A lunar dust particle transportation device against gravity and a lunar dust collection system having the same

Abstract

The application provides an anti-gravity lunar dust particle conveying device and a lunar dust collecting system with the same, and belongs to the field of lunar dust conveying. The problems of large abrasion, large power consumption and poor reliability of mechanical conveying of lunar soil are solved. The anti-gravity lunar dust particle conveying device comprises a conveying plate, a plurality of conveying parts arranged along a conveying direction are arranged on the conveying surface of the conveying plate, an alternating electric field is arranged on the conveying surface of the conveying plate, and each conveying part is a movement path unit with a certain drop after the inclination angle increases along the conveying direction. The device is mainly used for conveying lunar dust.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the field of lunar dust transportation, and in particular relates to an anti-gravity lunar dust particle transportation device and a lunar dust collection system having the same. Background Art

[0002] Human exploration and utilization of the Moon have become an integral part of space exploration. In-situ utilization of lunar resources, such as oxygen, water, and other useful elements in the lunar surface soil, has become an attractive goal. Long-term presence and development on the Moon require solutions to the problem of transporting supplies between different locations on the lunar surface.

[0003] Existing lunar missions have provided valuable information about the lunar surface and environment, providing a foundation for research on lunar dust transportation. Furthermore, the development of lunar rovers and lunar bases requires addressing how to efficiently transport lunar resources in situ. Furthermore, the extreme lunar surface environment, including microgravity, high radiation levels, and large temperature swings, poses significant challenges to the design and operation of lunar dust transport. Furthermore, lunar dust itself must be prevented from damaging transportation equipment and facilities or hindering transportation activities. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of this, the present invention aims to propose an anti-gravity lunar dust particle transport device and a lunar dust collection system having the same, so as to solve the problems of large wear, high power consumption and poor reliability in mechanical transportation of lunar soil.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions. According to one aspect of the present invention, an anti-gravity lunar dust particle transport device is provided, comprising:

[0006] The conveying plate has a plurality of conveying parts arranged along the conveying direction on its conveying surface. An alternating electric field is set on the conveying surface of the conveying plate. Each of the conveying parts is a motion path unit with a certain drop after the inclination angle increases along the conveying direction.

[0007] Furthermore, the alternating electric field is a layer of parallel and alternately arranged electrodes, and an alternating current is passed through the electrodes.

[0008] Furthermore, all the conveying parts are arranged at equal intervals.

[0009] Furthermore, the conveying plate is formed by splicing a plurality of splicing plates, and every two adjacent conveying plates are connected by a folding portion, and the folding portion is used for folding the conveying plates.

[0010] Furthermore, the conveying plate is provided with a folding and unfolding driving mechanism for driving the folding portion to move.

[0011] Further, the conveying plate is provided with a flexible folding dust cover, which is unfolded when the conveying plate is conveying and is folded when the conveying plate is folded.

[0012] Further, the conveying part is provided with a first inclined part and a second inclined part along the lunar dust movement direction.

[0013] Further, the inclination angle of the first inclined part with the horizontal plane is smaller than the inclination angle of the second inclined part with the horizontal plane.

[0014] Further, the conveying part is wedge-shaped as a whole.

[0015] According to another aspect of the present application, a lunar dust collecting system is provided, comprising a counter-gravity lunar dust particle conveying device as described above.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the present application has the following beneficial effects:

[0017] 1. The conveying mechanism utilizes electrostatic traveling wave driving technology, which can quickly and efficiently convey lunar dust particles to the destination;

[0018] 2. Compared with the traditional mechanical conveying system, the electrostatic traveling wave driving system has a simpler structure, reduces the use of mechanical parts, reduces the failure rate, and is suitable for use in deep space;

[0019] 3. The conveying mechanism has low energy consumption due to the use of electrostatic traveling wave driving method, which is suitable for long-term lunar missions;

