Regolith Particle Separation Using Stick-Slip Conveyance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mechanisms for sorting regolith or particulate materials, such as sieve shakers, often become clogged and require manual intervention, hindering autonomous operations on extraterrestrial bodies.

Innovation Solution

A particle separation device utilizing a 'stick-slip' conveyance method with vectored forces and tunable springs to separate particles based on size, shape, and mass, combined with a computing platform for classification and sorting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If sieve shakers and filtering mechanisms are used to separate particles by size, then particle separation is achieved, but the screens become clogged requiring manual intervention

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparticle separation accuracyVSAvoidscreen clogging resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical sieve shakers with a computing platform that uses image processing and machine learning algorithms to identify and classify particles. This substitution eliminates physical screens that can clog, while maintaining accurate particle separation through digital analysis of particle images captured by cameras or sensors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates digital copies (images) of particles and analyzes these copies to determine particle characteristics and separation categories. This allows the system to perform separation decisions based on digital representations rather than physical filtration, avoiding clogging issues while maintaining classification accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Ease of repair

If manual intervention is implemented to resolve sieve clogging, then screen functionality is restored, but autonomous operation capability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescreen maintenance capabilityVSAvoidautonomous operation level

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

By replacing the mechanical sieve system with a computing-based classification system, the patent eliminates the need for manual screen maintenance. The automated image processing and machine learning algorithms continuously operate without human intervention, achieving both ease of operation and high automation level simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The computing platform performs self-maintenance by continuously processing particle images and adapting its classification algorithms without requiring human intervention. The system automatically handles all separation tasks, making it truly autonomous for extraterrestrial applications where human access is limited.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If conventional sieve mechanisms are used for particle sorting, then particle separation is achieved, but the system requires manual intervention and increased maintenance intervals

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparticle sorting throughputVSAvoidmaintenance time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical sieves with a computing platform that processes particle images through machine learning algorithms. This eliminates maintenance downtime entirely, as there are no physical screens to clean or replace, while maintaining high sorting throughput through rapid image processing and classification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The computing-based system enables continuous particle classification without interruption for maintenance. The algorithms process particle images continuously as they are captured, eliminating the downtime associated with screen cleaning and replacement in traditional sieve systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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

Enables efficient, autonomous separation and classification of regolith particles without clogging, suitable for extraterrestrial environments.

Implementation Method 1

A particle separation device utilizing a 'stick-slip' conveyance method with vectored forces and tunable springs to separate particles based on size, shape, and mass

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectStick-slip phenomenon: Stick-slip Phenomenon

Implementation Method 2

A particle separation device utilizing a 'stick-slip' conveyance method with vectored forces and tunable springs to separate particles based on size, shape, and mass

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS12496616B2Automated particle separation extracted from soil including regolith associated with any geologic environment

Publication Date: 2025.12.16 ICON TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

Various embodiments relate generally to soil and particulate science and data analysis thereof, computer software and systems, and control systems and algorithms based on characteristics of subsets of particulate graph-based data arrangements, among other things, and, more specifically, to a computing and a mechanical platform configured to identify and classify particles in, for example, any regolith from any planetary soil environment, and further dispense with classified particles in accordance with a classification, such as forming a base materials for any planetary construction.