Docking system

Details Docking system Docking system

2009-03-23

2010-11-09

Collins, Timothy D (Department: 3643)

Aeronautics and astronautics

Spacecraft

Rendezvous or docking

C024S595100

Reexamination Certificate

active

07828249

ABSTRACT:
First and second releasably connectable portions of a docking system are moved together. A relatively central concave element of the second portion of the docking system contacts a corresponding relatively central mating convex element of the first portion of the docking system. A plurality of relatively distal coupling elements rigidly connected to one of the first and second portions of the docking system are inserted into a corresponding plurality of relatively distal sockets of the other of the first and second portions of the docking system. The plurality of relatively distal coupling elements are captured with a corresponding plurality of relatively distal latch mechanisms associated with the plurality of relatively distal sockets responsive to inserting the plurality of relatively distal coupling elements into the corresponding plurality of relatively distal sockets.

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