Our Thought Process
LIM stands for Linear Induction Magnets, and they are primarily used to accelerate heavy objects quickly. They are used at Universal Studios in both California and Orlando to accelerate the train cars up a steep incline at over
The general way that they operate is by placing an electromagnet on a device and two electromagnets on a stationary object. The object placed on the device stays at the same field (positive or negative) and the two stand alone magnets change polarity, so one might be attracting the device and then it begins to repel it.
This is useful in our rover. We placed four LIM magnet systems in strategic positions around our rove.
Take this scenario for example:
Our rover is traveling along when suddenly it comes across a crater. Before descending into it, the LIM magnets slowly move into position, just touching the surface of the moon. They push further into the surface as the rover reaches a steeper grade on the crater.
In a more likely scenario, our rover is traveling around a crater, but it is doing so on a steep edge, and even the dragging of the LIM magnets in the moon-dust is not able to keep it steady, then, suddenly, the rover tips over and rolls down the side of the crater. The communications arrays, camera mounts and extendable arm are not damaged but are covered in soft white moon dust, but the rover is laying on its back, and cannot move. The LIM system comes in handy at this point.
It cam adjust the weight and then flip by pounding the magnets into the ground. Then our rover can continue to travel along the surface of the moon.
How LIM’s work
Saving our rover