Robotic space structure assembler and disassembler
The robotic space structure assembler and disassembler unit addresses the challenges of constructing complex structures in space by employing multiple robotic arms, cameras, and computational controllers, ensuring precise and efficient assembly and disassembly, while managing space junk, and is adaptable to diverse environments.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- GB2021013400
- Authority / Receiving Office
- GB · GB
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2021-09-20
- Publication Date
- 2024-12-25
- Estimated Expiration
- 2041-09-20
AI Technical Summary
Constructing complex frame structures in space is a time-consuming and risky task for humans, requiring innovative solutions for accurate and consistent assembly and disassembly, as well as efficient management of space junk.
A robotic space structure assembler and disassembler unit equipped with multiple robotic arms, cameras, solar panels, propulsive means, and computational controllers, along with cartridges and cassettes for storage and communication, enabling precise construction and disassembly, power management, and repositioning, while facilitating the collection and disposal of space junk.
The robotic system ensures accurate, efficient, and safe assembly and disassembly of space structures, enhances power management, and enables real-time communication and data transmission, allowing for the reuse of construction members and efficient space junk management, applicable in various environments beyond space.
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Abstract
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a robotic construction system for assembly and disassembly of structures e.g. space station hotels and recycling space junk disposer. BACK GROUND OF THE INVENTION Constructing a complex frame structure in space by astronauts can be a time consuming risky task for a human beings. However, the use robotics to construct complex structures in space will remove the risk and maintain accuracy and consistency of the construction assembly and disassembly and record every interaction point. In addition the concept has the potential for collecting space junk for disposal. Reference concept 1983 and registered design 2021 httgsregistered~ 23 09 24 STATEMENT OF INVENTION The present invention provides; a robotic space structure assembler and disassembler unit is comprising a plurality of robotic arms means such that degrees of freedom sufficient for assembly and disassembly, a plurality of cameras means such that the field of vision captures the components and processes and said plurality of robotic arms movements, a plurality of solar panels means such that power is enhanced in co operative agreement with other power sources, a plurality of propulsive means such that said robotic space structure assembler and disassembler unit can be repositioned, a plurality of orientation means such that said robotic space structure assembler and disassembler unit orientation can be determined by computational means, at least one robotic positioning means relative to other said robotic space structure assembler and disassembler unit and cartridges and cassettes and other networked devices, at least one robotic status data means for situation awareness, at least one robotic data network communications means between other said robotic space structure assembler and disassembler units and cartridges and cassettes and other networked devices, at least one robotic computational controller means develops the construction plan, a plurality of construction member with integral connectors means for structure construction, at least one cartridge, at least one cartridge solar panel, at least one cartridge transponder such that identification and inventory data is transmitted , 23 09 24 at least one cartridge positioning data relative to said robotic space structure assembler and disassembler unit, at least one cartridge status data means for situation awareness, at least one cartridge data network communications means between other said robotic space structure assembler and disassembler units and cartridges and cassettes and other networked devises, at least one cartridge computational controller, at least one cartridge rotational means, at least one capture and release door, at least one capture and release robot arm means such that said at least one cartridge is transferred internally into the said robotic space structure assembler and disassembler unit, a plurality of extendable support members means such that the said robotic space structure assembler and disassembler unit body can be extended to accommodate different size lengths of said cartridge , a plurality segmented compartments type 1 cartridge means such the internal storage and retrieval of the said plurality of construction member with integral connectors, a spiral feed compartments type 2 cartridge means such the internal storage and retrieval of the said plurality of construction member with integral connectors in a spiral configuration, at least one construction member dispensing port means such that the said plurality of robotic arms may collect and pull out said construction member from the internal said cartridge, at least one construction member receptive port means such that the said plurality of robotic arms may store and push in said construction member into the internal said cartridge, at least one lateral push actuator means such as to eject the said construction member from the said internal cartridge , at least one construction member lateral feeder means such if the lateral feeder is rotated on one direction it will control the lateral movement of the said construction member out of the said internal cartridge if the lateral feeder is rotated in the opposite direction will control the lateral movement of the said construction member into the said internal