[0020] 4. The conveying mechanism reduces particle loss and equipment wear during the conveying process through optimized interface topography design, and improves the overall reliability of the system. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0021] The accompanying drawings, which form a part of the present application, are intended to provide further understanding of the present application, and the illustrative embodiments of the present application and their description serve the purpose of explaining the present application. The accompanying drawings do not constitute an inappropriate limitation on the present application. In the drawings:

[0022] Figure 1 is a use state diagram of a counter-gravity lunar dust particle conveying device according to the present application;

[0023] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the conveying plate, the conveying part and the alternating electric field according to the present application;

[0024] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a counter-gravity lunar dust particle conveying device according to the present application in an unfolded state;

[0025] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a counter-gravity lunar dust particle conveying device according to the present application in a folded state.

[0026] Conveying plate 1; conveying portion 2; alternating electric field 3; alternating current 4; folding portion 5; flexible folding dust cover 6. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] The following will be combined with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention to clearly and completely explain the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention. It should be noted that the embodiments of the present invention and the features therein can be combined with each other in the absence of conflict, and the embodiments described are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments.

[0028] It should be noted that the descriptions of the present invention regarding directions such as "left", "right", "left side", "right side", "upper", "lower", "top", and "bottom" are all defined based on the relationship between the orientations or positions shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the structure described must be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be understood as limitations on the present invention. In the description of the present invention, the meaning of "plurality" is more than two, unless otherwise clearly and specifically defined.

[0029] In the description of the present invention, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, the terms "mounted," "connected," and "connected" should be understood broadly. For example, they may refer to fixed connections, detachable connections, or integral connections; they may refer to direct connections, indirect connections through an intermediary, or internal communication between two components. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of these terms in the present invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0030] Referring to the accompanying drawings, this embodiment is described. According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an anti-gravity lunar dust particle transport device, comprising:

[0031] The conveyor plate 1 has a conveying surface equipped with multiple conveying sections 2 arranged along the conveying direction. An alternating electric field 3 is applied to the conveying surface of the conveyor plate 1. Each conveying section 2 forms a motion path unit with a certain drop as the inclination angle increases along the conveying direction. The alternating electric field 3 provides precise directional movement for lunar dust particles. Combined with the optimized motion path of the conveying sections 2, the drop created by the increased inclination angle causes the lunar dust particles to experience varying tangential resistance as they slide back and forth across the surface, thereby affecting the required electric field force. Under the same electric field, lunar dust particles primarily move from low to high inclination angles. The wedge-shaped microsurface structure optimizes the particle's motion trajectory, improving transport efficiency and reducing energy consumption, while also lowering equipment wear and maintenance costs. This design not only considers the physical properties of particle motion but also leverages the size and shape of lunar dust particles, ensuring smoother surface movement.

[0032] In the embodiment, the alternating electric field 3 is a layer of parallel and alternating electrodes, and alternating current 4 is applied to the electrodes. The power supply problem of the electrodes can be solved by setting a corresponding power supply module. In deep space, solar energy can be used to collect energy and convert it into electrical energy for storage, and then the electrodes can be powered by the power supply module. Solar energy is collected by solar panels. The solar panels, power supply modules, and corresponding arrangement and connection forms use existing technologies, which are not described here.

[0033] In the embodiment, all the conveying parts 2 are arranged at equal intervals. The same distance helps to form a regular movement path and reduce wear caused by movement. Specifically, each two adjacent conveying parts 2 can be arranged in a close manner or a certain distance. According to the actual movement path, the electric field is reasonably set.

