The Boeing Company

James Michael Engle

Raju Dharmaraj

Patrick A Swartzell

Karl David Heiman

Travis Andrew Moseman

Thomas L Hoffman

Darby Grant Cooper

A habitation module with a gravity chamber that provides an artificial gravity environment. In one embodiment, the gravity chamber is annular and includes an outer cylindrical wall, an inner cylindrical structure, and opposing side walls that connect the outer cylindrical wall and the inner cylindrical structure. The gravity chamber attaches to a cylindrical core member of the habitation module with support bearings. The support bearing includes an inner race attached to the cylindrical core member, and an outer race attached to the gravity chamber. A drive mechanism drives the outer race of the support bearing to rotate the gravity chamber about an axis to simulate a gravitational force within the gravity chamber.

Gravity chamber for a habitation module that rotates on support bearings

A habitation module with a gravity chamber that rotates to provide an artificial gravity environment. In one embodiment, a portal chamber is installed adjacent to the gravity chamber and configured to rotate about the same axis. The portal chamber includes a brake mechanism to stop the rotation of the portal chamber, a first access opening for a crew member to pass between an interior of the habitation module and the portal chamber while rotation of the portal chamber is stopped, an engagement mechanism that engages the gravity chamber to rotate the portal chamber about the axis at a speed of the gravity chamber, and a second access opening for the crew member to pass between the portal chamber and the gravity chamber while the portal chamber rotates at the speed of the gravity chamber.

Portal chamber for entering or exiting a gravity chamber of a habitation module while the gravity chamber rotates

A habitation module with a gravity chamber that provides an artificial gravity environment. In one embodiment, the gravity chamber is annular and includes an outer cylindrical wall, an inner cylindrical structure, and opposing side walls that connect the outer cylindrical wall and the inner cylindrical structure. The gravity chamber attaches to an outer surface of a hull of the habitation module with support bearings. The support bearing includes an inner race attached to the outer surface of the hull, and an outer race attached to the gravity chamber. A drive mechanism drives the outer race of the support bearing to rotate the gravity chamber about an axis to simulate a gravitational force within the gravity chamber.

Gravity chamber that rotates on support bearings mounted on an outer surface of a hull of a habitation module

A habitation module with a gravity chamber that provides an artificial gravity environment. In one embodiment, the gravity chamber includes an outer cylindrical wall and opposing side walls. The gravity chamber attaches to a hull of the habitation module with support bearings. The support bearing includes an outer race attached to an inner surface of the hull, and an inner race attached to the gravity chamber. A drive mechanism drives the inner race of the support bearing to rotate the gravity chamber about an axis to simulate a gravitational force within the gravity chamber.

Gravity chamber that rotates on support bearings mounted on an inner surface of a hull of a habitation module

A habitation module with a gravity chamber that provides an artificial gravity environment. In one embodiment, the gravity chamber includes an inner cylindrical structure, outer wall segments that are attachable to one another to form an outer cylindrical wall, and opposing side walls having support members that are extendable. The gravity chamber has a first diameter when the support members are contracted, and has a larger second diameter when the support members are extended. The gravity chamber connects to the habitation module with rotating attachment members so that the gravity chamber rotates about an axis. The habitation module also includes an inflatable shell that encompasses the gravity chamber.

Growing community of inventors

Pearland, TX, United States of America

James Michael Engle