positive seal if pressurized in the reverse direction.
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RCS Helium Check Valve (Obverse)
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A Reaction Control System (RCS) Helium Check Valve assembly manufactured by Accessory Products Corporation (APCO) for the Apollo Command Module and Service Module (Service Propulsion System) Reaction Control System (RCS) Propellant Pressurization Section under NASA contract NAS9-150. Produced circa 1964, two check valve assemblies, one for oxidizer and one for fuel, permit helium flow to the tanks and prevent propellant or propellant vapor flow into the presurization system if seepage or failure occurs in the propellant tank bladders.
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He Regulator(Obverse)
He Regulator(Top)
Valve Schematic
Service Module RCS System Diagram
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Reaction Control System (RCS) Helium Pressure Regulator assembly manufactured by Fairchild Stratos Corp (Western Division) for the Apollo Service Module (Service Propulsion System), Reaction Control System pressurization system under NASA contract NAS9-150 for North American Aviation (NAA). The dual, series configured regulators (produced 1965) received gas from the SPS helium tank isolation valve and reduced ambient tank pressure of 4150 PSIA to approx 220 PSIA (nominal) before forwarding to the downstream RCS check valve (see RCS Check Valve description which precedes this entry). Each assembly incorporates two (primary and secondary) regulators connected in series. If the primary regulator fails open, the secondary regulator will maintain slightly higher but acceptable pressures. Diagram to the left
depicts functional relationship/location of regulator in the RCS system
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He Relief Valve
Label Data
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Helium Pressure Relief Valve manufactured by CALMEC Manufacturing Corp for the Apollo Service Propulsion System (SPS) pressurization subsystem under subcontract to NAA (NASA contract NAS9-150). The pressure relief valve (one of two which would have been integrated into the SPS) consists of a relief valve, a diaphragm, and a filter. In the event that excessive helium or propellant vapor ruptured the diaphragm, the relief valve opened and vented the system. The relief valve would close and reseal after the excessive pressure had returned to the operating level. The diaphragm provided a more positive seal of helium than a relief valve. The filter prevents any fragments from the diaphragm from entering onto the relief valve seat. The relief valve opens at a pressure of 212 psi after the diaphragm ruptures at about 213 psi. The valve will close when pressure drops to 208 psi.
Regulated helium was utilized by the SPS to provide positive pressure to the fuel and oxidizer storage tanks and drive the propellant fluids into the Apollo Command Service Module's main engine.
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Complete view
Side view
Detailed view of QA Stamps |
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Images at the left show the cellular construct of the heat block. An excellent discussion and graphics of Apollo heatshield properties as well as a description of the process for building/integrating the AVCO material onto the CSM can be found at Phil Parkers Website |
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