[0034] In the embodiment, the conveying plate 1 is formed by splicing a plurality of splicing plates. Each two adjacent conveying plates 1 are connected by a folding part 5, which is used for folding the conveying plate 1. The splicing plate is used to connect the conveying plate 1 in the form of splicing. It can be unfolded during use and folded when not in use. Thus, in the case of limited storage space, the conveying plate 1 can be reasonably adjusted according to the different use states. Each two adjacent splicing plates are connected by a folding part 5. The folding part 5 can be a connecting rod. Each end of the connecting rod is connected to the corresponding splicing plate in a hinged manner. Thus, the two adjacent splicing plates can move relative to each other. By reasonably setting the connection form, the splicing plate can smoothly form a flat conveying plate 1 when unfolded and can be smoothly folded to save space. The specific form of the folding structure uses the existing folding mechanism form, which is not limited here. Any structure that can meet the folding state can be used in the application. It should be noted that the conveying part 2 on the surface of the conveying plate 1 cannot be squeezed in the folded state.

[0035] In this embodiment, the conveyor plate 1 is equipped with a folding drive mechanism that drives the folding portion 5. This folding drive mechanism can be connected to the rotating shaft of any folding portion 5 to achieve overall drive. The specific folding drive mechanism can be a servo motor, and the selection can be based on actual needs. The appropriate folding drive mechanism is selected based on the actual folding mechanism, and existing technologies are sufficient. The folding mechanism is designed to address the limitations of the lander's carrying space. Because the minimum transport distance of lunar dust particles by the lunar dust transport mechanism is relatively long, a folding mechanism is required to meet these carrying requirements. The folding mechanism design creates a long, narrow transport surface that can be unfolded during use to increase the transport distance, and folded for carrying and storage to save space. This not only improves the device's portability but also enhances its adaptability to various mission environments. Its design includes high-strength hinges and flexible connections to ensure structural stability and durability during folding and use.

[0036] In this embodiment, a flexible, foldable dust cover 6 is provided on the conveyor plate 1, configured to unfold during conveying and fold when folded. The flexible, foldable dust cover 6 is also foldable. Specifically, the flexible, foldable dust cover 6 comprises multiple curved keels, each of which is connected to the end faces of a corresponding splicing plate. The ends of each curved keel are also connected in a relatively rotatable manner. A dust cloth is secured to the keels. When the conveyor plate 1 is unfolded, the flexible, foldable dust cover 6 forms a dust-proof conveying channel above the conveyor plate 1. When the conveyor plate 1 is folded, the flexible, foldable dust cover 6 folds when the conveyor plate 1 is folded. This dust cover is designed to maintain cleanliness and safety during lunar dust transportation. The dust cover folds and unfolds with the folding and unfolding mechanism, preventing external lunar dust from contaminating the screened lunar dust inside and preventing internal lunar dust from splashing due to the AC traveling wave electric field. The use of flexible materials ensures the durability and adaptability of the dust cover during folding and unfolding, further improving the overall reliability of the device. The dust cover is made of a highly durable composite material with tear resistance, anti-static properties, and high temperature resistance to withstand the harsh conditions of the lunar environment. The flexible folding dust cover 6 also uses existing technology that can match the conveyor plate 1 to fold and unfold, and will not be described in detail here. Similarly, regarding the selection of materials for the flexible folding dust cover 6, any flexible material that has tear resistance, anti-static properties, and high temperature resistance can be used in this application.

[0037] In this embodiment, the conveying portion 2 is wedge-shaped as a whole. The conveying portion 2 is provided with a continuous first inclined portion and a second inclined portion along the direction of movement of the lunar dust. The inclination angle of the first inclined portion to the horizontal plane is smaller than the inclination angle of the second inclined portion to the horizontal plane. Electrostatic traveling wave transport is an electrostatic transport method based on multi-phase alternating current. This structure is simple and can effectively transport lunar dust particles. By designing a layer of parallel alternating electrodes on the lunar dust transport surface, when alternating current is applied to the electrodes, an alternating strong electric field exists on the surface. Under the polarization of the strong electric field, the electric field force exerted on the lunar dust particles overcomes the adhesion force and gravity to produce jump migration. The special interface morphology is the surface morphology feature of the conveying plate designed as a wedge-shaped microstructure. Due to the different slope angles on both sides, the particles are subjected to different tangential resistance when sliding back and forth on their surface, and the required electric field forces are different.

