Electrodynamic Dust Mitigation Fabric for Flexible Spacesuit Surfaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dust mitigation systems are ineffective for spacesuits and similar flexible structures due to their complex designs and materials, such as polytetrafluoroethylene-coated fabrics, which are difficult to treat with existing technologies designed for rigid surfaces.

Innovation Solution

A Multi-use Dust Mitigation System (MDMS) utilizing conductive fibers, specifically carbon nanotube fibers, integrated into fabric materials to generate electric fields that repel dust through electrodynamic forces, allowing for effective dust removal from irregular and flexible surfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing dust mitigation technologies are applied to rigid surfaces, then dust removal effectiveness is improved, but applicability to flexible fabric structures deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedust removal effectivenessVSAvoidapplicability to flexible structures

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies flexible conductive fibers and thin film electrodes directly onto fabric surfaces, creating a dust mitigation system that conforms to the flexible nature of spacesuit materials while maintaining electrodynamic dust repulsion functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the physical state and properties of dust mitigation components by using conductive fibers and flexible electrodes that can bend and flex with the fabric, changing from rigid to flexible parameters to enable application on soft surfaces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If complex spacesuit designs with irregular contours are used, then functionality and protection are improved, but dust mitigation treatment difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespacesuit functionalityVSAvoiddust mitigation treatment difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the dust mitigation system into discrete conductive fiber elements and electrode segments that can be independently applied to different sections of the spacesuit, allowing treatment of complex contours through modular assembly

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible nature of the conductive fibers and thin film electrodes allows them to conform to irregular spacesuit contours and complex geometries, enabling dust mitigation treatment on surfaces with challenging shapes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Strength

If polytetrafluoroethylene-coated fabrics are used, then material durability and protection are improved, but electrodynamic dust repulsion effectiveness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial durabilityVSAvoiddust repulsion effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite structure by integrating conductive fibers and electrodes with PTFE-coated fabric, combining the durability benefits of PTFE coating with the dust repulsion capabilities of electrodynamic fields

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The conductive fibers and electrodes serve as an intermediary layer between the PTFE-coated fabric and dust particles, enabling electrodynamic dust repulsion without compromising the underlying PTFE coating's protective functions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 MDMS effectively repels and removes dust from spacesuits and other flexible structures by leveraging electrodynamic forces, preventing dust accumulation and maintaining the integrity and functionality of these materials.

Implementation Method 1

the plurality of conductive-fibers are configured to generate an electric-field on the front-surface of the fabric-material in response to the plurality of input-nodes receiving the AC voltage-signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectric field: Electric Field

Implementation Method 2

utilizing conductive fibers, specifically carbon nanotube fibers, integrated into fabric materials to generate electric fields that repel dust through electrodynamic forces

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrodynamic forces: Lorentz Force

Data Source

PatentUS12006074B2Multi-use dust mitigation system

Publication Date: 2024.06.11 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

Disclosed is a Multi-Use Dust Mitigation System (“MDMS”). The MDMS includes a finger section, a hand section physically attached to the finger section, a fabric-material within both the finger section and hand section, a plurality of conductive-fibers within the fabric-material, and a plurality of input-nodes approximately adjacent to the fabric-material. The fabric-material includes a front-surface and a back-surface. The plurality of conductive-fibers are approximately parallel along the fabric-material and are approximately adjacent to the front-surface of the fabric-material. The plurality of input-nodes are in signal communication with the plurality of conductive-fibers and configured to receive an alternating-current (“AC”) voltage-signal from an input-signal-source and the plurality of conductive-fibers are configured to generate an electric-field on the front-surface of the fabric-material in response to the plurality of input-nodes receiving the AC voltage-signal from the input-signal-source.