Proper maintenance way for the multifunctional windows

Recent developments have helped create windows that can fulfill their contrary functions effectively in addition to generating energy, which are known as multifunctional windows. Permanent maintenance is required for windows to achieve their functions properly, but the current window cleaning methods can harm and are not appropriate for the recently developed multifunctional windows. The author presents a suggested multifunctional window and sheds light on the disadvantages that could be accomplished when using the current methods to clean it. Using analytical and logical methods, this paper shows the proper way of the multifunctional window maintenance. This way depends on the self-cleaning features. The author proposes a solution for the disadvantages that could accompany that features. The main result is the validity of a successful multifunctional window that can be maintained with minimum disadvantages and maximum efficiency. Therefore, this study contributes to the window industry by presenting the proper way of maintaining multifunctional windows. Thus, future maintenance research should be redirected properly to conserve and benefit the efforts spent in impropriate directions and technologie

Control strategies for cleaning robots in domestic applications: A comprehensive review:

Service robots are built and developed for various applications to support humans as companion, caretaker, or domestic support. As the number of elderly people grows, service robots will be in increasing demand. Particularly, one of the main tasks performed by elderly people, and others, is the complex task of cleaning. Therefore, cleaning tasks, such as sweeping floors, washing dishes, and wiping windows, have been developed for the domestic environment using service robots or robot manipulators with several control approaches. This article is primarily focused on control methodology used for cleaning tasks. Specifically, this work mainly discusses classical control and learning-based controlled methods. The classical control approaches, which consist of position control, force control, and impedance control , are commonly used for cleaning purposes in a highly controlled environment. However, classical control methods cannot be generalized for cluttered environment so that learning-based control methods could be an alternative solution. Learning-based control methods for cleaning tasks can encompass three approaches: learning from demonstration (LfD), supervised learning (SL), and reinforcement learning (RL). These control approaches have their own capabilities to generalize the cleaning tasks in the new environment. For example, LfD, which many research groups have used for cleaning tasks, can generate complex cleaning trajectories based on human demonstration. Also, SL can support the prediction of dirt areas and cleaning motion using large number of data set. Finally, RL can learn cleaning actions and interact with the new environment by the robot itself. In this context, this article aims to provide a general overview of robotic cleaning tasks based on different types of control methods using manipulator. It also suggest a description of the future directions of cleaning tasks based on the evaluation of the control approaches

Dry-Ice Blasting of Auto Robotic Assemblies

Welding robots are extensively applied in the automotive assemblies and Spot Welding is the most common welding application practiced in the auto stamping assembly manufacturing. Though adaptive resistance welding control automatically compensates to keep production and quality up to the levels needed as welding gun tips undergo wear so that the welds remain reliable; the system cannot compensate for deterioration caused by the slag and spatter on the part holding fixtures, sensors, and gun tips. To cleanse welding robots of slag and spatter, dry-ice blasting has proven to be an effective antidote. This paper describes Spot welding process, analyses the slag and spatter formation during robotic welding of stamping assemblies, and concludes that the dry ice blasting processs utility in cleansing of welding robots in auto stamping plant operations is preeminent

