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Patent Number: |
8006937 |
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Case ID: |
0 |
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Patent Title:
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Spacecraft docking interface mechanism
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Status: |
ACTIVE |
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Status Date: |
9/23/2011 8:45:02 AM |
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Issue Date:
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8/30/2011 |
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Filed Date:
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2/6/2009 |
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Serial #:
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2/367,207 |
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Assignee Name:
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The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
(Washington,
DC)
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Inventor(s):
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Romano, Marcello , Oppenheimer, Paul |
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to docking mechanisms for spacecraft.
2. Description of the Related Art
The ability to dock multiple spacecraft has an enormous benefit for many spacecraft applications. Spacecraft that do not fit in a single launch vehicle can be launched independently and assembled in orbit. Furthermore, for instance, a broken
module of a spacecraft can be jettisoned and replaced by a new module without having to replace the entire spacecraft.
A current limitation of all existing docking interface designs is the limited reliability and high complexity of their designs. In particular, the current Orbital Express docking interface design (Starsys Research Corporation, Boulder, Colo.)
uses motors, gears, and cams to reach mechanical connection loads that are high enough to transfer fluid. Additional moving parts may decrease reliability while increasing the mas . . . . More |
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A demountable docking interface mechanism and method for docking and
undocking two spacecraft utilizing the demountable docking interface
mechanism.
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What is claimed is:
1. A docking interface mechanism for spacecraft comprising: a frame; at least one alignment pin extending outward from the frame, the at least one alignment pin comprising:
a sleeve; a shape memory alloy coupling mounted within the sleeve, the shape memory alloy coupling formed of a shape memory alloy; an alignment pin pipe located within the sleeve; and at least one heater mounted within the sleeve, the heater for
controlling the temperature of the shape memory alloy coupling, wherein the at least one alignment pin is configured for insertion within a corresponding alignment cup of another docking interface mechanism when the shape memory alloy coupling is below
an associated austenitic temperature of the shape memory alloy, wherein the at least one alignment pin is further configured to form a rigid mechanical connection with an alignment cup pipe in the corresponding alignment cup when the temperature of the
shape memory alloy coupling increases to a . . . . More |
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