initial concept

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The Art-tic Circle

<rupert> Art-tic Circle is a six-cell organism. Each cell may survive for a limited period isolated from other cells, but will work optimally when fused to form the Art-tic Circle, where each cell contributes resources of its specialised function. The organism is able to grow by the addition of other single cells that may contribute specialised resources. Once reached sufficient size it may divide and operate independently. It is also able to continually fuse with other complete six-cell organisms, or single cells, to form a super organism. Consequently, the super organism may swap material and divide again, and migrate to a new location.

A key point of the Art-tic Circle is limiting the impact of the movement of snow, minimising the formation of wind scoops, sastrugi and prevention of snow build-up on the structure. The concept places the base itself as a dynamic living organism, which adapts to the environment optimising energy absorption and protecting itself from harsh conditions by being mobile. Movement allows it to find optimal locations and positioning for operation.

Each cell is light enough to be transported over difficult terrain and can be added to the organism by three people. The Art-tic Circle is designed to live on water and to survive through the transitions from sea to sea-ice to sea. The cells can be deployed by ship at sea, either onto ice or calm oceans where they can be assembled and towed to an operation site. Towing may be over water, or mires (achieved by natural buoyancy), ice, snow, or track (by attachment of tracks/skis). Due to the light weight of modular units the cells may also be moved by helicopter.

Internal cell structures and functions may evolve independently of the cell wall and membranes, allowing multiple independent evolutionary paths of function. Long term evolution of the cell membrane and walls allows for larger and more complex cells to still fuse with primitive cells.

THE CELL WALL AND MEMBRANE

[caption id="attachment_1606" align="alignleft" width="557" caption="a baisc cell "][/caption]

The cell wall and membrane is a standardised mass produced structure containing the following key elements:

The Wall:

The wall insulated shell and end plates.

[caption id="attachment_1607" align="alignleft" width="106" caption="sealed lower compartment"][/caption]

Sealed air tight lower compartment (basement)

The basement acts as buoyancy and depending on the cells function, it can also be used for fresh water storage as well as grey and black water processing. The cavity may be used for general storage and such as liquid fuels and other supplies.

The liquid storage facilities also act as heat capacitors, by making use of the high heat capacity of water, all excess energy generated is used for heating water. This facility also acts as a smelter by the introduction of snow/ice into the cavity. The liquid flooded basement also acts as a “damper� for oscillations generated by high winds.

[caption id="attachment_1609" align="alignleft" width="100" caption="Access Hatch"][/caption]

Access Hatch:

Allow human access to basement level.

[caption id="attachment_1610" align="alignleft" width="100" caption="Access point"][/caption]

Access points:

Allow transitions of conduits from basement to floor level and inter-cell connections.

[caption id="attachment_1611" align="alignleft" width="100" caption="Foot Portal"][/caption]

Foot portal:

These allow for direct attachment of legs to the load bearing floor, without compromise of sealed basement. A minimum of two feet per cell, but where three feet would offer static stability, four feet could offer dynamic stability (depending on ski/track attachment). Each foot operated independently buy means of pneumatics.

[caption id="attachment_1613" align="alignleft" width="100" caption="Locking Points"][/caption]

Locking Point:

Three-point attachment between cells, transferring load of adjacent cell to structural/load bearing floor. Symmetric about the vertical axis, allowing left and right orientation of cells

[caption id="attachment_1614" align="alignleft" width="119" caption="Sliding Door"][/caption]

Sliding Door:

The endplate doors can seal the cell from external elements and can be stored within the cell wall when it has fused with another cell.

[caption id="attachment_1615" align="alignleft" width="150" caption="Radiation Energy Absorbtion"][/caption]

Energy Shell:

The energy shell is a dual purpose energy collection system for periods of sunlight. The shell harnesses both long-wave radiation to heat water, and shortwave radiation via solar cells.

[caption id="attachment_1616" align="alignleft" width="378" caption="Energy Ring"][/caption]

Energy Ring

The Energy Ring is used for obtaining wind energy by means of a communal fan. The energy ring harnesses energy in three methods: 1) via inductive coils to generate electricity; 2) via compressors to store compressed air and ventilate the cells; 3) via pumps to raise water to ceiling storage tanks.

Additional features not shown are:

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  External windows and doors, which, depending on the cells specialisation may be of various requirements, i.e. external stair cases, ramps into workshops, full sky aurora viewing windows etc.
  
  
  
  
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  Ceiling water storage tanks, providing both energy storage and damping of oscillations.
  
  
  
  

THE ART-TIC CIRCLE, THE SIX CELLED ORGANISM

[caption id="attachment_1617" align="aligncenter" width="642" caption="Six Cell organism"][/caption]

A sample set of cells formed in an Art-tic Circle to make use of the energy ring, showing a sample of specilised cells.

A SUPER ORGANISM

The adaptation of a single Art-tic Circle to fuse with a second organism.

MOBILITY

Depending on chosen foot configuration will define various possibilities for the placement of tracks / skis. The following diagrams show possible configurations where the cell has two feet. The organism can be moved as a unit:

Or pairs of cells may be moved while fused:

SURVIVABILITY

[caption id="attachment_1621" align="aligncenter" width="540" caption="Section view of an Art-tic Circle"][/caption]

Prevention of snow built up is achieved by maintaining a smooth exterior cell wall. Since each foot operates independently the Art-tic Circle is able to maintain its position above the snow level by standing on alternative feet. The legs may be adapted to not only stand but to attach to buried supports offering more stability. When harsh conditions require the Art-tic Circle or cells may drop their profile and lie on the ground, once again the independently operating feet allow for easy extrication of the organism.

ENERGY

The Art-tic Circle cells are able to harness energy from solar energy individually, or wind energy communally where sufficient cells (four or more) have fused to support the energy ring fan.

The fan is a ring that supports an omni-directional wind turbine. The fan-turbine is supported by a maglev principal requiring no compromise to the cell walls smooth wall. The fan is a light weight structure with a high angular momentum created by the placement by magnets on the perimeter of the ring. These magnets interact with energy converters buried in the wall of the individual cells (the energy ring). These energy converters generate potential energy in the form of electricity, air pressure, and gravitational energy as mentioned earlier or thermal energy regulating the organism's environment.

Magnetic levitation of Fan and coils for electrical generation. (Base on Right / turbine-fan on Left).

Ideally the Art-tic Circle would operate on low voltage DC systems, where batteries would be inside the cell insulation and maintained at optimal operating temperatures.

The concept of the adapting "wind fan" is still to follow.

If you would like to discuss ideas please contact Rupert Spann ra.spann@gmail.com, 00+27214059470 or leave your comments