Vibratory Burrowing Probe for Low-Gravity Regolith Penetration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing burrowing probe technologies face challenges in efficiently penetrating granular materials, particularly in low gravity conditions, due to high overhead forces and payload limitations, with prior research focusing on ultrasonic and percussive methods that do not fully address the need for efficient subsurface exploration in space and inaccessible terrestrial environments.
Innovation Solution
A vibratory burrowing probe that incorporates a vibratory mechanism with non-longitudinal vibrations, utilizing a combination of piezoelectric actuators to impart lateral and stirring vibrations, reducing penetration resistance through transverse vibration components, and asynchronous actuator operation to enhance penetration efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional burrowing probes use only axial force for penetration, then the mechanism is simple, but the overhead force required is excessively high and penetration efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies mechanical vibration to the probe tip to reduce penetration resistance. The vibratory mechanism generates oscillations that fluidize the granular material ahead of the probe, reducing friction and allowing easier penetration with lower overhead force. This directly addresses the contradiction by using vibration to improve productivity while reducing the force required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of the granular material through vibration-induced fluidization. By altering the parameters of the material (from static granular to fluidized state), the probe can penetrate more efficiently with reduced force requirements. This parameter change resolves the contradiction between penetration efficiency and force requirement.
2Force
If ultrasonic vibration is applied to reduce penetration force, then penetration efficiency improves, but the device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a vibratory mechanism that generates mechanical oscillations at the probe tip. While this adds device complexity, it significantly reduces the peak axial force required for penetration by fluidizing the granular material. The complexity is justified by the substantial force reduction achieved.
Solution Approach 2:
The vibratory mechanism employs periodic oscillations to repeatedly fluidize the granular material ahead of the probe. This periodic action allows the probe to maintain lower penetration forces through continuous cycles of fluidization and penetration, balancing the added device complexity with sustained force reduction.
3Force
If high amplitude vibration is used to fluidize regolith, then penetration force reduction is maximized, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies vibration at an amplitude that is sufficient to achieve fluidization and force reduction, but not excessively high. This partial action approach optimizes the balance between penetration force reduction and power consumption, using just enough vibration to achieve the desired effect without wasting energy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes vibration parameters (amplitude, frequency) to achieve the minimum necessary fluidization effect. By carefully controlling these parameters, the system achieves adequate penetration force reduction while minimizing power consumption, rather than using maximum amplitude vibration.
4Weight of moving object
If the probe operates in low gravity conditions, then payload mass requirements are reduced, but the probe's weight provides insufficient penetration force
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses mechanical vibration to generate the necessary penetration force in low gravity conditions where the probe's weight is insufficient. The vibration-induced fluidization compensates for the reduced gravitational force, allowing the probe to penetrate effectively despite its low mass and weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces reliance on gravitational force (mechanical system based on weight) with a vibration-based mechanism. In low gravity, where weight-based penetration fails, the vibratory system substitutes the missing force by fluidizing the material dynamically, enabling penetration without sufficient probe weight.
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 vibratory mechanism significantly reduces the overhead force required for penetration by fluidizing the surrounding regolith, allowing the probe to penetrate deeper and more efficiently, even in low gravity conditions, by effectively transferring vibration energy to the granular material.
Implementation Method 1
a vibratory mechanism operably coupled to the probe tip and operable, in at least one mode of operation, to impart non-longitudinal vibration thereto
Implementation Method 2
The vibratory mechanism significantly reduces the overhead force required for penetration by fluidizing the surrounding regolith
Implementation Method 3
utilizing a combination of piezoelectric actuators to impart lateral and stirring vibrations
Data Source
AI summary
A compact vibratory burrowing probe, particularly beneficial in low gravity space exploration environments, uses lateral or stirring-like vibrations to fluidize a surrounding regolith, thereby decreasing the penetration resistance, and compensating for the light overhead weight to improve the burrowing action of the probe into the surface of the terrain of explored moons, planets, or asteroids. Included is a novel vibratory mechanism capable of imparting the novel lateral or stirring vibration, as well as a more conventionally oriented longitudinal vibration.