Castable Bulk Metallic Glass Strain Wave Gears: Towards Decreasing the Cost of High-Performance Robotics

The use of bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) as the flexspline in strain wave gears (SWGs), also known as harmonic drives, is presented. SWGs are unique, ultra-precision gearboxes that function through the elastic flexing of a thin-walled cup, called a flexspline. The current research demonstrates that BMGs can be cast at extremely low cost relative to machining and can be implemented into SWGs as an alternative to steel. This approach may significantly reduce the cost of SWGs, enabling lower-cost robotics. The attractive properties of BMGs, such as hardness, elastic limit and yield strength, may also be suitable for extreme environment applications in spacecraft

Castable Bulk Metallic Glass Strain Wave Gears: Towards Decreasing the Cost of High-Performance Robotics

The use of bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) as the flexspline in strain wave gears (SWGs), also known as harmonic drives, is presented. SWGs are unique, ultra-precision gearboxes that function through the elastic flexing of a thin-walled cup, called a flexspline. The current research demonstrates that BMGs can be cast at extremely low cost relative to machining and can be implemented into SWGs as an alternative to steel. This approach may significantly reduce the cost of SWGs, enabling lower-cost robotics. The attractive properties of BMGs, such as hardness, elastic limit and yield strength, may also be suitable for extreme environment applications in spacecraft

Conception d'architectures évolutives de systèmes : pour des systèmes complexes adaptables, régénératifs et intelligents à l'ère du changement climatique : principes, flux de travail rapides et méthodologies d'ingénierie des systèmes pour la conception, l'optimisation et la mise en oeuvre d'architectures de systèmes multidisciplinaires ultra-performantes sans héritage

This thesis explores new systems engineering design needs for evolutive systemarchitectures (eSAR), which are a subset of a new generation of complex hardware-basedsystems, within a context defined by global design stressors such as resource scarcity, andcomplexity. These evolutive system are highly adaptable, aiming towards resourceregeneration, and presenting a highly intelligent baseline. Based upon an extensive literaturereview highlighting key gaps on state-of-the-art design engineering and system engineeringtechniques, a full cycle evolutive development methodology (eSARD) is presented inspiredby natural evolution mechanisms while addressing heritage, and better systemperformances. The holistic eSARD method tackles design, implementation, systemoperations, and overall system optimization of an eSAR.Cette thèse explore les nouveaux besoins de conception d'ingénierie des systèmes pour lesarchitectures de système évolutives (eSAR), qui sont un sous-ensemble d'une nouvellegénération de systèmes matériels complexes, dans un contexte défini par des facteurs destress de conception globaux tels que la rareté des ressources et la complexité. Cessystèmes évolutifs sont hautement adaptables, visant la régénération des ressources etprésentant une base de référence très intelligente. Sur la base d'une vaste revue de lalittérature mettant en évidence les principales lacunes dans les techniques d'ingénierie deconception et d'ingénierie système de pointe, une méthodologie de développement évolutifà cycle complet (eSARD) est présentée, inspirée des mécanismes d'évolution naturelle touten abordant le patrimoine et de meilleures performances du système. La méthode holistiqueeSARD aborde la conception, la mise en oeuvre, les opérations système et l'optimisationglobale du système d'un eSAR

Conception d'architectures évolutives de systèmes : pour des systèmes complexes adaptables, régénératifs et intelligents à l'ère du changement climatique : principes, flux de travail rapides et méthodologies d'ingénierie des systèmes pour la conception, l'optimisation et la mise en oeuvre d'architectures de systèmes multidisciplinaires ultra-performantes sans héritage

This thesis explores new systems engineering design needs for evolutive systemarchitectures (eSAR), which are a subset of a new generation of complex hardware-basedsystems, within a context defined by global design stressors such as resource scarcity, andcomplexity. These evolutive system are highly adaptable, aiming towards resourceregeneration, and presenting a highly intelligent baseline. Based upon an extensive literaturereview highlighting key gaps on state-of-the-art design engineering and system engineeringtechniques, a full cycle evolutive development methodology (eSARD) is presented inspiredby natural evolution mechanisms while addressing heritage, and better systemperformances. The holistic eSARD method tackles design, implementation, systemoperations, and overall system optimization of an eSAR.Cette thèse explore les nouveaux besoins de conception d'ingénierie des systèmes pour lesarchitectures de système évolutives (eSAR), qui sont un sous-ensemble d'une nouvellegénération de systèmes matériels complexes, dans un contexte défini par des facteurs destress de conception globaux tels que la rareté des ressources et la complexité. Cessystèmes évolutifs sont hautement adaptables, visant la régénération des ressources etprésentant une base de référence très intelligente. Sur la base d'une vaste revue de lalittérature mettant en évidence les principales lacunes dans les techniques d'ingénierie deconception et d'ingénierie système de pointe, une méthodologie de développement évolutifà cycle complet (eSARD) est présentée, inspirée des mécanismes d'évolution naturelle touten abordant le patrimoine et de meilleures performances du système. La méthode holistiqueeSARD aborde la conception, la mise en oeuvre, les opérations système et l'optimisationglobale du système d'un eSAR

