Docking system

Details Docking system Docking system

2010-08-20

2011-11-15

Dinh, Tien (Department: 3644)

Aeronautics and astronautics

Spacecraft

Rendezvous or docking

Reexamination Certificate

active

08056864

ABSTRACT:
A convex forward surface of a forward-biased probe head of a first portion of a docking system engages a central concave conical surface of a second portion of the docking system. A first linear actuator moves a flexible docking cable assembly relative to a support structure through bores therein and through the probe head. An aftward retraction of the docking cable assembly causes a linearly-actuated cam element thereof to rotate a rotary cam follower pivoted from the support structure, which engages an aft edge portion of the probe head, forcing the probe head forward. A plurality of distal coupling elements operatively coupled to the support structure around a central axis thereof engage with and become releasably captured by a corresponding socket and associated capture mechanism of a mating second portion of the docking system, and rigidized when the probe head is forced against the central concave conical surface.

REFERENCES:
patent: 2153077 (1939-04-01), Clarke
patent: 2199588 (1940-05-01), Cobham et al.
patent: 2716527 (1955-08-01), Latimer-Needham
patent: 2761636 (1956-09-01), Finlay
patent: 2970796 (1961-02-01), Ross
patent: 3009729 (1961-11-01), Eakin
patent: 3201065 (1965-08-01), Dunn
patent: 3389877 (1968-06-01), Huber et al.
patent: 3478986 (1969-11-01), Fogarty
patent: 3508723 (1970-04-01), Warren et al.
patent: 3579750 (1971-05-01), Carbon et al.
patent: 3597811 (1971-08-01), Cunningham
patent: 3605210 (1971-09-01), Lohr
patent: 3608848 (1971-09-01), Cantor et al.
patent: 3713192 (1973-01-01), Wallin
patent: 3737117 (1973-06-01), Belew
patent: 3753536 (1973-08-01), White
patent: 3809002 (1974-05-01), Nagy et al.
patent: 3938461 (1976-02-01), Marriner
patent: 4083520 (1978-04-01), Rupp et al.
patent: 4119051 (1978-10-01), Orndorff, Jr.
patent: 4177964 (1979-12-01), Hujsak et al.
patent: 4195804 (1980-04-01), Hujsak et al.
patent: 4317263 (1982-03-01), Fohl
patent: 4381092 (1983-04-01), Barker
patent: 4391423 (1983-07-01), Pruett et al.
patent: 4393555 (1983-07-01), Fohl
patent: 4431333 (1984-02-01), Chandler
patent: 4500057 (1985-02-01), Duweiz
patent: 4570310 (1986-02-01), Gelula
patent: 4573725 (1986-03-01), Griffiths
patent: 4578844 (1986-04-01), Gelula
patent: 4588150 (1986-05-01), Bock et al.
patent: 4597354 (1986-07-01), Gelula
patent: 4607815 (1986-08-01), Turci et al.
patent: 4709454 (1987-12-01), Barnes
patent: 4711003 (1987-12-01), Gelula
patent: 4711493 (1987-12-01), Schrom et al.
patent: 4712753 (1987-12-01), Howard
patent: 4809409 (1989-03-01), Van Riesen
patent: 4906123 (1990-03-01), Weskamp et al.
patent: 4964596 (1990-10-01), Ganssle et al.
patent: 5253944 (1993-10-01), Preston
patent: 5364046 (1994-11-01), Dobbs et al.
patent: 5429328 (1995-07-01), Dobbs et al.
patent: 5735488 (1998-04-01), Schneider
patent: 6299107 (2001-10-01), Kong et al.
patent: 6742745 (2004-06-01), Tchoryk et al.
patent: 6767155 (2004-07-01), O'Brien et al.
patent: 6935805 (2005-08-01), O'Brien et al.
patent: 6969030 (2005-11-01), Jones et al.
patent: 7104505 (2006-09-01), Tchoryk et al.
patent: 7374134 (2008-05-01), Collyer et al.
patent: 7375517 (2008-05-01), Cinoglu et al.
patent: 7828249 (2010-11-01), Ritter et al.
patent: 7857261 (2010-12-01), Tchoryk, Jr. et al.
patent: 7861974 (2011-01-01), Hays et al.
patent: 7992824 (2011-08-01), Tchoryk, Jr. et al.
patent: 2004/0245405 (2004-12-01), Tchoryk et al.
patent: 2005/0263649 (2005-12-01), Ritter et al.
