Characterization of Structural, Volume and Pressure Components to Space Suit Joint Rigidity

Holschuh, Brad; Waldie, James; Hoffman, Jeff; Newman, Dava

doi:10.4271/2009-01-2535

Cited by 16 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…In most cases, the volume change is the main source of joint resistance torque [5] . For this reason, it is a crucial factor that maintains a constant internal volume in the joint structure design.…”

Section: The Source Of Spacesuit Joint Torquementioning

confidence: 99%

An Investigation on the Configuration of Spacesuit Soft Joints

Liu¹,

Liu²

2015

Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Civil, Materials and Environmental Sciences

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Abstract-The mobility joint is of critical importance for the spacesuit to move from place to place. Especially, the joint configuration has a significant impact on spacesuit flexibility. This paper classifies the most commonly used soft joints of spacesuits into three types, namely for convolute joints, wrinkling joints and hybrid joints, based on the structure features. Sequentially, the structure characteristics and abilities to maintain constant volume are analyzed for all types of joints.

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Section: The Source Of Spacesuit Joint Torquementioning

confidence: 99%

An Investigation on the Configuration of Spacesuit Soft Joints

Liu¹,

Liu²

2015

Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Civil, Materials and Environmental Sciences

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“…Unmanned measurements have the advantage of minimizing anthropometric variables, uncertainties, and inconsistencies between subjects. However, as the largest component of the torque is from pressurized volume effects 3 , and as the human body takes up most of the free volume within a space suit thereby drastically reducing the total volume that can potentially change during joint movement, it is unclear how realistically an unmanned joint torque measurement predicts the manned joint torque. The exact total volume occupied by the robot is not known, but it is comparable in size to a 1.9 m tall human.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Quantifying the volume of the robot in relation to the statistical variation of human volumes is recommended. 14 , and negative pressure vacuum chamber testing (right) 3 Additionally, in a manned joint, the human body comes in contact with the space suit internally during joint motion, which affects how the joint bends. An unmanned joint can shift its axis in ways that a manned joint cannot.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Structural effects are caused by the stiffening of suit materials when pressurized. Volume effects result from changes in internal suit volume during joint articulation (i.e., the work needed to complete an ideal, isobaric compression) 3 . Pressure effects represent additional resistance to movement caused by changes in internal pressure when the suit volume is decreased (i.e., the additional work, above and beyond that required for ideal isobaric compression, spent because suit pressure changes during internal volume change).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Robotic Joint Torque Testing: A Critical Tool in the Development of Pressure Suit Mobility Elements

Meyen

Holschuh

Kobrick

et al. 2011

41st International Conference on Environmental Systems

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Pressure suits allow pilots and astronauts to survive in extreme environments at the edge of Earth's atmosphere and in the vacuum of space. One obstacle that pilots and astronauts face is that gas-pressurized suits stiffen when pressurized and greatly limit user mobility. As a result, a critical need exists to quantify and improve the mobility characteristics of pressure suits. A historical survey and critique of pressure-suit testing methodologies is first presented, followed by the results of recent pressure suit testing conducted at the MIT Man-Vehicle Laboratory (MVL). MVL researchers, in cooperation with the David Clark Company (Worcester, MA), used an anthropometrically-realistic robotic space suit tester to quantify pressure suit mobility characteristics of the S1034 Pilot Protective Assembly (PPA), a pressure suit worn by U-2 pilots. This suit was evaluated unpressurized, at a vent pressure of 5.5 kPa (0.8 psi), and at an emergency gauge pressure of 20.7 kPa (3 psi). Joint torque data was collected for elbow flexion/extension, shoulder flexion/extension, shoulder abduction/adduction, and knee flexion/extension motions. The aim of this study was to generate a robust baseline mobility database for the S1034 PPA to serve as a point of comparison for future pressure suit designs, and to provide recommendations for future pressure garment testing.

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“…However, traditional gas-pressurized suits are notoriously inflexible. Gas pressurization causes stiffening of the soft suit materials, and changes in internal volume and pressure caused by deformation of the suit joints during movement force the astronaut to expend energy every time he or she bends the suit away from its equilibrium position [3][4] . Mechanical counter-pressure (MCP) space suits have the potential to greatly improve the mobility of astronauts as they conduct planetary exploration activities.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Materials and Textile Architecture Analyses for Mechanical Counter-Pressure Space Suits using Active Materials

Holschuh

Obropta

Buechley

et al. 2012

AIAA SPACE 2012 Conference &Amp; Exposition

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Mechanical counter-pressure (MCP) space suits have the potential to improve the mobility of astronauts as they conduct planetary exploration activities. MCP suits differ from traditional gas-pressurized space suits by applying surface pressure to the wearer using tight-fitting materials rather than pressurized gas, and represent a fundamental change in space suit design. However, the underlying technologies required to provide uniform compression in a MCP garment at sufficient pressures for space exploration have not yet been perfected, and donning and doffing a MCP suit remains a significant challenge. This research effort focuses on the novel use of active material technologies to produce a garment with controllable compression capabilities (up to 30 kPa) to address these problems. We provide a comparative study of active materials and textile architectures for MCP applications; concept active material compression textiles to be developed and tested based on these analyses; and preliminary biaxial braid compression garment modeling results. Nomenclature DEA= dielectric elastomer actuator EAP = electroactive polymer EMU = extravehicular mobility unit EVA = extravehicular activity MCP = mechanical counter-pressure NASA = National Aeronautics and Space Agency SMA = shape memory alloy SMP = shape memory polymer

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Characterization of Structural, Volume and Pressure Components to Space Suit Joint Rigidity

Cited by 16 publications

References 5 publications

An Investigation on the Configuration of Spacesuit Soft Joints

An Investigation on the Configuration of Spacesuit Soft Joints

Robotic Joint Torque Testing: A Critical Tool in the Development of Pressure Suit Mobility Elements

Materials and Textile Architecture Analyses for Mechanical Counter-Pressure Space Suits using Active Materials

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