Circular Mass Accelerator Tether Dynamics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies face challenges in efficiently launching payloads in off-world applications due to the logistical difficulties of interplanetary rocket travel, which increases exponentially with distance, and the need for complex propellant manufacturing facilities that may not be available at destination bodies.
Innovation Solution
A compactable and deployable circular mass accelerator system that uses long, flexible tethers to rotate payloads to a target launch velocity, minimizing the need for propellant and allowing for efficient velocity boosts in interplanetary space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional rocket propulsion is used for interplanetary travel, then payloads can be launched, but the logistical difficulty and propellant requirements increase exponentially with distance
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the launch function into two parts: a ground-based accelerator that provides initial velocity boost, and a smaller onboard propulsion system that completes the journey. This divides the enormous propellant requirement into a manageable ground infrastructure component and a small payload component.
Solution Approach 2:
The ground-based accelerator performs preliminary action by providing an initial velocity boost to payloads before they embark on their interplanetary journey. This preliminary velocity injection significantly reduces the delta-v that must be provided by onboard propulsion systems.
2Quantity of substance
If circular mass accelerator is used to provide velocity boost, then propellant needs are reduced, but the system requires complex deployment infrastructure
Solution Approach 1:
The tethers are designed to be spooled onto a compact hub assembly for storage and transport, then unspooled during deployment. This nested configuration allows the long tethers to be contained within a compact volume, reducing the complexity of handling and deploying the accelerator infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses dynamic deployment where tethers are gradually unspooled from the hub assembly as the rotor accelerates, allowing the infrastructure to adapt its configuration during operation rather than requiring static pre-deployment of entire tether lengths.
3Speed
If long flexible tethers are used in the accelerator, then significant velocity boost is achieved, but rotordynamic stability becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the physical parameters of the tethers along their length, using varying cross-sections, material properties, or structural characteristics to optimize both the velocity boost capability and the rotordynamic stability. This allows different portions of the tether to serve different functional requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The tethers utilize composite material structures that combine different materials with complementary properties, such as high-strength fibers for load-bearing and damping materials for vibration control, achieving both high velocity capability and rotational stability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system enables efficient and cost-effective payload launch in off-world applications by providing a significant velocity boost with low power requirements, reducing the need for propellant and simplifying the deployment of infrastructure in space.
Implementation Method 1
a first drive coupled with a shaft... configured to rotate the shaft and hub assembly to accelerate payloads coupled to the tethers to a target launch velocity
Implementation Method 2
a second drive coupled to the spool... a first tether and a second tether that can be spooled onto and unspooled from the spool by the second drive
Data Source
AI summary
Circular mass accelerators for off-world applications are disclosed herein. An example system includes a base assembly that is configured to interface with a supporting surface, a vertical support assembly extending from the base assembly, a first drive positioned, a shaft connected to the first drive, a hub assembly having a spool, the hub assembly being coupled to a second drive that is located on a terminal end of the shaft, a first tether and a second tether that can be spooled onto and unspooled from the spool by the second drive, and payloads positioned each of the tethers, the payloads being releasably coupled to tethers in such a way that the payloads can be released upon the payloads being rotated to a target launch velocity.