Self-propelled automatic chassis of Lunokhod-1: History of creation in episodes

doi:10.1007/s11465-016-0370-5

Front. Mech. Eng.

2016, Vol. 11

Issue (1) : 60-86 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11465-016-0370-5

REVIEW ARTICLE

Self-propelled automatic chassis of Lunokhod-1: History of creation in episodes

Mikhail MALENKOV(

)

Science and Technology Center “ROCAD” CJSC, Polytechnical University, Saint-Petersburg, Russia

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Abstract

This report reviews the most important episodes in the history of designing the self-propelled automatic chassis of the first mobile extraterrestrial vehicle in the world, Lunokhod-1. The review considers the issues in designing moon rovers, their essential features, and the particular construction properties of their systems, mechanisms, units, and assemblies. It presents the results of exploiting the chassis of Lunokhod-1 and Lunokhod-2. Analysis of the approaches utilized and engineering solutions reveals their value as well as the consequences of certain defects.

Keywords moon rover self-propelled chassis propulsion wheel suspension soil properties cross-country ability

Corresponding Author(s): Mikhail MALENKOV

Online First Date: 23 February 2016 Issue Date: 02 March 2016

Cite this article:

Mikhail MALENKOV. Self-propelled automatic chassis of Lunokhod-1: History of creation in episodes[J]. Front. Mech. Eng., 2016, 11(1): 60-86.

URL:

https://academic.hep.com.cn/fme/EN/10.1007/s11465-016-0370-5
https://academic.hep.com.cn/fme/EN/Y2016/V11/I1/60

Fig.1 V. S. Starovoitov (1919–2001) [24]

Fig.2 A. L. Kemurdjian (1921–2003) [24]

Fig.3 Leading specialists of space studies, 1971 [37]

(Left to right) top row: N. E. Bechvay, B. V. Gladkih, V. M. Tarasov, V. V. Gromov, A. I. Egorov, V. V. Grinev, V. Lashkov, V. N. Petriga and G. N. Korepanov; middle row: V. I. Komissarov, I. I. Rozentsveyg, V. K. Mishkinyuk, A. F. Kudryavtsev, B. V. Mitin, P. S. Sologub, R. L. Byhovskaya, V. I. Egorov, M. N. Pligin, B. P. Zarubin, and B. M. Lubenko; bottom row: A. P. Bravchuk, L. O. Vaysfeld, L. N. Polyakov, M. B. Shvartsburg, A. L. Kemurdzhian, A. F. Solovev, M. I. Malenkov, and A. M. Nosov

Fig.4 Layout of the moon craft in accordance with the N1-L3 project [12]

1–Moon landing unit; 2–Rocket unit E; 3–Cosmonaut cabin; 4–Life support system units; 5–Observation device; 6–Attitude engine unit; 7–Radiators of the temperature-control system; 8–Docking unit

Fig.5 Autograph of S. P. Korolev (the abbreviations are given below with a detailed transcription) reference [12]

The calculation of the moon craft landing should be made for quite hard soil of pumice type

Vertical speed is ≈ 0?m/sec when going down at h=1 m+

Lateral speed should be almost ≈ 0 m/s

28th of October, 1964 S. P. Korolev

Fig.6 Main block of VNII-100—VNIITransmash in Gorelovo (courtesy of VNIITransmash)

Fig.7 Tank testing area of VNII-100 with the first models of the moon rover: (a) With wheeled running gear and (b) with tracked running gear (courtesy of VNIITransmash)

Fig.8 (a) Landing unit of Luna-13 station in deployed configuration; (b) soil measuring penetrometer with a pushed-out indenter [4]

Fig.9 Experimental assembly of R-1: (a) Scheme; (b) photograph (courtesy of VNIITransmash)

1–Supporting block of the tested gear pair; 2–Kinematic pair; 3–Magnetic coupling; 4–Electric motor; 5–Sensors of temperature; 6–Sealings; 7–Pressure-sealed connectors; 8–Torsional spring; 9–Tested gear pair

Fig.10 Scheme of the self-propelled chassis in conjunction with the Lunokhod-1 container (courtesy of VNIITransmash)

1–Left wheel unit; 2–Right wheel unit; 3–Right carrier; 4–Pallet of the container;?5–Left carrier; 6–Container; 7–Cross-country ability assessment device; 8–Chassis automation control unit

Fig.11 Scheme of the integration of the self-propelled chassis with the sealed container (plan view) (courtesy of VNIITransmash)

1–Left block of wheels; 2–Right block of wheels; 3–Right carriers; 4–Sensor of roll and trim; 5–Left carriers; 6–Cables; 7–Device for cross-country ability estimation equipped with 9th wheel; 8–Automatic unit of chassis; V–Direction of forward locomotion; v–Direction of extreme wheels sliding during turning to the right; B–Track; L–Wheel base

