Soil sintering apparatus for ground solidification, and ground solidification system and method using same

Abstract

The present invention relates to: a ground solidification system capable of rapidly and efficiently solidifying soil on the ground in order to construct roads, takeoff and landing sites, and the like in environments, such as lunar surfaces, in which it is difficult to use cement, asphalt, or the like; and a ground solidification method using same. The ground solidification system according to the present invention may comprise: a moving body that moves along a floor surface; a sintering module that discharges energy required for sintering soil downward to the moving body, thereby raising the temperature of soil on the floor surface to a temperature equal to or below the melting point and sintering the soil; and a control module that controls the output of the sintering module.

Description

Soil sintering device for ground solidification and ground solidification system and method using the same

[0001] The present invention relates to a soil sintering apparatus for ground solidification and a ground solidification system and method using the same. More specifically, it relates to a soil sintering apparatus for ground solidification that solidifies the ground by supplying energy required for sintering the soil to a surface such as the lunar surface to raise the soil temperature below its melting point and sintering it, and a ground solidification system and method using the same.

[0002] Unpaved roads or surfaces present problems such as dust issues and reduced driving stability for vehicles. Dust pollutes the surrounding environment and shortens the lifespan of vehicles and equipment. Uneven surfaces reduce driving stability and can make it difficult for aircraft to take off or land. Therefore, roads, airports, and landing strips are constructed by solidifying the ground using materials such as cement or asphalt.

[0003] Meanwhile, as directions for space development regarding long-term human habitation on the moon are being presented, the construction of infrastructure such as roads, landing and takeoff facilities, shields, and bases is required to support human activities.

[0004] However, because the environment of the Moon differs from that of Earth, roads, airports, and landing sites cannot be constructed using materials such as cement or asphalt, and transporting Earth's resources to the Moon is costly; therefore, methods and equipment are required to solidify the surface using lunar resources.

[0005] The present invention aims to solve the problem of providing a soil sintering device capable of rapidly and efficiently solidifying ground soil for the construction of roads, landing pads, etc., in environments where it is difficult to use cement or asphalt, such as the lunar surface, and a ground solidification system and method using the same.

[0006] A soil sintering device for ground solidification according to one embodiment of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problem comprises: a sintering module mounted on a moving body that moves along the ground surface and sinters the soil on the bottom surface by releasing energy required for sintering the soil to the lower side of the moving body to raise the temperature below the melting point; and a control module that controls the output of the sintering module.

[0007] The height of the above sintering module can be adjusted by moving it up and down a predetermined distance by means of a height adjustment part on the movable body.

[0008] The energy source of the above energy can be generated by using one or more of microwaves, lasers, and sunlight.

[0009] The above sintering module may include a microwave generator that generates microwaves as an energy source, an antenna that guides and emits microwaves generated from the microwave generator toward a bottom surface, and a microwave susceptor installed at the bottom of the antenna to be close to or in contact with the bottom surface, which is heated by microwaves emitted by the microwave generator and transfers heat to the soil below to flatten and sinter the soil.

[0010] The above sintering module may further include an insulating material installed between the lower part of the antenna and the auxiliary heating material to prevent heat from the auxiliary heating material from being transferred to the antenna.

[0011] A ground solidification system according to one embodiment of the present invention may include: a moving body that moves along a bottom surface; a sintering module that releases energy required for sintering soil downward to the moving body to raise the soil on the bottom surface to a temperature below its melting point and sinter it; and a control module that controls the output of the sintering module.

[0012] A ground solidification system according to another embodiment of the present invention may further include: a ground leveling module installed in front of the moving body, with its lower end spaced apart from the lower end of the moving body by a certain distance, for leveling the soil on the bottom surface to a certain height as the moving body moves forward; and a material supply module disposed between the ground leveling module and the sintering module, connected to the ground leveling module, and receiving soil that passes over the lower end of the ground leveling module and discharging soil with a particle size of less than a certain size to the bottom surface.

[0013] A mesh-shaped screen member having a predetermined mesh size is installed at the bottom of the above material supply module, so that soil with a particle size smaller than a certain size can be discharged downward through the screen member.