cartridge, at least one cartridge type 1 longitudinal cassette such that multiple cartridges are stored in a lateral configuration, at least one cartridge type 2 disc cassette such that multiple cartridges are stored in a circular configuration, a means for cartridge selection, a means for cassette cartridge insertion port such that a full cartridge can be inserted, a means for cassette cartridge ejection port such that an empty cartridge can be removed, the robotic space structure assembler and disassembler unit is not limited to the space environment but can cooperate in any environment including under the sea 23 09 24 ADVANTAGES The plurality of robotic arms means such that degrees of freedom sufficient for assembly and disassembly means is preferably provided by 9 degrees of freedom, The plurality of cameras means such that the field of vision captures the components and processes and said plurality of robotic arms movements is preferably provided by a digital camera capable of a operating in a wide visual spectrum including inferred and visible light The plurality of solar panels means such that power is enhanced in co operative agreement with other power sources is preferably controlled by computational means for energy management. The plurality of propulsive means such that said robotic space structure assembler and disassembler unit can be repositioned preferably controlled by computational means for control and in cooperative agreement with other devices such as the said robotic space structure assembler and disassembler unit and cartridges and cassettes and other networked devices. The plurality of orientation means such that said robotic space structure assembler and disassembler unit orientation can be determined by computational means, at least one robotic positioning means relative to other said robotic space structure assembler and disassembler unit and cartridges and cassettes and other networked devices. The said at least one robotic status data means for situation data awareness is updated by computational means, The said at least one robotic data network communications means between other said robotic space structure assembler and disassembler units and cartridges and cassettes and other networked devises co operative communication between devices by computational means, The said at least one robotic computational controller means develops the construction plan in cooperation with said robotic space structure assembler and disassembler units and cartridges and cassettes and other networked devises The said a plurality of construction member with integral connectors means for structure construction are preferably reusable, The said at least one cartridge is integrated with said at least one cartridge solar panel and at least one cartridge transponder such that identification and inventory data is transmitted preferably communicated the data over the network to other devices. The said at least one cartridge positioning data relative to said robotic space structure assembler and disassembler unit and the said at least one cartridge status data means for situation awareness and said at least one cartridge data network communications means between other said robotic space structure assembler and disassembler units and cartridges and cassettes and other networked devises is preferably updated in milliseconds and real time. 23 09 24 23 09 24 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a better understanding of the invention, an embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of a non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawing which: Figure 1. Shows, the robotic space structure assembler and disassembler unit. Figure 2. Shows, the robotic space structure assembler and disassembler unit and cartridge. Figure 3. Shows, cartridge type 1 and cartridge type 2 Figure 4. Shows, the longitudinal cassette Figure 5. Shows, the disc cassette. Figure 6. Shows, the robotic space structure assembler and disassembler unit components. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The following description is a preferred embodiment of the please see figures 1 to 6 STEP 1 The structure assembled from a plurality of construction member with integral connectors 10 each of these are stored in a at least one cartridge 11 there are different configurations of storage for example a plurality segmented compartments type 1 cartridge 22 or a spiral feed compartments type 2 cartridge 23. The cartridges have the following at least one cartridge solar panel 12 to supplement additional energy, at least one cartridge transponder 13 to respond to any networked device or radar transmitting a request for data what may have the following information at least one cartridge positioning data 14 relative to other devices, at least one cartridge status data 15 indicating the inventor. The communications is achieved by at least one cartridge data communications 16 and has at least one cartridge computational controller 17 to control the cartridge and the communications. STEP 2 The cartridge can be inserted directly into a robotic space structure assembler and disassembler units or the cartridge can be inserted into a cassette comprising of multiple cartridges Example type 1 cartridge is longitudinal cassette 28 type 2 cartridge is a disc cassette 29 both types of cassette has a means for cartridge selection 30 and by the types has a means for cassette cartridge insertion port 31 and a means for cassette cartridge ejection port 32 STEP 3 During the construction process the cartridge 11 is rotated with at least one cartridge rotational means 18 to the compartment that contain the a plurality of construction member with integral connectors 10 if a segmented compartments type 1 cartridge 22 is used. However if the other type is used a spiral feed compartments type 2 cartridge 23 the a plurality of construction member with integral connectors 10 are moved around the spiral track to the centre. 