[0038] Multiphase AC current is connected to a layer of parallel, alternating electrodes within the lunar dust transport surface. When an alternating current is applied, a strong alternating electric field, known as AC Field 3, is generated on the electrode surface. Under the force of AC Field 3, lunar dust particles overcome adhesion and gravity, causing them to move. Due to the different slope angles on either side of the wedge-shaped microstructure of the transport section 2, lunar dust particles easily move from the less inclined surface to the more inclined surface, gradually being fed upward into the storage bin, thus achieving unidirectional flow of lunar dust particles. The embedded AC traveling wave electric field provides precise directional movement of lunar dust particles. The wedge-shaped microsurface structure optimizes the mechanical conditions for particle transport. The folding and unfolding mechanism enhances the device's portability and adaptability, while the flexible, foldable dust cover ensures cleanliness and safety during the transport process. The combination of these designs and features enables the lunar dust transport mechanism to operate efficiently in the complex environment of the lunar surface, providing strong support for the development and utilization of lunar resources. Through the integrated application of these innovative designs and technologies, the lunar dust transport mechanism not only solves the challenges of lunar resource transportation but also provides valuable technical reserves for future lunar exploration and development.

[0039] According to another aspect of the present invention, a lunar dust collection system is provided, including an anti-gravity lunar dust particle transport device as described above. Specifically, a use scenario is provided in which the anti-gravity lunar dust transport mechanism transports lunar dust sieved by the lunar soil sieving mechanism to a space lander for storage, thereby achieving the purpose of the use.

[0040] The embodiments of the present invention disclosed above are intended only to illustrate the present invention. The embodiments do not describe all details in detail, nor do they limit the present invention to the specific embodiments described. Numerous modifications and variations are possible based on the contents of this specification. These embodiments are selected and described in detail in this specification to better explain the principles and practical applications of the present invention, thereby enabling those skilled in the art to better understand and utilize the present invention.

Claims

1. An anti-gravity lunar dust particle transport device, characterized in that: include: A conveying plate (1) has a plurality of conveying sections (2) arranged along a conveying direction on its conveying surface, an alternating electric field (3) is provided on the conveying surface of the conveying plate (1), and each of the conveying sections (2) is a motion path unit having a certain drop after an inclination angle increases along the conveying direction.

2. The anti-gravity lunar dust particle transport device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The alternating electric field (3) is a layer of parallel and alternately arranged electrodes, and an alternating current (4) is passed through the electrodes.

3. The anti-gravity lunar dust particle transport device according to claim 1, characterized in that: All the conveying parts (2) are arranged at equal intervals.

4. The anti-gravity lunar dust particle transport device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The conveying plate (1) is formed by splicing a plurality of splicing plates, and each two adjacent conveying plates (1) are connected via a folding portion (5), and the folding portion (5) is used for folding the conveying plate (1).

5. The anti-gravity lunar dust particle transport device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The conveying plate (1) is provided with a matching folding and unfolding driving mechanism for driving the folding portion (5) to move.

6. The anti-gravity lunar dust particle transport device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A flexible folding dust cover (6) is provided on the conveying plate (1) for unfolding when the conveying plate (1) is conveyed and for folding with the conveying plate (1) when the conveying plate (1) is folded.

7. An anti-gravity lunar dust particle transport device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The conveying portion (2) is provided with a continuous first inclined portion and a second inclined portion along the movement direction of the lunar dust.

8. The anti-gravity lunar dust particle transport device according to claim 7, characterized in that: An inclination angle between the first inclined portion and the horizontal plane is smaller than an inclination angle between the second inclined portion and the horizontal plane.

9. The anti-gravity lunar dust particle transport device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The conveying portion (2) is wedge-shaped as a whole.

10. A lunar dust collection system, characterized by: It comprises an anti-gravity lunar dust particle transport device as described in claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 or 9.

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