Logistics rack for space flight

Details Logistics rack for space flight Logistics rack for space flight

1999-08-19

2001-07-31

Gibson, Jr., Robert W (Department: 3634)

Supports: racks

Special article

C211S189000, C296S003000, C224S401000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06267253

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates in general to a stowage apparatus which secures and stows items such as clothes, food, equipment, and tools in a space flight environment. More specifically, the invention provides a logistics rack including a plurality of stowage bays in which soft-sided logistics bags are secured during flight. The logistics rack is of modular design that allows the rack to be readily reconfigured for use in a variety of space flight applications.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Items required for space flight, such as clothes, food, equipment and tools, have previously been stored within special purpose stowage apparatus such as lockers or racks.
FIG. 1
, for example, illustrates a stowage locker
10
having a number of stowage compartments
12
that is specifically configured for flight aboard a pressurized module located within the cargo bay of an STS Orbiter. The stowage locker
10
includes a fixed structure that defines the stowage compartments
12
, such that when the stowage compartments
12
are emptied, the stowage locker
10
still occupies a fixed volume of useless space within the space vehicle. Still further, the structure of the stowage locker
10
with the fixed stowage compartments
12
constitutes a significant amount of dead weight, as solid panels are used in the construction of the stowage locker
10
.
In order to overcome the problems associated with the stowage locker
10
illustrated in
FIG. 1
, another approach to stowing items for space travel incorporates the use of cargo bags that are strapped to a stowage rack.
FIG. 2
, for example, illustrates a special purpose stowage rack
14
under development on which a number of cargo stowage bags
16
are strapped. The structure of the stowage rack
14
is substantially reduced from that of the stowage locker
10
, as fixed stowage compartments are not utilized and the weight of the structure is therefore reduced. Further, once the cargo bags
16
are removed from the stowage rack
14
, the space previously occupied by the cargo bags
16
becomes available for use.
Still further, it has been proposed that existing special purpose science racks (not shown) utilized to hold experiment packages within pressurized modules located in the cargo bay of the STS Orbiter be modified to carry the cargo bags
16
illustrated in FIG.
2
. The science racks, however, are constructed to fit in a particular module unit and cannot be readily reconfigured for use on different types of vehicles or modules. Accordingly, as with the other types of lockers and racks discussed above, it would be necessary to manufacture different types of racks for different types of applications.
In view of the above, it would be desirable to provide a stowage apparatus that holds a large volume of items, is relatively light weight, and may be readily reconfigured for flight on a variety of space vehicles or modules. Still further, it would be desirable to provide a stowage apparatus that includes the ability to launch in one configuration and be reconfigured on orbit for return in a different configuration.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a stowage apparatus that holds a large volume of items, is light weight, and may be readily reconfigured for flight on a variety of space vehicles or modules. In addition, the stowage apparatus can be launched in one configuration and then reconfigured in orbit for return in a different configuration.
Specifically, the present invention utilizes a logistics rack of modular design that includes a common core having a top end and a bottom end, an interchangeable upper interface adapter releaseably coupled to the top end of the common core, and an interchangeable lower interface adapter releaseably coupled to the bottom end of the common core. The common core preferably includes a back support structure, a top support structure, a plurality of vertical side support structures connected to the back support structure and the top support structure, and a plurality of horizontal support structures connected to the vertical side support structures, wherein a plurality of stowage bays are defined. The interchangeable lower interface adapter includes a base member that is releaseably coupled to the common core and a lower support structure that couples to a specific vehicle or module. Similarly, the interchangeable upper interface adapter includes an attachment member that is releaseably coupled to the common core and two side support struts that are coupled to a specific vehicle or module. The ability to readily interchange the upper and lower interface adapters allows the logistic rack to be easily configured for use in a variety of applications. In addition, the support structures faces are of open design that reduce weight and allow physical access into the rack.


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patent: 5984114 (1999-11-01), Frankel
patent: 6039501 (2000-03-01), Ruther

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