Fig.12 Motor-in-wheel module of Lunokhod-1 self-propelled chassis (drawing by V. V. Grinev) [1]

1–Middle hoop; 2–Lug; 3–Outermost hoop; 4–Net; 5–Jet propulsion; 6–Carrier; 7–Fasciculate torsional bar; 8–Balance of the suspension; 9–Reaction arm; 10–Electric traction drive; 11–Spoke; 12–Wheel hub

Fig.13 (a) Block of the motor-in-wheels of the moon rover’s self-propelled chassis; (b) a fragment of a rigid wheel spindle layout after running trials (photo of an exhibit at the museum of VNIITransmash, courtesy of VNIITransmash)

Fig.14 Beam torsion bar: Length 185 mm, rod diameter 8.5 mm [1]

Fig.15 Traction drive kinematic diagram [4]

1−Wheel center; 2−Gearbox housing (epicycle); 4−Rocker; 5−Reaction arm; 6−Brake; 7−Second row of the three-row planetary gearbox; 8−Lock release mechanism; 9−Terminal flexible seal

Fig.16 Motor-in-wheel of Lunokhod-1 (drawing by V. V. Grinev) [1]

1−Hoop; 2−Net; 3−Hub of wheel; 4−Sensor of rotations; 5−Bearings of the hub of the wheel; 6−Balance of suspension; 7−Labyrinth packing; 8−Bearings of the balance; 9−Reaction arm; 10−Pressure-sealed connector; 11−Electric motor; 13−Brake; 14−Epicycle; 15−Three-lane planetary reduction gear; 16−Releasing mechanism; 17−Hollow output shaft with plane of weakness; 18−End seal

Fig.17 Chassis automation control unit of Lunokhod-1 (courtesy of VNIITransmash)

Fig.18 Simplified and macro flowchart of BASh in the remote control structure [1]

Fig.19 Cross-country ability assessment device in transport position (courtesy of VNIITransmash)

1−Upper head; 2−Measuring wheel movement mechanism; 3−Measuring (free rolling) wheel; 4−Lower head; 5−Cone and blade die; 6−Upper wheel movement mechanism

Fig.20 Dependence of the introduction efforts of the depth and type of a surface cover [4]

p−Force/N; H−Immersion depth/cm; 1−Stone destruction; 2−Yield of solid rocks; 3−Soil with increased porosity; 4−Homogeneous soil layer; 5−Layer of loose soil on a solid foundation; 6−Homogeneoues extremely loose soil

Fig.21 Self-propelled chassis of the rover on PSI stand (courtesy of VNIITransmash)

Fig.22 Installation of the test object and loader on the inside part of the TEC-250 chamber flange [4]

Fig.23 Fragment of the annular channel of soil with rail track for truck maintenance and full-size partially dynamically similar test mule of the lunar rover [3]

Fig.24 Ways to simulate the center of gravity of such static full-size mock-ups: Additional mass 1 at the top of the mast, increasing the height of the point of application of thrust on the hook [8]

Fig.25 Fragment of the full-length running tests with a statically similar layout on steep slopes in the area of the volcano Tolbachik on Kamchatka [37]

Fig.26 Remote control drawing of L. N. Polyakov (courtesy of VNIITransmash)

Fig.27 Driver V. G. Dovgan controlling remotely at TsDKC (courtesy of V. G. Dovgan)

Fig.28 Lunokhod-1, 3D model. (a) Front view; (b) rear view (design by D. V. Sidorov)

1−Radiator of a cold contour; 2−Gain antenna (ONA); 3−ONA drives; 4−Corner reflector; 5−Camera slow-scan TV; 6−Device for determining the chemical composition of the soil (RIFMA); 7−Propelled chassis, starboard; 8−Container; 9−Gauge of the lunar vertical; 10−Panoramic camera of vertical scanning; 11−Solar panel; 12−Wide-beam antenna; 13−A cover of the pressurized compartment; 14−Lifting drive pressurized compartment cover; 15−Whip antenna (4 pieces); 16−Radioisotope heater unit; 17−Screen block heater; 18−The ninth freely rolling (dimensional) wheel; 19−Mechanical penetrometer (device for cross-country ability evaluation); 20−A bearing pallet of the container; 21−Self-propelled chassis, left side; 22−Panoramic camera of horizontal scanning

Fig.29 Fragment of the panorama (horizontal scan) of the Moon near the landing station Luna-17 (bright spot on the horizon at the end of the track) and the first tracks on the Moon [1]

Tab.1 Main design and performance characteristics

Tab.1

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