Inflatable habitat for permanent human settlement

Abstract

An inflatable habitat using inflatable structures and necessary accessories offers secure permanent human settlement in an environment such as Mars with an air pressure below the earth's atmospheric pressure. Built upon a crater, the inflatable structure comprises various resilient multilayer roof segments integrated with segment frames to contain extreme internal inflation pressures to provide habitability, maintenance of thermal environment, and low-cost manufacturability using local resources. The roof of the inflatable structure is firmly secured along a rim and a floor of the crater through a wall anchor system and a dual internal roof anchor system to provide a durable structure against hostile weather conditions. A “smart design” using the wall anchor system allows the installation of an outer roof in parallel to the existing roof. Further, a magnetic radiation shield generated through roof power elements externally encloses the roof to facilitate optimal active protection against solar and / or cosmic radiations.

Description

[0001]The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 63 / 161,035 filed on Mar. 15, 2021 and a priority to the U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29 / 781,163 filed on Apr. 28, 2021.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates generally to building structures and construction elements for human habitation. More specifically, the present invention relates to an inflatable habitat for permanent human settlement in an environment with a gas pressure below the earth's atmospheric pressure.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Mars and other planets are calling and we are heeding it. Before embarking on humanity's next giant leap, the creation of a viable engineering solution for permanent human settlement on Mars is required which not only demands a radical engineering approach suited to the unique Martian context, but also such a proposal must fall within the realm of current technology applicable both on Earth and Mars.[0004]Furt...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a unique technology to create an inflatable structure for permanent human settlement on planets such as Mars and other vacuumplanets. This technology allows for efficient and effective creation of inflatable habitats using existing resources such as craters. The inflatable structures have a resilient roof that can withstand extreme inflation pressures, and a flexible and secure structure against any hostile weather conditions. The use of gas turbines and air compressors allows for easy inflation and maintenance. A backup roof can be easily installed to maintain the interior living environment of the inflatable structure, and an outer roof can be built for maintenance and repair of the existing roof, without evacuating the residents and infrastructure inside the structure. This technology provides a smart and flexible design for permanent human settlement on planets.

Problems solved by technology

Further, current designs of inflatable habitat structures on Mars either offer small, cramped volumes for human habitation inside a miniature dome, cylindrical or toroid structures unsuitable for long-term or permanent human habitation, or impractically huge structures spanning several kilometers with no details of the engineering solutions for creation or maintenance of such structures against immense pressure difference between internal and external environments.

Further, current inflatable habitat structures have small pressurized volumes insufficient for long-term human missions to Mars or its colonization where a shirt-sleeve environment with freedom of movement is not only essential for the mental well-being of the occupants but also necessary for logistical purposes.

Additionally, current inflatable habitat structures do not eliminate the need for a heavy radiation shield of water or regolith directly above the habitats.

Furthermore, current inflatable habitat structures do not facilitate efficient replacement of roofs of the structures for the inflatable habitat.

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