L3-DST-SEAL-LAB
CRITICAL
ENVIRONMENTAL
Level 3 · hardware
Labyrinth Seals for Motion Joints
Multi-Stage Labyrinth Seals for Rotating/Sliding Joints
Multi-stage labyrinth seals at rotating and sliding joints (antenna gimbals, robot wrists, conveyor bearings) preventing dust ingress to internal mechanisms.
Purpose
Multi-stage labyrinth seals at rotating and sliding joints (antenna gimbals, robot wrists, conveyor bearings) preventing dust ingress to internal mechanisms.
Context
Child of L2-DST-SEAL within the Lunar Ark system
Principles
- ▸Multi-stage non-contact labyrinth blocks dust path
- ▸Ferrofluid seal stage for absolute dust block
- ▸Pressurised purge gas option for active expulsion
- ▸Coordinated with EDS for surface cleanliness
- ▸Used on L3-COM-ANT-POINT, L1-ROB joints, L3-ISR-EXC-ACT
Typical implementations
- ▸Industrial labyrinth seal heritage
- ▸Aerospace bearing seal designs
- ▸Mars rover wheel/joint seals
Lunar considerations
- ▸Apollo experience: dust caused EVA mechanism wear in hours — modern designs critical
- ▸Long-life ferrofluid stability
- ▸Periodic L1-MNT inspection
Specifications
Functional
| primary function | Multi-stage labyrinth seals at rotating and sliding joints (antenna gimbals, robot wrists, conveyor bearings) preventing dust ingress to internal mechanisms. |
| dust block um | 1 |
| stages | 3 |
Physical
| mass kg | 5 |
| materials | Stainless labyrinth rings, Ferrofluid + permanent magnets |
| vacuum compatibility | True |
Operational
| power consumption w | 0 |
| thermal range c | -40, 70 |
| lifetime years | 15 |
| mtbf hours | 80000 |
Interfaces
Provides
- Dust-sealed gimbal
- Dust-sealed joints
- Dust-sealed actuators
Requires
- Replacement seal manufacture
- Periodic inspection
Cite this entry
Lunar Ark Codex. "Labyrinth Seals for Motion Joints" (L3-DST-SEAL-LAB). Retrieved 10 September 2026, from https://lunarark.com/entry/L3-DST-SEAL-LAB
Licensed CC-BY-SA 4.0. You may reuse and adapt this entry with attribution, under the same licence.