United Technologies Robotic Tool for Aircraft Rim Cleaning

Conventional systems for cleaning aircraft split rims waste millions of dollars in water and electrical resources annually. Team B.E.E.M. was tasked by the United Technologies Research Center (UTRC) in East Hartford, CT, with developing an alternative method for cleaning aircraft rims. To suit the needs of operation facilities under United Technologies Aerospace Systems, the product must reduce annual waste, maintain the current cleaning cycle time, and avoid damaging the anodized coating on the wheel rim’s surface. These design requirements are to be met with a fully automated system that implements laser ablation. Laser ablation is a no-contact process that vaporizes targeted materials, eliminates the use of water, and significantly reduces electrical wattage. The system design consists of a 1.0 KW Yttrium-fiber laser coupled with a collimator and galvanometer on the head of a robotic arm. The galvanometer aims at a rotating wheel to ablate the entire surface. Scaled testing with a 20-watt laser and five varying mixtures of dirt, grease, and carbon dust proved that an ablation system can clean up to 95% of the targeted dirt surface. A half-scale model of the loading system was developed to simulate the laser trajectory across the surface of the wheel rim and proved to be capable of reaching all surfaces, including the bolt and spoke holes. This report presents design specifications for the project, as well as research on optic technology and contamination found on an aircraft wheel rim. The team proposed 120 concepts as alternative methods for cleaning aircraft split rims, which were judged by the ability to satisfy parameters in a Quality Function Deployment analysis set by the United Technologies Research Center. Engineering analysis is provided for theoretical energy requirements for vaporizing contamination, the dynamics and structural integrity of the turntable, and the trajectory algorithm for the robotic manipulator. The design and production of the half-scale model are documented, along with additional redesign features. The laser parameters were verified through scaled tests at IPG Photonics in Oxford, Massachusetts, and the half-scale model was tested for covering the entire surface of the wheel rim. A financial analysis of the project proved to significantly reduce operation costs after a high initial cost. The Laser Ablation Robotic Rim Intensive Cleaner (LARRIC) has exceeded all design specifications outlined throughout this report. The LARRIC successfully met design considerations throughout the prototyping phase of product development. Further design considerations are provided in this report to optimize the system design and laser trajectory

Cleaning of Floating Photovoltaic Systems: A Critical Review on Approaches from Technical and Economic Perspectives

There are some environmental factors, such as ambient temperature, dust, etc., which cause a reduction in the efficiency of Photovoltaic (PV) systems. Installation of PV panels on the water surface, commonly known as Floating Photovoltaic (FPV) systems, is one solution to employ PV panels in a cooler environment, achieve higher efficiency, and reduce water evaporation. FPV systems open up new opportunities for scaling up solar generating capacity, especially in countries with high population density and valuable lands, as well as countries with high evaporation rates and water resources deficiency. Since the FPV system is an almost new concept, its cleaning techniques have not been comprehensively studied. While FPV systems are located on the surface of water resources and reservoirs, the water quality can limit the application of different cleaning techniques. Therefore, this paper investigates different techniques of FPV systems cleaning and categorizes them into water-based and water-free approaches. In addition, their cleaning frequencies, as well as economic aspects, are presented and discussed to determine their merits and demerits for using them in FPV system

M.I.N.G., Mars Investment for a New Generation: Robotic construction of a permanently manned Mars base

A basic procedure for robotically constructing a manned Mars base is outlined. The research procedure was divided into three areas: environment, robotics, and habitat. The base as designed will consist of these components: two power plants, communication facilities, a habitat complex, and a hangar, a garage, recreation and manufacturing facilities. The power plants will be self-contained nuclear fission reactors placed approx. 1 km from the base for safety considerations. The base communication system will use a combination of orbiting satellites and surface relay stations. This system is necessary for robotic contact with Phobos and any future communication requirements. The habitat complex will consist of six self-contained modules: core, biosphere, science, living quarters, galley/storage, and a sick bay which will be brought from Phobos. The complex will be set into an excavated hole and covered with approximately 0.5 m of sandbags to provide radiation protection for the astronauts. The recreation, hangar, garage, and manufacturing facilities will each be transformed from the four one-way landers. The complete complex will be built by autonomous, artificially intelligent robots. Robots incorporated into the design are as follows: Large Modular Construction Robots with detachable arms capable of large scale construction activities; Small Maneuverable Robotic Servicers capable of performing delicate tasks normally requiring a suited astronaut; and a trailer vehicle with modular type attachments to complete specific tasks; and finally, Mobile Autonomous Rechargeable Transporters capable of transferring air and water from the manufacturing facility to the habitat complex

Ground Robotic Hand Applications for the Space Program study (GRASP)

This document reports on a NASA-STDP effort to address research interests of the NASA Kennedy Space Center (KSC) through a study entitled, Ground Robotic-Hand Applications for the Space Program (GRASP). The primary objective of the GRASP study was to identify beneficial applications of specialized end-effectors and robotic hand devices for automating any ground operations which are performed at the Kennedy Space Center. Thus, operations for expendable vehicles, the Space Shuttle and its components, and all payloads were included in the study. Typical benefits of automating operations, or augmenting human operators performing physical tasks, include: reduced costs; enhanced safety and reliability; and reduced processing turnaround time