Conception d'architectures évolutives de systèmes : pour des systèmes complexes adaptables, régénératifs et intelligents à l'ère du changement climatique : principes, flux de travail rapides et méthodologies d'ingénierie des systèmes pour la conception, l'optimisation et la mise en oeuvre d'architectures de systèmes multidisciplinaires ultra-performantes sans héritage

Cette thèse explore les nouveaux besoins de conception d'ingénierie des systèmes pour lesarchitectures de système évolutives (eSAR), qui sont un sous-ensemble d'une nouvellegénération de systèmes matériels complexes, dans un contexte défini par des facteurs destress de conception globaux tels que la rareté des ressources et la complexité. Cessystèmes évolutifs sont hautement adaptables, visant la régénération des ressources etprésentant une base de référence très intelligente. Sur la base d'une vaste revue de lalittérature mettant en évidence les principales lacunes dans les techniques d'ingénierie deconception et d'ingénierie système de pointe, une méthodologie de développement évolutifà cycle complet (eSARD) est présentée, inspirée des mécanismes d'évolution naturelle touten abordant le patrimoine et de meilleures performances du système. La méthode holistiqueeSARD aborde la conception, la mise en oeuvre, les opérations système et l'optimisationglobale du système d'un eSAR.This thesis explores new systems engineering design needs for evolutive systemarchitectures (eSAR), which are a subset of a new generation of complex hardware-basedsystems, within a context defined by global design stressors such as resource scarcity, andcomplexity. These evolutive system are highly adaptable, aiming towards resourceregeneration, and presenting a highly intelligent baseline. Based upon an extensive literaturereview highlighting key gaps on state-of-the-art design engineering and system engineeringtechniques, a full cycle evolutive development methodology (eSARD) is presented inspiredby natural evolution mechanisms while addressing heritage, and better systemperformances. The holistic eSARD method tackles design, implementation, systemoperations, and overall system optimization of an eSAR

Fabrics in Space Architecture: History and Examples of Textile Architecture for Advance Space Habitats

No abstract availabl

Inhabiting Cosmos, the Field of Space Architecture

No abstract availabl

Virtual Construction of Space Habitats: Connecting Building Information Models (BIM) and SysML

Current trends in design, construction and management of complex projects make use of Building Information Models (BIM) connecting different types of data to geometrical models. This information model allow different types of analysis beyond pure graphical representations. Space habitats, regardless their size, are also complex systems that require the synchronization of many types of information and disciplines beyond mass, volume, power or other basic volumetric parameters. For this, the state-of-the-art model based systems engineering languages and processes - for instance SysML - represent a solid way to tackle this problem from a programmatic point of view. Nevertheless integrating this with a powerful geometrical architectural design tool with BIM capabilities could represent a change in the workflow and paradigm of space habitats design applicable to other aerospace complex systems. This paper shows some general findings and overall conclusions based on the ongoing research to create a design protocol and method that practically connects a systems engineering approach with a BIM architectural and engineering design as a complete Model Based Engineering approach. Therefore, one hypothetical example is created and followed during the design process. In order to make it possible this research also tackles the application of IFC categories and parameters in the aerospace field starting with the application upon the space habitats design as way to understand the information flow between disciplines and tools. By building virtual space habitats we can potentially improve in the near future the way more complex designs are developed from very little detail from concept to manufacturing

Random Access Frames (RAF): Alternative to Rack and Standoff for Deep Space Habitat Outfitting

A modular Random Access Frame (RAF) system is proposed as an alternative to the International Standard Payload Rack (ISPR) for internal module layout and outfitting in a Deep Space Habitat (DSH). The ISPR approach was designed to allow for efficient interchangeability of payload and experiments for the International Space Station (ISS) when frequent resupply missions were available (particularly the now-retired Space Shuttle). Though the standard interface approach to the ISPR system allowed integration of subsystems and hardware from a variety of sources and manufacturers, the heavy rack and standoff approach may not be appropriate when resupply or swap-out capabilities are not available, such as on deep space, long-duration missions. The lightweight RAF concept can allow a more dense packing of stowage and equipment, and may be easily broken down for repurposing or reuse. Several example layouts and workstations are presented