Efficient Module Transfers and Movements

EFFICIENT MODULE TRANSFERS AND MOVEMENTS

When there is a need for a module at a particular location in a matrix where there currently isn’t one, there is more that one way to get a module to that location. Figure 5a shows a matrix of modules. The top row has a module A at the left end on the diagram. The bottom row has an arbitrary sized series of modules connected together, including modules B, C, and D, along with some unlabeled modules. A module at the right end of the matrix on top of the bottom row is desired, so that there is a pattern arrangment that consists of having a module mounted on top of the module that happens to be labeled D. The labels identifying these modules are only abstract labels, for showing where the modules physically move to when they move around.

One techique of accomplishing this is to take module A and transfer it along the top of the bottom row matrix modules so that the matrix will have a module present at the desired location. Figure 5b shows the matrix with module A moved to the location where a module is desired in the matrix.

If the bottom row of modules is significantly long, there’s a faster and simpler way of getting the same pattern without the need of transferring module A from the left end of the top of the matrix all the way to the right end. This is achieved by placing module D on top of module C to get the matrix arranged in the desired pattern. This is simpler and quicker because it can be done in one move using a different module, instead of several moves based on the number of modules in the bottom row using module A. Figure 5c shows the matrix pattern when this technique is used. In this version, module A can be moved down to the left end of the bottom row if a specific pattern is required on this side.

This technique is beneficial for replacing failed or missing modules, or reshaping a matrix of modules, by significantly reducing the amount of time and energy that would have been consumed if this technique was not utilized. A matrix of modules can easily change from one shape or application to another one that is completely different with a minimal amount of effort by utilizing this technique for every module that needs to be moved into a position in the matrix.

Energy Recovery Method

ENERGY RECOVERY METHOD

It is possible to recover some of the energy that is expended to vertically move a module. Figure 14a shows a matrix of modules with a single module in the left-most column, shaded blue, and the 2nd from left column of modules are shaded green; these green modules will be used to raise the blue module, and to do this they will actuate the legs that connect to the blue module by pivoting it with an electric motor as they relay it to each other from one module to the one above it.

A module that is shaded green expends energy by actuating to raise the blue module; to indicate that a green module has done this it will be changed to red. Figure 14b shows the 2nd from left module in the bottom row lifting the blue module, which is also connecting to the 2nd from left module in the 2nd from bottom row for repeating the cycle.

As the blue module is raised by the 2nd column of modules each one of these modules expended some energy. All of these modules in the 2nd from left column that were green are now red to indicate that they expended energy after the blue module reached the top row of the matrix, as shown in Figure 14c. Here kinetic energy was converted to potential energy.

Some of the energy that was expended to raise the blue module can be recovered when it gets lowered back down to the bottom of the matrix. Figure 14d shows the blue module beginning its trip back down to the bottom, and it also indicates that the modules in the 2nd column that were red turn back to green as they pass the blue module down to the module below it, in the 2ndform left column, to indicate that energy was retrieved from the process of converting potential energy to kinetic energy with the use of gravity.

This energy can be recovered by using the same electric motor in the actuator that was used to raise the blue module by each of the modules in the 2nd from left column of modules in the matrix as a generator. This process could be used to recharge the same power sources that provided the energy to raise the blue module. This is beneficial because it both saves energy and reduces an undesired build up of heat waste.