Space Suit Joint Race Geometry With Ferrofluid Pressure Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Space suit ball bearings face challenges with hermetic sealing, friction losses, and race wear, especially in larger bearings, due to issues like radial and axial loading, which existing materials and geometries fail to adequately address, particularly in oxygen-rich environments where titanium is undesirable.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a space suit joint with a ferrofluid pressure seal and hybrid A/X type race geometry, featuring an angular offset of the centerline in both radial and axial directions, and a magnetic circuit embedded in the inner and outer races, which reduces friction and race wear while providing effective sealing against dust and regolith particles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If titanium is used for ball bearings to mitigate friction and wear, then bearing performance is improved, but flammability in oxygen-rich environments worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebearing performanceVSAvoidflammability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from titanium to stainless steel, which has different tribological properties but acceptable friction and wear performance while eliminating flammability concerns in oxygen-rich environments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a composite material system combining stainless steel for bearing components with specialized coatings and lubricants to achieve the required friction and wear resistance without using flammable titanium

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Force

If larger ball bearings are used for shoulder joints, then load capacity is improved, but friction forces worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload capacityVSAvoidfriction forces

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes geometric parameters including contact angles (15-30 degrees), race curvature radii, and ball diameter ratios to minimize friction while maintaining load capacity for large-scale shoulder bearings

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different surface treatments and lubrication strategies to specific zones of the bearing, optimizing local friction characteristics in high-stress areas while maintaining overall load-bearing capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Device complexity

If C type contact points are used in ball bearings, then structural simplicity is improved, but rotation difficulty worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebearing structureVSAvoidrotation difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from symmetric C-type contact points to asymmetric A-type and X-type contact point configurations with specific angular offsets, which distribute contact forces more effectively and reduce rotation resistance while maintaining reasonable structural complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

4Duration of action of moving object

If extended use of ball bearings is implemented, then operational duration is improved, but race wear worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational durationVSAvoidrace wear

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes race curvature radii and contact point angles to distribute stress more evenly across the race surface, significantly reducing wear rates and extending operational duration to meet space suit mission requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs advanced material combinations including stainless steel races with specialized coatings and lubricants that reduce wear while maintaining load capacity over extended operational periods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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

This configuration significantly reduces friction and race wear over long life cycles, achieves hermetic sealing with low leakage, and eliminates the need for separate dust sealing systems, enhancing the performance of space suit bearings under various loads without using hazardous materials like titanium.

Implementation Method 1

a magnetic circuit embedded in the inner and outer races

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

a ferrofluid pressure seal comprising an inner and outer race with a magnetic circuit embedded therein

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFerrofluid: Ferrofluid

Data Source

PatentUS11795998B2System and method for race geometry and pressure seal for use in space suits

Publication Date: 2023.10.24 HUGHES MILO

AI summary

According to various embodiments, a space suit joint is disclosed. The space suit joint includes a contact bearing having a plurality of contact points with an angular offset of a centerline in a radial direction and an angular offset from the centerline in an axial direction. The space suit joint further includes a ferrofluid pressure seal comprising an inner and outer race with a magnetic circuit embedded therein.