[0014] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a guide member may be installed at the lower end of the sintering module to guide the energy required for sintering the soil to the soil below.

[0015] The height of the above sintering module can be adjusted by moving it up and down a predetermined distance by means of a height adjustment part on the movable body.

[0016] A ground solidification system according to another embodiment of the present invention may further include a temperature sensor that measures the temperature of the floor surface to which the energy is applied and transmits it to the control module.

[0017] The energy source required for the sintering of the above soil can utilize various energy sources capable of heating the soil, such as microwaves, lasers, and sunlight, and can be produced by using one or more of microwaves, lasers, and sunlight in combination.

[0018] The above sintering module may include a microwave generator that generates microwaves as an energy source, an antenna that guides and emits microwaves generated from the microwave generator toward a bottom surface, and a microwave susceptor installed at the bottom of the antenna to be close to or in contact with the bottom surface, which is heated by microwaves emitted by the microwave generator and transfers heat to the soil below to flatten and sinter the soil.

[0019] At this time, the sintering module may further include an insulating material installed between the lower part of the antenna and the auxiliary heating material to prevent heat from the auxiliary heating material from being transferred to the antenna.

[0020] The above bottom surface may be the surface of the moon.

[0021] A ground solidification method according to the present invention using a ground solidification system having the above-described configuration may include the following steps.

[0022] First stage of moving the moving body along the surface of the moon;

[0023] A second step of applying power from the control module to the sintering module; and,

[0024] A third step of sintering soil by releasing energy required for sintering the soil downward from the sintering module to raise the soil on the bottom surface to a temperature below its melting point.

[0025] During the performance of the first step above, as the moving body moves forward, the ground leveling module levels the soil on the bottom surface to a certain height, and the soil that crosses over the lower part of the ground leveling module is transferred to the material supply module, discharged to the bottom surface with a predetermined particle size, and then supplied and can be sintered by the energy required for the sintering of the soil.

[0026] While energy required for the sintering of the soil is applied, a temperature sensor measures the temperature of the bottom surface and transmits it to the control module, and the control module can control the output of the sintering module according to the temperature information measured by the temperature sensor so that the temperature of the bottom surface becomes below the melting point of the soil.

[0027] The energy source required for the sintering of the above soil can utilize various energy sources capable of heating the soil, such as microwaves, lasers, and sunlight, and can be produced by using one or more of microwaves, lasers, and sunlight in combination.

[0028] According to the present invention, as the moving body moves, it releases energy required for sintering the soil on the bottom surface to sinter the soil on the bottom surface, thereby solidifying the ground.

[0029] Therefore, it can be usefully applied to construct roads or aircraft landing strips on surfaces in environments where it is difficult to use conventional paving materials such as asphalt or concrete, such as the surface of the moon or deserts.

[0030] FIG. 1 is a front view showing a ground solidification system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a sintering module constituting a ground solidification system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] With reference to the attached drawings, a soil sintering apparatus for ground solidification according to embodiments of the present invention, and a ground solidification system and method using the same, will be described in detail. Since the present invention is susceptible to various modifications and may take various forms, specific embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the text. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to specific disclosed forms, and it should be understood that it includes all modifications, equivalents, and substitutions that fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Similar reference numerals have been used for similar components in the description of each drawing. In the attached drawings, the dimensions of structures are depicted enlarged from the actual size to ensure clarity of the present invention, or reduced from the actual size to allow for understanding of the schematic configuration.

[0033] Additionally, terms such as "first," "second," etc., may be used to describe various components, but said components should not be limited by said terms. These terms are used solely for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, the first component may be named the second component, and similarly, the second component may be named the first component. Meanwhile, unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as generally understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. Terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant technology, and should not be interpreted in an ideal or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined in this application.

[0034] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a ground solidification system according to one embodiment of the present invention is configured to be used for sintering soil (lunar soil) on the surface of the moon and may include a mobile body (100), a sintering module (200) and a control module (300) mounted on the mobile body (100), a ground leveling module (400), and a material supply module (500).

