Payload retention device

Details Payload retention device Payload retention device

1991-12-26

1992-06-30

Peters, Jr., Joseph F.

Aeronautics and astronautics

Spacecraft

Attitude control

294 655, 294 864, 901 30, 901 46, B64G 162

Patent

active

051256010

ABSTRACT:
A payload retention device (10) for grappling and retaining a payload (14) in docked position on a supporting structure (18) in the cargo bay of a space vehicle. The device comprises a two-fault tolerant electromagnetic grappling system comprising electromagnets (30A,30B) for attracting and grappling a grapple strike plate (20) affixed to the payload when in proximity thereto and an electromechanical latching assembly comprising a pair of independent latching subassemblies. Each subassembly comprises a set of latching pawls (29) which are driven into latching and unlatching positions relative to a grappled payload by a pair of gearmotors (40), each equipped with a ratchet clutch drive mechanism (75, 76) which is two-fault tolerant with respect to latching such that only one gearmotor of the four needs to be operational to effect a latch of the payload but is single fault tolerant with respect to release of a latched payload. Sensors (72,92,96) are included for automatically sensing the magnetic grappling of a payload and for automatically de-energizing the gearmotors (40) of the latching subassemblies when a latch condition is achieved.

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patent: 4929009 (1990-05-01), Vandersluis et al.
patent: 4929011 (1990-05-01), Vandersluis et al.
patent: 4955654 (1990-09-01), Tsuchihashi
patent: 4965645 (1990-10-01), Baumann

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