GB2318338A

GB2318338A - Gravity simulating apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2318338A
Application number: GB9620148A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Donald Mitchell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1996-09-27
Filing date: 1996-09-27
Publication date: 1998-04-22
Anticipated expiration: 2016-09-27
Also published as: GB2318338B; GB9620148D0

Abstract

In an angular motion apparatus, habitation modules 1 are rotated to produce centrifugal force, thereby simulating gravity within, the habitation modules. The apparatus consists of rotating arms 5A, counter rotating arms 5B, and keel frames 2 rotated by drive assemblies 3. Callipers 4 are used to attach the rotating arms and keel frames 2 to a wheel 5C. The keel frames hold the habitation modules, and guides 16 and 17 (fig.6) allow movement of said modules into and out from the keel frames under the influence of centrifugal force and tethers (8, fig. 7) connected to winches (7A,7B). This movement serves to adjust the radii of travel of the modules thereby providing for dynamic balance. Stabilising gyros 12 may be provided and details of drive mechanisms are disclosed.

Description

GRAVITY PRODUCING SYSTEM This invention relates to the generation of gravity (lug) conditions in the micro gravity (Og) conditions of outer space and has for its principal object the provision of an improved method of and apparatus for producing centrifugal force to generate (1 g) gravity conditions, particularly by the apparatus's balanced rotation which will create a 1 g condition for human habitation in outer space.

Man has been travelling in space for 35 years, and in that time it has become apparent that there are certain physiological changes to humans exposed to micro gravity for long periods of time such as days or weeks. These physiological changes include space sickness, loss of red blood cells, loss of minerals from bone, changes in how the heart pumps blood, a drop in blood volume, and atrophy of the muscles. Therefore it has always been hoped for an introduction of gravity in outer space to counteract these physiological changes.

Rotation has always been the scientific ideal means of creating gravity in outer space.

There have been many examples of rotating space stations. These examples, however articulate, even with the Freedom Space Station looming on the horizon, have not been mooted for construction in space. It is perhaps because of the difficulty in designing a structure that is strong enough to withstand the rigours of the space environment, that is capable of a balanced rotation of equipment and a volume of space suitable for human habitation, that is easily assembled and maintained, that has a simplicity and robustness of design, yet has minimal mass and costs, a structure that is practical enough to warrant consideration for space duty.

It is the object of the present invention therefore to provide an apparatus that is strong, yet of a simple and robust enough construction to answer all of the difficulties listed above. The Dresent invention will use existina comDonents wherever Possible. such as by using existing habitation modules, to comply with the concept of commonality.

Because of commonality and the fact that the size and shape of the components renders them easy to manufacture, store and launch into space, the present invention will incur minimal costs. The present invention will provide a balanced rotation that will produce a 1 g condition in outer space.

Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of examples with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- Figure 1 is a plane view showing all the relevant components of the C Gravity Producing System (GPS); Figure 2 is an isometric view of the structure in figure 1; Figure 3 is a front view of the GPS attached to a space ship; Figure 4 is a front view of the GPS attached to a space station; Figure 5 is a plan view of the Keel Frame attached to a Habitation Module; Figure 6 is an exploded front view of figure 5; Figure 7 shows the working form of the Keel Frame and Habitation Module; Figure 8 shows a Wheel Calliper attached to the Wheel; Figure 9 shows a plan view of the drive assembly; Figure 10 shows an end view of the drive assembly; Figure 12 is a section view of a hydraulic actuator 31 in figure 9; Figure 13 is a section view of a calliper 4A in figure 8; Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of the electrical and hydraulic systems.

Referring to the drawings The Gravity Producing System (GPS) comprises the structure 5, constructed from suitably strong and corrosive materials such as stainless steel. The structure consists of Module Support Arms 5A, Counter Rotating Arms 5B, and a Wheel 5C. Attached to the structure are Keel Frames 2. To provide motion Drive Assemblies 3 are attached to the Keel Frames 2 and to the Counter Rotating Arms 5B. The Drive Assembly 3 has a Drive Frame 30 which is joined to a Counter Rotating Arm 5B or to a Keel Frame 2, has a Hydraulic Actuator 31 which forces the Drive Motor 32, Gear Box 33, and Drive Wheel 36 on to the Wheel 5C so that sufficient friction is generated to allow the Drive Wheel 36 the means for acceleration or retardation of the mass. Also the Drive Assembly 3 contains Wheel Callipers 4 to assist in the application of friction and in the retardation of the mass. Wheel Callipers are used to join the structural parts 5A, 5B, and 5C, and to provide a means whereby expansion of the structural members due to changes in centrifugal force and t or changes in temperature can be accommodated where necessary. If minute control is desired of the Wheel Callipers 4, then separate Fluid Conduits 41 can be attached to the individual Roller Bearing's 44 Pistons 42. Life support is supplied by the Habitation Modules 1, which is capable of moving along one axis by the Male Sliding Guide 17, and Female guide 16. Habitation Module 1 has movement restricted by locking mechanism in the Female Guide 16 and by a stainless steel or kevlar Tether 8. The Tether 8 is supported by Tether Guides 9 and is connected to a Winch 7A and a Anchor Point 7B. Rotation balance is provide by the movable Habitation Modules 1 by Stabilising Gyros 12, and by the adjustable friction force that can be applied to the Wheel 5C by the Wheel Callipers 4 and Drive Assembly 3. When the GPS is used with a space ship, such as one that would travel to Mars, it would be connected to the Command Module 10 and Logistics Module 11. When the GPS is used with a space station it is connected by an Axle Housing 15 to a Structural Passageway 13 which leads to the space station. Access to the space station is provided by an Expandable Berthing Port 14 which connects to Hatchway 6.