[0035] The mobile body (100) may be composed of a support structure, such as a frame and a plate, capable of supporting a sintering module (200), a control module (300), a ground leveling module (400), and a material supply module (500). Additionally, the mobile body (100) includes a wheel (110) or an endless track to enable movement along a bottom surface (lunar surface), and an actuator (not shown), such as a motor or engine, for driving the wheel (110) or the endless track. The actuator (not shown) may be operated by the control module (300).

[0036] The above sintering module (200) functions to release energy required for sintering the soil to the lower side of the mobile body (100), thereby raising the temperature of the soil (lunar soil) on the bottom surface to below the melting point so that the soil particles are sintered. Various energy sources capable of heating the soil, such as microwaves, lasers, and sunlight, can be used as the energy source for the energy released from the above sintering module (200), and one or more of microwaves, lasers, and sunlight can be used in combination.

[0037] When microwaves are applied as an energy source for the energy required for sintering soil, as shown in FIG. 2, the sintering module (200) may be configured such that a microwave generator (211), an isolator (212), a tuner (213), a waveguide (214), and an antenna (215) are connected in sequence. At the lower end of the antenna (215), a microwave susceptor (217) having excellent heating characteristics for microwaves is installed so as to be close to or in contact with the bottom surface. When the microwave susceptor (217) is heated by microwaves and transfers heat to the soil below, heating proceeds in both directions through the heating by the microwave susceptor (217) and the self-heating of the soil by microwaves, thereby allowing the soil to be efficiently sintered. The plate-shaped auxiliary heating material (217) serves to heat the soil while spreading it flat.

[0038] An insulating material (216) may be installed between the lower part of the antenna (215) and the auxiliary heating material (217) to prevent heat from the auxiliary heating material (217) from being transferred to the antenna (215) and to prevent heat loss.

[0039] In this way, when the auxiliary heating material (217) absorbs microwaves and heats up to transfer heat to the soil, heating proceeds in both directions through the heating by the auxiliary heating material (217) and the self-heating of the soil by microwaves, so that sintering can proceed uniformly and quickly.

[0040] A guide member (220) may be installed at the bottom of the sintering module (200) so as to extend downward along the edge, so that the energy source emitted from the sintering module (200) can be concentrated on the bottom surface.

[0041] In addition, to easily adjust the output of energy emitted from the sintering module (200), the moving body (100) may be configured with a height adjustment unit (230) that adjusts the height of the sintering module (200) by moving the sintering module (200) up and down. The height adjustment unit (230) may be configured by applying a known linear motion device that moves up and down by a motor. For example, the linear motion device may be configured by applying a linear motion device including a ball screw that rotates by a motor and a nut that moves in the axial direction of the ball screw by the rotation of the ball screw; a linear motion device including a drive pulley that rotates by a motor, a driven pulley installed spaced apart from the drive pulley, and a belt or chain wound around the drive pulley and the driven pulley; or a linear motion device including a pinion gear that rotates by a motor and a rack gear that moves linearly up and down by meshing with the pinion gear.

[0042] The above control module (300) includes a power supply and controls the sintering of the soil by controlling the output of the sintering module (200). In order for the control module (300) to appropriately control the amount of energy, a temperature sensor (310) may be installed to measure the temperature of the bottom surface to which energy is applied to the moving body (100) or the sintering module (200) and transmit it to the control module (300). The temperature sensor (310) may be configured by applying a known non-contact temperature sensor capable of measuring temperature in a non-contact manner.

[0043] In addition, the control module (300) is configured to control the operation of the actuator (not shown) of the moving body (100).

[0044] A ground leveling module (400) that leveles the soil on the bottom surface to a certain height while transferring the soil that rises higher than the sintered bottom surface to a material supply module (500) as the above-mentioned moving body (100) moves forward and sinters the soil on the bottom surface can be installed at the front end of the moving body (100) at a downward slope toward the front.

[0045] The lower part of the ground leveling module (400) is installed at a certain distance from the lower part of the movable body (100) and, as the movable body (100) moves forward, it transfers the soil on the ground surface to the material supply module (500) and functions to level the soil on the ground surface to a certain height.

[0046] In order for the ground leveling module (400) to level the ground surface and allow the soil to be smoothly moved to the material supply module (500), the ground leveling module (400) may further include a transfer conveyor (410).

