Implicit lunar dust mitigation technology: compliant mechanisms

Budzyń, D. , Zare-Behtash, H. , Cowley, A. and Cammarano, A. (2023) Implicit lunar dust mitigation technology: compliant mechanisms. Acta Astronautica, 203, pp. 146-156. (doi: 10.1016/j.actaastro.2022.11.042)

Abstract

The finest fraction of the lunar regolith, namely the lunar dust, poses a challenge for hardware design and lunar operations. The Apollo missions experienced equipment malfunctions and failures due to dust interactions with hardware. In this work we focus on the problems related to the clogging of rigid body mechanisms. We explain the causes of the problem and propose a solution consisting of replacing traditional mechanisms with compliant mechanisms. There are multiple methods for synthesizing compliant mechanisms, but two approaches are most commonly used: analytical design and topology optimization. In this paper using a compliant gripper as an example, the suitability of these methods to design compliant mechanisms used in extra-vehicular activities is investigated. In doing so, the feasibility of using complaint mechanisms in the lunar equipment as part of dust mitigation strategies for surface projects is also demonstrated.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: This project is co-funded by the European Space Agency through ExPeRT - Exploration Preparation, Research and Technology program under the grant number ESA AO/1-10811/21/NL/MG/idb.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Budzyn, Dorota and Zare-Behtash, Dr Hossein and Cammarano, Dr Andrea
• Authors: Budzyń, D., Zare-Behtash, H., Cowley, A., and Cammarano, A.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Autonomous Systems and Connectivity; College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Systems Power and Energy
• Journal Name: Acta Astronautica
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 0094-5765
• ISSN (Online): 1879-2030
• Published Online: 24 November 2022
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2022 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Acta Astronautica 203: 146-156
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License