Investigation Robot on Cables

International audienceThe Decontamination and Decommissioning (D&D) Operations take place in hostile environments to the human intervention. In this context, robotic systems are a solution to achieve these operations while minimizing human intervention. Among these operations, the monitoring of lengthwise plant has to be performed in places where the radioactive contaminations make hostile environments. These monitoring operations need to measure several physics parameters in several locations in a precise and safe manner. These repetitive tasks can be made by robots that are simple, small sized and easily adaptable. In this scope, a robotic system on cables has been designed to control and monitor the inside of lengthwise nuclear facilities. In lengthwise installations, the using of cables allows to increase the covered zone of the robots which is an essential quality in such places. Unlike cable-driven parallel robots used in workspaces of 2D or 3D controlled by redundant tensioning motors, the current robot moves in a 1D workspace. Thus a tractors cable controlled by one tensioning motor is used to drive the robot on carrier cables. In this paper, we will describe the first results of this work by bringing out the innovation of our system. Then, we will discuss the perspective to upgrade the actual system whose applications could be perfectly imagined outside the nuclear D&D industry

Conclusions and implications of automation in space

Space facilities and programs are reviewed. Space program planning is discussed

Robotics for nuclear power plants - Challenges and future perspectives

Use of robotics and computerized tools in Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs) has been identified as a highly recommended practice by IAEA. The key rationale of robotics application has always been to avoid human exposure to hazardous environments and tasks ranging from scrutiny and general maintenance to decontamination and post accidental activities. To execute these activities, robots need to incorporate artificial intelligence, improved sensors capability, enhanced data fusion and compliant human like leg and hand structures for efficient motions. Next generation robotic systems in NPPs are expected to work in full autonomous mode in contrast to the current semi-autonomous scenarios. Far future systems could deploy humanoid robots as well. This paper presents state-of-theart of robotics developed for NPPs, associated challenges and finally comments on future directions

Nonterrestrial utilization of materials: Automated space manufacturing facility

Four areas related to the nonterrestrial use of materials are included: (1) material resources needed for feedstock in an orbital manufacturing facility, (2) required initial components of a nonterrestrial manufacturing facility, (3) growth and productive capability of such a facility, and (4) automation and robotics requirements of the facility

Projektiranje i implementacija sustava upravljanja robotskim manipulatorom za udaljeno ispitivanje zavara na reaktorskim posudama

In this paper a design and implementation of a remote control system of a manipulator for weld inspection of nuclear reactor vessels are described. Based on the client-server TCP/IP software architecture, the presented control system enables an operator to perform the entire inspection procedure remotely over a network, avoiding exposure to dangerous radiation normally present in nuclear reactor environments. The developed graphical user interface provides tools for planning weld scan trajectories, their verification on a robot and reactor vessel 3D model, and finally, execution of planned trajectories on a remote robot. In addition, the weld inspection process can be monitored in parallel on a virtual robot and reactor vessel model and by watching live video streams captured by two cameras mounted on the robot.U ovom radu opisan je postupak projektiranja i implementacije sustava za udaljeno upravljanje robotskim manipulatorom koji služi za ispitivanje zavara na posudama nuklearnih reaktora. Opisani sustav temelji se na komunikacijskoj arhitekturi tipa TCP/IP klijent-poslužitelj, te omogućuje provedbu cjelokupnog postupka ispitivanja na daljinu, bez potrebe izlaganja opasnoj radijaciji koja je uobičajeno prisutna u okruženju nuklearnog reaktora. Postupak ispitivanja provodi se korištenjem razvijene programske aplikacije, koja putem grafičkog korisničkog sučelja operateru nudi alate za planiranje potrebnih trajektorija, njihovu provjeru na virtualnom 3D modelu posude i manipulatora, te izvršavanje na udaljenom manipulatoru. Operateru je također omogućen uvid u trenutno zbivanje u posudi tijekom cijelog postupka ispitivanja, paralelnim praćenjem virtualne 3D scene, te video slika s dvije specijalne kamere ugrađene na manipulatoru

Small business innovation research. Abstracts of completed 1987 phase 1 projects

Non-proprietary summaries of Phase 1 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) projects supported by NASA in the 1987 program year are given. Work in the areas of aeronautical propulsion, aerodynamics, acoustics, aircraft systems, materials and structures, teleoperators and robotics, computer sciences, information systems, spacecraft systems, spacecraft power supplies, spacecraft propulsion, bioastronautics, satellite communication, and space processing are covered

Technology for the Future: In-Space Technology Experiments Program, part 2

The purpose of the Office of Aeronautics and Space Technology (OAST) In-Space Technology Experiments Program In-STEP 1988 Workshop was to identify and prioritize technologies that are critical for future national space programs and require validation in the space environment, and review current NASA (In-Reach) and industry/ university (Out-Reach) experiments. A prioritized list of the critical technology needs was developed for the following eight disciplines: structures; environmental effects; power systems and thermal management; fluid management and propulsion systems; automation and robotics; sensors and information systems; in-space systems; and humans in space. This is part two of two parts and contains the critical technology presentations for the eight theme elements and a summary listing of critical space technology needs for each theme