Conformal Airlock Assembly for Space Ingress
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing airlock assemblies are inefficient in terms of time, space, and energy consumption, and result in significant air loss during cycles, particularly in space operations where storage and living space are limited.
Innovation Solution
A conformal airlock assembly using a flexible, gas-impermeable membrane that forms an interior pocket over a door, with a gas displacement system and actuation system to create a low-pressure space, allowing safe ingress and egress without a large pressure differential.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid wall structure airlock is used, then structural strength is improved, but space consumption increases and cycle time is extended
Solution Approach 1:
The airlock chamber is transformed from a rigid structure to a dynamic flexible membrane that can change its volume and shape. The membrane inflates to create a functional airlock chamber when needed and deflates to minimize space consumption during storage or when not in use, resolving the contradiction between structural strength and space consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
A flexible gas-impermeable membrane is used to form the airlock chamber instead of rigid walls. This flexible membrane can be inflated to provide the necessary structural integrity for airlock operations and deflated to reduce space requirements, directly addressing the contradiction between strength and volume.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid wall structure airlock is used, then structural stability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The airlock system transitions from a permanently inflated rigid structure to a dynamically controlled flexible membrane that inflates only when needed for operations. This reduces the continuous energy required to maintain structural stability while providing stability during active use.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible membrane is inflated and deflated periodically based on operational requirements rather than remaining continuously inflated. This periodic action reduces energy consumption by maintaining structural stability only when needed for ingress/egress operations.
3Stress or pressure
If a rigid wall structure airlock is used, then pressure containment is improved, but air loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible gas-impermeable membrane is used to contain pressure while minimizing dead volume. The membrane can be tightly sealed around objects during egress, reducing the volume of air that must be evacuated and thereby reducing air loss with each cycle while maintaining adequate pressure containment.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible membrane dynamically adjusts its configuration to minimize the volume requiring pressure management. By conforming to the shape and size of objects being evacuated, the system reduces the amount of air that needs to be pumped out, thereby reducing air loss while maintaining pressure containment during operations.
4Loss of substance
If a shaped rigid chamber airlock is used, then air loss is reduced, but adaptability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible membrane can dynamically change its shape and size to adapt to different objects being evacuated, unlike a fixed-shaped rigid chamber. This adaptability allows the membrane to conform to various payloads while still minimizing the volume requiring evacuation, thereby reducing air loss across different mission scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane's physical parameters (shape, volume, configuration) can be changed to match different mission requirements and object geometries. This parameter flexibility enables the system to maintain low air loss performance while adapting to diverse payloads, overcoming the limitation of fixed-shaped rigid chambers.
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 solution enables rapid, efficient, and energy-saving ingress and egress while minimizing air loss, suitable for space operations where space and energy are premium.
Implementation Method 1
A gas displacement system in flow communication with the interior pocket is selectively operable to flow air into the interior pocket toward a non-collapsed condition for the membrane, and out of the interior pocket toward a collapsed condition for the membrane
Implementation Method 2
An actuation system coupled to the flexible membrane is operable to displace the flexible membrane, in the collapsed condition, away from the one side of the support wall. Such displacement of the membrane is toward a displaced condition, creating a low pressure space in the interior pocket
Implementation Method 3
a flexible, gas impermeable membrane cooperating with the support wall in an airtight manner to form an interior pocket
Data Source
AI summary
A conformal airlock assembly for ingress and egress through a door from a high pressure environment to a low pressure environment. The airlock assembly includes a flexible, gas impermeable membrane that cooperates with a support wall in an airtight manner to form an interior pocket over the door on one side of the wall. A gas displacement system, in flow communication with the interior pocket, is selectively operable to flow air out of the interior pocket, collapsing the membrane toward a collapsed condition. An actuation system coupled to the flexible membrane is operable to displace the flexible membrane, in the collapsed condition, away from the one side of the support wall. Such displacement of the airtight membrane creates a low pressure space in the pocket that is selected to be sufficiently proximate that of the low pressure environment. Hence, the door may be opened to permit ingress and egress therethrough without a large pressure differential.