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Autonomous Shipboard Cleaning System
Navy SBIR 2009.2 - Topic N092-123 NAVSEA - Mr. Dean Putnam - [email protected] Opens: May 18, 2009 - Closes: June 17, 2009 N092-123 TITLE: Autonomous Shipboard Cleaning System TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Ground/Sea Vehicles ACQUISITION PROGRAM: LCS Program, PMS 501, ACAT 1 OBJECTIVE: Develop a state-of-the-art Autonomous Shipboard Cleaning System (ASCS), processes and technology that will significantly reduce shipboard manning requirements and overall operating cost. DESCRIPTION: Currently, the cleaning of all naval shipboard spaces is performed manually. The task is very laborious, requiring numerous man hours and manpower to perform on a daily basis. As the Navy shifts to smaller crew sizes, it is imperative that workload requirements be correspondingly reduced so that personnel can perform their tasks in a more timely and efficient manner. Current state-of-the-art, commercial, autonomous cleaning systems utilized in industry have proven to reduce workload and staffing requirements by as much as 85%. However, the current state-of-the-art industrial autonomous cleaning system technologies are bulky and have a limited mobility in confined spaces, as would be encountered onboard naval vessels; are heavy and not easily portable; have spray and wet functions that are not designed to prevent the delivery of excess liquid around electrical or sensitive equipment items; have not been designed or tested for pitch and roll handling; and are neither self powered nor energy efficient. The proposed topic seeks to develop a unique, innovative, integrated and autonomous system(s) addressing and performing cleaning functions such as cleaning floors, walls, overheads and counters. Proposed concepts should be self powered, lightweight, and energy efficient to support optimized crew sizes and reduce labor intensive functions at sea. Concepts will be developed with a modular, open systems architecture approach to permit life-cycle upgrading and flexibility for inclusion of various commercial technologies and systems. Proposed concepts should address the need and/or ability to provide computer-controlled sensors and operating mechanisms able to function in all shipboard environments; withstand shipboard motions and vibrations; able to function within areas of the ship such as, passageways, fan rooms, foodservice spaces, hanger bays, office areas and crew habitability spaces: able to auto-adjust to accommodate various floor, wall and ceiling surfaces such as, tile, carpet, terrazzo and non-skid, etc. The system should automatically determine the areas to be cleaned and suggest a cleaning schedule that the operator can refine. The self-powered system is envisioned to include, energy saving technology, ergonomic utility and safety features, interchangeable cleaning devices, onboard docking stations for recharging the self powered system, programmable operator controls, manual over rides, and machine self-diagnostics. The proposed concept will be deployed as a workload reducing system for use aboard LCS and could be extended to all naval vessels. PHASE I: Demonstrate the feasibility of the development of an automated shipboard cleaning system concept for Navy surface ships that will eliminate the current labor intensive manual function of shipboard daily cleaning of floors, walls and counters. Perform bench top experimentation where applicable to demonstrate concepts. Complete preliminary design that addresses the needs as identified above and identifies the ensuing manning reductions, projected life cycle costs, quality of life impacts and performance in naval shipboard environments. PHASE II: Develop, demonstrate and fabricate a prototype as identified in Phase I. In a laboratory environment, demonstrate that the prototype meets the performance goals established in Phase I. Define maintenance procedures, system diagnostics and prognostics, and project life-cycle costs. Characterize interface restrictions and circumstances for the new system(s) and address both legacy and future naval vessel implementations. Develop a Phase III installation, testing, and validation plan that address shock, vibration and electromagnetic interference (EMI) requirements unique to a shipboard environment. PHASE III: Working with government and industry, construct a full-scale prototype and install onboard a selected Navy ship. Document manpower reduction, life-cycle cost projections, maintenance requirements, impacts and interfaces with other ship systems. Complete the development effort, plan logistical support, and begin manufacturing initial production and procurement. Private Sector Commercial Potential/Dual-Use Applications: Cruise ships that currently utilize technologically advanced smart technologies. Cargo ships, hospitals, schools, and all institutional service providers in the commercial sector could benefit from the integration of the automated shipboard cleaning system technologies and approaches, as could Military Sea Lift Command and U.S. Coast Guard ships. US Navy shore-side and other governmental, institutional, and commercial installations could benefit from the automation and other technologies used to reduce manpower and streamline system operation and efficiency. The additional ability to employ an automated cleaning system within a confined space (shipboard) area will appeal to the commercial sector as a cost effective space optimization measure. The commercial sector always looks for inventive ways to cut its number one cost, labor. The insertion of automated cleaning systems has already shown a huge reduction in labor cost in the dairy business, and other food production and manufacturing industries. REFERENCES: 2. NAVMEDCOM P-5010 Manual of Preventive Medicine, Chapters 1 & 2 3. MIL-STD-167, Mechanical Vibrations of Shipboard Equipment 4. MIL-STD-461, Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) KEYWORDS: cleaning; automation; autonomous; reduced manning; man to machine; machine to machine;
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