초록 ▼

A mechanism for the docking of a space vehicle to a space station where a connection for transfer of personnel and equipment is desired. The invention comprises an active docking structure on a space vehicle 10 and a passive docking structure on a station 11. The passive structure includes a docking

A mechanism for the docking of a space vehicle to a space station where a connection for transfer of personnel and equipment is desired. The invention comprises an active docking structure on a space vehicle 10 and a passive docking structure on a station 11. The passive structure includes a docking ring 50 mounted on a tunnel structure 35 fixed to the space station. The active structure including a docking ring 18 carried by actuator-attenuator devices 20, each attached at one end to the ring 18 and at its other end in the vehicle\s payload bay 12. The devices 20 respond to command signals for moving the docking ring 18 between a stowed position in the space vehicle to a deployed position suitable for engagement with the docking ring 50. The devices 20 comprise means responsive to signals of sensed loadings to absorb impact energy and retraction means for drawing the coupled space vehicle and station into final docked configuration and moving the tunnel structure to a berthed position in the space vehicle 10. Latches 60 couple the space vehicle and space station upon contact of docking rings 18 and 50 and latches 41-48 establish a structural tie between the spacecraft when retracted.

대표청구항 ▼

A docking mechanism for the coupling and docking of a space vehicle with a space station which is provided with an egress hatch, said docking mechanism comprising: a pressurizable tunnel structure attached at one end to said space station in sealing engagement therewith about said egress hatch, said

A docking mechanism for the coupling and docking of a space vehicle with a space station which is provided with an egress hatch, said docking mechanism comprising: a pressurizable tunnel structure attached at one end to said space station in sealing engagement therewith about said egress hatch, said tunnel structure providing a passageway of a size sufficient for accommodating the passage of personnel and equipment; a passive docking ring affixed to said tunnel structure at a location thereon remote from said one end; an active docking ring mounted on said space vehicle; actuator means for moving said active docking ring between a stowed retracted position in the payload bay of the spaced vehicle to a fully deployed position outside said space vehicle wherein said active docking ring is disposed for coupling engagement with the passive docking ring in the space station when the space vehicle makes an aligned docking approach to the space station, said actuator means being responsive to the docking impact of said space vehicle with the space station to attenuate the shock forces of said impact and after completing engagement retracting the docket and assembly; 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.