Patent Description:
Vehicles in different environments being used for different applications may become coated with dust, gravel, and other debris. In a space application, for example, an extraterrestrial vehicle may be caked with regolith (i.e., loose debris) or soil from a planetary surface. An extraterrestrial vehicle, often referred to as a rover, is a vehicle that is used on the surface of a planet other than Earth. An extraterrestrial vehicle may be manned or may be unmanned and operated autonomously or via remote control. In addition, an extraterrestrial vehicle may have wheels or other mechanisms for movement such as tracks, for example. An extraterrestrial vehicle may be used to transport astronauts and collect soil and other samples, among other things. "<NPL>, discloses a method for shaking solar panels on a spacecraft in order to remove the dust. <CIT> discloses an extraterrestrial vehicle with a piezoelectric drive, and vibrating piezoelectric elements in the chassis which help alleviate and get rid of the binding of the moon dust.

In one embodiment, a system for use on a planetary surface includes ridges arranged parallel to each other. The ridges support a weight of an extraterrestrial vehicle rolling over the ridges. The system also includes a base to maintain a relative position of the ridges to each other and a controller to control one or more of the ridges to vibrate.

Additionally or alternatively, the base is flexible to conform to the planetary surface.

Additionally or alternatively, the base is rigid.

Additionally or alternatively, the ridges are non-planar such that a height of at least one of the ridges is different than a height of at least another of the ridges.

Additionally or alternatively, the ridges are planar such that each of the ridges has a same height.

Additionally or alternatively, the ridges are hollow.

Additionally or alternatively, the ridges are solid.

Additionally or alternatively, a cross-sectional shape of the ridges is circular, rectangular, triangular, or trapezoidal.

Additionally or alternatively, a distance between adjacent ones of the ridges is uniform.

Additionally or alternatively, a distance between adjacent ones of the ridges is non-uniform.

In another embodiment, a method of assembling a system for use on a planetary surface includes arranging ridges parallel to each other. The ridges support a weight of an extraterrestrial vehicle rolling over the ridges. The method also includes configuring a base to maintain a relative position of the ridges to each other and coupling a controller to control one or more of the ridges to vibrate.

Additionally or alternatively, the configuring the base includes the base being flexible to conform to the planetary surface.

Additionally or alternatively, the configuring the base includes the base being rigid.

Additionally or alternatively, the arranging the ridges includes arranging non-planar ridges such that a height of at least one of the ridges is different than a height of at least another of the ridges.

Additionally or alternatively, the arranging the ridges includes arranging planar ridges such that each of the ridges has a same height.

Additionally or alternatively, the arranging the ridges includes arranging hollow ridges.

Additionally or alternatively, the arranging the ridges includes arranging solid ridges.

Additionally or alternatively, the arranging the ridges includes a cross-sectional shape of the ridges being circular, rectangular, triangular, or trapezoidal.

Additionally or alternatively, the arranging the ridges includes a distance between adjacent ones of the ridges being uniform.

Additionally or alternatively, the arranging the ridges includes a distance between adjacent ones of the ridges being non-uniform.

Embodiments of the systems and methods detailed herein relate to dust removal from a vehicle. As previously noted, vehicles may become coated in dust, debris, and the like. Anything that coats or adheres to the vehicle is generally referred to herein as dust. As also noted, an extraterrestrial vehicle refers to a manned or unmanned vehicle that is used on the surface of a planet other than Earth. An extraterrestrial vehicle and a system for use on a planetary surface are specifically discussed for explanatory purposes. However, the dust loosening detailed herein may be applicable to any vehicle in any environment. Movement on a planetary surface, whether by an extraterrestrial vehicle or an astronaut in an extravehicular mobility unit (EMU), can generate a dust cloud that adheres to the extraterrestrial vehicle or EMU. Planetary dust (e.g., regolith, soil) has been found to cause scar tissue in lungs and may be linked with brain cancer, and Martian dust has been found to be toxic. Based on its density and volume, the dust may inhibit smooth movement of the extraterrestrial vehicle over time. Additionally, the dust may settle in electronics and cause malfunctions.

According to one or more embodiments, dust is essentially shaken off the extraterrestrial vehicle by driving over a dust loosening system. Loosening the dust to allow it to fall off the extraterrestrial vehicle is accomplished by driving the extraterrestrial vehicle onto and over a set of ridges, at least one of which may be vibrating. The ridges may be non-planar (i.e., have non-uniform heights) and may be formed of hollow tubes or solid rods of different cross-sectional shapes. The dust loosening system may be rolled or folded for easy transport into the planetary environment, as well as transport by the extraterrestrial vehicle for use at any time.

<FIG> illustrates an exemplary dust loosening system <NUM> for dust removal from an extraterrestrial vehicle <NUM> according to one or more embodiments. The dust loosening system <NUM> includes ridges <NUM> that are arranged parallel to each other. As shown, the cross-sectional shapes of the ridges <NUM> are square or rectangular. The parallel arrangement of the ridges <NUM> is perpendicular to the direction of travel of the extraterrestrial vehicle <NUM>, as indicated. The bumpiness resulting from the extraterrestrial vehicle <NUM> traveling over the ridges <NUM> may shake off dust from the extraterrestrial vehicle <NUM>.