23 09 24 The construction member with integral connectors 10 are ejected forward by the lateral push actuator means 26. The construction member with integral connectors 10 encounters the construction member lateral feeder 27 rotating in a direction to enable the extraction of the construction member with integral connectors 10 and out of the construction member dispensing port 24 STEP 4 The at least one robotic arms 1 will capture the protruding construction member with integral connectors 10 With a number of construction member with integral connectors 10 the robotic space structure assembler and disassembler unit will commence assemble of the structure in space in cooperative agreement with other robotic space structure assembler and disassembler units The cameras 2 are used to co-ordinate the actions the solar panels 3 supply additional energy. The propulsive means 4 and orientation means 5 and robotic positioning data 6 and robotic status data 7 support the assembly in addition to the robotic data communications 8 and robotic computational controller 9 Reverse operation for storage In the process of disassembly the reverse process is used the robotic arms 1 push the construction member with integral connectors 10 into the construction member receptive port 25. The construction member with integral connectors 10 encounters the construction member lateral feeder 27 rotating the opposite direction to enable the retraction of the construction member with integral connectors 10 and into cartridge 11 which may rotated to the next available space. STEP 5 Changing the cartridge the capture and release door 19 and capture and release robot arm 20 is used to insert or eject a cartridge. If the cartridge is taller then the plurality of extendable support members 21 can be used to extend the body of the robotic space structure assembler and disassembler units The said a plurality of construction member with integral connectors means for structure construction are identifiable with visual markings and RFID tags. The process steps in which the construction step is verified with information on a database and a visual record is capture to the assembly process for verification and validation of assembly hence record every interaction point as indicated in the background. Claims
Claims
23 09 241. A robotic space structure assembler and disassembler unit, comprising:a plurality of cartridge (11) types; anda plurality of construction member with integral connectors (10) each one stored individually and compartmentally in said cartridge (11); andsaid cartridge (11) is configured into a plurality of non limiting configurations such thattype 1 a cartridge (22) a plurality segmented compartments; andtype 2 a cartridge (23) a spiral feed compartments; andmounted on the said cartridge (11) areat least one cartridge solar panel (12) to supplement additional energy; andat least one cartridge transponder (13) to respond to any networked device or radar transmitting a request for data; andat least one cartridge positioning data (14) means for location relative to other devices in space such as the position of said robotic space structure assembler and disassembler unit; and at least one cartridge status data (15) means for situation awareness; andat least one cartridge data communications (16); andat least one cartridge computational controller (17) to control the cartridge and the communications; andsaid cartridge (11) can be inserted directly into a said robotic space structure assembler and disassembler units; andsaid cartridge (11) is rotated with at least one cartridge rotational means (18 )to the compartment that contain a plurality of said construction member with integral connectors (10) further more,if type 1 a cartridge (22) a plurality segmented compartments is used;furthermore,if type 2 a cartridge (23) a spiral feed compartments, the plurality of said construction member with integral connectors (10) are moved around the spiral track to the centre; andsaid construction member with integral connectors (10) are ejected forward by means of a lateral push actuator (26); andsaid construction member with integral connectors (10) makes contact and encounters the at least one construction member lateral feeder (27) rotating in a direction such that to enable the extraction of the said construction member with integral connectors (10) and out of the at least one construction member dispensing port (24); andat least one robotic arms (1) will capture the protruding said construction member with integral connectors (10) with a number of said construction member with integral connectors (10) the said robotic space structure assembler and disassembler unit will commence assemble of the structure in space in cooperative agreement with other side robotic space structure assembler and disassembler units; andat least one camera (2) are used to co-ordinate the actions; anda plurality of solar panels (3) supply additional energy; andat least one propulsive (4) means for propulsion; andat least one orientation (5) means for orientation; andat least one robotic positioning data (6) means for location relative to the position of said a plurality of cartridge (11) types; andat least one robotic status data (7) means for computational data processing used byrobotic computational controller (9); andat least one robotic data communications (8); andsaid at least one robotic computational controller (9); andat least one construction member receptive port (25) used in the process of disassembly the reverse process is used the said robotic arms (1) push the said construction member with integral connectors (10) into the said construction member receptive port (25); andat least one release door (19); andat least one capture and release robot arm (20) is used to insert or eject saidsaid cartridge (11); and a plurality of extendable support members (21).
