Space News
space history and artifacts articles

Messages
space history discussion forums

Sightings
worldwide astronaut appearances

Resources
selected space history documents

  collectSPACE: Messages
  Hardware & Flown Items
  Mounting the Apollo A7L spacesuit neck ring

Post New Topic  Post A Reply
profile | register | preferences | faq | search

next newest topic | next oldest topic
Author Topic:   Mounting the Apollo A7L spacesuit neck ring
Apolloman
Member

Posts: 233
From: Ledignan, Gard (30), France
Registered: Mar 2009

posted 04-04-2024 04:17 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Apolloman   Click Here to Email Apolloman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I have a few questions about mounting the neck ring on the Torso Limb Suit Assemblies (TLSA) of the Apollo A7L spacesuit.

If I've understood the description correctly, this neck ring consists of two sub-assemblies: an immobile lower part, attached to the TLSA, and a mobile upper part. I understood that the lower part was fastened with a compression band clamp:

In addition to this band compression collar, was the TLSA also glued to the neck ring to prevent any leaks, or not?

Does anyone have a profile photo of a real TLSA neck ring (laid flat on a table) to give me an idea of its thickness (height)?

I can only find photos of replicas and shots taken from above.

DG27
Member

Posts: 270
From: USA
Registered: Nov 2010

posted 04-09-2024 03:08 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for DG27   Click Here to Email DG27     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I have not seen any references to the necking being glued. If it was glued, then replacement would probably damage the suit. So, I think that it was only clamped. (but I suppose if I was out on the lunar surface, I would want it glued as well).

The total height of the suit side necking is 1.10 inches. This measurement includes the part behind the clamp.

Apolloman
Member

Posts: 233
From: Ledignan, Gard (30), France
Registered: Mar 2009

posted 04-09-2024 03:48 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Apolloman   Click Here to Email Apolloman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Always the same one to answer me, a very big thank you DG27.

(No glue.. Wouah!! The engineers had to be sure of what they were doing.)

One last question: the part behind the clamp was it smooth or grooved? (as shown in the image below). Warning: this is a replica.

DG27
Member

Posts: 270
From: USA
Registered: Nov 2010

posted 04-09-2024 12:10 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for DG27   Click Here to Email DG27     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
It is grooved to insure a good seal.

Apolloman
Member

Posts: 233
From: Ledignan, Gard (30), France
Registered: Mar 2009

posted 04-10-2024 02:49 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Apolloman   Click Here to Email Apolloman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Ok, thanks. And ah, "while I've got you..."

Do you know the weight (in kg or lb) of the bubble helmet (polycarbonate shell and aluminum ring) and the thickness of the transparent shell? (I had read it on an old thread but couldn't get my hands on it again.)

(I also seem to remember that the thickness is different depending on the zone of the bubble.)

Spacehardware
Member

Posts: 146
From: Durley
Registered: Jan 2008

posted 04-12-2024 08:33 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Spacehardware   Click Here to Email Spacehardware     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
An A7LB bubble with neck ring only (no vent pad, feed port, valsalva etc.) weights 830g. Thickness at the feedport varies between 2.15 and 2.65mm. Many Bothans died to bring us this information...

Apolloman
Member

Posts: 233
From: Ledignan, Gard (30), France
Registered: Mar 2009

posted 04-12-2024 05:54 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Apolloman   Click Here to Email Apolloman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Thanks. Can these results be applied to an A7L bubble helmet?

And how much that would make for a full helmet (with vent pad, feed port, valsalva)?

Spacehardware
Member

Posts: 146
From: Durley
Registered: Jan 2008

posted 04-13-2024 10:22 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Spacehardware   Click Here to Email Spacehardware     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Yes on the A7L version. Sorry, can't help with all-up weight — I am missing the vent pad on my helmets (hint! Anyone got a spare they want to sell/swop?)

Might want to send a request to then National Air and Space Museum for the weight - they are usually extremely helpful.

Apolloman
Member

Posts: 233
From: Ledignan, Gard (30), France
Registered: Mar 2009

posted 04-13-2024 02:42 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Apolloman   Click Here to Email Apolloman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I found an old conversation and you don't give the same result, or is it complementary to the answer you gave me?

DG27
Member

Posts: 270
From: USA
Registered: Nov 2010

posted 04-14-2024 05:00 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for DG27   Click Here to Email DG27     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I had to order additional weights for my scale. When they arrive in a few days, I can weigh a helmet.

Apolloman
Member

Posts: 233
From: Ledignan, Gard (30), France
Registered: Mar 2009

posted 04-16-2024 04:33 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Apolloman   Click Here to Email Apolloman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I understand you own a bubble helmet... Is it complete?

If so, would it be possible for you to please take a picture of the feedport with the internal flap raised to see how it is mounted.

Apolloman
Member

Posts: 233
From: Ledignan, Gard (30), France
Registered: Mar 2009

posted 07-21-2024 02:27 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Apolloman   Click Here to Email Apolloman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I'm coming back to this discussion to ask an additional question because I couldn't find the information anywhere.

What material was the compression band clamp made of? In the photo of the first post, you can see that the clamping system is made of steel, but what about the rest?

All times are CT (US)

next newest topic | next oldest topic

Administrative Options: Close Topic | Archive/Move | Delete Topic
Post New Topic  Post A Reply
Hop to:

Contact Us | The Source for Space History & Artifacts

Copyright 1999-2024 collectSPACE. All rights reserved.


Ultimate Bulletin Board 5.47a





advertisement