As shown, the ridges <NUM> are separated from each other by a distance d and the ridges <NUM> are non-planar. That is, adjacent ridges <NUM> have different heights. Specifically, two different heights h1, h2 are shown for the ridges <NUM>. The different heights may increase the bumpiness and, thus, enhance the dust removal. In alternate embodiments, the ridges <NUM> may be planar (i.e., have the same height) or may have any number of different heights. In addition, the distance d between adjacent ridges <NUM> may not be the same. The arrangement of the ridges <NUM> is maintained by a base <NUM>. In the exemplary illustration of <FIG>, the base <NUM> is flexible and solid like a mat. Thus, the base <NUM> and ridges <NUM> may roll or fold for transport and storage. For example, the dust loosening system <NUM> may be carried on the extraterrestrial vehicle <NUM> and the astronauts may roll or fold out the base <NUM> for use as needed. The flexibility of the base <NUM> allows the base <NUM> to conform to the planetary surface, as shown.

A controller <NUM> is shown connected to one of the ridges <NUM>. In alternate embodiments, the controller <NUM> may be connected to any number of ridges <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may be battery-powered or may be powered via a power cable <NUM> connected to the extraterrestrial vehicle <NUM>, as shown, or a fixed source. The controller <NUM> controls one or more ridges <NUM> to vibrate according to known techniques (e. g, applies mechanical or acoustic stimulus). The controller <NUM> may change the frequency of vibration based on a level of dust or the type of extraterrestrial vehicle <NUM>, for example. The frequency change may be performed automatically based on sensors (e.g., camera) or may be manually set by an astronaut. The vibration may further increase dust removal from the extraterrestrial vehicle <NUM>. The extraterrestrial vehicle <NUM> may pause on the dust loosening system <NUM> during the vibration of the ridge <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates another exemplary dust loosening system <NUM> for dust removal from an extraterrestrial vehicle <NUM> according to one or more embodiments. While the view in <FIG> is a side view, the view in <FIG> is a top-down view illustrating the parallel arrangement of the ridges <NUM>. While the base <NUM> shown in <FIG> is solid, the base <NUM> shown in <FIG> includes flexible connectors (e.g., chains) or rigid connectors (e.g., beams). In the exemplary case of rigid connectors, an angled base <NUM> and dust loosening system <NUM> (i.e., a ramp) may be achieved. As indicated, the controller <NUM> is connected to four of the ridges <NUM> and may control one or more of the ridges <NUM> to vibrate.

According to the exemplary embodiment, the distance d2 between each pair of ridges <NUM> that vibrate and the distance <NUM>*d1 between the pairs may be selected such that the wheels of the extraterrestrial vehicle <NUM> may be parked on the vibrating ridges <NUM>, as shown. The extraterrestrial vehicle <NUM> may traverse the dust loosening system <NUM> more than once. For example, the extraterrestrial vehicle <NUM> may park, as shown, to allow vibration of the ridges <NUM> to loosen dust during one cycle. The extraterrestrial vehicle <NUM> may then driver across all the ridges <NUM> without stopping during a subsequent cycle.

<FIG> are cross-sectional views of ridges <NUM> of a dust loosening system <NUM> for dust removal from a extraterrestrial vehicle <NUM> according to one or more embodiments. The material and dimensions of the ridges <NUM> are selected to support the weight of the extraterrestrial vehicle <NUM> without deformation. Exemplary materials include stainless, aluminum, and composites that provide the requisite strength to support the weight of the extraterrestrial vehicle <NUM> while facilitating easy transport through light weight. <FIG> shows a solid circular cross-sectional shape (i.e., rod) for the ridges <NUM>. In order to achieve a non-planar dust loosening system <NUM>, the diameter of some of the ridges <NUM> may be changed or the shape of some of the ridges <NUM> may be changed (e.g., may be oval). That is, all of the ridges <NUM> of a given dust loosening system <NUM> may not have the same cross-sectional shape.

<FIG> shows a hollow circular cross-sectional shape (i.e., pipe) for the ridges <NUM>. While the cross-sectional shapes of the ridges <NUM> in <FIG> may be solid, the cross-sectional shape of the ridge <NUM> shown in <FIG> is a hollow rectangle. <FIG> shows a trapezoidal cross-sectional shape for the ridges <NUM> and <FIG> shows a triangular cross-sectional shape. The exemplary cross-sectional shapes are not intended to limit alternate or additional cross-sectional shapes that may be used for the ridges <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A system for use on a planetary surface, the system being characterized by:
ridges (<NUM>) arranged parallel to each other, wherein the ridges are configured to support a weight of an extraterrestrial vehicle (<NUM>) rolling over the ridges;
a base (<NUM>) configured to maintain a relative position of the ridges (<NUM>) to each other; and
a controller (<NUM>) configured to control one or more of the ridges (<NUM>) to vibrate.