초록 ▼

A system for docking a space vehicle 11 to a space station 12 where a connecting tunnel for in-flight transfer of personnel is required. Cooperable coupling mechanisms 51, 52 include docking rings 56, 61 on the space vehicle 11 and space station 12, respectively. The space station is provided with a

A system for docking a space vehicle 11 to a space station 12 where a connecting tunnel for in-flight transfer of personnel is required. Cooperable coupling mechanisms 51, 52 include docking rings 56, 61 on the space vehicle 11 and space station 12, respectively. The space station is provided with a tunnel structure 15, a retraction mechanism 30, and a docking ring 56 attached thereto. The vehicle coupling mechanism 52 is designed to capture the station coupling mechanism 51, arrest relative spacecraft motions while limiting loads to acceptable levels, and then realign the spacecraft for final docking and tunnel interconnection. The docking ring 61 of the space vehicle coupling mechanism is supported by linear attenuator actuator devices 63 each of which is controlled by a control system (FIG. 10) which receives loading information signals and attenuator stroke information signals from each device 63 and supplies output signals for controlling its linear actuation to attenuate impact loading or to realign the spacecraft for final docking and tunnel interconnection. Retraction mechanism 30 is used to draw the spacecraft together after initial contact and coupling. Tunnel trunnions 21, 22, 23, 25 cooperative with latches 67 on the space vehicle 11 constitute the primary structural tie between the spacecraft in final docked configuration.

대표청구항 ▼

A docking mechanism for the docking of a space vehicle having a payload bay with a space station having an egress hatch, said docking mechanism comprising: a space station docking structure mounted on said space station, said docking structure comprising an elongated tunnel structure attached at one

A docking mechanism for the docking of a space vehicle having a payload bay with a space station having an egress hatch, said docking mechanism comprising: a space station docking structure mounted on said space station, said docking structure comprising an elongated tunnel structure attached at one of its ends in sealing relation with the space station about the egress hatch thereof; a first docking ring; means for mounting said first docking ring to the tunnel structure whereby said first docking ring is selectively movable between a retracted position closely adjacent the tunnel structure and a deployed position wherein said first docking ring is extended from the tunnel structure to a position appropriate for coupling engagement with a space vehicle; a space vehicle docking structure mounted on said space vehicle, said space vehicle docking structure comprising a second docking ring; a rigid support ring mounted on a wall of the payload bay in a location which is offset from the centerline of the space vehicle; a plurality of linearly expansible attenuator actuator devices interconnecting said second docking ring and rigid support ring and movably supporting said second docking ring on the rigid support ring in an exposed position when the payload bay is in opened condition; coupling means responsive to substantially coaxial engagement of said first and second docking rings by an aligned approach of the space vehicle to the space station for coupling said first and second docking rings; impact attenuation means comprising said plurality of linearly expansible attenuator actuator devices for attenuating and absorbing the docking impact of the space vehicle and space station; and means responsive to retraction of the active docking ring after coupling engagement of said docking rings for establishing a structural tie between said space vehicle and space station and sealing connection of said tunnel structure with said space vehicle for establishing a passageway for the passage of personnel and equipment between the space vehicle and space station.