patent: 2007/0210212 (2007-09-01), Tchoryk, Jr. et al.
patent: 2009/0146011 (2009-06-01), Ritter et al.
patent: 2009/0173832 (2009-07-01), Hays et al.
patent: 2009/0173833 (2009-07-01), Ritter et al.
patent: 2011/0004717 (2011-01-01), Ritter et al.
patent: 2011/0058892 (2011-03-01), Tchoryk, Jr. et al.
Tchoryk Jr., P.; M.E. Dobbs, D.J. Apley, D.J. Conrad, M.P. Frazer, D.K. Slayton, “Autonomous Rendezvous and Docking Using an Expendable Launch Vehicle,” AIAA/Utah State University Conference on Small Satellites, Poster Paper, Logan, Utah, Aug. 27-29, 1991.
Quintero, Montgomery, Tchoryk, “Autonomous Rendezvous and Docking Scenarios for Guidelines and Standards,” AIAA Space Programs Conference Proceedings, Huntsville, AL, Sep. 21-23, 1993.
Tchoryk Jr., P.; A. Hays, J. Pavlich, G. Ritter, G. Wassick, C. Nardell, G. Sypitkowski, “Autonomous Satellite Docking System,” AIAA 2001-4527, AIAA Space 2001 Conference and Exhibition, Albuquerque, NM, Aug. 28-30, 2001.
Tchoryk Jr., P., A. Hays, J. Pavlich, “Modeling and Simulation of an Autonomous Satellite Docking System,” AIAA 2001 Core Technologies for Space Systems Conference, Nov. 28-30, 2001, Colorado Springs, CO.
Tchoryk Jr., P.; Anthony B. Hays, Jane C. Pavlich; “A Docking Solution for On-Orbit Satellite Servicing: Part of the Responsive Space Equation,” AIAA-LA Section/SSTC 2003-2001 Responsive Space Conference Apr. 1-3, 2003.
Hays, A. B.; P. Tchoryk, Jr., J. Pavlich, G. Wassick, “Dynamic Simulation and Validation of a Satellite Docking System,” SPIE AeroSense Symposium, Space Systems Technology and Operations Conference, Orlando, FL, Apr. 21-25, 2003.
Pavlich, J.; P. Tchoryk, Jr., A. Hays, G. Wassick, “KC-135 Zero-G Testing of a Micro-Satellite Docking Mechanism,” SPIE AeroSense Symposium, Space Systems Technology and Operations Conference, Orlando, FL, Apr. 21-25, 2003.
Hays, A., Dynamic Simulation Makes a Connection, Aerospace Engineering, SAE Publications, Nov. 2003, p. 77.
Hays, A. B.; P. Tchoryk, Jr., J. C. Pavlich, G. A. Ritter, G. J. Wassick; Advancements in KC-135 microgravity testing satellite docking system, Proceedings of SPIE, vol. 5419, Spacecraft Platforms and Infrastructure, Peter Tchoryk, Jr., Melissa Write, Editors, Aug. 2004, pp. 119-129.
Hays, A. B.; P. Tchoryk, Jr., J. C. Pavlich, Greg A. Ritter, Gregory J. Wassick; Advancements in design of an autonomous satellite docking system, Proceedings of SPIE, vol. 5419, Spacecraft Platforms and Infrastructure, Peter Tchoryk, Jr., Melissa Write, Editors, Aug. 2004, pp. 107-118.
USPTO Office Action in U.S. Appl. No. 10/857,808, Dec. 17, 2004, 5 pages.
Ritter et al., Docking System, U.S. Appl. No. 12/409,468, filed Mar. 23, 2009, 53 pages.
USPTO Office Action in U.S. Appl. No. 12/409,456, Jun. 11, 2010, 15 pages.
Schedules and Lingering Worries, http://history.nasa.gov/SP-4205/ch12-2.html, 4 pages, Jun. 11, 2010 USPTO Office Action in U.S. Appl. No. 12/409,456.
USPTO Office Action in U.S. Appl. No. 11/531,261, Feb. 4, 2010, 16 pages.
USPTO Office Action in U.S. Appl. No. 10/907,091, May 2, 2008, 15 pages.
USPTO Office Action in U.S. Appl. No. 12/406,955, Mar. 15, 2010, 26 pages.
USPTO Office Action in U.S. Appl. No. 12/852,710, Mar. 3, 2011, 12 pages.
USPTO Notice of Allowance in U.S. Appl. No. 12/852,710, filed Apr. 1, 2011, 5 pp.
USPTO Office Action in U.S. Appl. No. 12/263,498, Aug. 3, 2011, 28 pages.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Docking system does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Docking system, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Docking system will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-4293935