[0047] The material supply module (500) is positioned between the ground leveling module (400) and the sintering module (200), and is connected to the upper part of the conveyor (410) of the ground leveling module (400) to receive soil conveyed through the conveyor (410). The material supply module (500) crushes the soil conveyed by the conveyor (410) into a predetermined particle size and discharges it to the lower front side of the sintering module (200).

[0048] A mesh-shaped screen member (510) having a predetermined mesh size is installed at the bottom of the material supply module (500), and soil with a particle size of less than a certain size is discharged downward through the screen member (510). In order to smoothly discharge soil with a particle size of less than a certain size through the screen member (510), a vibration unit (520) that vibrates the screen member (510) laterally may be installed. The vibration unit (520) may be configured by applying a known vibrator, or a motor and an eccentric cam, etc.

[0049] The method for solidifying the ground using the ground solidification system configured as described above is explained as follows.

[0050] When a control signal is applied from the control module (300) to the actuator (not shown) of the moving body (100), the wheels (110) or the endless track of the moving body (100) roll along the floor surface, and the moving body (100) moves forward. At this time, the control module (300) applies a control signal to the sintering module (200) to operate the sintering module (200).

[0051] The sintering module (200) releases energy required for sintering the soil to the lower side of the moving body (100), heating the soil on the bottom surface to a temperature below the melting point to sinter it. At this time, the temperature sensor (310) measures the temperature of the bottom surface where the energy is released in real time and transmits a measurement signal to the control module (300). The control module (300) analyzes the temperature data from the measurement signal transmitted from the temperature sensor (310) and controls the output of energy released from the sintering module (200) and the movement speed of the moving body (100) to enable uniform sintering of the soil.

[0052] Sintering of soil by energy emitted from such a sintering module (200) can be effectively carried out in a vacuum or near-vacuum state, such as the moon, but can also be utilized for sintering work for road construction or dust removal in deserts.

[0053] When the above-mentioned moving body (100) moves forward and releases energy to sinter the soil on the bottom surface, the soil that crosses over the lower part of the ground leveling module (400) is supplied to the material supply module (500) by the transfer conveyor (410) and then crushed. The soil crushed to a particle size smaller than a certain size that is favorable for sintering passes through the screen member (510) at the bottom of the material supply module (500) and falls to the bottom surface immediately in front of the sintering module (200) to be sintered. If the particle size of the soil supplied to the material supply module (500) by the transfer conveyor (410) of the ground leveling module (400) is mostly smaller than the mesh size of the screen member (510), the soil crushing operation inside the material supply module (500) may be omitted.

[0054] As described above, the ground solidification system of the present invention can be usefully used to construct roads or aircraft landing pads on the ground surface in environments where it is difficult to use conventional paving materials such as asphalt or concrete, such as the surface of the moon or deserts, by sintering the soil on the ground surface by releasing energy onto the ground surface while the moving body (100) moves.

[0055] Although the detailed description of the present invention described above has been explained with reference to preferred embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art or those with ordinary knowledge in the art will understand that various modifications and changes can be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and technical scope of the invention as set forth in the claims below.

[0056] The present invention can be applied to a soil sintering device and a ground solidification device that solidify the ground by supplying energy required for soil sintering to a ground surface such as the lunar surface, thereby raising the soil temperature to below the melting point and sintering it.

Claims

1. A sintering module mounted on a moving body that moves along the ground surface, which releases energy required for sintering soil to the lower side of the moving body to raise the temperature of the soil on the bottom surface to below the melting point and sinter it; and, A control module for controlling the output of the above-mentioned sintering module; A soil sintering device including 2. In Paragraph 1, The above sintering module is a soil sintering device in which the height can be adjusted by moving the above-determined movable body up and down by a height adjustment unit.

3. In Paragraph 1, The above energy source is a soil sintering device made by using one or more of microwaves, lasers, and sunlight.

4. In Paragraph 1, The above-described sintering module is a soil sintering device comprising: a microwave generator that generates microwaves as an energy source; an antenna that guides and emits microwaves generated from the microwave generator toward a bottom surface; and a microwave susceptor installed at the lower end of the antenna to be close to or in contact with the bottom surface, which is heated by microwaves emitted by the microwave generator and transfers heat to the soil below to flatten and sinter the soil.

