Self-Leveling Payload Container Anchoring on Unprepared Sloped Sites
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Solution Overview
Problem
The need to deploy modular infrastructure at remote and difficult sites with varying soil conditions, where site preparation is impractical or impossible, while ensuring anchorage and level-state maintenance with minimal workforce, and the ability to install and level payload structures autonomously or remotely.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for Rapid Deployment Robotic Self-Installing and Self-Leveling Payload Containers (RDR-PC) equipped with an RDR-SISL Kit, allowing autonomous or remote-controlled installation and leveling on sites with slopes up to 45 degrees, using actuation systems, gravitational forces, and surveying technology for accurate guidance of linear and rotational actuators, dual-direction telescoping hardware, and mechanical fasteners.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional construction systems are used for site preparation, then site clearance, grading and soils compaction can be performed, but it becomes impractical, costly and impossible at remote and difficult sites
Solution Approach 1:
The Payload Container is equipped with autonomous robotic systems that perform foundation installation and leveling operations independently without requiring external construction equipment or workforce. The container uses its own integrated actuators, drilling mechanisms, and surveying equipment to prepare and anchor itself to the site, eliminating the need for conventional site preparation services
Solution Approach 2:
The construction system is divided into modular functional components including drilling actuators, anchor installation mechanisms, leveling systems, and surveying equipment that can be independently deployed and operated. Each module performs a specific function in the foundation installation process, allowing the system to operate in remote locations without requiring complete construction equipment sets
2Adaptability or versatility
If Payload Containers are deployed to remote sites with varying soil conditions, then deployment flexibility is improved, but anchorage stability becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The foundation anchorage system uses dynamically adjustable actuators that can modify drilling depth, anchor configuration, and fastening force based on real-time soil condition feedback. The system adapts its installation parameters to match varying soil conditions, ensuring optimal anchorage stability for each specific deployment location
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated surveying equipment continuously monitors soil conditions, container levelness, and anchor installation progress, providing real-time feedback to the control system. This feedback loop enables the system to adjust its operations to maintain anchorage stability across different soil types and conditions
3Ease of operation
If workforce presence is minimized for foundation anchorage and leveling, then operational cost and complexity are reduced, but installation precision and control become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Manual measurement and leveling operations are replaced with automated laser surveying equipment and electronic level sensors that continuously monitor container orientation and position. The robotic actuators receive precise positioning commands from the surveying system, eliminating the need for manual measurement while achieving higher precision than human operators could provide
Solution Approach 2:
The container performs its own leveling and anchorage operations using integrated robotic systems that autonomously execute installation sequences. The system self-corrects positioning errors and adjusts anchor depths without requiring external workforce intervention, maintaining precision through automated control algorithms
4Productivity
If rapid deployment is achieved without site preparation, then deployment time is reduced, but foundation anchorage quality may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The Payload Container arrives pre-equipped with all necessary foundation installation equipment including drilling actuators, anchor components, and surveying instruments. This preliminary preparation allows the container to immediately begin anchorage operations upon arrival without requiring external equipment setup or site preparation, achieving rapid deployment without compromising anchorage quality
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic foundation installation system operates continuously from the moment the container is positioned on the site, performing drilling, anchor installation, and leveling operations in an uninterrupted sequence. This continuous operation eliminates delays between preparation and installation phases while maintaining consistent anchorage quality through automated process control
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 rapid deployment of modular infrastructure on challenging sites with minimal site preparation, achieving stable anchorage and level-state maintenance, suitable for various environments including off-world deployments, with flexibility in arrival methods and tolerance for difficult terrain.
Implementation Method 1
using actuation systems, gravitational forces, and surveying technology for accurate guidance of linear and rotational actuators
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and Systems provide for a Rapid Deployment Robotic Self-Installing and Self-Leveling Payload Structure (hereinafter, “RDR-PC”) anchors a payload structure to site with no prior site preparation. The RDR-PC is ideal for remote, and/or difficult installations-whether on/off world-where deployment/development speed is critical and prior access to site is impractical, limited, or impossible. Leave-no-trace removal of the same system is achieved by reverse process.