Aeronautics and astronautics – Spacecraft – Spacecraft formation – orbit – or interplanetary path
Patent
1997-01-21
2000-10-03
Poon, Peter M.
Aeronautics and astronautics
Spacecraft
Spacecraft formation, orbit, or interplanetary path
2441374, 244161, 294 86, 294 8224, B64G 164
Patent
active
061261157
ABSTRACT:
An apparatus for latching an object, such as a payload for a space vehicle, includes an expandible latch which is shifted between a relaxed open condition and a flexed closed condition by actuation of a pair of temperature-responsive members, such as shaped memory alloy (SMA) coil springs. One of the two temperature-responsive members biases an actuator into a first position that allows the expandible latch to open. The other SMA member biases the actuator in the opposite position to close the expandible latch. Heating the appropriate SMA member causes the actuator to move from one position to the other position. In the preferred embodiment, no power is required to maintain the actuator in either position once the position has been established. For example, the actuator may have a rest position that allows the expandible latch to remain open when the two SMA members are cooled and allowed to reach an equilibrium condition with respect to applied force to the actuator. A detent-and-ball arrangement may be used to maintain the position of the actuator after the expandible latch has been closed.
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Carrier Alain
Cobb Bruce
Dinh T.
Lockheed Martin Corporation
Poon Peter M.
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