Novel bio-inspired distributed actuator for space applications

Paper number

IAC-06-D1.1.06

Author

Prof. Carlo Menon, Simon Fraser University, Canada

Coauthor

Dr. Federico Carpi, University of Pisa, Italy

Coauthor

Prof. Danilo De Rossi, University of Pisa, Italy

Year

2006

Abstract

Animals and plants have a wide variety of sensors and actuators customized for particular purposes and uses. Some bio-perceptive systems have the particular characteristic to be distributed along surfaces and not localized in small areas. This feature makes it possible to have efficient actuators that do not influence the shape and the macroscopic characteristics of organs in which they are located. An example of distributed actuators concerns motile cilia that are almost never found alone and beat in coordinated waves attached to cell’s surfaces. In nature, they are employed for several applications. In the human trachea, for example, they sweep mucus and dirt out of the lungs. In the oviducts, the ovum is moved from the ovary to the uterus by beans of cilia. Another example of distributed mechanism is the peristaltic wave motion which enables the intestine to transport food and digest it.  Several other distributed systems exist in nature with multiple functions for the different uses.
Space systems usually rely on simple and reliable mechanisms since repair operations in space are risky and expensive. However, new emerging technologies will sensibly enhance performance of conventional systems while still meeting reliability requirements. This paper reviews existing engineering work related to distributed transport systems, assesses natural systems with potential for biomimicry of distributed actuation, identifies existing technologies suitable for incorporation in the design of a distributed actuation system, trades off the technologies that could successfully be employed, presents a novel design of a bio-inspired distributed system for particle and fluid transport, analyzes the performance of the proposed system and discusses its potential in several space applications. 
Actuators distributed and integrated on a surface find application on digging systems for particle transport. In fact, distributed actuators could be embedded on thin flexible tubes used to convey particles from underneath planetary surfaces. This solution could realise the complexity minimisation required of traditional systems, while providing an efficient new technology for use in space. Another application concerns the integration of distributed actuators on rover wheels in order to improve locomotion capabilities. A robotic end-effector designed to gather planets samples could be greatly simplified and miniaturized by the use of a distributed actuated sleeve. The delivery sample systems aimed at transporting and positioning samples to be analyzed in situ, could entirely relay on the novel technology proposed in this paper. Other space applications are envisaged and critically discussed in this paper considering the performance of the proposed novel bio-inspired distributed actuator.

Abstract document

IAC-06-D1.1.06.pdf

Manuscript document

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