Interlaced Helical Spring Tire for Cryogenic Lunar Load Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rubber pneumatic tires fail to function effectively in extreme lunar temperatures and are not suitable for manned lunar vehicles due to degradation from solar radiation and the risk of a flat tire, necessitating a non-pneumatic tire solution that can support increased weight and distance requirements while maintaining performance across varying terrain.
Innovation Solution
A non-pneumatic tire design utilizing interlaced helical springs made from materials like stainless steel and aluminum alloys that maintain strength and ductility down to 17 K, forming a toroidal structure for load support and traction, which can adjust to different terrain conditions without air and is resistant to temperature extremes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional rubber pneumatic tires are used, then the vehicle can operate on Earth, but the tires fail to function in extreme lunar temperatures and degrade from solar radiation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the rubber material from the tire structure entirely, extracting the problematic component that degrades under solar radiation and extreme temperatures. The tire is replaced with a non-pneumatic structure made of radiation-resistant materials that can withstand the lunar environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite materials consisting of a non-pneumatic tire structure made from radiation-resistant materials combined with a wheel assembly. This composite structure provides both mechanical support and protection against solar radiation while maintaining functionality in extreme temperature variations.
2Strength
If conventional steel non-pneumatic tires are used, then the tires can support lunar temperatures, but the steel becomes weak and brittle at temperatures as low as 25 K
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the material parameters by selecting materials specifically engineered to maintain their mechanical properties at cryogenic temperatures. The non-pneumatic tire structure uses materials whose strength and ductility parameters remain stable even at 25 K, avoiding the brittleness issue of conventional steel.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs composite materials that combine the structural integrity needed for load support with the low-temperature toughness required for lunar conditions. This composite approach allows the tire to maintain both strength and ductility in the extreme cold environment.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the non-pneumatic tire uses interlaced helical springs, then the tire can support increased weight and adjust to terrain, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The invention incorporates dynamic elements through the interlaced helical spring structure, which allows the non-pneumatic tire to adapt its shape and contact area with the terrain. The springs can flex and reconfigure under different loads and surface conditions, providing automatic terrain adaptation without complex control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The tire structure is segmented into multiple interlaced helical spring units that can independently deform and adjust. This segmentation allows each spring to respond to local terrain variations while collectively providing overall terrain adaptability and load distribution.
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 provides a tire with enhanced strength, durability, and adaptability, supporting higher loads and longer distances with improved traction and reduced vibration, while maintaining structural integrity in extreme temperatures, thus addressing the limitations of conventional tires in lunar exploration.
Implementation Method 1
Each helical spring includes a first end portion, a second end portion, and an arching middle portion interconnecting the first end portion and the second end portion
Implementation Method 2
This non-pneumatic tire was woven from music wire, which was robust to lunar temperature variations and solar radiation, operated in vacuum, and did not require air for load support. This structure further functioned to contour to the lunar terrain, which facilitated traction
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly has a wheel and a nonpneumatic tire. The nonpneumatic tire includes a plurality of helical springs. Each helical spring includes a first end portion, a second end portion, and an arching middle portion. Each helical spring being is interlaced with at least one other helical spring thereby forming a laced toroidal structure extending about an entire circumference of the nonpneumatic tire. The toroidal structure supports an entire load placed on the nonpneumatic tire. The plurality of helical springs are constructed of a predetermined material that maintains strength and ductility down to 17 K.