5. In Paragraph 4, The above sintering module is a soil sintering device further comprising an insulating material installed between the lower part of the antenna and the auxiliary heating material to prevent heat from the auxiliary heating material from being transferred to the antenna.

6. A moving body that moves along the ground surface; A sintering module that releases energy required for soil sintering to the lower side of the above-mentioned movable body to raise the soil on the bottom surface to a temperature below the melting point for sintering; and, A control module for controlling the output of the above-mentioned sintering module; A ground solidification system including 7. In Paragraph 6, A ground leveling module installed in front of the above-mentioned mobile body, with its lower end spaced apart from the lower end of the mobile body by a certain distance, which levels the soil on the ground surface to a certain height as the mobile body moves forward; and, A material supply module disposed between the ground leveling module and the sintering module, connected to the ground leveling module, receiving soil that passes over the lower part of the ground leveling module, and discharging soil with a particle size smaller than a certain size to the bottom surface; A ground solidification system including further 8. In Paragraph 7, A ground solidification system in which a mesh-shaped screen member having a predetermined mesh size is installed at the bottom of the above material supply module, and soil with a particle size of less than a certain size is discharged downward through the screen member.

9. In Paragraph 6, A ground solidification system having a guide member installed at the bottom of the above-mentioned sintering module to guide energy to the soil below.

10. In Paragraph 6, The above sintering module is a ground solidification system in which the height can be adjusted by moving the above-determined movable body up and down by a height adjustment unit.

11. In Paragraph 6, A ground solidification system further comprising a temperature sensor that measures the temperature of the floor surface to which the above energy is applied and transmits it to the control module.

12. In Paragraph 6, A ground solidification system created by using one or more of the above energy sources, such as microwaves, lasers, and sunlight.

13. In Paragraph 6, The above-described sintering module is a ground solidification system comprising: a microwave generator that generates microwaves as an energy source; an antenna that guides and emits microwaves generated from the microwave generator toward a bottom surface; and a microwave susceptor installed at the lower end of the antenna to be close to or in contact with the bottom surface, which is heated by microwaves emitted by the microwave generator and transfers heat to the soil below to flatten and sinter the soil.

14. In Paragraph 13, The above sintering module is a ground solidification system further comprising an insulating material installed between the lower part of the antenna and the auxiliary heating material to prevent heat from the auxiliary heating material from being transferred to the antenna.

15. A ground solidification method using a ground solidification system pursuant to Paragraph 6, First stage of moving the moving body along the surface of the moon; A second step of applying power from the control module to the sintering module; and, A third step of releasing energy required for soil sintering downward from the sintering module to raise the soil on the bottom surface to a temperature below its melting point for sintering; A ground solidification method including 16. In Paragraph 15, A ground solidification method in which, while performing the first step above, as the moving body moves forward, the ground leveling module levels the soil on the bottom surface to a certain height, and the soil that crosses over the lower part of the ground leveling module is transferred to a material supply module, discharged to the bottom surface with a predetermined particle size, supplied, and then sintered by energy.

17. In Paragraph 15, A ground solidification method in which, while the above energy is applied, a temperature sensor measures the temperature of the bottom surface and transmits it to the control module, and the control module controls the output of the sintering module according to the temperature information measured by the temperature sensor so that the temperature of the bottom surface becomes below the melting point of the soil.

18. In Paragraph 15, A ground solidification method in which the energy source of the above energy is one or more of microwaves, lasers, and sunlight.

19. In Paragraph 15, A ground solidification method comprising the above-mentioned sintering module, a microwave generator that generates microwaves as an energy source, an antenna that guides and emits microwaves generated from the microwave generator toward a bottom surface, and a microwave susceptor installed at the lower end of the antenna to be close to or in contact with the bottom surface, which is heated by microwaves emitted by the microwave generator and transfers heat to the soil below to flatten and sinter the soil.

20. In Paragraph 19, The above sintering module is a ground solidification method further comprising an insulating material installed between the lower part of the antenna and the auxiliary heating material to prevent heat from the auxiliary heating material from being transferred to the antenna.

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