Other
Scientific paper
Jan 2000
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2000heds.conf..154g&link_type=abstract
Third Annual HEDS-UP Forum, p. 154
Other
Mars Surface, Mining, Mineral Exploration, Mars (Planet), Functional Design Specifications, Regolith, Rocks
Scientific paper
The engineering problem presented in this report is that of a Mars mining vehicle. We feel that our design has met or exceeded most, if not all, of the criteria set forth by NASA and ourselves. We believe that this design is the best out of all those considered. We have come to this conclusion through discussions and interactions with mentors and others in the field. We never completely ruled out any design, but rather took parts and ideas from all of our previous designs. Our final design is loosely based on an earth-based dragline and is composed of six subsystems: The frame will house the mechanical and computer subsystems, providing them protection from the 100+ degree temperature range and highly windy atmosphere, which would jam our machine with sand. It is also the support for the boom. The mechanical subsystem consists of two motors, two spools of cable, and a dual clutch unit. The function of this system is to rotate the boom and retract/release cables of the bucket. By using only two motors to operate our entire system, we reduced the number of moving parts, increasing its reliability. The boom will be a triangular tube that is six meters long. Its function is to support the cabling and the bucket and protect the pulleys from sand thrown by windstorms. Low wind resistance will be obtained by keeping the boom slender. The bucket, having dimensions of 20 cm x 20 cm x 30 cm, will collect regolith from the surface of Mars. There will be three cables in our design, functioning to retract the bucket and as a cantilever support system for the boom. The cables are strong, yet thin and lightweight. The bucket is unique in its design because it makes the machine highly efficient by carrying more regolith than needed to meet the requirement. Another feature of the bucket is its recessed top, which allows it to flip over large rocks when caught. Due to the buckets size it could flip over once per hour, dumping its load, and still meet its quota of regolith. The computer will be a matchbox-sized pc that will control the functions of the entire system. It will be protected from the atmosphere and any radiation encountered on Mars. It was designed and developed at Stanford university and is perfectly suited for our system because of its lightweight and compact size. Our sorting system will be capable of separating fine material from regolith greater than 1 mm by running it through several different sorting mechanisms. These systems will last 500 days with minimal clogging problems and are reliable because the rotating drum is self-cleaning. This mining system design is reliable because it is made of durable materials and has few moving parts and is, therefore, less prone to breakdown or malfunction. It is simple and easily constructed, limiting the chances of error during operation. It is also highly efficient because it is capable of gathering more regolith than necessary.
Bazin A.
Crowe K.
Gross John
Knecht B.
Marlatt William
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