2. A robotic space structure assembler and disassembler unit according to claim 1, in which plurality of robotic arms has at least 7 degrees of freedom.23 09 243. A robotic space structure assembler and disassembler unit according to claim 1, in which a said plurality of cameras means such that the field of vision captures the components and processes and said plurality of robotic arms movements is preferably provided by a digital camera capable of a operating in a wide visual spectrum including inferred and visible light.
4. A robotic space structure assembler and disassembler unit according to claim 1, in which a said plurality of solar panels means such that power is enhanced in co operative agreement with other power sources is preferably controlled by computational means for energy management.
5. A robotic space structure assembler and disassembler unit according to claim 1, in which a said plurality of propulsive means such that said robotic space structure assembler and disassembler unit can be repositioned preferably controlled by computational means for control and in cooperative agreement with other devices such as the said robotic space structure assembler and disassembler unit and cartridges and cassettes and other networked devices.
6. A robotic space structure assembler and disassembler unit according to claim 1, in which a said plurality of orientation means such that said robotic space structure assembler and disassembler unit orientation can be determined by computational means, at least one robotic positioning means relative to other said robotic space structure assembler and disassembler unit and cartridges and cassettes and other networked devices.
7. A robotic space structure assembler and disassembler unit according to claim 1, in which a said at least one robotic status data means for situation data awareness is updated by computational means.23 09 248. A robotic space structure assembler and disassembler unit according to claim 1, in which a said at least one robotic data network communications means between other said robotic space structure assembler and disassembler units and cartridges and cassettes and other networked devises co operative communication between devices by computational means.
9. A robotic space structure assembler and disassembler unit according to claim 1, in which a said at least one robotic computational controller means develops the construction plan in cooperation with said robotic space structure assembler and disassembler units and cartridges and cassettes and other networked devises.
10. A robotic space structure assembler and disassembler unit according to claim 1, in which a said a plurality of construction member with integral connectors means for structure construction are preferably reusable.
11. A robotic space structure assembler and disassembler unit according to claim 1, in which a said at least one cartridge is integrated with said at least one cartridge solar panel and at least one cartridge transponder such that identification and inventory data is transmitted preferably communicated the data over the network to other devices.
12. A robotic space structure assemblerand disassembler unit according to claim 1, in which a said at least one cartridge positioning data relative to said robotic space structure assembler and disassembler unit and the said at least one cartridge status data means for situation awareness and said at least one cartridge data network communications means between other said robotic space structure assembler and disassembler units and cartridges and cassettes and other networked devices is preferably updated in milliseconds and real time.
13. A robotic space structure assembler and disassembler unit according to claim 1, in which a said a plurality of construction member with integral connectors means for structure construction are identifiable with visual markings and RFID tags.
14. A robotic space structure assembler and disassembler unit according to claim 1, in which the construction step a verified with information on a database and a visual record is capture to the assembly process for verification and validation of assembly.
15. A robotic space structure assembler and disassembler unit according to claim 1, in which said cartridge (11) can be inserted into a longitudinal cassette (28) or can be inserted into a disc cassette (29) further more, a means for said cartridge (11) selection (30); and a means for said cartridge (11) insertion port (31); and a means for said cartridge (11) ejection port (32);