Drive Assembly 3 consist of Drive Frame 30, Hydraulic Actuator 31, Drive Motor 32, Gearbox 33, Return Spring 34, Bearing 35, Drive Wheel 36.

Hydraulic Actuator 31 consists of Stepper Motor 31.1, Hydraulic Reservoir 31.2, Fluid Conduit 31.3, Drive Rod 31.4, Piston and Seals 31.5, Return Spring 31.6, Seal 31.7, Push Rod 31.8.

Wheel Calliper 4 consist of Fluid Conduit 41, Piston and Seals 42, Roller Bearing Housing 43, Roller Bearing 44, Return Spring 45, Housing 46.

The operation of the Gravity Producing System (GPS) as described above is as follows.

The GPS is designed for easy start J stop operations so that crew change and the loading and unloading of supplies can be accomplished readily. For ROTATION at start-up power is derived from the Batteries figure 14 from the Solar Cells figure 14 controlled by the Computer system figure 14. Power is delivered to the Drive Assemblies 3 where Stepper Motors 31.1 are used to provide the hydraulic pressure needed to produce friction forces by the Drive Wheel 36 and by the Wheel Callipers 4 onto the Wheel 5C.

The Drive Wheel 36 is turned by the Drive Motor 32 through the Gearbox 33 so providing enough torque to accelerate the mass of the Habitation Module 1, the Keel Frame 2, and the Module Support Arm 5a (say clockwise ) so that an optimal centrifugal force of 9.81 N can be obtained in the Habitation Module. The Drive Wheel 36 is turned by the Drive Motor 32 through the Gearbox 33 so providing enough torque to accelerate the mass of the Counter Rotating Arms SB (say counter-clockwise ) so that a force of equal but opposite magnitude to that of the Module Support Arm 5A is obtained.

For stopping it is desirable that the Drive Motors 32 act as generators so that as the Drive Wheel 36 is forced against the Wheel 5C by the actions of the Hydraulic Actuator 3 and Wheel Callipers 4 retardation of the mass is obtained while at the same time electrical energy is recouped from the system. For emergency stops the Wheel Callipers 4 can be fully applied. On stopping the Hatchway 6 is approximately lined up with the Expandable Berthing Port 14. The Berthing Port 14 is capable of moving in all directions so that access to a space station is achieved through the Structural Passageway 13.

During the process of rotation BALANCE must be maintained as the slightest unbalance will produce the most exaggerated results. At start up power is derived as above. For static balance, to compensate for the disparity in the mass of the Habitation Module 1 and Module Support Arm 5A as opposed to the mass of the Counter-Rotating Arm 5B, wheel callipers 4 on the Counter - Rotating Arm 5B are used to apply addition friction forces so as to make the opposing forces of an equal but opposite magnitude.

For dynamic BALANCE the Habitation Module 1 and the Keel Frame 2 are equipped with Male Sliding Guides 17 and Female Guides 16 respectively to accommodate the movement of each individual Habitation Module 1 along one axis so that any disparity in the mass of the modules can be balanced by changing the radius of travel of the Habitation Module 1. This movement of the Module 1 is achieved by the centrifugal force acting in one direction along the axis and by the Winching 7A force acting through the Tether 8 and acting in the opposite direction along the axis. Once balance has been achieved the Winch 7A can be locked into position.

Claims

1 An angular motion apparatus capable of holding and rotating existing habitation modules, where the angular motion produces centrifugal force simulating gravity within the habitation modules, comprising structural wheel, rotating and counter-rotating structural arms, keel frames, drive assemblies, means for attaching the rotating arms and keel frames to the wheel, means for releasably securing habitation modules to rotating amps, habitation modules being abie to move into and out from the kee rame means to acceierate and ae-accelerave rotating ant counver-rovaring arms . means for providing rotational balance.

2 An angular motion apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein drive assembly frames are secured to the counter-rotating arms and also to the keel frames, whereupon at the smailer end of a drive assembly frame is secured a wheel calliper which attaches to the wheel.

3 An angular motion apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the wheel callipers utilise adjustable levels of pressure to force roller bearings onto the wheel thereby providing the means of attachment.

4 An angular motion apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein centrifugal force provides the means to move habitation modules out from the keel frame, and opposing the outward motion a tethered iine which surrounds the habitation module, passing through tether guides, the tether line having one end attached to a winch and the other end attached to an anchor point, provides the means to move habitation modules into the keel frame and to lock modules into position.

5 An angular motion apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 4 wherein male sliding guides are provided on habitation modules and female sliding guides are provided on keel frames to control the in and out movement of the habitation modules along one axis and wherein there is provided in the female guide a locking mechanism to restrict excessive movement once the male guide has been inserted.

6 An angular motion apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or claim 2 wherein an electric motor in the drive assembly drives a drive wheel through a gearbox, wherein an actuator forces the drive motor, gearbox and drive wheel onto the wheel thereby providing the means to accelerate and de-accelerate rotating and counter-rotating arms

7 An angular motion apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or 6 or any previous claim wherein the wheel calliper provides the means to generate friction which allows the electric motor to accelerate and de-acceierate the rotating and counter-rotating arms.

8 An angular motion apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 4 or any previous claim wherein the means to maintain rotation balance is provided by the movement of the habitation modules into or out from the keel frame, wherein rotation balance is also provided by stabilising gyros and by the adjustable friction force that can be applied to the wheel by the wheel callipers.