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Microgravity, Mesh-Crawling Legged Robots
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Date added: 09/01/2008 |
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The JPL Micro-Robot Explorer (MRE) Spiderbot is a robot that takes advantage of its small size to perform precision tasks suitable for space applications. The Spiderbot is designed and developed to demonstrate that
hexapods can walk on flat surfaces, crawl on meshes, and assemble simple structures. |
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Thermally Actuated Hydraulic Pumps
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Date added: 09/01/2008 |
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Conventional hydraulic pumps are very common in everyday life, and are typically powered by hand (automobile hydraulic jacks) or by electricity (power brakes,
garage lifts). The embodiments explained herein describe a thermal means to activate a hydraulic jack without the need for electricity or mechanical work. |
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FIDO-Class Development Rover
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Date added: 08/01/2008 |
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A low-cost rover test bed was developed that is functionally comparable to JPL's (e.g., FIDO-class) research rovers, in terms of natural terrain mobility and sensing modalities supporting similar perception, navigation, and control, at a small fraction of the price. It provides the ability to develop, integrate, and test rover technology algorithms and related software on a functionally relevant test bed. It provides a pathway for seamlessly porting and testing CLARAty-compliant software. |
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Dynamic Method for Identifying Collected Sample Mass
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Date added: 08/01/2008 |
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G-SAMPLE is an in-flight dynamical method for use by sample collection missions to identify the presence and quantity of sample material collected with the spacecraft end-effector. The G-SAMPLE method implements a maximum-likelihood estimator to identify the collected sample mass, based on onboard force sensor measurements, thruster firings, and a dynamics model of the spacecraft. |
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Safety Modification of Cam-and-Groove Hose Coupling
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Date added: 08/01/2008 |
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This modification can be retrofitted to
existing cam-and-groove coupling halves and does not interfere with most vendors’ cam lever locks that
prevent accidental cam lever actuation. This modification can be used with both compressible and
incompressible medium. |
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Axial Halbach Magnetic Bearings
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Date added: 07/01/2008 |
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This bearing concept includes a novel stator and rotor architecture, and a non-contact support system between
the stator and rotor using magnetic fields. The goal of the final design is a self-contained axial suspension
system free from mechanical couplings. The use of magnetic suspension minimizes concerns associated with traditional bearings, such as active lubrication and limited rotational speeds. |
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Variable-Structure Control of a Model Glider Airplane
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Date added: 07/01/2008 |
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It has long been known that the most effective spin recovery technique for fuselage-heavy aircraft is to use the ailerons to roll the aircraft into the spin. The objective of this paper is to explore this well-known spin recovery strategy using a recently-developed integrated toolset for modeling and analysis of highly dynamic aircraft motions. |
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Alignment-Insensitive Lower-Cost Telescope Architecture
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Date added: 06/01/2008 |
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The architecture features an active wavefront
sensing and control scheme along with methods for measuring the relative positions of the primary to aft
optics such as the secondary mirror. The scheme should enable larger and cheaper telescope architectures
needed for future applications. |
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Improved Descent-Rate Limiting Mechanism
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Date added: 06/01/2008 |
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The solution was created by the addition of a multiple groove high friction capstanning wheel to the center shaft and 1 or multiple idler sheaves used to rout the cord from one groove to the next. |
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Low-Impact Mating System for Docking Spacecraft
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Date added: 06/01/2008 |
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Innovation provides a modular and generic mating innovation that will reduce the risk associated with
spacecraft mating and enhance the U.S. capability to mate spacecraft in Earth orbit and beyond. |
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