US 12,460,365 B2
Emitter array for a lunar rover
Satendra S. Guru, Owosso, MI (US); Felipe Cuellar-Ferreira, Madison Heights, MI (US); Babak Makkinejad, Troy, MI (US); Maria Rossana Ruiz, Detroit, MI (US); and Douglas James Spry, Auburn Hills, MI (US)
Assigned to GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC, Detroit, MI (US)
Filed by GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC, Detroit, MI (US)
Filed on Jan. 24, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/100,679.
Prior Publication US 2024/0247455 A1, Jul. 25, 2024
Int. Cl. E02D 3/11 (2006.01); B23K 26/06 (2014.01); B23K 26/324 (2014.01); G01N 21/21 (2006.01); G01S 7/48 (2006.01); G01S 17/08 (2006.01)
CPC E02D 3/11 (2013.01) [B23K 26/0608 (2013.01); B23K 26/324 (2013.01); G01N 21/21 (2013.01); G01S 7/4802 (2013.01); G01S 17/08 (2013.01)] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A lunar rover comprising:
a lunar rover body;
at least one wheel coupled with the lunar rover body;
a drive module coupled with the at least one wheel, the drive module configured to drive rotation of the at least one wheel over a surface;
an extension arm coupled to the lunar rover body;
an emitter array coupled to the extension arm;
a lidar sensor coupled with the extension arm, the lidar sensor configured to emit light signals and measure reflected light that returns to the lidar sensor; and
a controller electrically connected with the emitter array, the controller configured to,
control the emitter array to emit at least one of laser electromagnetic waves or maser electromagnetic waves towards the surface to sinter lunar regolith particles on the surface,
determine a distance from the emitter array to the surface according to reflected light that returns to the lidar sensor; and
adjust a power level of the emitter array according to the distance from the emitter array to the surface.