Spacesuit Cleaning Control Using Electronic Cleanliness Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cleaning systems for spacesuits, such as extravehicular mobility units (EMUs), are inefficient and inconsistent due to reliance on visual inspections and lack of precise control over cleaning solution application, often leaving unacceptable levels of debris on the suits.
Innovation Solution
A controller system using machine learning algorithms, including convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and reinforcement learning, generates electronic cleanliness measurements and protocols to automatically control cleaning systems, ensuring efficient and effective debris removal from EMUs by analyzing real-time sensor data and adjusting cleaning solution application accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If visual inspection is used to determine cleaning effectiveness, then the cleaning system is simple to operate, but the measurement precision and consistency of cleanliness assessment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual inspection with an automated electronic cleanliness measurement system that uses sensors and image processing to objectively assess debris levels on the EMU, eliminating human subjectivity and improving measurement precision while maintaining ease of operation through automated control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary electronic measurement system that acts as a mediator between the cleaning system and the operator, providing objective cleanliness data that guides cleaning operations without requiring direct visual inspection by the operator
2Device complexity
If cleaning solution application is not precisely controlled, then the device complexity is reduced, but the manufacturing precision and consistency of cleaning results deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of cleaning solution application where the cleaning system automatically adjusts solution flow rate, pressure, and distribution based on real-time electronic cleanliness measurements, ensuring precise and consistent cleaning results while adapting to varying contamination levels across different EMU surfaces
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes a feedback loop where electronic cleanliness sensors continuously monitor debris levels and provide real-time data to the control system, which then adjusts cleaning solution application parameters to achieve and maintain target cleanliness standards, ensuring consistent results without requiring overly complex manual control mechanisms
3Device complexity
If conventional cleaning systems are used without automated control, then the device complexity is lower, but the productivity and cleaning effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service cleaning system where the EMU is automatically assessed for cleanliness using electronic sensors and the cleaning system autonomously adjusts its operations based on measured contamination levels, eliminating the need for continuous manual intervention and significantly improving cleaning productivity and effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses feedback from electronic cleanliness measurements to automatically control cleaning system operations, enabling the system to self-regulate and optimize cleaning effectiveness without requiring complex manual oversight, thereby improving productivity while maintaining manageable device complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A controller operable to perform cleaning system control operations includes generating, using a processor system, a first electronic cleanliness measurement (ECM) associated with a cleaning target. Based at least in part on a determination that the first ECM exceeds a threshold, the processor system is used to generate a first cleaning system protocol. The processor system executes the first cleaning system protocol to control a cleaning system operable to clean debris from the cleaning target.